Obituaries (July 5)

Lana (Wright) Houck Hubbard

Afton Enterprise, February 8, 1900

Lana Hubbard died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Searles, in Afton [Chenango Co., NY]Feb. 4th, 1900.  Her maiden name was Lana Wright, and she was born in Seward, Schoharie Co., N.Y., April 8, 1821.  In 1840 she was married to John Houck of Seward.  Mrs. Searles being the only surviving child of that union.  Living a widow several years Mrs. Houck afterward married Mr. Oliver Hubbard of Elk Creek, Otsego Co. with whom she lived eighteen years. After his death she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Searles of Afton.  these were years of suffering for the mother and of care for the daughter and her husband, and well did they fulfill their mission of loving care.  Some of the last of her life were scenes of intense suffering.  Ofttimes in some of her lucid moments she was heard trying to sing snatches of those old hymns which have cheered many a dying Christian.

"Rock of Ages cleft for me

let me hide myself in thee."

"Bring forth the Royal Diadem

And crown Him Lord of all."

So daughter and loving friends are happy to think at the last, that her thought and song laid hold of "The mighty to Save and the "Glorified One."  She was buried from the home of Robert Searles, East side, Afton, Feb. 6th, Rev. B.B. Carruth conducting the services.  A.J. Holmes, funeral director of Afton was in charge, and burial in beautiful Glenwood [Afton, NY].

William Merritt

Afton Enterprise, February 8, 1900

News was received late Tuesday evening of the death of William Merritt brother of Mrs. Fred Davis of Harpursville and Mrs. John Chamberlin, of this place.  He was employed by the Shakers and when they sold out at Windsor he moved with Mr. Shaw to New Lebanon [Columbia Co., NY] where he has since been living.

Stephen Johnson

Afton Enterprise, March 15, 1900

Stephen Johnson, formerly of this section [Wilkins Settlement] died suddenly Monday morning, March 5th at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John lee, near Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY] aged 85 years.  Burial at North Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Rev. A. McIntyre officiating.

Truman Higley

Afton Enterprise, March 15, 1900

After an illness of five months from heart affection, Truman Higley died this morning at the Park Hotel his residence for the past five years.  Truman Higley was born in Canton, Conn. in 1837 where he resided until 1856 when in company with his brother, Walter Higley, he moved to Bainbridge. The funeral services will be held at his late residence, the Park Hotel, Friday afternoon at 1:30. Services private for family and immediate friends.

Augusta Easton

Afton Enterprise, April 26, 1900

Miss Augusta Easton died at the home of her brother, D.B. Easton in West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Wednesday morning of last week aged about 56.  The funeral services were held Friday and the burial was in Glenwood [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].  Miss Easton has been a life long resident of this village and enjoyed the esteem of all.

Howard A. Salisbury

Afton Enterprise, March 29, 1900

The sad intelligence reached this village last Thursday evening that Howard A. Salisbury of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] had been instantly killed in a freight wreck on the D.&H. at Harpursville station. The details of the accident are at this time probably known by nearly all of our readers.  Mr. Salisbury had gone to Binghamton on Tuesday in reference to a situation he had anticipated securing and was returning to Bainbridge when the accident occurred. Being well known to the employees on the road he chose to ride on a through freight in company with a friend.  He was sitting at the end of a car loaded with steel rails, chatting away as the train was approaching Harpursville station between 5 and 6 o'clock.  A wheel of that same car broke and in the lunge of the car one foot was caught in the rails which prevented his escape by jumping.  A wreck of the train followed, several cars being piled up.  His associate had a foot caught also, but was able to extricate himself by pulling his foot out of a congress shoe which he wore and then jumped thereby saving his life.  Being pinioned by the rails he was held fast until the heavy weight of the rails coming upon him, his life was crushed out.  One leg was severed but he was not otherwise badly mutilated.  It was several hours before his body could be taken from the wreck, when the remains were taken to his home in Bainbridge in charge of Undertaker Ramsdell.  He is survived by his mother, Mrs. George R. Salisbury, upon whom the blow falls with crushing force.  Howard, who was aged 24 years, was popular with all and his loss is most keenly felt.  He was a member of the Empire State Quartet which has sung in Afton on many occasions and he had also assisted the M.E. choir winning the esteem of its members who showed their respect by attending the funeral which occurred on Saturday afternoon. They carried as a tribute an elegant flower piece. The services which were largely attended were conducted by Rev. Arthur Spalding and Rev. C.D. Reed. The selections of music were rendered by Mrs. Charlotte Buck, Mrs. Ralph Kirby, William Hart and Wm. Carruth of Afton.  Miss Minnie VanCott was the accompanist with instrumental music.

The funeral of Howard Salisbury, who was killed in the D.&H. wreck at Harpursville on Thursday was held at the home of Mrs. E.M. Warren on North Main street on Saturday afternoon, Rev. Arthur Spaulding officiating. Burial in St. Peter's cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].