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Scene from hill in Veteran by Joyce M. Tice September 2000 |
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Tri County Clippings- Page One Hundred Twenty NineThese obituaries are presented in scrapbook order. I can't think of a better way of understanding a community than by reading an obituary scrapbook. |
In 1909 my Grandmother Berneice Reed MacDougall made a Christmas present for her mother Sophia Emmeline (Emma) Webster Reed. It was a booklet with fancy edges cut from card stock containing envelopes, and found with a red ribbon. In each envelope were newspaper clipping of interest to the family, mostly centered on activities in Chemung Co., NY.
Golden Wedding – Handwritten date September 25, 1914
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Carpenter, of 156 North Main street, celebrated
their fiftieth wedding anniversary yesterday. A delicious dinner
was served at their home at noon, those present being their two daughters,
Misses Fanny H. And Aimee Carpenter, who reside at home; their son, B.
F. Carpenter, of this city; Mr. Carpenter’s sister, Mrs. Catherine Miller,
and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Carpenter, both of Horseheads; also
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Gaul and Miss Louise Trost.
One son, Grant S. Carpenter, died in 1911, and another son, Frederick
Carpenter, of Toledo, Ohio, was unable to be present.
The table decorations were prettily carried out in gold and white.
The centerpiece was an elaborate pyramid cake. Mr. And Mrs. Carpenter
were the recipients of several gold pieces.
Mr. Carpenter is a prosperous farmer of Veteran for 35 years.
Mrs. Carpenter before her marriage was Miss Matilda Cornish of Spencer,
N.Y.
Their friends hope they may enjoy many more anniversaries.
Married
Sunday, August 4th, at the home of Mrs. S. C. Parker, a sister of the
bride, at 1456 Forty-seventh avenue, Mr. Andrew M. Hinmann, of Bowman,
Placer county, California, to Miss Frances M. Egbert, of Horseheads, N.Y.
A number of relatives and intimate friends witnessed the beautiful ring
ceremony by the Rev. F. C. Stannard of the Melrose Baptist Church, and
afterwards sat down with the bride and groom to refreshments of ice-cream
and cake. Mr. And Mrs. Hinman will make their home at Bowman, Placer
county.
Miss Beard A Bride
Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. George H Beard Married at Auburn on Tuesday
Last.
The Auburn Citizen of Feb. 22, gives the following account of the Beard-Lee
wedding. Mr. And Mrs. Beard, the bride’s parents being former residents
of Horseheads:
A Washington’s birthday wedding took place at noon today at the Second
Presbyterian church when Miss Mabel E. Beard, daughter of Mr. And Mrs.
George H. Beard, became the bride of William Jacob Lee. The ceremony
was performed by Rev. Allen Macy Dulles, D.D., pastor of the church and
a large number of the friends of the young couple, who are well known in
Auburn, were present to witness it. The bride was given away by her
father. She was attended by Miss Laura Zimmerman of Horseheads, as
maid of honor, and by two bridesmaids, Miss Mabel Hamlin of Baldwinsville
and Miss Emma Lounsbury of Auburn. The bride wore a gown of champagne
crepe de chine and carried a bouquet of English violets. The maid
of honor wore pink and carried pink carnations, and the bridesmaids wore
cream colored gowns and carried white carnations. The groom was attended
by William B. Dunning of Auburn, and the ushers were Paul C. Dunning and
Bernard O. Beard, both of Auburn, Lee Terry of Maiden, Mass., and Howard
Peterson of Interlaken. There were no decorations at the church beyond
banks of ferns and palms on the altar. During the ceremony Miss Alice
M. Jones played the Mendelsohn and Wagner bridal marches and several other
numbers appropriate to the occasion. The wedding party was transported
in automobiles from the Whiting garage and at the close of the church ceremonies
returned to the home of the bride’s parents, No. 3 Van Anden street, where
a reception was held and a wedding breakfast followed. The interior
of the house was decorated with smilax and was in the spirit of Washington’s
birthday. (Sentence unreadable) ...who is an uncle of thre
bride, had assumed charge of the decorations, and the bridal table presented
some very original things in the way of decorations and favors. The
white linen was attractively set off with the red of cherries and the green
of leaves, and each place favor was in the form of a small stump of a real
cherry tree with real hatchets sticking in the stumps. Mr. Zimmerman
had sent for real cherry tree branches in constructing the favors, which
were pretty and very appropriate to the holiday. Clusters of cherries
were placed before each of the 12 guests at the bridal table. The
wedding cake was an elaborate product and was made last December especially
for today’s occasion by Mrs. A. S. Terry of Malden, Mass., and is guaranteed
to produce dreams that presage happiness and success. Following the
merry making this afternoon the couple left for a visit of two weeks in
St. Louis. They will be at home to their friends after April 1 at
No 3 VanAnden street. In addition to Mr. And Mrs. Eugene Zimmerman
and Miss Laura Zimmerman of Horseheads, and the guests mentioned there
were many others from Syracuse, Ithaca and Bradford, Pa. The couple
received a roomful of gifts from their well wishers. Mr. Lee is at
present in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.
