THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE KENT MUDDLE FAMILIES THE HARRIETSHAM MUDDLES

 

Chart of John & Mary Jane Muddle's Family

 

John and Mary Jane’s eldest child was Mary Jane Muddle who was born on 10 April 1851, probably at Bethlehem or Albany City in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, Mary Jane, at the age of 9, was living with her parents in Ward 10 of Albany City, and she was attending school. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 Mary Jane was living with her parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Mary Jane, now aged 19, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, and described as being ‘at home’.

In 1872 Mary Jane moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then when she was 22 years old Mary Jane married 23-year-old Alanson Judson Porter at Gloversville on 4 July 1873. Alanson was the son of Austin and Ann Marie Porter, and he had been born at Gloversville on 27 October 1849. Alanson and Mary Jane had two children, both daughters, born at Gloversville in 1874 and 1875. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 5 June, they were living in Gloversville with their two daughters, and Alanson was working as a glove cutter. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1890 to 1893 listed Alanson J Porter as a glover living at 51 Fremont Street. Alanson died on 25 March 1899, at the age of 48, and he was buried in section 8, lot 3, of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville, where his parents were already buried.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 8 June, Mary Jane was working as a glove finisher and with her two daughters was living at 83 Fremont Street in Gloversville, which she owned and part of which she rented to the Turner family. Mary Jane’s youngest daughter died in 1905, at the age of 29. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 20 April, Mary Jane and her surviving daughter were continuing to live at 83 Fremont Street; Mary Jane no longer had an occupation and she was now renting part of her house to the Lewis family. Mary Jane died at Gloversville on 10 July 1914, at the age of 63, and she was buried with her husband in section 8, lot 3, of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Alanson and Mary Jane’s eldest child was Antoinette Porter, known as Nettie, who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 9 May 1874. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 5 June, Nettie, at the age of 6, was living with her parents in Gloversville. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 8 June, Nettie, now aged 26, was working as a glove finisher and living with her widowed mother and her sister at 83 Fremont Street in Gloversville. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 20 April, Nettie, at the age of 35, was a glove worker in a glove factory and still living with her mother at 83 Fremont Street.

Nettie’s mother died in 1914 and in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 6 January, Nettie, at the age of 45, was a forelady (female foreman) in a factory and lodging with fellow spinster Maney Dunkle who rent part of 47 Montgomery Street in Gloversville from the owner George Fritcher. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 4 April, Nettie, at the age of 55, was a forelady in a leather mill and now living as a boarder with the family of mail carrier George Fritcher at 47 Montgomery Street. Nettie never married. She died in New York State during March 1963, at the age of 88.[1] She was buried with her parents and sister in section 8, lot 3, of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Alanson and Mary Jane’s second child was Clara May Porter who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 26 November 1875. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 5 June, Clara, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Gloversville. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 8 June, Clara, now aged 24, was working as a glove finisher and living with her widowed mother and her sister at 83 Fremont Street in Gloversville. Clara never married. She died at Gloversville on 1 November 1906, at the age of 30, and she was buried with her father in section 8, lot 3, of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

John and Mary Jane’s second child was George Henry Muddle who was born during August 1853, probably at Bethlehem or Albany City in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, George, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in Ward 10 of Albany City, and he was attending school. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 George was living with his parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, George, now aged 17, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County, and described as being ‘at home’.

In 1872 George probably moved, with his parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then when his father died in 1894 George was living in New York City. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 5 June, George, at the age of 47, was working as a driver and living with the family of his employer, truckman William Smith, on Broadway in Queens, New York City.

When he was 54 years old George married Elizabeth McCormick, also known as Lizzie, in Manhattan, New York City on 30 January 1908. Elizabeth had been born in New York State in about 1870 to German born parents. George and Elizabeth didn’t have had any children. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 18 April, they were living in part of 225 East 5th Street, Manhatten, which they rented, and George was still working as a driver. The New York City Directory for 1915 listed George H Muddle as a janitor living at 111 East 126th Street, Manhatten, then the 1917 edition listed him as a janitor living at 110 East 91st Street, Manhatten. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 27 January, they were living on Perkins Avenue in Elmsford, Westchester County, just to the north of New York City, and George no longer had an occupation.

 

John and Mary Jane’s third child was Anna E Muddle who was born during May 1855, probably at Bethlehem or Albany City in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, Anna, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in Ward 10 of Albany City. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 Anna was living with her parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Anna, now aged 15, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, and described as being ‘at home’.

In 1872 Anna moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then when she was 19 years old Anna married 25-year-old Leander H Willoughby at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 23 December 1874. Leander was the son of Ralph and Mary Ann Willoughby; he had been born at Trenton, Oneida County, New York State on 18 June 1849 and was the brother of Albert S Willoughby who was to marry Anna's sister Ellen in 1884. Leander and Anna had two children, the first was born at Gloversville in January 1876 and the other, probably born in the late 1870s and had died before the 1880 census, is only known from a record that it had died by the time of the 1900 census.

In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 9 June, Leander and Anna were living at 27 West Street in Gloversville with their son, and Leander was working as a glove maker. The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists Leander and Anna as members of the church living at 6 Bloomingdale Avenue, and also their son Frank at the same address but not a church member, presumably because he was too young. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1890 to 1893 listed Leander H Willoughby as a tanner living at 6 Bloomingdale Avenue, and his widowed mother, Mary Willoughby, was also listed as living at that address. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 5 June, Leander and Anna were living at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville with their son and Leander’s 80-year-old widowed mother, Mary Willoughby, was still living with them; Leander was now working as a leather joiner. The 23 September 1901 edition of The Gloversville Daily Leader reported that Leander's mother died at her son's home, 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, at 7.30pm on 22 September 1901, aged 80.

The 28 April 1903 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Mrs Anna Willoughby had died at 12.30 that morning at her home in Gloversville, at the age of 47, after being ill only a week with grip, which developed into peritonitis. Two years later, in about 1905, Leander married Etta, who had been married before. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, Leander and Etta were living at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, which they now owned but had a mortgage on, and they had Etta’s 13-year-old daughter, Freda, living with them. Leander was now janitor at a school and Etta was a glove maker working at home. Neither Leander nor Etta have been found in the census of 1 January 1920 when 10 Bloomingdale Avenue was being rented by Harvey and Francis Hollenbeck.

The 11 May 1921 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that the funeral service of Mrs Etta Bell Willoughby had been held the previous afternoon at her home, 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, by the pastor of Fremont Street Methodist Church followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville. Etta was then about 57 years old, having been born in about 1864.

Sixteen months after Etta's death Leander, at the age of 73, married 62-year-old widow Carrie Adella Muddle née Mills, who was the widow of Leander’s first wife’s brother John William Muddle, at Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York State on 30 September 1922. The marriage licence issued at Gloversville the same day stated that Leander was a janitor living at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville, who had been married twice before and both wives were now dead, and that Carrie was a glove worker living at 135 Fremont Street in Gloversville, who had been married once before and her husband was now dead. Canajoharie is about 15 miles south-west of Gloversville. The Gloversville Public Schools Hand Book of 1924-1925 lists Leander H Willoughby of 10 Bloomingdale Avenue as janitor at Kingsboro School.

In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Leander and Carrie were living at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, which they owned and was valued at $3200, and Leander, at the age of 80, was still a school janitor. Living with them was Carrie’s son Harold Muddle with his wife and two children.

Leander had died by the time the 24 February 1941 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mrs Carrie Muddle Willoughby of Gloversville had died in a Utica hospital on Saturday night, 22 February 1941, aged 81. Carrie had been a member of Fremont Methodist Church and the Welcome Class in the church. Her funeral service was held by the pastor of the church at 10am on Wednesday 26 February 1941 at the Kennedy Funeral Home, 150 South Main Street followed by burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Leander and Anna’s eldest child was Frank S Willoughby who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State during January 1876. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 9 June, Frank, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 27 West Street in Gloversville. The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists Frank’s parents as members of the church living at 6 Bloomingdale Avenue, and also Frank at the same address but not a church member, presumably because he was too young. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1892 and 1893 listed Frank S Willoughby as a knitter living at 6 Bloomingdale Avenue Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 5 June, Frank, now aged 25, was working as a bill poster and living with his parents at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville.

In about 1904 Frank married Estella. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Frank and Estella were living at 56 Third Avenue in Gloversville, which they rented; Frank was a stage manager and Estella was a glove maker. They had at least one child, a daughter, born in 1919. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 6 January, they were living at 56 Third Avenue with their young daughter, and Frank was now a theatre janitor. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 11 April, Frank and Estella were living at 12 Nelson Street in Gloversville; Frank was now a steward at a commercial building and they had 36-year-old letter carrier Guy Mosher as a lodger.

 

Frank and Estella’s only known child was Ruth A Willoughby who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State, in about September 1919. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 6 January, Ruth, at the age of 3 months, was living with her parents at 56 Third Avenue in Gloversville. Ruth is not with her parents in the census of 1 April 1930 so it’s thought that she probably died during the 1920s.

 

Leander and Anna’s second child is only known as a record that it had died by the time of the 1 June 1900 census. This child was probably born in the late 1870s and had died before the 1880 census.

