Obituaries (February 23)

Forrest E. Wightman

Utica Saturday Globe,  March 21, 1903

 

Forrest E. Wightman, of Norwich

His death brings sorrow to hosts of loving friends.

 

Though most of his friends had realized that his condition was serious, few were prepared for the announcement of the death of Forrest Wightman, which occurred at his home on North Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], last Saturday afternoon.  Last summer a disease of the lungs developed and became so threatening that in September last upon the advice of physicians he went to Arizona, expecting to locate later in Lower California.  He found employment in the office of one of the best specialists in his disease, but despite the most careful treatment he grew gradually worse and came back to Norwich just three weeks previous to his death to face the inevitable.  Through an injury in his youth, one of his knees being severely cut and the blood poisoned, he was crippled for life and his constitution weakened so that he was less able to ward off disease.  Deceased was born in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] April 11, 1873, the son of Ira c. and Emma J. Wightman.  When he was 2 years old the family moved to Norwich and Forrest entered the public schools.  At 14 years of age he left the Norwich High School and entered Wells' Business College at Syracuse, taking a two years' course. After graduation he became bookkeeper in his father's hardware store for several years and for another year filled a similar position for the Norwich Pharmacal Company.  He then went to Binghamton and completed a course in shorthand at the Lowell Business college.  Returning to Norwich he was employed in different offices until about four years ago, when he accepted a position with the Norwich Dairy Association under the management of R.D. Eaton and had become an affable and eficient assistant when his health failed.  He was a young man of genial nature and sterling integrity, and had a wide circle of friends who sincerely mound his early demise.  He was a member of Alert Hose Company and an attendant of the Congregational Church. For a number of years he had been one of the corps of ushers at Clark Opera House. Besides his parents there survive one brother, Frank Wightman, of Syracuse, and a sister, Miss Carrie Wightman, of this village.  Funeral services were largely attended from the family residence at 2 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon Rev. D. W. Dexter officiating.  The Fire Department attended in a body and the pall bearers were members of Alert Hose Company. The floral tributes were many and beautiful.  interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Rose Isbell Kingsbury

Sidney Enterprise, June 8, 1933

 

Mrs. Rose Isbell Kingsbury, wife of Claude L. Kingsbury, passed away at the Bainbridge hospital on Saturday morning after an illness of short duration, although she had been in poor health for some time.  Her condition, however, only became serious a few days previous to her death when she was taken to the hospital for treatment.  Mrs. Kingsbury was born at White Store [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on December 6, 1874,.  For many years she was employed at the Smith Department store in this village, and continued as a clerk in that store under the successors of the Smith store, in the ready-to-wear department, until a few months ago.  She was united in marriage to Mr. Claude L. Kingsbury in 1930.  Mrs. Kingsbury had many friends who will sincerely mourn her loss.  Surviving are her husband, one sister, Mrs. Lillian Lamphere, an aunt, Mrs. Clara B. Hollis of Schenectady.  She was also a cousin of Mrs. B.C. Fairbanks, Mrs. Ida Hotaling and Mrs. C.J. Manwaring, of Sidney. The funeral services were held at the home on West Main street, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. Leonard, pastor of the Unitarian church at Morris, officiating; the interment was in the cemetery at White Store.

 

Henrietta Kirby

The Norwich Sun, Nov. 28, 1932

 

The funeral of Mrs. Henrietta Kirby, who died at her home, "The Pillars," just below this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], Wednesday was held Saturday afternoon at the house.  Rev. Bradford Tite, rector of St. Peter's church officiated and burial was made in St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  Mrs. Kirby was born on December 19, 1862 at Gulf Summit, and came to Bainbridge when only a small child, where she has since lived. She was united in marriage to Charles Kirby 52 years ago, and since their marriage had lived at "The Pillars."  She is survived by her husband, two sisters, Mrs. Bessie Bodley and Mrs. Nettie Burlison of Deposit, and one brother, Star Smith of this village.

 

Mary King Searles

Bainbridge News, August 16, 1951

 

Mrs. Mary King Searles, of Bainbridge [Chenango County, NY], died Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Earl Davis, of Bainbridge.  Her age was 85.  Born Sept. 21, 1865, at North Sanford [Broome Co., NY], she was a daughter of Addison and Sylvia (Andrews) King.  On Nov. 17, 1886, she was married to Leroy N. Searles, of Bainbridge, and spent most of her life on the Searles farm on Searles Hill road with the exception of a few years she lived in Binghamton prior to returning to Bainbridge seven years ago.  She was a member of the First Baptist church in Bainbridge and the Calvary Baptiste Church in Binghamton. Besides her daughter, Mrs. Davis, she is survived by her husband, Leroy N. Searles, of Bainbridge; another daughter, Mrs. Alfred Buckley, of Providence, R.I.; two sons, Ralph Searles, of Oneonta and Ward Searles of Bainbridge; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; two brothers, Andrew King, of Afton, and Homer King, of Sidney; two sisters, Mrs. Harry Yaple, of McDonough, and Mrs. Charles Pendell, of Norwich; several nieces and nephews. The funeral was held at the Harold Sherman Funeral Chapel, Bainbridge, Saturday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Duane Bell, of Binghamton, officiating. The pall-bearers were six nephews, Arleigh King, Cameron King, both of Sidney; Arnold Yaple, of McDonough; Percy King, of Kirkwood; Hayes King, of Afton; Clayton Wakeman, of Bainbridge.  Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge. 

 

Bruce E. Bosket

Afton Enterprise, February 8, 1945

 

A posthumous award of the Purple Heart has been forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce l. Bosket of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], whose son, Pvt. Bruce E. Bosket, was killed in action August 7 in France.  The 23-year-old soldier had been in France only two weeks before he was killed.  Details of the casualty still are not been learned by his parents.  After attending schools at Deposit, Private Bosket worked on the family farm at Whitney Point before he entered the army in June, 1942.  The family later moved to Afton.  He received training at Camp Pickett, Va., Camp Crowder, Mo., Camp Lee, Va., and at an ordnance training center in Illinois before he was sent overseas in January 1944.  He was stationed in England before he went to France.  Surviving besides his parents are a brother, Pfc. Lawrence C. Bosket, who is serving with the army in the southwest Pacific Theatre and a sister Beverly at home.