Diana A. Oliver

b. 19 August 1835, d. 1 February 1939
  • Diana A. Oliver was born on 19 August 1835 in Cambria, Niagara County, New York.
  • Elisha Oliver and Cynthia Richardson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1840 in Cambria, New York. Other (counted but unnamed) members of the household apparently included Diana A. Oliver, Malvina Oliver and Emily Oliver.
  • Elisha Oliver and Cynthia Richardson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Hanover, Chautauqua County, New York. Other members of the household included Diana A. Oliver, Emily Oliver and Lyman R. Oliver. Daughter Diana also was enumerated in the household of her sister Malvina Warren, in Sheridan.
  • E. Warren and Malvina Oliver appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Sheridan, Chautauqua County, New York. Other members of the household included Diana A. Oliver. Malvina's sister Diana also was enumerated in the household of her parents in Hanover.
  • She married Charles C. Papworth circa 1857.
  • Charles C. Papworth and Diana A. Oliver appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Lockport, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Malvina Oliver, Cynthia Richardson, Lyman R. Oliver and Ella M. Warren.
  • Diana A. Oliver became a widow at the 1890 death of her husband Charles C. Papworth.
  • The following appeared on 19 August 1936 in The Naples Record: Mrs. Diana Papworth, of Lockport, will celebrate her one hundred first birthday today. She is in good health.
  • Diana A. Oliver died on 1 February 1939 at age 103 in Lockport, Niagara County, New York, at 285 South Niagara Street.
  • She was interred at Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 1 February 1939 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: (Lockport) Mrs. Diana A. Papworth, Lockport's oldest resident and believed to be the oldest resident of Niagara county, died in her sleep early this morning at the home of her son, Charles L. Papworth, 285 South Niagara street, in her 104th year. Despite her age, Mrs. Papworth had been quite active until last Friday, when she fell at her son's home and suffered a fractured hip.
         Mrs. Papworth was born August 19, 1835, on a farm in the town of Cambria, a few miles northwest of the city. When she was four years old, her parents, Elisha and Cynthia Richardson Oliver, moved to Silver Creek. The Lake Shore railroad was then under construction and her father saw better prospects of employment there.
         Ten years later the family returned to Lockport, traveling by Lake Erie to Buffalo and then boarding a canal boat which brought them here.
         Mrs. Papworth attended the old Lockport Union school shortly after it was opened. At the age of 22 she married Charles L. Papworth, who died over 50 years ago.
         During the Civil War, Mrs. Papworth and an older sister, the late Melvina Warren, took a prominent part in making uniforms for members of the 28th New York Volunteers, who were recruited here in 1861. Possessed of a keen memory, she could recall the great fire of November 2, 1854, which destroyed three hotels, 18 stores, two churches and threatened to sweep the entire city of Lockport.
         Surviving are two sons, Charles L. Papworth, former superintendent of the Lockport division of the Barge Canal, and E. Clarence Papworth, both of this city; one granddaughter and two great grandchildren.
         Services will be held Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the Prudden funeral home, 242 Genesee street, with interment in Cold Springs cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1939 in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: The passing of Mrs. Diana A. Papworth, whose funeral was held this afternoon, removes Lockport's oldest resident. Seldom does anyone attain the century mark, but Mrs. Papworth was in her 104th year. Still rarer are the persons of such venerable age who retain their faculties and htheir health as she did.
         One of the remarkable attributes of Mrs. Papworth was her memory. The building of the West Shore railroad, the great fire of 1854 which threatened to destroy the entire village of Lockport, the first incorporation of the city of Lockport and the election of its first mayor, and the stirring events of Civil war days were happenings which she easily recalled.
         The 28th New York Volunteers were recruited in 1861 in Lockport and vicinity, and Mrs. Papworth was one of several women who devoted their time and energy in helping outfit this Civil war regiment, sewing uniforms and other garments for the soldiers.
         Never did she lose her interest in current events at home and abroad. This, coupled with her keen memory and pleasant personality made her an interesting conversationist. She had many friends and was loved and admired by all who knew her.
         A fractured hip, suffered in a fall last Friday, brought on her death. She passed away in her sleep, as tranquilly as she had lived her latter years. Many more than just her immediate family will mourn her death.
  • Last Edited: 28 Jun 2012

Family: Charles C. Papworth b. 1836, d. 1890