Hales & Winans Family Obituaries
Bemis, Frances Lavinia (nee Ford)
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Mar 8, 1920. p. 9
BEMIS - Suddenly at her home in Larchmont, N.Y., on Saturday, March 6, 1920, Frances L.,
wife of the late William E. Bemis. Funeral service at her late residence on Wednesday,
March 10, on the arrival of the 10:08 train from Grand Central Station. Interment private.
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Jun 21, 1920. p. 7
To Appraise Mrs. Bemis's Estate.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. , June 21. Because of a contest pending over the estate of Mrs. Frances
L. Bemis, who died about four months ago, leaving between $3,000,000 and $5,000,000,
Surrogate George A. Slater has appointed appraisers to fix the value of her personal
property. Edward P. Starck has been appointed temporary administrator and has furnished a
surety company bond for $1,500,000.
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Jun 28, 1920. p. 32
LEFT $1,000,000 OIL STOCKS.; Inventory Shows Mrs. Bemis Also Had Jewelry Worth $200,000.
Special to The New York Times.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 28. -- It developed today that an inventory of the estate of the
late Mrs. Frances L. Bemis of Larchmont on the Sound, widow of one of the Standard Oil
directors, showed that she owned more than $1,000,000 worth of Standard Oil securities,
and $3,600 worth of Liberty Lona bonds of the third, fourth and Victory issues. Mrs. Bemis
also left more than $200,000 worth of diamonds, pearls and other jewelry.
Mrs. Bemis held 331 shares of the Standard Oil Company of Indiana valued at about
$203,000; and 601 shares of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey valued at $406,315. She
also had stocks of the Standard Oil Company of New York, Continental Oil Company of
California, Illinois Pipe Line Company, Prairie Oil and Gas Company, Prarie Pile Line
Company and Ohio Oil Company.
The most valuable piece of jewelry left by Mrs. Bemis was a pearl necklace with a diamond
clasp worth more than $175,000.
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Jul 7, 1920. p. 26
MRS. BEMIS LEFT $2,000,000.; Widow of Standard Oil Man Had Jewels Worth $200,000.
Special to The New York Times.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 6. -- Appraisers have fixed the value of the estate of the late
Mrs. Frances L. Bemis, widow of Edward Bemis, a Vice President of the Standard Oil
Company, at about $2,000,000. The report will be filed with Surrogate George A. Slater
this week. It was first reported that Mrs. Bemis had left an estate worth $5,000,000.
The value of the jewels was placed at $200,000. Experts were engaged to examine a necklace
of 82 pearls with a diamond clasp. This was valued at $175,000. The pearls, which
graduated in size, each one matching another, were perfect in shape, and one of the most
beautiful of its kind ever seen. Mrs. Bemis also left rubies, diamond rings and diamond
bracelets, many of which she purchased abroad.
The will is being contested by a relative, and for that reason the appraisal was hurried
along. It was reported today that the contest may be settled within the next few weeks.
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Jan 19, 1921. p. 5
NEW SUIT BY BEMIS HEIR.; Sister of Standard Oil Man's Widow Contests $2,000,000 Estate.
Special to The New York Times.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 18. -- Farrington M. Thompson of White Plains, counsel for Carrie
E. Ryder of Chicago, filed objection today with Surrogate George A. Slater to the probate
of the will of his client's sister, Mrs. Frances L. Bemis, widow of the late Edward M.
Bemis, one of the Standard Oil Company Vice Presidents. It was contended that Mrs. Bemis
was not of sound mind to make a will by which she disposed of an estate valued at more the
$2,000,000. Counsel also contends that the will was not a voluntary act of Mrs. Bemis, who
left the sister $5,000, and demanded that the case be tried before a jury.
Mrs. Bemis died March 6, 1920, and temporary administrators appointed by Surrogate Slater
have been in charge of the estate since the will was offered for probate.
Mrs. Kittie F. Hunting, also a sister of Mrs. Bemis, who was bequethed $25,000 in trust,
filed action, and it has been reported that the contest was about to be settled. Most of
the estate of Mrs. Bemis was inherited by another sister, a sister-in-law, brother-in-law
and two nieces.
New York Times - New York, N.Y.: Oct 10, 1921. p. 26
BEMIS WILL FIGHT ENDS.; Sisters of Oil Man's Widow Accept Compromise--$39,000 to One.
Special to The New York Times.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 9. -- It became known today that the contest over the will of
Mrs. Frances L. Bemis, widow of the late William E. Bemis, who was one of the Vice
Presidents of the Standard Oil Compnay and a resident of Larchmont, has been compromised
and an order of settlement signed by Surrogate George A. Slater of Westchester County.
Mrs. Bemis left an estate valued at more than $2,000,000. The contest was brought by Mrs.
Carrie E. Ryder of 119 East Eighty-eighth Street, Chicago, and Mrs. Kittie F. Hunting of
322 Meacham Avenue, Park Ridge, Ill., sisters of Mrs. Bemis. The contest has been pending
for a year. Mrs. Ryder brought suit through Lawyer Farrington Thompson of White Plains,
charging that undue influences had been exerted over Mrs. Bemis whereby she was cut off
with only $5,000. Mr. Thompson said today that, under the terms of the compromise, Mrs.
Ryder has received $39,000, in addition to the legacy mentioned in the will. Mrs. Hunting
also alleged undue influence. Mr. Thompson said Mrs. Hunting also received a substantial
sum, in addition to her legacy. The main part of Mrs. Bemis's estate was made up of
Standard Oil stocks.
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