Bio-Minard, GeorgeRiley

George Riley Minard
(1868-1945)

George Riley Minerd was born in 1863 in Barbour County, WV, the son of Sarah Minerd and Thomas Mayle, who were not married. His mother later married Charles Wright.

George was married twice. His first wife was Sarah Ann "Sally" Croston (1867-1939), whom he married on Oct. 30, 1887. Sally was the daughter of Thomas H. and Nancy (Mayle) Croston. George was age 19 at the time of marriage, and Sally was 15. The wedding took place at the home of Edgar Trimble in Barbour County, presided over by Rev. Israel Moats of the United Brethren Church in Christ.

George and Sally had 10 known children: Grover James Minard, Cansetta Collins, Blanche Ann Collins, Samuel Miner, Willie "Babe" Miner, Marion Francis "Frank" Miner, Conter Miner, Camden Minard, May "Alta" Croston and Mildred Newman.

Old color-tinted postcard view of South Philippi -- with the ever-present Chestnut Ridge looming in the background

George was a farmer and coal miner, and the Minards lived in the Philippi area circa 1900-1910. In 1920, when the federal census was taken, they resided in the south district of Philippi, along Olive Hill Road. Later, they lived at Ford Run. The census of 1930 shows George and Sarah Ann making their home near Philippi, with their sons Willie, Grover and Samuel living nearby as neighbors.

Sally died at age 72 of dysentery, caused by "exhaustion," on Oct. 26, 1939, at home. The Philippi Republican published an obituary, which said that funeral services "were held at 1 o'clock ... at the Minard school with the Rev. Harris, in charge." She was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery. At the time, they had seven surviving children.

Later, George married widow Debbie Mayle (1888-1967), the daughter of Reese and Martha (Collins) Mayle. She had been married twice before, to Jake Dalton and Beverly "Jack" Nash Stevens, and brought two children to the marriage, Elsie Fagons and Denzil L. "Dink" Stevens.

George began suffering from heart disease in about 1944, and after one year of the illness, he passed away at age 76 on Sept. 18, 1945. He was buried at Chestnut Ridge.

Debbie outlived George by more than two decades. "After a long illness," said the Barbour Democrat, she died at the age of 79 in Broaddus Hospital, on July 31, 1967. Following a funeral led by Rev. Franklin Peoples at the Chestnut Ridge Church, she was laid to eternal rest in the Norris Cemetery.

Grover James Minard (1888-1977) was born on April 17, 1888, in Barbour County. He was tall and of medium build, with blue eyes and light hair. He was twice married. His first wife was Virdie Newman (1894- ? ), whom he married on July 21, 1912, when he was age 24 and she 18.

Circa 1918, as with many of his cousins, Grover was employed by the Humphreys Coal Company in Philippi. That year, he registered for the military draft, with the draft board marking his race as "colored."

They had at least six children, Dorsey Miner, Thomas Cleveland Minard, Pansy Jane Mayle, Lovada Newman, Sarah Elizabeth Mayle and Eugene Calvin Minard.

Grover served in World War I, and was a coal miner and worked for Republic Steel in Canton, OH, as well as the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys at Pruntytown, near Grafton, Taylor County, WV. Seen here is a rare old photographic postcard showing the school's administration building, also known as the "Reform School for Boys." The 1930 census shows Grover and Vernis living near his parents with their six children, and working as a general farmer. Circa July 1943, the Philippi Republican listed Grover and his brother Frank among local residents who had not paid taxes. Interestingly, in the county tax list, and as reported in the newspaper, Grover's name was spelled "Minard," and Frank's was spelled "Miner," showing how the spelling had evolved, even among brothers.

Disabled at some point in his life, Grover passed away in 1977. Vernis outlived him by 11 years, and died in 1988. Grover and Vernis are buried in the Welch Cemetery near Philippi.

Daughter Pansy Minard (1919-1990) was born on June 16, 1919. On March 12, 1938, she wed Denzil Mayle (1917-1997) of Philippi, the son of Granville and Laura (Croston) Mayle. The marriage was performed by Rev. James C. Mayles at Flatwoods, WV. Tragically, their 11-month-old son Wilford Lee Mayle died on Dec. 6, 1942. Pansy later provided genealogical information for Dorothy J. Cox's 1979 master's thesis from Marshall University, entitled A Marginal Group in West Virginia: An Historical and Cultural Study. Pansy died in June 1990, at the age of 71.

