Obituaries (September 19)

The Rev. William Allen Johnson D.D., a venerable priest of the diocese of Connecticut, died at Littleton, Colo., on the 8th inst., at the age of 78 years.  Doctor Johnson was a graduate of Columbia College, taking his M.A. degree in 1857, and was ordained to the diaconate the same year by the Bishop of New York and to the priesthood the year following by Bishop De Lancey.  He was professor emeritus of Berkeley Divinity School at the time of his death.  He had also served in parochial work in the dioceses of Connecticut and New York, and for six years at St. Mary's, Burlington, N.J.  For several years last past, he has lived in retirement at Littleton, Colo., on account of the state of his health.  A scholarly gentleman, and a Catholic-minded priest, he has served the church with faithfulness.  His memory will be cherished by all with whom he came in contact.  R.I.P.  "The Living Church"  May 15th.  Doctor Johnson will be remembered in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] as having been Rector of St. Peter's church from 1857-1862.  He came to St. Peter's church, May 30, 1857, from the Theological Seminary at New York, serving half the time at Guilford.  After two years he dissolved his relations with Guilford giving his time to Bainbridge.  He remained here until October 19, 1862.  While in Bainbridge he founded St. Ann's Parish at Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  He married Miss Henrietta Chamberlain, of Afton sister of the late Mrs. Joseph Juliand of Bainbridge.  Doctor Johnson came to Bainbridge a young man, this church being his first charge.  He was a great worker and under him the church grew and prospered.  Everyone in the village of all denominations liked him and deeply regretted his departure.  He ascended to the highest pinnacle in the religious and literary world.  His superior qualities of mind and heart carried him to a supreme position and his eminence is one of the features of recent church history.  Besides his wife, three daughters and two sons survive, who are, Euphemia Johnson, teacher at All Saints School, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Margaret, Roosevelt and Barent Johnson of Littleton, Colo.;  and Katharine Johnson of New York City [Bainbridge Republican, May 27, 1909]

 

Sunday morning, about 11 a.m., T.J. Cable found a man lying near Nash's feed store with his head badly hurt.  The man, who was identified as Frank Bush, had evidently struck on the head while attempting to jump from the south bound freight.  Dr. R.M. Clark cared for him until the arrival of Dr. A.H. Evans, who accompanied him on the milk train nearly to Oneida, but Mr. Bush died near Easton.  Coroner Brooks was summoned there and an autopsy held by Doctors Wiles and Pfaff at Campbell's undertaking rooms.  Mr. Bush was about 22 years old and had been staying with August Kegel near Guilford.  He left there Saturday afternoon, saying he was going to Norwich and would return Sunday.  He was the son of Judson Bush, Norwich.  The autopsy revealed the fact that there was a fracture of the skull and a clot of blood on the brain.  Mr. Bush had evidently walked or crawled five or six rods from the place where he was hurt, for a pool of blood was found near the O.W. station.  He was able to speak only a few words after he was discovered.  [Bainbridge Republican, May 27, 1909]

 

Horace G. Phelps died at his home in the town of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY] near Sidney, last Sunday night.  Mr. Phelps was one of the best known men in Otsego and Delaware counties.  Mr. Phelps was 75 years of age at the time of death.  Nearly all his days have been spent at his farm on the Unadilla river.  As a young man, Mr. Phelps conducted farms and dealt in lands, but later in life he entered the Stock Market.  He has been very successful as a speculator.  For the last five years Mr. Phelps has been suffering from rheumatic troubles.  The deceased is survived by a wife, Isabell Talcott Phelps.  [Bainbridge Republican, May 27, 1909]

 

Miss Gertrude Fletcher, who was for eight years principal of the River street school at Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], died at the home of her sister, Mrs. H.C. Bedford, at 72 Spruce street, yesterday morning, at 4:20 o'clock, after a lingering illness of 14 months from anemia.  Miss Fletcher was the daughter of the late Joseph and Susan Fletcher, and she was born at White Plains, but Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] had been her home for many years.  She taught school for years and was for several years engaged at New Rochelle.  She retired from the principalship of the River street school here about 17 years ago, since which time she has not taught.  During her last illness she has been with the sister and she has been given tender care and kind ministration.  Miss Fletcher was a member of the Presbyterian church at Bainbridge and her's was a beautiful Christian character.  She was a woman of tender sympathies and lived that she might be of help and assistance to others and many will mourn her death.  Among former pupils she was much esteemed.  She is survived by two brothers, Principal Walter J. Fletcher, of Jamestown, and Oscar Fletcher, of Bainbridge, and three sisters, Mrs. Georgia Weller, of Bainbridge, Mrs. Sarah Ramsdell, of Forestville, and Mrs. H.C. Bedford of Oneonta--Oneonta Star May 21.  The remains were brought to Bainbridge on the 1:30 p.m. train, Saturday, and taken to the residence of her sister, Mrs. Georgia Weller.  The funeral was held at 2:30 that afternoon, Rev. H.C. White officiating.  Interment was in Green Lawn [Bainbridge, NY]  [Bainbridge Republican, May 27, 1909]

 

Died--At his late residence in the village of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on the 28th inst., Mr. S.N. Copley, aged 53 years.

After great suffering, protracted through many years, and after mental and spiritual conflict in times of darkness, probably born of physical weakness and pain, his soul turned back to the refuge of the "Everlasting Arms," and the end was peace.  With returning confidence in his Redeemer many months ago, in speaking of his own experience he alluded to the comfort coming to him from the sure word of God, and used the lines which had lately come to him with  new meaning and power.

 

"The soul
that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

He will never, no never desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

He will never, no never, no never forsake."

 

More recently, in glad anticipation of going home, while resting after long continued pain, he spoke gratefully of comfort given, and said:

 

"Jesus can make a dying bed

Feel soft as down pillows are,

While on the breast, I lean my head

And breathe my life out sweetly there."

 

Towards the last he repeatedly alluded to his trust, and with continued possession of his mental powers, a little time before the end he exclaimed, "Yes, Lord!" and soon passed away to the unending joy and rest.  A bereaved mother, with other relatives and friends are left to mourn, but not to sorrow as those who have no hope.  [Compiler note:  Seely N. Copley died 28 May 1888]

 

Florilla, widow of Isaac Pettys, was born in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 22d, 1806, and died at her home in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] ,Jan. 11th, 1882.  For over fifty years her life was identified with the history of our village.  Her husband, Captain Pettys, who died thirteen years ago, was an active member of the community, having for some time kept the hotel of the place, and was widely known.  Mrs. Pettys was the mother of seven children, two of whom died in childhood, while three others, Mrs. B.C. Campbell, Mrs. R.C. Stockwell, and Mrs. G.S. Graves, have died within the last fifteen years.  Two children, Nelson and Ellen, and seventeen grandchildren, mourn the loss of one, who was ever lending a helping hand, and who, by a thousand acts of kindness has endeared her memory to all who knew her.  Her last sickness was short, and her death the peaceful end of the Christian.

 

Another life's work is ended;

Another soul is at rest;

Another voice is blended

In the chorus of the blest.