==========
Obituary
.... Rockland News
.... Rockland County, New York
.... Monday, December 5, 1949
=========
"Old-Timer In Orangetown Area Is Dead"
Abram Blauvelt Managed Store Many Years
Funeral for Abram Blauvelt, 93, of Edward Street, Sparkill, who died Saturday, will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock at the Moritz Funeral Home, the Rev. Roscoe Giles of the Tappan Reformed Church officiating.
Interment will be in the Tappan Cemetery.
Surviving Mr. Blauvelt is a son, Mortimer. His wife, the former Fannie B. Smith of Sparkill, a sister of Cornelius B. Smith, died in 1938.
Mr. Blauvelt was born in Orangeburg on July 2, 1856, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blauvelt.
His father was a stone mason and Mr. Blauvelt worked for him when he built the Castle in Piermont for Eleazar Lord, president of the Erie Railroad. The Castle, now the home of Miss
Dorothea Thompson, was modeled after Sir Walter Scott's home in Scotland and was situated high on the hillside where Mr. Lord could look out over Piermont to the pier, which was then the eastern terminal of the Erie Railroad.
Mr. Blauvelt, who often had taken the trip as a boy, recalled that passengers came as far as Piermont and continued their journey to New York by boat, sometimes sailing vessels.
As a boy of 15, Mr. Blauvelt worked as a fireman on a steam shovel for the West Shore when the railroad cut was put through Orangeburg.
The house in which he was born was not far from the cut.
Later he went into the grocery business and was general manager for many years of D. W. Kipp's grocery store in Sparkill.
In 1909 he set up his own grocery store in Orangeburg, retiring 16 years ago. The building in which the store was located was purchased by the late David Clark, a friend of Mr. Blauvelt. The store was located on Cemetery Road.The building is now owned by people named Anderson and the little store attached to the end of the building still can be seen from the traffic light on Route 303 across the fields toward Cemetery Road. The property had belonged to the old Van Antwerp family, of whom Mr. Blauvelt was a descendant and he purchased it from his brothers and sisters.
Kipp's store, which Mr. Blauvelt managed for many years, handled general merchandise. Among other things sold was whiskey, which was purchased by the barrel and which customers could buy for three cents a glass if they wished.
Evangelist Liked Whiskey
Mr. Blauvelt, who had an excellent sense of humor, used to chuckle over the subterfuge of a certain evangelist, well-known in the county at the time, who would come into the store with a gallon kerosene can and have it filled up with whiskey.
After a few swigs of the whiskey, he'd go out and preach 'brimstone and hell', said Mr. Blauvelt.
Mr. Blauvelt loved horses and kept a fast trotter, with which he used to race sometimes at the Orangeburg track, on the Orangeburg Fair Grounds. His interest in horses was one of the grounds of common interest which led to friendship with the late Judge Tompkins, Mr.
Dodge, one of the founders of Bell-Ans, and the late David H. Clark.
Although his horses ran at Orangeburg, the races he enjoyed recalling most were those with Jerry Martine, father of the late George Martine of Nyack, and grandfather of Everett Martine of Palisades. Mr. Martine, like his son George, was an undertaker and had an undertaking establishment not far from the present site of Boss's Market.
There was no bank in Sparkill in those days when Mr. Blauvelt was manager of Kipp's Market. Banking was done in Nyack. In the winter he and Mr. Martine went by separate rigs to Nyack to do their banking. On their return trip they would meet at Salisbury Point, South Nyack, then race their horses on the ice down the river to Piermont.
A close friend of Mr. Blauvelt was the late Dr. G. H. Mastin of Sparkill. There was no Nyack Hospital in those days. On more than one occasion, Dr. Mastin would summon Mr. Blauvelt from Kipp's store, when a patient had a dislocated shoulder, and Mr. Blauvelt would help Mr. Mastin ease the shoulder into place. Dr. Mastin said he liked to have Mr. Blauvelt help him since he didn't lose his nerve.
