Saturday, May 2, 2015

Horace G. Phelps of Sidney Plains, 1879

Horace G. Phelps, Esq.
Bainbridge Republican, April 24, 1879
 
It would perhaps be a difficult task to present the name of a person more entitled to the respect of this community, for his just and honorable dealings, as a business man and a worthy citizen, than the one whose name stands at the head of this article.  He was the son of Burr Phelps, Esq., and was born in Dutchess county, this state, Nov. 3d, 1834, and belonged to a family of 11 children all of whom are now living and are now settled down in life with families of their own.  And it is, perhaps a circumstance, without scarcely an example in the history of families, that so many children should arrive at such advanced ages, (the youngest being 36 years old, and the oldest 60) without the circle ever being broken by death.
 
Horace G., was only one year old when his father moved to Guilford, Chenango county, N.Y., where he remained some twelve years, then changed his residence to a farm in what is known as Spencer Street.  And it was here that Horace commenced working out by the month, summers, receiving $6 per month wages, and going to district school winters; and he continued working out more or less until he was able to command $15 per month, which was regarded at that date as a superior remuneration for the services of farm hands.  At the age of 22 years he commenced farming for himself by hiring the Charles Parsons farm in Bainbridge, near the junction of the Unadilla river, and also what was known as the Myers farm in the town of Unadilla, which he leased for three years; and after one year's experiment in which his farming proved remunerative, he enlarged his business by hiring in addition the Hughston farm containing 400 acres, and from that time continued to extend his interest by leasing more or less outside lands for pasture.  It was about this time that he commenced that system of stock farming, which has since proved so successful, and placed him at the head of the cattle and stock trade of this section of the country.  His first mode of stock farming commenced in buying sheep, in the spring, and summer them over after shearing, and selling both sheep and lambs in the fall.  He also cut considerable hay and raised more or less grain, which he used to sell at what was considered fair prices in those times, as for instance oats sold for from 35 to 50 cents and corn from 75 to $1.00 per bushel.  He of course availed himself of the opportunity of taking advantage of the market, by threshing oats early if scarce or holding them over if cheap and plenty.
 
In 1857 he purchased the farm which he now occupies, and formed a co-partnership with A.W.&R.N. Mills and himself doing the buying and A.W. Mills the droving and marketing which usually took about two weeks for each drove, as they were driven to Catskill on foot.  Their stock for the first few seasons was mostly sheep and lambs, and they used to keep a drove on the road all the time during the droving season, and generally sent from 600 to 800 at a time, and handled on an average about 5000 a year. They sometimes sent through a drove of cattle, but mostly their stock consisted of sheep.
 
Mr. Phelps commenced buying wool for a firm when he was but 23 years of age, and continued purchasing for the same parties for a number of years, which gave him a good knowledge of the value and quality of wool, and aided him in selling his own which often amounted to the clippings of 500 sheep.  He has also bought of late years for himself and is now carrying over some 10,000 pounds bought last year, and from which he expects to suffer quite a loss.  During war times and through the building of the Albany & Susquehanna and Midland railroads he not only handled cattle but bought and sold real estate quite extensively and now owns about six hundred acres.  His trade in stock the last few years has been mostly cattle, usually keeping 100 or more milch cows and summering about the same in stock cattle; he frequently buys cattle through the year, handling from 500 to 1,000 head.  He furnishes customers in Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and ...  He often sells at home from 50 to 100 head in lots to single customers.  He has also lumbered more or less, making business for men and teams during winter, and usually keeping lumber on hand for sale the year through, and now has some 50,000 feet now waiting market.  He has also done a considerable building, having not only built all the buildings on his present homestead but has built two good sets of buildings in Sidney, one of which he traded off for a farm West, upon which he now runs a cheese dairy of 25 cows.  He also handles more or less grain from the west, through a store, and often by car lots, and is now engaged in a provision store in Carbondale, Pa., under the firm name of Phelps & Brunson where they have had quite an extensive trade the past winter, selling some 300 barrels of flour per month and about 3,000 pounds of feed and meal per day, besides pork, butter, lard, cheese, eggs, baled hay, etc. They also deal in  hides and pelts.  Mr. Phelps has usually a partner in many of his business transactions and with one or two exceptions has ever been successful in the choice of good men--of the right qualifications for that branch of business to which they were assigned.  he sometimes handles a few horses in company with Mr. Oliver Fleming of Unadilla.  But in all his business relations with men has never had but one law suit, believing that lawyers as a general rule are comparatively a useless class  to community.  Mr. Phelps is now only in the 45th year of his age, and still from the constant exertion of keeping business moving, stopping not for storms or sunshine, heat or cold, or even many times not resting for the night, he begins to feel that depression of physical energies peculiar to an over taxed constitution.  In February, 1861, he was married to Miss Isabella Talcott, daughter of Adney Talcott, Esq., of East Guilford, Chenango County, by whom he had one child, a daughter, which only lived to be about three years old.  And the death of this child proved the greatest sorrow ever laid upon him.  Mr. Phelps, previous to his marriage, hired himself and help boarded.  His father and mother died several years ago.  In his social relations he is honored and respected, while his heart beams with kindness towards all who feel disposed to do right.  His is also free and charitable to the unfortunate, and has strong attachment for friends.  While in his religious views he is a "liberal," believing in the "normal and abnormal" conditions of men, holding that men should be held strictly accountable to man for all his acts of injustice and wrong to fellowman.  And no one could be more greatly missed form this community, for his noble and generous acts, his moral and exemplary business life, than the one who forms the subject of this sketch.

Obituary
Sidney Record, May 29, 1909

After long years of suffering, Horace G. Phelps, whose name during a full half century has been honored in every household throughout this locality, entered into that eternal rest which is the heritage of all, at his home near Sidney, on Monday morning, 24th inst.  The news, although not unexpected, brought deep sorrow into many hearts and the family losing such a valued member, a trusty guide and wise counsellor, commands the heartfelt sympathy of an unusually large circle of friends.

As a captain of industry, Horace G. Phelps must long be remembered as an example of what untiring work, perseverance and courage can accomplish.  Depending upon his own exertions, his business activities began in boyhood days, and though penniless at first, he acquired long before middle life a comfortable fortune, which accumulated as declining years advanced.  Had he started life with a fortune, he probably would have died poor as Job's traditional turkey.  But it was Horace G. Phelps good luck to be born poor.  Life's struggle brought out his sterling, combative qualities.  He breasted the storms and in the material world, became the winner.

He was a man of excellent habits, fine moral character, and sturdy constitution, which enabled him to continue his activities till long past the age at which men seek retirement from work.  He was a practical, matter of fact man and not disposed to worry about things that could be bettered in other ways.  His cheerful spirit remained with him to the last and he retained his clearness of intellect up to the closing days.  Invariably a good neighbor and friend, his family relations were always most pleasant.  He died in the 75th year of his age and the grief felt over his loss, is widespread and sincere.   Never a religious man, as the term goes, Mr. Phelps believed in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man.  He believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen, who by his benevolence, lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is already following the footsteps of the Master.

Always a true friend of Sidney, he was ready to support every undertaking and contribute liberally for every worthy public cause and enterprise.  He was the moving spirit in the organization of the water system, the Sidney National Bank and numerous industries and enterprises.  He never entered the quicksands of politics.  He was a man of business, first, last and always.  His declining years were devoted to deeds of benevolence, many of which are well known in Sidney and to many hearts his memory will long be blessed.

