Cornelius TURK (1783 – 1860 ) was Alex’s 5th Grandfather; one of 64 in this generation of the Shaw line.

Cornelius Turk was born 13 Feb 1783 or counting backward from his gravestone, 19 Jul 1781.  and baptized 9 Mar 1783 in Saugerties, Ulster, New York. His parents were Hendrik TURK and Jannetje BRINK. He married Mary DeLONG. Cornelius died 01 Aug 1860 in Caroline, Tompkins, New York and is buried at at Central Chapel Cemetery, Caroline, Tompkins, NY (Google Satellite View) – Inscription – Rev. Cornelius Turk died Aug. 1, 1860 age 79 yrs., 13 dys.  I haven’t discovered why he is memorialized as “Reverend.”

Another Cornelius Turk from the same era lived in Delaware County New York.

Cornelius  moved to Tompkins County New York with his family around 1805 and lived there for almost sixty years

Mary DeLong was born 9 Jan 1782 in Saugerties, Ulster, NY.   Her parents were Thomas DeLONG and Eleanor BORDEN.  A family legend says that Mary’s grand daughter Ruth was a descendent of the Marquis De Longe who was guillotined in the French Revolution. The legend states his wife and daughter escaped the country and his daughter married an American.  Mary died 2 Sep 1866 in Caroline, Tompkins, New York.

Children of Cornelius and Mary:

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	Ada Turk	1805	[__?__] Johnson
2.	Thomas Turk	22 Feb 1807 Caroline, Tompkins, NY	Mary Snyder c. 1842 New York	21 Nov 1889 Shiawassee, NY
3.	Henry Benjamin Turk	Mar 1809 Ulster, NY	Deliah (Lila) Hamilton 22 Feb 1837 , Farmington, Tioga, PA	29 Jun 1895 Waterman Township O’Brien, Iowa
4.	Mary Ann TURK	25 Sep 1811 Caroline, Tompkins, New York	Josiah FOSTER 28 Apr 1831
5.	Isaac Turk	3 Nov 1814 Delaware, NY	[__?__] . Adeline Doane (Dean) Delaware, NY	3 Aug 1890 age 75 yrs., 9 mo’s 22 dys. Caroline, Tompkins, NY
6.	Zachariah Turk	26 Nov 1816 Slaterville, Tompkins, NY	Mary L. [_?_]	30 Jan 1889 Caroline, Tompkins, NY
7.	John D. Turk	May 1818 Slaterville, Tompkins, NY	Anna Finch	1901 Dryden, Tompkins, NY
8.	Rachel E. Turk	1828 Slaterville, Tompkins, NY	[__?__] Ruthven

Cornelius’ name is found in New York Military Equipment Claims, War of 1812: Cornelius Turk, Residence of applicant, Caroline, NY, amount allowed $60.00.

The War of 1812 came at a time when settlers in this new land had made a good start with their farms or businesses. More that 40 Town of Caroline residents, along with Chief Wheelock, who served as a scout and was killed during the conflict, armed themselves and went to drive the British from our shores, once again. More than 2/3 of those who submitted requests for reimbursement to the State of New York never had their requests processed. There were 19 from the Town of Caroline who were fortunate enough to receive their reimbursements.

James Robinson, John A. Bois (Boice)–#8,330, Matthew Krum, Levi Slater, William VanIderstine–#8,326, Peter Bush–#9,225, William Hedger–#9,270, David Personius–#5,627, James Personius–#8,333,Barnabus Genung, Robert W. Dean, John Doty–#8,332, Col.Simon Ashley, Dr. Elisha Briggs, John Higgins, John A. Huslander (d.1874), Nicholas Huslander, David Paine, John Payne, Cornelius Turk–# 621  $60.00, Alexander Lewis–#1,434, William D. Ennest, Sampson Janson, Jonathan (John) Taft, William Perry, Ephraim Personius–# 619, John Linch (Lynch)–#1,870, Robert E. Muir, Capt. William Scott, Jesse Smith, Maj. Hemon Landon, James Cooper–#16,272, Sampson Jansen–# 720, Howard Edmister–#14,953, James Paine–#8,344, Frederick Quick–# 633, Samuel Ripley–#7,749, William Schutt–# 618, and Daniel Slater–#8,32

With a name like Caroline, you might think that the town(ship) was named after some lovely lady, but you’d be wrong. The as yet unnamed town was organized by a group of local residents who had gotten together at Bush Tavern in the hamlet of Boiceville. At that meeting, it was proposed that the town be named by opening a spelling book to a random page with the first female name found there becoming the name of the town. And so it was that, at a later meeting, a spelling book was produced, flipped open, and the name Caroline found and adopted.

