Obituaries (August 15)

Charles Craig Kirby

1857 - 1939

Charles Craig Kirby, retired farmer, 81, died at his home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY] on Sunday, Jan. 22.  Born at "The Pillars," three miles below Bainbridge in the township of Afton, he has been for years a leading figure in the community.  He was the son of Charles Patterson Kirby and Margaret (Craig) Kirby and his great grandparents, Reuben Kirby and William Guthrie, were pioneering families in this section of the country.  His great grandmother Guthrie was sister to Joshua Whitney, the founder of Binghamton.  "The Pillars," a century old, was built by his grandfather, Philo Kirby.  Mr. Kirby was for years a vestryman and warden of St. Peter's Chruch.  In December 1882, he married Henrietta King of Bainbridge.  Their only child, Olive J. Kirby, born May 6, 1890, graduated from Syracuse university and School of the Spoken Word in Boston.  She died from influenza Oct. 16, 1918, in Fort Plain, where she held the position of vice-principal of the high school and teacher of elocution and English.  His wife Henrietta, died Nov. 24, 1932, at her home, "The Pillars,"  Mr. Kirby, one of the few remaining descendants of this pioneer family, was a farmer and philosopher.  He learned from nature to live without worrying or fretting. At one time, he was an expert butter maker, operating a small plant on his farm with machinery run by a steam engine.  But, his greatest delight in life was to entertain his friends.  He is survived by one niece, Mrs. Francis J. Casey, and by one grand niece, Mary Banks Kirby, a Sophomore at Syracuse University.  The funeral was held Wednesday at 1:15 at the "Pillars," followed by a service at he Episcopalian church, the Rev. S.E. Heath officiating.  Colwell Brothers were in charge of arrangements.

Death Notices

Anti Masonic Telegraph, March 18, 1835

At Delphi (Onondaga co.) on the 10th inst. Mrs. Esther Wheelock, aged 26 years.

Anti Masonic Telegraph, March 25, 1835

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Monday morning last, after a long and distressing illness, Mrs. Betsey Pendleton, aged 36 years.

Chenango Telegraph, April 1, 1835

In Wellsborough, Tioga county, (Pa) on the 21st ult., Mrs. Wilcox, wife of Gates Wilcox, esq., aged about 43 years.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox removed from Macdonough [Chenango Co.., NY] about four years ago.  Mrs. W.'s illness was of several month's duration.

Chenango Telegraph, April 29, 1835

In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Tuesday, the 21st inst. after a short illness, Mrs. Jane Farr, widow of the late Bela Farr, aged 53 years.

In Butternuts, Otsego co. on the 6th inst. after a protracted illness, Mr. James H. Preston, formerly of this town [Norwich, NY], aged about 60 years.

Bainbridge Republican, January 2, 1879

Wilkins Settlement [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Augusta Martin of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], died last week from the effect of typhoid pneumonia.  Her funeral took place on Sunday. A daughter, the wife of Mr. J.H. Phillips, having passed away but a few days previous to her mother's death, with the same disease.

PHILLIPS:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 22, of typhoid pneumonia, Georgiana [Phillips], wife of James H. Phillips and eldest daughter of S.A. and Emily Tremain Martin, aged 34 years.

MARTIN:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 27, of typhoid pneumonia, Emily Tremaine [Martin], wife of S.A. Martin aged 64 years.

Mr. Heman St. John, one of the oldest inhabitants of Rockdale [Chenango Co., NY], and a pensioner of the war of 1812, died on Tuesday night of this week.  In these sporting days it may not be amiss to mention that in his younger days Mr. St. John has a number of times walked from Catskill to his home in a day, a distance of 100 miles.

VANWAGENEN:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 21, 1878, the day following her 84th birthday, Sarah M. [VanWagenen] eldest surviving daughter of the late Gerrit M. VanWagenen.