May 12, 1998  From KerryAnne Tremblay

May 15, 1998   KerryAnne has sent more obituaries about the Riddell Family of Herkimer County.

County's Oldest Blacksmith, 86,
Dies Suddenly in Frankfort

FRANKFORT -- Francis J. Riddell, 86, one of the few old time blacksmiths in the County, died last Friday in front of his blacksmith shop on Tisdale Ave. He was stricken with cerebral hemmorrhage. His son, Albert, and Carl Kipper, who were nearby, went to his aid. He died before Dr. George J. Frank arrived.

Mr. Riddell, who had probably shod more horses than any other county resident, retired about four years ago but had broken this retirement several times to accomodate friends who wanted special work done. He was active until the last and was a familiar figure around the Litchfield St. business section.

He was born March 11, 1853, son of Francis and Alice Hewitt Riddell. For 10 years he worked from daylight to dusk as an apprentice, getting what schooling he could in the evening. After completing his apprenticeship he received $1.50 a day. He has worked at his trade in Midland City, Manitoba, Brandford, all in Canada; Niagara Falls, Druminsville, Buffalo, Ilion, and Mohawk.

His brother, Joseph, conducted a clothing store in Mohawk for several years. About 1900 he bought out W. L. Bassett in Ilion, where he did a thriving business for 21 years. About a year after moving to Ilion he married the late Louisa Jane Tarbush, who died 10 years ago.

Mr. Riddell was the youngest of 10 children. His father lived to be 100 years and seven days old and his mother died at the age of 84. His retirement came only after an unfortunate accident four years ago when he was kicked in the face by a horse. His son-in-law, George Wishart saved him from being trampled upon and killed. He recovered but could do only light work.

His proudest act was the shoeing of the world's largest horse some 27 years ago. The stallion weighed 2,250 pounds and the shoeing took two days and required the help of two men.

Besides Albert, he leaves four other sons, Clarence, of Canandaigua, Alexander, Lester and Robert of Ilion; three daughters, Anne Custworth of Utica, Mrs. Lillie Walters of Ilion and Violet of Mexico.

Note: This obituary appeared in the Herkimer Evening Telegram on March 28, 1939.

I am a descendant of Louisa Jane Tarbush's father Jonas Tarbush. He would be my ggg-grandfather. I hope that this might prove useful to someone else out there. I am also trying to locate further information on Jonas. I am also enclosing a copy of an article reguarding him.

The following is what is printed in the Collingwood Bulletin (Ontario, Canada) - April 1908

Mr. Jonas Tarbush passed away. Death claimed another of the original settlers of this county on Monday 23rd ult. when Mr. Jonas Tarbush, of Angus died. The deceased was 92 years of age on the 6th of February and had resided with is son, Mr. L. Tarbush of Angus for some time where he died. Mr. Jonas TarBush was born near Albany, N.Y. where for some years he manufactured salt. At the age of 25 he came to Canada and settled in Brock. Later moving to the north end of Sunnidale and located in the village of Angus, which was then being surveyed for the Northern Railway across the Nottawasaga River. Here he built a sawmill, grist mill and a general store. While engaged in this occupation he was also interested in Real estate, which he followed until declining years forced him to retire. At that time he was recognized as one of the most extensive real estate dealers in Ontario. He leaves a wife, three sons and three daughters, also thirty-five grand-children, now living.

I have been unable to locate exactly where in NY he was born. I know that in the 1860 Ontario census he was listed as Jonas T. Bush, also included in the house at the time was his mother Anna T. Bush listed as a widow. No clues as to who the father/husband was. Any ideas?? Also, how many salt manufacturers could there have been in 1835-40?? Unfamiliar with NY I'm hoping it wasn't a "common" thing!! Any assistance in finding more info would be truly and greatly appreciated. Thanks, KerryAnne

More Devoe and other obits, with notes, from Chris DeVoe

Ida Fox Obituary in the April 7, 1952 Utica Press:

Jordanville--Mrs. Ida. R. Fox died suddenly Apr. 6, 1952, at the Herkimer Hospital, where she had been admitted the previous afternoon.

