Shelly Privett

I've "rescued" an old photograph of DeWitt WILEY which was taken at the E. E. Kellogg Studio in Ilion, NY in July 1897. DeWitt is just an infant at the time the photograph was taken. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding DeWitt and his family:

Dewitt Charles WILEY was b. 19 Jan 1897 in Utica or Port Leyden, NY to parents Gardner A. WILEY (b. 10 Jul 1871) and Mary A. JORDAN (b. 10 Sept 1872 in Kosterville, NY). Dewitt was one of 6 children born to this couple including, Elmer J.; Dewitt Charles; Dewey Clinton; Hazel Clementine; Edwin or Erwin Clifford; and Robert Clifton WILEY, all born between 1895 and 1907. Dewitt married Lucy N. SEARLE for SEARL (1905-1948 – dau of Maurice SEARLE and Jeanette HAMMOND) and together they had two children including, Eileen Muriel WILEY (1926-1980) and June Searl or Searle WILEY (1927-1994). It appears that he married a second time after Lucy died to Ellen Ruth SPENCER (1910-1987) and together they had one child.

Dewitt died 25 Oct 1983 or 1985 in Utica or New Hartford, NY and is buried in the Beechwood Cemetery in Forestport, NY.

Census records provide the following details:

1900 census of Frankfort, NY:

Gardner WILEY, age 27, born Jul 1872, married 6 years, born MI, parents born MI/NY
Mary A. WILEY, wife, age 26, born Sept 1823, married 6 years, 4 children/3 living, born MI, parents born England/NY
Dewitt C. WILEY, son, age 3, born Jan 1897, born NY
Dewey WILEY, son, age 2, born May 1898, born NY
Hazel WILEY, dau, age 9 months, born Oct 1899, born NY

1910 census of Leyden, NY:

Maurice A. WILEY, age 37, married 15 years, 5 children/5 living, born NY, parents born England/NY, a Mill Knitter
Dewitt C. WILEY, son, age 13, born NY
Dewey C. WILEY, son, age 11, born NY
Hazel WILEY, dau, age 10, born NY
Erwin WILEY, son, age 6, born NY
Robert WILEY, son, age 4, born NY

1920 census of Leyden, NY:

Mary WILEY, age 43, born NY, parents born England, a Grist Mill Worker
Dewitt WILEY, son, age 22, born NY, parents born NY, a Lumberman
Dewey WILEY, son, age 21, born NY, parents born NY, a Lumberman
Hazel WILEY, dau, age 20, born NY, parents born NY
Erwin WILEY, son, age 16, born NY, parents born NY, a Saw Mill Presser
C. Bert WILEY, son, age 15, born OH, parents born NY

1930 census of Waverly, NY:

Dewitt C. WILEY, age 33, married at age 26, born NY, parents born NY, a Lumber Co. Superintendent
Lucy N. WILEY, wife, age 24, married at age 17, born NY, parents born NY
Eileen M. WILEY, dau, age 4, born NY
June S. WILEY, dau, age 2 years + 2 months, born NY
Maurice J. SEARL, father-in-law, age 46, married at age 21, born NY, parents born NY
Jeanett L. SEARL, mother-in-law, age 43, married at age 18, born NY, parents born NY

I am hoping to be able to return the photograph to family and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be.

Thanks,
Shelley