Cameron County Genealogy Project

1. Joshua John Bair was born¹ on 26 Dec 1843 in Liberty Square, Drumore, Lancaster, PA, the son of William Bair and Elisabeth Wetzler. He died^2,3 on 17 Dec 1915, a week prior to his 72^nd birthday, in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He was buried on 20 Dec 1915 in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Emporium, PA.

 

Joshua married⁴ Mary Eva Schmond, daughter of Bonifacias Schmond (Schmand) and Maria Frances Koenig of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, on 7 Jan 1868 in St. Mary's German Church, St. Marys, PA. Mary Eva was born on 28 Nov 1847 in St. Marys, Elk County, PA. She died on 5 Nov 1930 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA, and was buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, Emporium, PA.

2 i. Edmund Anthony Bair was born on 26 Oct 1868. He died on 23 Apr 1904.

3 ii. Martin Albert Bair was born on 12 Mar 1870. He died on 20 Dec 1939.

4 iii. Mary Louise Bair was born on 3 Jan 1872. She died on 9 Nov 1940.

5 iv. Catherine Elizabeth Bair was born on 5 Sep 1873.She died on 15 Jul 1956.

6 v. Wilhelmina Agnes Bair was born on 6 Apr 1875. She died on 23 Sep 1904.

7 vi. William George Bair was born on 24 Apr 1877. He died on 8 Apr 1960.

8 vii. Rosa Frances Bair was born on 28 Jun 1879. She died on 12 Oct 1924.

9 viii. Bertha Josephine Bair was born on 7 Aug 1881. She died on 7 Dec 1943.

10 ix. Frank Henry Bair was born on 27 Jul 1883. He died on 14 Jun 1908.

11 x. Joshua Michael Bair was born on 3 Aug 1885. He died on 8 Aug 1964.

12 xi. Helena Angela Bair was born on 6 Aug 1887. She died on 26 Mar 1931.

13 xii. Leo Augustus Bair was born on 18 Sep 1889. He died on 11 Nov 1900.

14 xiii. Julia Magdelene Bair was born on 13 Dec 1892. She died on 7 Mar 1966.

 

Joshua Bair was a loyal patriot of the United States. In the late summer of 1862, as the Civil War heated up and the Confederate Army approached Pennsylvania, the Lancaster newspapers called for citizens to defend their beloved state. On September 12, 1862, the Lancaster Daily Evening Express asked, Shall we go boldly forward and meet them at the threshold, or shall we, craven like, stand still to be eventually driven from our homes by the advancing tide? It is for you, citizens of Lancaster County, to decide." Eighteen-year-old Joshua Bair made his decision to defend his homeland. Two days after this editorial appeared in the newspaper, he enlisted to fight for Pennsylvania, to defend the Union in the War of the Rebellion. His thirty-day enlistment in Company C of the Twelfth Regiment Emergency Volunteer Militia, commanded by Colonel Oliver J. Dickey, began on September 14, 1862. He enlisted and signed for his pay for 13 days service as Joshua Bear, and mustered out with his company on September 27, 1862.

The following June, the Confederate Army again began an invasion of the north. On June 12, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin issued a proclamation declaring that the purpose of the enemy to invade the borders of Pennsylvania was apparent, and appealing "to all the citizens of Pennsylvania, who love liberty and are mindful of the history and traditions of their Revolutionary Fathers" to "rise in their might and rush to the rescue". Joshua eagerly joined a group of his neighbors, ready to defend his native Pennsylvania for a second time in less than a year. Upon their arrival in Harrisburg, he signed his name along with the others to the roll of Company G of the 1st Battalion Pennsylvania Infantry, for an enlistment of six months. While the battle of Gettysburg raged, Joshua assisted in the defense of Harrisburg. Had the battle not come to pass in the fields at Gettysburg and the confederate army made it to the Pennsylvania capital as planned, the First Battalion of Pennsylvania Volunteers was positioned to play a pivotal role.

Six weeks after mustering out, on Monday, February 29, 1864 Joshua went to the recruiting office in Lancaster. He signed papers for a three-year enlistment in Company L of the 2^nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, 112^th Regiment. It was here that Joshua Bair participated in his first heavy action of the war, fighting in the Battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. It was at Cold Harbor, on June 2, 1864, before the heaviest fighting commenced, that Joshua was captured. He was transported to Richmond, then imprisoned at Andersonville, Georgia from June 8 until the end of September, when he was transferred to Millen Prison in Georgia, then to Florence Prison in South Carolina, where he remained until early December. At that time he was released with the most severely sick prisoners. A comrade later remembered, "He was a complete physical wreck when he came back, he appeared about ready to bury."

