Obituaries (August 5)

Antoinette Minor

1822-1843

In Woodbury, Ct. March 24th, Miss Antoinette Minor, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Minor, aged 21 years.  In this providence of God, the parents and friends of the deceased, have sustained a severe affliction; and the circle in which she moved, an irreparable loss.  The deceased, as an individual was amiable and lovely; as a Christian, she was sincere, humble, and unassuming:--ever ready to engage in such active Christian duties, as would best exhibit the spirit of true religion, and promote the eternal interests of her fellow creatures. As a member of the church, a Sabbath school teacher, and an efficient and useful member of the choir, she will long be affectionately remembered.  She was taken sick about a year since, and during her long and painful illness, she was sustained by her Christian hope,and enabled at all times ot exhibit the spirit of true Christian submission.  No mourning word, no exhibition of impatience, under the greatest trials, were ever known to escape her.  And though her sufferings towards the close of her sickness were intense, yet she bore them all with Christian fortitude--more anxious lest she should weary and exhaust the patience of her friends who took care of her, than for herself.  In the midst of her sufferings, she fell asleep, as we have good reason to think, in Jesus. May those of her acquaintances who come after her, imitate her virtues, and may they, together come after her, imitate her virtues, and may they, together with those who may read this short tribute to her memory, be prepared for the same peaceful and happy death.

Dr. William E. H. Post

New Paltz Times, august 9, 1877

A strange and romantic wedding occurred on Monday, in this city [NYC], between two true lovers, whom death parted within two hours after they had been made one.  Dr. William E.H. Post made the acquaintance some years ago, of Miss Mary H. Milford, daughter of the late Edward Milford, of this city.  He wooed and won her and they pledged themselves to become man and wife.  The years rolled by, but each year only seemed to increase their love.  Last Friday Dr. Post was suddenly taken ill with inflammation of the bowels. The disease rapidly assumed dangerous symptoms and on Monday it was plainly seen he could not recover.  When informed of his fatal malady, he expressed a wish to see his intended wife, and if she were willing to become united with him in the bonds of matrimony.  She was informed of this wish and consented.  Accordingly, at five o'clock on Monday afternoon, everything was made ready for the wedding in the room of the bridegroom at no. 233 West Fifty first street. It was a pathetic ceremony.  No months of anxious preparation had been spent for the occasion.  There were no brilliant lights or sweet music, or costly costumes.  It was simple and solemn. The Rev. Dr. Houghton, of the Chruch of the Transfiguration, was called in to conduct the services, which were only of a few minutes duration. When the ceremony was concluded the sick man was nursed as before.  In less than two hours the bridegroom was a corpse and the bride a widow--N.Y. Tribune.

Nettie Hill

1864 - 1874

Died In Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY], October 24th [1874], Nettie only daughter of D.S. and Elizabeth L. Hill, aged 9 years and 6 months.  Death has knocked at our portals--knocked and entered--and away with him has borne our jewel.  Dear little Nettie; how we loved her!  With her sweet, winning ways, and her sunny disposition, she had so wound herself about our hearts that when the separation came and the golden chain was severed, it seemed as if our earthly sun was setting in a long night and we bowed in the darkness with hearts torn and bleeding.  She was a great favorite at school, and each scholar let fall a silent tear upon hearing that their beloved playmate had gone above with the angels, no more with them to play and pass the pleasant hours by.  We laid her away in the silent church yard, and above her grave shed some of the bitterest tears our eyes have every known.  Our circle is broken, the Father called, and now looking up through our tears, we seem drawn with angel hands toward that golden city, which is fairer, dearer to us since o'er its streets lightly fall the little feet that bound through our home no more. We bow in submission to the benign will of the Father, who sent His guardian angel and wooed her from this life with its pain, its anguish, its trials, temptations and sin.

Bertha Winegard

1864 - 1874

Died in Sidney Plains [Delaware co., NY], October 26th, Miss Bertha Winegard, eldest daughter of Richard and Jennie Winegard, aged 10 years.  [Death] made its way into the family of Mr. Hill and carried off little Nettie on October 24th, and only two days passed before darling Bertha also fell a victim to this dreadful intruder.  Inseparable in life, they were quickly united forever in their heavenly home. The story is most pathetically told in the following poem:

Meeting at the Gate

by Mrs. N.E. Morse

 

The old red gate at the meadow,

Was the place where they used to meet,

That opened into the waving grass,

And the clover, and daises sweet,

Where the sheen of the early morning,

Made the beautiful valley lie

Like a precious jewel, guarded round,

By the purple hills, and sky.

 

At the old red gate by the meadow,

They made their plans for the day;

In spring they carried the dandelions,

In summer, they tossed the hay,

And only like robins and blue birds knew

The happy secrets told

When Bertha' lustering brown locks touched

Sweet Nettie's hair of gold.

 

At the old red gate by the meadow,

They said good-bye for the day;

Than going home, the one had gone

With the other one, "half way,"

And merrily jesting, wild with glee,

The childish voices, clear and high,

Bubbling over with ecstasy

Sang their songs, and called, good bye.

 

At the old red gate by the meadow,

They never more shall meet,

The grass fringed path, shall never

Be pressed by their eager feet,

For an Angel came from the heavenly land

Of joy and light and love,

And bore sweet Nettie away with his hand

To her beautiful home above.

 

Are Angels ever lonely?

Do they ever stand and wait

With outstretched hands, and longing eyes

By the shinning pearly gate?

Did Nettie ask for Bertha?

That the Angel came, next day

And carried her ransomed spirit

In his tender arms away?

 

Ah! never so joyous a greeting,

By the meadow gate of old,

As came from the lips of the blessed ones

On the gleaming streets of gold!

Ah! never such glad surprise,

As Nettie, and Bertha, clasping hands

On the shores of Paradise.

 

As the summers will shine, on the meadow,

And the bobolink sing his strain,

You will pause, half thinking, that you can hear

The old time songs again

Listen for the angelic message,

For the heavenly whisper wait,

Come hither, come hither, we long for you

By the heavenly city's gate.

