Biography: Descendants of John May Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Joyce Rittenour Post USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all noticesand submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following information is to be used for genealogy research only. It is not to be copied in part or whole without the expressed permission of the author. I have purposely omitted names of people who were born after 1920 or born before and could still be living. If you have any additions or corrections, please email me at Towpath2@aol.com . Joyce Rittenour Post Descendants of John May Generation No. 1 1. JOHN1 MAY was born 1802 in PA, and died Bet. 1860 - 1870 in PA. He married JANE ??. She was born 1805 in PA, and died Aft. 1870. Notes for JANE ??: Jane was shown as a widow on the 1870 PA Census, Somerset Co. Children of JOHN MAY and JANE ?? are: 2. i. MICHAEL (JR.)2 MAY, b. January 1828, Somerset County, PA; d. Bet. 1900 - 1910, PA. 3. ii. CHRISTIAN MAY, b. December 1829, PA; d. Aft. 1900. iii. ELIZABETH MAY, b. December 1831, PA; d. PA. Notes for ELIZABETH MAY: Elizabeth remained single. She was shown living with her brother Christian on the 1880 and 1900 PA Census. Also, living with them was Christian's grandson, Ira Gudson b. 1879. 4. iv. JOHN (JR.) MAY, b. Abt. 1840. 5. v. JACOB JOHN MAY, b. Abt. 1841, PA. vi. FREEMAN MAY, b. Abt. 1844, PA. vii. ELIJAH MAY, b. Abt. 1848. viii. CATHERINE MAY, b. Abt. 1849, PA. Generation No. 2 2. MICHAEL (JR.)2 MAY (JOHN1) was born January 1828 in Somerset County, PA, and died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in PA. He married ANNA MURRAY Abt. 1846. She was born 1830 in PA, and died Aft. 1920 in PA. Notes for MICHAEL (JR.) MAY: Michael May is on the 1850 Census, Living in Somerset, Lower Turkeyfoot Township, page 220 Family info obtained from the 1860 census, Somerset County, PA page 569a Michael was a laborer on the 1900 census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Dist 175. Notes for ANNA MURRAY: 1900 Census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Dist. 174 shows Michael living next door to his son Freeman and nephew Christian. They had 4 children, 4 living. Anna was widowed, living with son Franklin in 1910. Shown on 1920 Census Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset Co., PA, Anna (age 80) is living with son Frank as head of household and daughter Mary E. May (age 62). Children of MICHAEL MAY and ANNA MURRAY are: 6. i. AMANDA JANE3 MAY, b. May 15, 1853, PA; d. December 31, 1911, Elk Lick, Somerset Co., PA. ii. MARY E. MAY, b. 1856. Notes for MARY E. MAY: Mary E. May shown on 1920 Census Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset Co., PA as living with brother Frank and mother, Anna. Mary is shown as 62 years of age. Mary is shown as a servant working for John and Phoebe Blubaugh on the 1880 census. It is believed that Mary remained single. 7. iii. FREEMAN MAY, b. August 1859, PA. iv. FRANKLIN MAY, b. January 1868, PA; m. ? HOCKENBERRY. Notes for FRANKLIN MAY: Franklin is shown on the 1920 Census for Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset Co., PA at age 63. His mother Anna, age 80, is living with him. His sister Mary E., age 62, is also living with him. Frank must be widowed, as no wife shows on the census. 1900 Census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Dist. 174 shows Frank was a day laborer and living at home with his parents. Listed as single. 3. CHRISTIAN2 MAY (JOHN1) was born December 1829 in PA, and died Aft. 1900. Notes for CHRISTIAN MAY: 1880 PA Census, Somerset, PA shows Christian widowed by 1900. No record of him ever being married. He was living with his sister Elizabeth in 1880 in Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset Co., PA. A niece, Emma Younkin, age 13 also shows on this Census. The name Christopher appears on this census, not Christian. On the 1900 Census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot, Dist. 175, Christian's sister Elizabeth b. December 1836 and single, is listed as living with him. It also shows that Christian "Christ" was widowed. His family is living next door to his nephew, Freeman, born August 1859, age 40. Child of CHRISTIAN MAY is: 8. i. EMMA3 MAY, b. May 1869. 