Minerd.com Biography of Hugh C. and Rebecca (Leonard) Farmer of Fayette County, PA

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Rebecca (Leonard) Farmer
(1843-1907)

Belle Grove Cemetery

Rebecca (Leonard) Farmer was born on Dec. 4, 1843 in or near Ohiopyle, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Harbaugh) Leonard.

In young womanhood, unmarried, she bore two children out of wedlock. They included Wilbur E. Dickson/Leonard in 1863 and Margaret Leonard in 1868.

When the federal census enumeration of 1870 was made, Rebecca and her two-year-old daughter lived under the roof of Martha Lenox in North Union Township, earning her room and board as a housekeeper. That same year, her son Wilbur was in the household of her parents in Ohiopyle.

Rebecca has not yet been located in the United States Census for the year 1880. She apparently did not marry until later in years.

The federal census of 1900 shows Rebecca, age 56, single and living in the Uniontown household of G.H. and Louisa Seaton, working there as a servant. Her employer was superintendent of a water company.

On Nov. 6, 1901, at the age of 58, Rebecca finally was wed to widower Hugh C. Farmer (1830-1907). He was living at Morgan Station, Fayette County at the time, and was the son of Michael and Martha Farmer of Fayette County. The nuptials were led by Rev. Edward G. Loughry.

In announcing the marriage, the Connellsville Weekly Courier said that Hugh was "a prosperous farmer" and that the couple had been "married at Uniontown last week. They stopped off here Friday between trains. Leonard [sic] is 73 years old and his bride has just turned 60. On Saturday evening they were given a surprise party by their neighbors at Morgan."

Hugh brought at least four adult children to the marriage -- Albert Farmer, Clark Farmer, Emma Farmer and Martha M. Moormyer.

Hugh had been alone for six years, as his former wife Eliza died on Oct. 9, 1895. A Connellsville newspaper once called him "a pioneer of the Morgan Valley" in Tyrone Township who "was highly respected by those who knew him."

The marriage between Rebecca and Hugh only lasted a few years. Circa 1907, Rebecca made her home in Smithfield, German Township, Fayette County.

As with her sister Annie Young, Rebecca was stricken with diabetes. She died on May 10, 1907, at the age of 64. W.E. Leonard of Smithfield was the informant on her Pennsylvania death certificate.

Rebecca's resting place

Her remains were laid to rest near her parents and siblings at the old Thorpe Cemetery (later renamed Belle Grove Cemetery, now Irwin Memorial Cemetery) near Ohiopyle. Her grave marker was still very legible when photographed in May 2001. A strange twist is that Rebecca was buried under her maiden name.

Hugh outlived his wife by only seven months and was admitted to the Fayette County Home. Due to the effects of what a physician wrote as "general debility," he passed away five days before Christmas 1907, at the age of 78. The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that he was laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery near Dawson. At the time of his death, son Clark lived in Owensdale, Fayette County; son Albert in Connellsville; daughter Emma in McKeesport near Pittsburgh; and daughter Martha in Irwin, Westmoreland County.

Forty years after her death, Rebecca was mentioned in the Cooperriders' 1947 book, Harbaugh History.

~ Son Wilbur E. Dickson/Leonard ~

Son Wilbur E. Dickson (1863-1942) was born on May 12, 1863 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County, to Rebecca Leonard and (?) Dickson, who were not married. He was taken in by his mother's parents and lived in their household as a boy of age seven in 1870.

Wilbur used the name "Dickson" in his youth but later used the surname "Leonard."

On Oct. 9, 1890, at the age of 27, he tied the marital cord with 25-year-old Henrietta "Hettie" Fulmer (June 1864-1916), also spelled "Haddie." She was the daughter of German immigrant Frederick Fulmer and his wife Jennie of Listonburg, Somerset County, PA. The nuptials were held at Somerset, by the hand of Rev. Hiram King. On the marriage license, Wilbur listed his parents as "Reuben & Rebecca Leonard."

Together they produced a brood of seven -- Blanche Mack, Winifred Leonard, Mildred "Cecil" Humphreys McKnight, Mabel Burnham, Ralph Leonard and Rebecca J. "Reba" Boord.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Leonards dwelled in Stewart Township, with Wilbur earning income as a teamster.

By 1910, they relocated to German Township, Fayette County, where he performed odd jobs. Hettie's widowed father was in their household that year.

The United States Census of 1920 lists the widowed Wilbur in Fairchance, Fayette County. His employment was as a teamster in the street industry. All of the children had moved away other than daughters Winifred and Reba.

He also farmed over the years to generate income. He lived during that time in Tower Hill and Fairchance.