 

Bainbridge-Guilford Athletic Awards

B-G Athletes Honored - Athletic Award Winners
Tri-Town News, June 5, 1985

Left to right

 Front:  Don Hotaling, Rick Parsons, Tom Ives, Roger Sines, Randy Palmatier, Dave Parsons, Dihan Govender

Back:  Steve Becht, Jim Wallace, Andy Bauerie, David Miller, Mike Castle, Jim Ray, Tim Thompson, David Flyzik, Steve Lothridge, Patrick Rice, Mike Platz

Left to right:
Front:  Diane Auringer, Dawn Chambers, Cinda Watson, Terry Keuhn, Cindy Higgs, Ginger Gifford, Laurel Grasso
Back:  Kelly Price, Stephanie Bunting, Claudette Newman, Penny Washburn, Sue MacAvoy, Windy Hartwell, Shelley Davenport, Patty Whitney , Linda Butcher

Obituaries (August 4)

Flora M. Wheeler

Fayetteville Bulletin, May 10, 1918

Mrs. Flora M. Wheeler, 81, died Tuesday at the home of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Iram C. Reed after a long illness.  She is survived by two grandchildren, Mrs. Everett E. Parington of Cleveland, O. and H. DeForest Wheeler of Syracuse, and three great-grandchildren.  The funeral was held privately at the home Thursday afternoon. Burial was at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY].

 

Dr. Jane E. (Parker) Hill

DeRuyter Gleaner, May 1, 1913

Jane E. Parker, daughter of Reuben and Sally Porter Parker, was born at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] Dec. 3, 1829, and died at her home on Cortland street, Sunday, April 27, 1913.  Her parents were pioneers of Otselic, settling on the farm long known as the Parker homestead, now owned by Clarence Church, in May 1925, it being then a wilderness through all that section.  Jan. 6, 1847, Miss Parker was married to Harmon M. Hill of Hamilton, in which village they resided one year, then moving to South Otselic, where he conducted a blacksmith shop until 1852 when the gold craze attracted him with hundreds of others to California.  From this trip he returned in about six months, having worked at his trade with good success while there; wages were very high but the poor drinking water impaired his health and led to his return. After blacksmithing again at South Otselic a few years he moved to Georgetown; soon after the Civil War broke out he went to the front, returning after peace was declared and resuming his work at Georgetown.  Mr. Hill died in 1890, since which time Mrs. Hill's home has been mostly in South Otselic.  For a year or more she was employed in a sanitarium at Dansville, N.Y., and there became very proficient as a nurse, using the simple nature remedies that are so beneficial when intelligently applied. She cared for the sick of her native town so successfully that she became widely known and her services were in great demand.  Called as a last resort, after the patient had been pronounced beyond help, she would toss the remaining pill boxes and vials out the window, and by careful and skillful treatment often nurse the patient back to health.  Mrs. Hill is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Nellie Jenne of South Otselic, and a son, L.M. Hill of Port Angeles, Wash., also by one sister, Mrs. Mary Parker of DeRuyter.  Mrs. Hill moved to DeRuyter in  May 1906, and was held in deep respect by all who knew her. She was a highly intelligent lady and had a heart full of kindness for all, freely helping those in trouble with her means, advice and sympathy.  Mrs. Hill was a spiritualist and at the funeral yesterday afternoon Mrs. Clara Watson of Jamestown voiced the views of that denomination in an able and interesting address.  Five grandchildren, Glenn and Earl Jenne of South Otselic, Clarence Jenne of Erieville, Pearl Jenne of Mohawk acted as bearers. The remains were taken to the South Otselic cemetery for interment, where the many friends assembled were given a farewell look at the sister gone before and Rev. Whitney offered a brief prayer.  Funeral Director Smith was in charge.

 

Clarence Spicer

Cortland Evening Standard, January 8, 1896

The sad and untimely death of Clarence Spicer, who had been seriously ill for several days with typhoid fever, occurred yesterday morning. The deceased was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Spicer of this village.  Mr. Spicer was born in Cuyler, N.Y., May 30, 1875.  In 1876 his parents moved to South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], where at the early age of thirteen he was converted and baptized by Rev., J.A. Pickard into the Frist Baptist church of that place.  He remained in South Otselic until July, 1893, when he came to this place and went into the employment of P.C. Kingsbury, where he has been since. He joined the First Baptist church of this place about a year ago by letter.  He was very active in church work and was an officer in the Christian Endeavor society and band leader of the junior Baptist league.  He will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends and relatives. The funeral will be held at the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Spicer on Mill St., Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. The body will be taken to South Otselic for burial.

 

Myra Cunningham

Cortland Democrat, June 5, 1925

South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Myra Cunningham, wife of E.F. Cunningham, died at the Cortland hospital last Friday noon of burns sustained when a gas stove exploded in Ralph Cunningham's apartment on the second floor of the Cox block. The fire alarm was sounded between 9 and 10 o'clock last Wednesday night when the explosion occurred in the Cunningham home. The flames spread rapidly and but for the efficient work of the firemen the whole corner would have been destroyed.  Mrs. Cunningham was so severely burned in the fire that she was at once taken to the Cortland hospital, where she died at 11:30 Friday. The funeral was held Sunday at the Baptist church, Rev. J.C. Whitney officiating.  Mrs. Cunningham was 54 years old. She leaves her aged husband, who also was burned in the fire, one son, Ralph, and a daughter, Mrs. D.B. Jones of this place.

 

Norwich Sun, June 3, 1925

Mrs. E.F. Cunningham, who was burned in the fire last week, died at the Cortland Hospital Friday noon.  Her death was one of the saddest ever to occur in this community.  Mrs. Cunningham came here with her husband and son about three years ago. She was a very kind hearted Christian woman and will be greatly missed. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church Sunday, with burial in Valley View cemetery.  Mr. Health of Cincinnatus conducted the funeral.

