Bio-Thurston, MargaretCramer

Margaret (Thurston) Cramer
(1882-1940)

Margaret "Maggie" (Thurston) Cramer was born on Sept. 6, 1882 in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA, the daughter of Charles and Emma (Minerd) Thurston.

Maggie married Joseph Cyrus Cramer Sr. (1879-1964). They had eight children -- George Nicholas Cramer, Gladys Clare Poole, Dorothy Rebecca Nicholson, William Russell Cramer, Mary Grace Wiley, Ruby Joyce Aitken, Joseph Cyrus Cramer Jr. and Nelda Jean Marth.

In 1919, the Cramers were residing in Scottdale, Westmoreland County. An old postcard view of Scottdale's Pittsburgh Street is seen here, looking west from Broadway. Their longtime home was located on Fourth Street.

In 1931, the Cramers attended a 25th wedding anniversary reception for Maggie's brother Alvin Thurston in Mt. Pleasant.

Sadly, Maggie passed away at age 58, on April 29, 1940. The Connellsville Daily Courier said she had suffered "a prolonged illness" and had been "a resident of [Scottdale] since her marriage 39 years ago. She was a member of the First Baptist Church."

Son George Cramer (1903-1964) married Emma Frick. They lived in Belle Vernon, PA. They had one son, Harold Cramer (1923-1993). George died on Feb. 23, 1964.

Back row, l-r: George, Bill, Joseph Sr. and Maggie, Dorothy, Gladys. Front, l-r: Joe Jr., Nelda, Grace, Ruby

Daughter Gladys Cramer (1904-1943) married Otis Poole. They resided at Ruffsdale, PA. She died at age 39 on Sept. 28, 1943, of causes unknown. Otis survived her by 46 years, and passed away on Feb. 8, 1989.

Daughter Dorothy Cramer (1906-1942) married Clarence Nicholson (1908-1988). She died at age 36 on Nov. 29, 1942. Clarence outlived her by 46 years, and passed away on May 29, 1988.

Margaret and Joseph's home in Scottdale, past and present

Son William Cramer (1913-1991) married Marge Beadling. In 1940, he lived in Jenkins, KY. They had two daughters, Marilyn and Cheryl.

Daughter Mary Grace Cramer (1915-1998) married James W. Wiley III (1913-1982). They made their home circa 1940 in Owasso, MI. James died at age 69 on Oct. 23, 1982. Mary Grace survived him by 16 years, and passed away on Sept. 14, 1998.

Daughter Ruby Cramer (1917-2005) married David Aitken (1910-1993). They had three children -- Caryle Jeanne, Bonnie Kay and Margaret Katherine. Said the Uniontown (PA) Herald-Standard, Ruby "worked from 1957 until her retirement for the medical offices of Dr. Rush and Dr. Sloan as their Medical Secretary and Office Manager. All their patients will fondly remember her as 'Ruby'." She was active in the Third Presbyterian Church of Uniontown, and serving "the wider community, [she] was a member of the Uniontown Chapter No. 263 Order of the Eastern Star, the Uniontown Service League and the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary and also was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels."

Son Joseph Cramer (1920-1996) married Jean Forsyth. They had two children, Jay and Janice. Joseph died at age 76 on Feb. 3, 1996.

Daughter Nelda Cramer (1925-1986) married James R. Marth Sr. (1924-2009), the son of Charles and Anna (Martz) Marth. They had one son, James R. Marth Jr.. James Sr. served in the Navy Seabees during World War II, said the Greensburg Tribune Review, and "retired from U.S. Steel, Irving Works." He attended First Baptist church of Scottdale and was a member of the Scottdale American Legion, Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department Band, Harrold Grange and Laurel Square Dance Groups and Ridge Runner and Wally Byham Trailer Clubs. Nelda passed away at age 61 on April 30, 1986. James married again to Phyllis (?). James passed away at home at the age of 84 on March 27, 2009.