Mrs. Fox was born Nov. 3, 1870, in the Town of Warren, a daughter of James and Hannah Springer DeVoe. Her marriage to John J. Fox, Jordanville, took place at his home Nov. 26, 1890. Mr. Fox died in 1935. [He was born in 1864.]

She was a member of the Warren Baptist Church, Jordanville Ladies Aid Society, Jordanville Grange, Herkimer County Pomona and the state Grange.

She leaves a son, Clayton Fox, Jordanville, and several cousins.

"I have a letter from Ida to Emma Devoe (my great-grandmother) dated September 1927 noting that Clayton was going to Syracuse to school. Kimms (?) got a teacher to take his place, so one may guess he taught either Sunday school or Jordanville school. I have not been able to locate any information on Clayton after 1952. I would be interested in learning anything about him."

Byron Paine

The Utica Observer-Dispatch obituary from February 25, 1985 gives some information on the retired farmer. He passed away February 23, 1985. Born at Henderson December 21, 1892, he was educated in local schools. He served in France and Germany in WWI, then returned to the family farm with brother Harold L. Paine. They both retired in 1968, and Byron had resided in Jordanville since then. He was a 61 year member of Richfield Lodge #482 and became a 4th Degree Mason on July 23, 1923. He was also an American Legion member. Survived by brother Harold, nieces & nephews and cousins. Funeral was held in Richfield Springs 11 AM Wednesday (February 27). Like his namesake Uncle, he never married.

According to "Herkimer County in the Great War 1916 to 1918" (compiled by Franklin W. Cristman 1927), Byron Paine was drafted into the Army in World War 1, inducted at Camp Devens on October 5, 1917. He was overseas from March 21, 1918 through April 28, 1919, being involved in the Alsace Sector 6/14 to 6/24/18, the Aisne-Marne offensive 7/29 to 8/11/18, the Battle of Juvigny 8/28 through 9/1/18 and the Meuse-Argonne engagement October 1st through 20th of 1918. He was also in the Army of Occupation from December 1, 1918 through April 28, 1918. Byron Lewis Paine served as a Corporal in Co. F, 126th Infantry.

Daniel Isaac Devoe's obituary from the Fort Plain Standard (c. 1930) reads:

Daniel I. Devoe died at his home on Lydius street, Fort Plain, on Sunday night, February 25. Mr. Devoe had been in ill health for several years but been confined to his home only during the past few months. Mr. Devoe had been one of Fort Plain's most prominent citizens for 45 years and his passing has created widespread sorrow in the town in which he passed so many years of his active and fruitful life. Daniel Isaac Devoe was the son of Daniel Anthony Devoe and Maria Snell of Fordsbush. The Devoe family is of pioneer Colonial stock. Anthony Devoe moved from present Renssalear county to Andrustown in 1798. Cornelius Devoe, his son, was born there and was a farmer of Warren, Herkimer county.

