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Elizabeth (Dull) Dumbauld
(1815-1895)

 

Elizabeth's badly faded grave
marker, Kingwood Church of God

Elizabeth (Dull) Dumbauld was born on April 9, 1815 in Milford Township, Somerset County, PA, the daughter of George and Christina (Younkin) Dull

At the age of 18, on Dec. 13, 1833, she wed 24-year-old Jonathan Cable Dumbauld (1809-1885), son of Peter and Sarah (Cable) Dumbauld and a native of Saltlick Township in nearby Fayette County. 

Jonathan's grandfather Abraham Dumbauld was a German emigrant and among the first settlers in Fayette County, considered "one of the typical pioneers, strong, hearty and adventurous," said the 1884 book History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania. Jonathan's father was a farmer and drover, serving the community as a justice of the peace and Somerset County commissioner, and among the first members of the Church of God movement in the county.

Jonathan himself grew up in Fayette County.

 

They together produced a dozen children -- George Dumbauld, Susanna Younkin Kreger, Frederick Dumbauld, Sarah "Sally" Rhoads, Christianna Schrock, Daniel Dumbauld, Mary Ann "Mollie" Dumbauld, Peter Dumbauld, Louisa Kreger, William "Willie" Dumbauld, Clarinda "Savannah" Kreger, Jonathan "Beecher" Dumbauld and William Dumbauld. 

Willie's grave, 1857, Delilah
Younkin Cemetery, Hexebarger
Each child's name and date of birth was inscribed in the family Bible, published in 1864, with their pastor from the Old Bethel Church, Rev. John Andrew Plowman, doing the writing as Elizabeth dictated the information.

Early in their marriage, the couple resided in Westmoreland County, PA but then spent two decades in Fayette County. Circa 1846, at the age of 37, he relocated the family to Somerset County and put down roots in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. 

Said the Somerset Herald, "Mrs. Dumbauld dedicated herself to the Lord in Fayette county, Pa., many years ago, and with her husband united with the church of God in this county, being among the first members of the church of God in this county."

Of Jonathan, a newspaper once said that he was; 

...a man of exemplary habits, always cheerful, and ready to speak a kind word or lend a helping hand to those who were in need of sympathy or aid. As a professor of Christianity he was eminently consistent, his daily walk attesting his faith in the world's Redeemer. For nearly 50 years he was a member of the communion known as the Church of God, and was the first member of that denomination in Somerset county. He was several times honored  by his fellow citizens in being called to positions of trust. He was a member of the board of County Commissioners of this county from 1869 to 1873, and filled the position with entire satisfaction to all. 

Above: Dumbauld farms (circled) west of Kingwood, 1876 Atlas of Somerset County. Below: The Dumbaulds named the 1906 History of Bedford and Somerset Counties

 

Old Bethel Church, Hexebarger - enlarge
Heartache ran through the family on March 1, 1857, when son Willie died at the age of four years, four months and 21 days. His remains were interred in Hexebarger near Kingwood in a remote Younkin family burying ground known as the Delilah Younkin Cemetery, so named after one of its owners, Delilah (Faidley) Younkin, widow of Frederick J. Younkin. A small stone was erected to mark his grave, and at the base was inscribed this short but moving epitaph: "A bud, Plucked by God to bloom in heaven." A dozen years later, when the Dumbaulds produced another son, he also was given the name "William," likely in memory of the older deceased son.

By 1860, they returned to the Kingwood area. The federal census of 1860 shows the Dumbaulds living in Upper Turkeyfoot, with six children in the household, and Elizabeth's double cousin Ephraim Miner living under their roof and working as a farm laborer. Among their close neighbors were widow Susan (Dumbauld) Younkin, "Yankee" John Younkin and Andrew and Susanna (Younkin) Schrock.


Jonathan's badly faded grave
marker, Kingwood Church of God
Jonathan is among a number of Younkin cousins mentioned by name as founding members of the Old Bethel Church of God in Hexebarger near Kingwood. In a history of the church penned in the 1880s or early 1890s, Harrison Grant King wrote that as a result of preaching, tent-meetings and evangelism by visiting preachers, a Christian spiritual interest "sprang up with the result that a Church of God was organized, with Fred Dull, Jonathan Dumbauld, wife and daughter Susan and son George, Fred Kreger and wife, William Spencer, James King, Christopher King and wife Rachael, Josiah Gross, William Younkin, Rebeca King and Sarah King, with perhaps a few others, constituted the charter members of the first Church of God in Somerset Co."

Circa 1876, the Dumbauld farm is depicted in the Atlas of Somerset County, and was found to be sitting on valuable reserves of coal. The 1880 census shows Jonathan and Elizabeth in Upper Turkeyfoot, with only their son Beecher in the house, and Jonathan engaged at the age of 75 in farming and cattle dealing.

The Dumbaulds moved after 1880 to a farm in Milford Township. They are named in the 1906 book History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, authored by E. Howard Blackburn, William Henry Welfley and William H. Koontz. The entry states that "The Milford Church of God was organized in 1889 at Weimer's school house. In 1891, a church was built near the John Sweitzer farm, in Milford township. The charter members were Peter Dumbauld and wife... [and son-in-law] Perry Schrock and wife.... The pastors seem to have been the same as those of the Kingwood church."

Somerset Herald, Jan. 15, 1896
The Herald once said that Elizabeth "was naturally of a quiet and retiring disposition, yet all who came in contact with her soon learned that her life was 'hid with Christ in God,' and from that indwelling reality came to them influences of a holy and benign character. As a wife she was true and devoted; as a mother, kind, considerate and solicitous for the temporal and spiritual welfare of her children as a friend she was constant and true, respected and loved by her neighbors." 

 

Jonathan passed away at their Milford Township home at the age of 76 years, one month and 29 days on Sept. 29, 1885. An obituary penned by an author using the name "N.B.c." wrote that "Death came to him suddenly, and no doubt unexpectedly, but he as found at his post, and it caused him no alarm. He went to his bed in the evening apparently in his usual health, but before morning 'he was not, for God took him'." 

Jonathan's obituary, 1885
Burial was either in New Centerville or in Kingwood, "near the old home where he spent the most active years of his life," wrote N.B.C. An appropriate memorial address was delivered by Rev. Marple."

Elizabeth survived him by a decade. It's believed that the final years of her life were uneventful..

She died in New Centerville at the age of 80 on Dec. 17, 1895, just four days after what would have been her 60th wedding anniversary. Almost a month after her death, the Herald reported the details of her passing:

The disease that caused her death was not of very long standing. She was confined to her room only a little over two weeks, but during that time her decline was rapid. During her suffering she was cheerful and happy all the while, and upon her face rested the smile of gladness that was a sure index to the joy that was within. It was an inspiration to be in her presence and to witness the fearlessness with which she faced the 'last of foes.' When the roll is called up yonder, and the trials and triumphs of God's people on earth are rehearsed, we have every reason to believe that this humble and unostentatious christian will receive a rich reward.

The couple's grandson George "Newton" Schrock, a general store owner,  postmaster, constable and furniture store merchant, organized in September 1915 a family reunion for more than 100 people. In reporting on the event, the Meyersdale Republican said:

Some time ago G.N. Schrock of Somerset decided to call together the descendants of his grandfather Fred [sic] Dumbauld. He wrote to a number of the relatives and soon got encouragement. He set the day for September 7, and gave the call and they responded to the number of one hundred or more. The following were presnet: George Dumbauld of Upper Turkeyfoot, Fred Dumbauld of Kansas, Peter Dumbauld of Milford township, Mrs. D.W. Rhoades of Rockwood, Mrs. Perry Schrock of Somerset. The following living children were absent: Mrs. Silas Kreger of Illinois, Mrs. William Romesburg of Kingwood, J.B. Dumbauld of Colorado. At 10:30 o'clock the crowd got together in the orchard of the old home place, which is now owned by the Laurel Hill Lumber Co. The old log barn and log house are still standing. After greetings, the noon meal was had, as all had brought baskets filled with good things to eac. After dinner the father of the gathering, G.N. Schrock, made the address of welcome, and then introduced E.S. Critchfield of Omaha, Neb., a son of Jacob Critchfield of Black township. He was followed by George and Peter Dumbauld, who told of things that had happened on the old farm when they were boys. Not many men are willing to tell of the tricks they played when they were boys, but Peter Dumbauld outdid them all for jokes, and had them all laughing. The crowd joned in three songs and it needless to say they were well rendered. Miss Blanche Knepper of Berlin sang a solo, entitled "They Vote for Rum." Miss Evaline Dumbauld, daughter of Peter, gave a recitation, "Old Times and New." People came from Fayette county, Somerset, Berlin and Rockwood. By unanimous vote it was decided to make this an annual affair to be held in the vicinity of Kingwood. G.N. Schrock was made president, in fact the whole push. At 3:30 p.m. all started for their homes.

Adult siblings, front, left to right: Savannah Kreger, Mollie Romesburg, Christina Schrock, Sallie Rhodes and Susanna Kreger. Back, L-R: Beecher, Peter, Daniel, Frederick and George. Date unknown.

 

 

George L. Dumbauld, 1884

~ Son George Luther Dumbauld ~

Son George Luther Dumbauld (1834-1928) was born on Jan. 27, 1834 in either Fayette or Westmoreland County, PA. 

He migrated as a boy with his parents to Somerset County -- was an adventurer spending 26 years in American West -- and is pictured and profiled in the 1884 book History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania

George grew up learning the flour milling business. In 1849, after gold was discovered in Sutter's Mill, California, the 15-year-old George decided to travel west with some friends to seek their fortune. Their voyage by ship took them to New York and thence through the Isthmus of Panama.

When arriving in Calaveras County, CA, he filed a claim for land and spent three years in placer mining -- panning for gold in streams -- "with reasonable success," said the 1884 History

 

History of Bedford, Somerset 
and Fulton Counties, 1884

He then removed to San Joaquin county, and until 1864 engaged in farming and milling. In the spring of this year he, in common with thousands of others, decided to try his luck in Idaho, and the journey there was made up the coast to Portland, Oregon; up the Columbia river to the Dalles, and from there by means of Indian ponies to the mines on Moore's creek, where he met with gratifying success -- placer mining -- until fall, when he returned to San Joaquin county, and engaged in farming until the fall of 1869, when he returned home via the Union Pacific railroad, which was this year completed, after and absence of fifteen years. The following spring he returned to California, and located in Merced county, where he took up government land and became among the first farmers, thus demonstrating the fertility of the soil, which had, prior to this time, been doubted. He also engaged in teaming with sixteen mules, which were attached to three and sometimes four wagons fastened together. This was in the mountainous counties of Inyo and Kern, along narrow defiles where the least misstep would have precipitated them down thousands of feet into a yawning abyss below. 

He was present when the first church, which was free for all denominations, was dedicated in the Yosemite Valley by Rev. J.H. Vincent, well known among sabbath-school workers. Among the celebrities present were Joseph Cook, of Boston, and Rev. Thomas Gard. In 1880 Mr. Dumbauld decided to return to the land of his fathers, from which he had been absent, except for one brief visit, twenty-six years, and the journey home was via the Southern Pacific railroad.

 

George's 340-acre farm in Milford Township, 1884

 

 

George, 1890s

Upon his return to Somerset County, George married Mary "Ellen" Faidley (1877-1973), daughter of Simon and Nancy (Swarner) Faidley. Ellen was 43 years younger than her husband. (In a twist, George's cousin Jesse F. Ream wed Ellen's sister Anna "Annie" Faidley.) 

They were longtime farmers and produced a family of four children -- Jonathan Beecher Dumbauld II, Ada Savannah Bungard, Olive F. Hall and DeElda Dumbauld.

The family initially resided on a 340-acre farm in Milford Township, which George purchased from Jacob Walker in 1882, two years after his arrival home. The farm operations focused on stock raising and dairying and became such an attractive spread that it was sketched as an illustration for the 1884 History book.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Dumbaulds were living on a farm in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. In addition to their two children, their newlywed brother-in-law Ross King and his wife Ada resided in the household.

 

Clockwise from upper left: Ada, Jonathan, 
Olive, Ellen, DeElda and George Dumbauld

The 1910 U.S. Census shows the family remaining in Upper Turkeyfoot, with all four children under their roof.

In 1920, the census shows the 85-year-old George and 42-year-old Ella residing with their married son Jonathan and his wife Amelia in Upper Turkeyfoot.

Tragedy shook the family in October 1920 when daughter DeElde died at the age of 13 due to a blood disorder.

Also circa 1920, the Dumbaulds' longtime church was renovated, including a two-story addition and a vestibule with a bell tower. New stained glass windows were installed, and George appears to have made a donation to dedicate one of the windows in memory and honor of his family.

In 1924, Ellen received a bequest of $150 from the estate of her late father.

George was afflicted during his later years with heart valve problems as well as senility. He died at the age of 94 years, five months and 13 days on July 10, 1928. Following a funeral service preached by Rev. S.A. Miller, burial was in the Kingwood Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Mary Ellen survived him by 45 years. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, she resided in the farming household of her son Jonathan and family in Upper Turkeyfoot. She remained with her son during the decade of the 1930s and into 1940, as shown by census records.

In April 1962, Mary Ellen attended a dinner at the Scullton Rod and Gun Club building for her granddaughter and husband Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brown and sons Kenneth and Roger, visiting from Santa Clara, CA. Reported the Daily American, "There were 40 present for the occasion. Also five generations of Mrs. Ellen Dumbauld were represented. They were Mrs. Dumbauld, Mrs. W.L. Bungard, Mrs. Winfield King, Mrs. Eldon Sechler and Mark Sechler."

She passed into eternity on Nov. 8, 1973 at the age of 96. Ellen's obituary in the Somerset Daily American said she was the "oldest living member of the Kingwood Church of God" and said she was survived by 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

 

Memorial window to the George Dumbaulds, Kingwood Church of God.
Courtesy Linda Marker

 

 

Jonathan named on this stone,
Kingwood Church of God

Son Jonathan Beecher "J.B." Dumbauld II (1896-1970) was born in 1896 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County and was named after his father's brother. He spent his entire life in Upper Turkeyfoot. Jonathan married Amelia E. Schmuck (1901-1980). They produced one son, Quentin Othello Dumbauld. Jonathan was described by local newspapers as a prominent dairy farmer and sheep raiser in the regtion. The family were longtime members of the Kingwood Church of God, and attended one or more annual sessions of the Churches of God West Pennsylvania Eldership in the mid-1930s. In 1934, when the church building burned to the ground, Jonathan agreed to serve on a Building Committee to reconstruct the structure, along with Younkin cousins Matthew McKinley Younkin and Peter Albert Kreger as well as local banker and contractor David Francis Shultz. In recognition of their services to the congregation, Jonathan's name is inscribed today on a cornerstone type marker embedded on the church exterior brickwork. Active in other ways in the community, Jonathan belonged to the Farmers Union Mutual Association and Fire Insurance Company and the Kingwood Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the summer of 1955, he was elected vice president of the Somerset County Milking Shorthorn Association. The Dumbaulds endured the senseless death of their 35-year-old married son Quentin in 1955. The family made its home in the outskirts of Rockwood circa 1970. At the age of 73, Jonathan passed away in Somerset Community Hospital on July 18, 1970. Burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Rockwood, with the funeral co-officiated by Rev. Stanley Darrah and Rev. J.I. Kalp. Amelia survived her husband by a decade. She died in 1980, at age 89.

  • Grandson Quentin Othello Dumbauld ( ? -1955) was born on (?). Hew grew up working in the outdoors, especially timbering. He married a cousin, Mildred Kreger (Oct. 25, 1918-2009), daughter of Ross A. and Mentie Alice "Minta" (Younkin) Kreger of the family of Rev. Herman and Susanna (Faidley) Younkin. Upon their marrirage, Mildred's parents held a bridal shower at their home in Kingwood, with a related news story printed in the Somerset Daily American. They were the parents of one son, Gerald Dumbauld. Mildred was a graduate of California (PA) State University and was a longtime teacher in the Rockwood School District, with assignments in the Mount Union School in 1946 and Kingwood circa 1949. The Dumbaulds were active in the Kingwood Church of God, with Quentin elected as a deacon in July 1953 along with Merle Pletcher, Blair Kreger and Wilbur Johnson. He was elected inspector of elections in Upper Turkeyfoot Township in November 1953, garnering 147 votes against 80 for his opponent, Pauline Brougher. The couple also were members of the Kingwood Grange. In April 1955, tragedy descended upon the family when he died in a senseless accident while working. Self employed, he had been in the woods, felling trees, when dead a limb unexpectedly fell and struck his forehead, fracturing his skull and killing him instantly. The widowed Mildred survived by several decades and remained in the Markleton area. She liked to cook and read in her spare time. As a patient in Somerset Hospital at the age of 91, Mildred died on New Year's Eve 2009. An obituary was printed in the Daily American. Rev. James Monticue and Rev. Paul Tobias co-led the funeral service, with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood.

Great-grandson Gerald D. Dumbauld ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was a self-employed farmer. On May 27, 1967, he married Joyce Louise Romesburg ( ? - ? ), daughter of Howard G. Romesburg of Garrett, Somerset County. The ceremony was led by Rev. Hillis G. Berkey in the parsonage of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Rockwood. Reported the Somerset Daily American, "The bride was presented in marriage by her father, wearing an Empire bodice of embroidered lace over chiffon with bell sleeves over a satin full-length skirt with detachable train. A three-tier bouffant veil was attached to an organza rose accented with seed pearls. She carried a colonial bouquet of white carnations with lilly-of-the-valley." A year before marriage, Joyce had graduated from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Cumberland, MD and then at the time of marriage as a nurse at Somerset State Hospital. The couple produced a son, Richard Dumbauld. The Dumbaulds lived on an old 191-acre farm originally purchased by Gerald's great-great grandfather, Henry Kreger, in 1857. The farm had been handed down to Christian Kreger, Christian's sons Ross and James Kreger, with Ross and Minta later buying out James' share. The farm then was passed to Ross and Minta's daughters Mildred Dumbauld and Elizabeth Kreger, with Gerald acquiring the tract from them in 1970.

Daughter Ada Savanna Dumbauld (1898-1988) was born on Oct. 26, 1898 in Somerset County. She married Weldon Lloyd Bungard (1892-1963), son of Fred and Alice (Weyant) Bungard of Scullton. She was two years older than her spouse. The couple produced 10 children, among them George Bungard, Olive Mae "Ollie" Kreger, Naomi Cramer, Mardelle Duppstadt, Luella Pletcher, Clark "Edward" Bungard, Dortha Brown, Ruby King and Fred Bungard. Tragedy shook the family in the dead of winter in 1963. While driving on the snow-covered Route 53 in Milford Township, Weldon lost control of his vehicle, which careened down an embankment and struck several posts. He sustained multiple fractures of his skull in addition to contusions of his right wrist and forearm. He was rushed to Somerset Community Hospital, where he succumbed five days later on Feb. 24,  1963 at the age of 63. Ada survived as a widow for nearly four more decades. She joined her husband in death on Feb. 27, 1988. They rest together in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood. In her obituary, the Somerset Daily American noted that she was survived by 19 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. 

  • Grandson George D. Bungard (1919-2008) was born on March 18, 1919 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. In about Oct. 1940, he wedded Idella Meriam Mitchell (March 22, 1922-2003), daughter of James and Ethel (Nichols) Mitchell of Scullton, Somerset County. The couple's marriage lasted for 62 years. The Bungards resided in New Centerville and Rockwood, Somerset County and bore a family of three -- Lonnie Bungard, Verna "Kay" Hochstein and Bonnie Nischalke. For many years, George was employed by People's Natural Gas Company of nearby Johnstown, Cambria County. They were members of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Scullton. George enjoyed fishing and hunting in his spare time. George succumbed to death in Somerset Hospital at the age of 88 on Jan. 2, 2008. Burial was at the Wesley Chapel cemetery, with preaching by Rev. Denton Lester. His obituary appeared in the Somerset Daily American.

Great-grandson Lonnie Bungard married Janice Bender. They live in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA.

Great-granddaughter Verna "Kay" Bungard wedded Linton Hochstein.

Great-granddaughter Bonnie Bungard was united in wedlock with Edward Nischalke. They make a home in Johnstown, PA.

  • Somerset County Memorial Park
    Granddaughter Olive Mae "Ollie" Bungard (1928-2002) was born on May 6, 1928 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. She was united in holy matrimony with a distant cousin, Charles Ray "Bud" Kreger (Jan. 29, 1926-1999), a native of Kingwood and the son of Edwin "Domer" and Mary Ellen (Marker) Kreger and grandson of Jacob and Susanna (Dumbauld) Kreger. They remained together for 48 years. The offspring born in this marriage were Diane L. Vecere and Debbie L. Kreger. During World War II, Charles served in the U.S. Navy. The Kregers were longtime members of the Kingwood Church of God. Charles was employed as a foreman for a dozen years by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and he retired in 1987. He also belonged to the Ursina post of the American Legion. For a decade, from 1980 to 1990, Olive was employed as a waitress at the PPG Industries' Fin & Feather lodge and retreat center. Charles passed into eternity in Somerset Hospital at the age of 73 on April 17, 1999. Burial was in Somerset County Memorial Park, with funeral services preached by Rev. James L. Monticue. Olive lived for another three years in widowhood. She to succumbed to death in Somerset Hospital, at the age of 74, on June 28, 2002. Rev. Monticue again officiated. In a Somerset Daily American obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to their church or the the American Cancer Society.

Great-granddaughter Diane L. Kreger married (?) Vecere. She is the mother of Parris J. Vecere. Her home in 1999 was in Somerset.

Great-granddaughter Debbie L. Kreger relocated to Alexandria, VA.

  • Granddaughter Naomi Bungard ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was the mother of Larry Bungard. In about 1966, she married World War II veteran Elwood Cramer (April 11, 1918-1988), son of Henry and Alice (Phillippi) Cramer of Saltlick Township, Fayette County. The couple did not reproduce. During the war, he had served as a medic in the U.S. Army, and later earned a living working for Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They made a residence in the rural outskirts of Rockwood and attended the Kingwood Church of God. Naomi was an active volunteer in the 1950s and '60s with the Ladies Aid of the Rockwood Church of the Brethren. Elwood belonged to the Samuel S. Crouse post of the American Legion, Rockwood post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans of Meyersdale. When he was 69 years of age, Elwood passed into eternity as a patient in Somerset Community Hospital on Jan. 7, 1988. An obituary in the Somerset Daily American said that his funeral was led by Rev. Stephen Show and that burial was in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood.

Great-grandson Larry Bungard ( ? - ? ) established a residence in Fort Hill, Somerset County, and was there in 1988.

  • Granddaughter Mardelle Loulia "Marty" Bungard ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She wedded Clarence Duppstadt ( ? - ? ). They made a residence along Casselman Road in Kingwood. In 1958, Mardelle became employed by Coal Operators Casualty Company, later known by the more familiar Rockwood Insurance Company. She started in the filing department and worked her way up to general liability underwriting. When an article about Rockwood Insurance was printed in 1989 in the Somerset Daily American, she was quoted saying "When I started, there were only 10 or 11 filing cabinets. Now there are hundreds!" She appeared in a group photo of Rockwood Insurance employees published in the Daily American on April 24, 1987. In 2013, Mardelle and her sister Luella Pletcher helped organize a reunion of former students of local one-room schools Kanaul, Kingwood and Scullton. Then in April 2014, the Duppstadts held an auction at their farm.

 

Whipkey Dam near the James and Luella Pletcher home

 

  • Granddaughter Luella Bungard ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On Nov. 8, 1959, she was joined in the bonds of marriage with James Pletcher ( ? - ? ). They dwelled on Whipkey Dam Road near Kingwood and bore five known offspring, Brad Pletcher, Bryan Pletcher, Blake Pletcher, Dawn Pletcher and Bret "Charlie" Pletcher. James earned a living over the years as a carpenter for the Carpenter's Union 2274. He retired in December 1996. Luella was a longtime employee of PPG Industries, perhaps working with her sister Olive Kreger at the company's Fin & Feather lodge and retreat center. In their free time, Luella liked to cook, read and listen to Gospel music, while James enjoyed fishing, hunting, picnics and watching football games. They belonged to the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. In 2009, James served as president of the Scullton Rod and Gun Club. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in November 2009, with a dinner at the Rockwood Fire Hall, and were pictured in a related article in the Somerset Daily American.

