Joseph & Olive...In early 1857 Joseph developed consumption, a wasting illness related to tuberculosis, and decided to seek help at a clinic he had heard about in Skaneateles, N.Y.(Olive's family was from Skaneateles) Leaving their oldest child, 18-year-old Tryphens, in charge of the farm and other children, the youngest, Minerva, was only 3. Joseph & Olive set out for the clinic. As they crossed Lake Skaneateles just south of the town, a storm suddenly came up and the waves on the finger lake capsized their small boat. Olive and Joseph drowned. While Olive's body was recovered, Joseph's never was.
Joseph...aged 49 born Massachusetts Olive...aged 48 born New York
CORYDON...AGED 19y 5m
GILBERT...AGED 22 days
MAE...AGED 29y 11m 3d