Obituaries (March 13)

Rufus Thompson

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1900

Rufus E. Thompson, for 16 years sexton of the Congregational Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], died at his home on West Main street last Sunday afternoon, after an illness of several days of pneumonia.  He was in his 72d year, having been born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] June 8, 1828.  His mother died when he was but 2 years old and his boyhood was spent in the homes of relatives and friends until he was able to take care of himself.  He afterwards found employment in Smyrna and Norwich and later traveled quite extensively visiting California, and other western States and making two trips across the Atlantic.  December 15, 1870, he married at Oxford Mary A. Williams, third daughter of Deacon Samuel Williams, of Norwich, and shortly after their marriage they went to Williamsport, Pa.  A little later Mr. Thompson engaged in the lumber business at Emporium, Pa., and for several years did a large and lucrative business, but panicky times struck the country, breaking banks and business houses right and left and the West Creek Lumber company as among the unfortunates.  Nineteen years ago Mr. Thompson brought his family to Norwich, where they have since lived. Three years later he became sexton of the Congregational Church, a position he filled faithfully until his fatal sickness.  Earlier misfortunes did not spoil his naturally sunny disposition and though the position he held was humble he will be greatly missed--"for he was a good man."  These words with singular appropriateness were chosen by Rev. Samuel Moore as a text from which to speak at the funeral held in the church on Wednesday afternoon.  Besides his widow he leaves two children, Mrs. Arthur Galloway, of Unionville, N.Y., and Lulu Thompson, of this village.  One brother, John Thompson, of Canton, Steuben county, also survives.

 

Mary A. (Williams) Thompson

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, September 10, 1902

Mrs. Mary A. Thompson died at the City hospital last evening at 6:30- o'clock, after an operation for cancer performed during the afternoon.  Mrs. Thompson had been a resident of this city [Binghamton, Broome Co., NY] for a number of years and lived with her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Galloway, No. 8 Elizabeth street.  She is survived by two children, Mrs. Galloway and Miss Lula Thompson, both of this city.  She formerly lived in Norwich and had many friends living in that vicinity.  prayer service will be held at the residence, No. 8 Elizabeth street, this afternoon, at one o'clock, and the body will be taken to Norwich for burial--Binghamton Republican, 9th.

 

Deceased was the widow of the late Rufus Thompson, who resided on West Main street, and was for many years sexton of the Congregational church.  The body will arrive in Norwich on the 4:44 Lackawanna train this Tuesday afternoon, and will be taken to the home of Mrs. Towner, Fair street, from where the funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon. Burial in Mt. Hope cemetery, by the side of her husband .  [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]

 

Sarah Doolittle

Sidney Enterprise, December 21, 1921

The many friends of Mrs. Sarah Doolittle were greatly shocked Monday afternoon to learn of her death, which had occurred at 4 o'clock that afternoon, the cause of her death being a shock.  Mrs. Doolittle was apparently in her usual health during the past week, she having been an attendant at the Sunday evening services in the Methodist church.  On returning from there to her home, she complained of a pain in the top of her head and took a tablet and then went to her room for the night.  Miss Katherine Place, with whom she made her home, heard a noise from her room and going there she found Mrs. Doolittle lying on the floor,  She got her into her bed and gave her such aid as was possible until the arrival of the physician.  Mrs. Doolittle was conscious and besides complaining of the pain in her head also spoke of the numbness in her arms and hands. The physician upon his arrival pronounced it a straight case of paralytic shock. She kept growing gradually worse until a short time before her death when unconsciousness came and she passed away at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon.  Mrs. Doolittle was born at Rockwell's Mills sixty years ago; 42 years ago on new Year's day she was united in marriage to Eugene Doolittle, and to them were born two sons, one of whom, William Doolittle, of Latham's Corners, survives.  Her husband died about four years ago, and she came to Sidney, three years ago to make her home. During her residence in Sidney, by her piety and quiet, unassuming manners and endearing disposition she had made friends of all with whom she became acquainted.  In her girlhood she gave her heart to her Savior and during the remaining portion of her life she was active in the service of her church so long as health would permit.  Besides the son mentioned, she is survived by three brothers, Rev. Geo. F. Place of Dallas, Pa.; Newton Place of Bayonne, N.J.; Leon Place of Montreal Canada, and three sisters, Miss Katharine Place, with whom she made her home; Mrs. Frank Birdsall and Mrs. Mary Hall, and Miss Mary Place. The funeral services will be held at the home on Avery street, Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. A.D. Finch officiating; the interment will be in the cemetery at White Store [Chenango Co., NY]