Obituaries (July 30)

Ira Blanchard

Binghamton Press, December 24, 1912

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Ira Blanchard, a well-known resident of this town, died Friday afternoon in a private hospital in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], where he had been receiving treatment for the past month for a cancer. The body was brought to Bainbridge Saturday and the funeral was held Monday afternoon at the West Bainbridge Baptist Church, the Rev. Frank James, pastor of the Frist Methodist Church of this village, officiating. Burial was in the Union Valley Cemetery [West Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Blanchard was 68 years of age and is survived by his wife.  He was born in West Bainbridge and had spent his entire life in the town.

Eli R. Lyon

Binghamton Press, December 24, 1912

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  The funeral of Eli R. Lyon, who died at his home on South Main street Thursday evening was held at the house Sunday afternoon, Rev. Frank James officiating. The body was taken to Union Valley for burial [West Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Lyon, who was 88 years of age, lived in Bainbridge for 78 years, coming here with his parents, Israel and Betsey Lyon from Bloomville in 1834, about 62 years ago.  Mr. Lyon married Hannah Green, daughter of Thruston and Rachel Green of West Bainbridge who now survives him.  Mr. Lyon was one of Bainbridge's most respected citizens and for years a very active member of Susquehanna Lodge F.&A.M.

Naomi Wheeler

Oxford Times, March 18, 1874

WHEELER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], at the residence of her son, Philip Wheeler, March 9th, Mrs. Naomi Wheeler, widow of the late Henry Wheeler, aged 90 years.

Mrs. Wheeler was born in Foster, Rhode Island.  In July, 1812, came with her husband and six children, and settled upon the place where she died. She was the mother of thirteen children--all but one attained the age of maturity, was a faithful wife, a good mother, and a kind neighbor. For many years her husband kept a public house on the new Catskill turnpike, and her name will be remembered by those who called there for entertainment.  Like all wives of pioneers, she nobly endured great hardships and privations in those days when the now pleasant village of Guilford was a collection of ponds, swamps and bustling with tall hemlocks; when the paths to it was by marked trees, and a village undreamed of by any one.  She lived to see the great wilderness changed into fertile farms, the isolated log houses into comfortable homes, and to hear the rushing tramp of the iron horse where wild animals used to roam unmolested.  Finally, having survived her husband eighteen years, and attained a venerable age, strength failed, and she saw herself slowly but surely going to rest.  Her mind remained unclouded to the last, and she died leaving to her children the assurance that to her, death was but the entrance to better and brighter regions beyond the river. Children, grandhcildren, and great-grandchildren, gather to pay their last tribute of love, and her own pastor, Rev. Lyman Yale, officiated at the funeral services.

Lyman Bush

Died Dec. 1, 1886

Lyman Bush was born in Guilford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], and died in the town of Oxford, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] Dec. 1, 1886.  Shortly after the death of his second wife he went to live with Alvin Hollenbeck, with whom he had a home until he died.  Here he had the best of care and a good home.  He was converted when quite young, and for more than fifty years was a faithful consistent Christian and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He was one of the first members of the Methodist Episcopal Society at Union Valley.  During an illness of several years he was patient and uncomplaining.  He cheerfully anticipated the end of his sufferings and looked forward to the rest that remains for the people of God. Two children survive him.  H.B.C.

Samantha (Green) Bush

March 7, 1803 - March 17, 1888

BUSH:  Samantha Green, relict of the late Ozias Bush and daughter of Benjamin Green, was born in Guilford, Chenango Co., N.Y., March 7, 1803, and died in the same town March 17, 1888, aged 85 years and 16 days. She was joined in marriage with Ozias Bush April 18, 1832, by Rev. William Bowdish of precious memory.  Sister Bush was converted at the age of twenty-four, and was until the day of her death an earnest Christian, and was faithful in the support of the church. It was largely through her influence that a few years after their marriage her husband was converted and became, through the remainder of his long life, her helper in every good work. April 18, 1882, they celebrated their golden wedding. She has been a widow since three years ago last August, yet she has been sustained by divine grace and was enabled to say "The Lord gave and the lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."  Sister Bush was one of a family of seven, three brothers and four sisters, of whom only one, Mrs. George Ives, survives. She left no children, though an adopted son, E. Bromley, and his wife, were greatly endeared to her by their tender affection and loving ministrations.  Though more than eighty-five years of age, her mind was unclouded until within a few hours of her death. Though in feeble health for many years, she still retained her interest in Christian work until the very last.  None knew her but to love her, while her smile and affectionate greeting cheered the heart of many a pastor and his wife. She was especially pleased to received a few weeks previous to her death, a certificate of life membership from the auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, of which she was an interested member. Her sufferings for forty-eight hours preceding her death were very severe, yet no word of complaint fell from her lips. The promises of God breathed into her ear by loving friends about her comforted her heart and her end was peace.  "Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord.;"   L. Jennison

Death Notices

Chenango American, May 2, 1861

In Cortland Village [Cortland Co., NY], on the 16th ult. Mary [Reynolds], wife of Hon. Joseph Reynolds, aged 71 years.  Deceased was formerly a resident of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th ult., Chloe [Winsor], wife of Joshua Winsor, aged 76 years. 

In South Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th ult. of consumption, Mr. Woodbridge G. Baker, aged 43 years.

In Elmira [Chemung Co., NY], after a short illness, Mr. Samuel Boss, aged 76 years, formerly of Oxford.

Oxford Times, May 2, 1877

SKINNER:  At Stiles, Onondaga co., April 18, at the residence of her mother, Mrs. Mary Wormouth, Lenora [Skinner], wife of Geo. W. Skinner of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]

RIPLEY:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], April 25th, Lieut. Wm. H. Ripley, aged 36 years.

PECK:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on April 24th, Mr. Horace Peck, aged 72 years.

SMITH:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], April 20th, Mr. Ambrose W. Smith, aged 67 years.

PENDLETON:  In Cuba, Allegany Co., April 12th, Mr. Nathan Pendleton, aged 52 years, son of Wm. Pendleton of Norwich.

BOOTH:  In West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], April 20th, Mr. Aaron Booth, aged 80 years.