Nevada and Calvin Inks, 1906

Calvin L. Inks and Nevada B. Minerd were first cousins who married each other. 

Calvin was born on Nov. 18, 1867 at Farmington, Fayette County, PA, the son of Andrew J. and Minerva (Minerd) Inks. He grew up on a farm in Farmington, but came to Connellsville as s a young man in about 1890. At the age of 22, he worked as a merchant in Dunbar, Fayette County.

Nevada was born on the Fourth of July 1874 in Dunbar, Fayette County, the daughter of Isaac F. and Frances Caroline (Jordan) Minerd. She is known to have lived in childhood in southern Virginia (where her mother's people were from) and also in North Dakota.

On Jan. 15, 1890, Calvin and Nevada were married at Dunbar, Fayette County, by the hand of "Squire" A.C. Duncan, a justice of the peace. At the time, Cal marked his age as "22" while Nevada's was disclosed as "between 15 & 16 years."

Several months after their wedding, the Uniontown Genius of Liberty reported that "Cal looks well and enjoys himself among his old friends."

Nevada at about the time of marriage

In November 1906, they are believed to have spent the Thanksgiving holiday at the home of Cal's parents in either Farmington or Fairchance, Fayette County.

The Inkses lived at 252 East Fairview Avenue in Uniontown and later on Tenth Street and at 404 Jefferson Street in Connellsville, PA.  In 1910, Nevada's brother Oliver boarded at their home in Connellsville.

Their five children were Ethel Minerva Eutsey, Sanford Minerd "Sam" Inks, Robert Inks, Oliver "Clyde" Inks and Floyd Inks. 

Sadly, Robert (1893, spinal meningitis) and Floyd (1899) died in childhood and are buried at Hopwood Cemetery near Uniontown.

Calvin was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for about 45 years, and was a member of the B&O Maintenance of Ways Employees and the B&O Veterans Association.  Nevada was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the B&O Veterans Association. 

He may be the same "Calvin C. Inks" who, working as a carpenter in June 1909, was injured at work when he fell 20 feet from a scaffold at the B&O ice plant in Connellsville. Reported the Weekly Courier, "He received a serious scalp wound and was badly bruised, but otherwise his injuries were not serious... Inks made a mis-step, which resulted in the tumble." 

Cal was affiliated with the B&O's train running to Cumberland, MD. Many years later, one of the local journalists who gathered news every day at the B&O station in Connellsville wrote this about the era: 

The Cumberland accommodation -- No. 48 the reporters knew it by -- may still be running. It used to arrive from Pittsburgh around 9. Not many "personals" in the crowd that got aboard her. It didn't tax a cub reporter's ability to discover that elbowers and elbowed were for the most part deadheads -- maintenance men, bound for points up the line to spend the day doing their bit to keep the road running. Regulars included the late W.S. Schenck, bridge foreman, and Thomas Edmonds, boss painter, Calvin L. Inks, retired carpenter, as recalled, was a member of Mr. Schenck's bridge crew.

Connellsville's Main Street, circa 1909

When Cal celebrated his 31st birthday in 1899, his friends threw a party at his home on Fairview Avenue. The Courier said he was "presented with a gold watch by his admiring friends." In 1908, when he reached his milestone 40th birthday, reported the Courier, Cal received a surprise party. "The affair was cleverly arranged by his wife and was indeed a great surprise," the Courier reported. "On his return home from prayer meeting he was completely surprised when greeted by about 20 of his most intimate friends. The evening was spent in a most delightful manner until a late hour when a bounteous repast was served." He received a "very handsome umbrella" as a gift, and among the out of town guests attending were Miss Mary Whetzel" of Brownsville and William Dusenberry of Uniontown.

Active in the community, Cal also was a member of the Central Methodist Church board of trustees for 40 years and a member of the F.O.M. Class of the church's Sunday School.  He also was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Nevada belonged to the Dames of Malta, and to the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Emma B. Goodyear Tent No. 46. She is known to have hosted meetings in their home of the King's Daughters of the Methodist Protestant Church. 

The DUV of the Civil War appears to have been a largely social group. One Daily Courier article from October 1938 reported that a covered-dish dinner was held at the Elks Hall in Connellsville in honor of Nevada's birthday and those of three other members -- Mary Kerns, Isabelle Loomis and Clara Zimmerman. "Places for twenty-two members were laid at a large table which was laden with many good things of the season," said the Courier. "Appointments were in keeping with Hallowe'en. Favors were small flower-shaped holders filled with candy. The honored guests were each presented with a cake." The following year, she was elected as treasurer of the group, and in 1941 she served as chaplain. The group provided transportation in September 1952 so that 78-year-old Nevada could attend an upcoming dinner. 

