Obituaries (May 16)

Elvira De Etta (Wilcox) Richer

Brookfield Courier, November 8, 1916

After an illness of many months, Mrs. Irving L. Richer died at her home in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] Tuesday afternoon, October 31st.  Mrs. Richer suffered from a complication of diseases.  Skillful treatment administered both at home and in a Syracuse hospital, proved unavailing.  Mrs. Richer was the daughter of Lewis Wilcox and Helen Waters Wilcox, of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], in which town she was born May 12, 1863.  Her marriage to Irving L. Richer, in 1882, brought her to New Berlin, where she has since resided.  Surviving are her husband, I.L. Richer, and their son, John I. Richer; two daughters, Mrs. Rufus C. Beardsley, of Ontario, Cal., and Mrs. Charles Mitchell of Edmeston; together with two brothers, Clark Wilcox, of Elmira and William Wilcox, of  Mt. Upton.  Funeral was held at the home Friday, November 3d, at two o'clock, with burial in St. Andrew's cemetery, the Rev. W. E. Tanner officiating.

Lewis Wilcox

New Berlin Gazette, January 7, 1922

Lewis Wilcox died at the home of his son, Will Wilcox, at Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 12th, aged 81 years.  He was the son of Isaiah and Polly Ann Wilcox of Columbus.  He leaves to mourn his loss, his two sons, Clark of Elmira and Will of Mt. Upton and nine great-grandchildren.  He was a true Christian, unselfish and always thinking of the happiness and interests of others before his own.  He possessed a keen sense of humor and was a great story teller.  He leaves a host of friends to mourn his loss.

Horace Beckley

South New Berlin Bee, January 17, 1914

Mt. Vision [Otsego Co., NY]:  Horace Beckley, an esteemed resident of this place, was taken with a chill about noon Saturday and died at Midnight, with pneumonia.  He had been feeble for some time, but able to be about the house.  He was born in the town of Hartwick [Otsego Co., NY], Sept. 13, 1831, and lived there until a young man.  In 1855 he married Miss Annar Seegar in Oneonta where they began housekeeping.  A little later they moved to Ohio, where they lived about two years, and then returned to Oneonta.  Thirty-five years ago they moved to this village, where he has since resided.  He was an honorable business man.  Always busy until failing health compelled him to give up work.  Mr. Beckley was a devoted advocate of temperance and was ever ready to give his influence and to work for putting down the giant evil.  When a Good Templars lodge flourished here he was one of its best workers.  He joined the Mt. Vision Baptist church about 20 years ago and was always faithful in attendance as long as health would permit.  He was of a genial disposition and it was always a pleasure to meet him.  To Mr. and Mrs. Beckley were born three sons, Irving, living in Portlandville; William, who died a few years ago in New Berlin, Charles living here; also three daughters, Mrs. Etta Crydenwise of West Oneonta, Mrs. George Fay of Schenectady and Mrs. Arthur Hall of Mt. Vision.  He was a devoted husband and a loving and indulgent father.  Mrs. Crydenwise and son arrived her prior to his death.  Irving Beckley and daughter came on Sunday. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today, and interment will be in the Mt. Vision cemetery.   Oneonta Star

Horatio P. Hall

New Berlin Gazette, July 27, 1918

Horatio P. Hall, son of Ira K. Hall and Mary Angell, his wife, whose sudden and tragic death occurred July 17, 1918, was born in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], October 24, 1861.  From early childhood he had lived among us.  As he developed into manhood, his social and business qualifications became apparent and his services were sought by the enterprising concern of L. Spafford & Co., with whom he remained until it was merged into the prosperous firm of F.A. Ballard & Co., consisting of F.A. Ballard, E.H. Elliott, Wm. M. Backus, and H.P. Ball, a quartet who have labored together in harmony for thirty years.  Mr. Ball's business habits made him a valuable factor in the financial success which that firm has attained.  He was efficient in organizing the new bank after the failure of the First National, and was one of its directors.  He had an interest in the welfare of our village and was ready to do his part in its promotion.  The memory of his many quiet benefactions is treasured in the hearts of the recipients.  His loyalty to the Stars and Stripes and devotion to his country is attested, by giving his only son as a volunteer for their defense.  He was an active and devoted member of St. Andrew's Episcopal church of which he was one of its wardens.  In all of these relations he will be sadly missed.  September 29, 1887, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Anna Clark White, daughter of John T. White, cashier of the First National Bank of New Berlin.  That which will linger longest in the memory of his friends, is the bright and congenial atmosphere of the home thus made.  As a father, his children were his companions, and his fellowship was to each a source of happiness and comfort, leaving as it does the legacy of a precious memory. The funeral, in conjunction with the two other victims of that fatal accident was held in St. Andrew's church, Sunday afternoon at four o'clock, Rev. W.E. Tanner the former Rector, officiating, assisted by Rev. Laidlaw of Sidney.  Never in the history of New Berlin was a more solemn and impressive scene than that which was witnessed by nearly a thousand people at this funeral.  The floral tributes placed upon each casket told the last story of affection.  The near surviving relatives are Mrs. Ball and three children, John, in the U.S. Service, Esther (Mrs. Leonard Burchard), Laura (Mrs. John Richer), one sister, Mrs. Esther McGuire, and a nephew Donald McGuire.  Interment was made in St. Andrew's cemetery [New Berlin, NY].

