Lester Franklin McKenzie b. 15 Apr 1905 Rawlings, Maryland d. 23 Jun 1963 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The McKenzies of Early Maryland

1905 - 1963 (58 years)

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Photos » Slide Show		Photos of Lester Franklin McKenzie as a Young Man Lester Franklin (Jack) McKenzie and Dorothy Edenhart (sister-in-law)
		Photo of Barton's Dairy (Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) U.S. 220 South Between Cresaptown and Rawlings, Lester's Childhood Area
		Photos of Lester Franklin, ClaraBelle and Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. From approximately 1929 to 1940
		Photo of Lester Franklin and ClaraBelle McKenzie Residence Sylvania Street, Pittsburgh, PA Lived Here Prior to Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. Being Born
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) and Baseball Team
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie's Birthplace (b. 1905) Bier Lane, Rawlings, Maryland
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie, Clara Belle McKenzie and Boyd Edenhart House on Carnival Way, Pittsburgh
		Photo of Donald R. McKenzie, Sr, "Paw" Paul Robison, Leo McKenzie and Lester Franklin McKenzie Various Photos
		Photos of Lester and Clara Belle McKenzie, Charles Edenhart and Robison Family Paul Robison and Daughter, Clara and Children
		Photos of Lester Franklin and ClaraBelle McKenzie From 1927 to 1957
		Photos of Lester Franklin McKenzie - Middle Age Lester Franklin McKenzie and Brother Leo McKenzie
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) and Clarabelle Edenhart McKenzie (b. 1904) Main Title Page Picture Circa 1927
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) and Clara Belle McKenzie Circa 1920's - Picture Used for Main Title page
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) and Clarabelle Edenhart McKenzie (b. 1904) Circa 1940
		Photo of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) and ClaraBelle Edenhart McKenzie (b. 1904) Circa 1957

Documents » Slide Show		Lester Franklin McKenzie Letter - Birth Certificate February 21, 1942
		Letter from Cara Robison McKenzie Reese to Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Page 1 March 1942
		Letter from Cara Robison McKenzie Reese to Lester Franklin McKenzie Add'l Page March, 1942
		Letter from Cara Robison McKenzie Reese to Lester Franklin McKenzie Page 2 March, 1942
		Letter from Cara Robison McKenzie Reese to Lester Franklin McKenzie Page 3 March, 1942
		Letter from Clara Robison to Elouise McKenzie Muhl Page 1 Re: Lester Franklin McKenzie Birth
		Letter from Clara Robison to Elouise McKenzie Muhl Page 2 Re: Lester Franklin McKenzie's Birth
		Obituary of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Obituaries from Various Newspapers
		1910 Census Allegany County, Maryland (Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Rawlings, Enumeration District 6, Roll: T624_549 Page 2B Image 138
		1920 Census Ridgeley, West Virginia (Lester Franklin McKenzie b. 1905) Mineral County, Enumeration District 81, Roll: T625_1964 Page 10A Image 159
		1930 Census Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Lester Franklin McKenzie b. 1905) Allegheny County, Enumeration District 294, Roll: 1980 Page 27B Image 919
		Birth Certificate of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Maryland State Department of Health
		Death Certificate of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records
		John Frank McKenzie Death Newspaper Article (b. 1852) Cumberland Evening Times, Saturday, October 28, 1916. This suicide occurred on the heels of the suicide of John Frank's son, George Newton McKenzie, just a few years earlier. When Michael McKenzie, editor of this site, asked his grandmother, Clara Belle Edenhart McKenzie in 1979 to tell him some family history, she shook her head vigorously and said "I'm not going to tell you anything. You're just trying to dig up dirt." Hence, Michael had to dig for years to find out just what that dirt consisted of. Clara Belle's husband was, Lester Franklin McKenzie, who lost his father and then his grandfather in just a few year span of time, both as a result of suicide.
		Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Baptismal Record
		Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905) Grade School Attendance Record
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Lester Franklin McKenzie Effort to Obtain Birth Certificate Page 1
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Lester Franklin McKenzie Effort to Obtain Birth Certificate Page 2
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Lester Franklin McKenzie Effort to Obtain Birth Certificate Page 3
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Lester Franklin McKenzie 15 Feb 1960 Page 1
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Lester Franklin McKenzie 15 Feb 1960 Page 2
		Letter from Elouise McKenzie Muhl to Donald McKenzie, Sr. 16 Dec 1978 Page 1
		Death Certificate of Lester Franklin McKenzie (b. 1905)

