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Charles and Jennie

Laura Jane "Jennie" Minerd was born in 1874 at Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Martha Emma "Matt" Minerd and Charles Walter Shipley, who were not married. She was the first known woman in our family to teach school in Fayette County, PA.

Jennie's mother successfully sued the father for support the same year as Jennie's birth, a fact reported in the Sept. 17, 1874 Uniontown Genius of Liberty. She was raised by her grandparents, Charles and Adaline (Harbaugh) Minerd on their mountainous farm in Maple Summit, and in public documents, Jennie often gave Charles' name as her father.

When Jennie was age three-and-a-half, her mother wed Richard Mason Gorsuch. 

Jennie's birth father Walter was the son of Levi and Catherine (Linderman) Shipley. In an ironic twist, he later wed Jennie's cousin Mary Todd Jennings, of nearby Victoria, Fayette County. Jennie and her children knew this fact, and it was innocuously published once in a local newspaper with her apparent consent. Yet her origins and maiden name were an understandable source of discomfort and confusion in the family. Many years later, when her adult children died, their news obituaries gave her maiden name as "Minart" and "Gorshie" (a misspelling of "Gorsuch").

Jennie grew up with her younger first cousin, Ernest Earl Minerd, who also had been born to a single mother. Jennie and Ernest were close and were more like sister and brother.

Education was very important in the family during Jennie's growing-up years.  Her grandfather Charles Minerd and uncles Lawson Minerd and John K. Hall all served on local school boards during that period in her life.  Jennie herself became a teacher and in 1892, at age 18, taught at the Egypt School in Stewart Township, near Ohio Pyle, Fayette County.

Jennie with her children, L-R: John, Isabella and Marella, ca. 1910

At the age of 19, on Nov. 5, 1893, Jennie married 18-year-old Charles Jacob Williams (1875-1959), the son of Leroy and Hester Ann (Dean) Williams. The couple was wed in Fayette County, by the hand of justice of the peace William Kearns. Charles was a native of Hancock County, OH but had grown up in Ohio Pyle.

The Williamses went on to bear a large family of 11 children -- Grace Williams, Mabel Williams, Laura "Ruth" Moist, Charles Henry Williams, Marella Irene Carter, John Alvah Williams, Isabella Williams, William Edward Williams, Andrew Norris Williams, Estella Florence Robinette Hagerty Dixon and a baby son who died in infancy. 

As an indication of the tragically low survival rate of infants of that era, young daughters Grace and Mabel died of diphtheria, and daughter Isabella died of scarlet fever. The photo seen here is of Jennie with baby Isabella on her lap with son John and daughter Marella. Charles stands in the background at right, barely visible. 

The family made its home circa 1901 in Frostburg, Allegany County, MD where some of their children were born. They later returned to Stewart Township, Fayette County, where Charles was a woodsman, likely involved in the timber industry in the lumber-rich mountains. They made their home in Stewart in 1910, as shown by the census taken that year.

Jennie's step-father Richard Mason Gorsuch brought the family much heartache over the years. In 1900, he robbed a store in Connellsville, and spent a year in jail in the Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh. Five years later, after returning home, he left again and stayed away for seven years, living in a shanty in Vanderbilt, Fayette County. He disappeared for good in 1912, and was last seen at the railroad station in Ohio Pyle. 

More tragedy visited the Williamses often during the years. Jennie received word in 1916 that her brother Floyd had been killed in a coal mine cave-in; in 1926 that her brother Charles had died at age 45 in Rockwood, Somerset County; and in 1937 when her brother in law Frank Zearfoss also was killed in a coal mine collapse.

~ Move to Huntingdon County ~

Charles was a carpenter and contractor. He also eventually became proprietor of his own store for a time in Allenport, near Mt. Union, Huntingdon County, PA. They attended the Allenport Methodist Church.

The federal census of 1920 lists the family in Mount Union, Huntingdon County, with Charles working as a foreman in a pen mill, and 16-year-old son Charles as a laborer in a tannery.

Jennie and Charles and their family, including Charles' mother Hester Williams, made a point of going to the annual Minerd reunions held in Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland Counties, PA. In August 1924, several were in attendance, and the Meyersdale Republican newspaper reported: 

Meyersdale Republican, 1924

A very successful and pleasant reunion of the Minard family was held in what is known locally as Lincoln's grove, near the Western Maryland Railroad Station, August 9th. Eighty-two persons were present, most of them being members of the Minar [sic] family and their connections. The family is a numerous one in Western Pennsylvania, especially in Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland and Huntingdon Counties. The gathering on Saturday was their twelfth annual reunion. Among those present were... Mrs. Hester Williams, Uniontown; ... Mr. and Mrs. F.G. Williams, Mount Union, Pa....."

Jennie and her family also attended the Minerd Reunions in 1929, 1930 and 1932. Each time, she wrote an article about the affair in the Huntingdon Daily News. Her data-gathering and reporting provide vital details of these early events and family connections that otherwise would be lost today.

~ "Camp Laura Cottage" and Entertaining Friends ~

Charles and Jennie owned a camp where they spent their weekends. It was known as "Camp Laura Cottage" and was located at Hawn's Bridge, along the Raystown Lake reservoir in Huntingdon County, an early hydroelectric dam project. In addition to their adult children, the guests they entertained there were Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Carter and their children Irene, Edna and Robert; Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Miller; Charles' brother R.H. Williams and friend Judson Chilton of Chicago; R.R. Brandt; T.B. Cramer; Dan Baer; Earl Cornelius; Mr. and Mrs. Preston Buckley and daughter Virginia; Minnie Shenefelt; Mrs. Charles Hull and daughter Florine; Fred Hawkins; and others. 

In June 1930, they hosted an "old time barn dance" at the cottage. Said the Daily News, "The most interesting feature of the evening was presented by Miss Florine Hall when she danced "The taps" or "bugle call" and an acrobatic dance. The orchestra... entertained with very fine music and the people at Hawn's Bridge expressed the wish for them to return again that they may enjoy another evening with them."

A few weeks later, in July 1930, while at camp searching for eggs in her henhouse, Laura discovered a large black snake. She grabbed a rifle from inside the cabin, and got off a shot at the snake's head, but missed. She then called for Charles, who killed the reptile. When measured, it stretched 6 feet, 4 inches long.

Laura's local news column,  Daily News, 1928

When Charles' mother Hester Williams would visit after traveling from her home in Uniontown, Fayette County, Charles and Jennie made sure she felt welcomed. A February 1930 article in the Daily News said that they "delightfully entertained" her with a party "spent in social conversation and enjoying music. Mrs. F.S. Crawford played a number of selections on the piano and also sang The Holy City. Refreshments were served by the hostess." Hester enjoyed traveling, and in one week in May 1927 is known to have driven from Baltimore, MD to Allenport to Baltimore and thence to Jacksonville, FL. 

Jennie's mother often came for visits, and when she reached her 100th birthday in 1957, the Daily News said she "is well known in the Mount Union area because of relatives living here with whom she has visited many times..." In September and October 1931, Jennie hosted her aunt Almira Overholt for a three week's stay.

After her children were grown, Jennie used her education to keep busy and generate some income. She served as the Allenport correspondent for the local newspaper, the Huntingdon Daily News, reporting on the gossipy comings and goings of neighbors in the community. Some but not all of her articles were bylined "Mrs. C.J. Williams, Cor." This may account for the wealth of Williams family news found in its pages -- a veritable chronological history of the family's social and work life for decades. 

As one measure of her deep love for her extended family of Minerd uncles, aunts and cousins, Jennie arranged in the late 1940s and early '50s to have their birthdays printed each year in the Daily News. Today it might be considered an invasion of privacy, but at the time it was considered a high compliment. The list of known relatives she honored this way: 

Jennie in mid-age

~ Physical and Financial Downturn ~

The late 1920s brought health and financial hardships to the family. In the '20s, Charles owned a service station, lunch room and grocery store along the state road in Allenport. In his words, it was "doing a good business." But Jennie became seriously ill, and Charles was no longer able to handle the never-ending responsibilities of his family owned retail firm. In April 1929, he advertised in the Daily News that he was seeking to sell the property "on account of wife's illness." 

Later that year, in July 1929, Charles was employed at a stone quarry in Germany Valley. Laura paid him a visit in mid-July, and was allowed to press a button that ignited "the largest shot that has been put off, throwing out many tons of rock," said the Daily News.

Charles' "For Sale" ad,  Daily News, 1929

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Williamses made their home in Shirley Township, Huntingdon County. That year, Charles made a living as a construction carpenter. Their married son and daughter in law, Charles H. and Emma Williams, resided next door. 

