Eli Leonard was born on July 1, 1831 on the family farm near Ohiopyle, Fayette County, PA, the eldest son of Benjamin and Sarah (Harbaugh) Leonard.

Eli was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Catherine Dean (Aug. 1837-1914), the daughter of Steven/Stephen and Martha (Casteel) Dean of Fayette County.

They together bore a brood of 11 children -- Thomas "Newton" Leonard, Charles William Leonard, Amos "Walter" Leonard, Cyrus W. Leonard, Sarah Ellen Smith, John Dean (or "Dixon") Leonard, Ewing Leonard, Martha Beulah "Mattie" Woosley, Margaret Laura "Maggie" Clutter, George Washington Leonard and Samuel Leonard. Sadly, son Samuel is believed to have died young.

When the federal census was taken in 1860, Eli and Catherine and their two eldest sons made their home in Farmington, Fayette County. Eli's occupation was given as "cooper." 

He is mentioned in Franklin Ellis’ 1882 book, History of Fayette County. He lived in Wharton Township, and his home was along the famed “Old Braddock Road” in the “Burnt Cabin … about one mile [east] of the … old Inks tavern…." A manuscript history of the family authored by his brother Amos says that Eli's family "lived near the brick Meth. Church on the Pike." 

The 1880 census shows a full house of Leonards residing in Stewart Township -- Eli and Catherine and their eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 23. Also in their home that year was 17-year-old nephew William Leonard. Adopting the livelihood of his brothers Christmas and Reuben, Eli worked that year as a "chair maker."

Later, Eli resided in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh. Their home was on Susquehanna Street, the same avenue where a distant cousin, Rev. Isaac Herschel Minerd -- president of the first Minerd Reunion -- would make his home within a few years.

Eli passed away in Wilkinsburg on July 17, 1899, at the age of 68. The Uniontown Daily News Standard reported that his "corpse" was brought to “Taylor’s church for interment.” Many generations would go on to follow him in eternal rest under the Taylor Cemetery sod.

Catherine lived initially as a widow in Wilkinsburg with her married daughter and son in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter and their children. The census of 1900 shows the family under one roof, along with Catherine's son John and grandson Elmer Leonard.

As she aged, Catherine moved into the home of her son Charles in West Brownsville/Centerville, Washington County. She endured an accidental fall in early June 1914 which led to pneumonia. 

Some 22 days after her accident, she died at Centerville, Washington County, at the age of 75, on June 25, 1914. Her obituary in the Uniontown newspaper said “She was a lifelong resident of this town and was among its best known citizens.” Her funeral was held at the home of her son Cyrus, and she was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Washington County, PA. Her son Charles, of West Brownsville, signed her death certificate.

Their grown children resided in the following places circa 1914: Charles “near the toll gate above West Brownsville,” PA; Cyrus in West Brownsville; Thomas near Farmington, PA; Sarah Smith in Smithfield, PA; Margaret Clutter in Wilkinsburg; Mattie Woosley in Homestead Park, PA; Walter in Pittsburgh; John in Chicago; and George in Erie, PA.

~ Son Thomas "Newton" Leonard ~ 

Son Thomas "Newton" Leonard (1858-1922) was born on Jan. 30, 1858 in the vicinity of Ohiopyle and Wharton Township, Fayette County. 

When the federal census was taken in 1880, the 23-year-old Thomas was unmarried and resided with his parents. The father and mother eventually relocated to Brownsville, but Newton remained in Farmington.

On Jan. 31, 1884, when he was 26 years of age, Newton entered into marriage with 25-year-old Mary Brown Sproul (Aug. 24, 1858-1938), daughter of William and Ann (Williams) Sproul. While her father was a native of Fayette County, her mother originally was from Kentucky.

They resided along the National Road, now U.S. Route 40, three miles east of Farmington. Newton was a longtime blacksmith and farmer. In the mid-1890s, he acquired several tracts of land from his father in law, situated along the road and comprising 13.5 acres. They also owned a 26-acre tract purchased from George and Mary Ann Reader. The home farm contained a seven-room frame dwelling house, a frame stable, an old frame building utilized as a blacksmith shop and an orchard.

Thomas and Mary Leonard Courtesy Mindy Leonard

The Leonards produced a brood of four children -- Oscar O. Leonard, Orpha Dallas Harford, Bessie Olive Sullivan and Effie Leonard.

Sadly, the son Oscar was born on March 21, 1887 and died that day or soonafter, with his remains laid to rest in the Irwin Memorial Cemetery. On his small grave marker is inscribed the scripture verse from Luke 18:16, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not." Sadly, little Effie also is believed to have died sometime in the late 1890s, of causes not yet known.

The federal census of 1900 shows the family living in Farmington with Newton's occupation listed as "farmer." The census-taker recorded that Mary had borne three children, of whom two were alive at the time. 

By 1910, Newton's primary income was derived from his own blacksmith shop in Farmington. That year, 17-year-old George Sullivan boarded under their roof as a hired man to assist with the family farm. George later married the Leonards' daughter Bessie. 

The Leonards remained in Farmington during the decade of the 1910s and into 1920. The United States Census records for 1920 show Newton continuing his work as a blacksmith. That year, they provided a home for their married daughter and son-in-law, Bessie and George Sullivan, and their two young daughters, Adeline and Mildred.

Irwin Memorial Cemetery

For the last two years of his life, Newton suffered from an affliction of inflamed kidneys. Sadness cascaded over the family when he died at age 64 on Oct. 8, 1922. His obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said he was "a highly respected citizen of the community having been the local blacksmith for the past 30 years." He was buried in Belle Grove Cemetery (now Irwin Memorial Cemetery) near Ohiopyle. His daughter in law Bessie Sullivan of Farmington signed his official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

Mary outlived him by 16 years, and made her final home at 183 Liberty Street in Uniontown. She endured heart trouble and passed away at age 79 on Jan. 21, 1938. 

Daughter Orpha Dallas Leonard (1890-1964) was born in February 1891 in Farmington. In about 1908, when she was unmarried and about 18 years of age, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie Leonard. Then, at the age of 20, on New Year's Day 1911, she was united in matrimony with 22-year-old Caleb Henry Harford (1888-1955), son of William N. and Susan (Garlick) Harford. J. Walter Carpenter officiated. Caleb was a resident of McClellandtown, Fayette County at the time of marriage and employed as a teamster. The couple produced five children, Wilma "Marie" Harford, Belva Brown Marchando Sargent Taylor, twins Alvin N. Harford and Melvin N. Harford, and Caleb Leonard "Bud" Harford. Tragedy struck twice over the span of 10½ months in 1913-1914.  At a time when the family dwelled in Edenborn, German Township, Fayette County, twin son Melvin died on June 5, 1913 at age 8 months, 13 days of cholera and indigestion. Then after a move to McClellandtown, German Township, twin Alvin's lungs filled with blood and he expired of pneumonia on April 28, 1914. Their tender remains were placed into eternal rest in the Church Hill Cemetery in or near Masontown. This family has not yet been located in the 1920 census. The Harfords' marriage was troubled, and Orpha accused Caleb of "running around with other women," reported the Uniontown Morning Herald. He allegedly beat her and "on one occasion she said he struck her because she asked him for 35 cents." He left the family and moved to East Millsboro, Washington County, PA. She filed for divorce and it was granted in November 1921. In July 1920, while living in Brownsville, she took her children Belva and Caleb to the Sproul family reunion held on the old homestead near Ohiopyle, Fayette County, and was mentioned in a related article in the Uniontown Morning Herald. By 1922, her home was in Pittsburgh and in 1927 was in the coal mining patch town of Republic, Fayette County. At the age of 37, in July 1927, Orpha married for a second time to John "Jack" McLuckie (1879- ? ), also of Republic. (An alternate spelling of his surname is "McCluckey" and "McLucky.") John was a longtime coal miner whose parents were immigrants from the British Isles. Their home in 1930 was in Republic. Orpha is known to have attended the Leonard-Sproul family reunions in 1935 and 1938. The McLuckies apparently also divorced, and in 1940, census records show Orpha living with her 21-year-old son in the Mt. Oliver section of Pittsburgh, and marked as "divorced." By 1946,  Orpha lived in Farmington and her ex-husband Caleb was in Ohio, although he eventually returned to Uniontown for good. Caleb worked as a coal miner for U.S. Steel Company at Leisenring; married again to Legatha Jane Wilson (1888-1976) and had children Legatha Thompson and Betty Jean Harford. Caleb died at age 67 in Uniontown Hospital on May 28, 1955, with burial in the Church Hill Cemetery, today known as White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, Fayette County. Orpha passed away in South Side Hospital in Pittsburgh on Aug. 31, 1964.

• Granddaughter Wilma "Marie" Leonard (1907-1940) was born on Aug. 1, 1907 in Farmington. When she was 19 years of age, on May 24, 1927, she tied the cord of marriage with Donald Victor Cuppett (Nov. 9, 1905- ? ), originally from Glade Farms, WV and the son of Victor and Nettie Ardith (Evans) Cuppett. The nuptials were exchanged in a ceremony at Oakland, MD. One daughter of their union was Bettie Marie DeVault McQuinn Hunt. Donald earned a living as a coal miner and at one time operated a fleet of dump trucks which delivered coal, while Marie generated income in a bakery. Sadly, she died in Uniontown Hospital on April 7, 1940, at the age of 32. Her remains were laid to rest in the local Sylvan Heights Cemetery. After a period of mourning, Donald wed a second time to Jane Swenglish ( ? - ? ) and bore four more offspring of their own. Death spirited him away on the second day of January 1980 in Uniontown. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Uniontown.

  Great-granddaughter Betty Marie Cuppett (1928- ? ) was born on April 24, 1928 in Uniontown. After growing to teenage-hood in Uniontown, she escaped home life and spent a semester in Brownsville with her aunt Belva, attending school there. Then at age 16, she left home and made her way to Washington, DC, finding a home to lodge in, working for the U.S. Government and attending school at night. She first wed George Nelson DeVault (Sept. 28, 1928), with their ceremony conducted in Oakland, MD. He was a native of Markleyburg, PA and the son of Walter and Eva DeVault. Together they bore a son, Barry Nelson DeVault Hunt. The newlyweds lived under the roof of George's parents, before George joined the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Oregon circa 1949 and from there filed for  divorce. Betty later married Ashby McQuinn (March 18, 1928- ? ), the son of Snowden and Margaret McQuinn. They became the parents of Patricia Kay McQuinn Hunt McKee (1951- ? ) and Richard Lee McQuinn Hunt (1953- ? ). Sadly, the McQuinns' marriage also dissolved in divorce circa 1957 at Alexandria, VA. Betty was joined in wedlock for a third time with Charles A. Hunt (Sept. 4, 1928- ? ) in a wedding at Mount Rainier, Prince Georges County, MD. He was a native of Washington, DC and the son of Charles and Edyth Marie (Hofferberth) Hunt. Charles reputedly adopted all three of Betty's children and they took on the "Hunt" name. The Hunts more recently resided in Uniontown, PA. The trio of children are spelled out in more detail in Mary E. Leonard 1995 book Our Leonard Family History: 1775-1995, Constant Leonard and His Descendants.

Fire hall in the steep coal mining town of Isabella, 2023

• Granddaughter Belva Brown Harford (1913- ? ) was born on Nov. 14, 1913 in the Farmington area. She was a young girl when her parents divorced, and she grew up in the household of her mother and step-father in Republic, Fayette County. At the age of 17 in 1930, she and friends made news when they spent their Fourth of July holiday enjoying a picnic at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh. As she grew into womanhood, Belva apparently began spelling her family name "Hartford." On June 19, 1932, at the age of 19, and residing at Isabella, Fayette County, Belva married 23-year-old barber Samuel "Sam" Marchando (1909- ? ). The nuptials were celebrated in the Monongahela Church of God. He was the son of Thomas Marchando of Arensberg. An article in the Uniontown Morning Herald said that "The bride is a graduate of the Redstone Township High school, class of '31. Mr. Marchando is engaged in business at Isabella." The couple had two known children: Patricia Joyce Marchando and Terry Marchando. In August 1937, Belva, Sam and the children joined her mother and brother at a birthday picnic celebration for Mrs. Donald Cuppett at Braddock's Grave landmark. By 1940, the couple had divorced, and Sam continued operating his own barbershop in Isabella. In April 1940, Belva remarried to Jess Dale Sargent ( ? - ? ) of Brownsville. She made her residence in 1955 in Houston, TX. Belva's third spouse was James H. Taylor ( ? - ? ). Their dwelling-place was in Lake County, FL, where she was employed as law librarian in the county courthouse. Sadly, she passed away on May 5, 1985 at the Lake Community Hospital in Leesburg. Interment was in the local Lone Oak Cemetery.  

• Grandson Caleb Leonard "Bud" Harford (1918-1990) was born on July 17, 1918 in Uniontown. In 1940, when he was age 21, he worked as an automobile mechanic for Glenn Marchando and resided with his mother at 4129 Brownsville Road in Pittsburgh. He is known to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On Jan. 10, 1946, at age 27, he married 28-year-old Margaret "Rita" Mooney (1917- ? ), daughter of pressman William and Margaret (Kiesel) Mooney of Pittsburgh. Rev. Lewis C. Bracht led the nuptials at St. George Church. One known daughter of the couple was Donna Marie Wilkes. Sadly, a baby son died in childbirth on July 3, 1947 when asphyxiated during a difficult labor. Their address in 1947 was 1238 Cloverfield Street in Pittsburgh, and in 1950 was 923 Warrington Avenue, also in Pittsburgh. In 1955, when named in his father's Uniontown Morning Herald obituary, the family lived in the Steel City. Caleb died in Wheeling, Ohio County, WV on Aug. 15, 1990. 

  Great-granddaughter Donna Marie Harford (1956- ? ) was born on March 22, 1956. At the age of 19, she and 28-year-old Albert John Wilkes III (March 9, 1947- ? ) traveled to Winchester, VA to be married. He was the son of Albert J. and Dolores (Gaul) Wilkes Jr. and was divorced from his first wife.

Sisters Orpha (top), Bessie (left) and Effie, late 1890s

Daughter Bessie R. Leonard (1895-1953) was born three days after Christmas 1895 in Farmington. On July 15, 1913, at the age of 17, she married George Washington Sullivan (Sept. 3, 1893-1963), son of Lloyd L. Sullivan, whom she apparently met and fell in love with when he boarded in her parents' home circa 1910 as a farm laborer. He was a native of Markleysburg and the son of Lloyd and Dillia A. (Glisan) Sullivan. The Sullivans lived in Farmington and had three known children -- Adeline Bessie Lucy, Mildred Show Holt and Mitchell Sullivan. In the early years of marriage and parenthood, Bessie and George lived with her parents in Farmington, with George providing farm work. They eventually moved into Uniontown but maintained a summer home in Farmington. The family is known to have attended a birthday party for Mrs. W.N. Chrise at the  old Sproul homestead near Ohiopyle in July 1920, and also in September 1927 a 67th birthday party for George's father along the National road near Markleysburg, where the Uniontown Morning Herald reported that the "birthday dinner was served on a large table on the lawn." On Labor Day 1935, they went to the third annual reunion of the Leonard-Sproul clans held at the Homer Leonard farm, and in 1938-1939 went to the sixth annual event, held at Ferncliff Park, Ohiopyle, attended by 175 individuals. A timberman most of his life, Geoge also owned a fleet of timber trucks, buying product in the mountains east of Uniontown and selling them to coal mines. The federal census of 1940 shows the family living on North Street in Uniontown, with George working as a dealer of lumber used for coal mining pit posts. Having had hypertension for a decade, Bessie suffered a stroke and died two hours later on July 20, 1953. Interment was in the Sansom Chapel Cemetery near Farmington. George survived his bride by decade. Residing in Markleysburg, he was spirited away in death on Oct. 9, 1963.

• Granddaughter Adeline Bessie Sullivan (1914-1993) was born on Sept. 10, 1914 in her grandparents' old farmhouse near Farmington at the intersection of Dinner Bell Road and the National Road (Route 40). On Aug. 18, 1934, she tied the marital cord with George Howard Lucy (Nov. 12, 1914-1983), son of John P. and Mary (McGinnis) Lucy. Two children of the couple were Shelda Jean Donati Kozares and John Howard Lucy. The Lucys made their dwelling-place in Farmington. Adeline trained for a career in public education and in 1955 graduated from California State Teachers College. Three years later, about 1958, she began teaching sixth grade in Wharton Union Elementary School. At the age of 50, she was awarded a master's degree in education in 1964 from her alma mater. Her master's thesis was entitled "A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of a Basal Reading Program when Supplemented by an Individual Program." In his ow right, George toiled for United States Steel Corporation as a mechanic and learned electric welding at night. During the World War II years, he helped construct landing ship-tank (LST) vessels and destroyer escorts at Neville Island, near Pittsburgh, advancing to ship foreman. Then at the war's end, he returned to his job at U.S. Steel. Sadly, George passed away on Feb. 22, 1983 as a patient in Uniontown Hospital. His remains were lowered under the sod of Lafayette Memorial Park in Brier Hill. Adeline outlived him by a decade. She joined him in death in Magee Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh on July 17, 1993.

  Great-granddaughter Shelda Jean Lucy (1938- ? ) was born in 1938 in Uniontown. She was a 1955 graduate  of Uniontown Joint Senior High School and attended Waynesburg College. On Valentine's Day 1959, she first married Walden Arthur "Wally" Donati ( ? - ? ), son of Arthur and Lina Donati of Uniontown. They exchanged their marital vows in St. Paul's Evangelical Church. In announcing the happy event, the Uniontown Morning Herald said she wore "a floor-length gown of Chantilly lace and tulle, fashioned with fitted bodice accented with pearls and sequins, bateau neckline, cap sleeves and bouffant skirt terminating in a chapel sweep. Her fingertip veil of imported illusion was caught to a tiara of pearls and sequins and she carried a white Bible covered with white orchids, stephanotis and ivy." Two daughters of the couple were Donna Jean Donati (1960- ? ) and Diane Lynne Donati (1964- ? ). Wally was a 1952 Brownsville Senor High School graduate and attended Waynesburg College and West Virginia University, studying electrical engineering. He also was a member of the 457th Battery, C Gun Battalion. Shelda too went into the field of public education and earned her bachelor of science degree in education in 1959 from Indiana State Teachers College. Her student teaching was at the 10th through 12th grade levels in Ligonier Valley Joint Senior High School. Shelda in 1964 taught home economics in the South Union High School near Uniontown. By 1967, the Donati marriage had dissolved, and Shelda lived on Spaulding Street in Uniontown. On March 6, 1969, she wed again to Victor Kozares ( ? - ? ). The nuptials were held in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. G.C. Waldkoening, and announced in the Uniontown Morning Herald. At the time of marriage, Victor was self-employed and a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He spent 18 months in combat in Korea with the E Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Industry Division. He later remembered "sleeping on the frozen ground and scurrying from hill to hill in temperatures that could reach 40 degrees below zero," reported the Greensburg Tribune Review. "He remembers the empty click of a Chinese soldier's gun as he thought his life was ending." On Feb. 6, 1951, on Hill 180, he and his unit were ordered to mount a bayonet attack against an entrenched enemy line. In that action, he killed about six North Korean and Chinese soldiers, including one with his bayonet when his gun jammed. For that bravery, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers and Sailors National Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh. In all, he received some 21 medals from the Army, among them the Silver Star and Bronze Star. Then in the 2005-2006 legislative session, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an designating a bridge on State Route 3027, which passes over U.S. Route 40 in Fayette County, as the Cpl. Victor Kozares, D.S.C., Bridge. Shelda taught in the early 1990s at Laurel Highlands Senior High School.

  Great-grandson John Howard Lucy (1940- ? ) was born in 1940. He was a 1958 graduate of Uniontown Senior High School and held a membership in St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Uniontown. John went on to receive a bachelor of science in industrial arts education at California State Teachers College in 1961 and a doctorate in 1971 at Ohio State University. John taught industrial arts and coached baseball at Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School in 1964. He joined the faculty of Ohio State in 1969 as a field supervisor for the faculty of industrial technology. He was named in the 1971 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. John's home in 1971 was in Farmington. On Aug. 24, 1974, at about the age of 34, he tied the knot with Dorothy Valla ( ? - ? ). The pair did not reproduce.

• Road house near Farmington, unusual for having 2 chimneys on the exterior

  Granddaughter Mildred Sullivan (1919-1997) was born on Nov. 22, 1919 in the old Thomas N. Leonard farmhouse in Farmington. She was twice married. Her first husband, with whom she tied the knot on Sept. 22, 1937, was Donald Show (May 4, 1919-1946), son of Eli and Olie (Hickle) Show. They became the parents of Ronald Show and Larry Show. Donald earned a living over the years as a laborer in the lumber industry. Their address in the mid-1940s was 4 Elwood Street, Uniontown, and they belonged to the Free Methodist Church. Tragedy cut short Donald's life while hunting with his brother-in-law Edward J. Edenfield and others on the Glover Farm in Wharton Township on Dec. 2, 1946. The 26-year-old Donald accidentally was mistaken for a deer and shot in the abdomen with a 30-30 Winchester rifle and died at the scene soonafter. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that "Show, Edenfield and Edenfield's son, Stenson, 27, also of Meadowbrook Mine, working as a party were tracking a deer through the thicket when Show apparently got ahead of his companions. Subsequently, when Edenfield saw a movement in the brush to his front, he aimed the rifle at the spot. He hesitated momentarily and then fired after he saw what appeared to be a deer antler protruding above the thicket." Burial of the remains was in White Rocks Cemetery. Later, she was joined in wedlock with a cousin, John Philip "J.P." Holt (March 12, 1927-2013), son of Charles William and Ethel M. (Herring) Holt of Markleysburg, of the family of Reuben H. and Martha A. (Cunningham) Leonard. See the Leonard biography for more.

• Grandson Mitchell Edward "Mitch" Sullivan (1924-2018) was born on Oct. 20, 1924 in the old Thomas Leonard farmhouse at Dinner Bell Road and the National road near Farmington. At the age of 15, in 1940, he worked as a pressman in a printing office in Uniontown. He was a high school graduate and that summer went on to construct a cabin in the mountains. On July 16, 1943, in Fairchance, Mitchell was united in matrimony with Alberta Ruth Maffit (Oct. 21, 1923-2018), daughter of Henderson and Gladys (Hixson) Maffit. Their union stayed intact over the extraordinary span of 74 years and nine months. One known son of the pair was Edward Sullivan. Mitchell is known to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, training as a shipfitter at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Waukegan, WI. During his term of service, he was a welder on the destroyer tender USS Hamul (AD-20) serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres. In the Pacific, his ship is said to have supported the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Mitchell returned home after the war and labored with his father in the timber business. Said a memoir, "From 1948 to 1957, he worked nights and Saturdays building a two story, six room brick house. In 1957, they moved to San Diego, San Diego County, California, where Mitchell found work as a welder/shipfitter at National Steel and Shipbuilding. Their new homeplace was in Chula Vista, CA. He took 13 years' worth of night classes to earn a civil engineering degree. In 1971, his first position as an engineer-in-training was with CONROCK, a concrete and rock business. He stayed in that job for two years and in 1973 was officially registered as a professional engineer in California. He then joined the Public Works Department at Camp Pendleton. Alberta was active in her community and church. Sadly, both husband and wife died in the same year, just six months apart. Alberta passed first on April 7, 2018. Mitchell died on Oct. 8, 2018, just 12 days shy of what would have been his 94th birthday. Interment was in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery. 

  Great-grandson Edward Lee Sullivan (1952- ? ) was born in 1952 in Uniontown. On Sept. 6, 1975, he married Robin Lidner in LaMesa. Their marriage ended in divorce in July 1977.

~ Son Charles William Leonard ~

Leonard children - Catherine, James, Ira, Elsie Our Leonard Family History

Son Charles William Leonard (1859-1933) was born on April 13, 1859 in Fayette County, PA.