Suffering from hypertensive heart disease for the last four years of his life, Wilbur faced admission to the county poor house. Judge S. John Morrow of the Fayette County Court ordered the five adult children to pay $4 per month each for his support. But the solution was short-lived. With his health in decline, he was admitted to the Fayette County Home near Uniontown and died on his 79th birthday, May 12, 1942. On his Pennsylvania death certificate, his father's name was provided as "John Leonard." Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery in Fairchance, with Rev. Harry Humbert presiding over the rites. An obituary in the Uniontown Evening Standard noted that he was survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Daughter Blanche P. Leonard (1892-1968) was born four days before Christmas in 1892 in Confluence, Somerset County. At the age of 17, on March 26, 1910, she tied the knot with John "Homer" Mack (Nov. 26, 1890-1969), sometimes misspelled as "March." He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Keefover) Mack and a native of Messmore, PA. The foursome of children born into this family were Helen Leona Reese, Wallace Leonard Mack Sr., Genevieve Chalmers and Ruth L. Deal. Homer was employed as a crane operator. They belonged to the Asbury Methodist Church, where she was active in the Josephine Kriz Circle and Livingston Bible Class. He held a membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Circa 1942, they were in the coal mining community of Hiller and in 1944 were in Uniontown. The Macks' postal address in the mid-1950s was at 160 Lenox Street and in the 1960s at 2 East Wine Street, Uniontown. As her health declined, she went to live in the Laurel Rest Home, burdened with diabetes, an electrolyte imbalance and cancer of the pancreas. The grim reaper of death cleaved her away on March 11, 1968. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Uniontown. As a memorial, funds were donated to the Uniontown Public Library in her name by the Lloyd Hobaugh family. Homer only outlived her by 20 months. He passed away on Dec. 3, 1969. His pastor. Rev. J. Robert Gray, led the obsequies. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Uniontown Morning Herald. This family is outlined in the 1943 book Alexander Mack the Tunker and Descendants by Rev. Freeman Ankrum, A.B. (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press).

Granddaughter Helen Leona Mack (1911-1977) was born on Aug. 22, 1911 in Uniontown. She wed Albert Gaddis Reese (Jan. 29, 1909-1991), also of Uniontown and the son of John S. and Fanny (Hugh) Reese. The pair did not reproduce. They relocated to Glendale, CA and were there in the 1960s and 1970s. Sadly, Helen succumbed to the spectre of death in Los Angeles County on Oct. 18, 1977. Her funeral was conducted in the Glendale United Methodist Church. Gaddis outlived her by 14 years. He too died in Los Angeles County at the age of 82 on Dec. 8, 1991. The body was sent back to his native Fayette County for burial beside his bride in Maple Grove Cemetery in Fairchance.

Grandson Wallace Leonard "Bud" Mack (1915-1964) was born on June 5, 1915 in Uniontown. On July 12, 1934, he first married Ethel Fearer (April 22, 1913-1992). They bore an only son, Wallace Leonard Mack Jr. Wallace was a veteran of World War II. He earned a living as a salesman for Magnus Company. Their marriage appears to have ended with a divorce, and she married again to Roy Schreffler and moved to New Cumberland, PA. Later, Wallace tied the marital cord with Veronica ( ? - ? ). Two other daughters in this family group were Mary Ann Stead and Donna Lee Lem. Their home was in Uniontown in 1957 and later in the Penn Hills community of Pittsburgh at 158 Briarwood Drive. Afflicted with leg swelling ("venous stasis") and then a heart attack, Wallace died in Pittsburgh's Montefiore Hospital at the age of 49 on the Fourth of July 1964. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wilkinsburg. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an obituary. Former wife Ethel was a retiree from Sears Roebuck & Company and made her home in New Cumberland, where she was gathered away by the angel of death on April 29, 1992.

