Bertha Mae Yonkin

We are indebted to Linda Ryan Crawford for this transcribing this historical presentation. Please forward comments or corrections to Bob Sweeney at bobs@chall.com.

BERTHA MAE YONKIN


Green Swan Hotel
Dushore, PA
The Green Swan was on the corner of Main and German Streets, at the Only Red Light Intersection in Sullivan County. Located right across from the Ben Franklin Store *, it was torn down about 1997. The hotel was owned and operated at one time by Joe and Ella (Barth) Sweeney as the Hotel Sweeney.
Source: An old postcard showing three views
Photo by Deb Wilson, who owns the original postcard. Here is another undated view of the Green Swan, courtesy of Donald Stanton.
* Editor's Note: See photos of the Ben Franklin Store at the foot of this page.

BERTHA MAE YONKIN (Edward, Henry, Henry Yonkin) born 1876; died December 21, 1925

Married Charles Washington Barth. He was born in 1871; died March 3, 1934

The Sullivan Review
Dec. 23, 1925

Mrs. Washington Barth died suddenly Monday morning, Dec. 21st, following a short illness.

Mrs. Barth is a daughter of Edward W. Yonkin of Dushore. She was born and spent her life in Cherry Township. She was 50 years of age.

Mrs. Barth is survived by her husband and nine children, Harry F. Barth of Elmira, N.Y., Mrs. Charles Weed of Dushore, William R., Jennie V., Irvin E., Cora M., Ella M., Alice A., and Dorothy E., all at home, also two grandchildren, Loraine Barth of Elmira and Charles Weed Jr. of Dushore, three sisters, Mrs. Hattie Shaffer of Cherry Township, Mrs. Emma Hartford of Millview, Mrs. Winifred Watson of Dushore, and two brothers, Frank E. Yonkin of Ithaca, NY and Lewis W. Yonkin of Allentown.

Funeral will be held Thursday with service at the late home at 10 o’clock and service in Peace church at 11 o’clock. Interment will be made in the family plot in Peace cemetery.

The Sullivan Review
March 7, 1934

Charles Washington Barth

Following a brief illness of pneumonia, Charles Washington Barth passed away at his home in Cherry Township on Saturday afternoon March 3.

He leaves the following children to mourn his loss: Harry Frank of Elmira; Robert William, Mrs. Mary Weed of Dushore, Mrs. Jennie Harrington, Mrs. Cora Zaner at home, Mrs. Ella Sweeney of Dushore, Alice and Dorothy also at home, one sister Mrs. Mary Long of Dushore; ten grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held at his home at 10 o’clock, Tuesday morning.

Burial was made in Peace Cemetery.

Children of Bertha & Charles Barth:

1. Harry Franklin Barth 1895-1991

2. William Robert Barth 1897-1972

3. Mary Emma Barth 1899-1976

4. Jennie Barth 1903-1957

5. Irving E. Barth 1905-1929

6. Cora Barth 1909-

7. Ella Barth 1913-1972

8. Alice Barth 1915-1989

9. Dorothy Barth 1919-1997

1. Harry Franklin Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig)

Born April 22, 1895; died April 3, 1991;was married.

The Sullivan Review
April 1991

Harry Franklin Barth, 95, of Pittsford, NY, died April 3, 1991. He was born in Dushore April 22, 1895, a son of Washington and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth.

Mr. Barth was a veteran of World War I, and a retired employee of Eastman Kodak Co. Camera Works in Rochester, NY, a member of the John A. Robertson Lodge; the Corning Consistory; Damascus Temple; and Rayson-Miller Post 899--American Legion.

Surviving are a daughter, Lorraine Barth Mason; a son Richard D. Sr. Two sisters, Cora Zaner of Dushore and Dorothy Borick of Philadelphia.

Funeral services were held in Rochester followed by Masonic and military graveside services at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford

Children of Harry &

1. Lorraine Barth 1922-2000

2. Richard D. Barth

2. William Robert Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born July 26, 1897; died October 21, 1972. Married Helen C Taffe on April 14, 1931

The Sullivan Review
Oct. 26, 1972

William R. Barth, 75, Dushore, R.D. 2, whose death is reported elsewhere in this week’s issue, was born in Cherry Township July 26, 1897, a son of Charles W. and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth.

