Obituaries (October 2)

The Clinton (Iowa) Herald of Dec. 21st says:  Charles Franklin Curtis aged 69 years, pioneer Clinton business man founder of Curtis Bros. & Co., died suddenly shortly before 7 o'clock this morning at his Fifth avenue home, his death being the result of heart failure.  Charles F. Curtis was born April 3, 1846, in Oxford, Chenango county, N.Y., the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Curtis, both natives of New York, and of English ancestry.  The family moved to a farm in Ogle county, Ill., near Rochelle, in 1856, and resided there until 1868, when they moved to Clinton, where Mrs. Curtis, the mother, died in 1890 and Mr. Curtis, the father, in 1891.  Mr. Curtis was a member of the Masonic fraternity having taken the degree of the Work and Scottish Rites and 33 degree Mason.  In politics he was a Republican.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian congregation.  He became a member of the Wapsipincon club almost at its organization and for ten years prior to 1913 was its president, declining re-election at that time.  He was a charter member of the Golf and Country club and was actively interested in it.  While not a member of the church itself he was one of its readiest and most liberal supporters.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 6, 1916]

 

John F. Sherwood, who for many years had conducted a drug store in Guilford [Chenango County, NY], died on New Year's Day aged 71 years.  While a young man, Mr. Sherwood spent a number of years in New York City and held a position in the well known firm of Lord & Taylor.  Returning to Guilford he spent the remainder of his life in that town, for a great many years carried on the business of druggist.  Twice he was burned out and following the first fire he erected a store building with living rooms on the second floor, but a few years after, that too was burned by a fire, which started in the opera house nearby.  Nothing daunted be soon secured rooms and continued in business.  Though not physically strong Mr. Sherwood has carried on his business until a few weeks ago when he suffered from an attack of heart trouble.  He was a descendant of a family well known in the early history of Guilford and of the county.  Mr. Sherwood is survived by his wife, one brother, Hosmer M. Sherwood, and several nieces and nephews.  The funeral services were held at Christ church on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rector Rev. Edward C. Hoskins, officiating.  Burial was in Sunset cemetery [Guilford, NY].  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 13, 1916]

 

Frederick Dickinson, son of Thomas and Eliza Dickinson and brother of Thomas and Andrew Dickinson (deceased) passed away Jan. 3d, 1916, at his home 562 Bryant Avenue, Chicago, Ill., in his 81st year.  He went to Chicago in 1856 and engaged in the wholesale grocery and ship supply business on South Water St. and also had been a member of the Board of Trade in that city since 1860.  Mr. Dickinson was born in Guilford on Aug. 22, 1835, and was married to Miss Julia Booth of Pittsburgh, in 1861.  He is survived by his widow, three sons and one grandson.  I.P. Rumsey formerly his business partner in speaking of him said:  "Mr. Dickinson was one of the purest finest men I ever knew.  He was scrupulously correct in everything he did.  I was very closely connected with him for thirty years."  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 20, 1916]

 

Dorus Gurdon Backus died at his home on Cherry street in this village on Thursday morning, Jan. 6, at 2 o'clock.  Mr. Backus was a large man weighing about 325 pounds and the cause of his death was heart trouble.  He was a native of the town of Sidney [Delaware Co.,  NY] having been born at Youngs, May 24, 1852.  He had been a resident of the village but a short time.  His funeral was held Saturday from his late home at 1:30 p.m., Rev. B.W. Dix of the Methodist church officiating.  Interment was in Prospect Hill cemetery [Sidney, NY].   He is survived by two daughters, with one of whom he resided, Miss Grace Backus, a well known professional nurse--Sidney Enterprise.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 20, 1916]

 

Willie B. Leach died Monday  morning at 4:30 o'clock at his home in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] aged 64 years.  Mr. Leach had been Clerk of the Board of Supervisors for 23 consecutive years and had served short terms previous to that time.  Mr. Leach was an attorney at law and especially well versed in county affairs.  He is survived by his wife; two daughters,  Misses Anna and Ruth Leach, and two sons, David and William Leach.  Funeral services was held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. H.W. Foreman officiating.  Burial was in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].  His father was at one time Superintendent of the Poor.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 20, 1916]

 

Mrs. Harriett Moore, widow of Oscar Moore, a Civil War veteran, was burned to death between 5 and 6 o'clock at her home, north of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] Thursday evening.  Just how the accident happened is unknown, but it is believed that she had lighted a lamp and thrown a match onto the floor, as a hole was burned through the floor.  In attempting to put out the fire her clothes probably caught fire.  No one was at home at the time and her accident was not discovered until her son, George, returning from the work found her lying on the floor by the kitchen door.  Her clothes and hair were burned off.  Mrs. Moore was 59 years of age and in poor health.  Her husband died only a few weeks ago.  The funeral was held at the home Sunday at 1 o'clock.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 20, 1916]

 

Monday morning Jan. 10, 1916, a dark shadow was cast over the whole community as the sad intelligence spread announcing the sudden death of Alton B. Lyon.  Earnest prayer was made by his friends and the Church for his recovery, the best medical skill was employed and two trained nurses and his devoted wife and faithful parents watched and ministered day and night to the end that healing and restoration might be given, but Alton B. slipped away from their kind ministry to the land of friends, music and flowers, to the house not made by hands eternal in the heavens.  Alton B. Lyon was born Oct. 6, 1881, in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], and when 16 years of age his people moved from Coventry to this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co.,  NY] to give him the advantage of a High School training. He was graduated from the Bainbridge High School in the class of 1901.  After his graduation he was given a position of trust in the Milford Bank and later served acceptably in the Wilber National Bank of Oneonta.  For three or four years he was engaged with his father, Geo. Lyon, in the lumber business, and for nine years was engaged in the coal business in Sidney.  This business he disposed of about a year ago because of declining health.  For the past year he had been living at Whitney Point and with his family was visiting his parents when taken ill.  The deceased friend was married Oct. 23, 1907 to Miss Mina Chauncy.  Two bright and healthy children were given to bless this union.  Mr. Lyon was a young man of cheerful disposition and radiated good cheer in all the circles he touched.  He was a man of strict virtue and uprightness of life and was interested in every good work that sought to promote good will and goodness among men.  He had a host of friends in the circles where he lived, loved and achieved.  This was evidenced by the profusion of beautiful, fragrant floral pieces that came from his friends and admirers in home, church, social and business circles.  The funeral services were held from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lyon on South Main street this village, Thursday afternoon, Jan. 13, 1916, and were in charge of Rev. Frank James, assisted by Rev. Dr. Fletcher of Sidney.  The funeral oration was full of worthy praise for the unselfish and upright life of the departed and overflowing with assurances of Divine comfort for the sad, sorrowing and lonely hearts.  The bearers were Dr. Ralph Loomis, Floyd Doolittle, Herbert C. Kibbe and Glen Fical.  The interment was made in Green Lawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  The surviving friends are:  His widow, Mrs. A.B. Lyon, and two children, Thelma and Wilfred Lyon; also Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lyon, honored parents, and a sister, Mrs. S.B. Hollenbeck...[Bainbridge Republican, Ja. 20, 1916]

 

Captain John E. Barnaby of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], his two daughters, Mrs. C.J. Perry of Little Falls, and Mrs. Josiah Sill, of Brooklyn, Pa., and Mrs. J.H. Sherman of Schenectady lost their lives in a fire which gutted a rooming house in Schenectady on Tuesday afternoon of last week.  Captain Barnaby went to Schenectady about November 1 to spend the winter with his daughters.  Seven others, including two grandsons of Capt. Barnaby were injured, two perhaps fatally.  The fire started in the lower floor of the two story rooming house at 143 Barrett street, Schenectady, and the flames swept so rapidly through the structure that Captain Barnaby and his daughters, occupying rooms in the second story, though fully dressed, were unable to reach the street.  The late Capt. John E. Barnaby was a most genial, companionable man, greatly liked by all.  He was well kept for one of his years.  In the Civil War he saw four years of service, re-enlisting after the first three years, his commission as Captain was signed by President Lincoln and he was proud of that document.  For many years he was connected in business with the Strong Lumber Co., of LaPorte, Ind., but his home was in Masonville, although born in 1838 in Otsego Co.  He was united in marriage Dec. 13, 1866, to Marion Gould, whose death occurred about five years ago.  He was 78 years of age.  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 20, 1916]

Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY]:  It is hoped that all the people will be careful how they use gasoline.  Our comrade John Barnaby and daughters while in a boarding establishment in Schenectady lost their lives.  So terrible. Their friends have the sympathy of all his G.A.R. comrades and other friends and former neighbors.  We all regret it very much.  The Lord is calling.  Who will be next?  [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 13, 1916]