Golden Wedding - dated Jan. 13, 1913
Married in Horseheads, January 13th Eighteen Sixty-Three
On Jan. 13, Mr. And Mrs. Uriah Hammond celebrated the fiftieth anniversary
of their marriage at their home near Bradford, N.Y., having lived there
nearly 40 years. Their marriage took place at Horseheads, Jan. 13,
1863. There is a family of four children all living, three of which
were present to help celebrate the event; also four grandsons, one Ned
Hammond from Chicago. Nearly all the invited guests were cousins
of the aged couple and one peculiar feature is that the marriage tie of
nearly all has not been broken by death. There were present relatives
from Chicago, Penn Yan, Dundee, Wayne, Horseheads, Corning and Bradford.
Letters of regret were received from various places of relatives who were
unable to be present. At 2 o’clock all repaired to the dining room
where Rev. L. N. Gates made a very appropriate prayer, after which all
sat down to tables laden for a bountiful dinner. At evening all returned
to their homes leaving behind their sincere wishes that Mr. And Mrs. Hammond
would enjoy the facilities of life and that they with them might celebrate
their Diamond Wedding.
WESTLAKE FAMILY
FIRST ANNUAL REUNION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF REV. BENJ. WESTLAKE HELD
ON SATURDAY.
The first reunion of the Westlake family of this locality was held
Saturday at the home of S. D. Westlake in the town of Veteran, about 60
persons being present. The Westlakes in Chemung county are direct
descendants of the Rev. Benjamin Westlake, a Methodist minister who preached
in Horseheads in 1815. His remains were buried in the little abandoned
cemetery on the Arnot property south of Sayre street and just west of the
Lehigh railroad.
The following officers were elected: President, Samuel Westlake;
Vice Presidents: Emory W. Westlake, Frank Westlake, Charles Wygant; Secretary
and Treasurer, Milton G. Westlake; Executive Committee, Mrs. F. X. Young,
Mrs. Mary Longwell, Anna May Westlake, Mrs. Bertha Myers.
The next meeting will be held the second Thursday in August, 1911 with
Emory W. Westlake, Walnut Grove farm, Horseheads.
The following poem was written by Mrs. Robert Westlake Bowman of Sackett’s
Harbor, N.Y. and read at the reunion:
Far hearts have called us—voice of kin,
Pulse-beat of blood—a common race
And some reply with hastening feet
With hand-clasp true, and face to face.
Eye meets eye, From lip to lip
The mutual joys, the common pride
Are passed in gladness and the topic
Of coming days are beckoning wide.
This is our day, beloved name
Linked with fair records, crowned of men,
And often as the years press on
That name shall summon us again.
And if, perchance, a silence fall
Above our feasting, and in tears
The laugh halts sudden, we shall know
Far hearts have called, beyond the years.
Beyond today, beyond the feast
Where they, immortal, walk and wait.
Till we have won the name they blessed
Some bloom, and too pass on elate.
The following were present: Emory W Westlake, Elizabeth Westlake, Florence Westlake, Emory W. Westlake, Jr., Frank Westlake, Annice Westlake, Frances Westlake, Kathrine Westlake, Frank Westlake, Jr., Milton Westlake, Lucy H. Westlake, Susie H. Westlake, George J. Westlake, Martha S. Westlake, S.D. Westlake, Julia Turner Westlake, Julia L. Westlake, Helen Westlake, Robert T. Westlake, William S. Westlake, Mrs. Adella Westlake, Mrs. Catharine Westlake, Anna M. Westlake, A. C. Westlake, Helen Westlake, Cassius Westlake, Ella Westlake, Mildred Westlake, Florence Westlake, Elizabeth A. Corel, Minnie L. Corel, Bertha Westlake Myers, Walter H. Myers, Mrs. Wm. Myers, Nettie Westlake Cadmus, Elizabeth Westlake Young, Frank Young, Elizabeth S. Colwell, Mrs. C. E. Longwell, C. E. Longwell, Carrie Longwell, Mrs. H. E. Ludlow, Hazel Ludlow, Charles Wygant, Mrs. Charles Wygant, George Whitney, Mrs. George Whitney, Lucia M. Kingsbury, Ermina C. Eddy, Lula S. Eddy, Sarah Eddy Thorne, Mittie C. Thorne, Mrs. Harriet Thorne LaDieu, Floyd LaDieu, Ermina LaDieu.
DEATH – MRS. J. W. BALES – dated Jan. 29, 1912
Mrs. J. W. Bales died this morning at 6 o’clock at the family home
at Millport, aged seventy-two years. She is survived by her husband,
two daughters, E. J. Bales of Millport and L. D. Bales of Elmira; also
a brother, Joriah Hammond of Tyrone, N.Y. The funeral will be held
at the family home Wednesday at 2 p.m. Burial in the Millport cemetery.
VETERAN AND VICINITY 1905
The 22nd annual reunion of the McDougall families was held Sturday
at the residence of Marion McDougall on the Ridge road. Several members
were unable to be present. All those present enjoyed a very pleasant
day. As follows are those who responded: James McDougall and
wife and Fred Stone and wife of Montour Falls; Chauncey Sterling, wife
and son Harr of Millport; William McDougall and wife of Elmira; Marion
McDougall and wife, Al McDougall, Miss Emily, Charles, Alonso, Harry, Jay,
G?? Burr, Mildred, George and Libbie M. Dougall of Veteran.
