WENDELL'S FAMILY

Sunday, February 08, 2015

James Magee

" As a young man, he embarked for America. After a perilous voyage of eleven weeks, during which he nearly died for lack of water, he reached this country and settled first in Delaware. He soon moved to the Connoquennessing Valley, Butler Co Pa, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying in 1847 in his 78th year. James Magee was an elder in the Covenanter Church under the pastorate of Rev Matthew Williams. James was also a soldier in the War of 1812."

James MAGEE, one of the first settlers on the beautiful lands of the Connoquenessing Valley, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1769. He settled in 1797, on the farm a part of which is now owned by his son John. A barn built by him is still standing. The first crop he put in the ground by the aid of a mattock. He was a soldier of 1812. He died in 1846. He was the father of thirteen children--Isabel, Mary Ann, Robert, Elizabeth, Rebecca, William, George, Susan, Jane, Lucinda, Margaret, James and John.

This article was given to me by Keith White. The occasion for the history was the MaGee family reunion. This is a copy of the text.

    "The occasion which has brought us here today is one that does honor to the head and heart of those who suggested it. We have been called together not to rejoice over the great fact of the common brotherhood of our race-- united by a common origin and a common destiny-- but we have assembled to enjoy a more intimate fellowship and closer union with those who are united to us by the dearer ties of a common parentage, a common altar, and a common hearthstone; and amid these endearments of social life to commemorate the worth and virtues and to recount the obligations we owe those who have given us the faith, the culture, and the social and religious position we enjoy.
    Let me offer for your affectionate remembrance today a great name--not of royal birth and courtly training--not of a warrior whose record is written in human gore--not of a statesman whose brilliant career has given him a deathless name--but the name of one whose pure faith, ceaseless energy, and unsullied life, entitle him to rank among the best.   "The good are always great-- the great not always good". We offer you the name of James Magee, Sr.--"an honest man, the noblest work of God."
    Let us this day, as "chips of the old block", meet on a level around this shrine of a common ancestor, and recount some incidents in the life of one to whom Western Pennsylvania owes so much of its social and religious advancement.
    James Magee, Sr. was of Scotch-Irish origin--an element to which this country owes so much for the liberty and religious freedom engrafted into our Constitution, and whose sound principles are the hope of the Republic. His parents, Robert Magee and Isabella Hamilton, were born in Scotland in the early part of the last century, of a family which subsequently gave to the church the noted divines William Magee, DD, Archbishop of Dublin, and William Connor Magee, DD, Bishop of Peterborough.
    Those great principles of religious faith and civil order evolved in the conflicts of Cromwell and Knox in those lands of spiritual and intellectual development, gave him that love of liberty and religious freedom which induced him to seek a new home in this asylum of faith cramped refugees.   In 1792, he sailed for America, and for several years make his home in Wilmington Delaware. There he became acquainted with Jane Boyle, the estimable partner of his life, who came over with her father’s family in the same year from County Derry, Ireland, and to whom he was married in January 1795. In the following April, William Boyle with his wife, son, 5 daughters, and 2 sons in law, James Magee and James Graham left their Delaware home on the Brandywine with a wagon and 4 horses, in quest of the Indian Trail across the Appalachian chain in search of a permanent home in the then far West.
    In order to appreciate properly this group and the great work they undertook and so fully accomplished during their lives, we must go back--back--back through the marvelous growth and development of this country; through all the wonderful progress of this present century; beyond the era of canals, railways, telegraphs and telephones-- even beyond the period of the stage coach and turnpike, and follow these adventurous men and women as they lead the advance column of the ‘star of empire."
Let us stand by them at the summit of the Alleghenies, as they view with deep emotion, from that Nebo, the Canaan of their hopes, and see nothing but a howling wilderness before them. No friendly voice of one who had gone before comes forth from the wild prospect to greet them. No messenger sent out to ‘search the land’ comes back with the clusters of Lachol to cheer them. Yet with true heroism, with a faith that had no doubt, and energy and determination of purpose that never faltered, they commence the descent with the assurance of toil, privation, and suffering awaiting them to plant the standard of civilization in the inhospitable forest. What higher aim, what grander purpose, what truer heroism could inspire the heart of man?
    The three single daughters of William Boyle married respectively Phillip Mowry, Esq, an old type gentleman of scholarly attainments, intimately identified with the early history of Allegheny county, and father of a large and creditable connection; Hugh Fleming, Esq, grand uncle of your orator, (thereby uniting the Fleming branch to the Boyle family by a double tie), and Capt Alexander Woods. What reminiscences crowd the mind as we take a retrospect of this connection, numbering probably several thousand, who have come and gone during the present century. How suggestive to us of whence we came, what we are, and whither we are tending. Some of us have known them in full vigor of manhood and womanhood, but they have all long since lain concealed beneath the green sod of summer and the white mantle of winter, and there is nothing left of them for us to cherish but the memory of their worth and virtues and the fragrance of well spent lives. Western Pennsylvania has been blessed by the deathless influence of their Christian example and precept. Some of us have seen their descendents in the flush of early manhood; but forty years have not only thinned the ranks but checked the ardor and weakened the energy of those who stand with us in the broken column; yet, there are none of them but have had occasion to thank God for the great boon of a Christian parentage, and none whose love is not warmed at the recollection of a father’s untiring care and a mother’s devoted tenderness.
