Person:Reuben Radney (1)

Reuben and Emma had three children quickly, after which Reuben would get Emma pregnant and disappear for long periods. There is 17 years between Edna and Grace. Reuben was away when he was fixing a chimney without a safety belt and was killed. Emma was sued for his funeral, and she didn't even know where he was or that he was dead. Emma used to search the bars for Reuben, saying "Father dear father, come home with me now". They lived on Jefferson St., Auburn, NY.

Margaret Hoatland Wood Boehmer relates stories told to her by her mother, Grace Radney Hoatland about her father Reuben I. Radney: "Reuben Radney was a horse trainer. Momma (Grace Radney Hoatland) remembered sitting with her father in a small carriage like a sulky. He often had to leave home to take on a job, sometimes any job, and, many times, was gone for long periods of time. When Momma was about 12 to 14 years old, her father left home for good."

Source: Margaret Hoatland Wood Boehmer, Reuben's granddaughter

Aunt Grace Hoatland Knutson relates stories told to her by her mother, Grace Radney Hoatland about her father Reuben I. Radney: "Mom's father was kind of like a veternarian, but not really. He did a lot of work with horses. He left home for a long while, then returned, then left again for good when Momma was about 12-14 years old. (There is a 9 year age gap between Edna, born in 1876, and Earl, born in 1885.) Even when he was sort of home, he was on the road and away a lot. When he died, he was living with another woman, and she had the nerve to ask Grandma (Emma, his wife) to pay to have him buried. She refused."

Source: Grace Hoatland Knutson, Reuben's granddaughter

I can't find Reuben in the 1880 U.S. Census. The 1880 City Directory for Auburn shows that there is a Reuben Radney living in Throop. His brother Alva was living in Throop in 1880 (District 41). However, I did find Reuben's wife as listed below:

1880 U.S. CENSUS

In the 1880 U.S. Census, Emma Radney, age 26, is a boarder living with Schyler and Hattie Hilts in Moravia, New York. The census lists her as being married, but, her husband is not listed here. The census also states she and her mother were born in New York, but it doesnt list a birthplace for her father. Living with her is her daughter Edna, age 3.

(Hattie Hilts is Harriet Arnold. Harriet is Alonzo Arnold's daughter. I believe Alonzo is Sarah Ercanbrack Hamilton's half brother. So that would make Emma and Hattie half cousins?)

Source: 1880 U.S. Census, New York State, Cayuga County, Town of Moravia, Enumeration District 30, Sheet 4, lines 37-38, dated June 3, 1880. National Archives Roll 814, Page 193.

1900 U.S. CENSUS

In the 1900 U.S. Census, Reuben I. Radney, age 44, born Aug 1856, is living in a house they rent in Spring Valley with his wife Emma J. Radney, age 46, born Mar 1854. They have been married for 28 years. Living with them are their children: son, Ralph, age 10 (age 11 is crossed out and 10 written over it), born Oct 1889; daughter Grace A., age 8 (age 9 crossed out and age 8 written over it), born Sept 1891; and son Reuben H., age 5 (age 6 was crossed out and age 5 written over it), born Aug 1894. (Family bible states Ralph was born Oct 1888, Grace A. in Sept 1890 and Reuben H. in Aug 1893. So, while it states Reuben I. was born Aug 1856, I would think its more likely Aug 1855.) The census states they were all born in New York as were their parents. Next to Emma's name it states she has had 6 children and only 4 of them are currently living. Reuben is a Well Driller, and has been unemployed for 6 of the last 12 months. All three children attended school 9 of the last 12 months. All of them can read and write, and can speak English, and all are white.

Source: 1900 U.S. Census, New York State, Rockland County, Town of Ramapo, Village of Spring Valley, National Archives Roll T623_ 1155, Enumeration District 73, Sheet 13, Line 100 & Sheet 14, Lines 1- 4, dated June 12, 1900.

(If Reuben was born in 1855 or 1856 and they got married in 1872, he was about 16-17 years old when they got married. Their first child was born January 1873. It is quite possible Emma was pregnant when they got married.)

I could not find Reuben in the 1910 U.S. Census. However, I did find his wife, Emma. She is living in Spring Valley, NY with her son Irwin R. Radney (Ralph Erwin Radney) and is listed as a widow.

