Obituaries (October 16)

Velma (Loomis) Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, January 2, 1958

This community was greatly shocked Wednesday night, December 18 to hear of Velmah Brown's sudden death.  Velmah Loomis Brown was born June 25, 1905, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Loomis of the Brackle road.  She was united in marriage to Lynn Brown, June 25th, 1925 and died at her home in this village December 18, 1957.  She is survived by her husband and nine children:  Richard, Leonard, Donald, Marlin, Norma, Kenneth, Gordon, Betty and Larry.  Several grandchildren, one brother, Merle Loomis of the Brackle and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Loomis of Brackle.  Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Davis Funeral home, Rev. Charles W. Ackley officiated.  Interment in South Otselic Cemetery.

 

Maude (Kenyon) Crumb

DeRuyter Gleaner, Nov. 2, 1944

Maude Kenyon Crumb was born in Mariposa, in the town of Lincklaen, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], June 8th, 1879, a daughter of Curtis and Ethelinda Kenyon.  She passed away at her home in South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], October 24th, 1944.  She had resided in this village for nearly fifty years.  Previous to her marriage she taught in several nearby schools.  On June 22nd, 1903, she was united in marriage with Dr. J. Mott Crumb.  Her many friends in this and other communities will remember her cheerful and sympathetic personality, always doing for others and especially those in need. She devoted much time and effort to Red Cross work. It was her special delight to bring happiness to children.  For years past scarcely a child in the vicinity but has known the joy and comfort of mittens which "Aunt Maude" had knitted.  Her life was an inspiration to others as she so capably and faithfully discharged the duties incumbent in her home which she loved so well.  To the husband and immediate relatives an appreciative community expressed their sympathy through flowers, message of comfort and other acts of kindness.  The Rev. J.S. Whitney paid high tribute to the long and valued friendship of one whose passing will be mourned by so many.  He was assisted by the Rev. G.F> Crawford.  Mrs. Crumb is survived by her husband, Dr. J. Mott Crumb; two sisters, Mrs. M.G. Savin and Miss Bernice Kenyon of South Otselic; one brother, Attorney C.J. Kenyon of Tully, N.Y.; two nieces, Mrs. Catherine Angell Martin of South Otselic and Mrs. Phyllis Kenyon of Palm Springs, California, and a nephew, Pvt. Robert n. Kenyon with the Paratroopers in new Guinea.

 

Jaynes Mott Crumb

DeRuyter Gleaner, September 20, 1956

Jaynes Mott Crumb was born in South Otselic, N.Y. [Chenango Co.., NY], January 8, 1872, died August 29, 1956, aged 78 years, 7 months, 21 days.  He was the second child of Dr. Dewitt W. and Amelia Crumb. A sister, Mrs. J.P. Horle of Fly Creek survives. 

 

This tribute to one of our number who has laid down the working tools of life, is of necessity brief and incomplete.  Many details of interest to those who have known Dr. Crumb as friend and family physician are omitted.

 

After attending Norwich high School and Fairfield Military Academy, he took a pre-med course at Syracuse University.  In 1902 he was graduated from the University of Vermont as valedictorian of his class and then served one year as an intern at Faxton Hospital in Utica.  His professional career started under the guidance of his father Dr. Dewitt W. Crumb, a Civil War Veteran and widely known practicing physician of exceptional ability.  Shortly after beginning his practice, he was united in marriage in 1903 with Miss Maude Kenyon, a daughter of Curtis and Ethelinda Kenyon.  Mrs. Crumb died in 1944.  She was loved by many and had capably fulfilled the responsibilities of a country doctor's wife and partner. 

 

During the period of fifty years and more just passed, many changes have occurred in our social and economic life.  In those early days of the century, roads were almost impassable at various times of each year.  The Doctor travelled by horse and buggy.  Two or three good horses were needed in the stable and the Doctor was a caretaker.  Often it would become necessary to hire a span of horses and driver from the local "Livery" when epidemics or weather conditions demanded. Young boys were glad to earn 25c washing the Doctor's buggy on the special wash rack built over the adjacent creek.

