BIXBY, HURD, MISNER FAMILY · As compiled by Bonny (Wilcox) Collins, June 2020 · complete and verbatim
The Book — Title Pages
BIXBY, HURD, MISNER 1850 - 1950
Author’s Note — Victor and Dorothy Bixby
BIXBY, HURD, MISNER FAMILY Approximately 1850-1950 Victor and Dorothy Bixby Family History (As compiled by Bonny (Wilcox) Collins
Author’s note: The goal of this document is to reach back and trace the Bixby family tree with bits and pieces of geography and history to provide some insight into the context of this family. Following their lives may provide an appreciation of the foundation upon which we stand. That said, the bits of history provided are obviously over- simplified to be able to make this task achievable. Likewise, the family members discussed are points along the tree. A more complete genealogy is available online at Ancestry.com. 1 I stopped with Victor and Dorothy Bixby, hoping later generations would continue the story. The four children of Victor and Dorothy Bixby provided them with 19 grandchildren (of which I am one). The order of presentation is admittedly not chronological. I present Victor and Dorothy’s grandparents and parents first to set the stage for them. Some additional documents I include as endnotes, other comments are footnotes. • 1850-1890, great grandparents, grandparents, and parents (Victor first, then Dorothy) follow the trees. • 1890-1950 Victor and Dorothy and snapshot of their children and grandchildren. • Ancient history 1360-1640 Bixby’s in England (separate document) • Yes, there is a gap between 1640 – 1840, the tree is available to see on Ancestry.com. Writing that story is a project for another time. I hope you enjoy the information as much as I enjoyed researching it. I would be delighted to receive feedback, edits, corrections, and/or your memories. HINT: there is an index on pages 91-92. Bonny (Wilcox) Collins bonnyjcollins@gmail.com 970.623.3243 Grand Junction, CO, June 2020
1 https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/60243261/family/familyview Figure 1. Dorothy & Victor Bixby circa. 1916
Victor and Dorothy Bixby’s children Elizabeth “Betty” Bixby (1917 - 2010) Barbara Joyce Bixby (1920 – 1996) Robert “Bob” Misner Bixby (1922 – 1994) William “Bill” Elmer Bixby (1927 – 2017) Reference Points • Massachusetts Bay Puritan Migration from England to America 1630-1640 • French & Indian Wars
1754-1763 • Revolutionary War
1775-1783 • War of 1812
1812-1815 • Erie canal opens Great Lakes to NYC & Atlantic Ocean
1825 • Telegraph changes communication 1844 • Civil War
1861-1865 • Transcontinental railroad complete 1869 • 2nd Industrial Revolution: rapid expansion of “new” technology: telephone, railroads, & electricity 1870-1914 • Spanish-American War 1898 • Wright Brothers fly Kitty Hawk 1903 • Henry Ford assembles Model T 1908 • WWI
1914-1918
America joined
1917-1918 • Spanish Influenza Pandemic 1918 • Prohibition (alcohol illegal) 1920-1933 • Great Depression
1929-1938 • WWII
1939-1945
America joined
1941-1945 • Korean War
1950-1953
The Bixby Line — Barnes, William, Elmer
We are blessed the early generations of this family line have been thoroughly researched and documented endnote 1. There are a few branches, so far, undocumented. For the most part we have a rich legacy of English immigrants in the great migration from England in the 1630’s coming to the New World (at least 54 in this tree) to flee religious persecution and find a new life. The first Bixby to America, Joseph Bixby (1621-1701), came from Suffolk England and arrived as a teen-ager with the Puritans at the Massachusetts Bay Colony about 1638. He became a landowner, farmer, pioneer, and a Sergeant in the community militia for the early Indian Wars. His descendants were the first settlers in many settlements moving through Ipswich, Andover and Chelmsford Massachusetts (1637-1748), Litchfield and Francestown endnote 2 , New Hampshire (1748-1818), Freedom and Arcade, Western New York State (1818-1911) and Ohio (1926-1938). As pioneers, they depended upon their skills in agriculture for food and community for safety. They continued with a strong Christian legacy through the generations, serving in a variety of roles in the church and community. Our ancestors have served in wars, community service, and churches throughout our 380-year legacy in America.
Snippets of this story begin with Barnes Bixby (1785-1875) who was born in Francestown NH.2 In 1815, he married Hannah Barnes in Francestown where they had one of their five children. In 1817, the young family (including a baby) migrated almost 400 miles straight west to Western New York state where they had four more children. They settled, then moved only about two miles. But the two locations are in two separate counties. So, researching was confusing until one realizes “it is just down the road” between Freedom, Cattaraugus County and Arcade (previously named China), Wyoming County, NY
2 His father, Edward Bixby (1744-1816) was born in Chelmsford MA and helped settle Francestown, NH In 1748 Figure 5 New Hampshire
We get a flavor of Barnes and Hannah Bixby’s life with this history. 3
Pioneers, Barnes and Hannah Bixby, lived to see several grandchildren established in the Arcade/Freedom area. They died at 89 and 82 years of age respectively and are buried in the old Arcade Cemetery with many relatives. William Bixby (1824-1893) the 5th of Barnes and Hannah Bixby’s five children, continued to live in the Arcade area all his 70 years. He married Salome Clough 4 who comes from another long line of ancestors that can be traced back to the Great Puritan Migration from England. This line came from Norfolk, England and began settlements in Salisbury and Haverhill Massachusetts.
3 https://archive.org/details/genealogyofdesce00bixb/page/n499/mode/2up/search/Arcade page 424 The Genealogy of the Descendants of Joseph Bixby 4 Original settlers of Salisbury MA: John Clough "house carpenter." Probably came in the "Elizabeth," a sailing ship in 1635. He died in Salisbury in 1691.
Salome (Sal long O mA long A) Bixby
William Bixby (1824-1893) Obituary
It was not until 1887 that 20-year-old, Elmer Barnes Bixby (E.B. Bixby, Victor’s father) was the first to step away from the traditional agricultural heritage to work as a clerk in a Mercantile business in western New York state. (Think Little House on the Prairie and the Mercantile store).
That year he married and 15 months later his wife and infant both died in childbirth.
Presidents during this period.
This was the era of the second industrial revolution; telephone, electricity and railroads were being invented and slowly spreading across the country significantly changing the way of life and commerce. In 1889, young E.B. Bixby, 23, became a partner in the store (Becke & Bixby). In 1891 Elmer B. Bixby married Libbie A Potter 5 and opened his own store in Arcade, NY. There were many Bixby relatives in the area and still are today. Arcade is 30 miles southeast of Buffalo, NY.
5 Libbie A Potter is one of the ancestry lines not well documented. Her father was a horse dealer in nearby western NY state.
Bixby Hill Road and house are landmarks as well as a section of the old Arcade cemetery. On 21 Jan 1892, Elmer and Libbie Bixby’s first son, Raymond Otis Bixby (1892-1961) was born in Arcade, New York. The following year, in November of 1893, Elmer’s father, William Bixby died in Arcade. On 27 Feb 1895, their second son, Victor Elmer Bixby (1895- 1954) was born in Arcade, New York Eleven months later, Elmer’s mother, Salome Bixby, died in Arcade, 21 Jan 1896. In June of 1896, when Elmer was 29, Libbie was 30, Raymond, 4 and Victor 1, the family departed Arcade to move fifteen miles east to Springville NY and opened a new store. Springville was a regional center at the crossroads of two roads (today Route 219 & 39) and serviced by a railroad. It is nestled in the Alleghany Mtns and a beautiful place for tourists today. Plan a trip. Wherever they lived, they had an active role in community life. The year following their move, Elmer and Libbie Bixby were active in the Baptist Church in Springville. In 1897 E.B. Bixby was a Trustee and the Chorister.
1898: A community baseball game made the local newspaper. E. B. Bixby was the 2nd baseman on the winning “lean” team In the 1 Jun 1900 Census: Springville Village, Concord Township, Erie County, New York • Elmer B. Bixby 33, Merchant, renting a house (not farm) • Libbie A Bixby, 34 • Raymond O. Bixby 8 • Victor Bixby 5 • female servant 19 In 1901 Mrs. E.B. Bixby (Libbie) hosted a Women’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) meeting in her home. Look at the flavor of this “ladies meeting” and watch for another “ladies meeting” included in the Misners and Hurds section yet to come.
In 1902, poor health forced E.B. Bixby to give up the store. By 1905 the family had moved to Buffalo, NY. Elmer, 37, was working as a clerk in a dry goods store. Libbie was 38, Raymond 13 and Victor 10. Elmer’s older sister, Mary E. Bixby6, 51 was living with them in Buffalo. The Erie canal had opened 85 years previously, providing a navigable waterway from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, enabling Buffalo to become the 8th largest city in the United States in 1900 with significant manufacturing and industry. The opening of railroads across the country diminished the unique trade advantage the canal had provided Buffalo and divert industry to other areas in the ‘new west’.
Elmer B. Bixby was elected vice- president of the Order of the Iroquois in 1908 .I will leave you the task of researching this group to discover its purpose and function. Let me know what you find out.
6 Mary E. Bixby was a spinster who lived with her parents until their deaths. When Mary was 41 she lived with her brother(Elmer), then her sister(Ella) and then her sister’s daughter’s family until her death at age 87.
Victor Bixby graduated from High School 10, in Buffalo, NY in 1911 at age 16. There were thirty-one in his graduating class. On 20 Sep 1913, he sailed from NY to Florida to attend the University of Florida, perhaps in Gainesville.7 I believe he and his brother were the first in the Bixby line to attend college. Based upon his later occupations, I am guessing he studied business or accounting. In Nov 1913, Victor’s parents, Elmer and Libbie Bixby, moved to eastern Florida to be near him.
Victor’s older brother, Raymond Otis Bixby was living in Schenectady, NY. On Sept 4, 1913,8 Raymond married Mabel Ann Rumsey (1892-1971). He had a long and interesting career, initially working at General Electric as a draftsman. In 1927 they moved to Hudson NY where he was an Executive for Boy Scouts of America, Columbia Council until 1937. 9 As the Great Depression deepened in the 1930’s they had two children in College, (Burdell graduated from Colgate in 1936; I do not know where Margaret was attending). In 1940 Raymond O. and Mabel were still in Hudson. Raymond was working as a repairman for a radio and printing shop. By 1942, with America in WWII, they had returned to Schenectady where Raymond was designing gas turbines at General Electric. He worked there for 16 years before retiring. He was an avid Ham Radio operator.
7 Mom had written on the back of his picture, “college graduation, Gainesville FL.” 8 16 days before Victor left for college. It seems Victor timed his departure for after his brother’s wedding. 9 There is a marker on his headstone reflecting his service including dates. Aug 1917 Raymond Otis Bixby family Schenectady, NY1 Figure 27. Presidents of the U.S.A during this period
They had two children: • Raymond Burdell Bixby (1914-1991) became a lawyer in 1940 and influential in New York state10. See more under the family during WWII section. • Margaret Ellen Bixby (1917-2008) Margaret married John Kearney and they lived in interesting places around the world. One of Margaret’s children, Grace Kearney, lives near Albuquerque NM and has built out their family tree, including this picture. By Jun 1915, Victor Bixby and his parents had moved back from Florida to Buffalo, New York. Nine months later Victor was engaged. I believe around Victor’s wedding, or no later than 1918, Elmer and Libbie Bixby, moved to Schenectady to be near Raymond’s family. The two families lived with or near each other the rest of the senior Bixby’s lives. The following is a Poem by Elmer B Bixby, Easter 1925 (found in Barbara Wilcox’s papers) Tis Easter day and as it comes, It brings to us good news, To every heart so dear. How Jesus from the tomb arose And triumphed o’er the grave. To bring salvation to the lost, To all He came to save. As He walked among His friends He told them of His plan. How they should spread the blessed news and tell from man to man. So Jesus left His work to us To each to do their share And we should do our very best And tell it with good care. Then let us all with cheerful song Give praise to Him today And tell the news to everyone, That all may know the way. So when our days are o’er On this terrestrial ball We’ll join the everlasting song And crown Him Lord of all
10 He was Chairman of the Thruway Authority in NY, Republican strategist and campaign chairman for Governor’s Wilson, Rockefeller and Dewey (not in that order) among the 16 campaigns he led. He was a law partner in the Manhattan firm of Dewey…et al.
E.B. and Libbie Bixby and their son Raymond O. Bixby went through the depression together (1928-1939). Inserted below is a copy of the City Directory for 1938 listing their residence and occupations.
1938 Summary of Bixbys living at 39 S 5th St, Hudson, NY. While it is possible the “other Bixby’s” in the city directory were cousins, it is not probable that they were within three generations of this family. • Elmer B. Bixby
72 • Libbie Bixby
73 • Raymond O. Bixby 46 Radio repair • R. Burdell Bixby
24 Had graduated from College, in Albany Law School. He
received his law degree and passed the bar in 1940
and was working as a Research Clerk at the State
Capitol. • Margaret E Bixby 20 In 1940 Census she had fininshed two years of College and
was working as a cashier in a resturant. In 1938 she must
have been working toward those achievements.
Three generations; grandparents, Elmer & Libbie, parents, Raymond and Mable and grown children, R. Burdell and Margaret were living together at 39 S 5th St. Hudson NY. I believe they were renting and lived here from about 1936 through moving back to Schenectady by 1941. In 1940 their rent was $35 a month. Both Elmer and Libbie Bixby passed away 1939 in Hudson New York. Elmer in August, Libbie in October. I believe they are buried at Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, NY where Raymond Otis, Mabel and R. Burdell Bixby are all buried. About the house: Records indicate this house was originally built in 1860 (just before the Civit War). Early pictures don’t show the whole house, so I can’t be sure it was this large in 1938. However, ten adults were living in it in 1938. It is a beautifully restored showpiece. However, it is a private residence. I was tempted to knock on the door and ask to see it….but didn’t.
This wraps up this exploration of the Bixby generations leading up to Victor. Now we will move on to the generations leading up to Dorothy Hurd Misner Victor Elmer Bixby college 1915
Dorothy Hurd Misner — the Misners
Dorothy Hurd Bixby
Dorothy Hurd Misner
22 April 1916 Victor Elmer Bixby married Dorothy Hurd Misner of Buffalo New York. Victor was 21 and Dorothy was 19. Dorothy was the oldest of four daughters. Her family of origin was a significant part of the ongoing family. After her family history, we will pick up Victor and Dorothy and follow their marriage and family.
HURD AND MISNER HISTORY Dorothy Hurd Misner’s family was at least two generations away from agrarian life on both sides. Both sides had earned progressive wealth during the last half of the 1800’s. I say that to set the stage for this young couple beginning life together and as a framework from which to see their future events. Dorothy’s paternal great grandfather and grandfather: Misner The Misner name is a variant of German Meissner. They lived in towns that, at the time, were predominately of German descent; Dover Ohio 1837, Milwaukee WI 1855. However, I cannot find the link to Germany. Early census records indicate David’s father (Dorothy’s 2 great grand) and mother were both born in Canada. So, any relative from Germany would have been prior to about 1780 to Canada.
David M Misner Catherine Lee 1810-1883 1813-1879
11 The Lee line can be traced back to John Lee Jr, 1758, Westfield Massachusetts Figure 38. George Martin Misner (1839-1926)
George and Elizabeth Misner continued to live in Milwaukee for the next 16 years and had eight children. By 1884, after George’s father died, the family of 10 left Milwaukee and moved to Buffalo NY, about 60 miles from where Elizabeth grew up in Canada. In 1885, the year after they arrived in Buffalo, their 9-year-old daughter Edith died and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. I cannot find any documentation as to the cause of her death. Several family members were buried near her in later years. Side note on data hunting: The source of record keeping has transitioned in America since her beginning. The early records were almost exclusively recorded by the church (1630s- early 1800s). Many of those records have been captured, digitized and available online. Once governments became stronger, those authorities became the record takers and keepers. Some of those records have been digitized and available online. However, many still exist in microfilm storage in a variety of locations. Of course, many churches have continued to capture information and store it. However, much of that data continue to reside in local repositories and not digitized or electronically searchable. Therefore, when looking for religious affiliations or events, e.g. baptism, confessions of faith, etc. that information is more readily available in the 17th century, than it is in the 20th century. I think the Misner family may have attended the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo12. Two of George Misner’s adult children were married in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church Fred Misner and Edna Hurd, and 24 years later Fred’s sister, Florence. I have written the Presbyterian Church, for an ancestry search to see if they were members.
