Obituaries (April 4)

Maj. Edwin L. Brand

Rome Daily Sentinel, December 27, 1900

 

Major Edwin L. Brand

1834 - 1900

Major Edwin L. Brand, who died suddenly in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon, had been ill for two months.  His condition on Christmas day seemed so much improved that his physician gave him permission to go out.  Soon after lunch and the exchange of Christmas presents among members of the family, Mr. Brand, who was lying down, was heard to gasp for breath.  A doctor was hastily summoned, but death ensued in a few minutes.  The family physician said last night that overwork and overstudy on a new process of photography contributed principally to Mr. Brand's death. The deceased was born in Edmeston, Otsego county [NY].  He conducted photograph galleries in Utica and Norwich, and in 1858 went to Chicago, where he continued the business with great success and became a millionaire.  He had a fine summer home at Richfield Springs.  His survivors are his wife, one son, Edwin l., Jr., and one daughter, Miss Belle Brand, all of Chicago.  He also leaves three brothers, James  H. of Utica, G. Byron of Chicago and Alfred Brand of Michigan.  His remains will be buried in Forest Hill cemetery, Utica [Oneida Co., NY], beside those of his first wife and a daughter.  For thirty years Mr. Brand had been a member of the Knights of Pythias, and twenty-two years ago originated the idea of the uniform rank, or military feature, of that order.  He was state commander of the uniform rank for many years, and for the last ten years was chief of staff with rank of brigadier, to Major General James S. Carnahan, commander in chief of the uniform rank of the world.  When Col. Ellsworth left the Souave organization that bore his name in 1860 to recruit a regiment in New York, Mr. Brand took command of one of the companies.  Six were enlisted, the seventh, under Capt. Brand, remaining at home. The Chicago hussars were organized by him.  During the World's Columbian Exposition the hussars acted as escort at most of the important ceremonials, but later became largely a social organization through the law forbidding such organizations from parading with arms.  Two months ago Mr. Brand was attacked with cold, but continued to attend to business.  Ten days ago it developed into grip.  Recently Mr. Brand began to work out a plan whereby he could take a front view and a silhouette's at one exposure.  A few days ago he told his wife that he had the plan completed.  Concentrated study on this subject is said to have been one of the principal causes of his death.

 

Utica Daily Press, December 1900

The remains of Maj. Edwin L. Brand, who died in Chicago last Wednesday, arrived in this city [Utica, Oneida Co., NY] at 12:52 Saturday afternoon and the committal services were conducted at Forest Hill Cemetery by Rev. William B. Wallace. There was a large attendance of friends and relatives, many being present from Chicago and other places.

 

J. Relly Smith

Binghamton Press, December 2, 1936

J. Relly Smith, 71 years old, of 27 Carhart avenue, died this morning at the Charles S. Wilson Memorial hospital.  He is survived by his wife Marosia; a daughter, Mrs. Ray Ralston of Endicott; four son, Leonard, Leslie, Lawton and Lee, of Johnson City; a sister, Mrs. Frank Tracey of Carbondale; a brother, Rubin Smith of Sidney and six grandchildren.  Mr. Smith was a member of the First Christian church.  The body was removed to the William H. Chase funeral home, 44 Exchange street.

 

Marosia Smith

Binghamton Press, August 20, 1946

Mrs. Marosia Smith, 81, formerly of Johnson City [Broome Co., NY], died yesterday morning at the W.R.C. Home, Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Raymond Ralston of Endicott; four sons, Leonard A. Smith and Leslie C. Smith, both of Binghamton; Lawrence H. Smith of Great Bend, and T. Lee Smith of Johnson City; two brothers, Charles Leonard of Syracuse, and John Huntley of Schenectady; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  She was one of the oldest members of the First Christian Church. The body was removed to the William R. Chase and Son Funeral Home, 44 Exchange Street.

 

Death Notices

Mrs. Hannah Smith, aged 70 years died at her home in North Sanford [Broome Co., NY] Wednesday last.  The funeral was held Friday. funeral Director Emens having charge of the arrangements.  [Afton Enterprise, January 11, 1894]

 

Louis [Smith], infant son of R.S. Smith, of this place [Afton, Chenango Co., NY] died Monday morning after a short illness of cholera infantum.  The funeral was held Tuesday.  [Afton Enterprise, August 20, 1891]

 

Henry Smith has received work of the death of his only brother, Charles Smith, at Rockwell's Mills [Chenango Co., NY], May 29.  Of six brothers and sisters, Henry Smith is the only surviving member.  He has recently passed 80th birthday.  [Afton Enterprise/Harpursville Budget, June 8, 1933]

 

Died, in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Maria [Smith], daughter of Mr. Munson Smith, aged 8 years.  [Oxford Times, Feb. 11, 1852]

 

SMITH:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], July 15, 1901, Laurette Smith, widow of Munson Smith, aged 83 years.  [Oxford Times, July 17, 1901]