The Pierce Family - Chapter 3

100 Years of the Pierce Family

by Harold Pierce

Sidney Record - Enterprise, February 11, 1954

They were going to Unadilla or Bainbridge for worship.  Bishop Doane came to Sidney Plains, investigated and agreed with my father.  He said:  "Proceed, call a meeting and see what can be done."  The meeting was called, a parish organized and a little money raised but not enough to build a church.  They rented the downstairs of the building that is now No. 11 River street, at the south corner of Grand street, the building with the second story porch nearly surrounding it.  The ground floor was named Saint Paul's Chapel.  The upstairs was occupied as living rooms by Mr. and Mrs. Buddenhagen and their two children, Carrie and Fred, the latter being our present day Main street clothing merchant.

 

The first Rector of Saint Paul's Chapel was Rev. Frederick S. Griffin, a native of Hobart, Delaware County, just graduated from New York Theological Seminary.  This was the year of 1888.  Mr. Griffin stayed a few years, then accepted a church at Maspeth, Long Island, where he stayed 53 years when death ended his career.  St. Paul's Chapel must have prospered, because in 1893 land was bought and a church built at the corner of River and Clinton streets. This was used exactly 50 years; as nearly all of us remember that churh burned on Christmas Day, 1943.

 

On May 6th, 1896, the third and last born arrived.  My parents lived here many years when bread or any other baked goods could not be bought.  They had to make and bake them; they had to make their own yeast.  Then there came a day in the late 1880s or early 1890s that was a boon to housewives.  Yeast cakes were being shipped in. You can buy them two for a penny over at Scott Fisher's grocery store.

 

In the late 18880s the Pierces lived at the south corner of Grand and Division streets, the house on the elevated terrace, now No. 32 Grand street.  The landlord was Mr. Dode Kikok, who informed my father that he would have to move as he was going to sell the place to the first man that has the price.  The tenant says:  "If that is the case, I will buy it, what is your price?"  Mr. Hikok says:  "Twelve hundred dollars."  The answer was "I will never pay such an exorbitant price as that" and the Pierces moved out. 

 

In 1888 a village government was organized and incorporated and the name changed form Sidney Plains to Sidney.  Hon. Ira F. Sherman was the first village president or mayor.  In that organization William Pierce was elected police justice, a two-year elective office.  He was elected and re-elected to this office 17 consecutive terms covering a period of 24 years, 1888 to 1922.  His career as police justice alone would fill more than one book.  I will mention only the most serious.

 

Soon after taking office there was a man well known throughout the village who lived on the east river road toward Bainbridge, his name was Sam Hill.  He came into my father's office, handed him a revolver and said:  "Judge here I am, take me and do with me what you may.  I have just shot and killed Bob Peaslee."

 

When the judge recovered enough to find words he said "When and where did this happen?"  Hill said:  "About five minutes ago over here on River street.  I was driving my horse up River street, and Peaslee jumped into the back end of my wagon, a box wagon, and attacked me from the rear violently with his fists.  I sitting and he standing I was completely over-powered and helpless.  I managed to get my revolver out of my pocket and shot him.  He staggered and fell out of the wagon.  I dragged his body over on to the grass near Mr. Olmstead's house and immediately drove up here to your office."

 

It was known that there was a serious feud between Hill and Peaslee for some time.  It was not believed that it would lead to anything as serious as this.  Hill was held to await the action of the grand jury at Delhi. The grand jury indicted him, he was tried and acquitted.

 

In the 1890s the body of a man by the name of Wood was found in a chicken yard at the rear of a home near the east or south end of Grand street.  His body showed several marks of assault.  The slightest clue was never found and the case was never solved.

 

In 1906 there lived upstairs in the house at 17 Division street, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Fical, a Mr. and Mrs. Allen.  They had an adopted daughter, Pearl Allen, she was a young lady.  In 1906 this was a two-family house.  Mr. and Mrs. George Yagel lived downstairs.  Pearl Allen was heavily covered with life insurance, her foster mother the beneficiary.  The Allen girl became ill, gradually became worse, and died. The doctor who had the case was very suspicious of poisoning.  An autopsy showed poisoning, the foster mother was indicted, tried and acquitted.

 

In 1908 there was a young lady in Sidney, her name was Elizabeth Donnelly.  She lived on Cartwright avenue with her widowed mother Hannah Donnelly.  One evening in 1908 she called on some friends of hers, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Belknap, who lived in the Brooklyn section of the village. About 10 o'clock that evening she left the Belknap home, supposedly to return to the home of her mother.  She never arrived at her mother's home.  Early the next morning a farmer going after his cows for the morning's milking found the dead body of Libby Donnelly lying in his pasture under Southwick's trestle, a trestle of the O&W railroad about a mile or two this side of Sidney Center.  Southwick's trestle is 100 to 150 feet long and about 40 or 50 feet high.  Foul play was never doubted. It was believed that she had met a violent death in the village of Sidney or somewhere, and her body placed under the trestle to make it appear that she had been knocked off the trestle by a railroad train.  Why would a young lady be on Southwick's trestle in the middle of the night?  There were horse and wagon tracks leading from the main road to the exact spot where the body was found.  There were horse and wagon tracks from that spot back to the main road. 

The office of police justice is a village office with no authority outside the incorporated limits of the village.  Southwick's trestle is in the township of Sidney.  If it was found that Libby Donnelly had met a violent death in the village of Sidney and her body taken up to the Southwick farm, that would have brought Judge Pierce into the picture. The slightest clue has never been found and Libby Donnelly's death is still an unsolved mystery. 

 

To be continued

Marriages (April 18)

Carpenter - Burris

 Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

Mrs. Mae N. Mack, of Hancock [Delaware Co., NY], announces the marriage of her daughter, Margaret Elinor Burris, to Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Edgar A. Carpenter, of Waverly, Va., on Saturday evening, April 29, by the Rev. Schaeffer of the Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Md.  The bride, one of Hancock's popular young women, is a graduate of Hancock Central School and Cortland Teachers' College.  She is at present teacher of kindergarten in Harpursville Central School.  The bridegroom, a graduate of Waverly, Va., high school, has been in the United States Navy five years.  he recently returned from service in the South Pacific, where he participated in two naval battles.  Mr. Carpenter will soon return to the Pacific coast to await further assignment.

 

Jensen - Cheeseman

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Cheeseman, of Ouaquaga [Broome Co., NY], announce the engagement of their daughter, Alma Marie, to Dr. Edwin Joseph Jensen son of Mrs. John Jensen and the late Mr. Jensen, of Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY].  Miss Cheeseman is a graduate of the Alice Freeman Palmer High School of Windsor and the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Brooklyn. Dr. Jensen is a graduate of the College of Medicine of Syracuse University and served his internship at Methodist hospital.  No date has been set for the wedding.

Decker - Campbell

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

Cpl. Howard Decker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warner Decker, former residents of Preston Park, and Bonnie Campbell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campbell, of Covington, Va., were united in marriage Saturday, May 6, at the Falling Spring Valley Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Hammond Kirk.

Daniels - Cresson

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 25, 1944

The engagement of Miss Millicent Ione Cresson to Corp. Carl E. Daniels has been announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philior L. Cresson, says a Sidney correspondent.  Miss Cresson is a graduate of Windsor High School and also attended Cornell University.  She is, at present, employed in the Scintilla Magneto Plant.  Corporal Daniels is a graduate of Sidney High School and was employed by the Scintilla before entering the Army.  He is stationed at Peterson Field, Colo., where he is training as a top turret gunner.  The wedding will take place the latter part of June.

