Marriages (April 19)

Miss Virginia Frances Hirt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Hirt, and John Lott Bergen, son of Mrs. Caroline VanSinderin Bergen of Jamaica, L.I., were united in marriage on Friday morning by the Rev. George  H. Orvis at the First Presbyterian Church.  Mrs. AC. Wilcox was at the organ.  The bride was given in marriage by her father.  She wore a white taffeta princess style gown, trimmed with lace, and a finger tip veil.  Her bouquet was of gardenias and lilies of the valley.  The maid-of-honor was Miss Anna L. Bergen of Jamaica, L.I., sister of the groom.  She wore a fuchsia taffeta gown. The bridesmaids were Miss Mildred Petley of Bainbridge and Miss Eloise Carpenter of Morris.  They were dressed in pink and blue taffeta.  The attendants wore large straw hats with matching ribbon crowns, and carried bouquets of talisman roses.  Mrs. Hirt, mother of the bride, wore a gown of hyacinth blue lace and crepe, with a gardenia corsage.  The mother of the groom, Mrs. Bergen, was dressed in royal blue lace, with a corsage of gardenias.  Teunis J. Bergen of Rockville Center, L.I., cousin of the groom, was best man.  The ushers included:  Milton G. Billard of Far Rockaway L.I., and Maurice Amend of Queens Village, L.I.  The church was attractively decorated with banks of palms and Easter lilies by the local Crescendo Club, friends of the bride.  Following the ceremony, an informal reception was held in the church, after which the bridal party, relatives and out-of-town guests were entertained at a breakfast at the Red Shutters Tea Room in Afton.  Mr. and Mrs. Bergen left in the afternoon for New York City from where they sailed Saturday for Bermuda on the "Monarch of Bermuda."  Mrs. Bergen is a graduate of the Bainbridge High School and William Smith College.  At present, she is one of the music supervisors in the Johnson City School system.  Mr. Bergen, a graduate of Bucknell College, is in the employ of General Motors at Jamaica.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 21, 1938]

 

Announcement has been made of the engagement of Miss Marion E. Ford, daughter of Mrs. J. Wilson Ford of Ithaca, formerly of Oneonta and Bainbridge, to David A. Fraser, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Fraser of Syracuse.  Miss Ford was graduated from Oneonta High School in 1929 and from Cornell University in 1933.  During the following three years, she taught home economics in Bainbridge Central School.  Miss Ford is now a member of the faculty of the Ithaca Senior High School.  Mr. Fraser is an attorney practicing in Syracuse.  He is an alumnus of the Cornell Law School and of Hamilton College, where he was affiliated with Chi Psi.  [Bainbridge News & Republican,  May 5, 1938]

 

Stoddard-MacDonald:  Miss Ruth MacDonald, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold MacDonald of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], and Neil Stoddard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Stoddard of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], were united in marriage Sunday, May 1, at the home of the groom's parents.  the Rev. S.E. Heath of the local St. Peter's Episcopal Church was the officiating rector.  Miss Alice Lorrimore of Sidney Centre and Charles Folts of Sidney were the attendants.  The bride wore a gown of light blue with a corsage of talisman roses, and Miss Lorrimore wore dark blue.  After a short wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard will make their home in Bainbridge.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 12, 1938]

 

Obituaries (April 19)

William Kelly died suddenly Sunday morning, April 10, while attending services in the Sidney M.E. Church [Delaware Co., NY].  He expired after the closing words of a hymn.  The deceased was born in 1871 at Buerford, Ontario, Canada.  In 1900 he moved to Alberta, Canada, where he served in the railway service as conductor for 20 years.  In 1927, he came with his family to Syracuse and later moved to Bovina, coming from there to the present home on the Sidney road.  Surviving are his widow, two sons, Rae and Alan; one daughter, Miss Edith Kelly, a teacher at Warwick; and two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Broad of Syracuse and Mrs. Ella Porter of Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  The funeral, which was largely attended, was held in the Sidney Methodist church last Wednesday afternoon. Burial was made in the Prospect Hill Cemetery [Sidney,  NY].  The Rev. William E. Elwood, pastor of the Sidney Methodist church, was assisted at the committal service by the Rev. G.H. Orvis of Bainbridge.  The bearers were J.S. Walker, Elwood Fisher, Howard Collar, E.H. Comfort, Charles Winnie and William Kent.  [Bainbridge News & Republican,  Apr. 21, 1938]

 

Oscar Nesbitt, 68, passed away Friday evening, April 15, at his home about three miles south of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  He had been ill about two weeks.  The funeral was held at 1:30 p.m. at his home Tuesday, April 19.  Burial was made at South Kortright [Delaware Co., NY], former home of the Nesbitt family.  He is survived by his widow, three daughters, Sarah, Marion and Marjorie and by one son, Fred.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 21, 1938]

Fred Eugene Springsteen, 61, passed away suddenly Wednesday afternoon of heart trouble.  He was found in the sugar house of Charles Latimre, by whom he was employed.  The deceased was born in the Town of Windsor [Broome Co., NY] on Aug. 5, 1877, and spent most of his life in this vicinity.  In 1909, he was united in marriage to Elnora Clark of Bainbridge, who died last December.  Mr. Springsteen came to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] around 1911.  He was employed on the Beatty farm and by the American Separator Co., until 1930.  Since then, he has lived in the vicinity of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  There survive two children, a daughter, Mrs. Henry Thurston, and a son, Wilford of Afton, and three sisters.  Services were held Saturday afternoon from Colwell Brothers' Funeral Parlor with the Rev. W.S. Jones of the Afton M.E Church officiating.  Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Apr. 21, 1938]

Charles Stewart Latimer of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], youngest son of the late Oliver C. and Roana Humphrey Latimer, died Tuesday evening, April 26, after a long illness.  He was born Jan. 6, 1873.  Sixty-one years ago, April 20, 1877, his parents moved to the Latimer homestead occupied by the family since 1841.  After graduation from the Afton High School he taught for a time, then took a business course at Elmira.  He and his brother, George, were engaged in lumbering for 14 years.  Following his marriage to Miss Alice Dopp of Sidney, they returned to the homestead and engaged in farming.  He was town assessor for a number of years, was connected with the Dairymen's League, the Grange League Federation, the Afton Fair Association, a member of the Afton M.E. Church and of the Board of Stewards.  He is survived by his widow, two sons, Charles O. and Robert G., a daughter, Alice R.; two brothers, George P. of Schaghticoke and James H., and a sister, Mary J. of Afton.  Funeral services were held at Colwell Brothers Chapel Friday with the Rev. George Roberts of Chenango Forks, formerly of Afton, officiating, and the Rev. W.S. Jones of Afton assisting.  Burial was made in the East side Cemetery [Afton, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 5, 1938]

Mrs. Katherine Kniskern, 71, widow of James M. Kniskern, formerly of Deposit [Broome Co., NY], died Saturday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Faulkner on the East Side following a long illness.  She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Margaret Faulkner of Afton, Miss Florence Kniskern of White Plains, and Miss Ruth Kniskern of Endicott; by one sister, Mrs. Georgia Moses of Afton and by three grandchildren, James, Frank and Alice Katherine Faulkner.  A private funeral service was held at the Colwell Brothers Chapel in Bainbridge Tuesday, May 10, with the Rev. Clifford Webb officiating.  Burial was made in Glenwood Cemetery at Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 12, 1938]

Mrs. Charlotte Moat Throop died suddenly early Tuesday morning at her home on Pearl street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], after being stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage Monday.  She was born at Oquaga on April 25, 1882, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moat.  She attended school in Oquaga and, in 1900, was united in marriage to Miner Throop of Doraville.  They remained on a farm in Doraville until 1923 and since have made their home in Bainbridge.  Besides her husband, Miner Throop, village street commissioner, there survive two daughters, Mrs. Llewellyn Tucker of Dalton, Mass., and Mrs. Orson Thorp of Bainbridge; one son, Joseph, a senior at Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy; her father, Frank Moat of Vestal; a sister, Mrs. Clayton Hilton, also of Vestal, and a brother, Claude Moat of Doraville.  Mrs. Throop, who had been in fair health for the past several years, was an active member of the local Home Bureau unit and was connected with the local Methodist Episcopal Church.  Funeral services will be held at the Colwell Brothers' Funeral Chapel on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.  The Rev. G.N. Underwood of the Methodist church will be the officiating pastor.  Burial will be made in the Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 12, 1938]

