Obituaries (December 13)

Leroy H. Adams

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1920

 

Leroy H. Adams

1878 - 1920

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Funeral services for the late Leroy H. Adams were held from the residence of his brother, Laverne Adams, 31 Maydole street, on Monday afternoon at 2:30-.  Rev. Frank W. Young, pastor of the Broad Street M.E. Church, officiating.  Mr. Adams, whose home was in Kingston, Pa., died in Wilkes-Barre on Friday and the body was brought to this city, his former home, for burial.  Deceased was 42 years of age and was one of the locally famous "Adams Triplets" who, so far as known, were the only triplets born in Chenango county to live to years of maturity.  His brother, Lewis Adams, came to his death about six years ago, while repairing a locomotive boiler at Sidney, during a violet thunder storm. The exact circumstances of his death cannot be told as he was alone at the time.  From appearances when he was found after his death he had completed the repairs and was using an electric light, carried on a cord, to inspect his work when in some manner he was caught in an electric current powerful enough to cause his death.  From an intimate family friend it is learned that Lewis, the first to be taken by death, was likewise the first to be brought into the world followed by his brother Leroy, whose death in order is the second to be recorded.

 

Norwich Sun, October 9, 1920

On Friday, Oct. 8, at his home in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., occurred the death of Leroy H. Adams, 42 years of age. The remains will be brought to the home of his brother, Laverne Adams, 31 Maydole street, Norwich, where the funeral will take place Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. F.W. Young of the Broad street M.E. church officiating.  Mr. Adams wa sone of the widely known "Adams triplets" who were, as far as is known, the only triplets ever raised to maturity in this county.

 

Louis Adams

Norwich Sun, July 6, 1914

About 5 o'clock Sunday evening, workmen employed at the O.&W. roundhouse in Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] found the lifeless body of Louis Adams, a boiler maker, who 10 minutes before had been observed working inside the firebox of engine 178.  At first it was thought that his death resulted from heart disease as some suggested that he had a weak heart.  Later one of the attendants who found him received a severe shock of electricity when he touched the locomotive upon which Adams had been working and it is now known that he was accidentally electrocuted.  He was using an electric light inside the locomotive and while no spot on the wire could be found where the insulation had become worn, still the fact that electricity existed on the locomotive cannot be disputed.  Drs. Loomis and Palmatier were called, but the man was beyond help when they reached him.  His body had fallen across the electric wire, but there was no trace of any electric burn upon it. They finally decided upon an inquest.  The temperature in the fire box at the time Adams was working therein was very high, said to have been about 120, and this fact at first confirmed the idea that he may have been oppressed by the heat and the heart was overburdened.  Later developments confirmed the electrocution theory. 

 

Mr. Adams was very well known in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], being one of the widely known Adams triplets.  He was 36 years of age.  He spent most of his life in Norwich and vicinity and for a number of years worked as a boilermaker in the Norwich shops.  Three years ago, he and his wife, nee Ida Williams, removed to Sidney where he worked in a similar capacity.  Mrs. Adams and their two children, Freida and LeRoy, were in Norwich visiting her parents on Grove avenue at the time of the electrocution.  Besides his immediate family, Mr. Adams is survived by four brothers, John and George of Plymouth and LeRoy and LaVern of Norwich.  Four sisters, Mrs. Clara Fairbanks of New Woodstock, Mrs. Anna Breed of Ilion, Mrs. Bessie Breed of Syracuse and Mrs. Mary Hill of Morris, also survive.  Mr. Adams was a member of the local order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and Chenango Valley lodge 396 Boiler Makers.  Funeral services will be held from the Williams home, 25 Grove avenue, Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and from Calvary church at 3 o'clock.  Rev. Alexander Fraser officiating.  Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

[Compiler Note:  The third triplet, Lavern L. Adams, survived his brothers by over 40 years.  He died 16 July 1962.  All three brothers are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich, NY]

 

William Hyer Smith

Chenango Union, November 12, 1885

William Hyer Smith, oldest son of Deacon Joseph and Abigail Hyer Smith, died in the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], October 27th, 1885, aged 74 years, 2 months, and 16 days.  His life having been passed in this vicinity, all who knew him can testify to his sterling worth, purity of life, and a Christian character seldom equaled.  An efficient member of the Baptist church, of which his father was long deacon, his loss will be felt by many besides the large circle of relatives. At the last annual reunion of the Hyer family, the next one was appointed to meet at his house, but the summons came that called him to join the company gone before, and when next June comes we shall meet, but his kindly smiles will not be there to greet us; his cordial hand clasp and gentle ways are no more for us, save in memory.

"None knew him but to  love him,

None named him but to praise."

The words of the poet apply to him so well, I think even the bereaved sisters will assent to their truthfulness:

"And I am glad that he has lived  thus long,

And glad that he has gone to his reward;

Nor deem that kindly nature did him wrong,

Softly to disengage the vital cord

When his weak hand grew palsied, and his eye

Dark with the mists of age, ti was his time to die."

His sisters, Mrs. James Metcalf and Mrs. Frederic Carhart, have the sympathies of many friends and relative in their affliction.  He was never married.

Rockdale, Nov. 3, 1885

 

Sarah Snyder

Chenango Union, August 9, 1888

The sudden death of Mrs. Sarah Snyder was one of the saddest which has occurred for some time. After seven years married life, she first knew what it was to enjoy her own home.  Her father, Mr. G.W. Winsor, purchased the Union parsonage, and presented it to his daughter, and all were rejoiced when Mr. Snyder repaired and fitted up the place endeared to the community by so many hallowed associations.  But alas!  Her house was not here.  She had chosen the "better part," and death had no terrors for her. She thought of her husband, and the friends she was leaving and took their hands while they knelt beside her, while Rev. Mr. King, her pastor, asked help from Him who alone has conquered death. Then she fell asleep in Jesus. The large gathering at her funeral which occurred on Wednesday, August 1st, attested the friendship all felt for her, and the beautiful flowers which adorned the casket were not more lovely than the white robed form which slept within.  Rev. W. C. King conducted the funeral services, choosing the words "What is your life?" for the basis of his remarks, which were full of earnest thought. She was laid to rest in the beautiful Evergreen Cemetery [White Store, Chenango Co., NYT], among her kindred, while her freed spirit rests with Christ her Saviour.

Rockwell's Mills, August, 1888,   E.J.R.