Obituaries (January 21)

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Frank Hard died at the family home north of the village on Saturday morning, after a long and painful illness.  She is survived by her husband and two daughters, Mrs. A.T. Morgan of this village and Mrs. Chester Cleveland of Center Village.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 5, 1924]

 

The sudden death of Mrs. Frank J. Fletcher early last Saturday morning, has plunged this community into intense sorrow, opening the flood gates of sympathy for the bereaved family and friends.  The first news of that day was that this prominent woman, known personally to nearly every one had died, having been taken from this sphere where she was enthroned with universal regard.  Well liked, respected and admired for her social qualities, indomitable spirit and limitless energy, competent and efficient, she had won her way into the hearts of the people.  She was a leader in the home, in the church and in nearly every branch of local activity, so the announcement of her death penetrated deeply into every current of life.  On Friday Mrs. Fletcher participated in the public observance of Memorial Day, being a member of the American legion Woman's Auxiliary.  She rode in the procession to the cemeteries and saw the garlands placed on the soldiers' graves, for her only son was a soldier and her fondest hope and expectancy was his return this summer from the far West where he has been located in business since the war.  In the afternoon of that day Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher and Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Humphrey motored to Susquehanna, returning had dinner and passed the evening at the Humphrey home and when Mrs. Fletcher retired that night at her own home she appeared as well as usual and was in good spirits.  At 5:30 the next morning Mr. Fletcher heard a gasping sound.  Going to his wife, he lifted her head from the pillow.  She expired without recognition or consciousness.  Her death was due to heart trouble with which she had been long afflicted, but the heart had endured the strains of her energy until this time.  She was a victim of her conception of life as she saw it, one of unceasing and incessant toil in the interests of others and in the discharge of responsibilities which she willingly assumed as part of her faith and happiness.  Mrs. Fletcher had lived in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for forty years, coming here from Binghamton when fifteen years of age.  She was born in Owego in 1868.  Her maiden name was Mary Trow.  She was married on May 8th, 1889 to Frank J. Fletcher of this village, who is crushed over the untimely breaking of their happy union.  She was a member of St. Peter's Church, had long been a leader and a member of the choir.  She had always been an active member of and was the President of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the church.  She was formerly President of the Bainbridge Woman's Club, a member and many times an officer of the order of Eastern Star, was one of the assistants in the Public Library. For many years she has taken parts in local plays as she possessed a great deal of talent and for the past few years she has staged plays for local organizations, her last being "Green Stockings" given in May for the benefit of Susquehanna Lodge and the Eastern Stars.  Constantly her services were being enlisted for public occasions.  She responded with a willingness which inspired others in the work.  Her influence and spirit were dominant which meant success in every undertaking.  She fulfilled her position in the many social organization where her agreeable companionship was sought.  Besides her husband, she is survived by a mother Mrs. William LeGrange, who resided with her and one son, Wendell Fletcher who has been located in Portland Oregon and who was summoned but unable to reach Bainbridge until Wednesday.  At 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon St. Peter's church was filled to overflowing with sorrowing friends and townspeople who had assembled to pay a final tribute to a beautiful character. The mountains of flowers testified in pathetic language to the grief of a community and the parting farewell was impressive and affecting for in the memory alone now abides the incarnation of that spirit which one reigned supreme in a useful life.  Rev. Thomas Collar, Rector of St. Peter's Church, assisted by Rev. Wilson E. Tanner, a former Rector, officiated giving the service which eloquently clothes the soul with its immortality.  Favorite hymns which the deceased had often sung as a member of the choir at obsequies of departed friends in the same church were rendered, not with her for her voice was stilled, but to her.  Previous to the gathering at the church a prayer service was held at the house at one o'clock. From 10:30 to 12 friends viewed the remains which rested in the parlor, the coffin completely embedded in luxuriant flowers, the choicest products of the springtime's resurrection. The burial was in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY] in the Fletcher family lot at the very spot pointed out by the deceased upon a visit to this cemetery only a few days before she died, just as if she had an innocent premonition of her end.  The bearers were Charles J. Taber, Charles H. Clark, Charles B. Humphrey, Charles W. Ireland, Charles C. Kirby and Duncan H. Copley.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 5, 1924]

 

Guilford [Chenango Co.,  NY]:  On Friday, May 30, Carrie M. Nichols, wife of A.C. Nichols, passed away, aged 53 years.  Deceased was born in Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY] January 27, 1871, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Jackson.  Burial in Butternuts valley cemetery on Monday, June 2.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 12, 1924]

 

Frank B. Phinney was in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] on Monday afternoon to attend the funeral of Zenas Tarbell, the last surviving member from Afton of his regiment, Co. E, 114th, in the Civil War.  Mr Tarbell was at one time sheriff of Chenango County.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 12, 1924]

At Masonville [Delaware Co. NY] on Monday, June 2, John Milliken, an esteemed resident of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] in former years, died at the home of Mrs. Minnie Mott.  While in Sidney Mr. Milliken conducted a bakery and for many years was engaged in the same business in Edmeston, N.Y.  About two years ago his health began to fail and during early May he was treated at the Fox Memorial hospital, going to Masonville about four weeks ago; he died at the age of 64 years.  In the immediate family Mr. Milliken is survived by his daughter, Miss Marjorie Milliken and one son, Joseph Milliken of Rochester, N.Y., and his mother, Mrs. Susan Button of Bainbridge, also one brother, Joseph Milliken of Newberry, Pa., and one sister, Mrs. S.E. Rella of Shawnee, Oklahoma.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 12, 1924]