Chenango & Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 24, 1872

 

The Unadilla Hunt, or "Oxford Chase"

 

Continued from posting of September 1, 2017

 

According to a tradition lovingly commemorated by my two esteemed and valued friends, John Clapp and Henry R. Mygatt in recent numbers of the Binghamton and Oxford journals, it appears that in the ancient days of the Chenango and Unadilla Valleys, there resided on the banks of the latter a renowned and might hunter, dark-browed, "grand, gloomy and peculiar," extensively known throughout all the region round about as Sherman Page, Grand Sachem of Unadilla and the "Oxford Chase."  To his wigwam, at the close of the sultry, summer heats, were accustomed to resort, on the sound of "that mighty horn, on Unadilla's echoes borne," which swept musically and clearly along the green banks of the Chenango to the broad Mohawk Valley and the Oneida and Otsego lakes, a trusty band of Sagamores, Chief and Braves, with their prancing steeds, staunch hounds and faithful rifles, gaily caparisoned for the chase, "over the hills and far away" of deer, foxes, wolves, catamounts, snipe, pheasants and feathered fowl of every legitimate plumage,   Thither came John Cox Morris, tall and straight as an arrow, stout and burly Sam Starkweather, with his stentorian voice of thunder; Henry R. Storrs and Morris S. Miller, the far-famed Oneida Counsellor and judge, Nicholas Derreux, the great financier of the Mohawk Valley, Levi Beardsley, of Cherry Valley, with his twinkling eye and dry humor, Jo Miller of Cooperstown, (doubtless the original Jo), James and John Clapp, Ransom Rathbone, Peter Sken Smith, the magnificent and Simon G. Throop, with his "quips and cranks" and exuberant fun and frolic, from Oxford, Robert Monell, of Greene, with his silvery locks and beaming, gleeful, patriarchal countenance; John C. Clark, the irrepressible and Moses G. Benjamin, of Bainbridge.  In the language of the distinguished laureate of the Hunt.

 

"There was Throop, ready mounted on a fine black,

And a far fleeter gelding did Starkweather back.

Cox Morris' bay, full of mettle and bone

And gay Skenandoah on a dark, sorrel roan.

But the horse, of all horses, that rivaled the day

Was Clapp's well-fed charger of iron-clad gray"

 

"There was mounting 'mong horsemen of every clan,

Morris, Miller and Monell, they rode and they ran

There was racing and chasing, behind and before

They'll have fleet steeds that follow quote Young Skenandoah."

 

"Forty stags were brought down at forty rods fall

Forty bucks were made venison by long shot and fall

Forty sportsmen clubbed wits, every man in his place,

Forty stories were told of the grand 'Oxford Chase.'"

 

Still extant, preserved in vellum, are the official reports of Grand Sachem Page, Interpreter Ogden, "Medicine Man" Colwell, Sagamons Pooler and Field, and Ranger Carley, certifying to the astounding and almost incredible feat of prowess of that aspiring young brave, John Clapp, in slaying on the 18th of November, Annon Domini, 1822, at the distance of fifteen rods, "on the full jump," with a "smooth bore" charged with a ball and three back-shot, a "large doe," Whereupon in assembled wigwam in commemoration of this "deed of dering do" and the "sportsmanlike conduct" of the youthful warrior on the war path, it was decreed that he thenceforth and forever rank with the chiefs of the tribe, be girt with wampum, tomahawk, scalping knife, and admitted to the councils of the braves.  Scarcely more apocryphal in the tradition of the tribe was the adventure of Sagamon Throop, in the bringing down, "with his unerring rifle," of a "buck of ten," who, driven by the merciless hounds to the river, vainly sought refuge on an island, at an incredible distance from the shore. The huntsmen, amazed and dumbfounded.

 

"Looked up and down for a passage of dry land

When they found that the chase had fled to an island.

There he looked at the dogs, and the dogs looked at him.

Twas too rapid and broad for e'en diver to swim

And so they resolved, as they could not get nigh him,

Though twas too far to shoot, 'twasn't too far to try him."

 

Promptly responding to this most sage and incontrovertible decision of the impromptu council of chiefs, sagamons and braves, the gallant Throop, "rearing himself thereat," sprung forward, exclaiming in the words of the intrepid Miller, at Lundy's Lane, "I'll try, Sir"--quickly levelled his "unerring rifle," and in one momentous second the stately buck was not!

 

Such was the Simon G. Throop of two and fifty years ago.  After many and various mutations of fortune, with unbroken health and spirits, and inexhaustible wit and humor, he now, at the ripe age of eighty-two, sits on the bench of one of the Courts of Pennsylvania, as an Associate judge, bearing the burden of his four score years bravely and unweariedly and dispensing justice with equal and exact scales.  Long may he continue to grace the ermine he has so fairly and nobly won.  Long may it be ere his mirth-provoking countenance and exuberant glee shall cease to "set the table in a roar;" and long may he celebrate the annual festivity of his birth, surrounded by warm-hearted friends, and greeted from afar by the staunch surviving comrades of his early days!  The snows of many winters have long since whitened the heads of the youngest of their number; each succeeding year the mournful knell, --"albeit ad plures"--sound heavily on our ears; and in the course of nature, soon, very soon, will they in their turn pass to" that undiscovered country from whose bourse no traveler returns.

"The fashion of this world passeth,

Passeth swiftly away!

We weary to sleep in the darkness,

To wake no more to the sun!

For good or for ill -- it is finished.

We die -- but "Thy Will be Done!"

Obituaries (September 2)

Nellie (Andrus) Bradley

1861 - 1940

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  The death of Mrs. Nellie Bradley occurred here October 11.  She came to Guilford as a bride 56 years ago and has made her home in this place ever since.  She was 79.  She and her husband reared their family educated them and taught them the principles of the Christian life and attended religious services with them.  Mrs. Bradley was a member of the Guilford Methodist church.  All who knew her respected her for her consecration to her husband and children and her true devotion to her church.  She was the daughter of Elmer and Nancy (Hilton) Andrus and was born as Sanitaria Springs [Broome Co., NY] Sept. 8, 1861.  Mrs. Bradley, since the death of her husband had made her home with her daughters, Mrs. Jessie B. Hubbard and Mrs. Ono Bradley Freer.  For the last few months she had lived with Rev. and Mrs. Harris A. Freer.  She had intended to accompany her daughter and son-in-law to Penney Farms, Fla., this fall, but ill health prevented.  The funeral was held at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Freer, Monday, Oct. 14, and burial was made at Yaleville cemetery [Guilford, NY]. The services were conducted by Rev. Charles Dempsey, pastor of the Methodist church of Guilford, assisted by Rev. Theodore I. Hubbard of New Berlin.  Mrs. Bradley is survived by her two daughters, Jessie B. Hubbard and Ono B. Freer; both of Guilford; three sisters, Mrs. Dora Cator, Mrs. Jefferson Dalton and Mrs. Inez G. Gilbert of Binghamton; one brother, Fred D. Andrus of Schenectady; two grandchildren, Rev. Theodore I. Hubbard of New Berlin and Archibald Hubbard of Binghamton and two great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. 

 

Loyal I. Dodge

1857 - 1940

Loyal I. Dodge, aged 82, died at his home on East Hill, Saturday afternoon, August 24.  His health had been failing for some time but he was confined to his bed for only about two weeks.  He was born November 20, 1857, his birthplace being a few rods from his late home.  His parents were James O., and Elizabeth Roys Dodge.  In 1876 he graduated with honors from Oxford Academy.  He then taught in the schools of the village and surrounding districts for several years before settling on his grandfather's farm where he lived for more than 55 years.  He married Addie L. Stork of Coventry, October 21, 1884. They had one daughter, Elizabeth.  He was a thorough farmer, as the condition of his fields still show.  In business his integrity was beyond reproach.  As long as his strength permitted he was actively engaged in church and mission work.  He united with the Congregational church of Oxford about the year 1873.  During the pastorate of Rev. Howard Billman he became interested in the Free Will Baptist church at East Oxford which was the closed.  Services there were reorganized and he served as superintendent of the Sunday School for about 14 years and was church clerk for 35 years.  A great many young men had been in his employ during the more than half a century of farming.  His influence over these boys was always for good.  He is survived by his wife and daughter. The funeral was held at his late home Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended. Rev. Howard Dellar, pastor of the Congregational church, officiated.  Interment was in the family plot in Riverview Cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].  The bearers were:  Chester Stork, Lynn Stork, Hiram Howland, Lynn Howland, Arthur Crandall and Leslie Bowers. 

