Congregational and Methodist Churches 1901 to 1903

by Louise Smith Posted on May 3, 2012
Barryville Methodist Church Cornerstone, 1902. Photo: Gary Smith

Congregational Church
In 1901 Edna Gardner, Archie A. Myers, and Georgia Clark (later Mrs. Walter Styles) were received into membership at the Congregational Church.

The following year, James K. Gardner, Charles Breen, George Layman, Mrs. Ami Quick, Phebe Drake, Mrs. Shotwell, and Gussie and Edith Davenport were also received into membership. Rev. W.J. Carter was pastor from 1900 to 1903.

Methodist Church
Eldred’s Methodist Church had been built in 1859. Sometime after 1900 a steeple was added. There was also a wagon shed beside the church for the use of members who drove some distance to church.

The Methodist Church in Barryville was built in 1902. The parsonage at the Barryville Church was owned by both the Eldred and Barryville Methodist churches.

E.R. Kalbfus and Ira M. Austin of Barryville, along with James Boyd and my grandfather C.M. Austin of Eldred, were the original trustees of the property. Rev. S.O. Rusby was pastor from 1896 to 1901. Rev. F.L. Rhodes was pastor from 1901 to 1904. Continue reading →

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Town of Highland’s WWII Serviceman

by Louise Smith Posted on May 1, 2012
WWII soldier group with Bill Austin standing in back on the right.
Art Austin in WWII.

I have recently been reading books about World War II for background information for Book 3.

Many from Highland served in World War II including my father, his brothers Bob and Bill Austin, and their cousin Jim Leavenworth.

If your relative from the Town of Highland was in WWII, I would appreciate knowing that person’s name, how and where they served, and what branch they were with. I know there were also some nurses from the area and some folks worked at factories in other states.

Also, it seems people took different watches at the golf course. If anyone has more information about golf course watching during the war, that would be great.

You can comment on this site (I’m sure others would be interested in reading comments) or email me: info (at) halfwaybrook (dot) com Continue reading →

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September 6, 1901: President McKinley is Assassinated

by Louise Smith Posted on April 25, 2012

William McKinley Jr., a Civil War veteran, had become President in 1897. On September 5, 1901, President and Mrs. McKinley were at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, where he had delivered a speech on tariffs and foreign trade.

The next afternoon, the President greeted people at the Temple of Music. Leon Czolgosz was in line with a pistol concealed by a handkerchief. Leon fired twice. The second bullet went through the President’s abdomen and lodged in the muscles of his back.

President McKinley was reported as being concerned about how they told his wife what happened. He also wanted Czolgosz protected from the angry crowd which was severely beating Czolgosz.

Eight days later, the President died from gangrene. His last words were, “It is God’s way; His will be done, not ours.” Vice President Theodore Roosevelt then became President. There was a 1903 photo of the Theodore Roosevelt family in the Austin memorabilia.—wikipedia.org.

1903 President Teddy Roosevelt and his family. Photo courtesy of Austin Family.
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Jacob Clouse and Emma Wagner

by Louise Smith Posted on April 24, 2012
Jacob Clouse and Emma Wagner's wedding certificate courtesy of C.W.

Jacob Clouse of Barryville and Emma Wagner of Eldred were joined together in holy matrimony on January 7, 1884 by Rev. John E. Perine. Herman F. Rixton and Aida A. Austin (my great aunt) were the witnesses.

I have the original Clouse wedding certificate thanks to the thoughtfulness of C.W. A high schooler at the time, she was helping to clean out a real estate office (Reber’s I think) in Barryville in spring 2010. Recognizing the name Aida Austin which she had seen on my site, she contacted me, and sent me the actual certificate by snail mail.

Here is some Census information on Jacob (his father’s name was also Jacob, I think) and Emma Wagner Clouse and their family.

1900 Census
Jacob Clouse, 38, m. 16 years, day laborer; Emma wife, 36
sons: Herman, 15, mail carrier; John, 14, day laborer, William, 10, Frank, 5

I have Jacob Clouse’s death as 1903 and his wife Emma’s as 1934. Continue reading →

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Places to stay 1900 to 1905

by Louise Smith Posted on April 21, 2012
Abel Myers' Orchard Terrace which will one day serve as a school. Photo courtesy of Chuck M.

Lake Side Cottage
25 guests near water. $6. E.H. Moore.—Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 17, 1900.

Orchard Terrace, Eldred
4 miles Shohola; elevation 1,600 feet; beautiful balsamic and pine clad hills; broad piazzas, hunting, fishing, boating; fine scenery; modern improvements. Booklet. A.S. Myers.—Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 19, 1900.

Pine Grove Farm, Eldred
Beautifully situated; good board from our own farm; circulars. Jos. Maier.
—New York World, August 29, 1900.

Highland Cottage, Yulan
On Washington Lake, Yulan; Capacity 100. Amusement Hall, bowling alley, boating, bathing; terms moderate. Booklet. R.C. Miller.
—Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 29, 1902. Continue reading →

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Grocery Account Book, 1900–1906

by Louise Smith Posted on April 20, 2012
1900 Grocery booklet in the collection of Mary A.

Mr. Mort Austin in account with Mr. Turner. Fine Groceries, Flour of all grades, Selected Teas, Pure Coffees, and Spices, Butter and Cheeses From the Best Dairies. Foreign and Domestic Fruits, Canned fruits and vegetables. And a full variety of other goods usually kept in a first class store. Goods promptly delivered free of expense.

1 can apricots .25
1 baking powder .20
1 can beef .25
10# butter 2.50
2 lb. cake .20
1 chicken .65
1 box cinnamon .10
3# cod .10
1# coffee .18 to .25
2 cocoa .20 to .25
1 can corn .10
Continue reading →

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Anne Mary Austin Schoonover and her niece Aida Austin

by Louise Smith Posted on April 18, 2012
Anne Mary Austin Schoonover. Photo courtesy of Kathy T.
Aida Austin as a young girl. Photo courtesy of Kathy T.

Anne Mary Austin married Oliver Perry (O.P.) Schoonover in 1846. Anne was quite sickly at least as early as 1857. In December of 1863 Anne wrote to her sister Laura Austin Clark:

Four weeks yesterday, I was taken sick with the bilious fever, very sick. The day before I was very smart, so Perry went down the River and was gone a week. I was down all the time, but nights I kept getting worse. On Saturday, they thought I would not live for a while…A.M. Schoonover.

Anne’s niece Aida Austin was not quite 4 when her aunt Anne Mary Schoonover died at the age of 37 in August 1864. Perry and Anne had no children.

Two years after his first wife’s death, Perry Schoonover, 46, married Mary Murray Parker, 30, a widow with 3 children: George, Kate, and Laura.

Perry and Mary Murray Parker Schoonover had two of their own children: Emily and Rowlee (Daniel Rowlee) Schoonover. Continue reading →

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