Daniel Anthony Devoe, son of Cornelius Devoe, was born in Warren April 19, 1820. He leased and subsequently bought a farm in the town of Warren. In 1863 he purchased a 200-acre farm on Clinton's road, just south of its junction with Seeber's Lane. He moved to this place and lived in the handsome brick house standing on a knoll and overlooking a considerable extent of fertile farming country. The Harvey Wagner farm stood directly opposite the Devoe place. Daniel Anthony Devoe was prominent in the life of his day and acted as a trustee of the Church of the Messiah, Universalist, Fort Plain. He died December 28, 1898. He has the following children: Nelson, who died at the age of 4; Margaret Ann (Mrs. Schuyler Duryee of Everett, Washington); Charlotte (wife of Dr. Alvero Zoller of West Union, Iowa); Ida (who died at an early age); Demetra Estelle (Mrs. Frank W. Bauder, Fort Plain); Daniel I. Devoe, who was born at the family home in Warren on January 19, 1860. He moved to the town of Canajoharie when his father bought land in that town in 1863. Following his schooling in the local district school, he entered Clinton Liberal Institute, then at Clinton, from which he graduated in 1878. He later attended the Rochester Business College. In 1879, Mr. Devoe came to Fort Plain where he took a position as clerk in the drug store conducted by Pettit and Reid. In 1880 he went into the drug business in Canajoharie in partnership with John N. Snell. Later Thomas E. Dygert bought Snell's interest, after which the firm became Devoe and Dygert. In 1885 Mr. Devoe returned to Fort Plain, after selling his interests in the Canajoharie store. D. I. Devoe and his brother-in-law, Walter F. Shumway, formed the partnership known as Devoe and Shumway and bought out the long-established drug business, then conducted by Pettit and Smith. Mr. Devoe then became interested in the manufacture of knit underwear and, in 1893, he sold his share in the drug business to Mr. Shumway, who has conducted it ever since. Mr. Devoe installed his knit goods business in the former Elwood silk factory on Upper Canal street. In 1902, it was incorporated as the Fort Plain Knitting Co., and, after a long time, it did a very extensive business. Conditions in the knit goods business became unfavorable and Mr. Devoe closed his mill in 1928 and retired from active business. For nearly half a century -- 47 years to be exact -- D. I. Devoe was a trustee of the Universalist church of Fort Plain and did a tremendous work toward its upbringing.

Mr. Devoe was a member of Fort Plain lodge, No. 433, F and A M, in which he was master of four years; Hiram Union Chapter, No. 53, Royal Arch Masons; Knights Templar Commandery, No. 26, Little Falls; Ziyara Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Utica. Mr. Devoe was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Before he retired from business, he was a member of the present Fort Plain Community Club.

Mr. Devoe was a lifelong member of the Republican party and was a successful candidate for county treasurer, a position which he held for three years.

On May 24, 1882, Mr. Devoe was married to Agnes E. Shumway, daughter of Joseph Hill Shumway and Cornelia Van Horne Sunmway. They had one child, Ethel, now Mrs. Eugene Mercer Weiskotten of Utica. Mrs. Devoe died on Janaury 8, 1915. Mr. Devoe married Miss Lillian Adria Failing on June 1, 1916. Mrs. Devoe is the daughter of the late Adam L. Failing and Rachel Smith Failing. A number of years ago, Mr. Devoe purchased the present handsome brick Devoe residence on Lydius street. Mr. Devoe was a man of culture, with a taste for good literature which he gratified in his excellent library. He was very much interested in the history of the Mohawk valley and its Indians and he possessed a fine, large and varied collection of Mohawk Indian and other relics, which he had gathered during his lifetime. Mr. Devoe was a man of genial nature with a kindly outlook on life and a most happy and friendly feeling for mankind. He was deeply interested in the progress and prosperity of Fort Plain and did everything in his power to promote it. He was always ready to assist anyone and his generosities were many.

His many friends, who enjoyed his genial and cultured society and his kindly personality deeply feel the loss of one of Fort Plain's outstanding citizens and extend to his bereaved wife and daughter, their most sincere sympathy. [Article continues, but the piece is lost.]

An undated obituary from Utica (probably the Press) for Margaret A. Duryea [sic]:

Fort Plain., June 10--Margaret A. Duryea, 73, wife of the late Schuyler Duree [sic], died suddenly at her home in Everett, Wash., last Thursday. She was a daughter of the late Daniel A. and Maria Snell Devoe, and was born February 16, 1851. Her girlhood days were spent near Fort Plain and many relatives and friends here will cherish her memory. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. H.G. Sutton of Seattle, Wash.; four sons, Dr. A.P. Duryee, and Daniel A. Duryee of Everett Wash., and Leverich and Korekeyo Duryee of Seattle; 10 grandchildren; also two sisters, Mrs. Frank W. Bauder of this place, amd Mrs. Charlotte N. Zoller of West Union, Iowa, and a brother, Daniel I. Devoe of Fort Plain.

