Obituaries (December 3)

Reuben Pearsall

Utica Saturday Globe, February 1903

 

 

Reuben Pearsall

1814-1903

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At the home of his son, Assemblyman E.A. Pearsall, in Oxford, Thursday, of last week occurred the death of Reuben Pearsall, aged 84 years.  Deceased was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 30, 1819, and spent his early life in that vicinity.  In 1841 he married Mary Wheeler, daughter of Henry Wheeler, of Oxford, and they lived in that village until 1845, when they moved to Coventry, where he resided until 1894 when he returned to Oxford with his son with whom he had made his home since the death of his wife in 1888.  Mr. Pearsall was a deacon in the Baptist Church of Oxford, having united with that congregation in 1842 and he was never absent from service when it was possible to be present.  In politics he was always a Republican but had never aspired to or held any office.  Her funeral was largely attended on Sunday, Rev. C.B. Parsons officiating and interment was made in Coventry West Corners [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Mary T. Harrison

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 29, 1902

The spirit of Mary T. Harrison, the little six years old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Harrison, went to God, who gave it, at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon of last week.  She was a sweet child and although sadly missed by a terribly afflicted household, there is a sweet consolation in the assurance that she is now with the bright angel band above.

 

James A. Harrison

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 29, 1902

James A. Harrison, father of the child spoken of above, passed to the scenes beyond at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning last.  Mr. Harrison had been an invalid for several years, and confined to his house for the past two years.  For quite a number of years he was engaged in the drug business, and was one of our prominent business men.  Health failing, he closed out his business seven years ago, and since that time has been gradually traveling toward the end.  Mr. Harrison was a prominent Mason, and had held the high and important office of Worthy Master of Eastern light Lodge for two terms.  He was also a communicant of Zion Church.  The warm sympathy of our entire community goes out to the sorrowing family and particularly to Mrs. Harrison, whose cup of sorrow has been overflowing for quite a term of years, not only in her recent afflictions, but in the loss of four dear children, some years ago, all drifting from her presence within a short space of time.  It is singular how tenaciously affliction will cling to some families, and this is certainly the most severe that has come within our circle in many years.  May the great and merciful Father, who has given and taken, abide with and sustain this stricken family, is the prayer of our people.  The funeral of the child was held at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Rev. H.E. Hubbard officiating.  The scholars of Zion Church Sunday School attended and a quartette of that choir rendered several beautiful and appropriate hymns. The funeral of the father took place at 2 o'clock Monday, and was private, Rev. Henry E Hubbard officiated.  The Masonic fraternity attended in a body and took part in the service at the grave.

Mary Knapp Shattuck

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, February 7, 1903

Mrs. Mary Knapp Shattuck, widow of the late John Shattuck, died at the home of her son, David Shattuck, at Haynes, Tuesday morning, aged 90 years.  The funeral will be held from her late home on Thursday, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Daniel W. Dexter officiating, burial at Mt. Hope [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Shattuck was the daughter of George and Mary Knapp and was born in the house in which she died and which has been her lifelong home except for four years immediately after her marriage.  In 1838 she married the late John Shattuck, who died in 1877.  Two children were born to them, Mary Frances, who became the wife of the late Dr. William Pier of Scranton, and one son, David, who survives her. Since the death of her husband she has made her home with her son, where she has had the tenderest of care in her declining years.  Mrs. Shattuck was a woman of remarkable energy and until a comparatively short time has been about the house and among her friends and neighbors. She was always interested in the welfare of her many acquaintances and was anxious to see and hear of them.

Margaret M. (Van Valkenburgh) Leary

Chenango American, Greene, NY, April 30, 1903

Mrs. Margaret M. Leary, wife of T. Frank Leary, died at her home on Scott avenue [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], about five o'clock, on Thursday morning of last week.  Her going out was very sudden and unexpected, not having been ill only about seventeen hours, neuralgia of the stomach being the cause of her untimely death.  A short time before her death, she asked her husband who was watching by her bedside, if it was not time to take her medicine, and almost immediately after taking it, she commenced vomiting, and died in an instant.  Mrs. Leary was the daughter of the late Joseph D. Van Valkenburgh, Sr., and was a most estimable lady.  Quiet in her demeanor and lady like in all her ways, and just in the prime of her life and usefulness, a devoted wife and loving mother, she will be sadly missed in her home, and by many friends.  This, indeed, was a sad ending of one who had bright prospects before her, and her husband and son have the sympathy of all in Greene.  Besides her husband and son, she is survived by three brothers, J.D. Van Valkenburgh, of this village, Charles Van Valkenburgh, of Batavia, and Geo. A. Van Valkenburgh, of Binghamton, and one sister, Mrs. L.E. Pratt, of Janesville, Wis.  The casket was literally covered with beautiful floral offerings, loving remembrances from relatives and friends of the dear departed.  The funeral took place from her late home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J.W. Keeler, her pastor, officiating, and was largely attended by relatives and friends.  Burial at Sylvan Lawn [Greene, NY].

Robert B. Martin

Chenango American, April 30, 1903

After an illness of several days, and with the best medical treatment to be had in this section of the state, and with skilled nurses by his bedside, and the loving care of fond parents, the spirit of Robert S. Martin, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Dewey  Martin, drifted to the shores from whence no man returneth, Saturday afternoon, at about 4 o'clock.  The departure of this bright, young man is not only deeply mourned by his immediate family, but by a large circle of young friends, among whom he was a general favorite.  Of a genial, joyous spirit, he was the life of his circle of our young people.  A bright kindly boy has gone the way of the living, and in a household that idolized him, all is darkness now.  The sympathy of this community goes out to the bereaved in this hour of their deep affliction.  Besides a father and mother, two brothers survive him, L.G. and F.S. Martin.  Robert was a communicant of Zion Church, a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrews, also a member of the Men's Club and Ocean Hose co.  He was nearly 20 years old.  The funeral was held from his late home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Henry E. Hubbard officiating, and was largely attended.  The floral tributes, which were very abundant and beautiful, testified the love and esteem which was entertained for the young man departed.  Many of those belonging to organizations of which he was a member were present to pay the last sad tribute to one they loved.  They bore all that was mortal to its last rest in Sylvan Lawn [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], but the memory of the kindly presence of Robert Martin will linger long in the hearts of all who knew him.