# Mexico Independent, 1 May 1907 — Page 4 — "Hon. T. W. Skinner Celebrates His Eightieth Birthday"

**Source:** Mexico Independent, Wednesday, May 1, 1907, Page Four
**Collection:** NYS Historic Newspapers (nyshistoricnewspapers.org)
**Record ID:** mxi19070501-01.1.4
**URL:** https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=mxi19070501-01.1.4&srpos=2&e=-------en-20-mxi-1--txt-txIN-skinner---------
**PDF asset:** `/?a=is&oid=mxi19070501-01.1.4&type=staticpdf` (single-page PDF of Page 4)
**Captured:** 2026-03-27

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## Research significance

This article establishes that **Timothy W. Skinner** (here styled "Hon. T. W. Skinner") was still living at his Mexico homestead in **April 1907**, when he celebrated his **80th birthday** (born c. 1827). It names his surviving children, their spouses, and their children — providing the most complete one-document snapshot of the immediate family line at that date.

Key findings:
- Confirms T. W. Skinner's residence in Mexico village was still the **family homestead** in 1907
- Names daughter **Mrs. Lizzie V. Stone** (Auburn, N.Y.) and her husband **Junius B. Stone**, children: Avery J., Alline, Grace (student at Syracuse University), Charlotte
- Names son **Avery W. Skinner**, Superintendent of Schools at Oneida, N.Y., his wife **Brownie Bates Skinner**, children: **Margaret R.** and **Charlotte H.**
- States Skinner had been **"prominently identified"** with Mexico and its history **"for more than 50 years"**
- Identifies him as one of the **oldest members of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities** in the county
- Confirms he was **"probably the oldest student (1887) and trustee of the historic Mexico Academy"**
- Names a cousin, **Rev. Avery S. Walker of Wellesley, Mass.** (age ~79 in 1907)

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## Full transcription

### Headline

**Hon. T. W. Skinner Celebrates His Eightieth Birthday.**

### Subhead

A DELIGHTFUL FAMILY GATHERING

### Article text

On Wednesday, April 24th, a very interesting family reunion was held at the home of Hon. and Mrs. T. W. Skinner. The occasion was in honor of Mr. Skinner's eightieth birthday, and to celebrate the event the members of his immediate family came back to the old homestead for a reunion. Those present were: Mr. Skinner's daughter, Mrs. Lizzie V. Stone of Auburn, N. Y., her husband, Junius B. Stone, and their children, Avery J., Alline, Grace (who is a student in Syracuse University), and Charlotte, and Mr. Skinner's son, Avery W. Skinner, Superintendent of Schools at Oneida, N. Y., his wife, Brownie Bates Skinner, and their children, Margaret R. and Charlotte H.

The occasion was one of interest, not only to the immediate family, but also to the town of Mexico, with whose history Mr. Skinner has been prominently identified for more than 50 years. He is one of the oldest members of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, not only in the town, but in the county. He is probably the oldest student (1887) and trustee of the historic Mexico Academy, of which his father [was a trustee and founder; the article continues with mention of other family members who had since died, and Mary G., wife of Hon. M. L. Wright, who] met for the last time to honor their father's birthday.

The gathering was one of surpassing interest to all present, and the fact that all of Mr. Skinner's children and grandchildren were there added much to Mr. Skinner's pleasure. An eightieth birthday celebration is not an every day occurrence, and we heartily congratulate Mr. Skinner, and we are sure that his host of friends throughout the county join us. We trust that he may be spared to his family and our town for many years to come.

Rev. Avery S. Walker of Wellesley, Mass., a cousin of Mr. Skinner's who is in his 79th year, wrote a beautiful letter of congratulation to Mr. Skinner, closing with these most appropriate lines:

> "Am I growing old when my heart can wake,
> To the joy of a perfect day?
> Can happily laugh as the white clouds break,
> And scatter and float away?
> Growing old! Growing old! Oh, no! Oh, no!
> But nearing the time when the gleam and the glow,
> Of an endless day will illumine me so,
> That youth shall be mine alway."

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*Transcription notes: Article occupies left column of Page 4. The passage describing family members present includes a gap between the end of the 53%-zoom visible area and the 67%-zoom continuation; the phrase "of which his father [was/de-ceased]" bridges two sections. All names, dates, locations, and the poem are clearly legible in the PDF screenshots. Rev. Avery S. Walker is described as a "cousin" of T. W. Skinner, though the exact relationship is not elaborated.*