Bio-Murray, LucyEicher

Hannah "Lucy" (Murray) Eicher
(1885-1965)

Hannah "Lucy" (Murray) Eicher was born on May 12, 1885 in Normalville, Fayette County, PA, the youngest daughter of Elijah and Hannah (Minerd) Murray.

Tragically, when Lucy was just one day old, her mother died. Eight days later, her father died, leaving Lucy an orphan, with no memory whatsoever of her parents. She and her sister Ida were adopted by a cousin, Richard S. and Mary Jane (Whetsel) Murray, formalized in 1890. Her adoptive father became tax collector of Springfield Township, and was said by the Connellsville Daily Courier to be “regarded as one of the most thorough men ever to be in that office…."

In about 1904, when she was age 19, Lucy gave birth to a daughter, Alverda. However, Lucy did not marry the child's father, Sherman Romesburg, who was a nearby resident. The child was raised under the surname "Romesburg."

The same year, Lucy married widower Neri Eicher Sr. (1880-1957), the son of Freeman P. and Sarah (Brooks) Eicher. Neri's first wife, Lydia (Morris) Eicher, died a tragic death in 1904 at the age of 24 "of injuries received in jumping from a buggy in Connellsville," said the Daily Courier, "when a horse she was driving was frightened by a Pittsburg McKeesport & Connellsville street car." They had only been wed for less than six months.

Lucy and Neri went on to have 11 children, of whom seven lived to adulthood – Albert N. Eicher, Charles Edward Eicher, Neri "Juke" Eicher Jr., Anna Roe Moore, Dolly M. Richter, Mary Heck Wolfe, and Sara Snidemiller. They also had four children who died as infants – Clarence, Alvie, Freeman and Viola.

Lucy and Neri (seated) and their adult children in an informal group snapshot taken in September 1957.

A longtime resident of the Pleasant Hill area of Normalville, Lucy was a member of the Mount Tabor Church of God. Neri belonged to the Pleasant Hills Evangelical United Brethren Church.

Neri died at home following a brief illness on Dec. 22, 1957, at the age of 77. Following a funeral held at Mount Tabor Church of God, led by Rev. Robert Blank, he was buried in Mount Tabor Cemetery. At the time, he and Lucy had 32 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

Lucy died in Leisenring, PA on April 26, 1965, at the age of 79. She also was buried at Mount Tabor Cemetery. At her death, the Daily Courier reported that the number of her survivors had swelled to 33 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

In July 1968, their descendants gathered for a reunion, and it was decided to hold future reunions each year. Click for the Eicher Reunion archive.

They and their children all are listed in the 1975 volume, Brooks Family History.

Daughter Alverda Romesburg (1904-1960) was born on Feb. 12, 1904, and was raised by an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Murray.

Alverda married Lloyd Richter (1897- ? ) in about 1920, when she was age 16 and he 22. A lumberman, Lloyd was the son of Clark and Viola (Price) Richter of Connellsville. Their portraits are seen at left.

They went on to have 13 children -- Evelyn "Ruth" Brown, Freda Grimm, Albert Nelson Richter, Lloyd "Lefty" Richter Jr., Bernard W. Richter, Clarence Richter, Elwood Richter, Richard Richter, James Richter, Harry Richter, Calvin Kenneth Richter, Viola Mae Showman Schrock and Helen Brown. At least four of the children married into the Brown family of Connellsville.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1930, Lloyd and Alverda and their family of (then) seven children lived in the Normalville area of Springfield Township. Lloyd's occupation was marked by the census-taker as "laborer - farm."

The family made its residence for many years in Normalville before moving in about 1956 to South Connellsville, in a home at 113 Pittsburgh Street. They were members of the Apostolic Church.

Alverda passed away at the age of 56 on July 30, 1960, some nine days after she was admitted to Connellsville State Hospital. Following a funeral held in the Mt. Tabor Church of God, officiated by Rev. James Webb, she was laid to rest in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

After Alverda's passing, Lloyd married again, to Dorothy (Shultz) Grimm (1910-1973), daughter of Ray and Ida (Eiford) Shultz and widow of Robert Roy Grimm. They made their home in South Connellsville.