Following the family trade, Charles is believed to have been a carpenter and blacksmith. 

As a young man, family lore says that he walked on weekends from Farmington to Washington County to court his future wife.

On New Year's Eve 1878, when he was 19 years of age, Charles married 22-year-old Mary Emma Mayhorn (1856-1928), who was three years older than he. (Her birthdate also has been given as May 13, 1858, shortening the age gap if true.) She was the daughter of Nathan and Bertha (Davis) Mayhorn. Her name at marriage also has been given as "Deweir" in a family manuscript. 

They together produced a brood of eight children, of whom six are known -- Catherine Matilda Franks, Berthena Margery Leonard, James Walter Leonard, Charles Francis Leonard, Elsie Rosetta McKim, Ira Smith Leonard, Elmer Lloyd Leonard and Raymond V. Leonard.

Grief gripped the family at the deaths of daughter Berthena at age nine on New Year's Day 1891, and son Charles as a 20-month-old on July 22, 1887. Both sleep for all time in Taylor's Cemetery.

When the U.S. Census was made in 1910, he and Mary and their children lived along the Brownsville Pike near the Diamond Coal Works in Centerville, Washington County. That year, Charles earned a living as a carpenter doing "general work" with his widowed mother living under their roof. Their home was described in 1914 as "near the toll gate above West Brownsville," reported a newspaper. 

He also earned a living as a merchant later in life, operating a grocery store. 

Mary fractured her femur on April 12, 1928, and within a week her lungs began to become congested. Her health failed rapidly and she died in Brownsville General Hospital on April 22, 1928, at the age of 69. She rests for all time in Taylor Cemetery.

Charles survived for five more years. The federal census enumeration of 1930 shows him at age 70 living in the household of his married daughter Elsie McKim in Centerville. 

He became stricken with gangrene of the lower extremities which led to a septic infection. At the age of 76, he passed on the Fourth of July 1933. His death made front-page news in the Brownsville Telegraph.

Centerville, Washington County, PA

Daughter Catherine Matilda Leonard (1880-1943) was born on March 27, 1880 and spent her entire life in the Centerville Borough/West Brownsville community. In about 1900, at the age of 20, she entered into marriage with 23-year-old Harry Otto Franks (May 7, 1877-1930), son of Abram Kechler and Emma Agnes (Jordan) Franks. Their wedding ceremony was held in Cumberland, MD, where there was no waiting period for couples to marry. The pair bore a large brood of children, one of whom died young between 1901-1910. The known names are Emma Lillian Phillips, Helen Viola Franks, Harold Otto Franks, Elsie Gertrude Matilda Franks, Charles Abram Franks and Evelyn Vivian Franks. When the United States Census was enumerated in 1910, the Frankses shared a residence with Harry's parents in Centerville, with him earning a living as a bartender. Harry was required to register for the military draft during World War I and declared his work as "Bar Clerk" for Peter N. Miller. Still in Centerville in 1920 and 1930, his occupation was coal mining. Their near neighbors in 1920 along the National Pike West were Elmer and Ethel Leonard, Charles W. and Mary Leonard and Abram and Katherine Franks. For the last nearly three years of his life, Harry suffered from chronic kidney disease. He died at the age of 53 on Nov. 8, 1930. The Brownsville Telegraph is said to have printed his obituary on the front page. Catherine survived him by a dozen-plus years. She became seriously ill at year-end 1942 and sank into despondency. Tragically, on the dark day of Jan. 11, 1943, the 62-year-old Catherine made the decision to end her life. She did so by jumping from a bridge and drowning in the Monongahela River near West Brownsville. Reported the Monongahela Daily Herald, "After an unidentified man telephoned Brownsville police he had seen a woman jump into the river, workmen started dragging operations immediately and recovered the body yesterday. Deputy coroner J.F. Timko, of California, reported that the North Side firemen were summoned and attempted to revive life by use of artificial respirations but their efforts were futile." Interment was in Taylor's Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Emma Lillian Franks (1902-1980) was born on Oct. 25, 1902 in West Brownsville. She was a  school teacher in young womanhood and attended California (PA) Normal School to earn her teaching certificate. On Dec. 20, 1924, in Uniontown, Emma exchanged marital vows with Earl Carl "Skip" Phillips (Feb. 11, 1904-1995), originally from West Brownsville and the son of Charles Walter and Christina Augustina (Voss) Phillips. Together they produced two known children -- Helen Marie Siebart and Betty Louise Herron. The Phillipses appears to have planted themselves in a residence along National Pike West in West Brownsville. Earl generated income through his work on the railroad. Sadly, at the age of 77, Emma passed away on May 8, 1980. Earl survived her by 15 years, remaining in their home until his health declined, at which time he was approved to live in Patriot Manor in Somerset, PA. He died there at the age of 91 on Nov. 20, 1995. The remains were brought back to Brownsville for funeral services led by Rev. Charles Sowden. Burial was in Taylor's Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Somerset Daily American.

  Great-granddaughter Helen Marie Phillips (1925-1991) was born on June 2, 1925 in West Brownsville. As a young woman, she was a school teacher in West Brownsville and studied at California State Teacher's College, earning her teaching certificate. At the age of 23, on July 16/26, 1948, she tied the marital cord with 26-year-old Joseph Harvey Siebart (July 20, 1922-1991), son of Harry and Grace (Paxton) Siebert of Pittsburgh. Rev. E.J. Keifer officiated. Joseph was a World War II veteran, also had studied at the California State and at the time of marriage was an insurance agent in California. Their first home was in his hometown at 412 Wood Street. Three offspring believed to have been born into this family were Barbara Jean Shafer (1955- ? ), Joseph Harvey Siebart Jr. (1957- ? ) and Charles Earl Siebart (1959- ? ). Joseph went on to a successful career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Resuming her teaching career, Helen taught mathematics for many years at Laurel Highlands Senior High School. Sadness blanketed the family when wife and husband died a little more than two months apart. He surrendered to the angel of death first, at home, on Aug. 13, 1991. She followed him into eternity in Pittsburgh's Presbyterian Hospital on Oct. 27, 1991. The remains were placed into eternal repose in the mausoleum of Sylvan Heights Cemetery.  

  Great-granddaughter Betty Louise Phillips (1927-1991) was born on July 15, 1927 in West Brownsville. She was a high school graduate and attended California State Teachers College with the intent of becoming an educator. Three days before Christmas, Betty married Ross Martin Herron Sr. (Feb. 26, 1928- ? ), the son of Bernard and Slectie (Wiseman) Herron. Together, they bore a pair of children -- Linda G. Herron and Dr. Ross M. Herron Jr. Ross as a young man was a standout athlete at Brownsville High School, Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University. In 1952, he was named an head football and basketball coach at Washington Junior High School. In 1956, he resigned to join the workforce of Jessop Steel Company. Their marriage fell apart in divorce. Betty Louise was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Washington and taught in Centerville and at Washington High School. At one time she was employed as a bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Washington. Betty Louise died in Uniontown, at age 64, on Aug. 17, 1991. Burial was in Taylor Cemetery. The Washington Observer-Reporter ran an obituary.

  Great-great grandson Dr. Ross Martin Herron Jr. (1960-2024) was born on Aug. 20,, 1960 in Pittsburgh. He went on to become a distinguished board-certified pathologist and chief medical officer for the West Division of the American Red Cross. He was an authority on national blood shortages, transfusion safety and COVID-19 plasma needs. Ross was a 1978 graduate of Trinity High School in Washington, PA and received a bachelor's degree with highest distinction in 1982 from Pennsylvania State University. He then earned his medical degree in 1986 from Cornell University. Ross entered into marriage with Phoebe Miller ( ? - ? ). Two children of their union were Kyle Herron and Grace Herron. From 1986 to 1991, he served an internship and residence, in anatomic and clinical pathology, at the University of California at Los Angeles. He then was chief resident of clinical pathology and instructor of pathology on the UCLA faculty and completed a fellowship in transfusion medicine. After becoming board certified in combined anatomic and clinical pathology, with a special qualification in transfusion medicine and blood banking from the American Board of Pathology, he was recruited in 1992 to join the American Red Cross's Southern California Region. Over the next 30 years, he rose from an assistant role to medical director and then chief medical officer, retiring in 2022. He was quoted in a Sept. 2016 story of the New York Times on the question of whether one can be too old to donate blood. The Times added that Ross's West Divison "collects 40 percent of the blood supply in the United States." In 2021, he partnered with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimbeerly to urge healthy Americans to donate blood that summer. His myriad memberships included the American Association of Blood Banks, American Society of Clinical Pathology, American Medical Association, California Blood Bank Society, College of American Pathologists, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Cornell University Medical College Alumni Association and Penn State Alumni Association. Said the Washington Observer-Reporter, "Throughout his life, he was known as being kind, compassionate, generous, and he served as a mentor for many in his career and personal life. His quick wit and sense of humor made those around him feel comfortable, and his ability to patiently explain a medical term was to be admired. He could be described as articulate, genuine, salt-of-the-earth... His interests included sharing 'fun facts' in emails to family, California native plant gardening and hummingbirds, playing paddle tennis, bodysurfing, camping and campfires, hiking, fly fishing, spending time with his family, and traveling with family and friends. He especially enjoyed the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and the Eastern Sierras (high alpine lakes) in the autumn colors." Their final residence together was in Manhattan Beach, CA. He died without warning on March 11, 2024. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA. 

  Great-great granddaughter Linda Gail Herron (1858- ? ) was born in 1958 in Pittsburgh, He established a homeplace in Ballston Spa, NY. In 2024, she was a companion of Roger Grout.

• Granddaughter Helen Viola Franks (1904-1921) was born on Sept. 10, 1904 in West Brownsville, Washington County. Heartbreak shook the family to its core when, at the age of 16, she contracted tonsillitis and a ruptured appendix. When peritonitis set in, she was taken to Brownsville General Hospital. There, death spirited her away on April 24, 1921. Her remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Taylor's Cemetery.

• Grandson Harold Otto Franks (1908-1967) was born on May 15, 1908 in West Brownsville, Washington County. At the age of 21, on June 15, 1929, he tied the knot with Emily Cecilia Weiss (June 1, 1909-1993), daughter of John and Margaret (Laverick) Weiss. It's believed that they exchanged their vows in Cumberland, MD. Two known daughters in this family were Vivian Mae Welsh and Audrey Jean Phelps. The couple dwelled in the old Charles W. Leonard house in West Brownsville, Washington County, along the National Pike West. Harold in 1940-1950 worked as a railroad machinist and pipefitter. Later, he operated a ferry on the Monongahela River between Coal Center and Newell. They belonged to the South Brownsville Methodist Church. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer of the right colon, which spread to other parts of the body. Two months later, at the age of 59, Harold passed away in Monongahela Memorial Hospital on Sept. 22, 1967. Interment of the remains was in Taylor Cemetery. A short obituary appeared in the Monongahela Daily Republican. Emily outlived her husband by 26 years and remained in West Brownsville. She surrendered to the angel of death at home on Dec. 13, 1993.

  Great-granddaughter Vivian Mae Franks (1930- ? ) was born on April 24, 1930. On Sept. 3, 1949, she was joined in wedlock with William C. Welsh (1931- ? ), son of William H. and Martha (Hess) Welsh of Brownsville. They put down roots in Centerville and became the parents of five, among them William Harold Welsh, Debra Jean Dixon, Dennis James Welsh, Kevin Lee Welsh and Randy Jay Welsh. Grief shattered the family when eldest son William (Dec. 15, 1950-1967), a senior at Beth-Center Senior High School, shot himself in the chest with a .22 caliber revolver and was rushed to Brownsville Hospital, where he died just after midnight on Oct. 13, 1967. Rev. Robert Maynard presided over the funeral rites, with the body laid to rest in Taylor Cemetery, and the Uniontown Morning Herald producing an obituary. Vivian's daughter Debra Jean was joined in wedlock with John Thomas Dixon (1951- ? ) who are the parents of Shari Lynn Dixon and William John Dixon. Vivian's son Dennis tied the knot with Caroline Manfredi (1957- ? ) and bore five sons -- Dennis James Welsh Jr. (1975- ? ), James David Welsh (-1975-), Timothy Mathew Welsh (1977- ? ), Robert James Welsh (1979- ? ) and Gary Michael Welsh (1981- ? ). Vivian's son Randy Jay Welsh was united in matrimony with Anita Louise Morgan (1966- ? ) and produced one known son, Jacob William Welsh.

  Great-granddaughter Audrey Jean Franks (1933-2002) was born on Jan. 2, 1933 in West Brownsville. She was employed as a telephone operator as a young woman. At the age of 20, on Jan. 26, 1953, she slipped away to Winchester, VA to marry 22-year-old Korean War Army veteran Morris Miller "Moe" Phelps III (May 13, 1930-2009). Rev. William Archer Wright, of a local Methodist church, performed the nuptials. The groom was a Brownsville native and the son of Leslie and Edith (Blackford) Phelps and stepson of Maggie Phelps. Morris was an alumnus of Brownsville High School. Five offspring of their union were Joyce Lee Huggins, Patricia Ann Gingrich, Leslie Diane Carrocce, Keith William Phelps and Morris Miller Phelps IV. They made a home in Said an obituary, "She loved being with her family and doing crochet and crossword puzzles." Morris earned a living for many years as a metallurgist with Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. In his free time he liked to bowl, golf, solve puzzles and make models. Toward the end, she was admitted to Austinwoods Care Center in Austintown. Sadly, at the age of 69, she died on July 7, 2002. The headcount of her survivors was 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family requested that any memorial gifts be made to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Morris outlived her by seven-plus years. Death spirited him away at the age of 79, in Youngstown, on Dec. 30, 2009. They repose at each other's side in Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield, OH. Audrey's daughter Joyce (1954- ? ) exchanged marital vows in 1974 with John F. Pauschert ( ? - ? ). One daughter of their union was Jennifer Lynn Pauschert (1977- ? ). After a divorce, Joyce wed again in 1980 to Leonard Raymod Huggins (1955- ? ), and they are the parents of Diana Marie Huggins (1981- ? ). Audrey's daughter Patricia (1955- ? ) first married Robert Bilicki ( ? - ? ). Two daughters in this family are Amber Lynn Bilicki (1977- ? ) and Amanda Jean Bilicki (1980- ? ). After a divorce, Patricia tied the knot in 1984 with Nelson Irvin Gingrich (1958- ? ). Audrey's daughter Leslie Diane Phelps (1960- ? ) was joined in wedlock in 1984 with Victor Mark Carrocce (1955- ? ). Together they produced a pair of children -- Audrey Suzanne Carrocce (1985- ? ) and Victor Mark Carrocce Jr. (1991- ? ). Audrey's son Keith William Phelps (1962- ? ) first was united in the bonds of matrimony in 1984 with Leslie Miller ( ? - ? ). Their only child was Brian Timothy Phelps (1986- ? ). The marriage crumbled in divorce, and he again entered into wedlock in 1986 with Paula Ann Mosi (1966- ? ). They are the parents of Adam Harry Phelps (1989- ? ) and Victoria Elizabeth Phelps (1992- ? ). Audrey's son Morris Miller Phelps IV (1965- ? ) wed Judy Maria Valimont (1966- ? ) in 1988. A pair of children of the couple are Nicole Marie Phelps (1989- ? ) and Stephanie Gean Phelps (1990- ? ). 

• Granddaughter Elsie Gertrude Matilda Franks (1910-1979) was born on March 27, 1910 in Centerville Borough, Washington County. Dr. Alfred C. Smith of South Brownsville assisted in the birth. She migrated to Detroit in young womanhood and worked as a clerk. On March 28, 1937, in Detroit, she entered into marriage with 26-year-old English immigrant Alec Thomas Brown (Jan. 24, 1910-1972). He was the son of Harry and Harriett (Cannon) Franks and at the time generated income as a chauffeur in the Motor City. Officiating was Rev. Donald W. Crawford, rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church. News of the marriage license was printed in the Detroit Free Press. The Browns built their married lives in the Detroit area at the address of 15700 Pinehurst. Their two daughters were Barbara Brinker and Bonnie Williams. Alec went on to employment in a security capacity for Ford Motor Company. Sadly, he passed into the embrace of the heavenly host at the age of 62 on Aug. 17, 1972. The Free Press ran a death notice which gave the headcount of his survivors as eight grandchildren. Elsie endured for another six-plus years. At the age of 68, Elsie died on Jan. 22, 1979. The remains were interred in Roseland Park Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter Barbara Ann Brown (1937-1995) was born on June 20, 1937 in Detroit. She was an alumna of Central Michigan University. When she was 24 years of age, on Aug. 17, 1961, she tied the knot with William D. Brinker (Aug. 16, 1932-2013), a native of Mount Clemens, MI and the son of Vincent and Dorothy (Donnelly) Brinker. The four sons from this marriage were Marc Jason Brinker, Spencer Thomas Brinker, Daniel Tye Brinker and Matthew Vincent Brinker. Their eldest son Marc was born in France and second son Spencer in Turkey. Upon the family's return stateside, they settled in Novi, MI, and William became a high school teacher. Barbara was active for four decades with the Democratic Party of Oakland County, MI, including 20 years on the Board of Canvassers. She also served as a precinct delegate and district official and was a substitute teacher in the Farmington School District from 1988 to 1990. The couple divorced in July 1994 after 33 years of marriage. Barbara died in Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI on Feb. 26, 1995. Her remains lie in eternal repose in Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkeley, MI. Former husband William spent his final years in Port Huron, MI. There, he died on the Fourth of July 2013 at the age of 80. Barbara's son Marc (1963- ? ) was born in Chateauroux, France and is an alumnus of Novi High School (1981) and the University of Kansas at Lawrence (1991). He married Suzanne Elizabeth Engle (1961- ? ), and they bore two children, Alexandra Elaine Brinker (1991- ? ) and David Michael Brinker (1993- ? ). Barbara's son Spencer (1964- ? ) was born in 1964 in Ankara, Turkey. He graduated in 1983 from Novi High School and in 1987 from Kalamazoo College and has a professional specialty of scenic painting. He has worked for National Scenic Studios, the Smithsonian Institution and the Peace Corps. teaching in Batouri, Cameroon, Africa. Circa 2013, he was married to or a companion of Roei Keren. Barbara's son Daniel (1966- ? ) is a 1984 graduate of Novi High School and a 1988 graduate of Kalamazoo College. In 1989, he wed Laura Jill Dykehouse (1965- ? ) and the pair has not reproduced. He has been employed as professor of theatre technology at the University of Illinois. Barbara's son Matthew (1970- ? ) graduated from Novi High School in 1988 and Western Michigan University in 1992. In 1994, he exchanged marital vows with Colleen Jean Molloy (1970- ? ). They have not reproduced. He has been employed as an international cargo coordinator for American International Airlines and she as a fourth grade teacher in the Farmington Public School District.

  Great-granddaughter Bonnie Lou Brown (1939-1990) was born on April 2, 1939 in Detroit. She entered into wedlock with Robert Hull Williams (Dec. 7, 1935-1988), also a Detroit native. The family settled in Westland, MI. The foursome of children they produced together were Michael Seward Williams, Robert Alec Williams, Cynthia Marie Williams and Steven Jeffrey Williams. Robert earned income over the years as a supervisor in an automobile plant. Sadly, Robert died at the age of 52 on July 25, 1988 as a patient in Flint Osteopathic Hospital. Burial was in Roseland Park Cemetery. In an obituary in the Detroit Free Press, the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Michigan Kidney Foundation. He was survived by four grandchildren. Bonnie only outlived him by two years. The angel of death cleaved her away at the age of 51 on Sept. 30, 1990 in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Washtenaw County. Bonnie's son Michael Seward Williams (1960- ?) was born in Detroit and in 1982 tied the marital cord with Katherine Elizabeth New (1961- ? ). They are the parents of Sara Vitaligne Williams (1984- ? ), Adam Seward Williams (1987- ? ) and Meghan Kathryn Williams (1990- ? ). Bonnie's son Robert (1961- ? ) was born in Detroit. In 1985, he married Karol Jo Gietzen (1961- ? ), and their pair of offspring are Alec Joseph Williams (1988- ? ) and Emma Jo Williams (1992- ? ). Bonnie's son Steven (1964- ? ) was born in or near Detroit. In 1985, he wed Michelle Banks (1965- ? ). One known son of the couple is Eric Christopher Williams (1986- ? ).

• Grandson Charles Abram/Abraham Franks (1914-1951) was born on Feb. 5, 1914 in West Brownsville. He spent his entire life in Centerville Borough. At the age of 22, on March 15, 1936, he exchanged vows of marriage with Alice Hazel Edwards (Sept. 7, 1915-1994), originally from California, PA and the daughter of Joseph and Vada (Allshouse) Edwards. Their known brood of offspring included Charles Robert Franks and Harold "Curt" Franks. Charles generated income as a delivery truck driver for Farmers' Dairy Company. He held memberships in the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Brownsville, the Santa-Barbara Lodge of Newell and Teamsters Union Local 158. The family's last home together was along the National Pike west of Brownsville. Grief wracked the family when Charles was diagnosed with a fast-growing, aggressive case of acute leukemia. He suffered for eight months until his untimely death at the age of 37 on Aug. 20, 1951. The funeral service was conducted in the West Brownsville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, by the hand of Rev. Floyd C. McFarland. His remains were lowered under the sod of LaFayette Memorial Park, with an obituary printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Alice endured for another four-plus decades and married again to World War II veteran Samuel Byers (1914-1989). She was a member of Taylor United Methodist Church and in her later years of the California Senior Citizens. Sadly, Samuel died at the age of 75 on Aug. 10, 1989. His remains were placed into eternal repose in the sacred soil of Lafayette Memorial Park. She endured for another five years and passed away in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital on May 19, 1994. She sleeps at the side of her second spouse at Lafayette.

  Great-grandson Charles Robert Franks (1936-1998) was born on Nov. 8, 1936 in West Brownsville and grew up in Centerville Borough along the National Pike west of Brownsville. In a ceremony in Coal Center, PA on Nov. 30, 1956, he wed Connie M. Rinehart (May 27, 1938-2017), daughter of William and Nettie (Sullenberger) Rinehart. At least three offspring of this coupling were Cheryl Franks, Kimberly Loraine Franks and Charles William "Bud" Franks. Charles died at the age of 61 on Sept. 5, 1998. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Uniontown. Connie survived for another 19 years. Death spirited her away at the age of 79 on Aug. 14, 2017. Charles' son Charles (1966- ? ) was born in Uniontown.

  Great-great-granddaughter Cheryl Franks (1957- ? ) was born in 1957 in Uniontown. She resides in Hopwood and has been a companion of Diane Butler.

  Great-great-granddaughter Kimberly Loraine Franks (1961- ? ) was born in 1961. She has made a homeplace in Uniontown.

  Great-great-grandson Charles William Franks Sr. (1966-2024) was born on June 16, 1966 in Uniontown. He was a 1984 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School and was employed as a truck driver. At the age of 20, on Aug. 30, 1986, at Uniontown, he tied the knot with Gwendolyn Sue Nicklow (1966- ? ), daughter of William Edward and Lana Gail (Shaffer) Nicklow. They became the parents of Charles William Franks (1988- ? ) and William Edward Franks (1994- ? ). The marriage appears to have ended in separation or divorce. A member of Uniontown Church of the Brethren, he liked to camp, fish and shoot pool, and belonged to the Polish Club and the Amend Gun Club. Sadly, Charles died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 58 on Nov. 10, 2024. Pastor Edward Moore led the funeral obsequies followed by burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Harold "Curtis" Franks (1942-2015) was born on Feb. 5, 1942 in Brownsville. He spent his childhood in Centerville Boro along the National Pike west of Brownsville. Curt received a bachelor of science in education at California (PA) State Teachers College. On Nov. 29, 1968, he married Susan Wetzel (1945- ? ), daughter of Raymond and Margery (Smith) Wetzel. Together they bore two known children -- Scott Joseph Franks and Amy Lynne Morris. The pair eventually divorced but appear to have remained on good terms. Curtis taught at Connellsville Junior High School for more than 34 years. Passionate about community affairs, he founded the youth council of Centersville Boro and the Greater Connellsville Area Community Center and, as a "concerned advocate for the environment," was a founder of the Earth Force East Ecology Club at his school and supported a wildlife animal hospital in Normalville. He also was a trustee and usher at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Curtis remained in Connellsville to the end. Death swept him into eternity at the age of 73 on May 18, 2015. Burial was in LaFayette Memorial Park, with rites officiated by Pastor David Ealy. Curtis' son Scott (1969- ? ) is the father of Scott Franks II. Curtis' daughter Amy (1974- ? ) wed Warren "J.R." Morris and they are the parents of Aidan Morris, all of Connellsville.