 

John and Mary Jane’s fourth child was Ellen M Muddle, also known as Ella, who was born in December 1857, probably at Bethlehem or Albany City in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, Ellen, at the age of 3, was living with her parents in Ward 10 of Albany City. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 Ellen was living with her parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Ellen, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County, and described as being ‘at home’.

In 1872 Ellen moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Ellen, at the age of 23, was living with her parents in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State, and she was a housekeeper, possibly for her parents.

When she was 27 years old Ellen married 30-year-old Albert S Willoughby at her parents' home on Cedar Street, Gloversville on Wednesday 24 December 1884. Albert was the son of Ralph and Mary Ann Willoughby; he had been born during January 1854 and was the brother of Leander H Willoughby who had married Ellen's sister Anna in 1874. When he married Albert was the General Secretary of the R.R.Y.M.C.A. at Cairo in New York State. Albert and Ellen had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Of their five known children; the eldest was born at Manhatten in Kansas in 1887 and the other four in Iowa in 1889, 1891, 1894 and 1897. When Ellen's father died in 1894 they were living in Webster, Iowa and Albert was than referred to as the Rev. A S Willoughby.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Albert and Ellen were living at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa, in a home they rented, with their five surviving children and Albert was a Minister of the Gospel. When Albert's mother died during September 1901 Albert was referred to as Rev. Albert Willoughby of Clarion, Iowa, then when Ellen's sister Anna died in 1903 they were living in Grenada, Martin County, Minnesota. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, they were living at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan, which they rented, with their five children and Albert was now working as a labourer in an electrical shop.

Albert died sometime between 1910 and 1920 because in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Ellen was a widow living at 446 West Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, which she rented, with her two youngest children, and her eldest son and his wife. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 11 April, Ellen was living at 239 Ferris Avenue in Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan, which she rented at $50 per month, with her two bachelor sons. Ellen was living at the family home, 72 Midland Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, when she died there during the morning of Saturday 4 November 1933, at the age of 75. Her death was reported in the 6 November 1933 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown.

 

Albert and Ellen’s eldest known child was Martha Willoughby who was born at Manhatten in Kansas on 15 July 1887. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Martha, at the age of 12, was living with her parents at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa and she was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Martha, now aged 22, was living with her parents at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan.

It was probably Martha's second marriage when she married divorcee Jesse C Thompson sometime after the 1930 census. Jesse was the son of Leroy and Inis Thompson and he had been born in Van Buren County, Michigan on 9 December 1894. In the census of 1 April 1930 he was a divorcee lodging in Sate Street, Gobles, Van Buren County and working as a labourer.

Jesse and Martha were living at 803 East Walnut Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan when Martha died on 27 November 1957, at the age of 70. She was buried Robinson Cemetery in Gobles on 30 November1957.[2] Seventeen months later Jesse was a retired sweeper still living at 803 East Walnut Street in Kalamazoo when he died on 6 March 1959, at the age of 64. He was buried Robinson Cemetery in Gobles on 11 March 1959.[3]

 

Albert and Ellen’s second known child was Floyd S Willoughby who was born at Keokuk in Iowa on 1 June 1889. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Floyd, at the age of 10, was living with his parents at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa and he was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Floyd, now aged 20, was working as a machinist in a car factory and living with his parents at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan.

In about 1917, when he was about 27, Floyd married 24-year-old Katherine M Buck, who was the daughter of German born August and Johanna Buck and she had been born at Charleston in South Carolina during May 1892 In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Floyd and Katherine were living with Floyd's widowed mother at 446 West Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; Floyd was working as a bookkeeper at a laundry and Katherine was a bookkeeper at a telephone company. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 12 April, Floyd and Katherine were living at 831 South Burdick Street in Kalamazoo, which they owned and was valued at $6000; Floyd was now a purchasing agent for the General Electic Company and Katherine had her own beauty shop.

Floyd and Katherine are not thought to have had any children. They were living at 3006 East Main Street in Kalamazoo and Floyd was a retired purchasing agent when he died on 11 April 1960, at the age of 70. He was buried in Mt Ever-Rest Cemetery in Kalamazoo on 14 April 1960.[4]

 

Albert and Ellen’s third known child was Alva Willoughby who was born in Iowa during December 1891. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Alva, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa and he was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Alva, now aged 18, was working as a machinist in a car factory and living with his parents at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 11 April, Alva, still unmarried at the age of 38, was working as a labourer in an auto factory and living with his widowed mother at 239 Ferris Avenue in Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan.

 

Albert and Ellen’s fourth known child was Maud J Willoughby who was born in Iowa during August 1894. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Maud, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa and she was going to school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Maud, now aged 15, was living with her parents at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Maud, at the age of 25, was working as a bookkeeper at a bookstore and living with her widowed mother at 446 West Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

 

Albert and Ellen’s fifth known child was Reuben C Willoughby who was born in Iowa during September 1897. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 16 June, Reuben, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Fulton, Webster County, Iowa. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 25 April, Reuben, now aged 12, was living with his parents at 712 Main Street in Three Rivers, Saint Joseph County, Michigan. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 13 January, Reuben, at the age of 22, was working as a labourer at a laundry and living with his widowed mother at 446 West Street in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 11 April, Reuben, still unmarried at the age of 32, was working as a labourer in an auto factory and living with his widowed mother at 239 Ferris Avenue in Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan.

 

John and Mary Jane’s fifth child was Edward James Muddle who was born during November 1858, probably at Bethlehem or Albany City in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were first enumerated on 20 July, Edward, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in Ward 10 of Albany City. Then when the family were enumerated again on 26 January 1861 Edward was living with his parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Edward, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County, and described as being ‘at home’.

In 1872 Edward moved, with his parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then in about 1879 Edward married Estella Whittaker, who was the daughter of Edgar and Imogene Whittaker and had been born in New York State, probably at Gloversville, during February 1862. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 15 June, Edward and Estella were living in Gloversville, and Edward was working as a glove finisher. They had five children; the first four were born in Gloversville between 1880 and 1891.

The 1882-3 edition of the Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory listed Edward J Muddle as a glove finisher living and working at the rear of 10 Washington Street in Gloversville, and then in the 1883-4 edition as a glover living at 10 Washington Street.. The 1884-5, 1895-6 & 1887 editions listed him as a glove finisher or glover living at 62 Washington Street, and the 1888 edition listed him as a glover living at 76 Washington Street, followed by the 1889 edition listing him as a glover living at 98 East Fulton Street.

 The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1890 to 1892 listed Edward J Muddle as a glover living at 98 East Fulton Street, and then in 1893 he was a glover living at 12 Cedar Street. The 1894 to 1901 editions listed him as a glover living at 16 North Cedar Street.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Edward and Estella were living at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville, which they own but have a mortgage on, with their four children; Edward was still working as a glove finisher and they had Estella’s widowed mother, Imogene Whittaker, living with them. The Ogdensburg News of 4 August 1900 reported that Estella was then a guest of her sister-in-law Mercy Pomeroy at Ogdensburg.

Edward and Estella’s fifth child was born in Gloversville on 2 June 1902, then just 10 days later on 12 June 1902 Edward, at the age of 43, committed suicide by drowning himself. His death was reported in the Utica Herald-Dispatch of 14 June 1902:

TIRED OF LIFE

----------

Edward J. Muddle Committed Suicide by Drowning

(Special to the HERALD-DISPATCH)

Gloversville, June 14 – Edward J. Muddle, aged 43, of this city, disappeared two days ago. His body was found to-day in Anthony’s pond five miles north of here. A letter in his pocket said he was tired of life. He leaves a wife and five children. His wife is now in the hospital with a few days old baby.

In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Estella was a widow living at 16 Cedar Street, which she now rented, with her five children and her mother, and she was living on her own income. Estella was listed in the 1917 Gloversville Phone Book as living at 108 Bleecker Street.

Then 17 years after her husband's death the 21 January 1920 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Estella Muddle, at the age of 58, had married 42-year-old Wallace John Dow of Hamilton, Ontario, in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday 31 December 1919. Wallace was the son of John and Mary Dow; he had been born at Marylebone in London, England and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1877. He then migrated to Canada where he served as a soldier for nine years. After their marriage Wallace and Estella were to live in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 7 January, Wallace and Estella were living in part of 772 Elizabeth Street in Kenosha, which they rented, and Wallace was working as a machinist at an auto factory. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 9 April, Wallace and Estella were living at 6531 8th Avenue in Kenosha, which they rented at $40 per month; Wallace was working as a machinist at an bed factory and they had three lodgers, two men who were workers at the bed factory and the young daughter of one of them.

