The death of the late David L. Follett of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] brings to a close the career of a somewhat remarkable man. He was the son of a Sherburne farmer, and was born in the town of Sherburne in July, 1836. He was a bright, determined youth, with little love for farm labor, and a predilection for books and oratory. Former employees of his father are wont to relate how the embryo Judge would be observed mounted on a stump, and from this point of vantage, energetically addressing the trees and birds, and all else within his immediate horizon. Studying at the local school and in Cazenovia where he entered the office of two distinguished lawyers, Rexford & Kingsley. Admitted to the bar in 1858, he settled permanently in Norwich and practiced law with signal success until 1876. With great capacity for labor, he worked with all the energy and industry he could command. Failure and impossibility he scarcely apprehended, and was ever a dangerous antagonist for the ablest legal luminaries. He was United States Assessor of Internal Revenue, appointed by Andrew Johnson, and was long a noted railroad attorney. But it was as the chief opponent of the then powerful Prindle ring of Chenango county that he first drew upon himself the attention of the people, and brought himself into deserved prominence. He was to that ring what Tilden was to the canal ring of the Empire State. Horace G. Prindle was County Judge of Chenango for twelve years and was the Republican candidate for another term of six years' duration. He was judge and Surrogate, was the Republican political power of the county, the orator of note, of exceeding ability, learned in law, skillful, masterful as attorney, Judge, politician--the monarch of the county and none his right to dispute. And yet there was one disputant, David L. Follett. Prindle was partial to his friends and proscriptive to his enemies. This emphatic partiality and proscription brought to a head insinuations and accusations of several years' growth, touching Prindle's morality as a man and his integrity as a Judge. Impeachment proceedings were brought against him and in the trial before the State Senate, ably and bitterly contested, the Chenango Judge narrowly escaped conviction Follett and his supporters, still resolute and unyielding, fought the Judge-boss at the primaries for a third nomination, this unsuccessfully, but carrying the contest to the polls, they won, and Prindle's star set, never to rise again. A Supreme court judge of the judicial department in which Chenango county is included, having died, Edwin Countryman of Otsego county was appointed to the vacancy. The rule of county rotation then obtained and Chenango county was entitled to the turn. Prindle's friends alleged that their favorite could have had the nomination for Supreme court justice but that he preferred another term as County Judge and Surrogate by way of vindication against his manifold enemies. Be this as it may, and it is certainly problematical, Follett secured the Chenango delegates, was nominated, elected and continued in office for about twenty-three years. Prindle was defeated for county judge and surrogate and died a few years later. Justice Follett served at Trial judge, as a member of the General Term, Chief Judge of the Second division of the Court of Appeals, and finished his judicial service as Associate Justice of the Appellate division of the fourth department. Early in his career as a Trial judge, he presided at a term of court held in Morrisville. He had the clerk call the entire calendar and as no case was ready for trial, he adjourned the term sine die, thus teaching the belated attorneys a salutary lesson. Judge Follett was specially favored by Governor Hill in appointments and assignments. His judicial services, both as a Trial and Appellate judge, were often given and highly appreciated in our metropolitan city. Casually, in private conversation, he has been heard to observe, with evident disapproval that members of the different creeds wrangle, quarrel, fight, persecute unto the shedding of blood, and all for the love of God and the salvation of man. How far the above was expressive of his internal conviction, the writer is unable to say. He may not have been an agnostic, but seemingly, did not consider belief in any religious creed essential to salvation. In private life he was honest, temperate, neighborly, public spirited, always in excellent repute. At his decease, his last judicial term was nearing its close. His successor probably will be from Chenango county, and most likely, will be present Representative Ray or present County Judge Gladding. Mr. Follett is survived by his wife, who was Miss Jane P. Randall of Cortland, and a son, Henry R. Follett, esq., of Norwich--Evening Herald, Syracuse.
