Obituaries (May 24)

James L. Wightman

Utica Saturday Globe, December 1913
 

James L. Wightman

1888 - 1913

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  When James L. Wightman and his wife left their home on Plymouth street Sunday morning and drove to the town of Plymouth for a day's outing among friends there was no hint of the tragic accident that was to enter their lives and shatter their happiness ere the night shades fell.  The day was ideal and while Mrs. Wightman went to the home of her father, John Wilkes, to spend the day, her husband went rabbit hunting with William Blackman, a well-known Plymouth farmer.  About 3 o'clock in the afternoon the hunters were in the vicinity of Round pond near Kirk.  They were walking about 40 rods apart when Blackman's attention was attracted by the report of his companion's gun.  Looking in the direction of the sound he saw Wightman fall prostrate.  By the time he could reach the side of the unfortunate man, the latter was nearly unconscious.  By his side lay a leaf which he had torn from his diary and written in a legible hand:  :It was my own fault.  James Wightman."  Blackman hurried to the home of William Cobb, the nearest farmhouse over a half-mile distant, and telephoned to Dr. T.B. Furnalld of Norwich.  Securing help he took the wounded man to the farmhouse.  On the way Wightman was able to assist  himself and his companion in climbing a wire fence. An automobile, driven by D.C. Doolittle, was dispatched from the Latham garage and the injured man hurried to the Norwich Hospital.  Meanwhile Wightman had lost consciousness.  In the early evening an operation was performed by Drs. Fernalld, Gibson and Manley for the removal of the shot from the young man's body.  He had received the full charge in his stomach. The gaping wound was believed to be fatal from the first, but later in the evening he regained consciousness and lingered for about 18 hours from the time of the accident before death intervened. The stricken wife, who came to him as soon as she learned of the accident, was with him until the last. The accident is believed to have resulted from Wightman laying down his gun on a log over which he then may have stumbled and accidentally discharged the weapon. The brief message he penciled on a leaf torn from his diary in order, it is thought, to protect his companion from any unjust suspicion of being responsible for the shooting is all that is known of the circumstances. 

 

The unfortunate young man was about 25 years of age and a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Wightman, of Plymouth street, with whom with his wife and little boy, Lyle, he resided.  Another small boy died about a year ago from accidental poisoning.  Mr. Wightman formerly worked with his father at the trade of carpenter, but during the past year had had charge of the poolroom at the National Hotel.  The deceased was born in Norwich August 17, 1888.  He married Lois Wilkes, of Plymouth, November 20, 1907. Besides his wife and son he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Wightman; one brother, William Wightman; three sisters, Mrs. Martha Phetteplace, Mrs. Florence Warner, Miss Dora E. Wightman, all of Norwich, also seven nieces and one nephew.  Funeral services were held from the residence on Plymouth street on Friday afternoon, Rev. A.R. Burke officiating.  Amicus Aerie of Eagles, of which deceased was a member, had charge of the burial service in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]

 

Martha Ellen Gage Burr

1848 - 1927

Martha Ellen Burr passed away at her home, 618 Illinois street, Pomona, California, at noon, August 20, 1927, after a short illness.  She is survived by three sons Daniel, at Berkley; Fred and Homer of Pomona, and also one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Larson, of Chino, Cal. There are ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.  Mrs. Burr's surviving brothers and sisters are Mrs. Ida Shaver, Lewis Gage, Mrs. R.E. Van Valkenburg and Linn Gage.  She was the eldest daughter of  Nelson R. and Irene Lewis Gage and was born in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], June 28, 1848.  The funeral services were held in Pomona, her pastor, Rev. Dr. Floyd Beckwith, pastor of the First Baptist church, of which Mrs. Burr was a member, officiated.

 

Henry W. Burwell

On Friday, Nov. 13, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon occurred the death of Henry W. Burwell at his home about a mile east of King Settlement [Chenango Co., NY], after an illness of nearly a year, aged 62 years and 8 days.  It was in December last that he began to be afflicted with cardiac asthma which developed into pneumonia and he was confined to his bed all winter.  When the warm weather of spring came on, a measure of strength returned so that he was able to get up and walk around the place, but the enfeebled condition of the heart prevented any undue exertion.  At the beginning of cold weather the asthmatic condition returned and from that time he gradually failed until the end came as above stated.  He was the only child born to Woodruff and Ann (Morey) Burwell and with the exception of a few years in early childhood his whole life was spent on the farm where he was born. About 36 years ago he was united in marriage to Hattie Wakefield who has been his faithful companion through the years.  A man of temperate habits and sterling character, absolutely honest in all his dealings, always ready to assist others when assistance was needed, he will be missed in the neighborhood where he has lived so long.  Besides his wife he leaves to mourn his loss a daughter, Mrs. Leon Wells, of Oneida, a son, Clyde, and daughter, Leona, who resided at home.  A daughter, Viola, passed on about three years ago, a loss which he keenly felt and perhaps never fully recovered from.  Funeral services were held at his late home Monday at one o'clock, conducted by the Rev. L.D. Palmer. Burial was made at North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Lewis H. Burnside

Norwich Sun, July 24. 1936

Lewis H. Burnside, for 25 years prior to his retirement in 1932, was state game protector in Chenango county, died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at 6 o'clock Friday morning.  In failing health for some time Mr. Burnside was stricken seriously ill Wednesday night and was removed to the Chenango Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon.  He was a native of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] where he was born Dec. 17, 1864, the son of Rev. William and Hannah Palmer Burnside.  Widely known in musical circles, his talent as a tenor soloist won for him a great following.  In early life he was a member of the DeKoven quartet and later was a member of the Masonic quartet of this city.  He was frequently heard as first tenor and his well trained voice was at the command of all.  He appeared frequently with mixed quartets and was for years a member of various church choirs.  Mr. Burnside studied voice for some time in New York city.  Prior to entering the state service as a game protector, Mr. Burnside was employed by the N.Y.O.&W. R.R. as station agent at Hamilton and later at Walton.  He was also employed for several years at the Borden plant here [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  He was a true sportsman, loved hunting and fishing and was a real friend of wildlife.  For a quarter of a century he served with distinction in the state's service.  Mr. Burnside was a 32nd degree Mason and held membership with the various Masonic bodies in this city.  He was a member of the Odd Fellows, the Chenango County Fish Game and Gun Club and was a founder and held membership in the Lake Ludlow Club.  He was  member of the First congregational church and the Men's Club of that church.  In politics he was a lifelong Republican.  He possessed the faculty of making friends and keeping them.  His personality had rare charm and he was known and beloved by a wide circle of friends who will learn with deep regret of his death.  The body will rest in the family residence at 63 Silver street until Monday when funeral series will be held at 2 o'clock from the Breese funeral home.  Rev. D.G. DeBoer, pastor of the Frist Congregational church and Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal church, will conduct the last rites.  Norwich Commandery, 46, K.T., of which Mr. Burnside was a member will be in charge of service.  Burial will be made at North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Burnside is survived by his wife, Sylvia Titus Burnside, with whom he was united in marriage, February 2, 1891, in this city.  One foster daughter, Mrs. Ruth Belden, and a grandson, Robert Belden of this city; a niece, Mrs. Walter Burnside and a grandniece and nephew, Norma and Robert Burnside of Sidney, also survive.