Obituaries (January 11)

Effie E. Cable Kirby

Afton Enterprise, October 2, 1902

 

Effie E., wife of E.G. Kirby, was born in Afton, N.Y. [Chenango Co.,], June 17, 1869, and departed this life at her home on Algerine street, Afton, N.Y, Sunday evening, Sept. 28, 1902.  She leaves to mourn her loss, a husband and three children, Arthur, Margaret and Henry, also a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Cable, two sisters and a brother.  They feel their loss most keenly, and have the sympathy of the entire community.  Mrs. Kirby was a quiet and unassuming lady, a loving and self-sacrificing wife, an affectionate daughter and sister and an ideal mother.  As a neighbor and friend she was true, and will be greatly missed.  Her funeral was held from her late home and was well attended, her pastor Rev. C.E. Sweet, officiating,  Interment at Bainbridge.

 

She vanished, we cannot say she died,

'Twas a narrow space did Heaven and Earth divide;

So sudden death did come to her,

She did but dream of Heaven, and she was there.

But that she died we only have to show,

The mortal part of her she left below;

The rest, so smooth, so peacefully she went,

Looked like translation through the firmament

 

James Rellez Vergason

1834 - 1908

 

James Rellez Vergason was born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] March 18, 1834, died Feb. 10, 1908.  He was married March 17, 1859 to Sarah Landers.  Two children were born to them, one daughter who died over four years ago and one son Raymond.  Two granddaughters are left, Mrs. George Skinner and Grace Woods of Bainbridge also a sister, Mrs. E. Holmes of Afton.  Mr Vergason was a kind loving husband and father, a good citizen, a friend that could be trusted in sunshine and in storm. His sickness has been of long duration, over two years of anxiety for his family and patient waiting for himself, but at last the "silver cord is loosened and the golden bowl is broken" and he is at rest  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. B.F. Butler of Binghamton and burial in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY].

 

Henry L. Kirby

Bainbridge Republican, July 30, 1914

 

In the south end of the Episcopal churchyard [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] is a new made grave which on Monday was covered and terraced with blankets, pillows and designs of the richest and choicest flowers.  These floral emblems extreme in abundance and beauty followed as a final tribute over the remains of a young man who was buried with one of the most impressive largest gatherings of saddened friends ever  held in this historic churchyard.  The funeral of Henry L. Kirby whose sudden death stirred with deep sorrow the entire community was held in the Episcopal church Monday afternoon at four o'clock.  Rev. Luther L. Weller conducted the services and joined with the vested choir in rendering beautiful hymns.  The casket surrounded by flowers rested before the chancel and as it was borne, preceded by the vested choir in song, from the church out into the cemetery adjoining, there was scarcely a dry eye among the large gathering of people who filled the church and who accompanied the remains to the resting place beneath the evergreens.  Henry L. Kirby was 16 years of age.  He was a favorite among the young people of the village.  He was active, bright and genial, foremost to the pleasures and recreations which interested young people.  He was popular, liked by everyone for there was about him an open, frank and attractive way which commanded attention.  he was a member of the Bainbridge baseball team and a good player and was fond of all out door sports.  One day last week he was taken ill and thinking he could overcome the trouble he kept about and participated in the routine of camp life across the river with his companions.  Later he writhed in pain and next morning he consulted a physician and then appeared symptoms of appendicitis.  An operation was had as quickly as possible when his condition was discovered to be very grave.  He died Saturday evening at ten o'clock living only three days after the operation.  He resided with his aunt, Miss Mary Kirby on North Main street,  his parents, who were Mr. and Mrs. Ned Kirby, having died several years ago.  he was a nephew of Charles R. Kirby, and is survived by one brother, Arthur Kirby, and one sister, Miss Margaret Kirby.

