Obituaries (January 21)

Joseph H. Latham

Utica Saturday Globe, November 21, 1903

 

 

Joseph H. Latham

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At his home on South Broad street, Wednesday afternoon, after a short illness, Joseph H. Latham died at the age of 73.  Mr. Latham was for many years a prominent merchant and representative resident of this community.  Deceased was born at Latham's Four Corners, in the town of Guilford, this county, December 11, 1824.  He was the son of Harry and Jerusha Latham, who located in Guilford in the early years of the century.  In youth he acquired a thorough, practical education, and like many young men of that period began his first work in life by teaching district school, teaching in the town several terms before becoming a permanent resident.  About 1855 he accepted a clerkship in the hardware store of Haynes & Knight.  Some three years later Mr. Haynes died suddenly and his administrator placed the entire business in the hands of the subject of this sketch.  When the effects were sold Mr. Latham purchased them and associating with himself Daniel M. Holmes, began his mercantile career.  Some years later he bought out his partner and continued the business alone, building up a large and lucrative trade by his energy and foresight.  In 1887, after more than 30 years successful business in one location, he retired, handing over his store to his son, Charles H. Latham, the present owner.  October 3, 1863, Mr. Latham married Frances L. Randall, of this village.  Two children were born to them, Charles H. Latham and Frances R. Latham.  Mrs. Latham died suddenly November 20, 1897, and the daughter, Frances, was cut down in the flower of her young womanhood in April of this year.  He never rallied from the shock of the loss of his wife and daughter, which left his home desolate.  His friends noticed that his step had lost somewhat of its elasticity, but little dreamed that the end was so near.   His only son, Charles H. Latham, is the sole survivor of the immediate family.  A sister, Mrs. Helen Orr, resides in Topeka, Kan.  Mr. Latham was a thorough businessman, careful, diligent and accurate in all of his dealings.  In politics he was a consistent Republican and looked upon public questions from the standpoint of a patriot. He was public spirited, believed in the future of the village, and gave of this time and money to further any object which he believed was for the public good.  In the care of his home and surroundings he set an example of neatness and attractiveness.  His religious home was in the congregational Church, of which he was a faithful and consistent attendant for nearly a third of a century.  He never sought public preferment, but preferred to do his duty as a private citizen.  Such men as he give stability and character to a community.  The funeral will be held from the late home on South Broad street Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Daniel W. Decker officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Charles Brown

Antimasonic Telegraph, November 18, 1829

 

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th ult., Mr. Charles Brown, aged 65 years; by this dispensation of providence, his Widow is left to lament the loss of an affectionate husband, and his children a kind indulgent parent.

 

Maria Harris

Chenango Telegraph, July 20, 1836

 

Died in new Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst. Mrs. Maria Harris, wife of John Harris, Esq., late of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], aged 38 years.  The circumstances which caused and attended the death above recorded were peculiarly afflicting.  On the 4th of July, a son of Mr. Harris, aged 12 years, was drowned in the  Unadilla river. The annunciation of this event to the family, produced a shock to the mind of Mrs. Harris from which she never recovered.  Search was immediately made for the body of the boy, and continued during the afternoon and night; but it was not until the afternoon of the 5th, that it was found.  Mrs. Harris became deranged--her mind was destroyed--and in ten days from the melancholy occurrence on the 4th, she was no more!  Thus perished a fine boy, and thus an excellent and amiable woman.  To the surviving members of the family these were cases of the severest trials and affliction.  eE have never known the sympathies of the public more general and deep-seated, than on these occasions.

 

Mercy Sheldon

Chenango Telegraph, August 3, 1836

 

Died in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. after a painful and severe illness, Mercy, wife of Luke Sheldon, aged 59 years.  The deceased was a woman highly exemplary in all the various relations and duties of life; and was respected and beloved by all who enjoyed her acquaintance.  In her death, her husband has been deprived of an affectionate wife, her children of a kind and loving parent, and society of a useful member.   She has left a wide circle of relations and friends to mourn her loss.

 

Lucy Smith

Chenango Telegraph, August 3, 1836

 

At South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d, Mrs. Lucy Smith, wife of Mr. Dexter Smith, in the 56th year of her age, leaving evidence to her friends that she was worthy to be counted among the happy number "Who died in the Lord."  As a Christian her piety was exhibited in a principled regard for the divine requirements as they relate to the duty of man to his Maker and to his fellow men; as a bosom companion she was assiduously kind and faithful; as a mother she was affectionate and provident; as a friend, sincere and constant.  In her death a large circle of family connexions pay no ordinary tribute to the destroying Angel.

 

Thomas P. Main

Bainbridge Republican, August 15, 1878

 

Thos. P. Main, an old and well known citizen of Boone [Iowa], died on Saturday night last, at his residence.  Mr. Main was 80 years, one month and 27 days old, and had resided in Boone for twelve years, removing from Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  He was married three times and had fifteen children born unto him, ten of whom are now living.  Three of his children reside here--Hawley Main, Mr. E.G. Wood and Emma Main.  His two sons, Charles and William, now residents of Galesburg, Illinois, and conductors on the C.B. & Q.R.R., were here to attend their father's funeral.  He was a conscientious Christian gentleman, being a member of the M.E. Church by Rev. A.P. Hull, and the body laid to its final rest in Linwood Cemetery.  An affection of the kidneys, complicated with those ailments incident to old age, is what took him off.  He died without a struggle, and bore his ills with great patience and forbearance.--Boone (Ia.) Republican.