Hiland Presbyterian Church--Ken's Memories

     

      Today my brother, Ken, is a guest blogger on Flipside.  He also caught "the Hiland Church bug" this past week and jumped into the rabbit hole with me.  As a musician his focus was the musical composition that Dr. Pedicord wrote for Hiland's Sesquicentennial as well as a play Ken performed in on Hiland's Fellowship Hall stage.  Welcome Ken.

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     Prompted by sister Lin’s blog post, this past week has found our family having some fun reminiscing about our “life and times” at Hiland Presbyterian as young’uns! It’s interesting to me how vivid several of those memories are, given that this all occurred some 60-odd years back! But regardless, they remain treasured times!

      My recollection of Pastor Harry Pedicord is of a kind man who enjoyed teaching through song and art and theater. To this day, whenever I’m thumbing through the New Testament in search of a chapter, to get my bearings I still find myself humming the tune he taught us during Vacation Bible School!

North Hills News Record
April 8, 1970
page 26

     My regard for both the church AND Dr. Pedicord continued to grow into my teen years; even after we had moved away from the North Hills Estates and had become members of another church. In 1970, the director of our drama club at North Allegheny High School was determined to put on a production of the play, Green Pastures. Being somewhat controversial at the time, no one in the North Hills (and I mean, NO ONE) was willing to have us use their venue... that is, EXCEPT for Hiland Presbyterian Church! And on opening night, even though he had retired and was living in Greenville, PA, I had the great honor of welcoming to the stage (he had contracted to have built), one Harry William Pedicord!

North Hills News Record
May 6, 1970
page 16

     I'm going to jump in here in italics.  I found a lengthy article in the local newspaper that outlines the story of this production.  First, this is not the Hiland Players of the 1950's.  The North Allegheny High School group chose to name their group in honor of the thespians under Dr. Pedicord's direction.  Ken knew all about the original Hiland Players since our mother was actively involved.  Second, Ken had the student lead.  

     Linked on Lin’s blog is a PDF copy of the Old-Hiland-Church booklet assembled by Dr. Pedicord and the Sesquicentennial Church Committee in 1950 to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the church. Having grown-up to become a professional musician, I was most interested in the hymn he had composed for the occasion (with a musical assist from German composer Robert Schumann)! So, I decided to record it for posterity as my lil’ contribution to our family’s reminiscence of the memorable and cherished times spent at Hiland Presbyterian as children.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sGdbIhRrn-n2E6dW-KOz2dBYwoImtLBX/view?usp=sharing

Ken's recording of the Hiland Sesqui-Centennial Hymn link is above.  

Thank you brother for taking the time to share these Hiland memories.  

Other Hiland Blogs on Flipside

-HILAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH--Junior Choir

-HILAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH--Memories from the 1950

-HILAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH--Twelfth Night

     

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2022, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Back to the 50's--The Woods

     

Our Woods--1955
Mom's writing
Not as inviting in the winter ☃⛄

     When TV was in its infancy, no internet, cell phones, video games, kids had to make their own entertainment.  We were fortunate to have a magical playground right behind our house--The Woods.  

Ours at last!!--Mom's writing
Dad out front getting ready to plant some grass

     We moved into a housing plan called North Hills Estates in 1950 when I was only three.  Estates is somewhat of a misnomer, the residences were houses, not mansions.  The allure of the woods began when I was in elementary school.  Of course it was always behind our house, it simply was not a place I explored as a youngster.  

Steigerwaldt's back yard today
There was no fence in the 50's
Our path down would have been to the left of the small pine tree
Thank you Zillow

     Then came the day when my neighborhood bestie, Ruthie, and I made our way down the steep slopping hillside behind the Steigerwaldt house.  That became our pathway over the years into our enchanted playground.  At the bottom of the hill a creek trickled through.  Usually, it was not too full of water, unless we had a torrential downpour, although there were a few deep spots.  This area was a valley.  Our street, Washington Drive up the hill on one side and Harden Drive up on the other.  

     It never occurred to me that this area had any name other than the Woods.  When I was blogging about Washington Drive, and did a deep dive into the history of the area, I was surprised to find an old map with the plans for development of North Hills Estates.  Our house was just a lot.  The woods actually had a proper name, Thompson Drive Park.  The creek, nameless, was a feeder stream into Girtys Run at the corner of Rochester Road and Evergreen Heights Drive almost to Babcock Boulevard.

