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As he was eligible, Thomas attended the Pennsylvania Soldier's Orphans School in Phillipsburg (Monaca), Beaver County. After completing his studies there, at the age of 16, in about September 1870, he is thought to have remained in that locality.

Thomas married Jennie Jolly (1854-1941), the daughter of William and Catherine (Turley) Jolly of Moon Township, Allegheny County, PA. They were united in marriage in about 1873, when they were both age 19.

The couple produced at least four children -- Edward Johnson, William J. Johnson, Anna E. "Annie" Coss and Alvin L. Johnson. 

Their daughter Annie is known to have been born in Stoops Ferry, Moon Township, PA in 1881, a stop along the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. Circa 1895, at the birth of their son Alvin, the family lived in Freedom, Beaver County. By 1900, when they were enumerated in the U.S. census, the family home was on East Fifth Avenue in Freedom. That year, Thomas was employed as a laborer. 

When his step-father Isaac Moore died in 1904, Thomas' whereabouts were reported by the Connellsville Courier as "unknown." In a search of records in the Beaver County Courthouse in August 2009, Thomas' name was not found among marriage license, death or will records on file. He is believed to have abandoned the family, or to have died, as his wife claimed thereafter to be a widow.

To support herself in widowhood, Jennie obtained work as a servant for private families. The 1910 census shows her living in the household of Joseph Buser on Third Avenue in Freedom. The census-taker noted that of her four children, one already was deceased.

In 1920, the 65-year-old Jennie was widowed and lived in Freedom. Her 25-year-old son Alvin, and 13-year-old nephew Lester Johnson, were under her roof that year. Alvin generated income for the family as a railroad laborer.

The federal census of 1930 shows Jennie, age 75, residing in the house of 87-year-old Emily Warren on Penn Avenue in New Brighton, Beaver County. She occupied her time as a maid for Mrs. Warren.

Circa 1941, Jennie was living on Bridge Street in West Bridgewater, near Beaver, Beaver County, PA, likely under the roof of her married son Alvin. On Aug. 7, 1941, while at home, she fell and fractured her left hip. Added to chronic heart disease, her health began to fail. She was admitted to the Beaver Valley General Hospital. She died several weeks later, at the age of 86, on Aug. 31, 1941. Had she lived 20 days longer, she would have celebrated her 87th birthday. In a short obituary, the Beaver Falls newspaper noted that her survivors included six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and her brother Charles Jolly of Freedom.

Her remains were transported to Carnot Cemetery in her childhood community of Moon Township for interment. The burial ground, also known as Sharon Presbyterian Cemetery, is located at the intersection of Beaver Grade Road and Carnot Road. Her grave is not known to be marked.      

~ Son Edward Johnson ~

Son Edward Johnson (1876-1932) was born on June 14, 1876 in Pennsylvania. 

In about 1906, when he was age 29 or 30, Edward married Bertha Hartley (June 4, 1886-1930), who was at least a decade younger than he. She was the daughter of David and Florence (Sayre) Hartley of Antiquity, OH and Florence Sayre of Iowa.

Their only known son was Raymond Edward Johnson.

Federal census records for 1910 and 1920 show Edward employed as a railroad conductor in Freedom, Beaver County, PA.

In 1930, the family dwelled at 299 Third Avenue in Freedom. Edward earned a living as a night watchman at the local Freedom Oil Works. He was a member of the Moose and Eagles Clubs in Freedom. 

Sadly, Bertha contracted cancer of the uterus. After a year of suffering, when combined with pneumonia, she died on Oct. 18, 1930, at the age of 44. A local newspaper reported that her passing occurred "following a lingering illness." Her remains were shipped for burial to Racine, Meigs County, OH, where four of her brothers and sisters resided. 

Within a year or two, Edward and his son moved into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Tolbert 660 Fifth Avenue in Freedom (relationship unknown).

At the age of 55, afflicted with pneumonia and influenza, he passed away on March 2, 1932. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Freedom, following funeral services in the Tolbert home. D.R. Tolbert provided information for Pennsylvania state death certificate, and an obituary was printed in the Beaver Falls News Tribune.

Son Raymond Edward Johnson (1907-1994) was born on Oct. 24, 1907 in Pittsburgh. (Other sources give a date of Dec. 20, 1908). He stood 5 feet, 11 inches and weighed 150 lbs. as a young man, with brown hair and brown eyes. Unmarried at the age of 21, in 1930, he lived with his parents in Freedom and worked as a laborer at a government dam project. When he registered for the military draft during World War II, he disclosed that he was crippled in the right arm. Raymond made a home in 1940 with friend Donald Tolbert at 660 Fifth Avenue, Freedom, and was employed by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It's 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. Raymond has yet to be found in the censuses of 1940 and 1950. His last residence was in New Brighton. He passed away on Oct. 30, 1994. No obituary has been found in the Beaver County Times.

