December 27, 1944 Battle of the Bulge Death

Tucked between two tall bushes at Lake View cemetery is a simple military headstone. While it seems to be hidden away, each year a small American flag is placed at the site.

The stone marks the final resting place of the only known soldier or sailor from Interlaken who died in World War II and buried at the cemetery.

William D. Rappleye Military Headstone
Lake View Cemetery, Interlaken
Photo from the author's collection

Recognizing the 26^th Division notation and the death date it was likely Sgt. Rappleye died as a result of the Battle of the Bulge. This was confirmed by the notice in the January 19, 1945 Interlaken Review.

“William Rappleye, son of Snyder Rappleye, the former being a great, great, great grandson of William Rappleye, one of the original settlers of this country, was killed while in action under General Patton on December 27, [1944].”

Looking online additional information on this pivotal battle is quickly found.

On this day, General George S. Patton employs an audacious strategy to relieve the besieged Allied defenders of Bastogne, Belguim, during the Battle of the Bulge…Food, medical supplies and other resources eroded as bad weather and relentless German assaults threatened the Americans’ ability to hold out…

Enter “Old Blood and Guts,” General Patton. Employing a complex and quick-witted strategy wherein he literally wheeled his 3^rd army a sharp 90 degrees in a counter-thrust movement,Patton broke through the German lines and entered Bastogne, relieving the valiant defenders and ultimately pushing the Germans east across the Rhine.

One source notes that 20,000 Americans died over the course of this siege and battle.

Sgt. William Ditmars Rappleye was born April 6, 1925, son of Daisy Rose Denis and Snyder Charles Rappleye. They are buried beside their son at Lake View Cemetery.

After the close of the war the task remained of transporting war casualties to their final resting place. Interlaken Review July 23, 1948, under the heading, “World War II Dead Returned.”

“The remains of Sgt. William D. Rappleye, consigned to Raymond Hurlbut, Interlaken, N. Y., for delivery to Snyder C Rappleye, 350 Main St., West Orange, N. J., will be shipped July 21, 1948, escorted by T-Sgt. Arnold N. Stensland, of the U. S. Military Escort Detachment.”

Military Headstone Request, William D. Rappleye
Ancestory.com

Dewitt’s Diary, Wednesday, December 27, 1944

About 6 above, cloudy and cold south wind all day. Snow again tonight.

I went down to the east woods on my skis this afternoon. Scared out a fox.

There is a heavy crust on most of the snow. Hard walking except on skis.

December 18, 1914 Receiving Vault at Lake View Cemetery

At the Annual meeting on March 4, 1907, “A verbal report of P.W. Rappleye, Superintendent, was given, suggesting the need of a receiving vault and a well.”

In April 1913 a committee was appointed to look into the costs and feasibility of building a vault.

Under the heading, “Shall We Have A Vault,” was an open letter to the lot owners at Lake View Cemetery. Board President, S. P. Stone outlined the needs and the costs for building a vault.

“One of the most urgent needs of our Cemetery is a receiving Vault…the means to provide this necessity, the occasion for which has been made apparent several times during the past winter.”

“Will you join the other Lot Owners in making this contribution of $1.00 or more each and by so doing enable us to provide the Vault without impairing the regular Cemetery fund, which are none too great at the best.”

He concluded with, “kindly advise the President…of your approval or disapproval of this proposition, at your earliest convenience, not later than the 1^st of May 1914.” [Interlaken Review April 3, 1914]

At a Special Meeting of the Board on July 2, 1914, “motion by D. T. Bennett and supported by D.C. Wheeler, that the amount of money for building vault shall not exceed one thousand dollars, motion carried.”

A second special meeting was held August 24, 1914 and the motion made and supported authorized the committee to spend $800.00, “but if in their judgement this amount isn’t sufficient they shall not exceed $1,000.00.” 

“The receiving vault in Lake View Cemetery is nearing completion.” [Interlaken Review, October 2, 1914]

“The vault being constructed by Thomas Briggs in Lake View Cemetery is nearing completion. In fact, all that remains is the fitting of the large iron doors, which have not yet arrived. It is a nice job and looks well.” [Interlaken Review, October 30, 1914]

Vault built in 1914, Lake View Cemetery, Interlaken
Photo from the author's collection

The weather of the past week, ground frozen and covered with over a foot of snow, proves the wisdom of constructing a receiving vault in Lake View Cemetery. The vault recently completed found its first use this week. [Interlaken Review December 18, 1914]

The same issue of the paper related the death of Mr. Arriet TenEyck Peterson at the home of her daughter in Owego. Mrs. Peterson “was the mother of Christopher Q., John B., and Abram C. Peterson, well known citizens of this town, all three of whom have passed away this year.” The obituary concluded with, “funeral was at Owego on Wednesday and her remains were brought to Interlaken and placed in the vault in Lake View cemetery, for burial later.”

