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2025 National 'Reunion of Strangers' Draws Cousins from 10 States and 11 PA Towns

Rev. Dr. Brad Harbaugh Speaks on Faith, Family and Legacy

Some 57 cousins from 10 states and 11 Pennsylvania towns attended the 2025 national reunion of strangers in southwestern Pennsylvania. Cousins traveled from as far away as California and Texas in addition to Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and West Virginia.

 

The Friday evening activity involved a dinner with 14 cousins at Out of the Fire in Donegal, PA. Saturday was a picnic in the Chapel of Camp Christian in Mill Run, PA. The activities involved a group photo, lunch meal, a raffle and remarks by Rev. Dr. Brad Harbaugh, as well as regular live broadcasts on our private Facebook page. Family heirlooms and photo albums were on display for all to enjoy.

 

The hat was passed to help offset costs. Total income for the day was $1,057.33, and total costs were $1,020.66, for a net gain of $36.67. Reunion treasurer Sue (Colbert) Martin reported that our checking account balance now stands at $1,504.53.

 

Sunday morning was spent at a worship service at Indian Creek Baptist Church in Mill Run. Afterward, some walked through the church's adjoining cemetery and paid their respects at the graves of our ancestor Jacob Minerd Sr., his daughter Martha (Minerd) Imel Harbaugh, and her grandson Allen Edward Harbaugh and other grandchildren of the Rowan family.

 

Our next reunion picnic will be held two years from now, on Sat., June 26, 2027, in the lodge house at Camp Christian where we met in 2023. For the record, the names of the president and treasurer are on the checking account. In the event something should happen to either, the other will keep the reunion in business until a replacement is duly elected. Thanks to all the cousins who attended this year, and all who help support future reunions! It wouldn’t be possible without you.

 

~ Click to See the 2025 Facebook Live Broadcasts ~


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Photo Recap of the 2025 Weekend ~

Friday evening's dinner, L-R: John and Arlene Minerd -- Beverly (Hansen) Miner and Kirk Miner -- Rev. Dr. Brad and Robin Harbaugh
Friday evening dinner, L-R: Karen (Malik) Taylor -- Dawn (Malik) Ireton -- Kaylee (Ireton) Kidder -- Joanne (Thomas) Wilson -- Mark Miner -- Tom Beck
Friday evening dinner, Caroline and her dad Patrick Andrew Thomas, who flew in from Dallas
Our meeting was held in the rustic Chapel of Camp Christian
Best dressed award: Debbie and Bernard Charnovich  (actually en route to a wedding)
Senior statesmen Jack Campbell (left) and David Mayle
Long-lost generations of the Joanna (Minerd) Enos branch. L-R: Patrick Andrew Thomas, Peggy (Grimm) Mansberry, Caroline Thomas 
Harbaugh-Umbel cousins, clockwise from upper right: Roy Allen, Sonya and son Umbel, and Robin and Brad Harbaugh
McClain-Walker cousins of the family of Ervin Melville Minard of Ohio
"Sammy Sox" doll circa 1917 made for Roy
"Penn" Minerd by his auntie Virginia Penn
Sunday morning worship service at Indian Creek Baptist Church in Mill Run, PA. 1st row, L-R: John and Arlene Minerd, Bill and Gloria Carey, Cynthia and Danny Moringiello, Beverly (Hansen) Miner and Kirk Miner. 2nd row, far right: Susan (Younkin) Moon. 3rd row, far right: Robin and Brad Harbaugh.
Sunday morning service at Indian Creek Baptist Church, Mill Run
Paying respects at historic Minerd, Harbaugh and Rowan graves at Indian Creek Baptist Cemetery, L-R: Susan (Younkin) Moon, Brad and Robin Harbaugh, Kirk Miner, Beverly Miner, Arlene and John Minerd.  

~ Why the Laurel Highlands and the Pittsburgh Region? ~

Southwestern Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh are the epicenter of our clan's growth and development in the United States of America following the American Revolution. In 1791, patriot and war veteran Jacob and Maria (Nein) Minerd Sr. settled there near Maple Summit on the mountainous border of Fayette and Somerset Counties. They produced a dozen children, who in turn spawned 87 grandchildren, 469 great-grandchildren and 1,344 great-great grandchildren, for a total of 1,912 lives, virtually all born before the year 1900. Today, their descendants and spouses number an estimated 50,000 or more, scattered all over the world. Regardless of your homeplace today, your roots are here.

 

Above: beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh and its rivers. Below: original Jacob and Maria (Nein) Minerd Sr. farm, straddling Springfield and Stewart Townships, on the mountaintop border of Fayette and Somerset Counties, PA, dating to 1791, from whence their dozen children scattered far and wide into Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. This historic site is about 60 miles from Pittsburgh as the crow flies.

 

Your Reunion Advisory Committee:

President: Mark A. Miner, Beaver, PA
Treasurer:
Sue Ellen (Colbert) Martin, Hopwood, PA
Secretary:
Cindy (Mayle) Devine, Susanville, CA

      At Large: Jill (Channing) Aird, Williamsburg, VA
At Large: Thomas Beck, Acme, PA
At Large: Chip Frederickson, Greensburg, PA
At Large: Peggy (Grimm) Mansberry, Normalville, PA
At Large: Barbara (Holly) Minerd, Lemont Furnace, PA

Past Reunions:

See recaps of reunions in 2025 - 202320192017 - 2015 - 2013 - 2011 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1990s - 1980s - 1910s thru 1930s

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Copyright © 2025 Mark A. Miner