Daily Courier, 1920

In 1900, John was a farm laborer and teamster doing general hauling. During World War I, when he registered for the draft at age 43, he was employed as a laborer for a company in Uniontown, Fayette County. Circa 1920, the family lived in East Connellsville. 

In March, the family celebrated the birth of its 11th child, Esther Elizabeth Kooser. A headline in the Connellsville Daily Courier trumpeted, "Nearing the Dozen Mark," and reported the following: "Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kooser of Connellsville are receiving congratulations upon the birth of an eight pound daughter, the third girl and 11th child in the family Monday morning. The other eight children, two being twins, are boys. Mrs. Kooser formerly was Miss Esther Ogle of Pennsville."

Daily Courier, 1920

Tragically, the celebration was all too premature. Esther's birth canal became infected, and she died of complications just five days later, on March 20, 1920, at the age of 44. Her worn out remains were laid to rest in Pennsville at the Pennsville Independent Cemetery. Rev. W.H. Hetrick, of the local Lutheran Church, presided over the funeral and burial. Her husband, the informant on her death certificate, listed her parents as "Wm. D. Ogle" and "Sarah Minerd."

Compounding the tragedy, now suffering from severe under-nourishment known as "marasmus," baby Esther also died, with a month, on April 17, 1920. Rev. Hetrick again was called upon to conduct the funeral, with the baby buried beside the mother, and the news reported on the front page of the Daily Courier. John was thus left with a family of nine motherless children to raise. 

The Koosers' grave, Pennsville

After a period of seven years, John married again, to Amelia T. Foreman (1874- ? ), a native West Virginian whom he had known for several years. The wedding took place on June 30, 1927.

Just a few years prior to the second marriage, in 1925, when the widowed John was residing in Moyer, Fayette County, he hosted a wedding supper for one of Amelia's relatives, Charles and Reva (Foreman) May, an event which Amelia attended.

The Koosers continued to live in Moyer following their wedding.

When the federal census was made in 1930, John worked for a foundry. Among his near neighbors in the 1930 census were cousins Howard and Phoebe (Thorpe) Workman of the Freed/Thorpe branch of our family.

John for many years suffered from heart disease and passed away at the age of 69 on Sept. 22, 1944, and is buried with Esther in the Pennsville Baptist Cemetery.

An annual Kooser Reunion has been held for years in Fayette County. The 2009 event was on July 25, 2009, at Shady Grove Park on Morgan Station Road, Lemont Furnace, near Uniontown.

~ Daughter Irene May (Kooser) Marthethe ~

Daughter Irene May Kooser (1900- ? ) was born in about 1900.

She wed David Martethe ( ? - ? ).

Circa 1965, they lived in Miami, Dade County, FL.

~ Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Sr. ~

Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Sr. (1903-1965) was born in in 1903.

He married Mary Etta Manges (1903-1974), the daughter of John and Margaret (Friend) Manges. 

They bore a brood of six children -- John Wesley Kooser, Margaret Alberta Easter, Evelyn Yauger Riley Belovarac, William H. Kooser, Carl Ellsworth Kooser Jr. and James R. Kooser. 

The Connellsville Daily Courier said that they resided in Brownfield, Fayette County, where Carl "was a member of the Hutchinson Sportsmen's Club and Union Local No. 66 of Uniontown. He was a retired grinder of the Richmond Radiator Co." They were active in the Manges family reunions over the years.  

Sadly, son John Wesley died at the age of two months on Jan. 8, 1935, having been born prematurely. His remains were lowered into repose in Percy Cemetery. As well, 13 years later, married daughter Margaret Alberta Easter passed away in 1948. 

On April 20, 1965, Carl died at home at the age of 62. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield. At the time, said the Courier, he had 13 grandchildren who survived him. 

Mary outlived him by nine years. She died on Aug. 20, 1974.

