Obituaries (December 18)

Oscar Phelps

Chenango American, October 23, 1862

Oscar Phelps, private, Co. D, 27th Reg., N.Y.V., died of typhoid fever, in the hospital at Philadelphia, August 10th, 1862, aged about 23 years.

It was the writer's privilege to be intimately acquainted with the subject of this notice for several years, having commenced an acquaintance in the schoolroom as teacher and scholar, that ripened into that better feeling--friendship.  Oscar was a faithful scholar and friend, as he was a faithful patriot and soldier. While a student at the Susquehanna Seminary, in Binghamton, he won the esteem and praise of his teachers and associates, by his studiousness and quiet diligence in every pursuit he entered upon.  When the first call for volunteers was given--when first the thrill of just indignation awakened by the insult to the flag at Sumter, flashed through the North, he felt the insult and nobly resolved to avenge it.  Leaving his temporary employment at Port Jervis, Oscar joined his fellow students in Binghamton, and with them went forth, under Capt. Rogers, to the duties and the trials of the camp and the field.  None of that noble band was more ready for duty--none more brave and true than he. The public will remember the praise he received from his officers for gallant conduct at the Chickahominy.  Both publicly and privately he received honor for his noble bearing, there and elsewhere. After undergoing all the hardships and privations attendant upon the occupation of the Peninsula, till the memorable retreat from before Richmond, he was prostrated by fever at Harrison's Landing, about the middle of July, and after two weeks' sickness in camp was taken to Philadelphia, where he died.  Another gallant soldier fallen--another noble friend departed--another immortal sacrifice laid upon the altar of freedom.  But he died as the Christian soldier dies--died as the patriot hero dies; and while we mourn for a friend, we hope for the eternal triumph of universal freedom, for which he fought and fell.    L.R.E.

Lynn A. Phillips

Chenango Telegraph, February 8, 1938

Lynn A. Phillips of 26 Prospect street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], father of former Alderman Albert Phillips, died suddenly at the family home about 6 o 'clock Sunday night, following a heart attack.  Mr. Phillips was taken ill soon after eating his evening meal and expired almost at once.  Dr. Leslie T. Kinney, coroner, was called.  Mr. Phillips was born in Wisconsin 73 years ago, but for a great many years had been a resident of New York state.  He lived in North Norwich until about 16 years ago when he moved to this city. There survive his wife, a son, Albert Phillips, a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Breed and three grandchildren.  Services are to be held at the late home at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. L.S. Charters officiating. with burial in the North Norwich cemetery.

Gideon Pierce

Died December 31, 1929, Plymouth, NY

The funeral of Gideon Pierce, who died suddenly Tuesday afternoon at the home of Lamott Aldrich in South Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Breese funeral parlors. Rev. N.S. McPherson will officiate and burial will be made in South Plymouth.  Mr. Pierce, who was 49 years of age, had been employed by Mr. Aldrich for some time.  He was apparently in his usual good health, when he was suddenly taken ill and retired.  He passed away a few minutes later, and Dr. E.W. Wilcox, coroner, was called. The latter ordered an autopsy which was performed by Dr. E.F. Gibson and Dr.  J.C. Lee.  It revealed that death was caused by double pneumonia, with a weak heart as a contributing cause. The deceased was born in the town of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], May 3, 1880, the son of Albertus and Angeline Pierce. He leaves a brother, Benjamin Pierce and several nieces and nephews.

