Obituaries (January 9)

George W. Springsteen

Chenango Union, August 25, 1881

 

In memory of George W., son of George and Mary Springsteen, who died in Binghamton, N.Y. [Broome Co.], July 7th, 1881, after a painful illness of three months, aged 24 years.  Whole columns are often written upon the lives of good men of our town, and it seems but just that a little space should be given in our County papers in memory of this lovely boy.  His "sun has gone down while it was yet day."  In the prime and vigor of manhood he has fallen, his work on earth is ended, and he has gone to his reward.  Unable to speak in his last hour, he left no dying testimony.  It seemed that God had need of him in a fairer clime than this.  We mourn when we think of the loss of one so young, We sympathize with the father and mother, and the numerous friends who loved him tenderly, for none knew him but to love him.

 

We weep at the parting clasp of the hand,

As the pale feet press the slippery sand;

They wait for an angel to carry them o'er

To the mansions on the other shore;

And we hush our breath, as if to hear

Sounds of the harpers as they draw near;

A shattered song or dip of an oar.

As the boat glides from life's rugged shore.

 



Edward T. Hayes

 

Another of our old and esteemed citizens has passed away.  Edward T. Hayes died at his residence on South Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Tuesday afternoon last, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.  For several years past his mental faculties have gradually failed, and his death was not unlooked for.  Mr. Hayes was born in 1813, in the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], near Mount Upton, where his boyhood years were passed.  he served an apprenticeship at piano forte making in Cooperstown, and about fifty years ago established himself in that business in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], in company with his brother, James, the latter retiring from the firm after about two years.  Soon after the late George H. Lattin became his partner, and the increasing business was conducted by the firm of Hayes & Lattin for several years.  In 1854 George Rider became a partner, and after many changes in the firm name, by the admission of new partners, in 1873 all other partners were bought out, and the firm continued in the name of Hayes & Rider until the business was discontinued nearly ten years since, when what was once a leading industry in Norwich was no more.  In 1868 Mr. Hayes became associated with Mr. Rider in the gas works, retaining his interest therein until his death.  He was identified with the building of the midland railroad, and was one of its charter Directors.  He was a public spirited citizen, of unquestioned integrity, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of this community.  Deceased was twice married, and he survived both wives.  He leaves two children, Edward Hayes, of this village, and Mrs. Charles T. Marston, of Hartford, Conn.  Funeral services will be held at his late residence, Thursday, at 2:30 P.M.  [Chenango Union, October 24, 1889]

 

Edward T. Hayes, Esq., died at is residence in this village [Norwich, NY], Tuesday evening.  He was born in 1912 near Mt. Upton, where his boyhood days were spent.  He acquired a knowledge of the construction of musical instruments with Utter & Smith, of Guilford, and afterwards with Perse & Utter, of Cooperstown.  Having learned his trade, he located here and in December, 1838, began the manufacture of pianos with his brother James for a partner.  In 1842, Geo. H. Lattin was admitted to the partnership, and remained such until his death, at Summerville, Tenn., in 1863.  In June, 1854, George Rider was admitted to the partnership and the firm was known as Hayes, Lattin & Co.  Upon the death of Lattin it became Hayes & Rider.  Subsequently other changes were made until about 1880, when the firm substantially retired form manufacturing.  The first year Mr. Hayes made four pianos; during the war the firm manufactured six pianos a week and employed forty skilled workmen.  In 1868, Mr. Hayes became associated with Mr. Rider in the Norwich Gas works, which interest he retained until his death  He was one of the original directors of the N.Y., O.&W.  He was public spirited and in 1855 bought a tract of land and layed out Hayes Street, one of the most att4ractive avenues in our village.  He was twice married but survived both wives.  He leaves him surviving a son, Edward Hayes, of this village, and a daughter, Mrs. Charles T. Marston, of Hartford, Conn .  His funeral was attended, Thursday afternoon, Rev H.D. Stebbins officiating.  Interment in Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].

Rev. Leroy C. Hayes

1845 - 1913

 

Rev. Leroy C. Hayes

 

Rev. Leroy C. Hayes died at his home on Locust street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Monday, aged 69.  He was born in the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], January 11, 1845.  At an early age he became a student in Cazenovia Seminary and was only 19 when he entered the ministry.  He had been pastor of Methodist churches at Plymouth, Sidney and other nearby places in the Wyoming conference and was still a young man when his health failed and he was compelled to give up the ministry.  For 12 years he was school commission of the northern district of Chenango county, and under his progressive supervision the rural school conditions throughout the district showed marked improvement.  He was twice complimented by State Superintendent Andrew S. Draper upon the improved conditons of the schools under his supervision and it was largely due to his efforts that the uniform examinations for teachers were introduced and adopted throughout the State.  Relinquishing his position as school commissioner Mr. Hayes travel extensively through the south and west in an effort to regain his health.  While he was in the State of California he was secretary of the California State Children's Home Society.  For a number of years he was associated with Rev. E.W. Caswell, pastor of the Beckman Hill Methodist Church in New York city, where he remained until four years ago, coming from New York back to Norwich.  The deceased was a prominent Odd Fellow and for two years was grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.  On May 12, 1863, he married Lydia Bowen, of Rockwell's Mills, who survives him.  Besides his widow, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. H.E. Meeker of New York city; one brother, Rev. C.H. Hayes, of Binghamton, and one sister, Mrs. Lottie Wheaton, of Salina, Kansas; also two grandchildren, Kenneth and Ellen Meeker, of New York city.  On account of the serious illness of Mrs. Hayes the funeral services were private on Thrusday afternoon, Rev. A.R. Burke officiating.

 

Mrs. Alvin Hayes

 

The community was greatly shocked to hear of the death of Mrs. Alvin Hayes, which occurred in the doctor's office Wednesday morning.  About 11 o'clock she was operated upon for the removal of her tonsils, a hemorrhage took place and she only lived a few minutes.  Mrs. Hayes is survived by her husband and five little boys, the youngest of whom is only a little over a year old and the oldest about 14.  The funeral will be in the Hayes homestead on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  [The Norwich Sun, August 2, 1918]

 

A very sad death occurred Wednesday forenoon at the office of Dr. Danforth in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Alvin Hayes, who resides one mile above this village, underwent an operation for throat trouble.  The operation was apparently successful, but shortly afterwards a hemorrhage occurred and the patient died in a very few minutes. Her husband was present during the operation and when she died.  Mrs. Hayes had been in impaired health for some time, having endured many sicknesses and having had a severe attack of quinsy, and it was to improve her physical condition and prevent a recurrence of trouble that the operation on the throat was deemed advisable.  The hemorrhage was due to the bursting of a blood vessel which was near the seat of trouble in the throat.  The death of Mrs. Hayes, who was the mother of five young children and who was the center of a wide circle of friends, has caused great grief and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to the family and friends.  Mrs. Hayes was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Finch of this village and since her marriage to Alvin Hayes has made her home on his large and prosperous farm above this village.  She was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church of this village and was a woman of splendid worth and character.  Besides her husband and parents and brother, Austin Finch of this village, five young children survive.  The funeral was held from her late home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. H.D. Smith officiating, and burial in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  [The Norwich Sun, August 3, 1918]