Streets of Cortland – Conable Avenue

Frederick Conable was the elder of the two brothers and was born in 1825. He was married twice, first to Arville M. Coon who died in 1850. Frederick was remarried in 1851 to Fidelia Doud. They had four children, one of whom would become a noted architect—George W. Conable. Frederick was a trustee of the First M.E. Church for many years and a president of their board for some time. He was also a trustee of the Cortland Rural Cemetery and a highway commissioner for Cortlandville for years. Frederick died in 1911. He and many of his family members are buried at Cortland Rural Cemetery, including his brother George who died in 1897.

George Conable was born in 1829 and was also married twice. His first wife was Ruby Stafford whom he married in 1859. We have several items from their wedding in the collection at CCHS, including George’s wedding vest and Ruby’s fan and shoes. Ruby and George had four children, and of the children, both their boys died as children while their girls flourished. Ruby was a teacher at the Port Watson school before her marriage, and her girls followed her career path. Both Lena and Nellie Conable became teachers. In 1933, Nellie resigned her position at Randall School due to declining health. She had spent many years teaching in Cortland schools. Lena was the principal of Randall School at the time of Nellie’s resignation. Lena would die in 1946 and Nellie would follow in 1955. (Side note: My great uncle remembers the Conable sisters from when he was growing up on Rural Avenue.) George’s second marriage was late in life, after Ruby’s death in 1891. Addie Bouton was his second wife. Like his brother, George was a trustee at the First M.E. Church. He was a trustee at the First National Bank of Homer as well.

George W. Conable, the son of Frederick and Fidelia, attended Cortland Normal School and continued his education at Cornell University. He studied architecture and graduated in 1890. George married Grace Ford and they had two children. The family had moved to Manhattan by 1900. Conable worked on the Singer Building with architect Ernest Flagg in 1908. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world. However, George did not forget his roots. He designed the chapel at Cortland Rural Cemetery, the Cortland Democrat Building on Central Avenue, and the Cortland Central School (now the County Office Building). His name is also connected to several other building projects in the city of Cortland as well. He put together a book of Cortland photos entitled “Picturesque Cortland” which features fabulous scenes from around 1891 when it was published.

The Conable Farm was the location of a cemetery which is still there today. It sits on Route 11, south of the Port Watson Street bridge. It is typically called the Conable Cemetery, even today, though there are no Conables buried there.

We have one item in our collection from the Conable family that we have shared previously, but it has such a terrific story, it’s worth sharing again! This unassuming little brown jug featured in the photos was

used as a ketchup bottle for years in the Frederick Conable household. However, the jug was found by Frederick’s father, David Conable, near the Village of Fabius, near the road and behind a log. It was half-filled with whiskey! The thrifty Mr. Conable brought it home for use and it remained in the family. The Conable family is one of my favorite families to talk about because we have some wonderful examples of items in our collection that help to tell the stories of their lives. What unexpected treasure from your family do we have here at CCHS? You should make it a point to come in and learn about your family’s history! We are always happy to help you on your journey into the past! ~Tabitha