Obituaries (March 3)

Syrus Buell Merrihew

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1900

 

Syrus Buell Merrihew

1815 - 1900

Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY]:  This town lost one of her worthiest citizens Saturday morning in the death of Syrus Buell Merrihew.  He was born in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], December 31, 1815, and the 84 years of his life had been spent in Chenango county.  His parents, John and Phoebe Merrihew, were originally from New Bedford, Mass., but moved into this section from Dutchess county in this State. They were very religious people and as all of their eleven children grew up into mature years became members of the Christian Church.  One is still living, Mrs. Esther Ward, of Hudson, Mich.

 

The subject of our sketch was converted when 7 years old and united with the Baptist Church at North  Norwich in 1831.  He continued to be a worthy, consistent, faithful and prominent adherent of the faith until death.  He had also served as deacon in the Sherburne Baptist Church for 22 years.  In 1843 he was married to Abereul Fisher, daughter of Deacon Ezra Fisher, of South New Berlin.  The happy union was broken several years ago by death, leaving three daughters, Nancy, Martha and Anna, who still survive their father.  The departed was a cooper by trade, but in late years he had worked as a carpenter and joiner.  In the latter trade he was especially proficient, skillful and thorough.  In many devices which he worked out he showed that he had inherited a great degree of Yankee ingenuity.  He was a man of some literary ability.  Among his papers are found musical compositions and poems, some of which having in them peculiar merit.  His diary, which was kept at intervals, contained especially reflections on his religious feelings and aspirations, written in fine style.  Many years ago when stenography was little studied and its admirers were few, he had given attention to that art; and had become quite adept in it.  He was also very fond of reading, and even in his declining days was anxious to peruse the latest books from the press.

 

All these characteristics made Mr. Merrihew a very interesting man and a pleasant conversationalist.  He was a man much beloved by all classes and ages, and of excellent reputation for his cheerful disposition, integrity, and neighborliness. The town of Plymouth, South  New Berlin, Smyrna and Sherburne knew him as noted for these good qualities.  The last 24 years were lived in Sherburne, in which his genial features and ways were known to everybody.  In politics he was a staunch Republican and always informed himself on the issues of every campaign.

 

His death was due to hemorrhages following an epileptic shock.  The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and was attended by a large concourse of people.  The service was conducted by his pastor, Rev. J.W. Griffith, in the Sherburne Baptist church, the deacons acting as bearers.  In the address Deacon Merrihew was spoken of as a man of active, bright and intelligent Christian faith. Burial was at North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  He will be missed as an upright citizen and an exemplary Christian man.

Horatio A. Curtis

Norwich Sun, December 20, 1939

The death of Horatio A. Curtis, well known resident of this city and county occurred at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Chenango Memorial Hospital.  Mr. Curtis was admitted to the hospital Tuesday.  Born in White Store April 28, 1868, he was the son of Charles and Amy Shippey Curtis.  Mr. Curtis was a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music.  He was in business in this city until about 1912 when he became associated with the Hadley Company of Charleston, West Virginia.  continuing with that company until his retirement in 1931.  For a time Mr. Curtis was a director of the Norwich city band.  He was a member of the Masonic lodge in this city and Norwich Commandery.  Mr. Curtis is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Robert S. Wait of Syracuse and Mrs. Bryce D. Blakeley of Bainbridge.  Four grandchildren also survive. 

Norwich Sun, December 23, 1939

Funeral services for Horatio Curtis were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Breese Funeral Home. Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal church officiated.  Burial was made in the White Store cemetery [Chenango Co., NY].  The services were largely attended by former associates, relatives and friends.  Serving as honorary bearers were George Crane, W.A. Baldwin, Charles H. Hunt, R.D. Case and James Lucas.  Active bearers were Harry S. Hunt, Frank Hunt, Larry Johnson, F.L. Burchard and Judge T.C. Bonney.

Fremont E. Benedict

Daily Press, Utica, NY, December 1939

New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Fremont E. Benedict, 77, retired, died at his home in N. Main St., Dec. 18, 1939, after an illness of two months.  He was a son of Caroline Dart and Jared Hawley Benedict, and was born in Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].  When 18, he went West where for several years, he worked in the dairy business.  He was also associated with the Moseley Stoddard Co., for nine years in Rutland, Vt. later he was employed by the De La Val Separator Company of New York for 15 years. 

Norwich Sun, December 20, 1939

He was united in marriage with Martha Louden on September 17, 1902 who survives with two sons, Fremont of Upper Darby, Pa. and William, at home.  Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Lilla Sholes of Columbus, two nephews, Floyd and Jay Sholes, and two grandsons, Robert and Walter.  Mr. Benedict retired from business about 22 years ago.  He returned with his family to the scenes of his boyhood where he resided for some years on what is now the Walter Page farm, removing 16 years ago to his present home on North Main street.  A well read man and one who possessed a rare philosophy of life, a brilliant and interesting conversationalist, he will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends.  The funeral will be held on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 2 o'clock from the Daken home, the Rev. nelson F. Parke officiating. Bearers will be Mr. Benedict's two nephews, Floyd and Jay Sholes, and Messrs. Kirk Thompson, Walter Page, Paul Southern and Sidney Coats.  Interment will be in St. Andrew's cemetery [New Berlin, NY].

Joanna Curtis

Otsego Journal, August 16, 1894

The sudden death of the bright little daughter of Joseph Curtis, of White Store, on Sunday evening was one of the most distressing events that has agitated that quaint community in a long time.  She with her mother were calling at the residence of Sidney Skinner, near Holmesville, when the little one was suddenly seized with a choking fit and died shortly after being conveyed home by the agitated mother.  Dr. Smith was hastily summoned, but arrived too late to be of any assistance.  Opinion is divided as to whether her death was caused by a bean, a quantity of which she had been playing with, or from some internal cause. The doubt can only be settled by an autopsy which will occur on Tuesday morning.  Her age was two and one-half years.  The funeral will occur on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

George C. Odell

Otsego Journal, August 16, 1894

An event daily expected for some weeks was the death of Mr. Odell, which occurred on Friday night, at his residence on the Guilford road [Chenango Co., NY].  For nearly sixty years he had resided upon the place where he died, near which he was born, nearly eighty-two years ago.  As a quaint inoffensive Christian man through his long life he bore an enviable reputation, and as was pertinently remarked by a friend escaped to a remarkable degree the shafts of calumny that it is the lot of most mortals to encounter.  Nearly all his life he was connected with the church and nearly sixty years ago was a class leader in the church at Rockdale. At the age of fourteen years he lost his father, his death creating a profound sensation at that time, having been at the hands of an assassin near Mt. Upton cemetery.  The body was thrown into the river from a bridge then spanning the river a short distance below.  It was one of the murders that did not out, as the guilty party, although his identity was suspected, was never apprehended. At about the age of twenty-one Mr. Odell was married to the eldest daughter of Heman St. John, who survives him.  He also leaves two children, Marvin Odell and Mrs. Wm. Burrows, all of whom sincerely mourn his loss, with many other relatives and friends.  The burial occurred from his late residence on Sunday, Rev. L.A. Wild, of Sidney, officiating.