Obituaries (February 23)

John L. Brooks

Utica Saturday Globe, March 1909

 

John L. Brooks

1820 - 1909

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  John L. Brooks died suddenly on Saturday morning last at the home of Luther Grant in East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], aged  88 years.  Mr. Brooks was born in Unadilla Center [Otsego Co., NY], October 12, 1820, the son of Lawrence and Lydia Lamb Brooks.  His mother died when he was very young and, with his father, he returned to New Hampshire, where they resided until 1833, in which year they came to this section and settled in McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], where the remainder of his life was largely passed.  The men of the Brooks family, preceding him, had all been blacksmiths and he naturally took to that trade, following it for 24 years or until 1869, in McDonough.  During that period he for three years owned and successfully conducted the Sanford Fork Works, located in McDonough.  From 1869 to 1881 he was in the general blacksmithing and wagon making business on Mechanic street in this village in company with his son, P.L. Brooks.  In 1882, he moved back to McDonough and engaged in farming which he followed up to the time of his wife's death a little more than a year ago.  Mr. Brooks was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lucy Barrows, of McDonough, whom he married about 1844.  Two sons were born of this union, Percival L. and Maitland E. Brooks, now residents of Norwich.  Mrs. Brooks died in 1876 and in 1877 he married Mrs. Caroline Wiswell, of Norwich.  She died in 1908 and since her death he had made his home with his old friend, Luther Grant preferring the quiet of the country and desiring to spend his remaining days near the old home which he loved better than any other spot, though he frequently visited Norwich to spend a few days with his sons.  Besides his sons, he is survived by one brother, Langdon Brooks, of Smithville, a half-sister, Mrs. Louisa Hand, of Castle Creek, Broome county, and a brother-in-law, S.J. Barrows, who lives in Utica, and is the only surviving member of the family of the first Mrs. Brooks.  Mr. Brooks was one of the best known and leading residents of this section.  he was a sterling Democrat and during his active years had been interested in all clean political and civil affairs.  He became a church member about 50 and had served the Congregational Church at McDonough as deacon for many years.  He was a great reader, keeping posted on the news of the outside world as well as on things near home.  He voted at the last election, being in his 88th year.  He was an indulgent father, a kind husband and a good friend and neighbor.  March 8 services in memory of Mr. Brooks were held at Luther Grant's house at 10 a.m. and at the Congregational Church in McDonough at 11 o'clock, Rev. W.W. Watrous having charge.  The burial was  made in the McDonough Cemetery.

L.H. Tyrrell

Afton Enterprise, April 2, 1886

L.H. Tyrrell, a prominent lumberman of Harpersville [Broome Co., NY], died at his residence in that village Monday last.  Mr. Tyrrell belonged to the Masonic order, and Afton lodge, F.&A.M. attended his funeral which was held Wednesday of this week.  Deceased was the father of Mrs. John Carr, of this place.

Joseph Lonergan, 1840 - 1886

Afton Enterprise, April 2, 1886

Joseph Lonergan a well known hotel proprietor of Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY], died at his home in that place, Monday morning, aged forty-eight years.  He had been in poor health for some time.  [Buried Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney, NY]

Miss Ann Vernette Meade, 1839-1886

Afton Enterprise, April 2, 1886 

Miss A.V. Meade, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], died at her home in that place Tuesday afternoon of last week, aged 48 years.  She was connected with the Academy at Greene and had a large circle of friends. [Buried Sylvan Lawn Cemetery, Greene, NY]

Elizabeth A. Andrews, May 8, 1821 - Mar. 29, 1886

Afton Enterprise, April 2, 1886

Miss Elizabeth A. Andrews, a highly respected lady of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], was instantly killed while crossing the D.L.&W. railroad, Monday morning.  She was on her way to the post office and in order to reach Main street, where she took a street car to ride over to town, she was obliged to cross the Erie and D.L.&W. railway tracks.  After crossing the Erie track, a freight train passed over that road and it is supposed the rumble of that train prevented her from hearing trains approaching the crossing on the D.L.&W. tracks.  As she approached the D.L.& W. tracks from the north, she could not see any train that might come in from the west, owing to several flat cars, piled with lumber and standing on side tracks, that obstructed the railway crossing.  Just as she had stepped around these flat cars and upon the western bound track of the D.L.&W. an express train came rushing along and the train caught her.  She was struck upon her left side and thrown upon the cow catcher, which carried her about two hundred feet, when she rolled off between the tracks.  Chas. A Weed, who was at work where the catastrophe occurred, in company with several others, hastened to the spot where Miss Andrews fell from the guard.  Upon their arrival they found that life was extinct.  Upon examination it was found that the left ankle had been broken, that the skull had been fractured above the right and left temples, and the neck had been broken.  The deceased was 64 years of age, and formerly resided in Norwich this county [Chenango Co., NY].  [Buried Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, NY]

Louisa M. Marion

Chenango Union, April 25, 1907

Monday evening, Louisa M. Marion, died at her home on Hayes street, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  For upwards of a year she has been in ill health, suffering from a severe nervous depression, brought on by over work.  Prevented from taking part in the active business life she had led for the last seventeen years, she became despondent and suffered greatly mentally.  Monday forenoon, she was found unconscious from the effects of Laudanum, which she had evidently drank for the purpose of self destruction.  Physicians were hastily summoned and everything that medical skill and science could suggest was done.  But to no avail. She gradually grew weaker until the end came and the tireless worker was at rest.  Louisa M. Marion was born in the adjoining town of Preston [Chenango Co., NY] on June 12, 1856.  She was the oldest daughter of the late Henry P. Marion and his wife Susan A. Riddell.  In 1864, she removed with her parents to this village, where the rest of her life has been spent.  She was educated in our schools, being a particularly bright and accurate scholar.  She received her diploma with the second class graduated by our High school.  After graduating she engaged in teaching for five years, the last four as teacher in Fair street school.  She resigned her place in the schools because of ill health.  In May, 1890, her father, former Supervisor Henry P. Marion, who for many years had been engaged in the meat business in this village, retired by reason of the infirmities of oncoming age.  Miss Marion announced her purpose to continue the business under her own exclusive management.  Such an undertaking by a woman was a new departure and many were doubtful and were free with the opinion that disaster was sure to come to her.  She, however, asked no favors because she was a woman, but only that she be treated as another person in business should be and given the same chance. From the beginning her venture was successful.  Her untiring attention to all its details, her skill in buying and catering to the tastes of her customers, her promptness and ready good nature, her generosity and loyalty to her friends, her strict honesty and square dealing kept all of her father's old customers and brought her many new ones.  For seventeen years she has been at the front in her line of business, and has reaped well [resulting] in substantial rewards.  About two [years ago] she purchased the Hale property on Hayes street and fitted it and occupied it as a home.  Personally, she had a wide acquaintance, was of a free and generous nature, possessed a quick wit and met every one with a ready, unaffected manner, yet ever maintained a certain dignity that compelled respect. The secret of her unceasing success was largely due to this in her nature--she put all her energy into whatever she did.  She is survived by her mother, one sister, Mrs. Hattie M. Dibble and sister-in-law, Mrs. Jessie A. Marion, who has been untiring in her devotion.  Her funeral was attended Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock from her late residence on Hayes street, Rev. Wilson Treible officiating.  Burial in the family plot in Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].