Bio-McKnight, Mary Prewett

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Mary (McKnight) Prewett
(1870-1949)

Mary E. (McKnight) Prewett was born on Feb. 27, 1870 in Uniontown, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Arthur A. and Jane (McGovern) McKnight.

Mary married Everett E. Prewett (1876-1960), a native of either Pennsylvania or West Virginia. (The records differ on this.) They had four sons -- Harry L. Prewett, David M. Prewett, Everett D. Prewett and Arthur Clay Prewett.

The federal census enumeration of 1910 shows Mary, Everett and their two young sons residing on Washington Road near Canonsburg, North Strabane Township, Washington County. Mary's 65-year-old father Arthur, separated from his wife, also was in the home. Living a few doors away was Mary's brother William McKnight and wife and family.

When the census was taken again in 1920, the family lived on Arden Mine Road in Chartiers Township. Everett's occupation was written as "farmer." Mary's aged mother, who had been separated from the father for more than a decade, also lived under their roof.

In 1930, the census shows that the family home was along State Route 28 in Avella, Independence Township, Washington County.

The Prewett marriage ended in divorce in 1934 by decree of the Fayette County Court.

Mary undoubtedly was deeply concerned for the safety of her son Harry as he served as a master sergeant in World War II. Making Fayette City and Avella her home for her remaining years, Mary was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Avella.

In about 1945, when she was age 75, Mary and her sister Mahala "Hallie" McKnight resided at the home of their aging uncle, James Hart McKnight, providing care for him in his final years. When the uncle died, Mary and Hallie were mentioned in the news obituary, and later received a financial bequest from his estate.

Mary died at the age of 79 on Dec. 28, 1949, in the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital. She was buried at Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg, Washington County. A two-sentence obituary was published in the Daily Courier.

Everett outlived his former wife by 11 years. Living under the roof of son Arthur of Fayette City, he died on Oct. 9, 1960. A brief obituary appeared in the Daily Courier on Oct. 12 -- one day before Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit his famous home run to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

~ Son Harry L. McKnight Prewett ~

Son Harry L. McKnight (1903- ? ) lived at home circa 1920, at age 17, and helped his father with farming labor.

By 1930, at age 27, he was a lodger in the household of Alexander and Sarah Storey in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, PA. That year, he was employed as a lineman for a telephone company.

During World War II, Harry was a master sergeant in the U.S. military. Nothing further is known.

~ Son David M. McKnight Prewett ~

Son David M. McKnight (1907- ? ) wed Elizabeth D. (1909- ? ) in 1928. They initially lived next to David's parents near Avella, Washington County.

The Prewetts had two known daughters -- Mary E. Prewett and Adaline Stephens Prewett.

The federal census of 1930 shows that David, like his brother Harry, was employed as a foreman with Bell Telephone Company.

~ Son Everett D. Prewett ~

Son Everett D. Prewett (1913- ? ) seems to have disappeared from history. His story will be reported here when learned.

~ Son Arthur Clay Prewett ~

Son Arthur Clay Prewett (1915- ? ) was born on Oct. 10, 1914 at Arden, Washington County, PA. He married Grace Elmira Masten (1920-2003), the daughter of Louis Cope and Laura Anna (Stephens) Masten of Uniontown. The ceremony was held at Scenery Hill, Washington County, PA on June 30, 1939, officiated by Rev. Hahn.

They lived on the Prewett farm near Fayette City and had two daughters -- Elmira Jane Hasek and Anita Belsick.

Arthur was employed as a driver for Bell Telephone Company, and in February 1955 was among Uniontown area drivers honored for driving for more than 10 years without a chargeable accident. He retired from Bell's Uniontown office in 1979 after 42 years of service as "an assignment man," said the Uniontown Herald Standard. He was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers.

Grace was a member of the Redstone Methodist Church and the Morning Star Grange.

Sadly, the marriage apparently did not last.

In about 1947, Grace married again, to Clyde P. Rossell (1916-1985). They enjoyed 38 years of married life, making their home in Perryopolis, Fayette County. They had twin sons, Clyde Rossell and Claude Rossell. Clyde died in March 1985, making Grace a widow for the second time. She survived her second husband by 18 years. After battling lung cancer for 10 weeks, she passed away on Dec. 23, 2003, in Beverly Health Care Nursing Home in Uniontown. At the time, said the Uniontown Herald Standard, she was survived by eight grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren.

Having made his home on the old family farm for 54 years, Arthur left there and moved in 1994 to Taylor, SC. He died at his home in Taylor on Feb. 15, 2001, at the age of 86. His remains were returned to Western Pennsylvania for burial at Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg.

Daughter Anita Grace Prewett married James Carl Belsick, son of Theodore Belsick of Lynwood in Uniontown. The ceremony took place on Oct. 25, 1962, at the Little Redstone Presbyterian Church, by the hand of Rev. Leslie R. Papp. At the time, James was stationed in Loring, Maine with the U.S. Air Force, and that is where the newlyweds began housekeeping.

Daughter Elmira Jane Prewett married Albert Hasek Jr. Circa 1962 they made their home in Valley Stream, NY.