 

Charles W. Ireland

1869 - 1940

 

 

Charles W. Ireland, one of Bainbridge's [Chenango Co., NY] leading business men, passed away at his home, 27 South Main street, Bainbridge, following an illness of several weeks' duration, at the age of 71.  Mr. Ireland was keenly interested in the progress of the village, aiding in its advancement in every way possible.  He was a staunch Republican and served as supervisor of the town during the years of 1909 and 1910.  As a young man he started his business in lumbering, and in 1902, he entered the hardware business which he conducted in the Parsons Block, West Main street, for 26 years.  His business which had expanded rapidly necessitated larger quarters, as a result in 1928 he purchased the Central Hotel property at the corner of North and West Main streets.  After having the hotel building moved to the north of the building lot, he erected a large two story brick structure in 1929, which houses the modern hardware store, and where later he formed the Ireland Hardware Corporation.  Mr. Ireland was senior warden of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, a member of Susquehanna Lodge, No. 167, F.&A.M., since 1893, was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and was number 300 on the membership roll of Kalurah Shrine, of Binghamton.  He was also a member of the Norwich lodge of Elks.  He was born in the Town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 11, 1869, the son of Winfield Scott and Angeline Allen Ireland.  He was a direct descendant of James Ireland, an original settler in West Bainbridge in 1804.  On October 19, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Woodworth, of North Fenton, and they took up their residence here, at that time.  Mrs. Ireland's death occurred on July 31, 1940.  The deceased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Dow Campbell and Miss Charlah Ireland, and one granddaughter, Miss Barbara Campbell, all of this village.  The funeral was held in St. Peter's Chruch, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. S.F. Heath officiating.  The pall bearers were:  Raymond Holman, James Ireland, Amos Tuckey, Hugh Collins, Dr. Edward Danforth and J.E. Hirt.  Interment was in St. Peter's Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY], where the Masonic burial service was conducted by the Susquehanna lodge, No. 167, F.&A.M. 

 

Earl H. Rivers

1887 - 1940

Earl H. Rivers, of Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], eldest son of Mrs. Cora and the late Charles Rivers of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] died at his home, 120 Elmwood Avenue, Sunday night.  He was a World War veteran and for many years, an employee in the freight department of the D.L.&W. railroad.  He served with the 307th, field artillery 78th division, in the war.  Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Helen Rivers; his mother, Mrs. Cora Rivers; a son, Kenneth; two sisters, Mrs. Paul Chamberlain of Johnson City and Mrs. Frank Buckle of Oxford; and two brothers, Lawrence and Ray Rivers of Binghamton.  Funeral services were conducted at 8:15 a.m. at the home and at 8:50 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Tuesday, Nov. 26.  Burial was made in St. Agnes Cemetery, Syracuse. 

 

 

Bainbridge NY, North Main Street, early 1900s

North Main Street, Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY

Probably first decade of 1900s

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 24, 1872

 

Oxford

 

Continued from posting of August 31, 2017

 

Samuel Miles Hopkins was the first lawyer of the infant settlement.  He opened an office within two years after the advent of Judge Hovey, in 1791, and write the draft of this first legal document on the head of a barrel under a roof of poles, and in a rain storm from which he was only partially protected by a broad-brimmed hat.

 

Nathaniel Locke represented the county in the Legislature on 1810, and was an estimable and enterprising citizen.

 

David Prentice succeed to the Principalship of the Oxford Academy, about the year 1821, and remained in charge of the institution for several years.  He was an excellent man, and thoroughly versed in Scholastic lore.  Among the pupils of the Academy, during his Principalship--many of them boarders in his own amiable family--were John W. Allen, formerly member of Congress, and the first mayor of Cleveland, Ohio; John Clapp of Binghamton; Daniel H. Marsh, of Oswego; William W. Dean, of New York; ex-Governor Horatio Seymour then of Onondaga county; Ward Hunt, of Utica; ex-Judge of the Court of Appeals, William M. Fenton; ex-Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, then of Norwich, Joseph G. Marten; ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of Buffalo, Henry W. Rogers of Buffalo; Henry R. Mygatt, and Charles Oscar Tracy, of Oxford; William M. Patterson, of Greene; Nelson K. Wheeler, of Delaware; Erasmus D. Robinson and William Whitney, of Binghamton; George Clark, of Otsego; Reuben Tower, of Oneida; Nelson B. Hale, of Norwich; and myself.  Among the earlier graduates of the institution were Richard Morris, of Otsego; Richard W. Juliand, of Bainbridge; Samuel Miles Tracy, of Ohio; Charles F.T. Locke, of Oxford; Henry Stephens, of Cortland; Gurdon Hewitt, of Owego; Lyman Balcom, of Stuben; and Roswell Judson, ex-first judge and Surrogate of Chenango. After the retirement of Mr. Prentice, Daniel H. Marsh occupied the position of Principal for a brief period, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Edward Andrews, formerly of Norwich, William D. Beattie, and Merrit G. McKown, when the institution was transferred in 1854, to its present site, on the east side of Fort Hill square, in a new and tasteful building erected for the purpose.

 

On the occasion of the sixteenth [sic*] anniversary of its foundation, and in view of the completion of the new edifice, a jubilee celebration was held at the Academy and Presbyterian church, on the 1st and 2d of August, 1854, by its former and present teachers, students, trustees and patrons.  Addresses were delivered on the evening of the first by Henry R. Mygatt, and Henry W. Rogers, of Buffalo; a dedicatory sermon preached by the Rev. George Richards, of Boston, formerly a student in the Institution and an ode, written b y the Rev. Daniel Washburn sung.  On the second in the large area in front of the Academy, an ode, written by Miss Lucy A. Balcom, was sung; a historical discourse delivered by William H. Hyde, an oration pronounced by the Hon. Ward Hunt, of Utica, a student of 1822; a poem read by the Rev. Roswell Park, DD, President of Racine college, Wisconsin, a student in 1825; another ode, written by Dr. Washburn sung, when the exercises at the Academy were closed.  A procession was then formed, and marched to an arbor on Washington Square, where a sumptuous dinner was partaken by nearly five hundred guests.  Appropriate addresses and speeches were made by Judge Rogers, who presided, Henry Stephens, of Cortland, a student of 1807, Lieut. Gov. Tracy, Henry Van Der Lyn, Esq, the Rev. Dr. Edward Andrews, and Senator Daniel S. Dickinson, of Binghamton, Judge Charles Mason, of Hamilton, Daniel H. Marsh, of Oswego, a student in 1821, William Stuart, Esq., and Edward Tompkins, of Binghamton, the latter of whom read a facetious but will written poem, descriptive of several of the more prominent graduates of the institution.  The exercises here concluded with a brief speech from Merit G. McKoon, the Principal of the Academy, in response to a complimentary sentiment.  Letters expressive of regret for inability to attend on this festive occasion, were read by Mr. Mygatt, from John L. Newcomb, Esq., of Syracuse, David Prentice, L.L.D., of Geneva, former Principal of the Institution, the Hon. John W. Allen, of Ohio, John Clapp, Esq., of Binghamton, the Rev. George R.H. Shumway, of Wayne county, Gov. Horatio Seymour, of Utica, A.R. Corbin and S.S. Randall, of New York, former pupils.

*The school was established in 1794.  Therefore this was the celebration of its 60th anniversary.

 

To be continued

Obituaries (September 1)

Genevieve (Carpenter) Stratton

1876* - 1940

Mrs. Genevieve C. Stratton, widow of the late Carroll I. Stratton, passed away at her home on Chenango street Wednesday morning, April 24, after a long period of ill health caused by heart disease.  Funeral services will be held at the Seymour Funeral Home, Friday afternoon, April 26, at 2 o'clock.  The Rev. James E. Mahagan will officiate and burial will be made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Stratton was born at German [Chenango Co., NY], May 27, 1876, the daughter of George W. and Lydia Rathbun Carpenter.  She graduated from Waterville High School and taught school for several terms before her marriage to Mr. Stratton, Dec. 2, 1896.  Since then she has always lived in Oxford.  For many years she conducted the Stratton Hat Shop on Navy Island and did a thriving business, which she relinquished only when ill health forced her to discontinue.  She was a communicant of St. Paul's church, past matron of Lafayette Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and a member of the Oxford Garden Club.  Surviving is one son, C. Vernon Stratton, of Oxford; two brothers, Fayette Carpenter of Rhinebeck and George Carpenter of Norwich, and one sister, Mrs. Ida Totman of Waterville.  [Note:  Tombstone in Riverview says she was born in 1872].

