While I was researching this series I came across a long forgotten piece of history, a valuable asset to anyone interested in the families of Catharine, but sadly, out of print. It is a lengthy book aptly entitled: The history of the town of Catharine Schuyler County NY Written/ compiled by Mary Louise Catlin Cleaver and published by Tuttle publishing Company of Vermont 1945. This is available on the Ancestry.com web site. I was not able to locate it on the Schuyler County historian web site. The Brick Tavern museum in Montour Falls houses several interesting books and local genealogical data, if you are researching someone in particular. They have a reading room in the museum but they charge a fee to access the information. Last I checked it was $5.00 per hour or the cost of membership to the museum, which is around $25. per year.
Mary Louise Catlin Cleaver’s The History of Catharine was completed by compiling information on many of the families in the area from the families themselves. Many did not respond to Mrs. Cleaver’s inquiry so she did the best she could with what she had available. I have found several in correct items when looking through her work, so if you look for this book be aware that additional research may be necessary. It is an interesting look at the area but very difficult to read as a great many place references are made to places owned by former residents. If you are, like me, from out of the area, of under the age of 100 you are not likely to know who or where any of the referenced people lived. Still, for the genealogist it is of value in that it discusses many early families and makes the connections between families that may otherwise be lost to time.
Today we continue our history with a look at the Ault family. Luella Ault (1888-8/31/1852) married William Lodwick Jones in 1905. Luella was born in Odessa, the daughter of Charles F. Ault (10/22/1856-1/26/1924) and his first wife, Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897).
Charles Freeman Ault was born in Montour Falls, Schuyler NY and is Son of Freedom Ault and Charlotte Howell. Both families are prominent in the history of Schuyler County. In 1870, at the age of 15, Charles was sent to live with his maternal uncle, Elijah Howell in Lodi, Seneca County, where he served millers apprenticeship. By 1880 Charles had returned to Odessa NY and was boarding at the home of Richard and Carrie Lockhart and working in the grist mill. On 9/1/1881 he married Anna Shelton at Taughannock Falls. They returned to Odessa where Luella was born the following year. Anna died on 11/6/1897 and is buried in The Old North Cemetery located on Route 224 between Odessa and Alpine junction.
In 1898, after grieving the loss of his wife, and with an infant to care for, Charles Took a second wife on 5/13/1898, Susie Melvina Van Horn (1865- 6/22/1961 ) In February 1889 Charles became a partner in the flour mill, previously owned by Richard Lockhart. Charles made his home on Merchant Ave. in Odessa. He ran the flour Mill for many years and was a well-known miller/farmer in that town. In 1899 he and Susie became the proud parents of a daughter, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926). Charles F. Ault settled his family on Merchant Avenue in Odessa and remained at that home until his death in 1924. This was the home in which Luella Ault, Lou as she was known by her friends, grew up.
Susan Malvina Van Horn was the youngest child of Martha Elizabeth Martin (7/20/1834-1/24/1920 (yes, the same Martha Van Horn who sold the College Ave. property to William L. Jones in 1919.) and Nathaniel Van Horn (1829 Sussex New Jersey-10/16/1889). He was the son of William and Elizabeth Van Horn of New Jersey. Martha was born and raised in Hackettstown New Jersey. After her marriage she moved with her husband, Nathanial Van Horn, to Thompson Pennsylvania, where daughters Ida Van Horn and Susan, Susie as she was known, Van Horn were born. Nathaniel was a veteran of the Civil war.
The Van Horns did not move to the Schuyler County area until 1889. They purchased a house and barn on College Avenue, from Phineas Mitchell. Nathaniel passed away on 10/16/1898. The Van Horns are buried in the laurel Hill Cemetery in Odessa NY. At some time in her later years Martha lost her hearing but was known for maintaining her pleasant disposition. She was reportedly a well-liked fixture in the Catharine area, generous with her time.
The Van Horn’s eldest daughter, Ida Van Horn married George Gelatt in Pennsylvania and started a family. In 1887 they moved with their four daughters to Odessa, purchasing a home on Steam Mill road, where they remained for 21 years. In 1908 they sold the Steam mill home to Irving Charles a farm, which was sold in 1944 to L.H. Underdown. All four daughters passed away before their parents. The daughters were as follow;
Evangie Galett married in 1912 to Joseph Hadley in New Jersey. They had one son, Edward Hadley born 1916. Evangie died in June of 1921. After her death Edward went to live with his maternal aunt Naomi Boyce.