~ Daughter Anna E. "Annie" (Johnson) Coss ~

Daughter Anna E. "Annie" Johnson (1881-1977) was born on Dec. 17, 1881 in Stoops Ferry, PA. 

At the age of 18, in 1900, she married 23-year-old Harry Everett Coss (Dec. 26, 1876-1947), a native of Warrenton, Jefferson County, OH. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Easthom) Coss, and was tall with a medium build, and had blue eyes and dark hair. While Annie and Harry partially filled out a marriage license application in 1900, it was never completed, nor issued. 

Their four known children were Margaret E. Dishler, Harry Coss, Charles "Ching" Coss and Lester Coss. 

Harry left the household and abandoned his family sometime between 1908 and 1917. While separated, they never divorced, and remained this way for the next three-plus decades. He returned to Ohio, and made his permanent home there in Yorkville, Jefferson County, where he was a bartender for Joe Penna Company. In September 1918, at the age of 41, with World War I raging in Europe, he was required to register for the military draft. At that time, he noted that he lived in Yorkville but that his wife Annie, in Freedom, PA, was his nearest relative.

When the 1920 census was taken, Annie and her children made their residence on Adams Street in Rochester, with Annie marked as married. To make ends meet, she worked as a laborer in a local glass factory, as did her daughter Margaret. She enjoyed playing bridge. 

Rochester, PA

By 1930, her home was on Pleasant Street in Rochester, with her three children, all in their 20s, living in the household. The federal census of 1940 shows her lodging in the home of Mary Roush and her son Clifford on West Madison Street in Rochester. At the time, yet again, she was marked as "married." 

Circa 1947, Harry served as deputy sheriff of Jefferson County and made his home at Fourth and Washington Streets in Steubenville. He suffered a heart attack in mid-January 1947. He was admitted to Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville, OH and died six days later, at the age of 69, on Jan. 20, 1947. On his death certificate, John Coss of Steubenville served as informant, noting that the name of Harry's wife's was "Anna Johnson." Burial was in Linwood Cemetery in Blaine, Belmont County, OH.

Annie lived in the household of her married daughter Margaret Dishler in Freedom in 1950.

Her final years were spent with Margaret in Rochester at the address 113 East Park Street, in the rear. At the age of 95, she died at home on July 8, 1977. Rev. Arbuth Conn, of the First United Presbyterian Church of Rochester, led the funeral service. The Beaver County Times published an obituary, in which the family asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Lighthouse of the Blind.

Daughter Margaret E. Coss (1901-1988) was born on Jan. 5, 1901. In 1920, at age 18, she worked as a laborer in a local glass works. When she was age 29, in 1930, she was single and at home with her mother, and earned a living as a waitress in a local restaurant. Margaret married widower Frank J. Dishler (April 8, 1889-1964), the son of Peter and Julia (Neidecker) Dishler. He had been married previously, to Minnie Helberg ( ? -1945), and brought these stepchildren into the second union -- Agnes Anderson, Helen Chandler and Frances Diamond. The couple did not reproduce. Circa 1950, the United States Census shows Frank employed as a millwright  at an oil company petroleum refinery, and Margaret's widowed mother under their roof in Freedom. Frank retired from Ashland Oil in Freedom in 1954 and then worked for Vollmer Motor Sales in Rochester Township. Margaret was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Rochester. Their address in 1964 was 115 Atlas Street, Rochester. Frank was stricken by an aneurysm and acute kidney failure and passed away in Rochester General Hospital on Sept. 7, 1964, at the age of 75. Daughter Agnes Anderson of Beaver Falls signed the death certificate. An obituary in the Beaver County Times reported that Rev. James Heiser officiated at the funeral. Margaret spent her later years living on Monroe Street in Rochester. She passed away on Jan. 29, 1988, at the age of 87. Her remains were interred in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park in nearby Daugherty Township. An obituary was published in the Times.

• Step-granddaughter Agnes Dishler wed Leslie Anderson and made a home in Beaver Falls in 1964. 

• Step-granddaughter Helen Dishler married Harold Chandler. They settled in New Brighton, PA.

• Step-granddaughter Frances Dishler was joined in wedlock with Elmer Diamond. They put down roots in Salem, OH. 