"We may thus infer that she died in June 1924."

Maria Snell Devoe

The Fort Plain Standard of 12/20/23 has Maria's obituary on the front page:

On Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10.20 am, another one of the Mohawk Valley's grand old ladies, in the person of Mrs. Maria Snell Devoe, was called to her Heavenly home. Mrs. Devoe was born Jan. 11, 1824, and thus lacked only a few days of reaching the century mark. On May 6, 1848, she married Daniel A. Devoe, son of Cornelius and Ann Deyoe Devoe, who passed on 25 years ago [1898]. Mrs. Devoe was the daughter of Conrad and Margaret Bellinger Snell and was of Revolutionary stock....Mrs. Devoe retained her faculties to the end of her long and useful career, and her interest in life and its changes. She was always cheerful and happy in doing for others -- knitting gifts for friends and dear ones to the last. She was a devoted and loving mother and a true and faithful friend. Surely she leaves with her children and her children's children a most blessed memory and a wonderful heritage. She was a Universalist and more than 70 years ago became a member of that church. She is survived by one son, Daniel I. Devoe, with whom she lived for the past two years, and three daughters, Mrs. Frank W. Bauder of Fort Plain, Mrs. Schuyler Duryea of Everett, Wash., and Mrs. Charlotte N. Zoller of West Union, Iowa. Ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren also survive.

The funeral was held Tuesday [the 18th] from the D.I.Devoe home at 3 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Moulton of the Universalist church officiating. Internment in the Fort Plain cemetary.

From Rita M. D'Arcangelis

These are obituaries of some of my predecessors that I have collected from a variety of sources, including clippings found in old family bibles. Unfortunately most of them did not include the name of the newspapers from which they were clipped, but all came from newspapers in Herkimer/Fulton/Montgomery counties. I have added some information in square brackets. Photos of some of these folks can be seen on my personal/academic web page http://www.mwc.edu/~rmd.

*Obituaries for William Stahl, 1802-1906.

William Stahl. [July 18, 1906, newspaper unknown]

William Stahl of St. Johnsville, died at the residence of his son, Warner [Warren] Stahl, in Oppenheim, yesterday, at the age of 83 years, of senile debility. He is survived by two sons, Warren and William, and one daughter, Mrs. Brown. The funeral will be held from the residence of William Stahl, St. Johnsville, at 1 p. m., tomorrow, Rev. O. J. Houghton of Lassellsville, officiating. Interment will be made at Ingham's Mills.

[also, the following appeared in the Fulton Co. Republican, July 26, 1906 p3.]

Stahl, William. Of Oppenheim, died July 16, in the 84th year of his age. Born in Salisbury Aug. 2, 1802, son of Peter and Eliza Stahl. Married Angeline (lan) [Lany] who died 6 years ago. Survived by William, Warren, Fred, Mrs. O.M. Barnes [Brown], brother Samuel.

*Obituary for Angeline Lany Stahl, 1825/6-1900. [1900, newspaper unknown]

Mrs. William Stahl died Friday evening after an illness of two days of brain fever. She was much esteemed and highly respected by all she knew her. She leaves to mourn the loss of a kind wife and mother, her husband, three sons, Warren and William of St. Johnsville, and one daughter, Mrs. Marshall Brown of Little Falls. She was 75 years of age. The funeral was held from the late residence Monday at 1 o'clock.

*Obituary for Jane Stahl Brown, 1848-1925.

LONG AND GOOD LIFE CLOSED [1925, newspaper not known]

Mrs. Jane Brown Passed Away at Home of Daughter Here.

