Obituaries (February 17)

Jefferson W. Carr

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1909

 

Jefferson W. Carr

1836 - 1909

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  While acting as sentinel for Norwich Commandery, Knights Templar, during the ceremony of conferring degrees of the order, Jefferson W. Carr was stricken with heart failure and died in the Masonic Hall surrounded by loyal friends, among whom none had been more loyal or faithful than he.  Mr. Carr was born in Hartwick, Otsego county, April 29, 1836, the son of James and Mary Pope Carr.  He was a grandson of Capt. Robert Carr, of revolutionary fame.  When a lad of 10 years he came to Norwich to live and until his death made this village his home.  At the outbreak of the civil war he was one of the first to enlist in Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment, New York State Volunteer Infantry, which became known as the "Ellsworth Avengers."  During his active service of more than three years he went through 40 pitched battles besides innumerable scrimmages without serious injury.  Out of an original membership of over 1,100 his regiment closed its service with less than 90 men.  By trade Mr. Carr was a tinsmith, one of the best in the State.  For a number of years he conducted a tinshop and hardware business, but of recent years he had done only special work in his line, where exceptional skill was required.  He was a natural optimist and looked on the bright side of life.  Although he had suffered greatly for months he never complained, but was always patient and cheerful.  Upright, frank and square in all of his dealings, he was especially happy in his home life.  In fraternal ranks Mr. Carr stood high.  He was made a Mason in Norwich lodge, No. 302, F.&A.M., in 1871, and became a member of Norwich Commandery, No. 46, Knights Templar, in 1872. He was also a member of Harmony Chapter, No. 151, R.A.M. of Chenango Consistory, No. 31, P.R.S.; of Norwich Chapter, No. 367, O.E.S. and was a charter member of E.B. Smith Post, No. 83, G.A.R.  For the past 10 years he had been tiler and sentinel of the Norwich Masonic bodies and as such had made a record rarely equaled for faithfulness of service.  For many years Mr. Carr had been a faithful member of the Broad Street M.E. Church and had served on the Official Board of the church.  Two daughters, Maude and Grace Carr, of this village, survive him.  He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Harrison Seamans, of Hartford, Conn. and three nephews, George and Robert Eaton, of Norwich, and Harry Eaton, of California.  His wife died about 10 years ago [i.e. Helen Angeline Kenyon, d. 28 June 1896].  Private funeral services, with relatives only in attendance, were held at his late home on Court street Sunday afternoon at 1:30, Rev. H.L. Ellsworth officiating.  Public services were held at Masonic Hall at 2 o'clock.  The G.A.R. service was rendered by Post Commander Sumner, assisted by Chaplain W.C. Walworth. Then followed the impressive ritual of the Knights Templar, with Sir F. Joe Schorn as commander and Sir Harvey J. Daniels as prelate. The Temple Quartet sang two selections.  At the close of the ceremony the remains were taken to Mount Hope Cemetery for interment.  Norwich lodge, No. 302, F.&A.M., and Norwich Chapter, No. 367, O.E.S., acted as escort to the commandery.  The bearers were Sir W.B. Doane, Sir Charles G. Nash Sir William Haynes, Sir William H. Wells, Sir Linn H. Babcock and Sir Edward S. Moore, all past commanders of Norwich Commandery.

 

Mary J. Hunt, 1873 - 1907

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

At the home of her father, Andrew J. Hunt, No. 37 Henry street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Friday, March 15, occurred the death of Mary J. Hunt, aged thirty-three years.  Funeral services were held from the home Monday afternoon.  [buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich, NY]

 

Gladys Marjorie Drake, 1899 - 1907

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Gladys, the seven-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James B. Drake died Sunday morning.  Private funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Rev. J.L. Ray, D.D. officiating. The body was placed in Mt. Hope vault.  [Buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich, NY]

 

Alice M. (North) Halbert, 1848 - 1907

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Alice M., wife of Henry H. Halbert died Friday morning at her home on Silver street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], aged 59 years.  She was a daughter of the late E.H. and Sarah Brown North, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], and has been a resident of Norwich for about 35 years.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, Rev. I.W. Bingham, officiating.  [Buried Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich, NY]

 

Lady Upton

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Lady Upton, the aged trotting mare owned by Caldwell Chamberlain of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], died Tuesday, March 12.  Mr. Chamberlain gives her age at about 42 years. At one time she was queen of the turf in Central New York and won for her owner much money and for herself fame. She was buried Wednesday in the corner of the lot opposite the depot and the foundation placed at the head of her grave for a monument, which Mr. Chamberlain purchased some time ago and will now have lettered and set up.