Son Thomas Cleveland Minard (1917-1963) married Geraldine Collins (1922-1985). They had several children including Thomas Minard Jr., Lennie Lee (or "Linnie") Minard Sr. (born 1953), James Allen Minard and Sheila Jane Mayle. Thomas was a laborer, and died of a coronary occlusion at Hopemont, Preston County, WV on June 2, 1963, at the age of 46. Geraldine later married David "Laco" Mayle (1926-1982), son of Jefferson Davis and Lucy Jane (Croston) Mayle and had more children together. Geraldine died in 1985.

Daughter Sarah Elizabeth Minard (1925-2000) was born on Nov. 25, 1925. She married Virgil Scott Mayle Sr. (1920- ? ), son of Dow and Ettie Mayle, on May 20, 1944. Later that year, Sarah and Virgil's infant son, Virgil Scott Mayle Jr., died on Nov. 27, 1944. Sometime after 1951, they relocated to East Canton, Stark County, OH, and went on to have seven more children -- Kyle E. Mayle, Patricia Mayle, Vernice R. Mayle, Alisa F. Mayle and Carla K. Collins, Allen Mayle and Cornelius Mayle. They were members of the Rock Baptist Church of Canton. Sarah died in Aultman Hospital at the age of 75 on New Year's Eve 2000. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Park. At her death, said the Canton Repository, she was survived by 17 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and "a large number of extended relatives and friends." Their son Kyle E. Mayle (1951-2000) worked for three decades for the Timken Company of Canton as a roller bearing assembler, and died at age 48 on June 13, 2000.

Son Dorsey "Dorcie" Minard (1916-1932) died at the age of 16 on Sept. 14, 1932, in Philippi. He was buried in Welch Cemetery. The family name on the death certificate was spelled "Minard."

Son Eugene Calvin Minard (a.k.a. "Miner") (1923- ? ) was born on Sept. 23, 1923. He married Virginia Mayle (1929- ? ) , the daughter of Clyde and Jessie Mayle, and the step-daughter of his uncle Marion Francis "Frank" Minard. The nuptials took place on June 6, 1946 at Philippi, by the hand of Rev. M.C. Harris. of the AME Church. They had two known daughters, Beverly J. Hess and a baby who died at the tender age of four days, on Feb. 4, 1948.

Place of employment for some of the Mayle clan in Canton -- the sprawling plant of the Timken Roller Bearing Company

Cansetta Minard (1889-1937), also known as "Conzella," "Canszady" and "Knetta," married Thomas Collins (1892-1946) on Sept. 5, 1914. She was age 25 at the time of marriage, and her husband, three years younger, was 22. Thomas was the son of Noah and Rose (Newman) Collins. They resided in Philippi, where Thomas was a farmer.

They had at least three children -- Shirley Collins, Rosetta Mayle and Ersel Collins.

Cansetta suffered from liver cancer for at least six months, and died from its effects at the age of 47 on March 14, 1937. In a brief obituary, the Philippi Republican said "Interment was to be made in Norris Cemetery."

Tom outlived her by nine years. He died of "chronic nephritis" at the age of 56 on Nov. 23, 1946, and was buried at Norris as well.

Son Ersel Collins died at the age of four from tuberculosis. He was buried in the Norris Cemetery in Philippi.

Daughter Rosetta Collins (1915- ? ) married Isaac Mayle (1904- ? ) in 1939 -- she was age 24, and he was 35, at the time.

Son Shirley Collins (1917-1944) married Ruby Croston (1918- ? ) and had three children. They were farmers at Hanging Rock, Barbour County. While butchering in early January 1944, Shirley, age 26, suffered a heart attack and died instantly. A top headline article in the Philippi Republican stated that just prior to his death, he may have been involved with an arson fire "which destroyed a barn on the outskirts of Philippi" and that he was "seen leaving the scene of the fire, which was near his home, as the first of the volunteer firemen reached the scene..." Added the Republican, "The fire completely destroyed a barn owned by W. Alba Upton of this city, located about one mile south of the city limits on the Belington road. The flames killed three horses and two milch cows, besides an estimated 400 bushels of corn, a quantity of hay and various other items of farm equipment and machinery."