12 The history of First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo is quite interesting. It was founded in 1812 and still in ministry today. https://www.firstchurchbuffalo.org/history 1884 Summary of the Misner family: George, 45, Elizabeth 39 Misner and children: • Alice J Misner
15 • FREDERICK BEASLEY MISNER 12 • Willard Lee Misner
10 • Edith Misner
9 • Walter Martin Misner
7 • Matilda Misner
5 • Florence Misner
4 • Charles Lester Misner
2
While in Buffalo, after her children were older (1912-1915) Elizabeth (Mrs. George M Misner) was seen in the society pages as active in “The Graduates Association” .13 As a ‘flavor’ of the content, I have included a clip from the newspaper describing one of their meetings. Contrast this with the previously noted Misner’s, Women’s Christian Temperance Union in NM. While the ladies of the family enjoyed Buffalo society with teas, fund raisers, DAR, and clubs, the men of the family were active in the Masons, Shriners and Eastern Star . Gauging from the frequency of the names mentioned in the society column, the parents, George and Elizabeth Misner were less frequently involved than the younger (and fewer children) Fred and Edna Misner. In 1885, George Misner was the Secretary Treasurer of Contractor Plant Manufacturing Co in Buffalo where he continued to work for more than 30 years, eventually becoming President. In 1896 his son, Frederick Beasley Misner, 25, Fred began at the Plant as an assistant manager, when his father was a manager. Over the next 21 years Fred moved between superintendent, manager, head manager, general manager14. His father, George Misner, become President in 1907. (Fred’s 12th year at the plant). Fred’s, two years younger brother, Willard Misner, started at the plant the same year as Victor, 1896. Willard began as a stenographer at age 22. He worked as an accountant, “Commercial Traveler”, shipping clerk over the following twelve years (not always clear whether it was for the Contractor’s Plant), for 2-3 years, 1905-07, he doesn’t appear to be living in the Buffalo area. In 1907, about when, father, George Misner, became President, son Willard became Vice President. Fred continued as a manager for nine more years.
13 In 1876, the alumnae from the Buffalo Female Academy formed the Graduates Association. In June of 1884, the Graduates Association founded their first clubhouse. This clubhouse was the first such building in the country to be owned by a women’s club. Soon after, the name of the school was changed to Buffalo Seminary in 1889. The Graduates Association would later become the Twentieth Century Club, Buffalo’s leading women’s clubhouse and social center. The Twentieth Century Club was the first club run by women, for women, in the United States. 14 Those terms came from the Business Directories and some may have been imprecise.
When Fred Misner became, Vice-President in 1916; his brother Willard became Treasurer, all while their father was still President. In 1919, the business name changed to Buffalo Hoist & Derrick. George was the President, Willard the Treasurer and Fred was not in the Buffalo directory for that year. Elizabeth died in 1917 at the age of 78. By 1920 George had retired. He was 81 years old and had worked there for at least 30 years. Willard (45) was the President of a Water Company in Buffalo. Patriarch George Misner continued to live in his home at 344 Elmwood until he died in 1926 at the age of 87. After George passed away, two of his daughters, Alice (widowed) and Matilda (never married) and his son Willard (and wife Bertha) continue to live in the home until the last one, Alice, died in 1957 at age 86. Dorothy’s father and mother: FREDERICK BEASLEY MISNER (1872-1955) was the second child (and first son) of George and Elizabeth’s eight children. He was 12 when they move to Buffalo from Wisconsin. He graduated from High School in Buffalo , NY in 1890 at age 18. He worked as a clerk in a RR coal office and lived with his parents. In 1895, age 23, Frederick Beasley Misner married Edna Hurd (20). About the time he married, he began as an assistant manager working with his father as noted above until 1918 (about 23 years). Fred and Edna Misner will continue to be integral to the family story through the 1950’s. We will pick their story up again after we look back at Edna’s grandparents and parents.
The Hurds of Elma, New York
Hurd
Edna Hurd Misner (1875 NY – 1968 FL) was born in Elma, NY, a place her great grandfather, Clark Weed Hurd had helped settle. Elma is about 17 miles southeast of Buffalo. It was named that due to a great Elm tree that eventually served as a mail drop. Literally, the weekly mail run would drop it there and local residents could come and sift through it. Today it is a suburb of Buffalo. Dorothy’s maternal grandparents and great grandparents HURD This is another of the lines traceable back to the great migration, 1630’s from England. Adam Hurd (1611 Somersetshire, England) his son John Hurd was born in Connecticut in 1640, nine generations prior to Dorothy. 15 Clark Weed Hurd (1806 CT – 1894 NY) is the patriarch in which this story will begin. His family moved from Roxbury, Connecticut to Vermont then on to Amsterdam NY before Clark was in his mid-teens. At 17, he “started with a pack upon his back in which were two loaves of bread, a pair of soggy boots, and a beef tongue” and traveled 240 miles west to Alden NY where he met his brother. They purchased a tract of timberlands and built a log house. The following year, he went back and brought out his parents. Western New York was wilderness with Indians still living on the land. Mr. Hurd is later well known for frequently entertaining with hilarious stories from this time in his life. When he was 22, he met another young pioneer, J.B. Briggs (16) who became a life friend and partner. A news story from 1891 celebrating their 50-year history together is attached. endnote 3 In 1836 he married Dulcena E Clark (1813 (VT – 1901 NY) native of Vermont, whose family had also moved to Amsterdam endnote 4. Dulcena Clark’s family, including her brothers, also participated in building, and settling the area.
15 Descendants in this line also fought in the Revolutionary War .
Early Map of Elma New York 1880
In 1846, Clark W. Hurd and Joseph Briggs established the first sawmill in the area. It sat over a creek and the saws ran off the current from the water. There were two saws, one owned by each man. A sawmill has been recreated as part of the historical site. It has a replica of the saws powered from running water. In the 1860’s lumber was the 2nd largest industry in the United States. Clark W Hurd was often called “Captain” and his partner, Joseph Briggs was often referred to as “Major”. Those ranks were given by the Governor of NY State as Militia titles. As more people settled in the area, there was a need for mail to be delivered. A huge Elm tree on the Hurd property. The tree was chosen a the place for the mail to be dropped off. Thus, the town ended with the name Elma, New York. The original home built in 1846 was later moved to become the parsonage for the Elma Methodist church. After many years’ service as the parsonage, the original house was donated to the historical society and moved again to where it currently serves as a museum.
In 1858, CW Hurd also built the first hotel and store erected in the town. The hotel was built on the corner of what is now Bowen and Bullis roads. It was named the Elma Centre House and known by that name for many years. 16 In 1873 C.W. Hurd built a new home on the site of the original home on the East side of Bowen Road. Clark Weed Hurd & Dulcena E Clark had eight children, six boys & two girls (one adopted). • Mary Hurd (1836- ) • Ross Hurd (1838- ) • Hiram Hurd (1840-1915) • Allen J Hurd (1842-1863) endnote 5 • CHARLES AUGUSTUS HURD (1844-1902) • James T Hurd (1846-1910) • Harvey J Hurd (1848-1901) • Harriet B Hurd (1852-1913) All five living sons successfully continued in the Lumber business in Buffalo NY in two separate companies (Hurd Brothers, and Hurd & Hauenstein). Allen was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. The youngest son, Harvey J Hurd went to Cornell University and served in the state legislature in addition to being the President of Hurd Brothers Lumber. In 1886, Clark and Dulcena Hurd had a grand celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. A special railroad car was arranged for the occasion to carry friends from Buffalo to Elma where carriages awaited them to bring them to the party. C.W. Hurd died in 1894, at age 88, many remembrances were published about his life. It was noted, “Mr. Hurd was a shrewd, keen man of business, energetic, tireless, fruitful in resources, fair and upright in all his dealings, a hater of all meanness and sham and foolish display, with marked personal characteristics, and universally respected and beloved. His patriotism was intense and was conspicuous during the great crisis of the civil war. He did much for the village church which he helped to build and to maintain and at which in health he was a constant attendant. … None who were ever guests at his house will forget the well told tales and reminiscences of frontier life, with which he would set the table in a roar; and all that knew him native born and foreign born, hold him in affectionate remembrance.” Dulcena died in 1901; her obituary may be seen in endnote6
16 History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County, ed. H. Perry Smith, 1884 Vol 1, pgs. 497-498 The Centuries of Elma, e.g. Sigman, 1956 pgs. 101-102, 135, 172.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS HURD (1844 NY – 1902 NY) was the 5th of those 8 children and one of the four that continued with the lumber business in the area. His older brother Allen Hurd was killed at Gettysburg. I do not believe Charles enlisted and was too young to be drafted for the Civil War. 17 The two businesses, the Hurd Brothers Wholesale Lumber and Hurd and Hauenstein Wholesale Lumber in Buffalo NY thrived for many years. Buffalo New York was expanding in population and businesses. The lumber business was in Buffalo, but the family continued to live in Elma for several years. In 1867, Charles Augustus Hurd married, Mary E. Miller Mary was the oldest of four children of Frederick Miller (1810 NY – 1886 NY), a Steamboat/Lake Captain and Sarah Rose (1819 NY – 1894 NY). Her Massachusetts grandfather, also Frederick Miller (1764- 1830), faught in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather moved to Buffalo, bringing the family line. He died in Buffalo in 1830. Mary was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR #64267). Charles Augustus Hurd (1844-1902) and Mary E Miller (1844-1917) continued to live in the family home and had five children in Elma, NY. • Alice M Hurd (1870-1932) (m. Robert Scatchert) Executor of her fathers’ estate. • Florence Hurd (1873-1946) (married Louis Sayre) • Bertha Hurd (1874-1880) died before age 6 years • Edna Hurd (1875-1968) • Chauncy Miller Hurd (1880-1940) (married Adda L.) It is very likely some of Augustus’s siblings families were also living in this home. 18 At least one cousin was also born in this house.
17 There was a Charles A Hurd in the Civil war whose widow later applied for a pension, but it was not “our” widow, so I believe it was a different Charles A Hurd. 18 Alice (Edna’s sister) applied for a passport in 1923 which required an affidavit from a relative. Her cousin Elizabeth Hill stated she was born in the same house and had been close to her all her life.
I think the Hurd family may have attended the Episcopal Church of the Ascension at 16 Linwood Ave, Buffalo. They were noted in the society pages of participating in fund raisers for the church. At least two of the girls later attended an Episcopal boarding school.
As noted, Buffalo NY was one of the largest cities in the United States with a highly active social society. This family was noted in the society pages in the newspaper for family trips, visits, social outings. My favorite, which I unfortunately didn’t copy it well enough to include here19 goes into great lengths to describe, “Lumbermen of Buffalo Outing”. It included a picnic, music, but my favorite part was a description of the “Soft Pines” and the “Hardwoods” baseball game. It was a re-match from a previous outing. It sounded like great fun with players good naturedly ‘stealing’ (literally) the bases, etc. It ended with the promise of a future play-back. Charles A Hurd was on the Soft Pine team at age 53. Baseball had been invented 50 years prior to this 1898 outing. By 1 June 1880 the Augustus Hurd family had moved to Buffalo NY. Census list: (also two live-in servants) • C.A. Hurd 36 years, lumber dealer, residence 39 Irving Place, Buffalo NY • Mary
30 years • Alice
12 years • Florence 7 years • Bertha would have been 6 yrs., apparently died sometime between 1875 and 1 Jun 1880. • Edna
5 years • Chauncy 5 months Edna and at least one of her sisters, Florence, attended the Episcopal St. Agnes women’s boarding school in Albany NY
19 Buffalo Morning Express, 28 July 1898, “Lumbermen of Buffalo outing”.
during the school years she was 16-1820. The school was established in 1870 to educate young women. However, the Presiding Bishop was very opposed to women’s suffrage. endnote 7 Edna was noted in the society pages for various teas and social gatherings. She joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as her mother had. She was active in the, “The Working Girls Association”.
Women did not have the right to vote. Women’s suffrage tension had been building throughout the country since 1869. In 1872, Susan B Anthony registered and voted in Rochester NY claiming the 14th amendment gave her that right. A few days later she was arrested. The following year at her trial the judge did not allow her to testify on her own behalf, dismisses the jury, ruled her guilty, and fined her $100. She refused to pay.21 FREDERICK BEASLEY MISNER AND EDNA HURD MISNER rejoined: In 1895, when Edna was 20 years old, she married Frederick Beasley Misner in small private wedding in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo22. Wedding invitations were verbally given to family and a few close friends. They took a wedding trip to the Great Lakes. They were living in Elma after they were married, I believe they moved in with the Hurds (Edna’s parents). They were living in her parent’s house in Elma in the 1890 census.
20 Newspapers report her return Jun 1892 and departure with sister Florence Sep 1892. 21 http://www.rochester.edu/sba/suffrage-history/us-suffrage-movement-timeline-1792-to-present/ 22 First Presbyterian church was very close to the Misner home. I believe that is where the Misner’s attended church. It is also the same chapel where Fred’s sister, Florence Misner was married Oct 1919 at age 39.
Electricity was being discovered and used in street trollies and some streetlights in Buffalo, but it would be several years before homes would have electricity. Fred and Edna Misner’s first child, Dorothy Hurd Misner was born in 1896, in Elma New York.
By 1899, the C.A. Hurd residence was listed at 39 Irving Place, Buffalo although they still retained the Elma Home (noted in later obituary).
The 1900 Census record: (and two live-in servants) • Charles A Hurd 55 Lumber Dealer • Mary Hurd
55 • Chauncy Hurd 20 Lumber Inspector • Fred Misner 28 Superintendent Contractor Plant • Edna Misner 25 • Dorothy Misner 3
Both the Hurd family (Edna’s parents) and the Fred & Edna Misner family were listed at that same address until Charles A Hurd’s death in 1902.
He died unexpectantly, at the age of 58 leaving an estate of approximately $58,000 without a will. His oldest daughter, Alice was appointed as administratrix.