Eva (Tuttle) Ingersoll
1854 - 1940

West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Eva Ingersoll, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Sanders Tuttle, passed away Tuesday night at eight o'clock, at the home of her son, Ellis, in Coventry township [Chenango Co., NY].  She was born at Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], May 26, 1854, and was twice married, the last marriage taking place at her home in Ouaquaga in the year 1886.  From here she went with her husband to the old homestead and lived with his parents and tenderly cared for them and her mother also during their last days.  Several years after the death of their parents they moved to the Cordon Burlison farm.  After the death of her husband less than two years ago she made her home with her son, Ellis, where she was cared for until the end, although she had been in ill health all winter, she was able to be around the house most of the time and her death came as a shock to all.  Mrs. Ingersoll was baptized with her husband and joined the West Bainbridge Baptist church the 13th of May, 1888, and attended regularly until last fall when cold weather prevented.  She was a kind wife and mother, never complaining which made it very hard to determine the seriousness of her illness.  Mrs. Ingersoll is survived by the one son mentioned, two grandchildren, Otto M. Chase of Johnson City, and Mrs. Joseph Royer of Binghamton; three nephews and two nieces, Frank Tuttle of Salisbury, Maryland; Elmer of Philadelphia, Raymond Tuttle of West Colesville, Mrs. Harvey Aylesworth and Mrs. William Hinkley of Kattelville.  The many floral tributes played a silent part in the high esteem in which she was held.  The bearers at the funeral were her four  nephews and was held at Colwell Brothers Funeral Chapel in Bainbridge, Friday afternoon at two o'clock with the Rev. Z. James Hall of Coventry M.E. church officiating.  The body was placed in the vault and will be buried at West Bainbridge cemetery at a later date.

Robert Buckley Stratton

1868 - 1940

Robert Buckley Stratton died at his home on Taylor street, Thursday evening, May 14, at 7:30 o'clock after an illness of seven weeks.  Mr. Stratton was a son of Charles H. and Marion Buckley Stratton, whose parents were among the pioneer settlers in this locality.  He was born July 13, 1868, at the Stratton homestead south of the village and attended school in the district there and at Oxford Academy.  He then went to Cortland where he learned the machinist trade under Cooper Bros.  His marriage to Minnie E. Brown of Homer, occurred Jan. 26, 1893.  A short time later they returned to Oxford from where he was employed as stationary engineer for the Borden's Company at Mt. Upton, later being promoted to superintendent, and remaining in their employ until 1909.  During those years he had taken a Moody Bible course and also studied at the Practical Bible Training School in Binghamton.  In July 1909, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Stockton Baptist church where he was ordained, fulfilling a long cherished ambition and in this field he was most successful.  Following a severe illness he was obliged to relinquish this work and in December 1913, returned to his boyhood home.  I(n 1915 he accepted a clerkship in the Oxford postoffice under the regime of Jesse Jacobs and so remained in this position until 1934 when he reached the retirement age.  During these later years he had frequently supplied in various churches in this locality and made many warm friends.  He was most devoted to his family taking a keen interest in all their activities and enjoyed most having them with him.  Surviving is the widow, three daughters, Mrs. Robert J. Shader, of Norwich; Mrs. Herbert N. Griffin and Mrs. Floyd Cronk, and a son, Julian L. Stratton, all of Oxford, and two granddaughters, Ruth Griffin and Diane Shader, also two brothers, Judge Hubert C. and Vernon D. Stratton of Oxford. The funeral was held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home with Rev. Harlow Parsons of Johnstown, a lifelong friend, officiating.  Burial was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].  The bearers were his son, Julian Stratton, and his son-in-laws.

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph, March 18, 1863

TANNER:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 16, 1863, suddenly of inflammation of the bowels, Theodore G. Tanner, aged 51 years.

McINTOSH:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], March 6, 1863, Mr. Asa Dean McIntosh, aged 53 years.

MARVIN:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], March 11, 1863, Hermon [Marvin], son of Henry and Cynthia Marvin, aged 3 years and 5 months.

CAMPBELL:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], March 4, 1863, Charles W. [Campbell], son of Rufus and Lovina Campbell, aged 7 years, 5 months and 11 days.

CURLEY:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1863, Bridget Jane [Curley], daughter of John and Bridget Curley, aged 2 years, 7 months and 7 days.

BRETT:  At Willoughby Lake Co., Ohio, Dr. J.R. Brett, of  Mount Upton [Chenango Co., NY], Surgeon of the 7th N.Y.S.V., aged 28 years.

CHURCH:  At the Marine Hospital, New Orleans, Feb. 14, 1863, of typhoid fever, Corporal Frederick J. Church of Co. A, 114th Rev. N.Y.S.V. aged 30 years.

KETCHUM:  In Smithville Flats [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 6, 1863, John I. Ketchum, Esq., aged 37 years, 8 months and 13 days.

DYER:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], March 15, 1863, Mrs. Sally Dyer, widow of Nehemiah Dyer, aged 67 years.

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, April 24, 1872

 

Oxford

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys were first visited by a Theatrical Corps in the summer and winter of 1823-4.  My first introduction to the "Thespian Muse," with its foot lights, musical attractions, green curtain and "glorified sugar candy," was while a student at Oxford Academy.  In the huge "amorphous," barnlike, unpainted barracks, occupied as a Lancastrian School building, in those primitive days of the scholastic reign of Joseph Lancaster--situated between the store of Ira Willcox and the residence of Col. S.G. Throop on the west side of Fort Hill Square, were the stage and its gaudy decorations, temporarily fitted up for a week's campaign.  The "managers" as announced in the playbills, were Messrs. Gilbert and Trowbridge, and the "stock" actors consisted of those gentlemen and Messrs. Archibold and Clarendon, with Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. Trowbridge, who were understood to be sisters, and were certainly two lovely women and fair actresses. The play selected for the opening night, was the "Honey Moon," followed by a farce, and accompanied in the interval between the two by comic songs from Mr. Gilbert. This was succeeded on the following evenings by the tragedies of "Pizarro," "Douglas," "The Broken Sword" and "Othello."  This provincial corps made a tour during the succeeding autumn and winter, through the principal villages of the two Valleys, meeting with a very fair share of encouragement and success.

 

The impression which Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] made upon my mind at this time, and on subsequent visits long afterwards, was one of immense antiquity--extending far back into the remotest times--coeval at least with the England of the thirteenth and fourteenth century.  Everything about the quaint old village seemed ancient, finished, permanent and related to a dim, distant, shadowy past--a time of which "the memory of man runneth not to the contrary."  There was the old Bridge in the center, its planks worn, apparently with the footsteps of generations, Fort Hill Square, with its legendary lore of Indian warfare long centuries since, its venerable old church, with its perfect architecture, beautiful proportions, sweet toned bell, and ancient sexton--carrying the mind into the middle ages, its cool and shady aisles, well worn pews, simple reading desk and pulpit, and its saintlike pastor, the incarnation of St. Ambrose, St. Athanasins, or the "golden mouthed" Chrysostom, these, with the quiet lawns and abundant old trees, and shaded squares, where, as in the ancient quadrangles of Trinity College, Cambridge, in the days of Charles Lamb, one night "walk gowned" with the air of peace and repose which pervaded the atmosphere--so different from the noise and bustle and movement, and modern aspect of its sister villages, combined to fix permanently in my mind, the vivid conception of ancientry.  In passing from Norwich, Sherburne, New Berlin or Green, to Oxford, it seemed to me like the transition form the busy world, of trade, commerce, active enterprise, politics and amusement, to the cool and secluded alcoves of an ancient library, or the still and echoing recesses of some old time church or cathedral.  This impression, powerful and strong as it was, may have been deepened by an incident which occurred during one of the warmly contested general elections of that period.  John Tracy, of Oxford, was the democratic candidate for the Assembly, and his opponent was, I believe, John C. Clark, who, about that time had, with P. Sken Smith, P.M. DeZeng, and a few other prominent politicians, seceded form the Democratic ranks, and arrayed themselves on a "new departure" with the opposition.  An unusual political excitement prevailed over the entire county; public meetings were held, inflammatory hand-bills posted in every public place; express riders sent into every town and hamlet, as canvassers for votes, and no exertions spared by the friends of the respective candidates, to secure a final triumph.  A few days before the election, I accompanied my father and a few other of Judge Tracy's warm, political friends, to a public meeting held at Clark's Hotel in Oxford, in his interest.  On our arrival, we found a vast crowd assembled in front of the Hotel indulging in the most enthusiastic demonstrations of regard and respect for their honored fellow townsman; but he, himself, to our great disappointment, was not visible.  Desirous of a personal interview, my father and myself quietly separated ourselves from the crowd, and walked across the river to the residence of the popular candidate.  On entering, we were conducted to a small parlor, or drawing room, where we found the judge quietly seated, with his family around him, engaged in reading to them from some recent literary work.  He greeted us with his accustomed warmth and geniality, conversed upon a variety of indifferent topics, without the slightest allusion to the political [gathering] raging within a few rods of his home, and after spending a pleasant hour with himself and his interesting family, and partaking of a quiet luncheon, we returned, deeply and powerfully impressed by the calm dignity and unpretending equability and nobleness of his character.

