HOME - Land Introduction (including connections to images of Hauppauge, Smithtown and other places) - Law and Elizabeth

Ethel Land Courier Distler, Frank Courier and Harry Distler

Ethel May Land was born February 7, 1888, the daughter of Law Land, carpenter, and Elizabeth Sykes, Dupont Street, Toronto, Canada. Ethel May Land was AKA as Dot or Dottie.

According to Helen Land:

  • Mrs. Frank Currier died in 1964 in Miami, Florida and was cremated
  • Frank Courier was born 1880 and died 1945


Frank Courier And His Family In The Censuses And Other Records

  • Civil War, Rufus Courier, senior: Rufus M. Courier served on the Union side in the civil War,. He enlisted as a Sergeant on 20 August 1862 at the age of 21 Company K 173rd Infantry Regiment New York on November 10, 1862 and received a disability discharge on 24 January 1864 New Orleans, La.

  • 1880 Census Rufus Courier, senior: Davidson Ave Brooklyn Rufus Courier, father, age 66, steward, born Portugal, Elizabeth Courier, mother, age 59, Josephine Dickenson, age 37, no relationship listed, Lizzie Dickenson, age 14 grand daughter,. All the rest born New York.

  • 1880 Census, Rufus Courier, junior & Frank Courier: Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., Rufus Courier, age 39, carpenter born New York, father born Portugal, mother born New York Amelia wife age 36, born Prussia, Josephine, age 7 daughter, born Illinois, Amelia, daughter age 5, born New York, Clara daughter age 3, born New York, Franklin, son age 3 mos., born New York

  • 1900 Census, Frank Courier: Farifield, Conn with William Brown, head, born Oct 1873, New York, bolt cutter factory, his wife, Josephine Brown, born Aug 1872, born Illinois, and Frank C Courier, brother in law, born March 1880, born New York, bolt cutter factory. Josephine and Frank's father was born in NY and thier mother was born in Germany.

    William and Josephine had been married for 4 years. No children born to them.

  • 1900 Census Rufus, junior and others: Wilson Street Brooklyn, King Co., NY, Rufus Courier, head born Dec 1840, married 33 years, age 59, born New York, Father born Spain, mother born, New York, carpenter, Amalia, wife, Oct 1844, 9 childrren 6 still living, age 55, born Germany, Amelia, daughter age 24, Nov 1875, New York, upolsterer, Clara March 1877, age 22, born New York, no occupation, May May 1882, age 18, born Conneticut, copyist, Herbert E son July 1886, age 13, born Connecicut, at school.

    Note Herbert E Courier died in California: COURIER, HERBERT EDWIN Social Security #: 0 Sex: MALE Birth Date: 20 Jul 1885 Birthplace: CONNECTICUT Death Date: 19 Dec 1944 Death Place: KERN Mother's Maiden Name: LOHRS Father's Surname: COURIER

  • 1910 Census, Rufus, junior, Frank & Ethel Courier, and others: Smithtown Long Island, quite fuzzy and hard to read, Rufus Courier on Hauppauge Rd. Rufus head, age ??, born New York, __ office, Mildred wife, 66, eight children 6 still living Franklin, son age 29, painter, house, Ethel daughter in law, age 21, no children.

  • Rufus Courier, junior in 1920 Census: San Diego California, Rufus M. Courier, boarder, age 79, born New York father born Portugal mother born New York. Next door was the family of Silas Pur--ar. In that household was Amelia Courier housekeeper, age 42, born New York, father born New York mother born Germany.


Marriage

Before 1911.

I could not find a marriage on the New York State indexes for Ethel Land to Frank Courier, under either Land or Courier between 1908 and 1910. They were listed in the 1910 census with his parents. They were not listed in the NYC grooms index. They were not listed in the NYC bride's index. They celebrated a fifth wedding anniversary in early February 1915.


Children

  1. Grace W. Courier (1911-) William Seaver and James Johnson

    Birth: Grace, February 10, 1911, Hauppague, cert # 7268.

    1931: Grace Courier was a student at the Packard Business School in New York City.

    Marriage: Seaver, William B, Courier, Grace W , 5, 8392, Apr. 01, 1934 Suffolk County marriage Index

    "Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Courier have issued invitations to the marriage of their daughter Grayce Winona to William Burrill Seaver Saturday afternoon, April -- at 4 o'clock in the Hauppauge Methodist church.