The year after Charles A Hurd’s death, Fred and Edna Misner had moved to their own home a few houses down the street at 9 Irving Place, Buffalo. The widow Mary E. Hurd and her youngest son Chauncy, 22, continue to live in the family home at 39 Irving for another year. During that year Chauncy worked at the family business, Hurd and Hauenstein Lumber. 1904: I believe, Charles A. Hurd’s estate was settled about this time. Chauncy Hurd had moved to California, married and lived there the remainder of his long live. At least part of the time he worked as a building contractor. It does not appear they had any children. In later census, two teen males with different last names and foreign-born parents are listed as ‘son’. When his sister, Alice, passed away in 1932 a $5,000 trust was set up for Chauncy in Aptos, CA to be passed on to their sister, Edna, upon Chauncey’s death. He died in 1940. Widowed Mary Hurd (Edna’s mother), moved in with Fred and Edna Misner. She would have received a significant amount of money from her husband’s death. Edna Hurd Misner paid $10,000 for a house and a lot at 731 Delavan Ave., Buffalo, NY. 1905 Summary: The Misners and the Hurds Fred,33, and Edna, 30, Misner had been married for ten years. During that time Fred had continued to work for his father at the Contractors Machine Plant (as did his brother Willard). Fred and Edna Misner had lived with her parents ( C.A. & Mary Hurd) in two separate homes for all but one of those ten years, when they lived a few houses away. There is a newspaper story of the Hurd’s taking 2 ½ year old granddaughter, Dorothy, for a two-week trip. That would have been when Marian was a baby, I suspect to give mom (Edna) a break. It must have been shortly before Charles A Hurd’s death. Fred and Edna Misner had four daughters. • Dorothy Hurd Misner (1897), 7 years old • Marian Misner (1900), 5 years old • Edith Misner (1903), 2 years old • Elizabeth Misner (Lib) born that year, 1905
Fred’s father, George M. Misner and family lived less than ½ mile away at 344 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. George, 65, Elisabeth 59 still had four of their eight children and three grandchildren living at home with them. Edna’s widowed mother, Mary E. Hurd had moved in with Fred and Edna and continued to live with them until she died in 1917 at the age of 73. Throughout that time, they continued to have at least two servants. Edna’s two sisters (Mary’s other daughters) were both married; one living about 40 miles away, the other 90 miles. During the next five plus years Fred continued working as a Manager at the plant where his younger brother, Willard Misner was Vice President and his father was President. Edna and her mother continue with social activities including the DAR. In 1908 Edna took out a $6,600 mortgage against the Delavan house. By 1912, the family had moved to 592 Breckenridge, Buffalo, at least by todays pictures is a smaller less elaborate neighborhood. Fred was still a Manager at the plant.
1915 Women’s Suffrage referendum in New York State was defeated.23 Women did not have the right to vote.
DOROTHY HURD MISNER It appears, Dorothy, as the oldest of four daughters of a “financially comfortable” family had several opportunities. Her parents and grandparents were well regarded and active in the community. She traveled with them, at least locally, including New Jersey and Canada. When she was 9 years old (1906) she participated in “The Church Home League” Dicken’s Entertainment Play at the Buffalo Country Club and again at the 20th Century Club as described in the Society Column of the Buffalo Newspaper. It included an orchestra, sketches from several of Dickens works and in between the sketches, “6 little girls dresses in old fashioned white dresses with sashes and pantalettes sang old rounds”. Dorothy Misner was one of those girls. At ages 13 and 16 she was again in the newspaper’s society column for being in Community Theater Plays.
23 http://www.rochester.edu/sba/suffrage-history/us-suffrage-movement-timeline-1792-to-present/
Dorothy Hurd Misner graduated from Buffalo State Normal School in 1914 at the age of 15. She also had attended a “School of Practice”24 which is how teachers were trained at that time, so when she graduated from high school, she had a certificate to teach. Two years later, at 17, she traveled with a group of teachers to Washington DC. That was two years prior to her engagement. When she was engaged, many friends had showers for her, including those of Theta Sigma Sorority. In 1917 prior to moving, the “Mu Tau Club”, entertained in honor of Dorothy Misner. It seems reasonable to assume Dorothy was socially at ease in a variety of settings. I believe we will draw the same conclusion about her future husband, Victor Elmer Bixby.
MISNER UPDATE 1916: Fred 43, and Edna, 41, Misner still had three children at home, Marian 15, Edith 13 and Elizabeth 11. Fred’s parents, George M (77) and Elizabeth (71) Misner, Fred’s parents, still had three of their 8 children at home. Florence 36 was a spinster who three years later would marry and move to Toronto. Lester 34, who at age 22 had listed himself as an artist, thereafter, listed no occupation and not working. Alice McClive,47, was widowed with 3 children 18, 16 and 14 – who had lived with her parents for the previous 12 years (since the children were 6, 4, and 2). Their other spinster daughter, Matilda, 36, was working as a housemother at an orphanage in the Adirondacks, Hope Farm for Children. Although it was 335 miles away, she still listed her home address as with her parents at 344 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo. I include this as an example of how the families stayed connected in this era.
24 The School of Practice provided the training under supervision to become a teacher. It was later to become Buffalo Teacher’s Collee.
1916 — Victor and Dorothy’s Wedding
1916 VICTOR ELMER BIXBY AND DOROTHY HURD MISNER’s wedding Returned from college in Florida, Victor Elmer Bixby, became engaged to Dorothy Hurd Misner of Buffalo New York. They were married at Lafayette Presbyterian Church on 22 April 1916. Victor was 21 and Dorothy was 19 years old. endnote 8
Buffalo Times, 22 April 1916. Note the wedding was at 1pm and this coverage was in that evening’s paper. 25 Either it was a slow news day, or it was a prominent wedding. Victor and Dorothy did NOT move in with either set of parents after their wedding. Victor was working in “office work”26. After their wedding trip, they made their home at 112 Beatrice Ave., Riverside, Buffalo, NY. Victor’s parents (E.B. & Libbie Bixby) moved to Schenectady to live with/near Victor’s brother Raymond Otis Bixby.
25 The rest of the news article describing the wedding is included as an end note. 26 1915 NY State census: the office is not legible; it is possible it is Contractors’ Plant Mfg. (where the Misner’s work)
Later in life, Marian, wrote a short memoire of their early family. I believe this is the best place to insert it. I so wish for the missing pages. If anyone has a copy, please let me know. Those were the Happy Days By Marian M Foulk (Misner) I was born the very first year of the Twentieth Century. Buffalo, N.Y., was my birthplace. Mamma said she thought, “it was the hottest day in the year, the day that I was born.” Our family consisted of four girls. Dorothy was the oldest, Marian, (that’s me) next, the Edith, and Elizabeth, here nickname was “Lib”. We were just an average middle-class American family, usually had a cook and a nursemaid working for us, sometimes we even had a butler, or handyman around the house. It seems to me that mammie, was always bragging about her ancestors. She claimed General “Ethan Allan”, of Revolutionary war fame and “Betsy Ross” as being among hers. Mother was a member of the “Daughters of the American Revolution.” The day that my sister Elizabeth was born, the nurse telephoned to Dad who was in his office and told him the good news. Dad said, “well now, that is just fine, I will have four telephone operators to work for me”. When I was about five, my parents bought property in a new residential part of the city. The house was a three-story frame. It had twelve rooms in it, also a porch, which was enclosed in glass, was at the rear of the house. The city park was within walking distance from our home, and often when the weather was nice our nursemaid would take my sisters and I out there, we would feed the swans, or the squirrels, perhaps take a boat ride around the park lake, or just play on the spacious lawn there. The street we lived on had wooden sidewalks, and for lighting purpose natural gas was used. The children enjoyed watching for the lamplighter to come by. He had to carry a ladder around with him, so that he could reach the lights, and each morning, and again at night he would go by.” Missing pages “Old Maria27” was a cook we had working for us. She was a very wrinkled and toothless person in her early sixties. Many a morning she didn’t appear in the kitchen to cook our breakfast, and mamma would say, “poor Maria must be sick”. One of the girls would take her breakfast up to her room. We discovered an empty bottle of whiskey hidden in one of the bureau drawers. Going through the Customs was exciting. We would go to the “Black Rock” station, where we would board the train for Canada. The custom officers would get on the train at “Bridgeport”, which was on the Canadian side. They would walk through the train to see if
27 1920 Census list, Mary W Clark Widow, age 69 born in Missouri as their servant while living in New Mexico. Marian would have been 19. If the servant she was referencing was when Marian was younger, she wasn’t with them during a census year.
they could find any declarable merchandise. When a train would be coming in from Canada, then the custom officials would board the train at “Black Rock”, on the American side. Sometimes women or girls would put on new wearing apparel under their old clothes, or even try to hide other articles by sitting on them or putting them under the seat. If a person was caught trying to smuggle things across the border, they had to pay a heavy fine. Dad knew most of the custom officials by their first name, as he had been commuting back and forth for several seasons. Uncle Chan was mamma’s only brother. He attended a military academy when he was a young man, and after graduation, he left for California to make his home. While there, he went up to “Lake Tahoe” for a short vacation, and met a woman, who later became his wife. She was ten years older than h was. Their meeting was quire romantic, he rescued her from a runaway horse. Uncle Chan invented a prune picker, also a gadget which had wheels on it, and it also folded up so that a person could easily carry it around. When it was opened ready for use, it could be attached to the bottom of a suitcase, and other baggage piled on top of that, therefore a person traveling who owned one of these contraptions, wouldn’t require the use of porters. Missing pages I learned how to cover buttons and would help to wait on the customers. On Saturday mornings, I would go on errands for Aunt Annie,28 usually the bank, and also to the bakery, and market. Sometimes, I would pick up orders for her, that is if it was within walking distance of her shop. Sister Dorothy was the first of us girls to marry. She had a big church wedding. Her dress was white taffeta, trimmed with lace, she wore a lace bridal veil, with a row of artificial orange blossoms across the top of it and carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley, and white rosebuds. I had a tan pongee dress, trimmed in light blue, which I wore to the wedding. The reception was held at home, and I was permitted to sit at the bride’s table. They took the train to Washington, D.C. on their honeymoon, and when they returned rented a small bungalow, in a suburban section of the city. Believe me they sure received some lovely wedding gifts. Grandfather and Grandmother Misner gave them a chest of sterling silver. My folks sure entertained a lot, especially when we were living over the Beach. Seems like every weekend, we would have company. Some would be invited, and other would just drop in and hope to be invited to spend the night. Folks just wanted to get away from the heat of the city, I guess. Our company and us would go on walks up to the “old windmill”, and to visit the “sand dunes”. Let me tell you about the time Mamma was entertaining guests for supper, and the cat got on the table. We had folding doors between the living room and the dining room. They were closed, the table was set, the guests had arrived. Mamma went into the dining room to take a survey of how the maid had set the table, and lo and behold
28 I do not know who, Aunt Annie, would have been. I believe this was while they were still in Buffalo when Marian would have been younger than 16 (when they moved to New Mexico).
she found our cat upon it. I believe that a plate of chicken was on the table and the cat had gotten into it, Mamma was sure excited, you can just bet the cat was scuffed, and put out in the yard. The guests were none the wiser, for when they went into the dining room, everything was in good order.” Ten months after their wedding, there was an announcement in the Buffalo Newspaper, that Mr. and Mrs. Victor E Bixby plan to move to New Mexico April 1, 1917. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico was admitted into the United States as the 47th state. There was a homestead act which allowed land to be claimed, improved over a period of years, then the state would issue a warranty deed to the claimant. On 15 Jun 1917, Victor Bixby, 22, in Mills, New Mexico, registered for the draft for WW1. His occupation was a banker at Citizens State Bank, Mills New Mexico. He was described as tall, slender, dark blue eyes and with light hair. He applied for an exemption to the draft because he was married and expecting a child. I suspect he had that job lined up and that was the reason for moving there. So, Fred and Edna Misner’s first grandbaby was due in October in New Mexico. In March, Fred’s brother Charles Lester Misner (35) died. Three and a half months later, 5 July 1917, Fred’s mother, Elizabeth Beasley Misner, died. They were both buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo NY, were Elizabeth’s 9-year-old daughter, Edith, had been buried the year after they moved to Buffalo in 1885. Buffalo newspaper on 1 Sep 1917 had a notice that, “Mr. and Mrs. Fred B Misner of St. James leave the first of the week to visit their daughter in New Mexico.” Victor and Dorothy’s first-born, Elizabeth “Betty” Bixby was born 23 Oct 1917 in Mills, New Mexico. On 25 Oct 1917, a Buffalo newspaper reported, “Fred B Misner, daughters (Marian and Edith) and mother(in-law, Mary E Hurd) left to join Mrs. (Edna) Misner and Elizabeth in Mills New Mexico where they will make their home”. So, it appears that after visiting Victor and Dorothy in Mills, NM, the decision was made to move the Misner family there permanently. However, one month later, Edna’s mother, Mary E Hurd, 73, died, presumably in New Mexico. She was buried in the Elma, New York Cemetery with her husband Charles Augustus Hurd and many other Hurds from several the generations. 5 Dec 1917, I believe Edna was back in Buffalo for her mother’s funeral.
1917–1922 — Mills, New Mexico
In summary, 1917 was a year of significant change. Cities had been growing, immigrants had been flowing in to fill factory and industry jobs. Industry was booming, America was changing from an agriculture society to an industrial power. America entered WWI that had been raging in Europe for two years. Victor and Dorothy Bixby left the “city” and moved to New Mexico that had only been a state for five years. They had their first baby. Victor had a new job as a banker in a small bank in a small town. Fred Misner at age 42, left his job of 23 plus years just 1-2 years after finally becoming the Vice-President of the Company. Fred and Edna Misner and three daughters frequently noted in big city society pages, left Buffalo, New York and follow the Bixby’s to rural New Mexico. Both Fred and Edna’s mothers died, as did one of Fred’s brothers. 1917 - 1922 in Mills, (Northeast) New Mexico29 The Misners and the Bixbys I believe Victor & Dorothy Bixby moved in 1917 anticipating a banking job. I do not think they planned to farm. When some months later, Fred and Edna, three girls and mother-in-law moved to New Mexico, they built a “modern home with all modern equipment” and had it finished to be a ‘the best style known to the decorator’s art’. The first ranch had 1,000 acres. Remember Fred Misner was the 3rd generation who made their money in manufacturing and Victor was two generations away from farming. They had no agriculture or ranch experience between the two families. In March 1918, Victor E Bixby filed a homestead application for 500 acres near Mills NM where they were living. F.B. Misner was one of five witnesses. It seems, the Misner family came with money, an intent to be a part of their new community and to enjoy life. Mills, NM30 was a small farming and ranching community, although they did have at least a bank. Roy, NM was 11 miles south and a little larger; had better shopping and a weekly newspaper.
29 All newspaper clippings in the NM section are from, The Spanish American, Roy, New Mexico and acquired through Newspapers.com 30 Mills and Roy are both in Harding county NM. In, 1930 the population of the county was 4,421 (active railroad in Roy). In 2010, the census of the whole county was 695 and exclusively ranching and farming.
We recently discovered a letter from Fred Misner written in 1953 (age 80, two years before his death). It was a response to a letter Richard Wilcox (then 14) had written asking about New Mexico. The handwriting is hard to read and labored with skipped words and sentence structure. The following is a transcription.
Daytona Beach
Mar 5, 1953 Dear Dick; (I did not know anyone to ever call Richard, Dick! Who knew!)
Beg to acknowledge your inquiry of the 27th of Feb. I am always pleased to hear from any of my kin. Wish I could be with you and Ronnie for a day. Could tell you more about N.M. than I can write in a month. It is hard for me to write. You have been ……….? my first ranch was 1000 acres, ground never broken. I had the 2nd deed to it. New Mexico did not come into the Union until 1912, I was there in 1917. We had a Case, 25-35 locomotive type tractor, used a 3-gang plow, plowed 12” to subsoil which was dobe (sp adobe), plowed 10 acres a day. With any rain would produce corn, cain (sp cane), millett. We did not have rain from Aug to Apr undoubtedly not interesting to you. Had a pony, not broken. Your Aunt Lib wanted, 2 cowboys roped him, tied his tail to his head, when he jumped up all he could do was go round and round, he got dizzy, got sick, put saddle on him, when he got up, Lib was able to do anything with him. She rode him to school which was 2 miles. The fool cuss was bitten in the face by a rattler, his head swelled so he could not see. My foreman mixed clay with kerosene oil and wrapped it on his head. He was over it in 3 days. We went to a rodeo, saw champion horseback rider, got his horse running fast, slid under the horse’s belly and came up on his back. 4 weeks later, he appeared at our ranch. I had a water tank about 60 ft. On top had a 100-watt light, could be seen several miles. He followed the light thinking it was a hotel. Our house setback a mile from the road, it was late at night. He asked if he could stay overnight. I told him he could stay in the bunkhouse. I told him I had a 2-year-old colt, had no one able to break him. He said he would if we caught him before 8 AM as he had to arrive the next town to put on a show by 1 o’clock. We could not catch him. He had shipped his horse, was driving a Ford open Cab. This town was 30 miles over a trestle 1 mile long 200’ high. By road it was 80 miles. He drove his car over the trestle. He wrote us about his arrival. He took a show to NY City the following winter. He gave us $10 to stay overnight and breakfast. Before leaving N.M., we had a sale of all stock, sold 3 cow ponies at $10 . In the fall would round up the cattle to brand the calves as all cattle had to have a brand in case you would want to sell them. My brand was: When calves were roped, the pony would stop at once, the rope would tighten and hold the calf until branded. They sure knew their job. Forgot to tell you, I had an 8’ disk, 8’ spike tooth harrow and planter. Will try to write more someday.
