Barbara
(Minerd) Firestone
(1853-1937)
Barbara Ellen (Minerd) Firestone was born Sept. 21, 1853 (or 1859) at Wharton Furnace in Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Daniel and Drusilla 'Drusan' (Ridenour) Minerd.
Barbara married George E. Firestone Sr. ( ? -1934). Their children were William H. Firestone, George E. Firestone Jr., John W. Firestone, Della T. Hilling, Jesse J. Firestone, Mary Bryner, Joseph Firestone and Howard Marion Firestone. Another son may have been W.J. Firestone.
The
Firestones lived at various coal mining and coke oven towns in Fayette County
such as Georges Twp., Broadford, Wheeler and Vances Mills. George was a coke
drawer, likely working for the H.C.
Frick Coke Company. He often would have been in
poses such as the rare postcard image seen here -- loading and unloading
tons upon tons of coke from the hot, gassy ovens in preparation for their
shipment to the Carnegie Steel mills in Pittsburgh.
Barbara was regarded as "well known throughout the county."
During
World War I, sons Joseph and Howard served in the US Army. They are pictured in
the book, Uniontown's Part in the World War. During the war years, George
and Barbara lived in the coal mining patch town of Continental No. 3.
George passed away at home in Vances Mill, Fayette County in October 1934. He was laid to rest at White Rock Cemetery near Fairchance, Fayette County. Pallbearers at his funeral were William Stanton, William Reese, Harry Thomas, Amos Dennis, Jasper Wilson and Albert Davis.
Barbara died at home on June 18,
1937. She also is buried at White Rock.
A listing of burials compiled by Kathryn Cooley Miller, entitled Some Fayette County Pennsylvania Cemeteries, published by Apollo Press, does not include the names of Barbara or George, suggesting that their graves are unmarked today. Their adult children William, Joseph and Jesse are buried at White Rock also, but are listed in the compilation.
Copyright © 2000-2002, 2006 Mark A. Miner