Obituaries (October 20)

Hiram Smith Wightman

Died September 21, 1942, New Berlin, NY

New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY]:  Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Dakin Funeral Home for Hiram Smith Wightman, 89.  One of the oldest and best known residents of this community, Mr. Wightman died Monday of the infirmities of age.  He had been in failing health for four years.  A jeweler for 62 years.  Mr. Wightman passed his entire lifetime in New Berlin.  Born January 17, 1853, he was the son of Charles and Orilla (Gage) Wightman.  His marriage to May A. Medbury occurred September 7, 1880. She died April 12, 1932.  Survivors include a brother, Herbert E. Wightman of this village and nine nieces and nephews.  Rev. Walter H. Butt, pastor of the Nazarene church will officiate at the services Thursday. Burial will be made in the family plot in St. Andrew's cemetery.  

Orrin Wightman

Died July 25, 1916, Morris, NY

Orrin Wightman, a highly respected farmer, died at his home on the Morris road about two miles from this village [South New Berlin, Chenango Co., NY] Tuesday afternoon, July 25, after many weary months of suffering.  Mr. Wightman was about sixty years of age and nearly his entire life had been spent in this vicinity.  He was a carpenter by trade, but several years ago he purchased the farm where he has since resided.  He had been a faithful member of the Baptist church in this village for many years.  His wife was Almira Gage who survives him, also their six children, Mrs. Fred Chruch of New Berlin, Mrs. John Clinton and Andrew Wightman, of Binghamton, Herman, Lucretia, and Walter who live at home.  The funeral was held at the Baptist church Thursday afternoon at two o'clock and was largely attended. Rev. L.F. Wheeler officiated. The burial was in the Cole cemetery.  

Burdette Wightman

Died October 17, 1936, Morris, NY

The death of Burdette Wightman occurred shortly after 6 o'clock Saturday morning, October 17, 1936, at his home a mile north of this village.  He suffered a severe stroke of paralysis on the Monday evening previous from which he did not rally.  Mr. Wightman was born in the town of Morris [Otsego Co., NY] about 72 years ago, not far from the farm home where he had spent the greater part of his life.  He was the youngest of four sons born to Athelina Cole and Ransford Wightman and the last of that family to pass.  In young manhood he was united in marriage to Rose Bailey of this place.  Unto them were born one son, Glenn and three daughters, Ethel, Gladys and Constance.  Mrs. Wightman died December 22, 1919, and since then the son and one daughter, Mrs. Samuel Fisher, have preceded the father in death.  In 1924 Mr. Wightman married Mrs. Ada Lamont, who survives him. The deceased had followed the occupation of farming together with his trade of decorator. For several weeks prior to his last illness he had been engaged in painting two residences in this village.  He was a member of the Baptist church for many years, a kind and indulgent husband and father, a good neighbor and friend, and will be greatly missed from his home, by his family and many friends.  Besides the wife above mentioned, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Hubert Daniels of this place, Mrs. Leland Moore of Gilbertsville, and by seven grandchildren, also a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral was held Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Baptist church with Rev. C.H. Skinner officiating. Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery in the family plot. The floral tributes were many and beautiful.

