Obituaries (July 30)

Chester Wentworth

DeRuyter Gleaner, June 29, 1933

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and less than a month after, on April 30th, Chester Wentworth enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He was a Corporal in Co. G 22nd Infantry.  He died at his home in DeRuyter [Madison Co., NY] on June 25, 1933, at the age of 34, less than a year following the death of his wife.  Services were held at the home on June 28th, with burial at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].  Members of Owen Woodford Post of the American legion of which he was a member assisted in the services. The bearers were all ex-service men, two of whom, Guy Perkins and Albert Sanderson enlisted at  the same time and served in the same battalion.  Deceased was born in Lebanon [Madison Co., NY], March 14, 1899, the son of Thomas Wentworth, and was a resident of South Otselic at the time of his enlistment.  He married Hazel Wilcox of Georgetown in May, 1923, and they lived in Syracuse for a time before coming to DeRuyter about four years ago.  His father survives him; also a son, Kenneth, 7 years of age, and a sister, Mrs. James Grooms of Norwich.

DeRuyter Gleaner, July 6, 1933

In the account of the death of Chester Wentworth, World War veteran, in last week's Gleaner, the age of the son, Kenneth, was given as seven years, which was in error, the lad being nine years old.  Orphaned at this tender age he has the sympathy of all, but with his grandfather, Mr. Thomas Wentworth, has found a welcome home with his uncle, Harland Wagner, in Georgetown.

Max Eugene Reynolds, Jr.

DeRuyter Gleaner, October 5, 1933

Pleasant Ridge:  Our community was shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Max Eugene Reynolds, Jr., five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Reynolds, which occurred at the Memorial Hospital at Norwich at 9 o'clock Sunday night from shotgun wounds received about 3:30 Sunday afternoon.  Roger Sherman of Chittenango, who had been doing mason work for Mr. Reynolds was preparing to go hunting and laid the gun on a table.  All the family including Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds and the three children were in the room.  Just how it happened no one knows. There was an explosion and little Max fell to the floor with most of the shot imbedded in his back.  Some of the shot struck Mrs. Reynolds in her right arm and back.  Wm. Salmon, a neighbor, rushed them to the hospital, where they said death  was caused by the shots that punctured the lungs and Mrs. Reynolds' condition is critical.  Little Max was a very bright and cheerful little fellow just starting in school, was a favorite with the children.  Much sympathy is expressed for the family in their bereavement.  Funeral services are to be held Wednesday at one o'clock at Tully, with burial in a nearby cemetery.

 

Hannah Huttleston

DeTuyter Gleaner, May 3, 1934

This church mourns the loss of Hannah Huttleston, aged 89, who passed away at her home in South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] on Monday evening, April 23.  She joined this church on November 13, 1878, from probationary relationship, under the pastorate of Rev. H. W. Williams, and was until the time of her death a faithful member whose loyalty to Christ and His church had stood the test of almost fifty-six years. she was a member of this particular church longer than anyone else in its history. The deceased was born April 11, 1845, in Prattsburg, Steuben county, N.Y., the oldest daughter of eleven children of Emily Griffith and Leander Haight.  Her early girlhood was spent in East Homer.  She married Lewis V. Huttleston June 27, 1868 and they moved to South Otselic in 1873.  Her husband passed away in March, 1907, and these words in regard to him are in the church records following his name:  "A good soldier for Christ."  Mrs. Huttleston was the mother of six children:  Ray D., Cortland; Jay who died in infancy; Blanche Park, Cortland; Jessie Gallinger, deceased; Ralph H ., Blodgett Mills; and Beatrice H. Davis, South Otselic. She is survived by eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.  For many years she was affectionately called "Aunty Hud" by the children in the neighborhood.  Fourteen years ago her health failed to be followed by the loss of her eyesight eleven years ago. Through all her affliction she remained cheerful and by her Christian fortitude lived each day as it came along in faith and trust in God and His Providence.

"Weep not that her toils are over

Weep not that her race is run;

God grant we may rest as calmly

When our work like hers is done.

Till then we would yield with  gladness

Our treasures to Him to keep;

And rejoice in the sweet assurance

He giveth His beloved sleep."

 

Fred Brown Sanford

Afton Enterprise, February 25, 1926

The community was greatly shocked last Tuesday when Fred Sanford, the sixteen year old adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Sanford of The Plains, was accidentally drowned in Elk Lake while engaged in getting out ice.  The body was recovered and taken to Kark's undertaking rooms in Harpursville.  The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Baptist church Harpursville [Broome Co., NY] with burial in the cemetery at that place.

 

Fred Brown, 16 years old, adopted son of Mr ad Mrs. Lewis E. Sanford, of Harpursville, was drowned 16th inst, while helping his foster father harvest ice on Brown's lake in Nineveh.  The boy was left alone at the lake with his pike, working away at a cake of ice while the father drove a wagon load of ice to the icehouse.  Upon his return his father found the cake overturned, the pike had disappeared and there was no sign of the boy.  Fearing the boy had fallen from the ice into the lake, his father and others dredged the lake and found the body on the bottom only a short distance from where he had been working when his father left him.  Besides his foster parents, he is survived by a brother, James Hitt, of Downsville, Delaware county, and three sisters, Mrs. Harry Murphy, of Nineveh Junction; Mrs. Clarence Dibble of Deposit, and Ruth Rischer, of Scranton.

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, May 6, 1875

 

BENEDICT:  In Ogdensburg, April. 27, Mr. E.W. Benedict formerly of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], aged 62 years.

 

LASELLE:  In North Plains, Mich. January 20, 1875, Mrs. Roxana LaSelle, aged 67, formerly of Earlville [Madison Co., NY].

 

BROOKSBANKS:  In Oxford, April 23, Emerson [Brooksbanks], son of Robert and Ursula Brooksbanks, aged 6 years.

 

COLE:  In Marietta, Ga., April 18, Mr. Henry Cole, aged 59 ears, formerly of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].   Henry G. Cole of Marietta, Ga. was born in new Berlin, N.Y. and when but a lad was adopted by the late Samuel Kent of Guilford, by whom he was reared to manhood.  30 years ago, he moved to Marietta, Ga.  He leaves a wife and several children to mourn him.

 

FARR:  In N.Y.C., April 24, Mr. James W. Farr, aged 63, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

 

ROWLEY:  At the  home of his son-in-law, R.D. Guile, Yaleville [Chenango Co., NY], April 17th, Mr. Seth Rowley, aged 91, formerly of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Early History of Afton, Chenango Co., NY - Part 1

Brief History of Town of Afton, Chenango Co., NY

by Hillis Craig

Afton Enterprise, February 25, 1926

The following article was selected from a group of papers as written by members of the civic class of the Afton High School as part of their regular class work.  It was written by Hillis Craig, and is published by the Enterprise for the excellent manner in which it was written, in order to show something of the type of work done in our local schools, and because it might be of interest to our readers.

 

Afton was first part of the present town of Bainbridge, which was settled February 16, 1791.  At this time Bainbridge was known as Jericho.  Its name was changed on April 15, 1814, in honor of Commodore Bainbridge of the American Navy.  The part of Bainbridge which is now called Afton, was called South Bainbridge.  Later on November 18, 1857, Afton was separated from Bainbridge and was then given the name of Clinton for a time until a short time after, it was given its present name.

 

After receiving its name from Afton Water, a small river in Ayrshire, Scotland, made vivid and famous by Burns.  Afton is situated in the foot hills of the Catskills where, on the old Ellis place, there was a quarry on what is now called Ellis Hill. There was also a quarry located on the Corbin farm near Bennettsville.  Corn, tobacco and hops were the most important crops grown at that time.  In later years, however, the farmers have found dairying more profitable.