F. T. ESTABROOK – 1906
McDougell Reunion – On Monday, Jan. 1, 1906, occurred the 23rd annual
reunion of the McDougall family, which is held at the old homestead, now
occupied by Marion McDougall. Those present were James McDougall
and wife of Montour Falls; Joseph Pelham, wife and daughters Frances and
Julia of Odessa; Chauncey Sterling and wife of Millport; Mrs. T. J. Carpenter
and grandson Arthur Thalheimer of Horseheads; Al McDougall and wife, Theodore
McDougall, Ed McDougall, wife and children Burr, Mildred, George Libbie
and Raymond, Miss Emily McDougall, Marion McDougall, wife and children
Alonzo, Harry, Jay and Grace, and Chas. McDougall and wife of Veteran.
McDOUGALL REUNION - 1907
Tuesday, at the McDougall homestead in Veteran now the home of Marion
McDougall, occurred the 24th annual reunion of that family. Those
present were Emily McDougall, Theodore McDougall, James McDougall and wife,
Mrs. Al McDougall, Ed McDougall, wife and children Burr, Mildred,
George, Elizabeth and Raymond; Marion McDougall wife and children, Alonzo,
Harry, Jay and Grace; Chas. McDougall and wife of Veteran; Mrs. Wm. McDougall
and daughter Clara Bell of Elmira, Chauncey Sterling and wife of Millport
and Ed Brown of Elmira.
The annual reunion of the McDougall family occurred Tuesday at the
home of Marion McDougall. A large number were present and all passed
the day very pleasantly. The hope expressed by all on departing was
that they might be permitted to meet again on Jan. 1, 1908. Marion
McDougall intends to have a telephone at his residence in the near future.
A NEW TEAM
VanBuskirk Brothers, the undertakers and furniture dealers, have traded
teams with Charles McDougall, of Veteran, and secured an even better pair
of blacks than they had before. The animals are of equal size, marked
the same and make a perfect “match”.
DEATH – MRS. MARY A. TIFFT - Feb. 9, 1905
Mrs. Mary A. Tifft died at 6 o’clock Saturday night at the home of
her daughter, Mrs. H. H. Sofbeck, at Big Flats. She was 76 years
of age, and a woman of noble traits of character. There survives
another daughter Mrs. J. C. Hadley, of Rochester. The funeral will
be held at the house at 2 o’clock this afternoon and at 2:30
o’clock at the Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Rural Home
cemetery.
DEATH – MRS. HIRAM WHEELER - Feb. 6, 1920
Mrs. Hiram Wheeler died at the family home in the town of Veteran,
Friday, aged sixty-one years. Besides her husband, she is survived
by three children, Mrs. Alberta Stevens at home, Claude of Veteran, and
Charles of Elmira; a brother, Charles Dewey of Elmira; three sisters, Mrs.
Nelson Waite, of Elmira Heights; Mrs. E. E. VanGorden, Horseheads and Mrs.
Frank Ream of Arkport, NY. The funeral will be held at the home Monday
afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial in Veteran cemetery.
DEATH – MRS. ALBERTINA A. McDOUGLE - May 9, 1911
Mrs. Albertina A. McDougle passed away at her home, on South Main street,
last evening at 10 o’clock, aged 76 years She is survived by four
nieces: Mrs. John Kent of Millport; Mrs. F. F. Root, of Albion, NY;
Mrs. S. G. Campbell, of Breesport; Mrs. Albert Hosie, of Horseheads; two
nephews, Henry Plants, of Veteran, and Milton Plants, of Montour Falls.
The funeral will be held from her late home on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
Interment in Maple Grove Cemetery.
MARRIAGE – BROWN—McDOUGALL
On Tuesday morning, at the parsonage of the Hedding Methodist Episcopal
church, 304 West Clinton St., the Rev. Eli Pittman united in marriage Miss
Anna J. Brown, of Horseheads, and Theodore McDougal, of the same place.
Mr. McDougal is a highly respected farmer of Horseheads and he and Mrs.
McDougal will reside in that town. Mr. And Mrs. Tyler P. Thompson
of Horseheads, attended the bride and groom.
BOTH AGED PARENTS DIE – MR. AND MRS. WM. W. STACKHOUSE DIE AT HOME OF
SON. 1917
The Reporter of Port Allegany, Pa., under date of Feb. 2, printed the
following:
William W. Stackhouse, father of Rev. W. A. Stackhouse, passed away
quietly at the parsonage, Jan. 28, after a week’s illness from grip resulting
in uremic poisoning. He was 84 years of age, having been born in
Florida, Orange County, NY, on April 14, 1833. He and his wife came
to live with their children two years ago last November and have resided
here since. Mr. And Mrs. Stackhouse were married in the summer of
1869, she being Miss Marie Allen, daughter of an old pioneer family of
Chemung county, NY, whence he moved with his folk when a young man.
