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View Tree for Philip John Fuess, Sr.Philip John Fuess, Sr. (b. Jan 05, 1852, d. Dec 20, 1932)

Philip John Fuess, Sr. (son of Johann Phillipp Fuess and Phillipina Erb) was born Jan 05, 1852191, and died Dec 20, 1932 in Waterville, NY.. He married Maria McGuire on Feb 27, 1876192.

 Includes NotesNotes for Philip John Fuess, Sr.:
The Philip John Fuess
Maria Agnes McGuire
Family

Fuess Homestead
Harry M. Fuess Diversified Farming
Waterville, N.Y.

July 30, 1948
Dear Marjorie:

Enclosed is the sketch requested. Thank you very much for the valuable information you gave me, without which I could not have written it. I hope it is not too lengthy, but I didn't know how to leave any of it out. Hope we have a fine day for the reunion Sunday.

Very sincerely,
Viola Parker Fuess
-----------------------------
It was a cold winters afternoon, near the school house in the Kelley district on Brookfield Hills, when Philip John Fuess, who was working near, was attracted by shouts of children who were sliding down hill in dish pans. One of them was an attractive, teen age, Irish girl with long black braids who had recently arrived with her family from New York City, to make their home in the vicinity. Her name was Maria (pronounced Ma RI' ah) Agnes McGuire, as Philip immediately proceeded to find out.

Neighborhood square dances were the chief source of entertainment on the Hills and Philip and Maria frequented them, only to become better and better acquainted. Soon their acquaintance blossomed into romance and on February 27, 1876, they were united in marriage by Reverend Father Riley of Waterville.

Philip, who had come to America from Germany at the age of sixteen, had worked for his uncle (Jacob) and saved all his earnings for the express purpose of bringing his father, mother, and several brothers and sisters to America. It was not long after their arrival that he became interested in Maria, so it meant setting up house keeping on very meager circumstances. They lived near Conger's Corners, while Philip worked again for his Uncle Jake Fuess learning many worth while things about hop raising. It was while they lived there that their first child, Philip John Jr., was born. Later they moved to a place at the edge of the village of Waterville on Hanover Road, but lived there only a couple of years.

Philip was casting eager eyes about for a suitable place to purchase and make a start on his own. Across the fields to the west, not far distant, lay a small abandoned farm. Philip and Maria decided to make the venture. In 1880 they, with their two children Philip Jr. and Mary, a baby, moved to that run down place. They worked hard and long, clearing much of the land of trees and brush, repairing the buildings and planting maples by the road side, many of which are still standing (1948).

It was here that Philip and Maria made a permanent home for the rest of their family, amidst joys and sorrows, hopes and discouragement. At three years of age, little Mary was taken from them, but soon after, Lillian arrived to help appease their loneliness. Then followed William, Louis, Edward, and five year later, Harry Maurice.

With hops the principle crop on the farm, there were plenty of discouragement. It was not unusual for crops to be poor and prices low. During one such year, Philip was on the verge of giving up the place, but when he broke the news to Maria she immediately retorted, "I thought I married a man and not a coward." "Damn it, you did", Philip replied. He left the house, drove to the village to tell the store keepers his plight. They assured him they would trust him for another year when all would hope for better times.

Better times did come eventually. Bills were paid necessities for the home and family were provided and along with health and constant, patient team work, plus one year of dollar-a-pound hops, the picture of life was completely changed. However, Philip had other aspirations, and after several attempts he secured a permanent source of excellent water with a 58 foot dug well. He was successful, also in getting the farm changed from the Hanover School District to the one in the village of Waterville, thus giving the children advantages of better schooling.

The Fuess home was often the setting for a square dance during the winter months when friends and neighbors assembled, laden with good things to eat and a fiddler from town. The rows of cakes were never to be forgotten by the children who peered wistfully from behind the store until hustled off to bed. Many happy times were spent together with Lillian singing and playing the piano. Occasionally the sleigh was filled with hay and the whole family was bundled off for a trip to brother Carl's at Madison Center. The annual Fuess reunion at Madison Lake was an anticipated event for all.

As the boys grew older and able to assume responsibilities, Philip was prominent in town and county politics serving as supervisor of Marshall for several terms. He was a member of Oneida County Board of Equalizers, and assessor in his township until his death. He was a member of Sanger Lodge F & AM, the Royal Arcanium, Waterville Grange, and attended the Episcopal Church. Much of his spare time was spent in hunting and fishing and he delighted in clean, fair sportsmanship.

Maria was a devout member of St. Bernard's Church and attended regularly. Her desires were confined chiefly caring for the home and their most important crop - four sturdy boys. She was fond of flowers and often raised the chickens and turkeys.

The winter of 1905 found some of the children ill with diphtheria. After a short illness, Lillian, then a teacher in the second grade of the Waterville school, passed away at her home on January 5. It was a dreadful blow to all the family. With Philip Jr. married and Edward completing his education in Utica and working in a bank, the family was fast decreasing in size at home.

=================
UTICA DAILY PRESS
AGED WATERVILLE RESIDENT PASSES

Philip Fuess, Sr., Former Supervisor From Marshall, Dies
Waterville -- Philip Fuess, Sr. 80, a retired successful farmer died at his home here Tuesday morning.

He was born in Annweiler, Rhenish Bavaria, January 5, 1852, the son of Philip and Philomena Erb Fuess. In 1868 he came to America and for a short time worked at his trade as cooper for Carl Bierbauer in Utica. Then he went into the hop country near Sangerfield, and worked on a farm. In 1872 he brought his father and family of 10 to this country. By that time he had begun farming on his own account.

In political belief he was a Democrat and for nine years was assessor for the town of Marshall. In 1894 he was chosen supervisor of the town of Marshall and in 1896 was reelected. He served on several important committees including those on miscellaneous accounts and sheriff's accounts. In 1900 he was the candidate of his party for the office of superintendent of the poor. More recently he was assessor and was an authority on real estate values. He attended the Episcopal Church at Waterville. He was fond of hunting and had been a member of the Royal Arcanum.

In 1872 Mr. Fuess married Maria McGuire, Waterville, who died 11 years ago. He is survived by four sons, Philip, William and Harry of Waterville and Edward, New Hartford; two sisters, Mrs. Grant Stringer, Madison; and Mrs. Katherine Skinner, Hackensack, N.J.

Philip continued to pride himself with raising fine quality hops, doing all the drying himself. They remained on the farm until 1917 when they purchased a neat, little home on Hanover Road, surrounded by the farms of his three sons William, Philip, and Harry, who took over the home farm, since calling it - Fuess Homestead.




More About Philip John Fuess, Sr. and Maria McGuire:
Marriage: Feb 27, 1876192

Children of Philip John Fuess, Sr. and Maria McGuire are:
  1. +William Louis Fuess, b. Nov 09, 1884, Marshall, NY193, d. Jan 06, 1955194.
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