 

The population of the town in 1878 was 2,237.  The population of the town has not increased much but the village has.  This in understood because the farmers move into the village when they had made their living.

 

The first settlement was made in July, 1786, by Elnathan Bush, who came from Sheffield, Massachusetts, with his wife and four children.  They came as far as Cooperstown on horseback and thence by canoe down the Susquehanna, leaving Cooperstown May 2, 1786.  Thus it can be seen that it took about a month from Cooperstown to Afton where it would take us only about two hours drive by auto now.  The settlement was made opposite Stowell's Island near what is now called Stowell's Crossing, or near the present site of Oscar Nesbitt's farm.

 

Hezekiah Stowell, who first settled at Bettsburg, was the owner of this island from which its name was derived.

 

One of the early ministers who preached in Afton became a great colonel in the [Revolutionary] War.  His name was Dominie Johnston (Col. Witter Johnston).

 

Mr. Bush who had visited this locality with a view to settlement before the Revolutionary War, later bought a place of Mr. Stowell. The Kirbys and the Bixbys were other early settlers.

 

The first inn in the town of Afton was located at Bettsburg on the Johnston farm in 1783.  This inn, which was built of logs, was kept by Asa Bush, the son of our first settler. 

 

There was a ferry located at Bettsburg.

 

The Landers family were early settlers.  Ebenezer Landers, one of four brothers, and who later served in the Revolutionary War, came from Massachusetts to Unadilla with Oxen over the snowdrifts.  Here they fitted out canoes with which to row down the Susquehanna River when the ice broke out, but tiring of their wait, they attempted to journey on foot.  Mr. Landers carried the feather bed over his shoulders and his wife carried her baby and by that way the plodded through the deep snowdrifts.

 

Richard and Live Church settled one-half mile below Afton on the East side, then called Brooklyn in 1788.  Brooklyn was then the largest part of Afton.  The first church was located there, "the Universalist Church," which still stands. At that time there was a bend in the river which went north to the Frank Scott farm then south around the land where the fairground is now located.  The stone tavern was located across from the Universalist Chruch.

 

To be Continued.

Obituaries (July 29)

Albert J. Wildman

The Weekly Gleaner, March 22, 1883

Albert J. Wildman was born on the Wildman homestead, where his father and mother now live, in the town of Pitcher, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], in December, 1838.  There he resided until some sixteen years since, when he and his brother, John Wildman, Jr., came here [South Otselic, Chenango Co., NY] and started in trade in the store now occupied by John P. Newton. After doing business there a few years, they built a new store over the river, which was burned to the ground soon after.  About this time they dissolved partnership, John taking the grocery trade and Albert the dry goods.  Soon after their store burned, Albert, with his characteristic energy and perseverance, rebuilt upon the old site, where, by strict honesty, uprightness, and fair and square dealing with one and all, he had built up one of the most flourishing dry goods trades to be found in this section.  Mr. Wildman became a member of the Baptist Church at Pitcher when he was nineteen years old.   Soon after moving to South Otselic he identified himself with the Baptist Church here, and has ever since been one of its most valued members.  His contributions to the support of the church and religious benevolence were large and regular.  His religion was carried into his business and his every act was marked by the most perfect integrity.  He was pleasant and genial in his social intercourse, kind and tender in his family.  His aged father and mother are especially afflicted by his loss, as they have been accustomed to lean on him in the midst of many trials and burdens.  On September 15, 1867, he married Miss Alice Nhare, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Nhare, with whom he lived until her death, which occurred April 29, 1877.  In December, 1877, he was married to Miss Juliette Dorrence, of Albion, Orleans Co., N.Y. who survives him.  He leaves a son, Willis, by his first wife, aged about twelve years.  The funeral services were held from his late residence, at 11 o'clock Sunday, the 18th, Rev. H .C. Leach officiating.   The bereaved family have the sympathy of a very large circle of friends and neighbors in this hour of deep affliction. 

Joseph A. Tice

Cortland Standard, May 4, 1929

Joseph A Tice, 74, died Monday night in the VerNooy Sanitarium, was a life-long resident of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY] and vicinity.  He had been a member of the Cincinnatus Baptist Church for more than 60 years.  Early in the year 1869, 11 persons were baptized into the fellowship of that church.  Their names were as follows:  Sarah Grant, Charles C. Hayes, Ida Robins, Jay Roropaugh, Joseph A. Tice, Nella Hayes, Della Hayes, Eva Hayes, Alice Halbert, Julia Halbert, and Minnie Huntley.  Of this group, Mrs. Eva Hayes Smith of Cincinnatus is now the only survivor.  The first wife of Mr Tice and the mother of his children was Ida Meade.  After her death he married Mrs. Della Hayes Wildman, who died several years ago.  The funeral of Mr. Tice was held May 2 in the Cincinnatus Baptist church, the pastor, Rev W.B. McNinch, officiating.  The pastor spoke feelingly of Mr. Tice's prominence in the church and of his activities, which included 13 terms of three each as trustee, and nearly 40 years as church clerk.  The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the church.  Interment was made in the cemetery at Lower Cincinnatus.  He is survived by two sons, Arthur R. Tice of Cincinnatus and Howard M. Tice of Port Jervis, seven grandchildren, Florence L. Tice of Bible School Park, Floyd J. Tice of Norwich, A. Kenneth Tice, Linus E. Tice, and Richard A. Tice of Cincinnatus, Wilma Tice and Janet Tice of Port Jervis, one sister, Mrs. A.E. Doane of Marathon and several nieces and nephews. 

Addie E. (Newton) Doolittle

Afton Enterprise & Harpursville Budget, December 22, 1932

Mrs. Addie E. Doolittle passed away, Thursday, December 8, at the home of Frank Knapp, after an illness of one week.  Mrs. Doolittle was born on July 4th 1861, the daughter of Thadeus and Lorenda Newton.  In 1884, she was married to Henry Smith Doolittle and for many years they lived on the Doolittle farm, two miles above Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  In 1921, Mr. Doolittle died after a long illness, during which he was tenderly cared by his devoted wife.  For the past year, Mrs. Doolittle has made her home with Frank Knapp and family and will be greatly missed in their home.  She was cheerful and kind and ever ready to help others.  Funeral services were held at Tabor's Funeral Home, Sunday, December 11, at 1 o'clock.  Burial at Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] beside her husband.  Mrs. Doolittle had no surviving relatives.

Deborah Ann Doolittle

Bainbridge Republican, Jan. 12, 1911

 Mrs. Deborah Ann Doolittle died on Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Morey, in Earlville [Madison Co., NY], aged 82 years.  Mrs. Doolittle, who for several years had been a resident of this village, went to Earlville last fall to spend the winter with her daughter, Mrs. Morey, and although in poor health her condition was not considered serious.  Her death was the result of heart disease.  Mrs. Doolittle is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Mary Morey, Earlville, Mrs. Allen Grannis, Binghamton, and Mrs. George Lyon, Bainbridge, and two sons, Andrus and Arthur Doolittle, Bainbridge. The funeral was held in Earlville Wednesday, following which the body was taken to Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] for burial.