Daily Courier, 1918

Son Sanford served in World War I with the 26th Engineers. Less then a month before the Armistice, he wrote a letter from France to his mother which was reprinted in the Oct. 16, 1918 Connellsville Daily Courier. Part of the letter read:

Well, sweetheart, I am still on the right side and am enjoying the best of everything this old world can dish out; I mean good health, wealth, happiness and all. Mother, really I would like to see you again. I often sit and wonder about you, on my part, dear, I can see you as well as if you were here. Mother, dear, would you not be surprised if I was to walk in on you some night about 5:30 and say 'well, dear, is supper ready?' Mother, I will never forget your good bread and jelly now. Mother all the jelly you sent me was so good and I surely enjoyed it. I have not had any real good bread since being over here, but I have had some mighty fine suppers with the French people. Tonight I am going to get my fill of eggs. I know a French lady and she is going to let me have a dozen eggs.

Cal and Nevada

In September 1928, at the death of his sister Minnie Johnson in Philadelphia, Calvin and Nevada traveled to attend the funeral.

Cal died on Aug. 12, 1949, at the age of 81, in their home on Jefferson Street. His death followed two surgeries in late 1948 and early 1949, leaving him bedfast. Following a funeral at the Central Methodist Church, led by Rev. W.C. Marquis, he was laid to rest in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Nevada outlived him by seven years. She enjoyed traveling to Detroit to visit with her married son Clyde and his family. She is known to have baked a three-tiered wedding cake for her granddaughter Dorothy (Eutsey) Ackerman in 1946, and at the age of 86 to have attended the wedding of her grandson Charles E. Eutsey in Connellsville in July 1950. 

She passed away on Sept. 13, 1956. She rests beside her husband at Green Ridge. At the time of her death, Nevada had 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

~ Son Sanford Minerd "Sam" Inks ~

Son Sanford Minerd "Sam" Inks (1893-1970) was born on Sept. 5, 1893 in Connellsville, Fayette County, PA.

He was considered "one of the best known young men in Connellsville" by the local newspaper, the Connellsville Daily Courier. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches and weighed 174 lbs.

West Penn power plant, Connellsville

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1917-1919, as a member of the Fifth Engineers, deployed to France. He is known to have taken part in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel Touls. After the war, he was assigned to the 153rd Depot Brigade Company 35 until discharge. After his army term ended, he returned home to Connellsville. He then attended Douglas Business College.

On March 4, 1920, Sam wed his first wife, Edith "Mae" DeHaven (Feb. 28, 1893-1923), daughter of Dennis and Caroline (Hudson) DeHaven. The ceremony took place in Pittsburgh, where Mae resided at the time.

One known son was born to the pair in May 1922, Sanford Melvin Inks.

Their home in 1922-1923 was at 404 Jefferson Street. Tragedy tore their world apart in early May 1923 when the 29-year-old Mae was expecting another baby. She suffered a miscarriage and pulmonary embolism and, unable to recover, succumbed to the spectre of death on May 8, 1923. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Hill Grove Cemetery.

Sam in 1924 joined the workforce of West Penn Power company in Connellsville. He spent more than three decades with the utility company's billing department in Connellsville. He was promoted to senior clerk in 1939, billing clerk in 1943, manual billing supervisor in 1952 and chief clerk manual billing in 1956. Sam marked his 30th year anniversary in March 1954 and retired in October 1958 after logging a total of 34 years.

By 1928, Sam entered into marriage with Betty ( ? - ? ) and apparently produced a daughter together, Marjorie Inks.

The union unraveled in a separation in June 1928. Sam testified in court that "he could no longer stand his wife's alternatively flaming love, hot and cold," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. "He had done his best, his wife had promised to do better and failed and to save his own life he had to leave, he said. Betty's story was different. She blamed Sanford." 

Sam's world was further turned upside down when he struck and killed a pedestrian along the Lincoln Highway near Jeannette, PA on Jan. 10, 1931. The tragedy was headline news in the victim's hometown of Berwick, PA. 

In filling out military paperwork in 1934, he stated that he and his wife had "parted." 

On April 30, 1935, Sam married again to Ethel Margaret Pierce (1910-1994), daughter of Jacob Pierce of Connellsville. The wedding was held at First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, attended only by Andrew T. Morrow of Uniontown and Mabel Hostetler of Meyersdale. The Uniontown Evening Standard announced the happy event. 

They settled at 1119 Race Street in Connellsville.

Two more children in this family were Dana Inks and Daniel Scott Inks.