    James Magee, Sr, located in the Connoquennessing Valley, preceding Dr Dettrian Besse, of Frankfort Germany, and the Harmony Society six or seven years. His nearest post office was Allegheny. A year or two after settling in this valley, on his return from Pittsburgh with his supplies in a sak, he discovered that he had a neighbor who recently located within six miles of his place. Promoted by kindness of heart, or the Scriptural injunction, ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens", he dismounted, placed her sack upon his already loaded horse, and relieved her of her great dread of having to camp out in the woods alone by taking her to his own home and giving her shelter.
    We extract the following incident in his life from reminiscences of early times written for the Historical Society of Western PA.
CONNOQUENNESSING VALLEY
"Keeping down the Connoquennessing Valley we pass near the first settlement in this section of James Magee, Sr, who came out form Wilmington Delaware in 1797. As he passed through Allegheny on his way out, he was offered a farm of fifty acres on the line of Federal Street for a horse, saddle and bridle which he had with him. He preferred, however, to go to Butler County, where land was cheap, and located accordingly on Big Connoquennessing Creek. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. During the first fifteen years of his residence in that section he had to pack his supplies of flour, groceries, salt, implements, etc from Pittsburgh on horseback. A portion of the land is still owned and occupied by his son , John Magee, Esq. The first spring after moving out he procured a couple of shoats, which he prized very highly. Hearing them squeal quite lustily one morning, he took a small dog and proceeded to the place to find one of them in the forcible , if not affectionate embrace of a large black bear. With the assistance of the dog he managed to release the pig, when Bruin at once make for the old gentleman who struck out for a slender sapling, under the impression that a bear could not climb a small tree without limbs. The bear, following close after, sprang high enough at a single bound to catch the first limb and slowly drew himself up. Mr Magee, disposed to give the bear as much room as possible went higher, bruin still following, and Mr Magee, not wanting to crowd him, went still higher and higher again, until the weight of man and bear was too much for the sapling, and it bent over sufficient to enable Mr Magee to spring to the ground. The sapling, thus relieved of his weight, straightened up with bruin in the top, very much to the satisfaction of Mr Magee, who, before the bear could take in the situation, secured his pig and ran to the house."
    During his life he had the satisfaction of seeing all his children profiting by the Christian example and religious instruction of himself and his devoted partner; by becoming consistent, conscientious members of the Church of Christ, and also seeing twelve out of thirteen of them surrounded by large families and well settled in life; exemplifying the declaration of Israel’s King:-- "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread."
    A number of members of this family have filled important public positions with rare fidelity. In the War of the Rebellion they were represented by Col. HS Fleming, Col. John E Fleming, and OG Fleming, all of whom made honorable records. When the Rebellion broke out John E Fleming was engaged in a general merchandise business in Strausburg Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, when his manifest sympathy for the Northern arms made him an object of suspicion to the rebels which culminated in the confiscation of his property. Through the advice of his friends he left Strausburg and placed himself in the occupancy of Winchester. When Shields was superceded by Gen Banks, on account of his familiarity with the topography of the valley, he was selected to pilot the army to Strausburg. When Banks was surprised and routed, he determined to remain at his home and weather the storm, but the rebels were incensed against him for his course, and determined his life should pay the forfeit. Through several special friends he was rescued from their plot when he and his two boys started in a buggy to overtake Bank’s retreating column. The rebels, who were in hot pursuit, opened fire on Bank’s rear, when a cannon ball struck the wheel of his buggy and disabled it. He managed to cut his horse loose, get his boys to a place of safety, and in a round-about way overtake Banks and follow up the retreat. He then entered the Army and served until the close of the war, retiring with the rank of Colonel. There are also several items of note in the connection: notably Julian E Fleming , editor of the New Dominion, West Va.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
George H Magee, the seventh member of the family , is a kindhearted man of easy disposition and gentle manners, a sincere believer and artless in his social life and business methods. His sympathies for the downtrodden led him to aid and succor fugitives for freedom in slavery times, and his house was a refuge for any who needed shelter or protection. The innocent old muslin covered pedlars wagon that had something else than butter, eggs, or chickens in the hogshed ,or big store box inside lacked neither provender nor prayers as it passed ‘this way for Canada’.
Here we pass near one of the old transfer stations of the night express on the underground railway,--a close corporation whose charter was written by the pen of God on the hearts of men. It was under the directorship of McElray, Williams Jones, George H Magee and other true men, whose respect of the higher law and regard for the rights of men induced them to disobey the disgraceful enactments of the slave power and aid many a fugitive in his dash for liberty to the Mecca of his hopes. This road has been rendered classic by the many acts of true heroism and perilous incidents along its line as the white eyes peered through the midnight darkness, seeing with palpitating dread, a persuer in every apparition, and scenting dfanger in every sound. The road went into liquidation when Lincoln garlanded the Republican party with the broken manacles of four million slaves. Its earnings wee only such as spring from the consciousness of noble action, and its final dividend will not be declared until the Great King shall sit on the throne of His glory and say to those on His right hand, "In as much as ye did it unto the least of these".

