Lester Franklin McKenzie

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

Lester married Clara Belle Edenhart on 20 Apr 1924 in Keyser, West Virginia. Clara (daughter of John Edward Edenhart and Mary Catherine Burke) was born on 14 Sep 1904 in Ridgeley, West Virginia; died on 17 Jan 1993 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr.

Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 15 FEB 1927. He married Louise Gertrude Frank on 29 AUG 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Together they had four children:

1.Donald Richard McKenzie, Jr.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married JoAnn Elaine Cingel
Had children Christopher Scott and Todd

2.Patricia Ann McKenzie
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married John K. Vagias in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Had children Wade Matthew, Timothy and Nathan Andrew

3.Michael Alan McKenzie
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married Darla Kay Grinstead in Tampa, Florida
Had children Katherine Grinstead, Patrick Grinstead and Colin Grinstead

4.Steven Douglas McKenzie
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married Cecilia Renee Garmon in Marietta, Georgia
Adopted Shannon Garmon

Donald Richard McKenzie, Sr. was an electrician for I.B.E.W. Local Union #5 for approximately 42 years (1947-1989). A letter forwarded to his son, Michael Alan McKenzie in March, 1998 contained the following:

Donald R. McKenzie, Sr.
Born: February 15, 1927. South Side Hospital

1.Born on Freeland Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Allentown.

2.We then moved to (Mom & Dad) 86 Pasedena Street, Allentown. Lived here till 3 years old.

3.Moved to 74 Carnival Way, Allentown. Lived there from 3 years old to 11 1/2 years old. Attended Allen Grade School.

4.Moved to Mt. Washington, 506 Kathleen Street, attended Prospect Junior High, 7th to 9th grade. Then attended South Hills Senior High School, 10th, 11th and 12th.

5.Went to service (Army) March 12, 1945 to December 31, 1946. Honorable Discharge.

6.Mom and I married August 29, 1947.

7.Moved to 8 Sylvania Ave. Beltzhoover and lived with Mom and Dad for a year. (Don was born there).
.
8.Moved to 3070 Texas Ave., Dormont, Pennsylvania where we first rented from Erma Lewis. (Pat was born there).

9.Moved to 608 Elmbamk Street, Brookline where Mike and Steve were born. Lived there until 1960.

10.Moved to 421 Grace Drive in 1960 (Sept.) We have lived here for 39 years come Sept., 1999.

The same letter contained the following information on Louise Frank McKenzie:


Louise G. Frank
Born July 14, 1927

1.Born in Bloomfield.

2.Lived in orphanage named Jewish Home for Babies and Children from 3 years to 7 years old. Brackenridge Street, Hill District (15219).

3.Lived on Dinwiddie Street, Diaz Way, Tustin Street (considered Uptown).

4.Moved to Juliet Street at age 11.

5.Moved to Brookline at age 12. Lived at 2449 Woodward Ave. Lived with Pop and Ethel (Ed. Note: Joseph Frank and his second wife, Ethel).

6.Left at 16 years old to live with her sister, Kay (Ed. Note: Katherine Frank Bovitch) on North St. Clair St.

7.Went to Brookline Grade School.

8.Then to South Hills High School.

9.Mom and I started to go together in 1944. I went to the service in 1945, and we were married August 29, 1947, and the rest is history. Ha-Ha.

The Marriage Certificate (copy in the McKenzie Family History) reflects that the Minister who performed the Marriage Ceremony was O.H. Boeming. The name of the church where the ceremony was held was the Bethleham Grace Lutheran Church.

Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. served in the U.S. Army. He enlisted in 1945 upon graduation from high school in January, 1945. His basic training stint was served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Immediately upon completing basic training, he was shipped to the Far East to participate in the impending invasion of Japan. He recounted to Michael A. McKenzie in 2002 that he was on a troop ship heading to Japan to invade the country when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. He made stops at Ulithea and Manila, Philippines before reaching his duty post in Okinawa, Japan. Although V-J Day occurred in August, 1945, he was not shipped back to the United States at that time. An 85 point system was in put in place by the U.S. War Department to transition servicemen back to this country. Those with the higher number of points returned to this country first. Since he had just joined the Army in 1945, he had to wait for two years before he was able to return. He was stationed in Korea during that time frame and assisted that country in repairing damage caused by the Japanese. In 2002, Colonel Paul Tibbetts, the pilot of the Enola Gay (the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan) was the keynote speaker at the Roswell, Georgia Memorial Day ceremony. Donald and Louise McKenzie were present along with their son, Michael, and his wife, Darla, and son, Colin. After Col. Tibbetts spoke about his experiences during WW II, members from the audience were asked if they wanted to make any comments. Michael McKenzie stood up and delivered an impromptu speech where he thanked Colonel Tibbetts for having dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. As he stated, “if you had not done so, I might not be here today addressing this crowd, since my father (who was on one of the troop ships heading to Japan for the invasion) might not have survived.”

Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. was a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He joined Local Union #5 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1948. He lived long enough to receive his 60 year pin in 2008.

Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. died on January 1, 2010 in Marietta, Georgia of both pancreatic and colon cancer while visiting his three sons for the Christmas holiday. His body was cremated. His ashes were spread around four Norway spruce trees located on the property of Michael A. McKenzie along with the ashes of his wife, Louise. Louise G. McKenzie died on December 14, 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after a three year bout with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Those Norway spruce trees are/were located on the top of a hillside adjacent to the parking area of Michael and Darla McKenzie’s cabin property at 2008 Briar Cove Road, Morganton, Georgia. Small stones were placed there during Memorial Day weekend, 2010 to commemorate Donald R. McKenzie, Sr. and Louise G. McKenzie’s final resting places.

Donald R. McKenzie, Sr’s. obituary appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on January 6, 2010 and read as follows: “Age 82, of Baldwin Boro, loving husband of the late Louise Gertrude Frank McKenzie; proud father of Donald R., Jr. (Joann) McKenzie, Patricia A. (Jake) Vagias, Michael A. (Darla) McKenzie, Steven D. (Renee) McKenzie; devoted son of the late L.F. “Jack” McKenzie and the late ClaraBelle Edenhart McKenzie; caring grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of 7; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his loyal and beloved dog, Sassy. A life-long resident of Pittsburgh, Don graduated from South Hills High School, Class of 1944 (sic). He entered military service in March, 1945 serving in the Pacific Theatre and Korea (during WWII). He was honorably discharged in in December 1946. Don and Louise were married in August of 1947 and he began a long and successful career as an electrician with I.B.E.W. Local #5. From apprentice through journeyman, foreman, general foreman and superintendent, Don worked tirelessly for 42 years to support his family and make the City of Pittsburgh a brighter and safer place. A skilled craftsman, meticulous technician, and respected leader and manager, his personal motto was “if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time.” He did exactly that for his entire career. He was a proud member of Local Union #5 for 62 years. An avid word worker and gardener who took great pride in his home, Don and his wife Louise enjoyed many good years of health and happiness traveling the country and the world and visiting with friends and family. A Memorial Service will be held at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills on Saturday January 9th at 2 PM. It will be followed by a reception at the family home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Western PA., 1101 Western Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa 15233.”

Donald Mckenzie
United States Census, 1940
Name:Donald Mckenzie
Event Type:Census
Event Date:1940
Event Place:Ward 18, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender:Male
Age:13
Marital Status:Single
Race (Original):White
Race:White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original):Son
Relationship to Head of Household:Son
Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Birth Year (Estimated):1927
Last Place of Residence:Same Place
HouseholdRoleGenderAgeBirthplace
Lester F MckenzieHeadM35West Virginia
Clarabelle MckenzieWifeF35West Virginia
Donald MckenzieSonM13Pennsylvania
District: 69-512 , Family Number: 59 , Sheet Number and Letter: 3B , Line Number: 56 , Affiliate Publication Number: T627 , Affiliate Film Number: 3667 , Digital Folder Number: 005456807 , Image Number: 00145

Donald Mckenzie
United States Census, 1930
Name:Donald Mckenzie
Event Type:Census
Event Year:1930
Event Place:Pittsburgh (Districts 251-488), Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender:Male
Age:3
Marital Status:Single
Race:White
Race (Original):White
Relationship to Head of Household:Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original):Son
Birth Year (Estimated):1927
Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Father's Birthplace:West Virginia
Mother's Birthplace:West Virginia
HouseholdRoleGenderAgeBirthplace
Lester MckenzieHeadM25West Virginia
Clarabelle MckenzieWifeF25West Virginia
Donald MckenzieSonM3Pennsylvania
Dorothy EdenhartSister-in-lawF22West Virginia
District: 0294 , Sheet Number and Letter: 27B , Household ID: 424 , Line Number: 73 , Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) , Affiliate Publication Number: T626 , Affiliate Film Number: 1980 , GS Film number: 2341714 , Digital Folder Number: 004661276 , Image Number: 00924

Donald married Louise Gertrude Frank on 29 Aug 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Louise (daughter of Joseph (Pop) Frank and Marian Ulmer) was born on 14 Jul 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; died on 14 Dec 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Donald married JoAnn Elaine Cingel in Private. JoAnn (daughter of Joseph John Cingel and Veronica Genevieve Kochik) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Patricia married John Konstantine (Jake) Vagias in Private. John (son of Annastasios Ernest Vagias and Elizabeth Manos) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Michael married Darla Kay Grinstead in Private. Darla (daughter of Robert Lawrance Grinstead and Barbara Ann Curry) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Steven married Cecilia Renee Garmon in Private. Cecilia (daughter of Cecil Boyce Garmon and Katherine Madelyn Hayes) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christopher married Tammy Lynn Dodson in Private. Tammy (daughter of Willard Sr. Dodson and Lucy Pearl) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wade married Jenna Shearstone in Private. Jenna (daughter of John Richard Shearstone and Cynthia Smith) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Timothy married Erin Nicole Walker in Private. Erin (daughter of Timothy Scott Walker and Kelly Anne Cjathmal) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathan married Leigh Erin Dunn in Private. Leigh (daughter of Ronald Charles Dunn and Deborah Lynn Vickerman) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Katherine married Christopher Scott Johnson in Private. Christopher (son of Leslie Scott Johnson and Alice Vivian Stockton) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Patrick married Josie Franklin in Private. Josie (daughter of David Franklin and Catherine Sims) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Shannon married Daniel Milton Goodner in Private. Daniel (son of Roger Milton Goodner and Mary Elizabeth Cooper) was born in Private. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]