Obituaries (February 5)

William Henry Sweet

Afton Enterprise,  April 23, 1931

The funeral of William Henry Sweet was  held from Colwell's funeral chapel, Saturday afternoon April 18, at 2 o'clock, Rev. G.H. Orvis, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiating.  The burial was in the West Bainbridge Cemetery [Chenango Co., NY] and the service was conducted by the Masonic Lodge of which the deceased was a member.  Mr. Sweet was born in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 4, 1857, the son of Cyrus and Fayette Davis Sweet.  For the past fifteen years he has been a resident and highly respected citizen of Bainbridge.  For some time, he has lived alone in his home on Walnut Ave., and it was there that neighbors found him Tuesday morning in an unconscious condition from which he never rallied but passed away at the Bainbridge Hospital Wednesday afternoon.  he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Adah Teachout of Afton and Mrs. Charles Jacobs of Greene, one grandson, Lewis Pratt of Coventry, and by several nieces and nephews.

 

Chapman Strang

Oxford Times, July 2, 1895

 

One of the saddest accidents which has occurred in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] in some time was that by which Chapman Strang lost his life by drowning on Friday last.  He was thirteen years of age and the only child of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Strang, who reside on the Owen farm on Panther Hill.  Among the students who attended the school in the Stratton district, taught by Miss Anna Randall, there was none brighter or more promising than Chapman Strang, and when it was proposed that the close of the term be celebrated by a picnic no one looked forward to more sport than he. It was decided to hold the picnic at "Lewis' Mills," now the property of the Electric Light company, and accordingly on Friday last the members of the school, with a few boys and girls from the village, repaired to that place with baskets and hammocks for a day of enjoyment.  The morning was spent in the open plot above the pond, where the boys had a ball game.  Afterwards three or four of them came down to the pond and went in bathing.  Among them was young Strang, who, although he could not swim, was venturesome, and with the assistance of a board he tried to cross a deep hole near the dam.  In some way the board escaped him, and he sank in about eight feet of water.  His thoroughly frightened companions witnessed his struggles, but were unable to save him. When the accident became known to the rest of the party they were panic stricken, but one of the girls started for help and rushed into the house of Harvey Stratton just as the family were seated for dinner.  Mr. Stratton started across the lot and reaching the scene dove into the pond at the point indicated by one of the boys and brought the body to the surface.  Meanwhile a messenger had been dispatched to the village and Dr. Ensign was soon at  hand. All efforts to restore respiration were of no effect, and after working nearly three hours hope was abandoned.  It is thought he had been in the water about one-half hour.  Funeral services were held Sunday, Rev. Mr. Colloque officiating.  Interment was in Riverview Cemetery [Oxford, NY].  [Compiler note:  commemorated on Packard family monument in St. Peter's Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY.  His mother was Isabelle Emma Packard]

 

Albert Butler Strang

Oxford Review-Times, February 25, 1927

 

Albert Butler Strang died at his home in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Friday morning, February 18, after a week's illness.  He was born in Westfield, Pa., April 24, 1855, and was united in marriage on August 28, 1877 to Isabelle Packard of Westfield.  For the past seventeen years he has resided in this vicinity.  Mr Strang was a descendant on the maternal side of the Lyon family of Chenango county.  He is survived by his widow and one sister, Mrs. M.E. Trapp of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The funeral was held from the home on Sundays afternoon, Rev. A.A. Bresee officiating. Burial in Oxford cemetery--Chenango American.  [Compiler note:  commemorated on Packard family monument in St. Peter's Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY]

 

Isabelle (Packard) Strang

Chenango American, December 16, 1937

 

Mrs. Albert B. Strang, aged 82, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Moloney, early Wednesday morning, December 15.  Mrs. Strang was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co.,  NY] but lived for many years on a farm about half way between Greene and Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] before moving into the village several years ago.  Funeral services will be held Friday a.m. at 10 o'clock in the Root Funeral Home Dr. A.A. Bresee will officiate.  The body will be placed in the vault in Sylvan Lawn Cemetery.  Surviving is one half-sister, Mrs. Martin Pratt of Oklahoma City Okla., two nieces Mrs. R.B. Crispel of Bronxville, N.Y., and Mrs.  Leon C. Welch of Evanston, Ill. and one nephew, W.G. Packard, of New York City.  [Compiler note:  Commemorated on Packard family monument in St. Peter's Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY]

 

Rev. Samuel A. Stoddard

1835 - 1886

 

