The Rev. Elliott Ketcham was born in North Fenton [Broome Co., NY], Aug. 26, 1819, and died Feb. 16, 1846, he was married to Harriet Searle, who, with three daughters, survives him. He was the son of Caleb and Deborah Ketcham. His mother was one of the seven that composed the first class in North Fenton, then known as Ketcham's Corners. Elliott was converted at the tender age of twelve years. By the help of a Christian mother he grew to manhood and maturity in Christian character. His zeal and fidelity in his Christian life was the result of his mother's teachings and example and encouragement in his boyhood experience. To the very last he had endearing memories of his sainted mother. I have not been able to find the exact date of the commencement of his work in the ministry. The earliest license found bears the date of 1863, signed by King Elwell, presiding elder. He was ordained by Bishop Bowman in 1865. His licenses bear the names of Drs. Clark, Bristol and Paddock. Brother Ketcham at great sacrifice has preached the gospel all about us in the churches and school houses, being efficient help to the preachers in charge. A marked type of Brother Ketcham's character was his readiness to respond to calls for work. He never refused to serve. This was evident to the last of his ability. His genial good nature won friends. I believe he had no enemies. He was benevolent. No one was ever turned away from his house unfed. In this line of Christian duty, this spirit of goodness, he has passed the years of his life laying up treasurers where no banks break. Brother Ketcham leaves a record of fidelity to duty. In the house of God he was always a ready witness to the power of the gospel. To the very last he kept up the family altar. At the last one he sang "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand". He has crossed over now and we all believe is on the evergreen shore. In his decline and suffering he has had the care and loving ministrations of a faithful wife and a loving daughter. May the kind and loving care of our heavenly Father continue over the family of our departed brother. His funeral was largely attended at the Methodist Episcopal church, North Fenton, the Rev. D.W. Swetland conducting the services.
Leon W., son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Weeks, died at is home in West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Tuesday, March 12, aged 15 years. Funeral services will be held in the West Bainbridge Baptist church, Thursday, at one o'clock p.m. Mrs. Weeks is very ill. To this family, so sorely afflicted, the sympathy of the entire community is extended. [1895]
George P. Cushman, of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Master of the New York State Grange, dropped dead in the hayfield last Saturday afternoon. The annual encampment of the Grange takes place soon at Thousand Island Park, when the Governor and other prominent officials were expected to be present, and Mr. Cushman was making preparations for that event. [1894]
Albert A. Hornshu died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Henry G. Booth in Grottoes, Va. Friday, Jan. 9th, aged 63 years, 7 months. He leaves to mourn his death one daughter, Mrs. Henry Bly, two grandchildren, Fred and Dorothy Bly of Bainbridge; two brothers, C.F. Hornshu, of Indianapolis, Ind., Edward G. Hornshu of Binghamton, N.Y., and the sister at whose home he died. Mr. Hornshu left Bainbridge last September in company with his brother, C.F. Hornshu, for California where they spent several months. On their return to Indianapolis Mr. Hornshu spent Christmas there and left for Virginia the day after. Mr. Hornshu had a shock January 6 and passed away without regaining consciousness. C.F. Hornshu and the daughter Mrs. Bly reached Grottoes and were with him at the time of his death and accompanied the body to Bainbridge. The funeral was held from the home of the daughter Mrs. Bly on Monday at 2 p.m. In the absence of his pastor, the Rev. C.G. Cady officiated at the services. Mrs. Fred Hamlin Jr. and Mrs. O.F. Howland sang accompanied by Mrs. Wilcox. [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 15, 1925]
Sidney [Delaware Co., N Y]: Blocked by an overturned automobile on the Franklin road, two miles from East Sidney, Wednesday night, three men got out of their car to investigate and found the lifeless body of Floyd Sigsbee in a nearby snow bank. The men were Stephen Waite and two brothers name Constable, who were on their way to their homes in the town of Franklin. Believing the man might still be alive they hurried with the body to the office of Dr. William L. Allen in Unadilla, but when they arrived at the doctor's office, it was found that Sigsbee was dead. Doctor Allen notified Dr. N.W. Getman, coroner, of Oneonta. The exact cause of the man's death has not been determined as a superficial examination failed to disclose any broken bones. A severe contusion was found on his head. It is believed this caused a brain concussion, resulting in a cerebral hemorrhage. Marks on the highway in the vicinity of the place where the body was found indicated that the man met his death when the roadster in which he was riding got out of his control from some undetermined cause and turned turtle twice, throwing him through the windshield into the snow bank, where his body was found by the three men as they passed by the road. Sigsbee lived a short distance form the point where the mishap took place. He resided alone with his father, near the town of Franklin line. He is believed to have been on his way home. [Norwich Sun, Jan. 3, 1925]