Obituaries (April 18)

A.G. Leach

Utica Saturday Globe, March 17, 1906

 

A.G. Leach

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A.G. Leach died at his home on Canasawacta street on Sunday afternoon after a long illness from consumption.   Mr Leach was 43 years of age and was born August 22, 1862, in the same house where he died.  He was educated in the Norwich schools and before he was out of his teens began teaching, following that occupation for a number of years.  Afterwards he was employed in the Maydole hammer factory and later was a carpenter under Foreman Cobb on the Utica division of the Lackawanna Railroad.  For two years he had been unable to do much work.  Mr. Leach was a member of Canasawacta lodge, I.O.O.F., and a past grand in that order.  He was also a member of Chenango Encampment.  He was a member of the degree staff in the lodge and his impressive delivery of the high priest's charge in the degree of truth will long be remembered by his brethren in the lodge  Besides his widow he is survived by one son, Floyd, and three daughters, Grace, Josephine and Jessica.  His widowed mother, Mrs. Sarah Leach and one sister, Loie Leach, also survive, both being residents of Norwich.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Odd Fellows attending in a body.  A delegation of ladies form the Lily of the Valley Lodge was also in attendance.  Rev. J.S. Southworth officiated and the ritualistic service was conducted by Chaplain Rev. Ira W. Bingham and Past Grand George H. Mahan. Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Donald K. Stensland

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

Donald K. Stensland, 19, of Unadilla R.D.2 [Otsego Co., NY], died Sunday at the Sidney Hospital after his 1933 coupe which was traveling north on Route 8 about a mile below Mt. Upton, left the highway and struck a tree.  The car was badly damaged.  Cause of the accident has not been determined.  The state police were notified by Frank Hamond, Mt. Upton, and the youth was taken by the State Police to the Sidney Hospital where he died soon after.  Dr. Ernest Burian, of Sidney, acting coroner for Dr. D.E. Hammond, of New Berlin, pronounced an accidental death caused by the puncture of a lung.  The body was removed by the Merton Moore & Son Funeral Parlor at Gilbertsville and funeral arrangements will be delayed until his father, who is in the service, arrives.  Donald was a graduate of the Gilbertsville High School and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Stensland.  Mrs. Stensland resides on a farm near Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY].

 

Wilbur G. Clements

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 11, 1944

Wilbur G. Clements, prominent businessman in Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] for 13 years, died at his home there Tuesday after a heart attack.  The funeral was held Friday afternoon in the Congregational Church, with the Rev. Charlton H. Opdyke officiating.  The body was at Carr & Landers' Funeral Parlors until Friday noon.  After the funeral, it was cremated and the ashes buried in Bloomfield, N.J.  He was born Feb. 22, 1883, in Newark, N.J..  In 1904 in married Viola Archer, of New Jersey.  They had one daughter, Jeanne.  Upon his arrival in Sidney, Mr. Clements became associated with the Wheeler & Mabey insurance and real estate office.  After the death of P.O. Wheeler, he conducted the office.  Mr. Clements was active in the affairs of the Congregational Church and other organizations. At the time of his death he was a trustee of the church, was serving on the Prudential Committee, and was a member of the Laymen's Conference.  During previous years he had been a member of the choir.  He was secretary of the Rotary Club and in the past had been president.  He was also a member of the F.&A.M. Lodge 801, and a promoter of Boy Scout work.  Besides his wife and daughter, Mrs. Richard McClelland, of Sidney, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Florence Carr, and a brother, Frederick Clements, of Nutley, N.J.

 

Earl J. Rushford

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

Earl J. Rushford, injured in an automobile accident at New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] on Monday of last week, succumbed Wednesday afternoon at the Chase Hospital at New Berlin.  In the accident, Rushford, who was 37 years old, suffered a fractured leg and a crushed knee on the other leg. At the time of the crash Mr. Rushford was returning to Rome after visiting friends in South New Berlin.  Attempting to pass a truck, the car went out of control and smashed into a tree.  Mr. Rushford leaves a widow and three daughters. Besides the immediate family he is survived by his mother, three sisters and three brothers.

 

Maxwell Howe

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

Maxwell Howe, Sr., 42, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], died Sunday morning from injuries received when he fell three stories from his front porch early that morning.  According to Dr. John J. Breivis, acting Broome County Coroner, Mr. Maxwell lost his balance and tumbled over the railing which enclosed the porch.  The coroner issued a verdict of accidental death.  The police ambulance was summoned at 12:20 a.m. to remove the injured man, who suffered a fractured skull and fracture of the hip bone, to City Hospital.  Mr. Maxwell is survived by his widow, Ethel Jackson Howe; three sons, two sisters and a half brother.

 

George T. Tanner

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

George T Tanner, aged 83, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died at his home there last Thursday evening.  He is survived by his widow, Estella; one daughter, Mrs. Bernice DuMond, of Afton; two sons, Thurston, of Columbia City, Ind., and Gilman, of Norwich; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  A private funeral service was held at his home Sunday afternoon.  The Rev Allen Douglas officiated.  Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery, Afton.

 

Cora A. Hendrickson

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

Mrs. Cora A. Hendrickson, 82, died Friday at her home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], after a long illness.  She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Andrews and Mrs. Clara Meek, both of Afton.  Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at Tabor's Funeral home, with the Rev. Allen Douglas officiating.  Burial was in the East Side Cemetery, Afton.

 

Lewis J. Newton

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 18, 1944

Lewis  J. Newton, 28, who was critically injured in a motorcycle-automobile crash in Binghamton early Wednesday night, died Friday at City Hospital.  A machine operator at Remington Rand, Mr. Newton was a resident of Montrose, Pa., R.D.2, Honorably discharged from the Army May 12, 1943, Mr. Newton was the father of two small children.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Newton, of Montrose, also survive.  Death resulted form a fractured skull and other injuries.

 

August Frank Kurkowski

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 25, 1944

August Frank Kurkowski, 48, Richfield Springs [Otsego Co., NY], died at Bassett Hospital at Cooperstown Thursday night as the result of injuries sustained in a fall earlier that afternoon.  The owner of a two-story business on Otsego Lake, that village, Kurkowski was on a ladder painting a window sash, when the ladder slipped on the cement sidewalk, pitching him from it.  He fell headfirst, witnesses of the accident said, and his death was attributed to a fractured skull and internal injuries.

 

 

The Pierce Family - Chapter 2

100 Years of the Pierce Family

by Harold Pierce

Sidney Record - Enterprise, February 1954

[In 1878] The population was estimated to be between three and four hundred.  Less than half as many buildings on main street as there are now, and they were small ones of wooden construction.  There was a store or two and a few houses on Grand street.  River street was quite solidly built from Main street to what is now the four-family apartment house directly across the street from the Episcopal Church.  This place was the Weir farm and was the outskirts of Sidney Plains.  Less than a half-dozen houses on Bridge street, including the old toll house where toll fee was paid to cross the old bridge then located at the foot of Bridge street.  The toll house was in charge of the Hyatt family.  Several other houses scattered here and there.  That was the Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY] of 1878 when my dad moved in.

 

There was no place for my father to open his cobbler's shop, so Mr. Weller let him use the back room of his drug store, a building that many of us remember that stood where the vacant lot now is on Main street, between the C.H. Lander's furniture and undertaking and Fairbank's drug store.

