Effie L. Krause
|
Effie L. Krause |
John Russell Case was born October 27, 1878 in Furnas Co., NE and died September 16, 1953 in the City of Bradford, Foster Twp., McKean Co., PA at age 74. He was the son of William R. Case and Addie Mary Fox of New York. Russ was buried September 19, 1953 in the Case Brothers Lot #50, Block F of Little Valley Rural Cemetery, Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY. Effie L. Krause was born March 1881 in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS and died August 8, 1929 in Bradford, McKean Co., PA at age 48. She was the daughter of August F. Krause of Germany and Mary Jane Abbey of Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Canada West. Effie was buried August 10, 1929 in the Case Brothers Lot #50, Block F of Little Valley Rural Cemetery, Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY. Russ and Effie were married September 10, 1899 in Norton, KS. Following Effie's death, Russ married Florence Leighty. Florence J. Leighty was born July 1885 in Tower Hill Twp., Shelby Co., IL. and died about June 8, 1959 in Unknown at age 73. She was the daughter of (Levi?) Leighty of Illinois and Samantha "Mattie" Unknown of Illinois. Florence was buried June 11, 1959 in the Case Brothers Lot #50, Block F of Little Valley Rural Cemetery, Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY. Russ and Florence were married on January 24, 1931 in the First Presbyterian Church, Hot Springs, Hot Springs Twp., Garland Co., AR. TIMELINE John Russell Case was born October 27, 1878 in Furnas Co., NE. The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1880 shows John B. F. Champlain (age 38) born in New York to Rhode Island-born parents is a Commercial Traveler for Cutlery and Silver Plate living on Rock City Street, Village of Little Valley, Little Valley Twp., Cattaraugus Co., NY. Living with him is his wife, Theresa Case (age 34) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his children, both born in New York to New York and Wisconsin-born parents: son, Tint Case (age 13); and daughter, Jessie Case (age 2). Also living there: his married brother-in-law, Wm. R. Case (age 32) born in New York to New York-born parents, who is a Farmer; his niece, Debby Case (age 10) born in New York to New York-born parents; his niece, Theresa Case (age 5) born in Nebraska to New York-born parents; and his nephew, John R. Case (age 1) born in Nebraska to New York-born parents. Leigh Larson note: John Russell Case's mother, Addie Mary (Fox) Case, had just died in August 1879 in Furnas Co., NE. The remaining family is living with the Champlain family. Theresa Mary (Case) Champlain and William Russell Case are sister and brother. Effie L. Krause was born March 1881 in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS. The 1885 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1885 shows A. F. Krouse (age 29) born in Germany and having moved from Wisconsin is a married Farmer living in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS. Living with him are: a married female, M. J. Krouse (age 25) born in Canada and having moved from Wisconsin; Effie L. Krouse (age 3) born in Kansas; and Elda E. Krouse (age 1) born in Kansas. Two homesteading entries for August Krause in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS:
The 1895 Kansas State Census taken on March 1, 1895 shows August Krause (age 49) born in Germany and having moved from Wisconsin is a Farmer living in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS. Living with him are: Mary J. Krouse (age 35) born in Canada and having moved from Wisconsin; Effie Krause (age 14) born in Norton Co., KS; Elda Krause (age 11) born in Norton Co., KS; Belle Krause (age 9) born in Norton Co., KS; Oscar Krause (age 6) born in Norton Co., KS; Alfred Krause (age 4) born in Norton Co., KS; Wallace Krause (age 2) born in Norton Co., KS; and Ralph Krause (age 1) born in Norton Co., KS. Russ and Effie were married September 10, 1899 in Norton, KS. The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 20, 1900, shows August F. Krause (age 44) born November 1855 in Germany to German-born parents and having emigrated in 1861 and not Naturalized is a Farmer owing his farm free of a mortgage and is living in Aldine Twp., Norton Co., KS. Living with him is his wife of 20 years, Mary J. Krause (age 40) born July 1859 in English Canada to English Canadian and English-born parents and having emigrated in 1860 with Unknown Naturalization, with 9 of the 11 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his children, all born in Kansas except for Alfred, who was born in Wisconsin: Effie L. Krause (age 19) born March 1881, shown as married less than one year; Elda E. Krause (age 17) born May 1883; Belle E. Krause (age 14) born November 1885; Oscar O. Krause (age 11) born November 1888; Alfred O. Krause (age 9) born October 1890; Wallace A. Krause (age 7) born September 1892; Jason R. Krause (age 6) born March 1894; Nellie A. Krause (age 4) born February 1896; and Minnie L. Krause (age 