Their financial situation did not improve, and the onset of the lingering Great Depression of 1930s took a deeper toll. In August 1936, Charles secured employment in Dubois, Clearfield County, some 90 miles from home. But by June 1937, the Williamses were without any means to cover their debts, and were officially declared bankrupt. The case was assigned No. 9604 in federal bankruptcy court, with Howard L. Henderson of Huntingdon assigned to be referee in the matter and settle claims among their creditors.

~ Golden and Final Years ~

Laura and Charles celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 5, 1943. Their photograph and a prominent article were published in the Daily News. Many relatives and friends visited their home that day to offer congratulations -- with the exception of grandsons Charles Williams, Sherman Williams and Charles Moist, who were away serving in the military during World War II. Supper was held at the home of daughter Marella Carter, and the couple "received many attractive and useful gifts from their many friends as tokens of their affection for these fine folks wh ohave spent 50 years of happy married life together." 

Maple Summit Church of God, on land donated by Jennie's great-uncle,  Robert B. Harbaugh

In September 1946, to celebrate her 72nd birthday, Jennie and Charles and their son Charles and his wife Emma motored together to the old family grounds in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Picking up Jennie's mother in Somerset, they drove up into the mountainous Fayette-Somerset County border region, to Maple Summit, where Jennie had been born and raised. Said the Daily News, 

They visited at the old schoolhouse where she attended school for ten years. [Son] C.H. Williams also attended the same school for some time. Across the road is the Church of God where they attended church and Sunday School 53 years ago. They attended the church service then in session. At Ohiopyle they made a short visit. C.J. Williams spent his boyhood days there and it was there that he and his wife began housekeeping. At Somerset they had dinner at home of Mrs. Zerfoss. They were accompanied home by Mrs. Gorsuch, after having traveled a distance of 300 miles.

Despite her illness in the late 1920s, Jennie lived a long life. She died in 1952, at the age of 78. 

Charles outlived his wife by seven years. After a brief illness, he died on Dec. 14, 1959. Burial was in the Mount Union IOOF Cemetery. An obituary in the Daily News noted that he was survived by 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

In 1997, our Minerd-Miner-Minor Reunion honored more than 220 educators in the family. Jennie and her accomplishment as the earliest known teacher in Fayette County were recognized in an article in the Greensburg Tribune-Review and also in our special reunion booklet, A Sense of Wonder.

Estella Robinette Hagerty Dixon, Savannah, GA, Sept. 1, 1947

~ Daughter Florence "Estella" (Williams) Robinette Hagerty Dixon ~

Daughter Florence Estella Williams (1899-1954) was born on Dec. 28, 1899 in or near Ohiopyle, Fayette County. She had a fifth grade education.

Estella was married three times. Her first husband was Dorey F. Robinette (1895- ? ), son of Harrison and Mary Frances (Bucy) Robinette and grandson of Hanson and Mary (Dunn) Bucy. They obtained their marriage license on Aug. 30, 1915, in Cumberland, MD. At the time, Dory lived in Cumberland and Estella in Cresaptown, MD. 

They bore two children -- John Franklin Robinette and Lena C. Payne.

When the federal census count was made in 1920, Dory and Estella made their home in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD. Dory earned a living that year as a fireman and "stationery engineer" -- an operator of equipment.

After the Robinettes' marriage ended, one or more of the children are said to have been raised by their paternal grandmother Bucy. Dorey moved to Buck Valley, Fulton County, PA, where he made his home in 1961.

Estella earned a living over the years as a practical nurse. 

The name of Estella's second spouse was Edward Hagerty (1874- ? ). They were 26 years apart in age. Edward was a building carpenter, and they lived in Savannah, Chatham County, GA. The Hagertys remained in Savannah at least through 1947 and perhaps longer.

Her third husband was (?) Dixon ( ? - ? ). They are thought to have dwelled in Lebanon, TN. 

Stricken with cancer for two years, Estella returned to Maryland in October 1953 and lived at 975 Williams Road, Cumberland. She passed away on March 26, 1954. Obituaries were printed in the Cumberland News and the Connellsville Daily Courier. Rev. Howard M. Amoss, of the Centre Street Methodist Church, presided at the funeral, followed by burial in Mt. Hermon Cemetery. Her pallbearers were C.W. Lang, G.E. Lang, Theodore Stegmaier, John J. Stegmaier, Richard Stegmaier and James Courtney.

Son John Franklin Robinette (1916-1990) was born on June 13, 1916 in Maryland. During World War II, he served as a private in the U.S. Army. Circa 1954-1961, he made his home in Georgia, including in 1961 at Warner Robins. He married Julia Ann (?) (1922-2009), a native of Laurens County. GA. Initially they lived in Warner Robins. They had three known children -- Roy Allen Robinette, Martha Hilton and Cindy Robinette. In about 1968, they relocated to Badenton, Manatee County, FL. John died in Bradenton's HCA/L.W. Blake Hospital on March 22, 1990, at the age of 73, with interment at Bay Pines National Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Bradenton Herald. Julia survived her husband by 19 years. She died in Bradenton at the age of 87 on Feb. 20, 2009. Her obituary was published in the Dublin (GA) Courier Herald and the Bradenton Herald Tribune. 

• Grandson Roy Allen Robinette ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with Joan Dale Waites ( ? -1999), originally from Rome, GA and the daughter of William Lee and Mary (Hooks) Waites of Bonaire, GA. Two known sons were Allen Robinette and John Arthur Robinette. The family lived in Dry Branch near Macon, GA as of 1975-1999. Sadness cascaded over the family when Joan passed away at the age of 53 on Sept. 16, 1999. Funeral obsequies were conducted in her place of worship, the New Covenant Church of God, with interment following in Perry Memorial Gardens. She was pictured in her obituary in the Macon Telegraph. Roy continued to dwell in Macon as of 2009.

  Great-grandson Allen Robinette ( ? - ? ) 

  Great-grandson John Arthur Robinette (1975- ? ) was born in 1975. News of his birth was announced in the Macon (GA) News.

• Granddaughter Martha Robinette wed Jesse T. Hilton. They became the parents of Melody Lynn Helm and Stephen Hilton. Over the years, the family residence has been in Bradenton, FL and in about 1979 purchased a former Methodist parsonage on the west side of town. They were pictured and featured in a Christmas Day 1983 article in the Bradenton Herald, headlined "A Victorian Christmas." 

  Great-granddaughter Melody Lynn Hilton (1964- ? ) was born in about 1964 and grew up in Bradenton. On June 27, 1987, she was united in matrimony with Joel Scott Helm ( ? - ? ), a resident of Abbyville, KS and the son of Lloyd and Beverley Helm. Their nuptials were held in the New Covenant Faith Fellowship in Sarasota, by the hand of Sherman Owens, with the happy news published in the Bradenton Herald. Circa 1991, Joel served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Gulf War.

  Great-grandson Stephen Hilton made his home in 1987 in Bradenton.

• Granddaughter Cynthia Robinette ( ? - ? ) - Cindy graciously provided photo images and information for this website in 2000, just a few months after the site was launched. She too has dwelled in Bradenton, FL.

Daughter Lena Robinette (1918-2004) was born in about 1918 in Maryland. She wed Riley Briscoe Payne Sr. (1900-1983), a  native of Hampshire, Mineral County, WV. The groom was 18 years older than the bride. He was divorced from his first wife Mildred L. (Hough) Payne and brought two stepchildren into the union, Riley Briscoe Payne Jr. and Mary Ellen Courtney. Riley Sr. stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed 185 lbs. He was employed in the early 1940s in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's bolt and forge facility in Cumberland. In 1943, the couple purchased a house lot on Williams Road in Cumberland from Lena's grandmother, Mary Frances Robinette, for the sum of $100. Federal census records for 1950 show the pair in Cumberland, with Riley earning a living as a railroad blacksmith. In 1954-1961, they lived at 975 Williams Road in Cumberland, with Lena's mother passing away in their home in 1954 and the grandmother in 1961. The pair appears to have dwelled in Bakersville in 1976. Sadly, Riley died in 1983. His remains were interred in the local Hillcrest Burial Park. Lena outlived him by 21 years. She was plucked away by the angel of death in 2004.

