1860. John Conger
John CongerPARENTS: Potter Conger and Lucy Sackett
Problem: Was the date of death, 30 May 1853 or 30 Nov 1853? Both listed, in CFA I.
RESIDENCES: St. Albans, VT; Cleveland, OH; Boston, OH
RESIDENCES: John Conger, 1803, built a brick home in 1844 at Peninsula, OH. It was restored in 1969 by his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Laura (Conger) Bender and her husband, who subsequently lived there.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 41a - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
BIOGRAPHY: John Conger, father of John C. [Conger], was born in September 1805 at St. Albans, VT and learned to work on the farm and the trade of making brick. He married Hannah Beals, who was a daughter of Enoch and Hannah (Hulburt) Beals, and was born in Massachusetts in 1805 on a farm, but was reared one and a half miles from St. Albans whither her parents had removed and there lived [and] died.John Conger and wife lived in St. Albans five years, where he was employed on the farm and brickmaking. In 1833, he came to Ohio and clerked in Cleveland for Ira Jewell, where he was joined by his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children, Sidney P. and George S. the latter an infant who died at three years of age.
In 1834 he moved to Boston, Ohio and went into partnership with Silas Eaton and established a yard for the manufacturing of brick. In 1844, and for several years thereafter, he was also in company with Erastus Jackson in the manufacture of brick in the same town.
Mr. and Mrs. Conger were the parents of: Sidney P.; Sandford L.; George S.; John C.; Arthur; and Lucy.
Mr. Conger was postmaster of Boston under Polk and Pierce; also was constable and trustee. He was frequently administrator of estates, and called upon to arbitrate differences between disagreeing neighbors. He had been a captain of artillery in Vermont, was much interested in the military service in Ohio, and was one time captain of a company in this state. Politically he was a man of marked influence, was a well known pioneer, and much respected for his sterling integrity.
He died, aged forty-eight years, in 1853.
(Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Portage and Summit Counties, [Ohio], p. 725-727 - The Conger Family of America, Vol. II, p. 134 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RECOLLECTIONS: From the Akron, Ohio "Beacon Journal," 22 Aug 1969 - "125 Years Old but Restored ... Historic Conger Home Even Better Than New"Brickmaker John Conger's 125-year-old red brick house overlooking the Cuyahoga Valley is getting an elegant new lease on life.
For a year and a half restoration of Conger's house atop a hill at 6376 Riverview Road has been a labor of love for his great-grandaugther, Elizabeth (Conger) Bender. Renovation of the 1844 landmark house has also brought together a lot of modern day craftsmen.
Results of the project, as meticulously executed as a Williamsburg, VA, restoration, will be shown Sunday evening at a party given by Mrs. Bender and her husband, Henry G.
There is much to see, both old and new, in the neat red brick house with white painted wooden trim. The floors are eye-cathchers. Original oak and ash wood are in the front rooms. An upstairs bedroom has a refurbished poplar floor with various shades of green. New walnut flooring and wainscotting decorate a ground level family room where a second John Conger once hung wild animal pelts. The wood came from trees on the Bender's property next door.
Workmen reglazed every window in the house. Three old fireplaces were unbricked and a fourth new one built.
"We didn't change a single wall in the house," recalls Mrs. Bender. "New walls were put in, but none taken out."
A kitchen-garage annex was built on the north side, nestled behind a gnarled arborvitae and looking as if old John Conger had made it with his own bricks. Ceilings were lowered to conceal the pipes for new plumbing and heating. On the second floor, a minitub was installed by changing a doorway, and a big clothes closet became a bathroom with shower.
Outside, near a giant catalpa tree is a stone water trough that once sat on the McDevitt property at Ohio 303 and Riverview Road in downtown, Penisula. Inside shutters in the family room came from a Center Street house once owned by Peninsula's storekeeping family, the Woods.