2) born May 1898. The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 16, 1900 shows Mattie Leighty (age 40) born February 1860 in Illinois to Pennsylvania and Virginia-born parents is a widowed Baker with all 6 of the children born to her still alive who owns her home with a mortgage and lives in the Village of Tower Hill, Tower Hill Twp., Shelby Co., IL. Living with her are her unmarried children, all born in Illinois to Illinois-born parents: Clara E. Leighty (age 18) born January 1882, a School Teacher; Florence J. Leighty (age 14) born July 1885; and Ida F. Leighty (age 12) born November 1887; Jacob M. Leighty (age 10) born June 1889; and Mabel Leighty (age 9) born February 1891. The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 21, 1910 shows Russel J. Case (age 31) born in Nebraska to New York-born parents is a Cutlery Manufacturer owing his home and living at 90 School Street, Bradford, McKean Co., PA. Living with him is his wife of ten years, Effie L. Case (age 28) born in Kansas to German and English-born parents, who is childless. The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 20, 1910 shows Mattie Leighty (age 50) born in Illinois to Pennsylvania and Virginia-born parents and married twice with all 6 of the children born to her still alive is a Baker in her Own Shop who owns her home free of a mortgage and lives in the Village of Tower Hill, Tower Hill Twp., Shelby Co., IL. Living with her are two unmarried daughters, both born in Illinois to Illinois-born parents: Florence Leighty (age 24) a Public School Teacher; and Idah F. Leighty (age 22) a Public School Teacher. On September 10, 1918 the WWI Draft Registration Report shows John Russell Case, born October 27, 1878 and living in Bradford, McKean Co., PA is a Manufacturer of Tools and Cutlery for W. R. Case & Sons, Bank, Bradford, McKean Co., PA. Medium height, Stout build, Blue eyes, Brown hair. His nearest relative is W. R. Case, Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY.
The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 12, 1920 shows John R. Case (age 41) born in New York to New York parents is President of a Cutlery Company rooming at either 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 South Avenue, 1st Ward, City of Bradford, McKean Co., PA. Living with him is his wife, Elvira N. Case (age 38) born in New York to Kansas-born parents. The 1920 U. S. Census lists the wife of Russ to be Elvira N. Case. However, the census information was not provided by her, since it said she was born in New York (she was born in Kansas and he was born in Nebraska). Russ was the co-founder and president of the W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company of Bradford. The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 17, 1920 shows Samantha Leighty (age 59) born in Illinois to Pennsylvania and Virginia-born parents is a widowed General Merchandise Merchant who owns her own mortgaged home and lives in the Village of Tower Hill, Tower Hill Twp., Shelby Co., IL. Living with her is her unmarried foster-son, Edward Sidwill (age 17) born in Illinois to Illinois-born parents. Effie L. (Krause) Case died August 8, 1929 in Bradford, McKean Co., PA at age 48. The Olean Herald, Olean, NY, Saturday, August 10, 1929 Mrs. J. Russell Case Succumbs in Bradford BRADFORD, Aug. 10. - Mrs. J. Russell Case, 48, wife of J. Russell Case, prominent Bradford cutlery manufacturer, died at her home on East Main Street here last night, following a six months' illness. Mrs. Case was born in Norton, Kansas, and came to Bradford 30 years ago. Surviving are her husband; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Krouse of Norton, Kansas; two sisters, Mrs. Elda Darling and Mrs. Dell McCray, both of Gooding, Idaho; four brothers, Oscar Krause of Gooding, Idaho, Alfred Krause of Minneapolis, Minn., Jason Krause of Wichita, Kansas, and Wallace Krause of Sioux City, Neb. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon. McKean County Miner, Smethport, PA, August 15, 1929 DEATH CLAIMS MRS. J. R. CASE Bradford, Aug. 10. - The death of Mrs. J. Russell Case, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of this city, and wife of J. Russell Case of the Case Cutlery company, occurred at her home, 723 East Main Street, last evening at 8:15 o'clock, following an illness of six months duration. Mrs. Case had been in serious condition for some time and despite the fact that everything known to medical and surgical skill was done for her, she could not live. Mrs. Case had been a patient in several hospitals and returned from a Buffalo hospital several weeks ago. She had been surrounded by every care and comfort during her illness. Deceased was born in Norton County, Kansas, on March 18, 1891 and was united in marriage to Mr. Case in 1898. She was a member of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Case was the possessor of many fine qualities of heart and mind and was greatly beloved and admired by numerous friends. Her untimely death is greatly regretted by all