1883-1884 Auburn, NY - City Directory

/ Radney, Alva B, blacksmith, h 109 Owasco (Alva was Reuben's brother) / / Radney, Clarence N, Blacksmith, bds 109 Owasco / / Radney, Reuben I, bolt maker, h 21 Chestnut /

also: / Radney, Alva V, blacksmith, h 109 Owasco / / Radney, Clarence N, (Radney Bros), bds 109 Owasco / / Radney, R & C, cigars and Tobacco, 80 E Genesee / / Radney, Reuben I, (Radney Bros), h 21 Chestnut /

Source: 1883-84 City Directory for Auburn, NY

1890 Auburn City Directory

/ Radney & Erkenbreck, (Emma J. Radney and Nellie M. Erkenbreck), milliners, 29 Mechanic / / Radney, Mrs. Emma J., (Radney & Erkenbreck), res 7 Owasco / / Radney, Reuben I., boltmaker, h 7 Owasco /

(also listed)

/ Erkenbreck, Nellie M., (Radney & Erkenbreck), bds 7 Owasco / / Hamilton, Edward E., coll clerk D M & O Co., h Owasco road n limits / / Hamilton, Ezra E., sup't mil carriers, P O, h 9 McMaster / / Hamilton, George J., shoemaker, h over 38 E Genesee / / Hamilton, Miles E., machinist, h 111 Owasco / / Hamilton, Sarah, widow George, bds 52 Holley / / Radney, Alva B., blacksmith, h 1 1/2 Owasco / / Radney, Charles F., livery 86 State, h 31 Mechanic / / Radney, Clarence N., hammersman, h 1 Owasco / / Radney, William H., blacksmith, bds 1 1/2 Owasco /

Real Estate Directory / 18 Sherman - Lois Hamilton (Lois Radney Hamilton - Reuben's sister) / / 1, 1 1/2 Owasco - Alva B. Radney / / 111 Owasco - Melissa Hamilton /

Source: The Auburn Directory for the Year Ending July, 1891. Vol XIV. Compiled, Arranged and Published by Alonzo P. Lamey.

AUCTION - Sale of horses, harness and carriages. Saturday, March 26, 2pm at 86 State street, in rear of Groot's block. Reuben I. Radney, proprietor.

Source: The Auburn Bulletin, Tuesday, March 23, 1886

The Fire A Livery Stable and Three Horses Burned this Morning

At ten minutes before 3AM, Patrolman Callanan discovered a fire in rear of the Groot block in State Street and at once sent an alarm from Box 62, at the Osborne House and then repaired to the scene to find that the barn occupied by Reuben I Radney and Henry Mobbs as a livery stable was in flames. The fire was well under way in the main portion of the barn when he arrived and he immediately went to work to save what property he could. Martin Dougherty, who sleeps in the barn occupied by Frank Will immediately south of and adjoining the Radney and Mobbs barn, was aroused by the forcing of the door and, with the assistance of the officer, George Seihert, J.W. Morrisey, Timothy Arundel and members of Cayuga Fire Patrol who had arrived on the scene, assisted in getting out Mr. Will's six horses and other property as well as two horses and a heifer belonging to Mr. Radney in the north wing of the burning barn. Two valuable stallions, one of Henry Clay stock, belonging to Mobbs and valued at $350, the other a Morgan horse valued and $300, the property of Mr. Radney and a gelding of Mobbs valued at $100, together with two cutters, robes, harness, hay, etc., kept in the main portion of the burning building, were destroyed. The main building was completely gutted and the north annex was considerably damaged. The horses and other property saved were cared for at Bell's livery stable. The loss to stock amounts to about $1,000 with no insurance. The building, the property of the Groot Estate, was insured. The fire can be accounted for on no other hypotheses than that it was of incendiary origin. There was a stove in the barn but there had been no fire in it for two days. Mr. Mobbs was in the barn last at 10 o'clock and found everything as it should be at that time. Mr. Will desires to express through the BULLETIN, his thanks to the firemen and others for their efforts in saving his property.

Source: The Auburn Bulletin, Saturday, February 12, 1887. --Empeters1 23:32, 4 July 2011 (EDT)