Mr. Phelps was born in Dutchess county in 1834 and his parents moved to Guilford which he was yet a child.  At the age of 22 years he purchased the homestead farm near this village, still occupied by the family, where he resided over fifty years.  In 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabell Talcott, and his widow survives him.  Their daughter Clara died when six years of age.  Mr. and Mrs. Phelps practically adopted Lena, a brother's daughter, now Mrs. Edgar Beal, of Sidney, who took the place in their affections of their little daughter Clara.  Mr. Phelps is also survived by three brothers, Milo, James and William H. Phelps, all of Sidney.  The deep sympathy of friends is extended to the bereaved family.

The services at the family home, on Wednesday afternoon were largely attended, requiring over seventy teams to convey the mourners.  The floral remembrances were profuse and very beautiful, filling a large wagon load in the funeral procession.  The services were conducted by the Rev. A.C. Salls, of Guilford Centre, who drew his lesson from the teachings and practice of benevolence, with appropriate and impressive examples of philanthropy.  The bearers were Allen Rockwell, O.T Angell, HW. Clark, F.H. McKinnon, James L. Clark, H.J. Godfrey.

The day was one of ideal perfection.  Beauty, peace and perfect rest surrounded the last sad rites in the neat and trim little village cemetery at East Guilford, which lies upon an elevation that commands a picturesque view of the valley.  "Hod" himself, that good old man whose heart, though stern at times, yet tender again as a little child's, could not have wished it better.  There, surrounded by heavy hearts, the affectionate husband and loyal friends was lowered into the silent chamber of death.

Like Horace G. Phelps, may we so live that when our summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, we may approach our grave as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.


Obituaries (May 2)

Charles H. Davis
Utica Saturday Globe, November 24, 1906
 
 
Charles H. Davis

Charles H. Davis, for 30 years an engineer on the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, running between Norwich and Middletown, succumbed to a severe attack of pneumonia at his home at Summit [Schoharie Co., NY] on Thursday evening of last week.  Mr. Davis retired from active service as a locomotive engineer six years ago, went to a farm at the Summit and took charge of the railroad Pumping station located there.  He entered the employ of the Ontario & Western Company more than 30 years before and became one of the most trusted engineers in the passenger service.  Mr. Davis was born at Chenango Bridge [Broome Co., NY] 66 years ago, in 1840, being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Davis.  In 1860 he was united in marriage to Laura Tyler, of Chenango Bridge, who survives him.  His mother, 90 years of age, is still living at Chenango Bridge.  He is survived by two children, a daughter, Mrs. Hattie A. Eilenberger, of Middletown, and a son, Fred H. Davis, of Ellenville.  He also leaves two brothers, George H. Davis, of Lisle, and Oliver H. Davis, of Norwich, and a sister, Mrs. Jennie Lee, of Killawog.  The funeral was largely attended Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock, the remains being taken to Lisle, Broome county, for interment Sunday.  For the accommodation of the many friends who attended the funeral services trains 1 and 2 stopped at the Summit Saturday.

Almira Gibson
Chenango Union, March 13, 1884
In the city of San Francisco, California, on the 26th of February last, Mrs. Almira Gibson, a native of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], died at the age of 78 years, after a brief illness.  She emigrated to San Francisco thirty-three years ago, and was regarded as one of the early settlers, when that city was but a skeleton, a shadow, compared with its present robust proportions.  She had lived long enough to witness the generation--or most all of it--that grew with her in Norwich pass away.  The Meads, Ransfords, Benjamin Chapman, the early Randalls, the Guernseys and Birdsalls, in the elder branch, and the Steeres, Mitchells, Hubbards, most of these preceded Mrs. Gibson.  The deceased was in youth and middle age a woman remarkable for the combination of singular beauty, vivacity, intelligence and energy.  At an early period it was her good or ill fortune to meet many distinguished public characters of the last age.  She had been a guest of Daniel Webster in her "teens."  Martin Van Buren and John Van Buren made her acquaintance.  She had been in the society of Aaron Burr; also was often a guest of the last Governor Marcy.  She had enjoyed the acquaintance of these notable men when a girl.  She was a favorite wherever she appeared, and although courted by the great and flattered, yet was not at all injured by vanity arising from the same. She was a woman of impulse, and seemed unconscious that she was otherwise than a grown child. She was as fond of medium people as of the rich and powerful, and we suspect preferred the former, as in their society she was free from restraint.  Her impulsive nature continued through life. She combined in a remarkable degree the blended qualities of youth and age; and when time had dimmed the shine of her large, lustrous hazel eyes and obscured her golden locks, she retained her colloquial brilliancy, and drew a little senate of young ladies about her.  Her means must have been ample, for her friends in want seldom failed of pecuniary assistance.  Had Mrs. Gibson boarded and given to charity a lump sum which she scattered, the press had written her down a philanthropist.  Her donations were unpretentious.  Mrs. Gibson was born in Norwich in 1805; removed to Lockport, N.Y., then a wilderness village, with the late Lot Clark, her step father, in 1828; was married in 1830, and removed to Augusta, Georgia and in 1851 settled in San Francisco, where her only child, a daughter, died in 1857, and her husband in 1863.

Betsey Lyon Knapp
Chenango Union, February 28, 1884
Seeing a notice of the death of Mrs. George kNapp of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] last week, greatly saddened me, as we had been life-long friends, she being but one month older than myself.  We became acquainted in June, 1822, when we were but twenty years of age.  On visiting an uncle three or four miles east of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], I found Betsey Lyon boarding there, she being  the teacher of their district school, to whom I was introduced.  We seemed to have impressed each other favorably, and soon confided to each other the history of our childhood and youth.  She told me she was the oldest child of Col. Lyon, who was killed at the battle of York, Canada, in the war of 1812, by the same explosion of the mine, secretly laid by the British, that killed General Pike, our commander, while taking possession of their batteries.  Betsey was then in the twelfth year of her age, and had one sister and two little brothers.  Their mother was left on a small new farm in the north east quarter of this town.  Betsey soon after came to this village, to live in the family of Joseph Fenton, one of our first prominent merchants, that she might have a chance to attend the village schools, and be getting an education.  Mr. and Mrs. Fenton were excellent people, and gave her a good chance. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and I believe Betsey also became a member in early youth. She acquired an education sufficient to enable her to teach a common school, as soon as old enough, and thus support herself, and help her mother some. She and I studied together, evenings, while at my uncle's, to our mutual advantage, and I found her a noble, high-minded young lady; and we became warmly attached friends.  During her five years of school teaching, we often met socially, and always with pleasure and profit, on my part at least.  The last year before her marriage she taught in this village, in a school house on West Main street, near where her daughter, Mrs. Mandeville now lives, and boarded with Thomas Steere, who married her aunt.  The art to which my life had then become devoted soon led me to the cities, and enabled me to form the acquaintance of ladies of wealth and culture; but during my long life I have never seen one that I thought surpassed Betsey Lyon in all the best and highest attributes of woman.  [Norwich, Feb. 3, 1884, D.W.]