Naomi Gelatt (1883-1926) Naomi attended the Cook academy in Montour Falls NY. She married 12/28/1910 to Ethaman Boyce. They settled in New Jersey. Following her sister’s untimely death Naomi took in Edward and a second nephew belonging to Sister Elsie Gelatt Boyce.
Lorraine Galett died in 1900while a student at Cook University in Montour Falls NY.
Elsie Galett (11/23/1886-6/4/1918) married 4/23/1910 to Benjamin Boyce, brother of Naomi’s husband Ethaman Boyce. Benjamin was a telegraph operator in charge of the stations at Odessa, Ithaca and Towanda Pa. They had one son, Maynard Boyce. Following Elsie’s death Maynard went to live with Aunt Naomi. He later became a school teacher. Benjamin remarried to Jennie Smith. They had a daughter; Erma Boyce- Married Grant Yentzer and settled in Ithaca Tompkins NY.
Martha Elizabeth Van Horn was the daughter of Richard Martin and Susan Ann Sowers. Richard Martin was born 11/13/1818 in Warren County New Jersey. He died 7/30/1902 in Harmony Susquehanna PA. on 6/2/1838 he married Susan Ann Sowers. In 1850 the Martin’s moved to Broome NY, Settling in Harmony Pa in 1860. They had the following children; Martha Martin (1834 NJ), Ezra Martin (1841 NJ), Frances Lenora Martin (2/13/1841 NJ)., Margaret Martin (1843NJ), Susanna Martin (1846 PA), Elijah Martin (1847 NY)Esther Martin( 12/5/1847 NY), Pheobe (1849 NY), George Martin (1851 Pa.),. When Marth Martin Van Horn died in 1920 only sisters Frances and Esther survived.
Frances L. Martin Married Nelson Rands Comfort (12/12/1839-9/29/1900) on 9/6/1859. They lived in PA. Until after Nelson’s death, when Frances moved to Greene NY. They had the following children: (Mary Lenora Comfort (3/19/1861-3/2/1865), Frank Nelson Comfort (1/10/1864-1918 Colorado), Ralph Martin Comfort (9/10/1868-2/1/1902).
Esther C. Martin (12/5/1847 Broome NY-12/24/1923 Binghamton Broome NY. Married 1/2/1868 George Wallace Burns (1/26/1847-10/5/1916) they had the following children: (George Albert Burns ( 5/31/1871-9/29/1952), Frank Richard Burns (9/22/1872-1901), Fred Nelson Burns (6/12/1878-8/19/1946)
Margaret (Mary Etta) martin (3/15/1843 NJ-5/26/1895Pa.) married 1840 Jerome Chase in Pa. They had the following children (William M. Chase (1861-?), Emma Jane Chase (2/10/1865-9/14/1924), George N. Chase (3/21/1874-?)
So we have been able to answer the question as to who was Martha Elizabeth Van Horn in relationship to the Jones family. She was the mother-in-law to Charles Ault and the step grandmother of Luella Ault Jones. We also see that the house on College ave. was not built by the Jones family but had been in existence since before 1889.
Luella’s half-sister, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926) remained living with her mother until Charlotte’s untimely death. Charlotte was a young girl, little more than 17 when she married Lloyd Dawson Bayles (1894-7/20/1922) on 12/4/1914. Lloyd was born in Cheat Haven Pa. As a young child the family moved to West Virginia, where he was raised. He worked in Schuyler County as a Station Agent and operator of the Lehigh Valley Rail Road in Burdette NY. Lloyd died in 1922 leaving Charlotte with two small children; Helen J. Bayles (1916 -1/24/1972) and Charles Robert Bayles (1918-1/24/1962). Following Charlottes death in 1926 Susan Ault raised the children.
Helen Margaret Bayles married James Ely (1913-9/12/1936) son of Lillian Ely and Earnest H. Ely of Binghamton. After Earnests death Lillie moved to Schuyler county and married Asa Coe Beardsley (11/20/1882-3/1975 Alpine NY). Asa helped her raise James and his two sisters. Helen and James had two sons; Donald Ely and Randall Ely and continued living in the Schuyler county area.
Charles Robert Bayles married 4/12/1941 in Montour Falls to Margie Bond. They had a son 10/3/1942 who only survived for five hours. No other information available at this time.
