FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: BOTZERMANY; Phonetic spelling of a Hungarian name.--William McCready U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, December 1994: Zolton Bosgormeny; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Place of residence: (?) Grove; Age 13; Single; Place of birth: Indiana; Place of birth of mother and father: Hungary; Occupation: Machinist/K.U. Shops BROTHERS' LAUNDRY LIST: Zoltin Boszormeny MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Yolton (sic) Bocermany (sic) played the trombone.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Mr. and Mrs. Best.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn, Estero, Lee County, Florida; 1963: Mr. and Mrs. Best.
Spouse of Max Arendt, (Non member) THE FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by Claude J. Rahn; November 1935: "Miss Genevieve Bisbing of Fort Myers visited us several days round the Solar Festival and rendered much assistance in the preoparations for that event." (Miss Genevieve Bisbing of Fort Myers was a frequent visitor of the Koreshan Unity before her marriage to Max Arendt.--Joyce Nelle Ratliff, February 1999) Social Security Death Index: Genevieve Arendt; Born: 7 Dec 1901; Died: 15 Dec 1996; Residence: Fort Myers, Florida; SS#: 265-264373.
US Federal Census - 1920 Percy, Delia and Genieve Bisbing. Also "boarding" was Meta Monsees.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Peter Blem; Born: 28 May 1880, Denmark; Died: 12 May 1936, Estero. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Peter Blem: "A young Dane who came direct from Denmark, where his brother was a doctor and his sister a nurse. I knew him on my visits back. When I tried to help with the chores by sweeping around the tables, he would always take the broom from me and finish the job. I liked him so much that I was especially distressed when I learned that he had died of cancer, which his brother and sister wrote he knew he had before leaving Denmark but would have nothing done about it." Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 19--Inscription: 1880-May 1936. U.S. Federal Census--1920; Estero, Lee, Florida; Enumeration Date: 2 Jan 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; Microfilm number: 1820221; SD: 1; Sheet: 1; Fourth Precinct; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, December 1994: Peter C. Blem; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Age 39; Single; Year of immigration to U.S. 1909; Naturalized: 1918; Place of birth: Denmark; Place of birth of mother and father: Denmark; Occupation: Painter and artist, K.U. at home; Residence: Garages (?) place. U.S. Federal 1930 Census; Estero, Lee County, Florida; Election Precinct 12; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: May 5, 1930; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page number: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 2003: Peter K. Blem; Radio set: none listed; Sex: Male; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 49; Marital condition: single; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Denmark; Place of birth of father: Denmark; Place of birth of mother: Denmark; Language spoken in home before coming to the U.S.: Danish; Year of immigration to the U.S.: 1922(?); Naturalized: yes; Occupation: Farming; Industry: farming; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day): yes; Veteran: no BROTHERS' LAUNDRY LIST: Peter Blem #98 FLAMING SWORD, Vol. 50, No. 6, June 1936, p.10 - Community Current Events -- "It is with a real sense of loss that we record the passing of Brother Peter Blem, aged 56, on May 12. He had been suffering for some time with a chronic disorder of the digestive tract and put up a brave fight to correct it. It proved to be a losing fight, however. Brother Peter had been a member of the Unity since May, 1913, coming here from California. He was well liked by all who knew him and he was unsparing in his work for the community. Brother Peter is survived by a sister in Denmark. He did some creditable work as an artist, as his pictures testify. He joins the host of those good and faithful followers of Koresh whose names will not be forgotten so soon." FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events by D. J. Richards, October 1936: "Our late departed Brother Peter Blem had loved ones in Denmark, who, since his passing, wish to commemorate his memory by placing a marker on his grave, and which his sister, Miss Ellen, made possible by furnished the wherewithal. Miss Blem had promised to visit her brother here, and now she writes of the strong attachment between them. To know Brother Peter was to love him, for he was unquestionably one of the finest characters we have ever known and was universally liked by all who came to know him. To say that he is greatly missed, and particularly at this time, does but half express it, for he eagerly looked forward to the Master's Birthday and took the lead in decorating the Art and Dining Halls for the occasion."
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Henrietta Blue; Born 3 Apr in Onondaga Co., New York. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Henrietta Blue: "Blue by name and blue by nature," so said all of the grownups." --Rosalea McCready 1900 U. S. Federal Census; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; Ed No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City; Enumeration Date: 13 June 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999; Koreshan Unity:: Henrietta Blue; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling No. 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, female; Month of birth: March; Year of birth: 1840; Age at last birthday: 60; Married; No. of years married: 1*; Mother of how many children: 0: No. of these children living: 0; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of father: New York; Place of birth of mother: New York. Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*Except for 5 married residents, all married residents living in this dwelling listed their number of years married as 1.)
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Helena (nee Bohmer) Lemke.
