Obituaries (December 20)

Edward Porter

Chenango American, October 30, 1862

In Frederick City, Md., Edward Porter, of Colesville Broome Co., aged 20 years.

Young Porter enlisted in the Windsor co., went out with the Burnside expedition.  He took part in the battle of Roanoke Island; remained there on guard duty until Burnside's return north.  He was wounded in the thigh at South Mountain, had his leg amputated but survived it only four days.  It may be asked what has the Widow Porter done to sustain the Union.  She has given her son!  Yes she has another there to do battle for the flag of his country.  Have we done more.  Shall we complain and grumble for a few paltry dollars in support of the Union.  Let us rather say God sustain the Widow; her son has done his duty, let us do ours.

"Heroic males the country bears,

But daughters give up more than sons;

Flags wave, drums beat, and unawares

You flash your soul out with the guns.

"But we!  we empty heart and home

Of life's life, love; We bear to think

You're gone - to feel you many not come-

To hear the door latch stir and clink,

Yet no more you!--nor sink."

Chester Pope

Died December 7, 1942, Edmeston, NY

Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY]:  Chester Pope, 81, retired carpenter and farmer died Dec. 7, 1942, in his home here, after an illness of several weeks.  He was born in Edmeston, a son of Perry and Sarah Jane Miller Pope, and lived in this village throughout his life.  He was a charter member of Wharton Valley Grange and for many years served as town superintendent of highways. Fifty-five years ago today he married Mary Carleton; who died in 1936.  Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Floyd Rose. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday from the Houk Funeral Home, with burial in Edmeston Union cemetery. The Rev. Winfield Kelley will officiate and members of the Grange will attend in a body.

Charles E. Porter

Died October 16, 1939, Norwich, NY

Charles E. Porter, veteran auctioneer and former Norwich barber,  died suddenly at his home on Locust street at 4:30 Monday afternoon of angina pectoris.  Mr. Porter, who was about to retire from business because of ill health, had been at his auction house on Lackawanna avenue during the early hours of the afternoon.  He returned to his home at 3:45 and complained of severe pains in the heart region.  To Dr. Harry Friedman, who was hurriedly summoned by Mrs. Katherine Spafford, Mr. Porter's housekeeper, the stricken man a sufferer of heart disease remarked "this is my last attack."  Despite all that medical science could do Mr. Porter succumbed a short time later.  For the past two weeks or more Mr. Porter had been feeling better and only last Sunday he went to Oneonta to visit friends.  Mr. Porter had arranged for an auction on Birdsall street this afternoon in his capacity as sales managed, for health did not permit him to "cry" auctions any more.  Mr. Porter was born in New Lisbon, Otsego county, April 12, 1865, but he had been a resident of Norwich for 52 years.  He first came here in October, 1887, and after a year's employment opened his own barber shop in 1888.  He continued that vocation successfully for a period of 32 years.  After 1910, Mr. Porter began to sell real estate, write some insurance and do some general auctioneer work.  In 1920 he opened an auction house on Lackawanna avenue, a business he had followed since.  Only last week he made public announcement that he was making preparations to retire because of ill health.  For 16 years Mr. Porter served the Republican party as city assessor and evidence of the fact he knew the value of real estate is given in his repeated reelection to the office.  Mr. Porter had the distinction of having sold property on every street in the city of Norwich with the exception of one.  He was the builder of six houses on Locust street, the street where he resided and he was the first resident of the street to put down a sidewalk.  Any estimate of the number of auctions Mr. Porter has "cried" would be difficult to make, for his efforts along this line were not confined to Norwich and Chenango county, but he was in great demand in many nearby counties, where his fame had spread.  Mr. Porter was a member of the local Masonic lodge and a frequent visitor of the Masonic Club.  Where he could often be found engaged in a favorite hand of auction bridge.  He never played contract.  There are many residents of Norwich who will learn with deep regret of Mr. Porter's death, and who will extend sympathy to the four daughters and brothers and sister of the deceased.  Mrs. Porter died several years ago.  The four daughters are Miss Gladys Porter, teacher in the Brooklyn schools; Mrs. Willard Olin of Oriskany Falls; Miss Dorothy Porter, teacher of Islip, L.I., and Mrs. Harold Redick, of Syracuse, nurse of Crouse-Irving Hospital.  There also survive a sister, Mrs. Minnie Gardner of Hartwick; two brothers, Abbott Porter of Portlandville and H.O. Porter of Harrisburg, Pa., and several nephews and nieces.  

Death Notices

Chenango American, October 23, 1862

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Mrs. Lucy Potter, aged 84 years.

In Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Mrs. Elizabeth A. Silvens, aged 58 years.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Eugene [Race], only son of Nicholas Race, aged 11 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on the 18th inst., Mrs. Sarah A. [Marr], wife of George W. Marr, aged 41 years.

In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 12th inst., Jane [Van Der Lyn], wife of Gerandus Van Der Lyn, aged 71 years.

In Earlville [Madison Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Mr. Edmund Hayward, of paralysis, aged 60 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th inst., of diptheria, Harlan A. [Coville], only son of Joseph A. Coville, aged 11 years.

In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Miss Roxanna Wood, aged 21 years.