Obituaries (October 12)

Many deaths have taken place in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] within the past year but none have been more sad or occasioned more universal regret throughout the community than has the passing of the spirit of pretty Nellie Curlhair, at 5 o'clock, Saturday morning, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Curlhair.  The daughter was fifteen years old and was a pupil in the High School, prosecuting her studies with rapid advance, h7er health being ordinarily good, until Sunday evening, one week ago, upon her return from church, alarming symptoms of illness began to develop which very soon determined peritonitis in its worst form baffling the skill of physicians and the care of friends.  Miss Nellie was a beautiful girl, all that was loveable and sweet in her home, her sunny temperament being a perpetual ray of sunshine which cast its gleams wherever she moved.  In school she was a favorite and notwithstanding her studious habits she enjoyed the pleasures of companionship.  Her merry jests and joyous laughter were frequently heard but under the surface was a thoughtful religious sentiment that had a gentle influence over her young friends.  She had an exalted love for all the ordinances of her church--the Methodist church--and to participate in its services was her greatest joy.  She was a member of the Sunday school, the Epworth League, and a few weeks ago was taken into full membership of the church.  The crossing of the river of death had no terrors for Nellie and she left her friends murmuring "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!"

"The light of her young life went down,

As sinks behind the hill

The glory of a setting star--

Clear, suddenly, and still."

The funeral services were held in the M.E. church, Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the audience room being filled to the doors with sympathetic friends.  The address of the pastor, Rev. C.H. Sackett, was affecting in its pathos, tender appreciation of the deceased, and words of consolation offered to the bereaved family.  The casket was surrounded with a wealth of flowers in various forms.  Among them were offerings from the High School, the Epworth League, Roberts Hose Co. and Creamery.  The burial was in Green Lawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]. 

"Alone unto our Father's will

One thought hath reconciled--

That He whose love exceedeth ours

hath taken home his child.

 

Fold her, oh Father! in thine arms,

And let her henceforth be

A messenger of love between

Our human hearts and thee."

[Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 7, 1898]

 

Benjamin Y. Cooper:  Large, sympathetic, and respectful was the company which gathered at the funeral of Mr. B.Y. Cooper on Monday afternoon of this week.  Mr. Cooper, with his wife and brother Mr. Marcus Cooper and wife, had been a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for nearly twenty years, coming from the old Cooper homestead in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], where he had lived for nearly forty-eight years.  It was to the above mentioned home that these two brothers took their wives and lived as one family with their parents.  Their father and mother having passed away and the brothers desiring to retire form active toil, they moved to their home on North Main street [Bainbridge] and there they lived as one family in a truly happy and peaceful manner.  From this latter home the bodies of both brothers were laid away to rest.  In all their lifetime nothing but an ideal existence was passed.  Mr. Cooper had not been feeling very strong of late years and yet the way he was stricken down was sudden and painful.  It was late on Thanksgiving afternoon that he entered his home with a severe attack of the heart.  When the doctor was summoned, life was nearly if not quite gone, but was revived after a short time.  But from that hour until within a few hours of his departure there was little physical comfort for him.  At last life ebbed gently and restfully away early last Saturday morning, after more than two weeks of suffering.  Mr. Cooper, as all who knew him know, was a quiet, unpretentious, unassuming, kind-hearted, broad-minded man.  Never impatient, never allowing himself to [..?..].  From the first of his sickness, he was aware that he could not get well, and so he made every preparation even to the minutest details of kindness, such as Christmas gifts to the grand-nephews whom he hugged to his bosom, when vision was gone, and bade them good-bye as calmly as though he were going down town.  Thus ended a life of seventy-eight years.  Funeral services were performed by Rev. J.E. Vassar of the Baptist Church and interment took place in the family cemetery in Guilford.  The Male Quartet of the Baptist church rendered beautiful and appropriate music....The Cooper family and Mr. I.D. Yale wish to express their deep gratitude to all who by their presence and help were so kind in the many hours of care and anxiety as well as at the last services of respect to their departed loved one.  [Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 14, 1898]

 

The funeral of Mrs. George Cox, who died Sunday morning, Dec. 24, at her home in Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY], was held Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Cameron of Masonville, officiating.  There was a large attendance of people.  Mrs. Cox was 63 years old.  She came from Ireland when seventeen years old and after some few years came to Bainbridge and lived in the family of Mr. Comstock, who was a merchant in this village.  Mrs. Cox was married twice, her first husband being Henry Redfield, a brother of Pardon and Achsa Redfield, now deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Redfield went to Bennettsville to reside upon the farm where both have died.  There were 3 children by this union:  Mrs. Ida Lloyd of Franklin, Mrs. Julia Matteson of Masonville and Homer Redfield of Davenport Center, Mr. Cox and Mrs.. Redfield were married 22 years ago, four years after the death of Mr. Redfield.  There were no children by the second marriage.  Mrs. Cox had been an invalid for a long time but received unremitting attention from her husband.  The burial was in the Redfield lot in Prospect  Hill cemetery, Sidney [Chenango Co., NY].  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 3, 1900]

 

The death of Hugh N. Ireland occurred Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 1900, at 8 o'clock at the home of his uncle, W.H. Ireland, near West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  He was born in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1868, and during his early boyhood his home was in Bainbridge.  He became a printer and worked at his trade until last May, when he was stricken with typhoid pneumonia which developed later into consumption.  A few weeks ago he experienced a complete change of heart and became as a little child in the things of the future life.  The repentance of his former life was genuine and to have the Bible read and explained to him was the one thing he seemed to desire above all others.  His belief and faith came as spontaneously and easily as to a little child and he died happy in the knowledge of sins forgiven and the promise of a future life with his Redeemer.  He was baptized two weeks before he died by Rev. M. Sackett, who was his spiritual advisor.  The funeral occurred at his home Friday at 1 o'clock, Rev. C.H. Sackett officiating.  The interment being at Union Valley [West Bainbridge, NY].  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 10, 1900]

 

John Cheeper, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], aged 22 years, was found dead in a house kept by John Paul, near the tracks, Saturday morning.  Paul claims Cheeper drank a half gallon of whiskey the night before.  The police are investigating.  Cheeper was a glass blower by occupation.  His death seemed to be the result of foul play as his face was smeared with blood and there seemed evidences of strangling the throat.  The town authorities do not think the evidence is direct enough to warrant an arrest although Paul's house has borne a bad reputation.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 17, 1900]

 

Car Inspector, E. Baker of Nineveh [Broome Co., NY], who has been for many years at that place, was burned to death, near his shanty, Friday night.  Early Saturday morning his half-burned body was found beside a tree, at the foot of the railroad grade, near his shanty at the Nineveh yard.  It is supposed Mr. Baker's clothes caught fire in the shanty from his torch and that he rolled in the snow to put out the fire, and rolled off the embankment and injured himself and being helpless burned to death.  Baker was 60 years of age.  His wife died quite recently.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 17, 1900]