Obituaries (February 24)

John Van Wagenen

Chenango Telegraph, July 15, 1846

In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d of July of a disease of the brain, John Van Wagenen, merchant, in the 42d year of his age, son of Garrit H. Van Wagenen, late of the city of New York, for many years one of its most respectable citizens.  Possessing a reputation unblemished, thewdeceased sustained through life and in all its relations the character of a true and devoted friend, an active and upright man, and a good citizen.  His loss is deeply deplored by a large circle of relatives and friends.  Oxford Times

Harriet Elizabeth Foote

Chenango Telegraph, July 22, 1846

In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., at the residence of her grandparents (Dear Isaac Foote), Miss Harriet Elizabeth [Foote], daughter of Justin Foote, deceased, aged 20 years.  She was taken sick and died while on a visit at her grandparent's with whom she had spent the greater part of her life, till about two and a half years since, when she went to reside with her widowed mother in Batavia.  When she came to Smyrna, far from herself and friends was the thought that her youthful and lovely form was so soon to waste away by disease, and to find a grave by the side of her father's sleeping dust.  All that love and skill could do was done to arrest the progress of her disease.  It gradually became evident that death had marked her for his prey--that her time had come. To her friends it was consoling that she was prepared to meet it.  At an early age she manifested an attachment to Christ and made a public profession of her faith in Him.  By her life she adorned her profession--on the bed of sickness she was meek, patient and submissive.  She had a desire to live, but wished above all, the will of the Lord done. Till the last hour she confessed herself to be a sinner, and if saved it must be by nothing she had done, but all through the merits of Christ. She peacefully fell asleep in Jesus (as we trust) leaving many to weep over her early grave.

Emiline A. Doolittle

ca 1863 - October 11, 1954

Mrs. Emiline A. Doolittle, 91, widow of Ivey W. Doolittle, died at 4 a.m. today at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles B. Meredith of 1 Chapman Street [Binghamton, Broome Co., NY].  Besides Mrs. Meredith, she is survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Virge Livingston of Harpursville and Mrs. Raymond Hurlbut of Chenango Bridge; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  The body was moved to the William R. Chase & Son Funeral home, 44 Exchange Street.

Charlene (Johnson) Archer

ca 1910 - January 1, 1944

Mrs. Elmer Archer of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] was killed Saturday evening when a D.&H. freight train struck the automobile she was driving on the Johnson street railroad crossing in that village.  Mrs. Archer and her husband were planning on going to a movie and while he went downtown on an errand she was to get out the car and pick up some friends on Johnson street, where they lived, who were to accompany them to the show.  The crossing is unprotected after 8 o'clock in the evening.  The car was caught on the southbound track by a freight train and the machine demolished, Mrs. Archer's body being later found about 100 feet below where the crash occurred lying between the rails of the northbound track where another train had passed over her body without hitting it. This train also picked up the wreckage of the car and carried it about 500 feet north of the crossing. The crew of neither train was aware that an accident had occurred.  Neighbors heard the crash and hurried to the scene.  Mr. Archer discovered his wife's body.  State troopers investigated the accident.  Mr. Archer is employed in the control chemistry laboratory of the Casein division of the Bordon company at Bainbridge.  Mrs. Archer, who was 34 years old is survived by the husband, Beverly, a ten-year-old daughter, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nat Johnson, of Afton.  The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon.

Francis B. Fisher

Chenango Union, February 1, 1883

Francis B. Fisher, Justice of the Second District Court, of Brooklyn, died at his residence on Sunday last, of Bright's disease, in the fifty-first year of his age.  Judge Fisher was a son of the late Jared Fisher, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  He was born in Bolton, Mass., in August 1833, and during his infancy his parents moved to Norwich, where his boyhood was passed.  In the spring of 1847 he entered the office of the Oxford Republican--of which the writer was then foreman--as an apprentice.  During the summer and fall he rode the post route, alternating with the carrier of the Times, delivering both papers to subscribers in the towns of Guilford, New Berlin, Columbus, Sherburne, Smyrna, Plymouth, Pharsalia and Preston--a ride of two days.  Many of our older subscribers in those towns will remember the delivery of their papers at their doors by the bright-eyed, genial lad of fifteen, who had a pleasant word for all, and left sunshine in their homes.  In October, 1847, the Oxford Republican and the Norwich Journal were consolidated, under the name of the Chenango Union, and the Oxford office was discontinued, as was also the post route.  "Frank" as he was familiarly known, removed with the office to Norwich, where he remained until the expiration of his apprenticeship, when he went east for a time, being employed in several job and newspaper offices.  His first venture in business was about the year 1852, when he formed a partnership with Thomas L. James, late Postmaster General, in the publication of the Madison County Journal, at Hamilton.  Some two years later he associated himself with the late E. Max Leal, in the publication of the Chenango Telegraph, in this village.  From this place he went to Greene, where, in 1855 he established the Chenango American, in company with J.D. Denison, who is still one of the proprietors of that paper. While a resident of Greene he was twice elected to the Assembly from the Second Assembly District of this County.  From that time he took an active part in politics, and was well known among the leaders of the Republican party.  He was the life of the social circles of Greene, and foremost in promoting the interests of the town.  An active member of the fire department of that village, he endeared himself to his associates at home, while his visits with the members of "Ocean" company to our village, in the palmy days of the department were always welcome.  Many of the old firemen of Norwich look back with pleasure to these reunions, and to those which occurred in Greene, where the deceased was prominent among the many gallant boys of those days in making their Norwich friends doubly welcome.  In 1865, Mr. Fisher established a job printing office in New York city, removing with his family to Brooklyn in the following year.  He became a member of the Kings County Republican General Committee, and in 1872, 1874 and 1876 he was elected to the Common council, and in his last term was President of that body, and for several months acting Mayor.  In 1879, he was appointed justice, to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Riley.  He drafted the bill abolishing the elective judiciary system, which was passed by the Legislature in 1880. and the same year was appointed by the Mayor, Comptroller and auditor Justice of the Second District Court, which position he held until his death.  He was last year admitted to practice at the Bar.  In all the relations of life, judge Fisher was honest and upright, and his friendship was sincere and lasting.  He was  a shrewd politician, and a thorough business man. There are many in this the home of his boyhood, who learn with regret of his death, while yet in the zenith of his usefulness.  His widow survives him, but no children, two having died.  his aged mother, Mrs. Jared Fisher, and sister, Mrs. Harvey E. Dingley, with a brother, Austin H. Fisher, reside in Utica. The Court of which he was a member, and the Board of Aldermen of Brooklyn, met Monday, and took proper notice of Mr. Fisher's death. The remains are to be buried in Albany, in the family plot.

Death Notices

Chenango Union, November 15, 1894

BABCOCK:  In New York, Nov. 12, 1894, Mr. Dwight Babcock of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], aged 30 years.

ADAMS:  In Scranton, Pa., nov. 10, 1894, Caroline [Adams], wife of Dr. Charles Adams, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

TAINTOR:  In Sangamon, Ill., Oct. 30, 1894, Mr. Irving Taintor, aged 84 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

JAYNES:  In East Troy, Wisc., Nov. 5, 1894, Mrs. Lovina Jaynes, aged 62 years, and mother of Mrs. E. Hartwell of Sherburne.

LANSING:  In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nov. 7, 1894, Hattie E. [Lansing], wife of W.H. Lansing and daughter of T. Bates of Greene, aged 31 years.