Ralph John St. Clair

M, (10 July 1892 - 20 September 1964)
Father-Biological*Benjamin St. Clair1 b. 11 Oct 1870, d. 1968
Mother-Biological*Susan E. Day1 b. 11 Aug 1873, d. 23 Jun 1901
Last Edited=8 Sep 2026
Grave Marker of Ralph and Ruth St. Clair
     Ralph John St. Clair was born on 10 July 1892 at Gillespieville (no Londonderry), Ross County, Ohio.2,3,4,5,6,7,8 He was the son of Benjamin St. Clair and Susan E. Day.1 Ralph, age 7, appeared on the US Census of 1900 living at Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio,in the household of his parents, Benjamin and Susan E. St. Clair.2 Ralph, age 18, appeared on the US Census of 1910 living at Irvin Avenue, Scioto, Ross County, Ohio,in the household of his parents, Benjamin and St. Clair. He was working as a hardware clerk.9

Ralph married first on 9 June 1912, Sarah Alice Thompson, the daughter ofJames andAlice Thompson. She was born 10 December 1889 in Jackson, Jackson County, Ohiio and died 14 February 1959. She later married in 1919, William Stanley Tatman (1875–1962).
Children:
1. Annabel St. Clair (1914-2005.)10,1


On 5 June 1917, Ralph registered for the World War I draft, while living at 210 Cable Avenue, East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, giving his age as 26 and his employer as the F Suberts Hotel.8

Ralph John St. Clair, age 25, married Cora Mary Brindle, age 22 , daughter of John George Brindle and Ethel McMichael, on 20 April 1918 at Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.11,1 He enlisted in the US Army on 29 May 1918. He served as an Army instructor and was discharged 9 August 1919.12,3,4,6 Ralph, age 27 years, and Cora St. Clair, age 24 years, appeared on the US Census of 1920 at Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.13 According to the Federal Census in 1920, Ralph was a stocksman in a mine and supply company.13 Ralph, age 37 years, and Cora St. Clair, age 34 years, appeared on the US Census of 1930 at Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.14 According to the Federal Census in 1930, Ralph was a laborer in an electric power plant.14 Ralph, age 47 years, and Cora St. Clair, age 44 years, appeared on the US Census of 1940 at Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.15 According to the Federal Census in 1940, Ralph was doing mechanical maintenance.15 On in 1942, Ralph registered for the World War II draft, while living at 1 East Willow Street, Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, giving his age as 49 and his employer as the West Penn Power Company.5 Ralph's wife, Cora, died on 8 June 1944; from a coronary thrombosis.4,3

Ralph married third on 29 June 1946 Ruth Lucille Weaver, the daughter of Calvinand Medora May Weaver. She was born 1899 in Pennsylvania and died about 1992 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.16,12,1 Ralph and an unknown person wedding announcement of 3 July 1946, reads:

Ruth Weaver Wed
To R. S. St. Clair
In Bethlehem


Ruth Lucille Weaver, daughter of Mrs. Calvin A.

Weaver and the late Calvin Weaver, 823 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem, and Ralph J. St. Clair. 345 Korhand St., Springdale, near Pittsburgh, son of Benjamin L. St. Clair, of Ohio, were married at 10 a. m., Saturday in Christ Evangelical and Reformed church, Bethlehem, by Rev. A. A. Welsh.

The bride wore a white embroidered eyelet street drsss with a band of flowers in her hair and a corsage of gardenias. Edna M. Weaver her sister's attendant, was dressed in pink with a corsage of yellow rosebuds.

H. L. Williams, brother-in-law of the bride, was best man. Ushers INcluded Archibald Speck, Butztown, and Arthur Arbogast, Easton R. 3. A reception for the immediate family was held at the Weaver home. some years in Bethlehem

The bride has teachings for schools after having gained experience in Allegheny county schools. She attended Muhlenberg and Pennsylvania State colleges. Mr. St. Clair was educated at Chillicothe, O., and is an employe of West Penn Power plant at Springdale. He is veteran of World War 1, having de served in the army as an instructor.

Published by The Allentown Morning Call, 3 July 1946.12


Ralph, age 57 years, appeared on the US Census of 1950 on 636 Garfield Street, Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, living with his third wife, Ruth. He was a foreman for an electric power compay and w.16 He died on 20 September 1964 at St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, at age 72 from bronchopneumonia with pulmonary edema.17,3,4,6,7 Ralph's obituary of 21 September 1964, reads:

Ralph St. Clair

Ralph J. St. Clair, 72, of 1766 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, Pa., died at 3:15 a.m., Sunday, in a Bethlehem hospital following a week's illness. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben St. Clair, 913 Dayton St., who survive, along with his wife Ruth. Mr. St. Clair retired seven years ago after more than 30 years with the West Penn Power Co., Springdale, Pa.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, in Bethlehem.

Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are a daughter, Mrs. Carl Chenault of Wilmington, two sisters, Mrs. Frank Griesheimer, 432. Laurel St., and Mrs. Joe Camp, Wyoming, Ill., and three grandchildren.

Published by The Chillicothe Gazette, 21 September 1964.17


Ralph was buried on 23 September 1964 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in Maplewood section.17,3,4,6

Compeller's Notes:
Birth: His birth certificate clearly states he was born in Gillespieville, Ohio. However, later documentation lists Chillicothie as his birth place which is 11 miles from Londondarry which is the modern name for Gillespieville. My assumption is that the birth certificate is correct, but that Ralph thoght he was born in Chillicothe.

Citations

  1. Ancestry.com. Ancestry Member Trees - Use with Caution. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations.
  2. Census Bureau. 1900 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2004.
  3. Department of Health, Record Group. Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1973. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2014.
  4. Find-a-Grave. Online https://www.findagrave.com/
  5. United States, Selective Service System. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  6. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012. Provoi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  7. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
  8. United States, Selective Service System. U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2005.
  9. Census Bureau. 1910 U.S. Federal Census. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2006.
  10. Ancestry.com. Ohio, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1774-1993. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2016.
  11. Caudill, Mary Anne "Brindles." E-mail message from ocalagrl (at) aol.com at unknown address. 3 December 2009.
  12. Allentown Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 3 July 1946.
  13. Census Bureau. 1920 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  14. Census Bureau. 1930 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2002.
  15. Census Bureau. 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2012.
  16. Census Bureau. 1950 U.S. Federal Census. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2022.
  17. Chillicothe Gazette, "Ralph St. Clair" Chillicothe, Ohio, 21 September 1964.