Obituaries (March 5)

Mrs. E.D. Hunt

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. E.D. Hunt died in Troy, Feb. 28th, where she went for special treatment.  Her remains were brought home Saturday night.  In Mrs. Hunt's death the community lost a most affectionate member.  In the M.E. church, of which she was a member and in the Sabbath school where she always did her part so well, her presence will be missed, but in no place will her loss be felt as in her home, where she was a devoted wife and mother.  The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.  The funeral services were held in the M.E. church, Tuesday, at 1 o'clock; Rev. W. Frisbee officiating.  Interment in the Guilford cemetery.  [date unknown]

 

Abijah Cornwell

1804 - 1891

 

Several of our people attended the funeral of Mr. Abijah Cornwell of North Afton [Chenango Co., NY] Thursday of last week.  Mr. Cornwell had reached the advanced age of 87 years, and was a man whom we can truly say had no enemies.  He was universally loved by all who knew him. A gentle, loving disposition always ministering to the wants of those about him.  Until about two years ago, Mr. Cornwell has done a man's work, and was very healthy and vigorous.  He was a true, consistent member of the M.E. church for 72 years, and will be greatly missed by all.

 

Laura Robertson

 

Miss Laura Robertson, daughter of the late Rev. H. Robertson, of Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY], died at her home in Bennettsville, Sept. 6th, aged 61 years.  Funeral was held Sunday in the Baptist church of the place and interment in the local cemetery.  One sister, Jane Robertson, is the only member of the family left.  [date unknown]

 

Johnnie Shaver

 

Johnnie F., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shaver, is dead. Brief funeral services were held at the home this morning at 8 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Spaulding.  The burial was in the Episcopal burying ground.  Johnnie, who was fifteen years old, but a delicate lad, was taken violently ill Saturday night, the disease being acute diarrhea.  he continued to grow steadily worse until he passed away early Tuesday morning.  Johnnie was a good boy, upright, honest, helpful to everyone, never seeming so happy as when doing a kind act.  He appreciated every attention shown him and was always polite upon the streets, but courageous in protecting younger boys than himself.  In the home circle he will be sadly missed, for he was one of the most kind hearted and affectionate of sons.  Mr. and Mrs. Shaver have the sympathy of many friends and neighbors in their sudden bereavement.  Johnnie was a member of the Presbyterian Sunday school and loved dearly its accusations.  [Date unknown]

 

A. Buell Smith

 

Many people in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] will remember the esteemed elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. A. Buell Smith, who left Bainbridge seven years ago to visit their children in the west.  News has been received of the death of the husband on Tuesday, Sept. 4 [1900], at the home of the daughter Mrs. Lawrence Newton of Grand Rapids, Mich., due to a paralytic shock sustained two weeks before from which he did not rally.  Mr. Smith's age was 86 years.  he had been of a robust constitution until in his latter years he had experienced a sunstroke which impaired his health so seriously that he was obliged to give up work at his trade of blacksmithing sometime before going west.  Their stay had been prolonged owing to the urgent request of the three children they visited.  Mr. Smith was born in Franklin, N.Y. [Delaware Co., NY] and came to Bainbridge to live in 1827.  The next year he married Jane E. Bailey of Guilford, who survives him.  The blacksmith shop in which he worked many years was located on West Main street on the railroad track by Fireman's Hall and there he worked early and late, year after year, associated with his brother Chauncey Smith (deceased).  When the railroad was built, Mr. Smith removed the shop to Kirby street where he continued the business until his health failed.  Mr. Smith was one of the best known men of this community.  Everyone was his friend.  He was always jovial, pleasant and kindly, ever ready to help in need.  In village affairs, he was an earnest loyal citizen, filling the offices to which he was elected with fidelity.  He had served as President of the corporation, been a member of the school board, and in various ways had discharged faithfully the duties of citizenship.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith were both ardent supporters of the Presbyterian church. Their attendance was regular at all the ordinances and their sympathetic aid to the pastor in every measure could always be counted upon.  They were members of the choir for many years.  Mrs. Smith is probably the only member left of the famous choir that sang in the gallery of the church fifty years ago.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith were worthy people.  Their lives have been full of good works done in a quiet, unostentatious way.  Mrs. Smith has been spared to watch over and care for her husband, and may her life of gentle, revered old age be continued many years yet to her friends.  Besides the widow, Mr. Smith is survived by five children:  George A. Smith of Bainbridge, Chas. W. Smith of Indianapolis, Ind., James l. Smith of Effingham, Ill. Richard L. Smith of Clearfield, Pa., and Mrs. Laurence Newton of Grand Rapids, Mich.  A lovely daughter, Maria, the first Mrs. Newton, was one of the children lost. 

 

[Compiler Note: Aristabulus Buell Smith, more commonly known as A.B. Smith or Buell Smith, was the village blacksmith in Bainbridge for many years during the mid to late 1800s.  Buell Smith was both a strong man and a strong presence, being involved in many community activities.  The Smiths resided in Bainbridge from 1838, shortly following their marriage, until about 1893 when they went to Grand Rapids, Michigan to live with their youngest child, Jennie (Smith) Newton.  Buell and Jane Smith died there in 1900 and 1902, respectively.]