The Children of James H. and Sarah Lyons, Generation Three: Part 1

As told in the previous story of James H. and Sarah Lyons of Salemville, they were the parents of 16 children, born between 1847 and 1876. James continued work as a farmer, store keeper and postmaster of Salemville for many years until his death in 1899. From census records we know the names of their children, but they “come to life” when discovered on family trees on Ancestry.com. It was unexpected to find descendants of some of the children tracing their ancestors; sharing documents, photos, death certificates and places of burial on Findagrave.com.

Because most of the children remained in Bedford and Blair counties, some of their descendants are still living in these areas today.

George W, their first son, was born around 1847, for in the 1850 census he was three years of age. He is missing in the 1860 census, as well as his mother Sarah in the household of James, but she is listed next door (probably with young George), living with Mary Lyons, her mother-in-law, as Benjamin Lyons had died in 1859. “G.W. Lyan” is found in Hollidaysburg in 1870; age 35, a brick layer. George W. married Mary Ellen Irons. She is listed in the 1870 census with him, along with her mother, Mary “Inns” as a mother-in-law. They were parents of five children. George was also a janitor in the city schools. George is listed in military records as a Civil War veteran, enlisting Sept. 29, 1864, as Private in the Union army; Co. F, 41st Colored Infantry, leaving Dec. 14, 1865. No muster-out records were found. Although his gravestone is inscribed “Sergt.” It may be that he was confused in military records with another George W. Lyons from Co. F., 54th Mass. Infantry, and this George, serving just over a year, was a Private. He died in 1904 at the state hospital in Warren and is buried in the Union African Methodist Episcopal cemetery in Hollidaysburg. His short obituary did not mention George as a veteran from the Civil War.

Benjamin Franklin, born in 1850, was a “master painter” by trade in Blair County, especially in the graining of woodwork. Beginning his career in Salemville, he married Hannetta “Hannah” Mohr/Moore of New Enterprise. They were parents of Myrtle Irene, Charles, Rosella and James Amza. Living in Roaring Spring, Benjamin is described in Rev. C.W. Karns book as “…an influential citizen…prominent in church and civic circles. He is a skillful painter and has decorated many of the best homes in Altoona.” Benjamin also painted and lettered engines and cars for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for several years in Altoona shops. He was a regular member of the D.M. Bare Memorial Church of God; often teaching a Sunday School Class. After the death of his wife in 1922, he later resided with daughter Rosella, wife of Samuel Blattenberger. Benjamin F. died in 1935, age 84; both are buried in the Greenlawn cemetery in Roaring Spring.

Mary Ann was born in 1851. She married George Henry Golden of Hancock, Maryland, and they were parents of five children. Living in Salemville, they were members of the New Enterprise Church of the Brethren, attending services at the Salemville church, where their funeral services were held. She was living in Altoona at the time of her death from pneumonia at age 84 in 1936. Both are buried in the Berger cemetery in Salemville.

Catherine, or Ophelia Katherine, born in 1853, married David L. Fetter, the son of Matthias and Susan (Ling) Fetter of Osterburg. They moved west to North Dakota; then later to Minnesota by covered wagon. They were the parents of three children. She died in Maple Plain, Hennepin County, in 1940 and is buried there in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery. It is unknown if she ever returned to the Cove to be with family or attend funerals.