Death of Capt. Charles E. Tucker, Civil War Soldier, 114th NYS Infantry: We are no sexagenarian. Nobody talks to us yet of the shining of the almond tree. The grasshopper is not a burden. Time is not dead, but busy with us all the while; in head and heart and hand. And yet we remember when on the 22d of July, 1841, a boy was born in LaPorte, Indiana, two hour's journey from the table where we are writing. We hoped he would live a man, if he lived at all, but we never dreamed he would die a hero. That boy was Charles E. Tucker, son of the Rev. Silas Tucker, now of Logansport, Indiana. Childhood trod on the heals of manhood, and we saw him again in June 1860, with the honors of college fresh upon his brow. One year ago this month, we were in the Chenango Valley, New York, and were climbing the grand old hills whereon Madison University [i.e. Colgate University] lifts its venerable walls, when the roll of drums and the warble of fifes floated up from the distant village. "That is a company just ready to march," said a friend. "Its Captain has just graduated in the Theological Department of the University. It is Charles E. Tucker!" And there was the boy again. We knew his career thus far; his talent, his genius, his learning, and now his loyalty. The soldier of the Cross had become a soldier of the Sword. He went in the 114th New York regiment, with General Banks to New Orleans. In active service down to the days of Port Hudson, the same genial, eloquent, noble youth, beloved everywhere. Then next came Sunday morning, June 14th, 1863, that shall be named in history, by and by. The gallant assault had just been made, and the rising sun was just kindling the world into smiles, when on the very walls of Port Hudson, at the head of his men, sword in hand, Captain Charles E. Tucker fell. A bullet struck him in the breast, and his heart throbbed out its treasure for God and his native land, as freely as if it had only been love and not life. Ah, how rich we all are in this loyal north in precious memories. So rich in heroes that one young Captain gone may not be much, but we can find places empty forever, to which this brave young Captain and his comrades were everything. The bullets fly far in these terrible times, and the names of the wounded--who shall record them? Fathers and Mothers everywhere, with your young Captains living and dead, though hearts may be dead, this land can never be bankrupt. Noble boy, brave Charles, gallant Captain, good-night.
On Tuesday, Benjamin B. Bennett of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] was shoveling snow nearly all day, and retired in the evening feeling well as usual. In the morning he complained of a pain in his side, and shortly afterward, upon one of the family going into his room, he was found dead. Mr. Bennett was about sixty-five years of age, and is well known by all of the older people in this section.
Give the dead soldier room,
But oh, seal not his tomb,
For he'll fall into rank if you utter his name;
Sleep on, boy in blue,
And dream the dream through,
Good-night to the form but good-morn to thy fame.
[Chenango Telegraph, Aug. 26, 1863]
On Tuesday, Benjamin B. Bennett of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] was shoveling snow nearly all day, and retired in the evening feeling well as usual. In the morning he complained of a pain in his side, and shortly afterward, upon one of the family going into his room, he was found dead. Mr. Bennett was about sixty-five years of age, and is well known by all of the older people in this section.