    Long Islander March 16, 1934

    Second Lieutenant William B. Seaver of Blydenburgh ave, Smithtown, was a platoon leader in the 136th Military Police company stationed in Pozzuoli, Italy during WW II. He enlisted in the Army in January 1943. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

    Marriage 2: Married James Johnson and had one daughter Jennifer born in 1951. Grace Johnson and her husband, James, celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary March 6, 1964. Married circa 1947.

    According to Helen Land, Gracie married Jimmy Johnson. They had:

    1. Jennifer

    1940: Not listed in Smithtown.

  2. The Couriers had a baby girl Sunday December 18, 1913.

  3. Ruth Courier (1914-2001) and Martin Handshaw

    Birth: Ruth, June 28, 1914 (Per Obit).

    Married Martin Handshaw

    SMITHTOWN

    HANDSHAW - COURIER

    Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courier have announced the marriage of their second daughter, Ruth, to Martin Handshaw, son of Mrs. Regina Schoyen of St. James. The ceremony was performed on Sunday May 5 at Harrison, N. Y. A reception was held at that evening at the home of the bride's sister and brother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Burrill Seaver. The young couple will reside here where the bride graduated from the Smithtown Branch High School and where both have a host of friends.

    May 10, 1935, The Long Islander

    Children:

    1. Martin C Handshaw, married Joyce lived Miramar

      Martin had a daughter, Deana Lyn, in January 1960. At the time Martin Handshaw was stationed at the Army Missile Base in Huntsville., Alabama.

    2. Nancy m Bill Clark lived Bryan, Texas

    3. Karen married Dale Barrett lived Okeechobee, Fla

    1940: Hillcrest Drive Smithtown, Martin Handshaw 26, attendant state hospital, Ruth Handshaw 25, Martin Handshaw 4, Ethel Warner 16, lodger

    Death of Martin Handshaw, 1997: Martin B. Handshaw SSN: 103-14-2390 Last Residence: 34973 Okeechobee, Okeechobee, Florida, United States of America Born: 18 Jul 1913 Died: 28 Sep 1997 State (Year) SSN issued: New York (Before 1951)

    Death of Ruth Handshaw, 2001: Name: Ruth Handshaw SSN: 055-22-9690 Last Residence: 34972 Okeechobee, Okeechobee, Florida, United States of America Born: 28 Jun 1914 Died: 2 Nov 2001 State (Year) SSN issued: New York (Before 1951)

    Ruth V. Handshaw

    Ruth V. Handshaw, age 87, of Okeechobee, died Friday, Nov. 2, 2001, at Raulerson Hospital. Born June 28, 1914, in Bayshore, N.Y., Mrs. Handshaw had been a resident of Okeechobee for 25 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Handshaw, and sisters, Averill Spahr and Grace Johnson. Survivors include: two daughters, Nancy Clark and husband Bill, of Bryan, Texas and Karen Barrett and husband, Dale of Okeechobee; one son, Martin C. Handshaw and wife, Joyce of Miramar; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation or services. All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory. "

  4. Averill W Courier (1917-) and Clinton F Spahr

    Birth: Averil, August 8, 1916

    Engagement:

    "Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courier have announced the engagement of their youngest daughter Averill to Clinton F Spahr son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spahr and a teacher at Farmington High School. The marriage will take place in December.

    November 30, 1939, The Long Islander

    Spahr - Courier

    A quite wedding took place Saturday evening at the Presbyterian Manse, when Rev. Raymond H Case united in marriage Miss Averill Courier, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courier and Clinton Spahr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Spahr of Maple Avenue. Only the immediate families were present. The young couple are both graduates of the Smithtown Branch High SChool. The bride attended Cortland Normal, while the groom is a graduate of St. Stephen's College. They are residing in Farmingdale where Mr. Spahr is an instructor in the Farmingdale High School.

    January 4, 1940

    1940 Census: Eastern Parkway, Farmingdale, Clinton Spahr 28, high school teacher, Averil Spahr 23

    Death of Averil Courrier Spahr: Birth Date: 1916 Age at Death: 76 Death Date: 1992 Burial Place: Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York, USA

    Averil W. Spahr BIRTH: 8 Aug 1916 DEATH: 28 Mar 1992 - Patchogue, Suffolk, New York, United States of America CIVIL: New York

    Death of Clinton F Spahr: Born 1911 died 1990, Smithtown Cemetery

    Child of Clinton Spahr and Averil Courrier: Gary Law Spahr born March 11, 1944 Bay Shore, New York died October 12, 2018.


