Obituaries (November 24)

Stephen K. Willcox

Norwich Sun, March 15, 1935

Stephen K. Willcox, a prominent resident of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], died Friday noon, March 8, 1935.  He was a son of the late Thomas L. and Catherine Buell Stover Willcox and was born August 10, 1858 in the town of Smyrna on the farm settled by his grandparents, Lillibridge and Anna Hoxie Willcox, who came to Smyrna from Rhode Island in the year 1798.  Mr. Willcox was always a strong Republican and began serving that party early in life.  In 1887 he became a member of the Chenango Republican County Committee, serving one year as chairman since which time he held the position of secretary and treasurer of the committee until ill health caused him to resign in October, 1931.  He held the office of justice of the peace for over a term of 40 years, besides holding many other town offices, and served on many town and county committees.  For two terms he was the efficient treasurer of Chenango county, receiving handsome majorities at each election.  He attended three presidential inaugurals and attended, as delegate, a number of national, state and judicial conventions.  He received his education in the district and village schools and the Eastman Business college in Poughkeepsie.

In 1872 he became a breeder of choice White Leghorn fowls exhibiting his birds and winning premiums in New York city, Washington, Pittsburgh and many other leading cities and shipping eggs and fowls to many points in the United States as well as to Canada, Trinidad, Germany, Ireland and South Africa.  He was also a breeder of Cheviot sheep. Mr. Willcox was a life member of the American Cheviot Society and of the American Devon Cattle Club and a life member of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.  He was a prosperous farmer and supervised the farm owned in partnership with his brother, W.R. Willcox, a lawyer in New York city.  Mr. Willcox was very philanthropic, befriending many in need of funds and kindly deeds to the betterment of humanity, and the community in which he lived.

August 11, 1910, Mr. Willcox was united in marriage with Frances Ellena Coy, a teacher of the public schools, and daughter of Franklin D. Coy, deceased, and Helen Goodrich Coy.

The funeral which was largely attended was held from the Old Homestead Monday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. C.W. Hoag, of Endwell, former pastor of the Smyrna Methodist Episcopal church, who baptized Mr. Willcox in that faith a few years ago, officiating, assisted by Rev. Paul L. Hulslander.  The pall bearers were Irving D. Tillman, James S. Flanagan and Fred Mallory of Norwich, Harry J. McDaniel of Sherburne and Clark Tinker and Earl Fargo of Smyrna.  The beautiful floral tributes manifested the high esteem in which Mr. Willcox was held.  Interment was made in the family plot in Sherburne West Hill cemetery.  He is survived by his wife and two brothers, Arthur L. Willcox of Smyrna, and William R. Willcox of New York city, neither of whom was able to attend the funeral on account of illness, and a niece Josephine and one nephew Frederic Willcox of New York city.

Bethiah Hatch

Chenango Union, April 13, 1870

The venerable Mrs. Bethiah Hatch, widow of the late Daniel Hatch, who died last Saturday at her residence near Eaton village [Madison Co., NY], was one of the ancient landmarks in the population of our town. She was born in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., and during her girlhood removed to Oxford, Chenango Co. where she married her husband.  In the year 1797 she accompanied him to the farm on which she afterwards spent her life and where she died, near the old Pettis factory, between Eaton and Hamilton villages.  At that time this whole region was almost an unbroken wilderness and Mr. and Mrs. Hatch reached their destination, where she resided for seventy-three years, by the aid of marked trees.   Mr. H. survived her husband nearly thirty years, and during her active life took in the various social and religious affairs of the day.  Morrisville Observer.

Daniel S. Brand

Chenango Union, September 15, 1892

We regret to announce the death of Daniel Brand of West Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], which took place on Sunday morning at his late home.  Mr. Brand was an esteemed citizen and well liked by all, having always been a resident of the town.  He was a Democrat of our old school, and was always very much interested in the party's welfare and was one of the best workers.  His age was 52 years.  He leaves a wife and two sons, who have the sympathy of all.  the funeral will be held on Tuesday at one o'clock.

Nathan Jerome Brand

Chenango Telegraph, January 30, 1920

Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY]:  N. Jerome Brand, a life-long resident of this town, died at his home west of this village at an early hour Tuesday morning after an illness covering a period of several months.  Mr. Brand was a son of the late William and Mary Brand and was born on the Weaver farm now occupied by Mrs. Stella Weaver, west of this village on December 1, 1841, and at the age of nine moved with his parents to the neighborhood where he has since made his home and where he died.  Mr. Brand was a man who had many warm friends and had filled many important town positions of trust, among which were highway commissioner, assessor and excise commissioner and always dispatched the duties of office with ability and discretion  One son, William, who with his wife has cared for him during his last months, survive.  The funeral was held from his late home on Friday at one o'clock and the remains placed in the vault at the Sherburne Hill cemetery.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, March 30, 1870

PURDY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 28th, after a brief illness, Hon. Smith M. Purdy, aged 74 years. The funeral will take place at his late residence, on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

CARRINGTON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] March 29th, Mr. J. Dwight Carrington, aged 26 years.  His remains were taken to Baldwinsville, Onondaga Co., for interment.

BROWN:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], March 28th, Frank Eugene [Brown], son of Jesse Brown, aged 17 years.

BROOKS:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], March 22d, Mr. Charles W Brooks, aged about 45 years.

TANZY:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], March 25th, Miss Jane Tanzy, aged 20 years and 1 month.

THORP:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], March 21st, Mr. Weston Thorp, aged ? years.