Arden McKinley Cogar is my great-grandfather. He was born December 16, 1900 in Braxton County, West Virginia, although the 1900 Census lists his birth as Dec 1899:

Arden, at age 9, was living in Lick Fork, Webster Co, WV according to the 1910 Census:

Arden is listed as a farmer on his WWI Draft Registration Card:

The 1920 Census suggests that Arden was a laborer in the Lumber Woods industry.

The 1930 Census shows a married Arden owning a home on a farm, and lists his occupation as Truck Driver.

Arden was married in 1931 to Sara Mae Lake.

Arden welcomed daughter Olive Irene Cogar on April 21, 1932. Then a second daughter, Wanda Pearl Cogar, was born in 1934. In 1936, my grandfather – Spencer Cogar – was born. That same year, Arden’s mother – Margaret Cora Cogar (b. 1869) – passed away in Duffy, Lewis County, WV. In 1938, another son – James Calvin Cogar – joined the family, as well as daughter Georgia Iowa Cogar.

The situation seems to have changed for the family by 1940, for Arden’s home status has been recorded as Renter on the Census, living in Hacker Valley, Webster Co, WV. He is a carpenter for the WPA Construction Project and his highest level of education is reported as “Elementary School, 4th Grade”:

His Draft Card from 1942 also lists the W.P.A. as Arden’s employer. He is described as White with a Dark Brown complexion, Black eyes, Black hair, 5’4″ in height and 120 lbs.

Also in 1942, Arden had yet another daughter – Shirley Mae Cogar. Then another daughter, Lucy Marie Cogar, was born in 1944. In 1950, at the age of 49, Arden welcomed son Richard Cogar. Harold Eugene Cogar, another son, was born in 1953. Finally, in 1958, at the age of 57, Arden welcomed daughter Linda Sue Cogar. He is listed on her marriage certificate to Denzil Brannon Lee:

Arden was listed as a Driver in 1960, according to the Washington, DC City Directory:

Arden died October 25, 1967 in Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia and is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Hettie, Braxton County, WV.

His death certificate lists cause of death as acute circulatory failure due to coronary thrombosis stemming from a respiratory infection. He was 66 years old.