Mayflower Descendant 11th Generation

Nellie ANDREWS was born on 2 Nov 1879 at Coventry, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). She married Charles Harvey Wakeman, son of Robert Etna Wakeman and Mary Elizabeth Waters (marriage record - New York State Vital Records). She died on 19 Jan 1968 at 86 North Main Street, Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records), at age 88. She was buried at Glenwood Cemetery, Afton, Chenango County, New York (cemetery records) next to her husband Charles.

Nellie was born to a carpenter, Elmon Andrews and his wife Jane "Jennie" Mudge. She grew up on the farm with her brothers and sisters in the town of Coventry, New York. She and her sister Grace attended the teachers college at Oneonta. In 1896 Grace and Nellie became very ill with Influenza. Grace died of complications. While the girls were in college they met a local farmer named Charles Harvey Wakeman. He had a talent for machines of all sorts.

Nellie and Charles married 16 Jan 1901 and started married life on the farm in Coventry. They had one daughter before they moved to Leistershire (now Johnson City), Broome County, New York. Charles opened a machine shop. He was soon selling automobiles and motorcycles. Nellie worked with him, doing the books. Charles became a prosperous respected businessman.

About 1917 Charles bought a farm in Little Meadows, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It was a mere 20 miles from Johnson City. For the children it was a trip into the wilderness. In July of 1922 Charles was shot by a fellow that thought Charles was Revenuer (this was during Prohibition Times). Charles died within a few hours. His daughter Gertrude was shot in the leg. The boys, Clayton and Alden also witnessed the murder. Tyboni (the fellow who murdered Charles) was shot in a burst of gunfire when he shot the Sheriff and Deputy who were about to arrest him.
As can be imagined, Nellie and the family were devastated. Two of the girls were married. Nellie had one grandchild and another soon to be born. She and her four children removed to Endicott where she bought a house near the Loder Avenue Elementary school.

Life continued to be full of hardship as Nellie became sick with TB and was institutionalized for many months. When she regained her health she removed to Bainbridge to live with her parents.
She helped her parents and worked part time as a domestic to make ends meet. She inherited the home when her parents died. Nellie died peacefully in her sleep in the middle of Jan in 1968.

Children of Nellie Andrews and Charles Harvey Wakeman:

1. Gertrude Grace b. 17 Jan 1902 at Bainbridge, NY. Died Feb 1984 at Binghamton, NY. Married (1)Gustav Emil Fortran 24 Jul 1923. Married (2) Allison Henry Buffam 8 Dec 1950.

2. Dora Belle b. 29 Oct 1903 at Lestershire, NY. Died 17 Aug 1987 at Endicott, NY. Married Joseph Peter Reardon 24 Nov 1921.
3. Zadia Nellie b. 25 Aug 1905 Lestershire, NY. Died 15 Jan 1987 at Bainbridge, NY. Married Michael Joseph Reardon.

4. Clayton Charles b. 15 Feb 1908 at Lestershire, NY. Died 25 Sep 1986 at Bainbridge, NY. Married Amy Gertrude Eggelston.

5. Zelma Celestia b. 17 Jan 1910 at Lestershire, NY. Died 21 Oct 1999 at Pumela, TX. Married Archie Sterling Engel.

6. Alden Harvey b. 9 Mar 1913 at Lestershire, NY. Died 15 Oct 1998 Lake Mills, WI. Married Anne Jane McHugh.