Copyright 15 July 2005, Esther Doyle Read
New 15 July 2005
READ FAMILY CONNECTIONS
SUSAN "MARIE" COURSEN HAYS6
1360. SUSAN "MARIE" COURSEN6, (Melville Ewing Coursen5, Aaron Reed Coursen4, Sarah Ann Read/Reed3, Aaron Read2, Joseph Read1) was born 15 July 1895 in Summit Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died 13 May 1928 (Murcko 1996-1998; Linesville Cemetery). In 1900, she lived with her parents and sister Agnes on the family farm in Summit Township. The census gives her date of birth as July 1894. She is listed on the 1900 and 1910 census as "Marie" Coursen. She had not started school in 1900 (1900 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 44, Summit Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 8A).
Marie's father died on 9 December 1907. Her mother was probably dead by 1910, as she does not appear on the 1910 Federal Census, In addition, her older sister Agnes had died in 1909 at the age of 20. After her parents died, Marie was sent to live with her mother's sister Nell McKay Stewart. Marie's younger sister, Roberta, was sent to live with their mother's sister Kate McKay Dickey (1910 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 17, Linesville, Pine Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 1B, 15 April 1910). In 1910, "Marie Coursen," age 14, lived in the household of her Uncle Fred B. Stewart (age 39) and Aunt Nell McKay Stewart (age 35). The Stewart family lived in North Shenago Township, Crawford County. Other members of the household were the three Stewart sons: Clair M. (age 16), Garrison J. (age 15), and Robert (age 5). Marie, Clair and Garrison attended school during the census year (1910 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 26, North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 6B, 30 April 1910). Most of the Stewart family is buried in Linesville Cemetery in Pine Township, Crawford County. This includes Marie's Uncle Fred B. Stewart (1870 - 1951), her Aunt Nell G. Stewart (1874 - 1951), her cousin Clair Stewart (1893 - 1973) and his wife Harriet E. Stewart (1880 - 1978) and her cousin Robert N. Stewart (1904 - 1976) and his wife Irene H. Stewart (1904 - 2001). Robert is buried in the same plot with his parents and his mother's sister Kate McKay and her husband Orlando C. Dickey, while Claire is in another part of the cemetery. The Stewart and Dickey graves were visited on 5 July 2005.
Susan Marie Coursen married Robert "Clair" Hays, on 3 January 1917 in Crawford County (Murcko 1996-1998; Crawford County Marriage License Docket Index, 1885-1951). He was the son of John and Fannie Hays of West Fallowfield Township, Crawford County. Clair was born 1897 in Pennsylvania. Fifteen days after their wedding, Marie's Uncle William McKendra Coursen died. William was her father's older brother. Clair Hays was appointed administrator of the estate in January 1921. It took approximately 15 months to settle William Coursen's affairs (Crawford County Orphan's Court Index to Register's Dockets, 1800-1970, Vol. A-K). In 1920, Clair and Marie resided on a farm in North Shenago Township, Crawford County with their two eldest sons Everitt and Melvin. They owned the farm free and clear of all liens and mortgages (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 33, North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 2A, 5 January 1920). Marie and Clair had three more sons between 1920 and 1927: Delbert, Garry and Donald. Then on 13 May 1928, Clair, Marie and the four older sons all died. Whether it was an accident or if there was some other cause of death is unknown. The youngest son, Donald, survived. He was two weeks short of his first birthday. Donald was raised by his paternal grandparents John and Fannie Hays on their farm in West Fallowfield. In 1930, they were in West Fallowfield. Donald was a two year old child (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 20-63, West Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 3B, 5 April 1930). John Hays died three years later in 1933, Fannie Hays died in 1940. The Hays plot in Linesville Cemetery includes the graves of Marie and and Clair Hays, their sons Everitt, Melvin, Delbert and Garry; Clair's parents John A. (1869 - 1933) and Fannie Hays (1870 - 1940); and Claire's brother W. Carl Hays (1902 - 1921). Their graves were visited on 5 July 2005.
Susan "Marie" Coursen and Robert "Claire" Hays had five children and 2 grandchildren. Total identified descendants equals 7.
CHILDREN OF SUSAN "MARIE" COURSEN AND ROBERT "CLAIR" HAYS:
1564. (i.) EVERETTE CLAIR HAYS7, was born 1 December 1917 in North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died 13 May 1928 (Murcko 1996-1998). In 1920, Everette lived with his parents on their farm in North Shenago Township. The census gave his age as 2 years one month (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 33, North Shenago Township, Crawford, Pennsylvania, sheet 2A, 5 January 1920). Everitte is buried with his parents, paternal grandparents, uncle Carl Hays and three of his brothers in Linesville Cemetery, Linesville, Pine Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. His grave was visisted on 5 July 2005.
1565. (ii.) MELVIN JOHN HAYS7, was born 8 October 1919 in North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died 13 May 1928 (Murcko 1996-1998). In 1920, Melvin lived with his parents on their farm in North Shenago Township. The census gave his age as 2 years one month (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 33, North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 2A, 5 January 1920). Melvin is buried with his parents, paternal grandparents, uncle Carl Hays and three of his brothers in Linesville Cemetery, Linesville, Pine Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. His grave was visisted on 5 July 2005.
1566. (iii.) DELBERT CARL HAYS7, was born 5 February 1924 in North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died 13 May 1928 (Murcko 1996-1998). Murcko gives his name as Adelbert. His name is given as Delbert on his grave marker. Delbert is buried with his parents, paternal grandparents, uncle Carl Hays and three of his brothers in Linesville Cemetery, Linesville, Pine Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. His grave was visisted on 5 July 2005.
1567. (iv.) GARRY COURSEN HAYS7, was born 1 June 1925 in North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died 13 May 1928 (Murcko 1996-1998). Garry is is buried with his parents, paternal grandparents, uncle Carl Hays and three of his brothers in Linesville Cemetery, Linesville, Pine Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. His grave was visisted on 5 July 2005.
1568. (v.) DONALD CHRISTY HAYS7, was born 28 May 1927 in North Shenago Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania and died unknown (Murcko 1996-1998). Donald was the only one of Marie and Clair Hays's children to survive the tragedy that struck the family in May 1928. After his parents and his brothers died, Donald was raised by his paternal grandparents, John and Fannie Hays. In 1930 he lived with John and Fannie on their farm in West Fallowfield Township in Crawford County. John and Fannie owned their farm, which was valued at $3000. Both John and Fannie were 60 years old, both were born in Pennsylvania. John's father was born in Ireland (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 20-63, West Fallowfield Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, sheet 3B,5 April 1930). John Hays died three years later in 1933. It is assumed that Donald remained with his grandmother until her death in 1940 (Linesville Cemetery). It is unclear who Donald resided with after Fannie's death. He was 12 or 13 years old when she died. His great-aunt Nell McKay Stewart was still alive and probably still lived in Crawford County (Nell died in 1951; Linesville Cemetery). Other members of his extended family still lived in the area. Donald married Jean Bruggeman, on June 24, 1950. Children of Donald Hays and Jean Bruggeman:
1771. (ii.) JOHN WALTER HAYS8 (Murcko 1996-1998).
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by Timothy Doyle 5/5/98,
Questions regarding content should be directed to Esther Doyle Read edrtjd@charm.net