Obituaries (December 9)

Walter Foster

Utica Saturday Globe, December 1911

 

 

Walter Foster

1837 - 1911

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Walter Foster, who died at his home on South Broad street on Tuesday night last, was born in Augusta, Maine, August 13, 1837.  He had been a resident of Norwich for 38 years and had been prominently identified with local business interests during a large part of that period.  About the time of his coming to Norwich the grading of the village streets was begun and in his occupation of teamster he found employment in that work and later in grading the public parks.  About the year 1889 he purchased the ice business of Ralph Wilbur and conducted the same for 19 years until the sale in May, 1908, to the present owner, since which he had devoted his attention to contracting in cement work, furnishing stone, lime and other building materials and dealing in coal.  For many years he was caretaker of the Norwich Cemetery while engaged in other varied lines of work.  He had been a member and trustee of the Calvary Baptist Church since its organization.  In 1867 Mr. Foster married Miss Ella Sawyer, of Lawrence, Mass., who survives him.  he leaves also two sons, William Foster, of Carbondale, Pa., and John B. Foster, of Norwich, and a daughter, Miss Lucy Foster, of Norwich.  A third son, Leon, died in march, 1900.  Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at Calvary Church, preceded by prayer at the home.  Rev. Ira W. Bingham officiated. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]

 

George H. Winsor

Chenango Union, September 16, 1880

Hon. George H. Winsor died at his residence in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.  Mr. Winsor had not been in good health for the two years, but was able to be at his office most of the time.  Sunday night, August 29th, he retired as well as usual, but passed a restless night. On Monday morning he was found delirious and much prostrated.  He remained in this condition until Friday, when he became unconscious, in which state he remained until death.  Mr. Winsor was born in Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] March 23d, 1815, and read law in Delhi with A.&E. Parker, and subsequently in Masonville, with George Ketchum.  He was admitted to the bar in 1854, and commenced practice that year at Masonville.  He removed from there to Bainbridge, November 20th, 1858, forming a law partnership with the late William S. Sayre, which continued for twenty years.  He was subsequently associated for a short time with his nephew, George L. Winsor, Esq., and August 10th, 1878, formed a partnership with Elliot Danforth, Esq., which continued to the time of his death.  In 1850 he was elected Member of Assembly from Delaware county, and served with some of the ablest men in the State--Vice President William A. Wheeler, Henry J. Raymond, Gen. Robert H. Pruyn, Noble S. Elderkin, Ferral O. Dinniny, Abram Wakeman, and Gen. E.H. Leavenworth, were among his associate in that body.  As a lawyer he took a commanding position, counting among his clients some of the most influential business men in this section.  He was President of Bainbridge village in 1868, and always took a deep interest in village improvement.  For many years he was Master of Susquehanna Lodge, No. 167, F.&A.M.  He leaves a wife and one child who will deeply mourn their loss, and will in this sad affliction receive the sympathy of all.  The community loses an honored citizen, and the legal profession, one of its most respected members. Deceased will be buried from the Episcopal Church in this village today (Friday) at 2 P.M. with Masonic honors--Bainbridge Republican, 10th.

 

George L. Winsor

Bainbridge Republican, August 22, 1878

It is with regret that we announce the death of George L. Winsor Esq. which occurred on Tuesday morning last, after an illness of several months with that dread disease consumption.  He was a young man universally respected and esteemed and his early death is mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.  A more extended notice of his death will appear in our next issue.

