Norwich Police - 1912

Efficient Police Force of Norwich

Utica Saturday Globe, 1912

Sitting:  Mayor and Chief John O.H. Reed
Standing left to right - Officer Frank J. Clark, Jerome B. Lewis, Capt. Frank Butts, Neil H. Lewis, Albert M. Warner, George W. Smith, Mason J. Aldrich--Photo by Hartwell Bros.

Glen Buell Collection, Guernsey Memorial library, Norwich, NY

Marriages (December 19)

Morris - Adams

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

Charles & Blanche May (Adams) Morris

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Monday afternoon, at the residence of the officiating clergyman on Birdsall street, Miss Blanche May Adams and Charles Morris were married by Rev. Ira W. Bingham. The bride was attired in blue silk and was attended by Miss Grace Mathewson.  The best man was J.E. Green.  The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Adams, of Maydole street and the groom is a popular Ontario & Western fireman. Together they have many friends who offer good wishes.  Mr. and Mrs. Morris left on the northbound Lackawanna train for a short wedding journey and upon their return will reside with the groom's mother, on George avenue.

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Telegraph, November 15, 1865

 

BUNCE - BUMP:  At the M.E. Parsonage, in Afton, Nov. 8, by Rev. B.H. Brown, Justus Bunce and Sally J. Bump, both of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].

 

HARTWELL - BENTLEY:  At the residence of the bride's father in Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 8, by Rev. E. Cortiss, Edward H. Hartwell of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY] and Mavilda [Bentley], daughter of Milton Bentley of Sherburne.

 

RACE - CADY:  At Emmanuel Church in Norwich, on the 14th inst., By Rev. E.Z. Lewis, Charles Race of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] and Jennie Cady of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

 

DARROW - PADGETT:  In Guilford, Nov. 5, by the Rev. W.G. Queal, James Darrow of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and Frances S. Padgett of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

 

SUMNER - PALMER:  In Sherburne, Nov. 5 by Rev. William Russel, Calvin C. Sumner and Sabrina L. Palmer, all of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].

 

BAXTER - CASH:  At White Store, Norwich, Oct. 29, by Geo. Curtis, Esq., Geo. M. Baxter of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY] and Rosa Ann Cash, of Sydney [Delaware Co., NY].

Obituaries (December 19)

Lilah Adelia Breed

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Lilah Adelia Breed

1888 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  After a brief illness at her home on Adelaide street occurred the death Tuesday of Lilah Adelia Breed, wife of Joseph L. Breed, aged 24.  Mrs. Breed was born in Fredonia, N.Y. [Chautauqua Co], February 5, 1888, but her home has been in Norwich since she was 8 years of age.  On January 7, 1908, she became the bride of Joseph L. Breed, who survives, together with a bright little 3-year-old daughter; also her mother, Mrs. Alice Dye, who resided with her, and one brother, Merton Dye, of Lakewood, Ohio.  Funeral services were held from the residence Thursday afternoon, Rev. J.B.Wilson officiating.  The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen had charge of the services at the burial in Mount Hope Cemetery, Mrs. Breed having been an active and esteemed member of that organization.  The pall bearers were brother members of Mr. Breed in the Loyal Order of Moose. The beautiful floral offerings bore mute but eloquent evidence of the loving regard of many friends. [Glen Buell Collection, Guernsey Memorial Library, Norwich, NY]

Elizabeth (Zorn) Albert

The Norwich Sun, May 2, 1911

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral of Mrs. Conrad Albert, whose death was noticed in our former issue, was held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Zeorb Sunday at Mt Upton.  The Rev. H.W. Little of Christ Church conducted the services, and interment was made in Sunset Hill Cemetery [Guilford, NY].  Mrs. Albert and husband resided in the village for many years until failing health compelled them to give up their home and go to their daughter's, Mrs. Esther Zeorb, where they have been kindly and lovingly cared for.  She was greatly respected by our older people.  Her age was 85 years.  Besides her husband, now in his 90th year, she is survived by three sons, John Albert of Norwich, Edward Albert of Oxford, Burnside Albert of Afton, and three daughters, Mrs. Lucia Brown of Elkland, Pa., Mrs. Martin Zeorb and Miss May Albert of this place, all of whom were here to attend the funeral.  John and Edward Albert were accompanied by their wives, also two grandchildren, the Misses Carney, of Unadilla, were at the services.

 

Mrs. Tyler Hovey

The Norwich Sun, May 2, 1911

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Tyler Hovey died at the home of her son, Mr. and Mrs. George Hovey, Friday afternoon.  She was 92 years old and was the last of our aged people.  The most of her long life has been spent here where she was respected by all.  Mrs. Hovey has been for many years a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  The funeral, which was held Monday at 11 a.m. from the home, was conducted by the pastor of that church, Rev. R.M. Pascoe, with burial in the family plot at the Guilford Center cemetery.  One son, George T. Hovey, and a daughter, Mrs. G. Webb of Coventry, survive her.  Those present at the services from out of town were, Mrs. Webb of Coventry, Mr. and Mrs. Draper Easton of Bainbridge, Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Saulsbury of Oxford and William Hovey of Searles Hill.

 

Hiram R. Brown

The Norwich Sun, May 2, 1911

Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY]:  Hiram R. Brown of this place died Monday, May 1, 1911.  Mr. Brown had been a long and patient sufferer and the bereaved family has the sympathy of the entire community.  Funeral will be held Wednesday at 1 o'clock and interment will be made in the Pharsalia cemetery.

 

Cincinnatus Times, May 11, 1911

At  his home in Pharsalia, on the morning of May 1st, 1911, occurred the death of Hiram R. Brown.  He was 75 years of age, having been born Sept. 13, 1835, in the town of Pharsalia, where he was a life-long resident.  He had been in poor health for several years and had been confined to his home since last August, during which time he had been a constant sufferer.  The funeral was held at his late home on Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. E.E. Benson of Cincinnatus had charge of the service.  Mr. Roscoe Davis and Miss Adelaide Davis sang "Face to Face," and "Rock of Ages."  Interment was in the cemetery at Pharsalia. Deceased is survived by a wife, Julia Brown, by four sons, Randolph L. Brown of Pitcher Springs, Lewis L. Brown of Greene, Henry R. Brown of Pharsalia and Charles E. Brown of German, also by two brothers, Francis Brown of DeRuyter and Ray Brown of Scranton, Pa.

 

Gilbert Cotton

The Norwich Sun, May 2, 1911

Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY]:  Gilbert Cotton died at his home on Chapel street in this village Saturday night after a lingering illness and a protracted period of indisposition.  Mr. Cotton was a veteran of the war between the States and lost a leg in the service.  He moved to this village from North Norwich about twenty years ago and has resided here ever since.  Mr. Cotton was a good citizen and a good neighbor and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife and two children, Mrs. Flora Brower, and Louis Cotton, both of this village.  Mr. Cotton was  a member of the local post of the G.A.R.

