Thursday, October 16, 2014

Obituaries (October 16)

Phebe Jane Pratt, wife of Albert Pratt, and only daughter of John and Ann Stevens, died of consumption, September 27, 1848, aged 31 years, 1 month and 23 days.  Sister Pratt was born in the town of Platterkill, Ulster county, N.Y., August 4, 1817, and removed with her parents to Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N.Y., May, 1821, and was converted very powerfully to Almighty God, January, 1846.  She was a good wife, an affectionate mother, a dutiful Christian, and has left to mourn a deep feeling husband, and two little daughters, an aged mother, and a large circle of friends; though not without hope.  Levi Pitts, Harpersville, Oct. 27, 1848.  [Northern Christian Advocate, Auburn, NY, 1848]
 
One year ago, Rolla B. Pratt, brother of Charles D. Pratt, one of the proprietors of "The Bainbridge," enlisted in the army and entered service in the Philippines.  Each month he had caused to be sent, from his pay as a soldier, $10 to his mother here, Mrs. Mary Pratt.  With the check came a voucher which was signed by Mrs. Pratt and returned to the paymaster.  Tuesday morning the government envelope came as usual.  It was opened, the accustomed voucher was there but no check.  Mr Pratt's first thought was that the check was omitted by mistake and was in the act of writing to the department when he noticed written in red ink across the voucher that which read aloud to his mother stated the soldier's estate would be settled upon application and in one corner was "Soldier died July 26, 1902."  This weird announcement of the death of her son from the envelope in which was expected the monthly check was so sudden that it prostrated Mrs. Pratt.  Only a few days previous she had received a letter from him which was full of hope and cheer.  Although he stated that he was in the hospital weakened by bowel difficulty he anticipated release soon.  The deceased was twenty-five years old.  He belonged to the 10th Cavalry and was a member of the band.--Bainbridge Republican, [Chenango Union, Sept. 18, 1902]
 
The news of the death of Mrs. Bessie Comstock Rowe, wife of Prof. E.J. Rowe of Victor, N.Y. [Ontario Co.], and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Comstock of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] was received in Norwich Monday morning.  Mrs. Rowe was a woman of charming personality and had a large circle of friends who sincerely mourn her death and who sympathize with the bereaved husband and parents.  The funeral services were held from the home of her parents at Smyrna on Wednesday.  A number of relatives and friends from Norwich were in attendance.   [Chenango Union, Sept. 18, 1902]

News was received on Wednesday of the death at Midland, Ark., of Mrs. Sara Thorpe Thomas, sister of the late Mrs. Mary Prindle Holmes of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Thomas was well known in Norwich where she spent her girlhood and where she had been an occasional visitor since her marriage to  Hon. William S. Thomas and her removal to the west.  [Chenango Union, Sept. 18, 1902]

Afton, Sept. 3:  Leo Pratt, son of Mrs. Walter Baker, of Harpursville [Broome Co., NY], was killed by express train No. 2 this morning about nine o'clock, one mile east of this station.  He was nineteen years of age.  Mr. Pratt was a section hand with the Bainbridge gang, and was working with the Afton gang.  As the train approached the workmen, they all stopped for it to pass.  Just before the train reached Pratt he stepped up near the track, and was hit on the side of the head, and was instantly killed.  The Coroner, Evert Goodsall, was sent for, and the body was taken to the undertaking rooms of A.J. Holmes.  Later the body was taken to the home of his mother.  [Broome Republican, Sept. 8, 1900]

Leo Pratt, son of Mrs. Mary Baker of this place, was killed by express train No. 2, about 9 o'clock Monday morning near Afton Lake [Chenango Co., NY].  Leo had recently secured a position as section hand with Mr. Hastings' gang of Bainbridge and had only worked 20 days on the road when the accident occurred.  He had not been feeling well for two or three days and had been to the doctor's after medicine, but continued working.  The Bainbridge gang was assisting the Afton gang about a mile east of that place.  As the train approached the workmen, Section Foreman Hastings gave them warning and they all stopped for it.  Mr. Hastings spoke to Leo who had a long bar on his shoulder, but he failed to heed his warning and seemed unable to move.  He was standing on the end of a tie and partly turned around as the engine approached.  The pilot struck him on the shoulder, whirled him around and dashed him to the ground.  As he fell his head struck the rail and he was instantly killed.  the remains were brought back to Afton depot and coroner E.A. Goodsall summoned, who decided an inquest was unnecessary.  He directed the body to be taken to the undertaking rooms of A.J. Holmes and prepared for burial.  The body was brought to Harpursville last evening, and the funeral will be from the Nineveh Presbyterian church at 2 o'clock this (Wednesday) afternoon.  Leo was 19 years of age, a sober, industrious and active Christian boy, who had many friends here.  He had always resided in this place.

A very kindly, highly esteemed and aged lady, Mrs. Mary C. Pratt, who had long been a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died on April 22nd [1913], at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A.L. Hodge.  She was born in Troy, N.Y.  on the 14th day of March, 1833, and was married to A.C. Pratt on August 3, 1853.  Coming to Bainbridge on her wedding day she has resided here ever since.  Her husband died a number of years ago.  She was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived a life which radiated the influence of her Christian faith.  Endowed with a nature filled with geniality and cheerfulness she made her home life attractive and made valued friendships with those who came within the scope of her acquaintance.  She was a woman of fine character.  She was loved by her family who gave her much devotion during her declining years.  She is survived by two sons and two daughters, J .H. Pratt of Bainbridge, D.C. Pratt of Binghamton, Mrs. A.L. Hodge of Bainbridge, and Mrs. George Spohn of Guilford, and also by nine grandchildren.  The funeral was held Thursday afternoon, April 24, being largely attended by relatives and friends.  There was a very large contribution of Flowers. Rev. Frank James officiated.  The male quartet consisting of Messrs. Bentley, Gilbert, Wilcox and Darlin sang.  The interment was in St. Peter's cemetery.

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