Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Obituaries (September 14)

George J. Coville
Utica Saturday Globe, May 2016

 
George J. Coville
1833 - 1916

George J. Coville, who recently entered into rest in his 83d year, was born in Preston [Chenango Co., NY] July 7, 1833, and excepting for one year had always resided in his native town.  He was the son of Stephen and Hannah (Lewis) Coville and the last survivor of five children, four sons, Charles, George, Austin and Edward, and one daughter, Elizabeth.  January 1, 1861, he was united in marriage with Ellen Pabodie, of Preston, who with three daughters, Mrs. Frank J. Quinn, Mrs. James E. Wilbur of Preston, and Mrs. william R. Winans, of Binghamton, and a son, Kenneth G. Coville, survive him.  He leaves also one granddaughter, Miss Hazel Wilbur, of Preston. A son and a daughter died in infancy. As a farmer it has been said that Mr. Coville had no superiors.  He was a talented tenor singer and for years his voice was heard in the Methodist choir until failing health forbade  In politics he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type.  In his home he was indulgent and devoted to his family, generous and hospitable to all, and the esteem in which he was held in the community was attested in a measure by the many beautiful floral offerings at his funeral, which was held from his late home, Rev. W.J. Rajell, officiating.  A male quartet, Messrs. Edward L. Nash Charles B. Chapman, Jesse L. Millspaugh and David Johns, of this city, furnished the music.
 
Joseph Russell Clark
Chenango Union, February 10, 1876
 
Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Mr. Joseph Russell Clark, in the 79th year of his age.
 
The death of Mr. Clark demands more than a passing notice.  He was born in Middletown, Conn., July 31, 1797, but soon moved to Norfolk, Conn., where he lived until the age of 20, when he came to Guilford in 1817, and built a part of the house now standing simply "inclosing" it, using blankets for doors and sheets for windows, and has lived in it a period of 58 years.  The place was then an unbroken wilderness, and travelers were guided in the path by marked trees.  He was married Jan. 25, 1824, and celebrated his golden wedding Jan. 25, 1874, his wife living nearly one year afterward.  He was the youngest of five children and the last one left, all living beyond the allotted time of life, whose ages at death were as follows--87, 85, 84, 80, 78, all lived with the companions of their youth to old age except one, who buried her husband and married again.  United with the Congregational church, August [1831] and has been a consistent active member for 44 years, giving liberally for one of his means, not only for his particular church, but for benevolent objects in general.
 
Rev. Erastus P. Smith
Chenango Union, February 17, 1876
Rev. Erastus P Smith, Rector of St. Thomas Church in Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], died suddenly about noon on Wednesday of last week.  On the day previous he was in his usual health, and at tea he partook of some canned cherries.  About nine o'clock in the evening he was taken with a violent pain in the stomach, and it is supposed that the cherries must have fermented and caused his death.  Deceased was a son of the late Samuel A. Smith, one of the pioneers of the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] in this County, who for many years was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of that town, and who during his long life filled many offices of honor and trust. The son inherited the sterling qualities of his father, and was also at various times placed in office by his townsmen. After the death of his father, Erastus gave up his farm for the ministry, located at first in the northern part of the State "from whence" he went west, where he remained for a few years, when he returned to this State, and took charge of the Episcopal Church in Hamilton.  In announcing his death, the Hamilton Republican says:  "Mr. Smith's loss will be deeply felt in this community.  He had, during his short residence amongst us, endeared himself to all who knew him.  He was of that peculiar quiet, happy disposition, that did not push an acquaintance so rapidly as some, but so far as he was known, his many virtues, genial temper, Christian spirit and example, made him universally beloved.  His death is a great loss to St. Thomas' Chruch, will be mourned by the members of his own congregation and by those who have not sat under his ministry.  All regret his acomingly, untimely death, and all sympathize with his deeply afflicted family."
 
Chenango Union, February 17, 1876
Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral of the Rev. Erastus P. Smith who died after a short illness on the 9th inst. at Hamilton where he was located as pastor, took place in the Episcopal Church in our village, on the 12th, and was attended by a large concourse of relatives and former townsmen.  His remains were interred in the family grounds of our cemetery.  Mr. Smith was about 69 years of age, and for upwards of sixty years a resident of our town, residing during the greater part of that time at Smiths' Corners, a mile north of our village, upon the farm which his father, the late Samuel A. Smith, first settled, and where he died. During this time Mr. Smith occupied a prominent position before our people, and was repeatedly placed in public positions of power and trust by his townsmen.  Upon the death of his father, he relinquished farming, and shortly after entered the clerical profession, at first in the northern part of our State, form whence he went to Whitewater, Wis., and from which place, after a few years, he returned to this State, and was located at Hamilton.  Though from circumstances, Mr. Smith was prevented until late in life from gratifying a literary desire, he early in life gave evidence, in his numerous addresses and essays, of ability of no mean degree.  Could his life of usefulness have been spared in the full vigor of health and mental faculties a few years longer, his worth would have been more fully realized.  In his sudden death a large circle of relatives and friends is left to mourn his loss. 
 
Diocese of Central New York
Erastus P. Smith on February 13th [sic] was in high health, and the next day lay asleep in the midst of a dismayed and mourning people.  Mr. Smith took Orders later in life than is usual, but the spirit of the calling was in him long before; he began to wait early on Holy Things with a holy passion, and was only held back from giving himself wholly to them by a filial conscience.  [Findagrave.com memorial #65924911]
 
Death Notices
Chenango Union, April 30, 1885
 
ANDREWS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], April 23d, Mr. Burr B. Andrews, aged 77 years and 4 months.
 
GILLESPIE:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], April 23d, Mr. William H. Gillespie, aged 42 years, Remains taken to Albany for burial.
 
ALDRICH:  In South Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], April 23d, Miss Polly Aldrich, aged 90 years and 6 months.
 
WILCOX:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], April 19th, Mr. Andrew J. Wilcox, aged 49 years.
 
TODD:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, Mrs. Charles Todd, aged 66 years.
 
HEADY:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], April 24th, Mr. Isaac S. Heady, aged 78 years, formerly of Norwich.
 

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