On June 17, 1907, Hannah Denelia Ripley Farwell Ring died in the house then known as Appleton Hall. According to her obituary, Hannah was a kind and giving woman, active in community affairs, stalwart member of her church.
Born in 1843, she was the oldest daughter of Cornelia and Allen Plumb Ripley. Cornelia was the daughter of a Canadian minister and his wife; Allen a young man who had a calling to the church after being tutored by a Methodist Minister.
The Ripley family was moved through out the Synod in Hannah’s early days. Their annals reflect the family staying only a year or two in Medina, Knowlesville, Kempville (Olcott) and about a dozen other places. Hannah’s brother, Allen Jr, was born when she was about 10 years old.
Cornelia Ripley died in 1869. A few years later, the Ripley family dedicated the Ripley Memorial Chapel to her. It is said that the buttresses at the front of the church contain carvings of her face.
In 1875, Hannah married William Douglas Farwell. The couple settled in New York City where he was in the Woolens business, according to the city directory. Their daughter Cornelia was born in 1876. As thecouple prospered, they purchased a second home in Greenwich, Conn, where William died. Cornelia soon married Cornell Woolley, and Hannah then returned to Buffalo.
She settled on Fargo Avenue, just a few doors up from her father and his new wife. Florella Celesta Morse, a second cousin once removed to Cornelia Ripley, was just three years older than Hannah.
In 1894, Hannah married Dr. Charles Arthur Ring. The following year they purchased a farm in Niagara County which they christened Appleton Hall. Summers were spent on the farm, but during the winter they boarded at various hotels in Buffalo.
On Sunday, June 17, 1907, Hannah died in Appleton Hall. In his will, Charles left $500 to Anna Holtz for the “care and protection given to my wife through the four years and four months of her illness.” It was said that Charles was devastated by her death for “they were devoted to each other to a degree unusual in our times.”
A Toast to Hannah – a name that means God’s gracious gift. She was a gracious lady.
From my Cornell Reunion
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ILR News Center
June 14 2010
ILR, Uncorked
Winery owner Bittner '80 draws on Ives education
In a massive house of 100 windows overlooking Lake Ontario, Margo Sue Bittner '80 is pouring wine today and telling guests about ghosts who haunt the place.
Bittner is getting back to winery business after celebrating 30 years as an ILR alum this past weekend.
During a Reunion reception, she recounted how -- in perhaps unexpected ways -- an ILR education has served her careers and personal life.
Bittner opened The Winery at Marjim Manor in Niagara County in 2004 with plenty of agribusiness and other experience, much of it nourished by ILR's curriculum.
Managing dozens of farm employees, public service, overseeing business finances, marketing -- "All my ILR background came into play," she said.
Bittner ran a dairy farm, then a fruit farm and raised three children with her husband Jim Bittner ’80, a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate.
Joking that she "threatened to unionize the cows," Bittner is proud of her volunteer work.
She missed just one meeting during 12 years as a school board member, played in the community band with her children and serves with them in the local Lions Club.
Bittner also edited the newsletter "Executive Session" for eight years and beat breast cancer.
Twice-daily milkings are a thing of the past. The Bittners sold the dairy and Jim Bittner now farms fruit, some of which is funneled into Marjim Manor wine.
Shipped to 35 states, Marjim wines are bottled with fun.
Some labels feature family dogs, cats and events or are named after escapades at the storied 1800s home, once a summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Married six months before graduating from ILR, Bittner looks back to campus often, especially with two children who are also Cornell alums.
Kevin Bittner ’04 works full time for his father, president of a fruit farm near the winery. Janet Bittner ’06 works in sales and marketing for Marjim Manor. Both graduated from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
A third child, David Bittner, graduated from Purdue University in 2008.
Marjim Manor (www.marjimmanor.com) welcomed 26,000 visitors last year and could top that this year.
Margo Sue Bittner smiles, contentedly. "I spend my days pouring wine and telling ghost stories.
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Here we go again - the fourth trivia question. Our newest grape wine is the Lady in the Window? Who was the lady in the window? And for a bonus entry in the drawing - which window was "hers"?