4. JOHN (JR.)2 MAY (JOHN1) was born Abt. 1840. He married LUCINDA ??. She was born Abt. 1850. Child of JOHN MAY and LUCINDA ?? is: i. HARVEY3 MAY, b. Abt. 1878. 5. JACOB JOHN2 MAY (JOHN1) was born Abt. 1841 in PA. He married (1) HARRIET BOYER, daughter of JOHN BOYER and HANNAH ??. She was born Abt. 1843 in Stoneycreek Township, Somerset Co., PA. He married (2) UNKNOWN. Children of JACOB MAY and HARRIET BOYER are: 9. i. BELLE3 MAY. ii. ELIZABETH MAY. 10. iii. JACKSON ALEXANDER MAY, d. August 1951, CA. 11. iv. JACOB JOHN (JR.) MAY. v. LAURA ETTA MAY, m. JULES WHITMOR OR WHITMAN. vi. LOUIS LEE MAY, d. April 1953. 12. vii. SUSAN MARY MAY, b. August 16, 1867, Somerset Co., PA; d. June 25, 1947, Belvidere, IL. viii. AGNES MAY, b. June 10, 1872, Somerset Co., PA; d. 1965, Freeport, IL; m. FRED MARTIN; d. July 04, 1922, Los Angeles, CA. 13. ix. WILLIAM CHAUNCEY MAY, b. 1874, Somerset Co., PA. x. SOLOMON MAY, b. June 20, 1881; d. June 01, 1937, Dixon, IL. More About SOLOMON MAY: Burial: Palmyra Cemetery, Dixon, IL 14. xi. HARRY FREDRICK MAY, b. October 20, 1889, Dixon, IL. Children of JACOB MAY and UNKNOWN are: xii. HENRY T.3 MAY. xiii. JENNIE MAE MAY. 15. xiv. ANNIE MAY. xv. UNKNOWN MAY. Generation No. 3 6. AMANDA JANE3 MAY (MICHAEL (JR.)2, JOHN1) was born May 15, 1853 in PA, and died December 31, 1911 in Elk Lick, Somerset Co., PA. She married JOHN S. CROSBY December 25, 1882 in Northampton Twp., Somerset Co., PA, son of JOHN CROSBY and MARIA SULLIVAN. He was born January 06, 1848 in Somerset County, PA, and died November 10, 1909 in Elk Lick, Somerset Co., PA. Notes for AMANDA JANE MAY: Amanda died of pneumonia at the age of 58y, 7m, 15d.. Have copy of death certificate. Amanda is shown on the Somerset Co., PA 1910 Census living with daughter Annie age 23, and son-in- law, Jesse James Rittenour age 21, and her daughter Eliza (Rittenour) age 18. More About AMANDA JANE MAY: Burial: St. Paul United Church of Christ Cem., Meyersdale, Somerset Co., PA Notes for JOHN S. CROSBY: John died of organic heart disease at the age of 61y, 10m, 4d. He served as a substitute for Joseph Tressler of Somerset Co.. PA for one year in the Civil War. He was in the 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C. Roll date October 31, 1864 at Chambersburg, Pa. Mustered out November 9, 1865. He was discharged at Covington, VA. Signed his name with an "X" when enrolling. (Source History of PA Volunteers 1861-1865). Union Army. Age 17 at enlistment. John was 5'6" tall, blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion. John's pension was $12 per month. It was alleged that while on duty at Bet Chaplain Farm & Whilthouse Ld., VA on or about March 18 or 20, 1865, he was disabled by sprained ankle (contracted disease of feet). This info from his Pension Records. Have copies of his pension records. These were the following witnesses for Amanda to receive John's Civil War Pension: John Williams, Ann Williams, Charles S. Beal, Henry Gray After the Civil War, John worked at the Grading Railroad in 1870, and then was a coal miner from 1870 to 1882. A Charles S. Beal and a Henry Gray signed affidavits after John's death attesting to his bad feet. John was able to only work 1/2 of what an able-bodied man could. John bought 16 1/4 acres of land in Lower Turkeyfoot Twp, Somerset Cty. PA from a Thomas Lichty, Frank Lichty and Ezra Lichty for $240.00 on October 19, 1898. Have copy of "Indenture" papers. Recorded in Deed Book Vol 123, Pg. 245. Have copy of death certificate. His death certificate has Amanda May as his mother (a mistake, Amanda May was his wife.) His death certificate was signed by Jesse James Rittenour, his son-in-law and my grandfather, not well educated, possibly didn't understand form. Jesse Rittenour was living with his wife, Eliza Jane Crosby and Amanda May Crosby in 1910. There is a marker on John's grave "Co. G, 58 PA and a star shaped marker that reads GAR 1861-1865. More About JOHN S. CROSBY: Burial: St. Paul United Church of Christ Cem., Meyersdale, Somerset Co., PA