Mrs. Alice B. Keeler, wife of the Rev. S.M. Keeler, died at her home on Academy St., on Tuesday evening, Sept. 5th. The funeral services were held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at her late residence. They were conducted by Rev. Arthur Spaulding, her pastor, assisted by Rev. C.H. Sackett of the Methodist church. After the services at the house the body was laid away in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY]. With the death of Mrs. Keeler a very useful and a very rich life is brought to its earthly close. She was born at North Salem, Westchester Co., N.Y., on the 14th of August, 1835. This remained her home until her marriage. Her education was received at the young ladies' seminary in the neighboring town of Carmel and later at a seminary at Bridgeport, Conn. At the early age of fourteen she united with the Presbyterian church at North Salem, N.Y., and the faith that she then professed in Jesus Christ she maintained throughout her life with rare sweetness and simplicity. On August 24th, 1857, she was married to Rev. S.M. Keeler. For forty-two years they were permitted to enjoy each other, bravely meeting life's problems and happy in its joys. Among the several pastorates of these forty-two years was that at Guilford Centre from 1863-1866, during the unsettled period of the Civil War. Here came the first great sorrow in the death of a little daughter four and a half years old. The last parish was at Jeffersonville, Pa. It was here that the wife began to feel that her strength was waning and that the active duties of the pastorate were too great a tax upon her. At the earnest solicitation of the son who was then in Boston, the pastorate at Jeffersonville was resigned in 1896 and the father and mother went to Newton Centre, a suburb of Boston, to make a home for the son Here they remained a year and a half when the son's business connections were changed from Boston to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Keeler than came to Bainbridge, locating in the pleasant home on Academy St.., near their daughter, Mrs. Geo. Ives. Husband and wife were happy in the thought that this would not only be a resting place for themselves in the closing years of life, but that it would be a place also that their children might call home and be the scene of many happy reunions. These hopes were realized but one short year. Early in the present year the signs of disease asserted themselves with more persistence than they had previously shown A gradually increasing weakness and prostration which seemed to elude the skill of the physician took possession of her. Everything that loving hearts could devise and loving hands could perform was done for her restoration to health. Toward the end the body was racked by intense suffering and she prayed that if it were God's will she might be taken home soon The last hours were peaceful and without suffering. She went as one would fall asleep. Those who knew her well realized that she was possessed of an unusually equable temperament. There was a serenity of disposition, a repose in her manner that suggested a deep and abiding faith in God. The ties of affection that united husband and wife, mother and children were unusually strong. This in itself is one of the best attestations of character. The memory of the wife and mother will rest like a sweet presence in the lives of those who now feel such a sense of loss.---Arthur Spaulding. [Bainbridge Republican, Sept. 13, 1899]
Mrs. Lydia Hovey, wife of Hiram Hovey of Union Valley [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], died at her home Friday afternoon, aged 61 years. Mrs. Hovey had experienced a sickness of years from erysipelas and her suffering at times was severe from its intensity but she endured all with patient fortitude. Her reliance upon the joys of the other world was supreme and she said in her dying moments that she had already had a glimpse of her heavenly home. Mrs. Hovey's life was a beautiful one in its Christian character, in its perfect family attributes, and in the ties of friendship rendered lasting with all with whom she came in contact. She was held in high esteem in whatever capacity she was associated. The deceased is survived, besides her husband, by one child, Mr. Louis Hovey of Utica, who holds a position on the N.Y. Central railroad. The funeral, which was held at 1:30 p.m., at the Union Valley M.E. church, was a very large one; the church was filled to overflowing. The funeral address was delivered by Rev. C.H. Sackett and the burial was in the West Bainbridge cemetery.....[Bainbridge Republican, Sept. 13, 1899]
At Utica [Oneida Co., NY], Wednesday, November 29, 1899, Julia M., wife of Hiram W. Cable, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died aged 57 years. The funeral was held at the Episcopal church of Guilford Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. G.G. Perrine officiating. The burial was in the Guilford cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Cable were well known in Bainbridge twenty years or so ago. They passed several summers here in succession. Mrs. Cable possessed a voice of rare culture and often sang in our churches delighting the audiences. [Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 6, 1899]