   The creek supplied an endless amount of play.  There were a few deep areas that Ruthie and I would step into and splash around to cool off in the summer.  Slowly flipping stones, looking for aquatic life provided thrills.  There was usually some form of crawfish that backed up when we uncovered them.  Frogs, salamanders, turtles and very small fish, probably minnows, hung out in the cool creek.  We would even visit the creek in winter and skate on the icy surface in our boots.  

     Day tripping in the woods, Ruthie and I would spend entire days down there.  We set up a camp downstream on the creek.  It was past a hill that we named violet hill.  In early spring the area was covered in lovely purple violets.  We picked baskets full, made small violet bouquets tied with ribbon and sold them to neighbors for a nickel.

     Our camp had a fireplace, a dirt ring enclosed by stones.  We would pack food and cart it down the hill and along the creek to our campsite.  Often we had a fire and made hot dogs and s'mores.  As far as I knew, no other neighborhood kids went as far as we did nor did they know of our camp.  So many summer days were spent at our private camp, eating, talking, playing board games and just exploring.  Two girls just having fun.

     The younger boys in the neighborhood, primarily my brother and his friends, had their area the opposite way along the creek--toward Thompson Drive.  Their hideouts were up on the hill.  When Ruthie and I would wander up that way, they would occasionally "bomb" us with pulled weeds, roots and dirt still attached.  Bombs away.......

     I can admit at now age seventy-five, we would sneak cigarettes down there.  Smoking at elementary school age!  All of our parents smoked, so lifting a couple out of their packs was not a problem.  Later in life, I learned that my brother was also doing this.  😀

     There was a time in 1985, when my sons were young, that we, along with my Dad went to Washington Drive to visit the Steigerwaldt's.  I took my kids down the, now over grown path, into the Woods.  We did not get very far.  The markers were long gone and frankly my boys were not interested.  

     There are few photos, only memories.

     I have lucked out finding current pictures of The Woods out on Zillow.  Primarily due to the fact that at the back of both the Steigerwaldt and "our" old property, decks have been built overlooking the woods.  Areas behind both properties have been cleared; however the depth of those beloved woods can be seen behind the fencing.

Additional Blogs on Flipside

745 Washington Drive Where My Childhood Memories Live

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2022, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Back to the 50's--Hiland Presbyterian Church

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     As I have mentioned in the other Hiland Church blogs, that it was an integral part of our lives when we lived on Washington Drive (1951-1961).  Dad was on the Session and Mom was involved in a Circle and was an actor with with The Hiland Players.  We kids annually wanted the perfect attendance award.

     Located on a hillside along Perry Highway, the historic building was within walking distance of our house. I have vague memories as a young child going to Sunday School in the church building and that there were small rooms behind the sanctuary, and perhaps in the basement.  We were members when the Fellowship Hall was built.  All church school was moved there and with the huge hall, numerous events were hosted there.  

Dr. Harry William Pedicord

     

     Dr. Harry William Pedicord was at the helm the entire time we attended.  An energetic, charismatic man, church life was busy and all week long.  I have read an interesting article written in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette in 1961.  Dr. Pedicord was involved in theater when he attended Washington& Jefferson College.  He translated that love of theater into church life at Hiland.  

I think this was my last year in Bible School
1958--5th grader going into 6th in the fall

     Every summer there were two weeks of Bible School. At the start of every day, Dr. Pedicord would open school with a prayer and songs. I can still see him, now some 65 years ago, standing up front leading a rollicking song version of "The Books of the Bible." As an adult, I am certain that he made up the song and the lyrics. 😃 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.... I can still say them decades later.

    I attended from first through fifth grade.   Frankly, the religious foundation laid at Hiland, was the basis of me minoring in religion when I was in college.

     My mother was very involved in The Hiland Players.  I believe there may have been two performances annually.  Selling tickets to the shows somehow unhappily fell into my domain.  I absolutely hated going from door to door trying to sell those tickets.  The other church members who were actively involved in the shows became close friends of my parents.  Oddly, none of them had children.  They became the crowd that would gather at our house on Christmas Eve every year to eat, drink and set up our gifts.  I know they all have made Hiland Cemetery their final resting place.  

     Pancake Dinner.  Racially inappropriate, Aunt Jemima was there.....and she was my Sunday School teacher in black face.  When boomers harken back to the good old days, this is not a good old days picture and yet, sadly, it was so accepted.  I do not believe that any Black families lived in the area.  

