Obituaries (May 4)

Norris Gridley
Chenango Union, May 24, 1906

Norris Gridley died on Thursday morning, aged 90 years.  He had lived in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] nearly all his life and was well known throughout the county.  He is survived by his wife with whom he had lived for nearly 65 years, four daughters and three sons, as follows:  Mrs. John Powell of Troopsburg, Mrs. John Olean of Woodhall, Mrs. William Bartholomew of Watkins, Miss Leila Gridley of Guilford and Messrs. M.M. Gridley of Guilford, C.G. Gridley of Norwich and Albert Gridley of Rockdale. The funeral was held at the late home Saturday afternoon, Rev. A.C. Salls officiating.  Interment in Guilford Center.

 

Chenango Union, May 31, 1906

Norris Gridley of Guilford, whose death was reported in these columns last week was a pioneer resident of Chenango county, having spent 87 years of long and active life in this region.  He was one of the few men of the old school whose active life extended back to the early days of the past century when the country, now so powerful, was struggling for existence.  Mr. Gridley was born in Harwinton, Litchfield county, Conn., April 23, 1816.  The echoes of the second war with England had hardly died away and the Mexican war was not even a future possibility then.  The family moved to Guilford in 1819 and from that time until his death, he had always resided in that town.  The country was new and rough in those days and the sturdy pioneer had a hard lot to subdue to wilderness.  In the active work of developing the new country, Mr. Gridley has borne his share, his life being devoted to hard work.  He was an example of temperance in all things and his sturdy upright life showed always the results of plain living and high thinking.  He was the next to the youngest in a family of nine children and lived to see all the others go to the great beyond.  On October 21, 1940, he was married to Esther M. Atwater, who is living today at the advanced age of 85 years.  Eleven children blessed this union, seven of whom are living. There are also a large number of grandchildren and several great-grandchildren to perpetuate the name of Gridley. The children are:  Mrs. Rosine A., wife of John Paul of Woodhull, N.Y.; Mrs. Stella V. McLean of Woodhull; Lelia A. Gridley, who has lived at home and watched over the declining years of her parents; Mrs. Mary E., wife of William Bartholomew of Reading, N.Y.; Melverne M. Gridley of Guilford; Gaylord G Gridley of Norwich, and Albert N. Gridley of Rockdale.  Mr. and Mrs. Gridley celebrated the 65th anniversary of their marriage last October. Since March 1858, they resided in the same house on the homestead, two miles north of Guilford Center, and have been lifelong members and faithful attendants of the Congregational church in their home.  A large circle of friends will mourn the passing of the sturdy pioneer.

Esther M. Gridley

Norwich Sun, July 24, 1906

Mrs. Esther M. Gridley, widow of Norris Gridley of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], whose death was reported in these columns last May, passed away at her home in Guilford, Friday, July 20, at the ripe old age of 85 years and five months.  Up to the time of her husband's death she was a remarkably well preserved woman, but the shock of his demise, coupled with her advanced years was too much for her and she gradually declined, until at last peace came to her. The funeral was held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and was largely attended.  Interment was in Guilford Center by the side of her husband.  Norris Gridley was 90 years of age at the time of his death and for over 65 years, he and the partner of his joys and sorrows had dwelled together.  Mrs. Gridley's maiden name was Esther M. Atwater, and she has been a life long resident of this county [Chenango].  Since March, 1853, she had lived in the home on the farm which was so recently the scene of her husband's passing away, and has now witnessed the passing of the mistress of the homestead.  The entire community knew her and loved her and in fact there are friends scattered all over Chenango county who will mourn her end. She was a lifelong member of the Congregational church at Guilford.  Besides a number of children, there are many grandchildren and great-grandchildren left to mourn for her.  The children are:  Mrs. Rosine A., wife of John Paul [Powell] of Woodhull, N.Y.; Mrs. Stella V. McLean of Woodhull; Lelia A. Gridley, who has lived at home and had watched over the declining years of her parents; Mrs. Mary E., wife of William Bartholomew of Reading, N.Y.; Melverne M. Gridley of Guilford; Gaylord G. Gridley of Norwich and Albert N. Gridley of Rockdale.

 

William Johnson

Bainbridge Republican, June 6, 1929

Word was received here last week of the sudden death at Nineveh Junction of William Johnson, 73, who died at his home Saturday May 25th, 1929 of pneumonia.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hattie Darling Johnson, a former Guilford girl, one son, W. Fay Johnson of Hazleton; and one daughter Mrs. H.K. Partridge of Syracuse, also two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Burial was in Nineveh junction [Broome Co., NY].

 

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph, July 6, 1859

 

PER LEE:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th isn't., Edmund G. Per Lee aged 75 years.

 

COMSTOCK:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst., Daniel Comstock, aged 72 years.

 

EDDY:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst., Mrs. Sarah Eddy, wife of Mr. Augustus Eddy, aged 62 years.

 

COOLEY:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], June 26th, Ezra h. Cooley, infant son of Robert j. and Olive R. Cooley, aged six months.

"Shall love with meek embrace,

Thine upward wing detain

No; gentle Angel seek thy place

Amid the cherished trains"

 

PECKHAM:  At Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], June 23d, Perry Peckham, aged 81 years and 5 months.

 

BOYCE:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], June 28th, Mrs. Margaret Boyce, relict of Thomas Boyce, aged 87 years and 10 months.