Minerd.com Biography of Richard M. and Sarah Ellen (Minerd) Crawford of Uniontown, PA

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Sarah Ellen (Minerd) Crawford
(1870-1943)

Sarah Crawford

Sarah Ellen (Minerd) Crawford was born on Aug. 29, 1870 in Georges Township near Uniontown, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of William and Sara Elizabeth (Whoolery) Minerd.

On March 2, 1890, in nuptials held at the home of her parents near Uniontown, the 19-year-old Sarah married 22-year-old Richard M. "Dick" Crawford (1868-1929) of nearby Smithfield. The marriage license, signed by her father, shows that he gave "full and free consent to the marriage…."

News of their wedding was carried in the local newspaper, The Uniontown Genius of Liberty.

Sarah and Dick lived in Uniontown and produced three children -- Howard E. Crawford, James "William" Crawford and Mabel Irene Price.

Dick was "one of the city's oldest and best known employees," reported the Uniontown Morning Herald. "For many years 'Dick,' as he was best known to scores of citizens, was connected with the city department of public highways. He has resided for several years at 23 Grant Street."

In the fall of 1929, Dick suffered from appendicitis. He was admitted to the Uniontown Hospital for surgery, but when an abscess was found, having causes gangrene, the operation was delayed. Sadly, he died on Nov. 21, 1929, at age 61. He was laid to rest at Oak Grove Cemetery in Uniontown. At the time, he was survived by eight grandchildren.

Uniontown's Morgantown Street. Note the horse-drawn buggies.

Oak Grove Cemetery, Uniontown

In her later years, Sarah resided at 27 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in Uniontown. She was a member of the First Brethren Church.

Sarah outlived her husband by 14 years. She passed away at the age of 72 on March 25, 1943. After a funeral at the home, conducted by Dr. Francis E. Kearns of the Asbury Methodist Church, she was buried beside her husband at Oak Grove. Her obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Interestingly, the funeral arrangements were not handled by the Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home of Uniontown, founded by Sarah's cousin, but rather by the A.D. Ferguson Funeral Home.

At the time of her death, Sarah was survived by 11 grandchildren.

~ Son Howard E. Crawford ~

Son Howard E. Crawford (1902-1956) was born on June 6, 1902 in Uniontown.

He was wed twice. His first bride was Vera Frances Kail (April 4, 1905-1945), a native of Masontown, Fayette County and the daughter of Lewis and Joan (Cunningham) Kail. Their address was 27 South Mt. Vernon Street in Uniontown.

Their offspring were Elizabeth Irene Griffith, Jean Conner, Mrs. Paul Keller and Pauline Crawford.

Sadly, Vera was burdened with rheumatic heart disease and chronic kidney problems. When she suffered a heart attack at the age of 40, Vera was admitted to Uniontown Hospital where she succumbed on April 4, 1945 in Uniontown. Her remains were interred in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Her daughter Betty signed the official Pennsylvania death certificate.

Howard's second wife was Pearl E. (Miller) Howard (Jan. 30, 1910-1994), daughter of Walter and Molly (Wilson) Miller of Summerville, PA. She had been married previously to Norman Howard Sr. ( ? - ? ) and brought these children to the marriage -- Donald Howard, Janet Clingan, Martha Saluga and Norman "Champ" Howard Jr.

They lived at 35 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in Uniontown and were members of the Asbury Methodist Church.

For 38 years, he was employed at Peoples Furniture Company and by Metzler's.

Suffering from heart problems and hardening of the arteries, Howard died suddenly of a heart attack at home on Nov. 6, 1956, at the age of 54. Burial was in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Uniontown, with an obituary printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard.

Pearl survived her spouse by a number of years and moved to 43 Coolspring Street. She died in Uniontown Hospital on April 14, 1994.

