Minerd.com Biography of Isaac T. and Hannah (White) Wortman of Pittsburgh, PA

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Hannah (White) Wortman
(1863-1927)

Hannah M. (White) Wortman was born in Fayette County, PA on Aug. 26, 1863, the daughter of Perry G. and Mariah (Minerd) White.

In about 1884, when she was age 20 and he was 23, Hannah married Isaac T. Wortman (Feb. 13, 1860-1914). He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Tissue) Wortman.

Together they bore four children, of whom three are known: Anna E. Myers, George Elmont Wortman and Lois Funk.

In 1900, the family lived in a rented house on Yoder Street in Pittsburgh's 23rd Ward, where Isaac worked as a brakeman on the railroad. By 1910, they had moved to 2 Berwick Street in the Hazelwood section of the city. At that time, Isaac was a railroad conductor for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

Tragedy struck on Jan. 12, 1914, when Isaac, now employed by the Monongahela Connecting Railroad, was killed at work, west of Hollywood Avenue. The Pittsburgh Gazette Times carried the shocking news:

Fall Between Cars is Fatal

I.T. Wortman, aged 50, of No. 1 Berwick street, Hazelwood, was killed instantly when he fell between two cars while at work on the Monongahela Connecting Railroad at Hazelwood yesterday afternoon. Wortman was a conductor and was walking on the tops of some cars when he fell.

Hannah's sisters Annie Hopwood and Emily Goff of Hopwood and Isaac's brother Smith Wortman of Dunbar all traveled to Hazelwood to attend the funeral, held in the Wortman home. The site of Isaac's burial was the Smithfield East End Cemetery.

Later that year, Hannah moved to 4742 Chatsworth Avenue in Pittsburgh. She survived her husband by 13 years. Circa 1927, she and her daughter Anna E. Myers shared a home at 4739 Second Avenue in Pittsburgh's 15th Ward.

She was struck down with a cerebral hemorrhage and died on July 30, 1927, just 26 days shy of her 64th birthday. She was laid to rest in the Smithfield Cemetery.

Hannah and Isaac are mentioned in the 1912 book by John W. Jordan and James Hadden, Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette and Greene Counties.

~ Daughter Anna (Wortman) Myers ~

Daughter Anna E. Wortman (1884-1959) was born on Nov. 30, 1884 in Dunbar, Fayette County.

On April 3, 1906, at the age of 21, she traveled to Mahoning County, OH to marry 32-year-old Charles D. Myers Sr. (June 10, 1871-1919). Probate judge David F. Griffith officiated at the ceremony.

Charles was the son of Samuel S. and Anna (Livengood) Myers of New Haven (Connellsville), Fayette County. At the time of marriage, he was employed as a streetcar conductor in Pittsburgh.

At least three offspring were born to this union -- Kenneth S.S. Myers, Rev. Dr. Charles D. Myers Jr. and Grace Messer.

The federal census enumeration of 1910 shows the family in the Steel City with Charles continuing his work as a streetcar conductor for Pittsburgh Railways. In 1914, at the tragic death of Anna's father, they hosted the funeral service at their home at 4739 Second Avenue. Their final residence together was at 160 Marsden Street.

Charles was diagnosed with heart valve disease in March 1919, and added to adema of the lungs, he declined very rapidly. Death came at the age of 47 on March 28, 1919. The remains were laid to rest in Smithfield East End Cemetery.

Anna survived her spouse by four decades. Census records for 1920 show that she supported herself and the family through her work as a sales clerk in a department store. In the late 1950s, her address was with her son at 1229 Pinewood Drive in Pittsburgh's Mount Lebanon neighborhood.

After suffering a heart attack, she was admitted to Montefiore Hospital. She passed away there on March 30, 1959. Burial was at her husband's side. In her obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, her maiden name was spelled "Workman."

Son Kenneth S.S. Myers (1908-1977) was born in about 1908. He was married to Marcella Jane Muller ( ? - ? ). Two daughters in this family were June Newitt and Gail Mason. In 1940, they lived in Pittsburgh and Kenneth was employed as a clerk with a pipe equipment company. At that time, aunt Elizabeth Gilroy and brother-in-law Walter Muller lived in the household. By 1950, still in Pittsburgh, Kenneth worked as as a drafting engineer with a mill supplies business, and aunt Elizabeth remained under their roof. Their home in the 1970s was in Stanton Heights section of Pittsburgh, in a two-story brick home at the address of 1342 Simona Drive. Kenneth passed away in St. Margaret Memorial Hospital on Nov. 14, 1977. Funeral services were held in Calvary Episcopal Church. The Pittsburgh Press and North Hills News Record carried obituaries. Marcella outlived her spouse by three years and relocated to Andover, MA, where her daughter June was residing. Death came to carry Marcella away on Nov. 30, 1980. An obituary was printed in the Press, and a memorial service was conducted in the Calvary church.