The 4 February 1941 edition of The Leader-Republican of Gloversville and Johnstown, and the 5 February 1941 editions of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown, and the Schenectady Gazette all reported that Estella Dow had been ill for three years when she died at her home, 844 Maplewood Avenue, Schenectady on Monday 3 February 1941, at the age of 78. Her funeral was at 2pm at the Jennings Funeral Home in Schenectady followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Edward and Estella’s eldest child was Pearl Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 16 July 1880. It seems that Pearl, while she was living at Gloversville, stayed several times with her uncle and aunt, Charles and Mercy Pomeroy, at their home in Ogdensburg, which is on the St Lawrence River about 125 miles north of Gloversville, and also at a place they had at Oak Point, which is also on the St Lawrence River and about 20 miles from Ogdensburg. The Ogdensburg News of 25 June 1899, 30 January 1901, 21 November 1909 and 25 July 1911 all reported on her visits.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Pearl, at the age of 19, was living with her parents at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Pearl, now aged 29, was working as an examiner in a glove factory and living with her widowed mother at 16 Cedar Street. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Pearl, at the age of 39, had no occupation and was living with her father's sister Amy Swan and her husband at 219 Sixth Avenue in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State. Pearl was living with Amy Swan and her husband at 103 Seventh Avenue in Schenectady when the husband died in late 1925 and then Amy in late 1927. Amy's will left a bequest of $500 to Pearl. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 10 April, Pearl was working as a clerk at an electrical works and living by herself at 1116 Seventh Avenue in Schenectady. Pearl never married. She was still living at Schenectady when she died during July 1966, at the age of 86.[5]

 

Edward and Estella’s second child was Lelah M Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 10 May 1883. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Lelah, at the age of 17, was living with her parents at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville, and she was attending school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Lelah, now aged 26, was working as an examiner in a glove factory and living with her widowed mother at 16 Cedar Street.

In about 1914 Lelah married J Raymond Ruck, who had been born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York State on 17 July 1887. Raymond and Lelah had one child, a daughter, born in 1915. When Raymond registered for the First World War draft on 5 June 1917 he was described as being tall and of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair; to be a book keeper for E L Durkee & Co in Gloversville and living with his wife and child at 72 Spring Street in Gloversville.

The 24 October 1918 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that J Raymond Ruck, of 72 Spring Street, had died at 12 o'clock the previous night in the Emergency Hospital from influenza that he had been ill with for several days. Raymond was then 31 years old and his illness was part of the influenza pandemic at the end of the First World War. He had originally come to Gloversville to work for the Gloversville Knitting Company, he then moved on to work for E L Durkee & Co for several years, was then with the Coal Company of Fulton County and was working for C E Lair when he became ill. Raymond was a young man with numerous friends and he was an active member of the Republican Party. The 25 October 1918 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that J Raymond Ruck's funeral service was to be held at the W B Walrath & Co Funeral Parlors, 60 North Main Street at 10am on Saturday 26 October 1918 followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Lelah was a widow working as an operator in a butter factory and, together with her daughter, was living with her brother Roy and his wife at 204 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam, Montgomery County. In 1928 Lelah moved to Scotia, Schenectady County, New York State and in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 25 April, Lelah was a live-in housekeeper to widower Edward Vadney and his son at 107 Vley Road in Scotia, and her daughter was living there with her.

The 7 December 1962 edition of the Schenectady Gazette reported that Mrs Lelah Muddle Ruck had died at her home, 700 Charles Street, Scotia, on 6 December 1962, at the age of 79, after a short illness. Her funeral service was at the Feeley Funeral Home at 11am Monday 10 December 1962 followed by burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Raymond and Lelah’s only child was Alene E Ruck who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State in about July 1915. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Alene, at the age of 4 years and 5 months, was living with her mother in the home of her mother's brother Roy Muddle and his wife at 204 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 25 April, Alene, now aged 14, was living with her mother in the home of Edward Vadney and his son at 107 Vley Road in Scotia, Schenectady County, New York State, where her mother was the housekeeper.

When she was 21 years old Alene married 22-year-old Noel W Test at the parsonage of the Lutheran Church in Manhelm, Herkimer County, New York State on 30 October 1936, and their marriage was reported in the 18 November 1936 edition of the Schenectady Gazette. Noel was the son of William and Gertrude Test and he had been born in Schenectady on 26 December 1913. Noel and Alene had one child, a daughter. Noel was living at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts when he died during February 1978, at the age of 64.

 

Edward and Estella’s third child was Roy Thomas Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 24 May 1887. Roy’s middle name is given on his army draft card as Thomas but on a ship’s passenger list it was given as Theodore. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Roy, at the age of 13, was living with his parents at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville, and he was attending school.

Roy was recorded as sailing on 20 February 1909 from Le Havre in France on the SS La Touraine and arriving at New York on 28 February; he stated that he was returning to his home at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville, and his description on the passenger list was 5ft 4ins tall with a light complexion, light hair and green eyes.[6] Roy must have soon returned to France because he is next recorded as a student sailing on 9 April 1909 from Cherbourg in France on the SS Kaiserin Auguste Victoria and arriving at New York on 17 April on his way to Gloversville.[7]

Soon after arriving back in Gloversville Roy got a job as a chauffeur and was involved in an accident that resulted in a court case for damages, this was reported in the Albany Evening Journal of 1 March 1910:

BALLSTON, March 1, - In Supreme Court yesterday afternoon the jury handed up a sealed verdict in the action of Edward Carpentier against Karl Isburgh for $423.61 damages. The action was for damages to an automobile belonging to Carpentier alleged to have been caused by a rear-end collision in which Isburgh was the party to blame.

On June 3, 1909, Roy Muddle, Carpentier’s chauffeur, was returning from Gloversville to Amsterdam, and near Aiken Isburgh came up behind him. He turned out but the passing car struck him and the Carpentier auto and driver were thrown over a fence, and while the chauffeur escaped the machine was badly damaged. Isburgh, however, claimed that they were racing on the state road and that his car did not strike the Carpentier car at all.

In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Roy, now aged 22, was working as a machinist in a garage and living with his widowed mother at 16 Cedar Street, Gloversville. Two years later Roy was living in Amsterdam. Montgomery County, New York State as the 18 April 1912 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Roy Muddle of Amsterdam was driving a large touring car when he knocked Jack Cassedy off his bicycle in Gloversville. The boy was only slightly hurt and Roy was not to blame for the accident.

Sometime between 1910 and early 1916 Roy married Mildred, who had been born in New York State in about 1894. They are not thought to have had any children, and the 13 March 1916 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Mrs Roy Muddle had been operated on the day before in the City Hospital by Dr Wilson.

When Roy registered for the First World War draft on 5 June 1917 he was described as being short and of stout build with grey eyes and red hair; to be a automobile salesman and living with his wife at 159 West Main Street in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Roy and Mildred were living at 204 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam; Roy was working as automobile salesman and they had Roy’s widowed sister Lelah Ruck and her daughter living with them. In adverts in the Albany Evening Journal of the 21 July and 14 September 1920 by E V Stratton Motors Co Inc they gave Roy T Muddle as their agent in Amsterdam.

The 25 April 1922 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Mrs Roy Muddle and friend had returned from Pinehurst, North Carolina where they had stayed at the Hollywood Inn. Mildred must have then died sometime between 1922 and 1930 because in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 9 April, Roy was a widower rooming with Eugene and Fanny Groat at 106 Market Street in Amsterdam, and continuing to work as an automobile salesman.

The 3 August 1936 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Roy T Muddle, aged 49, was still rooming at 106 Market Street owned by Eugene Groat when that morning another roomer found Roy dead on the bathroom floor. The police were called at 5.45am and they then summoned the coroner who decided that a heart attack had caused the death at least four hours before the body was found. It was apparent that Roy had been in bed and probably gone to the bathroom because one of the symptoms of a heart attack is sickness. At the time of his death Roy was working as an automobile salesman at the Palatine Garage. The 5 August 1936 edition of the Amsterdam Evening Recorder reported that Roy's funeral was held at 10am that morning at the Johnson-Lindsay Funeral Home followed by burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

Edward and Estella’s fourth child was Leon E Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 26 December 1891. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Leon, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville, and he was attending school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, Leon, now aged 18, was an apprentice in a machine shop and living with his widowed mother at 16 Cedar Street.

In about 1913 Leon married Grace B Russell, who was the daughter of Seymour and Emma Russell and had been born at Edinburg in New York State during September 1892. Leon and Grace had two children; the first born at Gloversville in 1916. When Leon registered for the First World War draft on 5 June 1917 he was described as being short and of medium build with blue eyes and sandy hair; to be an automobile mechanic at the Morris Garage in Gloversville and living with his wife and child at 64 Fox Street in Gloversville. Leon was listed in the 1917 Gloversville Phone Book as living at 64 Fox Street. Their second child was born in 1918, probably at Gloversville.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, Leon and Grace with their two children were living at 5 Westinghouse Place in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State, which they rented, and Leon was now an automobile salesman. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 9 April, the family was living at 207 McClellan Street in Schenectady, which they rented at $40 per month, and Leon was back to working as an automobile mechanic. Leon continued to work as a mechanice until his retirement.

The 4 April 1967 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mrs Grace Muddle had died in Ellis Hospital, Schenectady on 1 April 1967, at the age of 74, She had been a member of the Carman Methodist Church and its pastor held her funeral service at the Douglas H Andrew Funeral Home in Schenectady at 11am on 4 April 1967, followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville. Thirteen years later Leon was still living at Schenectady when he died during March 1980, at the age of 88.[8]

 

Leon and Grace’s eldest child was Grace E Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 28 August 1916. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, Grace, at the age of 3 years and 4 months, was living with her parents at 5 Westinghouse Place in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 9 April, Grace, now aged 13, was living with her parents at 207 McClellan Street in Schenectady.