Barb, note this was started on the 5th, today the 14th. It is hard for me to write much at a time. Hope you are all well.
Lovingly, Gramp It is apparent, the arrival of the Misner family was noticeable in the small-town newspaper. News clippings show a side of their personalities and life not elsewhere documented. It appears 17-year-old Marian was enjoying the new society. Fourth of July seems a special holiday for the family. There is a party or trip almost every year. Vegas, NM is about 85 miles from Mills. In 1918 Fred was 46, Edna 43, Marian a few weeks shy of 18, Edith, 15, and Elizabeth, 13. A remarkable man to set out with three teen-age daughters and plan to “have the time of their lives!” 20 July 1918 “Mrs. Misner and her daughter Mrs. Bixby were down from Mills Wednesday and ordered some stationery for the Mills Branch, A.R.C. (American Red Cross) in which they are active workers. Mr. Misner returned from Tulsa Oklahoma Wednesday”. Remember the country is at war. 1918 The Spanish Flu hit New Mexico hard. It started in NM in mid- Oct 1918. NM had only been a state for 6 years and was the only state that did not have a public health department. But it did have several TB sanitoriums for the many that came to NM for the climate. 31
31 Poorly Prepared NM Suffered Greatly in the 1918 Pandemic. https://www.usnews.com/news/best- states/new-mexico/articles/2020-03-24/poorly-prepared-new-mexico-suffered-greatly-in-1918-pandemic
The timing of Victor Bixby’s illness is pretty close to think it may have been the Spanish Flu; although possible, not probable. However, this article does reveal, that he was no longer working as a banker, but as a rural mail carrier (and that perhaps a “little girl” could do his job just as well as he could). I wonder if he took this article with good humor, or was embarrassed by it? Betty Bixby had her 1st birthday when her Daddy was ill. 1918 November: Armistice Day 11th hour of 11th day of 11th month 1918 – the end of WWI 32
Meanwhile back in Schenectady NY where E.B & Libbie Bixby and son Raymond Otis Bixby and family were living, they were celebrating the end of WWI Back in New Mexico: Marian Misner Foulk’s 100th Birthday Memoire holds tidbits of her memories. “An old beau of Marian’s followed her to Mills from Buffalo, NY. He came by train to surprise Marian. His name was Bobby Kidd and he stayed on to help around the ranch, but she decided he was too bossy, and she sent him packing and went to Denver Business College.” Since I cannot find any documentation of her between 1919-1921, I assume it may be during that time period. Marian also reports that, “In 1917 Fred received a $25,000 inheritance and he purchased a 1,000 acrea ranch in Mills, N.M. for $5 per acres. … They bought oil leases and things were good until the depression when they lost everything and had to move back to Columbus, Ohio to live with her sister Dorothy and her husband Victor Bixby and their four children.” In fact they “lost everything and moved in 1923, six years before the Depression started. They moved initially to Schenectady NY (where Victor and Dorothy were ) then followed them to Columbus, Ohio two years later.
32 The war wasn’t officially over until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 Figure 65. Pictures for the Past, A Schenectady Album by Larry Hart
In March 1919 newspaper stories started appearing about Fred B Misner exploring options for oil development in New Mexico.
1919 The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution granting women the vote was adopted by a joint resolution of Congress and sent to the states for ratification. New York and twenty-one other states ratified the Nineteenth Amendment 1920 The Nineteenth Amendment was adopted, and the women of the United States were finally enfranchised 1920 Prohibition began – ended in 1933
Misner’s host fun and baseball as his father had in Buffalo.
Fred Misner continued to travel and work toward putting together oil exploration in New Mexico. Oil in fact had been discovered 300 miles west in 1911 at 7 Lakes in the northwest quadrant of NM33. He appears confident and energized by the possibility of coordinating this effort. There are several unanswered questions during this period. In September of 1919 while the oil organization is going on, the Misners sell their New Mexico farm “for a profit”. I think this was the farm with the new modern house built less than two years before. Of note is the good-natured kidding recognizing Mr. Misner as “an amateur” in the west. It did not work out for the Bixby’s, so they again demonstrated their willingness to step out and move away from their families to pursue their own way. Sometime late 1918 or during 1919, Victor, Dorothy and baby Betty Bixby left Mills, NM and move to Wichita Falls Texas (400 miles southeast).
27 Geological Survey Circ. 333 Records of Wells Drilled for Oil & Gas in NM, 1954. Oil was discovered in NM Northwest and Southeast quadrants, none in the Northeast https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1954/0333/report.pdf Figure 68. 9 Aug 1919 Figure 69. 20 Sep 1919 Misner's sell
The month after selling his farm for a profit, the Misners bought a 3,000-acre ranch southwest of Mills near the Red River 34and began to improve it. “Mr. Misner has proven that a city-man can make good on a farm or ranch if he has a head and uses it.” It seems evident this was ongoing banter between Fred and the newspaper man. In summary it had been a busy two years in New Mexico for the Misners. Other family update for 1919: • George Misner 80 (Fred’s father) in Buffalo, still has children and grandchildren living with him. His daughter Francine 39 (Fred’s sister) was married for the first time in Nov 1919 and moved up to Toronto.
• Elmer B. Bixby, (Victor’s dad) in Schenectady NY had Raymond and his family living with him. Three generations living together during this period was common, at least in this family.
34 The Red River originates in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico and flows through NE New Mexico across the Texas panhandle and becomes the border between Texas and Oklahoma.
Fred Misner seemed to be successful in organizing a hunt for oil in NM. I do not find any further information about this endeavor. As noted in the previous footnote, oil was not discovered in the northeast quadrant of NM (where Mills was located). However, if these companies searched in the southeast or northwest quadrants, it is possible, they may have found some. I do not think they succeeded for two reasons. I believe the oil discovered was later than this time. More importantly, I believe the Misner’s had invested in this themselves and a few years down the road they are going to hit financially thin times. 1 Jan 1920 Census reveal: • Victor E Bixby, 25, working as a salaried bookkeeper in Wichita Falls, Texas • Dorothy Bixby, 22, wife • Elizabeth, 3, daughter • And a male, married roomer, geologist.
On the ranch in Mills, NM were: • Fred Misner, 45, occupation: farmer • Edna Misner, 43, wife
• Edith Misner, 17, daughter attending school • Elizabeth (Lib), 14 daughter attending school • 18-year-old male, born in New York (who probably came with them) listed as farm laborer • 69-year-old female servant living with them Marian would have been 20 and is not listed. She is not back east or in any other census I can find locally. I believe she is still in the area and simply missed on the census or living nearby. She will be married locally in another year. 17 May 1920, Fred and Edna Misner took out a $2,320.50 note at the Roy Trust & Savings Bank.
Spanish American Newspaper, Roy, NM “A Kentucky Belle” a comedy in 3 acts by the community players. Roy Theatre 30 April 1920. V.E. Bixby has a minor part. By June of 1920, Dorothy was 6 months pregnant and the Bixby’s had moved back to Mills, NM. Victor Bixby and Fred Misner continue their membership and work in the Masonic Lodge. I do not know what kind of work Victor was doing during this period. I believe they were living with the Misners. June 1920, F. B Misner ran ads in the newspaper to sell farm equipment, “good condition, like new”. Would trade for white face cows. This is the only place I find any reference to cattle or livestock in the five-year’s in New Mexico.
On 17 September 1920, daughter Barbara Joyce Bixby was born to Victor and Dorothy Bixby. Fred and Edna Misner had a second grandbaby. Big sister Betty was not quite 3-years-old. Barbara frequently told the story of her birth when her mother went into labor while Grandpa (Fred) Misner was taking a nap. She was born before he awoke and he claimed, “Boy, they sure do things fast here in the west!”. 31 Dec 1920, Fred and Edna Misner took out another note for $280 at the Roy Trust & Savings Bank 5 Jan 1921 The two notes for the Misners from the Roy Trust & Savings Bank previously described were assigned to 1st National Bank, Roy NM and a property mortgage assigned to property (with survey description). I do not know if it is their home ranch or another property.
Early February 1921, F. B. Misner sold his farm where he lives, but has another farm in the area. Buyer A.J. Paxton is also listed with Victor as a member of the Masons. 26 Feb 1921 Edna Misner hosts Order of the Eastern Star at her home with her daughters Edith Misner and Dorothy Bixby. This was 3 weeks after it sold. It must have been an interesting time. This appears to be not quite 2 ½ years from when they moved in and about two months from the bank mortgage. Although it appears, they had not been making payments on the notes. On 11 Jun 1921, Victor E Bixby filed, “notice of intention to make Final Three-Year Proof to establish claim to the land”, claimed for his homestead (500 acres). In 1921 Marian Misner married George W Payton at the First United Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She was 21. Next events are a little confusing. The Misners and the Bixbys do stay in the area. Without being able to reconcile the chronology or what farm, the bottom line is, Marian Payton’s husband, George, bought a farm from the Misner’s in the fall of 1921. It was a home Marian had previously lived in. Marian and George Payton moved in early February 1922, just a few weeks before they had baby, Ruth Annette Payton. As noted, Mrs. Edna Misner was staying with them to help. Spring 1922, Victor and Dorothy Bixby were pregnant with baby number three.
“FOR SALE: 30 Volume Encyclopedia Britannica Cloth bound as good as new, will sell for half of what it cost. V.E. Bixby” Spanish American 20 May 1922 Backing up to the fall of 1921, home life continued for Edna Misner with at least one student still at home. Elizabeth (Lib) would have been 16 and Edith, 18. As you can see from the article, school busing (or even more delightful, “trucking”) was becoming an issue in the growing population. I do not know if the kids were going to Mills or Roy to school. But the School Board found it necessary to add another truck for the Misner area. Although Mrs. Misner had been using their Ford to carry pupils, they were going to add a truck. Imagine 6 trucks for 200 students. Can you guess at the safety standards? From later newspaper clippings, I believe Victor E Bixby had the job of driving this school bus route.
Victor E Bixby was elected as one of the officers to lead the Masonic Lodge for 1922. Apparently, Victor planned to stay in Mills for the following year.
The Misners and the Bixbys continued to enjoy the fellowship of the community and seemed to enjoy robust participation. 18 March 1922, Victor E Bixby, gave a toast for the wives of the Eastern Star men’s banquet with “an apology that his speech like the modern skirts would be only long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting”
It appears that financial events took a serious downturn through 1922. The Misner ranch was foreclosed on in March 1922 reaching back to the Jan 1921 Mortgage. The land was scheduled for a sheriff’s auction for 27 Dec 1922.
Victor E Bixby family: there are two significant events in the last half of 1922. 1. Sometime between June and October 1922, Victor, Dorothy, Betty and Barbara left New Mexico and moved to New York state near Victor’s parents and brother before their third baby was born.
2. In Dec 1922 Victor E Bixby’s petition for two Homestead Warrantee Deed were granted and he was deeded approximately 500 acres in Northeast New Mexico in two separate deeds. They did not ever live in New Mexico again. I do not know what happened to the property.
Near Schenectady, 1922–1925
Fred B Misner family: I believe they stayed on in New Mexico at least through the end of 1922, because, this birth announcement ran in the local paper mid- November 1922. I believe it was in early 1923, the Misners also moved from New Mexico to near Schenectady New York where the Victor E Bixby family was located. Marian’s marriage did not last. I believe she and baby Ruth probably left with her parents. She apparently left with the baby without any legal action. After she was gone her husband filed for divorce claiming abandonment. He served her by notification in the newspaper only. The court granted the divorce, granted custody of the baby to the mother AND required George to pay $25/month child support. George appealed the ruling to pay child support claiming the court did not have jurisdiction over the child, since she was not in the state. The district court upheld the original ruling. The case went to the NM Supreme court, which overturned the ruling in April 1924 35. VICTORY BIXBY FAMILY NEAR SCHENECTADY NEW YORK Fall 1922-1925 Robert Misner Bixby was born 19 Oct 1922 in Rotterdam, NY, the third child of Victor and Dorothy Bixby. This was less than three miles from where Victor’s brother Raymond lived with his family and where their parents (E.B. and Libbie Bixby) were living. Fred and Edna Misner were not included in NY directories in 1922, another reason I believe they were still in New Mexico. Music was an important part of the family. Victor played the trumpet, Betty the violin, Barbara the trumpet. I do not know about the others. I believe they ALL loved to sing.
35 The timing on this ruling is the reason I believe Marian and the Misner’s departed NM in early 1923. NM Supreme Court No 2846. The court ruled that since the mother and child were out of the state and the only notification was done by publication in the newspaper, the state did not have jurisdiction to require the child be provided for. Child support was not required. There was no indication that Marian responded in any way.
By 1925, Victor E Bixby family, both sets of parents and Victor’s brother Raymond were living near each other near Schenectady NY. There are no servants after New Mexico. Based on documents and family stories, Fred and Edna Misner’s financial means had contracted .
• 1925, Victor, 29, and Dorothy, 28. Victor was working as an insurance agent. o Betty (Elizabeth), 7 o Barbara
4
o Bob (Robert) 2
By 1925, both Victor and Dorothy’s parents and siblings were in Schenectady New York. • Fred, 53, and Edna, 50, Misner (Dorothy’s parents) lived in Colonie NY (a suburb of Schenectady) Fred was working as a “Collector” o Marian, 23 was divorced, 3-year-old Ruth was living nearby with an “aunt”36. Marian was working in “office work” o Edith, 22, working at GE Shop. (This was Thomas Edison General Electric headquarters. It was a major employer in the area, and I believe it was where Edith’s Uncle, Raymond Otis Bixby, worked) o Elizabeth (Lib) 20 not going to school and doing housework. September 4th of this year she married George Morrison in Schenectady NY. They stayed in Colonie/Schenectady NY through probably the mid-1950’s.
• Elmer (E.B.), 58, and Libbie Bixby, 59 , (Victor’s parents). Elmer was working as a salesman and living at 301 Becker Street, Schenectady, NY
Victor’s brother, • Raymond Otis Bixby 33, and Mabel, 32, Bixby. Raymond was working as a draftsman at General Electric and living at 49 Bradford Rd., Schenectady NY (about 2 miles from his parents, Elmer and Libbie Bixby)
o Raymond Burdell Bixby 10 o Margaret Ellen Bixby 8
36 “Aunt” I do not find a biological relationship to this young couple with no other children.
UNITED STATES IN THE 1920’S The country and Schenectady NY was booming in the 1920’s after WWI. Thomas Edison’s, General Electric headquarters was in Schenectady. Electricity was in many homes and ran street trollies. Police had moved away from horses to motorcycles. Prohibition was in place and bootlegging was not unheard of in this part of NY state. In 1925, the Mayor of Schenectady, was a member of the Socialist Party. The first radio station broadcasted for the first time in the United States. In the 1930 census, a question asked if there was a radio in the home to understand the penetration of this ‘new’ method of communication. 1925 • United States: Scopes Monkey trials about whether evolution could be taught in schools • United States: Sears Robuck 1st store opened in Chicago; previously a catalog store since 1889. • Germany: Hitler published Mein Kampf • Italy: Mussolini took over as a dictatorship
In 1929 Elmer B. Bixby and Raymond Bixby families both moved to Hudson NY. About 90 miles southeast of Schenectady.