Name	Lester Franklin McKenzie
Birth	15 Apr 1905	Rawlings, Maryland
Gender	Male
Death	23 Jun 1963	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Notes	Lester Franklin McKenzie Lester Franklin McKenzie was born on 15 APR 1905 in Rawlings (Bier Town), Maryland. He married ClaraBelle Edenhart on 20 April 1924 in Keyser, West Virginia. (1) They moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sometime after 1925 and before 1927 when Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. was born. (2) Together they had one child: 1.Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. Born 15 FEB 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Married Louise Gertrude Frank on 29 AUG 1947 in Pittsburgh, Penna. Had children Donald Richard (Jr.), Patricia Ann, Michael Alan and Steven Douglas Lester Franklin “Jack” McKenzie was a foreman for the Duquesne Light Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during most of his adult working life. He and ClaraBelle last lived together at 1039 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After his death in 1964, ClaraBelle continued to live in the house until approximately the late 1980’s when she went to live in various nursing homes in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh. Handwritten letters in the possession of Michael A. McKenzie, 4227 Kessler Ridge Drive, Marietta, Georgia 30062, reflect that Lester had a very difficult time obtaining his birth certificate from the State of Maryland. He first sought it during WW II and ultimately obtained it in the early 1960's. When he finally did obtain it, he learned that his birth year was 1905 instead of a previously presumed 1904. The letters contain some bits of family history. Part of the documentation he gathered to support his birth year is a letter from James W. Goldsworthy, Assistant Principal, Keyser High School, Keyser, West Virginia dated September 19, 1955 that (incorrectly) states his DOB to be April 15, 1904 (sic) as opposed to 1905. It further states, however, that he attended Keyser Public Schools from September 7, 1914 to September 11, 1916, at which time the record shows that he moved to McCoole, Maryland. While a resident in Keyser, he lived at 86 "D" Street and 462 Barnes Street. One of the letters is from Lester's Aunt Clara, who states "I did a little inquiring around about Lester's birthplace. It was a small town called Bier. Some called it Bier Town. It was just a station stop for passenger trains" A letter from Lester's mother, Cara Blanch Robison concerning Lester's efforts to obtain his birth certificate reads as follows: March 3, 1942 2821 Maisel Street Dear Son, Daughter, Grandson: Hello everybody. Its (sic) looks like Lester hasn't even been born yet from the information I got from the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. Have you heard anything from Cumberland about your birth certificate. Marg. went in town to see about it but they have no record of it down here in Baltimore. They told her if I didn't have a doctor or midwife that you would have to fill out this affidavit. You went to Rawlings School but the schoolhouse isn't there anymore. Uncle Sam Robison lives in it now. Lester, I don't have any Cradle Roll Certificate and I didn't have any insurance policies on you children. Didn't even know what they were till we moved to Baltimore but I'll try to give you some information. It might be recorded in Ma's Family Bible that Clara has. You were born in a small place called Bierers about a mile from Rawlings. I did not have a doctor. I had your two grandmothers and they are both dead. Mrs. Jennie (sic) (Mary Virginia) McKenzie Mrs. Izora Robison Cara Blanch Robison I was borned in Blackoak, Md. Aug. 18, 1888 Mr. George M. McKenzie He was borned in Rawlings, Md. Aug. 17, 1886 (sic) You might be able to get some information from Mayor Coon. When you were 7 or 8 yrs. of age Dr. Coon vaccinated you for smallpox. Well Lester that's all I know because I haven't got any papers at all to show when you were born. I guess I will close. Love to all. Mother Write soon and let us know how you make out. As reported by Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. in a letter to Michael A. McKenzie on March 5, 1998: Lester Franklin McKenzie Born: April 15, 1905 Place: Beertown (sic), along the Western Maryland Railroad. “The old little house was across from Barton’s Dairy, Cresaptown, Md. on main road, and was dragged (moved) about 300-500 feet to a whistle stop along the Western Maryland Railroad. I talked to Barton's youngest daughter years ago, and she said she knew my dad, but was too young to remember much about him. She said her older brothers knew him well, but she was the only survivor of the family.” Editor’s Note: In October, 1998 during a trip to the Cumberland, Maryland area, a small lane with a sign “Bier Lane” was located across from and a short distance south of the main building for Barton’s Dairy. Given the similarity of the names, that lane may be in the general vicinity of the area where Lester Franklin McKenzie was born. “My Dad used to walk the tracks of the Western Maryland Railroad down to Ridgely, West Virginia to court my Mom.” (Aside: Lester told Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. that he went to court Clarabelle once and was accompanied by a friend named Winterstein. The two of them got into a fistfight and Lester was scrapped up when he arrived at ClaraBelle’s house. When ClaraBelle saw his condition, she told him that she would not see him that evening because he was not presentable and sent him home). “My Mom's Dad, John Edenhart, was a bartender in a big saloon in Ridgely. Mom's house is still standing in Ridgely. Years ago I had her there with Mom and me (Louise and Don), and Grams parked right in front of her gate. House was still in great shape. Must be 125 + years old.” Editor’s Note: During the same October, 1998 trip, the house in which ClaraBelle Edenhart was born was located. It is 55 