Obituaries (July 5, 2019)

Clarissa Brown
Chenango Union,  June 19, 1884

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], April 16th, 1884, of pneumonia and heart disease, Mrs. Clarissa Brown, wife of Luther Brown, left her mortal body, at the age of sixty-three years.

Something more than a passing notice is due to one whose life-long history as daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend, were so full of excellence that any poor words of praise that I may offer will seem cheap to those whose privilege it was to know her intimately as I did, for a period of over forty years.  It is seldom we find in human character the opposite qualities of firmness and ambition, united with amiability and unselfishness, yet these traits were beautifully combined in her nature, making her one of the best of women.  She was loved by all for her uniform kindness of disposition and her unfailing devotion to every duty.  Over twenty years ago, when diphtheria was making its first dreadful ravages in the neighborhood, she was one of the bravest to stand by the bedside of the sick and dying, until her own precious child caught the contagion, and lived but a few days.  No mother ever loved their children better than she, yet her fortitude and unselfishness were exhibited in this, her hour of trial; she laid her treasure in the dust, and resumed without a murmur her daily duties, moving on cheerfully to the end.

She never made any profession of religion or goodness, yet in all her relations to the world she exhibited continually and at all times the noblest attributes that are usually ascribed to the best Christian character.  Clara, as she was familiarly called, had the rare domestic qualities for making home attractive.  No hired man or woman ever felt themselves a menial in her house. They were ever treated with consideration and kindness, which fact made it easy for Mr. Brown to always have the best help about his faming affairs; and it is but just to say that Mr. Brown's success as a farmer is largely due to the patience, kindness, industry and economy of his wife and whose devotion as a wife was rarely equaled.

Mrs. Brown was the mother of four children.  One died in infancy, a second at the age of eleven years; two daughters and one granddaughter are still living.  Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge, of Pitcher, being the eldest child, and Mrs. Antoinette Warner, of Cincinnatus, the youngest.  It was the sweet privilege of these daughters, as well as the kind husband and grandchild, to minister to the wants of one of the dearest of wives and mothers during her last and almost only illness. These four, together with an aged sister, who was a member of Mr. B's family at home, are left to mourn the loss of one for whom they can never find a substitute.

Grace (Weaver) Slater

Died July 17, 1941, Norwich, NY

Mrs. Grace Slater, aged 59 years, passed away at the Chenango Memorial Hospital early Thursday evening, after an illness of several weeks.  She had been confined at the hospital for about six weeks.  Mrs. Slater was born in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], the daughter of the late Charles and Abbie Weaver. She resided in Vineland, N.J., for several years, was a member of the Daughters of America lodge and the Methodist church, both of Vineland. For the past several years she had resided in Norwich.  She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Phillip Bail of North Norwich and Mrs. Wesley Aldrich of Norwich and a son, Carl Slater of Preston.  She also leaves a brother, Ross Weaver of Irvington, N.J., and the following grandchildren, Mrs. Charles Beckwith of Norwich, Shirley and Wesley Aldrich of Norwich, Grace, Pauline and Linn Slater, of Preston.  Services are to be held at the Breese Funeral home at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, with Rev. L. S. Charters officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].

Floyd M. Shoales

Died August 9, 1937, Norwich, NY

Floyd M. Shoales of North Norwich died at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at 12:30 Monday morning, after a brief illness. The deceased was born in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 8, 1896, son of Morrell Shoales and Maggie Case.  He is survived by his wife and two sons, Donald and Linn, his parents and one sister, Mrs. Ernest Wilcox of Harpursville.  Services are to be held at the Breese funeral home at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with burial in the North Norwich cemetery.

Mary M. Sherwood

Died January 22, 1928, South New Berlin, NY

Norwich Quarter [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mary M. Sherwood passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank D. Follett, on the South New Berlin road, Sunday night, January 22, 1928, at 9 o'clock, after a lingering illness, at the age of 83 years. She will be greatly missed in the home where she had lived so long.  She leaves to mourn her loss, beside the daughter, two grandchildren, Roger and Eveline Follett, one sister, Mrs. O.A. Laurence and four nieces and one nephew. the funeral was largely attended on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. M.R. Weaver of the South New Berlin Baptist church, officiated. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, one piece being a blanket of white carnations from the neighbors. Burial was made in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Henry B. Sheldon

Died February 4, 1941, Norwich, NY

Henry B. Sheldon, former alderman and well known Norwich citizen, died at his home, 35 Silver street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], shortly after midnight, following a several weeks illness.  Mr. Sheldon was born in North Norwich Sept. 3, 1875, but for the past 45 years had been a resident of this city.  He was prominent in the civic and business life of Norwich having been engaged in the retail grocery business nearly all his life until recently.  In early life he was identified with the drug store of the late Fred Mitchell on North Broad street.  Mr. Sheldon served his city as alderman of the fourth ward.  He was the Democratic candidate for mayor at one election and he was also his party's candidate for sheriff many years ago.  The deceased was the son of Frank and Sarah Frink Sheldon.  He was a member of the holy Name Society of St. Paul's church and Norwich council, Knights of Columbus.  there survive his wife, Catherine Fern Sheldon; two daughters, Mrs. Donald M. Wilcox and Miss Margaret H. Sheldon of Syracuse; two sons, James F. Sheldon and Frank H. Sheldon, both of Norwich; his mother, Mrs. Louis Stadler of North Norwich; a brother, Frederick Sheldon of Ilion; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer Smith of North Norwich and Mrs. Leonard A. Sherwood of Solvey and two grandchildren, Francis and Carolyn Sheldon of Sauquoit. Funeral services are to be held at the late home on Silver street at 9 o'clock Thursday morning and a half hour later in St. Paul's church, Rev. Charles M. Coveney officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in St. Paul's cemetery. [Norwich, NY]

Funeral services for Henry B. Sheldon, former city alderman, were held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from his late home, 35 Silver street and at 9:30 in St. Paul's church where a requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Francis Murphy. The services were very largely attended by relatives and friends. The floral display was evidence of the high regard in which Mr. Sheldon was held by a wide acquaintance. Bearers included Max and Carl Fern, John and Richard Simmons, Attorney Thomas Ivory and Dr. John Kerley. Burial was made in the family plot in St. Paul's cemetery with Rev. Father Murphy conducting the committal service.

Death Notices

Chenango American, February 21, 1861

In Barker [Broome Co., NY], on the 17th isnt., Mr. David Atwater, aged 84 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst., Miss Amelia Pendleton, aged 85 years.

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., of consumption, Mr. Loren D. Moon, aged 20 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., David Brown, Esq., aged 58 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst., Catharine P. [Rogers], wife of Joseph Rogers, aged 33 years.