Keele Cousins

Chester & Lester Keele                                          William Chester Latimer & Edward Keele

      It is always fun to meet new cousins in person or online, growing our family tree. Some are found through DNA, some through research websites, others through social media. I have met dozens of people through family history and now enjoy some rich and rewarding relationships.  We have met many Keeles and Greenhalghs through church membership in our area. Most are distant cousins of four or five generations and some are many miles away, but we still have that common bond.
    This last year I met Edward Keele while working at the Temple.  I was instantly intrigued.  My husband mother's maiden name is Keele.  I mentioned this to Edward and to Bill at different times.  They both looked at me almost embarrassed while rolling their eyes.  I am sure that they were thinking that I am that, "crazy genealogy lady." After a few weeks I decided it was time to figure out exactly how they might be related. When Edward gave me his grandfather's name it immediately sounded familiar but needed further investigation to verify my instinct. I quickly discovered that Edward and Bill's grandfathers Chester and Lester Keele were brothers!  A lot closer than I imagined.  Bill and Edward are second cousins!  Now our greetings are filled with hello cousins, fist bumps, stories, and finding similarities within our families.  Edward is tall, as is Bill. His sons are also tall and were very active in sports as were our sons. I think they even kind of look a like. I gifted the above picture of Chester and Lester to Edward.  He was thrilled.  He had never seen it before.  I believe this is a sampling of the way it will be in eternity. We will greet all those family members that have lived before us with open arms and joy. 
    


Common Ancestor:  Thomas Henry Keele father of 

• Chester Reynald Keele father of 
• Velva Jean Keele mother of 
• William Chester Latimer 
• 
  
• Lester Englestead Keele brother of 
• Chester Reynald Keele and father of 
• Donald Henry Keele father of 
• Edward Keele

Although this blog post goes against my previous ideal of writing about deceased persons only. It shares names only with no other personal details, with their permission. I hope you enjoy!  Teri

Independence Day a time to honor our veterans!

William C. Latimer - U.S. Army 4 years Germany

William H. Latimer - Air Force

Chester Gale Keele - WWII U.S. Navy

Robert Wilbur Latimer - WWII European Theater - Bronze Star

James Lyle Latimer - Air Force

Leslie Wayne Hayes - U.S. Navy

George Fisher Hayden - Civil War 

John Long - Civil War

Alvin D. Brooks

George Marvin Brooks

Gerald Clarence Brooks

Loren William Brooks - Wounded aboard ship.  Spent 6 hours floating in  the sea awaiting rescue. 

Donald Lee Brooks

Herbert Delano Brooks

James W. Hunt - Civil War

George Andrew Brooks - Civil War Defended Fort Stevens - Washington D.C.

Ernest R. Brooks - Died active duty - 1932

Victor D. Brecht - Died WWII France - 1944

Joseph Hennon - Revolutionary Solider Pennsylvania

Captain Alexander Bushnell - Revolutionary Solider

Kenneth Richard Brown 1901-1933

Front row L to R - Margaret N Brown (Midge), Grace G. Johns-Brown, James Alpheus Brown, Helen Loren Brown.  Back Row L to R -  Paul E. Brown, Russell John Brown and Kenneth Richard Brown

Kenneth Richard Brown grew up in Pulaski Pennsylvania second son of James Alpheus Brown and Grace Gertrude Johns.

Kenneth Richard Brown 
brother to Helen Lorene Brown
Mother to
William (grandpa Latimer)
father to
Nancy
Donna 
Bill
Ronald
Russ 
Wayne

Sometime it is easy to follow the timeline of a person’s life. Kenneth Richard Brown was one of those. I became interested in him when I discovered this gravestone. There are three persons shown. Kenneth Brown, Phoebe Cochran - a different last name -and a grandson Kenneth only one year old. The little ones that pass so early always pull at my heartstrings. 

I knew that Kenneth was the brother of great grandmother Helen Lorene Brown. But I wondered, why did he die so young and who were those laid to rest beside him? 

As I began to search Newspapers in Newcastle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania I was surprised at the wealth of information I found. Kenneth as a young man attending social activities of the era, recitals, parties, receptions, and going to school. 

