HISTORY: Havner, Thomas J. Family, 1861-1949, Addison Township, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Rita Wells Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ The Thomas J. Havner Family by Mary Ward-Grand daughter [NOTE: This information was given to Rita Wells in Jun 1999 from Mary Ward of Confluence, PA she was 85y at the time. She was busy sweeping her porch when we drove up--but had time to talk with strangers from MI. Thank you, Mary. (I have taken out some names and dates of modern/living individuals).] Thomas J. Havner's father was Robert G. Havner. He lived near Addison, PA on Lott Watson's property. His wife was Mary Nicklow. Robert enlisted in the Civil War in April 1864. They were the parents of three children: Emma, b. Nov. 16, 1859; Thomas J., b. Oct 9, 1861; and Mary V. (nickname Minnie) b. Jul 1864. Minnie was born after her father had gone to war. He didn't get to see her. Robert became ill with typhoid fever, was admitted to Sandy Hook Hospital, then transferred to US hospital at Frederick, MD in Sep 1864. He died on Sep 6, 1864 at ten o'clock in the evening. They buried him there. Robert's wife Mary bought a home in Addison, PA. After her girls were older they opened a small store. They were members of the Lutheran Church in Addison, PA. Mary remained a widow and lived in Addison, until her death. She was 26 years old when Robert G. enlisted in the Civil War. She was born in 1838 and died in 1895 and is buried in the Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA. After Mary's death, the daughters moved to Pittsburgh, PA where they lived until death. Mary V. (Minnie) died in 1910, Emma died in 1945. They were both buried in the Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA. Thomas J. Havner lived with his mother and sisters in Addison, PA. He worked for farmers and learned a trade "Shoe Cobbler". He made leather shoes for men and women. He also learned the "Harness Making" trade and "Watch Repair". On Dec 2, 1882 Thomas J. and Eliza Griffith were married at Mrs. Marshall Wilhelm's home in Listonburg, PA. Mrs. Wilhelm was Eliza's sister, Sarah Frances (Fannie). Rev. H. A. Hartzell performed the Wedding Ceremony and Sarah Frances was a witness. Eliza Griffith's home was a in Garrett Co, RFD, Accident, MD. Her father's name was Abraham Griffith. He was a farmer. He wife's name was Cathern Turney Griffith. They had five children--Howard, Silas, Jackson, Sarah Frances and Eliza. Eliza was born Feb 21, 1861. Thomas J. and Eliza lived in the toll gate house in Addison, PA from there they moved to Listonburg, PA. They had three children; Clara born Feb 19, 1884; Susie b. Aug 18, 1885 and Robert Griffith born Sep 22, 1896. Thomas J. and Eliza Havner joined the Trinity Methodist Church in Listonburg, PA in 1896. Thomas J. was elected Church Steward, Class leader and Superintendent of the Sunday School in 1906. Eliza Havner was Sunday School teacher of the youth class for many years. Peter Stuck owned a two story building a grocery and dry goods store on the first floor. Thomas J. rented the upper floor and started a "Harness and Shoe shop" also repaired clocks and watches. Later he built his own shop in Listonburg, PA. During World War II he went to work in the "Miller Mines" as a Blacksmith. He was a drummer in the Listonburg Band. He was elected constable of Addison Twp. for a period of time. Later he was elected Justice of the Peace of Addison Twp. On Sep 14, 1912 Thomas J. held the inquest of Harrison Brown, near Beachly, PA Addison Twp., Somerset County. There were six jurors: L.W. Wilhelm, William A. Sweitzer, William Dayton, Frank Collier, John Batz, and Edward Holiday. Verdict of the Jurors--Harrison Brown came to his death by a gun shot wound from a 38 caliber by the hand of an unknown party. Harrison Brown was a mail carrier; he had the pay roll for the Beachley mines. Later John Maus was found to be the man that shot Harrison Brown and took the payroll. He was caught and convicted of the crimes. Eliza Havner picked thorns and sold them to the Listonburg woolen mill for "ten cents a quart". They were used to "pin" the material. Clara Havner married George W. Lenhart of Listonburg, PA. He was the s/o John and Lydia Lenhart. He worked in the Listonburg mines, later he owned a grocery and dry goods store. He was appointed postmaster of Listonburg, PA. He had the post office in the same building as the grocery store. He was postmaster for years until his death, then his wife Clara was acting postmaster till they appointed a new postmaster. George and Clara had two children Bertha and J. Thomas. Bertha Lenhart was born Aug. 1, 1904 and J. Thomas Lenhart was born Jul 30, 1909. Bertha Lenhart taught school in Unamus, PA. Henry Finzel and family moved to Listonburg, PA. He worked in one of the Listonburg mines. His son Walter who was born Jan 28, 1905 and Bertha Lenhart were married Jan 30, 1926. Bertha's grandfather, Thomas J. Havner performed the ceremony. They lived in Listonburg, PA, later moved to Frostburg, MD. They had one child Thomas George Finzel born May 23, 1931. He went to college in Fairmont, W. VA became a school teacher. His wife's name in Mary. They had two children. Walter Finzel died 1964 and Bertha Finzel died Feb 1, 1983 both are buried in Addison Cemetery. J. Thomas Lenhart drove truck, his father had a restaurant built in Addison, PA and he was the manager. He married Cathern Ross