A History of Greenwood by Those Who Lived It

Step into Greenwood through the memories of the Murphy family and those who knew them best. From Alton and Margie York and the old store at the bottom of Andover Hill, to Jim and Jackie Murphy’s enduring love story, and the reflections of the “Murphy 7” growing up in the village, these stories capture family bonds, everyday life, and the small moments that shaped generations. Together, they paint a heartfelt portrait of Greenwood as it was—and as it’s remembered. The Yorks, A

Clockwise, starting at 12: Flora holding Bobby, Albert, James "Stub", Kathleen "Kappy", Evelyn "Ezzy", and Louise "Weezie" Together, these reflections trace Flora and Albert Lounsberry’s journey—before Greenwood, into farm life, and through decades of family, faith, and hard work that grew into 138 lives touched across generations. Through their own words and the memories they left behind, these stories capture how a chance moment, a shared commitment, and a Greenwood farm be

Front Row, Left to Right: Irene Wallace Chaffee, Lloyd Chaffee. Back Row, Left to Rigtht: Duane Chaffee, Gary Chaffee We’re excited to share a collection of heartfelt stories that capture the spirit, history, and personalities of the Chaffee family who helped shape our community. From cherished memories of country life to personal reflections on family journeys and a decades-old hometown business, these narratives offer a warm, nostalgic look at the Irene, Lloyd, Gary and Dua

The Armstrongs in Greenwood: Jesse, Muriel (holding Jeff), Muriel's mother, Eva Darling, and Jay D; kneeling in front: Peg (holding Jay David), sorry no Jon, he was born after leaving Greenwood Good day, fellow citizens of Greenwood! Meet Jesse Earl Armstrong, but you can call him Jack. He's been a part of our community since 1933, sharing tales of his life and family, and their entrepreneurial journey. Read more about him here: https://wix.to/wgxMamL Dive into Muriel Lillian

William "Bill" Lippert came to Greenwood as a traveling photographer in the late 1910s. He married Blooma Cheesman, the daughter of James Monroe and Amanda (McMindes) Cheesman in 1919. They moved into the Sears kit house built by George Melvin Woodward on Main Street around 1921 after George passed away. Building on the left, built by Frank Young and Arthur Woodward around 1906. Later, Lipperts Grocery Bill purchased the building called the "business block" around 1927 and co

Photo taken in January 1960 Stanley and Margaret Murray were lifelong residents and dedicated community leaders in Greenwood, New York — a couple whose service, faith, and family helped shape the heart of their hometown. Married in Greenwood on September 28, 1938 , they built a legacy of hard work, civic involvement, and devotion to others that spanned generations. Stanley Murray (b. February 8, 1913; d. January 12, 1980) was recognized as an Outstanding Citizen of the Past  

Can you guess who this one is about? Come on...give it a try. You are right, Lou (Lewis Ross) Cornell! I don't remember him personally although I was in close proximity. You see, my dad, worked for Lou at times, was friends with Clair, his son, and my mother's sister Evelyn Lounsberry married Clair. We grew up calling Janette Streeter Cornell, Grandma Cornell. I don't remember ever calling Lou, Grandpa. I am going to start with content that came directly from a handwritten

If you are old enough to have frequented the Murray Atlantic Station's luncheonette or heard stories, you may remember a deer head mount on the wall there. No, it was not a trophy from any of the Murray boys or even the girls. It was not a leftover from JD or Jesse Armstrong either. There is a story behind this "treasure". John Murray here. The mount belonged to me...however, I did not earn the trophy. I was not the hunter who "bagged that buck". And, to be honest, I don't ev

Sarajean and Suzanne. You may call them Sally and Susie or Sue. But, just remember it is Sarajean, no h, no capital j, just one word. Suzanne here. Yes, my sister is very specific about the spelling of her name. Sally was born on July 31, 1937 to Bill and Irene Lippert who lived on Main Street in Greenwood in a Sears Kit House. I was born two years later on July 20, 1939. Sarajean here. Before we get started. To clarify, I was the more studious of the two. Susie, was the fun

Do you remember the children's storybook, How Joe the Bear and Sam the Mouse Got Together ? It was my sister Joan's (John and Kathleen Murray's number 3) favorite book for awhile as a child. Bill Lippert here. I don't know anything about Joe and Sam; but, I do know a bit about how Irene and I got together. Well, I guess I will start from how I ended up in Greenwood. You see, my father passed away and left my mother with four children. My mother, Anna Margarita, or Margaret as

