Grotsinger - Welden Marriage

Grotsinger - Welden

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1921

Benjamin L. & Edith May (Welden) Grotsinger

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A very quiet wedding was celebrated on Tuesday last at the Broad Street M.E. parsonage when Miss Edith May Welden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Asa Welden, of 20 Hubbard Avenue, became the bride of Benjamin L. Grotsinger, of 154 South Broad street.  Rev. Frank W. Young performed the ceremony. The couple were accompanied by Miss Grace Welden, a sister of the bride, and by Arthur E. McFarlane.  Mr. and Mrs. Grotsinger will reside for the present at 20 Hubbard avenue but are planning to occupy apartments of their own in the near future.  The groom is seal clerk at the Lackawanna station in this city and the bride is a clerk in the Adams candy store on North Broad street. Together they have many friends who wish them a long and happy wedded life.

 

Death Notice

Norwich Sun, September 15, 1923

 

Grotsinger, Benjamin L.--Died at his home, 6 Division street, Tuesday, September 11, 1923, aged 24 years.  Funeral services were held from the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Grotsinger, Thursday, September 13, 1923, Rev.L.D. Palmer officiating.  Burial was made in Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].

 

Man Takes Own Life When His Wife Quits Him

Norwich Sun, September 12, 1923

 

A gruesome act of suicide was discovered Tuesday afternoon, when Benjamin L. Grotsinger, of 6 Division street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], was found on the floor of the bathroom of his home, by his father-in-law, Asa J. Welden, dead from the effects of illumination gas.  Brooding over domestic difficulties is thought to be the motive for the rash act.

 

"nine o'clock--here goes nothing--no good to anybody," with this pathetic introduction, the unfortunate man continued  a short letter to his mother, Mrs. Nancy Grotsinger, with information as to where certain papers, insurance policies, and money could be fond. Business matters were explained and the location of $47 of his money was revealed.

 

Recent domestic difficulties are ascribed as the cause of his tragic act.  He was married on January 11, 1921 to Miss Edith Welden, who several days ago left him.  He had posted her as leaving his bed and board, and on Monday evening, called the home of her father, Asa J. Welden, inquiring for her, and inviting her to his apartment.  She refused to come, and his motive for calling her is variously interpreted either as a final plea for reconciliation, or death.  In his note to his distracted mother, the young man pleaded that he had not realized "how much this would mean to her," which is presumed to mean the trouble between himself and his wife.

 

The couple had lived together happily until about a week ago, when it is alleged another woman attracted the attentions of Grotsinger.  The climax came when his wife and child of two years left his home, after which he advertised that he would not be responsible for debts contracted in his name by her.  Household effects were divided, the wife's portion having for the most part been removed.  A few pieces of furniture remained, which indirectly led to the discovery of the dead man.

 

Asa J. Welden, father-in-law of the man, in company with Harry Saunders, went to the Grotsinger home Tuesday afternoon, for the joint purpose of removing certain effects belonging to Mrs. Grotsinger, and ascertaining the whereabouts of Mr. Grotsinger, who was absent from his work on Tuesday. The man was employed by E.P. Prindle, a milk distributor, and had failed to appear for work on Tuesday.  Inquiry was made during the morning, when it was found that he had not been seen, but nothing was thought of it being assumed that he had gone out of town.

 

When Mr. Welden and Saunders entered the home, the odor of gas was quickly detected.  On investigating, the victim was found on the floor of the bathroom and had been dead for some time.  Cracks in the windows and doors had been filled with cloth, and the gas turned on full head.  The man had removed his coat and shoes taken a blanket and pillow  and made himself comfortable to await his destruction after turning on the gas.  Mrs. John Scanlon, living in the  next apartment had noticed the odor of gas in the morning and searched vainly as to its source in her rooms.  It was not until about 2 :30 in the afternoon when the men discovered Grotsinger.

 

His death falls with crushing force upon his bereaved mother whose heart was already torn by the critical illness of a daughter, an invalid of many years.  Born in the town of Norwich, the victim of the tragedy had made his life long residence in this vicinity where he was well known.  On September 16, next Sunday, he would have been 24 years of age.  The remains were ordered removed to the undertaking parlors of the William Breese Company, by Coroner E.W. Wilcox, who took charge of the body.  Private funeral services will be held form the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. August Grotsinger on the Oxford road, at 2 o'clock, Thursday afternoon, the Rev. L.D. Palmer officiating.

 

Surviving the deceased, besides his parents, are his widow, Mrs. Edith Grotsinger, a small son, Arthur, two brothers, Harry and Joseph, all of Norwich; five sisters, Mrs. Blanche Horton of Greene, Miss Mabel Grotsinger of this city, who lies at the point of death, Mrs. Jennie Wilcox of Coventry station.  Mrs. Jesse Cady of Greene and Mrs. Jesse Wilcox of Coventry station, Mrs. Jesse Cady of Greene and Mrs. Katheirne Slater of East Norwich.