Mined.com Biography of Benjamin Franklin and Nellie (Thurston) Haney of Bridgeport, PA

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Nellie (Thurston) Haney
(1879-1954)

Nellie (Thurston) Haney was born on March 19, 1879 in Alverton near Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA, the daughter of Charles and Emma (Minerd) Thurston.

On June 23, 1897, at the age of 18, Nellie was united in holy matrimony with 23-year-old Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Haney (April 1874-1941), son of Gibson and Caroline (Firestone) Haney of Mt. Pleasant. Both of them made their homes in Bridgeport with a Stauffer post office address at the time. Rev. Andrew N. Crawford officiated.

They produced 10 children -- Mabel "Ruth" Reese, Andrew F. Haney, Rosa E. Queer, Charles "Gibson" Haney, Viola E. Jahoda, Caroline O. Haney, Homer F. Haney, Mary L. Myers, Ruby R. Zeman and Eva Evaline Haney.

The Haneys in 1900 made their home in Bridgeport, near Mount Pleasant, where Frank was employed as a day laborer. His 24-year-old unmarried sister Nannie Haney lived under their roof. Frank labored as a coal miner during the 1900s, 1910s and 1920s.

Their residence in 1919 was in Stauffer. When the federal census was taken in 1920, a number of extended family members were in the household, among them five-year-old grandson Joseph P. Beal, 88-year-old widowed aunt Mary Crofford (Crawford?) and 43-year-old unmarried sister Annie Haney.

Heartache blanketed the family in autumn 1930 when daughter Eva Evaline, just a month away from her ninth birthday, developed rheumatic fever and died on or about Nov. 20, 1930. Funeral services were held in the Bridgeport Free Methodist Church, with burial in Greenlick Cemetery. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier:

The services were in charge of Rev. L.C. Jewell, pastor of the Free Methodist Church. "Face to Face" and "Good Night" were sung by Rev. Jewell, Wilbur Fisk and Harry Leeper, the latter two, students of the Whiteside Memorial Bible School of Pittsburg. Mrs. J.O. Bishop, Mrs. Emery Jones and Mrs. Robert Hare sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "Jewels." the pallbearers were Florence Eckels, Edith Boyer, Dorothy Smitley and Anna Carlton, schoolmates of the deceased. The local school closed for the services, the pupils attending in a body.

The reservoir dam at Bridgeport near Mount Pleasant

In September 1931, Nellie and her children attended a 25th wedding anniversary reception in Mount Pleasant for her brother Alvin. The following year, in August 1932, Nellie, Frank and son Homer went to the annual Thurston reunion at the home of Nellie's sister Myrtle McVay in Mount Pleasant.

United States Census records for 1940 show that Frank at age 66 was not working, but in addition to Nellie and their unmarried daughters Caroline and Viola, had grandchildren Denver (age 8) and Iona Haney (age 2) in their dwelling.

Frank passed away at the age of 67 on Sept. 2, 1941. Suffering from diabetes, he had been blind for the last seven years of his life, and was felled by a heart attack and hardening of the arteries. The funeral was held at the Free Methodist Church at Bridgeport, conducted by Rev. Harry Rhome. Burial was in the Greenlick Cemetery. The Greensburg Daily Tribune printed an obituary stating that he was survived by a half-brother, Presley Herrington, of New Brighton, Beaver County, PA.

Nellie outlived him by 13 years, and made her home at Bridgeport. Having suffered from hardening of the arteries, she was stricken with a heart attack and died at home at the age of 74 on March 3, 1954. The Connellsville Daily Courier said she had suffered from "a lingering illness." At the time, she had 25 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

~ Daughter Mabel "Ruth" (Haney) Reese ~

Daughter Mabel "Ruth" Haney (1897- ? ) was born in Dec. 18, 1897.

On Dec. 18, 1914, the day of her 17th birthday, she was wedded to 20-year-old motorman Ralph Reese (June 26, 1894- ? ) of Yukon, Westmoreland County. Rev. F.M. Hendricks officiated at the nuptials held in Bridgeport.

The couple lived in Irwin, Westmoreland County in 1941.