Settlers had been living in the area since the late 1790s, but Caroline didn’t become an official town in Tompkins County until 1822.

People were attracted to the town for many reason. One reason was Six Mile Creek, a sometimes tempestuous creek flowing through the Caroline valley. The creek was dammed in many places and mills of all kinds built. At one time, the creek supported 23 mills, including grist, fulling and woolen, flour, and saw mills.

Another reason why people were attracted to Caroline in the early days was because the Catskill Turnpike–now state routes 206 and 79–ran though the town. Possibly an old Indian trail that ran from the back of the Catskill Mountains across much of the region, the Catskill Turnpike was a post road bringing mail and passengers via stagecoach to towns along the way like Whitney Point, Ithaca, and Watkins Glen.  The Turks lived very near to the Turnpike.

Cornelius’ last three children were born in Slaterville.  The community was named after Levi Slater.   Slaterville Springs is in the Ithaca metro area in Tompkins County on the northern edge of Caroline township on highway 79.

On State Route 79 (locally known as Slaterville Road) is the hamlet of Slaterville Springs. Originally known as just Slaterville, it was named in honor of the Town’s first teacher Levi Slater. Here you’ll find the town hall (originally the Slaterville school and on the National Register of Historic Places), the town’s only gas station, the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and a number of houses with interesting architecture.

Slaterville Springs is well known for its artesian wells. One is located in front of the town hall. The water from these wells had, at one time, a rather mythical quality. In 1871, Dr. William Gallagher determined that the waters of the “magnetic springs” had curative properties. Two hotels–Fountain House and Magnetic Springs Hotel–operated in Slaterville during this time to accommodate tourists who wanted to take the waters. In 1890, the hamlet was renamed Slaterville Springs. Three years later, in 1893, the water from Slaterville Springs won an award at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago for its clarity and excellence. During this “spa era,” which began to decline in the 1920s, Slaterville Springs water sold for $2.50 per gallon

Caroline — The first Post Office was established one half mile east of Slaterville, in 1810 by Dr. Speed, who was the first Postmaster. After it moved to Caroline Center the “Tobeytown” Post Office was established. Later, a grand-daughter of Widow Earsley became Postmaster and the Post Office came to be known as the Caroline Post Office. The Post Office closed in 1902 and the hamlet came to be known as “Caroline”. At one time the hamlet boasted of saw mills, a grist mill, a cheese factory, a blacksmith’s shop, a small grocery store, a church and a few houses. “It is simply an agricultural settlement, not having progressed any since the destruction of the grist mill”.

Caroline Center (or Centre) — When the Post Office was established at “Centerville” in 1839 the name was changed to “Caroline Centre”. As “American” spelling became standardized, “Centre” became “Center”  At one time there was a general store, blacksmith shop, school, two churches, a grist mill and saw mill.

Centerville — This area of Caroline was purchased by Augustine Boyer in 1803. The hamlet that grew up was called “Centerville” due to its geographical location. It was located on “76 Road”, a pioneer highway of the town from Speedsville to Brooktondale. The name was changed to “Caroline Center” in 1839 when the Post Office was opened. (The original Post Office had been moved from the Catskill Turnpike and was known as the “Speedsville” Post Office, although the area around it was called “City Lot”. It later moved to “Jenksville” which became Speedsville) The first school was built in 1820 on land in the “upper end” of William Speed’s garden.

Central Chapel– An area in which the Shindagin Road and Brearley (Braley) Hill Road come together. A lovely old Church overlooked the intersection as late as 1939 but had not been used for many years.

The  Central Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1855. Brearley Hill Church and Central Chapel Church seem to have been an outgrowth of this Society.

Mr.  John C Gee (1866-1942) of Central Chapel was the owner of the abandoned church building that overlooked the intersection of Shindagin Road and Brearley Hill Road, as late as 1939. Each year he had charge of placing flags on graves of the war veterans buried in Central Chapel Cemetery across the road from his home. He had also been a trustee of the Central Chapel School District for many years. He had been known as a curio trader and traveler, widely known as a swapper, watch repairer and antique collector. Since childhood he had lived on a farm at Central Chapel. In the early 90’s, Mr. Gee sold and repaired bicycles. Often he pedaled to Syracuse, Binghamton, or other central New York towns to purchase parts.