Top headline story about Shirley Collins' mysterious death in 1944

Daughter Blanche Ann Minard (1893-1980) married Luther "Lewis" Collins (1885- ? ). They resided in Philippi in the 1930s. The Collinses had at least seven children: Anna Bell Collins, Alfred Evert Collins, Eli Collins, Hartford Collins, Russell C. Collins, Everett Collins and Hayward Collins. Sadly, son Alfred died at the age of two months of chicken pox on Dec. 22, 1922, and daughter Anna Bell died at the age of one month on Sept. 11, 1931, caused by "marasmus." The babies were buried in the Welch Cemetery.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the Collinses lived near Philippi, with Lewis laboring as a coal miner. The census taker first listed them as "colored" but then crossed it out and marked them as "black."

Blanche survived her husband but his details are not known. She also suffered through the death of at least one adult child. In her later years, Blanche made her home in Moatsville, near Philippi. Blanche died in Grafton at the age of 87 on March 3, 1980.

Son Eli Collins (1915- ? ) married Louise V. Mayle. He lived in Fairmont, Marion County, WV in 1975.

Son Hartford Collins (1917-1994) was born on Feb. 22, 1917. He is believed to have married Thelma Croston and resided on Route 5, Philippi, with two children (Hartsel Collins and Wilmoth Collins) who died in infancy. They made their home in East Sparta, near Canton, Stark County, OH circa 1975. Hartford passed away at the age of 77 on April 3, 1994.

Son Howard Hayward Collins (1929-1975) married Edna Mary Croston on Nov. 27, 1953. They lived near Philippi, where Howard was a longtime coal miner. They had six children -- Jeffrey Collins, Gertrude Marie Mayle, Shelia Rose Collins, Genevieve Irene Collins and Lora Jane Collins, and one who died at a young age. Howard died at the age of 46 on July 3, 1975, in Broaddus Hospital in Philippi. Following a funeral led by Rev. Frank Peoples, he was laid to rest in Welch Cemetery.

Son Samuel Miner (1895-1989) was of medium height and slender build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was married twice, first to Anna M. Norris on April 1, 1916. Tragically, she died the following year, in 1917, but the details are not known.

He shortly afterward married Mary Virgie Newman (1885-1969), the daughter of Richard and Maranda (Croston) Newman.

As with several of his brothers, Samuel was a World War I veteran and a coal miner and farmer, residing in the Moatsville and Hacker Creek sections of Philippi. In 1918, he registered for the military draft, and listed his occupation as a miner for the Morrall Coal Company and his race as "colored."

The 1930 census shows the family living near Philippi with their five eldest sons, with Samuel working as a farmer. Samuel and Mary ultimately had six sons, Virgil Miner, James Miner (1920- ? ); Bradford Miner; Stanley Miner; Herbert Miner; and Clifford Miner.

Mary attended the Pentecostal Church. She died at home at the age of 74 on June 28, 1969, with her obituary published in the Grafton Daily Sentinel.

Samuel lived a long life, surviving his wife by two decades. He passed away at the age of 94 on Christmas Day 1989 in Broaddus Hospital. He was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery, following a funeral service led by Rev. Kermit Maley and Rev. Paul Davis. The Barbour Democrat reported that Samuel was survived by 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, where Samuel Miner passed away in 1989, as did many other of his relatives over the years

Son Virgil Miner (1919-2005) served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning home, he moved to Canton, Stark County, OH in 1951, where he obtained employment with Republic Steel Corporation and retired in 1985 after a 30 year career. (A postcard of industrial Canton is seen here.) He married Gertrude J. Curry in about 1952, and they were married for a total of 53 years. The Miners had one daughter, Mary Ann Hughes. Virgil passed away at the age of 85 in Mercy Medical Center "following a brief illness," said the Canton Repository. He rests for eternity in Sunset Hills Memory Gardens.

