Bio-Minerd, RachelMayle

Rachel (Minerd) Mayle
(1865-1949)

Rachel (Minerd) Mayle was born in 1865 in or near Philippi, Barbour County, WV, the daughter of William and Margaret (Mayle) Minerd. She and her husband John, a storekeeper in West Virginia and Ohio, are seen here.

When Rachel was age 13, her parents separated, and they soonafter divorced. At the age of 15, she and her siblings were placed into different households to be raised to adulthood. Rachel thus moved into the home of an elderly cousin, 76-year-old Timothy Newman, a farmer in the Philippi area. In 1880, the year the census was taken, several others resided in the Newman home: 26-year-old Granville Male, his wife Manervy and their children; 28-year-old Timothy Newman, and 12-year-old cousin Franklin Miner (relationship unknown).

When Rachel was age 23, she married John Ellsworth Mayle (1865-1930), the son of William R. and Alice (Wilt) Mayle. One of the informants for the marriage license was James F. Male, connection unknown. The wedding took place on the premises of Mary Duckworth's home on July 8, 1888, by the hand of Rev. Isaac Ball.

John is seen at right, with a horse and wagon, and two children who are not yet identified, but presumably are his and Rachel's offspring.

They had nine children -- William "Clifford" Mayle, Alonzo C. Mayle, James "Wilford" Mayle, Newton R. Mayle, Sherley E. Mayle, Millie P. Nichols, Jeddie G. Mayle, Calvin B. Mayle and Carrie M. Hosenfeld. The Mayles first lived in the small community of Claude, WV in 1895. Their son James "Wilford" was born in Maryland in 1891, but the rest were born in West Virginia.

Tragically, the Mayles' eldest son William "Clifford" Mayle died in 1907, at the age of 20, said to have been killed in a railroad accident. See below for more.

Circa 1909, when John wrote his will, the family was residing in the Cove District of Barbour County. The 1910 census shows the Mayles living in the Cove District near Philippi, just a few houses away from Rachel's widowed aunt, Martha (Mayle) Minerd and cousins Peter, Jacob "Tug," Vernie and Steve Miner. John apparently operated a store near Philippi or Grafton, but eventually abandoned it for better prospects.

Two views of John (with mustache) in his store, earlier (above) and later, years unknown, most likely in Brilliant, Ohio

In about 1912, the Mayles moved to the town of Brilliant, south of Steubenville, Jefferson County, OH, where they purchased adjacent town lots in Green's Second Subdivision. At this new location, said the Steubenville (OH) Herald Star, John "set up a grocery store, which he conducted up until the time of his death. He was prominent in the vicinity and was an active member of the Oliver M.E. church." During this time, John also worked occasionally as a railroader. His grandchildren remembered him as stern, not allowing them to play in his store.

John passed away at home at the age of 65, on Nov. 16, 1930, caused by "a brief attack of pneumonia." He was laid to rest at the Hopewell Cemetery in Warren Township, near Brilliant. At the time of his passing, he and Rachel had produced 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Rachel survived John by 19 years, and was bedfast for all of that time. She may have lost her ability to walk due to "sporadic paraplegia," a rare, inherited disorder which interferes with the brain's instructions to the leg and hip muscles, impacting movement. (A great-granddaughter also has this ailment.) Rachel also was very religious, and was a member of the Brilliant Methodist Church, passing on her base of Christian faith to her children and grandchildren.

She suffered from chronic nephritis and endocarditis in her final years, and moved into the home of her married daughter Carrie Hosenfeld. Rachel died there at the age of 84, on July 19, 1949. She was buried beside her husband. Eventually, sons Jed, Newton and Sherley Mayle and daughters Carrie Hosenfeld and Millie Nichols also would join her in eternal repose at Hopewell. Daughter Carrie Hosenfield was the informant on her death certificate.

Spelling her last name "Maley," a local newspaper reported that "The octogenarian, who died of the infirmities of old age, is survived by 95 descendants, representing four generations."

Son William "Clifford" Mayle (1887-1907) died at the age of 20 on Feb. 16, 1907. He is said to have been killed in a railroad accident of some type, although this needs to be confirmed.

He was laid to rest in the rural Pritchard Cemetery near Philippi, Barbour County.

His grave marker, seen here, was standing upright and very legible when photographed in May 2007.