Mrs. Bender is quick to credit many persons for helping with the restoration project. Planning started with Robert Hunker, North Summitt environmental design consultant and Charles Willits, Hudson architect who specializes in heritage projects. Richfieldite Buel Davidson's carpenters handled the woodwork while Elmer Luther, also of Richfield, did some brickwork.
It was a brickmaking business that John Conger started when he came from St. Albans, Vermont. He was postmaster, constable and trustee before his death at age 48 in 1853.
The next year his widow, Hannah, married his brickmaker partner, Erastus Jackson.
The last Conger to live in the house was Nellie, widow of the namesake son of the original John Conger (grandson, John Croghan Conger, 1883). The house and adjoining land were purchased by a lawyer, neighbor, Ernest Genovese, from her heirs. The Benders bought the house and grounds from Genovese two years ago after he boarded it up to protect a landmark in his hometown.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 291-292 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RECOLLECTIONS: Conger Home
Other notes about the house state that John Conger's son, John Croghan Conger, 1835, lived in the house and his son, John Croghan Conger, 1883, was born and died in the house. The latter's daughters, Eunice (Halls) and Charlotte (Arnold) were also born there. Nine Conger children were born there between 1868 and 1923.Stone was used from the local quarry. Irregular fitted stones are in the foundation and there are brick pillar supports ... blue glass in trefoil of Gothic window; all glass original but one pane (where a courting cat jumped through).
Description of the front hallway: Greek Pediments, Tuscan arches over colored glass front doorway ... woodwork handcarved (not plaster cast). Doors taper as do all in house (as Greek Parthenon columns do) ... corner piece ornaments like on the Parthenon.
Exterior American Gothic; not railroad Gothic or Gingerbread. A picture of the house was in the Summit County Atlas of 1874, listed as the home of Erastus Jackson -- 2nd husband of Hannah Beals Conger.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 292 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Hannah BealsBIRTH-CONFLICT: 1 Nov 1802; 1 Nov 1805 is clear on the tombstone photograph.
(Source: FindAGrave)MARRIAGE: About 1854, widow Hannah Conger married Erastus Jackson who had been a partner of John Conger in the brick making business.
CEMETERY:
Hannah Beals Conger Jackson
Birth: Nov. 1, 1805
Goshen
Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
Death: Dec. 22, 1893, Summit County, Ohio, USADaughter of Enoch Beals and Hannah Hurlbut.
Widowed from John Conger on November 30, 1853.
Married her husband's former business partner, Erastus Jackson, in June of 1854.Family links:
Children:
Lucy Jeannette Conger Cole (1848 - 1924)**Calculated relationship
Burial:
Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio, USA
(Source: FindAGrave)
4233. George Shepherd Conger
George Shepherd CongerPARENTS: John Conger and Hannah Beals
DEATH: Died at the age of 3 years.
Eliza Lyle CraneRECOLLECTIONS: As of Jan 2001, Franklin Potter Conger was the owner of a "small individual soap box made of metal, probably pewter, with the engraved name of "Eliza Conger." He asked Richard Henthorn if he might know who she was. Richard suggested that she was probably the great grandmother of Franklin Potter Conger, Eliza Lyle (Crane) Conger.
Henry BealsRELATIONSHIP: His grandfather, Adam Beals, participated in the Boston Tea Party. [No source citation. REH] (CFA I, p. 700)
1881. Abel Potter Conger
Abel Potter CongerPARENTS: Abel Conger and Phoebe Doris Stratton
REFERENCE: CFA I, p. 427, not in alpahbetic order.
AKA: Probably called, Potter.
BIOGRAPHY: On page 3 of the booklet printed by Ivan A. Conger, 1969, we are told.