The couple were active in the First Baptist Church in town, billed as the "oldest ecclesiastical organization in Connellsville. She was a leader of the Women's Missionary Union and he sat on the congregation's mortgage committee and was a song leader and substitute Sunday School teacher.

Sam named in the First Baptist Church's 150th anniversary booklet

In 1946, when the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary, Sam served on its anniversary committee, along with H.D. Shearer Sr., Glenn Cadwallader, Vera Long, Cora Bess Shearer and Rev. Dr. Robert L. Smith. They planned a series of a dozen consecutive evening worship services, from Sept. 11 to Sept. 22, each one preached by a current or former pastor of the church. In a commemorative booklet, Sam and the committee wrote:

Much time and prayer and consideration have been given to planning and preparing for the 150th Anniversary Services. The Anniversary Committee has done its very best in making necessary arrangements for this special occasion and trusts it will be one of inspiring Christian Fellowship to all. As the services proceed to the Benediction of the final service, it is our sincere prayer that every thing said and done will be to the glory of God.

When the federal census enumeration was made in Connellsville in 1950, Sam's first name was spelled "Samuel." At that time, his widowed mother lived in their household.

Ethel also served on the Third Ward Parent Teacher Association circa 1951.  

In the early 1950s, they took long vacations to Florida, spending three weeks at a time in St. Petersburg and Miami Beach. In 1958, they retired from Connellsville to Holly Hill, FL. By 1962, their home was in Daytona Beach and in 1970 at 550 Jacobsen Avenue in Holly Hill. There, they belonged to the First Baptist Church.

Sam died in Halifax District Hospital in Daytona Beach at the age of 76 on July 18, 1970. His obituary appeared in the Daily Courier back home.

Ethel survived him by 24 years. She passed away in 1994. 

They rest for eternity at Green Ridge Cemetery in Connellsville.

Son Sanford Melvin Inks (1922-1923) was born on May 15, 1922 in Connellsville. His birth was announced on the pages of the Connellsville Daily Courier, which noted that he weighed in at 10½ lbs. But the family's joy turned to horror when the baby contracted ricketts and syphilis ("luetic"). Sadly, he died at age 8 months, 6 days on Jan. 21, 1923. Funeral services were held in the home of his Inks grandparents. Rev. J.H. Lambertson, of the Methodist Protestant Church, led the funeral rites. Interment was in Hill Grove Cemetery, Connellsville.

Daughter Dana Inks (1941- ? ) was born in about 1941. On July 16, 1959, she entered into marriage with Charles J. Uher Sr. ( ? - ? ), son of Stephen J. and Evelyn (Handford) Uher of 625 Blackstone Road, Connellsville. Their nuptials were held at First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, FL, by the hand of Rev. Vernon Brown. In announcing the happy event, the Connellsville Daily Courier reported that the bride wore "a white lace sheath dress, white accessories and a white grograin Dior hair bow with nose veil. She wore a corsage of white carnations." Charles at the time of marriage was employed by Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. As of 1970, the Uhers made their dwelling-place in Connellsville. The couple became the parents of two children -- Shelley Lynn Uher and Charles J. Uher Jr. The family home in 1962 was 625 Blackstone Road, Connellsville. Evidence suggests that the marriage dissolved in divorce. By 2005, Charles dwelled in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Shelley Lynn Uher (1961- ? ) was born in 1961. At her first birthday, she was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Shelley was joined in wedlock with (?) Ward. Three offspring of this pairing are thought to include Zachary Ward, Chelsey Ward and Cody Ward. Shelley made a home in South Connellsville in 2005.

• Grandson Charles J. Uher Jr. ( ? - ? ) tied the marital cord with Margaret. Three children in this family are Haley Uher, Meghan Uher and Kelli Uher. They have made a home in Acme, PA.

Son Daniel Scott Inks (1946-2021) was born on Oct. 17, 1946 in Connellsville. He moved to Daytona Beach with his parents and was a 1964 graduate of Mainland High School. He then graduated in 19666 from Daytona Beach Community College. In 1966, he tied the marital cord with Candice Grover ( ? - ? ), daughter of Sheldon and Audrey L. Grover, the mother a World War II "war bride" from England. Their marital union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 54 years together. They built their lives in South Daytona and were the parents of Kevin Inks and Kerry Inks. Daniel is known to have served in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1966 through 1970, learning the occupational specialty of electrical equipment. He followed the fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Dodgers as well as professional football, baseball, basketball, golf, bowling and college football. Said an obituary, "He enjoyed attending live concerts and would enthusiastically sing along with the artists. While at a concert in Daytona Beach's Peabody Auditorium, his intensity and energy was noticed by The Letterman as the audience sang along while they performed a cover of Kool & the Gang's Celebration. The Letterman were so impressed with his performance, they invited him to join them on-stage and finish out the song. At home, he continued his appreciation and love of music. His extensive music collection included vinyl LPs and 45s, 8-tracks tapes, cassette tapes, and compact discs. He was also fond of creating his own music CDs to put his favorite songs together. He was always happy to discuss music, and asked friends and family about their favorite artists. He would then surprise them with a compilation music CD he created for them, much to their delight." Sadly, Daniel passed away at the age of 74 on Oct. 8, 2021.