from Morgantown, W. VA. They had three children; Thomas Daniel, Robert and Clara. Mrs. George Lenhart late in life went to live with her son J. Thomas near Baltimore, MD. She died Aug 1975 was buried in Addison Cemetery. Addison, PA. J. Thomas had a stroke some years ago. He is an invalid. He lives in Paw Paw, WVA. Cathern his wife lives in Morgantown, WVA. Susie Havner married John Charles Spindler. He came to Listonburg, PA to work in the mines. He played an instrument in the Listonburg Band. He said "He was called to be a preacher of the gospel". He became a Methodist Minister. His first church was in Greenville, WVA. Some of the churches he served were in Durbin, WVA; Berkley Springs, WVA; Ridgeley, WVA; Levels, WVA.; Petersburg, WVA,; Capon Bridge; WVA; and Frostburg, MD. He became ill and had to retire. They then lived in Frostburg, MD. He died on Dec 31, 1951. Buried in Memorial Park, Frostburg, MD. John Charles and Susie Spindler had two children, Mary and Helen. Mary was born in Listonburg, PA, March 1, 1905. She married Elden Powell "Ike" from Frostburg, MD. They had one child Mary Margaret b. Nov 7, 1925. They lived in Frostburg, MD. Later in life Mary Powell joined the US Army and served 20 years. She retired and lived in Leesville, LA, doing volunteer work for the Red Cross until she died Nov 19, 1984. Helen Spindler was born Jul 20, 1918 in Durbin, WVA. She married John King of Mt. Savage, MD they moved to Norwalk, OH. John worked in a mill there for years, they have one child, Edward King. After John Charles Spindler died Helen's mother, Susie, went to live with Helen and family. Later they moved to Mt. Savage, MD. Susie d. Oct 20, 1979 and was buried in Memorial Park, Frostburg, MD. Robert Griffith Havner helped his father in his harness shop, delivered groceries for Peter Stuck. When older he went to work in the Listonburg Mines. He married Lulu Blanche Faucett, born Jun 8, 1894 from Selbysport, MD. Lulu's father's name was Michael Rudolph Faucett, born Spr 9, 1845 lived in Baltimore, MD. Lulu Blanche's uncle Thomas Faucett was drowned on Steamer West Point with Steamer George Peabody on Potomac River while in US service. He was a Pvt. in Co. D, 2nd MD Reg. Vol. Inf. died Aug 15, 1862. Michael Rudolph came to Addison, PA and married Eliza Jane Walters born Jun 29, 1852. Her parents were Hanson and Caroline Walters. They both were born in Germany and married there. They came to America and settled in Addison, PA Both buried in Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA Michael and Eliza Jane lived in the toll gate house in Addison, PA. Later moved to a farm in Selbysport, MD. Lived there until death. Eliza Jane died Oct 27, 1903. Michael Rudolph died Sep 13, 1921. Both were buried in Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA Robert Griffith Havner and wife, Lulu Blanche Faucett Havner lived in Listonburg, PA. They had three children, Mary Eliza, Helen Esther and Lulu Pauline. Lulu Blanche Havner d. Aug 10, 1918. Robert Griffith Havner died Oct 2, 1977. Both are buried in Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA Mary Eliza Havner was born Jun 30, 1914 (died 30 Nov 2001). She married William Ward of Confluence, PA. They lived with her grandparents Thomas J. and Eliza Havner in Listonburg, PA for eight years then moved to Confluence, PA. Mary and William Ward were employed at Hopemont, W.VA. T.B. Sanitarium for years. William Ward was born Aug 15, 1914 and died Mar 7, 1972. Buried in IOOF Kingwood Cemetery, Kingwood, PA. Mary worked at Spear Convalescent Home, Markleysburg, PA until retirement. They had one child. Helen Esther Havner was born in Listonburg, PA Sep 19, 1915. She married Clyde Lytle from Confluence, PA, born Jan 1, 1910. They lived in Confluence, PA. They have two children. Helen and Clyde later moved to Warren, OH. Clyde Lytle died Mar 16, 1975 and Helen Esther d. Jun 13, 1984. Both buried in Jersey Cemetery, RD, Confluence, PA. Thomas J. Havner owned the first car in Listonburg, PA. A 1914 Model T. He enjoyed it. When they had picnics in Unamus he would take people there. He sold gasoline, irons and handwashers. One time he was taking us to Durbin, WVA to visit John Spindlers, it started to rain and flooded the road. The Model T motor stalled so Granddad got on the radiator and leaned over to try and crank the car, he had his reading glasses in his shirt pocket and they fell in the water. Someone came along and pulled us out of the water. Thomas J. Havner was Justice of the Peace from 1912-1941. He performed the following 15 marriages: Bessie May Williams and James Garfield Williams Florence Holiday and J Win Tressler Julian Miller and John Meyers Josie Bender and William A. Metz Mintie Halpton and Jacob C. Snyder Effie Holiday and Lester Nicklow Reba J. Bender and Eloner N. Cathell Mabel E. Hallet and John Adams Mary C. Heneca and William Rodehaver Nana Victoria Mcrobie and George L. Harvey Mary E. Wilhelm and Harry S. Gray Bertha Mae Lenhart and Walter L. Finzell (grand-dau) Della A. Smith and John R. Anderson Agnes A. Wiltrout and Roy Becket Helen Havner and Clyde Lytle (grand dau) Eliza Havner died in Dec 1938 in Listonburg, PA and was buried in Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA Thomas J. Havner lived with his grand dau., Mary Ward the last years of his life. He died in Confluence, PA at the age of 88 on Oct 21, 1949, buried in Addison Cemetery, Addison, PA.