Notes:

Charles Bailer and his generation lived in a world vastly different than that of today. His was the last of a trully agrarian American culture. His generation didn't have the advantages that resulted from the advances of the industrial revolution such as the gas engine. They plowed their fields with oxen and horses, not tractors. Life for Charles generation was hard, yet simple. The pleasures of life didn't cost in terms of dollars. Esther (Bailer) Sisco remembers each Sunday evening the family would have apples and popcorn as a treat. Recreation consisted of swimming in Otisco Lake or visiting neighbors who were in some manner, likely related. Their pleasures were simplistic by today's standards. The change in the American culture began as the children of this generation began leaving the farm, favoring the opportunities and lifestyle available in the cities and suburbs.

Charles and his siblings were the first generation of Bailers born in America. Born the fifth of twelve children to Johann "John" Bailer and Elzabeth (Edinger) Bailer on Wedneday, November 8, 1882 at home in Otisco, NY, he was particularly close to his older brother John Bailer. Due to the fact that there were so many children in the family, it was expected that the next older child would take care of and watch out for the next youngest sibling. Therefore, John being fourth born took care of Charles, the fifth born.

Charles attended the one room schoolhouse in Otisco which was located next to the present day post office (see photos) completing his education to the sixth grade. This was not uncommon in the rural farm areas of New England at the time. The reason that public schools close for the summer stems back to the agrarian roots of the United States. It was during the summer that the children were needed to assist on the family or they were hired out by other families to work on their farms thus providing added family income. This was true of Charles experience. At twelve years of age he went to work as a farm-hand since there were so many children in the family and his parents couldn't afford the expenses. He lived on the farm he hired out to and then in winters would move back home and go to school. This is evidenced by the fact that according to the 1900 US Federal census, Charles was working as a farm hand for Samuel Cowles of Otisco, NY. His daughter, Esther (Bailer) Sisco remembers Charles telling her how homesick he would get for his family during these summer jobs.

Charles and his brother John became partners in a farming venture sometime between 1900 and 1910. The April 1910, U.S. Federal census shows them as partners and sister Anna as a farm-hand. It was also during this time that Charles met Dora Hobart and began courting her. He would ask John for permission to take the horse and buggy to pick Dora up to take her on a date. Since these were the days before telephones were widely used, they were write back and forth to communicate. In his letters to Dora, Charles would always sign his name, "Your Friend."

On March 29, 1911 Charles and Dora were married at the home of her grandfather, Henry J. Tuffley (See Photo Scrapbook below for images). He continued to work the farm with John Bailer after he married Dora. Both Horace and Phyllis Bailer were born in this house.

Around 1921, Charles and Dora purchased a farm on Tully Road (Route 80) in Otisco, New York because the original farm was too far for their son Horace to walk to school. The home is located at 1779 Route 80 in the town of Otisco. It was in this home that Esther Bailer was born and grew up.

Phyllis stayed home and took care of her younged siblings. Esther used to have to help harvest cabbage. It was picked by the wagon full and she would have to throw it off wagon. Esther recalled that one of her "tosses" accidently hit Charles in face and gave him a bloody nose. Then they would unload the cabbage and place it on the ground near the barn with the core down and it would be covered with hay. In the winter, when the price of cabbage would go up, it would be loaded on a wagon and taken to the Tully railroad. Esther relates that her father would get so cold that he would wear a full length horse skin coat. Sometimes his nose would freeze. He had blankets that he would put on the horses. Esther would also have to pick up potatoes after school. Her hands would get very cold.

Charles found that after his son Horace graduated from high school and began attending college, he could no longer work the farm by himself. Charles brother, John had sold the original farm and had moved to Hallstead, Pennsylvania and began working for the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western (DL&W) Railroad. In 1935, through John's encouragement, Charles and family moved to Hallstead, Pennsylvania and went to work for the same railroad as a laborer. As a laborer he repaired rails and ties.