Edward G. White

New Berlin Gazette, July 27, 1918

Edward G. White, who came to his death in that fatal auto accident which caused also the death of Mr. Ball and Richer July 17, 1918, was born at Holmesville, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], May 12, 1858.  When about seventeen years old he came to New Berlin with the family of William Lewis, who was in the employ of the O.W.R.R.Co.  Mr. White soon after became the efficient station agent, which position he occupied for thirty-seven years, and during this long period he won the confidence and esteem of the community by his strict integrity and generous nature.  His experience and efficiency was recognized by the officials of the R.R Co. and he was given charge of the station at Hamilton where he remained five years looking after their interests.  For almost half a century the road had grown and he had kept pace with it.  Resigning from railway activities, he has made his home for a few years with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Osgood of Norwich.  The funeral took palce in St. Andrew's church, New Berlin, and was largely attended, the Rev. W.E. Tanner officiating assisted by Rev. Mr. Laidlaw of Sidney.  Interment was made in St. Andrew's cemetery.  There are surviving him to mourn their loss, one sister, Mrs. A.G. Bush, Holmesville, and four step-daughters, Mrs. Walter Osgood, Norwich, Mrs. John Blair, Hamilton, Mrs. Chas. Lockwood, Sidney and Mrs. Clarence French, Holmesville.

Irving Lee Richer

New Berlin Gazette, July 27, 1918

Irving L. Richer, one of our best known business men, was a victim of the auto tragedy at Delanson, July 17, 1918.  Mr. Richer was a son of Nicholas and Ann F. Whitmore Richer, and was born in Columbus, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY]  Nov. 21, 1858, in which town he spent his early life.  He was an active young man and while a student in new Berlin Academy he displayed that activity which was the "push" in his business life.  After leaving the Academy he took a course at Eastman's Business college, fitting himself for his future business career.  For a few years he conducted a general store in Columbus.  In 1886 he came to New Berlin and soon engaged in the Flour, Feed & Coal business, purchasing Morris Bros interest in the firm of Morris Bros & Kimball dealers.  The new firm of Kimball & Richer did a successful business for two years when Mr. Richer bought the Kimball interest and since then has conducted the business alone until recently he made his son John and Charles Mitchell, his son-in-law, partners in the firm of I.L. Richer & Sons.  Under his skillful management the business has outgrown the limits of this village and South Edmeston and West Edmeston now share in its prosperity under the management of Richer & Welch.  No public enterprise for the benefit or comfort of the village or town failed to receive his support.  He was the organizer in 1889 of the Light & Power co., by whom our homes and streets are lighted.  He has represented New Berlin twice on the County Board of Supervisors, was a director in the National Bank of New Berlin, President of the Preferred Mutual Fire ins. Co.  He was a business man of unimpeachable character, having the confidence of all who knew him.  He was united in marriage to Miss Elvira D. Wilcox, daughter of Mr. Lewis Wilcox and Helen Waters Wilcox of Columbus, June 21, 1883, which union laid the foundation of a happy home.  Mr. Richer was a devoted husband, a kind and iindulgent father who spared no pains for the comfort and enjoyment of his family.  Mrs. Richer departed this life October 31, 1916, which event cast a shadow over his subsequent life.  The funeral was held jointly with that of Mr. Ball and Mr. White, fellow victims of that sad accident, Sunday afternoon, July 21, in St. Andrew's church, which was filled to overflowing, services conducted by Rev. W.E. Tanner, former rector, assisted by Rev. Laidlaw of Sidney.  Interment in St. Andrew's cemetery.  He is survive by an aged father, and three children, Mrs. Rufus Beardsley, of Garvanza, Cal., Mrs. Charles Mitchell and John I. Richer both of New Berlin, all of whom have the public sympathy in their affliction.

Thousands Attend Triple Funeral Sunday

New Berlin Gazette, July 27, 1918

Fully three thousand people attended the triple funeral here on Sunday afternoon.  the streets were filled with parked cars, people driving from all parts of the county to reverence the memory of the three men. E.G. White, Horatio P. Ball and Irving L. Richer, whose lives had been snuffed out in an automobile accident last Wednesday night.

Prayers were said at the home of Mr. French at Holmesville for Mr. White by Rev. Mr. Laidlow, Episcopal rector at Sidney.  The funeral procession then moved to New Berlin.  The Ball, Richer and White families met at the Ball home proceeding together to St. Andrew's church where the coffins were placed side by side before the altar.  Relatives and invited friends filled the edifice while hundreds of others were grouped about the church.  Rev. Wilson E. Tanner of Binghamton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Laidlaw conducted the impressive service.

The flower piled coffins were then taken to St. Andrew's cemetery, where one by one they were lowered in the several families' plots, the three family groups standing together beside each of the open graves while the committal service was read by Rev. Mr. Tanner.

A Norwich paper says:  "The sympathy of the entire county is extended to the bereaved families and the unexpected attendance at the services Sunday evidenced the wide acquaintance and the high esteem in which the decedents were held.