Catherine L. (Burgess) Welch
Utica Saturday Globe, May 1916
Catherine L. (Burgess) Welch
1854 - 1916
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]: The people of this city were shocked and grieved Wednesday afternoon to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. Catherine L. Welch at her home on Silver street. She had been in her usual health and was stricken with heart failure when about her household duties. Mrs. Welch, whose maiden name was Catherine L. Burgess, was born at Oriskany Falls, N.Y., July 20, 1854, at which place she was educated and spent her childhood. September 25, 1874, she was united in marriage to the late Michael Welch, of Preston, who died on March 3, 1905. For more than 30 years she and her husband had been engaged in farming in the towns of McDonough and Preston in this county [Chenango]. Soon after the death of her husband she moved with her family to Norwich, where she had since resided. Deceased is survived by one brother, John Burgess, of Oriskany Falls, and by seven daughters and five sons, Thomas F., Joseph M., Paul E., John H., Margaret and Frances, who still live in their mother's household; also William H. Mrs. Edward Byrnes, Mrs. Jesse W. Chruch and Mrs. Edward J. Malloy, all of Norwich; Mrs. James E. McEneny, of Oxford, and Mrs. William J. Sullivan, of Menoa, N.Y., all of whom have the deepest sympathy of their many friends in Norwich. Mrs. Welch was a remarkable type of American womanhood. left a widow with 12 children, at a time when the long years of rugged service as a farmer's wife had impaired her physical powers, she did not falter, but with a fidelity and zeal rarely equaled, she gave to all her children the advantages of a liberal education. She was a devout and consistent member of St. Paul's Chruch and of the rosary society of the church. Her funeral will be held from her late residence, 53 Silver street, Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, whence it will proceed to St. Paul's Chruch. Interment will be in St. Paul's Cemetery [Norwich, NY] by the side of her late husband.
Mabel Hinman
Chenango Union, April 30, 1885
HINMAN: In Afton, Chenango Co., N.Y., April 11th, 1885, Mrs. Mabel Hinman, widow of Moses Hinman, aged 91 years, 3 months and 22 days. Sister Hinman was born at Fly Creek, Otsego Co., N.Y. Moved to Upper Lisle, and there married and lived till May 12, 1836, when she moved on the farm where she died. Twelve children have blessed the home, nine now living. She has thirty-two grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, making seventy-six in all. She was a woman of fine taste and a cultured mind, stored with all the topics of the day, for she was a great reader; was a fine Bible student, and her loving, motherly nature with the truths of the Bible taught her that God is love, and no doubt passed through her mind but that every child of God would in the realms of the beyond forever remain in the presence of our Father in Heaven. What a pleasure it must be to the children, as they think of the large number of friends who met to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom they loved, as their tears showed the respect they had for "Grandma," as they so familiarly called her. She was placed at rest in the Universalist cemetery in Afton, by the side of her husband, who passed on some twelve years ago. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. O.K. Beardsley, of Hopbottom, Pa.
Steward A. Cook
Chenango Union, February 17, 1876
Solemnly struck the funeral knell, that has just been wafted on the gentle breeze; and we are in deep mourning. The bright spirit of our young and beloved friend, Steward A. Cook, has been taken, in the pride of his manhood, and borne to the higher realms of eternity. He had been employed to teach the winter term of the public school, at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY]. Being self-reliant, he not only honorably acquitted himself, in all the arduous duties of a successful pedagogue, but in addition took up studies for his own benefit. This additional work overtaxed his brain and persevering energies. For eight weeks he had withstood the over burdening pressure, but reluctantly yielded to the fatal consequence. On Friday, he left his little family group of seventy, and returned to his father's house, to seek a relief from the dangerous ills that beset him. Skillful medical aid, and the kind, punctual cure and constant attention of his ardent friends and endearing relatives, wholly subdued the burring fever, and all apparent and visible difficulty was removed; so that the attending physician decided his presence unnecessary and every danger dispelled. When all these alarming symptoms had been conquered, and all hope regenerated, he evidently was comfortably convalescent. But the great terrors, which finally decided his fate, had not yet come. Among the living, we know not the fatal hour or the moment that awaits us. When all is peace, joy and harmony around us, we are summoned, in the twinkle of the eye, and snatched from our earthly moorings. He had arisen in the morning of his fated day, sensibly refreshed from his nightly slumber; was cheerful, conversant; and happy, throughout the forenoon; was able to partake of the dainty refreshments prepared for him at mid-day; had returned to his bed chamber for a little rest, where the messenger of death was in waiting, with shining weapon, for the fulfillment of his mission. He divested himself of clothing in a few moments, and had reclined easily upon his couch; in a moment more he was seized, and all the endearing ties that bound him to earth were severed. The sad news came like a thunderbolt from the heavens in a clear sky, with crushing effect upon his friends, and devastating the hearts of his relatives. He was the second child of Alvin L. Cook, of Lincklaen; was born the 27th of May, 1851, in said town; was twenty-four years, eight months and four days old on the first day of February inst., the day of his death. Of late, in the great search for knowledge he had applied himself to the unprecedented task of spelling and giving the definition of all the words in Webster's Abridged Dictionary; had succeeded as far as to the letter S. His affable manner and courteous disposition, commensurate to his higher sensibilities, pre-requisite to a welcome of admission into the higher walks of society, guarded and safely protected his noble bearing, in all the responsible duties, wherever he was called, or whatever position he held. By nature he was abundantly stored with self-reliance and perseverance, consequently was inured both to physical labor and intellectual