Friday 26 February 2021

Not The Marrying Kind


True to me and my small families, this pioneering family had the potential to be entrenched in the area of Granville, Ohio; however, not one of the children married resulting in this line ending.

courtesy of Dave - Find A Grave
Clarissa Peck was the daughter of Joseph Peck and Phebe Vincent, born in Halfmoon, NY. She married a fella named John Dexter Samson who was from Vermont based on the censuses for their children.  He died in 1851, she in 1888

Granville Times, Thurs, 30 Aug 1888

Mrs. Clarissa Peck Samson in the eighty-forth year of her age. She was born in New York state, August 10th, 1805. In 1839 she came to Granville, where she resided until her death. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and had she lived one day longer, would have been a member forty nine years. She lived a quiet life with her children. The funeral services were conducted from the house, Saturday morning. The family feel very grateful to neighbors and friends for many kind acts, for which they wish thus to make public acknowledgement.

Clarissa and John had 3 children - George, Frank & Laura.

Granville Times, Thurs, 30 Dec 1909
Mr. George W. Samson, one of Granville’s oldest and best known citizens, died very suddenly at his home on West Broadway on Saturday evening, Dec. 25, about 6 o’clock. Mr. Sampson had apparently been in his usual health during all day of Saturday, and Saturday evening after supper, was lying down on a lounge when he began gasping for breath and died in a few minutes, his death being due to heart trouble. The deceased was born in LeRoy, N. Y. Sept. 13. 1834 and was aged 75 years, and had lived in Granville for many years, and for over 50 years, he had lived in the home in which he died with his brother Frank and his sister Miss Laura, all of whom were unmarried. For many years he was engaged in the harness business here. Mr. Samson was in Col Lew Walls's Zouvaes 11th Indiana regiment. Col Wallace afterwards becoming Brigadier General. After the surrender of Ft Donaldson, the army started for Ft Henry and the heavy artillery having preceded. Mr Samson who was driving a fractious four horse team bearing the Quartermaster's wagon and in the wild rush, one of the wheels dropped into a deep rut throwing him to the ground in such a way that the heavy wagon passed over his limb which was crushed. He was taken to the hospital where he lay six months and on account of the malpractice rendered, he was permanently a cripple for life. The funeral services were held at the Baptist Church, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev C J Baldwin, and the interment was made in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Granville Times, 23 Oct 1913
Franklin Peck Samson was born in Albany, New York, Nov 8th, 1836 and died at Granville, Ohio, Oct 21st, 1913, aged 76 yrs, 11 mos, 13 days. His family moved from New York when he was a small child, spending the winter at Seville, Medina Co, Ohio, and coming to Granville the following spring where he continued to reside until his death. Thus one by one the old landmarks are being obliterated and one by one our older citizens are passing away. Frank Sampson, the name by which he was so well known, was a man of sterling worth, a good citizen, a true friend. he lived a quiet, retired life, yet, during his earlier years, was quite active in the affairs of the town. He was one who could always be relied upon for he lived a life above reproach. He was a man of but few words, a great reader and always kept himself well informed, and as so familiar with Granville and its interest, especially its early history, that his advice was frequently sought. As a neighbor and friend, there was no truer man than he and by those who knew him best will be greatly missed. But one of the immediate family remains to mourn his loss, a sister who has been his constant companion and cheer during a life time.
Granville Times, Thurs, 26 May 1926


Last of Old Family Dies Pataskala
Miss Samson's Death Marks Passing of Pioneer Granville Family
Miss Laura Samson, 82 years old, who lived on West Broadway until two years ago, died yesterday evening at the home of her cousin, Mrs Clara Cowlby, in Pataskala as the result of complications. She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Dexter Samson and was born in Granville 82 years ago when the town was still young. She spent her entire life here, living in her later years in the house at the corner of Broadway and Plum Streets at the foot of Sugar Loaf. Because of the infirmities of old age, she was removed to Pataskala two years ago. She was the last of her family, her cousin being the only one of her relatives to survived her. She was a sister of the late George & Frank Samson, former superintendent of the Granville water works. Her body was brought to Granville last night to the Jones undertaking establishment to be prepared for burial. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1:30 pm in the Granville Baptist Church. Burial will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Monday 22 February 2021

A Murder And An Accident


I can't imagine what Daniel had to deal with but given the various newspaper articles, acting out would have been expected for a 26 year old male reeling from the murder of his wife.

Daniel was was just 24 years old when he married Carol Ann Manzo in 1968; she was the daughter of  Gerald Manzo & Catherine Ciampa. He was the son of Robert J Fitzmaurice & Marie Adeline Swanson.

Two short years later, at the age of 23, she died as a result of being stabbed 14 times - Daniel found her on their living room floor. He died 2 years later in an accident.

This young couple were just starting their life together

© TansyFields - Find A Grave

Olean Times Herald, Mon, 24 Jul 1972

ALLEGANY - Daniel R Fitzmaurice of the West Five Mile Road, died Saturday (July 22, 1972) following a motorcycle accident on the Rock City Road. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Olean General Hospital. Born in Olean April 25, 1944, he was a son of Robert and Marie Swanson Fitzmaurice. In August 1968, he married the former Carol Manzo of Olean, who died in 1970. A lifelong resident of Allegany, he had been employed by the Fitzmaurice Co of Allegany. Mr Fitzmaurice was a member of St Bonaventure Church and the Knights of Columbus of Allegany, 1220. Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters, Mrs Joseph (Sandra) Heister of Olean and Mrs Paul (Patricia) Knightlander of Rochester; his paternal grandparents, Mr and Mrs George Fitzmaurice of Phoenix, Ariz; his maternal grandmother, Mrs Bernice Swanson Wingrove of Richburg; and five nephews. There will be no visitations. private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in St Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hogan Funeral Home Inc, 30 E Main St, Allegany.

Friday 19 February 2021

Edgar E Learn


The last child of Nathan Learn & Arvilla Cooper was Edgar Evan Learn. Born in 1870, he married twice - first to his 2nd cousin Rosa Ad Learn & then to widower Carrie Briggs, the daughter of David Miller & Catherine Campbell.

Rosa Ada Learn was the daughter of Joseph L Learn & Sarah V Babcock and she had 3 children with Edgar - Ivan, Laurence & Ella.  Rosa died in 1925 and Edgar remarried in 1928.

courtesy of Grandma - Find A Grave
The Olean Evening Times, Mon, 5 Oct 1925
Mrs Rosa Ada Learn, wife of E E Learn, died Sunday morning at 4 o'clock in the Buffalo General Hospital. Mrs Learn was in apparent good health until July. She was taken to the hospital on September 15. She was born on Yankee Hill April 9, 1872. She attended Franklinville Ten Broeck Academy and taught in the rural schools for a number of years. She was united in marriage to E E Learn on February 22, 1893 and lived in Ischua on a farm. She is survived by three children, Richard Mason Learn of Churchville, NY, Mrs David Smith of Ischua and Lawrence Learn of Ischua. Besides her husband and children, she is survived by one brother, Ernest Learn who is in South America and by two grandchildren. The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at the late home. Burial will be made in the Maplehurst Cemetery.

The Patriot and Free Press, 10 Jan 1946
Edgar E Learn was born June 17, 1870, in the town of Ischua, the son of Nathan and Arvilla Learn, and died Jan 5, at the home of his niece, Mrs Claude Crandall of Olean, aged 75 years. Five brothers and sisters preceded him in death. Mr Learn was married in 1892 to Rosie G Learn and three children were born to them - Richard M of Churchville; Lawrence W who lives on the home farm in Ischua; and Ella V, Mrs David Smith, who died in 1938. Mrs Rosie Learn died in 1925 and some years later, Mr Learn married Mrs Carrie Briggs, who survives him. Also surviving are six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one niece and three nephews. Two of the grandsons are still in service, Albert Smith, radio technician at Great Lakes, Ill, who is home on furlough; and Paul Smith, stationed at Willoughby Island, Wash. Edgar Learn was a lifelong member of the Hinsdale Baptist Church, a charter member of Ischua Grange No 953, Pomona; and for some years affiliated with Olean Grange. He had been employed in Bradner's store in Olean for about three years past. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan 8 at the Halwig Funeral parlors in Olean, Rev Reuben E Strong of Hinsdale officiating, assisted by Rev Shield T Hardin of the Olean Baptist Church. Burial was in Maplehurst, beside his first wife.

Monday 15 February 2021

Yates - Learn

Edna S Learn was the daughter of Nathan B Learn & Arvilla Cooper.

When she was about 19 years of age, she married Leander Yates, a fellow New Yorker who was the son of Laurentine Yates & Mary Miller. They had two children, Mabel & Lewis who I wrote about in earlier posts.


courtesy of Grandma - Find A Grave

The Olean Evening Herald, Thurs, 14 Mar 1918
Mrs Edna Yates Passed Away This Morning
Mrs Edna S Yates, aged 60 years, died this morning at 11 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs Claud Crandall, First Avenue after a lengthy illness.  Besides her daughter at whose home she died, she is survived by one son Lewis Yates of Montana, three brothers, Orlando Learn of New Fane, NY, Emmett Learn of Auburn, Maine; Edgar Learn of Ischua, NY and one sister Mrs C J Smiley of Olean, also seven grandchildren. She was a member of the Maplehurst Baptist Church of Hinsdale, where she had been a life long resident. The funeral will be held Saturday with prayer at the home of Mrs Crandall at 130 o'clock and at the Maplehurst Church at Hinsdale at 230 o'clock, Rev B W Fairchild officiating. Interment will take place in the Hinsdale Cemetery.


courtesy of Grandma - Find A Grave

Olean Evening Herald, 22 Oct 1913
Hinsdale Has Lost Respected Resident
Leander Yates Passed Away Yesterday After Brief Illness
Hinsdale, Oct 22 - Leander Yates, a highly respected resident of this village passed away at his late home yesterday afternoon after a two-week's illness, resulting from a stroke of apoplexy. Deceased was 62 years of age and is survived by two children, Mrs Claud Crandall of Olean, and Louis [sic] Yates of Miles City, Mt, also seven grandchildren. No arrangements have been made for the funeral.