Bio-Stairs, ClydeL

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Clyde L. Stairs
(1893-1975)

Clyde L. Stairs was born on Jan. 25, 1893 in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA, the son of Lehman G. and Mattie (Minerd) Stairs.

(We are trying to determine if Clyde may have been married twice, first to "Mary L." who lived in Greensburg in 1911, the same year Clyde is known to have resided there. That year, Mary L. sent a postcard to Clyde's sister Lula Swift, saying "They are on a strike here at Heste. To-day is the first... I remain with Love your sister.")

Clyde was employed as a surveyor in Westmoreland County coal mines for about two decades (1930s and '40s), and later suffered from black lung. He also may have been involved with early coal mine unionizing activities. In August of 1910 or 1911, Clyde's sister Bess sent a card to their sister Lula, saying: "Jess Evans, Clyde's boss, says that it is a Bluff. Papa says that they ought to treat you mean so that you can't follow them over some half acre."

In January 1909, Clyde sent Lula a card (seen at right), saying "I got to Jones [Mills] at 11:30. I will be home at 5 o'clock if nothing happens." In 1911, he sent Lula another postcard, saying "Got here OK. Going to Johnstown Wed." The cards today are preserved in the Minerd-Miner-Minor Archives.

Also in 1909, Clyde made news in the Connellsville Daily Courier when employed as a wagon driver for Stark's Bakery. "While going down a hill near the Tarr Brewery yesterday the horse... ran off and the wagon was completely demolished. Clyde Stairs was driving at the time but escaped unhurt."

At the age of 23, in about 1916, Clyde married 21-year-old Sarah "Bessie" Swink (1895-1944), the daughter of Allen and Susan Swink of Mt. Pleasant. Their children were Betty Jean Stairs and Susan Jane Bratcher.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Clyde and Bessie made their home in Mt. Pleasant, on Smithfield Street. His employment was shown as "stationery engineer" at a local coal works.

While employed at the Standard Works in May 1927, Clyde fell from a scaffold "while working on a steam line," reported the Courier. "He suffered a laceration below the right eye and contusions of the body." He was treated at Memorial Hospital in Mt. Pleasant and later released.

Clyde working outdoors, early 1970s

Talented with needle and thread, Sarah enjoyed making colorful quilts for her family. Seen here is one such creation that she made for her daughter sometime in the late 1930s or early '40s. It has been a beloved and well-used heirloom over the years and today is in the hands of a granddaughter. Click for an enlarged version of this image in our Online Quilt Museum.

Clyde had an interest in raising flowers, and circa 1936 was employed by Mt. Pleasant Floral Company. In the late 1940s, he grafted a rose in a florist shop, and apparently exhibited it at a county fair or other community event. Even in such a relatively genteel business, he was injured in August 1936 when overcome by heat, and falling on a pair of shears he was holding, causing a deep laceration on his hand.

The Stairses enjoyed visiting with family in the area. In November 1941, they attended a 75th birthday party for Sarah's mother, Susan Swink. The Courier said that the party "was planned by her children and was a complete surprise. A delicious lunch was served by the daughters. The honor guest received many lovely and useful gifts." In late January 1942, they went to a birthday party in Youngwood for Clyde's sister, Lula Swift. Among the other attendees were Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Leeper and daughters Betty Jean and Venetta of Mt. Pleasant; Ruth Crosby, Pearl Stairs and Edward Stairs of Mt. Pleasant; Myrtle Stairs and son Donald of Tarrs; Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Watson and son Jack of Greensburg; Jemima Clark and Mrs. Luther Rodehaver of Greensburg; Kathleen Dell of Youngwood; Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Bartlow and sons Sammy and Leslie of Norvelt; and Jane Swift and Glenn Swift of Youngwood.

Mt. Pleasant's Main Street looking eastward, 1930s

In 1930, when the census again was enumerated, Clyde, Bessie and three-year-old daughter Betty were listed in their residence on Smithfield Street in Mt. Pleasant. That year, Clyde worked as a hoisting engineer in a coal mine. By 1935, with coal mine jobs scarce during the grip of the Great Depression, they had moved to Main Street in Mt. Pleasant, and in 1938 lived on North Diamond Street.

Sarah (far left) and her sister Lucy Echard are seen here, with an unknown boy peeking from behind.

Sadly, Sarah became deathly ill in October 1944, and went to stay at the home of her mother on South Diamond Street in Mt. Pleasant. She died on Dec. 18, 1944, only 49 years of age at her passing. The Courier said she had been "at Frick Memorial Hospital where she was a patient for treatment." The funeral was held at the home of her mother. In addition to her immediate family she was survived by five sisters and one brother -- Mrs. J.L. Williams of Connellsville; Lucy Echard and Mrs. Orrin Kalp of Mt. Pleasant; Mary Wingrove of Sharpsville; Mrs. Russell Kuhns of Everson, PA; and Edwin A. Swink of Mt. Pleasant.

Widowed for more than 30 years, Clyde remained in Mt. Pleasant for a number of years.

In 1951, he received a head injury in a highway accident when his automobile was struck by another vehicle on Route 119 near Youngwood. He was treated and released from Westmoreland Hospital.

Later in life, by 1969, he had moved to a new residence at 11 North Hickory Street in Scottdale. Clyde continued working for Mt. Pleasant Floral, and was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church of Scottdale, and belonged to the Elks Club.

In and out of hospitals during his final years, Clyde died in Mt. Pleasant on March 7, 1975, at the age of 82. He was buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In a card of thanks published in the Courier, daughters Betty Jean and Susan expressed their thanks to friends for their kindness and sympathy, especially Rev. Edward E. Donner, Claudia Stahl, Violet McCloy "and all who in any way assisted us." His name was read aloud, followed by a moment of silence, at a May 1975 memorial service at Christ Church.

~ Daughter Betty Jean Stairs ~

Daughter Betty Jean Stairs (1927- ? ) apparently never married. She is known to have undergone throat surgery in 1932, when she was age five. Her poor health continuing over the years, she was admitted to Memorial Hospital in Mt. Pleasant again in 1935, when she was age eight.

She made her home in Scottdale as an adult, and was a women's circle leader at the First Evangelical United Brethren Church.

~ Daughter Susan Jane (Stairs) Bratcher ~

Daughter Susan Jane Stairs (1932-2011) was plagued by the same type of throat problems as her older sister Betty. Susan underwent surgery at Frick Memorial Hospital at the age of six, in February 1938.

Susan married William Bratcher and circa 1975 resided in Orlando, FL. The Bratchers had these children -- Paul Bratcher, Linda Bratcher, Brenda Bratcher, Susan Tischer, Annette Talmadge, Ann Bratcher and William Bratcher Jr.

Susan passed away on March 9, 2011.