Obituaries (March 4)

Levi Shepard

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1910

 

 

Levi Shepard

1818 - 1910

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  On Saturday last, at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. John E. Hurlbut, on West Main street, Levi Shepard passed away at the age of 91 years.  Mr. Shepard was born in Hamilton [Madison Co., NY] June 22, 1818.  At the age of 21 he had learned the tailor's trade and came to Norwich.  He was first employed by Roswell Curtis and afterwards took charge of the tailoring department of the general store of Benjamin Slater.  Later he formed a partnership with a Mr. Kellogg and conducted a store on North Main street as it was then called.  In 1866 he moved to Appleton, Wis., and a year later to Aurora, Ill. where for a number of years he engaged in the drug business in partnership with his son-in-law, Dr.  Hurlbut.  Shortly after the big fire in Chicago in 1871, Mr. Shepard moved to that city and for 25 years was with Charles P. Kellogg & Company, manufacturers of clothing.  Later, until failing health compelled him to give up active business, he was employed with his son, the late Henry O. Shepard, the publisher and proprietor of the Inland Printer.  In 1906 he returned to Norwich in company with Dr. Hurlbut and took up their residence at 54 West Main street which was the homestead of Dr. Hurlbut's father and family.  On November 19, 1843, Mr. Shepard married Caroline Olendorf, of Afton. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary last November.  Back in the 50's he joined the old Methodist Chruch and became one of the officers.  He was a member of the original hook and ladder company organized in Norwich. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepard were born four children.  The sons were George M. Shepard and Henry O. Shepard now deceased, and his daughter, Mary Ellen, wife of Dr. John E. Hurlbut, and Carrie Adele, wife of Henry M. Strawn, of Cleveland, Ohio. The living grandchildren are Mrs. Merton l. Hunt of Norwich, Mrs. Clara Brinkerhoff, of Chicago and Robert Allen of Cleveland. Two great-grandchildren are the son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Dr. Ellsworth officiating.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Mary Miranda (Benedict) Minor

 died in 1887

We copy the following from the Oil City, (Pa.), Derrick, in regard to the death of Mrs. Nelson Minor, formerly of this place:  Mrs. Nelson Minor died at her residence on First street at 6 o’clock Thursday evening.  The lady had been sick with measles for several days, but her condition was not considered dangerous.  At 4 o’clock Monday afternoon, Jan. 17, she had a fainting spell and then the nature of her illness changed to congestion of the lungs, which hastened her death.  Her age was 61 years, 10 months, and 4 days.  She leaves a husband and four children to mourn her loss. [MHD News Clippings, Feb. 4, 1887]

Jennie Houck Searles

Norwich Sun, November 23, 1921

Mrs. Jennie M. Searles, widow of Robert A. Searles, died suddenly while participating in the Eastern Star post matrons' night,  Nov. 14 at Masonic Hall.  Dr. Dodge, who was present, declared death to have been instantaneous.  The body was removed to her late home and  the exercises suspended.  Mrs. Searles was a long time resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  She is survived by one son, George of Binghamton.  The funeral services were held last Thursday at 2 o'clock from the Baptist Church. 

Alvin J. Newton

Bainbridge Republican, June 14, 1899

The death of Alvin J. Newton, occurred last Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, bringing about the culmination of a period of bitter suffering lasting for nearly four years.  Mr. Newton had been afflicted with Bright’s disease and he was first stricken while he was holding a good position in North Adams, Mass., in 1895, and he came to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], his old home, to ward off the impending fatality, but its ravages were too severe.  “Al” as he was familiarly known was born in the town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], June 29, 1857.  He first came to Bainbridge to reside in 1885, where he remained for two years having a position with the old Bainbridge Shoe Company.  After that institution became defunct he was employed in Binghamton, Pittsfield and North Adams, Mass.  the beginning of Mr. Newton’s disease is attributed to his strict confinement and industry in his business.  The deceased was a young man, well liked and highly respected throughout the community.  His friends were many and each one extended deepest sympathy during his sickness.  His brother, Saxa Newton and other members of the family provided the best medical skill and nursed him with the greatest care and devotion, but the malady was one that no human aid could arrest.  This spring Saxa, his brother, rented a small place across the river and with his sister Hannah Newton, removed the sufferer from his boarding place in the village, hoping that the retirement would effect a beneficial change in his health.  At first he did rally and improve but two weeks ago he became worse and from that time fast wasted away.  “Al’ was popular and in the spring of 1898 was elected town clerk by a large majority, which office he held for one year.  The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at one o’clock, Rev. Mr. Grant of the episcopal church officiating.  The interment was in the Episcopal cemetery in this village.  The deceased is survived by his father, Ira Newton, of Morris, and three brothers and four sisters:  Saxe Newton of this village, George Newton of Sidney, William Newton of Kirkwood, Broome co., Mrs. Sara Witmore of Oneonta, Mrs. Lovina Blakely of Morris, Mrs. Sennie Porter of Oxford, and Hannah Newton of Bainbridge. 

Saxa Newton

Sidney Record, June 14, 1905

The interment in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] last Monday afternoon, 9^th inst., of the late Saxa S. Newton, was an event of deep sorrow to the family and friends in this village, where for many years he was engaged in the clothing and hotel business, moving to Binghamton several years ago and lastly locating in business in Norwich.  About four years ago Mr. Newton began ailing and gradually grew worse until last February, when he gave up business and retired to his home in Binghamton.  He was highly respected by a large circle of warm friends, genial, companionable and straight forward in all his dealing.  Services were held at the family home in Binghamton Monday morning and remains brought to Bainbridge by motor hearse.  His survivors are his wife Marietta;  a stepdaughter, Mrs. J.A. Russell of Niagara Falls, Canada;  a brother, George Newton of Sidney and two sisters, Mrs. Hannah Stewart of Oneonta and Mrs. Vina Blakeslee of Otego.  This family affliction is shared by many sympathetic friends,  Out of a family of ten, only three now survive.

Hannah Newton Stewart

Sidney Record, November 25, 1937

Mrs. Hannah Newton Stewart passed away suddenly Sunday night at about 11:00 o'clock, at the Gilbert street home of her nieces, the Misses Grace and Alma Newton.  Born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] in March, 1851, she was the daughter of Ira and Didama (Stafford) Newton.  She was united in marriage with Edward Stewart and they went to Oneonta to reside.  Several years ago she came to Sidney to make her home with her nieces and in her eve time of life was tenderly cared for.  Mrs. Stewart was a member of the Sidney Methodist Episcopal church where she was an active worker as long as health permitted.  Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Vina Bleakesley of Otego, the nieces above mentioned, and three nephews, Raymond Newton of Schenectady, and Alvin Newton of Sidney and James Newton of Syracuse.  Funeral servcies were conducted from the Carr-Hare funeral parlors in Sidney at 2:00 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. W.E. Elwood of the Methodist Episcopal church, officiating.  Interment in the family plot in St. Peter's cemetery Bainbridge.