Monday, January 24, 2011

1880 Fed Census~ Mary Catherine Grove

1880 United States Federal Census

about Mary Grove

Name: Mary Grove

Home in 1880: Perry, Jefferson, Pennsylvania

Age: 15

Estimated birth year: abt 1865

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Relation to head-of-household: Sister

Father's birthplace: Pennsylvania

Mother's birthplace: Pennsylvania

Occupation: At Home

Marital Status: Single

Race: White

Gender: Female

Household Members: Name Age

Luther Mitchell 26

Lizzie Mitchell 19

Mary M. Mitchell 9m

Mary Grove 15

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Perry, Jefferson, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1136; Family History Film: 1255136; Page: 130C; Enumeration District: 194; Image: 0260.
Source Information:
Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1860 Fed Census Nancy Grove

1860 United States Federal Census

about Nancy Grove

Name: Nancy Grove

Age in 1860: 27

Birth Year: abt 1833

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1860: North Mahoning, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Gender: Female

Post Office: Hamilton and Smitten

Value of real estate: View image

Household Members: Name Age

Jacob Grove 59

Elisabeth Grove 61

Nancy Grove 27

Francis Grove 17

Anne Grove 30

James A George 14

Wm H Pantle 6

G S Mitchell 4

George W Blose 2

1880 Fed Census Scott Grove

1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Scott Grove

Home in 1880: Perry, Jefferson, Pennsylvania

Age: 15

Estimated birth year: abt 1865

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Father's birthplace: Pennsylvania

Mother's birthplace: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Farm Laborer

Marital Status: Single

Race: White

Gender: Male

Household Members: Name Age

John Mottern

Harriet Mottern

Hester Mottern 1

Scott Grove 15

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Perry, Jefferson, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1136; Family History Film: 1255136; Page: 133A; Enumeration District: 194; Image: 0266.

