MEET THE FAMILY!
On July 27, 1921, Walter Ross Conner from McVeytown, Pennsylvania, married Bertha Jane Hancock from Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. He had graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, and she from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Their first home would be in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where Ross had a student pastorship at the Menomonee Falls Methodist Church while he was attending Garrett Theological Institute in Evanston, Ohio. Oh, how exciting their lives together looked! In June of 1923 they welcomed Robert Hancock "Bob"—just at the time of Ross's graduation! Within a few months, Ross accepted an appointment as the pastor of the Burlington Methodist Church. A couple years later along came Walter Ross Jr.! But their joyous life took a sudden turn. They were in the process of taking a new appointment to the Whitewater, Wisconsin, Methodist church when Bertha Jane became ill with pneumonia and passed away. On this 41st birthday, February 19, 1929, Ross was on a train, accompanying his lovely wife's body back to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, for burial.
Bertha was the daughter of Edward Robinson Hancock, Justice of the Peace (1872 - 1957), and Catherine Lucas Hancock (1868 - 1948). They had ten children—four girls and six boys. One boy, Elton Elias, died as a child less than four years old (13 Dec 1895 - 3 July 1899). All others lived to adulthood. Bertha (b. 1892) passed way at age 37. About a year and a half later Ruth Helen died. The remaining children all lived well into their late 70s or 80s. The nine children were:
1. Adah May Hancock, 10 Nov 1889 (Pennsylvania) - 8 Aug 1970 (Florida). M. Philip John Canova Jr.
2. Clyde Raymond Hancock, 18 July1891 (Runville, Centre County, Pennsylvania) - 10 Apr 1977 (Bradenton, Manatee, Florida). m. Edna Mae "Billy" Sheriff.
3. Bertha Jane Hancock, 11 Sept 1892 (Runville, Centre County, Pennsylvania) - 17 Feb 1929 (Burlington, Racine County, Wisconsin). m. Walter Ross Conner.
4. Dean Landis Hancock, 11 Feb 1897 (Runville, CentreCounty, Pennsylvania) - 27 Mar 1977 (Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania. m. Irene Campbell.
5. Gilbert Worden Hancock, 16 July 1899 - 27 May 1984 (Loganton, Clinton County, Pennsylvania). m. Laura Maud Hayden.
6. Millard Samuel "Coley" Hancock, 8 Nov 1901 - 31 Jan 1986. m. Gwendolyn Smutzinger.
7. Weldon Leslie Hancock, 19 July 1903 - 3 June 1979 (Sarasota County, Florida). m. Mildred Donaldson.
8. Ruth Helen Hancock, 19 Dec 1905 - 23 Sept 1930.
9. Mary Kathleen Hancock, 12 Jan 1910 (Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania) - 10 Mar 1990. m. James Willis Runk.
The following studio photographs are likely to be of the above children or their spouses—or their children! But, we can't rule out cousins, neighbors, or close friends. I welcome your comments and your suggestions, either in the comments below, or by e-mail darlene.sampley@gmail.com
