Bio-Gorsuch, CarlV

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Carl V. Gorsuch
(1891-1964)

Carl V. Gorsuch was born at Bidwell, Fayette County, PA on Nov. 22, 1891, the son of Richard M. and Martha (Minerd) Gorsuch. He grew up in the mountains of Nicolay, a town that no longer exists on the border of Fayette and Somerset Counties.

At the age of 22, in a ceremony held in Draketown, Somerset County, Carl married 17-year-old Edna May Conn (1897-1927). Rev. J.S. Boyd led the nuptials. Edna was the daughter of Rush and Molly (Phillippi) Conn. At the time, Carl lived at Nicolay and worked as a laborer.

They had three children -- Kirkland R. Gorsuch, Mary Jane Gorsuch and Leah C. Gorsuch.

Like several his brothers and brothers in law, Carl worked in a coal mine near Rockwood, Somerset County, PA.

In August 1924, Carl and his mother, sister Edna Hyatt and brothers Richard and Charles, were among a crowd of 82 who attended the annual Minerd-Miner Reunion held at Lincoln's grove, near the Western Maryland Railroad Station in Confluence, Somerset County. In an article about the reunion, the Meyersdale Republican reported: "A very successful and pleasant reunion of the Minard family was held ... A fine picnic dinner was partaken of at 12:30 p.m., after L.L. Mountain invoked a blessing." In the article the family name was misspelled as "Gorsage."

The photo seen here was taken at Reading Mines near Stoyestown, Somerset County. Carl poses with his mother (both in the back row) and daughters Leah and Mary Jane and nephew Robert Zearfoss.

Sadly, Edna died at age 30, in 1927, and was buried in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery. The cause of her untimely passing is not known.

Carl outlived Edna by some 37 years, and died in 1964. He's buried beside his wife and daughters at the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery.

~ Daughter Leah Gorsuch ~

Daughter Leah Gorsuch never married. She served in the US Navy during World War II. She also was onetime owner of the Gorsuch Drug Store of Hooversville, Somerset County, PA.

Seen here is a rare bird's eye view of Hooversville in an old photograph postcard, showing the river valley where the town is situated.

~ Son Kirkland R. Gorsuch ~

Son Kirkland R. Gorsuch ( ? - ? ) married Helen Sanders ( ? - ? ). They resided in Stoyestown and Hooversville in the 1940s and had three children -- John D. Gorsuch, Ph.D., Robert Gorsuch and Carole Berkebile.

Their son John D. Gorsuch (1942-2008) married Patricia. He held a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Juniata College and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was employed by Advanced Elastomer Systems and ExxonMobil Chemical. He passed away in Akron City Hospital at the age of 66 on Dec. 16, 2008. He was laid to rest at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mogadore, OH.