What's New

Photo of the Month

Minerd.com Blog

Biographies

National Reunion

Interconnectedness

Cousin Voices

Honor Roll

In Lasting Memory

In the News

Our Mission and Values

Annual Review

Favorite Links

Contact Us

Annie and James

Anna Belle "Annie" (Trout) Hower was born in February 1872 in Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Isaac F. and Emma Jane (Minerd) Trout. 

At the age of 16, Annie lived at Scottdale, Westmoreland County, and on April 30, 1888 wedded 21-year-old James H. Hower (1866-1932), the son of Samuel and Amanda (Decker) Hower. They united themselves in marriage after first securing a marriage license in Fayette County, PA. A.J. Gilmore and William S. Howard served as witnesses.

At the time of marriage, James also was a Scottdale resident and made his living as a house painter.

The Howers together bore a brood of seven children -- Elmer F. Hower, James "Stanley" Hower, John "Calvin" Hower, Blanch Hower, Bessie Irene "Rene" Coughenour, William B. Hower and Emma Frederickson Prettyman. Sadly, little Blanche, born in 1892, died in infancy of pneumonia.

According to property deeds, he and Annie resided in Scottdale throughout the 1890s until they moved to New Stanton (Hunker) in 1900.

In 1900, when the federal census was taken, James and Annie resided in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, along with their four children, James' invalid mother and Annie's unmarried sister Dollie "Missouri" Trout. James' occupation that year was listed as painter, with the family surname misspelled as "Howard." James' primary occupation, however, was building houses.

The 1910 census shows the family in Hempfield Township, with James continuing to follow his trade as a house painter. They lived just a few doors away from Annie's brother, John Minard Trout Sr. Family deeds and penny postcards sent in the era show that the Howers continued to reside in New Stanton/Hunker until 1920, with James building dozens of homes during that time.

Annie at a Trout reunion

By about 1920, Annie had become a grandmother, and she posed for a five-generations photo seen on this page.  The 1920 census shows the family in New Stanton, Hempfield Township, with James working as a house painter, and 17-year-old daughter Emma employed as a stenographer in a local office. 

Seen at right, Annie holds an unidentified baby at a Trout family reunion.

By 1929, the family had moved to a house on Culbertson Avenue in Greensburg, Hempfield Township. The 1930 census shows that James was a laborer at odd jobs. Also residing in their home in 1930 were 19-year-old granddaughter Beatrice M. Hower, 17-year-old grandson Stanley W. Hower, and infant great-grandson James E. Marvin. Beatrice worked as a clerk in a dry goods store. 

In August 1930, Anna Belle and her mother, and aunt Bertha VanDyke, attended the annual Minerd Reunion, held at Shady Grove Park in Uniontown. They gave their names to distant cousin Laura Jane (Minerd) Williams, who later wrote a lengthy account of the event for her local newspaper back home, the Huntingdon (PA) Daily News.

James and Annie lived at the address of 226 Culbertson Avenue in Greensburg in the early 1930s, with him continuing to work as a general contractor. At the age of 65, in March 1932, James contracted a deadly case of influenza and bronchial pneumonia. He succumbed on March 16, 1932. His remains were placed into eternal repose in Hillview Cemetery. In a one-paragraph obituary, the Connellsville (PA) Daily Courier noted that "His wife and four children survive."

Annie made her home in Greensburg in 1938-1947 at the address of 603 George Street. Having had a gall stone removed in 1934, and enduring heart disease and hardening of the arteries thereafter, she died in the residence of her married daughter Emma Frederickson, on April 23, 1947, age 75. Burial also was in Hillview Cemetery. The Daily Courier said in an two-sentence obituary that "Mrs. Irene Coughenour of New Stanton is a daughter."

Many of their offspring have been active in the community and have served the public in a variety of ways.

~ Son Elmer Franklin Hower ~

Son Elmer Franklin Hower (1888-1961) was born on Dec. 14, 1888 in New Stanton, Westmoreland County. As a young man, he made a living as a house painter.

In about 1913, at the age of 24, Elmer wed Lucy Kern (Sept. 3, 1890-1915), daughter of Philip and Martha (Brown) Kern of Donora, Washington County, PA. 

They resided in Hunker, Westmoreland County and produced two children, Beatrice Gatto McElfresh Swank and Stanley Wayne Hower.

Tragedy struck the family when Lucy developed an infection after giving birth. After 25 days, also burdened with bronchial pneumonia and unable to rally, she died on March 3, 1915. Burial was in the Sewickley Baptist Cemetery in Westmoreland County.

Lucy's untimely passing left Elmer with the two young offspring to raise.

After three years as a widower, the 29-year-old Elmer married Agnes Kelly Kirkwood (1896- ? ) on Feb. 28, 1918. Her parents were Scottish immigrants.

The couple appears to have produced two sons, Clark J. Hower and David Hower.

The federal census enumeration of 1920 shows the couple dwelling in South Strabane Township, Washington County, PA, with the 30-year-old Elmer working as a residential wallpaper-hanger.

The Howers' marriage apparently did not last. Evidence hints that during the decade of the 1920s, Elmer may have been a patient in Kalamazoo Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. The reason is not yet known. In 1930, his teenage children made their home with his parents in New Stanton. 

Later, apparently having recovered from his malady, he moved back to Western Pennsylvania, making his home in Washington and Canonsburg, Washington County. 

On Nov. 5, 1938, at age 49, he wed for a third time to 42-year-old Mary Elizabeth McKenzie ( ? -1958), the daughter of John and Rebecca (McKnapp) McKenzie and a native of United, PA. At the time they married, Elmer was a painter, and Mary lived in New Stanton. They obtained their marriage license in Somerset, Somerset County, PA but tied the knot in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County.

Elmer's home in 1938 was at 41 Buena Vista in Washington and in 1940 was on Wilma Avenue in Washington.

At some point in time, Mary and perhaps Elmer also relocated to Detroit. Her daughter Lucy Boyle also dwelled there at the time. Sadly, she passed away in December 1958. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

By 1961, Elmer is known to have lived at 410 Water Dam Road in Canonsburg.

He was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and died at home at the age of 72 on Feb. 16, 1961. A one-sentence obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Burial was in Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg.

Former wife Agnes migrated to Erie, Erie County, PA where she lived in 1975 at the time of the death of her son Clark.

Beatrice Hower

Daughter Beatrice Hower (1911-1967) was born on March 11, 1911 in Donora, Washington County, PA and grew up in the community. Research suggests that, prior to marriage in 1929, she gave birth to a son, whom she named James E. Marvin. The child's father is known to have been a New York native. Circa 1930, Beatrice and her brother Stanley and her son James lived in the household of their Hower grandparents in Greensburg, and next door to her aunt and uncle, Emma and Henry Frederickson. At that time, she earned a living working as a clerk in a dry goods store. Beatrice was married at least three times. She was united in holy wedlock with her first husband, Lyman William "Mose" McElfresh (1908-1983). The three sons born to this union were Jack Lincoln McElfresh, David Lee "Mose" McElfresh and Ronald McElfresh. Her residence in the mid-1940s was in Pitcairn, Allegheny County, PA. Grief blanketed the family when, in December 1944, teenage son James began to suffering from heart valve failure and fluid buildup in the lungs, and died six months later in May 1945. After a divorce, she wedded second to (?) Gatto ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Ralph Gatto, and their home in 1958 was in Turtle Creek, 12 miles from Pittsburgh. In time, she married again to her third husband, Harold Swank ( ? - ? ). The Swanks' address in 1967 was 957 Airbrake Avenue in Turtle Creek. Sadly, suffering at age 56 from a kidney infection which led to shock, she also hemorrhaged and was admitted to Columbia Hospital in Wilkinsburg. There, she died on April 4, 1967. A death notice in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that she was the "mother of Jack, Ronald, David and Ralph" and "sister of Clark, David and Mrs. Lucy Doyle." Interment of the remains was in Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg. Former husband Lyman McElfresh dwelled in Pitcairn and died there on March 16, 1983, with a death notice appearing in the Post-Gazette, naming his sons Jack L., Ronald W. and David L. McElfresh.