Sarah Francis (Steere) Crandall
Chenango Union, February 28, 1884
CRANDALL:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], February 23d, Sarah Francis, wife of Thomas Crandall, aged fifty-seven years.
Deceased was born in the town of Norwich, and while a child removed with her parents and family to South New Berlin, where she spent the early part of her life. For the past fifteen years she has been a resident of this village.  She was a daughter of Timothy Steere, brother of Stephen and Mark Steere, who were among the pioneer settlers and founders of Norwich.  Since her residence here she has been in failing health, and has confined herself to her family and immediate circle of relatives and friends.  To those who knew her and associated with her, she has been a "living epistle."  Day by day her gentle influence has been felt by all.  Day by day she lived a pure, unselfish, Christian life. She believed in deeds rather than words, and in the passing years as they went by, although the kind and loving words were always hers, they were overshadowed by the patient, silent, powerful language of a Christian life, lived hour by hour, and those who saw the strength and beauty of a soul who "walked with God," were led to strive themselves for something of the truth which paints such pictures along the rough highway of life, and hangs them on its rugged walls. Dear, kind, patient, loving soul, thou has gone to thy reward.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Roswell C. Norton of Sidney Plains - 1879

Roswell C. Norton of Sidney Plains
Bainbridge Republican, April 10, 1879

Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY]:  Roswell C. Norton--Those who have but a limited acquaintance with this place, can scarcely realize the difference between the Sidney Plains of today and the Sidney Plains of some 40 years ago.  Then there was but one hotel, of very ordinary accommodation, and one small store, a blacksmith shop, and a wagon shop, while the district school was taught in the basement of the Methodist chapel, which then stood on the present site of the Mitchell House.  There was no railroads, no telegraphs, and no daily paper taken here.  Our mails were carried in the old lumbering  coaches, and were usually a week in arriving from New York.  The stage driver was really the most consequential man in the country.  He was supposed to know all the news quite in advance of the press, and whenever he entered town he was surrounded by an eager crowd, anxious to hear of what was transpiring in the outer world. The store was kept by Rogers & Cotton, and was a general resort for town people on rainy days and evenings, who, seating themselves upon the counters, would smoke and tell some exciting story about hunting or fishing, etc.  to the great amusement of one another.  And here were gathered the Avery's, the Edgerton's, the Newman's and many others, who have long since gone to their "final rest."  The store was an emporium in miniature, and contained not only dry goods, groceries, crockery, glassware, drugs, medicines, paint and oil, but also grain and provisions etc., and they received in exchange for their merchandise, all such commodities as the people could well spare from their farms.  The wagon shop, which was carried on by the late Mr. Samuel Kellogg was also a coffin shop where they were made when required, and usually from pine or chestnut lumber, stained and varnished and without handles.  There was no hearse, but a "bier" was employed for conveying the dead to the place of interment.  And the undertaking business of those times contrasts strangely with that business as now conducted by Mr. Roswell C. Norton, whom we propose briefly to mention this week.  he was the son of Milton and Lovicy Norton, who emigrated from Connecticut some seventy years ago, and settled in the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], when it was nearly a wilderness.  His father was a member of the society of "Friends," or Quakers, and several of the same creed came to Guilford and settled about the same time.  His parents raised a family of eight children, but he and one sister (Mrs. S.G. Ives) of Guilford who is now in the 64 year of her age, are the only ones living.  Mr. Norton was born Jan. 12th, 1821, and well remembers when those "Friends" used to meet on the "Sabbath" at the house of David Harris on the hill where the George Knapp farm lies, and many a time he says, "when a child he had been there with his father, in the old lumber wagon, to that primitive church, (before public opinion rendered it unpopular) and often looked up to the old clock ticking in the corner, and which was the only speaking thing in the room, waiting for the silent hour to pass, when he should be liberated from his confinement, and enjoy a welcome ride through fields and lanes to his home."  His father was an excellent carpenter and millright for those days, and also owned a good farm cleared and under cultivation at the time of his death which occurred in 1832 at the age of 46 years.  His mother was a member of the Methodist church, and was married the second time to Paris Winsor, who committed suicide four years afterwards, his mother then lived with her relatives till her death which took place at her daughter's in Guilford in 1878 in the 93d year of her age.  Mr. Norton after his father's death labored as a farm hand for two years, in summer, and attended district school winters; when he commenced work for a house builder, during summer and teaching school winters for three seasons when he commenced work of a builder employing help through the summer, till 1863 when he purchased and fitted up a machine shop in Guilford, running it till 1874, when his health failing, sold out and came to Sidney Plains and purchased a fine residence, and in loaning money to Abner Whitney, was compelled to take the present furniture store to save his debt.  Mr. Norton was married in 1832 to Miss Haynes, daughter of Archibald Haynes of Guilford, who died two years afterwards.  He was again married in 1847, to Miss Youmans daughter of Wm. Youmans of Otego, by whom he had six children' two sons and one daughter now living.  Mr Norton, from a boy, has repaired clocks and watches at every leisure moment, and having taken instructions, has become an excellent workman, and has recently constructed a m-d-e clock, having in part a wooden and metallic pendulum, to obviate the usual variations in the measurement of time, caused by the expansion and contraction of metals.  The clock is finely cased up in mahogany, and shows the skill of superior workmanship.  Mr. Norton in person, is tall and of a slender form, with "silver grey" hair and whiskers; he is warm and social in relation with his fellow men, and fond of society.  In his religious views he is what may be termed a "Liberal," believing that every man should be his own church and teacher, devoid of popular "pharisecism", and that his life should be regulated and governed by that high standard of moral ethics, which admits of no fellowship, or compromise with those crimes and immortalities which now prevail in communities.  Mr. Norton is also strictly temperate in his habits, and one who is respected as an honorable and worthy citizen.

Marriage (May 1)

Stone - Abbott
Utica Saturday Globe, date unknown (early 1900s)
 
 
Henry M. and Carrie Jeannette (Abbott) Stone


A very pretty and attractive wedding took place recently at the Oneonta Fair [Otsego Co., NY]. The ceremony was performed on the roof garden in the presence of about 10,000 people.  The contracting parties were Henry M. Stone, of the town of Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY],and Miss Carrie Jeanette Abbott, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].  The ring ceremony used was performed by Rev. C.M. Jones, of this place.  The bride was attired in white.  She wore a white veil and carried a shower bouquet of white roses presented by Florist John Strong, and one of white asters, presented by Florist C.W. Peck.  E.R. Ford and Irving H. Rowe acted as Ushers. The couple arrived and departed in John Bowdish's automobile and were driven several turns about the grounds by Mr. Bowdish after the ceremony. The couple received as gifts a gold cash purse of $50 from the Fair Society, and a collection of gifts from business people here, which aggregated $250 in value.  Mr. and Mrs. Stone will reside on a farm in Edmeston.
 
Fish - Waldorf
Bainbridge Republican, June 5, 1879
On Wednesday evening of this week, at the home of the bride in this village, Mr. Emmet J. Fish was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Waldorf only daughter of Peter Waldorf. The ceremony was performed by Rev. D.N. Grummon.  The bride was dressed in a very elegant costume, and we noticed at the reception some very costly presents were given them.  We are sorry to lose our friend Lovina but we trust they never will be disturbed in its present harmonies--a union which the friends of both will unite in expressions on congratulation and wishes for their future prosperity through all their walking life.  On Thursday they departed for their future home in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]
 
Gorham - Smith
Chenango Union, April 28, 1892.
Thursday, April 28, 1892, Mr. S.V. Gorham, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], and Miss Kiefer R. Smith, of King Settlement [Chenango Co., NY], were united in marriage at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. W.R.Tiffany, Rev. L.C. Hayes officiating.  Miss Nettie M. Tiffany acted as bridesmaid, while Mr.  Howard A. Smith did the honors as best man, none but the immediate relatives of the family being present.  Shortly after the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Gorham repaired to their handsome and commodious residence, where they were met by about one hundred and fifty people, both young and old, representing Norwich, Sherburne, North Norwich and New Berlin.  Many handsome presents were given them, after which refreshments and music occupied the time until the "wee small hours of the morning." when each one left, wishing the happy couple much joy in their new relations.