 

Harrison S. Shapley

Victim of Spanish Influenza

The Norwich Sun, October 18, 1918

 

Earlville [Madison Co., NY]:  Harrison S. Shapley died at his home on North Main street Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, aged 30 years.  He was taken ill about two weeks ago with the influenza, which developed into pneumonia.  He has been engaged continuously as a clerk in the Williamson grocery store for over ten years, being engaged at the time of his death with his brother, Harold B. Shapley, in the conduct of that store.  In June, 1918, he was married to Miss Hazel Lyon of Sherburne, who survives, together with his mother, Mrs. Frank D. Morey, one brother, Harold, and two sisters, Zelda and Louise Morey, all of this place. The funeral services will be held privately at the home Friday afternoon and burial made in the Earlville cemetery.

 

Harrison Pliny Kirby

The Utica Observer Dispatch, June 23, 1934

Norway [Herkimer Co., NY]:  Harrison P. Kirby, 83, for the past 38 years a resident of this village, and for 16 years a retired farmer here, died Thursday after a long illness.  Harrison Pliny Kirby was born in the town of Bainbridge, Chenango County, Mar. 29, 1846, a son of Pliny Kirby, whose father was one of the early settlers of the Susquehanna Valley.  He attended the public schools in his vicinity and afterward the Franklin Institute at Franklin, N.Y.  Mr. Kirby as a young man learned the business of farming and followed it until 16 years ago.  In 1870 he went to the State of Washington and after remaining there about five years he returned to New York taking up his residence at Gravesville, in Herkimer County.  About 1893 he made his home in the Town of Norway where he owned the Hill Crest farm.  In politics he was an independent Republican but never held public office.  He was a member of the Baptist Church.  He married Miss Kate Farber of Norway in 1895.  Besides his widow he leaves two sons, Kenneth, Sauquoit, and Pliny, North Gage; a daughter, Mrs. F.H. Comstock, Herkimer, and six grandchildren. 

 

 

Arthur Theodore Kirby

1892-1938

 

Arthur Theodore Kirby of 52 River street, this village [Sidney, Delaware Co., NY], passed away at 12:30 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon, 14th inst. at the Emogene Bassett hospital, Cooperstown, N.Y., a victim of asthma.  He entered that institution the 8th, inst., bronchial pneumonia developed and his demise followed on day above mentioned.  He was born in Afton township [Chenango Co., NY], October 13, 1892, the son of the late Edward and Effie (Cable) Kirby.  Funeral services were conducted from Saint Paul's Episcopal church, Rev. Fr. Leonard W. Steele officiating, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock.  On Saturday evening, at the home, the Elks service was conducted by members of that order with Theodore Bonney of Norwich in charge.  Interment was in St. Andrews church cemetery in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Kirby was a member of Phoebus Masonic lodge of New Berlin, Order of Elks of Norwich, Loyal Order of Moose of Sidney and St. Peter's Episcopal church of Bainbridge.  Surviving are the devoted wife, a daughter, Mary, attending Syracuse University, and a sister, Mrs. Frances Casey of Bainbridge.  As a lad, Arthur T Kirby attended the Bainbridge high school.  In young manhood days he entered the employ of the Casein Company in that village carrying on work in chemistry  Later he went to New Berlin with the Nestle Company milk plant, leaving there to serve as superintendent of Dairymen's League plants in Burke, N.Y., Cooperstown, and Unadilla.  He was united in marriage with Marjorie E. Banks, daughter of Mrs. Jessie S. Banks of New Berlin, and the late honorable Charles L. Banks, on December 8, 1917.  Mr. and Mrs. Kirby came to reside in Sidney ten years ago.  he carried on a milk trucking and general contracting business, locally.  As a chemist, Mr. Kirby was recognized as an authority in the milk manufacturing world.  During the World War, he was summoned to England for a conference.  He sailed aboard the "Laconia" from the port of New York.  Nearing Ireland the boat, which had a small passenger list, was torpedoed.  Mr. Kirby with Floyd Gibbons, the noted war correspondent, a fellow passenger and another passenger made their way to a life saving boat and later reached the coast of Ireland.  others aboard were not as fortunate as this trio, several lives being lost.