Obituaries (October 9)

On Saturday, April 2 [1897], after an illness of only two days duration the spirit of George Z. Stoddard quietly passed away out from the midnight darkness of earth into the unfading light of Heaven.  Born in Sheffield, Mass., Nov. 6, 1822, he came to this town with his parents when 9 years of age.  In 1847 he was married to Betsy Ann Braley.  Five children were born to them all of whom are living excepting one son who died in infancy.  His four surviving children were summoned to his bedside on the day of the fatal attack which so speedily terminated in death.  From that day until he breathed his last their attentions were intensely devoted and unintermitting.  His disease was pneumonia and from the first chill the symptoms were alarming and the rapid progress of the malady baffled all medical treatment.  The house in which he died had been his home from childhood, a period of 66 years.  But while he enjoyed a life undisturbed by those changes of home which so many experience, he shared with others the vicissitudes and trials most common to all mankind.  As a citizen he paid due respect to the requirements of the commonwealth.  He served his town in the capacity of assessor for nine consecutive years  Mr. Stoddard will long be remembered as a kind neighbor and true friend.  From early youth he was a worthy and useful member of the Presbyterian church of Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY].  About five years ago the companion of his youth and mature years passed through the valley of shadows to the higher, brighter plains of the celestial Canaan, leaving him to journey on in loneliness; yet assured of joining her and their much loved children in the promised land.  His children will surely cherish a grateful remembrance of his peculiar excellencies as a father.  The numerous grandchildren too, will long remember their visits with grandpa both at his own home where they were so kindly welcomed and at their homes his visits were a special delight.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Case of Otsdawa, and were largely attended.  His children and grandchildren stood lingering beside his silent form unable to restrain their tears; and their last look at those much loved features was given with inexpressible grief.  His coffined body was borne to its resting place beside his wife in the Friends cemetery at Morris [Otsego Co., NY] by his son and sons-in-law.

"The winds breathe low.  The withering leaf,

Scarce whispers from the tree.

So gently flows the parting breath,

When good men cease to be."

 

How mildly on the wandering cloud

The sunset beam is cast!

'Tis like the memory left behind

When loved ones breathe their last.

 

On Friday afternoon, Sept 8 [1899], at her home in Union Valley [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], occurred the death of Lydia S. Hovey, wife of Hiram P. Hovey.  Her death was caused by varicose ulcers from which she had been a great sufferer for years.  Lydia Sophronia Ireland was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ireland and was born in this town on January 5, 1838.  In March 1865 she was married to Hiram P. Hovey.  Mr. and Mrs. Hovey have always resided in the town of Bainbridge except two or three years spent on a farm on the edge of the town of Guilford, and are bound to the people of the community by the strongest ties of affection and respect.  Mrs. Hovey united with the M.E. church at Union Valley when about 16 years old and for almost half a century had been a faithful and consistent member of that organization and a living witness of the verifying and ennobling influences of the religion of Jesus Christ.  Through all the weary months of pain, while the hope of restoration to health and continued service for the ones she loved here was falling away, her faith grew stronger and brighter and she met the great change that none can escape, with full assurance she would soon be joined by family and friends in a world where pain and sorrow can not come.  Beside her husband she is survived by one son, Louis Hovey of Utica, with whom the bereaved husband will reside in the future. The funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. C.H. Sackett, at the church in Union Valley at 1:30 Sunday afternoon, where a large congregation of friends gathered to pay their last sad tribute to the memory of a noble life.  The burial was in the cemetery at West Bainbridge. 

 

 This community was greatly shocked on Tuesday to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. Gray at about  nine o'clock that morning at her home two miles north of Gilbertsville village [Otsego Co., NY].  Mrs. Elizabeth Heslop Gray was born in Butternuts, N.Y. [Otsego Co., NY], in February, 1837, and was the daughter of our late townsman John Heslop, being one of a family of five children, four of whom are still living, viz:  Joseph Heslop, of Dawn, Mo., William H. Heslop, of Unadilla, N.Y., J. Frank Heslop, of Gilbertsville, and Mrs. C.H. Hopkins, of Middletown, N.Y.  Her entire life was spent here, living with her parents at the homestead, now occupied by her brother Frank, and attending the district schools and Gilbertsville Academy.  She was married in 1856 to Harvey O. Gray, who survives her, as also do their four children, Douglas and George of this town, Edward H., of Corning, N.Y. and Florence, wife of E.F. Musson, of Norwich.  the funeral was held on Wednesday at 2 p.m., from the house, Rev. JR. Simmons officiating, with burial in Brookside Cemetery. The particulars attending her death are peculiarly sad.  For over twenty-five years Mrs. Gray has suffered with periods of great mental depression, lasting sometimes for months, and generally occurring in the winter or early spring.  With advancing years, these attacks have become more frequent and of greater duration.  At these times she has often expressed a wish that she might die, and would sit quietly for hours by herself or take to her bed. For the past two months she has been in such a condition, seemingly more depressed than usual.  On the morning of her death the family had their morning meal as usual and Mr. Gray was about the barn doing the chores.  He had occasion to go to the house and found that his wife was absent.  Fearing that something was wrong he at once made a search of all the rooms, he at that time supposed, and failing to find her, he went with a neighbor to the creek near by, thinking that she might possibly have wandered down into the water.  Returning again to the house and this time going to the woodshed they found her there suspended from a rafter by a cord.  She was at once taken down but life was found to be extinct.  Coroner  J.H. Van Rensselear, of Oneonta, was promptly notified and came to the house as soon as possible.  He very wisely decided that no inquest was necessary. That she was not in her right mind, when the deed was done, every one here who had known her these many years will readily believe.  During her long life in this community Mrs. Gray had formed a wide acquaintance and was universally respected.  When her health permitted she mingled with her friends, among whom she was an ever welcome guest.  Of a naturally cheerful disposition, blessed with many intellectual gifts, and ever interested and helpful, her society was a pleasure and comfort to those about her.  The Baptist church which she always attended, when able, will miss her presence and kindly influence from its regular services and social gatherings.  It has been truly said that "where mother is there is home."  Mrs. Gray believed firmly in the sacredness of the home circle and her life has been spent mainly for and with her family.  She has been a good mother, and by her children who reverence and honor her memory, her death is sincerely mourned.  In the affliction which has befallen them, so suddenly and so sadly, the bereaved husband and family have the tenderest sympathy of their neighbors and friends and the community at large.  [1894]

Floyd Bentley North, aged 2 years and 5 months, died June 30th [1892].  Card--We think as in a dream of a happy, sunny hearted little child; a long tedious illness, a patient, quivering little form; and then, the hushed stillness of death.  With these comes the remembrance of sympathing words and kindly deeds.  We wish to tender to the friends and neighbors our heartfelt thanks for their kindness to us in our great sorrow.  Mr. and Mrs. M.E. North, Mr and Mrs. C.A. Bentley.  [Son of Merlin E. and Libby (Bentley) North; buried Yaleville Cemetery, Guilford, Chenango Co., NY]