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Hold'er Newt

~ Old Northern Dutchess Life

Hold'er Newt

Category Archives: 20th Century

Log of Earl W Baker 2/12/1917 – 2/18/1917

07 Sunday May 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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movies, poughkeepsie

Feb. 12, 1917

8.15 Ex. Sun bath, walk, read. History of the Fabian Society* in P.M. Went to Spring Lake – found myself a poor skater – need more winter exercise & fresh air. – was below zero all day. Movie in eve. Typed a few lines. 10.00

Skates 40, car 5, movies 10, chocolate 5 (60₵)

Feb. 13, 1917

7.30 Ex. To work late – was called. Must improve this. Nation seems to be marshaling its resources for war. Went to Richardson’s in eve. Have a 3 led. cash posted up to Dis. Per.

75₵ 11.30 P.M.

Feb. 18, 1917

Have been ill. Stomach – after reception at Rutherfords 95 – Wed. Thur 0 & Fri 25, ill – posted cash up. Sat 40₵ took of discts – 17th on recap & all statements. G/2 billed. Sun. Trinity SS & enjoyed Shear Morn. Ser. at Bap. Church. P.M. Liberty service.

Wasted day in general – but finished Pease’s History of the Fabian Society. 11 P.M.

1.60

*Per Wikipedia: “The Fabian Society is a British socialist organisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies, rather than by revolutionary overthrow.”

Earl W Baker – Biography

28 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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central hudson, Earl W Baker, poughkeepsie, poughkeepsie rural cemetery, quakers

Earl Wheaton Baker was born in Salt Point, NY on 6 November 1893, the only child of jeweler Charles Vassar Baker and Anna Reid. In 1900 they lived at 460 Main St. in Poughkeepsie and Earl’s paternal grandmother Mary F Vassar was in the house with them. Earl married Ruth S Baldwin (born 25 May 1894) on 29 May 1919 and they had one child: James Gordon Baker born 31 Jul 1926. Gordon later removed to the midwest and was living in Minnesota in 1973 when his father died.

In 1920 Earl lived on Lexington St in Poughkeepsie with his new wife and widowed father. Earl was a bookkeeper with a “Gas Company” (Central Hudson-proper didn’t come along until 1925).

When he died 13 Apr 1973 at Vassar Hospital, Earl was a member of Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting. He had retired from Central Hudson, where he was a tax and insurance manager, in 1960. He had been with the company 46 years. He and Ruth are both buried at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Ruth passed c. 2012 and shortly after I was given their genealogical files to find a home for them. I’m still looking.

Log of Earl W Baker 2/11/1917

28 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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college hill fire, poughkeepsie

Feb. 11, 1917

8.45 Ex. sh. – Awoke to find College Hill bldg. Burning. It was a fine old structure Parthanonic – substantial. Went to Prof Shear’s class – he spoke of Lincoln – also the woman of Samaria*. – influence of X on the sphere of women. Classified McKinley with Lincoln & Washington – to my disapproval. He is a conservative type and more assuming than he would acknowledge – always interesting – class 50- about $5. Visited fire after class – the old house added immeasurably to the hill’s charm. In the eve went to Dr. Sutherland’s little church – (20) and heard my own views liberally propounded. He disposes of orthodoxy triumphantly, but retains heaven. Why? The next step I suppose is Felix Adler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Adler_(professor) & then – a reversion back to R. Catholicy. Is Pouys right in insisting that a coherent logical religion is an anomaly – unsound? Went next door to Van W this P.M. after church. Waster P.M. Slept. ✱

Shall retry vegetarian diet & forsake tea. 11.30

20 ₵

*Wikipedia says this is the “Samaritan woman at the well…in John 4:4–26”

Saartje note: He occasionally adds a large ✱ but there is no companion to explain why.

The imposing structure which for 80-odd years crowned the summit of College Hill as one of the most prominent landmarks of the whole Hudson Valley, immeasurably valuable because of its association with the history of Poughkeepsie and unique as a model of architectural beauty, having been a replica of the Greek Parthenon, was destroyed Sunday morning by a fire which broke out a t 8:45 o’clock.

“The blaze, one of the most spectacular ever seen in Poughkeepsie was caused, according to Fire Chief George B. Wood, by a defective flue which communicated the flames to the southern side of the attic from which, they spread quickly throughout the building. Large logs, burned Saturday in the fireplace, were left to smoulder during the night and it is the fire chief’s belief that sparks from these lodged in the chimney and fanned by a strong draft started the fire.

“The structure was burned to the last piece of timber in just three hours and twenty minutes and at noontime there was nothing left but a smouldering mass of charred timbers and bricks. 