Great-grandson Brad Pletcher married Lori Knopsnyder and has lived in Rockwood.

Great-grandson Bryan Pletcher wedded Leslie McVicker and has resided in Markleton.

Great-grandson Blake Pletcher was joined in matrimony with Shanda Queer. They have dwelled in Rockwood.

Great-granddaughter Dawn Pletcher has made a home in Rockwood.

Great-grandson Bret "Charlie" Pletcher was united in holy wedlock with Fenna Queer. They have resided in Rockwood.

  • Purple Heart medal
    Grandson Clark "Edward" Bungard (1922-1989) was born on Jan. 30, 1922 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. He married Nellie King ( ? - ? ). The union between the couple endured for 40 years. They were the parents of one son, Barry E. Bungard. During World War II, Edward served in the U.S. Army and saw action in the European Theater, earning a Purple Heart medal. After the war, Edward was a partner in the family-owned business King and Bungard Lumber Company. The Bungards lived for years in the Markleton area and belonged to the Kingwood Church of God. At the age of 67, Edward passed away in Somerset Hospital on April 30, 1989. Rev. James L. Monticue officiated the funeral service. Burial of the remains followed in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, with the Somerset Daily American publishing an obituary.

Great-grandson Barry E. Bungard wedded Nancy Koontz. Circa 1989, they were in Ebensburg, Cambria County, PA.

  • Granddaughter Dortha Bungard was united in matrimony with Joseph Brown. Two known sons were born in this family, Kenneth Brown and Roger Brown. The Browns relocated to California, making a home in Santa Clara. They returned home for a visit in April 1962, with a dinner held in their honor at the Scullton Rod and Gun Club's recreation building. Reported the Somerset Daily American, "This is the first time the Bungard family of nine were together for approximately 10 years. There were 40 present for the occasion. Also five generations of Mrs. Ellen Dumbauld were represented. They were Mrs. Dumbauld, Mrs. W.L. Bungard, Mrs. Winfield King, Mrs. Eldon Sechler and Mark Sechler."
  • Granddaughter Ruby A. Bungard (1917-1985) was born on Feb. 16, 1917 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township. She was joined in marriage with Winfield S. King ( ? - ? ). Their union endured for 48 years. The couple produced four children -- Roy E. King, Dalton W. King and Loretta Sechler, as well as one who died in infancy. As her health failed, Ruby was admitted to Somerset Community Hospital. She died there at the age of 68 on May 25, 1985. Funeral services were jointly led by Rev. Steve Cordle and Rev. Steve Show, with interment in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Somerset Daily American, which noted that she was survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Roy E. King

Great-grandson Dalton W. King

Great-granddaughter Loretta King (1940-2020) was born on July 14, 1940 in Scullton. She wedded a distant cousin, Eldon Sechler ( ? -living), son of Earle Joshua and Ella (Gindlesperger) Sechler of the family of Rev. Herman and Susanna (Faidley) Younkin. See the Younkin biography for more.

 

  • Grandson Fred K. Bungard (1929-2005) was born on Nov. 9, 1929 in Kingwood. Fred served as a truck driver in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home, he relocated to Ohio in about 1957 and put down roots in Grafton, OH. There, he became employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a postal clerk, and remained for three decades, from about 1955 to retirement in 1985. He married Deloris ( ? - ? ). Their marriage union lasted for 45 years. They produced two daughters. The family attended the LaGrange United Methodist Church. When Fred became seriously ill in the late summer of 2005, he was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic, where he was swept away by the Grim Reaper at the age of 75 on Aug. 30, 2005. Memorial services were held in the LaGrange Church, led by Rev. Ralph Krall, and later at the Kingwood Church of God. An obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American.

Daughter Olive F. Dumbauld (1900-1991) was born in 1900. She was united in holy matrimony with a Younkin step-cousin, Forrest Hall (1896-1997), son of Lawrence Hall. Visit the Hall bio for more.

 

Daughter DeElda Dumbauld (1907-1920) was born on March 10, 1907. She attended school as a girl but suffered from a blood disorder involving her albumin levels. Grief cascaded over the family when, at the age of 13 years, six months and 22 days, she died on Oct. 2, 1920, with interment in the Kingwood Odd Fellows Cemetery.

 

Frederick Dumbauld

~ Son Frederick Dumbauld ~

Son Frederick "Fred" Dumbauld (1837-1917) was born on June 25, 1837 in Fayette County, PA and served his nation during the Civil War. 

On Nov. 19, 1868, when he was 31 years of age, Frederick was united in holy wedlock with 32-year-old Jane McNeill (1836- ?  ), daughter of Irish immigrant Laughlin McNeill and his Somerset County-born wife Sarah "Sally" McClintock of Lower Turkeyfoot Township. Justice of the peace Jacob Gerhard pronounced them married at the bride's home, Gerhard wrote, with the couple "having plighted the solemn vows of duty and affection." 

The Younkin/Dull/Dumbauld and McNeill families were close. Frederick's cousin Louisa Irene Younkin -- of the family of David and Maria (Culver) Younkin of New Centerville -- wedded Jane's brother Edwin R. McNeill  -- and another cousin Anna Maria Younkin married Edwin's brother Neal McNeill.

The couple produced these known children -- Harvey P. Dumbauld, Sarah Dumbauld, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dumbauld, Jonathan "John" Dumbauld, Edward D. Dumbauld, Mary Ellen Dumbauld and Frederick Dumbauld Jr. 

 

History of Frederick's
Civil War regiment

Frederick stood five feet, six inches tall, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light hair, and a weight of 160 lbs. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and was assigned to Company C. Also serving in that company were his Younkin kinsmen Michael A. Firestone, Ephraim Minerd, Martin Miner, Jacob Phillippi, Andrew Jackson Rose and John S. Trimpey as well as his brother in law Henry Kreger. More about his military service will be added here when discovered. 

On May 29, 1865, the was now over, he mustered out of the regiment at Harrisburg, PA and returned home to Kingwood. During the postwar years, Frederick and Jane were farmers in the Somerfield region of Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. 

The federal census enumeration of 1870 shows the family living near Somerfield and laboring as farmers, with Jacob W. and Catherine Younkin residing in a nearby dwelling. After the birth of their daughter Mary in September 1879, the family relocated from Ursina, PA to Wakefield, Clay County, KS, to try their hand at farming the flatlands there, as had Frederick's grand-uncle Henry F. Younkin (in 1874) and many of Younkin cousins (as early as 1856). At the time of the move, Frederick was age 42 and Jane 43. 

Census records for 1880 show the family as farmers in Milford Township, Davis County, KS, with five children under their roof. On July 1891, while in Kansas, as compensation for his wartime suffering, he was awarded a federal government pension. [App. #1042097, Cert. #760.419] He complained that he had lost sight in his left eye, and that he had to sleep with a "high pillow" to avoid pain.

Frederick was active with Civil War veterans activities in Milford. In August 1889, he and a number of friends went to nearby Wakefield for a visit with members of the Grand Army of the Republic, and met with a very positive reception. His comrades for the excursion included O.B. Heath, J.W. Waller, B.B. Grover, R. Washburn, H. Tressin and A. Griffin. Newspaper accounts show that he traveled back to Pennsylvania in late September 1887 and August 1907..

 

Old Bethel Cemetery

Again in 1900, when census records were made, he and Jane made their home in Milford, Geary County, KS. By that time, two of their children had died, and the remaining five were alive. After retiring from farm work, Frederick and Jane moved into the home of their son Edward and his wife Winnie in Milford.

He was living in Nebraska in February 1915 and in Wakefield in May 1915 as referenced in the Meyersdale Commercial obituaries of his sister Susanna Kreger and brother Daniel. 

Suffering from chronic heart disease, Frederick returned to Somerset County. He died in Rockwood on Oct. 30, 1917, at the age of 80. His remains were placed into rest in the Old Bethel Church of God Cemetery near Kingwood. His sister Sally Rhodes was the informant for his Pennsylvania certificate of death.

When his next pension check arrived at the post office in Milford, the postmaster sent it to Frederick's attention in Pennsylvania, only to have it returned undeliverable. Back in Kansas, Jane petitioned for and began receiving her husband's monthly pension payments. [App. #1.110.806, Cert. #849.575] 

In 1890, when a history of his regiment was published in the book War History, authored by Col. Horatio N. Warren, Frederick was mentioned in a roster of soldiers. 

Jane died just two years after her husband, on Nov. 28, 1919, at the age of 83 years, three months and 27 days. Burial was in Kansas. Inscribed on her grave marker in the Old Milford Cemetery were the familiar words "Gone but not forgotten." [Find-a-Grave] An obituary was published in the Junction City Weekly Union. It's believed that Jane's grave in Milford Cemetery, along with those of her son Edward and his wife Winnie, were moved and reburied circa 1962 to make way for construction of the Milford Dam and Reservoir. At that time, Mrs. Clayton Kidd was named as next of kin and was residing on West 3rd Street in Junction City, KS.

Son Harvey P. Dumbauld (1869-1870) was born in December 1869 near Somerfield in Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. He only lived for 10 months and 20 days, and died on Aug. 20, 1870. He was lowered to eternal rest in the Old Bethel Church of God Cemetery.

Daughter Sarah Dumbauld (1870-1922) was born on Oct. 9, 1870 in Somerset County. At age eight, she and her family left Pennsylvania and traveled westward to become pioneer settlers of Kansas. On Aug. 13, 1894, she married Robert G. Wilson (1852-1937), a native of Indiana who was 18 years her senior. The couple had seven known children -- Lee A. Wilson, Werton Witt "Wert" Wilson, Fred Wilson, Edward Wilson, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wilson and Dudley Forest Wilson plus one who died in infancy. They were farmers and resided in Milford, Geary County, KS circa 1919. Sadly, Sarah died in Minnesota at the age of 52, in Rochester, Olmsted County, on Aug. 3, 1922. Robert survived her by 15 years and died in 1937. Their remains were laid to eternal rest in the Milford Cemetery in Milford, Geary County, KS.

Daughter Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dumbauld (1872-1903) was born on Feb. 7, 1872 in Somerset County. When she was age seven, she and her parents and siblings migrated west to Milford, Geary County, KS. She wed Francis M. Richardson (1862-1905). Sadly, Lizzie died at the age of 30 on Jan. 7, 1903, with burial in the Milford Cemetery. Her grieving husband followed her to the grave just two years later, on July 9, 1905, at the age of 43.

Son Jonathan "John" Dumbauld (1873-1927) was born on April 3, 1873 in Somerset County. He was only a boy of six when he relocated to Kansas with his parents. John never married. He made his home in Milford, Geary County, KS, where he farmed. In 1922, he was named in the Wakefield News obituary of his sister Sarah Wilson. John died in 1927 and rests under a single stone in Milford Cemetery, Geary County, KS.

Son Edward C. Dumbauld (1876-1949) was born on Aug. 22, 1876 in Somerset County. At the age of 23 in 1900, he lived at home with his parents and earned a living as a farm laborer. In about 1905, when he was 29 years of age, he married Kansas native Winnie (?) (1887- ? ) who was a decade younger in age. They had at least one daughter, Bertha. The 1910 census shows this family residing in Milford Township, Geary County, KS, with Edward's aged parents residing in the household. Winnie passed away on Dec. 14, 1943, with interment in Milford Cemetery, Milford, Geary County, KS. Edward lived for another two years. He died on May 13, 1949. Their graves were relocated several years later for flooding to create the Milford Dam and Reservoir.