Marriage Notes for AMANDA MAY and JOHN CROSBY: Amanda and John were married by Reverend John A. Nuner. Witnesses to their marriage were John Williams of Elk Lick, Somerset Co., PA and Anne Williams of W. Salisbury, Somerset Co., PA. (Info from a General Affidavit in John's Pension records). Children of AMANDA MAY and JOHN CROSBY are: 16. i. WILLIAM F.4 CROSBY, b. April 05, 1884, Elk Lick Twp, Ursina, Somerset Co., PA; d. Somerset, PA.. ii. MARGARET ANN CROSBY, b. May 30, 1886, Elk Lick Twp., Coal Run, Somerset Co., PA; d. July 21, 1937; m. HARRY KOONTZ, July 03, 1917, Summit Twp., Somerset Co., PA; b. October 19, 1891, Somerset Co., PA; d. May 1981, Meyersdale, Somerset Co., PA. Notes for MARGARET ANN CROSBY: Have copy of Marriage License. Recorded in Courthouse Somerset County, PA Marriage Book, Vol. #30, Page 41. iii. MARY ELIZABETH CROSBY, b. August 03, 1889, Coal Run, Somerset Co., PA; d. 1951; m. JOHN M. WARRICK, June 09, 1910, Ursina, PA, Somerset Co., PA; b. August 04, 1884, Ursina, PA; d. October 1964, PA. Notes for MARY ELIZABETH CROSBY: Have copy of marriage license. Recorded in the Courthouse in Somerset County Marriage books. Vol. #22, Page 47. Notes for JOHN M. WARRICK: Miner by trade. Have copy of Marriage License. 17. iv. ELIZA JANE CROSBY, b. May 22, 1892, Coal Run, Somerset Co., PA; d. June 02, 1951, Akron, Summit Co., OH. 7. FREEMAN3 MAY (MICHAEL (JR.)2, JOHN1) was born August 1859 in PA. He married LUCY ?? Abt. 1893. She was born December 1872 in Germany. Notes for LUCY ??: Lucy immigrated 1891 from Germany. The 1900 census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Dist. 175 shows Lucy had 5 children, 4 living. Marriage Notes for FREEMAN MAY and LUCY ??: This date is from the 1900 Census Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Dist. 175. It states they were married 7 years. Children of FREEMAN MAY and LUCY ?? are: 18. i. EDWARD P.4 MAY, b. July 1890. ii. MYRTLE G. MAY, b. April 1895. iii. MAGGIE A. MAY, b. October 1896. iv. MAUD E. MAY, b. June 1898. v. WILLIAM E. MAY, b. 1904. vi. HARRY W. MAY, b. April 09, 1906; d. October 1977; m. ELSIE MAY ??; b. May 1911; d. 1990. vii. IRENE M. MAY, b. 1908. 8. EMMA3 MAY (CHRISTIAN2, JOHN1) was born May 1869. Notes for EMMA MAY: On the 1900 Somerset Co., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Dist. 175, Sadie is listed as a single daughter of Christian. It is assumed Emma is the daughter of Christian, but with two illigitimate daughters. The 1910 Census lists Emma as being single with two daughters, Sadie and Hazel. Children of EMMA MAY are: i. SADIE4 A.MAY, b. August 1895. ii. HAZEL M. MAY, b. Abt. 1904. 9. BELLE3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) She married WILLIAM HAMILTON. He was born 1866, and died July 26, 1910 in PA. 10. JACKSON ALEXANDER3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) died August 1951 in CA. He married MABLE FRANCES KLING. She died November 10, 1950 in Los Angeles, CA. 11. JACOB JOHN (JR.)3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) He married LIZZIE TUTTLE. 12. SUSAN MARY3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born August 16, 1867 in Somerset Co., PA, and died June 25, 1947 in Belvidere, IL. She married (1) ?? SHADOCK. She married (2) JOHN JACOB KELLEY March 10, 1886. He was born August 25, 1857 in Somerset Co., PA, and died January 11, 1918 in Rockford, IL. 13. WILLIAM CHAUNCEY3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born 1874 in Somerset Co., PA. He married IVA ELIZABETH KEARNS. 14. HARRY FREDRICK3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born October 20, 1889 in Dixon, IL. He married MARY FRANCIS O'CONNELL September 09, 1914, daughter of THOMAS O'CONNELL and SARAH LENNOX. She was born May 15, 1885 in Woosung, IL. 15. ANNIE3 MAY (JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) She married ED BENECKE. Generation No. 4 16. WILLIAM F.4 CROSBY (AMANDA JANE3 MAY, MICHAEL (JR.)2, JOHN1) was born April 05, 1884 in Elk Lick Twp, Ursina, Somerset Co., PA, and died in Somerset, PA.. He married (1) PEARL E. ??. She was born October 10, 1880, and died October 25, 1918 in Somerset, PA.. He