Rev. Linn Edson Wheeler

Norwich Sun, July 31, 1934

A life of power through the spoken word and of practical Christian work, indubitably inspired of God, has taken leave of us.  Rev. Linn E. Wheeler, at the age of 78, entered into rest at his temporary residence, 119 West Harvey street, Germantown, Pa., Friday evening, July 27. The services and interment were at South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], the village of his boyhood.  In the hills east of the village of Morris, he was born to Sophronia Newton Wheeler and Edson Wheeler, July 8., 1856.  The little red schoolhouse of "the Wheeler district" provided his first formal training, which was continued in a select school at South New Berlin, at the academy and Colgate Theological Seminary (class of 1885), in Hamilton, N.Y.  It was at South New Berlin that he was ordained and from this village he set out upon a life of service to God and his fellowmen.  To this village he returned, leaving in the hearts of a host of friends far and near, rich memories of kindly words and deeds and a respect for his spiritual and mental vigor.  While yet a student at Hamilton he served the church at Wells Bridge and later the church at Bainbridge, N.Y.  A trip to Europe was made on meager funds to enrich his wealth of information as a scholar.  The Walnut Hills Baptist church of Cincinnati then called him. While there he met and married Miss Alice Hewitt.  Following the death of his wife at the birth of their daughter, the little girl was given the name of her mother, and the two came to New York state. Before accepting the call of the First Baptist church of Waverly, N.Y., Mr. Wheeler married Miss Emma Babcock of South New Berlin. The pastorate at Waverly was marked by the completion of a new church edifice, the paying off of the debt and the wide extension of the church's influence and membership in the surrounding countryside.  The longest pastorate (in all more than 15 years) of Mr. Wheeler's career followed immediately at the First Baptist church of New Brunswick, N.J.  His strenuous efforts in building up the work of the church, extending its field through missions and a chapel in outlying parts of the city made a rest imperative.  This he took in the form of a sea voyage to the Holy Land, where many weeks were spent in travel and study.  It was in New Brunswick that his interest in civic affairs and local government took concrete form.  Upon the failure of his voice this interest led him to take over the New Brunswick Daily Times, which he edited for two years. Following this interlude in his service to the church, a winter was spent with his family in southern Europe.  Partly recovered from the difficulty with his voice he was called for a time as acting pastor of the First Baptist church of Binghamton, N.Y., after which he settled over the church of his boyhood at South New Berlin. Again his interest in the life of the community was made evident by the assistance he gave to the organization of the Dairymen's League of New York state.  During the years of the war, with a son in France, he worked unceasingly, spending his energy with abandon in "drives" of all kinds.  Meanwhile the work of the church was maintained vigorously, and his aged, crippled mother was tenderly cared for, sleeping nearby to attend her every need, till she passed away in the spring of 1919.  The First church of New Brunswick recalled Mr. Wheeler to her service, where, as everywhere, his great tact and kindliness, his guiding principles of the love of God and the brotherhood of men and the beautiful spiritual quality of his sermons were manifested in the climax of his career. There are many friends still in new Brunswick whom he remembered affectionately to the end.  It was in this church that some of his finest work was done.  Retiring from active pastoral work, Mr. Wheeler spent much of his time in North Carolina, where the rigors of a northern climate were not felt.  At Pinebluff, N.C. in December 1923, his wife, constant companion and helper thru the greater part of his active career, passed away.  Emma B. Wheeler had borne him a daughter, Helen Emily, and a son Edgar Edson.  During the winter of 1924-25, while in Florida, Mr. Wheeler married Mrs. Florence E. Doe of Providence, R.I. The beautiful quality of their companionship and affection and their concern for each other's welfare is an inspiration to those about them. This man who had literally spent himself in helpfulness to others should now have such a loving and devoted helper at the close of his long life of service, he appreciated as part of his reward.  Friends in Southern Pines, N.C., the place of his latest residence and many others will miss the man, but cherish the strengthening, comforting, inspiring memories of him.

Death notices

Chenango American, February 26, 1863

In Ridgway, Kansas on the 6th inst., Mrs. Rebekah Copeland, widow of the late Jonathan Copeland, Esq., of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], aged 79 years and 8 months.

Chenango American, March 12, 1863

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 7th inst., Bridget Jane [Curly], daughter of John and Bridget Curly, aged 2 years, 7 months and 7 days.

In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult., Mrs. Laura M. Himes, wife of Hiram Himes, aged 33 years and 8 months.

At Willoughby, Lake Co., Ohio, Dr. J.R. Buett, of Mount Upton [Chenango Co., NY], Surgeon of the 7th N.Y.S. Vols, aged 28 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst., of diptheria, Condo C. [Bliven], only son of William C. and Helen M. Bliven, aged 8 months and 9 days.

At the Marine Hospital, New Orleans, on the 14th ult., of typhoid fever, Corporal Frederick J. Church, of Co. A, 114th Reg. N.Y.S.V., aged 30 years.

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th ult., Polly [Sumner], wife of Cyrel Sumner, aged 64 years.

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th ult., of apoplexy, Mr. Timothy Warner, aged 69 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst., suddenly, of paralysis, Mrs. Phoebe Monroe, wife of John Monroe, aged 85 years.

At Quarantine Hospital, La., on the 12th ult. of small pox, David W. Place, of Co. C, 114th Reg. N.Y.S.V., son of Foster C. Place, of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], aged 21 years and 6 months.