Allenport plant of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel - Library of Congress

• Granddaughter Evelyn Vivian Franks (1916-2005) was born on 1916 May 21, 1916 in West Brownsville. She was a 1934 graduate of Centerville High School. At the age of 23, on Jan. 24, 1940, she married 25-year-old Charles Arthur Nedley (July 4, 1914-2008), a son of A. Lloyd and Fern (Smith) Nedley of Delmont, PA. The couple's nuptials were held at Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV, by the hand of Rev. H.D. Rudolph. (The family gave an alternative wedding date as June 28, 1939, perhaps to obscure the fact that their eldest daughter was born just six months into the marriage.) Their trio of daughters were Carol Ann McCullough, Kathryn Lee Wilen and Judith Faye Helmich. Charles received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and science secondary education in 1937 from California State Teachers College. He went on to teach science and math at Centerville High School from 1937 to 1942. Then in 1942-1943, during World War II, he joined the chemistry laboratory of the Monessen plant of Pittsburgh Steel (later Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel). He then moved to the metallurgy lab of the company's Allenport plant in 1943 and remained until 1959. He was promoted to assistant superintendent of the tube mill in 1959 and again to superintendent in 1965, remaining until retirement in 1974. The Nedleys' homeplace for decades was in North Charleroi, Washington County. They belonged to the First Christian Church in town, with Charles serving as Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder, eventually receiving the elder emeritus honor, and with a seat onthe church council. Said an obituary, "He was a charter member and past president of the North Charleroi Lions Club, a former member of the North Charleroi and Charleroi Area School Boards, secretary of the North Charleroi board, Charleroi Chamber of Commerce, served as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels for the church and AARP. He was also a former member of the Charleroi AARP where he served on several committees and was a volunteer tax preparer. He was a volunteer for the John K. Tener Library and a former member of the Mon Valley United Way." Sadly, Evelyn died in Pittsburgh's St. Clair Hospital  at the age of 89 on Sept. 2, 2005. Funeral services were held in the family house of worship. John moved to the Country Meadows Retirement Community in Bridgeville where he spent his final days. Death spirited him away at the age of 93 on May 24, 2008. The couple sleeps aside each other in Taylor Cemetery in Centerville.

  Great-granddaughter Carol Ann Nedley (1940- ? ) was born in 1940. She grew up in North Charleroi, Washington County. Carol married Frederick Michael McCullough (1932- ? ), son of Patrick H. and Clara C. (Huff) McCullough. In 2005, their dwelling-place was in Pittsburgh. They are the parents of Christopher Aaron McCullough (1966- ? ) and Jason Frederick McCullough (1968- ? ).

  Great-granddaughter Kathryn Lee Nedley (1943- ? ) was born in 1943 in North Charleroi. On Aug. 14, 1965, she wed William Wayne Wilen (1943- ? ), a native of Philadelphia and the son of William Harold and Elsie J. (Roivisto) Wilen. They apparently dwelled in the Baltimore area in 1968 and relocated to Munroe Falls, OH and by 2008 were in Kent, OH. Two offspring of their union were Leslie Ann Anders (1968- ? ) and Andrew William Wilen (1973- ? ).

  Great-granddaughter Judith Faye Nedley (1946- ? ) was born in 1946 in North Charleroi. Her first husband was Glenn Schmolze ( ? - ? ), son of Kenneth W. and Gladys (Vastano) Schmolze of Glen Rock, NJ. They tied the knot in Charleroi on Christmas Eve 1967, with the news announced in the Ridgewood (NJ) Sunday News -- "Both the bride and groom are seniors at Bethany College, Bethany, W.Va. and are co-editors of the college's Journal of Political Economy." Together they produced a son, Harold Benjamin Schmolze Helmich. Glenn was a 1964 graduate of Glen Rock High School and a 1968 graduate of Bethany. The newlyweds made their first home together at 1031 National Road in Wheeling, WV. After their marriage ended, she tied the marital cord with Hartland "Hank" Helmich Jr. (May 14, 1948-2006), originally from St. Louis and the son of Hartland H. and Ruth Estelle Helmich Sr. The couple migrated to Reston, VA. Hartland formally adopted Judith's son. They bore a daughter of their own, Rachel Faye Helmich. Hartland was employed for years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reported the Washington Post, he "was the former beloved coach of the 1969 Reston Rogues and the 1976 Reston Rowdies [and] was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. Hank was the devoted organizer for his family reunions and his friends excursions and adventures." He was noted for his "humor and awesome personality." Sadly, Hartland died in Reston Hospital at the age of 58 on Aug. 15, 2006. A memorial service took place in Reston's Unitarian Universalist Church. The family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the American Liver Foundation. Judith's son Harold (1969- ? ) and his wife Alyssa have made a dwelling-place at Potomac Falls, VA. Judith's daughter Rachel (1976- ? ) lived in Reston in 2006.

Son James Walter Leonard (1883-1967) was born on Sept. 13, 1883 in West Brownsville, Washington County. He stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall in young manhood, weighing 150 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair. At the age of 26, in 1910, he was unmarried and lived at home in Centerville Borough, working as a railcar inspector. The following year, on Dec. 8, 1911, he was joined in wedlock with Margaret May Fletcher (Sept. 9, 1895-1960), daughter of Joseph and Carolina (Kirt) Leonard of Brownsville. Rev. C.W. Foukes officiated. Their two sons they bore together were Gilbert Leonard and Joseph Leonard. The young family established a home in Kent, Portage County, with James employed as an air brake repairman by the Erie Railroad. He was required to register for the military draft during World War I, disclosing that he had suffered a fracture of his right leg. During the 1920s, the Leonards moved to Pittsburgh, in a rented home on Plymouth Street, as shown in the 1930 federal census enumeration, with him now laboring as a carpenter in the building construction industry. But in the grip of the Great Depression, the family pulled up stakes in the 1930s and by 1935 made a homeplace in Crawford County, PA, followed by a move by 1940 to Washington, Washington County, PA. In Washington, James generated income as a street laborer for 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 Depression. It 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. Circa 1942, now in Canonsburg, he worked for Olcot Construction Company. In yet another relocation, they resided in 1950 in West Homestead in the Monongahela River Valley, with James having no occupation. Then in about 1954, they made one last move to Aliquippa, Beaver County, with their dwelling at 325 Linmar Terrace, a government subsidized housing complex. Sadly, burdened with hardening of the arteries and heart disease, Margaret was stricken by a heart attack and died suddenly on Nov. 17, 1960. Son Joseph, living in Valencia, signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. James outlived her by seven years and went to dwell in Dixmont State Hospital in Glenfield Boro in the outskirts of Pittsburgh. In his final years he suffered from heart edema, heart disease and diabetes, followed by a fall that fractured the left femur. At the age of 84, he passed away on May 2, 1967. Their burial site is in Old Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery in nearby Mars, PA.

• Grandson Gilbert Walter Leonard (1913-2000) was born on June 29, 1915 in Brownsville, Fayette County. He stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 175 lbs. in young manhood. In 1935, at about age 22, Gilbert lived with his parents in Crawford County, PA, and by 1940, still a bachelor, moved to Washington County, PA. As of 1943, he lived at 110 Murdock Street in Canonsburg and was employed as a steelworker. Then at the age of 27, on March 12, 1943, he tied the marital cord with 21-year-old stenographer Kathleen "Kay" Eddy ( ? - ? ), daughter of Samuel Osborne and Tessie (Reeves) Eddy of Brave, Greene County. Officiating their nuptials in Canonsburg was Rev. Samuel K. Whitfield. Two children of the couple were Carolyn Smith and Joanna Zagorski. The Leonards eventually migrated to Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA, with a dwelling-place on College Hill. He earned a living as a truck driver and salesman for a food and bakery products company. In retirement, he worked as a starter and ranger at the Blackhawk Golf Course and for five years at Rolling Acres Golf Course. The family belonged to the Central United Methodist Church. Death enveloped him in their residence at the age of 84 on June 4, 2000. Rev. Debra Rogosky led the funeral rites. The remains were interred in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park in the outskirts of Rochester, PA. The Beaver County Times published an obituary. 

  Great-granddaughter Carolyn K. Leonard (1944-2021) was born on May 26, 1944 in Canonsburg, Washington County. She married Charles "Patrick" Smith Sr. (Sept. 21, 1942-2021), son of George and Mildred (Schmidt) Smith. The Smiths settled in Monaca, Beaver County and were the parents of three sons -- Charles "Patrick" Smith Jr., Brian W. Smith and Gregg S. Smith. Sadly, son Patrick Jr. died young. Patrick Sr. was an alumnus of Beaver Falls High School. By 2016, they were in nearby Center Township. An obituary said that "Carolyn worked at various businesses throughout her life with her last employment in the payroll department of the six area Wendys Restaurants. [She] also loved taking tap dancing lessons and performed up to the age of 65 in the yearly recitals." In his own right, Patrick spent his working career with St. Joe Lead and later Nova Chemical. He liked golf and baseball. Grief cascaded over the family when Patrick and Carolyn died a month-and-a-half apart, him first on Feb. 6, 2021, and her on March 24, 2021. The Smiths asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Beaver County Humane Society. Son Brian wed Missy and they have made a home in Monaca, while son Gregg was joined in wedlock with Tina and later Kerry and also put down roots in Monaca.  

  Granddaughter Joanna K. Leonard (1948-2016) was born on Jan. 4, 1948 in New Brighton, Beaver County. She was a 1965 graduate of Beaver Falls High School. Joanna wed (?) Zagorski. Their pair of children are David Zagorski and Beth Anne Zagorski. By 2000, she was living in Ellwood City, PA, and she made her final residence in 2016 on Portersville Road in Wurtemburg, PA. Said an obituary, "She retired from ESB Bank in 2014 after twenty years of service. Joanna enjoyed knitting, completing crossword puzzles and most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends." Sadly, at the age of 68, she died in Ellwood City Hospital on Oct. 14, 2016. Rev. Dr. Keith Black led her funeral service. Son David wed Lisa and remained in Ellwood City, while daughter Beth Anne lived in Washington, DC as of 2000 and Arlington, VA in 2016.

• Grandson Joseph E. Leonard (1928-2006) was born on Dec. 29, 1928 in Washington, PA. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. In 1950, at age 22, he worked as a truck driver for a clothes cleaning plant in West Homestead near Pittsburgh. Joseph tied the knot on Oct. 30, 1953 with Twila F. "Pud" Blackburn (April 3, 1934-2016), originally from Connellsville and the daughter of Earl and Ethel (Gaus) Blackburn. The trio of children born into this family were JoAnn Starr, Randy Leonard and Bruce Leonard. By 1960, they made a dwelling-place in Valencia, Butler County, PA, and then made a move to nearby Mars. Joseph was a self-employed carpenter. The family attended the Old Union Presbyterian Church. Sadly, Joseph passed away in Butler Memorial Hospital at the age of 78 on Dec. 22, 2006. Twila endured as a widow for a decade. As a patient in LAS St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars. she was gathered in by the grim reaper of death, at age 81, on March 20, 2016. Burial was in Old Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter JoAnn Leonard exchanged marital vows with James Starr. They settled in Valencia, PA.

  Great-grandson Randy Leonard wed Helga. They put down roots in Saxonburg, PA. 

  Great-grandson Bruce Leonard relocated to Minneapolis and was there in 2006-2016. He married Lynn.

Ohio River Lock 39 near Vevay, IN

Elsie McKim Our Leonard Family History

Daughter Elsie Rosetta Leonard (1890-1974) was born on Dec. 29, 1890 in West Brownsville, Washington County, PA. She became a teacher and in 1910, unmarried at age 19, taught in a local public school in or near Centerville, Washington County. On May 10, 1911, at the age of 20, Elsie entered into marriage with Oakey Houston McKim Sr. (June 6, 1883-1954), also of West Brownsville but a native of Ostrander, Delaware County, OH. He was the son of Robert and Zada (Williard) McKim. Their wedding was held in Cumberland, MD, where there was no waiting requirement for couples once they obtained their marriage license. The news was made public in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Uniontown Morning Herald. Together they produced four known children -- Juanita McKim, Robert Leonard McKim, Mabel Eleanor Willey and Oakey Houston McKim. The family dwelling-place in 1915 was Vevay, IN, where he was employed as an engineer, and in 1917 in Wellsburg, WV. Said the book Our Leonard Family History, "His early work was for a company that built foundations for dams being constructed on the Ohio River and its many tributaries. He worked the major portion of his adult life as a hoisting engineer. The family lived in Little Hocking, Ohio; Vevay, Switzerland County, Indiana; Wellsburg, Wheeling and Ravenswood, West Virginia; Martins Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio and West Brownsville, Washington County..." The structure at Ravenswood, known as "Lock and Dam 22," was completed in 1918 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, placed at mile 220.9 of the Ohio River. The completed structure included a lock measuring 600 feet in length by 110 feet in width. It was was decommissioned in 1969, with the lock and chamber demolished. The facility near Vevay, known as Lock 39, later was replaced by "Markland Locks and Dam" and today measures 1,395 feet in length. The McKims are known to have been followers of the Church of Christ, Scientist. The United States Census of 1940 lists the family in Centerville, Washington County, PA, with Oakey generating income as an electrical engineer with a sand and gravel company. At the age of 71, Oakey passed away in Martins Ferry a week before Christmas 1954. Their son Robert, living in San Bernardino, CA, immediately flew home to attend the funeral. The remains were transported back to Centerville to sleep for the ages in Taylor's Cemetery. A brief obituary was published in the San Bernardino County Sun. The widowed Elsie survived her spouse by two decades and moved to Silver Spring, MD. She entered into death on Dec. 16, 1974.

• Granddaughter Juanita McKim (1912-1933) was born on March 10, 1912 in Little Hocking, Washington County, OH. She spent her youth in West Brownsville, Washington County, PA. Sadly, for the last 23 months of her young adult life, she suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. Because of the family's Christian Science beliefs, she received no medical attention but rather prayers and spiritual enlightenment. But no physical cure was to be had. Death spirited her away at the age of 21 on April 6, 1933. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Taylor's Cemetery, Centerville Borough.

• Grandson Robert Leonard McKim (1914-1988) was born on June 13, 1914 in Little Hocking, Washington County, OH. He was an alumnus of the University of Virginia, where he met his future bride, and then joined the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Circa 1943, he was stationed in Victorville, CA where he was attached to a bombardier training squadron. On Aug. 24, 1943, Robert tied the marital cord with Mildred Lawson "Millie" Carter (April 1, 1921-2019), daughter of Allen W. and Lucy E. (Carr) Carter and a native of Dillwyn, VA. The nuptials were led by Rev. Dr. S. Vernon McCasland, professor of religion at their alma mater, and held in the University Chapel. In announcing the happy event, the Richmond Times-Dispatch said that she "wore a gown of white faille taffeta and a Juliet cap of seed pearls caught with sprays of baby's breath. She carried her grandmother's wedding handkerchief and an old-fashioned nosegay of gardenias and white roses." Mildred had attended Louisburg Junior College in North Carolina and then went on to earn a degree in 1943 at Virginia. One known daughter of this couple was Susan England Finder. The McKims are known to have moved in about 1950 to San Bernardino, CA and to have stayed for good. Robert spent his career as a public educator, eventually named superintendent of Highland Schools and an administrator in San Bernardino Unified School District. He was exceptionally active in the community. Said the San Bernardino Sun, he was a "president of Highland Lions Club, East San Bernardino Kiwanis Club. Concert Association, San Bernardino Garden Club, Inland Empire Iris Society [and] CRT A Division 14, San Bernardino County Elementary Principals' Association. He was a member of Phi Delta Cappa, Sigma Xi, AARP 2083, charter member of Highland Masonic Lodge, Scottish Kite, Al Malaikah, Friends of Library. He received PTA honorary life membership [and at the] time of his death he was treasurer of the Concert Association, secretary of East San Bernardino Kiwanis, treasurer of Christian Science Church, legislative chairman of CRTA 14 and on state CRTA legislative committee, and team leader for AARP Legislative Network." Mildred also was a longtime teacher, spending 37 of her 42-year-career as an instructor and librarian at Clements Junior High in Redlands. Said an obituary, "Millie loved her San Bernardino community and her home on the only registered Historical Street in San Bernardino. She was genuinely 'involved.' From her hobbies of reading, traveling, crossword puzzles and her daily mile walk in the neighborhood where she was known as 'That Cute Lady,' she would be zipping off to be an officer of A.A.U.W., President of C.R.T.A., or participate in Symphony Guild, and the Concert Association, President of San Bernardino Women's Club, P.E.O., League of Women Voters, Republican Women, Fine Arts Commission, Alpha Delta Kappa, and D.A.R.. Because she could somehow still breath and deeply loved California's retired teachers, for 15 years she was on the C.R.T.A. State Legislative Committee, flying to Sacramento monthly." At the age of 73, Robert died on Feb. 20, 1988. Interment was in Montecito Memorial Park. Mildred survived him by more than three decades, remained in San Bernardino and was active in many local civic organizations. In 2018, she relocated to Yuma, AZ where her daughter was living. Death spirited her away on Aug. 1, 2019 in Yuma.

  Great-granddaughter Susan England McKim (1945- ? ) was born in 1945 in Martins Ferry, Belmont County, OH. She was a graduate of Pacific High School and then went on to matriculate at San Bernardino Valley College and Northern Arizona University. On June 8, 1968, at the Highland Congregational Church in San Bernardino County, she wed fellow NAU student William David Finder ( ? - ? ), son of William Raymond and Della (Boyer) Finder of Sierra Madre, CA. The beaming bride was pictured in the San Bernardino County Sun. The groom was an alumnus of Monrovia (CA) High School. The newlyweds' first home together was in Flagstaff, AZ. By 1998, they had settled in Yuma, AZ, and remained as of 2019. Susan has spent her career as a school educator and William in business.

• Granddaughter Mabel Eleanor McKim (1915-1975) was born on Sept. 28, 1915, in Vevay, Switzerland County, IN, where her father was working as an engineer. She grew up in Centerville, Washington County, PA. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, Mabel was unmarried, resided under her parents' roof in Centerville and earned a living as a cashier at a confectionary, believed to be G.C. Murphy Company. She took night classes, was promoted in the Murphy store, and after her family relocated to Ohio, she was transferred to the Murphy store in Wheeling, WV. "When war was declared and the men went off to war and into factory jobs, Eleanor became district cashier and in the training department training new personnel," said the 1995 book Our Leonard Family History. "Next she was transferred to the Washington District, whose office was over the store managed by James [Lawson] Willey." On Oct. 16, 1950, she entered into marriage with Mr. Willey (July 3, 1905-1993), son of Herbert Russell and Mary Katherine (Tewalt) Willey of Middletown, VA. He stood 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed 142 lbs. in young manhood. James was divorced from his wives Elsie (Funkhouser) Sailer Betts and Cecile Ruth Zutt (in 1940) and brought a stepdaughter into the third family, Betty Gene Sweek. Added the Leonard history book, "After Jack and Eleanor were married, as part of her job, she was to audit the books of Jack's store which was against the company policy to avoid the appearance of unethical conduct. Therefore, Eleanor [left] her job and obtained a position as secretary [to the] personnel director for Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, then located at Silver Spring, Maryland..." The Willeys put down roots in Silver Spring, with James continuing to be employed by Murphy. Said the East Oregonian, he "worked in and around the Washington, D.C., Maryland suburban area for 33 years and in 1937 opened and for 13 years managed the Murphy Company store on Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C. and is now closed." He retired in 1966. In the community, he was active with the Lions Club, Elks lodge and Board of Trade of Silver Spring and the North Bethesda (MD) United Methodist Church. Death enveloped Mabel in Silver Spring at the age of 60 on Oct. 16, 1975. Interment was in George Washington Memorial Cemetery in Adelphi, MD. Evidence shows that James endured for another 18 years and relocated to Oregon, where his daughter was living. He passed away in St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, OR on Feb. 2, 1993. An obituary was printed in the East Oregonian. His cremains were shipped back to Maryland for inurnment in the George Washington Cemetery.

  Step-great-granddaughter Betty "Gene" Willey (1926- ? ) was born on Dec. 4, 1926 in Takoma Park, MD. On Oct. 16, 1945, she was joined in wedlock with World War II veteran James Calvin "Jack" Sweek (1924-2014), also divorced and the son of Calvin Lawrence and Pearl (Hawthorne) Sweek. They divorced in February 1969, at which time she made a home in Pendleton, OR and supported herself as a bookkeeper, while he worked as an insurance agent. They reconciled and again were married on Nov. 27, 1971, with Priest George Bates officiating the nuptials rites, held in Pendleton. The pair's trio of children were Larry Sweek, Teresa Gene Stone and Timothy Sweek. They lived over the years in Carlisle, PA, Waco, TX, West Virginia and Pendleton, OR. Said an obituary, "besides being the proud mother of 3 successful children, she was a sorority queen, a Bridge Life Master, an award-winning bowler, taught Sunday school at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, where she served as secretary. Gene was President of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Pendleton Elks Lodge No. 288, First Lady for her husband's tenure as Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge and as President of the Oregon State Elks Association. She was a self-taught knitter of sweaters with intricate animals, birds and outdoor scenes and she would knit tiny hats for the premature babies born at OHSU, where her daughter Teresa, worked as an RN." In his own right, John was a charter member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and Long Creek Lodge of the Order of Eastern Star. He served as exalted ruler of the Pendleton Elks Lodge in 1967-1968 during which time he launched the Christmas Shopping for children and Emblem Club programs. He was elected in 1972 as president of the Oregon State Elks Association, and as a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer gave of his time as acolyte director, basketball coach, lay reader, Sunday School teacher and visitor of the sick. Said an obituary, "In 1964 Jack won the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse, and was awarded a belt buckle that he would wear for the rest of his life. The buckle and Jack's life was featured in a two page spread in the Oregonian in 2011. Jack was truly honored to be selected as Pendleton's Man of the Year in 1994, and in 1998 when chosen by the Main Street Cowboys as Tender Foot of the Year. Probably Jack's proudest achievement was when he was inducted into the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame in 2001. Besides working with the Native American racing teams, Jack was most proud of leading the grand entry, carrying the American Flag and jumping the fences, and racing around the track at full speed. A calf roper, he entered the Round-Up event many times, along with the mayhem and trampling of the wild cow milking." They also enjoyed visiting the Gettysburg National Battlefield where John's grandfather had been wounded. John passed away in Pendleton at the age of 89 on April 15, 2014. She died at the age of 96 on Feb. 15, 2023. Burial was in Olney Cemetery in Pendleton, OR. Of their children, Larry wed Marsha, Teresa married Eric Stone on June 7, 1969 and Timothy was single as of 2023. 