 

Paige Croswell Stilwell

Afton Enterprise/Harpursville Budget, February 26, 1948

Paige Croswell Stilwell, 62, of North Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died of a heart attack at 1:15 p.m. Monday.  He is survived by his wife, Carrie of North Afton; two daughters, Mrs. Ralph Colton and Mrs. Irving Tryon, both of Afton, a sister, Mrs. Ralph Seymour Wibur of Cooperstown; three grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  The funeral was held at the Karschner Funeral home, Afton this Thursday at 2 p.m.  The Rev. George B. Graves officiated. Burial will be in Sidney at the convenience of the family.

 

Afton Enterprise/Harpursville Budget, March 4, 1948

Paige C. Stilwell an esteemed resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] for many years, passed away at 1:15 p.m. February 23, 1948 at the age of 62 years.  He was born in Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], May 4th, 1885, the son of Sarah (Barber) Stilwell and Paige C. Stilwell Sr.  When about five years of age the family moved to Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] where he resided until the fall of 1908 when with his father they purchased the property known as the Leroy Beatman farm at North Afton which was his home until his death.  Mr Stilwell went to work for the D.&H. Railroad at an early age where he remained until the purchase of the farm.  He was a member of long standing of Lodge No. 71 B of L.F.&E. of Oneonta.  He is survived by his wife Carrie of North Afton two daughters Mrs. Ralph Colton and Mrs. Irving Tryon and three grandchildren all of Afton.  Also one sister, Mrs. Seymour Wilbur of Cooperstown and several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. last Thursday at the Karschner Funeral Home with Rev. George B. Graves officiating.  Committal services were in charge of Lodge no 71B of LF. and E.  Interment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery [Sidney, NY] at the convenience of the family.

 

Death Notices, Chenango Telegraph, November 15, 1865

 

WATKINS:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 1, Henry M. Watkins, aged 34 years and 20 days.

 

FOWLER:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Mary Fowler, aged 47 years.

 

ARCHER:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 1, James Archer, aged 58 years.

 

TYLER:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 28, LaMott Bissell [Tyler], eldest son of Ozias B. and Susan Tyler, aged 17 years.

 

BROWN:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 3, Mary E., daughter of Dudley Brown, aged 18 years.

 

DODGE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 3, Elbert Eugene [Dodge], son of Oscar and Elizabeth Dodge, aged 14 months.

 

CARPENTER: In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 3, Esther, wife of Noah Carpenter, aged 73 years.

 

PRATT:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 4, Jerusha, wife of the late Alanson Pratt, Esq., aged 64 years.

Norwich NY Seventy Years Ago, Reminiscences of George Denslow - 1906

Seventy Years Ago

Reminiscences of Early Days in Norwich, Chenango Co., NY 

Related by George W. Denslow, Who Was Ninety Years Old on Sept. 19, 1906

Compiled for the Union by Leonard W. Cogswell

Chenango Union, October 18, 1906

 

The postoffice was a small compartment in the front of the store, with a glass front about 6 ft square.  Back of this glass front there were pigeon holes about the size of postoffice letter boxes now.  A box six feet square was large enough to contain all the mail of those days.  70 years ago we did not have a dozen mails a day as we do now, loaded down with daily papers and letters from all over the world.  In 1837 the news came by stage coach from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, and it was a slow process, taking five days from Philadelphia, seven days from Washington  and Boston.  There were no postage stamps or envelops in 1837.  The postage was very much higher then than now, being six cents for any distance under 30 miles, 30-60, 8c; 60 to 100 miles, 10c; from 200 to 450 miles, an average of 20c, and 25c for all distances over 450.  Thus the postage on a letter from New Haven was 18 pence, which was 18-1/4 cents.  You can readily see that very few letters were sent at that rate, and up to 1845 letter writing did not keep up with the growth of population.  No more letters were written than necessary, as we could not afford to waste so much money on postage for the useless scribbling of today.  How many love letters do you suppose the young man of today would write if he had to pay 25c  postage on each one?  Because of the high postage and the scarcity of paper they wrote in a fine hand, using every available inch of space, not much like the big coarse hands of today.  There being no government envelopes, the letters were either wrapped in a package tied with twine, or also one corner folded over and sealed with wax.  I  have some old letters in my possession now with the corner turned over.  Then it was taken to the postoffice and sent on its way, postage "C.O.D." to be paid by the person to whom it was addressed.  If possible, letters were always sent privately by the hand of some passenger, instead of by mail, to save postage, and after express companies were started, they carried a great many letters at less than regular postage rates.  In 1845 the postage was reduced to 5c, for every letter under 300 miles, and 10c for all over 300 miles, and in 1855 the postage was 5c under 300 miles and 6c over that.  When it was 10c we thought that was wonderfully cheap.  Now you can send a letter any where in the United States for 3c!

 

Before the introduction of postage stamps, the postoffice officials in large cities kept regular running accounts with well known merchants, who sent their mail matter to the post office daily.  The cost of postage was calculated by the clerks and charged up to the merchants, and bills rendered therefor at the end of the month.  When I received letters, I had to pay the postage, and if I did not have the change, I would pay the postmaster later.

 

I well remember the agitation by Sir Rowland Hill in England in favor of lower postage in 1840 and of the use of stamps there then.  The United States was rather slow about adopting them and it was not until 1847 that we used a regular stamp here.  I remember well how they looked.

 

In those days we had shillings and pence.  In New Haven, Conn., had the "Yankee shilling," 6 shillings, to the dollar, 16 and two-thirds cents, and when I came here to Norwich, I thought it mighty strange to find the "York" shilling, 8 to the dollar, 12-1/2 cents.  I remember a little incident about that too.  In those days we young bloods used to go to dances.  I remember when first I came here, Roswell Curtiss, and myself and three or four others went to Preston to a supper and dance, and we found there Mrs. W.N. Mason of this village (then Miss Cary of Oxford) and the Hale girls.

 

We had supper and I went up to pay.  I said "How much is it?"  The clerk replied "a couple of shillings."  So I handed him a couple of Yankee shillings and he said "I guess you are a Yankee from Connecticut."  I had handed him 33 and one-third cents, when all he wanted was 25c, so I got 2 pence back!

 

In November, December and January, 1837 -8 there was no sleighing at all here, but in February of 1838 there was a good  2 ft of snow.  In 1839 I remember that 15  inches of snow fell on the 15th of November.  I remember it well, because I was down in a shop where the D.L.&W. depot now is, with Snow & Warner.  I had purchased a lot of goods in New Haven, of Cowles & Co., the fall before, and sent them to New York where they were put on a canal boat and shipped via Albany and Utica by canal. When they reached Pecksport just above here they were caught by the snow storm, and I had to send a team up there to get them down. That amount of snow closed up the canal for good that winter.  I had my goods here on time to cast my vote in the election of 1840.

 

Coming back to the houses on the east side of South Broad st., the next was a shoe and leather store kept by Truman Enos, who had a tannery up by the old red mill where Wheeler's planning mill now is.  Bill Hale kept a saloon down in the stone block, and he afterwards moved to New Haven and kept a livery stable on Crown st. near the Register office.

 

Where the Tanner block now is Lyman Brooks had a store.  Then there was a little alley way with an express office in the rear, the alley now being closed up.

 

Where Winsor's bakery now is there was a building called the "Old Long Tavern" the bakery now being about one-third of the original length of the tavern.