Grace married Henry E Paul, who was the son of Kellar and Emma Paul and had been born in New York State on 1 January 1913. Henry and Grace had two children, both sons. When the 21 November 1964 edition of the Schenectady Gazette reported that their youngest son had enlisted in the US Air Force they were living at 1124 Outer Drive in Schenectady. Grace was living at Schenectady when she died on 18 February 2003, at the age of 86. Then the following year Henry was still living at Schenectady when he died on 13 June 2004, at the age of 91.

 

Leon and Grace’s second child was Russell Edward Muddle who was born in New York State, probably at Gloversville in Fulton County, on 2 June 1918. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 3 January, Russell, at the age of 1 year and 6 months, was living with his parents at 5 Westinghouse Place in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 9 April, Russell, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 207 McClellan Street in Schenectady. Russell attended local public schools and then graduated from Gloversville Business School.

The 29 July 1940 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Russell E Muddle, aged 22, married 20-year-old Florence Eliese Dye in the manse of the First Presbyterian Church in Gloversville at 2pm on 28 July 1940. Russell was then working for Burliss Motors in Schenectady and Florence was working for Geraldine Novelty Co. Florence was the daughter of Fred and Eliese Dye of 93 Forest Street and she had been born at Gloversville on 11 October 1919. After their marriage Russell and Florence were to live in Schenectady where they had one child, a daughter born in 1943, and Russell was service manager at car dealership Schenectady Plym. They were living at Broadalbin, Fulton County, New York State when Russell died on 14 September 1987, at the age of 69.[9]

Eighteen months after Russell's death Florence, at the age of 69, married 77-year-old Charles W Paris on 25 March 1989. Charles had been born on 2 January 1912. Then after ten years of marriage they were living at Broadalbin when Charles died on 16 May 1999, at the age of 87. Florence continued to live at Broadalbin as a widow for ten years until her death at home on 31 October 2009, at the age of 90. Florence's funeral service was at the Jeffords & Stewart Funeral Home, 85 West Main Street, Broadalbin on 3 November 2009 followed by burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

Florence's obituary was published on 2 November 2009 by The Leader-Herald of Gloversville, which recorded that Florence had worked for 20 years at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles in Schenectady; that she was a member of the New Apostolic Church in Schenectady and a former member of the Gloversville Moose Lodge.

 

Edward and Estella’s fifth child was John Verner Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 2 June 1902. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 19 April, John, at the age of 7, was living with his widowed mother at 16 Cedar Street in Gloversville. Then in the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 23 January, John was working as a shipping clerk at a glove shop and living in a hotel run by Thomas Vill at the junction of North Main Street and East Fulton Street in Gloversville. Then the Boston Directory of 1924 lists J V Muddle as living at 316 Huntington Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 14 April, John was working as a purchasing agent at a paper mill and boarding with Frank and Edna Roberts on Granite Street in Ashland, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

When he was 28 years old John married 21-year-old Dorothy Anna Allen in the state of Massachusetts on 19 July 1930. Dorothy was the daughter of Silas and Abbie Allen, and she had been born at Southborough in Worcester County, Massachusetts on 8 June 1909. John and Dorothy were living at Ashland, Massachusetts, which is about 20 miles west of Boston, when John's brother Roy died in 1936. John was recorded in passenger lists as arriving at Boston on 24 July 1937 as a passenger on the Saint John from St John, New Brunswick, and then again arriving at Boston on 3 August 1940 as a passenger on the Evangeline from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

The Manning’s Ashland Directory and Manning’s Framingham Directory of 1960 lists John V Muddle as the proprietor of John V Muddle Associates, manufactuers of wire cloth dials at 76 Union Street in Ashland, and that John and his wife Dorothy lived on Hodder Lane in nearby Framingham, Massachusetts.

John had been living at Marlborough in Middlesex County, Massachusetts when he died there on 3 March 1970, at the age of 67.[10] Twenty-six years later Dorothy had been living at Newton in Middlesex County, Massachusetts when she died at nearby Weston on 27 October 1996, at the age of 87.[11]

 

John and Mary Jane’s sixth child was John William Muddle who was born at Albany City in Albany County, New York State on 20 September 1860. In the census of 1 June 1860, when the family were enumerated for the second time on 26 January 1861 John, at the age of 4 months, was living with his parents in Ward 9 of Albany City. Then in the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, John, now aged 9, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County.

In 1872 John probably moved, with his parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 11 June, John, at the age of 19, was a live-in labourer to farmer Stephen Kimball at East Greenbush in Rensselaer County, New York State, which is about 5 miles south-east of Albany. The 1882-3 & 1883-4 editions of the Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory listed John W Muddle as a glove finisher living at 10 Cedar Street in Gloversville, his parents’ home.

When he was 24 years old John married 25-year-old Carrie Adella Mills at Johnstown in Fulton County on 20 November 1884. Carrie was the daughter of William and Almeda Mills, and she had been born at Gloversville during November 1859. John and Carrie had three children, all sons, born at Gloversville between 1885 and 1890, the first two of whom died in infancy. They were living in Cedar Street in Gloversville when their first child died on 27 August 1885. The 1885-6 edition of the Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory listed John Muddle jr. as a glove finisher living at 23 Cedar Street in Gloversville, and then the 1887 edition listed John W Muddle as a glover living at 5 Yale Street, followed by the 1888 & 1889 editions listing him as a glover living at 22 Park Street in Gloversville.

The 8 December 1888 issue of the Albany Evening Journal reported that Mrs John Muddle was visiting relatives at Big Rock, Iowa, and then the issue of 21 December 1888 reported that John Muddle of Gloversville had returned from a two week visit to Iowa, this was either John and Carrie or John’s father and mother.

The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists John and Carrie as being members of the church living at 11 Judson Street, which was the same address given for the family of John’s cousin William James Muddle, who were also church members. This directory also recorded that J Muddle was one the members responsible for church music; this must have been either John or his father, who were both church members.

The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the three years 1890 to 1892 listed John W Muddle as a glover living at 36 Burr Street, and then in the 1893 edition he was a glover living at 76 Broad Street. The three editions from 1894 to 1896 listed him as a glover living at 30½ South Main Street, then the 1897 edition has him as a boarding house keeper living and working at 30½ South Main Street, followed by the 1898 edition listing him as a glover living at 30½ South Main Street. Then the three editions from 1899 to 1901 all list him as a glover living at 28 South Main Street.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, John, Carrie and their surviving son were living at 283 South Main Street in Gloversville, which they rented; John was working as a gloves’ laundryman and the had 29-year-old glove cutter George Hayden as a lodger. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, John, Carrie and their son were living at 10 Dean Street in Gloversville, which they owned but had a mortgage on; John was now a layer off at a glove factory and Carrie was a glove worker working at home.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, John and Carrie were living with their now married son and his wife and two children at 373 North Main Street in Gloversville; Carrie was a glove worker at a glove factory, but John now had no occupation. John was probably too ill to work at the time of the census because it was only six months later that he died. They were living at 19 Kent Street in Gloversville when John died at 2pm on 22 June 1920, at the age of 59, from apoplexy (a stroke) caused by edema of the lungs (congestive heart failure, a form of dropsy). John was buried in Section 10 of Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville on 25 June 1920.

Two years after John’s death Carrie, at the age of 62, married her 73-year-old brother-in-law Leander H Willoughby at Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York State on 30 September 1922. Leander had been married to Anna E Muddle, who was a sister of Carrie’s late husband, and after Anna’s death Leander had married Etta, who also died leaving Leander a widower for a second time. Canajoharie is about 15 miles south-west of Gloversville. The Gloversville Public Schools Hand Book of 1924-1925 lists Leander H Willoughby of 10 Bloomingdale Avenue as janitor at Kingsboro School.

In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Leander and Carrie were living at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, which they owned and was valued at $3200, and Leander, at the age of 80, was still a school janitor. Living with them was Carrie’s son Harold Muddle with his wife and two children.

Leander had died by the time the 24 February 1941 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mrs Carrie Muddle Willoughby of Gloversville had died in a Utica hospital on Saturday night, 22 February 1941, aged 81. Carrie had been a member of Fremont Methodist Church and the Welcome Class in the church. Her funeral service was held by the pastor of the church at 10am on Wednesday 26 February 1941 at the Kennedy Funeral Home, 150 South Main Street followed by burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

John and Carrie’s eldest child was Chester J Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State in 1885. Chester died at Gloversville on 27 August 1885 from Inanition (exhaustion from lack of food or the inability to assimilate it), probably soon after he was born as no age was given on his death certificate. He was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville during the afternoon of 28 August 1885, and his death was reported in the Albany Evening Journal of 28 August 1885.

 

John and Carrie’s second child was Cecil B Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 8 March 1887. Cecil died at Gloversville on 25 July 1887, at the age of 4 months and 17 days, from cholera infantum. He was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville during the afternoon of 26 July 1887, and his death reported in the Albany Evening Journal of 26 July 1887.

 

John and Carrie’s third child was Griffith Harold Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 15 March 1889. He was normally known as Harold except for the 11 year period when he had a son living who was named after him and was known as Harold; he then used the name Griffith. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 11 June, Harold, at the age of 11, was living with his parents at 283 South Main Street in Gloversville, and he was attending school. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 16 April, Harold, now aged 21, was working as a cutter in a glove factory and living with his parents at 10 Dean Street in Gloversville.