The  Caroline Center Church became “inactive” in the mid-1960’s, the same time as Caroline, but was also used for community activities and meetings. In the 1970’s the Board of Trustees invited ministers to come and hold services but it became vacant again until June 1989 when a local minister started holding non-denominational services. The A-frame bell support fell during the attempt to ring the rusty bell during the Fourth of July 1976 Bicentennial celebration. The 400-pound, cast-iron structure dropped from its belfry and smashed to pieces on the church roof. The bell parts rested between the ceiling and the belfry for nearly 12 years before it was repaired and replaced. It was dedicated on 18 June 1989.

On August 2, 1890, the name of the Post Office at “Slaterville” was changed to “Slaterville Springs”. There was a permanent population of about 275 residents. “The Slaterville Springs Resort Business” was developed in 1893. By 1920, the resort business started to decline.

“West Slaterville” was the area formerly known as “Boiceville”. It extended as far westerly as the Dutch Reformed Cemetery. There was also a school, located across from the present Caroline Elementary School.

The Turks lived near the Catskill Turnpike.   The turnpike was built past Widow Earsley’s home about 1804. The eastern section of the original highway was constructed before 1804 from Catskill on the Hudson to Unadilla on the Susquehanna, and was officially known as the Catskill and Susquehanna Turnpike. The western section was known as the Susquehanna and Bath Turnpike or as the Jerico and Bath Turnpike. (Jerico was then the name of what is now known as Bainbridge.) The two sections, with two short, connecting turnpikes, were known as the Catskill, Jerico & Bath Turnpike but called more often The Catskill Turnpike.

In its time, this was a super highway, with marshy places traversed by corduroy roads. These were logs placed crosswise of the track to prevent wagon wheels or horses from becoming mired in the mud. It had stonewalls on either side paralleled by maple shade trees and eighty-nine red sandstone milestones along its route.

The Turnpike was paid for partly or wholly by fees collected every ten miles at Toll Gates–hinged bars or logs large enough to swing across the entire width of the roadway, that prevented passage through the gate until the Toll was paid. Toll Charges were as follows:

• For every score (20) of sheep or hogs–8 cents

• For every score (20) of cattle, horses or mules–20 cents

• Carts drawn by one horse–6 cents

• Each chariot coach or coach phaeton–25 cents

• Every cart drawn by 2 oxen–12 1/2 cents

• No Charge for person going to or from worship, his farm, or a funeral, to or from a gristmill for grinding grain.

• No Charge for going to and from blacksmith shop, going or returning with a physician, or attending election.

• No Charge for anyone residing within 4 miles of the gate, jurors or witnesses.

• No Charge for U.S. Troops and Army stores in transit or persons going or returning from military training.

When stage coaches were operating regardless of the weather, travel was kept up through the year. Sometimes in heavy traffic, two 4-horse coaches and a baggage wagon were operated at one time. P. C. Sloughter was one of the stagecoach drivers on the Catskill Turnpike. He wrote to Lyman H. Gallagher the following:

“You asked me what I can remember about my driving stagecoach on the Catskill Turnpike from Ithaca…in 1857, I drove from Ithaca to Lisle. Some called it Mud Lake. We used to stop at Boiseville [Boiceville], Slaterville and Tobeytown [now Caroline]…If I remember rightly, I made two trips a week, up one day and back the next. The road was very rough and bad. I drove two horses.

There is a story that “a toll gate on the Catskill Turnpike stood nearly opposite the residence of Michael Krum (corner of Ellis Hollow Road and NYS Rt. 79). The Chambers family lived in a large square house in front of which a tollgate was located and the family were in charge of collecting toll for Turnpike use.

About 1818 or 1820, the road was neglected and became almost impassable, so a party of 8 or 10 farmers came with their ox teams to draw off the gate. They hitched 7 or 8 teams to it–John Mulks was the first one to hitch on. They drew it from Krum’s to above Tobey’s or Vickery’s Tavern where they halted for liquid refreshments and jollification of the event.

Just as they began to feel warmed up, Noble Howard of Lisle who was very impressed with the Turnpike (and may have been an officer of the company) arrived at the Tavern. The men formed a line on both sides of the gate and compelled him to go through the gate and pay the toll. He did it and then they cut it into firewood and had a general spree.”