• Step-grandson Riley Briscoe Payne Jr. (1930-1999) was born on Sept. 3, 1930 in Cumberland, MD. He entered into marriage with Barbara Louise Priddy (Jan. 30, 1938-2020), also of Cumberland. They were the parents of two -- Keith Riley Payne and Candi May. Barbara was an alumna of Fort Hill High School. Said the Cumberland Times-News, "She went on to work as a dental assistant for Dr. Robert Hager for 40 years. Upon retirement she continued to work part-time as a caregiver for several more years. Barbara was known for her humor, compassion and lively spirit... She was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening, dancing, and spending time with her family." Riley died in Ridgeley, Mineral County, WV on Dec. 7, 1999. Barbara Louise continued on for another two-plus decades. She passed away on Feb. 20, 2020.

  Step-great-grandson Keith Riley Payne wed Annie and settled in Charlottesville, VA. Two children in this family are Megan Payne and Michael Payne.

  Step-great-granddaughter Candi Payne married (?) May and put down roots in Midlothian, VA. Together they produced a pair of children -- Jessica May and Christopher May.

• Step-granddaughter Mary Ellen Payne (1925-2023) was born on July 23, 1925 in Cumberland. She was a spelling bee champion at Penn Avenue Elementary School and a 1943 graduate of Fort Hill High School. At Fort Hill, she helped found Club 43, which provided opportunities for fun and school projects for students. She loved her alma mater so much that she attended every Thanksgiving Day football game over the span of 52 years, except for one, when her son was born. As an alto, she sang in the Grace Methodist Church. Mary Ellen was joined in wedlock with James Vernon Courtney (July 23, 1919-1958), a native of Girard, AL and the son of Henry V. and Willie M. (Green) Courtney. The brood of offspring they bore together included Chrystal Michaels and Craig Courtney. James served in World War II with the 382nd Military Censorship Detachment, Army Reserve. They dwelled in Cumberland at 519 Prince George Street, with him employed as an agent for Prudential Insurance Company. The Courtneys held a membership in the First Baptist Church. During the last three years of his life, James endured heart disease. The family was plunged into grief when at the age of 38, on Feb. 6, 1958, James suffered a massive heart attack and died at the Dishong Atlantic Service Station. In a headline obituary, the Cumberland News reported that he "was found dead yesterday, slumped on the back seat of his car parked at a service station along Bedford Road... with his coat pulled over him." His funeral was held in the family church, led by his pastor, Rev. Robert C. Nimon. Mary Ellen soldiered on for another 60-plus years and raised her family as a single mother, and never remarried. Said an obituary, "She started a new chapter in her life working as a dental assistant and office manager for Dr. Robert Hager. She retired from Memorial Hospital as medical librarian." She also invested in her children as a dance mother and Cub Scouts den mother, and had a knack for interior decorating. Mary Ellen was known as "fun-loving and had an amazing memory," said the obituary. "She shared her experiences, including life during WWII, with her children and grandchildren so that they would appreciate the past." Sadly, she was spirited away by the spirit of death, at age 98, on Nov. 29, 2023. Interment was in Cumberland's Hillcrest Burial Park.

  Step-great-grandson Craig Courtney served as his mother's primary caregiver in her final years.

  Step-great-granddaughter Chrystal Courtney is an alumna of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland. She also studied at Frostburg State University. Chrystal wed Timothy Paul Michaels ( ? - ? ), son of Wilbert "Tim" and Mary L. (Malloy) Michaels.  

~ Daughter Laura "Ruth" (Williams) Moist ~

Ruth Moist

Daughter Laura "Ruth" Williams (1901-1971) was born on Dec. 10, 1901 in Frostburg, Allegany County, MD. 

She grew up near Ohio Pyle, Fayette County, PA and then migrated with her parents to Allenport, Huntingdon County in the 1910s.

Ruth entered into marriage with Moses Franklin Moist (June 22, 1890-1952), son of Christopher and Margaret (Kauffman) Moist of Ryde, Mifflin County, PA. 

They lived for many years in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County. 

The Moists produced a brood of eight known children -- Margaret Jane Moist, Esther Harshbarger, Charles Franklin Moist, Chester C. Moist, James Moist, Lester R. Moist, John E. Moist and Moses F. Moist Jr. Sadly, daughter Margaret died in infancy.

Obituary, 1971

They moved in about 1951 to Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County, where Moses earned a living as a laborer with North American Brick. Ruth joined the Newton-Wayne Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

At the age of 62, having suffered several previous heart attacks, and burdened with hardening of the arteries, Moses was felled by a heart attack and died on Aug. 28, 1952. An obituary in the Huntingdon Daily News said that Rev. Frank Crawford officiated the funeral service and that burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Mount Union.

She suffered from cancer and died at the age of 69 in Huntingdon's J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital on April 29, 1971. Funeral services were led by Rev. Harry Krause, followed by interment in Mount Union IOOF Cemetery. The Huntingdon Daily News reported that she was survived by 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

Daughter Esther Elizabeth Moist (1919-2000) was born on Nov. 25, 1919 at Mapleton Depot. On Aug. 16, 1944, she married World War II veteran Bruce David Harshbarger (1921-1973), a native of Ryde, PA and the son of Roy and Lula (Miller) Harshbarger. Justice of the peace W.O. Fields presided over their nuptials. During the war, Bruce had been reported killed in action in Italy on Nov. 6, 1943, but the announcement was premature, and while wounded, he had survived. At the time of their marriage nine months later, reported the Harrisburg Evening News, Bruce was "recuperating from wounds received in action. He served 17 months in Africa and Italy." The pair's only son was Ronald Bruce Harshbarger. Bruce was employed over the years as a mechanic with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He held memberships in the McVeytown lodge of the Masons, Harrisburg, Consistory, Jaffa Shrine, Tall Cedars of Lebanon of Mifflintown, and the Mifflin and Huntingdon County Shrine Clubs as well as the Newton Wayne Lions Club, Mount Union post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Newton Wayne Sportsman's Club and Blue Ridge lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. Their home in the early 1970s was in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin County. Sadly, while hunting near their son's home in Ryde, on the fateful day of Dec. 10, 1973, Bruce suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Lewistown Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His passing brought to a close their union of 29 years' duration. An obituary was printed in the Huntingdon Daily News. Esther outlived her spouse by nearly 27 years. Said an obituary, "She was employed at Owens Corning Fiberglass, Huntingdon, retiring in 1972 with 21 years of service. She was a member of the Newton Hamilton United Methodist Church. She enjoyed working word puzzles." With her health in decline, Esther was admitted to reside in Meadowview Manor in McVeytown. At the age of 80, she passed away in Altoona (PA) Hospital on Sept. 20, 2000. Pastor Phyllis Hunter officiated the funeral. Her remains sleep for all time in Newton Hamilton Memorial Cemetery.

• Grandson Ronald B. Harshbarger (1946-2000) was born on Aug. 15, 1946. He was a 1964 graduate of Captain Jack High School in Mount Union. On July 1, 1967, he married Donna Kay Parsons ( ? - ? ), daughter of Norman Parsons of Mount Union. They became the parents of three known daughters -- Tammy Lee Harshbarger, Patty Ann Harshbarger and Bonnie Kay Harshbarger. The family made their dwelling-place in 1973-2000 in Ryde, Mifflin County, PA. Reported a newspaper, Ronald "was a group leader at Marlette Homes, Lewistown, from 1964 to 1980 and was currently employed in the HPC Assembly Department of FCI Electronics, Mount Union. He was a member of the Ryde United Methodist Church; the McVeytown Lodge 376 F&AM; the Valley of Harrisburg Consistory; and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Forest 88, Mifflintown. He was a former member of the Newton-Wayne Lions Club and both the Newton-Wayne and Mapleton Sportsmen's Clubs [and] was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting at the Big Rock Annex Hunting Camp, Ryde." Grief blanketed the family when Ronald died at the age of 54 on Dec. 16, 2000. Burial was under the sod of Ryde Cemetery, with Pastor Phyllis Hunter preaching the funeral sermon. 

  Great-granddaughter Tammy Lee Harshbarger (1968- ? ) was born in 1968. She and her sister Patty Ann were pictured in a 1972 Huntingdon Daily News article about the sister's birthday. Tammy may first have tied the marital cord with Chris Miller and was the mother of Brittney Peters. After an apparent divorce, by 2000 she married Fred Jury ( ? - ? ). One known daughter of the pair is Amanda Leonard. Their home in 2000 was in Newton Hamilton, PA. In recent years, Tammy has been employed as a clerk with the U.S. Postal Service.

  Great-granddaughter Patricia Ann "Patty" Harshbarger (1970- ? ) was born in 1970. She entered into marriage with Danny Snyder ( ? - ? ) and settled in Mifflintown, PA. Evidence suggests that they have three offspring including Zack Snyder.