"Abel Potter Conger moved to Dickinson when twelve years old and lived there the remainder of his life. He was baptized by Rev. Benjamin Bundy and united with the Freewill Baptist Church at Dickinson in 1854. About three years later he married Trephene Winslow, who died in 1859. He later married Claria Wilson. He was the father of two sons and two daughters."He was noted as a home man, endeavoring to make his family happy and their surroundings pleasant. He was seldom absent from the home circle. He was a faithful attendant at religious worship until compelled by a painful disease to deprive himself of these means of grace. As far as his means would allow he dispensed with a cheerful hand for the relief of the poor and suffering. He, with his companion, was a great lover of company, which they entertained liberally. His last sickness was protracted and exceedingtly painful, yet he enduring all with Christian meekness and fortitude. Just before he expired he requested his companion to read to him once more the word of God. After the reading a short prayer was offered, in which he joined and he soon after passed to the spirit land. Rev. R. Parks officiated at the funeral, assisted by Rev. Nelson Ramsdell." (From the obituary in the family Bible.) [Note: Some of the dates listed do not match the full, day, month, and year as listed in CFA I.]
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 427-428 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RESIDENCES-QUESTION: It is said that he lived in Dickinson from the age of 12 and spent the rest of his life there. Where is Dickinson located? Was this Dickinson, Franklin Co., NY?
Mary I. JewellDEATH-HEALTH_HISTORY: Died in 1853 of consumption, CFA I, p. 427 lists the year as 1854.
Trephene WinslowDEATH: 3 Dec 1856 at age 29, CFA II, p. 721
AKA: Trephene (Tryphena), CFA II, p. 721
SPOUSE: Trephene Winslow was the 2nd spouse of Able Potter Conger
Claria WilsonAKA: Clara on p. 721, CFA II.
SPOUSE: 3rd spouse of Abel Potter Conger
4250. Nettie Diana Conger
Nettie Diana CongerPROBLEM-DEATH: CFA II, p. 716 says the death date of 1 Jun 1862 probably was the death date of his sister, Nettit [sic].
DEATH: 1 Jun 1862, verified at Old Cemetery, St. Regis Falls, Franklin Co., NY
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. II, p. 721 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
1882. Job Conger
Job CongerPARENTS: Abel Conger and Phoebe Doris Stratton
NAME-CONFLICT: Job A. Conger (CFA II, p. 718)
Problem: What was the birth date of Job Conger. Page 6 of CFA I, lists 8 Mar 1817. Page 279 of CFA I, lists 9 Oct 1819 at Dickinson, NY and then goes on to state, "The Bible records of Kenneth L. Conger give Job's birth date as, 8 Mar 1817. Job Conger, b. 1817, not 1819 (CFA II, p. 718)
Problem: Was the date of death, 20 May 1898 as listed on p. 6 of CFA I, or 23 May 1898 as listed on p. 279 of CFA I? "d. 23 May 1898, not 20 May," CFA II, p. 713.
RESIDENCES: Franklin Co., New York; Davison, MI
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Member of Freewill Baptist Chruch
RECOLLECTIONS: Ivan Albert Conger, 1929, compiled data on the descendants of Job Conger.According to his booklet, the first three children of Job and Harriet Conger were born in Franklin county, New York. In 1847, they moved to a little settlement in Michigan's forest, known as Davison Station, locating on Section 14. "Here this courageous young couple, enduring the hardships and privations of those early pioneers, carved a home for themselves and all their children in this sparsely settled community.
"Many are the stories that have been told of their early experiences. For instance, there was the twice a year trip with ox-team to Pontiac to have wheat ground into flour. This long, tedious journey of approximately 35 miles one way took four or five days to complete.
"While on one of these trips Job Conger was thrown from his wagon and his right arm was broken, leaving him a cripple the rest of his life. Returning home from this trip, he found a pair of twin babies had been born to them.
"Hard work was no stranger in this household. Flax was grown and then followed the processing of it into linen thread from which cloth was woven. Specimens of flax and cloth are now in existence. From the cloth, Harriet Conger made clothing for her family, doing all of the sewing by hand. Sheep were also raised and their fleece of wool were cleaned, carded, etc., and finally spun into yarn from which socks and mittens were knitted for the entire family. It was from his own forge and anvil that Job shod his horses and did other blacksmithing jobs around the farm.