 

Mrs. Lewis Brown

Cortland Democrat, June 5, 1925

Mrs. Lewis Brown died at her home here [South Otselic, Chenango Co., NY] Friday morning, aged 45 years. She had been in poor health for a long time but not confined to her home but a few days. She leaves besides her husband, three sons, Dewayne, Ralph and Ray and a niece, Bertha Miller, whom she brought up, also her father and mother. The funeral was held at the home Monday afternoon.  She was buried in Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, nY] beside a son who died about five years ago.

 

 

 

Obituaries (August 3)

Araminta (Davison) Jewell

1825 - 1905

Last Saturday morning this community was deeply grieved and shocked to learn that Mrs. Ezra Jewell had died suddenly at six o'clock.  Her death due to acute indigestion; came as a severe blow to her family and friends for she had been in unusually good health, and had early in the fall paid a visit to her sister, Mrs. Benjamin Truman, in Owego, and had just recently spent some time at the home of her son, Mr. Sam Jewell, in Canton.  Friday afternoon Mrs. Jewell complained of a slight indisposition, but immediately responded to the remedies which were given her and in the evening seemed to be entirely herself. During the night another slight attack occurred, and about half past five she was seized with a severe one.  Dr. Barker was called, but as the pain was lessening, she slipped suddenly and quietly away.

 

Mrs. Araminta Jewell was the daughter of Edward and Olive Davison  and was born in Dryden, N.Y. [Tompkins Co.] Sept. 15th, 1825.  in 1844, when she was nineteen years of age, she came to Troy to live with her older sister, Melvina, who had married Samuel W. Pomeroy of this place, and made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Pomeroy until her marriage to Ezra S. Jewell, which occurred Oct. 15, 1857.  In January of that year she united with the Presbyterian Chruch, and was ever after a conscientious and faithful worker in that congregation.  Her love for her church found expression in many ways and her opinion on any matter was always sought and honored.  For a long time she was a teacher in the Sunday School and after giving up that form of activity, she was a devoted member of the Bible Class until the vicissitudes of advanced years made it necessary that that privilege, too, should be relinquished.  During her early married life, Mrs. Jewell's home was in lower Elmira street, but some time in the sixties Mr. Jewell bought of Major Dartt the house which has ever since been their home.

 

Mrs. Jewell was a woman of unusual ability, and during her almost life long residence here, she has been identified with the best interests of this community and has been held in highest esteem by all who knew her.  Always a devoted wife, mother and sister, almost her last acts and thought were for those whom she so dearly loved and it may in truth be said of her that "Her children rise up and call her blessed."  Besides her husband, she leaves two children, Gertrude, Mrs. James W. Lamkin of this place, and Samuel Henderson of Canton, also a brother, George Davison of Utica, N.Y., and two sisters, Mrs. Benjamin Truman of Owego, N.Y., and Mrs. Merrick Pomeroy of this place, the other sister, Mrs. Samuel W. Pomeroy, having died last January.  The funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at two o'clock and were conducted by Rev. Edward P. Morse, pastor of the Presbyterian Chruch, the interment being in Glenwood Cemetery [Troy, Bradford Co., PA].

 

Sylvia Ford

1797 - 1843

At West Stockbridge, Mass. March 21st, Sylvia, wife of John Ford, Jr. aged 45 years.  About twenty years since, Mrs. Ford united with the First Congregational Church in this place, and from that time has been a consistent humble and devoted follower of Christ.  In the cause of benevolence and moral purity, she took a deep interest, and contributed both of her substance and her prayers for their advancement.  Her piety partook of the modesty of her sex, and hence, her most intimate friends best knew her worth.  From her situation, having the care of an aged and infirm parent, her Christian graces, especially her patience and resignation to the Divine will, were eminently developed. At the commencement of the late revival she was peculiarly engaged, and as was remarked by some, appeared to be closing up her work below, and truly--being naturally of a feeble constitution, her overtasked powers soon gave way to disease, which she patiently bore three or four weeks, when her spirit took its flight from earth.  Her life was that of the righteous and her end peace.

 

Jane Miller

1818 - 1843

Also on the same day at the same place Miss Jane Miller, aged 25.  During a protracted illness, Miss Miller manifested an unusual readiness to die, and hence she passed away in the triumphs of faith. The funerals of these loved sisters were attended together, and though families, the church, and the community felt their loss, yet all believed it was gain to the departed. 

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, September 16, 1875

 

WALES:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 1, William Wales, aged 69 years.

 

BADGER:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 26, 1875 Eva [Badger], daughter of Chester Badger, aged 4 years.

 

KINNEY:  In Norwich, Conn., Aug. 31, 1875 Mr. W.W. Kinney aged 61 years and brother of Mr. E.G. Kinney of Greene.

 

RANDALL:  In Wilkesbarre, Pa., Aug. 31, David R. Randall, formerly of Chenango County, aged 57 years.

 

RALPH:  In Sparta, Carolina co., Virginia, Sept. 4, 1875, Harry Stuart [Ralph], son of Moses and Edora Ralph, aged 35 years.

 

 

 

Obituaries (August 2)

Joseph Willard Whiting

1821 - 1843

In Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], March 3d, Joseph Willard Whiting, aged 22 years, son of the late Julius Whiting, of the same place.  the son, in reference to whose conversion the father uttered the prayer of Simeon "Lord now lettest thou thy servant," etc. a little before his departure.  After the death of the father, he of all others was selected as the one to fill the wide breach occasioned by the father's removal. The untiring zeal, activity and efficiency which he ever manifested from the moment of his conversion, made us all feel that we were not to be disappointed.  But God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. The day that he with near sixty others was to be connected with the church, was appointed by God for the day of his funeral.  Though his prospect for future usefulness and happiness rendered life to him peculiarly desirable, yet he met death thus early in his career, with uncommon composure and Christian resignation--not a murmur escaped his lips during all his distressing sickness. A few hours before he breathed his last, he deliberately made disposal of his worldly goods, a part of which he bequeathed to the Lord Jesus Christ.  His last words, and those repeated while in the agonies of death, were "precious Jesus."  [Buried Guilford Center Cemetery]