He had been a self-employed carpenter until his retirement about 10 years ago.

He was a member of St. Basil’s church and Loyalsock Post No. 996, American Legion.

Mr. Barth is survived by a daughter, Miss Mae Barth; a brother, Harry, of Pittsford, N.Y.; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Weed and Mrs. Cora Zaner, both of Dushore; Mrs. Alice Woychak of Elmira; Mrs. Dorothy Borick of Philadelphia.

Funeral services were held October 25 at the Tubach Funeral Home, Dushore, and at St. Basil’s Church. Burial was in the church cemetery. A vigil service was held Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

The Sullivan Review
October 26, 1972

William R. "Bill" Barth, of Dushore, R.D. 2 was found dead on Carpenter St., (Route 87), Dushore, Saturday night, October 21, 1972, after he was struck by a car.

Because it is uncertain whether Mr. Barth was alive at the time of the accident, state and borough police are continuing an investigation. An autopsy was performed at Sayre.

Dushore Police reported Mr. Barth was lying on the highway in the southbound lane and was struck by a car operated by Mrs. Mary F. Cummiskey, of Binghamton, at 7:15 p.m. He was dragged 48 feet from the point of impact.

According to Sullivan Co. Coroner, Dr. T. J. Saul, death apparently came from a punctured heart caused by several fractured ribs. Mr. Barth was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Saul.

Earlier, Mr. Barth had been seen walking along the road, Route 220 and Route 87, but there were no witnesses who saw him lying on the road.

Mrs. Cummiskey, in a statement, told police she was driving south when she reached overt to adjust the car’s heater. When she looked back on the road she saw what appeared to be a pile of clothing. She applied her brakes, but struck the object anyway. Marks on the road indicated the Cummiskey car had been braked 35 feet before the impact.

According to a report by Dushore Borough Police, at 6:10 p.m. Saturday night a car driven by Leonard L. Hatch, Forksville, R.D, was stopped because the car was being operated "in a manner suggesting the operator may have been under the influence of intoxicating beverages".

A passenger in the car was William R. Barth according to the report.

The driver was taken to the State police substation for a chemical test of his breath and Mr. Barth was instructed to stay in the Hatch vehicle, that he would be given a ride home shortly.

Mr. Barth stated he wanted to walk home.

An attendant at Sick’s BP Station on South German St. was told that if Mr. Barth got out of the car, to have him phone the Sweeney Hotel for someone to come and get him.

Mr. Barth told the attendant he didn’t want to use the phone; he got out of the car and started walking.

He walked about half a mile north on German St., Mill St. and Carpenter St. to the area of the McHenry Funeral Home where the accident occurred.

Three witnesses saw Mr. Barth walking between the Sick BP Station and the scene of the accident.

Two young boys on the sidewalk by the scene apparently saw the accident and ran to a nearby house for help. The boys have not been identified, but police believe they may be of help in determining details of the accident. They or their parents should contact the Dushore Police.

The Dushore ambulance and crew responded, as did the Dushore Fire Company. Their assistance was greatly appreciated by Dushore Borough and State Police.

3. Mary Emma Barth (Bertha M., Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig)

Born July 5, 1899; died April 26, 1976; buried in Peace Cemetery, Dushore, Pa.

Married Charles Weed on December 10, 1921

Children of Mary Emma & Charles Weed:

1. Charles E. Weed 1923-1993

The Sullivan Review
April 29, 1976

Mrs. Mary Emma Weed, 76, formerly of Dushore, died April 26, 1976, at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro.

She was born July 5, 1899 in Cherry Twp., a daughter of Charles W. and Bertha Yonkin Barth. She was the widow of Charles Weed.

Most of her life was spent in Sullivan County where she was employed by Harrington Dairy Co, later Dolly Madison Industries. For some time she was also employed at the Dushore Hotel and the Green Swan Hotel until illness forced her retirement.

She was a member of Redeemer United Church of Christ, Dushore, and its Women’s Guild.