The gate was not replaced and the road was worked by assessment of highway labor to the Eastern Tollgate near Padlock.

“DeWitt Clinton left this description of an experience at a local stage coach story in August 1810.

‘Fourteen miles from Ithaca, in the Town of Spencer, Tioga County (now Town of Caroline, Tompkins County) is a settlement of Virginians called Speed; they are all Federalists. An old man by the name of Hyde belonging to it, spent at least five hours in the tavern today, and went off so drunk that he could hardly balance himself on his horse.

Behind him was a bag, containing on each side a keg of liquor, and his pockets were loaded with bottles. In the barroom he abused Jefferson, Madison, and a number of other leading Republicans.'” (Ithaca Journal–“Glance Backward” by Barbara Bell)

The first tavern in the Town of Caroline was a “blockhouse” built by Richard Bush in 1801. For many years it was known as “Bush’s Stand”. He died during the War of 1812, and his widow continued to conduct the tavern. This tavern was the scene of many dances and parties in the old days. A celebrated violinist of the locality furnished suitable music for these social affairs. The tavern stood on the south side of the Catskill Turnpike (2505 Slaterville Road–a historical marker marks the spot) and on the farm across the road, were kept in the early days, a large number of horses which were used as stagecoach teams on the Catskill Turnpike. The change of teams was made here at Bush Tavern. Many of the droves of livestock which passed daily over the turnpike were also pastured there for the night, on land that was part of what was later Bull Tavern.

Boice’s Inn or the Boiceville Tavern was built by Abraham Boice, Jr., who came from Ulster County in 1816. He built a tavern on the present site of the vacant lot with a flowing spring. After the removal of the old tavern, a house was built to be used for a hotel. Part of the original tavern was moved to a farm somewhere north of Slaterville. This tavern was famous for its “spring” dance floor.

The Rawson Hollow Inn is situated at 702 Blackman Hill Road near Goodrich Road. Early Town Board records tell that Lyman Rawson was fined for selling “Speerits” without a license in 1816.

Rich’s Tavern was established by Captain David Rich after his arrival in March 1795 — one week before the Earsley family moved into their cabin. It was situated at 3416 Slaterville Road.

Tobey Tavern is marked by a “Tobeytown” Historical Marker across from 3204 Slaterville Road. The tavern was torn down when Cornell University established a ski slope on the hill at the back. The property is currently divided into housing lots. The elm tree that is still standing (1993) was located near the barnyard. The Vickery Tavern , kept by George Vickery about 1808 was also located on this property.

The Cass or Bull Tavern was built after the closing of the Bush Tavern, across the street, in 1815. Today, it is 2490 Slaterville Road. Josiah Cass conducted the inn for three years, then it changed hands to Aaron Bull and was run by him as a public inn for thirty years or more. Aaron Bull closed his tavern about 1848.

In the 1850 census, four generations of Turks were living together in Caroline, Tompkins, New York. Mary’s elderly mother Eleanor, Cornelius and Mary, their son and head of household Isaac, Cornelius’ daughter Rachel and Rachel’s son Edwin Ruthven.  .   Eleanor’s origin is listed as unknown. She may have been from France, but there are a lot of DeLongs living in Caroline, NY.

Isaac Turk 37 (Farmer)
Cornelius TURK 70 (Retired)
Mary TURK 68
Rachel E Turk 22
Edwin Ruthven 3
Eleanor De LONG 89

Cornelius’ son Zachariah and his wife Mary occupied the census record next door.

Children

In the 1860 census, Cornelius and Mary were still living with their son Isaac in Caroline, Tompkins, New York.  Four of his children’s families were farming very close to each other in Caroline township:  Thomas and Mary, Isaac and Adeline, Zachariah and Mary, and John and Anna.

2. Thomas Turk

Thomas’ wife Mary Snyder was born in 1815 in New York.  Thomas and Mary died in Michigan.  Headstone says she died in 1906. They have her year of birth wrong, though.

Thomas & Mary (Snyder) Turk came from Tompkins County, New York in 1877, purchasing 80 acres of woods for $150 in Venice Township. – Sect. 1, A two year old steer paid the taxes.

1840 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline,  [males: 2 <5, 1 30-40; females: 1 <5, 1 20-30].
1850 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, p. 14A, 211/215 [farmer] [age 43; b. NY].
1860 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, p. 42, 1396/1391 [farmer] [age 53; b. NY].
1880 census – Shiawassee Co., MI: Venice, E.D. 362, p. 13 [548A], 102/106 [farmer] [age 73; b. NY] [parents b. NY].