Son Bradford Miner (1920-1984) was born on Dec. 28, 1920 in Barbour County. On Dec 6, 1941 -- the day before Pearl Harbor was attacked -- he married Priscilla Mayle (1925-1992), the daughter of Stephen Angelo and Fannie (Collins) Mayle. Bradford was age 21, and Priscilla 17, at the time. The nuptials were performed by Rev. M.C. Harris at Philippi. Bradford died in Aultman Hospital in Canton, Stark County on June 22, 1984. Priscilla outlived him by eight years. She too passed away in Aultman Hospital on Sept. 28, 1992.

Son Stanley Miner (1923-1984) was born on Feb. 19, 1923, in Barbour County. At the age of 25, he married 18-year-old Lena Belle Croston (1930- ? ), the daughter of Lawrence and Carrie Croston. The ceremony was led by Rev. Fred DeCost at his home at Simpson, Taylor County, on Nov. 25, 1948. Stanley was "a disabled coal miner, being employed last by C&W Coal Company," said the Barbour Democrat. "A veteran of World War II, and a member of VFW Post No. 3560, he was a Southern Baptist by faith." He died in 1984, at the age of 61. Lena survived her husband by several decades.

Son Herbert Miner (1925-2004) married Dessie Luvenia Mayle (1929-2005), a native of the Penn Ridge community in Moatsvilleand the daughter of Granville and Mahalia (Croston) Mayle. The wedding took place on Aug. 24, 1957. They are seen here and had three children -- Kittie Diane Miner, Penny Mayle and Robbie Dycel Miner, and made their home on a farm near Philippi. Herbert died on April 18, 2004. Dessie followed him in death a little more than a year later, on June 20, 2005, "following a sudden and unexpected illness," reported the Elkins (WV) Inter-Mountain. They are buried together at Welch Cemetery.

Son Willie "Babe" Miner (1897-1973) had blue eyes and light brown hair. During World War I, he registered for the military draft, and stated that he was employed as a miner by his father, George Miner. The draft board gave his race as "Negro." He went on to serve in World War I.

Willie married Mary "Eveline" or "Emeline" Croston (1901- ? ) on Sept. 23, 1919.

Circa 1920, the Miners resided near his parents' home in the south district of Philippi. They had five children -- Beatrice Mayle, Theodore Miner, Leroy Junior Miner, Elsie Croston and Magdalene Mayle. The 1930 census shows Willie and Emaline living next to his parents near Philippi, with Willie laboring as a farmer. Willie also was a longtime coal miner, a field of employment from which he retired.

At the age of 76, in 1973, Willie passed away at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV. Rev. Frank Peoples officiated at his funeral in the Chestnut Ridge Church, followed by burial in the Welch Cemetery. Willie's obituary was published in the Barbour Democrat, which reported that he was survived by "14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren." Adult children Magdalene, Theodore and Leroy all resided in Canton, Stark County, OH circa 1973.

Daughter Beatrice Miner (1917-1947) was born on July 6, 1917. She married Elijah Mayle (1913-1949), the son of Charles (or "James") and Mary Ellen Mayle, on Oct. 20, 1934. They had at least three children -- Dottie Lou Mayle (born 1940), Barbara Jane Mayle (born 1943) and Fronnie Mayle (born 1945). Tragically, Beatrice was inflicted with painful peritonitis during childbirth in 1947, and died from its effects at the age of 29, on April 24, 1947. Burial was at Chestnut Ridge. Elijah, a coal miner, died just two years later, of "acute alcoholism," on Nov. 20, 1949, at the age of 35. James Mayle was the informant on Elijah's death certificate. What became of the orphaned children, and who raised them, is not known.

Daughter Elsie Miner (1923-1992) married Jethroe Croston (1924-2006?), the son of Roe and Laura Croston, on May 31, 1944. She was age 21, and he 20, at the time of their nuptials. The Crostons made their home on 212 Chestnut Street in Philippi, and had two children -- Marty Croston and Veldean Mayle. Elsie, said the Barbour Democrat, "was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ." At the age of 69, Elsie died on Aug. 26, 1992, at Grafton City Hospital, "following an extended illness," reported the Democrat. She was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery, following a funeral led by Rev. Marvin Brown. She was survived by six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. Jethroe survived Elsie and is thought to have passed away in Philippi on May 30, 2006.