Daughter Margaret Alberta Kooser (1929-1948) was born on Jan. 20, 1929. She married Francis Kenneth Easter (Oct. 30, 1926-1986), a native of Masontown, Fayette County. They made a home at the Phillips Works of H.C. Frick Coke Company in Brownfield near Uniontown. Tragically, at the age of 19, while in delivery with her first child, she suffered seizures due to an acutely atrophied liver, and died on July 3, 1948. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery. Francis outlived his wife by 38 years. On March 16, 1968, in nuptials held in Chesterton, Porter County, IN, he married again to Angeline Rose Motta (1915-2000). He died at the age of 60 in Babson Park, Polk County, FL on Dec. 13, 1986. His remains were shipped to Michigan City, LaPorte County, IN to rest in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens.

Daughter Evelyn R. Kooser (1930-2010) was married three times -- to James H. Yauger, William Riley and Stephen Belovarac. She had two sons -- Larry J. Yauger and Dan R. Yauger. She resided in the area of Erie, PA, for more than 35 years. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, "In years past, she was an active member of the Big Brownfield United Methodist Church where she had been a member of the church choir and had served as a long-time Sunday School teacher. She had more recently been a member of the McKean United Methodist church. Evelyn had been previously employed by the former Thrift Drug and had also worked at JC Penney where she was manager of the boy's department. She was a former member of the McKean Garden Club. She enjoyed camping, watching humming birds and playing piano." Evelyn passed away at age 79 on Feb. 2, 2010. Burial was in Edinboro Cemetery.

Son William H. Kooser ( ? - ? ).

Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Jr. (1938-2009) was born on Dec. 30, 1938 in Uniontown. He married Jadquelyn R. Baker (1939-1999). They were the parents of at least one daughter, Belinda J. Spiker. The family dwelled in Brownfield near Uniontown. He passed away at home on July 5, 2009. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Herald-Standard.

• Granddaughter Belinda J. Kooser (1963-1998) was born in 1963. She married Terry L. Spiker (1954- ? ). She died in 1998.

Son James R. "Bob" Kooser (1927-2007) was born on July 30, 1927 in Little Brownfield, Fayette County. He married Bethel (Helmick) Nestor ( ? - ? ). They lived in Uniontown and Brownfield and had four children -- James R. Kooser II, Ronald D. Kooser, Gary E. Kooser and Lori B. Geisler. During World War II, Bob served in the U.S. Navy. Later, he was a steelworker at the famed Homestead Works of the U.S. Steel Corporation. Bob wedded a second time to Elizabeth Smith ( ? -living). He passed away at home on New Year's Eve 2007. He was interred in Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield following graveside military rites.

• Grandson James R. Kooser Jr. ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2018.

• Grandson Ronald D. Kooser (1952-2018) was born on Aug. 16, 1952 in Uniontown. He wedded Carolyn Hunt ( ? -living). The couple established a home in Great Valley, NY, where Ronald was employed for 20 years as a supervisor with Fitzpatrick & Weller in Ellicottville, NY. They were the parents of two sons, Mark Kooser and Timothy Kooser. In his spare time, Ronald enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, fishing and hunting. Sadly, they endured the death of their son Mark. Ronald died at the age of 66 at ECMC in Buffalo on Aug. 28, 2018. An obituary in the Salamanca Press noted that burial was in Green Cemetery.

• Grandson Gary Kooser ( ? -living) wedded Sherry and dwells in Little Valley, NY.

• Granddaughter Lori Kooser ( ? -living) married Larry Geisler. They live in Connellsville, PA.

~ Son George Francis Kooser ~

Son George Francis Kooser (1906- ? ) was born in about 1906.

~ Daughter Isabel (Kooser) Balsley Davidson ~

Daughter Isabel Kooser (1908- ? ) was born in about 1908.

She was married twice. Her first husband was (?) Balsley. 

Her second spouse was Paul Davidson.

In 1965, she and Paul lived in Toledo, OH.

~ Son John Henry Kooser ~

Son John Henry Kooser (1911- ? ) was born in about 1911.

~ Son Charles H. Kooser ~

Son Charles H. Kooser (1914- ? ) was born in about 1914.

He married Flossie Guseman ( ? - ? ).

