THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Lucius S. Boomer; Died: 6 Mar 1897.

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: 11; Name: Lucius S. Boomer; Age last birthday: 19; Sex: male; Color: white; Occupation: Attending school; Place of birth: Kentucky; Attended school within the year: yes.

*1870 U.S. Federal Census; State: Connecticut; County: New Haven; Town: New Haven; Page: 70; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1870; Enumerator: Charles S. Scott; Series M593, Microfilm Roll Number 109; Page: 35; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 20 Mar 2004; Address: Yale College; LIne: 24; Name: Lucius S. Boomer; Age last birthday: 19; Sex: Male; Color: white; Occupation: Attending yale college; Place of birth: Kentucky. (*Lucius S. Boomer was counted twice in the 1870 census, once in Illinois and once in Connecticut)

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1880 Census from Familysearch.org

Household Record 1880 United States Census

Household: Source Information:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Fa Birthplace Mo Birthplace
Lucius BOOMER Self M Male W 29 KY Bridge Builder MA MA
Bertha BOOMER Wife M Female W 29 CT Keeping House CT CT
Lucius BOOMER Son S Male W 1 NY KY CT
Fanny HATCH Other S Female W 33 VT School Teacher VT VT
Ellen MCALDRICK Other S Female W 41 ENG Cook IRE IRE


Family History Library Film 1254186
NA Film Number T9-0186
Page Number 161B
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The Flaming Sword - March 1897, p.343:
"Tribute in Memoriam: Departed from our visible presence but not lost to us, Mr. Lucius S. Boomer, March 6, 1897. He was loved by all who knew him..."

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/GenealogyMWeb/DeathSearchServlet: Name: Lucius S. Boomer; Date of death: 6 Mar 1897; City: Chicago; Age: 46 yr; Sex: unknown; Certificate No.: 00001340; County: Cook; State: Illinois.

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Bertha Sterling Boomer; (Barthaldine Matrona) Born: 12 Nov 1850 in Bridgeport, Conn.; Died 11 Jul 1935 in Estero.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: "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."

*1860 U.S. Federal Census; State: Connecticut; County: Fairfield; Town: Bridgeport; Post Office: Bridgeport; Series M653, Roll 75; Page: 499; www.HeritageQuest; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 20 Mar 2004; Enumeration date: 21 Jul 1860; Line Number: 20; Dwelling Number: 1715; Family Number: 7947; Name: Bertha Sterling; Age: 10; Sex: female; Color: Nothing listed; Occupation: Nothing listed; Birthplace: Connecticut; School in year: yes. (*Bertha Sterling is living with the David H. Nash (a physician) family.)

*1870 U.S. Federal Census; State: Connecticut; County: Fairfield; Town: Bridgeport; Ward: 1; Post Office: Bridgeport, Connecticut; Page Number: 83; Enumeration date: 20 Jul 1870; Enumerator: Philo L. Benner, Ass't Marshal; Series M593, Microfilm Roll Number: 96; Page: 71; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 20 Mar 2004; www.HeritageQuest; Line Number on page: 38; Dwelling house number: 518; Family number: 649; Name: Bertha Sterling; Age last birthday: 19; Sex: female; Color: white; Profession or occupation: School Teacher; Value of real estate owned: $3500; Value of personal estate: $500; Place of birth: Connecticut. (*Bertha Sterling is living with the David H Nash (a physician) family)

1880 U.S. Federal Census; State: Illinois; County: Cook; Town: Chicago; Family History Library Film: 1254186; NA Film Number: T9-0186; Page number: 161B; www.familysearch.org; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 21 Mar 2004; Name: Bertha Boomer; Relation to head of family: wife; Marital Status: Married; Sex: female; Race: white; Age: 29; Birthplace: Connecticut; Occupation: Keeping house; Father's Birthplace: Connecticut; Mother's Birthplace: Connecticut.

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calumet Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film roll 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City 31; Enumeration Date: 13 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Bertha Boomer; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, female; Month of birth: October; Year of birth: 1855; Age at last birthday: 44; Married; No. of years married: 1*; Mother of how many children: 4; Number of these children living: 4; Place of birth: Connecticut; Place of birth of father: Connecticut; Place of birth of mother: Connecticut; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*Except for 5 married residents in this dwelling, all married residents living in this dwelling listed their number of years married as 1.)

1910 U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/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 Boomer; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 59; Marital status: Widow; Mother of 4 children; Number of children living: 4; Place of birth: Connecticut; Place of birth of mother and father: Connecticut; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Student; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes; Attending school: yes.

1920 U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/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 S. Boomer; Living outside the Koreshan Colony; Address: Ft. Myers/Naples; Age 69; Widow; Place of birth: Connecticut; Place of birth of mother and father: Connecticut; Occupation: None.

Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 13--Inscription: B.S. Boomer/1850-Jul 1935

The Flaming Sword, August 1935; Community Current Events: "We regret to record the passing of Mrs. Bertha S. Boomer (Berthaldine Matrona), at her residence here in Estero on Thursday, July 11th, 1935, the eighty-fifth year of her age. Her Health had been failing for some time and her death was not unexpected. She was one of the early and most loyal followers of Koresh in his great work, contributing in many ways to further his cause. A brilliant and able writer and speaker on the subject of Koreshan Universology over a period of many years she will be very much missed by all those who knew her. Mrs. Eleanore Castle of Chicago conducted a brief funeral service, paying a touching tribute to the memory of her generous nature and unusually fine and superior character. She was interred in our local cemetery. Surviving her are two daughters and one son, Miss Bertha M. Boomer of Estero, Mrs. Ruth Boomer Thomas of Philadelphia, PA, and Mr. Lucius M. Boomer of New York City. Mr. Boomer arrived the following day from New York, coming via plane to Miami.

Notes from Evelyn Horne: Berthaldine Boomer: "She came to Estero with the second group of Koreshans on January 31, 1894, from the home in Chicago. (College Place 3 and 4) Two daughters: Miss Bertha M. Boomer and Mrs. Ruth S. Boomer Thomas. Two sons: Louis M. Boomer and Harry. Husband Lucius S. Boomer remained in New York.

Berthaldine was a student of Koresh. She wrote many beautiful writings of the Koreshan religion in "The Flaming Sword." Son, Louis, had his mother's home built in 1916 by Koreshan brother Steven Chislett. They planted an orange grove with choice citrus. They name the Place "Mirasol Grove." Sister Berthaldine and daughter Bertie lived there until Berthaldine's death on July 11, 1935.

The Boomer home was a place for entertaining. Many Koreshan parties were enjoyed there, especially over the holidays. Many Koreshan sisters and brothers celebrated birthdays there.

Berthaldine's diary was reprinted in the "Koreshan Unity Settlement" in "The American Eagle", issues October, November, and December 1978. Son, Louis Boomer built his Florida vacation home at River Bend next to the Koreshan Unity property and named it "Tarter Place." It was picturesque on the bend of the Estero River. It also had a large tennis court and a large concrete boat dock and steps down to the River. It was built about *1920. (*1916, See The American Eagle, April 1993 note below.)

Louis Boomer was president of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City and spent his vacations at Estero and also Norway where he died in 1949 of a heart attack while on a summer vacation in Norway.

Berthaldine was a beautiful lady, a large person about 5 foot 7 inches with dark brown hair and blue eyes. She carried herself so graciously. She loved boating on the Estero River and picnics at Carlos Point and the beaches. She was a perfect hostess and loved entertaining.

She was a real active person until her death on July 11, 1935, which came very suddenly of a heart attack. She was 85 years old. The community mourned her departure. The Estero Grammer School lowered its flag half-mast for her mourning. She was buried in the Koreshan cemetery."

Mrs. Lucius S. Boomer, father and husband, died March 6, 1897. He was in the steel business in Chicago and was loved by all who knew him. He gave great love and support to the Koreshan Church.--Flaming Sword 1897.

Miss Bertha M. Boomer died on September 3, 1941, in a tragic accident on Ft. Myers Beach where she was run over by a truck driven by H. C. Case. Mr. Case was also from a Koreshan family.

THE AMERICAN EAGLE; Vol. 79; April 1993; Page 1: "The beautiful Planetary Court residence, so named for the seven planets then known to exist, still stands proudly in the Koreshan settlement. It was built in 1904 to house the original seven Koreshan women charged by Koresh to manage the affairs of the Unity. Each had her own bedroom, and the eighth room, on the main floor, served as their council chamber or meeting room. These Stellar Women Were : Virginia Andrews, Berthaldine Boomer, Evelyn Bubbett, Eleanor Castle, Rose Gilbert, Ella Graham and Etta Silverfriend." BERTHALDINE BOOMER: This lady moved to the Estero settlement with her daughter among the first contingent of Koreshans in 1894. Her husband and two sons remained in Chicago, but Berthaldine was among the first students of Koresh in Chicago and gave the Unity her full support the rest of her life. Dr. Teed gave her the title of "Matrona" and made her the head of domestic affairs. Much of life in the early days in Florida is recorded in her diary, which has been published in The American Eagle. She lived with the sisters until 1916, at which time she and her daughter, Bertie, moved into a lovely home near the Unity compound which her son, Louis, built for her. Berthaldine died in 1935.

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."

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.