  Great-granddaughter Bonnie Kay Harshbarger first wed Kenny Knable ( ? - ? ). The pair put down roots in Newton Hamilton, PA. Later, by 2012, she was a companion of Roger Knierim ( ? - ? ), son of Carol Ann (McNeal) Purdy and stepson of Donald L. Purdy, and remained in town. Three known children in this combined family are Amber Knierim (1990-2024), Riley Knierim and Adam Knierim, and perhaps others. The family was plunged into grief when stepdaughter Amber, who had been living in New York for a decade, died on Feb. 22, 2024.

Son Charles Franklin Moist (1923- ? ) was born on Feb. 22, 1923. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, with deployment to the European Theatre as a member of the 259th Field Artillery Battalion. On Feb. 20, 1943, Charles entered into matrimony with Edna Belle McKinstry (April 21, 1925-1998), daughter of Cecil J. and Elva (Marchman) McKinstry. Two sons of this coupling were Stephen C. Moist and Calvin J. Moist. They dwelled in Newton Hamilton in 1952 and in the early 1970s in McVeytown/Ryde, Mifflin County. Charles was employed for 18 years as a track foreman by the Pennsylvania Railroad. He then joined the Federal Aviation Administration in about 1954 and logged 15 years with the agency, retiring in 1969 as a construction supervisor. He belonged to the Mount Union post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and, said an obituary, "was active with the Rothrock Fair for many years." Edna generated income as a secretary. She died at the age of 73 on Sept. 27, 1998. Charles only survived her by 14 months. He was gathered away by the angel of death on Nov. 29, 1999 at the age of 76. Rev. Phyllis Hunter officiated the obsequies. The couple sleeps in eternal repose in Ryde Cemetery in Mifflin County.

• Grandson Stephen C. Moist Sr. lived in Ryde, PA in 1999.  

• Grandson Calvin J. Moist settled in Ryde, PA.

Son Chester C. Moist (1925-2003) was born on Nov. 29, 1925 in Union Township, Huntingdon County. On April 13, 1963, at the age of 37, he tied the marital cord with widow Lois M. (Whitsel) Dubbs (June 27, 1916-2003). There was a nine-year difference in their ages. Lois had been married before to Herbert L. Dubbs ( ? -1957) and brought two stepchildren into the second union -- Shirley L. McIntyre and H. Duane Dubbs. The family resided in Mount Union circa 1971-2003. Said the Huntingdon Daily News, Chester "was a member of the Sugar Run Church of the Brethren, Hill Valley. He was a member of both the Mount Union and Newton-Wayne volunteer fire companies and was an active member of the fire police for many years. He retired from North American Refractories in Mount Union after 30 years of service." In her own right, Lois was "employed by L. Greif Bros. Manufacturing Co., Mt. Union, and by Head Start," said the Daily News. "She enjoyed spending time on her CB radio as 'Country Girl.' She also enjoyed watching golf and watching both auto and horse racing." He died in their residence on Kistler Road on April 22, 2003 at the age of 77. The funeral was conducted in the family church by Rev. Jim Hullihen, followed by burial in Germany Valley Cemetery in Shirleysburg. Lois only survived her husband by seven months. Afflicted with osteoporosis, she passed away at age 87 on Nov. 16. 2003. Her survivors included six grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren.

• Step-granddaughter Shirley L. Dubbs wed (?) McIntyre. They moved to Midland, MI.

• Step-grandson H. Duane Dubbs married Sandi. They planted themselves in Huntingdon, PA.

Son James E. Moist (1927-2007) was born on June 6 or Sept. 1, 1927. (Sources differ.) He is known to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan during the Korean War, attaining the rank of sergeant. On Oct. 15, 1955, after his return home, James married Madeline Jane Harshbarger (Sept. 15, 1928-2017), daughter of Howard M. and Lorma E. (Fry) Harshbarger. Together they bore a trio of children -- Dennis Moist, Donald J. Moist and Deborah J. Briggs. They made their home in rural Tyrone, PA in 2000 and in Ironville, PA in 2002 and later back in Tyrone. He died at the age of 79 on June 6, 2007. The remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Blair Memorial Park in Bellwood, Blair County. Madeline lived on for another decade and dwelled at Sinking Valley, PA. Said an obituary, Madeline "was a member of the Birmingham Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and sending and receiving cards." The grim reaper of death cleaved her away at the age of 98 on Jan. 16, 2017. Overseeing her funeral rites was Rev. Ernie Walls.

• Grandson Dennis J. Moist (1956-1989) was born on Feb. 18, 1956 in Lewistown, PA. He was a 1974 graduate of Tyrone Area High School. He worked in young manhood for 11 years for Chicago Rivet and Machine Company. Thenn in about 1986, he joined the workforce of New Enterprise Lime and Stone Company as a laborer at its Narehood Limestone Plant. He also was a member of the Pine Needle Hunting Club, Ladder Fire Company and Birmingham Presbyterian Church. Dennis is not known to have married or reproduced and maintained a home in Ironville near Tyrone, PA. His world came crashing down when he was diagnosed with a serious illness in April 1989. He suffered for five months and surrendered to the angel of death at the age of 33 on Sept. 10, 1989. An obituary appeared in the Tyrone Daily Herald, in which the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Rev. Barry T. Vance led the obsequies with burial in Blair Memorial Park, Bellwood.

• Grandson Donald J. Moist ( ? - ? ) wed Sandy. As of 2017, their dwelling-place was at Eden Hill, PA.

• Granddaughter Deborah J. Moist ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with Regis Briggs. At least three children in this family were Matthew Briggs, Tanner Briggs and James Briggs. Their residence in 2017 was in Sinking Valley, PA.

Son Lester "Ray" Moist Sr. (1929-2007) was born on April 14, 1929 in Mapleton Depot, Huntingdon County. During the Korean War, he served in the armed services with a posting in Columbus, OH. On April 29, 1954, Ray was united in holy matrimony with Mary I. Appleby (Oct. 6, 1933-2024), originally from Ryde, Mifflin County, and the daughter of Wayne C. and Nancy G. (Kimberly) Appleby. Their union lasted for a remarkable 52 years together until the separation of death. They moved to Elizabethtown, Lancaster County where they spent many years. Six offspring of this family were Jon C. Moist, Cheryl Seminario, Michael F. Moist, Leslie Norton, Roger L. Moist and Lester Moist, Jr. For 20 years, Ray served in the U.S. Air Force. The Lancaster LNP newspaper once noted that Ray "enjoyed woodworking and tinkering around on his lawnmower." Said an obituary, Mary was employed by "M & M Mars, Elizabethtown, where she worked as a Senior Operator for over 21 years. She enjoyed knitting, flower gardening, and loved 'playing in the dirt'." He died in Hershey, PA on April 18, 2007, just four days after his 78th birthday. A celebration of his life was held at the local Conoy Brethren in Christ. Mary survived for another 17-plus years and remained in Elizabethtown. She succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 91, in Hospice and Community Care of Mount Joy, Lancaster County, on Dec. 13, 2024. A memorial service was conducted in the Newville Bible Church of Elizabethtown.

• Grandson Jon C. Moist is married to or a companion of Dawn. In 2007, they lived in Elizabethtown.

• Granddaughter Cheryl Moist ( ? - ? ) - circa 1979, she wed Javier Gonzalo Seminario. Javier is believed to have been employed as advertising director for Stuard Derrick Real Estate and then in 1982 was named manager of public affairs for Occidental Construction Services Inc. in Camp Hill. Cheryl's home in 2007 was in Mechanicsburg, PA.

• Grandson Michael F. Moist wed Vickie. They have dwelled in Bainbridge, PA.

• Granddaughter Leslie Karen Moist ( ? - ? ) - In about 1977, she first tied the knot with Walter Clarence Knable Jr. ( ? - ? ) of Lancaster, PA. Their residence in the early 1980s was in an apartment on Tenby Way in Elizabethtown. The marriage dissolved in divorce, and Leslie took back her maiden name. Then circa 2006, at age 46, she was joined in wedlock with 52-year-old divorcee Dale Mahlon Norton (May 6, 1954-2015), son of Russell and Florence (Barger) Norton. The pair settled in Elizabethtown and in their combined family were five offspring -- Gloria Arnold, Leslie Eckart, Chastity Blair, Neil Knable and Joshua Knable. Grief cascaded over the family when Dale passed away at the age of 61 on Nov. 29, 2015. He was survived by 20 grandchildren. His memorial service was led by Pastor Al Frank at Conoy Brethren in Christ in town. He was pictured in an obituary in LNP Always Lancaster.

