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Descendants of Joseph Bemis


      3229. Henry Varenes8 Bemis (Varenes7, Timothy6, Timothy5, John4, John3, John2, Joseph1)13985 was born 11 Oct 1832 in Almond, Allegany, New York13985, and died 06 Mar 1906 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. He married (1) Martha A. Downer13986 27 Jan 1851 in Henrietta, Lorain, Ohio13987, daughter of Truman Downer and Remember Nye. She was born 30 Jul 1831 in Skaneateles, Onondaga, New York. He married (2) R. A. Armstrong13988 27 Oct 186913988.

Notes for Henry Varenes Bemis:
[1860 Census - Chicago (Ward 5), Cook, Illinois - July 20, 1860 - page 272 - image 272]
Henry Bemis, 28, Brewer, real estate of $2500, personal property of $4000, born in New York;
Martha A. Bemis, 27, born in New York;
Frank W. Bemis, 8, born in Ohio;
Mary Bemis, 7, born in Ohio;
Mary A. Bemis, 45, personal property of $1500, born in New York;
Coleman Bemis, 21, Brewer, born in New York;
Dwight Bemis, 9, born in New York;
Ann Chaliger, 19, servant, born in Ireland.

[Possible 1870 Census - Chicago (Ward 4), Cook, Illinois - July 24, 1870 - page 274]
[Genealogy.com: Illinois, COOK, Roll 200 Book 1, Page 137b]
Henry B. Bemis, 36, brewer, born in New York;
Rose A. Bemis, 2?, keeping house, born in Virginia;
Ellen O'Donnell, dom. servant, born in Ireland.

[1880 Census - Chicago, Cook, Illinois - June 3, 1880 - page 10 - image 10]
Henry B. Bemis, 40, Brewer, born in New York (parents in New York);
Rose Bemis, 30, wife, housekeeping, born in Virginia (parents in Virginia);
Delia Daly, 27, servant, born in Ireland (parents in Ireland);
Mary Flanagan, 24, servant, born in Ireland (parents in Ireland);
David Wormsley, 25, servant, born in England (parents in England).

[Probably 1900 Census - Chicago (Ward 2), Cook, Illinois - June 2, 1900 - page 3A(175) - image 4]
Dates of birth appear to be incorrect. Address is 2018 Indiana Avenue, which corresponds with address in newspaper article announcing his death. Listing in Ancestry.com is under H. A. Bemis.
H. V. Bemis, October 1855, born in New York (parents in New York), importer;
Rosa Bemis, wife, July 1873, born in Virginia (parents in Virginia);
Mary Doherty, servant, December 1860, born in Ireland (parents in Ireland).

More About Henry Varenes Bemis:
Name 2: H. V. Bemis13988
Date born 2: 11 Oct 1832, Center Almond, Allegany, New York13988
Occupation: He lived in Chicago and formerly owned the well known Hotel Richelieu.13989

Notes for Martha A. Downer:
[1900 Census - Other Townships (ED#37), Los Angeles, California - June 7, 1900 - page 12B - image 24]
Martha Bemis, roomer, July 1831 (68), widow, 2 children, 2 living, born in New York (parents in New York), landlord.

[Family Tree Maker CD: Local and Family Histories: New England, 1600-1900s]
"The Downers of America, ...with... Genealogical Record", By. David R. Downer, Newark, N. J., 1900, p 187:

2101 MARTHA A., b at Skaneateles, 30 July, 1831. Rem to Cleveland, O., in 1840; m Henry V. Bemis, 25 June, 1850. Had W. Frank, 2 May, 1852; Mary A., 26 Apl, 1855; is now living at Los Angeles, Cal.

