RODEKOHR ANCESTORS

Elizabeth Jane CLARK
1828-1880

This page last updated:  24 August 2007

Elizabeth Jane³ CLARK (Thomas², John¹) was born to Thomas CLARK and Samantha FOWLER on 6 Mar 1828,[1] probably in Conesus, Livingston County, New York, after her parents moved there by 1820.[2]

In 1830, as a child, Jane was living with her parents in Conesus.[3]  By 1840, the Thomas CLARK family had removed to Dansville, Steuben County, New York.[4]  By 1850, her parents had both died[5] and all of the unmarried siblings: Joel W., William, Lewis, John, (Elizabeth) Jane and a Mary Henry, age 18 years, are living together in Dansville.  The George FRITZ family lives close to the CLARK children.[6] 

On 26 June 1851, at Conesus, Livingston County, she married Wesley FRITZ,[7] born on 16 March 1819 in Sugerloaf Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania to George J. FRITZ and Catherine KILE.  George was born 4 September 1798 and died 3 March 1868.  Catharine died 16 May, 1887 at 95 years, 3 months.  They are both buried at Doty's Cemetery, Dansville, Steuben County, New York.[8] 

In 1860, after Jane and Wesley were married, they were farming in South Dansville, Steuben County, with children: Alice, age 7; George, age 4; Wesley, age 2; and a Chancey Coleman, age 22, farm laborer, and a Mary Quick, age 18.  Close neighbors are:  Emmaly (Emily CLARK) GRISWOLD, Jane’s sister; George FRITZ, Wesley’s father; John CLARK, Jane’s brother; Lewis CLARK, Jane’s brother; and Clarissa (CLARK) OLIVER, 1^st cousin.[9] 

In September 1860, there was a buggy accident where a Mrs. FOWLER, was killed. 

"FATAL ACCIDENT

We learn that a fatal accident occurred about five miles from Canaseraga last week by which one was killed and another very badly injured. Mrs. Fritz, from Doty's Corners, and Mrs. Fowler, from Alfred, were going from Doty's Corners to Alfred Centre, and when about five miles from Canaseraga they came to a narrow bridge thirty feet long and eighteen feet above the bed of the creek.  The bridge was very narrow and without any railing.-When about two thirds across the bridge, the ladies discovered some loose planks and the horse noticed them and stopped. Mrs. F. urged him with the whip, when he immediately commenced backing, and before either of the ladies could save themselves, the whole establishment including the horse, was precipitated from the bridge near the centre falling a distance of eighteen feet upon the rocks and timber below.  Mrs. Fowler, who is a very heavy woman, weighing 240 lbs., was so badly injured internally that she died Sunday morning after intense suffering. She retained her senses to the last and appeared perfectly resigned to her fate. Mrs. Fritz sustained severe injuries about the thighs and shoulder, and also internally, but is now doing well and probably will recover.  It was first thought that her thigh and shoulder blade were broken, but a close examination proved that such was not the case.-The horse was almost immediately killed, and the buggy rendered a perfect wreck. The bridge is in the town of Birdsall, and they should be made to pay a heavy tax for allowing so unsafe a bridge to remain in the town, and thus endangering the lives of human beings."[10] 

This is probably Sara FOWLER, wife of Philander, who died Sunday, 23 September 1860, eleven days preceding the news article.[11]  Her passenger, Mrs. FRITZ, was probably (Elizabeth) Jane (CLARK) FRITZ, They were traveling from Doty’s Corners, where Jane lived,[12] to Alfred Center, where Sarah lived.[13]

In 1870, at Cohocton Post Office, Dansville township, Wesley and Jane E. are farming, with Alice, 17, George, 14 and William W., age 12, living at home; a Helen CLARK, age 19,  Domestic Servant, and a Franklyn Magbury, age 22, a farm laborer.  Helen may be Jane’s niece, Helen S., age 19, the daughter of her brother Henry Mortimer CLARK and Susan A. WILCOX, who had both died by then.