 

The town of Oxford was originally a part of the township of Fayette, and in conjunction with an additional tract known as "The Gore"--in all about seven thousand acres--was purchased of the State at one of its earliest sales, in 1789, by Benjamin Hovey and Melancthon Smith, and incorporated in 1793, as one of the towns of Tioga County, from parts of Union and Jericho.  In 1791, Gen. Hovey moved into the place and built a log house on the present Fort Hill Square, on the site of the Fort Hill House, burned down in 1839, near the present or late residence of Nelson C. Chapman.  The only other residents of the town, were Elijah Blackman and James Phelps.  During that and the following years, Samuel and Francis Balcom, Eben Enos, John Bartle, John Chruch, Theodore Burr, Benjamin Loomis, Jonathan Baldwin, Uri Tracy, Anson Cary, James Padgett, Samuel Miles Hopkins, Benjamin Throop, Major Dan Throop, Jonathan Fitch, John McWhorter, Gershom Hyde, Peter Burget, Nathaniel Locke, and several other settlers made their appearance, a school was organized, an academy built on the present Washington Square, near the present or late residence of Joseph Walker, and incorporated by the Legislature in 1794, and the first town meeting held in the same year at the house of Gen. Hovey.  Uri Tracy was the first Principal of the Academy, and was succeeded in 1795, by Elisha Mosely.  In 1799, a new building was erected near the present or late residence of Frederick A. Sands, but was destroyed by fire in that or the succeeding year.  A third edifice was erected in 1801, which, in 1803, was removed to the old Academy lot, nearly opposite the residence of the late Henry Van Derlyn.

 

General Hovey procured from the State legislature, at an early period after his settlement in Oxford, the construction of a road, known as the old State Road, from the Unadilla River to Cayuga Lake, and was one of the representatives of the county in the Legislature, and a judge of the County Court in 1798.

 

The services of Judge Uri Tracy, as the first Sheriff and Clerk of the county, its representative in Congress for three successive terms, and subsequently as first judge of the county court and Surrogate, have already been adverted to.  He was a man of great force of character, unassuming and popular manners, high scientific attainments, and unimpeachable integrity.  Judge Cary also filled several county offices, with credit and the public approbation.  The two brothers Balcom were highly respectable farmers and business men, resided on a large farm two miles above the present village of Oxford, and transmitted their energy and capacity to their descendants, among whom have since been two representatives in the Legislature, and one of the most distinguished and respected jurists of the highest State court--the Hon. Ransom Balcom, now and for more than ten years past, a Judge of the Supreme Court, for the district of which the country of Chenango forms a part.

 

To be continued

Obituaries (August 31)

Edson Harris

Chenango Telegraph, March 18, 1863

Edson Harris, formerly of Gilbertsville [Otsego Co., NY], and well known in this vicinity, but latterly of Lacrosse, Wis., and a member of the 1st Wisconsin Battery, died in camp before Vicksburg in February last of measles.  His Captain in communicating his death to his mother says--"His death to us is a severe stroke, as he had all the qualities of a good soldier and none better than Edson Harris.  His memory is indelibly written on our hearts, and though the changing scenes of the tended field might cause us to forget many things of great interest, yet the name of Edson Harris will long be remembered when this command is disbanded and many a battlefield forgotten.  He was buried with the honors of war, covered with the same flag whose folds he had marched under, both in the field of battle, and at his late home, Lacrosse.  He was engaged in both battles, "Chickasaw Bayou" and "Arkansas Post," and although under a most galling fire seemed to fear no danger.   His grave is opposite the mouth of Yazoo River about one-fourth mile west of the west bank of the Mississippi River.  The spot is marked with a neat epitaph upon the head board of his last resting place, and will not be obliterated for many years."

 

George Cannon

Chenango Telegraph, March 25, 1863

CANNON:  At his father's residence, in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], March 7, 1863, Mr. George Cannon, aged 23 years.  At the call of his country the deceased enlisted into Capt. D.D. Bullock's Co., 114th Regiment, N.Y.S.V.  He performed the duties of a soldier faithfully and well, until his Regiment reached Fortress Monroe, where he sickened and was sent to the Chesapeake General Hospital, where he was cared for until the last of January.  When by the effort of friends he was granted a furlough, and a physician sent down to see him, who succeeded in returning him to the home of his childhood.  Here the flickering lamp of life continued to burn for about five weeks, and was quenched by the cold finger of death, to be lighted more gloriously in his dwelling place of life evermore.  George bore his sufferings which seemed to be all that flesh is heir to, with a fortitude worthy of the martyr to the good cause, for which he laid down his life.  He murmured not, and was thankful beyond expression that he lived to reach home, where the kind care of those who loved him smoothed the rough road to the gate of death.  He won no honors upon the battle fields of his country, but in all the mortal strife he manifested the true spirit of Christian meekness, and having illustrated in every particular that--

" 'Tis sweet,

Oh, 'tis sweet for our country to die."

 

Retta L. Finch

Chenango Telegraph, February 25, 1875

FINCH:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 21, 1875, Retta L., wife of John B. Finch, aged 23 years.  An exemplary daughter, a loving wife and Christian teacher has been suddenly called from her work on earth to rest in heaven.  Mrs. Finch commenced teaching school at the early age of fifteen and until her marriage was engaged both summer and winter in her chosen vocation and the love with which she is universally regarded by her pupils is evidence of her rare fitness to instruct the young.  After her marriage she spent one summer at Deposit, N.Y., in attending school and then with renewed zeal she assumed charge of the primary department of Smyrna Union School and afterwards of the Graded School at New Woodstock, N.Y., where her husband was principal, in each position winning many true and lasting friends who mourn her loss as a treasure not to be replaced, but though cut down at noon day the morning of her life had been well spent and many shall point with love to her kind counsel and instructions as the cause of their success in life, and then when their work is done shall turn with unfaltering faith to her services promises and meet her in heaven.  Truly the commendation of "Well done good and faithful servant" is merited.

 

Sally Rogers

Chenango Telegraph, February 25, 1875

ROGERS:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 16th, of heart disease, Mrs. Sally Rogers, aged 72 years.

 

Bainbridge Republican, February 20, 1875

Mrs. Alphonzo Rogers was found dead in her bed on Tuesday morning at half-past one.  She had been sick for a number of days but on the night previous to her death was much better.  She retired between nine and ten o'clock, her husband occupying the same bed.  Immediately on retiring she asked for a piece of maple sugar, which was given her.  She then fell asleep and the family retired.  About half past one her husband awoke and found her cold in death by his side.  The piece of maple sugar not wholly dissolved had fallen from her mouth and lay on the pillow by her side.  Mrs. Rogers was one of the early settlers of the town, a lady of true Christian character beloved, and respected by all who knew her.  Though called suddenly away, she had lived to see her family grown up to useful and respected men and women.---The Ville

 

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph, March 25, 1863

 

JOHNSON:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Mar. 13, 1863, Ann Eliza [Johnson], eldest daughter of  Mr. Henry Johnson, aged 9? years and 3 months.

 

OTIS:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Mar. 15, 1863, Mary [Otis] wife of Rev. Ashbel Otis, Pastor of the Congregational Church, aged 62 years.

 

PARTRIDGE:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Mar. 15, 1863, Mr. Avery B. Partridge, aged 47 years.

 

TURNER: In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1863, Mr. Ethan Turner, aged 81 years.

 



Chenango & Unadilla Valleys 50 years ago

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

by S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, May 8, 1872

Coventry

 

Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the west of Bainbridge and east of Greene, was taken from the latter town in 1806.  The Eastern part, adjoining Bainbridge was patented by the State in 1787 to Robert Harper, and the western included in the patent to Walter Livingston, granted in 1788.  The first settlement, according to Mr. Childs, was made near the center of the town, in 1785, by Simon Jones.  A Mr. Goodell and Mr. Clark settled near Mr. Jones in 1786, and Benjamin Jones in the same locality, in 1788.  Ozias Yale and William Starks located a little north of Coventry, in 1792; Elijah Warren within the present boundaries of the town in 1804, and Moses Allis, Roger Edgerton, and Ziba Hutchinson, soon after.  The first birth was that of William Allis, son of Moses Allis, in 1794; the first marriage, that of Simeon Parker to Polly Sprague, and the first death, that of a son of Roger Edgerton, in 1790.  Sherman Page, future king of Unadilla, and Grand Sachem of the "Oxford Chase," taught the first school; Benjamin Jones kept the first inn in 1788; and Jothan Packer opened the first store in 1799, and erected the first grist-mill in 1795.  The first carding and cloth-dressing establishment was opened by A. and W.H. Rogers, at about the same time.