  • Granddaughter Bertha Dumbauld ( ? - ? )

Daughter Mary Ellen Dumbauld (1879-1909) was born on Sept. 10, 1879 in Somerset County. She migrated to Kansas as an infant with her parents and older siblings. When she was 21 years of age, on March 4, 1903, she married 21-year-old farmer Clarence E. Stittsworth (Oct. 13, 1881-1964), believed to have been the son of Archibald and Anna Stittsworth. Probate Judge William Ziegehard officiated at their wedding. No evidence exists to suggest that the Stittsworths reproduced during their five-plus years of married life. Sadly, Mary died at the age of 30 on Jan. 12, 1909. She was placed into repose in the Milford Cemetery in Milford, Geary County, KS. The following year, 1910, the widowed Clarence shared a home with his 35-year-old single sister Carrie Stittsworth in Lyon, Geary County. Clarence lived for another 45 years and married again to Julia Agnes Goggin ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1918 was in Herington, Dickinson County, KS and later in moved to Larned, Pawnee County, KS. Clarence was a member of the Frontier Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He succumbed on Feb. 2, 1964 and is buried in the Larned Cemetery.

Son Frederick Dumbauld Jr. ( ? - ? ) apparently died young as he was deceased by 1898. More work needs to be done to determine his story.

 

Sally Rhoads

~ Daughter Sarah C. "Sally" (Dumbauld) Rhoads ~

Daughter Sarah C. "Sally" Dumbauld (1840-1923) was born on Feb. 9, 1840. 

She wed Daniel Rhoads (or "Rhodes") (1835-1899). 

Their six daughters were Minerva Conway, Etta Rhoads, Catherine "Katy" Rhoads, Mary Ellen Snyder Coleman, Anna "Annie" Walter and Cordelia "Cordie" Rhoads. 

Sadly, at the age of 64, Daniel died in Rockwood on Oct. 8, 1899. The cause of his untimely demise is not yet known.

Sally outlived him by several decades. In 1917, she lived in Rockwood and provided information for the death certificate of her brother Fred.

The federal census shows Sarah heading a Rockwood household, with her unmarried daughter Katie, and widowed daughter Mary Ellen and children, living under her roof. She earned income that year as a wash woman.

At age 83, debilitated with paralysis, she died in Rockwood on March 15, 1923. She was entombed in the Rockwood Odd Fellows Cemetery, with a prominent stone reading "RHOADS CONWAY" placed at the grave.

Daughter Mary Ellen "Ella" Rhoads (1863-1924) was born on Nov. 1, 1863 in Somerset County. Unmarried at the age of 17, she went to live with her bachelor uncle Daniel Dumbauld as a housekeeper on his farm, as shown in the 1880 United States Census enumeration. She is believed to have been married twice, first to Francis Snyder (1859-1896). This union produced five offspring -- George Mondon Snyder, Daniel Snyder, Gertrude "Gertie" Snyder, Edwin Snyder and Hazel Ferne Saylor. The Grim Reaper of Death whisked Francis away on Oct. 31, 1896 at the age of only 36. The cause behind his death is not known. The widowed Mary Ellen moved with her children into her mother's home in Rockwood and is shown there in the 1900 U.S. Census. She supported the family through her work as a wash woman. At some point, she wedded a second time to George H. Coleman ( ? - ? ). Mary Ellen is believed to have borne a daughter to the second marriage, Sallie Paxton. The Colemans dwelled in 1919 in Guard, MD and in the 1920s in Coleman, Stonycreek Township, Somerset County. The family was plunged into grieving when Mary Ellen was felled by a stroke and died a day later, at the age of 60, on May 16, 1924. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Rockwood in the Snyder family plot. George Coleman of Stoystown was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

  • Grandson George Mondon Snyder (1883-1891) was born in about 1883. He did not survive childhood, and died on Feb. 2, 1891, just two days shy of his eighth birthday. His remains were placed into eternal rest in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery.
  • Grandson Daniel R. Snyder (1883-1946) was born on Aug. 23, 1883. He married Emma Lape ( ? - ? ). The couple lived at 421 West Broadway in Rockwood and were the parents of Myrtle Miller. He was employed as a car repairman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Tragedy ended his life at the age of 62 on the fateful day of July 12, 1946, due to the effects of a children's prank. While driving a light motor track car on the rails between Confluence and Rockwood, said the Somerset Daily American, his vehicle wheels collided with some ballast stones on the track placed by children, "pitching him forward and crushing his skull.... When nearing the west end of Rockwood the car overturned through the force of the impact..." He was dead within 15 minutes. Rev. C.W. Raley officiated the funeral service, with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Rockwood.
  • Granddaughter Gertrude "Gertie" Snyder (1889- ? ) was born on June 1889. She wedded Edward Bowman ( ? - ? ). Their residence circa 1946 was in Garrett, Somerset County.

 

Garrett, with Edwin Snyder dubbed one of the town's most prominent citizens

 

  • Grandson Edwin F. Snyder (1892-1975) was born on Jan. 11, 1892 in Somerset Couinty. He went on to a life of accomplishment and family and once was dubbed by the Meyersdale Republican as "One of Garrett's most prominent citizens." He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Edna H. Critchfield ( ? - ? ). The two children born to this marriage were Anna Mary Willison and John F. Snyder. For many years, the family resided in Garrett, Somerset County. Edwin spent his professional career in banking, spanning 57 years. He joined the First National Bank of Garrett as a cashier, and steadily worked his way into the roles of vice president and ultimately president. For half a century, he was a member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association. and was a board director of Meyersdale Community Hospital. Socially, Edwin was a member of the Masons lodge in Meyersdale, the Scottish Rite of Pittsburgh and the Shrine of Altoona. Edwin and Edna belonged to the Grace United Church of Christ of Garrett. Sadly, they endured the death of their married daughter Anna Mary in 1974. The Angel of Death carried Edwin away, as a patient in Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland, MD, at the age of 83 on June 21, 1975. Rev. Thomas E. Moog conducted the funeral, with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Rockwood. In a fascinating irony, Edwin died the very same day as his famed cousin, Peter T. Dumbauld, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
  • Granddaughter Hazel Ferne Snyder (1895-1914) was born on June 15, 1895. In early womanhood, she "was a popular young lady and for three years was a popular operator in the local exchange of the Somerset Telephone Co.," reported the Meyersdale Republican. She joined the Rockwood United Church of the Brethren in about 1909, at the age of 16, and "was a faithful Sunday school scholar." She wedded Cleveland Saylor ( ? - ? ). The couple resided in Rockwood. Expecting their first child, the 19-year-old Hazel went to stay with her married brother, Daniel R. Snyder, in Rockwood. She went on to give birth in October 1914, but, tragically, doctors could not stop the bleeding. There was no hope. After three hours of hemorrhaging, she passed into eternity on Oct. 21, 1914. Funeral services were held in the family church, led by Rev. J.J. Duke, and burial followed in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery. "The Rev. Duke delivered an appropriate and impressive discourse to a congregation which filled both auditorium and Sunday school room," said the Republican. "There was a display of beautiful floral tributes and many other tokens of the esteem in which the deceased was held." Her obituary was not published for several months, and only appeared in the Republican on Christmas Eve 1914.
  • Granddaughter Sallie/Joan Coleman married (?) Paxton. She lived in Akron, OH in 1946 and in Fort Myers, FL in 1975.

Daughter Anna E. "Annie" Rhoads (1869-1936) was born in July 1869. On Jan. 8, 1888, at the age of 19, she married 27-year-old Allen Bruce "A.B." Walter (March 4, 1860-1926), son of Alexander W. and Mary Ann (Cramer) Walter of Ursina, Somerset County. Rev. W.A. Jackson officiated at the ceremony held in Rockwood. At the time of marriage, Allen resided in Nebraska, where he farmed, and the couple seems to have moved there soonafter to begin their married lives together. Annie and Allen bore a family of five known offspring -- Ira Clarence Walter, Sarah Mildred "Sadie" Kennicutt, Mary Mabel (Walter) Walter, Erma L. Walter and Harry Allen Walter. The Walters are known to have dwelled on a farm in Eddyville in or near the Kennebec Precinct of Dawson County, NE and are shown there in the federal census enumerations of 1900-1910-1920. They hosted the July 1903 wedding of Annie's sister Katie to W.A. Jennings. Allen is believed to have served as president of the Eddyville Southwestern Telephone Company, incorporated circa 1908. With an eye toward future expansion and investment, he traveled to Washington State in October 1909 to evaluate farmland in Spokane. Circa December 1919, at the death of Allen's mother, he was named in her Meyersdale Republican obituary, and at the time was in Eddyville. The U.S. Census of 1920 shows the Walterses employing a 39-year-old farm laborer, German-born William Fride. Sadly, Allen died at the age of 66 on May 27, 1926. His remains were placed into eternal sleep next to their son in Jewell Cemetery in nearby Sumner, Dawson County. A large red barre granite marker stands today at the gravesite. When the federal census again was made in 1930, the widowed Annie lived by herself on Maple Street in Eddyville, and was employed as postmistress of the town. The Angel of Death cleaved away the 67-year-old Annie on Feb. 28, 1936.

  • Grandson Ira "Clarence" Walter (1889-1983) -- who may also have gone by "Clarence E. Walter" -- was born on April 10, 1889. He grew up on his parents' farm and worked there at the age of 21 in 1910. On Nov. 23, 1919, he married Ruth M. Eastwood (March 6, 1893-1967). As newlyweds, they lived with Ira's parents in Eddyville circa 1920. They were the parents of Lois Jean Williams. Circa 1934, the Columbus (NE) Telegram reported that he had 150 stock cows, good grade Herefords and 120 calves which he wanted to place over the winter on a "share or cash basis." Ruth passed away at the age of 75 on May 24, 1967. Clarence died at the age of 94 on Sept. 3, 1983.
  • Granddaughter Sarah Mildred "Sadie" Walter (1891-1974) was born on July 18, 1891. As a young woman, she was a school teacher in Eddyville, Kennebec District, Dawson County in 1910 and resided at home. She was joined in holy wedlock with Frank E. Kennicutt (Sept. 21, 1887-1983). One known son was born to this union, Francis Kennicutt. Sadie passed into heaven on July 11, 1974. Frank outlived her by almost nine years and died on Feb. 6, 1983. They are in eternal rest in Viola Cemetery in Oconto, Custer County, NE.
  • Granddaughter Mary Mabel H. Walter (1893-1961) was born in Feb. 1893. She was united in matrimony with Robert R. Walter (Dec. 10, 1889-1964). At the age of 70, Mabel was enveloped by death just four days before Christmas 1961. Robert lived for three-plus more years. He succumbed to death on March 10, 1964. Interment was in the Roberts-IOOF Cemetery in Blackwell, Kay County, OK.
  • Granddaughter Erma Walter (1894- ? ) was born on Aug. 1894. Nothing further is known.
  • Grandson Harry Allen Walter (1895-1910) was born on Feb. 1 or in March 1895. He never married. At the age of 21, he succumbed to death on Aug. 28, 1906. Interment of the remains was in Jewell Cemetery in Sumner, Dawson County. The cause behind his untimely demise is not known.

