Our family of Hiles comes from Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  The majority of our family lived their lives in the Dunbar Township.  As of today I do not think we have any direct relatives still in that area.  We do have cousins, aunts and uncles still living in Fayette County(as far as I know). 

Like most of the families there, ours worked in the coal mines.  Many people immigrated and migrated to Pennsylvania for work.  Our last relative to work the mines was a grandfather, who passed in 1991 from black lung.   Many of our male ancestors died because of working the coal mines.  Some accidental deaths, while others died later in life because of the effect it had on their body.  In and around the 1900's many young boys had to sacrifice an education to earn money for their families. Many boys started working the mines as young as 10 years old.  So I was told.