 

The early settlers of Coventry were from New England, and though not connected with any established church, listened to the primitive and fervent preaching of Good old Elder Camp, until 1807, when a church was organized under the auspices of the Rev. David Harmon, or Harrower, as given by Hotchins, in his "History of the Presbyterian Church in Western New York." 

 

General Jones & Judge Rouse

 

A very characteristic and amusing story was told fifty years since, of Gen. Jones in connection with Judge Casper M. Rouse, of Norwich, which I give for what it is worth; albeit not quite so well authenticated as the famous "certificate" alluded to by my friend "J.C." as to the patent medicine known as "Root's Ointment," which the worthy judge pompously declared he has used in his own family for seven years, and could, therefore, speak ex cathedra.  (Perhaps, likewise, brother "J.C." would be pleased to have some light thrown on the dark, interminable and stormy interview between Judge Rouse and a worthy conductor of the "Eagle," after a pleasant evening spent within that hostelry, while "pitchforks" rained without).  At present, however, we have reference to an incident said to have occurred about the year 1806, when Judge Rouse represented in part, the Western District in the State Senate, and Gen. Jones the County, in the lower branch.  In these primitive times, a journey from the Chenango Valley to Albany was a formidable undertaking, and economical considerations by no means out of place. The worthy Judge was, however, not insensible of the superior dignity of his official position as a grave and revered Senator, upon whom all eyes in the rural districts were naturally turned, and as his good friend, Gen. Jones, of Coventry, and himself, were bound to the same goal, and must, of course, be equally desirous with himself, to avoid all unnecessary expenditure in the long journey before them, the Senator, with great hospitality, invited him to dine with him at his residence in Norwich, on his way to the Capitol, and availed himself of the occasion, to lay before him the plan of the campaign.  The Judge, it seemed, was a passionate admirer of the dish commonly known as "pork and beans," and having great abundance of that savory material on hand, specially prepared for the purpose, appraised his visitor of his intention to store in the recesses of his sleigh, a quantum sufficit for their mutual refreshment during the rest of the journey, which they were to perform in company, it being, however, expressly agreed and understood between the high contracting parties, that at each public house on the route, in which they should stop to dine, they should appear as entire strangers to each other--that the General should quietly produce his savory store of pork and beans, and commence its demolition, while the Judge, in the intervals of affable and condescending conversation with the inmates of the public room, should congratulate his worthy friend on his primitive meal, and its appetizing fragrance, who, on his part, should, in a friendly manner, invite him to participate in its enjoyment, an invitation with which after a little "slow, reluctant, amorous delay," he was graciously to accept.  They had not proceeded far on their course, when towards the close of an inclement day, they entered separately a public house, in the bar room of which a large crowd was assembled, enjoying the warmth of the large, open fireplace, and among them several distinguished acquaintances of the Senator's.  Familiar converse, of course, ensued, and the evening was passing away pleasantly, and rapidly.  Gen. Jones, in the mean time, entered the public room, quietly helped himself to a spare table and comfortable chair, produced, in grave silence, his well-filled knapsack, with abundant store of pork and beans, and incontinently fell to, with an appetite sharpened by his long day's ride, and the inclemency of the weather. The worthy Judge from time to time case significant glances in the direction of his companion, and with watering mouth and terrific appetite, contrived to detach himself from his distinguished friends, and in a dignified manner, walked past the table at which the General was seated, inhaled the pleasant odor of the savory meal, and ineffectually sought his friend's distant recognition.  The General, however, appeared to be far too deeply interested in his own thoughts and agreeable occupation, to notice the hints and innuendoes of his Senatorial Friend. The Judge, becoming more and more impatient of the long delay, and feeling more and more intensely the craving of his inner man, and the melancholy void in his capacious stomach, audibly repeated his broad hints, to the wonder and surprise of his distinguished friends, who appeared to regard it as a pleasant joke of the facetious Senator's.  The General stolidly pursued his ravages on the forage so liberally provided by his colleague, without in any manner recognizing his palpable maneuvers. Finally, the Judge, in utter desperation, ventured upon a bold flank movement.  "My worthy friend," he pompously declaimed, in the general hearing, "you seem to be enjoying your somewhat coarse meal, with an astonishing appetite, induced, in all probability sir, by the sharpness of the atmosphere without."  No reply.  The judge, after taking a few more turns, returned to the charge.  Clearing his parched throat with a stentorian effort, he again gave tongue "He-em!  He-em! my good friend, the savor of your primitive dish is really not unpleasant to my nostrils and although I have dined some hours since, I think, upon my work, I could partake of a small bit with you, if agreeable, sir to yourself."  "Fall to!  Fall to Judge Rouse" roared the General with a hearty laugh; "Fall to, out with your knife and fork, it's all your own you know." and the discomfited judge sat down amid the irrepressible roar of the amazed and delighted audience.

 

Poor, dear, old Judge Rouse.  Much abused, calumniated, befogged, traduced and vilified--the hero of many an ancient legend of sixty years since--yet, at heart, simple-minded, worthy, just, benevolent--if, withal, somewhat pompous and self conceited--entrusted by his fellow citizens with the highest offices and public trusts within their gift--an upright magistrate--an incorruptible Senator--and an enterprising, public-spirited citizen.  Those "high jokes" of sixty years ago, were, after all, if not wholly commendable, pardonable indulgencies of pioneer life--"that gave delight and hurt not," and what, with those high pretentions of the good old judge--the manifold temptations to which he was constantly exposed--his futile efforts at self-vindication--the worrying of eminent counsel--the jibes and jeers of the ignorant and vulgar herd--and the practical jokes of his witty associates--to say nothing of that "seven years" campaign against "all the ills which flesh is heir to."  I fear his couch wasn't altogether one of rose leaves.  Peace to his memory.  I recall his venerable image, as he sat on  the front porch of his ancient mansion, on the sandy hill, overlooking the clear waters of the Canasawacta, with their long stretch of green meadow on the one hand, and the solemn, peaceful, quiet shades of the village burying ground on the other; surrounded by his blooming, hearty, healthy and happy family--his boys, Austin, Melancthon, and the rest, my own daily schoolmates; and with all his eccentricities, faults and follies, I revere his sturdy, uncompromising honesty, and the fidelity with which, in those early days, he sought to discharge the high and honorable trusts confided to him!

 



Obituaries (August 31)

C. Linn Stone

1882 - 1940

 

C. Linn Stone, senior member of the firm of Stone & Munyan,, clothiers of Oxford and Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and one of Oxford's foremost businessmen for more than a quarter of a century, died Monday at 11 a.m. after a 11-day illness of pneumonia.  Mr. Stone was stricken with pneumonia Thursday night, Jan. 11 and his condition was considered serious from the start.  While the pneumonia condition was soon relieved, it was impossible to clear up the toxic poisoning which followed.

 

He was born May 23, 1882, on the Stone farm on East Hill, the son of Charles M. and Ada Smith Stone.  His father was supervisor for the town of Oxford for two terms and was the first county superintendent of Highways in Chenango county.

 

His grandmother, Mrs. Joshua Stone, was a Baptist minister and preached for nearly 50 years.  She often conducted services in the Free Will Baptist Church at East Oxford, known as the Basswood Meeting House.  The original Stone farm was that now [in 1940] owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Meek, the house which burned only a few weeks ago.  This property remained in the Stone family for over a hundred years.

 

Mr. Stone attended the district school on East Hill and the school in Oxford for a short time and completed his education in the Williston Seminary near Boston.  His first position was in the department store of the Chapman & Turner Company at Norwich which he was forced to relinquish after several years on account of ill health.  He remained on his father's farm for over a year recuperating and then bought out the W.A. Bentley Insurance Agency in this village, the name of which he changed to the C.L. Stone Agency.  This agency he continued until in 1938 when he sold it to Charles J. Parker.

