Obituaries (January 7)

Blanche (Jacobs) Hollenbeck

Afton Enterprise, April 13, 1916

Mrs. Blanche Hollenbeck, wife of William Hollenbeck died at her late home on Caswell St., Monday afternoon, April 10, 1916.  Although Mrs. Hollenbeck had been in poor health for several years, and in the past six months had failed rapidly yet she was able to be dressed and sat in her chair most of the time.  Because of this she seemed better in health than she really was.  Her passing came suddenly and unexpected as she was sitting in her chair at the time.  She was born in the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], April 25, 1860, being the daughter of Daniel Jacobs and Jerusa Anna Jacobs.  She was united in marriage with William Hollenbeck, December 21, 1869, by the Rev. Spafford, pastor of the Brisben Baptist church.  In early life she united with the Coventry Baptist church and upon her removal to Afton she united by letter with the Afton Baptist church of which she was a faithful member, and in her days of health and strength one of the most active and dependable workers. She was an earnest Christian, and highly regarded by all who knew her.  For thirty years she had resided in one neighborhood and her neighbors will miss a good friend and neighbor.  She is survived by her husband, and by the following children:  Mrs. Floyd Grover of Nineveh Junction, John Hollenbeck, Mrs. Clark Hendrickson and Mrs. Leon Hendrickson all of the town of Afton, and Robert Hollenbeck of Binghamton.  Her only sister, Mrs. Hobart Benedict, died just a year ago this month. The funeral which will be private will be held at her late home on Caswell St. this Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, her pastor Rev. C.O. Fuller officiating.  Interment will be made in Glenwood Cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].

 

Perry Burlingame

Afton Enterprise, March 18, 1920

Relatives and friends of Perry Burlingame were greatly shocked to hear of his death, which occurred at his home, Algona, Iowa, Monday Feb. 16th, death resulting from heart trouble.  He had been ill since Feb. 5th, but owing to the congested mails at this time of year, word of his illness did not reach his native town until after the message arrived telling of his "passing on."  Perry Burlingame was born in South Bainbridge, now Afton, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] on Nov. 5th, 1846, at the old Burlingame "homestead" on Algerine St. This old homestead his father, Rufus Burlingame, and mother, Alvira Landers Burlingame bought in early married life and in 1836 built, and here spent the rest of their lives, raising a family of four children.  Perry was the third child and only son.  The old homestead is still in possession of the Burlingames, Perry owning one-half interest.  In 1869 he responded to the great call "go west, young man, go west," and May 31st 1869, he took up a "homesteader" lot of 80 acres, in Kossuth Co., Iowa and for nearly 51 years, he was spared to till and care for his farm.  Year by year he added acres and improvement, and to this farm in 1877 took his "York State" bride, Miss Julia Etta Stevens of Colesville, New York.  Many were the hardships and privations of their pioneer lives, but the study character of their "Pilgrim ancestors" helped them to win the great struggle and they amassed a large farm and fortune.  His wife passed away in May 1916, and now his "going away" leaves the three saddened children alone in the far West, Birnie, who is married and lives near by, Nellie and Herbert, at the home.  Besides he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Zeruah Landers, of Afton, and Mrs. George F. Demeree of Harpursville, the oldest and youngest of the family. The other sister passed on before him about seven years ago.