When he was 23 years old Harold married 20-year-old Jennie Smith at East Main Street Church in Amsterdam on 27 November 1912. Jennie had been born in New York State on 2 November 1892. They had three children; the first born at Gloversville in 1913. When Harold registered for the First World War draft on 5 June 1917 he was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and brown hair; to be a foreman of a glove room at L Y Hollenbeck, 34 East Eighth Avenue, and living with his wife and son at 217 Kingsboro Avenue in Gloversville. Their second child was born at Gloversville in 1919. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, they were living at 373 North Main Street in Gloversville with their two children; Harold was a foreman at a glove factory and Jennie was a glove worker working at home. They had Harold's parents, John and Carrie Muddle, living with them. Their third child was born at Gloversville in 1924.

They then moved to Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York State and were living at 235 Locust Avenue when their eldest child died in early July 1925, at the age of 11, from heart problems. Later in the 1920s they moved back to Gloversville where they remained for the rest of their lives.

In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Harold, Jennie and their two youngest children were living with Harold's mother and her second husband, Leander Willoughby, at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville; Harold was now a painter working as a contractor, and Jennie was a glove machinist working at home. Harold and Jennie then had two more children, twin daughters, born in late 1931.

The 10 March 1933 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Adella Carolyn Muddle and Elynor Jane Muddle, the twin daughters of Mr & Mrs G Muddle, were seriously ill at their home, 10 Bloomingdale Avenue. Then the 26 March 1934 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mrs G Harold Muddle, of 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, had been operated on by Dr Claude Bledsoe at the Nathan Littauer Hospital the previous day, and that her condition was satisfactory.

Harold continued working as an interior decorator until the Gloversville Board of Education appointed him to the position of third custodian at Park Terrace School, effective from 18 August 1952, and reported in the 12 August 1952 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown.

The 29 November 1952 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mr & Mrs Harold Muddle, of 10 Bloomingdale Avenue, had celebrated had celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a family party at their home on Thursday 27 November 1952.

The Thursday 26 March 1959 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Harold Muddle, of 62 East Pine Street in Gloversville, will be retiring from his position as custodian at Park Terrace School on Wednesday, and at a recent testimonial dinner he was presented with a plaque and purse of money in recognition of his service to the school.

The 28 November 1962 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mr & Mrs Harold Muddle, of 62 East Pine Street in Gloversville, had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the previous day and their children had given them a party at their home on Sunday 25 November 1962.

The 20 February 1967 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Harold Muddle, of 62 East Pine Street in Gloversville, had died in the Littauer Hospital at 10.30am on Saturday 18 February 1967, at the age of 77.[12] Harold had belonged to the Eagles Lodge and was a member of the Fremont Methodist Church whose pastor held Harold's funeral service at the Eugene Hollenbeck Jr Funeral Home, 4 Second Avenue at 2pm on 21 February 1967 followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Fifteen years later Jennie was still living at Gloversville when she died during November 1982, at the age of 90.[13]

 

Harold and Jennie’s eldest child was Griffith Harold Muddle, known as Harold, who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State in about 1913. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, Harold, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 373 North Main Street in Gloversville. Harold moved with his parents to Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York State where he died in early July 1925, at the age of 11, after a short illness of heart trouble. He was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery at Gloversville on Tuesday 7 July 1925 and his death was reported in the 6 July 1925 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown.

 

Harold and Jennie’s second child was William Edmund Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 11 February 1919. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, William, at the age of 11 months, was living with his parents at 373 North Main Street in Gloversville. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, William, now aged 11, was living with his parents in the home of his grandparents, Leander and Carrie Willoughby, at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville. In the 22 December 1939 edition of The Otsego Farmer published in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York State, a report on a basket ball match played by students of Hartwick Seminary, which is 5 miles south of Cooperstown, it stated that William E Muddle was business manager at Hartwick Seminary.

The 27 June 1940 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that William E Muddle, aged 21, married 22-year-old June A Walters at the parsonage of the Bleecker Street Church of Christ at 4pm on Wednesday 26 June 1940. June was the daughter of Frank and Marian Walters of 55 North Street, Gloversville, and she had been born at Gloversville on 26 October 1917. After their marriage William and June were to live at 77 Grand Street, Gloversville. They had six children born in Gloversville between 1941 and 1950.

They were living at 12 Steele Avenue in Gloversville when their daughter Joan, who had been born with a hole in her heart, was admitted to hospital in 1949 and 1951. Then when Joan was admitted to hospital again in 1953 they were living at 7½ Beech Street in Gloversville. When their daughters Marion and Joan were married in 1960 and 1965 they were living at 81 Helwig Street in Gloversville. Then when their son William married in 1968 and their daughter Carolyn gave birth to a son in 1972 they were living at 106 Grand Street in Gloversville.

William was living at Gloversville when he died on 21 December 1986, at the age of 67.[14] Twenty-three years later June was still living at Gloversville when she died on 12 April 2010, at the age of 92.[15] June's obituary was published on the website of the Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes, where it was recorded that June had worked at Decca Records, at Britt's Department Store as a clerk and was also a finger knitter for Elma Knit. She then worked as a nurses' aide at the Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility until her retirement in 1977. June was a member of the Bleecker Street Church of Christ as a child and was President of the Young People's Group there. Later June was a very active and faithful member of the Foothills United Methodist Church, participating in many activities there, including the United Methodist Women. She was also a long time member of the Gloversville Senior Center. June's funeral service was held at the Foothills United Methodist Church on 16 April 2010 followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville.

 

 

Harold and Jennie’s third child was Dorcas E Muddle who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 19 July 1924. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 3 April, Dorcas, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in the home of her grandparents, Leander and Carrie Willoughby, at 10 Bloomingdale Avenue in Gloversville.

The 22 July 1940 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Miss Dorcas Muddle, at the age of just 16, married 24-year-old Wesley A Frye at Fremont Street Methodist Church on Sunday 21 July 1940. Wesley was the son of Wesley and Grace Frye, and he had been born in Gloversville on 27 March 1916. After their marriage Wesley and Dorcas were to live at 46 Forest Street in Gloversville, the home of Wesley's parents.

Wesley and Dorcas had 13 children, ten sons and three daughters. Then the 7 August 1968 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Wesley A Frye had died at 1.30am that morning at his home, 102 Forest Street, Gloversville, at the age of 52, having been in failing health for the last two years. He had worked at various leather mills in the area and was a member of the Fremont Street Methodist Church.

It seems that Dorcas was something of a songstress because the 23 April 1969 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Dorcas had song Because, O' Perfect Love and The Lord's Prayer at the marriage of her niece Linda Ann Thompson on 19 April 1969.

Dorcas, at the age of 46 and now spelling her name Dorkis, married 54-year-old James I Welcome at the Fremont Street United Methodist Church on Saturday 26 June 1971, and their marriage was reported in the 6 July 1971 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown. James had been born on 12 April 1917. They were living in Gloversville when James died during August 1981, aged 64.[16] Ten years later Dorkis was still living in Gloversville when she died on 15 April 1992, at the age of 67[17]

 

Harold and Jennie’s forth child, one of twins, was Adella Carolyn Muddle who was born at the Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State at noon on Saturday 12 December 1931 and her birth was reported in the 14 December 1931 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown. Then 15 months later the 10 March 1933 edition of the same paper reported that Adella Carolyn Muddle and Elynor Jane Muddle, the twin daughters of Mr & Mrs G Muddle, were seriously ill at their home, 10 Bloomingdale Avenue.

Adella was educated at Gloversville schools and then worked as a glove knitter, first for Continental Mills and latter for Johnstown Knitting Mill, until her retirement in 1994.

The 12 July 1948 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Miss Adella Muddle, aged 16, married Charles H Thompson at Fremont Street Methodist Church on Sunday 11 July 1948. They had two children, a son and daughter.

They were living at 62 East Pine Street in Gloversville when their daughter married in 1969. The Schenectady Gazette of Tuesday 25 September 1973 reported that 41-year-old Adella C Thompson of 62 East Pine Street, Gloversville was charged with driving while intoxicated after her car hit a parked car then a tree, severed a guy wire to a utility pole and went on to strike a house at 60 Washington Street, Gloversville, at about 8.45pm on Sunday.

Charles died before Adella, who was living at Gloversville when she died on 24 August 2006, at the age of 74. Adella's funeral service was held at Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville on 28 August 2006 followed by internment at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville. Adella's obituary in the 27 August 2006 edition of the Gloversville Leader-Herald recorded that she was a member of the Ida McGinnis Senior Citizens and also of the Eagles, where she was a member for fifty years, and at one time served as president. She was a member of the Foothills United Methodist Church, and also enjoyed spending time at her camp in Caroga Lake.

 

Harold and Jennie’s fifth child, one of twins, was Elynor Jane Muddle who was born at the Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State at noon on Saturday 12 December 1931 and her birth was reported in the 14 December 1931 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown. Then 15 months later the 10 March 1933 edition of the same paper reported that Adella Carolyn Muddle and Elynor Jane Muddle, the twin daughters of Mr & Mrs G Muddle, were seriously ill at their home, 10 Bloomingdale Avenue.