     We moved to a new house in 1961 and became members of a new church.  The youth leader there was personally involved, with other ministers, on marches in the south.  It was in the new church, I moved into a more progressive thought process (a child of the 60's).  I wonder if Hiland also acknowledged the social and racial issues of the 60's and addressed them.  Both areas in the North Hills of Pittsburgh where I grew up were very white.  My high school was still not racially diverse when my youngest brother graduated in 1973.

     Twelfth Night is covered in another blog.  The burning of the Christmas trees beside the church building out back and then the celebration in Fellowship Hall.  Huge frosted spice cakes with twelve gold crosses baked inside.  The lucky finders kept the cross for a year, then returned it to be cleaned and baked into the next years cakes.  I would starve myself so I could eat cake.  The last year we attended Hiland, before our move, I finally got a cross.  To this day, spice cake is one of my favorites.  

   

My neighborhood friend and I at Crestview
Seriously, I wore a dress 😁

      I imagine my week at Camp Crestview was a springboard of Hiland Church.  My first camp experience and week away from home was at a Presbyterian Church camp in Slippery Rock, PA in 1957.  Ruthie and I attended for two years 1957 & 1958.  Pleasant memories.  We slept in cabins, each cabin had a daily duty i.e., kitchen duty, setting and cleaning tables in the mess hall, cleaning the pool in the morning, etc. Each cabin set up a campsite, which Ruthie and I certainly had experience 😃.  Evening vespers were held every night at the individual cabin campsites and at the end of the week, there was a large site for the final night vesper.  It was at camp I first had cooked cereal.  Although it was pretty lumpy and thick, I loved it and still is a favorite winter breakfast.  Also, it is my first remembered crush on a camp counselor. LOL    

     I was confirmed at Hiland.  Took the classes, passed the test and became a member.  I was now able to take part in the monthly communion church service and was a member.  

     At some point in time, my Father must have switched his church membership back to Hiland.  In 2004, my brothers and I spent Easter with Dad and Edna and we attended Easter Sunday service at Hiland.  It was soothing to be back in the sanctuary.  

     The beautiful stained glass windows, the white painted pews....nothing changed.      

     When I attend a church service, it is in a Presbyterian Church.  The hymns and liturgy take me back to the church of my youth.  It is very comforting and familiar.

     ********************

     My brother, Jeff, emailed me this last night.  I had never seen it before.  A gift to my parents from Dr. Pedicord.

  

Additional Hiland Presbyterian Church Blogs on Flipside

 Advent at Hiland Presbyterian Church--Twelfth Night

Junior Choir at Hiland

Hiland Presbyterian Church--Ken's Memories

On the Web

The Hiland Presbyterian Congregation of Ross Township 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2022, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Mary Louise Hill VanGilder--Will and Testament Transcription

Last Will and Testament
Will of Mary VanGilder
Morgantown
October 18, 1904*
pages 112 & 113

This is my last wish for the devision of my property.  Lida Feror (Farrar) has her share,  I want Fannie M. VanGilder and Lena G. VanGilder to have the home hous_ and every thing of mine of goods in the hous_, I want Fannie and Lena to have the land starting at Lidas line go out to Halemtons line, then out far enough to go up and take in the wash hous_ and the little dwelling hous_ then on up far enough to strike the fence back of the hog lot, down that to the new street, then out to Lidas line, my land extends out far enough to take in the spring aroung the hill and tak_s in all of the  old road. I want Bettie Pell to have the land adjoining Fannie and Lenas land and Sallie E. Boyd the next I want that land devided equel.  

2 betwene Sallie Boyd and Bettie Pell I want Emma Williams to have the land joinning the Stwert land going from the street back to make equal amount with Sallie Boyd and Bettie Pell, Jacob VanGilder and Joseph VanGilder and George VanGilder ears the rest of the land, equal share.  If Fannie or Lena either marry, the single one can rent the home and have two thirds of the rent ore if they sell, devid the money equel betwene Fannie, Lena. 

I want Fannie to have the two cows the land the girls gets was mine 15 acr_, with that new street in.  If Jessie VanGilder can sell  the children's share of the land and put and put the money where it will help suport them, I want her to do it.  I hope all will be pleased. (Jessie, my paternal great grandmother.  The girls are Mary Louise VanGilder, Anna Estelle VanGilder, Sarah Margaret VanGilder--my paternal grandmother and Jessica Virginia VanGilder).

