Maple Summit Cemetery

Alvin Howard "Alvie" Jennings Sr. was born on March 20, 1861 near Ursina, Somerset County, PA, the son of John R. and Martha (Knight) Jennings Sr. 

In about 1883, when he was age 22, and she 15, Alvin was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Lydia J. Kemp (Aug. 27, 1868-1949), the daughter of Lemuel "Lem" and Sarah (Hyatt) Kemp.

They lived for four decades on a farm near Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA. 

Among the couple's 11 children were John G. Jennings, Gertrude E. Jennings, Frank R. Jennings, Viola Trump, Eugene Jennings, Edgar Jennings, Harold Jennings and Alvin Howard Jennings Jr. The identities of the others are not known, but they are believed to have died young, as Lydia is known to have lost four children by the year 1910.

When the federal census of the United States was enumerated in 1900, Alvin and Lydia made their home near Ohiopyle Borough, Fayette County. Alvin's occupation was listed as "Farmer" and son John's as "day laborer." By 1908, the family had relocated to a farm at Maple Summit, three miles from Ohiopyle.

Lydia escaped injury in June 1908 but suffered a major financial loss when burning a fire to eliminate foul smells from their chicken coop. In reporting on the near-tragedy, with a headline reading "Fumigates Coop, Destroys Barn," the Connellsville Daily Courier said: "The effort ... to fumigate her chicken coop resulted disastrously last evening, in doing so the barn ... ignited and was destroyed entailing a loss of about $800... After the flames had attacked the barn, the woman who was alone on the farm did all in her power to rescue the vehicles and farming implements in the burning building and was successful in getting out several pieces."

The census of 1910 shows the family in Stewart Township, Fayette County. At the time, Alvin and Lydia had been married for 27 years. Son Frank, age 17 and living under their roof, was employed at the time as a laborer with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.

Alvin served as a deacon and as an elder in the Maple Summit Church circa 1913-1914.  He and sons Eugene, Edgar and Harold were "converted" and joined the church in about 1921. They were members for the remainder of their lives.

In 1920 and 1930, the census records the family continuing to reside on a farm in Stewart Township, with sons Eugene, Harold, Alvin and Edgar in the home in 1920, and then Harold and Edgar in 1930.

Alvin and Lydia both died in 1949. Sufferig from aorta and heart valve diesease, Lydia passed away first, at home at the age of 80, on April 20, 1949. At the time, she and Alvin had produced 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

After eight months as a widower, Alvin suffered a fatal heart attack and died within 10 minutes on Christmas Eve 1949. His death was due to chronic heart and artery disease and hardening of the arteries.

They are buried together in the quiet country cemetery behind the Maple Summit Church, as are many of their children.

In 1994, a photograph of Alvin was published in the book, Yesteryear in Ohiopyle and Surrounding Communities, Vol. II, compiled by author Marci Lynn McGuinness. Lydia is mentioned in the book Draketown: Past & Present. 

~ Son John Etheridge Jennings ~

Son John Etheridge Jennings (1884-1970) was born on July 9, 1884 near Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

He was married twice. His first wife was Goldie Ava Wolfe Essington (Sept. 17, 1884-1951), the daughter of James E. and Martha (Wolfe) Essington of Jefferson Township, Fayette County. The wedding took place on Sept. 9, 1907, in Coraopolis, Allegheny County, PA.

They together produced one known son, Jack E. Jennings, born in 1916.

While residing in Uniontown as a young woman, Goldie was employed at the Metzler Store.

Family lore has it that when a child, John fell while playing near a railroad track, and his arm was run over by a moving railcar, causing an amputation. He recovered and was promised a job with the railroad when he grew up, and accepted the offer, using a hook with which he became quite adept. Says a descendant: "He had his cars modified so that he could shift gears with his remaining hand and steer with a hook, using a knob that was attached to the steering wheel."

When the federal census was taken in 1910, John and Goldie, and John's 18-year-old single brother Frank, made their home in Glassport, Allegheny County, PA. The census-taker recorded John's occupation as switchman on the steam railroad and Frank's as paper work on rail road. During World War I, when John registered for the military draft, he and Goldie continued to reside in Glassport. At that time, John had been transferred to the job of conductor with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, based in Newell, Fayette County. His draft registration shows that his right hand was amputated at the wrist. 

The Jenningses' marriage was rocky. John later complained of "fault-finding, nagging and threats against his life and, one one occasion, burning inflicted by a hot iron." Goldie moved out of their home in September 1931.

During World War II, when he filled out another draft registration card, John wrote that he and Goldie made their home at 44 Alliquippa in Monessen, Westmoreland County, with John continuing to labor for the P&LE. Anxiety followed by heartache rocked the family in 1942 when their son Jack, serving in the South Pacific during World War II, was captured and died as a Japanese prisoner while on the infamous Bataan Death March.

