John A. Roebling studied architecture, engineering, bridge and foundation construction, and hydraulics, before emigrating from Prussia in 1831. His government job of four years involved designing military roads and supervising their construction. He had also sketched suspension bridges that were … Continue reading
In 1845 Lumberland was home to hunters, tanners, lumberjacks, timber rafters, canal related workers, as well as shoemakers, blacksmiths, wagonmakers, carpenters, and any other job necessary in a town. The D&H Canal had brought more people to the area. By … Continue reading
Five miles northwest of Halfway Brook Village was Beaver Brook (sometimes called Beaver Brook Mills), where James K. Gardner supervised a lumbering operation for St. John and Dodge. James K., his wife Eliza Eldred, and their three children lived in … Continue reading
The Delaware and Hudson Canal opened in October 1828. In November 1828 the first canal boats loaded with coal arrived at the Hudson River. From then until 1899, barges carried anthracite coal from the Moosic Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania mines … Continue reading
Lumberland, 1825–1831 “Lumbering was the only business of the section, cutting and drawing logs, sawing and hauling boards, rafting and running lumber down the stream.”—Johnston, p. 293. Lumberland hummed with the sound of sawmill blades as they ripped through huge … Continue reading
On January 8, 1884 Chester Beers (widowed nine years) married Ida M. Taggart. Chester and Ida’s daughter Clara Janet was born September 11, 1887. Chester, Ida, and Clara lived on the 183-acre family farm that Chester inherited. Chester had attended … Continue reading
In the summer of 1879 Emma Austin traveled from Eldred, New York, to live with her brothers Ell and Lon Austin, who lived and worked in Solomon, Kansas. The hope was that the drier climate could cure her TB. Edith … Continue reading
Chester wrote Emma (Emogene) the same day he wrote to Aida. This is the last known letter Chester wrote to Emma. Emma, sick with TB, was planning to go to Kansas where her brothers were working as ranchers. She planned … Continue reading
In this last letter to Emma’s sister Ida (Aida), Chester mentions Emma has talked about Aida going West, something Emma was considering. It was hoped the drier weather would help her get over TB. Their Austin brothers Ell and Lon … Continue reading
Walton, New York, August 17, 1878 Friend Ida, Yours of the 5th is at home to which I shall write a line or two. I don’t know whether I can come to Sullivan or not if I do I can … Continue reading