 

Very few telephones were then in use and in case of emergency, neighbors or some one had to hitch up or saddle a horse to "go for the Doctor" in a hurry.  Should he be called out late at night, or at some inconvenient time, it was not a question of would he go, but how could he get to the patient. Roads were narrow and modern snow plows had not taken the place of cauldron, kettles and similar contraptions. Travelers went thru the lots and over fences.  I was told of an incident when the Doctor drove several miles and was obliged to finish the trip on snow shoes. The days of modern medicine and specialists had not arrived and the family physician was obliged to meet many situations of great difficulty and responsibility.  Office calls were $1 and confinement cases $10 to $20.

 

During his long career, the Doctor consistently attended medical conferences in New York, Boston and other places, to enable him to expand his knowledge and techniques. Before hospital services were increased and modernized, a "Council of Doctors" was often called in critical cases.  In this field, Dr. Crumb was held in high esteem by his fellow practitioners.  There was scarcely a home in the township or nearby area to which he had not been called to render medical aid.  His sense of humor and his enthusiastic and faithful devotion to his profession were outstanding.  While his ability to absorb knowledge and apply it was most remarkable, he was loved for the warmth and sympathy of his personality backed by willingness to extend himself to the limit of physical energy.

 

On May 14, 1952, the medical Society of the State of New York presented the Doctor with a certificate in recognition of "Fifty years devoted to the Public in the practice of Medicine."  In his later days when engaged in a limited practice, he continued his study of the latest writing of his profession .  His mind was alert to grasp the significance of medical advances.  His garden afforded him considerable pleasure.  The beauty of the weedless plot, blooming with flowers and growing vegetables was his pride to care for and our delight to observe.  Occasionally an old friend would call and reminisce about the days when the young Doctor just returned from College was a popular member of the local ball club.  He often ran the 100 yd. dash in 11 seconds and was a blue ribbon winner of prizes awarded to bicycle riders in the contests at home and away. 

 

He was a Past Master of South Otselic lodge no. 659 F. and A.M. and had received the recognition pin for 50 years membership.  He was a member of Perry-Cook Post, American legion, 40 and 8 order, Veterans of World War I of the U.S. Christy Rock Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member of the Chenango County Medical Society, N.Y. State medical Association and American Medical association.  While in active practice, he was on the staff of the Memorial Hospital at Norwich and served as President of the Chenango Co. Tuberculosis Association and the Chenango Co. Public Health Association.

 

Dr. Crumb's death was a shock to the community and many friends who knew him throughout this section of the state.  He died after a brief illness following surgery.  Funeral services, largely attended, were held Saturday, September 1 at the Kenyon home which he had shared with Miss Bernice Kenyon, his sister-in-law, since Mrs. Crumb's death. 

 

In his well chosen remarks, the Rev. Charles Ackley, pastor of the S.O. Methodist church, quoted some impressive lines in part, as written by Robert Louis Stevenson, as follows:  "There are men that stand above the common herd; the soldier, the sailor and the shepherd not infrequently; the artist rarely; rarelier still, the clergyman; the physician almost as a rule.  Generosity he has, such as is possible to those who practice an art, never to hose who drive a trade; discretion tested by a hundred secrets; tact, tried in a thousand embarrassments; and what are more important, Herculean cheerfulness and courage.  So it is that he brings air and cheer into the sick room, and often enough, though not so often as he wishes, brings healing."

 

Masonic burial service was conducted by the F. and A.M. Lodge assisted by Rt. Wor. John W. Sheerar of Cincinnatus.  Dr. Crumb manifested his interest in the community by bequests to the Lodge, Legion and School among others.  We are happy to honor one who has contributed so much toward making South Otselic a better and happier place in which to live.