Obituaries (June 16)

Friday, Sept. 23, occurred the death of Frank E. Johnson, a resident of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] for the past 40 years.  Death was due to cerebral thrombosis and came very suddenly.  He was born on April 16, 1881, in the town of Morris [Otsego Co., NY], the son of Amy (Boughton) and Asa M. Johnson.  For several years, his home was in Ives Settlement, Guilford, where he was employed on a farm.  For the past few years, he has operated a general store at Rockwells Mills.  Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 26, with Paul Moore, mortician, in charge.  Burial in Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY].  A brother, Orville Johnson survives. [Bainbridge News & Republican, Oct. 1, 1942]

 

Harry Crosby, Jr., four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Crosby, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], R.D.2, died in the Bainbridge Hospital, last Thursday morning after a 10 day illness.  Little Harry was born in Deposit [Broome Co., NY] on February 13, 1938 and moved to Bainbridge a year ago with his parents who live on a farm in the Town of Bainbridge.  Two weeks ago, Monday, the boy became ill with intestinal grippe and complications of peritonitis forced his removed to the hospital, where he succumbed three days after admittance.  Surviving are his parents and six sisters and one brother Dorothy, Arlene, Doris, Donna, Virginia, Beatrice and Charles.  Funereal services were held in the Colwell Bros. Chapel, Bainbridge, on Sunday, at 2 P.M., with the Rev. Paul Carpenter officiating.  Burial was in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Deposit.  [Bainbridge News & Republican,  Oct. 8, 1942]

The funeral of Frank Mason, of Boston, Mass., was held at the Colwell Brothers Funeral Parlor on Sunday, Sept. 27.  Mr. Mason was the husband of Marjorie Naomi Snitchler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Snitchler, of this village.  Mr. and Mrs. Mason were living in Boston at the time the deceased was stricken with a ruptured appendix, on Sept. 18.  Following the operation, he was progressing nicely when a blood clot hit the brain, causing immediate death.  Burial was in Plains Cemetery, following the funeral services which were led by the Rev. J.S. Payne of the Free Methodist Church.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Oct. 9, 1942]

George Burton

 

The light of last Thursday morning brought more bad news to this village when it was learned by stunned residents that George Burton, one of the most popular and best-liked men of the community, had succumbed to a final attack of asthma the previous night.  It was hard for his countless friends to realize that the man they had always admired for his pleasant manner, friendly ways and cheerful disposition had left their midst.  Born Feb. 6, 1889, in nearby Afton [Chenango Co., NY], George was the son of Richard and Josephine Taft Burton and spent most of his life in this section of the country.  On July 4, 1910, he was married to Gertrude Gordon at Cooks Falls and they spent the first year of their married life in Middletown, where he served his apprenticeship and learned his trade.  Coming to Bainbridge in April of 1912.  Mr. Burton was employed for 18 years by the American Separator Co. and left to engage himself in the contracting business which he worked at up to the time of his death.  The deceased was a man of many keen interests and had a zest for sports, hunting, and his businesses.  He was fire chief of the local Fire Department at one time and also helped manage the town baseball team.  In 1918, he became a member of the Susquehanna Lodge no. 167, F.&A.M., in which he continued membership for the rest of his life, winning the esteem of his fellow Masons, for his loyalty and honest interest.  He was also a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and of the Episcopal Church.  Aside form all these activities however, the people who knew George Burton will remember him best for his hobby--cooking, his favorite pastime.  For many years all of Mr. Burton's entire summers were spent at Camp In-a-Vale, the summer lodge of Thomas Collins, which was located on the Susquehanna River.  Here he pursued to his heart's content, the culinary methods he constantly practiced and won still more friends with his adeptness in the kitchen.  Clam bakes were his specialty and few organizations in town have failed to contact George to preside at their baking fires.  He was always present to direct the preparation of the food. We feel that the picture in this week's News is just how Bainbridgites want to remember their friend; his familiar smile, as he went down the river in a boat with supplies to cook at camp, never changed despite worry or ill health and it was always ready for everyone.  Nearly two years ago, in January, Mr. Burton began suffering from severe attacks of asthma and his health failed steadily from that time up to last week when he failed to rally from an asthmatic spasm; death came at about 10 o'clock on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  Surviving besides his widow are two sons in the armed forces, Pvt. William Burton, of whom news was received by his father just before his passing, and who is somewhere with the A.E.F., and Gordon K. Burton, U.S. Navy, stationed at Augusta, Me.; one daughter Roberta Burton, of Bainbridge; a brother, Richard Burton of Highland; and two sisters Mrs. A.W. Tuckey, of this village, and Mrs. Morris Gardner, of Fly Creek.  His son, Gordon, arrived home immediately after having been notified, and it was, of course, impossible for Pvt. William to attend.  Funeral services were held Sunday at 1 P.M. in the Episcopal Church with Dr. Breese, of Green officiating.  A Masonic funeral was conducted in the church cemetery with the R.W. Hugh Collins, past district deputy, leading.  Pall-bearers were Lloyd Bluler, Harry Bluler, Harold Payne, Charles Peckham, Frank Lewis and James Ireland.  The many floral tributes were material evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.  We in Bainbridge, share the sorrow of the Burton family and of the deceased let it be said:

Weep not, sorrow not, at his absence-

But recall the light of his face.

And rejoice through your tears with the passing of years

For he goes to better some other place."

[Bainbridge News & Republican, Oct. 15, 1942]