Obituaries (September 20)

Henry Olendorf Shepard

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1904
 

 

Henry Olendorf Shepard

The news of the death of Henry Olendorf Shepard, president of the great Chicago publishing house bearing his name, whose spirit departed with the old year, came as a great shock to his many Norwich friends.  Mr. Shepard visited Norwich last July and at that time was in quite poor health. After returning to his home in Chicago he was seriously ill but had partially recovered at the last report from him prior to the receipt of a telegram announcing his death.  Mr Shepard is survived by his widow and one daughter, Clara, and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Shepard, who reside at Aurora, Ill., and by two sisters.

 

Henry O. Shepard was the head of the firm of the Henry O. Shepard Company, president of the Inland Printer Company, and was one of Chicago's representative business men.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Shepard and was born in Eaton, Madison county, N.Y., residing there until he was 19 years of age, when the family came to Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  Through the kindness of the late James H. Sinclair, for many years editor of the Chenango Union, whose home was next door to that occupied by the Shepards on Henry street, Henry gained the privilege of setting type before and after school hours, with the result that when he went to learn his trade in the office of the Chenango Telegraph he was well up in the art with the other compositors on the paper.  In 1871 he went to Chicago, entering the establishment of Church, Goodman & Donnelly, where he remained for four or five years.  In 1876 he assumed the foremanship of Knight & Leonard's, one of the best known printing houses in Chicago at that time, retaining the position until August, 1880, when he formed a co-partnership with William Johnston, under the firm name of Shepard & Johnston.  Fortune smiled on their endeavors, and in a short time they were compelled to seek more commodious quarters.  There they remained for five years, acquiring, during that time, a reputation second to that of no printing firm in the United States.  Their business still increased and in March 1887, the firm again moved to larger quarters.  In September of the same year Mr. Shepard purchased the interest of his partner, William Johnston since which time the business has been conducted with phenomenal success under the firm name of Henry O. Shepard Company, being recognized as one of the most prosperous and well conducted establishments of its kind in America.  Mr. Shepard was an active, awake, agreeable man of business, devoting his undivided time and energy to the interests of his large and prospering establishment.  As a man he was courteous and affable, just and considerate, and willing at times to listen to and remove grievance; as a friend gentle, whole-souled; ...He was probably the best known and most popular [printer] in the United States, and was just as well known abroad;  no one competent in the graphic arts in many countries ever visited the United States without calling on him.  He was eminently identified with Masonic Order interests.  Mr. Shepard was widely known not only to printers of the united States but to those of other parts of the world through his connection with The Inland Printer,  the leading trade journal.

Chicago Daily Tribune, January 5, 1904

Henry O. Shepard, Chicago, was buried yesterday from his residence, 842 Ashland boulevard.  The funeral was at 1 o'clock, with Masonic rites, the St. Bernard arch commandery attending the services in a body.  The Rev. John Henry Hopkins of Epiphany church officiated.  Mr. and Mrs. L. Shepard of Aurora, Ill., Mr. Shepard's aged parents, were present at the funeral.  Interment was at Rosehill.  Mr. Shepard was president of the Henry O. Shepard company, printers, 120 Sherman street.

Harriet Graves

Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 13, 1875

On Thursday morning, Nov. 4th, 1875, Mrs. Harriet Graves, the beloved wife of our highly esteemed citizen, Mr. G.S.Graves, passed from our midst by death.  Her sickness was short, but very severe.  On Tuesday afternoon she was taken sick, medical aid proved inefficient to stay its progress, and at half past ten on Thursday morning she exchanged mortality for life.  In this visitation her family have sustained a heavy and irreparable loss.  Though of a weakly physical constitution yet the deceased was a lady of very superior abilities as a wife and mother she discharged those sacred obligations with deep kindness and affection and with unusual prudence and discretion, as a friend those who knew her best loved her most.  Naturally reserved and unobtrusive, her many excellences were often concealed save to those who shared her intimate acquaintance.  Mrs. Graves became converted to God when in her 16th year, and united with the M.E Church of this village, and this relation has been sustained with uniform consistency of character from that time to her departure.  A true friend to the cause of Christ, who was warmly attached to the church of her early choice, and in her removal the Church is again called upon to suffer a great loss.  In the midst of sorrow and grief, we are cheered with the thought, that having lived to the Lord, she has died in the Lord, having spent twenty-five years in the service of her master.  She has gone to await the "well done."  The funeral services which took place on Saturday were attended by a large number of friends, the deepest sympathy being felt for the family.

Ella J. (Moulton) Graves

Norwich Sun, November 17, 1915

Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY]:  On Saturday morning, Nov. 6, 1915, the sweet spirit of Mrs. Ella J. Graves, wife of C.H. Graves, quietly slipped away from its physical habitation to enter the mansions prepared for her by Him in whom she had believed.  She was born at Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY] Aug. 1, 1853, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moulton.  Married to C.H. Graves 44 years ago and they have since lived in Mt. Upton, N.Y., where Mr. Graves has a well established undertaking business.  The tenderest sentiments of human affection were exhibited in the marital relationship and the sublime wealth of mother love was lavished upon her only child, now the wife of Fred Rockwell, of this town.  There were some features of Christian character so pronounced in her life that mention should be made of them.  She was strongly fortified by faith.  Doubts, discouragements, trials, afflictions, even death, could not dislodge her firm trust in God or destroy her hope in heaven.  Early in life she gave her heart to God, and then became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  She was a sweet singer, and for many years by her husband's side they sang in the choir together, until impaired health would not allow her to continue.  She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Rockwell, her husband, and brother, Wm. C. Moulton, one sister, wife of Dr R.A. Thompson of Norwich, N.Y.  She was but 62 years of age.  The funeral service was held at the home on Main street, Tuesday at 2 p.m., November 9.  Her pastor Owen L. Buck, had charge of the service, assisted by Rev. Wiley Weart, of the Baptist church.  Amid a profusion of flowers as love tokens, besides the large crowd at the funeral, speak of the high esteem in which she was held.  She was carried forth to reside in the Mt. Upton cemetery, waiting the final call of the Master.

Death Notices

Antimasonic Telegraph, March 10, 1830
In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], on the 17th ult., Mrs. Caroline Squire, aged 23 years, leaving a husband, infant child and a large circle of relatives, to lament her loss.

Bainbridge Republican, May 15, 1879
SMITH:  In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], May 4th, Julia M., wife of Samuel Smith, aged 50 years.

Bainbridge Republican & News, April 18, 1946
Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY]:  The Rev. Frank Orson Belden, one-time pastor of the Unadilla Baptist Church, died in Redlands, Calif., today on his 82nd birthday.

Walton [Delaware Co., NY]:  Dr. Edward Fitch, 81, professor emeritus and former dean of Hamilton College, died today.  He was a native of Walton.

Bainbridge Republican, October 1, 1880
KEELER:  At Cannonsville [Delaware Co., NY], Sept. 17th, Leon, only child of George and Nettie Keeler, aged 7 months and 28 days.