Nov. 24th, 1886, Rev. Samuel A Stoddard finished his earthly coarse and passed to his reward.  He was born in Coventryville, NY. [Chenango Co., NY] April 20, 1835.  Seventeen years were passed on the farm with his godly parents.  At about 15 he was converted and united with the church under the care of Rev. Chrispus Wright, and from this period the work of the gospel ministry was before his mind.  During the following seven years he was thoughtfully preparing for his collegiate course, while a portion of his time was given to teaching and carpenter work.  In 1858, his home was with his brother, Rev. E.W. Stoddard, at Hawley, Pa. and at Amenia, N.Y.  At Amenia Seminary he completed his preparation and entered Amherst College Sept. 1858, graduating July 1862.  In Sept. of this year he designed to enter Union Theological Seminary, and had his trunk packed and at the station, ready for leaving four hours later.  Then came tidings of the reverse of our army in the second battle of Bull Run.  Instantly he said, "I cannot give my mind to study when the country is in so great peril."  He recalled his trunk to his brother's at Angelica, N.Y. and enlisted in the 24th N.Y Cavalry, was chosen Corporal, and was with his company in Newbern and Plymouth, N.C., till the capture of the latter place by the Rebel Ram, Albemarle, 1864.  At this time he was on ten days leave of absence to pass examination at Washington, D.C. for promotion to the command of a colored company.  He was saved from capture by his absence, and also from certain death, as the others at this post engaged in enlisting colored troops were summarily shot.  He was detailed for duty on Roanoak, Island, till the close of the war, and was mustered out of service at Albany in Aug. 1865.  He returned to his brother then at Succasunna, N.J. and entered Union Seminary, Sept. 1865, graduating May 1868.  Ten members of this class formed the Kansas Band, of which he was one.  He was married May 20, 1868, to Sarah E. Holsington, the daughter of Rev. Holsington, of Ceylon, India.  His field of labor was Holton, Kansas, for two years; Independence, Kansas; four years at Fort Gibson and Muskogoe, Indian Territory nine years, and three and a half years an invalid in Colorado and California fighting that fatal disease, consumption.  After three years he writes, "I have forsaken friends and wandered in these high Altitudes, seeking health, and have not found it,--now I turn to see my friends."  In doing this he revisited Indian Territory, Independence Kansas-where he buried his wife, in May, 1871; Belott, Wis. when in 1876 he found his second wife, Addie Hannsford, and buried her; April 17, 1885.  He reached New York, Sept. 15, 1886, and his sister, Mrs. S.A. Warren, Bainbridge, N.Y., Oct. 15, 1886, and his mansion Nov. 24, 1886.  His entrance there was near the beginning of Thanksgiving day, Nov. 25, and a more joyful going home could not be wished for.  He was a cheerful happy youth, a thoughtful and laborious student, a kind and genial friend, a faithful and conscientious minister, a devoted and sympathizing pastor, a most patient sufferer.  Looking forward he said:  "I shall meet many dear friends over there, but the dearest will be Jesus" and almost the last, "His will is my will and my will is His will and all for the glory of Jesus.  This is my testimony,"  The very last when so weary, he said, "I wish as a little child I could be folded in my mothers arms," and he laid his head on the bosom of his sister and slept and breathed his life away.  On Saturday, Nov. 27, he was laid by the side of his father and mother in the cemetery at Coventryville, N.Y., the younest of six brothers, and the first one of seven children, the oldest of these is 68-1/2 years, and the youngest 47-2/3 years.  Surely Thanksgiving ought to break out of the hearts of these children, and that the first one called leaves a record so bright in its cheerfulness and so valuable in its usefulness.  The funeral services were held in the church where in his childhood he was a Sunday school scholar, where he professed Christ, where his father, mother, brothers and sisters professed Christ.  Rev. Mr. Grummon, of Bainbridge, brought Christian consolation from "The rest that remaineth for the people of God," and Rev. Mr. Janes, of Coventry, gave words of comfort. 

 

William Banner

d. Feb. 10, 1890, AE 84y

 

Died--In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 10, 1890, Wm. Banner, aged 84 years.  Deceased was born in England, coming to this country nearly 50 years ago, and settled in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], where he resided until last November when, by request of his five children who live here, he with his wife moved to this village.  They have two daughters living in Guilford and two sons are west.  Nearly everyone in this community was acquainted with Uncle Banner and will miss him. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. Wm. Blair3

 on Wednesday, were held from his late residence on West Main street with interment in Green Lawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, August 30, 1865

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], August 12th, 1865, of diphtheria, Mrs. Diana L. Franklin, aged 22 years, 8 months, 8 days.

 

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], August 14th, Mr. Wade Hough, aged 77 years.

 

In Army Square Hospital, Washington, June 23d, Mr. Lewis H. Sweet, a member of Co. C, 8th N.Y. Cavalry, and son of C.K. Sweet, of Coventry, aged 25 years.

 

In Rockdale, August 20th, 1865, Mason, second son of John A. and Sarah Clark, aged 1 year, 7 months and 11 days.