 

My father was not yet married, and of course needed boarding and lodging.  He was sent to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Tabor, who lived at what is now No. 15 Bridge street, in the house now occupied by Nathalie Wanzer and Bessie Talcott.  He obtained board and room at the Tabor home at $2.00 per week.  Mr. and Mrs. Tabor were the grandparents of Mrs. Glen Fical who now lives, and has lived for many years, at 17 Division street at the corner of Clinton street.

 

A few months later my father concluded that Sidney Plains was the place to do business.  He went back to North Sanford and on Dec. 5th, 1878, he married Susan Owen.  He brought his bride to Sidney Plains and they went housekeeping in a farm house that is now No. 33 Delaware avenue, and now occupied by Jacob Schroh and family.  Not over ten buildings were on that side of the railroad tracks, none of which were within nearly a half mile of where the bride and groom moved in.  The nearest neighbor was a farmer who lived near the present state police barracks, and that was where they bought their milk--two cents a quart, three quarts for five cents, bring your own pail.  As we know, that side of the railroad tracks is now the biggest half of the village.

 

Between the cobbler shop near the north end of Main street, and the home where they had gone housekeeping there were no buildings to obscure the view.  It was open sight between shop and home.  My father often worked after dark. There was only a footpath through the hay fields and pasture land between shop and home.  My mother would put a light on the door steps to guide my father home.  Sidney Plains did not have any street light 76 years ago.

 

Three years later, 1881, they moved into a house that is now No. 14 Grand street.  Here the first-born arrived, my sister Bessie Owen Pierce.  She died at the age of ten.  The Grand street house was two-family, the Pierces down stairs and the upstairs occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Waterman.

 

One day in 1882, Mrs. Waterman says to my mother "There is a man coming here to start a newspaper and he is the man that's coming down the road now."  As he passed the house my mother saw for the first time the Honorable Arthur Bird, late Vice Consul to the island of Haiti, under the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes, and editor of the soon-to-be Sidney Record.

 

At about this time my father was recovering from a serious sickness that had kept him in bed for several weeks. A few days after my mother's first sight of Mr. Bird there came a knock at the door.  My mother answered it and it was Mr. Bird with a newspaper in his hand.  He said:  "I understand there is a man here who is convalescing from a long and serious illness.  I want him to be the first to read the Sidney Record," and he handed the paper to her.  He was invited in and the patient was sitting up in bed.  There Arthur Bird and Billy Pierce shook hands, the beginning of a very devoted Friendship that lasted until death parted them 46 years later.

 

In 1883 the second born arrived, my brother Weller Ephriam Pierce.  You can readily see that he was named after Mr. Weller.  He died December 8th, 1949, age 66, in Oneonta where he had lived for 31 years.

 

After four years my father wanted to get out of the back room of the drug store, and factory-made shoes were coming into existence which would be the death blow to shoe cobblers.  He bought the land of Eugene Griggs and built the block that is now No. 44 Main street and now occupied by Sidney Mang, Insurance and Real Estate.  Land and building cost him $1,800.  He stocked it with factory-made shoes.  His cobbling days were over.  He occupied this until his retirement in 1923.

 

In 1885 Mr. Weller abandoned the old drug store and built and occupied the block at the corner of Main and Liberty streets, and now being conducted by his successor Berton Fairbanks.

 

In the 1880s my father wrote a letter to the Righy Rev. William Croswell Doane, Bishop of the Albany diocese of the Episcopal Church.  In that letter he stated that he believed there were enough Episcopalians in Sidney Plains to organize and support a church.

 

To be continued.

Obituaries (April 17)

Charles Stanford Frasure

Utica Saturday Globe, March 17, 1906

 

Charles Stanford Frasure

Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY]:  Charles Stanford Frasure, aged 6, son of Rev. Charles A. Frasure, died in Buffalo [Errie Co., NY], March 9, after a few days' illness.  The little fellow was at first treated for croup but there is a possibility that diphtheria developed.  He died at the General Hospital, and the body was brought to Sherburne for burial which took place March 13 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Rev. W.A. Trow officiating.  He was born in the Congregational parsonage at Westmoreland, N.Y. [Oneida Co.], where his father was pastor of the Congregational Church.  He is survived by his father and little sister, Helen, who is nearly 8 years old.  His mother died suddenly November 22, 1904.  Charles was a beautiful boy, very bright and active, and exceedingly affectionate in his disposition.  He gave excellent promise of a useful career.  He won the hearts of all who knew him and his death is deeply mourned.  The picture accompanying this sketch was taken one year ago.

Cora (Miller) Frasure

Binghamton Press, November 23, 1904

Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY]:  News was received here yesterday of the sudden death of the wife of Rev. Charles A. Frasure, at Buffalo [Erie Co., NY].  They were intending to spend Thanksgiving on the farm which they occupied part of the time, mostly during the summer, and relatives received a letter from her dated Saturday, to "meet them at the 6:25 p.m. train Wednesday."  It seems that she was taken ill on Sunday and although medical aid was quickly summoned it was of no avail.  Mrs. Frasure, who was before her marriage Miss Cora Miller, resided in Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], came here to accept a position as teacher in Sherburne High school in 1895.  She resigned her situation and in November, 1896, was married to Rev. Charles A. Frasure, a Sherburne boy who had accepted a call as pastor of the congregational Church at Westmoreland, where they lived for two years, after which they removed to Bridgewater, where he had charge of the Congregational Church as pastor.  A few years ago Mr. Frasure gave up the ministry to accept a position with the Dodd, Mead Company, publishers, to take charge of their branch office in Buffalo, Mrs. Frasure and two children spending the Summers at their old homestead here on the Frasure farm.  She went to Buffalo to spend the Winter last September.  She was deeply interested in her church work and a true Christian woman, and when the news was spread of her death there was many a tear-stained cheek in Sherburne.  Besides her husband there are two little children who survive, a daughter, Helen, and a son, 5 years of age.  Her father, Mr. Miller, who resides in Watertown and sister and brother of Sidney also survive.  She was 23 years of age.  Undertaker C. L. Carrier went to Buffalo yesterday for the body, which will be brought here tonight and the funeral will be held Friday afternoon.  Rev. Frasure's mother, Mrs. I.R. Adams, she being a mother-in-law, and a brother-in-law, O.J. Frasure, who lives on the old Frasure farm, all of Sherburne, also survive.

Sidney Record, November 26, 1904

A telegram from Buffalo, N.Y., received by Mrs. Wm. Aussiker, Tuesday morning of the 22d inst., announced the sad news of the sudden death of Mrs. Cora Frasure, at her home in that city.  Mrs. Frasure was formerly known to our Sidney people as Miss Cora Miller, daughter of Fenton A. Miller, who now resides at Watertown, N.Y.  Mrs. Fraser died of blood poison, although no fatal result had been anticipated. The end was sudden and wholly unexpected.  The remains are now in Sherburne, at the home of the Rev. C.A. Frasure, the funeral and interment are announced for Friday, the 25th, to be held in that village.  A deeply afflicted husband and two interesting little children survive, also her father, a brother, Clarence Miller, of Oneonta and a sister, Mrs. Wm. Aussiker, of this village.  Mrs. Frasure's death is most deeply deplored.

