Obituaries (August 1)

Ellen M. Weaver

Smyrna Press, June 13, 1912

Died, at the Rome Hospital [Oneida Co., NY] May 16, 1912, of pneumonia following an operation, Ellen M. Weaver, second daughter of Charles and Rebecca Weaver, deceased, in the forty-third year of her age.  Ellen M. Weaver was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., living there until about eleven years of age when she, with her parents and sister, moved to this town.  She learned and skillfully followed the dressmaker's trade for a number of years.  The last few years she had been living with her married sister, Mrs. Lewis N. Benedict, near Rome. She was a member of the Friends church.  Becoming a Christian at an early age.  She was deeply interested in all Christian work and ever ready with a helping hand and kind word in sickness and need.  No exertion or sacrifice too great, no call unheeded if in her power to grant.  Unselfishness was her crowning virtue.  In the last hours she was calm and happy in her Saviour's love.  Beloved by all who knew her she will be sadly missed. Funeral services were held at the home of her sister and the remains were brought to Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] and buried in the Friends cemetery.  Besides her sister, Miss Weaver leaves a foster brother, Ray C. Weaver of Cortland, N.Y.

"Pilgrimage ended,

Lights and shades blended,

Then I shall see

How thoudidst lead me,

How thoudidst speed me

Nearer dear Saviour still nearer to thee."

Erastus C. Billings

Smyrna Press, August 3, 1911

Entered into the life to come at his home, 314 Kellogg St., Syracuse, N.Y., Erastus C. Billings, age 72 years.  The youngest son of John F. and Lucretia C. Billings, he was born in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], April 10, 1839.  He was married June 16, 1875 to Miss Sarah Dixon, a sister of the Dixon brothers in Smyrna.  Two sons were born to them, John Dixon in 1878 and Charles Walter in 1880, the latter and his mother being the only surviving members of the family.  Both sons received preparatory and college training at Colgate university and later obtained further degrees.  John from Cornell and Walter from Syracuse.  While on his way to his daily chemical duties at the Halcomb Steel Plant of Syracuse, John met an untimely death by railway accident, Sept. 22, 1909; Walter is with the Brown Lipe Chapin Co. extensive manufacturers of automobile gears in Syracuse.

Commencing as drug clerk in New York city, Mr. Billings afterwards purchased a drug business at Eaton, N.Y., where he remained four years; then became for several years a successful representative in New England of Reed & Carnick of New York.  On marriage, he again, at Boonton, N.J., purchased a drug store, remaining there three years; then removed his business to Smyrna, N.Y., where he continued in it seventeen years, winning the esteem of the entire community by his skill, painstaking care of details, real love for the work and square dealing.  In 1896, he again engaged as pharmaceutical salesman, traveling in New England for the Norwich Pharmacal Co. six years, and in Central New York for the National Drug Co. of Philadelphia, Pa., the remaining years of his life.  As a traveling representative among physicians, his intimate knowledge, both as to the manufacture and application of drugs, together with his sterling manhood, secured for him respect and often close friendship among his customers.

He was a member of the Smyrna Congregational church and as treasurer was for years active in the affairs of the church.  He was a member of Smyrna lodge No. 116, I.O.O.F.  Rev. C.C. Johnson, who was for ten years a pastor in Smyrna, and in 1875, at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Billings performed the marriage ceremony, officiated at the funeral services at Syracuse, Thursday evening, the 27th inst., assisted by Dr. Ethan A. Curtis of Syracuse, and at Smyrna on Friday, the 28th, with interment by the Lodge, I.O.O.F., at West Hill cemetery, Sherburne, N.Y.  A man of spotless integrity, of warm sympathies and domestic tastes, he gave his family a wealth of affection and devotion, and drew to himself a large circle of friends, who sincerely mourn his sudden departure.

John Billings

Syracuse Herald, September 22, 1909

John Billings of Kellogg street [Syracuse, Onondaga Co., NY], a chemist in the employ of the Holcomb steel company, was struck and instantly killed by an eastbound passenger train on the New York Conrail railroad just opposite the gates of the steel works shortly before 8 o'clock this morning.  It is believed that Mr. Billings got off from a Solvay car at Bridge street and took a short cut through Bridge street to the works.  His watch was stopped at 7:52 o'clock and Coroner A.M. Willer, who on investigating the accident, said today that this was undoubtedly the time at which Mr. Billings met his death.  His mangled body was found lying near the railroad tracks a few moments after the accident by employees of the company and a physician was summoned.  Life was found to be extinct, however, and C.C. Carroll & Company, undertakers, were notified and the body taken to their rooms.  An examination showed that Mr. Billings' skull was fractured, the left leg severed just above the knee and both arms were broken.  C. Walter Billings, brother of the dead man, is a student at the College of Applied Sciences of Syracuse university and was attending a class when he received the news of his brother's awful death.  The shock was so great that he collapsed in his chair. While his classmates made efforts to revive him, an ambulance was summoned and he was taken to his home.  John Billings was about 27 years of age and is survived by his parents and one brother.  He was formerly a student at Colgate university, coming to Syracuse University in 1904.  He remained there but a short time, returning to Colgate on a certificate.  For two years ha had been employed as a chemist at the Halcomb steel mills.

Rev. S.M. Keeler

Smyrna Press, June 13, 1912

Rev. S.M. Keeler died at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Thursday, June 6, 1912, at the age of 76 years.  Mr. Keeler had spent fifty-two years in the ministry, and for four years being called in 1866, was pastor of the Congregational church of this village [Smyrna, Chenango co., NY].  During that time the church prospered and the church building was thoroughly remodeled.  He and his family were very much loved by the people of Smyrna.  Not many who attended church at that time are left, but those who do remember him and his family will extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.