Mary VanGilder

     I Mary VanGilder do will that the balance of a certain note now in the second national bank, Morgantown, W. Va., as collateral security for my son J. J. ("J" crossed out and a "Y" written over) VanGilder and dated May 8, 1903, given by J.H. Stewart to my late husband J.O. VanGilder in payment for a certain piece of real estate and calling for the amount $947.38 and secured by vendors lien be and I do give the sam_one to my daughter Mary F. VanGilder (Fannie) in recognition for her services.

Witness my hand and seal 29 day of March, 1906. 

Mary VanGilder     SEAL

In the office of the Clerk of the County Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, in vacation of the Court on,

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1908.

WILL OF MARY VANGILDER.

     This day before me, John M. Gregg, Clerk of the County Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, in my off in vacation of the court, came Charles Pell (son-in law to Mary VanGilder and husband of Bettie VanGilder Pell)and produced a writing dated October 15th, 1904, together with a codicil thereto attached dated March 29, 1906, purporting to be the last will and testament of Mary VanGilder, deceased, late resident of this county, who died testate on the 24th day of January, 1908 and who was at the time of her death a resident of said county, and was the owner of real and personal property therein.  And thereupon, the said writing was offered for probate and record.

Whereupon, came P. Fairchild Harner and Margaret O. Harner (Margaret Olivia Hill Harner, sister of Mary VanGilder) persons well known to me, who being by me first duly sworn, upon their oaths depose to say:  That they were well acquainted with the said testator Mary VanGilder in her lifetime and were familiar with the handwriting of the said Mary VanGilder; that as they verily believe, the said original handwriting and the codicil thereto attached including the signatures of the said Mary VanGilder thereto are wholly in the handwriting of the said Mary VanGilder, and that the said signatures to the said writings are the genuine signature of the said Mary VanGilder; that they were acquainted with the said Mary VanGilder at the dates of the execution of the said writing viz:  On the 15th day of October, 1904 and the 29th day of March, 1906, and on each of the said dates the said Mary VanGilder was of sound mind and memory and was over the age of twenty-one years of age.  

     Whereupon, the said writing, together with the codicil thereto attached having been duly proven by the testimony of the said witnesses; it is ordered that the same be, and it is hereby admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded as and for the last will and testament of Mary VanGilder deceased.

Attest

John M. Gregg, Clerk.

A true copy,

Attest

John M. Gregg, Clerk

State of West Virginia, SS:

     At a regular session of the County Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia, on the 2nd day of March, 1908, the clerk of this court reported, that, since the last regular session, he made, in the Clerk's office, the following order to-wit:  On the 22nd day of February, 1908, he admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded a writing purported to be the last will and testament of Mary VanGilder deceased, and no objection being made thereto and none appearing to the Court, it is ordered, that the same be confirmed.

A Copy,

Teste:  John M. Gregg, Clerk.

 *  The date on the document of Mary's division of her property is October 18, 1904; however throughout the court document it is October 15, 1904.

NOTE:  Written as found in the copy of the document with the exception of anything in parenthesis.  That is my clarification of who the person is.

Also on Flipside

Last Will and Testament of Mary Louise Hill VanGilder

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2022, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



George Ethelbert VanGilder--My Paternal Great Grandfather

George Ethelbert VanGilder
Reproduced from a tintype
circa 1882
Tintype is in my possession

     

     How do I know the tintype is George Ethelbert VanGilder and the date?  His daughter, my Grandmother Hughes, wrote the information on the back on a piece of medical adhesive tape--My father at age 21.  Thank you Grams.

     This blog has been a labor of love.  I have been collecting "bits and bobs" over several decades from family, personal research, and travel to Morgantown.  There was no one alive who knew great grandfather when I became interested in family genealogy; however, it is evident from research that he was an affable, popular man.  I am pleased to finally be able to write my paternal great grandfather's story and will update it if additional information becomes available.

     My paternal great grandfather, George Ethelbert VanGilder, was born on January 27, 1861 in Monongalia County, the son of John Oliphant VanGilder and Mary Louise Hill.  He was the fourth known child in the family born after siblings; Anna Belle VanGilder, Jacob Young VanGilder and Joseph Hill VanGilder.

     George's father was a chairmaker in Morgantown with the Hennen Furniture Factory when George was born.  Before and after his birth, his father served as a Captain, Company 4, 76th Regiment of the West Virginia Militia in the Civil War.  I have documents showing December, 1861, September 1862, August 4 and September, 1864.   

