Obituaries (January 6)

Betsey (King) Hamlin

Afton Enterprise, March 24, 1910

At her home in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Wednesday evening, March 16, Mrs. Betsey King Hamlin departed this life and passed through the pearly gates into the heavenly home.  A few days before her departure she was stricken with pneumonia and notwithstanding medical aid and careful nursing she gradually grew worse until finally the end came.  Mrs. Hamlin was born in the town of Sanford, April 23, 1830 and had she lived a week later would have reached her eightieth year.  She was united in marriage with Mr. W.H. Hamlin about sixty years ago.  The greater part of her life was spent at North Sanford but during the last eighteen years she lived in Bainbridge and Afton.  Deceased was a woman of beautiful character, sweet voiced, gentle and refined, and her quiet Christian graces will live in the hearts of those who were nearest to her. She united with the church of Christ and became a follower of Jesus in her girlhood days and was until the end a faithful and consistent Christian in whom it could be seen that she "had been with Jesus and had learned of Him."  Mrs. Hamlin is survived by her husband, W.H. Hamlin, who is now so sadly bereft, and who feels his loss so keenly; one son, George, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two daughters, Mrs. Mary L. Kniskern of Bainbridge and Mrs. V.E. Gregory of Afton; also three brothers and two sisters, Addison King of North Sanford, John King of China, N.Y. Judson King of Bainbridge, Mrs. Sylvia Fuller of Masonville and Mrs. Augusta Peck of Deposit. Funeral services were held at her late home in Afton, her pastor, Rev. H.T. Hill officiating.  A quartet from Afton Baptist church had charge of the singing. The remains were taken to Glenwood cemetery for burial.  The bereaved husband and family have the sincere sympathy of their many friends.

Mary Hoag

Afton Enterprise, April 28, 1910

Miss Mary Hoag died at the home of her nephew, Henry G. Carr on Sunday morning at 10:30, aged 80 years.  She had not been well for several months and her death was not unexpected.  She was born in Laurens, Otsego Co. in 1830, and was one of our oldest inhabitants.  She resided for some years in Morris but has lived for about twenty years in this vicinity.  For 8-1/2 years she has made her home in this village [Afton, NY].  Her eyesight became poor in her later years but her other faculties were well preserved.  She was a woman of excellent character.  Her brothers and sisters have all passed away and she was the only survivor of the family.  The funeral services were held from her late home on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. C.H. Colegrove.  The remains were laid to rest in the East Side cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY]

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Dr. Milton Gilman

Afton Enterprise, December 14, 1911

Dr. Milton Gilman passed away at his home, 311 Ridgeland avenue, on Wednesday, November 15, 1911 at the advanced age of ninety-five years and four months.  He was born July 16, 1816, at Thornton, Grafton county, N.H.  In 1817 his parents moved to Sherburne, Chenango county, N.Y., where the days of his youth were spent.  He practiced dentistry in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, Pa., for many years.  Upon retiring from active practice he removed to Oswego, N.Y., and four years ago came to Oak Park with his wife, to make his home with his daughter and only child, Harriet S. Gilman.  In 1858 he joined Warren Masonic lodge at Montrose, Pa., and later, April 18, 1860 became a charter member of the Masonic lodge, no. 338, of Great Bend, Pa.  He had been a member of Starrucca lodge, no. 23, of Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Susquehanna, Pa., since March 3, 1875.  He was a strong republican and always took an active interest in public affairs.  His intimate personal acquaintance with the great statesmen and events of the earlier period of the country, and his remarkably retentive memory constituted him a most delightful conversationalist to old and young.  Many a school boy has been stirred to keen interest in early American history thru the glowing word pictures of Dr. Gilman.  Just as active was his interest in events of the present time. Carefully reading several daily newspapers, he was thoroughly informed on all the questions of the day.  He was an upright and courteous man, of spotless life and temperate habits and an ardent universalist.  His was a familiar figure on the streets near his home till increasing feebleness prevented. Confined to his bed only three days, the sands of life quietly ebbed away while sleeping.

Edson Landers

Afton Enterprise, April 13, 1916

About 6:15 Thursday morning, April 6, 1916, Edson landers, one of the older inhabitants and life-long residents of the town of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], passed from this life to the life eternal.  He was born in the town of Afton in August, 1832, and was nearing his 84th year.  For about 81 years he had resided on Algerine St..  About two years ago on account of failing health he sold his farm and moved to the village of Afton.  His father was Philander Landers and his mother Polly Farnsworth Landers.  In June, 1860, he was united in marriage to Lydia Post, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Elijah Baldwin who was then pastor of the church.  An interesting incident in connection with this is the fact that his sister, Mrs. Ursula Caswell then resided in the very house in which Mr. Landers has just passed away.  April 2, 1854, he was baptized along with seven others, into the membership of the Afton Baptist church by the Rev. Elijah Baldwin who was then pastor at Unadilla.  For 62 years he was a faithful member of the church, regular in his attendance upon the means of grace.  Many times he walked down to the prayer meetings and the covenant meetings and nearly always one of the first to arrive.  He remembered distinctly the erection of the church building and had many very interesting tales to tell of those early days of the Baptists; of their hardships, struggles, earnestness and consecration.  He delighted to tell of the first "big meeting" that was held.  "It was like our modern day evangelistic meetings."  He told how the church was lighted with candles--some of the old candle holders are still in existence and owned by some of the older members of the church--of the church being heated by means of kettles filled with glowing charcoal--which frequently needed the applying of the bellows to keep a glowing warmth.  It was a great pleasure to him that he lived directly opposite the church during part of his recent residence in town and he could occasionally attend the Sunday services--and take part in the covenant meetings where his voice was heard in prayer and earnest testimony.  In the passing of Mr. Landers, the community has lost a good neighbor, a genial man, and the Baptist church a staunch supporter.  He is survived by his wife, one son, Leland Landers of Richmond Hill, N.Y., and by two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Vergason of Afton, and Mrs. Ursula Caswell of Springfield, N.J. The funeral was held at his late home on Caswell St. Saturday afternoon, April 8th, being conducted by his pastor, Rev. C.O. Fuller. There were  many beautiful floral pieces, giving evidence of the love and esteem in which he was held.  Interment was made in the family plot in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, NY].