Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Obituaries (May 21)

Miss Mary C. Warren, eldest alumna of Mount Holyoke College, died at Jamestown [Chautauqua Co., NY], May 17, at the age of 103.  She never wore glasses and attributed her longevity to "strict observance of the Puritan ideals of my forefathers."  When Miss Warren celebrated her 100th birthday on December 21, 1937, a feature of the occasion was the flood of telegrams she received from Mount Holyoke graduates throughout the United States.  For as a graduate of the Massachusetts woman's college in the class of 1860, she was hailed not only as its oldest alumna, but the oldest living women's college graduate in the country.  She was born in Coventry, Chenango County, and was one of the few women of that day from that section to attend college.  After her graduation, she taught at Walton, and later conducted a private school in Coventry.  In her later years, Miss Warren devoted most of her time to embroidery and to reading.  She felt that education had made "tremendous strides" since her own school days, and was particularly impressed by the new methods of preparing students for careers.  Surviving is a niece, Mrs. William H. Fletcher, with whom she made her home in Jamestown---New York Times  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 22, 1941]

Miss Maude Mosher passed away at her home Sunday about noon after suffering a heart attack Saturday night.  the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Presbyterian Church. [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 5, 1941]

Miss Maude Amy Mosher, a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] for 52 years, passed on at her home in Bainbridge, on Sunday, June 1, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.  Death was due to coronary thrombosis.  She was 66 years of age.  She was awakened in pain in the early morning hours, and after efforts for relief proved unsuccessful had, at about 5 o'clock called her physician.  She was a granddaughter of Alfred and Amy (Wilber) Mosher who came from Dutchess County, by way of Cobleskill when the road over the hill from Bainbridge to North Sanford was little more than a mere trail.  The first Winter, cattle fodder was so scarce that all but one of Mrs. Mosher's silk dresses were sold or exchanged for hay to prevent starvation of the herd.  Born in North Sanford [Broome Co., NY], May 25, 1875, a daughter of William H. and Matilda (Scofield) Mosher, Maude moved to Bainbridge when she was 14 years of age.  Of her early life, here, we cannot speak.  We can only imagine that in her, then, was the beginning of the woman we knew, respected and loved.  After graduating from the Bainbridge Academy, class of 1894, she became one of its most efficient teachers, possessing to a marked degree, the ability to impart knowledge, and one who unerringly pointed the way at the time in a young student's life when pointing was needed.  Today, these same pupils speak in praise of her guidance, understanding, and helpfulness, and say that they were (blessed) in their teachers whom they did not then appreciate.  Before many years had passed she was obliged to abandon her profession, and her hope for a college education, to care for her invalid mother, to whom she lovingly ministered, for years until her mother's demise in 1912.  She supervised the home until the death of her father which occurred a few weeks later.  She then continued to keep a home here, but spent many winters in Brooklyn with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. D. Ward Lewis.  Her education she supplemented by travel, not only in her own country, but by cruises to the West indies, to Europe, and to China and Japan. There she listened to understanding and uplifting voices and caught lessons from the ages which she, later in her daily contacts, transmitted freely to others.  She found deep pleasure and mental stimulation in the fraternity of friends.  She had a true genius for friendship.  Hers was a life of notable unselfishness.  For 52 years, she moved in and out among us, working, playing, encouraging, counseling.  If lips could break the silence, they would speak in deepest gratitude for the many acts of kindness bestowed by this thoughtful, kindly lady.  She had friends, over whom she kept loving watch, through the winds of Winter, and the heat of Summer's sun.  She was ever the friend in need; and her friends were numbered by her acquaintances.  Hers was a heart which sang of affection.  There was a nobility, a dependableness a sympathy in her nature that bound friends to her.  Always, she understood, and always she spoke the words of wisdom!  Seeing her duty and pleasure she did it in the spirit of the pioneers who blazed the trails, and left behind the "eternal light in the clearing."  Hers was a life of courage and cheerfulness; though she had known sorrow, the strength of her spirit never faltered.  Her nature had depth, and also, as a constant note--the joy of living.  She was kept young by the parts she played in worthwhile things.  Miss Mosher was a charter member of the Bainbridge Woman's Club, organized in  1899, in which she was active and intensely interested whenever she was in residence in town.  She contributed to its programs, and served as secretary and director.  In 1908 she was one of the organizers of the Bainbridge Free library.  being one of a very small group of women who by patient, self-sacrificing efforts serviced this library, making it the only one in new York State under state supervision, maintained successfully for about  25 years entirely by volunteer, untrained librarians. Here, she served as both volunteer, and acting librarian, until about 1932, when she became first vice-president and trustee.  She worked always without remuneration.  In June, 1917, she became the first secretary of the recently organized local chapter of the American Red Cross, and with others helped supervise the World War Relief work.  Though the evening of life was upon her, yet she lived in the rich activities of early afternoon up to the day of her passing.  It was her desire to remain at the wheel of earthly duties until the last which, with sweet grace, she unstintingly accomplished.  She will be remembered for the esteem, and respect, and love of this rare and human personality that will continue to dwell in the friendly hearts of those whose way she helped to make less dark.  Her relatives and friends will always remember her, even in death, as in life, for her smile and the twinkle that seemed to be behind even the closed eyelids.  If human love hath power to penetrate the veil--and hath it not?  those whom she leaves behind will still feel her helpful presence as they proceed with life's tasks.  Securely enshrined in the heart of her home, and her village, she leaves a rich legacy of the spirit. This life that has come to its earthly close was an inspiration to all within the radius of its influence.  It will be a blessing as it is affectionately remembered, and it is a blessing now, as grief gives to its characteristics an outstanding vividness.  Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 4, at 2:30, at the First Presbyterian Church, where she had been a communicant for 48 years.  Her pastor, the Rev. Paul Carpenter, spoke feelingly of her devotion, and generous contributions to every phase of church life.  She is survived by her brother, Att. Harry J. Mosher, of New Berlin, and by an aunt, Mrs. Ella Olmsted, of Bainbridge.  She was laid gently away in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY], and not far from where she sleeps; 
The old historic river, 
In liquid notes of silver
Will chant her requiem. 
[Bainbridge News & Republican, June 12, 1941]                            

Lavern Tiffany, son of the late Clark and Cynthia Tiffany, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died in his Cassville [Oneida Co., NY] home, May 29, after an illness of 15 months.  He was born February 1, 1876, at Arctic, attending the Cassville schools, after which he took up farming. In 1906 he married Mabel Terry, who died in 1910.  On July 6, 1912, he married Cora L. Way.  He was a road builder from 1920 to 1924 and in February, 1929, he moved to Cassville where he conducted a general store.  Besides his widow, he leaves to mourn his loss, two daughters, Mrs. John Drachler, Bainbridge and Mrs. Harold Jones, Cassville, one brother, Grant Tiffany, Bainbridge; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  The funeral was held at 2 P.M., Sunday from his home.  Masonic services were conducted at the grave.  Burial in Sauquoit Valley Cemetery [Oneida Co., NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 5, 1941]

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