Mary Eliza (Harbaugh) Hall
(1864-1939)
Mary Eliza (Harbaugh) Hall was born on Aug. 15, 1864, in or near Nicolay, on the mountainous border of Fayette and Somerset Counties, PA, the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Williams) Harbaugh.
At the age of 20, Mary Eliza married 22-year-old James R. Hall (1862-1933), the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rowan) Hall, on Sept. 9, 1884. They "were born, married, lived and buried at Maple Summit," said the 1947 Harbaugh History book by Cora Bell and J.L. Cooprider.
They had four daughters -- Emma Grace Ohler, Anna Violet Friend, Mabel Ellen Burkholder and Sylvia Ethel Harbaugh.
James died on March 5, 1933, at the age of 71. His funeral was held at the Maple Summit Church, led by Rev. F.S. Wortman of Mill Run. Burial followed in the church cemetery, with an obituary published in the Connellsville Courier.
Mary Eliza outlived her husband by more than six years. She passed away at her home in Maple Summit on Oct. 14, 1939, at the age of 75. At the time of her passing, The Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she had nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Daughter Emma Grace Hall (1888-1968) married Eli Ohler (1882-1945), the son of William and Elizabeth (Hawk) Ohler. They lived at 1501 Springfield Pike in the Shady Rest section of Connellsville for many years. She was a member of the Maple Summit Church of God." They had six children -- Bertha King, Thelma DeLeon, Wilma Sherbondy, Homer D. Ohler and two infant daughters. Eli obtained employment in about 1930 with George W. Enos & Sons, and remained there for 15 years. Sadly, Eli died of a heart attack at home at age 62 on Aug. 23, 1945. He was buried at Maple Summit Cemetery. Emma outlived him by 23 years. She died at the age of 79 at Connellsville State General Hospital on Jan. 2, 1968, having been admitted there the day after Christmas 1967. At her death, she was survived by 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Daughter Anna Violet Hall (1892-1956) married Clyde B. Friend (1885-1968), the son of Albert S. and Carrie (Brooks) Friend of Mill Run. They had five children -- Ronald Friend, James Friend, Earl Friend, Norma Crago and Virginia Kessler. Said the Daily Courier, "He was a retired farmer and was a school board member for more than 35 years, serving on the Stewart Township board and later the Ohiopyle-Stewart Joint School Board. He was former treasurer of the school board and former Stewart Township supervisor. He was a member of Mill run Grange No. 1109 and the Mill Run Baptist Church." Anna also was vitally involved in the community. Said the Daily Courier, "A member of the Mill Run Grange, she was also active in the Mill Run Baptist church, of which she was a member, and its Sunday school. She was a former teacher in the Stewart Township schools." Anna passed away on Dec. 15, 1956, at the age of 64, at Connellsville State Hospital. Clyde outlived her by a dozen years. He died unexpectedly at home at the age of 82 on March 3, 1968. Among his surviving offspring were 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Daughter Mabel Ellen Hall married W. Russell Burkholder (1884-1971), the son of James "Wesley" and Harriet (Firestone) Burkholder. Their wedding took place on June 15, 1918. They resided near Mill Run, but never had any children. The Daily Courier said that Russell "was a retired timberworker and farmer and a former employee of the Western Maryland Railroad Co. He was a member of the Mill Run United Methodist Church." The Burkholders celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on June 15, 1971. Sadly, Russell died at the age of 87, on Dec. 7, 1971. He was laid to rest in the Imel Cemetery. (Note that Russell's half-brother Daniel McKinley Burkholder married cousin Kathryn Miner, and his half-sister Rebecca Burkholder married Otis "Freed" Minerd.)
Daughter Sylvia Ethel Harbaugh's story will be reported here when learned. She may have been married to Russell Harbaugh, but this is not confirmed.
Copyright © 2007-2008 Mark A. Miner