 

His automobile business was freely developing in Oxford shortly before the World War and Mr. Stone began to sell cars about 1915 along with his insurance business.  In 1917, he and Charles J. Parker organized the Oxford Motor Sales, Inc. and took over the garage facing Taylor street, now [in 1940] owned by Samuel Jones of Norwich and operated by Ray Roney.  Here they developed one of the most flourishing automotive businesses in the county, handling Hudson-Essex, Packard, Willis-Overland cars and White and Indiana trucks.  One year, 175 new cars and trucks were sold by this concern.  In 1925 this company was transferred to the Rife Motor Sales and the business moved to Norwich.

 

Mr. Stone then went back to his insurance business which he continued until 1934 when he and Clarence Munyan leased the Corner Store on Navy Island formerly occupied by the Baldwin Company and later by Fred A. Herrick, and started a new Men's clothing store.  The success of this venture was immediate and only last summer the firm purchased the clothing business of Merrill & Aldrich at Norwich, bought the stock of the Ray Oakley estate, combined the two and opened a second store in that city at the Merrill & Aldrich location.  Mr. Stone remained to manage the Oxford store and Mr. Munyan took over the new store.

 

Mr. Stone was a charter member and past president of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, an organization in which he has taken an active part since its formation in 1929.  He was president in 1936-37 and had been chairman of the retail merchants' committee for several years, and was a member of that committee this year.  He was also a charter member of the Oxford Rotary club and served as president for one term, although not a member at the time of his death.  He at one time held memberships in the Oxford Masonic lodge and Oxford Chapter and was a past master of the lodge.

 

Mr. Stone served on the board of education for many years before the formation of the central district and when the present district was approved, he was one of the village members to be retained on the new five-man board.  The problem of a new school was the most important before the board and Mr. Stone was chosen chairman of the building committee.  He spent the greater part of two years on the plans and construction of the present school and probably had more to do with the excellency of the present school plan than any one on the board.  His name, with the other members of the board at that time, is raised in relief on a bronze plate in the front hall of the building.

 

During his entire business career in this community Mr. Stone was an active worker for community advancement, and few indeed, have been the community projects undertaken here which have not benefited from his splendid judgment and his energetic support.

 

He leaves a widow and two daughters, Miss Thelma Stone of Syracuse, and Miss Jessie Stone of Oxford; also one sister, Mrs. Irving McNitt of Arkport.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Methodist church with the Rev. Frederick Connell officiating.  Burial was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, NY]. Oxford business places were closed during the services.  Bearers were Charles J. Parker, Jesse Jacobs, Carl Emerson, Hugh Shepard, Clarence Munyan of Oxford, and Everett Barnes of Binghamton.

 

Anna (Van Wagenen) Estelow

1869 - 1940

Mrs. Anna Van Wagenen Estelow, aged 71 years, wife of Jared C. Estelow, passed away at her home on Fort Hill Park [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], Thursday evening after an illness of seven months.  Mrs. Estelow was the daughter of James G. and Mary Millard Van Wagenen and was born in Oxford Feb. 20, 1869.  She graduated from Oxford Academy and for several years following was organist at St. Paul's church and active in musical circles in Oxford for the greater part of her life.  She and Mr. Estelow were married July 14, 1891, and they have always made their home here.  Mrs. Estelow was an active worker in the Ladies' Village Improvement Society and served as treasurer of that organization for many years.  She was also a member of the Travelers' Club, the Grange and the Congregational church.  During her life she gave unstintingly of her time and talents for the upkeep of the church and Sunday School and was likewise active in many movements sponsored by the community for the betterment of Oxford.  She is survived by her husband, one son, Van, and three grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth, Phyllis and Paul, all of Oxford.  Funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock,.  The Rev. Howard F. Deller, D.D., of the Congregational church officiated and interment was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, NY].  Honorary bearers were A.S. Burchard, H.C. Stratton, V.D. Stratton, D.H. Loomis, Dr. C.E. Thompson, J.L. Harrison, R.H. Baldwin and S.S. Hale.  Active bearers were Hubert Emerson, Van Burchard, Lyle Preston, Donald Morse, Arthur Harrison and Leon Cowles.

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, September 30, 1875

 

FOOT:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 23, Leonard Foot, aged 84 years.

 

BALDWIN:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] Sept. 25, Thomas Baldwin, aged 70 years.

 

HICKOK:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 25, Mrs. Fanny Hickok, aged 76 years.

 

DODGE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 21, Cora [Dodge], daughter of Charles Dodge, aged 5 months.

 

WALKER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 25, Merrit O. [Walker], son of Willard & Hannah Walker, aged 5 years.

Obituaries (August 29)

Sarah Linn (Washburn) Loomis Wilcox

1886 - 1938

Sarah Linn Wilcox, 55 Years old, died, Thursday, at her home in the town of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  She is survived by her husband, Leroy Wilcox; four sons, Wayne Loomis, of Frankfort; Ray, Jesse and Kenneth Loomis, of Oxford; a daughter, Mrs. Stanley Haynes of Afton; five brothers, George Washburn, of Greene; R.D. Washburn, of Oxford; William and Adelbert Washburn of South New Berlin, and John Pearsal, of Cooperstown; a sister, Mrs. Orin Parks, of Chenango Forks, and three grandchildren, Donald and Irene Loomis, of Oxford, and Mary Haynes of Afton.

 

Christopher Schweitzer

1872 - 1939

The community was shocked to learn of the death of Christopher Schweitzer, Monday morning, November 20, at 11 o'clock, at his home in Yaleville [Chenango Co., NY].  Taken with a heart attack in the early morning as he was doing chores, he retired to the house, and Dr. Young, of Sidney, was called. While seeming to rest quietly as the family believed, he passed on.  Mr. Schweitzer had always enjoyed the best of health.  He had acted as one of the bearers at the late Franck C. Smith funeral the Saturday previous.  Thus his sudden passing came as a terrific shock to his family and friends.  He was born in the city of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], December 31, 1873.  He was the son of Eva (Voltz) and Martin Schweitzer.  Sixty years of his life have been spent in this community.  Mr. Schweitzer was a very successful dairy farmer.  His wife, Josie Schweitzer, survives, also a sister, Mrs. Edward Hatton, of Guilford, and a brother, George.  Final rites were held Wednesday afternoon from the Center church, at 2 o'clock, the Rev. R. Gamewell officiating. Burial was in the Yaleville Cemetery.  In the death of Chris Schweitzer, Guilford loses a fine Christian man and citizen, and a kindly neighbor.

 

Clarence Youngs

1891 - 1939

The community was shocked by the death of Clarence Youngs, of North Afton [Chenango Co., NY], a popular farmer of that section who died last Wednesday evening, November 29.  Mr. Youngs died following an attack of pneumonia and leaves a wife and ten children.  He was born in Port Dickinson and has lived in the vicinity of Afton for a number of years.  Besides his wife he is survived by the following children:  Roland, of Endicott; Eric, Vivian, Clarence, Thurston, Mary, Eileen, Martha, George and Patricia. The little girl, Eileen, is quarantined with scarlet fever.  Funeral services will be held at the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock and will be private. The Rev. S. Jones will officiate. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].

 

Rowena (Beebe) Holdridge

1870 - 1940

Mrs. Lester R. Holdridge, aged 69 years, died at her home in this village Monday night at 11:40.  She had been in poor health for five years and confined to her bed since last July.  Mrs. Holdridge was born at McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], June 22, 1870, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leander Beebe.  Following her graduation from the old Oxford Academy, she taught school for several years. She was united in marriage December 23, 1896, to Lester R. Holdridge of McDonough and after residing there for 32 years, they moved to Oxford where they have made their home for the past 11 years.  Mrs. Holdridge was a member of the McDonough Methodist church and transferred that membership to the Oxford Methodist church upon moving here, and has taken an active part in all church activities as long as her health permitted.  Besides her husband, she is survived by three children, Floyd Holdridge of Poughkeepsie, Stuart Holdridge and Mrs. John Barnes of Oxford. Another son, Ross B., died in training at Newport, R.I., during the world war.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Carlin, Camilla and Jack, children of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes; Josephine and Barbara, children of Mr. and Mr. Stuart Holdridge and Prudence and David, children of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Holdridge of Poughkeepsie,  A private funeral service will be held from the Seymour Funeral Home Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock.  The Rev. Fred Connell will officiate and burial will be made in the McDonough Union cemetery.

Obituaries (August 28)

Jennie Lathrop

1848 - 1939

Mrs. A. Jennie Lathrop, 91 years old, died Sept. 15 at the home of her son, Melrose Lathrop, in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].  Mrs. Lathrop had been in poor health for some time. She was a former resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Surviving are her son, Melrose Lathrop of Binghamton, and three nephews, Sebert Hollenbeck and Robert Banner of Bainbridge, and the Rev. Howard Wilbridge, and the Rev. Howard Willard of Skinner's Eddy, Pa.