Maude Wykes Doolittle

1880 - 1926

Mrs. Maude Wykes Doolittle wife of the late Andreas D. Doolittle, passed away July 23, 1926 at the home of her sister, Mrs. B.J. Hurlburt, after a lingering illness of about seven months. The circumstances surrounding her death rendered the case a pitiful one and has aroused the deepest sympathy of her many friends, her struggle being inspired among other considerations by the affection of a mother for her babe.  Mrs. Doolittle though a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] was born in Otego [Otsego Co., NY] where she lived until her marriage to Mr. Doolittle in June 1906.  She was the daughter of Frances Smith and the late Joseph B. Wykes.  Mrs. Doolittle was a woman of superior qualities and fine attainments of mind and heart and made friends of all with whom she came in contact. She had long been a member of the Baptist church at Bainbridge and was a faithful and loyal member. She was also a member of the Bainbridge chapter O.E.S.  Among survivors in addition to her 16 months old son, John Elliott Doolittle are her mother, seven sisters and two brothers, to whom the entire community will extend deepest sympathy. The funeral service was held from the Hurlburt Homestead, Sunday and was largely attended.  Rare and beautiful were the flowers which attested the love and esteem for Mrs. Doolittle.  She was laid at rest beside her husband at West Bainbridge.

Death Notices

Chenango American, November 23, 1899

DOOLITTLE:  In West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 13, 1899, Mrs. Eliza J. Doolittle, aged 76 years.

BAKER:  In North Colesville [Broome Co., NY], Nov. 20, '99, Mrs. Emily M. Baker, aged 61 years.

PECK:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 13, 1899, Ellen M. [Peck] widow of Thomas Peck.

NORTHRUP:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 20, 1899, DeWitt E. Northrup, aged 61 years.
 

Obituaries (July 28)

William W. Higgins

DeRuyter Gleaner, July 28, 1904

While William W. Higgins of Otselic Center [Chenango Co., NY] was returning from the factory, the wagon ran against his horse, which commenced kicking, demolishing the dashboard and pitching Mr. Higgins violently to the ground.  His skull was injured and a rib broken, death resulting Tuesday morning.  Mr. Higgins was an upright and highly respected citizen and his tragic death is deeply regretted.

 

Angie Pike Bush

Syracuse Herald Journal, May 8, 1951

Cortland [Cortland Co., NY]:  Funeral services for Mrs. Angie Pike Bush, 63, of 39 Rural Av., who died Sunday afternoon, will be held tomorrow at 2 P.M. at the Bush funeral home. The Rev. Philip S. Xaspn, pastor of the first Methodist Church will officiate. Burial in South Otselic.  Mrs. Bush was born May 15, 1887 in South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], the daughter of Charles and Celia Pike.  She was married to Carl Geroy Bush on Oct. 21, 1907 at DeTuyter. She had been a resident of Cortland for the last 32 years, having moved here from Peeble.  Mrs. Bush was a member of the Frist Methodist church, the David Bible class, King's Daughters and the Cortland Firemen's Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband; two sons, Deroy Bush of the West rd, and Deforest Bush of Rochester; a sister Mrs. E. Glenn Davis of Mariposa; an aunt, Mrs. George Currier of Cortland; four grandchildren; several nieces and cousins.

 

Elnora M. Bassette

Syracuse Herald Journal, May 8, 1951

Dryden [Tompkins Co., NY]:  Funeral services for Mrs. Elnora M. Bassette, 51, wife of James W. Bassette of Interlaken [Seneca Co., NY], who died Sunday night in Tompkins County Memorial Hospital, will be tomorrow at 2:30 P.M. at the home. The Rev Anthony Dykstra, pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Interlaken, will officiate.  Burial will be in Willow Glen Cemetery.  Mrs. Bassette was born July 19, 1900 in Allegan, Mich.  She lived in Freeville and Dryden before moving to Interlaken.  Besides her husband, she leaves three sisters, Mrs. Letta Miner of Detroit, Mrs. Lillian Hare of Allegan and Mrs. Ellen Brillhart of Grand Rapids, Mich. 

 

Jennie E. Lamphere

Norwich Sun, March 16, 1934

Following a lingering illness, the death of Mrs. Jennie E. Lamphere, a well known resident of Norwich, occurred at the Chenango Memorial Hospital early Friday.  Deceased was born in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], June 3, 1878, but had spent practically her entire life in and about Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Lamphere is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Albert Schraft of R.D. 1, with whom she had resided for the past two years, also her mother, Mrs. Nellie Tewksbury of Rowley avenue.  Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from the funeral home of George J. Devine. Dr. J.W. Nicholson, pastor of the Broad Street M.E. church will officiate and burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

 

Andrus Doolittle

1854 - 1925

This community was greatly shocked by the sudden death of Andrus Doolittle, who passed away September 25th, 1925 after only a short illness from heart disease.  Mr. Doolittle was born in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] February 18th, 1854 but spent most of his life in the town of Bainbridge.  He married Cora B. Davis, and by this union there were four children:  Perry L. Doolittle, and Mable E. Doolittle, both residing in the town of Bainbridge; Mark A. and Floyd D. Doolittle, both residing in the town of Sidney.  His wife died in 1902.  In 1906 he was united in marriage to Maude J. Wykes of Oneonta and by this union one son was born, John Elliott, aged six months.  Mr. Doolittle also leaves to mourn their loss two sisters; Mrs. Newton Bartlow now residing in Petersburg, Fla. and Mrs. Myra Lyon of this village, and one brother Arthur, now residing in the town of Bainbridge.  Mr. Doolittle was highly esteemed by all.  He was an industrious and hard working man, genial in his disposition, honest and upright in all his dealings. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family.  His funeral was held at one o'clock Sunday afternoon at his late residence on Johnson street. The service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. R.B. Whitman and the burial was in the family plot at West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Susanna Ruth (Avery) Mumford

Afton Enterprise, March 4, 1926

Susanna Ruth, wife of Clarence G. Mumford of Starrucca, Pa., died Friday morning, after an illness of two weeks, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Marshal G. Hill, where she and her husband were spending the winter.  Susanna Ruth Avery, the daughter of David and Lavina Avery, was born at Arrat, Pa.  She was married September 21st, 1871, to Clarence G. Mumford, son of Judge Mumford of Starrucca, Pa.  She was a member of the Presbyterian church at Arrat and for many years an earnest Sunday School worker in Wilkes Barre and other places, where they made their home. She was also a member of Cunahunta Chapter D.A.R. of Afton. She is survived by her husband and two sisters, Mrs. Marshall G. Hill of Afton and Mrs. W.A. Lee of Thompson, Pa also several nieces and nephews.  A prayer service was held at the home of Mrs. Hill Saturday evening at 7 o'clock, conducted by Rev. D.M. Geddes, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this place.  The funeral in charge of Louis C. Mumford, a nephew, was held at Starrucca at 11 a.m. Monday, Rev. Butler officiating, burial in Starrucca cemetery.

Obituaries (July 27)

Eugene Reynolds

DeRuyter Gleaner, September 1933

Milton Eugene Reynolds, 65, passed away Friday morning, September 8, 1933, after a long illness.  Surviving are his wife, two sons, Clive and Max Reynolds, five grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Harriet Burdick of DeRuyter and Mrs. Arthur Mitchell of Auburn, and several nieces and nephews. the funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the M.E. church at South Otselic.  Rev. Harold Steer officiated, with burial in the family plot at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Clara Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, January 26, 1933

Mrs. Clara Brown, 77 years of age, passed away Sunday morning, January 22, 1933, at the home of her son, William with whom she made it her home.  She was the widow of Charles D. Brown, whose death occurred in 1921 and on October 30, 1918 occurred the suicide death of her son, Byron C. then again in 1926 she mourned the loss of another son, Arthur H.  Besides her son, William, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Albert Fisher of Cleveland, Ohio.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday at two o'clock.