Move December 1913

Frank Courier and family have moved from Harry Griffin's house to the cottage recently vacated by Floyd Sanford on the Smithtown road

December 5, 1913


1915

Courier, Frank C age 34 painter, Ethel M wife bron Canada, Grace W age 4, Ruth age unclear, very near the Moseley family.


Move 1916

"Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courier have moved to Bridgeport where he has employment." The Long Islander, February 4, 1916

Long Islander, April 7, 1916

"Mrs. F. C. Courier and daughters Ruth and Grace have returned to their home in Bridgeport, Conn. after a visit with local relatives.

They were back in Hauppauge by August 1916 when the Long Islander announced the birth of "a daughter" in the August 18th issue.

Draft Registration

Franklyn Charles Courier Hauppauge, Smithtown Suffolk, NY, age 38, March 4, 1880, white, native born, carpenter, Peckworth Bros. Camp Upton, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, Etherl Courier, wife, Hauppauge, height, tall, build, medium, black eyes, brown hair, September 12, 1918.


1910 Census

Hauppauge road, Rufus Courier, 71 Mildred Courier 66, Franklin C Courier 29, son, house painter, Ethel M Courier 21, daughter in law


WWI Draft Registration

Franklyn Charles Courier, Birth Date: 4 Mar 1880, Address: Hauppauge, Suffolk County, New York, USA, Occupation, Carpenter, Camp Upton, Physical Build: Slender, Height: Tall, Hair Color: Brown, Eye Color: Blue, Spouse: Ethal Courier, no physical disqualifications


March 1918

Frank Courier of Hauppauge returned from woking at the government barracks in Philadelphia and taken a job at camp Upton.


1920 Census

Smithtown Township: no street

  • Frank Courier, head rent no amount, age 39 born NY, decorator painter
  • Ethel Courier, wife age 29 naturalized born English Canada
  • Grace daughter age 8
  • Ruth daughter age 5
  • Averil daughter age 3 8/12
  • Children all born NY


1920

In December Frank c. Courier and family moved to a newly purchased home on the State road.

.


1921

Ethel Courier was "seriously ill with pneumonia at her home on the Smithtown road." according to the Long Islander of November 11, 1921.


192?

"Mrs. Frank Courier who underwent an operation at St. Luke's Hospital in New York on Thursday last is resting comfortable at this time." HAUPPAUGE, The Long Islander, January 4, 192- date cut off


1925

Hauppauge - Frank C Courrier 44, Painter, Ethel M Courrier 36, Grace W Courrier 14, Ruth B Courrier 10, Averil W Courrier 8


June 1926

Accidents of the Week-End

The week-end brought with it the usual quota of automobile accidents. The first occured Saturday afternoon, at a crossing on the Motor Parkway when a car driven by Frank Courier, who was accompanied by his daughters Ruth and Averill, was struck by another machine. The two girls were quite badly injured. Ruth receiving severe body lacerations while Averill's knee cap was hurt. They were taken to the Central Islip office of Dr. McCoy and later removed to their home.

The Long Islander June 25, 1926


Entertaining

The long Islander indicates that the Couriers entertained week-end guest on a frequent basis thought the teens, 1920s and early 1930s. They also had frequent bridge parties and various other parties that were mentioned in the paper.


Frank Courier's Store Smithtown

"Miss Emma Strum employed in the Frank Courier store." September 17, 1926 The Long Islander.

"Decorator Frank Courier is doing extensive work at the home of Wheeler Germond" September 24, 1926 The Long Islander.

Wellington Wheeler Germond In the 1930 Census he was listed as a dairy farmer on Hauppague Road in Islip.

In February 1927 Frank Courier moved his store to the Hallock Building.

Smithtown has a new dry goods store opened in the building recently vacated by Frank Courier

....

Frank Courier has had his new store in the Hallock building redecorate.

February 11, 1927, The Long Islander


1930 Census

Smithtown Township, Hauppauge: Hauppauge Road

  • Frank Courier, head, own $10,000, age 49, married at 29, born NY, painter, building contractor
  • Ethel Courier, wife age 40, married at 20 naturalized 1908, born English Canada
  • Grace daughter age 19
  • Ruth daughter age 15
  • Averil daughter age 13
  • Children all born NY


1936 Fire

History of the Smithtown Fire Department 1956 listed the F. C Courier's home on Hauppauge Road caught fire January 29, 1936.