Finally, in September 1946, John was granted a divorce, having cited "cruel treatment." The news was covered in the Connellsville Daily Courier and Uniontown Morning Herald. At the time of the divorce, John was yardmaster for the P&LE at Newell. In all, he worked for the P&LE for four decades.

At some point in time John married his second bride, Eula P. Keefer (1892-1993). 

Eula brought a daughter to the marriage -- Dorothy Williamson. 

Circa 1949-1953, they made their home in Westmoreland County, PA, and in 1960-1970 in Confluence, Somerset County. 

Suffering from hardening of the arteries, John suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at the age of 85, in Somerset Community Hospital, on   March 12, 1970. An obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier and the Meyersdale Republican. Following funeral rites presided by Rev. Dr. Arthur Gotjen, interment was in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen.

Eula outlived him by 23 years, and reached the landmark age of 100. She died in Mon Valley Hospital on April 30, 1993.

Former wife Goldie made her home at the 44 Aliquippa Street address in 1950. Sadly, she became ill with chronic kidney disease, hardening of the arteries and hypertensive heart disease, which worsened at the end of 1950. After three months of suffering she died at Monongahela Memorial Hospital on Jan. 17, 1951.

Stepdaughter Dorothy Keefer (1913-1993) was born in 1913. She married Robert James Williamson and lived in Belle Vernon, PA. They had two sons, James Robert Williamson and Ted Williamson. Dorothy died at the age of 80 on Oct. 16, 1993, just a few months after her mother's death. Dorothy was buried at Grandview Cemetery in Monessen.

Son Jack Etheridge Jennings (1916-1942?) was born on April 8, 1916 in Glassport. He grew up in Monessen and as a boy spent vacations with his Jennings grandparents in Ohiopyle. A bachelor at age 24, in late 1940, Jack was employed in Clairton by Carnegie Illinois Steel Company and was a member of the Charleroi Male Chorus. He is known to have enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Feb. 1, 1941, several months before the attack at Pearl Harbor launched our nation into World War II. At enlistment, he stood 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed 155 lbs., with a scar on his right kneecap. He trained at Fort Indiantown Gap and first was assigned to the 110th Infantry, Company D. Then in June 1941, he became part of the Air Force's 19th Bomb Group. He was deployed to the South Pacific and directed to the Philippine Islands, with word received by his parents on Oct. 4, 1941. He took part in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor. His last letter home was dated Jan. 13, 1942. After intense fighting in the early months of the war, Jack was taken prisoner by Japanese forces after the Allied surrender at the Corregidor fortress. His parents received a telegram about his POW status after not having heard from him for 15 months. The news was reported in the Monongahela Daily Republican and the Uniontown (PA) Morning Herald. Along with some 75,000 U.S. and Filipino POWs, Jack was forced to walk for 86 miles in tropical heat to a prison camp, with the Japanese brutally abusing and killing the prisoners along the way. Today it is known as the Bataan Death March and is considered a war crime. Tragically, stricken with dysentery, Jack did not survive the ordeal. He died in camp at Cabanatuan in the Philippines' Nueva Ecija Province on or before Sept. 2, 1942. (Other records suggests he died in a prisoner camp on June 11, 1943.) A memorial service was conducted in July 1942 by the Monessen lodge of the Elks. Yet the details of his fate were in a state of confusion as the War Department advised his mother in June 1943 that he was still being held as a POW. The Pittsburgh Press reported on July 2, 1943 that he had died "from disease while Jap captives [which has] brought to more than 600 the number of men who have died. The Japs have reported to date a total of 13,724 Army personnel held, which means that about 5 pere cent of all soldiers taken prisoner have died of disease." Initial burial was in the Philippines. In October 1949, some seven years later, his body was repatriated to the United States aboard the Army transport Private Joseph F. Merrill as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A funeral was held at the Monessen Methodist Church at the corner of Schoonmaker and Fourth streets. Burial of the remains was made in Grandview Cemetery. Some nine years later, his mother joined him in eternal repose in the family plot.

~ Daughter Gertrude (Jennings) Boyd ~

Daughter Gertrude E. Jennings (1886-1974) was born on May 18, 1886.

She married Charles S. Boyd Sr. ( ? - ? ).

The couple produced two known sons, Charles S. Boyd Jr. and Richard R. Boyd.

They were in Ohio in 1914 at the birth of their son Richard. In 1949-1974, they resided in Coraopolis, Allegheny County, PA, with an address in the 1970s of 1519 Woodcrest Avenue.

Sadly, Gertrude passed away on Nov. 13, 1974. Interment of the remains was in Union Cemetery in Carnegie, PA. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a death notice.

