Alvin
Howard Jennings Sr.
(1861-1949)
Alvin Howard Jennings
Sr. was born in March
1861 near Ursina,
Somerset County, PA, the son of John
R. and Martha (Knight) Jennings Sr.
A farmer, Alvin married Lydia J. Kemp (1868-1949). They lived near Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA.
Their seven children were John G. Jennings, Gertrude E. Jennings, Frank R. Jennings, Viola Trump, Eugene Jennings, Edgar Jennings and Alvin Howard Jennings Jr.
Alvin served as a deacon and as an elder in the Maple Summit Church circa 1913-1914. He and sons Eugene, Edgar and Harold were "converted" and joined the church in about 1921.
Alvin and Lydia both died in 1949.
The cause of their deaths is not yet known, but will be reported here when
learned. They are buried together in
the quiet country cemetery behind the Maple Summit Church, as are many of their
children.
In 1994, a photograph of Alvin was published in the book, Yesteryear in Ohiopyle and Surrounding Communities, Vol. II, compiled by author Marci Lynn McGuinness.
Lydia is mentioned in the book Draketown: Past & Present.
Son
Eugene "Gene" Jennings (1903-1979) was a longtime coal miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of
America (UMWA). He retired from United
States Steel Corporation's Leisenring No. 3 Mine, north of Uniontown,
Fayette County. A rare postcard is seen here of the tunnel way of
Leisenring No. 3, measured to be 575 feet below the surface of the earth. He passed away on March 19,
1979, and was buried at the cemetery of the Maple Summit Church.
Son Alvin Howard Jennings Jr. (1909-1960) married Betty Shoemaker (1905-1973). He was four years younger than his bride. Alvin died in 1960 at the age of 51. Betty outlived him by 13 years. She passed away in 1973, at the age of 68. They are buried together in the cemetery of the Maple Summit Church, near the final resting place of his parents. The Jennings' grave marker is seen at right, and was marked with flowers when photographed in the summer of 2000.
Little is known about son Edgar (1911-1953). He apparently married, and had a child or children. He died in 1953, at the age of 42, and is buried in the Maple Summit Church cemetery.
Graves of three of the adult children of Alvin and Lydia Jennings Sr.
Copyright © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 Mark A. Miner