She is survived by one son, Dr. Charles E. Weed of Mansfield; three sisters Mrs. Cora Zaner of Dushore, Mrs. Alice Woychak of Elmira and Mrs. Dorothy Borick of Philadelphia; a brother, Harry Barth of Rochester; and four grandchildren, Sonya, William, Stephen and Brenda Weed.

Funeral services will be held today at 10 a.m. in the Russell P. McHenry Funeral Home, Dushore. Rev. James E. Johnson, pastor of the United Church of Christ of Lewisburg will officiate. Interment will be in Peace Cemetery, Cherry twp.

Charles Weed (Mary Emma, Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born December 31, 1923, died August 14, 1993

Married Eleanor Bitner

Children of Charles & Eleanor Weed:

1. Sonya Weed

2. Brenda Weed

3. William Weed

4. Stephen Weed

Dr. Charles E. Weed, 69, of Wellsboro, a native of Dushore, died Aug. 14, 1993 at the Lock Haven (Pa) Hospital. He was born Dec. 31 1923 in Dushore, a son of Charles R. and Mary Barth Weed.

He was a 1942 graduate of Dushore High school. Later, he attended Mansfield University, Bucknell University and Penn State University where he received degrees in education in biological sciences, completing the education in 1971 with a doctorate in biological science.

Dr. Weed taught biology for 18 years at Mansfield and served as chairman of the department from 1974 to 1979. He retired in 1985. Prior to his teaching at Mansfield, he taught at Belmont, NY; Mill Hall, Montclair, NJ; Mansfield and Penn State. He received numerous National Science Foundation awards for graduate study and other awards for improvement of teaching at the college level.

He was a member of Canoe Camp Church of Christ, Mansfield, and also numerous professional and alumni associations; Phi Delta Kappa; numerous civic and service organizations.

Surviving are his wife, the former R. Eleanor Bitner, to whom he was married 46 years; two daughters, Sonya Weed of Honesdale; and Brenda Kohler of Middlebury Center; two sons, William D. of Linden; and Stephen C. of Wellsboro; two granddaughters. Funeral services were held in his church with Rev. Ira Hindeman officiating. Burial was in Mt. Bethel Cemetery, Mill Hall.

4. Jennie Viola Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born November 7, 1903; died December 3, 1957

Married Francis William Harrington on August 11, 1931

Children of Jennie & Francis Harrington:

1. Edward Harrington
2. Harry Robert Harrington 1933-1947

The Sullivan Review
December 5, 1957

Mrs. Jennie Harrington, 54, died Monday at the home of her sister, Mrs. Michael Borick of Dushore, following a long illness. She was born November 7, 1903, the daughter of Charles Washington and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth.

Mrs. Harrington was a member of the Church of the Redeemer, United Church of Christ, Dushore.

Surviving are a son, Edward of Dushore; two brothers, Harry Barth of Rochester and William Barth of Dushore; five sisters, Mrs. Charles Weed, Mrs. Lawrence Zaner, Mrs. Joseph Sweeney and Mrs. Michael Borick, all of Dushore, and Mrs. Nicholas Woychak of Elmira; three aunts and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 10 o’clock at the United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Elden E. Ehrhart officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.

The Sullivan Review
February 6, 1947

Harry Robert Harrington age 13 years 6 months of Dushore RD 2 was instantly killed last Thursday afternoon about 4:50 o'clock by a car about 1,000 ft. from his home, as he was returning from school, when Robert's cap blew off and he darted out into the road to get it, without even seeing the approaching car. Robert was a student of the Dushore High School in the eighth grade, also a member of the basketball team.

He is survived by his mother, Jennie Barth Harrington, a brother Edward, the following aunts and uncles, Mrs. Dorothy Borick, Mrs. Cora Zaner, Mrs. Mary Weed, Mrs. Ella Sweeney, Miss Mary Harrington, all of Dushore; Mrs. Alice Woychak of Elmira, Leonard Harrington, Joseph Harrington, Richard Harrington, William R. Barth of Dushore, Harry F. Barth of Rochester, N.Y. Raymond Harrington of Elmira; and the following cousins William Zaner, Rose Ann Borick, Mae Barth, William Barth Jr., Miriam Zaner of Dushore, Lorraine Barth Widerich, Robert and Richard Barth of Rochester, Charles Weed Jr. of Mansfield, Eugene, Joseph and Sharon Woychak of Elmira.