Mrs. Milicent E. Barber, widow of the late Professor David G. Barber died early Saturday morning last at her home about one mile above this village.  She was the daughter of Elizabeth and Matthew Griswold and was born in 1819 at Spencertown [Columbia Co., NY].  She was married September 22, 1841, at South New Berlin to Professor Barber, who for a long time held the principalship of Oxford academy [Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Barber was a member of the Baptist church and a lady highly respected among an extensive circle of friends.  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Carrie B. Keyes of this village and Mrs. W.I. Coggeshall of New York; also by three brothers and a sister.  The funeral was held today from the home, Rev. C.B. Parsons officiating. Interment was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, NY].  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 11, 1901]

At 148 East Main street in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Sunday evening, December 8, 1901, Mary J. Decker, wife of Charles O. Cornell, died, aged 45 years.  Funeral Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. S.J. Ford officiating.  Burial in Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].  Deceased is survived by her mother, Mrs. Electa Weed of South New Berlin, two sisters residing in Oxford, one sister, Mrs. Saftenberg, of Norwich, and her husband and five sons and one daughter of this village.  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 11, 1901]

At his residence, No. 53 Henry street in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], December 9, 1901, Duane W. Foster died, aged 42 years.  Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made.  Mr. Foster was formerly employed in the Maydole Hammer factory, and later was driver for Dr. R.H. Phelps.  He has been a sufferer from consumption for some time. His wife and four children survive.  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 11, 1901]

Miscellaneous Happenings 1898

Bainbridge Republican, April 20, 1898

 

Will Bennett, living on Dingman's Hill [Bainbridge, Chenango Co.,  NY], has a team of horses that exhibits considerable friskiness now and then, not always mixed with sense, as shown last Thursday when engaged in ploughing.  Mr. Bennett stopped the horses for a moment to go to a spring for water.  Off they bounded across the field, the plow bobbing against their heels, receiving vicious kicks yet dragging and increasing their speed.  When the owner found them, they were wound up in wire, punctured with wire, and wire was in evidence all around, even to embracing the totally wrecked plow.  the horses were badly hurt.

 

George Race has an unusual record for a home man.  Not an excursion trip, nor drive has he taken beyond the corporation for five years.  Friday afternoon, he journeyed over to West Bainbridge and was gone for a few hours.  George was once as gay and festive a young man as could be found, but his middle age has resolved him into a quiet, thoughtful and industrious citizen, content with enjoying the peaceful life of our pretty village.

 

As war has been declared between United States and Spain, the Hon. Franklin B. Mitchell, who has been commissioned by the authorities to raise troops for the conflict, will at once commence to raise a regiment from this country to go to Cuba.  It is expected that at least 500 men will volunteer from Chenango County. 

 

West Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] has four grocery stores within a few feet of each other and upon the same side of the street.  First in number is Toby and Lilley's next to the post office.  A new set of computing scales have been added and they awaken much interest in patrons who curiously watch the working of their mechanism.  Beyond the post office comes George A. Bentley's new grocery establishment.  It's C.B. Humphrey's old jewelry stand with its interior burnished with fresh paint and paper.  Third in the row is J.B. William's substantial, roomy grocery store where can be found too, shoes of every grade to please man, woman or child.  Fourth in line, we find Newell and Newton's trim, natty and spacious store presided over by two gentlemen who serve all with ease and dispatch. 

 

Bainbridge Republican, May 4, 1898

 

A.J. Wilcox, residing on Scott street, is very successful in the luxuriant growth of rose bushes.  He has a beautiful climber, that grew 16 feet, 10 inches last summer.

 

E.D. Truman has his soda fountain in working order.

 

Stirling F. Higley, son of Mrs. Walter Higley of Bainbridge, is a member of the Third Separate Co. of Oneonta, and he left Oneonta with that body Monday morning for war service.  Stirling is one of the young men who have gone from Bainbridge and we admire his pluck and have no doubt he will prove a valiant soldier.

 

Isaac Willsey, proprietor of the clothing store on West Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], indulges in good old-fashioned snoozes after dinner.  While he was enjoying his accustomed nap Monday afternoon in his office, his confidential clerk, Cad Case, gave his secret away.  There was a lull in business and Case stepped out and customers stepped in and they heard music--they listened--and more customers came and enjoyed the music--it was as if Mr. Willsey were playing upon a harp of a thousand strings.  Case surprised his audience after a while and tried to turn it to account by selling each one a suit of clothes in return for the concert. 

 

Bainbridge Republican, May 11, 1898

 

The board of Trustees meets this week Saturday evening to take some action in regard to erecting a building for the purpose of drying hose.

 

The graduating class of the Bainbridge High School comprises ten members.  The Misses Bessie Hovey, Cora Sackett and Carrie Dingman of Bainbridge; Kate Priest of Masonville, and Messrs. Ralph Curtis, Will Fletcher, Samuel and John Banks of Bainbridge; Erle Bennett of Masonville and Leon Rhodes of Guilford.

 



Harrison l. Beatty returned last Friday to his home here after a three months' tour abroad visiting the countries of Egypt, Palestine, Algiers, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and England.  His many friends here bade him a hearty welcome home and are enjoying the interesting narrations of his trip.

 

The town clerk's rickety old desk, wherein has reposed the official records of the town for an unknown period of years has just undergone a change that has seemed to make it over new, and it now looms up in all the magnificence of a handsome secretary.  Al J. Newton, the present town clerk, was the regenerator.

 

The small boys, and big boys and striplings were furnished a good time Saturday by Isaac Willsey, the clothier on West Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Willsey brought out a large box of hats and caps, that were somewhat out of date in style, but good in quality and called the boys to help themselves.  Boys never fail to understand when there is a bargain on hand and there was an immediate crowd collected and then the fun began.  The boys enjoyed the scrimmage immensely and voted Mr. Willsey their best friend.

 

 







Pastoral Surprise in Guilford, 1867

Pastoral Surprise in Guilford

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, March 20, 1867

 

Messrs. Editors:  I do not believe that every act of kindness and good will of a people toward their Pastor is published, or should be published in the newspapers.  But if any people show "a more excellent way" than their neighbors, let that way he made known to the public.

 

The Congregational Church of Guilford Centre [Chenango Co., NY] has practically come up to the true idea of ministerial support, and is now a model church in this respect.  The people here believe in giving a sufficient salary to their minister, so that he can comfortably live without expecting, or depending, upon a huge donation, or charitable gifts to keep soul and body together.

 

Although these people give a good support to their minister, and he expects nothing more from them but a good letting alone, yet the Parsonage has been a constant recipient of the good things which the people here enjoy, thus showing their good will toward their minister, who had not the least claim upon them, and who is therefore really the more thankful.

 

Within a few weeks two surprise parties have taken possession of the Parsonage, which managed things in their own way, while the surrendered inmates looked on with mingled feelings of anxiety, of wonder, and of joy--And as to the result of these parties, it was wonderful, how they left the V's and X's in the hands of the surrendered ones, to show, I suppose, that they had no intention to do us any harm. 

 

And the last of these parties happened to come on the evening of my wife's birthday, and when they found it out, there was a general rush, great confusion, all talking loudly and noisily on the subject, and finally concluded, without a dissenting voice of course, to give her a whipping, and they did it, with a fifty dollar whip, made of "Green Backs."  Well, when we come to the reality of these things, they afford much joy, and encouragement.  When the Pastor knows that these precious gifts come from his people, not from a sense of duty or of pity toward him, but from their good will, they are doubly precious, because he is not dependent upon them for his living, because they are gifts.

 

And thus he is cheerfully encouraged to labor earnestly and faithfully for the good of the people and the glory of God.  And God is pouring out his blessing upon this church.  We trust that many have been hopefully converted unto God.  At our last communion eight persons by profession of their faith in Christ were received into the church and we expect a larger number to unite at our next communion.  "The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself"

 

Guilford, March 14, 1867, J.L. Jones.