"The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courier on the Hauppauge road was totally destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning about 2:20. It was thought the blazed started from an overheated pipeless furnace.

Long Islander, January 21, 1936

The Smithtown fire department responded but two story frame house, valued at $4,000, was totally destroyed as there was not enough water to extinguish the blaze. The barn behind the house was saved.

The Times Union reported that Mr. Courier was the only person in the house at the time. He was awakened by the smoke that filled the room as he slept. He ran to a neighbor for help.

There were plans to rebuild.

Frank may have suffered burns in this fire as his WWII Draft Registration listed burn scars.


1940

Town Line road, no house numbers, Islip, renting, Frank Corier, 60, Head, painter, decorator, Ethel Corier, 52, Wife


1942

World War II Draft Registration - Frank C. Courier, Smithtown Branch, dob March 4, 1880, pob, Brooklyn, wife, Ethel Courier, employer, Pilgrim State hospital, scars on back of neck, burn scars on right side, 5'11", 135 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair


Frank Courier Ill, 1943

Frank Courier is critically ill at the Mather Hospital Long Islander

Thursday, September 30, 1943 Page: 8


Death of Frank Courier

1945 per tombstone Hauppauge Cemetery.

Frank C Courie, Age: 65, Death Date: 4 Mar 1945, Death Place: Smithtown, New York, USA

Social Security - Frank Charles Courier Birth Date: 4 Mar 1880, Birth Place: Bklyn Kings, New York, Father: Rufus Courier, Mother: Emilia Luhrs, SSN: 059206342


Remarriage of Ethel Land Courier - Harry Distler

Mrs. Ethel Courier of Southern Boulevard, Smithtown married Harry Distler of Smithtown at the Presbyterian Manse in Smithtown September 12, 1953. Her daughters Mrs. James Johnsen and Mrs Clinton Spahr were in attendance.

Ethel was listed at the death of her brother, Clarence Land, in 1955 as Ethel Distler of Nesconset.

At the death of her sister, Ruth, in 1960 she was listed as Mrs. Harry Distler of Smithtown.

At the death of her brother, Joseph, in 1962 she was listed as Mrs. Harry Dislter (E Couier) of Massapequa.

On September 12, 1959 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Distler of Smithtown Boulevard celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary.

Ethel Land, Marriage 12 Sep 1953, Smithtown, New York, USA, Certificate Number: 37332, Ethel Courier, Harry Distler


Death of Ethel Land Courier

At the death of Clarence Land in 1955, Ethel was listed as a surviving sister "Ethel Distler of Nesconset".

Ethel May Distler, Death Date: Mar 1964, County of Death: Dade, State of Death: Florida, Race: White, Gender: Female

Mrs. Harry Distler age 75 a resident of Smithtown and Hauppauge for most of her life died in Miami Florida March 19 1964. She was the widow of Harry Distler and Frank Courier. The daughter of Law and Elizabeth Land she was born in Canada February 8, 1889. (Her birth cert says February 7, 1888 - MLB) She was survived by her three daughters, Mrs. Clinton (Averill) Spahr of Massapegua, Mrs. Ruth Handshaw and Mrs. James (Grace) Johnsen both of of Miami. Seven grandchildren: Skip, Gary and Verona Spahr, Martin, Nancy and Karen Handshaw, and Jennifer Johnsen. Two great grandchildren. She was also survived by her brother, Norman Land of Smithtown, and her sister, Edna Wiedenkeller of California. She was the sister of the late, Percy Land, Clarence Land, Adelaide Moseley and Ruth Wiedenkeller.

Why wasn't Joseph Land mentioned?


If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com

Photos of Friends and Relatives of Percy and Meta Land which includes photos of Ethel Courier and her daughter, Grace.

Photos of Law Land and Elizabeth Sykes Land which includes photos of Ethel Land Courier and her family

Connection to All Land Related Pages
Law Land & Elizabeth Sykes
Clarence Land
Adelaide Land Moseley
Percy Land
Mary Edna Land Wiedenkeller
Ruth Land Wiedenkeller
Joseph Land
Norman Land
Pictures of Smithtown
Pictures of Hauppauge
Long Island Maps
Home

Please feel free to link to this web page.


©Maggie Land Blanck - Page created 2004 - Latest update October 2020