• Grandson James E. Marvin (1929- ? ) -- a.k.a. James Hower McElfresh -- was born on June 8, 1929 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County. The first name of his father is unknown, but the family name was "Marvin." As a newborn, James was listed in the 1930 census as "James E. Marvin." He appears to have also used the surnames Hower and McElfresh. Evidence hints that he was adopted by a stepfather, Lyman William "Mose" McElfresh, and taken the McElfresh surname. He was diagnosed with heart valve and kidney failure, with fluid buildup of the lungs, in December 1944. After six months of suffering, he was gathered away by the Angel of Death, just three weeks before his 16th birthday, on May 17, 1945. The remains were transported to Greensburg to sleep for all time in Hillview Cemetery.

• Grandson Jack Lincoln McElfresh (1933-1990) was born on Feb. 12, 1933 in Westmoreland County, PA. He was married. His three known offspring were James R. McElfresh, Cheryl Lynn McElfresh and Jack Lincoln McElfresh Jr. He dwelled in Pitcairn, Allegheny County in 1990. He died on March 25, 1990, at the age of 57. The Pittsburgh Press published a death notice.

• Grandson David Lee "Mose" McElfresh (1943-1994) was born in about 1943. He married Mary Jane "Janie" Fedak ( ? -2018) of McKeesport and the daughter of Leo and Mary (West) Fedak/Feidak. David was the father of Michael Lynn McElfresh, Michelle Lynn McElfresh, David Lee McElfresh Jr.,William Lyman McElfresh, Lisa (?) and Rose (?). He made a home in Pitcairn. Sadly, at the age of 50, he died on Jan. 24, 1994. A death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Mary Jane married again to Donald "Les" Wertz ( ? - ? ). As a widow, Mary Jane lived in Wexford, Allegheny County, PA. She succumbed to death there at the age of 76 on Dec. 2, 2018. She was survived by three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Following funeral services in Wexford, her remains were transported to North Huntingdon to rest in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park. An obituary was printed in the Post-Gazette.

Great-grandson Michael Lynn McElfresh ( ? - ? ) was joined in marriage with Kim. They lived in Latrobe in 2006.

Great-grandson William Lyman "Bill" McElfresh (1964-2006) was born on May 2, 1964 in Braddock, Allegheny County, PA. He made his residence in McKeesport and does not appear to have reproduced. He died at home on June 25, 2006, at the age of 42. Interment was in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park in North Huntingdon, with an obituary appearing in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Great-granddaughter Michelle Lynn McElfresh was in Wexford, Allegheny County circa 2006-2018.

• Grandson Ronald W. McElfresh ( ? - ? ) resided in the mid-1990s in Pitcairn, PA.

• Grandson Ralph Gatto ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Pitcairn, PA in 1994.

Son Stanley Wayne Hower (1912-1960) was born on Nov. 1, 1912 in New Stanton. As a 17-year-old, he lived with his grandparents in New Stanton. At the age of 27, in 1940, he worked as a meat cutter in a retail grocery store in Washington, Washington County, PA. In 1940, at the age of about 28, he married Opal Romaine Day (1920- ? ), daughter of Paul H. and Romaine (Keeney) Day of Pancake, Washington County. The couple had four children. In about 1947, they established a home in Chartiers Township, Washington County. Stanley later worked as a glass plant laborer and then as a clerk. At the death of his step-mother Mary in 1958, he was named in her Daily Courier obituary. After an affliction of tumors in his neck, lungs and brain, and enduring the illness for 11 months, he died at home at the age of 47 on Aug. 30, 1960. Interment was in Washington Cemetery, and a brief obituary was printed in the Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Audrey Hower (1936- ? ) was born in 1936 in Canton Township, Washington County.

Son Clark J. Hower (1919-1975) was born on March 13, 1919 in Washington, Washington County, PA. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He relocated to Ohio in about 1952, settling in Akron, Summit County and in Portage County. Clark wedded Amelia ( ? - ? ). His children were Dwight Hower, Clark J. Hower Jr., Jean Hower and Pamela Testa. Their address in Akron was 864 Polk Avenue. He owned Leader Mold Corporation in Ravenna. Socially, he was a member of the Euclid lodge of the Masons, the Scottish Rite Valley of Canton, Tadmor Temple of Shrine and Portage Shrine Club. After suffering what the Akron Beacon Journal termed "a long illness," presumably cancer, he died in Akron at the age of 56 on Oct. 30, 1975. Funeral services were led by the Masons, with cremation following. An obituary in the Akron Beacon Journal asked that any memorial donations be made to the Cancer Fund.

• Grandson Dwight Hower lived in Arizona in 1975.

• Grandson Clark J. Hower Jr. made a home in the mid-1970s in Akron.

• Granddaughter Jean Hower dwelled in Pennsylvania.

• Granddaughter Pamela Hower married (?) Testa and resided in Akron in 1975.

Son David D. Hower (1923-2003) was born on Jan. 14, 1923. He lived for many years in Erie, Erie County, PA. David was the father of Brian Hower, Leslie Hower and Kelly Hennick. At the age of 80, David suddenly passed away in Erie on Christmas Eve 2003. He left behind 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In an Erie Times-News obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Erie Humane Society.

• Grandson Brian Hower wedded Becky and has lived in Erie.

• Grand(?) Leslie Hower resided in Erie.

• Granddaughter Kelly Hower married (?) Hennick and was in Houston, TX in 2003.

~ Son James "Stanley" Hower ~

Son James "Stanley" Hower (1890-1943) was born on May 23, 1890 in Scottdale, Westmoreland County. As a young man, he was employed as a rubber worker in Scottdale.

He married Sarah Ann "Sally" Hunker (1891-1961) on March 18, 1911, when he was age 20, and she 19. She was the daughter of John L. and Nancy Jane (Lewis) Hunker, a native of Washington, Washington County, PA, and a resident of New Stanton at the time of marriage. Rev. Joseph Osgood Glenn performed the ceremony.

They had nine children -- John L. Hower, Dr. Thomas Henry Hower, Eugene Kemp Hower, Dorothy Fern Derr, Norma June Swartz, Anna Pauline Troupe, David Kemp Hower, Sara E. Bussard and Fay Aletha Kozer. 

All of their children were baptized in connection with the family church, including four of them at home on the same day -- Nov. 3, 1926 -- by Rev. J.O. Glenn of St. Mark's Lutheran Church of New Stanton. Their records are preserved in a light-blue booklet compiled by Paul Miller Ruff, entitled St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Mechling Bookbindery), covering the years 1906-1947. Stanley's cousin John Minard Trout Sr. and family also were members of the church, as was distant cousin Richard A. McVay and his wife Wilma in the 1940s. 

Stanley was a house painter and operated his own shop in 1930. When the federal census was taken that year, he and the family made their home in New Stanton, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.

New Stanton's life as a small quiet town was forever changed in 1940 when the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened to traffic, with a major interchange in the town allowing traffic to enter or exit. The Turnpike Commission noted the following in its publicity:

The new Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Turnpike has 160 under- and overpasses. There are no intersections, traffic lights or stop signs on the super-road. There are nine “interchanges” along the route where tourists may enter or leave the Turnpike.

Suffering from diabetes and an abscess of his rectum, which causes a blood stream infection leading to heart failure, Stanley was admitted to Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. He could not regain his health and passed away at the age of 52 on April 29, 1943. The funeral was held at St. Mark's Church , followed by burial in the church cemetery. His death was recorded in the St. Mark's parish records. His remains were placed into eternal repose in Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg.

As a widow, Sarah remained in New Stanton for the nearly two decades of the balance of her life. She suffered cerebral bleeding and died at the age of 69 on April 3, 1961.