"Small groups of Indians often paid a friendly visit to this pioneer home, trading baskets in exchange for something the Conger household had to offer. Stories are told of the Indian women comparing their little papooses with Harriet's white papooses.
"As the years passed by, prosperity crowned the efforts of this worthy couple. The log buildings gave place to frame structures. About 1873, a beautiful new house was built and "The Old Conger Homestead" stood as a landmark until destroyed by fire in November 1928.
"Job and Harriet Conger celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary May 29, 1892, at which time all of their seven children and their families were present.
"Job and his wife were leaders of the community in which they lived. They were charter members of the Freewill Baptist Church, helping to build the first Baptist Church in Davison [, WI], where they were very active members as long as health permitted. He was one of a group of men who organized the first school district in that community."
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 279 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Harriet Jane JewellCHURCH_AFFILIATION: member of Freewill Baptist Church
NAME-CONFLICT: Harriet Jewel & Harriet Jewell (CFA I, p. 279)
1884. Harrison Gershom Conger
Harrison Gershom CongerPARENTS: Abel Conger and Phoebe Doris Stratton
DEATH: 22 May 1898 (CFA I, p. 6); "d. 21 May 1898 -- 48 hours earlier than his brother Job." (CFA II, p. 713)
1898. Olive E. Conger
Olive E. CongerPARENTS: Oliver Conger and Hannah Wood
Manus Morse HarveyBIRTH-CONFLICT: CFA reports Manus Harvey, b. 25 Feb 1801 at Bangor, NY. LDS filmed records indicate, Manus Morse Harvey, b. 24 Feb 1801 at Windsor Twp., Windsor Co., VT.
4267. Rufus T. Harvey
Rufus T. HarveyMILITARY: A Rufus Harvey enlisted in August 1862, occupation farmer, Private, then Corporal. He was wounded at Petersburg, VA and died on 20 Jun 1864 on a hospital boat near Fort Monroe, VA. He was buried at Hampton National Cemetery, VA, Section E, Grave 453.
(Source: Brandon Civial War Records by John Austin - furnished by Alison Poetker)
Hiram WilleySPOUSE: Hiram Willey was the 2nd spouse of Olive E. Conger.
CENSUS: 1840 listed on the census for Dickinson, p. 194
1899. Asceneth Conger
Asceneth CongerPARENTS: Oliver Conger and Hannah Wood
Problem: Was the date of birth, 7 Mar 1811 or as listed in CFA I, p. 749, 1 Mar 1810?
Ambrose HorsfordNAME-CONFLICT: Hosford
1900. Sarah Louisa Conger
Sarah Louisa CongerPARENTS: Oliver Conger and Hannah Wood
AKA: Sallie
Hiram PhillbrickNAME-CONFLICT: Hiram Phillbrick (CFA I, p. 775); Hiram Philbrick (CFA)
4276. Joseph D. Phillbrick
Joseph D. PhillbrickDEATH: 22 Mar 1859 of Scarlet Fever (CFA I, p. 778)
1904. Noel Horatio Conger
Noel Horatio CongerPARENTS: Oliver Conger and Hannah Wood
Problem: CFA I, p. 408, b. 19 Jan 1824, d. 4 Sep 1884. CFA I, p. 385, b. 19
Jan 1825, d. 4 Mar 1884.RESIDENCES: 136 North Clinton Street; Poughkeepsie, NY
OBITUARY:
The deceased, Noel H. Conger, well known member of the 19th Separate Company,
belonged to Poughkeepsie Guards, as early as 1846, and then joined Scott Guards
then known as the Citizen's Corps. Altogether, he had 17 years in military
service. The funeral was attended by the 19th Separate Company in a body, with
full military honors.Now his son, Sergeant Oliver N. Conger of I Co., 21st Regiment, took place from
his [sic] residence of his father, 136 North Clinton Street. I Co., with Capt.