     The VanGilder's were living on a farm in 1861, property that was willed to Mary Hill VanGilder by her father, Joseph Davidson Hill.  The property was on the Stewartstown Road just outside the city boundary, on a hill above the present day location of West Virginia University.

     Following George's birth, seven additional children were born; Sallie Ellsworth VanGilder, Robert Ross VanGilder, Mary Frances VanGilder (Fannie), Betty (Bettie) Levada VanGilder, Emma Leona VanGilder, Lida Edna VanGilder and Lena Gertrude VanGider.  

     During his adolescent years, George would have been helping his father on the farm and with outside chores. He probably attended school.  There were aunts, uncles and cousins living nearby.  Certainly there were family gatherings.  

     There is not much known about the family that was handed down through the generations.  I have found that George's father wanted to purchase ninety-seven acres in May, 1868.  He borrowed money to make the purchase without benefit of a legal document.  Once the loan was paid, it appears the lender was not honest about the conditions.  A legal battle ensued from 1874-1882, first in the county court , then the circuit court and finally in the Supreme Court of West Virginia. I am certain that the household experienced some pressure filled times during this nine year period.   

1880 West Virginia Census

     I did a cut and paste on the 1880 census to show only the John Oliphant VanGilder family.  George is listed as at home.  If he was attending classes at West Virginia University in 1880, he would be at home since the university was down the hill from the VanGilder farm.

West Virginia University Journal
1881-1882

West Virginia University Journal
1882-1883

     George was enrolled at West Virginia University for, at a minimum, two years.  He is listed in two journals I found on line.  In the 1881-1882 WVU Journal he was listed as an irregular preparatory student meaning he did not study Latin or Greek.  In the 1882-1883 WVU Journal he was in the preparatory program.  

     George, along with his father, were active on the Morgan District School Board in 1883.  His father was President of the School Board and George was the Secretary. (Wiley, 657)

     The VanGilder's suffered a loss on August 4, 1884 with the death of Anna Belle VanGilder, their oldest child, at age twenty-eight.

 

Morgan District, Monongalia County, West Virginia
Showing the area of Woodland School #2
and farms of students who attended

     George taught school for two years at the Woodland School #2.  The area had a free school system and his school was a country school.  "The Acts of 1871-3 provided the county superintendent should be assisted by two examiners, appointed by the presidents of the Boards of Education in the county, in the issuing of teacher's certificates." (Henry)

The Monongalia Story, III Discord
Earl L. Core
Chapter Eighty-one, 1857
page 446

     The partial map of the Morgan District is highlighted to show Woodland School#2 and the various farms where the students lived.  Also highlighted and underlined in blue is the VanGilder farm.  My knowledge that George taught school was found in a 1888 Autograph Album.  It is signed by many, or all, of his students and a couple of pages list Woodland School.  

Jessie Pool's page in the Autograph Album

     One of his students at Woodland was a young lady named Jessie Pool.  Her father's farm is highlighted and underlined in blue on the map.  Jessie and George were related through the VanGilder line both tracing back to Jacob VanGilder and Anna Margaret Kibler/Gibler early Monongalia County pioneers.  I think I figured out they were second cousins once or twice removed.  

Marriage Record
George Ethelbert VanGilder and Jessica Pool

     I mention Jessie because three years after she signed the Autograph Book, she and George married on October 28, 1891 in Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia.  Jessie, daughter of Sampson Frum Pool and Sarah Louise Harner was twenty-one years of age when she married.  George was thirty.  The ceremony took place in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Morgantown.  The ceremony was performed by Reverend Hough Houston (Hoffman Houston).  Hough was a cousin of George's through his mother's line as his maternal grandmother was Sarah Houston Hill.

     An amusing story regarding the marriage, was told to me by Cousin Kae Wallace Billik, maternal grand-daughter of George and Jessie.  Jessie's father apparently warned her that marrying a man so much older would leave her a widow with a bunch of children to raise.  Perhaps in the end, the prophecy was not too far off.  Cousin Kae also said that George's pet name for Jessie was "his peach blossom."

     The VanGilder family suffered another loss, Robert Ross VanGilder died on September 25, 1890.  George's occupation at the time of his marriage is painter.  It is my understanding that he was a house painter, a job he and his brother, Robert Ross VanGilder did together until Robert's death.  

Cabinet Card
in my possession

Early 1890's
Cabinet Card
In my possession

     

     An educated guess is that these photos were taken at the same time either before or after the wedding.  George's cabinet card is stamped on the back, C. S. Rogers, Photographer, Morgantown, West Virginia.