 

The next was the Col. John Noyes house, which then looked just like the house Dr. Purdy lives in.  The front of the Noyes house has been changed, built up to three stories, the big pillars added to the front, and is now called the American Hotel.  The man who helped put those pillars in, Clark Blackman, died about three years ago.  He was one of three who took the job to get those pillars for $100.  Where the Chenango Union office now is was then a vacant lot, the Mammoth store being built there shortly afterwards.

 

Where Mr. Danials lives was James M.D. Carr's house, and then Judge York where Dr. Purdy now lives. The next was George l. Rider's house, the president of the Norwich fire company in 1838.  Between Rider's house and the Curtiss house there was nothing but vacant land.  The canal used to run through there, and there was a canal storehouse on the corner of Piano st. The canal ran around in where Eaton's grain warehouse now is, and then up north nearly parallel to the D.L.&W. tracks for a ways.  Then David Oviatt, Dr. Johnson's, where Charles Nash now lives, then the York farmhouse.  Judge York owned all the land clear down to Hale st.  Then came the old Tom Prentice house, and from there clear down to the bridge was nothing but vacant land.

 

To be continoued

 

 

 

 

Obituaries (December 18)

Josephine (Wierengo) Taylor

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Josephine (Wierengo) Taylor

1862 - 1912

At her home in Minneapolis, Minn., April 5, following a year's illness, occurred the death of Josephine, wife of John L. Taylor, a former well-known resident of Norwich.  Deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Wierengo of Muskegon, Mich., in which place she was born.  In 1900 she was married in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] to John L. Taylor and during two years' residence here Mrs. Taylor formed many pleasant friendships.  In 1902 they went to Minneapolis where Mr. Taylor had previously resided and where he is now a successful real estate dealer.  Besides her husband Mrs. Taylor is survived by/ three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Peterson, Mrs. H.B. Smith and Mrs. Jenny Horn, all residents of Muskegon, where the remains were taken for interment.  Rev. Archibald Hadden, pastor of the First Congregational Church, officiating at the funeral services.

 

Charles F. Bissell

1871 - 1925

The body of Charles F. Bissell, well known resident of this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] for many years, was discovered partly embedded in the ice in the Canasawacta creek Friday morning by persons residing on the western end of Conkey avenue.  Investigation showed that the body had been in the water several hours.  Death was not due to drowning, in the opinion of Dr. E.W.Wilcox, coroner, but to exposure and was accidental.  The upper part of the body was embedded in ice, the legs and lower part being covered by water.  No water had touched the face or upper portions of the body, which was on his back only a few feet from the shore of the creek.  Indications are that Mr. Bissell had stepped on the edge of a steep embankment of the creek at that point, slipped and rolled down the bank into the water, where he was unable to rescue himself.  It is difficult to estimate how long the body had remained in the position in which it was found, but that it had been there several hours is a certainty.  Mr. Bissell, who made his home with his sister, Mrs. May Sullivan of Mitchell street, was about the city as usual Thursday and apparently his usual self.  He visited with friends during the afternoon, and when the body was found a copy of Thursday night's edition of the Norwich Sun was found in his pocket.  He arose as usual Thursday morning and after eating a hasty breakfast went to his place of business on East Main street.  Mr. Bissell, who was 53 years of age had for many years conducted a carriage hardware business and recently had been engaged in taking an inventory.  He always ate his mid-day meal down town but for some reason did not return home for his evening meal Thursday night.  Upon leaving his sister's home Thursday morning he made the remark to his great nephew, James Male, that when he returned home if the boy's mother would permit he would take the boy fishing.  Charles Bissell was a genuine fisherman and one of his fondest pleasures was to roam the brooks of the county fishing.  It is the belief of his sister and close friends that he went to the Canasawacta creek on Thursday night to get minnows, and that in the act of doing so he lost his balance and fell into the water.  In addition to his love for water and fishing Charles Bissell was a crack billiard shot.  He was as good with the billiard cue as any man who played that game in Norwich and he delighted to play it.  He was a member of the Norwich Club and many a winter evening he might be found there with billiard cue in hand playing a game with his friends.  

Charles Bissell was born in the town of North Norwich, Sept 30, 1871, the son of the late Henry F. and Frances Bissell.  Early in life he came to Norwich, where he has resided nearly all of the time since.  For many years he worked for Cary & Son in the carriage hardware business on East Main street.  Later he formed a partnership with George A. Crane which continued for a few years.  Recently Mr. Bissell had conducted the business alone.  The only organization to which he belonged was the Norwich Club and he was a frequent visitor at the club house located on East Main street.  The news that his body had been found in the Canasawacta creek Friday morning was a great shock to his many friends in this city.  After the discovery of the body police headquarters was called and Chief L.H Babcock and Officer Geo. W. Smith responded.  Coroner Wilcox was later called and under his direction the body was taken from the water with the aid of rakes. The body was first removed to the Breese undertaking rooms, but was later at the request of the family taken to the parlors of Lawrence & Devine.  The only survivors are a sister, Mrs. May B. Sullivan, and three nephews and five nieces.  Funeral arrangements have not been made.

 

Gertrude May (Thompson) Bissell

1896 - 1942

Funeral services for Mrs. Gertrude May Bissell, wife of Ray Bissell, who died at Homer Folks Hospital, Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], Tuesday, will be held in the Free Methodist church at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with Rev. Dudley W. Rose officiating.  Interment will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Bissell was born April 10, 1896, and had been a resident of Woods Corners for many years.  Mrs. Bissell, a patient sufferer for a long time, entered the Homer Folks Hospital in Oneonta for observation.  Her condition was too critical for help and her tired spirit was released from earthly care soon after entering the institution. The beauty of her character was manifested by a cheerful manner throughout her suffering and distress.  Mrs. Bissell, frail in body, was not active in community life but proved herself a faithful wife and a loving mother in the home circle.  Here her loss will be keenly felt.  For some time she had been a faithful attendant of the Free Methodist church and made it her permanent choice by joining Easter of this year.  The survivors are the husband, Ray Bissell; a son, George F. Bissell; a daughter, Alice Jane Bissell; the father, DeCalvus Thompson, and two brothers, Rial Thompson and James Thompson.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, May 7, 1885

HUNT:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 3d, Mary A., wife of Oscar Hunt, aged 62 years and 4 months.

PRIME:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], April 30th, Mr. Henry Prime, aged 51 years.

SAMSON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 3d, Rosa Samson, aged 39 years.

SMITH:  At the Utica Asylum, May 5th, Mary V., wife of John Smith, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]

O'HOLLAREN:  At Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], on the 22d ult., from the effects of a cancer, Mrs. John O'Hollaren, daughter of Mrs. Dennis Hickey, of this place [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], She leaves a husband and six children.

BUTTS:  Suddenly in Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], April 30th, Mr. Agrippa Butts, aged 86 years.

BENJAMIN:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, Mr. Darius Benjamin, aged 90 years.

COON:  Suddenly, in Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], May 4th, Hiley, son of J.H. Coon, aged about 17 years.

BUSH:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 23d, Mr. Jonathan Bush, aged 82 years.

BENNETT:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, Mrs. Israel Bennett.

WARREN:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], April 29th, Mr. Edward H. Warren, son of the late Romeo Warren, aged 42 years.