Ruth was deceased by 1988.

~ Son Andrew F. Haney ~

Son Andrew F. Haney (1900- ? ) was born in February 1900.

At the age of 22, on June 20, 1922, he married Eva Jones ( ? -1973), daughter of coal miner Selby A. "Daddy" and Elizabeth (Shawley) Jones of Bridgeport.

The couple produced two sons, Donald E. Haney and Jack Haney.

They were longtime Bridgeport residents and members of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church.

In September 1949, Eva's aged father died in their home in Bridgeport, where he had been living for some time.

Suffering from heart problems, Eva underwent open heart surgery in Pittsburgh's Shady Side Hospital in 1973 but succumbed soon after, on Feb. 15, 1973. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she was survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Andrew was deceased by 1988.

Son Donald E. Haney resided in Greensburg, Westmoreland County in 1973.

Son Jack Haney made lived with his parents in 1973.

~ Daughter Rose E. (Haney) Queer ~

Daughter Rose E. Haney (1903-1979) was born in about 1903.

She married Frank Queer (1901-1993). Their known children were Nannie Fay Soles, Bessie Uram, Vernon Queer, Homer F. Queer and George Queer.

Rose, Frank and daughter Fay attended the annual Thurston family reunion at the home of Myrtle (Thurston) McVey in Mount Pleasant in August 1932.

In 1935-1940, the Queers resided in Bridgeport, East Huntington, Westmoreland County, with Frank earning a living as a glass blower in a local glass plant.

Rose died in 1979, with burial in Mount Joy Cemetery near Mount Pleasant.

Frank lived for another 14 years. He succumbed in 1993.

Daughter Nannie Fay Queer (1923-2004) was born on Jan. 10, 1923 in Mount Pleasant. She was wedded to James J. Soles ( ? - ? ). Their children were Karen Sue Soles and James Albert Soles. They lived in Bridgeport and later relocated to Akron, Summit County, OH. There, Nannie worked for Acme Stores, and they belonged to the Master Church in Akron. Sadly, Nannie endured the deaths of her husband and daughter during her lifetime. On March 3, 2004, as a patient in the Hospice Center in Fairline, OH, she died at the age of 81. Rev. Glenn Beatty led funeral services, with burial in the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Tarrs, Westmoreland County. An obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review reported that she was survived by seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Grandson James Albert Soles was in Akron in 2004.

Daughter Bessie Queer (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927. She married (?) Uram. In 2004, her home was in Acme, Westmoreland County, PA.

Son Vernon E. Queer Sr. (1928-2009) was born on Feb. 25, 1928. He was united in wedlock with Dorothy Stiltenpole ( ? - ? ). They lived in Sewickley, PA in 1954 but by 2004 were in Levittown, Bucks County, PA. Their two sons were Vernon E. Queer Jr. and Jeffrey Queer Sr. Vernon Sr. passed into eternity in or near Levittown on April 12, 2009.

Grandson Vernon E. Queer Jr. (1954-2011) was born in about 1953 in Sewickley, PA. He relocated as a child with his parents to Levittown, Bucks County and graduated from Wilson High School. He was "a gifted artist who spent many hours enjoying his craft," said the Bucks County Courier Times. "He had an appreciation for country western music, and was an admirer and follower of Billy Graham. He will be remembered as a very loving, caring, and gentle soul." Vernon died at on Jan. 6, 2011 at the age of 57 in Windsor House in Marienville, PA. His remains were placed into eternal repose in Rosedale Memorial Park.

Grandson Jeffrey Queer Sr. had a son, Jeffrey Queer Jr.