    There are no records that I have seen to indicate where the newly weds began their life.  Were they living at one of the two father's farms or in Morgantown?  

     One question that has been in my mind for over a decade.  Did George and Jessie have another child that either died as a miscarriage or an infant? At Mount Union Cemetery, there is a small stone in front of George's burial marker with ABV engraved on it.  A baby VanGilder?  A Boy VanGilder?  

Cabinet Card
I believe given to me by Cousin Kae
In my possession

Register of Births
Monongalia County, West Virginia
East Side
1894
page 145 & 146

     Living on the east side of Morgantown, George and Jessie welcomed their first child, a daughter, Mary Louise VanGilder, born on March 19, 1894. George lists his occupation as a carpenter.  Perhaps Mary Louise was named in honor of George's mother, Mary Louise Hill VanGilder.

Cabinet Card
Given to me by Cousin Kae
In my possession

Register of Births
Monongalia County, West Virginia
East Side
1896
pages 170 &171

     A second daughter, Anna Estella VanGilder, was born on April 8, 1896 in an area called Sunnyside.  It is located on the Monongahela River just outside the city limits of Morgantown.  George lists his occupation as a painter.   Side note:  When I mention information given to me by Cousin Kae, Kae (Catherine) was Anna Estella's oldest daughter.

Sunnyside

1886 Map

     Finally an indication of where the VanGilder Family lived. In between the red lines was the Sunnyside area.  The blue line underlines Falling Run.  It cuts through the West Virginia University campus.

     A more contemporary map with Sunnyside marked.  The red line shows University Drive where the VanGilder's home was located and the blue line is Falling Run.

The VanGilder's remained in this area during the remainder of George's life.

"Many home building lots in Sunnyside were sold at reasonable prices at a special auction on June 28 and 28, 1893." (Core, 179)  

In 1894 to provide more convenient communication between the new Sunnyside section and Morgantown, Dr. P.B. Reynolds and others erected a private footbridge across Falling Run near the University Campus. (Callahan, 262)  

 In 1898 the town of Seneca was created and incorporated.  In an election on February 5, 1898, voters agreed for Sunnyside to become part of Seneca. (Core, 227)  

"The new town takes in a large scope of territory and will soon be a very important one.  It has within its bounds the University and Morgantown proper can no longer be said to be the seat of that institution." (New Dominion, Morgantown, West Virginia, February 9, 1898)    

     I had never heard Sunnyside mentioned until Estella's birth record; however, Seneca is in my notes.  Going down this Sunnyside/Seneca rabbit hole was beneficial to my understanding of the Morgantown area and placement of my family.  I have been to Morgantown several times and know that the portion of University Driveway where they had a home was demolished to make way for WVU expansion.

Cabinet Card of the VanGilder Family
Circa 1897
In my possession

     I believe this cabinet card was given to me by Cousin Kae.  It is interesting to me that the background is rural rather than in a studio.  Perhaps it was taken on the road by their home in Sunnyside.  

     Pictured:  George and Jessie VanGilder.  On George's lap is Estella and the cute pouty daughter is Mary Louise.  The ages of the girls puts the photo at 1897 and I do believe the slight bulge in great grandmother's stomach area makes me think she is pregnant with my paternal grandmother 😀💖

     

    When the "subdivision" of Seneca was formed in 1898 it was decided that there would be an election of officers on March  21, 1898.  George Ethelbert VanGilder was elected to be the first recorder. (Core, 229)

Register of Births
Monongalia County, West Virginia
East Side
1896

Certified Birth Certificate
Issued August 2, 1942

     My paternal grandmother, Sarah Margaret VanGilder (Sally) aka Grams, was born on March 2, 1898 in Seneca. George lists his occupation as a painter and his residence is also in Seneca. The actual record had April as the month and March is written over top. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of my Grams at a young age.  Note that the residence is in the newly formed area called Seneca, no longer Sunnyside.

     In George's obituary it is mentioned that he had some involvement in merchandise in Morgantown.  I also have a note that he ran a store with Charles Pell.  I do not have the time frame and I can not put my fingers on any more information on the store.  I think the reference came from my cousin, Robert Poole Wilkins.  I will add it when I locate it.  Charles Pell married George's sister, Bettie Levada VanGilder on November 7, 1903 and Charles' occupation is salesman.  Charles' 1900 West Virginia census lists his occupation as a merchant.  