who knew her. The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 18, 1930 shows J. Russell Case (age 52) born in Nebraska to New York-born parents is a widowed Manufacturer of a Cutlery Works living in Foster Twp., McKean Co., PA. The value of his home is $50,000. His first marriage was at age 20, and he is living alone. The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 12, 1930 shows Florence J. Leighty (age 44) born in Illinois to Illinois-born parents is an unmarried Public School Teacher lodging at the Kingsway Hotel on Reserve Avenue, 3rd Ward, City of Hot Springs, Hot Springs Twp., Garland Co., AR. Russ had an uncle, John D. Case, who was born July 12, 1857 in Napoli, Cattaraugus Co., NY and died July 15, 1929 in Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY. He had another uncle, Andrew Jackson Case, who was a pony express rider in Norton, Norton Co., KS. Russ and Florence were married on January 2, 1931 in Hot Springs, Hot Springs Twp., Garland Co., AR. Decatur Daily Review, Decatur, IL, PA, February 2, 1931 Florence Leighty Becomes Bride Former Decatur Teacher Weds in Hot Springs Friends of Miss Florence Leighty, former teacher in the Decatur schools and a graduate of Millikin Conservatory of Music, will be interested in her marriage Saturday night, Jan. 24, to J. Russell Case of Bradford, Pa. The ceremony was performed in the First Presbyterian church in Hot Springs, Ark., by Rev. Marion Boggs, pastor. The bride was also an instructor in piano, cornet and pipe organ and has been a prominent educator of Central Illinois. She formerly lived in Tower Hill. For the last fourteen years she has been a teacher in the primary department of the Jone school in Hot Springs, and has appeared on a number of programs at Arkansas educational meetings. She served as president of the Hot Springs Business and Professional Women's Club in 1928-29. Mr. Case is vice president and treasurer of the W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Products company, manufacturers of Bradford, Pa., and New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Case will make their home in Bradford. John Russell Case died September 16, 1953 in Bradford, Foster Twp., McKean Co., PA at age 74. Florence J. (Leighty) Case died about June 8, 1959 in Unknown at age 73.
J. Russell Case and Effie (Krause) Case in their McFarland (about 1922). Note: trade-in price in 1922 was $2,250.
John Russell Case
John Russell Case, 1949
Case family Northwestern Pennsylvania J. RUSSELL CASE - Known throughout the United States for his accomplishment as a cutlery manufacturer, J. Russell Case continues, in Bradford, the firm of W. R. Case & Son, founded and for years headed by his father. This organization occupies a prominent place in Bradford industrial life and in the cutlery business of the Nation. Mr. Case was born October 27, 1878, in Nebraska, son of William R. and Mary (Fox) Case, both of whom are now deceased. The father, William R. Case, went west with his brother, Jean Case, when he reached the age of twenty-one years, and the two brothers together operated a mail and freight route for the Federal Government in Kansas and Nebraska. In 1878 Mrs. Mary (Fox) Case, whom he had married at the age of twenty and taken west with him, died, whereupon, in 1879, William R. Case returned to the East and entered the cutlery business in Little Valley, New York. The present firm, or its predecessor, was established there in 1895, and there William R. Case continued it until 1905. Then he decided to come to Bradford, where he put up a thoroughly modern plant and initiated the present firm of W. R. Case & Son. They manufacture “Case Tested Double XX” cutlery, popular throughout the United States. W. R. Case remained president of the organization until his death in 1931, whereupon he was succeeded by his son, J. Russell Case, who has continued the work down to the present. William R. Case was also the main sponsor of the Case Land Company, and was instrumental in transforming the swamps in Foster Brook into a fine residential district. He was the first man in the United States to travel and sell cutlery from samples, according to records of the industry. Common schools of Little Valley, New York, where the family formerly lived, provided J. Russell Case’s early formal education. He “grew up” in the cutlery business from a very early age, and has remained in it since that time. The enterprise was established, as already indicated, back in 1890, and since its removal to Bradford he has been prominent in its management. Through the years of the firm’s history the number of employees has grown from forty people to about 350. At the time of the father’s death, in 1931, there were about two hundred. Originally, in Bradford, the business was situated in a small establishment in Bank Street, very different from the fine up-to-date plant now operating in Russell Boulevard. Quite aside from his work with this company, J. Russell Case operates a fine farm, raising roughage to feed a herd of about sixty head of