Son Alonzo Claude Mayle (1889- ? ) was born on Feb. 20 1889 at Cecil, Taylor County, WV. As a boy, he migrated to Ohio with his parents and siblings, settling in Jefferson County.

He married Lucy (1889- ? ) and had at least five children -- Gilbert Mayle, Lily Mayle, Claude Mayle, Mabel M. Mayle and Arthur E. Mayle.

When he registered for the military draft during World War I, Lon was living in Wellsville, OH at 513 18th Street, and employed as a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Wellsville. At the time, he was married and had four children.

He resided in Brilliant circa 1920-30, where he was a laborer in a railroad yard.

Son James "Wilford" Mayle (1891- ? ), nicknamed "Whip," was born on April 11, 1891 in Oakland, Garrett County, MD. He was the only one of his siblings to be born in Maryland. As a boy, he migrated with his parents and siblings to Ohio, settling in Brilliant, near Steubenville, OH.

During World War I, Whip registered for the military draft. At the time, according to his card, he was employed as a teamster for a coal company in Rush Run, Jefferson County. He was married, and had a baby at home.

He relocated to Clinton, Vermillion County, IN, making his home there in 1930 on South Fifth Street. In Clinton, he found employment as a coal miner in a strip mine.

He married Pearl Bellville (1901- ? ) and they had two children -- Jeddie Clifford Mayle and Harry E. Mayle Sr. Sadly, son Jeddie -- named after an uncle -- died in infancy.

Grandson Harry E. Mayle Sr. (1917-2005) was born in Rush Run, Jefferson County. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1936 and married Genevieve Tucker on Sept. 3, 1944. Following his father's occupation, he "was employed at Amax Coal as a dragline operator until his retirement," said the Brazil (IN) Times. Harry also was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge 541, Elks Lodge 2471, Eastern Star 238, Galilee White Shrine 7 and several other fraternal organizations. "Harry was an avid golfer and enjoyed woodworking," said the Times. Harry and Genevieve had five children -- Jonevieve Fletcher, Harriet Williams, Esther Acree, Harry E. Mayle Jr. and James Mayle. Sadly, Genevieve died on July 13, 1990. Harry outlived her by 15 years, making his home in Harmony, IN. He passed away at the age of 87 on Jan. 22, 2005, at Cloverleaf Healthcare in Knightsville, IN. He was laid to rest at Harmony Cemetery following a funeral led by Pastor Bob Kumpf. At the time of Harry's death in 2005, the offspring he and Genevieve had produced numbered 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Rachel and John Ellsworth Mayle and many of their adult children rest in this country graveyard near Brilliant, OH

Son Newton Royce Mayle Sr. (1893-1979) was born on Aug. 5, 1893 in Grafton, Taylor County, WV. As a boy, he moved with his parents and siblings to Brilliant, Jefferson County, OH.

He married Elizabeth "Betty" Liston (1907-1985), of Martins Ferry, OH, and the daughter of Beatrice Liston.

During World War I, when he registered for the military draft, Newton was working for his father as a farmer at Rush Run, Jefferson County. The Mayle address that year was Rayland, OH.

In 1930, he lived in Angola, near Buffalo, NY, but also is shown on that year's census as making his home with his wife and mother in law on Railroad Street in Brilliant.

Newton was employed by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. He was a veteran of World War I, and was a member of the American Legion Post of Mingo Junction, and of the Brilliant Methodist Church.

The Mayles had seven children -- Newton Royce "Sonny" Mayle Jr., Perry "Keith" Mayle, Sam A. Mayle, Bonnie Weldon, Brenda Board and Nancy Blankenship.

They suffered the death of their 15-year-old son Sonny on July 30, 1944, when he slipped while trying to hop onto a moving train, and his foot got caught in the wheels. Death was due to a "skull fracture [and] traumatic amputation of lower right leg," wrote the physician who attended him.

Newton died at the age of 86 on Dec. 11, 1978. At the time, he had 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Burial was at Hopewell, with the funeral conducted by Rev. James Thomas. His obituary was published in the Steubenville Herald-Star.

Betty outlived him by seven years. She died in 1985. They rest together with son "Sonny" at Hopewell.

