Maj. Edwin L. Brand
Utica Saturday Globe, December 1900
Maj. Edwin L. Brand
1834 - 1900
Maj. Edwin L. Brand, a prominent resident of Chicago, expired after a brief illness at is home, 1,918 Michigan avenue, in that city, Tuesday afternoon. Deceased was well known in central New York, where he was born and where he lived to manhood until his removal to Chicago 52 years ago where he won fame and fortune in his profession. His affection for the scenes of youth and early manhood were strong and he was a frequent visitor to these parts and was widely known and highly regarded.
Deceased was born in Edmeston, Otsego county [NY], in 1834. He began life as a farmer and, in his 17th year, associated with a traveling photographer, with whom he learned picture taking. He opened up on his own account in Leonardsville, near his birthplace, then came to Utica to make daguerreotypes, his office being in the Deveraux Block. This was in 1854. Here he remained 18 months. Then he moved to Norwich where he carried on a photograph gallery two years. In 1858 he moved to Chicago and from the first, secured a profitable patronage. The wealthiest families of that city soon found they had a genius in their midst for reproducing faces and he never lacked for patrons. His studio in Lake street he soon outgrew and then a larger one was occupied on Washington, where the great fire of 1870 found him and reduced is valuable stock of pictures, negatives and other material to ashes. It was a great blow. His loss exceeded his insurance by $75,000. He bravely set to work to retrieve his fortune, and succeeded. He reopened for business on Walash avenue, made money faster than ever, and was obliged to build farther down the avenue a structure that would give him the requisite room for his expanding patronage. Last year another gallery was opened on Jackson boulevard which has also proved very successful. As a photographer Mr. Brand had no superior; even very few equals. He was a tireless worker and an inventor. Indeed his death is attributed to overwork in which his nervous system gave out, and heart failure followed. Though not a well man, recently he had worked night and day on an invention for the developing a new style photograph intended to show both a full face and silhouette view and which he described to his wife only the day before his death the process by which such a result might be obtained. Mr. Brand never had been sick until this winter and presumed on his physical forces, believing he had an iron constitution. he was an excellent judge of real estate and largely added to his fortune by the advance in price of his property investments in that city.
When Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth organized the United States Zouave Cadets in Chicago, in 1858, young Brand was of the first to be enrolled and with it made the tour of the country in 1860. When Ellsworth resigned in 1861 to organize the New York Fire Zouaves for the war, Mr. Brand was elected captain of the company and remained at its head until its disbandment in 1868. He organized the Chicago Hussars, was made its commander and made it a famous cavalry battalion. He was an Odd Fellow and also a Knight of Pythias. In 1878 he originated the Uniformed Ranks of the Knights of Pythias. Recently he spent the summers with his family at Richfield Springs, where he had built a large cottage.
Besides his wife, one son and one daughter survive, Edwin L., Jr., and Miss Belle Brand. Three brothers are also living: James H. of Utica; G. Byron, of Chicago, and Alfred Brand, of Detroit. The funeral services were held in Chicago yesterday and the remains will be conveyed to this city and committal services will be at Forest Hill cemetery.
Alice Bennett
Norwich Sun, October 25, 1918
Miss Alice Bennett, formerly of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died on October 16, in Middleville, Herkimer county, a victim of influenza followed by pneumonia. For several years she was a teacher in Guilford, Bainbridge and Middleville, and was well known through out the county, where her death will be mourned by many friends.
Sidney Enterprise, October 23, 1918
Miss Alice Bennett of Bainbridge, died at Middleville, Herkimer county [NY], where she was teaching, recently from the results of influenza. Miss Bennett was 36 years of age and had taken up school work at the opening of the fall term. Her mother Mrs. Howard Bennett was living with her at Middleville.
Sidney Record, October 26, 1918
Mrs. S.A. Williams and Mrs. J.R. Williams, who is a guest of the former in this village [Sidney, NY], on Saturday attended the funeral of Miss Alice Bennett, held in Oxford. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bennett of Bainbridge, a graduate of the school in that village, and at the time of her death was employed as teacher in the schools at Middleville, N.Y. Her father died at the Binghamton State hospital only a few months ago. She was thirty-six years of age and before locating in Bainbridge the family resided in Oxford, N.Y.
Abel Comstock Willcox
Norwich Sun, October 25, 1918
Abel Comstock Willcox passed away at his home in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] Sunday night in the full flower of his young manhood. He was 34 years of age and leaves behind him a wife and three young sons who are now both fatherless and motherless. Abel C. Willcox was born in Smyrna, the eldest son of Gardner N. and Sarah Comstock. At a very early age he showed decided precocity in his studies and his easy and brilliant grasp of hard subjects was a source of speculation and wonder to his instructors. At the age of 17 he entered Cornell university and there was known as a "star" student. He graduated from there with the highest honors and immediately entered upon the study of law in the College of the City of New York. Before completing this course he was married to Miss Marion Smith of Ithaca who died last March after a year of terrible suffering. To his wife in her last days, the husband gave tenderly and tirelessly of his time and strength. He ministered to her needs as a mother would have done and never counted the price. After being admitted to the New York bar, Abel Willcox practiced for a few years in Norwich then removed to Rochester where he became research lawyer for the Lawyers' Co-operative company there. His own health broke down several years ago and he was obliged to get out of his confining work in Rochester. He moved his family to Smyrna two years ago where he sought less arduous professional duties and more outdoor work. The automobile agency of G.N. Willcox and Son was formed and Mr. Willcox became demonstrator for their cars. The illness and death of Mrs. Willcox followed, leaving the three boys. To them the father gave in the abundance of his beautiful love and affection. Always kind, always cheery, always strong in the face of cruel adversity--he was the admiration of all those who knew the cross he so patiently bore. Early in life he had taken the vows of the church and his character in truth seemed ever founded and modeled on that of his Heavenly Father. Four weeks ago, Abel Willcox was united in marriage to Lydia Bartlett. He shortly became a victim of the influenza scourge and after a vain but gallant fight, his tired body succumbed. A whole community will miss his quiet, unassuming presence; his family will miss the strong son, the beloved husband, the most understanding of fathers, the dearest of brothers.
Servant of God--well done!
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won.
Enter thy Master's joy.
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