• Grandson Kevin Scott Inks ( ? - ? ) lived in Galveston, TX in young manhood. On April 19, 2017, he wed Nicole Jessica Flores ( ? - ? ), daughter of Nick L. Flores. They exchanged their vows at Bayou Vista, TX.

• Grandson Kerry Inks ( ? - ? )

~ Son Oliver "Clyde" Inks ~

Son Oliver "Clyde" Inks (1908-1962) was born on Jan. 23, 1908 in Connellsville. Dr. H.F. Atkinson assisted in the birth.

He stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed 170 lbs. 

Clyde grew up in Connellsville and was twice-wed. On May 29, 1929, at the age of 21, in Wellsburg, WV, he entered into marriage with 21-year-old Helen M. Case (1908- ? ) of McDonald, PA. Rev. M.M. Allison administered the nuptials. 

The only offspring of the couple was Clyde "Gerald" Inks, born in 1932.

Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, after their wedding, "each returned to their homes, [Clyde] living at that time in Washington and his wife in McDonald. They lived for a time in Washington, Waynesburg, Donora, Monongahela and McDonald. They were living at McDonald when the alleged desertion took place." They separated on Nov. 12, 1934, after five-and-a-half years of marriage, and he returned to Connellsville. Helen filed for divorce in Washington County in April 1939, but in a strange twist, he was awarded a divorce two months later, in June 1939. 

At the time of the divorce, he was employed as a meter inspector for West Penn Power Company. In the late 1939-early 1940 timeframe, he relocated to Detroit, MI, initially making a home at 15767 Pinehurst. 

Then at the age of 32, on July 25, 1940, he eloped to Kernstown, VA to marry 33-year-old Ella Irene (Cropp) Percy ( ? - ? ), daughter of John Grant and Belle (Worthington) Cropp of Leisenring No. 1, Fayette County. Rev. E. Summers McGavock, of the Presbyterian Church, officiated. 

The pair remained in Detroit for good. As of 1951, their dwelling place was at the address of 19490 Ferguson.

Clyde died suddenly in a Detroit hospital on Sept. 5, 1962, at the age of 54. His obituary was published in his old hometown newspaper, the Connellsville Daily Courier, and in the Detroit Free Press.

Son Clyde "Gerald" Inks (1932-2023) was born in 1932 in New Eagle, Washington County, PA. After his parents divorced, he resided for a time with his Inks grandparents. Gerald eventually moved to Michigan, making a residence in the Detroit suburb of River Rouge circa 1950-1962. When he was 18 years of age, on Nov. 11, 1950, he tied the knot with Dolores Jeanne Ruano (1932-2019). The wedding took place in Ecorse near Detroit. Together they produced a trio of children -- Donald Inks, David Inks and Kathleen Kurginski. Gerald was a graduate of Wayne State University, where he held bachelor's and master's (1960) degrees in chemistry. He went on to found CV Chemicals, a company based in Houston, TX. After four decades, the pair divorced in Harris County, TX on Sept. 12, 1990. The following month, on Oct. 12, 1990, he wed his second bride, Veronica S. Munoz (1958-2017), also in Harris County. Veronica was 26 years younger than her husband. She assisted him in the administration of CV Chemicals. Their final residence was in Riverview, MI. Gerald died there at the age of 91 on Oct. 15, 2023. A tribute appeared in the Chemical & Engineering News.

• Grandson Donald Inks ( ? - ? )

• Grandson David Inks ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Kathleen Inks ( ? - ? ) is a graduate of Taylor Center High School. She wed (?) Kurginski ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Ethel (Inks) Eutsey ~

Daughter Ethel Inks (1890-1964) was born in about 1890.

In December 1912, she married Clyde E. Eutsey (Aug. 4, 1891-1946), the son of Jacob and Marie Eutsey.

They lived in Connellsville, where they belonged to the Central Methodist Church. 

The Eutseys bore eight children, of whom seven are known -- Charles A. Eutsey, Clarence E. Eutsey, William C. Eutsey, Harry Eutsey, Nevada Cartwright, Mildred Vanorsdale and Dorothy Ackerman.

