Obituaries (January 31)

Alice G. Wells

Died February 16, 1936, North Norwich, NY

Mrs. Alice G. Wells, 39, wife of Clifford Wells of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], died at her home in that place at 5 o'clock Sunday morning, after a six weeks' illness.  The deceased was born in Norwich, Oct. 5, 1896, and besides her husband is survived by three children,  Jean E., Franklin C., and Kathleen M.  she also leaves two brothers, Neil T. Sullivan and Percy N. Sullivan of Norwich and a sister, Mrs. Stanley Lahr of Wyoming, Pa., also several nephews and nieces. Funeral services are to be held at the Breese funeral home at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Paul Hulslander of Smyrna officiating. The body will be placed in the vault at Mt. Hope.

Ella Ursula (Brown) Weed

Died August 7, 1939, Norwich, NY

Following a long period of failing health and a serious illness of a week, Mrs. Ella Ursula Weed, widow of Edmund Weed, died late Monday afternoon at the home of her son, Harold, at Woods Corners [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Weed was born September 8, 1856, in the town of North Norwich, the daughter of Marcus D. and Betsy Buell Brown. Active for many years as a member of the Broad Street Methodist church here, she was a member also of the Willing Workers Circle of the King's Daughters of that church.  A woman of high Christian character, her passing is learned with sorrow by a wide circle of friends.  Surviving besides the son mentioned are two grandchildren, Edmund and Betty Weed of Woods Corners and two nieces, Mrs. Earl Gladden of San Francisco and Mrs. Mayme Kamnetz of St. Paul, Minn.  Funeral services will be held from the Breese Funeral Home at 2:30 daylight time, Thursday afternoon, Rev. James K. Romeyn, pastor of the First Baptist church will officiate. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery. 

Henry Wedge

Died July 10, 1926, Norwich, NY

Henry Wedge, former well known North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] farmer, died at the Norwich Memorial Hospital about 2:45 Saturday morning, following an operation performed Tuesday, from the effects of which he failed to recover because of his weakened condition.  Mr. Wedge was 69 years old Wednesday of this week.  For a number of years  Mr. Wedge conducted a small farm near Mead's Pond.  He retired from active farming about four years ago.  He is survived by one son, Harold H. Wedge of Oneonta.  Funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of Jay Keator just north of this city, the Rev. W.A. Ashmore officiating with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Flora Dora (Bemis) Webster

Died June 17, 1936, Pittsfield, NY

New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Florence Dora Webster died at her home in Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY] June 17, after an illness of six months. Deceased was born in New Lisbon [Otsego Co., NY] September 25, 1883, a daughter of Eugene D. and Nettie Aldrich Bemis.  Her entire lifetime has been spent in Pittsfield and vicinity.  On December 25, 1901, she was married to Charles H. Webster, who survives, together with two children, William L. Webster of Endicott and Mrs. Edith Andrews of Pittsfield. Two brothers and a sister also survive, Mrs. Ella Spafford, Floyd Bemis and Glenn Bemis, all of New Berlin.  The funeral will be held from the Dakin funeral home in New Berlin Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. Rev. H.H. Hadley will officiate with burial in St. Andrew's cemetery.

