Family:Whitney, John Leroy (1834-1918)
John Leroy Whitney (Jacob M., James), son of Jacob M. and Nellie (Freeman) Whitney, was born 24 Jan 1834, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY, and died 27 Feb 1918, Kissimmee, Osceola Co., FL. He was buried Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY.
He married: (1) 23 Jul 1868, Caroline E. Dann, daughter of Harvey and Calista (Tanner) Dann, born 26 Nov 1836, Downsville, Delaware Co., NY, and died 11 Jan 1899, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; (2) 10 Oct 1900, Catherine Wilkomm. No children.
The family lived at Union Grove until 1893. Mr. Whitney was an enterprising farmer (360 acres) who also did some lumbering business and bought and sold cattle. He was prominent in the political and other affairs of his town [Andes] and county [Delaware], but never aspired to office. About 1865 he was made town superintendent of highways, and during his incumbency built a wooden bridge across the Delaware River at Jacksonburgh, near Arena, New York. In 1893 Mr. Whitney sold the farm and planned to move to Washington County, Kansas, where he had purchased a farm adjoining that of his brother James Whitney. He finally decided to remain in the East, and purchased a farm near Downsville, N.Y., and lived there until 1915. He and his wife then moved to Kissimmee, FL, for health reasons. Contributory cause of death: a severe cold. In his personal religious life he was deeply spiritual and devoutly consistent, according to his obituary.
1910 Census states his father, Jacob (of unknown parentage), born Connecticut; but this has never been substantiated.
Children of John Leroy and Caroline (Dann) Whitney:
i. Arthur Stuart Whitney, b. 20 Jul 1870; d. 25 Feb 1878, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; bur. Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY. ii. Harvey Dann Whitney, b. 6 Mar 1872; d. 10 Jan 1873, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; bur. Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY. iii. John Howard Whitney, b. 12 Feb 1873, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; m. 23 June 1898, Bertha Lydia Wheat; d. 28 Aug 1940; bur. Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY. iv. Homer Freeman Whitney, b. 20 Mar 1874, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; m. (1) 28 Aug 1900, Lelah B. White; (2) before 1920, Julia F. ______; d. 1943, Dade Co., FL. v. Florence Emeline Whitney, b. 23 Feb 1877; d. 8 Apr 1877; bur. Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY. vi. Clarence Edward Whitney, b. 31 May 1878, Union Grove, Delaware Co., NY; m. 17 Jun 1902, Jennette Wilson; d. 6 Oct 1952, Buckley, Pierce Co., WA.
Census
2662 Calvin Madison 34 M - Farmer N.Y. Margaret " 26 F - " John " 1 M - " William Whitney 28 M - Farmer $2000 " Henry " 26 M - " $2000 " Eli " 22 M - Labourer " John " 16 M - " "
485 488 John Whitney 26 M - Farmer $1000 [N.Y.] Jacob M. Whitney 60 " - Shingle Maker [N.Y.] Nelly 53 F - [N.Y.]
16 Frame $300 16 William R. Whitney 39 M - ---- Ulster - 1 1 - - Farmer 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - Margaret Whitney 39 F - Wife Delaware 9 1 1 - - Chancey Whitney 3 M - Chld " - - - - - John Whitney 29 M - Brot " - - - - 1 Farmer George Whitney 25 M - " " - - - - 1 Soldier
219 228 Whitney, John 36 M W Farmer $1200 $850 New York Male citizen over 21 -----, Caraline 33 F W Keeping House New York
221 Frame $2000 221 John Whitney 41 M - ---- Del. m Farmer - 1 - - 1 - Carrie " 38 F - Wife " m House Keeper Arthur S. " 4 M - Son " - - Howard " 2 M - " " - - Homer " 1 M - " " - -
John WHITNEY 46 Self M M W NY Farmer NY NY Carrie D. WHITNEY 43 Wife F M W NY Keeping House PA PA John H. WHITNEY 7 Son M S W NY NY NY Homar F. WHITNEY 5 Son M S W NY NY NY Clarence E. WHITNEY 2 Son M S W NY NY NY
- 1892 New York State Census, Andes, Delaware Co., NY, E.D. 3, p. 6:
John Whitney M 58 - United States C. Farmer Carrie D. Whitney F 56 - " C. J. Howard Whitney M 20 - " C. Teacher Homer Whitney M 18 - " C. Clarence Whitney M 14 - " C.
80 87 Hunter, Silas E. Head W M Jul 1840 59 mar 7 New York New York New York U.S. Mail Carrier, Farmer, Owns free farm -----, Hellen J. Wife W F Oct 1850 49 mar 7 0ch 0liv New York New York New York Whitney, John Brdr W M Jan 1834 66 wid New York New York New York Drover
- 1910, River Road south side, Colchester, Delaware Co., NY, p. 13A/66:
225 255 Whitney, John L. Head M W 77 mar2 9 New York Connecticut New York Farmer General farm, Owns free farm -----, Catherine Wife F W 50 mar1 9 0ch 0liv New York Germany Germany
- 1915 New York State Census, not found; apparently in Florida at that time.
References
- Notes of son, John Howard Whitney, 1920s.
- Copy of death certificate, Office of Vital Statistics, Reg. No. 1980, State Board of Health of Florida.
- Obituary published in Kissimmee, FL, newspaper March 1, 1918.
Copyright © 2011, 2021, Helen Rogers; 2013, Sally Whitney Goodfellow, and the Whitney Research Group.