milk cows. Politically he follows an independent course, casting his support in favor of candidates and measures of his choice rather than on any partisanship basis. He belongs to the Bradford Club and the Bradford Board of Commerce, and in the Free and Accepted Masons is affiliated with Little Valley Lodge, Buffalo Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Zem Zem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (in Erie). J. Russell Case married (first) Effie L. Crouse, and (second) Florence Lichty. Crandall Knives The company that eventually became the Crandall Cutlery Company of Bradford, PA, had its start in Little Valley, NY. There is little known of the company started by Ira Clinton Crandall (1823-1904), other than it "moved" to his son, James Etsel Crandall (1850-1917) and then James’ son, Herbert Etsel Crandall (1876-1922), who gave the company its "last" name. As it turns out, there were several cutlery companies in that same general area (western NY, along the PA border), the largest and most powerful of which was W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery in Bradford. William Russell Case wanted all the cutlery business of that area, and was quite a "cut-throat" businessman of the time. If he could not buy a competitor outright, he made sure that his children married into the family! Through this method he "acquired" the Platts Cutlery Company, the Crandall Cutlery Company, the Unique Knife Company, and the Robinson Knife Company! Case’s daughter, Theresa, married Herbert Etsel Crandall, and W. R. Case bought out the Crandall Cutlery Company in 1911. Original CCCo. knives are a keepsake — so look to see if you have one. They frequently come up at auction on the Internet at such places as E-Bay. However, you have to watch carefully to make sure that you’re not bidding on a repro! After Wm. Russell Case died, the Case Cutlery Co. ended up in the hands of a Crandall again, Rhea (Crandall) Osborne O’Kain (b ~1900), his granddaughter. There were no male heirs, hence it passed on to her in the mid-50s. She and her husband and her son were in charge until about 1973. Over the years there were many other businesses bought out by the Case Co., but in 1989 Case was bought out by Smoky Mountain Knife Works of TN. Smoky Mountain sold the company to Zippo of Bradford, PA, and it is Zippo that still owns it. References: John Cortland Crandall: "Elder John Crandall of Rhode Island ... "; private; New Woodstock, NY; 1949; pp 224, 429-30, 564. Giles, James S.: "The First 100 Years (A Pictorial and Historical Review of W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery)"; Smokey Mountain Knife Works; Sevierville, TN; Oct 1989; pp 2, 18, 72 The History of Knifemaking By looking at the history of W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, you are really looking at the history of knifemaking in the United States. W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company's history began in 1889, in the burgeoning center of the American cutlery industry in upstate New York. The secrets of tempering steel to the perfect heat that gave blades optimum strength and grinding a breathtakingly sharp edge were learned. The Case reputation began to grow. And knives sold from the backs of wagons became the foundation of a great company. In the beginning of 1902, that knowledge and reputation became the bedrock upon which W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company was founded. By the time the company moved to Bradford, PA in 1905, "Son" acquired an "s" at the end, and the most respected name in cutlery was established. The name grew through word of mouth, and the product offerings expanded to include a wide range of knives and straight razors. Tens of thousands of Case knives went to World War I with U.S. troops, and by the 1920s demand for Case knives far outstripped the original factory, requiring the building of a new facility in Bradford. Founder J. Russell Case formed W. R. Case & Sons with financial backing from his father, William R. Case, in 1902. When J. R. Case founded W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, he was pursuing the passion that seemed to be his destiny. His father, W. R Case, had been one of six siblings involved in the cutlery business since 1889. With Case family offspring founding no fewer than seven separate cutlery companies, the Case name became synonymous with high-quality knives and cutlery. But who was J. R. Case? A look back at the "Golden Years" for W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. might explain more. During the half century-plus of control and guidance by chairman John Russell Case success and the "good life" seemed to come easily. J. R. Case, or "Russ" as close friends and relatives fondly called him, managed Case Cutlery with a style that was both authoritative and unpredictable. From his formation of the company until his death in 1953, J. R. was final decision-maker at Case. J. Russell Case, The Farmer J. R.'s Final Years J. R.'s Legacy Lives On