Obituaries (January 28)

Sarah J. (Steward) Wescott

Utica Saturday Globe, February 1907

 

Sarah J. (Steward) Wescott

1831 - 1907

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At her home on Court street on Friday of last week occurred the death of Mrs. Sarah J. Wescott, widow of Paul L. Wescott, at the age of 75.  Her death followed an illness of only a few days.  Mrs. Wescott was a daughter of Marvin Steward and Maria Curtis, of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], and was born March 22, 1831.  About the year 1855 she was married to Charles E. Beals, of Norwich.  From this union one son was born, who died in childhood.  Mr. Beals died July 27, 1857.  On June 22, 1859 , Mrs. Beals married Paul L. Wescott, of Norwich, and undertook the care of her husband's three children  by a former wife, Hannah Mary Randall, who died September 3, 1858.  These children were Adella P. Wescott, wife of the late Dr. L.J. Brooks; Mae E Wescott, now Mrs. J.B. Gibbs, of Guilford, and Charles R. Wescott, of Clinton, Ill.  To them she became a fond mother and devoted to them a loving care that could not have been surpassed had they been her own.  To Mr. and Mrs. Wescott was born a daughter, now Mrs. Clarence A. Snow, of Norwich.  Mr. Wescott died June 13, 1889.  Mrs. Wescott is survived by a sister, Mrs. O.D. Sackett, of Paxton, Ill. and two brothers, Francis and James Steward, of Plymouth.  Deceased was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Rose M. Byrne

Chenango Union, December 20, 1906

After an illness of five months, Miss Rose M. Byrne, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Byrne, surrounded by her family, passed peacefully away at an early hour Sunday morning.  Miss Byrne was born at Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], November 17, 1872, where she received her education at Oxford academy, and where she lived until she removed to Norwich with her parents about eight years ago.  During all her life she has been a devout Christian and a consistent member of the Catholic church.  In the early struggles of St. Joseph's church at Oxford, when it was not apart as an independent parish, she was indefatigable in her work for every movement for the progress and prosperity of the congregation, and from her early girlhood was a member of its choir.  Since her residence in Norwich she has continued her good work, and has been particularly active as teacher in St. Paul's Sunday school, and in other ways instructing the young Catholics of Norwich in the principles of their religion.  She was generous, charitable and kind and possessed one of those loving sad lovable dispositions which endeared her to all who enjoyed her acquaintance. The good that has been wrought by such a life as here cannot adequately be expressed, and its effort will be seen in years to come in the lives of the little ones who have been reared under her watchful guidance. She was an esteemed member of St. Paul's choir, Altar Society, Rosary society and the Ladies' Auxiliary to the A.O.H., whose members will long cherish the memory of her useful life. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Byrne, two sisters, Catherine and Sarah, and three brothers, Thomas, John and James.  Her funeral was held Tuesday morning. Rev. John A. Hart officiated.  Interment in St. Paul's cemetery, Norwich.

Charles Hopkins

Chenango Union, December 27, 1906

Charles Hopkins, formerly principal of the old Norwich Academy, later the proprietor of the book store now occupied by E.L Nash and of late years engaged in the insurance business in Brooklyn, died December 16, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Norman L. Millard, North Adams, Mass.  His age was 76 years.  For 45 years Mr. Hopkins was general agent of the Equitable Life assurance society in the Metropolitan district.  His illness was of about two weeks duration. The Springfield Republican says:  "He was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, N.Y., and prepared for college at Williston seminary, taking his degree at Yale.  After his graduation, for several years he was principal of the academy at Norwich, N.Y., and later he established a bookstore in that town, and while so engaged took up life insurance work and moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., where he had since made his home.  He was a charter member of the Tompkins avenue Congregational church of Brooklyn and had always been active in church work, particularly that connected with Sunday schools.  He was married in 1868 at Norwich, N.Y., and leaves, besides his widow, three children, Mrs. N.L. Millard of North Adams, N.B. Millard of Binghamton, N.Y., and a son, Charles T. Hopkins, a graduate of Amherst last year, of Brooklyn, N.Y."  Mr. Hopkins was a classmate at Yale of Samuel Scoville, and it was largely through his influence that Mr. Scoville was called to the pastorate of the First Congregational church, which he served so long.

Robert D. McGarity

1883 - 1948

Robert D. McGarity Sr., 65, of 27 Court street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital early Tuesday after a brief illness.  He had been a resident of Norwich for the past 50 years.  Born in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], May 11, 1883 he was the son of the late James and Mary Baulf McGarity.  He started work with the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad as a young man.  It was during this time that he lost his right leg as a result of a railroad accident at Sidney, 38 years ago and following which he retired from the O.&W.  He then entered the retail grocery business and operated the O.&W. restaurant in West Railroad street for a period of 20 years. For the past year he has served as manager of the Taranto Liquor Store in Henry street.  His wife, Agnes Russell McGarity preceded him in death on January 13, 1940.  Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Curnalia; two sons, James E. McGarity and Robert D. McGarity and four grandchildren, all of Norwich; and one sister, Mrs. Vernice Welch of Syracuse.  Funeral services were held from the George J. Devine Funeral Home Thursday afternoon at 2, Rev. Thomas G. Swales, pastor of the Broad Street Methodist church officiating.  Interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].