Mr. Stackhouse early joined the Methodist church and continued the membership
faithfully during his life. The funeral was held from the Methodist
church, Jan. 30, Rev. I. W. Hill of Roulette having charge of the services
assisted by Rev. Prosper Miller and Rev. Havard Griffith. The remains
were taken to Odessa, NY for interment in the Mitchell cemetery in sight
of his farm where he passed so many happy years with his wife and family,
a successful farmer. Rev. & Mrs. Stackhouse accompaning the remains
to their last resting place. During their absence from the home on
their said mission the aged mother passed away. She too had been
ill with grip and the shock of the loss of her husband no doubt hastened
dissolution. Mrs. Stackhouse was born in Chemung county, NY, on Sept.
26, 1841, and was 76 years of age. Born of good pioneer stock, she
early developed those characteristics that later made her a useful citizen,
wife and mother. She was a student at the Genessee Wesleyan seminary
in Lima, NY, and later of the Starkey Seminary, and for 10 years after
taught in the public schools near her home a successful teacher.
The funeral is being held from the Methodist church this afternoon, the
same ministers who were present at the father’s funeral, will officiate
and the interment will also be made at the old home. Rev. Stackhouse
is the only surviving child. A daughter Sarah Grace, died in infancy
and a grown-up son was drowned in the Hudson river while skating Dec. 31,
1893. Both of these old people had made many friends by heir honest,
kindly, old-fashioned ways, since their residence among us.
EGBERT REUNION
A pleasant company gathered at the residence of Morgan L. Egbert on
Ithaca street Monday, to celebrate his 88th birthday. Mr. Egbert
is the last of eight children, remarkable for his agility and cheerfulness,
beloved and admired by relatives and hosts of friends; a devoted Christian,
looking hopefully to the closing of a useful life and resting in the promise
of a glorious resurrection. Those present were: Mrs. Parker,
Miss Frank Egbert, Fruitvale, Dal.; Mrs. Joseph Coats, Watkins; Mrs. Mary
Tifft, Rochester; Mrs. A. C. Burris, Mrs. James Swarthout, Lewis Egbert,
Mrs. Bonnell and sons, Elmira; Carmi Lattin, Miss Pearl Lattin, Mrs. Marion
McDougall, Veteran; Mr. And Mrs. Jas. MacDougall, Montour Falls; Mrs. Fosdeck,
Big Flats; Mr. And Mrs. Geo. Egbert and son, Horseheads; C. R. Egbert,
Mrs. A. O. Morgan, Mrs. G. H. Beard, Miss Mabel Beard, Auburn; Mr. And
Mrs. Fred Egbert, Elmira.
EGBERT REUNION – Aug. 1904
A pleasant gathering of relatives convened at the home of Morgan L.
Egbert in Horseheads to celebrate his ninety-first birthday, Aug. 8.
Mrs. J. B. Coats of Watkins, is a member of the family, and greeted friends
from Elmira, Horseheads, Auburn, Ithaca, and one from Tennessee.
Messages were also sent from the Pacific coast. A poem was read describing
the ancestral home as it was seventy years ago. The reunion was a
mingling of joy and sorrow, as the Reaper had been busy and Cupid had not
been idle. The three octogenarians had many memories to exchange,
and minds as well as bodies were pleased and refreshed – Watkins Express
DEATH – FRANK M. BANKS – (Died Dec. 17, 1905
Frank M. Banks died at his home near Millport early yesterday morning
after an illness of nearly four months of a complication of diseases.
He was 61 years of age and leaves a widow and two daughters, Mrs. Chauncey
V. Frost of Odessa, and Mrs. George W. Briggs, of Elmira. There also
survive his mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Banks, of Millport and four brothers,
Wheadon and Milton, of Horseads, Hiram, of Cortland, and Edwin of Millport.
The funeral services will be held at the house at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon
and burial will be made in the Millport Cemetery. (Buried Dec.
19, 1905)
DEATH – MRS. HANNAH CARPENTER
Mrs. Hannah Carpenter died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Milton
Banks of Horseheads, at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, aged 84 years.
She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Banks and five sons, Daniel B., Myron
L. And Ambrose H., all of Horseheads, and W. E. Carpenter of Burdett and
Charles of Ulysses, Pa. Also two sisters, Mrs. S. J. Turner of Veteran
and Mrs. L. Hall of Elmira. The funeral arrangements have not been
completed.
WELL KNOWN RESIDENT OF MONTOUR FALLS DIES – FRED E. STONE
Fred E. Stone, of Montour Falls, passed away this afternoon at about
2:30 o’clock after a brief illness of less than forty-eight hours.
Mr. Stone was well and favorably known throughout Schuyler County.
He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the
Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellow lodges. His untimely demise came
as a shock to his many friends and relatives. Notice of the funeral
will be later. (1913)
DEATH OF JUSTICE WELLAR
A prominent Resident of Horseheads Who Died Christmas Morning.
T. V. Wellar, a prominent resident of Horseheads, died in that village
Christmas morning of a disease of the stomach and liver. He was a
justice of the peace and police justice for many years and was always highly
esteemed by the residents of the village and all others who knew him.