The funeral of Judge David L. Follett was held on Saturday at 2 p.m. from his late home in Norwich. The services were largely attended by a distinguished assemblage of people, including ex-Governor David B. Hill, judges and pr0ominent men from all parts of the state. The members of the Chenango county bar, attended in a body, with large number of representatives of the bar from adjoining counties. The services were of a brief but most impressive character. The honorary bearers were visiting judges and the following: ex-Governor David B. Hill, William H. Johnson, E.H. Risley, RG. Bassett, Albert Harris, T.C. Rose, R.E. Ringe and Hon. George W. Ray. Burial was made in the Follett family plot in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]. The most conspicuous floral offering was a representation of the scales of justice, in pink roses and white carnations, presented by the Chenango County bar. The Chenango county bar was represented by W.H. Hyde, Hon. Charles W. Brown, Herbert C. Stratton, Vernon D. Stratton, Bert D. Riley, John R. Glovers, Oxford; Hon. Stephen Holden, D.L. Atkyns, Sherburne; W.B. Matterson, Irving J. Tillman, Bainbridge; George A. Haven, Afton; M.F Porter, L.E. Chase, Eugene Clinton, Charles Clinton, Greene; H.H. Harrington, O.F. Matterson, New Berlin; George P. Pudney, Smyrna. [Bainbridge Republican, July 12, 1899]
Masonville [Delaware Co., NY]: On Tuesday morning, the 23rd, Mrs. M.M. Vail entered into rest. She was born in this town eighty years ago and had always resided here; she had been in failing health for sometime and gradually declined from the infirmities of age rather than any disease until she passed away. Mrs. Vail was a woman of marked personality and was highly respected by this community. Her husband, Reuben A. Vail, died several years ago. She is survived by nine children, seven of whom were present at the funeral, which was held from her late home on Saturday the services being conducted by Rev. Mr. Edds of Sidney. [Bainbridge Republican, July 2, 1903]
Masonville [Delaware Co., NY]: Mrs. Newton Keith one of our best respected inhabitants passed suddenly away Friday morning. On the previous day Mrs. Keith was in usual health and did the household work but during the night was taken violently ill and though medical aid was quickly procured which relieved her suffering she succumbed early the next morning. Mrs. Keith came to this town with her husband from Otsego county about forty years ago and had acquired a large circle of friends in this community. A few years ago she lost her only son, who left four children, two of whom have been cared for by their grandparents and her death seems doubly sad on their account. [Bainbridge Republican, July 2, 1903]
At the home of her son, Irving Coe of West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Mrs. Ruth Coe died Thursday night of apoplexy, aged eighty-two years. The funeral was held Sunday at twelve o'clock at the son's home and burial was in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]. Rev C..D. Reed officiated at the services. The singers were the quartette, Messrs. Banner, Strong, Bentley and Smith, of Bainbridge. Mrs. Coe's husband died several years ago. She is survived by two sons. [Bainbridge Republican, July 9, 1903]
Mrs. Morgianna Craig Kirby died Saturday morning, July 4th, at her residence, the home of her youth, on North Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], aged seventy-one years. She had been an invalid for the past year, finally symptoms of cancer developing which made certain that she was to become a victim of a disease that was remorseless and hopeless in its progress and ultimate end. Her death brought deep sorrow to her family and cast a gloom over the many friends who had known her from childhood, and to whose esteem and love she was indelibly placed. Mrs. Kirby was born in Bainbridge. Her father, Daniel S. Craig, died in early manhood and her mother, Olive Craig, survived to past eighty years dying at her daughter's home, "The Pillars," below Bainbridge, a few years since. Mrs. Kirby's entire life was spent in Bainbridge, receiving her education from the select schools of the place of which there were none better in their superior and scholarly grade of teachers. She was united in marriage with Charles P. Kirby, a merchant of the village, in 1854, whose death occurred December 19, 1900. Three children were born who are: Mary E., Charles C. and Edward G Kirby, all residents of Bainbridge. Mrs. Kirby was one of the choice women of the world. She was devoted to home ties a model wife and a loving mother. Her friendship was of the purest type loyal and true, sympathetic in sorrow, and practical in all cases of need. Among her cardinal virtues was her broad feeling of charity towards others' faults, loth to believe evil and judging with kindness and love. Her natural temperament was one of calmness and cheerfulness which pervaded all through the sufferings of the last few months, and helped to sustain the daughter in her unceasing care and solicitude. Mrs. Kirby was a member of St Peter's Church to which she became allied to childhood, and her service and usefulness in promoting its interests were assiduous until failing health forbade prominence. After a few years of mercantile life, Mr. Kirby retired to the paternal estate, "The Pillars," which celebrated for its generous and delightful hospitality, was continued under the new regime, and the remembrance of its cordiality and dispensation will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Kirby's failing health obliged him latterly to give up the care of the large farm and he came with his family to reside in the village where he died about three years ago. The funeral of Mrs. Kirby was held from her late home, Monday at 4 o'clock, p.m. Rev. W.E. Tanner officiating. The burial was in st Peter's cemetery. The flowers were many and very beautiful that covered the coffin, emblematic of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.
"Her memory long will live along
In all our hearts, as mournful light
That broods above the fallen sun,
And dwells in heaven half the night."
[Bainbridge Republican, July 9, 19034]
No comments:
Post a Comment