Thursday, September 15, 2016

Obituaries (September 15)

Dr. James Berthier Drake
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1916

 
Dr. James Berthier Drake
1853 - 1916

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Dr. James B. Drake, one of the most prominent physicians in this section of the State, expired in his automobile as he was starting to make a professional call a few minutes before 6 o'clock Wednesday evening.  He had driven out to the front of his residence on South Broad street, alone in the car, when the machine swerved suddenly, crossed the street and collided with the bulletin board in front of the Colonia Theater.  Several persons who witnessed the wild actions of the car rushed to it to lend assistance.  The physician's head had fallen upon his shoulder and he was dead.  Dr. Manley, a next-door neighbor, was called and came immediately, but found life extinct.  Dr. Drake had been busy all day making calls in the unusual heat.  Death was due to heart disease, from which he had been a sufferer for some time.  He died as any physician of his noble and unselfish mold could have wished, in the pursuit of his calling and in an effort to relieve the sufferings of others.  James Berthier Drake was the son of Jacob Burr and Elizabeth Drake, and was born July 4, 1853, in Port Crane, N.Y. [Broome Co.].  In his earlier years he taught school in Broome county several years before becoming a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., where he graduated.  He practiced his profession in Hancock, Delaware county, for nearly 20 years before coming to Norwich, in 1899.  He soon gained a large practice and was recognized as a leading physician throughout a large territory.  he was treasurer of the Chenango County Medical Society and a director of the Norwich Pharmacal Company.  Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Dr. Charles Drake, of New York city, and Roscoe C. Drake, of Norwich; one brother Dr. Daniel E. Drake, of Newfoundland, N.J., and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Niles of Trout Creek, N.Y.; Mrs. Ella Howes, of Walton, and Mrs. Maritta Newton, of Binghamton.
 
Mary E. Fanning
Chenango Union, March 12, 1885
At Ossian Centre, Livingston Co., N.Y., Mary E., wife of Crystal Fanning, aged 72 years, formerly of Chenango county.  Mary E. Fanning, wife of Crystal Fanning, died Saturday morning at their residence at Ossian Center, aged 72. Several years ago they came to Ossian and established a grocery and furnishing store to which was afterward added the care of the Postoffice.  Mrs. Fanning was beloved by both young and old and her neighbors have observed with sorrow her fast failing health.  Her death will leave a vacuum in the hearts of the community and of her husband bereft of the faithful companion of a happy wedded life.  The sympathy of the warm friends they have made is with him in his heavy affliction, as her many sterling qualities of mind and heart have deeply impressed upon them a sense of what her loss must be to the one, so sadly bereft of her loving companionship. The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church on Monday at 2 P.M. --Exchange.
 
David P. Field
Chenango Union, March 12, 1885
FIELD:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 7th, Mr. David P. Field, aged 63 years. 
The large attendance of citizens from Norwich, New Berlin, Greene, Mt. Upton, Union, etc. at Mr Field's funeral, spoke eloquently of the esteem in which he was held by the entire community.  Those who had seen his blameless Christian walk for more than forty years, learned how he triumphed over "the last enemy."  It was a scene not soon to be forgotten.  In one room lay his wife, who had not seen his face since both were prostrated by measles, her life wavering in the balance, but she must look upon his face once more alone.  On the beautiful casket lay a sickle of white roses and calla lilies, the gift of Mr D.M. Holmes, of Norwich, its fragrance like that of the life just ended. The casket was tenderly borne in the arms of his two brothers to the bedside of the sick wife, and with only his two sons to witness, the last farewell was said.  One lay as if sweetly sleeping, the other with shining face from the conscious presence of Christ and His angels, looked her last upon her best earthly friend.  The sting of death was gone. After a sermon of great power from his pastor, Rev. J. Bradshaw, some of his words of holy triumph were recounted.  Alice, an only and beloved daughter, had passed away twenty-seven years before, This was the anniversary of her death.  He said twice, "Alice will be here at seven." The hour struck, and father and daughter were together in paradise.  Just before his death his sister, seeing his parched, Bleeding lips, said to him:
"Shall I wet your lips for you?"  "The Lord does that for me," he answered.
"With the water of life?"  He bowed his head in assent.  "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever," he repeated in holy triumph.
"I wish I could sing," he said.  "What would you sing?" was asked.  "Father all Glorious, O'er all Victorious," he said, waving his hands in triumph and saying "Happy, happy--so happy."
When he seemed drifting far out on eternity's ocean he was recalled with difficulty.
"Are you comfortable?" was asked.  "Sweet, sweet, sweet," was the answer.
"Is Jesus precious?"  The answer was the same.  "Sweet, sweet, sweet,"
Thus he passed through the portals into the presence of Him he adored.---Mrs. E.J. Richmond
 
Mary (Shippey) Field
Otsego Journal, April 27, 1905
The death of Mrs. Field occurred at her home with her son Stanley P. Field, two miles west of White Store, on Tuesday afternoon last.  She was born in Norwich, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], eighty three years ago and her long and useful life was spent on the spot where she died after a brief illness, surrounded by those whose loving care had smoothed the pathway of her declining years and enjoying the respect of all who knew her.  Mrs. Field was the daughter of Philemon and Sally Shippey and came of Puritan stock.  She was married to David P. Field by the Rev. J.C. Ransom of Oxford May 31, 1870, surviving her husband by many years. The deep and untiring devotedness of her home life, marked by faithful and constant self sacrifice, remain as a blessed memory to those of her family who survive her.  Of her Christian life and her relations to her family and the community, the world can only accord the judgment due every true woman, whose life has been a blessing and whose memory is a benediction to those who have known her best.  Mrs. Field is survived by one sister, Cynthia Shippey, also a member of the family, and by two step sons, Stanley P. Field, with whom she resided, and Stephen Olin Field of Norwich.  Mr. Field had been a member of the Methodist church for sixty years, and always faithfully identified with its welfare and best interests.  Funeral services occurred from the home on Saturday last at one o'clock, Rev. Wilson Treible, of Norwich officiating.  The attendance of relatives and friends was large and was a tribute to the personal worth and to the memory of Mrs. Field, who sleeping beneath a profusion of the choicest and most beautiful flowers of the spring time, was laid at rest in Evergreen Cemetery, White Store, by the side of her husband and other members of the family who had already passed to the other side.
 
Death Notices
Chenango Union, April 30, 1885
 
PARKER:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], April 15th, Mrs. Reuben Parker, aged 34 years, 10 months and 3 days.
 
PHILLIPS:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], April 25th, Mrs. Betsey Phillips, aged 88 years.
 
WALKER:  At the home of his father, Rev. I. T. Walker, in Plymouth, Pa., April 27th, Rev. Edward B. Walker, aged 23 years, formerly a resident of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].
 
KING:  In Minneapolis, Minn., April 18th, Mr. Clark A. King, aged 50 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]
 
THOMPSON:  In Penn Yan, Feb. 24th, Deacon Thompson, aged 85 years, formerly of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].
 
ALLIS:  In Franklin, N.Y. [Delaware Co.] April 19th, Mr. Jere Allis, aged 96 years and 9 months, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

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