Obituaries (January 18)

Adelbert R. Wightman

Died March 15, 1918, Binghamton, NY

Adelbert R. Wightman passed away at his home in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on Friday, March 15, 1918.  His death was the result of a severe shock he experienced just forty-eight hours previous.  Apparently he had been enjoying good health, having hardly ever been seriously ill.  On Wednesday he had been varnishing the wood work in a room in his daughter's home and had just about completed the work when he dropped the brush he was using  He recovered and sat down with the family to supper and while eating he dropped the cup of coffee he was drinking and it was then apparent something was wrong.  A physician was immediately sent for, but he continued to fail very fast and just forty-eight hours from the time he was taken, death came. The deceased was the eldest of four sons of Ransford and Athleny Wightman and was born in the town of Morris [Otsego Co., NY], near this village, about 67 years ago. With the exception of about eighteen years spent in Oneonta and Binghamton, his life was passed in this vicinity. Early in life he married Miss Alice Gage and unto them four children were born, three sons and one daughter, the sons have passed away, the daughter survives and is the wife of Clarence Rose.  There survives, the wife, daughter, and two brothers, Roscoe of this village and Burdette of the town of Morris.  Mr. Wightman was a genial man and will be missed in his home and by others who knew him best. The funeral occurred from the late home on Monday afternoon at 2:30.  Burial was in Binghamton.

Almira A. (Gage) Wightman

Died September 13, 1926, Otego, NY

Mrs. Almira Wightman, 64 years old, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] was shot and almost instantly killed yesterday afternoon when a 22-caliber rifle in the hands of a five-year-old boy, was accidentally discharged, the bullet striking her in the neck and severing a large artery. The accident occurred at the home of her brother, Lynn O. Gage, about five miles from Otego on Briar Creek.  According to reports of the shooting received here last night, Mr. Gage, together with his children, had been picking plums.  Mr. Gage is said to have had the rifle with him. Desiring to carry the plums to the house, he turned the rifle over to one of the children who placed it on the porch.  One of the Gage children is said to have come out of the house and to have picked up the gun.  Mrs. Wightman was sitting in a chair in the front room holding her six-months old grandniece upon her lap and facing the window. The bullet crashed through the window, narrowly missing the baby, and penetrated her neck.  Dr. R.W. Ford of Otego was called and when he arrived, he found that Mrs. Wightman had died almost instantly when the bullet severed the carotid artery.  Dr. Ford reported the death to Coroner Norman W. Getman of Oneonta, who authorized him to act in the case. According to reports from Binghamton last night, Mrs. Wightman was visiting relatives in this section before attending the 25th wedding anniversary of her sister, Mr. Fred Church in Oneonta, the latter part of this week. She is survived by three sons, Andrew O. Wightman, Herman C. Wightman and Walter B. Wightman, all of Binghamton; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Clinton of Binghamton, Mrs. Leslie Matterson of South New Berlin, Mrs. Fred Church of Oneonta, and five brothers, George Gage, Robert Gage, and William Gage, all of Morris; Burdette Gage of Rockdale, and Lynn O. Gage of Briar Creek.

Almira A. (Gage) Wightman was born August 1, 1860.  Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gage, one of the old and highly respected families of this community. She was one of nine children, of whom seven are still living:  Charles Burdette Gage, Rockdale, N.Y.; I.A. Gage, George Gage, Will Gage, Andrew Gage, of Morris; Nellie Gage Church, of Virginia; Linn Gage, Otego; Mrs. Mary Jane Lum the only one who preceded her in death, passing away April 21, 1914.  Her girlhood days were all spent in this valley.  At the age of 17 she was married to Orin Martin Wightman, a member of another one of the prominent families of this valley.  Her husband died leaving her a widow in 1916.  She was the mother of seven children, all living except one baby girl which died in infancy. She was very affectionate in the home and a very companionable wife and mother.  Her death came as a great shock to the community and in a very tragic manner.  She was visiting at the time one of her brothers who resides at Otego [Otsego Co., NY].  One of the young men had been out hunting and coming back laid the gun down on the porch and a little boy 5 years old picked the gun up which was accidentally discharged striking her in the neck, while sitting just inside the window rocking the baby, killing her almost instantly.  She was baptized at the age of 13 and united with the Baptist church of this village of which she was a member at the time of her death. Thus for 53 years she lived in its relationship and enjoyed its fellowship. She was always a great and interested lover of her church and its relationship.  In the fly leaf of her Bible she had written these words, "The church has always been one of the dearest spots to me."  On the fly leaf of this same Bible with its many turned down pages and underscored passages were written the explicit instructions concerning her funeral. The text she had selected from the fourth chapter of Hebrews and the ninth verse, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."  Several hymns had also been designated, among them being "The Unseen friend;" also, "Nearer my God to Thee" and "Jesus Saviour pilot me." The last two she desired sung by the congregation.  All of these expressed desires were carried out in the funeral which was held from the Baptist church, a short prayer service being first conducted at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Matterso, Thursday at one o'clock, by the pastor the Rev. M.R. Weaver officiating. All the children, Anna Church, Oneonta, Mary Clinton, Andrew, Herman and Walter, all of Binghamton, and Mrs. Leslie Matterson of this village being present. There were also three out of the four grandchildren in attendance.  In addition to the immediate relatives there was in attendance other relatives and friends which filled the main auditorium of the church, an expression of the high esteem in which she was held and a tribute that speaks louder than any lengthy eulogy however beautifully expressed. The pall bearers were Earl, Charles and Scott Gage, nephews from Morris; Homer Clinton, a grandson, from Binghamton; Andrew Gage, a brother, of South New Berlin; and Burdette Gage, another brother, of Rockdale. The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful banking the casket and floor around in a solid mass of color and an atmosphere of fragrance.  Interment was made in the family plot in the Cole addition of Riverside cemetery.

Death Notices

Chenango American, March 12, 1863

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 5th inst., Mr. Asa Dean McIntosh, aged 52 years.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Hermon [Marvin],  son of Henry and Cynthia Marvin, aged 3 years and 5 months.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Charles W. [Campbell], son of Rufus and Lovina Campbell, aged 7 years, 5 months and 11 days.

At the Regimental Hospital, New Orleans, on the 16th ult., Lieut. Gilbert, of Co. A, 114th Reg., N.Y.V.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 9th inst., Rev. Charles C. Brady, aged about 35 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on the 9th inst., Mr. William H. Cole, aged 21 years.

Bainbridge Ledger, September 20, 1867

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 15th ult., Carrie [Seely], infant daughter of H.J. Seely, aged 10 months.