He was the father of Mrs. Clinton Merrick, formerly of Elmira. Mr.
Wellar was born in the town of Veteran, this county, and removed to Horseheads
twenty-five years ago. For fifty years he held the office of justice
of the peace and was at the time of his death a police justice. For
the same period he was a prominant member of the M. E. Church and leader
of the choir. A widow, formerly Cordelia Thorne, of Horseheads, survives
him, together with seven children, Horace J. Of Horseheads; Edwin of Havana;
Monroe of Ithaca; Leroy of Grand Forks, Dak; Mrs. F. F. Freeman of Minneapolis,
Minn.; Mrs. P. T. Tabor of Brooklyn and Mrs. C. V. Merrick, of Bradford
Pa. The funeral was held Friday afternoon.
DEATH – MRS. J. BRADLEY COON
Mrs. Bradley Coon, aged forty-eight years, died at her home in the
town of Veteran, Friday afternoon. She is survived by her husband,
two sons, Harold at home, and Charles of Pine Valley; one daughter, Mrs.
Herbert Erway, at home; also her father, Sillin Erway of Watkins, and three
sisters Mrs. John Perry and Mrs. Charles Dixon of Elmira, and Mrs. Cecil
Davenport, of Burdett; three brothers, Olin Stuart, of Rochester, and J.
B. Stuart, of Elmira Heights, and Clarence Coon, at home. The funeral
will be held from the home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. Albert
H. Youhel, of Fabius officiating. Interment at Millport.
RESOLUTIONS
The special committee appointed by the L. A. S. Of the Veteran Baptist
church have adopted the following resolutions: Whereas, Our Heavenly
Father has seen fit in His wisdom to remove from our midst one of our youngest
members, Mrs. B. J. Earl, therefore be it Resolved, That
the members of this society ever hold in grateful remembrance the memory
of the deceased and be it also Resolved, that we tender
to the bereaved husband, children and parents our sincere and heartfelt
sympathy; that these resolutions be spread upon the minutes, a copy transmitted
to the family and published in the Chemung Valley Reporter.
Mrs. Nelson Rosa, Mrs. Bernice McDougall, Mrs. Martha Stevens, Committee
ATTENDED FUNERAL (of Mrs. Hannah Carpenter)
The following attended the funeral of Mrs. Hannah Carpenter, widow
of the late D. B. Carpenter, that was held at the home of her daughter,
Aug. 16: John M. Carpenter and wife, Mrs. Charles Roberts, J. W.
Hammend and wife, J. H. Bartholomew, Mrs. L. Hall of Elmira; Mrs. John
Fell, Benjamin Carpenter of the lake road; William Campbell of Athens,
Pa.; Mrs. Kittie Carpenter Bennett of Binghamton; Mrs. S. J. Turner, S.
Westlake and wife, son, Edwin Banks and wife, Mrs. Marion McDougall and
son of Veteran.
DEATH – MRS. EDWIN S. MILLER - May 31, 1910
Mrs. Edwin S. Miller passed away at the home in the Town of Veteran,
Saturday evening at 8:30 o’clock, aged 57 years. She is survived
by her husband, three brothers, E. N. Turner and G. A. Turner of Veteran,
and Fred Turner, of Elmira, and one sister, Mrs. Doolittle, of Rochester.
Burial will be in the Vary Cemetery in the Town of Veteran.
DEATH – JOHN COGSDILL, JR. - Feb. 2, 1916
John Cogsdill, Jr., died Monday morning at 5 o’clock at the family
home in Veteran, aged eighteen years. He is survived by his parents,
Mr. And Mrs. John Cogsdill, two brothers, Clair L. Of Austin, Pa., and
Lewis at home; also three sisters, Mrs. Archie Lovell, of Catherine, and
the Misses Millie and Agnes, at home. The funeral was held at the
home Thursday at 1 p.m., and burial was in the Vary cemetery on the Ridge
road.
BRIEF EGBERT BIOGRAPHY
“Uncle” Morgan Egbert Liked Fast Horses
The following sketch was read at the 90th birthday anniversary of Morgan
L. Egbert on Wednesday of last week, by Mrs. J. B. Coats of Watkins:
Ninety years ago, in a modest home in the town of ????, ??? county,
was born a boy, the youngest of seven sons, who was named Morgan L. Egbert.
I suppose he was much like other babies, laughing and crying, kicking,
cutting teeth, and getting the measles and chickenpox, as all well brought
up children are supposed to do. But I have his mother’s opinion that
he was a handsome baby, looking like the famous Boston beauty.
Well, his appetite was good and he grew and thrived, and after the
death of his father the home was sold and the family came to the town of
Veteran, in what was then Tioga county, where my first memories of them
are as living cosily in a log house, with an outside milk room with smooth
stones for a floor on which they always seemed covered with the richest
cream that made most delicious butter. The fertile acres about the
home were carefully farmed by the mother, a thrifty and industrious woman,
and her two young sons, and prosperity came to them. The years slipped
along and the boys grew into young manhood. The older one went out
in the world to seek his fortune. He was fairly successful but years
ago exchanged his life of hard labor for the home where no weariness is
known. After the brother left the responsibility of the farm fell
on the shoulders of this younger son, and well and bravely he met each
duty as it came. Frugal and industrious, square in deal, ready to
help the needy and with a fine sense of humor he became a universal favorite.