When asked what it was like to grow up in Greenwood, one of the first things Linda Murphy Logue shared was that if she won the lottery, she would use the money to do something for Greenwood. This has been a reoccurring theme as I talk with family members who grew up in Greenwood. Words like "idyllic", "happy" and "wonderful" just keep coming back into conversation with those that spent their time in this little village called Greenwood. Now it is the Murphy 7's turn to fill u

Jim Murphy (7/4/1922 - 9/9/2001) here. I did not grow up in Greenwood. I was working for the Gas Company and ended up in Greenwood. While there, I took a shine to a cute young girl by the name of Jackie (8/10/1931 - 6/9/2005). She was just a senior in high school. It was kismet. Now, people of my generation were not so forthcoming about our personal lives. Jackie and I never shared much about our courtship with our kids. Linda (Murphy) Logue here. Murphy #2. Yeah Dad, when we

...As remembered by their grandchildren, the Murphys and maybe a few others This is Jackie, the daughter of Margie and Harold Sampson. My father passed away when I was 11 years old. I was lucky, my mother found Alton York, whom I called Dad. We lived in the third house past the school on your way to Christian Hallow. Dad and Mom owned the store right there at the bottom of Andover Hill in the 40s and 50s. John Murray here. When I was younger, the older boys hung out there on

The Warriners started farming in Greenwood around the time of the Civil War. While this picture is not of the Warriners, it depicts how farming was done in the mid-1800s. Lots of back-breaking work. Farming and country life in general changed tremendously from the 1860s when the Warriners came to Greenwood and the present. At first it was pretty much as the Amish live today, only more primitive. At the time I was born (1943) there was no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no ru

There were a lot of Warriners in and around Greenwood. At times, I bet you struggled to figure out who belonged to whom. Well, I am Wayne Francis (1919-2009), son of Marshall and Iowa, grandson of Frank and Susan and great grandson of the third Nathan, Nathan Allen, who went by Allen, and Mary. Making me the tenth generation of Warriners in America and the fourth to live on the farm there on the Greenwood - Jasper line. I think you heard about Bess and Gyp in Dad's story. Th

This here is me with my dog Lindy. And, to celebrate her, here is a poem written by my father Frank: True Friendship Some men will wish you hail, Yet wish you with the devil. But, when a good dog wags his tail, You know he's on the level. A bit about my parents. My name is Marshall Francis Warriner (1889-1974), son of Francis Lazelle (Frank) Warriner (1866-1945) and Susan E Barnard. Mom's family lived next door to Dad at the top of the hill. I had a sister Vinnie Marie born

Good day! Nathan Allen Warriner, the third Nathan, so I call myself Allen here. I am a descendent of William Warriner (1582-1676) who emigrated from England to the Plymouth Colony in 1638. The first Nathan (1796-1829), four generations later, had ten children, all raised in Monson, Massachusetts. James (1803-1862) the youngest of the ten, along with three brothers, settled in Delmar Township near Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. James and his wife Lucretia "Cretey" (Butler) Warriner,

Aren't we the pair sitting behind that lovely couple? Duane Chaffee here and next to me is my brother Gary. Hello Greenwoodians. I am not sure that most of you even know I bought the hardware store from my parents in 1976. I know, Mom and Dad still hung out there so much you may not have noticed. But, before I go into all of that, Gary and I would like to tell you a bit about our time growing up in Greenwood. Mom and Dad shared that Gary was born while they were still in Niag

Hello, Lloyd Chaffee here. I guess Irene would like me to fill you in on a few things. Let's start where I started. I was born to Crystal and Victor Chaffee on June 28th in 1919 in West Union. And, had one sister Marion. She married Bob Dixon from Bradford. Dad found his way to the Greenwood area via an orphan train from New York City along with his brother Milton and sister Blanche. Are you familiar with the orphan trains? Well, back when so many people were dying of consump

Good day! As I spend my days relaxing and visiting with friends here at Updyke’s in Hornell, my mind wanders back to my time in Greenwood. I was born April 1, 1923 to John and Blanche Wallace on a farm on King Hill at the top of Christian Hollow. Mom was born on April 25, 1902 in Whitesville and Dad in 1888. And, I had one brother, Leo. He married Vivian Andrus. She was from Hornell and they lived there on Main Street across from Jeanette and Lew Cornell. Along with working t