Obituaries (July 7)

Elizabeth Brennan Collins

Bainbridge News, September 12, 1940

People of the community were greatly shocked to hear of the sudden death of Elizabeth Brennan Collins, 68, wife of Thomas Collins and a well known resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], which occurred Friday evening, September 6, 1940 at her home, after she had been partially incapacitated for several years.  Mrs. Collins, who came to the village as a bride in 1892, was a devoted wife and mother, and her many friends will always remember her endless generosity and abundant kindness as testified by the beautiful floral tributes and other gifts which were amply expressive. Though she suffered in the last years of her life, she pursued life with courage and undiminished good nature and optimism.  She was a member of St. John's Church and the rosary Society.  Also, was one of the first members of the Bainbridge Women's Club, was a charter member of Slater-Silvernail Post of the America Legion Auxiliary, and had three sons overseas.  Born May 6, 1872, at Abby-Leix, Ireland, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Brennan. She later moved to Dublin where she remained until coming to America in 1891.  In January, 1892, she was united in marriage to Thomas Collins. The deceased is survived by her husband; two daughters, Mrs. S.R. Bennett, of Bainbridge, and Mrs. George Willits, of Burmingham, Mich.; four sons, Thomas Collins, Jr., of Westfield, Mass., Edwin I. Collins, of Utica, Algwynne Collins, of Shelter Island Heights, L.I., Edson W. Collins, of Norwich; one brother, Joseph Brennan, of Endicott; several grandchildren, nephews, and one niece, Miss Mary Brennan, of New York City. The funeral was held Monday morning at 10 o'clock in St. John's Church, where a Requiem Mass. was celebrated by the Rev. Francis Zimmer. The pall-bearers were:  Dr. Edward Danforth, S.R. Bennett, Sebert Hollenbeck, Hugh Collins, Dr. J.M. Flannery and Lewis Higler.  Interment was in St. Peter's Cemetery [Bainbridge].

Mary Eugenia (Campbell) Bristol

Bainbridge News, November 19, 1942

The funeral of Mary Eugenia Bristol was held on Monday, Nov. 16 at the Colwell Bros. Funeral Parlors with the Rev. Steele, pastor of the Sidney Episcopal Church, officiating.  Interment was in the Episcopal Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Bristol, a life long Bainbridge resident, was born on the East side on July 21, 1863, the daughter of Burr C. Campbell and Mary E. Pettys Campbell and spent her childhood on the East Side, Bainbridge.  On April 29, 1883, she was united in marriage to Joseph E. Bristol of Bainbridge and they made their home here.  On Saturday, Nov. 7, Mrs. Bristol suffered a broken shoulder and she developed pneumonia, death coming on Friday, Nov. 13.  Surviving are a son, Daniel Bristol, of Bainbridge, a daughter, Mrs. Charles Greene, also of Bainbridge; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Pall-bearers were all members of the family and were:  Lee and Ansel Sargent, of Gilbertsville; Ward Loomis, Charles Pettys, Chester Bame and Charles Greene.  Mrs. Bristol, a member of the local Episcopal Church, had many friends who deeply mourn her passing.  

Mime A. (Ferguson) Norton

Bainbridge news, October 8, 1942

Mrs. Mime A. Norton passed away Saturday, Sept. 26, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Foster.  Mrs. Norton had been in failing health for the past year. Born march 14, 1861, on Searles Hill in the Town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], she was the daughter of Chauncey and Eunice Newotn Ferguson.  On Nov. 27, 1881, she was united in marriage to Britton Norton, who died on June 4, 1920.  Of this union seven children were born four of whom survive, Mrs. Anna Riley, Mrs. George Foster, Mrs. John Parsons, of Bainbridge, and Chauncey Norton, of Elmira; also a sister, Mrs. R.L. Banner, of Bainbridge; 16 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Norton was a member of the Baptist Church and attended as long as her health would permit.  She was held in high esteem and loved by all who knew her as one always patient and thoughtful of others. The funeral service was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Parsons, Tuesday, the Rev. R. Lewis Johnson officiating. The bearers were Egbert and Kenneth Riley, William Foster, Howard Bliss, George Myers and Harry Smith. Burial was in the family plot in the Bennettsville Cemetery [Chenango Co., NY].

George Burton

Bainbridge News, October 15, 1942 

The light of last Thursday morning brought more bad news to the village when it was earned by stunned residents that George Burton, one of the most popular and best liked men of the community, had succumbed to a final attack of asthma the previous night.  It was hard for his countless friends to realize that the man they had always admired for his pleasant manner, friendly ways and cheerful disposition had left their midst.  Born Feb. 6, 1889, in nearby Afton [Chenango Co., NY], George was the son of Richard and Josephine Taft Burton and spent most of his life in this section of the country.  On July 4, 1910, he was married to Gertrude Gordon at Cooks Falls and they spent the first year of their married life in Middletown, where he served his apprenticeship and learned his trade.  Coming to Bainbridge in April of 1912, Mr. Burton was employed for 18 years by the American Separator Co. and left to engage himself in the contracting business which he worked at up to the time of his death.  The deceased was a man of many keen interests and had a zest for sports, hunting, and his businesses.  He was fire chief of the local Fire Department at one time and also helped manage the town baseball team.  In 1918, he became a member of the Susquehanna Lodge, No. 167, F.&A.M., in which he continued membership for the rest of his life, winning the esteem of his fellow Masons, for his loyalty and honest interest. He was also a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and of the Episcopal Church. Aside from all these activities, however, the people who knew George Burton will remember him best for his hobby--cooking, his favorite pastime. For many years, all of Mr. Burton's entire summers were spent at Camp In-a-Vale, the summer lodge of Thomas Collins, which was located on the Susquehanna River.  Here he pursued to his heart's content, the culinary methods he constantly practiced and won still more friends with his adeptness in the kitchen.  Clam bakes were his specialty and few organizations in town have failed to contact George to preside at their baking fires.  he was always present to direct the preparation of food. We feel that the picture in this week's News is just how Bainbridgites want to remember their friend, his familiar smile, as he went down the river in a boat with supplies to cook at camp never changed despite worry of ill health and it was always ready for everyone.  Nearly two years ago, in January, Mr. Burton began suffering from severe attacks of asthma and his health failed steadily from that time up to last week when he failed to rally from an asthmatic spasm; death came at about 10 o'clock on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  Surviving besides his widow are two sons in the armed forces, Pvt. William Burton, of whom news was received by his father just before his passing, and who is somewhere with the A.E.F., and Gordon K. Burton, U.S. Navy, stationed at Augusta, Me.;  one daughter, Roberta Burton, of Bainbridge; a brother, Richard Burton, of Highland; and two sisters, Mrs. A.W. Tuckey, of this village, and Mrs. Morris Gardner, of Fly Creek.  His son, Gordon, arrived home immediately after having been notified, and it was, of course, impossible for Pvt. William to attend.  Funeral services were held Sunday at 1 P.M., in the Episcopal Church with Dr. Breese, of Green, officiating. A Masonic funeral was conducted in the church cemetery, with the R.W. Hugh Collins, past district deputy, leading.  Pall bearers were Lloyd Bluler, Harry Bluler, Harold Payne, Charles Peckham, Frank Lewis and James Ireland. The many floral tributes were material evidence of the  high esteem in which the deceased was held.  We in Bainbridge share the sorrow of the Burton family, and of the deceased let it be said:

"Weep not, sorrow not, at his absence--

But recall the light of his face.

And rejoice through your tears with the passing of years

For he goes to better some other place."