        1892 Civil War Veteran's Reunion in Emporium.  Joshua is in the center front. 

                         Photo Courtesy Cameron County Little Museum Collection

Joshua was identified as a charter member of the D. W. Taggart Post Number 241, of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic, the Civil War veterans’ organization). On special occasions it was he, along with fellow members Almon Chapman and Samuel Faucett, who fired the G.A.R. field gun (brass cannon) to its salute. The Cameron County Press said of Joshua, "He was always delighted to meet his old comrades and talk over their war experiences, and he voted as he fought on national and state questions."

On May 11, 1905, the Pennsylvania Assembly approved an Act for funding transportation to former union prisoners of war three thousand miles from Pennsylvania to Americus, Georgia, so that they might attend the dedication of the newly erected Pennsylvania monument at the site of the former Andersonville Civil War Prison. Wanting to return to the place that gave him so much pride in his service to his county, the place that had caused him to endure so much misery, Joshua completed an application and sent it to the Adjutant General’s Office in Harrisburg, PA, becoming one of the 381 former Pennsylvania prisoners to attend the event, the only former soldier from Cameron County among the group. The Governor of Pennsylvania presented the monument to the government of the United States with a moving speech, which said in part, "More potent than the valor upon the field of battle is [the soldier’s] capacity for endurance. …it will be recognized that the valor of the American soldier was best exemplified upon the field of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and his fortitude and his power of endurance was best exemplified at Andersonville, in the State of Georgia." The ceremony provided Joshua with public recognition and validation of his bravery and fortitude, and the first public expression of gratitude he received for his terrible suffering there 40 years previous. A cast bronze tablet on the monument reads in part:

                                                        Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville

 2. Edmund Anthony Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 26 Oct 1868 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He died on 23 Apr 1904 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY.

Edmund Anthony was the first child of Joshua and Mary Eva Bair, apparently named for Mary Eva’s brother-in-law, and Joshua’s friend and former employer, Edmund Huff. Upon finishing school in Emporium, he worked as a carpenter, saving his money and studying during his free hours. Desiring to pursue a career in medicine, he entered the University of Buffalo, NY, in 1893, graduating with honors from the institution in 1897. An obituary titled "He was a Very Popular and Well-Known Physician to South Buffalo," tells us, "Entering at once upon his profession, he located in South Buffalo, where he made many warm friends and acquired a good practice which was daily increasing until he was stricken with appendicitis, for which an operation was performed in February 1902, and from which he never fully recovered, being obliged to undergo a second operation in March 1903, one year later, which also proved unsuccessful. [ . . .] He died Saturday morning, April 23, at 6 o'clock, retaining consciousness until the last. He was an exemplary young man, for, notwithstanding his failing health and work, he was seldom missed from his place of worship. The funeral took place at Emporium, his boyhood home, and the floral tributes from his relatives and friends showed the high esteem in which he was held." According to Catherine Burke Wiest, at the time of his death he was engaged to a woman named Lillian Donahue, who lived in Buffalo. She never married after his death.

 3. Martin Albert Bair was born on 12 Mar 1870 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He was known as Albert. He died on 20 Dec 1939 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, PA.

Martin married (1) Caroline E. Richardson on 25 Apr 1899 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming, PA. Caroline was born on 15 Aug 1874 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming, PA. She died on 22 Jul 1905 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming, PA.

Martin married (2) Helen Sarah Seely on 23 Mar 1909 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, PA. Helen was born on 23 May 1884 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming, PA. She died on 11 Jun 1956 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming, PA.

His niece, Catherine Burke Wiest, remembers her Uncle Albert as a bricklayer, like his father, and that he was always "full of fun". She remembers her Aunt Helen as "not too tall, slim, with a husky voice". Catherine remembers their visits to Emporium, and visiting their large brick house in Jersey Shore.

4. Mary Louise "Mate" Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 3 Jan 1872 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 9 Nov 1940 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

Mate married Patrick Bernard Egan, son of Michael Eagan and Mary Larkin, on 30 Aug 1893 in St. Mark's Church, Emporium, Cameron, PA. He was known as Bernard. Bernard was born on 17 Mar 1858 in New York, New York. He died on 11 May 1922 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa.

The Bair-Egan wedding was reported in the local newspaper as "one of the most pleasant events of the season." The article went on to say that "So prompt were they that as the minute hand pointed the hour set, the organ began a sweet and becoming wedding march, they walked to its time which was right lively, adding cheerfulness to the occasion, which filled every heart with a strange delight." The witnesses for the wedding were Patrick Burke and Katie Bair, who would walk down that same aisle to be married nearly six years later. The article goes on to describe the reception "at the residence of the bride’s parents, where over a hundred invited guests partook of a most delicious repast prepared by the accomplished Miss Katie Bair who is deserving of much more credit than seems proper for us to give her here." The article detailed the entire event, including a list of each gift received.