Annie Elizabeth (Burgess) Swart

Afton Enterprise, June 24, 1920

Annie Elizabeth Burgess, youngest daughter of Rev. Thomas Burgess, for many years an honored member of Wyoming conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in the parsonage home at South Danby, N.Y., September 10, 1859, and after a lingering illness departed this life from her home in Afton, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], June 11, 1920.  February 26, [...], while her father was pastor at Northford, she was united in marriage with Martin J. Swart of that place. To them were born three sons, Hugh T., Marion C. and Leo M., all of whom with her husband survive to mourn her going.  For several years Mr. and Mrs. Swart lived at North Sanford and Deposit, afterward removing to Afton where they have resided for a number of years past.  Mrs. Swart was a most estimable Christian lady. Reared under the wholesome influences of the parsonage home she has maintained the best traditions of the minister's family.  She was blessed with a godly father and mother and their teachings and example were not in vain. As a wife and mother she was ideal.  Over her home she presided graciously.  "Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  She was always interested in the Church of Christ in general and the Church of her choice in particular. She was active in the work of the Sunday School, devoting herself especially to the teaching of children.  Her quiet manner, her tact, and her devotion peculiarly fitted her for this important work. With her husband she had just moved into their new home in the village, where surrounded by her boys and their wives she seemed in the best possible position to live when she was called from earth. We cannot understand it.  But we are comforted by the thought that she has entered her "house not made with hands, eternal, in the Heavens."  It was a delight to know Mrs. Swart.  Any life was richer which enjoyed such an acquaintance.  We shall all feel poorer now that she is gone.  She is survived by two brothers, Dr. Vincent Burgess, a physician in Brisben, N.Y., and Edward Burgess of Seattle, Washington, beside her husband and sons. These all have the deepest of sympathy of a large circle of friends.  The funeral services were conducted in the Afton Methodist Episcopal Church, June 14th, by her pastor, who spoke beautiful and comforting words.  Rev. Bronson was assisted by Rev. J.S. Crompton, pastor of the Dunmore, Pa., Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Crompton is an old time friend of the family.  Her body sleeps in the Afton cemetery until that day when his saints "shall be like Him for they shall see Him as He is."

Martha Graham

Afton Enterprise, August 22, 1918

On Wednesday, August 14, 1918, at one o'clock, in the afternoon, at her beautiful home on Spring Street, after a few hours of final failure of her remarkable physical powers, Miss Martha Graham, one of the most widely known and highly respected, as well as probably the oldest resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], entered peacefully into her rest, in the ninety-second year of her age.  Miss Graham was born in Franklin, N.Y. [Delaware Co., NY], April 18, 1827.  She lived many years in Meridale, and afterwards for a few years at Davenport Centre, N.Y.  For ten years she owned and conducted a fancy goods and millinery store in Delhi, N.Y.  In April, 1882 (36 years ago) she came to Afton and bought the old Merlin Jackson residence of Robert Paddock, where the store of Charles Hill & Son now stands and where she established a store and continued in business until the "big fire" in Afton in August 1884; and, then for some years afterwards on the second floor of the new building in the same location.  In 1888 she retired form active business and purchased her late residence on Spring Street, where she has lived for thirty years.  Martha was a daughter of James Graham who was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, in 1788, and who, with his father, John Graham, came to Bovina, Delaware county, N.Y., in 1800; and of his wife, Jane Rice, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of that fine Scotch Irish stock which has figured so largely in the struggles for human liberty. The greater portion of their married life was spent in the towns of Franklin and Meredith in the county of Delaware, where there were born to them fourteen children (ten sons and four daughters) three of whom died in infancy. The parents both died in Meredith at a ripe age. During her active life Miss Graham was a shrewd, wise and successful business woman, and a strong character in every respect, and was honored and trusted by everyone.  She was a faithful and devoted follower of Christ, always steadfast and true in her religious faith, and active in all Chruch work. She was a Christian and a Presbyterian. During the last year of her life at the age of ninety-one years, she was present at several of the devotional and social meetings of her church.  In the year 1892 she presented to the Afton Presbyterian Church of which she was a member for thirty-six years, the fine bell which hangs in the church belfry, and on which her name is engraved, and which was tolled on the day of her funeral ninety-one times. For twenty-five years past, her life was one of great physical infirmities and often great sufferings, which she bore with marvelous courage and patience.  In recent years she has been cared for by her nieces and nephews, Mrs. S.A. Grant, Mrs. Jennie England, and Mr. and Mrs. Marshall G. Hill, and at times by other friends. The funeral services were held at her late home on Friday morning, August 16, and were conducted by her pastor, Dr. John J. Francis.  Two favorite hymns, "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Asleep in Jesus," being sung by Miss May Squires, Mrs. Ed L. Weeks, Miss Lucy Scott and Mrs. George L. Church, of the Presbyterian choir. The burial was at Delhi, N.Y. [Delaware Co.] at 1:30 the same afternoon in charge of Henry A. Norton, an Afton undertaker. The commitment service at the grave was by the venerable Rev. Frank H. Seeley, D.D., of Delhi.   J.J.F.