Obituaries (February 7)

Adrian Babcock

Utica Saturday Globe, December 1918

 

Adrian Babcock

1843 - 1918

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Adrian Babcock, who passed away suddenly from heart failure at his room in the Eagle hotel on Sunday morning last, after a few hours' illness, was a son of Alva and Isabel Foote Babcock and was born in South New Berlin on December 23, 1843.  After attending the New Berlin schools he became a student in Oxford Academy during the halcyon days when Prof. Babcock was principal.  In 1861 he came to Norwich and for three or four years was employed in the store of Nathan P. Wheeler, making his home in the Wheeler family.  He then returned to South New Berlin, where his brother, Linn Babcock, had built up a piano business in connection with his work of teaching music, and for several years was salesman for his brother on the road.  In 1871, Linn Babcock moved to Norwich and a year later Adrian followed, and the firm of L & A Babcock was formed, and has remained for nearly 50 years, one of the largest and leading musical instrument houses in this section of the State.  For nearly 30 years Adrian Babcock continued as salesman, spending much of his time on the road, but upon the death of Linn Babcock, in 1901, Adrian became the head of the firm and resident manager.  For 10 years the firm leased the old Clark Opera House and under their management the play house enjoyed a most prosperous period.  Some of the best dramatic attractions were brought to Norwich and many successful home talent operas and amateur comedies were staged, while the annual musical festivals promoted y the firm were among the classic events of those years that for vocal and instrumental excellence have never been excelled. Few men have done as much as the Babcock brothers to instill into homes of Norwich and neighborhood and foster a love for music. Deceased was one of the ardent promoters of the Colonia Theater and keenly interested in its success.  For a number of years Mr. Babcock was a member of the Village board of Trustees and was always in favor of any measure for the promotion of the public good.  He stood firmly for street paving and other municipal improvements when such action meant bitter opposition from an element among the citizens who did not believe in community building in the best and broadest sense.  Deceased was an attendant of the First Baptist church, a member of the Masonic bodies, of the Chamber of Commerce and the Norwich Club.  Retiring in disposition, he was generous to a degree that very few even of his more intimate friends realized. his death will be mourned by many who knew how sincere and loyal a friend he was. Mr. Babcock had never married. For the first years of his residence in Norwich he lived in the family of his brother.  Later he fitted up apartments over the music rooms, but for more than 20 years he had occupied corner apartments at the Eagle, retaining the suite through several changes of management of the hotel.  His nearest surviving relatives are nephews and nieces.

 

Harriet (Ives) Humphrey

Norwich Sun, February 19, 1910

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Funeral director B.A. Fleming went to Binghamton Wednesday for the remains of Mrs. Harriet Humphrey, who died in the hospital at that place. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Ives.  Early in life she was united in marriage to Flavel Humphrey and the home was made on the farm of his father, George Humphrey, about a mile from Guilford Center, and where they resided until her husband's death a few years ago.  Since that time she has lived with her son, W.A. Humphrey. She had nearly reached her 77th birthday.  three sons, W.A., George and Fred Humphrey and one daughter, Mrs. George Benedict survive. The funeral will be held from the Congregational church at Guilford Center Friday at 1 p.m., the Rev. A.C. Salls officiating.

 

Ivan Nichols

Sidney Enterprise, January 7, 1920

Ivan Nichols, eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Orton R. Nichols, of Walton [Delaware Co., NY], was instantly killed by an automobile at three o'clock Monday afternoon.  The little fellow was riding on his sled down a hill on Prospect Ave. when he ran directly into the Ford touring car driven by Wesley Brundage of Rock Royal, occupied also by Mrs. Brundage.   The car which was proceeding slowly, was stopped within  its own length and Mr. and Mrs. Brundage alighted and pulled the child from beneath the car.  The child was carried to a neighbor's house and Dr. Morrow summoned.  On his arrival the physician found that the child had suffered a fractured skull and had died instantly.  Coroner Woods, of Delhi, was notified of the accident and instructed Dr. Morrow to hold the Brundages.  Although there were no witnesses to the accident, the coroner upon his arrival at the scene did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest and accepted the straightforward account of the tragedy given by Mr. and Mrs. Brundage.  The accident is a very pathetic one, as at the time it occurred, Mr. Brundage was carrying in the car a casket for his own little boy Hector, aged one and one-half years, who passed away Sunday evening, following a long period of delicate health.  he had made the funeral arrangements with a Walton undertaker and was returning to his Rock Royal home when the tragedy took place. The funeral of Ivan Nichols was held at his home in Walton, Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock.  The Brundage child was buried Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock.

William Benjamin Stone

Sidney Enterprise, January 2, 1930

William B. Stone, who has been in very poor health for several weeks from a complication of diseases, Wednesday morning, Jan. 1 at about 1:20 o'clock.  His funeral will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m., at his late home and at 2 o'clock at the M.E. Church.  It is expected that Rev. H.L. Snyder of Gouldsboro, Pa., will officiate and interment will be in the East Sidney cemetery [Delaware Co., NY].  William Benjamin Stone was born in Franklin [Delaware Co., NY] September 26, 1850, the son of Merwin and Susan (Hodges) Stone.  His boyhood was spent at Franklin, but while still a young man he purchased the farm near this village, which is now a part of the Polez farm, where he and his bride went to housekeeping and where they resided for many years.  On November 19, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Wood of Downsville, who survives him.  He is also survived by one brother, Frank Stone, and one sister, Miss Etta Stone, both of Franklin; one son, Charles Stone of this place, and three grandchildren, Kathleen Stone, a daughter of Charles Stone and Hobart and Raymond Cagwin of West Pittston, Pa., and Port Jervis, N.Y.  Mr. Stone was well known throughout this vicinity where practically his entire life has been spent.  He was a good friend and a kind neighbor, and will be missed in the community. To his widow, who has devotedly cared for him during his long period of ill health, the heartfelt sympathy of many friends is extended.

Lafayette F. Benton

Afton Enterprise, January 16, 1902

Our townspeople were surprised and shocked to learn of the sudden death of our old and esteemed townsman, Lafayette F. Benton, last Thursday afternoon.  Mr. Benton though advanced in years had been quite active and it was the natural inference by those accustomed to seeing him about town that there were many years of life yet in store for him.   He had been across the river Thursday afternoon to see R.E. Page, the occupant of his house, and on returning had got to the station and crossed to this side of the tracks when he was seen to stagger.  Station Agent H.A Benedict, ran quickly to his assistance, but Mr. Benton had already lost consciousness. A physician was hurriedly summoned, but death occurred at about the time of his arrival. The remains were conveyed to Hotel Phelps where Mr. Benton had been stopping for about a year past, but were later taken to the residence of his brother.  E.M. Benton, where the funeral services were held on Saturday at 1 p.m., conducted by Rev. C.E. Sweet. The interment was in the East side cemetery [Afton, NY].  Mr. Benton was born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] and had been a life long resident of the town.  He had been an active business man in his younger days owning the restaurant where the St. James hotel now stands; he was also engaged in the meat business and in other lines of industry.  He was always square and honorable in his dealings and was esteemed as a citizen.  His first wife was Miss Rhoda Church, and some time following her death he married a daughter of Hamilton Medbury, her death occurring about twenty-five years ago.  To them was born one son, George J. Benton of Carbondale who together with three brothers of the deceased survive, namely, W.C. Benton of Elkader, Ia., Jesse Benton of Ouray, Colo., and E. M. Benton of this village.