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Carolyn Myrtle Scriber was the fourth child and
only daughter of John Eli and Mary Esther Purvis Scriber. She was born
on May 16, 1882 in Livingston Manor, NY.
When Carolyn was in her teens she and her mother
moved from Livingston Manor NY, to Monticello, leaving her father with
Carolyn's brother, Blake.They moved into a house on Clinton Avenue and
two other brothers, Adelbert and Bert, who were rooming together in this
village then moved in with them. Several years later Adelbert was
married and his wife also moved into this house but soon a new and
larger house was purchased by Adelbert and all but Bert moved there.
Carolyn must have been like an older sister to
the children that were born to Adelbert and Susan Scriber. To them and
later to her grand neices and nephews, Carolyn was always known as
"Aunt Tot". The story was told that this name came into being
because Douglas Hennig, the young son of Nell Osborn, Susan Osborn
Scriber’s sister, could not say Carolyn and all that came out sounded
like "Tot".
Carolyn was very musical and loved to sing and
play the piano. She had a fine alto voice and was an accomplished
pianist. The following ad was found in the May 18, 1917 edition of The
Republican Watchman (the newspaper that her brother, Adelbert,
published):
| "Music
Lessons- 25 cents per lesson. I am organizing a class of
beginners. It is important to begin right. Call at my home, 371
Broadway at 4 o'clock.
Carolyn M. Scriber." |
Carolyn would have been twenty-five at this time.
She
was quite a large woman, big boned and broad. It was always said that
she had been spoiled by her mother, being the only girl and the
youngest. It appeared that she was very dependant on her mother and
rather despondent after her death. She did earn some of her own money
teaching piano lessons and was also the chief clerk at the newspaper
office of her brother’s. Other than these small jobs she essentially remained
dependant on her brother until her marriage which did not occur until
she was forty-six. At that time she married John Peter “Pete”
Williams who was a widower.
Several accounts of their marriage were found
among family newspaper clippings. This notice apparently was published in a
Livingston Manor NY newspaper:
| “
Friends of Miss Carolyn Scriber of Monticello, who spent her
early life here, and is the sister of Blake Scriber, will be
surprised to learn of her marriage Sunday night to a Mr.
Williams of Liverpool NY. The ceremony was performed at the home
of her brother, A.M. Scriber, editor of the Republican Watchman,
with whom the bride made her home.” |
Here is another notice of the wedding:
| MISS SCRIBER BRIDE OF JERSY RESIDENT
MONTICELLO
- Miss Carolyn M. Scriber and John P. Williams were married at
the home of the bride at seven o’clock Saturday evening by the
Rev. Osman P. Hoyt of the Methodist Church.
The
bride was attended by her nieces, Elizabeth E. and Emma Jean
Scriber, and her nephew John O. Scriber and Roy Scriber. Only
the members of families and close friends were present.
A
wedding dinner was served, after which Mr. and Mrs. Williams
left town for their home in Liverpool NY. For the last ten
years, the bride had been chief clerk in the office of the
Monticello Republican Watchman, published by her brother, A. M.
Scriber.” |
The following notice is amusing in that it begins
to sound more like an obituary than a wedding announcement:
| MISS SCRIBER MARRIES JOHN P. WILLIAMS
Miss
Carolyn M. Scriber of Monticello and John Peter Williams, of
Walden NY were married at the home of the bride Saturday evening
by the Rev. Osmon P. Hoyt, in
the presence of the family consisting of her mother,
brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces and other relatives.
John
O. Scriber and Roy Scriber, nephews of the bride, were best men
and Miss Elizabeth E. Scriber and Miss Emma Jean Scriber, nieces
if the bride, were bridesmaids.
The
bride’s dress was rose beige lace and georgette and was very
becoming. Her traveling dress was tan crepe de chene with coat
and hat to match.
Mrs.
Williams for several years was the valued bookeeper and general
clerk of the Republican Watchman, who now gives her position up
to another. She was altoist in the Methodist choir of
thirty-five voices; was treasurer of the Rebekah Lodge and
identified with many social and church activities.
At
the close of the ceremony the guests numbering less than twenty
sat down to a home cooked wedding dinner, as fine as the genius
of the ladies could devise.
The
groom is in the plumbing business in Liverpool NY, where they
are now making their home, and where they went following the
dinner.” |
Carolyn Myrtle died on July 11, 1964 at the age of
82.
Our thanks to Susan Schock for this biography and
pictures.
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John Peter Williams was a plumber for many years,
but later worked for the railroad.
He was always known as “Pete”. He lived in Liverpool, Onondaga
County, NY and they made their home there after the wedding.
Carolyn Myrtle Scriber (1882-1964)
Carolyn Myrtle in her younger years
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