Samuel Burnside, who was taken to the Binghamton state hospital for treatment about a year and a half ago, died at that institution last Wednesday. Mr. Burnside had been a resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] for a great many years. During his life he had accumulated a great deal of property, and just previous to his being removed to the hospital he deeded the same to a man by the name of Sitterly, with the understanding that he was to care for Mr. Burnside during the remainder of his life. After Mr. Burnside was declared insane, an action was brought to recover the property, which resulted successfully. The remains were brought to Afton on train No. 4 Thursday, and Friday, at 10 o'clock a.m., the funeral services were observed at his former residence on Spring street, Rev. Geo. Adams officiating. He was 73 years of age. Burial in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY] [Note: tombstone in Glenwood reads as follows: "Samuel Burnside / Died / Jan. 15, 1896 / Aged 80 Y'rs]
The body of Floyd Pudney, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Pudney, of East Main street, who was killed in action September 28, 1918, has arrived in Hoboken. Mr. Pudney was a member of the 107th Infantry machine gun, 27th division. Upon the arrival of the body in Norwich, funeral services will be held under the direction of the American Legion. [MHD notation: Mar. 18, 1921]
D.A. Olendorf, who was taken to the Binghamton state hospital for treatment about two years ago, died at that institution Monday of this week. The remains were brought to Afton Tuesday night and Thursday the funeral services will be held from the home of his father, J.M Olendorf. He leaves a wife to mourn his loss, besides a father and mother and two brothers. Deceased was 28 years of age. Burial in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY].
The body of Mrs. Jesse Hynds [nee Corbin], a former resident of this village, but who for many years past has resided in New York City, was brought here for burial on Tuesday. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Glen Cottage, the Summer home of her sister, Mrs. Ward Lewis, two miles below the town on the Bennettsville road. The burial will be at Green Lawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]. She is survived by a son and daughter and two sisters, Mrs. Mitchel of this village and Mrs. Ward Lewis of New York and Bainbridge. [MHD notation: Apr. 19, 1928]
Mrs. Gladys Krum died at 6:15 o'clock Monday night at her home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY]. She is survived by her husband, Garry Krum; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Tilyou, all of Afton; a sister, Mrs. Vern Wiley of Binghamton; two nieces and one nephew. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Baptist Church in Afton. Rev. L.D. Huxtable will officiate. Arrangements by Colwell Bros. [MHD notation: 1933]
Mrs. Ellen M. Little, wife of the late James Little of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died Saturday evening at her home, 620 Chenango Street. She is survived by four sons, George W. and David J. Little of this city, Edward S. Little of Morristown, N.J., and Clarence A Little of Rochester. Mrs. Little has resided in this city for the past twelve years, coming here from Afton. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at her home. Rev. Lloyd S. Ruland will officiate. Burial will be in Nineveh. Arrangements by Roberts & DeMunn. [MHD notation: 1932]
Entered into Life, on the afternoon of February 26th, Clara youngest daughter of Edward and Sophronia Thomas, aged 12 years. This is the record of the early ingathering of precious grain; of a noble promise disappointed, as men account, but in God's esteem accomplished and fulfilled. Through a long sickness of more than ordinary suffering -- her eyes sealed in blindness from the sight of those who, during the long weeks, hung so lovingly over her, and which seemed a stroke added to enhance the painfulness of her trial; yet through all, to the last, no wish that it might be otherwise escaped her lips save once, when we all thought that she must certainly recover, and even then, only, as she said to the writer, "If God wills." From the first she seemed to have foreseen her departure hence; but she repeated it not to the minor key of a lamentation, but as, to the last, to the jubilant major of gladness and peace. Her favorite prayer was that which the blessed Lord has taught; and in repeating it, as she has many times, she seemed to dwell upon the petition, "Thy will be done." And now God hath given to His beloved, sleep.
"Mother weep! the heart is flesh,
Wounds will bleed when they are fresh;
Gentlest hands the flower may crop,
Tears will trickle drop by drop.
Yet, weep not! that darling child,
Has but winged her winter flight
To the land of life and light,
Mothers' tears lie near the lid,
Mothers' tears cannot be hid;
This the thought to dry their eyes--
One more song in Paradise!"
[Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 2, 1872]