More About Henry Bemis and Martha Downer:
Marriage 1: 27 Jan 1851, Henrietta, Lorain, Ohio13989
Marriage 2: 25 Jun 185013990

More About Henry Bemis and R. Armstrong:
Marriage: 27 Oct 186913991
     
Children of Henry Bemis and Martha Downer are:
  4960 i.   Frank W.9 Bemis13992, born 02 May 185213993. He married (1) Tillie Gray13994. He married (2) Minnie Renwood13994. He married (3) Margurite (______)13995 Abt. 189313995; born in Germany13995.
  Notes for Frank W. Bemis:
[Los Angeles Times, July 14, 1896, page 8]
Petition for Guardianship
W. Frank Bemis has filed a petition for guardianship of Henry F. Bemis and Irene Estelle Bemis, minors. The children are heirs to insurance in the sum of $933.
----------------------------------------
[1900 Census - Cahuenga (District 99), Los Angeles, California - June 1900 - page 8B - image 15]
Frank Bemis, head, 47 (May 1853), married 7 years, born in Ohio (parents in Ohio and New York), Surveyor;
Margurite Bemis, wife, perhaps 33 (September 1867), married 7 years, 2 children 2 living, born in Germany (parents in Germany);
Joseph Bemis, son, 12 (January 1887), born in New York (parents in Ohio and Germany?), at school;
Freda Bemis, daughter, 14 (July 1885), born in New York (parents in Ohio and Germany?), at school.

  More About Frank W. Bemis:
Date born 2: May 1852, Chicago, Cook, Illinois13996

  Notes for Minnie Renwood:
[New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Jun 19, 1892. p. 20 (1 page)]
DANCING AND COPYRIGHT; JUDGE LACOMBE DECIDED AGAINST LOIE FULLER'S SKIRT DANCE.
Usually the opinions which are handed down from the United States Circuit Court Judges are no more exciting than the pages of a court calendar, but yesterday Judge Lacombe wrote an opinion upon skirt dancing from an artistic point of view that was very interesting.
About a month ago Loie Fuller asked for an injunction against Minnie Renwood Bemis to restrain her from dancing the "serpentine" dance during the Summer on the roof of Madison Square Garden. Miss Fuller asserted that she originated the dance and having had it copyrighted, it was her own exclusive property. Judge Lacombe thought otherwise, and refused to grant the injunction. In his opinion he said:
"It is essential to such a composition that it should tell some story. The plot may be simple, it may be but narrative, or a representation of a single transaction, but it must repeat or mimic some action, speech, emotion, passion, or character, real or imaginary. When it does, its ideas thus expressed become subject to copyright.
"An examination of the description of the complaintant's dance, as filed for copyright, shows that the end sought for and accomplished was the illustrating and devising of a series of graceful movements combined with an attractive arrangement of draperies, lights, and shadows, telling no story, portraying no character, depicting no emotion. The mere mechanical movements by which effects are produced on the stage are not subjects of copyright. Surely this dance described here conveyed and was devised to convey to the spectator no other idea than that of a comely woman illustrating the poetry of motion in a singularly graceful fashion, and, while such an idea may be pleasing, it can hardly be called dramatic.
"Motion for preliminary injunction denied."
------------------------------------------------
[Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago, Ill.: May 26, 1895. p. 36 (1 page)]
SEVENTH WEEK OF "A BLACK SHEEP."
Hoyt's Farce Continues to Be a Success at the Grand.
