Tryon Books and More: More about Grand Uncle John Grovenberg

12/11/2005
Wow! Talk about the power of the internet! After posting my pictures of Uncle John, I got terribly busy with my life, doing things like dishes, and housework, and cooking, and all the daily things that are busy work. I did manage to do some updating on my genealogy, but just hadn't taken the time to add to my blog. One day last week I was sitting here in upstate NY, scanning some pictures for our website, when I got a phone call from a lady in Idaho about my Uncle John! She referred me to a cousin of hers, who has the genealogists information on the Grovenbergs. He e-mailed me. They are tracing from a John Grovenberg from NY, but much earlier than mine. Who was mine, and was he related? I didn't know.
I was delighted to talk, and e-mail with them, and promised some more pictures, when my daughter http://northviewdiary.blogspot.com/ suggested I put them on the blog for everyone to see. So....I am following her suggestion.
I happened to go to the library today (aren't we lucky to have a library that is open on Sunday) to pick up some adventure fiction for my gout inflicted husband, when I got the idea of looking Grovenberg up in the card catalog for genealogists which the Johnstown Public Library has kept for at least 50 years. (I was able to find a lot of good information about my Wilders there years ago) However, there was very little on Grovenbergs, none that I knew, not even Uncle John.
So..back to my Mother's little yellow box. There I found his obituary, which I now post here.
Taken from the Saturday, November 18, 1939 paper..either the Leader Republican or The Morning Herald

Body of John Grovenberg is Found in Cayadutta Creek

Well Known Teamster Believed to Have Fallen While Taking Short Cut Home Last Night Along the Railroad Tracks

The body of John Grovenberg, 44, 120 West Fulton Street, well known local teamster was found this afternoon about 1 in the waters of the Cayadutta Creek a few feet from the railroad bridge which crosses the stream between West State and Washington streets.

Beleived to Have Fallen

The discovery was made by an employee of L. L. Streeter & Sons, who notified the police. Officers William Laird and Donald Patterson responded and Patterson donning rubber boots pulled the body to the bank.

Although no definite information could be secured, it is believed Grovenberg fell into the creek some time last night and the body remained unnoticed until this afternoon.

Inquiry among his friends and acquaintances disclosed, so far as is known, he was last seen alive in Charlie's Grill, 17 1/2 West State street, last night about 11:30.

He had been drinking and it is thought he started for home by taking a short cut along the railroad right of way and lost his balance while crossing the bridge or became confused and walked along a stone abutment which starts at the north end of the bridge.

The point at which the body was found is shallow and barely covered the body which was found face down on the creek bed.

Dr. Frank G. Calder, coroner, was called and after viewing the remains and securing an identification ordered the body removed to the Fulton County Laboratory for an autopsy.

Served in World War

The victim of the mishap was born in the Town of Johnstown February 16, 1895, son of Charles and Elizabeth Jackson Grovenberg and was a lifelong resident of this section.

He was in service during the World War and was well known and liked among a large circle of friends who mourn his tragic death.

The survivors are his widow, Lulu, parents and one sister, Mrs Amy Lingenfelter, residing on the Fort Johnson road and one brother, William, of the Town of Johnstown.

The funeral arrangements had not been completed and will be announced later.