Obituaries (July 26)

Charles Dix of West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] met his fate near Rockdale [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], about ten miles from Bainbridge on Thursday morning last.  The particulars of the sad affair, a portion of which is furnished us by our Rockdale correspondent is as follows:  Mr. Dix left Bainbridge Wednesday evening, on train No. 6, which arrived at Rockdale at nine o'clock about an hour behind schedule time.  He went to the hotel, where they tried to get him to remain during the night, but despite all efforts of the proprietor and others he left later in the evening for his lumber camp, two miles distant.  The night was a bitter one and the wind was blowing fiercely  His son, Charles, was at the camp and expected his father during the night, but he failed to put in an appearance.  In the morning the son started for Rockdale and had not gone far before he discovered tracks in the snow,, which he followed and found his father about forty rods from the camp, still alive but unconscious, and before help could be summoned he expired.  Tracks showed that he had stopped behind trees and in an open shed to protect himself from the gale.  Mr. Dix had lived at West Bainbridge and vicinity a number of years, being engaged in farming somewhat but his business mostly was connected with lumbering.  He was a kind and obliging man.  He leaves a wife and five children.  His remains were brought here Thursday, and in charge of Undertaker Hastings, were taken to his home.  The funeral service was held Sunday at the West Bainbridge Baptist Church at one o'clock in the afternoon, Rev. J.S. Crompton officiating  Interment in the cemetery at that place.  [Bainbridge Republican, Feb. 26, 1903]

 

Almira E. Porter, aged 73, who was living with her brother Norman Porter, in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], was found dead in the kitchen Saturday morning.  She was lying on a lounge in the kitchen with insufficient clothing over her, the fire was out, and it is supposed that she got up to rekindle it.  She probably became chilled and fell on the floor and as no one heard her, died of exposure.  When her brother arose in the morning he found her lying dead on the floor.  Coroner, Dr. Hayes of Afton, was called, who decided the death of Miss Porter was the result of the extreme cold night.  Her brother states that she was sitting by the stove apparently comfortable when he went to bed.  She was very feeble and badly crippled from rheumatism and it is probable fell unconscious from a shock and the cold prevented her from surviving  The funeral was held on Monday at the Presbyterian church at twelve o'clock with Rev. Mr. Cody officiating.  Her burial was in Coventry Cemetery.  [Bainbridge Reublican Feb. 26, 1903]

 

Frank L. Wilkins died at the home of his brother,, George Wilkins, on Saturday last, March 14, at ten o'clock, p.m. of pulmonary tuberculosis, aged thirty-two years and twenty-five days.  Mr. Wilkins was formerly a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], having lived here the greater portion of his life previous to going to Cambridge, Ohio, about five years ago, where he was engaged in the insurance business.  His health becoming impaired, he was obliged to relinquish his duties and two months ago accompanied by his wife, whom he married at Cambridge, he returned to Bainbridge, and has since gradually failed, until the end came, as stated above.  The funeral was held at the M.E. Church on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Rev. J.S. Crompton, officiating and his remains laid to rest in Green Lawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]. Besides his wife he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Lydia Wilkins, one sister, Mrs. Robert Banner, and two brothers, George Wilkins, of this place, and Bert Wilkins of Clearfield, Pa.  [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 19, 1903]

 

The remains of Pliny K. Scofield, who had been a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for many years until twelve months ago when he went to Earlville to reside, were brought to this village last Friday afternoon and conveyed to Bennettsville for burial.  The funeral party were met at the station by Bainbridge friends of Mr. Scofield who attended the services at the grave which were conducted by Rev Charles D. Reed, former pastor of the deceased.  Mr. Scofield was obliged to give up business in Bainbridge because of failing health and upon going to Earlville he grew no better.  His ailment was heart trouble with some complications, and having experienced some benefit as he thought, a while ago from hospital treatment, he was induced to try it again and was conveyed to St. Joseph's hospital, Syracuse, one week before his death  he died there suddenly on Wednesday morning of last week.  Mr. Scofield was born near Bennettsville, in the town of Bainbridge, sixty-four years ago.  His parents moved later to Masonville where they began the management of a hotel, followed by removals to other places engaging in the same business.  The Central house in Bainbridge was one of their locations.  This was many years ago and when that hotel, which was the only one in the village, was called a tavern and was the stopping place for stages and was considered a place of note in this section as being a rendezvous for cattle buyers.  Mr. Scofield's father was largely interested in the purchase of cattle for a good portion of his life and became well-to-do therefrom.  He was celebrated for the handsome droves he collected and which he had bought with critical knowledge.  And so the son, Pliny, followed the calling to some extent, but after a time opened a tin and hardware store in Masonville.  Mr. Scofield came to Bainbridge about the year 1871, and conducted a flour and feed store which business he closed up and took a position as foreman in tin work and plumbing connected with the hardware store of the late Charles S. Hynds.  After Mr. Hynds' death he opened a tin business in the Clark block and then moved to the premises now occupied by the C.C. Hovey Supply Co.  Mr. Scofield's health became so impaired that he sold his business to Jesse Whitman a short time before going to Earlville to live.  Mr. Scofield was a social genial man, one of the most cheery of men to meet.  He was a fine musician, paying upon several instruments, the violin being his favorite.  He, with his three brothers, S. Augustus, George W., and Phineas B., formed a quartette that for years was famous over a large territory for their music.  Mr. Scofield was a member of the Baptist church in Bainbridge and was a great aid with his fine musical talent.  Mr. Scofield had been married twice.  His first wife was Clarissa, daughter of Arnold Bennett, deceased of Bennettsville.  His second wife, who died a few years ago, was Mrs. Martha Loomis, mother of Mrs. Fay Sawdy of Earlville and Mrs. Adelbert Rice, of Hamilton.  The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Eugenia Johnson, and one granddaughter, Mrs. Henry Fields, the former of Herkimer, and the latter of East Syracuse.  [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 19, 1903]