 

 

 

 

 



Obituaries (April 18)

Mrs. Allie M. Tyler, 67, widow of the late George Tyler, passed away in her home at Godfrey's Corners, Rockdale [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], Wednesday, March 23.  Death was due to a complication of diseases, preceded by years of failing health.  Mrs. Tyler was born Oct. 11, 1870, the daughter of the late Harriett (Van Dusen) and Chas. Godfrey.  She was born, married and lived her entire life in the house where she passed away.  Mrs. Tyler had the honor of holding the "Gold Spoon" passed on to her from her grandmother, Charlotte Godfrey, who was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier.  She was an earnest church worker, greatly loved by all who knew her.  Those nearest to mourn her passing are Mr. and Mrs. James Carney and little son.  Mr. Carney came to work at the Tyler home when a small boy, and has lived there ever since.  He was like a son to Mr. and Mrs. Tyler.  Several cousins are the only remaining relatives.  Final rites were held Saturday afternoon at the home.  The Rev. J.W. Bump, a close friend, officiated.  Burial was in Godfrey's Corners' Cemetery [Guilford, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, March 31, 1038]

 

Mrs. Florence Fleming, 82, widow of the late Bishop Fleming, passed away on Thursday, March 31, after years of failing health.  She was born in Colesville [Broome Co., NY] but for the last 65 years she lived in the community of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].  She was a devout church member as long as her health permitted.  She is survived by one son, Frederick Fleming of Barrignton, Ill.; by four grandchildren, Mrs. Donald Chapman of Watertown, Harold Winsor of Guilford, Zana and Fredrick Fleming of Barrington, Ill., and by five great grandchildren.  The funeral was held form her home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The Rev. G.E. Scull of the Christ Church officiated.  Burial was made in Sunset hIll cemetery [Guilford, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 7, 1938]

 

Crushed when a tree he was cutting down at his Summer camp at Oquaga fell before he had expected, Daniel J. Sullivan, 49, foreman of the cutting and stitching rooms at the Endicott-Johnson Corporation's boys' and youths' factory at Johnson City, was instantly killed Sunday.  Operating the saw with his brother, Leo, Mr. Sullivan had just relieved Earl Haskell, a helper, on one end of the tool when the tree, later found to be rotted inside, crashed down upon the victim.  Mr. Sullivan had intended to use the stump of the tree to support a flower box and the men were sawing it at a point approximately four feet from the ground when the trunk crumbled inside, above the cut.  Mr. Sullivan had been a member of the Endicott Johnson organization for more than 30 years.  Born in Windsor [Broome Co., NY], the son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Sullivan, he went to Johnson City to accept the position in the Pioneer Factory.  He resided recently at 30 Endicott avenue there.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 14, 1938]

 

Mrs. Mary Thompson, who has boarded at Rogers Hollow [Otsego Co., NY] with Mr. and Mrs. James Templeton for the past few months, passed away Tuesday, April 5.  Her nearest surviving relative is Mrs. Luella Smith of Hubbardsville.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 14, 1938]

 

Mrs. Louisa DeForest, 87, died April 5 at her home in Rogers Hollow [Otsego Co., NY].  She was a charter member and an elder of the Friends' Church  She is survived by Mr. and Mrs. Galen DeForest and grandchildren.  Funeral services were held Saturday in the Friends' Church with the Rev. H.M. Vore officiating.  Roscoe Wright sang two hymns, "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."  Interment was made in the Rogers Hollow Cemetery.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 14, 1938]

 

The funeral of John S. Hayes, an old and respected citizen of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], took place at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Evander Smith, December 3, 1901.  Rev. F.H. Gates of Horseheads, officiated, assisted by the pastor of the Baptist church, Mrs. Bertha Newland.  There was a large attendance at the funeral for so cold a day, showing the marked esteem in which the deceased was held.  There were many friends from out of town.  Mr. Hayes was born in Taylor, Cortland county, in 1814.  He finished his education at the Pitcher Springs academy in 1832, then one of the leading educational institutions of that section, and entered at once upon the profession of teaching.  He taught 41 terms in that vicinity, and included among those who at different periods came under his instruction, three generations of pupils.  He held at various times the position of town or county school superintendent, and was regarded as a leading authority upon public school matters.  His first wife was Julia A. Short, and there were born to them eleven children, eight of whom are still living.  He married for his second wife, Mrs. Electa Preston of South Otselic, in 1884, and until her death in 1894 he made his home at that place.  Since her death he has resided with his daughter, Mrs Smith, at Cincinnatus.  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 11, 1901]

Residents of our town were very much shocked on Sunday morning last to learn of the death of Henry Dickson, who resides on Moss street in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Dickson arose in the morning as usual and was apparently well.  Soon, however he began to complain that he was not feeling well, and had a pain in his lung.  His wife began to prepare some medicine for him which necessitated her going into another room.  When she returned she found her husband dead in his chair.  A doctor was called at once and announced the cause of his death due to heart failure.  Mr. Dickson was about 68 years of age and has resided in this village for many years.  He was often seen on our streets and his always cheerful and bright face will be missed by all his acquaintances.  Deceased was an earnest worker and faithful member of the Presbyterian church of this place, where he will be greatly missed.  He leaves two sons, both of whom reside at Oneida, and a wife.  He was loved and respected by all who knew him.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday.  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 11, 1901]

Marriages (April 18)

Miss Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Bennett of Franklin [Delaware Co., NY], and Vaughn Herrick of Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY] were married at the Methodist Episcopal Church parsonage, Sidney, last Saturday night.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. William E. Ellwood, pastor, with the couple being attended by Mr. and Mrs. Claude Waldron of Sidney.  Mr. Herrick is employed as assistant manager of Smalley's Theatre, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY]-*.  [Bainbridge News & Republican,  March 17, 1938]

 

Cole - Tracy:  Miss Margaret R. Tracy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cashel Tracy of Walta, Montana and Charles R. Cole, son of Mrs. Ora Fisk of Rockdale [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], were united in marriage Saturday evening, March 19 at 8:30 o'clock in the parsonage with the Rev. Robert Wood officiating.  The marriage was witnessed by Miss Betty Murray of Guilford and Rolland Cole of Rockdale.  Mr. Cole is fireman at the Rockdale Creamery and is well known through this area.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 24, 1938]

 

Bondzin - Doster:  Miss Gabriel C. Bondzin of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bondzin of Madena, Minn., and Eugene F. Doster, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Edick of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], were united in marriage March 18 at South New Berlin.  The Rev. H.H. Steimke of the Lutheran Church officiated.  They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. John Ganskop of Unadilla.  The bride is a graduate of Unadilla High School and is employed in the Scintilla plant at Sidney.  The bridegroom is also employed by the Scintilla firm in the drafting department.  They will reside in the Hunt apartments on Martin Brook street, Unadilla.  Mr. Doster attended Guilford Central School and was very prominent in athletics.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, March 31, 1938]

 

Bennett - Snyder:  The marriage of Miss Bertha Snyder of Sidney [Delaware Co., N Y] to Charles Bennett of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] took place Wednesday evening, March 30, at 8 o'clock.  The wedding took place at the home of the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bennett, in the presence of more than 50 relatives and friends.  The Rev. J.W. Bump of Guilford was the officiating clergyman.  Mrs. Bump was also an invited guest.  the couple received many beautiful gifts including linen and silver.  They will make their home on the Sidney-Bainbridge road.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 7, 1938]

 

The marriage of Mrs. Helen Winsor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schlafer of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Mr. Robert Race, son of Mr. and Mrs. Linn Race, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] took place in the Valois Baptist Church at 12 o'clock noon, Easter Sunday, April 17.  Rev. R.A. Gates, grandfather of the groom, officiated.  Miss Wilma Schlafer, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid and Mr. Russell Race, brother of the groom, acted as best man.  The church was decorated with Easter lilies and baskets of cut flowers.  Mrs. Clawson sang "O Promise Me."  [Bainbridge News & Republican, April 21, 1938]

Ray Hastings Sets Mark as Organist, 1938

Native of Bainbridge Sets Mark as Organist

Dr. Ray Hastings Completes 26 Years of Service in Los Angeles Church

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 17, 1938

 

Dr. Ray Hastings, a native of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], has recently started his 27th year as organist of Temple Baptist Church in Los Angeles, Cal. 

 

In an article taken from the Los Angeles Evening Star, Dr. Hastings is credited with not only having achieved a unique record in point of years of service, but in the amount of time which he has expended on his organ prelude recitals, averaging 50 each year.

 

Church officials say that, in balancing the program and the selection of compositions, he has devoted 3,600 hours and that, in practicing these numbers, he has given 7,200 hours or a total of 10,800 hours in preparation for his half-hour organ recitals.

 

During his 26 years, he has played 1,200 prelude recitals for a total of 600 hours.  This is in addition to time given to music for the regular church services.

 

Dr. Hastings began his career as a musician when a youngster in Bainbridge and, on two occasions, has returned to his home town for recitals on the organ at the First Presbyterian Church. 

 



Marriages (April 17)

Invitations have been received to the wedding reception of Betsey Grant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gurdon Bromley Horton, and Mr. Fred Eugene Knapp.  The event occurs at 345 Clinton avenue, Brooklyn, Thursday evening, January eighteenth.  [Notation:  1900]

 

Dr. W.R. Hitchcock, of New York, and Miss Emily C. Brown, daughter of Charles K. Brown, were married by Rev. A. Coons Tuesday afternoon.  They left for their home in New York.  Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock and daughter, of Oneonta, and a few other relatives were present.  [Notation Jan. 30, 1900]

 

Mr. Don C. Pratt and Miss Mabel Myrick were married at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening at the M.E. parsonage in Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] by Rev. Mr. Frisbie, and have commenced housekeeping in the Erwin Gifford house on South Main street.  [Notation:  Feb. 14, 1900]

 

On Wednesday evening at 8:30 o'clock at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], occurred essentially one of the most fashionable weddings ever witnessed in this place, in the marriage of Miss Mary Catharine Robinson of Unadilla, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Robinson with Mr. Walter S. Knapp, the only son of C.A. Knapp of Sioux City, Iowa.  St. Matthew's church was artistically and beautifully adorned with flowers and palms, and the edifice was filed with guests.  When the organist, Mrs. A.S. Barnes, of Oneonta, ceased playing a quiet little prelude, and the strains of the wedding march swelled through the church the large audience knew the bridal party had arrived.  The movement down the center aisle, of the impressive group was watched with admiration.  Mr. Wm. M. Armstrong, of St. Louis, and Mr. George Lewis of Binghamton, two of the ushers, advanced.  The maid of honor, Miss Mary L. Follett, of Sioux City, with stately grace, preceded the four bridesmaids, Miss Nellie S. Myrick, of Binghamton, Miss Anna Eliza Mulford, of Unadilla, Miss Leila Marsalis, of New York city and miss Ada Lilla Arms, of Binghamton. The other ushers, Mr. Chas. E. Crothamel, of Scranton and Mr. C. Taylor Leatherbury, of New York, were followed by the bride, leaning on her father's arm.  The bride was gowned in white satin, an train, trimmed with real lace and chiffon, She carried no flowers but held a prayer book.  The five pretty young ladies wore gowns, quaint and almost colonial in design, identical in every detail. The material was pink organdie, the trains being of generous length.  Pink bows graced their hair and in their hands, gloved in pink, each carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, tied with white ribbons.  The entire Episcopal service was used by the rector of the church, Rev. Dr. Parke.  The benediction was pronounced as the happy pair knelt on a white satin pillow, also made from the same material as the wedding gown.  At the palatial home of Mr. and Mr. Robinson a reception followed, about 75 guests being entertained from 9:30 until 12 o'clock.  The parlors and dining room were fragrant with flowers, the color scheme of the wedding, pink and white, being observed.  The occasion was one of rare pleasure.  The guests enjoyed immensely the inspection of the great number of costly, beautiful and useful gifts.  The gift of the groom to his bride was a star brooch set with diamonds, a most beautiful conceit.  The bride's father presented her with a check of $500, and the groom was similarly remembered by his father.  Each guest at the reception was given a tiny square of wedding cake neatly encased in a white box with the initials K-R delicately wrought in silver on the top.  Mr. and Mrs. Knapp left the same evening for Sioux City.  The bride was one of Unadilla's most popular young ladies.  The groom is a stockholder and actively connected with the wholesale hardware establishment of The Knapp & Spencer Co., of which his father is the head, and which is one of the strongest business concerns in the West.  [Notation:  Oct. 18, 1900]

 

William D. Thomas, of the firm of J.E. Hirt & Co., proprietors of the merchant clothing store in the Thomas block, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], and Miss Mabel Whitman, of Pruyn Hill, this village, were married in Sidney, Monday, April 2d [1900] by the congregational clergyman, Rev. W.T. Edds.

Spohn - Hamilton:  J. Frederick Spohn and Miss Sigrid Aida Hamilton, both of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], were married in Christ church Binghamton, Saturday last, March 21 [1903], by Rev. Harry Longley.   

Obituaries (April 17)

The funeral of Martha T. Priest, who died Wednesday evening, May 1 [1901], at her home in Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], was held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the house, Rev. Mr. Cameron of the Presbyterian church officiating.  The burial was in the Masonville cemetery.  There was a large attendance at the funeral of this most esteemed lady, who had been for more than sixty years a resident of Masonville, coming to that town to reside in 1840.  Mrs. Priest was nearly 85 years of age, and had by residence, age and her kindly and affectionate interest in those about her, old and young, her ministering hand to everyone in sorrow and distress, become one of the revered personalities of Masonville whose death is felt by all.  She was cheerful and youthful by nature, enjoying the society of young people, rejoicing in their success and sympathizing in their reverses.  Mrs. Priest was an interesting person to talk with, her memory being often recalled to the events of her early days, among which was her knowledge of the Revolutionary ground, Oriskany Falls, near which she was born and reared, the friendly intercourse with the Indians who 80 years ago were in that region more numerous than the white people.  These subjects treated by Mrs. Priest in her animated style were very attractive to her listeners.  Mrs. Priest had been a widow since 1876.  Her husband, Herman H. Priest, was a skilled wagon-maker and followed that business in Masonville and was noted for his superior workmanship.  Since her husband's death, Mrs. Priest had resided at the homestead, visiting her children and friends often with whom she was always a welcome visitor.  An event of much pleasure and anticipation to her was the celebration of her birthday, July 9th, of each year, at the home of some one of her children, who strove to make the reunion perfect in happiness to the mother.  Her decline to the grave was gradual, the result only of her extreme age, preserving her faculties to the last.  Her death was peaceful like the falling of an autumn leaf.  Mrs. Priest was the mother of nine children, one of whom died in 1869 aged 27 years.  He had been a soldier in the Civil war.  the eight who survive her are:  Mrs. C.L. Potter and Mrs. T.H. Lewis of Sidney; Mrs. A.G. Burlingame of Findlay, Ohio; Mrs. A.S. Humphrey, and C.M. and A.A. Priest of Bainbridge; O.A. and W.A. Priest of Masonville. 

 

Stephen Pettys, a well known resident of Windsor [Broome Co., NY], died at the home of his son Edmund W. Pettys, on Maple avenue, Thursday, March 21st, aged 79 years.  Mr. Pettys suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he did not recover.  the funeral services were held from the Free Methodist church on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. Mr. Myer officiating, and were largely attended, a delegation from Judd Post, G.A.R., being present.  Interment was given in Riverside cemetery.  Deceased was born and reared in Chenango county.  In early manhood he was a farmer and later entered into the manufacture of lumber, at one time owning and operating a large saw mill.  Coming to Windsor in the 70's he re-engaged in farming, which vocation he following until advanced age compelled his retirement from active labor. He was a veteran of the civil war, having twice enlisted in the army service of his country at a time when it was in greatest danger.  His wife died several years ago, and besides two brothers he is survived only by the son with whom he has made his home for a number of years past--Windsor Standard.

