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RecordIdNumber: MH:N57
Note: LAURA SARAH FREDRICY, born December 16, 1876 in Salona, Clinton County, PA the daughter of Charles W. Fredericy and Lydia Jane Winner. Laura would have been just a toddler when the family headed west to make a home in Kansas. At some point, Laura left Kansas and moved to Johnstown. Perhaps she came East with her mother when Lydia went to live with her daughter Clara. An 1893 city directory shows her living at 23 Catherine Street in Conemaugh with her Aunt Clara Poorman and family. This puts her as a neighbor to Thomas Ray who was living at 19 Catherine St. Laura was about 5'0" - 5'2" with light brown hair, buxomy and in later years heavyset. There was never an unkind word known to have been said about her. She was pleasant, had a warm smile and kept her sweet disposition throughout hardships and adversity. It isn't known how or how long after Laura's husband Tom died, that she met William Henry Mennett (known as "Will"). In any event, they were married May 6, 1908 in Conemaugh by a Justice of the Peace Laura's marriage meant she and the children had to leave the 'company house' that had been provided to them after Tom's death. Will did have one serious flaw: a drinking binge for a week every couple of months (his father had the same problem). Will was basically a decent man except when drunk; then he became mean, didn't know what he was doing, lost control, smashed up everything in the house and to avoid the danger, Laura and the children would have to escape. After the bouts and sober, he was apologetic. Will was resentful of Laura's children and to keep them away from home and Will as much as possible, Laura loaned them out to work and run errands for neighbors and relatives, usually without pay or not much reward for their efforts. Laura died October 6, 1965 in Kittanning, PA while visiting her daughter and family and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Johnstown, PA
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RecordIdNumber: MH:N58
Note: CHILDREN OF THOMAS T RAY AND LAURA FREDRICY WERE:
THOMAS A. RAY: born September 23, 1893 at 19 Catharine Street, Conemaugh. The death record states cause due to spasms; burial was in Sandyvale Cemetery, September 23, 1893 (one day old, buried same day as birth) This info came from Joanne Elgin. The date would be only a few days after Tom and Laura were married. I’m not certain how accurate this is)
NELLIE LEOTA RAY: born September 3, 1894 (probably at home as a'record birth' dated January 7, 1895 indicates place as 143 Coal Street, Johnstown PA); died on December 25, 1980 in San Diego CA. Buried Sec. A-F, Site 344, Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego (her husband, JAMES 'GLENN PARKS, having been in the US Navy, made her eligible for burial in a National Cemetery). Glenn was born March 20, 1897 in Newton, KS to James Delos Parks and Anna Minette Edson; he died December 26, 1964; buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, Sec. A-F, #344. He joined the US Navy July 10, 1920 (WWI). Nellie adored her father and left home (age 14) as soon as her mother remarried. Nellie stayed with an English couple (last name Serle) with three boys who had just settled in Conemaugh, and she helped with the chores. Nellie then went to Johnstown PA to get her sister PEARL RAY, who was 14 years old, to take her to KS to live. That fateful night of their father's death, the last thing he had said before leaving for work was to Nellie to "take care of your little sister," and years later Pearl said "she always did." Nellie's beau JAMES 'GLENN PARKS returned from military service, they married March 3, 1919, in Winfield, Cowley County, KS and resided in Winfield for about a year. Due to the Depression and seeking work, they left and ultimately settled in the San Diego CA area. They had two sons
ROBERT HARRISON RAY: born August 4,1896; died in Johnstown PA on September 29, 1897. Cause of death/place of burial unknown.
CLARENCE EDWARD RAY: born February 3, 1898; died April 1, 1910. An organization of local businessmen (Masons) in Conemaugh performed civic deeds and included his mother, Laura, in their outreach after his father, Tom, died; they provided gifts at Christmas, etc. Since Laura had limited funds, the house small and there was concern for the welfare and education of the five children, with Laura's consent they contacted the Girard College in Philadelphia PA (an upscale institution caring for and educating orphan boys) about admission for Clarence and his brother Arthur. The boys were accepted: Clarence was a little over nine years old. They kept in contact with the family and were sent home for a two week visit in the summers. He had been at Girard a little over three years when he died there from Nephritis following Measles; he was 12 years, 1 month and 28 days old. He was buried in Johnstown on April 3, 1910 (cemetery not ascertained).