Blocker Street in Ridgeley, West Virginia, which is just across the river from Cumberland, Maryland. The saloon in which her father worked is just a short distance away. It was located in a building attached to the old fire station. It is still being used today as a bar by a local VFW type group. Lester Franklin McKenzie died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 23 JUN 1963 and is buried in Jefferson Memorial Cemetary in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania. ClaraBelle McKenzie died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 17 JAN 1993 and is buried in the same cemetery next to her husband. Their graves are located on the hillside just above the reflecting pool where the John the Baptist statute is located. His obituary reads as follows: Lester McKenzie Services for Lester F. McKenzie, foreman of the Duquesne Light Company’s Downtown Division, will be 2:00 PM Friday in the L. Beinhauer and Son Mortuary, 2630 West Liberty Avenue. Mr. McKenzie, age 58, of 1039 McNeilly Rd., Mt. Lebanon, died Monday in Shadyside Hospital. A native of Beers, West Virginia (sic), he was a resident of the South Hills area for 40 years. Mr. McKenzie was a member of the Supervisor’s Assn. of the Duquesne Light Co. and Dormont Lodge 684 F&AM. Surviving are his widow, Clarabelle Edenhart McKenzie; a son, Don R. of Pittsburgh; two brothers, Reilly and Carl, and a sister, Mrs. Elouise Muhl, all of Baltimore, Maryland. Friends are being received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Park. (Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania. Curry Hollow Road) Endnotes 1. Keyser, West Virginia Courthouse Volume 4. The witness at the wedding was Ellis T. Sneathen. The Minister was A. H. McKinley. 2. Lester F. McKenzie was working for Kelly Springfield Tires in Cumberland, Maryland in 1925. While working there, he and ClaraBelle lived at 325 Beall Street. Source: Polk’s Cumberland City Directory, 1925 edition. Lester F Mc Kenzie United States Census, 1940 Name:Lester F McKenzie Age:35 Estimated birth year:abt 1905 Gender:Male Race:White Birthplace:West Virginia Marital Status:Married Relation to Head of House:Head Home in 1940:Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania Map of Home in 1940:View Map Street:Kathleen Street House Number:506 Inferred Residence in 1935:Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania Residence in 1935:Same Place Resident on farm in 1935:No Sheet Number:3B Number of Household in Order of Visitation:59 Occupation:Field Man House Owned or Rented:Rented Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented:33 Attended School or College:No Highest Grade Completed:College, 2nd year Hours Worked Week Prior to Census:43 Class of Worker:Wage or salary worker in private work Weeks Worked in 1939:52 Income:2405 Income Other Sources:No Neighbors:View others on page Household Members: NameAge Lester F McKenzie35 Clarabelle McKenzie35 Donald McKenzie13 Lester F Mc Kenzie United States Census, 1930 Name:Lester Mckenzie [Lester Mc Kenzie] Birth Year:abt 1905 Gender:Male Race:White Birthplace:West Virginia Marital Status:Married Relation to Head of House:Head Home in 1930:Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania Map of Home:View Map Street address:Pasadena Street Ward of City:18th Block:76 House Number in Cities or Towns:86 Dwelling Number:345 Family Number:424 Home Owned or Rented:Rented Home Value:30 Radio Set:Yes Lives on Farm:No Age at First Marriage:20 Attended School:Yes Able to Read and Write:Yes Father's Birthplace:Maryland Mother's Birthplace:West Virginia Able to Speak English:Yes Occupation:Fieldman Industry:Light Co Class of Worker:Wage or salary worker Employment:Yes Neighbors:View others on page Household Members: NameAge Lester Mckenzie25 Clarabelle Mckenzie25 Donald Mckenzie3 [3 4/12] Dorothy Edenhart22 Lester F Mc Kenzie United States Census, 1920 Name:Lester F Mc Kenzie Event Type:Census Event Year:1920 Event Place:Ridgeley, Mineral, West Virginia, United States Gender:Male Age:16 Marital Status:Single Race:White Race (Original):White Relationship to Head of Household:Stepson Relationship to Head of Household (Original):Stepson Birth Year (Estimated):1904 Birthplace:Maryland Father's Birthplace:Maryland Mother's Birthplace:Maryland HouseholdRoleGenderAgeBirthplace William H ReeseHeadM45Pennsylvania Cora B ReeseWifeF34Maryland William H ReeseSonM4West Virginia Anna M ReeseDaughterF3West Virginia Flora H ReeseDaughterF1West Virginia Elsie M ReeseDaughterF0West Virginia Lester F Mc KenzieStepsonM16Maryland George L Mc KenzieStepsonM14Maryland Glady E Mc KenzieStepdaughterF11Maryland Riley Mc KenzieStepsonM9Maryland Ervin C Mc KenzieStepsonF7Maryland Marvin M SheetzBoarderM21Maryland Waona H SheetzBoarderF19Maryland District: 81 , Sheet Number and Letter: 10A , Household ID: 174 , Line Number: 30 , Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) , Affiliate Publication Number: T625 , GS Film number: 1821964 , Digital Folder Number: 004391995 , Image Number: 00162 Lester F Mckenzie United States Census, 1910 Name:Lester F Mckenzie Event Type:Census Event Year:1910 Event Place:Rawlings, Allegany, Maryland, United States Gender:Male Age:5 Marital Status:Single Race:White Race (Original):White Relationship to Head of Household:Son Relationship to Head of Household (Original):Son Birth Year (Estimated):1905 Birthplace:Maryland Father's Birthplace:Maryland Mother's Birthplace:Maryland HouseholdRoleGenderAgeBirthplace George M MckenzieHeadM25Maryland Carry B MckenzieWifeF22Maryland Lester F MckenzieSonM5Maryland George L MckenzieSonM4Maryland Gladys A MckenzieDaughterF2Maryland George B RobinsonBoarderM18Maryland District: 6 , Sheet Number and Letter: 2B , Household ID: 32 , Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) , Affiliate Publication Number: M1283 , GS Film number: 1374562 , Digital Folder Number: 004330018 , Image Number: 00141
Person ID	I00020	McKenzie Genealogy
Last Modified	29 Oct 2021

