Genealogical
Gleanings
from the Catskill Recorder
October 7, 1907
Contributed by Karol Hugh
BIRTHS
Eggleston.—In this village, Sept. 28, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Eggleston, a daughter.
Hotaling.—At New Baltimore, Sept. 20, to Mr. and Mrs. Orville
G. Hotaling, a daughter.
MARRIAGES
Hodge-Ryan.—In this village, Sept. 29, by the Rev. Father
Fitzgerald, Wesley Hodge of Hudson and Helen Ryan of Athens.
Van Wagner-Williams.—In this village, Sept. 29, by the
Rev. Irving H. Berg, Charles Van Wagner of Accord and Daisy Williams of
Kingston.
Fowks-Potter.—At Leeds, by the Rev. John Clark of
Halcottville, Samuel Fowks and Ruth Luella Potter, both of Leeds.
Blair-Story.—At Places Corners, town of Greenville, Sept.
28, James Blair of Yonkers, N. Y., and Ethel Story of Places Corners.
Clark-Haywood.—At Ashland, Oct. 1, by the Rev. Henry M.
Dodd, Samuel Chauncey Clark and Lucy Haywood, both of Ashland.
Mattocks-Peck.—At Jewett, Sept. 25, by the Rev. A. D. V.
Dangremon, William L. Mattocks of Washington, D. C., and Bertha M. Peck of
Jewett.
Benjamin-Dwyer.—At Pine Hill, N. Y., Sept. 26, by the
Rev. Glenville C. Morse, Robert C. Benjamin of Edgewood and Mary C. Dwyer of
Hunter.
Reilly-Powers.—In New York city, Oct. 2, by the Rev.
Father Dolan, John T. Reilly (formerly of Catskill) and Barbara Powers, all of
New York.
DEATHS
Sherman.—At Coxsackie, Sept. 26, Alonzo Sherman, a
veteran of the Civil War, aged 72 years.
Rider.—At Red Hook, Sept. 29, James Rider, formerly of
Catskill, aged 52 years.
Rightmyer.—At Cairo, Sept. 30, Edgar Rightmyer, aged 38 years.
Shear.—At New Baltimore Station, Sept. 25, Nelson E. Shear, aged 34 years.
Sears.—At Lime Street, Sept. 30, Irving Sears (colored), aged 29 years.
OCTOBER BRIDES
Tice-Post.
On Wednesday evening, Sept. 25th, Miss Maude Post, daughter of
William Post, North street, was united in marriage to Harry Tice, son of William
C. Tice, foreman in the Catskill Foundry, by the Rev. Robert Knapp. The charming
bride wore a gown of pink silk with chiffon trimming, and carried a bouquet of
white carnations; her going-away dress was a navy blue tailor-made suit with hat
to match. Miss Jennie Post, sister of the bride, was maid of honor, and was
gowned in white organdie, with a bouquet of pinks. Arthur Westfield was the best
man. A luncheon was served after the ceremony, after which the happy couple
boarded a train for a short honeymoon in New York city. They were the recipients
of a number of costly gifts.
Fowks-Potter.
At Leeds on Tuesday, at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Helen J. Potter
(a former resident of Preston Hollow), Miss Ruth Luella Potter was united in
marriage with Samuel Fowks, a well-known mechanic of that village. The Rev. John
Clark of Halcottville tied the nuptial knot, and the happy couple immediately
after the wedding repast came to Catskill and took the Onteora for New York
city, en route to spend the honeymoon at Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Fowks
will make their home at Leeds.
Reilly-Powers.
In the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New York, on Wednesday, our former
townsman John T. Reilly was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Powers of that
city, the Rev. Father Dolan performing the ceremony. Counselor James H. Reilly
of this village, brother of the groom, was best man, and the Misses Powers,
sisters of the bride, were maid of honor and flower girl respectively. The happy
young couple are spending their honeymoon at Niagara Falls.
OBITUARY
Ryan.—The funeral services of Mrs. William Ryan,
for thirty-six years a resident of this village, were held in St. Patrick’s
Church last Saturday. Mrs. Ryan was a daughter of the late Martin Dunn of
Athens, in which village she was born fifty years ago, and throughout her long
residence here was esteemed by all. Among those from out of town in attendance
at he funeral were James and Edward Bell of Ossining, Mrs. Johanna Dunn and Miss
Jennie Dunn of Athens, Mrs. John Kelly, Miss Bessie Gaffney, Mrs. Florence Smith
and Mrs. Emma Flynn of Hudson, and Miss Lizzie Doherty of Kinderhook.