M.D. Benvery, turned out in large numbers, headed by the 21st Regiment Band and
escorted the remains to the cemetery with full military honors.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 385 - Maxine Crowell
Leonard)
4280. Sarah Louise Conger
Sarah Louise CongerPARENTS: Noel Horatio Conger and Jane Ann Briggs
4283. Ann Elizabeth Conger
Ann Elizabeth CongerPARENTS: Noel Horatio Conger and Jane Ann Briggs
4284. Emma Jane Conger
Emma Jane CongerPARENTS: Noel Horatio Conger and Jane Ann Briggs
1910. George Parker Conger
George Parker CongerEMIGRATION-MILITARY: Charles Conger, 1819, went south and married there. He was living in the south when the Civil War broke out. He was taken prisoner while in the Confederate Army. His brother, Capt. George Parker Conger, 1815, and with the Union Army, refused to see him.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 391 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)PUBLIC_SERVICE: Captain George Parker Conger lead the posse in capturing the raiders of St. Albans, Vermont in 1864. (CFA I, p. 40a)
RECOLLECTIONS:
Capt. George P. Conger, 1st Vermont Cavalry, of St. Albans, [VT] received no little notoriety at the time of the famous St. Albans raid of Oct. 19, 1864. Capt. Conger was home on furlough at the time and when news spread around the town that the St. Albans Bank and First National Bank had been raided and the town terrorized by a group of Confederate agents, [he] dashed into the melee and attempted to shoot the leader. Failing in his efforts, he organized a group of citizens and hastily set out in pursuit. Arriving at the Canadian border, only two of his companions would follow him on to foreign soil, but with these two, he crossed the line and continued his search all night, finally capturing the leader, Lt. Young, the next morning, and turned him over to Canadian authorities.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 500-501 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RECOLLECTIONS: Marion (Conger) Barton wrote the following: "Family recollections and a few remaining visual evidences help give us a thumbnail sketch of Captain George Parker Conger. [Marion Grace (Conger) Barton was the great-granddaughter of George Parker Conger. REH]George Parker Conger "had a deep and genuine concern for his country, his family, and for future generations. He gave generously of his time to church and patriotic duties, having the courage of his convictions. Feeling very strongly about the quality of man, he brought his negro horse-boy home and raised and educated him as a member of the family.
"A very religious man, he was outspoken in his beliefs, at one time standing up in church and taking exception to a statement made by the minister. A fearless man, while in the Civil War, he was ready to do battle with a much larger force but was -- perhaps fortunately -- circumvented when nephew, Warren Conger, hit his horse, forcing it over a bank into the river with everyone following -- and from which there was no return.
"The inscription on the sword given him by his men in Co. B bespeak of the esteem in which he was held, by those who worked and fought with him.
"Captain Conger left many good books dealing with the 1800's to his descendants, as well as having bought for his son's family many books he felt would be of help to them in they way of life. His will gave his son a life-lease on the home farm which was then to be divided among his grandchildren. He did his best to provide for the security of this family's future."
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 196 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
OCCUPATION:
George P. Conger made his livlihood as a wagon maker, freight agent, farmer and speculator.CENSUS:
The 1880 census of Georgia, VT lists his estate as 75 acres tilled, 30 acres permanent meadows, orchards, etc., 25 unimproved (old lands) not wood growing farm $6,000 (land, fences, buildings), $150 farm implements and machinery, $538 livestock, estimated value of all farm products (sold, consumed, on hand for 1879) was $1115, 40 acres mown, 40 acres not mown, 50 tons hay, 2 horses, 10 milch cows and 1 other, 1 calf dropped, 15 calves purchased, 15 calves sold living, 1 slaughtered, 1500# butter made on farm, 5 swine, 20 barnyard poultry, 300 eggs, 3 acres barley (56 bu produced), 1 acre buckwheat (19 bu), 5 acres Indian corn (250 bu), 2 acres wheat (36 bu), 5 bushels beans and 2 acres potatoes (150 bu prod.). (CFA I, p. 197)
BIOGRAPHY: The Day Morgan's Raiders Came to Vermont
A publication entitled, "Yankee," Oct. 1966, featured a story entitled, "The Day Morgan's Raiders Came to Vermont." On 17 Oct 1864, a handsome well-dressed young man mounted the steps of the American House in St. Albans, VT. Drawing a big Navy Colt revolver from beneath his coat, he shouted: "This city is now in the possession of the Confederate States of America!"Lt. Bennett H. Young was the man on the steps. Fourteen others participated in the raid. They had raided in Kentucky and Ohio, and their objective was to give the North a taste of what Sherman and Sheridan were giving the South. The town was thrown into panic, and two people were killed.