This synopsis of FRITZ family information comes from Gary FRITZ, a descendant of Wesley and Jane, and researcher of the FRITZ family.  While living in Dansville, Jane and Wesley’s four children were born: Alice, George T., Wesley W. and Clark C. FRITZ.  Over the years, Wesley purchased a considerable amount of property in the area: in 1845, 100 acres in Hornellsville, Steuben County, as well as a residence in Hornellsville, near Arkport; 1850, 117 acres in Dansville; 1856, two parcels of land of 11 and 21 acres in Burns, Allegany County; 1867, 24 acres in Burns and 56 acres in Grove, Allegany County; 08 June 1867, 100 acres in the Town of Ossian; Allegany County; and 1869, three parcels in Grove, one of 49 acres, and two others of 92 acres each.  Gary writes:

“The 117 acre farm consisting to two parcels is 'our' family homestead. It was located approximately 1/2 mile south of George J's farm, just south of Crossett Road. When Wesley bought the property, there was a house and barn on the property. A few months later, he married Jane Clark. The house remained until 1939, when it burned down. The fire was caused by a farm hand, who came home drunk and kicked over a kerosene lantern. A new house was constructed that year. As of 2001, the property is still being farmed and the house and barns still stand."

Jane died 14 November 1880 and Wesley on 11 April 1889, both in Dansville, and are buried at Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Dansville[14].  In his Will, Wesley gave property deeded to him in 1867, by Wm. Scott equally to Alice C., Clark C. and George T. FRITZ.  This prime farm land, along with the original homestead property remained in the family until 1945.”[15] 

Fritz Family Monument, Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Dansville, Steuben County, New York.  Photo by Liz Cornish 3 Dec. 2003.

Wesley Fritz – Born -  Mar 6, 1819 – Died - 11 Apr 1889.  Photo by Liz Cornish, 3 Dec. 2003.

Jane E. Clark-His Wife – Born - Mar 6 1828 – Died - 14 Nov 1880.  Photo by Liz Cornish, 3 Dec. 2003.

Alice C. Fritz – Born – Oct. 5, 1852 – Died - May 3, 1901.  Photo by Liz Cornish, 3 Dec. 2003.

Wesley W. Fritz - Mar 3 1859 – Died - Feb 18 1875.  Photo by Liz Cornish, 3 Dec. 2003.

Clark C. Fritz – Born – Aug. 11, 1870 – Died - Feb. 20,  1926.  Photo by Liz Cornish 03 December 2003.

Children of Elizabeth Jane³ CLARK and Wesley FRITZ all born at Dansville, Steuben County, New York, were as follows:^[16]

i. Alice C.⁴ FRITZ was born on 5 Oct 1852.  She died on 3 May 1901 at Hornellsville, Steuben County, New York, at age 48.  She was buried at Doty's Corners Cemetery, Dansville, Steuben County, New York.

ii. George T. FRITZ, born 11 January 1856; married 1st Mary JONES (1857-1900).  Her ancestors were early settlers of Dansville. George and his wife moved to the Town of Wheeler, Steuben County, New York, where he became a very successful farmer. They had two children:

i.  Carl FRITZ (1889-1918) at age 28, enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1918 and was killed in action in Europe five days before the armistice. It is reported that he was the last Steuben County soldier to be killed in the war (fighting). Carl never married. His body was never found, thus he is an "Unknown". There is a tombstone stating " In Memory of...." in the Arkport [Doty's Corner] Cemetery.

ii. Spencer FRITZ (1887-1918) married Katherine AULLS (1891-1974). Her ancestors were prominent early settlers of Urbana and Wheeler. Spencer was a farmer, but also worked in the fledging Glen Curtiss factory in Hammondsport and also he also received a patent for a potato digger. Spencer died in December 1918 from pneumonia, but he was not aware that his brother had been killed.  It was not until May 1919 that the family received official word of Carl's death. Spencer and Kate are buried in the Wheeler Cemetery. After Spencer's death, Kate married again.

Spencer and Kate had two children: Dorothy (1908-1914)-died of diphtheria; and Harold (1910-1955). Harold married Eleanor MOHLER (1910-1993). They had two children.  Harold is buried in Arkport Cemetery.

In 1902, George T.  married Eliza (BREWER) THOMPSON (1856-1925). They did not have any children.  After Eliza's death, George T. moved back to Dansville and lived with his brother Carl. They died 10 days apart in 1926.  George T and his two wives are buired in Arkport Cemetery.  Today, in Wheeler, there is a "Fritz Hill" Road named after George T, and his family descendants.

iii. Wesley William FRITZ was born on 3 Mar 1859.  He died on 18 Feb 1875 at Dansville, Steuben County, New York, at age 15.  He was buried at Doty's Corners Cemetery, Dansville.

iv. Clark C. FRITZ was born on 11 Aug 1870.  He died on 20 Feb 1926 at Dansville, Steuben County, New York, at age 55.  He was buried on 22 Feb 1926 at Doty's Corners Cemetery, Dansville.

Compiled by Edwin Charles (Chuck) Rodekohr
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