Margaret (Watkins) Jones

1822 - 1906

New York Mills [Oneida Co., NY]:  Margaret Watkins, widow of Evan Jones, one of the oldest and best known residents of New York Mills passed away at 6:15 o'clock this evening.  Mrs. Jones had been feeble for some years on account of infirmity incident to advanced age, but had been in her usual health until yesterday.  Margaret Watkins was born in Merionethshire, North Wales, May 1, 1822, and was the daughter of the late John and Ellen Watkins of Deerfield.  when nine years of age she came with her parents to America and settled in Utica, where her early life was passed and where she married Evan Jones in 1843.  Forty-six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Jones came to New York Mills, where she had since resided, and where Mr. Jones died four years ago.  While living in Utica Mrs. Jones was a member of the old Calvinistic Welsh Church on Seneca street. When she came to New York Mills she united with the Welsh Congregational Church and had remained a faithful member to her death, although for quite a number of years she had been unable to attend the services of the church. She was of a cheerful disposition, and although feeble in health, she remained patient and uncomplaining and it was a great pleasure to her friends to visit her.  The news of her death will cause sincere sorrow to many friends, who admired her beautiful character.  She was a kind and affectionate mother and a good neighbor, always interested in the welfare of her old friends.  For the past few years, and since the death of Mr. jones she had been tenderly cared for by her children, and the sympathy of the entire community is extended to them in their bereavement.  She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. H.S. Hughes, of Milwaukee, Mrs. Anna Evans and Mrs. Mary Esmay, who lived at home, and one son, E.W. Jones of Yorkville. She also leaves three sisters, Mrs. E.R. Jones of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. R.N William of Bridgewater, and Mrs. Owen Morris of Lime Springs.

Zidana E. (Greene) Rood

1836 - 1901

Zidanai E. Greene, wife of Mr. Perry Rood of this village, died at eight o'clock Monday morning at their home on Pruyn Hill [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], aged sixty-five years. Although ill for two months or more with a complication of erysipelas and scrofula, and known to have been a great sufferer, the community was startled to hear of her sudden passing away from heart failure.  Mrs. Rood had everything to live for; she enjoyed life, had a beautiful home, loved her family devotedly, had a large circle of friends, was prominent in the church, and yet with all the attractions of earthly life, she talked with great composure of the possibilities of her shortened stay, assuring those beside her "that it was all right," if she were to die, and earnestly besought her friends not to grieve.  Mrs. Rood became a member of the M.E. Church at Mt. Upton when a child of eleven years of age, and had thus given over fifty years of active, earnest and useful work to the church of her choice.  By her brave and cheerful spirit she inspired the weak and added strength to the strong, and gave an impetus to whatever propositions came up for the prosperity of the church.  Her seat was never vacant unless rarely kept away by ill health.  Mrs. Rood's Christian life was a remarkable one in its length, its tireless activity and its intense loyalty to her religious convictions. She will be sadly missed from the society of the Bainbridge M.E. church in companionship and as an example of untiring devotion.

The qualities Mrs. Rood displayed in her church associations were never obtrusive. She sought no pre-eminence, but those characteristics pervaded her home life.  She was essentially a home woman, cheerful, energetic, her supreme happiness being in contributing to the comfort and pleasure of her family.  Her husband paid a beautiful tribute  her character in saying that in all their married life he had never known her to speak a harsh word in her family.  Unfailing brightness and sweetness of temperament always predominated.

Mr. and Mrs. Rood were married thirty-six years ago in the town of Guilford.  They had resided in Guilford and Mt. Upton until they moved to Bainbridge thirteen years ago.  Mr. Rood opened up the Grange store in this village and located his home upon Pruyn Hill.  Beside the husband, two children survive the mother Eva G., wife of Harry J. Mosher, Esq., of New Berlin and Helen M., wife of Jay L. Anderson of Bainbridge.  Of her father's family there is only a brother, H.D. Greene of Mt. Upton.

The funeral was held at the M.E. church yesterday (Wednesday) morning at ten o'clock, Rev. C.H. Sackett and Rev. J.S. Crompton conducting the services.  There was a large attendance and many flowers were lying upon the casket presented by relatives and friends of the deceased.   delegation from H.H. Beecher Post, of which Mr. Rood is a member, attested their sympathy by attending the services in a body. The bearers were S.J. Hollenbeck, A.J. Wilcox, Chas. Ellis, Harvey Whitman, George Taylor and Melvin Yale. The burial was in the Mt. Upton cemetery.

 

Death Notices

 

WHITING:  At Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst. [1848] in the triumphs of Christian faith, Mrs. Lucinda Whiting, relict of the late Julius Whiting aged 63 years.

 

WHITING:  Also on the 11th inst [1848], Willard N. [Whiting], only child of Jenison J. and Sarah J. Whiting, and grandson of the above, aged 4 years.

 

Up to the realm above the skies,

Dear child, we bid thee go,

Since death hath severed all the ties

That bound thee here below.

 

There Christ the lord forever reigns,

There songs of rapture swell,

And free from sorrow and its pains

We'll meet you, there to dwell.

 

FISH:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult [1851], Mary Elizabeth [Fish], youngest daughter of Luman B. and Jane E. Fish, aged 2 years.

 

LANDERS:  In South Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. [1851] Mrs. Olive [Landers], relict of Major Ebenezer Landers, aged 93 years.

 

BLOOD:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], July 23d [1851] of consumption, Mrs. Eliza E. [Blood] wife of Mr. Orson Blood, and daughter of Carlton Humphrey.

Obituaries (August 1)

Mary Ann Bushnell

1792 - 1843

At Saybrook, Ct., March 19th, Mrs. Mary Ann Bushnell, wife of John Bushnell, Esq, aged 51 years.  Her last sickness was short, her mind clear, her faith full and her death peaceful.  The closing scene of her useful life beautified that Christian profession and exemplary character which she had ever sustained.

 

Susan (Sheldon) Corliss

1794 - 1843

At Union Village, N.Y. on Wednesday night 5th inst. after a long and tedious illness, Mrs. Susan Corliss, wife of Dr. Hiram Corliss.  The deceased has left a painful vacancy in her family, as well as in the circle of her acquaintance, and especially of the Congregational church, of which she had been from the beginning an exemplary member.  Those who mourn for her loss, however find joy in the midst of grief, on remembering that her departing spirit was filled with peace and hope in Christ.  Her last words were "Jesus is precious."