Father	George Newton McKenzie, b. 8 Jul 1884, Rawlings, Maryland d. 10 May 1913, Rawlings, Allegany County, Maryland (Age 28 years)
Relationship	natural
Mother	Cara Blanche Robison, b. 18 Aug 1885, Rawlings (Blackoak), Maryland d. 24 Feb 1963, Baltimore, Maryland (Age 77 years)
Relationship	natural
Marriage	23 Sep 1904	Midland, Maryland
Notes	Found at Courthouse. George married Carrie Blanch Robison on Sept. 23, 1904. Both were from Rawlings, Maryland. Recorder of Marriages, page 174, Volume 10. Pastor F.P. Mackall presided.
Family ID	F00021	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Clara Belle Edenhart, b. 14 Sep 1904, Ridgeley, West Virginia d. 17 Jan 1993, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Age 88 years)

Marriage 20 Apr 1924 Keyser, West Virginia

Notes

Lester and Clara Belle were married in Kyser, West Virginia on April 20, 1924. The marriage license was obtained on April 19, 1924. The witness at the wedding was Ellis T. Sneathen. The Minister was A. H. McKinley. This information is recorded in Keyser, West Virginia Courthouse Volume 4.

Children

1. Donald Richard Sr. McKenzie, b. 15 Feb 1927, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

d. 1 Jan 2010, Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia

(Age 82 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]

Family ID F00007 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 29 Oct 2021