Obituaries (July 28)

Maria (Sherman) Musson

Otsego Journal, May 19, 1910

Mrs. Maria Musson died Wednesday May 4, at 3:20 p.m. at the home of Dr. J.S. Boyers, in Decatur, Ind., where she had been spending the winter with her daughter, Mrs. Boyers.  The funeral was held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from her late residence, No. 312 West Columbia avenue.  Maria Sherman was born July 29, 1821, in the town of Langdon, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, being the youngest of nine children of Elijah and Sally Bachelor Sherman.  When ten years old her parents moved to Lewis, Essex county, New York, where she grew to womanhood.  In 1850 she moved to Manitowoc, Wis., where she was married to Richard B. Musson, in 1852, coming to the town of Champaign in 1857, where she has since made her home. There survive her all her children and her step-son, Willard Musson, of Elk City, Kan.  Her children are Lewis F., of Spokane, Wash.; Richard F., of Champaign; Bertha M. Luckey, of Lincoln, Neb.; Eva E. Boyers of Decatur, Ind.; Josie Hitt Townley of Champaign, and Fred I., of Rantoul -Champaign, Ill, Daily Gazette

Zida M. (Barse) Bidwell

Otsego Farmer, June 21, 1895

BIDWELL:  In Butternuts, N.Y. [Otsego Co.], June 9, 1895. Mrs. Charles Bidwell, aged 29 years. 

Gilbertsville, [Otsego Co., NY]:  Zida, wife of Charles Bidwell and daughter of Alonzo Barse, died June 9th, after an illness of five days, aged 29 years.  Four little children and a most devoted husband are left to mourn her early death.

The Otsego Journal, June 20, 1895

The death of Mrs. Charles Bidwell which occurred Sunday night is peculiarly sad.  She was the daughter of Alonzo Barse, and was only twenty-nine years of age.  Se had been ill but five days, and, as we understand it, her physicians are not quite decided as to the cause of death. She leaves a devoted husband and four small children to mourn her loss. Their condition is such as to excite the warmest sympathy of all. The funeral was held on Tuesday from the house on the Gibson farm, with interment at White Store Cemetery [Chenango Co., NY]

John Blackman

Otsego Journal, January 6, 1892

John Blackman departed this life on Saturday, December 31, 1891, at the good old age of 84 years, 3 months and 1 day, ready, resigned, and surrounded by friends.  He was born in the town of Columbus N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY] April 4, 1807.  In early life he married Helen J. Place, of Mt. Upton.  To them were born several children, all of whom Mr. Blackman outlived.  Mrs. Blackman died seventeen years ago. After this, Mr. Blackman came to live in Sherburne, and for the remainder of his life made his home with Mrs. W.H. Walker, who made his declining years comfortable by providing for his every need.  He came to Sherburne from Gilbertsville, N.Y. where for many years he followed the occupation of an undertaker, at which he earned enough to make his old age happy and independent.  When about twenty-four years of age he was converted from sin to Christ, and at once united with the Methodist Episcopal Chruch to which he was loyal and faithful for sixty years. Being a man of deep religious conviction, clear mind and executive ability, for many years he sustained official relations to the Chruch at Mt. Upton and Gilbertsville.  He was well known throughout the town and vicinity, and esteemed as one who carefully endeavored to live according to the principles of truth and righteousness.  He retained a lively interest in the affairs of the Chruch and the world to the last--his mental faculties being wonderfully retained through old age and his last sickness. During a long life he served his day and generation and was helpful spiritually and financially to the church he loved; always in his place at the means of grace till infirmity kept him at home.  He loved the house and the hour of prayer and was a constant attendant.  he possessed a reliant and beautiful faith.  With clear vision, in public prayer his mind swept out and up to God, the Father, grasping the promises. The memory of his voice in prayer will be an inspiration and help to many, remaining with them until, like him, they reach the end of earth's wonderful but providential pilgrimage.  As a Christian Mr. Blackman was unassuming, reverent, devout, intelligent, charitable, and practical. A man of reliable character, one of the salt of the earth.

The funeral service was held at the Methodist church, on Wednesday, December 9, where a large and representative audience assembled to pay respects to his memory and mortal remains.  A large number of surviving relatives in attendance, looked worthy representatives of a worthy ancestor.  His funeral was in charge of his pastor, Rev. J.C. Hogan, who spoke briefly of the deceased, after which Rev. O.H. McAnuity, of Oneonta, a former pastor, preached an appropriate sermon from the words of the Psalmist.  "What is man that Thou art mindful of him?"  etc.  Rev. H. Fox, of Norwich, a former pastor of the Sherburne church, also assisted in the service. The interment took palce at White Store, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], Rev. C. H. Sackett, of Mt. Upton officiating.  In death our brother was gentle, resigned and hopeful.  His departure was peaceful.  Thus, one by one, the fathers fall asleep, and are "gathered unto their people." None realized more than h , that

"We live in deeds--not years; in thoughts, not breaths;

In feelings, not in figures on a dial.

We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives,

Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best."

"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him."  Isa. 5:10

George Bowen

Chenango Union, December 28, 1893

We are pained to learn of the alarming illness of George Bowen, one of our most respected citizens.  His wife also lies in a very critical state, and does not know of the dangerous state of her husband.  DeCalvus Bowen, and wife, of Norwich, are with them. They have the deep sympathy of the entire community.

Chenango Union, January 4, 1894

BOWEN:  In Mt. Upton [Chenango County, NY], December 29, 1893, Mr. George Bowen.

After days of intense suffering, which were borne with perfect patience, a must respected citizen, George Bowen, entered into rest December 29.  He often said during his last hours, "I'm all ready, only waiting."  It seemed a singular coincidence that the same day he was laid to rest, the 31st, Mrs. David Westcott, of Norwich, a friend and associate of childhood and youth, was consigned to the "narrow house."  There will be many glad recognitions on the other shore.