Obituaries (May 15)

Hon. Fitch Phelps

Chenango Union, April 10, 1890

From a copy of the Big Rapids, (Michigan) Current, of January 29, we receive the announcement of the death of Hon. Fitch Phelps.  Mr. Phelps was a native of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], and at an early age removed to the western part of this State, from which he went to California, remaining there some five years.  Later he returned and located near Big Rapids, in Michigan, engaged extensively in the lumber business.  He soon amassed a large fortune, and became one of the prominent men of that State.  In politics he was a Republican, and served in both branches of the Michigan legislature with distinction.  We enjoyed a pleasant chat with Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, the past autumn, when they were in Guilford, visiting the scenes of Mr. Phelps' childhood.  His benevolence was commensurate with his wealth, and unostentatiously bestowed among the needy and deserving.  He leaves a widow, an estimable lady, but no children, to mourn his loss.

 

Asaph Phillips

Chenango Semi Weekly Telegraph, December 12, 1877

PHILLIPS:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 19th, 1877, at the residence of Charlton Phillips, Asaph Phillips, aged 82 years, 4 months and 11 days.

Asaph Phillips was born at Ashfield, Mass., July 8th, 1795.  He moved to the town of Guilford, when only three years of age, at this time there were no roads, and they traveled by what was called marked or blazed trees.  He was married to Hannah Hoyt, Dec. 1st, 1819, and has lived at the place of his death ever since.  He has always voted the Whig and Republican tickets and attended every election except the one this fall, for sixty-one years.  He has been a subscriber to the Telegraph ever since it has been printed.   He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.  His funeral was held at the house of Charlton Phillips, Wednesday, Nov. 21st, 1877, and was largely attended by relatives and friends.  Sermon was preached by Rev. P. Griffin, of Guilford Centre.  He was buried in burying ground near Clark Bradley's.

 

Rev. E.J. Bickford

Chenango Semi Weekly Telegraph, December 12, 1877

BICKFORD:  In Marash, Central Turkey, Oct. 19th, 1877, Rev. E.J. Bickford, in the 34th year of his age.

Mr. Bickford, the husband of the lady whose occasion "Letter from Turkey" has appeared in the Telegraph, left this country three years ago to join the Central Turkey Mission.  He had acquired a fine command of the language and was just entering fully upon his work as instructor in the Theological Seminary at Marash, with every prospect of usefulness, when he was seized with smallpox of a malignant type, and lived but two weeks. To human reason, it would seem as if these three years of preparation for a work which he was never to do, were lost, and his life given as a useless sacrifice; but God's children know that he never makes mistakes and we feel that this is only a part of his plan, the wisdom of which, though the reasons are not given, we cannot doubt.  Mrs. Bickford, with her two little ones, will return to the home of her father, Mr. Charles Williams of Columbus.

 

Hannah (Dorman) Pratt

Guilford Mail, February 1899

Mrs. Hannah Pratt died at her home in Mount Vision, Otsego Co., N.Y. Dec. 24th, 1898 in her 71st year.  Hannah Dorman was born in the town of Smithville, Chenango Co. N.Y on Much 27th, 1828, she with her father's family moved to Guilford in 1834.  She gave her heart to God when a child and lived a true Christian life to the time of her death.  She united with the M.E. Church of Guilford of which she was a member while she lived in Guilford.  Her kindness and help in times of sickness and death are well remembered by many in Guilford.  Her father and oldest brother Philo died in Guilford in 1843 and her mother after being blind twelve years died in 1872.  She was united in marriage in 1864 to William H. Pratt and with him moved to Mount Vision, Otsego Co., N.Y. in 1868 which was her future home.  She leaves a large circle of friends there and in other places where she was known. She united with the Presbyterian Church at Laurens, Otsego Co., of which her husband was a member.  She leaves a husband, William H. Pratt of Mount Vision, two brothers ant one sister, John and David Dorman and Mrs. Charles C. North, all of Guilford. Services were held at her late home in Mount Vision on Sunday, Dec. 25th, by her pastor from Laurens and on the following day her remains were brought to Guilford to the home of her brother David Dorman where funeral services were again held at 1 P.M. Tuesday Dec. 27th, the Rev. E.L. Tiffany officiating. A large number of friends and acquaintances were present to pay their last tribute to the memory of the deceased.  The interment took place in the family plot on the bank overlooking the beautiful Guilford Lake.  "She is not dead but sleepeth."  St. Luke, 8:52.

Betty Manwaring Rolfe

Norwich Sun, January 10, 1924

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Little Betty Manwaring Rolfe was born in Guilford, February 5, 1922.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rolfe. Throughout her long illness beginning early in October, her mind remained entirely clear.  During her illness she kept learning new words and playing with her dolls and toys.  On Friday December 28th less than two hours before the change came she sat up in bed alone and played. She kept her unfailing good temper.  in the Crouse-Irving Hospital at Syracuse during the last five weeks of her sickness, the nurses and patients said she was the only baby they ever knew who never cried. She is survived by her parents and one brother and one sister,  Funeral services were held at the late home Monday, December 31st, the remains being laid in the family plot at Sunset Hill cemetery [Guilford, NY] to await the dawning of the Great Day. To the bereaved family sympathy flows.