Mate’s niece, Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "Aunt Mate was a lovely person, very religious, and she sewed beautifully. When she and her brothers and sisters were growing up, Mate is the one who made the clothes. Everybody loved Aunt Mate. Everyone in town knew her, and she knew everyone. They owned Egan’s furniture store, and lived up over it. In the back they had the undertaking parlor, but they never laid people out there, people were always laid out at home with a black wreath on the door. Uncle Bernard had two boys, Joe and Bernie, from a previous marriage who lived with them. The boys went to Montana, and worked on the railroads. I remember that Saturday nights Mom would walk with Jane and I down to church to go to confession. Then we would stop at Aunt Mate's. Jane and I would run around and sit in all the chairs and try out all the furniture while Mom and Aunt Mate would visit. During lent or a holy day, when I was in school I would go to church and receive communion, then go to Aunt Mate's for breakfast. Aunt Mate also always had our family for Christmas night dinner."

 

Mary Louise Bair and Patrick Bernard Egan had the following children:

15 i. Martin Francis Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William), known as "Frank," was born on 26 May 1895 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 22 Dec 1953 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Frank served in France during World War I. He married Helen Margaret Veronica Orr, daughter of John Orr and Anna Tormey, on 6 Jun 1921 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Helen was born on 13 Jun 1894 in Coudersport, Potter, PA. She died on 21 Jul 1979 in St. Marys, Elk, PA. They had one son, Bernard John Egan, born 31 Mar 1923.

16 ii. Thomas Basil Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William), known as "Basil," was born on 6 Jan 1897 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. He died on 18 Oct 1961 in Claymont, New Castle, DE. Basil served in France during World War I, and suffered the effects of mustard gas. He married (1) Helen Maud Boyer daughter of Charles Q. Boyer on 7 Sep 1921 in Linwood, Delaware, PA. Helen was born on 2 Feb 1900 in Wytheville, Wythe, VA. She died on 8 May 1951 in Claymont, New Castle, DE. They had one daughter, Bernice Elizabeth Egan, born 30 Oct 1922. Thomas Basil Egan married (2) Ruth Hazel Bell. Ruth was born on 15 Mar 1907.

17 iii. Catherine Loretta Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 29 Jun 1899 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. She died on 18 Feb 1969 in Dover, Morris, NJ. Catherine married John L Kaiser on 17 Sep 1928 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. John was born on 6 Sep 1886 in High Bridge, Warren, NJ. He died on 6 Nov 1947 in Dover, Morris, NJ.

18 iv. Anna Louise Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 19 Dec 1900 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. She died on 18 Sep 1992 in Freehold, Monmouth, NJ. Anna married Christopher Joseph Kaiser on 18 Jun 1924 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Christopher was born on 5 Apr 1896 in Wharton, Morris, NJ. He died on 23 Feb 1967 in Orange, Essex, NJ. They had two children, Edward Joseph Kaiser, born 17 Dec 1925, and Jane Ann Kaiser, born 24 July 1932.

19 v. Leo Emmet Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 23 Nov 1902 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 22 Mar 1971 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Leo married Zella Sarah Amelia Gross daughter of George Gross and Carrie Specht on 29 Nov 1923 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Zella was born on 29 Sep 1901 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. She died on 20 Sep 1974 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. They had two children, William L. Egan, who was born and died in 1932, and James Leon Egan, who was born on 25 Oct 1935.

20 vi. Edward Robert Egan (Mary Louise Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 31 Aug 1904 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He was a physician. He died on 12 May 1967 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. Edward married Margaret Agnes Padden daughter of Daniel Padden and Ella in 1930 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. Margaret was born in Buffalo, Erie, NY. She died on 11 May 1968 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. They had one son, Edward Daniel Egan, born in 1931, and died on 3 Jan 1974 in Buffalo, Erie, NY.

 

 

5. Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 5 Sep 1873 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 15 Jul 1956 in Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey, while visiting the home of her daughter, Catherine Burke Becker (later Wiest). She was buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, Emporium, PA.

Catherine married Patrick Henry Burke on 14 Jun 1899 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Pat was born on 16 Jan 1867 in Beechwood, Elk, PA. He died on 8 May 1920 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. He was buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, Emporium, PA.

After her graduation from Emporium High School, Katie Bair began teaching in a one-room school in a near-by town. On June 15, 1893, the Emporium Press announced that the Emporium school board had hired Miss Katie Bair for the upcoming term. On May 23, 1895, a Pennsylvania Teachers’ Professional Certificate was granted to Miss Kate Bair, the original of which is now in the possession of her granddaughter, this author, Catherine Becker Wiest Desmarais. Kate taught school until she was expecting her first child, and then later worked as a substitute teacher.