Daughter Elizabeth Irene "Betty" Crawford (1923-1996) was born on Oct. 11, 1923 in Hopwood. On June 16, 1950, when she would have been age 27, she was joined in matrimony with Glenn William Griffith (1918-1988) of Confluence, Somerset County, PA, and the son of Charles Victor and Rebecca Jane (Wright) Griffith. The nuptials were held in Jumonville, near Uniontown. They produced two children -- Jennifer Holliday and Kerry Griffith. Glenn served as a sergeant in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps. He was shipped to Scotland on Sept. 24, 1942 and saw duty in the invasions of North Africa and Burma. He was discharged on Oct. 30, 1945. They made a home in Hopwood near Uniontown in 1956. Later, they relocated to Winchester, VA, with an address of 229 Glenridge Drive. Elizabeth was employed as a payroll supervisor with Kay Jewelers in Alexandria, VA. Glenn passed away at the age of 70 on Sept. 8, 1988. Burial was in Mount Comfort Cemetery in Fairfax County, VA. Elizabeth survived another eight years. She died at the age of 72 on July 27, 1996. Funeral services were held in the St. Paul's on the Hill Episcopal Church, with Rev. Michael Mohn leading the service.

Granddaughter Jennifer Griffith married (?) Holliday and lived in Winchester in 1996.

Grandson Kerry Griffith made a home in 1996 in Chesapeake Beach, MD.

Daughter Jean Gale Crawford (1925-1977) was born on June 4, 1925 in Uniontown. She was united in wedlock with Edwin "Ray" Conner (1923-1992). They produced three children -- Alan Conner, Curtis Conner and Victoria Conner. Ray was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star. By 1956, they relocated to Monterey, CA. Later, Jean moved back east and settled in Richmond, VA. At the age of 52, she passed into eternity in June 1977 in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, with burial in Westhampton Memorial Park in Tuckahoe, Henrico County. Ray surivived another 14-plus years. He died Jan. 18, 1992 at the age of 68.

Grandson Alan Conner settled in Kansas City.

Grandson Curtis Conner resided in 1977 in Kansas City.

Granddaughter Victoria Conner dwelled with her mother in Richmond, VA in 1977.

Daughter (?) Crawford married Paul Keller. The couple lived in 1956 in Washington, DC. Was she JoAnn and did she also wed (?) Bodle with a residence in Harrisonburg, VA?

Daughter Pauline "Polly" Crawford was single in 1956 and resided with her parents. She may have married (?) Mateosky and lived in Binghamton, NY in 1977-1996?.

Stepson Donald Howard dwelled in Connellsville, Fayette County.

Stepdaughter Janet Howard ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married Allen Clingan ( ? -2019). Their marriage endured for 69 years. They established a home in Canonsburg, Washington County, PA and later in Carnegie and McMurray, near Pittsburgh. The couple's children were Linda Clingan and Bruce Clingan. Allen built custom homes in the region and was a land developer. In his free time, he golfed, bowled, played cards and vacationed in Hilton Head. Allen died at the age of 90 on March 3, 2019. A memorial services was held at Center Presbyterian Church in McMurray, with interment following in Forest Lawn Gardens.

Granddaughter Linda Clingan

Grandson Bruce Clingan married Karen.

Stepdaughter Martha Howard (1931-2018) was born on Aug. 1, 1931 in Uniontown. She wedded Robert J. Saluga (Aug. 12, 1929-2018), son of Stephen and Helen (Krolik) Saluga of Lemont Furnace, Fayette County. Robert served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1956, they lived in Lemont Furnace. Martha earned income over the years through her work at Sears Roebuck in Uniontown. Sadly, Martha died on Feb. 16, 2018 and Robert joined her in death three months later on May 28, 2018.

Stepson Norman "Champ" Howard Jr. resided at home in 1956. He played baseball and softball and pitched for local teams in the 1960s and '70s. He married Eva Hice and had one known son, Norman"Champ" Howard III. Their address in the mid-1970s was 41 Coolspring Street.

~ Son James "William" Crawford ~

Son James "William" Crawford (1891-1975) was born on Jan. 25, 1891 in Uniontown.

He was twice married. His first bride was Wilda Lape (1894-1929), daughter of Ewing and Grace (Shaw) Lape. They lived at 39 Grant Street in Uniontown.

The couple were the parents of five children -- Sara Genevieve "Sally" Mahoney, Dick E. Crawford, twins James "Robert" Crawford and Jean B. Crawford, and Vivian Thomas.

Tragically, during the winter of 1929, Wilda contracted influenza which led to double pneumonia right at the time she was in childbirth with their daughter Vivian. Wilda died at the age of 35 on Jan. 16, 1929, when her baby daughter was just three days old. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery. The daughter was taken in to raise by William's childless sister Mabel Irene Price.