AYLESWORTH:  In Iowa City, April 13th, Dr. B.H. Aylesworth, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

SANTMIER:  In Wilkesbarre, Pa., April 23d, Matie, daughter of Rev. David J. and Mary E. Santimier, aged 6 years, 4 months and 16 days.  Remains taken to North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] for burial.
 

BCHS Class of 1956 - Part 1

Bainbridge Central High School, Class of 1956

Senior Portraits

"Echo" 1956

 

 

Sandra Alice Alford

 

Lavonne Marie Andrews

 

June Marie Aylesworth

 

Richard Alden Babcock

 

David Jay Bame

 

Raymond William Besemer

 

Marriages (December 17)

Belden - Hooper

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

Edwin R. & Annie L. (Hooper) Belden

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At the home of the bride's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Golden, in Lestershire, Saturday evening, April 6, occurred the marriage of Miss Annie L. Hooper to Edwin R. Belden, both of this village.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Ripley, pastor of the Lestershire Methodist Church, in the presence of relatives and a few friends. The bride's costume was white net lace over white satin.  Following the ceremony a fine wedding supper was served. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Hooper, of Norwich, and the groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Belden, of this village.  He is a painter by trade and is in the employ of O.L. Harrington.  Both have the best wishes of many friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Belden returned to this place Sunday evening and are stopping for the present with the family of the groom's brother, A.J. Belden, on Plymouth street.

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, May 7, 1885

 

HICKEY - KILROE:  At St. Patrick's Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], May 5th, by Rev. R.F. Cullen, Mr. Morris Hickey, to Miss Bridget Kilroe, of Norwich.

 

HARRINGTON - WILLIAMS:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 26th, by Rev. J.M.C. Fulton, Mr Robert Harrington, to Miss Phebe Williams, both of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

 

MINER - VROMAN:  In Plymouth, May 3d, by Rev. CS. Crain, Mr. Brownel W. Miner, of Hamilton [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Mary A. Vroman, of North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY]. 

 

McFARLAND - CHAMBERLAIN:  In Afton, April 30th, by Rev. E.T. Jacobs, S.F. McFarland, M.D., of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], to Miss Addie Chamberlain, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY]

 

 

Obituaries (December 17)

Charles W. Potter

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Charles W. Potter

1863 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Charles W. Potter, one of the best known and most popular railroad men in Norwich, died at his home on Mitchell street, at an early hour Sunday morning.  Mr. Potter had been away from town during Saturday, returning on the evening train.  He was apparently as well as usual but remarked that he was very tired.  A son, Foster, slept with Mr. Potter, and the first intimation he had of his father's death was when he awoke between 9 and 10 o'clock Sunday morning and found him lying lifeless by his side.  Deceased was the son of William D. and Charity Potter, and was born in South New Berlin, February 24, 1863.  Upon leaving school he was employed for a time in a bookbindery in New York city.  On July 13, 1883, he entered the service of the New York Ontario & Western Railway, as telegraph operator and had since been in the employ of that company.  In the spring of 1893 he came to Norwich as train dispatcher, which position he held until the spring of 1910, when impaired health compelled him to take up other telegraphic work permitting more outdoor exercise.  He stood high in the esteem of the railroad officials and employees, and was the friend of every man he met.  He was always courteous and capable, his work as a train dispatcher being of an especially high order.  He relinquished the office of village trustee on March 1, after serving two terms, during which he was conscientious and attentive to the interests of the community and always ready to give of his time and energy to the work of the board.  He was a member and past grand of Eumenia Lodge, No. 296, I.O.O.F., of Oneida, and a member of Norwich lodge, No. 302, F.&A.M.  Mr. Potter was twice married, his first wife being Emma J. Barse, who lived but a few years, leaving two children, Floyd and Harry, the latter now deceased.  On April 20, 1896, he was married at Adrian, Mich., to Etta M. McWilliams, who with one son, Foster, aged 12 are residents of Norwich.  Besides his immediate family he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. James Gilmore and Mrs. W.B. Robertson, of Utica, N.Y., and three brothers, Dr. Foster Potter, of New York; John E. Potter, of Oneida, and Benjamin D. Potter, of Pasadena, Cal.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from his late residence, Rev. Harrison W. Foreman officiating. Eumenia Lodge of Oneida, Odd Fellows, assisted by Canasawacta Lodge, of Norwich, conducted the burial services at Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Archie C. Bingham

August 28, 1942

Archie C. Bingham of South Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY], 55, was found dead in the bathroom of his home Thursday morning by Alfred Patrick, an employee on Bingham's poultry farm.  Dr. E.A. Hammond of New Berlin, Chenango county coroner, was called, and said death was due to a heart attack.  Mr. Bingham had been in ill health for several months, and only about a month ago returned to his home after being a patient at the Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.  Until recent months Mr. Bingham operated an extensive poultry farm at South Edmeston.  His mother, Mrs. John Noel of North Norwich, passed away about three months ago, and a little over a year ago Mrs. Bingham died.  The body was removed to the Dakin Funeral Home in New Berlin but no arrangements have been made pending receipt of word from distant relatives.  It is likely the services will be held at Dakin's in New Berlin.  Mr. Bingham was a member of Norwich lodge of Elks having joined that organization about six months ago.

 

Gladys May (Fowler) Bingham

May 16, 1941

New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Gladys May Bingham, 50, died May 16, 1941, following an illness of about 15 months.  She was born in the town of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], a daughter of Melvin and Estelle Matterson Fowler.  Most of her life was spent in Columbus.  She was graduated by New Berlin high school.  On June 25, 1913 she married Archie C. Bingham.  She is survived by her husband, a sister, Mrs. Emil Fassler, Sycamore, Ill., and several nieces and nephews. She was a sister of the late Merton M. Fowler of Norwich.  Mrs. Bingham was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, New Berlin, Twentieth Century Club, Eastern Star, White Shrine of Binghamton, and Silver Lake Golf Club. Funeral services were conducted at the Dakin Funeral Home at 3 p.m. Monday, the Rev. Nelson F. Parke, rector of St. Andrew's church, officiating. Burial was in Lamb cemetery, Columbus [Chenango Co., NY]

 

Charles W. Bishop

1854 - 1931

Charles W. Bishop, prominent sportsman and job printer of Edmeston [Chenango Co., NY], died Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, 1931, at 1:30 o'clock after a long illness.  Mr. Bishop had been in ill health for the past two years.  He was 77 years old.  Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 11 o'clock in the F.H. Gates Undertaking parlors. burial was in Union cemetery.  Mr. Bishop was born in Morris [Otsego Co., NY] in 1854 and was the son of Lewis and Julia Bishop.  He came to Edmeston 45 years ago and for a short time taught school there.  He then entered the grocery business and later opened a drug store in that village.  For the last 15 years he has been engaged in the job printing business.  He was married to Lovina Chamberlain in 1893.  She died in 1910.  Mr. Bishop was an ardent baseball fan and for many years was identified with this sport in the village. He was official scorer of all the important games played by teams representing Edmeston with other communities and was also one of the original sponsors of the game and the formation of a baseball club in that village.  For the last 15 years he had made his home at the Gaskin house.  He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Harry Prell of Middleburg, and three grandchildren.