1900 West Virginia Census

Close up of 1900 West Virginia Census

          When I first pulled up George and Jessie's 1900 census report I did not notice that he was the enumerator.  I was thrilled when I saw it.  To see his signature and realize all the work he did collecting the information on numerous pages and all the walking or horseback or buggy riding he had to do to complete the job.

     George canvassed the area of the Morgan District north of Decker's Creek within the Seneca Division from June 4, 1900 to June 28, 1900.  There are 1,880 names on nineteen pages.  He was the enumerator for his parents and his in-laws (Sampson Frum and Sarah Louise Harner Pool).  If you look at the 1886 map showing the Woodland School and the VanGilder and Pool farms and also the more recent maps giving an early outline of the Seneca area, then add many additional farms and houses, it gives an idea of the area my great grandfather covered for his census report.

     On the 1900 census, George lists himself a a full-time employee as a watchman. He owns his house with a mortgage.  Jessie lists she is a mother of three, Mary L., A. Estelle and Sarah M.   The VanGilder's have an eighteen year old servant living in the house.  There is also a twenty-four year old male boarder who is employed as a stenographer.

Journal of the House of Delegates
of the
State of West Virginia
1901

Journal of the Senate
of the
State of West Virginia
1901

Biennial Report of the
Board of Regents and President
West Virginia University
1902

     I periodically look for family members in the Google Books search engine and was delighted to find three references to George as employed as a night watchman at West Virginia University in 1901 and a watchman in 1902.  

     The references in 1901 is a request for funds for salaries of West Virginia University employees and teachers presented for a vote in the West Virginia House of Representatives and Senate.  George' salary is listed as $600.00.

     The 1902 reference is from a West Virginia Biennial Report from West Virginia University listing $50.00 as George's salary.

     

     I learned that my great grandfather was a member of The Knights of Pythias a secret fraternal society.  The members are dedicated to the cause of universal peace and harmony.  Friendship, kindness, generosity and tolerance are a reality in their lives.  Family and active interest in community are foremost.      

     

     "In April, 1888 the Morgantown Knights of Pythias Lodge was organized in The Odd Fellows Hall." (Callahan, 258)  There was an article in the the Evening Post on October 9, 1900 that hundreds of persons attended the Grand Lodge sessions of Knights of Pythias in Morgantown (Core, 264)  Certainly George VanGilder was among the attendees.

Register of Births
Monongalia County, West Virginia
First Assessment District
1903
page 48

     A fourth daughter, Jessie Virginia VanGilder (Ginger) , was born on October 28, 1903 in Morgantown.  George is listed as dead.  The information was given by Jessie.  This is a bit of a mystery since George VanGilder died in 1904, seven months after Jessie was born.  Perhaps no notice of birth was given at the time baby Jessie was born and Mom gave the record of birth after George died in 1904.  George's obituary mentions four daughters.

     The Morgantown VanGilder family lost their patriarch, John Oliphant VanGilder, on February 14, 1904 at age seventy-five.  John had suffered a stroke in 1902 and a second one that had left him paralyzed a month or so before his death.  He was buried in Mount Union Cemetery.  The obituary gives a succinct outline of his life.

     Knowing the outcome of George's story, it is evident that he had not been healthy for some time.  It may have been difficult attending his father's funeral in February.

     Cousin Robert Poole Wilkins found this notice in The Morgantown Weekly Post, May 6, 1904, page 6.  

"George E. VanGilder who has been ill for the past six weeks is no better and his condition is considered critical.  A report gained circulation this morning that Mr. Van Gilder was dead and the POST is pleased to correct it."

Morgantown Weekly Post
April 21, 1904
page 2

Morgantown Weekly Post
May 5, 1904
page 6

     With the above information regarding great grandfather's health slowly declining, he ran for an elected office with the Republican party as Assessor locally.  This was certainly decided back in April of 1904.  

Morgantown Weekly Post
May 19, 1904
Front Page

       This newspaper article lists the winners of the Republican primary.   

The Morgantown Weekly Post
May 19, 1904
Front Page

     George's popularity and work ethic clearly was shown by the primary election votes.  He had more votes cast for him than any other candidates running for all the various offices in the Republican primary.  

     Five days after his victory, George Ethelbert VanGilder succumbed to illness caused by kidney disease.  He died at his home, 54 University Driveway on May 24, 1904 at the age of forty-three.  The obituary indicates that George may have been the assessor previous to his recent run, which accounts for his large vote total.  

