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Descendants of Joseph Bemis


      1949. James C.7 Bemis (Alpheus6, Abijah5, Abijah4, John3, John2, Joseph1)9674 was born 18 Feb 1824 in Paxton, Worcester, Massachusetts9675. He married Mary B. Washburn9676 30 Apr 1845 in Oakham, Worcester, Massachusetts9677, daughter of Levi Washburn and Abigail. She was born 03 Dec 1825 in Gill, Franklin, Massachusetts9678.

Notes for James C. Bemis:
[Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Worcester County, Massachusetts, p. 88-9]

James C. Bemis, the agent of the Boston & Albany Railroad at Coldbrook Springs, was born in Paxton, Mass., February 18, 1824, son of Alpheus and Polly (Prouty) Bemis. The grandfather, Abijah Bemis, was an early settler of Paxton. Alpheus Bemis, who was born in Paxton, January 17, 1784, spent the active period of his life in the cultivation of a farm adjoining his father's property, and died August 28, 1858. He was not a member of any religious denomination, and in politics he acted with the Democratic party. Polly Bemis, his wife, whom he married August 12, 1805, was born in Spencer, Mass., December 9, 1789. She became the mother of nine children, three of whom are living, namely: Hiram P., born July 10, 1818, residing in Paxton; James C., the subject of this sketch; and Mary R., born August 25, 1826, residing in North Brookfield, Mass. The others were: Delia, born August 14, 1809, who died April 4, 1820; Roxy, born October 13, 1811, who died November 7 of the same year; Roswell, born June 9, 1813, who died September 4, 1893; and Alpheus, born May 6, 1821, who died December 16, 1895. The mother passed away August 25, 1866.

James C. Bemis was educated in the schools of Paxton and Spencer. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, and, locating in the village of Coldbrook Springs in 1841, followed that calling here for about twenty years. Soon after his arrival he also engaged in the hotel business as the proprietor of the Coldbrook Springs House, which he carried on successfully until it was destroyed by fire in 1885. Immediately after the disaster he erected the present hostelry, which is now managed by his son. In December, 1873, he entered upon his duties as the local agent of the Boston & Albany Railroad Company, a position that he has efficiently filled up to the present time.

On April 30, 1846, Mr. Bemis was joined in marriage with Mary B. Washburn, a daughter of Levi and Abigail Washburn, born in Gill, Franklin County, Mass., December 3, 1825. She has had five children, namely: Herbert E., born September 23, 1859, who died at the age of seven months; Francene R., now the wife of M. C. Needham, of Coldbrook Springs; Mary J., now residing in Hardwick, Mass.; Ida M., now the wife of C. H. Parker, and enterprising merchant of this village; and James W. Bemis, who is now the proprietor of the Springs House. Mary J., first married Elias F. King, who died January 19, 1886. She is now the wife of H. L. Sturtevant, a hotel-keeper in Hardwick. James W. Bemis contracted the first of his two marriages with Alice M. Hatch, who died August 25, 1883. His present wife was formerly Agnes Crossley. Politically, Mr. Bemis, Sr., is a Democrat. He has served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years; has also filled the offices of Assessor, Collector, and Treasurer; and he is a member of Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., of Barre, Mass.

More About James C. Bemis:
Date born 2: Abt. 18249679

More About James Bemis and Mary Washburn:
Marriage 1: 30 Apr 1845, Oakham, Worcester, Massachusetts9680
Marriage 2: 30 Apr 18469681
     
Children of James Bemis and Mary Washburn are:
  3564 i.   Francene R.8 Bemis9682,9683, born 04 Oct 1847 in Oakham, Worcester, Massachusetts9684. She married M. C. Needham9685.
  3565 ii.   Herbert E. Bemis9685, born 25 Sep 18599685; died 1860 in infancy at the age of 7 months9685.
  3566 iii.   Mary J. Bemis9685. She married (1) Elias F. King9685; died 19 Jan 18869685. She married (2) H. L. Sturtevant9685.
  3567 iv.   Ida M. Bemis9685. She married C. H. Parker9685.
  3568 v.   James W. Bemis9685. He married (1) Alice M. Hatch9685; died 25 Aug 1883. He married (2) Agnes Crossley9685.


      1958. Levi7 Bemis (Daniel6, Daniel5, Abijah4, John3, John2, Joseph1)9686,9687 was born 21 Feb 1826 in Marshfield, Washington, Vermont9687, and died 10 Aug 1910 in Chattfield, Minnesota9687. He married (1) Jennie Bandell9688. He married (2) Emeline Eaton9689 1858 in Minnesota9689. She died 10 Aug 1873 in Chattfield, Minnesota9689. He married (3) Jennie Inskeep9690 1876 in Chattfield, Minnesota9690. She was born 18479690, and died 25 Dec 18819690.

