Past Graveyard Walks

Past Character Bios

Joseph Anselmo: Born in Sicily in 1896, Joseph moved from NYC to Warrensburg in 1911 where he met and married Orpha Wilsey. Orpha’s family had resided in Warrensburg from the middle of the 19th century. Joseph was employed by the Highway Department of Warren County for more than 40 years. He served in WWI in Italy and France. He was a charter member of the Warrensburg Fire Company, Emergency Squad and the American Legion Post 446. He was a 57-year member of the Warrensburg chapter 325, Royal Arch Masons. The Fire Company elected Joseph as Assistant Fire Chief in April of 1947. He was instrumental in helping with the War Memorial in the Warrensburg Cemetery and was a member of the Bear Waller Hunting Club. Joe died in 1982 at his home on Third Avenue where he was known for his abundant vegetable gardens.

Joseph A. Aiken: Born in 1889, son of Lester and Josephine (Wemsley) Aiken, Joe become a professional drummer and member of the Adirondack Pipes & Drums (still existing today). He served in World War * in Italy and France as an ambulance driver from 1918 to 1919 and during that time kept a daily diary, which can be seen at the Warrensburgh Museum of Local History. Joe married Ruth Porter in 1924 (his second wife), they had a daughter Josephine and a son Lester. Les was a talented and popular athlete. He had been married but two weeks to Kitty Langworthy when he was killed in a automobile accident on his way to a summer job in Lake George in 1948. Joe Aiken died in 1968 at the age of 79.

Lee R, Orton: Born in 1894, the son of William Clark Orton and Ella Wheeler Orton, Lee worked for Berry Wood-ward in the undertaking business before partnering with Cassius McCloskey. They purchased their late employer's funeral home and renamed it Orton and McCloskey Funeral Home. Orton played for the Maplewoods baseball team in the early 20th century and had a brief career in professional base-ball. He served as Town Clerk from 1928 to 1944, when he was elected Town Supervisor. He remained in that position until 1964. In 1958 he was named Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, serving in that post through 1961. Married to Sara Kilday of Madison, Pennsylvania, they had a son William Clark and a daughter Saralee. Lee Orton died in 1966. Orton Drive, through the subdivision of the former Crooning Pines property, was named in his honor

Geneva Kenyon: Historical records show that Miss Kenyon was a teacher in Warrensburg District No 3 School. Six certificates were issued for satisfactory completion of two terms of 4th, 5th and 6th graders between 1906 and 1909 in District 3, signed by the school commissioner and teachers. F. Geneva Kenyon is listed as one of the teachers. Geneva was also a charter member of the Hackensack Rebeka Lodge 442 organized on May 5 1910. Geneva was heavily involved in the Home Defense. Her first sweetheart Harold Bowen was stationed in Germany during WW I. The museum collection hosts a postcard sent to Geneva from Harold While he was stationed in France. Geneva eventually married Lewis Hamilton who also served in France

2016

Obituary for John G. Taylor at Alexander - Baker Funeral Home
Warrensburg John G. Taylor, 88, of Hill Cottage Road, passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 29, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born August 16, 1925 in Queens, he was the son of the late Edward and Elizabeth Glaister Taylor. John proudly served his country with the U.S.

The Haskells of Warrensburg
by Roscoe G. Hastings & John T. Hastings

Ray Haskel

Obituary for Emily S. Reynolds Martin at Alexander Funeral Home, Inc.
Thurman Mrs. Emily Sceurman Reynolds Martin, 83, of Stony Creek Rd., passed away, Saturday, December 23, 2006 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 8, 1923, on the Reynolds family farm in Thurman, she was the daughter of the late Rexford C. and Emily C. Sceurman

Eldon Haskel

Obituary for Vera L. Brown at Alexander - Baker Funeral Home
Warrensburg Vera Brown, 93 of Schroon River Rd., passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday October 5, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Vera was born December 2, 1917 in Boston to Oscar and Wilma Sarin Kalley. Following her early childhood in Brooklyn and Floral Park, Long Island she earned her

In the News

Graveyard walk returns to Warrensburg cemetery
WARRENSBURG - The Warrensburg Historical Society will hold this year's Graveyard Walks at the Warrensburg Cemetery on Oct. 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. sharp. Characters expected to surface at the cemetery this year are local heroes Ray and Eldon Haskell, who both lost their lives in WWII, Vera Brown, John Taylor, a navy submariner and Emily Martin, a nurse.

Graveyard Walks Through Warrensburg History Planned -
Since 2001, the Warrensburgh Historical Society has been hosting annual Graveyard Walks. Through historical research, a narrator, actors, visitors and students have the opportunity to learn the connections between national events and local citizens. This year's event is focusing on people who were k

2015

Graveyard Walks, Dinner with Dead set
WARRENSBURG - The history of Warrensburg is to come to life soon in a novel way, as the Warrensburgh Historical Society holds its 15th annual series of Graveyard Walks and Dinner With the Dead. The three events feature actors and local history enthusiasts portraying noted townspeople from past eras who are buried in the Warrensburgh Cemetery.

Maurice Ashe's Obituary