Catlin.—Mrs. Thomas Catlin, after a short
illness, passed to her final reward from her home at East Durham on Sept. 20,
1907, leaving to mourn her loss, her husband, Thomas Catlin; her sister, Mrs.
Ella M. Yates of New York city, and many friends. Funeral services were held at
her late residence on Sunday, Sept. 22d, and interment was made in the East
Durham cemetery.
Mrs. Catlin was born June 16, 1832, of Jesse H.
and Zillah Miller, in the town of Greenville; she was united in marriage to
Thomas Catlin of Columbia county by the Rev. George A. Howard at Catskill, in
1852, and removed to East Durham from Columbia county about thirty-five years
ago. She was baptized in the Hudson River at Germantown on Sept. 24, 1860,
uniting with the Germantown Methodist Church; by transfer of membership she
united with the Methodist Church at East Durham and was a member of the first
class formed in that place, always faithful in attendance, meeting with the
church of her choice just twelve days before her entrance into the better life.
Rider.—James Rider, a one-time well-known
resident of this town, died on Sunday morning at his home at Upper Red Hook, of
Bright’s disease, after an illness of eight days, in his fifty-second year.
Funeral services were conducted at the house on Tuesday by the Rev. Mr. Clapp,
and on Wednesday interment was made in the Cairo cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Dann
offering prayer at the grave.
Mr Rider was born at Cairo on Nov. 2, 1855, to
William W. Rider and his wife Olive S. King, his parents removing to Catskill in
1869. Two years later he entered on a preparatory course at Wilbraham Institute
at Wilbraham, Mass., and later became a student in the New York College of
Pharmacy. On graduating he went West and, finding no promising opening in the
drug business, he settled on a cattle and sheep ranch near Larned, Kan.,
After twelve years of ranch life he embarked in
the drug business at the county seat of Pawnee county. Next he went on a
prospecting trip to the Pacific slope, locating for a year or two at Spokane,
Wash.
About this time he was called East by the illness
of his father, who died about 1890. Soon after Mr. Rider accepted a position as
special messenger with the Adams Express Co., remaining for five years on the
route between New York and Boston, and for two years was in charge of the
company’s office at Mt. Vernon, N. Y. At Poughkeepsie in 1895 Mr. Rider wedded
Miss Emily Frances Hunter, niece of Robert H. Hunter, the well-known Republican
leader of Dutchess county. A few years ago he purchased the Elting place at Red
Hook, a fine fruit farm of 130 acres, where he remained until his death.
Besides his wife and mother, Mr. Rider is survived
by a brother, W. W. Rider, and a sister, Sarah (Mrs. DeL. Rugg). Among those
attending the interment from out of town were his mother-in-law, Mrs. Emily
Hunter, and her son Robert, of Poughkeepsie.
‘ROUND ABOUT THE COUNTY
Athens
Died, at Lime Street on Monday, Irving Sears
(colored), aged 29 years.
Cairo and Vicinity
Edgar Richtmyer, a young man whose genial ways
drew to him a host of friends in this place, was about two weeks ago suddenly
attacked by a partial stroke of paralysis while at work on his farm near the
village, losing the use of both limbs. Dr. N. H. Griffin attended him and tried
all that medical aid could do. The patient’s appetite continued good and he
had use of his arms, but it was found a few days ago that the disease was going
up to his body, and in spite of excellent care and skilled medical assistance it
reached the heart on Monday evening, and death’s work was done. The community
sympathizes with a widowed mother, whose earthly happiness was so closely allied
with her son Edgar, for this loss removes a staff on which she had leaned since
the death of this father. Cut down in the prime of life, the grief came as a
quick blow, startling all by its suddenness. Those who had any dealing with him
unite in saying, “Ed. Was a fine fellow and we shall miss him.” He was at
one time collector in this town, and a deputy under Sheriff Post; he took an
active part in politics and did much for the cause of Democracy. Thirty-eight
years marked the end of his life’s journey; a good citizen, an affectionate
son and a kind neighbor has passed from our midst.
Coxsackie
At Brooklyn on the 28th ult., Roswell
H. Simpson, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Simpson of this village, and Miss
Katharine LeFevre of Kingston were married by the Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Boynton. The
happy couple, who visited the parents of the groom on Saturday and Sunday, are
the recipients of the hearty good wishes of many friends.
The funeral of Alonzo Sherman, who died at
his residence on Ely street, last week Thursday, aged about 72 years, was held
at the house on Monday afternoon, the Rev. Alfred Coons officiating. The
deceased was one of Coxsackie’s oldest and best-known residents.