Granddaughter June Marcella Myers (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. In nuptials held in Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Cumberland, MD, on Dec. 1, 1959, she married Caryl Newitt ( ? - ? ), son of Caryl Newitt of Norristown, PA. They were the parents of William Newitt, Dianne Newitt and Lynne Newitt. The family lived in Shaler near Pittsburgh in the early 1970s at 2700 Oakmoor Drive. June was active with the Friends of the North Hills Library of Shaler and was elected vice president in March 1972. By 1980, the Newitts relocated to Andover, MA.Circa 2018, Caryl was in Stoneham, MA.

Granddaughter Gail Janet Myers (1945- ? ) was born in about 1945. She wed Neil A. Mason ( ? -2016), son of Guy and Hilda "Sally" (Roehler) Mason. Their union held firm for 41 years until cleaved apart by death. The couple did not reproduce but Neil was godfather of Terri Obringer of Baldwin Borough. Neil was employed for 20 years by WPXI-TV, the NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh. He belonged to the Corinthian lodge of the Masons and the Pittsburgh commancery of the Knights Templar. Their home in 1980 was in Pittsburgh and in the 2010s in McCandless Township. Sadly, Neil died at the age of 70 on Sept. 10, 2016. He was pictured in an obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in which the family requested that any memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association.

Son Charles D. "Bus" Myers (1910-1974) was born in about 1910. He married Alethea Ochsendorf ( ? - ? ). Two offspring borne by the couple were Carol Miller and Charles D. Myers Jr. The family made their residence in Mount Lebanon near Pittsburgh, with an address of 1229 Pinewood Drive. Charles was employed as vice president of Duquesne Slag Products Company. Sadly, he died on July 8,, 1974. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an obituary. His memorial service was held at Bower Hill Community Church.

Granddaughter Carol Myers wed (?) Miller and migrated to Providence, RI.

Grandson Rev. Dr. Charles D. Myers Jr. ( ? - ? ) grew up in Mount Lebanon. He was a graduate of Duke University and earned his master's of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He then obtained his doctorate in biblical studies, also at Princeton. In May 1980, he was united in holy matrimony with Rev. Anne Kimrey Foster ( ? - ? ), daughter of Maribelle Foster of Burlington, NC. Their wedding was held in Brockwood Baptist Church in Anne's hometown and announced in the Pittsburgh Press. At the time, Anne had received degrees from the University of North Carolina and Princeton Theological Seminary and was serving as assistant minister at Abington (PA) Presbyterian Church. By 1986, interested in a teaching ministry, was occupied as a lecturer in religion at Swarthmore (PA) College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and was ordained by the New Castle (DE) Presbytery as an at-large preacher and teacher. Later that year, he accepted a position at Gettysburg College as an assistant professor of religion. In her own ministry, Anne stayed at Abington from 1979 to 1982 and then accepted a call to Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, DE. During the 1980s, she was a committee member of the Philadelphia and New Castle Presbyteies and a hospital chaplain at Yardville State Penitentiary in New Castle. In 1986, Anne was elected as the first woman pastor in the 246-year history of Great Conewago Presbyterian Church of Huntertown, PA. Charles was tapped to chair Gettysburg's religion department in 1995 and has received many awards and a teaching chair in the humanities. He and Donald L. Griggs are co-authors of Mark's Gospel from Scratch: The New Testament for Beginners (2010). Circa 2019, Anne was named part-time temporary associate pastor at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church.

Daughter Grace Myers (1913-1980) was born in about 1913. She entered into marriage with Henry Cameron Messer Jr. ( ? -1972). The only child of the pair was Linda Sue Ruden. They made a home in Wilkinsburg and later in Oakmont. Sadly, Henry died on Oct. 1, 1972. A death notice was published in the Pittsburgh Press. Grace survived for another eight years. She died on May 3, 1980. A short obituary was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Granddaughter Linda Sue Messer ( ? - ? ) attended Carnegie-Mellon University. In 1979, she was employed in Penn Hills by Stadtlander Drug Company. She was united in the bonds of wedlock on April 22, 1979 with Bert Joel Ruden ( ? - ? ), son of Eli Ruden of New York City. Bert was an alumnus of St. John's University and at the time of marriage worked in the power bureau of the Chessie System in Baltimore.

~ Son George Elmont Wortman ~

Son George Elmont Wortman (1887-1965) was born on June 16, 1887 in Connellsville, Fayette County. He was of medium height and stout build, with brown eyes and brown hair.

On Nov. 18, 1907, George married Maude Della Bitts (1888- ? ), of Pittsburgh, when he was age 22 and she 21. The marriage took place in Wellsburg, Brooke County, WV, by the hand of Rev. W.R. Moore. She was the daughter of Simon Peter and Alice Rose Bitts.

The couple produced two known sons, George Elmont Wortman Jr. and William "Edward" Wortman.

Circa 1915, the Wortmans made their home at 201 Dunseith Street. Worry turned to grief that year when young son George was diagnosed with heart valve problems which led to regurgitation of the blood. He suffered for nearly four months, and at the end developed acute kidney failure. Death swept him away a day after his seventh birthday on Aug. 6, 1915. Funeral services were held in the home of his mother's parents on Monongahela Street in Hazelwood. His tender remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Smithfield Cemetery in the city's East End.

