2021 Week 12 (Mar. 22-28): Loss      

My great-grandmother, Margaret (Maggie) Jane (McCamey) Mohney, was born 2 March 1855 in Kairns City,  Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, daughter of  John and Mary (Rodgers) McCamey.  She was a first-generation American, her parents having been born in Ireland and traveled to America around 1832, as very young children.   

My great-grandfather, Silas Warren Mohney,  is a lodger in the Bennett household on the 1870 Census of Ridgway, Pennsylvania.    Margaret is living with her family in Horton Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania on the 1870 census.  

On 3 August 1872, Maggie married Silas Warren Mohney.  They were married by Rev. John Mechlin at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Brockwayville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Silas was born 15 January 1851 in Crenshaw, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, son of Valentine and Sarah Ann (Mulkin) Mohney.  Maggie was only 17 years old and Silas 21 years of age when they married.

Silas was mentioned in "True tales of the Clarion River" as a river pilot who, with his father, Valentine, and brothers, Pope and William, and Uncle Thomas Mulkin, took large rafts down river to Pittsburgh.  At some point, Silas (whose name is also given as Paul) began working in the lumber mill on the railroad.  He and Maggie moved to a house in Hallton, Spring Creek Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania.  The house was a large one which stood at the bottom of a hill on River Road overlooking the Clarion river.   Maggie ran a boarding house in her home as is seen in the 1880 and 1900 censuses below. 

But where is Georgie!  I suspect that he was born sometime after Sally Ann (20 June 1873) and before Frank (Sept. 1877), since there is a 4 year gap in children there.   Maggie lost her mother in 1876, a brother, Samuel Rodgers McCamey in 1883, and her father in 1884.  

But the most painful loss was that of her young son, Georgie.   Georgie Mohney is buried with his McCamey grandparents in the GAR Cemetery on Washington Street, Parker City, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.   There are no dates on the stone- just his name.   His father's obituary states that he died at a very few years of age.   A cousin's son, Jackson Franz, said he was killed in a logging accident, but no record of an accident has been found.  Also, his sister, Mayme (Mary Elizabeth Mohney) Mercer told her daughter-in-law, Kathryne, that she had spent most of her life in or around the lumber camps and that her brother, Georgie, was killed in a lumber accident.  As his father and several other family members were involved in the logging industry, this is a very real possibility.

On the 1880 Census, the family is enumerated at Spring Creek, Elk, Pennsylvania

1880 United States Federal Census

Name: Silas Mohney

Age: 28   Birth Date: Abt 1852   Birthplace: Pennsylvania

Home in 1880: Spring Creek, Elk, Pennsylvania, USA

Dwelling Number: 103

Race: White  Gender: Male

Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)

Marital Status: Married   Spouse's Name: Margaret Mohney

Occupation: Laborer

Household Members Age Relationship

Silas Mohney 28 Self (Head)

Margaret Mohney  25 Wife

Annie Mohney   7 Daughter

Franklin Mohney   3 Son

Mary Mohney   7/12 Daughter

Prosser, Jerome  25  Boarder  laborer

Parker, John    24  Boarder  laborer

Bruster, Neel     28   Boarder  laborer

Simpson, William   30  Boarder  laborer

Kiester, Forb    25   Boarder  laborer

Smail, Frank    25  Boarder  laborer

Maggie's son, Francis Murphy (sometimes named as Franklin) died in 1900.  

Francis Murphy Mohney was born in September 1877 in Belmont Mills, Pennsylvania and died 31 January 1900 in Hallton, Elk County, Pennsylvania. 

The following story about his death was told to us by Pope's daughter, Helen (Mohney) Olsen in the early 1980s when we visited her at Copeland Oaks Retirement Center.  

On 31 January 1900, Frank, was coming down the hill behind their home.  He had been hunting and he stumbled and fell, his gun flying over his shoulders.  It struck a rock and fired, striking him in the back.  As he fell, he cried out, and his uncle Pope, coming in from the barn, heard his yell and the shot, and cried out for Frank's mother to come. Running to his side, Pope found Frank lying with his head downhill, saying "I shot myself".  He asked if his mother was coming and when Pope said she was, Frank asked his uncle to turn him so he could see her coming.  As soon as Pope raised Frank's head above his heart, he died, without getting to see his mother.  He was buried with his parents at Donahey Methodist Church Cemetery, Elk County, PA.   (Add photo of grave marker)

Ridgway Advocate Thursday, Feb. 2, 1900

Hallton

Correspondence

The funeral of Frank Mohney who accidentally shot himself last Wednesday, while out hunting rabbits, was held in the M. E. Church at this place on last Saturday Morning and a very able sermon was preached by Rev. J. W. English. After the service the remains were taken to the Donahey Graveyard for burial, followed by a large crowd of relatives and friends. The people of this place all sympathize with those that mourn the loss of their brother and son.

Geo. McCamey, of West Virginia, attended the funeral of his nephew at this place.