Son Perry "Keith" (or "P.K.") Mayle (1930-2007) was born on Sept. 25, 1930. He passed away at the age of 77, on Jan. 22, 2007. He is buried in the Hopewell Cemetery.

Coal mining operation in nearby Martins Ferry, OH

Son Sherley E. Mayle (1895-1978) was born on April 26, 1895 in West Virginia. As a boy, he came with his parents and siblings to Brilliant, Jefferson County, OH.

He was married twice. His first wife was Nellie Kirkpatrick (1898- ? ), and they were wed on June 28, 1916. At the time of the first marriage, Sherley was age 21 and a coal miner, while Nellie was age 18.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Sherley and Nellie made their home together in Jefferson County on Rush Run Road. They kept two boarders in the home -- Walter Ellsworth and George Dillsworth. Sherley's occupation that year was "carpenter- coal mine." Living just a few doors away was his future brother in law, Paul Hosenfeld.

His second wife was Cora Z. Buzard (1905-1985), and their marriage took place on May 10, 1927. They had one daughter, Evelyn M. Paulman (1922- ? ).

The Mayles resided in Brilliant, where Sherley was a conductor with the Penn Central Railroad.

He also was a member of the Brilliant Methodist Church, the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Mingo Junction Eagles Club, and served as a policeman for a time in Brilliant.

Sherley passed away at the age of 83 on Nov. 27, 1978, at Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville. Burial was at Hopewell.

Sherley Mayle (left) and his sister Carrie Hosenfeld (right), circa September 196, with David Leroy and Margaret (Edwards) Mayle and their children David John and Jodie Lynn.

She married Charles "Roy" Nichols (1893-1960) in about 1916, when she was age 19, and he 22. He was a native of Ohio.

They had at least six children -- Newton R. Nichols Sr., Donald E. Nichols, Evelyn R. Smith, Hester M. Bevan, Ruth Gegas and Dona J. Riley.

Charles was employed in 1930 as a railroad brakeman. That year, he and Millie and their children were enumerated together on the federal census of the Brilliant community.

Daughter Evelyn R. Nichols (1917-2011) was born on Nov. 9, 1917 in Jefferson County. She married Howard Smith ( ? -1994) and resided for many years in Santee, CA, near San Diego. Rumor had it that Howard's father or grandfather was Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan in Brilliant. The Smiths had four children -- James Smith Sr., Sandra Bikerstaff, Judith Jones and Michelle "Mikki" Smith. Evelyn passed away on Sept. 11, 2011, at the age of 93.

Daughter Hester "Esther" Mae Nichols (1921- ? ) was born on June 9, 1920, as was her future husband, Charles William Bevan Sr. Their birthdays over the years were highly celebrated in the family. They had at least one daughter, Nila Gilcrest Wiley. Hester suffered from a rare medical disorder known as multiple systems atrophy, also referred to "Shy Drager Syndrome."

Hester Bevan and her husband Charles with a special cake on their mutual birthday of June 9.

Son Newton Roy Nichols Sr. (1924-1987) was born on Oct. 31, 1923 in Brilliant, and was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was married twice. He and his first bride, Lillian Falls, produced two children -- Newton Roy Nichols Jr. and Linda Pearce. Lillian, from Bimidji, MN, enjoyed entertaining her husband's nephews and nieces with stories about Paul Bunyan. Later, Newton wed widow Grace (Hoppel) Kakascik (1923-1996), the daughter of Harry and Pearl (Barnett) Hoppel of Archer Fork, OH. Newton was employed by Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. and was a member of the Lovers Lane Church of Christ and the Brilliant Volunteer Fire Department. Said the Steubenville Herald-Star, Grace "was an employee of the Prime-Time Department of Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville, a retired secretary for the former Tri-State Electric Co. of Steubenville, a graduate of Bliss Business College in Columbus, a member of the Lovers Lane Church of Christ in Steubenville, and the American Association of Retired Persons, Jefferson County Chapter." Newton passed away on July 11, 1987, at age 63. He was buried in the New Alexandria Cemetery, following a funeral led by Rev. Daniel Goddard. Making her home on 813 Labelle Street in Brilliant, Grace outlived him by nine years. She died at the age of 72 on Jan. 5, 1996, at St. John Medical Center in Steubenville. She was laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville.