Son Albert Nelson Richter (1921- ? ) married Leantha Brown ( ? - ? ), daughter of Norman P. and Goldie May (Sanner) Brown Sr. The couple was wed on May 18, 1941 at the home of her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Walsh, in Scottdale, Fayette County. They had at least five children Albert Nelson Richter Jr., Michael P. Richter, Paul Richter, Phillip Richter, Linda Lang and Barbara Mastogiacomo. The photo of the young family, seen here, was taken in the 1940s. In the 1960s and '70s, the family resided on 1708 Third Street in South Connellsville. Following Leantha's death, Albert later married Grace (?), and they resided in Manor, Fayette County. Son Michael P. Richter (1957-2007) married Hope I. Lang, and they had three children. Michael was employed by Daily's Juice Company of Verona for 18 years, said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, and a security guard for Allied Security Company, as well as serving for seven years in the U.S. Air Force. Michael died at age 50 on May 2, 2007, with a full military honors burial in Westmoreland County Memorial Park.

Daughter Viola Mae Richter (1922-2003) was born on July 25, 1922 in Springfield Township. She was married twice. Her first husband was Melvin E. Showman Sr. The couple had two children -- Jennifer L. Kooser and Melvin E. Showman Jr. After Melvin Sr.'s death, Viola wed Robert Schrock (1922-2003), the son of William and Della (Heart) Schrock. Viola and Robert are seen here. Viola was a member of the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Connellsville. Robert was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a retiree from Anchor Hocking Glass in South Connellsville. They made their residence at 338 Swinkhill Road in Connellsville. Viola passed away in Highlands Hospital on April 23, 2003, at the age of 81. Rev. Charles King and her nephew Rev. Rodger Richter officiated at her funeral, followed by interment at Mt. Tabor Cemetery. Robert only survived his wife by a little more than seven months. He died at home at the age of 80 on Dec. 2, 2003. He was laid to rest in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

Daughter Helen Irene Richter (1924-2010) is seen at left with her children. On Feb. 28, 1940, she wed Harry Edward Brown (1922-2006), of Normalville, the son of Norman P. and Goldie May (Sanner) Brown Sr. The nuptials were performed by Rev. G.W. Byrnes, pastor of the Buchanan Circuit of the Church of God, in his home in Connellsville. Helen's brother Lloyd Richter attended the small ceremony. They had four children -- Raymond E. Brown, Robert Brown, Goldie Miller and Sylvia Stewart. The Browns resided at 1412 Oak Street in South Connellsville, and were members of Calvary Assembly of God Church. Harry served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a longtime employee of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Harry passed away at age 83 on March 28, 2006. Helen survived him by more than four years. She died at the age of 86 at Harmon House, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, on July 11, 2010. Following a funeral led by her nephew Rev. Rodger Richter, she was buried in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. Their daughter Sylvia L. Brown married Gary L. Stewart, and has provided many important details for this biography.

Daughter Evelyn "Ruth" Richter (1925-2011) was born on Jan. 12, 1925 in Springfield Township, Fayette County. She married Norman P. Brown Jr. (1921-1982). They had seven children -- Norman P. Brown III, Betty Herman Holden, Leroy N. Brown, Patricia May, Vera Jean Basinger Long, Lloyd Brown and James A. Brown. Evelyn was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church. They lived in Somerset, Somerset County, PA and Bethesda, MD for some time before Evelyn returned to Mill Run in 2001. Tragedy struck in March 1975, when son James was critically injured in an automobile accident and died after treatment in Connellsville and Pittsburgh. Norman passed away on Oct. 6, 1982, at the age of 61. Evelyn outlived him by almost three decades. She died at the age of 86 on Jan. 13, 2011. She was laid to rest in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery. At the time of her passing, said the Connellsville Daily Courier, she was survived by 22 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 29 great-great grandchildren, for a total of 102 lives.