1880 Fed Census Mary A Blair

Name: Mary A. Blair

Home in 1880: Livermore, Larimer, Colorado

Age: 38

Estimated birth year: abt 1842

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Relation to head-of-household: Wife

Spouse's name: John C. Blair

Father's birthplace: Ireland

Mother's birthplace: Scotland
Occupation: Keeping House

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Gender: Female
Household Members: Name Age

John C. Blair 44

Mary A. Blair 38

Margaret S. Blair 11

Thomas J. Blair 7

Mellissa E. Blair 3

Daniel Graham Blair

The information in red is not proven. I continue to work on this, but these things are my working history, not proven history.

Descendants of Daniel Graham Blair

Generation No. 1

1. DANIEL GRAHAM 1 BLAIR was born 1720 in Ireland, and died 1808. He married MARGARET MCCULLOUGH. She was born 1705, and died 1748.

Child of DANIEL BLAIR and MARGARET MCCULLOUGH is:

2. i. DANIEL2 BLAIR, b. 1749.
Generation No. 2

2. DANIEL 2 BLAIR (DANIEL GRAHAM1) was born 1749. He married JENNY LOCKE. She was born 1749.
Child of DANIEL BLAIR and JENNY LOCKE is:

3. i. THOMAS 3 BLAIR, b. 1790, Co Antrim Ireland; d. May 03, 1877, Slippery Rock PA Butler Co.
Generation No. 3

3. THOMAS 3 BLAIR (DANIEL2, DANIEL GRAHAM1) was born 1790 in Co Antrim Ireland, and died May 03, 1877 in Slippery Rock PA Butler Co. He married MARGARET RANKIN in New Jersey USA, daughter of PETER RANKIN and MARGARET GILCHRIST. She was born December 25, 1799 in Berryhill Farm, Kilsyth Scotland, and died September 1899.

Notes for THOMAS BLAIR:
EPITAPH :" Mark thou the perfect and behold the man of uprightness because that surely of this man the latter end is peace"

Born in 1790 in Ireland, most probably in County Antrim. He is said to have driven horses to pull a canal boat in New Jersey. Later he took up a farm of 108 acres at $1/acre along Slippery Rock Creek near Slippery Rock, PA. He lived out his life there. It is said that 3 brothers preceded him to America but that he never heard from them at all, though they are said to have settled around Johnstown PA.
Notes for MARGARET RANKIN
Margaret Rankin Blair broke her hip when she was about 80 and was confined to her chair for the remainder of her life. She was also nearly blind in her later years. She kept herself occupied with knitting and other activities. She is remembered as a lovely old lady who told stories and sang Scotch songs to her grandchildren. She died at 99 years of age and is buried at the old cemetery at Slippery Rock.
Children of THOMAS BLAIR and MARGARET RANKIN are:

4. i. JOHN CHARTERS 4 BLAIR, b. 1836, Slippery Rock PA Butler County; d. January 19, 1886, Butler Co PA, at Anderson farm.

ii. MARY BLAIR, b. 1830; d. October 19, 1852.

iii. HENRY RANKIN BLAIR, b. May 17, 1835, Slippery Rock PA Butler County; d. February 28, 1901; m. (1) MATILDA WILSON, November 05, 1867; m. (2) ELIZA BLACK, December 16, 1886.

iv. ROBERT BLAIR, b. April 1837; d. March 23, 1845.

v. ELIZABETH BLAIR, b. 1838; d. 1888.

vi. THOMAS BLAIR, b. 1840; d. December 19, 1871.

vii. BARBARA JANE BLAIR, b. September 05, 1842, Slippery Rock PA Butler County; d. April 08, 1928; m. WILLIAM MCKNIGHT, September 16, 1871; b. Abt. 1832, Scotland.

viii. BAILARD BLAIR, b. 1843.

Generation No. 4
4. JOHN CHARTERS 4 BLAIR (THOMAS 3, DANIEL 2, DANIEL GRAHAM 1) was born 1836 in Slippery Rock PA Butler County, and died January 19, 1886 in Butler Co PA, at Anderson farm. He married MARY ANN ANDERSON April 28, 1868 in Reading PA, daughter of JAMES ANDERSON and MARGARET MAGEE. She was born November 01, 1840, and died September 24, 1920.
Notes for JOHN CHARTERS BLAIR:

per Ethel Blair White

"John C Blair went to Fort Collins Colorado when Lissie was 6 yrs old.. as squatters. They built a cabin and had cattle. Later moved to Catawissa MO."