  Step(?)-great-granddaughter Gloria Arnold ( ? - ? ) 

  Step(?)-great-granddaughter Leslie Eckart ( ? - ? )

  Step(?)-great-granddaughter Chastity Blair ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson Neil Knable ( ? - ? )

  Great-grandson Joshua Knable ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Roger L. Moist is a 1983 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School. He married Becky Klepping. They planted themselves in Elizabethtown, where she is employed at Masonic Villages.

• Grandson Lester Moist, Jr. wed or is a companion of Anjali. They have called Elizabethtown their home.

Son John Edward Moist (1931-1990) was born on July 21, 1931 in Mount Union, Huntingdon County. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and rose to the rank of tech sergeant with the 149th Ordnance Company. In July 1963, in Newton Hamilton, PA, he was married. Death enveloped him on Nov. 8, 1990, at the age of 59. He sleeps for the ages in Newton Hamilton Memorial Cemetery. 

Son Moses F. Moist Jr. (1937-2002) was born on May 10, 1937 in Sugar Valley, Wayne Township, Mifflin County, PA. He was a 1957 graduate of Captain Jack High School of Mount Union. On Nov. 4, 1960, he was joined in wedlock with Linda Mae Weller (1940- ? ), daughter of Arthur C. Weller Jr. of Newton Hamilton, PA. They exchanged their vows in the Newton Hamilton United Methodist Church. The Moists made their residence in 1971-2002 in Mapleton Depot, Huntingdon County. Their trio of offspring included Jeffrey Linn Moise, Shari Lynn Forshey and Melinda Mae Gahan. In young manhood, Moses was employed for many years by the Parks Planing Mill of Mount Union. In June 1985, he founded his own firm, M.F. Moist Contractor, and ran it for 16 years before retiring in 2001. Said the Huntingdon Daily News, Moses "was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Mapleton, where he was formerly a trustee and a member of the official board and was currently secretary and song leader of the Sunday school. He was a life member of the Newton-Wayne Volunteer Fire Company and charter member and past president of the Huntingdon County Builder's Association. He was also a member of the Mapleton Borough Council and served as mayor of Mapleton for several years. He was one of the founding members of the Mount Union Area Medical Center and served as its only treasurer for many years." In his free time, he liked to hunt. They are known to have attended the Moist family reunions in 1980 (Petersburg, PA) and 1981 (Mooresville, PA), comprised of the descendants of Bertha, Laura, Viola and Moses Moist. Sadly, Moses died without warning in Altoona Hospital at the age of 65 on June 10, 2002. His funeral rites were led by Rev. Ed Seeley, with interment under the sod of Newton Hamilton Memorial Cemetery.

• Grandson Jeffrey Linn Moist ( ? - ? ) is a 1979 graduate of Mount Union High School. He was employed in young manhood as a floral designer with Hinkle's Florist in Altoona, PA. On Aug. 7, 1982, he was joined in wedlock with co-worker Janice Diane Sutlage ( ? - ? ), daughter of Nickolaus J. Sutlage of Duncansville, PA. The wedding was held in the Greenwood United Methodist Church and officiated by Rev. Glenn Barner. In announcing the happy event, the Altoona Mirror  pictured the pair and said the bride "appeared in an ivory satin gown with a cape bordered in ivory Irish lace. Her Juliet cap of seed pearls caught an ivorn fingertip illusion veil. She carried a cascading bouquet of purple violets, verona roses, stephanotis and English ivy." Janice was a 1979 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School and, at the time of marriage, also earned a living as a floral designer with Hinkle's. Jeffrey lived in Altoona, PA in 2002.

• Granddaughter Shari Lynn Moist wed (?) Forshey. Her home in 2002 was in Mapleton Depot, PA.

• Granddaughter Melinda Mae Moist (1972- ? ) was born in 1972. At her first and second birthdays, she received a shout-out in the Huntingdon Daily News. Melinda first married (?) Stock. Their two children were Anthony Stock and Stephanie Stock. In time, in about 2002, she was joined in wedlock with Jason Matthew Gahan (1978- ? ), son of Donna Mae (Dudenhoeffer) Gahan. Their union resulted in a daughter, Jessica Marie Gahan. Circa 2002, they dwelled in Waynesboro, PA. The pair were named and quoted in a Herald-Mail article in 2018 about enjoying the Renfrew Jazz Festival. Melinda is believed to be employed as pantry manager for Waynesboro Community and Human Services.

~ Son Charles Henry Williams ~

Son Charles Henry Williams (1904-1967) was born on Feb. 29, 1904, Leap Day, in or near Mill Run, Fayette County. 

As an adolescent he migrated with his parents and siblings to Huntingdon County, PA.

He married Emma Charlotte Carter (1905-1994) in about 1923, when both were about age 20. She was the daughter of William and Margaret Carter. The Williams and Carter families were close, and Charles' sister Marella married Emma's brother Clinton Carter.

They produced together six known children, and perhaps more -- Charles Junior Williams, Sherman Williams, William D. Williams, James Lee Williams, Betty M. Williams and one other.

In the eyes of an editor with the local newspaper, the Huntingdon Daily News, the Williams children enjoyed a rare benefit of having 10 living grandparents in four generations. The article appearing in the May 12, 1927 issue listed the names: "four grandparents, Charles J. and Laura J. Williams and William and Margaret Carter. The six great-grand parents are Leroy and Hester Williams, Charles Walter and Martha Gorsuch and John and Margaret Bond." 

Charles and Emma resided for many years in Mount Union after moving from Oakdale in November 1930. In 1930, the federal census enumeration shows the family residing next to Charles' parents in Shirley Township, Huntington County. Charles' occupation that year was "bridge building" on the state road. He also worked in a pin mill, making wooden pins onto which glass insulators were threaded, used on the old style telephone pole cross beams. 

In November 1930, Charles and his brother were very badly bruised when their Ford truck hurtled down a 50-foot embankment and flipped three times. (See Edward's biography for details.)

Their final home together was in Shirley Township near Mount Union. His last occupation was as a contractor.

Charles was burdened with diabetes and heart and coronary disease in the final two years. He suffered a heart attack in 1967 and was admitted to the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon. There, he died at the age of 63 on Aug. 9, 1967. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Mount Union.

Emma outlived her husband by 27 years. Death spirited her away in 1994

Son Charles Junior "Peck" Williams (1924- ? ) was born in 1924. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He made his home in 1999 in Mount Union.

Son Sherman Glenn Williams (1924-1997) was born on June 16, 1924. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Armed Forces He was married to Betty L. Uttley (Aug 28, 1931-2011), daughtr of Carl Uttley. The family lived in Mount Union and in Allenport (1972). They bore a family of children including Rex A. Williams, Andrew G. Williams, Mark Neal Williams, Emma J. Worthy, Cynthia L. Willis, Dana D. Williams and Kenneth E. Williams. Sadly, Sherman passed away on March 8, 1997. Betty lived on as a widow and married again to (?) Norris. Betty died on Aug. 25, 2011.

• Grandson Rex A. Williams (1952- ? ) served in the U.S. military and was posted to Germany in 1973 and in 1976 at Fort Bragg, NC. He wed Deborah ( ? - ? ). They migrated to Arizona and in 2007 made a dwelling-place in Sierra Vista, AZ.

• Grandson Andrew G. Williams ( ? - ? ) served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He married Dorothy Ballard ( ? - ? ), daughter of James Ballard of Virginia. The pair were in Governor's Island, NY in 1972. One known daughter was Jennifer McGuire Williams, born at Staten Island Hospital in 1972. By 2007, they returned to Huntingdon.

• Grandson Mark Neal Williams (1964- ? ) was born in 1964 and grew up in Allenport. He was joined in wedded union with Tammy Sheeder ( ? - ? ), daughter of Dale and Alice Sheeder. Together they produced at least one son, Bradley Lee Williams. Circa 2007, he was in Todd, a small nearby community.

  Great-grandson Bradley Lee Williams (1985- ? ) was born in 1985. At his first birthday, he was pictured and featured in the Huntingdon Daily News. 

• Granddaughter (?) Williams tied the knot with Harold D. Smith ( ? - ? ), son of Harold E. and Barbara Smith. In 1975-1977, they resided in Mount Union. They were the parents of Jeffrey Duane Smith and Christine Marie Smith. Did she also marry David Worthy and live in Allenport in 2007?