Daughter Magdalene Miner (1925-1993?) was born on Dec. 19, 1925. She married Bradford Mayle (1921- ? ), the son of Joseph and Missouri Mayle, on April 16, 1944. They resided in Canton, OH. Bradford passed away in Canton in October 1986. Magdalene died at home in Canton on May 1, 1993, at the age of 68.

Son Leroy Junior Miner (1933-1982) was born on March 7, 1933. At the age of 20, he married 17-year-old Myrtle May Collins (1936- ? ), the daughter of William and Fannie Collins of Philippi. The wedding, which occurred on Sept. 24, 1953, was officiated by Rev. M.C. Harris of the AME Church in Philippi. Leroy died in Canton, Stark County, OH on Sept. 10, 1982, at the age of 49.

Son Marion Francis "Frank" Miner (1900-1986), also spelled "Minard," was married twice -- his first wife was Masalona "Lona" Croston (1905-1975), whom he married on Oct. 21, 1918, when she was but the tender age of 13. She was the daughter of Dan and Alberta (Kennedy) Croston.

Frank and Lona resided in R.D. #5 in the south district of Philippi in 1920, where he labored in coal mines, and from which he retired. They belonged to the Ford Run Pentecostal Church.

The Miners had 11 children -- Hoy Miner, Maxine Miner, Helen Mayle Croston, Rev. Winfield Scott "Buddy" Miner, Irene Croston, Frances Jeannette Croston Newman, Rosalee Newman, Lillian Dalton, Edward Border Miner and one son who is not yet identified. Sadly, young Maxine passed away of the measles at age nine months in April 1935.

In the 1920s or 1930s, when the Democratic Executive Committee of West Virginia took an informal census of voters in Barbour County, Frank was registered as a Republican, and was residing at Switzer, WV at the time.

The Miners must have been close with the family of Dellett and Bessie Croston, as at least four marriages took place between their respective children -- Edward Miner to Minerva Croston; Frances Jeannette Miner to Harter Harwood Croston; Helen Miner to Sherman Croston; and Irene Miner to Burl Croston.)

Frank Minard's name (red dot) on a list of Barbour County voters

Lona passed away at the age of 72, in Broaddus Hospital, on April 6, 1975. Following funeral services at the Ford Run church, led by Rev. Donald Parsons, she was placed into eternal rest at Welch Cemetery. The Barbour Democrat obituary noted that she was survived by three half sisters -- Jessie Mayle, Maybell Croston and Phyliss Mayle, all of Philippi; half brother George Newman of Philippi; and half brother Homer Newman of Beaver Falls (OH or PA).

Later, Frank married Jessie L. Mayle ( ? - ? ), who had been married once before to Clyde Mayle, and had seven children of her own -- Virginia Mae Minard, Marvin Jack Mayle, Sue Mayle, Dixie Mayle, Patsy Muncie, Darcus Collins and Frank Renzo Mayle.

At the age of 85, Frank died in Broaddus Hospital, on June 23, 1986. The Barbour Democrat noted that he was survived by an astounding "36 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren." Frank is buried beside Lona in the Welch Cemetery.

Daughter Helen Miner (1919-2010) was born on March 25, 1921, in Barbour County. At the age of 16, she married 18-year-old Dewey Mayle (1917-1980?), the son of Bulger and Angelina Mayle, on Oct. 9, 1935. Sadly, they lost an unnamed son -- their only child -- in childbirth on Feb. 4, 1937, with the infant laid to rest in the Chestnut Ridge Cemetery. They apparently moved to Canton, Stark County, OH. Helen married for a second time, to Sherman Croston (1922-1976), the son of Dellett and Bessie Croston. The nuptials were officiated by Rev. George W. Burdette of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Crostons lived in Canton. First husband Dewey is thought to have died in March 1980, while second spouse Sherman passed away in 1976. Said the Elkins (WV) Inter-Mountain, Helen "was a homemaker, she enjoyed working in her flowers, gardening and cooking. She was a member of the Olive Hill Apostolic Church." As a widow, Helen maintained her residence for more than three decades on Route 2 in Philippi. She died on Feb. 4, 2010, in United Hospital Center in Clarksburg. Her remains were returned to Philippi for burial in Welch Cemetery, with Rev. Dolly Smith and Rev. Charles Morgan leading the funeral services.

Son Hoy Miner (1920-1981) was born on March 16, 1920 (or 1923). He married Levonia Croston (1925-2001), the daughter of Leroy and Dora Bell (Dalton) Croston, on July 18, 1941. They had nine known children -- Edward Leroy Miner, Larry Junior Miner, Ruth Ann Jackson, Laura Lee Clay, Paulette Taylor, Troy Miner, Michael Miner, Marion Miner and Peter Miner. In about 1951, the family relocated to Canton, Stark County, OH. Hoy died in Canton's Aultman Hospital at the age of 58 (or 61) on Nov. 30, 1981. Levonia outlived her husband by two decades. She suffered the death of their son Edward Miner in 1990, and of grandsons Blaine Leslie Calhoun III in June 1987 and Marion Daniel Miner in April 2000. Levonia died in Aultman Hospital at age 74 on June 22, 2001, "after a long illness," said the Canton Repository. She was laid to rest in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, following a funeral service led by Rev. Winfield Mayle. The newspaper noted that she was survived by 30 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Lillian Miner (1925- ? ) was born on Feb. 22, 1925. She married Horace Delbert Dalton (1914- ? ), the son of Delbert and Grace Dalton, on July 11, 1957. The wedding took place on July 11, 1957, led by Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Church. Lillian was 11 years younger than her husband.

Son Edward Border Miner (1927- ? ) was born on Aug. 11, 1927. On Jan. 20, 1949, he married Minerva Croston (1921- ? ), daughter of Dellett and Bessie Croston. As with many weddings in the extended family, Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Church performed the nuptials.

Daughter Irene Miner (1929- ? ) was born on Feb. 22, 1929. At the age of 17, on April 29, 1947, she wed Burl Croston (1924- ? ), age 22, son of Dellett and Bessie Croston. Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Church led the wedding.

Daughter Rosalee Miner (1929- ? ) was born on Dec. 3, 1929. She married Burtis Newman (1927- ? ), son of Marcellus and Zetta Newman, on Dec. 12, 1947. Rev. M.C. Harris, of the African Methodist Church, officiated.

Daughter Frances Jeannette Miner (1937-2002) was born on Sept. 9, 1937, in Barbour County. She was married twice. Her first husband was Alston Junior Newman, son of Alston and Alberta Newman. They were wed on April 25, 1953, by the hand of Rev. M.C. Harris of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was age 17, and he 18, at the time of marriage. Her second spouse was Harter Harwood Croston (1931-1989), son of Dellett and Bessie Croston. Their wedding took place at Flemington, Taylor County, WV on Sept. 16, 1958, by the hand of Rev. Clyde Bush of the Baptist Church. The Crostons went on to have four children -- Bessie "Robin" Croston, Susanne Sikorski, Harter Lee Croston and Wendell Scott Croston. Frances was a homemaker in their residence on Route 2 in Philippi. She died at the age of 65, at home, on Nov. 27, 2002. The funeral was conducted by her brother, Rev. Winfield Scott Miner, and by Pastor Troy McCartney. She was interred at Welch Cemetery.

Son Rev. Winfield Scott "Buddy" Miner (1940- ? ) was born on July 13, 1940. He married Dotty Lou Collins (1941- ? ), the daughter of Shirley and Ruby Collins. They were wed on May 12, 1963, by the hand of J. Franklin Peoples of the Methodist Church on Chestnut Ridge. Winfield was a minister, and is known to have officiated at the funeral of his sister Frances Newman in 2002. They resided in Philippi circa 2008.

Stepdaughter Virginia Mayle married Eugene C. Minard, a step-cousin and the son of Grover James Minard. See their entry elsewhere on this page.

Son Conter Miner (1902-1926) was a farmer. He was married, but his wife's name is not yet known.