Children of Thomas and Mary

i. Cornelius Turk b: ABT 1834 in NY

ii. Catharine Turk b: ABT 1837 in NY

iii. George W. Turk b: 5 Jul 1841 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. May 21, 1862 at Civil War Battle of Fair Oaks. His remains are buried on the battlefield

Residence: Ithaca, New York
Enlistment Date: 16 Jul 1861
Enlistment Location: Caroline, Tompkins, New York
Regiment: 65th Infantry Company: D
Rank: Private

The 65th, known as the U. S. Chausseurs [footgear], composed of members from Eastern New York and a number from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine, was mustered into  service at Willett’s Point, L.I., in July and Aug., 1861, for three years. It left the state for Washington on Aug. 27, was assigned to the 3d provisional brigade until Sept. 19, when it became a part of Graham’s brigade, Buell’s division, and in March, 1862, joined the advance to the Peninsula as a part of the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 4th corps. It was present at the siege of Yorktown and active during the Seven Days’ battles, with a loss of 68 in killed, wounded and missing.

The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, in which the Army of the Potomac reached the outskirts of Richmond.

Although the battle was tactically inconclusive, it was the largest battle in the Eastern Theater up to that time (and second only to Shiloh in terms of casualties thus far, about 11,000 total) and marked the end of the Union offensive, leading to the Seven Days Battles and Union retreat in late June.

iv. Sarah Minerva  (Sally Mae) Turk b: Apr 1843 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. Standish, MI; m1. on Wednesday, May 11th 1864 to Charles Henry Eastman.  He was born 1839 in Danby, NY; m2.    Sarah married again after Charles Henry Eastman died. Her last name at death is Robinson.

vi. Rachel Ann Turk b: 1847 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY m. 25 Feb 1878 in Caroline, NY At the house of Mr. John Lynch in Caroline, NY to  John W. Quick

vii. Harriet (Hattie) Turk b: 27 Apr 1850 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY

viii. William Rolla Turk b: 15 Mar 1858 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 11 Feb 1934 in Genesee, MI; m. 26 Jan 1877 in Lennon, Shiawassee, MI to Ella Amanda St. John b: 15 Jan 1858 in Genesee, MI

3. Henry Benjamin Turk

Henry Benjamin Turk lived in Farmington Township, Tioga County, PA in the 1840, 1850 and 1860 census, the same place as our ancestors Mary Ann TURK and Josiah FOSTER.

Henry’s wife Deliah (Lila) Hamilton was born 15 Jan 1815 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY. Her parents were Andrew Hamilton and Elizabeth Cheeseman.  Lila died 19 Dec 1906 in Chelan, Chelan, WA.

1906 Obituary of Mrs. Delilah Hamilton:

For the third time in a few weeks death again visited Mr. Turk’s family, this time taking away his aged mother.  Mrs. Delilah Hamilton Turk, was born in Tompkins Co. N.Y. Jan 15, 1815. Her father was a cousin to Alexander Hamilton.  The deceased taught school several years in her younger days.  In 1827 she was married to Rev. H.B.Turk, a Methodist minister who preached for that denomination for over 60 years, mostly in New York & Pennsylvania.  He held the office of presiding elder several years.  The family came west in 1862, her husband dying in Iowa in 1895.  Mrs.. Turk came to Chelan about four years ago with her only son  H.B.Turk.  She passed away painlessly December 19th, with a firm faith in the religion which she professed, having united with the M.E. church when fifteen years of age.  Her funeral was held in Chelan M.E. church.  She leaves to mourn her loss one son out of 11 children.  She also leaves 18 grand children and 30 great grandchildren.  Worthy of Honor”

1840 census – Tioga Co., PA: Farmington [males: 1 20-30; females: 1 <5, 1 20-30].
1850 census – Tioga Co., PA: Farmington, p. 264, 104/107 [farmer] [age 40; b. NY].
1860 census – Tioga Co., PA: Farmington, p. 94 [288], 721/700 [farmer] [age 48; b. NY].
1870 census – Franklin Co., IA: Oakland Twp., p. 8 [387], 20/21 [local preacher] [age 60].
1880 census – Wright Co., IA: Wall Lake, E.D. 254, 67/69 [farmer] [age 70; b. NY]