Kipp's store handled not only whiskey, horse collars, calico and groceries, but also coal. Coal cars were brought into the back yard of the store, the cars small and holding only from five to seven tons.
Some of the owners or large houses such as the Castle bought coal by the carload.
Enthusiastic Fireman
Mr. Blauvelt was an enthusiastic fireman. He was a charter member of John Paulding Engine Company of Sparkill and a life member. With Henry Boss, he was the last remaining charter member of the company, it is said. Mr. Blauvelt served as fire commissioner of the Palisades-Sparkill fire district when that was formed.
His brother was the late Sheriff C. V. A. [Cornelius Van Antwerp] Blauvelt of Rockland County.
Mr. Blauvelt was a member of the firm of Blauvelt and Morell, real estate and insurance brokers, Nyack.
Sheriff Blauvelt on occasion tried to get his brother to serve as a deputy sheriff. He never would. One occasion which he remembered his brother asked him to serve as a deputy sheriff was during one of the bad strikes in the brick plants in Haverstraw and Mr. Blauvelt refused.
He liked to say that one of the pleasures of his earlier days was that there were no automobiles and therefore there wasn't the need for the number of policemen there are today. There was no organized Orangetown police department and the constables he remembered most were Constable Hickey of Piermont and Constable Mike McNichol of Nyack. There were officers in South Nyack, but these tow were those he remembered most clearly. Since there were no automobiles, those with a little sporting blood in their veins were free to race their horses along the River Road and on other roads in the town, confident there would be no police disturbance.
In connection with his friends who had horses and with whom he liked to talk horses as well as general issues of the day was Ike Hartman who kept a livery stable in Sparkill.
Mr. Blauvelt was a good story teller and he liked to be with friends. One of his great joys was the Tuesday evenings for many years past when the Piermont Odd Fellows, to which his son belonged, met. He joined in the social hour which followed the sessions. Among his friends in these Tuesday evening gatherings were Henry Boss, Howard Martini, Johnny Hartman, Artie Thompson and Clinton Smith.
After his retirement and the death of his wife and his son's wife, Mr. Blauvelt and his son kept house together. Mr. Blauvelt could bake a pie that would rival that made by any feminine housekeeper and might have won prizes at a county fair. He could cook a large number of other dishes as easily and as excellently.
The winters of 1941 and 1942, he spent in St. Petersburg, Fla., driving down with his son. He was keenly interested in everything that went on in the world and to the day of his death read the daily paper.
He never wore glasses in his life and his vision remained keen.
Two years ago he had a major operation at the Nyack Hospital. He made a complete recovery.
Nearly six feet tall, he retained his erect
carriage until his death. He was distinguished in appearance, and always wore a beard.
Mr. Blauvelt remembered four wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars. He enjoyed life keenly, but he never wanted to live to see a fifth war.
Contributed by:
.... Carole Elizabeth Nurmi Cummings
Please contact Carole at the link above if you would like a copy of the original obituary. She would be more than happy to supply you with a copy.
=======
Obituary
.... Rockland News
.... Rockland County, New York
.... Monday, December 5, 1949
=========
"Old-Timer In Orangetown Area Is Dead"
Abram Blauvelt Managed Store Many Years
Funeral for Abram Blauvelt, 93, of Edward Street, Sparkill, who died Saturday, will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock at the Moritz Funeral Home, the Rev. Roscoe Giles of the Tappan Reformed Church officiating.
Interment will be in the Tappan Cemetery.
Surviving Mr. Blauvelt is a son, Mortimer. His wife, the former Fannie B. Smith of Sparkill, a sister of Cornelius B. Smith, died in 1938.
Mr. Blauvelt was born in Orangeburg on July 2, 1856, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blauvelt.
His father was a stone mason and Mr. Blauvelt worked for him when he built the Castle in Piermont for Eleazar Lord, president of the Erie Railroad. The Castle, now the home of Miss
Dorothea Thompson, was modeled after Sir Walter Scott's home in Scotland and was situated high on the hillside where Mr. Lord could look out over Piermont to the pier, which was then the eastern terminal of the Erie Railroad.
