Obituaries (October 18)

Asel Thomas

Chenango American, May 8, 1862

On Sunday morning last the body of a man was found in the Genegantslet creek about 4 miles west of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY].  Dr. R.B. Prindle, of Coventry, Coroner, was immediately summoned to hold an inquest. the investigation proved the body to be that of Asel Thomas, of Upper Lisle [Broome Co., NY].  Mr. Thomas has been missing since last November, at which time he started on foot to visit friends in Otsego Co.  He is supposed to have fallen into the creek at that time, the body probably remaining frozen in the ice until cast up by the recent freshet.  It was so much decomposed as to be unrecognizable, the identity being established by his clothing.  He was about 68 years of age, and a man of unsteady habits.

James Farrell

Chenango Telegraph, April 11, 1930

Former Alderman James Farrell, well known in this city as a real estate dealer, expired suddenly at his home, 57 Silver street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], at 9:45 Tuesday Thursday night, aged 68 years.  Mr. Farrell had been engaged in his work as a dealer in real estate during the day, and had just returned home and was conversing with his daughter, Mrs. James Ryan, over completing the sale of a piece of property.  He was seated in a chair and his daughter noticed he acted strangely.  Before medical aid arrived he was dead.  Dr. E.W. Wilcox, coroner, was called and found death due to a sudden heart attack brought on by probable over exertion. The deceased was born at Scriba, N.Y. [Oswego Co.], 68 years ago but had been a resident of Norwich for 40 years.  He served one term as the Democratic alderman from ward four, having defeated the present mayor, Frank Zuber, for his seat in the council at that time.  He had been engaged in the selling of real estate in this city for five years.  He was a member of the League of the Sacred Heart of St. Paul's church and was well and favorably known by many friends.  Besides the daughter above named there survives a granddaughter, Catherine.  Funeral services will be held in St. Paul's church at 9:30 Friday morning.

Mary Alice (Murphy) Fern

Deid August 28, 1942, Norwich, NY

Taken suddenly ill at the family home, 24 Locust street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Mrs. Mary Alice Fern, wife of John P. Fern, died at 10 o'clock Friday morning.  Mrs. Fern suffered a heart attack Thursday and was attended by the family physician, Dr. J.C. Lee.  A second attack Friday  morning resulted in her passing. Although in failing health for the past year, her death was sudden and unexpected. The daughter of John and Margaret (Nolan) Murphy, Mrs. Fern was born in Norwich, December 29, 1876.  Practically  her entire life had been passed in this city and vicinity.  Mrs. Fern was the last of 10 children.  Her interests were centered in her home and church.  Mrs. Fern was interested in gardening and made that her hobby, passing many successful hours in her flower and kitchen gardens.  News of her death was a shock to neighbors and friends.  She is survived b her husband with whom she was united in marriage August 12, 1896, in St. Paul's church by Rev. Father Bergen, then pastor.  Two sons also survive, including Maxwell E Fern, a member of the draft contingent which left this city Friday morning for an army induction center and Carl T. Fern, also of this city.  Other survivors include two grandchildren, Mary Agnes and Richard John Fern and several nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Fern was a member of the Rosary Society and the League of the Sacred Heart of St. Paul's church.  Funeral services will be held from the family home Monday morning at 9 o'clock and from St. Paul's church at 9:30.  The pastor, Rev. Father Charles M. Coveney, will officiate.  Burial is to be made in the family plot in St. Paul's cemetery [Norwich,  NY].

Martin H. Farley

Died February 24, 1940, Norwich, NY

Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]:  This community was saddened Saturday to learn of the sudden death of Martin H Farley, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Farley of Tyner [Chenango Co., NY] at the Chenango Memorial Hospital [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Saturday morning.  Mr. Farley was in school Friday and that afternoon helped his father unload a load of hay.  He later went into the house and told his mother he was ill.  He complained of nausea and soon became unconscious.  Dr. W.D. Mayhew was summoned and the young man was removed to the Chenango Memorial Hospital at Norwich in the Seymour ambulance.  Every thing that medical aid could do was done but he failed to recover consciousness, death being caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.  Mr. Farley was born on June 30, 1921, at Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], the son of Martin H. and Lucy Harrington Farley.  The family have resided in this locality for several years where he has been in attendance at the Oxford academy, being a member of the senior class.  throughout his student days he was actively identified with all the athletic sports and was one of the members who Feb. 1st received their gold footballs for the 1939 season as champions.  Mr. Farley was a member of the Oxford wrestling varsity squad and on Feb. 1 appeared in a match at Norwich High School.  At the time he entered the ring he was taped about the body and after wrestling three and one-half minute was forced to withdraw because of an injured rib.  Surviving are the parents, three sisters, Anna Mae, Agnes and Geraldine, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Farley of Oxford.

Norwich:  Stricken suddenly ill, Martin Farley, Jr., 18, Oxford High School senior, was admitted to the Chenango Memorial Hospital Friday night, where he died Saturday. The youth had been absent from school three days last week due to storm conditions and had passed the time skiing in the vicinity of the home farm where his family lives in the town of Smithville.  Dr. W.D. Mayhew, attending physician, gave the cause of death as a cerebral hemorrhage.  Members of his family believe he suffered an injury to his head.  The son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Farley, the youth formerly attended school in this city.  He was a member of the Oxford High varsity wrestling squad and appeared with his squad in an exhibition match here Feb. 1 when Norwich and Oxford High met. Farley was suffering from rib injuries and his match was called off after three minutes and 31 seconds, when his injury was aggravated and he could not continue against his opponent, Harold Mattice, Norwich High wrestler.  Besides his parents, Farley is survived by three sisters.  Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Chruch in Oxford tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock with burial in the Oxford Cemetery.

Death Notices

Chenango American, May 8, 1862

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th ult., Lydia Terwilliger, aged 84 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th ult., John R. Hetrick, aged 13 years and 6 months.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., Chas. R. [Dibble], son of R.R. Dibble, aged 9 years.

In King Settlement [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st ult., Mary Jane Follett, aged 24 years.

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th ins.t, Mr. Chas. Merritt, aged 72 years.

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th ult., after an illness of nearly seven years, Mrs. Maria Angel, aged 46 years.

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult., Mr. Charles Vincent, aged 20 years.