Bessie May Cobb1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 18672, (1881 - 1947)
FatherJames Dyer Cobb6,7,8,9,10 (1825 - 26 Jan 1899)
MotherHannah M. Eder4,5,3 (Oct 1852 - 4 Oct 1941)

Key Events:

Birth: Jul 1881, Brighton, New York11,12,13
Marriage: 20 Dec 1897, Rochester, New York, John D. Niven (about 1865 - )3
Divorce: 3 Oct 1899, John D. Niven (about 1865 - )14
Marriage: 26 Dec 1899, Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, Joseph B. Schrader (Jul 1871 - 29 Apr 1925)15,16,17
Death: 12 Mar 194718
Burial: 15 Mar 1947, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Henrietta, New York19
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Bessie May Cobb was born in Jul 1881 in Brighton, New York.11,12,13
     It seems likely her given name was Elizabeth, but she was almost universally known as Bessie May, even in legal documents. Only a few instances have been found using Elizabeth.20,21 She was apparently raised as Bessie May Cobb, but in a few cases prior to her first marriage she used the surname Eder.3,22
     She appeared with her mother, Hannah M. Eder, on the 1892 State Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, in the household of James Dyer Cobb and Elizabeth M. Hammond, her mother's employers and apparently her father.23
     Under a will drawn 18 Aug 1894 by Elizabeth, Bessie was to receive $3,000 in cash, and the James Dyer Cobb's farm, subject to his holding a life estate on the property.5,24 After Elizabeth's death in Aug 1894, Bessie's mother had Elizabeth's recent will, leaving both cash and property to Bessie, submitted for probate, ignoring a suit filed by Elizabeth's husband claiming the will was invalid.5 On winning his suit before the state Supreme Court, James had his wife's earlier will admitted for probate on 4 Mar 1896.25
     Bessie married first John D. Niven, son of James N. Niven and Mary Robinson, on 20 Dec 1897 in Rochester, New York, with Rev. Albert Evans officiating.3 Her marriage to John D. Niven was evidently annulled; on 3 Oct 1899 her mother was appointed legal guardian to Bessie as she "is about to commence an action to have her marriage" annulled.14
     Bessie married second Joseph B. Schrader, son of John B. Schrader and Annie Bloom, on 26 Dec 1899 in Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, with Rev. J. M. McElhenny officiating.15,16,17
     Bessie and her husband, Joseph B. Schrader, appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, in the household of her mother, Hannah M. Eder.4
     Bessie and Joseph appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, on Highland Ave., enumerated 9 May 1910, reporting that they owned their farm. Her mother, Hannah M. Eder was listed as living with them, as were two hired men, Charles C. Herrick, age 22, and Arthur C. Sheridan, age 18, both workers in the gravel bank.26
     Bessie and Joseph appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, on Highland Ave., enumerated 30 Jun 1920, reporting that they owned their home. Their children Pearl and Margaret were listed as living with them, as was her mother and a boarder, Otto Seinway, age 34, a salesman for an auto tire company.27
     Her husband died on 29 Apr 1925 in 1100 Highland Ave., Brighton, Monroe Co., New York.28
     Bessie appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, at 1100 Highland Ave., enumerated 28 Apr 1930, reporting that she owned a home valued at $15,000. Her children Pearl and Margaret were listed as living with her, as was her mother.29
     Bessie appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Brighton, Monroe Co., New York, at 1100 Highland Ave., enumerated 24 Apr 1940, reporting that she owned a home valued at $12,000. Her daughter Margaret was listed as living with her, as was her mother. They all reported living in the same house in 1935.30
     Bessie died on 12 Mar 1947 at age 65.18 She was buried on 15 Mar 1947 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Henrietta, New York, next to her husband.19

Children:
     There were no children with John D. Niven

Children:
     Children with Joseph B. Schrader:

  • Pearl A. Schrader31,29 (abt 1914 - Sep 1975)
  • Margaret A. Schrader31,29,32 (3 May 1914 - 4 Jan 1998)

Citations

  1. [S4281] "Would Break Mrs. Cobb's Will," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8 Dec 1894, shows name as Bessie May Cobb.
  2. [S4277] James D. Cobb household, 1892 New York State Census, Monroe Co., New York, Brighton, shows name as Bessie A. Cobb.
  3. [S4355] John D. Niven and Bessie May Eder, marriage register.
  4. [S4278] Hannah M. Eder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  5. [S4281] "Would Break Mrs. Cobb's Will," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8 Dec 1894.
  6. [S4277] James D. Cobb household, 1892 New York State Census, Monroe Co., New York, Brighton, lists the child, with surname Cobb, after James and his wife, and before Hannah Eder, as would be appropriate for a child of the head of household, though no relationships are stated.
  7. [S4281] "Would Break Mrs. Cobb's Will," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 8 Dec 1894, shows that "it was deemed advisable" that James's property not be held by him shortly before the child's birth, without explanation, that his wife left it to the child in her will, and that the mother of the child was Hannah.
  8. [S4283] "Consumed Much Whisky," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 4 May 1899, shows that James left his property to Hannah, acknowledged to be the girl's mother.
  9. [S4300] "Judge Thomas J. and Margaret S. Meagher Endowment", shows Margaret (Schrader) Meagher was a descendant of the Cobb family (she was Bessie May's daughter).
  10. [S4301] "Cobb-Meagher House", shows "James had at least two surviving daughters, Hannah Cobb Eder and Bessie May Cobb Schrader."
  11. [S4278] Hannah M. Eder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York, shows month, year, age 18, and state.
  12. [S4355] John D. Niven and Bessie May Eder, marriage register, shows age 16, city, and state.
  13. [S4277] James D. Cobb household, 1892 New York State Census, Monroe Co., New York, Brighton, shows age 11.
  14. [S4299] "Wants Marriage Annulled," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 4 Oct 1899.
  15. [S4356] Joseph B. Scharder and Elizabeth Niven, marriage register, shows date and officant.
  16. [S4278] Hannah M. Eder household, 1900 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York, shows married one year.
  17. [S4303] Joseph B. Schrader household, 1910 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York, shows married 10 years.
  18. [S4279] "Deaths," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 14 Mar 1947.
  19. [S4298] "Life Book," Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Mausoleums, record for Schrader Bessie M.
  20. [S4356] Joseph B. Scharder and Elizabeth Niven, marriage register.
  21. [S4224] The Rochester Directory, 1918, pg 877, shows name as Elizabeth Schrader.
  22. [S4356] Joseph B. Scharder and Elizabeth Niven, marriage register, shows her maiden name as Eder.
  23. [S4277] James D. Cobb household, 1892 New York State Census, Monroe Co., New York, Brighton.
  24. [S4282] "There are Two Wills," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 5 Mar 1896, shows date of will.
  25. [S4282] "There are Two Wills," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 5 Mar 1896.
  26. [S4303] Joseph B. Schrader household, 1910 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  27. [S4304] Joseph Schrader household, 1920 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  28. [S4280] "Deaths," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 30 Apr 1925, shows he died "yesterday morning," address, and as his home.
  29. [S4305] Bessie Schraeder household, 1930 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  30. [S4306] Bessie M. Schrader household, 1940 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  31. [S4304] Joseph Schrader household, 1920 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York, shows the girl as daughter of Bessie's husband.
  32. [S4306] Bessie M. Schrader household, 1940 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York, shows name as Margaret A. Schrader.