 

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 21, 1939

Mrs. R. Jennie Lathrop, 91 years old, former resident of Bainbridge and widow of Lyman M. Lathrop, died September 13, 1939, at the home of her son, Melrose Lathrop, at 264 Conklin avenue, Binghamton.  The body was removed to Colwell Brothers' Funeral Chapel, where the funeral was held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Howard Willets, of Skinner's Eddy, officiating.  Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY]. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Josephine Ensworth, Seranton, Pa., and Mrs. Elizabeth Willets, of Skinner's Eddy, a brother, Henry C. Banner, Boone, Iowa, and a grandson, Lyman Stuart, Binghamton.

 

Andrew D. Mead

1879 - 1939

Andrew D. Mead, aged 60 years, passed away at the Chenango Memorial Hospital [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], October 6, following an illness of several weeks of heart disease.  Mr. Mead was born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], May 29, 1879, the son of Henry and Hulda Copely Mead.  He married Emma Wilcox, who survives him, together with two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Spina of Towanda, Pa., and Mrs. Melvin Trine of Oxford.  Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Cora Rivers and Mrs. Arthur Palmer of Oxford, and four grandchildren.  Mr. Mead spent the greater part of his life in the employ of the Borden Company and only a few years ago was pensioned and retired by that concern.  He was a member of the Oxford Hook & Ladder company. 

 

Charles Hanson Goodwin

1939

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Charles Hanson [Goodwin], infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Goodwin of Guilford, passed away at the Emo Jere Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Monday evening, in Cooperstown, October 2, following a short illness of acute meningitis.  Funeral services were held at the home Friday afternoon.  The Rev. Theodore Hubbard, assisted by Mrs. Hubbard and her sister of New Berlin, conducted the services.  Interment was made in the Oxford cemetery [Chenango Co., NY].  The floral offerings, carried by Dorothy Pfell and Alliene Hoy, were many and beautiful. 

 

Late Monday afternoon, October 2, occurred the death of Charles, the five-week old son of Charles and Palma Goodwin.  The baby passed away at the Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY], where he had been a patient since Saturday.  The exact cause of his death was not fully ascertained. Everything that medical science could do for the little lad was done, but to no avail.  In the beginning of his illness, acute meningitis set in, and complications followed.  To the bereaved parents, who were privileged to have the little child with them so brief a time, our sincere sympathy is extended.  Services were held from the Goodwin home Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. T. Hubbard, of new Berlin, officiating.  Burial was in the family plot at Oxford.  Mrs. Theodore Hubbard and Miss Lulu Crispell rendered one selection.

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, September 23, 1875

 

WOLCOTT:  In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 6, Mr. Nelson Wolcott, aged 66 years.

 

LLOYD:  In South Edmeston [Otsego Co.., NY], Aug. 30, Edna [Lloyd], wife of William Lloyd aged 71 years.

 

NORRIS:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 16, Hannah [Norris] widow of the late Daniel Norris, aged 81 years.

 

DAVIS:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 18, Celinda [Davis] widow of the late S.H. Davis, aged 67 years.

 

SCHROM:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 17, Mr. Hiram Schrom.

 

WALKER:  In Clayton, Mich., Sept. 7, Mrs. Mary Walker, aged 73 years, widow of the late Joseph Walker, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

 

SHERWOOD:  In Lanesboro, Pa., July 30, Harriet Elizabeth [Sherwood], widow of Avery T. Sherwood, daughter of E.M. West, M.D. aged 43 years 6 months.

 

McQUEEN:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 15, Howard [McQueen], son of Wm. and Alice McQueen aged 3 months 15 days.

 

 

 

 

Post Listing August 21-27, 2017

Listing of blog postings for the week of August 21-27, 2017.

Marriages

Posted August 25, 2017

Mary E. Gridley - William H. Bartholomew  (1883)

Helen Grace Macdonald - Milo E. Thompson (1925)

Marriage Notices

     Addison Patrick - Eliza Wilson (1832)

     George Winsor - Almira Munroe (1832)

     Sherman A. McCullough - Harriet Vanette Powers (1840)

     Horace S. Beardsley - Clarissa D. Paine (1840)

     Alanson S. Crumb - Finette S. Problrt (1840)

     Marcius P. Harrington - Lois M. Murdock (1840)

     Ferdinand K. Godard - Amanda Perry (1856)

     George P. Cady, M.D. - Susan Platt (1856)

     Ziba Evans - Emeline Lamb (1856)

     George Lamb - Emily Pitcher (1856)

     Seymour E. Spencer - Theresa F. Ward (1856)

     John F. Hill - Mary A. Gross (1859)

     George Thompson - Mary A. Reed (1859)

     Thomas P. Steere - Sarah Spafford (1859)

     G.E. Champlin - Amanda Miller (1859)

     Nathaniel Bryan - Esther Ann Puitr (1859)

     Orrin W. Terry - Hattie K. Saunders (1876)



 

Obituaries

Posted August 21, 2017

Alice Mary Hatten (Guilford, 1927)

Ina A. (Lawton) Kingsley (Oxford, 1927)
Margaret Yale McCall (Oxford, 1927)  infant
Beatrice Eleanor Suitor (Queenstown, Alberta, Canada, 1927)  infant
Christiana (Dodge) Shepard (Oxford, 1927)
Joseph R. Downey (Preston, 1927)
Dorothy Livingston (Afton, 1927)  child

Posted August 22, 2017
Girard Smith (Norwich, 1840)  child
V. Barrett (NYC, Homer, 1840)  suicide
Alice (Wilcox) Wavle (Oxford, 1927)
Elzada Ireland (West Bainbridge, 1928)
Hattie Fisher (Oxford, 1928)
Death Notices
     Lawrence D. Clarke (Berkshire, 1928)
     Harriet Platt Sanford (Norwich, 1840)  child
     A. Eliza Fletcher (Preston, 1840)
     Lafayette York (Norwich, 1840)  child

Posted August 23, 2017
Anna Robinson Ingraham (Oxford, 1928)
John H. Petley (Bainbridge, Rockdale, 1939)
Stephen Homa (Richfield Springs, 1943)  shooting accident
Horace Merithew (Rockdale, 1897)
William W. Sackett (Rockdale, 1897)

Posted August 24, 2017
Carrie Lynn Parker (Bainbridge, Oxford, 1940)
Thomas J. Rice (Oxford, 1939)
William Donald Burchard (Oxford, 1939)
Raymond Cooper (Oxford, 1939)  car/motorcycle accident

Posted August 26, 2017
Huldah Slosson (Pitcher, 1860)
Joseph Henry Moore (Norwich, 1860)
Siley Evans (Plymouth, 1860)
Death Notices - 1860
     Ephraim P. Eldridge (Lincklaen)
     Clifford B. Watrous (Greene)
     Charles Burroughs (Greene)
     Thomas Johnson (Greene)
     David Hungerford (Coventry)
     Byron Frink Harrington (New Berlin)

Posted August 27, 2017
-?- Mix  (Smithville Flats, 1860)  Suspected murder
Lathrop Rosbrook (North Norwich, 1860)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted August 26, 2017

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago, S.S. Randall (written in 1872) - Bainbridge

Posted August 27, 2017, 2017
The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago, S.S. Randall (written in 1872) - Afton, Joe Smith

Obituaries (August 27)

-?- Mix

Chenango Telegraph, February 8, 1860

A Mystery Unraveled -  A Murder Not a Murder

Many of our readers will remember an excitement which prevailed in this vicinity some fifteen years since occasioned by a report that a man named Mix had been murdered a short distance above Smithville Flats [Chenango Co., NY].  The facts were that Mix had been to this village with a load of flour which he sold and started on his return to his home which was in Locke, Cayuga County.  Mix did not return home, but his wagon and horses were found in the road somewhere near Smithville Flats.  Every circumstance conspired to convey the idea that he had been murdered for his money.  The whole community turned out in a vain and fruitless search for the body of the supposed murdered man.  Woods and swamps were searched, ponds dragged, houses ransacked, but no trace could be found.  Several remarkable dreams were related pretending to throw light upon the matter and suspicion pointed strongly at certain persons.  Suspicion which has not been removed from the minds of many to this day, and it has since been currently reported that one of the suspected parties made a confession of the murder on his death bed.

 

We have reliable and responsible information that Mix is now living in one of the interior towns of this State.  He has been to California, but has returned, and our informant knows his whereabouts.  We will give the necessary information to any person desiring to investigate this matter for the purpose of clearing up character, or for any other legitimate purpose. no doubt some of those people who spent days and weeks in the swamps of Smithville, endeavoring to find his body would like to get a sight at it now.