 

James S. Merithew

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, November 27, 1901

An Oxford correspondent of the Utica Observer of Monday says:  This afternoon at 2 o'clock the funeral rites of the late J.S. Merithew of this village, were solemnized at his home on Clinton street, the Rev. Mr. Kilpatrick, pastor of the M.E. church, officiating.  Interment was made in Mt. Hope cemetery at Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  For several years Mr. Merithew was employed as traveling salesman for the Mosler Safe company of New York, but for ten years past, while residing in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], he has dealt in real estate.  He was the son of Lyman and Minerva Merithew and was born December 10, 1847, at Norwich, where he obtained his early education.  He was married to Hanna Amelia Bowen by the Rev. Mr. Brown at Syracuse in 1872. During the next five years he was engaged in the clothing business, occupying the store now used as a millinery shop by Mrs. Nowlan of this village.  He was elected president of the town board of trustees for 1898 and 1899. Mr. Merithew's illness has been one of some three years' duration, confining him to the house three months previous to his death.  He is survived by his widow and two children, A. Floyd and Maud Amelia Merithew; also by his father and mother, who reside in Norwich; a brother, D.C. Merithew of Brooklyn, and a sister, Mrs. Charles Thompson of Norwich.

 

Isaac D. Richmond

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, November 27, 1901

Isaac D. Richmond, an old time Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] resident, died at his home no. 96 East Main street, Friday November 22, 1901, at 8 a.m., aged 65 years.  Death was due from the bursting of a blood vessel in the head twenty-four hours previous.  Deceased was unmarried having resided with his mother up to the time of her death about three years ago.  He has since boarded in the family of W.H. Carpenter at the above address.  Mr. Richmond was a man of sturdy habits and possessed a remarkable fund of information upon current events.  He was quiet and unostentatious in manner and considered somewhat peculiar by many, but those who were fortunate enough to be classed among his friends and acquaintances admired his many good qualities and respected him as an upright man.  He is survived by an aunt, Mrs. Sarah Breed of Hayes street, and an uncle Stanton Pendleton of South Broad street.  Another uncle, Nathan Pendleton, resides in Oxford.  Henry Hewitt of this village, is a cousin of the deceased.  Funeral services will be held from his late home Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J.L. Ray officiating. Burial in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY] -- Sun

Albert L. Spicer

Cortland Standard, May 24, 1917

Albert L. Spicer, aged 76 years, passed away at his home 37 Madison st., yesterday afternoon at 2:45 o'clock, following na illness of four months due to heart trouble.  Mr. Spicer was born in Lincklaen, Chenango county, on June 3, 1840, and was the youngest son of Park and Ada Spicer.  When about 12 years of age, he moved with his parents to Homer where he worked in the grist mill and the woolen mill.  Later he lived in Madison county and on Nov. 29, 1866, he married Miss Finetta Beach of Lincklaen and they made their home at South Otselic for seventeen years.  After their residence in South Otselic, he returned  to Homer and remained there for nine years, then moved to Cortland, where he has resied for fifteen and a half years. Mr. Spicer has been employed at the Wickwire mills for fifteen years in various occupations.  He was a member of the First Baptist church of this city and a former member of both the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows.  Mr. and Mrs. Spicer celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Nov. 29, 1916, at their home in this city together with a company of thirty of their relatives and friends.  Survivng are his widow and one sister, Mrs. D.W. Burdick, of Whitney Point; two nieces, Misses Inez A. Burdick and Alice E. Burdick of Whitney Point; two nephews, Henry Spicer, of Cortland and Fred H. Burdick of Whitney Point.  The funeral will be held from the late home on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock and will be conducted by Rev. J.C. Hendrickson, pastor of the First Baptist church.  The remains will be taken to South Otselic for burial in the family lot, where the two children of the deceased are buried.

Death Notices

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, November 27, 1901

DUTTON:  Levi G. Dutton, formerly of Georgetown [Madison Co., NY], was struck and killed by the cars at Oneida, Monday.  He was 55 years old and leaves a widow and two sons.

PALMER:  Ralph Palmer, an Italian section hand, was run down by a switch engine in the Walton yard, Saturday morning, receiving injuries from which he died seven hours later.

CORNISH:  The remains of G.W. Cornish were taken from Albany to Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] for burial last week Friday.  Mr. Cornish moved from Coventry to Albany 25 years ago, and was 85 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys in 1820s - Part 3

Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, February 21, 1872

 

Continued from posting of July 30, 2017

 

Adjoining on the north, was the large two story house, then recently erected by my grandfather Edmunds, and now, or recently owned and occupied by the George L. Rider family.  Only the large dining room and kitchen, with three small bedrooms in the rear, and the front room on the south of the hall, were then completed.  My father, with his family, occupied a portion of the house, and my grandfather cultivated the large garden and adjacent grounds.  Here we resided until the year 1825.  North of this was the old "yellow house," built by my grandfather in the early years of the century, and where I was born. At this time it was occupied as a public house or tavern, by John Cooke, and subsequently by Capt. James Perkins, after which it was occupied as a residence by Judge York, and finally passed into the possession of Judge Smith M. Purdy, by whom it is still owned.  Opposite stood the old Seth Garlick house, subsequently rebuilt and converted into a tavern by Mr. Rider.  North of the "old yellow house" and grounds was the store and office of my father, heretofore referred to; and north of those, the original structure, now replaced by the "Noyes House" (American).  Occupied in 1817-18 by our family, afterwards by Thurlow Weed, and subsequently purchased in 1820, or thereabouts, by Josiah S. Miller and converted into a Hotel, which, after his death passed into the hands of John Noyes, Jr., by marriage with his widow.  Opposite or nearly opposite, on the west side of the street, was the then residence of Col. John Randall, with a store adjoining on the north, occupied by Richard L. DeZenz and R.L. Lawrence, and afterward as a Drug Store by the latter, and the upper part of which was, as before stated, Mr. Weed's printing office. These premises were subsequently occupied at different periods, by Nathan Chamberlain, Esq., John Lamb, Lot Clark, John Clapp, and the widow of Elisha Smith, Esq.