  Great-grandson Jeffrey Duane Smith (1970- ? ) was born in about 1970. 

  Great-granddaughter Christine Marie Smith (1972- ? ) was born in about 1972.

• Granddaughter Cynthia Louise Williams ( ? - ? ) was a 1976 graduate of Mount Union Area High School. She first exchanged marital vows with Keith Paul Graybill ( ? - ? ) of Millertown, PA. In 1976, the couple was living in Fayetteville, NC. One daughter of the couple was Allisha Ann Graybill. Later, Cynthia tied the knot with Patrick L. Willis. They migrated to Bradenton, FL.

  Great-granddaughter Allisha Ann Graybill (1976- ? ) was born in 1976 at Womack Army Hospital in Fayetteville, NC. At birth she weighed 8 lbs., 8½ oz.

• Grandson Dana D. Williams (1959-2007) was born on Nov. 7, 1959 in Huntingdon. He was a 1977 graduate of Mount Union Area High School. That November, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Harrisburg and was posted to the USS Arthur W. Radford. During his term of service he trained as a gunners mate, with a specialty in electricity and hydraulic mechanics and received the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He returned home and was employed for 19 years as a hydraulic mechanic by the U.S. Municipal Supply Company Inc. in Huntingdon. On April 1, 2002, he tied the marital cord with Caroline C. Kauffman ( ? - ? ). The wedding was presided by Pastor Rod Uhlig in the Wesleyan Church in Mount Union. Two sons of the couple were Sherman J. Williams and Adam J. Williams. In Dana's free time, he followed basketball and baseball and was an avid fan of NASCAR racing as well as raising rottweilers. Sadness blanketed the family when, without warning, Dana died at the age of 47 on Feb. 27, 2007, in Altoona Regional Health System. Pastor Uhlig and Pastor Gordon Ross officiated the funeral, with interment in Trough Creek Baptist Cemetery in Calvin, PA.

  Great-grandson Sherman J. Williams was in Allenport near Mount Union in 2007.

  Great-grandson Adam J. Williams wed Angela. They settled in Carlisle, PA and were there in 2007. 

• Grandson Kenneth E. Williams ( ? - ? ) married Valerie Claycomb ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ronald and Dorothy Claycomb. Together, they bore two known sons, among them Jonathan Andrew Williams and Shawn David Williams. As of 1977, Kenneth was away in Norfolk, VA as a member of the U.S. Navy. Sadly, Kenneth was deceased by 2007.

  Great-grandson Jonathan Andrew Williams (1976- ? ) was born in 1976.

  Great-grandson Shawn David Williams (1977- ? ) was born in 1977.

Son William D. Williams (1926- ? ) was born in 1926. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He was deceased by 1999.

Son James Lee Williams (1926-1999) was born on Aug. 9, 1926 in Mount Union, Huntingdon County. He was a 1944 graduate of Mount Union High School and then joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. Later, upon returning home, he became employed by Owens Corning Fiberglas in Huntingdon, retiring in 1975. James tied the marital cord with Mary Agnes Richardson (1930-1975). Four offspring of this coupling were James C. Williams, Thomas L. Williams, David S. Williams and Bonnie Kay Kauffman. The Williamses were Protestants. Sadly, Mary Agnes died on Sept. 24, 1975. James lived on for another 23-plus years, with a home in the Allenport section of Mount Union. He belonged to the local post of the American Legion. He was gathered away into the heavenly host at the age of 72 on March 30, 1999. Funeral obsequies were led by Rev. Rich Morris. His remains were lowered under the sod of Newton Hamilton Memorial Cemetery. He was survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

• Grandson James C. Williams wed Cynthia. Circa 2014, they dwelled in Mount Union.

• Grandson Thomas L. Williams married Mary Jane. The pair put down roots in McVeytown, PA. 

• Grandson David S. Williams made a home in 2014 in the Allenport community of Mount Union.

• Granddaughter Bonita Kay "Bonnie" Williams (1961-2014) was born on June 20, 1961 in Huntingdon, PA. She was a 1979 graduate of Mount Union High School and went on to study in the licensed practical nurse program of Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center in Mill Creek. On March 7, 1988, at the age of 26, she was united in wedlock with John Michael Kauffman (1964- ? ), son of George C. and Diane P. (Reihart) Kauffman of Mount Union. Their nuptials were held in Winchester, VA, by the hand of Rev. Dr. James R. Jackson of the First Presbyterian Church. Bonnie and John went on to bear a daughter, Priscilla Kauffman. They belonged to the Allenport United Methodist Church, where Bonnie gave of her time as a children's coordinator and activity with the vacation Bible school programming. For 34 years, she was employed by the Sheetz convenience store in Mount Union, including as manager at the time of her death, involving training newer managers. In her free time, said an obituary, "She enjoyed music and scrap-booking. Her family and friends will remember her love for her cocker spaniels." She died unexpectedly at the age of 52 on Jan. 3, 2014, as a patient in Geisinger Medical Center of Danville. Her funeral service was handled by Rev. Mike Dubbs.

Daughter Betty Mae Williams (1928- ? ) was born in 1928. She was joined in matrimony with Daniel Whitsel ( ? - ? ). The pair lived in Mount Union in 1999.

Marella Carter

~ Daughter Marella Irene (Williams) Carter ~

Daughter Marella Irene Williams (1906-1994) was born on March 23, 1906, in Dunbar, Fayette County. 

On Jan. 14, 1924, she married Clinton H. Carter (June 30, 1903-1974), the son of William and Margaret (Bond) Carter. The Williams and Carter families were close, and Marella's brother Charles married Clinton's sister Emma Charlotte Carter. 

They together produced five known children -- Margaret "Irene" Keith Hartley, Edna Moore Ellis, Robert Vernon Carter, Emma Leone Gaff Wiktor and Bruce J. Carter. 

They resided in Otelia, PA in 1928; and in Licking Creek, Mount Union, Huntingdon County in 1944-1971. Marella was active with the Friendship Class of the Mount Union Presbyterian Church, and served as its president in the 1960s. 

Clinton was appointed as Junior General Mechanic for Civil Aeronautics Authority by the U.S. Civil Service Commission. In September 1940, he left for Newark, NJ, for a job that required him to travel between Maine and Virginia. At the time, said the Daily News, the family was "living in one of the commodious log buildings at the C.C.C. Camp where for the present his family will remain."

In 1944, Clinton secured employment in Barre, Vermont and upstate New York as an airways technician with the Federal Aviation Administration. In June of that year, son Robert traveled there to spend the summer with his father, and lived on a farm on Lake Champlain in Ticonderoga, NY during that time. He continued to live on the farm in late 1944 and early 1945.

At one point Emma planned and built a log cabin near Licking Creek in Alleport. She contracted out for plumbing and electrical services, and had assistance for setting the logs, but otherwise did all of the work herself. She once hosted a visit to the cabin from her aged grandmother, Martha (Minerd) Gorsuch, where a photo of the event was taken, showing Martha seated in a comfortable stuffed chair. The structure measured 28 feet by 30 feet and featured four rooms, bath, electric range, cupboards, and oil heating unit and "never failing water." 

During World War II, Emma worried as her son Robert served in the U.S. Armed Forces. His enlistment period continued well after the war's end, and in 1948 was part of the German occupation forces. That year, he broke his arm, and was hospitalized in Frankfurt. In September 1948, while in Austria, he telephoned his mother and had an enjoyable conversation. The Huntingdon Daily News reported that "It had been almost two years since Mrs. Carter had heard the voice of her son and she says it was as natural and clear as though he were in the same room with her." 

In the early months of 1957, Marella and Florence Miller of Mount Union made an "an extensive tour of Florida and other southern states," said the Daily News. "The ladies left Mount Union two months ago and spent about six weeks in the vicinity of Kissimmee. During that time they motored extensively and visited many places of interest." Clinton met up with the women and they drove back home together. 

Clinton retired from the FAA in 1960, having logged 26 years of service. He is known to have belonged to the Men's Bible Class of the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Union. 

Marella and grandson Bruce Joseph Carter were injured in July 1960 when the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair she was driving struck a truck in Mount Union borough. She suffered broken ribs while the child endured head and face fractures. 

Sadness blanketed the family when, at the age of 70, Clinton passed away in Hershey Medical Center on June 17, 1974. An obituary in the Huntingdon Daily News gave the headcount of survivors as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Rev. Robert Holmes led the funeral, with interment in Haven Rest Memorial Park, Shirleysville.

Marella outlived her husband by two decades. On Jan. 11, 1994, she passed away in Mount Union. 