The trains ran frequently during this time so he and the work crew had to be off the tracks when a train went by. He knew what time each train was to pass by so he had to keep his pocket watch accurate. He wore bib overalls and kept his pocket watch in the pocket of the bib.

They originally rented a house on Chase Avenue just off of DuBois Street in Hallstead, PA for a short time. Approximately one year after moving to Pennsylvania, Charles and Dora heard that the DuBois's were looking for a caretaker for their farm. So they moved to the DuBois farm on Harmony Creek Road in Hallstead, PA and became the caretakers of the farm. The Bailer family lived in the main house as the DuBois's would only visit for a few weeks each summer. At this same time Charles continued to work for the railroad which ran from New York City to Buffalo, New York.

Charles & Dora eventually were able to purchase their own house at the corner of Church and Tannery Streets in Great Bend, Pennsylvania. The house has since been torn down to make way for expansion of the fire station parking lot. Directly behind the house were Lackawanna railroad tracks. Even in retirement, sitting in his recliner watching television Charles would take out his pocket watch to check the time when the train went by. The trains ran so precisely on schedule that Charles would actually adjust the time on his watch based on the time that the train passed by their house. Terry Sisco remembers placing pennies on the tracks for the trains to flatten.

The kitchen in this home was located at the back of the house and had a wood burning stove. The stacks of wood to fuel the fire were stored on the back porch. Dora planted a vegetable garden in the back yard and at one point raised chickens for fresh eggs to eat and sell. To the rear and left side of the house was an unattached garage. Later in life Dora would not let Charles drive becuase he tended to be "heavy on the peddle."

Charles had very strong opinions concerning just about everything. He was a staunch Republican and was never afraid to express his opinion that "being a Democrat was worse than being a Catholic." He was a very gregarious person who "never met a stranger". He loved people and loved to tell stories. The Bailer children had an exceptional ability to remember dates such as birthdays and anniversaries. Charles was a hard worker even into his senior years. Two things that he believed a man should never be without were a pocket watch and a "jack knife", both of which Charles always carried.

He enjoyed chewing tobacco much to the chagrin of Dora. Each time he heard Dora coming he would take the wet chewed tobacco out of his mouth and hide it in his back pocket. Charles enjoyed whittling wood and playing what he referred to as the "mouth organ" or harmonica. He impressed his grandchildren by being able to carve a whistle with his jack knife out of a willow branch. He loved to watch the Lawrence Welk Show but despised the popular singer Perry Como, because he was a "foreigner." This was humorous because Charles mother and father immigrated from Germany.

Later in life, Charles suffered from arthritic hips and walked with a bad limp. He walked with a cane that also came in handy when he wanted to reach some or get someone's attention.

Charles married Dora Maude Hobart 29 Mar 1911, Otisco, Onondaga, New York, United States. Dora (daughter of Dix R. Hobart and Mary L. Tuffley) was born 10 Apr 1886, Preble, Cortland, New York, USA; died 17 Sep 1966, Binghamton, Broome, New York; was buried 1966, Vesper, Onondaga County, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

),(

Phyllis married Merle Edwin Chidester 11 Apr 1935, Hallstead, Pennsylvania, USA. Merle (son of Holdridge Chidester and Sarah Elvey, son of Sarah Elvey) was born 18 Nov 1912, Hallstead Borough, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; died 23 Feb 1995, Hallstead, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States of America. [Group Sheet]

Catherine married Donald Conner Major (son of Ralph Major and Alma Conner) [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Ethel Mary Bailer developed a rash that was diagnosed as "Black Erysipelas." The doctor would drive to the Bailer's residence each day to put a salve on Ethel. It was to no avail. The rash spread over the entire body and Ethel eventually succumbed to the disease. Her mother Dora would carry her as she did her housework and chores as Ethel was either in pain or extremely uncomfortable.
Infant Ethel's death was quite traumatic on Dora who went into a state of depression as a result. The doctor suggested that she take in "Fresh Air" children from New York City. It was at this point that they took in a boy during the summer by the name of Kurtz. His sister stayed with Luella (Hobart) Bailer.

