Jackson
'Grant' Rose
(1871-1961)
Jackson
'Grant' Rose was born on Jan 11, 1871 near Ursina, Somerset County, PA,
the son of Charles and Catherine (Minerd)
Rose.
Grant married Rebecca Cunningham (1875-1947). She was the daughter of Rev. John C. Cunningham, who was pastor of the Church of God at Kingwood and Ursina for 30 years.
They were the parents of 12 children -- John W. Rose Sr., Albert Rose, Mamie Elizabeth Queer, Idella Hall, Harry Rose, Vada "Florence" Lee, Oral Venor Rose, Hazel Marie Cameron, Lewis Rose, Iva G. Rose, Robert E. Rose and James H. Rose. Sadly, Iva, Robert and James all died in childhood. Adult children Lewis (age 26) and Idella (age 18) also died young.
In 1896, Grant purchased a 48-acre farm tract from his parents, located above Coke Oven Hollow near Humbert. The parcel was adjacent to the farms of his brother William and sister Jennie Burgess.
Grant built his home into the side of a hill. It was constructed of brick, which acted as natural insulation and kept the house cool on hot days.
Grant and Rebecca's home near Humbert
The Rose tract contained an underlying seam of coal. It was of an impure grade, and thus was not attractive to buyers. However, Jackson built a small mine -- a shaft cut directly into the bottom of the hill, near the road -- as a source of free fuel for the family's use.
Rebecca
was noted for her green thumb, and the bountiful flowers she planted outside
their house. Seen at right, they stand beside a prized, flowering bush.
On
Sept. 23, 1945, the Roses celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Many of their
children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends attended the party where
refreshments were served. Son John "offered a prayer for the aged couple,"
reported the local newspaper in a lengthy article. Among the attendees was a second cousin, Charles
'Red' Minor, of Connellsville, PA.
Rebecca died on June 2, 1947 at home. She was age 72. She was laid to rest at the Jersey Church near Ursina.
Grant outlived his wife by 14 years, and lived to the age of 90. On Sept. 26, 1961, he died in the Somerset Community Hospital. He was buried beside Rebecca at the Jersey Church. At the time of his death, they had produced 24 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
The Roses are mentioned in the booklets Reflections: Ursina 1787-1994 and Draketown Past & Present.
Son John W. Rose Sr. (1896-1971) served as a teacher in the Humbert School, Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset County, in 1915-1916, and later went on to become a "prominent farmer" of Jenner Township, Somerset County. He was a member of the Radio Church of God in Pittsburgh. He married Helen Harvey (1903-1953), the daughter of Alexander and Barbara (Lodge) Harvey of Cambria County, PA. The Roses had four children, residing in Stoystown, Somerset County -- John W. Rose Jr., Martha Stern, Beatrice Arisman and Barbara Grance.
Son
Albert Rose (1897- ? ) married Bessie Wilson (1893- ? ) , the daughter of Alex and
Mary (Baker) Wilson of Fayette County, uniting themselves in marriage on Dec.
28, 1916. Their fates are unknown at present, but will be reported here
when learned.
Daughter Mamie Rose (1898-1989) married Myron L. Queer (1892-1974) ) on Nov. 12, 1921. He was the son of Levi and Catherine (Huffman) Queer. They resided in Berlin, Somerset County. They had seven children -- Alfred E. Queer, John W. Queer, Thomas L. Queer, Merle L. Queer, Evanelle Fox and two sons who died in infancy. Myron served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I. He was a member of the Berlin Brethren Church, the American Legion Post 445, VFW Post 7295, vice commander of World War I Veterans Barracks 3218, and the Roxbury Mountain, Field and Stream Sportsmen's Association. In 1971, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with an open house at the Berlin Community Building. Myron died at age 82 on May 14, 1974, and is buried at the Berlin IOOF Cemetery. Mamie outlived her husband by 15 years. She passed away at age 90 on Oct. 27, 1989.
Mamie and Myron Queer's golden wedding
anniversary notice in a local newspaper
Son Harry Rose (1902-1974) married Anna S. Tevanus. They lived in Ursina. Harry died on June 16, 1974, at the age of 71.
Son Oral Rose (1906-1970) served in World War II. Said a newspaper, "he lived in Suffield [near Akron, OH] for 18 years, coming from Pennsylvania. He retired from Goodyear in 1963 after 18 years service." He married Blanche Pope (1905-1975). After Oral's death, Blanche moved to Conway, Beaver County, PA. Their children were Robert G. Rose, Harry W. Rose, Albert J. Rose and Ralph V. Rose. Oral passed away in October 1970. Blanche died on Jan. 2, 1975. They are buried at Economy Cemetery, Ambridge, Beaver County.
Daughter
Hazel Rose (1909-1991) married Melvin C. Cameron (1906-1985) on Dec. 20, 1928. He was
the son of Charles Henry and Minnie Elizabeth (Snyder) Cameron. They had seven
children -- La Verne Sanner, Kenneth Cameron, Melvin Cameron Jr., Robert
Cameron, Eugene Cameron, Shirley Bittner and Beverly Hutzel. 'They made their
first home in Kingwood, said the Daily American, "They lived in
Markleton RD until [1976], when they moved to the Yough Housing in Confluence.
On Dec. 20, 1983, the Camerons celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at
home, with a major feature story in the local newspaper, the Daily American.
"Melvin enjoys watching television," said the story. "Hazel
enjoys crocheting, gardening and watching television. She enjoys feeding the
birds in the winter."
Grandson Eugene Cameron is a wood carver and donated his handiwork as door prizes for the Minerd-Miner-Minor Reunions in the late 1990s.
Grandson Albert J. Rose (1931-2002), said a New York newspaper, had "a 22 year career in the United States Air Force, [and] he retired as a Master Sergeant and settled in Camden [NY] with his family. He had worked for many years at Camden Wire and had also owned and operated the Family Dinette and later managed the Camden Senior Citizens Apartment Complex before retiring in 1994." He passed away in Austin, TX in 2002.
Grandson Robert G. Rose (1927-2002) was a sheet metal worker at St. Joe Minerals in Potter Township near Monaca, Beaver County. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of the Baden United Methodist Church. At his death in 2002, he and his wife had produced six children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Grandson Alfred E. Queer (1923-2000) served in World War II as a staff sergeant in the Third Army under General George S. Patton. He also served in the Korean War. Said the Somerset Daily American, he was the "owner and operator of Al's Body Shop, Berlin, for 20 years. Retired rural mail carrier for R.D. 6, Somerset. Lifetime member of Berlin Brethren Church. Member of V.F.W., Post 7595, American Legion Post 445, and Last Man's Club, all of Berlin, Berlin V.F.D., Berlin Fife and Drum Corp, New Baltimore, Kennell's Mill, and Berlin Sportsmen's Club."
Grandson John W. Rose Jr. (1926-2006) resided in Cody, WY.
Great-grandson Gary W. Rose has built a Rose family website containing upward of 1,600 names of various branches. Click to view the page.
Copyright © 2000, 2002-2003, 2006 Mark A. Miner