• Grandson Oakey Houston McKim Jr. (1917-2000) was born on Oct. 14, 1917 in Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV. He was a 1934 graduate of Centerville High School in Washington County, PA. Oakey worked in his early 20s as a truck driver for a meat market in Centerville, Washington County, PA. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as a radio operator. He was deployed to North Africa and England. He remained in the Air Force after the war, with an assignment in China circa 1946-1948. Circa 1950-1954, during the Korean War, he remained in military service. In 1950, he was stationed at Smyrna Air Force Base in Rutherford, TN. He was pictured in a February 1950 article in the Nashville Tennessean, tuning his radio transmitter aboard a giant C-82 aircraft. He went to Korea for a period and then was stationed in Turkey as of 1954. He again was pictured in a nationally distributed news story in April 1959, as a member of the 839th AB Group, for recommendations he had made to improve aircraft maintenance. He finally was discharged from the Air Force and settled in Silver Spring, MD. For 22 years, he was employed with the Physics Department of the University of Maryland. He is known to have assisted author Mary E. Leonard in the preparation of her Leonard family history book and to have commuted into the District of Columbia on the metro to conduct research. He died at the age of 82 on Jan. 9, 2000. He sleeps for the ages in Taylor's Cemetery with his parents.

B&O Railroad station, Pittsburgh, where Ira collapsed and died

Mildred, Marjorie, Nelson, Frank Our Leonard Family History

Son Ira Smith Leonard (1892-1939) was born on Aug. 3, 1892 in West Brownsville, Washington County. He learned the family skill and in 1910, at age 18, was a house carpenter, likely working alongside his father in and around Centerville, Washington County. On Feb. 13, 1913, in the county, he married Charlotte Anne "Lottie" Lilley (Feb. 10, 1886-1968), daughter of George and Martha Lilley, also of West Brownsville. They exchanged their vows in the home of the presiding clergyman, Rev. Arthur Smith, and the happy news was announced on the pages of the Pittsburgh Press. The young couple settled in Pittsburgh, residing on 1641 Federal Street and at 1203 Federal Street, with Ira continuing his vocation of carpentry. Their known children were Mildred Lily Hainer, Marjorie Devine, Nelson Donald Leonard and Frank Willard Leonard. Tragically, while in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station in Pittsburgh, on the late afternoon of May 30, 1939, Ira suffered a massive heart attack and died. He was 56 years of age. News of his demise was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which reported that he collapsed "in the waiting room" and had "just left a drinking fountain... A porter sought to revive him until a physician arrived and pronounced him dead." The Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph added that he "fell dead" and was one of four locals to die of heart ailments that day. The remains were interred in Union Dale Cemetery in the city's North Side. The widowed Lottie maintained her home in 1943-1950 at 1641 Federal Street, Pittsburgh. Adding to her horror, their son Nelson was killed in action in North Africa during World War II. In 1950, she applied for a veteran's benefit as compensation for the wartime loss of her son. Her final years were spent at 1508 Federal Street. As a patient in St. John's Hospital in Pittsburgh, suffering from kidney related problems, she died at the age of 83 on Nov. 27, 1968. She sleeps for the ages in Union Dale.

• Granddaughter Mildred Lilley Leonard (1914-1975) was born on May 18, 1914 or 1915 in West Brownsville. Dr. LeRoy C. Waggoner assisted with the birth. Mildred worked as an elevator operator in Pittsburgh and did not marry until she was in her mid-30s, living with her widowed mother on Federal Street. On Nov. 4 or 12, 1949, at the age of 35, she was united in holy matrimony with 37-year-old World War II Army veteran William Carson Hainer (Sept. 18, 1912-2006). He was the son of John Laughlin and Elizabeth (Carson) Hainer and employed as a candy maker in Pittsburgh. The couple planted themselves in the city's Bellevue section, with an address of 111 North Sprague Avenue. Their two daughters were Marjorie Louise Hainer and Betty Carol Burger. It's said that the couple eventually divorced. Sadly, at the age of 61, Mildred died in their residence on Oct. 29, 1975. Burial followed in Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh, with an obituary appearing in the Pittsburgh Press and the North Hills News Record. William outlived her by more than three decades and moved to Squirrel Hill. He succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 93 on May 21, 2006. His remains sleep for all time in South Side Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter Marjorie Louise "Peggy" Hainer (1951-2015) was born on Aug. 2, 1951 in Pittsburgh. She attended the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Marjorie never married. In 1986, she relocated to The Berkshires community of Massachusetts to be with her married sister and family. She earned income over 20 years through employment with the Berkshire County Association for Retarded Citizens. She also held a membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. Said an obituary, "If there was one word to describe Peggy that word is love. She loved people [and] especially cherished spending time with her family; each one of her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart. She loved to laugh, she loved food, music, and dogs-- who loved her back. Most of all Peggy loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived the life he gave her with gusto." Her final home was back in Pittsburgh in the Reformed Presbyterian Home, where she lived for her final two-and-a-half years. She passed away at the age of 63 on Jan. 28, 2015. Her memorial service was held in the Housatonic Congregational Church in Massachusetts.

  Great-granddaughter Betty Carol Hainer (1955- ? ) was born in 1955. She relocated in young womanhood to Massachusetts. On July 5, 1982, at the age of 26, she tied the knot with Charles Francis Burger (1955- ? ), originally from Plainfield, NJ and the son of Charles Adam and Louise Catherine (Wieden) Burger. Their wedding was held in Cambridge, Middlesex County, MA. The eight children they produced together were Susan Louise Edgar (1983- ? ), Charles Adam Burger III (1985- ? ), Gretchen Anne Hulley (1987- ? ), Liesl Anne Lupoli (1988- ? ), Heidi Elaine Ross (1989- ? ), Derek Christopher Burger (1990- ? ), Klara Alicia Burger (1991- ? ) and Timothy Burger ( ? - ? ). The family settled in Housatonic near Pittsfield, Berkshire County, MA.

Union Trust Building, Pittsburgh, Marjorie DeVine's workplace

• Donald R. DeVine Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

  Granddaughter Marjorie Elizabeth Leonard (1917-1987) was born on Oct. 29, 1917 in Brownsville. As a young unmarried woman, she resided with her parents on Federal Street in Pittsburgh. When she was age 21, on May 8, 1937, she was wed to 23-year-old Donald Robert DeVine (Feb. 10, 1915-1971), also spelled "De Vine." The ceremony was performed by Rev. Tracy C. Miller in Pittsburgh. At the time, Donald was a laborer living in Pittsburgh, the son of Francis and Elizabeth (McQuaide) DeVine. One known son of the couple was Donald Willard DeVine. They dwelled at 67 Armhurst Avenue in the West View section of Pittsburgh. Donald was employed in the early 1970s by Equitable Gas Company. Tragedy struck on Nov. 7, 1971 during a routine repair of a gas main valve in an underground vault at Gardner and Lowrie Streets in the Mount Troy neighborhood. Without warning, "gas began spewing from a line in the manhole," reported the Harrisburg Evening News. Donald and his co-workers "were either working in the manhole when the rupture occurred or were working nearby and tried to rescue their fellow employees." He and four others -- Monroe Coleman, Raymond Grundler, William H. Letzkus and Charles Pitassi -- died of methane poisoning trying to help save lives. Occupants of buildings over several city blocks were evacuated, and students at North Catholic High School moved to a place of safety. Fortuntely the gas leak was contained without furuther tragedy. Donald's remains were interred in Union Dale Cemetery. In recognition of his heroism, he posthumously was awarded a bronze medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for risking his life to save others, with his case assigned the official number 52874-5921. The Fund, established by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1904, honors "individuals in the United States and Canada who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others." The widowed Marjorie survived for another 16 years and remained in West View in her two-story home at 67 Amherst Avenue. The North Hills News Record said that she supported herself as a matron at the Union Trust Building downtown. Sadly, at the age of 72, she died suddenly in her home on Dec. 15, 1987. A brief death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Funeral services were private. To date, more than 10,000 Carnegie Hero Fund medals have been awarded to worthy recipients.

  Great-grandson Donald Willard "Dandy Don" DeVine (1943-2001) was born on July 21, 1943 in Pittsburgh. In Finleyville, PA in Nov. 1968, he entered into wedlock with Judee Taylor ( ? - ? ), daughter of George and Mary Taylor. They resided in Venetia, Washington County, PA and became the parents of two children -- Rachael Donna Hall (1971- ? ) and Matthew DeVine (1979- ? ). Donald was employed over the years in Pittsburgh as a stockbroker, beginning his career in 1970 with Cunningham, Schmertz & Company. In 1974, he joined the brokerage firm of Babbitt, Myers & Company and then in 1979 moved to American Investors of Pittsburgh. After several more job changes, his final firm was Scottrade Inc., from 1989 to 2001. Sadly, he died at the age of 58 on Aug. 28, 2001. An obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he was a "beloved friend of many." Following a funeral mass conducted at St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park, his remains were laid into eternal repose in Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in McMurray, Washington County, PA. Inscribed on their flat bronze grave marker are the words, "Love knows not its own depth until its departing."

• Purple Heart

  Grandson Nelson Donald Leonard (1918-1942) was born on April 10, 1918, 1917 or 1920 in Brownsville, Fayette County. He was a graduate of Allegheny High School. Nelson became an ambulance driver for Allegheny General Hospital and lived on Pittsburgh's North Side at 1641 Perrysville Avenue. On March 14, 1942, when he was 24 years of age, he married Delores Ford (Oct. 4, 1920-1999), daughter of Charles and Ella (Traina) Ford of Pittsburgh. The nuptials were celebrated in Pittsburgh by Rev. J. Dudley Nee. At the time, she earned a living as an elevator operator and dwelled at 320 East North Avenue in Pittsburgh. They made their first home at 1808 Warren Street. Tragically, their union together was short, and the pair did not reproduce. A month-and-a-half into the marriage, with World War II aflame, Nelson enlisted for U.S. Army duty on May 21, 1942. He was assigned to Company E of the 168th Infantry and deployed to the North African Theatre. He was wounded at least once and awarded a Purple Heart medal. Nelson is known to have written one last letter home, received in mid-March 1943, assuring Delores that he was "safe." But fate intervened. He was killed in action in Africa on March 28, 1943 -- specific place and circumstances not yet learned. His remains were transported home in March 1949 for funeral services and to rest for eternity in Union Dale Cemetery. He was pictured in a related story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Said the Pittsburgh Press, "Military honors will be conducted by Thomas J. Rooney Post No. 12 and Arthur J. Leonard Post No. 898." The widowed Delores wed again on June 5, 1947 to restaurant owner Jacob Anthony Reinert (Nov. 22, 1910-1948), a native of Millvale and the son of John and (?) (Blume) Reinert. Their dwelling-place was in Allison Park, PA. Grief struck again after only a few months of marriage on March 19, 1948, when Jacob died from a spontaneous hemorrhage in the brain. His requiem high mass was conducted at St. Peter's Church. Her last spouse was World War II Army veteran Harvey Sylvester Figdor Jr. (1913-1982). Harvey surrendered to the angel of death in Pittsburgh at the age of 69 on April 9, 1982. The thrice-widowed Delores survived for another 17 years. Death swept her away on Sept. 6, 1999. Burial was in Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery.

• Grandson Frank Willard Leonard (1920-1999) was born on Sept. 7, 1920 in Brownsville. He was an alumnus of Allegheny High School. Frank served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and later was involved with elevator construction in Pittsburgh. When he and his bride both were age 27, Frank married secretary Rosalyn E. Hines (Jan. 1, 1920-2008), daughter of Harry J. and Eleanor (Cousins) Hines of Pittsburgh's Sheradan neighborhood. The date of their wedding was Oct. 28, 1947, and the ceremony jointly was led by her brother Joseph P. Hines and uncle Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Cousins, at Holy Innocents Church, also officiated by Rev. Joseph Raynak. The Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph announced the marriage, saying that the "bride chose a gown of white transparent velvet with a fingertip veil. She carried a white prayerbook." The trio of offspring of the pair were Francis Joseph Leonard, Eileen Marie Anderson and Harry William Leonard. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the family made a home in Pittsburgh, with Frank earning a living as a driver and salesman for a wholesale bakery. The couple eventually migrated to Iowa and put down roots in West Burlington. Frank "was a salesman for Evon, Sara Lee, and Sterzing Food Co. for 40 years," said an obituary. He "attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport for one year. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church of Burlington, and was past president of Flint Hills Men's Club. He was an avid golfer, and liked to paint water colors." At the age of 78, Frank was gathered away by the angel of death on May 7, 1999. Rev. Pat Lumsden presided over the Christian wake service at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Rosalyn lived on for another nine years and made her home in West Burlington, IA. At the end she lived at Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant, IA. She passed into eternity at the age of 88 on May 17, 2008. An obituary was printed in the Southeast Iowa Union. Her mass of Christian burial was conducted in St. Paul's by the hand of Rev. Patrick Hilgendorf. They sleep at each other's side in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, IA.

  Great-grandson Francis Joseph Leonard (1949- ? ) was born in 1949 in Pittsburgh. On June 12, 1976, in St. Louis, he tied the marital cord with Diana Brown ( ? - ? ). Together, they produced three sons -- Jeffrey Michael Leonard (1979- ? ), Sean Gregory Leonard (1985- ? ) and Devin Aaron Leonard (1988- ? ). They lived in Allen, TX in 1999.

  Great-granddaughter Eileen Marie Leonard (1950- ? ) was born in 1950 in Pittsburgh. She relocated to Iowa with her family. At Burlington, Des Moines County on June 24, 1972, she entered into marriage with David Anderson ( ? - ? ). Their two sons are Matthew David Anderson (1978- ? ) and Brian Joseph Anderson (1981- ? ).

  Great-grandson Harry William Leonard (1956- ? ) was born in 1956 in Pittsburgh. He accompanied his parents in a relocation to Iowa. On Aug. 4, 1984, in DeWitt, Clinton County, IA, he was joined in matrimony with Brenda Gannon ( ? - ? ). They bore one known son, Ryan Patrick Leonard (1988- ? ). Their son was born in Plano, TX in 1988. By 1999, they resided in Lombard, IL.

Son Elmer Lloyd Leonard (1896-1928) was born on April 19, 1896. On July 9, 1917, at age 21, he was united in matrimony with 21-year-old Ethel Leona Burton (Nov. 28, 1896-1986) of California, Washington County. She was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Kinnear) Burton. The ceremony was performed by the hand of Rev. G.A. Allison at Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV. They produced a brood of four -- Burton Elmer Leonard, Zana Rae Kennedy, Elmer Lloyd Leonard Jr. and their eldest, a premature, unnamed son who died at birth on Feb. 20, 1919. They resided in Centerville, Washington County in 1920, with Elmer working as a timer on the railroad, and later in Brownsville, Fayette County. In Brownsville, he earned a living as a tinner (or timer). But on the night of Aug. 28, 1928, just five months after the birth of their youngest son, he decided to take his own life, and did so with a shotgun blast to the head. He was rushed to Brownsville General Hospital but pronounced dead. His remains were placed into rest in the Taylor Cemetery. After 15 months as a widow, on Nov. 30, 1929, Ethel married again to 26-year-old R.C. Rowe ( ? - ? ), a laborer of West Brownsville. They were wed in Washington, Washington County by alderman John Carmichael. Her third spouse was William "Waddy" Miller (1893-1973). Death spirited Ethel away at the age of 89 on Feb. 6, 1986. She rests for eternity next to her third husband in LaFayette Memorial Park. 

• Grandson Burton Elmer Leonard (1921-1983) was born on April 19, 1921 in West Brownsville. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Headquarters Company 175 of Army Engineers. He attained the rank of tech sergeant. Burton was united in matrimony in Winchester, VA on Sept. 11, 1945 with Betty Jane "Boosie" Croft (July 30, 1921-2021), a native of California/East Pike Run Township, PA, and the daughter of John Henry and Jane Johnson (Harris) Croft. Betty Jane was a 1939 graduate of East Pike Run High School. They became the parents of three -- Barry Burton Leonard, Dell Croft Leonard and Meredith Jill Leonard. Said an obituary, "During World War II, she worked for Union Switch & Signal (US&S) in Pittsburgh, PA, packing shells for the U.S. Navy. She was a longtime member of the Taylor United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for 50 years. Called 'Boo' or 'Boosie' by family, she loved children, baking, gardening (vegetables and flowers), crocheting, puzzles (crossword, jigsaw and word search), cats, and especially her family." Death spirited Burton away at the age of 61 on April 14, 1983. Betty Jane endured for 38 more years and remained in Brownsville. In April 2021, she marked her 100th birthday. She passed away on Oct. 22, 2021 as a patient in Havencrest Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Monongahela, PA. A celebration of her life was conducted in Taylor Church. Their remains rest for all time in Taylor's Cemetery.

  Great-grandson Barry Burton Leonard (1947-1987) was born on Sept. 20, 1947 in West Brownsville, Washington County, PA. He was a 1965 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School and received an Ingersoll-Rand Company scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship program. He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology to study chemical engineering and then transferred to California University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated. In time, the Leonards relocated to Richeyville, PA. When he was 24 years of age, on July 15, 1971, he married Tara E. Cowley ( ? - ? ), daughter of George J. Cowley of Brownsville. Their wedding was conducted in Friendsville, MD. She was a 1969 graduate of Beth-Center and then furthered her education at Uniontown Hospital School of Nursing. The pair did not reproduce. Barry was employed as a plant supervisor by Greif Brothers, an industrial packaging company of Washington, PA. Sadly, while at the wheel of his car in Grove City, PA, the 40-year-old was stricken by a heart attack and died on Oct. 31, 1987. A death notice was published in the Pittsburgh Press. Burial was in Taylor's Cemetery in Centerville. Evidence suggests that Tara may have married again to (?) Walsh and to have used the hyphenated "Leonard-Walsh" surname. 

  Great-grandson Dell Croft Leonard (1948- ? ) was born in 1948 in West Brownsville, PA. He appears to have been twice-wed. On Feb. 20, 1971, he tied the knot with Kathleen Grace Finley ( ? - ? ) at Centerville Borough, Washington County. Their only child was John Burton Leonard (1972- ? ). The couple divorced. His second bride, on Jan. 14, 1978, was Elda Mae (Orsino) Hess ( ? - ? ), daughter of Dominic R. and Anna (Murray) Orsino. The two settled in Brownsville and produced a son of their own, Brian Robert Leonard (1980- ? ).

  Great-granddaughter Meredith Jill Leonard (1960- ? ) was born in 1960. She dwelled in Brownsville in 2021.

• Granddaughter Zana Rae Leonard (1925-2000) was born on May 13, 1925 in West Brownsville, Washington County. She was joined in the bonds of wedlock with William H. Kennedy (Aug. 24, 1924-2008), originally from Monongahela, PA and the son of James Ralph and Katherine Frances (Neil) Kennedy. They exchanged their vows on Aug. 21, 1945 in Cumberland, MD, where there was no waiting period for couples to marry. A trio of offspring of this coupling were Leslie Sue Batten, William Craig Kennedy and Mark Dana Kennedy. William was a 1942 graduate of East Pike High School and served from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He reached the rank of signalman third class and was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. He went on to a 43-year career as a railcar inspector with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central Railroad, Conrail and finally CSX. Said an obituary, "He was a long time member of the United Christian Church of Malden, where he served as a Deacon of the church, and was a member of the Monongahela Valley F&AM Lodge #491. [He] was a Steeler fan and enjoyed spending time with his golden retriever." Their home together was in the Malden community of Brownsville. Zana died at the age of 74 on May 1, 2000.  Alone for the next eight years, William passed away at the age of 83 on March 18, 2008. Interment was in LaFayette Memorial Park, with Rev. Jana Quisenberry leading the obsequies.

  Great-granddaughter Leslie Sue Kennedy (1947-2018) was born on Oct. 31, 1947 in Brownsville, Fayette County. She was a 1965 graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School and went on to study at Edinboro University. She eventually graduated from Durbins Secretarial School in Connellsville. On Jan. 17, 1970, the 22-year-old Leslie wed John William Batten (1947-1997), son of William J. and Alice Marie (Flamini) Batten. Together, they bore a daughter, Katelyn Dana Garrett. An obituary said that Leslie "was a help desk specialist for over 20 years at the Intermediate Unit One in Coal Center. Fellow co-workers referred to her as the 'Queen' of IU1. Leslie was a very active member of the United Christian Church DOC in Coal Center. She was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and loved all kinds of music." She made a residence in 2008 in Malden, PA. Grief swept over the family at her death in Brownsville, at the age of 70, on Oct. 14, 2018. Pastor Amory Merriman officiated in services held in the family church. Her remains lie in eternal repose in LaFayette Memorial Park. Their daughter Katelyn (1982- ? ) married Christopher Garrett and established a homeplace in Greensburg, PA. 

  Great-grandson William Craig Kennedy (1951- ? ) was born on March 11, 1951 in Charleroi, Washington County. He attended Dickinson College, where he met his future wife and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1973. On Aug. 3, 1974, in nuptials held in New Brunswick, NJ, he married Karen Lee Kenahan (April 28, 1952-2011), daughter of Andrew L. and Jean M. (Simmonette) Kenahan of Newark, NJ. Their union held firm over the ebbs and flows of 37 years together. William went on to earn his law degree in 1976 at Vanderbilt University. He was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1976 and Illinois in 1981. They resided in a number of states before settling for good in Earlysville, VA, where he served on the University of Virginia Health Services Foundation. Two sons were produced by this union -- Peter G. Kennedy and Andrew J. Kennedy. Karen was a 1970 graduate of East Brunswick Senior High School and in 1974 received her degree from Dickinson. Said an obituary, "Karen was employed by the University of Virginia, School of Medicine, as the Human Resources Manager for the Division of Hematology/ Oncology, and ... given recognition for her many contributions to the Division. Previously, Karen worked in various clerical and administrative capacities in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts prior to moving to Earlysville, Virginia in 2002. Karen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Charlottesville and served as both a Deacon and a coordinator of the Stephen Minister Program." After a diagnosis with brain cancer, Karen died at the age of 59 on Sept. 3, 2011. A memorial service was held at the family church. Her remains were cremated. By 2018, the widowed William moved to Massachusetts, where their son Andrew was living. Son Peter wed Susan and lives in Glyndon, MD. Son Andrew married Julia, and they make a home in Ashland, MD.

  Great-grandson Mark Dana Kennedy (1960- ? ) was born in 1960 in Washington, PA. Mark first entered into marriage with Amy Lynn Sowden ( ? - ? ), daughter of Charles K. and Mary Lou (Hayward) Sowden. Their ceremony was held on June 12, 1982 at Hopwood, Fayette County, PA. After the first marriage ended, Mark was united in wedlock with Carrie ( ? - ? ). They put down roots in Washington, PA and were there in 2000-2008.

• Grandson Elmer Lloyd Leonard Jr. (1929-1986) was born on March 12, 1929 in West Brownsville, Washington County. He was only a few months old when his father died. Elmer served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of master sergeant over the span of two decades. Following retirement, he was employed for four years by the Delaware Department of Facilities Management in maintenance. Elmer wed Pearl J. (May 27, 1932- ? ). They lived in or near Felton, DE and bore an only son, James Leonard. Elmer held memberships in the Herrington lodge of the Moose and the Clayton post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was stricken by a heart attack and died in Kent General Hospital in Dover at the age of 57 on July 10, 1986. Interment of the remains was in Hopkins Cemetery in Felton, DE. An obituary appeared in the Wilmington Morning News. The widowed Pearl wed again in Dec. 1987 to Leo Franklin Johnson Sr. (July 12, 1925-1998) of Camden, DE. They remained together for 11 years until Leo's death on June 17, 1998. Pearl survived Leo by two decades. Death enveloped her at the age of 86 on June 17, 2018. Interment for the Johnsons was side-by-side in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna, DE.

Great-grandson James Leonard ( ? - ? ) served in the U.S. Air Force as of 1986.

Son Raymond Vance Leonard (1898-1914) was born on Feb. 18, 1898. He was a student. During the late winter of 1914, at the age of 16, he contracted a deadly case of pleurisy leading to pneumonia and died just five days later. Death occurred in Centerville on March 12, 1914. Following funeral rites in the family home, he was interred in Taylor's Cemetery. An obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said that he was "a well known man of West Brownsville... The family is well known in that town." A terse death notice was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

~ Son Amos "Walter" Leonard ~

Son Amos "Walter" Leonard (1862-1931) was born on July 9, 1861 in Stewart Township, Fayette County. 