NOTES FROM EVELYN HORNE: Claude's sister, Edna, married Harvey Bond of Baltimore, Maryland. They had 2 sons. They retired in Nobodies, Florida, to make their home.
THE AMERICAN EAGLE; April 1990; Vol. 74; Page 2: Our Readers Write Letters; "Dear Jo (Bigelow): Back in the 60's when my uncle, Claude Rahn, was still alive, I was a director together with you. The other day I came across a diary that I kept when I lived at the Unity in 1934. Included was two weeks of menus. I thought you might be interested in what the Unity ate in those deep depression days. We didn't go hungry but whole wheat cereal did get a bit much every day for breakfast. All the best, Paul Bond; 602 Kirsch Avenue; Wayne, PA 19089; P. S. If I get a chance, I'll type up the diary. Some of it is interesting." THE AMERICAN EAGLE; April 1990; Vol 74; Page 7: Depression Era Food at Koreshan Unity Was Wholesome, Healthy and Sometimes Fun! In the summer of 1934 Paul N. Bond (15) and his brother Rahnold (sic) (16) visited their uncle, Claude J. Rahn, a member of the Koreshan Unity at Estero, Florida. A record was kept of their meals while at the Unity (this is an exact copy of the diary). (Menus from July 7, 1934 until July 21, 1934.)
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Eugene E. Bonnell; Died Aug 1891, Chicago. LETTER SENT TO DEAN STITZ FROM Michael Mohr of Steinway & Sons concerning the original ownership of the Steinway grand piano located in the Art Hall of the Koreshan State Historic Site, Estero, Florida; March 1, 1994: "According to our log book records Steinway and Sons serial number 53097 is a model A grand which was manufactured here in our New York factory. This instrument was finished in ebony, its length is 6' and contains an eighty-five note keyboard. It was completed on March 30, 1885. On April 21, 1885 the piano was purchased by Mr. E. Bonnell, a teacher from Morristown, New Jersey. The original retail price was approximately eleven hundred dollars.(signed Michael Mohr, Director, Service Administration; Steinway & Sons") Project list: Walter Horstmann Thomas (1876-1948); www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display_projects.cfm?ArchitectId=A1385: Bonnell Residence; Client: Bonnell, Henry H.; Type: dwelling; Location: 418 W. Mermaid Ln.; Philadelphia, PA (It may be a coincidence, but there was a Bonnell family who joined the Koreshans in the late 1800's and donated the Steinway piano which is located in the Art Hall at the Koreshan State Historic Site. This Bonnell project is one of many in which Walter Horstmann Thomas was the architect.) *See Walter Horstmann Thomas THE FLAMING SWORD; October 1938; Page 15: After Moravia, an establishment was started in Syracuse, N. Y., which also lasted about two years. Then followed two years of trying times in New York City. From there Koresh went to Chicago about 1887, securing enough converts to start the Home at College Place on September 6 the following year. Shortly thereafter others entered the Home in increasing numbers: the Graham family--Alfred and Ella Graham, Florence, Bertha, Robert and Lloyd; the L'Amoreaux family; Susan and Barbara Ehrisman; the Bonnells; Victoria; Elizabeth Robinson; the MacCumbers; etc.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Mrs. Harriet L. Bonnell; Born: 28 Jan 1828 in Morris Co., N.J. THE FLAMING SWORD; October 1938; Page 15: After Moravia, an establishment was started in Syracuse, N. Y., which also lasted about two years. Then followed two years of trying times in New York City. From there Koresh went to Chicago about 1887, securing enough converts to start the Home at College Place on September 6 the following year. Shortly thereafter others entered the Home in increasing numbers: the Graham family--Alfred and Ella Graham, Florence, Bertha, Robert and Lloyd; the L'Amoreaux family; Susan and Barbara Ehrisman; the Bonnells; Victoria; Elizabeth Robinson; the MacCumbers; etc.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Mary Bonnell. THE FLAMING SWORD; October 1938; Page 15: After Moravia, an establishment was started in Syracuse, N. Y., which also lasted about two years. Then followed two years of trying times in New York City. From there Koresh went to Chicago about 1887, securing enough converts to start the Home at College Place on September 6 the following year. Shortly thereafter others entered the Home in increasing numbers: the Graham family--Alfred and Ella Graham, Florence, Bertha, Robert and Lloyd; the L'Amoreaux family; Susan and Barbara Ehrisman; the Bonnells; Victoria; Elizabeth Robinson; the MacCumbers; etc.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Bertha May Boomer; Born: 1 May 1880--Died 3 Sep 1941. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Bertha Boomer, mother: "Louie, a violinist, and Harry, a cornetist, were both talented musicians. Louis became owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and wealthy; died in Norway, the home country of his wife. He built a home for his mother across the river from the Unity. Bertie lived with her and afterward in Fort Myers. She was killed on Fort Myers Beach by an automobile driven by Carlton Case. Harry served in the Spanish American War and died in an Army hospital in Texas. Ruth married a Philadelphia architect and they were the parents of one son." 1900 U. S. Federal Census; Lake township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No., 284; Page No. 14; SD No. 1; ED No., 970; Sheet No. 14; Ward of City: 31; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Martha H. Philpot; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Bertha M. Boomer; Residence: 6310 Harvard Avenue: Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex; Female; Month of birth: May 1882; Age at last birthday; 18; Single; Place of birth: Illinois; Place of birth of father: Kentucky; Place of birth of mother: Conn.; Occupation, Student; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. 