Son John L. Hower (1913-1959) was born in about 1913. As a young man, he joined St. Mark's Lutheran Church of New Stanton. John married Eleanor (1913-1962). They were the parents of Theresa Monath Rich. The Howers relocated to Newark, NJ. Sadly, John suffered a heart attack and died at home at the age of 46 on or about July 22, 1959. His remains were transported back to his hometown for burial in Hillview Cemetery, with Rev. Frederick Stueber officiating at the funeral service. An obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Eleanor survived her husband by three years and succumbed in Newark in November 1962, with her body returned to ner native home region for interment in Hillview. A short obituary appeared in the Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Theresa Marie Hower (1939-2008) was born on Nov. 20, 1939 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County. She was twice wed. Her first husband was John Monath ( ? - ? ). They made their residence in Belleville, NJ. They produced five children -- John Monath Jr., Donna Szell, Doreen Ratliff, Dawn Monath and Dora Marie H. Monath. The couple eventually divorced. Theresa earned income as a bus driver for Mount Olive Township Board of Education in Budd Lake, NJ. On Sept. 26, 1987, at the age of 58, she married a second time to Richard Rich ( ? - ? ). The wedding took place in Flanders, NJ. He had been married once before and brought four children to his union with Theresa -- Richard Rich Jr., Lisa Lippai, Doreen Elms and Tammy Hicks. The couple left Budd Lake and moved to Port St. Lucie, FL, where they spent the final dozen years of their lives together and were active in several clubs. Heartache enveloped the family when daughter Dora, age 37, died in Tampa on April 15, 2000, with burial in Stanhope Cemetery in New Jersey. Sadly, Theresa died in St. Lucie Hospice House at age 68 on Feb. 17, 2008. Her body was returned to New Jersey for burial. An obituary noted that she was survived by 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Son Thomas Henry Hower (1918-1984) was born on May 6, 1918, and was confirmed in the family's church, St. Mark's Lutheran Church of New Stanton. He graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic, and underwent additional post-graduate education at St. Vincent College and Lincoln Chiropratic College. He entered into practice with his uncle, Dr. D.K. Hunker and they were partners for 10 years, until 1947. He was married twice, first to Maxine Eberly ( ? - ? ), on Dec. 7, 1938, in a ceremony held at the church parsonage. They had two sons, Dr. Thomas A. Hower and Dr. Robert D. Hower. The family resided at 320 South Main Street in Greensburg. In addition to his practice as a chiropractor, Thomas was an active member of the Masons, Rotary Club of Greensburg, Elks and Greensburg Country Club, and served as the team physician for the local high school athletic teams. He also was involved with the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce, was president and treasurer of the Westmoreland County Chiropractice Association, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Drugless Physicians and International Chiropractors Association. In 1961, when the book The Greater Greensburg Profile was published, Thomas was pictured, as was his building in Greensburg, with profiles about him and the practice were printed in the volume. Later, on Jan. 9, 1982, Thomas married Evelyn Elizabeth (Wolfe) George (1915-2001), widow of Alva W. George, and she brought two adult children from a previous marriage -- A. Robert George and Barry L. George. Said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, Evelyn "was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Youngwood, and retired from Joe Workman's Dept. Store, Irwin. She was a member of the Senior Serenaders of the McKenna Center, and member and former officer of the Degree of Honor, Irwin Chapter." Thomas passed away in 1984, at the age of 66. Evelyn outlived him by 17 years. She died in Latrobe Hospital at the age of 86 on Dec. 9, 2001. Following a funeral at Christ United Methodist Church in Youngwood, her remains were interred in Union Cemetery in Greensburg.

• Grandson Dr. Thomas A. Hower (1940-2020) was born on July 9, 1940 in Greensburg. On June 9, 1962, when he was age 22, he was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Jannette Beck (Nov. 20, 1942-2012), a native of Davenport, IA and the daughter of Charles and Betty (Stirkrod) Beck. Their marital union endured for 50 years. They were the parents of Elizabeth Hower, Charles "Chuckie" Hower, Rebecka Hutchinson and Ida Williams. He received a bachelor's degree at Thiel College. Following his father's footsteps with a career in medicine, he then obtained a degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1962. He joined the family practice, and remained for nearly six decades. Active in the community, he served from 1970 to 1972 as president of the Westmoreland County Chiropractic Assocation and was a 50-year member of the Rotary Club of Greensburg, where he was a three time Paul Harris Fellow and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2001. He was especially committed to ARC, an association serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and sponsored its fishing derby for three decades, receiving the organization's Community Service Group of the Year Award in 2001. His memberships also included the Masons and Syria Shrine. For more than a decade, Jannette owned the Needlenook of Kinderhook Quilting store in Greensburg. Thomas was profiled in the Tribune-Review in June 2008 for opening their farm in Unity, Westmoreland County, one day a year, to allow mentally challenged children and adults to fish. Jannette provided care and advocacy for their disabled son Charles. Despite Jannette being stricken with cancer, the Howers celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in June 2012. Sadly, she passed away less than a month later on the Fourth of July 2012. Her memorial service was held in the Murrysville Alliance Church, with an obituary appearing in the Penn Trafford Star. Thomas outlived his wife by eight years. He succumbed to the Angel of Death on July 14, 2020, a few days after reaching his 80th birthday.

Great-granddaughter Elizabeth Hower married (?) Bradley. The couple produced two children, Nicole Bradley and Nathaniel Bradley. Their home in 2012 was in Greensburg.

Great-grandson Charles "Chuckie" Hower has spent most of his life as a resident of the Merakey Allegheny Valley School in Coraopolis, a facility in the region serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Great-granddaughter Dr. Rebecka Hower wedded Michael Hutchinson. They have dwelled in Greensburg.

Great-granddaughter Ida Hower was joined in matrimony with T.L. Williams. Circa 2012, they lived in Burgettstown, Washington County, PA.

• Grandson Dr. Robert D. Hower resided in Natrona Heights, near Pittsburgh. He is believed to have had a son John Hower, married to Erica.

T.H. Hower Chiropractic office, Greensburg, corner of Main and Fourth Streets	Greater Greensburg Profile, 1961

Son Eugene Kemp Hower (1919-1966) was born on March 31, 1919 in New Stanton. At the age of seven, in 1926, he was baptized by Rev. J.O. Glenn of the St. Mark's Church. At age 16, in July 1935, he joined the church by confession of faith. During World War II, he served as a tech sergeant with the 501st AAA Gun Battalion. On Oct. 5, 1947, at the age of 28, Eugene was wedded to Adeline E. Bassani (May 3, 1914-2000), daughter of Carl and Louise Bassani of Greensburg. The Howers bore two known sons, James Carl Hower and William Kemp Hower. They dwelled in the outskirts of Greensburg, where he was employed as an assembler. They were members of the First Reformed United Church of Christ of Greensburg, and she belonged to the Order of Eastern Star. Burdened with hardening of the arteries and a buildup of uric acid in his bloodstream, Eugene died in Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg at the age of 46 on Feb. 9, 1966. Burial was in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. Adeline lived for another 34 years after her husband's passing and remained in Greensburg. She endured a horrific series of events in 1983 when her son attempted suicide, was hospitalized in a local mental health institution, only to kill himself while on a supervised outing. She filed a complaint against the state Department of Public Welfare, and in 1988 received a settlement totaling $175,000 in damages. The amount was to be paid via a 12-year annuity, meaning the amount she received eachyear was $56,000, or $206.000 in all. She died in Westmoreland Regional Hospital at the age of 86 on Nov. 18, 2000.

