Obituaries (June 9)

William H. Havens

Norwich Journal, May 6, 1829

Died at the residence of his father in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday last, of a consumption, William H. Havens, aged 25 years.  Among the numerous victims selected by the grand destroyer, few there are whose last sad exit cause more universal gloom.  Mild and generous in his disposition, gentle and conciliating in his manners, and correct and manly in his deportment, he gained the friendship and esteem of all who knew him, with a mind naturally fertile and elevated, strengthened and refined by education he disregarded all minor considerations, and humbly sought, with a becoming devotion, to be useful to his fellow men.  Through a long and painful illness, he manifested the fortitude and patience of a Christian; and when the long expected summons came, he calmly resigned himself to the cold embrace of the ruthless messenger.  If the bitter anguish of fond and doting patents - the tears of tender brothers and affectionate sisters, or the entreaties of friends could have turned aside the shafts of death, he had not died. - But Alas!  On Friday the last mournful rites were paid to his mortal remains. A most strikingly solemn and impressive discourse was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Bush, of Oxford, to the most numerous congregation ever recollected to have appeared in this town on a similar occasion.  Farewell dear youth - beloved companion - the fond recollection of thy virtues shall long remain entwined around the hearts of thy acquaintance, and the remembrance of thy worth be affectionately cherished in the bosoms of thy friends, when the monuments of art shall have been consumed by the ravages of time.  Guilford, May 2, 1929.    D.

Lillian (Kniskern) Lord

1872 - 1937

Mrs. Lillian Kniskern Lord, wife of Representative Bert Lord of the 34th Congressional District and a resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] for more than 40 years, died early yesterday  morning at her home on Spring Street in that village.  She was 65 years old.  Mrs. Lord had been in poor health and in December submitted to an operation in Washington, D.C., returning to Afton with her husband five weeks ago. Born Feb. 12, 1872, in Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan L. Kniskern, Mrs. Lord received her early education in Deposit and Afton schools, later attending Oneonta Normal School. She began her career as a teacher when she was 15 years old and taught in the primary department of the Afton High School for more than 23 years.  Mrs. Lord was a member of the Afton Baptist church and was affiliated with numerous women's organizations and charitable groups.  She married Mr. Lord Aug. 3, 1893.  In 1935, when Mr. lord was a member of a congressional committee, the couple attended the inauguration of Manuel Quezon as president of the Philippines.  Later they visited Japan with the committee.  Surviving, beside Representative Lord, is one sister, Mrs. James Sands of Vallonia Springs. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 at the home with the Rev. Frederick Nichols, pastor of the Afton Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery, Afton.

 Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral of Mrs. Lillian Kniskern Lord, wife of Congressman Bert Lord, who died at the Lord home on Spring street Tuesday was held from the residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon.  The Rev. Frederick Nichols, pastor of the Afton Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. Lester D. Huxtable, former pastor of the church but now pastor of the Endicott Baptist church, officiated.  The bearers were Whit Y. McHugh and Harry Carr of Afton, Earl Sheldon and George Lord of Binghamton, Luther Collins of Nineveh, and Walter Kniskern of Petersburg, VA.  The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful and included a huge floral piece from the Republican members of the House of Representatives at Washington.  Among those who attended the funeral service was William S. Murray, state Republican chairman and Representative and Mrs. Fred L. Crawford of Michigan. Burial was in the family plot at Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, NY].

Dr. William Lee Dodge

Bainbridge News, April 8, 1937

Dr. William Lee Dodge, 64, prominent physician, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] where he had resided for more than 36 years, passed away at his home in Spring street, Saturday, April 3, following an illness of more than 6 months' duration. Dr. Dodge was well known throughout Chenango county and the Southern Tier as one of the most successful men of his profession.  Coming to Afton in the "horse and buggy days" he soon became popular throughout the company by his willingness to answer calls at any and all times, riding the hills in all kinds of weather and administering to the needs of the people.  His interests were not centered alone in his professional activities, but included all worthy objects of the town and village, and his advice was sought on matters of importance pertaining to the welfare of the community.  Funeral services were conducted at the late home on Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. George Roberts, pastor of the M.E. Church and the Rev. C. E. Webb, pastor of the Presbyterian Chruch officiating.  Interment was in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY] where members of the Afton Lodge, F.&A.M., assisted by R.W.  Hugh E. Collins, of Bainbridge, conducted the impressive Masonic service. Friends and neighbors, together with many of his professional associates from all parts of the Southern Tier, filled the house to overflowing in this final tribute to the "man and physician" and the numerous floral offerings were silent tributes to the love and esteem in which he was held. The directors of the Afton National Bank acted as honorary pallbearers, while the active bearers were Harry Carr, Lee Jones, Harry Horton, Ross Estes, Daniel Grant, Daniel Holleran, M. Swart and Amos Tuckey.  All business places and the Afton Central School were closed during the hour of services.  Dr. Dodge was born Feb. 4, 1873, at Henderson Harbor, N.Y., the son of James and Alice Adams Dodge. Attending Buffalo Medical College, Dr. Dodge began the practice of medicine at Coventry after graduation in 1897.  He was married to Abigail Quin at Cassville in 1898 and moved to Afton four years later.  For many years, Dr. Dodge was active in Masonic circles. A past master of the local lodge, he was past high priest of Valonia Chapter, R.A.M., and a member of the Kalurah Shrine at Binghamton, a past patron of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Afton Methodist Episcopal Church.  He served for 16 years on the village school board and was a director of the First National Bank of Afton.  A past president of the Chenango County Medical Society, Dr. Dodge was Afton health officer at his death.  Surviving are two sons, both physicians, Dr. Lynn Dodge, of Fairport and Dr. Ben Dodge, of Bainbridge; two daughters, Alice Dodge and Mrs. Marie Eckler, both of Afton; five grandchildren, a brother Lynn Dodge of Philadelphia, and a sister, Mrs. Jessie Thomas, of Jackson, Mich.

Julia H. Frisbie

Bainbridge News, July 1, 1937

Miss Julia H. Frisbie, Bainbridge's [Chenango Co., NY] oldest resident, passed away Wednesday, June 23, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Richards, East Main street, which for many years had been the Frisbie home.  Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Chapel of Colwell brothers, West Main street, with the Rev. G.H. Orvis, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating, followed by interment in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  The bearers were Dr. H.H. Lyon, Leland C. Yale, Dr. R.A. Johnson and C.H. Peckham.  Miss Frisbie was born in Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], February 20, 1849, the daughter of Melton and Angeline Parks Frisbie. At the age of sixteen she came with her parents to this village where they remained for a six-year period, then returning to Delhi.  Miss Frisbie returned to Bainbridge in 1896 to live with her brother, Dr. C.M. Frisbie, following the death of his wife, and continued her residence here for a term of years, later going to Albany to reside for a time again returning to Bainbridge  in 1915, where she has since lived.  Miss Frisbie was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and as long as health permitted took an active part in all church work.  Only distant relatives survive, among whom are Mrs. Frank Farrington, Delhi; Mrs. Lydia Thurston, Walton; Mrs. Jennie Frisbie Evins, Oneonta, and Frank Ferguson, Binghamton.