Obituaries (April 8)

John Bernard Henkes

Died December 13, 1940, Edmeston, NY

Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY]:  The death of John Bernard Henkes occurred Friday at his home here following a three-day illness after a heart attack.  Born in Burlington Flats [Otsego Co., NY] January 19, 1879, he was the son of Peter and Katherine Milbert Henkes.  A resident of Edmeston for 50 years, Mr. Henkes was for many years a dairy farmer but for the past 12 was engaged in work as a carpenter, September 25, 1903 he was united in marriage with Mina Cole of Gilbertsville who survives.  One son, Edward of Norwich and two daughters, Katherine, residing at home and Mrs. Emile Tophoven of West Edmeston; three grandchildren; his aged mother, Mrs. William Spencer, and one sister, Mrs. Lena Dyer of West Burlington, also survive.  Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Houck's Funeral Home with the Rev. Hausser, Methodist church pastor, officiating.  Burial will b made in the Edmeston Union cemetery.

Grover Hickling

Died May 31, 1935, Edmeston, NY

Struck down by a bolt of lightning, Grover Hickling, a farmer living near Edmeston [Otsego co. NY], met instant death while working in a field on his farm Friday morning.  Mr. Hickling had been engaged in dragging a section of plowed ground, when he stopped for a moment to reach through a three-strand barbed wire fence for a pail of water.  Just as his body was between the wires, the death-ray from an approaching thunder storm darted out of the clouds, seeking the ground. The team of horses bolted at the ear-splitting crash accompanying the bolt.  Mr. Hickling's six-year-old son, Stanley, who had been left holding the horses, witnessed the tragedy. The lightning evidently selected the victim's body as its target.  The face and head were slightly burned, and the clothing ripped where the bolt had run down the right leg into the earth.  However, it left few traces on the flesh, although his hat and right shoe were torn off and a hole blown into the ground. The son, seeing his father struck down, ran toward the house to secure help and was met by his mother, who had seen the runaway team and was forewarned of some mishap.  A physician from Garrattsville was called, who stated that death had been instantaneous.  Grover Hickling, 41, was the only son of Thomas and Jennie Hickling, who survive.  He also leaves his widow, the former Marion Gifford of Otego; four daughters, Marguerite, Mildred, Nina and Ella; the son, Stanley, all at home, and one sister, Mrs. Tina Wood of Brookfield.  Funeral services were held from the home at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon and burial was made at Edmeston.  Mr. Hickling held membership in the Masonic fraternity and Grange and was a highly respected farmer.  Many friends will extend sympathy to the bereaved family in its untimely loss--Oneonta Star.

William James Hickling

Died March 20, 1937, Holmesville, NY

William James Hickling, 82, died suddenly at Holmesville [Chenango Co., NY] Saturday night at 10:40 following a heart attack.  The deceased had been a farmer all his life and had lived nearly all the time at Holmesville.  He was born in Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY] in 1854.  There survive a son, Paul, of South New Berlin; a daughter, Mrs. Leone May of Holmesville; a brother, Fred, of Cooperstown, and a grandson, Richard James Hickling of South New Berlin.  Services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of the daughter, with burial in the Cole cemetery at South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

William James Hickling, aged 82 years, died suddenly at his home in Holmesville, Saturday night at 10:40 following a heart attack.  He had followed the occupation of farming all his life, a greater portion of which had been spent in the vicinity of Holmesville.  He was born in Edmeston in 1854.  Mr. Hickling's wife passed away several years ago, since which time he had made his home with his son and daughter, but for the last few years of his life had lived in his own home, where he was cared for by Mr. McIntyre and family who occupied a portion of the house.  He was a man well known in the community, having been an Odd Fellow and a Mason; in the former Order he served one term as District Deputy Grand Master.  He is survived by a son, Paul, of South New Berlin; a daughter, Mrs. Leone May of Holmesville; a brother, Fred, of Cooperstown, and a grandson, Richard James Hickling of South New Berlin.  Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of the daughter, Rev. H.H. Hadley, of New Berlin officiating. Burial was in (Cole's) Greenwood Cemetery at South New Berlin.

Albert K. Peet

Died July 22, 1939, Edmeston, NY

Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY]:  Albert K. Peet died Saturday, July 22, 1939, of a heart attach.  He had been ill since Monday.  He was born in Edmeston, June 3, 1858, a son of Silas and Louisa Rubey Peet.  He was the last of his family.  He was twice married, first to Miss Ella Dickson of South New Berlin, who died in 1925.  He married Miss Alice Webster of Burlington in 1928.  She survives with one son, Renwie, of Syracuse, and four grandchildren.  A son, Glenn, died in March, 1938.  Mr. Peet had always lived in Edmeston and in the vicinity of South New Berlin.  He was a meat dealer and conducted the Central Market in Edmeston until 1921.  He attended the Baptist church and was an active member.  Funeral services were held Monday at 2 o'clock from his late home, Rev. Daniel Harold Dunbar officiating.  

Death Notices

Chenango American, March 15, 1860

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Mrs. Hannah D. Latham, widow of John Latham, deceased, aged 69 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst., Mrs. Hannah Miner, wife of Luther Miner, aged 72 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst. of putrid sore throat Mary Eliza [Shiffer] aged 9 years and 5 months; and on the 12th inst. Alice [Shiffer] aged 5 years and 11 months; daughter of John and Mary Shiffer.