Marriage Notice
Bainbridge Republican, April 10, 1879
CULVER - THOMPSON:  April 4th, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Thompson, Sr., in Masonville, by Rev. A.F. Harding, Mr. Charles Culver and Florence E. Thompson, both of Masonville, N.Y.  [Delaware Co.].

Obituaries (May 1)

Cora M. (Sweet) Genung
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1902
 
Mrs. Cora M. (Sweet) Genung

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At her home on North Mitchell street, Wednesday, occurred the death of Cora M. Sweet, wife of Charles P. Genung, aged 22.  She had been ill several months with consumption.  Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sweet, of Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY].  and was united in marriage to Charles P. Genung, of this village on October 15, 1898.  She was a member of the Broad Street M.E. Church, and was beloved by a large circle of friends.  Besides her husband, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Perkins, of this village, and Mrs. Lee Burgess, of Brookfield.  Her funeral was held from her late home Friday afternoon, Rev. Wilson Treible officiating.  Burial was made in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]
 
Kate Conkling
Chenango Union, April 10, 1884
Miss Kate Conkling, an amiable lady of the village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], died at her residence on Saturday morning last, aged sixty years.  Deceased was a sister of the late Mrs. David Griffing, who four years since was burned to death, probably from the explosion of a lamp in her room.  Miss Conkling, with her invalid mother, occupied rooms on the second floor of the Griffing residence, and she never fully recovered from the shock occasioned by that terrible affair.  For years past she has been a great sufferer, and her death resulted from a fatal disease.  Her aged and invalid mother survives her.  Miss Conkling was a cousin of Hon Roscoe Conkling, and many friends from Utica attended her funeral, which was held on Monday afternoon.  Rev. T.A. Stephenson, rector of Christ Church, Sherburne, conducted the services.
 
David J. Palmer
Chenango Union, April 10, 1884
Last Friday afternoon a terrible accident occurred on Melondy Hill west of this village [Afton Chenango Co., NY], whereby Mr. David J. Palmer, a blind man, well known in this place, was killed.  Mr. Palmer was at work in the woods assisting Stephen Fredenburg saw wood.  The tree on which they were at work had been sawed into logs and on the stump, which was on one edge, the tree having been blown down, remained a piece about eighteen inches in length which they had just sawed off and stepped back.  Mr. Fredenburg started to walk around the stump to give Mr. Palmer his cane when the stump fell, crushing Mr. Palmer beneath it, killing him instantly.  Deceased leaves two grown up sons and was a brother of Mrs. D.D. Smith, of this place.  His funeral was held Sunday and the remains were interred in the Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, NY].  His age was fifty-four years--Afton Enterprise.
 
Abby Pixley
Chenango Union, April 10, 1879
On Friday afternoon, the 28th ult., Abby, a three-year-old son of Asa Pixley, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], was drowned in a creek near his residence.  He had been playing in the yard, when he was suddenly missed and search was made by the ladies of the house, which was unsuccessful.  Mr. Pixley, who was at work in the sugar bush, was notified, and the child was tracked to the creek, upon the bank of which the hood worn by the little boy was found.  A few feet distant the body of the little boy was discovered in the water, and carried to his home by the distressed father.
 
John McNulty
Chenango Union, April 24, 1884
On Friday morning the body of John McNulty, who had been missing since the Tuesday evening previous, was found in the Chenango river, near the residence of C.A. McFarland, about three miles below this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].  The body lay partly on its side near the bank in shallow water, and a short distance down stream floated a whisky bottle about half filled.  McNulty resided on a farm in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], owned by Miller & Perkins, and on Tuesday he went to Greene and back home, and at five P.M., hitched up his horse, against the wishes of his family, and came to this village to see Mr. Perkins.  He drank some liquor, purchased a half pint of whisky, did his business with Mr. Perkins, who noticed that he was intoxicated, and about nine o'clock started for home, and that was the last seen of him alive.  Not returning home, his family became alarmed, and Wednesday his son started out in search of him.  He found his horse and wagon at the Loomis farm, several miles below where the body was found, where it was discovered standing by the watering trough that morning.  Nothing was heard of the owner until late on Thursday, when his cap was found in the old canal bed near McFarland's and a fence showed marks of a wagon running against it, and a place also showed where a horse had stood for some time.  Further search by men in that vicinity on Friday revealed the body as above related.  The supposition is that McNutly's horse ran into the fence and threw him out of the wagon, or that he fell out, and in a confused condition wandered across the old canal bed and into the river close by, where he became exhausted and was drowned.  Tracks showed that he had wandered some distance, and it is evident that had the night been otherwise than a very dark one, he could have seen where he was going.  The body was only covered by an inch or two of water.  McNulty was a man about 65 years of age.  He came to this section from Canada, we believe, at the time the Midland railroad was building, on which he had sub-contracts.  He was given to occasional drinking to excess.  He leaves a wife and eight children, and was a man of considerable intelligence.  Coroner Avery commenced an inquest at the St. James Hotel in this village on Friday, which was concluded on Saturday, the jury finding that deceased came to his death by asphyxia from drowning; that he was under the influence of liquor, and that his death was caused accidentally by his own act.  His funeral was held on Sunday--Times [Oxford, NY]Deceased formerly resided in Norwich, and was sub-contractor on the Midland and D.L.&W. roads at the time they were building.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Elisha Pierce Writes from California - 1875

Letter from Elisha Pierce in California
Bainbridge Republican, June 12, 1875
 
Yaleville, May 17, 1875
Mr. Editor--Having just received a letter from Elisha Pierce (whom your readers will remember left Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY[ last winter to seek his fortune in the land of gold), I thought I would send you such extracts as would be of interest to his friends, for publication.
 
Dear Friend--I received your letter some time ago but have not had time to answer it.  You may think that I might get time to write one letter but as true as you live I never worked so hard in my life, or lived as poor, as since I have been in Kern county.  This is roughing it worse than I ever expected it could be.  I will tell you something about how I live after I eat my supper, as it is almost ready, and I wish you were here to help me eat it, and keep me company for I am about one-half a mile from any house, and that is a cloth tent 8x10 feet.
 
I am now at work for E. Pierce on a part of the farm that Charles Peck was on, about seven miles from Bakersfield.  Dr. McLean furnishes team, feed and seed, and gives me one-half.  I do not know as I shall make anything, but I have got as good a chance as I could ask for.  I have got about twelve acres planted, six of which is up, and I am going to put in about eight more, which will be about all one man can attend to as it requires a good deal of labor to irrigate it.
 
It is very lonesome here, none to talk to, but I most stand it.  I must now go to bed, hoping the rising sun will find us all right, I bid you good night.
 
 May 18--I am all right today, never felt better in my life, if I can go it until fall without the chills I shall be all right.  The doctor says if I am sick he will take me home and take care of me, so you see I am not without friends.  I got a piece of beef of a neighbor yesterday, he had a quarter, he did not tell me how he came by it, but I don't think it quite safe for cattle to stray off too far from home in this part of California.
 
I have killed two rattle snakes, one came very near biting me.
 