1910 U.S. Federal Census/Estero, Florida; Enumeration date: 23 Apr 1910; Koreshan Unity; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; Microfilm number: Fl 1910-H T624; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 4 Jan 1995: Bertha M. Boomer; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 28; Marital status: Single; Place of birth: Illinois; Place of birth of father: Kentucky; Place of birth of mother: Connecticut; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Teacher; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes. 1920 U.S. Federal Census/Estero, Florida; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; Enumeration Date: 5 Jan 1920; Microfilm number: 1820221-T625-221; ED: 109; Precinct 10; Outside the Koreshan Colony; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Bertha M. Boomer; Living outside the Koreshan Colony; Place of residence: Ft. Myers/Naples; Age 37; Single; Place of Birth: Illinois; Place of birth of father: Kentucky; Place of birth of mother: Connecticut; Occupation: None. BURIAL: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 30--Inscription: Bertha Boomer/1880-Sep 1941. MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Ruth and Bertie (no name given, probably Boomer) came down with a light case of typhoid fever, page 70. Bertie Boomer played second violin."--Page 78. FLAMING SWORD--v.55, n.10, October 1941 -- "Estero residents were shocked on Wednesday evening, September 3, to learn of the sudden death of Miss Betha M. Boomer, who was run down by a truck at Fort Myers Beach. Miss Boomer, who had been in swimming with a party of friends, left the water to get her bathing cap which she had forgotten. A glaring sun was low in the horizon and it is supposed that she failed to see the approaching truck which was driven by Mr. H. C. Case of Fort Myers. Miss Boomer was for many years a member of the Unity in Estero. She was an accomplished artist, being a graduate of Chicago Art Institute, and had a wide circle of friends. She is survived by her brother, Mr. L. M. Boomer, President of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Company of New York, and a married sister, Mrs. Walter Thomas, living in a suburb of Philadelphia. Evelyn Horn's notes: Bertie M. Boomer: Daughter of Berthaldine and Lucius S. Boomer. One sister Ruth Boomer Thomas--one brother Louis M. Boomer. Bertie came with her mother from the Chicago home in 1894 with her brother and sister. Bertie grew up in the Koreshan Unity, studied music and art. She traveled abroad to Paris, France; England; and Italy studying art. She was a talented painter. Some of her paintings are in the Art Hall. She lived with her mother at Mirasol Grove. Bertie taught school at Punta Blanca near Boca Grande in 1937. She also helped Mrs. Briggs open the Fort Myers Art Museum--Edison Avenue and assisted Mrs. Briggs as manager. Her brother Louis Boomer had her a house built on W-Broadway in the late thirties after her mother's death in 1935. She later moved to Fort Myers with friends, Paula and Harry Manley. Bertie died a tragic death. September 3, 1941, at sundown, while on a picnic at Fort Myers Beach with friends, Mr. H. C. Case of Fort Myers ran over her with a pickup truck while she was running across the beach. Bertie was a beautiful person, loved by all, a warm personalty. She was of large build, light brown hair and brown eyes. She wore soft, flowing materials of small prints--well dressed lady, often wore straw hats. She loved the outdoors--boating trips to the islands for picnics--loved to swim. She loved to sketch our beautiful Florida scenes--a true-blue Florida artist." FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events by Claude J. Rahn, January 1936: "Since the death of Mrs. Bertha S. Boomer her daughter, Bertha M. Boomer has arranged to make her home in the Unity. Their home at Mirasol Grove will be closed except for occasional visits of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Boomer and children of New York City, who with several guests spent the Christmas holidays there this season." FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events by D. J. Richards, October 1936: "Bertha M. Boomer, having qualified as school teacher in this county of Lee, has accepted a position to teach the school at Punta Blanca, an island at the northern end of the county owned by Barron G. Collier. Sister Bertie, as she is more familiarly known to the folks here, in not a stranger to the teaching business, for she taught the youngsters of the Unity in the early days in Estero and we all naturally wish her every success in her new field of endeavor. For the past year, Bertha M. has made her home here in the Unity."