Rev. Charles A. Frasure

Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, October 18, 1951

The Rev. Charles A Frasure, 86, native of Vernon Center, died yesterday in his home in the Town of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].  He was born Aug. 19, 1865, son of Charles and Marjorie Hawley Frasure, and was a graduate of Hamilton College and Union Theological Seminary, being ordained on Aug. 26, 1896.  For 10 years he was a minister and for another 10 years he was manager of Dodd & Mead, a New York publishing company.  For the past 40 years he had operated a farm at Sherburne.  Surviving are his wife, the former Helen Hart; three daughters, Mrs. Helen L'Aquadro of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mrs. J. Frederic Benedict of Norwich and Mrs. Geraldine Blades of Hornell and two sons, Dudley and Hawley Frasure, both of Sherburne.

Amelia (Goodrich) Owens

Unadilla Times, January 1, 1926

Mrs. Amelia Owens, died Monday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.H. Pierce, following a shock which she sustained the previous evening.  The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Goodrich, of Kortright (Delaware Co., NY], and her earlier life was spent at that place, and her age on the day of her demise was exactly 95 years and 8 months.  She is survived by two children, William Owens and Mrs. Pierce, above named, by three grandchildren, Myron Owens of Bainbridge, Weller E Pierce of Oneonta, and Harold Pierce of Sidney.  She was a most estimable woman, from early life a member of the United Presbyterian Church and one who even to the time of her death kept fine possession of her mental and largely of her physical powers.  Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter above mentioned, on Wednesday, at 2 o'clock, Rev Mr. Frisbee of the Episcopal Church officiating.  Interment was made at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

Mrs. Israel T. Deyo

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 4, 1944

Mrs. Israel T. Deyo, mother of Supreme Court Justice Martin W. Deyo, died Saturday morning at her home in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] after a long illness.  She was 81 years old.  A native of Binghamton, Mrs. Deyo was active in church and music circles for several decades.  Educated in local schools and a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, Mrs. Deyo was a soloist in several churches for many years.  She had been a member of the First Congregational Church for more than 70 years.  She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Mrs. T.S. Stacy, of Binghamton and Justice Deyo.  Mrs. Deyo also was active in Tuscarora Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; the Helpers' Society of the First Congregational Church, and the Monday Afternoon Club.  She was a past president of Tuscarora Chapter and the church organization.

Frank E. Carrier

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 4, 1944

Frank E. Carrier, age 83 years, died Tuesday, April 25, at the Binghamton City Hospital.  The son of Sarah (Alexander) Carrier and Elijah Carrier, he was born in the Town of Windsor [Broome Co., NY], Aug. 16, 1861, and lived in Windsor all of his life.  For 14 years he was employed at the Empire State Dairy Co., which is now the Dairymen's League headquarters in Windsor.  He also was employed at the D.&H. Railroad in Windsor for a number of years.  An exempt fireman, he was a member of Windsor Hose Company for many years.

Mary Shanly Clark

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 4, 1944

Mary Shanly Clark, the eldest daughter of the late John Shanly and Elizabeth Collins Shanly, passed away at her home in Hancock [Delaware Co., NY] on April 22.  Mrs. Clark was born in Jeffersonville [Sullivan Co., NY], March 28, 1874.  On October 22, 1913, she was united in marriage to the late Charles H Clark of Pleasant Mount, Pa.  Her entire life, except for a short residence in Binghamton, was lived in her native town, where she was widely known and loved by a host of friends who held her in high esteem.
 

Marriages (April 16)

Marriage Notices

 

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, January 17, 1866

MILES - FINCH:  In Otselic, Dec. 25, by Rev. J. Storrs, John Miles and Emma Finch, both of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY]

 

FOX - DEBELL:  At the Congregational Parsonage, in Pitcher Village, Jan. 8, by Rev. C. Barstow, Lewis H. Fox, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], and Rebecca P. DeBell of Taylor [Cortland Co., NY].

 

ISABEL - MERRIHEW:  At Sherburne Four Corners, Jan. 3d, by Rev. A.M. Bennett, Charles Isabel, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], and Lydia Maria Merrihew, of Smyrna [Chenango Co., nY].

 

SHELTON - YOUNG:  In Bainbridge, Nov. 5, by Rev. A.C. Smith, John Shelton, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], and Stella Young, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]

 

JOHNSTON - LOBDELL:  At the residence of the bride, Nov. 9, by the same, Henry Johnston, of Corning [Steuben Co., NY], and Celestia Lobdell, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]

CLARK - BENEDICT:  At the bride's father's, Nov. 23, by the same, Simon Clark of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], and Miss E.M. Benedict of New Road.

DeSHON - MOORE:  At Whitesboro, Jan. 11, by Rev. J.B. Hubbard, Thomas Moore, Esq., of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY] and Mrs. Elizabeth DeShon, of Whitesboro [Oneida Co., NY].

STEWART - RATHBUN:  In East Pharsalia, 9th inst., by Rev. Lewis Lawton, Chas. H. Stewart, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] and Frank M. Rathbun, of East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

RATHBUN - STEWARD:  In Oxford, 9th inst., by Rev. F.B. Peck, Eli T. Rathbun, of East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], and Mary Stewart, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

EDDY - HENDERSON:  In New Berlin, Dec. 30th, by Rev. E.D. Thurston, Horace Eddy, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], and Abigail Henderson, of Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY]

SKILLMAN - CLINE:  In Greene, 1st Jan., b y Rev. A. Parker, J.H. Skillman and Jettie B. Cline, both of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

SOUTHWICK - HAWLEY:  In Sherburne, 1st Jan. by Rev. M. G. Wadsworth, George Southwick and C. Minnie Hawley, all of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].

HAKES - VOSBURGH:  In McDonough, 21st ult. by J.W. Barr, Rufus B. Hakes of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] and Amanda D. Vosburgh of German [Chenango Co., NY].

BUTTS - WESCOTT:  In Oxford, 1st Jan. by Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Philander Butts of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] and Maria H. Wescott, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

The Chenango American, November 11, 1869
GRIFFIN - BEACH:  At the M.E. parsonage, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst. by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Alvah M. Griffin, to Miss Alice R. Beach, both of Owego, N.Y. [Tioga Co., NY].

MILLER - LOOMIS:  At the Baptist parsonage, this village, on the 17th ult., by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. Alexander Miller, to Miss Maria Loomis, both of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY]

In Oxford, on the 4th inst., by Rev. E.H. Payson, Mr. Hiram Thorn to Miss Lucinda G. French, both of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].

The Chenango American,  April 24, 1884
BURT - JEFFORDS:  In Oxford, April 20th, by Rev. B.F. Bradford, Mr. Ben R. Burt, of Charleston, West Va., to Miss Lillian A. Jeffords, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

BRADLEY - ANDREWS:  In Lisle, April 16th, by Rev. C.L. Bennett Mr. Irvin Bradley of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Nellie Andrews, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].

COLE - QUICK:  In Chenango Forks, April 6th, by Rev. D. E. Hathaway, Mr. Curtis Cole, to Miss Jennie Quick, all of Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY]


The Pierce Family - Chapter 1

100 Years of the Pierce Family

Sidney Record - Enterprise, February 1954

(This history was prepared by Harold Pierce and delivered at a meeting of the Sidney Historical Association on January 22, 1954.)

 

This year, 1954, is the 100th anniversary of my father's birth William H. Pierce was born April 25th, 1854 in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  His father, John Pierce, was sexton of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, a church built in 1826 and still used for worship.