• Grandson James Carl Hower (1951-2022) was born on May 5, 1951. He was a graduate of Hempfield Area High School and then received degrees from California University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University. He entered into marriage with Donna Jean Murphy ( ? - ? ). Their two sons were Jimi Hower and Patrick Hower. The family dwelled in Butler, Butler County, PA, where Eugene pursued a career as an educator. Said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, James "taught wood shop, photography, graphic arts and drafting at Butler High School. After retirement he continued to substitute across Butler County. Jim took pride in breeding, training, showing, and raising English Sheep Dogs and English setters, winning several awards at dog shows [and] had fun naming his dogs after his favorite rock bands. Jim was truly a remarkable person, one of a kind, a legend, and somebody you wouldn't forget [who] mastered the art of small talk, storytelling, and telling bad jokes that he would always be the first to laugh at." The couple marked their golden wedding anniversary circa 2021. Sadly, at the age of 70, James died at home on Jan. 23, 2022. An obituary appeared in the Post-Gazette.

• William Kemp Hower Courtesy Chip Frederickson

  Grandson William Kemp Hower (1954-1983) was born on Oct. 25, 1954. He does not appear to have married during his 29 years of life. He was smart and held a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University and a master's from Carnegie Mellon University. In about 1981, after an automobile accident, he began to demonstrate signs of depression and mental illness. He is known to have attempted suicide in September 1983 but survived. After that, his mother saw that he presented a clear and present danger of harming himself. So on Nov. 21, 1983 he voluntarily was admitted to Torrance State Mental Health Hospital in Derry Township, Westmoreland County. He completed a 30-day treatment plan review, and the next day, Dec. 22, 1983, went on a supervised shopping trip with several other patients and two hospital chaperones. One of their stops was an automotive and sporting goods store in the Latrobe Shopping Center. William asked a clerk to see a particular shotgun. When the weapon was handed over, William inserted a shell from his pocket, placed the barrel to his head and pulled the trigger. Death was instantaneous. An official with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare said it had been "an extraordinary and tragic incident." The sensational news was published in newspapers coast to coast, among them in Miami, Detroit and San Francisco. The hospital launched an investigation, led by superintendent Dr. Raymond E. Bullard, and after five weeks concluded with a a determination that the hospital had shown no negligence. The source of the shotgun shell was never found. Later that year, on Nov. 15, 1984, William's mother filed a legal complaint in county court against the Public Welfare department and the hospital, and eventually received a six-figure settlement.

• Grandson Robert Derr lived in the late 1990s in Madison, Westmoreland County and in 2015 in Darragh.

• Grandson David Derr married Sharon. They resided in Madison, Westmoreland County in 1998.

• Granddaughter Dorothy A. "Dotty" Derr (1944-2015) was born on Aug. 30, 1944 in Greensburg. She married (?) Cook. The couple had three sons -- Brian Cook, Timothy Cook and Dean Cook. She made her home in Madison, Westmoreland County. During her working career, she served in patient accounting for Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. She also was tax collector for Madison Borough for many years. She loved to knit, and a relative once wrote that "If Dotty was sitting, Dotty was knitting." Active in the community, she was a member of the Downtown United Methodist church of Madison, the East Pittsburgh Knitting Guild, the Laurel Highlands Knitting Guild, Sewickley Over 50 Alumni and Rough Riders Saddle Club. Dorothy passed away at the age of 71 on Oct. 8, 2015. Interment was in Madison Union Cemetery, with Rev. Robert Green leading the funeral service. An obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review noted that she was survived by eight grandchildren.

Daughter Norma June Hower (1924-1993) was born on Aug. 19, 1924 in New Stanton. At age two, she was baptized by the family's pastor, Rev. J.O. Glenn. On July 18, 1948, she was united in holy wedlock with Donald F. Swartz (April 30, 1918-1987). They had one son, Edward T. Swartz. Norma was active in the local community. Said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, she "was an elected member of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee and for many years served as the Democratic committeewoman for New Stanton Borough ... She was a member and past president of the former New Stanton Volunteer Firemen's Ladies Auxiliary. She was an estate appraiser and worked at Home Tag Sales." Donald died in December 1987. Norma lived for another six years as a widow. Sadly, she suffered the agony of the death of her son in May 1989. Norma passed away at age 68, in Westmoreland Memorial Hospital, on March 23, 1993. She was laid to rest in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

• Grandson Edward T. Swartz Sr. (1957-1989) was born on Jan. 31, 1957. He married Brenda ( ? - ? ). Their two children were Edward T. Swartz Jr. and Lindsey D. Swartz. The Swartzes made their residence in Hunker. Sadly, Edward Sr. died at the age of 32 on May 11, 1989.

St. Mark's records

Daughter Anna Pauline Hower (1926-2000) was born on Nov. 3, 1926 in New Stanton. She was baptized as an infant on Nov. 3, 1926, by Rev. J.O. Glenn. She married (?) Troupe. They resided in New Stanton and had two children -- Norman Troupe and Janice Keifer. Anna was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and was a member of its choir. Said the Tribune-Review, was "a member of the Robertshaw Controls Retirees Association, the Youngwood Railroad Historical Society, the Lobauch Literary Council and the Sewickley Watershed Association. Prior to retirement, she was employed as a secretary by the Robertshaw Controls of New Stanton, and later by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 26th Legislative District office." She was admtited to Westmoreland Regional Hospital where she died at the age of 73 on Sept. 7, 2000. Funeral services were held in her church, officiated by Rev. A.J. Domines assisted by Rev. Elaine Hower. Her remains were lowered into the earth at Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg, and an obituary published in the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

• Grandson Norman Troupe married Lisa and dwelled in Greensburg. They are the parents of Ryan Troupe, Megan Troupe and Jared Troupe.

• Granddaughter Janice Troup wedded Richard Keifer. In 2000, they lived in Apopka, FL.

Son David Kemp Hower (1928-2011) was born on Dec. 19, 1928 in New Stanton. He was baptized by the St. Mark's Church pastor, Rev. J.O. Glenn. At the age of 18, David married Nancy J. Lawson (1925-2012) on May 24, 1946. They had four children -- Rebecca Jo Brush, Brenda J. Betker, David O. Hower and Peggy L. Painter. Early in his working life, he earned an income as a coal miner and mechanic with Jamison Coal and Delmont Fuel. Later, he was a truck driver with National Hydraulics in Scottdale. He was a member of the Scottdale Elks lodge, Hempfield Hunt Club and St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Scottdale. Nancy served as an election worker in White's Precinct of East Huntington Township, and was an apprentice photographer for the Mount Pleasant Journal. She also enjoyed making candy and baking treats. In all, David and Nancy were married for 65 years and lived in Scottdale (East Huntington Township). He died at home on June 20, 2011, at the age of 82. Following a funeral serviced led by Rev. Matthew Stabe, burial was in Green Ridge Memorial Park near Connellsville. Nancy outlived her husband by almost nine months. She passed away at the age of 86 on April 11, 2012.

• Granddaughter Rebecca Jo Hower married Frank Brush. Their home in 2011 was in Scottdale, PA.

• Granddaughter Brenda J. Hower wedded (?) Betker. She resided in Arona, Westmoreland County in 2011.

• Grandson David O. Hower wedded Cindy and made Scottdale their place of residence.

• Granddaughter Peggy L. Hower was joined in matrimony with (?) Painter. She dwelled in 2011 in Okeechobee, FL.

Daughter Sara Elizabeth Hower (1932-2014) was born on June 14, 1932, and was baptized at church as she neared her third birthday on April 14, 1935. She married Wilbur Charles Bussard (July 8, 1932-2017) on Oct. 26, 1951. He was a native of Arona, Westmoreland County and the son of John W. and Mary E. (Miller) Bussard. They resided in New Stanton, and had three children -- John S. Bussard, Wilbur Bussard and Marlene Muchoney. Wilbur served as the Mayor of New Stanton Borough, and was a longtime member of Borough Council. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2001, with a blessing service at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and a surprise champagne brunch held at the Lamplighter Restaurant in nearby Delmont. In May 2007, he won the Democratic primary for reelection to council. Sara passed away on Aug. 8, 2014, with interment in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. Wilbur survived his wife by nearly three years. He joined her in death on May 4, 2017.