 

Adline Breed

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Mrs. Adline Breed died Tuesday, March 18, after an illness of two weeks.  Aged 81 years.  Since the death of her husband, Palmer Breed, she has lived with her two sons. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church of this place, always faithful in attendance, until the infirmities of old age, prevented her from attending.  She leaves to mourn her departure, two sons, Harvey and Allen and two daughters, Mrs. Fred Martin of Oxford, and Mrs. George Hall.  Her funeral was at her late home, Rev. A. Barrows officiating.

 

George W. Cruser

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Commenting on the recent death of George W. Cruser, a well known colored man who was formerly employed in the family of Hon. Daniel S. Dickenson, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], the Binghamton Republican says:  Mr. Cruser will be remembered by the people who were here forty years ago.  He was the leading colored man of this region, and was regarded as a leader among colored leaders.  It was understood for some reason, and perhaps it was true, that he had read law with Mr. Dickenson and been admitted to practice. But his name never appeared among the attorneys as a member of the Broome county bar.  He was intelligent and affable, and generally used the English language correctly.  If he was ever admitted to practice law he probably never had a client, as his color would be a hindrance to him in thus community, where negroes were few and too poor to have business for a lawyer.

 

Samuel Arnold Hopkins, 1832 - 1907

Chenango Union, March 21, 1907

Deacon Samuel A. Hopkins died at his home near the reservoir on Friday, March 15, aged 74 years, after a short illness following a severe attack of paralysis.  Funeral services were held on Monday, Rev. Daniel W. Dexter officiating.  Burial was at Mt.  Hope [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  The deceased was born in the town of Norwich and was one of a family of eight children, of whom four survive, William Hopkins, of Smyrna, Mrs. Emma Samson, of Earlville, Mrs. Martha Weller, of Sidney and Mrs. Abbie Hodgins, of Kansas.  He is survived by a widow, formerly Miss Mary Graves.  Mr. Hopkins was a life-long member of the Congregational church and for years has been one of its deacons.  After 74 years of busy life, Samuel Arnold Hopkins peacefully entered into rest March 15, 1907.  Mr. Hopkins was identified with this community all his life.  He was born upon his farm just east of the village where he has always lived.  He was thoroughly identified with Norwich and was well known to a large circle of friends, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.  The death of Mr. Hopkins removes a type of citizen whose decease is a distinct loss.  Honorable and exact in all affairs of business, his influence was always in behalf of the good name and welfare of the community.  A farmer all his life he honored his calling by intelligent and persistent industry and gained thereby its material rewards.  his home close by Norwich on East Hill was a model farm house.  It's well kept lawn and buildings in perfect repair revealed Mr. Hopkin's character of self-respect, independence and thrift.  Mr. Hopkins was among the oldest members of the Congregational church of which he became a member when a young man in 1857.  As a church man he displayed the same elements of sturdy character which he revealed in everything with which he was identified.  No one was more faithful in attendance for worship.  He was ever prompt and liberal according to his means in support of the church, and at the time of his death was serving as deacon to which office had had been chosen to serve for life.  Of him it can be truly said--His was

An honored life, a peaceful end,

And Heaven to crown it all

Mr. Hopkins was one of a family of ten children born to Frederick and Polly Hopkins.  In 1863, on September 15, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Graves, who survives him.  He is also survived by one brother William Hopkins of Smyrna, three sisters, Martha Weller of Sidney, Mrs. Abby Hodgens of Kansas, and Mrs. Emma Samson of Earlville.