I will tell you what I had for dinner:  coffee, beef, bread, syrup, and dried peas, stewed.  I have had many a poorer meal.  I wish you could see me mix bread for supper.  I put my hands in to mix it and it would not let go.  I thought I should have to put my hands in the oven and let it bake on them, but I succeeded in getting loose after a while.
 
Well I was going to tell you how they live out here.  Every man that comes to Kern county thinks he is going to get rich the first year, so is as saving as he can be.  I don't like to find fault with my grub, but as true as you live I have been out to work and took my dinner with me and had but three biscuits and a tea cup two-thirds full of beans for two of us.  Now this is what I call ----, but I will say no more about it for I presume I shall live as poor as that myself for I am bound to have a farm before next spring if my life and health are spared me.  I do not like it any too well out here, but I think I can do pretty well if I am steady.  I don't find many men but what get on a spree once in a while around here.
 
I shall never forget my friends in Yaleville. I may never see them again, some I know I shall not, for you wrote me of some that had left this world.
 
I am sorry to hear that sickness and death have been so busy among my old friends, but we have all got to go, and sometimes I think what is the use working and thinking more of money than anything else.
 
I commenced haying the 15th of April.  The piece I cut is big enough to cut again,  it is Alfalfa, it looks very much like clover and grows very fast.  They can cut it every six weeks.  Most every one is haying around here now.  If you were here I could talk all night, and I guess it will take you all night to pick this out.
 
Elisha Pierce,
Bakersfield, Cal.

Obituaries (April 30)

Hezekiah Brown
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1902
  
Hezekiah Brown

At the home of his daughter in Phillipsburg, Mont. on July 3, occurred the death of Hezekiah Brown, a former resident of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Brown was born in Norwich December 1, 1820, at the old homestead adjoining Mt. Hope Cemetery.  He was the eldest of nine children of Hezekiah and Elizabeth Brown, early settlers of this place and a brother of Mrs. S.B. Prentice, of South Broad street, who is the only surviving member of the family.  He left Norwich many years ago and after residing in Illinois for a time returned to this village and a few years later removed to Michigan. For the past few years he had made his home with his daughters in Colorado and Montana.  He was a brother of the late Elisha Brown, of this village, and will be remembered by many of the older residents.

Bertha Lord Stevens
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944
Mrs. Bertha Lord Stevens, wife of Wesley A. Stevens, died at her home in Richmond, Va., Aug. 15.  She was born in Sanford [Broome Co., NY], Aug. 15, 1878, the daughter of Rufus and Celina Rowe Lord  She is survived by her husband, Wesley A. Stevens, of Richmond, Va.; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Boland of Richmond, Va., and Mrs. John Burgess, of Miami, Fla.; a granddaughter, Miss Janet Boland, of Richmond, Va., and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Goodnough and Mrs. Frank Knapp, of Afton. Two brothers, Herbert Lord, of Chenango Forks and Fred Lord, of St. Petersburg, Fla., also survive.  Funeral services were held Wednesday at her home in Richmond, Va., and she was brought to Afton for burial in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].  A prayer service was held at the grave, Thursday, Aug. 17.  The Rev. Alan Douglas of the Afton Baptist Church officiated.

Maude E. Cook
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944
Miss Maude E. Cook, 55, a lifelong resident of Hancock [Delaware Co., NY], passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the City Hospital, Binghamton, where she had been a patient for several weeks.  Her health had been failing for a long time.  For several years she had been a trusted employee of Hancock post office under several postmasters.  She is survived by two brothers and a sister.

Frank Homer Pomeroy
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944
Frank Homer Pomeroy, 59, of Roscoe [Delaware Co., NY], died suddenly of a heart attack on Aug. 18 in Utica, where he was working at his profession as a brick mason.  He had not been very well for a time but his death came as a great shock to his family and friends.

Henry J. Tietjen
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 7, 1944
Henry J. Tietjen died at his home in Walton [Delaware Co., NY] on Thursday, Aug. 24.  He had been ill with heart trouble for three years and was confined to his bed for three weeks preceding his death.

Mary Belle Forbes Root
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 14, 1944
Mrs. Mary Belle Forbes Root, 79, wife of Francis H. and mother of the Rev. James F. Root, rector of the Zion Episcopal Church, Windsor, and St. Luke's Church Harpursville, died Monday at the Windsor rectory, Chapel street.  She is also survived by a brother, James H. Forbes, of Chicago, Ill.

George Arvine Clark
Bainbridge News & Republican, September 14, 1944
George Arvine Clark, oldest Shriner in the United States, and well known in this area, died suddenly Sunday in Hammondsport [Steuben Co., NY].  Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Carr & Hare Funeral Home in Sidney.  He was born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] in 1862, and began a career which included railroading, retailing and manufacturing in Syracuse where for several years he was a conductor on the Chenango Branch of the West Shore.  Mr. Clark conducted a hardware store in Earlville and later opened a wood box factory in Sidney, supplying many Central New York industries.  One of the founders of the Bennett Fireplace Heater Company of Norwich, in recent years he was identified with the Bennett Aircraft Company of Hammondsport, of which he was also a founder.  In Masonic circles he was particularly well known and only recently received a plaque designating him as the oldest member of A.A.O.K.M.S.  Surviving are his wife, Margaret, of Sidney; a son, John, a Standard Oil executive, of Clarksburg, W.Va.; a brother, John, vice-president of Public Service Gas & Electric of East Orange, N.J.; and four nephews, Howard, of Chicago, Winsor, of Philadelphia, Richard, of Cleveland, and Homer W., of Syracuse.
 

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Bainbridge High School - Class of 1950 Part 1

Bainbridge Central High School - Class of 1950
Senior Portraits
"Echo" 1950
 
 
Beverly Archer -- "Bev"
Bev is a person everyone knows,
Smart in each class, with each lass she goes.
 
Class Secretary
Voted Most Popular, Best Sport, and Best Natured
Never hopes to be:  An undertaker's wife
Can you imagine her being quiet
Will miss most:  Mr. Dunne's harping about getting to school on time
Ambition:  To travel

 
Patricia Babcock -- "Pat"
In school she is a quiet little maid,
She causes no trouble or books to be mislaid
 
Never hopes to be unable to sing
Can you imagine her with straight hair
Will miss most:  Basketball and Gladys Shelton
Ambition:  To become a musician

 
Robert Banks --"Bob"
Heap big Indian stuff he makes his rule,
He's the medicine man of the school
 
Student Council Vice President
Voted Most Courteous
Never hopes to be a garbage collector
Can you imagine him being a professional wrestler
Will miss most:  Sports
Ambition:  Own a car

 
David Corbin -- "Dave"
Aggressive pioneer is our boy Dave,
Music and art seem to be his crave
 
Voted Neatest, Best Looking, and Biggest Bluffer
Hopes never to be married to more than one girl at a time
Can you imagine him having  homework done
Will miss most:  Senior fellows
Ambition:  To travel

 
Arnold Craig -- "Curly"
Arnold is vivacious and full of glee,
He became a senior before he ought to be
 
Voted Best Student and Most Talkative
Hopes Never to be 80 years old
Can you imagine him a farmer
Will miss most:  the little kids watching us eat at noon hour
Ambition:  The world's biggest liar

 
Eugene Craver -- "Gene"
Gene is our class bashful boy,
But wrestling and F.F.A. are his pride and joy.
 