Son Charles S. Boyd Jr. (1910-1995) was born on Dec. 10, 1910. He married Nerine (March 23, 1917-2002). During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. Charles passed into eternity at the age of 84 on March 21, 1995. Burial was in Union Cemetery in Carnegie. Nerine outlived her husband by nearly eight years. She died, at the age of 85, on Jan. 23, 2002.

Son Richard R. Boyd (1914-1962) was born on Sept. 12, 1914. He was joined in holy wedlock with Betty ( ? - ? ). The couple made a home in Coraopolis, Moon Township, at 1635 Glenbrook Avenue. and is not known to have reproduced. Richard was president of a lumber company. The family was plunged into mourning when Richard was stricken by a cerebral hemorrhage and died at the age of 48 on Oct. 15, 1962. His remains were lowered into eternal repose in Union Cemetery. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

~ Son Frank R. Jennings ~

Son Frank R. Jennings (1893- ? ) was born in March 1893. 

Circa 1910, when he was age 17, he was recorded twice on the U.S. census -- in one listing residing with his parents in Stewart Township, Fayette County, and working as a laborer with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad; and in the other living with his married brother John in Glassport, Allegheny County, PA, employed by the railroad. 

He later relocated to Southern California, and in 1949-1970 resided in Los Angeles.

Research is underway to determine if he married Mary Helen Thompson (1893-1957), worked circa 1940 as a railroad inspector and died in Riverside County, CA on April 11, 1976.

~ Daughter Viola M. (Jennings) Trump ~

Sylvania Hills Memorial Park

Daughter Viola M. Jennings (1896-1990) was born on Nov. 10, 1896. 

At the age of 16, she was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock with 22-year-old William Lee Trump Sr. (Oct. 19, 1891-1976). He stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed 150 lbs., with brown eyes and a light complexion.

Four known children were born to this marriage -- Alvin H. Trump, William Lee Trump Jr., Dorothy Roberta Thomas and Eileen Gittings.

The couple initially resided in or near Glassport, Allegheny County, where their daughter Dorothy was born in 1918. They soonafter relocated to Connellsville, Fayette County. Federal census enumeration records for 1920 show the family living on Reidmore Road, with William laboring as a coal miner. William belonged to the Church of the Brethren.

During the 1920s, the Trump moved to a house on Water Street. William's occupation circa 1930 was as a carpenter in a coal mine.

Sometime before 1935, they moved to Grandview Avenue in Connellsville. Census records for 1940 show William working as a carpenter.

Sometime after 1941, they relocated again, this time to Baltimore. Their address was 66 Northship Road. There, William was employed by the War Department in the motor department of Camp Holabird. When he registered for the military draft during World War II, he said that Harry Stump would always know his whereabouts.

William was employed by the federal government as a civil servant. They remained in the District of Columbia in the 1940s, '50s and '60s.

In retirement, the Trumps relocated to New York State and dwelled in Elmira. Their address was 404½ South Main Street.

In 1970, at the death of her brother John, she was named in the obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

As William's health declined, he was admitted to Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, where he succumbed to death at the age of 85 on Dec. 19, 1976. Funeral services were conducted in the First Church of the Nazarene, led by Rev. Everett Kaufman. An obituary was published in the Elmira Star-Gazette, which stated that she was survived by 13 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. The remains were transported to Beaver County, PA to rest for all time in Sylvania Hills Memorial Parknear Rochester.

Viola outlived her spouse by 14 years. She passed into eternal life in New York on Jan. 24, 1990. Interment was in the family plot at Sylvania Hills.

Son Alvin Henry Trump Sr. (1914-2005) was born on the Fourth of July 1914 in South Connellsville, Fayette County. After graduation from high school, he obtained a job at Fort Wayne Corrugated Paper Company in South Connellsville. He stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighed 140 lbs. and had blue eyes, blond hair and a light complexion. On July 18, 1935, he eloped to Oakland, MD to be united in holy matrimony with Eva C. Thomas ( ? - ? ), daughter of O.F. Thomas of Connellsville. Their nuptials were held at the Oakland Presbyterian Church by the hand of Rev. Brock, with George Blubaugh and his wife were witnesses. The marriage only survived for a few months, and by February 1936 Eva had moved out. Eva sued in March, stating that Alvin "ran around with his friends until early in the morning and then came home and falsely accused her of unfaithfulness," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. Alvin was badly injured at work in November 1938, when his left hand and arm were caught in a feeder and roller while operating a press. Single at the age of 25, he lived at home in 1940 and earned a living through his work with the paper mill. On the eve of World War II, he relocated to Los Angeles and graduated from Curtiss Wright Technical Institute's Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, CA in 1941. He immediately relocated to Buffalo, NY, to join the company's airplane operations. Alvin remained in Buffalo for decades, into the mid-1990s. He married again to Marion Schiller ( ? - ? ). The couple produced seven children and/or stepchildren -- William Loder Sr., Sally Cattarin, Carol Nimmo, Sherry Zawadzki, Lori Bagne, Alvin Henry Trump Jr. and Judy Hemming. In 1968, he is known to have returned to Connellsville for his 35th high school reunion, held at the Sons of Italy Hall at Hillcrest. His address in Buffalo at one time was 167 Indian Church Road. His final years were spent in Cheektowaga, NY. Alvin succumbed to death in Buffalo on April 25, 2005, perhaps in the care of Hospice Buffalo, with an obituary printed in the Buffalo News. His survivors were counted as 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