Mr. Blauvelt, who often had taken the trip as a boy, recalled that passengers came as far as Piermont and continued their journey to New York by boat, sometimes sailing vessels.
As a boy of 15, Mr. Blauvelt worked as a fireman on a steam shovel for the West Shore when the railroad cut was put through Orangeburg.
The house in which he was born was not far from the cut.
Later he went into the grocery business and was general manager for many years of D. W. Kipp's grocery store in Sparkill.
In 1909 he set up his own grocery store in Orangeburg, retiring 16 years ago. The building in which the store was located was purchased by the late David Clark, a friend of Mr. Blauvelt. The store was located on Cemetery Road.The building is now owned by people named Anderson and the little store attached to the end of the building still can be seen from the traffic light on Route 303 across the fields toward Cemetery Road. The property had belonged to the old Van Antwerp family, of whom Mr. Blauvelt was a descendant and he purchased it from his brothers and sisters.
Kipp's store, which Mr. Blauvelt managed for many years, handled general merchandise. Among other things sold was whiskey, which was purchased by the barrel and which customers could buy for three cents a glass if they wished.
Evangelist Liked Whiskey
Mr. Blauvelt, who had an excellent sense of humor, used to chuckle over the subterfuge of a certain evangelist, well-known in the county at the time, who would come into the store with a gallon kerosene can and have it filled up with whiskey.
After a few swigs of the whiskey, he'd go out and preach 'brimstone and hell', said Mr. Blauvelt.
Mr. Blauvelt loved horses and kept a fast trotter, with which he used to race sometimes at the Orangeburg track, on the Orangeburg Fair Grounds. His interest in horses was one of the grounds of common interest which led to friendship with the late Judge Tompkins, Mr.
Dodge, one of the founders of Bell-Ans, and the late David H. Clark.
Although his horses ran at Orangeburg, the races he enjoyed recalling most were those with Jerry Martine, father of the late George Martine of Nyack, and grandfather of Everett Martine of Palisades. Mr. Martine, like his son George, was an undertaker and had an undertaking establishment not far from the present site of Boss's Market.
There was no bank in Sparkill in those days when Mr. Blauvelt was manager of Kipp's Market. Banking was done in Nyack. In the winter he and Mr. Martine went by separate rigs to Nyack to do their banking. On their return trip they would meet at Salisbury Point, South Nyack, then race their horses on the ice down the river to Piermont.
A close friend of Mr. Blauvelt was the late Dr. G. H. Mastin of Sparkill. There was no Nyack Hospital in those days. On more than one occasion, Dr. Mastin would summon Mr. Blauvelt from Kipp's store, when a patient had a dislocated shoulder, and Mr. Blauvelt would help Mr. Mastin ease the shoulder into place. Dr. Mastin said he liked to have Mr. Blauvelt help him since he didn't lose his nerve.
Kipp's store handled not only whiskey, horse collars, calico and groceries, but also coal. Coal cars were brought into the back yard of the store, the cars small and holding only from five to seven tons.
Some of the owners or large houses such as the Castle bought coal by the carload.
Enthusiastic Fireman
Mr. Blauvelt was an enthusiastic fireman. He was a charter member of John Paulding Engine Company of Sparkill and a life member. With Henry Boss, he was the last remaining charter member of the company, it is said. Mr. Blauvelt served as fire commissioner of the Palisades-Sparkill fire district when that was formed.
His brother was the late Sheriff C. V. A. [Cornelius Van Antwerp] Blauvelt of Rockland County.
Mr. Blauvelt was a member of the firm of Blauvelt and Morell, real estate and insurance brokers, Nyack.
Sheriff Blauvelt on occasion tried to get his brother to serve as a deputy sheriff. He never would. One occasion which he remembered his brother asked him to serve as a deputy sheriff was during one of the bad strikes in the brick plants in Haverstraw and Mr. Blauvelt refused.