As a young man, he relocated to Mifflin Township near Pittsburgh and earned a living as a miller. Later, he became a realtor and was involved with insurance.

On Feb. 8, 1887, when he was 24 years of age, Walter married his first wife, 19-year-old Lutitia/Letitia E. (Sawyer) Kelly (July 8, 1867-1902). Rev. H.C. Beacom officiated. Lutitia was a native of Maryland, and her parents were immigrants from Germany. Because she legally was underage, she received permission in writing from William Strahley of Pittsburgh. News of their marriage license was made public in the Pittsburgh Post.

They had five children -- Walter Eli Leonard, Ethel May Leonard, Raymond "Earl" Leonard and Homer Franklin Leonard and one who died before 1900.

In 1899, Walter's office was located at Wood Street and Penn Avenue. Controversy arose in April 1899 when he and contractor William H. Moffit were accused by brass finisher George Dohler of "obtaining $900 under false pretenses," reported the Pittsburgh Press. Walter was placed under arrest in April and found guilty in September. In summarizing the claim, the Press said that "Leonard arranged for the sale of Moffett's property to Dohler, it being represented as free from encumbrances. Dohler destified that he found the conditions not as represented after he had made the purchase. The jury found Moffett not guilty, there being no evidence to show that he was in any way responsible for the representations of Leonard." Seven years later, in June 1906, the Press noted that Walter had been required by the Court of Common Pleas to pay $283 to J.Q.H. Smith.

Sadness cascaded over the family at Lutitia's death on Sept. 30, 1902. An obituary in the Pittsburgh Press said she was the wife of "a prominent business man of McKeesport" and had died "at the family residence on Grandview Avenue, McKeesport, after a short illness from typhoid fever. She was 38 years old and is survived by her husband and several children."

Walter wedded for a second time on Aug. 29, 1904 to Priscilla Anna (Shoyer) Reinecke (Dec. 20, 1872- ? ), a native of Carroll County, OH. Rev. Charles Lloyd Thurgood officiated. Priscilla had been married and divorced previously, and at the time of her union with Walter dwelled on Center Avenue in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette announced their marriage license.

Walter got into trouble again in about 1908 when he allegedly drove to a railroad station in Pittsburgh and induced a newspaper boy, Arthur Grannis, to drive away with him, "without cause," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. He was sentenced to jail for 30 days, but later was released when a judge found no evidence to support the complaint, and "it took Judge Shafer about two minutes to order the release of the prisoner."

The federal census enumeration of 1910 shows Walter (marked widowed) and sons Walter, Earl and Homer boarding in the household of Clay and Carrie Reed in Wilkinsburg. He may have married a third time to Ellen Schoyer ( ? - ? ). She was deceased by 1931.

Walter's mental health declined during the 1910s. Sometime prior to 1920 he was admitted to Mayview State Hospital on 1303 Main Street in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, PA. The U.S. census-taker in 1920 listed him as "insane." He remained at Mayview for the balance of his life of more than a decade.

Suffering from chronic heart problems, Walter died at Mayview at the age of 71 on June 8, 1931. Burial was in Allegheny Cemetery. A death notice appeared in the Press.

Son Walter Eli Leonard (1890-1948) was born on Feb. 11, 1890. He was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and brown hair. On June 12, 1911, when he was age 21, he was joined in wedlock with Susan Marie Highberger (June 5, 1890-1970). The news of their marriage license application was printed in the Pittsburgh Press. Their three known offspring were Harry William Leonard, William Edward Leonard and Betty Jean Leonard. The family grieved at the death of son William in Wilkinsburg on Jan. 21, 1916, from the effects of influenza and bronchial pneumonia. The baby's remains were placed into eternal slumber in Homewood Cemetery. Circa 1917-1920, the Leonards continued to make a home in Wilkinsburg, at 313 Kelly Street. Walter earned a living as an "extra" station agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Later, the family relocated to Fort Wayne, IN (circa 1924) and Narberth, Montgomery County, PA, where he worked as a railroad transfer agent. Their address in 1948 was 415 Grove Place. Walter was diagnosed with diabetes and, when pneumonia set in in mid-April 1948, he was admitted to Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. There, he succumbed at the age of 58 on April 26, 1948. Interment was in West Laurel Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Susan outlived her spouse by 22 years and moved to New York State to be with her son. She surrendered to the angel of death in Clinton, Oneida County, NY in May 1970.

• Grandson Harry William Leonard (1912-1969) was born on Dec. 17, 1912 in Wilkinsburg/Pittsburgh. He is believed to have married Mary Kendig Vogt (Feb. 5, 1916-1983) in a nuptials ceremony in Millersville, PA. The pair went on to bear a son and daughter, Melvin James Leonard and Pamela Phillips. Following in his father's career path, Harry was a railroad station agent. They lived in Montgomery County, PA in 1935 and in North East, Cecil County, MD in 1940, and he is known to have been employed as a sales agent by the Penn Central Railroad. Circa 1948, when he signed his father's death certificate, Harry resided in Selkirk, NY. They held a membership in Luther Memorial Lutheran Church of North Syracuse, and he belonged to the Russell lodge of the Masons, Syracuse Transportation Club and Watertown Traffic Club, while she was involved with the Centerville chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Harry died in State University Hospital in Syracuse on March 26, 1969. Funeral rites were led locally by Rev. John Sanborn, with the remains shipped to Pennsylvania for burial in Millerville. The Syracuse Post-Standard printed an obituary. Mary outlived him by 14-plus years and supported herself through her work for Crum & Forster Insurance Company for the last four years of her life. Death enveloped her in Crouse-Irving Memorial Hospital on Sept. 23, 1983.

  Great-grandson Melvin James Leonard (1939-2017) was born on Dec. 13, 1939, in Elkton, Cecil County, MD. He moved to New York with his parents and was an alumnus of North Syracuse High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force with a posting to Fairbanks, AK. Melvin is known to have been in Spokane, WA in 1969 and by 1974 had migrated to Phoenix, AZ. In Phoenix in 1974, he wed Geraldine (Aug. 15, 1947- ? ). The couple's union endured for 44 years together. They were the parents of a son and daughter and sadly outlived both. In 2004, they relocated to their final homeplace in Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley of Ravalli County, MT. He liked to tend his garden and ranch and socialize with friends. Said an obituary, "After moving to Montana, Mel discovered that there were 9 months of winter and 3 months of company each year." At the age of 77, he died on July 7, 2017. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial gifts be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter Pamela Leonard ( ? - ? ) was born in Albany, NY. She was single as of 1969. In time she entered into marriage with (?) Phillips ( ? - ? ) -- his name possibly "James J." Their home in 1983 was in Bridgeport, NY.

• Granddaughter Betty Jean Leonard (1924- ? ) was born on Sept. 20, 1924 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, IN. In a ceremony in Bala Cynwyd, PA, on July 7, 1945, she first tied the marital cord with Charles Edward Hasbrouck (March 7, 1904-1977), son of Edward and Elinor (Ewert) Hasbrouck of Oshkosh, WI. The bride was two decades younger than the groom. He brought two stepchildren into the union, Patricia Roberts and Richard C. Hasbrouck. Betty and Charles bore two more children of their own -- Leonard Charles Hasbrouck and Donna Lee Lane. As of 1969, they made their dwelling-place in Rosemont, PA, with Charles making a career as an insurance executive. He belonged to the Oshkosh lodge of the Masons, and they were members of the Presbyterian Church. In about 1970, upon retirement, they moved to Fort Myers, FL. Their address was 1363 Myerlee Country Club Boulevard. Sadly, Charles passed away in Fort Myers on Nov. 27, 1977. Rev. Robert E. Veley, of the Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church, presided over the funeral rites. The remains were cremated. An obituary was published in the Fort Myers News-Press in which the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Betty lived on for another number of years. Two days after Christmas 1979, at the age of 55, she wed a second time to 70-year-old Frederick James Wolff (Dec. 27, 1908- ? ), originally from Kalamazoo, MI and the son of Charles Augustus and Emma Isabel (Terry) Wolff. They resided in the Houston, TX area. The Houston Chronicle reported that Fred was a "talented musician [who] played with Harry James, Spe Jones, Don McNeal's Breakfast Club Radio and TV Show Orchestra and was the Concert Master of Southwest Symphony Orchestra." Sadly, at the age of 91, Fred died on Aug. 4, 2000. An obituary ran in the Chronicle, naming Betty as his wife, Nancy Anne Underhill as his daughter and Donna Lane as his stepdaughter. Funeral rites were held at the Unity Church of Christianity in Houston, led by Rev. Howard Caesar. The Hasbrouck family is spelled out in Volume 2 of the book The Hasbrouck Family in America with European Background.

  Step-great-granddaughter Patricia Ann Hasbrouck (1932- ? ) was born on Feb. 1, 1932. When she was 21 years of age, on Sept. 12, 1953, she was united in matrimony with Frederick J. Roberts ( ? - ? ). The wedding was conducted in West Springfield, MA. The pair lived in Agawam, MA in 1977.

  Step-great-grandson Richard Charles Hasbrouck (1930- ? ) was born on May 31, 1930. He settled in Bethesda, MD and was there in 1977.

  Great-grandson Leonard Charles Hasbrouck (1949-2016) was born on Feb. 7, 1949 at Bryn Mawr, PA. On Jan. 17, 1971 in Drexel Hills, PA, he tied the knot with Lynne Zarmanian ( ? - ? ), daughter of Aram and Elizabeth Zabelle (Kazanjian) Zarmanian. Two children of this marriage appear to be Jeremy Hasbrouck and Gweniviere Hasbrouck. Lynne was a 1967 graduate of Upper Darby High School. They resided in 1977 in Ardmore, PA and bought a house in 1990 in Upper Merion Township, a tony suburb of Philadelphia. The marriage appears to have fallen apart. Leonard spent his final years in North Fort Myers, FL. Death spirited him away on Sept. 30, 2016. A brief death notice appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press. Former wife Lynne remained in the Philadelphia area. She died on Sept. 2, 2003. Services were held at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church in Wynnewood, with burial in Valley Forge Gardens. The family requested that anyone's memorial contribution be made to the American Cancer Society.

  Great-granddaughter Donna Lee Hasbrouck (1951- ? ) was born in 1951. She is thought to have been a 1976 cum laude graduate of the University of Florida at Gainesville, where she received a bachelor's degree in fine arts. On June 25, 1983, at the age of 31, she married Leonard Guy Lane Jr. (1952- ? ), a native of Oghomosho, Nigeria and the son of Leonard Guy and Daisy (Brannan) Lane Sr. The couple's only daughter was Hilary Hasbrouck Yezerski. Leonard was an alumnus of Rice University and Harvard College and devoted his career to architecture, while Donna owned a catering business. Daughter Hilary (June 21, 1987-2022) was born on June 21, 1987 in San Antonio. She was an alumna of Lamar High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She then obtained her law degree from Tulane University and became employed by the law firm of Hayes & Wilson, practicing in estate planning and probate. In time she moved to Sentinel Trust where she focused on wealth planning. Circa 2016, she wed Donald Yezerski ( ? - ? ). They bore a son, Owen Yezerski. Said an obituary, "Diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer shortly after Owen’s birth in 2021, Hilary approached her condition with the same stoicism that she brought to any challenge and never let her health take away her joy. A year of aggressive treatment was still filled with Owen’s music classes, weekend trips with Don, regular evenings out with her friends, and working as close to full time as her schedule permitted... Her friends know that she was a conscientious and energetic planner, but also a woman who loved to relax with a glass of rosé, spoil her rescue cats, and cheer on the Texas Longhorns football team." Sadly, death swept Hilary away on Sept. 30, 2022. The family asked that any memorial gifts be made to the Second Opinion Project. A memorial service was conducted at the Junior League of Houston.

  Step-great-granddaughter Nancy Anne Wolff ( ? - ? ) studied at the University of Kansas and Kalamazoo College. She married Robert Newell Underhill ( ? - ? ) in Wilmette, IL on Dec. 18, 1954. The newlyweds' first home was in Kalamazoo, MI.

Daughter Ethel May Leonard (1892-1958) was born on Sept. 22,1892 in Wilkinsburg. She was twice married. Her first husband, on New Year's Eve 1908, was John J. Moran (April 23, 1888- ? ), son of Ellen Moran of Pittsburgh. The couple did not reproduce, and the marriage crumbled in divorce. At the age 32, on Jan. 19, 1925, she wed her second spouse was truck driver Richard Edward Stanley Jr. (1894-1961), the son of Richard Edward and Harriet Anna (Noel) Stanley Sr. of Laughlintown, Westmoreland County. Circa 1950, Ethel and Richard resided on Middle Road in Allison Park, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh. His work involved shipments for the electric industry. Afflicted for years with chronic heart and kidney problems, Ethel was admitted to St. Margaret Hospital in Aspinwall, where she succumbed on April 3, 1958 at the age of 59. Her remains were placed into repose in Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh. The widowed Richard soonafter was married to Anna Reymer ( ? - ? ) and continued to dwell along Middle Road. He was felled from a heart attack and died at age 66 on Jan. 20, 1961. Interment was in Allegheny Cemetery.

Son Raymond "Earl" Leonard (1896-1972) was born on Jan. 29, 1896 in Wilkinsburg. As a young man, he was employed as a brakeman by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the Wilkinsburg yards. On the fateful day of March 2, 1917, he was badly injured at work "when he fell from a box car," reported the Pittsburgh Daily Post. He "suffered a crushed right hand and lacerations of the face... He was taken to the Columbia Hospital, where the hand was amputated." He continued to work for the railroad despite his disability and was a switch tender in 1940. Later in the year of his injury, on June 21, 1917, he married Charlotte "Lottie" McDowell (Dec. 16, 1895-1966) of Wilkinsburg, daughter of James B. and Anna (Collins) McDowell. Lottie brought a stepson to the union, Joseph Price. Earl and Lottie produced two daughters of their own, June Saunders Fawcett Denito and Ellen Beavers Preto. In the mid-1930s, they dwelled at 7232 Finance Street. Circa 1940, they helped raise a grandson, Leonard Saunders. Their address in 1966 was 3656 North Court in Broadhead Manor in Pittsburgh. Sadly, Lottie suffered a heart attack and was admitted to John J. Kane Hospital, where she died at the age of 70 on April 16, 1966. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Two years later, Earl endured more heartache at the untimely death of his married daughter Ellen. He died on Feb. 24, 1972 at the age of 77. The Pittsburgh Press ran a death notice. Earl and Lottie rest for all time in Homewood Cemetery.

• Granddaughter June Leonard (1915-1997) was born on July 24, 1915 in Pittsburgh. She was married twice. Her first spouse was Grant A. Saunders ( ? - ? ). They lived in Akron, Summit County, OH and were the parents of a son, Leonard Saunders, born in 1935. The couple divorced in Akron on July 6, 1938, with June returning to live with her parents at 7232 Finance Street. At the age of 28, on July 31, 1943, she married a second time to U.S. Coast Guard coxswain Terry Baird Fawcett (Nov. 30, 1913- ? ), son of Clarence Baird and Mabel Edith (Terry) Fawcett of Pittsburgh. Oliver E. Graebner officiated at the nuptials held in Forest Hills. They established a home in San Diego, where she was employed at the San Diego shipyards during World War II. Later still, she was united in wedlock with (?) Denito and returned to Pittsburgh, where she was a legal secretary for the Allegheny County Bar of Law Examiners. After retirement, she relocated to Yuma, AZ. She died in Yuma at the age of 82 on Nov. 1, 1997. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Great-grandson Leonard Saunders (1935- ? ) was born in 1935. His early years were spent in Akron, OH, but he returned to the Pittsburgh region. He married (?) and was the father of David Saunders, Stephen Saunders, Henry Saunders, Frederick Saunders, Steffan Saunders, Matthew Saunders and Hannah Saunders. Circa 1997, he lived on Logan Road in Gibsonia in the city's northern suburbs.

• Homer Leonard

  Granddaughter Ellen Leonard (1920-1968) was born on Jan. 25, 1920 in Pittsburgh. At the age of 17, on March 21, 1937, she first wedded 24-year-old steelworker Louis Beavers (March 5, 1913- ? ), a native of Fayetteville, AR but a resident of Pittsburgh. He was the son of farmers Labe and Lucy (Hall) Beavers. Officiating was alderman Charles F. Papale. The couple were together for about two-and-a-half years until Dec. 19, 1939 when Louis left the home. A divorce was granted in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1944. Then at age 24, on July 24, 1944, she married a second time to 34-year-old Paul F. Preto (Dec. 7, 1908-1992), son of Italian immigrants Anthony and Mary (Caldwell) Preto of Tarentum, PA. The nuptials took place in Erie, PA, led by alderman Thomas M. McCarty, and news of the marriage license application was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. At the time of marriage, Paul worked as a welder for Steel Car Company in Pittsburgh and lived at 5435 Black Street. They were the parents of Paul Preto. Their son is believed to have played football for McKees Rocks High School circa 1963. In 1968, their address was 247 Marlon Street in McKees Rocks near Pittsburgh. Heartache blanketed the family on Jan. 26, 1968 when the 48-year-old Ellen passed away. The Pittsburgh Press published a death notice. Paul outlived his wife by 24 years and moved to Cabot, Butler County, PA. He died on June 27, 1992.

Son Homer Franklin Leonard (1900-1969) was born on April 15, 1900 in Wilkinsburg. On March 11, 1920, when he would have been 19 years of age, he was joined in holy matrimony with 21-year-old Florence B. Miller ( ? - ? ), a resident of Vandergrift, PA, and the daughter of Frank and Julia E. (Guthridge) Miller. (On the marriage license, he claimed to be age 21 also.) They exchanged their marital vows in Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV, by the hand of Rev. Arden B. Miller. The couple produced three children, Wilbur Franklin Leonard, Arnold W. Leonard and Mildred McHugh. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Leonards resided in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA, living on Lafayette Avenue. There, he earned a living as a "drayman" -- horse drawn wagon deliveryman -- performing a variety of odd jobs. By 1940, they had moved to Sumner Avenue, and Homer's primary occupation had become manager of a garage in Vandergrift. Living in the household in 1940 was lodger Dora Beattie, a waitress in a local hotel. Sometime after 1940, the Leonards relocated to Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA, where he founded H.F. Leonard and Sons Trucking Company Inc. They were members of St. John's Lutheran Church of Kittanning, and he of the Masons lodge in Kittanning. They enjoyed long winter stays in Florida with their married daughter Mildred McHugh and belonged to Christ Lutheran Church of Fort Lauderdale. Their Kittanning address in the 1950s and '60s was at 204 South McKean Street. Homer retired from the business in 1962. After suffering what the Simpson's Leader-Times called "a lingering illness," Homer died at home on May 10, 1969. The remains were placed into eternal sleep of the ages in the local Greenwood Memorial Park. Florence remained in their home until 1976, when she sold the property to her children for a dollar. The grim reaper of death cleaved her away on Sept. 22, 1987 in Kittanning.

• Grandson Wilbur Franklin Leonard (1922-2008) was born on Feb. 28, 1922 in Vandergrift. He is known to have joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II with a deployment to an air offensive in Italy. During that campaign, he received three Bronze Stars. Upon his return home, on July 25, 1945, he was joined in wedlock with Mary Louise Kirkpatrick (Aug. 30, 1919-1999), originally from New Castle, PA and the daughter of Ross H. and Nova N. (Moore) Kirkpatrick. Two known offspring of this coupling were Daniel Richard Leonard  and Catherine Elaine Riddle. Wilbur worked for the family business H.F. Leonard and Sons Trucking Company and "was a school bus driver with the Harriger Bus Company in Sigel, driving for the Brookville Area School District," said an obituary. "He was a member of Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Sigel, the Kittanning Lions Club and the Masonic Order." Mary Louise for 15 years was organist and choir director for Grace Presbyterian Church in Kittanning, while Wilbur was auditor of the congregation's finances. The family is known to have hosted one or more foreign exchange students with American Field Service, among them Iolanda Filomena Diniz Cancio Fragasco of Brazil in 1967. Wilbur also was active with Lions International and in 1966 held the position of deputy district governor of Region 4. Sadly, Mary Louise passed away on April 28, 1999. Wilbur outlived his bride by nine years and dwelled in Sigel, PA. At the age of 86, he was swept away into the heavenly host in Kittanning's Armstrong County Health Center on Dec. 10, 2008. His funeral service was performed by Rev. Boyd Edmondson, in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church. The Kittanning Leader Times published an obituary. Their remains sleep in Lawn Haven Burial Estates in nearby Worthington, PA.

  Great-grandson Daniel Richard Leonard ( ? - ? ) was a 1964 graduate of Kittanning Senior High School. As of 1965, he was employed as an American Machine and Foundry bowling equipment mechanic for Highland Lanes in Kittanning Highlands. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was assigned to Company C of the 13th Battalion, 4th Basic Combat Training Brigade. On July 10, 1965, Daniel first wed Thelma Patricia Gaiser (1947- ? ), daughter of Leroy and Pearl (Trop) Gaiser. Two children in this family were Daniele Ann Leonard (1970- ? ) and Michele Kay Leonard (1974- ? ). After a divorce in 1981, Daniel married a second time to Patricia ( ? - ? ). They settled in Sigel.

  Great-granddaughter Catherine Elaine Leonard (1950- ? ) was born in 1950 in Tarentum, PA. She was a 1968 graduate of Kittanning High School and was employed in young womanhood by Merchants Bank of Kittanning. On Dec. 11, 1970, she tied the marital cord with David Edward Riddle ( ? - ? ), son of Rev. William R. Riddle of New Castle, formerly of Kittanning. She was pictured in an announcement of their engagement published in the New Castle News. The groom's father performed the exchange of vows. In announcing the happy event, the News said that the bride wore "a short Karati gown designed with an empire waist and long cuffed sleeves. Venise lace trimmed the fitted bodice and cuffs. Her shoulder length veil was held by a headpiece of pearl trimmed lace and she carried a colonial bouquet of stephanotis, baby's breath and sweetheart roses." David was a 1968 graduate of Mohawk High School and at the time of marriage worked as a furnace repairman for J. Wahn Hopper of Mount Jackson, PA. The newlyweds' initial homeplace was in Kittanning.

• Grandson Arnold Walter Leonard (1924- ? ) was born five days before Christmas 1924 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. He is known to have joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and to have taken part in the Normandy invasion of France. Upon his return home, on Sept. 28, 1947, at Apollo, Armstrong County, he was joined in wedlock with Janet Alene McGaughey King (March 24, 1926-1971), daughter of W. Robert and Charlotte (McGaughey) King of Apollo. Together they produced two children -- Robert Franklin Leonard and Elizabeth Ann Wojton. The family resided in rural Manor Township in the outskirts of Ford City, Armstrong County in 1969. Arnold made a living working with his brother Wilbur and their father in the family-owned truck transport business, H.F. Leonard and Sons of Kittanning. He also worked in sales for B.N. Saul Lumber of North Washington. They were members and elders of Appleby Manor  Memorial Presbyterian Church, with her active with its Cider and Honey Club. Arnold belonged to the Coudersport lodge of the Masons, the Syria Shrine of Pittsburgh, the Lions Club of Kittanning and the American Legion. He liked to bowl, golf and tend his garden. Grief cascaded over the family when Janet suffered an acute heart attack and lingered for 10 weeks until death mercifully spirited her away on Sept. 30, 1971 at the age of 45. The remains were lowered under the sod of Lawnhaven Memorial Park and her obituary printed in the Kittanning Simpsons' Daily Leader Times. After a period of mourning, Arnold wed a second time on June 1, 1973 to Barbara Ann (Minton) Gasser (1928-2018), daughter of Gerald Zeigler and Martha Mae (Gillespie)  Minton of Crystal City, MO. Their wedding was held in Barbara's hometown of Natrona Heights. She brought a stepdaughter into the union, Patricia A. Jurkiewicz. The pair settled in the Ford City area. Said an obituary, "For 30 years she worked as a medical technologist at Allegheny Valley Hospital. Barbara was an avid golfer and especially loved golfing with her husband. She belonged to Lenape Heights Golf Club and was a member of Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church [and besides] golf, her favorite pastimes were swimming, gardening and playing in her Bridge Club." She also loved her pet dogs. The shroud of grief descended upon the family at Arnold's death in Pittsburgh's West Penn Hospital the day after Christmas 2004. Rev. Carletta Curley led the funeral service, and the Valley News Dispatch ran an obituary. Barbara outlived him by nearly 14 years. Her final residence was at Cabot, PA. As a patient in Good Samaritan Hospice, she passed away on June 28, 2018. Rev. Marty Neal officiated the obsequies. Interment was in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington.

