Obituaries (October 29)

Nelson O. Wood

Chenango Union, January 2, 1879

Painful Accident:  Our former townsman, Nelson O. Wood, Esq., met with a serious accident on Monday evening last, soon after his return from this village to his farm near Plasterville.  He had put out his team, and while leading one horse from the stable, to water, in passing behind the other the latter kicked, upon which the horse he was leading sprang forward against Mr. Wood, throwing him violently to the floor, and breaking his right hip.  Dr. Lewis, of North  Norwich, and Dr. Avery, of this village, were called, who reduced the fracture, and the patient is comfortable.

 

Chenango Union, January 16, 1879

On Wednesday evening of last week, Nelson O. Wood expired at his residence in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], from the effects of injuries received in his horse barn on the evening of December 31st, an account of which we published at the time.  For a few days after the accident it was thought he might recover, but his case took a more alarming turn, pneumonia set in, and notwithstanding the efforts of physicians and friends, death ensued.  Deceased was the only son of the late Newell Wood, who early settled in North Norwich, (then Norwich) on the farm upon which Nelson was born, and upon which he spent the greater portion of his life, acquiring by unceasing toil a handsome property.  In politics Mr. Wood was a Whig, and afterwards republican, and repeatedly represented North Norwich on the Board of Supervisors.  Removing to this village several years since, he was chosen Supervisor of Norwich for one year, and was for one year a Trustee of the village. Reverses came upon him, and within a few years his well earned competency was gone--he was a poor man, and that through no extravagance on his part--and he returned to the old farm, now owned by another, to end his days in toil and hardship, where he had begun them sixty-nine years ago.  Both in public and in private life Mr. Wood discharged his duties faithfully and well, and although stripped of his hard earnings, his integrity was unquestioned and he leaves behind him  a name untarnished, while his memory will be cherished by a large circle of friends, who knew his worth.  Deceased was never married, and leaves one sister, the last of the family.  The funeral was held at his late residence, on Sunday afternoon, and was attended by Masons and Odd Fellows of this village, of which lodges he was a member, as well as of the commandery and Encampment.  Members of these orders from other Lodges were also in attendance, as also a large number of friends and neighbors.  Rev. S. Scoville conducted the services, and the remains were interred in the cemetery east of Plasterville [Chenango Co., NY]

 

James S. Bell - Lynched in Dakota

Sidney Record, April 23, 1885

An Associated Press dispatch from Blunt, Dak. announces that James S. Bell (a former resident of Windsor [Broome Co., NY]), the murderer of Small, was taken from jail yesterday by 25 masked men and hanged to the flagstaff of the court house. After the mob had dispersed, officers cut the man down.  He was alive; but died soon afterwards.  The lynchers had two ropes and also intended to hang Bennett, the accomplice of Bell, but were alarmed by the ringing of the telephone.  The particulars of the crime given in an earlier dispatch from Blunt are as follows:  Some time ago, Forest G. Small, a lawyer, was missing, and a man named Bell, with whom he had some difficulty was suspected.  Ferdinand Bennett has confessed that he was present when the murder was committed, that Bell waited for Small about eight miles north of here; that while Small was drawing his receipt for fifteen dollars in settlement of their difference, Bell killed him with a hatchet and then buried the body, at the same time threating Bennett with a like fate if he revealed the fact.  A party went to the spot indicated by Bennett and exhumed the body and the hat[chet].  An examination of the remains disclosed three cuts and four contusions. The skull was broken in five places, and one of the cuts on the throat severed the jugular vein.

 

Joseph Sylvester Thurston

Sidney Enterprise, December 31, 1925

On December 23rd, Joseph Sylvester Thurston, a well known resident of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], passed away at the age of 76 years, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Medbury at Rockdale, where he has made his home for some time.  Deceased was born in Elmira, May 12, 1849.  He was the son of Joseph and Aruby Barnes Thurston. Early in life, he was married to Syntha Alice Dibble and from this union three children were born.  On Saturday last the funeral was held at the home from which he died with burial in the family plot at Maple Wood cemetery, Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY]. Those who survive are one son, Joseph Thurston of Factoryville, Pa., two daughters, Mrs. Effie Medbury of Rockdale and Mrs. Daisy Hyatt of Otego; ten grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a brother, George Thurston of Maple Grove. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E.H. Alger of Otego, assisted by Rev. J.W. Bump.

 

Maude (Bunnell) Whiting

Bainbridge News, September 13, 1956

Mrs. Maude B. Whiting, 85, and widow of Hiram S. Whiting, died at her home in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] Sunday night, Sept. 2, 1956, after a long illness.  Her death occurred on the property owned by the family since 1795.  Maude B. Whiting was born on May 25, 1871, the daughter of Mary E. (Hull) Bunnell and Kossuthe E. Bunnell.  She was born in Guilford and a few years after her marriage in Guilford the family moved to Brooklyn where they lived for 25 years.  She then returned to Guilford to live from that time until her death. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Guilford, and for many years was directress of the Altar Guild. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Edward Grabow, Sr., of Guilford; two brothers, Walter E. Bunnell, of Carmel, Calif, and Arthur L. Bunnell, of Riverside, Calif.; two grandsons, Edward Grabow, Jr., of Guilford Lake, and Howard Jeffrey, Jr, Norwich; great grandchildren, Sally and Mary Grabow, of Guilford Lake, and Pamela and Howard Jeffrey, the third, of Norwich; several nieces and one nephew.  Final rites were held from her home Wednesdays afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Robert Marks officiating.  Burial in Sunset Hill Cemetery [Guilford, NY].  Funeral arrangements were by the Seymour Funeral home, in Oxford.

 

Hattie M. (Ferris) Mead

Bainbridge News, September 13, 1956

Mrs. Hattie M. Mead, widow of the late Fred Mead, passed away Wednesday morning Sept. 5, at the home of her late husband's niece, Mrs. Leland Wade, where she had resided for quite some time.  Mrs. Mead had been confined to her bed for several weeks before her death. A life-long resident of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] she was born on Oct. 23, 1862, and had reached the advanced age of 93 years. She was the daughter of Evaline (Bradley) Ferris and Oliver Ferris. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, from which the funeral was held Saturday afternoon, Sept. 8, the Rev. Robert marks officiating.  Burial in Sunset hill Cemetery [Guilford, NY], There were no survivors.