Hopes never to be a teacher
Can you imagine him a basketball player
Will miss most:  Wild Ag class
Ambition: To travel


Marriages (April 29)

Harrington - LaFevre
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1902



Oscar L. and Cora E. (LaFevre) Harrington
 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At the Broad Street Methodist parsonage Wednesday evening, in the presence of a few relatives, occurred the marriage of Oscar L. Harrington and Cora E. La Fevre, of this place. the ceremony as performed by Rev. Wilson Treible and the bridal pair were attended by Miss Blanche P. Harrington, sister of the groom, and S.A. La Fevre, brother of the bride.  The bride has been a resident of Norwich for only a few months  She is a professional nurse and has held responsible positions in that capacity in hospitals at Kingston and New York, coming here from the latter place.  During her residence in town she has gained many friends. The groom is a son of M.L. Harrington and is a highly respected young man.  After a short wedding tour they will reside for the present with Mr. Harrington's parents, on West Hill.
 
Stork - Minor
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 1, 1896
Wednesday evening, December 25, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Minor of Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], was the scene of a very happy event, the occasion being the marriage of his daughter, Flora B. to Burton J. Stork, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  The parlor was tastefully decorated with evergreens and precisely at eight o'clock to the strains of the wedding march, the bridal pair, preceeded by Lita and Nelson Brown, Zoa and Frank Minor, entered the parlor through a gateway of evergreens, which as they approached, was untied by the little May, youngest sister of the bride.  They then advanced to an arch where they were met by their pastor, Rev. J.F. Whitney, who in a very impressive manner spoke the words which united them in holy wedlock.  After a bountiful repast the happy couple left amid showers of rice and best wishes, for a short tour in this and adjoining counties.  The bride is a highly respected member in our society, and her absence will be much felt among her many friends, as well as in her home.  The groom was formerly one of our most respected young men.  Those present from out of town were, Miss Minnie Brown and children, of Walton, and Miss Catherine Hathaway, of Cannonsville.
 
Sickles - McLean
Afton Enterprise, April 23, 1914
Married at the M.E. parsonage in Harpursville [Broome Co., NY], April 13th, by the Rev. R.E. Austin, Lyman Sickles and Mrs. Sarah E. McLean, both of Church Hollow.  The bride, whose age is 65, is the widow of the late William P. McLean, and the groom, who is 29 years old, has been the hired man at the McLean homestead for the past few years.  McLean, it will be remembered, committed suicide on Sunday, July 6, of last year by taking Paris Green under peculiar circumstances, an account (not a full one) was published in the Budget.  At the time of the tragedy it was reported by the neighbors that McLean  had been despondent for some time because he was losing the affections of his wife which he believed were being bestowed on the hired man.  There was considerable talk in the neighborhood over the matter and if the people of Church Hollow had not been good, law abiding citizens we predict that the Budget would have had more news to print than it did at the time. That the affection of Mrs. McLean for the hired man Sickles has culminated in the marriage of the two which occurred Monday would lead one to believe that Mr. McLean had cause to be jealous of his wife at the time he committed suicide--Harpursville Budget.
 
Marriage Notices
Chenango Union, April 17, 1872
 
SINCLAIR - CARPENTER:  At the residence of the bride's mother, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday evening, April 10th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. John H. Sinclair, to Miss Susie A. Carpenter, eldest daughter of the late Andrew J. Carpenter.
 
HAWLEY - NEWMAN:  At the residence of the bride, April 2d, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Zina A. Hawley, of Marathon [Cortland Co., NY], to Miss Emily J. Newman, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].
 
EMERSON - PUFFER:  In Oxford, April 3d, by Rev. A. Reynolds, Mr. Herbert Emerson, of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss S.A. Puffer, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].
 
CAMPBELL - McLEAN:  At the residence of Nathan Godfrey, in Guilford, April 3d, by Rev George Heaton, Mr. Burr B. Campbell, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Helen McLean, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].
 
KEPPEL - CURTIS:  In Morrisville April 8th, by Rev. H.F. Dudley, Rev. David Keppel, Pastor of the M.E. Church at Morrisville [Madison Co., NY], to Miss Mary Curtis, of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]
 

Obituaries (April 29)

Clara S. Brown
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1902
 
Clara S. Brown
 
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  After less than a week's illness, Miss Clara S. Brown died at her home on the King Settlement road in the town of Norwich, recently, aged 36.  Miss Brown was born September 20, 1865, grew to womanhood and attended the Norwich village schools and graduated from the High School.  Afterward she engaged in teaching and for 15 years taught continuously in the primary department of the Mitchell street school and later the Rexford street ward school.  She was greatly beloved by her pupils and by a large circle of friends.  She was a member of the Methodist Church and a faithful attendant upon its services.  Deceased was unmarried and made her home with her father, Marquis D. Brown, by whom she is survived and also by three sisters, Mrs. E.R. Weed and Miss Lydia M. Brown, of Norwich, and Mrs. C.M. Durfee, of Waterville, and two brothers, George A. Brown, of Florence, Ariz., and Edward D. Brown, of Norwich.  Her mother died 18 years ago.  Funeral services were held this (Friday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, her former pastor, Rev. Samuel Moore, now of Binghamton, officiating.  Burial in the Buell Cemetery at King Settlement.
 
Clark P. Minor
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, September 23, 1893
Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY]:  The death of Clark P. Minor, an old and honored resident of this town, occurred on Friday, September 15, at the age of 83.  The deceased was born in this  town where he has lived all his life.  He had always been industrious and temperate in his habits and possessed, in a large degree, all those sterling virtues which render a person a valuable member of society and a good citizen.  Great respect was shown his memory by the large number who gathered to attend the funeral, which was held on Sunday afternoon.  The burial took place in the Coventryville cemetery.  The deceased leaves two children.
 
Albert P. Minor
The Oxford Review-Times, July 9, 1915
Albert P Minor, one of Deposit's [Delaware Co., NY] oldest residents and business men, died June 19, aged 85 years and 5 months.  Mr. minor was born at Beerstown [Delaware Co., NY].  From there his father moved to Coventryville, where he engaged in the lumber business.  His mother died when Albert was nine years old.  he finished his education at Oxford Academy and taught school several terms.  He then began clerking in a hardware store in Deposit village, which he afterward purchased and continued in the business until his death.

Philura (Wilcox) Parkhurst
The Utica Observer, January 8, 1917
The death of Mrs. Henry Parkhurst, long a resident of DeRuyter, Madison county [NY], occurred early this morning at her home, 619 Cross St., Utica [Oneida Co., NY], following an extended illness which became acute four weeks ago. Death was due to a complication of diseases.  Mrs. Parkhurst is survived by her husband, to whom she was married on Dec. 24, 1876, and one daughter, Mrs. Floyd Stowell of Smyrna. She also leaves a granddaughter, Inola Stowell of Smyrna.  A son, Jay Parkhurst of Cazenovia, aged 35, died last August, a victim of infantile paralysis.  The funeral will be held at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon from her late home, and interment will be made in the cemetery at Sherburne, N.Y.  Mrs. Parkhurst, whose maiden name was Philura Wilcox, was born at Brookfield, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], April 1, 1829.  She has lived in Otselic, DeRuyter and Earlville, before moving to Utica last August.  She was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church at DeRuyter.

Death Notices
Chenango Union, April 17, 1872
WARNER:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], April 13th, of consumption, Mr. Abner W. Warner, aged 74 years, for many years a respected resident of this village.