  Great-grandson Robert Franklin Leonard (1951- ? ) was born in 1951 in Pittsburgh. He grew up in the outskirts of Ford City, Armstrong County, PA and was age 19 at his mother's death. He was a 1969 graduate of Ford City High School and the following year matriculated from the Institute of Computer Management in Pittsburgh. He then joined the family business, H.F. Leonard and Sons Inc. of Kittanning. On April 16, 1983, Robert entered into marriage with Anita Louise Gallo (1959- ? ), daughter of Alfred and Marie (Leporati) Gallo. They put down roots in Leechburg, PA, with Robert working for Season-All Industry. In the mid-1990s, he held the presidency of Local 525-G of the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers' International Union. One known son is believed to be Mario Leonard who has dwelled in Leechburg, PA.

  Great-granddaughter Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Leonard (1955-2008) was born on March 8, 1955 in Kittanning. She spent her youth in the outskirts of Ford City, Armstrong County, PA and joined the Appleby Manor Presbyterian Church. On Aug. 28, 1976, she was united in holy matrimony with Leonard Joseph Wojton Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Leonard J. and Elizabeth (Cippel) Wojton. The pair did not reproduce, and they settled in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Leonard held a master's degree in computer science and for years was employed as an electrical engineer by General Electric. Despite years of suffering with multiple sclerosis, the Kittanning Times Leader said that she "was an avid scuba diver and enjoyed traveling. She also loved her garden, her dogs and her many wonderful friends." Sadly, at the age of 53, Elizabeth died on June 14, 2008. Her remains were transported back to Ford City for services in the family church, led by interim lay pastor Rosalie Brown. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, North Buffalo Township. The widowed Leonard has remained in Mt. Laurel.

  Step-great-granddaughter Patricia A. Kurkiewicz ( ? -  ? ) was in New Wilmington, PA in 2018. She is the mother of Jonathan Jurkiewicz.

• Granddaughter Mildred Elizabeth Leonard (1933- ? ) was born on Jan. 22, 1933 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. Just a week before her 22nd birthday, on Jan. 15, 1955, she married Korean War veteran Charles Holm "Skip" McHugh (May 18, 1932-2019), a native of Pittsburgh and the son of Joseph Wendell and Emma (Holm) McHugh. They were the parents of Tamara Elizabeth Welch Rusnica and Beth Natalie Shoemaker. The McHughs lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1959-1961 and later returned to their native Pennsylvania, planting themselves in Ford City, PA. He was a self-employed carpenter and belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, while she worked as a caregiver. They were members of St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Wayne Township. In retirement, he volunteered with the Area Agency on Aging, where he delivered meals on wheels, and she enjoyed her pets and gardening. Sadly, Mildred succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 84 on March 22, 2017, as a patient in Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH). Rev. Fr. Arthur Dilg officiated the funeral service. Charles' final home was at Fair Winds Manor. There, at the age of 87, he passed away on June 6, 2019. An obituary in the Kittanning Leader Times shared the family's request that any memorial gifts be made to the "Hope Fund" of the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter organization. Interment was in Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell.

  Great-granddaughter Tamara Elizabeth McHugh (1959- ? ) was born in 1959 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She has been twice-wed. Her first spouse was Charles Louis Welch ( ? - ? ), with whom she was joined in marriage at Ford City on Sept. 24, 1982. The first marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband is Stanley E. Rusnica Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Stanley E. and Victoria (Polana) Rusnica Sr. of NuMine, Cowanshannock Township, PA They established a homeplace in Rural Valley, PA. Tamara has served as vice president of Orphans of the Storm Inc., a non-profit animal shelter.

  Great-granddaughter Beth Natalie McHugh (1961- ? ) was born in 1961 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. On Oct. 24, 1981, she tied the marital cord with Robert Ray Shoemaker (1961- ? ), son of Charles Shoemaker of Kittanning, PA. Circa 2017-2019, they were in West Kittanning, PA.

~ Daughter Sarah Ellen (Leonard) Smith ~ 

Daughter Sarah Ellen Leonard (1863-1948) was born on Sept. 25, 1863 or 1864 near Ohiopyle in Wharton Township, Fayette County.  

At the age of 29, on June 28, 1893, Sarah married 31-year-old Robert S. Smith (March 12, 1862-1932), the son of David and Anna (Cromwell) Smith and an immigrant from Belfast, Ireland. Rev. H.F. King officiated at the ceremony held in Uniontown, Fayette County. The couple requested that the news not be published in local newspapers.

Robert had emigrated to America in 1880, at the age of 18, and was naturalized as a citizen in 1885. He had been married previously and brought a daughter to the second union -- Edna May Flynn.

The Smiths produced four children of their own, among them Charles Walter Smith, Lena Virginia Smith, David Albert Smith and Esther Cumley.

At the time of marriage, Robert was a farmer making his home in Wharton Township, Fayette County. The soonafter established a residence in Dunbar, Fayette County. Then in about 1903, evidence suggests that they relocated to Smithfield, Fayette County, where the remained for the balance of their lives and Robert generated income as a day laborer. 

Circa 1918, they dwelled on Middle Street in Smithfield.

Heartbreak blanketed the family when son Charles joined the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I and was sent overseas, only to be wounded in fighting in France. They received a letter from him saying he was doing "finely," but in fact he died a short time later, just two days after the Armistice was signed.

The federal census enumerations of 1920 and 1930 show the family in Smithfield, with Robert marked in the 1920 record as an "invalid." Their unmarried daughter Lena lived in their household during that time.

Robert endured emphysema and bleeding of the lungs and passed away from their effects on Dec. 17, 1932, at age 70. 

Sarah survived for another 16 years after her husband's death.

Suffering from acute kidney disease and hypertension, she died at home in Smithfield at the age of 84 on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 1948. The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that she was survived by four children, one sister, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield, with her funeral service led by Rev. Walter A. Linaberger. [Find-a-Grave]

Above, the Smith home, likely in Smithfield, year unknown. Below: son Charles Walter Smith (center) with fellow soldiers of World War I.

Daughter Lena Virginia Smith (1894-1960) was born on April 25, 1894 in Farmington, Fayette County. She never married and eventually relocated with her parents to a new  residence in Smithfield, Fayette County. Federal census records for 1930 and 1940 show that she did not have an occupation. After the father's death in 1932, she continued to maker her home with her widowed mother. Lena maintained an active social life and is known to have been a guest in the Uniontown home of her friend Anna Cunningham, on Searight Avenue, circa March 1943. Evidence suggests that she endured heart issues for many years and occasionally was hospitalized for treatment. At the age of 66, suffering from heart problems and hypertension, she succumbed on Oct. 6, 1960. A death notice was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard, and a short obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she died "in her home." Rev. Edwin Arthur officiated at the funeral service, held in the residence, followed by burial in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Son Charles Walter Smith (1895-1918) was born on Dec. 5, 1895 in Dunbar, Fayette County. He was of medium height and slender build, with blue eyes and light brown hair. At the age of 21, in 1917, he made his home in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, where he worked as a handyman and laborer for the bridge-building firm Whittaker & Diehl Company. During the late spring of 1917, he was part of a crew erecting a structure in Muhlenberg, Berks County, PA. After World War I broke out, he was required to register for the military draft in June 1917. He eventually joined the U.S. Armed Forces and was placed in Company M, 168th Infantry, 42nd Division. While in action in or near Vittel in the Vosges mountains in northeastern France on Sept. 13, 1918, he was wounded in action. He wrote a letter home to his parents, as reported in the Daily Courier, which said he "was struck in both hips, one being broken. He is doing finely at a base hospital, he says." But the optimism proved premature. Unable to recover, he succumbed on Nov. 13, 1918, just two days after the Armistice. A notice of his death was printed in the Daily Courier. In a very strange twist, the U.S. Census of 1920 lists his name as though he were still living at home with his parents and continuing to earn a living as a bridge builder. But his grave at Mt. Moriah Cemetery is clearly marked and leaves no question. [Find-a-Grave]

Daughter Esther Catherine Smith (1898-1980) was born on Jan. 7, 1898. She resided in Smithfield, Fayette County in young womanhood. On June 12, 1920, she wed Army veteran Howard S. Cumley (June 10, 1893-1967), the son of Christopher C. and Lou (Phillips) Cumley. Their nuptials were held in the parsonage of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Waynesburg, PA, by the hand of Rev. F.D. Esenwein, and announced on the pages of the Waynesburg Republican. During World War I, he had served with Company B of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, 2nd Division, and at the time of marriage he lived at Cheat Haven, PA. They lived at Gans near Uniontown, where Howard earned a living as a laborer. The couple's three known children were Erma J. Fagan, Elsie Ellen Sansbury Potter and Robert L. Cumley. In time they moved into the city of Uniontown and maintained a home on Chew Street. In 1950, Howard was an enamel worker ("engineer") for the Richmond Radiator Company, living in Uniontown. Esther was active with the Circle group of the Calvary Methodist Protestant Church in Uniontown. Howard retired and continued to resided at 47 Lemon Street in Uniontown and held a membership in the local post of the Veterans of Foreign War. Howard died at age 75 in late March 1967 and was laid to rest in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Esther survived for another baker's dozen years. As a resident of the Blue ridge Haven Rest Home in Camp Hill, PA, she passed into eternity at the age of 82 on Feb. 13, 1980. An obituary is said to have been printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

• Granddaughter Erma Juanita Cumley (1921-1973) was born on July 1, 1921 in Gans, Fayette County. As a young woman she moved to Pittsburgh where she worked as a typist and lived at 210 East Stockton Avenue. At the age of 29, in November 1950, she married 48-year-old widower Rev. James L. "Cap" Fagan (1902-1969), son of Thomas and Nellie (Gardner) Fagan of Pittsburgh. The ceremony was performed at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Uniontown, led by Rev. Joseph Wood. The couple was 19 years apart in age and did not reproduce. Of James, reported the Jersey City (NJ) Journal, 

  Growing up in the lean years in Pittsburgh, he was down on his luck for many years as a dope addict, a pool hustler, a professional beggar, a driver for the Al Capone mob, and even a circus and vaudeville clown...  Peddling papers, begging, or making dope contracts for a dollar a day soon left a stale taste in the young man's mouth. His parents had died before he was 14, and he had no one to fall back on. For some years he shuttled back and forth between Cleveland and New York, even working at one time for the Jack "Legs" Diamond mob. But his life changed when he took refuge in the Gospel Worker Mission, Cleveland, after escaping arrest in a free-for-all at a pool game in 1931. The mission workers treated him with kindness and assured him it was possible to kick the drug habit he had acquired. Tied to a bedpost with a wad of cloth between his teeth, he related later, "I kicked and screamed and almost pulled the bed to pieces ... and then it was over.

  Now clean and sober, James studied at a Bible school in Wisconsin for two years and was ordained at the age of 46 in 1947 by Everybody's Mission. In 1949, he joined Volunteers of America with a posting first in New York and then in Jersey City. At the time of marriage, James was employed as a field secretary by the Pennsylvania Temperance League. The couple first lived in Pittsburgh. They both attained the rank of major in the VOA and in about 1955 they relocated to New Jersey, settling in Jersey City at the address of 72 Storms Avenue. There, he continued to served as major of the VOA, assisting transients, while she was a clerical employee for American Mission of Greeks Inc. Said the Journal, "For years he served the Jersey City VOA, he distributed some 2,000 pairs of shoes, fed some 19,000 homeless men a total of 38,000 meals. He was always on the side of the homeless, and at one time fought to keep the Coles St. Public baths open for homeless men." He also provided about 8,000 local families with clothing, food, medicine and emergency shelter. Then in 1962, he moved to a new job with the Paterson (NJ) VOA and when it was reorganized into the Federated Missions of the Evangelical Church, he was named assistant director. At his 10th anniversary of assisting the homeless, he was pictured in a feature story in the Journal. But his heart was in Jersey City, and they soonafter returned, and maintained a membership in the Vroom Street Evangelical Free Church. James died in St. Francis Hospital at the age of 67 on March 2, 1969. Rev. George Downs, of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Jersey City, led the rites. Erma survived for another four years. She passed away in the local Christ Hospital on May 22, 1973. Her pastor Rev. Nell Brohn led the funeral rites, followed by interment in Hillside Cemetery in Rutherford, NJ. Her obituary ran in the Jersey City Jersey Journal.

• Granddaughter Elsie Lou-Ellen Cumley (1923-1990) was born in 1923 at Outcrop, PA. In 1938, as a junior at Uniontown High School, she published a poem in the Uniontown Morning Herald praising Douglass Corrigan, an Irish pilot who had flown across the Atlantic Ocean. She graduated from Uniontown High in 1940. Her first husband was William Milton Sansbury ( ? - ? ), son of Aubry Sansbury of Washington, DC. The pair repeated their vows on May 12, 1942, in the groom's home led by Rev. Nunley of the Pentecost Trinity Church, and made public on the pages of the Uniontown Morning Herald. At the time, William was employed as a security guard with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the nation's capitol. A pair of daughters in this family were Joycelyn F. McLaughlin Jandreau and Connie R. Sansbury. Sadly, the marriage did not last, and the couple divorced with the decree granted in Fayette County Court at #606 December Term 1945. Elsie supported herself doing housework and made her home in Duncannon, Perry County, PA. On June 21, 1947, at a ceremony held in Duncannon, by Rev. Ira J. Kiner, Elsie married her second spouse, 33-year-old John William Potter ( 1914- ? ). He was the son of John and Anna Elizabeth (Johnson) Potter of Wheatfield Township, Perry County and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. A daughter in the second family was Esther A. Knisely. John worked as a blacksmith and carpenter for the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. He also held memberships in the local posts of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was in Duncannon circa 1967, where she "was an independent missionary and pastor and a member of Logania Church of God near Duncannon," said the Harrisburg Patriot-News. She also was a local columnist for the Duncannon (PA) Record newspaper. She became a foster mother at some point to Robert Shade and Eugene Shade of Harrisburg. Elsie was profiled and pictured in the Harrisburg Patriot-News in 1981 after returning home from a six-month vacation in New Zealand and writing a poem about the South Pacific Ocean. Sadness blanketed the family when, at age 65, John died on Oct. 27, 1979 in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lebanon, PA. Rev. Michael Witmer presided over the funeral service, and an obituary was printed in the Patriot-News. As a widow, she lived at 123 South 14th Street, Harrisburg. Sadly, death swept her away in Carlisle Hospital on Jan. 30, 1990 at the age of 67. She was survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Interment was in Duncannon Cemetery.

  Great-granddaughter Joycelyn Faith Sansbury (1942-2017) was born on Sept. 6, 1942 in Washington, DC. In her youth she resided in Duncannon, PA and with her sister Connie were active with the Logania Church. But in March 1965, she was convicted of issuing bad checks in the amount of $148 and was sentenced to three to six months in the county prison. She has been twice-wed. Her first husband was (?) McLaughlin ( ? - ? ). Their offspring are believed to be Joseph McLaughlin, Sharon Blosser-Fulk, James McLaughlin, Bridi McNaughton and Ronald Rollins. As of 1979, Joycelyn lived in San Antonio, TX. Her second spouse, circa 2001, was Raymond John Jandreau ( ? - ? ) of State College, PA. News of their marriage license was published in the State College Centre Daily Times. Stepchildren whom he brought into the second family were Tammy Jandreau, Debbie Jandreau and Raymond Jandreau. Sadly, they are known to have outlived stepdaughter Tammy. Her final residence for many decades was in Loysville, PA. Said an obituary, she was employed by the "Loysville Youth Development Center and had been a volunteer at a youth center in Bellefonte. She was a member of The Church of the Living Christ, Loysville." At the age of 74, at home, she passed into the arms of the angelic host on June 2, 2017. The headcount of her survivors was 25 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

  Great-granddaughter Connie Rae Sansbury ( ? - ? ) grew up in Duncannon, PA. Many of her youthful activities were covered in the local gossip columns of the Duncannon Record, authored by her mother. On March 3, 1961, Connie was joined in wedlock with Charles Leroy Howell ( ? - ? ), son of Henry Howell of Marysville. The ceremony was performed in the East Newport Church of God, officiated by Rev. T.V. Miller. In announcing the happy news, the Record reported that the "bride wore a blue taffeta dress accented with pink rose buds and white accessories." At the time, she was a senior at Susquenita High School, and the groom was employed in Steelton by Bethlehem Steel Corporation. She made a home in Marysville, PA in 1979 and in Bethlehem, PA in 1990.

  Great-granddaughter Esther A. Sansbury ( ? - ? ) married (?) Potter and (?) Knisely ( ? - ? ). As of 1979-1981, her place of residence was New Cumberland, PA and in 1990, she dwelled in Millerstown.

  Foster-great-grandson Robert Shade lived in Harrisburg, PA in 1990.

  Foster-great-grandson Eugene Shade settled in Harrisburg, PA.

• Grandson Robert L. Cumley worked as a radio operator with WMBS-AM in Uniontown. He was an alumnus of Uniontown Senior High School. He went on to study at the University of Pittsburgh circa 1946 and after graduation was employed by Westinghouse Electric Co. as an electronics engineer. He then joined Republic Steel Corporation's engineering department. In about 1950, he tied the knot with Betty Ruth Junk ( ? - ? ), daughter of Robert Junk of Uniontown. Betty was an alumna of North Union Township High School and the Uniontown Hospital School of Nursing. She worked for the hospital at the time of marriage. Circa 1962, they had borne three children and resided at Linthieum Heights, MD. They then relocated to Oberlin, OH by 1967 and were in New York in 1973. By 1990, they migrated to Chambersburg, PA.

Son David Albert Smith (1901-1968) was born on Aug. 14, 1901. As with his sister Lena, he never married. David had no occupation at the age of 18, as recorded in the U.S. Census of 1920. His whereabouts in 1930 are not yet known, but he lived away from home. He moved back by 1935, likely prompted by his father's death in 1932. When the federal census enumeration was completed in 1940, the 38-year-old David and his sister Lena were marked in their mother's household, with David's occupation only listed as "new worker." At the age of 47, in 1948, he and Lena are known to have resided with their mother in Smithfield at the time of her death. He was a longtime member of the Smithfield Methodist Church. He passed away suddenly at the age of 66 on Jan. 15, 1968. Rev. C. Smith Hixson officiated at the funeral, with burial in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

Daughter/stepdaughter Edna May Smith ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Flynn. They made their residence in Homestead Park in the late 1940s and in Jersey City, NJ in 1960-1968. Nothing more about her is known.

~ Son John Dean Leonard ~ 

Son John Dean Leonard (1866-1939) was born on Feb. 23, 1866 in Farmington. His middle name also has been given as "Dixon."

John was first married to Rebecca Hurley (1871-1918), daughter of Thomas C. and Henrietta (Carnathain) Hurley. (Was her maiden name "Carnahan?") They were wed in 1889, when John was age 23 and Rebecca 18. Her maiden name also has been spelledas "Harlie" in a family manuscript.

They produced one known son, Elmer E. Leonard.

The couple may have separated but never divorced, although the evidence is only sketchy. In 1900, John and his son Elmer lived in the Wilkinsburg home of married sister and brother in law, Maggie and Robert V. Clutter. That year, he had no occupation. Rebecca made her home with her son under her mother's roof in Baldwin Borough near Pittsburgh, with her single sister Nora and 29-year-old coal miner William White boarding in the residence.

By 1910, husband and wife may have reconciled, as the federal census shows them together in Knoxville, near Pittsburgh, with John employed as a telephone company lineman and Rebecca earning income as a self-employed dress maker. That year, their 19-year-old unmarried son was an electrician in a machine shop.

The marriage may have deteriorated further and by 1914, John had moved to Chicago, Cook County, IL.

Rebecca made her home in Rochester, Beaver County, PA where she lived in 1918. At the time, son Elmer dwelled in Pittsburgh at 3950 Bates Street. 

Sadly, Rebecca was swept away by the influenza epidemic of national proportions. Stricken with the flu, which developed into pneumonia, she was admitted to Pittsburgh's Homeopathic Hospital. She died there on Nov. 8, 1918, at the age of 47. Burial was in Robinson Run Cemetery in Oakdale, Allegheny County, PA.

John returned to Western Pennsylvania and in 1928 resided in West Brownsville, Washington County, PA. There, he was a farmer.

Centerville, PA, John's home in the 1930s

At the age of 62, in August 1928, he married 58-year-old Laura (Chew) Warrell (1868-1956), daughter of Robert and Lydia (Haught) Chew of Centerville. Her first husband had died on May 22, 1912. John and Laura resided along the National Road near West Brownsville.

By the late 1930s, during the iron grip of the Great Depression, he found employment as an assistant cemetery sexton at the Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery -- the family place of worship and burial grounds -- near West Brownsville. Their home in 1939

On the fateful morning of March 9, 1939, some two weeks after his 73rd birthday, and while standing beside Route 40 (the National Road), John suffered a massive heart attack. He collapsed and badly lacerated the back of his scalp, dying instantly. The body was laid out in the family home followed by funeral services led by Rev. L.Z. Robinson of the family church. He was placed into rest in Taylor Cemetery. Elsie L. McKim of West Brownsville signed his death certificate. Initially, reported the Charleroi Mail, he was thought to have been a victim of a hit-and-run driver. But deputy coroner Joseph F. Timko provided a review of the corpse and "pronounced death due to heart disease." The Mail added that he had been leading his horse to work that morning. Peter Jollick, who was driving past the scene, stopped and carried John into his vehicle and rushed him to a local hospital, but to no avail.

Laura survived her husband by 17 years, remaining in Centerville. Having endured chronic heart disease, she died at the age of 87 on July 2, 1956. Haddie Ice of West Brownsville was the informant for her official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Burial was in Taylor Cemetery.

Son Elmer E. Leonard (1890- ? ) was born in October 1890. When he was age 19, in 1910, he worked as an electrician with a machine shop in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh. Later, he made his home in 1918 in Pittsburgh, with an address of 3950 Bates Street. He may be the same man who, on Oct. 17, 1913, married Bessie Whitson of McDonald, PA. If so, Bessie is thought to have filed for divorce in Allegheny County in 1928, alleging he had passed bad checks and then blackened her eyes when she complained. But this all needs to be confirmed. Nothing more about him is known.

~ Son Ewing Leonard ~ 

Son Ewing Leonard (1869- ? ) was born in about 1869. 

Ewing never married. He is briefly mentioned in a family genealogy manuscript prepared by Rev. Amos Potter Leonard. 

He may or may not be the same "Ewing Leonard" who resided in Pittsburgh in 1896 and, in company with his presumed sister Margaret, left town for a week's visit to Uniontown. 

He otherwise is lost to history. He has not yet been located on the federal census of 1900.

~ Daughter Martha Beulah "Mattie" (Leonard) Woozley ~ 

Homestead Cemetery - courtesy "RAB," Find-a-Grave

Daughter Martha Beulah "Mattie" Leonard (1870-1953) was born on April 24, 1870 (or 1873) in Brownsville, Fayette County. 

As a girl, she moved with her parents and siblings to Wilkinsburg in Mifflin Township near Pittsburgh.

On June 14, 1892, when she was age 22, Mattie was united in marriage with 24-year-old William E. Woozley (1868-1941) of Hays, Allegheny County. He was the son of Welsh immigrants David and Mary Ann (Lamb) Woozley, also spelled "Woosley." At the time, he was a carpenter and resident of Mifflin Township. 