The 19 December 1949 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Miss Elynor Muddle, aged 18, married 25-year-old Elwin B Hines at Fremont Street Methodist Church on Sunday 18 December 1949. After their marriage they were to live at 21 Helwig Street, Gloversville. Elwin was the son of Mrs Emma Hines of 58 Bleecker Street, Gloversville and he had been born on 18 January 1924.

The 29 November 1952 and 28 November 1958 editions of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Elwin and Elynor were living at Schenectady when Elynor's parents held their wedding anniversary party in 1952 and then at the anniversary party in 1958 they were recorded as having four children and living at Meriden in Connecticut. Their marriage had ended in divorce by 1964 and Elwin died on 28 March 1992, at the age of 68.[18]

The 6 October 1964 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Elynor Hines, aged 32, of Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut married 41-year-old Charles J Malloy at Fremont Street Methodist Church in Gloversville on Saturday 3 October 1964. Elynor was then working for the International Steel Company, Eyelet Division in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Charles was an electrician working for the Wallingford Steel Company in Wallingford. After their marriage they were to live at 810 Hanover Road in Meriden. Charles was the son of Charles and Irene Malloy and he had been born on 25 January 1923.

Charles and Elynor were living at Meriden when Charles died on 21 February 1997, at the age of 74.[19] Seven years later Elynor was still living in Meriden when she died on 22 October 2004, at the age of 72.[20]

 

John and Mary Jane’s seventh child was Mercy Rivers Muddle who was born at Albany City in Albany County, New York State on 14 February 1862. Mercy's middle name comes from the married name of her father's sister Mercy, who also ended up living in Gloversville. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Mercy, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County. Then in 1872 Mercy moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Mercy, now aged 18, was working as a milliner and living with her parents in Gloversville.

The Albany Evening Journal of 18 August 1880 reported that a railcar had jumped the tracks near Gloversville on Sunday evening, the 15 August, when two women were injured, one being Mercy Muddle. The 1882-3 edition of the Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory listed Miss Mercy Muddle as a milliner living at 10 Cedar Street in Gloversville, her parents’ home. Then the Albany Evening Journal of 14 August 1883 in its Gloversville news reported that: ‘Miss Mercy Muddle and her sister, Miss Anna Muddle [presumably Amy Muddle who was sometimes known as Anna], started by the early train for Saratoga where they expect to enjoy a fortnight’s recreation.’ The 1883-4, 1884-5 & 1885-6 editions of the Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory listed Miss Mercy Muddle as a milliner living at 10 Cedar Street in Gloversville, her parents’ home, and with her millinery business at 108 Main Street. The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists Mercy as a member of the church living at with her parents at 10 Cedar Street. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1891 and 1893 listed Miss Mercy Muddle as a milliner living at 10 Cedar Street.

When she was 33 years old Mercy married 33-year-old widower Charles Donaldson Pomeroy at Brockville, Ontario, Canada on 25 September 1895 by licence. Charles was then a doctor residing at, Ogdensburg, Saint Lawrence County, New York State, and Mercy had been living in New York City. Charles was the son of Methodist minister Peter Pomeroy and his wife Isabella, and he had been born at Brockville during August 1862. Charles studied to become a doctor at Albert College, Bellevue College Hospital, New York City and then did a post graduate course in Paris before starting to practice his profession in New York City. He married Minnie and they had an adopted daughter, Dolly, born in New York State in about 1885. They moved to Ogdensburg in about 1890, where Charles continued to practice his profession, and Minnie died during December 1892. Charles and Mercy had first met while Charles was teaching training classes at Bellevue College Hospital where Mercy was a nurse and a member of his hospital training class.

Charles and Mercy didn't have any children. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 8 June, Charles and Mercy were living at 90 Crescent Street in Ogdensburg, which they owned but had a mortgage on, and Charles was a physician. They had Charles' widowed mother and his daughter from his first marriage living with them. The also had 22-year-old Frank Gaynon as a live-in servant; he was an ostler so presumably he looked after horses for Charles, who was an ardent horse lover and owned several. The Ogdensburg News of 4 August 1900 reported that Mercy's sister-in-law Estella Muddle, wife of her brother Edward, was then her guest at Ogdensburg. Four issues of the Ogdensburg News between 1899 and 1911 reported on Mercy's niece, Pearl Muddle, visiting them, and from these reports it seems that Charles and Mercy also had a house at Oak Point, which is about 18 miles up the St Lawrence River from Ogdensburg.

Dr Charles Pomeroy had purchased a small island off Oak Point called Old Dock, where steamers docked for Oak Point, and renamed it Zitka. The year after his marriage he built a large house on this island as a summer residence and the St Lawrence Republican of 3 June 1896 reported that:

DR. POMEROY'S new cottage on a little island in front of Oak Point is fast nearing completion.

It seems that Charles and Mercy resided at Zitka during the summer and with visiting friends and relatives enjoyed the pleasures of the river, and the 18 August 1898 edition of The Daily Journal of Ogdensburg reported on a splendid new catboat called Zitka that Charles had purchased to help them enjoy the river:

The New Catboat Zitka.

Dr. C. G. Pomeroy, of this city, who is spending the summer at his river home on the St. Lawrence, has added a handsome new catboat, the Zitka, to its equipment. The Zitka belongs to the new order of catboats fast becoming popular with amateur sailors, and is considered one of the best of her class. She was built by Ed. Denner, of Chippewa Bay, one of the best known workmen on the river and is put together in a way calculated to last. The Zitka has a total length of 23 feet, and is 20 feet 4 inches on the load water line. Her beam is 8 feet 5 1/2 inches, is 2 feet 4 inches deep amidships, has an overhanging stern of 2 feet 8 inches, and without her board draws but 9 inches of water. Her greatest depth is 3 feet. That comfort entered to a considerable extent into the plans of her designer is at once apparent in a glance at her cockpit. This has a total length of 11 feet 1 inch, is 5 feet 11 1/2 inches wide, and affords enough room to give her crew every chance to move about with freedom. Her planking is of 5/8 inch red cedar, fastened over elm timbers with 8 inch centers, thus combining strength and lightness. Her deck planking is also of red cedar, 1/3 inch. She is fitted with a center board of 3-16 boiler plate, 3 feet 7x5 feet, carried in a trunk 6 feet long and so arranged as to move smoothly and quickly.

Some very fine work can be seen upon her mast boom and gaff. These are all hollow and are the product of the Spalding St. Lawrence Boat Co., Ogdensburg. The mast affords a height of 23 feet 4 inches from the deck to the top; the boom is 26 feet 2 and the gaff 16 feet 2. She spreads a sail having an area of 424 square feet actual measurement with a hoist of 16 feet, foot 25 feet 6, and head 15 feet 2. It was made by Geo. B. Carpenter, of Chicago, and is also a fine example of the modern sail-maker's art. All in all the Zitka is a trim boat and ought to add much to her owner's pleasure on the St. Lawrence.

It was not always idyllic summer days at Zitka as the St Lawrence Republican of 27 July 1904 reported:

North Hammond, July 19.-Two severe storms passed over this vicinity within a week. The one of last Tuesday forenoon came about 11 o'clock and lasted an hour. For a time it became so dark lights had to be lighted and the rain was so dense one could see only a little way on the river. Dr. Pomeroy's boat house was blown over. The steamer Riverside laid at Oak Point dock until the worst was over…

In about 1908 Charles had a stroke which resulted in him being confined to a chair but he continued to practice his profession, with patients coming to his house. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 21 April, Charles and Mercy were living at 92 Crescent Street in Ogdensburg, which they rented; Charles was still a physician and they now had just Charles' daughter living with them. Charles was a member of the New York County Medical Association and of St John's Episcopal Church. He was also active in fraternal organizations being a member of the Elks and Masons.

Charles continued to practice his profession until further stokes resulted in a deteroration of his condition; he was taken to his summer home at Zitka but as his condition failed to improve after a few days he returned to his home, 401 Montgomery Street in Ogdensburg, where at 6am on 31 July 1926 he died, at the age of 63. His funeral service was held at his home on 2 August 1926 by the Rev D Charles White, rector of St John's Episcopal Church, and the following morning he was taken for burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville, where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone. Obituaries for Charles were published in the Watertown Daily Times of 31 July 1926, and the Ogdensburg Republican Journal of 2 August 1926. When her sister Amy Swan died in late 1927 Mercy inherited $300.

In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 16 April, Mercy was living alone in part of 116 Washington Street in Ogdensburg. Later Mercy went to live with Miss Myrtle Porter in Lisbon, which is a few miles to the east of Ogdensburg. Mercy like her late husband had been a member of the St John Episcopal Church in Ogdensburg and after moving to Lisbon she attended the First Congregational Church in Lisbon. Twenty-five years after the death of her husband Mercy died in the A Barton Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg at 1:05am on 29 August 1951, at the age of 89, after an illness of nine days. Mercy's funeral service was at the Fox Funeral Home in Lisbon on 31 August 1951, with the Rev Alfred E Young, pastor of the Lisbon Congregational Church officiating, and her burial was at the White Church Cemetery in Lisbon. Mercy's obituaries were published in the Ogdensburg Journal of 29 August 1951 and the Ogdensburg Advance-News of 2 September 1951, and her funeral was reported in the Ogdensburg Journal of 1 September 1951.