Ohio, 1926–1935
VICTOR AND DOROTHY BIXBY FAMILY IN OHIO 1926 - 1928 By 1926, Victor and Dorothy’s family had moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Victor was working as an assistant superintendent. His later obituary says he was transferred to Columbus in 1926, so, it would have been with Met Life Insurance. Dorothy’s sister, Edith Misner, 23, was living with them at 1288 Genessee Ave., Columbus, Ohio. This is the last documentation I have of Edith Misner. Any further information would be appreciated. Fred and Edna Misner and daughter, Marian Payton, and her daughter, Ruth are not listed in either Ohio or New York business directories in 1926. The youngest daughter Elizabeth (Lib) was married to George Morrison in late 1925 and expecting a baby in 1927 in Schenectady NY, I suspect Fred and Edna may have stayed near there and I believe Marian and Ruth were with them. In 1926, Elmer and Libbie Bixby spent the winter in Canada. I believe it is in Ontario and not far from Buffalo. Summer 1927 Living at 1288 Genessee Avenue, Columbus, Ohio were: • Victor Elmer Bixby, 32, sales superintendent for
Kessler-Patterson Co. (land development) • Dorothy Hurd Misner Bixby, 30 • Elizabeth (Betty) Bixby, 9 • Barbara Joyce Bixby37, 6 • Robert (Bob) Misner Bixby, 4 • William Elmer Bixby (Bill) was born
17 October 1927. The family lived at this same address, 1288 Geneessee Ave from 1926 – 1931. In the beginning it was Victor, Dorothy, three children, and Dorothy’s sister Edith. At the end it included Victor, Dorothy, four children, Dorothy’s parents, a different sister, Marian, and her daughter, Ruth.
1929 Stock Market Crashed and began the Great Depression
37 Side note: Barbara’s future sister-in-law, Vera Wilcox Cross, 25, lived 1.3 miles away at 2017 Aberdeen Ave., Columbus, Ohio in 1927. In the 1930 Census, they live 2 houses away from each other.
Roosevelt’s New Deal To help mobilize employment, build infrastructure, and improve the economy many federal agencies were created, some were short lived, some continue today. Listed below are a few that may have impacted our family. • 1933 CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) for unemployed, unmarried men 17-28. They were employed to construct roads, trails, and other work in national parks and forest lands. Logistically the program was managed by the War Department (physical exams, conditioning, transportation, housing, medical care, discipline, welfare, and education) but the work was supervised by technical agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. Males enrolled for 6 months and could be renewed for up to two years. Housing, food and medical were provided and each was paid $30 per month – and required to send $25 back home to their family. This was a popular program in place until WWII began.
Carrol Wilcox worked in the CCC in 1934. Unfortunately, CCC records were not well retained for details about the participants. • 1933 NRA National Recovery Administration was designed to bring industry, labor, and government together to create codes of “fair practices” for competition. Out of this came the “minimum” wage. • 1935 WPA Works Progress Administration was developed to provide employment. In the 1940 Nation Census the question was asked if a person had worked for the WPA in 1939. None of our family, discussed in this document,t had worked for the WPA. • 1935 Social Security Administration was established. Employee withholding and employer contributions were to provide income for retirees, widows, and the disabled. • 1937 FSA Farm Security Administration initially created a photography pictorial record of American Life especially during the depression. 38 • 1937 FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is still a safeguard for our economy today
38 The government hired photographers to take pictures to document the life of people during this time. Over 250,000 public domain pictures were taken and can be found on display in Museums, books and online. https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_14.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet- photographers-charged-documenting-depression-era-america-farm-security-administration-180964123/ Figure 92 Carrol Wilcox CCC 1934
1930 Columbus, Ohio: The family was at the same address, 1288 Genessee Avenue, which they owned. But they did not have a radio in the home. Now, Fred and Edna Misner and Marian and her daughter Ruth were living with them in Columbus. • Victor E Bixby, 34, Manager of a Dry-Cleaning business • Dorothy Bixby, 32, homemaker o Betty (Elizabeth) Bixby 12 o Barbara Joyce Bixby 9 o Bob (Robert) Bixby
7 o Bill (William) Bixby
2 ½ • Fred Misner, 58, Fred is listed as an unemployed Proprietor for Machine Manufacturing. • Edna Misner, 54, Edna is listed as a saleslady for a Dry Cleaners (I assume the same one where Victor is Manager). This is the only time she is recorded as having a job. However, Richard thought she had worked in a post office at some point. After being raised as a socialite with servants her whole life, I believe this must have been difficult for her. • Marian Misner Payton, 29, and her 8-year-old daughter, Ruth. Marian did not have a job at this point. I believe the previous nine years were the happiest years of my mom’s (Barbara) childhood. She remembered this time of a loving mother and father and happy family. 1930: the rest of the family in New York State • Elizabeth (“Lib”, Dorothy’s youngest sister), 23 and her husband George Morrison39 27, were renting in Colonie, NY a suburb of Schenectady NY. George was working as a machinist at GE. They had been married for four years and had two children, John A, 3, and Dorothy A, 11 months. • E.B. and Libby Bixby (Victor’s parents in their 60’s) were living in Hudson, NY with Victor’s brother, Raymond Otis Bixby. Raymond was a District Executive with Boy Scouts of America.
39 There are several “George and Elizabeth Morrison” in historical records with similar birth dates and locations, e.g. Buffalo, Schenectady, etc. It would be easy to pull wrong data into this tree. “Our” Eliz & Geo have very few records.
1931 Victor Bixby family, Ohio: was a year of life changing events. Sometime after April 1st 40, the family left the city life of Columbus, Ohio and moved 35 miles north to the country, 3 miles south of Marengo, Morrow County, Ohio. Victor E Bixby was again selling life insurance. I have wondered why they selected that location. It does not appear to be related to Victor’s job. The only connection I can find is their neighbor in Columbus, Vera (Wilcox) Cross.41 She had been raised in that same area near Marengo Ohio. I suspect the cost of living was significantly less. I do not know how large the house in Columbus was, but with essentially three families (five adults and five children) living in it, they could have desired a larger and less expensive home. The economic depression was still deepening . I believe the place they moved contained some farmland. 42 But I do not believe they participated in any active farming at that time. I do not know how soon after April 1st they moved, but by fall Dorothy, 34, was unwell. She must have become progressively more ill. I do not know if they sought any medical care during that time. She eventually was admitted to University Hospital in Columbus, Dec 26th. Since it was the day after Christmas and she had been ill for several months, I surmise she wanted to stay home for the Holidays. She died Dec 31st, 1931 as a consequence of an infected gallbladder, hepatitis, peritonitis, pulmonary edema and cardiac dilation. It had to have been a lingering, horrible, and painful death. One of my mother’s (Barbara) most vivid memories was all the children being called to her bedside to say good-bye. She wanted each one to promise to accept Jesus as their Savior so they would be with her in heaven. Dorothy Hurd Misner Bixby, 1897-1931, is buried in the Marengo Cemetery, Bennington Township, Morrow County, Ohio where they had just moved a few months before. Victor, at the age of 34 was a widower with four children: Betty, 14, Barbara, 11, Bob, 9, and Bill, 4. He was living in a house in a new area with his parents-in-law, sister-in-law and her daughter. He was the only wage earner in the family.43 He was still working as an insurance salesman.
40 Census records are taken as of April 1st, 1930. On that date they were all living at 1288 Genessee, Columbus, OH 41 Vera Wilcox Cross will become Barbara Bixby’s sister-in-law in 1937. I believe the Bixby’s knew her when they were neighbors in 1930. Their children were close ages, they may have become friends. 42 In 1944 Fred B Misner from Bennington Twp (in which Marengo village resides) applied for Soil Conservation District farm planning assistance with the co-op board. 2 Jun 1944, Marian Newspaper, Ohio 43 Later census records show Fred and Edna Misner each report receiving some income from other than wages or salary. I do not know if that was ongoing as from a trust or investments or a one-time inheritance, etc.
The Great Economic Depression was deepening. I believe the following years were exceedingly difficult for the entire family as well as the nation.
1933 Prohibition ended (I have no idea if that fact had any effect on the family) 1932-1933 Within a few months44 of Dorothy’s death, early 1932, Victor had an apartment45 in Columbus and was working as a salesman for Arrow Realty. In the 1933 directory he is listed as salesman and living at a different residence46. I believe the four children stayed in Marengo with grandparents Fred & Edna Miner, Marian, and Ruth. I believe Victor went back there on the weekends. I wish I had been a better listener when mom told stories about living with her grandparents. The overall sense was she missed her mother and father terribly. Her grandparents were ‘older’ (in 1933 Fred would have been 61 and Edna 59), very strict and did not enjoy children. The only specific thing I remember was that they had a player piano. Oh, mom wanted very much to sit up there and pretend to be playing away, but she was not allowed to touch it, or many other things. They were taught good table manners, to correctly set the table, sit, stand, walk and behave as young ladies and to “Aspire Higher”. I believe Marian was still living there and her daughter Ruth was near the same age. The possibilities for grief, conflict and family dynamics are too numerous to hypothesize. I believe, mom (Barbara) clung to her big sister Betty and lived for visits from their father. 1934 was another big transition year for the family. Victor still had an address in Columbus but was listed as working at a creamery. The Great Depression was about at bottom. On 17 Jan 1934, Victor Elmer Bixby, 38, married Hazel May Steck Huddlestun47, one week prior to her 29th birthday. Hazel was the 5th of six children of German born Frederick Steck and Ohio born Minnie Wright. Hazel was born and raised in Marengo, Ohio. I believe several of her relatives
44 Dorothy died Dec 31st, 1931; Victor’s apartment address and occupation was posted in the 1932 Business Directory. It is possible, the plan all along was for him to have an apartment in town to work while that family had more space 30 miles out in the country. I doubt it however, especially since there was a change in occupations to go with it. I believe he found a job back in Columbus and moved back there after Dorothy died. 45 1932 home. 163 W 11th Ave Apt 10, Columbus, OH 46 1933 residence 555 W 3rd Av, Columbus, OH 47 Hazel May Steck was born 24 Jan 1905 in Marengo, Morrow County, Ohio to Fred W Steck and Minnie Naomi Wright Steck. Her father was a farmer and had been born in Germany in 1871. Her mother was born in Ohio in 1870. They continued to live in the area and are both buried at the Marengo Cemetery not far from Hazel, Victor and Dorothy.
continued to live in the area and are buried in the Marengo cemetery. Hazel May had been married at age 21 to Harold Huddleston. In 1930 they were living in Trenton Twp, Delaware County, Ohio where he was working as a laborer in a creamery. In the 1933 they were listed in the Columbus, Ohio Business Directory, at 2800 Perdue Ave. No occupation is listed for him. They must have divorced in 1933. I do not believe they had any children. The “Creamery” job for Victor in 1934 when they married seems out of line with his previous jobs. Since her first husband had also worked at a creamery, I wonder if it was somehow connected to Hazel. I wonder if her family owned the Creamery although they were listed as ‘farmers’. In 1939, Victor was again working in a creamery. I believe that may have been a ‘back-up” job during the depression when selling Life Insurance or other work was slow. Around this time the four children were split. Barbara’s feelings were her new stepmother did not want the two older girls but did want the two ‘little’ boys. This is another place I wish I had listened better. If I recall correctly, Betty, 16, wanted to stay in the country (Pagetown) with grandparents Misner’s, where she had been living and going to school for five years. The boys Bob, 11, and Bill, 6, moved to Columbus with their father and Hazel (May). It is likely Bill was young enough to not remember his mother and I believe he thought of May as his mother. Barbara, 13 was torn. She loved her father very much and wanted to be with him. She went with them and planned to start school. She even tried out for the band (trumpet). She had an audition behind a curtain, so she was judged only by her playing. She was excited she was accepted in the ‘big city school’ band. But in a pretty short period of time she believed her stepmother did not want her and she missed her big sister whom she had relied on for the past three years. So, she moved back to her grandparents in Pagetown OH. From mom’s stories, I believe there was love, visits and little animosity. Both ‘big sisters’ loved ‘their little brothers’. In 1935 Victor, 40, Hazel May, 30, Bob, 12, and Bill, 6, lived at 913 Fulton, Columbus, Ohio. They had a different address every year or two for the following several years. Victor continued to work his way up in Life Insurance for Met Life for the next several years. Fred, 63, and Edna Misner, 60, Betty, 17, and Barbara Bixby, 14, were living in Pagetown Ohio (the same place they originally moved to in 1931, “3 miles south of Fig 94. Main street Marengo Jun 1917"
The Siblings, 1936–1939 — Barbara Marries Carrol Wilcox
Marengo”).48 Marengo is a village with a main street, few mom & pop stores, few Churches, etc. Pagetown is an unincorporated community in Bennington Township in Morrow County, Ohio about 3 miles south of Marengo on Highway 26. Pagetown is the name Mom put on the picture of the “Misner house”. Driving three miles south of Marengo on Hwy 26 you ‘might’ see a very small road sign that said “Pagetown” in rural farmland that is only farmland. They lived in the country, (Pagetown) with country all around and they were not farmers. But it was common to say they lived or were from Marengo because it was the closest incorporated village. THE SIBLINGS: 1936-1939 Betty Baumgartner (Elizabeth Bixby) 1917-2010
Barbara J. Wilcox (Barbara Joyce Bixby) 1920-1996
Bob Bixby (Robert Misner Bixby) 1922-1994
Bill Bixby (William Elmer Bixby) 1927-2017
I think this picture may have been taken in 1937 at Barbara’s high school graduation.
48 Ohio locations are confusing. There are ‘unincorporated’ community names, village names, township names which are more geographic boundaries, county names and finally the state name. Marengo is a village in Bennington Township in Morrow County Ohio. Several documents and stories refer to them “living in Marengo” or “being from Marengo”.
