Obituaries (April 11)

Alpha Morse

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1912

 

 

Alpha Morse

1847 - 1911

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Seldom has the uncertainty of human life been more startlingly exemplified than in this village in the untimely taking off of Alpha Morse on December 30 [1911].  Only a few minutes previous he was at work, and so far as known, as well as ever. Those who met him on the street and at the postoffice that morning thought not for a moment they were seeing him for the last time.  Mr. Morse was to assist a neighbor, Louis Manzer, that morning, and had been there but a few minutes when without warning, he fell over dead from heart failure. Three years ago he had a serious illness from which he had never fully recovered.  His death occurred only a short distance from his home on Columbia street.  The deceased was the son of Hezekiah B. and Clarissa Symonds Morse, and was born July 3, 1847, on the Morse homestead near the village limits, where he resided until two years ago, when he and his brother, Edward, disposed of the farm and came into the village to reside. They pursued dairying in a practical manner and engaged in raising thoroughbred shorthorn cattle purely for dairy quantities.  Mr. Morse had an exhibit of cattle at the World's Fair in Chicago, where he was employed for several months.  He was a public spirited man and a staunch Republican in politics. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners and was a good and faithful man in that position as in all offices he held.  He had been president of the village Board of Trustees, of which he has been a member for several terms.  He was an Odd Fellow, being a member of Canasawacta lodge of Norwich, and of Norwich Encampment. For a number of years he compiled crop statistics in Chenango county for the United States government.  Mr. Morse is survived by his wife Maria Duffee Morse, whom he married in 1886; one son, Dr. A. Raymond Morse, and a brother, Edward P. Morse, both of this village.  One son, John R., died in infancy.  The grandfather of Mr. Morse, Hezekiah Broad Morse, was a native of Sherburne, Mass., who settled in Easton, Madison county, in 1804.  He was a communicant of the Episcopal Church, and as there was no congregation of that persuasion in the vicinity of Eaton, he came to this village in 1819 to reside that he might worship in that faith.  He purchased of Daniel Denison, Valley View Farm, which up to two years ago had remained in the Morse family.  His death also occurred suddenly in 1827. Alpha Morse's father, Hezekiah B. Morse, was 3 years old when he came to Oxford with his father.  He was a practical farmer and commanded the respect of his neighbors and townspeople.  The funeral was held at the house January 2, Rev. R.A. Gates officiating. The burial service at Riverview Cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY] was conducted by the independent Order of Odd Fellows.

 

Adelbert H. Babcock

Afton Enterprise, March 5, 1914

Adelbert H. Babcock, one of the most prominent citizens of Brookfield [Madison Co., NY] died, while riding in a sleigh from Leonardsville to Brookfield, Friday afternoon.  Mr Babcock, who was the Overseer of the Poor had been in Leonardsville performing the work of his office.  He was accompanied by Edwin Saunders, his hired man, who drove the horses. When the men left Leonardsville, Mr. Babcock appeared in his usual health, which, however, had not been the best since he sustained a shock a year ago. When about half way home Saunders noticed that his companion was not very lively, but attributed his quietness to his health, and so said nothing to him.  It was not until the sleigh was driven into the yard at his home that it was found that Mr. Babcock was dead.

 

Eugene B. Ryan

Chenango Union, September 5, 1907

Eugene B. Ryan, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], who received serious injuries several weeks ago by the breaking of a hay fork, died at his home in the town of Oxford Sunday night, aged 55 years.  He was born in the town of Solon [Cortland Co., NY] but the greater part of his life has been spent in Oxford where he has been prominent in the affairs of the town and been frequently honored with responsible offices.  Funeral services were held on Wednesday at his home.  Burial was at Riverside cemetery [Oxford, NY] under the auspices of Oxford lodge, No. 175 F.&A.M. and Norwich Commandery, No. 48, K.T.

 

Mrs. George W. Brooks

Chenango Union, September 5, 1907

Mrs. George W. Brooks died at her home on East Main street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Tuesday morning, aged nearly 50 years. She was a daughter of the late John and Lucinda Kendall Snow and was born Sept. 12, 1848. She is survived by her husband and one daughter, Mrs. H.A. Curtis and by two brothers, O.M. and Thomas Snow, of Norwich.  Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, Rev. W.D.Benton, D.D., officiating.

 

Charles E. Willey

Chenango Union, September 5, 1907

Charles E. Willey, of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], who was a student at the Norwich High School a few years ago, died at Redlands, Cal. recently, his body being brought east and funeral services held at Mt. Upton.

 

Jennie (Newton) Jeffery

Chenango Union, September 5, 1907

Mrs. Jennie Newton, wife of Dr. Reuben Jeffery, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Payne, South Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Sunday evening, after an illness of only a few hours duration. Dr. and Mrs. Jeffery had spent a pleasant summer at their camp in Canada.  Mrs. Jeffery had been unusually free from the asthma with which she had suffered for years and was returning to Norwich in renewed health and vigor. She was taken ill enroute, and in response to a telegram from Dr. Jeffery a physician met them when the train reached Norwich, and accompanied Mrs. Jeffery to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Payne. She revived somewhat during the night but Sunday morning conditions changed for the worse.  A counsel of physicians pronounced the case hopeless, and at the evening hour her spirit passed out of gathering darkness into never failing light.  Mrs. Jeffery was a daughter of the late Isaac S. and Jane C.D. Newton and was born in Norwich in 1865.  She was educated in the Norwich schools and in 1886 became the wife of Dr. Jeffery soon after going to Brooklyn where she made her home until about twelve years ago, when the family returned to Norwich. She is survived by her husband and one son, Reuben, and by brothers and sisters.  Funeral services were held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Payne on Wednesday afternoon,, Rev. Daniel W. Dexter, formerly pastor of the Congregational church, officiating.  Wholehearted hospitality and sweet womanliness were characteristics which endeared Jennie Newton Jeffery to all who knew her.  Her cheerfulness and forbearance through suffering and sorrow made her left an inspiration and an encouragement to every life it touched.  Her unwearying love and devotion as wife and mother and her loyal affection as friend and companion are benedictions which cannot fail to bring sweet solace to mourning hearts.