Obituaries (May 19)

S.W. Smith

Chenango Telegraph, February 10, 1876

On Tuesday last S.W. Smith met his death in the following singular manner.  He was uncle to, and for the past five years, made his home with William Smith, on the Great Brook.  On the day mentioned in company with William he went to the woods for the purpose of drawing out hop poles, and was riding upon the bob sled, when William jumped off and ran a short distance ahead to pick out the road, and had not been gone over two minutes when returning he found his uncle with his head doubled down upon his breast under the sled, the team having stopped.  William pulled the sled over and got his uncle out, and bathed his head with water, but with the exceptions of one or two gasps, he showed no signs of life.  Upon examination it was found that his neck was broken.  He was 68 years of age.  How he came to get under the sled or in what manner his neck was broken is a mystery, as there was not a scratch or mark upon the body--New Berlin Gazette.

 

 Daniel H. Sumner

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, October 6, 1900

The body of the late Daniel H. Sumner, whose death occurred in Binghamton on Tuesday, arrived in Norwich yesterday afternoon.  Funeral services will be held from the residence of George W. Sumner on Henry street Friday at 10 a.m., and burial will be made at East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].  Daniel H. Sumner was born at Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY], May 1, 1824.  He was for many years a prominent business man of this village.  For a time he ran what was called "the packet boat" on the canal, and also engaged in the livery business.  He was last engaged in the lumber business at Canisteo.  He had been gone from Norwich about 20 years.  Failing health necessitated his removal to state hospital at Binghamton, where he died.  He is survived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. H.J. Felton of East Pharsalia, and son, George W. Sumner of Norwich also three brothers, Sherman of Pharsalia; Albert of Canisteo, and Dr. C.G. Sumner of this village.

Samuel A. Smith

Chenango Telegraph, March 30, 1864

SMITH:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 24th inst. after a lingering illness, Samuel A. Smith, Esq., aged 83 years.
Mr. Smith was an early settler in Fayette Township [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY], from Connecticut, and bore his part of the burden of felling and clearing the wilderness.  His strong good sense and personal integrity gave him the confidence of his fellow citizens and made him the frequent recipient of various town offices of Eastern and Guilford. For many years he was a member of the Board of Supervisors.  In 1816 he represented the county in the Assembly with James Houghtaling and Ebenezer Wakely.  He was again a member in 1820 with Thomas Humphrey and Samuel Campbell, as his associates.  He was elected Sheriff of the county in 1825, and in 1837 was appointed by Gov. Marcy a Commissioner of the U.S. Deposit Fund for this County  In 1848 he consented to stand as a candidate for congress that the friends of Van Buren and Free Soil might have a name to vote for.  Sheriff Smith, like the late Sheriff Robinson, was of the old school with old fashioned manners and old fashioned honesty.  He taught and followed the virtues of economy and frugality.  In all the trusts committed to his charge, whether as a private citizen or a public officer, he was faithful to the letter and scrupulously honest.  He leaves the odor of a good name to his family.

Since the above was put in type, we have received the following:  Mr. Smith was born in Salem, Connecticut, but removed to Guilford (then Oxford) in April of 1805, more than half a century since, and lived upon the farm he then purchased until the time of his death.  He was therefore one of the first settlers and oldest inhabitants of Guilford, and full identified with its early growth and history.  He took a prominent part in the erection of the town of Guilford, which was taken from Oxford in 1813, and was, it is believed, its first Supervisor. During his public life he was justice of the Peace 19 years; Supervisor 11; in 1817 and 1820 a member of the Legislature; was elected Sheriff in 1825; and appointed a Commissioner, in connection with Hezekiah Read, to loan the U.S. Deposit Fund. For the last few years he withdrew himself form the cares of active life, devoting his time to reading and social intercourse, and enjoying that competence which his early care and industry and gained.  It is believed he had the confidence of the people of his town, and of the county, as the above brief record will evidence, and an instance is not known when that confidence was misplaced or betrayed.  Possessed of strong native sense, coupled with honesty of intention, inflexibility of purpose, he seldom erred in arriving at just conclusions, or was swayed from his determination to do and pursue the right, remembering his accountability to his county and his God. But his work is done. He has been gathered to his fathers like a shock of corn fully ripe, leaving behind him the sweet remembrance, and the bright example of his life.