Headstone, Mrs. Arriet T. Peterson, Lake View Cemetery, Interlaken
Photo from the Author's collection

At the Annual meeting of the Lot Owners on March 9, 1915, the treasurer noted money received for the vault $203.58; paid to Thomas Briggs for vault $903.25 and to HP Minor for Vault Doors $85.00. The remainder of the funds necessary for the vault was paid from the operating funds of the cemetery.

Detail of the doors on the vault at Lake View Cemetery
Photo from the author's collection

Dewitt’s Diary, Friday December 18, 1964

Temperature 18, windy from northwest. Ground barely white this morning.

Cold northwest wind and snow flurries after 9 o’clock. We worked in woods until it snowed us off.

About an inch of snow on ground when it cleared this evening.

We drove down to Lem’s but too windy and cool for fishing.

Temperature 9 clear tonight.

We got a box of fruit from Catherine. We have to go to Ithaca for it.

December 2, 1861 South Cemetery Association Lands Sold

The Snippet from the Past on November 26 discussed the consolidation of the North and South Cemetery Associations. That consolidation resulted in a number of land transactions.

In 1847 the South Cemetery Association, mostly members of the Baptist Church, had purchased land from William Rappleye near the church. On December 2, 1861 those lands were sold back to Mr. Rappleye.

The Seneca County Clerk’s office records all land transactions, and these can be found by looking in the Grantee and Grantor indexes. The indexes note the Book of Deeds and the page within that volume. Book of Deeds #67 page 435 and 436 has the details of the land transaction.

This Indenture, made this 2^nd day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one. Between John Boorom, Lockwood Hinman, Ira Almy, Jacob D. Wintersteen, John P. Rappleye, Ansel Rappleye, James B. Scott and Lemuel Bassett, Trustees of the Farmerville Rural Cemetery Association of the first part and William Rappleye of Covert, County of Seneca and State of New York, of the second part…”

William Rappley paid to the Farmerville Rural Cemetery Association $150 dollars. The deed describes the property as “being a part of Lot number 50 and bordered as follows, Commencing on the east line of said lot and at the southeast corner of land belonging to Peter Rappleye, deceased, and running from thence West ten chains and 71 ¾ links to a stake; thence South two chains and 50 links; from thence North 78 ¾ degrees East, five chain and 89 links; thence East five chains to the East line of said lot, thence North one chain to the place of beginning, containing one and a half acres of land.”

Next is the history of the property, Being the same premises conveyed to Nathan Hall, John Boorom, Lemuel Bassett, Lockwood Hinman, Ira Almy, Ansel Rappley, John P Rappleye, Jeremiah Rappleye, and Jacob D. Wintersteen by the said William Rappleye and Abigail his wife on the 17^th day of June 1847.

All of this information was handwritten on the original deed. After all of the legalese was spelled out, the men noted in the opening paragraph each signed their name. In transcribing the deed into the book, the clerk wrote each name and placed “LS” after it, indicating “legal signature.”

The deed was recorded at the County Clerk’s office on February 8, 1864. Many deeds were not recorded at the time of the transaction because the trip from Covert to Waterloo meant a long day of travel.

Reading the old deeds is always interesting, and challenging when faced with the old handwriting. The one advantage when working with deeds is the format that was in use then, is still much the same today.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, December 2, 1965

Clear, temperature 32. It was an Indian summer day. Warmed up to 50 in the sun.

We went through this square and drove out 4 deer, all does.

Worked in the woods some this morning.

Le and I went to the lake this afternoon. Le caught two lake trout near Lem’s on wire line. Nice on the lake.

I looked for deer up behind Lem’s.

Called on the McCoys this evening. 

November 26, 1860 Two Cemeteries Join to Form One

In 1847 New York State legislation was passed allowing the creation of Cemetery Associations. Two were created in Farmerville, now Interlaken. One was associated with the Baptist Church and called the South Cemetery Association. Their lands were adjacent to the church building.

The second, called the North Cemetery Association was affiliated with the Reformed Dutch Church. In earlier years the church had burials on the church grounds, but with the move to an association cemetery, they had purchased lands from Abram Ditmars, north of the village on the road to Morehouse Landing, now Interlaken Beach.