Circa 1917, they lived in Pittsburgh at 148 Hazelwood Avenue. In June 1917, he registered for the military draft during World War I, and declared that he was a businessman, with offices at the corner of Webster and Grant Street. He also reported that his widowed mother depended on him for support.

In 1920, the Wortmans made their home on Marsden Street in the city's 15th Ward. That year, George's occupation was a taxicab chauffeur.

Maude's employer

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in February 1931 that he had filed an application to charter a taxicab business with partners U.J.L. Peoples and Dr. F.C. Blessing under the trade name "Peoples Blue Cab Company." They made claims that "arrangements had been made to place 400 General Motors cabs in operation within a month of granting of the certificates," said the Post-Gazette. "Wortman declares now that 900 experienced cab drivers have applied for positions." Their petition to the state Public Service Commission was rejected. Around that same time, other taxi companies in the city went on strike. There were rumblings that George had paid others to cause the strike.

Maude filed for divorce in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court in March 1946. Even though her son and his wife were separated, Maude lived with the wife and granddaughter on North Craig Street as of 1950. She went on to marry city policeman and inspector Albert J. Jones ( ? -1961). The pair resided at 132 Coketown Road. She was a longtime waitress in Pittsburgh's renowned Duquesne Club and retired in 1958.

Albert was employed in local law enforcement for half a century. Said the Post-Gazette, he "served as an inspector at every police station in the city. His last assignment was at No. Eight Station in Mt. Washington. Mr. Jones was sworn in as a Pittsburgh policeman on June 3, 1910. He was appointed a seergeant March 16, 1912, a lieutenant on April 1, 1930 and an inspector on April 27, 1939." He also was credited with chairing the first police merit board which made recommendations on promotions. He retired on June 17, 1960, and underwent major surgery. The pair spent their remaining 13 months together in a residence in North Palm Beach, FL. More than a year went by before his position on the force was filled. Albert died in North Palm on July 20, 1961. He was pictured in his Post-Gazette obituary, and the body returned to Pittsburgh. His funeral mass was held at St. Mary's Church in Lawrenceville, and burial occurred in Calvary Cemetery.

Maude lived as a widow for 22 years. She passed away on May 20, 1983. Her obituary ran in the Post-Gazette. Interment was in Jefferson Memorial Park.

George supported himself as a salesman in later years.

George's final residence was on 256 Gross Street, Pittsburgh. He died on Aug. 18, 1965, at the age of 78. No cause could be determined. Son William, living in Pittsburgh, signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. The remains were laid to rest in the city's Hollywood Memorial Park.

Son William "Edward" Wortman (1910- ? ) was born in about 1910 in Pittsburgh. He married Margaret (1912- ? ). They were the parents of one daughter, Beatrice Krieger. By 1950, the couple separated, and Margaret, Beatrice and Edward's mother all lived in the same household that year in Pittsburgh's North Craig Street. At that time, Margaret earned a living as a cashier in a "social club" and her mother-in-law as a food checker in the club. Edward in 1950 lodged in the Allegheny YMCA at 600 West North Avenue in the city's North Side, having no occupation and marked in that year's census as not seeking work. In addition to providing low-income housing for single men, the Allegheny YMCA featured a modern gymnasium, pool, bowling allies, cafeteria and club rooms. He is known to have lived at 1685 Parkline Drive in Pittsburgh in 1965. His final residence was in Brentwood. The spectre of death whisked him away on June 7, 1979. A brief death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Press.

Granddaughter Beatrice Wortman (1936- ? ) was born in about 1936. She wed Harry "William" Krieger Jr. ( ? -2016), son of Harry William and Agnes E. Krieger Sr. Their marriage endured for an extraordinary 63 years. Their trio of children were William D. "Wild Bill" Krieger, Barbara A. Krieger-Jenkins and Robert D. Krieger. The family lived in Green Tree. Sadly, at the age of 84, William died on Sept. 27, 2016.

Great-grandson William D. "Wild Bill" Krieger ( ? -2009) was born on (?). He was the father of Christin J. Robinson. At the age of 54, he died from cancer on Oct. 22, 2009. An obituary was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His memorial service was held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Daughter Christin entered into marriage with David Robinson and has lived in Palm Coast, FL.

Great-granddaughter Barbara A. Krieger was married twice. She first wed John A. Keslick Jr. ( ? - ? ). One son in this family was John A. Keslick III. Her second spouse was (?) Jenkins ( ? - ? ). She dwelled in the Banksville section of Pittsburgh. She succumbed to the spectre of death at age 61 on June 21, 2018. Son John was in West Chester, PA in 2016.

Great-grandson Robert D. Krieger married Donna.

~ Daughter Lois (Wortman) Funk ~

Daughter Lois Wortman (1903-1980) was born the day after Christmas 1903.

Her childhood years were spent in Pittsburgh, and she was age 10 at her father's tragic death.

By 1957, she may have entered into marriage with (?) Funk ( ? - ? ).

She died in January 1980. Nothing more is known.