If he had a weakness it was for good horses and I used to have a great
many rides after his fast team. One of his sons I am sure inherited
the same taste, and handles the reins with skill. My dear uncle was
always very kind to me and I remember to this day his unfailing thoughtfulness
for my comfort. About this time a commodious farm house was
built and arranged for two families and the log house with its sanded floor,
the great fireplace with its cherry glow were things of the past.
But the dresser with its bright pewter dishes was moved to the new home.
Of course it was only natural that our uncle should covet a home of his
own and to the new house he brought his chosen bride. For many years
they toiled side by side, bringing up their sons and daughters in their
own thrifty ways, bequeathing to them traits of character that have helped
them to become prosperous honorable men and women. But there came
a sad day when the mother’s hands were folded away beneath the daisies
and only precious memories were left to the bereaved household. For
many months and years the husband mourned, but there came a time when an
early friend, a lovely self-sacrificing woman, consented to share his home
and bring to him such comfort as only a loyal, faithful wife can do.
Right nobly has she fulfilled her promise to love and cherish and today
she is with him passing down the slope of life side by side, each helping
the other over the hard places, both trusting in the divine helper.
One of the daughters, speaking of the mother, said to me, “She will not
need to knock at the door of heaven for the angels will hasten to open
it for her”.
In our pleasant gathering two years ago were our cousins from the Pacific
coast, who were glad to meet so many dear friends, many of whom they will
never meet again in this life. The last visit I had with my only
sister, was at that time. A few months longer she tarried, ministering
as best she could to her dear ones until one day without previous warning
closed her eyes to open them in the mansions where husband and children
were waiting for her. Her daughter, Delia Tifft Hadley, is surely
failing in health. It seems hard that a lovely cultured woman should
be stricked down while comparatively young to suffer and die. She
sent me a most pathetic account of her experience before she became reconciled
to the loss of health, and the prospects of an early death. I wish
we might send her a cheery word to brighten her lonely life and also to
the absent son whose memory is fondly cherished in the home and by the
friends gathered here today. Shall we not send a loving message?
And now, dear friends, I am glad to meet you all, proud of your record
as a family and hope the time will never come when any of our number will
bring sorrow to the honored name. I am more than thankful that our
dear relative has lived a clean, pure life these 90 years, and I hope that
his health and his faculties may be preserved until the change comes when
this mortal shall put on immortality and he shall hear the “welcome, good
and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of our Lord”.
CELEBRATE 90TH BIRTHDAY – MORGAN L. EGBERT NEARING CENTURY MARK
The 90th birthday anniversary of our esteemed citizen, Morgan L. Egbert
was celebrated at his residence on Ithaca street yesterday, when a very
large company was present. A brief biographical sketch of the life
of Mr. Egbert was written and read by Mrs. J. P. Costa, a niece of Mr.
Egbert, who is 80 years old. This will be published in the Reporter
next week.
The following were present: Morgan L. Egbert, Mary W. Egbert
his wife. The following children were present: Charles R. Egbert,
Auburn; Mrs. A. O. Morgan, Auburn; Mrs. Katharine Burris, Ithaca; Ada Beard,
Auburn. All the children of Mr. Egbert were present except William
H., who resides at Kalispell, Montana.
The following grandchildren were present: H. A. Morgan, Mrs.
H. A. Morgan, Miss Mabel Beard, Auburn; Mrs. James Swartout, Elmira.
The following great grandchildren were present: Mrs. Florence
Swartout, Elmira.
The following relatives were present: Mrs. J. B. Coats, Watkins;
Lewis Egbert, Fred Egbert, Mrs. Fred Egbert and daughter Miss Pearl Lattin,
Charles S. Lattin, Mrs. George Egbert and son, Mrs. Lewis Rosse, Miss Maggie
Egbert, Horseheads; Mrs. Dell Egbert, Mrs. Amy Rose and son, Painted Post;
Marian McDougall and wife, Mr. And Mrs. Julius Lattin, james Lattin, Carmi
Lattin, and wife, Veteran; Mr. And Mrs. Henry Burris, Pine Valley; Julia
Edwards, Corning.
DEATH – MISS EMILY MACDUGALL
The funeral of Miss Emily MacDugall was held at the family home
in the Town of Veteran, Friday afternoon. Burial was in the Vary
cemetary.
GRANTED A DIVORCE – Mrs. Ada Crandall
Mrs. Ada Crandall has been granted an absolute divorce from Edwin J.
Crandall, both of Elmira.
