Obituaries (February 3)

Alston E. Hotchkiss

Utica Saturday Globe, November 1907

 

 

Alston E. Hotchkiss

1845 - 1907

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Alston E. Hotchkiss, formerly for a number of years a leading photographer of Chenango county, died suddenly at noon Monday in the railroad depot at Rotterdam as he was about to take his departure from the place.  Last week, Mr. Hotchkiss, accompanied by his wife, left his home here to go south to spend the winter in Florida.  They had been in Rotterdam for a few days' visit with his daughter, Mrs. Dr. McGrath, and were about to resume their journey southward when the fatal illness overtook him.  His health had been failing for the past two or three years from an affection of the heart.  The deceased was born in Greene [Chenango Co., NY] May 4, 1846, the son of Jerry and Fanny Hotchkiss. About 35 years ago he came to Norwich and engaged in the manufacture of portable photograph galleries, one of which he set up in this village and conducted so successfully that it grew into an established business and led to the erection of the substantial brick block on Broad street now bearing his name.  He followed the occupation of photographer until three years' ago, spending his summers in a studio at Sylvan Beach, where he owned several cottages, being one of the pioneer property holders and deeply interested in the development of that summer resort.  For 23 years he had been a summer resident of the Beach.  He also owned extensive real estate interests in Norwich.  On November 24, 1870 Mr. Hotchkiss married Miss Emma F. Brainard, of Hubbardsville.  One daughter, Mrs. Stella McGrath of Rotterdam, N.Y., was born of this marriage.  Mrs. Hotchkiss died in September, 1898.  On May 23, 1906 he married Mrs. Frances Van Ness, of Great Bend, Pa., who survives him.  Besides whom and his daughter, Mrs. McGrath, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Emogene Belcher, of Greene, and Mrs. Adella Tonkin, of Buffalo.  Funeral services were held from his late home, corner of North Broad and Rexford streets Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Wilson Treible officiating.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]

 

Kirk

Chenango Union, January 17, 1907

It is seldom that there are two funerals in a place of the size of Kirk on the same day, but on Monday, Jan. 14, the funeral of Andrew Keator was held at the residence of C.E. Steward at one o'clock and the same day at 2:30 o'clock the services consisting of a prayer and singing was held at the residence of James Underwood for his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Loring Underwood.  The remains were taken to Breese's undertaking rooms where they remained over night and Tuesday were taken to Union where the funeral services and burial took place.

Andrew Keator

Chenango Union, January 17, 1907

On Friday morning, Jan. 11th, at the residence of his step-daughter, Mrs. Charles Steward of Kirk [Chenango Co., NY], occurred the death of Andrew Keator, of heart trouble after an illness of four weeks.  Mr. Keator was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, N.Y., on Sept. 17, 1838.  He was one of a family of nine children two brothers having died several years ago, one dying in the army.  36 years ago Mr. Keator was united by marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Keator who survives him and is left to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband.  Besides the widow, two brothers and five sisters and two step-children, Mrs. Charles Steward of Kirk and Jay Keator of Norwich, survive him.  Mr. Keator was a farmer and until three years ago has lived upon a farm in Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] but owing to poor health he gave up farming and three years ago he went to live at Kirk where he has made many friends by living up to his motto which was "Do to others as you would be done by" and being always ready to help those who needed help.  He was honest and upright in all his dealings and won friends wherever he was.  His many friends and acquaintances will deeply sympathize with the afflicted family in this their sad bereavement.  Mr. Keator was a great reader and was well informed upon current events and was well informed upon the scripture, having read the Bible through several times.  He bore his severe illness with patience and was never heard to murmur.  Mr. Keator has been a member of the N.P.L. for 8 years and members of that organization acted as bearers at the funeral which was held on Monday, Jan. 14th at the residence of Charles Steward.  The services were conducted by Elder Vought of Preston.  The Dickerson family of South Plymouth sang some appropriate pieces.  The funeral was well attended showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held by his many friends and acquaintances. The burial was made at Pharsalia Center.

Elizabeth Loring Underwood

Chenango Union, January 17, 1907

Died, in Kirk [Chenango Co., NY], at the residence of her son, James Underwood, Mrs. Elizabeth Loring Underwood, aged 77 years.  Mrs. Underwood was born at Hayaham, Mass., May 3, 1829.  She was a daughter of the late Rev. Horatio Loring of Utica.  On May 19, 1850 she was united by marriage to James Underwood.  To this couple three children were born, two sons and a daughter, all of whom survive her and are left to mourn the loss of a good Christian mother.  In her youth she was converted and early united with the Baptist denomination where she was always interested and a great worker in the church to which she belonged and to which she was a faithful member at her death.  Some four years ago she had the misfortune to lose her eyesight.  About the middle of last July she came to live with her son, James, of this place, where she has been tenderly cared for during her illness which she bore with Christian fortitude, often expressing her readiness to depart this life.  The funeral was held at Utica on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and the burial was made in Forest Hill cemetery at Utica [Oneida Co., NY].

Michael Murphy

Chenango Union, January 17, 1907

Michael Murphy, engineer on the Ontario & Western formerly, residing in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] was run over in the Oneida yard Saturday afternoon receiving injuries from which he died immediately.  Mr. Murphy left Oswego early Saturday morning.  His train was delayed by a freight wreck and was late in arriving at Oneida.  The coal supply on the engine was low, and it was run into the coal pocket to take on enough fuel to continue the trip to Norwich.  While the engine was being coaled, Mr. Murphy stepped down on the fireman's side and seeing a large lump of coal lying on the track, picked it up and tossed it into the gangway, saying to the fireman "here's a lump of coal for you."  So far as is now known these were his last words.  The yard crew was switching a string of coal cars on the track beside the engine.  The string was shoved down the track and must have struck Mr. Murphy from the rear. The cars passed entirely over his body, severing the right leg and crushing the right side of his body and right arm.  He was found unconscious on the tracks and taken aboard the switch engine to the passenger station where the company surgeon, Dr. Cavana, was called.  The injured man was beyond relief, however, and died within ten minutes without recovering consciousness.  There were no witnesses of the accident.  Mr. Murphy was about 45 years of age.  He leaves two sons, Engineer William Murphy and Joseph Murphy, and a daughter, Mrs. Joseph Doyle, all of Oswego.  He is also survived by a wife, residing in Oswego.  The funeral services were held from his home in Oswego Tuesday morning, at 9:30 o'clock.  A special train was run from Norwich to accommodate those wishing to attend the funeral.  Mr. Murphy was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and of Norwich Council, Knights of Columbus.