 

 

Norwich, NY Seventy Years Ago - Part 3

Seventy Years Ago

Reminiscences of Early Days in Norwich, Chenango Co., NY 

Related by George W. Denslow, Who Was Ninety Years Old on Sept. 19, 1906

Compiled for the Union by Leonard W. Cogswell

Chenango Union, October 11, 1906

 

I stayed overnight at the Noyes House which stood upon the site and now forms a part of the American Hotel.

 

The principle streets of Norwich were what are now called North and South Broad streets, then known as Main street; and what are today known as East and West Main streets, were then called River and Water streets, respectively.  There were no paved streets, and but little in the way of sidewalks.  Most of the houses and stores were on north and South Broad St. and East Main St.  Many of the houses then standing have since been moved to other streets, and several are still doing duty as dwellings.  A few years ago I started to make a map of Norwich as it was in 1837, and partially completed it, but I am rather slow at writing lately, and I doubt if it is ever finished.  The only house on Birdsall St. was at the corner of Front, where Abel Chandler lived, an ex-assemblyman, whose family afterwards had a great influence in my domestic affairs,--but that is another story.

 

At that time Hale & Holmes kept a dry goods store where Chapman & Turner now are.  Next south came Burr Andrews, who kept a general store of dry goods, crockery, hardware, nails, etc., as the stores of those days did.  Then J.P.&W.P. Rhodes and Kershaw & Randall. Then next came Uncle Ben Chapman, who kept a general store down stairs, while Roswell Curtis, had a tailor shop upstairs.  The David Griffing house was what is now Phetteplace's barber shop and the Oak saloon, and next were two small buildings, James Williams, a harness and trunk maker, occupying one.  I have in my possession now an old-fashioned square leather trunk which I bought of him in 1838.

 

In the rear of where Nash's hardware store and the electric company now are, a little building stood where Thurlow Weed used to have a printing office, and here, up to 1828, he edited the Agriculturist.  He went to Albany in 1830 and started the Evening Journal for the purpose of opposing the "Albany Regency," Andrew Jackson's administration and the nullification policy of John C. Calhoun. Then he helped to elected William Henry Harrison in the famous victory over the Indians in 1812, was called "Old Tippecanoe," John Tyler was named for vice president by the Whigs, and Martin VanBuren by the Democrats.  I well remember some old campaign songs such as:

 

With heart and soul

This ball we roll.

As rolls the ball,

Van's reign does fall.

And he may look

To Kinderhook.

 

Farewell, dear Van,

You're not our man;

To guard the ship

We'll try old Tip.

With Tip and Tyler

We'll bust Van's biler.

 

It was a highly picturesque campaign.  Harrison was represented as living in a log cabin and drinking hard cider, a man of the "peepul," instead of living in a palace, drinking rare wines and eating with gold spoons bought for the White House, as they claimed Van Buren, the opposition candidate, did, who was called the "starched-up, band-box" candidate. This argument was used with tremendous force among the farmers.  Processions were measured by the mile and meetings by the acre.  Log cabins were used as meeting places, and as illustrations on floats, and with it was the barrel of cider, the live coon running over it and the latch string out;  for Harrison told his soldiers at Tippecanoe when he left them that never should his door be shut to them, or the string of the latch pulled in.  Harrison was said to be a hunter who had caught a fox before, and would again.  Newspapers were full of advertisements like these, "The subscriber will pay $5 per hundred for pork if Harrison is elected and $2.50 if Van Buren is."

 

When the election returns came in from the early elections like Vermont and Maine, the excitement passed all bounds, and the Harrison cohorts sang.--

 

What has caused this great commotion, motion, motion

Our country through?

It is the ball a-rolling on,

For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.

And with them we'll beat little Van, Van, Van,

Van is a used-up man.

 

Oh! have you heard the news from Maine,

All honest and true?

One thousand for Kent and seven thousand gain

For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.

 

Maine went

Hell bent

For Gov. Kent,

Tippecanoe

And Tyler, too!

 

Thurlow Weed, was a smooth politician, very adroit, and one of the most dextrous wire-pullers of his time.  He carried Chenango County for the Whigs in 1837.  Perez Randall had been county clerk for 21 years.  The democrats thought he had had it long enough, and "turn the rascals out" was the cry, for those that are out of office always want to get in. Abel Chandler, my father-in-law, was nominated by the democrats; and the Whigs, being in a quandary what to do, went to Albany and consulted Thurlow Weed, who said at once "nominate Perez Randall."  "Oh! no, that won't do" the committee replied; but Weed insisted, and the result--Randall was re-nominated and re-elected in spite of the opposition, by 250 majority.  He took the oath of office in January, 1838, and died in June, and then they appointed Cyrus Wheeler. Wheeler ought to have served another term, for they couldn't have had a better man for the office, but he was turned down. The best men don't always get the office, as I have seen it often occur since Martin Van Buren's time, not only in this village, but elsewhere.

 

Next below Wood's printing office was a building occupied by John Clapp, who ran for Congress on the democratic ticket in 1838, and I voted for him too!  the Rider hotel stood where the Joe Latham house is.  E.T. Hayes bought all that property through there and laid out what is now Hayes St.  Then came the Chapman house, the next was the Birdsall house, and in the brick house now occupied by Judge Gladding, Mrs. Lot Clark lived.  Then came the canal, and then the homes now occupied by Mrs. Wm. M. mason, then occupied by Rev. Mr. Bogue, I think.  I remember an old couplet the young men used to sing concerning the leaders of the Presbyterians and Baptists:

 

Priest Bogue and Littlejohn,

Consider Coombes and Elder Swan.

 

Hiram Weller, a hardware merchant, lived where Mr. Holmes lived, and next came Luke W. Nott, a harness maker.  than a little further down was the Oviatt house.  The Col. John Randall house was where the Bebee house stands now.  Then came a vacant lot and then the John Blivan house.  Next a man lived whom we used to call -?- Avery.  Later it was the Cary house, and was probably one of the oldest buildings here.  Elder Swan lived just below there, and the old Consider Coombes house stood near where the Beebe Ave now is.  Then came the new Coombes house now standing, then a school house just below, and that is all the building there were on that side of Broad street.  Coombes gave the land as long as it was used for school purposes, and then it was to revert back to his heirs, and it has all reverted long since.  It was then vacant land used for farming.  Where Fairchild & Bramers drugstore is now, Bedford & Griffing had a dry goods store.  Then came the hat store of D. Griffing, and then H.N. Walter, who was the only jeweler and watchmaker here then.  He had the south window where Andrews is, and a little counter, and repaired watches and  jewelry.  The next store was occupied by Chapman & Gilbert as a dry goods store.  I was out in my barn the other day looking around:  I picked up a razor case, and behold!  it was one I bought of Chapman & Gilbert in 1837, and one of the razors is in my house now.

 

The next was a building occupied by Peter Fryer, who kept the post office, and also a drugstore, and sold lottery tickets as well.  Lotteries were looked upon than as a legitimate business.