Funeral services were held for Robert on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his home with services at 2:30 at the Reformed Church of which he was a member with Rev. Clement B. Meyers officiating. Burial was in Fairview cemetery. The passing of Robert is a sudden shock to all of his relatives, friends and schoolmates and community.

5. Irvin Eugene Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born March 17, 1905

Died February 5, 1929

The Sullivan Review
February 6, 1929

Irvin Eugene Barth died Tuesday, February 5th at the home of his sister, Mrs. Lawrence Zaner of Cherry Township, following a brief illness of pneumonia; age 23 years, 10 months and 11 days. He was well known and loved by a large circle of friends.

He is survived by his father, C.W. Barth, two brothers, Harry of Elmira and William at home, six sisters, Ms. Chas. Weed and Mrs. Lawrence Zaner of Dushore, Jane, Ella, Alice and Dorothy at home. There will be a prayer service Friday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Lawrence Zaner at 10 o’clock and a further service at Peace church at 11 o’clock.

Burial will be made in Peace Cemetery.

6. Cora May Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born June 14, 1909

Married Lawrence Birdsell Zaner on April 3, 1928

Children of Cora & Lawrence Zaner:

1. Miriam May Zaner 1929-

2. William Lewis Zaner 1930-

Miriam May Zaner (Cora, Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born January 4, 1929

Married George Lewis Hatton

Children of Miriam & George Hatton:

1. Charlotte Jean Hatton 1951-

2. Janet Louise Hatton 1953-

3. Lawrence Lewis Hatton 1956-

William Lewis Zaner (Cora, Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born October 19, 1930

Married Connie M. Karschner

Children of William & Connie Zaner:

1. Dane Scott Zaner 1956-

2. John William Zaner 1958-

3. Vicki Lynn Zaner 1960-

4. William Lewis, Jr. 1966-

7. Ella Margaret Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born January 7, 1913

Died July 3, 1972.

Married Victor John Joseph Sweeney December 10, 1931

The Sullivan Review
July 6, 1972

Mrs. Ella M. Sweeney, 59, of Dushore, died July 3, 1972 at her home.

Mrs. Sweeney was born January 7, 1913, in Cherry Twp., Sullivan Co, daughter of George and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth. She and her husband Joseph Sweeney were married in 1931. They operated the former Hotel Obert in Dushore from 1946 to 1956. They then purchased the Rendezvous, which they operated 14 years. For the past five years, they have operated the Hotel Sweeney in Dushore.

She was a member of St. Basil’s Church in Dushore and its Altar and Rosary Society. Mrs. Sweeney was also a member of the Dushore American Legion Auxiliary.

Surviving besides her husband, Joseph, are two brothers, Harry Barth of Pittsford, N.Y. and William Barth of Dushore; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Weed, Mrs. Lawrence (Cora) Zaner, both of Dushore, Mrs. Nicholas (Alice) Woychak of Elmira and Mrs. Michael (Dorothy) Borick of Philadelphia; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held today, Thursday, at 9 A.M. from the Arthur L. Tubach Funeral Home in Dushore. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 9:30 at St. Basil’s church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

8. Alice A. Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born March 1, 1915; died August 27, 1989

Married Nicholas Woychak

Children of Alice & Nicholas Woychak:

1. Nichoals "Eugene" Woychak, died January 12, 2012 [obituary below]

2. John Woychak

3. Sharon Woychak, married James Wheeler

Olthof Funeral Home
http://newyork.obituaries.funeral.com/category/harpursville/
Elmira, NY
January 15, 2012