Luella Ault Jones was also the daughter of Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897). Anna was the daughter of Alvin Shelton and Amelia Stanley. Alvin Shelton was a farmer and a miller. He purchased the mill in Odessa in 1890. This mill played a large role in the Jones history. It is the same mill later owned by Charles F. Ault and eventually by William L. Jones, who operated it until his death in 1926.
In our next installment we will look at the Shelton and Stanley families.
Mary Louise Catlin Cleaver’s The History of Catharine was completed by compiling information on many of the families in the area from the families themselves. Many did not respond to Mrs. Cleaver’s inquiry so she did the best she could with what she had available. I have found several in correct items when looking through her work, so if you look for this book be aware that additional research may be necessary. It is an interesting look at the area but very difficult to read as a great many place references are made to places owned by former residents. If you are, like me, from out of the area, of under the age of 100 you are not likely to know who or where any of the referenced people lived. Still, for the genealogist it is of value in that it discusses many early families and makes the connections between families that may otherwise be lost to time.
Today we continue our history with a look at the Ault family. Luella Ault (1888-8/31/1852) married William Lodwick Jones in 1905. Luella was born in Odessa, the daughter of Charles F. Ault (10/22/1856-1/26/1924) and his first wife, Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897).
Charles Freeman Ault was born in Montour Falls, Schuyler NY and is Son of Freedom Ault and Charlotte Howell. Both families are prominent in the history of Schuyler County. In 1870, at the age of 15, Charles was sent to live with his maternal uncle, Elijah Howell in Lodi, Seneca County, where he served millers apprenticeship. By 1880 Charles had returned to Odessa NY and was boarding at the home of Richard and Carrie Lockhart and working in the grist mill. On 9/1/1881 he married Anna Shelton at Taughannock Falls. They returned to Odessa where Luella was born the following year. Anna died on 11/6/1897 and is buried in The Old North Cemetery located on Route 224 between Odessa and Alpine junction.
In 1898, after grieving the loss of his wife, and with an infant to care for, Charles Took a second wife on 5/13/1898, Susie Melvina Van Horn (1865- 6/22/1961 ) In February 1889 Charles became a partner in the flour mill, previously owned by Richard Lockhart. Charles made his home on Merchant Ave. in Odessa. He ran the flour Mill for many years and was a well-known miller/farmer in that town. In 1899 he and Susie became the proud parents of a daughter, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926). Charles F. Ault settled his family on Merchant Avenue in Odessa and remained at that home until his death in 1924. This was the home in which Luella Ault, Lou as she was known by her friends, grew up.
Susan Malvina Van Horn was the youngest child of Martha Elizabeth Martin (7/20/1834-1/24/1920 (yes, the same Martha Van Horn who sold the College Ave. property to William L. Jones in 1919.) and Nathaniel Van Horn (1829 Sussex New Jersey-10/16/1889). He was the son of William and Elizabeth Van Horn of New Jersey. Martha was born and raised in Hackettstown New Jersey. After her marriage she moved with her husband, Nathanial Van Horn, to Thompson Pennsylvania, where daughters Ida Van Horn and Susan, Susie as she was known, Van Horn were born. Nathaniel was a veteran of the Civil war.
The Van Horns did not move to the Schuyler County area until 1889. They purchased a house and barn on College Avenue, from Phineas Mitchell. Nathaniel passed away on 10/16/1898. The Van Horns are buried in the laurel Hill Cemetery in Odessa NY. At some time in her later years Martha lost her hearing but was known for maintaining her pleasant disposition. She was reportedly a well-liked fixture in the Catharine area, generous with her time.
The Van Horn’s eldest daughter, Ida Van Horn married George Gelatt in Pennsylvania and started a family. In 1887 they moved with their four daughters to Odessa, purchasing a home on Steam Mill road, where they remained for 21 years. In 1908 they sold the Steam mill home to Irving Charles a farm, which was sold in 1944 to L.H. Underdown. All four daughters passed away before their parents. The daughters were as follow;
Evangie Galett married in 1912 to Joseph Hadley in New Jersey. They had one son, Edward Hadley born 1916. Evangie died in June of 1921. After her death Edward went to live with his maternal aunt Naomi Boyce.
Naomi Gelatt (1883-1926) Naomi attended the Cook academy in Montour Falls NY. She married 12/28/1910 to Ethaman Boyce. They settled in New Jersey. Following her sister’s untimely death Naomi took in Edward and a second nephew belonging to Sister Elsie Gelatt Boyce.
Lorraine Galett died in 1900while a student at Cook University in Montour Falls NY.