In 1861, when Mr. Lincoln called for volunteers, Chenango County responded to the tune of 1,600 strong.  This was known as the 114th Regiment New York Volunteers.  Bainbridge furnished her share.  Bainbridge suffered her share of the casualties.  One of the duties of the sexton was to toll the church bell when news came that a local boy had lost his life in the war.  The bell was struck the number of the boy's age.  It was ten well spaced strokes, then a longer pause, then ten more and so on with a pause at each ten, stopping at the number of years in the soldier's age. This was an event that my dad and his older brother never missed, climbing into the belfry when their father struck the bell with a large hammer on these sad occasion.  Whether it was day or night, when they descended from the belfry and came out of the church there was always a crowd awaiting and asking, "Who did you toll for? Who is it this time?"

 

In 1866 the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, now the Delaware and Hudson, had laid its rails as far west as Bainbridge.  No trains had as yet been run.  Locomotives then were wood burning.  The A&S R.R. was building a large stock pile of wood at Bainbridge in preparation for the opening of the railroad. Bainbridge was now having great prosperity as a great many were hauling their wood to the A&S wood yard.  My father assisted his father in doing this.  Before long it was announced that the first train would run and the grand opening for the western end of the railroad would be held at Sidney Plains, which is now Sidney.  My father came to Sidney Plains for the celebration, as did nearly every one from Bainbridge and the surrounding towns.  My father afterwards lived in Sidney for 50 years, and I often heard him say that never did this village have a bigger day than when the first train went through.  The train went through decorated with flags and bunting and the orator of the day then spoke at length.  This is one thing he said:  "We have just seen the first train go through and according to the schedule of the Albany & Susquehanna railroad, they are to run one train in each direction every day from now on.  We may not see it or our children may not see it, but the day WILL come when they will run two trains each way every day."

 

My father, who heard those words, lived to see 80 or more trains pass through Sidney daily, about 40 each direction.  Between the years 1910 and 1935 that was the daily occurrence.  The freight and coal trains were then 30 to 40 cars.  The same amount of tonnage passes through now, but with greatly increased power most of the trains are from 90 to 125 cars in length. So now one train is what three trains used to be.

 

When the new railroad passenger station was completed and opened in Sidney in 1913, my dad was a member of a committee appointed by the local Chamber of Commerce to have a large sign erected across the track from the station near the rear of the present post office.  It was elevated several feet in the air and lighted at night; could be plainly read from the depot.  The sign read:  "Sidney has what you want--wants what you have.  Thirty-two passenger trains entering this station daily."  Of course half of these trains were of the New York Ontario & Western Railroad.

 

When my father was old enough to go out into the world on his own he had learned the cobbler's trade.  In those days when you needed a pair of shoes you did not go to a store and get a pair of Walk-Overs, Florsheims or Endicott-Johnsons.  You would go to a cobbler who would take your measurements and make you a pair of shoes. They, of course, repaired shoes also.  In 1875 my dad opened shop in North Sanford, Broome County, a then thriving rural community not far from Deposit.  During his three-year's stay there a man from Sidney Plains, by the name of H.C. Weller, often visited relatives in North Sanford and came into the cobbler's shop several times.  He tried to persuade my father to leave North Sanford and locate in Sidney Plains, saying there was no cobbler in Sidney Plains and that they had to go to Unadilla to have their shoes made.  He told of attractions among which was that Sidney Plains is the coming town, they have two railroads there. It all sounded so good that my father did come to Sidney Plains and looked it over.  He decided to try it.

 

To be continued

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. 

Bainbridge High School Class of 1949 - Part 3

Bainbridge Central High School - Class of 1949

Senior Portraits

"Echo" 1949

 

Lorraine Howe

"Lonnie"

Class Treasurer

Will miss most:  roaming the halls

Most commonly seen balancing books

Ambition:  To be graduated this year

 

Vivian Howe

"Viv"

Will miss most:  Mrs. Kinney

Most commonly seen in Deposit

Ambition: To go to California

 

Barbara MacPherson

"Pee Wee"

Will miss most:  History & Home Ec

Most commonly seen making clothes

Ambition:  To be graduated this June

 

Laura Belle Mott

"Laurie"

Will miss most:  studying Latin

Most commonly seen with Margaret

Ambition:  To go to Alaska

 

Helen Myers

"Helen"

Voted Most Courteous

Will miss most:  Staying after school

Most commonly seen writing letters for Student Council

Ambition:  To help people

 

Ruth Roloson

"Ruthie"

Voted Best Athlete

Will miss most:  fun had with kids

Most commonly seen With Mary

Ambition:  to be a Phys. Ed. teacher

Obituaries (April 15)

Clarence D. Harrington

Utica Saturday Globe, March 17, 1906

 

Clarence D. Harrington

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The remains of Clarence D Harrington, who died at his home in Utica [Oneida Co., NY] Tuesday morning, were brought to Norwich the same evening and taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Harvey Holcomb, on Canasawacta street where funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1:30.  Rev. Wilson Treible officiated.  The body was placed in Mount Hope vault awaiting burial later at Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY].  Deceased was 45 years of age and was born in the town of Pitcher.  For the past 25 years he had resided in Utica where he conducted a gent's furnishing business and a laundry establishment.  He was a  member of the Utica Aerie, Order of Eagles.  Deceased was unmarried.  He is survived by five sisters and three brothers.  Mrs. B.C. Kenyon and Mrs. Harvey Holcomb, of Norwich, Mrs. H.D. Johnson, of Plymouth, Miss Mary Harrington, of Newark, Mrs. Flossie Kellam, of Binghamton, and Clayton Harrington, of Guilford, Hiram Harrington, of Tully, and Lewis Harrignton, of Carbondale, Pa. 

 

Sybil E. Robbins Gould

1810 -- 1889

Died at the residence of her son-in-law, J.E. Barnaby, Dec. 25, 1889, Sybil E. Gould. 

 

Sybil E. Robbins Gould was born in Ashford, Windham Co., Ct., Feb. 21, 1810.  Her father moved to Ulster Co., N.Y. in 1812 and from there to Masonville, N.Y. [Delaware Co., NY], in 1818.  She was married to John Gould of Pelham, Mass., and later of Saratoga, N.Y., June 22, 1828.  Lived on the old Robbins' homestead together 57 years.  She was a woman upon whom affliction fell heavily and fast during her early married life.  In 1833 [she] was bereft by the loss of a lovely babe, and in 1835 again death came and took away her little boy of five years.  In 1838, after but ten years of wedded life, her husband was suddenly stricken down to death while in Ohio. She afterwards once visited his burial place there, and then returned to her parents and devoted her time and efforts to their care as long as they lived.  As her eldest son had now grown to manhood she began to take courage and feel that she had one to lean upon, when disease came upon him and after eighteen months' suffering he died, Feb. 14, 1856.  Then her brother, J.K. Robbins, who was an invalid for many years, received her constant attention.  He came here to spend many seasons and three times she journeyed to his home in St. Louis, Mo., to assist in taking care of him, finally going there in 1873 to remain permanently, but after being in his sick room for one year, her health gradually failed.  She thought to come to New York for a few weeks of rest and then return, but her strength failed her while enroute and she had a long, serious sickness at Westfield, N.Y., finally reaching the home of her son-in-law in a dangerous condition, and has ever been in delicate health since, up to her death.  She was a woman of more than ordinary intellectual powers, observing, wise, fine memory, strong faith, learning in scripture, cheerful, self-denying and always trying to brighten the path of all around her.  She was a member of the Presbyterian church. While her infirmities deprived her of active service for years, her influence for good was not lost and her memory will be sacredly cherished by those who knew her and the members of the church to which she belonged will feel that a kind heart has gone out from among them.  Her last days were marked by wonderful illustrations of her brilliant mind and memory, her perfect faith, and her established hope, and so she passed peacefully away with the loving eyes of her son, son-in-law, daughter and granddaughter upon her.