Son Lloyd "Lefty" Richter Jr. (1926- ? ) -- seen here -- married Anna Belle Brown (1919-2008), of Indian Head, Fayette County, and the daughter of Norman P. and Goldie May (Sanner) Brown Sr. They had four children, Rev. Rodger Richter, Dagnell Richter, Wanda Bowlen and Regina Gratson Scott. Belle is seen at left, holding sons Rodger and Dagnell. They resided at various addresses in Connellsville over the years, including 1513 Pittsburgh Street and 1413 Sycamore Street. Said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, she "loved music and playing her guitar." Anna Belle died at the age of 88 on Sept. 25, 2008 at Excela Health in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. She was laid to rest in Mt. Tabor Cemetery. At the time of her passing, she was survived by eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Son Calvin Kenneth "Teen" Richter (1928-1972) was born on Jan. 28, 1928 in Springfield Township. He married Birdie Sanner, and they had six children -- Harry A. Richter, Kenneth E. Richter, Carrie Mae Richter, Kathy Ann Richter, Velma L. Richter and Beatrice L. Richter. Said the Daily Courier, Calvin "was an employe of the Tunnelton Mining Co. at Saltsbury, Pa. and formerly employed by the Eastern Gas and Fueld Associates at Melcroft. He was a member of the U.M.W.A. Local 1378 and was a member of the Mount Tabor Church of God. Calvin died at the age of 43 on Jan. 6, 1972, on arrival at Connellsville State General Hospital.

Son Bernard William "Bill" Richter (1930- ? ) lived at 104 Race Street in South Connellsville. He married Beatrice "Betty" Turney, daughter of Clyde Ellsworth and Rose Lee (Stillwagon) Turney. The nuptials took place in September 1947 at the Church of God in South Connellsville, led by Rev. Clem B. Barcus. At the time of marriage, Betty was employed at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. The Richters had at least two children, Bernard W. Richter Jr. and Janet Dellinger.

Daughter Freda Pearl Richter married Ellsworth A. Grimm (1929-1968, the son of Robert Roy and Dorothy (Shultz) Grimm. They lived in North Manor in Connellsville and had five children -- Harry Ellsworth Grimm, Henry Arthur Grimm, Doris Jean Grimm, Debbie Darlene Grimm and Vicki Lynn Grimm. Ellsworth was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a self-employed carpenter. He also was president of the Pony Baseball League in Connellsville and attended the Calvary Assembly of God. Ellsworth died of a heart attack at the age of 38 on March 24, 1968. Their son Harry served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, specializing in aircraft equipment maintenance.

Son Elwood D. Richter made his home in Everson in 1963 and at 64 Gibson Terrace in Connellsville in the mid-1960s. He married Irene Remlinger and had at least two children, Mary Jo Richter and Timothy Richter. Circa 1963, son Timothy was "named 'poster boy' for the Fayette County March of Dimes because of the progress he had made in the past two years in battling polio," said the Connellsville Daily Courier. "He no longer needs the crutches he has used for the past two years and 'is a fine example of the wonderful results which come from contributions" to the March of Dimes. Elwood may have been manager of Green Ridge Memorial Park in the 1970s.

Son Clarence L. "Abie" Richter married Bertha (?). They resided in Connellsville.

Son James M. Richter married Jean (?). They lived for many years in Connellsville. He is thought to have died at the age of 72 on Aug. 1, 2009, with burial in Normalville Cemetery.

Son Harry C. "Buzz" Richter (1942-2007) was born on Oct. 18, 1942 in Springfield Township. For many years he made his residence in South Connellsville. He married Carolyn A. Wisilosky, and they had two children -- Dana Bigam and Harry Scott Richter. The Richters attended the Calvary Assembly of God Church. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "Prior to his retirement in 2002, Harry worked for more than 40 years with CSX Railroad. During his time with the railroad, he worked in many different capacities, including the Bridge Gang and took pride in the fact that he had more than 40 years of perfect job attendance." He also was considered as the neighborhood handyman. Harry passed away at home on April 29, 2007, at the age of 64. His funeral was led by Rev. Matt Goldsberry, Dr. Marvin Watson and nephew Rev. Rodger Richter, followed by burial in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.