Notes for Levi Bemis:
[Bemis Lovell Family History 1619-1987, p 13-15.]

Levi Bemis born 21 February 1826 at Marshfield, Washington County, Vermont, where his ealy boyhood was spent mostly on the farm. As a young man, he was engaged in carpentering, teaching school, and part of the time working in the mercantile business.

Upon his 21st birthday his father gave him a five dollar gold piece which was later (upon his death) found in his personal safety deposit box.

After becoming of age in 1842 he decided to leave home and received permission to follow a wagon train on foot, which was heading west, while earning meals for his performance of chores. His destination was Minnesota. When crossing the Mississippi he held on to a cow's tail while it swam across the river. He made one return trip to Vermont before becoming settled in Chatfield, Minnesota.

He saved his money and eventually purchased some land in High Forest, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Upon his marriage to Miss Emeline Eaton, in 1858 (died 10 August 1873), they moved to Chatfield, Minnesota, where he bacome engaged in the mercantile business. About 1874 his eldest son, Victor L. Bemis, became associated with him under the firm name of L. Bemis and Son. From time to time he would also have joint dealings with other partners.

He had four sons - Victor L., born 1856 (who later married May Hall, moved to Inkster, North Dakota, and became a banker); Harry, born 1858, who was a student at Carlton College; Frank A. who later settled in Oregon; and Will E. at Chatfield, Minnesota, born 2 July 1873, died in Oakland, California 2 August 1942. He had been a student at Shattuck Military Academy. Their mother, Emeline, died on 10 August 1873.

Levi's second marriage was to Miss Jennie Inskeep, at Chatfield, in 1876, who was born in 1847 and died 25 December 1881. His third marriage was to Jennie Bandell.

Levi did not limit himself to the mercantile business but expanded his interests largely into real estate and mortgage banking. In 1882 he became involved in civic affairs in Chatfield and upon his death he left $131,000.00 to trustees to build a home for the aged.

Chatfield became incorporated in 1857 with the first business meeting being held on 1 April 1857.

When Levi moved to Chatfield, in 1855, it was a fast growing little boom town. It is recorded that the town had one real estate firm in 1854, and by 1856 there were thirteen real estate offices in the town.

In the spring of 1854 Chatfield was originally laid oout as a village. Following this, Chatfield was expanded by Simeon Crittendon to what was called West Chatfield, a beautiful little valley adjoining the town. In the fall of 1856 he also built the First Baptist Church in Chatfield opposite the home of Charles Lovell. Simeon Crittendon and Charles Lovell eventually became related through marriage into the Bemis family.

Simeon was a native of Ohio, born in Ashtabula County in 1832. He was twice married, first to Miss Caroline Murill, native of Bangor, Maine, who bore him one child, Harry. His second wife was Miss Georgia Atchinson; they had a daughter, Edith Florence (who eventually married Will Bemis), and a son, John J. Crittendon.

It was recorded that Levi Bemis and Simeon Crittendon were numbered among the successful business men in Chatfield.

During Levi's short but happy marriage to Jennie Inskeep, who died on Christmas day, they would travel by train to winter in Florida. They took their bicycles with them and would ride south from the northern part of the state to the more central portion of Florida.

He died at Chatfield 10 August 1910. It was told that following his funeral, after leaving the cemetery, the family member carriages kept picking up speed until they were racing each other to get back to read the will.

Levi was a resolute, sober and religious man and whenever he would make a sizeable donation to his own church he would also donate equal amounts to the other churches in town. He had the reputation of never foreclosing on a loan, but would help unfortunate borrowers work out their financial problems.

He was a Free and Accepted Mason.

More About Levi Bemis:
Occupation: As a young man, he was engaged in carpentering, teaching school, and part of the time working in the mercantile business.9691

More About Levi Bemis and Emeline Eaton:
Marriage: 1858, Minnesota9692

More About Levi Bemis and Jennie Inskeep:
Marriage: 1876, Chattfield, Minnesota9693
     
Children of Levi Bemis and Emeline Eaton are:
  3569 i.   Frank A.8 Bemis9694,9695.
  Notes for Frank A. Bemis:
[Idamarie.ftw]

Bemis-Lovell states that he later settled in Oregon.

