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Sally Rhoads

Sarah C. "Sally" Dumbauld was born on Feb. 9, 1840, the daughter of Jonathan Cable and Elizabeth (Dull) Dumbauld.

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 Sarah C. "Sally" (Dumbauld) Snyder Coleman ~

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.Son 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.

Son 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.

Daughter Gertrude "Gertie" Snyder (1889- ? ) was born on June 1889. She wedded Edward Bowman ( ? - ? ). Their residence circa 1946 was in Garrett, Somerset County

Son Edwin F. Snyder (1892-1975) was born on Jan. 11, 1892 in Somerset County. 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.

Daughter 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.

Daughter Sallie/Joan Coleman married (?) Paxton. She lived in Akron, OH in 1946 and in Fort Myers, FL in 1975

~ Daughter Anna E. (Rhoads) Walter ~

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.

Son 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.

Daughter 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.

Daughter 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.

Daughter Erma Walter (1894- ? ) was born on Aug. 1894. Nothing further is known.

Son 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.

~ Daughter Corda B. "Cordie" (Rhoads) Hanna ~

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]

Stepson 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.

Daughter 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.

Daughter 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 ~

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."

~ Daughter Catherine Florence "Katy" (Rhoads) 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.

Stepson 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.

~ Daughter Hannah "Minerva" (Rhoads) Conway ~

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.

Daughter 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 son 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.