 

To be continued





Obituaries (December 16)

Minnie (Beagle) Cahill

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Minnie (Beagle) Cahill

1862 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Broken in health by an illness that confined her to her room for the last five months, Mrs. Michael Cahill passed away at her home on Mitchell street, Sunday, aged 48.  Born in Dunmore, Pa., June 3, 1863, the daughter of John and Bridget Beagle, deceased had passed the larger part of her life in Norwich, where her father was well known from his long employment by the D.L.&W. Railroad Company.  On November 13, 1889, she married Michael Cahill and for 22 years their residence had been at 75 Mitchell street.  Her husband survives her, together with a son, John, and a daughter, Mary.  She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, James Beagle, of Tipton, Okla., Selden O . Beagle, Mrs. Calvin Howe and Mrs. William Danforth, of Norwich.  Mrs. Cahill was a member of St. Paul's Church, and was held in the highest esteem by her neighbors and friends who realized that her first interest centered in her home.  At the funeral services Wednesday morning there were many floral tokens of esteem. Rev. Father Prendergast officiated and burial was made in St. Paul's Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Hannah M. (Jackson) Shepard

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Hannah M. (Jackson) Shepard

1846 - 1912

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Death came suddenly, Sunday, to Hannah M. Shepard, wife of Harris Shepard, at her home on Mechanic street, aged 66.  Mrs. Shepard was the daughter of Richard and Prudence Jackson and was born in Greene [Chenango Co., NY], March 20, 1846.  Her marriage to Mr. Shepard occurred May 27, 1872, and during all of their wedded life they made their home in the house on Mechanic street where Mrs. Shepard passed away.  She was one of the best known and most respected colored residents of Norwich. Besides her bereaved husband, she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Alice Wallace, of Detroit, Mich., and by one sister, Mrs. Fannie Garrison, of Norwich.  Funeral services were held from the residence and from the A.M.E. Zion Church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. L.L. Woods and Rev. H.W. Foreman officiating.  There were many beautiful flowers evidencing the esteem of a large circle of friends. Burial was made in Mount  Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Earl B. Bennett

1866 - 1939

Earl B. Bennett, well known to residents of this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] where he was engaged in business for several years, died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at 7:45 Tuesday morning after a brief illness.  Mr. Bennett was 73 years of age.  For 12 years Mr. Bennett was a resident of Norwich, where he conducted a bakery business on East Main street.  He was identified also with the grocery business on Henry street many years ago.  In recent years Mr. Bennett resided at Woods Corners where he was engaged in farming.  The deceased was well liked by a host of friends who will be made sad by his passing.  There survive his wife, Mrs. Susie Bennett and two daughters, Mrs. P.N. Haigh of Ossining, N.Y., and Mrs. H.E. Gayman of Shiremanstown, Pa.  Services will be held at the late home in Woods Corners Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. L.S. Charters officiating with burial in Kattelville [Broome Co., NY].

Walter W. Billings

1932 - 1941

Walter W. Billings, nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Billings of 88 Pleasant street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] died at the family home early Tuesday night, following an extended illness.  The boy had been confined in Chenango Memorial Hospital for 13 weeks and had returned to his home only a week ago.  His many friends will be grieved and shocked to learn of his passing.  Besides his parents there survive a sister, Shirley L. Billings, a brother Charles H. Billings.  Services are to be held from the late home at 2 o'clock Friday with Rev. Geo. B Callender officiating. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Funeral services for Walter W. Billings, nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Billings, were held at the late residence, 88 Pleasant street, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. George B. Callender, former pastor of the Broad Street Methodist church, officiated. Burial was made in Mt. Hope cemetery. The services were largely attended and an unusually beautiful floral tribute expressed the sorrow felt by a large number of friends because of the youth's untimely passing.

Edna Fuller Kay Departs Norwich - 1912

Mrs. Edna Fuller Kay's Departure from Norwich is Much Regretted
Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

 

Edna (Fuller) Kay Strickland

1886 - 1922

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Edna Fuller Kay took her departure from Norwich, Wednesday when a large number of her friends and acquaintances gathered at the Lackawanna station and gave her a hearty send off.

 

During the larger part of her father's two years' pastorate of the Broad Street M.E. Church Mrs. Kay has had charge of the choir and under her skilled guidance the organization has reached its highest efficiency.  The Easter music was a meritorious culmination of her work, the most brilliant choral feature of the evening song service being the rendering of the Lost Chord. As a soloist Mrs. Kay has a clear, strong and sweet soprano voice which has been heard with pleasure frequently during her residence here.  At the morning services, Sunday, she sang as an offertory solo Ashford's "Awake! Awake!" most effectively.

 

During the winter Mrs. Kay has directed the chorus of the Monday Evening Musical Club and a recital, Tuesday evening, at the First Baptist Church gave splendid evidence of her ability in the rendition of Bendall's "Lady of Shalott," the poem being read by Mrs. Leslie and sung by the club. The program was delightful and a fitting finale to the excellent work Mrs. Kay has accomplished during her too brief residence in Norwich.

___________________________________________________

Marriage Announcement

Binghamton Press, October 18, 1912

 

Norwich:  Friends of the bride here have received announcements of the marriage of Mrs. Edna Fuller Kay to George H. Strickland at International Falls, Minn.  Mrs. Strickland was formerly the leader of the choir of the Broad Street M.E. Church in this village. where her father, Rev. M.D. Fuller was pastor for two years.

 

_____________________________________________

Death Notices

Christian Advocate, August 24, 1922

 

Mrs. Edna Fuller Strickland, daughter of Dr. M.D. Fuller of the Wyoming Conference, who is now residing in Orlando, Fla., passed away in the Orange General Hospital after an operation on August 10.  Mrs. Strickland had been ill for many months, undergoing several operations in the hope of obtaining relief, but without avail.

 

Binghamton Press, August 17, 1922

 

News has been received of the death at Orlando, Florida, of Mrs. George H. Strickland, formerly  Mrs. Kay, the daughter of the Rev. M.D. Fuller of Orlando, well known here.  He has long been on the retired list.  Mrs. Strickland's death followed an operation.  Her husband, who survives, is cashier of the Orlando Bank & Trust company.  She belonged to the Southern Methodist church.

 

 

 

Marriages (December 14)

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Foy

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1912

 

Michael & Catharine (Bolger) Foy

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Today, Good Friday is the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Foy, both of whom have been residents of Norwich since 1855.  Mrs. Foy, whose maiden name was Catharine Bolger, was born in --rideswell, County Wexford, Ireland in 1840.  Mr. Foy was born in --- county, Ireland.  they sailed for America in the same year and came directly to Norwich.  They were married April 5, 1862, by Rev. Father Charles Brady in the old St. Patrick's church, towards the building of which they were liberal contributors.  The corner stone was laid in 1858 by Cardinal McClosky, then bishop of Albany.  The church was burned in March, 1888, and Mr. and Mrs. Foy were among the generous givers who contributed funds for the erection of the St. Paul's church.  Of nine children born to them, only two are living, Catharine, the wife of Martin L. Scanlon, and Dr. Michael H. Foy a leading surgeon of Yonkers, N.Y.  There are four grandchildren, the two sons and two daughters of Dr. Foy.  Another son, Rev. James P. Foy, who was prepared for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Theological Seminary in Troy, took great interest and pride in the building of St. Paul's Church and during his vacations was a valuable assistant to Father Hart in collecting the funds.  Afterwards having been ordained, he was assigned to St. James' Church in Lestershire, and labored zealously for three years in building up the parish, until his untimely passing in January, 1904, at the age of 37.  His death was a severe blow to his aged parents and family who were doubly bereaved when only two years later followed the death of a sister, Margaret Foy, the first organist of St. Paul's Church, who was largely instrumental in securing funds for the beautiful pipe organ that adorns the church.  Many friends are happy to extend cordial congratulations and hearty wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Foy upon the completion of their half century of married life.  Owing to the solemnity of Holy week and the anniversary falling on Good Friday, formal recognitions of the day will be postponed until Sunday when an elaborate dinner will be served at 6 p.m. to the family and relatives at the residence on Rexford street.

