Obituaries (November 5)

Rev. John B. Hoyt

Chenango American, July 10, 1862

In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Rev. John B. Hoyt, Senior Pastor of the 2d Congregational Church, aged 68 years, 5 months and 4 days.

Deceased was born in the town of Walton, Delaware Co., N.Y., in 1794, a graduate of Yale College, class of 1814, and studied Theology under Rev. Seth Williston, the pioneer preacher of Western New York.  In 1818 he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Associated Presbytery, at Durham, N.Y., and ordained by the Union Association at Greene, N.Y., which church he supplied for many years.  In 1829 he accepted an invitation to the 2d Church of Coventry where he has labored ever since.  The Rev. Father Hoyt, was one of the honorable and ancient landmarks in this part of the State--where his ministry of 44 years has been entirely spent.  His labors have been greatly blessed of God, to the building up of his kingdom.  He assisted in the formation of the Presbytery of Chenango, of which he has been long the oldest settled Pastor, and was the first moderator of the Synod of Susquehanna, held at Franklin, Del. Co., N.Y., Oct. 20th, 1853.  Few men have been so universally respected, and beloved. He died as he had lived in the active functions of the sacred office--though for the past few months laid aside from public ministrations by the increasing signs of dissolution. He leaves an attached people who cherish his memory.  It was a source of joy to him to be spared to witness the ingathering of a rich harvest of souls, the fruits of the spirits outpouring upon the church during the winter months just past, when over sixty were brought into the church on profession of their faith in Christ.  He leaves the church to charge of his colleague, Rev. I.B. Hopwood, late of Union Theological Seminary, New York.  he died in full faith of the doctrines he had so earnestly preached, and went down into the valley of the shadow of death, leaning on the Saviour whom he had trusted for over fifty years.  He was a man of peace, and his end was peace.  May those who knew him, profit by his bright example of Christian gentleness and unassuming goodness.

William Brown

Morning Sun, Norwich, NY, September 8, 1898

William Brown, a farmer age 56, living on Page Brook in the town of Greene [Chenango Co., NY] was instantly killed in the severe storm of Tuesday  night and his wife was severely injured.  Mr. and Mrs. Brown were driving in a covered carriage on the road, a short distance from their home, when they were met by an approaching cyclone.  Such was the force of the wind that the seat and top were wrenched from the wagon and caught up in the air.  The occupants were thrown to the ground and the wagon seat landed seventy rods from the scene of the accident.  Mr. Brown struck on his head in the fall, sustaining a severe fracture of the skull, Death was instantaneous.  Mrs. Brown received a severe scalp wound and a broken arm.  Coroner T.B. Fernalld, of this place was notified of the death and went to Greene yesterday afternoon, but after learning the facts decided than an inquest was unnecessary.

Harvey Trass

Died September 26, 1936, Norwich, NY

Harvey Trass, veteran of the G.A.R. and one of Norwich's oldest residents died at his home, 117 South Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], about eight o'clock on Saturday morning, aged 89 years.  Mr. Trass was a former hotel proprietor, having retired form active work in this line about 25 years ago.  he had been a resident of Norwich for nearly 30 years, and was well known to many people. The deceased was born in Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], March 27, 1847, and January 5, 1864, he enlisted in Company L., 22nd New York Cavalry.  he was in many engagements during the Civil War, the chief one being the Battle of the Wilderness.  Mr. Trass was an active member of E.B. Smith Post, G.A.R. as long as the post was in existence, and after it disbanded he became affiliated with GA.R. state encampment at Albany. After the war Mr. Trass entered the hotel business, an occupation he followed until he retired  he had conducted hotels in Mt. Upton, Sherburne, Greene Smyrna and other places.  He was a genial host and won friends easily.  Mr. Trass was twice married, his first wife being Roxana Barnes, to whom he was wed in 1866. Two children were born of that union, a son, who died in infancy and a daughter.  In 1910 Mr. Trass was untied in marriage with Flora Benjamin, who survives with the daughter, Effie.

Alfred  Joseph Trehanon

Chenango Telegraph, September 9, 1941

Bay Minette, Alabama:  Alfred Joseph Trehanon, 24, Maxwell Field flying cadet from Albany, N.Y., was killed Thursday night when his training plane crashed near here. Trehanon taught science and mathematics in the Norwich, N.Y. Junior high school before enlisting as a cadet.  He entered the U.S. Flying service February 12 last.

News of the fatal crash in which Trehanon lost his life was stunning to his friends here and former associates in the high school.  A member of the Norwich junior high school faculty for a period of two and a half years, Trehanon obtained a leave of absence which was granted by the board of education to permit him to enter the service of his country.  He attended Yonkers and Ossining high schools and was graduated in 1938 by the Albany State Teachers college, majoring in mathematics and the sciences.  Outstanding in his college career, he was a star in basketball.  Awarded the Wheelock scholarship he was also president of the interfraternity Council at Albany State.  He also served as president of Gamma Chapter of Kappa Delta Rho, national fraternity.  In high school he was a member of the National Honor Society.  At Albany State he also served as student director of NYA.  During his residence in this city, Trehanon assisted in the basketball coaching duties at Norwich high school, directing the junior varsity team one year.  He played basketball as a member of the University Club team and also with the Clayton Club five.  Details of the fatal crash were missing from the first news dispatches to reach this city.  In a recent letter to Supt. Gilbert R. Lyon here Trehanon told of his duties, the hard work and training involved and of his enthusiasm for aviation. He is survived by his mother and a sister, residing in Albany.

The Dothan Eagle, Dothan, AL, September 5, 1941

Bay Minette, Ala.:  Alfred Joseph Trehanon, 24-year-old Maxwell Field flying cadet from Albany, N.Y., was killed last night when his training plane crashed two  miles north of here.  apparently Trehanon had attempted to leap to safety, State Patrolman D.J. Thigpen reporting the youth's body was found one-fourth of a mile from the wreckage of his plane--the ripcord of his parachute clutched in his hand. Trehanon's altitude was to low for opening of the parachute. The cadet was on a routine, round trip flight to Mobile, the same mission on which Cadet Albert Horsfall, of Exeter, N.H., met death and on which Cadet Malcolm D. Holt parachuted into a swamp a week ago.

Trehanon was the son of Mrs. A.J. Rattray, Albany, N.Y., and was graduated from New York State College for Teachers in 1938.  He taught science and mathematics and coached basketball in Norwich, N.Y. schools before enlisting as a flying cadet.  he was in advanced training, having attended primary school at Tuscaloosa, Ala., and having received basic flying instructions at Gunter Field here.

Death Notices

Chenango American, July 3, 1862

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult., Mr. John C. Fitch, aged 41 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Mrs. Mary Wood, wife of Jeremiah Wood, in the 69th year of her age.

In Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th ult., of diptheria, S. Lucretia [Lamb], wife of Rheuben L. Lamb, aged 26 years.

Chenango American, July 10, 1862

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., Rosannah [Watrous], wife of William Watrous, aged 40 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., States [Loomis], son of Vincent and Betsey Loomis, aged 3 years and 6 months.