Within a few years, these new associations realized they needed to work together for the good of all. What is unique about these early years is that two sets of records still exist to assist in understanding what was happening. The land records for all the purchases and sales of land are recorded at the Seneca County Clerk’s office. The second set are the original handwritten minutes of the meetings. The minutes start in 1847 for the South Cemetery Association.

“At a meeting of the officers of the North and South Cemetery Associations of Farmerville at the Consistory Room of the R D Church, Nov 26, 1860 to take in consideration the subject of consolidating the two cemetaries [sic] in one. John Boorom Esq was appointed chairman and James C. Knight Secy.

Two resolutions were introduced at the meeting.

Scan of the original Lake View Cemetery Minute Books.
Lake View Cemetery of Interlaken

“It was Resolved, the south purchase two acres more land & pay for the same, adjoining the North, on the west & north of the same. Individuals owning lots in the south may take as many in said purchase of same size.”

The second was introduced after a discussion of moving the existing fences at the cemetery. “Resolved that we will purchase 2 to 2 ½ acres more land than the above named if the people of this vicinity will subscribe a sufficient amount to pay the same.”

After several postponements due to lack of sufficient members present, the consolidation took place and the first board of trustees were elected. The name of the new cemetery was “Farmerville Union Cemetery.” [July 1, 1861 minutes]

Following the consolidation, and lot purchases by families with burials at the former South Cemetery Association, bodies and/or headstones were moved to the consolidated cemetery grounds. Existing burials considered potentially dangerous from the known cause of death were not moved, but the headstones were relocated. In the case of families who had moved away from the area, headstones and burials were located in the “free ground” near the center of the cemetery.

March 6, 1876, at the annual meeting, “The Resolution changing the name of this association be changed from Farmerville Union Cemetery to Lake View Cemetery be taken up for its final passage after it being duly considered it was unanimously adopted.”

The name would be changed one last time in 1905 with the change from Lake View Cemetery of Farmer to Lake View Cemetery of Interlaken.

For more on Lake View Cemetery of Interlaken please see www.lake-viewcemetery.com

Dewitt’s Diary November 26, 1934 to 1936

Monday, November 26, 1934

Plowed some this morning.

Strong South wind all day.

Tuesday, November 26, 1935

Did not draw manure today.

Thursday, November 26, 1936 [Thanksgiving Day]

Went down to Mothers for dinner today. All the boys were home.

Pete and Marion from Buffalo and Lem and Alice from Rochester.

Cornell lost to Penn today in their annual football game. 14 to 6 was the score.

October 1, 1890 Our Little Harold

Genealogists sometimes get obsessed with finding proof for a statement, the house where someone was born or lived, or in some cases, where a person is buried.

I can safely say, “I’ve done all three,” either for myself or when researching for others.

One case was the 18-month old son of D.C. and Mary Bassette. I had a name and dates from Wheeler A. Bassett’s A Bassett Book, but I had no idea where Harold was buried.

I borrowed the library’s copy of the Lake View Cemetery listing and input all of the information into a data base. Still no answers. All of this was back in the mid-1990s. One afternoon I took Dad and headed to the cemetery. My thought being that he might recall something if we looked over family sites.

The Jared Bassette lot at Lake  View Cemetery. Little Harold is to the right of the tall Bassette Stone.
Dewitt (Sr.) and Mary are to the left. Photo by the author

 After checking several family lots, we arrived at Jared Bassette’s family lot. In the middle of the lot is the large marker for Jared and his wife. To the north of that is the headstone for D.C. and Mary and other members of the family. Then just south of the large stone was a small “log shaped” stone. 

It looked like a tree branch, cut but un-split as if for the wood stove. We couldn’t read the carved-out letters and had to feel each one, “Our Little Harold.” Finally, a marker, unique in many ways, a place that could be identified.

Stone before cleaning. Photo by the author

 Dewitt Clinton Bassette, son of Jared and Mary Wheeler Bassette married Mary Catherine Peterson, daughter of Abram D. and Mary Jane Wintersteen Peterson on October 5, 1887. Jared retired to live in the village of Farmer and D.C. took over the family farm.

The Farmer Review, May 18, 1889 recorded the news of Harold Ditmars Bassette’s arrival. “Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Bassette rejoice in the advent of a son—last Sunday.”