– (Poughkeepsie) Semi-weekly Eagle And Telegraph, 13 Feb 1917

Vassar has a video about College Hill with photos and info about the fire on their YouTube channel. Click Here. 

Log of Earl W Baker 2/6/1917 – 2/10/1917

20 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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poughkeepsie, WWI

Feb 6, 1917

7.15 A.M. Ex. R+ self found bal of “B”. Must not get behind on own work. Idea – should hand in at least one new suggestion each week. Should bathe 3 times per week & shave as often if not more. Saw “Bunker Bean” play of new thought tendencies set in slang. Well played. War situation looms blacker. 11.45 P.M.

Play 75 milk 10 candy 5 mag 15 clips(?) 30

Feb 8, 1917 (no entry for the 7th)

7.30 Ex. Bal 1-AM-7th. Posted itin P.M. Dance in eve. 8th. Indexed I – eve went to Alone at Last – disappointed. Am to bed too late nights – am growing irritable.

Dance 50 milk 10 candy 5 – show 75 lunch 10

Feb 9, 1917

7.30 Ex. Billed Highland

War spirit waning. Ford making spectacular comments. Saw Louis Telegen (?) in Victory of Conscious- movie. – Library.

Am slack about personal appearance-shaving etc. Ex. 11 P.M.

Feb 10, 1917

7.30 Ex Billed Hyde Park on Till 6.00 PM.

War seems uncertain: E.P. & I had row. Am too sensitive.

Must develop faculty of indifference to friction and real internal suavity. Purchased socks 1.00, garters 25, music 35, brush 10 etc 5. 3.25 11.20 PM

Germany has sent supposedly new terms restricting her declaration and proposing a solid peace basis with U.S.

Log of Earl W Baker 2/2/1917-2/5/1917

13 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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poughkeepsie, WWI

Feb 2, 1917

7.30 Ex “H” – Bal. A.M. lost temper – C.A. failed to bal. “L” typed in eve. War outlook seems less frowning. Am too critical of HD. Ex. 11.30

Feb 3, 1917

7.15 AM Ex. At tem this AM we first heard of the severing of relations with Germany. Bal “L”. Posted cash. Reports come in of “big business” falling in line for the country’s interests. Bernstorf reported to have said “I am so sorry. But I expected it. There was nothing left to do.” Must hold my working pace & cultivate neatness. Ex. 11.45

Pibicco (?) 45 Dutchess 15 Candy 10

Feb 4, 1917

Arose 9 A.M. Ex to S.S.  – all reports show the country solidly behind the Pres. If Holland only will join in. Spain and Brazil seem certain. Typed in A.M. write to E.B. 12 P.P.

Feb 5, 1917

Arose 7:35 AM. Ex. – Blizzard – Worked all day for W.R. – on B – Wilson has asked other neutrals to align themselves with the U.S. Finished typing Haddocks P. for S. Must plan now for work on Coml. Gas Course. 11.20 P.M.

Log of Earl W Baker 1/30/1917 – 2/1/1917

06 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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poughkeepsie, WWI

Jan 30, 1917

7.15 PM (AM) Ex. G Sales & L/2. E R could not go to show Wed. no so injured. Went to Richardson’s – class got along fine, too little dancing. Must cultivate H.D. & H. R. especially. Exchanged 1.50 for a 2.00 shirt & should have got one at $2.50. Must pay more attention to dress. Nautilus idea did not work out last night. Try again. Ex. 11.40

Feb 1, 1917

This poster is from the 1928 movie. Earl saw the woman who wrote the play act in it in 1917.

7.30 A.M. Wed. eve. I saw Jane Cowl in “Lilac Time” What a mistress of insight and emotion she is! And how sad a story to unfold. War – ruthless – grim – saturnine – And Jeanine – delicate- sensitive – courageous. Surely she typifies France, the France of Jean D’Arc & Lafayette.

