Notes |
- William Harrison (Harry) was probably born in Moscow/Barton area of Allegany Co., MD. (There is a slim chance that the family lived in the Keyser, WV area at the time of his birth). Family lore tells that the Santmyer boys were "real hell raisers" and Harry was certainly not one to pass up a good time. Harry supposedly was a well-meaning roustabout who felt obligated to share himself with all the girls. As well as a drinker, it seems that Harry was also a gambler. In fairness to Harry, perhaps with the loss of his young wife and third child, he was "drowning his sorrows" in women, booze and gambling. They lived their life on the wild side, worked hard and died tragic deaths. From the tales I heard, I imagined the Santmyer brothers donned in cowboy boots and hats, and always chewing a wad of tobacco - but the few pictures I've seen, portray them more like refined bankers.
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Harry, as he was called, was named for both his grandfathers - Harrison Santmyer and William Burns Shaw.
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Marriage: Bk 21, Pg 116, Fayette Co., PA
Santmyer, Wm. H. to Ghrist - 6 Nov. 1861
Santmyer, Wm. H. Age 21 - woman 17
Residence - Star Junction - wife - Vanderbilt
Parents names - James and Helen
Occupation - Hauler
Birthplace - Maryland
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Harry possibly married again after Sadie's death; although, his sister, Fanny Ethel Santmyer Rowley, insists this is not the case. There was an entry in the family Bible under "Marriages"....Harry Wm Santmyer (name also appears as Harry Wm. for marriage to Sadie) - Myrtle Renmyer 30 Dec. (no year is listed, but it appears between 1913 and 1921 entries). Additional information, received from his grand-daughter, Anna Mae Waggett Walls, states that Harry never remarried.
NOTE - January 2006 UPDATE: News article found in the 28 December 1917 edition of the Connellsville Daily Courier "Wed in Pittsburg. Harry Santmyer of Star Junction and Myrtle Renko of Manowa were granted a license to wed in Pittsburg Yesterday."
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Connellsville Courier....... 10 April 1903
Harry was charged with breaking into a store in Vanderbilt. He had to pay fines and costs, but was fortunate that he got off going to jail.
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Connellsville Courier......24 Dec 1904
Harry Santmyer was sent to Huntingdon Reformatory for robbery.
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Harry was killed in a terrible railroad accident in which he was pinned by the coupling apparatus between two railway cars. There wasn't much they could do for him, yet he lingered in pain for several hours in the Fairmont, WV hospital. Funeral services were held by the Christian Church in Perryopolis, PA - burial was in MT. Washington Cemetery.
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CONNELLSVILLE DAILY COURIER.........19 November 1923
HARRY SANTMYER KILLED BY TRAIN AT FAIRMONT
Harry Santmyer, 45 years old formerly of Star Junction, was killed by a railroad train Saturday at Fairmont, W Va. He was the son of James Santmyer, deceased, and a brother Oscar Santmyer of Star Junction. His mother resides in Braddock.
The body was taken to Perryopolis and removed to the funeral parlors of Ira Blair, where it will remain until Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at which time the funeral services will be held at the Christian Church in Perryopolis.
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CONNELLSVILLE DAILY COURIER........22 November 1923
WILLIAM H. SANTMYER
The funeral service for William H. Santmyer, 47 years old who died last Saturday in the Fairmont W Va Hospital as a result of injuries received in a railroad accident at Fairmont last Friday, was held yesterday afternoon at the Christian Church at Perryopolis with Rev. Davis the pastor officiating. Mr Santmyer was a son of the late James J Santmyer and Mrs Helen Santmyer of this city. He is also survived by two children Mrs. Hilda Waggat of Waltersburg and Roy Santmyer of Dearth, three sisters Mrs. George Bowman of this city, Mrs. Stephen Riley of Willock and Mrs Earl Beighley of Pittsburg, two brothers Oscar of Gates and Donald who is in the Marine Service. Two grandchildren also survive. The interment was made in the Mt Washington Cemetery, Perryopolis.
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Ref: Family records and papers located in the family Bible
Interviews with Fanny Ethel Santmyer Rowley, James R. Rowley & Anna Mae Walls.
Newspaper Clippings
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