Eighteen months later, the paper shared the sad news, “D. C. Bassette and wife have the sympathy of the community in the loss of their child, about eighteen months of age, whose death occurred Wednesday night. Funeral was held yesterday.” [Farmer Review, October 4, 1890]

Log ring detail on Harold Bassette's headstone
Photo by the author

On a follow-up visit to the site, while clearing leaves from around the “log,” we discovered that it was actually sitting on a base. A little digging and we were able to raise the base back to ground level.

Recently, I visited the site with the plan to clean moss and dirt from the stone. Some scrubbing with a soft brush, tub and tile cleaner, and fresh water and the stone was beginning to look clean and fresh again.

 Photo by the author.

Dewitt’s Diary, Tuesday, October 1, 1940

Edna and Frances at the canning factory.

I am picking my sweet corn. Corn is very late. Beans and corn do not ripen up because of the exceptionally cold summer.

No corn cut expect silo corn. My field corn needs two weeks. 

May 30, 1921 Dedication of the Civil War Monument

Interlaken Review, June 8, 1921, “Memorial Day was duly observed at Interlaken on Monday last, and in an impressive manner.”

The article describes the parade from the Baptist church to the cemetery, including three Civil War veterans who were members of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Miller Silver Band, veterans of the “World War, school children and citizens in autos and carriages.”

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of the Soldiers monument. This monument was specified in the will of Madison Covert who died June 3, 1920. After the unveiling, Lyman B. Welton, Adjunct of the William E. Avery Post, G.A.R. made a brief address.

World War I Veterans, Walter Boyer Jr, John Kellogg and Lyle VanArsdale ready to unveil the monument.
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #737.

Discussions on the type of monument and which monument dealer would create the stone was the topic of several meetings within the cemetery board. It is one of the few times that the board meeting minutes would reflect conflicting views.

The committee assigned to the task made their report, and a dealer was selected. Within days, a second meeting was held and a different dealer was selected.

A brief article in the December 24, 1920 Interlaken Review noted, “Mr. Hoare of Ithaca placed the Soldier’s Monument donated to Lake View cemetery by the late Madison Covert, in position on Monday last.”

The Civil War Monument, Spring 2017.
Author's collection.

Fast forward 90 years. Richard Bauer, a veteran of Viet Nam, had long held a dream of another monument to the soldiers of the community. On May 30, 2011, following the Memorial Day honors service at Lake View Cemetery members of the community traveled to the Town Hall on South Main Street and dedicated the new memorial. Community members and organizations had helped to fund this effort through the purchase of bricks.

The memorial includes a statue, benches and flags for each branch of service. The center piece marker reads “…”

The Monument in front of the Covert Municipal Building.
Author's collection

May 8, 2016 Members of the Town of Covert Board and others raising the Military Branch Flags.
Author's collection.

Dewitt’s Diary Sunday, May 30, 1954

We worked around the house most of the morning.

Leland broke the Sabbath by finishing the plowing for corn. Some corn planted but I will plant mine later in the week. Temperature 75 today.

Lem and I got five lake trout tonight. Got home at 1:30. This is the first time the trout have showed any sign of biting. 

May 27, 1996 Veterans’ Memorial Stone Dedication

A joint project of the American Legion Post #462, Lake View Cemetery and the Interlaken Historical Society culminated on Memorial Day 1996 with the dedication of a new Veterans’ memorial monument at Lake View Cemetery.

In the 1920s a large monument was installed honoring members of Company C, 126^th New York Volunteers. This was given by Madison Covert.

The thought behind the new monument was to honor all Veterans of all wars.

While the original proposal was replacing the old honor roll, the Legion suggested a more permanent memorial, and the Cemetery board was approached to be a part of the project.

As the plans developed, many people were involved. A donation from Seneca Stone of Seneca Falls provided the diamond shaped six by six by two-foot stone.

Fund raising materials were developed and volunteers worked on acknowledging the gifts as they were received. One of the early committee members was Ed Redman, former grocer and local veteran. Ed died unexpectedly in 1995, and the family suggested that gifts in his memory be given to the Veterans’ Memorial Project. When his wife, Jane died a short time later, additional gifts were received for the project.

By Spring 1996 the fund raising was completed. Funds were used to purchase the concrete to set the stone, purchase and install the bronze plaque, and provide a weatherproof coating. The balance was given to the cemetery for future care and plantings at the stone.

In early September 1995, the donated stone was moved to the Town of Covert Highway Department on Clinton Street. When it was tipped off the truck onto the stone pile, the ground shook.