Obituary for George Dupont Boomer; www.conway.lib.nh.us/history/obits1999/July1999.htm George Dupont Boomer, 77, of Chocorua and Estero, Florida, died on July 1, 1999 at his home on Fowlers Mill Road. The only son of Lucius Messenger and Jorgine Slettede Boomer, he was born in Boston on October 31, 1921. He attended Principia in St. Louis, Missouri, the Browning School in New York, class of 1938, and Yale University, class of 1942. He left Yale University in Mid-year to join Pan American Airways (Africa) for one year, at which time it was the largest airline in the world with 36 DC-3s in support of the British in the Middle East. George's father was president and chairman of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, and George grew up in Waldorf Towers and was known as the "male equivalent of Eloise," a fictional character who lived in the Plaza Hotel. He liked to tell people that he learned how to cook from Oscar of the Waldorf. When World War II ended, George was a lieutenant of the U.S. Naval Reserve. He then worked for two years for Horace Work, and then joined Hodges International, Inc., an import-export company specializing in textiles. Later, they started to supply parts and machinery to Italian licensees of important American firms, like General Electric, FMC, and Electric Boat. When George retired in 1992, he was owner and president of Hodges International, Inc., and the company was then sold. Everyone who worked for and with him loved him for his fairness, his kindness, and his unfailing good humor. He belonged to the Union Club in New York City, and was the oldest charter member of the Stamford Yacht Club. He served on the board of the Sheltering Arms Children's Service, where he was chairman of the board for 12 years. His family includes his current wife, Nola; a son, John, of Maine; and a daughter, Jorgine, of Manhattan. He was predeceased by two wives, Joan McMaster and Clarina Scudder. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 7 at Runnells Hall, Rt. 113, Chocorua. Donations in Mr. Boomer's memory, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Chocorua Lake Association and Chocorua Lake Foundation, P.O. Box 105, Chocorua, NH 03817. Arrangements are by the Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Rt. 16, West Ossipee. Vital Records: Social Security Death Index, 1937-1999; Surnames A-K George Boomer; Born: 31 Oct 1921; Died: 1 Jul 1999; SS#: 720-10-5629, issued in Railroad Board; Zip code of last know residence: 03817; Location associated with this zip code: Chocorua, NH
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Harrison B. Boomer FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Harrison Boomer: "Louie, a violinist, and Harry, a cornetist, were both talented musicians. Louis became owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and wealthy; died in Norway, the home country of his wife. He built a home for his mother across the river from the Unity. Bertie lived with her and afterward in Fort Myers. She was killed on Fort Myers Beach by an automobile driven by Carlton Case. Harry served in the Spanish American War and died in an Army hospital in Texas. Ruth married a Philadelphia architect and they were the parents of one son." THE PIONEER CURRICULUM: MUSIC DEPARTMENT; Instruction in Orchestra and Band Leadership, Prof. H. B. Boomer; Instruction in Harmony and Composition, Prof. H. B. Boomer; Instructor in The Use of Wind Instruments, Prof. H. B. Boomer. MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Harry Boomer attended a military academy before he ran away to join the Spanish American Army Band (1898)--page 46. Harry (no last name give, probably Harry Boomer), coronet player.--pages 65 and 78. Harry Boomer director of concerts held on Saturday evenings. Duet by Lovelle McCready on the violin and Harry Boomer on the coronet playing, "Love me and the World is Mine."--Page 81. Harry Boomer's interest in Lovelle McCready.--page 81.
*1870 U.S. Federal Census; State: Illinois; County: Cook; Town: Chicago; Ward: 3; Post Office: Chicago; Page: 343; Enumeration date: 3 "Aug 1870; Enumerator: Wm. Jameson, Ass't Marshal ; Series M593, Microfilm Roll Number 199; Page: 435; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; 20 Mar 2004; Line: 9; Dwelling house number: 1885; Family number: 3632; Name: Lucius B. Boomer; Age last birthday: 44; Sex: Male; Color: white; Profession or occupation: Bridge Builder; Value of real estate owned: $200,000; Value of personal estate: $150,000; Place of birth: Massachusetts; Male citizen 21 years and up: yes. (*Lucius B Boomer had several other persons living in the household besides his family. 2 children with no obvious parents, 3 female servants; 1 Laundress; and 1 Hostler.) *1880 U.S. Federal Census; State: Illinois; County: Cook; Town: Chicago; Family History Library Film: 1254186; NA Film Number: T9-0186; Page number: 56C; www.familysearch; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 21 Mar 2004; Name: Lucius B. Boomer; Relation to head of family: Other; Marital status: Nothing listed; Gender: male; Race: white; Age: 54; Birthplace: Massachusetts; Father's birthplace: Massachusetts; Mother's birthplace: Massachusetts. (*Lucius B. Boomer is living with the Henry E. Gilbert family)