• Grandson John S. Bussard (1955-1999) was born on July 24, 1955 in Mount Pleasant, John married Renee Lilliock ( ? - ? ). They had no children. John was an Army veteran and self-employed excavator. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Scottdale and St. Mark Lutheran Church. Sadly, he died on June 6, 1999 at the age of 43, with interment in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

• Grandson Wilbur Bussard wedded Carla. They are the parents of Nicholas Bussard and Amber Bussard. Their home in 1999 was in Ruffsdale, Westmoreland County.

• Granddaughter Marlene Bussard was joined in wedlock with David Muchoney. The couple produced two sons, David Muchoney and Mark Muchoney. In 1999, they dwelled in Greensburg.

Daughter Fay Aletha Hower (1936- ? ) was born on June 18, 1936. She was baptized at home on May 5, 1941. At the age of about 27, on Nov. 9, 1963, she married Frederick A. "Fred" Kozer ( ? - ? ), son of Jean D. Kozer and stepson of George W. Gilpin. They made their home in Hunker in 2000.

~ Son John "Calvin" Hower ~

Son John "Calvin" Hower (1894-1986) was born on Feb. 4, 1894 in Scottdale, Fayette County, PA.

He was tall and of medium build as an adult, with brown eyes and brown hair.

At the age of 19, circa 1913, he was married to 15-year-old Hazel M. Coughenour (1898-1969), daughter of George Bigham Coughenour, also spelled "Couchenour."

Their four daughters were Lucetta Belle Eckenrode, Hilda Baptiste, Emma Florence "Babe" Barron and Charlotte M. Hower.

Calvin was required to register for the military draft during World War I. In doing so, he disclosed that his occupation was "car repairer" for the Pennsylvania Railroad at nearby Youngwood.

They resided circa 1920 in Hempfield Township near Greensburg, where Calvin earned a living making coal mine repairs.

Sadly, after the birth of their youngest daughter Charlotte in 1925, the marriage fell apart. Hazel took Charlotte away from the home and went to live on the farm of her aged grandfather George B. Coughenour in Hempfield Township. They are shown there in the 1930 census, with the census-taker marking Hazel's marital status as "D" -- divorced. Hazel eventually married a second time to Harry L. Bollinger (1894-1978). The Bollingers made a home in Yukon and bore two sons, George E. Bollinger (1935-2008) and Earl Bollinger.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, Calvin and his three daughters lived on Broad Street in in South Greensburg. His occupation was marked as automobile salesman. Also living in their home were housekeeper Lilian M. Hamilton and her sons Tommy and Robert.

At some point in time, likely in the late 1930s or 1940s, Calvin was employed as superintendent for the Krebay Construction Company, headquartered in Indianapolis. He made newes in the New Castle (IN) Courier Times while there overseeing a construction project to expand the local American Legion Home. Reported the Courier Times, his team achieved "a concrete pouring feat" when "4000 square feet of concrete floor, four inches deep was poured in one day despite sub-zero temperatures. The 25 workmen engaged on the job were fed from the Legion kitchens." The story was reprinted in a Greensburg newspaper.

Calvin's whereabouts in 1940 are not yet known.

At the age of 50, on Oct. 14, 1944, Calvin wedded again to Alice Catherine (Johnston) Topper ( ? - ? ). Their nuptials were held in Terre Haute, IN.

Research is underway to determine if Calvin married for a third time, on Aug. 10, 1959, to Ethel I. Hart ( ? - ? ).

Calvin spent his final years in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. He succumbed in December 1986, with burial in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Daughter Lucetta Belle Hower (1916-1990) was born on Oct. 12, 1916 in New Stanton. She is believed to have wedded at the age of 25 to Kenneth M. Eckenrode (June 18, 1907-1982), with the nuptials taking place on June 18, 1941. They were the parents of Lee A. Eckenrode and Gary William Eckenrode. Kenneth died in March 1982. Lucetta passed away eight years later in Greensburg on Jan. 22, 1990. They rest together in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

• Grandson Gary William Eckenrode (1948-1997) was born on June 3, 1948 in Greensburg. At the age of 19, he was a soldier with the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. On May 4, 1968, he was united in marriage with 18-year-old Linda Jean Gilbert ( ? - ? ), a New Kensington native and the daughter of Claude J. and Lorena M. (Clark) Gilbert. Rev. Hugh Busey, of the Manassas Baptist Church, officiated. At the time, she was residing in Manassas, VA. He passed into eternity on June 9, 1997, with burial in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

• Grandson Lee A. Eckenrode (1949-1990) was born in 1949. He was married. Sadly, Lee died in 1990 at the age of about 41. He rests in eternal sleep in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

Daughter Hilda M. Hower (1918-1973) was born on July 25, 1919 in New Stanton, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County. She is believed t have been married twice. One of her spouses was J.D. Campbell (1910- ? ). Later, she was joined in wedlock with Albert Baptiste ( ? - ? ). He had been married before and brought two sons to the second union -- Alan Baptiste and Dennis Baptiste. Hilda belonged to the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Trauger and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lions Club in Greensburg. For many years, the couple dwelled in Bermuda. Then, circa 1966, the Baptistes relocated to Greensburg. Their address in the 1970s was at 340 Stark Avenue. In her final years, Hilda suffered a lengthy illness. She died at the age of 54 on Oct. 15, 1983. An obituary was printed in the Latrobe (PA) Bulletin. Funeral services were held in the family church, with Hilda's first cousin Rev. Charles H. Frederickson officiating. Interment of the remains was in St. Clair Cemetery. The stepsons made a home in The Bronx, NY in 1973.

Daughter Emma "Florence" Hower (1922-1962) -- nicknamed "Babe" -- was born on March 19, 1922 in Hunker, Westmoreland County. She married Paul Stewart "Pete" Barron ( ? -1978), son of David Barron of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. The nuptials took place in October 1939. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "The ceremony took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frederickson of Greensburg, uncle and aunt of the bride, with Dr. L.D. Spaugy, pastor of the Methodist Church of Greensburg, officiating. Wedding music was played by Miss Eliza Rial who also sang two selections, 'I love You Truly' and 'O, Promise Me'." The nuptials took place "before and improvised altar of ferns, palms and autumn flowers." They had five children -- Paul C. Barron, Sandra Hamm, David J. Barron, Linda S. Harshman and Linda Barron. They resided in the Mount Pleasant area. Sadly, burdened with a hernia and uterus issues, Florence underwent a hysterectomy at Westmoreland Hospital. But a post-operative infection set in, and she died at the age of 39 on Jan. 29, 1962. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in Green Ridge Memorial Park north of Connellsville. The family was saddened in 1970 at the death of Emma and Paul's daughter Linda Harshman, who was one of three killed in a horrific automobile accident in Oaks, PA. Paul remarried again to Dorothy (Exline) Pritts (March 6, 1920-2001), daughter of Edgar and Bessie (Kelp) Exline of Mount Pleasant. She had been married before and brought these offspring to the union with Paul -- Ronald L. Pritts, James E. Pritts and Barry L. Pritts. She was employed by Lenox Crystal in Mount Pleasant and as a credit manager with Montgomery Ward. She also was a historian of the famed Frank Lloyd Wright house Fallingwater and is said to have been recognized for her "X" signature by Ripley's Believe It or Not. Paul succumbed in 1978. Dorothy outlived him by 21 years. She died at age 81 on Nov. 12, 2001 in the residence of her son Ronald Pritts in Andover, MA. Her remains were transported back to her old hometown for interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, with Rev. Charles W. Yost leading the funeral service. An obituary for Dorothy appeared in the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

• Grandson Paul C. "Pete" Barron (1943-2011) was born on March 11, 1943 in Mount Pleasant. He was married twice, and with his first wife had one son, Paul W. Barron Jr. His second wife was Ruth Ann Gray ( ? -2011). They dwelled in Mount Pleasant. Pete was employed at Robertshaw in New Stanton and with International Paper. He then went to work for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as an equipment operator. He was a member of Laurel Ridge Sportsmen's Club, Mount Joy Church of the Brethren and the Mount Pleasant Firemen's Club, where he enjoyed bartending. Ruth was an accountant and worked as a bookkeeper for businesses in the Mount Pleasant area. She also was a talented cook and baker and captured a number of blue ribbons in local fairs and events. Sadly, Ruth and Pete died about six weeks apart in 2011 -- Ruth on Nov. 19, 2011 and Pete on Christmas Eve 2011 in Harmon House, Mount Pleasant. Their obituaries were published in the Greensburg Tribune-Review. They rest for eternity in Mt. Joy Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Sandra L. Barron wed John "Jack" Hamm. The Hamms dwelled in Mount Pleasant in 1970 -- in Champion, Fayette County in 2001 -- and Normalville, Fayette County in 2019.