Mr. Charles H. Hoyt's farces have all been favored with the spice of audacity. His characteristic tendency away from conventionality has been the real secret of his popularity with the masses, but his search for novelty has seldom led him into impropriety. Last Sunday night, however, he committed an error in allowing a woman to appear in "A Black Sheep" at the Grand Opera-House and perform a dance designed to reveal the fact that she wore neither shoes nor stockings. The dance, failed to attract the curious and it disgusted the regular patrons of the Grand Opera-House. Minnie Renwood, who performed the specialty, had nothing in grace nor beauty to recommend her as a dancer, and it is not likely she could have found a place in the company if she had not consented to discard shoes and stockings...
------------------------------------------------
[Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago, Ill.: Jan 10, 1897. p. 3 (1 page)]
MORE ABOUT THAT DANCE AT SHERRY'S; Anabelle Moore Tells of the Proposition Which Was Made to Her by Mr. Phipps.
New York. Jan. 9. -- [Special.] -- When the trial of Capt. Chapman for the raid on Sherry's establishment during the Seeley dinner was resumed at police headquarters today no women were in the room. None had attempted to get in, so the doorkeeper was not obliged to enforce his authority to keep women out. There was the usual crowd of male spectators and principal witnesses and lawyers. Lawyer Hart for Police Captain Chapman, in opening the session before Commissioner Fred Grant, contended that all the guests at the dinner were guilty of a misdemeanor it it could be shown they had intended to give an improper performance.
Anabelle Moore, or Whitford, was the first witness. She it was who gave Capt. Chapman the first news of the vaudeville entertainment at Sherry's. She had gone to the office of Mr. Lehman, she said, and there was questioned about her skill.
"He wanted to know if I did high kicking. I said 'Yes.' He asked me to wait for the gentlemen arranging the dinner. Mr. Phipps and another man came in after awhile. I showed them what I would do. Phipps said he wanted more. I said I didn't understand. He said, 'I want you to dance in the altogether.'
"I was so dumfounded that I could scarcely speak. The other man there then suggested that scant clothing be worn. I felt awfully, and said that no woman would dance so.
"Mr. Phipps said, 'No matter, they will all be so drunk at the dinner that they won't know.'
"I went out weeping."
In reply to Col. James' question, on cross-examination, she said she started dancing in Chicago at the time of the World's Fair.
"At the Midway Plaisance?" asked Col. James.
"No." was the reply.
"Where, then?"
"At the Grotto."
"Where was that?"
"In Michigan avenue."
To further questions she replied that it was a reputable place: that liquors were sold there, and that men smoked.
William S. Moore, her father, testified that his daughter had informed him of the request made and of his subsequent visit to the police.
When Lottie Mortimer was called she told about Capt. Chapman's interruption in the Sherry dressing-room. She said Mr. Seeley, Mr. Rich, Mr. Hart, and Mr. Phipps were in the room before Chapman got there. All other testimony had been to the contrary. Mr. Hart asked the witness to describe Cora Routt's costume at the time of Chapman's entrance.
"I know positively that her arms and neck were uncovered," said Miss Mortimer. "I am not positive as to what she wore." Later in the evening witness declared, after she had "done her turn," and was dressing, Mr. Rich and Mr. Phipps came into the dressing-room and asked her to go on again.
"I was fastening my dress. They insisted that I go on again, and pushed me out into full view of the guests, saying: 'O, go on, anyway.'"
Minnie Renwood followed. Mr. Phipps engaged her for the Seeley dinner.
"What costume were you told to wear?"
"I was asked by Mr. Rich if I had a good figure. I wore the usual costume."
Asked what Little Egypt wore on the stage, she said: "She wore slippers, stockings, gauze bloomers, a little bolero jacket, and a fez."
The witness went further into the details of this costume, showing that Little Egypt was very slimly clad. The trial was then adjourned until Tuesday morning.