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Lane Newman, wife of Arthur Newman, died Saturday night last.  Her death was sudden, she passing away without any premonition.  Mrs. Newman was in the streets shopping Saturday evening and returned to her home feeling well and in good spirits.  She conversed with her husband pleasantly before retiring and showed no indications of the imminent fatality.  Sunday morning Mr. Newman awoke and called to his wife but received no response.  Upon examination it was discovered she was dead.  A physician was summoned who found that death had occurred several hours before and that the cause was heart disease.  Mrs. Newman had always been troubled with rheumatism but not considered of an alarming nature.  In March last she passed through a severe attack of the grip, which left her weak until about two weeks ago, since which time she had felt like her former self and believed she had fully recovered.  The deceased was 41 years old and was the only daughter of Marcus Lane of Afton.  Besides her husband she leaves three children, a daughter Ida and two sons, Marcus and Fred Newman.  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the residence on North Main street, Rev. Arthur Spaulding officiating.  The interment was in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  This death removes the sunlight of that home.  She was a most devoted wife and mother, ever watchful for some attention and care to give to husband and children.  She received the love of her entire family.  she was full of kindness, love and charity for everyone who knew her.  The deceased was born in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] and married at Nineveh in 1878, and resided with her husband in this village for the last nine years.  [Notation:  May 4, 1901]

 

The death of Mrs. Charlotte I. Wilcox, mother of George R. Wilcox of this village, occurred Sunday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jennie L. Johnson, Binghamton.  The illness of Mrs. Wilcox was brief, only of three days' duration, pluero-pneumonia developing and causing the fatal termination.  Her age was 76 years.  The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the daughter's home.  The floral tributes were many and expressive of the deep affection of her friends.  Mrs. Wilcox was a life-long resident of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] with the exception of a few years spent in Bainbridge.  she came here at the establishment of the cigar factory in this town by her sons George R. and Fred J. Wilcox, and endeared herself to many in social relations as well as those of the Baptist church of which she was a communicant.  Mrs. Wilcox had been a widow for about thirty years but never faltered in the added responsibilities she was obliged to assume at her husband's death.  She was devoted to her family, unselfish, and enjoyed life most when conserving to the interest and pleasure of her children, and to them and the many beside, her memory is revered.  In Binghamton, she was a member of the First Baptist church and a constant attendant when her health would permit.  Mrs. Wilcox is survived by three children:  two daughters, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. J.H. Carver, and one son, George R. Wilcox of Bainbridge.  [Notation:  Oct. 28, 1901]

 

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Harrison R. Caswell, one of our oldest and esteemed residents, passed away suddenly at his home in this village, Monday between nine and ten o'clock.  He was a dealer in wool and was at the barn where he was taking in wool, and also had two or three men engaged in sacking for shipment.  He was sitting on a wheel-barrow conversing and apparently in usual health, when he without uttering a word, fell over backwards and died instantly.  Heart failure was attributed as the cause of his sudden death.  His entire life had been passed here and he had been prominently identified with the life of the town, holding from time to time various positions of trust.  He was a member of St Ann's Episcopal Church, and one of its chief representatives in support and official character.  Of his immediate family, who are called to mourn their sudden loss are Mrs. Caswell and two daughters Mrs. George Jay of this village and Mrs. G.A. Liggeett of Richmond Hill, N.Y.  He had left also one brother, G.M. Caswell, and one sister, Mrs. Edgar Garrett, of Afton.  [Notation: Oct. 28, 1901]

 

Mrs. Humphrey, widow of the late Nelson Humphrey of the Eastside, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died Monday at New Hartford, Conn.  She had been some time in new Hartford with relatives.  Austin Humphrey and William Sands and wife went to New Hartford to attend the funeral.  [Notation:  Nov. 11, 1901]

 

At her residence at Hotel Bishop, Mechanic street, this Friday morning, occurred the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop, wife of Adney Wightman, after an illness of about four weeks.  Her death was quite sudden and was due to heart failure, for which she was being treated.  She had appeared in her usual spirits the evening before, and her husband had spoken with her and assisted her in changing her position, when he arose about 5 o'clock this morning.  Three-quarters of an hour later, when the nurse entered her room she had passed away.  Mrs. Wightman was the daughter of the late Hawley H. Bishop and was born and had always resided in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  She was a bright and intelligent girl, ad a favorite with all who knew her.  As a woman she was highly esteemed and possessed the many noble qualities of her sex.  She  became a member of Emmanuel church a number of years ago, which relationship continued to the time of her death.  For 18 years previous to her marriage to Mr. Wightman, in 1892, she lived in the family of Mrs. C.E. Merritt, where she was held in the highest regard and esteem.  Mrs. Wightman leaves her husband, one son, Charles Bishop Wightman, her mother, Mrs. Jane Bishop of Pleasant street, and two brothers, Lyman Bishop of Scranton, and Lewis Bishop of St. Joseph Mo. to mourn  her death, together with many friends who had admired and loved her during her entire life, and whose sorrow over her untimely death is deeply felt.  Funeral services will be held form the residence of her mother on Pleasant street Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. W.D. Benton officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY]. [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Dec. 7, 1901]

 

GCHS Homemaking Club, 1950s

Guilford Central High School

Homemaking Club

1950s

 

Back row L to R:  Janette Burt, Patty Utter, Roberta Hill, Morris Raphael, Nancy Bourn, Mary Ellen Fellows, Ruth Kaufinger.

 

Middle Row L to R:   Mrs. Salzburg, Jane Seaman, Maxine Randall, Phyllis Manwarren, Faye Demeree, Ken Harmon..

 

Seated on floor: Barbara Fellows & Lena Savory

 

[Compiler Note:  Thanks to Carol Hubbard for identities.]

 



BCHS Class of 1935, Part 1

Bainbridge Central High School - Class of 1935

Senior Portraits

"Echo" 1935

 

Susan Bennett

Susan is a happy girl

Who likes to stay at home.

But when there's fun and laughter

Here she is bound to roam.

Roberta Burton

Bobbie's voice is sweet and clear

In singing, high she rates

She's found it joy, from year to year

To argue in debates.

Edith Collington

You never find her making noise

She's quiet, calm, and shy

But we are glad to have her here

With us in Bainbridge High

Olive Corbin

She caught her look--so pert and gay

From a robin friend so cute

And she rivals the carol they sing in May

With the trills she plays on her flute.

Class Treasurer

Gladys Covey

The whistle has blown--the ball's in the air

There'll be no fumbling if Gladys is there.

Before her opponents know what to do,

The Ball's in the basket--Bainbridge scores two.

 



Obituaries (April 16)

Friends in Guilford were shocked to hear of the death of Clarence Ingersoll at his winter home in Mt. Dora, Fla. His body was brought to Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] for burial on Tuesday.  He is well known in Guilford, his home being in Vernon.  [Bainbridge News & Republican,  Mar. 10, 1938]

 

Mrs. Ella Bradbury Nash, wife of William W. Nash of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, Thursday night, after an illness of about four weeks.  Mrs. Nash was born at Guilford Dec. 1, 1870 and had always made her home in Guilford. She was educated at the Troy schools and was greatly admired by all who knew her.  Her passing will be sincerely mourned by many.  She has always been a very active member of Christ's Episcopal Church.  Besides her husband, one sister, Mrs. W.B. Day of Syracuse, survives.  Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday from the Seymour Funeral Home at Oxford.  Rev. G.B Scull of Guilford officiated with the Rev. H.C. Weeden of St. Paul's Church, Oxford assisting.  Burial in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Guilford.  Bearers were John Husted, Charles Nicholson, Frank Drachler, Richard Marble and Ralph Marble of Guilford and Fred Bennett of New York City.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 10, 1938]

 