McNITT:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], April 14th, suddenly, of spotted fever, Mr. Morgan McNitt, aged 52 years and 10 months.

INGERSOLL:  In Friendship, Allegany Co., April 5th, Susan Morris, wife of A.H. Ingersoll, and daughter of James W. Thompson, formerly of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 33 years, 5 months and 17 days.

KINNEY:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], March 13th, of scarlet fever, Mary L., aged 11 months and 29 days;  and April 1st, Lillian, aged 3 years and 7 months, daughters of Alonzo L. and Janie L. Kinney.

FRINK:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], April 11th, of scarlet fever, Ida V. daughter of Rufus B. and Charlotte A. Frink, aged 4 years, 2 months and 23 days.

WESTCOTT:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], March 19th, Mary E., daughter of James F. and Thankful Westcott, aged 22 years.

FRASER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], March 27th, Ruth, wife of Henry S. Fraser, aged 42 years.

NORRIS:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] March 27th, Addie F., daughter of John R. and Martha  Norris, aged 18 months.

PERKINS:  In Houston, Texas, March 12th Mr. Erastus S. Perkins, aged 70 years, eldest son of the late Erastus Perkins, of Oxford.

HADLEY:  At the Poor House in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], March 13th, of consumption, Mr. Joel Hadley, aged 82 years.

KNICKERBOCKER:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY]April 7th, Ida May, daughter of Harvey and Harriet Knickerbocker, aged 6 years and 9 months.

SCOTT:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], April 4th, Polly Scott, aged 70 years.

SUMNER:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 6th, Mr. Charles Sumner, aged 78 years.

ROCKWELL:  In Burns, Wis., Mahala, wife of Sperry Rockwell, formerly of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 50 years, 8 months and 11 days.

SEWARD:  At Vallonia Springs [Broome Co., NY], April 5th, Levi Seward, aged about 44 years.

RANDALL:  In Cuyler, Cortland Co., April 9th, Mrs. Polly Randall, wife of Zebulon C. Randall, Esq., in the 66th year of her age.  A loved one has departed.  She was a good wife, a kind mother, and beloved and respected by a large circle of relatives and friends.  Many years ago she united with the Congregational Church.
 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Aged Coventry People - 1881

Aged Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] People
 
Chenango Union, February 24, 1881
 
A pleasant company gathered at the home of Mr. W. Merritt, of this place [Coventry, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday, February 9th, to celebrate the 86th birthday of Mrs. Alma Miles, widow of Simeon Miles, and step-mother of Mrs. Warren, who recently died at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Those present were Hector and Daniel Beecher, with their families, also, Edward Porter and family, Mr. and Mrs. D. Scott, Mr. Russel Smith, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Thorp, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Benedict, and Mrs. W. Ogden.  A very nice and bountiful dinner was prepared to which ample justice was done by the partakers.  There was a good deal of pleasant conversation, varied with singing, and the company bid good bye, leaving with their aged friend and relative substantial tokens of their visit.
 
The family of Mrs. M., whose maiden name was Porter, are remarkable for their longevity.  Six years ago her sister, Mrs. Margaret Beecher, died at Coventry, aged 91 years.  Little more than a year since a brother, Mr. Thomas Porter, of Binghamton, also died at the age of 88 years.  She has a sister still living at Hawleyville, Ct., Mrs. Minerva Adams, aged 98.  Mrs. Miles is an aunt of Dr. H.H. Beecher and Mr. W.D. Porter, of Norwich; also of Mrs. Sarah Yale, with whom she resides.  A number of years since, by a fall her hip was broken, and she pushes a chair before her in getting about the house; but with the energy and perseverance which is characteristic of all old Connecticut people, She maintains her independence, by taking car of her room, and doing much of her own work, though there are willing hearts and hands to do it for her.  Her health is at present good, and she may live to celebrate a number more as pleasant birthdays.
 
Chenango Union, December 1, 1881

H.H. Beecher of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] who formerly resided in Coventry, recently paid a visit to that town and writes to the Utica Herald concerning the many aged people who live there.
 
"During a recent visit to Coventry, to attend the funeral of an aged relative, Mrs. Alma Miles, in her 87th year, my attention was called to the number of elderly people in that town, most of whom I had known in other days and with several of them I an well acquainted at the present time.
 
The ancient family of Porters, to which Mrs. Miles belonged, came from Salem, now Nangatuck, Conn., and attained, most of them, to great age.  Mrs. Margaret Beecher, sister of Mrs. Miles, who was a Porter, died in Coventry a few years ago in her 91st year.  A year or two since Thomas Porter, a brother, died in Binghamton, aged 88.  A sister, Mrs. Minerva Porter Adams, is now living in Hawleyville, Conn., having reached her 94th year.
 
Of the old people in Coventry above 90, there are:  Ralph Johnson, aged 91; Mrs. Susie Warren, 91; Mrs. Clark Smith, 92; Hixon Jones, 94; Mrs. David Hungerford, 99.  Of those 80 and upwards, there are:  Mrs. Polly Spencer, 85; Romeo Warren, 83; Col. Rufus Chandler, 84; M.S. Manderville, 84; Mrs. G.D. Phillips, 85; Mrs. Adolphus Stiles, 86; Mrs. Jacob Kelly, 80; Mrs. Romeo Warren, 82; Mrs. Ingraham, 88; Mrs. Holdrige, 81; Loren B. Porter, 81; Miss Abigail Balis, 84; Mrs. Betsy Martin, 80, and Luman Miles, 80.  Probably there are several others in the town whose years are upwards of four score, and some above four score and ten whose names have not been given.  The number whose ages are above 70 would more than double the list.  I called upon the venerable Mrs. Hungerford and found her remarkably well preserved and possessed withal of a good degree of intelligence, and especially, when connected with names, incidents and memories of the past.
 
When questioned as to the inhabitants who were her neighbors, when with her husband she located in Coventry nearly 70 years ago, and her attention was called to the recurring events and associations of succeeding years, the failing eyes brightened and every lineament of that wrinkled and intelligent face seemed to be lighted as she told the story of the days when Madison, Monroe and their immediate successors were presidents of the United States, extending over a period a quarter of a century before there was a solitary railroad or a single telegraph line in all the land.  Mrs. Hungerford is the mother of nine children, eight of whom are living, the youngest son, who occupies the old homestead, being 51.  The old lady resides in happy contentment, in a cozy cottage in Coventry village, with two of her widowed daughters, Mrs. Hatch, aged 78, and Mrs. Judd, aged 74.  Where is there a rural town with like population, that can show a larger percentage of old people, or who retain as a whole their mental faculties in so remarkable degree?  Barbara Brookbanks, who died on Saturday last, in her 101st year, whose demise is mentioned in today's Herald, lived in the border of Coventry."
 
 

Marriages (April 28)

Foster - Rounds
Utica Saturday Globe, date unknown (early 1900s)
 
 
John B. and Mae W. (Rounds) Foster

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A pretty home wedding took place at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George M. Rounds, on South Broad street Wednesday evening, when their only daughter, Mae W., was united in marriage with John B. Foster.  Owing to the ill-health of the bride's mother, the ceremony was a very quiet affair, only the immediate relatives and a few friends being in attendance.  The house was prettily prepared with palms, autumn vines and cut flowers.  Rev. S.J. Ford, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church performed the ceremony at 8 o'clock, after which dainty refreshments were served.  The gifts were numerous and handsome and attested the high esteem of the many friends of the happy pair. The bride is a member of the Broad Street M.E. Church, is a highly accomplished musician and has a wide circle of friends here and in Binghamton, her former home.  The groom is the youngest son of Walter Foster, one of Norwich's best-known citizens, and holds a responsible position as assistant manager of his father's extensive business interests and has become well known and popular.  Mr. and Mrs. Foster left on Ontario & Western train 5 for a brief wedding tour to the western part of the State, after which they will begin housekeeping at no. 4 Morse avenue, where they will be glad to receive their numerous friends.
 