Great-grandson Wallace Leonard Mack Jr. (1935- ? ) was born on March 14, 1935. He seems to have moved to New Cumberland, PA after his parents' divorce. He was a graduate of New Cumberland High School and found a job with Household Finance Corporation in town. On Feb. 16, 1957, he entered into marriage with Nancy A. Benner ( ? - ? ), daughter of Mrs. Michael Lohenitz of New Cumberland. Rev. R.C. Sloop presided, and the good news was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald along with a bridal portrait. Nancy also was an alum of New Cumberland High and at the time of marriage was employed by Plaza Beauty Salon. Two known daughters of the pair were Felicia Ann Mack, a graduate of Cedar Cliff High School, and Brenda Mack, an alumna of the Wilma Boyd Career School in Pittsburgh. The Macks dwelled in Bloomsburg, PA in 1964. That year, Wallace joined the workforce of Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company and moved up to manager of shipping, receiving and warehousing. In 1976, he was promoted to director of procurement and material control with the firm, a move announced with his photograph in the Harrisburg Patriot-News. The company later became known as Carlisle Syn-Tec Systems, and he again was elevated in 1988 to director of marketing and customer service. He is known to have been active in the community and in 1966 headed the industrial division of the Greater Carlisle Area Community Fund.
Granddaughter Ruth Louise Mack (1934- ? ) -- nicknamed "Susie" -- was born in 1934. She was a 1952 graduate of Uniontown High School and a 1954 graduate of the Franklin School of Science and Arts. She then secured employment in town as an X-ray technician. On Sept. 18, 1955, she married Jack E. Deal Sr. (1931-2015), son of Scott and Grace (Barnes) Deal of New Salem Road. They couple exchanged their vows in Asbury Methodist Church, by the hand of Rev. Dr. Allan J. Howes. She was pictured in a related story in the Uniontown Morning Herald. The paper also said that she wore a "floor-length gown of nylon tulle and lace... Her fingertip veil cascaded from a crown of seed pearls and she carried a cascade bouquet of white roses, pompons, gardenias and ivy." Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 59 years together. They were the parents of two -- Janet Deal and Jack E. Deal Jr. The groom was a 1949 graduate of South Union Township High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, with a posting to Fort Monmouth, NJ. Upon his return home he was hired by Bell Telephone Company, later AT&T Information Systems, a company from which he retired in 1985 as a business systems manager after 35 years. The Deals spent most of their married lives in Uniontown. Upon retirement, they moved to Sebring, FL, with a second home in North Myrtle Beach, SC. An obituary said that Jack "was a 70-year member of Third Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, PA and an Associate Member of First Presbyterian Church of Sebring, FL. He belonged to the American Legion, AMVETS, VFW Men's Auxiliary, Loyal Order of Moose, Elks and was a Freemason. He was a founding member of the South Union Township Volunteer Fire Department in Uniontown, PA. Jack moved to Sebring in 2004 from Uniontown, PA. He enjoyed singing Karaoke at his favorite clubs around Sebring. He also enjoyed photography, Civil War history and the local history of Fayette County PA, and animals. He loved sports, having lettered in baseball during high school, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan." Jack underwent heart valve surgery in Orlando's Florida Hospital and died from complications at the age of 83 on April 11, 2015. His funeral was conducted in the family church. They have a grave marker at Oak Lawn Cemetery in South Union Township.

Great-granddaughter Janet Deal was in Hampstead, MD in 2015.

Great-grandson Jack E. Deal Jr. was joined in wedlock with Julia. They have resided in Bel Air, MD.
Granddaughter Genevieve "Jenny" Mack (1917-1988) was born on Jan. 3, 1917 in Uniontown. She trained as a nurse and was assigned to Garfield Hospital in Washington, DC. Genevieve is known to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II, holding the rank of first lieutenant. On Jan. 14, 1950, at the age of 33, she tied the marital cord with John Traill Chalmers (Oct. 7, 1916-1995), a native of Philadelphia who lived in Cheltenham and Rockledge, PA before the war. They were wed in Los Angeles. He was an alumnus of Cheltenham High School and attended the Navy Maritime School in New London, CT. John also was a World War II veteran, having served as chief mate with the U.S. Merchant Marine. During the war, on May 16, 1942, he was one of 60 crewmates aboard a medium-size vessel in the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans that was struck by two torpedoes. The ship sunk in just 90 seconds. John survived the blasts and helped rescue Capt. A. Henry Rowe, seizing him as he "popped up out of the water and hauled him aboard a life raft," according to a United Press story published nationwide. Rowe later told news reporters that the submarine which fired the torpedoes probably had been tipped off as to the ship's name and sailing date. John also was quoted in the story, saying he had seen the first torpedo but it was too late to sound the alarm. The blast knocked him down and he became covered in fuel oil. When the second torpedo struck he was knocked along the wheelhouse and called out to his skipper but the wheelhouse soon was under water. Said the UP article, "Chalmers slid down the starboard side, falling onto the raft. Another raft fell on him, knocking him off the first one, but he grabbed the second and clung to it," cutting the raft free from its moorings and floating away as the ship slipped under the water.

The couple together bore one son in 1955 and apparently one or more other sons. They established a residence in Santa Ana, CA by 1955 and also lived in Paradise, CA at some point. He earned a living over the years as a carpenter. The grim reaper of death cleaved Genevieve away in Hemet, CA at the age of 71 on the Fourth of July 1988. A brief notice of her death was printed in the Paradise (CA) Post. Interment was in Riverside National Cemetery. John lived for another seven years in Orange, CA. He died on April 24, 1995. The Santa Ana Orange County Register printed an obituary.