  More About Frank A. Bemis:
Baptism (LDS): LIVE9695
Record Change: 28 Jan 20009695
  3570 ii.   Victor L. Bemis9696,9697, born 18569697. He married May Hall9697.
  Notes for Victor L. Bemis:
[Idamarie.ftw]

Bemis-Lovell states that he moved to Inkster North Dakota and became a banker.

  3571 iii.   Harry Bemis9697, born 18589697.
  More About Harry Bemis:
Baptism (LDS): LIVE9697
Record Change: 28 Jan 20009697
+ 3572 iv.   Will Eaton Bemis, born 02 Jul 1873 in Chatfield, Minnesota; died 02 Aug 1942 in Oakland, California.


      1959. Lewis7 Bemis, Jr. (Lewis6, Daniel5, Abijah4, John3, John2, Joseph1)9698 was born Abt. 1821 in Massachusetts9698. He married Hannah Perry Clark9699,9700 03 Sep 1843 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts9700, daughter of Truman Clark and Martha. She was born 19 Feb 1822 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts9701, and died 1905 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts9702.

Notes for Lewis Bemis, Jr.:
[1850 Census - Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts - August 13, 1850 - page 402 - image 11]
Lewis Bemis, 68, shoemaker, born in Massachusetts;
Elizabeth H. Bemis, 54, born in New Hampshire;
Daniel Henry Bemis, 19, spinner, born in Massachusetts;
Harrison Hale Bemis, 10, born in Massachusetts;
next household:
Lewis Bemis, Jr., 29, machinist, born in Massachusetts;
Hannah P. Bemis, 28, born in Massachusetts;
Winfield S. Bemis, 5, born in Massachusetts;
Benj. F. Bemis, 4, born in Massachusetts;
Sarah D. Bemis, 1, born in Massachusetts.

[1860 Census - Stowe, Middlesex, Massachusetts - August 11, 1860 - page 19 - image 19]
Lewis Bemis, 39, machinist, real estate of $1500, personal property of $150, born in Massachusetts;
Hannah Bemis, 38, born in Massachusetts;
Winfield S. Bemis, 15, born in Massachusetts;
Benj. F. Bemis, 14, born in Massachusetts;
Sarah D. Bemis, 11, born in Massachusetts.

[1870 Census - Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts - July 15, 1870 - page 18-19 - image 18-19]
Lewis Bemis, 49, farmer, real estate of $2000, personal property of $500, born in Massachusetts;
Hannah P. Bemis, 48, keeping house, born in Massachusetts;
next home:
Winfield S. Bemis, 25, works on farm, born in Massachusetts;
Maria C. Bemis, 30, keeping house, born in Massachusetts;
Sarah D. Bemis, 21, at home, born in Massachusetts.

[1880 Census - Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts - June 12, 1880 - page 15 - image 15]
Lewis Bemis, 59, farmer, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massashusetts and New Hampshire);
Hannah P. Bemis, 58, wife, keeping house, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts);
next home:
Winfield Bemis, 35, in shoe shop, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts);
next home:
Maria C. Bemis, 40, wife, keeping house, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts and New Hampshire).

More About Lewis Bemis and Hannah Clark:
Intention filed: 18 Aug 1843, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts9703
Marriage: 03 Sep 1843, Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts9704
     
Children of Lewis Bemis and Hannah Clark are:
  3573 i.   Winfield Scott8 Bemis9705, born 16 Nov 1844 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts9706.
  Notes for Winfield Scott Bemis:
[1870 Census - Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts - July 15, 1870 - page 18-19 - image 18-19]
Lewis Bemis, 49, farmer, real estate of $2000, personal property of $500, born in Massachusetts;
Hannah P. Bemis, 48, keeping house, born in Massachusetts;
next home:
Winfield S. Bemis, 25, works on farm, born in Massachusetts;
Maria C. Bemis, 30, keeping house, born in Massachusetts;
Sarah D. Bemis, 21, at home, born in Massachusetts.

[1880 Census - Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts - June 12, 1880 - page 15 - image 15]
Lewis Bemis, 59, farmer, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massashusetts and New Hampshire);
Hannah P. Bemis, 58, wife, keeping house, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts);
next home:
Winfield Bemis, 35, in shoe shop, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts);
next home:
Maria C. Bemis, 40, wife, keeping house, born in Massachusetts (parents in Massachusetts and New Hampshire).

+ 3574 ii.   Benjamin Franklin Bemis, born 07 Jun 1846 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
  3575 iii.   Sarah Diana Bemis9707, born 12 Mar 1849 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts9708.

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