Family Members I Would Like to Meet - Part I

Over the years, I have heard stories of different family members.  Some have been more prominent in family oral history than others and as their stories unfold in front of me the more I wish I could sit down over a cup of coffee cold beer and ask questions of them.  Sophie Stanish is one of those people. 

Sophie is my grandpa Joe's oldest sister.  She was either the oldest or second oldest (a brother Tim may have preceeded her) of 15 (or 16) children.  She was born in Austria in, or around, a town named (or sounds like) Shonak.  Her father Michael left for the United States leaving Sophie and her mom Sophia behind.  Apparently when he arrived in Pennsylvania he had no plans to send for Sophie or her mother because he was having far too much fun as bachelor.  After some persuading by his brother, Profir Stanish, he finally sent for his family.  That is how Sophie made it to the United States.  I haven't found which year yet, though.

Through family history it seems that Sophie became the somewhat matriarch of the family.  What is interesting to me is that she ran a successful restaurant in Oil City, PA called the Penn Restaurant.  I would love to know how long that business ran.  Out of it she was able to purchase enough land for the large Stanish family to live on, on Shaffer Run Road.  She had her own large house built by my Grandpa Joe and one of her man friends, which still stands today.  With her finances, she built a house for her parents to live in, which subsequently my grandparents, dad, aunt, uncle, and their cousin grew up in - and is still in the family. 

She obviously played an importent role in her family.  I'm sure that her status in the family was elevated as she was the oldest child and first to primarily speak english.  She probably had a huge sense of responsibility.  I'm amazed at her industrious nature and strength.  Sophie didn't even have a high school education. 

I just wish I could find out how she did it.  What kind of struggles did she have to deal with, particularly being a woman?  What led her to running a restaurant?  How was the food?  How was she able to buy so much property? 

Beyond that, she was married twice.  Archie Purdy was her first husband, followed by Tom Thomas.  She had no children.  She passed away at a relatively young age.  Researching archived newspaper articles it is apparent that she was clearly missed by her family.

Sophie Stanish Thomas

(b. 14 Nov 1899 - d. 23 Dec 1952)