Company Lineage W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company was created around the turn of the century during a time when pocketknives were as essential as a watch. Through the years, the company has been recognized as a leader in pioneering new materials and designs in the knife industry. However, Case has always been careful to temper its innovation with a steadfast commitment to uphold its longstanding tradition of quality and craftsmanship. Case knives are made today much as they were when the company was under the stewardship of its founder John Russell Case (J. R.). John Russell Case, named for his father, W. R. Case, was one of six siblings involved in the cutlery business since 1889. As a young man, he started as a grinder and finisher in a company owned by his father and uncles. During the winter, he worked in the factory and in the summers, he sold cutlery from the back of a wagon to feed/supply stores, hardware stores, hotels and even door-to-door. At the turn of the century, J. R. Case decided to incorporate his own business with the backing of his father for whom the company is named. With several family members in the business, the name Case became synonymous with quality cutlery throughout the country. John Russell was at the helm of Case Knives until his death in 1953. For several years, Case was family owned and operated. In fact, family management weathered it through the Great Depression and two World Wars before American Brands purchased the company in 1972. In 1989, the company was sold to Jim Parker of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Two years later, Rivers Associates, a holding company, purchased Case and in 1993 sold it to Zippo Manufacturing Company, makers of Zippo lighters. Zippo, another family-owned Bradford-based company, has given W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company the stability and focus it has not had since the Case family owned it. Case now has over 350 skilled employees working three shifts, seven days a week to meet ever-increasing demand for its world famous knives. Just as it did in the early 1900s - when traveling salesmen would go door to door offering Case knives for 25 or 50 cents - the brand continues to offer versatility, from a handy tool that fulfills a variety of everyday uses to hobby knives for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, golfing or hunting. In December of 1904 a meeting was held in the office of L. Emery Jr. and Company to consider a proposition for the establishment of a large cutlery company in Bradford. W. R. Case and J. Russell Case, member of the firm of W. R. Case and Son of Little Valley were present and submitted an offer to erect a plant in Bradford. The firm was engaged in cutlery business in Little Valley, New York. The proposed name for the firm W. R. Case & Son Cutlery Works. By January of 1905 a finance committee appointed to sell stock in the proposed new cutlery company was actively at work. At a meeting of Case Cutlery Company stockholders four sites were offered for consideration. The cutlery company would decide on the location. February 1905 a meeting of the stockholders of Case Cutlery Company was held, bylaws for the corporation were adopted and matters pertaining to the concern were discussed. It was decided to leave the selection of site for the proposed concern to the officials of the company. A site was selected. Case Cutlery plant was located on the corner of Howard and Bank Street. The members of the Third Ward Industrial Association concluded to purchase the Lovitz lot and offer it in competition as a desirable site. Mr. Case on the seeing the location was well pleased with it. As soon as weather permitted the work of erecting the factory began By the middle of 1905 the building was completed and W. R. Case & Son becomes part of Bradford's manufacturing history. The year 1928 finds the cutlery company looking for more space. The citizens of Erie, Pennsylvania make a bid for relocating plant to Erie, Pa. July 1928 Bradford Era headline reads "Loss of W. R. Case & Son Virtually Certain" November 1928 Board of Commerce negotiated to buy Case Plant and a new plant was built in East Bradford. By 1972, ownership of Case Cutlery passed from the Case Family to American Brands, Inc. In 1973 Case purchased approximate twenty acres of land on Toad Hollow Road (Toad Hollow road was changed to Owens Way, named after Owens-Illinois Container Factory located on the same road.) south of the city. The building was completed late 1974 and production started in spring of 1975. On January 1, 1989 the ownership of W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery changed to James F. Parker. Oct 1990 Case Cutlery entered Chapter 11 involuntary bankruptcy. By November 1990 sale to River Associates was approved. May 1993 sale of W. R. Case & Sons to Zippo Manufacturing was officially approved. The joining of two historic Bradford companies, provided stability for Case Cutlery and knife and lighter collectors benefited in 1995 when the first Zippo-Case Swap Meet was held in Bradford, Pennsylvania. You might say knife and lighter collector heaven. No doubt the collectors are dreaming of July 1998 for another dose of heaven. The Era, Bradford, PA., Wednesday, February 7, 1945 Case Cutlery Reaches All Fighting Fronts Local Industry Heavily Engaged in Production Of War Goods; Firm Came to City in 1905 In 1905 J. Russell Case moved the W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company from Little Valley, N. Y., to Bradford, and continued its development to a nationwide business. Since that time there has been a steady increase in volume of business and number of employees augmented by the purchase of a number of smaller cutlery companies. The factory and office was first located in Bradford in a plant the company erected on Bank street. Forseeing the time when it would outgrow that plant the corporation purchased a tract of land on the north edge of the city just after the last war and developed the residential district at Foster Brook where many employees now live. In 1929 the factory and office was moved to a larger plant erected on this same tract. New buildings have been added to this plant from time to time including a very modern office building completed, in 1941 and a new factory addition recently completed. Corporation Formed. In January, 1944, W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company formed the Case-Smiley Corporation which acquired Schaaf & Good Company at Fremont, Ohio, where they now manufacture a complete line of shears, acissors and manicure implements. The acquisition of this latter plant will enable W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, in the post-war period, to furnish their customers with a complete line of cutlery all manufactured in its own plants. The entire production of the company is, in normal times, distributed directly to more than 5,000 hardware, cutlery and department stores covering every state in the Union and to a limited number of export accounts. The company acknowledges the loyalty and cooperation of these customers in their encouragement to it to produce everything possible for the Armed Forces at the sacrifice of civilian cutlery for their own stock. From the beginning, quality was stressed as the most important feature of Case knives and today the company's skilled craftsmen, many with over 30 years of service, produce knives acknowledged all over the country as the finest made and Mr. Case and his associates have insisted that this same high standard of quality be maintained for the Armed Forces. U. S. Has First Call. During the past three years the percentage of military products has increased rapidly and the Armed Forces have at all times first call on the company's entire production facilities. Principal military products made for the various branches of the Army and Navy include short bayonets, trench knives, commando knives, machetes, combat knives, parachute snaps, carbine triggers, straight razors, shears and scissors, electricians knives and utility type pocket knives. Many of these products were designed by the company and approved by the Armed Forces as standard equipment. Seventy-five employees of the company have entered the Armed Forces during the past four years. Three of these have given their lives on foreign soil. Officers of the company include J. Russell Case, president and general manager; John O'Kain, vice president; H. W. Barnard, vice president; O. A. Krause, vice president; C. G. Rhoades, treasurer; Miss Clara Baumann, assistant treasurer and F. M. Nash, secretary and attorney. Directors on addition to the above include H. D. Martin and J. Russell Osborne, who is now in the Armed Forces. The Era, Bradford, PA., Thursday, September 17, 1953 J. Russell Case, 74, Industrialist, Dies After Long Illness Funeral Services Will Be Held Saturday For Cutlery Executive J. Russell Case, chairman of the board and son of the founder of the W. R. Case and Son cutlery firm in Bradford, died at 2:30 p. m. yesterday in his home, 723 East Main St., after a long illness. The 74-year-old native of Nebraska was born Oct. 27, 1878, about a year before his father, the late W. R. Case, moved to Little Valley, N. Y., and entered the cutlery business. Both father and son watched the business grow in Little Valley, move to Bradford in 1905, and eventually become one of the leading cutlery manufacturing companies in the nation. A nationally-known industrialist, Mr. Case was also president of the Case Shear Corp.; the Case Nashville Corp. of Nashville, Ark; and W. R. Case & Son Ltd. of Canada. He was also a director of the Alcas Co. of Olean, N. Y. In addition to his industrial work, he operated a dairy farm and several ranches. He was founder of the Case Land Co., and was instrumental in converting the swampy Foster Brook section to a residential district. The late Mrs. Mary Fox Case was the mother of J. Russell Case. His father, who died in 1931, was known in the industry as the first person in the country to travel