Delbert Colyer passed away at his home in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] Thursday morning, March 3.  Although he had not been in good health for some time, his death came only after a few days' sickness, the cause being chronic myocardial congestive. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Colyer and was born April 9, 1879, 58 years ago at Sanitaria Spring, N.Y. [Broome Co., NY].  His occupation has been farming for the past 35 years and his home in the vicinity of Guilford. Surviving are the widow and one son, Leslie, of Guilford, two sisters, Mrs. N. Hall of Oxford and Mrs. Harry Salsbury of Preston, two brothers, Bert of Binghamton and Harry of Norwich.  Final rites were held from his home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock Rev. A.E. Reudink, pastor of the Center Church, officiating.  Burial in Sunset Hill Cemetery [Guilford, NY] beside his son, Merton, who passed away eleven years ago.  Bearers were Charles Blinco, Frank Hogaboom, Louis Winsor, Claude Utter, Kenneth Scholefield and L.D. Dexheimer.  The William Breese Co. of Norwich were in charge.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 10, 1938]

 

Mrs. Libbie J. Grant, 77, widow of John H. Grant, died last Tuesday, March 1, at her home in Utica [Oneida Co., NY] after three months' illness.  She suffered a broke hip in November from a fall in her home.  Libbie Julia Yale was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], the daughter of the late Philetus and Susan Guy Yale.  She was graduated from Bainbridge Academy in 1880, and for several years was the organist at the local Presbyterian Church.  She married Mr. Grant in 1899.  He and Edmund J. Wager of Utica formed a law partnership at that time, and the couple moved to Utica the same year.  He died in 1915.  Mrs. Grant owned several pieces of real estate in Utica and was for years an active member of the Olivet Presbyterian Church of that city.  She also was a member of the Eastern Stars. The funeral service, conducted by her pastor, the Rev. John Gregory, assisted by the Rev. Homer Yale was held form her late residence Friday, March 4, with interment in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica.  She is survived by several cousins.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 10, 1938]

 

Mrs. Emily Vander Hule, 84, died at her home in Evans street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], early Friday morning, after an illness which had confined her to the house for several months.  Mrs. Vander Hule was born on Oct. 8, 1853, in Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], the daughter of the late Joseph and Susan (Harris) Nutter.  Her early life was spent in Masonville where, on Nov. 8, 1878, she married Hiram Vander Hule.  About 28 years ago, the family took up residence in Bainbridge where Mr. Vander Hule's death occurred 12 years ago.  During the last few years of her life, Mrs. Vander Hule developed the hobby of oil painting and several of her pictures, which showed unusual talent, were displayed at the recent Bainbridge exposition in the Town Hall.  Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Edith V. Scoffield, who has made her home with her mother for several years; a son, Jesse Vander Hule of Utica; a granddaughter, Mrs. Juliio de Osma of Oakland Cal.; a grandson, Myron Vander Hule of Unadilla; a sister, Mrs. Ella Houck of Sidney, and two half brothers, Charles Nutter of Bainbridge and George Nutter of Sidney.  The funeral service was held at Colwell brothers' Chapel Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.  The Rev. M. DeForest Lowen, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiated.  Interment was at Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 17, 1938]

 

Mrs. George C. Frank died at her home in Yaleville, town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday afternoon, March 12, following a week's illness form pneumonia.  Mrs. Frank was born in the town of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on March 29, 1868, the daughter of the late Thomas and Betsy (Hamilton) Petley and her entire life has been spent in this vicinity.  She married George C. Frank, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Frank, on Jan. 20, 1892.  For about two years, Mr. and Mrs. Frank lived on a farm on the East Side of this village following which they moved to the present home at Yaleville.  Surviving besides her husband are three grandchildren: Doris, Russell and Donald Stead of this village; three sisters, Mrs. Nancy Blincoe of Guilford, Mrs. Alfred Albrecht of Afton and Mrs. William Northrup of Bainbridge; and three brothers, Henry and Herbert Petley of Bainbridge and Ohn Petley of Rockdale.  Funeral service was held at the home Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. M. DeForest Lowen, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, of which Mrs. Frank was a member, officiating.  Interment was at the Yaleville Cemetery which adjoins the Frank farm.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 17, 1938]

 

The Telegraph brought us news, a few days since, which has cast a shadow of gloom over our little community.  Miss Harriet Elizabeth Harvey, daughter of C.T. Harvey, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], left home to visit friends in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where she had just arrived, when she was attacked with diphtheria.  Only one day's notice of her illness preceded that of her death.  Mr. and Mrs. H. started immediately on receiving news of her illness, but the sad tidings of her death met them at Buffalo.  Mrs. H. returned, but Mr. H. proceeded on his sorrowful journey, and returned with the remains of his beloved daughter on Saturday evening last.  The funeral services were attended today by a large concourse of deeply sympathizing friends.  Seldom have the sympathies of our community been more deeply altered.  The deceased whose age was 26 years was a model of physical health and vigor and we find it difficult to associate her with our idea of death, or to realize that she is gone from among us forever.  Her uniform cheerfulness and kindly qualities of heart endeared her to all who knew her well, and it will be long before "Libbie Harvey" will be forgotten among us.  On the last occasion of the visit of the Bishop of the Diocese to our Parish, she was confirmed as a member of Christ's Church.  She took an active interest in the Sunday School of that Church, and her class followed her to the grave as mourners. Her death occurred on Monday, Nov. 23d, at the residence of her cousin, Dr. Littlejohn, of Whitewater, Wisconsin.  [Chenango Telegraph, Nov. 1863]

 

 

 

 

Marriages (April 16)

Woods - Whitney:  Saturday evening, March 5, occurred the marriage of Miss Roberta M. Whitney of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] to Harry M. Woods of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  The ceremony was performed at the Pillars, the Rev. J.W. Bump officiating.  they were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Lester Woods. [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar 10, 1938] 

 

Chase - Anthony:  Thursday evening, March 3, at 8 o'clock occurred the marriage of Marie Anthony, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Anthony of New Berlin [Chenango Co.,  NY], to Ronald Chase, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thadeous Chase also of New Berlin.  Rev. G.E. Scull was the officiating clergyman and the ceremony occurred at Christ's Episcopal Church.  Present were the bride's parents and grandmother, Mrs. L.H. Anthony of Guilford, also the bride's cousins, Thelma Anthony and Norman Winsor of Guilford. The bride is a popular New Berlin girl and the groom is associated in the garage business with his brother at West Winfield, where they will make their home. Congratulations are extended to them.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 10, 1938]

 

Martin - Follett:  Married Sunday afternoon t 1:30 at the parsonage, Miss Phebe Follett and Eugene Martin both of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Witnesses were Mrs. Lulu Follett and Mrs. Robert Wood.  The Rev. Wood was the officiating minister.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 17, 1938]

 

The marriage of William D. Osgood the editor of The Windsor Standard, and Miss Ida Laurence, occurred on Wednesday afternoon of last week, at 3 o'clock, at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Emma Laurence, of Windsor, the Rev. Mr. Hoffman performing the ceremony.   The guests were the near relatives of the bride and groom.  A reception and wedding supper followed the service when the bridal couple left on the late afternoon train for Albany and other places.  Mrs. Osgood was a former Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] girl, was born and educated here and resided in our village until about two years ago.  She was one of our estimable young women, bright and winsome, pleasant and companionable, and is a bonnie bride, and will prove a model wife.  She has many friends in her old home who wish her much happiness.  The groom, Mr. Osgood is well and favorably known in Bainbridge.  He served upon the Republican staff for sometime and leaving Bainbridge he became proprietor of The Standard, which he has conducted successfully.  He is a young man of talent and energy and is devoted to journalism in which he will doubtless rise high.  The Republicn extends heartiest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Osgood [notation:  Aug. 16, 1899]

 

 

Quaint Tombstone Inscription, 1818

A Quaint Inscription

Smithville, Chenango County, New York

Chenango American, 1869

 

The Chenango American of Greene, prints the following inscription copied from a tombstone in the town of Smithville in the year 1869:

 

"Tabitha Agard lies here. She was the wife of Joseph Agard Esquire who was one of the first settlers of this town A.D. 1798. She died Sep 9 A D 1818 aged 68 years. This woman after many years of the greatest toil in this once howling wild in which she together with her family suffered much by hunger and nakedness was taken with lingering illness which lasted several years. She suffered much pain of body and depressed of spirits yet she knew in whom she had believed and waited with patience the coming of the Lord. She was an obedient wife, a loving mother, chaste, and a keeper at home, she was a suckerer of many in the settlement of this country. Both Indians and whitemen have often received food from hur hand. She instructed hur children to be always obedient to their father and to fear God every day. She was attentive to prayers bowing the knee to the Lord Jesus thus leaving a glorious example for all her sex to be obedient to their own husbands, teachers of good things, chaste keepers at home. She had four sons that cleared the ground where she and all this great family of the dead lie."