Parsons - McKinzie
Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Earl McKinzie, of Tacoma, Wash., announce the marriage of their daughter, Betty Jane, to Pvt. John Andrew Parsons, Jr., U.S.Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Parsons, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on April 27, at the McChord Field Chapel, Wash.
 
Carl - Rainey
Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Elwin E. Bayly, 605 North River street, Honesdale, announce the engagement of the latter's sister, Miss Jean Rainey, to Lieut. Myron E. Carl, son of Mr. and Mrs. I.L. Carl, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  Miss Rainey is a graduate of Honesdale High School and Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. She is now a member of the staff of the Hahnemann Hospital, where she resides at the nurses' home.  Lieutenant Carl is a graduate of Cornell University.  He is a bombardier in the Army Air Forces at Boise, Idaho.  He is now on leave--Scranton Tribune.
 
Marriage Notices
Chenango American, Greene, NY, July 18, 1861
In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday morning, the 17th inst., by Rev. F. Rogers, Mr. Charles Henry Barnard to Miss A. Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Warren Gray, Esq., all of this village.
 
At Harpersville, Broome Co., on the 16th inst., by Rev. Mr. Wright, Mr. Benj. F. Cowan, to Miss Hannah E. Johnson, both of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY]
 
In Pharsalia, on the 1st inst., by N.E. Peck, Esq., Mr. Henry D. Robins, of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Frances L. Ringhka, of North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].
 
In Afton, on the 3d inst., by Rev. G.G. Donnelly, Mr. Chas. R. Bump, to Miss Sally J. Shaw, all of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].
 
Chenango American, Greene, NY, January 14, 1869
In Mt. Upton, on the 29th ult. by Rev. W. A. Wadsworth, Mr. Chas. W. Godfrey to Miss Hattie A. Van Dusen, all of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]
 
 

Obituaries (April 28)

Grace L. (White) Crandall
Utica Saturday Globe, November 1903
 
Mrs. Grace L. (White) Crandall

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Grace L. White, wife of Lewis M. Crandall, died at her home on Rexford street on Friday evening of last week, aged 23.  She had been ill for about a year of consumption and though a great sufferer had borne her lot patiently.  Mrs. White [sic] was a daughter of the late Martin V. and Jennie E White and was born in Walton [Delaware Co., NY], from which place the family removed to Norwich about seven years ago.  For several years she was a teacher in the district schools of this vicinity.  On April 8, 1899, she was married to Lewis M. Crandall, of this village, who survives her.  A brother, Floyd White, who made his home with her, also survives.  Besides these immediate relatives her death is greatly mourned by a large circle of friends.  Funeral services were held from her late home on Monday morning.  Rev. Samuel Moore, of Binghamton, officiating.  The interment was made in the cemetery at South Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].
 
Lottie Ide Van Camp
Chenango American, Greene, NY, January 14, 1869
 
In Preble, N.Y. [Cortland Co.], on the 27th ult., Lottie Ide, wife of Samuel C. Van Camp, aged 25 years and 11 days.
We desire in this time of our sorrow and bereavement to bear testimony to the power of the religion of the gospel to sustain and comfort in affliction when even earthly refuge fails.  The promises of God, have long been precious to us, but such words as "my grace shall be sufficient for thee" and "as thy day is, so shall thy strength be," never had such significance as now.  These promises have been verified when we most needed their fulfillment.  On the last Sabbath of the year we received a telegram saying, "Lottie died this morning at nine o'clock."  These tidings were entirely unexpected and for a few moments we were dumb, we opened not our mouths, for we knew the Lord had done it.  But very soon, we were enabled to kiss the rod which had smitten us, and to say--we trust with resignation--not our will but thine O God be done.  The next morning while it was yet dark, we commenced our long and sad journey, but we were not left desolate for the comforter was near, bringing to our remembrance, precious words of Him who spake as never man spake and who alone can sustain his sorrowing suffering ones.  We feared lest our strength should fail when called to look upon the form of our beloved child, but God in his mercy upheld us, and gave us the sweet assurance, that our child was safe on the glorified shore, in the presence of that Saviour whom she had honored and loved from childhood.  A sweet smile rested upon her face, indicating as we thought the state of mind in which she passed from earth to Heaven.  Then came fear concerning the burial scene, will grace sufficient be given to keep husband, parents, brother and sister form sinking?  Yes.  To the praise of God's goodness be it said, the coffin, the shroud and the grave were disarmed of their usual terrors and we laid our firstborn, a young wife and mother beneath the snow, while a voice seemed to say, "I am the resurrection and the life, and because I live thy child shall live also." 
 
Margaret McCormick
Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944
Miss Margaret McCormick, 45, died in the Binghamton City Hospital a few days ago of body burns suffered early the morning of July 27 when fire swept the interior of the home of Dr. Martin Weiss, Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].  Miss McCormick, a domestic in the Weiss household, was carried out of the dwelling by firemen who found her unconscious in a first-floor hall.  She had tried to escape the flames which drove her from her second-floor bedroom, located over the first-floor room where the blaze started.  Burned less seriously, but injured when she dropped to the ground from her second-floor bedroom at the front of the house, the physician's wife, Gertrude, was discharged form City Hospital earlier this month.  Dr. Weiss, who lost all his medical equipment in the blaze, was rescued from the bedroom window by firemen who carried him down a ladder.  The blaze caused damage approximating $5,000 when it burned out virtually every room.
 
John Laux
Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944
New York State Police are seeking a driver of a vehicle which struck and instantly killed John Laux, 63, of Stamford [Delaware Co., NY], near his home on the Grand Gorge-Stamford highway at about 8:30 o'clock Saturday night as he was walking on the road with Holvar Tollessen, 65, of North Harpersfield.  Mr. Tollessen also was struck by the vehicle but escaped with minor abrasions of the left hand and arm.  He was attended by Dr. Jerome Kogan, of Stamford, who on arrival pronounced Mr. Laux dead.  His body was taken to the Walter Hall Funeral Parlor at Stamford. The police learned that Mr. Laux and Mr. Tollessen, employees of the Highway Department at Harpersfield, had spent the afternoon together at Stamford.  In the afternoon they went to Mr. Laux's home and after supper the two men started for the village.  Mr. Tollessen told the State Police that they were walking along the right side of the highway arm in arm with their backs toward traffic on their side.  He said the first he knew, Mr. Laux had disappeared and he was alone.  He walked down the road about 50 or 60 feet and found his friend lying beside the highway.  It appeared that the victim had been rolled or dragged about 60 feet along the gravel shoulder of the highway.  His head was smashed and it is believed that his death was instantaneous. 


Death Notices
Chenango American, Greene, NY, January 14, 1869
 
In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst., Warren Gray, Esq., aged 84 years.

In Smithville Flats [Chenango Co., nY], on New Year's day, Mrs. William McCray, aged 88 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst., Mr. Sidney Eggleston, aged about 60 years.