Daughter Anna Eicher (1908-1975) was born on Nov. 2, 1908 in Springfield Township. She married Charles I. Roe (1887-1956), a native of Juniata County, PA and the son of William and Susan (Gross) Roe.

Said the Daily Courier, she "lived in the Connellsville area all her life and was a member of the Church of God."

Later she wed Harry Edward Moore (1897-1974), the son of Francis P. and Lydia (Aker) Moore, and a native of Everson, Fayette County. Harry had been married once before, and brought two children to the marriage -- Harry E. Moore and Margaret Cooper.

Harry "lived most of his life in Connellsville," said the Daily Courier, "and was the plumbing inspector for the City of Connellsville. He was associated with the plumbing trade all of his life." They resided on North Manor in Connellsville. Harry passed away on Nov. 9, 1974.

Anna outlived her second husband by only a few months. She died on Jan. 26, 1975, at the age of 68.

Son Albert N. Eicher (1910-1974) married Nellie Grimm ( ? - ? ). They resided near Normalville and had three sons -- Charles "Sonny" Eicher, Larry F. Eicher and Albert D. Eicher.

Said the Daily Courier, he "worked for the B&O Railroad and attended the Mount Tabor Church of God."

Daughter Dolly M. Eicher (1913- ? ) married Augustus "Gus" Richter (1899- ? ). She was 14 years younger than her husband.

Their four children were Thelma R. Richter, Eleanor M. Richter, Arlena Richter and Augustus Richter Jr.

Daughter Mary Eicher (1918- ? ) married Roy "Ted" Wolfe. He was a World War II Army veteran, custodian for the Connellsville Area School District, and mechanic at the old Opperman’s Service Station in Connellsville.

At one point he survived a terrible oil fire at the service station though seriously injured with first, second and third degree burns. Their residence was in Leisenring, Fayette County.

Daughter Sara Eicher (1920- ? ) married Henry Snidemiller ( ? - ? ) and lived in Leisenring. She visited with the founder of this website in her home in the mid-1990s.

Son Charles Edward Eicher (1923-2007) was married for 61 years to Elizabeth (Ritenour) Eicher. They resided in Normalville, where Charles was a retired timberman for the Nicholson and Sons Lumber Company.

Charles passed away at the age of 83 at the Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA on May 26, 2007. At his death, he and Elizabeth had produced seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Son Neri N. "Juke" Eicher Jr. (1927- ? ) married Ruth Nichelsen ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ewing Nicholson of Connellsville. They made their home in Connellsville, at 112 South Third Street, and later at Leisenring No. 1, Fayette County.

Neri and Ruth had at least four children -- Darrell Lee Eicher, Sandra Jean Eicher, Marvin Eicher and Douglas Eicher. Sadly, young Sandra Jean died, at the age of four months, after a short illness. Her tender remains were placed at rest in the Mount Tabor Cemetery, with a short obituary published in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

They also owned a four-room frame house in Hawkins Hollow, near Indian Head, using it as a rental property. In February 1963, the rental home burned to the ground, but the mother and five children living there were not injured.

Son Darrell Lee Eicher married Pamela Koontz in March 1975 in a ceremony at the Church of Jesus Christ in Vanderbilt, Fayette County. They first made their home as newlyweds in McKeesport, near Pittsburgh. After serving with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Darrell secured employment at the Irvin Works of United States Steel while Pamela, a graduate of the Washington Hospital School of Nursing, worked as a registered nurse at McKeesport Hospital.

Eicher's Family Home near Normalville

A descendant owns Eicher’s Family Home, a personal care facility, near Normalville.

We are grateful to Lucy's son Charles, daughter Sara Snidemiller, great-granddaughter Sylvia (Brown) Stewart and great-great granddaughter Kim (Stewart) Freed for sharing information for this biography.