 

Harley D. Priest

DeRuyter Gleaner, April 25, 1935

Harley D. Priest, 56, former janitor at the Cortland city hall, died suddenly Sunday afternoon, at his home, 67 Floral Avenue, Cortland [Cortland Co., NY].  He was apparently in his usual health following a late Sunday dinner when he was stricken while lying down.  He died before Dr. C.D. VerNooy reached his side.  Mr. Priest was born in Pharsalia, Chenango County, September 4, 1878, a son of the late Charles and Rose Jones Priest.  He had made his home in Cortland for the past nine years.  he was employed at the Wickwire Brothers plant and was janitor at the city building for a few years.  he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alida M. Harvey Priest; one daughter, Mrs. Harold Balch of Cortland and a brother.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock at Beard Memorial Home, Rev. R.E. Pierce, pastor of the Homer Avenue Methodist church, officiated. Burial was made in South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Mary E. (Sliter) Kelly

1833 - 1914

Mrs. Mary E. Kelly, mother of Mrs. Wm. Watrous, a lifelong resident of this town, was called to her Heavenly Father Saturday, Feb. 21st, 1914, at 12:30 a.m.  She lived the last years of her life with her daughter and it was there after more than two years of absolute confinement to her bed, that she passed away.  Mrs. Kelly was eighty years old and had always lived in this vicinity and was loved and honored by all who knew her. After prayer at the house the funeral service was held at the Baptist church, Monday, Feb. 23d, at two p.m., the services being conducted by the pastor of the Church, Rev. Carley W. Halsey.  She was then laid at rest in the vault of Green Lawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Wm. Watrous, with whom she made her home, one great-granddaughter, Inez Watrous; three brothers, Joseph Sliter, Wm. Sliter and Smith Sliter, all of the West, and three sisters, Miss Nettie Sliter of Norwich, Mrs. Wilkins of Bainbridge and Mrs. Hodge, of Binghamton.

 

Robert Sliter

Norwich Sun, December 1907

At the residence of his daughter, Mrs E. Ryan, Christmas morning, Robert B. Sliter died, his age being 65 years.  The deceased served three years as 1st Sergeant Co. A, 51st regiment, N.Y. Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War and was a member of the E.B. Smith Post, no. 83, G.A.R.  The post will attend the funeral in a body and a ritual service will be conducted in Mount Hope chapel [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]. All members of the post are requested to meet at G.A.R. hall at 1 o'clock Saturday, December 28. The funeral services will be held at the residence, 22 Wescott street, Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Samuel Moore officiating.  Interment in Mount Hope cemetery.

 

Funeral services for Robert Sliter, whose death was reported last week, were held from the late home on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Samuel Moore officiating.  The services were largely attended and there was a considerable number of members of E.B. Smith Post, who attended in a body and conducted the services at Mt. Hope chapel, using the beautiful G.A.R. ritual.  Many floral offerings were received from those who knew and esteemed the deceased.  Robert Sliter was born in the town of Bainbridge [Chenango co., NY], Nov. 27, 1842, therefore was 65 years of age at the time of his death.  In the early days of the Civil War he enlisted in the 51st Regt. NY. Vol. infantry and was given the rank of sergeant. In the early days of the war he was wounded and came north on a furlough but as soon as possible he returned to the front, carrying the bullet in his body, and fought on until the war was over.  He carried the bullet in his body to the day of his death, and many years of his life were spent in pain because of that wound and the sacrifice he had made for his country.  On Christmas day, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Arlina Wheaton of New Berlin.  Three children were born of this union, one dying in infancy and two daughters surviving, Mrs. William Ryan and Mrs. Edward Ryan. At the home of the later the father spent his last days, ministered unto and comforted by the kindly care of those who knew and loved him best.  Mr. Sliter was one of a family of eleven children, four sisters and three brothers of whom survive.  His death occurred on Christmas morning, the 38th anniversary of his marriage. Some years ago, Mr. Sliter united with the Congregational church but of late, owing to his increasing infirmities, he has bene able to attend church but seldom.

Charles Hodge

Afton Enterprise, September 6, 1894

A sad drowning accident occurred at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Friday afternoon in which Chas. Hodge, of that village, lost his life, and B. VanNostrand, of Oneonta, came very near meeting the same fate.  The two men were fishing about two miles below Bainbridge in the Susquehanna, when Mr. Hodge, attempting to pull in the anchor, fell over backwards into the water, capsizing the boat. The boat floated out of the reach of the men and VanNostrand seized Hodge and tried to swim to shore.  Their strength gave out, however, and both tried to get to the shore separately.  Hodge insisted he could swim but both went down twice.  VanNostrand reached the shore, when his strength gave out.  Hodge went down and drowned within 12 feet of the shore and in 12 feet of water.  VanNostrand was so exhausted in trying to save Hodge that he barely escaped drowning.  Van Nostrand went to the village and gave the alarm, when rescuers went to the scene.  The body was in the water one hour and thirty minutes.  Chas. Hodge was a young man 32 years old and leaves a wife.  He was a son of Homer Hodge of that village.

 

 

Reminiscences of Early "Jericho"

Reminiscences of Early "Jericho"

Afton Enterprise, April 16, 1925

As told by Mrs. Melissa Landers Wilkins, a daughter of Isaiah Landers, one of the early pioneers of Jericho.  She would now, if living, be over 115 years old.  She was drawn on hand-sled to school mornings most of the winter of 1815, when she was five years old, by an old Indian name Kunkerpot, one whom the other Indians considered their chief; at least he was the one who settled their differences.  They lived in the winter in wigwams in a dense woods back of the Landers home, which is the same house so long occupied by a son, Hial Landers, and then by his son, Willard Landers.

 

A huge fireplace was in the large old kitchen and half of the time, on cold winter evenings, she said, there would be from three to six or seven Indians and Squaws lying on the hearth in front of the fireplace with their feet to the fire, and the only way to get them to eave at the end of the evening was to treat them to apples and cider of which they were very fond, then they would file out saying, "Good night, good woman, good night, good man; good fire, warm much plenty."

 

One old Squaw, Lispat by name, was overly fond of the cider, and used to come in the day time and beg for it till she was considered a nuisance.  So one day, when she came begging cider, Mrs. Landers gave her some from the bottom of the barrel that had yeast put in it to keep it sweet and consequently what remained in the barrel was rather thick.  She drank it without any remark, but when she came again, she said to Mrs. Landers, "Good woman, I like some more your emptens and cider." She was also given to helping herself to anything she wished if she had the chance.

 

Isiah Landers, who by the way always went by the military title of "Major," had a daughter, Clara [Stevens], who married John Stevens, and went to housekeeping on what has been known as the Carr farm.  One day in March, having workmen to provide for, she cooked a boiled dinner, taking it all up on a large pewter platter, setting it on a shelf in the pantry near the window and partly raising it to let the steam escape.  Upon returning to the kitchen she caught a glimpse of this squaw passing the corner of the house towards the window with a basket on her arm, she thought nothing of it; only wondered why she did not enter the house. But when she went to place her platter on the table, she found not a scrap of her boiled dinner. The old squaw had deftly slid it from the platter into her basket, and was on her way to her wigwam with it.

 

On a portion of Major Landers' farm, later owned and occupied by his grandson, Daniel Landers, is an Indian burying ground.  I once saw a half bushel basket full of Indian arrow heads that were picked up on the site of that old burial place, and a short distance this side of it is a space of quite a size where, on many evenings in summer, a dense fog arises reaching from the river up across the road, and the Indians said that had spirits came there to do evil to passing people, both whites and Indians, and that the Great spirit sent the fog to baffle their efforts.

 

There used to live near Major Landers, all alone in a little log house, a widow of a Revolutionary soldier called "Granny Catlin" who was very punctual to attend church services then held in a nearby school house, always wearing her only good dress, a black bombazine.  She might once have been an excellent housewife, but it seems with age she had deteriorated in that respect. As she had not attended church in several Sabbaths, a couple of the neighboring women went in to enquire if she were sick or what was the cause of her absence.  "La Suz," she replied "I've lost my bombazine dress and I can't come.  I can't find it anywhere, I fear it's stolen and I never can get another to wear to church."

