Obituaries (July 6)

The Walton Chronicle of September 19 makes the following kindly reference to Rolla B. Pratt whose death in the Philippines was announced in the Bainbridge Republican two weeks since:  "The sad news of the death of Rolla B. Pratt, a soldier in the Tenth cavalry, was announced to his mother and other members of his family in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] a short time ago.  Charles D. Pratt, a brother of the deceased, is one of the proprietors of the "Bainbridge," one of that town's leading hotels.  It will be remembered that Rolla B. Pratt was the son of Henry Pratt formerly proprietor of the Central hotel in this village.  The family removed from Walton [Delaware Co., NY] some fifteen years ago and located in Appalachian N.Y., where Mr. Pratt died a few years later.  When the Pratt family resided in Walton, Rolla B., was a small lad, but he gave promise of developing characteristics of generosity and filial affection which was proven by his remembrance of his aged mother while he was in the service."  [Bainbridge Republican, Sept. 25, 1902]

 

Maude F. Jacobs, wife of William E. Hartman, passed into rest during the night of Thursday, September 25th.  She had been in a critical condition with erysipelas of the stomach for two weeks, and had borne with remarkable patience the intense suffering occasioned.  The end came as a sweet relief, and she was ushered into the better land, where bodily distress is unknown.  Mrs. Hartman was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jacobs, of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], and was born at South Oxford, December 2, 1872.  She was a young woman of a most lovable disposition and Christian character, ever cheerful and ready to give a kind word or a word of praise, or to extend a helping hand, but never willing to say a word that might cause pain or injury to any one.  She loved her home and seldom could be induced to leave it except to attend religious services or to cheer a neighboring home by her presence and helpfulness occasionally.  Her devoted husband seconded her efforts to make the home life ideal, and it was indeed such a home that has been thus rudely shattered by the angel of death.  The deceased was a member of the Baptist Church and a devoted servant of the cause she represented, ever faithful in attending the services of the church and Sunday school whenever her health would permit.  The funeral services were held at the home on Sunday.  The Rev. Charles D. Reed, her pastor, officiated, and spoke briefly of "The Passing of the Blest," his remarks being based upon Revelations, 14th chapter and thirteenth verse, "Blessed are the dead who died in the lord, from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." the singers, Mrs. C.D. Reed, Miss Viola Shaver, Mrs. R.W. Kirby and Messrs. W.A. Hart and Lewis Kniskern rendered some appropriate selections.  The floral tributes were numerous and very beautiful, among them being a pillow from Mr. Hartman, an anchor from the employees of the Separator Company, roses, carnations and chrysanthemums from the American Separator Company, a pillow and a cross from the neighbors, a large drooping bouquet of pink and white roses and a wreath of lilies from the Baptist church, and a broken wheel from the Roberts Hose Co., besides large bouquets of callas, carnations and dahlias from other friends.  The remains were laid to rest in Green Lawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY], beside the body of a little daughter.  The husband and the father and mother survive to mourn their loss, and many are those who mourn with them.

"Dear sister, thou hast left us;

We our loss do deeply feel.

But 'tis God that hath bereft us--

He can all our sorrows heal."

[Bainbridge Republican, Oct. 2, 1902]

 

Effie E., wife of E.G. Kirby, was born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] June 17, 1869, and departed this life at her home on Algerine street, Afton, September 28.  She leaves to mourn their loss, a husband and three children, Arthur, Margaret and Henry, also a father and mother, two sisters and a brother.  They feel their loss most keenly, and have the sympathy of the entire community.  Mrs. Kirby was a quiet unassuming lady, a loving and self-sacrificing daughter and sister, a kind and affectionate wife and an ideal mother.  As a neighbor and friend she was true and will be greatly missed.  The funeral was held from her late home on Wednesday, at 10 o'clock, and was largely attended.  Her pastor Rev. C.E.Sweet officiated and interment was at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NYH]. 

"She vanished, we cannot say she died,

'Twas a narrow space did heaven and earth divide;

So sudden death did come to her.

She did but dream of heaven, and she was there.

But that she died we only have to show,

The mortal past of her life she kept below;

The rest, so smooth, so peacefully she went,

Looked like translation through the firmament."

[Bainbridge Republican, Oct. 2, 1902]

 

Mrs. Alta Gridley, who went to a Philadelphia hospital for an operation, lived less than a week after the operation and was brought to Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] in her coffin.  The funeral service was held Monday afternoon at her old home, the service being in charge of Rev. C.M. Olmstead.  There were fifty carriages in the procession.  Burial was in Yaleville cemetery [Guilford, NY].  [Bainbridge Republican, Oct. 2, 1902]

 

Alexander Wildey, aged 87 years, and a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for thirty years or more, died Wednesday, September 24, and funeral was held Friday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarissa Watts, on Front street.  Burial in Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY].  besides the above named he is survived by two children, Mrs. Rachel Batterson of Bainbridge, and a son living west.  [Bainbridge Republican, Oct. 2, 1902]

Myron C. Harris, aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harris of Algerine Street [Afton, Chenango Co., NY], was almost instantly killed while hunting, Saturday morning, when a 12-gauge shotgun accidentally discharged; the charge tearing away the lower part of his abdomen.  Myron Harris, in company with Leonard Norton of Endicott, came to his home in Afton to visit.  He started out early Saturday morning with his brother and young Norton to hunt rabbits.  Fred Harris told investigators that they were about 100 feet apart, when they hears a shot.  Upon investigation it is believed the gun was discharged when he put the butt down on the ground when he stopped to rest and eat an apple.  Fred Harris, his brother who is two years younger than his brother, and young Norton who accompanied him on the trip, heard the report of the gun and believed that Myron had shot a rabbit.  They called to him and when he failed to answer ran to him finding his body face downward on the ground, a partially eaten apple in his hand.  Young Harris was moaning and his brother, Fred, realizing that he was wounded seriously, ran to their farm home, hitched up a horse and came back to the spot only to find that his brother had died.  state troopers of Troop C in Sidney, investigated.  Coroner E.L. Bennett of Bainbridge pronounced death due to accident.  The funeral was held from the Baptist Church in this place Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and was largely attended.  The Afton School of which he had been a former student, attended in a body.  Rev. Lester D. Huxtable officiated and burial was in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, NY].  [LMD notation:  Oct. 8, 1930]

George Blankley, 33, of Rockwell Mills [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY] died in the Fox Memorial hospital, Oneonta, Wednesday, March 13.  He is survived by his wife, Hattie Macumber Blankley; a daughter, Doris Marie; a son, William George Blankley; his mother, Mrs. William Blankley of Rockwell mills; a sister, Mrs. James Rowe of Gilbertsville.  The funeral was held at the home with the Rev. Craig of Gilbertsville officiating.  The body was placed in the vault at Gilbertsville for burial later in Butternut Valley cemetery [Otsego Co.,  NY].  [LMD notation:  d., 1940]