married (2) MARIE SARAH GREENE August 16, 1920 in Somerset County, PA, daughter of ALBERT GREENE and SARAH MEYERS. She was born 1898 in Bell, Westmoreland County, PA. Notes for WILLIAM F. CROSBY: Buried in Ursina Cemetery, Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset, Pa. Two children died as infants and are buried with mother, Pearl, in Ursina Cem., Lower Turkeyfoot Twp. Somerset, PA. Have copy of Marriage License, Recorded in the courthouse of Somerset County, PA Marriage Book Vol #32, page 453 More About WILLIAM F. CROSBY: Burial: Ursina Cemetery, Somerset, PA More About PEARL E. ??: Burial: Ursina Cemetery, Lower Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset, PA Children of WILLIAM CROSBY and PEARL ?? are: i. ALBERT5 CROSBY, b. May 05, 1908; d. May 30, 1908, Somerset Twp., Somerset County, PA. Notes for ALBERT CROSBY: Buried with mother. More About ALBERT CROSBY: Burial: Ursina Cemetery, Somerset, PA ii. LEWIS E. CROSBY, b. November 30, 1917; d. April 22, 1918, Somerset County, PA. Notes for LEWIS E. CROSBY: Buried with mother. More About LEWIS E. CROSBY: Burial: Ursina Cemetery, Somerset, PA 17. ELIZA JANE4 CROSBY (AMANDA JANE3 MAY, MICHAEL (JR.)2, JOHN1) was born May 22, 1892 in Coal Run, Somerset Co., PA, and died June 02, 1951 in Akron, Summit Co., OH. She married JESSE JAMES RITTENOUR May 15, 1909 in Cumberland, MD, son of JEREMIAH RITENOUR and MARIAH HULL. He was born April 26, 1890 in Fayette Co., PA, and died September 22, 1964 in Akron, Summit Co., OH. Notes for ELIZA JANE CROSBY: Have original marriage license and death certificate. More About ELIZA JANE CROSBY: Burial: Mt. Peace Cemetery, Akron, Summit Co., OH Have original marriage license and death certificate. More About JESSE JAMES RITTENOUR: Burial: Mt. Peace Cemetery, Akron, Summit Co., OH 18. EDWARD P.4 MAY (FREEMAN3, MICHAEL (JR.)2, JOHN1) was born July 1890. He married JENNIE PHILLIPPI. 19. HARRIETT NELL4 MAY (JACKSON ALEXANDER3, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) She married CHESTER BALLARD December 30, 1937 in Witchita, KS. 20. LOUIS LEE4 MAY (JACOB JOHN (JR.)3, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) died November 17, 1979. He married BONNIE FREY, daughter of FRANKLIN FREY and UNKNOWN. 21. ANNABEL4 KELLEY (SUSAN MARY3 MAY, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born March 11, 1887 in Dixon, IL, and died March 12, 1967 in Rockford, IL. She married BERTRAM DOUGHERTY February 02, 1916 in Freeport, IL. He was born April 23, 1882, and died May 16, 1948. More About ANNABEL KELLEY: Burial: Rockford, IL More About BERTRAM DOUGHERTY: Burial: Rockford, IL 22. HARRY OLIVER4 KELLEY (SUSAN MARY3 MAY, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born October 17, 1893, and died May 1979 in Hall, MT. He married ALPHA MCGOWAN. She was born August 29, 1897, and died 1991. 23. JACOB WILLIAM4 KELLEY (SUSAN MARY3 MAY, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born August 29, 1895 in Dixon, IL, and died February 11, 1980 in Rockford, IL. He married MARION HARWICK July 25, 1922. More About JACOB WILLIAM KELLEY: Burial: Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, IL 24. LAURA AGNES4 KELLEY (SUSAN MARY3 MAY, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born June 27, 1897 in Rockford, IL, and died April 03, 1994 in Rockford, IL. She married ELMER GEORGE ERICKSON July 14, 1920. He was born October 31, 1893 in Rockford, IL, and died July 13, 1981 in Rockford, IL. More About LAURA AGNES KELLEY: Burial: Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, IL More About ELMER GEORGE ERICKSON: Burial: Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, IL 25. RUTH CATHERINE4 KELLEY (SUSAN MARY3 MAY, JACOB JOHN2, JOHN1) was born March 01, 1910 in Rockford, IL, and died November 05, 1945 in Rockford, IL. She married AARON E. JOHNSON October 18, 1930 in Belvidere, IL. More About RUTH CATHERINE KELLEY: Burial: Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, IL Sources: Census Records Tax Lists Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates Info from various May family descendents Family Bibles Cemetery Records and Obituaries