Children of David and Mary Truby - Ella

Julia Ellen "Ella" Truby
born:  7 Aug 1861 - Venango County, Pennsylvania
died:  Dec 5, 1939 - Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania

Ella was the 6th child of David and Mary Bortz Truby.  She was married to Isaac Newton Mahaffey on Mar 23, 1880 in Oil City.  The son of Perry Mahaffey and Elizabeth Silvis, Isaac was born July 8, 1856 in Gilpin Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and died Feb 6, 1949 in Russell, Warren County, Pennsylvania.  Isaac was a cooper by trade and worked in a barrel factory.  He owned his home at 14 Bradley Street in Warren. 

Warren Times Mirror - Thursday, Mar 24, 1938

 

obituary of Julia Ellen "Ella" Truby Mahaffey

Warren Times Mirror - Saturday, Dec 9,  1939

 

Warren Times Mirror - Monday, Feb 7, 1949

Isaac and Ella Mahaffey were the parents of:

 

1.  George Chester (Jan 27, 1882-Sept 14, 1955) married to Mary Gertrude Hauser (1886-1967), daughter of Gottleib Hauser and Margaret Krauss.  George and Mary were the parents of:

     Margaret Ellen (1907-1998) married to Jess T Launer (1909-1988) sometime between 1930 and 1940.  His father was born in Switzerland and his mother was born in West Virginia.  Jess and Ella lived in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio.  I don't know that they ever had any children.

     George Newton (1909-1988) married Lila K Drum (1912-2009).  She was the daughter of Nace Henry Drum and Ina Swonger.  George and Lila lived for a time in Gettysburg PA but they are buried in Frederick County, Maryland.  George died from carcinoma of the stomach.  I don't know if they had children.

2.  Thomas Earl  (Aug 2, 1883-Aug 30, 1961) married to Frances Miller (1890-1949).  He worked briefly with his father as a cooper in a barrel factory but then became the manager/owner of a grocery store.  The cause of death on Tom's death certificate was "cerebral vascular insufficiency".  Tom and Frances were the parents of:

     Mildred June (1914-1937) who was married to Edward Leroy "Roy" Fallon* in 1934.  Their brief marriage ended with the death of Roy in 1936 at the age of 31.  June soon followed at the tender age of 20 years 9 months from "broncho pneumonia secondary to acute tonsillitis with left peritonsillar abscess".  I don't know that any children were born to them during their short two years together.

     * I did look to see if I could find a relationship between Roy Fallon and "Late Night" talk show host, Jimmy Fallon.  Roy's father, John, was born in Ireland about 30 years after Jimmy's immigrant ancestor.  Roy's family migrated straight to Pennsylvania while Jimmy's stayed in Brooklyn from the 1880's on.  If there is a relationship it's further back than 1857 in Ireland so I was unable to find anything.

     Geraldine M. (b abt 1921) was married to William Brooks.  They were the parents of: Jeffrey, William, Roxanne and Scott.  I haven't been able to find anything on Geraldine since the 1940 census when she was still at home with her parents.  Unfortunately, the existence of Geraldine Brooks, a well-known actress of the same time period, makes a search for our Geraldine like finding a needle in a haystack.

 

Warren Times Mirror - Monday, Dec 12, 1949

 

 Warren County Observer - Friday, Sept 1, 1961

 

Warren County Observer - Tuesday, Sept 5, 1961

 

4.  Rose E (July 19, 1888-Apr 12, 1958).  She was apparently self employed as a distributor for Septico Products for septic tanks.  Rose, who was never married, died from "acute coronary occlusion with myocardial infarction" at the age of 69.
 

 

 Warren Times Mirror - Wednesday, Mar 12, 1958

one month before Rose's death

 

 Warren Times Mirror - Monday, Apr 14, 1958

 

Warren Times Mirror - Wednesday, Apr 16, 1958

 

 Warren Times Mirror - Tuesday, Aug 12, 1958

 

5.   Richard John (Oct 4, 1896-Mar 1, 1975) was married on May 19, 1920 to Dorothy Helen Pearson (1897-1975).  The daughter of John and Caroline Pearson, she was born in Sweden.  Richard was a PFC in the Army during World War I serving in Co H of the 56th Pioneer Infantry from Aug 1918-June 1919.  He fought in the battle at the Muese-Argonne.  Richard and Dorothy were the parents of:

     Frederick Richard (Feb 28, 1922-July 18, 2006) married to Vivian Marie Spangler, daughter of Clifford Marilla and Cecil Pochey.  Fred served in the US Army from Nov 1942-Oct 1945 with foreign service from July 1943-July 1945.  He was separated from service at Deshon General Hospital in Butler PA.  In 1961 Fred ran for and was elected to the Charter Commission of Painesville Twp, Lake County OH.  Fred and Vivian were the parents of:  Frederick D (Brian Fallon) and Peggy A (Rev Bill Pierce).

Warren Times Mirror - Thursday, May 19, 1960

    

6.  Ella Mae (Apr 10, 1898-Sept 1, 1961) was married three times.  She was married to Ray Gilbert Berdine in 1920.  He was born Mar 25, 1902 in New York and died Aug 10, 1927 in Warren.  They were the parents of:

     John Isaac (1921-1950) who married Leathia Gillingham.  He served in World War II from Nov 1942 to Dec 1845.  John died from "coronary occlusion".

     Raymond Junior (1924-1990). Ray worked for the Works Progress Admnistration (WPA) while still in high school.  He served in the Air Force during World War II from Mar 1943-Nov 1948 being discharged from Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC. 

 



obituary of Ray Gilbert Berdine

Warren Tribune -  Thursday, Aug 11, 1927

 

Warren Times Mirror - Monday, Nov 11, 1963

 

Ray Junior Berdine - Warren High School 1940

 



After Ray's death, Ella married Albert A Shepard on Aug 15, 1932 in Erie Co PA.  As far as I can tell, they had no children together.  He died before 1940.

 

Ella then married her 1st cousin, Lyman Irvin/Isaac Truby.   Guess it's a good thing they had no children together.  Lyman was born June 16, 1894 in Warren PA to John C and Henrietta Karnes Truby (her mother's brother and sister-in-law).  Lyman died on June 28, 1969 in Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado.  Interestingly, he has a marker in Oakland Cemetery (Warren) where Ella Mae is buried (with no date of death), but he also has a marker in Rose Hill Cemetery in Rifle, Colorado (where he is actually buried). 

 

 marriage record of Ella Mae Mahaffey and Lyman Truby

 

 

 

Warren County Observer - Tuesday, Sept 5, 1961

 

More about Lyman when I get to the children of John and Henrietta Truby. 

Children of David and Mary Truby - Annie and Mary

Anna Maria "Annie" Truby
born:  Aug 28, 1857 - Venango County, Pennsylvania
died:  Dec 15, 1923 - Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania

Mary Elizabeth Truby
born:  Mar 12, 1859 - Rockmere, Venango County, Pennsylvania
died:  Aug 29, 1937 - Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania

Annie Truby was the 4th child born to David and Mary.  She was married to James K Thompson, son of James and Louisa Myers Thompson.  He was born Jan 5, 1845 in Cranberry Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania and died July 23, 1923.  James and Annie are both buried at Grove Hill Cemetery in Oil City. 

 

They were the parents of John Henry Thompson who was born July 10, 1882 in Venango County, Pennsylvania.  He died Sept 27, 1947 in Corry, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  John was married to Mina "Minnie" Mitchell and they were the parents of:

     Alton Sylvester (1916-1960) married to Helen Irene Sterling.  He served in World War II from Sept 1943-Nov 1945.  Helen served in the Nurse Corps as well.  They were the parents of Ronald A Thompson (1947-2007).

     Alvin James (1916-1962) married to Mary May Smith.  Alton and Alvin were twins.

     Thelma Elmina (1917-2009) married Oliver Brown.  They were the parents of 16 adopted children and 91 foster children.  She wrote a book about her children, entitled "Bruised Blossoms".   (see photo below)

     Wilbert J (1919-1964) married to Florence Miller.  He was a World War II veteran, serving from Feb 1942-June 1943.  According to his death certificate he died from an acute cerebral thrombosis due to essential hypertension. 

Thelma Elmina Thompson Brown

great-niece of John C Truby

 

 

The fifth child of David and Mary Bortz Truby was Mary Elizabeth.  She married John Holiday Gordon who was born Mar 22, 1854 in Cherrytree, Venango County, Pennsylvania and died Dec 28, 1898 in Siverly, Venango County.  He was the son of Lewis H  Gordon and Cassandra Holiday.  They were the parents of 10 children:

 

1.  Linna/Lena/Linnie (abt 1876-Jan 7, 1917) was married to Christian B Heegel and they were the parents of Gordon Clifford and Jean Halliday Heegel.  She then was married to Franklin Wagner.  She died from "acute dilitation of stomach due to post-operative shock, adhesions of colon pylorus and duodenum" according to her death certificate.  She's buried at Grove Hill Cemetery in Oil City.

 

2.  Martha/Maude "Mattie" (June 5, 1877-June 1, 1933) was married to Charles Downing Bannon.  Mattie's death certificate lists her cause of death as "coronary occlusion and angina pectoris brought on by hypertension".  She and Charles are buried at Grove Hill.  Mattie and Charles were the parents of: 

     George L (b 1896) was married to Grace Nagle

     Arthur C (1897-1964) was married to Gertrude Ellis

     H Judson "Judd" (b 1902) was married to Anita G Bell 

     Caroline Evelyn (b 1905) 

     Irene (b 1910)

     Charles Gordon (b 1918)  who was married to Ruth Ann Lilly.   Charles and Ruth were the parents of Shirley and Linda (Sabousky).  Linda and I corresponded many years ago regarding our various family lines.

 

3.  George Lawrence (Mar 15, 1880-Nov 13, 1923.  His cause of death was chronic myocarditis and he is buried at Grove Hill Cemetery in Oil City. 

 

4.  Lewis Snyder (May 28,1882-Sept 9,1953) married Adelaide V Davis in 1905.  He served in World War I from Apr 1917-Nov 1917 as a Private in Co C of the 41st Regiment. 

 

5.  Harry (b Aug 1884)

 

6.  Bert N (Dec 30, 1886-Nov 12, 1907) was a fireman on the railroad at the time of his death from "mastoiditis and thrombosis of lateral sinus (abscess)".  Bert wasn't quite 21 years old, was single, and had been living with his brother, George, at No 8 Oak St in Oil City which was the same building Mary Truby was living in when she died but would have been two apartments over from her. 

 

7.  Clyde William (May 10,1889-Feb 19, 1971) was married to Bessie Dell English.  He was a machinist in a pipe line shop and a veteran of World War II.  Clyde and Bessie were the parents of:

     Truman B (1911-1967)

     Jack H (1913-1995) married to Virginia H

     Dorothy J (b abt 1915) was a 23-yr-old stenographer still living with her parents in 1940.

     William Clyde (1919-1988)

     Lois Elizabeth (1922-2010) married to Varnes Junior Borland (yes, Junior is actually his middle name).  Their daughter, K A Borland, is one of my DNA matches.

 

8.  Lloyd Elliot (Mar 13, 1892-Aug 22, 1963) who passed away from "carcinoma of the lung(primary bronchogenic)" was married to Rose E Irwin.  They were the parents of:

     Harry A (1914-1943) who died during World War II.   (see obituaries below)

After Rose's death in 1921, Lloyd married Caroline Dell Haber in 1923.  They were the parents of:

     Arland Lewis (1930-1995) who married Patricia Ann and was a welder.  He had served as an airman in the Korean War.  Arland and Patricia were the parents of Tami (Coovert), Debra (Thomas) and Rowdy.

     Virginia Ruth (1924-1995) was married to Robert Steele

 

 

 

9.  Victor Emanuel Sr (June 24, 1894-July 22, 1971) married Margaret Nelson who was born in Denmark.  He served During World War I from July 1917-Jan 1919 and was overseas from May 1918 to Nov 1918.  Victor had been wounded in the battle at Chateau Thierry which was a turning point in the war.  He and Margaret were the parents of: 

     Eugene N (1920-2010) served in World War II from Dec 1943-Dec 1945.  He married Mary Jane Black and they were the parents of David, Joel and Tim.  After Mary Jane's death in 1970, Gene married Betty Hipwell in 1974.

     Victor Emanuel Jr (1924-1924) was premature and only lived for 4 hours

     Margaret Ann "Maggie" (1929-2015) married Richard Yaple and they were the parents of Chris, Lisa, Stephen and Lori.

 

 

 

10.  Jack H (May 11, 1897-Jan 9, 1961) served in World War I from Oct 1917-Jan 1919.  He also fought at the battle of Chateau Thierry although he was not wounded as was his brother.  His death was due to "coronary occlusion, chronic bronchitis, and generalized arteriosclerosis".  Jack married Lillian E Keane and they were the parents of Carol and Sally. 



 

  

 

Children of David & Mary Truby - Jane and Belle

As you know, Ula's father, John Calvin Truby, was the oldest child of David and Mary Bortz Truby.  Over the years, I was able to learn a lot about John's siblings and have even met some of their descendants.  Over time, the families have spread out all over the country.  We even have a kinship that involves Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy" fame.  (Whenever I can, I will show their cause of death so that we can all try to be more cognizant of the health issues which run in our family.)  I hope you will enjoy getting to know John's sisters and their families.

Harriet Jane Truby
born:  22 Jul 1851 - Pennsylvania
died:  15 Apr 1874 - Venango County, Pennsylvania

Sarah Isabelle "Belle" Truby
born:  4 Apr 1854 - Venango County, Pennsylvania
died:  10 Nov 1925 - Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

Harriet Jane Truby married Jacob Gates Downing on Dec 24, 1868 in Oil City. He was born Apr 28, 1843 in Cranberry Twp, Venango County and died July 14, 1922 in Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania.   He was the son of Robert and Jane Downing and had been a private in Co F of the 121st Pennsylvania Infantry from November, 1862 to Dec 31, 1864.  Jacob was a prosperous farmer and oilman in Butler County.  

 

Jane and Jacob were the parents of:
 

1.  Mary Jane "Minnie" Downing (Oct 17, 1869-1951 Stark Co OH) who was married to Robert James McGinnis on June 20, 1889 in Butler County, Pennsylvania.  They were the parents of Mabel Elizabeth (Mar 14, 1897-Jan 23, 1989 Stark Co OH).  Mabel was married to Lawrence O'Haren on Aug 14, 1918 in Schuykill County, Pennsylvania.  

     Robert died on May 31, 1898 and Jane then married Duncan McDonald on Mar 1, 1904 in New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.  They were the parents of Walter who was born about 1910.  

     Duncan died on Apr 28, 1912 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and Mary Jane then married Adam Applegate on Apr 21, 1914.  He passed away on Oct 31, 1945 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio.  
 

2.  Robert Epley Downing (Apr 6, 1871-July 29, 1943, Tulsa OK) who married Edith E Ganoe.  They were the parents of:  Grace (abt 1897-OH), Robert E (b 1899-WV), Mary E (b 1901-WV), Isabel (abt 1903-WV), Elmer James (abt 1905-OH), Hilda V (abt 1910-OH), Philip (abt 1914-OK) and William (abt 1915-OK).
 

 



Robert Epley Downing - about 1936

 nephew of John C Truby

 

 

3.  Anna Isabelle Downing (Aug 7, 1872-Dec 4, 1953) was married to Amos Edward Miller on Jan 8, 1895 in Mahoning County, Ohio.  They were the parents of: 

     Mary (b Feb 1895)

     Edward (b Aug 1897)

     Helen (b Jan 1900)  

     Albert Gates (July 9, 1902-Jan 6, 1977)

     Margaret (abt 1905)

     Edith (abt 1908)

     Martha (abt 1911)

     Frederick D (abt 1914)

     William L (abt 1916).



 

 

 

After Jane's death on Apr 15, 1874, Jacob married her sister, Belle, on Oct 29, 1874. At that time in history, men typically weren’t involved in caring for small children and it was not at all unusual for a man (or a woman, for that matter) to marry a sibling of their deceased spouse. 

Sarah Isabelle "Belle" Truby and Jacob Gates Downing

sister and brother-in-law of John C Truby

 

Belle and Jacob were the parents of nine children:
 

1.  Dora Ellen Downing (Nov 10, 1876-May 18, 1948) married William Wesley Wise in 1894.  Dora died from acute myocarditis secondary to chronic myocarditis and myocardial degeneration.  (see photo below)  They were the parents of:
 

     Frank Walter (Aug 11, 1895-Sept 22, 1927) married Edith Barbara Harper in 1918.  They were the parents of Harold Wesley, Dorothy and Doris.  He "dropped dead in the plant of the Herman Pneumatic Co from heart failure" according to his obituary.
 

     Ella May (June 19, 1897-Nov 18, 1951) married Edward Knauss.  Her cause of death was coronary thrombosis secondary to chronic rheumatic heart disease, congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus.
 

     Clair Wesley (Jan 31, 1899-Oct 31, 1970) married Gladys A Brown.  They were the parents of Clair Wesley Jr.
 

     Nora Irene (Oct 8, 1900-Aug 1985) married William George Yohn
 

     Grace Eldred (Feb 21, 1902-Oct 22, 1963) married Floyd B Kennedy.  She had been "found dead in her bed" but had been "previously treated for vasospastic disease" as stated on her death certificate.
 

     Pearl Elizabeth (Feb 4, 1904-Dec 11, 1993) married Norman Clair Ross.  After Norman's death in 1964, Pearl married Elias Goehring.  Norman and Pearl had a daughter, Eleanor Jeanne Ross (b 1933), who is still living.  Jeanne married Raymond Stutz and they were the parents of Sandra, Michael and Daniel as well as Carol Ann (Dec 18, 1955-May 24, 2016).  Carol was married to George Nazaruk and they had two adopted children.   (see photo below)
 

William Wesley Wise and Dora Ellen Downing with two of their children

Dora - niece of John C Truby 

 

Carol Stutz Nazaruk, Michael Stutz, Eleanor Jeanne Ross Stutz, Sandra Stutz and Daniel Stutz
 

"Jeanne" is the 2nd great-niece of John C Truby.  Her children are John's 3rd great nieces and nephews.  I was fortunate enough to meet and have lunch with Jeanne and Carol on a 2004 visit to PA.  The very first thing I noticed was Jeanne's "Truby white" hair.  I was greatly saddened by Carol's passing this past year as we had corresponded for many years.  She was a very nice lady and she is the one who provided the photo of Belle and Jacob.

 

2.  Della Mae Downing (Aug 1880-July 13, 1965) married William George Hicks in 1897.  After his death she married Harry Kettler.  Will and Della were the parents of 13 children:
 

     Herbert Theodore (Feb 25, 1897-Dec 1979) married Ethel F.
 

     Anna Belle (Apr 1899-1977) married Richard O'Grady.  They were the parents of Richard D and Roy W.
 

     Katie (b May 1900-bef 1910)
 

     Mary Ellen (May 17, 1900-Aug 30, 1982) married Earl Henry Young.  They were the parents of Helen G (Domenick Verner), Thelma Marie (Joseph McCabe), Janet Wilda (Paul Peters), Genevieve W "Jean" (Donald Ripper) and Henry Earl.   (see photo below) 
 

     William George (1902-Jan 27, 1969) married Edna E Walker.  They were the parents of George E (Betty Fehl), Doris (Bauder) and Janet (Thomas Maxwell).
 

     Albert G (abt 1905)
 

     Joseph Leroy (Feb 15, 1906-Mar 15, 1906) pneumonia
 

     Emma Cleola (Nov 28, 1908-Mar 28, 1971) married Albert Blair Walker.  They were the parents of Grace Lucille (Cornell), Harry Blair and William George.
 

     Della M (Mar 8, 1909-Apr 23, 1991) married Walter Domhoff.  They were the parents of Clifford Eugene.
 

     Mildred (abt 1914-after 1982) married Earl Hodge.  They were the parents of Ruth O and Allan.
 

     Robert (abt 1916-after 1982)
 

     Laura Belle "Susie" (Jan 22, 1918-Oct 11, 1998) married Cyril Welsh
 

Mary Ellen Downing and Earl Henry Young

Mary is the great-niece of John C Truby.  She looks a great deal like my grandmother, Henrietta Truby Gray

 

3.  Mabel Clara (May 5, 1882-Oct 28, 1953) married to Henry J Kline in 1901.  Her cause of death was post coronary thrombosis due to arteriosclerosis, hypertension and myocarditis.  They were the parents of Frank.

 

4.  Elizabeth Foster (Aug 19, 1884-Jan 16, 1944) married Thomas Sylvester Piper in 1903.  She died from organic heart disease and dropsy.  They were the parents of 10 children:  Goldie (Emil Daniel), Pearl, Beulah, Hiram S "Harry" (Mae), Thomas S, James R, Frank J, Isabel S, Elizabeth Foster (Floyd Henry Reinhart) and an unknown infant.  I have several Piper related DNA matches.

 

5.  John Albert (June 23, 1886-Oct 27, 1964) married Mabel F Flinner.

 

6.  Lucian Merritt (Apr 13, 1888-1961) married Sara Morris.  Lucian's cause of death was pulmonary edema brought on by arterio-sclerotic heart disease, sub-total gastrectomy, diabetes mellitus, duodenal ulcer and massive duodenal hemorrhage.  They were the parents of Wilbur M, Lucian F and Merritt.

 

7.  Alice Atwilda (b Jan 7, 1891) married Frank Hauber

 

8.  Edith Eldred (Sept 8, 1892-May 31, 1969) married Clyde O Miller.  They were the parents of Clara Mae (William List), Mary Lou (Jack C Stockard) and Thelma Menchyk.
 

Edith Eldred Downing Miller - niece of John C Truby

 

9  Mildred (July 5, 1901-July 6, 1976) married Ralph L Isenberg.
 

 



 Death Certificate of Sarah Isabelle Truby Downing

cause of death is some sort of "heart exhaustion" due to mitral insufficiency
 





 

obituaries of Sarah Isabelle Truby Downing

 



News-Herald - Wednesday, Nov 11, 1925 

Mary Bortz Truby

Mary "Polly" Bortz Truby
born:  about 1833 - Pennsylvania
died:  17 Apr 1900 - Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania

The wife of David Truby, and mother of John Calvin Truby, was Mary Truby.  Polly was a very common nickname for women named Mary in the 1800's. 

Tracking down her maiden name was quite a puzzle in the beginning of my research back in the 1980's.  However, as more and more information has become available, I have been able to determine that Mary's maiden name was Bortz (sometimes spelled Borts). 

The Venango Co death record index shows that her father's name was George Borts and I estimate his date of birth to be somewhere around 1808.  Again, because the census did not list all members of the household prior to 1850 (when Mary was already married to David), I have been unable to place Mary in a household with her parents thereby verifying this information.

When definitive documentation is not present, you need to analyze all of the available documents and form an opinion based upon the preponderance of the evidence.  Using as many death certificates as I could find for David and Mary's children, I believe that Mary's maiden name was in fact Bortz:

death certificate of Henrietta Kane - Polly Boarts (informant - sister, Mary Gordon)
death certificate of Mary Gordon - Polly Stover (informant - son, Clyde Gordon)
death certificate of Julia Ellen Mahaffy - Mary Stewart (informant - son, T E Mahaffy)
death certificate of Clara McCollum - Mary Bortz (informant - husband, Geo B McCollum)
death certificate of Annie Thompson - Mary Bortz (informant - husband, John Thompson)
death certificate of Sarah Downing - Sarah Truby (informant - son, Merret Downing)
death certificate of John Truby - unknown (informant - State Hospital)

 

When analyzing this, you need to consider who provided the information.  In other words, the people closest in time to Mary would be the ones who would provide the most accurate information.  In this case, Mary Gordon was herself a daughter of Mary Truby and would stand a better chance of correctly knowing her mother's maiden name than her son, Clyde Gordon.  The husbands of Clara and Annie are more likely to know the correct maiden name of Mary than Sarah's son, Merret.  And, the information provided for Mary's death record would have been provided by one of her children who most likely would have actually known their grandfather.

 

Little is known of Mary's life other than what is shown in the censuses.  Some time after David's death about 1882, Mary moved into an apartment in Oil City.  Most likely her daughters, Anna and Etta, would have wanted their mother closer to be better able to care for her.  Clara, who was single, lived with her mother.

 

This photo of Mary's residence at No 12 Oak Street was taken in 1999.  The building was more than 100 years old at the time and would have been much nicer when Mary lived there in 1900.  It contained four apartments and hers was the one closest to the camera in the right hand corner of the building.  She would have had her own entrance, porch and an upstairs.  Since this photo was taken the building has been torn down and when I was there in 2005 it was a vacant lot.  The house stood high on a hill, and as a reference point, in the photo below, it was located two blocks to the right of the church with the double steeples. 

Oil City is divided by the Allegheny River.  Mary lived on the north side.  The photo below was taken from the parking lot of the church and looks over to the south side of the river which is the view Mary would have had from the back side of her apartment.

Mary died on Apr 17, 1900 at the age of 67.  It appears she had suffered a stroke.  She is buried at Fertigs Cemetery (which was previously known as Centreville Cemetery).



                              published in the Oil City Derrick on Apr 17, 1900

 published in the Oil City Derrick on Apr 18, 1900

Truby History

It is widely held that the first Truby (Trubi/Drubi) immigrant to this country was Christopher (Christofel/Christian) along with his wife, Maria Catherine.  Christopher was born about 1701 in Switzerland.  Having fled from France in 1685, the “Trubi’s” were living in Switzerland near the source of the Rhine River.

From 1738 to 1743, large numbers of French Huguenots and Palatinate families, with some Swiss and Germans, settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania seeking refuge from religious persecution.  Only slightly ahead of this movement, Christopher and Maria came to Pennsylvania from Switzerland aboard the ship Brittania, of London, having sailed from Rotterdam on 21 Sept 1731.

Not being of English citizenship, Christopher “Trewbey” was naturalized in 1740 taking his oath of allegiance to the British Monarch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He was shown to be a Quaker at the time.  It isn’t clear whether he was actually a practicing Quaker or simply took his oath at the same time as a group of Quakers and was “lumped into” the Quaker group.  As a Colonel in the Revolution, he obviously bore arms and fought, which generally goes against the Quaker faith.  Truby’s in this country have tended to live in German oriented communities and have attended German churches.  The early records of their births and marriages are found in German Lutheran and Reformed churches, causing me to believe he was not actually a practicing Quaker.

Christopher Truby was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War and his descendants are well documented for several generations by those who became members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) (mostly in the early 1900’s, much closer in time to Christopher’s nearest descendants than us).  Most Truby researchers claim to descend directly from Col. Truby and his six children.

However, after 30-plus years of research, attempts to document the pedigree of our David Truby have been fruitless to date.  I have been unable to find documentation of David’s parents and cannot link him to any of the known descendants of Christopher.  There is a David Truby (married to Mary Jackson) who is definitely a descendant of Col. Truby, however, this is not our David and Mary.  I have proof that our David and Mary stayed in Venango County, Pennsylvania until their deaths and had at least 10 children.  David (the proven descendant of Col. Truby) and his wife, Mary, moved to Missouri and had no children.  I have found documentation to prove that as well.  So despite the fact that these two David’s were born within a  couple years of each other and lived in neighboring counties in Pennsylvania, since they were living in different states at the exact same time in later life, I know that they are two separate couples with the same names.  Also, the 1850 census shows our David Truby (born about 1827) living in Venango County, another David Truby (born about 1828) living in Butler County and David Truby (descendant of Col. Christopher Truby, born about 1832) living in Armstrong County...all at the same time.  And apparently there was still another David Truby about the same age who lived in Clarion County. 

There were a pair of brothers (Andrew and Jacob Truby) living in Venango County, Pennsylvania who could be possible fathers for our David, however, I can find no documentation linking him to either of them.  I also have found no other researchers who claim to descend from these brothers.  Everyone apparently wants to be a descendant of the Revolutionary War soldier.  It is noteworthy, however, that Andrew and Jacob, for a time, ran the Truby Hotel which was on a river in Venango Co.  Our David did happen to own two flatboats and was a retail dealer in liquor, so....

I have spoken with and met a few other descendants of our David and Mary.  In comparing our notes, it seems that we all hit the proverbial brick wall with David and Mary. My narrative of Ula’s ancestors is restricted only to known, documented ancestors.

David Truby

David L Truby
born:  1825-1830 - Pennsylvania
died:   about 1882 - Fertigs, Venango County, Pennsylvania

 

The parents of John Calvin Truby were David L Truby and Mary "Polly" Bortz.

Establishing David's true date of birth is frustrating as no two documents match.  One thing to keep in mind is that we don't know who provided the information to the census taker.  It could have been the individual named, one of the children in the family, or even a neighbor, so ages and places of birth are not always accurate.  The 1850 census was the first to list the names of all members of the household.  All prior censuses only listed the name of the head of the household.

1850 census - 23  (1827)
1860 census - 30  (1830)
1870 census - 45   (1825)
1880 census - 54  (1826)
grave marker  -  1830

David was born somewhere between 1825 and 1830.  I've been unable to find any documentation of David prior to the June 1, 1850 census in Cranberry Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.  David is 23 years old and a farmer.  Since no value was given for his property, it can be inferred that he rented his farm.  Mary was 18 and had just given birth to John C who was enumerated in the neighboring Brandon-Moorhead household most likely due to complications of her delivery.

 

Interestingly, Cranberry Township was established in 1830 and is Venango County's largest township.  The earliest settler was Samuel Lindsay, followed by Andrew Downing, Isaac Smith, John Hays and brothers William and John Brandon.  (The same William Brandon whose family John is enumerated with shortly after his birth.)  Oil production in Cranberry Twp was second only to Oil Creek Twp.  The first wells were in the Pinoak area just south of Oil City.

The census of June 1, 1860 has the family living in Hickory Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.  David is 30 years old and working as a day laborer.  He has a personal estate of $100.  (This may have consisted of a watch or silver utensils.  It may also have been some sort of furniture or tool.)  Mary is 26 years old.  John and Jane are both 10 years old even though they are not twins.  The rest of the family consists of Sarah (7), Ann (4) and Mary E (1).

 

In 1862, David Truby of Cranberry Twp is assessed taxes on 2 flat boats valued at $230.  This amounts to $6.90 in taxes. 

 

 

However, an 1863 tax assessment of David Truby in Allegheny Twp shows him to be a retail dealer in liquor owing a tax of $8.34.  "Allegheny" Twp may have been incorrect as it appears David was in Cranberry Twp during 1862 and 1864 so was most likely still in Cranberry Twp during 1863.

 

 

The 1864 tax assessment again shows David to be a retail dealer of liquor in Cranberry Twp owing a tax of $12.50.  Business is either booming or the tax rates have been increased.

 

 

There are some researchers on ancestry.com who have claimed that our David Truby fought in the Civil War.  I have never found any documentation to positively support that theory.  To the contrary, I believe that the tax assessments shown above tend to prove that he, in fact, did not fight in the Civil War.  Furthermore, I was unable to find an application for a civil war pension filed by either David or Mary.  But I did find a Veterans Burial Record showing that David Truby, who fought in the Civil War, is buried in Center Cemetery located in Mineral Twp rather than Fertigs Cemetery in Pinegrove Twp.

 

The June 1, 1870 census puts David (45) and Mary (38) within the Post Office District of Porterfield, Cranberry Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.  David is now listed as a laborer with a personal estate valued at $1,000 which is a huge increase from 1860.  If he was running a tavern and/or providing ferry transport during the war, he must have done a pretty lucrative business.   

 

 On June 1, 1880 the family is still in Cranberry Twp, David is 54 years old.  He had previously worked as a "laborer" but is shown to be disabled from rheumatism which prevented him from being able to work the entire 12 months from June 1, 1879 to June 1, 1880.  This census also shows that David was able to read and write and that both of his parents were born in Pennsylvania.  Mary is 46 years old and not able to read or write.  John (29) is a laborer who has been out of work for 9 months during the census year.  Maria (23) is unable to write.  Henrietta (15) not only attended school but also "works out" doing housework for others while Margaret (12) and Clara (8) both attended school.

According to the grave marker at Fertigs Cemetery, David died in 1882.  I cannot confirm that as this marker was not erected until some time after Mary's death in 1900 and the dates on it are not necessarily accurate.  I do know that the dates given for Laura are not correct as shown (1871-1873) as she is 6 months old on the June 1, 1870 census and therefore would have most likely been born in December, 1869.  Consequently if the person who ordered the marker knew she was 2 years old when she died, then she probably died in 1871 rather than 1873. 



                   Fertigs Cemetery  -  Fertigs, Venango County


A history of Mary and the children will be posted later.