July 25 was a perfect day in every way. a couple of weeks back of a couple weeks back became more bearable, and the drought-breaking rains had subsided. The sky was clear and blue, the wind was tamed, offering a gentle breeze, after a tornado tore through the nearby area just days before. Yes, it was the perfect setting to celebrate the first ever “Jim” and Mag Conrad descendants reunion.
James William “Jim” Conrad was a great-great-great-great-grandson of Jacob Conradt, Sr., the first known Conradt (or Koonradt) to have immigrated to America, having been born in 1705 in Canton Bern, Switzerland. It is believed he arrived in 1750 in Philadelphia aboard the ship “Patience.” When he left Switzerland with his four children in tow, he was a widower, as his wife, Franney Svena Lauk, had died the year prior to his departure. His six-year-old son, Jacob Conrodt, Jr., the son of which this family of Conrads descend from, made that journey with his father. Jacob immigrated to America seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities and was a blacksmith by trade.
The present-day surname Conrad has had many different spellings during the years, such as Conradt, Konrad, Kunrad, Cuenin, Conard, Coonrad, Koonradt, Coonrod, and others. Conrad is primarily of German origin.
James William Conrad was born Jan. 18, 1865, in Pendleton County and died Feb. 18, 1945, at the age of 80 years. He was the son of Jacob Harrison Conrad and Mary Elizabeth (Gilkeson) Conrad. On Nov. 29, 1900, he married the former Mary Magdelene “Mag” Eye, who was born Aug. 15, 1875, and departed life Oct. 18, 1942, at the age of 66 years. Mag was the daughter of William Washington Eye and Susan Elizabeth (Sinnett) Eye of the Deer Run community.
Jim and Mag made their home in Fort Seybert and resided there, even in death. They raised their six children, William Harrison “Bill” Conrad, Ruth Elizabeth Conrad, Paul Fairbanks Conrad, Mabel Claire Conrad, J. Hugh Conrad, and Mary Conrad, there. So, it was very fitting to hold the Conrad reunion in the Fort Seybert community, going back to the place of their roots, and where several members still reside.
The Jim and Mag Conrad descendants are a relatively small number. At this time there is only one, a 14-year-old youth with the surname Conrad, to keep the Conrad name in circulation.
Jim and Mag were grandparents to only eight grandchildren. Their four surviving grandchildren, H. Stephen Conrad, Daniel Harper “Dan” Conrad, Thomas Hugh Conrad and Susan Inez (Conrad) Hopkins, attended the reunion. Deceased grandchildren are James William “Jim” Conrad, Mary Mills (Carter) Hodges, William Jacob “Jake” Conrad and James Edward “Jed” Conrad.
It was appropriate that the reunion took place on the grounds of the Fort Seybert Massacre, which took place April 28, 1758. The view from this vantage location in the South Fork Valley, could not have been any more beautiful, while facing east, with the magnificent Shenandoah Mountains rising in the foreground.
If these mountains could talk, what a story they could tell. Some Conrad ancestors were said to have been in the fort when it was seized by Indian Chief Killbuck and his band of warriors.
The setting for the reunion was held in a reception style tent in sight of where the fort stood. Following a full course catered meal, the reunion coordinator presented an interesting program of sorts. No gathering would be complete without the playing of John Denver’s version of “Take Me Home Country Roads” as the attendees sang along. Another favorite was “My Home Among the Hills” by the West Virginia Wesleyan Choir.
Those who had served in the United States military were recognized and presented with a miniature American Flag.
Past Lt. Commander H. Stephen Conrad served nine and one-half years in the Naval Air Force, and served during the Vietnam War. He flew 13 different types of aircraft with his primary one being the F-4 Phantom II. Hours flown were around 2,300, and carrier landings totaled 496.
He was assigned aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Forrestal, which was stationed and operating in the South China Sea/Gulf of Tonkin, off the coast of Viet Nam, when a catastrophic fire broke out on July 29, 1967. The fire was caused by an inadvertently fired rocket, resulting in many explosions, which severely damaged the carrier, along with the loss of numerous fighter jets and life, forcing it to be taken out of commission disabled.
Specialist 5 Thomas Conrad served in the U.S. Army, stateside, during the Vietnam era.
Specialist 4 Jake Conrad also served in the U.S. Army, stateside, during the Vietnam era. His role was military police. A miniature U.S. flag was presented to his wife, Carol Conrad, in honor of his service.
Going back a generation, Tom Conrad’s father, Corporal Hugh Conrad, volunteered for duty in the U.S. Army, serving the country stateside, during World War II. Commemorating his service, a miniature flag was presented to his daughter, Susan Hopkins, and it now adorns his gravesite at U.S. Cemetery at Fairfax Memorial Park in Virginia.
Attendee Robby Fisher, a civilian employee of the Department of War, was presented with a miniature flag representing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Following these presentations, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” was played in honor of veterans everywhere.
The highlight of this event was no doubt, the session of story-telling of memories, some going back to several generations. Steve Conrad related several enlightening/humorous stories which had been passed down by his grandfather, Jim, to his father, Bill. Some of the younger generation, stated the stories were the best part of the event. All these stories provided some very good, joyful outbursts of laughter.
A special created mug, featuring photos of Jim and Mag Conrad, was presented to Steve Conrad for being the most senior person present and the Conrad patriarch of the family. Tom Conrad, a good story teller, also received a mug. A 250th-anniversary freedom ornament was presented to Jim and Mag’s great-great-great granddaughter, Rose Elizabeth “Rosie” Lehman, youngest child present, 2 months old. Each family was given a Jim and Mag Conrad genealogy record booklet, produced by the reunion coordinator, a customized Christmas ball and a personalized Jim Conrad pen. Every child present received appropriate to the occasion, special gifts, as well.
By bringing this event together, the younger generations learned a great deal of history about their family and went away with a deeper appreciation of their Conrad ancestry.
In closing, this writer can’t help but wonder what the long-gone senior Conrads of six generations back would think about being celebrated 81 and 84 years since their demise. The writer guesses that the descendants will never know.
Article organized and submitted by Frances Conrad Morgan.
