Obituaries (October 28)

Juvenelia M. Jones

Chenango Union, October 16, 1884

At her home in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the afternoon of Friday, October 10th, 1884, Juvenelia M. [Jones], aged 14 years, only daughter of Charles and Helen Jones, and granddaughter of the late Luman Miles.  The remains were on Saturday removed to the residence of her uncle, L.F. Miles, at Coventryville, and the funeral services conducted by Rev. Mr. Turner, assisted by Rev. Mr. Douglass, of Oneonta, on Sunday afternoon, from whence she was carried to rest in the cemetery near by, where the family graves have been made for three generations, and where so recently she stood beside that of her grandfather.  For him there were scores of years numbered in the past--for her, the hopes--the sunshine of youth's morning was lighting her path, giving promise of a long glad lifetime. We remember her as a bright and remarkably ladylike child, responding to our greeting as we met her, with a pleasant word and smile, endearing herself to her family and others by her kind and affectionate manner.  Two weeks of malarial fever ending in typhoid and hemorrhage, and near the place where she stood weeping by the dead form of one dear to her, she now rests so sweetly, no tear on the cold cheek, no sad heart strangely beating with the look she had in life--only changeless in marble whiteness--so young--yet sleeping her last quiet sleep.  Loving associates had brought flowers, and done all they could for her in her home, and here other hands with sad but willing service laid flowers in profusion in and upon the casket in which she lay. these in their beauty whispered of life immortal where they should never fade; where our dearest earthly treasures gathered in will never feel the touch of sin or sorrow, or death.  May the one who in advanced years looked to this loving girl to be with, wait upon and cheer her, find her "cup of sorrow" changed and sweetened by "looking unto Jesus" for comfort and support, and the parents, who with stricken hearts go back to their desolated home, feel that "it is not all of life to live," that this is not their rest--and may the memory of their loved and loving daughter cheer and incite them to be prepared through a Savior's love for a heavenly home where death can never enter.  Coventryville, Oct. 13, 1884.

Minnie L. (Humphrey) Buell

Chenango Union, January 17, 1889

BUELL:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], January 12th, 1889, Minnie L. [Buell], wife of Dana H. Buell, and only daughter of George F. and Matilda M. Humphrey, of New Berlin, aged 26 years and 5 months.

In the death of Mrs. Buell our community has suffered another loss.  She was married in New Berlin but a few months since, and had quite recently settled in our village for her first home, to unite her heart and hands as a citizen with this people for influence and usefulness in Christian endeavor.  But she was a subject of that baneful disease, epilepsy, which with increasing progression ruined her health and blasted all reasonable hope, and finally terminated her life. She was buried in South New Berlin cemetery, from the presence of many relatives and a sorrowing assembly of her former friends and neighbors of New Berlin and Guilford.  Few griefs are so paralyzing for a time as that of a parent for the death of an only daughter, and is only exceeded, if possible, by the grief of a family of brothers for the death of an only sister; but as grief may be comparative, what shall exceed the sorrow of a young husband for the loss occasioned by the death of his wife?  Others cannot easily divest themselves of indefinably sad and melancholy reflections when the name and countenance and tone of voice recur with the freshness of so recent reality of life and common hope. The cherished recollections of her life will be that of uniformity and consistency of character and devotion to all that was innocent and right. As a wife she was an example of affection and kindness, and in her domestic relations of home there was an atmosphere of devotion and cheerfulness which seemed ever to abide and prevail.  With such a character and relations to home and society, who could tell what would have been the outcome had her life been spared?  Then may this stroke be sanctified by Him who caused it to be done, that those in health be advertised, ere long they too must follow on.  May home and parents, brothers, friends and all who thus are called to mourn remember 'twas the God who gave, who called her spirit to return.

Almeida Ward (Beardsley) Fitts

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, February 25, 1903

"To sleep; To sleep

The long bright day is done,

And silence rises from the fallen sun"

In Lodi, Ohio, February 17, 1903, occurred the death of Mrs. Almeida Pitts aged eighty-four years.  It is fitting that we give more than a passing glance at the pages of this long and useful life whose earthly records have just ended.  Almeida Ward Beardsley was born in Preston, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY] January 7, 1819.  She was the daughter of Jesse and Sally Hadley Beardsley, pioneer residents of Chenango county. the oldest daughter in a family of ten children, but one sister, Mrs. H.M. Newton of Pitcher, is now living.  Among her ancestors were men of the Revolution who fought on the fields at Lexington and Concord. She was the granddaughter of Ebenezer Fisk of Colonial times Boston, and a grand niece of the wife of Rev. Dr. Cutler of the same city.  Beginning to teach in the public schools at the age of fifteen she continued in this work until her marriage January 5, 1842 to Hiram L. Fitts of Smithville, N.Y.  Nearly all of their married life was passed in the towns of Oxford and McDonough.  Mrs. Fitts was a woman of strongly marked individuality and great force of character.  Especially noted for her kindness to the poor and ever ready to assist in times of sickness and trouble.  She was universally recognized as a true friend and obliging neighbor as well as a devoted wife and mother.  In early life she became a consistent member of the Methodist church at McDonough and brought her religion faithfully into her daily life.  Sad and tragic deaths gave to Mrs. Fitts a greater share of sorrow than falls to any, but looking beyond her own griefs her heart was never closed to the necessities and trials of others.  Since the death of her husband in 1880, she has resided with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Burr of Lodi, Ohio.  Three of her children from a family of seven survive her, George H. Fitts of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Mrs. Burr of Ohio, and Mrs. H.F. Pendleton of Norwich. And so has the history of another true life wound to a close and there only remains for us to leave it here with a lingering and sad "good night."

"Only 'Good night' beloved, not 'farewell'

A little while and all His saints shall dwell

In hallowed union indivisible--

'Good night, 'Good night'"

Charles Dix

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, February 25, 1903

Charles Dix, who resides at Brackett's lake, near West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and who was employed in the Loomis lumber camp about one and a half miles from Rockdale, was found early Thursday morning, unconscious from exposure to the severe cold and storms of the preceding night. The unfortunate man passed Wednesday in Bainbridge and returned there on the evening train. The wind was blowing fiercely and the night was bitter cold, but Dix set out to walk to the wood lot, where he and his son have been at work.  It is supposed that he became exhausted while struggling against the storm and sank down and expired. The son feels particularly sad that he should have slept through the night while his father expired so near the building.  On learning in the morning that his father left Rockdale that night, the son set out to search and soon found his body near the shanty, past all help, as he expired upon his arrival.  Dix is said to have a family, consisting of a wife and two children, at Bainbridge and his body was taken there Friday. A coroner was summoned, but learning the facts, requested the local physician to sign the death certificate.  Deceased was about 55 years old.