 

Her bed, with a valance around it, stood in the one living room. About a year after the old lady came out to church wearing her bombazine.  After services, the women gathered around her, inquiring where she found her dress.  "La Suz," she replied, "I'd never thought to look under the bed till tother day and there I found it good as ever." Shortly after this, when she was between 90 and 100 years of age, the government granted her a pension of $8 per month.  When she received her first check she bought herself a gold ring and turkey-red calico for a dress.  Some of her neighbors thought that was not just the right thing for her to do and told her to that effect.  "La Suz" she replied, "I can't remember the time when I didn't want a gold ring and a turkey-red dress and I just thought I would get 'em and take a little good of 'em before I died."

 

Mrs. Wilkins commenced to teach school in 1827, when she was 17 years of age.  In the winter time the scholars brought raw potatoes which about 11 o'clock she had to put in the ashes at the corner of the fireplace and cover with coals that they might be baked by noon, and if their corn bread, Johnny cake, or cold meat was frozen, she had to take it from their dinner baskets and lay it on the warm stone fireplace hearth, to thaw out to go with their potatoes.

 

Teachers then only had every other Saturday to themselves, boarding around the district during the week, and in one place where she taught, the girls of the neighborhood used on those Saturday afternoons, to meet at the place where she would be for a visit with her.  A foolish fellow in the neighborhood thought it fine to come and sit with them, which pleased him much more than it did them.  So Mrs. Wilkins told the girls one day that if he ever came again they would have some fun, for she would ask him to marry her and see what he would say.

 

For all that this happened over a hundred years ago, I think girls were about the same as at present; fond of a joke, and sometimes get the joke turned on themselves, as in this case.  When he again came, she took a chair and sat down close to him and began talking with him for a little time, then leaning toward him, speaking in a confidential tone, she said:  "I am tired of teaching and would like to marry.  Will you marry me?"  "Boy ask Gal, not Gal ask Boy," he said.

 

No little girl of the present time would think of playing with a stone for a doll, as Mrs. Wilkins did when a child, more than a century ago. She was in the habit of playing by the side of a brook that ran near the house, under a tree up which ran a wild grapevine.  In the edge of the water she spied this stone. So she would take it out of the water and dry it in the sun, wrap it in a little blanket of her own, and there under the tree play with it, not daring to carry it to the house for fear the other children would laugh at it.  But one day old Kunkerpot surprised the "Little Missy," as he always called her, with it and the next she knew he had whittled her out a fine wooden doll with black eyes and hair burned in, nice red lips and nose colored with berry juice and for which her mother made a dress and "wasn't I happy with it," she said.

 

Many, Many years after, she dreamed of playing again by that brook side, and told her dream in the following lines:

 

Last night, in my slumbers, I had a strange dream;

In my vision I wandered down by the stream

Where in childhood's fair morning I sported so free.

Nor dreamed one sorrow e'er waited for me.

 

I saw the wild grapes as they hung on the vine,

The ivy and woodbine around them entwined;

The very same bluebird sang in the elm tree.

The robin and lark and the sweet chickadee.

 

My friends of my childhood were smiling around,

We gathered wild flowers, then sat on the ground;

We talked of past friendships with hearts light and free,

As the sweet little warbler's that sang in the tree.

 

How dear to my heart was the brook and the grove,

The orchard and meadow, the friends that I loved.

As I entered my home with what transport I see

My brothers and sisters, all smiling at me.

 

My father sat smoking, old "Watch" by his side,

My mother looked happy, as our wants she supplied;

On the old dining table a potpie, did smoke;

We were all seated around it and then I awoke.

 

I awoke, and how sadly my heart seem to say:

"My parents, the friends of my youth where are they?

That home, Oh, how lonely, many loved ones are gone,

In the cold grave, they slumber never more to return.

 

Since earthly enjoyments are passing with time,

Let us place our affections on things more sublime,

And when, with life's sorrows and cares, we are done.

We'll rest with our Savior in  a Heavenly home.

 

As told by Melissa Landers Wilkins

Provided by Mrs. Butler

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obituaries (July 27)

Mrs. Charles S. Butler

Afton Enterprise, September 17, 1925

Mrs. Charles S. Butler, of 130 Murray street, Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], died in the City hospital in that place Saturday night at 6:55 o'clock from illuminating gas poisoning suffered when she accidentally placed a clothes hanger on a jet and breathed the deadly fumes which escaped from the jet as she was using an electric carpet sweeper.  When Dr. Butler, returned to his home from his office shortly after 5 o'clock Saturday night, he detected the odor of gas fumes and ran to a bedroom where he found his wife's unconscious form on the floor.  He opened the windows of the home and gave first aid treatment.  Seeing that she was in a serious condition, he notified police headquarters and Officers, Dennis O'Brien, John Prekopa, Crosby Wakeman and Archie Lane brought a pulmotor, which was used for several minutes.  Mrs. Butler was rushed to City hospital where five physicians worked over her until 6:55 o'clock, but their efforts were in vain.  Coroner F.J. Hitchcock pronounced death due to accidental poisoning from illuminating gas.  Mrs. Butler is survived by her husband, [two] sisters, Miss Gertrude and Miss Grace Bushnell; two brothers, William H. Bushnell and Albert E. Bushnell. The funeral was held from the home Tuesday afternoon.  Burial was in Spring Forest cemetery in that city [Binghamton, NY].  Mrs. Butler was a former resident of Nineveh and Harpursville where the doctor practiced medicine previous to their moving ot Binghamton and where Mrs. Butler has a host of friends who regret her untimely end.

Grace (Green) Stevens

Afton Enterprise, September 17, 1925

Mrs. Grace Green Stevens was born in Afton July 17th, 1898, and has spent her entire life in this place of her birth.  She was a graduate of the Afton High School and of the Oneonta Normal.  During the World War she served on the War Trade Board in Washington, D.C.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  On January 7th, 1921, she married Frederick J. Stevens, in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Her only child is a son, Richard J. Stevens.  She is survived by her husband, son and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ornin J. Green, lifelong residents of Afton.  Mrs. Stevens had been in usual good health until about three weeks ago when she was taken seriously ill.  She was removed to Binghamton and died at the home of F.J. Stevens, Sr., Sunday morning one thirty o'clock, September 13. The remains were brought to her parents' home in Afton where a brief service was held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., then were taken to the Methodist Episcopal Church where the funeral was conducted by the pastor, Rev. W.D. Lathrop, assisted by the Rev. Harry J. Rines; pastor of the Ogdon Methodist Episcopal Church of Binghamton.  The "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" was rendered as a solo by George L. Chamberlain, and "Nearer My God to Thee" by a quarter composed of John Dimorier, George Chamberlain, Mrs. Harry Carr and Mrs. Harry  Horton.  The large audience present bore tribute to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. The floral tributes were unusually beautiful and abundant.  Mrs. Stevens was a devoted and loving wife, mother and daughter so ingratiating in manner that she will be missed by all that knew her.  Interment was made in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].  The pallbearers were:  Glen Morgan, Corbin D. Lewis, W.Y. McHugh, L.G. Frnsworth, A.A. Mudge and Frank Todd, who rendered heroic service owing to the inclement weather.

