Family:Whitney, Melvin (1827-a1892)
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 1892.
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, and died 16 Nov 1886, Burns, 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; m. Southwick Elias Fritz. 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. He m. Margaret Smith. iii. Hugh Monticello Whitney, b. 23 Nov 1851, Canaseraga, Allegany County, NY; m. Mathilda Caroline Heberlein. iv. Eugene Lamont "Gene" Whitney, b. 12 Sep 1854, NY; m. Bessie P. -----. 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. In 1897 he resided in Buffalo, NY. He was last found listed in a 1901 Binghampton, NY city directory, working as a foreman at the Ogden Brick Yard, and boarding at 5 Brownson Street. He was probably not the Egbert Whitney working as a day laborer and boarding with a family in Alexander, Genesee County, NY in 1900, as this man's age is about 6 years off, and his occupation is different. vi. Victor Hugo "Vic" Whitney, b. 22 Jul 1869, NY. He was named after Victor Hugo, the great French writer. He m. Emma E. Williams.
Census
811 896 Melvin Whitney 22 M - Farmer N.Y. Ann E. Whitney 20 F - " Frances S. Whitney 2 F - " John C. F. Whitney 1 M - " 812 897 Erastus Whitney 59 M - $7500 Vt. Orrilla Whitney 47 F - N.Y. Northa Whitney 26 F - " Luthere Whitney 6 F - "
185 Framed $200 192 Erastus Whitney 64 M - - Vt. 1 - 37 Farmer 1 - - - - 1 - Aurelia Whitney 52 F - Wife Allegany 1 - 34 - - - - - - - - Aurelia Whitney 32 F - Dau " - - 32 - - - - - - - - Elathua Whitney 11 F - Dau " - - 16 - - - - - - - - 193 Melvin Whitney 27 M - - " 1 - 27 - 1 - - - - - - Ann E. Whitney 25 F - Wife " 1 - 9 - - - - - - - - Frances J. Whitney 7 F - Chld " - - 7 - - - - - - - - John C. F. Whitney 6 M - Chld " - - 6 - - - - - - - - Hugh M. Whitney 3 M - Chld " - - 3 - - - - - - - - Eugene L. Whitney 9m M - Chld " - - 8m - - - - - - - -
48 48 Melvin Whitney 33 M - Farmer $200 New York Ann Eliza 30 F - Do Francis Jane 12 F - Do Attended school J. C. Fremont 11 M - Do Attended school Hugh M. 9 M - Do Attended school Eugene L. 6 M - Do Attended school
Burns, Allegany Co., NY, p. 23 FHL Film 501955
178 Frame $500 180 Melvin Whitney 38 M - ---- Allegany - 1 1 - - Farmer 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - Ann E. Whitney 36 F - Wife Allegany 5 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - J. C. F. Whitney 16 M - Son Allegany - - - - 1 Farmer - - - - - - - - - - - Teny Whitney 18 F - Dau Allegany - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - Hugh L. Whitney 13 M - Son Allegany - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Eugene Whitney 11 M - Son Allegany - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Egbert Whitney 4 M - Son Allegany - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
251 261 Whitney Melvin 42 M W Farmer & Miller $6000 $500 New York Male citizen over 21 -----, Ann E. 40 F W Keeping House New York Whitney Fremont 21 M W Miller New York Male citizen over 21 -----, Fanny 22 F W New York -----, Hugh 18 M W Works in Farm New York Attended school -----, Eugene 15 M W Works in Farm New York Attended school -----, Egbert 9 M W New York Attended school -----, Claud 10/12 M W New York [same as Victor Hugo?]
325 Framed $1200 344 Melvin Whitney 48 M - ---- Allegany m Mill Wright - 1 - - - - Ann E. Whitney 46 F - Wife Allegany m - - - - - 1 - Egbert D. Whitney 14 M - Son Allegany s - Claud V. Whitney 6 M - Son Allegany - - 345 Southwick E. Fritz 26 M - ---- Steuben m _____ Dealer Frances J. Fritz 27 F - Wife Allegany m Fay L. Fritz 1&4M F - Son Allegany
336 350 Whitney Melvin W M 52 M Miller NY VT NY -- Ann E W F 49 M Wife Keeping House NY VT -- -- Victor W M 10 S Son At Home NY NY NY
Melvin Whitny M 65 - U.S. C. Millwright Melutha Whitny F 47 - U.S. C.
139 142 Peters, William C. Head W M Jun 1859 41 mar 15 New York Germany Germany Brick maker, Rents house -----, Harriett P. Wife W F Apr 1858 42 mar 15 8ch 6liv New York New York New York Millhiser, Jennie SDau W F Dec 1880 19 sgl New York New York New York Peters, William H. Son W M Jan 1886 14 sgl New York New York New York At school -----, Loona H. Dau W F Aug 1889 12 sgl New York New York New York At school -----, Peatrter Dau W F Jun 1893 6 sgl New York New York New York -----, Henry K. Son W M Mar 1896 4 sgl New York New York New York Whitney, Egbert Brdr W M Jun 1861 38 sgl New York New York New York Day laborer
- 1910 U.S. Census, Egbert Whitney (48) - missing - Alexander Town, Genesee Co., NY?
- 1920 U.S. Census, Whitney Egbert (missing), Alexander Town, Genesee Co., NY?
- 1930 U.S. Census, Whitney Egbert (missing) - Alexander Town, Genesee Co., NY?
References
I Family Record of Melvin Whitney.
- Census records.
1.^ references coming soon
Records
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