On the 1900 Census, the family is enumerated at Spring Creek, Elk, Pennsylvania

Silas Mohney 49 Head

Margerit Mohney   45 Wife

Marey Mohney   20 Daughter  

Grait B Mohney   19 Daughter  (Grace Birdine)

Samul Mohney   15 Son

Tomear E Mohney   13 Son   (Thomas Everett)

Valentine Mohney   9 Son

Magen Mohney   7 Daughter  (Margaret)

John Welice    16 Boarder

Will Linkenfeltor   16 Boarder

Steav Hares   32 Boarder

And only a short time later, Maggie endured the death of her husband, Silas.  

Ridgway Advocate Thursday, May 1, 1902

Hallton, Pa. April 30, 1902

Silas Mohney, engine driver on Hall, Gardner, & Co's switching engine, was probably fatally injured at Arroyo bridge this morning.  He was making a trip for the P. S. & N. R. R. and while looking at the driving wheels on his engine, with his head and body far out the cab window, he hit the covered bridge, throwing him out of the engine.  Conductor Quinn saw him and was trying to motion him in, but of no use.  As of this writing, he is still unconscious, and the doctor has no hopes of his recovery.

Elk County Democrat  May 1 1902

Silas Mohney, an engineer on the Clarion River Railroad, met with an accident yesterday morning which resulted in his death at seven o'clock of the same evening.  Deceased when nearing what is known as bridge No. 2, at Arroyo, leaved out from the engine to see what he thought was a break on his engine, when he came in contact with the bridge with such force as to crush his hip, fracture his jaw, and otherwise injure his head.  He was at once taken to his home in Hallton, where he remained unconscious until death. A wife and three children survive. Funeral services will be held in the Methodist church at Hallton tomorrow, Friday, followed by interment in Hallton cemetery.

Silas P. Mohney, of Hallton, was fatally injured Wednesday, May 30th while engaged at his work as a locomotive engineer on the Clarion River Railroad. He was leaning out of the side window of the locomotive and his head came in contact with a portion of the bridge at Arroyo resulting in instant death. Silas' oldest son of Valentine and Sally Ann Mohney was born January 15, 1851, a Belltown which is called Crenshaw at the present time. He married Miss Maggie McKinney  (sic McCamey) August 1872. To this venerable couple were born 9 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters, 7 of whom are still living; George dying a few years of age; Frank, aged 23 years 5 months, January 31, 1900, while out hunting accidentally shot himself, just living a few minutes and about eight years ago, his oldest daughter's husband, Elmer E. Rickard was accidentally killed leaving her with twin daughters 14 months old, and now a kind and loving father has gone the same way.  His death saddened more than one as he was a noble man, ushered into eternity without a moment's warning, torn away from those he loved so well without a last farewell or parting word of love makes the cruel sting of the inevitable doubly hard to bear. The heart breaks in anguish, loved ones weep over the form of clay that but a few hours ago was the loving husband and father of their hearts love and joy. But there is no response within the portals of the better land; they will meet again and until then the memory of the departed one will linger and be an inspiration and a comfort to the bereaved wife and children, aged father, brother, sisters and friends in life's struggle to the end. At the time of his death and during most of his life, having been a member of the Methodist church and always took an active part in the work of that religious denomination and all with whom he became acquainted. He made many friends, he was of a kind and loving disposition. We are told that by death all things are accomplished: if there is truth in this there can be doubt that the spirit of this kind and loving husband and father has passed to his reward and is dwelling in peace with the Lord he served so faithfully.  It is not within the power of frail humanity to reach a state of perfection, but a life of kindness leads us nearer to that coveted idea, there is no doubt but that he has answered a call and gone up higher. Back to the earth however the command has been given and back to earth the frail body has gone. He leaves a wife, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 3 grandchildren and an aged father, his Mother dying July 14, 1868, and four sisters, Mrs. A. W. Wilhelm, of Florida, Mrs. Callen of Warsaw; Mrs. F. W. Walters and Mrs. Grace Sibley of Alleghany, and an only brother of four brothers, J. P. Mohney of Hallton who survives. Thomas P. died July 1884 aged 31 years 2 months, James W died August 7, 1878, aged 23 years 3 months. The bereaved wife and children have the sympathy of all their friends and in whatever community they were known and the tears of these will mingle over the grave of (Several lines were illegible here) never comes within, breaking a heartstring and leaving its scar upon the heart of those thy love. We never part from our loved one without reluctance no matter how much they have been _________ here or how happy they may be ______ and so it is that when the eyes of our friend closed tight and silent in death, the Saviour said well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into rest.

Written by Miss Anna Callen, Warsaw, PA. 

Following the obituary was this: 

In loving remembrance of Paul Silas Mohney, born Jan. 15, 1851 died April 30, 1902.

He has fallen asleep, he is resting at last.

The pulse has gone still and the pain is past.

He suffers no longer in heart or in brain

And the pain that so racked him shall not come again.

He has fallen asleep, 

O Mother 'tis past

Thank God as you weep

He is resting at last.

We miss thee from our home, dear father, 

We miss thee from thy place.

A shadow o'er our life is cast, 

We miss the sunshine of your face.

We miss thy kind and willing hand

Thy fond and earnest care

Our home is dark without thee.

We miss thee everywhere.