AN ANNIVERSARY SURPRISE – Mr. & Mrs Nathan Vary Married Fifty Years
Ago
On Thanksgiving Mr. And Mrs. Nathan Vary were given a surprise by a
number of their friends, the occasion being the 50th anniversary of their
marriage. The following were present: Mr. And Mrs. Nathan Vary,
Mr. And Mrs. C. E. Vary, Nathan and henry Vary, Emeline, Kathryn and Dorothy
Vary of Newark, NY.; Mr. And Mrs. H. O. Ayer and son Frederic of Ulster,
PA; Mrs Mary U. Spaulding, Mr. And Mrs. C. V. Spaulding and daughters Helen,
Mildred and Catherine, and son Howard, Mr. And Mrs. B.E. Beers and daughter
Ethel, Marie Singerhoff and Sarah and Maud Judson of Elmira; Mr. And Mrs.
Harvey Turner, Mr. And Mrs. Charles H. Couch of Odessa; Mr. And Mrs.
J. B. Kays, Reuben Tifft and Mrs. Mary A. Coleman, Harvey Tifft, David
Tifft, W. T. Wood, Mrs. P. J. Turner, Mr. And Mrs. J. H. VanDuzer and sons
Edward and james, Jr., and daughter Ellen, Mr. And Mrs. S. D. Westlake
and sons Robert and William and daughters helen and Julia, Fred D. Herrick,
Miss Lilliam B. Herrick and Mr. And Mrs. John Brooks, Jr., of Elmira; Mrs.
Louisa Herrick, Mr. And mrs. John Brooks and sons Leon, Karl and Frederic
and daughters Rachel and Jessie of Horseheads; Charlotte and Helen Doolittle,
Rev. And Mrs. F. A. Stevens, Mr. And Mrs. A. W. Dalrymple, Mrs. Harriet
Woodruff, Mary Dalrymple and Mrs. Emma McDougall, making 70 present.
After a bountiful dinner was served, Rev. T. A. Stevens made a few
remarks expressing the congratulations of all present and their appreciation
of the long, useful Christian life of Mr. And Mrs. Vary. This was
followed by the reading of letters of congratulations from friends who
were unable to be present, by Mrs. Stevens.
Mr. And Mrs. Vary responded, expressing their appreciation of the kindly
remembrance of their friends.
Miss Lillian B. Herrick, a member of the faculty of the Elmira academy,
gave a very interesting account of her trip abroad last summer, describing
in detail the Fourth of July celebration on board an Italian liner, and
her visits to Vesuvius. Then the company broke up, wishing Mr. And
Mrs. Vary many more years of happiness together.
ELECTROCUTED AT MILLPORT – Son of Chauncey Sterling Killed Instantly
on Friday
Friday afternoon Harry Sterling was killed at Millport by a live electric
wire. Harry Sterling was 14 years old and the son of Mr. And Mrs.
Chauncey Sterling. He was playing along the banks of Catharine creek
north of the village, and near a point where the track of the Elmira &
Seneca Lake railway crosses the stream. It is supposed the boy fell
into the creek and in the effort to reach land grasped a wire charged with
an electric current and was instantly killed. A frightful cry was
heard and several persons ran to the boy’s assistance, among them George
Conkrite, who in an attempt to rescue him was badly shocked. When
he was released from the wire life was extinct. Dr. Elliott Bush
of this village, was in the place at the time and was called, but could
render no assistance, life having been extinct some minutes. It is
understood the wire which caused the accident was a loose guy or telephone
wire which had crossed the trolley wire in the recent rain storm and flood.
The awful death of the boy, which was witnessed by the mother, has caused
sorrow in every home in the village.
Coroner Jones investigated the case and Monday afternoon examined several
witnesses.
The funeral was held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock.
Deceased was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal church, and was confirmed
in April. He was a pupil of the Millport union school, where he will
be sadly missed, and also at St. Mark’s church and Sunday school, where
he was one of the regular attendants.
DEATH – Anson A. Hart (Feb. 7, 1913
Anson A. Hart died at 4:15 o’clock yesterday afternoon at his home
in Millport. He was seventy-seven years of age and a well known resident
in the community. The deceased was born in Saxony, Germany, and came
to this country when a young man. He was a member of the Old Oak
Lodge, No. 253, F & A. M., and the Wilson Dean Post, No. 416, G. A.
R., both societies located in Millport.
He is survived by his widow, one son Fred A. Hart of Horseheads, and
one daughter, mrs. Carrie Worden, of Elmira. The funeral will be
held Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m., for the home, the Rev. R. G. Whiting
officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery of which the
deceased was a member will have charge of the services at the grave.
THANKSGIVING DINNER AT LAVEAGA PARK - 1914
While on the Atlantic seaboard and throughout the East bitter cold
weather was the Thanksgiving day environment, in Santa Cruz the weather
was as perfect as on one of those rare days of June, of which the poets
are so wont to sing.
There was an outdoor Thanksgiving dinner party at Laveaga park Thursday,
attended by Mr. And Mrs. George Cleveland and son. Mr. And Mrs. Frank
T. Hart and daughter, mrs. M. B. Bond and son, and Mr. And Mrs. George
W. Clark. The roast turkey was taken piping hot to the park by automobile,
and the coffee was percolated right in the park at the public range.
It was a novel and delightful affair, with the panoramic view of the city
of Santa Cruz spread out before them.