Obituary Notice:
"We hereby desire to express our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for the gift of flowers and the many other acts of kindness shown by our friends and relatives during the recent illness and death of our now deceased daughter, Ethel Mary.

Mr and Mrs. Charles Bailer
Otisco, NY July 16, 1912


Buried:
Vesper Cemetery

Died:
Age: 0

Notes:

Horace Bailer grew up in Otisco, Onondaga, Ny. His Aunt Ida Hobart, who was a School teacher and understood the value of an education loaned Horace the cost of tuition, which he repaid, to attend Central City Business Institute (CCBI) in Syracuse, NY. In 1934 he went to work for the International Business Machines in Endicott, NY as a male secretary. In this entry-level position he was paid $15.00 per week. He worked his way up through the ranks into management as the company grew. His last position prior to retiring was as an executive in the field Engineering Division responsible for Service Practices. In retired life he and wife Anna were active with golf, tarvel and duplicate bridge.

Horace married Anna Margaret Haskell 8 Nov 1935, Johnson City, Broome, New York, United States. Anna (daughter of Luman L HASKELL and Mabel DEUEL) was born 31 Jul 1918, Endicott, Broome, New York, United States; died 18 Aug 1995, St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Esther was born at home on Route 80 Otisco, New York. She fondly remembered growing up next door to her 'Aunt Kate' Catherine Schneider. In fact she spent most of her time at Kate's. She attended school in the one room schoolhouse on Route 80, which is now a house next door to the Otisco fire station. She was sick quite often suffering from tonsillitis. Her aunt Kate would give brother Horace a nickel a day to go to the store to buy Esther ice cream to make her throat feel better.
Esther´s father Charles and his brother John Bailer ran the farm together but they were not able to make it a profitable venture. John moved to Great Bend, PA to go to work for the D, L, & W railroad and urged Charles to do likewise. When Esther was in the sixth grade the family did just that, It was while attending Hallstead High School that Esther met her future husband, Leon Sisco. After graduation she moved to Hershey, Pennsylvania and worked in the Hershey Chocolate factory cafeteria. In December 1942, Leon enlisted in the Navy and at this time Esther moved to Endicott, New York and went to work for IBM where she worked on the B-29 bomber. She lived on Roosevelt Avenue in Endicott renting a room from Mrs. Harrington.
Esther and Leon were married at the First Baptist Church In Hallstead, PA in July 1943 while Leon was home on leave. When Leon was discharged from the Navy at the end of World War II, her employment with IBM was terminated as they would not employ married women to provide as many families as possible with at least one source of income. At this time Leon and Esther rented an apartment on Main Street, Hallstead, Pennsylvania. One year later, her first child Yvonne was born. Approximately one year later they moved to Hawley Street in Binghamton, New York. At this time she was working at Sears Roebuck, Inc. on Court Street. While pregnant with their second child, Leon and Esther moved to Chenango Street. When Sandy was born Esther stopped working at Sears. Now with two children, the family needed more room, so they moved to 4 Newton Street on the second floor. Then in 1952, Esther had their third child, Terry. In 1955, Leon and Esther purchased their home at 806 Douglas Drive in Endwell, New York. Harvey's Chicken Farm was located between 553 Hooper Road and 565 Hooper Road, Endwell, NY. It ran west across Patterson Creek and up the hill to Stonefield Road where the parking lot is for the Catholic church. In 1957 Esther went to work a few blocks from their home at Harvey's Chicken farm where she candled and packed eggs. In 1962, she went to work for approximately one year with the General Electric Company in Westover, New York until they lost their government contract. She then went to work again for Sears in the catalog department eventually retiring twenty-four years later from the electronics department. Church life was very important to Esther & Leon. They were very active at the Berean Baptist Church on Farm-to-Market Road, Endwell, NY located directly across from the Maine-Endwell High school. Esther taught children´s Sunday school and was a leader in the Pioneer Girls program. Sunday nights after evening church the Sisco home was the place to go for dessert and fellowship.
Once the General Electric government contract ended, Esther was laid off at which time she went back to work for Sears Roebuck & Co. on Chenango Street in the Catalog department. This department was located in a separate building from the main store and was without heat. It was extremely cold working there in the winters. She eventually was transferred to the Electronics department and sold TV's, stereos and other consumer electronics.
Esther and Leon loved to travel and


