Obituaries (February 2)

George Rider

Chenango Union, January 30, 1896

George Rider:  Born, March 31, '25, Died, January 28, '96

Hon. George Rider died at his home on South Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], about nine o'clock Tuesday morning, after an illness which lasted little more than a week.  He took to his bed on Monday of last week, with a severe cold, which culminated in pneumonia and was aggravated by a heart trouble. The best medical expertise in the State were called in consultation, but Mr. Rider's age was against his recovery and, in spite of the best care, death ended his suffering  He was conscious to the last, except when under the influence of opiates, and recognized his wife and daughters who were at his bedside at the end.

Mr. Rider was born at Coventry, this county [Chenango], on march 31, 1825, and was the only son of George L. and Eliza Rider.  His parents afterward removed to Norwich and Mr. Rider was married here on August 28, 1855, to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of the late William Waite. The family home in this village was on the lot now occupied by the handsome residence in which Mr. Rider lived and died.  For about a year and a half after his marriage Mr. Rider lived with his father.  He then purchased the house now occupied by Holdridge T. Owen, and lived there until several years after the death of his father, when he moved the old house and erected the present residence, about 1877.  His most prominent business connections in Norwich were with the firm of Hayes & Rider, in the piano business.  He was a member of the firm of Hayes, Latin & Co., which was succeeded by the firm of Hayes & Rider.  They operated a manufactory in the brick building on East Main street, known as the Piano Block, and also in the property now occupied by the Pharmacal Company.  Later the firm of Hayes & Rider purchased the Norwich gas plant and operated it until Mr. Rider, as surviving partner, sold the business to the Norwich Light and Power Company. Aside from Mr. Hayes, Mr. Rider's most intimate personal and business friend in those days was Mr. Andrew J Avery, formerly of Norwich, and now of Dunkirk, N.Y.  Since the death of Mr. Hayes, in 1889, and the consequent termination of the business of the firm, Mr. Rider's business interests have been largely away from Norwich.  He was largely interested in the natural gas and oil districts at Bradford, Pa., and was a large stockholder in the corporation which laid the pipes conducting natural gas from the Indiana gas fields to Chicago.  He was also largely interested in the chemical and acid business in Sullivan and Delaware counties, of this State.  Upon the death of Walter M. Conkey, who was for many years the president of the old Bank of Chenango, Mr. Rider was elected president and continued as such until the voluntary distribution of the assets of the bank among its stockholders, in 1878.  Later he became a stockholder and director of the National Bank of Norwich, and was a member of the Board of Directors at the time of his death.

He was always more or less active in politics and while he was never an office seeker he frequently allowed his name to go onto the ticket in order to strengthen it.  He was an enthusiastic Democrat and was always ready to give his influence and his money for the support of Democratic principles.  He was prominent in Masonic circles, and did much for the up-building of the order in this vicinity.  He was the first Master Mason made by Norwich Lodge, no. 302, F.&A., on April 20, 1853, and always retained his membership in the Lodge.  He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Harmony Chapter No. 15, January 5, 1865.  On September 24, 1869, he was created a Knight Templar in Norwich Commandery, K.T., No. 46, and on April 17, 1874, was elected Eminent Commander.  In 1888 he was elected Treasurer of the Commandery, and was re-elected each year, holding the office at the time of his death.  He was elected an honorary member of Apollo Commandery, no. 15, Troy, N.Y., on January 12, 1873.  He was also a member of Central City Consistory, S.P.K.S. of Syracuse, being a thirty-second grade Mason of the Regular Scottish Rites.  He was also a member of Zira Shrine, of Utica, and of an organization known as the Veiled Prophets, a side issue to Masonry, organized at Hamilton.  He had been until recently an active Odd Fellow, and also belonged to the order of Elks.  Mr. Rider was for many years a member of the fire department and was an enthusiastic fireman. Even after he was not an active ember, he took a deep interest in the welfare of the department and was its generous patron.  His father, George L. Rider, purchased the first hand engine used here.  Mr. Rider was an honorary member of the George Rider Hook & Ladder Company, which was named after him.

There was no hypocrisy about George Rider.  He had his own ideas on every subject, and was nothing loth to make them known, but while maintaining his own opinion he was always ready to acknowledge the right of others to hold a different opinion.  He was of a kindly disposition, very sociable and hospitable, and very liberal in dispersing his hospitality.  Charity seemed an inborn trait, and it found expression in every direction.  Many a deserving family are indebted to the kindly aid of Mr. Rider and his wife, and the extent of their charity was never known from themselves.  It was done quietly and without parade, in an unconscious and unassuming manner, without ostentation, and with no desire for notoriety or reward. There was a righteous justice in his charity, however, and he did not consider it charitable to give to undeserving causes.

Mr. Rider was for many years a vestryman of the Episcopal church and a very liberal contributor to its support.  In the early struggles of the church for existence he stood nobly by it and on one occasion contributed a large sum which freed it entirely from debt.  Of late years his most intimate business and personal friend has been Mr. T.D. Miller, and for the last 30 years the families have annually exchanged Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.    Mr. Rider leaves a widow and two daughters, Jessie, wife of Holdridge T. Owen, and Frances Kiefer, wife of Edward R. Mason of DesMoines, Iowa.  He was a kind husband, in indulgent father and a valuable citizen. The entire village sympathizes with the family in their bereavement and realized its own great loss in his death.  The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock, Friday afternoon.  The Episcopal service will be read at the house, after which the services will be in the hands of Norwich Commandery.  Norwich lodge will act as escort to the Commandery, and the Hook & Ladder company will also do escort duty.  

Memorial from Democratic Party of Chenango County

Morning Sun, June 15, 1896

Hon. George Rider, born March 31, 1825, died, January 28, 1896

In the death of Hon. George Rider, the Democratic party of Chenango County loses one of its most steadfast friends, one who was always earnest and sincere in the advocacy of Democratic principles, and undeviating in his devotion to Democratic interests.  For many years prominent in the counsels of his party in this county, he never sought place or preferment for himself.  But his time, influence and wealth were ever enlisted in behalf of the cause which he espoused, and have been ever liberally bestowed.  Loyalty to political and social friends was his chief characteristic, and his sympathy and aid were never withheld from worthy subjects.  He lived not for himself alone, but always with a thought for the pleasure, comfort and welfare of those about him.

Such is a simple statement of his life and character as it is impressed upon his associates.  He was the highest and best type of the American gentleman; brave, generous, open, direct and unsuspicious, abhorring hypocrisy, despising fraud, false pretense and double dealing of every character, full of charity for the faults and mistakes of others, thoughtful and considerate of the feelings of all with whom he came in conduct, devoted to his country, his party and his friends, he lived and died a true Democrat, and a true man.