 

On the north of the present "Noyes House" was the old Dr. Brooks mansion, a large, rambling, spacious house, occupied fifty years since as a Hotel, by Seth Garlick, Zebina C. Andruss, William Palmer and James M.D. Carr, successively.  Opposite this was a three story building, owned by Eli M. Gibbs and occupied as a silver-smith's shop on the first floor, the printing office of the Norwich journal on the second, and a Masonic Lodge on the third.  South of this was a small dwelling house, occupied by Peter Fryer, and north the law office of Birdsall & Buttolph, or afterwards Buttolph & Thorp.  No erections north of this at that time existed on the west side up to the public square.  On the east side, north of the large hotel referred to, was the store of Charles York, afterwards York & Chapman, the law office of Clark & Clapp, the silversmith and jewelry store of Peter Fryer, a small barber's shop, occupied by Sam Carr, and the corner store of Johnson & Noyes, (Dr. Jonathan Johnson and John Noyes, senior and junior).

 

This was the termination of what is now known as South Main Street, and brings us to the public square or common, from whence diverged North Main, East and West Streets, the two latter extending from the Chenango River to the Canasawacta Creek.  I propose, if your readers have the patience to follow me, to continue in a subsequent number my panoramic view of the village as it was fifty years since--lovingly going over the gound, every step of which was so familiar to my early youth, and recalling the "old familiar faces" and the well-remembered events of a period, the contemporaries of which are each succeeding year becoming "fewer and farther between."  Ah Well! soon will it be said of us "Abiunt ad plures"--"They too, have gone over to the majority!"  Let us hope that when "the last of earth" has faded on our view, some friendly and affectionate hand shall "be to our virtues very kind, and to our faults a little blind"--and in some coming year of the twentieth century, recall our memory to the busy and bustling generation, who may then occupy our places, and be not unwilling, reverently and lovingly to retrace our accustomed haunts.

 

"These to their softened hearts should bear

The thought of what has been,

And speak of one who cannot share

The gladness of the scene;

Whose part in all the pomp that fills

The circuit of the summer hills,

Is that his grave is green;

And deeply would their hearts rejoice

To hear again his living voice!"

 

The end

Obituaries (July 31)

Dr. Heman D. Copley

1851 - 1896

The life of one of Bainbridge's [Chenango Co., NY] most prominent citizens has been brought to a close.  Dr. H.D. Copley died at his home on East Main st., at 11 o'clock Monday morning.  The immediate sickness which resulted in his death was not generally known, and the news was a shock to the community.  Though for the past few years, poor health had weighed heavily upon him, he has been able to mingle with his large circle of friends and enjoy the passing of the daily routine of life.  Last Thursday evening he was seized with convulsions, due to spinal difficulty and other complications with which he had long been troubled.  From that time he began to sink rapidly, remaining unconscious till the last.

 

Dr. Copley was in his forty-sixth year.  That a period of ill health could have sent its afflictions in the prime of life and still the heart throbs of the citizen, friend and loved physician, whose character embodied those traits of manhood, gentleness and kindness which inspire respect and admiration, and convey comfort to his fellow men, furnishes the saddest and most bitter reflections.  During those years when health gave him vigor and strength, he was active in the duties of life, a most successful and skillful physician, holding positions in the community of honor and trust.  Yet prior to his death as the waning of health destroyed complete activity in the execution of his profession, and while pain and depression swept over him, he maintained a keen interest in all affairs of life in the town and home and always imparted the same cheerfulness and calmness.

 

He was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, Jan. 21, 1851.  After completing his education in the best schools, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, and graduated therefrom March 1, 1875.  Locating in Bainbridge in 1876, he rapidly built up a large and profitable practice and quickly gained the reputation as one of the best physicians in this section.  He was married in 1879 to Miss Lina Freiot, daughter of John H. Freiot, deceased, and granddaughter of the late Dr. Joseph W. Freiot and George H. Winsor, esq., of Bainbridge. Dr. and Mrs. Copley have since lived at the home of her mother, Mrs. Helen Freiot, enjoying the pleasure of a wide circle of friends and always extending the most cordial hospitality.

 

During his life, Dr. Copley was very popular.  He was a leading citizen, closely identified with the growth and prosperity of this village.  He was foremost in advocating all local improvements and always to the front in the establishment of business enterprises.  He has served as member of the Board of Education, trustee of the village, supervisor of the town and was one of the directors of the First National Bank and member of the New York State Medical Association.  Also a prominent mason, he was member of Susquehanna Lodge, Vallonia Chapter, and Malta Commandery. 

 

Besides his wife, D. Copley is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Copley who reside at Davenport and one brother, Duncan H. Copley, president of the Gilbert Manufacturing co. of which the deceased was a director.  The funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, at St. Peter's church.  Interment will be in Green lawn [Bainbridge, NY], conducted by the Masons.

Harriet Stryker

1786-1843

At Rome, N.Y. [Oneida Co.] on the 3rd inst. after a protracted illness, Mrs. Harriet Stryker, in the 57th year of her age.  The deceased was a member of the Second Congregational church in that place.  Her life was a living epistle to be read and known of all men; it was such as did not leave her faith, and love, and entire self-consecration to the cause of Christ, to be for the first announced in an obituary.  We trust her eulogium has been already pronounced by one who never errs, upon her introduction to the general assembly and church of the first born; and if it was that which she desired most ardently, for which she prayed most fervently and labored unweariedly, then it was the commendation, "She hath done what she could."  The departure from a branch of the church militant of such a member, is a heavy affliction to those who remain; it is one which is not relieved even by the assurance that a new member has been added to the church triumphant, and a new voice heard there in praise of Zion's King.  May her place be supplied by many, her equals.

Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D.