and sell cutlery from samples. The first Case plant in Bradford was located on Bank St. It later was moved to the north edge of the city. Mr. Case was a member of the Bradford Club, Pennhills Club, and Bradford Board of Commerce; and in the Free and Accepted Masons was affiliated with the Little Valley Lodge, Buffalo Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Zem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Erie. He recently received a 50-year medal from the Zem Zem Temple. Besides his wife, Mrs. Florence Leighty Case, he is survived by the following: A niece, Mrs. Rhea O'Kain, of Bradford, two nephews, Harlow C. and H. Reginald Platts, both of Boulder, Colo.; a great nephew, J. Russell Osborne of Bradford; a greatniece, Mrs. Mary Joan Muth of Buffalo; two great-greatnephews, and two great-greatnieces. The body was taken to the Koch-Chatley Memorial Chapel and later returned to the East Main St. home, where friends may call. Funeral services will be conducted in the residence at 1:30 p. m. Saturday. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Little Valley. The Era, Bradford, PA., Monday, September 21, 1953 Local Briefs Among those in attendance at the funeral services for J. Russell Case on Saturday, were the following cutlery industry figures, business associates and friends of Mr. Case: Mr. and Mrs. Harlon Platts and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Platts, Boulder, Colo.; Mrs. Emma Case and Artel Case, Sistersville, W. Va.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Case, Clarksburg, W. Va.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin, Ray Utlev, Louis Groves, all of Washville, Ark., Mr. and Mrs. B. O. Corley, Union City, Tenn.; Harry Slefkin, Tucson, Ariz.; J. C. Saunders, St. Petersburg, Fla.; A. C. Branon, Kane; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. McCulloch, Westfield, Mass.; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wustof, Perry, N. Y.; Rex Goble, Chicago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. John Spignard, Nashville, Ark.; Mrs. Hazel Andrews, Mrs. Addie Burrell, Mrs. Lina Champlin, Mrs. Jay Elliott Case, all from Little Valley, N. Y.; Mrs. C. B. Howard, Decatur, Ill. and Mrs. M. J. Leighty, Pana, Ill. The Central Overland Pony Express of 1860-61 was not the first nor the last venture to transport and deliver mail by horseback. While most attention has always been focused on the Transcontinental Pony Express route to California, there were many comparable services scattered throughout the west. Often these services lasted but a short time. The purpose of this page is to provide a forum to list other riders and other routes and to provide a means of recognizing those gallant riders who provided the communication links that helped to bind our country together. Andrew Jaxon Case Born: March 4, 1862, Napoli, Cattaraugus County, New York Died: January 15, 1940, Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York Andrew Jaxson Case rode for a pony express probably in 1878. Evidence: "Historic Annals of SW NY; pub 1940; Vol 3, pp 180-181. "A. J.Case, who during his young manhood had a romantic career as one of the pony express riders over the prairies in the days before the Union Pacific RR was built." He lived in Furnas County, Nebraska, and Norton, Kansas, 1880-1883. He was married in Norton Kansas. His first child was born in Norton in 1883. He was a salesman for Case Brothers Cutlery of New York and was a stock breeder, both in 1890's.
Information submitted by Karyl Hahn January 1998
40. Jobe Russell CASE was born on 5 Jul 1821 in
Spafford, Onondaga, NY. He was born on 5 Jul 1821 in Spafford,
Cattaraugus, NY. He appeared on the census in 1850 in *Napoli,
Cattaraugus, NY. 1850, NY, Cattaraugus Co., Napoli; pg 68; #181/182
About this time Mr. Case met with a severe financial loss through the failure of
the banking firm of S. S. Marsh in Little Valley, New York, sweeping away much
of the hard accumulation of years. Although the strength of his youth had begun
to wane, and crippled financially the old fire and ambition still remained;
proving up on his first settlement in 1874 he homesteaded the same year, land in
Norton county one mile northwest of Norton. He remained on this land until 1880.
He then moved to Norton. Mrs. Case opened a millinery store. Mr. Case was
engaged in numerous enterprises on a small scale. He became a shareholder
in the Norton town company and was at one time President of the association. He
has a well disciplined mind and would speak on public questions with great force
and originality in our debating societies. His outward appearance was cold and
austere; but close acquaintance showed him to be companionable and
communicative, although he never smiled. The expression of his face spoke
volumes. He owned the Wm Maudlin farm, six miles east of Norton, and lived out
there for a short time. Beginning to feel the weight of years and longing for
old familiar scenes of his native state, in 1884 he returned to his old
home in Little Valley. |