Hayden Williams

Died September 19, 1938, Oxford, NY

Hayden R. Williams, 40 years old, popular O.&W. railroad employee, was killed early Monday morning in an automobile-truck collision at a dangerous curve two miles south of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Williams, who resides on Sheldon street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], was driving north, while the truck operated by James Cody of Vernon Center, was traveling south.  Riding with Mr. Williams was Vincent Preston of South New Berlin, aged 23 years, who was brought to the Chenango Memorial Hospital, suffering from a badly lacerated neck. Garrett Van Baastin of Vernon Center, truck passenger, was treated at the hospital for scalp wounds.  The fatal accident happened at 1:45 Monday morning as Mr. Williams was en route to Norwich to take up his duties at the O.&W. railroad as yard assistant.  He had picked up Preston, a hitchhiker, at Greene.  Cody and Van Baastin were driving to Scranton after a truck load of coal.  When news of Mr. Williams' tragic death reached this city it caused a widespread sorrow, for he was well known and well liked by a countless numbers of friends.  As vice chairman of the railway clerks' union, Mr. Williams had been out on business for the union Sunday, and was driving back from Binghamton at the time of the accident.  He was not to report for duty at the railroad until 2 a.m., hence had plenty of time to drive from the scene of the accident to Norwich.  Trooper James Heath of Greene was called to investigate the collision and questioned the truckmen and also Preston at the local hospital. Trooper Heath said Preston informed him Williams was driving from 40 to 45 miles an hour, that the radio was turned on and that the automobile was traveling on the inside of the road. Suddenly a truck loomed in front of them at the curve and Preston said Williams applied his brakes.  It was raining at the time, and the road was like  piece of glass Preston said, so that a crash was unavoidable.  The collision between the truck and the passenger car was almost head on, the left front of the automobile coming in contact with the left front of the truck, the wheels almost interlocking. The lighter machine was badly smashed.  Williams succumbed about 15 minutes after the crash but before help had reached the scene to lift him from the machine.  Dr. M.G. Boname of Oxford, coroner, was notified and had the body removed to Seymour's Funeral Home at Oxford, where an autopsy was performed Monday morning by Dr. Boname, Dr. W. D. Mayhew and Dr. B.A. Hall. The cause of death was given as an internal hemorrhage due to ruptured blood vessels of the intestines.  Coroner Boname said he did not believe an inquest necessary.  Trooper Heath, who investigated the crash, after taking the statements of Preston, the truck driver and passenger, placed no charges against the truckmen.

Hayden Williams had been a resident of Norwich practically all his life, and his untimely passing is a distinct shock to all who knew him.  He was born in Childs, Pa., July 17, 1898, coming to this city in infancy.  He first began work for the O.&W. Railroad, Sept. 27, 1917, as a yard clerk.  Promotion came to him rapidly and he held various clerical positions including transfer foreman.  He was made yard assistant June 21, 1930, a job he held at the time of his death.  His hours were from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Although Mr. Williams was a member of several fraternities and organizations, the one in which he derived the most pleasure and was most actively interested was Ontario Hose Company.  He had been affiliated with this organization for about 20 years and he had been honored by his associates by being named to nearly every office.  He saw service as a foreman, captain and on many committees, and was one of the most enthusiastic members of the company.  In addition to being an active fireman, anxious and ready to respond when duty called, Mr. Williams held membership in Norwich Lodge of Elks, Amicus Aerie of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the O.&W. Veterans Association.  He was also affiliated with the railway clerks union.  With his wife, Mr. Williams operated a grocery store on Sheldon street in addition to his many other activities. There survive his wife, Gertrude Breed Williams, a daughter Marjorie, 21, and a son Lawrence, 16, his father, J.B. Williams of Utica and the following brothers and sisters, Kenneth of Utica, Mrs. Lewis Tefft of Ilion, Mrs. Frank Errear of Jersey City, Robert of Ilion, Beatram of Buffalo and James and Harold of Boston. There are also several nephew and nieces.  Services for Mr. Williams will be held at the Breese Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with interment in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].  Mr. Williams was loyal to his friends and ever considerate to anyone in need. Only a few days ago he came to this office, his mission to enlist the cooperation of this newspaper in an effort to help one in trouble.  He was of a particularly jovial nature, eager to befriend the less fortunate and ready to be of assistance to all.

Death Notices

Chenango American, May 28, 1863

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., at the residence of Merlin Jackson, of diptheria, Lizzie [White], only child of Mary D. and the late Justus White of La Crosse, Wisconsin, aged 2 years.

Suddenly, in Indiana, on the 14th inst., Mr. Joseph Warren Baker, brother of Dr. A. Baker, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 46 years.

In Minneapolis, Min., on the 23d ult., of consumption, Mrs. Julia Vanderburg, wife of Judge O.E. Vanderburg, of Minneapolis, and daughter of William Mygatt, Esq., of Oxford [Chenango co., NY].

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst., Mary E. Simonds, aged 36 years.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d ult., Mrs. Ellen B. Stanley, wife of Adams E. Stanley, and daughter of J.L. and Betsey Beebe, in the 37th year of her age.