Fourth Generation
Winfield Paul Tharnish was born on May 13, 191421, the second child of William Tharnish and Bessie Skinner. He was likely born at Canisteo, New York, where is his parents were living in 191529. By 1920, his family had moved to Sardinia, New York30, and in 1925, his family was living in Aurora, New York31.
Winfield had an active life. Not only did he have four wives, but he had an active business life. As his obituary describes62, "he was a carpenter for the C.A. Batt Construction Co. and bred, trained and showed quarter horses. He was one of the founders of the Western New York Quarter Horse Association. He was also a member of the Aurora Trail Rides, the Niagara Frontier Horsemen's Association and the Empire State Quarter Horse Association. In addition to other awards, he received the Erie County Fair Endowment Fund Award for his involvement in the fair".
On November 17, 1934, Winfield married Iris E. Reader at West Falls63. Iris was born on December 7, 191576, the daughter of Walter Reader and his wife Edna65. They eventually settled in Lackawanna, New York, where their children were born. On May 26, 1935, Iris gave birth to twin girls60. She died three days later on May 29, 193564.Note: Iris surname is Reader, not Redder31,65,76. The latter is commonly found in writings about the Tharnish family.
The children of Winfield and Iris are:
Fifth Generation
| i. | Iris Tharnish | Iris was born on May 26, 193560, and she died on January 28, 2020.60. Iris married Chadwick G. Shelley. |
| ii. | Irene Lee Tharnish | Irene was born on May 26, 193560, and she died on March 15, 201061. Irene married (1) ____ Clark, (2) ____ Quinn, (3) Dale L. Slocum, (4) James E. Thorman and (5) John M. Hernandez. |
On November 20, 1937, Winfield married Dorothy M. Persons, at Ebenezer, New York67. Dorothy was born on November 16, 1919, at Buffalo, New York66. The 1940 Census shows Winfield living in the Town of Aurora with Dorothy and three young children33; the twins from his first marriage and an additional, 2 year old daughter. Winfield was working as a riveter at an aircraft factory33. The Census record indicates that they were married33.
At some point in the early 1940, Winfield and Dorothy separated. Dorothy later married Kenneth G. Hartman57. She died on March 23, 1996, at East Aurora, New York57. Dorothy's obituary lists Faith Wohlheuter as her daughter57.
The child of Winfield and Dorothy is:
Fifth Generation
| i. | Faith Joyce Tharnish | Faith was born on May 22, 193848, and she died on August 3, 201148. Faith married ____ Wohlheuter. |
Winfield's next partner was Mary Ann Pusztay. Mary was born on March 19, 1923, in Aurora, New York68, the daughter of Stephen Pusztay and his wife Mary. Winfield and Mary had three children. It is not known whether Winfield and Mary were married, however they separated in the late 1940s. On June 28, 1958, Mary married George Roy Zurbrick at Aurora, New York69. She died in June 197221.
The children of Winfield and Mary are:Fifth Generation
| i. | Wayne Barton Tharnish | |
| ii. | Barbara Lori Tharnish | |
| iii. | Winfield Paul Tharnish | Winfield was born May 31, 194621,40, and he died on September 4, 196821,40. |
On October 14, 1950, Winfield married Lois E. James, at North East, Erie County, Pennsylvania50. Lois was born on November 8, 1925, at Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Mercer J. James and Mary E. Laumer21,50. At the time of her marriage, however, her family was living in Kenmore, New York, and she was working as a secretary50.
On their application for a Marriage License, Winfield stated the Divorce from his previous marriage was issued on April 10, 194650. This raises a serious question, since the date of divorce is about a month and a half before and birth of his son Winfield Paul Tharnish, Jr. This would be particular strange to say the least. My guess is that Winfield and Mary Ann never legally married; no marriage has been found. In that case, the April 10 date would apply to Winfield's marriage to Dorothy Persons. In any case, Winfield and Mary Ann parted ways before 1950.
Winfield died on February 5, 1991, at Buffalo, New York62, and Lois died on June 18, 201370.
The children of Winfield and Lois are:
Fifth Generation
| i. | Robert Mercer Tharnish | |
| ii. | Richard Paul Tharnish | |
| iii. | Roger James Tharnish |
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