 

Russell M. Smith

Russell M. Smith passed to spirit life August 22d [sic], after a brief illness, aged 77 years.  Mr. Smith was a native of and spent the greater portion of his life in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], where he was well known and highly respected by all.  His wife was a sister of the late H.H. Beecher, and preceded him to the grave by fourteen years.  Three children were born to them, but one of whom is living.  Mr. C. Eugene Smith, who resides upon the homestead.  Mr. S. was a member of the First Congregational church of Coventry.  The funeral occurred on Tuesday the 25th, at one o'clock.  Rev. W.H. Sawtelle of Athens, Pa., assisted by the J.F. Geddes, pastor of the church of Coventryville, conducted the services.  Interment was in the family plot at Coventryville. [Note:  Buried Coventry Union Cemetery, "R.M. Smith, Died Aug. 23, 1891, Aged 78 Years; Annett Beecher, wife of R.M. Smith, Died Mar. 21, 1877, aged 63 years"]

 

Jay Lyon

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, February 22, 1890

Monday afternoon school closed to give the pupils a chance to enjoy skating upon the lake.  Everything passed off pleasantly until the party started for home.  On nearing the underground crossing a number of the young men jumped on to a passing gravel train, westbound, for a ride.  Jay Lyon was the last to attempt this, catching hold of the front handle of the caboose he ran along side of it and attempted to get on, not seeing the bridge which he was approaching.  A brakeman shouted for him to look out, and nearly at that moment the boy loosed his hold and fell between the tracks to the road below, striking on his head and shoulder.  He was picked up insensible and carried to a house near by.  Dr. P.A Hayes on being summoned examined the patient but found no broken bones.  About fifteen minutes to eleven that night he died, only partly recovering consciousness up to the time of his death.  Death resulted from injuries received by the brain.  The deceased was sixteen years of age, of good habits and well likes by all who knew him.  he was the only son of Mrs. Hiram Lyon, a widow lady residing a West Bainbridge, and his untimely death casts a gloom over the school and elsewhere which it will be impossible to shake off in some time.  School closed in order that the pupils might attend his funeral which occurred Thursday.

 

the funeral services of Jay Lyon were conducted by Rev. D.N. Grummon at his late home on Thursday of last week at 2 o'clock p.m., a large circle of relatives and friends being present, among whom were his Sabbath school teacher, C.C. Hovey and class, the teachers, school board and a large number of students of Afton academy.  Jay was a young man of good habits, pleasant and kind, and universally beloved.  Each heart goes out with sympathy to the widowed mother whose affliction is truly great.  Only a comparatively short time ago a father, mother, husband, sister and son cheered and comforted her.  Now, all that remains is the sister.  May He who watcheth over all care for and sustain her in this great bereavement.

 

Mary Pearsall Norton

1814 - 1890

Died at Moreland, Ill., Feb. 20, 1890, Mary P., widow of the late Leonard Norton, aged 75 years and 5 months.  Her remains, accompanied by her son H.H. Norton and niece Mrs. Addie Westcott were brought to this place and deposited in St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] Monday.  Mrs. Norton's maiden name was Pearsall, and she had many relatives and friends here, being born and having lived in this place and vicinity until a few years ago, when they moved west. 

 

Banks Seely
1811 - 1889

Died at Hammonton, N.J., Feb. 24th, Banks Seely, aged about 78 years.  Mr. Seely was formerly a residen tof this place and brother-in-law of James Yale.  [Note:  Died 24 Feb. 1889]

Paulina Yale Cooper

1834 - 1893

About 4 o'clock Friday morning, Sept. 15, 1893, Mrs. Curtis Cooper entered into life eternal, from the home of her daughter, at Windsor, N.Y.  Paulina Yale, daughter of Elam and Merab Yale, was born in Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 15, 1834.  She was married to Curtis Cooper of that place, Oct. 1, 1845, to whom she was a most devoted wife.  No children were born to these two, but several received at their hands the tender care akin to that of real fatherhood and motherhood.  One, whose lips for years called her by the sacred name of mother, Philip B. Toby, died in California in the fall of 1889.  On October 1, 1870, their silver-wedding day, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper adopted a daughter, Anna E. Hidley, then a child of six years, now residing in Windsor, the wife of the Rev. O.A. Sands.  With this daughter, whose life has been richly blessed with the devoted love, the infinite tenderness, the watchful, never-ceasing care of her whom God had truly made a mother, Mrs. Cooper was living when she was called away.  In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Cooper removed to Bainbridge, where, with Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Yale, they made their home at what was known as the Dr. Yale place.  All her life Mrs. Cooper was a great sufferer, bearing all with the patience and cheerfulness of the sweet saint of God that she was.  She was suffering with pneumonia at the last, but was recovering from that disease, and the immediate cause of her death was heart failure.  She was buried in the Cooper Cemetery near Yaleville, N.Y. [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], Sunday, Sept. 17, 1893.

Miscellaneous News Items

Proprietors of Disorderly House Receive Jail Sentences

Otsego Journal, June 19, 1881

Charles Coburn, Jennie Thompson and Mollie Woodruff, the two latter being notoriously known as the "two orphans," formerly residents of Bainbridge, all of whom have served sentences in our county jail, were on Wednesday last, at the January term of the circuit court, at Binghamton, sentenced by Judge Follett to the Albany penitentiary.  Coburn goes for one year, the Thompson woman for nine months, and the other "orphan" for eight months.  For four years Coburn and the Thompson woman have conducted a joint business in running disorderly houses at Sidney, Bainbridge and elsewhere and the public at large have reason for congratulation that the infamous trio are at last where they will be compelled for a season to lead virtuous lives.  When passing sentence Judge Follett took occasion to give the criminals some excellent advice which for their good it is hoped they may heed--Chenango Telegraph.

 

Heaton's Ruby

Chenango Union, March 6, 1884

It has been our good fortune to see and examine a ruby ring, belonging to Charles Heaton, President of the Emery Works [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  There is nothing in appearance which would lead one to imagine it other than a stone of priceless value.  It is very large, transparent, and of such beauty and brilliancy as to lead the amateur into the error of calling it a diamond.  When the stone was cut the only tools which would touch it were those used in cutting diamonds.  And yet this stone was made by Mr. Heaton.  Taking certain chemicals and the flint and stone of which rubies are composed, and experimenting upon them, he finally, after much labor and expense succeeded in melting them and the result was this stone. The French have succeeded in making artificial rubies of the size of a pin head for watch jewels, but have never been able to form larger ones. Therefore Mr. Heaton has the proud consciousness of making that which no living man has ever made before, and of owning a ruby second only in size to the celebrated gem in possession of Queen Victoria--Republican

 

Floor Collapse at C.C. Hovey & Co Creamery

Afton Enterprise, May 3, 1900

There was a serious accident at C.C. Hovey & Co's factory at Bainbridge Tuesday afternoon.  The floor of a storeroom on the third floor of the factory over a section of the ice house that was empty gave way while four men were at work in the storeroom. A part of the floor was prevented from going entirely down by some boxes piled in the room below at the larger part of the storeroom floor and about 18,000 pounds of casein in bags fell crashing through the floor below, 20 feet to the bottom of the ice house.  Four men were working on this floor at the time.  Oscar Lindgren, Simeon Bennett, John Sweet, Wallace Sweet.  Lindgren, Bennett and John Sweet did not go down with the floor but succeeded in catching hold of some remaining timber.  Wallace Sweet went down with the debris striking head first.  His head and a part of his body was tightly wedged in between the bags of casein, but he was able to extricate himself before assistance reached him and beyond some scratches, bruises and wrenches was not injured.