Dolgeville, Jan. 29 - After a long period of impaired health, Mrs. Jane Brown died yesterday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Myron Bills, on Winton Avenue. Her illness was caused by a complication of diseases. She was able to be about only a few days ago, but had failed rapidly since then. Mrs. Brown was born February 14, 1848, in the town of Oppenheim and was a daughter of William Stahl and Angeline Lany Stahl. She was married to [Olmstead] Marshall Brown, whose death occurred 14 years ago last July. For the past 13 years she had made her home here with her daughter. All of her life had been spent in this vicinity. The deceased was a good and kind woman who lived a long and useful life, always ready to be of help to friends and neighbors. She was loved by all for the admirable qualities she possessed and her death will be mourned by many. Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Myron Bills of this village, Delevan and William Brown of Shells [Snells] Bush, Delos of North Adams, Mass., Fred of Little Falls, Mrs. Jacob Glansdorp of Middleville, and Mrs. Edward Finnissey of the Inghams Mills Road. A brother Fred Stahl of Oppenheim also survives. The funeral will be held from the home of Mrs. Bills at 1:30 Saturday afternoon, Rev. F. R. Griffiths, D. D., of the M. E. Church officiating, and the remains will be placed in the vault of the Inghams Mills cemetery, where interment will be made next spring.

*Obituary for Carrie Celestia Brown Finnissey, 1886-1969. [newspaper unknown]

Fort Plain - Mrs. Carrie C. Finnissey, 83, of 29 Willett St., widow of Edward J. Finnissey, died early yesterday in her home. She was born in the Town of Oppenheim. She was married to Mr. Finnissey in 1906. He died in 1968. Mrs. Finnissey was a member of St. James Church, and had lived in Fort Plain since 1934. She leaves four daughters, Mrs. Margaret Parker, Babylon; Mrs. Helen Wolff, Amsterdam; Miss Josephine Finnissey, New York, and Mrs. Rita Marcellino, Fort Plain, and a sister Mrs. Myron L. Bills, Dolgeville. The funeral will be 9:30 Saturday from St. James Church, with burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Dolgeville. Calling hours at Gray Funeral Home are afternoons and evenings today and tomorrow. The Rosary will be recited at 8 tomorrow night. [my grandmother]

*Obituary for Thomas Finnissey, 1852/3-1927 [Little Falls newspaper]

Thomas Finnissey, a well known and highly respected resident of this city, passed away at 8 o'clock this morning at his home on Pierce Street, after a long illness which was caused by a complication of diseases. Mr. Finnissey was born in Waterford [Ireland] about 75 years ago and came to this city to reside when a young man [1869]. Some years ago [1875] he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hines of Troy. For many years the deceased was employed by the department of public works, until ill health compelled him to resign about three years ago. He was a man of high character, honest and honorable, and was most kindly regarded for his worthy qualities. His death was a sad surprise, as it was not known that his condition was critical. He was a devoted member of St. Mary's church and of the Holy Name Society. Surviving are the wife and six children, being Edward Finnissey of Dolgeville, Kieran of Glens Falls, Thomas of Eatonville, Mrs. John Dorey, Jr., and the Misses Johanna and Elizabeth Finnissey of this city. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made.

*Obituary for Edward J. Finnissey, 1876-1968 [Fort Plain Standard] Edward J. Finnissey, 91, died early Tuesday morning, July 2, at the Canajoharie Nursing Home where he had been a patient for three weeks. Born July 17, 1876, in Fairfield, son of Thomas and Margaret Hines Finnissey, the deceased was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Fort Plain. He lived in Amsterdam from 1958 to 1965. He is survived by his wife, the former Carrie Brown, Fort Plain; four daughters, Mrs. Margaret Parker, Babylon, L.I., Mrs. Helen Wolff, Amsterdam; Miss Josephine Finnissey, New York City, Mrs. Frank Marcellino, Fort Plain; two sisters, Miss Josephine Finnissey, Little Falls; two nieces, a nephew, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. The body will be removed to the Gray Funeral Home, Fort Plain. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 4 at 9:30 a.m. from St. James Catholic Church with the pastor, the Rev. John J. Sullivan, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Dolgeville. The Rosary will be recited this evening at the funeral home. [My grandfather]

From Shirley C. Farone

This is the 5-generation picture, with Elizabeth Padgett Lingenfelter to the left and Alida Lingenfelter Putnam Harter to the right. Both were born or lived in Montgomery County, N. Y. Everyone in the photo is deceased:

Elizabeth Padgett Lingenfelter
Alvin Hasner
Cora Putnam Hasner
Norris Hasner (baby)
Alida Lingenfelter Putnam Harter

"Maybe you can put this one up...the lady was born in Montgomery County...for some reason she was called Lady Padgett by family members. I'm going to try to attach a 5-generation picture. The little old lady at the left is the subject of the obit: Elizabeth Padgett Lingenfelter. If you need names of the others, I have them and they are all deceased. Thanks so very much. Shirley Conklin Farone of Ashland, Ohio, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y. twigs@bright.net P.S. if I can't send attachment now, it will come later. (We can't wait!)"

"The following represents the contents of an obit written for Elizabeth Padgett LINGENFELTER. The obit was found among family papers. The name of the newspaper from which it came is unknown. Consequently, the date upon which it appeared is unknown. Elizabeth died June 15, 1909."

CHAUMONT (NY)

LEAVES SIXTY
DESCENDANTS

Mrs. Elizabeth Padgett Lingen-
felter Dies at Advanced Age
of 88 Years.

HUSBAND AN EARLY
RAILWAY BUILDER

Remarkable Old Lady Leaves 8 Chil-
dren, 24 Grandchildren, 28 Great
Grandchildren and 2 Great Great
Grandchildren, All of Jefferson
County.

CHAUMONT, June 18--Mrs. Elizabeth Padgett Lingenfelter died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Myron C. Daniels, Wednesday night, at the age of 88 years. She had been in failing health during the winter but showed wonderful vitality. She was confined to her bed about eight weeks after a succession of paralytic strokes. She was the daughter of James Padgett and Sarah Vanburen. In 1838 she was united in marriage with Conrad Lingenfelter in Amsterdam, N. Y. where they resided during the time Mr. Lingenfelter was engaged as superintendent of construction work on the New York Central railroad. They afterward went to Vermont, while he was engaged in similar railroad construction and in 1852 they moved to Jefferson county and bought a farm in the town of Clayton, where they lived the greater part of their lives. Mr. Lingenfelter died about 40 years ago, and his wife still lived on the farm until her daughter, Elizabeth, was married to Myron C. Daniels in 1878, when Mrs. Lingenfelter broke up the old farm and has since spent her time around her children, grandchildren and friends, making her home chiefly with her daughter, Mrs. Daniels near Depauville. Four years ago they moved to Chaumont and rented a house on Washington street, while their present home was being constructed. Mrs. Lingenfelter was a member of the M. E. church of Depauville, and joined no other organization being very devoted to her church and family. She leaves a large circle of relatives and friends. Of those who are nearest she leaves one brother, James Padgett of Harpersville, N. Y., eight children, Mrs. Alida Carter of St. Lawrence, Nelson Lingenfelter, Depauville; Charles G. Lingenfelter, St. Lawrence; Emorette Osborn, Chaumont; John Lingenfelter, Depauville; Myron Lingenfelter, McCombs Settlement; Elizabeth M. Daniels, Chaumont. She leaves also 24 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, Noris (sic) and Alice Hasner of Evans Mills. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 11 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Myron C. Daniels, Rev. George Ernst officiating with interment at Depauville.

Notes: Omission and Errors -- Mrs. Alida Carter, should have read Mrs. Alida Harter. She was my great-grandmother. One child was omitted, that being James Lingenfelter. A nice lady on the Internet yesterday wrote me that James died in the service, presumably the Civil War. The obit states the couple were married in 1838; copy of a record found at Salt Lake City reads July 4, 1839, married at Florida, N. Y. I was told that the marriage record is in Albany, N. Y.

Note also that an error was made in stating Elizabeth's mother's first name. It was Elizabeth (Van Buren), not Sarah. With the help of some Internet friends, we have found her grave and that of her husband in Oxford, N. Y.

Lots more obits on the Obits Bulletin Board Part 3.

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