December 29, 1883 Lt. William E. Avery Post Formed

The Civil War claimed the lives of many young men. Morrison, in his Town of Covert History lists 40 men who died in service with affiliations to the Town of Covert.

William E. Avery was the son of John B. and Elizabeth Starkweather Avery.

He was elected Town Clerk for the Town of Covert on March 12, 1861. That fall, on September 18, 1861, he gave up his position with the town and enlisted in Company F, 75^th New York Volunteers. He was 23 years old.

On November 30, 1861 he was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant.

Lt. Avery was killed on May 27, 1863 at the charge at Port Hudson, LA.

In the years following the Civil War the Grand Army of the Republic was formed with a Post being established at Farmer Village on December 29, 1883. The 85 men who were a part of that Post selected the name William E. Avery Post with their post number being 483.

As Morrison notes, “the Post at once engaged in providing for the relief of sick and disabled comrades, for the burial and erection of suitable tombstones over the graves of deceased soldiers, and other charitable acts.” [Morrison page 62]

The Post organized and participated in Memorial Day services for many years, until that task was taken over by the Veterans of World War I. Lt. Avery is buried with other members of his family at Lake View Cemetery.

Avery Family Monument, Lake View Cemetery, Interlaken
The photo was take after Mrs. Avery died in 1885.
The base spots in the front corners are from the tripod and hoist
used to install the pieces of the monument.
William Avery's headstone in the third on back on the right side.
Interlaken Historical Society photo # 1121

Members William E. Avery GAR Post, Lake View Cemetery, May 1911
Interlaken Historical Society photo #181

One well known member of the post, Isaac H. Stout died November 1903. As was the custom the GAR post published a resolution in his honor. “Whereas, By the death of Comrade Stout our Post has lost one of its most valued and cherished members; therefore, Resolved, That as Comrade Stout was one of the charter members of Wm. E. Avery Post, and its first commander, we feel an irreparable loss in his demise, but bow in humble submission to the orders of the Grand commander on high.” [Farmer Review November 24, 1903]

Ribbons used by the
GAR post.

Part of the John Ryno
Civil War collection
Interlaken Historical Society

A small note in the Interlaken Review, May 11, 1923 reported, “Wm. E. Avery Post, G.A.R., once a large Post, has now only three survivors—John L. Ryno of Interlaken, George Helfman of Ovid Center, Lyman B. Welton of Ithaca.

John Ryno, the last member of the Post, died March 7, 1930.

Dewitt’s Diary Wednesday, December 29, 1971

Temperature 28, cloudy, west breeze. Sun out by 9:30.

Le and I worked in the woods this morning. Very nice day. Sun shine.

I drove to Townsendville this afternoon. Took the Marsh sisters up a couple Rutabagas I promised them. They live on the northeast corner at Townsendville. They own the old Clark place and have a beautiful home. Went to school with them years ago.

Acting like storm this evening. Snow predicted changing to rain for tomorrow.