Elizabeth (Betty) Bixby: I believe she finished high school in 1935, either Marengo or Bennington High school and moved to Marian, Ohio (26 miles northwest of Marengo). In 1936, 19-year-old Betty, had an apartment and was working as a waitress in Marian, Ohio (about 25 miles northwest of Marengo). In 1936, Merle B Baumgartner, 21, who had grown up in Marian, Ohio was working as a clerk at Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. He lived about ¾ of a mile from Betty Bixby. I do not know how or when they met. Perhaps their children can add some stories. Oct 23, 1938 they were married in Marian Ohio. Their story will be continued later. Barbara Joyce Bixby graduated from Marengo High School endnote 9 at age 16, in May 1937. That summer she moved back in with her father, Victor, stepmother, Hazel, and two younger brothers, Bob 14 and Bill 9 at Grove City, Ohio (8 miles southwest of Columbus). While in school, she had been smitten with a young man on a motorcycle who had originally expressed an interest in her big sister, Betty. Carrol Sherman Wilcox49 who graduated from Bennington High School in 1934 saw the error of his ways. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before he accompanied his brother-in-law , Jim E Thompson, who suffered from Tuberculosis to Colorado. Carrol worked and saved his money so he could come home and marry that girl (Barbara). Carrol had been born and raised in Morrow County Ohio, the 8th of 11 children. He did and they were married, 19 Oct 1937 50 five months after Barbara’s graduation when she was 17 years and 1 month. She has a “Brides Book” with a list of shower guests which includes family and friends from both sides. Victor signed for her to get married. I believe the ceremony itself was very small in the parsonage of the church. Betty Bixby was the maid of honor and Merle Baumgartner was the best man. They stayed in Marengo, Ohio for
49 His 2nd oldest sister, Vera Wilcox Cross, was the neighbor living next to the Bixby’s in Columbus Ohio in 1930. 50 Their marriage license was issued in Franklin County (Grove City, OH), not Marengo (Morrow County).
some months with Carrol’s oldest sister, Estella VanSickle, then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. That is where Carrol had been working and his brother-in-law was still living. On 2 Jul 1938, Richard Bixby Wilcox, was born in Grand Junction, CO. The story goes that a Chiropractor brought a portable table to the house to aid in the delivery. Victor E Bixby’s first grand child. Their story will continue later. Robert Misner Bixby (Bob) continued to live with his father and Hazel May in Columbus Ohio. In 1939 he (17) was listed in the Columbus Business Directory as a Student and living at 913 E Fulton, Columbus, Ohio. (same address the Victor E Bixby family was living in 1935). William Elmer Bixby continued to live with his father and Hazel May in Columbus. In 1939 he was 12. There is an error in the Columbus Business Directory listing Wm E Bixby with wife Hazel working in a Creamery and living at 913 E Fulton, Columbus. I believe that should have been Victor. William as a child would not have been listed in the directory. In 1939, after 52 years of marriage, both of Victor’s parents died in Hudson NY. Elmer Barnes (E.B.) , 72 died on Aug 8th and Libbie Bixby, 73, died Oct 23rd. They were living in the same home as Raymond Otis Bixby’s family at the time. 39 S. 5th St. Hudson, NY. They are buried in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson, NY. (as are Raymond Otis Bixby, Mabel Rumsey Bixby and Raymond Burdell Bixby) This is essentially the end of the Great Depression. Industry was starting to ramp up with WWII raging in Europe
Where was the family in the 1940 Census? Fred (67) and Edna (64) Misner were living in Pagetown, Bennington Township, Morrow County Ohio. It was the same house they were living in 1935 and the same house Betty, Barbara, Bob and Bill had lived after their mother died in Figure 98. Elmer Barnes and Libbie Bixby circa mid 1930's
1931, the same house Betty and Barbara continued to live in after Victor remarried in 1934. Fred was not working but Fred and Edna each reported they received more than $50 income from ‘other’ sources than wage or salary. I do not know what that was. Neighbors included other Stecks (Hazels maiden name) and Vaughn (29) and Margaret Wilcox (Barbara’s brother-in-law). I believe for the first time in their lives, it was just Fred and Edna in the house. • Marian Misner Payton Foulk: Marian (37) had married Blouch Raymond (B.R.) Foulk (52) in 193751. He was a widower with grown children. In 1940, they were living in Congress, Morrow County, Ohio (not a farm). They were about 20 miles north of the Misners in Pagetown. He was working as a carpenter and had worked 25 hours the week prior to the census. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $750. In 1935 they each had been living in a different house in Morrow County, Ohio. I believe Marian was with her parents, Fred & Edna Misner. o Ruth Payton (Marian’s daughter) was 18 and living with an older, farming couple nearby. She had completed 4 years of high school and was not currently attending school. In 1935 she had been living in rural Morrow county, not with this couple, possibly with her mother and the Misners. • Elizabeth (Lib) Misner Morrison (George Morrison) were still living in Colonie, suburb of Schenectady NY o John A Morrison 13 o Dorothy A Morrison 10 o Edna Morrison 2 • Victor (43), Hazel May (35), Bob (17) and Bill (12) Bixby were living at 43 Hudson Ave, Columbus, Ohio. Victor was working as a life insurance salesman (Met Life). He had worked 48 hours the week before the census. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and had made $1,900 for the year. He had no other income. In 1935 they had lived in Columbus, but in a different house. • Betty (22) and Merle Baumgartner (24) were living in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio (60 miles west of Misners in Pagetown). They were living in a rooming house with nine other families, paying $16/month rent. Merle, 24, was working 60 hours a week managing a retail A&P grocery store. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $1,600. In 1935, Betty had been in school still at home with the Misners. Merle was living in Marian, Ohio where he had gone to school.
51 Marian Foulk 100th Birthday Memoire
o Barbara (20) and Carrol Wilcox lived in Grand Junction Colorado, he was working as a self-employed painter. Richard Wilcox was 2 years old. • Victor E Bixby’s parents, Elmer B and Libbie Bixby had passed away in 1939.
• Raymond O. (46), Mabel (45), R. Burdell (25) and Margaret (22) were renting 39 South 5th St, Hudson, Columbia County, New York for $35/month. Raymond was working as a repairman in a radio and printing business. He had worked 40 hours the week before and 52 weeks in 1939. His income is not recorded. He does report he received money other than salary or wages. Their children:
o R. Burdell was working as a researcher in the state capitol, had completed college and was in graduate school. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939. Income was not recorded. o Margaret was in her 3rd year of college and working as a cashier at a restaurant. She had worked 52 weeks in 1939. Income was not recorded. The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940,… enacted September 16, 1940, was the first peacetime conscription in United States history. This Selective Service Act required that men who had reached their 21st birthday but had not yet reached their 36th birthday register with local draft boards. Later, when the U.S. entered World War II, all men from their 18th birthday until the day before their 45th birthday were made subject to military service, and all men from their 18th birthday until the day before their 65th birthday were required to register. December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked and America entered World War II What happened to the family during WWII? 1941-1945 and after? Fathers and sons and sons-in-law were all required to register for the Draft. I have included what I have. I am sure there are rich stories not included. Cousins – here is your opportunity to step in and add your family stories.
The Family in World War II
Victor E. Bixby (1895-1954) had to register for the draft for both WWI and WWII. He did not have to serve in the military for either war. Imagine being 47 years old, a grandfather, and having to register for the draft for a world war. He registered 27 April 1942. He was still working as an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life. They lived at 521 S Champion Ave, Columbus, Ohio through the war.
Wonder where the scar on his finger came from?
After the war in 1946 Victor invested in a subdivision in Grand Junction Colorado with Carrol Wilcox (his son-in- law), the Wilcox & Bixby subdivision. From 1946-1951 Victor and Hazel May lived in Grand Junction at least part of the time. My siblings recall them living within walking distance of our house, in the Wilcox & Bixby Subdivision in a cinderblock house my dad built.
It was after the War and building supplies were scarce. Carrol built “garagettes” as mom called them. They had a gabled roof with a loft/second story which were the living quarters. The ground floor was actually a garage. It was built on the back of the lot, so that later when families could afford it, they would build their “house” on the main part of the lot. Then their ‘garagette’, would revert to an actual garage. That is not the type of house Victor and Hazel lived in however. In 1949 Victor E Bixby was listed as living in Grand Junction, CO “City MTD Route 11”. Richard remembers Grandpa & Grandma Bixby’s house as cinder block, because it made a perfect target to through mudballs against. Hazel caught him and thought he was a little devil. Ronald remembers Hazel thinking he was the best thing since sliced bread and that he was her favorite (and Richard agreed). Betty remembers being able to walk to their house and putting an apron on and getting up on a step stool to help wash dishes. I (Bonny) am the baby, I don’t remember anything! Until I did this research, I didn’t know they had ever lived in Grand Junction or that I had ever met them – but here is the picture! Don’t we all look happy?!
Hazel’s father died Nov 21 of 1949 and she is listed as living in Columbus Ohio in his obituary. So I believe by November, they were living in Columbus again. In 1951 Victor and Hazel in Columbus, Ohio living at 1870 N 4th Street. Victor was working as a salesman for Elephant Lumber Store. That is the same information for 1953.
Raymond Otis Bixby (1892-1961), Victor’s big brother. He also had to register for the draft for both WWI and WWII. He did not have to serve in the military for either war.
After having lived in Hudson NY and launching his adult children by 1942 he had returned to Schenectady where he registered for the draft. He was 50 years old. He returned to working for General Electric, but this time in designing Gas Turbines.
Raymond Burdell Bixby (1914-1991) Victor’s nephew registered for the draft 16 Oct 1940. However, VA BIRLS has an enlistment date for him of 11 Oct 1935 – his 21st birthday while he was a Senior at Colgate University. He attended Law School after that. I surmise he served in Reserves in 1935 and did not have to interrupt his education. The “Who’s Who” clip below indicates he served with USAAF, 1942-46. Since he had been admitted to the Bar in 1940, I surmise he served as a Lawyer.
Merle Baumgartner, Betty Bixby’s husband (Victor’s oldest daughter) Merle registered for the draft as required 16 Oct 1940 when he was 25 and married. They were living in an apartment or boarding house with nine other families, each paying $16/month rent. The week prior to the 1940 census, Merle had worked 60 hours a week managing a retail A&P grocery store. He had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $1,600 in Bellefontaine, Ohio. 1 Jan 1943, Roger Baumgartner was born and just before Christmas of that year, he began his military service, 20 Dec 1943 at age 28. He was released from military service 21 Mar 1946. I do not have any other information about his service. I hypothesize that even though he was married and had a child, the increasing demands of the war must have made it likely he would be drafted so he enlisted in a service he preferred or he may have been drafted. I do not know what branch, field, or where he served. Betty and baby Roger stayed in Bellefontaine while he was gone. Fred and Edna Misner moved to Bellefontaine during this period. I do not know if they lived with Betty or nearby. Upon Merle’s return in 1946 he resumed his previous job. By Jan 1949, the family had relocated to Daytona Beach Florida where Merle started in car sales. James Baumgartner was born 1 May 1949. Fred and Edna Misner moved to Daytona Beach at that time and initially lived with the Baumgartner’s initially. By 1951, they had their own residence nearby. Merle continued to excel in the car business and by 1957 he was a sales manager at the same place, Halifax Motors. Eventually he was able to own his own successful dealership in DeLand FL. Merle Baumgartner suddenly died of a heart attack in 1983. Merle and Betty were married 45 years.
Carrol Sherman Wilcox, Barbara Bixby’s husband (Victor’s 2nd daughter) Carrol Wilcox registered for the draft 16 Oct 1940 in Mesa County, Colorado. He was, 24, married and had one child, Richard Bixby Wilcox. On 17 March 1941, their second son, Ronald Sherman Wilcox was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. By Jun 1941, Carrol, 24, Barbara 20, Richard not quite 3 and new baby Ronald had packed their car and driven the 1,300 miles back to Ohio. I believe they stopped along the way when he could get a few days’ work for gas and food. In Ohio he got temporary work as a painter and carpenter in the Defense Plants being built. He worked at Ravenna Arsenal near Akron. That winter52 they went to Texas. Barbara notes on her picture
52 This is where they would have been 7 Dec 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
that when Carrol had days off from working at the Defense Plant, he would build little houses to rent.
By spring of 1942 they were back in Ohio 53at Marian, Akron and Dayton continuing to work where available. Carrol made between $45 - $83 a week when he was working54. It appears most jobs were either day to day or week to week. 13 Feb 1943 Betty Joann Wilcox was born in Troy Ohio. The family story connected to her birth was that mom went into labor at night. They didn’t know where a hospital was, so they drove toward the ‘big lights’ … and ended up at the gates of the Defense Plant.
53 Betty Baumgartner, Lib Morrison, Edna Misner, Barbara & Carrol Wilcox, Ronald Wilcox, Marian Foulk, Betty Wilcox, Edna Morrison, Richard Wilcox, Bill Bixby, Betty Wilcox are included in these pictures
54 Barbara kept a small handwritten “Social Security Wage” notebook of Carrol’s income from Jun 1941 – Jan 1944 a transcript of it is attached to the back of this document.
In Jan 1944, Carrol 27, Barbara 23, Richard 5, Ronald 3, and Betty Joann 11 months were still in Ohio working where they could find it. At some point, they stayed with Carrol’s older sister Estella VanSickle near Marengo. But none of his recorded work locations are very close so, I don’t know how long they were there. Richard Wilcox remembers being back in Colorado to hear FDR’s inaugural speech which would have been 20 Jan 1945 beginning his 4th term. The War was over in Europe Sep 1944; Japan Aug 1945. 29 Dec 1948 Bonny Jeann Wilcox was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. The name Bonny was for Bob’s wife Bonnie. It was spelled Bonny, with a “y” to match big sister, Betty. Bonny’s middle name Jeann was spelled with two ‘n’s to match Betty’s middle name, Joann. I was called the “caboose” because I was the last one. I believe I was also a surprise, so I guess I could have had several other nicknames. Spring 1949 Carrol Sherman Wilcox (1916 – 1988), Age 33 Barbara Joyce Bixby Wilcox (1920 – 1996) Age 28 Richard Bixby Wilcox (1938)
Age 10 Ronald Sherman Wilcox (1941)
Age 8 Betty Joann Wilcox (1943)
Age 6 Bonny Jeann Wilcox (1948)
Age few months
Carrol and Barbara continued to live in the Grand Junction area until his retirement in the early 1970’s. He continued in construction, building many houses in Grand Junction. About 1957 the family moved 16 miles west to Loma, CO, where Carrol raised, trained, and raced Quarter Horses and Pinto’s. Upon his retirement (forced with COPD) they sold the farm and bought a motor home and traveled the last 12 years of his life. After his death, Barbara lived near all four children until her death in 1996.
After living in various places around the county, all four children call Grand Junction/Loma home part of the year.
Robert Misner Bixby (1922-1994) Bob Bixby registered for the draft 30 Jun 1942 at age 19. He was living at home and working as a coremaker at Buckeye Pump & Mfg. in Columbus, OH. His enlistment date into the Navy was 4 Feb 1942, two months after Pearl Harbor and prior to registering for the draft. Six months after enlisting , 2 Oct 1942, Bob Bixby, 19, married Bonnie Bligh Watts, 18, in Columbus, Ohio. Both sets of parents had to sign for them. I do not know how they met. Bob served as a SK3, Storekeeper 3rd Class and was relesed 30 Jan 1946. This remarkable family had 10 children in under 12 years. The first one born in 1945, prior to his release. In 1945 they are listed in the Columbus, OH Business Directory as living at 2218 E 5th Ave. That was probably Bonnie’s while Bob was serving. I invite their children to fill in the blanks and add to this remarkable story. Robert Misner Bixby
After 51 years of marriage, Bob died in Taylors, SC, Feb 1994. Bonnie continued to live in Taylors, SC and died in 2018. What a legacy they have with serving the Lord, music, and family.
Robert and Bonnie Bixby family
From Robert M Bixby Sr. Obituary Taylors, S.C. Robert M Bixby Sr., 71, of 7 Hampshire Drive, died Feb. 2, 1994, at his home. He was a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and spent 16 years in home and foreign missions in Mexico.
He retired from Amamco Precision Machine Co. He was a member of Grace New Testament Baptist Church in Simpsonville and was a US Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Watts Bixby; seven daughters, Faye Jordahl of Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, Eunice Alfaro of Hermasillo Sonora, Mexico, Lois Hutcheson of Clayton, GA, Bonnie Gambrell of Harrisburg, PA, Ruth Marshall of Powdersville, Deborah Dierking of Middletown, PA and Rebecca White of Woodruff; three sons, Robert M Bixby of Bordeaux, France, Stephen A Bixby of Shelby, NC and Paul E Bixby of Alicante, Spain; two sisters Betty Baumgartner of DeLand, FL and Barbara Wilcox of Loma, CO; and a brother, William Bixby of Albuquerque, NM.
Burial in Graceland East Memorial Park
William Elmer Bixby (1927-2017) “the baby” Bill served in the US Navy toward the later part of WWII. I believe by the time he completed his training the war was almost over and he did not leave the USA. Please correct my faulty memory if this is not correct. In 1951 Bill was back in Columbus living with Victor and May Bixby working as an agent for United Insurance. In the summer of 1953 Bill married the love of his life, Joanne McCune, in Columbus, Ohio. Her family lived near New Philadelphia, Ohio. The following year, Linda Joanne Bixby was born in Ohio and 10 Dec 1954, William Bixby Jr (Billy) was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. By mid- 1955 the family had moved back to Ohio near Joanne’s family, Newcomerstown (about 100 miles northeast of Columbus). Her family ran an auction service. Bill worked for them as a clerk at least part of the time and bought a house at auction for $3,575. On 23 Mar 1959, their third child, Sandra Lee Bixby was born there. I believe the family moved and lived for a short time in Salt Lake City Utah where he worked for the Federal Government. Then Bill had a great job opportunity for a promotion and transfer. One option included moving to Albuquerque New Mexico. Joanne told the most hysterically funny story about Bill breaking that news to her and the panic that ensued because she did not want to ‘leave the country and could not speak Spanish’. She admitted she had no idea where New Mexico was. Once they moved there, she loved it.