(Anna Callen's poem and obituary were found in the scrapbook of Adeline Callen.)

Obituary, Ridgway Advocate, Thursday May 15, 1902

"A sketch of the life of Silas W. Mohney, a Respected Lumberman at Hallton"

"Silas Warren Mohney was born near Crenshaw, in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1850.

He was the son of Valentine and Sarah Ann Mohney, to whom were born eight children, four boys & four girls.  Of these the girls are all living, with Silas, three of the boys are now dead.  Those living are J. P. Mohney, of Hallton, PA.; Mrs. J. W. Walters and Mrs. Grace Sibley, both of Allegheny City, Pa.;  Mrs. W. Wilhelm, of Florida; and Mrs. J. Callen, of Warsaw, Jefferson Co., Pa.  His father, Valentine Mohney, is living; his mother is dead.

The deceased came to his death through an accident on the morning of Apr. 30, 1902.  He lived, though unconscious, for eleven hours after.  He died, aged 52 years, 3 months & fourteen days.

Nearly the whole of the life of the deceased, after he came into young manhood, was spent in the timber and lumber region along the Clarion River.  Twenty years of his life were spent at and near Hallton.

As a workingman he was conversant with all the work of manufacturing lumber, from cutting logs & peeling bark to "handling the lever" in running a saw mill.  He was what is called a handy man around a mill and could turn his hand to most anything.   At the time of his death he was in charge of the yard engine in the Hallton Lumber yard.

He was a quiet, peaceable, law-abiding man and citizen.   His employees and fellow workman had always, as they now have, a good word for him.

Silas Mohney and Margaret McCamey were united in marriage in the M & E. parsonage at Brockwayville, Pa. by Rev. John Mechlin on August 3, 1872.  There were born to them the following children; Anna, now Mrs. Geo. Gulnac, of Hallton, Pa.; George, who died in childhood, and is buried at Laurenceville (Laurenceburg), now Upper Parker City, Pa. where lie buried three or four generations of the McCamey family; Francis Murphy, who, a little more than two years ago, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun; Mary,  Grace,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Valentine and Margaret, all of Hallton, Pa.

His wife and these children living, survive and mourn a devoted and loving and indulgent father.  They miss him sorely and with a real and affectionate sorrow.  His sudden demise, without warning, and in such a tragic manner, adds terribly to the bereavement.

Under the pastorate of the Rev. T. W. English, on the Arroyo charge, the deceased was converted and united in membership with the M.E. church.  In the church he held faithfully, for awhile, the office of Class Leader.

On Friday afternoon, May 2, services were held in the M. & E. church at Hallton.  Then the body was taken to the Cemetery on Donahey Hill.  There his body was laid to rest beside that of his son, Frank, whose death had been referred to above.

A working man, one of the common people is dead;  but the community will miss him, and the hearts in a pleasant home will remember him always with affection and sorrow.  May the Father in Heaven, without whose notice not even a sparrow falleth, and who is abundantly able, comfort these thus sadly bereft.

J. E. Hilliard"  

Silas' Death Certificate

News article on Silas' Death

Silas' obituary- very hard to read

Ridgway Advocate May 15 1902 

Card of Thanks

Mrs. Silas Mohney of Hallton, on behalf of herself and her family, wishes to extend thanks to those that so kindly assisted her in the trying scenes incident to her husband's death, through which they were called to pass.  They remember with gratitude the kindly offices done for them and theirs.

After Silas' death, Maggie lived with her children, in Ridgway and then in York, Pennsylvania.  She returned to Ridgway, where she died 18 November 1928 of a Cerebral hemorrhage, asthma, and arteriosclerosis.  She was buried on the 20th of November beside Silas and Frank. 

Cemetery Stone Frank, Maggie, Silas 

Cemetery Stone Frank, Maggie, Silas 

Maggie's Death Certificate

AGED RESIDENT DIED SUNDAY

Mrs. Margaret Mohney will be buried on Tuesday Morning

Mrs. Margaret Mohney died at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Mercer, on Euclid Avenue, with whom she has made her home the past two years.  A complication of diseases caused death.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morning at the Mercer residence in charge of Rev. J. D. Gailbraith, pastor of the Trinity Methodist church and V. F. Patterson.  Burial will be in the family plot at Donahey Hill, near Hallton.

Mrs. Mohney was born March 1855 in Butler County, Pennsylvania and came to Ridgway twenty-three years ago. She was a faithful member of Trinity Methodist Church. 

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Mary Mercer, Mrs. Anna Gulnac, Mrs. Margaret Kriegel of Ridgway, Mrs. Grace Stauffer, Red Lion, Pa.; three sons, Samuel of Punxsatawney; Thomas of Ridgway, and Valentine of New Castle, also thirty-six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Obituary of Margaret Jane McCamey Mohney

She lived to be 73 years old.  Having lost my son, I can't imagine how she coped with losing her first 2 boys, and then her husband.   I recall looking at this photo and thinking, “Smile, Maggie.”   Now I know why she did not. 

Margaret Jane (Maggie) McCamey

Margaret Jane McCamey Mohney and her mother, Jane Rodgers McCamey

Donna Mohney

16 June 2022