And after the shoe – as antidote – reception at Rutherfords. Am in sore need of new suit, etc. Home late. (almost early) Thursday – saw in morning papers Germany’s new blockade note. This seems to be the culmination of our neutrality. The papers are headlining “War”. How utterly sick of war – and munitions – greed and all, some of us are. I am cherishing no illusions. It is only chaos. Are we actually feministic? Will war breed virility? Can I substitute a philosophy of hardihood and bravery and chivalry into my life, to take the place of trial by sword? Values such as thrift, patience, loyalty, steadfastness, and the unceasing concentration of the will on a well planned and worthy objective. Wm James planned a fight with nature, but surely our own devils need some quelling too.  Ex. 11.45 PM

Shoes 1.00 Dance 50 Post 5 Candy 20 Paper 3

Log of Earl W Baker 1/24/1917 – 1/29/1917

16 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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poughkeepsie, WWI

Mr. Baker’s penchant for not using full names makes me insane! This would be so much more interesting if we knew who he was interacting with… Here’s a bunch of short entries all at once. – SKH

Jan 24, 1917

Arose 7 A.M. Exercised – Lales H & I – Am certainly fickle. Full of sense -. A good pt. To observe 0 “Gratefulness.” Dancing class – met J.S. enjoyable eve. 12 P.M.

Jan 25, 1917

Arose 7.30 AM Exercised. Bad cold – posted last H/ part. Lazy – lack dignity & tact. Over egotistic. Home – typed 4 pages P. for S. 10.30 PM

Jan 27, 1917

26th Arose 7 A.M. Ex. – Club social in eve.

Admire L.B.’s fiance – adaptability – accomplishments.

Miss M there also Miss H. danced with both 12 PM

27 Arose 7.20 AM Ex. cold better – has interfered with my ambit. I do not employ tact sufficiently – quite boorish – home espec. Eve. shopped – 2 shirts 2.89 – piece of music 36, candy 20 – library. “Golden Bowl” by H. James 345. 12.45 PM

Jan 28, 1917

Arose 8.30 AM. Bathed etc. S.S. & Church.

Too critical at home. Home all day – lazy – nothing done. Miss A & B C. called. To Church in eve. Lectured by Hunterberg on the Jews. plea for tolerance and social admission – seemed gratified at the unique privilege of occupying a Christian pulpit. Bo’s copy of “Physical Culture” mag, B Mc F. advocates “vitelysing.” Wilson’s peace program receiving on the whole high commendation. “It’s now up to the Kaiser” 22 ¢ Ex. 11.15 PM

Jan 29, 1917

7.30 PM (probably meant AM) Ex. Received increase – 13.75 to 18.00. Must go thriftily & pay up bonds. Should get the habit of pushing my work. Looked over Lcrap (?) Book & find it valuable- note clipping which calls “Loveableness (sic) an aggressive quality”* – a stimulating view. Home in eve. – typed Haddock – “new thoughtism” Latest idea from the “Nautilus” – ‘charging the subconscious mind at sleep’ – its worth trying. Note that Eliz. Towne believes in astrology. Cold better. Cand 10 ¢ Ex. 11.15 PM
(*See “Human Confessions” by Frank Crane 1912??)

Log of Earl W Baker 1/21, 22, & 23/1917

05 Sunday Mar 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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movies, poughkeepsie, WWI

Jan 21, 1917

Arose 9.A.M. – am unspeakably lazy and given to idle daydreaming – I went to S.S. – am anxious to resign as Sect. the position I have held three years – and seek new & deeper channels. Visited Mary Deane in P.M. She seems very helpless and very brave & cheery – seemed so please at my calling that I was quite glad I did.

Crestfallen not to have secured E. R for the P.M. Am over-sensitive and imaginative and must not give up so easily. My first move was squelched and have been in a mood for sackcloth and ashes. Ridiculous egotist, faint-hearted, & all tears.

Plato’s dictum is bearing fruit – already.

Jan 22, 1917

Arose 7 A.M. Exercised – at work early & noted H.D.’s approval. Need to cultivate self-restraint and tactful manner – am absurdly ill-spoken and conceited – and at home also.

Library & movie : Returned 11:30

Liberty 10 ¢ My Lady Eileen (note: Baker ends many entries with these sort of notes, mostly accounting of things he bought or fun he had like this movie he went to see)

Jan 23, 1917

Arose 7 A.M. Exercised. Work O.K. – G, I H/2 done. Day dreaming still. Attended lecture – Mexico this eve. Am neglecting homework. Wilson’s International Peace note, published today 11 P.M. Club Donation 50 ¢

Log of Earl W Baker 1/20/1917

03 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by SKH in 20th Century

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Earl W Baker, poughkeepsie

This post is the first in a series of transcriptions of the Log book of Earl W Baker of Poughkeepsie from 1917. I don’t know much about him other than his ancestors dumped a huge box of genealogy records and I was left to pick it up. This log book full of the thoughts of a man from Dutchess County (albeit not so Northern) from 100 years ago seemed interesting. I should have remembered that I was working on this and posted them on the corresponding dates, but hey. I’m doing it now (thanks, Emily). Like many efforts to keep a journal (*cough*or a local history blog*cough*), Mr. Baker does well out the gate but then by March is not posting but once in a while. Here’s the first entry and the quote that he transcribed on a page before that entry. My notes are in parenthesis.


