As often happens when unraveling stories of local history, one thread leads to another. I started out wondering about the Banfield name. As it turns out, Nathan F. Banfield married Nellie Sterling, bringing me to the story of her father, James M. Sterling.

From his Mower County Transcript obituary:

“James M. Sterling, aged 88 years, died Friday noon, August 30, 1912, at his home on West Water street. He had been feeble for some months. His wife died May 25, 1911, after a married life of nearly sixty years, and the husband has now gone to join her in the better land.

Mr. Sterling was born in Pitcher, Chenango county, N.Y., April 3, 1824. He was one of eleven children of whom two, Mrs. Hannah Sterling of Cleveland, Ohio, aged 95 years, and Mrs. Streeter of Pitcher, N.Y., aged 93 years, alone survive.

James moved with his parents from Pitcher to Livingston county, N.Y. and remained with them until their death.

He was married to Miss Helen Eldridge Jan. 15, 1852. They came to Austin in the fall of 1872 and bought the Henry Carter farm adjoining Austin on the west. Here they lived until they moved into the city in 1892.

Four children were born to them of whom two are living: Edward H. Sterling and Mrs. N. F. Banfield, both of Austin. There are seven grandchildren.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. F. E. Knopf were held at the home Sunday afternoon. Mr. O. W. Shaw gave a beautiful tribute to the life of the deceased…”

The Sterling farm was where the current Sterling shopping area now sits.

The Sterlings moved to 304 West Water Street in 1892. At that time they lived one block away from John and Addie Cook. In 1901, George and Lillian Hornel purchased that home. Another neighbor to the Sterlings—their daughter and son-in-law Nathan F. and Nellie Banfield at 308 West Water Street. Their son Edward Sterling lived on South St. Paul Street and worked at First National Bank with his brother-in-law.

You may be interested to note that the town of Pitcher, New York still exists in Chenango County with 848 residents counted in the 2000 survey.

Monday: Office closed for Labor Day

Thursday: Spruce Up Austin, 7:30 a.m.; Y’s Women, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Tour from Minneapolis, 10 a.m.

Coming soon

Tuesday, Sept. 20: Social Concerns: Do You Remember? Can You Guess? Trivia and Fun Facts About Austin and Mower County by Cheryl Corey of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau at 10 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to the HHH office at 433-4243 by 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.