Leeds
Ford Clegg, conductor on the Leeds-Catskill
trolley line, who had been taken to the Kingston Hospital, died on Sunday from
injuries received some time ago in jumping from a window during an attack of
nightmare.
New Baltimore
Matthew Gathen has a happy smile on his face, a
girl baby being the cause.
The wedding of Platt Wheat of this place and
Irene Rarick of Rocky Heights was celebrated on Wednesday at the home of the
bride’s parents.
Granville Card’s family have sold most of
their household furniture and moved to South Norwalk, Conn.
Born, Sept. 20th, to Mr. and Mrs.
Orville G. Hotaling, a daughter, Florence Irene.
Green Schoolhouse
Mr. and Mrs. Milo Young are the proud possessors
of a brand-new girl. Congratulations!
High Hill
Leonard and Ralph Brandow of Catskill were at the
old homestead one day recently, picking apples.
Jewett
Married, in Jewett, Sept. 25th, by the
Rev. A. D. V. Dangremon of Prattsville, Bertha M. Peck to William L. Mattocks of
Washington, D. C.
News has just reached here of the death in
Kingston of an old resident of Jewett, Mrs. Burton Coon, who had long been a
sufferer with consumption.
Palenville
Mansfield Gardner is here, settling up his
business preparatory to moving his family to New Rochelle, their future home.
Mrs. A. E. Hinman received last week the sad
intelligence of the death of her brother-in-law, Mr. Sherman, which occurred in
Coxsackie, the funeral taking place on Monday afternoon. Mr. Sherman was an
uncle of Miss Louisa Lamoreau, formerly of this place.
Thomas Stone, a former resident of this place, who
for many years past had lived in New York, died about two weeks ago of
consumption. In the Summer he came up here and spent several weeks with his
brother Sylvester, thinking the change might benefit him, but after returning to
the city he became worse, and soon the mournful tidings came that he was dead.
He leaves two brothers, John and Sylvester.
Smiths Landing
The funeral of Harold, son of Benjamin Lewis, was
held at the church here Saturday; interment in the West Camp cemetery.
Though only the immediate relatives were present,
a pretty home wedding occurred at the residence of John Story, Places Corners,
on Sept. 28th, when his eldest daughter, Miss Ethel B. Story, became
the bride of James G. Blair, manager of the Otis Ry. Works at Yonkers, the
officiating clergyman being the Rev. E. D. Van Dyke of Greenville Presbyterian
Church. The bride wore a traveling gown of princess blue voile, and may all good
luck attend the happy pair.
Chesterville
Orrin, the four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman
Hempstead, died at their home on Saturday, Sept. 28th.
Edgewood
Married, at Pine Hill, Sept. 26th, by
the Rev. Glenville C. Morse, Robert C. Benjamin of Edgewood and Miss Mary C.
Dwyer of Hunter.
Lime Street
The funeral of Irving Sears, colored, was held at
the Reformed Church on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased who lived at Green
Lake, was a very sober and industrious young man, respected by all who knew him.
He was a victim of consumption, passing away on Sunday.
New Baltimore Station
Nelson E. Shear died at his home near here last
week Wednesday morning, after battling for nearly two years with that dread
disease tuberculosis. In his demise the town loses a citizen whose dominating
trait of honesty means a loss to any community. He was born 34 years ago and was
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Shear. About ten years ago he was married to Miss
Jennie Whitbeck, daughter of Geo W. Whitbeck, who is left with three bright
children. Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his mother and one
sister, Mrs. Myron Hotaling of Ravena. Services were conducted by the Rev. Mr.
Rice at the house on Saturday; interment at Riverside Cemetery, Coxsackie.
Brook Road
Muriel Cronk and Luella Spence were united in
marriage in Medway on Sept. 28th, by the Rev. E. Hall. The happy pair
have been spending a few days with the bride’s brother, Charles Spence of this
place.
Gayhead
Married, by the Rev. E. D. Van Dyke of Greenville,
at the residence of the bride’s parents in Places Corners, Sept. 28th,
Miss Ethel Story and James Blair of Yonkers, the wedding being very quiet with
only a few near relatives. The best wishes of a host of warm friends go with
Mrs. Blair to her new home in Yonkers, where her husband is foreman in the Otis
electric works and much respected. Shubal Losee and wife and C. F. Wilkins and
wife, with J. P. Powell and wife, and daughter Elsie, were among the guests, as
were also Mr. Blair’s two little sons. On Monday evening the young men of
Greenville Center gave the bride and groom a noisy serenade.
Potter Hollow
Miss Nina Cunningham and Morton Wakely were
married by the Rev. Marion Youmans in Rensselaerville on Sept. 28th.