He died of tuberculosis at age 24 on Oct. 3, 1926, and was buried in the Welch Cemetery. This grave is not marked.

Son Camden Minard (1904- ? ) married Mildred Mayle (1905-1931?), daughter of Jennie Mahle, on Feb. 11, 1923. They resided in Philippi circa 1924 and had three known children -- Merrill Laco Minard, Leona Williamson and Bess Thrasher. The marriage ended sometime in the mid 1920s. Mildred then married widower Alexander "Alex" Rhoden (1883-1936), the son of Martin and Sarah Rhoden, and a native of Harrison County, on Aug. 13, 1927. She was age 22, and he 44, double hers', at the time of marriage. The Philippi Republican reported in 1936 that he had come to Barbour County "from somewhere in the state of Pennsylvania several years ago." Alex was considered to be "colored" according to several sources.

The Rhodens went on to have four more children -- William Edward Rhoden, Ella Brown, Rose Cosgrave and Gene Rhoden.

When the 1930 census was taken, Alex's name was spelled "Elia Rodan," and they lived in the Pleasant District of Barbour County. Under their roof that year were son William Edward Rhoden (1927- ? ), Mildred's children Bessie Minard and Merrill L. Minard, and 75-year-old Erwin Mayle. Sadly, the Rhodens' son William died at age four, on March 20, 1932,of pneumonia, with burial at Pritchard Cemetery.

Mildred herself is believed to have died circa 1931-1932, but the details are not known.

Tragedy befell Alex in early 1936 when, at age 65, he was struck and killed by a passenger railroad train. The accident occurred "about half way between Philippi and Meriden, about a half mile below Philippi, at the old brick yard," reported the Philippi Republican.

Rhoden, who was very hard of hearing was walking on the track. The men gave warming but he did not hear until it was on to him and before he could get off it struck him on the shoulder and knocked him off the track over the bank breaking a number of ribs, crushing his shoulder and injuring him about the head. The train men stopped and picked him up and backed into Philippi where he was taken to the Myers hospital. He died about 5 p.m. His wife died about four years ago. He is survived by several children, who are all married and most all of them live in other communities.

Alex was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery, beside his first wife, Mary (1873-1915).

Son Merrill Laco Minard (1924-2007) was married twice. His first wife, Mildred Mayle, was a native of Cutler, OH. They resided in Canton, Stark County, OH during World War II. Their 10-month old daughter, Dianna Sue Minard, died of cerebral meningitis on May 31, 1943. She was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery. On the infant's death certificate, the family name was spelled "Minnard." The Minards divorced. On Jan. 19, 1948, Merrill wed again, to Opal Calina Croston (1928-2005), the daughter of Claudus and Cansora Croston of Grafton. At the time of marriage, he lived in Grafton, and she in Simpson, Taylor County. They relocated to Kensington, OH and had four children -- Audrey Ossler, Camella Plott, Floyd Minard and Merrell Minard. Merrill "worked in construction all his life," said the Canton (OH) Repository, while Opal "was a nurses aide for Miller's Nursing Home near Louisville [OH] for over 30 years." Opal died at the age of 77 on Nov. 9, 2005, with burial in Heritage Memorial Gardens, following a funeral led by Rev. Winfield Mayle. Merrill passed away 15 months after his wife, in a hospice, on Feb. 22, 2007, at the age of 83. He was laid to rest beside his wife. At the time of Merrill's passing, he and Opal had produced 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Leona Minard (1926-1992) was born on March 11, 1926 in West Virginia. She married (?) Williamson. Leona died in Canton's Aultman Hospital on Aug. 9, 1992, at the age of 66.

Daughter May "Alta" (Miner) Croston (1906-1987) was born on Oct. 15, 1906 near Philippi. When the federal census was taken in 1920, she was an unmarried 14-year-old living with her brother Willie in the South District of Philippi.

She married Blaine Croston (1903-1967) on July 7, 1923, when she was 17 and he 20. Blaine was the son of Elisha and Hattie (Mayle) Croston of Flemington, Barbour County. They had 10 children, all daughters but one -- Lucille Kennedy, Agnes Mayle, Virginia Mayle, Harley Croston, Maxine Norris Mayle, Alma Croston, Evelyn McCartney, Dolly Croston, Shirley Collins and Lula Mayle.