Smithville Flats Cemetery, Chenango County, New York

Marriages (April 15)

Beckwith - Moran:  Thursday evening at 8:30, Feb. 24, occurred the marriage of Miss Elizabeth Moran of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] to Erving Beckwith of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].  Rev. J.W. Bump was the officiating clergyman and the ceremony was performed at the "Pillars".  The bride is the daughter of Mrs. J. Moran.  They were attended by Miss Gladys Hale of Greene and Fred Beckwith of Guilford.  Other witnesses were the bride's mother, Mrs. Moran, and the groom's mother, Mrs. Ida Beckwith, Willard Bradley and Mrs. J.W. Bump.  Mr. Beckwith is a popular Guilford boy and employed at Sherburne with the WPA.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 3, 1938]

Sixteen years ago, on Wednesday, Nov. 8th [1883], Mr. and Mrs. Chris Toby were married by Rev. D.N. Grummon, then pastor of the Presbyterian church of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Searles, of Searles Hill.  There were over one hundred guests present and it was an occasion of pleasant greeting and congratulations that launched the young couple upon life's journey together.  The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Toby had thought to make the wedding anniversary of this year as complete in observance as was the first wedding festival of the years ago.  And to add zest to the entertainment it was the desire to make it a perfect surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Toby and a conspiracy was entered into to consummate plans, to notify guests, to decide upon gifts, to prepare elaborate refreshments and above all to meet Mr. and Mrs. Toby, for special inquiries in various ways, with that harmless air of innocence, which sometimes creates suspicion.  The conspirators were quite successful in their efforts of secrecy until two or three days before the anniversary of last week; the bride-groom, Mr. Toby, began to surmise there was something unusual in the air, and finally the plot to surprise him was revealed--and then he too joined the conspiring forces to mystify, surprise and give his bride pleasure.  Some friends of Mrs. Toby's in West Bainbridge were exceedingly anxious that she should visit them on Tuesday of last week, and she went, her house in the meantime being invaded by a party who soon prepared it for receiving on the morrow as many guests as were present at the wedding of 1883.  People began arriving on Wednesday morning, and before noon eighty had assembled and welcomed Mrs. Toby with joyous congratulations as she entered her home, having been sent for to meet unexpected visitors.  It was a glad time for Mr. and Mrs. Toby to receive this spontaneous expression of love and friendship from so many and in such a delightfully warm and hearty manner.  A handsome dinner was served which the kind forethought of friends had provided and the day was a joyous one for Mr. and Mrs. Toby and children and for those who came to wish them many more years of happy wedded life.  There were a number of valuable gifts made to emphasize the anniversary meeting.  There were friends from Sidney, Guilford, Harpursville, Norwich and Vermont besides Bainbridge and the surrounding vicinity.  [1899]

Lamon - Minor:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14 [1899], by Rev. S. McIntyre, William A. Laman, and Miss Henrietta Minor were married.  The bride is a well-known visitor here, sister of Mr. J.S. Minor.  The event was a genuine surprise, not only to the community in general, but especially so to the guests who had no intimation that the occasion was to be more than just a tea party, until the contracting parties took their places for the ceremonies.  After congratulations and best wishes, a tempting repast was served. 

Invitations have been received in Bainbridge to the marriage of Miss Mabelle Maude Sterling of Weedsport, N.Y. [Cayuga Co.], and Mr. Alfred Charles Wethay of Auburn, to occur in the M.E. church of Weedsport, Thursday evening, Dec. 7th [1899], at half past six o'clock.  The bride was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and left here when about ten years old, at the death of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sterling, to reside with her grandparents,  Mr. and Mrs. O.K. Gault, of Weedport.

Knapp-Horton:  Frederick Eugene Knapp, formerly of Deposit [Broome Co., NY], and Miss Elizabeth Grant Horton, were united in ye holy bonds of matrimony on Thursday evening, Jan. 18 [1900], at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Horton, 618 Carleton avenue, Brooklyn, there being present only the immediate relatives and old family friends of the bride and groom to the number of about forty.  Rev. David Evans, of Middletown, performed the official function necessary to make the contracting parties man and wife, both bride and groom doing their respective part with a sprit, decision and relish which was refreshing to behold (why, Fred was so conversant with the groom's "words" and so anxious to be speedily wed that he either led the reverend gentleman or gave him a very close chase all the way through.)  Miss Jane B. Horton, a sister of the bride, was maid of honor; Miss May Horton, also a sister, and Miss Florence Decker, a cousin, were the bridesmaids.  Mr. Thomas Appleton, of New York, was best man.  Messrs. Charles Vail, Fred C. Hicks and Taylor More, of New York, and John Yokum of Newark, were the ushers.  The bridesmaids were attired in renaissance crepe de cheine; the bride and maid of honor in white; the bride wore a long veil of old lace and carried a large bouquet of white orchids, lilies of the valley and maiden hair ferns.  The groom was in the usual conventional evening dress, except for an elegant and rare old waistcoat, a gift to the groom from "Uncle Charlie."  To the strains of Lohengrin wedding march the bridal party passed form the rear of the hall through and to the front of the parlor, where awaited the groom.  The ushers led the way, making an aisle through which passed the bridesmaids, the maid of honor and the bride leaning on the arm of her father.  After the ceremony and the congratulations by those present the wedding party were driven to the Ponch Mansion, an edifice peculiarly and admirably adapted for social functions, where a reception was given.  After the reception the three hundred guests repaired to the dining hall and sat down to the wedding banquet, which was elegant in its menu and decorations.  The guests were seated at round tables throughout the room, the bride's table being in the center and decorated with dark red ribbon and ferns.  The former Depositonians present were Mrs. George Knapp, Mr. Harry Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. George More, Mrs. Alice Knapp, Miss Florence Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Dunkley, Miss May Belle Street, Messrs, C.L. Lewis, Charles E. Walling, Taylor More and Gurdon Smith.  Most of these sat at a single table during the supper and did credit to their native region of milk and honey by exhibiting the good cheer of genial natives which such occasions properly develop, and as the orchestra played that familiar melody "I Leave My Happy Home for You," they joined in the lusty "han-them" for the groom's benefit.  The bridal couple left at an unexpected moment and started for a fortnight's trip in the south.  The Brooklyn-New York colony, as I am sure do all their friends and acquaintances in Deposit, wish the young couple Godspeed through a long and happy life. 

 

Obituaries (April 15)

Ellen Prince Smith, wife of Judge A. P. Smith deceased, died at her home in Cortland, Tuesday last.  Mrs. Smith had been in a critical condition since last September having at that time been stricken with paralysis.  She was past seventy years of age.  The deceased was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and made her home here until about twenty-five years ago when she married and has since lived in Cortland.  She was the daughter of Czar Prince, deceased.  [Notation:  March 12, 1901]

 

Eliza A. Weed died at her home in Deposit [Broome Co., NY] on Sunday last, Aug. 17 [1901].  She has been a resident of this village fifty-two years.  She was born in Walton, Delaware county, N.Y., Aug. 20, 1815.  Her father was Lewis Weed, her mother, Nancy Holmes.  She came to Deposit with her cousin, Mrs. Emily O. Wheeler, wife of N.K. Wheeler, in 1849 and remained with the family until the death of Judge Wheeler in 1880.  She then occupied her own dwelling in company with her niece, Miss Mary Marvin, where she has since resided until the time of her death.  She leaves no relatives in Deposit excepting her niece.  The remains were buried Tuesday, the 20th inst., on her eighty-sixth birthday, in Laurel Hill cemetery.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. John Alison, pastor of the Presbyterian church of which she was a member.  Miss Weed was perhaps as extensively known in our village as any resident of the town.  She was a woman of more than ordinary ability and of unusual business capacity.  Her physical strength as well as her strength of purpose, enabled her to accomplish the varied duties of her life without let or hindrance.  Slight obstacles were never in her way.  She was economical in her habits of daily expenditure and yet open handed and generous to all just and worthy objects claiming her support and help.  Her contributions were dictated by her own judgment of the worthiness of the object and her ability to give.  Such generosity is often counted for less than it is worth.  She leaves many friends who will regret the loss of her sympathy and her kindness. 

