George W. Waters
Elmira Gazette, July 23, 1912
George W. Waters
George W. Waters, an artist of national reputation for a half century, died at the family home, 360 West First street in this city [Elmira, Chemung Co., NY], this morning at 5:30 o'clock. Mr. Waters had been in ill health for several months past and for the past two months his condition had been serious. The decedent was born in Coventry, Chenango county, N.Y., March 31, 1832, and early in life he showed marked ability as an artist. He studied in oil portrait and landscape work in New York city and also at Munich, Bavaria. He also traveled extensively in Europe for the extension of his work and studies. Mr. Waters came to Elmira in 1861 and his work had been exhibited in the National Academy in New York city over 40 years. Also specimens are to be found in every state of the union. His oil portrait of former Governor Lucius Robinson of Elmira is placed in the council chamber at Albany, and a portrait of former Governor Alexander W. Randall of Wisconsin is in the capitol of that state. Large landscapes were also made on order by Mr. Waters for Andrew Carnegie, Samuel L. Clemens and other men of national fame. For several years Mr. Waters was at the head of the art department of Elmira college, in which he was ably assisted by his daughters. As a man, Mr. Waters was of the kindest Christian character and disposition, and was quiet in his ways. He was devoted to his family and his art and his friends held him in the highest respect. He was a close friend of the late Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, and his oil portrait of the beloved leader of the Park Church, is pronounced the best of the several portraits which were made in the closing days of Mr. Beecher's life work. Mr. Waters is survived by his widow, two daughters, the misses Jean and Mabel Waters, and a son, George W. Waters, Jr., also a grandson, George W. Waters, 3rd. The date of the funeral will be announced later. It will be held at the family home and burial will be in the family plot in Woodlawn cemetery.
Elmira Advertiser, July 24, 1912
....Mr. Waters has painted many notable portraits. Among them that of the late Governor Lucius Robinson, a half length, for the capital at Albany, a head for the city of Albany and still another portrait for the Robinson home. A picture that created a marked sensation upon its exhibition in New York, was that of Joseph Jefferson as "Rip Van Winkle," awakening from his sleep. This was done when Jefferson was at the height of his popularity, and when the actor later played in this city. Mr. Waters had a most pleasant visit with him, and received high compliments for the picture. This picture was purchased by a Mr. Nathan, of New York. A very fine head of Walt Whitman was another important picture. he also painted portraits of Jennie Jewel Hotchkiss, formerly of Elmira, in one of her Shakespearian costumes, and a portrait of Dr. Cowels, president Emeritus of Elmira college. One of former Governor Alexander W. Randall of Wisconsin is in the capitol of that State. Large landscapes were also made on order by Mr. Waters for Andrew Carnegie, Samuel L. Clemens and other men of National fame. He was a close friend of the late Rev. Thomas K. Beecher and his oil portrait of the beloved leader of the Park Church is pronounced the best of the several portraits which were made in the closing days of Mr. Beecher's life work. For thirty-two years Mr. Waters was at the head of the Art Department of Elmira College. He once painted a large marine for "Mark Twain," the picture as ordered by Mr. Clemens, showing a burning ship on the ocean and the crew saved in little boats. He received from his friend a characteristic letter expressing his appreciation and pleasure in this picture. For a great many years Mr. Waters landscape pictures have been almost entirely scenes along the Chemung, and the picturesque little river has become widely known in artistic homes. The artist was of a quiet, retiring disposition, but those who knew him best realized the sweetness and gentleness of his character. He loved his work. his heart and soul were in it, and the sight of the old man whistling softly at his easel as he wielded his brushes, and the kindly glance of his keen, young-old eyes are pleasant remembrances to family and friends. Of Mr. Waters in his studio, Ira E. Sherman, an uncle of Mr. Waters, in a little volume of poems called "Old Time Memories," has written t he following:
"This home of art is the abiding place
Of earnest thought and most unselfish care,
Of constant struggle after forms that grace
Man's higher nature. Life is here a prayer.
A longing, waiting, those must know, who stand
Enraptured, seeing the enchanted land."