• Grandson William C. Loder Sr. married Carol. They bore one known son, William Loder Jr. Sadly, William Sr. was deceased by 2019.

Great-grandson William C. Loder Jr. ( ? - ? ) was twice wed. His first bride was Bridget Hughes ( ? - ? ), daughter of David and Virginia Hughes Sr. Their two children are believed to have been Kyle M. Loder and Ryan M. Loder. William Jr. later was joined in the bonds of marriage with Sandra ( ? - ? ). Grief blanketed the family when their son Kyle, living in Hamburg, NY, died on May 28, 2019 "after a 15 year battle with substance abuse," reported the Buffalo News. the obituary asked that any memorial donations be made to Save the Michaels of the World Inc.

• Granddaughter Sally wedded Michael Cattarin Sr., son of Anthony and Mary (Chinni) Cattarin. The couple bore at least one son, Nicholas J. Cattarin. Their home circa 2002 was in South Wales, NY.

Great-grandson Nicholas J. Cattarin received a degree from Buffalo State College. He then accepted a position as an officer with the Secret Service Uniformed Division at the White House in Washington, DC. Nicholas married Jennifer L. Knoll, daughter of Gerald E. and Marilyn L. Knoll. Their wedding was held in Oct. 2002 at St. Teresa Catholic Church, officiated by Monsignor S. Theodore Berg. In covering the wedding, the Buffalo News said that the couple was going to live in Washington, DC. Prior to marriage Jennifer had worked as a fitness instructor and trainer at the Buffalo Athletic Club.

• Granddaughter Carol was joined in matrimony with Dennis Nimmo. The couple has dwelled in Alden, NY.

• Granddaughter Sherry was united in wedlock with Michael Zawadzki.

• Granddaughter Lori married Paul Bagne.

• Grandson Alvin Henry Trump Jr.

• Granddaughter Judy Trump ( ? -2001) was born in (?). She wedded (?) Hemming ( ? - ? ). Children born to this union were Kenneth Hemming, Donald Horbett and Jennifer Hemming. Judy was employed as a registered nurse at the Williamsville View Manor Nursing Home. Believed to have been stricken with cancer, she succumbed to the illness on Sept. 30, 2001. The Buffalo News published an obituary.

Great-grandson Kenneth Hemming

Great-grandson Donald Horbett wedded Kimberly.

Great-granddaughter Jennifer Hemming

Son William Lee Trump Jr. (1915-1996) was born in about 1915. He was joined in wedlock with Dorothy ( ? - ? ). They put down roots in Elmira, NY, where for 32 years William was employed by Thatcher Glass, retiring as a foreman. The seven children known to have been born to this union were William Lee Trump III, Barbara Dacey, Beverly Knapp, Betty Hankison, Thomas Krlin and Rev. Gary Krlin. At some point they relocated to Oilton, OK, where two of their sons resided. William died in Oilton at the age of 80 on Feb. 27, 1996. Funeral services were held at Oilton Christ Fellowship. His obituary appeared in the Elmira Star-Gazette. His survivors were counted as 20 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

• Grandson William Lee Trump III was deceased by 1996.

• Granddaughter Barbara Trump married (?) Dacey and dwelled in Erin, NY.

• Granddaughter Beverly Trump wedded (?) Knapp. Circa 1996, her home was in Elmira, NY.

• Granddaughter Betty Trump was joined in matrimony with (?) Hankison. She was in Elmira in 1996.

• Grandson Thomas Krlin moved to Oklahoma and settled in the town of Oilton.

• Grandson Rev. Gary Krlin relocated to Oilton, OK.