 

116th Anniversary of First Methodist Episcopal Society

Norwich Sun, March 14, 1932

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  The First Methodist Episcopal Society of Bainbridge is celebrating its 116th anniversary this week with appropriate services in the church.  On March 25 in the year 1816, the first articles of incorporation were granted, and Samuel Banks, Israel Stowell and William Banks were elected trustees. Wednesday a historical service was held and two of the early events of the church were dramatized. Thursday evening at 6:30 the anniversary dinner will be served in the church parlors, following which Dr. Andrews will conduct the fourth quarterly conference.  Friday evening will be devoted to a social time with a reception at 7:30 o'clock, following which an entertainment will be given, the central idea of which is pioneering.  A covered wagon and camp fire will add to the effect of the scene, while old time tunes will be sung by the young people.  Mrs. J. Rennie Allen and Russell Pickering of Endicott are to be the guest singers of the evening.  Gifts will also be presented at this service to the oldest person present, the couple longest married and the person longest a member of the church.  At the morning service on Sunday Dr. Andrews will preach the sermon and at 11:45 Decision Day will be observed in the church school.  The evening service will be in charge of former pastors and their wives.

 

 

Obituaries (April 14)

Betsey M. Steele

Utica Saturday Globe, March 31, 1906

 

Mrs. Betsey M. Steele

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Betsey M. Steele, a former resident of Norwich, passed away on Friday of last week at the home of her niece, Mrs. George W. Aldrich, where she had been visiting for a few days.  Mrs. Steele was in her 82d year, having been born in Pompey, N.Y. [Onondaga Co.], November 29, 1824.  In her early years her parents moved to DeRuyter and later to New Berlin, where she married George L. Steele, a prominent manufacturer and head of the firm of Steele & Medbury, papermakers.  Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Steele went to Watertown to reside and from there to Utica about the year 1846.  In 1861 they went to New York.  Mr. Steele having secured through the influence of Roscoe Conkling a fine position in the custom house service.  Hon. Thomas L. James was an intimate acquaintance and friend of the Steeles.  Mr. Steele died about 29 years ago, since which time Mrs. Steele had made her home with her only son, Charles L Steele, in Brooklyn, but spent some of the time with relatives in DeRuyter and Norwich.  She came here in the early part of the week in which she died. She was a remarkable woman in many respects and was much beloved by all who had her acquaintance.  Charles L. Steele, of Brooklyn, is the only surviving member of the immediate family, besides whom there survives one sister, Mrs. Joseph F. Vincent, of Truxton, and three nieces, Mrs. George W. Aldrich, of Norwich, and Mrs. S.H. Tanner and Mrs. Thomas Winston, of Newark, N.J.  Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon from the Aldrich residence on Maple street.  Rev. Dr. Benton officiated and the remains were placed temporarily in the vault in Mount Hope chapel, awaiting burial later at new Berlin beside her husband.  The bearers were John L. Slocum, Myron Root, Daniel I. Beldin and William Card.  Her son, Charles L. Steele, of Brooklyn, was among the relatives and friends present at the funeral.

Stephen A. Smith

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 20, 1944

Stephen A. Smith, native of Susquehanna [PA], and a retired employee of the Erie, died in the Barnes Hospital Friday evening, April 7.  He had been a patient in the hospital since last November, when he sustained a fractured hip in a fall in his home in that boro.  Mr. Smith was in his 80th year.  He was a tinsmith in the Erie service for years, until he sustained injuries which forced his retirement.

Harry Maycumber

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 27, 1944

Harry Maycumber, 30, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], died about midnight last Friday night in Chenango Memorial Hospital of a bullet wound of the head which authorities said was accidentally inflicted by his brother, Robert, 12.  The shooting happened in Harry's bedroom about 6:30 o'clock, according to Assistant District Attorney Lynn N. Peterson and Patrolman Ivan Morrell.  They said they were told Harry, a polio victim with a crippled leg, was lying on his bed when his brother entered the room, spotted Harry's revolver, an old model, on a chair, and asked if he could play with it.  Told by Harry that he could play with it provided he did not leave the room, Robert was twirling the gun on a finger, authorities said, when it suddenly slipped out of his hand and struck a dresser.  As it did, they said they were told, the weapon discharged and the bullet struck Harry in the left side of the head.   Robert summoned his mother, Mrs. Ralph Maycumber, who telephoned Dr. L.T. Kinney, the family physician.  Dr. Kinney, who also is a Chenango County coroner, ordered the victim removed to the hospital where, attendants said he died without regaining consciousness.  Dr. Kinney issued a verdict of accidental death as coroner and the body was removed to the Breese Funeral Home pending funeral arrangements.

Stanley & Stanley Jr. Borek

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 27, 1944

Stanley Borek, 30, an employee of Remington-Rand at Westover, and his son, Stanley, Jr., 5, lost their lives by drowning late Sunday afternoon when Mr. Borek's automobile left Route 11 and plunged down a 40-foot bank into Alford Pond near New Milford.  Mr. Borek's wife, Helen, 31, escaped probable drowning when she leaped from the machine as it shot over the embankment.  She is in fair condition at the West Side Hospital in Scranton, Pa.  She suffered general body cuts and bruises and some shock.  Private David W. Roberts of the New Milford Barracks of the Pennsylvania Motor Police, who is continuing investigation, said Mr. Borek's car, a sedan, was completely submerged in the pond, scene of several similar deaths in past years.  Notified by a passing motorist, John O'Keefe, of Binghamton, R.D. 5, the Pennsylvania Motor Police went to the scene with a wrecker about 6 o'clock.  The bodies of Mr. Borek and his son had been in the water about an hour before workmen succeeded in hauling the machine up onto the highway.  Mr. Borek, who is reported to have been driving to his home at Clark Summit, Pa., R.D., is the father of two daughters, Virginia, 8 and Helen, 7.  They were believed at home at the time of the accident.  After examination by Kenneth A. Bush, a Susquehanna County coroner, the bodies of Mr. Borek and his son sere removed to a Scranton Funeral Home pending burial.  Private Roberts said he has yet to determine cause of the accident.  He indicated Mrs. Borek would be questioned later for details.

Donald Jones

Bainbridge News & Republican, April 27, 1944

Donald Jones, 13, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jones, Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY], was injured fatally when an automobile operated by Dr. Harry Payne, of Edmeston, veterinary, crashed into a loaded truck on the West Edmeston highway Thursday night.  Dr. Payne suffered probable rib fractures and bruises.  Officers said the truck was parked without lights or flares.  They identified the driver of the truck as Mr. Stover, who resides at Mohawk, and the owner as Mr. Swartz.  Dr. Payne and his young companion were returning to Edmeston from the Unadilla Valley where the former had made several routine calls.  The impact crushed the top of the automobile.  The body was removed to the nearby home of Herbert Gould, where he died some hours after the accident.  Dr. Evans, Leonardsville, who acted as coroner's physician, said death was caused by a fractured skull.

