Obituaries (September 16)

Bela Cowles

Chenango American, January 9, 1862

By reference to our obituary head will be found the record of the death of Bela Cowles, one of the venerated and respected pioneers of this section of country.  Mr. Cowles was originally from Canaan, Conn.  In 1800 he emigrated to this State and settled at Delphi, Onondaga Co.  In consequence of the then unhealthy character of that section he removed to Smithville, in 1808, since which time his name has been a household word to a very numerous acquaintance.  He was respected and esteemed by the hardy pioneers in this then wilderness, and in every relation in life sustained a high character for integrity and disinterested kindness.  In that force of character which so essentially fitted him for the warfare of civilization over a wilderness, he preeminently excelled and was an index of stability and firmness freely acknowledged by his co-laborers in that arduous work.  Mr. Cowles outlived his third wife, and reared a large family, the members of which are among our most respected and enterprising citizens.  His early co-temporaries, as well as succeeding generations, point to his long and eventful life without indicating a stain to mar the image of the noblest work of God, an honest man.  The few last years of his life were spent in this village; the influence of age shed no sable cloud of misanthropy over his brow, his cheerful spirit to the last evinced his innate love to God and love to man.  His descendants to the fourth generation clustered around him in his declining years, and with one heart and one voice called him blessed.  Thus full of honors and full of years, our venerable friend has passed from earth beyond the veil that hides eternity from our view. In manhood his powers have been devoted to the interest of himself and his fellow men, and during a protracted old age he has enjoyed the vivid reflection of a well spent life, and died in the hope of a glorious immortality.  His obsequies were attended at the Congregational Church, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday, by a large concourse of relatives and friends.  An appropriate discourse was pronounce on the occasion by Rev. Daniel Ballou, which did but justice to the character of the respected dead--every sentence of which was appreciated by an intelligent and sympathizing audience.

Styles Fairchild

Chenango American, January 9, 1862

Styles Fairchild, a resident of this town, near New Ohio [Broome Co., NY], a man 60 years of age, came to his death last Saturday, in a peculiar manner.  There are conflicting rumors relative to the affair, and lacking any reliable information in regard to the facts, we can only say that he was kicked in the back, by a neighbor, James Harrington, of this town, causing an affection of the spine, from which he died in a few days. Whether the act was committed in anger or in a playful encounter we have not satisfactorily ascertained.  A coroner's inquest has been held, and the Jury rendered a verdict that deceased came to his death in consequence of injuries received at the hands of James Harrington.  

Nellie Miller

Died February 7, 1941

The funeral of Mrs. Nellie Miller, wife of Fred Miller, who died at the family home on Shumway Hill, on Feb. 7th, was held from the late home last Monday afternoon, with burial at Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY].  Besides her husband, Mrs. Miller is survived by three sons, Arthur of Richfield Springs, and Harold and Robert of Mt. Upton, two grandsons, a brother, Charles Greene, of Guilford, and a sister, Mrs. Ward Pearsall of Mt. Upton.  

Death Notices

The funeral of Claudia Mudge, who died at her home in this village on Wednesday, April 9th [1941], was held from the Colwell funeral home in Bainbridge, on Friday, with burial at Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY]

April 1941:  Mrs. Clifford Davis was called to the home of her parents at South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] last Saturday by the death of her mother, Mrs. Harold Morrell.  The funeral was held from the Baptist church on Tuesday with burial at South New Berlin.

Chenango American, January 16, 1862

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst., Mrs. Abigail Enos, wife of Truman Enos, aged 69 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., Mr. John Hayes, aged 40 years.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d ult. Mr. Nahum Starr, aged 71 years.

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., Mr. Anson Packard, aged 74 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst., Mr. Elhanaan Puffer, aged 31 years.

In New Ohio [Broome Co., NY], on the 10th inst. of putrid sore throat, Jennie M. [Miller], daughter of Jacob and Polly Miller, aged 2 years and 20 days.

This lovely bud, so young, so fair,

Called hence by early doom;

Just come to show how sweet a flower

In Paradise could bloom.