Obituaries (July 1)

Joseph Foote

Chenango American, February 28, 1861

Died in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 21, 1861, Mr. Joseph Foote, aged 100 years and 5 months.

Thus has passed away another patriot of the great Revolutionary struggle.  Mr. Foote was born in Springfield, Mass. and has lived in this community with one of his sons for a number of years past.  He took an early part in the struggle which separated us from the parent country.  He was in the battle (with Burgoyne) on the plains of Saratoga, when the surrender took place of the British arms, which was one of the closing events of the war.  He saw the distinguished Gen. Frazer fall and borne from the field.  He was also present near New York in connection with scouting parties in conflict with the tories.  In remembrance of these events his mind was especially clear and distinct, and his interest was easily aroused by a reference to the great events of that trying period.  He had ever been a man of strict temperance and was remarkably simple, regular, and uniform in all his habits.  The list of these noble men is fast dwindling down, and soon the scroll that contains their names will have blotted out the last of that patriot band.  We cannot but feel that these aged patriots must as they linger here in times like these be compelled to the indulgence of saddened thoughts, to see the monuments which they erected, torn down and trampled under foot, by the madness of sectional animosity and passion.  And we have yet to learn that one of that faithful band breathes any other sentiment but devotion to the flag of their country, and the whole Union, one, and indivisible.  

"Forever float that standard sheet,

Where breathes the foe but falls before it,

With freedom's soil beneath our feet

And freedoms banner floating o'er us."

Howard Sothern

Died September 13, 1938, Oneonta, NY

Morris [Chenango Co., NY]:  Howard Southern, 54, died Tuesday, Sept. 13, at a private hospital in West Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY] as a result of a stroke.  The deceased had been confined in bed only a few days, but had been in failing health for several years.  Mr. Southern was born in Morris Oct. 31, 1883, the son of the late William and Jane Furbush Southern.  He had been a life long resident of Morris. He was a great lover of dogs and horses and was employed by the late Dr. Lewis R. Morris, at Morris manor in Morris, for a period of 25 years as a trainer. The deceased was a member of the Zion Episcopal church of Morris and a member of the Masonic lodge.  There survive four brothers, Edward, Fred and William Southern of Morris and Earle Southern of Mount Vision, and one sister, Mrs. Ray Thompson of Norwich, also several nephews and nieces.  Services for Mr. Southern will be held at Sloan's Funeral Home in Morris at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. L.C. Denny officiating, with burial in Hillington cemetery, Morris.

James St. Lawrence

Died August 5, 1925, Norwich, NY

James St. Lawrence passed away Wednesday evening at his home, 42 Cortland street [Norwich, Chennaog Co., NY], after a long illness, the last three months of which he was confined to his bed.  Mr. St. Lawrence came to Norwich in his youth, and until recent years had conducted an orchestra which furnished music for local theatres as well as dance music for balls and parties in all sections of central New York.  Aside from his talent as a violinist, he taught thousands of pupils, both here and in New York city, the art of dancing, of which he was a past master.  Forty-two years ago this month he was untied in marriage to Myra S. Westcott of Utica, who, with her son, survive him. The funeral, which will be private, will be held at the family home on Cortland street Friday afternoon at 2:30, services being conducted by the Christian Science Society.

Francis Stockwell

Died December 17, 1931, New Berlin, NY

Francis Stockwell, one of Chenango county's oldest residents, passed away at his Chenango Lake home, where he had resided for more than fifty years, Thursday morning, Dec. 17, 1931, at the age of 94 years.  He was born in Otsego county.  Although in failing health for several months he was about as usual, but was taken worse and for two days preceding his death was in a state of coma. The deceased is survived by his wife, Betsy Ann, who is 87 years of age, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are L. Blinn Stockwell of Chenango Lake, Mrs. George Armstrong of Sherburne, Mrs. Richard Cleveland, Mrs. Reed Bowers and Frank Carpenter all of Norwich.  He was a Civil War veteran. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the William Breese funeral parlors in Norwich, with burial in the cemetery at South New Berlin.

Edwin L. Graves

Deid August 27, 1929, New Berlin, NY

Edwin L. Graves died Tuesday afternoon at his home in Norwich Quarter [Chenango Co., NY] as the result of a shock Saturday, from which he never rallied.  Born on December 30, 1846, in the same house in which he died, Mr. Graves had resided there all his life except for a short while when he made his home in Norwich.  On October 20, 1868, he married Malona Thurston of Norwich, and by this marriage he had one son, Merton E. Graves, who died January 19, 1920.  Mrs. Graves died December 24, 1910. Mr. Graves was a member of the Masons and up until the time of his death was the oldest living member of the Norwich lodge, No. 302, F. and A.M. He was  a prosperous and respected farmer in Norwich Quarter and leaves a large number of friends who will regret to learn of his death.  On August 13, 1912, he married Annis Chapin of Berlin Heights, O., who survives him.  Other survivors include Homer Edwin Graves and Charles Ansen Graves, two great-grandsons; John Ansen Graves and Merton Geroge Graves and several nieces and nephews.  The funeral will be held from the home at Norwich Quarter Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. D. G. DeBoer officiating.  Burial will be made in the cemetery at South New Berlin.  The Masonic lodge will conduct the services at the grave.

Death Notices

Chenango American, December 27, 1860

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst., Mary L [Hagerman], wife of John Hagerman, aged 29 years.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on 21st inst., Cora E. [Peck], youngest daughter of Daniel Peck, aged 4 years.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Billy Fairchild, aged 82 years.

In Triangle [Broome Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Electa A. [Saxton], wife of Henry Saxton, aged 25 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY] on the 20th inst., Demis [Westover], daughter of Calvin and Urena Westover, aged 14 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst., Mrs. Fanny Ransford, aged 85 years.