Family:Whitney, Melvin (1827-a1889)

From WRG

Melvin⁸ Whitney (Erastus⁷, Ezra⁶, Ezra⁵, John⁴, Isaiah³, Thomas², John¹), son of Erastus⁷ and Aurilla (-----) Whitney, was born 2 Oct 1827, probably in Burns, Allegany County, NY. He died after 1889.

Ann Eliza (Hooker) Whitney

He married, 22 Jun 1847, probably in Allegany County, NY, Ann Eliza Hooker, daughter of John Hooker. She was born 22 Jun 1829, Angelica, Allegany County, NY.

He was a farmer and a miller. In 1865, Melvin Whitney is listed on the New York State Census with his family. Also listed is a detailed account of his farm, as follows: 10 acres of improved land and 55 acres of unimproved land, valued at $3,750 for the farm, $600 for the stock, and $100 for the tools. 10 acres were plowed, 20 were pasture, and 20 were meadow, producing 40 tons of hay. One acre was planted with potatoes producing 50 bushels. 25 apple trees produced 10 bushels of apples. There was one calf, 2 working oxen, 4 cows producing milk as well as 400 lbs of butter. Two colts were raised, 2 swine were raised, 2 swine slaughtered producing 500 lbs, 15 sheep were shorn, 4 lambs raised, 60 lbs of wool produced, and $500 worth of poultry owned.

Died, in this village, Tuesday, Nov. 16 1886, Eliza A., wife of Melvin Whitney, aged 57 years. The dispensation of Divine Providence which has removed from our midst Mrs Whitney, deprives her husband of a devoted and faithful wife, her children of a tender and loving mother, and the church and Sunday School of an earnest and effective worker. To the young, and to those needing a confidential friend, her advise and councel were always the best. She will be remembered as an estimable lady, and her christian example is worthy of emulation by a community to whom her death occasions a loss not soon to be repaired. The maiden name of the deceased was Eliza A. Hooker, and she was born at Angelica, N. Y. She was united in marriage to Mr. Whitney June 22, 1847, since which time she has been a resident of Canaseraga. Six children had been born to them all of whom are still living. Fannie, wife of S.E. Fritz, of Nunda, the oldest child and only daughter, was present with her husband at the funeral. The three oldest sons reside in Kansas and were unable to be present. Their names are J.C. Fremont Whitney, Hugh M. Whitney and Eugene L. Whitney. The two younger sons, Egbert D. and Victor H., were at the bedside of their mother during all or a part of the few days of her last illness. The former of these two, Egbert D., has a position in Buffalo which he has held for nearly two years past. A TRIBUTE TO A NOBLE LIFE -------
"Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear."
-Gray's Etegy

A prophet is not without honor save in his own country; and the quiet village in the "Valley of Elms" may not realize what a rare light has gone out in the death of Mrs. Eliza Hooker Whitney. Her poetical gifts, her literary tastes her high ideal of spiritual beauty - all uncultivated because her hands were busy with lowly duties - were a treasury of undeveloped possibilities. It is no small honor to send out into the world six children influenced by such noble counsels as hers, all to take honorable positions in life; but she stopped not here. Not hers were the narrow views of woman's sphere. She conscientiously believed that a woman is a nobler wife and mother who takes a broad deep interest in the affairs of her country. In quiet retreats and in centres of activity her hands were ever outstreached to lift the weak. Her heart ever open to comfort the sorrowing. Many confided their tr??ties to her, for they felt in her the presence of a heart with a sympathy as boundless as the sea. Her religion was no narrow bigotry, it was a true Christianity, liberal in its basis, bright and sunny in its outlook, a living benediction. By nature a leader, had her lot been cast in other scenes or in some other age, she may have been a heroine, of history, hers had been
"Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked, to ecstacy the living lyre."
But an earnest soul makes its own opportunity. Hers was a broad philanthropy, a progressive spirit that looked forward to a higher future for the race, and that inspired her to a truer heroism. O strong beautiful spirit! Eternity alone can reveal the story of thy quiet, radiant life, which is not ended yet, and can never end on earth. Manhood will be purer, womanhood braver, and the world better for its influence as the years go on.
S I/S, Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1886

Children of Melvin⁸ and Ann Eliza (Hooker) Whitney:

i.	Francis Jane "Fanny" Whitney, b. 30 Sep 1847, NY.
ii.	John Charles Fremont "Free" Whitney, b. 21 Jan 1849, probably Burns Township, Allegany County, NY. He was named after John C. Frémont, American military officer and explorer.
iii.	Hugh Monticello Whitney, b. 23 Nov 1851, Canaseraga, Allegany County, NY.
iv.	Eugene Lamont "Gene" Whitney, b. 12 Sep 1854, NY.
v.	Egbert Dermont "Bert" Whitney, b. 15 Jun 1861, NY, probably in Canaseraga, Allegany County. He went to Kansas with his older brothers for a while, working as a store clerk in Eugene's hardware store in Bulls City (now Alton), Osborne County, KS, in 1880. By about 1884 he was back in New York and working in Buffalo. In 1890, he was the superintendant of C. Berrick & Sons Brick Yard in Buffalo, and his brother Victor was Assistant Supervisor. By 1900 he was working as a day laborer and boarding with a family in Alexander, Genesee County, NY. He has not been located after 1900, and may have died between 1900 and 1910, perhaps in Alexander.
vi.	Victor Hugo "Vic" Whitney, b. 22 Jul 1869, NY. He was named after Victor Hugo, the great French writer.