He liked to say that one of the pleasures of his earlier days was that there were no automobiles and therefore there wasn't the need for the number of policemen there are today. There was no organized Orangetown police department and the constables he remembered most were Constable Hickey of Piermont and Constable Mike McNichol of Nyack. There were officers in South Nyack, but these tow were those he remembered most clearly. Since there were no automobiles, those with a little sporting blood in their veins were free to race their horses along the River Road and on other roads in the town, confident there would be no police disturbance.
In connection with his friends who had horses and with whom he liked to talk horses as well as general issues of the day was Ike Hartman who kept a livery stable in Sparkill.
Mr. Blauvelt was a good story teller and he liked to be with friends. One of his great joys was the Tuesday evenings for many years past when the Piermont Odd Fellows, to which his son belonged, met. He joined in the social hour which followed the sessions. Among his friends in these Tuesday evening gatherings were Henry Boss, Howard Martini, Johnny Hartman, Artie Thompson and Clinton Smith.
After his retirement and the death of his wife and his son's wife, Mr. Blauvelt and his son kept house together. Mr. Blauvelt could bake a pie that would rival that made by any feminine housekeeper and might have won prizes at a county fair. He could cook a large number of other dishes as easily and as excellently.
The winters of 1941 and 1942, he spent in St. Petersburg, Fla., driving down with his son. He was keenly interested in everything that went on in the world and to the day of his death read the daily paper.
He never wore glasses in his life and his vision remained keen.
Two years ago he had a major operation at the Nyack Hospital. He made a complete recovery.
Nearly six feet tall, he retained his erect
carriage until his death. He was distinguished in appearance, and always wore a beard.
Mr. Blauvelt remembered four wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars. He enjoyed life keenly, but he never wanted to live to see a fifth war.
Contributed by:
.... Carole Elizabeth Nurmi Cummings
Please contact Carole at the link above if you would like a copy of the original obituary. She would be more than happy to supply you with a copy.
=======
==========
Obituary
.... Rockland News
.... Rockland County, New York
.... Monday, December 5, 1949
=========
"Old-Timer In Orangetown Area Is Dead"
Abram Blauvelt Managed Store Many Years
Funeral for Abram Blauvelt, 93, of Edward Street, Sparkill, who died Saturday, will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock at the Moritz Funeral Home, the Rev. Roscoe Giles of the Tappan Reformed Church officiating.
Interment will be in the Tappan Cemetery.
Surviving Mr. Blauvelt is a son, Mortimer. His wife, the former Fannie B. Smith of Sparkill, a sister of Cornelius B. Smith, died in 1938.
Mr. Blauvelt was born in Orangeburg on July 2, 1856, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blauvelt.
His father was a stone mason and Mr. Blauvelt worked for him when he built the Castle in Piermont for Eleazar Lord, president of the Erie Railroad. The Castle, now the home of Miss
Dorothea Thompson, was modeled after Sir Walter Scott's home in Scotland and was situated high on the hillside where Mr. Lord could look out over Piermont to the pier, which was then the eastern terminal of the Erie Railroad.
Mr. Blauvelt, who often had taken the trip as a boy, recalled that passengers came as far as Piermont and continued their journey to New York by boat, sometimes sailing vessels.
As a boy of 15, Mr. Blauvelt worked as a fireman on a steam shovel for the West Shore when the railroad cut was put through Orangeburg.
The house in which he was born was not far from the cut.
Later he went into the grocery business and was general manager for many years of D. W. Kipp's grocery store in Sparkill.
In 1909 he set up his own grocery store in Orangeburg, retiring 16 years ago. The building in which the store was located was purchased by the late David Clark, a friend of Mr. Blauvelt. The store was located on Cemetery Road.The building is now owned by people named Anderson and the little store attached to the end of the building still can be seen from the traffic light on Route 303 across the fields toward Cemetery Road. The property had belonged to the old Van Antwerp family, of whom Mr. Blauvelt was a descendant and he purchased it from his brothers and sisters.