 

Menzo Odell a well-known stock dealer of this village, died very suddenly at his home on Freiot avenue [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], last Saturday night about ten o'clock, of heart trouble.  On the day previous he went to Binghamton on business, returning Saturday night on train six at 7:21.  He was seen about town during the evening, apparently as well as ever.  He returned to his home shortly before ten o'clock.  The family had retired for the night.  He had been in the house but a few minutes when his daughter heard a noise down stairs.  Mistrusting something wrong she awakened her brother and went to the kitchen, where the father was found dead. He had, evidently, been reading a newspaper and had fallen from his chair to the floor.  The physician who was summoned stated that the man was dead when he fell.  His sudden demise was a shock to the community and was received with regret, for he was a good man at heart, and had many friends.  His funeral was held at the house Tuesday morning at half-past ten o'clock, Rev. J.S. Crompton officiating, and his remains were taken to Gilbertsville [Otsego Co.,, NY], in charge of Undertaker Hastings, and buried in the Shaw cemetery.  The deceased is survived by an invalid wife, two sons, Cory of Rockdale, and Charles, of Schenectady and one daughter, Miss Lillian, who resides at home.  [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 19, 1903]

Miss Susan Post, a former resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died at the home of Wm. H. Kirby in the town of Bainbridge, on Tuesday, aged 84 years.  The funeral will be held from her late residence today at 1 o'clock.  Funeral Director Emens has charge of the remains, which will be interred in the cemetery at Bennettsville.  [Note:  d. 1896]

Mrs. Willis Aylsworth died at her home in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] yesterday morning of quick consumption, aged 46 years.  Deceased formerly resided in Afton but moved to Bainbridge several years ago.  The funeral will be held from her late home Friday morning, Rev. B.B. Carruth officiating.  She leaves a husband and three daughters.  [Note:  d. 1896]

Duncan Parker died at his home at North Afton [Chenango Co., NY] early Sunday morning, aged about 65 years.  Mr. Parker has been in poor health for the past few months.  Sunday, Drs. Evans and Copley performed an autopsy and found a cancer on the liver, which caused his death.  The funeral was held Tuesday and the remains taken to Coventry for burial.  Mr. Parker was widely known in connection with the celebrated North Afton horning affair.  [Note:  d. 1896]

After an illness of several weeks of pneumonia, Melvin C. Lyon died at his home in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] Tuesday, aged 32 years.  Deceased was a young man honored and respected by many friends.  He leaves a wife and two small children.  He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Lyon of Afton, and brother of George and Frank Lyon and Miss Carrie Lyon.  The funeral was held from his late home, Wednesday, and the remains laid to rest in the No. Afton cemetery, Rev. J.L. Thomas officiating.  Funeral Director Emens had charge of the arrangements.  The sympathy of the community goes out to the afflicted family.  [Note:  d. 1896]

Wednesday noon Theodore Clark died of pneumonia in the house on Pleasant street belonging to S.M. Young, after an illness of about one week. The deceased removed to Sidney from Bainbridge some months ago.  They were in extremely destitute circumstances, and a few days ago application was made to the town authorities for their support.  The neighbors provided most generously for the family during the illness of the deceased, furnishing both food and clothing together with bedding and other necessities.  As the family had not lived in Sidney long enough to gain a residence, Bainbridge has been called upon to look after the matter.  After the interment, the authorities of that town will remove the surviving members of the family to the Chenango county home--Sidney Advocate.  Theodore Clark, referred to above is better known in Afton as "Dutch" Clark.