Obituaries (August 31)

John J. Stoddard

October 15, 1823 - May 10, 1911

John J. Stoddard entered into rest at his home in Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], Wednesday, May 10, after having been in failing health for several months. The funeral was held at his late home Saturday, the services being conducted by Rev. G.P. Linderman pastor of the Congregational church here, and burial was made in the Coventryville cemetery.  The deceased was born Oct. 15, 1823, at the old Stoddard homestead, now owned by Leroy Shaw, and spent nearly all of his life in this place, and was the oldest resident in this part of the town, being 87 years old.  He only lacked one year of having reached his Golden Wedding anniversary, having married in 1862 Miss Lucelia Judd, who through all these years having been a very loving wife and she has as blessed memory the fact that, during nearly a half century of life together, she has never had an unkind or cross word from her departed husband.  Mr. Stoddard had a strong mental and physical constitution, and was a wide reader and deep thinker, and was better informed on general topics than most people in his sphere in life.  He was a successful farmer, a devoted husband and father, a kind neighbor, a pleasant, interesting conversationalist, and will be much missed in the community, and by a large circle of friends. Though never having united with the church, he was a frequent attendant at the services, and had the best interests of the church, and its advancement at heart, and stood firmly for what he believed to be right and was a very earnest and helpful friend and neighbor of the various pastors who have served the church here.  His grandfather and wife came from Connecticut in 1801, and were among the pioneers of this place, and very instrumental in maintaining public worship and organizing and sustaining a church here, and the grandfather was one of the men who read sermons to an audience and conducted service before there was a church, as those early settler, though none of them professors of religion at the time, felt that they ought to have some Sabbath observance.  And when in 1817 the Congregational church was organized, the grandmother was one of the fourteen original members, and her husband was later made Deacon, as was also in after years their son, John Stoddard, Jr., who was the first Sunday School superintendent and held the office 25 years.  He was the father of John Stoddard, third, who has just passed away.  The deceased is survived by his widow of this place and a daughter, Mrs. Will Hinman, and her husband and son of Lestershire, and by two sons, Fred and wife and children of Coventryville, and Arthur and wife of Susquehanna, Pa. and one sister, Mrs. Sarah l. Lloyd of Washington, D.C. and one brother, Rev. Elijah Stoddard of Succasunna, N.J., all of whom were at the funeral except Rev. Elijah Stoddard, who though 91 years of age is with the aid of an assistant, still actively serving the Congregational church of which he has been pastor for 47 years.

George Rice

July 1911

The body of George Rice, who resided near Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], was found early Wednesday morning in the driveway of the Central Hotel at Afton [Chenango Co., NY].  He came into town on Tuesday evening and hitched his horse in front of some stores. At 11:30 the horse was still standing there, and also at 3 a.m.  At 4 o'clock the horse, minus the bridle, was found in the yard of Superintendent Davis on upper Caroll street.  The body of Rice was found lying in the driveway about daylight.  He was about 30 years of age. Dr. Dodge and coroner Chapin of Green performed an autopsy and the stomach was sent to Binghamton for examination. Further developments are awaited with interest.

Afton Enterprise, July 20, 1911

The community was shocked yesterday morning to learn that a dead body had been found in the alley way between the Galpeer store and the Central House.  Such alleged facts as we have been able to glean regarding the matter are as follows:  George Rice, who lives on the farm next above G.B. Wilkins at Wilkins Settlement, drove to town late in the afternoon and hitched his horse in front of Morgan Bros. store and went in and inquired for some mowing machine part.  Not having them, Glen Morgan directed him to G.B. Goodnoug who has the agency for that style of machine.  Of course no one thought anything more about Mr. Rice.  Just what he did after that seems to be a mystery to everyone.  His horse remained tied to the post in front of Morgan's store for a long time, but this morning the bridle only was found there and the horse and wagon was found in a yard up on Caswell Street. The theory is that the horse broke away and started for home.  R.E. Fowler who has a livery stable in the rear of the Central house discovered the body of Rice as he was going to the stable early in the morning.  He summoned Dr. Dodge and undertaken McHugh and the body was taken to the undertaking rooms to await the arrival of Coroner Chapin of Greene.  He came about ten o'clock and with Dr. Dodge performed an autopsy.  Practically nothing was given out regarding the result of this autopsy, but the stomach was sent to Binghamton for chemical analysis.  The deceased was in the habit of drinking, it is said, and a weak heart has been suggested as the cause of the death. The heart was found to be sound by the doctors, however.  No  marks of violence were found upon the person. The deceased leaves a wife and two small children.

Ernest Southworth
Chenango Telegraph, January 6, 1911

Ernest [Southworth], only child of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Southworth died Sunday after an illness of only a few days, aged three years. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at the home. A particularly sad feature of this death is the fact that Mr. Southworth's mother, Mrs. T.A. Southworth of Coventry, died Sunday morning, after a long illness.  And his father, T.A. Southworth is very ill and not expected that he can live but a few days.  Much sympathy is expressed by everyone for the afflicted family.

Truman Alvin Southworth

April 25, 1844 - January 5, 1911

It is very unusual that a family is called upon to lose three of its members by death in less than a week, but such has been the sad experience of the family of the late T.A. Southworth who resided here for a long time, three years ago moving to Coventry, leaving their son, Ray, and family at the former home here.  Owing to illness of the parents Ray and family had been at Coventry several weeks caring for them, and a week ago, Saturday, December 31, his mother died [Mary Elliott Southworth], and also his little son, Ernest, nearly three years of age, and the following Thursday Mr. Southworth also passed away. The funeral of the grandchild was held in this place last week Tuesday, Rev. G.P. Linderman of this place officiating.  The funerals of Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were each held at Coventry and burial there.  mr. and Mrs. Southworth were each about 66 years of age and highly respected citizens and kind and helpful neighbors and will be much missed. They are survived by two sons, Guy of Coventry and Ray and wife of this place, who have the deep sympathy of the community in this, their double bereavement.