     A few additions and corrections to the obituary.  He left his wife, Jessie Pool VanGilder, age thirty three and four young daughters; Mary Louise VanGilder age 10, Anna Estella VanGilder age 8,  my paternal grandmother, Sarah Margaret VanGilder, age 6 and Jessica Virginia VanGilder, 4 days shy of 7 months.  He had two brothers and six sisters alive when he died. 

     The obituary speaks to his character, local activities and employment.  I have transcribed the obituary and posted it on Flipside.

     George was buried in Mount Union Cemetery on May 26, 1904 following services at his home. This photograph shows a small corner of the small marble marker in front of George's burial marker that I mentioned above--ABV engraved on it--and my question as to what it means.  If I ever get back to Morgantown, I hope to get a better picture of it.

     Other family members buried in Mount Union Cemetery are George's wife, Jessie Pool VanGilder; his parents, John Oliphant VanGilder and Mary Louise Hill VanGilder; his brother, Jacob Young VanGilder along with two wives and one son; his brother, Robert Ross VanGilder; his sister, Sallie Ellsworth VanGilder Boyd and six of her children.   

     I have recently found a guardian bond for George's children filed on June 25, 1904 with Jessie VanGilder and her father Sampson Pool.  Also land that came to them through their paternal grandmother's will, as his heirs, in filed in 1908.

   

My Dad, George VanGilder Hughes
1995

     I had to add this photograph of my Dad, George VanGilder Hughes, taken at the corner of VanGilder and George Streets in Morgantown, West Virginia (listed as Avenue on the current Google map).  My paternal grandmother named her first born son to honor her father.  

Google maps
showing VanGilder and George Avenues

     It is my understanding that VanGilder Street could mark the southern boundary of the old John Oliphant VanGilder farm.  Stewart Street marks the west.  The other boundary lines are not known to me. Some of the information regarding the "lay" of the VanGilder land came from Mary Louise Hill VanGilder's will.  I'm certain George Street has been named for George Ethelbert VanGilder.  I hope some day a property map will appear on a Morgantown website.

     The property is located on a hill.  I assume that a portion shown on the maps above, the rectangle between VanGilder, Stewart, Riley Street and George were part of the farm.  In an older Google map Liberty Street is listed as VanGlider Avenue (probably a typo error on the part of the cartographer).   

****************

     Straightening out a geological confusion of mine.  I have, until now, never understood the "east" and "west" of Monongalia County.  Where is the division?  I mistakenly thought the division was somewhere in Morgantown, forgetting that the county is not just Morgantown. 😉  A note from Cousin Robert Poole Wilkins to  the rescue.  "Monongalia County was divided into two sections separated from each other by the Monongahela River."  With this knowledge, it makes sense that everything VanGilder occurs in east Monongalia County.  

A huge thank you to cousins Robert Poole Wilkins and Catherine "Kae" Wallace Billik, who have supplied research, information and photographs.  Also to my paternal grandmother, Sarah (Sara) Margaret VanGilder Hughes who kept a small treasure trove of family memorabilia.

George Ethelbert VanGilder Blogs on Flipside

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT and JESSICA POOL, Marriage License

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT and JESSICA POOLE, Tombstone Tuesday

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT--Autograph Album and Teaching Information

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT--Obituary and Transcription

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT--Smile for the Camera

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT West Virginia University student

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT--Wordless Wednesday

-HILL FAMILY BIBLE TRANSCRIPTION

Sources

Biennial Report of the Board of Regents and President West Virginia University, west Virginia University, 1902.

Callahan, James Morton. History of The Making of Morgantown West Virginia A Type Study of Trans-Appalachian Local History, Morgantown Printing and Binding Company, Morgantown, West Virginia, 1926. page 258, 262.

Core, Earl L. The Monongalia Story A Bicentennial History IV Industrialization, McClain Publishing Company, Parsons, West Virginia, 1982. pages 179, 227, 229 264.

Journal of the House of Delegates of the State of West Virginia for the Twenty Fifth Regular Session Commencing January 7, 1901, The Tribute Company, Charleston, West Virginia, 1901, page 661.

Journal of the Senate of the State of West Virginia for the Twenty Fifth Regular Session Commencing January 9, 1901, The Tribute Company, Charleston, West Virginia, 1901, page 348.

Wiley, Samuel T. History of Monongalia County, West Virginia, Preston Publishing Company, Kingwood, West Virginia, 1883, page 657.

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