Obituaries (February 27)

Andrew Shepardson

Utica Saturday Globe, April 25, 1903

 

 

Hon. Andrew Shepardson

Hon. Andrew Shepardson, a prominent and highly respected resident of Chenango county, died at his home in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Tuesday evening, aged 74 years.  Deceased was born in Smyrna December 13, 1828.  He attended the village schools until he was 15 years of age and then entered the store of Webster Merrill, as clerk.  Later he moved to Earlville and was for a time in business for himself.  Returning to Smyrna he purchased an interest in the Munson mills and for two years conducted the same, until 1869, when he was appointed station agent for the N.Y.O.&W. at that place, which position he held for some years.  Mr. Shepardson was a leading Republican of his town and had occupied many offices of trust.  He was for one or two terms a justice of the peace and in 1870 was elected member of Assembly from this county and served two terms with credit to himself and his constituents.  In 1872 he was first elected county clerk, succeeding the late James G Thompson, and was the choice of the people for the office for four terms, or 12 years, during 1873-'85.  He had been supervisor of his town for several terms and was for two or three years chairman of the board.  He also served a year as assistant United States internal revenue assessor under the late judge David Follett, of this village [Norwich, NY]. While a resident of Earlville he married Miss Emma Dalmon, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dalmon, of that place.  She died some years ago. He is survived by two sons and a daughter, Walter A. Shepardson, of Otselic; John W. Shepardson, of Smyrna, and Mrs. Edward P. Lyon, of Brooklyn.  His funeral was held from his late home this Friday afternoon.

 

Jehial Evans

1795 - 1884

 

Jehial Evans, who died on Wednesday of last week was the oldest man in town.  He was one of the first trustees of the village of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] when the village was incorporated in 1829, the late Col. Juliand being President of the Board of Trustees at that time.  Dr. Wm. D. Purple, of Greene, is the only one of the original officers of that board, now living [in 1884].  Mr. Evans lived to a ripe old age and was honored and respected by all who knew him.  His ancestors were the first settlers of the town, and at one time owned nearly all the land in this vicinity.  Thus another old landmark has passed away.  [Buried Presbyterian Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY]

 

Carrie A. Barnes
1862 - 1884

 

Tuesday of last week Miss Carrie A. Barnes, died at the residence of her sister, Mrs. W.M. Hastings, in this village, aged 22.  The funeral services were held on Friday, at the house, Rev. E.O. Holyoke officiating, and the remains taken to Norwich for interment in the cemetery at that place, Rev. H.A. Delano conducting the burial service.  For the past six months Miss Barnes' death was hourly expected and when the final summons came her friends were not unprepared.  It seems sad that one so young, and one who but a short time since was in the best of health and spirits should be called to part with friends and relatives, but the relentless foe, consumption, knows not compassion, and the sorrowing friends can only turn for solace to the Supreme Being who holds us all in the hollow of His hand.

Clarisse Schofield

1837 - 1880

Entered into rest, April 24, 1880, Mrs. Clarisse Schofield, in the 44th year of her age.  In the death of one, who in her affliction has won the sympathy and love of all who knew her, we are again reminded of the uncertainties of life, and that here we have no "continuing city but we seek one to come."  Though she has passed from earthly scenes, yet her memory lives and will be fondly cherished by those, who have been associated with her, and administered unto her wants, so long as memory exists. We shall always remember her feeble, faltering steps as we have met her from time to time in the home circle, and in our neighborhood visits, and once during the winter have we met her in the social circle, though at the time we would not have recognized her, for disease had then, in its progress, left its impress upon every feature.  These reflections are mingled with sadness, for her voice is forever hushed and loving hands have bourne her to her last resting place, there to sleep the years away.  A short time previous to her sickness she experienced a hope in the Saviour, and during long and weary months  which followed, though deprived of religious associations, her faith in Christ was the bright and morning star of her life.  No cloud could ever obscure from her its brightness, but it shone forth in all its beauty to brighten her pathway through the dark valley, as she approached nearer and nearer to her last great change.  These afflictions are sent to us for our good.  They teach us that earth is not home, and that our existence here is only an allotted time given us to prepare for a higher and holier state of existence. 

"If naught but roses bloomed upon our way,

If clouds ne'er dimmed the beauty of the day,

'If ne'er upon our hearts was laid the chastening rod,

We might forget the pathway that leadest unto God."

It is always with sadness that we approach the open grave, and if we were only to contemplate the sad thought, that it must soon conceal from our sight forever, the form of those we love, clouds would gather from which no ray of sunlight could ever penetrate.  Our cup of sorrow would be filled to over flowing.  The Christian whose soul is radiant with the light of Heaven looks beyond the clouded horizon to the things which are not seen, and to him is revealed the silver lining in all its brightness.   As we mourn over the departure of loved ones that have gone from our homes from time to time, we realize that there is within the heart a void that no balm can heal no cup can fill, but let us look with bright anticipation to the resurrection morn when we too shall be clothed in immortality and sit with them by the silver stream, upon whose margin grow ever glooming flowers.

Maybelle & Metta Mackle

Maybelle, daughter of Sarah Mackle, died in Rochester [Monroe Co., NY] of scarlet fever, July 2d, 1868, aged 8 years and 3 months.

Metta, second daughter of Sarah Mackle, died of scarlet fever, July 4th, 1868, aged 5 years and 7 months.

These two dear little children were all the widowed mother had.  They were bright, active little girls, the joy of the mother's heart and the light of her home.  Maybelle was an unusually thoughtful child.  Having lost her father a year or two since, she dwelt much on heaven and going to him.  So familiarly would she speak of death, and heavenly things, that her mother startled, would check her when she would add, "Why, mamma, I do think it would be nice to die and go to papa."  She seemed never to have felt there was a chill in death or a gloom in the grave.  When first taken ill, she said confidently and cheerfully "I never shall get well," and would sing so sweetly our beautiful Sabbath School hymns.  Her favorite was constantly on her lips.

"O mother do not weep for me,

I'm not afraid to die;

You lip is trembling and I see

The tears are in your eye.

 

"for mother I shall wear bright wings,

I'll be an angel too;

And then before God's golden throne

I'll kneel and pray for you.'

 

Dear little Maybelle!  so early folded; white robes are yours and an immortal crown.

 

Metta, always a frail child, clung to life wonderfully, but failed rapidly after the death of her little sister.  When in the agony of death, she threw her arms around her mother's neck, and cried, "O mamma, mamma!" as if conscious of the separation that was taking place.  Alas!  the mother must tarry, alone and bereft; the graves of her husband and four little ones, her heritage, white it is for such as she to prove--"Earth has no sorrow, that Heaven cannot heal"  Rochester, July 25, 1868.