Elmer Derby Whitney

     Elmer Derby Whitney was born on 9 June 1864 at Ludlow, Windsor County, Vermont. According to Muse (2000) "There is conflicting information concerning Elmer's birth place. Shirley Pedigo's Family Bible lists Jacksonville (Windham County), VT; Birth registration lists Ludlow (Windsor County), VT; Burnap geneaology lists Townshend (Windham County), Vt; Vermont Vital Records Index to 1870 lists Ludlow.^1,2" He was the son of Lysander S. Whitney and Lydia Ann Burnap.^1,2 Elmer Derby Whitney was listed in the household of Lysander S. Whitney and Lydia Ann Burnap in 1880 US Census at Andover, Vermont.³ On 18 April 1888 at Warwick, Massachusetts, Elmer married Grace Idella Harding, daughter of George Harding and Ruth Melinda Delvey. Allred (2002) gives their marriage place as Orange, Massachusetts.^4,1,2 Elmer Derby Whitney and Grace Idella Harding lived about 1905 at 77 North Main Street, Orange, Massachusetts; Her niece, Ruth Esther Ward, lived with her when she went to Orange High School.⁴ According to his obituary, "He came to Orange as a young man and worked on area farms. Before its closing, he was employed for many years in the box department of New Home Sewing Machine Co. His hobby was flowers and the gardens in his home here attracted many visitors. ... As the oldest resident of Athol, Mr. Whitney was presented the gold-headed cane in 1960. He had been active about the rest home at the time of his death.¹ Elmer Derby Whitney died on Tuesday, 14 February 1961 at Bevis Rest Home, Athol, Massachusetts, at age 96 years, 8 months and 5 days.^1,2 Elmer was buried on 17 February 1961 at Central Cemetery, Orange, Massachusetts.¹