Harry Coss's workplace, Pittsburgh Bridge & Iron, Rochester

Son Harry E. Coss Jr. (1903-1992) was born on Jan. 3, 1903. At the age of 17, in 1920, he was a railroad laborer, residing at home. Unmarried at the age of 27, he remained at home with his mother and worked as a clerk in a local bridge works, likely Pittsburgh Bridge & Iron (PBI). In time he wed educator Mabel Dickson (July 19, 1906-1990), a native of Slippery Rock, PA and the daughter of James and Harriet (McDevitt) Dickson. One daughter born to this union was Carol Ann Devereaux. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the Cosses lived in Baden, with Harry continuing his clerking work for a steel fabricating business, and Mabel employed as a teacher. They remained in Baden for good. She taught for many years in the Ambridge Area School District. They were members of the Rochester United Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed bowling and was active with the Beaver Valley YMCA Church Bowling League (circa 1929) and Beaver Valley Bowling Association. Sadly, Mabel passed away in Hurst, TX at the age of 84 on Aug. 9, 1990. Her obituary was published in the Beaver County Times. Harry outlived her by more than a year and died on Jan. 27, 1992. Together, they repose in the mausoleum of Sylvania Hills Memorial Park near Rochester.

• Granddaughter Carol Ann Coss (1940-2021) was born two days before Christmas 1940 in Rochester. She was a 1958 graduate of Ambridge High School. Following in her mother's path, she obtained her master's degree in education from Pennsylvania State University. On Sept. 8, 1962, she entered into marriage with Walter Devereaux ( ? - ? ). Two offspring born to this union were Walter Coss and Jeffrey Coss. The family relocated to Texas. For years, Carol earned a living as a teacher at St. Vincent's Elementary School in Euless, TX. She then entered the field of real estate sales. She was employed with several agencies and retired from Best Texas Realty of Keller, TX. In her free time she liked to play bridge and took part in a bridge club for many years. Their final home was in Colleyville, TX. Carol died at home at the age of 80 on Feb. 22, 2021. Interment of the remains was in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Walter Devereaux dwelled in Grape Vine, TX in 1977. 

  Great-grandson Jeff Devereaux also made a home in 1977 in Grape Vine, TX. 

Son Charles L. "Ching" Coss (1906-2000) was born on July 25, 1905 in Freedom, Beaver County. He married Ruth D. Davis (1907-2000). The pair did not reproduce. Charles earned a living with the traffic department of Valvoline Oil in Freedom, and held membershps in the Traffic and Transport Association of Pittsburgh. They belonged to the United Presbyterian Church of Rochester, and he to the Odd Fellows lodge. Upon retirement, they moved to Florida, and dwelled in Lynn Haven, FL in 1977 and in Gainesville in 1988. Charles passed away in Gainesville on April 8, 2000, at the age of 94. His obituary appeared in the Beaver County Times. Ruth lived on for only less than three months. She died on July 1, 2000, in Gainesville. Their remains respectively were transported back to their native county for interment at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park near Rochester. Rev. Frank Churchill is known to have conducted Charles' funeral service.

Son Lester F. Coss (1908-1995) was born in about 1908. He lived with his mother in 1930, at age 22, and with his brother Harry was employed with a local bridge works as a clerk. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Voynik ( ? - ? ). They did not reproduce. In about 1943, the Cosses moved to Ambridge, Beaver County, where Lester secured employment as a rate analyst with the industrial engineering department of United States Steel Fabrication. He worked there for 42 years and retired in 1974. He belonged to the Elks and Eagles lodges in Ambridge. Lester died at the age of 88 on Dec. 18, 1995, in Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Funeral services were conducted by Fr. William Evansky, followed by burial in the St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cemetery in Hopewell Township in nearby Aliquippa. The widowed Betty remained in Ambridge circa 2000. 

~ Son Alvin L. Johnson ~

Son Alvin L. Johnson (1895-1961) was born on March 30, 1895 in Freedom, Beaver County.

He was a lifelong resident of the Freedom community. Some 19 years younger than his eldest brother, as a young man he was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and brown hair. 

When he was age 22, in 1917, Alvin was required to register for the military draft during World War I. He disclosed to the registration agent that he lived on Fourth Avenue in Freedom, was a laborer with the Pennsylvania Railroad at the famed, sprawling Conway yards, and that his mother depended upon him for support.

In 1920, single and age 25, he lived with his widowed mother and teenage cousin Lester Johnson in Freedom, and worked as a railroad fireman.

Conway yards in Freedom, Beaver County, PA

Alvin married Ida Johnanna Anderson (Oct. 23, 1900-1976), daughter of Walter R. and Ida E. (Smail) Anderson and a native of Clarion, PA.