Nicholas “Gene” Woychak Age 78, of Pine City, NY. passed away peacefully on Saturday January 14, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Arnot Ogden Medical Center. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Shirley N. Woychak; children, Michael (Susan) Woychak, John (Jan) Woychak and Sharon (Tony) Faulisi; grandchildren, Allison, Michelle, Stephanie, Nicholas, Megan, and Mindy; great grandchildren, Madison, Marcella, and Mia; brother, John (Barbara) Woychak, sister, Sharon (Jim) Wheeler, sister-in-law. Charlotte Rose; also several nieces and nephews. Gene was a United States Marine Corp Veteran; after his military service he continued his employment with the Westinghouse Corporation, and after 42 years of service, he retired as an electrical technician. He was a Youth League coach for baseball and basketball, an avid hunter and fisherman. He played the guitar with The Jim Caccia Trio for 24 years. Gene was a lifetime member of the Mechanics Club in Montour Falls, NY. He also was a member of Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church for many years, But most importantly, Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, who loved spending time with his family. The family will receive, friends at Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira/Southport, NY on Wednesday January 18, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6 to 8 PM with funeral service Thursday 11:00 AM at Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church, 1238 Pennsylvania Ave. Pine City, NY 14871, followed by graveside service, with military honors at Fitzsimmons Cemetery, Southport, NY. Those wishing may make memorials to the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, 2435 Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903, or Trout Unlimited, Catherine Creek Chapter #430C/O Timothy C. Blank, 72 Sunset Rd., Wellsburg, NY 14894-9730. Guest book may be signed at www.olthof.com Thank You The Woychak family wishes to express their sincere gratitude, appreciation and love to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Emergency Room, ICU and 3 - B staffs for the outstanding care given to Nicholas.

The Sullivan Review
September 1989

Mrs. Alice A. Barth Woychak, 74, of Elmira, NY, died Aug. 27, 1989. She was born in Dushore, a daughter of Washington and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth. She was the widow of Nicholas Woychak who died in 1983.

Mrs. Woychak was retired from Remington Rand Corp. and the Arnot Ogden Memorial Hospital, Elmira. She was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, Elmira.

Surviving are two sons, Eugene of Elmira; John of Birmingham, AL; a daughter Mrs. James (Sharon) Wheeler of Elmira, nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Cora Zaner of Dushore and Dorothy Borick of Philadelphia; a brother, Harry Barth of Rochester, NY.

Funeral services were held in Elmira with Rev. Melanie Cole officiating. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

9. Dorothy B. Barth (Bertha Mae, Edward, Barbara, John Hartzig) born July 6, 1919; died August 31, 1997

Married Michael Borick October 2, 1937. His parents were Michael & Anna Gulich Borick. Dorothy and Michael had the following children:

1. Rose Ann Borick

2. Michelle Borick

3. Mary Margaret Borick

4. Diane Borick

5. Michael Borick III.

The Sullivan Review
September 1997

Dorothy Barth Borick, 78 of Philadelphia, formerly of Dushore, died Aug. 31, 1997. She was born in Cherry Mills, Cherry Township, a daughter of Washington and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth of Dushore.

Surviving are her husband, Michael Borick; four daughters, Rose Ann Costa, Michelle Vincent, and Mary Margaret Ramos, all of Philadelphia; and Diane Hogan of Colorado; a sister Cora Zaner of Dushore; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Michael III.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 5, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, at 10 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the McBride Funeral Home, Philadelphia.

Here are two photos of the Ben Franklin Store in Dushore, taken about 25 years apart:


Ben Franklin Five and Dime Store
Dushore, PA
Old Caulkins Postcard Dated to the 1940s
Photo Courtesy of Deb Wilson
Who Owns the Original Card


Ben Franklin Five and Dime Store
Dushore, PA
Located at the Only Red Light Intersection in Sullivan County
That is Charles William "Bill" Sick (1922-1995) in the doorway, with an unknown child.
Photo courtesy of Deb Wilson

Copyright © 2002 Robert E. Sweeney and individual Contributors. All Rights Reserved. Prior written permission is required from Robert E. Sweeney and individual Contributors before this material can be printed or otherwise copied, displayed or distributed in any form. This is a FREE genealogy site sponsored through PAGenWeb and can be reached directly at ~Sullivan County Genealogy Project (http://www.rootsweb.com/~pasulliv)