Fourteenth Generation

802. Ezra Alexander ROOT was born on 14 August 1854 in Altoona, Blair County, PA.^{96,154,215,216} (The 1900 Census appears to list his given name as "Osery A." and his birth place as Ohio; the 1910 also lists it as Ohio.)

. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Sandusky Township, Richland County, OH.^155,159 (He was listed as a male named "Elisa.")

Notes from his son, Lloyd Root: "It was 1870 when Grandpa (Ezra Alexander Root) was 17, that he helped string the first telegraph line from Steubenville, Ohio, to Chicago. His crew laid the first cable across the Calumet River.

He lived in Marion, Ohio, and the family physician was Dr. Harding, father of President Harding.

He had a total of 16 full-brothers, full-sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters, and he was the youngest of all of them. He had a brother named Ed Root, who had no children and, when last heard from, he was a sheriff in Mississippi or Alabama.

Ezra learned the carpenter trade from Sidney Spier (his father-in-law), who was a contractor. Mary Spier's family went from Pennsylvania to Missouri in a covered wagon.

Grandpa Ezra's sister was Esther, and her daughter was named Reta."

. He lived at his home in Grant City, Fletchall Township, Worth County, MO in 1877.^96,216 His occupation was carpenter. Ezra appeared in the census in 1880 in Grant City, Fletchall Township, Worth County, MO.²¹⁷ He appeared in the census in 1900 in Greene Township, Worth County, MO.²¹⁵ His occupation was listed as "Farmer."

. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Rockton, Rockton Township, Winnebago County, IL.²¹⁸ His occupation was listed as "Farmer, Operator."

. Ezra appeared in the census in 1920 in Beloit, Beloit Township, Rock County, WI.²¹⁹ His household was located at 1603 Pollard Avenue and his occupation was listed as "Carpenter, House."

. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Sweden Township, Potter County, PA.²²⁰ His occupation was "Farmer, General Farm."

. He died on 8 May 1937 at the age of 82 in Coudersport, Potter County, PA.^154,216 Ezra was buried in Coudersport, Potter County, PA.²²¹ in the Eulalia Cemetery.

Ezra Alexander ROOT and Mary Ann SPEIR were married on 27 December 1877 in Grant City, Fletchall Township, Worth County, MO.^{96,154,215,217} (According to the 1900 Census, they had five children and all were living at the time. At the time of the 1910, they had six.)

. Mary Ann SPEIR, daughter of Sidney SPEIR and Sarah J. DAVIS, was born on 24 September 1860 in Grant City, Fletchall Township, Worth County, MO.^{154,215,219,222} (Her surname is spelled "Spear" in some sources.) (According to the 1900 and 1920 Census, her parents were born in Pennsylvania.)

. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Grant City, Fletchall Township, Worth County, MO.²¹⁷ She appeared in the census in 1900 in Greene Township, Worth County, MO.²¹⁵ Mary appeared in the census in 1910 in Rockton, Rockton Township, Winnebago County, IL.²¹⁸ She appeared in the census in 1920 in Beloit, Beloit Township, Rock County, WI.²¹⁹ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Sweden Township, Potter County, PA.²²⁰ Mary died on 23 August 1938 at the age of 77 in Coudersport, Potter County, PA.^154,216 She was buried in Coudersport, Potter County, PA.²²¹ in the Eulalia Cemetery.

Ezra Alexander ROOT and Mary Ann SPEIR had the following children: