Obituaries (December 10)

Spicer Chesebro

Utica Saturday Globe, May 1920

 

Spicer Chesebro

1852 - 1920

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Spicer Chesebro, a former resident of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and a brother of Charles Chesebro, of this city, died at his home in south Brookfield Sunday following a long illness, aged 68 years.  Funeral services were held from his late home at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning.  Besides his wife he is survived by the following brothers and sisters; Charles, of this city; Will, of South Edmeston; Dettie Chesebro, of Brookfield, Mrs. Emma Miller, of Sauquoit; Mrs. Hattie Lamb, of South Edmeston; Mrs. Myrtle Whitney, of Sherburne, and Mrs. Edna Calhoun, of South Edmeston.

 

Walter C. Chesebro

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, July 23, 1887

Walter C. Chesebro, son of Spicer Chesebro, died at his home Tuesday, July 19th, aged 15 years.  The funeral took place at the house Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev I.N. Shipman officiated.

 

Martin V.B. Winsor

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, January 12, 1884

Died--In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], January 9th, Martin V.B. Winsor, 43 years of age.  Mr. Winsor has been engaged in the mercantile business in Guilford for almost thirteen years, in which pursuit he has been very successful.  He has had the reputation of dealing fairly and honestly with everyone, and he had the confidence and esteem of the whole community.  He was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church having been a member of the Vestry for the past twelve years and Junior Warden for the past five years, until a year ago when he resigned the position on account of poor health.  He was made a Mason about two years ago and was in good standing, at the time of his death, in that organization.  He was also a member of the A.O.U.W.  By his death Guilford loses one of its best business men and most respected citizens.  His funeral will be attended from his late residence this Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Richard E. Windsor

Chenango Union, January 19, 1893

Sunday papers contained a dispatch from New York saying that Richard E. Windsor had dropped dead on Chambers street Saturday at 1:45 p.m.  It was a sad shock to many friends in Fredonia where Mr. Windsor has been a frequent visitor, and especially to his sister, Mrs. D.L. Shepard. She was always a favorite with him, and he had just written her an affectionate letter which he held in his hand, and was evidently on his way to post, when death overtook him.  Mr. Windsor had recently moved to New York, where he was to represent the Plumb, Burdick Jr. Barnard Bolt Works, of Buffalo, N.Y., at 32 Chambers street, and was quite happy over his business prospects.  He was 66 years old, but appeared much younger, and was an active business man. We shall miss his genial company and frequent visits to Fredonia. The funeral and interment took place at Buffalo today (Tuesday) at 2:30 p.m.--Fredonia Censor, 10th.  Mr. Windsor was a relative of the Windsor family in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], and a cousin of Mrs. D.L. Shepard, of Mt. Upton.

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph & Chronicle, June 12, 1867

 

MINER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Saturday June 8, 1867, John B. [Miner], eldest son of S.W. and Sarah L. Miner, aged 2 years and 10 months.

 

TWICHELL:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], June 10th, 1867, Mrs. Sophia Twichell, aged 66 years. 

 

JOHNSON:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], May 2d, Willie Ray [Johnson], son of Deforest and E. Jane Johnson, aged 5 months and 4 days.

He 's gone in his beauty, his spirit has fled;

An angel has led him o'er the dark stream of death;

A smile is still resting upon his sweet face,

As though the angel had touched it with holler grace.

 

Yes, our darling baby has gone to his rest,

And his spirit hath reached the land of the blest,

He dropped like a blossom from its own parent stem

And in heaven he's shining like a bright little gen.

 

I parted his tresses of dark curly hair,

And placed on his bosom the white flowers so fair

Which he held in his hand--the last gift from me;

And said "Keep them, my darling, forever with thee."

Bainbridge, June 3d 1867, E.J.J.

 

WINSOR:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 13th, of diphtheria, Helen D. [Winsor], wife of Lafayette Winsor, aged 29 years.

 

WINSOR:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], April 22d, of diphtheria, Clarence M. [Winsor], son of Lafayette Winsor, aged 8 years 8 months and 26 days.

 

WINSOR:  In Sidney [Delaware Co., NY]. May 3d, of diphtheria, Emmett P. [Winsor] son of LaFayette Winsor, aged 2 years 9 months and 11 days.

It is a saddened home,

For one by one its treasurers have departed,

And in its silence, worn and broken hearted,

The father weeps alone.

So still, so still

The soft fair arms that round his neck were twining

The little feet that were so fond of climbing

upon his chair

Forever gone

The rosy faces watching for his coming,

And eager pattering footsteps swiftly running,

when he came home

"My God and can it be

That in the long and dreary years to come

I nevermore shall in my lonely home

Their faces see?"

"There's rest in Heaven,"

The mother said, as by the riverside

She fearless stood "sweet rest for me," she cried,

"By Jesus given"

And waiting there,

The mother and the children joyful stand,

Beckoning the father to a better land,

Where angels are.

                                                                                                                       E.J.R.

 

[Compiler note:  Lafayette Winsor (b. 1825), the son of Stephen Jr. and Nancy (Cook) Winsor, married Helen D. Scrambling in 1857.  Their family included two sons (Clarence, Emmet).  They had been married ten years when, within a period of 3 weeks, his wife and two sons died of diphtheria.  Lafayette Winsor died 20 November 1868, having survived his family by only 18 months.]



Death of Thomas Rooney - 1878

Death of Thomas Rooney

Chenango Union, February 28, 1878

Monday afternoon last, a message came to Coroner Avery, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], to the effect that the body of a man had been found in a lot on the farm of Albert Davis, in the north part of the town of Guilford, near the Oxford line.  Dr. Avery at once visited the spot, accompanied by A. Cary, undertaker.  The body was found lying upon its left side, in a "swail" in a pasture lot, frozen, and had to be cut from the ice before its removal.  An inquest was held at the Court House, on Tuesday forenoon, where the evidence showed that the deceased was named Thomas Rooney; that he resided in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] and had been, until recently, employed as section hand on the Midland Railroad; that he visited this village on Monday of last week, with a friend; that he drank while here, and had a bottle with him, from which he imbibed while on his way home in the afternoon; that the two became separated in the evening, the friend going to his house a short distance off, and returned soon after to search for his missing companion; that he failed to find him; and that for days afterwards the search was kept up by neighbors, until the body was found about noon on Monday, having lain for nearly a week in an open lot, near where teams had daily passed in the usual business of the farm.

At the inquest on Tuesday, Dr. H.H. Beecher, D.R. McDonald, John Slocum, Albert King, Harry F. Hickok, Ed Tiffany, Hosea W. Avery, W.A. White, H.B. VanCott and W.K. Packer were called as jurors, with Dr. Beecher as foreman.  Having viewed the remains at Cary's undertaking rooms, the jury repaired to the Court House, where the following testimony was taken.

Edward Murphy sworn.  Reside in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  Knew Thomas Rooney for the past six months; saw him on Monday morning of last week, about nine o'clock; he came to my house, and said if I was going to Norwich that day he would like to go with me; we came to Norwich together, arriving between twelve and one o'clock; went to Doing's saloon, corner of Mechanic and North Broad Streets; there we parted, and I went to Hawley Bishop's on Pleasant Street; stayed there about an hour, when I went to Hugh Tucker's on mechanic Street; saw Rooney there; I stayed there but a few minutes; saw Rooney drink there, but don't know what he drank; I went back to Bishop's; stayed there half an hour; from there went back to Tucker's to look after Rooney; he was gone, and I was informed that he had gone with Tucker to dinner;  went to Marquis' store, to see Albert Lewis; went from there to Mr. Lewis' house with him; from there went to G.W. Ray's office; stayed there about five minutes, then went to the Post Office, then back to Ray's office, where I stayed ten or fifteen minutes; then started for home; can't tell what time it was; met Rooney near T.D. Miller's store, saw him going up Broad Street on an old sled; told him it was time to go home; he jumped off from the sled and went with me; went south a little ways; he wanted to go up street; then we parted at Miller's corner, he going up street, and I waited for him there; he was gone about fifteen minutes, when he came back, and we started for home.  It is six or seven miles to my house; live about a mile from where the body was found.  We got the other side of McNitt hill at dark; passed Mr. Aldrich's house' couldn't tell what time it was; asked Rooney what time it was, and he took out his watch, but could not tell. We were about half a mile this side of my house when we parted; I told him to stay there, as I had some bundles for my family which I wished to take care of; went home, took some luncheon, and some in my hand, for him; went back to the place where I left him, and he was gone; tracked him half a mile, in an opposite direction from his home; called to him; searched for him some time, and failed to find him.  Told my family Tom had come with me so far, and I had failed to find him. Rooney had a bottle with him; saw him drink from the bottle that day on our way home.  I don't drink liquor; have not since 1869.  Rooney and I worked as section hands in the same gang, on the Midland, in January and a part of February; we were both discharged from work on Saturday, the 16th.  I went Tuesday morning to his house, to inquire if he had come home.  On Wednesday or Thursday his little boy informed me that he had not been seen since I was with him.  Commenced search for him on Thursday; looked through the woods, hay barns, and through the lots.  Other people came from Guilford on Saturday searching, with neighbors; I went with them, and assisted in the search; went to Oxford on Sunday to see if he was there; went to Guilford yesterday morning and had operator Burnside telegraph to Mr. Dix, Road Master on the midland, at Norwich, to see if Rooney was in jail in Norwich.  Don't think Rooney had any money with him, as I loaned him half a dollar, at his request, before we left my house.  I did not find the body; think it was Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Gallagher. Saw his body between two and three o'clock yesterday; he was lying in the creek; there were two  men there before me.  We never had any trouble.  Think he was not intoxicated when I last saw him alive, but capable of taking care of himself.

Albert Cary sworn.  Am an undertaker in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Was notified by the Coroner, and went last evening to the farm of Albert Davis, where I found, about one hundred rods in the rear of the house, the body lying in a swail in the lot; he lay on his left side, in a horizontal position; he was partially in water and frozen stiff; considerable ice upon his face and head.  I brought the body to my rooms in this village and dressed it; found a silver watch in his pocket; no money.  Found a breakage of skin, where ice had been formed upon the forehead.

Joseph Gallagher sworn.  Reside in Oxford.  Found body of deceased on Monday; was in search of him; found him about noon on Monday; recognize the body; he was lying on his left side, in low ground, a little over half of his face in water, and part of body; hands partly in water.  John Ingraham was with me when I first saw the body, but others who were searching were near; informed them that the body was found, and a messenger was sent to the coroner; several remained until his arrival.

H.H. Beecher sworn.  Reside in Norwich; am physician and surgeon; have examined the body of Thomas Rooney, and am of the opinion that he came to his death by freezing, on the night of the 18th of February. The body bears no marks of violence, and has the characteristic appearances of death by exposure to extreme cold.

The jury, after deliberation rendered the following verdict:  "the jury do say, upon their oath aforesaid, that the said Thomas Rooney came to his death on a field in the rear of a house belonging to Albert Davis, in the town of Guilford, on the evening of February 18th, 1878, by freezing, and in no other way."

Deceased was apparently nearly forty years of age, and has a wife and four children residing in Guilford. he was comfortably clothed, and when found had a silver watch in his pocket.  His remains were interred at the Catholic cemetery in this village, on Tuesday afternoon.

Obituaries (December 9)

William Henry McMahon
Utica Saturday Globe, April 1920

 

William Henry McMahon

1896 - 1920

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  William Henry McMahon, who died at an early hour Wednesday morning [March 31, 1920] at the home of his sister, Mrs. Stephen Flanagan, on the Preston State road, had been ill for several months of consumption, notwithstanding which he was an accomplished newspaper man.  He was a former member of the staff of the Norwich Sun and had acted as correspondent of the Binghamton Republican and Syracuse Journal.  He was a skilled photographer and many of his pictures had been reproduced in the Saturday Globe. Besides his sister Mrs. Flanagan, he leaves another sister, Mrs. Welch, of Preston, and two brothers, John McMahon, of Plymouth and Frank McMahon, of Preston.  On Friday the remains were brought to St. Paul's Chruch where, owing to the fact that it was Good Friday, a brief service only was held in the vestibule and the burial was made in St. Paul's Cemetery. The funeral mass will be held Thursday morning, April 8, in St. Paul's Chruch at 10 o'clock.  Deceased was 24 years of age, and a most exemplary young man beloved by all who knew him.

 

 

Milton H. Root

Chenango Union, December 17, 1874

One of our old and esteemed residents--Captain Milton H. Root--died after a lingering illness, at his residence in our village, on the 2d inst.  Born at Great Barrington, Mass., in 1792, he came with his parents at an early age in our township, and settled at what afterwards was known as Root's Corners, two miles west of our place.  Here he experienced many of those hardships and incidents so common to the early settler, that help to discipline the future strong men of worth and integrity.  Among those early trials, his family were obliged to go to Binghamton, in boats by way of the Chenango river, to procure their milling.  These trips required several days, and were attended with much labor and occasional danger.  He resided upon or adjoining the farm first settled by his father for upwards of sixty years, and lived to witness the growth of a prosperous town where once he had beheld a wilderness, and the introduction of improvements attendant upon advanced civilization.  At an earlier day he was the recipient of several offices and positions of honor at the hands of his townsmen.  A Democrat in youth, he continued a steadfast supporter of that party through life, as well as a subscriber to the Norwich Journal and the Union from an early date.  He leaves a widow by a second marriage, and several sons and daughters by a former one.  Among his sons is George Root, Esq., of Afton.

Rufus C. Smith
Chenango Union, December 17, 1874

Another of our old citizens--Rufus C. Smith--a brother of the late Samuel A. Smith, Esq., and for many years a respected resident of our village [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], died December 3d, after a short sickness, aged 74 years.  Mr. Smith was a native of Connecticut, and came to this vicinity some forty years ago, since which time he has been an industrious member of society.  About a year ago Mr. and Mrs. S. celebrated their Golden Wedding.  he leaves a wife and a large family of sons and daughters. 

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, February 3, 1864

HARRIS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1st, Blin Harris, M.D., aged 54 years.

 

PETERS:  At the White Store [Chenango Co., NY] in this town, on the 1st inst., Wilmarth Peters, aged 79 years, 10 months, and 14 days.

 

DICKINSON:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 20th of scarlet fever and diphtheria, Justus E. [Dickinson], son of Justus Dickinson, aged 15 years and 6 months.

 

RANDALL:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 22d, of diphtheria, Henry Randall [Bush], only child of Orville M. and Mary L. Bush, aged 2 years and 14 days.

 

WESCOTT:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 26th, Mr. John Wescott, aged 73 years.

 

HALL:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 17th, Mr.  Henry Hall, aged 66 years.

 

JACKSON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 25th, Ettie M. [Jackson] youngest daughter of Levi and Caroline Jackson, aged 12 years, 7 months and 6 days.

 

PORTER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Theodore Lovell [Porter], youngest son of Milo and Abigial L. Porter, aged 14 years.

 

WHITMARSH:  In Omeo, Winebago Co., Wis., Dec. 27th, Mr. Mulberry Whitmarsh, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], aged 73 years and 9 months.

 

HARRINGTON:  In Lisle [Broome Co., NY], Jan. 12th, Mary [Harrington], wife of Benjamin Harrington, formerly of Greene, aged 72 years.

Obvituaries (December 8)

Nellie Arlena Ryan

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1920

 

Nellie Arlena Ryan

1897 - 1920

Miss Nellie Arlena Ryan, of this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], who died at Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], had completed her course in training at Faxton Hospital a little more than a year ago, and had been practicing only a month or two when she contracted tuberculosis following influenza.  Miss Ryan was about 23 years of age and a twin daughter of the late William and Belle Ryan, of East Norwich.  Her mother, two brothers, Herbert and Robert and two sisters, Mrs. Clarence Thompson, of Morris, and Miss Gertrude Ryan, of this city are the immediate survivors.  Funeral services were held Thursday at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Rev. H.W. Foreman, rector of the church, and Rev. J.A. Springsted, of Sherburne, officiating.  The remains were placed in Mount Hope [Norwich, NY] receiving vault awaiting burial at a later date.

 

Sidney Enterprise, March 24, 1920

The sad and untimely death of Miss Nellie Ryan of Oxford occurred on Monday, March 22, at the home of her uncle, Ed Ryan, in this village [Sidney, NY].  Miss Ryan, who was a young woman in the early twenties, completed a course in nursing a year ago, and was engaged in her profession when she was attacked by influenza, from the effects of this dread malady she never recovered and tubercular trouble resulted. A few weeks ago she came to Sidney where she was tenderly cared for by her aunt, but in spite of her brave struggle she succumbed to the fatal disease.

 

Sidney Enterprise, March 27, 1920

The sad death of Miss Nellie Ryan which occurred Tuesday at the family home on West Main street, is another illustration of the dangers of influenza. The malady was contracted during the epidemic of 1918, developing into tuberculosis.  Miss Ryan, whose aged was 23 years, was training at the Faxton hospital when taken ill.  Deep sympathy is extended to the afflicted family, consisting of mother, two sisters, twobrothers.  Funeral services wer eheld in Norwich on Thrusday, 24th inst.  and interment in the Mt.  Hope cemetery.

 

Almeda Graves

Chenango Union, February 3, 1864

At Mount Upton [Chenango Co., NY], January 20th, 1864, Mrs. Almeda Graves, wife of Chauncey S. Graves.  After a short but painful and distressing illness, which she bore with remarkable patience and resignation, this beloved mother fell asleep.  Fond of her family--devoted to them--self-sacrificing and ever faithful, she spared no pains, shrank from no labor, and shunned no care or hardship demanded for the good of her family.  She took the trials of her children as her own trials, adopted their sorrows as her own, and whenever she could, shielded them from harm by the ready exposure of herself.  She was governed by her Bible; conscientious in everything, she loved the Sabbath and the ordinances of God's house.  Her faith in God, and confidence in her Savior, were unshaken. When asked by a dear friend, a few moments before her departure, if Jesus was precious she replied:  "He is my rock, my only trust."  No doubts of a glorious immortality clouded her entrance into the promised land; but sweetly, calmly, trustfully, her ransomed spirit departed to be with Christ, which is far better.  The loss to her bereaved partner and children is irreparable, but to her the gain is infinite.

 

Arthur Phetteplace

South New Berlin Bee, March 17, 1932

Arthur Phetteplace, 56, died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital Saturday afternoon.  Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home of Harry B. Smith, South Broad and Front streets, Rev. James K. Romeyn officiating.  Burial was at White Store [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Phetteplace was a carpenter and during his residence in Norwich for several years had made his home at the New National Hotel. There survive his two sisters, Mrs. James Hollenbeck of Syracuse and Mrs. Ida M. Smith of Kirkville--Chenango Union

 

Norwich Sun, March 7, 19321

Funeral services for Arthur Phetteplace, 56, who died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at 3:30 Saturday afternoon, will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the home of Harry B. Smith, South Broad and Front streets.  Rev. James K. Romeyn will officiate and burial will be at White Store.  Mr. Phetteplace had been seriously ill for two weeks and only a few days ago underwent an operation in the hopes of saving his life.  He was a carpenter and during his residence in Norwich for several years had made his home at the New National Hotel.  He was a member of the Carpenters' Union.  There survive his two sisters, Mrs.  James Hollenbeck of Syracuse and Mrs. Ida M. Smith of Kirkville.

 

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys of 50 years ago -1872 Part 3

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 17, 1872

 

The Denison Tragedy

 

During the interval which elapsed between the sentence and the execution, I had frequent occasion to visit the prisoner in his well, and invariably found him in excellent and even exuberant spirits--writing poetry, letters, epistles and pro-runciamentos of all sorts.--conversing affably with all callers--joking with the jailor--and entertaining to the very last, no doubt of a final commutation--even after I had communicated to him the definitive decision of the Governor, and impressed upon him the utter futility of all such expectations.

 

On the morning of his execution--the fatal 19th of March, 1833--I entered the corridor of his prison, with ex-Sheriff Welch, of New Berlin, and found Denison in full dress for the scaffold, freely and cheerfully conversing with several of his friends and the officials of the jail; and when, a few moments afterwards, Sheriff Franklin came in with the dread insignia of the law, and placed the rope around his neck, he coolly and smilingly observed, "I have worn a more graceful necklace than this before now," and submitted without the slightest indication of nervousness to the pinioning of his arms.  As he rose to leave the prison for his conveyance to the gallows, finding the ribbons of one of his shoes unloosed, he raised his foot upon a chair, and deliberately and without the least tremor, tied them together, and took his seat in the sleigh on his coffin, between Deputy Sheriffs Brown and Perkins.  The noonday sun shone out brightly upon the melting spring snow, as the melancholy procession, escorted by a large military force, the band playing a solemn dirge, slowly moved through the dense crowds which lined the street across the Common, up north Main street to Mill, and down Mill westward to the large vacant space on the old Dickinson farm, occupying the area north and in rear of the premises now occupied by Mr. R. Johnson, and the Congregational parsonage.

 

As the procession, at this point, came in full view of the scaffold, with its ghastly paraphernalia, and the vast amphitheater of human faces surrounding it on every hand, Denison's countenance perceptibly changed, but he speedily recovered himself, and on reaching the foot of the gallows and leaving the sleigh, he ran, without assistance, rapidly up the stairs to the platform, where he seated himself in a chair on the drop, with Deputy Sheriffs Brown and Perkins on either side.  A large platform had been constructed, adjoining the gallows on the right, for the accommodation of the clergy and other officials, and after the solemn ceremonies of the occasion had been opened by Elder Swan, in appropriate prayer, every word of which was distinctly audible to the vast assembly--and would have been had it been ten times as large--and a few other addresses made by the occupants of the platform, during which the prisoner deliberately helped himself to tobacco from Mr. Brown's box, and complacently gazed upon the sea of faces in front.  Denison arose, and his arms having at his own request been partially unpinioned, proceeded in a full clear voice, and without the slightest indication of nervous agitation, to read a paper prepared by himself, setting forth his previous life--his intemperate habits and uncontrollable passions--expressing his deep contrition for all his transgressions and short comings--his regret for the crime he had unconsciously committed, and his innocence of all intention to murder anyone, and least of all his most cherished friend.  At the close of this address, Sheriff Franklin left the platform, and passed on to the fatal drop, and having, with the assistance of his Deputies, adjusted the rope, fastened it to the hook on the transverse beam above, and re-pinioned the prisoner's arms, took his hand and whispering a few words in his ear, descended to the foot of one of the side beams, in readiness for the execution of his mournful office. The two deputies then took an affectionate leave of the wretched man, and passed on to the platform, after adjusting the fatal cap, leaving him alone and in darkness on the extreme verge of eternity.

 

The occupant of the Presbyterian or Congregational pulpit at this time, was the Rev. H.P. Bogue, who was in attendance on the platform on this occasion, and whose death, at a very advanced age, in one of the western Counties of this State I recently saw announced in the newspapers. Although I believe him to have been a very worthy and good man, I have never been able to reconcile myself to the anguish, and mental as well as physical torture, he must have inflicted on poor George Denison, when at this awful moment--after the fatal noose had been adjusted, the cap drawn over those eyes which were never again to look upon the light of the sun, and the Sheriff had taken his last farewell of the hapless youth, and stationed himself at the foot of the gallows, with his hand on the frail support which alone separated the doomed man from eternity, and which, as all that vast crowd supposed, was about to be instantaneously withdrawn; he arose amid the hushed and awful silence, and delivered a prayer occupying nearly three-quarters of an hour!  This, too, after the religious and other exercises of the solemn occasion had been unusually  protracted.  Towards the expiration of this devotional effort--chiefly consisting of fearful anticipations of future judgment, mingled with fervent appeals for penitence and mercy--Denison, who had, up to this period, exhibited extraordinary firmness and unshaken nerves, was observed freely to shed tears, and to manifest other symptoms of physical weakness; and a general feeling of indignation appeared to pervade those in the immediate vicinity of the scaffold; I cannot but think that in such an awful hour the wretched convict might better have been left in the hands of that God before whom he was so speedily to appear, without an apparently unnecessary and ill time exposition of the guilt and "fearful looking for of judgment!"  At the close of this protracted prayer, the fatal bolt was withdrawn, and George Denison "with all his imperfections on his head," was launched into the eternal world!

 

The End

Obituaries (December 7)

Julia A. (Taylor) Hakes

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1920

 

Julia A. (Taylor) Hakes

1849 - 1920

Although alarmingly ill for only three days previous to her recent death.  Mrs. Lucius M. Hakes, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], had been a semi-invalid for several years.  Deceased was the mother of Mrs. C.D. Ames, of this city [Norwich, NY].  She was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the county and was well known and greatly respected not only in Pitcher and vicinity but in Norwich and in other towns in Chenango county.  Besides her husband, who is a brother of the late Frank P. Hakes, and her daughter, Mrs. Ames, she is survived by two brothers, Samuel Taylor, of North Pitcher, and Jason Taylor, of South Otselic.  Other near relatives surviving are three nieces, Mrs. H.A. Duncan, of North  Norwich; Mrs. J. Johnson Ray and Mrs. Viola Cone, of this city, and a nephew, Yates Taylor, of Norwich.  Funeral services were largely attended on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, burial being made in the cemetery at North Pitcher.

Cyrus Smith

Bainbridge Republican, September 26, 1874

Died, in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the afternoon of September 16th, 1874, Cyrus Smith, aged 53 years.  The deceased was the eighth child, and sixth son, of the late Clark Smith, one of the early settlers of Coventry.  Cyrus was born on the farm where his father long lived, and he spent his whole life upon the old homestead, or within a few rods of it.  Thus he was in the strictest sense a native and citizen of that town.  Words seem inadequate to describe such a man as he was.  He could be appreciated by those who knew him, but we cannot delineate his character.  As a man he was of the noblest and purest type, strictly upright and conscientious in all his dealings.  As a friend and neighbor, he was generous and faithful, careful not to offend, and ever ready to forgive--a peacemaker and conciliator among his associates.  As a companion he was genial and happy, always having a kind, cheery word for those he met.  As a brother, son, husband and father, he was most tender and affectionate.  As a Christian, he was sincere and earnest, his piety showing itself in every day life.  He had from youth been a member of the second Congregational Church of Coventry, and no one who knew him ever doubted the purity and sincerity of his piety.  But he was so retiring and unassuming in his manner that he never made a show of his religion, nor intruded his views on any subject upon others.  On account of this peculiarity in him the community in which he lived was doubtless not conscious of his full worth and influence.  He was like some of those great blessings which we often enjoy but do not fully realize their value until they have gone from us.  Such was he.

His death has made a great void in the circle where he moved, and his loss will be long and sorely felt.  The day of his burial was a sad one for the community. Although the day was stormy, yet a large concourse of people assembled to testify of their loss.  His pastor spoke tender, comforting words, yet also words of sorrow and sadness, which showed that deep in his heart he felt that he had lost a strong friend and supporter.  Devout men carried him to his burial place in the beautiful cemetery on the hilltop.  Ten years before he was one of six sons who lowered the body of their honored father into his tomb, in this same beautiful spot.  Now the four remaining brothers lowered his remains to their last resting place.  It was a beautiful and touching scene to witness those brothers, whose heads are well sprinkled with silver, perform this last office of affection to the companion of their childhood.  But they can do  no more for him, he has gone. And as the clods have covered his coffin many feel that they will miss him. All feel that a good man has gone to his grave, and to his reward. The Church of which he was so long a member will miss him; the neighborhood in which he lived will miss him; the large circle of relatives in which he was a ray of sunshine, will miss the cheery voice; his aged mother has received yet another sorrow to her heart, and misses another from her treasures upon earth. The house will feel that its great light has gone out.  But while he is missed so much here, the throng of the redeemed has gained one more of its number.  Another soul is at rest. That mother can feel that another has been called to meet her on the evergreen shore, and the widow and the fatherless may trust the God who. "doeth all things well."

"Bury the dead and weep

In stillness o'er the loss;

Bury the dead; in Christ they sleep,

Who bore on earth his cross."

W.H.S.  [Buried in Coventry Union Cemetery]

William L. Partridge

Bainbridge Republican, September 26, 1874

PARTRIDGE:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th inst., of intermittent fever, Wm. L. Partridge, aged 57 years.

 

In the death of our esteemed fellow townsman, Mr. William L. Partridge, Bainbridge loses a valuable citizen.  He was ever to be found on the side of virtue, temperance and morality, and the village can ill afford to lose such a man.  His untimely demise is universally deplored.  His funeral took place on Sunday morning last from his late residence, and, not withstanding the inclement weather, was largely attended by our citizens generally and the civic societies of the village.  The body was interred in the cemetery at Bennettsville [Chenango.. Co., NY] with Masonic honors.  Requiesext in pace.
 

Lucy E. Aldrich

1872 - 1942

Funeral services for Mrs. Lucy E. Aldrich, wife of Porter Aldrich of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], who died at her home at 10 o'clock Sunday night, are to be held from the late home in Plymouth at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. George Young of Unadilla, assisted by Rev. Harold McKenzie officiating.  Burial will be in Plymouth.  Mrs. Aldrich was born in Plymouth, June 19, 1872.  She was well known and highly regarded by many friends and her death will be mourned sincerely. She was a member of the Baptist church at Plymouth and served as treasurer of the Ladies' Aid Society of the M.E. church.  She also was a member of the WSCS.  The deceased is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mr. J. Paul Owen of Plymouth, brother Daniel D. Montgomery of Kirk, six grandchildren, John, Dorothy, Lucy, Paul, Jr., and David Owen and Leon Daniel Aldrich.  A son, Paul M. Aldrich, died in 1931.

Wreck on the O.&W. at Ingall's Crossing 1898

Wreck on the O.&W.

Three Men Killed This Morning Near Fulton

Evening Union, Oneida, NY, September 1, 1898

Fulton [Oswego Co., NY]:  One of the most cold blooded, villainous deeds in the history of the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad was committed at Ingalls Crossing this morning, in the derailing of the Chicago limited.  The deed is alleged to have been done by a party of tramps, resulting in the killing of two men, Engineer Benjamin Dowd, of Oswego, and Brakeman Osborne, who lived at Walton.  The Chicago limited is the fast train on the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad, which is due here at 3:26 a.m., and makes few stops between Oneida and Fulton.  It was an hour late this morning, and was running about fifty miles an hour to make up lost time.  When the train reached Ingalls Crossing, the switch was open and the heavy locomotive under full speed jumped the track through the open switch, plunged into the ditch, turned on its side and the tender jumped over the locomotive and landed, but on one side. The express car was thrown out across the track, while the other cars were thrown from their tracks.  Ben. Dowd, the engineer, was killed outright. Brakeman Osborne was cut completely in two. The lower half of his body was found under one of the coaches and the upper half was found in the baggage car.  Fireman Hall, of Norwich, was seriously injured about head and one side of his breast, and his body was terribly scaled.  He died about 8 o'clock.  Baggageman Charles Desman, of New York, had three ribs broken; Daniel Mills, of Oswego, face and limbs injured and scalp wound; John Golden, of Oswego, left wrist broken; Gustave Magnuson, of Boston, head injured; Carl Stevenson, of Boston, hurt internally; Peter J. Haukinson, of Wellesley, Mass., scalp wound; C.A. Johnson, of Wellesley, mass., scalp wound; D. Bennett, of New York, shoulder hurt; John Chava, of New York, arms bruised; John Ross, of New York, scalp wound; C.A. Patten, of Oneonta, hip sprained. 

 

The officials of the Ontario and Western are advertising a reward of $500 for information leading to the arrest anhd conviction of the party or parties who maliciously broke th switch lock and left the switch open at ingalls Crossing this morning. 

 

Three Killed When Tramps Turned Switch

Evening Telegram, New York, September 1, 1898

 

Fulton [Oswego Co., NY]:  Train No. 5, on the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, known as "The Chicago Limited," was wrecked at Ingalls Crossing, four miles south of this village, at five o'clock this morning.

 

The wreck was doubtless due to the work of tramps, who threw open the switch at which the train was wrecked as well as two switches to the north of the wreck. 

 

The train was an hour and a quarter late, and was running nearly sixty miles an hour when it struck the switch and was thrown over to the side track.  The rapid speed made it impossible to make a sharp turn and the train left the track when it struck the safety rail.  The engine was thrown twenty feet and blown to pieces.  The tender was inverted.  The trucks of the baggage car were torn off and the head coach telescoped the baggage car.  A vestibule chair car and the sleeping coach Farragut were derailed, neither being badly damaged.

 

Engineer Dowd and Fireman Hall both jumped and were found under the wreckage of the tender by passengers from the sleeping coach.  Both were alive at the time, but Dowd died in a few minutes and Hall succumbed to his injuries at eight o'clock.  The body of Brakeman Osborne was torn in two. 

 

The dead are:--

Dowd, B.C., of Oswego, engineer; leaves wife and two children.

Hall, William, of Norwich, fireman

Osborne, A.L. of Walton, brakeman; leaves wife and three children. 

 

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys of long ago - 1872 Part 2

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 17, 1872

 

The Denison Tragedy

 

[In 1872] It is now nearly forty years since the Denison Tragedy occurred, and a brief recapitulation of some of the principal incidents of this event may not be found uninteresting in this connection.

 

George Denison and Reuben Gregory were, in the latter part of the year 1832, residents of the town of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY]--the latter as a member of the family of his father, Hamlin Gregory, a respectable inn keeper on the road between New Berlin and Columbus, about midway between the two.  Denison was a young man of twenty-six or twenty-seven, of dissipated and disreputable habits, but an intimate friend and associate of young Gregory.  On the day of the murder, Denison had visited the inn, as was his frequent habit, and having already drank freely, either there or elsewhere, was refused further supplies by the elder Gregory, who was in attendance on the bar.  Upon this, he indignantly left, threatening dire revenge, but without indicating of what nature. The elder Gregory uniformly wore a large slouched hat, and was in the frequent habit of smoking a clay pipe.  The younger Gregory never smoked, and wore an ordinary tall crowned hat.  Unfortunately, however on the afternoon of that day, he was suffering under a violent attack of tooth ache, and after having resorted to various remedies without obtaining relief, had been advised to try the effect of tobacco.  Taking up, filling and lighting a pipe, and hastily seizing upon his father's slouched hat, he passed into an adjoining room, which opened upon a wood shed to the north, sat down in a chair immediately fronting the door leading into the shed, which stood open, pulled his hat over his eyes, and commenced smoking.  By this time the sun was down and the evening twilight settling in.  Denison, in the mean time, had gone home, loaded his gun with a charge of shot, intending only, as he persisted up to the last moment on the gallows, in asserting "to pepper old Gregory's legs."  Stealing along in the deepening gloom of the evening he entered the wood shed, and seeing, as he supposed, the elder Gregory, seated in his accustomed attitude, enjoying his pipe, he deliberately aimed his deadly weapon and fired. The charge of shot entered the heart of the unfortunate son, passed through his body, and lodge in the adjoining wall.  There can be no doubt from the shot itself, and from subsequent revelations on the part of Denison, that he did aim as well as in his excited condition he was able, at the legs of his victim, whom he clearly supposed to be the elder Gregory. But neither of these circumstances, of course, constituted any legal or valid defense.  He was found skulking, early on the following morning, in the neighboring fields, where he had evidently spent the night, arrested, examined and committed. He was visibly horrified on discovering the nature and extent of the tragedy he had enacted.  Reuben Gregory was one of his best and most cherished friends, nor was he capable, in his wildest moments of delirium of harming  a hair of his head.  At the ensuing January Circuit, held by Judge Monell, he was indicted for murder, and placed upon his trial.  The public excitement was at its highest pitch.  The father of the murdered youth was well-nigh insane, and was scarcely able, in his excitement and mental agony, to give a connected statement of the melancholy catastrophe.  Mr. Cook and myself, as counsel for the prisoner, ineffectually, of course, endeavored to establish the usual defense of insanity, and to create in the minds of the jury a "reasonable doubt" of willful murder, as set up in the indictment. The modern practice of trying the Grand Jury itself as a preliminary proceeding, and of scrutinizing the exact mental volition of the accused at the precise moment of the crime, had not then penetrated to the Chenango tribunals of justice. Denison, of course, [was] convicted and sentenced to death.  No Judge Pratt, of Brooklyn, was to be found, to allow a "bill of exceptions," and none was so much as dreamed of.  A strong effort was made to induce Gov. Marcy to commute the sentence to imprisonment for life, under the peculiar circumstances of the case; but without success. The governor gently and sympathizingly, but firmly declined to interpose, and left the miserable convict to his fate.

 

The old Court House was found utterly incapable either of accommodating or even supporting the weight of the immense crowd who flocked to the trial; and an adjournment was had to the Presbyterian Chruch, in the immediate vicinity, the body, aisles and galleries of which were speedily filled to suffocation.  A large platform below the pulpit had been hastily erected on the tops of the center pews, for the accommodation of the Court and its officers, the bar, jury and witnesses.  The prisoner took his seat by the side of his counsel, and manifested the most intense interest in the progress of the trial.  The frightful panic which occurred. at the opening of the defense as recently described in the Telegraph, thoroughly tested the strength of the workmanship of the building.  Had there been the least flaw in its firm foundation, most [of] this floor to the lofty ceiling, the entire superstructure must have given way from the fearful pressure and the mad struggle to attaint the street, and thousands must have been buried in its ruins.  Those occupying the platform had no possibility of escaping, surrounded as they were on every hand by the surging crowd.  Many swung themselves from the upper windows in the galleries; and above and below and all around perfect bedlam furiously raged for at least half an hour.  Meantime not a joist nor a board gave way; and the spacious edifice was again speedily filled; and honest Joseph Marsh in the adjoining yard, who had been the innocent and unconscious cause of the mighty uproar, quietly resumed his chopping, which had been mistaken for the cracking of the walls. 

 

To be Continued

Marriages (December 6)

Stanton - Barnes

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1919

Casper & Isabelle W. (Barnes) Stanton

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Miss Isabelle W. Barnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Barnes of 42 Henry street, became the bride of Casper Stanton, of this city, at 11 Wednesday morning at the home of the bride, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Frank Young, pastor of the Broad Street Methodist Church. The attendants were Miss Mildred Barnes, sister of the bride, and Ralph Kiff.  The wedding was witnessed by only the immediate friends of the contracting parties, and following the ceremony a wedding dinner was served.  The bride is a popular and well-known young woman of this city and graduated from Norwich High School in the class of 1914.  She then entered Cortland Normal and following her graduation from that institution in 1918 she has been engaged in teaching.  The groom is a highly-respected young man, a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Stanton, of West hill.  He graduated from Norwich High School in the same class with his bride.  He had attended Cornell Agricultural School two years when he was called into service of his country and served a year and a half in France as sergeant in the headquarters department.  He is at present, an employee of the Borden's Condensary.  Following a short wedding trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls the couple will make their home on Crandall street this city.

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, March 4, 1875

GIBSON - BROWN:  In Guilford, Feb. 18, 1875 by Rev. E.W. Caswell, Mr. Eddie Gibson to Miss Gertie Brown, all of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

 

LOWN - SHOALES:  In Greene, Feb. 19, 1875 by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. Stephen L. Lown to Miss Sarah A. Shoales of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

 

WATSON - HARRISON:  In Smithville, Feb. 18, 1875, by Rev. Geo. Porter, James L. Watson to Miss Marice L. Harrison, daughter of Arthur Harrison, both of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

 

BINGHAM - MANNING:  In Greene Feb. 16, 1875 by Rev. Geo. Porter, Mr. Frank Bingham to Miss Julia Manning, both of Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY].

 

HODGE - INGERSOLL:  In Bainbridge, Feb. 23, 1875 by Rev. Luman B. Yale, Mr. Theodore D. Hodge of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Emma Ingersoll of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

 

ROE - CONVERSE:  In Coventry, Feb. 24, 1875 by Rev. Crocker, Mr. Edmund C. Roe to Miss Mary L. Converse, all of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

 

WEBB - GRISWOLD:  In Sidney Plains, Feb. 15, 187/5, by Rev. J.C. Skilland, Mr. Jared H. Webb of Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY] to Miss Jennee Griswold of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY].

 

BENNETT - JUCKETT:  In Greely, Col. Feb. 11, 1875 by Rev. J.C. Ambrose, Mr. Rufus Bennett of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] to Mrs. Mary J. Juckett of Greely.

Obituaries (December 6)

Bernhard J. Hausheer

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1920

 

Bernhard J. Hausheer

1852 - 1920

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral of Bernhard J. Hausheer was held Monday morning at 9:30 in S.t Paul's Church.  Rev. Father J.S. Tiernan celebrated a requiem high mass at which father J. Canfield, of Binghamton, was deacon and Father Sumott, assistant pastor of St. Paul's was sub-deacon, and William Redmond, master of ceremonies.  Mr. Hausheer passed away at his home, 88 Silver street, Thursday.  He had been an invalid for two years but maintained a brave spirit and manifested a keen interest in passing events until within a few hours of his death.  He was devoted to his family and to his church and cherished a hope that his health would improve.  Mr. Hausheer was born November 29, 1852, at Cham, Switzerland, coming to America in 1888 and locating in Illinois as a master mechanic with the Anglo Swiss Milk Company.  He remained with them until 1901, when he came to Norwich into the employ of the Borden Company in the same capacity, in which he continued until his death.  There survive one daughter, Catherine, of this city, and four sons, Emil, of Schenectady; Bernhard, of Howell, Mich., and Walter, of the international Health Board of New York city.  The funeral was largely attended on Monday, the bearers being Harry Sanford, Thomas Lawler, Edward Murphy, R. Giffin, J. Neville and Mr. Winters. The burial was made in St. Paul's Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Catherine Keiser Hausheer

Norwich Sun, May 28, 1917

Mrs. Catherine Keiser Hausheer, wife of Bernhard Hausheer, entered into rest after a sickness of twelve weeks, at the family home at 80 Silver street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Saturday afternoon, May 26, 1917, at 3:15 o'clock.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning. Rev. Father J.S. Tiernan will sing a requiem high mass at St. Paul's church at 9:30 o'clock and the services there will be attended by a large company of friends.  Interment will be made in St. Paul's cemetery [Norwich, NY].  Mrs. Hausheer was born in Zug, Switzerland, Dec. 6, 1857.  She was married to Bernhard Hausheer of Cham, Switzerland in 1879 and with her family came to this country in 1889 where they located at Dixson, Ill.  After a residence there of ten years, the family moved to Malvern, Pa., where they lived for two years before coming to this city [Norwich, NY] where she has been esteemed highly and is mourned sincerely.  Mrs. Hausheer was an ideal wife and mother, devoted to her home and her family, yet with a mother heart so big that it yearned over the poor, needy and sorrowing and she ministered unto them in quiet, secret charity, being mindful of many of those she had aided even during her last illness.  She was a devout member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic church and belonged to the Rosary society and the T.C.D.A.  She was also an almoner of the Norwich hospital.  Mrs. Housheer is survived by her husband and five children, Barnhard of Howell, Mich., Emil of Schenectady, Miss Catherine and Alfred of Norwich, and Dr. Walter Hausheer who is at Faxton hospital, Utica.  Two sisters also survive--Mrs. Mary Traxler of Zug, Switzerland, and Mrs. Verena Trottman, of Dixon, Ill.  The latter has been at the bedside of her sister for the past two weeks.

Nathan L. Briggs

Norwich Sun, May 28, 1917

The readers of the Sun will be interested and many of the older ones shocked to learn of the death of Nathan l. Briggs of Boonton, New Jersey, at the age of 72.  In 1892, Mr. Briggs became financially interested in the then struggling Norwich Pharmacal Co. and remained a stockholder up to the time of his death.  For ten years--1900 to 1910--he served as a member of the board of directors, being succeeded at that time by Robert S. Eaton.  He was a brother-in-law of Chas. B. Norris who, for some years was secretary and treasurer of the company and an uncle of Earnest N. Kerr, electrician who after spending ten years or more with the company returned to Boonton, N.J. about a year ago.  Mr. Briggs was prominent in the business and civic life of his home town and according to the Boonton Times, its leading citizen.  At the time of his death, in addition to minor offices held, he was president of the Boonton Building & Loan Association, vice president o the Boonton National Bank and trustee of the Boonton cemetery.  For two years, he served as mayor of his home town and at his obsequies Arcana lodge F&AM honored the memory of its oldest member.  While Mr. Briggs was never a resident of Norwich, his active interest in its business life and his acquaintance with many of tis citizens renders his passing an event of sorrow and regret to the city at large.

Dwight H. Hall

Norwich Sun, April 8, 1920

Entered into rest at  his home in Preston, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] March 29, 1920, Dwight H. Hall, aged nearly 57 years, a well known and highly respected farmer of that place.  Mr. Hall was one of the five children of Carlos and Hannah Crandall Hall, the other children being George, who resides in East Pharsalia; Ida, who died at the age of 5 years; Minnie, the wife of Homer L. Brown of Norwich and Myrtle Hall Cleveland, who died in 1913.  The deceased was born April 21, 1863 on the farm where his last days were spent and where he lived practically all of his life, excepting a few years spent in East Pharsalia and Norwich.  On October 10, 1889 he was united in marriage to Lillian Felton of East Pharsalia, who survives, together with the following children:  Victor, Ethel and Ruth of Norwich; Mrs. Zilpha Levee of Smyrna, and Archie and Mary of Preston.  Mr. Hall had been ill for several months with heart trouble and complications. The funeral was largely attended at his late home on Thursday afternoon, April 1st, the services being conducted by the Rev. William Swope of Preston.  Burial was made in the Lewis cemetery. The floral offerings were many testifying to the regard in which he was held by friends and neighbors alike.

Baptist Church, Norwich, NY - Rev. MacMillan - 1919

First Baptist Church and Its Popular Pastor

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1919

The Norwich Baptist Church & Rev. H.R. MacMillan

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The centennial of Colgate university brings to mind how many young men from the old First Baptist Church of this city have been prepared there to become preachers, and have gone out through its portals into lives of strength and zeal in the gospel ministry. The adjective 'old" is applied to the local church because it is five years older than the university, having been organized in 1814.

 

Throughout her more than 100 years of history, 25 or more young men have responded to the call to the Christian ministry.  Numbers of them who are still living, returned to renew their fealty to their alma mater and join in the ceremonies of the celebration.  During their college days many of them were as prominent on the athletic field as they are now in their pulpits.  Among these was Rev. H.R. MacMillan, the present pastor of the Norwich Church, who was on the college track team throughout the four years of his course.  He was graduated form Colgate in 1902.  He was a member of the football team of 1900 and held the college record for the running high jump, which stood unbroken for 10 years.

 

Not content with bucking the line in college Rev. MacMillan has developed rare skill as a story teller and laugh raiser.  He is known as the fun making parson of Norwich and bids fair to rival his celebrated countryman, Harry Lauder.  Like Lauder he can sing and mayhap he might learn to dance if he believed, thereby he could make himself more efficient in his ministry.  But Harry doesn't preach, at least, not professionally, and the Rev. MacMillan may consider that stuffiest compensation not to learn to dance.

Obituaries (December 5)

Mary E. (Crandall) Towner

Utica Saturday Globe, March 1920

 

Mary E. (Crandall) Towner

1845 - 1920

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Mary Towner, who passed away early Monday morning after a several months' illness, was one of the best known and highly esteemed residents of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], where she had made her home for a long period of years.  Funeral services were held from her late home on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, interment being made in the family plot in the West Hill Cemetery at Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].  Besides her many friends in Smyrna, and in Sherburne, Mrs. Towner is survived by four sons, Arthur A. Towner, of Syracuse; Walter B. Towner, of Binghamton, and George and P.A. Towner, of Norwich; one daughter, Miss Sarah Towner, of Smyrna; four brothers, Frank Crandall, of Norfolk; Edgar, Oscar and Byron Crandall, of Sherburne, and two sisters, Mrs. V. Smith, of Norwich, and Mrs. Frank Davison, of Sherburne.

 

Catherine B. (Thomson) Pitts

The Herald Statesman, Yonkers, NY, October 4, 1945

Mrs. Catherine B. Pitts, the mother of Miss Irene Minaker, a social studies teacher in the Longfellow junior high School Annex, died Monday in St. John's Riverside Hospital after an illness of six months.  She was seventy-seven years old and made her home with her daughter at 573 South Broadway.  Twice-widowed, Mrs. Pitts first husband was Thelismar Minaker.  The second was Henry Pitts.  A native of Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of George and Catherine Roxbury Thomson, Mrs. P:itts came to the United States in 1904 and lived in New York City for some time. Before coming to Yonkers in 1927 after the death of Mr. Pitts, she had made her home with a brother, the late George Thomson, in South Otselic, Chenango County.  Mrs. :Pitts was a member of the church of the Redeemer on Valentine Lane.  Besides her daughter, she is survived by two nieces.

 

Dora Stanard

DeRuyter Gleaner, March 10, 1938

Mrs. Dora Stanard of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] succumbed to a heart attack Monday afternoon.  She was found sitting in a chair with newspaper in hand by Dr. Glezen of Cincinnatus and Mrs. Mable L. Angell about 4 o'clock.  It was thought she had been dead about two hours.  She had been in poor health for the past year or more, but had performed her regular duties until within the past few weeks, during which time she had been under the care of Dr. Glezen.  The doctor had called at the home previously in the afternoon, but as no response came by his knock, he thought she wasn't at home.  Mrs. Stanard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Richer, was 67 years of age and was a member of the M.E. church.  She was the wife of Devillo Stanard, who died in 1904.  Most of her life she had lived in South Otselic.  She is survived by two sons, Cecil Stanard of Syracuse and Ivan Stanard of Beaver Meadow; one brother, DeWitt Richer of Otselic; several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock.  Rev. G.F. Crawford officiated.  Funeral Director Welter & Son of Syracuse conducted the burial.

Henry W. Christian

Broome Republican, April 9, 1873

The most painful duty I am called upon to do is to record the death of him who was my most esteemed friend and neighbor.  The announcement is extremely sad, and casts a shadow of gloom over this entire community.  His long and continued residence among us, his many acts of kindness, and especially those in always visiting and caring for the sick, and dying in this community as well as the surrounding country, had so won upon the affections of the entire community that none knew him but to respect him; those that knew him best respected him most.  The unexpected event is painful in the extreme. 

I have no desire to eulogize him above his true merit; knowing him for many years I can, with all who know him, truthfully say that none would sacrifice his rest and pleasure, and many times his health, to visit and alleviate the sufferings of the sick and dying, more than the deceased.  He had many friends, both old and young, who respected him, as was attested by the large audience that gathered at his funeral--the largest that has assembled for many years on a funeral occasion at this place.

Mr. Christian was born in Putnam county, New York, April 9, 1823, being at his death less than 50 years old.  He came to this county with his father's family in 1838, remained one year, when he returned to the vicinity of his birth; worked at the masons' trade and became very proficient to it; continued at work in New York city, Brooklyn and other places until 1847, when he became acquainted with Miss Ladra Gorham, then teaching in Cold Spring, New York; was married on the 29th day of March 1847, just 26 years to an hour from the time that death parted them; always a kind, dutiful and indulgent husband and father.

The deceased was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in good standing, for over 30 years, always taking a very important part in all its meetings, always in the choir, and for a long time its leader.  Mr. Christian steadily contributed to the Sabbath School when many of its warmest friends abandoned it.  He was a Free Mason, and belonged to Eastern Light lodge, no. 126, and at his request, made in his last sickness, was buried with Masonic honors, many of the order being present.  The deceased was sick with congestion of the lungs six days, knowing for the last two days that his attending physician had no hope of his recovery, making all his business arrangements, being conscious until the last, when death took him from us.  He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.  Alas, to soon came that death, and too short that life with us.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, July 8, 1875

MURPHY:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], July 5, 1875, Mr. Michael Murphy, aged 33 years.  A worker in the forge room of the Hammer Factory, unmarried and his only relative a sister in the convent in St. Joseph, Missouri.

CLARK:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], July 4, at the residence of her son Edward S. Clark, Mrs. Lucinda Clark, widow of the late Samuel T. Clark aged 84 years.

THOMPSON:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], July 4, Mr. James W. Thompson, late of Friendship, Allegany Co., aged 59 years, 9 months and a brother-in-law of Charles Davis of Norwich.

RITTENBURG:  In Fenton [Broome Co., NY], Mrs. Alice T. Montrose [Rittenburg], wife of Charles Rittenberg, aged 24 years.

O'DANIELS:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], June 27, 1875, James Andrew [O'Daniels], son of Thomas O'Daniels, aged 6 months 14 days.





 

Blog posting listing, November 28-December 4, 2016

Listing of blog postings for the week of November 28 - December 4, 2016

Marriages

Posted November 29, 2016

Helena M. Herrignton - Charles N. Waite (1919)

Nellie M. Scanlon - Francis D. Conroy (1919)

Marriages notices - 1865

     Henry Winton - Harriet Gross

     Samuel G. Peckham - Helen McGraw

     Adelbert V. Talman - Eliza A. Kales

     William Henry Jones - Phebe A. Foster

Posted December 2, 2016
Howard J. Carr - Eleanore O'Connor (1919)
J. Edward Sullivan - Josephine Lane (1919)
Ann Blackmar - Warren Newton Bixby, Jr. (1946)

 

Obituaries

Posted November 28, 2016

Susie O'Brien (Norwich, Sherburne, 1920)  Photo

Joel J. Bixby (Norwich, Bainbridge, 1923)

Charlotte Webb McFarland (Oxford, 1901)

Marion L. Stratton (Oxford, 1901)

Posted November 29, 2016
Rev. John L. Ray (Binghamton, Norwich, 1920)   photo
Marie Louise (Newton) Bixby (Norwich, 1916)
Sophronia A. Bixby (Oxford, Norwich, 1896)
Mary (Mitchell) Newton (Los Angeles CA, Norwich, 1900)
Death Notices - 1865
     Mary Hovey (Guilford)
     L.D. Newell
     Olive Briggs (Sherburne)
     Oliver P. Hall (Sherburne)
     George M. Lyon (Oxford)
     Smith W. Halsey (lost on China Sea)
     Daniel D. Clark (Smithville)
     Amos T. Mead (Versailles)
     Joel J. Bixby (Bainbridgte, Norwich)

Posted November 30, 2016
Cora B. (Rose) Crumb (Norwich, 1919)  photo
Sophronia Sumner (Bixby) Packard (Norwich, Oxford, Bainbridge, 1901)
Rachel S. Brown (Otselic, 1900
Susan Austin Hubbard (Norwich, 1900)

Posted December 1, 2016
Warren Newton (Norwich, 1891)    drawing
Benjamin T. Newton (Norwich, 1903)
Olive (Dyer) Thompson (Oxford, 1903)
Howard Kinney (New Berlin, 1903)  accidental drowning

Posted December 2, 2016
Riley Easton (Linklaen, 1903)  photo
Mary Jane (Hudson) VanDuesen (New Berlin, 1903)
J. Delos Bixby (Bainbridge, Norwich, Oxford, 1861)
Dr. Daniel H. Shumway (Berlin WI, Oxford, 1861)
Charles B. Sheldon (Oxford, 1861)

Posted December 3, 2016
Helen L. (French) Chapin (Norwich, 1920)
Hannah (Stowell) Bixby (Bainbridge, 1885)
Charles Bixby (Bainbridge, 1899)
Death Notices - 1862
     Lucy Potter (Greene)
     Eugene Race (Greene)
     Edmund Hayward (Earlville)
     Capt. Asahel Bixby (Bainbridge)
     Charles Tracy (Oxford)  Civil War soldier, killed in battle

Posted December 4, 2016
Maud E. Wickman (Norwich, Sherburne, 1920)
Frank Kriener (Norwich, 1920)
Artemissa (Darling) Bixby (Bainbridge, 1878)
Death notices - 1878
     J.T. Billings (Smyrna)
     Mrs. C.H. Holcomb (Afton)
     Elvira Bingham (Columbus)
     Eliza Crandall (Oxford)
     Harriet Root (Oxford)
     Daniel D. Strowbridge (Syracuse)
     

 

Miscellaneous

Posted November 30, 2016

Clinton Willis Blume, 1898-1973

Posted December 2, 2016
Ghosts at Ingall's Crossing - 1899

Posted December 4, 2016
The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys (NY) Fifty Years Ago (i.e. about 1820), Part 1

Chenango / Unadilla Valleys of Long Ago - Part 1

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 17, 1872

During the occupancy of the old "Yellow House," by Capt. James Perkins, as a Hotel--more that fifty years since--I can distinctly recall a scene which made a vivid impression upon my young mind.  It was that of a poor crazed girl--Fanny Widger by name--and a resident of Preston or McDonough, who was on her way, under the charge of her friends to some insane hospital.  While at the hotel she had contrived to escape from her keepers, and had fled to the large garden north of the house, for the evident purpose of concealment.  The alarm having been given, she was, after some time, discovered among the bushes and trees, with her long, fair hair dishelved and flying wildly chanting disconnected scraps of poetry and fragments of love songs:

 

"They bid me sleep - they bid me pray -

They say my brain is warped and wrung;

I cannot sleep - I cannot pray"

 

"Twas thus my hair they bade me braid

They made me to the church repair

It was my bridal morn they said,

And my true love would meet me there"

 

Her frantic screams, as she was borne back to her room, were agonizing in the extreme.  Poor, broken-hearted Fanny Wigner.  The image of your, fair, tearful face, dishelved tresses and torn apparel, and the mournful music of that love lorn ditty, have remained in my memory for more than half a century.

 

There are some of my readers who will also recall the early fading--in that same building--of that beautiful flower of the valley, Pauline Holcomb, whose premature decay, remarkable loveliness, and intellectual promises, deeply interested and affected the little community.  My friend Clapp has reminded me of the beautiful wreath of elegiac poetry cast upon her early grave, by Noah Hubbard, the concluding lines of which were the following: 

 

"Fair maidens, cull the sweetest flowers

Simplicity and taste can twine,

To deck as if for fairy bowers,

The lonely grave of poor Pauline."

 

The poem was conceived in the highest strain of poetical beauty--worthy of the brilliant genius of its erratic and hapless author, in his most inspired mood.  To use his own magnificent simile--

 

"So when the Spirit's evil thrall

Unhinged and fexed the soul of Saul,

The powerful harp of Jesse's son

Bade the tormenting fiend begone."

 

The mantle of the poet descended in after days, upon his nephew, Harvey Howard, who in his "Forest" wanderings, discourses "most musical, most melancholy"--

 

"We are all night wanderers, and we grope

Our way by toppling ruins and by walls

Frowning through ivy, searching for the paths

Our fathers trod, obscured by mouldering stones

And weeds, rank with the dust of ages old

For we with all our vanity of soul

Built on the wisdom of the past, and halt

When the dim light goes out, till from afar

Some soul great with new thoughts and holy fire

Doth rise and beckon us on!"

 

"That strain I heard, was of a higher Mood!"  Alas it has forever ceased to warble its sweet music in "these low grounds of flesh and sense!"

 

Perhaps no event of this period threw a deeper pall of mourning upon the community than the early death of Peter B. Guernsey, Jr....He was a young man in the prime of life--universally beloved, admired and respected for his talents, ripe scholarhood, and genial social qualities.  he had only recently returned from an extensive tour in Europe, with a mind stored with all the legendary lore of that old world, and united himself to a lovely and amiable wife--Miss Bellamy, of Catskill--now, if living, the widow of Dr. Henry Mitchell.  Public expectation had concentrated itself, as never before, upon the prospect of his future usefulness and eminence--when the fell destroyer suddenly struck him down in our midst!  "Whom the gods love, die young."

 

"The good die first

And they whose souls are dry as summer's dust,

Burn in the socket"

 

Another sad incident of these early days presents itself to recollection, the melancholy suicide of the boy John Johnson, a younger son of Dr. Jonathan Johnson.  He was an intimate friend and associate of my own, and I loved him as a brother.  His physical constitution was very delicate and his nature exceedingly susceptible.  Some family trouble, or other real or fancied grievance, possessed upon his mind--the atmosphere in which he lived had grown oppressive to his diseased sensibility and one night, feeling himself unable longer to endure "the weary weight of all this unintelligible world," he swallowed a few grains of opium, and closed his eyes forever upon the things of time and sense.  poor boy!  He was all unfitted for the wear and tear of earth and I fear his heart was broken!

In a little hut, formerly used as a carpenter's shop, in the outskirts of the village, solitary and alone, at a later period in those days, lived a good old man,...He had seen better days, the history of which, well-known to the older inhabitants, need not now be alluded to here.  But he was an old man, three-score and ten and upwards; and he was universally reputed--so far as my knowledge extends--as a good man, a good citizen, worthy and upright in all the relations of life.  It seemed hard to see him--as I have often in my boyhood done--in his solitary and cheerless room, with his coffin, and grave-stone, and shroud, all prepared, and in readiness for his final summons; and to witness his weary and painful labors to extract from the stumps and decayed fences in the neighborhood, the scanty material for fuel.  I desire to cast no reflections upon anyone, knowing nothing whatever of the circumstances which induced this melancholy state of things, or whether it was voluntary or involuntary on his part.  He uttered no complaints and could rarely be induced to converse upon any subject.  I state only facts which came under my own observation, and were open and patent to all. Whether his days were finally left to be closed in this his solitary  seclusion, or whether he was transferred to the Alms House in Preston, I cannot now be certain, my impression, however, inclines strongly to the latter alternative.  There must have been some grievous fault somewhere I judge not.  Fifty years have left their verdure over his solitary grave, wherever it may be located, and all his contemporaries who were familiar with his history have, with few exceptions, long since disappeared.  Only the lone old man, leaning on his cane, sitting in his scantily furnished room, with its grim accompaniments around him, and his well worn Bible on his lap, or laboriously gathering fuel in the streets, remains as a memorable fact in the annals of the past.

 

To be continued

Obituaries (December 4)

Maud E. Wickman

Utica Saturday Globe, March 1920

 

Maud E. Wickman

1898 - 1920

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Miss Maud Wickman, 22 years of age, passed away Sunday afternoon at the Brookside Crest Sanitarium in Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] where she had been for 22 months.  After graduating from the High School, Miss Wickman had been in the employ of the Norwich Knitting Company until illness came upon her.  At school, at her work and in the Methodist Church where she attended, she was loved and respected by all who knew her.  She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Wickman, and two brothers, Clarence and Raymond, all of this city. A sister died about two years ago.  her brother Clarence was with the American forces in France and was wounded and gassed while in the service. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Frank W. Young, pastor of the Broad Street M.E. Church at 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon at the Wickman home, 43 Piano street.  Burial will be made in Mount Hope at a later date, the remains being placed in the receiving vault.

Frank Kriener

Norwich Sun, March 8, 1920

Frank Kriener, 60 years old died Sunday morning at 9:30 o'clock of heart trouble at his home, 22 King street.  Mr. Kriener suffered an attack of heart trouble last fall and never quite recovered.  Mr. Kriener was born in Germany, but came to America when a young man.  In 1888 he was married to Miss Magdalena Creagor at Oxford.  He came to Norwich in 1883 and had been an employee of the Maydole hammer factory since that time in the capacity of polisher.  He was a devout member of the Emmanuel Episcopal church and a member of I.O.O.F. lodge and had the highest respect of the entire community.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Magdalena Kreiner, and one son, John L., and one little granddaughter, Rhoda Kreiner.

Artemissa (Darling) Bixby

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April 13, 1878

BIXBY:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], March 30th, Artemissia [Bixby], wife of Jacob Bixby, aged 54 years. 

Bainbridge Republican, April 4, 1878

At 12 o'clock last week Saturday morning, Mrs. Jacob Bixby passed from her home on earth to heaven.  Mrs. Bixby for the past four years has been a great sufferer caused from an accident which happened to her while returning from Quarterly Conference at North Afton, July 19th, 1874.  The Bainbridge Republican under date of July 25th, 1874 says:  "While in East Afton, Mrs. Jacob Bixby was thrown from a wagon by a sudden start of the horse (the seat being loose) and severely injured about the spine.  Two other ladies, with infants, occupied the same, seat, but they fortunately escaped unhurt.  Mrs. B. was brought home on a bed, medical aid called in and she was soon brought to her senses, but it will be some time before she will be able to go about."

Although Mrs. Bixby fully recovered her senses, she never was able to do her household duties, but was confined continually to her bed.  From the first her body was wholly paralyzed from her neck down, but in time she was able to move her arms and hands, and could, by placed her food before her, help herself, but she never recovered farther, and to the time of her death was helpless.  All who were acquainted with Mrs. Bixby knew her to be a lady of excellent qualities, and of a very mild and friendly disposition.  She bore her trial, with that patience and submission due to a saint, and never murmured on account of her sad fate.  She was a firm believer in prayer, and often has said that it was her only hope.  During the last few weeks of her life she was a great sufferer. Death was a happy relief. As such, she welcomed it.  While deeply mourning her loss, those that know how great was her suffering, recognize that their loss is her gain.  With peculiar force it could be said of her that to depart and be with Christ was far better.

Mrs. Bixby was born at North New Berlin, Chenango County, N.Y. Dec. 25, 1824.  Her maiden name was Artemissa Darling.  On the 25 of December 1849, she was married to Jacob Bixby, in West Davenport, and was a sister of Mr. Bixby's first wife.  The family of the deceased have the sympathy of the entire community.  Her funeral services were held in the M.E. Church on Monday of this week, Rev. N.S. Reynolds officiating and a large number of relatives and friends were present.  Her remains were interred in the cemetery at this place.

Death  Notices

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April `13, 1878

BILLINGS:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], April 12, 1878, J.T. Billings, aged 79 years.

HOLCOMB:  In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], March 31st, Mrs. C.H. Holcomb, aged 76 years.

BINGHAM:  In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], April 3d, Mrs. Elvira [Bingham], wife of Wellington Bingham, aged 29 years, 9 months and 4 days.

CRANDALL:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 4th, Eliza [Crandall], wife of Allington Crandall, aged 54 years.

ROOT:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 5th, Harriet [Root], daughter of Charles Root, aged 18 years.

STOWBRIDGE:  In Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], April 2d, Daniel D. Strowbridge, aged 71 years, formerly of this place [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Thus has passed to his reward a faithful Christian. Those who knew him best, realize most how brightly the graces of the spirit shone forth in his daily life.  He labored earnestly to lead souls to Christ.  Doubtless many will rise up in the last great day and call him blessed.