Daughter Mabel Leonard (1894-1959) was born in Nov. 1894. She entered into marriage with Glenn Cameron Burnham (July 30, 1881-1956), son of Howell and Margaret (Bartley) Burnham and originally from Kansas. They do not appear to have reproduced. Glenn in young manhood was married and employed over the years as a linotype operator for the Herald and Review newspaper in Decatur, IL. He made national news in 1910 when he moved out from the first wife Ida and 18-month-old baby, leaving the two "in destitute circumstances," reported the Herald and Review. "Members of the typographical union headed by President George Garver are planning to do something to help Mrs. Burnham, who is wholly without funds." When Glenn failed to pay $7 per week in support, he was jailed. He sought a divorce in Circuit Court in Kansas City but Judge W.O. Thomas initially refused to approve the claim, saying "There is no such thing as a perfect wife," as reported in the Columbia Daily Times. "A wife has a right to scold her husband if he gives her provocation. This husband took his wife to live with his folks. That was enough to make her peevish." But a short time later, the judge granted the divorce. How Mabel met Glenn is not known. During the World War II years, the pair dwelled in Pittsburgh. Their last home together, over the span of nine years, was in Prospect, Franklin Township, Butler County, PA. Sadly, burdened with heart disease and then a stroke, Glenn passed away on July 29, 1956. In her final years, a doctor noted, she was overweight and suffered from diabetes, hardening of the arteries, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure and kidney problems. She was admitted to Uniontown Hospital and after a four-month stay, went into a coma and passed away at the age of 65 on Oct. 16, 1959. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in Greenland Burial Estates in Butler County. A brief obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Winifred Leonard (1896-1982) was born on May 10, 1896. She never married. Winifred taught school for many years in Fayette County, and made her residence in 1935-1944 in the coal mining town of Republic, renting a room in the home of John and Edna Wormack. She is known to have been in Fairchance in 1950-1959 and to have been a lodger in the household of Albert and Olive Cole Sr. As of 1977-1982, she lived in Ogden, Utah. There, she passed away in Dec. 1982. An obituary was printed in the Ogden Standard-Examiner. Her body was shipped to Fairchance for burial. Inscribed on her grave marker are the words "Thanks dear friend, Jack."

Daughter Rebecca J. "Reba" Leonard (1897-1977) -- also spelled "Rheba" -- was born in Sept. 1897. She put down roots in Fairchance, PA. She is thought to have been a teacher there in 1916 at the time she attended classes of the Fayette County School of Methods. As of 1921, she taught at the Palmer School in German Township and spent two decades as an educator with the Georges Township School District. She eventually was united in wedlock with Amadee William Boord Sr. (1895-1980). They produced three children together, Eunice M. O'Connor, Amadee William Boord Jr. and Ernest Boord. The family was plunged into mourning at the death in infancy of their son Amadee Jr. in 1929. They are known to have been in Uniontown in 1944 and in Fairchance in 1959-1977. Their address in the 1970s was at 52 East Church Street. At the age of 79, death swept her away in Uniontown Hospital on Aug. 23, 1977. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Funeral rites were led by Rev. Alvin Harms, and interment was in Fairchance's Maple Grove Cemetery.

Granddaughter Eunice M. Boord (1925-1956) was born on Nov. 28, 1925 in Fairchance, Fayette County. She was an alumna of California State Teachers College and held a membership in St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Eunice entered into marriage with Owen Francis O'Connor (1924-2003), son of Edward and Mary (Mahoney) O'Connor. They shared a home at 52 East Church Street in Fairchance and bore a brood of three -- Janice Lewis, Phyllis Picosky and Bennett O'Connor. Owen was a World War II veteran, assigned to Company A of the 717th Tank Battalion. Sadness cascaded over the family when, after giving birth, the 31-year-old Eunice was stricken with diabetes and heart problems and died on Dec. 1, 1956. Her remains sleep for all time in Maple Grove Cemetery, Fairchance. Owen lived for another 47 years. He married again to Jacqueline Freers (1923-1986) and moved to Indiana. Owen was employed for 40 years by Pullman-Swindell Company. At some point he lived in Merrillville, IN where he was active with the St. Andrew the Apostle Church. After Jacqueline's death in 1986, he moved back to Smithfield where his daughter Janice was living. There, he surrendered to the angel of death at the age of 78 on Oct. 11, 2003. His funeral mass was sung in the family church in Merrillville, by Rev. Fr. Kevin Huber, followed by burial in Calumet Park Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Janice O'Connor married Larry D. Lewis. They made their residence in Smithfield in 1977-2003.

Great-granddaughter Phyllis O'Connor wed (?) Picosky. They settled in Fairchance. Her second spouse was (?) Daniocek ( ? - ? ). As of 2003, she dwelled in Amherst, OH.

Great-grandson Bennett O'Connor entered into marriage with Joy. He lived in Cleveland, OH in 1977 and in Lawrenceville, GA in 2003.
Grandson Ernest Boord ( ? - ? ) made his dwelling-place in Ravenna, OH in 1956 and in New Stanton, PA in 1977. Evidence suggests that he was the father of Robert Boord, Judy Boord, Charles Boord, Thomas Boord, Kenneth Boord, Joyce Boord and Janet Boord.

Daughter Mildred "Cecil" Leonard (1899-1944) was born on Jan. 28, 1899 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County. She tied the knot twice in her lifetime. In early December 1917, in Cumberland, MD, she wed her first husband, George Core Humphreys (April 2, 1895-1921), also spelled "Humphries." He was the son of Steve and Ellen (Epley) Humphreys and a veteran of World War I. News of their marriage license was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. During their brief marriage, they bore an only son, Arnold Humphreys. The federal census enumeration of 1920 shows the family in Fairchance, with George laboring as a coal miner. On the fateful night of June 19, 1921, George was overheard telling another man of his plan to rob Charles Hughes of Fairchance, who allegedly had been drinking. The listener then warned Hughes and walked together to where the attack was being planned. With his face darkened by grease paint, George tried to ambush and rob Hughes on the road at Fairchance Lumber Company. Shots were fired, and the 26-year-old George was struck and killed by the lone bullet. The Post-Gazette reported that the body was not found until:

... several hours later by Ira Mitchell, night watchman at the plant, who is said to have fired the fatal shot. Isaac Hughes, said to have been the companion of Humphries, was arrested at his home later and lodged in the Fayette county jail in connection with the alleged attempted robbery. Mitchell also was arrested and was then released under $5,000 bail. He told the police, they say, that while making his rounds this morning he saw two men holding up a third man in the road. Mitchell said that he fired one shot at the highwaymen and they fled. He did not think the shot had hit either man, he said, until he left the plant in the morning and discovered Humphries lying in the roadway about 25 feet from the spot at which he had been standing when the shot was fired. The bullet had gone through his heart.

The remains were lowered under the sod of Maple Grove Cemetery. A coroner's jury exonerated watchman Mitchell from blame. Said the Uniontown Evening Standard, "The inquest was marked by a spirited cross questioning of Mitchell by the relatives of the dead man and a strong defense of the act on the part of officials of the lumber company. Mitchell testified that he acted as would any good citizen who would intervene to prevent a robbery. 'I felt it was my duty to prevent the robbery after Humphreys had grappled with Hughes and believed that if I had not shot to wound or kill I would have been shot in return'," he said.

Cecil tied the knot a second time by 1924 with Robert McKnight ( ? - ? ). Their only son was Donald R. McKnight. The second union ended in divorce. The United States Census of 1940 shows Cecil and her son Donald in the household of her father in Fairchance. During World War II, circa 1943, and using the name "Humphreys," she was employed in Virginia at the Newport News Shipyards. After becoming widowed, Mildred moved to Warwick County, VA, likely to be nearer to her son Arnold, who was residing in Newport News. Her home there was in Bryerfield Manor at 806 McArthur Street. Mildred was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix in her 40s. As a patient in Dixie Hospital in Hampton, at the age of 45, she passed away on Feb. 26, 1944. Arnold Humphreys of Newport News was the source of vital information for the official Virginia certificate of death. The body was transported back to her native Fayette County to sleep for the ages in Fairchance. The Newport News Daily Press and the Connellsville Daily Courier published obituaries.

Grandson Arnold Stephen Humphreys (1918-1982) was born in 1918. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and appears to have been stationed in Newport News, VA and was there in 1944. He eventually returned to his native Fayette County and circa 1971 was in Masontown, where he worked as a transportation man in a coal mine. Arnold tied the knot with Rose Mae Kingan (1921-2004), daughter of Thomas W. and Ellen Mae (Stemnock) Kingan of Glendale, Fayette County. They together bore a brood of children, including Douglas "Pat" Humphreys, Judith Ann Davis Mossburg, Charles Humphreys and Stephen "Arnold" Humphreys. Later, they moved to Fairchance, with an address in 1964 of 53 Lyon Avenue. Rose earned a living over the years in the housekeeping department of West Virginia University in nearby Morgantown. Arnold and Rose were active in the Alfred Wilson Memorial Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Fairchance. Death spirited him away in 1982. Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery in Fairchance. Rose survived him by 22 years and remained in town. She died on Oct. 27, 2004 as a patient in Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, WV. The headcount of her survivors was 24 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Douglas "Pat" Humphreys (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. He was joined in wedlock with Judy. The pair dwelled in Coolspring near Uniontown in 2020.

Great-granddaughter Judith Ann Humphreys (1941-2020) was born on Sept. 6, 1941 in Fayette County. She was a 1959 graduate of Georges Township High School. She first entered into marriage with Marvin Davis ( ? - ? ), son of Clarence Davis of Elm Street, Uniontown. The pair bore at least four children, Melanie Ann Jordan (born 1960), Kelly Cook, Jeffrey Davis and Eric Davis. Perhaps after a marital separation and divorce, Marvin relocated in 1975 to Williamson, KY. Then in 1977, Judith wed a second time to Dr. William Lee Mossburg (Aug. 23, 1938-2019), son of John and Grace (Cummins) Mossburg. He originally was from Mount Morris, Greene County, PA and was a 1956 graduate of Morgantown High School. He received both his bachelor's and medical degrees from West Virginia University and served in the U.S. Army. Their union held firm over the span of 43 years together. He brought these presumed stepchildren into the second union -- Stephanie Hewitt, Susan Garner, William Mossburg Jr., Andrea Hoffman and Amber Mossburg. They settled in Lewisburg, WV and later relocated to Fairmont, WV. Of William, said the Times West Virginian, he was a "vascular and thoracic surgeon. His passion in life was practicing medicine. He practiced medicine in Fairmont, WV, Elizabeth City, NC, and Lewisburg, WV. 'Doc' had a bed-side manner matched by no other and took great pride in taking time and concern for every patient he treated. No matter how many people were waiting to be seen, he would not rush through an appointment and treated all his patients with dignity and respect. William was an avid Mountaineer Fan, a news junkie, a gadget guy, and loved his trips to Wal-Mart in his later years." The Times West Virginian said that "Judy had many careers during her lifetime. She was a surgical scrub nurse, office manager for her husband's medical practice, medical equipment sales rep, in addition to becoming a real estate agent during their many years in their adopted home of Lewisburg, WV. She had a flair for decorating, a passion for antiques, enjoyed playing cards, and had a deep love for her family." Their last homeplace was at Johns Creek, GA. Sadly, their son Eric was deceased by 2020. William surrendered to the spirit of death on Sept. 21, 2019. Judith only survived him by a few months but during that time endured the death of her daughter-in-law Susan (Whitehead) Davis. At the age of 78, Judith passed into the arms of the angels on Feb. 10, 2020. A celebration of her life service was conducted in Mount Hebron Church of Jane Lew, WV.