1796 - 1865

The religious community, and the public generally, will receive the tidings of the death of this justly eminent man with sincere regret.  He was prostrated by a paralytic shock on the 26th ult., and died on Saturday, the 30th, ult., at the age of sixty-nine years, having exemplified, to a high degree, the power of the Christian life, and leaving to the church and the world a bright record of usefulness.  As clergyman, College President, author, and Christian philanthropist, his loss will be deeply felt beyond the limits of the Baptist denomination, of which he had been for a long course of years, the acknowledged leader.  his life was one of great mental activity, and all his labors had a practical and efficient bearing upon the public welfare.

Dr. Wayland was born in New York in 1796, graduated at Union College in 1813, and after studying three years for the medical profession, was led by new views of duty to turn his thoughts to the ministry.  He passed about a year in the Theological Seminary at Andover, and then accepted a tutorship in Union College, which position he held for four years, studying theology in the meantime with President Nott.  In August, 1821, he was ordained as pastor of the First Baptist Church in this city, (Rev. Dr. Neale's) to which he ministered with ability and success for five years.  He afterward accepted a Professorship in Union College, but was called in a few months (February 1827) to the Presidency of Brown University, at Providence, R.I.  He filled this position until his resignation in the summer of 1855, a period of twenty-eight years, and under his excellent management, the institution increased largely in patronage and influence and owes its present reputation more to him than any other one man.  He was one of the first in the country to oppose an exclusively classical education in our colleges, and the peculiar system of study at Brown University, which allows practical, rather than classical studies to be pursued by students not educating for the professions, was adopted at his suggestion. After his connection with the College ceased, he devoted himself to literary and religious labor with that enthusiastic energy which always characterized him.  He made many important contributions to the educational and religious literature of the country, among which may be mentioned as especially prominent, "Elements of Moral Science;" "Elements of Political Economy;" "Limits of Moral Responsibility;" "Thoughts on the Present Collegiate System of the United States;" "Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution;" "Life of Rev. Adoniram Judson;" "Intellectual Philosophy;" "Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptists; Occasional Discourses;" "Letters on the ministry of the Gospel," and a "Memoir of the Christian labors of Dr. Chalmers."

Dr. Wayland was one of the early foes of slavery, and his letters to Rev. Dr. Fuller in 1845, had a powerful effect in arousing the Northern mind and conscience to the sin of complicity with that "sum of all villainies."  The cause of missions had in him an earnest friend and worker, and in every good word and work he was a conscientious and energetic laborer.  It has been well said of him that "His aims were uniformly elevated, and his efforts for their attainment were distinguished as much by wisdom as by ability."  Prominent among his traits of character were simplicity, earnestness, and thoroughness, all based upon and controlled by an unaffected piety, and thus he well deserved and sustained his high reputation. the death of such a man is a loss to the church and the world, and it is our duty and privilege to pray the Head of the church to raise up others who shall as faithfully and successfully work in the Master's vineyard.  [Buried North Burial Ground, Providence, RI]

Blog Post listing July 24-30, 2017

Listing of blog postings for the week of July 24-30, 2017

Marriages

Posted July 24, 2017

Marriage Notices

     Byson C. Johnson - Juliette Wells (Shelby Centre, 1856)

     Frederick Easton - Marie Colvan(?) (Shelby, 1856)

     B.A. Seaver - Elizabeth Bathgate (Millville, 1856)

     Franklin H. Chamberlain - Martha K. Goodenough (Tonawanda, 1856)

     Julia B. Hodge - W.S. MacPherson (1922)

     Daisy Carl Scott - Dwight Scott (North Afton, 1956)

     William H. Hinman - M.J. Lenderson (Greene, 1863)

Posted July 25, 2017
Marriage notices - 1832
     Nehemiah Squires - Lydia Anne Brooks (Otselic/Smyrna)
     Luke Sexton - Leonora Clits (Plymouth)
     Sidney Murton - Polly Weaver (CT / Columbus)
     David Steere - Anna Lincoln (New Berlin)
     Dwight Ellis - Abigail Lincoln (Western MA / Smyrna)
     Waterman Field - Amanda Malvina Rathbone (South New Berlin)
     Christopher C. Foster - Rachael Mason (Guilford / Sherburne)

July 27, 2017
Marjorie Murphy - George Benedict (1930)
Marion L. Monroe - LeRoy H. Pickering (1929)
Marriage notices
     Quartus Graves - Jane Laynon (1832)
     James Sherburne Gilman - Roxy L. Pomeroy (1832)
     Charles W. Smith - Ella m. Huntley (1883)
     Sarah Barber - ?? (1883)
     Otis Sprague - Alma Evans (1875)
     Frank Webb - Irene E. Bartoo (1875)
     William H. Potter - Ella McKay (1875)
 

  

Obituaries

Posted July 24, 2017

William McPherson (Wilkins Settlement, 1936)

Susie (Krymer) McPherson (Wilkins Settlement, 1929)

Magnus Wilson (Coventryville, 1936)

Ernest E. Hinman (Coventry, Schuylerville, 1936)

Posted July 25, 2017
Mrs. Edgar Cornell (Unadilla Valley, 1886)
Lizzie Angell (White Store, 1886)
Marie Winston (Bainbridge, 1886)
Mrs. Albert J. Wilkins (Sidney, 1886)
Dr. William D. Purple (Greene, 1886)

Posted July 26, 2017
Erastus Kenyon (Virgil, Pitcher, 1899)
Dr. Ellis l. Baker (Syracuse, Batavia, 1899)
Mary Ann (Avery) Clark (Norwich, Utica, 1899)
Finetta Spicer (Cortland, South Otselic, 1899)

Posted July 27, 2017
Isaac Carl (Afton, 1955)
Frank Z. Smith (Nineveh, 1930
William H. Hinman (Coventry, Afton, 1903)
Death notices
     Henry Judd (Centrevillage, Oxford, 1883)
     Mrs. Welch (Afton, Bennettsville, 1883)
     Georgia Johnson (Afton, 1883)
     Ada Lyon (West Bainbridge, 1908)
     James H. Parks (Smithville)
     Sally Card (New Berlin)
     Ella May Wightman (Preston)
     Son of John Pixley (Afton)
     Son of Nelson Johnson (Afton)