Later, William wedded Phoebe Crum (1907- ? ). She was 16 years younger than he.

The couple bore three more children of their own, Charles William Crawford, Ronald E. Crawford and Sandra Sohyda.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1940, he was employed as a serviceman for a furniture store in Uniontown.

At the age of 84, William died at home in Uniontown on , Aug. 9, 1975. An obituary in the Uniontown Evening Standard said that he was survived by 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His remains were interred in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.

Phoebe lived for another 23 years. She succumbed in 1998.

Daughter Sara Genevieve "Sally" Crawford (1922-1983) was born in 1922. In 1945, at the age of 23, she was employed in Uniontown with Bell Telephone Company. On Aug. 26, 1945, she married Wade Mahoney Jr. (March 18, 1920-2006), son of Wade Mahoney Sr. of McClellandtown Road. The ceremony was held at the First Brethren Church, officiated by Rev. Henry G. Rempel. Sally's photograph was printed in stories about her engagement and subsequent marriage in the Uniontown Morning Standard. The family lived in Uniontown, where Wade worked for the Mahoney Greenhouse. The couple bore at least two daughters, Yvonne Lee Becka and Diane Wallace. Their home n 1975 was at 359 Dixon Boulevard. Wade made news over the years when bagging prey during deer season. Sadly, Sally died at the age of about 60-61 in 1983. She rests in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Wade survived his wife by 23 years. He passed into eternity in Uniontown on July 29, 2006.

Granddaughter Yvonne Lee Mahoney ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she moved to Washington, DC where she was employed as a secretary and stenographer by the U.S. Air Force civilian Personnel Division. On July 10, 1965, she married Paul John Becka, son of Paul J. and Florence Becka of Grindstone. The wedding was held at St. Anthony's Church in Falls Church, VA. Paul at the time worked in electronics data processing for the Government Employees Insurance Companies and attended Benjamin Franklin University in Washington. Their first home was in an apartment in Falls Church.

Granddaughter Diane Elaine Mahoney ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She worked at the Fashion Bug in Uniontown in 1974. On Sept. 14, 1974, in nuptials held at the Whyel Chapel in Jumonville, she wedded William Donald Wallace, son of William Wallace and Betty Casserly. Dr. Earl P. Confer officiated.

Son Dick E. Crawford (1925- ? ) was born in 1925. He relocated to Manteca, Calif.

Son James "Robert" Crawford (1926-1977) was born on June 14, 1926 in Uniontown. He married Margaret Wable (Feb. 14, 1934-2015), daughter of Analda "Jack" and Ethel (Firestone) Wable of Fort Hill and Markleysburg, PA. He was the father of a family of children -- James Crawford, Robert Crawford, Marjorie Crawford, Robin Hair, Lilly Crawford, Lana Crawford and Hope Crawford. He was a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II. As an adult, he lived in Connellsville at 411 Arch Street. He was self-employed as an upholsterer and socially, he belonged to the Elks Club. At the opening of deer season in November 1976, the family worried and then grieved when Margaret's father failed to return from a hunt and was found dead near "his parked car on Brown Hill, on the Maryland side of the state line and about a mile from Markleysburg," reported the Uniontown Evening Standard. As his health failed, Robert was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. He died there on Aug. 11, 1977. Burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, with Rev. H. Wahl Pfifer officiating, and an obituary printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard. After a period of grieving, Margaret wedded again to Talmage Ervin "Pete" Carr (March 17, 1933-2005), a native of Fairchance and the son of Harold Raymond and Lillian Rae (Haines) Carr. Their marriage endured for 28 years. He brought a son to the marriage, Dwight Carr. An Army veteran of the Korean War, Pete served as an accountant with McClure & Wolfe and Oglevee Ltd. He passed away in Greater Pittsburgh Specialty Health Care in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA at the age of 72 on April 23, 2005. His remains were placed into repose in Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield, with Rev. Rory Ruder officiating. An obituary appeared in the Greensburg Tribune-Review. The twice widowed Margaret lived for another decade in the Dunbar community. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, she "dedicated her life to her family. Her love of gardening was well-known for her large vegetable garden and numerous flowers, while sharing both vegetables and bulbs with friends and family. Quilting, needlepoint, and crocheting were her pastime hobbies. Marge loved canning and making jelly. She shared her canning bounty with all family members during winter months, as she was always willing to 'help out' others in need. She was known for her pigs in a blanket at the family reunions every summer, homemade noodles every Thanksgiving and homemade ravioli every Christmas. She did find some time for rest and relaxation in her later years with beach trips to the Outer Banks, adventuring to the Grand Canyon and historic Williamsburg." The Angel of Death carried her away at Golden Living Center in Uniontown at the age of 81 on April 25, 2015. Pastor Lee Maley -- a distant cousin of the family of Lewis and Martha (Mayle) Mayle -- led the funeral service at Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church in Dunbar. An obituary said she was survived by a dozen grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Grandson James David Crawford lived in Uniontown in 1977. In 2015, he resided in Kissimmee, FL.