Kipp's store, which Mr. Blauvelt managed for many years, handled general merchandise. Among other things sold was whiskey, which was purchased by the barrel and which customers could buy for three cents a glass if they wished.
Evangelist Liked Whiskey
Mr. Blauvelt, who had an excellent sense of humor, used to chuckle over the subterfuge of a certain evangelist, well-known in the county at the time, who would come into the store with a gallon kerosene can and have it filled up with whiskey.
After a few swigs of the whiskey, he'd go out and preach 'brimstone and hell', said Mr. Blauvelt.
Mr. Blauvelt loved horses and kept a fast trotter, with which he used to race sometimes at the Orangeburg track, on the Orangeburg Fair Grounds. His interest in horses was one of the grounds of common interest which led to friendship with the late Judge Tompkins, Mr.
Dodge, one of the founders of Bell-Ans, and the late David H. Clark.
Although his horses ran at Orangeburg, the races he enjoyed recalling most were those with Jerry Martine, father of the late George Martine of Nyack, and grandfather of Everett Martine of Palisades. Mr. Martine, like his son George, was an undertaker and had an undertaking establishment not far from the present site of Boss's Market.
There was no bank in Sparkill in those days when Mr. Blauvelt was manager of Kipp's Market. Banking was done in Nyack. In the winter he and Mr. Martine went by separate rigs to Nyack to do their banking. On their return trip they would meet at Salisbury Point, South Nyack, then race their horses on the ice down the river to Piermont.
A close friend of Mr. Blauvelt was the late Dr. G. H. Mastin of Sparkill. There was no Nyack Hospital in those days. On more than one occasion, Dr. Mastin would summon Mr. Blauvelt from Kipp's store, when a patient had a dislocated shoulder, and Mr. Blauvelt would help Mr. Mastin ease the shoulder into place. Dr. Mastin said he liked to have Mr. Blauvelt help him since he didn't lose his nerve.
Kipp's store handled not only whiskey, horse collars, calico and groceries, but also coal. Coal cars were brought into the back yard of the store, the cars small and holding only from five to seven tons.
Some of the owners or large houses such as the Castle bought coal by the carload.
Enthusiastic Fireman
Mr. Blauvelt was an enthusiastic fireman. He was a charter member of John Paulding Engine Company of Sparkill and a life member. With Henry Boss, he was the last remaining charter member of the company, it is said. Mr. Blauvelt served as fire commissioner of the Palisades-Sparkill fire district when that was formed.
His brother was the late Sheriff C. V. A. [Cornelius Van Antwerp] Blauvelt of Rockland County.
Mr. Blauvelt was a member of the firm of Blauvelt and Morell, real estate and insurance brokers, Nyack.
Sheriff Blauvelt on occasion tried to get his brother to serve as a deputy sheriff. He never would. One occasion which he remembered his brother asked him to serve as a deputy sheriff was during one of the bad strikes in the brick plants in Haverstraw and Mr. Blauvelt refused.
He liked to say that one of the pleasures of his earlier days was that there were no automobiles and therefore there wasn't the need for the number of policemen there are today. There was no organized Orangetown police department and the constables he remembered most were Constable Hickey of Piermont and Constable Mike McNichol of Nyack. There were officers in South Nyack, but these tow were those he remembered most clearly. Since there were no automobiles, those with a little sporting blood in their veins were free to race their horses along the River Road and on other roads in the town, confident there would be no police disturbance.
In connection with his friends who had horses and with whom he liked to talk horses as well as general issues of the day was Ike Hartman who kept a livery stable in Sparkill.
Mr. Blauvelt was a good story teller and he liked to be with friends. One of his great joys was the Tuesday evenings for many years past when the Piermont Odd Fellows, to which his son belonged, met. He joined in the social hour which followed the sessions. Among his friends in these Tuesday evening gatherings were Henry Boss, Howard Martini, Johnny Hartman, Artie Thompson and Clinton Smith.
