Harmon Clausen, farmer in Town of Chemung, and his unsolved murder in the year 1900.
I discovered the story of Harmon Clausen through old newspapers.
If I find a record or article that ends the mystery, It will be added here. I'm afraid, it's a cold case until that time. There are many unanswered questions throughout the story and timeline. If you crack the case please be sure to share your good news with me. My theory, probably two young men, in need of money knew where Harmon stored it, in the sewing machine drawer. It was to be a quick in and out burglary and instead became a row with Harmon. resulting in his stabbing with no intention of murder. A messy coverup followed by two hysterical and nervous young men who tried to cover their identity. That is my story, what is yours? - Mary Ellen Kunst |
Location of Harmon Clausen's Farm
I studied the 1900 census report trying to find the location of Harmon Clausen’s home. I actually found a nice clear 1904 map and posted the link to my Historical Echoes web site. However he died in 1900 not 1904. (It was the closest I had). If I could match up names of Clausen’s neighbors (on the last article) and locate them on the map, then I could find an approximate location. Sometimes census reports are in alphabetical order and sometimes the census taker goes door to door and reports the home owners names in consecutive order. But for the life of me I can’t figure out what this census taker did! Maybe he was a bit tipsey by the time he got to this one!
The name Carey had me looking over on upper DryBrook, another name had me looking on County Rt 60 near Snell, near Rose Valley. The name Culver had me looking looking up past Beantown in Chemung Centre.
So it is anyone’s guess as to where it was. I would have liked to have known the vicinity.
- Mary Ellen Kunst
I studied the 1900 census report trying to find the location of Harmon Clausen’s home. I actually found a nice clear 1904 map and posted the link to my Historical Echoes web site. However he died in 1900 not 1904. (It was the closest I had). If I could match up names of Clausen’s neighbors (on the last article) and locate them on the map, then I could find an approximate location. Sometimes census reports are in alphabetical order and sometimes the census taker goes door to door and reports the home owners names in consecutive order. But for the life of me I can’t figure out what this census taker did! Maybe he was a bit tipsey by the time he got to this one!
The name Carey had me looking over on upper DryBrook, another name had me looking on County Rt 60 near Snell, near Rose Valley. The name Culver had me looking looking up past Beantown in Chemung Centre.
So it is anyone’s guess as to where it was. I would have liked to have known the vicinity.
- Mary Ellen Kunst
More information on Harmon Clausen's family
I have some background to add to the story. Amy Morris Zehr, a historian at the Waverly, NY Historical Society and I worked one afternoon on "other" information, keyboards were flying. lol Well, not really flying, but the articles were passing on the internet broadband fast and furious! Thank you, Amy.
After the first article where they claimed Mr. Harmon had no relatives, I was surprised to hear later that he had a wife and daughter living in Buffalo. I don't know the circumstances surrounding their personal relationships, but this is what I do know:
Harmon J. Clausen was born in Barton, Tioga Co. New York in 1850. His father and mother were John and Elizabeth. John died by 1875. They had three daughters: Kate, Jane and Mary.
Harmon's mother died in Chemung on August 18, 1900. It would appear she was living with Harmon and his wife and child, or at last with Harmon.
In the 1892 New York State Census, Harmon was listed with his wife, Lizzie and daughter Grace. Harmon was 42 yrs old, Lizzie 23 and Grace 6. Harmon was listed as a farmer. I can't be sure of where they lived in Chemung. Lizzie went by the name, C. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth C, Charlotte E, and Eliza.
Harmon died September 26, 1900 at the age of 50 years old. He left a wife and daughter who were living in Buffalo, NY and Emma Whitley of Orange St. Waverly, NY to whom he was said to have been engaged to be married.
Elizabeth and Grace lived next door to George and Sarah Best in Buffalo and their son George, in 1905.
Harmon's daughter, Grace Agusta married Dr. George L. Best and they had 4 daughters. Ruth E., Alice S., Esther L., Betty Lou. C. Elizabeth Clauson lived with them. They resided on Maywood St., Buffalo, New York. George was employed as chief engineer at Ralston Purina in Buffalo.
In 1933 the Star Gazette reported the Best Family attended a Grace Reunion at the Riverside Park in Elmira. Interestingly enough, President of the reunion was Augustus Grace. We wondered if perhaps Elizabeth's maiden name was Grace? The family was also friends or relatives of the H.L. Springer family on Stevenson St., Sayre, PA when then spent a few days visiting in 1936.
As for the resident lad, Herbert Theetge and Harmon's pet dog, a Newfoundland. I found no other information.
Harmon was buried at the Factoryville Cemetery in Waverly, New York and his Find A Grave Memorial ID is 128408013. - Mary Ellen Kunst
I have some background to add to the story. Amy Morris Zehr, a historian at the Waverly, NY Historical Society and I worked one afternoon on "other" information, keyboards were flying. lol Well, not really flying, but the articles were passing on the internet broadband fast and furious! Thank you, Amy.
After the first article where they claimed Mr. Harmon had no relatives, I was surprised to hear later that he had a wife and daughter living in Buffalo. I don't know the circumstances surrounding their personal relationships, but this is what I do know:
Harmon J. Clausen was born in Barton, Tioga Co. New York in 1850. His father and mother were John and Elizabeth. John died by 1875. They had three daughters: Kate, Jane and Mary.
Harmon's mother died in Chemung on August 18, 1900. It would appear she was living with Harmon and his wife and child, or at last with Harmon.
In the 1892 New York State Census, Harmon was listed with his wife, Lizzie and daughter Grace. Harmon was 42 yrs old, Lizzie 23 and Grace 6. Harmon was listed as a farmer. I can't be sure of where they lived in Chemung. Lizzie went by the name, C. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth C, Charlotte E, and Eliza.
Harmon died September 26, 1900 at the age of 50 years old. He left a wife and daughter who were living in Buffalo, NY and Emma Whitley of Orange St. Waverly, NY to whom he was said to have been engaged to be married.
Elizabeth and Grace lived next door to George and Sarah Best in Buffalo and their son George, in 1905.
Harmon's daughter, Grace Agusta married Dr. George L. Best and they had 4 daughters. Ruth E., Alice S., Esther L., Betty Lou. C. Elizabeth Clauson lived with them. They resided on Maywood St., Buffalo, New York. George was employed as chief engineer at Ralston Purina in Buffalo.
In 1933 the Star Gazette reported the Best Family attended a Grace Reunion at the Riverside Park in Elmira. Interestingly enough, President of the reunion was Augustus Grace. We wondered if perhaps Elizabeth's maiden name was Grace? The family was also friends or relatives of the H.L. Springer family on Stevenson St., Sayre, PA when then spent a few days visiting in 1936.
As for the resident lad, Herbert Theetge and Harmon's pet dog, a Newfoundland. I found no other information.
Harmon was buried at the Factoryville Cemetery in Waverly, New York and his Find A Grave Memorial ID is 128408013. - Mary Ellen Kunst