Posted July 28, 2017
Ralph William & Susan L. (Sage) Kirby  (Bainbridge, 1955)

Posted July 29, 2017
Henry Heady (Binghamton, 1896)
Sarah Frances Clark (Guilford, 1911)
Lewis Bunnell (Guilford, 1911)
Eveline Pearsall (Bainbridge, 1913)
Elizabeth Ives (Sidney, 1910)
Death Notices
     David W. Sailes (Norwich, 1832)
     David Miller (Sherburne, 1832)
     Infant son of John & Sarah Skelly (1876)
     Daniel Bond (Afton, 1876)
     

 

Miscellaneous

Posted July 29, 2017

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys 50 Years Ago (in 1820s), S.S. Randall (written in 1872) - Part 1

Posted July 30, 2017
Chenango & Unadilla Valleys 50 Years Ago (in 1820s), S.S. Randall (written in 1872) - Part 2
Pruyn Hill, Bainbridge, NY, about 1908 - photo

Pruyn Hill, Bainbridge, NY - about 1908

Pruyn Hill, Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York

Used post card photo.  The message on the back is dated July 28, 1908, making the photo at least 109 years old.

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys - 1820s, Part 2

Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, February 21, 1872

 

Continued from posting of July 29, 2017

 

A little north of the Coomes homestead, in a small cottage, resided the "Dowager" widow of Capt. Randall, and nearly opposite stood the ancient mansion of his brother, Elder Jedediah Randall, originally built as a tavern, at the close of the last century, by Mr. Collins, now the residence of Judge York.  The Elder was at this period quite an old man, with no other family than his venerable wife--"Aunt Patty"--and gratuitously occupied the pulpit of the Baptist church, of which he was the principal founder--though occasionally discoursing in the spacious hall of his residence, to an audience occupying the two large parlors on either hand, the vacant room and stairways of the hall, and the dining room and kitchen in the rear.  He was a pious, good, exemplary old man, and as the pioneer clergyman of the village, well adapted to the spiritual wants of his chiefly rural flock.  Often has it been my fortune to be charmed to sweet and refreshing slumbers by the musical cadence of his apostolical oratory, in utter and hopeless failure to following the chain of his argument, although repeatedly reminded that it "evidently appears, upon the principle, to which St. John in the isle of Pattimous, was typified to."  One discourse in especial, from the suggestive text of "O wheel 1" was of far too metaphysical a nature for my immature comprehensions, not withstanding precisely one hundred and forty-five reminders of its "evident appearance" as aforesaid, "which nobody could deny."  Nearly opposite the Elder's mansion was the farm and residence of Col. John Randall, Jr., the dwelling house then recently erected, and now, after half a century's occupation by the family, removed to the south end of the lot, to be sometime replaced, I understand, by a more modern structure.  Adjoining this dwelling on the north, was the humble and unpretending residence of Uriah Avery, saddler and harness maker, and of his daughter, the widow Carey; and next to this a small house, occupied at one time for a short period, by Thurlow Weed, but at this time, I think, by Stephen Hopkins, the village school teacher.  It was entered, I well recollect by a leathern latch.

 

Opposite, or nearly opposite these two, on the east side of the street, was the spacious residence of Dr. Jonathan Johnson, surrounded by an ample garden and attractive grounds.  Dr. Johnson was, as has already been stated, one of the earliest settlers of the village, his wife, the daughter of "old Uncle Matthew Graves," whom I well recollect as an aged valetudinarian, living with his son-in-law, Hascall Ransford, just above the village.  The worthy, good old doctor, might be seen daily, on his ambling nag, with his well filled saddle-bags depending from each side, and with a strong proclivity to absent mindness, frequently passing and repassing the place of his destination, volubly discoursing to himself, in futile efforts to bring the pendulum of his wandering speculations to an equilibrium; when after a hasty administration of the requisite boluses and remedies he would plunge into political and other discussions, quite oblivious of numerous other engagements, or of the relentless passage of time.  On one occasion pausing to peruse a large handbill, posted on the wall of some public building headed, "Carstairian System of Practical Penmanship," the worthy Doctor was heard muttering to himself in very voluble tones:  "Christian System of Political Penmanship. God bless my soul! what is the world coming to!  Tut, Tut, too, too," and on he jogged, much revolving what all this novel science might portend.  he was, however, a scholar, and a gentleman of the old school, universally respected and esteemed.

 

Adjoining this mansion and its ground, on the north, stood a small dwelling, then occupied by John Reynolds, Tailor, and subsequently by Elijah Lewis, builder--prior to the erection of the dwelling, afterwards occupied by him, and subsequently for a few months by myself and family, on the banks of the canal.  Opposite was the residence of David Oviatt, builder, subsequently transferred to me and removed to make way for a successor to a lot directly opposite, forming part of the Dr. Johnson grounds, where I resided in the fall and winter of 1836-7 prior to my removal to Albany in the latter year.  North of Mr. Oviatt's was the residence of Charles York, of whom as he is universally known to his fellow townsmen, I need say nothing here.  Adjoining this was the residence of Elder Spaulding of the Baptist church; subsequently occupied by Samuel Pike, Esq.  The spacious brick house of George Field was not then in existence; and the next dwelling house was that of James Birdsall, already alluded to--opposite to which was the humble residence of Timothy Steere, his brother-in-law, consisting partly of a frame and partly a log house; the grounds however, used for agricultural purposes, extending easterly half way to the river, where they intersected those of his eldest brother, Stephen Steere, Jr.  Their father, old Judge Steere, was, in his lifetime, the owner and occupant of all these grounds, and resided in the old log house forming a part of Timothy's.  I remember him as a frequent visitor of my grandfather Edmunds, in my early boyhood; his uniform practice being to announce himself as "wabbling like a spent top"--to sit and converse awhile about Bonaparte and Robert spear (Robespierre), and then settle himself to a conformable nap in his easy chair, after which he took his departure.  He was known to us children only as "Uncle Judge."

 

To be Continued