Sylvania Hills Memorial Park

Daughter Dorothy Roberta Trump (1918-2016) was born on July 22, 1918 in Glassport, Allegheny County, PA. She wedded Donald M. Thomas (Sept. 10, 1916-1988), son of Moses and Myrta (Myers) Thomas of Morgan Station near Connellsville. The couple were the parents of three known offspring -- Robert Donald Thomas, Eileen Hites and Donna Boustead. (The Trump and Thomas families were close, and Dorothy's sister Eileen married Donald's brother Lloyd, although the couple eventually divorced.) In 1939, at the bith of their son, Dorothy and Donald lived on Cherry Street in Connellsville, and are shown at this locale in the 1940 census. Circa 1940, Donald was employed as a laborer by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome widespread unemployment during the Great Depression. The initiative is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings. In about 1963, the Thomases relocated to a new home in Aliquippa, Beaver County, PA, at the address of 107 Bunker Hill Road. Donald earned a living as a ship supervisor in the furnace plant of St. Joe Lead Company in Potter Township near the town of Monaca. The family joined Monaca's First Presbyterian Church. Dorothy earned income at the Craft Showcase store in the Beaver Valley Mall, and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She also liked to bowl, camp, make crafts, play cards and sew. By the mid-1980s, they had retired and spent time in Florida, with a home in Bradenton, Manatee County. Donald died in Aliquippa on April 19, 1988. Burial was in the Trump family plot at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, with Rev. James Nash officiating at the funeral service. An obituary in the Beaver County Times reported that Donald had been "a resident of Center Township for the past 25 years" and named his surviving siblings as Andrew Thomas of North Tonawanda, NY and Lloyd Thomas of Connellsville. He was survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. As a widow, Dorothy lived for another quarter of a century plus, and and may have moved to Bradenton for good. At the age of 97, she passed into the arms of the angels in Bradenton on July 15, 2016. Her cremains were transported to Beaver County to be placed in eternal sleep beside her husband's in the Garden of the Four Gospels section of Sylvania Hills. The Times printed an obituary.

Donald Thomas' workplace, the St. Joe Lead plant near Monaca, PA. From a painting by Howard Fogg for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Co., of the New York Central System.

• Sylvania Hills Memorial Park

  Grandson Robert Donald Thomas (1939-2017) was born on May 21, 1939 in Connellsville, Fayette County. News of his birth was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. He was united in holy matrimony with Darlene J. (1940- ? ). He relocated to Beaver County, PA, and for many years was employed by Valspar in Rochester. The Thomases' home in 1988 was in Center Township. Said the Beaver County Times, he "attended the Rochester Free Methodist Church, enjoyed car cruises and particularly his family." Sadly, at the age of 78, Robert passed away on June 10, 2017, with burial at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

• Granddaughter Eileen Thomas ( ? - ? ) married Jack Hites ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in 1988 in Greene Township, Beaver County. Later, she wedded Irv Drury ( ? - ? ). The Drurys moved to Bradenton, FL and were there in 2016.

• Granddaughter Donna Thomas ( ? - ? ) was joined in holy wedlock with Larry Boustead ( ? - ? ). The couple established a residence in Crescent Township, Beaver County and were there in 1988. By 2016, she had relocated to Darlington Township.

Daughter Eileen Trump (1920-2000) was born on Dec. 2, 1920 in Connellsville. In 1940, when she was 19, she was employed as a clerk in a department store in Connellsville. Then at the age of 26, she worked for Bell Telephone Company in Connellsville. In Aug. 1947, she was joined in the bonds of marriage with Lloyd Myers Thomas ( ? - ? ), son of Moses and Myrta (Myers) Thomas of Connellsville. (Her sister Dorothy married Lloyd's brother Donald.) Their nuptials were conducted at the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, led by Rev. Meade V. Snyder, in what the Connellsville Daily Courier called "a quiet wedding.... The bride was attractive in a London white wool gabardine suit with white accessories. She wore an open crown picture hat and an orchid corsage. For her 'something old' she carried a silk handkerchief of her late great-grandmother's and a three-hundred-year old brooch. She tucked a silver coin in the toe of her slipper for 'luck'." Lloyd was a veteran of World War II and, at the time of marriage, employed by Standard Oil Company at Belle Vernon, Fayette County. The marriage broke up, and Eileen secured a divorce in December 1961, citing "indignities." Later, she married a second time to She married a second time to William L. Gittings Sr. ( - 1969). They were the parents of an only son, William L. Gittings Jr. The family resided in the Scott Township suburb of Pittsburgh in the 1960s, at 137 Greenbriar Drive. Sadly, William passed away on April 24, 1969. The Pittsburgh Press printed a death notice. Eileen wedded a third time to (?) Reed. She remained in Pittsburgh as of 1996, when she was named in the newspaper obituary of her brother William. Eileen died on May 31, 2000.

• Grandson William L. Gittings Jr. ( ? - ? ). He was the father of a son circa 1969.

Maple Summit Cemetery

~ Son Eugene "Gene" Jennings ~

Son Eugene "Gene" Jennings (1903-1979) was born on Aug. 11, 1903 in Maple Summit, Stewart Township, Fayette County.. 