• Granddaughter Linda Sue Barron (1948-1970) was born on April 26, 1948 in Mount Pleasant. As a young age, she joined the Mount Joy Church of the Brethren. Linda Sue wedded Robert Harshman ( ? - ? ). The couple lived in Mount Pleasant and then circa 1969 relocated temporarily to Norristown, PA. Tragically, at the age of 21, Linda Sue went riding and drinking with several soldiers in a small foreign-made sportscar in the wee hours of the morning on March 7, 1970. At 4 a.m., the automobile lost control and struck the side of Perkiomen Creek Bridge on Egypt Road before returning to the road and smashing into a telephone pole. The incident took place near Oaks, Upper Providence Township. Trapped inside the wreckage, she was removed and rushed to Phoenixville Hospital, where she died on arrival. Police reported the cause as "excessive speed" and drinking, said the Pottstown (PA) Mercury.

• Grandson David J. "D.J." Barron (1958-2019) was born on May 14, 1958 in Mount Pleasant. He received an undergraduate degree from Penn State University. For 33 years, he was employed by ETC Environmental Technology Corporation in Madison, OH. He eventually became a partner in the firm and held the position of vice president. On Nov. 23, 1990, in nuptials held in Acme, Westmoreland County, he was wedded to Deborah "Debi" Stillman ( ? - ? ). The pair bore three children -- Alissa J. Overly, Jason D. Summy and Megan L. Bartic. The same year as their marriage, the Barrons relocated to Jefferson, OH and remained for good. A man of many interests, David liked to raise pets, fish, trap, ride motorcycles, raise a garden and explore with metal detectors. The Angel of Death carried away David at the age of 60 on Jan. 9, 2019. An obituary was published in the Akron Star Beacon.

Great-granddaughter Alissa J. Barron wedded Randy Overly. They live in Norvelt, Westmoreland County.

Great-grandson Jason Summy married Brianne. They dwell in Greensburg.

Great-granddaughter Megan L. Barron was joined in wedlock with John Bartic. They established a home in Conneaut Lake, PA.

Daughter Charlotte Marie "Sis" Hower (1924-2006) was born on Aug. 3, 1924 in New Stanton, Hempfield Township. Sadly, her parents divorced when she was very young, and she went with her mother to live in the home of a widowed grandfather, farmer George E. Coughenour. When her mother later remarried Charlotte became the step-daughter of Harry Bollinger. At one point she made a home in Herminie, Westmoreland County. Charlotte wedded Thomas Lord ( ? -1985). They produced three offspring, Robert Lord, George Thomas Lord Sr. and Donna L. Lord. Sadness blanketed the family when Thomas passed away in 1985. She died in Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Township, on July 8, 2006. Her remains were laid to rest in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. The Greensburg Tribune-Review published an obituary, which did not name her father but rather her mother, "Hazel Coughenour Bollinger."

• Grandson Robert Lord ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2006.

• Granddaughter Donna L. Lord ( ? - ? ) moved to Rehoboth Beach, DE.

• Grandson George Thomas Lord Sr. ( ? - ? ) wedded Sandra. They resided in Irwin, Westmoreland County and were the parents of George Thomas Lord Jr.

~ Daughter Bessie "Irene" (Hower) Coughenour ~

Daughter Bessie "Irene" (or "Rene") Hower (1897-1991) was born on Sept. 18, 1896 in Hempfield Township. 

On Oct. 28, 1914, when she was age 17, Irene married 26-year-old farmer Don Erwin Coughenour (1889- ? ) of Hempfield Township. Rev. S.W. McCorkle performed the nuptials in East McKeesport, near Pittsburgh. Don was the son of George B. Coughenour.

They had four children -- Donald H. Coughenour, Walter R. Coughenour, George E. Coughenour and Ruth Ann Washabaugh. During the 1930s, they also took in foster daughters Martha Keffer, Jane Friedline and Janet Glasgow.

They resided in New Stanton in 1930, in Hempfield Township in 1940 and later in Youngwood at 8 South Fifth Street. Rene was employed for  many years as a licensed practical nurse, and Don worked as an automobile mechanic (1930) and farmer (1940)..

Irene died at the age of 94 on Sept. 15, 1991, in Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. Her funeral was conducted by her nephew Rev. Charles H. Frederickson. She was laid to rest in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. At her death, said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, she was survived by 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Don's fate will be added here once learned.

Son Donald H. Coughenour (1915-1976) was born on Aug. 23, 1915 in Hempfield Township. He married Sara E. Barron (Sept. 30, 1919-2016). They resided in the outskirts of Mount Pleasant and had five children -- Donald R. Coughenour, Rebecca Domenico, Irene Yothers Kirsch, Sally Stout and Donna Lubovinsky Allen. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army. Donald worked at Westinghouse Electric Company in Youngwood, and belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). An outdoorsman who loved animals, he was a member of the American Kennel Club, Arabian Horse Registry, Farmer Sportsman Association of Duncansville and the Woodmen of the World. Sara worked for a time for the old W.T. Grant Company. She enjoyed crocheting and gardening. Donald died at home at the age of 61 on Aug. 30, 1976, and his obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Sara outlived Donald by a remarkable four decades. She relocated to Orangeburg, SC, where she passed into eternity at age 97 on Oct. 23, 2016. Her remains were brought back to Fayette County for burial in Green Ridge Memorial Park, with Rev. Roy Dail, of the Greensburg Alliance Church, preaching the funeral sermon. The Greensburg Tribune-Review printed an obituary, which reported that her survivors included nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

• Granddaughter Rebecca Coughenour married Paschel "Pat" Domenico. They are the parents of Patricia Bradley and Ann Domenico (born 1970). The family made their home in North Charleston, SC in 2016.

• Granddaughter Irene Coughenour wedded Oran Yothers. Later, she was joined in marriage with Terry Kirsch. The Kirsches lived in 2016 in the Villages, FL.

• Grandson Donald R. Coughenour was united in matrimony with Karen. In 2016, their residence was in Cordova, SC.

• Granddaughter Sally Coughenour ( ? -1989) wed (?) Stout. She married again to (?) Muko. Sadly, she died in 1989.

• Granddaughter Donna Coughenour married William Lubovinsky. Her second husband was David Allen. They dwelled in Greensburg in 2016.

Daughter Ruth Ann Coughenour (1918-2007) was born on June 27, 1918 in New Stanton. She married Harry Albert Washabaugh (1919-1999). They had one daughter, Donna Irene Hillis, and resided in the vicinity of Latrobe. Ruth worked for two decades for Westinghouse Electric Company in Youngwood, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Youngwood Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 and Word of Life Ministries of Greensburg. Harry passed away at the age of 80 on Dec. 9, 1999. Ruth Ann outlived him by 18 years. She died in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg on June 22, 2007, at the age of 88. Burial was in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, following a funeral led by Rev. Henry Tuliecio.

Son Walter R. Coughenour (1920- ? ) was born in about 1920 in Westmoreland County. He made his home in 1976 in Barker, NY. He was deceased by 2007 -- is it possible he is the same man of that name who died on April 4, 1988?

Son George E. Coughenour (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927. He is believed to have been united in wedlock with Lindy ( ? ). George lived in Duncansville, PA in 1976 and in Hollidaysburg, PA circa 1991-2007. Lindy was deceased by 2000.