 

Highland Cemetery, Wakefield, KS
Courtesy Connie Langvardt

Daughter Corda B. "Cordie" Rhoads (1871-1947) was born on March 4, 1871 in Kingwood, Somerset County. At the age of 29, in about 1900, she wedded 33-year-old Edward G. Hanna (1867-1941), a native of Harnedsville, Somerset County. He had been married before and brought a young son to the union, Hilary Raymond Hanna. The couple produced two more daughters -- Eva Hanna and Hazel Hanna. Within a year or two of marriage, the couple moved to Kansas, where they pursued a life of farming. They lived in Clay Center, KS in 1900 and in 1925 and in Madison, Riley County, KS circa 1930-1935. Notices for the year 1905 in the Manhattan (KS) Mercury show the Hannas buying tracts in Riley County, including northwest quarter, Section 33, Township 10, Range 6 -- and also the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 10, Range 6. Census records for 1900 show the newlyweds in the Grant District of Clay County, with Edward laboring as a farmer, and 11-year-old nephew Harry Stillwagon, a native of Colorado, in their home. By 1910, they had moved to a farm in Noble, Dickinson County, KS. Corda was active in the community during World War I, serving on the Woman's Liberty Loan Committee for the Junction City area. In 1918, they were on a farm in Riley, Riley County, KS. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1920 and 1930, the family was in the community of Madison/Hillside, north of Milford. Census records for 1930 show a distant cousin of Corda's, 57-year-old farm laborer James Younkin (relationship unknown), living under their roof. Edward passed into eternity on Dec. 3, 1941, ending their union which had endured for 41 years. Corda survived her spouse by six years. She died on Feb. 7, 1947 at the age of 75. Interment was in Highland Cemetery in Wakefield. [Find-a-Grave]

  • Step-grandson Hilary Raymond Hanna (1896-1977) was born on Dec. 3, 1896 in Wakefield, KS. He grew up in the home of his father and stepmother. In adulthood he was tall and slender, with blue eyes and light hair. Hilary was married to (?). During World War I, making a home in rural Riley, Riley County, KS, Hilary was required to register for the military draft. He disclosed to the registration officer that he was employed by his father as a farmer, and his name was printed on a list of potential draftees in the Manhattan (KS) Weekly Mercury. He was a longtime farm laborer, living on the M.E. Hayes property, and is known to have planted wheat on the George Sargent farm in October 1920 and shredded corn for W.E. Sharp a month later. He also earned income sawing wood. The couple relocated to California and were there in the 1950s. Sadly, Hilary's wife died in Ensinore, CA at the age of 49 in March 1958. An obituary was published in the Axtell (KS) Standard. Evidence suggests that he returned to Kansas and married a second time to Maude M. (April 19, 1897-1979). They made a home in the mid-1960s and early 1970s in Abilene. He passed away on Aug. 28, 1977. Maude outlived him by two years and died on Aug. 9, 1979. Hilary and his second wife are at rest in Milford Cemetery.
  • Granddaughter Eva Hanna (1901- ? ) was born in 1901 in Kansas and grew up on the family farm north of Milford. She was united in matrimony with Hubert Martz Sr. ( ? - ? ). In February 1922, married but still teaching, she placed a report about her Fragrant Hill class in the Junction City (KS) Republic and used the name "Eva Hanna-Martz, teacher." They resided in 1923 on West Fifth Street in Junction City and produced a son that year, Hubert Martz Jr. In the early autumn of 1923, the family spent a week with relatives in Kansas City, said the Republic, "taking in the fashion show and Priests of Pallas Parade." Early in their marriage, Hubert is believed to have worked at the Universal Tire Store but left in December 1923 to occupy the Penry Rubart farm west of Ogden, KS.
  • Granddaughter Hazel Hanna (1903- ? ) was born in about 1903 in Kansas. She pursued a career as a teacher. At the age of 17 in 1920, and then again at age 27 in 1930, still single, she lived at home with her parents in Wakefield, Clay County and in Madison, Riley County, KS, teaching in a local public school. She is known to have been a student at Kansas University in Lawrence circa 1930.

Daughter Etta S. Rhoads (1873-1965) was born on Feb. 10, 1873 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. She lived a long life but did not marry. She spent her final years in the Siemon Nursing Home in Somerset and finally the Goodwill Mennonite Home in Grantsville, MD. She passed away at Siemon, on Sept. 1, 1965, at the age of 92. Burial was in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery, with Rev. Lloyd Mulhollem officiating. An obituary in the Meyersdale Republican noted that "She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews."

 

Dayton, Washington State, home of William Arthur and Katy Jennings

 

Daughter Catherine Florence "Katy" Rhoads (1880-1920) was born on Jan. 10, 1880 or in May 1881 in Somerset County. In 1900, single at the age of 20, she dwelled at home with her widowed mother in Rockwood. She made a remarkable voyage between 1900 and 1903 to Nebraska to visit her married sister Annie Walter in Eddyville, Dawson County. There, on July 5, 1903, the 22-year-old was joined in marital union with 24-year-old William Arthur "W.A." Jennings (Aug. 19, 1878- ? ) an Iowa native and the son of David S. and Emma Malinda (Kaufman) Jennings. Rev. L.J. Keene, of Oconto, NE, officiated. News of the wedding was printed in the Custer County (NE) Chief of Broken Bow, which stated that "Many friends with them a long and happy life." At the time of marriage, Arthur lived in Lomax, Custer County, which today is a ghost town. He was of medium height and slender build, with grey eyes and dark brown hair. Arthur brought a son into the marriage, Frederic Hudison. Katy and Arthur do not appear to have reproduced. The couple within a few weeks purchased a farm located in the southeast quarter of Section 28, Township 13, Range 21. Then in September 1907, they moved from Eddyville to Kearney, Buffalo County, NE, arranging to rent a cottage on Avenue C, located between Railroad and 21st Street. The Jenningses did not stay long in Kearney, and by 1910 made their way to the Pacific Northwest, where they lived in Spokane and he earned a living as a laborer. Then during the decade of the 1910s, they migrated again to Dayton, Columbia County, WA, with Arthur securing work as a rural mail carrier. Arthur was required in September 1918 to register for the military draft during World War I. Sadness blanketed the family when Katy was diagnosed with hardening of the arteries and hemoplegia (paralysis) of the right side. She died in Dayton at the age of 40 on Nov. 20, 1920. Her remains were shipped to her native Somerset County to repose in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery. After two years of mourning, on Dec. 26, 1922, Arthur married again to Rachel Mae Crawford (May 22, 1889-1979), daughter of Albert G. and Clarinda (Hatley) Crawford. He died in Dayton at the age of 97 on Dec. 3, 1975. His remains were lowered into eternal repose in Dayton City Cemetery.

  • Step-grandson Frederic Hudison (1899- ? ) was born in about 1899 in Iowa. He moved with his father and stepmother to Washington State as a boy and at the age of 11 was with them in Spokane, Spokane County.

 

United Brethren Church, Rockwood

Daughter Hannah "Minerva" Rhoads (1876-1960) was born on July 25, 1876 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. At the age of 21, on Nov. 15, 1896, she was united in marriage with 25-year-old William Benjamin Conway (1873-1942), son of Samuel and Lydia Ellen (Close) Conway. Rev. D.R. Ellis led the ceremony. At the time, William was employed as a telegraph operator in Markleton. Later, he held the positions of ticket agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Ohiopyle and Rockwood. He was a longtime member of the Meyersdale lodge of the Masons and the Jaffa Shrine of Altoona, PA. The couple resided in Rockwood and produced one daughter, Agnes Statler. After retiring from the B&O, William "entered the retail gasoline business and was seriously burned two years ago by a gasoline explosion," reported the Meyersdale Republican in 1942. Minerva was a lifetime member of the Christ Evangelical United Brethren Church of Rockwood, the Trinity Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and the Ladies Shrine Club of Cumberland, MD. Further burdened with congestive heart failure and aorta problems, William died at the age of 71 on Oct. 4, 1942. Burial was held in the Rockwood Odd Fellows Cemetery, led by Rev. J.C. Moses and Rev. D.N. Clampa. Daniel Snyder of Rockwood was the informant for his death certificate. Minerva appears to have remained in Rockwood for the rest of her life. She died at the age of 84 just two days before Christmas 1960. Her obituary was published in the Cumberland (MD) News. Rev. L.G. Mulhollem preached the funeral sermon, with burial in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery, and with the Eastern Star providing additional rites.

  • Granddaughter Agnes Conway married John "Arthur" Statler ( ? -1966), a native of Scalp Level, PA and the son of John P. and Julia (Baumgardner) Statler. The couple's two children were John C. Statler and Mary Margaretta Blayney. They dwelled in Rockwood and in 1933 in Cumberland, MD. Arthur was a charter member of the American Legion post in Rockwood and belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church of Somerset. In 1942, their John Statler was in a military officer's training school at Aberdeen, MD. The Statlers eventually migrated to Michigan, where they made a home in the mid-1960s in Royal Oak, with or near their married daughter. Arthur died in Royal Oak on Aug. 24, 1966 in Royal Oak. The body was shipped back to Somerset County to rest for all time in the Rockwood Odd Fellows Cemetery.

 

~ Daughter Christianna ( Dumbauld) Schrock ~

Daughter Christianna ("Christina") Dumbauld (1842-1924) was born on Jan. 16, 1842. She married a cousin, Perry Schrock (1846-1911), son of Andrew and Susanna (Younkin) Schrock. Click the link for more.

 

Daniel Dumbauld

~ Son Daniel Dumbauld ~

Son Daniel Dumbauld (1844-1915) was born on April 26, 1844 in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County.

He spent his seven decades of life in the farming industry in Upper Turkeyfoot and was a lifelong member of the Kingwood Church of God. 

Daniel "was never married," said a newspaper, "living the alotted time of 'Three score years and ten' without a helpmate...."

The Meyersdale Commercial once called him a "well known farmer" and another newspaper said he was "well-to-do."

When the 1870 federal census enumeration was made, the 26-year-old bachelor dwelled on his parents' farm, located west of the village of Kingwood in a section known locally as Hexebarger -- "witch mountain."

 

Kingwood Church of God. Linda Marker

Then in 1880, when he was age 35, living by himself in Lower Turkeyfoot, Daniel's 17-year-old niece Mary "Ellen" Rhoads moved into his farmhouse to work as a housekeeper.

The decades appear to have passed quietly and slowly for Daniel. By 1900, he brought into his household a nephew, 33-year-old William Lucas, to help provide farm labor.

In about 1914, he was stricken with heart valve problems which caused leaking, although he nearly recovered by the time of his death.

But in January 1915, he "was attacked with a severe chill, which left him with severe pains in his limbs, as the days went by he became worse and worse, until blood poison set in and caused his death."

He succumbed at the age of 70 on Feb. 4, 1915. Burial was in the cemetery of the Kingwood Church of God, with Rev. Harry White officiating at the burial, preaching from the scripture Job 14:14 -- "If a man die, shall he live again?

In an obituary, the Commercial noted that "This is the second recent death in this family, Susan Dumbauld Kreger having passed away Jan. 20." In reporting on his passing, a newspaper said that "Another soldier of the Cross falls in the battle of Life.... The Church has lost a faithful member, both spiritually and financially; the community has lost a good citizen and a kind and helping neighbor."

Five years after Daniel's death, in 1920, his longtime church was renovated, including a two-story addition and a vestibule with a bell tower. New stained glass windows were installed, and the family made a donation to dedicate one of the windows in his and his brother Frederick's mutual memory.

 

Mollie Romesburg

~ Daughter Mary Ann "Mollie" ( Dumbauld) Romesburg ~

Daughter Mary Ann "Mollie" Dumbauld (1846-1926) was born on Aug. 13, 1846 in Turkeyfoot Township. 

Unmarried at the age of 22 in about 1868 or '70, Mollie and Henry Lucas produced a son, who was given the name William Lucas. 

Within a year or two, in about 1872, Mollie wed William Romesburg (1853-1920), son of Jonathan (or "Jonas") and Rachel (Nicola) Romesburg. Mollie was seven years older than her spouse. 

They had three known children of their own, Minnie Brougher (born 1873), Amelia Romesburg (born 1877) and George D. Romesburg (born 1881). 

The federal census of 1880 shows this family residing in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, with William earning a living as a farm laborer. Their next-door neighbors were Mollie's parents. By 1900, still in Upper Turkeyfoot, only George among their children remained in the household. Cousins William "Henry" and Rachel (McClintock) Younkin lived in an nearby dwelling that year. Circa 1908, the Romesburgs possessed or had access to her parents' family Bible. 

Felled by heart blockage, William died on Jan. 30, 1920, at the age of 67. 

Widowed and stricken with throat cancer in the summer of 1926, Mollie survived only a few months, and passed away in Upper Turkeyfoot on Nov. 12, 1926, at the age of 80. She was laid to rest in the Kingwood Odd Fellows Cemetery.

 

Somerset County Home and Hospital, where William Lucas dwelled for 22 years

 

Son William Lucas (1868?-1937) was born in about 1868 or 1870. He was a longtime farm laborer in Kingwood and apparently never married. In 1900, at the age of 33, he boarded with his bachelor uncle Daniel Dumbauld in Upper Turkeyfoot and helped provide farm laborer. William spent the final nearly 22 years of his life in the Somerset County Home & Hospital, where he succumbed of pneumonia of the left and lower lung lobes at age 69 on Sept. 23, 1937. Burial was in Kingwood.