 

Leslie Timothy Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, February 7, 1935

Leslie T. Brown, aged 77, well known South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] business man died at his home in that village early Thursday morning, January 31sr, 1935.  He had been in poor health for several months, but had improved so as to get about the house a little and his death on Thursday morning came somewhat unexpected.  Leslie Timothy Brown was the second son of Timothy G. and Malvina Peevy Brown, one of a family of nine children, and was born on June 13th, 1857, in the Town of DeRuyter.  While still in his teens he started out to earn his own livelihood.  Like many other lads of those days, his schooling has limited to a few weeks of winter terms, but not withstanding this handicap he succeeded to picking up considerable book knowledge. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the employ of Benjamin Healy of Rhode Island, who was a dealer in eggs, poultry and meats.  It was while working for Mr. Healy that he learned the art of cutting meats.  On January 28th, 1880 he married Esther Cordelia Healy, youngest daughter of Benjamin and Alvira Healy of Rhode Island.  They made their home with Mrs. Brown's parents until February, 1893, when they moved to South Otselic, purchasing the Albert Spicer property, where they have since resided.  On January 28th of this year, only three days before Mr. Brown's death, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  For more than thirty years he conducted the Otselic Valley Meat market, in the Perkins Block, where he built up a substantial business, finally selling out his interest and retiring in 1922.  In 1890 he joined the First Baptist Church of South Otselic, being baptized in the Otselic River with several others.  Mr. Brown always took an active part in the church work, serving successively as trustee and deacon and was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday School Department.  In 1922 he was made a Mason in the South Otselic Lodge, No. 650 and always enjoyed attending the lodge sessions.  Mr. Brown was a Charter Shareholder and also a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of The Otselic Valley National Bank of South Otselic.  which was organized and opened for business son July 13th, 1905.  He is credited with never having missed a meeting of the Board during his incumbency.  Brother Brown is survived by his wife, Esther Healy Brown, and daughter, Mrs. Neal C. Baldwin; two grandchildren, Neal C. Baldwin, Jr., and Kessler Brown Baldwin; a brother, Charles G. Brown of Vineland, New Jersey, and twin sisters, Mrs. Fred A. Blakeslee of Cazenovia, N.Y. and Mrs. Ida Scallan of Osceola, Pa.  His funeral which was largely attended was held on Saturday, February  2nd 1935, at 1:30 p.m. at the home and at 2:00 p.m. at The First Baptist Church.  The funeral sermon was given by Reverend J.S. Whitney, his pastor, who also gave the Masonic burial service.  Burial was made in the Valley View Cemetery [South Otselic, NY] with Undertaker, Charles H. Woodley in charge.

 

Warren H. Woodward

DeRuyter Gleaner, May 16, 1935

Warren H. Woodward of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], died at his home Thursday, May 9th, 1935, at 4:45 p.m.  Mr. Woodward had been ill since last July.  Warren Woodward son of Charles Stanley and Caroline Bailey Woodward was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 28th, 1885.  He moved form Cincinnati, Ohio to Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he spent most of his life.  He has resided in South Otselic for the past fourteen years, where he has been in the insurance business for two and a half years.  Surviving are the wife, Elsie S. Woodward, South Otselic; one sister, Carrie B. Woodward, of Bloomfield, N.J.; two brothers, Robert J. Woodward of Edgewater, N.J., and Chas. B. Woodward of Montclair, N.J.  Mr. Woodward was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and clerk of the school board. The funeral was held at the Methodist church at South Otselic, N.Y. Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. DeWitt Stanley and Rev. Harold Steer officiating and burial was made in the Valley View Cemetery at South Otselic. 

 

John A. Murray

DeRuyter Gleaner, August 8, 1935

John A. Murray, 64, South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] farmer, died in Cortland Sunday noon following a month's illness.  he was a native of Lincklaen where he was born January 23, 1871, a son of the late Oscar and Lucilla Thompson Murray. When but two years of age he went with his parents to Sisseton, S.D., and later operated a farm there for many years.  While there he married Miss Anna Johnson.  He returned east in 1919 and moved onto a farm near North Pitcher.  Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Lee Murray of Nelson and Lloyd Murray of Minneapolis, Minn., four daughters, Mrs. Harold Palmer of Cazenovia, Mrs. William Van Dousel of Homer, Mrs. Lucille Hulbert and Miss Cloye Murray of Cortland' three brothers, Lester Murray of Wyoming, Foster and Clifford Murray of South Dakota; and two sisters, Mrs. Lennie Hicks and Mrs. Carrie Hicks of So. Dakota.  Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 o'clock at Beard Memorial Home in Cortland.

Marriages (July 26)

Mallard - Westcott

Utica Saturday Globe, July 1915

 

Claude I. & Esther M. (Westcott) Mallard

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A quiet home wedding of interest to Norwich friends of the bride, occurred at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Westcott in West Eaton at noon Tuesday, when Miss Esther M. Westcott was wedded to Claude I. Mallard, of Washington, D.C.  Miss Westcott was for four years a resident of Norwich, making her home with her cousins, Dr. and Mrs. James H. Westcott, while she was a student in the Norwich High School. She afterwards graduated from the Albany Business College and for over a year was a stenographer for the Norwich Pharmacal Company, making many friends among the young society people.  For the past two years she has been a stenographer for Wood & Parker, at Morrisville.  She is a niece of State Senator Samuel A. Jones. The groom is a linotype operator on the Washington Herald and during frequent visits to Norwich has made numerous warm friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are spending a part of their honeymoon in Norwich as guests of Dr. and Mrs. Westcott and will visit Niagara falls before journeying to Washington to take up their residence. During their stay in this city they were showered with congratulations.

 

Gilbert - Spencer

Afton Enterprise, January 7, 1887

At an early hour Christmas morning over fifty invited guests assembled in the handsome parlors of the lovely country home of Henry Spencer, of Coventry, to celebrate the marriage ceremony of his eldest daughter, Miss Jesse [Spencer], to Mr. Charles Gilbert, the Rev. S.H. Wood officiating. The bride was attired with modest simplicity, and looked very pretty in her brown satin  intercepted with white satin bows.  Her sister acted as bride's maid and wore an olive green satin.  Mr. B. Bassett was "best man."  The music on this occasion was superb, professor DeForest Foote presiding at the piano, ably assisted in vocal music by Miss Myrta Barnes, of Harpursville and Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Foote.  A bridal souvenir written by Mrs. Belle Hinckley Fell, of New Orleans, and read by the author, was dedicated to the bride. A large number of beautiful and useful presents were presented to the happy couple.  Great credit is due the parents of the bride who were untiring in their efforts to promote the pleasure of their guests, and the occasion will long and happily be remembered by those present.

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, January 14, 1875

 

LYON - BISBE:  In Norwich, Jan. 2, 1875 by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Morris F. Lyon of Lebanon, N.Y. [Madison Co.] to Miss Eliza Bisbe of West Winson, Michigan.

 

CLARKE - BISSEL:  In North Norwich, Jan. 6, 1875 by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Albert B. Clarke of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Emily K. Bissel of North Norwich.

 

GALE - BEARDSLEY:  In McDonough, Jan. 6, 1875 by Rev. J.W. LaMoine, Mr. Emerson A. Gale to Miss Ida M. Beardsley, all of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

 

HOWARD - GOULD:  In Plymouth, Jan. 10, 1875 by Rev. J.W. Mevis, Mr. Chas. Howard of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Hattie Gould of Preston [Chenango Co., NY]

 

LYON - MARTIN:  In Coventry, Jan. 6, 1875 by Rev. A. Crocker, Mr. Harry Lyon of Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY] to Miss Mary F. Martin.

 

LAMB - RUSSEL:  In Peterboro, Dec. 25, 1874 by G.W. Coe, Esq. McHenny Lamb of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Vavilla Russel of Peterboro [Madison Co., NY].