Children of JOHN BLAIR and MARY ANDERSON are:

5. i. REV. THOMAS JAMES 5 BLAIR, b. February 20, 1873, Slippery Rock, PA Butler County; d. July 12, 1960, Butler PA at home of Keith White.

6. ii. MELISSA ELLEN BLAIR, b. October 04, 1876, Slippery Rock PA Butler County; d. 1941, Penn Twp Butler County PA.

7. iii. MARGARET SARAH BLAIR, b. March 18, 1869, Slippery Rock PA Butler County; d. 1956

Generation No. 5

5. REV. THOMAS JAMES 5 BLAIR (JOHN CHARTERS 4, THOMAS 3, DANIEL 2, DANIEL GRAHAM 1) was born February 20, 1873 in Slippery Rock, PA Butler County, and died July 12, 1960 in Butler PA at home of Keith White. He married REBECCA ELLA HARTZELL June 27, 1900 in home of HM Hartzell, Saxonburg, PA Butler County, daughter of HENRY HARTZELL and LETITIA ANDERSON. She was born February 15, 1875 in at home, Saxonburg PA, and died June 11, 1958 in Butler PA at home of Keith White.
Notes for REV. THOMAS JAMES BLAIR:

JULY 13,1960 BUTLER EAGLE OBITUARY:

"Rev. TJ Blair, County Pastor 55 years, Dies

the Rev T. James Blair, age 87 of North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church, Butler County, died Tuesday, at the home of his daughter, Mrs.Keith (Ethel) White, Royal Oak Drive, Butler RD6, where he has been residing.

He was graduated from Grove City College in 1903. He had been pastor of North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church for 55 years. His last sermon was preached May 1, 1960.

Born in Slippery Rock, Feb 20,1873, he was a son of John C and Mary Anderson Blair His wife, Ella R Hartzell, died July 11, 1958.

Surviving are a son, Paul H. Blair, Butler RD6, and his daughter; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Friends of the late Rev. T James Blair, Royal Oak Drive, Butler RD6, who died Tuesday, July 12, 1960, will be received at the home of his daughter, Mrs. White, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and evening.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Friday from the White family residence.

Burial will be in North Union Cemetery.

arrangements by Walters Funeral Home in Mars."

Preached first sermon in 1905, and then for 25 years without ordination. 1925, he was ordained at Wilkensburg. In 1930, North Union

Notes for REBECCA ELLA HARTZELL:

OBITUARY from the Butler Eagle, June 12,1958:
MRS T. JAMES BLAIR

Mrs. Ella R Blair, 83, wife of the Rev T. James Blair of Butler RD6, died yesterday in her home.

Born Feb 15,1875, in Penn Twp, Butler County, Mrs Blair was the daughter of Henry M and Letitia Anderson Hartzell.

Surviving are her husband, the Rev T James Blair; a son, Paul Henry Blair of Butler RD6; a daughter, Mrs Keith (Ethel) White of Butler RD6; a sister, Mrs Charles Edgar of Renfrew RD; a brother, DL Hartzell of Butler RD6; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

______________

BLAIR- Friends of Mrs Ella R Blair of Butler RD6, who died Wednesday, June 11, 1958, will be received at the home of her daughter, Mrs Keith White of Royal Oak Road, after 7pm Thursday. Funeral will be at 2pm Saturday at the White residence. Burial will be in North Union Cemetery.

Arrangements by Walters Funeral Home, Mars.

Marriage note: The home of HM Hartzell is now the Hercog farm, across from golf course on Rt 228, Ekastown Road.

Children of REV. BLAIR and REBECCA HARTZELL are:

8. i. PAUL HENRY 6 BLAIR, b. August 29, 1904, Butler , PA at home; d. November 11, 1983, Butler Hospital, Butler PA, Butler County.