Buried:
Floral Park Cemetery

Died:
Wilson Memorial Hospital

Esther married Leon Arthur Sisco 27 Jul 1943, Hallstead, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Leon (son of Olin Reece Sisco and Ethel Mae Banker) was born 9 Apr 1923, Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, Broome, NY; died 20 Oct 2000, St Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida; was buried 25 Oct 2000, Johnson City, Broome, New York. [Group Sheet]

Virginia married David H Wood [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Phyllis Chidester and Children http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=cd18ebb0-fe38-4c35-b22a-1440a165a7fe&tid=11714637&pid=-406321862

Eugene married Ida Louise Abbott [Group Sheet]

Douglas married Linda. [Group Sheet]

Mary married John Robert Young (son of John W Young and Evangeline Grace Moon) [Group Sheet]

Edward married Marcia Ann Hamzik (daughter of Joseph S Hamzik and Mary Zadolonny) [Group Sheet]

Robert married Sue Davis. [Group Sheet]

Susan married Mark Dozoretz. [Group Sheet]

Stephen married Deborah Ann Sprovost [Group Sheet]

Marlene married Dale Fredrick Osman [Group Sheet]

Shirley married William MacMichael Davis [Group Sheet]

Shirley married Gary Wills. [Group Sheet]

Bruce married Jeannine Capps [Group Sheet]

Ronald married Patricia Leherty [Group Sheet]

Richard married Darice Rhona Goldstein [Group Sheet]

Terry married Lucinda Ann Youngs (daughter of Lester James Youngs and Mary Valeria McVicker) [Group Sheet]

Sandra married John Frederick Chauncey (son of William Chauncey and Irene Mary Moore) [Group Sheet]

Karen married David Wasson [Group Sheet]

Kevin married Diana. [Group Sheet]

Wendy married Charles Brundza. [Group Sheet]

Lora married Jack Marlin McCreary (son of Jack M McCreary and Jewell Naugie) [Group Sheet]

Sandra married David James Rising (son of James Rising and Judy White) [Group Sheet]

John married Marcia Hammond (daughter of James Hammond and Elvira Mendoza) [Group Sheet]

Laura married Stephen West [Group Sheet]

Alison married Kevin Paul Calabrese [Group Sheet]

Andria married David Hinkley 28 Apr 1990, Hallstead, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Matthew married Heather Jeanne Dixon (daughter of Duane Dixon and Jeanne Anne Ghiz) [Group Sheet]

Lavone married Michael Cosentino. Michael was born 22 Aug 1964, Binghamton, New York, USA; died 6 Aug 1997, Jackson, Pennsylvania,USA; was buried , Susquehanna, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet]

Lavone married Frederick D Lewis, Jr. [Group Sheet]

Andrew married Deanna Raye Martino. [Group Sheet]

Jeremy married Emily Carter [Group Sheet]

Kristin married Michael Bulet. [Group Sheet]

Melissa married Daniel John Farrow [Group Sheet]

Meredith married Eliton Gomes Sarmento [Group Sheet]

Molly married Jason Knippenberg. [Group Sheet]

Barbara married Mark Alan Funderburg (son of Michael Funderburg and Nancy) [Group Sheet]

James married Caroline Clayton (daughter of Edward Clayton and Mary Anne Carter) [Group Sheet]

Kathleen married Mario De Ris. [Group Sheet]

John married Kim Harwood [Group Sheet]

Laura married Michael Gilbert [Group Sheet]

Lacey married Kirk Patrick Garrett (son of Donald Timothy Garrett and Linda Sharon Bucy) [Group Sheet]

Jennifer married Mark Christopher Donoghue [Group Sheet]

Eric married Wendy Parker [Group Sheet]