When Kate Bair married Patrick Burke, the Emporium paper noted, "Yesterday was a very important day in the lives of four of Emporium’s young people. At 9:00 o’clock, a.m., Mr. Patrick Burke led to the altar of St. Marks Church Miss Katie Bair, one of Emporium’s most highly respected young ladies, Miss Bertha Bair and Wm. Auchu assisting as bridesmaid and groomsman."

Patrick Burke was a town councilman, and was employed by C. B. Howard and Company at the time of his marriage. He later worked for the Aetna Explosives Company, where he was working at the time of an explosion that caused his death. According to the news account, he was the brakeman on the powder train, and had just taken a load of the gelatin mixture to the mix house, where it would be combined with nitro-glycerin. They arrived at the front of the building just as it exploded with a force that was felt miles away.

After her husband’s death, Kate took in boarders to supplement her substitute teaching pay and support her family. Her daughter, Catherine Burke Wiest, remembers, "Mom had a specific thing that she did every day of the week. Monday was washday, Tuesday was ironing day, Wednesday was baking bread and cinnamon sticky buns and cookies, Thursday was cleaning day, and Friday was baking again. Pies were made two or three times a week. Saturday she always made cookies and cakes and pies. Mom had a tin tomato can that she took the rim off so it was very sharp, and she used that for her cookie cutter to make these great big ginger and sugar cookies. She soaked navy beans all day Saturday, then Saturday night before she went to bed she put the bean pot on the wood stove for baked beans and they cooked with salt pork for flavoring, all night and all the next day. She would say ‘I always have a pot of beans, because Sunday night I never know who is going to show up for supper.’ Sunday after church, Grandma Bair always spent the day at our house."

 

Catherine Bair and Patrick Burke had the following children:

21 i. Sarah Marie Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 20 Jul 1900 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. As an adult she used the spelling "Sara" and used her maiden name in place of her middle name. She died on 4 Nov 1986 in Rochester, Monroe, NY. She was buried on 8 Nov 1986 in St. Mark's Cemetery, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Sarah married George Kenyon "Ken" Raby on 26 Nov 1938 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Ken was born on 5 Jul 1899 in Oswego, Oswego, NY. His mother, Harriet Kenyon Raby, lived with Sara and Ken all her life, and was fondly known as "Grandma Raby" to this author. Ken Raby died on 2 Mar 1979 in Rochester, Monroe, NY, and is buried beside his wife.

22 ii. Magdalene Elizabeth Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 21 Aug 1902 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. She died on 27 Feb 1903 in Emporium, Cameron, PA, of what was then called "instant pneumonia" and is now known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She is buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, Emporium, Cameron, PA.

23 iii. Francis Henry Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 21 Nov 1904 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. He died on 25 Sep 1985 in Roanoke, VA. Francis married Mary Ellen Weeks, daughter of William Weekes and Anna McDonnell, on 26 Oct 1927 in Linwood, Delaware, PA. Mary was born on 22 Feb 1908 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. She died on 25 Jan 1951 in Linwood, Delaware, PA. They had three children, Patricia Ann, Francis Henry, Jr., and William Vincent.

24 iv. Mary Louise Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 15 Aug 1907 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. She died on 17 Jul 1990 in Covington, St. Tammany, LA. She was buried in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Mary married Gustav Gottlieb Ettle, son of Gottlieb Ettle and Emilie Mueller. Gus was born on 26 Apr 1905 in Backnang, Wuertemburg, Germany. He died on 12 Nov 1968 in York, York, PA. They had two children, Robert Erwin Ettle and John David Ettle.

25 v. Catherine Ann Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 1 Sep 1917 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. Catherine married⁸ (1) George Ehrhardt McFall on 24 Jun 1940 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. George was born⁹ on 12 Mar 1915 in Chicago, IL. He died on the day following his 30^th birthday in 1945, while in the service of his country during World War II, in the Atlantic Ocean some 400 miles northwest of the Azore Islands. He was aboard the U.S. Army Transport J. W. McAndrew, enroute to Southampton, England, when the vessel was struck about 4:00 AM by the French Aircraft Carrier Bearn, which was off-course due to mechanical failure. Catherine and George had one daughter, Mary Alice. Catherine married (2) Hugo C. Becker, son of Johann Samuel Becker and Katharina Dickler, on 4 Feb 1956 in St. Mark's Church, Emporium, PA. Hugo was born on 6 May 1899 in New York, New York. He was not given a middle name at birth, but later in life used the middle initial "C" for his brother, Charles. He died on 19 Dec 1962 in Maywood, Bergen, New Jersey. He was buried in Maryrest Cemetery, in Darlington, Bergen Co, NJ. Catherine and Hugo had one daughter, Catherine Ann, and Hugo adopted Catherine’s daughter, Mary Alice. Catherine married (3) John Kenneth Wiest, son of Roman Wiest and Mary Campbell, on 7 Aug 1965 in Our Lady Queen of Peace, Maywood, Bergen, NJ. John was born on 14 Feb 1907 in Rochester, Monroe, NY. He died on 9 Sep 1977 in Rochester, Monroe, NY. He was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe, NY. John Wiest adopted Catherine’s daughter, Catherine Ann.

26 vi. Jane Agnes Burke (Catherine Elizabeth Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 11 Apr 1919 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. Jane married Byron Garman Framsted, son of Carl Framsted and Minnie Berg, on 20 Jan 1944 in Nashville, Davidson, TN. Byron was born on 18 Sep 1918 in Amery, Polk, WI. Jane and Byron met in Nashville, TN, when they were both serving in the Air Force during World War II. They both carry the rank of Second Lieutenant. Jane and By have five children, Fred Carl, Karen Ann (KK), Carol Sue (Cardo), Mary Jean (Mimi), and John Robert (JR).

 

 6. Wilhelmina Agnes "Minnie" Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 6 Apr 1875 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 23 Sep 1904 in Olean, Cattaraugus County, NY

.

Minnie married John Henry Wiesman, son of Johann Wiesman and Isabella Fischer, on 19 Aug 1896 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. John was born on 2 Oct 1861 in Clinton or Ware, MA. He died on 30 Apr 1930 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY.

Only five months after her brother Edmund’s untimely death, the family was shocked again by the death of Minnie at age 29. The local newspaper described Minnie as "a bright, joyous, and handsome girl – of spotless character."

Minnie’s niece, Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "John never remarried after Aunt Minnie died. Aunt Rose and Aunt Bert (Minnie's sisters) helped with the children. Aunt Rose was widowed and took her daughter to the Wiesman's to live on 2nd Street in Olean. Uncle John was a great guy. He owned a barbershop down on Union Street. A lot of Sundays he'd visit Emporium and all the relatives would send the kids over to our place. Uncle John would put a high chair on the back porch and cut all the kids’ hair, girls and boys. A lot of the time mom would get the ice cream maker out and get rock salt and make a big batch of ice cream. She'd cook the ice cream custard and the kids churned the ice cream maker by hand. The kids would fight over licking the ladle. We'd set up the croquet set too."

John and Minnie had the following children:

27 i. Mary Angelus Wiesman (Wilhelmina Agnes Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 1 Jun 1897 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. She died on 20 Apr 1984 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. Mary married George Phillip Schryver son of George Schryver and Sarah Custance on 28 Jun 1921 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. George was born on 5 Oct 1898 in Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. He died on 17 May 1971 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. They had five sons, George John, Edward Joseph, Donald James, William David, and Phillip Orson. George and Edward served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and Donald served in the Korean Conflict.

28 ii. Edward Anthony Wiesman (Wilhelmina Agnes Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 4 Oct 1901 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. He died on 7 Apr 1994 in Chambersburg, Franklin, PA. Edward married Janet Margaret Wolf daughter of Robert Wolf and Augusta Kennedy on 25 Aug 1926 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. Janet was born on 21 Feb 1904 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. She died on 10 Feb 1981 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. They had two children, Maria Chantal and Hugh Anthony.

29 iii. Florence Agnes Wiesman (Wilhelmina Agnes Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 25 Jun 1903 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. She died on 10 Dec 1991 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. Florence married Clement William Forness son of William Forness and Louise Boser on 14 May 1923 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. Clement was born on 5 Oct 1897 in Allegany, Cattaraugus, NY. He died on 23 Oct 1979 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. They had five children, Clement Robert (who was killed in WWII), John William, Bruce Thomas, Emma Louise, and Michael Robert.

 

 

7. William George Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 24 Apr 1877 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He died on 8 Apr 1960 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

William married Harriet Mae "Hattie" Auchu, daughter of Henry Auchu and Cordelia Hartman, on 12 Sep 1900 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Harriet was born on 27 Jul 1880 in Williamsport, Lycoming, PA. She died on 13 Apr 1965 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa.

The Auchu-Bair wedding was described in the Emporium newspaper as "the social event of the season." After describing the ceremony, the article continued, "The wedding was pink and white china aster, both the church and residence being decorated beautifully in pink and white. The bride’s maids were handsomely gowned in pink mousseline de soie. The fair bride was charming in her gown of liberty satin over taffeta silk en train, antique lace trimmings. The reception tendered the relatives and near friends at the residence of the bride was a jolly occasion. At the conclusion of the wedding breakfast the bride carried a decorated basket filled with bon-bon boxes of wedding cake and presented her compliments to her friends. An orchestra furnished music and dancing was enjoyed. The presents were very numerous and the most beautiful and valuable ever bestowed upon an Emporium bride." The article added that their friends had labeled their luggage for their honeymoon train trip east, one bag reading "Just Married" and "An artist out after snapshots" accompanied by a picture of a bear.

William G. Bair lived in Emporium all his life. He apprenticed with his mother’s nephew, J. B. Schriever, at his photography studio, then later bought it from him and renamed it Bair Studios. He and his brother-in-law, Bob Green, owned the Theatorium on East 4th Street, on the second block from Broad Street. The Theatorium showed the silent movies, and they had a piano player who watched the screen and made the music match with the action in the film.

William and Harriet had the following children:

30 i. Cordelia Mary Bair (William George, Joshua, William) was born on 2 Jan 1904 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. She died on 24 Feb 1994 in Kittanning, Armstrong, PA. Cordelia married Charles Edgar "Ty" Sassman on 11 Feb 1924 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Charles was born on 12 Jul 1900 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 27 Dec 1968 in Kittanning, Armstrong, PA. They had two children, Charles Joseph and Harriet Yvonne.

31 ii. George Joshua Bair (William George, Joshua, William) was born on 24 Aug 1905 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 31 Jul 1991 in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, FL. George married Florence Ellen Donovan daughter of Dennis Donovan and Anna Farrell on 22 Aug 1928 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Florence was born on 11 Apr 1907 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. She died on 25 Jun 1999 in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, FL. They had three daughters, Anna Denise, Mary Cordelia, and Florence Evelyn. Mary Cordelia’s daughter Alison’s husband, David Morrison Berray, died in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

32 iii. Henry Auchu Bair (William George, Joshua, William) was born on 1 Nov 1907 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 31 Dec 1969 in Seneca Falls, Seneca, NY. Henry married Anna Margaret Zidar daughter of Alois Zidar and Frances Zupan on 28 Jul 1930 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Anna was born on 18 Mar 1908 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. She died on 13 Mar 1994 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ. They had two children, William Alois and Margaret Annette.

 

8. Rosa Frances Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 28 Jun 1879 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. She died on 12 Oct 1924 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

Rosa married (1) Singleton Mortimer Lupold son of Samuel Lupold and Catherine on 12 Dec 1905 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Singleton was born on 4 May 1877 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. He died on 29 Jan 1907 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY.

They had the following child:

33 F i. Florence Elizabeth Lupold (Rosa Frances Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 23 Jan 1907 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. She died on 14 Apr 1996 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, PA. Florence married (1) Horace Neckenstein Daniels on 5 Aug 1938 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Horace was born on 1 Jul 1910 in Bristol, Bucks, PA. He died on 11 Oct 1966 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Florence married (2) John Regis Flanigan on 28 Apr 1972 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. John was born on 30 Apr 1928 in Butler, Butler, PA.

Rosa married (2) Robert George Green on 5 Jun 1912 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Robert was born on 8 Nov 1864 in Horseheads, Chemung, NY. He died on 23 Nov 1929 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa.

They had the following child:

34 ii. Bernard Joseph Green (Rosa Frances Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 14 Sep 1912 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. He died on 6 Oct 1998 in Venice, Sarasota, FL. Bernard married (1) Eleanor Margaret Herzing daughter of Peter Herzing and Elisabeth Gerber on 2 Jul 1936 in St. Marys, Elk, PA. Eleanor was born on 30 May 1913 in Truman, Cameron, PA. She died on 20 Jan 1972 in Emporium, Cameron, Pa. Bernard and Eleanor had two sons, Robert Cletus and Richard Bernard. Bernard married (2) Eleanor Marie Ablenapth on 23 Nov 1972 in Smethport, McKean, PA. Eleanor was born on 29 Sep 1914 in Mt. Jewett, McKean, PA.

Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "I used to go down to their house, a great big green house almost across from St. Mark's Church. Aunt Rose made great big sugar cookies that I loved. They had a big back yard. Uncle Bob (her second husband) had two boys. He worked in a machine shop at Sylvania. He was a tool and die maker, an apprentice of Gus Ettle (The husband of Rosa's niece Mary Burke Ettle.) I remember visiting her in the front bedroom when she was ill before she died."

 

9. Bertha Josephine "Bert" Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 7 Aug 1881 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 7 Dec 1943 in Wilmington, New Castle County, DE.

Bertha married⁵James Louis Fobert son of Louis Faubert and Marie Devereau on 11 Mar 1901 in St. Mark's, Emporium, Cameron, PA. James was born on 7 Mar 1872 in Canada. He died on 1 Dec 1927 in Texas.

Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "I remember hearing that Aunt Bert, Aunt Rose, and Mama, the three sisters, were all pregnant the same summer. Julia and Mary were only born three days apart. In later years, Aunt Bert lived at Grandma Bair's house (her mother) and looked after the house and Grandma. She baked and made wonderful pies. Aunt Bert worked for Laura Wortman as a housekeeper and cook for a time while I was in high school. Aunt Bert was living with her daughter Julia in Wilmington, DE when she died of ALS."

Bertha Bair and James Louis Fobert had the following children:

35 i. John Leo Fobert (Bertha Josephine Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 6 Nov 1902 in Emporium, Cameron, PA. John married¹⁰ Annette Dyche daughter of Edward Dyche and Eliza Conron on 5 May 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Annette was born on 22 Apr 1903 in Topeka, Shawnee, KS. She died on 25 Sep 1973 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. They had two children, Edward Leo and Leonard Paul.

36 ii. Edward A. Fobert (Bertha Josephine Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 8 Sep 1905. He died on 24 Mar 1911 in Buffalo, Erie, NY.

37 iii. Julia Catherine Fobert (Bertha Josephine Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 18 Aug 1907 in Elmira, Chemung, NY. She died on 7 Jan 1977 in Wilmington, New Castle, DE. Julia married Daniel Joseph Casey, son of First Casey, on 10 Nov 1925 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Daniel was born on 23 Oct 1895 in Wilmington, New Castle, DE. He was a dentist. He died on 7 Jan 1972 in Wilmington, New Castle, DE. Dan and Julia had five children, Mary Josephine, Daniel Joseph, Jr., Edward Michael, Nancy Louise, and Julia Ann.

 

10. Frank Henry Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 27 Jul 1883 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He died on 14 Jun 1908 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

Frank Bair followed his father in his trade of masonry, becoming a bricklayer. About 1905, Frank contracted tuberculosis, and went for treatment to the state sanitarium at Mt. Alto the following year. Upon his return, his family built a sleeping apartment for him behind his parents’ home. The house was cold because cool, fresh air was considered the best treatment for TB. His obituary states that he was "an industrious and gentlemanly young man, as all the Bair boys are. During his long illness he bore all patiently and he was prepared and ready to meet his God and the loved ones gone before."

11. Joshua Michael "J.M." Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 3 Aug 1885 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He died on 8 Aug 1964 in Olean, Cattaraugus County, PA.

Joshua married Leona E. Gould on 26 Jul 1910 in St. Mary of the Holy Angels Church, Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. Leona was born on 11 Feb 1874 in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus, NY. She died on 28 May 1952 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY.

The Emporium newspaper reported that the wedding of J.M. Bair and Leona Gould was held quietly at six o’clock in the morning, followed by a breakfast at 7:15 AM, after which they left, under the traditional shower of old shoes and rice, for a honeymoon in Buffalo, NY and the lakes region.

Joshua Michael, or "J.M." as he was called, was also a bricklayer, like his father for whom he was named. Catherine Burke Wiest remembers that her Uncle J.M. worked as a bricklayer in Olean for Socony Vacuum Oil Company, which today is Exxon Mobil Corporation. They lived on 8th Street in Olean, in a brick house that he may have built himself. "I know he built the garage, Catherine relates. It was long and narrow and one car fit behind the other. Aunt Leona was a schoolteacher and she needed a car too." Catherine also remembers that her Uncle J.M. loved fishing, and that his freezer was always full of trout he caught. She also recalls, "Every Sunday afternoon he and Aunt Leona would go out to dinner around noon, often driving to Port Allegany to a restaurant they liked there, I think it was called Canoe Place Inn. They would then drive on to Emporium and stop at our house, and Uncle Will's and others, then drive back to Olean."

Joshua Michael Bair and Leona Gould had the following child:

38 M i. Richard Henry Bair (Joshua Michael, Joshua, William) was born on 17 Jan 1914 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. He died on 3 Jan 1934 in the Cornell University Infirmary, Ithaca, Tompkins, NY. He was a pre-medical student.

 

12. Helena Angela "Lena" Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 6 Aug 1887 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 26 Mar 1931 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

Helena married Albert Buzzell Miller, son of Robert Miller and Catherine Bullmer, on 20 Mar 1921 in St. Mark's Church, Emporium, Cameron, PA. Albert was born on 13 Dec 1880 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. He died on 27 Nov 1936 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY.

Lena Bair was a graduate of Westbrook Business Academy at Olean, and after graduation was employed by the Prudential Insurance Office in Olean. Her niece, Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "We used to take the train over and see them in Olean, where they lived on Henley Street. They had one son Albert, ten years younger than me. The summer that she was so sick, Mama brought her son Albert over to our house for a time." Catherine continues, "Uncle Albert owned an ice cream parlor on State Street in Olean. He also sold bread and things like that. They had a soda fountain with the syrups like coke syrup and sparkling water to make the sodas. I remember one day I had a double dip ice cream and I went outside and it fell off the cone. I started to cry but Uncle Al brought me back in and gave me another one. After Aunt Lena died, Uncle Al's brother and sister, Charlie and Mary, took Albert and raised him."

Lena and Albert had the following child:

39 i. Albert Raynor Miller (Helena Angela Bair, Joshua, William) was born on 27 May 1927 in Olean, Cattaraugus, NY. Albert married Marguerite May "Peg" Ames, daughter of Elmer Louis Ames and Gertrude Decker, on 18 Nov 1950 in Rochester, Monroe, NY. Marguerite was born on 7 Apr 1925 in Rochester, Monroe, NY. She died on 18 Aug 1996 in Albany, Albany, NY. They had four children, David Robert, Debra Sue, Dawn Gertrude, and Cheryl. Al lives near Albany, NY, and has graciously hosted this author as a houseguest while she traveled to and from Lancaster County, PA, to do genealogy research. Al also shares an interest in genealogy.

 

13. Leo Augustus Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 18 Sep 1889 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. He died on 11 Nov 1900 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

Leo Bair was taken sick on Friday morning, 9 November 1900, and scarlet fever was diagnosed. On Sunday evening at 9:30 PM, he died, at the age of eleven. The newspaper accounts described him as "an exceedingly bright little boy" and "a general favorite with his playmates," and noted "This is the first link in the family chain that is broken, the parents having had the great fortune to rear a family of thirteen children, all of whom are rugged and hearty."

 

14. Julia Magdelene Bair (Joshua, William) was born on 13 Dec 1892 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA. She died on 7 Mar 1966 in Emporium, Cameron County, PA.

Julia married Leon Rex Felt on 1 Oct 1923 in Elkton, Cecil, MD. Leon was born on 11 Apr 1885. He died on 29 Mar 1948.

Her niece, Catherine Burke Wiest remembers, "Julia worked for Leon at his dental office as a dental assistant. At that time dentists took out tonsils and adenoids, too. He and Julia decided to go to Miami, Florida and open up a dental practice there. They got married in Maryland along the way. They had a gorgeous home on Rivo Alto Island, off of Miami Beach. They would come up for the summer to a camp they owned in Sizerville, on Cowley Run, in Cameron County PA. They had a lot of property in Florida, but lost a lot in 1928 at the start of the depression. There was a big hurricane that year that destroyed a lot of the property. Sara Burke and Aunt Julia were close, and Sara often took the train to Florida to visit Julia. After Uncle Leon retired, they bought a house on Sizerville Road, about 4 miles outside of Emporium. They called it Felt's Sanitarium, and it was for alcoholics. Leon's uncle had a formula for "detoxing" alcoholics. They had quite a business there. They then built a brick house on the same property and sold the sanitarium to Tony McNamara, and he and his mother lived there. After Leon died, Julia stayed in the house for a while, then bought a lot on North Broad Street and built a brick house. It was on a steep hill and became too much for her, so she later bought half a lot from Uncle Will and Aunt Hattie and built a small one bedroom, one bathroom house where she lived until she died." This author remembers visiting Aunt Julia at her home in Emporium, and attending her funeral.

Joshua Bair's Grandchildren, Circa 1908

Front Row: Edward Egan, Mary Burke, Henry Bair, Julia Fobert, Florence Lupold

Middle Row: Francis Burke, Sara Burke, Leo Fobert, Anna Egan, Cordella Bair, Catherine Egan, Edward Fobert, Edward Wiesman

Back Row: Basil Egan, George Bair, Frank Egan, Leo Egan, Mary Wiesman, Florence Wiesman

 

Sources

1. Dr. J.M. Deaver, attending physician, Affidavit in Pension record of Robert W. Bair., 22 Jun 1882, NARA. Affidavit by his father, William Bair.

2. Death Certificate #1590181, PA Division of Vital Records, New Castle, PA.

3. Data for Joshua and Mary Eva Bair and their immediate family taken from the family records of their granddaughter, Catherine Burke Wiest, and from the research of great-granddaughter, Patricia Burke Bijwaard, Roanoke, VA. Data on the additional generations of descendants of Joshua and Mary Eva Bair is from the research of Patricia Bijwaard.

4. Marriage Certificate 7 January 1868, in the possession of Catherine Becker Wiest Desmarais. Joshua and Mary Eva were married by Father Wendolin. The witnesses were Katie Rettger and Anthony Brubarger.

5. Personal Communication. This marriage date was supplied by their great-grandson, Richard Fobert. Patty Bijwaard's research shows a date of 13 Mar 1901. The date should be verified in the records of St. Marks church.

6. Personal Communication. Catherine Burke McFall Becker Wiest. After the death of George McFall, and Catherine Burke McFall's remarriage, Mary Alice McFall was adopted by her stepfather Hugo Becker on June 24, 1957.

7. Personal Communication. Catherine Burke McFall Becker Wiest. The godparents of Mary Alice McFall were Mary Burke Ettle and Anthony McNamara.

8. Personal Communication. Catherine Burke McFall Becker Wiest.

9. Personal Communication. Catherine Burke McFall Becker Wiest.

10. Personal Communication. Richard Fobert, 28 Sep 2002.