They resided in Chalk Hill, Fayette County.

The Koosers had at least one daughter, Juanita Flo Martin Cowles. 

Daughter Juanita Flo Kooser (1940-2008) was born on Sept. 30, 1940 in Chalk Hill. She married Robert Martin of Connellsville in 1962 and had four children -- Michael Martin, Susanne DeBoever, Natalie Martin and Robert Martin. They relocated to Southern California, making their home in La Mirada. Juanita was employed by General Telephone Company until retirement. After her marriage ended, Juanita later wed Robert Cowles in 1995. A newspaper said they spent their summers in Markleysburg. Juanita passed away in Markleysburg at the age of 67 on Oct. 7, 2008. She was laid to rest in Mt. View Cemetery in Brownfield, Fayette County.

~ Son Frank Kooser ~

Son Frank Kooser (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916.

He made his home in Connellsville. 

~ Son William DePew Bow Kooser ~

Son William DePew Bow Kooser (1918-1999) was born in 1918. 

He married Grace Elizabeth Roberts Miller (1922-1987), the daughter of Hazel (Roberts) Miller and stepdaughter of Thisel Miller.

William "was a lifelong resident of Connellsville and prior to his retirement he worked as a millwright for the Connellsville Mining Supply Co.," said the Daily Courier. "He was a member of the Connellsville American Legion and the Connellsville Moose Lodge." 

Burial site for many of the Koosers

The Koosers together produced a family of nine children -- William T. Kooser, Dale Richard Kooser, Franklin Albert Kooser Sr., Donald Blane Kooser Sr., Hazel Oldland, Barbara Pericho, Deborah Hough, Kimberly Welsh and Marcia Shroyer.

Their address circa 1970 was McCoy Road in Connellsville.

Sadly, Grace died in 1987.

William outlived her by 12 years, and passed away at the age of 81 on May 24, 1999. At the time, he was survived by 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest at Green Ridge Memorial Park in Pennsville, near Connellsville. 

Son William T. Kooser (1940-2008) was born in 1940. He was married to Valerie J. Gallentine ( ? - ? ) and had four children -- Cheryl Garlick, William G. Kooser, Thomas D. Kooser and Steven E. Kooser. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, "He had formerly worked at the former Modulus Corp. in Mt. Pleasant for 20 years and then worked as a truck driver for Allegheny-Bedford Express. He then retired as a bus driver for Colborn Bus in Mill Run. Bill [was] a member of the Bullskin Township Lions Club, the Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the former Connellsville Jaycees." He passed away at age 68 on May 31, 2008, with burial at Green Ridge Memorial Park. Rev. Larry R. Hellein led the funeral service.

• Granddaughter Cheryl Lynn Kooser ( ? - ? ) married Arnold Garlick ( ? - ? ). In 2008, their home was in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, PA.

• Grandson William G. Kooser ( ? - ? ) wedded Susan. They dwelled in Wheeling, IL in 2008.

• Grandson Thomas D. Kooser ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Teresa. They were in Guam in 2008.

• Grandson Steven E. Kooser ( ? - ? ) made his residence in Connellsville.

Son Dale Richard Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In young manhood he was employed by Modulus Corporation in Mount Pleasant as a packer. On Oct. 2, 1977, in nuptials led by Rev. William Popa, he entered into marital union with Colleen Gay Miller ( ?  - ? ), daughter of John R. Miller of 737 Mt. Etna Boulevard. The nuptials were held in the Connellsville United Presbyterian Church. In reporting on the ceremony, the Connellsville Daily Courier pictured the couple and said that the bride "appeared in a floor-length gown of white chiffon. The bodice and sleeve cuffs of the gown were trimmed with Alencon lace and pearls. Attached to the gown was a high chiffon train." Colleen was one of a very large number of extended cousins in the Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family who were members of the 1972 graduating class of Connellsville Area High School. She graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and received her registered nurse license. At the time of marriage she was an intensive care nurse at Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant. Circa 2008, they were in Connellsville.