Obituaries (July 25)

Fred Asa Secor

1885 - 1941

Fred Asa Secor died at his home in South Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 17, after an illness of nearly two years.  He was born in Otego [Otsego Co., NY] Oct. 23, 1885.  Later he moved to Plymouth where he was married to Ida Z. Coleman at her home in North Pharsalia, Dec. 25, 1907, by Rev. A.C. Oliver of Plymouth.  Later they moved to Norwich where they lived for 18 years, then to South Plymouth where they have lived for the past five years.  He was a good husband and father and was liked by those who knew him.  Mr. Secor was a member of the Free Methodist church of North Pharsalia and Norwich for about 26 years.  He leaves to mourn his loss, a wife and one daughter, Mrs. Lena Coffin of Norwich, and three grandchildren, also two brothers Grover Secor of Norwich and Merton Secor of Afton and one sister, Mrs. Huburt Steere of Norwich.  Funeral services were held at his late home in South Plymouth at 1:30 Thursday afternoon, Feb. 20, and at 2 o'clock in the Free Methodist church at Norwich, with Rev. D.W. Rose, assisted by Rev. Bessie Richard, officiating. Burial was made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]

 

Mary Coleman

1856 - 1943

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Spencer Coleman, who died at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon at her home in North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], are to be held at the late residence at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. K.W. Larrison officiating.  Burial is to be made in North Pharsalia.  Mrs. Coleman was born in Madison county, July 24, 1856 and had been ill for some time.  She is survived by three children, Clarence Coleman, Mrs. Ida Secor and Mrs. Gladys Wilcox, all of Norwich, and five grandchildren, Leon Coleman of Norwich, Mrs. Fred Fahy of Port Leyden, Pfc. John A. Coleman of Camp Swift, Texas, Mrs. Lena Coffin of Norwich and Private Charles Eaton of Camp Hood, Texas.  Six grandchildren and two nieces also survive.

 

The funeral of Mrs. Mary Coleman was held from the home in North Pharsalia at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. K.W. Larrison officiating.  Interment was made at North Pharsalia. The services were largely attended and a fine floral tribute was a testimonial to the high regard felt for the deceased. Acting as bearers were Alfred White, George Campbell, Harry E. Smith James Shepard, Freemont Tucker and Ernest Franklin.

 

Fred Leonard Willcox

1942

Fred Leonard Willcox died Sunday afternoon, March 15, at his late home in North Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] at the age of 58.  He leaves his wife Grace, and a stepson, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Eaton of Norwich; one daughter, Mrs. Jene Welty of Rome; one sister, Mrs. Cora Huttleston of Binghamton, and one nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Huttleston of Binghamton one niece, Mrs. Nellie Setliff of Binghamton and one cousin, Mr. and Mrs. Mason Aldrich of Norwich.  Several other cousins, one sister-in-law, Mrs. Ida Secor of Cortland; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Coleman; one brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Coleman of Norwich, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Caffre of Norwich.  Rev. Larrison of Norwich preached the funeral sermon and Alfred White sang two solos, "Beyond the Sunset" and "Good Night and Good Morning."  The bearers were George Campbell, Alfred White, Fremont Tucker, Wendell Lamb, Arley Manwarren and Delmer Law. The beautiful flowers testified to the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

 

Hubert A. Steere

1880 - 1941

Hubert A. Steere died at his home 13 Howard street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], a 3:30 Wednesday morning, following an extended illness.  Mr Steere has been ill since last October and had been confined to his bed since January.  The deceased was born in McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], May 17, 1880, but has been a resident of Norwich for many years.  He was last employed as caretaker at the Elks Club.  He is survived by his wife, Rose Secor Steere, four sons, John, Duane and Donald of Norwich and Kenneth of Binghamton.  He also leaves a daughter, Mrs. Harold White of Norwich.  Services are to be held at the Breese Funeral Home at 2 o'clock, Friday afternoon, with Rev. Dudley W. Rose of the Free Methodist church officiating with burial in Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].

 

Adrian W. Tallett

DeRuyter Gleaner, July 6, 1934

Adrian W. Tallett, 68, of 1 Cleveland street, Cortland [Cortland Co., NY], a member of the board of public works, an employee of the Brewer Tichener corporation for more than 20 years and prominent Odd Fellow, dropped dead Wednesday evening while changing a tire on the fairgrounds at Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. and Mrs. Tallett accompanied by Mr and Mrs. Elihu Thompson of South Otselic, came to the grounds early.  Mr. Thompson is a brother of Mrs. Tallett. While the car was parked on the grounds south of the race track, a tire went down and Mr Tallett was engaged in changing it when he toppled over dead.  Coroner E.W. Wilcox of Norwich found heart disease caused death.  The body was removed to the Breese undertaking rooms in Norwich and later removed by the R.H. Bears and sons firm to Cortland.  Mr. Tallett was born at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], son of Wells and Lucina Ferris Tallett. After residing at McGraw for a few years he went to Cortland to make his home in 1912.  He was a member of the First Congregational church and a member of Vesta lodge of Odd Fellows. Surviving besides his wife who accompanied him to Norwich are a daughter, Miss Azella Tallett, Cortland school teacher; a sister, Mrs. John Borg of West Eaton, and a brother, George Tallett of Earlville.  "Ade" Tallett had  a large circle of friends.  He was famous as a ball player in his youth, an ardent devotee of all outdoor sports and popular socially.  His passing will be generally regretted.

 

Schenectady, NY Gazette, July 1934

Norwich:  Stricken late today while repairing a tire on his automobile at the county fair grounds where he had been attending a Fourth of July picnic, Adrian Tallett, 68, of Cortland, died before a physician arrived.  Coroner E.W. Wilcox said death was caused by over-exertion.

Floyd Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, March 21, 1935

Our community was terribly shocked Monday morning to hear of the sudden death of Floyd Brown.  Mr. Brown went to his store about 5:30 a.m. and had brought in some wood to start a fire.  He was found sitting in a chair about an hour later by Chester Atkyns, who entered the store to make a purchase.  Apparently he felt bad and had set down before building the fire where he collapsed.  Dr Crumb was called but life was extinct.  Coroner was summoned and pronounced death due to heart and hardening of the arteries.  Mr. Brown would have been 71 years of age the 29th of this month, and is survived by his wife, a son, Archie of Cincinnatus, and a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Babel of Lowville and one  grandson.  He was a member of the Cascadilla Lodge I.O.O.F.  Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. J.C. Whitney officiating, with Kenneth Davis in charge, interment in Valley View cemetery.  Mr. Brown leaves a host of friends who sympathize with the bereaved family.

Post Listing, July 18-24, 2016

Following is a listing of blog postings for the week of July 18-24, 2016

 

Obituaries

Posted July 18, 2016

Mary (Newman) McGuinness (Norwich, 1915)

Leona M. (Smith) Rathbun (Norwich, 1905)

Daniel Conroy (Norwich, 1905)

George F. Humphrey (Norwich, 1905)

Posted July 19, 2016
Grace Hartwell (Sherburne, 1915)
Catherine Bentley (Sherburne, 1915)
The Missing William Williams (Norwich, 1897)

Posted July 20, 2016
Martha S. (Borst) Bowers (Norwich, 1915)
James T. Beal (Sidney, 1894)
Freelove Mathewson (Steamboat Rock, IA, Norwich, 1894)
Mary J. (Hamilton) Platt (Temecula CA, Oxford, 1894)
Death Notices - 1875
     Betsey Freeman (Plymouth)
     Charles E. Newton (Plymouth)
     Eliza Miller (Afton)
     Sarah M. Kirkhuff (Afton)
     Lois O. Lyon (Bainbridge)
     Viroqua  Higley (Bainbridge)