Daughter Margaret "Irene" Carter (1924-1995) was born two days before Christmas in Mount Union, PA. She twice-wed. Irene initially tied the marital cord with Donald C. Keith ( ? -2006). Together, the Keiths bore two sons and two daughters -- Robert M. Keith, Clinton C. Keith, Donna L. Keith and Sallie K. McDaniel. Donald was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He went on to earn a living as an electronics technician, employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. They appear to have relocated to Florida, and as of 1974, Irene was in Key West, FL. Their marriage ended in divorce. Then on April 7, 1977, in Monroe County, FL, she entered into marriage with Charles William Hartley ( ? - ? ). Charles appears to have brought five stepchildren into the second union -- Linda Bland, Dianne Perry, Wayne Hartley, Duane Hartley and Carol Foley. He had retired from the U.S. Navy in 1960 and had constructed and operated a marina near Key West. The Hartleys settled immediately in Quincy, Gadsden County, FL and remained for good. Sadly, Irene passed away at the age of 70 on July 18, 1995. Her obituary in the Tallahassee Democrat said she was a "native of Mount Union, PA., and former resident of Key West, she had lived in Quincy for 18 years. She was a homemaker, an active member in senior-citizen activities in Gadsden County, and a Presbyterian." Charles outlived his second bride by a decade. At the age of 83, he succumbed to the spectre of death on July 10, 2005. An obituary was published in the Salina (KS) Journal saying he was survived by 10 offspring. His remains were cremated. Former husband Donald moved to Quincy in 1985. He died in Tallahassee at the age of 81 on Feb. 17, 2006, with an obituary appearing in the Tallahassee Democrat.

• Grandson Robert M. Keith ( ? - ? ) made his home in Gore, OK in 1995, Quincy, FL in 2000 and in the Providence community near Tallahassee, FL in 2006.

• Grandson Clinton C. Keith (1955-2000) was born on July 2, 1955 in Huntingdon, PA. He grew up in Florida's Key West. In 1974, during the tail end of the Vietnam War, he jonied the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Riley, KS. After completing his military service, he appears to have settled in Missouri. In March 1981, in Kansas City, he tied the marital cord with Elise Schneider ( ? - ? ). Two offspring of this couple were Elijah E. Keith and Clarise-Elise Keith. Said the St. Joseph News-Press, his "military career took him to many places in and around Missouri. He joined the Missouri Air National Guard where he was active until his medical retirement in August of 1999." Their home is known to have been in Florence, MO by the mid-1990s, and their final final residence together was in Lincoln, MO. At the age of 44, the grim reaper of death enveloped him in the Harry S Truman Veteran's Administration Hospital in Columbia, MO on Jan. 2, 2000. His obituary was published in the St. Joseph News-Press, and the remains were cremated. The family requested that any memorial gifts be made to the Leukemia Society.

  Great-grandson Elijah E. Keith ( ? - ? )

  Great-granddaughter Clarise-Elise Keith (1982?- ? ) was born in about 1982. At the age of 32, in 2015, she took out a license to marry 28-year-old Andrew Michael Propst of Columbia, MO.

• Granddaughter Donna L. Keith ( ? - ? ) moved to Ridgeway, VA and was there in the 1995-2006 timeframe.

• Granddaughter Sallie K. Keith ( ? - ? ) wed (?) McDaniel. Circa 1995-2000, she was in Quincy, FL and in 2006 in the Providence community. Evidence suggests that on April 22, 2010, she wed again to Gregory A. Wilkerson ( ? - ? ). Their wedding ceremony was private, led by Bobby Health, with their photo appearing in an announcement in the Tallahassee Democrat.  

• Step-granddaughter Linda Ann Hartley ( ? - ? ) married (?) Bland. She made her dwelling-place in 1995 in Key West, FL.

• Step-granddaughter Dianne Hartley ( ? - ? ) tied the knot with (?) Perry. She lived in Key West, FL in the mid-1990s.

• Step-grandson Wayne Robert Hartley ( ? - ? ) planted himself in Key West, FL.

• Step-grandson Duane David Hartley ( ? - ? ) has lived in Key West.

• Step-granddaughter Carol Irene Hartley ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Foley. She established a homeplace in Upper Marlboro, MD as of 1995.

Daughter Edna Carter (1927-1986) was born on Jan. 11, 1927 in Mount Union, PA. She was a 1944 graduate of Mount Union High School. Edna appears to have been married twice. She first tied the knot with (?) Moore ( ? - ? ). Three children born into this family were James P. Moore, Dennis W. Moore and Georgia Kahanak. In time, Edna was joined in wedlock with Raymond Ellis ( ? - ? ). The pair shared residences in Wellborn, PA and Tampa, FL (in 1974), and the Huntingdon Daily News said she "operated a lumber mill in Florida." Sadly, at the age of 59, Edna died at home after what the Daily News called "an extended illness." She was survived by a dozen grandchildren.

• Grandson James P. Moore ( ? - ? ) resided in Gratz, PA in 1986.

• Grandson Dennis W. Moore ( ? - ? ) relocated by the mid-1980s to San Diego, CA.

• Granddaughter Georgia Moore ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Kahanak. Circa 1986, she dwelled in Tampa, FL.

Son Robert Vernon Carter (1928-1979) was born on July 26, 1928 in Mount Union, PA. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, with postings in Europe and the Mediterranean. He re-enlisted for service in Asia during the Korean War. He was assigned to Company B of the 1092 Combat Engineers group. His participation included "two major campaigns in Korea," reported the Huntingdon Daily News. He then was hired by S. Morgan Smith Company. On Aug. 2, 1952, he entered into marriage with Mary Louise Gross ( ? - ? ), daughter of Harvey M. Gross of York, PA. The wedding was held in York's Union Lutheran Church. In announcing the happy event, the Daily News said that the bride "wore a white ballerina-length gown of nylon covered with nylon lace with a V-neckline. White accessories and a white rosebud corsage completed her ensemble." Mary Louise was an alumna of Hannah Penn School and was a member of the church were they were wed. He eventually married Irene (?) and lived on Licking Creek Drive in Mount Union. They became the parents of a son, Bruce Joseph Carter. After Robert and Irene divorced, she married (?) Hartley and lived in Florida. Robert held a membership in the Blue Juniata Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mount Union. Robert relocated by 1974 to Cleveland, OH. His final residence was in Los Angeles, where he earned a living as a television technician. After a long illness, he died at the age of 51 on April 9, 1979. The body was transported cross-country for interment in Haven Rest Memorial Cemetery in Shirleysburg, with Rev. Robert W. Holmes presiding over the rites. An obituary was printed in the Daily News.

• Grandson Bruce Joseph Carter (1953- ? ) was born in 1953. He appears to have been raised by his father's parents who considered him as a "son" and may have formally adopted him. See his entry below.

At age 16, Edward and his older brother Charles had jobs in the Wiley Mill in Hill Valley, about a mile from Mount Union. They narrowly avoided tragedy in a vehicular accident involving their Ford truck. While driving in Hill Valley, the truck skidded down a 50-foot embankment and flipped three times. Following behind in another automobile were their father and brother in law Clinton Carter, who stopped and help rescue the ill-fated men. Said the Daily News, "Both of the young men were painfully bruised and cut and escaped death miraculously."

During the Great Depression, during the winter of 1936, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at Carlisle, PA. Upon learning in September 1937 that his uncle Frank Zearfoss had been killed in a Somerset County coal mine accident, he immediately left home to be with his newly widowed aunt in Stoystown, Somerset County. He then went on to the home of his mother's married cousin, Mary and Walter Malone, in Ruffsdale, Fayette County. In June and July of 1938, he spent three weeks in Chicago visiting his uncle R.H. Williams.

Edward lived under his parents' roof for many years. He earned a living as a pulpwood cutter and tenant farmer.

In August 1943, Edward is known to have traveled to Youngwood, Westmoreland County, PA to spend more than a week visiting his brother Andrew and other Minerd cousins.

Then in 1954, at the age of 41, Edward wed Mary Geraldine Querry ( ? - ? ). The pair made a home in Mechanicsburg and were members of the Wesley United Methodist Church. 

Together they bore a pair of children -- Robert S. Williams and Carol J. Williams. 

In 1966, their home was in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, and in 1970 at Camp Hill, Cumberland County, PA. His final employment was as a farmer at the Fred Fiala Farm.

