Person:Joseph Conley (8)

_DCAUSE: Lung Cancer

_PHOTO:

As a young boy, Dolph went to live with his grandmother Trickett, near Kingwood, since she lived alone and needed help. He quit school after the sixth grade and soon after developed tuberculosis. Since no treatment was available, he was taken in by a Fields family who had a large farm. He recovered well, and began work as a farmer and logger. While working on a logging team, he boarded at the McClure home and appreciated both the food and their lovely daughter, Mary, who soon agreed to marry him. He registered for the draft for WW I on September 12, 1918, at the age of 32. He was working as a farmhand for Earnest Watson in Masontown. He was described as a man of medium height and build, having blue eyes and black hair. In 1920, he came to Morgantown as Superintendent of the W .Va. University Animal Husbandry Farm. They had three children by then and often took in farm hands as boarders. Both Dolph and Mary loved music and square dancing. He was able to play the violin, although his fingering was somewhat unorthodox, since he taught himself to play when he had injured his hand and couldn't work. After Mary's death in 1948, Dolph married Georgia (Bolyard) Schenck in 1949, and moved back to Kingwood. They were never at a loss for something to do, and often would be quick to lend a hand when someone needed help. In the fall of 1970, Dolph was told he had lung cancer which could not be cured. Knowing he had only a short time to live, he made a determined effort to visit many of the people and places he had enjoyed in his lifetime. With his family's loving care, his last wish was granted - he died at home, leaving wonderful memories of him behind. Dolph was baptized by M. W. Rider into the Kingwood Methodist Episcopal Church on 9/28/1885. (Methodist records). He was originally named Joseph Adolphius Conley, but later changed his name to Dolph Joseph Conley.