Son Homer F. Queer (1930-2009) was born on July 11, 1930 in Buckeye near Mount Pleasant. At the age of 17 in January 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the First Cavalry Division, Pacific Theater. On Feb. 9, 1948, he was joined in wedlock with Ramona Hebenthal ( ? - ? ), daughter of George L. Hebenthal of Hammondville, Westmoreland County. The ceremony was held in the parsonage of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church in Connllsville, with Rev. Meade M. Snyder officiating. News of the nuptials was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. They were the parents of Sharon F. McGary, Ronald H. Queer, Frank L. Queer, Katrina R. Perry, Julie M. Lloyd, Faith Mackey and Shawn D. Queer. They were original homeowners when the planned community of Levittown, Falls Township, Bucks County, PA opened in about 1951. They remained in Levittown for 58 years, and in 1961 lived at 49 Black Pine Lane. There, Homer was employed as a steelworker. Ramona, said the Bucks County Courier Times, "loved traveling, especially to the mountains, where she enjoyed the scenery of the different seasons." The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February 2008. Ramona died in St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, PA at the age of 83 on March 15, 2009. In an obituary, the Courier Times asked that any memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of the Delaware Valley. Homer died at the age of 78 on March 27, 2009 at St. Mary Hospital, Middletown Township, PA.

Granddaughter Sharon F. Queer married Robert McGary. They resided in Hammondville near Mount Pleasant. Robert was deceased by 2009.

Grandson Ronald H. Queer married Jean and lived in Harrison, AR.

Grandson Frank L. Queer made his home in Levittown.

Granddaughter Katrina R. Queer wedded Paul Perry. They have dwelled in Bensalem, PA.

Granddaughter Julie M. Queer was joined in matrimony with Guy Lloyd. She made her residence in 2009 in Bristol, PA and Guy in Fairless Hills.

Granddaughter Faith Queer was united in wedlock with (?) Mackey. She resided in Morrisville, PA.

Grandson Shawn D. Queer lived in Levittown.

Son George A. Queer (1938-2011) was born on Jan. 29, 1938 in Buckeye. In about 1957, when he was age 19, he was joined in holy matrimony with Shirley A. Wilson ( ? - ? ). Their marriage lasted for 54 years until death separated the union. Their offspring were Barbara J. Ciglar and Robert G. Queer. At some point, George served in the U.S. Air Force. The Queers made their home in Acme, Westmoreland County, and George was employed by Latrobe Steel, a position from which he retired. George's hobbies included fishing, gardening, hunting and woodworking as well as his membership in the Possum Hollow Gun Club. As his health declined, George was admitted to Latrobe Specialty Care, where he succumbed at the age of 73 on Aug. 1, 2011. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, with Pastor Ronald Dugan officiating, and with military rites provided by the Armbrust Veterans Association. The Greensburg Tribune-Review printed an obituary.

Granddaughter Barbara J. Queer married Richard Ciglar and resided in Norvelt, Westmoreland County.

Grandson Robert G. Queer was wed to Renee and lived in Hannastown, Westmoreland County.

~ Son Charles "Gibson" Haney Sr. ~

Son Charles "Gibson" Haney Sr. (1905- ? ) was born in about 1905.

He and Margaret K. Friedline ( ? - ? ) of Somerset, PA eloped to Cumberland, MD in July 1925, with the news reported in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

They had a son, Charles Gibson Haney Jr.

The Haneys dwelled in Southwest, Westmoreland County in 1941 and later at Jeannette, Westmoreland County. Margaret was a member of the Mount Pleasant Township Woman's Club and in 1945 served on its Conservation and Garden Committee.

Gibson was deceased by 1988.

East Main Street, Mount Pleasant, PA

~ Son Homer F. Haney ~

Son Homer F. Haney (1908- ? ) was born in about 1908.

In August 1933, Homer and Helen Connors ( ? - ? ) obtained a marriage license. Helen was the daughter of Margaret (McGregor) Connors of Mount Pleasant.

The Haney lived in Buckeye/Bridgeport in the outskirts of Mount Pleasant. Their two known daughters were Margaret Mondock and Elaine Daugherty.

In September 1952, Helen's mother died in their home.

Homer was deceased by 1988.

Daughter Margaret Haney married Bernard Mondock, son of Anna Mondock. They dwelled in Mount Pleasant, were members of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant and had these children -- Bernard R. Mondock Jr., Donna Mondock, Deborah Mondock, Barbara Mondock and Lori Jo Mondock.

Grandson Bernard R. Mondock Jr. (1960-1973) was born in 1960. He attended Southmoreland Junior High School and served as the manager of the track team, but tragically died at the age of 12 on June 3, 1973. The Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary. Rev. John A. Stofcik officiated at the funeral mass followed by interment in the cemetery of the Visitation church.

Daughter Elaine Haney wed George Daugherty. In 1974, they made their residence in Scottdale. They had two known offspring, Sandra Lynn Daugherty and Donald E. Daugherty. Sandra Lynn was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier on her first birthday in 1974, and Donald on his first birthday in June 1976.

~ Daughter Mary L. (Haney) Myers ~

Daughter Mary L. Haney (1911- ? ) was born in about 1911.

She was wedded to Ralph Myers ( ? - ? ).

The Myerses lived in Bridgeport in 1941.

Mary was deceased by 1988.

~ Daughter Caroline O. Haney ~

Daughter Caroline O. Haney (1914-1995) was born in about 1914.

When Caroline was age 18 and unmarried, in 1932, she produced a son, whom she named Denver E. Haney.

Circa 1941, at the age of 27, she remained unmarried and lived at home with her parents and son. By 1988, she had relocated to Warren, Trumbull County, OH.

Caroline died in 1995 at the age of 81.

Son Denver E. Haney (1932-2000) was born on Jan. 22, 1932 in Bridgeport. At the age of 29, in 1961, Denver married Geraldine Hendricks ( ? - ? ). The couple apparently did not reproduce. The year of their marriage, the Haneys relocated to nearby Prittstown, Fayette County, with a post office of Mount Pleasant. They attended the Wooddale Church of the Brethren. Denver died in Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg at the age of 68 on Nov. 24, 2000. Burial was in Greenlick Cemetery in Bullskin Township near Bridgeport.

~ Daughter Viola E. (Haney) Jahoda ~

Daughter Viola E. Haney (1916-2006) was born on Feb. 28, 1916 in Mount Pleasant.

At the age of 24 in 1940, unmarried, she resided under her parents' roof in Mount Pleasant.

In 1941, Viola was joined in matrimony with John Joseph Jahoda Sr. ( ? -1999) of Mount Pleasant.

The couple produced one son, John Joseph Jahoda Jr.

The Jahodas made their home in Mount Pleasant in 1988. They were members of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Christian Mothers Society and Rosary Altar Society. Viola earned income as a sewing seamstress with SP Sportswear in Mount Pleasant.

John Sr. died on Jan. 4, 1999.

Viola survived her spouse by seven years and dwelled in Clymer, Indiana County, PA. On Jan. 10, 2006, at the age of 89, she passed away in Indiana Regional Medical Center. An obituary in the Indiana Gazette said that a funeral mass was celebrated at the family church in Mount Pleasant, with Rev. Monsignor Michael W. Matusak officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Son John Joseph Jahoda Jr. married Betty Jo (?). They lived in Clymer, Indiana County and had these offspring -- Holly Rougeaux, Heather Smith and Jacalyn Matz.

Granddaughter Holly Jahoda married Jason Rougeaux and lived in Creekside, PA in 2006.

Granddaughter Heather Jahoda wed Jeffrey Smith and resided in Clymer, PA.

Granddaughter Jacalyn Jahoda was joined in matrimony with Gregory Matz and made their home in Dixonville, PA.

~ Daughter Ruby Iona (Haney) Zeman ~

Daughter Ruby Iona Haney (1918-1988) was born on April 23, 1918.

She married Otto Zeman Sr. (1910- ? ), son of Joseph and Frances (Disman) Zeman of Mount Pleasant. There was an eight-year age difference between wife and husband.

The couple had one known son, Otto Zeman Jr.

The federal census of 1940 shows the Zemans living on West Washington Street in Mount Pleasant, with Otto working as an apprentice in a glass factory. They were members of the United Methodist Church. Their address in 1988 was on Cedar Street in Mount Pleasant.

Ruby passed into eternity at the age of 69, on March 19, 1988, as a patient in Frick Community Health Ceneter.

Son Otto Zeman Jr. (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. Circa 1988, he dwelled in Hebron, OH.