 

 

John and Mary Jane’s eighth child was Emma Violet Muddle who was born at Albany City in Albany County, New York State on 18 January 1863. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Emma, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County. Then in 1872 Emma moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Emma, now aged 17, was living with her parents in Gloversville, and she was attending school.

In about 1895, when she was about 32 years old, Emma married Frank Gould, who was about 28. Frank had been born in Vermont during April 1867. Frank and Emma had one child, a son, who was born at Gloversville in 1895. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 13 June, Frank, Emma and their son were living at 79 Prospect Street in Gloversville, which they owned but had a mortgage on; Frank was a lawyer and Emma’s brother Walter was boarding with them. Their son died in about 1903, when he was 8 years old. Frank died sometime between 1900 and 1910 because in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 20 April, Emma was a widow living with her sister, Amy Swan, and her husband at 219 Sixth Avenue in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State, and she was a mica worker in an electric works.

Four years later Emma, at the age of 51, married 49-year-old widower Eugene Irving Fairchild on 11 July 1914, probably at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Johnstown. Eugene was the son of Alanson and Joanna Fairchild and he had been born at Oak Hill, Schoharie County, New York State on 4 December 1864. In 1878 he moved with his parents to Gloversville, where the Muddle family lived at 10 Cedar Street and Fairchild family at 14 Cedar Street, and he learnt the jeweller's trade with Mr Norton. On 14 November 1888 he moved to Johnstown where he opened a jeweller's establishment. He married Nellie Hodder on 2 June 1887 and they had several children before Nellie died in about 1913.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Eugene and Emma were living at 506 South William Street in Johnstown, Fulton County, New York State, which they owned but had a mortgage on, with Eugene’s son and daughter, Robert and Pauline, from his first marriage, and Eugene was working as an optometrist in an office. A business advertisement in the United Presbyterian Church Directory of 1920 was for E Fairchild, optometrist of 32 West Main Street, Johnstown. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 4 April, they were still living at 506 South William Street, which they owned and was valued at $10,000, but now with just Eugene’s son living with them. Eugene was now working as a repair man in his own jewellery shop. They were still living at 506 South William Street when Emma's sister Ellen died in 1933.

The Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Johnstown records that Eugene Fairchild had been a member since its founding in 1888 and was still a member at its Golden Jubilee in 1938. He had made a gift to the church of a clock, was one of the church trustees and a member of the Golden Jubilee General Committee.

Eugene died in 1941, at the age of 78, and he was buried in the Fairchild family plot in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Twenty years later the 4 May 1961 edition of The Leader-Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported that Mrs Emma V Fairchild had died at 6.30 that morning, at the age of 98, in the Gotts Nursing Home, 3 East Montgomery Street, where she had been for three years. She had been a former member of the Round Table Study Club and a member of the First Methodist Church. She was probably buried in the Muddle family plot in Prospect Hill Cemetery as Eugene's will had directed his executor to provide Emma with burial and a headstone there next to her first husband, Frank Gould, and their son John.

 

Frank and Emma’s only child was John C Gould who was born at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State during July 1895. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 13 June, John, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 79 Prospect Street in Gloversville. John died in about 1903, when he was 8 years old, and was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville.

 

John and Mary Jane’s ninth child was Amy V Muddle who was born in about 1865, probably at Albany City or Watervliet in Albany County, New York State. In some records Amy is called Ann or Anna. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Amy, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County. Then in 1872 Amy moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Amy, now aged 15, was living with her parents in Gloversville, and she was attending school. The Albany Evening Journal of 14 August 1883 in its Gloversville news reported that: ‘Miss Mercy Muddle and her sister, Miss Anna Muddle [presumably an error for Amy Muddle], started by the early train for Saratoga where they expect to enjoy a fortnight’s recreation.’ The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists Amy as a member of the church living at with her parents at 10 Cedar Street.

In about 1891 Amy married Charles V Swan who had been born in New York State during September 1869. They didn’t have any children. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, they were living in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York State; Charles was working as a book keeper and they rented their home. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 20 April, they were living at 219 Sixth Avenue in Schenectady, Schenectady County, New York State, which they rented; Charles was working as a clerk at an electric works and they had Amy’s widowed sister, Emma Gould, living with them. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 5 January, they were still living at 219 Sixth Avenue, which they still rented; Charles was a clerk at the General Electric Company, and living with them was Amy’s niece, spinster Pearl Muddle, daughter of Amy’s late brother, Edward James Muddle.

The 19 December 1925 edition of the Schenectady Gazette reported that Charles V Swan was living at 103 Seventh Avenue in Schenectady when he died on Wednesday 16 December 1925, at the age of 56. His funeral service was at Mont Pleasant Reformed Church, Crane Street at 1.30pm on Saturday 19 December 1925 followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Charles had been a member of the Mont Pleasant Lodge of the Odd Fellows, and the Quarter Century Club.

Two years later the 1 December 1927 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown and the 2 December 1927 edition of the Schenectady Gazette reported that Amy V Swan had died at the home, 103 Seventh Avenue in Schenectady, at 20 minutes past midnight in the early hours of Wednesday 30 November 1927, at the age of about 62, after being ill for several weeks. Her funeral service was at Mont Pleasant Reformed Church, Crane Street at 1pm on Saturday 2 December 1927 followed by burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Amy had been an active member of Mont Pleasant Reformed Church, and also the Glendale Rebekah Lodge of Mont Pleasant. She had taken a prominent part in the church, fraternal and social work of the ninth ward and was well known for her work in philanthropic circles in Schenectady.

The 24 January 1928 edition of the Schenectady Gazette reported that the Surrogate's Court had granted probate and administration of Amy's will to Arthur L Brayton of Gloversville and that her personal estate exceeded $2000 with no real estate. In her will Amy left $500 to her niece Pearl Muddle, who had been living with her until her death. Also $300 to her sister Mercy Pomeroy with the remainder of her estate to be equally divided between her two brothers, Frederick Muddle and Walter Muddle, and her three sisters, Ellen Willoughby, Emma Fairchild and Harriet Smith.

 

John and Mary Jane’s tenth child was Frederick Thomas Muddle, known as Fred, who was born on 10 March 1867, probably at Albany City or Watervliet in Albany County, New York State. As a child Fred was listed in the censuses as Thomas F Muddle so presumably known as Thomas by his parents, but by the time he was an adult he had reversed his names to become Frederick Thomas Muddle. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Fred, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Watervliet in Albany County. In 1872 Fred moved, with his parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Fred, now aged 13, was living with his parents in Gloversville, and he was attending school.

The Gloversville, Johnstown & Kingsboro Directory for 1889 listed Fred Muddle as a glover living at 10 Cedar Street, his parents’ home. Then the Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1890 and 1891 listed Fred Muddle as a glover living at 10 Cedar Street, and then for the years 1892 and 1893 he is listed as a book keeper living at 10 Cedar Street.

In about 1894, when he was about 27 years old, Fred married Cora Getman, who was about 23. Cora was the daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Getman; she had been born at Ephratah, Fulton County, New York State on 26 July 1871, and baptised at the Dutch Reform Church in Ephratah on 10 September 1876. Fred and Cora didn’t have had any children. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for 1894 listed Fred Muddle as a book keeper living at 14 Cedar Street, then the seven editions from 1895 & 1901 all listed Fred as a book keeper living at 95 Washington Street.

In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 9 June, Fred and Cora were living at 95 Washington Street in Gloversville, which they rented from the owner John Decker who lived his family in part of the house; Fred was working as a book keeper and they had Cora’s sister, 30-year-old spinster Eva Getman, living with them. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 21 April, they were living at 226 Tremont Street in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York State, which they rented; Fred was working as a book keeper at a silk mill and they had three lodgers. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 8 January, they were continuing to live at 226 Tremont Street, which they now owned but had a mortgage on; they didn’t now have any lodgers and Fred had become a purchasing agent at a silk mill. The North Tonawanda Directory of 1922 listed Frederick T Muddle as a purchasing agent at Van Raalte Co, which was a silk mill, and living with his wife Cora at 226 Tremont Street. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April, they were still living at 226 Tremont Street, which they owned and was valued at $7,000, and Fred was a buyer at a silk mill.

The 11 March 1938 edition of The Evening News of North Tonawanda reported that Cora Muddle had died suddenly during the night of Thursday 10 March 1938, at the age of 66. Her funeral service was held at her home in North Tonawanda followed by burial at Johnstown on Sunday 13 March 1938. Then the 5 April 1938 edition of The Niagara Falls Gazette reported that the day before probate and administration of Cora's will was granted to her husband of 226 Tremont Street, and that she left $4000 real estate and $200 personal estate. Personal effects were left to her sister Eva Powell and cash bequests of $200 went to three nieces, with the remainder of her estate going to her husband.

Nine years later the 8 September 1947 edition of The Evening News of North Tonawanda and the 9 September 1947 edition of The Morning Herald of Gloversville and Johnstown reported the death in DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda at 2.30am on Sunday 7 September 1947, at the age of 80, of Frederick Muddle of 227 Tremont Street following short illness and an operation. His body was taken to Johnstown for a funeral service at 10am on Wednesday 10 September 1947 at the Wassung, Brown and Heel Funeral Home followed by burial in the Fern Dale Cemetery. About 40 years ago Fred had left Gloversville for North Tonawanda to work for Niagara Maid Co, which was then purchased by Van Relate Co, where he became a superintendent of the plant and a director.

