Henry B.Whitbeck
By Anne Whitbeck Hendrix

My father, Henry Beach Whitbeck was born in Cherry Valley N.Y. Aug 15, 1914 to Marion Beach Whitbeck and Henry Whitbeck, Jr. He graduated from Cherry Valley School in 1934, Union College in 1937 and Albany Law School in 1940. He began the practice of law in Cobleskill under Sharon Mauhs where he met his wife, Mildred. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1941 and was eventually assigned to the Judge Advocate General's office at Mitchell Field, N.Y. rising to the rank of Captain. He was discharged in 1946 and moved to Richmondville. J. Ernest Wharton was elected County Judge in 1941, and was allowed to keep his practice open during war time. Henry took that practice over in 1946 and remained active practicing law until 1995, with Mildred as his secretary. Judge Wharton was later elected to the US House of Representatives where he served for 16 years. Henry was active in many areas, The American Legion, where he was County Commander in 1948 and later 3rd District Commander. The Republican Party where he served as county Chairman in the 1950's, he was also County Attorney for many years as well as attorney for many Towns, School districts and the Village of Richmondville. He served on the SUNY Oneonta Council for 27 years, Schoharie County IDA 1972-2004, The Community Hospital where he was a member of the board and treasurer from 1966- 1972. An Eagle Scout he was on the Otsechodela Council of the Boy Scouts for many years, as well as a member of The Masonic Lodge and Rotary. He also served on the Union College Alumni Council. Henry and Mildred purchased 322 Main St, Richmondville in 1946 from Margaret Ostrom who moved to the double house, 324 Main St., next door which she also owned. They often said they did not know how they were going to pay for the house. I was just 3 years old, my brother and sister were both born in Cobleskill. A.B and Lena Crowe, and Harold and Bessie Jump lived next door at 320 Main St. The women were sisters. A. B. celebrated his 90th birthday about 1956 and how I wish I could remember his great stories. Every spring he would break out a Panama hat and we would walk around the garden, resting often and he would tell great stories. Three I remember at least in part, the first was his trip through the Panama canal by train when it was about to open, and back by boat, that was where the hat was purchased. His aunt, I believe, was present at Ford's Theater when Lincoln was shot. He would also talk about the first car he saw. He and Lena ran the Crow's Nest in Summit, which was a summer resort. Families would spend the summer in the “country”. He would go to the Richmondville Depot by horse and wagon to pick up visitors One family was taken to the station in New York by their chauffer and he then drove to Summit, arriving a week after the family. The chauffer spent most of his time in Summit polishing the “head lamps” That made quite an impression on me. Next to the Crowe's and Jump's lived Mr. and Mrs. Bunn (318 Main St, later Mr. and Mrs. George Davis). They were very kind to the “kid” in the neighborhood too. I vaguely remember going to the mill with him. A real treat. His wife died in a fire at their summer camp, he was so upset he drove back to Richmondville, came over and told my parents what had happened and Dad drove back with him. It was very tragic and that too made a lasting impression on me. Mrs. Ostrom lived on the other side of us, my brother, sister and I adored her. She was Grandma Ostrom to us. She always good natured and encouraged us to “visit”. She had an ice box, on her back porch until the ice man retired. But my favorite memories were of her kitchen. She had a large coal stove with a shelf over the burners. The shelf always held a box of Saltine crackers, because of the heat they were the best I have ever eaten. She baked molasses cookies frequently and I was allowed to help, and could even make a “gingerbread man” for me using her large cookie cutter. I managed to pick up head lice in grade school and my mother decided I must have my hair cut. Grandma Ostrom wouldn't hear of that (I had long thick hair at the time). She sat for what seemed to be hours pouring kerosene on my hair and combing it, in front of the stove. Luckily there was no big boom. Grandma Ostrom bought “oleo-margereen, white stuff that looked like lard. It came in a clear plastic bag with a capsule of dye included. The theory was to mix in the dye and after lots of mixing it looked like butter. First turning red, then orange and finally yellow, she allowed us to do the mixing. Great fun! Grandma Ostrom has a T.V. and we didn't so that meant any time we wanted to see something we visited her or the Crowe/Jump house. I later realized we did not have one so we would spend time with the neighbors who really encouraged us to visit. Adger and Mrs. Reynolds lived in the other half of the Ostrom house, 324 Main St., Adger ran the Gulf Gas Station on the corner of Main and High Sts, now a car wash. Mrs. Reynolds died and he lived there years without her. He was very entertaining, had great stories, few of which were believable. He loved to go to the depot to watch the trains go by. I remember going up with him to see the last steam locomotive, and back to see the first diesel engine go through Richmondville. Ed Dox was the other attorney in town. He was quite old and always had a stump of a cigar in his mouth. Dad was not too tall, but Ed was really short. I believe he was elected District Attorney during the trial of “Goat” Hench. Hench was accused and found guilty of killing the Cobleskill night watchman. Mr. Dox sat with the District Attorney during the trial. After Mr. Hinch was found guilty he spit on Mr. Dox who said “I will see you fry for that” and he did attend the execution at Sing Sing. John D. Holmes president of the Bank of Richmondville and his nephew Chauncey Winters was later president. One day a woman came in with a paper bag and a note. Chauncey was quite annoyed by the note so he called his uncle over. Mr. Holmes was so annoyed that anyone would try to rob his bank he took her by the arm and escorted her out of the bank at the same time Chauncey set off the alarm. Dad was in his office across the street with Harold Bentley, they both ran out and saw Mr. Holmes kicking her out and realized she was the robber. Mr. Bentley and Dad each took one arm and escorted her to the post office, since bank robbery was a federal offence. State Troopers were called and her accomplice who watched from his car went home, held police off hiding in his barn were he shot himself. Dr. Franz Konta was a wonderful man serving the people of Richmondville with excellent medical care for years. He and Mrs. Konta were friends of my parents and our long time doctor. He always called me Miss Anne, so I felt entitled to call him “Docie”. Mildred was born in Unadilla, N.Y. January 16, 1911 to David and Minnie Rew. She was the youngest of their six children. The family moved to Cobleskill about 1916, where Mr. Rew managed the local Keyser fabric factory. She graduated from Cobleskill School and attended Syracuse University. Because of the stock market crash her fathers business was affected and she had to leave. The then attended Secretarial School in Poughkeepsie where she became really proficient in typing and short hand. The short hand was our bane. She could leave all kinds of notes and we had no idea what they said. In December we were sure it was a Christmas list, but finding it was of no use. She too was active in the community serving various offices in the American Legion Auxiliary; she was a Girl Scout leader and also served on the Scout Council. She played bridge every few weeks with a bunch of long time friends. What I remember is the laughter; my they had a great time. Her sister was also a bridge player but her house was quiet, except for bidding. She was dad's secretary for years, when he gave up his practice, he said, his secretary retired.