After his retirement and the death of his wife and his son's wife, Mr. Blauvelt and his son kept house together. Mr. Blauvelt could bake a pie that would rival that made by any feminine housekeeper and might have won prizes at a county fair. He could cook a large number of other dishes as easily and as excellently.
The winters of 1941 and 1942, he spent in St. Petersburg, Fla., driving down with his son. He was keenly interested in everything that went on in the world and to the day of his death read the daily paper.
He never wore glasses in his life and his vision remained keen.
Two years ago he had a major operation at the Nyack Hospital. He made a complete recovery.
Nearly six feet tall, he retained his erect
carriage until his death. He was distinguished in appearance, and always wore a beard.
Mr. Blauvelt remembered four wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars. He enjoyed life keenly, but he never wanted to live to see a fifth war.
Contributed by:
.... Carole Elizabeth Nurmi Cummings
Please contact Carole at the link above if you would like a copy of the original obituary. She would be more than happy to supply you with a copy.
=======
Obituary
.... Rockland News
.... Rockland County, New York
.... Monday, December 5, 1949
=========
"Old-Timer In Orangetown Area Is Dead"
Abram Blauvelt Managed Store Many Years
Funeral for Abram Blauvelt, 93, of Edward Street, Sparkill, who died Saturday, will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock at the Moritz Funeral Home, the Rev. Roscoe Giles of the Tappan Reformed Church officiating.
Interment will be in the Tappan Cemetery.
Surviving Mr. Blauvelt is a son, Mortimer. His wife, the former Fannie B. Smith of Sparkill, a sister of Cornelius B. Smith, died in 1938.
Mr. Blauvelt was born in Orangeburg on July 2, 1856, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blauvelt.
His father was a stone mason and Mr. Blauvelt worked for him when he built the Castle in Piermont for Eleazar Lord, president of the Erie Railroad. The Castle, now the home of Miss
Dorothea Thompson, was modeled after Sir Walter Scott's home in Scotland and was situated high on the hillside where Mr. Lord could look out over Piermont to the pier, which was then the eastern terminal of the Erie Railroad.
Mr. Blauvelt, who often had taken the trip as a boy, recalled that passengers came as far as Piermont and continued their journey to New York by boat, sometimes sailing vessels.
As a boy of 15, Mr. Blauvelt worked as a fireman on a steam shovel for the West Shore when the railroad cut was put through Orangeburg.
The house in which he was born was not far from the cut.
Later he went into the grocery business and was general manager for many years of D. W. Kipp's grocery store in Sparkill.
In 1909 he set up his own grocery store in Orangeburg, retiring 16 years ago. The building in which the store was located was purchased by the late David Clark, a friend of Mr. Blauvelt. The store was located on Cemetery Road.The building is now owned by people named Anderson and the little store attached to the end of the building still can be seen from the traffic light on Route 303 across the fields toward Cemetery Road. The property had belonged to the old Van Antwerp family, of whom Mr. Blauvelt was a descendant and he purchased it from his brothers and sisters.
Kipp's store, which Mr. Blauvelt managed for many years, handled general merchandise. Among other things sold was whiskey, which was purchased by the barrel and which customers could buy for three cents a glass if they wished.
Evangelist Liked Whiskey
Mr. Blauvelt, who had an excellent sense of humor, used to chuckle over the subterfuge of a certain evangelist, well-known in the county at the time, who would come into the store with a gallon kerosene can and have it filled up with whiskey.
After a few swigs of the whiskey, he'd go out and preach 'brimstone and hell', said Mr. Blauvelt.
Mr. Blauvelt loved horses and kept a fast trotter, with which he used to race sometimes at the Orangeburg track, on the Orangeburg Fair Grounds. His interest in horses was one of the grounds of common interest which led to friendship with the late Judge Tompkins, Mr.
Dodge, one of the founders of Bell-Ans, and the late David H. Clark.