ARTHUR RAY: born December 12, 1899, Johnstown PA. "Art" stayed on at Girard for approximately two years after Clarence died. When he was about 16 years old and time to return home, a college representative went to Johnstown to ascertain where Art could go. His mother Laura had remarried to Will Mennett and the stepfather wouldn't take Art in. The representative didn't think living conditions were very good there anyway and went to the grandmother, Mrs. Mary M Schrimser; she could provide a satisfactory home and accepted him. Art went to work in the steel mill. Near the Schrimsers lived a Mrs. Deviney who was raising her niece Katherine "Kate" (last name not identified; one source shows Catherine M.) born July 13, 1902; died May 1985. Art and Kate met and married. At this point it would be sufficient to say they relocated and lived out their lives in Pittsburgh, but these tidbits to the story are interesting: Mrs. Deviney was married and had several children. A boarder living with the family was in actuality Mrs. Deviney's boyfriend. Rather than break up the family, they all stayed together under one roof. The clan moved to the Homestead area of Pittsburgh. Art and Kate followed, had their own place and began their family. However, Art gave his wages to Mrs. Deviney each pay day and she managed the house for them. Kate had a metal plate in her head as a result of an accident in her early years which 'probably was the cause of her severe headaches.' Kate sent the children to the store daily to purchase 'headache powder' which she mixed with soda and drank. Art lied about his age and served in the US Army in WW1 (service dates: April 17, 1917-August 2, 1919, Pvt. 1 st Class. He was a machinist steel worker but it has been suggested that at some time he was employed as a Technical Manual Writer for the Army. An interesting turn of events: Remember his stepfather Will Mennett had refused to take Art in when he was a teenager? Years later when Will couldn't find employment in Johnstown, he went to Pittsburgh and worked in the steel mills there - and Art took him in, providing a roof over his head. Kate predeceased Art; he died January 22, 1979 and buried in Allegheny Cemetery on Butler Street in Pittsburgh. (Records reflect residence in Verona, PA) In a telephone call to his sister Pearl Ray Barbour he said he was 'going into a hospital for a brain operation, not to worry, Rays never die, they live a long time.' Pearl said she never heard from him again nor learned what happened to him. Art and Kate had at least four children:
PEARL EDNA RAY: born March 9, 1902 in Johnstown PA. Pearl left home at a young age, joining her sister Nellie in Winfield KS. Nellie arranged for Pearl to reside with a good family and in return for room and board she helped with the family and household chores. She resided with them four years and graduated from Winfield High School in 1921. To further her education, Pearl attended morning classes at Southwestern College, working in the afternoons for a title insurance company to pay tuition and living expenses. After gradua¬tion and earning an AB Degree in 1928, she worked full-time at the title company which was owned by Hobart Barbour. He was also an accomplished musician, played in a local quartet and gave cello lessons. "Hobe" was married, had a daughter and son named Lucien. Pearl's sister Edith (Edythe) called and asked her to return to Johnstown to care for their mother who was ill, as well as her half-brother Roy. Pearl took a leave from her job and went. When all were well, she returned to KS since she was established there and had more ties than in Johnstown. She had worked almost 20 years at the title company when Hobe's wife passed away. Having known each other for so long, he and Pearl married August 2, 1948; she was 46 and he was 57. Though there were no children from the marriage, his children had grown up knowing Pearl and were like family to her. Hobe retired (passing the business to Lucien) and he and Pearl traveled and enjoyed their life together until his death in September 1985, a few weeks after their 37th anniversary. In 1992 Pearl was diagnosed as having a brain tumor and had surgery. Concern for her welfare and not knowing if afterwards she would be able to care for herself in her own home, the children arranged for her residence in a life-care facility for when she was released from the hospital. The operation was successful and being a hardy person, full health was regained. Everything considered however, it was agreed that it would still be in her best interest to reside at the home. Lucien, his wife Judy, children Becky, Robin and Randy, included Pearl in their weekly schedules, taking her out to lunch, hair appointments, etc. Notably, Lucien stopped by to see Pearl every evening. Pearl's 94th birthday was celebrated with a party at home and was feted by her family with a dinner at the country club. Pearl died April 6, 2003.
(7) EDITH LAURA RAY (she changed spelling to EDYTHE): born March 31, 1904 (record of birth dated July 19, 1904: place of birth East Conemaugh, PA); died June 20, 1995; buried in Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown. She spelled her name EDYTHE and did not like to be called "Edie." She quit school as soon as she was of legal age to do so and moved away from home (getting a room and board with her Aunt Ella Morgan & family) because she could not tolerate the living conditions and turmoil caused by her stepfather's drinking. Edythe wanted a better life for herself and worked hard to achieve it. She began work in a silk mill and advanced to a supervisory position. Edythe later express regret for not having completed school and being a factory employee - she was a 'proud lady.' Edythe was a member of the Church of the Brethern and met CARL STANDLEY WALLACE. Though not of that religion, he played on the church basketball team. Their first date was a picnic, during which Carl took a drink. Since witnessing first hand the adverse effects of alcohol, she did not want it to be any part of her life and wouldn't talk or have anything to do with Carl for two years. He persisted and won her over (he wasn't a drinking man). They were married May 2, 1929 and resided in Johnstown. She converted to the Lutheran faith. Carl was born October 2, 1902; died August 5, 1981. They had three children:
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