Obituaries (January 30)

Dr. D.M. Lee

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 6, 1890

The 22d Vol. Cavalry held a reunion in Rochester the other day. Dr. D.M. Lee, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], attended.  On arriving at headquarters he was somewhat astonished to learn that he was dead, and that a lengthy obituary notice had been prepared and was in the hands of the officers to be read at the proper time.  The Dr. demonstrated that he was in the flesh.  It is said the obituary was chuck full of praise, which the Dr. deserves, whether alive or dead.

 

Ebenezer Bidwell

Chenango Union, July 31, 1890

The death of Ebenezer Bidwell, our veteran Democrat, occurred at the home of his son, Alfred Bidwell, in West Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on Friday last, at the advanced age of 87 years.  Deceased was born in 1803, and at six months of age came with his parents to Smyrna, where he has since resided.  He was honest and industrious, and was honored and respected by all who enjoyed his acquaintance. Though an invalid during the last eight years of his life, he retained his mental faculties to the day of his death.  As a good neighbor and kind friend he will be missed in the community where he has so long resided.  He had a strong belief in universal salvation, and in politics was an unswerving Democrat, having voted the Democratic ticket for sixty-one consecutive times, a fact he was always proud to relate.  His funeral was largely attended on Sunday, at his late home, Rev. H.S. Baker officiating.  His sons and grandsons acted as pall bearers, and the interment was in the West Smyrna burial ground.

 

Helen I. (Graham) Palmer

Chenango Union, July 31, 1890

Just before 12 o'clock last night, at her home No. 99 Steuben street, occurred the death of Mrs. John R. Palmer, after an illness of several months' duration.  Mrs. Palmer was for many years engaged as stenographer and court reporter, and was widely known.  Her maiden name was Helen L. Graham.  She was born in Guilford, Chenango county.  She was an only child and her parents dying while she was quite young, she was adopted by Gilbert Jewell, a wealthy farmer of Guilford. After attending the district schools she entered Oxford Academy, and graduated after a full course. She was married at Oxford in 1869, and removed with her husband to Norwich, where he conducted the Palmer House.  During this time she took up the study of stenography, and soon became very proficient in the art.  There were few good stenographers in those days and her services were soon in demand.  She was appointed by Judge Prindle the official reporter of the Chenango County Court, and soon after was made the official reporter of the courts of Delaware and Madison counties. The terms were so arranged by the Judges that she was able to attend the courts of all the three counties.  In 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer came to Utica and by Judge Bliss Mrs. Palmer was appointed reporter of the Oneida County Court, which position she held during the remainder of his term and that of Judge Sutton.  Mrs. Palmer was also the reporter of the Surrogate's Court during the administrations of Surrogates Van Dreser and Bliss.  Besides the work she did in these official positions, Mrs. Palmer was frequently engaged in taking evidence in reference cases and in other proceedings.  She was at one time stenographer for the State Board of Assessors.  Probably no other woman was so constantly engaged in Stenographic work. At one time she employed a number of assistants in transcribing her notes.  Some of the best stenographers in Utica today were her pupils.  She took notes very rapidly and was able to read them without the slightest hesitation at any time.  There were few stenographers who could equal her, and judges and lawyers were always pleased when she was the person selected to take the report of a trial.  Mrs. Palmer was very pleasant and obliging and made many friends by whom her death will be regretted.  Her husband survives.  Utica Press, Wednesday.

 

Maria (Simonds) Stratton

Chenango Union, July 31, 1890

At 9:30 O'clock this (Wednesday) morning, Mrs. Maria Stratton passed peacefully away, at the residence of her son, Whitman Stratton, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], in the seventy-first year of her age.  Maria Simonds was born in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], in February 1820.  In September, 1839, she married William Stratton, of that town, who died in 1847.  Since 1865 she has made her home with her son in this village, and her life has been one of usefulness and helpfulness.  In the sick room, in the homes of the poor or distressed, wherever there was suffering or sorrow, she ministered to their wants, and by her kindly presence cheered the despondent and brought sunshine to their homes.  For the past ten years she has been in feeble health, and on Thursday last became much worse.  On Friday morning she was stricken with paralysis and gradually failed until Wednesday morning, when she passed over the river.  A loving mother, a good neighbor and a kind friend, she will be missed by many. She was a conscientious member of the Congregational church in this village, and when health permitted was a regular attendant upon its services. She leaves surviving her two children, Whitman and Lottie of this village, who have the sympathies of this community in their loss.  Brief funeral services will be held at her late residence, Saturday, at 8:30 A.M.  The remains will be taken to South Oxford for burial, where services will be held at the residence of George Stratton.

 

Death Notices

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 6, 1840

 

TANZY:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY],August 3d 1890, John Tanzy aged 72 years.

 

PALMER:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], August 3d, 1890, Chester Palmer of Milford, Otsego County, aged 22 years.

 

PALMER:  In Utica [Oneida Co., NY], July 30th, 1890, Helen L. [Palmer], wife of John R. Palmer, aged 42 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

 

MILLS:  In Denver, Col. July 21st, Alice G. [Mills] wife of Charles H. Mills and daughter of Edmund Gould, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

 

LANSING:  In Manlius, N.Y., July 21st, 1890, Mrs. Helenda Foster (Wilcox) [Lansing] wife of Peter Lansing, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY]

 

SANNICKS:  In Oneida [Oneida Co., NY], August 1st, 1890, Walfred Sannicks, aged 83 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]