South Durham and Vicinity
Miss Susie Simpson and Ed. Watrous of Connecticut
were married at the home of the bride’s parents on Sept. 25th.
Three-Mile Center
Miss Elizabeth Van Auken attended the wedding of
Miss Helen T. Bogardus and William Davis at Oak Hill on Wednesday, Sept. 26th.
West Leeds
C. A. Vedder is treating his house to a new coat
of paint.
Mrs. Elizabeth Vedder is at home again from a
visit with her daughter, Mrs. Sheldon Dollar of Coxsackie.
Odd and End Gatherings
Death of Catskill trolleyman: Ford H. Clegg, a
conductor on the Catskill trolley road, who on the night of Sept. 12th,
while suffering an attack of nightmare, leaped through a bedroom window at his
boarding house at Leeds, died on Sunday at the Kingston Hospital, as the result
of his injuries. The unfortunate young man was a native of Delaware county, and
in the Winter months taught school. Mrs. Clegg is employed on Jefferson Heights,
this town.
Forty Year Ago
Items from The Recorder, October 4, 1867:
Killed at Prattsville: The Sentinel says that on Thursday evening of last
week, as Mrs. Polly Briggs was driving home from a visit, her horse ran against
a cow which was standing in the road. This frightened the horse and he ran away,
Mrs. Briggs being thrown from the wagon, and striking against a stump, she was
killed.
THE CATSKILLS 70 YEARS AGO
The flood of 1850 was caused mainly
by a cloudburst in the Scribner-Benjamin neighborhood, and near the bridge over
the stream near the top of the first hill East of Hunter large trees are growing
now in what was the bed of that creek after the storm, probably eight or ten
feet lower than the original one.
To protect his own grounds, store, office, bark-shed and workmen’s homes,
Col. Edwards had an embankment made just West of the small stream running
through his yard, thus forcing a great body of water to remain in its channel
instead of spreading out across the turnpike and broad lawns North of it, but
increasing the height and depth of the torrent during the freshet of August,
1856, though the dam itself was so firmly fixed at both ends in solid rock, with
stone bottom, that no force of water could move it.
It was soon discovered that the vats in the upper yard of the tannery wore
(sic) slowly rising, with their contents of liquor and hundreds of sides of
leather just ready to be taken out dried, oiled, and rolled, showing that the
flood had undermined the dock made of heavy logs firmly ironed together and
filled in the spaces with rock. So men went into the building, having ropes
about their waists, the other ends of which were held by sturdy fellows who
could be trusted, and the leather was hauled out and carried back more than a
hundred feet to high hard ground. Within an hour the alarm was given that the
flood had cut into this place of safety and the stuff was again in danger,
whereupon eager hands went for it and worked as strong men do in an emergency
but were soon called off by wise and watchful owner, who saw that lives were in
peril. A great pile of leather, which had been rescued by desperate effort and
carried to a supposedly safe distance, was in a whirlpool formed by the
water’s cutting more than a hundred feed across and thirty feet deep into a
gravel bank which had been packed for generations by loaded wagons; some sides
of that leather were afterward found in Gilboa, over twenty miles away.
The liquor, costing $800, was made from the last large quantity of bark ever
peeled in the old Catskills. Peters & Griffin had stripped 800 cords during
the previous Summer, and in the Winter ten or more teams had hauled the wood
from Eastkill to Hunter. They left the latter town before daylight, shoveled
through drifts both going and coming, the drivers and one of the owners, who
went with them every day, holding each load in turn past sidling places where
otherwise it would have tipped over; eating a frozen lunch, and getting back to
Hunter after dark, unloading, putting out the teams, swallowing a hot supper,
rubbing down and feeding their horses, then turning into bed to sleep till time
to be off again next morning. What wouldn’t millionaire dyspeptics give for
such appetites, digestion and sleep as those drivers enjoyed—and then, what
fun they had!
The owners of the leather were Corse & Pratt, the latter of whom, five
years later, raised a regiment, went to the Civil War and gave his fore for his
country. His father, Col. Zadock Pratt, who had retired from business long
before, after exhausting the bark near the village which still bears his name,
was sent up from New York to look over the ground and decide whether enough bark
was left in the Catskill to justify the rebuilding of the tannery, a structure
390 ft. long, two-thirds of which had gone downstream in the late devastation.
He gave his opinion in the negative, so temporary machinery was put under sheds,
the leather was tanned, finished and sent to Corse & Pratt in the city, and
so ended the tanning industry in Hunter.
An
Old Pilgrim