This is what I think of when I think of Uncle Bill. He is the “horse” giving his nephews and niece a ride. I remember one year when he came to visit in Grand Junction. He had army surplus rubber boat. We inflated it on the lawn and had great fun “floating, paddling, and jumping” on our lawn “river”. I was the “littlest one”, I don’t remember if that boat ever found its way to actual water.
New Mexico
George Morrison, Elizabeth Morrison’s Husband (Dororthy’s younger sister Lib George Morrison registered for the draft 2/14/1942 at age 39. They were living in Colonie, NY (a suburb of Schenectady) where they had lived when married in 1925 and lived since. In 1930 he was still working as a machinist for GE. By 1942 they still lived one street over and George was operating his own Standard Oil Service Station on Maxon Road, Schenectady. Wife Elizabeth (Lib) was 37 years old. They had two children. In 1942: John A Morrison b. 1927 who was 15 DorothyA Morrison b. 1930 who was 12 Edna Morrision b. 1938 who was 4 years old. George did not have to serve in the military. Of note: it amazes me how many “George Morrisons” were born in Scotland in 1915 and immigrated to the U.S. I have had a difficult time “finding” this family in records. They lived the last several years of their lives in or near DeLand Florida near Betty Bixby Baumgartner. After George died, Lib moved to Washington state to live near her daughter.
After the War
Post WWII records are not plentiful. The 1950 census will not be released until 2022. Fewer cities and states were doing business directories. In 1949 Fred and Edna Misner celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary in Florida Fred and Edna Misner moved to Daytona Beach Florida in 1947 and “love it”. They initially lived with Betty and Merle Baumgartner, then later within a mile or two. The article describing their 54th Anniversary reports, “Mrs. Misner who is 75 and has not a single gray hair, is a member of DAR and an ardent bridge enthusiast. Her husband, 78, has been a Mason for 50 years and is a Shriner. Retired now for about 10 years, he was the vice president of Contractor’s Plant Mfgr. Co. in Buffalo”. The rest of the family in 1949 • Marian and Blouch R.Foulk were living in Dayton, Ohio. o Ruth Payton (Marian’s daughter) married Nickols “Nick” Falasco in 1945 who was a carpenter. They lived in Dayton Ohio for the rest of their lives. They had three boys, James, Dale and John Falasco. Nick died in 2003 and Ruth died 18 Aug 2011. They are buried at Miami Valley Memory Garden, Springboro, Ohio. • Elizabeth (Lib) & George Morrison were still living in Schenectady, NY. Their children John A would have been 22 and Dorothy A 20. • Victor and Hazel May Bixby were iving in Grand Junction, Colorado. o Betty and Merle Baumgartner, living in Daytona Beach, Florida; Roger 6, Jim baby. o Barbara and Carrol Wilcox, living in Grand Junction, Colorado; Richard 10, Ronald, 8, Betty Joann 6, Bonny baby o Bob and Bonnie Bixby: I am not sure. I do not believe they were still in Ohio. By 1949 they had four children, Faye 4, Bob 3, Stephen 2 and Eunice baby. o Bill was not yet married. In 1949 I suspect he was out of the Navy. In 1951 he was working for United Insurance as an agent and living with Victor and May at 1870 N 4th St. Columbus, OH. In 1953, he married Joanne McCune in Ohio.
VICTOR ELMER BIXBY, died of a heart attack 21 July 1954 at the age of 59. The notice in an Ohio newspaper read: “Former Marengo Resident Dies Wednesday. Victor Elmer Bixby, aged 59, a former Marengo resident, died in Grand Hospital, Columbus, on Tuesday55 morning following a heart attack. He resided at 1870 N 4th St. Columbus. He was born February 27, 1895 in Springville, N.Y., the son of Elmer and Libbie Potter Bixby He is survived by his widow, May, two daughers, Mrs. Betty Bumgartner of Florida, Mrs. Barbara Wilcox of Grand Juction, Colo., two sons, Robert of Las Vegas, N.M56. and William of Grand Junction, one brother Raymond of Syracuse57, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at the Shaw Davis Funeral Home at Aldridge and High streets in Columbus on Friday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Lester F King officiating. The body will be brought to the Jacob Funeral Home in Marengo Friay night and services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Marengo Methodist church, and burial will be in the Marengo cemetery.”
55 Yes, I know that contradicts the headline, that is what the paper reported. 56 I believe Robert M Bixby was serving as a missionary in Las Vegas New Mexico in 1954. It is the largest, closest town to Mills New Mexico, about 90 miles southwest of where his parents and grandparent Misners lived in Mills NM in 1918 – 1922. Mills is where his two older sisters, Betty and Barbara were born. I wonder if that influenced his decision to go there. 57 I am sure that should be Schenectady, NY Figure 117 Victor Bixby's four children, Bill, Barbara, Betty & Bob 1954
Hazel May Bixby was a widow at the age of 54. She continued to live in Columbus Ohio and work as a saleswoman at Boston Store Annex and living where they had previously lived at 1870 S 4th, Columbus Ohio, at least through 1956. In 1956 her widowed mother, Minnie Steck, came to live with her, Minnie died eight years later at the age of 94 when May was 59. In 1969, Hazel May moved to Mt. Gilead Ohio. That summer she traveled to Albuqueque NM to visit Bill Bixby and his family. Then Bill and Joanne and May all traveled up to Loma, Colorado to visit Barbara and Carrol Wilcox. May Bixby stayed on for a longer visit there. She may well have traveled to visit Betty and Bob, I simply do not have the information. On 14 Jun 1971, Hazel May Bixby died in Mt. Gliead Ohio after a six month illness, she was 66. She was buried in the Marengo Cemetery next to Victor and Dorothy Bixby and in the same cemetery as her parents and undoubtedly other family members.
During the winter of 1954-55, my mom, sister and I rode the California Zephyr (train) from Grand Junction, Colorado to Daytona Beach Florida. Pictured clockwise at 1 o’clock, Barbara Bixby Wilcox, Betty Wilcox, Bonny Wilcox, Jim Baumgartner, Edna Misner, center Fred Misner.
On 13 April 1955, Frederick Beasley Misner died, 82 yrs. Frederick B Misner 82, of 810 S. Grandview Ave., died at 10:15a.m. yesterday at Halifax Hospital. He and his wife, Mrs. Edna Misner, moved here from Marengo Ohio eight years ago. They lived in Marengo many years following his retirement as vice president of the Contractors Plant Manufacturing Company of Buffalo, N.Y. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach and recently celebrated 50 years as a Mason attaining the 32nd degree. He was a member of Lodge No. 209, F&AM of Bellefonte, Ohio and was also a Shriner. Besides his wife, Edna, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. B.R. Faulk, Dayton, Ohio and Mrs. George Morrison, Schenectady, N.Y; eight grandchildren including Mrs. Merle Baumgartner of Daytona Beach; 22 great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Alice McClive and a brother Walter Misner, both of Buffalo, NY Edna Hurd Misner died in Dec 1968 in Dayton Beach, Florida (Ormond Beach). The news clipping reads: “Mrs. Edna Hurd Misner, 93, who claimed to be a descendant of both Revolutionary War Gen. Ethan Allen and Betsy Ross, who made the first American flag, died Wednesday night at the DeVol Nursing Home, DeLand. She lived with a granddaughter, Mrs. Merle Baumgartner, 713 S. Peninsula Drive. She was a native of Buffalo, N.Y. She came here 20 years ago from Bellefontaine, Ohio. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Marian Foulk, Daytona Beach; another daughter58, and eight grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren; and 11 great great grandchildren. Baggett-McIntosh is in charge.”
58 Elizabeth Morrison (Mrs. George Morrison)
Epilogue — the Aunts
EPILOGUE Betty Bixby Baumgartner continued to live in DeLand, Florida. Her grandmother Edna Misner continued to live nearby and rely on Betty for the rest of her life. Edna died Dec 1968 in Florida at the age of 93. Marian Misner Foulk and her husband Blouch R. Foulk moved from Dayton Ohio to DeLand Florida (Ormond Beach) in 1960. Blouch died there in 1966 at the age of 82 and is buried at Volusia Memorial Park Cemetery there. I had the opportunity to visit with Betty and Marian, in the late 1980’s when Marian was in her high 80’s. She had a remarkable mind and memory. She quizzed me about my nieces and nephew dates of birth, etc. questions which I could not answer. She had more facts about them than I. She also wrote poetry and could recite it at great length. Marian continued to live there and rely upon Betty until her death 4 Sep 2004 at the age of 104.
Elizabeth (Lib) and George Morrison also moved from Schenectady NY to DeLand FL after his retirement. When I visited in the late 1980’s I also had a delightful visit with them. They had wonderful photo albums that I am sure I would appreciate much more now, than I could then. Gorge died in Florida 6 Dec 1988 at the age of 86. Sometime after his death, Elizabeth moved to Benton, Washington to be near her daughter. She died there 23 Dec 2005 at the age of 100.
“The Aunts” came to Grand Junction to visit in Feb 1996. Betty Dalley, Betty Baumgartner, Peg Wilcox, Bonny Collins, Barbara Wilcox and Lib Morrison Betty was one of the most gracious and pleasant ladies I have ever known. After her brother-in-law, Carrol Wilcox passed away in 1988, her sister Barbara Bixby Wilcox came to spend the winter with her. After more than 50 years of marriage, Barbara’s grief and loss was profound. Being with her widowed sister and other widows was healing and reaffirming. Betty eventually developed memory loss but continued to be gracious and pleasant. She died, 28 Oct 2010.
ELIZABETHER (BETTY) BIXBY BAUMGARTNER (1917- 2010)
Extra Credit — Maps, Cousins, Index
Extra Credit
Northeast New Mexico Map of location of Victor E Bixby Homestead Land Deed 1922
Ohio maps showing 1. Columbus to Marengo and 2. Marengo to Pagetown
Dorothy attended https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&h ttpsredir=1&article=1004&context=buffstate-historyMuch of the actual development of the Buffalo State Campus School was linked to the development of Buffalo State College which was, originally, named the Buffalo Normal School. The Buffalo Normal School, developed in 1871, was developed, primarily, as a training program for aspiring teachers. A School of Practice was established as an integral part of the academic program. The School of Practice afforded Normal School trainees the opportunity to learn educational teaching strategies through actual, “hands-on” experiences with young children. These experiences were monitored by “Critic” teachers. The tremendous impact that the original School of Practice had on the overall development of the comprehensive liberal arts college now known as SUNY Buffalo State cannot be denied. In the beginning, teacher education was the primary focus of the institution and this emphasis on educating teachers remains as a major drawing card for students applying for admission to the college. Today the academic programs in the School of Education continue to attract large numbers of aspiring teachers enrolled in a wide spectrum of teacher education programs. Whether it was called a Normal School, School of Practice, Training School, Demonstration School, Campus School, College Learning Laboratory, Campus West/College Learning Laboratory, for 120 years teacher education majors at Buffalo State College observed master teachers, practiced their teaching skills, and conducted invaluable research in this highly acclaimed school setting. Also, it should not be forgotten that countless children in Western New York benefited from the state-of- the-art educational programs offered in this unique non-public school setting. Many of the City of Buffalo’s leading citizens received their primary, elementary, and secondary education in this unique setting.
According to information found in a 1912 Elms yearbook, “The School of Practice was organized for the purpose of affording an opportunity for daily observation and teaching of the ordinary school subjects in a regular graded public school by those preparing to become teachers.”
COUSINS Bonnie Bixby and children circa. 2015
Wilcox Siblins, Richard, Ronald, Betty, Bonny circa 2017 I am sorry I do not have any pictures of Bill Bixby’s children Linda, Bill and Sandra together nor Betty Baumgartner’s , Roger and Jim. Perhaps, they can add some
INDEX Barnes, Hannah ............. See Bixby, Hannah Baumgartner, Elizabeth (Betty) (1917- 2010)..... 2, 39, 43, 45, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 71, 73, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 90 Baumgartner, James (Jim) (1949- ) 71, 80, 83, 90 Baumgartner, Merle B (1915-1983) 63, 65, 71, 80 Baumgartner, Roger (1943- ) ... 71, 80, 90 Beasley, Elizabeth (1845-1917)See Misner, Elizabeth Beasley (1845-1917) Bixby, Barbara (1920-1996) ..... See Wilcox, Barbara Joyce (1920-1996) Bixby, Barnes (1785-1875) ....................... 4 Bixby, Bonnie ................. 74, 75, 76, 80, 90 Bixby, Dorothy Hurd (1896-1931) 1, 15, 16, 17, 22, 24, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 45, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 82, 88 Bixby, Edward (1744-1816) ...................... 4 Bixby, Elizabeth (Betty) ) See Baumgartner, Elizabeth (Betty) Bixby, Elmer Barnes (1866-1939) .. 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 36, 43, 46, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58, 64 Bixby, Faye, Robert M, Stephen A, Eunice, Lois, Paul E., Bonnie, Ruth, Deborah, Becky .................................................. 75 Bixby, Hannah .......................................... 5 Bixby, Hazel May (1905-1971) .. 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 80, 82 Bixby, Joanne ............................. 77, 80, 82 Bixby, Joseph (1621-1701) ............. 4, 5, 93 Bixby, Libbie A (1865-1939) .... 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 36, 43, 52, 54, 56, 58, 64, 66, 81 Bixby, Linda Joanne (1954- ) ......... 77, 90 Bixby, Mabel Ann (1892-1971) .. 54, 64, 66 Bixby, Margaret Ellen (1917-2008) ....... See Kearney, Margaret E Bixby, Mary E (1854-1941) ..................... 11 Bixby, Raymond Burdell (1914-1991) ... 12, 13, 14, 15, 54, 64, 66, 70 Bixby, Raymond Otis (1892-1961) .... 9, 10, 12, 14, 36, 43, 54, 64, 69 Bixby, Robert (Bob) Misner (1922-1994) 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 65, 75, 76, 81, 82 Bixby, Salome (1824-1896) .................. 6, 9 Bixby, Sandra Lee (1959- ) ................... 77 Bixby, Victor Elmer (1895-1954) . 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 21, 35, 36, 39, 40, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 77, 80, 81, 82, 86 Bixby, William (1824-1893) .............. 5, 6, 9 Bixby, William (Bill) Elmer (1927-2017) .. 2, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 73, 77, 78, 80, 82, 90 Bixby, William (Billy) (1955- ) .............. 77 Clark, Dulcena E ......... See Hurd, Dulcena E Clough, Salome ............. See Bixby, Salome Collins, Bonny Jeann (1948- ) .... 1, 68, 74, 80, 83, 85, 90 Connecticut ............................................ 24 Dalley, Betty Joann............... 68, 73, 74, 85 England ........................................1, 4, 5, 24 Falasco, Ruth . 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 65, 80 Florida ..... 12, 13, 36, 71, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84 Foulk, Marian (1900-2004) . 33, 35, 39, 42, 47, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 63, 65, 73, 80, 83, 84 Great Depression ........... 12, 58, 59, 60, 64 Hurd ....................................................... 23 Hurd, Adam (1611- ).............................. 24 Hurd, Alice M (1870-1932) ......... 29, 32, 33 Hurd, Bertha (1874-1880 ....................... 29
Hurd, Charles Augustus (1844-1902) .... 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 39 Hurd, Chauncy Miller (1880-1940) ........ 29 Hurd, Clark Weed (1806-1894) .. 24, 27, 28 Hurd, Dulcena (1813-1901) .............. 24, 28 Hurd, Edna ..................... See Misner, Edna Hurd, Florence (1873-1946) ................... 29 Hurd, John, 1640 .................................... 24 Hurd, Mary E (1844-1917) ... 29, 33, 34, 39 Kearney, Grace ....................................... 13 Kearney, Margaret E .12, 13, 14, 15, 54, 66 Massachusetts ......................... 4, 5, 19, 29 Massachusetts Bay Colony ....................... 4 McCune, Joanne ............. See Bixby, Joanne Miller, Mary E ................. See Hurd, Mary E Misner .................................................... 17 Misner, Catherine Lee (1813-1879) ....... 19 Misner, David M (1810-1883) ................ 19 Misner, Dorothy Hurd (1896-1931) 36, See Bixby, Dorothy Misner, Edith (1903-abt1908) ... 20, 33, 35, 39, 42, 47, 49, 50, 54, 56 Misner, Edna (1875-1968) .. 20, 21, 22, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65, 71, 73, 80, 83, 84 Misner, Elizabeth (Lib) ......... See Morrison, Elizabeth (Lib) Misner, Elizabeth Beasley (1845-1917) 20, 21, 22, 39 Misner, Frederick Beasley (1872-1955) 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65, 71, 80, 83 Misner, George Martin (1839-1926)19, 20, 21, 22, 34, 46 Misner, Marian .............. See Foulk, Marian Misner, Willard Lee (1874-1949) .... 21, 22, 33, 34 Morrison, Dorothy A ............ 58, 65, 79, 80 Morrison, Edna (1938-...) ....................... 73 Morrison, Elizabeth (Lib) (1905-2005) .. 39, 42, 47, 50, 54, 56, 58, 65, 73, 79, 80, 85 Morrison, George (1915-abt1992) .. 54, 56, 58, 65, 79, 80, 83, 84 Morrison, John A ........................ 58, 65, 79 New Hampshire........................................ 4 New Mexico . 13, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 77, 78, 81, 82, 86 New York 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, 43, 44, 46, 47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 64, 65, 66, 69, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 88 Ohio .... 4, 17, 19, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 87 Payton, Marian ... See Foulk, Marian (1900- 2004) Payton, Ruth ................... See Falasco, Ruth Potter, Libbie A . See Bixby, Libbie A (1865- 1939) Puritans .................................................... 4 Rumsey, Mabel Ann (1892-1971) ......... See Bixby, Mabel Ann (1892-1971) Steck, Hazel May ...... See Bixby, Hazel May Watts, Bonnie Bligh ........ See Bixby, Bonnie Wilcox, Barbara Joyce (1920-1996) .. 2, 48, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 72, 73, 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85 Wilcox, Betty Joann ......... See Dalley, Betty Joann Wilcox, Bonny Jeann ..... See Collins, Bonny Jeann Wilcox, Carrol S (1916-1988) .... 57, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 72, 73, 74, 80, 82, 85 Wilcox, Richard Bixby (1938- ) 64, 66, 68, 72, 73, 74 Wilcox, Ronald Sherman (1941- ) . 68, 72, 73, 74 Wisconsin ................................... 17, 19, 22
Endnotes
Note about the Endnotes: I acknowledge these references do not stand up to APA standards for publication… this is intended to be a family story. I’ve given you links to references and some interesting additional information. 1 https://archive.org/details/genealogyofdesce00bixb
Published in 1913, extensive research of genealogy of Joseph Bixby This book is in the public domain digitized in the Internet Archive. It includes a ‘searchable text’ feature. It includes information about the first Bixby to America in the 1630’s and documented generations after that up to 1900.