9. ii. ETHEL AGNES BLAIR, b. March 17, 1907, Penn Twp, Butler County PA; d. July 11, 1994, Butler County PA, Sunnyview Home.

iii. MARY ELLEN LETITIA BLAIR, b. August 24, 1910, At home, Butler PA, Butler County; d. February 28, 1911, of pneumonia.

iv. SAMUEL ORA BLAIR, b. June 30, 1912, At home, Butler PA, Butler County; d. July 03, 1912.
Notes for SAMUEL ORA BLAIR:

twin to John Owen Blair
v. JOHN OWEN BLAIR, b. June 30, 1912, At home, Butler PA, Butler County; d. November 01, 1912.
Notes for JOHN OWEN BLAIR:

twin to Samuel Ora Blair. The twins died of bowel obstructions
6. MELISSA ELLEN 5 BLAIR (JOHN CHARTERS 4, THOMAS 3, DANIEL 2, DANIEL GRAHAM 1) was born October 04, 1876 in Slippery Rock PA Butler County, and died 1941 in Penn Twp Butler County PA. She married WILLIAM V MARSH June 01, 1898 in At the home of Rev JF Fulton.
Notes for MELISSA ELLEN BLAIR:

Melissa was known to have been struck by lightning at one time.
Children of MELISSA BLAIR and WILLIAM MARSH are:

i. JAMES DEAN 6 MARSH, b. June 23, 1899.

10. ii. ROY EDWIN MARSH, b. January 18, 1901.

11. iii. LESTER HAROLD MARSH, b. June 07, 1903

7. MARGARET SARAH 5 BLAIR (JOHN CHARTERS 4, THOMAS 3, DANIEL 2, DANIEL GRAHAM 1) was born March 18, 1869 in Slippery Rock PA Butler County, and died 1956. She married WILLIAM WATSON October 11, 1897 at Anderson home by Rev J F Fulton. He was born in Scotland, and died in Scotland.
Notes for MARGARET SARAH BLAIR:
buried at Brownsdale Cemetery,Brownsdale, Penn Twp , Butler Co PA

Husband William was visiting in his native homeland of Scotland when he died.

He is buried in Scotland.

Children of MARGARET BLAIR and WILLIAM WATSON are:

12. i. MARY EDITH 6 WATSON, b. September 25, 1897.

13. ii. JEAN HELEN WATSON, b. September 10, 1900, At home, Butler PA, Butler County; d. January 18, 2001, Butler PA Butler County at home of daughter Rosalyn Kummer.

14. iii. JOHN CAMERON WATSON, b. September 09, 1906.

15. iv. VIOLA WATSON, b. February 05, 1913.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Nancy Grove

1860 United States Federal Census
1860 United States Federal CensusName:
Nancy Grove
Age in 1860: 27
Birth Year: abt 1833
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Home in 1860: North Mahoning, Indiana, Pennsylvania Gender: Female
Post Office: Hamilton and Smitten
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Jacob Grove 59
Elisabeth Grove 61
Nancy Grove 27
Francis Grove 17
Anne Grove 30
James A George 14
Wm H Pantle 6
G S Mitchell 4
George W Blose 2
Source Citation: Year: 1860;
Census Place: North Mahoning, Indiana, Pennsylvania;
Roll: M653_1117; Page: 263; Image: 97;
Family History Library Film: 805117.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data: 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
Description:This database is an index to individuals enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census, the Eighth Census of the United States. Census takers recorded many details including each person's name, age as of the census day, sex, color; birthplace, occupation of males over age fifteen, and more. No relationships were shown between members of a household. Additionally, the names of those listed on the population schedule are linked to actual images of the 1860 Federal Census.
© 2011, The Generations Network, Inc.

Census of 1870 shows:
Jacob Grove HOH.. age 69
Elizabeth Grove ..age 72
Nancy Grove .. age 30
Oran Neel...age 5
Mary C .. age 5

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Keith Marion White

Died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage
From the Butler Eagle:

Keith M. White, 89, of 145 Royal Oak Drive, Penn Township, died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
Born in New Bethlehem on July 31, 1912, he was a son of John C. and Anna Milliron White.
Mr. White was a 1931 graduate of Butler High School, where he was a starting football player. He received a bachelor of science degree from the former Slippery Rock State Teachers College, where he ran track. He also received a master of education degree in school administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
He began his teaching career in 1939 with Natrona Heights Junior High School, where he served four years as football and basketball coach.
From 1943 to 1953, Mr. White taught biology, chemistry, physics, health and physical education at Penn Township High School. He also served as athletic director and coached varsity basketball for girls and boys. He served as supervising principal of the Penn Township School District from 1953 to 1957.
Mr. White served as principal of Winfield Township High School from 1957 to 1958, the year before Knoch High School in Saxonburg opened. In 1960, he joined the Knoch faculty as a science teacher, serving until his retirement in 1973. He was a founding member of Knoch’s first local bargaining unit for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
For 20 years, Mr. White served as a volunteer counselor with disadvantaged youth for the Rotary Juvenile Clinic in Butler. He was a charter member of Connoquenessing Lions Club, and his favorite hobbies were reading, gardening and golf.
Mr. White attended the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills in recent years. For most of his life he was a member of the North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church near his home in Penn Township.
He is survived by a son, John A. White of Rumson, N.J.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a niece. He is also survived by special friend Beulah Byers.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Blair White, whom he married June 27, 1939, and died July 11, 1994; four sisters and four brothers.
WHITE — Friends of Keith M. White, who died Sunday, June 2, 2002, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler. Officers and members of the Connoquenessing Lions Club will meet at the funeral home at 6:45 p.m. Friday for a special service. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church on Beacon Road in Penn Township. Wayne Spear, a retired professor with the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, will officiate. Burial will be in North Union Reformed Church Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Connoquenessing Lions Club, c/o 222 Byers Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061.

Ethel Agnes Blair White

Butler Eagle, Tuesday July 12, 1994:
ETHEL BLAIR WHITE
Ethel Blair White, 87, of 145 Royal Oak Drive, died at 2:25am Monday at Sunnyview Home.Born in Penn Township, March 17,1907, she was the daughter of Rev. TJames and Ellen Hartzell Blair.A 1924 graduate of Butler high School an a 1931 alumna of Grove City College, she received her masters degree in education, speech and hearing from Northwestern University.From 1931 to 1950 , she had taught at Dorseyville Elementary School in the Fox Chapel School District.From 1950 until retiring in 1972, she had been employed as a speech pathologist for the Allegheny Unit of Schools. She had also taught at Penn Township High School.Mrs White was a life member of the North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church of Forward Township. She belonged to the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Speech and Hearing Association. She had been a volunteer for the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Citizens.Surviving are her husband Keith M White, whom she married June 27,1939; a son , John A White of Trenton , NJ; four grandchildren an two great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by a son and a brother.
WHITE- Friends of Ethel Blair White of 145 Royal Oak Road , who died Monday July 11,1994, will be received at the Thompson Miller Funeral Home, 124 E North Street, from 7 to 9 pm Thursday, and from 2 to 4, and 7 to 9pm Friday. Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday at the North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church of Forward Township with the Rev Wayne Spear, pastor of the church, officiating.Burial will be in the church's cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the North Union Church and Cemetery Association, c/o Keith White, 145 Royal Oak Drive, Butler PA 16001.

Rebecca Ella Hartzell Blair

OBITUARY from the Butler Eagle, June 12,1958:
MRS T. JAMES BLAIR
Mrs. Ella R Blair, 83, wife of the Rev T. James Blair of Butler RD6, died yesterday in her home. Born Feb 15,1875, in Penn Twp, Butler County, Mrs Blair was the daughter of Henry M and Letitia Anderson Hartzell. Surviving are her husband, the Rev T James Blair; a son, Paul Henry Blair of Butler RD6; a daughter, Mrs Keith (Ethel) White of Butler RD6; a sister, Mrs Charles Edgar of Renfrew RD; a brother, DL Hartzell of Butler RD6; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.______________BLAIR- Friends of Mrs Ella R Blair of Butler RD6, who died Wednesday, June 11, 1958, will be received at the home of her daughter, Mrs Keith White of Royal Oak Road, after 7pm Thursday. Funeral will be at 2pm Saturday at the White residence. Burial will be in North Union Cemetery.Arrangements by Walters Funeral Home, Mars.
Marriage note: The home of HM Hartzell is now the Hercog farm, across from golf course on Rt 228, Ekastown Road.