Great-grandson Charles Humphreys (1945- ? ) was born in 1945. He was a graduate of Fairchance-Georges Joint High School. During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He trained at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi as a communications operations specialist and then was transferred to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He eventually tied the knot with Carol and moved to Norwich, OH.

Great-grandson Stephen "Arnold" Humphreys (1950- ? ) was born in April 1950. He was deceased by 2020.
Grandson Donald Ray McKnight (1924-1971) was born on Feb. 19, 1924 in Fairchance. He was young when his parents divorced, and he and his mother went to live with her father in the Fairchance area. Donald served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, posted in 1943 at Sampson, NY. He also trained at Memphis, TN, Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, FL and San Diego, CA before a posting aboard the USS Enterprise. After the war's end, he settled in Girard, OH where he found a job as a burner in a steel mill. At the age of about 24, on Feb. 11, 1949, he was joined in wedlock with 26-year-old Betty Jane (Minehart) Burwell (Oct. 26, 1922- ? ), originally from the Dearth Works near Uniontown and the daughter of Ervin and Lucy (Cover) Minehart. Rev. Charles E. Richardson, of the Methodist church, performed the rites. At the time, Betty Jane was living in Rogers, Columbiana County, OH. The only child of this union was Doris Bagley. The pair put down roots in Youngstown, OH, where in 1950 he earned a living as a crane operator in a steel mill, likely the New Castle Engineering Company from which he retired. Their address in Youngstown was 365 Arlington Street and later in Columbiana, OH. Circa 1964, they moved again to Salem, OH, with a dwelling-place at 326 South Ellsworth Avenue. Donald was stricken by a heart attack and died on arrival in Community Hospital West at the age of 47 on April 27, 1971. His remains were shipped to Fairchance to lie in eternal repose. The Salem News printed an obituary.

Great-granddaughter Doris McKnight wed (?) Bagley. She made a home in Alliance, OH in 1971.

Son Ralph Emerson Leonard (1901-1991) was born on March 2, 1901 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County. He stood 5 feet, 9½ inches tall and weighed 165 lbs. Ralph was married to Freda Olive Wilson (1906-1989). They became the parents of Wanda Rae Dirks Knight Butler, Gerald Leonard and Elvin Wilbur Leonard. They made their home in 1930 on East Pike Run in Washington, PA, where he was employed as a railroad fireman. By 1940, they had moved to Fairchance, where he generated income as a laborer for a road contractor. Within a few years they pulled up stakes and went to Hiller near Brownsville, PA, hired by the Monongahela Railroad. Their home there was at the corner of High Street and Knox Avenue. In time he relocated to California and was in Riverside, CA in 1978-1991. Death spirited him into the heavenly host at the age of 90 on Dec. 12, 1991. Burial was in San Jacinto Valley Cemetery in Riverside County, CA.

Granddaughter Wanda Rae Leonard (1927-2010) was born on Oct. 15, 1927 in Uniontown. She grew up in Fairchance and Hiller, Fayette County. At the age of 17, on Sept. 10, 1945, Wanda traveled to Washington DC to enroll in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. She was assigned to the School of Nursing at Garfield Hospital and completed the program in March 1948. From there she appears to have moved to Pine Ridge, SD, where she joined the nursing staff of the government hospital. Wanda was thrice-wed. Her first husband was Darrell Dwayne Dirks (Sept. 27, 1925-1993), a native of Gering, Scotts Bluff County, NE, and the son of Arthur B. and Edna L. (Horn) Dirks. They exchanged their vows circa 1949, when she was age 21 and he 23. Together they dwelled in Martin, SD and became the parents of three sons -- Darwin Dirks, Kenneth Dirks and Dewey Dirks. Wanda and the boys traveled in August 1962 to attend the reunion of the William E. and Eva L. Wilson family in Fairchance, held at the residence of Russell Lowe. In June 1966, the couple established Three Sons Honda and Hobby Shop in Martin. But within a few years, their marriage dissolved in divorce, and the shop was sold to Rice Cycle and Motor Company of Rapid City. On April 4, 1969, in Reno, NV, Wanda married again to James Robert Knight Sr. (Aug. 23, 1927-1974), son of Lennie J. and Maggie (Womack) Knight and a native of Houston, TX. He was divorced from his first wife Ann P. (Stoddard) Boam and a World War II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He thus brought eight stepchildren into the second union -- James Robert Knight Jr. (1947-2012), Leonard Joseph Knight (1951-2008), Frank Morris Knight (1954-2016), Kelly Knight, Julie Kenley, Sharon Ann (Boam) Nichols (1937-2004), Mickie Maleane (Boam) Worthen (1939-2022) and Carrol Boam (1941-1944). Wanda and James established a home in Roy, UT at the address of 2170 West 5200 South. Said the Ogden Standard-Examiner, James was "an automobile dealer for 30 years and was the owner and manager of Knight Motors. He had been an automobile appraiser for Commercial Security Bank for seven years. He owned and operated the Knico Vending Service in Ogden for five years. He was the partner and manager of the Yellowstone Motel in West Yellowstone, Mont., where he was also a hunting and fishing guide. He was former owner of the El Ray and Mary Lou's night clubs in Ogden." James also held memberships in the Eagles, Kiwanis, Utah Automobile Dealers Association, Disabled American Veterans and Footprinters.