Son Franklin Albert Kooser Sr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He grew up on McCoy Road in Connellsville. Franklin was hired in April 1964 as a purchasing clerk with Sterling Faucet Company in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. On July 1, 1967, he was united in marriage with a neighbor, Irma "Jean" Reese ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clayton Reese of McCoy Road, Connellsville. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, she wore "a floor length gown of white chiffon embroidered with roses. Her train was also embroidered with white roses and her headdress was a white pillbox with a veil." They have lived in Morgantown. For six years, mainly in the 1960s, he served with the 354th Ordnance Company of the U.S. Army Reserves in Morgantown. Two known children were born to this union, among them Kelly Ann Kooser and Franklin Albert Kooser II. Franklin was pictured in the Daily Courier in November 1971 when he was promoted to junior buyer with Sterling Faucet. At the time their address was 1036 Curtis Avenue.

• Granddaughter Kelly Ann Kooser (1969?- ? ) was born in about 1969.

• Grandson Franklin Albert Kooser II (1970- ? ) was born on Aug. 5, 1970 in Morgantown, WV. News of his birth was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Son Donald Blane Kooser Sr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was joined in the bonds of marriage with Donna Metzger ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clyde and Pearl Metzger. The couple bore a son, Donald Blane Kooser Jr. The couple's marriage ended, and Donna wedded again to Thomas Armstrong ( ? - ? ), son of J.T. and Libby Armstrong. Donald also tied the knot again with Marcia. They have lived in New Salem near Uniontown, Fayette County.

• Grandson Donald Blane Kooser Jr. (1974-2021) was born on April 3, 1974 in Connellsville. He appears to have been raised by his stepfather, Thomas Armstrong. Donald was trained as a welder and became certified in his craft. He also worked for Bud Murphy's famed pizza restaurant in Connellsville and by Carry All Products Inc. Donald was the father of three -- Justine Kooser, Cole Kooser and Jayden Kooser. In his free time he liked to fish, hunt, camp at Big Bear Campground and watch football, especially the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Without warning, Donald died at the age of 46 on Jan. 17, 2021. Officating at his funeral service was Pastor Lee Maley,a distant cousin of the family of Martha (Mayle) Mayle of Philippi, WV. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Hazel Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Oldland. They established their residence in Morgantown, WV and are the parents of at least one son, William K. Oldland. At the age of 81, in November 2020, she was quoted in the Washington Post for having voted in person for President Trump, stating that she "douibted a mail-in ballot would make it to its intended destination."

• Grandson William K. Oldland ( ? -living) is an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, in Morgantown, WV.

Daughter Barbara Lee Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she was employed at Anchor-Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. In about 1962, she wedded Kenneth Pericho ( ? - ? ), son of Ethyl Fieck Murphy of Belle Vernon and Connellsville, and stepson of Jack Fieck. At the time, Kenneth was training at Lackland Air Base in Texas as a member of the U.S. Air Force. The couple relocated to North Syracuse, NY, where he was serving as an airman first class with the Air Force facility at Hancock Field. His specialty was semi-automatic ground environment and manually-operated radar systems. In 1974, the family lived at 115 Shaver Avenue. Together they bore two known children -- Kenneth Pericho and Kristie Michelle Pericho.

• Grandson Kenneth Pericho was born in March 1965. At his ninth birthday, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Kristie Michelle Pericho was born in March 1970. When she turned four, her photograph appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Deborah Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was a member of the 1972 graduating class of Connellsville Area High School, in which a large number of classmates were extended cousins in the Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family. She was united in matrimony with Ralph Hough ( ? - ? ), son of Clarence "Peck" and Sarah F. "Sally" (Coffman) Hough of Connellsville. The pair have remained in Connellsville over the years.

Daughter Kimberly Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in marriage with Edwin Welsh ( ? - ? ). The couple has resided in Connellsville.

Daughter Marcia Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in wedlock with Ralph Shroyer ( ? - ? ). The Shroyers live in Richmond, VA.

~ Son Edward Kooser ~

Son Edward Kooser (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918.

He lived in Connellsville. 

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