Obituaries (April 16)

Leo H. Gibbon

Utica Saturday Globe, March 17, 1906

 

 

Leo H. Gibbon

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At the home of Friend P. Jewell, three miles east of Norwich, Leo H. Gibbon died Friday of last week, aged 31 years.   He was born in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] January 9, 1875, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Gibbon.  Mr. Gibbon was graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1900, and afterward held a position as pharmacist in the drug store of A.H. Hamilton in Auburn until two years ago, when he was obliged to give up work and return to Norwich where he had previously lived, making his home since that time with his father-in-law, Friend P. Jewell.  He suffered from tuberculosis of the spine and although he submitted to several operations gained only temporary relief.  February 29, 1896, he married Miss Elizabeth M. Jewell, who with one little son, Arnold J., survives him.  His parents also survive and one brother, William, and one sister, Mrs. Walter Boname, all residents of Oxford.  Deceased was a young man of much promise and his untimely death is mourned by many relatives and friends.  Funeral services were held on Monday, Rev. Mr. Broughton, of Oxford, officiating.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery at Norwich.

John Pierce

1847 - 1897

At 5:30 Friday afternoon, June 4th [1897], John Pierce departed this life after many weeks suffering from that dreaded destroyer--consumption.  For the past year he has been in very poor health but kept at his work up to the 20th of last March when he was obliged to give up and gradually failed to the end.  John Pierce was born in the town of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] near Algerine street in what is now the town of Afton.   He was 50 years old and had always resided in this town.  Deceased was the oldest son of John and Polly Pierce.  At the age of 12 years he went to reside with Mrs. George Leadbetter and lived there to his death.  Mr. Pierce was a man of very quiet temperament and had not an enemy in the world, with a cheerful word for all, he was respected by his acquaintances and loved by his intimate friends for his many manly traits and gentlemanly bearing.  He was a member of St. Peter's church, connected with the vestry and an efficient layman.  His life has been spent in the mercantile business having conducted a grocery store with Geo. F. Williams, also with H.H. Smith.  His health failed him and he gave up business for a time, but later started a grocery store where the bakery is now, selling out to Judson king.  When A.A. VanHorne had to give up his position in C.M. Priest's store Mr. Pierce took the place remaining until his last sickness.  Three brothers, Elisha of Marced City, Cal., William of Sidney, James of this town and Mrs. Washington Cook of Guilford survive him. The funeral was held at St. Peter's church at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon.  A large number of friends and acquaintances assembled to pay their last respects, nearly all being citizens of the town who mourned the departure from this world of a good man.  The floral pieces were beautiful and there were many.  The interment was in the Episcopal cemetery [St. Peter's Churchyard, Bainbridge, NY].  The bearers were Joseph Juliansd, N.D. Card, D.S. Bristol, Wm. Sands, A.D.Payne and W.E. Gifford. During the sad service the male quartette, Dr. Spencer, Dr. Evans, Saxa and Al J. Newton, sang some of the favorite hymns of the deceased.

James Pierce

Bainbridge Republican, June 5, 1919

The funeral of James Pierce was held Tuesday afternoon from St. Peter's church conducted by Rev R.W. Nickle.  Burial in St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Pierce was 70 years of age and had been in poor health for a number of years.  He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sarah Pierce, one daughter, Mrs. Charles Nutter of this village, one brother, William Pierce of Sidney and one sister Mrs. George W. Cook of Oxford.