The couple together produced one known daughter, Margaret Huddy Zwierzynzki.

Their home in 1930, when the federal census was made, was on First Street in East Rochester, Beaver County, with Alvin working as a railroad laborer. Neighbors two houses away were Slovak immigrants Andrew and Veronica (Nachman) Jagerski, the great-grandparents of the founder of this website. 

By 1940, Alvin and Ida had moved to nearby Bridgewater, Beaver County, with Alvin employed as a laborer in a local granite works. That year, his 88-year-old mother lived in the household. Then by 1961, they dwelled at 599 Third Avenue in Freedom. Alvin worked over the yeas as a freight handler for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad. 

In about 1955, Alvin began to feel the effects of heart disease. He also contracted hepatitis and died of congestive heart failure at the age of 66, in Rochester General Hospital, on Sept. 13, 1961. His remains were buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Freedom. Rev. O. Anderson, of the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Freedom, assisted by Rev. G. Wayne Parks of the Church of the Nazarene of Freedom, officiated at the funeral.

Ida survived her husband by 15 years. As her health declined, she was admitted to the Beaver Valley Geriatrics Center. There, at the age of 75, she passed away on May 30, 1976. An obituary in the Beaver County Times said she was survived by nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The obituary did not name her husband. Officiating at her funeral service was Rev. W. Stanton River of the Salem United Methodist Church of Freedom. Interment took place in Oak Grove Cemetery. 

Daughter Margaret Johnson (1924-2017) was born on May 31, 1924 She grew up in Bridgewater, Beaver County. She wed Frank Michael Huddy Sr. (1901-1971). The family resided in New Brighton, Beaver County. They had 10 children -- Frank Michael Huddy Jr., William Huddy, Guy Huddy, John Huddy, Joseph Frederick Huddy Sr., Paul Huddy, Wayne Huddy, Millard "Gigs" Huddy, Patricia Skerlec and Mary Margaret Stevens. Sadly, Frank passed away in April 1971 at the age of 69. Margaret later married again, to widower Joseph Zwierzyzki (1917-1995). He was a native of Lendora, PA and the son of Stanley and Katherine (Gurniak) Zwierzynzki. He had served with the 78th Lightning Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he was employed for 32 years by Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He was a member of the Holy Family Parish, Seventh Avenue Worship Site in New Brighton, the Beaver County Retired Men and the Men of Melody. Joseph passed away at the age of 78 on Feb. 11, 1995. Burial followed in New Brighton's St. Joseph Cemetery, with the funeral led by Fr. Harry E. Parsons. Margaret lived in New Brighton circa 1995-2000. She died on Oct. 28, 2017.

• Grandson Frank Michael Huddy Jr. (1942-1996) was born on July 1, 1942 in Rochester. He wed Kathleen A. (McFadden) Morton, daughter of William and Dorothy McFadden of Ellwood City. Kathleen had two children from a previous marriage, Scott Joseph Morton and Jennifer Louise Morton. They resided in Ohioville and later Brighton Township near Beaver, Beaver County and had six more known children -- Michael Huddy, Kimberly Huddy, Kevin Huddy, Patrick John Huddy, Shelly Taddeo and Christopher William Huddy. Frank Sr. was employed at the tin mill of the Aliquippa Works of LTV Steel, formerly known as Jones & Laughlin. Active in the community, he coached football with the Brighton Township Athletic Club, was a member of the Beaver Valley Mixed Bowling League and was a member of the SS Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Beaver. Tragically, while at work on Jan. 9, 1996, Frank was seriously injured in an accident at work, and died soonafter. Burial was in Beaver Cemetery. He is one of far too many cousins of the extended Minerd- Minard- Miner- Minor family to lose their lives in workplace accidents in the mining and metals industries.

• Grandson William Huddy (1943-2000) was born on Sept. 27, 1943 in New Brighton. He was united in matrimony with Sandra ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of two daughters -- Heather Huddy and Terri Anderson Medaglia. After a divorce, he wed again to Linda D. White ( ? - ? ). He is known to have lived for years in New Brighton and in about 1998 moved to 977 Sharon Road in Bridgewater, Beaver, in 2000. As a patient in the Medical Center of Beaver, at the age of 57, he died on Nov. 26, 2000. An obituary in the Beaver County Times reported that funeral services were conducted by Rev. Dr. John K. Smith of the Concord United Methodist Church. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Freedom. Sandra married again to (?) Altsman in in 2008 lived in New Brighton.