At the age of 19, on July 30, 1923, Eugene eloped to Grantsville, MD to wed 17-year-old Pleasant Burnworth (1905- ? ), daughter of Albert E. Burnworth

The couple produced two sons -- James Lee Jennings and Robert Leo Jennings.

When the United States Census of 1930 was taken, the couple dwelled in Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA. There, he held a job as a railroad laborer.

The Jenningses' marriage was stormy, and Pleasant left the marriage five or six times. She departed for good on Sept. 1, 1936, with Eugene alleging that she "ran away" with an "18-year-old boy." She ended up in the household of her widowed father in Stewart Township, where she and the boys lived in 1940.

Eugene also returned to Fayette County where he was a longtime coal miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

The federal census enumeration of 1940 shows Eugene lodging in the home of 25-year-old Agnes Showman in Dunbar, Fayette County, and earning a living as a coal miner. In 1948, he resided in Stewart Township.

Pleasant made her way to Niagara Falls, NY where she dwelled in the mid-1940s. The couple finally divorced in Fayette County Court in December 1948.

Leisenring No. 3 Mine, 575 ft. below the earth's surface

He escaped certain death in January 1957 but a colleague was killed at the West Leisenring mine "when a cable on the winch of the cars snapped, freeing the cars and allowing them to slip backwards," reported the Daily Courier. Fellow laborer John Samuel Uhrin was caught under one of the coal cars and was killed when his skull, back and chest were crushed. Eugene attempted to save Uhrin, but "was forced to jump to save his own life." 

His home in 1953 was Trotter, Fayette County. Later, he dwelled in Leisenring near Uniontown, Fayette County. His final place of work was United States Steel's Leisenring No. 3 Mine. 

Eugene passed away on March 19, 1979, and was buried at the cemetery of the Maple Summit Church.

Son James Lee Jennings (1924?- ? ) was born in about 1924.

Son Robert Leo Jennings (1927?- ? ) was born in about 1927.

~ Son Harold Jennings ~

Son Harold Jennings (1906- ? ) was born in 1906.

He married Myrtle Marie Bloom (1917-1971), the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sanders) Bloom.

Their three known children were Lila Gail Jennings, Gertrude Moser and Harold S. Jennings. 

Harold was a longtime coal miner residing circa 1949-1960 at Royal, Fayette County, also known as Chestnut Ridge. 

Sadly, Myrtle passed away at the age of 54 on Oct. 17, 1971, in Somerset, PA. At the time, she and Harold were survived by 12 grandchildren. Following a funeral service at Searights Brethren in Christ church, she was laid to rest at Lafayette Memorial Park near Uniontown.

Daughter Lila Jennings lived in Detroit in 1955 and Denbo Heights, PA in 1971.

Daughter Gertrude Jennings married (?) Moser and made her home circa 1971 in Allison, Fayette County.

Son Harold S. Jennings enlisted in the Air Force in 1960, and by 1971 was a staff sergeant stationed at Charleston, SC. 

Maple Summit Cemetery

~ Son Alvin Howard Jennings Jr. ~

Son Alvin Howard Jennings Jr. (1909-1960) was born on June 30, 1909.

He married Elizabeth "Betty" Shoemaker (1905-1973). He was four years younger than his bride.

They were longtime farmers and spent their lives at Maple Summit.

Two sons were born to this union -- Charles Richard Jennings and Alvin Howard Jennings III. 

Alvin suffered for many years with chronic kidney disease, asthma, hypertension and coronary heart disease. On April 30, 1960 at the age of 50, he sufered a massive heart attack and died 30 minutes later at Price Hospital at Confluence.

Betty outlived him by 13 years. She passed away in 1973, at the age of 68. They are buried together in the cemetery of the Maple Summit Church, near the final resting place of his parents. The Jennings' grave marker was marked with flowers when photographed in the summer of 2000.

~ Son Edgar Jennings ~

Maple Summit Cemetery

Son Edgar Jennings (1911-1953) was born on Feb. 4, 1911 in Maple Summit, Fayette County.

He was joined in holy wedlock with Thelma Johnson (March 19, 1918-1987), daughter of George Washington and Margaret Ann "Maggie" (Younkin) Johnson of the family of William "Henry" Harrison and Ida (Hyatt) Younkin of near Confluence, Somerset County.

The couple produced a clan of seven children -- Margaret Ann Giles, Shirley Jane Nicholson, Dolores Jean Furman, Martha Lee Nicklow Porterfield, Carolyn E. Heater Rose, Jerry E. Jennings and Philip R. Jennings.

Edgar earned a living as a coal miner. The family resided at 302 East Gibson Avenue in Connellsville and were members of the Apostolic Faith Church.

In about 1943, Edgar was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and then in about 1945 with chronic heart disease. In and out of Connellsville State Hospital for several years, Edgar died there at age 42, on June 18, 1953. He was laid to rest in the Maple Summit Church cemetery, with Rev. Mabel Porter and Rev. H.I. Goodin co-officiating the funeral service.