The couple had five children -- David "Homer" Woozley and Willard M. Woozley and three who died young -- Harry R. Woozley (1896-1897), Ethel May Woozley (1898-1899) and Howard E. Woozley (-1900-). 

For more than half a century, they resided in Hays and other steel-making communities along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh. They always seemed to have boarders in their home.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Woozleys lived in Mifflin Township near Wilkinsburg, with William working as a grocer. Said the Pittsburgh Press, William "operated a general store in Hays for 40 years." He also served as the census-taker that year and his name is written at the top of the Mifflin Township lists. Living in adjacent households were Mary Woozley and Howard and Alice (Gordon) Woozley.

By 1893, they had relocated to the Hays community, on the east side of Irwin Avenue. Census records for 1900 show William earning a living as a postmaster and merchant.

The census of 1920 shows that the family had moved to their final address, at 117 West Eugene Avenue in Munhall, Mifflin Township. William had changed careers again and earned a living as a coal mine laborer. At some point, he was named postmaster at Hays and stayed in that position for 25 years. In about 1934, during the Great Depression, he was appointed as postmaster at Homestead Park, retiring in September 1940. He also earned additional income circa 1930 as a church janitor in Munhall. 

The Woozleys were longtime members of the Homestead Park Methodist Church. Active in the community, William was a founding member of the Rescue Lodge of the Odd Fellows in Hays and the M.C. Andress Encampment at Homestead. He also was a charter member of the Homestead Park No. 4 Volunteer Fire Department.

William endured chronic illnesses for many years, including heart disease and hardening of the arteries. His health declined precipitously from kidney failure in mid-January 1941 and he died nine days later on Jan. 24, 1941, age 72. Funeral services were conducted in the home of his son Homer in Homestead Park, and burial was in Homestead Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.

Martha's final address was at 117 West Eugene Avenue in Homestead Park/Munhall. Having suffered for 27 years with rheumatic heart disease, she was felled by a heart attack and died at home on July 2, 1953. Her age at death was 83 (or 80). She joined her husband in repose in the Homestead Cemetery. An obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that "she had lived in the Homestead district most of her life...."

Son David "Homer" Woozley (1893-1949) was born on April 18, 1893 at Hays. His occupation was real estate and insurance, and he was self-employed, a career spanning 33 years. In 1917, he married Margaret Louise Davis (1894-1962). They lived at 4700 Loughean Avenue in Munhall/Homestead Park and had two known offspring, David Homer Woozley Jr. and Margaret Louise DeBerry. Said a newspaper in 1949, Homer "lived in the Homestead district all his life and for the past 10 years was affiliated with the Federal Housing Administration here as an evaluator. Mr. Woozley was a former president of the Homestead Kiwanis Club, helped organize the Mifflin Savings and Loan Assn. and was a member of the Homestead Park Volunteer Fire Dept. and the First Presbyterian Church of Homestead." On July 9, 1949, William suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at home at the age of 56. Interment was in Jefferson Memorial Park.

• Grandson David Homer Woozley Jr. (1925-2001) was born on June 10, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After his tour of duty ended, he returned home and dwelled in Munhall in 1949. When he was 25 years of age, on March 16, 1951, he tied the marital cord with Edna Margaret Weber (May 9, 1930-2012), daughter of Harry Edward and Edna Margaret (Schreiner) Woozley of Pittsburgh. Two children born to this couple were Deborah W. Powell and Mark E. Woozley. David was employed for many years selling laboratory supplies for Thomas Scientific in New Jersey. The Frederick News-Post said that he "enjoyed working with crafts, stained glass, and 'HO' and 'N' gauge model trains. He was active with the Indian Guides of the YMCA." Their final home together appears to have been in Crestwood Village in Frederick, MD. They were members of the Frederick Presbyterian Church and gave of their time on its board of elders and deacons. Said an obituary, she "was a member of the Urbana Homemakers Club [and] enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and gardening." He passed away in Frederick at the age of 76 on Oct. 13, 2001. Burial was in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick, with services led by his pastor, Rev. Ginger Memmott. Edna outlived her husband by 11 years and resided at the end in Homewood at Crumland Farms. She surrendered to the harvester of death in Frederick on Jan. 4, 2012.

  Great-granddaughter Deborah Woozley wed Dr. Gregory Powell. Their residence in 2012 was in Frederick. Their trio of children are Colleen Powell, Daniel Powell and Katharine Powell.

  Great-grandson Mark E. Woozley married Lei Ann. They were in Valrico, FL in 2001 an in Middletown, MD in 2012. The pair bore four offspring -- Amber Woozley, Amanda Woozley, Ashley Woozley and Joshua Woozley.

• Granddaughter Margaret Louise Woozley (1918-1995) was born in November 1918. She was a 1939 graduate of Waynesburg College, earning a bachelor of arts, and meeting her future spouse in the same class. At age 23, on Oct. 23, 1942, she wed 26-year-old Sanford Earl DeBerry Jr. (1916- ? ), son of Sanford Earl and Louise (Gabler) DeBerry. Rev. Dr. J.D. Piper, of the McKeesport First Methodist Church, officiated the nuptials, conducted in the Woozley home. News of their marriage was made public on the pages of the Pittsburgh Press, which said that the bride wore "White faille and tulle, designed with a heart-shaped neckline, fitted bodice and full skirt... Her shoulder length veil was held in place with velvet bows and her colonial bouquet was of white roses and gardenias." At the time of marriage, Sanford was a mill inspector and lived with his parents at 16 South Wade Street in Washington, Washington County, PA. The newlyweds' first home was in Dravosburg. Together, they bore two daughters -- Sandra D. Palmer and Suzanne DeBerry. Circa 1949, their place of residence was in Pleasant Hills. They went on to live in Canonsburg (1960s) and eventually relocated to Glen Burnie, MD. Sanford was a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and in 1950 helped to found the Washington County Chapter of the Pennsylvania and National Societies of Professional Engineers. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette once said that her "hobbies and interests included antiques, gardening and flower arranging." Sanford passed away on Dec. 15, 1993. Margaret outlived him by two years and went to live in Millersville, MD. Death spirited her away in Meridian Nursing Home of Brooklyn, MD at the age of 76 on Feb. 10, 1995. In an obituary, the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimers Association.

  Great-granddaughter Sandra DeBerry ( ? - ? ) studied Spanish at Waynesburg College. In 1966, she was pictured in the Uniontown Morning Herald for receiving a $1,000 Vira I. Heinz Scholarship to allow her to travel and study in Spain over the summer. She graduated cum laude in 1967. Sandra was joined in wedlock with (?) Palmer. She dwelled in Millersville, MD in 1995.

  Great-granddaughter Suzanne L. DeBerry ( ? - ? ) was a 1971 graduate of Waynesburg College where she earned her bachelor's degree in English. Suzanne made her homeplace in the mid-1990s in Alexandria, VA.

Willard Woozley Homestead High School, 1928

Son Willard Merle Woozley (1908-1966) was born on Nov. 5, 1908 on Irwin Street in Hays Borough. Dr. W.J. Bryson assisted in the birth. Willard was a lifelong bachelor, standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 138 lbs. At the age of 21, in 1930, Willard received a certificate from the Third Training School of the Allegheny County Council of Boy Scouts. A year later, he was a Scout leader in the Homestead District. Willard lived in Munhall in the 1940s and '50s. He was required to register for the military draft on the eve of America's entry into World War II, and disclosed his employer as Carnegie Illinois Steel in Munhall. His address in 1940 was 117 West Eugene Avenue in Munhall and in 1941 was 4700 Lougean Avenue at the corner of West Run Road in Homestead Park. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows him sharing a residence in Munhall with his widowed mother and unmarried, 35-year-old cousin Edna Flynn, working as a roll turner in a steel manufacturer. At the end his occupation was as a janitor. His last address was at 206 West Ninth Avenue in West Homestead. Sadness cascaded over the family at his death from hardening of the heart arteries at the age of 57 on Aug. 28, 1966, as a patient in Homestead Hospital. Interment of the remains was in Homestead Cemetery.

~ Daughter Margaret Laura (Leonard) Clutter ~ 

Daughter Margaret Laura "Maggie" Leonard (1873-1945) was born in Oct. 1873 in or near Ohiopyle, Fayette County. 

As a young woman, she was a seamstress, living in Wharton Township, Fayette County. At the age of 19, on July 15, 1893, she married 23-year-old Robert Vance Clutter (Nov. 16, 1870-1936), of Wall Station, near Pittsburgh, and the son of Samuel and Margaret (Vance) Clutter. The nuptials were led by Rev. Thomas N. Boyle of Uniontown. 

Robert was a laborer at the time of marriage. His mother was a native of Glascow, Scotland.

The Clutters together bore a family of at least seven children -- John Leonard Clutter, Grace Mildred Wagner Fitch, Mary Rebecca Mae Gebert, Samuel Dean Clutter, Margaret Olive Ferris, Mae G. Ebert and Robert Vance Clutter Jr. 

The 1900 United States Census shows the family making its home in Wilkinsburg, on Susquehanna Street, where Robert was employed as a "telephone line man." By 1910, they had moved to a new residence on Hermitage Street in Pittsburgh, with Robert in the position of foreman at the telephone company.

 

Brothers Robert and John Clutter, 1910s

In 1920, the federal census shows them on Herr Street in Pittsburgh, Robert again laboring as a line man with the telephone company, and daughters Grace employed as a stenographer with a jewelry company and Rebecca as a stenographer with the "government." By 1930, still living on Herr Street, the Clutters lived next to their married son John. At some point Robert retired as telephone foreman and received a pension from the telephone company.

Maggie was devoted to her aged aunt, Fannie (Rankin) Leonard, who lived in the Ohio Pyle area. When the aunt turned 79, in January 1930, Maggie sent "a large box of fruit and green vegetables [which] arrived by mail just at the noon hour," reported the Uniontown Daily News Standard. "This formed a center piece for the dinner..." The following year, when the aunt reached her 80th birthday, Maggie and Robert and their son Robert Jr. attended the party, and brought a "delicious" cake. 

Sadly, Robert died in Wilkinsburg on Jan. 3, 1936, at the age of 65. Among the relatives traveling to attend the funeral was Maggie's cousin, Sadie Rush, of Ohio Pyle. His remains were shipped to Frankfort Springs, Beaver County for interment.

Maggie lived for another nine years and remained in Wilkinsburg at their home at 3 Herr Street. She spent her final time on earth at Woodville State Hospital in Collier Township, Allegheny County. From the effects of hardening of the arteries, she died at age 73 on Dec. 5, 1945.

Son John Leonard Clutter (1894-1957) was born on June 8, 1894 in Pitcairn, Allegheny County. On June 26, 1915, in Allegheny County, he married Mary Ione "Ina" Dwyer (Jan. 4, 1893- ? ). Their children were Robert Clutter, John Clutter, Mildred Cunnings, Margaret I. "Dot' Foulkes, Dorothy Tomeson and Essie B. Simpson Irona. Circa 1920, the family resided in Johnstown, Cambria County, with John working as superintendent of an air plant. John was employed as an engineer with an air/oxygen reduction company in Wilkinsburg in 1930 and as plant operator in 1940. By 1950, he had advanced to the position of assistant superintendent with the business. Their last address was on 7 Herr Street in town. Sadly, in his early 60s, Robert was diagnosed with hardening of the heart arteries and later developed cancer of the bladder. He died on Oct. 17, 1957, with Rev. Howard Tucker of Calvary Presbyterian Church leading the rites, and burial occurring in Sunset View Cemetery in Penn Township. An obituary in the Kittanning Simpsons' Daily Leader-Times said he "was the father of Mrs. E.R. Cunnings of Kittanning RD 2, and a cousin of Homer Leonard of S. McKean St., Kittanning." A short notice in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he was survived by 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mary Ione outlived her spouse by 11 years and relocated to Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA. She passed away there on April 20, 1968.

• Grandson Robert Clutter (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916. He appears to have died young -- more will be updated here once learned.

• Grandson John Leonard Clutter (1917-2001) was born on July 31, 1917 or 1918 in Wilkinsburg, PA. He is believed to have been twice-married. The name of his first bride is unknown, but their two sons are thought to have been John Lee Clutter and Russell G. Clutter. Then on Aug. 5, 1961, in Los Angeles, at the age of 43, he wed Beckie Donohue (1932-2004). John served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He went on to a career as an automobile salesman and in maintenance with East Allegheny School District. Sadly, at the age of 82, he passed away in the Morningside community of Pittsburgh on April 7, 2001. His remains repose for all time in Sunset View Cemetery in Penn Hills. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Becky survived him by three years. She died in Stanton Heights on Feb. 28, 2004. Her funeral mass was sung at St. Raphael Church, with an obituary appearing in the Post-Gazette.

  Great-grandson John Lee Clutter ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson Russell G. Clutter ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Mildred Mae "Mid" Clutter (1920-2013) was born on Dec. 14, 1920 in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA. She was a 1939 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School. That same year, in 1939, she entered into marriage with Rev. Edward "Russel" Cunnings (June 17, 1914-2001). Their vows were exchanged in the parsonage of the Turtle Creek Baptist Church. They bore at least three offspring -- Edward Grant Cunnings, Carol Cunnings, Thomas Russell Cunnings and April Maddox. Russel is known to have served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, while Mildred was an alumna of the Chicago School of Nursing and then finished home courses from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. In time, she received an evangelical teacher training certificate. Circa 1957, they made a home in Kittanning. Grief cascaded over the family at the death at birth of son Thomas, on May 17, 1960, in Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. The baby's obituary appeared in the local Simpsons' Daily Leader-Times. Russel held the position of missionary of the American Sunday School Union before being tapped to be pastor of the Mount Union Reformed Church in Kittanning. Mildred is known to have been active with the Vacation Bible School of their church and served as a president of the congregation's Missionary Circle. After a trip to the Holy Land circa 1957, he gave slide show presentations about the western (Jewish) section of Palestine. Circa 1961-1963, he was minister of a three-church circuit near Emlenton, PA. Then in the spring of 1963, he accepted a new position as pastor of Westover (PA) Baptist Church, followed by pastorship circa 1966 of the East Mahoning and Pine Flats Baptist Churches in Indiana County. Said an obituary, "They went to Columbia Bible College, SC, where Mid worked evenings at Providence Hospital. In the later years, she was a nurse at Nanticoke State Hospital in PA. During World War II she was hostess at the Soldiers’ Victory Center adjoining Camp Shanks, NY, where her husband was in the Army. They were associated with the American Sunday School Union. First in Michigan, then in Pennsylvania, where they had 18 rural Sunday Schools under their charge. Mildred’s flash cards and visual aids captured the children’s attention. She was a faithful parsonage wife at the East Mahoning, Pine Flats, Westover, Newburg, Nanticoke, Cookport, Emlenton and Mount Union Baptist Churches. Upon moving to Indiana in 1974, Mildred was a nurse for the Adult Foster Home Program." He passed away on May 17, 2001. Mildred made her final dwelling-place in Indiana, PA. She died in the home of her Carol daughter in Westover on May 28, 2013. Services were held in the Westover Baptist Church. Interment of the remains was next to her husband and infant son in Mount Union Davis Cemetery, Armstrong County.  

  Great-grandson Edward Grant Cunnings ( ? - ? ) was a Boy Scout in his youth and earned the God and Country Scout Award. Edward attended Williamsport Community College and in young manhood was employed in the town with Britt's Department Store. On New Year's Day 1966, he exchanged marital vows with Elizabeth Burnham Wilt ( ? - ? ), daughter of Barnett Miller Wilt of Kittanning. Rev. Jerry Edward Flanigan officiated the ceremony, assisted by the groom's father, held in Grace Presbyterian Church. Said Simpsons' Daily Leader-Times, a "princess neckline enhanced with Alencon lace was featured in the bodice [of the gown]. An ivory pillbox hat veil complemented her ensemble, and she carried a colonial bouquet of red rosebuds..." Elizabeth was a 1963 graduate of Kittanning Senior High School and at the time of marriage had been employed in Washington, DC by the U.S. Information Agency. As of 1968, Edward is believed to have worked for Z&L Lumber Company in Indiana, PA. The marriage did not last long, and in June 1968, Elizabeth filed for divorce, claiming indignities. He eventually entered into matrimony with Jean Chronoski ( ? - ? ) and remained in Indiana.

  Great-granddaughter Carol M. Cunnings ( ? - ? ) grew up in Kittanning and was a 1966 graduate of Harmony Joint High School in Clearfield County, PA. She then accepted a job with Carol Ann Apparel Corporation in Hastings, Cambria County, followed by employment at Shortway Products Inc. in Clearfield. Circa 1967, she was joined in wedlock with Barry Kruise ( ? - ? ), son of Thomas F. and Mary E. (Sybert) Kruise of Westover, Clearfield County. Barry was an alumnus of Harmony High School and DuBois Business College. Two known offspring in their brood were Nevin Kruise and Brandon Kruise. The Kruises were in Westover, PA in 2013.

  Great-granddaughter April Cunnings ( ? - ? ) married James Maddox. The pair relocated to Baltimore, MD. They are the parents of Mason Maddox and Bernard Maddox. They were plunged into unspeakable grief at the death of son Mason in young childhood, the victim of acute lymphocytic leukemia. The boy was featured in a 2001 Baltimore Sun article, "Despite Suspension, Hopkins Researchers Continue Vital Tests." 

• Granddaughter Dorothy Clutter ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Tomeson. 
• Granddaughter Margaret Ina "Dot" Clutter (1923-2005) was born on Dec. 28, 1923 in Pittsburgh. She was divorced by 1950 and that year was employed, at the age of 27, as a typist in the billing department of Rockwell Manufacturing Company. She eventually tied the knot that same year with a co-worker, Thomas Edgar Foulkes (March 24, 1916-1996). The couple bore a trio of known daughters -- Janet Gayle Ohlendorf, Dorothy Jean "Dottie" Smith and Claudia Foulkes. Thomas was a veteran of World War II, with assignments in both the European and Pacific Theatres of War. Afterward, he attended the Pittsburgh Academy and Robert Morris College, followed by a year of law school in Pittsburgh. He became employed by Rockwell Manufacturing Company as a records custodian, involving the processing of millions of documents, some relating as far back as 1884. He accepted a transfer when the company opened a brand-new plant in Russellville near Louisville, KY. Thomas was employed with the Russellville Division as a purchasing agent, sales and production manager and traffic manager. Upon their arrival, the family was profiled and pictured in the News-Democrat and Leader, with Margaret described as a "chic brunette." In his spare time, he liked to refinish furniture, and she sewed, making dresses for the girls. Said an obituary, Margaret "was a long-standing member of the Women's Bible Study Group (BSF), and a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Southeast Christian Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star." She passed away at the age of 81, in Louisville's Middletown Christian Village Assisted Living Center, on Sept. 22, 2005. Her celebration of life was conducted at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church, with the remains placed into eternal slumber in Resthaven Memorial Park Mausoleum. The Louisville Courier-Journal printed an obituary.

  Great-granddaughter Janet Gayle Foulkes (1951-2014) was born in 1951 in the Pittsburgh area. She relocated to Kentucky with her parents. On May 26, 1972, when both were age 21, she married William A. Ohlendorf III ( ? - ? ). They exchanged their vows in Duncan Memorial Chapel. News of their marriage liense appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal. At the time of marriage he earned a living as a "layout man." They made their dwelling-place in Louisville, KY. Their only child was Tommi Jene Peters. At the age of 63, Janet surrendered to the angel of death on April 20, 2014. A celebration of life was held at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. Their daughter Tommi was joined in marital bond with Robert Peters, and they are the parents of Robby Peters and Alex Peters.

  Great-granddaughter Dorothy Jean "Dottie" Foulkes (1952-2025) was born on May 16, 1952 in Pittsburgh. She grew up in Pittsburgh followed by moved to Russellville, KY and Louisville, KY, and was a 1970 graduate of Louisville's Eastern High School. She studied at Lindsey Wilson College and then earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan. After becoming a certified public accountant, she built a career with the Presbyterian Church USA in Louisville, with promotions to vice president, controller and chief financial officer. Dorothy wed (?) Smith ( ? - ? ). Together they bore twin sons, Benjamin Smith and Alexander Smith. Said an obituary, "When Dottie wasn't taking the corporate world by storm, she continued to be an absolute success at everything she did. Dottie was a breast cancer survivor [and] the proud Mother of twin boys. She had a true gift of turning a house into a home and had a design style that was as bold and unique as she was. She loved all animals, but dogs and horses especially. Dottie loved unconditionally and adored spoiling her sons and nieces (the daughters she never had). Dottie Smith was a force. Her beauty, energy, unwavering support, and tenacity were a true blessing to behold by her loved ones." The family was plunged into anxiety when Dorothy was diagnosed with dementia. After what the obituary called "a long hard fought battle," she died at the age of 72 on March 11, 2025. Interment was in Louisville's Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Son Alexander is married to or a companion of Casey.

  Great-granddaughter Claudia Jane Foulkes (1955- ? ) was born in 1955. She earned her master of science degree in 1991 from the University of Louisville. Claudia was married to Phillip M. Rich ( ? - ? ). Their two daughters are Leah Rich and Natalie Rich. Daughter Leah has been wed to or a companion of Jasper. 

• Granddaughter Essie Clutter (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926. She wed (?) Simpson.

Daughter Grace Mildred Clutter (1895-1976) was born in Sept. 1895, likely in Pitcairn, PA. Her first husband was Harry H. "Hans" Wagner (Dec. 10, 1885-1958), possibly nicknamed for the Pittsburgh Pirates hall of famer John Peter "Honus" (or "Hans") Wagner. He was the son of Azarian and Henrietta (Beltz) Wagner of Bard, PA. Two daughters in this family were Beatrice E. Protheroe and Tolva June Ayres. Harry was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company. In 1936, they lived in Swissvale near Pittsburgh at the rear of 7929 Lloyd Avenue, and remained there into the late 1950s. Sadness gripped the family when Harry died from cardiac failure on April Fool's Day 1958. His obituary appeared in the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. The headcount of his survivors was two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Burial was in Monroeville's Restland Cemetery. By 1962, her second spouse was widower Oliver Cromwell Fitch Jr. (Oct. 4, 1895-1970), often misspelled as "Fitz." He was the son of Oliver C. and Alice (Davis) Fitch Sr. and originally from Venetia, Washington County. He was widowed from his first wife Emma "Tot" Frye (1896-1959) and brought a stepdaughter into the mixed family, Olive A. Smith. Oliver was a veteran of World War I as a member of Company M of the 360th Infantry, 90th Division. He was deployed overseas and saw action in the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. Grace and Oliver dwelled in Swissvale for good, with an address of 7928½ Lloyd Avenue. Sadly, Oliver died suddenly in New Kensington on April 20, 1970. His obituary ran in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She survived for another six-plus years and died on Oct. 21, 1976, with an obituary published in the Pittsburgh Press.

• Granddaughter Beatrice E. Wagner ( ? -2000) was born on (?). She married Joseph P. Protheroe ( ? -1977). They were the parents of Joan B. Smith and Donald H. Protheroe. The Protheroes spent their married lives in Swissvale. Sadly, Joseph died on Jan. 11, 1977. The Pittsburgh Press printed a death notice. Beatrice endured for another 23 years and remained in Swissvale. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried her obituary.

  Great-granddaughter Joan B. Protheroe ( ? -1998) was born on (?). Circa 1955, she wed Harvey R. Smith Jr. ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the highs and lows of 44 years together. They settled in Swissvale, near Pittsburgh. They became the parents of three -- Harvey R. Smith III, Robert D. Smith and Debra Kenna. Grief cascaded over the family when Joan died on May 16, 1998. Her obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, with the family asking that any memorial gifts be made to the American Diabetes Association. Son Harvey Jr. wed Kim and settled in Monroeville -- son Robert tied the knot with Marie and made a homeplace in Swissvale -- and Debra was joined in wedlock with Robert J. Kenna and in 2000 were in Brighton Township.