Foster daughter Martha Keffer (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924. By 1935, she was in the Coughenour household.

Foster daughter Jane Friedline (1928- ? ) was born in about 1928. She was brought into the Coughenour home by 1935.

Foster daughter Janet Glasgow (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938.

~ Son William Bair Hower ~

Son William Bair Hower (1900-1918) was born on July 7, 1900.

He resided at the age of 18 in Youngwood, Westmoreland County, in 1918, and was employed there as a fireman with the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Tragically, he contracted a deadly case of typhoid fever in later September 1918. When influenza infected his body, there was no hope. He succumbed to the illnesses on Oct. 25, 1918. Burial of the remains was in Hillis Cemetery in Greensburg.

~ Daughter Emma Kate (Hower) Frederickson Prettiman ~

Daughter Emma Kate Hower (1903-1990) was born on June 16, 1903. 

As a young woman, she was employed as an office stenographer in 1920, prior to marriage. In 1921, when she was about age 18, Emma wed Henry Coulter Frederickson (1898-1972). Henry was the son of Swedish immigrants Charles (1858-1923) and Mary (1865-1939) Frederickson. The father had arrived in America in 1881 and the mother in 1885.

They had three children -- Rev. Charles H. "Chuck" Frederickson, Emma "Irene" Saxton and Jane Kuhns.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1930, Emma and Henry made their home in Greensburg, living next to her parents in the Culbertson Extension. Henry was employed that year as an electrician for a railroad company. During the hard economic climate of the Great Depression of the 1930s, he took a job as a grocer in the store of his brother Theodore Edwin "Spic" Frederickson on Westmoreland Avenue. He also was a volunteer firefighter at Hose House No. 7. In 1940, after the death of Henry's mother Mary, Henry and Emma bought his brother's shares in the Frederickson family home and moved to 603 George Street where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Title page, Emma Kate's interview with a grandson

Henry served as an alderman in Greensburg for more than three decades, from about 1946 to 1971, a type of justice of the peace, adjudicating many cases involving small crimes. His name frequently was printed in local newspapers in connection with his rulings.

Sadly, Henry died on Feb. 1, 1972 at the age of 73, terminating a marriage that had lasted about half a century.

After Henry’s death, in about November of 1975 Emma married Sherman Prettiman (1903 - 1980). They were married almost five years when Sherman died. Sherman is buried at Unity Cemetery in Latrobe next to his first wife Margaret (1906 - 1974). Her home circa 1988 was at 603 George Street.

Interested in family history, Emma's grandson Donald E. Kuhns Jr. interviewed her in the living room of her home and typed a transcript. He wrote: "I copied every word that she said and put it into this book; Therefore, it may be a little difficult to understand unless one understands that this is in conversation form and not a summarized story. I also miss-spelled some of the words so as to match the slangy accent that she used in her speech and to give the reader a reminder of how she talked. Examples of her slang are: gonna for going -- Worshington for Washington -- was for plural use instead of were."

She passed away at the age of 87 on July 20, 1990. She rests for eternity beside Henry Frederickson in the Frederickson plot at St. Clair Cemetery in Greensburg.

Son Rev. Charles H. "Chuck" Frederickson Sr. (1922-1999) was born Dec. 12, 1922. On Jan. 14, 1944, at the age of 21, he married 19-year-old Mary Beatrice "Bea" Moran (Feb. 1, 1924-2011), daughter of Charles Harvey Sr. (1901-1995) and Mary Roth Moran (1898-1963) of Baltimore, MD. Chuck and Bea remained together for 56 years. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a 2nd Class Petty Officer. Fearing he would be drafted to the Army he enlisted in the Navy. He entered Naval Service Feb. 6, 1943 and served on the USS SC 1311. The first half of his time serving during the war was sailing the Atlantic and the second half was in the Pacific. Afterward, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University and secured employment as an engineering draftsman at the Overly Manufacturing Company in Greensburg. He also taught Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Greensbug.

A newspaper once said that as a young woman, Bea "was very proud of achieving the position of assistant buyer in Gaxton Women's Store in Baltimore. During World War II, she worked with officers from Washington D.C. as an aeronautical topographic map tracer (an aid to aircraft navigation). Later, she worked at Wittenberg University (Springfield, Ohio) Grill Room and Bookstore." They produced seven children -- Emma Maxine Shroyer, Marsha Kay Williams, M. Darlene Frederickson, Wendy Jane Frederickson, Dora “Doree” Jane Neighly, Dary Ann Frederickson, and Charles H. “Charlie” Frederickson Jr. Circa 1953, their address n Greensburg was 630 Foaster Street. The family grieved at the death of their daughter Wendy Jane a day after her birth, on Aug. 27, 1953, due to congenital alectasis -- "a collapse of the lungs." The newborn's tender remains were placed into eternal repose in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. Circa 1960, Chuck enrolled at Wittenburg University to begin college preparation studies. Then, in 1963, he entered the university's Hamma Divinity School in Springfield, OH. Whenever he was asked why he entered ministry Chuck would say, “Engineering was a good field for me, but not God’s plan for my life. I decided to enter ministry after Bea had a brain tumor. I sensed a definite call to be a pastor.” An October 1963 article in the Daily Courier said, "It was three years ago that Frederickson decided to give up his draftsman occupation to enter the ministry. This meant, among other things, relinquishing a partnership in a Pittsburgh firm which he acquired after leaving Overly, and the family home was sold to help pay part of his college expenses. Mrs. Frederickson works in the Wittenburg Student Union during the evening, while she stays home with the couple's five children."

After receiving his ordination, Chuck went on to become a pastor at the Rupp Lutheran Church in Kittanning, Heilman Lutheran Church in Ford City and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Trauger. He also was an interim pastor at several local churches. The family dwelled in Latrobe in 1970. In November 1975, he was appointed to the Mount Pleasant Township Municipal Authority. Two months later, said the Courier, he "may have worked a miracle" at the "embattled" agency when he "brought Authority members and residents affected by the Shupes Run Sewer Project into a tentative and tenuous agreement at the group's quarterly meeting." Following that achievement, he was elected as vice chairman of the authority. Over time, Chuck and Bea were grandparents to 11 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids and host grandparents to seven American Field Service Exchange Students. Chuck died at the age of 77, at their home in Jeannette, on Dec. 14, 1999. His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Point in Hempfield Township Greensburg PA. The service was led by Bishop Donald J. McCoid of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In an obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Leukemia Society of America. Bea survived her husband by 12 years. During that time, she was the host grandmother to another 10 exchange students. She passed away in Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg at the age of 87 on Sept. 23, 2011. An obituary reported that her survivors included, among her children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Rev. Mark Werner and Rev. Hans Andrae jointly led the funeral service. Since her passing (as of 2020), nine more great-grandchildren have been born, bringing the grand total to 22.

• Granddaughter Emma "Maxine" Frederickson (1940s-living) was born during the 1940s. She married Dan Shroyer (1930s-living). The couple produced five sons -- Matthew "Matt" Shroyer, Michael "Mike" Shroyer, Marc Shroyer, Daniel Shroyer Jr. and Marty Shroyer. They have lived in Springfield, OH since at least 1970. The family was plunged into grieving at the death in 1978 of their infant son Daniel Jr. and then again in December 2015 at the untimely passing of son Michael.

Great-grandson Matthew "Matt" Shroyer (1960s-living) was born during the 1960s. He married Kristin. They bore two children, Ryan Shroyer and Abby Shroyer.