 



Bainbridge Republican, August 29, 1878

George L. Winsor, the subject of this memoir, a brief notice of whose death on the 20th inst. appeared in the last issue of the Republican ,was born in Guilford, Chenango County, N.Y., on the 15th day of June, 1851, and resided there until he was about twenty years of age.  His early opportunities for improving his mind were limited, being confined to a common school education and careful training in the principles of the Christian religion.  Having more than ordinary ability and energy of character and a consciousness of his own powers, he manifested a disposition, when quite young, to rise above the common condition of farmers and mechanics in which he seems to have been placed, and about the year 1871 he commenced the study of law under the instruction of George Adee, Esq., in Davenport, Delaware County, though his circumstances required him to continue to work at the trade of a tanner and currier with his brother in the vicinity of Mr. Adee's law office, but his hours of relaxation from labor were spent in devotion to his favorite study of the law.  In the month of October 1872, he became a regular clerk in the law office of Sayre & Winsor, Esq's in Bainbridge, the latter being his uncle.  His improvement, not only in knowledge of law but in culture and refinement of mind and manners, were soon apparent.  His fine physique, cheerful temper and frank and social manners made him a general favorite.  He was admitted as an attorney and counselor at law in June 1874, and became a partner in the practice of law with the attorneys with whom he had been a clerk and student.  Life seemed then to open a bright prospect before him.  His chances for future success as a lawyer were very flattering.  HIs mind and temperament seemed to be peculiarly adapted to the practice of that profession and he delighted in it.  On the 20th of September, 1874, he was married to Miss Angelia Wetmore, the daughter and only child of James E. Wetmore, Esq., of Bainbridge, and became a member of his family, and was ever after treated by him and his amiable lady with as much kindness and affection as if he had been their own son.  Thus everything seemed to conspire to make his prospects of success and happiness in this world brighter and brighter.  In November, 1875, the partnership of Sayre & Winsors was dissolved and the subject of this memoir became the law partner of his uncle Geo. H . Winsor, Esq., and practiced law in the name of G.H. & G.L. Winsor.  In a few months after this time his health began to fail, and in the spring of 1877 he went with his father to Colorado, and that region of country, in hopes that the journey and the climate would restore his health.  He returned a few weeks much improved and resumed the practice of his profession with his accustomed ardor; and in the fall of that year was nominated for the office of District Attorney by the Democratic party to which he belonged, but with the other nominees of that party in Chenango County, failed of an election.  In the spring of 1878, he dissolved partnership with his uncle, who was also very much out of health, and became the partner of Charles B. Sumner, Esq., and continued the practice of law in the firm name of Winsor & Sumner until the time of his decease. But his health was so much impaired that he was able to do but little after this last partnership.  Still he continued to hope almost against hope, and in the spring of that year went with his wife, who always attended upon him with the most affectionate devotion, to Connecticut, near long Island sound, to try the effect of the sea breeze, but it was too late, the effect was unfavorable and he returned to his home in a more unfeeble condition that what he left. After this he seemed to have but little hope of recovery.  In the early part of his poor health when it began to appear somewhat probable that he was affected by that terrible and fatal disease consumption, although he had been brought up in the church, had been baptized in infancy and subsequently confirmed, and yielded an assent to the truths of the Christian religion, yet the world presented so many allurements, his surrounds were so agreeable and the inducements to live for the benefit of his beloved family and friends were so great that he could scarcely bear the thought of death.  It seemed hard to him to be taken from the world when he was apparently just entering on a career of usefulness and honor.  The death of a beloved boy an only child nearly two years of age in March, 1878, seemed to weaken the ties that bound him to earth, and caused him to turn his thought towards a preparation for the other world where he believed his beloved son and sainted mother had gone before him, and ere long he had obtained that peace which results from a reconciliation to the will of God and trust in the atoning blood of Christ, and died in the joyful hope of a blessed eternity.  His funeral was attended and his remains followed to the grave by a large concourse of relatives and friends. The pall-bearers were his young friends and professional associates--Mr. Edson and Mr. Sewell of Unadilla, Mr. Alverson of Sidney, and Mr. Sumner, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Danforth of Bainbridge.  May his young and louely bereaved and afflicted widow find consolation in placing her affections on things above where her beloved ones are awaiting her, and not on the things of this earth where disappointment and sorrow are the common lot. [Obituary collection, Guilford Historical Society, Guilford, NY]