 

Lathrop Rosbrook, Esq.

Chenango Telegraph, February 8, 1860

To the Editors of The Chenango Telegraph--The funeral exercises of Lathrop Rosbrook, Esq., deceased, a prominent citizen of this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], were held in this place, at the Baptist Church, on Tuesday of last week.  The church was filled to its utmost capacity; the services being conducted by Rev. B.S. Williams, Pastor, who preached as appropriate discourse for the occasion.  At the conclusion of the religious exercises, Dr. Beecher made some appropriate remarks, a sketch of which, by request of friends and citizens.  I herewith enclose for publication.  M.B.L.,  North Norwich, Feb. 6, 1860

 

Dr Beecher spoke substantially as follows:  I don't know but it is out of my place and improper for me to say a single word upon this solemn occasion--amid the solemnities of this hour, in which we have so truthful and mournful an illustration of the frailty of man.  But before we go from this house to that narrow house appointed for all the living, I cannot do justice to my own feelings or the memory of the dead in refraining from adding a few words in connection with what has already been so well said from the desk with reference to the deceased.

 

For over forty years--for nearly half a century--Mr. Rosbrook has been a resident of this town [Norwich, NY], and for a large portion of this time has been engaged in active business amongst us, and beknown probably to most of you as well as myself.  Of many of you certainly this is true.  But during my residence here I have had an opportunity of seeing much of him in his family, much of him aside from his family, much of him in the various relations of domestic social and business life and in all of these relations I can bear willing testimony to the truth that he has acted the part of an honest and an honorable man, an affectionate husband, a tender and indulgent parent, a loving brother, a worthy citizen, a kind and obliging neighbor, a well tried and faithful friend.  I have seen him amid reverses of fortune.  I have seen him in prosperity and adversity.  I have seen him when bound down like a bulrush beneath the well nigh overwhelming load of affliction and sorrow.  I have seen him when death has entered his dwelling and suddenly almost without a moment's warning snatched from his embrace a darling child and presently almost as unexpectedly taken from him a beloved companion and consigned them almost together to the silence of the tomb.  Yet not a murmur, not a repining word escaped from his lips.  His fortitude, his patience and his forbearance considering the severity of the stroke was to me at the time and ever has been truly remarkable.  Such, I am sure, as are exemplified nowhere else except in the life of the real Christian--those who amid the trials and conflicts of earth are comforted and sustained by the Christian's promise and the Christian's hope.

 

Mr. Rosbrook, as you well know, was free to express his opinions and possessed prominent and well marked traits of character peculiar to himself, well marked and strong in life, strong in sickness, and strong in death.  Yet notwithstanding his peculiarities, which, without doubt, were many times prejudiced to his worldly interests and produced an unfavorable impression against him, he possessed many excellent qualities and commendable virtues as any man it was ever my good fortune to know.  And his somewhat irritable turn of mind, more noticeable in the latter part of his life, was the result, I am satisfied, not so much of an unhappy temperament, naturally as those who were acquainted with him  in early life and in health, will bear me witness as it was of painful and protracted disease which was undermining his constitution wasting his strength, rendering his life, at best, a burden and bearing him steadily yet surely down to the grave.

 

Of his sufferings for years, none of us can know.  And for the last few weeks of his life, especially even his faithful and ever watchful attendants, and even his physician, who to gratify his wishes and afford all the relief in his power, remained with him as much as possible day and night cannot realize or describe that anguish worse than death itself which more than once led him to exclaim "I want to die.  Oh let me die"

 

"Why can't I die?"  That malignant, insidious and sooner or later usually fatal malady cancer had completely destroyed the action and functions of the stomach, changed its fine and delicate tissues into a mass of corruption, rendering it almost impossible for him to receive into it either food or medicine for the space of nearly four weeks.  The liver likewise to a considerable extent had taken on the same diseased action, its functions became impaired and extensive adhesions formed between it and the stomach and the side. The wonder is not that he died, but how with so much disease he lived so long.  It was hard, indeed for him to give up and it was not till some time after others had abandoned all hope of his recovery, that he came to the conclusion that he could not long survive. While sufficient strength lasted he conversed freely in relation to his disease and seemed anxious to know the opinions of others and the probable result.  After becoming especially weak with a strong determination, he managed to sit up some times for hours till with a very few days of his death, for a good deal of time in fact he was obliged to keep an erect positon either in his chair or on his bed for his distresses were too great to lie down.

 

But his sufferings are ended, his sands of life are run, he has gone, and the places that have known him here will know him no more forever.  He will be sadly missed in this community--he will be missed in his place of business, he will be missed in the social and private walks of life, he will be missed in the benefactions of charity, he will be missed in this house of worship, he will be missed from among his kindred and friends, over all and above all, he will be missed and mourned in that little family, that little household, now made forever desolate.  Now that he is gone and can no more return unto us, let us, my friends cherish his good qualities and his many virtues, copy his example in as much and as far as it is worthy of imitation, and bury with him his errors, for such doubtless he had, as all of us have and his faults and foibles in the grave in which he will presently be forever hid from our sight.

Chenango & Unadilla Valleys 50 years ago

The Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago

By S.S. Randall

Chenango Telegraph, May 8, 1872

 

Continued from posting of August 26, 2017

 

Afton

 

In that part of the town now included with the boundaries of sweet flowing "Afton," among the early settlers, in addition to the family of Elnathan Bush, were Seth Stone, Nathaniel Benton, Isaac Miner, Hezekiah Stowell, Orlando Bridgman and Ebenezer Church--the three last being among the "Vermont Sufferers."  Nathaniel Church taught the first school in 1790, Asa Stowell was the first inn keeper in 1788, Peter Betts opened the first store in 1805, and David Cooper and Isaac Miner ran the first saw mill on Kelsey's Brook.  The first church was organized in 1802 by the Rev. Daniel Buck.

 

The late William H. Bissell, Governor of Illinois, and member of Congress form that State, was, during several years, a resident of this locality--attending school in the summer and teaching in the winter.

 

Joe Smith, The Mormon Prophet

 

This promising little section of the great original "Jericho"--born out of due time, and now ever hereafter to be "known and distinguished" by the most mellifluous of all cognomens, was favored some forty years ago--in 1828 or '29--by the presence and pervading influence of the great founder and original discover of the Mormon dispensation--Joe Smith--who according to the "Gazetteer and Directory," at about this time, "Made his appearance in Afton, and attended school in District No. 9, at the ripe age of twenty-four or five.  He, however, "attended in the capacity of a prophet in the chrysalis state, with wings not yet full fledged, "walked the waters like a thing of life, daring the very elements to strife, so long as the underlying plank was not wickedly displaced by the wicked boys," and finally having through this mischance fallen into the water and "gone down like any other mortal"--having subsequently essayed--with what success does not appear, to "heal the sick, cast out devils," and many other miraculous feats, the great founder of Mormonism was ignominiously hauled before the judgment seat of Joseph P. Chamberlin, Esq., then in the commission of the peace--afterwards Sheriff of Chenango--member of the State Legislature, etc, etc, --as an imposter.  "Two pettifoggers by the name of John S. Reed and James Davision,"  volunteered to defend him.  Three witnesses testified that they had seen him cast out devils, [what else, "in the name of all the gods at once," could he have cast out?]  One devil "as large as a woodchuck," left the man, and "run across the floor."  Another "run off like a yellow dog."  In the face of such testimony, what but an acquittal must have resulted?  Mr. Knight, his son, and Mr. Stowell, these three unexceptional witnesses, followed the future prophet to his glory in the West--not unaccompanied, we may be sure by the "woodchuck" and "yellow dog." as well as the Mormon Bibles, under lock and key "guarded by an angel," which fell with a loud crash into the door of Mr. and Mrs. Preston T. Wilkins, of Ashtabula county, Ohio, living at this time, in Broome county, just across the line--impelled thereto, as we are credibly assured by honest Preston, himself, who, having been worried and badgered within an inch of his life, by his credulous helpmate, whom these Mormon pioneers were endeavoring to convert, manufactured a key, opened the angelically guarded chest, took therefrom a Bible and placed it in such a shaky position on or about the door of the Domicile, that on opening that piece of furniture, the catastrophe must needs occur. What effect this miracle had upon the devoutly inclined Mrs. Wilkins, is left to conjecture, we only know that Wilkins forbade the brethren of the Mormon persuasion from all future visitations of this house, but whether Mr. W. went West where the Saints had been "commanded to assemble," must ever remain an inscrutable mystery.

 

To be Continued