Great-grandson Michael Robert "Mike" Shroyer (1972-2015) was born on May 11, 1972 in Springfield. He wedded Ami Sandstrom. Their two offspring are Jeffrey Michael Shroyer and Sadiella Shroyer. The couple was active in ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church of Toledo, OH, and Michael was the founder and director of Cre8, a ministry intended to "see families worship together, to inspire men to lead with love, and to see others healed and made whole." He also liked to fish and play basketball. In her own right, Ami is a singer/songwriter, recording artist and worship leader who has performed in concerts, worship services, camps, conferences, retreats, women’s events and schools. Sadly, he was stricken with a fatal illness which led to his passing on Dec. 2, 2015, at the age of only 43. View Ami's blog, which explores the depths of her Christian faith, personal loss and process of grieving.

Great-grandson Marc Shroyer (1970s-living) was born during the 1970s. He was joined in wedlock with Cara. They are the parents of Jack Shroyer, Mary Rey Shroyer and Maggie Shroyer.

Great-grandson Marty Shroyer (1980s-living) was born during the 1980s. He was united in matrimony with Brittany. They produced a family of three children -- Anna Shroyer, A.J. Shroyer and Allie Shroyer.

• Granddaughter Marsha Frederickson (1940s-living) was born during the 1940s. She wedded James "Jim" Williams (1940s-living). They have dwelled in Greensburg and have two sons -- Michael "Mike" Williams and Erik Williams.

Great-grandson Michael Williams (1970s-living) was born during the 1970s. He married Caroline. Their two offspring are Callum Williams and Ewan Williams.

Great-grandson Erik Williams (1980s-living) was born in the 1980s. He is the father of Gunar Williams.

• Darlene Frederickson Courtesy Chip Frederickson

  Granddaughter Darlene "Dar" Frederickson (1950s-living) was born during the 1950s. She did not marry. Over the years, she has hosted 28 foreign exchange students through American Field Service and has 18 host grandchildren scattered around the world. She is the AFS USA Westmoreland County/Laurel Highlands chapter president and lives in Greensburg.

• Granddaughter Dora "Doree" Frederickson (1950s-living) was born in the 1950s. She wedded Robert Clarke "Bob" Neighly (Dec. 31, 1954-2015), son of Robert C. and Evelyn (Henry) Neighly Sr.. They have resided in Latrobe and Unity Township, Westmoreland County. The couple's five children are Jennifer Lee "Jenny" Moore Boske, Katie Neighly, Joshua Neighly, Jacob Neighly and Benjamin Neighly. The family belonged to the Christ Church United Church of Christ of Latrobe. Sadness blanketed the family at the death of their 35-year-old daughter Jenny in 2013, leaving behind five children. Just two years later, on Dec. 12, 2015, Robert passed away at the age of 60. A memorial service was held in the family church, officiated by Rev. Cindy Parker, as she had done with their daughter. An obituary was published in the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

Great-granddaughter Jennifer Lee "Jenny" Neighly (1977-2013) was born on March 22, 1977 in Latrobe. She was united in marriage with (?) Moore and (?) Boske ( ? - ? ). She bore five children -- Caleb Moore, Noah Moore, Chloe Boske, Rylee Boske and Allura Boske. She made her home in Greensburg. Sadly, when she was 35 years of age, Jennifer died on Jan. 3, 2013. The Church of Christ of Latrobe hosted a memorial service, led by Rev. Cindy Parker, and the Greensburg Tribune-Review printed an obituary.

Great-granddaughter Katie Neighly (1970s-living) was born during the late 1970s. She is the mother of Wyatt.

Great-grandson Joshua Neighly (1980s-living) was born in the 1980s. He has resided in Loyalhanna, and his thre offspring are Zachary Neighly, Luke Neighly and Lilly Neighly.

Great-grandson Jacob Neighly (1980s-living) was born during the 1980s.

Great-grandson Benjamin Neighly (1990s-living) was born in the 1990s.

• Granddaughter Dary Ann Frederickson (1956-1970) was born on Dec. 14, 1956 in Greensburg. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Trauger and attended Norvelt Elementary School. Sadly, a sixth grader at the age of 12, she died in Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant on June 5, 1970. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. She is buried in the Frederickson plot next to her great-grandparents Charles and Mary Frederickson near her grandparents Henry and Emma Frederickson at Saint Clair Cemetery in Greensburg.

• Grandson Charles H. "Charlie" Frederickson Jr. (1960s-living) was born during the 1960s. He was joined in wedlock with Dr. Jan Frederickson, O.D. (1960s-living)). For years, their residence has been in Greensburg. They bore four children -- Chip Frederickson, Vincent Charles Frederickson, Dominic Nicholas Frederickson and C.J. Frederickson. With deep sadness, their middle two sons Vincent (May 3, 2002) and Dominic (April 27, 2003) passed away in infancy. Their tender remains are in eternal sleep in Westmoreland County Memorial Park. Jan is a principal with Family Eye Care West in Greensburg. Active in the profession, she has has chaired the Clinical Education Committee of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association.

Great-grandson Chip Frederickson (2000s-living) was born in the early 2000s. He has contributed important information and images for this biography.

Great-grandson C.J. Frederickson (2000s-living) was born during the 2000s.

Daughter Emma Irene "Rene" Frederickson (1926- ? ) was born in 1926. At the age of 20, on Oct. 30, 1946, she married Harry G. Saxton (1925-2007), son of William Earl and Bessie Mae (Lusebrink) Saxton of Greensburg. They couple moved to Mansfield, OH, and had three sons -- David H. Saxton, Rev. Robert C. Saxton and Thomas W. Saxton. For three decades, Harry owned Richland Sales Company in Mansfield, "specializing in structural steel, metal roof decks and accordion doors," said the Greensburg Tribune-Review. He also was a skilled jazz piano player, with a love for the big band era, especially the sound of Glenn Miller. Emma "loved shopping, Disney, her Dog Fred and all of her family and extended family," said an obituary. "She was always up for a laugh, jigsaw puzzle, and a good game of cards." Later in life, the Saxtons made their home in Bellville, OH. Harry died in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital at age 81 on April 11, 2007. He was laid to rest in Bellville Cemetery. Emma outlived her husband by a dozen years. She died at the age of 92 on May 24, 2019. Interment of the remains was in Bellville Cemetery in Richland County, OH. Rev. Gus Peter preached the funeral sermon.

• Grandson David H. Saxton married Diana. They were in Columbus, OH in 2007.

• Grandson Rev. Robert C. Saxton -- "Pastor Bob" -- wedded Tina. The couple dwelled in Mansfield, OH.

• Grandson Thomas W. "Tom" Saxton has resided in Bellville, OH.

Daughter Nancy "Jane" Frederickson ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1959, she married Donald E. Kuhns Sr. (April 10, 1935-2015), and the marriage lasted for 55 years until the separation of death. Donald was a native of Latrobe, Westmoreland County, and was the son of Paul and Elizabeth Kuhns. Their two children were Donald E. Kuhns Jr. and Brenda Joyce.As a young man, Donald was employed in his father's family-owned bakery. He served with the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. After returning home, they lived in Wilkinsburg and Level Green, PA. Donald spent two decades making deliveries for Drake's Bread. A diehard Pittsburgh Steelers football fan, he attended the team's playoff game in 1972 against the Oakland Raiders when rookie and future hall-of-famer Franco Harris made his "immaculate reception." Donald andJane relocated to Largo, FL, where his earned a living at Commercial Carpet for 10 years, owned by a nephew. He co-founded Light Source and Video Repair in about 1993 and was active in this business for 21 years until his passing. Said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Donald " instilled the importance of hard work and sacrifice to his children by never missing a day of work.... He was the kindest person and blessed everyone he came in contact with." In his spare time, he golfed and was a champion at Largo Golf Course and from 2004-2015 served as governor of Yogi Bear Campgrounds in Mill Run, PA. As his health declined, he sought solace in his Christian faith. Donald passed away in Largo on New Year's Day 2015.

• Grandson Donald E. Kuhns Jr. married Darla. He has shared valuable information for this biography, including the transcript of an interview he conducted in July 1988 with his aged grandmother Emma Kate Prettiman. In 2019, and and his mother attended the national Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor Reunion.

• Granddaughter Brenda Kuhns wedded Robert Joyce.