Clow, Vertie

Birth

Vertie Clow was born October 1, 1893 in Knox, the daughter of Charles and Elisabeth Dennison Clow and was a lifelong resident of the town. Her siblings were:

• Mrs. George Lesperance of Schenectady
• Dewitt Clow of Albany

Occupation

She produced maple syrup and candy with her husband, the late Harry Gibbs, and her son, also deceased.

She started work at 14, doing housework for the Bogarduses in Knox.

Marriage & Children

Vertie Clow married Harrison Benjamin (Harry) Gibbs on Mar 22, 1913. Their children were:

• Alton Gibbs of Hyde Park (Dutchess County)
• Betty LaGrange of Westerlo
• Francis Gibbs
• James Gibbs
• Eunice O'Donnell

Death

Vertie Gibbs, 101, formerly of Knox, died Sunday, (March 19, 1995) at Teresian House in Albany.

Obituary

Vertie Clow Gibbs Obituary - Altamont Enterprise — Thursday, March 23, 1995

VERTIE GIBBS

Vertie Gibbs, 101, formerly of Knox, died Sunday, (March 19, 1995) at Teresian House in Albany.

Mrs. Gibbs was born Oct. 1, 1893 in Knox, the daughter of Charles and Elisabeth Dennison Clow and was a lifelong resident of the town. She produced maple syrup and candy with her husband, the late Harry Gibbs, and her son, also deceased.

She started work at 14, doing housework for the Bogarduses in Knox. Through them she met city people who came up to board. A man came and asked her and her sister to work, her daughter, Betty LaGrange, said. "Her sister said, 'They won't pay anything.' My mother said, 'I'll go.'"

The job paid $1 a week, and by the time she was married, she had saved $100. The couple used it for their honeymoon. They drove a horse down to Schenectady, and too a trolley to Amsterdam, where they stayed with friends.

The job paid off in other ways as well. Through the Bogarduses, she met people who came up to the country from New York City to vacation. In time, Mrs. LaGrange said, a New York couple built a little cabin on the Gibbs farm - just two bedrooms and a porch; they ate with the Gibbs. When the couple died, she rented the place to others. A high point was an overnight visit by the actor Gene Kelly. "I often wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't said 'yes' about that job," Mrs. LaGrange quoted her mother as saying.

"Mother used to say the Lord didn't give her any gift," Mrs. LaGrange said. "I said her gave her the gift of hospitality. THe minute someone was coming, she would start thinking what she would serve them. She was also a fine psychiatrist for people."

She joined the Knox Reformed Church at the age of 11, and was a member for 90 years. She served the church as organist for 45 years, and was a member of the ladies aid and missionary societies.

Mrs. Gibbs was very active in quilting and crocheting rugs. She was onae of the founders of the church's famous Election Day suppers, started 77 years ago.

She was also a member fo the Dairyman's League and the Farm Bureau.

Survivors include one son, Alton Gibbs of Hyde Park (Dutchess County) and one daughter, Betty LaGrange of Westerlo, 17 grandchildren 38 great grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren. Two sons, Francis and James Gibbs, and a daughter, Eunice O'Donnell, are deceased.

Services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the Knox Reformed Church. Burial will be in Knox Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made tot he Knox Reformed Church, Knox, NY 12107

Altamont Enterprise — Thursday, March 23, 1995

VERTIE GIBBS, 101: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Times Union, The (Albany, NY) - Wednesday, March 22, 1995

Deceased Name: VERTIE GIBBS, 101

ALBANY Vertie Gibbs, 101, of the Teresian House, formerly of Knox, died Sunday in the home. She was born in Knox.

Mrs. Gibbs produced maple syrup on her family's farm.

She was a member of the Knox Reformed Church and its Ladies Aide Society. She was also an organist at the church for 45 years. She was a member of the Dairymen's League, and the Farm Bureau.

Survivors include a son, Alton Gibbs of Hyde Park, Dutchess County; a daughter, Betty LeGrange of Westerlo; 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. A service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Knox Reformed Church. Burial will be in Knox Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the church memorial fund, Knox, NY 12107. Arrangements are by the Fredendall Funeral Home, Altamont.

Edition: THREE STAR
Page: B7
Copyright, 1995, (c) Times Union. All Rights Reserved.

Additional Media

Stanley Clow died Sunday (September 13, 1953) in Carlisle. The funeral was held Wednesday morning, Sept. 16, from the Brunk Funeral Home in Berne. Mr. Clow was 66 years old, son of the late Charles Clow of Knox. He is survived by two sisters. Mrs. Harry Gibbs (Vertie Clow), of Knox and Mrs. George Lesperance of Schenectady, and one brother, Dewitt Clow of Albany. Rev. Roger Johnson officiated at the funeral service. Interment was in the Clow plot in Knox cemetery.

Altamont Enterprise - Friday, September 18, 1953

Sources

---