Obituaries (November 19)

Minnie Light

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, June 5, 1889

Minnie, only daughter of Andrew J. and Sophronia J. Light, passed to her rest on Wednesday evening, May 28th, after a long illness from that dread disease consumption.  Minnie was a young lady much beloved by her friends and relatives and through a long and painful illness bore her suffering patiently.  For a number of years she had been a faithful member of the M.E. church, and until compelled to be absent by failing health, her place was seldom vacant in the Church and Sunday School.  The funeral was largely attended from her late home at the Quarter, Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock.  Rev. I.N. Shipman officiated.  The remains were followed by a large procession of friends to the Quarter cemetery, where loving hands had festooned her grave with evergreens and blooming flowers. At the head of the grave stood a beautiful floral design representing "the Gate Ajar."  The other designs were a pillow and a wreath.  Thus at the age of twenty-four years, Minnie was laid to rest.  The bereaved parents and son, also the grandparents have the heartfelt sympathies of the community in their sad bereavement.

Smith M. Purdy

Chenango Union, March 30, 1870

Our community was startled on Monday afternoon by the announcement that Hon. Smith M. Purdy was dead.   Although he had been in feeble health for a number of years, having long since withdrawn from active business, it was not generally known that he was more than usually ill until his death was announced.  Indeed he had not been wholly confined to his house till within a very few days.  Judge Purdy was a son of Abner Purdy, an early pioneer of the County, and was born in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on what is known as the Abram Per Lee farm, in July 1796.  Evincing an aptitude for study, at an early age he came to Norwich to attend a select school and after pursuing his studies and teaching for a number of terms, at length entered the office of James Birdsall, Esq., then a practicing lawyer of this village.  Admitted to the Bar, he located in Sherburne in 1819, where he remained some eight years in the practice of his chosen profession.

In 1827 he removed to Norwich, receiving the appointment of Attorney for the Bank of Chenango. About this time he formed a co-partnership with the late Abial Cook, Esq., the firm standing at the head of the legal profession in this section of the State.  In 1833, he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Surrogate in place of Judge Tracy, who was elected Lieut. Governor in 1832.  His health failing him, in 1835  he resigned his office.  In 1837, on account of local matters connected with the building of the Court House, he was unanimously elected Supervisor by both political parties.  In 1838, he removed to his farm at Polkville--which place derived its name from James K. Polk during the memorable political campaign of 1844--where he resided about six years.  During this time, in 1842, he was elected to Congress from the District then comprising the counties of Chenango, Broome an Tioga.  Unwilling to abandon the profession, which by study and ripe experience he was eminently fitted to adorn, soon after his return from Congress, in 1845, he again removed to this village, associating with him his nephew, the late Sherwood S. Merritt, Esq., in the practice of law--the firm continuing till he was elected Judge and Surrogate in 1847, under the revised Constitution adopted in 1836.  His term of office having expired, all his public duties well and worthily performed, he retired to private life, where he has since enjoyed a serene and green old age in the bosom of his family and friends, beloved and respected by all.  Few men, probably, when in the vigor of health, had greater powers of endurance or could transact a larger amount of business within a specified time.  Although not of great fluency in debate, his speeches and arguments were always convincing and forcible, and commanded the highest respect.  His honesty and integrity were proverbial, in every act, public and private, prompted by pure motives.  No one before or since his time wearing the Judicial ermine, it may be said, without disparagement to others, is more eminently entitled to the appellation "He was a just Judge."  

He was an economist in the strict sense of that word, and the extravagance and profligacy in official station in these latter days, shocked his high sense of honor.  But he has passed away.  Another milestone on the road that connects the past and the present has been taken down.  His record is made up and worthily, as we trust, bears the endorsement "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Judge Purdy married Prudence Gates in 1821, and she with an only son, Dr. C.M. Purdy, survives him. They have, by this act of Providence, sustained the loss of a noble husband, kind father and faithful companion.  In their sad bereavement they have the sympathy of the entire community.  the funeral will be held at his late residence on South Main Street on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, March 16, 1870

MINER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 9th, Mr. Sireno W. Miner, aged43 years.

GREENMAN:  In Bridgewater, Oneida Co. March 8th, of dropsy and heart disease, Mr. Joseph F. Greenman, aged 37 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]

KENYON:  In German [Chenango Co., NY], March 8th, Lucy [Kenyon], wife of Medson Kenyon, aged 55 years and 6 months.

TERWILLIGER:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], March 7th, wife of Daniel Terwilliger, aged 18 years.

SMITH:  In Smithville Flats [Chenango Co., NY],March 7th, Mr. William T. Smith, aged 69 years.

MACOMBER:  In North Fenton [Broome Co., NY], March 3d, Mr. Washington Macomber, aged 63 years.

WHEELER:  In Lisle [Broome Co., NY], Feb. 28th, Almira [Wheeler], wife of the late Jeremiah Wheeler, aged 60 years.

WALES:  In Geneva, Wis., January 20th, Mrs. Rachel Wales, formerly of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].