Obituary, 1987

After Edgar's death, Thelma lived in Gibson Terrace in Connellsville. She later was joined in marriage with Peter P. Zadylak ( ? - ? ). The Zadylaks moved from Connellsville to Scottdale, Fayette County in about 1971, residing at 428 Porter Avenue.

Thelma died at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh in March 1987.

Daughter Margaret Ann "Peggy Sue" Jennings (1932-2021) was born on June 27, 1932. She was united in matrimony with a cousin, Albert Franklin Giles Jr. (1930-1994) of the family of Lucinda Jane "Jennie" (Miner) Turner Stevenson Paolone. See the Miner/Paolone biography for more.

Daughter Shirley Jane Jennings ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On Oct. 16, 1952, in Cumberland, MD, she married Norman E. Nicholson ( ? - ? ), the son of Harry and Emma Nicholson of Connellsville. They made their home at 96 Gibson Terrace in Connellsville, and had four children -- Kathy Hardin, Carrie Ann Pavelcik, James E. Nicholson and Steven E. Nicholson. Norman was employed as a union steward with Atlas Construction. In October 1977, Shirley and Norman celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a party organized by their children, with the news covered in the Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Kathy Nicholson (1953-1992) was born on March 27, 1953. She married (?) Hardin ( ? - ? ). The pair is not thought to have reproduced. Circa 1977, at the silver wedding anniversary of her parents, Kathy lived at Gibson Terrace in Connellsville. Grief cascaded over the family when Kathy died at the age of 39 on Oct. 19, 1992. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Carrie Ann Nicholson ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She tied the knot with Joseph Pavelcik ( ? - ? ). In 2012-2023, their residence was in Melcroft, PA.

• Grandson James E. "Jimbo" Nicholson (1957-2012) was born on Oct. 28, 1957. His first wife was Michelle Burkholder ( ? -living), daughter of Stanley R. and Eleanor (Lasko) Burkholder of the family of James "Wesley" and Harriet (Firestone) Burkholder. Their trio of sons included Brandon Michael Nicholson, Erik Nicholson and Christopher Nicholson. James was employed in the City of Connellsville Street Department and held a membership in the Laborers Union Local 1058. He liked to fish and hunt in his free time and belonged to the Connellsville Road and Gun Club. Their marriage dissolved in divorce. Later, she married Domenic Friguglietti ( ? - ? ), and James wed again to Loretta (Swope) Sipe ( ? - ? ). She had been married previously to Randy Sipe Sr. and brought three stepchildren into the second union -- Beth Sipe, Randy Sipe Jr. and Brandy Layman. James and Loretta made their home in Connellsville. The family was plunged into mourning with James died at the age of 54 on Jan. 26, 2012. His obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Sadly, Michelle endured the untimely death of son Brandon in 2023.

  Great-grandson  Brandon Michael Nicholson (1982-2023) was born on April 24, 1982. He was a 2001 graduate of Connellsville Area High School, worked as a machinist with Aristo-Tec Metals and held a membership in the Independent Slovak Citizen's Club in Connellsville. He also followed the fortunes of the Philadelphia Eagles team of the National Football League. He lived in Connellsville. Sadly, Brandon died at home at the age of 41 on Oct. 30, 2023. An obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Leading the funeral service was a distant cousin, Pastor Lee Maley, of the family of Lewis and Martha Ellen (Mayle) Mayle of Philippi, WV.

  Great-grandson Erik Nicholson made his home in Pittsburgh in 2012-2023. 

  Great-grandson Christopher Nicholson tied the knot with Ashley. In 2012, the pair resided in Everson, PA. Christopher later moved to Connellsville.

  Step-great-granddaughter Beth Sipe was in Mill Run in 2012.

  Step-great-grandson Randy Sipe Jr. made his dwelling-place in 2012 in Indian Head, PA.

  Step-great-granddaughter Brandy Sipe wed (?) Layman. Brandy dwelled in Connellsville in 2012.

• Grandson Steven E. Nicholson ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Connellsville in 2012-2023.

Daughter Dolores Jean ("Deloris") Jennings (1938-1972) was born at Maple Summit. She married Robert C. Furman (June 23, 1934-2008), son of Martin J. and Anna (Gansor) Furman of Uniontown. The couple produced three children -- Robert M. Furman, Sharon Elaine McFadden Casini and Kimberly Jean Furman. The family relocated to Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH. There, Robert was employed for many years as a heat-treat operator for Atlas Screw and Bolt, eventually retiring from the company. Sadly, Dolores died at the age of 34 on Nov. 25, 1972, at Connellsville State General Hospital. He appears to have married again to Betty J. Furman ( ? - ? ) and became stepfather to Georgenne Kalopodis of Akron, OH. Robert outlived his first wife by 36 years and eventually returned to Connellsville. Toward the end, he became a resident of Hempfield Manor of Greensburg, Westmoreland County. He succumbed to death at the age of 73 on April 3, 2008. A funeral mass led by Rev. Fr. Dennis Bogusz was held at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, and burial followed in Normalville Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Grandson Robert M. Furman ( ? - ? ) wedded Carolyn ( ? - ? ). The couple dwelled in Cleveland in 2008.