Death Notices
Antimasonic Telegraph, September 9, 1829
Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], o Sunday last, after a short illness, Mr. Joel Hinckley, aged 45 years.

Antimasonic Telegrpah, December 23, 1829
Died in this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Tuesday morning the 15th inst. Miss Cypha Wait, aged 20 years.

Chenango Telegraph, August 24, 1836
Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday morning last, Mr. Samuel Griffing, aged 72 years.

Chenango Telegraph, September 28, 1836
Died in Wilna, Jefferson county on the 16th inst.  Thomas Brayton, Esq. (father of the Rev. Mr. Brayton of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]) aged 68 years.  Mr. B. was an excellent men, a devoted Christian, and highly respected by all who knew him.

Chenango Telegraph, February 20, 1867
HOPKINS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 10th, Mrs. Sarah M. Hopkins, wife of the late George R. Hopkins, aged 42 years.

PABODIE:  Suddenly, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 13th, Aldin Pabodie.

WARNER:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 30th, 1860, Asa Warner, aged seventy-six years nine months and eight days, and for more than 50 years a subscriber to this paper.

Father rest from sin and sorrow,

Death is o'er and life is won;

On thy way dawns no tomorrow;

Rest! thine earthly race is run.

 

HALBERT:  In Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY], Feb. 8th, James, son of Asa and Mary Halbert, in the 5th year of his age, Feb. 12th of Dyptheria, Eliza Myrick Halbert, and on the 13th Mary, wife of Asa Halbert.

 

WILLIAMS:  In Buffalo [Erie Co., NY], Oct. 22d, 1866, Mrs. Julia wife of George Williams, aged 34 years.

RAYMOND:  In Elgin, Ill. Feb. 6th, after a painful and lingering illness, Augustin Raymond, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 64 years.

 

Marriages (April 13)

Mr. & Mrs. A.B. Brooks

Utica Saturday Globe, March 31, 1906

 

Mr. A.B. and Maria (Hall) Brooks

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  About 20 of the relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Brooks gave them a happy surprise Monday evening, when unannounced they appeared at the Brooks homestead on Lackawanna avenue soon after 8 o'clock.  The visit was in honor of the completion by Mr. and Mrs. Brooks of 50 years of married life but was an entirely impromptu and informal affair.  With music and conversation the evening was spent, among the feature being phonograph selections by Addison C. Brooks, a son, and singing by Sherman Brooks, a brother of the groom of 50 years ago.  A light luncheon was served ere the guests departed wishing Mr. and Mrs. Brooks many more happy returns of the day.  Among the tokens left behind was a gift of $50 in gold.  Mr. Brooks was born in Pharsalia December 31, 1827, and his bride, Maria Hall, in Plymouth, August 4, 1836.  For 40 years their home has been in Norwich, Mr. Brooks conducting a shoe shop during the larger part of that period until a few years ago when enfeebled health forced him to retire.  Mrs. Brooke still enjoys excellent health. They are a most worthy couple and enjoy in a large degree the esteem of their many friends.

 

Card - Pearsall
October 1883

On Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21st, a pleasant company of relatives assembled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Pearsall, on North Main street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], to witness the marriage of their only daughter Miss Lizzie E. Pearsall, to Clellan L. Card, one of Bainbridge's highly esteemed young men. At half past four the bridal party entered the parlor, they were met by Rev. James N. Lee, of Bainbridge, who performed the ceremony.  Miss Emma Austin presided at the piano, playing as the party took their places and during the ceremony.  The bride was attired in a rich, wine colored satin, and looked very beautiful, as all brides should.  The groom wore a suit of black, and looked pleased and happy.  After the congratulations of all present, all partook of an elegant repast provided by Mrs. Pearsall.  The newly married couple departed on a trip to Albany, Catskill, etc. 

May angels ever attend their steps,

Their wings fan every shadow from their hearts,

And all the joy this world can bestow,

We wish for them as they journey below.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Parker
About 1885

Saturday, Oct. 27th, quite a large company of relatives and friends, about eight in number, assembled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Parker, in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], to celebrate their twenty-fifth marriage anniversary.  At as early an hour as possible the guests were ushered into the dining room, where a table was loaded with the very best that the land afforded.  After partaking of the good things Mrs. P. had provided, the company again assembled in the double parlors.  Mrs. Parker made a few touching remarks speaking of the change time had wrought with some there, especially her aged father in his eighty-fourth years, and thanking her friends for the beautiful gifts she should ever cherish as mementos of their love and esteem.  She read an eloquent letter of regrets from their former pastor, Rev. James Ryder.  Their pastor, Rev. James Lee, was called on and responded with a few appropriate remarks.  Mr. Scoville played and sang a beautiful piece, followed by a social time which all seemed to enjoy and hoped to be requested to come again.  It was an occasion long to be remembered by all present.  The following is a list of presents:

          Set of tea spoons,...........................................Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Turner

          Dozen knives, ...............................................Hartwell Teachout and Sage

          Fruit spoon,................................................... Ransom and Lucretia Herrick

          Cake basket, ..................................................Mr. and Mrs. Willie Burlison

          Pickle castor, .................................................Mr. and Mrs. Edward Porter

          Elegant paper receiver, ..................................Mr. Parker's father

          Six forks, .......................................................Mr. and Mrs. A. Hoyt

          Butter knife,...................................................O.D. Rogers

          Chair tidy,..................................................... Miss Minnie Wylie

          Majolica bread platter,...................................Mr. and Mrs. E. Dibble

          Twelve individual salt sets,........................... Mrs. John Fowler

          Silver pickle castor,...................................A. Loomis, D.B. Eaton, L. Redfield and M. Loomis

          Napkins and towels, ......................................Mr. and Mrs. John Wylie

          Oil painting,.................................................. Seth Johnson, Greene

          Six silver fruit knives,....................................Mr. and Mrs. Scoville

          Silver pickle castor, .......................................H.W. Hovey

          Two china cups and saucers,......................... Mrs. C. Booth

          Teakettle teapot,............................................ C. Booth

          Pair of vases,................................................. Freddie and Edith Porter

          Silver fruit knife,..........................................  Mr. and Mrs. L. Stoddard

          Oil painting,.................................................  Mr. and Mrs. Kelley

          Six silver tea knives, .................................... Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Bennett

          Silver dollar,................................................. Cyrus Sweet

          Two silver dollars, ........................................Mr. and Mrs. L. Beardsley

 

To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Parker
 

There are eras in mortal existence,

That lightens our burden of care;

For it lends to our spirits assistance

And we discover the silver from alloy.

 

There is a language of the heart

Beyond the poetry of art,

Three thoughts of beauty in us dwell

Like music in a silver bell,

 

The heart they capture

is youth's sweet prime,

They are the pleasure

Of future time.

 

Love, bride, and home are sacred words,

They thrill the heart when life is pure,

Upon the future they allure

The soul with pleasures that endure,

 

Home is a temple, home alone

Where pleasure holds a sacred throne,

And there abiding in peace and rest

The heart confiding is ever blest,

 

I fein wou'd sing a silver song

Of many years with love grown strong;

Your hands clasped with a loving chain

Your life songs blent in one refrain.

 

Both Heavenward climbing

Through smiles and tears;

To join the singing

of endless years.