Elsie Galett (11/23/1886-6/4/1918) married 4/23/1910 to Benjamin Boyce, brother of Naomi’s husband Ethaman Boyce. Benjamin was a telegraph operator in charge of the stations at Odessa, Ithaca and Towanda Pa. They had one son, Maynard Boyce. Following Elsie’s death Maynard went to live with Aunt Naomi. He later became a school teacher. Benjamin remarried to Jennie Smith. They had a daughter; Erma Boyce- Married Grant Yentzer and settled in Ithaca Tompkins NY.
Martha Elizabeth Van Horn was the daughter of Richard Martin and Susan Ann Sowers. Richard Martin was born 11/13/1818 in Warren County New Jersey. He died 7/30/1902 in Harmony Susquehanna PA. on 6/2/1838 he married Susan Ann Sowers. In 1850 the Martin’s moved to Broome NY, Settling in Harmony Pa in 1860. They had the following children; Martha Martin (1834 NJ), Ezra Martin (1841 NJ), Frances Lenora Martin (2/13/1841 NJ)., Margaret Martin (1843NJ), Susanna Martin (1846 PA), Elijah Martin (1847 NY)Esther Martin( 12/5/1847 NY), Pheobe (1849 NY), George Martin (1851 Pa.),. When Marth Martin Van Horn died in 1920 only sisters Frances and Esther survived.
Frances L. Martin Married Nelson Rands Comfort (12/12/1839-9/29/1900) on 9/6/1859. They lived in PA. Until after Nelson’s death, when Frances moved to Greene NY. They had the following children: (Mary Lenora Comfort (3/19/1861-3/2/1865), Frank Nelson Comfort (1/10/1864-1918 Colorado), Ralph Martin Comfort (9/10/1868-2/1/1902).
Esther C. Martin (12/5/1847 Broome NY-12/24/1923 Binghamton Broome NY. Married 1/2/1868 George Wallace Burns (1/26/1847-10/5/1916) they had the following children: (George Albert Burns ( 5/31/1871-9/29/1952), Frank Richard Burns (9/22/1872-1901), Fred Nelson Burns (6/12/1878-8/19/1946)
Margaret (Mary Etta) martin (3/15/1843 NJ-5/26/1895Pa.) married 1840 Jerome Chase in Pa. They had the following children (William M. Chase (1861-?), Emma Jane Chase (2/10/1865-9/14/1924), George N. Chase (3/21/1874-?)
So we have been able to answer the question as to who was Martha Elizabeth Van Horn in relationship to the Jones family. She was the mother-in-law to Charles Ault and the step grandmother of Luella Ault Jones. We also see that the house on College ave. was not built by the Jones family but had been in existence since before 1889.
Luella’s half-sister, Charlotte Ault (1897-6/22/1926) remained living with her mother until Charlotte’s untimely death. Charlotte was a young girl, little more than 17 when she married Lloyd Dawson Bayles (1894-7/20/1922) on 12/4/1914. Lloyd was born in Cheat Haven Pa. As a young child the family moved to West Virginia, where he was raised. He worked in Schuyler County as a Station Agent and operator of the Lehigh Valley Rail Road in Burdette NY. Lloyd died in 1922 leaving Charlotte with two small children; Helen J. Bayles (1916 -1/24/1972) and Charles Robert Bayles (1918-1/24/1962). Following Charlottes death in 1926 Susan Ault raised the children.
Helen Margaret Bayles married James Ely (1913-9/12/1936) son of Lillian Ely and Earnest H. Ely of Binghamton. After Earnests death Lillie moved to Schuyler county and married Asa Coe Beardsley (11/20/1882-3/1975 Alpine NY). Asa helped her raise James and his two sisters. Helen and James had two sons; Donald Ely and Randall Ely and continued living in the Schuyler county area.
Charles Robert Bayles married 4/12/1941 in Montour Falls to Margie Bond. They had a son 10/3/1942 who only survived for five hours. No other information available at this time.
Luella Ault Jones was also the daughter of Anna Shelton (1856-11/6/1897). Anna was the daughter of Alvin Shelton and Amelia Stanley. Alvin Shelton was a farmer and a miller. He purchased the mill in Odessa in 1890. This mill played a large role in the Jones history. It is the same mill later owned by Charles F. Ault and eventually by William L. Jones, who operated it until his death in 1926.
In our next installment we will look at the Shelton and Stanley families.