The last years of the artist's life have been replete with work accomplishing some of his finest canvasses having been painted at recent dates. There was no diminution of skill, but a constant progress. he seemed to live in a glow of color which it was his delight to transpose into living scenes of beauty. Before coming to Elmira Mr. Waters was an instructor of art in the Franklin-Delaware Institute, N.Y., where he met his wife as a student there. ..... The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the family home. The Rev. Dr. Samuel E. Eastman will officiate and burial will be in the family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Minerva Fenton
Chenango Union, April 24, 1873
FENTON: At the residence of Dr M.C. Parker in Washington, Iowa, March 25th, 1873, after an illness of several weeks, Mrs. Minerva Fenton, aged 76 years.
Deceased was a native of Connecticut, but removed at an early day (about 1806 or 8) to the almost unbroken forests of Chenango County, N.Y., where the arduous labors of more than half a century were devoted to making good and comfortable homes for family and friends, with the expectation of living and dying in the midst of her labors. Being the oldest daughter, and the oldest of all but two of a family of fifteen children, all of whom lived to adult age, she knew full well what hard work and scant fare meant in those early days, and that early experience gave her a vigor and determination of character seldom found in these later and more luxurious days. The love of children proving stronger than the love of home and other kindred ties, she came to this city, seven years ago, with the expressed desire to live and die with her children here. For more than fifty years she had been an active member in the Congregational church, and of greater moment still, she was a consistent living Christian and a loving mother; and to the last her faith in the fruition of the Christian's hope was strong and unshaken. --Washington County Press.
Patty (Miles) Warren
Chenango Union, February 10, 1881
WARREN: At her home in Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], on Sunday, January 30th, 1881, Mrs. Patty Warren, aged 84 years, 1 month and 22 days, gently fell asleep, to waken to the "sweet rest" and enjoyment of a higher life.
She was born at Cheshire, Ct., December 7th, 1796. When a child her parents left their native State, and moved to what is now known as the south part of Oxford. Her father, Simon Miles, with them nobly met and contended with the privations and inconveniences of pioneer life. What is now called Coventryville, was the nearest "settlement"--a point some three miles distant. A religious society was organized in 1805, and a church in 1809, and there the educational and religious interests of the inhabitant's centered. The earliest recollections of our friend were of an almost unbroken wilderness, through which bears, and occasionally a panther, roamed, and the howling of wolves was a nightly serenade. The only way of getting to Oxford, or Jericho (Bainbridge) was by bridle-paths and marked trees.
One noticeable characteristic of the pioneers, was their reverence for and attendance upon religious services on the Sabbath. In early life, when means of conveyance were not so common as now, it was the custom of Mrs. W., as also that of her sisters and cousins living near, to often walk to "meeting," distant three miles, where those assembled could sit through the morning service with no fire save what was carried in footstools, and after intermission, during which they were replenished at a neighbor's glowing fireplace, remain to the long prayer and sermon of the afternoon. This custom was carried through her life, and so long as her health permitted, she was a faithful attendant upon divine services.
In 1819 she united with the Church at Coventryville, and remained a member of the same until her death, choosing not to sever her union to it upon removal to another place. The same year, September 19th, 1819, she was united in marriage to Woodward Warren, and came to her new home in this town. She was ever devoted to her family, as wife and mother, faithfully ministering for years to her invalid husband, her habitual cheerfulness often luring him from the gloomy and despondent state of mind caused by disease. We have often heard her recount her early experience in housekeeping, and the limited means with which they commenced, but persevering economy and "diligence in business" secured a competence for after years. But the place where she had so long lived, gathering all the comforts of life about her, she left on the 23d of April, 1868, and moved with her two sons, Elisha and Simon W. to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]. With many regrets and tears she left her home and friends, and although she formed new and pleasant acquaintances, she ever treasured the warmest affection for the old; and when the shadow fell upon her life, growing deeper and darker about her mind, until the faces of children and friends were to her as strangers, she wandered mid other and earlier days and friends, until the portals were unbarred, "the silver cord loosed," and it broke from its bondage to exult in the freedom of a new life, for she trusted in Him in whose name alone we are saved.
The funeral was attended at her late residence in Bainbridge, and from thence her remains were brought, and laid in our quite cemetery, beside those of her husband, who died more than twenty-five years since.
Having from our earliest recollection known and loved our departed friend, we offer this slight tribute to her memory as we recall the pleasant smile and warm greeting always extended us in bygone days when a happy company often met at her home, and joined their voices in mirth and song. But we have older grown; the musical echoes have ceased; but may we all meet in the "bright forever," and join in songs celestial and unending.
Coventryville, Feb. 7, 1881
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