work. In the development of these, the evidence was remarkable in his every act and deed. The superior moral, intellectual and scientific qualifications, added to his noble attributes, were a sufficient guarantee to a future field of earthly usefulness. But alas! he must yield to the fiat of a Power that knows no resistance. He was initiated into the fraternity of Masons, March 15th, 1878, in the twenty-first year of his age; was elected S.D., December 20th, same year; and elected J.W., December 26th, 1874; and elected J.W., December 25th, 1875. Since the organization of the Lodge at this place, no member ever has made such rapid strides of advancement in securing a thorough knowledge of the important work, as did Mr. Cook. His election to the highest gift of the order, save one, is prima facia evidence of his superior powers. In many instances he nobly filled the highest office, in the Master's absence. His remains were interred, February 3d, 1876 in the cemetery at South Otselic, under the auspices of his brethren, with the badge of mourning properly adjusted, and in conjunction with the relatives and other friends. As he ever labored in this life, for the light of intelligence, so may his bright spirit pass through the pearly gates into an eternal paradise, there to learn the great signs and wonders in the broad immensity of the heavenly worlds, and ever continue to seek further light, in the approach of the Grand Master of the unbounded Universe.---Feb. 7, 1876 Hawkeye
H.M. Flint
Chenango Union, February 10, 1876
A serious accident occurred on the Midland railroad at the bridge which crosses the Willowanaoo river, near Westfield Flats, on Wednesday, Feb. 2d, about three o'clock in the afternoon. A snow plow was being run over the road to clear the track from snow, being a short distance in advance of the mail train. The persons on the plow and engine were Superintendent H.M. Flint; Beeves Hankins, conductor; Patrick McDermott, Supervisor of the track; John Menshall, master mechanic; George Geere and Everett Vaughn, brakemen; Wm. McCloid, engineer; Edward Cooney, fireman, and John Babcock, Roadmaster. The bridge is about 120 feet in length, and the plow train had passed nearly to the middle when it jumped the track, the immense plow, which weighed eighteen tons, striking the timbers of the bridge tearing them out as if they had been reeds, and the plow, engine and tender, plunged off into the river below, about twenty feet. Conductor Hankins, was on the plow, and escaped with a few bruises, which are now nearly well, Brakeman Vaughn had a shoulder dislocated; but Superintendent Flint, who was on the engine, was very badly scalded by steam, and probably inhaled more or less of it; while his legs, feet and hands were so badly scalded that the skin and flesh peeled off. Notwithstanding his injuries, he had the presence of mind to order the men to "flag that mail" which was momentarily expected to be upon the wreck; but which was, fortunately flagged in time. Mr. Flint was taken to the house of Mr. Bennett, who resides near the bridge. Physicians were sent for and aid procured as soon as possible, and the wounded men cared for; but the wounds of Mr. Flint proved fatal. He lingered until about 8 o'clock Sunday evening, when he died.
Mr. Flint has been connected with the road from its first opening, knew every foot of the track and the points to be watched in storm or calm. He was active, energetic, and efficient, and will be a great loss to the road. he was about forty years of age, and leaves a family in Newburg, where his funeral was attended on Tuesday last. Mr. Vaughn, the injured brakeman, is at his home at Sherburne Four Corners.
The Middletown Argus gives the following brief sketch of Mr. Flint's career: "Mr. Flint commenced life as a train boy on the Western Division of the Erie under President Minot's administration. His intelligence and industry soon caused him to be placed in one of the telegraph offices. In a brief time he mastered the business of an operator, and filled this office at numerous places on the road. He was finally given entire charge of the station of Chester. There he remained for several years, his services giving entire satisfaction to the company. From this point, in the spring of 1862, he was transferred to Greycourt, there to act as joint agent of the Erie and the Warwick Valley Railroads. Here his close attention to and capacity for business continued to gain him high standing with both companies. He was then given a train on the Newburgh and Warwick branches, which position he was filling when called upon to take the office of Superintendent of the Montclair Railroad. His efficient management of that enterprise in matters familiar to every one acquainted with its affairs. Here he remained until the property lapsed into bankruptcy in 1873, in consequence of the panic. Under Receiver Hewitt Mr. Flint came here as a Division Superintendent. When Mr. Douglass resigned the office of Superintendent, Mr. Flint took his place. How well he has filled the office, how much of the new prosperity of the company was owing to his wise administration of its affairs, are matters with which we have all become familiar.
Chenango Union, February 17, 1876
The following announcement of the death of Superintendent Flint was made by J.G. Stevens, General Manager of the Midland Railroad, to the employees:
New York, Feb. 7, 1876
It becomes my painful duty to announce to the employees of the N.Y.&O. Midland the death of the General Superintendent, Mr. H.M. Flint, who died on the 6th inst., from injuries received while in discharge of his duties. The blow is so sudden, the loss so severe to one and all of us, that it is difficult to fully realize its full extent. But a few days since he was with us, in the full flush of manhood, ardent, active, energetic; today he is struck down at his post. As a man he was worthy of all regard. With a strict sense of justice and of sturdy integrity, he could be relied upon in all emergencies. Possessed of a warm heart, and of most kindly feelings and sympathies, he won not only the respect but the affections of those with whom he was associated. As a railroad officer he was most conscientious and zealous in the discharge of every duty His great executive powers, ripe experience, quick perceptions, enthusiasm of temper, sound judgment, always brought success for his efforts; a strict disciplinarian he expected every man to do his duty, but was quick to recognize and appreciate the best efforts of those who tried to do their best. He has passed away, but the influence of his character will long survive. J.G. Stevens, General Manager.
