Obituaries (April 8)

Harry Grove Sumner

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1911

 

Harry Grove Sumner

1875 - 1911

The news of the death of Harry Grove Sumner, which reached here late Saturday, was a great shock to his former Norwich associates and acquaintances.  His father, Charles A. Sumner, who was called to Passaic by his illness, returned home earlier in the week, leaving him apparently improving, but he passed away about 11:30 Saturday morning after an illness of a little more than two weeks.  On Tuesday evening, December 20, Mr. Sumner attended a meeting of the Passaic Co-operative Realty Company, of which he was the president.  After the meeting he called at the home of a friend and while there complained of feeling cold, and said he would go home to bed.  He arose the next morning but was forced to return to bed. At first his illness was thought to be an attack of the grip, that would soon pass off, but in a few days pneumonia which had been suspected by the attending physician had fully developed.  For a time his condition appeared favorable for recovery, but his constitution was too frail and on Friday all hope was abandoned.  Harry Grove Sumner was born at East Pharsalia, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], September 26, 1875, the son of Charles A. Sumner, now a resident of Norwich.  His mother was the daughter of Peter S. and Sarah R. Webster More and the middle name of the deceased was given him by his great-grandfather, Grove Webster, of Delhi, N.Y., an own cousin of Daniel and Noah Webster.  In the fall of 1880 deceased had an attack of pneumonia and only through the best of care escaped death.  His father fell ill of the same disease and recovered, but on Christmas day his mother was stricken and died on February 13, 1881.  In April, 1887, deceased came to Norwich, united with the Congregational Church and became an active worker in the Sunday school.  In 1906 he graduated from the Norwich High School and was president of his class.  He went to Brown University, but discontinued his studies there in his junior year.  For a time he was the news editor of the Norwich Sun and later went to New York, where he was connected with the Marlborough and Vendome Hotels.  he went to Passaic to take a position on the Herald, which he left in June 1904 to become city editor of the Daily News.  he was a competent, trained newspaper man and will be greatly missed by his associates on the Daily News, who always found pleasure in working with him.  Besides his father and a stepmother he leaves a wife, who was Miss Tessie Jacoby, of New York city, and two little girls, Anna and Frances.  He and his family were members of the Unitarian Church.  He was a member of Solar lodge of Odd Fellows, the Royal Arcanum, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and of the Order of America.  He was also a member of the Pica Club, the newspaper men's organization in Passaic and Bergen counties and the More family association.  The remains arrived in Norwich Monday afternoon and were taken to the home of his father.  Burial services were held Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Paul R Allen officiating.  The bearers were members of the local lodge of Odd Fellows.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]

 

Floyd Henry Wilcox

1889 - 1939

Floyd Henry Wilcox, member of the firm of Wilcox and Littlefair, died Tuesday afternoon at 3:15 at his home on the North Norwich road [Chenango Co., NY], after an extended illness.  The deceased was born in the town of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], November 30, 1889, a son of the late Nelson and Ida Wilcox, whose early passing left him an orphan while a small boy.  Early in life he learned the carpenter trade, an occupation he followed for several years.  In 1914 he was united in marriage with Florence May Webb, who now survives.  For a short time Mr. Wilcox was a resident of Brisben.  The family then moved to Oxford residing there until 1919 when they came to this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]. The deceased operated a store on Sheldon street for six years and during that period he became connected with the Craine Silo Company remaining in the employ of that concern until 1931, when he and Mrs. Wilcox entered the firm of Wilcox & Littlefair, thru the purchase of the interests of the late George W. Nagel. A man of sterling qualities, desirous of living an upright and honorable life and devotion to his high ideals, he was a dependable associate in all walks of life.  Mr. Wilcox was a great lover of children and could always be found attending to their needs and seemed happier when surrounded by a group of youngsters or assisting in buying candies that would appeal to the younger generation. he was really interested in all outdoor sports, his greatest pastime being baseball.  He could always be found at the local field and was a loyal supporter of the home team.  Left to mourn his passing are his grief stricken widow, who has been constantly at his bedside during his long illness; a sister, Mrs. George Wilcox of Oxford, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock (advanced time) from his late home on the North Norwich road, Rev. Scott D. Clark of Clarks summit, Pa., a school mate and friend of the deceased, officiating. Burial will be made in Riverview cemetery at Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

Andrew Julian Bresee

Andrew Julian Bresee, 93, former Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY] resident, died Sunday night at the home of his granddaughter.  Mrs. Evans B. Merchant, 122 South Country Club Drive, Schenectady, after an illness since February.  He was born at Davenport, Delaware county, Oct. 17, 1845, son of Timothy and Melinda Olmstead Bresee.  In 1864 he married Helen Pierce of Fergusonville and unto them were born three children, Andrew, Maude and Floyd. For many years he was a farmer in Delaware county, then moving to Holmesville he operated a meat market with his son there and at South New Berlin.  In his late years due to infirmities he was unable to work.  For the past three years he was tenderly cared for by his daughter and granddaughter in Schenectady with whom he had made his home.  He was the oldest member of Victor lodge, I.O.O.F., at South New Berlin and was a faithful member of the Methodist church, which he attended as long as his health permitted.  Funeral services will take place Wednesday at 2 p.m., at the funeral home of R.V.Tillapaugh, Schenevus, with the Rev. G.H. Simmons of Holmesville, retired minister, officiating. Burial will be in Fergusonville.  There survive one daughter, Mrs. Maude Kayner of Schenectady; four grandchildren, Mrs. Adrian Dixon, South New Berlin; Mrs. Harold Kennedy, Oneonta, Mrs. Evans Merchant of Schenectady and Harold Bresee of Grand Gorge; also five great-grandchildren.

Frank E. Evans

1869 - 1945

In failing health for some weeks, the death of Frank E. Evans occurred Friday morning at 7 o'clock at the home of his nephew, Raymond D. Aldrich, on the South Plymouth road.  Mr Evans had made his home with his nephew for the past seven years, spending the summers with his late brother, Anson Evans at Paynesville, Minn.  Mr. Evans was born in the town of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], March 20, 1869, a son of the late David K. and Eliza (Crandall) Evans.  Most of his life was spent in South Plymouth where for many years he successfully followed agriculture.  A man of strong character, Mr. Evans was an industrious man and a fine neighbor.  He leaves many warm friends who will learn with regret of his passing.  Besides a sister, Mrs. Flora M. Aldrich, two nephews survive, Raymond D. Aldrich and Walter M. Aldrich.  Services will be held at the George J. Devine Funeral Home Sunday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Dr. G. Edgar Wolfe, pastor of the First Congregational church, will officiate.  Burial will be made in the family plot in the South Plymouth cemetery.  Friends who desire to call at the funeral home are invited to do so Saturday afternoon and evening.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, February 11, 1875

MOWERS:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 4th, of Scarlet fever, Charles [Mowers], aged 6 years and Johnnie [Mowers], aged 4 years, 10 months, Children of Thomas and Susan Mowers, Buried in one grave.

STONE:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1875, Mr. John Q. Stone, aged 29years, 3 months.

COY:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 2d, Mr. James D. Coy, aged 35 years.

FELT:  In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], Jan. 24th, Mr Asa Felt, aged 35 years.

WHITMORE:  At the County House, Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 29, 1875, Mrs. Polly Whitmore, aged 83 years, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].  She was an inmate of the County House when it was located in McDonough and was removed to Preston with other paupers, nearly 50 years ago.

LOWELL:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 3, Freddie E. [Lowell] son of Geo. B. and Susan E. Lowell, aged 2 years.