Sadly, Blaine died of a heart attack on Jan. 20, 1967, at the age of 63, at home in Moatsville. He was laid to eternal rest in Welch Cemetery in Philippi following the funeral at the Chestnut Ridge Church led by Rev. Frank Peoples. At the time of Blaine's death, he and Alta had produced 28 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Alta outlived Blaine by two decades, and also three daughters and one son who died during her lifetime. In her final years, she resided in the Olive Hill community of Philippi. She died on Sept. 6, 1987, at the age of 79, at Broaddus Hospital. The Barbour Democrat reported that she had been "a homemaker, and attended the Apostic Church," with burial at Welch Cemetery. The Democrat also said she was survived by 38 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Daughter Maxine Croston (1934-2005) was born in Philippi, and moved to East Canton, Stark County in about 1959. She married twice -- first to Irvin Norris ( ? -1959) and second to Carney Mayle ( ? -1994). She had one son, Daniel Norris. Maxine was a "member of the First Apostolic Church of Canton," reported the Canton Repository. Sadly, Maxine outlived both of her husbands -- Irvin dying in 1959, and Carney in 1994. She passed away at the age of 70 on March 19, 2005, in Mercy Medical Center, "following a nine month illness." Her remains were returned to Philippi for burial in Welch Cemetery.

Daughter Lucille Croston ( ? - ? ) married (?) Kennedy ( ? - ? ) and lived in Canton.

Daughter Evelyn Croston (1923-2005) was born on May 23, 1923 in Barbour County. On Nov. 13, 1949, when she was age 26, she married Lawrence Waitman McCartney. They had 12 children. The seven daughters were Eva McCartney, Emma Jean Mayle, Carlan Newman, Wanda Swiger, Alta Croston, Mary McCartney and Dana Hawkins. The five sons were Troy McCartney, Waitman McCartney Jr., Alex McCartney, Charles Croston and one other. Evelyn was a homemaker, said the Elkins (WV) Inter-Mountain, and a member of the Olive Hill Apostostic Church. She made her home in 1967 in Canton and in 1987 in Philippi. Evelyn died at age 80 at home on Route 2 in Philippi on Oct. 4, 2005. She was buried at Welch Cemetery in Philippi, following a funeral led by Rev. Jay Mayle.

Daughter Alma Croston ( ? - ? ) was unmarried and residing in Canton in 1967-1987.

Daughter Shirley Jean Croston ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Collins and made her home in Moatsville in 1967 and in Philippi in 1987.

Daughter Lulla Mae Croston ( ? - ? ) married (?) Newman and resided in Moatsville circa 1967.

Graves of mother Virginia (Croston) Mayle (right) and daughter Alicia (Mayle) Miner at Welch Cemetery near Philippi

Daughter Virginia Croston (1935-1986) was born on July 12, 1935. She wed Glenn Mayle. They lived in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH. They had five children -- Glenn Allen Mayle, Rosemary Harris, Janet Mayle and Alicia Miner. Virginia passed away on Dec. 3, 1985, at the age of 50. Her remains were laid to rest in Welch Cemetery in Philippi. Glenn later remarried to Kathleen, and they lived at Philippi Route 2.

Daughter Mildred Minard (1910-1980) married John Newman (1899-1981) in February 1924. The Newmans resided in Philippi Route 1, and had 14 children -- Rosabell Croston, Steven Newman, Wanda Lott, Josephine Summerfield, Barbara Ellen Newman, Leona Mayle, Eloise Dalton, Ernestine Newman, Emma Jean Mayle, and five who died prior to 1980, and whose identities are not yet known.

Said the Barbour Democrat newspaper, "Mrs. Newman was a homemaker and a Methodist by faith."

Mildred passed away at the age of 71, in Broaddus Hospital, on Feb. 10, 1980. At her death, she was survived by her husband, nine children, 43 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Following the funeral, led by Rev. Frank Peoples of the Peoples Chapel Church of Chestnut Ridge, she was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery.