Steele, Anna Byrne

Notes:

OBIT (Huntington Herald Dispatch, September 23, 1946): Robert Roderick Steele, 69, who with a brother established what was said to have been Huntington's first funeral home more than 30 years ago, died last night about 6:45 p.m. in an ambulance while en route to a hospital after being stricken ill at his hone on Pea Ridge Road. A physician attributed death to a heart attack. Mr. Steele had conducted a funeral yesterday afternoon and afterward left the funeral home and went home. While eating dinner he arose from the table, complaining of feeling ill. He walked into the living room and collapsed. A Steele Funeral Home ambulance was summoned to take him to the hospital, but he died in the arms of Ray Black, one of his employees, before the ambulance reached the hospital. Friends said Mr. Steele had been in ill health for some time, but did not complain until recently. He was born at McArthur 0. on May 6, 1877. His father was a teacher and young Robert Steele attended the public schools in that area and later studied at a business college. His first position in his chosen profession was with the Rollins Funeral Home at Rutland, O., which was operated in connection with a harness shop. Later he went on the road as a salesman for the Durfee Embalming Fluid Co. of Grand Rapids Mich. He went to Charleston as embalmer for P. A. Simpson and in 1911 cane to Huntington to join I. H. H. Hohwade Son, who also operated a furniture store. Three years later hr. Steele entered the profession for himself with the establishment on Eleventh Street, and about 1915 he and his brother, the late Ervin D. Steele, operating as Steele Brothers, opened what was reported to have been Huntington's first funeral home at 1133 Third Avenue. Shortly thereafter, they purchased the B. T. Davis residence at 1128 Third Avenue and moved their funeral home there. In 1937 they moved to the present location in the F. B. Enslow property at 1307 Third Avenue. After the death of James E. Johnston, who operated the Johnston Undertaking Co. on downtown Fourth Avenue, Mr. Steele purchased that business and combined it with his own. At the time of his death, Mr. Steele was the sole owner of the mortuary bearing his name, having bought the interest of Ervin Steele, who died four months ago yesterday. Mr. Steele was for many years a member of Johnson Memorial Church and served on the board of stewards and as a trustee. He was a member of the Rotary and 6uyandot Clubs, the Elks lodge, Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A 32nd degree Mason, he also was affiliated with the York Rite and the Shrine. He was prominent in state and national organizations of his profession. Mr. Steele was a candidate for the Republican nomination for sheriff of Cabell County in 1944. Miss Marguerite McClain, a niece of Mr. Steele and secretary at the funeral home, was in Cincinnati en route to a convention in Chicago when word of Mr. Steele's death reached her, and she made arrangements to return immediately to Huntington with James Green, a student at Cincinnati. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Green. His father has been associated with the funeral home and his mother was a niece of Mr. Steele. Surviving Mr. Steele are the widow, the former Miss Dora Ethel Hooper of Rutland, to who he was married in 1899; two daughters, Mrs. Leonard Riggleman of Charleston, wife of the president of Morris Harvey College who was the forcer Miss Pauline Steele, and Mrs. Thomas Bartlett, Jr., of Marlin Tex., the forcer Miss Anna Byrne Steele, a sister, Mrs. Rosa Braley of Wellston, 0.; a brother, D. E. S. Steele of Oklahoma, and three grandchildren, Roberta Riggleman of Charleston and Nancy and Martha Bartlett of Marlin. The body was taken to the funeral home. Arrangements for services had not been completed last night, but plans were made to entomb the body in a crypt in Woodmere Abbey.

Robert married Hooper, Dora Ethel on 8 Jan 1899 in Rutland, Meigs, Ohio, USA. Dora was born on 11 Aug 1878 in Meigs County, Ohio, USA; died on 2 Jan 1976 in Charleston, Kanawha, West Virginia, USA; was buried . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jasper N. Steele was a school teacher. He lived most of his life in South-Eastern Ohio as can be seen in the birthplaces of his children. Jasper moved from Wellston, OH to Huntington, West Virginia with his son Ervin in 1914. Nothing much is known of his wife, Mary Ervin.

OBIT (Huntington Herald Dispatch, Nov 26, 1921): After funeral rites are observed at the late home in this city, the body of J. N. Steele 75, who died yesterday morning after a brief illness, will be taken to Wellston, O. Services will be held at the Methodist church there and interment will be made at the Wellston cemetery. Mr. Steele had resided in this city for the past eight years, living with his son, E. D. Steele at 1207 Ninth Avenue. He is survived by three sons, E. D. and R. R. Steele, local undertakers, John D. of Hamden, 0., one daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Braley of Ewington, O., a sister, Mrs. R.A. Swearingen of West Carrollton, 0., and one brother, William Steele of Cambridge 0. He was born in Pennsylvania, May 18 1846 and while very young moved to Jackson County, 0., Where he obtained his early education. He was graduated with a law degree but never practiced, although he was admitted to the bar. For twenty-eight years he was active in schoolwork, both in his old home at Wellston and in the Ohio State schools. After coming to Huntington he retired from active work. The funeral services are to be held here at the late residence at four o'clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. C. E. Goodwin will conduct the services.

Jasper married Ervin, Mary on 9 Oct 1873 in Jackson, Jackson, Ohio, USA, and was divorced about 1890. Mary was born in 1856; died in 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Their sons never knew their mother and in later life her son Robert searched for her, found her and tried to talk to her. But, she wouldn't even talk to her son.
This story was related to me by my father (comment by Arthur Steele, Jr.)

Notes:

- Rev. Peter Gray

Robert Moore Steele appears to have lived in Centre County, Pennsylvania until 1846 (34 yrs. old). He is listed as a Justice of the Peace in Huston Township on 4/15/1846 and his son Jasper was born there 5/18/1846. Shortly thereafter he removed his family to Lawrence County, OH. Census reports list him as a laborer in Elizabeth Township in 1850, and as a collier in Milton Township, Jackson County, OH in 1860. Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12/10/1861 to serve for 3 years. He was 1st Sergeant to Captain John Cook, Company K, 56th Regiment, OH Volunteer Infantry. He received a medical discharge on 9/6/1862 at Columbus, OH. The reason given for the medical discharge is "Eczema". His address on the discharge was Reeds Mills, Vinton County, OH. His Army discharge describes R.M. Steele as 6 feet in height; dark complexion; Hazel eyes; Grey hair. His occupation when he enlisted was "Furnaceman". His age on the discharge was 44, however he was actually 50 according to family records and census reports. This discrepancy implies that Robert reduced his age (lied?) so as to be able to enlist in the Army. His son Robert added a couple years to his age so as to enlist, and his son's George and James were also in the Army.

Robert married Leebrick (Lebrick), Caroline Belinda on 21 Oct 1836 in Petersburg, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, USA. Caroline (daughter of Leebrick, Daniel Henry and Peters, Elizabeth) was born on 6 Apr 1816 in Virginia, USA; died on 11 Apr 1900 in Hamden, Vinton, Ohio, USA; was buried . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

- Rev. Peter Gray