In January 1923 at the age of twenty two  he was working for the Smith Foster Motor Car Company and suffered a severe accident. Kenneth suffer a fractured jaw and lacerations of his face and was hospitalized for "some time."  The life long affect of this accident is unknown but this along with his employment in the Ohio steel mills could have contributed to his early demise. He eventually recovered from this accident and resumed his normal life. There is no mention of scaring or any other disability. 

Fortunately for us everything that happened in a small town was news, when there was a party or reception, when a person came to visit, or when someone lost their horse it was  in the newspaper. At some of events I found Kenneth and a young lady by the name of Phoebe Fennick. Maybe a little match making by friends and family? In about 1925 Phoebe became Kenneth's wife. Also in attendance was a young man by the name of Lyle Latimer. (Father of William Latimer) Could he and Kenneth have been buddies? 

In 1930 Phoebe, Kenneth and their young son lived in Coitsville, Mahoning, Ohio. This is just minutes away from Youngstown.  In Coitsville, Kenneth is working in a steel mill as a pipe fitter. This is a historic area where Bethlehem Steel, Carnegie Steel and Youngstown Steel and Tube where located. Bruce Springsteen wrote this thoughtful song about the era. Bruce Springsteen - Youngstown

Youngstown Steel Mill

In 1931 a second son was born Donald Alpheus Brown 1931–1996.

But in 1933 tragedy struck. Kenneth became sick with pneumonia.  During this time his mother-in-law Sadie Fennick came to stay with the family and help with his care. Why did his wife need extra help?  I thought this seemed a little odd at the time but brushed it off thinking it had to do with how sick he was.

Kenneth Richard Brown died 3 August 1933 of double pneumonia at the young age of thirty three years old.  At this point I was well acquainted with Kenneth and I actually shed a tear when I found the article about his death.  This may seem a little strange but as I learn about person I get pretty attached. It felt like I had lost an old friend. 

But the story does not end there! Flash forward to 1940. What happen to the widow with two young sons?  Now we find Phoebe Fennick Brown living with her mother and THREE sons.  Her name has not changed and there is no husband listed in the household.  After a little calculating I was able to see the reason that Phoebe's mother came to help care for her son in law.  Phoebe Brown was pregnant at the time of her husbands death.  Their third son Edward Brown was born in 1934. How sad this must of been for this little family.  

Phoebe did eventually remarry after 1948 but it was short lived.  Either due to divorce or the husband's death.  She remained very active in her community and it appears those around her rallied to support the young widow.  I believe the moral of this story is the beautiful strength and determination that people have. In our day we sometimes need that reassurance that life goes on and that our loved ones are at peace. 

The young boy buried with his grandparents is Kenneth Raymond Brown 1953-1954 child of the oldest son Richard J. Brown. 

Reunion!

As we are quickly approaching summer I am reminded by this fun article of all of the great family reunions that we have had in the past.  Here's hoping that we get together again soon!

From New Castle News, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, July 1905

"One of the pleasant events of the month of July was the Latimer reunion on the old homestead near Ellwood City.  Mr. and Mrs. George Latimer are the parents of eleven children who with one exception, are all living.  The grandparents of twenty-five, and the great grandparents of two.  The relatives in attendance were Mr. & Mrs. George. Latimer and son Isaac, who resides at the homestead; Mr. and Mrs. L. Keller and children, Darrison and Margaretta, Emmel Latimer of Allegheny, Mr. and Mrs. R. Trelber of Beaver, Mrs. Florence Fosnaut and children, Alice and Pearl, of Chewton, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Walker and Miss Blanche Law of Ellwood City, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Walker, Ruth Britain, George Latimer, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Martin and children, Ida, Ray and Margarite, of Hazel Dell: Mr and Mrs. J. A. Brown and children, May, Minnie, Clara and James; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Latimer and children Chester, Leah, Ethel, Glenn, Lyle and Elizabeth: William Latimer and George Mallory of Wayne township, and Miss Clarn Stubb of Allegheny."

John Presley Latimer 1861 - 1935

From New Castle News, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania September 4th, 1904 

Lost Her Cucumber and Got a Black Eye 

                John Latimer a farmer living near Ellwood is in trouble of a more or less serious nature because of a charge made by John Van Emans that the farmer took and carried away from his place cucumbers to the value of 50 cents.  Mrs. Della VanEmans has also made an information against Latimer, in which she charges assault and battery. 