Clyde was employed for 27 years with West Penn Power. 

He passed away at the age of 54 on Jan. 8, 1946, in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. Following a funeral led by Rev. Lawrence A. Stahl of the Central Methodist Church, his remains were laid to rest in Green Ridge Memorial Park. At the time of his death, said the Daily Courier, he was survived by four grandchildren.

Ethel outlived him for many years, and resided at 209 North Cottage Avenue. In August 1946, she hosted the wedding of her daughter Dorothy to Jack Warren Ackerman in her home. 

She died at age 74 on Nov. 23, 1964.

Son Charles Andrew Eutsey (1921-1979) was born on Sept. 22, 1921. He was employed as a young adult at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. During World War II, on Aug. 11, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to Fort Meade, MD. Later, circa 1946, he was stationed at Las Vegas Army Air Field, where he trained how to operate B-29 bomber remote control turret gunner technology. In July 1950, he married Betty Louise Hough (April 20, 1924-2019), daughter of Elmer "Bud" and Fannie (Gallentine) Hough of Connellsville. She was a graduate of Franklin Commercial School. The couple did not reproduce. Upon marriage, they immediately began living in Pine Bluff, AR. There, Charles was employed by the Larkin Transformer company as a foreman, and Betty with Bell Telephone Company. By 1956, the Eutseys had returned to Western Pennsylvania, and made their home in Washington, Washington County, PA. Betty retired from Verizon Telephone Company and belonged to the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the Chartiers chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Red Hat Society. Sadly, Charles died at the age of 57 on Jan. 24, 1979. His remains were interred in Green Ridge Memorial Park. As a widow, Betty outlived her husband by nearly 41 years. She spent her final years in Connellsville. She died at home at the age of 95 on Dec. 27, 2019. Pastor Michael Brinker officiated at the funeral service, with burial held in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Son Harry Eutsey moved to Cleveland, OH, in about 1941, remaining there until his marriage in 1948. He wed June Port, the daughter of Lee W. Port of Connellsville, on Feb. 28, 1948. He lived in Connellsville in December 1956.

Daughter Nevada Eutsey (1917-1968) was born on Oct. 18, 1917 in Manor, Fayette County. She married William H. Cartwright and resided in Connellsville for decades at 236 East Apple Street. Circa 1954, she was active with the American Red Cross and helped organize a door-to-door fundraising canvass effort. They were members of the First Christian Church, with Nevada volunteering her time as the snack bar at Connellsville State General Hospital. The Cartwrights had four children -- Richard C. Cartwright, James Cartwright, Sandra Adams and William H. Cartwright Jr. Sadly, son William Jr. died on Nov. 13, 1960. Nevada passed away at the age of 50, on Feb. 7, 1968, "after an extended illness," said the Daily Courier.

• Son Richard C. Cartwright lived in Levittown, PA in 1968.

• Son James Cartwright served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era.

• Daughter Sandra Cartwright wed Joseph Adams and lived in Connellsville.

Daughter Dorothy Marie Eutsey married Jack Warren Ackerman, son of LaVerne Huston, and a resident of Pontiac, MI. The ceremony, in August 1946, was held in the Eutsey home in Connellsville, followed by a reception for 55 relatives and guests. Dorothy's grandmother Nevada (Minerd) Inks baked a three-tiered wedding cake. They lived in Kalamazoo, MI in 1956 and in Mason City, MI in 1968. 

Daughter Mildred Eutsey married Clarence R. Vanorsdale, son of Clarence Vanorsdale Sr., on May 19, 1952. The ceremony was held in the parsonage of the Central Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. Clair R. Wick. The Daily Courier reported that Mildred had been employed by Auburn Rubber Company, and Clarence by Anchor Hocking. Mildred made Connellsville her longtime town of residence. They bore one known son, Charles Vanorsdale.

• In 1970, grandson Charles Vanorsdale won the Fayette County Public School spelling championship held at the Connellsville Area Junior High East auditorium. He then went on to further competition in Pittsburgh, and later won a Getty Oil Scholarship to study earth science at the University of Tulsa, OK. Over the years, he has been employed by Saudi Aramco.

Son William C. Eutsey (1923-1956) was born on Aug. 12, 1923. He resided in Connellsville, where he worked at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation for many years. He married Sue (?) and had one daughter, Carol Sue Eutsey. In about 1947, he moved to Ashtabula, OH. Sadly, William died in Ashtabula at the age of 33 on Dec. 13, 1956. He was buried in Ashtabula.

Copyright © 2000-2002, 2006-2007, 2012, 2020, 2025 Mark A. Miner