Delia Elizabeth (Fuller) Pike

Died October 20, 1925, Norwich, NY

Mrs. Delia Elizabeth Pike died Tuesday after a brief illness with pneumonia at the Chenango Valley Home [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] where she had resided for the past ten years, having entered the home November 29, 1915.  Mrs. Pike was born in Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY] April 27, 1846, and therefore was in the 80th year of her life.  She was a daughter of the late Nathaniel and Almira Pendleton Fuller.  On November 8, 1871, she was united in marriage with S. Nelson Pike in Sherburne.  Some years later they took up their residence in Norwich, Mr. Pike's death occurring here on March 3, 1906. A daughter, Clara Pike Denny, whose death took place several years ago, was for some time the principal in one of the ward schools of this city.  Surviving Mrs. Pike are a brother, Washington Fuller, and a sister, Mrs. Almeda Fuller Crowell, both of Fonda, N.Y.; a nephew, William Irons, of New York city; a grand nephew, Harold L. Keeler, and a grand niece, Morna Mundy, both of Norwich. The funeral services will be held at the Chenango Valley Home Thursday at 2 p.m. the Rev. Louis D. Palmer officiating.  Mrs. Pike was an interested and consistent member of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal church, attending its services whenever her health would permit.  Those who knew her best appreciated most the fine qualities of her character and the splendid qualifications of her life. She was artistic in temperament and cheerful in her disposition.  Possessed of a literary mind, she was unusually gifted in the composition both of prose and of poetry.  Her writing was always in the bright vein.  Earlier in life she taught in the public schools.  Thus she rounded out a life worth while as wife, mother, intellectual guide and Christian.

Jesse Pike

Norwich Sun, February 8, 1926

Funeral services for Jesse Pike, North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] trapper and hunter, whose frozen body was found Sunday by a party of searchers after he had been absent from home four days, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his home in North Norwich.  Mr. Pike, 65 years old, had often expressed the wish that "when my time comes, I hope it will be out on the runway with the dogs running."  He evidently had his wish, for his body was found out on one of his favorite fox runs, as he had slumped down in death from heart disease.  Last Wednesday morning Pike left his home a mile north of North Norwich on the "middle road," taking two hounds with him.  One of the dogs was his old hound that had been his companion on many a hunting. trip. The other dog was owned by his son-in-law, Carey Whaley, of North Norwich.  Pike planned to hunt across country to the home of his brother, Lewis G. Pike, in Smyrna.  When the younger hound returned to the Pike home Thursday morning nothing was thought about it, and still no alarm was felt when the old dog came back the next day, for it was believed Pike was at the home of his brother.  Lewis Pike, the brother, came to North Norwich Saturday night and reported that he had not seen his brother.  It was too late then to organize a searching party, so at daylight Sunday morning a party started out on the fox trail.  Up one ridge down another and so on they climbed and when just over the top overlooking German Hollow and the home of Ivan Bliss a few feet from the line fence they found Pike's frozen body.  Apparently he had been sitting on one or two stumps or standing under a small tree waiting for his hounds to drive out a fox.  His gun cocked and loaded, ready to fire, lay beside him.  There was a light covering of snow over the body, and in Pike's pocket was the untouched lunch he had brought from home.  Dr. E.W. Wilcox, coroner, gave permission over the telephone for the removal of the body to North Norwich, where it was taken in charge by Charles Atwood of the William Breese company and brought to Norwich.  Dr. Wilcox gave it as his opinion that death was due to heart failure.  Mr. Pike was born on east hill in North Norwich, and was considered a great hunter and trapper.  He was employed on highway work in summer, but he made good money hunting and trapping game in season.  He is survived by a widow, and a daughter, Mrs. Carey Whaley, who with her husband and four boys, Kenneth, Edwin, Alvin and Carey, lived at the Pike home.  Besides the brother mentioned another brother, John W. Pike, resides in Fayetteville and a sister, Mrs. Mary Cox, whose home is in Montrose, Pa., is at present in North Norwich caring for Mrs. S.J. Titus.

Death Notices

Chenango American, October 16, 1862

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst., Elizabeth E. [Corbin], daughter of John and Lavina Corbin, aged 20 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst., Mr. Eber Dibbly, aged 83 years.

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., Mr. T. Chapman Brown, aged 29 years.

In Pitcher Springs [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Mr. Alonzo Griggs, of Co. I, 114th Reg., N.Y.S.V., aged 23 years.

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 18th, Sarah [Beach], daughter of Wm. J. and Maria Beach, aged 12 years.