Grandson Robert Crawford resided with his parents in 1977. He married Lisa. They put down roots in Connellsville.

Granddaughter Marjorie Crawford moved to Midland, Beaver County, PA and was there in 1977. She was joined in marital union with (?) Helsinki ( ? - ? ) and in 2015 was in Beaver, PA.

Granddaughter Robin Crawford wedded Daniel Hair. In 1977-2005, their home was in Dunbar, Fayette County. Then by 2015, they relocated to Bradford, PA.

Granddaughter Lilly Crawford was united in matrimony with Dale Emerick. They lived in Connellsville circa 2005-2015.

Granddaughter Lana Crawford lived at home in 1977. She eventually was joined in wedlock with Edmund Hall and resided in Connellsville in 2005 and Normalville in 2015..

Granddaughter Hope Crawford lived at home in 1977. She married Wayne Hall. They dwelled in Connellsville in 2005 and in Normalville in 2015.

Daughter Jean B. Crawford (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927. She resided in Uniontown. She never married.

Daughter Vivian Crawford (1928?- ? ) was born in about 1928. She was only three days old when her mother died of influenza. She was taken into the home of her childless aunt and uncle, Mabel and William Price in Uniontown. When the aunt died in about 1933, Vivian appears to have gone back into her father's household. Vivian wedded Fred Thomas. They dwelled in Uniontown.

Son Charles William Crawford (1933-2019) was born on Jan. 27, 1933 in Uniontown. After graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he joined the U.S. Postal Service and carried mail for 38 years. Charles married Joanne Williams ( ? -living). They produced these children -- Jeffrey William Crawford and April Bain. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, Charles "belonged to Grace Brethren Church, National Association of Letter Carriers Local 520 as past president and a 50-year member, and was a charter member of the Fayette Federal Credit Union. Bill enjoyed woodworking, camping, coaching basketball and little league softball." At the age of 86, he died on May 19, 2019. Rev. Roland Maust officiated at the funeral service, with an obituary appearing in the Herald-Standard.

Grandson Jeffrey William Crawford wedded Tina. They are the parents of Logan Crawford and Colin Crawford. The family lived in Cincinnati in 2019.

Granddaughter April Crawford married Michael Bain. The children born to this marriage are Tyler Bain and Morgan Bain. In 2019, their home was in Cincinnati.

Son Ronald E. Crawford (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. He resided in Uniontown.

Daughter Sandra Crawford was joined in marriage with Edward Sohyda. The couple made a home in Uniontown.

~ Daughter Mabel Irene (Crawford) Price ~

Daughter Mabel Irene Crawford (1905-1938) was born on April 2, 1905 in the coal mine patch town of Collier, Georges Township, near Uniontown.

At the age of 16, in about 1921, she was joined in marriage with 24-year-old William J. Price ( ? - ? ).

The Prices did not reproduce but helped raise a motherless niece from infancy, Vivian Crawford.

They established a home in Uniontown, Fayette County in about 1926. When the federal census count was made in 1930, in Uniontown, William was marked as having no job.

The couple's address in the later 1930s was 12 North Gordon Street in Uniontown. William was employed as a Uniontown patrolman in 1938.

Heartache cascaded over the family when Mabel, age 33, was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix. Her health declined rapidly and she succumbed on Oct. 15, 1938. Rev. William H. Clough, of the First Brethren Church, preached her funeral sermon. Her remains were placed into repose in Oak Grove Cemetery. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, "Ill with a complication of diseases for a number of months, Mrs. Price died peacefully after waging a losing battle."