Obituaries (May 6)

William Hovey

Afton Enterprise, May 22, 1906

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral services of  Wm. Hovey were held at the M.E. church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. C.C. Vrooman officiating.  Mr. Hovey had been suffering from an attack of pneumonia only a few days, and the end came before his daughter, May, could reach his bedside from her work in a Brooklyn hospital.  Besides this daughter he left another, Mrs. Burt Evans, a son, Robert, and his wife, Mrs. Ellen Nash Hovey, to mourn his loss.  He was 61 years of age, and although quiet and unobtrusive in his bearing, will be missed in the church as well as home.

 

John Hull, Jr.

Chenango Union, August 12, 1880

Mr. John Hull, Jr., who died in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] was brought to Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] and buried from the residence of his father, Sunday afternoon.  A large number of friends from Norwich, Unadilla, and Guilford were in attendance at the funeral.

 

Bainbridge Republican, August 27, 1880

The funeral of John Hull, Jr., was held at his father's residence in this place, on the 8th inst.  Mr. Hull died in Norwich on the 5th inst., from the effects of a sunstroke received in New York, several weeks ago. The remains were accompanied from Norwich by several friends of the deceased.

Sylvester Humphrey

Chenango Union, December 16, 1863

The death of Sylvester Humphrey occurred at his residence in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 5th of November, aged 77 years, after a short but decisive illness.  Mr. Humphrey came from Greene county to Guilford, nearly thirty years ago, and became identified with the building of the Oxford and Butternuts Turnpike Road, of which he at a later day became the sole owner.  He possessed to a marked degree sterling integrity, together with an indomitable fixedness of purpose, which characteristics attended every transaction of his life.  He early connected himself with the Democratic party, to the principles and interests of which he ever maintained an undeviating adherence.  he had held the office of Supervisor of his town, as well as other minor offices, within the gift of his townsmen.  He lived to see grown to manhood a large and intelligent family, most of whom had became settlers in the distant South and West.

Hector Ross

Chenango Union, July 31, 1872

Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] has suffered a sad and serious loss in the death of Hector Ross, who died at his residence near the Quarter, at half past five o'clock on Wednesday morning last.  Since February last the deceased has been afflicted with a complication of disorders, from which, at times, he endured great suffering, and, for the last few weeks, little hope has been entertained of his recovery.  For some years Mr. Ross has borne a prominent share in the business interests of Sherburne; the town is largely indebted to his intelligence and energy for important improvements, and his distinguished success is so entirely due to his own unaided efforts and native force of character, that we deem it proper to note the leading events of his busy and useful life.  He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1811, and came to America at the age of 26 years; first landed in Canada, where he was employed for a short time in an iron foundry.  From thence he went to Morris, Otsego County, N.Y.  There he remained about twenty years, employed in a cotton factory--the latter portion of which time he was superintendent of the cotton mill; and there he acquired a knowledge and experience which qualified him for his subsequent success as a manufacturer.  From Morris he removed to New Berlin, Chenango County, in 1856, and in connection with his brother, the late Daniel Ross, and Mr. Wm. Clinton, purchased the cotton mill in that place. Subsequently he purchased the interest of Mr. Clinton, and himself and brother became sole owners.  There he remained until the spring of 1862, when, having disposed of his interest, he came to Sherburne; and with characteristic sagacity and energy succeeded in enlisting several of our leading business men and capitalists in the new and important enterprise of erecting an extensive cotton mill at the Quarter.  In consideration of his practical knowledge of machinery, and the working details of a manufactory of this description, the planning and furnishing of the mill were placed entirely under his direction.  His task was accomplished with eminent success, and we are told by competent judges that few will compare with it in the completeness of its appointments.  For a time Mr. Ross continued the business for the benefit of the associated owners with varied success; but more recently he purchased the interests of the several stockholders, until, previous to his death, he became sole owner of the mill property, consisting of the mill itself, the grounds and accessories, including several boarding and dwelling houses for operatives, which had been erected or purchased and improved under his direction.  During the few years he has resided in Sherburne he has completely revolutionized the Quarter, and made it an important auxiliary to the village proper.  Mr. Ross possessed the rare gifts of accomplishing large results with very little display of activity.  While everything was moving on with celerity and precision under his hands, he never seemed to be busy, or in a hurry.  His judgment in business affairs was seldom at fault, and for one bred entirely to business pursuits he displayed uncommon taste and judgment in the arrangement and adornment of all his surroundings.  He was prompt to aid and liberal with his means in all matters of public utility, and never stinted his sympathy or means in cases of private suffering.  It will be long before the void made by his death will be completely filled, and the memorials he has left of his enterprise will give him a lasting hold on the gratitude of the citizens of Sherburne.  Of late years his business has been eminently prosperous, and he leaves his family amply provided for the future. They have the unbounded sympathy of the whole community in their painful bereavement.  Mr. Ross was warmly attached to the order of Free Masons, and had recently joined the Norwich Commandary of Knights Templar, who served as an escort to the remains at the funeral Friday afternoon.  The services were conducted by the Order, who, as well as citizens of all classes, were present in large numbers.