  Great-granddaughter Heather Huddy ( ? - ? ) resided in Georgia in 2000.

  Great-granddaughter Terri Huddy ( ? - ? ) is an alumna of Beaver Falls High School. She has been twice-wed. Her first spouse was Justin Anderson Sr. ( ? - ? ). The children born to this union were Shelby Anderson, Amanda Anderson, Philip Anderson, Justin Anderson Jr. and James Johnson. The family was in Beaver Falls in 2000. On July 19, 2008, in nuptials held in Townsend Park in New Brighton, she married a second time to Thomas Medaglia ( ? - ? ), a New Brighton resident and the son of Bonnie Medaglia. Rev. Timothy Manzewitsch presided. Thomas is a graduate of Monaca High School.

• Grandson Wayne Huddy married Roseann Nerti ( ? - ? ), daughter of Patsy A. and Anna Jean (Butchelle) Nerti of West Pittsburg, Lawrence County, PA. They made a home in Lawrence County and are the parents of three.

• Grandson Joseph Frederick Huddy Sr. (1945-2014) was born on Aug. 15, 1945. He dwelled in New Brighton and was married. Their children were Barbara Huddy, Joseph Frederick Huddy Jr. Garen Huddy and Lindsay Chufe. He was considered "crazy and eccentric but lovable and memorable." Said the Beaver County Times, he "was a retired cranes man from B&W Steel, but was most remembered for his time at the New Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe." He died at home at the age of 69 on Dec. 16, 2014. At his death, he was survived by 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Burial was in Freedom's Oak Grove Cemetery.

• Grandson Guy Huddy (1950-2002) was born on Jan. 28, 2002 in New Brighton. He resided for most of his life in New Brighton. Guy married Kathleen Vular (Nov. 1, 1952-2017), daughter of William N. and Ann M. (Novoselac) Vular. The couple bore two children -- Chad Huddy and Stephanie Huddy. Guy was employed by Babcock & Wilcox in Beaver Falls and later by S&S Maintenance in Beaver. They were members of the Holy Family Catholic Church in New Brighton. In her own right, Kathy was a 1970 graduate of Monaca High School and earned income as an administrative assistant for a construction company. For 19 years, she was employed in food service by the Neew Brighton School District, and she belonged to the New Brighton Parent-Teacher Association and Aliquippa Croatian Center. Sadly, Guy died at the age of 51 on Jan. 28, 2002 in The Medical Center of Beaver. Fr. Bob Vular officiated at the funeral followed by placement into eternal repose in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. Kathleen survived him by another 15 years and remained in New Brighton. She passed away in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, at the age of 64, on May 23, 2017. Her cousin Rev. Fr. Robert J. Vular, of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, led the funeral service, with interment following in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

  Great-grandson Chad Huddy relocated to Florida and in 2017 was in St. Petersburg, FL. 

  Great-granddaughter Stephanie Huddy wed Domenic Marcello. Three children born to the couple were Reagan Marcello, Daphne Marcellow and Avery Marcello. They resided in Viera, FL in 2017. 

• Grandson Paul Huddy lived in New Brighton.

• Grandson Millard "Gigs" Huddy wed Cynthia (?). They have lived in in New Brighton and in 2000 in Clintonville, PA.

• Popular bar and grille in Beaver, PA

  Granddaughter Patricia Huddy married Robert Skerlec and lived in Brighton Township, Beaver. An entrepreneur in several lines of business, Robert founded S&S Maintenance in 1982 which became Skerlec Contracting in 1996. Based in Monaca, PA, the company specialized for many years in home improvements, flat roofs, additions, carpentry, decks, windows, roofing, gutters and downspouts, siding, soffit and fascia and doors. As evidence of its success, it was honored for years by the readers of the Beaver County Times for "Best of the Valley" recognition. As well, in April 1987, Robert opened Robert's Roadside Inn in Beaver, a popular food and drink establishment continuing to operate today. The Inn's chicken wings have more than once been voted "Best of the Valley" in a contest of the Beaver County Times and "Best Wingss" by Pittsburgh Magazine. For years, the Inn held a charity auction to benefit local non-profits, raising more than $250,000. As well, for more than three decades, the Inn hosted Wednesday evening broadcasts of "Coaches Corner," a series of high school sports talk shows hosted by Bob Barrickman of WBVP-WMBA Radio. After Barrickman's death in 2023, Robert decided to name the Inn's patio and fireplace area in the broadcaster's memory.

• Granddaughter Mary Margaret Huddy wed Randy Stevens/Stephens and resided in Tulsa, OK.