Son Donald E. Nichols (1916-2007) lived in Baytown, TX circa 1987-1999. He married Naomi ( ? -2000) and had two children -- Donald E. Nichols Jr. and Susan Nichols. In 2007, Donald Sr. lost his life in an automobile accident.

Abandoned, dilapidated Hopewell Church at Brilliant -- April 2007

Daughter Evelyn Nichols ( ? - ? ) married Howard Smith. They had at least one daughter, Judy Jones. In 1987, the Smiths lived in Santee, CA. Daughter Judy Smith married (?) Jones, and raised her grandchildren as her own. Judy's granddaughter Winter Jones Knickerbocker, a graduate of a private Christian university, is a chef for the world-renowned rock band U2.

Daughter Hester Nichols (1920-1999) married Charles W. Bevan Sr. They had three children -- Charles W. Bevan Jr., Ronald Bevan and Nila Bevan Gilcrest Wiley. Their home for many years was in Ravenna, Portage County, OH. Perhaps suffering from a similar ailment as her grandmother Rachel Minerd Mayle, Hester endured "Shy Drager System" which is a rare muscular disorder. Hester passed away at the age of 78 in Ravenna on Jan. 8, 1999. She was placed into eternal rest at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.

Jonathan Gilcrest, front, with his award-winning band, Yellow Brick Road

Daughter Ruth Nichols married Thomas Gegas. They lived in Baytown, TX in the late 1980s.

Daughter Dona J. Nichols (1930-2001) wed William Riley. Their residence in 1987 was in Baytown. By 1999, Dona was living in Ohio. She died of lung cancer in 2001.

September 1959: Rachel and John's adult children. Front, L-R: Sherley, Calvin, Newton, Wilford "Whip," Alonzo "Lon" and Jeddie "Jed." Standing, L-R: Carrie Hosenfeld, Charles Roy Nichols, Betty Mayle, Peg Mayle, Hester Mayle, Isabelle Mayle, Millie Nichols, Lucy and Pearl Mayle

Son Jeddie Gilmore Mayle (1899-1975) was born on April 6, 1899. During World War I, when he registered for the military draft, Newton was working for his father as a farmer at Rush Run, Jefferson County. The Mayle residence that year was Rayland, OH.

He married Hester "Esther" I. Lewis (1903-1967) on Feb. 2, 1920, when he was age 21, and she 17. They resided at Rush Run near Brilliant.

Jed and Esther had two daughters, Betty Rose Mayle (1922-1957) and Jessie I. Balfantz (1926-2005).

Circa 1920, Jed was a coal miner. Later, he was a longtime employee of the Yorkville plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation.

Hester passed away in 1967, at the age of 64. She was laid to rest in the Hopewell Cemetery. The cause of her death is not yet known.

The Wheeling-Pitt blast furnace in Martins Ferry

He died at the age of 76, at Martins Ferry Hospital, on Aug. 5, 1975, and joined her in eternal repose at Hopewell.

Daughter Jessie I. Mayle (1926-1994) was born on April 22, 1926. She married Leonard Balfantz (1921-1994). Little is known of their lives. Leonard was a veteran of World War I, and a member of the Masons. Leonard died at the age of 73 on Jan. 25, 1994. Jessie outlived him by more than 11 years. She passed away on April 16, 2005. They are buried together at Hopewell.

Daughter Betty Rose Mayle (1922-1957) was born in 1922. She apparently never married during her three-plus decades of life. Little is known of her existence. She died in 1957, at the age of 35, with the details not yet known. She was laid to rest near her parents and grandparents in the Hopewell Cemetery, under the surname of "Mayle." Inscribed on her prominent grave marker is a verse of scripture from John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Son Calvin Bliss Mayle (1903- ? ) was born on July 12, 1903, in Grafton. He loved to play baseball and was a member of the Brilliant Merchants team. The Merchants are said to have played practice or barnstorming games against the famed Homestead Greys of the Negro Leagues, facing the great hall of fame pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige.

Calvin married Anna Mae Bateman (1907-1957), a native of Turkey Hill in Jefferson County, OH.

They lived at Rush Run and Brilliant and had 10 children, several of whom were named after Major League Baseball stars of the era -- Roger Hornsby Mayle, Rachel Ann Hanson Davis, Calvin Wilford "Whip" Mayle, Robert Feller Mayle, Lloyd Waner Mayle, David Leroy Mayle, Charles Ellsworth Mayle, Carrie "Skeets" Merritt, Eleanor Mathis and Geri Reed.