The real hero of the St. Albans Raid was 49 year old Capt. George Conger of the First Vermont Cavalry. As soon as he sensed trouble, he mounted his horse and galloped through the village shouting, "We have a lot of rebel raiders here! Let's catch them. Get your guns!"
His courage was contagious. In twos and threes the villagers joined him, sniping away at the raiders from windows, trees and corners of buildings. As their numbers increased, so did their bravery. They formed lines across Main Street. Morgan's Raiders knew what to do under such circumstances. Knee to knee, revolvers blazing, roaring rebel yells, they charged the lines and broke them. But, under Conger's cool leadership they reformed. Young realized the time had come to go.
Outside Sheldon, the raiders broke up into small bands and reached the border. Conger and his men crossed but captured none of them. The next day at Montreal, Young heard a rumor that seven of his men had been captured. Taking two Navy Colts, he rode back toward the border to rescue them. That evening he was captured by Captain Conger at a Canadian farm house near the border.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 197 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
PROBATE: Letter Testamentary of Captain George Parker Conger
I, George P. Conger of Georgia in the county of Franklin and state of Vermont, being in my own apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament that is to say:It is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executor herein named and appointed out of my Estate as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
The rest and residue and remainder of my Estate after the payment of all my just debts, funeral expenses, and expenses of administration, both real and personal I give devise and dispose of in the following manner:
The use, income, and profits, management and control of all my Estate remaining as aforesaid both real and personal I give devise and bequeath to my only son, Stephen Conger, and to his wife, Lottie Conger, for and during his and her natural life or the natural life of the survivor of them subject to the conditions, restrictions and reservations herein after expressed.
The foregoing is made to provide a home and support for my said son Stephen and his wife Lottie during their, and each of their natural lives, but in case Lottie Conger should survive her husband Stephen and should remarry then and in that case upon her remarriage (the said Lottie) all her interest in said real and personal Estate shall cease, and all of said real and personal Estate shall descend to and become property of the children of said Stephen and Lottie Conger and to their heirs, said children to share and share alike in said real and personal Estate and further that Stephen Conger and said Lottie Conger shall keep all of said Estate in good and comfortable repair, neither comit or allow waste to be committed; and shall keep all of the personal estate in as good condition, as when received.
And upon the death of said Stephen Conger and his wife or the survivor of them or upon the remarriage of said Lottie as stated then all of said Estate both real and personal that remains at the death of Stephen or Lottie or the survivor of them; or the marriage of said Lottie after the death of Stephen shall descend to and become the property in full of the children of said Stephen Conger and Lottie Conger in equal shares and proportions to each and so to their heirs and assigns forever.
I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Stephen Conger sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
I wish to change the foregoing in the following particular: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Genevieve L. Conger the organ I now own in case she survives me, and so to her heirs forever; but in case she should not survive me I give and devise the same organ to her sister, Florence G. Conger, and her heirs forever.
In witness, whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish the foregoing to be my last will and testament this 18th day of September A.D. 1894. (George P. Conger)
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 197-198 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Dorothy L. BasfordAKA: Dolly
Frances L. UnknownCENSUS-SPOUSE: Probably the 2nd wife of George Parker Conger. She was listed as age 50 in the 1850 census [location not listed]. (CFA I, p. 196)
Catherine DunhamSPOUSE: Apparently the 3rd wife of George Parker Conger. (See CFA I, p. 476)
AKA: Catherine (Dunham) Bliss, CFA I, p. 196