There is no wealth but life.
Life, including all its powers – of love, of joy – of admiration.
-Ruskin

(Published in 1860, John Ruskin “Unto This Last” an essay/book about economy that changed Gandhi’s life when he read it)

Log of Earl W Baker 1917

Jan 20, 1917

This Diary shall be the record of my daily struggle for Self-Mastery. In it, I shall set forth Plans, Ideas, and Ideals, the lessons of Experience, gleanings from print, impressions of the passing Day.

To the End that I may have, in daily contact with my Life, an incentive, inspiration and goal: a reminder of past failures with the causes thereof. And a Viewpoint toward Life which shall be in Harmony with my real Ambitions and Purposes, and not in compliance with minor and incidental gratification.

‘Humanum est errare.’ (To err is human) I will analyze my failures; sound my blunders. And where I meet with Success, I will credit myself only with that part due to foresight and not with the success due to whim of chance or outside aid.

Now for my Ideals. Simply Honor & Personality. To Live each day as if it were Doomsday, wisely, thoughtfully, unselfishly – To Live each day to the very full – at the very Top of Perfection – my self at its Utmost Best – Alert – Responsive – Volatile. – To embody Energy, Courage, Enthusiasm and Hopefullness (sic)

– To be Gracious, Interested, Tactful, and Kind.

For this Year – This Slogan To Give my Best to Each Passing Moment.

‘Deo Juvante’ (with God’s help)

1917 Baker Log, page 1

1917 Baker Log, page 1

Poughkeepsie Female Academy

29 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by SKH in 19th Century Photos, 20th Century, Education, Genealogy, Urban Renewal

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education, Knickerbocker, Losee, poughkeepsie, poughkeepsie female academy, tivoli

My great-great grandmother Mary Elizabeth Knickerbocker of Madelin (Tivoli) NY (later Mrs. Dr. John E Losee of Upper Red Hook) attended the Poughkeepsie Female Academy, graduating probably in 1855 at 18. At the time, most children received an “8th grade education” which was not something to look down upon. Those who cared to and could afford to would send their children on to academies and colleges which were often also boarding schools.

I have a half-dozen letters sent to her from her academy friends Mahala Clarke, Emma Robinson, Almira Culver, Kate Roosa, and Mollie Harris that I have transcribed and will begin a series of posts for each in February and March, but thought a little context and background might be handy, first.

Poughkeepsie Female Academy

Poughkeepsie Female Academy (New York Public Library)

When Mary Elizabeth Knickerbocker attended the Poughkeepsie Female Academy, the principal was Jacob C. Tooker. He was born c. 1800 and when he died in 1856 his widow Caroline Warring ran the Academy in his stead until 1859. They may have had two daughters, Sarah b. c. 1836 who appears in the 1850 census with them, and Ada b. c. 1851 who married John Warnick (they are buried in the same plot with her parents). Caroline died in 1891.

Jacob got a Masters from Union College in 1826. He was from Goshen and resided Montgomery, Orange Co in 1830 and 1840. In the early 1840’s he was a superintendent of Orange County public schools. From 1846-48 he was principal of Brockport Collegiate Institute, an academy west of Rochester (today, SUNY Brockport) where he…

“…was the outsider who was hired as the permanent principal. …There are contradictory remarks about the type of man he was, ranging from “fussy and difficult” to “jovial and well liked.” Principal Tooker and Mrs. Bates, who still ran the boarding establishment after her husband’s death, did not get along. The Trustee Board had to step in on several occasions to settle their battles. Principal Tooker also clashed with the students and was a strong disciplinarian. By the end of the school term in 1848, the board of Trustees had tired of Principal Tooker’s demands and complaints and terminated his relationship with the Institution.” – College at Brockport website

In the 1850 census he was the principal of the Female Academy in Poughkeepsie.  He, along with 60 men like Vassar, Hooker, and Adriance, loaned $300 each in 1853 to the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery Association and “were given the option of either being paid back once the cemetery began to sell plots, or using the investment to pay for a family plot.” “A Brief History of The Cemetery”

The Female Academy building was a “fine brick structure on Cannon street, near Market” with “heavy Doric columns” built when the school opened in 1837 per The History of Duchess Co NY, J. H. Smith. It does not exist today, not having survived urban renewal (search this blog/use the tags for posts regarding this topic).

Illustrated Poughkeepsie p.37

Building used as “Women’s Christian Temperance Union” in 1906

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