Obituaries (April 18)

Grace (Bryant) Tobey

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1913

 

Grace (Bryant) Tobey

1880 - 1913

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  News of the sudden death of Mrs. Merton B. Tobey at St. Mary's Hospital in Philadelphia Saturday reached Norwich the same afternoon.  Her condition on Friday evening was so favorable that Mr. Tobey left Philadelphia on a business trip and it was Sunday evening before Norwich friends succeeded in locating him.  the remains arrived in Norwich on Tuesday afternoon.  The deceased was born in 1880, the daughter of Charles H. and Rose Bryant, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].  The greater share of her life had been spent in Norwich, where on October 8, 1902, she married Merton B. Tobey.  Her untimely death is deeply regretted by many friends.  Besides her husband, Mrs. Tobey is survived by her father, Charles H. Bryant, of Iowa, and by three brothers, Joseph A Bryant, of Butte, Mont.; Arthur C. Bryant, of Philadelphia, and Harry Bryant, of Colorado.  Funeral services were held from the residence on North Broad street on Thursday afternoon, Rev. Paul Riley Allen officiating.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Sarah Ann (Smith) Briggs

Northern Christian Advocate, Auburn, NY, April 2, 1845

Departed this life, in hopes of a glorious immortality in Milo, Yates Co., N.Y., Jan. 21, 1845, Mrs. Sarah Ann Briggs, wife of Mr. Thomas Briggs, and daughter of Avery and Lament Smith, aged 23 years.  The subject of this brief notice in childhood was blessed with a truly pious mother, who labored to bring her up "in the --- and admonitions of the Lord," and whose efforts were not altogether in vain. The precepts thus taught and the example given undoubtedly exerted a favorable influence on the formation of her youthful character.  For even in the morning of life, she evinced that mildness of disposition, and those attractive manners which, together with her increasing intelligence won for her the warm and lasting friendship of all who knew her.  Not far from the age of a teen, in answer to the prayers of that devoted parent, under the labors of Revds. William Jones and Alten Steele, she was brought to feel the importance of attending to the interests of her spirit.  Having a view of her condition as a lost and ruined sinner, exposed to the wrath of God, with a sincere and penitent heart she threw herself by faith upon the atonement and obtained the forgiveness of all her sins.  Soon after this, she became attached to the M.E. Church, of which she continued a consistent and worthy member, until by death released from earth and called to higher joys above. Though pleasant and lovely previous to her conversion, yet when the gospel had thrown its charms around her, and the transforming power of grace was brought to bear upon her soul, bringing all of the affections and faculties into subjection to the will of Christ, then it was that the humbleness of her Christian character was seen with peculiar and increasing luster.  And indeed, through all her subsequent life was seen that evenness of temper, that decision of character, and that consistency of religious action so plainly inculcated in the scriptures of divine truth.  Of sister Briggs, it may truly be said, that she was a "bright and shining light," an ornament to society and a practical Christian, one whose example might be safely imitated.  To this sister, may be traced the secret of that constant and steady enjoyment with which she seemed always favored.  Though like many of the "sorrowing ones of earth"  her pathway was through "afflictions deep, " and she was able to trust in the strong for strength and in the wise for wisdom.  At three different times, the dark and gloomy waves of death slashed intensely around; first, in the removal of an affectionate mother; and subsequently, two of her own dear children; but, with the patience and meekness of a Christian, she was enabled to bear it all, and murmured not nor "charged God intensely."  During the repeated trials connected with her stay on earth, she found the Lord to be a present help in time of need, and a refuge from the gathering storm.  For a few years previous to her dissolution, she seemed to have a presentiment that the event was nigh, and especially so, when attacked by the disease which terminated her existence on earth.  While laboring under the deceptive and wasting influence of pulmonary consumption for nearly nine months, she manifested an uncommon degree of patience and resignation.  When the writer first visited this afflicted sister, he felt that God was with her, and the place was like the "gate of heaven." She seemed

"Privileged above me common walls

Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven"

And at each subsequent visit, we were benefitted ourselves--our confidence was increased in the saving power of the gospel.  Upon different occasions and to different individuals, she expressed much confidence in God, and many expressions uttered savored much of heaven.  In answer to questions proposed by the writer, she repeatedly said she had no fears and was perfectly resigned to the will of God.  At one time she said she would not change situations with anyone who was in perfect health; and at another time she said, "I am almost home."  As one of her relatives, and a brother in the Church, called on her and in view of her sufferings said, "You poor creature," she replied, "Why do you call me poor?" and added, "I am not afraid to die; I have been getting ready for this."  A few days previous to her death, all present thought the moment had come, and she said to her brother, who stood by her bedside anxious to catch every word that fell from her lips, "Tell my friends that I have gone to heaven, and this is the happiest moment I ever enjoyed."  But she appeared to revive awhile, and continued in the same happy frame of mind for four or five days, until Jesus saw fit to call her home; and just as the spirit was evidently leaving the body, she looked up and said "This is death."  She has left a husband and one child, and a numerous train of relatives to mourn; but their loss is her eternal gain.    R.T. Hancock, Milo Centre, Mar. 11, 1845

Louis C. Brookins

 

 

Louis C. Brookins

1880 - 1943

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Louis C. Brookins, 63, Norwich Fire Chief, died at 5 p.m. today after an illness of eight weeks.  In active service with the Norwich fire department for the past 45 years, Mr. Brookins was elected chief of the department on Nov. 11, 1913, and served in that capacity until his death.  Chief Brookins was a train dispatcher for the New York Ontario & Western Railroad until his retirement in the Fall of 1941.  He was a member of the Chenango County Firemen's Association, the Central New York Firemen's Association, the International Fire Chiefs' Association and a life-long member of the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Association.  In May, 1942, he was elected second vice president of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs.  He became a member of the Ontario Hose company Sept. 12, 1898, and was first assistant chief to 1906.  Mr. Brookins was a member of the Norwich Lodge of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Norwich Loyal Order of Moose.  Born April 21, 1880, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Brookins of Chenango Lake. he is survived by his widow, May C. Brookins; two daughters, Mrs. Marion A. Jensen and Mrs. Amy G. Loeffler, both of Norwich; three sons, Nelson and Louis J. Brookins of Norwich and Pvt. Robert, Brookins, who is now stationed at Newfoundland.  Also surviving are two brothers, Nelson Brookins of South Plymouth and Arthur Brookins of Norwich; one nephew, Chenango County Sheriff Leland M. Brookins, and 11 grandchildren.  The body has been removed to the Breese Funeral Home at Norwich.  Arrangements for burial will be announced later.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, February 25, 1875

TAYLOR:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 17, Mrs. Jane Taylor, widow of the late Alfred Taylor, aged 51 years.

HAXTON:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], at the residence of his sister, Mrs. A.R. Bryant, Feb. 16th, Mr. Chauncey Haxton of Fowlerville, Livingston Co., formerly of Sherburne, a brother of Andrew Haxton of Norwich. Aged 80 years, 8 months.

PHELPS:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 20th Isaac Phelps, Esq., aged 78 years.

CLEVELAND:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 22, 1875 Mr. Alexander Cleveland, aged 52.

CRANDALL:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 12th, Mr. Caleb Crandall, aged 65 years, 10 months, 17 days. 

BROWN:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY] Feb. 19, 1875, Mr. Pardon Brown, aged 85 years.

MAYHEW:  In South N. Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 15th, Mr. Wm. Mayhew, aged 92 years and for 65 years, a citizen of that town.