Nov 2011 - Gerald (Jerry) Rhodes had a gravestone made for Jasper who was his great grand father.
Jasper L. Purple
At four o'clock on Monday morning August 18, 1902, there passed peacefully away one of Owego's most esteemed citizens, a man of such attractive qualities and fine disposition, of such upright, sterling integrity, that none knew him but to love him.
This man was Jasper LeGrand Purple, of 99 Franklin Street, who was born January 13, 1833, at McDonough, Chenango county, N.Y. At the age of thirteen years he went to Binghamton to learn carpentering with Gilbert Newell, and at seventeen went to New Bedford and shipped as a ship's carpenter on a whaler. He spent seven years in this seafaring life, visiting all the principle ports of the world and many of the South Pacific Islands. He had a vast fund of practical, useful and interesting facts about his shipping and whaling experiences.
About 1857 he left the sea to become a railroad contractor and bridge builder, entering the employ of the D. and H. Railroad (ed. Delaware and Hudson Railroad). He was later appointed on the construction corps in the Civil War, afterward entering the employ of the Erie Railroad. May 3, 1898, during the Spanish War, he was appointed by President McKinley as ship's carpenter on the flagship "Lancaster", with headquarters at Key West, Fla. Commodore G. C. Remey commanding.
He was twice married, leaving two sons by his first wife - George Purple, of Owego, an employee of the U.S. Express Company, and Henry Purple, of Binghamton, conductor on Lackawnna R.R. His first wife having died some years previously he again married, having six children by his present wife, four of whom are living - R. Belle, Frank W., and Mrs. E Beardslee, of this village, and Marion W., of New York City.
In his business, social, and domestic life Mr. Purple was always the same, loved and well respected by all. It is rare, indeed, to find a man who could so adapt himself to all conditions and environments, who made friends for life, and who was loyal and true to them (often at serious cost to himself).
This short sketch was written in affectionate remembrance by one who had learned to love and revere him as a father, and one whom Mr. Purple lovingly regarded as "one of his boys".
The funeral takes place at 3 o'clock this afternoon, with internment in Evergreen cemetery.
"BILLIE"
Ed. Note : Jasper LeGrand Purple was first married to Louisa Matilda Burt (who was previously married to James L Wakely - see 1850 Federal Census, Catharine NY). The George and Henry referred to here are her children with James L Wakely - they changed their last name to Purple after the marriage of their mother to Jasper LeGrand Purple.
The marriage between Louisa and Jasper produced one son (Fred) who only lived for about 4 months. According to Louisa's family bible, Fred was born 21 Mar 1864, she died 29 March 1864, Fred died July 1864 - causes unknown (a third son from Louisa and James, Donald, died 21 March 1864 - we assume a plague of some kind).
Jasper married Hester Wentz after Louisa died, some say this was his 5th wife and his last wife.
Names in obituary : Henry was born Harry Ebenezer Wakeley, George was born George Burt Wakeley, R. Belle was born Isabell Rhoda Purple, Mrs. E. Beardslee was born Maud H. Purple and her husband's name was Edgar.
Obituary : Originally provided by Gerald Rhodes, newspaper unknown.
Jasper L. Purple
At four o'clock on Monday morning August 18, 1902, there passed peacefully away one of Owego's most esteemed citizens, a man of such attractive qualities and fine disposition, of such upright, sterling integrity, that none knew him but to love him.
This man was Jasper LeGrand Purple, of 99 Franklin Street, who was born January 13, 1833, at McDonough, Chenango county, N.Y. At the age of thirteen years he went to Binghamton to learn carpentering with Gilbert Newell, and at seventeen went to New Bedford and shipped as a ship's carpenter on a whaler. He spent seven years in this seafaring life, visiting all the principle ports of the world and many of the South Pacific Islands. He had a vast fund of practical, useful and interesting facts about his shipping and whaling experiences.
About 1857 he left the sea to become a railroad contractor and bridge builder, entering the employ of the D. and H. Railroad (ed. Delaware and Hudson Railroad). He was later appointed on the construction corps in the Civil War, afterward entering the employ of the Erie Railroad. May 3, 1898, during the Spanish War, he was appointed by President McKinley as ship's carpenter on the flagship "Lancaster", with headquarters at Key West, Fla. Commodore G. C. Remey commanding.