Although his horses ran at Orangeburg, the races he enjoyed recalling most were those with Jerry Martine, father of the late George Martine of Nyack, and grandfather of Everett Martine of Palisades. Mr. Martine, like his son George, was an undertaker and had an undertaking establishment not far from the present site of Boss's Market.
There was no bank in Sparkill in those days when Mr. Blauvelt was manager of Kipp's Market. Banking was done in Nyack. In the winter he and Mr. Martine went by separate rigs to Nyack to do their banking. On their return trip they would meet at Salisbury Point, South Nyack, then race their horses on the ice down the river to Piermont.
A close friend of Mr. Blauvelt was the late Dr. G. H. Mastin of Sparkill. There was no Nyack Hospital in those days. On more than one occasion, Dr. Mastin would summon Mr. Blauvelt from Kipp's store, when a patient had a dislocated shoulder, and Mr. Blauvelt would help Mr. Mastin ease the shoulder into place. Dr. Mastin said he liked to have Mr. Blauvelt help him since he didn't lose his nerve.
Kipp's store handled not only whiskey, horse collars, calico and groceries, but also coal. Coal cars were brought into the back yard of the store, the cars small and holding only from five to seven tons.
Some of the owners or large houses such as the Castle bought coal by the carload.
Enthusiastic Fireman
Mr. Blauvelt was an enthusiastic fireman. He was a charter member of John Paulding Engine Company of Sparkill and a life member. With Henry Boss, he was the last remaining charter member of the company, it is said. Mr. Blauvelt served as fire commissioner of the Palisades-Sparkill fire district when that was formed.
His brother was the late Sheriff C. V. A. [Cornelius Van Antwerp] Blauvelt of Rockland County.
Mr. Blauvelt was a member of the firm of Blauvelt and Morell, real estate and insurance brokers, Nyack.
Sheriff Blauvelt on occasion tried to get his brother to serve as a deputy sheriff. He never would. One occasion which he remembered his brother asked him to serve as a deputy sheriff was during one of the bad strikes in the brick plants in Haverstraw and Mr. Blauvelt refused.
He liked to say that one of the pleasures of his earlier days was that there were no automobiles and therefore there wasn't the need for the number of policemen there are today. There was no organized Orangetown police department and the constables he remembered most were Constable Hickey of Piermont and Constable Mike McNichol of Nyack. There were officers in South Nyack, but these tow were those he remembered most clearly. Since there were no automobiles, those with a little sporting blood in their veins were free to race their horses along the River Road and on other roads in the town, confident there would be no police disturbance.
In connection with his friends who had horses and with whom he liked to talk horses as well as general issues of the day was Ike Hartman who kept a livery stable in Sparkill.
Mr. Blauvelt was a good story teller and he liked to be with friends. One of his great joys was the Tuesday evenings for many years past when the Piermont Odd Fellows, to which his son belonged, met. He joined in the social hour which followed the sessions. Among his friends in these Tuesday evening gatherings were Henry Boss, Howard Martini, Johnny Hartman, Artie Thompson and Clinton Smith.
After his retirement and the death of his wife and his son's wife, Mr. Blauvelt and his son kept house together. Mr. Blauvelt could bake a pie that would rival that made by any feminine housekeeper and might have won prizes at a county fair. He could cook a large number of other dishes as easily and as excellently.
The winters of 1941 and 1942, he spent in St. Petersburg, Fla., driving down with his son. He was keenly interested in everything that went on in the world and to the day of his death read the daily paper.
He never wore glasses in his life and his vision remained keen.
Two years ago he had a major operation at the Nyack Hospital. He made a complete recovery.
Nearly six feet tall, he retained his erect
carriage until his death. He was distinguished in appearance, and always wore a beard.
Mr. Blauvelt remembered four wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and the two World Wars. He enjoyed life keenly, but he never wanted to live to see a fifth war.
Contributed by:
.... Carole Elizabeth Nurmi Cummings
Please contact Carole at the link above if you would like a copy of the original obituary. She would be more than happy to supply you with a copy.
=======
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