Not only the Yaleville community [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], but the whole countryside as well, was shocked, and felt that they had sustained an irreparable loss, on learning that Mrs. James L. Stead had been suddenly called to her coronation Wednesday morning, Dec. 24, at 8:45 o'clock, due to cerebral hemorrhage. Apparently in her usual rugged health she awoke at about 3:30 o'clock Monday morning, Dec. 22, complaining of a severe pain in her head and the back of her neck, becoming unconscious within half an hour, and although all that loving care and the best medical skill could suggest was done, she gradually sank, without regaining consciousness, until her spirit was caught up by the angel host. Being converted, she professed her faith in Christ as her Savior, giving her heart to Him and consecrating her life to His service. She united with the Presbyterian church at New Berlin in her girlhood, transferring her membership to the Methodist Episcopal church in Guilford after her marriage, where she has ever since been active and efficient in church and Sunday school work. At the time of her summons she had a class of fifteen boys, for which her last work was the preparation of a present for each member of the class, to each of whom, through the years, her memory should prove a benediction. Mrs. Stead was a splendid type of the American country woman, making American country life attractive. An earnest advocate of civic righteousness, a home builder in its finest highest sense, queen of her home and receiving the homage and devotion of her subjects, devoted to her husband and ever solicitous for his comfort, best pal to each of her boys, cordial in her hospitality, unassuming, unostentatious, of pleasant personality, affable and kind, she was the center of any group of which she was a part. Broad minded, she took great interest in national affairs and world conditions. When the United States entered the world War and there was the call to arms, she offered of her sons, a sacrifice, if needs be, on her country's altar, with that fortitude and characteristic fervor, not less heroic than the Spartan mothers of old, and proud of her soldier boy. It is the sons of such mothers that have made America soldiery the pride of the nation and the admiration of the world. Mary E. Sheldon was born in Morris, Otsego county, N.Y., March 29, 1863 and was therefore in the 62nd year of her age at the time of her death. She was married to James L. Stead Jan. 14, 1891. To this union four sons were born, Lester A., Bainbridge, New York, Lieut. George S., World War veteran, Norwich, New York, J. Otto, remaining on the farm and Kenneth R., student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., to each of whom she has left, in memory, a priceless heritage. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Ella M. Smith, Los Angeles, Cal. whom she accompanied by her son, George, crossed the continent by automobile one year ago to visit, but who was unable to make the long journey to be here at this time. While all hearts go out in deep and sincere sympathy to the bereaved family they must go doubly so to the stricken husband, who confined to the home with an affection of the sciatic nerve, will infinitely more than all others, miss her gentle companionship and kindly loving ministrations. Largely attended, funeral services conducted by her pastor, the Rev. C. Hazeldine Osbourne, amid floral offerings both profuse and beautiful were held at the home at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 26, 1924. "Sun of My Soul" and "Heaven is My Home" were impressively rendered by Earl Oldfield and Mrs. E.L. Totman, Miss Ono Bradley presiding at the organ. Interment was made in Sunset Hill cemetery [Guilford, NY]. The pallbearers were Thomas Hubbard, Fred Cheny, George Plum, H.L. Gridley, Frank C. Hale and C.D. Whittemore. "Vox Populi Vox Dei"--"The voice of the people is the Voice of God." It makes but little difference what claims to personal perfection one may make, it is the simple, kindly, everyday life lived amongst neighbors and friends that reflects the Divine image and the heads of a whole community bowed in a common sorrow that bear eloquent testimony. In the contemplation of such a character the pronouncement of fulsome eulogy would be a sacrilege, but worthy the highest encomiums of sincere praise. In the full vigor of health, in the enjoyment of the rich fruition of a well rounded life, at the zenith of her usefulness the summons came: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," admonishing us--"Be ye also ready." We wish thus to offer our tribute to this noble woman, our neighbor. Robert D. Piper, Guilford, NY., Dec. 30, 1924. [Norwich Sun, Jan. 2, 1925]
No comments:
Post a Comment