 

John W. Copley, father of Duncan H. Copley of Davenport, recently of Bainbridge, died Thursday, August 22 [1901], at the latter's home from a stroke of paralysis suffered that morning.  The deceased was born in Harpersfield [Delaware Co., NY] in 1825.  His wife was Nancy McDonald to whom was born two sons, D.H. Copley and Dr. H.D. Copley of Bainbridge, deceased, and one daughter, the late Mrs. Whitney, of Brooklyn.  Mr. Copley had enjoyed good health until a year ago.  He with his wife were residing with the son.  The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, Rev. J.R. Frasier officiating.

The following obituary notice of Mrs. Olive B. Humphrey, widow of the late Nelson J. Humphrey of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], we take from the New Hartford Tribune of November 15 [1901]:  Mrs. Olive B. Humphrey, who died at the house of her sister, Mrs. William Case, in Pine Meadow last Sunday afternoon, had been in failing health for about a year and confined to her bed since last May.  She was the daughter of Hiram and Olive Rood Pike and was born in New Marlboro, Mass., August 9, 1830. The family removed to Canton, very near the New Hartford line, some sixty-five years ago.  Mr. Pike having died November 9, 1838, and Mrs. Pike July 21, 1887.  Mrs. Humphrey was first married to Scott J. Priest, June 15, 1856, by whom she had three children, Jennie, Willie, both of whom die din infancy, and Edwin Eugene, who died November 29, 1879, at the age of fifteen years.  Mr. Priest died March 1, 1879.  June 1881 she was married to Nelson J. Humphrey, of Bainbridge, who died January 30 of the present year.  Mrs. Humphrey was a remarkably cheerful and amiable woman, much loved by her many friends and respected by all.  She leaves four sisters and one brother.  The funeral was largely attended at the house of William Case in Pine Meadow on Wednesday at two o'clock, Rev. F.S. Brewer officiating.  A quartette composed of Mr. Geo. R .Wilcox, Mrs. W.T. Platt, F.M. Terrill and F.P. Daniels sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and other pieces very impressively.  The casket was covered and surrounded with beautiful flowers.  The interment was in Village cemetery by the side of her first husband and three children.  The bearers were four nephews of the deceased and two stepsons, Austin Humphrey and Wm. Sands of Bainbridge.  Mrs. Humphrey was a most estimable woman, a delightful companion and friend, and the telegraphic message announcing her death last week was received with many expressions of regret and sadness.  Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey dispensed at their home on the East side cordial and liberal hospitality and were the representatives of the best element of our town.  They have passed away but the remembrance of their home and exemplary lives will long be treasured. 

News of the death of Mr. George E. Butler, formerly of this village, which occurred at Stanbury, Mo., on Feb. 11 [1901], has reached friends here. 

Robert E. Spencer who lived two and one-half miles above Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on the Guilford road, was found dead Thursday, August 22 [1901], at six o'clock, in the road on the west side of the Sidney bridge.  He had been afflicted with heart disease for some time and was told a year ago he was liable to die suddenly.  A coroner was called and saw readily that no inquest was necessary.  Mr. Spencer had been a familiar figure in and about Bainbridge for many years.  He was always jovial and friendly and everyone who knew him liked him.  There was scarcely a day he was not seen on the streets and his sudden death was a surprise to the people.  Mr. Spencer's wife died some time ago and he lived alone.  There are seven children living who are:  Mrs. Cora Newton, Mrs. Albert Hornshu, and Jason Spencer, Bainbridge;  Mrs. Fred Zwick and Miss Lena Spencer, Searles Hill; Mrs. Nora Salley, Afton; and Eugene Spencer, Unadilla.  The funeral was held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hornshu, Sunday, Rev. A.H. Grant of St. Peter's church, Bainbridge, officiating.  The singers were:  Mrs. A.H. Grant, Mrs. Mary Graves, Daniel Banner and Geo. A. Ives.  The pall bearers were Geo. Spohn, Edward Buman, Edward Schemerhorn and Geo. Rosencranse. There were many flowers presented among which was a handsome piece by the pallbearers.  The burial was at Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY]. 

Sanford Carpenter, one of the oldest and best known residents of this village, died Monday evening, aged eighty-five years.  The funeral was held at his late residence on Second street this morning at 10:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. Dr. Coons, Burial in Pine Grove cemetery [Deposit, Broome Co., NY].  [Notation:  Dec. 23, 1901]

Death of Representative Bert Lord, May 1939

Death of Bert Lord

Ill Only Week in Hospital at Washington

Representative of 34th District, Was Serving Third Term

Born in Colesville

May 24, 1939

 

 

Representative Bert Lord of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], serving his third term from the thirty-fourth District--Broome, Chenango, Otsego and Delaware--died at 1:30 o'clock this morning in the Naval hospital at Washington.  Death followed his second heart attack in little more than a week.  He was 69.  He was admitted to the hospital a week ago Monday after suffering what physicians described as a mild heart attack while attending the New York World's Fair with a Congressional party.  While his condition improved at first, he took a sudden turn for the worse yesterday. The legislator suffered a relapse shortly after midnight and expired about 1:30 a.m.  His wife, the former, Mrs. Margaret T. Gregg, of Afton, whom he married last fall, was at the bedside.  Also present were his two secretaries, John P. Carr and Miss Louise Hymer, and Mrs. Gregg's son, John of Endicott. 

 

Since coming to Congress in 1934, Mr. Lord had been active in supporting agricultural and "farm-to-market" road legislation.  Only a few days before he was stricken he had opened informal discussions with representatives of the Philippine government looking toward an arrangement whereby the islands would import more American dairy products.  He was a member of the House agriculture and library committees.  Friends of the family said the funeral would be held from the Lord home in Afton.  The time was to be decided later.  It was not immediately known whether Governor Lehamn will call a special election to fill the vacancy.  The immediate thought in district political quarters was that the post would not be filled until the regular election this fall.  He is survived by his widow and George E. Lord of Binghamton, a cousin. 

 

Mr. Lord was first elected to Congress from the 34th district in 1934 and was serving his third term at the time of his death.  During his long political career he had served as Chenango county assemblyman, as state senator from the Fortieth district and as state motor vehicle commissioner during the term of Nathan Miller as governor and the first year of Alfred E Smith's second term. 

 

Born in Colesville [Broome Co., NY] in 1869, he was the son of James A. Lord and Henrietta Hawkins Lord.  In 1893, Mr. Lord married Miss Lillian Kniskern of Sanford.  She died a year ago.  On Dec. 9, 1938, he married Mrs. George Gregg of Afton.

 

From 1893 until 1913, Mr. Lord conducted a general store in Afton.  For the past 20 years he had been a dealer in lumber and was interested in many sawmills.

 

Mr. Lord began his political career as Republican supervisor for the town of Afton, serving from 1905 until 1915.  In 1914 he was elected chairman of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors.  In 1923 he was again chosen supervisor. 

 

In 1921, Mr. Lord was named commissioner of motor vehicles by Governor Miller and he retained that post for six months during the second term of Governor Smith.

 

First elected to the State Assembly from Chenango county in 1915, Mr. Lord served until 1921.  He again was sent to the Assembly in November, 1923, and retained the post through [-?-].  While assemblyman he was a member of committees on ways and means, internal affairs, banks and reorganization of the state government.  He also served on a special committee to redraft town laws.

 

Mr. Lord was appointed to the State Senate in 1930 after the death of Senator B. Roger Wales.  He served in this capacity until Republican candidate for representative from the 34th district, succeeding Mrs. Marion W. Clarke of Fraser.  He has served in Congress since.