Wilbur Alvin Deems

b. 29 November 1862, d. 19 November 1944

Father*George C Deems Jr b. 25 Mar 1819, d. 22 Feb 1898
Mother*Eliza Ann Sharp b. 1825, d. 18 Apr 1890
Wilbur Alvin Deems|b. 29 Nov 1862\nd. 19 Nov 1944|p1049.htm|George C Deems Jr|b. 25 Mar 1819\nd. 22 Feb 1898|p176.htm|Eliza Ann Sharp|b. 1825\nd. 18 Apr 1890|p177.htm|George C. Deems|b. 1774\nd. 27 Aug 1852|p127.htm|Elizabeth Fisher|b. 1782\nd. 15 Apr 1840|p128.htm|John Sharp||p1048.htm||||

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Note*Wilbur Alvin Deems Twin of William Thomas Deems. He spent all of his life on the home farm as a successful farmer and business man. He was active in the community and district affairs and served in various Township Offices. He served on the school board for 11 years and the board of road supervisors for 12 years. He attended the Deems School when there were only a five and six month school term. He was a member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church and a member of Beallsville Lodge 237 Free Masons. He was the owner of Deems Park which he founded in 1916 for area miners and neighbors to enjoy. He was widely known as a martial band musician, being a member of a band that formed at Clover Hill in 1870 and another in 1878. They played numerous political and church gatherings. He was a charter member of The Tri-State Association of Martial Bands that was formed at Washington June 25, 1932. Wilbur Alvin Deems was married November 7, 1884 to Theresa Annetta Hill, West Pike Run Township, who preceded him in death 11th September 1905. Wilbur died at home at Deems Park on 19th November 1944.

Deems Park
Deems Park was founded circa 1916 by Wilbur A. Deems after a church group from nearby Beallsville asked permission to have a picnic along the creek on his farm. The park encompasses 13 acres from an original 341 acres granted to Mark Deems, Wilburs great-grandfather, upon his discharge from military service during the Revolutionary War.

Deems Park has been a favorite place for social gatherings, family reunions, church picnics and other community events. It has been the site of both summer and winter Boy Scout activities, music festivals and countless explorations to uncover hidden historic treasures my metal detector hobbyists.

In 1992 Deems Park became the home of the Washington County Buckskinners, a blackpowder muzzleloader shooting club. The club holds a spring and Fall weekend-long rendezvous at the park. The Fall rendezvous, which is open to the public, is held in memory of Caleb Jay Hall, Wilbur's great- great- grandson, and benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. 
Birth*He was born on 29 November 1862. 
Marriage*He married Theresa Annatte Hill, daughter of Barnet Hill and Elizabeth Rogers, on 2 November 1884. 
Burial*Wilbur Alvin Deems was buried in 1944 at Deems Park, PA. 
Death*He died on 19 November 1944 at Deems Park, PA, at age 81. 

Family

Theresa Annatte Hill b. 11 June 1863, d. 11 September 1905
Children

Last Edited1 Feb 2009
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