2 History of Francestown, N. H., from its earliest settlement April, 1758, to January 1, 1891. With a brief genealogical record of all the Francestown families by Cochrane, Warren Robert, 1835-1912; Wood, G. K. (George K.), Joint author Publication date 1895 https://archive.org/details/historyoffrances00coch_0/page/516/mode/2up/search/Bixby
Clark Week Hurd history Buffalo Newspaper Oct 1891 copied from the Hurd Museum in Elma NY
4 Clark Weed Hurd, “History of the City of Buffalo and Errie County, ed. H. Perry Smith, 188 4 Vol 1, pags. 497- 498 “The Centeries of Elma”, E.F. Sigman, 1956 pags. 101-102, 135, 172 For more depth of information for Elma NY https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofe00jack/page/62/mode/2up/search/Clark+W+Hurd
5 Hurd, Allen J Enlisted 8 Aug 1861, age 19 for 3 years in A Company, 44th NY Volunteers in the Civil War. He entered at the rank of Corpl. One year later, 30 Aug 1862, he was taken prisoner during the last day of the 2nd Battle of Bull Run at Groveton, VA. During Sept-Nov 1862 he is listed as a “Paroled Prisoner at Annapolis”. By Feb 1863 documents refer to him as “Sergt.” And by April 10, 1863 he is present as Sergeant . On July 2, 1863 he was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, and 11 days later died of his wounds. “As he arrived on Little Round Top, Colonel Vincent chose a line of defense that started on the west slope of the hill. When the first regiments reached the rocky outcrops in that area, Vincent put them into line. The 16th Michigan took up a position on the right flank, and the 44th New York and 83rd Pennsylvania held the center. Later in life, Chamberlain wrote that his regiment was the first in line, but it actually took up its position last, curving its line back around to the east and forming the Union Army’s extreme left flank.” https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/defense-little-round-top
6 EDulcena E. Clark Hurd obituary, 1901
7
8 Buffalo Times, 22 Apr 1916
Continued Bixby – Misner Wedding continued, Buffalo Times 22 Apr 1916
Continued Misner-Bixby Wedding 22 Apr 1916
Carrol S. and Barbara J. Wilcox work & travel record from Jun 1941 – early 1944 (WWII)
1941 • Mar 17, 1941 Ron S. Wilcox, born in Grand Junction, CO • Jun 27-29 he made $30 in Ohio. (Richard would have been not quite 3 yrs & Ron 3months). Either he was working 2 jobs with overlapping time periods for a few weeks, or mom has the early dates wrong in late May/June. • Jul 7 – Oct 23, He was carpenter 1408 at Hunkin-Conkey Construction on the Ravenna Arsenal Project near Akron Ohio. He earned anywhere from $55 to a high of $83 per wk (avg $70). https://www.kentohio.net/kent-history/ravenna-arsenal-had-explosive-effect-on-the-county https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&hl=en&q=Congressional+Record+1941%2C+A2669% 2C+Ravenna+Arsenal%2C+Hunkin-Conkey+Construction I found a few interesting items about that company and arsenal at that time. Unfortunately, I can’t pull up the whole Congressional Review notes about the testimony about unions, wages, etc. in 1941 at that plant. Perhaps that’s why he left….
The next work listed after that was: • Dec 2-28 as a carpenter in Texarkana, (Lone Star Ordnance (Army Ammunition Plant), Hooks, Texas) making abt $45 a wk for those 4 wks.
1942 • Jan – Feb they were still in Texarkana making an avg of $60/ wk Interesting: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/dml01 http://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/Hooks-Texas.htm This site is also listed as an ‘official’ Asbestos Site by a law firm soliciting prev. employees… • Mar – Apr Las Vegas making abt. $65 (wide variation $34-$96) • Apr 17, ($15), Apr 24 ($26) Colorado Springs • May 2-Nov 11: Marian Ohio avg. $63/wk • Nov 18-Jan 21, 1943 Dayton, Ohio avg. abt. $58 (again wide variation $42-$84)
1943 • Jan 26 – Mar 23 Vandalia, Ohio (10 miles north of Dayton OH) 6.5 miles from Phoneton, OH) He worked for Marshbank, I can’t find out anything about them. • Feb 13, 1943 Betty J. Wilcox born in “Troy” Ohio. Troy is the county seat and may be where the birth is registered (It is on the birth certificate), not necessarily the town where they were living. Richard believes they were living in Phoneton, Ohio when Betty was born. (very near Troy, in the same county both north of Dayton, OH). • Mar 31 – Oct 13 it is unclear where they are, but working for 3 different people/companies (Johnson, Blair,…?) making more $$, (avg abt. $80’s/wk huge variation $57-$144 wk) • Dec back in Marian, OH only $88 for the month
1944
• Jan 3-19 back at Hunkin-Conkey carpenter #944. Ravenna Arsenal, near Akron OH Abt $90/wk , but only 3 wks…. That is the END of the record
THEY MUST HAVE HEADED BACK TO GRAND JUNCTION, IF THEY WERE HOME April 1945 when FDR died… This is the time line I can make out from the hand written Social Security records.
9
Written by Bonny (Wilcox) Collins · complete and verbatim
Bixby Side Trip — How the Bixbys Reached Marengo
BIXBY SIDE TRIP
I am going to take a side trip here to the Bixby family line. Here is a question to which I have been looking for an answer. How did the Bixby’s end up in, Marengo, Ohio (Delaware County)? The Bixby migration began in Massachusetts (mid-1600’s) to New Hampshire to Western New York State over a period of about 250 years. Both Victor Elmer Bixby and Dorothy Misner Bixby were born and raised in Western, New York state, graduating from High School in Buffalo New York. After high school Victor went to Eastern Florida (Gainesville?) to college. In 1916 he returns to Buffalo, NY. In following their movements, it is helpful to also keep track of Dorothy’s parents, Fred & Edna Misner. Early the Victor Bixby family live with the Misner’s; later the Misner’s frequently follow and live with or near one or the other daughters (Betty or Barbara) for the rest of the Misner’s lives. Here is a brief timeline of the Bixby movements after that:
Buffalo, New York, 1916 Victor Elmer Bixby marries Dorothy Hurd Misner (Misner’s in Buffalo)
Mills, New Mexico 1916 family business venture ranch: Fred & Edna Misner’s (Dorothy’s family) owned the ranch. The previous year, 1915, they were still living in Buffalo, NY and Fred was recorded as a manager of a business. In 1920, Fred & Edna are on the ranch with two daughters, Edith, 17 and Lib (Elizabeth) 14. And two servants, 69 female and 18 yr. old male, both from New York. Family lore also indicates Fred Misner from Buffalo, NY (which was one of the largest cities of the US at the time who had previously been management of businesses, knew little to nothing about farming/cattle ranching in the west. It appears, his 18-year-old ‘servant/laborer’ was also from New York.
Elizabeth (Betty) 1916 and Barbara Bixby (1920) were born in Mills, New Mexico
Family legend has it all the wealth from the cattle were lost in a significant fall in the beef market during the time this farm’s cattle were in transit to the market place. By the time they arrived, the prices had dropped to the point it jeopardized the farm itself.
Wichita Falls, Tx (some time after 1916 Victor and Dorothy moved to Texas where Victor had a job as a bookkeeper according to the 1920 census taken Jan 30th) by Sept 17 of of that year, they were back with Dorothy’s parents in Mills, NM where Barbara was born.
Schenectady, New York 1922: Victor’s brother Raymond and his father Elmer Bixby and families were settled in Schenectady. Robert (Bob) was born there in 1922. Victor’s family lived there until 1925.
Columbus, Ohio 1926: Early enough to get their names into the 1926 City Directory, the family had moved to 1288 Genesee Ave, Columbus, Ohio. Fourth child, William, was born there in 1927. In the 1930 census and they were still at that address. In 1930, I believe the depression has depleted family resources for the Misner’s and Bixby’s. The Misner’s, Dororthy’s sister, Marion and Marion’s 8 yr old daughter, Ruth all live with Victor as Head of House. Victor and Edna (his mother-in-law) were the only ones employed.
UP TO THIS POINT I CAN’T FIND ANY BIXBY CONNECTION TO MARENGO, DELAWARE COUNTY OR THE WILCOX’S
1930 Census, April: Columbus Ohio
1288 Genessee Ave: BIXBY, Victor, 34, was Head of House. Dorothy, wife, 33, children Betty, 12, Barbara, 9, Robert, 7, and William, 2 6/12 are at 1288 Genessee Ave, Columbus, Ohio. Living with them were Dorothy’s father and mother, Fred & Edna Misner; Dorothy’s sister, Marion Payton 29 and Marion’s daughter, Ruth 8 years old. Victor was managing a dry-cleaners, mother-in-law Edna was working as a saleslady there. Father-in-law, Fred, was listed as a Proprietor of Machine Manufacturing, but currently unemployed.
1280 Genessee Ave: Vera (WILCOX) Cross, 28 & Norton Cross, 27 and 4 4/12-year-old son, Clarence (Kenneth) are renting a house (not farm) at 1280 Genesee Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Vera gave birth to their daughter, Marilyn a few days after the census interview. Norton was working as a brakeman on the steam railroad.
They are two doors from each other. They are close in age (Vera 28, Dorothy 33). They both have young children at home, Vera gave birth to her 2nd baby during this time. Dorothy came from the city and wealth, but recently on a ranch in NM; Vera was raised on a farm and now lives in the city. Did they even know each other? Were they friends? Did they attend the same church? The Bixby’s had lived at that address for at least 2 years; Vera and family had just moved in within the last year and by 1931 had moved to 328 N. Harris Ave (20 miles away).
Less than twenty months later, the Bixby’s had moved to Bennington Township, Morrow County (3 miles south of Marengo Ohio). Did Vera introduce them to her home town? Or did they never even talk to each other?
Page 104 of the Buffalo Address Book and Family Directory, 1909–1910, as the family saved it · complete and verbatim
The Bixbys at 118 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, 1909
Buffalo Address Book and Family Directory 1909-1910
http://nyheritage.nnyln.net/cdm/ref/collection/VTP003/id/5406
82
Delaware Avenue
DELAWARE AVENUE
(Church Street)
10 Mr.& Mrs. William Hunt
Municipal Building 46 Mr.& Mrs.Frank Campin
Mr. Philip Klippel
Mr.George Klippel
Mr.George Fellows 50 Mr.JohnTJ.White
Miss Leila W.White
(West Eagle Street)
62 Queen City Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Mr.Byron A.ChurchiII,Supt. Mr.Henry C.Grahame,Deputy Miss Rose Lebowit.Secretary Miss Catherine Roberts, Matron "The HamM", Mrs.Delia Collins Mrs. Ella Fenno Mr.& Mrs.Daniel J.Mullen Mr. Mrs.Charles Messing Mr.& Mrs.Frank J.KoIb Miss Florence Kolb Mr.& Mrs.Charles Shomers
64 Mrs.Charles A.Owens Mr.John A.Irish Mr.Joseph D.Tully Mr.& Mrs.George A.Swanz Mr.Edwin P.Swanz Miss Frances E.Swanz Mr.& Mrs.Hubert Kcan Mr.& Mrs.John Curtiss Miss Martha Curtiss Mr.& Mrs.G.T.Plumstead Mr. Wells T.Plumstead Mr.& Mrs.John C. Nicolai
86 The Women's Educational & .Industrial Union
(Niagara Square)
98 Vacant 110 Mr.& Mrs.Sidney U.Smith
Miss Ethel Smith 116 Mrs.Angeline Bloss
Miss Maude Bloss
118 Mr.& Mrs.Elmer B.Bixby
Mr.Raymond O.Bixby
Mr.Victor E.Bixby
Miss Mary Bixby
Miss Ella Cushman
(Mohawk Street)
138 Mr.William H.Leonard
Mrs.Anna Stevens
Mrs.Florence French
Public School No. 10
Buffalo Consistory A. A.S.R. 168 Mr.John Blocher
Miss Ida M. Blocher
(Terrace) St. Joseph's College (Church Street) -City Hall (West Eagle Street) (Niagara Square) The McKinley Monument (Mohawk Street)
Page 104