Children of Henry and Deliah (Lila)

i. Mary Elizabeth Turk b: 23 Mar 1839 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 1 May 1895 in Iowa City, Wright, Iowa; m. 30 Jun 1856 Age: 17 Tioga, Tioga, Pennsylvania to Charles Wesley Walton

Charles Wesley Walton

Letter from Grandmother Delila Hamilton Turk to her Grandson Shirley Walton, March 1, 1896 Sutherland, Ia. (Post marked Peterson, IA)

“Shirley, You are placed in a very peculiar position. You must remember that your father was left alone, that is his wife was gone not to return and he must live with out her. If he saw fit to take another to his bosom don’t blame him. Do your duty as a son and make his old age comfortable as you can. Always be kind and gentle- always show a Christian spirit. Honor your father that your days may be long in the land, I write this because I have great interest in your welfare. My children are all gone but one, therefore I take great interest in my Grandchildren. I want them all to be good faithful Christians.”

She closed her letter by saying what a good home she has with her son. All of her Children were gone but Ben.(Henry Ben Jr).

ii. Zachariah Turk b: 1844 in Farmington, Tioga, PA  was also known as Oscar J. Turk. m. Ruth Hagaman on 23. Mar. 1866 at Hampton, Franklin County, Iowa; d. 21. Feb. 1916 at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

ii. Susan A. Turk b: 1847 in Farmington, Tioga, PA; d. After 1860 census

iii. Sabrina C. Turk b: 1849 in Farmington, Tioga, PA; d. After 1860 census

iv. Thomas J. Turk b: 1854 in Farmington, Tioga, PA; d. After 1870 census

v. Henry Benjamin Turk Jr. b: 15 Oct 1857 in Farmington, Tioga, PA; d. 17 Nov 1953 in Wenatchee, Chelan, Washington; m. 10 Nov 1886 in Galt, Wright, Iowa to Corinna Lucretia Stanford b: 18 Sep 1861 in Rowe, Franklin, Mass. d. 8 Jan 1945 Chelan, Chelan, Washington

Henry and Corrine were married by her father. Corrine was a teacher. They were Methodists. On find a grave it says he moved to Iowa as a young man. He was a telegraph operator and later a farmer when he moved to Iowa. In 1901 he and his family moved to South Dakota where he homesteaded and purchased a home. He died in Wenatchee, Chelan, Washington at age 97. And is buried at Chelan fraternal Cemetery.

Corrine moved with her parents to Wisconsin in 1867. The family moved by ox team wagon to Cherokee County, Iowa, where they homesteaded at a later date.  She was educated in the Wesley Seminary, Minnesota, she taught school for several years. She was married in Cherokee County, Iowa, Nov. 10, 1886 to Henry Benjamin Turk, coming to Chelan in 1902, where they have since resided.  Mrs. Turk continued her membership in the Methodist Church in Iowa, and she was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, being a Gold Star mother.   Surviving are her husband; three sons, Burton of Manson, Vernon of the U.S. Navy and Lloyd, who is in the air corps. .

On their son Kenneth Turk’s (1891-1918) record it says Kenneth was born in Iowa and came to Chelan Washington with his parents in 1902, then he and his parents moved to Friend,, Oregon in 1908. Then Kenneth moved to California and was in the aviation dept. Signal Service Corps. Three of Henry Turk Jr. and Corrine’s other sons died of typhoid fever in 1906 while living in Chelan, Washington..

5. Isaac Turk

Isaac was a veteran, probably of the Civil War.  Cornelius and Mary lived with Isaac in the 1850 and 1860 censuses.  His second wife Adaline Dean was 26 years younger.  She was born in 1840 and  died 25 Mar 1877 age 36 yrs., 1 mo 23 dys.

Isaac Turk Age = 47
Adeline Turk 20
Cornelius Turk 3
Ettela Turk 4/12
Edwin Turk 13
Cornelius Turk 79
Mary Turk 77

1850 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, p. 14A, 212/216 [farmer] [age 37; b. NY].
1860 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, p. 42, 1397/1392 [farmer] [age 47; b. NY].
1870 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, p. 24, 209/220 [farmer] [age 55; b. NY].
1880 census – Tompkins Co., NY: Caroline, E.D. 222, p. 15 [8C], 158/168 [farmer] [age 65; b. Delaware (Co.)]   [widower].