Wanda was rendered a widow when, at age 46, James died in McKay Hospital on June 16, 1974. He was pictured in his obituary in the Standard-Examiner. Wanda then appears to have gone to work in the field of real estate and investments with Wardley Corporation. After a little more than two years alone, in about Oct. 1976, she again tied the marital cord with 62-year-old Alma Stephens Butler ( ? - ? ) of Ogden. She is known to have entertained a visit from her sons Darwin and Kenneth in August 1980. Reported the Clearfield (UT) Courier, "It was ten days full of fun and enjoying each others company. The first weekend they went camping at Monte Cristo. They spent much time visiting with their mother, Mrs. Wanda Butler of North Ogden, and doing some shopping and sight-seeing at the new Layton Hills Mall." Her final residence was in Mesquite, Clark County, NV. She is known to have had her letter to the editor of Time Magazine published on Dec. 7, 1998 commenting on the resignation of House Speaker Newt Gingrich from Congress. Sadly, she died in Las Vegas on March 25, 2010. Interment was in Washington Heights Memorial Park in Ogden. Former husband Darrell remained in Martin and passed away there on Aug. 12, 1993. An obituary in the Rapid City (SD) Journal said he was survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His funeral was held in Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church, presided by Rev. Cary Nelson, with burial in Martin Community Cemetery.

Great-grandson Darwin Dirks ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Jacquelyn "Jackie" Griffin ( ? - ? ), daughter of Stanley Hatch and LuAnne (Rigby) Griffin. They lived in Clearfield, UT in 1980 and in Roy, UT in 1993. In about 1986, they were plaintiffs in a real estate dispute involving property originally owned by Darwin's mother and stepfather. The claim focused on mortgage issues in defaulted payments and was made against individuals, banks, savings and loans and the Small Business Administration that was heard before the Utah Supreme Court. At the death of Jacquelyn's father in 2022, they made a homeplace in St. George, UT.

Great-grandson Kenneth Carl Dirks ( ? - ? ) attended Box Elder (UT) High School and the seminary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then enrolled at Weber State College. Circa 1971, Kenneth first tied the marital cord with Carma Jean Ellis ( ? - ? ), daughter of Gene L. Ellis of Brigham City, UT. She also was an alumna of Box Elder High and LDS Seminary. Kenneth eventually returned to Martin, SD. By 1980, he was married to Rose. The children in this family are Robbie Dirks, Dustin "Dusty" Dirks and Jenny Dirks, making their home in Martin.

Great-grandson Dewey Dirks ( ? - ? ) relocated to Ogden, UT.
Grandson Gerald Wayne "Jerry" Leonard (1930-2011) was born on Nov. 17, 1930. On July 14, 1982, he wed Donna Lee (Karr) Doughty (1931-2006), daughter of Guy and Mary Karr of Overton, NE. Donna Lee was a 1949 graduate of Lexington (NE) High School. She had been employed over the years as a telephone operator with Lexington Telephone Company and as a secretary for the athletic department of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Donna Lee was divorced from her first husband and brought two stepchildren into the second family, Susan (Doughty) Johansson and Thomas Gene Doughty. The pair settled in Lincoln, NE and later may have moved to Salem, OR. They appear to have taken in an orphaned grandchild Jessica (Doughty) Blaney as well as other foster children. Gerald eventually lost his sight due to macular degeneration. Their final home together was in Alamo, NV. They suffered the untimely deaths of Donna Lee's son Thomas in a motorcycle accident in 1985 and then the death of daughter Susan two years later. Sadness blanketed the family when Donna passed away in Sunshine Memorial Hospital in Las Vegas on Jan. 26, 2006. He died in Las Vegas at the age of 80 on July 7, 2011. The remains were placed into rest in Lincoln (NE) Memorial Park, with a eulogy written by Jess appearing in the Statesman Journal.