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, September 15, 1881

 

SCHERMERHORN - HUBBARD:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 8th, at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. J.P. Foster of St. mark's Church, Newark, Western New York, Mr. A.M. Schermerhorn, of Cortland, and Miss Frances J. Hubbard, of Norwich, youngest daughter of the late Harvey Hubbard.

 

HAKES - FAIRCHILD:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 6th, by Rev. Samuel Miller, Mr. Clarence Hakes, to Miss C.E.Fairchild, both of Pitcher.

 

PIERCE - BURGHER:  In Greene, Sept. 5th, by Rev. S.T.Ford, Rev. Franklin Pierce of Columbus, Neb., to Miss Jennie Burgher, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

 

KEITH - KELLEY:  In New York, August 17th, by Rev. C.F. Deems, D.D., Mr. Edward E. Keith, of Bridgewater, Mass. to Miss Cora L. Kelley, of Bainbridge[ Chenango Co., NY].

 

GOSS - CANSTON:  At the residence of the bride, Sept. 7th, by Rev. John F. Knerton, of Boston, Mr. Lewis P. Goss, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], to Miss Abigail Canston, of New York.

Obituaries (December 14)

Jacob Salladin

Utica Saturday Globe, March 1912

 

 

Jacob Salladin

1840 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At his home, on South Broad street, on March 16, occurred the death of Jacob Salladin, aged 71.  He was born in Mexico, Oswego county, in 1840 and was one of a family of eight boys and four girls.  Mr. Salladin is the seventh of the brothers to die within the past five years.  He had been a respected resident of Norwich for the past 40 years and had worked at his trade as marble cutter for the firms of H.M. Ashcraft and the Empire Monument Works until four years ago, when he embarked in business for himself with his son on South Broad street.  Just before coming to Norwich, about 40 years ago, Mr. Salladin married Miss Philimen Buscha, of Mexico, who survives with two sons, Jacob J. and Carlton S. Salladin, both of this village. He also leaves a brother, Frank Salladin, of Mexico, NY. The remains were taken to his old home in Mexico for burial.

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, September 15, 1881

 

SERGEANT:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 9th,  Mrs. Clara Sergeant, widow of S.R. Sergeant, aged 55 years.

 

PELL:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 8th, William C., son of Charles and Josephine Pell, aged 3 months and 26 days.

 

BABCOCK:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 9th, Mr. Horatio Babcock, aged 48 years.

 

McGRAW:  In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], Sept. 9th, Miss Louise McGraw, aged 40 years.

 

GRIFFING:  In Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], Sept. 10th, Mr. Jasper R. Griffing, aged     24 years, formerly of Norwich.

 

KERSHAW:  In Pompey [Onondaga Co., NY], Sept. 8th, Mr. Thomas Kershaw, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 79 years.

 

ELDREDGE:  In Indianapolis Sept. 2d, Mr. Aden D. Eldredge, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 45 years.

 

FRASER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 10th, an infant daughter of Frank and Nancy Fraser, aged 8 months.

 

PERKINS:  In Herkimer, N.Y. [Herkimer Co.], Sept. 10th, Mr. George Perkins, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 58 years.

Blog Post Listing, Dec. 7-13, 2015

Listing of blog postings for the week of December 7-13, 2015

Marriages

Posted December 7, 2015

Guy Clark - Lora Winsor (1892)

Frederic Winsor - Jennie Chamberlain (1887)

Marriage Notices - 1867

     Samuel W. Newton - Angeline A. Fisher

     Henry Mygatt - Mary Wilson

     John C. Randall - Helen M. Merriam

     Charles Durrant - Charlotte M. Black

Posted December 11, 2015
Ina May Burroughs - Glen D. Burr (1912)
Harold Arthur Bellinger - Marie Alice Stackhouse (1942)

 

Obituaries

Posted December 7, 2015

Rev. Dr. Samuel Moore (Norwich, 1911)

George Knapp (Guilford, 1878)

Lovicy Winsor (Guilford, 1878)

Eppenetus Winsor (Guilford, Norwich, 1930

Death Notices - 1867

     Georgie Cushman (Norwich)

     Carrie N. Garlick (Norwich)

     Charles Durrant (Guilford, Norwich)

     Sarah Haynes (Oxford)

     Helen D. Winsor (Guilford)

     Melissa Burdick (McDonough)

Posted December 8, 2015
John Joseph Salanger (Norwich, 1911)
Frank S. Harper (Binghamton, 1895)
Lucy A. Winsor (Norwich, 1909)
Death notices - 1867
     Esek Steere (McDonough)
     Mr. P. Abbott (Sherburne)
     Benajah C. Brown (Bainbridge)
     Kip Sherwood (Bucyrus, OH, Norwich)
     Isaac Rindge (Homer, Norwich)
     Selah Squires (Washington DC, Greene)
     Mr. E.S.Weld (Oxford, Marathon)

Posted December 9, 2015
Walter Foster (Norwich, 1911)
George H. Winsor (Guilford, Bainbridge, 1880)
George L. Winsor (Guilford, Bainbridge, 1878)

Posted December 10, 2015
Walter M. Fleming (Norwich, 1912)
Addison E. Benedict (Norwich, 1940)
D. Hill Bennett (Edmeston, 1943)

Posted December 11, 2015
Aden Deming (North Norwich, New Berlin, 1912)  Civil War veteran
Fanny Makepeace Daniels (Norwich, 1906)
Albert J.E. Hubbard (Norwich, Colorado Springs CO, 1906)

Posted December 12, 2015
Lyman Briggs (Norwich, 1912)
Harvey/Harry Hughes (Norwich, Pharsalia, 1912)
Charles & Josephine Pell (Norwich, South Otselic, 1912)

Posted December 13, 2015
Martha (Gibbs) Davis (Norwich, Guilford, 1912)
David Shattuck (Norwich, 1912)
Anna (Weldon) Brennan (Sherburne, Norwich, 1912)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted December 7, 2015

Rev. J.A. Monk, New Pastor of First Baptist Church, Norwich, 1911

Posted December 8, 2015
George H. Mahan Retires from Telegraph Office, Norwich, NY, 1911

Posted December 9, 2015
Bainbridge Central High School, Class of 1955, Part 5

Posted December 10, 2015
Harvey B. Daniels Appointed Teller at Norwich Bank, 1912
Norwich Class of 1896 gives Washington Birthday Entertainment