  Marriage Notes for Frank Bemis and Minnie Renwood:
[Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900]
Groom: Frank W. Bemis
Bride: Minnie Shultz
Date: 04/18/1882
Vol./Page: 04/142
Lic. No.: 1505
County: Champaign

[Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago, Ill.: Jul 1, 1893. p. 6 (1 page)]
WILL TRANSFER THE CASE TO CHICAGO.
Minnie Renwood Bemis Sues for Divorce -- The Father on Her Side.
Minnie Renwood, otherwise Mrs. W. T. Bemis, the serpentine dancer, has brought suit for divorce against her husband in a New York court on the ground of cruelty. In this action Mrs. Bemis has the support of her father-in-law, Henry V. Bemis, President of the Richelieu Hotel company, Chicago. She and her two children are staying at the Richelieu. It has been decided to drop the suit brought in New York court, and transfer the action to Chicago. A rumor started in New York to the effect that the husband had begun a counteraction was declared last night by H. V. Bemis to be groundless.

  More About Frank Bemis and Margurite (______):
Marriage: Abt. 189313997

  4961 ii.   Mary A. Bemis13998,13999,14000, born 26 Apr 185514000. She married William D. Larrabee14001 21 Jul 187314001; born 21 Feb 1849 in Horicon, Wisconsin14001.
  More About Mary A. Bemis:
Date born 2: 185414002
Burial: 1911

  Notes for William D. Larrabee:
[History of Chicago]

[Page 468]

      William D. Larrabee, the junior member of the firm of Larrabee Bros, is the son of William M. and Mary Margaret (Haight) Larrabee. The father was one of the earliest of Chicago's railroad men. He was secretary of the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad and afterward secretary and treasurer of the Chicago and Alton. Having resided in Chicago for some time, he moved to Horicon, Wis., where William D. was born on February 21, 1849. His railroading, however, brought him back to Chicago, and he subsequently settled in Geneva on the Fox River, where William still resides in the old family mansion. William left school at the age of sixteen, and entered the employ of the Chicago branch of the Bank of Montreal, then called "The Chicago Agency," as messenger boy; but when, in 1868, the "Agency" was closed out and the business transferred to George C. Smith & Bro., young Larrabee took a clerkship for a couple of years under his father, who was at that time secretary and treasurer of the Chicago & Alton Railway; then, after three years of work for Calkins & Fisher, lumber dealers, he returned to the Chicago & Alton and took the responsibility of paymaster. He remained in this position for eight years, on until the first of January, 1882, when he resigned and, forming a partnership with William H. Mead, took charge of the Accident Insurance Company of North America. Mr. Larrabee was married on July 21, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Bemis, daughter of the well-known H. V. Bemis, and has had three children, two of whom are now living, Mary W. and John L. In politics he is republican, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Royal Council, No. 869. The firm of Larrabee Bros. are active members of the Citizens' Association.
----------------------------------------
[1880 Census - Geneva, Kane, Illinois - June 7, 1880 - page 12 - image 12]
William D. Larrabee, 31, Paymaster C. & A.R.R., born in Wisconsin (parents in New York);
Mary A. Larrabee, 25, wife, keeping house, born in Ohio (parents in New York and Vermont);
Mary S. Larrabee, 3, daughter, born in Illinois (parents in Wisconsin and Ohio);
John Larrabee, 2, son, born in Illinois (parents in Wisconsin and Ohio);
Martha A. Bemis, 49, mother-in-law, widowed or divorced, no occupation, born in New York (parents in Vermont and New York);
Also listed a domestic servant and two boarders.

[Perhaps 1900 Census - Los Angeles Ward 3, Los Angeles, California - June 12, 1900 - page 8A(36) - image 15]
Wm. D. Larrabee, boarder, Feb. 1849 (51), born in Wisconsin (parents in New York).

[1910 Census - Los Angeles (District 194), Los Angeles, California - April 15, 1910 - page 196B - image 4]
William Larrabee, 60, married 1, 35 years, born in Wisconsin (parents in New York), civil engineer;
Mary A. Larrabee, wife, 55, married 1, 35 years, 3 children 1 living, born in Ohio (parents in New York), clerk in engineers office;
Mary Cola?, sister, 58, widow, 2 children 2 living, born in Illinois (parents in New York);
Martha Bemis, mother-in-law, 80, widow, 2 children 1 living, born in New York (parents in Vermont);
John S. Larrabee, son, 33, single, born in Illinois (parents in Wisconsin and Ohio), surveyor.

[1920 Census - Butler (District 69), Fresno, California - January 22, 1920 - page 9A - image 6]
William D. Larrabee, head, 70, born in Wisconsin (parents in New York), civil engineer, power co. camp;
Mary A. Larrabee, wife, 64, born in Ohio (parents in New York).

[1930 Census - Beverly Hills (District 838), Los Angeles, California - April 8, 1930 - page 7B - image 14]
William D. Larrabee, 81, married at 24, born in Wisconsin (parents in New York), civil engineer, electric power company;
Mary A. Larrabee, 74, married at 18, born in Ohio (parents in New York);
Also listed a lodger.

  More About William Larrabee and Mary Bemis:
Marriage: 21 Jul 187314003



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