Edward died in Mechanicsburg on Aug. 11, 1972 after suffering a heart attack. Rev. Frank Crawford led the funeral rites. His remains were lowered under the sod of the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Mount Union. An obituary was published in the Harrisburg Patriot-News and Huntingdon Daily News.The widowed Mary and the children moved to Shermansdale, PA. They are known to have attended the Hayes-Querry family reunions in 1974 and 1977, both held at Spangler's Grove.

Son Robert S. Williams grew up in Mechanicsburg.

Daughter Carol J. Williams spent her youth in Mechanicsburg.

~ Son Andrew Norris Williams ~

Son Andrew Norris Williams (1915-1980) was born on April 21, 1915 in Cresaptown, MD. He grew up in the vicinity of Ohio Pyle, Fayette County, PA and later in Allenport, Huntingdon County, PA. 

As a young man, Andrew stood 5 feet, 5½ inches tall and weighed 129 lbs. In May 1936, he is known to have secured employment in the Atlantic and Pacific (A&P) Company Store located on Shirley Street in Allenport.

At the age of 22, on Aug. 14, 1937, Andrew married Gladys Jean Sherman (June 27, 1919-1983), daughter of Emma C. Sherman of Youngwood, Westmoreland County, PA. Rev. John Strayer, of the Youngwood United Brethren Church, officiated at the ceremony, held at the Sherman residence. The couple likely met during one of Andrew's visits with relatives who lived there.

The pair together bore four known children, among them Carole Lee Shapiro, Barry Dean Williams, Andrea Jean Pin and Douglas Williams.

They settled in Youngwood, where they were close with Andrew's cousins Ernest Earl and Edith (Erwin) Minerd and Arnold and Violet Grace (Erwin) Overholt and their children. Despite being 115 miles away from his parents and family, Andrew often traveled back to Allenport for visits over the years.

Andrew was required to register for the military draft during World War II. He disclosed that his address was New Stanton, PA; that his cousin Violet Overholt would always know his whereabouts, and that his employer was Robertshaw Thermostat Company of Youngwood.

Gladys was ill in the summer of 1943 and spent more than a month in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. They were in Allenport in 1946 and then spent 16 months in Pasadena, CA, followed by a return to Youngwood in August 1947.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the family was in Youngwood with Andrew employed as a shipping and receiving clerk for a storm door and window company and Gladys as a cook with a roadside restaurant.

They remained in Youngwood circa 1966-1971. He may be the same Andrew Williams who, in June 1970, helped organize the annual Forbes District Campree of the Westmoreland-Fayette Council of the Boy Scouts of America, held at Twin Lakes County Park. More than 500 boy and 75 adults were expected to take part, estimated the Daily Courier: "Competition will be in scoutcraft, covering knot tieing, nature identification, lighting a fire, first aid and communications, and fitness covering rope climbing, broad jump, pushups and pull-ups."

The Williamses relocated to South Carolina in their later years and settled in or near Summerville, Dorchester County, SC. As with several of his siblings, he died of a heart attack, at the age of 65, on Oct. 5, 1980.

Gladys survived her spouse by three years. The angel of death spirited her away in Summerville on Nov. (?), 1983.

Daughter Carole "Lee" Williams (1938-2024) was born on June 16, 1938 in Youngwood, Westmoreland County, PA. "From an early age," said the Bellingham (WA) Herald, "she was a caretaker for her mother and younger siblings. In high school, she showed an aptitude for academics, and after graduating, she went to business school and became a secretary at Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, where she met [her future husband] Barry (Bernard L.) Shapiro" (June 16, 1932-2011). Their union held firm over the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 51 years. Two daughters of the couple were Miriam Schwartz, MD and Catherine Shapiro, PhD. A native of Montreal, Canada, Barry was the son of Eddie and Leah Shapiro and had received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from McGill University, followed by a doctorate in organic chemistry from Harvard. He had moved to Pittsburgh in 1958 on a Mellon fellowship. Lee converted to Judaism and wed Barry in 1960. While at Carnegie-Mellon, he founded a niche newsletter for the organic chemistry community, entitled NMR Newsletter, and he continued to edit and publish it for decades until 2001. Some of the articles in that journal provided a spark for development of magnetic resonance imaging scanning technology. When he was named associate professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, they moved to Chicago. He went on to spend a year at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA and thence in 1968 to College Station, TX, where he secured a professorship at Texas A&M University. For the next 19 years at A&M, he taught sophomore organic chemistry, with a reputation for being "hard but good." Lee went back to work and became a paralegal for a family law firm in Bryan, TX. They moved to Palo Alto in 1983 and she joined the staff of a large law firm, including during the go-go-go initial public offering phase of technology businesses. She was named personal assistant for Paul Barron and eventually retired. The Shapiros spent their initial retirement years back in Palo Alto and then migrated in the early 2000s to Bellingham, WA to be near their married daughter and grandchildren.

Said the Herald, "Lee was an elegant, funny, feisty woman Audrey Hepburn, Glen Miller, gloves and smart hats, heels and pearls. She loved single malt scotch, telling a story, singing silly songs, cigarettes, cats, books, oysters on the half shell, and her dear circle of friends at El Dorado. Woe to those who tried to talk to her before her coffee! She was an erudite member of both the Congregation Beth Israel book club and the El Dorado book club." Barry also stayed active throughout the span of his years. Reported the Herald, "classical music was a passion from his early years and he especially enjoyed his time at Harvard for the many opportunities to see the Boston Symphony. In his middle age years, he was an avid stamp and philatelic cover collector. Later in life, he helped a friend, Leonard Ratner, edit and publish a scholarly work on the Beethoven Quartets. Most recently, his abiding interest was in learning Italian. He adored his cats, both past and present. But his biggest joy in life was his family, and most especially his grandchildren -- on his gloomiest days, they never failed to bring a smile to his face. classical music was a passion from his early years and he especially enjoyed his time at Harvard for the many opportunities to see the Boston Symphony. In his middle age years, he was an avid stamp and philatelic cover collector. Later in life, he helped a friend, Leonard Ratner, edit and publish a scholarly work on the Beethoven Quartets. Most recently, his abiding interest was in learning Italian. He adored his cats, both past and present. But his biggest joy in life was his family, and most especially his grandchildren -- on his gloomiest days, they never failed to bring a smile to his face." Sadly, Barry passed away in 2011. Lee endured for another baker's dozen years. In her later years, she was no longer able to drive, read or be fully independent. Toward the end, she was admitted to Whatcom County Hospice. She died on July 20, 2024. The family requested in an obituary that any memorial contributions could be made to the Whatcom Literacy Council, Planned Parenthood, Congregation Beth Israel, Whatcom Humane Society, Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, "or any organization that elevates the human condition."

• Granddaughter Miriam Shapiro, MD ( ? - ? ) wed Gregory Schwartz. They dwell in Bellingham and are the parents of Julia Schwartz and Samantha Schwartz.

• Granddaughter Catherine Shapiro, PhD ( ? - ? ) was born in Pittsburgh and spent her youth in College Station, TX. She received a double major from Rice University in political science and economics followed by a doctorate from Stanford University. Catherine later relocated to Cambridge, MA to join Harvard University and has remained for decades. She has served as resident dean of freshmen at Harvard and today as assistant dean for student support. On her official Harvard biography, she writes, "I love to read mysteries, science fiction, and comedies of manners. I love music of all sorts. I’m a terrible athlete, but a great spectator." Catherine is the mother of Robert, born in 2001.

Son Barry Dean Williams (1942-1985) was born on April 7, 1942 in Youngwood. He is known to have served in the U.S. Air Force for a year, circa 1960-1961, during the Vietnam War. Barry entered into marriage with Margaret ( ? - ? ). He relocated to the Chicago area, where he was employed as an engineer in the University of Chicago's engineering department. making a home in Riverdale, IL. Sadly, on Dec. 13, 1985, he died in Swedish Covenant Hospital. A memorial service was held in Rockefeller Hall on campus, with an obituary published in The Star.

Daughter Andrea Jean Williams, RN ( ? - ? ) is believed to have received her nursing education at Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh and then became a registered nurse. If so, she wed Charles L. Pins ( ? - ? ). Circa 1980-1996, they resided in Summerville, SC and then in 1997 in Myrtle Beach. During her early career, she was on the staff of Trident Regional Medical Center of Charleston, SC in the roles of operating room staff nurse, ambulatory care center coordinator and director of its surgery center. Then in 1996, she was pictured in the Myrtle Beach Sun-News when joining Grand Strand Regional Medical Center as director of surgical services.

Son Douglas Williams ( ? - ? ) made his homeplace in Pittsburgh in 1985.