                The VanEmans live on Latimer’s place, and their story is to the effect that he has without authority helped himself to the products of their toil whenever he felt so inclined.  They say that at one time they remonstrated with him because of this fact. And it was then that the alleged assault took place.  Mrs. Van VanEmans, when she came to New Castle Thursday morning was the processor of a highly ornamental black eye, which she says is a result of the assault said to have been committed by the defendant. 

The case will be held for hearing at an early date before Alderman Ranney. 

John Latimer Has Been Held To Court               14  September 1904

                The two cases involving an alleged larceny of cucumbers to the value of 50 cents and a  case of assault and battery in which Della and John VanEmans are complainants and John Latimer, defendant, came up for hearing before Alderman Ranny Wednesday evening.  The defendant was discharge on the larceny case, but held to court on the other.

Cost Were Divided Between the Parties              28  June 1905

                The case of the commonwealth vs. John Latimer of Wayne township, who was charged with assault and battery by Mrs. Della VanEmans was tried a jury in court Thursday afternoon and resulted in a verdict of not guilty.  The defendant, however was directed to pay three fours of the costs, the remaining fourth being placed on the proscentrix.  A.M. Graham assisted the district attorney in the trial of the case for the commonwealth and the defendant was represented by Robert K. Alken.
The trouble over which the prosecution was began happened last august.  The VanEmans and the Latimers were living on the same farm at the time and became engaged in a dispute over the division of some products.  On one occasion Latimer struck Mrs. VanEman a number of times, but claimed he did so only after she had assaulted him.  The jury naturally took the ground that both parties were in error as it shown by the verdict.

John Presley Latimer born 8 March 1861, married to Bessie Luella Jones 

father of 

Lyle Sylvester Latimer born 1903

father of

William H. Latimer

Oh Dear, John!

What on earth was going on here?  Sounds like a good old fashion spat with the neighbors. I've always believed that a woman cannot expect to strike a man with no consequences. So here is truth in action.  I can just picture Mrs. VanEman's shiner!  Thank goodness that this wonderful picture of you was not added to the newspaper.   It was bad enough that all that dirty laundry was aired years ago but now here it is relived and posted for all to see.  Don't worry,  I love your mischievous spirit and now understand where my boys get it from.  All this fuss over 50 cents worth of cucumbers.  What a hoot!  Sincerely, Your friend, Teri

Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church

Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church

One Hundred Years on a Hilltop

There's a church in the woods on the hilltop where the old Pittsburgh and Ellwood-New Castle roads meet. Slippery Rock United Presbyterian Church has stood on that hill for 100 years. A peace treaty with the Indians in 1794, which was never violated, opened up this area for settlement by Scotch-Irish pioneers who came from Fayette County in 1796.
     Some first members of the Slippery Rock congregation were: Jesse Bell, William Cairns and his wife Nancy, Joseph Hennon and Margaret, and John Newton.
     The log building was not very large and was said to be built in one day. Logs, from the trees in the surrounding forests were felled and used for the building. The logs were sealed together with mud. There was no floor, no seats, no stove and very little light. A fireplace of sorts was built by placing two logs across the room at the eaves and upon this was built a chimney of clay, split sticks and straw, supposedly to draw the smoke upward from the fire on the dirt floor. Great care was taken of possessions so even the female members would often walk barefoot and pause before reaching the Church and put on their shoes.
     Rather than standing for the lengthy services, some people made benches of split logs with sticks driven into them for legs. It is noted that the owners of these first seats were criticized for being “uppity”, but soon everyone had these crude seats. Although this first church building was very crude it involved much sacrifice to construct. Most families were very poor and worked long hours to even exist, so they had very little to give to their place of worship.

Joseph Hennon b 1761 m. Margaret Morrow

parents of

John M. Hennon b 1809 m. Sarah Ward

parents of

Elizabeth L. Hennon b 1835  m. Thomas R. Jones

mother of

Bessie Luella Jones b 1881 m. John P. Latimer

parents of

Lyle Latimer b 1903

father of

William Latimer

     Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church is where several generations of Latimer, Hennon and Newton families attended church. Many are a buried in the nearby cemetery.  A wonderful stop if you are in the area on vacation!