Lawson 'Floyd' Gorsuch
(1887-1916)
Lawson 'Floyd' Gorsuch was born at Maple
Summit, Fayette County, PA on Nov. 13, 1887, the eldest son of Richard
M. and Martha (Minerd) Gorsuch.
He and his brother in law Frank Zearfoss were among many known Minerd-Miner-Minor cousins to die in coal mine accidents.
In May 1916, at the age of 29, Floyd obtained employment as a laborer at the coal mine of George Warrick at Rogers Mill, near Normalville, Fayette County. While working on this job, Floyd boarded at the home of Russell Miller.
On June 26th of that year, he was instantly killed "when he was caught by a fall of slate," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. "Men who were working near the young man heard the fall and rushed to his assistance, but life was extinct when his body was removed shortly afterwards...."
Miners in the famed "Connellsville Seam" of Fayette County
An inventory of his
possessions shows he had a watch, gun, suit of clothes, suitcase and trinkets,
raincoat, set of shirts, lot of clothing, and 2 pairs of shoes. His back
wages due from the Warrick Co. were $40.
Floyd was buried at the Maple Summit Cemetery, near his grandparents, Charles and Adaline (Harbaugh) Minerd.
Copyright © 2000, 2006 Mark A. Miner