Obituaries (August 16)

Oscar F. Evans

Bainbridge Republican, February 27, 1880

By reference to our death notices, it will be seen that Oscar F. Evans died on Monday last.  Mr. Evans has resided in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] nearly all his life, and made many friends.  He had been suffering with a disease of the lungs for nearly a year prior to his death, but at the last his death was quite sudden and unexpected.  The deceased was well informed on the general topics of the day, and enjoyed a friendly discussion with his neighbors.  He will be greatly missed by his associates.

Mrs. Abbott

Bainbridge Republican, February 27, 1880

Mrs. Abbott, the seven times married woman of Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], has died at the age of eighty-eight years.  Her seventh husband, to whom she was married last year, survives her.  Her maiden name was Williams and she always lived in that neighborhood.  She first married a man named Truax, and then she was successively wedded to Messrs. Riggs, Farrow, Wallace, Berry, Pratt and Abbott.  Her widowhood seldom exceeded a year.  She never became a mother, but many of the best citizens of Chenango county called her such, six of her seven husbands being widowers, with children ranging in number from two to a dozen. there is not half a score of families in the county but can trace some marriage relationship to her.  She was a good woman and a consistent member of one of the orthodox churches. The majority of her husbands were well-to-do farmers, and it is said that she leaves a snug fortune, received from her deceased husbands.

Clarence Mathewson

Died April 13, 1922, New Berlin, NY

Shortly after 10 o'clock Thursday morning Prof. Clarence Mathewson started across the lot to the home of his son Jewett, who lives on the adjoining farm at New Berlin Center [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Mathewson had gone a part of the way when he discovered that two of his son's cows were fighting near the barn and fearing that they might injure each other he quickened his step in an effort to reach them.  He arrived in the barn yard and called to Jewett.  In the mean time, exhausted from his hurrying, he sank down on his knees where he was discovered when Jewett arrived.  With the help of the hired man, they carried him out of the yard but he became unconscious and died almost instantly. Assistance was called but nothing could be done to revive him.

The death of Prof. Mathewson comes as a distinct shock to everyone.  Although 73 years of age, he seemed as active as a man much younger.  He became a dancing teacher before he was twenty years of age and with farming had always followed the profession.  For years he conducted classes in New Berlin and was almost as well known in every village throughout this section.  Keeping up with all the new dances, Prof. Mathewson was a skilled teacher and a recognized authority on dancing.  Although his advanced age prevented him from the strenuous teaching of his earlier days, he never lost enthusiasm and during the past winter he conducted a class in Edmeston and for a short time in this village. As a dancing teacher and as a man prominent in the activities of his town, Prof. Mathewson leaves a vacancy which will be hard to fill for years to come. Funeral services will be held form his late home on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. H.H. Gifford.  The Masons will have charge of the committal services at the cemetery in South New Berlin.  --  Gazette.

James Francis Grooms

Died June 30, 1938, Fulton, NY

News of the death of James Francis Grooms at Fulton [Oswego Co., NY], early Friday morning was received in this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Grooms, 53 years of age, was widely known in Norwich where for many years he was identified with the restaurant business  He was born in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY].  Besides his wife, two children survive, Francis and Catherine, all of this city, in addition to several nieces and nephews, three brothers, John of Syracuse, Morris and Edward of Binghamton and three sisters, Mrs. Frances Barrett, Mrs. Agnes McGuire and Mrs. Theresa Gregory, all of Binghamton, also survive.  Mr. Grooms was a veteran of the World War.  He leaves many friends in this city who will learn with regret of his passing.  The body will be brought to this city where services will be held Tuesday.

Harriet L. (Green) Mathewson

Died June 30, 1938, Norwich, NY

Mrs. Harriet L. Green Mathewson, wife of Oscar F. Mathewson, died at the family home, 28 Elm street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], at 10:45 Thursday night after a long illness. the deceased was born July 25, 1877, and had been a resident of this city many years.  Funeral services are to be held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Breese Funeral home, with Rev. George B. Callender officiating and burial in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Lillian T. (Anderson) Mathewson

Died June 19, 1935, Norwich, NY

Lillian T. Anderson, who died at her late home, 26 Elm street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Wednesday evening, was born in Pitcher, N.Y. [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 27, 1857, the daughter of Elizur Anderson and Wealthy Ann Hough.  Her early life was spent in Pitcher and Smithville.  December 25, 1880 she was united in marriage with Elmer M. Mathewson and came to live in the Norwich Quarter, where she resided until 1928, when she moved to this city.  The death of her husband occurred in 1923.  She is survived by three children, Oscar F., shoe merchant of South Broad street; Maud A., a teacher in the schools of Portchester, N.H., and Lydia A., a teacher in the Norwich schools; one grandson, Robert C. Mathewson, chief radio operator on the Seminole, of the Clyde Mallory Line, and one brother, Orrin L. Anderson of the Norwich Quarter.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.  One son, Owen N. died in 1914.  Mrs. Mathewson united with the Methodist church of Smithville in her early girlhood. After her marriage she changed her membership to the Congregational church of Norwich, where she has been a regular attendant until ill health prevented.  She was the last of the charter members of the Willing Workers' Circle of King's Daughters, whose activities were one of her greatest pleasures. A loving mother, a sympathetic friend, charitable to an unusual degree, she will be greatly missed in her home and among her wide circle of friends. The funeral will be held from the Breese funeral home Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Dowie DeBoer officiating. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Death Notices

Bainbridge Republican, February 20, 1880

FINCH:  In Belden [Broome Co., NY], Feb. 7, 1880, Mrs. Finch, aged 42 years.  About one week previous to her death she had a shock of paralysis, which deprived her of her speech.  She retained her reason up to the time of her death.

Bainbridge Republican, February 13, 1880

HARRIS:  Suddenly, in Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], February 7th, Mr. Beriah Harris, formerly of Colerain, Mass., aged 89 years, 6 months and 14 days.

SMITH:  At his son-in-law's, Mr. Silas Smith in Fairview District, Fresno county, Cal, January 18, 1880, Simeon Smith, brother of Giles Smith, aged 73 years 8 months, 12 days.

Chenango American, August 1, 1861

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult., of consumption, Mr. Caleb J. Sturges, aged 74 years.

In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 24th ult., Dr. James Secor.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th ult., Henry C. Martin, aged 21 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th ult. after a protracted illness, Mary Delia [Johnson], daughter of Seth and Jerusha Johnson, aged 19 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., A. Elizabeth [Mariam], wife of Selah Mariam, aged 31 years.