Obituaries (March 5)

Rhoby (Winsor) Delavan
December 18, 1821 - February 25, 1909

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral services of Mrs. Rhoby Delavan, aged 88 years, were held Monday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.T. Robinson, Rev. W.B. Rogers, of Christ Church, officiating.  Mrs. Delavan was born in this village, and has spent most of her life here.  She was the widow of the late George Delavan and leaves two daughters, Mrs. W.F. Robinson and Mrs. I.S. Truitt.

R.W. Akerly

June 22, 1821 - June 22, 1912

R.W. Akerly, one of the oldest residents of this village, died Tuesday morning at 8:30.  Mr. Akerly was 91 years old, having passed his last birthday on the 22d day of this month.  His advanced age had brought on failing health for several weeks.  Two days previous to his death he took to the bed and his life gradually ebbed away.  Mr. Akerly had been a resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] for over fifty years and up to a few years ago successfully followed his trade of carpentry and many of the houses which stand in this village today testify to his artisanship.  He was born in Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], June 22, 1821.  In 1848, he was married to Harriet L. Root, who died January 30, 1871.  Two daughters and one son were born to this union, Cora E., wife of Adelbert Smith, who died November 30, 1874, Mary L. wife of Dewitt Chamberlain, who died some fifteen years ago, and Owen Dwight Akerly, who went west when twenty years of age and since has been given up as dead as no information has come from him in many years.  In 1874, Mr. Akerly married Elizabeth Scriber, who survives him at the age of 92.  The deceased was a highly respected citizen.  He had been for many years a vestryman of St. Peter's Church and was always a regular attendant at the church services.  He was a very friendly man, well liked and regarded.  He was much admired for his long life, retaining his capabilities and activities nearly to the last. The funeral was held today, Thursday afternoon, with prayer at the house at 1:30 and services in St. Peter's Church at 2 p.m.  Members of the vestry acted as bearers.  Rev. L.L. Weller conducted the services.  Burial was in the Episcopal cemetery.  Besides the aged wife, the deceased is survived by two nieces, Mrs. Daisy Akerly, of Binghamton, and Mrs. Andrew Lawrence, of Windsor, and one grandson, Leon Smith, of Schenevus.

Chester Jarvis Bresee

Died April 14, 1953 in Afton, NY

Chester Jarvis Bresee, 96, died Tuesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Grant, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], after a short illness. Besides his daughter, he is survived by two granddaughters, Mrs. Thomas Randall of Gloversville and Mrs. Harvey Wehmeir of Lafayette, Calif.; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.  He was an honorary member of Union lodge 108, F&AM, of Towanda, Pa., and a life-long member of Afton Methodist church. The body was removed to the Karschner Funeral home in Afton, where friends may call.

Michael Ryan

Died October 19, 1954 in Deposit, NY

A retired farmer and lifelong resident of Deposit [Delaware Co., NY], Michael Ryan died at his Beebe Hill home at 12:40 Tuesday morning, Oct. 19, 1954, after a long illness.  He was 86 years old.  Mr. Ryan was born May 13, 1868, at Deposit, son of Dennis and Kathrine Leo [Ryan].  He was married Nov. 27, 1908 to Mary Margaret Dunleavy who survives him.  Mr. Ryan was a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of Deposit.  Surviving besides his widow are two daughters, the Misses Kathrine J. and M. Eileen Ryan, both of Deposit and four sons, Paul, Lancaster; Bernard, Green Village, N.J.; Lawrence, West Hurley, and Vincent, Deposit.  A rosary was recited Thursday evening at 8:15 and high mass of requiem is to be celebrated this Friday morning at 9:30 at St. Joseph's church, Deposit. Burial is to be in St. joseph's church cemetery.

Emery Newby

Died June 25, 1958 in Oneonta, NY

Emery Newby, 58, of 5 Potter Avenue, Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], died Wednesday at Fox Hospital, Oneonta.  He is survived by a nephew, Lloyd Wayman of Afton.  Born April 8, 1900 in West Sanford [Broome Co., NY], Mr. Newby was a carpenter's assistant on the D&H Railroad for 30 years. The body was removed to the Brookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Edna Couse

Died September 12, 1958, of Deposit, NY

Mrs. Edna (Ferry) Couse of Deposit [Delaware Co., NY] passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 1958, while en route by ambulance to the Sidney hospital. She had suffered a stroke a short time before.  She was 70 years of age.  Born near Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ferry. She taught school for many years in the vicinity of Masonville and Barbourville.  Her husband, Edgar Couse, passed away several years ago.  She was  a member of the Masonville Federated church. The funeral was held at the Walter A. Dains Funeral home in Deposit on Sunday with the Rev. Ronald Thomas, pastor of the Deposit First Presbyterian church, officiating. Burial was in Masonville.  She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Clara Hager of Bainbridge and several nieces and nephews.