Obituaries (November 6)

Ransom Yale, a former resident of the town of Smithville, and formerly well known about this section, died on Thursday last, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Adams, in Lisle, Broome county.  He had been a suffer from cancer on one hand, which was probably the cause of his death.  While a resident of Smithville Mr. Yale conducted a farm, but was better known as a drover and cattle buyer.  He was also interested in a company that slaughtered and packed large quantities of beef for shipment at times in this village.  He was a very fleshy man, and exceedingly jovial and good natured on all occasions.  During his residence in Smithville the noted suit of Yale vs. Dederer arose and ran through the courts for at least twenty years, going to the Court of Appeals three times.  Yale sold to Captain Dederer of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], cows to stock a farm taking in payment notes signed by his wife as surety.  Under the then existing law a married woman was not liable on her note unless she pledged her separate estate for its payment.  The issue was on the validity of the note.  The late Henry R. Mygatt was the attorney for Mr. Yale, and died before the case was decided, as did the entire counsel represented on both sides at the commencement of the suit.  Mr. Yale lost the suit and with it a considerable sum in expenses, which crippled him and soon after he removed to Broome county, where he resided until his death, having outlived all the council and all parties ever represented in the case. [Buried Upper Lisle Cemetery:  Ransom Yale, Feb. 10, 1816 - Apr. 5, 1900]

Loran Holdredge, an aged gentleman well known in this section, died at the residence of his brother, Winsor, at East McDonough, on Tuesday of last week, aged 63 years.  Mr. Holdredge was never married.  A farmer of the old school he accumulated a handsome competency in lands and money.  Some twelve or fifteen years ago his home, which he then occupied in the town of Smithville, was entered in daylight and one thousand dollars in cash stolen.  The thieves were to all appearances strangers, who had learned of Mr. Holdredge's wealth and the fact that he was then in the habit of keeping large sums of money in his house. The thieves had occupied a school house nearby the night before the robbery.  They were never apprehended.  [1900]

 

James Graham, 74, passed away at his home last Friday morning after suffering a stroke the previous day.  He was born at Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], son of the late Walter and Mary Jackson Graham.  he was united in marriage to Cora E. Calhoun, June 16, 1897.  They began farming on the Dr. Bell farm near Delhi. After a short time he worked one year for the late William C Oliver, after which he purchased a farm in Gladstone Hollow and conducted same until moving to the village 14 years ago.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 6, 1944]

 

Mrs. Melissa (Lilley) Foote, age 93, who passed away Friday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Burlison, Sidney-Unadilla road, was sick only a few days with the grippe.  Mrs. Foote was born June 17, 1850, in Eldred, Pa., the daughter of John H. and Jane (Lawrence) Lilley.  She was married to Uriah H. Foote, Dec. 25, 1867.  He passed away in 1909, and since then Mrs. Foote has made her home mostly with her daughter, Mrs. Burlison.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 6, 1944]

 

James N. Laing, 84, life-long resident of Delaware County, died early Monday in Delhi.  Mr. Laing was born in Andes, May 3, 1859, son of John and Margaret (Gladstone) Laing.  He married Miss Helen Redmond at Delhi, Feb. 5, 1890.  For some years after their marriage they lived in Bovina, and in 1910 they moved to Meridale, where they operated a farm until 1941, when they went to live with their daughter in Delhi.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 6, 1944]

 

Mrs. Robert L. Harkness, a resident of Franklin [Delaware Co., NY] for nearly 40 years, died at her home near that village on Monday evening of last week.  Mrs. Harkness had been in failing health for several years but had engaged in her usual activities about the home until last week.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 6, 1944]

 

William Connors, 65, a native and lifelong resident of Susquehanna [PA], died at the Barnes Hospital, Friday morning, Dec. 24,.  Pneumonia was the cause of death.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 6, 1944]