Step-great-granddaughter Susan K. Doughty (1951-1987) was born in 1951. She spent her early years in Lincoln and was an alumna of Lincoln Northeast High School. She also studied at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Susan was united in matrimony with (?) Johansson ( ? - ? ). The pair maintained a home in Las Vegas. Grief tumbled over the family when Susan died in Las Vegas at the age of 36 on Dec. 12, 1987. Rev. Warren Swartz led the funeral obsequies. Her cremains were transported back to Lincoln to sleep for the ages in Lincoln Memorial Park. An obituary in the Lincoln Star did not name her husband as a survivor.

Step-great-grandson Thomas Gene Doughty (1953-1985) was born on Sept. 26, 1953 in Lexington, NE. At the age of about 27, in 1980, he tied the knot with Dixie Lynn Payne (March 11, 1955-2003), daughter of Harold and Vera (Walker) Payne. One daughter of the couple was Jessica Doughty. Dixie was a 1973 graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School and earned a degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He earned a living as a route driver for Wonder Bread Company. They belonged to the First Plymouth Congregational Church. Tragically, just five years later, on Aug. 29, 1985, he was killed when his motorcycle collided with an automobile driven by an Omaha man at U.S. 6 and Nebraska 63. A news report said that the other driver "made a left turn in front of Doughty's motorcycle on U.S. 6 about two miles west of Ashland."" He was rushed to Lincoln General Hospitl and soonafter died. His remains were lowered under the sod of Lincoln Memorial Park. Dixie outlived her spouse by 18 years and spent those years in Lincoln. She was employed as a professor at her alma mater university and taught at Norfolk and Elkhorn High Schools, serving as a state adviser for the Distributive Education Clubs of America. She died at the age of 48 on May 20, 2003. Her funeral rites were officiated by Rev. Robert Chitwood.
Grandson Elvin Wilbur Leonard (1932-2009) -- sometimes misspelled "Elwin" -- was born on Nov. 13, 1932 in Fairchance. He grew up in Brownsville. During the Korean War, he joined the U.S. Navy as an airman apprentice and underwent aviation electronics training in Memphis, TN. He is believed to have married Alberta May Thomas (Aug. 6, 1931-2001), originally from West Brownsville, Fayette County. In 1962, they dwelled in Denver, CO and were among 71 who attended the reunion of the William E. and Eva L. Wilson family in Fairchance, held at the residence of Russell Lowe. Their final residence together was in Mesquite, Clark County, NV. Sadly, Alberta died on April 16, 2001. Elvin passed away in Las Vegas on July 22, 2009. Their remains repose for all time in Riverside (CA) National Cemetery.

~ Daughter Margaret "Maggie" (Leonard) Gryce ~

Daughter Margaret "Maggie" Leonard (1868-1930) was born on July 26, 1868, the daughter of Rebecca Leonard, who was not married.

At the age of two, she lived with her mother in the household of Martha Lenox in North Union Township, where her mother kept house. She used the maiden name of "Leonard" until her marriage.

On Jan. 2, 1907, at the age of 39, Margaret wed Rev. W. Frank Gryce (Feb. 9, 1871- ? ), an immigrant from South Wales, England, and the son of William and Sarah Gryce. Rev. J.D. Gold officiated. Margaret wrote her parents' names on her marriage license application as "Benjamin & Rebecca." The couple asked that the news not be published.

They did not reproduce.

Frank had immigrated in 1900 and was a graduate of Columbia University, a Cumberland Presbyterian seminary in Lebanon, TN and devoted his working career to Christian ministry in the Presbyterian denomination. His first charge was in May 1906 at Hewett's Presbyterian Church in Greene County, PA. He was transferred within Pennsylvania to Jackson Center in 1907, Conneaut Lake in 1908, Mahanoy City in 1911 and Slatington in 1922.

Then in 1926, Frank received another transfer, this time out-of-state to the Ainslie Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, NY. He remained in this role until 1933 when he became ill and resigned and relocated to Arizona.

Sadly, Frank died in Phoenix, AZ on July 15, 1935. In Phoenix, a funeral rite was led by Rev. J.C. Hartman, Rev. George Walker and Rev. H.A. Anspach. His body was transported back to Uniontown for burial in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Rev. W. Scott Bowman led the local funeral rites. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald, saying that Margaret "plans to reside permanently in Uniontown." Obituaries also appeared in the Arizona Republic and other Pennsylvania communities where he had ministered.

The widowed Margaret is known to have attended the fourth annual reunion of the Leonard and Sproul families in Ferncliff Park, Ohiopyle, in September 1936. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, "Older members of the group occupied the day with renewing friendships while the younger set was entertained with various games and amusements."

She also was active in the later 1930s with the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Uniontown. She and Margaret Dittmore are known to have spent a month's vacation in 1940 in Akron, Cleveland and Youngstown, OH and at Conneaut Lake, PA.

Margaret's final home was in the rear of 110 North Gallatin Avenue in Uniontown. Sadly, having suffered a heart attack, she died on July 12, 1952. Burial was at Sylvan Heights. Margaret Dittmore signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death, stating that the names of the deceased's parents were "not ascertainable."