He was twice married, leaving two sons by his first wife - George Purple, of Owego, an employee of the U.S. Express Company, and Henry Purple, of Binghamton, conductor on Lackawnna R.R. His first wife having died some years previously he again married, having six children by his present wife, four of whom are living - R. Belle, Frank W., and Mrs. E Beardslee, of this village, and Marion W., of New York City.
In his business, social, and domestic life Mr. Purple was always the same, loved and well respected by all. It is rare, indeed, to find a man who could so adapt himself to all conditions and environments, who made friends for life, and who was loyal and true to them (often at serious cost to himself).
This short sketch was written in affectionate remembrance by one who had learned to love and revere him as a father, and one whom Mr. Purple lovingly regarded as "one of his boys".
The funeral takes place at 3 o'clock this afternoon, with internment in Evergreen cemetery.
"BILLIE"
Ed. Note : Jasper LeGrand Purple was first married to Louisa Matilda Burt (who was previously married to James L Wakely - see 1850 Federal Census, Catharine NY). The George and Henry referred to here are her children with James L Wakely - they changed their last name to Purple after the marriage of their mother to Jasper LeGrand Purple.
The marriage between Louisa and Jasper produced one son (Fred) who only lived for about 4 months. According to Louisa's family bible, Fred was born 21 Mar 1864, she died 29 March 1864, Fred died July 1864 - causes unknown (a third son from Louisa and James, Donald, died 21 March 1864 - we assume a plague of some kind).
Jasper married Hester Wentz after Louisa died, some say this was his 5th wife and his last wife.
Names in obituary : Henry was born Harry Ebenezer Wakeley, George was born George Burt Wakeley, R. Belle was born Isabell Rhoda Purple, Mrs. E. Beardslee was born Maud H. Purple and her husband's name was Edgar.
Obituary : Originally provided by Gerald Rhodes, newspaper unknown.
Nov 2011 - Gerald (Jerry) Rhodes had a gravestone made for Jasper who was his great grand father.
Jasper L. Purple
At four o'clock on Monday morning August 18, 1902, there passed peacefully away one of Owego's most esteemed citizens, a man of such attractive qualities and fine disposition, of such upright, sterling integrity, that none knew him but to love him.
This man was Jasper LeGrand Purple, of 99 Franklin Street, who was born January 13, 1833, at McDonough, Chenango county, N.Y. At the age of thirteen years he went to Binghamton to learn carpentering with Gilbert Newell, and at seventeen went to New Bedford and shipped as a ship's carpenter on a whaler. He spent seven years in this seafaring life, visiting all the principle ports of the world and many of the South Pacific Islands. He had a vast fund of practical, useful and interesting facts about his shipping and whaling experiences.
About 1857 he left the sea to become a railroad contractor and bridge builder, entering the employ of the D. and H. Railroad (ed. Delaware and Hudson Railroad). He was later appointed on the construction corps in the Civil War, afterward entering the employ of the Erie Railroad. May 3, 1898, during the Spanish War, he was appointed by President McKinley as ship's carpenter on the flagship "Lancaster", with headquarters at Key West, Fla. Commodore G. C. Remey commanding.
He was twice married, leaving two sons by his first wife - George Purple, of Owego, an employee of the U.S. Express Company, and Henry Purple, of Binghamton, conductor on Lackawnna R.R. His first wife having died some years previously he again married, having six children by his present wife, four of whom are living - R. Belle, Frank W., and Mrs. E Beardslee, of this village, and Marion W., of New York City.
In his business, social, and domestic life Mr. Purple was always the same, loved and well respected by all. It is rare, indeed, to find a man who could so adapt himself to all conditions and environments, who made friends for life, and who was loyal and true to them (often at serious cost to himself).
This short sketch was written in affectionate remembrance by one who had learned to love and revere him as a father, and one whom Mr. Purple lovingly regarded as "one of his boys".
The funeral takes place at 3 o'clock this afternoon, with internment in Evergreen cemetery.
"BILLIE"
Ed. Note : Jasper LeGrand Purple was first married to Louisa Matilda Burt (who was previously married to James L Wakely - see 1850 Federal Census, Catharine NY). The George and Henry referred to here are her children with James L Wakely - they changed their last name to Purple after the marriage of their mother to Jasper LeGrand Purple.
The marriage between Louisa and Jasper produced one son (Fred) who only lived for about 4 months. According to Louisa's family bible, Fred was born 21 Mar 1864, she died 29 March 1864, Fred died July 1864 - causes unknown (a third son from Louisa and James, Donald, died 21 March 1864 - we assume a plague of some kind).
Jasper married Hester Wentz after Louisa died, some say this was his 5th wife and his last wife.
Names in obituary : Henry was born Harry Ebenezer Wakeley, George was born George Burt Wakeley, R. Belle was born Isabell Rhoda Purple, Mrs. E. Beardslee was born Maud H. Purple and her husband's name was Edgar.
Obituary : Originally provided by Gerald Rhodes, newspaper unknown.
Jasper L. Purple
At four o'clock on Monday morning August 18, 1902, there passed peacefully away one of Owego's most esteemed citizens, a man of such attractive qualities and fine disposition, of such upright, sterling integrity, that none knew him but to love him.
This man was Jasper LeGrand Purple, of 99 Franklin Street, who was born January 13, 1833, at McDonough, Chenango county, N.Y. At the age of thirteen years he went to Binghamton to learn carpentering with Gilbert Newell, and at seventeen went to New Bedford and shipped as a ship's carpenter on a whaler. He spent seven years in this seafaring life, visiting all the principle ports of the world and many of the South Pacific Islands. He had a vast fund of practical, useful and interesting facts about his shipping and whaling experiences.
About 1857 he left the sea to become a railroad contractor and bridge builder, entering the employ of the D. and H. Railroad (ed. Delaware and Hudson Railroad). He was later appointed on the construction corps in the Civil War, afterward entering the employ of the Erie Railroad. May 3, 1898, during the Spanish War, he was appointed by President McKinley as ship's carpenter on the flagship "Lancaster", with headquarters at Key West, Fla. Commodore G. C. Remey commanding.
He was twice married, leaving two sons by his first wife - George Purple, of Owego, an employee of the U.S. Express Company, and Henry Purple, of Binghamton, conductor on Lackawnna R.R. His first wife having died some years previously he again married, having six children by his present wife, four of whom are living - R. Belle, Frank W., and Mrs. E Beardslee, of this village, and Marion W., of New York City.
In his business, social, and domestic life Mr. Purple was always the same, loved and well respected by all. It is rare, indeed, to find a man who could so adapt himself to all conditions and environments, who made friends for life, and who was loyal and true to them (often at serious cost to himself).
This short sketch was written in affectionate remembrance by one who had learned to love and revere him as a father, and one whom Mr. Purple lovingly regarded as "one of his boys".
The funeral takes place at 3 o'clock this afternoon, with internment in Evergreen cemetery.
"BILLIE"
Ed. Note : Jasper LeGrand Purple was first married to Louisa Matilda Burt (who was previously married to James L Wakely - see 1850 Federal Census, Catharine NY). The George and Henry referred to here are her children with James L Wakely - they changed their last name to Purple after the marriage of their mother to Jasper LeGrand Purple.
The marriage between Louisa and Jasper produced one son (Fred) who only lived for about 4 months. According to Louisa's family bible, Fred was born 21 Mar 1864, she died 29 March 1864, Fred died July 1864 - causes unknown (a third son from Louisa and James, Donald, died 21 March 1864 - we assume a plague of some kind).
Jasper married Hester Wentz after Louisa died, some say this was his 5th wife and his last wife.
Names in obituary : Henry was born Harry Ebenezer Wakeley, George was born George Burt Wakeley, R. Belle was born Isabell Rhoda Purple, Mrs. E. Beardslee was born Maud H. Purple and her husband's name was Edgar.
Obituary : Originally provided by Gerald Rhodes, newspaper unknown.
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