Calvin is seen at left, in his baseball uniform, perhaps of the Brilliant Merchants squad.

Son Roger died in Brilliant at the tender age of three days, on May 11, 1935, of bronchio pneumonia.

Calvin and Anna Mae divorced in the 1940s. He married again, to Isabel (Farrell) Maffit. Isabel had been married before, and had eight children of her own.

Suffering from Hodgkin's Disease, Anna Mae passed away in Brilliant at the age of 50, on Sept. 26, 1957. She was laid to rest in the New Alexandria Cemetery.

Calvin outlived her by 16 years, and made his home in Jewett. Battling emphysema, Calvin died on April 23, 1973 in Martins Ferry Hospital. At his death, he was survived by 46 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He reposes for eternity in Bethel Cemetery in Jewett.

Son Calvin Wilford "Whip" Mayle married Elizabeth D'Andrea (1933-1993), the daughter of Alessandro and Ann (LaMolinaro) D'Andrea. They were wed on Sept. 21, 1957. The Mayleses lived at Mingo Junction and had four children -- Patrick Mayle, John Jay Mayle, Annie Gaughenbaugh and Maureen Mayle. Elizabeth was a secretary with Mattey-Oklok Insurance Agency in Steubenville, and was self-employed as an antiques dealer. Elizabeth died at the age of 59 on Feb. 5, 1993, at Ohio Valley Hospital. She was buried in New Alexandria Cemetery.

Son Lloyd Waner Mayle, named after the Pittsburgh Pirates' hall of fame outfielder, was married and had a family of children. They resided in Shinnston, WV.

Lloyd Mayle's son Robert "Joe" Mayle at a construction site

Son David L. Mayle (1945-1992) was born on March 8, 1945 in Steubenville. He was married and had three children -- David J. Mayle, Jodie Maple and Carrie Miller. He was "an Army veteran of the Vietnam conflict, a member of the Steubenville Moose Lodge and Religious Science Church of Desert and was a self-employed landscaper," said the Steubenville Herald-Star. Later in life, David lived in Palm Desert, CA. He died in Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA on Jan. 25, 1992. His remains were returned to Ohio for burial in the New Alexandria Cemetery.

Daughter Rachel Mayle married William Davis and made their home in Steubenville.

Daughter Carrie Mayle (1928-2000) wed Arthur Harkins, and they lived in Brilliant. Later, she married (?) Merritt. She died in Steubenville on March 10, 2000.

Daughter Jerri Mayle married Charles Hockenberry, and in 1973 their home was in Mingo Junction.

Daughter Eleanor Mayle married Robert Mathis. Their residence was in East Liverpool, OH.

Rachel and John's adult children -- back row, l-r: Newton, Sherley, Calvin, Carrie; front, l-r: Alonzo "Lon," Jed and James Wilford "Whip"

Daughter Carrie M. Mayle (1905-1992) was born on July 22, 1905. At the age of 17, in about 1923, she is thought to have married her first husband, a man by the name of Gallagher. They had one known daughter, Geraldine Tarr.

At the age of 18, in about 1924, Carrie is believed to have married her second husband, 22-year-old Paul F. Hosenfeld (1901-1972).

They had at least three children, Alma Jeane Hosenfeld (1925-1945), Geraldine Gallagher Tarr and William P. Hosenfeld.

When the federal census of 1930 was enumerated, the Hosenfelds made their home as next-door neighbors to Carrie's parents on Market Street in Brilliant. Living in their home that year were offspring Geraldine Gallagher, Alma Jean Hosenfeld and William P. Hosenfeld. Paul was employed as a brakeman on the railroad.

Tragedy struck when daughter Alma Jeane became deathly ill in childbirth at the age of 20. She gave birth to a baby boy on Oct. 22, 1945, but because of lethal toxicity issues caused by kidney problems, both she and the baby died in childbirth. The baby apparently was never named. Alma Jeane was buried at the Hopewell Cemetery near Brilliant.

Circa 1979, Carrie made her home in Toronto, Jefferson County. She passed away in Jefferson County, at Trinity East Medical Center, on Jan. 2, 1992.