Daughter Minnie Belle Romesburg (1873-1955) was born on March 2, 1873. At the age of 18, she wed 19-year-old Charles H. Brougher (1871-1957), son of Franklin and Harriet Brougher, on Aug. 2, 1891. Their four known sons were Dr. Floyd O. Brougher, Willis M. Brougher, Oscar Miles Brougher and Harry Melvin Brougher. The family lived in the Rockwood area. The Grim Reaper of death descended upon this family in 1946, when their 49-year-old married son Willis was fatally injured when he was "thrown from his horse and trampled under its hoofs while preparing to plant potatoes," reported the Meyersdale Republican. "Shortly after the dinner hour Brougher harnessed his team and went to the farm of a neighbor to get a potato planter. When he reached the neighbor's home, the horse which he was riding shied at some object and reared, throwing Brougher to the ground, and tramping on his head, fracturing his skull." Minnie died on April 10, 1955, at the age of 82. Charles survived her by two years and passed into eternity on March 5, 1957. Interment for both was in Rockwood's Fairview Cemetery.

  • Grandson Dr. Floyd O. Brougher (1891-1973) was born on Dec. 16, 1891. He married Millie Sanner ( ? - ? ) and became a physician, residing in Dover, DE. They had three daughters -- Laverne Berryhill, Lee Brink and Jean Garvey. Floyd died in Denver, CO at the age of 81 on March 23, 1973. His remains were brought back to Kingwood to rest in peace at the IOOF Cemetery.

 

Floyd Brougher, left, and Harry Kreger. Photo courtesy Yvonne Brougher Deluke and Linda Marker

 

  • Grandson Oscar Miles "Shorty" Brougher (1902-2001) was born on Aug. 19, 1902 in Kingwood. He married a cousin, Gladys Kreger (of the family of John S. and Nancy [Younkin] Trimpey). Click on the link for more.
  • Grandson Willis M. Brougher (1897-1946) was born on April 22, 1897. He married Pauline Kreger (1900-1990), daughter of Charles S. and Edith (Meese) Kreger. They had one son, Ray K. Brougher. They resided in Kingwood and were farmers. In 1940, the Broughers went on a driving trip to Wisconsin and Oklahoma with Willis' brother Oscar and family to visit extended clan. One of their stops was Baraboo, WI, to visit a distant Trimpey uncle, and to Oklahoma to spend time with Pauline's Kreger relatives. After Willis' tragic and untimely death, Pauline married again to Ross A. Brougher (1894-1973), son of Madison and Maggie (Meyers) Brougher of Kingwood. Ross had been wed once before with three children to that marriage, Thelma Brougher, Robert Brougher and Orville Brougher. Pauline was a member of the Kingwood Grange, Queen Victoria Rebekah Lodge of Kingwood, the Kingwood Church of God and the Willing Workers Sunday School class. She died at the age of 89 on New Year's Day 1990. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, following a funeral led by Rev. James Monticue, with an obituary appearing in the Somerset Daily American.

Son George D. Romesburg (1881- ? ) was born in about 1881. When he was age 23, he married 22-year-old Minnie Catherine Sechler (1882-1967), daughter of Daniel and Susan (Gerhardt) Sechler, on Dec. 11, 1904. They had one son, Harold E. Romesburg. They lived in Markleton and were members of the Messiah Lutheran Church of New Centerville. Sadly, they endured the death of their son Harold died on July 2, 1966. Minnie passed away at age 84 on July 10, 1967, with burial in the Kingwood Odd Fellows Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Meyersdale Republican.

 

Peter Dumbauld

~ Son Peter Dumbauld ~

Son Peter Dumbauld (1849-1926) was born on March 21, 1849 in the newly formed Upper Turkeyfoot Township. 

He entered into the bonds of marital wedlock with Ellen Gerhart (or "Gerhard") (1861-1927), daughter of Jacob/William and Catherine (Brougher) Gerhard. 

Their six children were Lavenia Mary "Venie" Younkin, Jacob Dumbauld, James M. Dumbauld, Charles D. Dumbauld, Mabel Sechler and Ruth Evelyn Schrock. 

The Dumbaulds pursued a life of farming. In 1881, he bought a farm of 220 acres in Milford Township, where they had "a beautiful and pleasant home," said the 1884 book, History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania. Peter's aged father came into their home in later age and died there in 1885. 

In 1884, Peter was elected a Somerset County Commissioner, one of only a few cousins in the extended family to hold this influential political office.   

The same year as his election as commissioner, he made news with weighing some of his cattle on the borough's scales and "were the finest seen in this section for many a day," reported the Somerset Herald. The average weight was 1,321 lbs., and the livestock were "sleek, fat and handsome, being stall red, and were calculated to make the mouths of lovers of good beef water... [He] sold them to a Johnstown butcher by the name of Jacob Trefts, at a price in advance of what our home butchers were willing to pay for them."

 

Conestoga wagon similar to the one Peter exhibited in 1895

 

 

Husband Cemetery

He also raised horses, and in about 1890 "sold a gelding three years old, past, for $280, the highest price ever realized for a gelding in the county," noted the Herald

Peter in September 1892 was elected as vice president of a dinner in Somerset featuring guest speaker William McKinley, the Governor of Ohio and future President of the United States. As such, he got a seat on a raised platform with other local VIPs. The dinner proved a memorable event, with widespread interest from throughout the county, as reported by the Herald:

"The hills of Somerset" blazed with political watch-fires that stalwart Republicans of this county lighted Saturday night... The great and peerless champion of protection had consented to make one of his masterly and matchless addresses on the issues that divide like the river of life the dead past of the Democracy from the living issues for which the Republicans do battle "And now hath every halmet sent up her tale of men." From Meyersdale, from Rockwood, from the Glades and the South, from Stoyestown and the North the trains brought in their hundreds; from Berlin, from the surrounding country and from nearly every voting precinct in the county came farmers in wagons, on horseback, and with many an ardent Republican on foot. They met and surged around the court house, anxious to get in and secure a place. Long before the hour of opening the room was crowded to its utmost capacity and the overflow filled the stairs and hallway...

As Ohio's Napoleon came forward a cheer went up that made the rafters ring. He bowed his acknowledgement of the warm reception accorded him and said that he had consented to address the people of Somerset county on the differences between the two great parties in the campaign now before us. Said he: "It is important that we should have discussions so that we may know what the people would have embodied in their laws. Fortunately the issues of the campaign are strictly business. 

When the World's Fair was held in Chicago in September 1893, Peter and Ellen, along with Daniel Will and Edward Freese, spent two weeks touring the exhibit. At the Washington County (MD) Fair held in Hagerstown in September 1894, he was a judge for the heavy draft horse competition. In 1895, he displayed a Conestoga wagon and six horses at the Somerset centennial event, and the following year took the same team to nearby Uniontown, Fayette County, for a Fourth of July celebration. He took some of his Clydes, Belgians and Percherons to the Inter-State Fair at Luna Park in Johnstown, PA in September 1907.

Peter ran for the elected position of Somerset County Treasurer in the fall of 1899. In a related story, the Herald said "A vote for Peter Dumbauld for County Treasurer will be not only a vote for a genial gentleman whose friends are spread all over the county and whose enemies are an unknown quantity, and he has none that the HERALD has ever learned of. Mr. Dumbauld has been a life-long Republican, has filled the office of County Commissioner and will be a safe custodian of the county's finances." When he was successfully elected, the Herald reported that he "will radiate sunshine throughout the gloomy corridors of the temple of justice and will discharge [his] duties diligently."

Peter's name (upper left) as county commissioner on County of Somerset letterhead, 1885. National Archives

In September 1902, reported the Meyersdale Republican, he traveled to Iowa and brought back a railcar full of horses he planned to sell in Somerset. He is known to have enjoyed attending local horse races. He repeated the trip in November 1904, said the Daily American, returning with "a car load of heavy draft horses and colts of the best that can be found in the State of Iowa, Normans and Belgians, several fine mated teams. Anyone wishing to buy a good horse or colt is invited to come and see this stock, as they will be for sale." He continually purchased horses from local farmers but also continued his purchasing in the midwest, bringing a railcar load of draft horses from Illinois in March 1912. In doing so, quipped the Republican, "Mr. Dumbauld is one of the best judges of horseflesh in the county, and would rather admire the fine parts of a horse than eat." He took a buying trip to Iowa in June 1912 and once again shipped home a carload of fine draft stock. He conducted much of his business circa 1919 as president of the Somerset Percheron Horse Comopany, with E.B. Knepper as secretary.

When a carload of horses from Chicago arrived in Somerset in early 1913 having been "carelessly" transported and "not properly" fed, Peter sued the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and was awarded damages of $418. He resorted to litigation again in August 1915 when 200 horses he had shipped from Illinois, over the B&O lines, arrived without having received the proper care and were so badly damaged en route that he lost $600 of his investment in lost sales. At trial, said the Republican, he alleged that "the horses were kept in a car for sixty hours without being fed or watered, and arrived at Somerset a day or two after the time advertised for the sale." The jury eventually awarded him $351 in damages.

Peter made news in the Ligonier Echo in May 1904 after plowing a field for oats on his Milford Township farm and finding a "well-preserved half cent of the U.S. coinage of 1804."

Embracing the new technology of telephone communication, Peter in January 1911 was elected to the board of directors of the Economy Telephone Stock Company. The board made an immediate decision at that time to construct a line from Salisbury into Coal Run and from Hooversville to Holsopple.

The Pittsburgh Press noted in November 1912 that Peter had displayed a 34-year-old peck of wheat at the fourth annual exhibit of the Somerset Agricultural Society, held at the county courthouse, having raised the grain in California. 

Peter lost a court case and was required to pay more than $689 in damages in a dispute with James M. Cover over the sale of Cover's farm in Milford. The Republican reported that "It appears from the evidence that Dumbauld solicited Cover to dispose of his farm, agreeing to allow him a commission of $200 in event of his making a sale for $15,000, and to split any sum received in excess of that amount on a fifty-fifty basis. When it came to completing the deal [the buyer] demanded that a survey of the property be made, agreeing to pay for any additional acreage on the basis of the agreed-upon price. The survey showed that the property contained more acres than Dumbauld claimed, and when it came to splitting up the money received over and above $15,000 in exchange for the farm, Dumbauld demurred and Cover brought suit."

Unspeakable grief cascaded over the family in June 1922 when learning that son Charles, age 35, had drowned while fishing in a river in Middletown, NY. 

 

Husband Cemetery

Tragedy struck on April 3, 1926. At the age of 77, Peter was  attending the market day sale at the Schrock warehouse on West Patriot Street in Somerset. While standing at a street crossing, and talking with Alex Rose, he was struck by a car driven by a local Ford automobile mechanic. Said the Republican, "Realizing the imminent danger, Mr. Rose stepped quickly aside and avoided the car, but Mr. Dumbauld, who wore eyeglasses, was knocked down and caught in the machinery and dragged for some distance... Mr. Dumbauld was unconscious when eye-witnesses of the accident reached his side," his chest crushed, a lung punctured, his heart traumatized and his brain bleeding internally. He was rushed to Somerset Community Hospital and died two hours later. The driver, said the Republican, "is heart-broken over the unfortunate affair, and since the accident has been unable to speak of it without giving way to his emotions."

Funeral services were conducted in the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, presided by the hand of Rev. John W. Whisler of the Church of God in Pittsburgh and assisted by Rev. C.E. Servey of the Evangelical Church. Among the many attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Flanigan and Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Humbert of Confluence. Interment was in the Husband Cemetery.In an obituary, the Connellsville Daily Courier said the deceased "was formerly a prominent farmer of Milford township and for more than 50 years he was a commanding influence in the public affairs of Somerset county." The Republican weighed in, saying he:

... was the most widely known horsedealer in Somerset County. More than fifty years ago he started his career as a horseman, shipping many carloads of horses to Philadelphia. He soon made friends with the big horsemen of the city and they soon found their way to his farm in Milford Township and many a carload he sold right at the barn. He served as judge of draft horses at a number of the large fairs, and he knew all the qualities of a good horse. When horses would get scarce in the East he would go to the West and get them. He knew most of the farmers in the county and could meet them all as his friends... Mr. Dumbauld was a sterling citizen and staunch Republican. He believed in party regularity and party loyalty and there was never any doubt as to where he stood politically. Only a few weeks ago he was appointed manager of John S. Fisher's campaign for Governor, in Somerset County. He he lived, his influence would have made many votes for Mr. Fisher, and knowing he was for Fisher, will be sufficient reason for many of his friends to vote for Fisher, even though the Fisher campaign manager is dead. 

Ellen only survived him by one year. Suffering from cancer, she was treated in the spring of 1927 in the Johnstown Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Somerset Community Hospital. There, she died at age 66 on June 20, 1927. Rev. S.A. Miller, of the Evangelical Church in Somerset, led her funeral, with an obituary appearing in the Republican. She joined her husband in eternal repose in the Husband Cemetery.

Husband Cemetery

Son James M. Dumbauld Sr. (1881-1977) was born on Nov. 21, 1881 in Milford Township, Somerset County. He grew up on the family farm and that became his occupation. On Christmas Day 1902, at the age of 21, James was united in the bonds of matrimony with 19-year-old Eva D. Weigle (Aug. 19, 1883-1956), daughter of John and Maria (Ringler) Weigle of Somerset Township. Rev. Calvin F. Gephart officiated the wedding ceremony, held in the home of Eva's parents. Evidence from their marriage license application shows that she could barely write her name. They went on to bear four known children -- James M. Dumbauld Jr., Peter Theodore Dumbauld, Ruth Brubaker and Richard W. Dumbauld. In the early summer of 1911, he purchased his father-in-law's farm in Somerset Township. Then in November 1913 he was impaneled on a jury which listened to claims of damage from a local family against the Western Maryland Railway Company. The jurors toured the site of the alleged damage, had dinner at the Confluence House and took the train back to Somerset. Grieving overwhelmed the family less than two weeks before Christmas 1927 when seven-year-old son James Jr. contracted influenza and pneumonia. He suffered for about four days, but his body gave out on on Dec. 17, 1927. Circa 1930, James announced his candidacy for election to the office of Somerset County Auditor. He appears to have won the position in 1935, but ran into controversy with his fellow two auditors involving publication of the annual auditor's report in one Somerset newspaper but not the other. Again he ran in 1939, and finished fourth in the voting. The couple belonged to the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, later known as the Somerset Church of the Brethren, and James was a member of the Somerset lodge of the Odd Fellows. Sadly, after a short illness, Eva passed away at the age of 72 in Somerset Community Hospital on Jan. 22, 1956. An obituary in the Somerset Daily American said that she had "lived all her life in the Somerset vicinity." Co-officiating at her funeral service were Rev. Kenneth T. Barnette and Rev. Galen R. Blough. James lived for another 20 years. He died in Somerset Community Hospital on Jan. 2, 1977, at the age of 95. Burial was in the Husband Cemetery, with Rev. Gerald Deffenbaugh leading the funeral service. An obituary appeared in the Daily American.

  • Grandson Richard W. Dumbauld (1905-1986) was born on April 22, 1905 in Somerset Township. In early adulthood, at the age of 22, he was employed as a school teacher in Somerset Township. At the age of 22, on April 23, 1927, he married fellow teacher Susan L. Snyder ( ? - ? ) of Berlin, daughter of Norman B. and Annie (Wahl) Snyder. Rev. S.F. Tholan led the nuptials, held in Garrett, Somerset County. The couple made a residence in Somerset. Their two known sons were Richard K. Dumbauld and Carl S. Dumbauld. Richard at one time was an owner and operator of County Auto Parts. He also earned a living as an inspector for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, eventually retiring from this position. Their home in the 1980s was on West Sanner Street. He died as a patient in Somerset Community Hospital at the age of 81 on Sept. 25, 1986. Pastor H. James Meyers officiated the funeral, with interment in Somerset County Memorial Park. An obituary appeared in the Somerset Daily American.

Great-grandson Richard K. Dumbauld served in the U.S. Air Force in France for three-and-a-half years, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He studied at the University of Pittsburgh, receiving a bachelor of science in chemistry in 1954, and spent a year at New York University. He went on to the University of Michigan where he secured a master of science degree in 1959. Upon graduation, he was hired by the federal government and assigned to a post in Idaho Falls, ID. He was joined in marriage with Dorothy Reiman ( ? - ? ). The Dumbaulds lived in Salt Lake City in 1986.

Great-grandson Carl S. Dumbauld received a bachelor's degree in photographic illustration from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He became employed in 1962 by Eastman Kodak Company and resided in Fairport, NY. Over the years, he was photo information director for marketing support services and in 1985 was tapped to be manager of telemarketing, educatinanl, marketing administration and support services at its Marketing Education Center. He held memberships in the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals, the Photographic Society of America and the American Telemarketing Association. He wedded Shirley Egolf ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ward Egolf of Somerset. They produced four offsprig.

 

Dumbauld Tire, Somerset, PA, founded by Peter Theodore Dumbauld

 

  • Grandson Peter Theodore Dumbauld (1909-1975) was born on Nov. 14, 1909 in Somerset Township. He graduated from California State Teachers College and became prominent in the county in business and community service. He also received additional education at Pennsylvania State University. Circa 1934, at the age of 25, he taught school in Somerset. On Nov. 28, 1934, Peter wedded 24-year-old stenographer Mildred Rodgers ( ? - ? ), daughter of M.J. and Minnie (Rummel) Rodgers. Rev. J.F. Messenger officiated. They did not reproduce. The Somerset Daily American noted that Peter was a member of the First Christian Church in Somerset, the Somerset Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, the Somerset Lodge of the Eagles, the Elks Club of Meyersdale and a director at Somerset Trust Company. In 1964, he was elected as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving for one term, only "the second Democrat from the county to be elected to that post in more than 100 years," said the Meyersdale Republican. "He was a leading proponent of many education bills for state colleges and supported new Route 219. He opposed stricter gun control legislation. In 1968, he served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National convention in Chicago. He also was a delegate to the Pa. Constitutional Convention and represented the 30th senatorial district." He also taught in the Somerset and Fairhope Township schools, was a veteran of the quartermaster corps during World War II, and from 1945 to retirement in 1972 owned and operated Dumbauld's Tire service in Somerset. He also was a trustee of his alma mater, Cal State, a board director of the Pennsylvania Society for Crippled Children and Adults and president of the Trustees Association of the 14 Pennsylvania state colleges. He succumbed to death at the age of 65, in Somerset Community Hospital, on June 21, 1975. His obituary appeared in the Republican. In a fascinating irony, Peter died the very same day as his famed Dumbauld/Younkin cousin, Edwin F. Snyder, considered one of the most prominent citizens of the town of Garrett and president of the First National Bank of Garrett.
  • Granddaughter Ruth Dumbauld married Luther W. Brubaker. They dwelled in Somerset for years.

 

Husband Cemetery

Son Charles D. Dumbauld Sr. (1884-1922) was born in 1884 in Milford Township, where he spent his growing-up years. In July 1911, when he was 27 years of age, he married 21-year-old Edna Houseal (1890- ? ), daughter of William H. and Sarah A. Houseal and stepdaughter of Amos Rowinskey of 935 South Front Street in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA. Rev. B.L. Baer, pastor of the Highspire Church of God, presided over the nuptials held in her parents' residence. An announcement of the marriage was printed in the Harrisburg Telegraph and Harrisburg Daily Independent. The newlyweds initially resided in West Philadelphia. Reported the Meyersdale Republican, "He taught in the local schools for a few terms." Circa 1911, he was principal of the Easton School of Business. Soonafter he was hired as a stenographer in the state Banking Department in Harrisburg, Dauphin County. Then in about 1916, the young family relocated to New York State, where he had secured a position as an educator in the Commercial Department of the Middletown Public School. The couple produced two children -- Ellen L. Dumbauld and Charles D. Dumbauld Jr. -- both born in New York. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1920, the family resided in Middletown, Orange County, NY, with Charles' occupation listed as "teacher - public school." In the late spring of 1922, at the age of 35, Charles went fishing in the local Wallkill River near Middletown. Tragically, something went terribly wrong. He went into the water while fishing and drowned. The body eventually was recovered. Word was telegraphed to his parents in Somerset. Charles' father and brother Jacob, as well as the widow and children, traveled to Middletown to secure the body and ship it to the father's home in Somerset. The funeral services were officiated by Rev. W.S. Shimp, pastor of the Kingwood Church of God. Burial of the remains was in Husband Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Republican and a shorter article in the Harrisburg Telegraph. The widowed Edna appears to have returned to the Hershey community near Harrisburg, where her children attended Hershey High School. Circa 1960, she made a home back in Middletown and endured the untimely death of her adult son.

  • Granddaughter Ellen Louise Dumbauld (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916 in New York. She was joined in wedlock with Jack W. Wolfe ( ? - ? ). The Wolfes resided in Middletown, NY in 1960.
  • Grandson Charles D. Dumbauld Jr. (1917-1960) was born on Sept. 7, in Middletown, Orange County, NY. He was only a boy when his father drowned, and he moved with his widowed mother to Hershey, Dauphin County, PA, where he graduated from high school. The United States Census of 1940 shows him living in New York City, as a bachelor lodger in the home of Italian immigrant Antony Gerbino, and earning a living as a clerk in a teacher's union. He was married and the father of six -- Edna L. Dumbauld, Susan I. Dumbauld, Charles W. Dumbauld, Jerry R. Dumbauld, Jack E. Dumbauld and Larry T. Dumbauld. From about 1942 to 1957, he dwelled in Hershey, Dauphin County, PA, where he was employed for 15 years at the Middletown (PA) Air Depot in Dauphin. Then in 1957, he moved to Palmyra, in Londonderry Township, Lebanon County, PA. At the age of 42, having suffered for years from "atherosclerosis" -- a buildup of fatty substances on the artery walls -- he contracted an infection of his urinary tract and was admitted to the Harrisburg Osteopathic Hospital. He further went into respiratory failure and died there on Aug. 5, 1960. An obituary was published in the Lebanon Daily News. Interment of the remains was in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Swatara Township.

Son Jacob G. Dumbauld (1887- ? ) was born in about 1887 in Milford Township. As a young man, he migrated to Colorado, and in 1910, at the age of 23, lived with his widowed uncle Jonathan "Beecher" Dumbauld on a farm in Larimer County, CO.

Daughter Lavenie Mary "Venie" Dumbauld (1889-1982) was born on Jan. 12, 1889 in Milford Township. She wed a cousin, Charles E. Younkin (1891-1978), son of William "Henry" and Rachel (McClintock) Younkin. See their link for more.

Daughter Ruth Evelyn Dumbauld (1898-1990) was born on April 6, 1898 in Milford Township. On June 24, 1921, she was jonied in wedlock with Richard Ernest Schrock ( ? - ? ), son of Edward Schrock. Their engagement had been formally announced nine months earlier in September 1920 at an event hosted by Elizabeth Reed. At the time, said the Meyersdale Republican, Richard was employed in Shoemaker Bros. store. Rev. A.H. Hayes officiated at the nuptials, held at the Somerset Presbyterian Church. They resided in Somerset and had one son, Rodney Kenton Schrock. Evelyn worked as a clerk and later as a news reporter for the Somerset Daily American. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a member for 68 years of the Trinity Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. As well, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and was regent of its Forbes Road Chapter. Richard was a member of the American Legion. They also were supporters of the Somerset School's Education Foundation. Evelyn passed away at age 91 in Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital on Jan. 16, 1980. She was laid to rest in the Husband Cemetery.

  • Grandson Rodney Kenton Schrock (1932-2017) was born on Jan. 20, 1932 in Johnstown, Cambria County. In about 1960, he wedded Marian Elizabeth Bowman ( ? - ? ) and they remained together for 57 years until the separation of death. They produced a son, Lynn A. Schrock. Rodney served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Later, he joined AT&T as a repairman and retired in 1989 at the age of 57. He belonged to Lodge 358 of the Masons, the Somerset County Shrine Club, Amateur Radio League and Calvary United Methodist Church. As a member of the Antique Wireless Association, he authored articles for the organization's magazine. He also was a member of the Somerset Historical Society and Berlin Historical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. Rodney died at the age of 85 in The Patriot in Somerset on Dec. 12, 2017. Rev. Arnold T. McFarland officiated at the funeral and interment in Husband Cemetery, with additional rites provided by the Somerset County Honor Guard. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial contributions be made to Meals on Wheels.