Bob Doane, Tom Morrow and others prepared the foundation for the stone, and on September 13, working with the highway department, the stone was set in a place of honor on the south side of the flag pole. Jeff MacCheyne and Ed Turk from the Town of Covert Highway Department were assisted by Donald Betzler, Joe Arcangeli, Webb Rankin, John Swank, Elmer Wilson and Paul Brown.

Assistance with fund raising and acknowledgements were provided by Herb and Doris deLyser.

As part of the American Legion’s Memorial Day honor service, the stone was unveiled. Webb Rankin gave the background of the project and thanked all who had been involved.

Since then additions have been made to the site, a custom flag holder honoring each war with its special flag holder emblem and a general veterans flag holder are set in front of the stone. Individuals, and now the Green Thumb Garden Club, provided design, planting and care of the many plants which form the garden and pathway to the stone.

Don Betzler bringing the stone to the site. 

In order to lift the front end of the loader with the stone, a second loader was used to put additional counter weight on the first machine. In the end, two men also had to stand on the second loader so the stone could be lifted over the forms and set in place.

Bob Doane and Webb Rankin, two of the men instrumental in the vision and completion of the project..

The stone in place and its bed of concrete smoothed out. .

  

The stone as it appeared Memorial Day 1996. 

       

   Today, plants, flowers and flag holders honor all the men and women who have served in any and all branches of service and for different times in war and peace.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, May 27, 1924

Cloudy and south wind followed by rain late this afternoon. I planted some garden today. Also planted my sweet corn just before the rain began at three o’clock.

Went down and got seed corn enough to finish my corn field. I have a little sorghum left that I have got to plant.

Trees in the orchard are partly out. 

January 4, 1923 The Chapel at Lake View Cemetery

On January 4, 1923, a special meeting of the Lake View Cemetery Association was held in the Firemen’s Room. George H. Mundy was presiding with the object of the meeting to consider building a chapel for Cemetery use.

Madison Covert died on June 20, 1920, leaving funds in his will for the construction of a chapel at the cemetery. The cemetery trustees were following through on his bequest. A committee was named and directed to work with an architect to develop plans for the new building. The committee was J.S. Thompson and William D. Wheeler.

Cemetery Entrance before the Chapel was built.
Note the gate on the right for those walking into the cemetery.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #11.

On March 13, 1923, at the regular Cemetery Association and trustees meeting, the motion was made and carried that the plans prepared by Architects Kennedy and Briggs be accepted, and the committee directed to oversee the building of the chapel, (Page 136).

November 26, 1923, a special meeting of the trustees of Lake View Cemetery was held in the new Chapel. “On motion and duly supported and carried that the Building Committee be relieved and the new Chapel be accepted by the Trustees of the Association.” A second motion provided funds to purchase chairs, rug and necessary supplies as needed.

Since it was put into use, the Chapel has served many times as the gathering place for families attending services; even in recent years the chapel has been used rather than the planned graveside services.

Current Cemetery Entrance with brick pillars,
Photo courtesy of Lake View Cemetery website.

For a number of years the chapel was used for winter storage of caskets rather than the vault. The Town of Covert has assisted with plowing needs in the winter and the cemetery has been able to use the vault.

Trying to keep equipment out of the chapel, an addition was built in the 1990s as a storage facility. Through the efforts of a number of people, the chapel windows and other wooden trim have been scraped and painted over the years. Most recently this task was undertaken by Doug Barkee.

Guided tours of the cemetery have been held for school groups, and recently, for public groups in 2013 and 2015. The school groups would gather at the chapel, where they were given the name of a person from the community. After learning about these people and the events from the community, they toured the cemetery, locating where their person was buried.

The 2013 tours were also walking tours of much of the cemetery, with 20 locations presented. The tours began at the chapel, and visitors learned about the growth of the cemetery, as well as local events and the people who participated in them.

October 2015 Waiting for the first Voices from the Past Tour
Photo courtesy of Karen Nelson

October 2015 saw the cemetery as the focus of a “Voices from the Past” tour. Starting at the chapel, these groups heard from eight people who had participated in the community and were buried at the cemetery. The 2016 tour had to be postponed and will be held on May 20, 2017, if all plans hold in place.

In addition to leaving funds for the chapel, Madison Covert, a veteran of the Civil War, Company C, 126^th New York Volunteers, also provided funds for the Civil War monument, but that is another snippet.

Sources: Extracts from the Meeting Minutes, Lake View Cemetery Association, 1889—1949.