Obituaries (January 3)

Harriet A. Hecox

Smyrna Press, May 5, 1904

 

Another of the older residents of this village was summoned from earthly cares on Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs. Harriet Hecox passed quietly away at the home of her son, Austin A. Hecox, on East Main street.  She suffered a paralytic shock on Tuesday night, April 19, and did not regain consciousness again, but gradually failed until the end came at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 1904.  Mrs. Hecox, whose maiden name was Harriet A. Fuller, was born at New Lisbon, Otsego county, N.Y., October 31, 1830, and was therefore in the seventy fourth year of her age.  On November 10, 1850, he was married to Chester B. Hecox, and they went to reside at Bath, Steuben county, where they remained several years.  From Bath they returned in Otsego county and later they came to Earlville where they remained one year before coming to this town 33 years ago where they spent the balance of their lives.  Mr. Hecox died July 15, 1886, while residing on the farm now owned by C.S. Billings and occupied by Dwight Calkins.  During the past twelve years, Mrs. Hecox had made her home with her son at whose residence she died.  Mrs. Hecox was a noble, Christian woman and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of this village.  She is survived by two sons, Austin A., of this village and Eugene of Brockport, Ida E., her only daughter, having died March 18, 1885.  Funeral services were held from the house at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Rev. G.W. Crosby pastor of the M.E. church, officiating.  Burial was made by the side of her husband in the cemetery at Earlville [Madison Co., NY]. 

 

Rev. S.M. Keeler

Smyrna Press, June 13, 1912

 

Rev. S.M. Keeler died at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Thursday, June 6, 1912, at the age of 76 years.  Mr. Keeler had spent fifty-two years in the ministry, and for four years was pastor of the Congregational church of this village.  During that time the church prospered and the church building was thoroughly remodeled.  He and his family were very much loved by the people of Smyrna.  Not many who attended church at that time are left, but those who do remember him and his family will extend their sympathy to the bereaved family. 

 

Ellen M. Weaver

Smyrna Press, June 13, 1912

 

Died, at the Rome Hospital May 16, 1912, of pneumonia following an operation, Ellen M. Weaver, second daughter of Charles and Rebecca Weaver, deceased, in the forty-third year of her age.  Ellen M. Weaver was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., living there until about eleven years of age when she with her parents and sister moved to this town. She learned and skillfully followed the dressmaker's trade for a number of years. The last few years she had been living with her married sister, Mrs. Lewis N. Benedict, near Rome. She was a member of the Friends church.  Becoming a Christian at an early age she was deeply interested in all Christian work and ever ready with a helping hand and kind word in sickness and need.  No exertion or sacrifice too great, no call unheeded if in her power to grant.  Unselfishness was her crowning virtue. In the last hours she was calm and happy in her Savior's love.  Beloved by all who knew her she will be sadly missed.  Funeral services were held at the home of her sister and the remains were brought to Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] and buried in the Friends cemetery.  Besides her sister, Miss Weaver leaves a foster brother, Ray C. Weaver of Cortland, N.Y.

"Pilgrimage ended,

Lights and shades blended,

Then I shall see

How thou didst lead me,

How thou didst speed me

Nearer dear Saviour still nearer to thee." 

 

Erastus C. Billings

Smyrna Press, August 3, 1911

 

Entered into the life to come at his home, 314 Kellogg St., Syracuse, N.Y. [Onondaga Co., NY], Erastus C. Billings, age 72 years.  The youngest son of John F. and Lucretia C. Billings, he was born in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], April 10, 1839.  He was married June 16, 1875 to Miss Sarah Dixon, a sister of the Dixon brothers in Smyrna.  Two sons were born to them, John Dixon in 1878 and Charles Walter in 1880, the latter and his mother being the only surviving members of the family.  Both sons received preparatory and college training at Colgate university, and later obtained further degrees, John from Cornell and Walter from Syracuse.  While on the way to his daily chemical duties at the Halcomb Steel Plant of Syracuse, John met an untimely death by railway accident, Sept. 22, 1909;  Walter is with the Brown Lipe Chapin Co., extensive manufacturers of automobile gears in Syracuse.  Commencing as drug clerk in New York city, Mr. Billings afterwards purchased a drug business at Eaton, N.Y., where he remained four years; then became for several years a successful representative in New England of Reed & Carnick of New York.  On marriage, he again, at Boonton, N.J., purchased a drug store, remaining there three years; then removed his business to Smyrna, N.Y., where he continued in it seventeen years, winning the esteem of the entire community by his skill, painstaking care of details, real love for the work and square dealing.  In 1896, he again engaged as pharmaceutical salesman, traveling in New England for the Norwich Pharmacal Co. six years, and in Central New York for The National Drug Co. of Philadelphia, Pa., the remaining years of his life.  As a traveling representative among physicians, his intimate knowledge both as to the manufacture and application of drugs, together with his sterling manhood, secured for him respect and often close friendship among his customers.  He was a member of the Smyrna Congregational church and as treasurer was for years active in the affairs of the church.  He was a member of Smyrna Lodge No 116, I.O.O.F.  Rev C.C. Johnson, who was for ten years a pastor in Smyrna, and in 1875, at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Billings performed the marriage ceremony, officiated at the funeral services at Syracuse, Thursday evening, the 27th inst., assisted by Dr. Ethan A. Curtis of Syracuse, and at Smyrna on Friday, the 28th, with interment by the Lodge I.O.O.F., at West Hill cemetery, Sherburne, N.Y. [Chenango Co.].  A man of spotless integrity, of warm sympathies and domestic tastes, he gave his family a wealth of affection and devotion, and drew to himself a large circle of friends, who sincerely mourn his sudden departure.

 

Death Notices

 

PELLET:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on Wednesday last, Mrs. Frances, wife of David Pellet, aged 38 years [Chenango Telegraph, May 25, 1835]

 

BLIVIN:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st ult., Mrs. Irena, wife of John Blivin, aged 32 years. [Chenango Telegraph, June 1, 1836]

NICHOLSON:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 31st ult., Mr. Allen Nicholson, aged about 40 years.  [Chenango Telegraph, June 17, 1835]

EGAN:  In Rochester [Monroe Co., NY], of consumption, November 3, 1836, Mrs. Lydia A., wife of John Egan and sister of J.S. Bell of New Berlin.  [Norwich Journal, December 8, 1836]

WILSON:  Wilkin's Settlement [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mr. Orville Wilson's infant daughter was buried Sunday the 21st.  [Bainbridge Republican, May 9, 1878]

ADAMS:  Horace Adams of Triangle [Broome Co., NY], aged 82 years, died on Monday, May 27th.  He served during the War of 1812, and was a pensioner.  His wife, with whom  he had lived 65 years died last August, aged 86.[Bainbridge Republican, June 6, 1878]

PEARSALL:  David Pearsall, a respected resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], and at one time Supervisor of the town, died at his residence on Tuesday morning of this week, aged 56 years.  His funeral took place on Wednesday, and was attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends.  [Bainbridge Republican, June 6, 1878]