Bio-Farabee, HenryWiley

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Henry "Wiley" Farabee
(1876-1948)

Henry "Wiley" Farabee was born on July 11, 1876 in Morrisville near Waynesburg, Greene County, PA, the son of Spencer and Nancy (Minor) Farabee.

On Dec. 28, 1898, at Waynesburg, Greene County, PA, Wiley married Malinda (or "Matilda") "Etta" Black (1880-1932), the daughter of Lindsey I. and Jane (Cumley) Black. He was age 22, and she 18, at the time of their wedding.

They had three children – Walter "Earl" Farabee, Oliver C. Farabee and Nancy Elizabeth "Betty" Farabee. They had a stepdaughter Eva Wise.

The Farabees resided in Morrisville, near Waynesburg, where Wiley labored as a coal miner.

In 1920, when the federal census was enumerated in the East Franklin Precinct of Greene County, Wiley was working away from home. Etta was listed as head of the household, with children Oliver and Nancy.

Wiley was residing alone in 1930, next-door to his son Oliver, when the census was taken.

A rare old postcard showing Waynesburg's High Street, looking west, is seen here.

On Feb. 21, 1932, Etta's father, a Civil War veteran of the 85th Pennsylvania Infantry, passed away at age 92 at his home near Waynesburg.

Sadly, Etta did not long survive her father. She died just a month and a half later, at age 52, on either April 8 or 9, 1932. Her funeral arrangements were handled by the Garrison Funeral Home. Her estate was administered by their son Oliver.

Wiley outlived Etta by 16 years. He died on Jan. 10, 1948, at the age of 72.

~ Son Walter "Earl" Farabee ~

Son Walter "Earl" Farabee (1899-1971) registered for the military draft during World War I, and listed his occupation as miner for his father's company, Farabee Bros. He was married three times.

His first wife was Leona May Rutan, who separated from him in about 1920, and later divorced. During the separation, Earl was employed as a coal miner and boarded in the home of 23-year-old fellow miner Ora Curlin and his widowed, 43-year-old mother, Nevada Curlin. They are shown together in the federal census of Waynesburg of 1920.

Despite their 22-year difference in age, Earl ultimately married his landlord's mother, Nevada Turner "Vadie" Curlin (1877-1933), a native of Iowa, and the daughter of Lydia Black. Married once before, to William Curlin, Nevada brought at least six other adult children to the marriage, Margaret Curlin, Eva Curlin Wise, Lloyd Curlin, Alba Curlin, Ro Kelley and Ora Curlin. The wedding took place in about 1924.

When the federal census was again taken, in 1930, Earl and Nevada made their home on Sugar Run Road in Waynesburg, with Earl laboring on local farms.

Sadly, Nevada died after nine years of marriage, on Dec. 18, 1933, at the age of 56.

With either his first wife Leona or second wife Nevada, Earl had these known children -- Margaret Jane Farabee and Stanley George Farabee.

Earl eventually married his step-daughter, Margaret (Curlin) Turner (1902-1987), after only a year or two as a widower. She had been married once before, to John Stewart, and brought a daughter to the marriage, Mary (Stewart) Donley.

They lived in the Waynesburg area for the rest of their lives, with Earl working as a self-employed general hauler. They are thought to have had two sons, Leroy Farabee and Thomas Jackson "Jack" Farabee.

Earl died on Feb. 6, 1971, at the age of 72. He was laid to rest in the Smith Cemetery.

Margaret outlived her husband by 16 years, residing in R.D. 6 Waynesburg. She attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Waynesburg. Toward the end of her life, she was admitted to the Greene County Memorial Hospital, where she died at the age of 84 on Jan. 9, 1987. She also was buried in Smith Cemetery.

Grandson Leroy "Bud" Farabee (1935-2010) was born on Oct. 2, 1935, in Waynesburg. He was married twice -- first to Doris Irene Rogers in 1960 and later to Audrey Morris, daughter of Guy and Ruth E. Morris. All told, Leroy had two children -- Curtis Lee Farabee and Mona Lisa Farabee. Audrey also brought a son from a previous marriage, Ron Morris. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Said the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter, Leroy was a "diesel mechanic and truck driver. He had worked for several local companies, including Richmond, Suwak, Yellow and Sanitary Dairy... [He] loved to travel. he also enjoyed pitching horseshoes and watching NASCAR racing." Leroy died at the age of 74 on June 19, 2010, at Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare in nearby Washington, Washington County.

Great-grandson Curtis Lee Farabee married Brenda Marie Scritchfield (1963-1984). They had two children -- Curtis Lee Farabee Jr. and Melissa Farabee. The Farabees resided in Jefferson Township, Greene County, and were members of the Jefferson Church of the Nazarene. Tragically, Brenda and her daughter died together on July 14, 1984, pronounced dead on arrival at Greene County Memorial Hospital.

Grandson Thomas J. "Jack" Farabee (1937-2006) "worked for Pat's Motors for several years and later at Barton Auto for many years before retiring," said the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter. "He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren." He passed away at age 69 on Oct. 29, 2006, and was laid to rest in Smith Cemetery, Waynesburg.

Step-granddaughter Mary Stewart married (?) Donley. They lived in Waynesburg circa 1987.

~ Daughter Nancy Elizabeth "Betty" Farabee ~

Daughter Nancy Elizabeth "Betty" Farabee, said a Waynesburg newspaper, was for "several years … associated with Donovan Waters in the operation of a general store, and for 37 years had been a partner with Waters in a dance band. She was a talented musician and had toured extensively throughout the United States, playing for various shows, radio stations and county fairs."

~ Son Oliver Farabee ~

Son Oliver Farabee lived in Belmont and/or Bellaire, OH, circa 1971.

~ Step-Daughter Eva Wise ~

Stepdaughter Eva Curlin married (?) Wise. Circa 1971, they lived in Sycamore, Washington County, PA. Nothing further is known.