  Great-grandson Donald H. Protheroe made his dwelling in the mid-1970s in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, CA. He is believed to have owned a cafe/deli business known as Fog Horn, located in Petaluma, CA. 

• Granddaughter Tolva June Wagner (1915-1991) was born on June 1, 1915. Circa 1936, at the age of about 30, she wed Gordon Wiley  Ayres ( ? -1944), a resident of Swissvale and the son of George J. Ayers. News of their marriage license was made public on the pages of the Pittsburgh Press. The couple did not reproduce. Gordon worked in young manhood for the Swissvale Schools. He is known to have joined the U.S. Army during World War II, on Oct. 6, 1942, with deployment to the European Theatre in July 1944. At the time, their address was 7928 Lloyd Avenue, Swissvale. He was wounded in action in October 1944 and received a Purple Heart. But tragically, just two days before Christmas 1944, the 37-year-old Gordon was killed in action in Luxembourg. The body was shipped home for funeral services on Feb. 4, 1945 in the First Methodist Church of Swissvale. Gordon's photograph appeared in a related story in the Press. As a memorial, his sister Virginia Holden endowed a trophy to the American Legion in his name, awarded annually in the 1950s and 1960s to the Legion unit "that participates in the greatest number of activities and programs," said the Indiana (PA) Gazette. The widowed Tolva lived in Monroeville, PA in 1970 and in Swissvale, PA in 1976-1991. Evidence suggests that she attended the Swissvale United Methodist Church. Tolva died on Jan. 23, 1991. The Pittsburgh Press carried an obituary, saying she was the aunt of Joan and Harvey Smith and Donald and Earline Protheroe.

• Step-granddaughter Olive Fitch wed J.J. Smith. The pair were in Hawaii in 1959. Their two children were Joan Smith and Harvey Smith.

Son Samuel Dean Clutter (1904-1962) was born on Sept. 22, 1904 in Pittsburgh. He exchanged vows of marriage with Catherine Jeanette Watson (Feb. 18, 1906-1975), daughter of James and Minnie (Schrott) Waton. The two sons they produced together were Ronald H. Clutter and Samuel D. Clutter Jr. Samuel was a longtime employee of the Matthews Company, a manufacturer of bronze memorials, and retired from the firm. Their final address together was at 240 Evaline Street in Pittsburgh. Sadly, he died at home on Nov. 16, 1962. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Cemetery. His obituary was published in both the Pittsburgh Press and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Catherine lived on for another baker's dozen years.  She passed away in Columbia Hospital with her remains laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery in Penn Hills. The Press carried an obituary.

• Grandson Samuel Dean Clutter Jr. (1930-2016) was born on July 17, 1930 in Pittsburgh. On May 8, 1952, he entered into wedlock with Mary Edith Viola (May 14, 1931- ? ), daughter of John and Augusta (Ray) Viola. Their union stood the test of time spanning an extraordinary 64 years together. Shortly after marriage, he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and in 1952 was stationed at Chanute Field in Illinois. By 1962, now part of the Vietnam War, he was posted to Germany. In all, he served in the military for 23 years. Upon his discharge, he returned to Pittsburgh and obtained employment in maintenance with the Penn Hills School District. He held memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Said an obituary, "He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching football and baseball..." He and Mary Edith produced three children -- Linda Jean Welch, Samuel Dean Clutter III and Michael Norman Clutter. At the age of 86, Samuel passed away in Indiana Regional Medical Center on Nov. 10, 2016. He was survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

  Great-granddaughter Linda Jean Clutter (1953- ? ) was born in 1953 in the base hospital at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. News of her birth was published in The Wings of Hoopeston, IL. In Aug. 1972, in Pittsburgh, she wed Robert B. Welch ( ? - ? ). The two known children in their brood are Dawn Marie Welch (1977- ? ) and Kimberly Ellen Welch (1982- ? ). Sadly, daughter Dawn died young. As of 2017, the Welches were in Bradenton, FL.

  Great-grandson Samuel Dean Clutter III (1957- ? ) was born in 1957. He grew up in the Penn Hills suburb of Pittsburgh and in young manhood was employed by S.W. Jack Drilling Company. Circa 1981, he married Donna Jean Schroth ( ? - ? ), daughter of Kenneth C. Schroth Sr. of Indiana, PA. She was pictured in an engagement announcement in the Indiana Evening Gazette. At the time, she was studying criminology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Their trio of offspring include Samuel Dean Clutter IV (1981- ? ), Graham Kurtis Clutter (1983- ? ) and Jennifer Leigh Clutter (1985- ? ). Circa 1981, they made a residence in Indiana, and at the children's early birthdays, they were pictured in the Indiana Gazette. The marriage dissolved in divorce, and Donna went on to marry (?) Sabers and (?) Burr. In about 1987, he tied the knot with Allison Denise Jacobs ( ? - ? ) of Penn Run. Samuel's third spouse is believed to be Kim, and in 2017 they were in Indiana. Their son Samuel IV is a 1999 graduate of Indiana High School and promptly joined the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation. He was assigned to the Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 461 as a flightline mechanic and was deployed in 2003 to Djibouti on the Red Sea coast of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

  Great-grandson Michael Norman Clutter (1959- ? ) was born in 1959. He planted himself in Indiana, PA.

• Grandson Ronald Harry Clutter Sr. (1936 - ? ) was born on March 2, 1936 in Pittsburgh, just 15 days before the great Pittsburgh flood of 1936, one of the worst in the city's history. At the age of 21, on June 15, 1957, he was united in matrimony with Rita Joy Weisner ( ? - ? ), daughter of Walter F. and Amanda R. (Quinn) Weisner. Four sons born into this family were Ronald Harry Clutter Jr., Lonny Clutter, Steven Ronald Clutter and Garry Clutter. Their address in the late 1960s was 240 Evaline Street, Pittsburgh. Sadness descended upon the family at the death of son Ronald Jr. in Shadyside Hospital at age 10 years on May 30, 1969, having fractured both knees, with bilateral bronchial pneumonia settling in. The boy's remains were laid to rest in Hebron Cemetery on Frankstown Road. Ronald's home in 2017 was i Marion Center, PA.

  Great-grandson Lonny Clutter (1961- ? ) 

  Great-grandson Steven Ronald Clutter (1963- ? )

  Great-grandson Garry Clutter (1964- ? )

Daughter Margaret Olive Clutter (1907- ? ) was born on March 25, 1907 in Homewood near Pittsburgh. She grew up in Wilkinsburg. Margaret at age 19 eloped to Wellsburg, WV on Nov. 10, 1926 to wed 20-year-old Joseph Edward Ferris (Nov. 7, 1906-1986), son of James Colson and Sarah Ellen (Smith) Ferris and originally from Wilkinsburg. Rev. Milton M. Allison of Wellsburg officiated. Wife and husband both exaggerated their ages on the marriage license application. Three sons born to this union were William Joseph Ferris, Robert James Ferris and Joseph Edward Ferris II. The family settled in Wilkinsburg. Joseph spent many years installing private internal telephone (PBX) equipment for Bell Telephone Company. Sadly on April 12, 1986, he passed away in Monroeville. Burial was in William Penn Cemetery in Churchill. Margaret endured for 11-plus more years and moved to Murrysville, where she joined Christ's Lutheran Church. At the end she was admitted to dwell in the Woven Hearts Alternative Living Center in Penn Hills. She died there at the age of 90 on Jan. 18, 1998.

• Grandson William Joseph Ferris (1928-2002) was born on May 22, 1928 in Wilkinsburg. At the age of 20, on Oct. 9, 1948, he tied the marital cord with Dorothy Jean Olson (Dec. 7, 1930- ? ), daughter of Roy E. and Ethel M. (Bolte) Olson. Together, they produced a trio of offspring -- William Joseph Ferris Jr., Roy Allen Ferris and Susan Lynn Plowman. Following in his father's footsteps, he earned a living as a telephone installer for Bell Telephone Company. He remained with the company until retirement in 1983. He went on to work for Sunshine Office Supply up to the end of his life. Said the Oil City Derrick, he "was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Garfield Blue Lodge in DuBois. He also was a member of the Lakewood, N.Y., Rod & Gun Club, the Clarion Eagles and the Bell Telephone Pioneers. Mr. Ferris was an avid boater and fisherman and spent a great deal of time at his cottage on Chautauqua Lake." They lived in DuBois before a move to Clarion, PA. Sadly, Dorothy died on May 10, 1994. As a widower, William's home in 1998 was in Clarion and in Limestone, Clarion County. At the age of 73, William passed away in Jefferson Manor in Brookville, PA on March 27, 2002. Rev. Gerald Davis, pastor of Leatherwood Church, presided over the obsequies. Their remains sleep in eternal repose in Clarion Cemetery.

  Great-grandson William Joseph Ferris Jr. (1951- ? ) was born in 1951. He married Barbara Lockwood ( ? - ? ). Two stepdaughters in this family appear to be Melinda Lockwood and Morgan Lockwood. The couple settled in New Bethlehem, PA.

  Great-grandson Roy Allen Ferris (1953- ? ) was born in 1953. He was joined in wedlock with Kimberly. The couple put down roots in Limestone, Clarion County, PA.

  Great-granddaughter Susan Lynn Ferris (1955- ? ) was born in 1955. She grew up in DuBois, PA and was an alumna of DuBois Area Senior High School. She then studied to be an educator at Edinboro State College and student-taught in Sharpsville, PA. Circa 1975, she was united in matrimony with Ralph Waldo Plowman III ( ? - ? ), son of Ralph W. Plowman. The ceremony was conducted in the Crafton Methodist Church, led by Rev. Carleton McKita, with Susan's bridal portrait appearing in an announcement in the DuBois Courier-Express. Said the newspaper, the "bride wore a gown of white maracaine and re-embroidered lace styled with empire waistline, bishop sleeves, lace and ruffled bib effect on bodice, lace panels adorning skirt, and hemline of lace and ruffles which flowed into a chapel-length train. Her veil of Veise lace accented with ribbons and pearls was secured with a Camelot headpiece." Ralph was a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College and at the time of marriage managed a Burger Chef franchise restaurant in New Castle. In 2002, the Plowmans made their dwelling-place in Dormont near Pittsburgh. Their three offspring are believed to be Aimee Plowman, Kelly Plowman and Marisa Plowman.

• Grandson Robert James Ferris (1931- ? ) was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Wilkinsburg. When he was 19 years of age, on April 28, 1951, he exchanged vows of marriage with Audrey Matilda Pfaff (Nov. 16, 1932- ? ), daughter of Michael and Matilda (Senerth) Pfaff of Pittsburgh. Two sons of this coupling were Michael James Ferris and Jeffrey David Ferris. In the 1990s, Robert was vice president of construction for Crump Inc., while Audrey was employed as business manager for A. Richard Kacin Inc., a general contracting company. Circa 2002, the Ferrises dwelled in Murrysville.

  Great-grandson Michael James Ferris (1955- ? ) was born in 1955 in Pittsburgh. On April 30, 1977, he joined hands in marriage with Kimberly Russo (1958- ? ), daughter of Alfred T. and Helen (Kulifay) Russo of New Kensington. In the mid-1990s, Michael served as vice president and general manager of Delmont Builders Supply Inc. Their two daughters are Jennifer Lynn Ferris (1979- ? ) and Nicole Renee Ferris (1982- ? ).

  Great-grandson Jeffrey David Ferris (1957- ? ) was born in 1957 in Pittsburgh. When he was the age of 22, on Aug. 18, 1979, he and Karen Leah Koyro (1957- ? ) became man and wife. She originally was from Columbus, OH, the daughter of George  and Shirley (Bartoc) Koyro. Together they bore a pair of daughters -- Meghan Alexis Ferris (1983- ? ) and Katelyn Elise Ferris (1986- ? ), both born in Pittsburgh.

• Grandson Joseph "Edward" Ferris II (1938-2006) was born on Feb. 20, 1938. He is known to have served in the U.S. Air Force. Joseph first tied the knot with Verna "Jane" Greenawalt (1941-1995). The two children they bore together were Michelle Brent and Holly Boehm. Home for the family was in Wilkins Township. Sadly, at the age of 54, Jane died on Oct. 9, 1995. the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran a short notice of her demise. Edward's second bride was Mary Ann Pekar ( ? - ? ). She brought a brood of stepchildren into the second family -- Diane Buzzard, Mary Pat Collins, Regis Pekar, Michael Pekar and Ann Malamisuro. They put down roots in Turtle Creek. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said that Edward "was a lifetime member and deacon at the Beulah Presbyterian Church in Churchill." The grim reaper of death cleaved him away at the age of 68 on April 24, 2006. Funeral services were conducted in the family church. Interment was in William Penn Gardens of Remembrance in Churchill.

  Great-granddaughter Michelle Ferris wed Stephen Brent. In 2006, their dwelling-place was in Penn Hills. 

  Great-granddaughter Holly Ferris married (?) Boehm. She has resided in Arnold, PA.

  Step-great-granddaughter Diane Pekar wed Michael Buzzard and settled in Swissvale, PA.

  Step-great-granddaughter Mary Pat Pekar entered into marriage with Timothy Collins and have made their home in Apollo, PA. 

  Step-great-grandson Regis Pekar exchanged marital vows with Becky. They have dwelled in Manor, PA.

  Step-great-grandson Michael Pekar lived in Wilkins Township in 2006.

  Step-great-granddaughter Ann Pekar tied the marital cord with Chris Malamisuro and planted themselves at Turtle Creek.

William Penn Gardens of Remembrance - courtesy Vera Ivanova Miller

Daughter Rebecca "Mae" Clutter (1899-1980) was born on Jan. 25, 1899 in Pitcairn. On Christmas Eve 1921, in Allegheny County, she entered into marriage with Polish immigrant Max Edward Gebert (Aug. 14, 1894-1973), sometimes misspelled "Ebert," and son of Edward and Josephine (Ceqlaska) Gebert. The pair did not reproduce. Max was a U.S. Army veteran of World War I, having attained the rank of corporal. He studied engineering at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh and, said the Chicago Tribune, "is credited with the development of the route car system for automobile tours by which members of the club are kept on specified routes on tours." They migrated to Chicago and made a home on Michigan Avenue (1941) and later at 3750 North Lake Shore Drive. For four decades, starting in 1923, Max was employed by the Chicago Motor Club as chief draftsman and official map maker for its touring bureau. At his 35th anniversary with the Club, he was pictured in the Tribune. Sadly, he died on Feb. 24, 1973. The body was transported back to the Pittsburgh area for interment in the William Penn Gardens of Remembrance in Churchill. In an obituary, the Tribune reported that memorial services were held in Sarasota, FL. Mae survived him by seven years and in 1976, her home was in Chicago. Death spirited her away on June 3, 1980, as a patient in Chicago's Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Her remains were cremated and sent to Pittsburgh for a memorial service and to be placed into repose next to her spouse's. A death notice in the Tribune named a surviving sister as "Mrs. Joseph Ferris."

Son Robert Vance Clutter Jr. (1910-1974) was born in 1910. He may have been a lifelong bachelor. Robert worked as a laborer in a machine shop in Pittsburgh in 1930. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He went on to a career as a milk salesman. His address was 405 Davidson Road in Plum Borough. He is known to have belonged to the East Liberty post of the American Legion, Sadly, while spending the winter of 1974 in Sarasota, FL, he became ill and passed away there. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Press, naming his sisters Margaret Ferris, Grace Fitch and Mae Gebert.

~ Son George Washington Leonard ~ 

Son George Washington Leonard (1878-1943) was born on St. Patrick's Day 1878 in Farmington, Fayette County. 

George stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed 145 lbs. He earned a living in young manhood as a lineman for the Pittsburgh, Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. The railroad was formed in 1897 by Andrew Carnegie to haul iron ore from the Lake Erie port at Conneaut, OH to the Carnegie Steel Company plants in Pittsburgh. On the return trip, the railroad hauled coal north to Conneaut Harbor.

At the age of 23, on Sept. 18, 1900, George married 20-year-old Verna Ida McMurdy (Aug. 31, 1880-1962), originally from Mercer County, PA. She was the daughter of James Henry and Anna (Millison) McMurdy, sometimes misspelled as "McCurdy." The wedding took place at the bride's residence in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, officiated by Rev. F.A. Cozad.

Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad shops in Albion

They produced one known son, Dr. James "Paul" Leonard.

George worked for the B&LERR  for 31 years (the name "Pittsburgh" was dropped in 1900) and eventually became a station lineman. In 1902, their son was born in West Virginia. At some point prior to 1910 George was transferred to Erie, Erie County, PA and made his home on Market Street in Albion. The federal census of 1910 shows the family living on Thornton Avenue in Albion.

Said the book Our Leonard Family History, George "spent a great deal of his working life on the establishment and maintenance of both telegraphic and electric services primarily between Greenville and Erie."

The family were members of the Albion Methodist Church, and George belonged to the Bessemer-Lake Erie Veterans Association. Their address during the World War II era was on Market Street, Albion.

George began to become senile in about 1941 and his health went downhill. He was admitted to Warren State Hospital and, after contracting pneumonia, died there 12 days later on Aug. 4, 1943 at age 65. He was interred in Albion. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that his final illness had lasted for three months.

Verna lived for more than two decades after George's passing. She relocated to Detroit, where she died on Dec. 11, 1962. Her remains were returned to Albion for interment. The Albion News ran an obituary.

Son Dr. James "Paul" Leonard (1902-1986) was born in 1902 in Wheeling, Ohio County, WV. In boyhood, he moved with his parents to Albion, PA. He became a physician and established his medical practice in his hometown of Albion. There, on June 5, 1926, at the age of 24, he was wedded to 24-year-old Dortha M. Salisbury (1902-1987), daughter of Archie J. and Catherine (Reilley) Salisbury. Kathryn held a bachelor of arts degree from Oberlin College and as a young woman taught school. The pair of offspring they bore were Dr. Norman Leonard and Kathryn Ann Baker. The family relocated to Detroit, where Paul built a practice specializing in orthopedic surgery, and Dortha assisted as his business manager. In 1930, when elected president of the Detroit Association of Physicians and Surgeons of Osteopathic Medicine, he was pictured in the Detroit Free Press. Later, he served the organization as secretary-treasurer. At the 1934 convention of the American Osteopathic Association, held in Cleveland, he spoke on "The Importance of Case Histories in Osteopathic Treatment of Feet." He also presided over the dedication of the Philip Gray Memorial Unit of the Detroit Osteopathic Hospital in 1937. Adding to his accomplishments, Paul was named a trustee of the American Osteopathic Hospital Association in 1940 at its annual convention in St. Louis, and in 1941 was elected vice president and eventually as president. In 1942, during World War II, he made news when he told a news reporter that it was "not beyond the realm of possibility" that the nation would need to ration the services of physicians and surgeons "as a result of thousands being called into the armed forces." Paul served multiple consecutive terms as secretary-treasurer of the Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedists. He also was a longtime member of the local Rotary Club. Dortha in her own right was active with the College Women's Club and chaired its Fine Arts Group circa 1939. In their free time, they liked to tend their garden. Sadly, Paul passed away four days before Christmas 1986, at the age of 84. Services were held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and a death notice was printed in the Free Press. Dortha only outlived her husband by a month. Death enveloped her on Jan. 23, 1987. Their remains sleep for the ages in Glen Eden Cemetery, Detroit.

• Grandson Dr. Norman Harold Leonard (1928-2020) was born on June 17, 1928 in Detroit. He was trained in medical pathology. On Sept. 4, 1954, he exchanged vows of marriage with Joan Harriette Fulton (July 2, 1931-2018), daughter of Harry and Florence (Hanlan) Fulton. Their union endured the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 63-plus years. An only son was Dr. Bruce Allen Leonard, DDS. The family settled in Battle Creek, MI, where Norman based his practice as a radiologist with the U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital. Following in his father's footsteps, he was active with the Rotary Club of Gull Lake Area and its Polio Plus initiative. In her own right, said the Battle Creek Enquirer, Joan "was a 1949 graduate of Miss Newman's School for Girls High School of Detroit and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Wayne University in 1953. She did genealogy for family and friends; enjoyed gardening and wildlife in general, especially on their 2-acre homestead in Pennfield Township." Sadly, she died after a long illness, in Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, on Jan. 28, 2018. Norman outlived her by two years. At the age of 91, he passed away on Feb. 4, 2020.

  Great-grandson Dr. Bruce A. Leonard, DDS (1959- ? ) was born in 1959 at Highland Park, MI. Today he is in private dental practice in Battle Creek.

• Granddaughter Kathryn Ann Leonard (1934-1980) was born on Aug. 8, 1934 in Detroit. She received her bachelor of arts degrees in arts and music education from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, where she appears to have met her future husband. She also studied at Kingswood School in Cranbrook, MI. Kathryn went on to be a public school music educator and a private violin teacher. On June 15, 1957, in Detroit, she wed Dr. Walter Winchester Baker (July 27, 1934- ? ), a native of Massillon, OH and the son of Ralph W. and Mary Louise (Burnham) Baker. The couple adopted an only daughter, Dorothy Ann Laytart. Walter earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Oberlin followed by a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Michigan. They dwelled in Bowling Green, Wood County, OH at the address of 1040 Fort Drive, and were members of the First United Methodist Church. For six years, from 1959 to 1965, Walter served with the U.S. Army National Guard. Kathryn held memberships in the American Association of University Women, the Ohio Music Teachers' Association and Perrysburg Civic Association. The family was shattered in grief when Kathryn passed away in Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital at the age of 45 on May 4, 1980. Her remains were brought back to Bowling Green to repose for all time in Oak Grove Cemetery. Rev. John Dunham preached the funeral sermon. The widowed Walter wed again to Grace Helen ( ? - ? ).

  Great-granddaughter Dorothy Baker, RN (1968- ? ) was born in 1968 at Fort Worth, TX. She was 12 years of age at her mother's death. She was a 1986 graduate of Bowling Green High School and studied at the School of Nursing at Bowling Green State University. In time she became a registered nurse. On Aug. 13, 1988, Dorothy was joined in wedlock with high school classmate Chuck Michael Laytart ( ? - ? ), son of Chuck and Bernita (Carter) Laytart. The nuptials were led by Rev. Gary Boucher at the First United Methodist Church of Bowling Green. The happy news and bridal portrait were printed in the Bowling Green Sentinel Tribune, which said that she "wore a sheath gown of white chantilly lace and satin. It was designed with a high neckline, long straight sleeves and hand-sewn pearl and sequin trim. Bands of satin bordered the mermaid skirt, which had an attached chapel train." Chuck pursued additional education at the RETS Technical School and earned a living at Bostin Inc. of Toledo at the time of marriage. They are the parents of two -- Jessica Kathryn Laytart (1992- ? ) and Carter Michael Laytart (1993- ? ). Circa 1994, they made a home in Custar, Wood County. The Laytarts' marriage ended in divorce. Dorothy wed a second time in 1999 to Barry M. Barnes (Sept. 21, 1964-2011), son of David and Audrey (Owens) Barnes of Bowling Green who had grown up in nearby Tontogany. The pair settled in Bowling Green and produced a son of their own, Parker Timothy Barnes (2001- ? ). Barry was a 1983 graduate of Otsego High School and for two decades was a self-employed carpenter. He had a number of run-ins with the law involving moving vehicles and domestic violence. The second marriage also collapsed in divorce. Tragically, at the age of 46, former husband Barry was killed in a snowmobiling accident on Jan. 7, 2011. The Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune reported that he was not wearing a helmet when his vehicle was "traveling south on private property crossing Hannah Road and struck an embankment. Barnes was thrown from the snowmobile and transported to Wood County Hospital, but did not survive his injuries." His remains were laid to rest in Tontogany Cemetery.

Minerd.com extends gratitude to Mindy Leonard, Tami Gaugler (Smith and Clutter images), David Schaefer, the late Mary E. Leonard and the late Oakey Houston McKim Jr. for the research and content utilized for this biography.

Copyright © 2001, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018-2019, 2025-2026 Mark A. Miner