Children of Isaac and Adaline:

i. Edwin Turk b. 1844 or 1848 according to Civil War Record 1847 according to 1860 census, Enlisted in Caroline, NY in Company K, New York 137th Infantry Regiment as a Private on 29 Aug 1862. Age at enlistment: 18
Promoted to Full Corporal on 12 Aug 1863.

Killed 29 Oct 1863 at Wauhatchie, TN.  The Battle of Wauhatchie was fought October 28–29, 1863, in Hamilton and Marion Counties, Tennessee, and Dade County, Georgia, in the American Civil War. A Union force had seized Brown’s Ferry on the Tennessee River, opening a supply line to the Union army in Chattanooga. Confederate forces attempted to defeat the Union force defending the ferry and again close this supply line but were defeated. Wauhatchie was one of the few night battles of the Civil War.

The 137th regiment, recruited in the counties of Tompkins, Tioga and Broome-the 24th senatorial district-was organized at Binghamton, and was there mustered into the U. S. service for three years on Sept. 25-26, 1862. It left on the 27th 1,007 strong, for Harper’s Ferry, and was there assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd (Geary’s) division,-the “White Star” division-12th corps, to which it was attached throughout the whole period of its active service.

The list of important battles in which the regiment took part includes Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Missionary ridge, Lookout mountain, Ringgold, Rocky Face ridge, Resaca,

Cassville, Lost mountain, Kennesaw mountain, Peachtree creek, the siege of Atlanta, and numerous minor actions on the march to the sea and in the campaign of the Carolinas.

Col. W. F. Fox, in his account of this regiment, says: “It won special honors at Gettysburg, then in Greene’s brigade, which, alone and unassisted, held Culp’s hill during a critical period of that battle against a desperate attack of vastly superior force. The casualties in the 137th at Gettysburg exceeded thoseof any other regiment in the corps, amounting to 40 killed, 87 wounded and 10 missing.

Two regiments on Steuart’s left, the 23rd and 10th Virginia, outflanked the works of the 137th New York. Like the fabled 20th Maine of Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain on Little Round Top earlier that afternoon, Col. David Ireland of the 137th New York found himself on the extreme end of the Union army, fending off a strong flanking attack. Under heavy pressure, the New Yorkers were forced back to occupy a traversing trench that Greene had engineered facing south. They essentially held their ground and protected the flank, but they lost almost a third of their men in doing so. Because of the darkness and Greene’s brigade’s heroic defense, Steuart’s men did not realize that they had almost unlimited access to the main line of communication for the Union army, the Baltimore Pike, only 600 yards to their front. Ireland and his men prevented a huge disaster from befalling Meade’s army, although they never received the publicity that their colleagues from Maine enjoyed.

Units from other Union corps aided Ireland’s regiment, but it retained its dangerous post until after the last Confederate assault on July 2, after 10 p.m. The battle that night ended when the 137th made two bayonet charges, stopping the Confederate advance.  Regimental losses were reported as 40 killed, 87 wounded, and 10 missing, including 4 officers dead.

The 12th corps left Virginia in Sept., 1863, and went to Tennessee, joining Grant’s army at Chattanooga. In the month following their arrival the regiment was engaged in the midnight battle at Wauhatchie, where it lost 15 killed and 75 wounded; and, a few weeks later, fought with Hooker at Lookout mountain in the famous ‘battle above the clouds;’ casualties in that battle, 6 killed and 32 wounded.

ii. Cornelius (Neil) Turk b: Mar 1857 in Caroline, Tompkins,NY,m. 1888 to Leona B.[__?__] b: Jul 1860 NY In the 1920 census, Neil was a factory laborer in Syracuse Ward 5, Onondaga, New York.  His daughters were named Hilda and Zelda.

ii. Estella J. (Stella or Nellie) Turk b: Apr 1860 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. After 1880 census m. 30 Jul 1882 to Thomas. A. Lynch from Caroline, age 25, born Caroline, NY. Farmer, son of John Lynch & Caroline Willsey

iii. George W. Turk b: ABT 1863 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY died 3 Oct 1886 age 23 yrs., 4 mo’s 25 dys.

George W Turk Monument – Central Chapel Cemetery – Memorial Day 2012

iv. Ulin Turk b: ABT 1868 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. after 1880 census m. 27 Oct 1888 to Charles D. Norris, From; Caroline, NY, Born; Cordovia, Minn., age 21, Farmer, son of; Walter Norris & Melissa Stevens. Evelynn TURK From; Caroline, NY, age 21, dau. of Isaac TURK & Adaline Dean

6. Zachariah Turk

Zachariah’s wife Mary [__?__] was born about 1826 in New York.