Mary Hannah (Pierce) Cook

Oxford Times, October 16, 1919

Mary H. Cook, wife of George W. Cook, died at her home on Columbia street, Sunday, October 5, 1919, aged seventy-two years  Mrs. Cook was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Pierce and was born in Afton [Chenango Co. NY].  Her father was a native of England and lived in Buckland, Berkshire, previous to emigrating to this country.  Mrs. Cook's early life was spent in Bainbridge and she received her education in the schools of that town.  In 1868 she married George W. Cook, a veteran of the Civil War and the young couple began life on a farm on South Hill.  For forty years this farm was their home.  Here their children were born, and when they grew to mature years and went out into the world, the farm was still "home" to them until advancing years made it prudent for them to lay down the heavy burden they had carried so many years.  About ten years ago Mr. and Mrs. Cook came to Oxford to live and made their abode on Columbia street.  Mrs. Cook's health failed as the years progressed until latterly she has been confined to the house.  In early life she was baptized in the Episcopal church at Bainbridge.  She retained her faith and was a devoted Christian woman. She bore her suffering with Christian fortitude and cheerfulness and was sustained [by her faith which] brightened her passage to a better world.  She is survived by her husband and three children, Charles  H. Cook of Oxford, George W. Cook of Bainbridge and Mrs. Charles Youmans of Oxford, and a brother, W.H. Pierce of Sidney.  Funeral services were held at her home Tuesday afternoon.  Rev. E.R.D. Briggs officiating.  Burial was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].

 

 William Henry Pierce

Sidney Record, April 26, 1928

By reason of protracted illness, the death of William  H. Pierce at his home in this village [Sidney, Delaware Co., NY] on Saturday as of 21st last, although inevitable from long illness, occasions throughout our community a tone of the deepest regret.  It was the passing away of one who was governed by the better impulses of life, scrupulously faithful in his duties of citizenship devoted to his home circle and ever loyal in his friendships.  Although not village born, few might be found more true to the better interests of his adopted community of Sidney, where he had resided nearly 50 years.  Very few had the gift of contributing more to the pleasure of conversation than he, his nature always brightsome and happy.  He drew to himself a rare quality of affection, which more acquaintance with him never failed to deepen.  Moreover, everyone who knew him well discovered that beneath his vivacity was a genuinely thoughtful mind and moral earnestness by which respect was added to affection.  William Henry Pierce was born at Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], son of the late John Pierce and Polly Kirtland, coming to Sidney in July, 1878.  In December of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Owen, of North Sanford, N.Y.  This union was one of mutual devotion and domestic happiness.  Mr. Pierce was the last of seven children in his parental family.  The following summarizes in brief the career of Mr. Pierce during his long and active career in Sidney.  Coming to this village, he first opened a shoe repairing shop in Weller block, now occupied by Cowan Battery Station, then he built the Pierce block, successful in real estate market in Sidney and vicinity.  Interested in betterment of village always; active in securing first Village incorporation papers, served as Village Trustee in first Board organized with late Hon. Ira E. Sherman, the first Village President.  Also served as Trustee with late Henry W. Clark when Village President.  Continued in business life up to April 1st, 1923, when he suffered a stroke from effects of which he never recovered.  Upon retirement he was oldest business man, in point of service, in the village.  Store the gathering place of many old time friends.  Mr. Pierce first brought to attention  of late Bishop W. Croswell Doane, Albany, in 1886, many Episcopalians in Sidney, leading to the formation of St. Paul's Church.  Mr. Pierce in the organization of church officers, first served as junior Warden serving in this capacity several years.  The deceased continued his interest in church work and from a small beginning, lived to see the church move from its first meeting place, corner River and Grand streets, to the edifice now occupied by the society, corner River and Clinton streets, giving liberally both financially as well as personal efforts in the faith to which he had been born.  He had the distinction of which he was proud of, serving as Justice of the Peace and Police Justice for 34 years.  Following his retirement from business Mr. Pierce's health became steadily worse until he was confined to his home helpless, receiving the care of a devoted wife and loving family until the last, passing peacefully away Saturday morning, April 21st, 1928.  Monday afternoon, 23rd, at 1:45.  Prayer was held at the family home on Clinton street and at 2 o'clock the funeral cortege proceeded to St. Paul's Episcopal church, the sanctuary of which was filled with a large congregation of mourners, the Rector, Rev. Henry Hogg, officiating.  By resolution of the Chamber of Commerce a large representative delegation was in attendance.  The beautiful flowers added impressiveness to the sad occasion. The services were followed by interment in the family plot, Prospect hill Cemetery [Sidney, NY].  The deepest sympathy goes forth to the surviving family, Mrs. Pierce and two sons, Weller Pierce, of Oneonta and Harold Pierce, of Sidney and three grandchildren.