Posted July 21, 2016
Amy P. (Aldrich) Crandall (Norwich, 1915)
Charles T. Atwood (Norwich, Avoca, 1938)
Ella F. (Halberg) Beldin (Norwich, 1949)
Gale Truman Sawyer (Truxton, South Otselic, 1925)
Death Notices - 1875
     Orrin Baldwin (South Pitcher)
     Richard Rogers (German)
     Rosetta Lyon (Greene)
     Mrs. R.J. Marcy (Greene)
     Hattie E. Ingraham (Oxford)
     E.W. Perry (Tuscola, MI)
     Mrs. Sidney Eggleston (Guilford)

Posted July 22, 2016
Chester E. Steward (South Plymouth, 1915)
Elizabeth J. Manning (Norwich, 1904)
George S. Doane (Sherburne, 1904)
Edward Holl (DeRuyter, 1903)  Cutter - Train accident

Posted July 23, 2016
Frank D. Cadogan (Norwich, 1915)
Hiram H. Tucker (Sherburne, 1904)
Levi Olendorf Shepard (Chicago, Norwich, Eaton, 1904)

Posted July 24, 2016
William K. Lippitt (Norwich, Hamilton, 1888)
Uri Whittenhall (Greene, 1888)
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tiffany (Windsor, 1887)  Accidental fire
Mrs. William lee (Norwich, Skowhegan, ME, 1888)
Sarah Ives (Guilford, 1888)
Silas I. Rhodes (Smithville, 1888)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted July 20, 2016

Bainbridge High School, Class of 1926, part 2

Posted July 22, 2016
Messages from early class members of Bainbridge High School - 1926

Obituaries (July 24)

William K. Lippitt

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 4, 1888

The funeral of William K. Lippitt was attended from his late residence on Cortland St. [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Monday morning at 9 o'clock.  It is many years since a death has produced such a profound sensation in our community as that of Mr. Lippitt.  He was one of those men who had the genius for making friends.  Though a resident of our village only six years, he had a larger circle of acquaintances than many another who has resided here all his life.  A large majority of the representative men of the town were present.  The burial service of the Episcopal Church was read by Rev. M.M. Goodwin, rector of Emmanuel Church. J.D. Reed, George Rider, E.A. Goodrich, James K. Spaulding, D.E. Comstock and Frederick Mitchell acted as bearers. The remains were conveyed to the Ontario & Western depot and taken to Hamilton where they were deposited in a vault in the Hamilton Cemetery [Madison Co., NY].

 

Uri Whittenhall

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 4, 1888

Who did not know Uri Whittenhall of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], who does not remember his manly form, his genial countenance, and his hearty "how do you do," as he stood upon the steps of the Chenango House in Greene for a third of a century and welcomed its guests or bid them "come again" upon their departure?  Who was not his friend, or did not love him for his kindness of heart and noble trusts?  And yet he died on Thursday morning at four o'clock, after a brief illness.  Up to about a week ago he had been in his usual good health, since then he has been confined to his room, gradually growing weaker until, as above stated, the candle of life went out, burned to the socket.  Mr. Whittenhall was born in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], in 1805, and removed to Greene forty-four years ago, purchasing the Chenango House, with which he has ever since been connected, and where he made his home.  Even after he parted with the title to the premises his interest never lessened, and he could always be found there to interest and make pleasant the stay of his guests.  He was highly respected by everyone, generous, genial, public spirited, a good citizen in all respects and a man who will be missed greatly.  He was attended in his illness by his children, Mrs. John G. Brown, of Utica and Henry F. Whittenhall, of Greene.  he was a vestryman of Zion Episcopal Church, of Greene, and a member of Eastern light lodge, F.&A.M. for 55 years.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tiffany

Afton Enterprise, January 7, 1887

A terrible casualty occurred at a small place called Lester, about five miles from Windsor [Broome Co., NY], at about one o'clock Monday morning, whereby Henry Tiffany, aged 74 years, and his wife, aged 69 years, were burned to death in their home.  The only other person in the house at the time of the fire was a man named John Wales, who had been employed to do chores.  He was awakened a little before one o'clock and discovering the fire made an unsuccessful effort to reach the room where the old couple were sleeping, but was forced by the flames and smoke to make a hurried escape from one of the windows. After getting out of the house, Wales raised an alarm which attracted the attention of G.W. Snedeker, a son-in-law of the Tiffanys, who upon reaching their burning home raised a window of the room in which they slept and made a fruitless effort to find them.  After the flames had somewhat subsided, the body of the man was found directly underneath the apartment in which he and his wife slept.  Mrs. Tiffany's body was found underneath the floor of a room adjoining the sleeping apartments.  Before retiring, the fire in a large kitchen stove had been arranged so that the fire in it would be kept burning during the night, and the oven was filled with wood to be dried.  The fire is supposed to have originated in the wood.  Wales thinks it probable that he was awakened by the old lady, who after arousing him, endeavored to return to her husband and became overpowered by the smoke.  Coronor Osborn, of Binghamton, was notified and impaneling a jury held an inquest.  The jury rendered a verdict to the effect that the couple came to their death by being suffocated or burned to death, in accordance with the facts as herein stated.  The deceased had two sons residing in Susquehanna and two daughters in Windsor.

 

Mrs. William Lee

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 7, 1888

Tuesday evening the remains of Mrs. Wiliam Lee, a former resident of this place were brought here for interment.  They were taken to the house of C.G. Lee on locust Street, where the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, Rev W.G. Partridge officiating.  Mrs. Lee died at Skowhegan, Maine, where she has resided several years.  her two daughters, Mrs. Oscar Hillman, nee Julia Lee of Skowhegan, Maine, and Mrs Charles Clark, nee Libbie Lee of Watertown, N.Y. were in attendance at the funeral.  Mrs. Lee was upwards of sixty years of age and spent the greater portion of her life in this village, during which she was an active and consistent member of the Baptist church. 

 

Sarah Ives

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 7, 1888

It is sweet to be remembered, and we cherish the thought that we shall be remembered, a little while at least, after we are dead, and there are some persons who have so endeared themselves to those around them that they can not be soon forgotten  Such an one has lately passed away from among us.  Sarah, the beloved wife of Mr. John Ives of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died Dec. 15, 1887, aged thirty-eight years.  In the midst of her days and in the midst of her usefulness she was suddenly called from her loved ones on earth to her loved ones in Heaven.  On Saturday the 17th, a large assembly filled the church of which she had been a faithful member from her youth.  Rev. Mr. Jenison and J.L. Jones officiated, and her remains were tenderly laid to their last resting place in "Ives Settlement," surrounded and covered with evergreens and flowers.  She will be greatly missed in her home, in the neighborhood, and in the church.  Our loss is great, her gain is greater.  "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

"God calls our loved ones,

Bur we lose not wholly what he has given.

They live on earth in thought and deed,

As truly as in heaven."

 

Silas I. Rhodes

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 7, 188

Wednesday morning Gen L.A Rhodes received a telephone message that his brother, Mr Silas I. Rhodes, a prominent resident of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] had met with a serious accident.  Later in the day, about 3 P.M. another message brought the intelligence that his brother was dead. Wednesday morning, Mr. Rhodes went out to clean off the ice and snow from the roof of his house.  He was standing upon a ladder at work, when he fell, whether the ladder slipped or what caused him to fall is not known at this writing.  He struck in such a way as to fracture his skull.  No one saw the accident.  Mr. Rhodes was able to rise and walk into the house.  He died about 3 P.M. as stated above.  Mr. Rhodes was the oldest brother of Gen. Rhodes and was in the sixty-fourth year of his age.  He was a native of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] and removed to Smithville about 1850, where in 1855 he entered into the general mercantile business with Lambert Terrill, his father-in-law.  The latter died in 1862  Mr. Rhodes continued the business to the present time.  He rose to be a man of means and of influence in the community.  He has been repeatedly elected Justice of the peace and also held the office of postmaster.  His funeral will be attended Saturday afternoon.