• Granddaughter Sharon Elaine Furman ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On Sept. 29, 1973, in nuptials held in the Pennsville United Methodist Church, she was joined in wedlock with Jeffrey E. McFadden ( ? - ? ), son of Karl E. McFadden of Connellsville. Rev. William Beal led the ceremony. The couple was pictured in a related story in the Connellsville Daily Courier, which said that the bride "appeared in a floor-length gown made by her aunt, Mrs. Althea Horvath. Of white polyester crepe, the empire bodice was designed with a high collar or ruffled lace. The long fitted sleeves terminated with lace-edged cuffs extending over the wrists. The ruffled lace was repeated on the upper portion of the bodice and along the shoulders." At the time of marriage, Sharon worked as an admission clerk at Connellsville State General Hospital, while Jeffrey was employed at Lenox Crystal Inc. of Mount Pleasant. Later, she married Daniel Casini ( ? - ? ) and resided in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Kimberly Jean Furman ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2008.

Son Jerry Jennings ( ? - ? ) made his home circa 1972 in Valley View, OH.

Son Phillip Jennings ( ? - ? ) lived in 1972-2021 in Connellsville. 

Swimming pool at Pennsville Park, a local landmark

Daughter Martha Lee Jennings ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). At Christmas 1954, as a seventh grader, she and her grandmother Burnsworth traveled to Cleveland together to visit with relatives. She is believed to have been twice married. Her first spouse was a distant cousin, Alvin Nicklow ( ? - ? ), son of Harry and Opal (Gostwick) Nicklow Sr. of the family of Jesse "Bruce" and Martha "Ellen" (Brooks) Nicklow. Together, they produced three children -- Mark W. Nicklow, Michael Nicklow and Cindy Nicklow. The couple separated, with Alvin filing for divorce in February 1960 and remaining in Pennsville. By 1973, Martha was united in holy matrimony with Robert Wayne "Porky" Porterfield (Dec. 7, 1940-2021), son of Dyrl Ludwick and Margaret Marie (Miller) Porterfield and a 1958 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. Their marital union endured for 53 years until the separation of death. The Porterfields resided in Connellsville and bore a son of their own, Matthew Ray Porterfield. Their address in 1976 was Hosfelt Road. For 43 years, Robert was employed as a printer with the Connellsville Daily Courier newspaper. In his free time, Robert belonged to the Connellsville Sportsmen Association and liked to shoot trap, fish, hunt and spend time at his cabin in Elk County, PA. The family grieved in February 2020 at the untimely death of their son Mark. Sadness again blanketed the family when Robert died at the age of 80, on April 20, 2021, as a patient in Ruby Memorial Hospital at West Virginia University. An obituary in the Daily Courier said that he would be "remembered for his amazing and extraordinary personality that shined upon everyone he came into contact with." His survivors included 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Officiating at his funeral service was Pastor Lee Maley, a distant cousin of the family of Lewis and Martha (Mayle) Mayle of Philippi, WV. Burial was in the sacred soil of Normalville Cemetery.

• Grandson Michael A. Nicklow dwelled circa 2021 in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Cindy Nicklow married Thomas E. Wolfe Jr. They were the parents of Susan Renae Wolfe. The family lived at 92 Gibson Terrace in 1976 and remained in Connellsville as of 2021.

• Grandson Mark W. Nicklow (1961-2020) was born on Nov. 10, 1961 in Connellsville. In about 1982, at the age of 21, he wedded Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Heater ( ? -living). Their union endured for 37 years until cleaved apart by death. The couple bore three children -- Marcus Nicklow, Ryan Nicklow and Erika Barnhart. Mark earned a living through employment with CSX Transportation. In his free time, he enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Sadly, at the age of 58, he passed away in Connellsville on Feb. 4, 2020.

• Grandson Matthew Ray Porterfield ( ? -living) married Shelly J. Shank ( ? -living). They established a residence in Bullsin Township.

Daughter Carolyn Jennings ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married a distant cousin, Melvin Carl Rose (1944-1976) of the family of Charles H. and Alcestia Pearl (Ritenour) Rose of Normalville. The couple eventually divorced. See more on the Rose biography.

Copyright © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009-2010, 2020-2021 Mark A. Miner