DEATH – BARTON L. BENNETT - September 29, 1918
Barton L. Bennett died Monday at 9 o’clock p.m. at the family home,
460 Franklin street, aged 65 years. He was a resident of Elmira forty-three
years and was an employee of the Northern Central Railroad Company car
shops in this city many years. The decedent was a veteran of the
Civil War and served in the 109th New York Volunteers. He is survived
by his widow, a son, Harvey N. Of Veteran, and a daughter, Mrs. Nettie
L. Fassett of Elmira; two brothers, A. F. Bennett of Elmira, and George
W. Bennett of Waverly; two sisters, Mrs. Vine Houghtaling and Mrs. Charles
Southwell. The funeral will be held at the home Thursday, the hour
to be announced later.
HORSEHEADS IN OLDEN DAYS – Telegram, September 8, 1918
Before the Civil War They Had Dancing Parties There, Beautiful Women
and Gallant Men Participating in the Happy Events.
The “pome” given below will arouse tender memories with some Horseheads
old folk, and not a few in Elmira. The “pome” is introduced by a
few lines written by D. D. Turner, who was a printer in Penn Yan, where
he was summoned hence some years since. He was known as Dan Turner,
and in Penn Yan was the Telegram’s correspondent.
In the “pome” “Uncle Dick” was Uncle Dick Hatfield. “Uncle Vin”
was the slender and gallant Vincent Conklin, George O’Hanlon was once sheriff
and Charley Kline a miller. George Stanley was a later sheriff and
longtime conductor. Mort Rickey was a famous civil engineer and surveyor,
and once county clerk. “Barney” Hoffman was Colonel Henry C. Hoffman,
and Sile Haight was Elmira’s famous boniface, the grandfather of Lieutenant
Silas Haight, now in the aviation service “over there”. John and
Bill Sly were Elmira farm magnates, members of a robust family now quite
extinct. Walter Dailey and M. V. B. Fachman will be remembered by
our older lawyers.
In that “pome” cotillon is spelled cotillion and here it is:
A COTILLION PARTY
GIVEN IN UNION HALL, HORSEHEADS, BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.
NOTE:--In early days there were not a few in Horseheads who were
given to writing doggerel rhymes, of which the following may be considered
a fair example, and who were styled village poets.—D. D. Turner.
‘Twas winter yet in sixty-one,
The year the civil war begun.
A Ball was held in Horseheads town.
Before the Union block burned down.
Of dancers there were near ten score,
And every place the country o’er
Was represented at that ball—
About the last in Union hall.
The southern states thought to secede,
And roused the folks of northern breed
With such an ire, ‘twas fairly rife
That north and south must have a strife.
It seemed as if that country ball
Was ringing out a bugle call,
For friends and neighbors there to meet
While happy union was complete.
The fiddler, Azari by name
For dancing music had gained fame,
While second, basso, cornet too
Well played the part they had to do.
The prompter looked around the hall,
Then shouted “Take your places all”,
The ball was opened with a will
With an old-fashioned straight quadrille.
I tell you what, in olden days,
In dancing there was quite a maze;
But well the people took their part,
As every call was known by heart.
They didn’t used to walk to time,
The dancing then was something fine;
And when it came to old French Four,
You couldn’t keep them off the floor.
The names of some I will recall,
That had assembled at the ball,
‘Though very few now, by-the-way,
Will recognize these names to-day.
First George O’Hanlon, Charley Kline,
In Money Musk took place in line;
Then “Uncle Dick,” with “Uncle Vin”
A touchin’ elbows next to him.
Now facing on the other side
“Aunt Sally” Seeley next I spied;
Then Libbie Kline, Wilcoxes two,
With Susan Conklin in full view.
“Al” Terry, dancing with his niece,
Then next came Alexander Breese;
The Conklins, Jim and Fletcher fair,
Knapp Shappee, he himself a pair.
George Stanley, from Breesport came down
Ben Stimp, the landlord at Slabtown;
While Millport sent along the Pratts
To meet the people from the Flats.
Mort Rickey stood down near the foot,
A talking with his friend Hi Root;
And still above them, on the floor,
Sam Davis, from “Jo” Howard’s store.
Of maidens I recall but few,
The Jones girls and a Miss Devoe;
The Wordens from the “Ridge” drove o’er,
And Sing Sing sent at least a score.
Then Chauncey Taylor on his way,
Took Terry Dean into his sleigh;
And drove him to the Union hall
To see this old-time country ball.
No dance in this part of the state,
Was e’er complete without Sile Haight,
And with the Slys, both John and Bill,
Would help some set all night to fill.
Then Barney Hoffman, praise his name,
A man who gave to Horseheads fame;
Of dancers was the very king,
And came to cut the pigeon wing.
Of legal lights there were a few,
Clint Curtis, ad the Barlows two,
While Walter Dailey came to see
His neighbor Bachman M.V.B.
Bob Colwell kept a tavern small
And served the supper for the ball;
But now and then a few I think
Went up to “Van’s” to get a drink.
I tell you Horseheads in those day,
Was what it is to-day, and more,
Of what it is to-day, and more
Might yet be told of days of yore.
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Francis M. Egbert, Andrew M. Hinman, married Sunday, August 4th, 1907.