Zachariah lived next to his brother John in the 1850 and 1860 census.  Zachariah was the leader of the Central Chapel Church in 1871 and 1886.

Children of Zachariah and Mary:

i. Melvina Frances Turk b.  1848 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY.  d. 25 Nov 1861 age 13 yrs., 3 mo’s ” God wanted our bright angel more And from the midst of grief’s alarm He carried Frances tenderly to rest in Jesus’ arm.”

ii. Amelia Turk b. ABT 1851 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. After 1860 census

iii. Arthur J. Turk d. 3 Jun 1864 age 11 mo’s 14 dys

iv. Charles B. Turk b. May 1855 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 1915. m. Elizabeth A. (Libbie) [__?__] in Candor, Tioga, NY

v. Marcellous Everett Turk b. abt. 1859 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; m. Fannie E. Miller. She was born Nov 1860 in NY.  Marcellus Turk died Jan. 7, 1890 age 31 yrs., 2 mo’s 4 dys.

vi. Sarah M. Turk b. abt. 1868 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. After 1880 census

7. John D. Turk

Caroline Census 1860: Turk, John 40, Ann 32, Eliza 14, Emeline 11, Theordore 7, Barney 4, Monford 4 months.  John’s wife Anna Finch was born 1827 died 1892.

Children of John and Anna:

i. Eliza (Louisa) A. Turk b. Jun 1846 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY. m. Richard C Rummer. He was born in Dryden, October 5, 1852, and was among the earliest settlers in the town. He was educated in the common schools and finished at Dryden Academy, under Professor Jackson Graves. At the age of twenty-three he married Olive Helfron, who passed away in 1880 and in 1889 he married Louisa A., daughter of John Turk, of Caroline, and they have one daughter and one son. In 1889 he bought the homestead farm of 200 acres and in 1891 part of the Cady estate of forty-eight acres, having 248 acres, and raising hay, grain and stock, making a specialty of dairying. Our subject takes the Republican side in polities, and is now president of the Board of Health of Freeville. He is interested in school and church matters and takes a prominent part in advancing the best interests of his town.

ii. Emeline (Emma) Turk b. 23 Feb 1850 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 1935; m.

Richard Carl Leonard

8 Oct 1871 Age: 21 to Richard Carl Leonard (1850 – 1933)

Emma Turk Leonard Headstone – Central Chapel Cemetery

iii. Theodore Turk b. ABT 1853 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 16 Dec 1851 age 8 yrs., 2 mo’s 26 dys.

iv. Barney Turk b. 1857 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 22 Nov 1861, age 4 yr’s 5 mo’s 24 dys. When the cemetery was restored, Barney’s little monument was reset. Under his monument was found pieces of another grave marker, the only part of this marker that could be read was: Sidney, son of Elezar & Harriet. No surname could be read. It is unknown if this headstone was from this cemetery or if it was just used as a foundation to set the monument.

v. Montford W. Turk b. Apr 1860 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY Town of Caroline marriage records: Montford Turk from Slaterville Springs, NY., age 24, born Slaterville Springs, NY; a carpenter, son of John Turk and Anna Finch, married Nov. 11, 1883 to Rebecca Osborn from Port Crane, NY, age 19, born Port Crane, NY, daughter of Benjamin Osborn & Unice Randall.

vi. Carrie M. Turk b. 24 Aug 1864 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; d. 26 Oct 1901 Burial: Caroline Grove Cemetery , Caroline, Tompkins, New York; m.  Henry R Schutt (1860 – 1939)

vii. Lottie U. Turk b. 1866  d. 21 Sep 1866 age 8 mo’s 13 dys.

vii. Rev. DeGrove Turk b. 1871 in Caroline, Tompkins, NY; m. Grace A. Shear. She was born 1877 in NY

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/15116357/person/242960338

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=turk-society&id=I11235

www.carolinehistorian.org/historyword.doc

New York: Index of Awards on Claims of the Soldiers of the War of 1812 By New York (State) Adjutant General’s Office

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=28102666

http://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/countiesandtowns/tompkinscounty-caroline.htm

http://nytompki.org/cemeteries/centralcem.htm

http://nytompki.org/cemeteries/central_chapel_cem_map.htm

http://www.carolinehistorian.org/

http://nytompki.org/towns/tcrln.htm

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=turk-society&id=I12588