Posted December 11, 2015
Dr. C.G. Sumner & his Faithful Friend Ted - 1912

Posted December 12, 2015
Norwich NY Seventy Years Ago, Reminiscences of George W. Denslow in 1906 Part 2

Posted December 13, 2015
Norwich NY Seventy Years Ago, Reminiscences of George W. Denslow in 1906, Part 1
 

Norwich Seventy Years Ago - Part 1

Seventy Years Ago

Reminiscences of Early Days in Norwich Related by

George W. Denslow, Who was Ninety Years Old on Sept. 19, 1906

Compiled for the Union by Leonard W. Cogswell

Chenango Union, October 4, 1906

 

In studying the growth of a town and the changes that come with the flight of years, the student is brought to a more realizing sense if he can hear the tale of its early history from the lips of a living witness to the events.  It links us with the past by a living chain, and so makes a much more lasting impression upon our memory.  Some writer has said that "history is but the biography of individuals," and these stories of the early days impress upon us the great changes that have come with the passing years within the memory of living men, and show that what are now considered but every day necessities, would have been looked upon as the height of extravagance 80 years ago.

 

Proud as she is of her handsome women, Norwich is still prouder of her active old men.  There are a number of men here the average of whose years is 80, and who are still vigorous.  This shows that Norwich is not only a good place in which to be born and grow up, but is healthful and a good place to grow old gracefully and enjoy life all the way down the declining years.  If the fountain of eternal youth of Pounce de Leon does not exist in this beautiful Chenango Valley, certainly there is in its air that which is conducive to long and happy years.

 

Mr. George W. Denslow is one of those persons who are inseparably connected with the early life of Norwich, having lived here nearly 70 years.  His life has been a part of the history of Norwich for nearly three-quarter of a century.  Mr. Denslow is still hale and hearty, eating and sleeping well, and with good physical and mental strength.  The words of the wise old Psalmist concerning the labor and sorrow of four score years does not apply to this well preserved citizen.  But of him it may be said as O.W. Holmes says in his poem "The Last Leaf,"

But now he walks the streets

And looks at all he meets,

Sad and wan;

And he shakes his feeble head

That it seems as if he said,

They are gone.

 

The mossy marbles rest

On the lips that he pressed

In their bloom;

And the names he loved to hear

Have been carved for many a year,

On the tomb.

 

Mr. Denslow comes down town nearly every day, frequently drops into the Union office and is delighted to chat about his experiences, and tell of people he has known in New Haven, Connecticut, and Norwich, N.Y. many years ago, while the county was yet young.  Mr. Denslow was born in new Haven, Connecticut, September 19, 1816, when Washington had been dead only 17 years; when the country had hardly settled down from the struggle of the war of 1812.  He possesses a retentive memory for events, and delights to tell how, in New Haven in 1824, he stood on the street corner with his father, and saw the Marquis Lafayette of France, the intimate friend  of Washington, on his triumphal tour, in his old age, of this country by invitation of Congress; and in June 1833, of seeing Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory," then president of the United States, and Martin VanBuren, pass through New Haven on their trip through New England; of hearing Lorenzo Dow, the eccentric but eloquent Methodist circuit exhorter, preach from the steps of the old state house; of his acquaintance with Noah Webster of dictionary and spelling book fame, to whom he used to carry milk; of seeing almost daily in new Haven old Deacon Beers who was one of the prison guards over Major john Andre who conspired with Arnold.  Andre made a pen-and-ink sketch of himself which he presented to Dea. Beers which is now in the possession of Yale College.  In fact, to talk with him, is to bring before us, as in a panorama, many of the famous history makers of those days.  Mr. Denslow's story follows, in nearly his own words.

 

I was born in new Haven on September 19, 1816, and lived there until I was 21.  In 1832, when I was 16, I was apprenticed out, as was the custom in those days, to learn the trade of carriage making, which then required a six-year service.  In March, 1837, a financial panic swept the country, and 12 out of the 17 carriage makers of New Haven were forced to suspend, and, as a result, several of us were out of work.

 

While I was looking around, I happened to meet Joseph Scoville, a Norwich butcher, who was then conducting a meat market in a little wooden building just of south T.D. Miller's residence, and back of the old Baptist church which was burned in 1845.  Mr. Scoville, who was a New Haven boy and a friend of the family, advised me to try Norwich, which, as he said, was a thriving, growing town, and a good place for a man to grow up in.  So I followed what some 25 years later proved to be Horace Greely's advice, and "went west."  In those days it was quite well west, too, and traveling was a serious undertaking.  Before I came out here my father was making trunks.  As I had nothing to carry my clothes in, I went into my father's shop and made a pretty good sized trunk for my own use out of horsehide tacked with brass nails, put on the end the letters, "G.W.D." and started for Norwich.

 

To reach here I left New Haven for Bridgeport at 4 a.m., Nov. 1, 1837 (a beautiful warm day) by stage coach, then from Bridgeport to New York by boat, and to Albany by boat up the beautiful Hudson.  New York in 1837 was very little like the New York of 1906.  North of 35th street was mostly farming country, interspersed with country roads and lanes where there was much driving on pleasant days. Central Park was then but a rough piece of land, and north, east and west of it was a vast wilderness of rocks and forest.

 

We got into Albany early in the morning, and then we took the railroad cars for Utica at 8 o'clock, reaching Utica about 4 o'clock.  That was the first time I had ever seen or ridden on a railroad train, and I was as excited as a boy on his first trip to a circus.  The engine was the famous "DeWitt Clinton" since exhibited at Chicago and Buffalo, a small affair with a long smoke stack.  It burned wood and puffed along very slowly, although it seemed fast to me.  For some distance this side of Albany the hills around were covered with dense forests of pine which was used for fuel for the engine, immense piles of it being stacked at every station and we frequently had to wait while the tender was piled high with wood.

 

From Albany to Utica is 95 miles and it took us 8 hours to go over what is now but a two-hours ride for the fast trains of N.Y. Central R.R.  It was a single track road, having been completed in 1831.  The cars looked very much like the old-fashioned stage coaches, with long seats across ways, and you entered from the side, instead of the end.  The rails are long pieces of strap iron perhaps 2-1/2 inches wide by three-quarters of an inch thick, laid on long timbers perhaps 4x6.  They are not very safe to ride on, for the ends of the iron straps were liable to become loose, curl up and come up through the floor of the car with great violence, and often times great injury was done.

 

I remember that after Franklin Pierce was elected president of the United States, and before his inauguration, his wife died, and Pierce and his son started to go to Washington.  While they were travelling on this kind of a railroad, one of those iron "snake heads" as they were called came up through the car floor and instantly killed his boy who was sitting beside him.

 

On Nov. 3rd we left Utica for Norwich by stage coach at 8 a.m., arriving in  Norwich about 7 p.m., thus taking 12 hours to travel 42 miles which is now done in an hour and a half by rail.  You can see it took me three whole days from 4 a.m. of the first day to 7 p.m. of the third to come here from New Haven.  Now you can leave New Haven at 7 a.m. and reach Norwich at 5 p.m. of the same day, taking only 10 hours, instead of 72.  What changes Time does bring in travel and communication.

 

To be Continued