Daughter Mabel Dumbauld (1880-1979) was born in about 1880 in Milford Township, Somerset County. When she was 22 years of age, on June 11, 1903, she married 28-year-old clerk Allen U. Sechler ( ? - ? ), son of George and Minerva Sechler. Rev. J.C. Cunningham led the nuptials. The couple did not reproduce. Mabel died at the age of 99 on Nov. 22, 1979 in the United Methodist Church Home in Quincy, PA.. Her remains were returned to Somerset for funeral services in the First United Methodist Church, led by Rev. John Cox. She was laid to rest in Somerset County Memorial Park, and an obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American.

 

Louisa Kreger

~ Daughter Louisa (Dumbauld) Kreger ~

Daughter Louisa Dumbauld (1854-1901) was born on Jan. 27, 1854 in Upper Turkeyfoot Township.

She married a cousin, Wilson S. Kreger (1853-1895), son of John Frederick and Sarah A. (Younkin) Kreger. This couple migrated to Kansas, where they established a permanent home in Wakefield, Clay County.

Click on the Kreger link for more.

 

~ Daughter Clarinda Savannah (Dumbauld) Kreger ~

Daughter Clarinda "Savannah" Dumbauld (1857- ? ) was born in 1857. 

She wed Silas Kreger (1856-1916), whose father Bernard Kreger was an immigrant from Prussia. Immediately after marriage, the couple set off for new farming opportunities in the flatlands of Illinois. 

Their six children were Ira Kreger, Myrtle Hildebrand, Pearl Garwin, George Kreger, Ray Albert Kreger, Elsie F. Judd and Ruby F. Kreger. 

Circa 1880, the U.S. Census shows them residing in Bradford Township, Lee County, IL, where 24-year-old Silas was a farmer. Later, by 1910, they relocated to Lostant, Hope Township, LaSalle County, IL. The census of 1910 shows Silas continuing to be a farm laborer, with his 24-year-old unmarried son Ray -- a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College -- operating a general practice as a veterinary surgeon; 20-year-old daughter Elsie employed as a post office clerk; and 18-year-old daughter Ruby a school teacher. 

Sadly, Silas died in Lostant at the age of 65 in May 1916. An obituary in Somerset County's Meyersdale Commercial headlined that he "died in the west" and that his father had been "an early settler in the Turkeyfoot region." His brother in law Peter Dumbauld traveled from Somerset to Illinois to attend the funeral service and burial. 

Savannah was still alive when named in the 1928 Connellsville Daily Courier obituary of her brother George.

Daughter Myrtle Kreger ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Hildebrand ( ? - ? ).

Son Ira Kreger ( ? - ? )

Son Raymond Kreger ( ? - ? ) was a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College and operated a general veterinary surgeon's practice.

Daughter Ruby Kreger ( ? - ? ) was an unmarried school teacher in 1910 and was still unmarried in 1916.

Daughter Pearl Kreger ( ? - ? ) wed John Garwin ( ? - ? ).

Daughter Elsie Kreger ( ? - ? ) was employed as a post office clerk in LaSalle County in 1910. She married Oran Judd ( ? - ? ).

 

J. Beecher Dumbauld

~ Son Jonathan "Beecher" Dumbauld ~

Son Jonathan "Beecher" Dumbauld (1859-1940) was born on Aug. 4, 1859 or 1860.

He was a longtime farmer and land investor, and early in his working career worked as a merchant. Circa March 1885, when he would have been age 25, Beecher erected a new house for himself and, said the Somerset Herald, was "busily engaged in getting out lumber."

Later in 1885, given his "considerable experience in the mercantile business," reported the Herald, he was named by the Commissioners of the County of Somerset as Mercantile Appraiser.

 

Son Alva's grave, Kingwood

Beecher was married twice, first to Felecia G. Flanigan (1867-1897).

The couple produced one known son, Alva S. Dumbauld.

Grief blanketed the young family when their infant son Alva died at the tender age of three months on Aug. 31, 1892. His remains were placed at rest in the Church of God Cemetery in Kingwood.

Beecher and Nelson Romesburg were elected school directors of Upper Turkeyfoot in February 1897.

Heartache compounded within this family just five years later when Felecia passed into eternity on Sept. 7, 1897, at the age of 30 years, one month and 24 days. 

After about two years as a widower, Beecher wed his second bride, teacher Ida E. Shaff (June 1856-1908), daughter of John Cramer and Josephine (Will) Schaff, on Aug. 17, 1899. He was age 40, and she 43, at the time.

No children were born to the second marriage.. 

Ida is mentioned by name in a list of early Rockwood school teachers in the booklet Rockwood Centennial 1857-1957.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1900, the Dumbaulds were newlyweds and lived in Upper Turkeyfoot. That year, Beecher earned a living as a dry goods merchant, and 26-year-old servant Mary Ann Hechler dwelled under their roof.

 

Booklet naming Ida and picturing the school where she taught

 

Beecher and Ida relocated to Colorado in the early 1900s -- with evidence suggesting the move may have been made for her health -- and initially dwelled in Colorado Springs. Then in January 1904, said the Larimer County Independent, he "closed a deal this morning by which he becomes vested with the title to a handsome and well cultivated farm in the Boxelder valley, adjoining the town of Wellington, and will enter into possession of it as soon as he can bring his family here from the Springs."

Life in Larimer seems to have appealed to the Dumbaulds. An August 1904 edition of the Fort Collins Express reported that Beecher and T.J. Miller were going to take a fishing trip "and get back for harvest." Several days later, the Express observed that the two men had returned "looking fat and contented" and "well filled with mountain trout."

 

New Centerville, PA

Ida was stricken with kidney disease for many years. In the spring of 1908, she underwent surgery in a Fort Collins hospital. As she convalesced in June that year, she and Beecher left for Southern California, "in hopes that a lower altitude and the ocean air would improve her health," said the Independent. "She has been very sick for a long time." The couple established a home in the community of La Mesa, San Diego County, and Ida's health initially improved.

Beecher and Ida are believed to have returned to Colorado in September 1908 to enter his durum wheat in an exhibition of farm produce hosted by the Wellington Development Company, taking second prize. The purpose of the event was to showcase the "great natural resources and advantages of the Wellington district," said the Independent.

Beecher was plunged into controversy in October 1908 when the local Laramie-Poudre Reservoirs and Irrigation Company sued him to condemn part of his farm, likely so it could be used for public water purposes. The company dug a ditch on his property. He appears to have made a counter complaint, and a jury awarded him $3,000 in damages. When the company appealed the case, the jury took an automobile trip to view the alleged damages at the farm. The Independent reported that Beecher's lawyer commented that "the irrigation company in building the ditch, piled the dirt so high that a mound thus created is designated in the entire neighborhood as Mount Nebo. The attorney, while discussing the scriptural phase of the controversy, mentioned that this particular Mount Nebo would not have answered for Moses' burial place, as it would have been impossible for a funeral procession to proceed up its steep slopes.... The jury is to determine the value of the land taken in building the ditch, as well as the damage to the remainder, if they hold tht the land has been damaged."

Within just a few weeks of the legal appeal, however, Ida's kidney disease continued to become even more serious. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 52, after just nine years of marriage, on Nov. 30, 1908. Funeral services were held in their home. The remains then were placed on the 4 p.m. train for transport back to Somerset County. Burial was in the Union Cemetery next to the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church at New Centerville.

The grieving Beecher traded his farm to A.C. Johnson in August 1909, taking two houses in the town of Wellington, but with him remaining on the farm temporarily to complete his crop harvest. Once the move was completed, he left for a month-long visit with family back in Somerset County. He returned to Wellington at the end of November 1909, likely having received assurance of help from his Pennsylvania family, and then bought a farm from A.A. Cook north of town.

The Express described the Cook farm as 80 acres located at the northwest corner of Wellington, purchased for $6,500, and an additional 15 acres of adjoining pasture along Boxelder Creek. "There is a new house on the place, only partially completed, and a splendid well of water. Mr. Dumbauld has traveled around the country considerably and thinks the Wellington country the equal of anythig he has yet seen."

The U.S. census of 1910 lists the widowed Beecher as a farmer residing in Larimer, with 23-year-old nephew Jacob G. Dumbauld (son of Peter) in the household, assisting with farm labor. That year, in May, he went to Texas, perhaps to view even more possibilities for expanding his holdings. In the fall of 1911, now living in Curtis, CO, he was noted in a local newspaper for having received the town property in trade for a Fort Collins tract. He is known to have attended the 1911 Harvest Jubilee in Fort Collins.

He was referenced as living in Pike View, near Colorado Springs, CO when mentioned in the 1915 Meyersdale Commercial obituary of his brother Daniel.

Research clues hint that Beecher wedded a second time, on Feb. 16, 1916, in Denver, to Mary V. Nelson ( ? - ? ). The nuptials were performed in the Roman Catholic rite by Fr. E.J. Mannix. Mary had been married previously and brought a daughter to the union, Pauline Nelson, of Denver. They made a home at 829 West Mountain Avenue in Fort Collins.

Beecher in February 1919 flipped a farm he had purchased southwest of Fort Collins, known as the Tumbaugh property, to buyer C.J. Anderson. He placed for sale advertisements for currants in the local Fort Collins newspaper in July 1919, priced at five cents per pound, at his farm northeast of Terry Lake.

In June 1920, he acquired a farm of 320 acres near Alamosa in Colorado's San Luis Valley. His friend Carl Anderson described the valley to a Fort Collins Coloradoan reporter as "rich in possibilities, it having many advantages over other sections that lie on the frontier. One going to that country he says must not expect to find as fine a looking country as the Poudre Valley for if he does, he will be disappointed but he will find a country that nature has done a lot for. The whole valley lies as level as a floor, has excellent soil and the very best of water right."

The couple relocated to Alamosa in the middle of 1920. He continued to evaluate farm tracts in the region.

Grief blanketed their lives in May 1922 when Mary contracted pneumonia. She succumbed to the illness in early May 1922, with burial of the remains in La Jara, Conejos County, CO. A notice of her passing was printed in the Express.

Beecher remained in Colorado for several years after Mary's death. He is known to have dwelled in Denver in 1926, at the death of his brother Peter. He wed a third time, to Isabelle Burrows ( ? - ? ), in Denver on Dec. 4, 1930, with Rev. Loren M. Edwards presiding. Sadly, she is thought to have died within a few years.

By 1934, Beecher was in Tonkawa, Kay County, OK and sharing a home with his nephew D.E. Kreger. The two men returned to Somerset in November 1934 to visit relatives. They stayed for several days with Beecher's nephew George Newton Schrock, reported the Daily American.

Mr. Dumbauld, born in Upper Turkeyfoot township, son of Jonathan Dumbauld, is the last of his family. His memory of early days of Somerset are quite vivid. Particularly does he remember the disastrous fire of '76, when he was serving in the commissioners office in the Court House. He took upon himself to offer $10 to anyone who could carry water to pour on that building to save it from flames. He was quite active in politics later on in life and earned for himself the name of "political war-horse", which appelation stuck for many years. After marriage, Mr. Dumbauld conducted a general store at Markleton for many years, eventually moving to Colorado, that his wife's health might be bettered. There he lived for thirty years, and in 1931 his wife, a daughter of John Shaff of New Centerville having died some years before, Mr. Dumbauld moved to Oklahoma to reside with his nephew. Telling of the climatic conditions of Oklahoma, Mr. Dumbauld said that during the past summer for forty days the thermometer hovered between 110 and 115 degrees fahrenheit. The venerable gentleman has many friends in the east, and talks fondly of them all. He particularly well remembers Miss Ella Ferner, who was his school teacher sixty years ago in a little country school in Upper Turkeyfoot

Toward the end of his life, Beecher returned to Somerset County, and shared a home in Kingwood with Edith Kreger. There, he died of a coronary occlusion on April 12, 1940, at the age of 79. Burial was in the Kingwood Church of God Cemetery, near the graves of his first wife and infant son, with Rev. J.I. Kalp preaching. J.B. Dumbauld provided information for his Pennsylvania death certificate. An obituary in the Daily American said that "Three wives and a son preceded him in death. A large number of nieces and nephews survive."

 

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Research for this page graciously shared by the late Donna (Younkin) Logan,  Clark Brocht and Linda Marker.