The Murray Brook Frog: Plans Made to Restore Vienna Town Cemeteries

By Brandyann Phelps

Caption by John A. Kussmaul. This book contains 13 interesting and informative pages about Otto and Elsie Kussmaul, residents of North Bay until the early 1900s. You may read John’s words at the Town hall in North Bay, or by contacting the Murray Brook Frog.

In July I told you that Sinclair Seevers is the author of “Through Sophie’s Eyes;” to be more accurate I should have said Sophie Kussmaul is the author. However Sinclair is the driving force behind its publication; her granddaughter Daysey says it took her about 60 years.

Jinni, as a few local folks know her, sent me another book. This book was written by John A. Kussmaul and includes a short history of many of the Kussmaul family members from 1515 to 1923. Thirteen interesting and revealing pages are devoted to Otto and his wife Elsie. Since the book is not copyrighted I have scanned those pages so you can read them if you like.

I previously wrote that Otto was the youngest of seven children, it turns out he was actually the next to the youngest.

Otto came to America in 1853 with his older brother Rudolf when he returned to America. Previously, Rudolf was a member of the American army and fought in the Mexico war. Otto knew no English and the only words Rudolf would teach him on the trip over were filth and slang; he said “that’s all you need to get by.”

Arriving in New York they obtained a hotel room, the next morning when Otto woke his brother was gone and so was all the money their father had given them. Rudolf left a note behind which said; “In America they say every man is for himself, and that’s what I am doing and you must also.”

Imagine being abandoned in a strange country with no money and unable to speak the language. It leaves little wonder in my mind why Otto was estranged from a few members of his family throughout the years to follow.

However he did favor his sister Ernestine and she played a pivotal part in his obtaining the 42 ½ acre farm on Littlefield Road where they lived together. Over time it became clear to Otto that his dear sister Ernestine was mentally ill, but he never thought she was dangerous to anyone. Then one night just at dawn he woke to find his sister standing over him with a knife. She told him that God had told her to sacrifice the person she loved the most and she loved him more than anyone. Otto told her it was a good idea, but that most sacrifices were performed at sunrise and so they should have a cup of coffee first… With the assistance of a friend she was taken to Marcy in Utica. Their sister Albertine obtained a job at the hospital as a nurse to be near her.

As usual there’s not enough room here for me to tell you the whole story, but I can reveal to you that the infant son buried next to Otto and Elsie was named Anton Monsee Kussmaul. Born during a bad snow storm in 1872, a doctor was not available and so Anton never knew the breath of life. However, he will not be forgotten because part of the restoration to this small family cemetery will be a plaque identifying those buried so long ago.

In this great nation a few small graves in a few small towns may not mean much; but these are the folks that built our towns. They gave their lives both in war and peace; and they faced hardship and adversities we can’t even imagine. The least we can do is honor their memory by caring for their final resting place.

An account has been set up to accept donations to restore Otto’s grave and plans are being made to restore more of the abandoned cemeteries in our township as the funds are made available. Donations may be sent to the Town Clerk in the Town of Vienna; with your help we can make a difference. ©

Have a good week and God bless.

The Murray Brook Frog is written by Brandyann Phelps, author and Historian for the Town of Vienna.