Flora M. wife of B.L. Burlison, died at her home Thursday, Sept. 2d, aged 24 years. Mrs. Burlison was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Thackery of this place. She leaves a husband and two small children to mourn her loss. The funeral was held Saturday from the Presbyterian church and was attended by a large and sympathetic audience. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Williams. [1897]
Coventry [Chenango Co., NY]: George H. Hamilton died suddenly of heart trouble of long duration, on Wednesday noon Feb. 29 aged 65 years. Mr. Hamilton was born in Oxford where he resided until he was 23 years of age. For the last 42 years he has lived in this place, where for several years he was superintendent of highways. He is survived by his wife, Sophia Elizabeth Fiske Hamilton, one daughter Mrs. Blanche Dalton two sons James Hamilton of East Oxford, Grover, of this place and two granddaughters, Alice and Marion Hamilton. The funeral was held Saturday at two o'clock afternoon in the M.E. church, the pastor Rev. H.S. Munyon officiating. Burial in Coventry cemetery. Friends and relatives were present from Otego, Oxford, Norwich, Utica, Hawleyton and Guilford. [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 8, 1928]
Afton [Chenango Co., NY]: The remains of Mrs. Percy Rowe, Chicago, Ill, were brought to Afton for burial last Thursday. Mr. Rowe was a former Afton resident, and has the sympathy of many friends in this vicinity. He was accompanied to Afton by Mrs. Breeze, a sister of Mrs. Rowe. [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 8, 1928]
William C. Gurney of 8 Moffatt Avenue Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] died suddenly while walking down the aisle of a passenger coach on D.&H. train 309, of which he was conductor, as the train pulled into Cobleskill last week Friday night at 5 o'clock, Mr. Gurney was 67 years old, and the third oldest employee on the road. He left home according to members of his family, feeling not well, but determined to make his run, if possible. He had not been suffering from heart trouble and had always displayed the vigor and vitality of an unusually healthy man, they declare. His associates aboard the train which left Binghamton at 2:15 o'clock say he appeared in his usual health, but as the train passed Richmondville, bound north to Albany, he collapsed and was helped to a seat. No physician was aboard the train, and when the train reached Cobleskill he was pronounced dead. Mr. Gurney was a veteran employee of the D.&H. with a standing high in the estimation and affection of his associates and of his superiors in the service. He had been in the employ of the D.&H. for the last 47 years. He would have been eligible for a pension in three years. He was born in Maryland, near Albany, in 1861. He went through the public schools of that community and then went to work on his father's farm. But the son was attracted to railroading, and began work as a switchman on the D.&H. He moved to Oneonta, married and resided there until 1908, when he moved to Binghamton. He resided for years on Cary street and moved a few years ago to Moffatt avenue. [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 19, 1928]
Coventry [Chenango Co., NY]: George H. Hamilton died suddenly of heart trouble of long duration, on Wednesday noon Feb. 29 aged 65 years. Mr. Hamilton was born in Oxford where he resided until he was 23 years of age. For the last 42 years he has lived in this place, where for several years he was superintendent of highways. He is survived by his wife, Sophia Elizabeth Fiske Hamilton, one daughter Mrs. Blanche Dalton two sons James Hamilton of East Oxford, Grover, of this place and two granddaughters, Alice and Marion Hamilton. The funeral was held Saturday at two o'clock afternoon in the M.E. church, the pastor Rev. H.S. Munyon officiating. Burial in Coventry cemetery. Friends and relatives were present from Otego, Oxford, Norwich, Utica, Hawleyton and Guilford. [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 8, 1928]
Afton [Chenango Co., NY]: The remains of Mrs. Percy Rowe, Chicago, Ill, were brought to Afton for burial last Thursday. Mr. Rowe was a former Afton resident, and has the sympathy of many friends in this vicinity. He was accompanied to Afton by Mrs. Breeze, a sister of Mrs. Rowe. [Bainbridge Republican, Mar. 8, 1928]
William C. Gurney of 8 Moffatt Avenue Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] died suddenly while walking down the aisle of a passenger coach on D.&H. train 309, of which he was conductor, as the train pulled into Cobleskill last week Friday night at 5 o'clock, Mr. Gurney was 67 years old, and the third oldest employee on the road. He left home according to members of his family, feeling not well, but determined to make his run, if possible. He had not been suffering from heart trouble and had always displayed the vigor and vitality of an unusually healthy man, they declare. His associates aboard the train which left Binghamton at 2:15 o'clock say he appeared in his usual health, but as the train passed Richmondville, bound north to Albany, he collapsed and was helped to a seat. No physician was aboard the train, and when the train reached Cobleskill he was pronounced dead. Mr. Gurney was a veteran employee of the D.&H. with a standing high in the estimation and affection of his associates and of his superiors in the service. He had been in the employ of the D.&H. for the last 47 years. He would have been eligible for a pension in three years. He was born in Maryland, near Albany, in 1861. He went through the public schools of that community and then went to work on his father's farm. But the son was attracted to railroading, and began work as a switchman on the D.&H. He moved to Oneonta, married and resided there until 1908, when he moved to Binghamton. He resided for years on Cary street and moved a few years ago to Moffatt avenue. [Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 19, 1928]
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