Thomas James Blair

JULY 13,1960 BUTLER EAGLE OBITUARY:
"Rev. TJ Blair, County Pastor 55 years, Dies
the Rev T. James Blair, age 87 of North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church, Butler County, died Tuesday, at the home of his daughter, Mrs.Keith (Ethel) White, Royal Oak Drive, Butler RD6, where he has been residing.He was graduated from Grove City College in 1903. He had been pastor of North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church for 55 years. His last sermon was preached May 1, 1960.Born in Slippery Rock, Feb 20,1873, he was a son of John C and Mary Anderson Blair His wife, Ella R Hartzell, died July 11, 1958.Surviving are a son, Paul H. Blair, Butler RD6, and his daughter; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.Friends of the late Rev. T James Blair, Royal Oak Drive, Butler RD6, who died Tuesday, July 12, 1960, will be received at the home of his daughter, Mrs. White, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and evening. Funeral services will be held at 2pm Friday from the White family residence.Burial will be in North Union Cemetery.arrangements by Walters Funeral Home in Mars."
Preached first sermon in 1905, and then for 25 years without ordination. 1925, he was ordained at Wilkensburg. In 1930, North Union

Doris Ellen Blair

Doris Ellen Blair, Wendell's sister..
per Mary B Riggleman:"She was not stillborn. She was a 7 month baby as Typhoid Fever caused the early delivery. She lived only about an hour, though. They told mother that because of the high fever she had, the baby would have had severe brain damage. Mother almost died herself"

Mary Ethel Blair Riggleman

RIGGLEMAN, Mary E., 68, went to be with her Lord October 28, 2001. Survived by her husband, Dickie ``Dick'' Riggleman; children William Paul (Robyn), Michael J. (Elizabeth), Lucinda (David) Makus; grandchildren Erynn, Christopher, Dane, Blair, Drew and Brynn; brothers James and Wendell Blair; sister Joyce Bloomers; uncle Keith White and cousin John White, Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2001 at EAST LAWN PALMS CHAPEL, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Burial to follow at East Lawn Palms Cemetery.

Isabel Evelyn Grove Blair

OBITUARY from Butler Eagle:Friday, June 17, 1966
MRS PAUL H BLAIR
Mrs Isabel Evelyn Blair, 59, of Butler RD6, died suddenly at 6:30 am today at her home.Born May 6, 1907, in Goheenville, she was a daughter of the late Scott and Mamie White Grove. Mrs Blair was a member of the North Union Reformed Covenanter Church. A former teacher, she had resumed professional activity and taught last year at Holy Sepulcher School.Surviving are her husband , Paul H Blair; two sons, James S of Brackenridge, and Wendell, at home; two daughters, Mrs Dickey (Mary) Riggleman of Columbus OH, and Wilma Joyce Blair of Pittsburgh; and 6 grandchildren.-------------------BLAIR- Friends of Mrs Isabel Evelyn Blair of Butler RD6 who died Friday, June 17, 1966, will be received at the Atwell Funeral home 137 W Jefferson St from 2-5 and 7-9 Saturday and Sunday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Arrangements by Atwell.

Paul Henry Blair

OBITUARY, BUTLER EAGLE, NOV 12,1983
PAUL H BLAIR
Paul H Blair, 79, of Royal Oak Road Butler RD died at 11:22am yesterday at Butler Memorial Hospital, after an illness.Born Aug 29, 1904 in Penn Twp,on the farm on which he still resided at the time of his death, he was the son of the Rev. T James and Rebecca Ella Hartzell Blair.Mr Blair was a retired lifelong farmer.He was a life member and elder of the North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church, where his father was a minister in the late 1800s.His wife , Evelyn Isabel Grove Blair , died June 17, 1966.Surviving are two daughters, Mrs Dick (Mary Ethel) Riggleman of Tucson AZ, and Mrs Lon (Joyce) Dovenspike of Brookville; two sons, James S Blair of Valdosta GA, and Wendell P Blair of Butler RD6; 10 grandchildren and a sister, Mrs Keith (Ethel )White of Butler RD6.------------------------------------------BLAIR- Friends of Paul H Blair of Royal Oak Road, Butler RD6 , who died Friday , Nov 11, 1983, will be received at the Young Funeral Home, Butler from 7-9 pm Saturday and from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 2pm Monday from North Union Reformed Presbyterian Church , with the Rev. Wayne Spear, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.Arrangements by Young.