 

John and Mary Jane’s eleventh child was Ida Harriett Muddle, known as Hattie, who was born on 30 September 1869, probably at Albany City or Watervliet in Albany County, New York State. In the census of 1 June 1870, enumerated on 20 June, Hattie, at the age of 8 months, was living with her parents at Watervliet in Albany County. In 1872 Hattie moved, with her parents and siblings, to Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State. Then in the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Hattie, now aged 10, was living with her parents in Gloversville, and she was attending school. The Directory of the Fremont Methodist Episcopal Church of Gloversville, N.Y. of 1890 lists Hattie as a member of the church living at with her parents at 10 Cedar Street.

When she was 25 years old Hattie married 23-year-old Charles Henry Smith during November 1894. Charles had been born in New York State on 4 April 1871 of English born parents. Charles and Hattie lived at Johnstown in Fulton County where they had two children, the first born a few days after their marriage and the second in 1899. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, they were living at 2 Yost Street in Johnstown, which they rented, with their two children, and Charles was a superintendent in a glove shop (glove making factory). Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, they were still living at 2 Yost Street, which they still rented, with their two children, but Charles was now an employer manufacturing gloves. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, they were living at 16 West Montgomery Street in Johnstown, which they rented, with their two, now adult, children, and Charles was now working as a leather tester in an office. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April, they were continuing to live at 16 West Montgomery Street, which they were renting at $20 a month, with their two adult children, and Charles was working as a cutter in a glove shop. They were still living at 16 West Montgomery Street when Hattie's sister Ellen died in 1933.

16 West Montgomery Street was a semi-detached house on three floors with 14 West Montgomery Street being the house it was attached to. In both the 1920 and 1930 censuses William and Anna Miller and their children were living at No 14 which they rented in 1920 but by 1930 they owned it. They actually owned the whole building so it was off them that the Smith family rented their home at No 16. Later ownership of this property passed to their daughter Dorothy Miller and the Smith family then rent their home from her.

Charles had been in the State Hospital at Utica when he died there on 6 December 1946, at the age of 75, and was buried in Ferndale Cemetery in Johnstown. Hattie was living at 16 West Montgomery Street in Johnstown when she died there on the 2 February 1959, at the age of 89, from heart failure. She was buried with her husband in Ferndale Cemetery in Johnstown on 4 February 1959. Both their children were later buried with them and a headstone inscribed on both sides marks their grave.

 

Charles and Hattie’s eldest child was Bess Elizabeth Smith who was born at Johnstown, Fulton County, New York State on 29 November 1894. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Bess, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 2 Yost Street in Johnstown. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, Bess, now aged 15, was continuing to live with her parents at 2 Yost Street, and she was going to school. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Bess, at the age of 25, was working as a clerk in a dry goods store and living with her parents at 16 West Montgomery Street in Johnstown. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April, Bess, at the age of 35, was working as a saleswoman in a dry goods store and living with her parents at 16 West Montgomery Street.

Bess was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and taught Sunday school at St Cyril & St Methodius Church. She was a talented maker of rag quilts and rugs; winning an award for one. She worked as a buyer at Stark’s Department Store and then at Gould’s Department Store until she retired in 1968. Bess never married and lived with her parents at 16 West Montgomery Street, so that she could look after them, and after their deaths she continued to live at 16 West Montgomery Street. Then in July 1970, when she was 75, Bess went into the Willing Helpers Home for Women in Johnstown, and lived there until she had to be admitted to Johnstown Hospital where after a week she died on 8 December 1978, at the age of 84. Bess was buried with her parents and brother in Ferndale Cemetery in Johnstown.

 

 

Charles and Hattie’s second child was Carleton Charles Smith who was born at Johnstown, Fulton County, New York State on 30 March 1899. In the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 2 June, Carleton, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 2 Yost Street in Johnstown. Then in the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 15 April, Carleton, now aged 11, was continuing to live with his parents at 2 Yost Street, and he was going to school. In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 2 January, Carleton, at the age of 20, was working as a shipping clerk in a glove shop and living with his parents at 16 West Montgomery Street in Johnstown. Then in the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 7 April, Carleton, at the age of 31, was living with his parents at 16 West Montgomery Street, and he was working as a trank trimmer in a skin mill. (A trank is an oblong of skin from which a glove is cut, and also the glove shape that is cut from this oblong ready for sewing into a glove.) Carleton started to train as a minister at Park College in Missouri but was called home when his father became ill in 1941.

Carleton met his future wife while he was working at Remington Arms in Ilion, New York State, and when he was 42 years old he married 27-year-old Helen Katherine Bergin at Our Lady of Lourdes Rectory in Utica, Oneida County, New York State on 24 August 1942. Carleton was then working as an inspector and living in Johnstown, and Helen was living at 1517 Genesee Street in Utica. Helen was the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Bergin, and she had been born at Utica on 20 September 1914. Carleton and Helen always lived at Utica, and when their only child was born in 1943 they were living at Caniteena Apartments on Genesee Street.

Carleton had retired as a machinist at Revere Brass & Copper in Rome, New York State and was living at 102 South Street in Utica when he died in St Elizabeth Hospital in Utica on 7 February 1966, at the age of 66, from a haemorrhage due to cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried with his parents in Ferndale Cemetery in Johnstown on 11 February 1966. In 1976 Helen was living at 1431 Genesee Street in Utica when her children’s book The Story of Boots and Amber was published by Vantage Press. Helen was a member of the Utica Writer’s Club and her book was based on the lives of her own cats and how she imagined they viewed the world. Nineteen years after Carleton’s death Helen was still living at 1431 Genesee Street when she died in St Lukes Memorial Hospital in New Hartford on 25 February 1985, at the age of 70, from a heart attack. As Helen and her family were Irish Catholic - Carleton and his family were English Presbyterians - she was buried with other members of the Bergin family at St Mary’s Cemetery in Clinton, New York State.

 

John and Mary Jane’s twelfth child was Walter Homer Muddle who was born in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State on 28 December 1873. In the census of 1 June 1880, enumerated on 14 June, Walter, at the age of 6, was living with his parents in Gloversville, and he was attending school.

The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1892 and 1893 listed Walter Muddle as a clerk living at 10 Cedar Street, his parents home, then the edition for 1894 listed him as an assistant sexton at a cemetery and living at 14 North Cedar Street. The editions for 1895 and 1896 listed him as a glover living at 32 Park Street, then the three editions from 1897 to 1899 listed him as a glover living at 121 East Fulton Street. Then in the census of 1 June 1900, enumerated on 13 June, Walter, at the age of 26, was boarding with the family of his sister Emma Gould at 79 Prospect Street in Gloversville. The Gloversville & Johnstown Directory for the years 1900 and 1901 listed Walter as a glover living at 79 Prospect Street, and the 1900 edition also listed Walter as the Second Assistant at the Gloversville Fire Department.

When he was nearly 28 years old Walter married 25-year-old Edith M Moak in Albany, Albany County, New York State on Tuesday 24 December 1901. They were both then living in Gloversville and their maariage was reported in the 26 December 1901 edition of The Gloversville Daily Leader. Edith was the only child of Emma Moak, and she had been born in New York State on 15 October 1876. Walter and Edith didn't have any children. In the census of 15 April 1910, enumerated on 22 April, they were living at 52 South Judson Street in Gloversville, which they owned but had a mortgage on, and Edith's widowed mother was living with them. Walter was working as a glove cutter in a glove shop, and both Edith and her mother were glove makers working at home.

The 1917 Gloversville Phone Book recorded Walter H Muddle at 89 Fremont Street. During the First World War Walter registered for the Draft on 12 September 1918, when he was 44 years old, and his Draft Card records that he was then a foreman working for P H Danforth at 72-73 Dieizion Street in Gloversville; that he and his wife lived 89 Fremont Street in Gloversville; and that he was of short height and slender build with blue eyes and light hair.

In the census of 1 January 1920, enumerated on 12 January, Walter and Edith were living in rented accommodation at 89 Fremont Street in Gloversville, which also housed two other families, and Edith’s mother was continuing to live with them. Walter was a foreman in a glove factory, Edith was no longer working but her mother was still glove making at home. In the census of 1 April 1930, enumerated on 8 April, they were living at 24 Woodward Avenue in Gloversville, which they owned and was valued at $3,500, and Edith’s mother was still living with them. Walter was a superintendent in a glove factory, and neither Edith nor her mother were now working.

They were living at 28 Almond Street in Gloversville when Walter died there at 4.30am on 1 November 1946, at the age of 72, from cardiac failure due to pernicious anaemia. He was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery at Gloversville on 4 November 1946. His death certificate gives his last occupation as leather sorter in a glove factory. The following year Edith was still living at 28 Almond Street when she died there at 3pm on 17 June 1947, at the age of 70, from coronary occlusion due to coronary sclerosis. She was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville on 21 June 1947.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2009-2012

Last updated 11 May 2012