Obituaries (February 12)

William Weaver

Chenango American, September 4, 1863

We learn by Clark Rorapaugh, of Southville, a member of the 44th Ellsworth Regiment, who is home on a furlough, that Wm. Weaver, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], was killed by a shell at the late battle of Bull Run, while aiding in supporting a battery.  He was the first from this town to join the Ellsworth Regiment and was a brave and soldierly lad, from whom we have had good accounts since he entered the service of his country.  His heroic conduct won the praises of both officers and men, and was a source of pride to the town of which he was one of the gallant representatives.  We have none of the particulars of his death, but have no doubt that he met it in the performance of his duty, and that he fell with "his face to the foe."

Agnes May (Wallace) Loomis

Died June 24, 1939, New Berlin, NY

The death of Mrs. Agnes May Loomis occurred at 6 o 'clock Saturday morning at her home on the Chenango lake road.  She was born Nov. 15, 1876, at Christle Run, the daughter of John Wallace and Julia Schofield.  She is survived by her husband, Oscar Loomis and the following sons and daughters:  Anthony Meyer of Norwich, Mrs. Ruth Stockwell of New Berlin, Mrs. Julia Phalen of Syracuse, Miss Nellie Loomis of New Berlin and the following brothers and sisters, Roy S. Wallace of Endicott, Mrs. Nellie Wilson of Oatesville and Dewitt Wallace of Norwich. Funeral services will be held Monday at the Breese funeral Home at 2 o'clock, Rev. Mickael Klinoff officiating, with burial in South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Augustus E. Loomis

Died September 4, 1938, Norwich, NY

Augustus E. Loomis died suddenly at 43 Rexford street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] Sunday afternoon of coronary thrombosis according to the decision of Dr. Leslie T. Kinney, coroner, who was called.  Mr. Loomis, who would have been 90 years of age in October succumbed during a family argument at the home of Ivan Davis.  Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Mr. Loomis.  It appears that Davis and his wife went riding a week ago last Sunday and when he started driving up an unused road on East hill she jumped from the machine.  She received an injury to her shoulder and her husband took her to the hospital. She was released in a day or two and upon arriving home said her husband threatened to cut his throat with a razor.  Mrs. Davis put the razor in her handbag and Sunday afternoon her husband found the bag and contents and started out the rear door of their home.  She called her brother, Coatsworth Loomis, who followed Davis into the back yard.  Loomis grabbed Davis by the arm, and it was reported that as Davis swung at Loomis he dropped the hand bag and Loomis picked it up and went into the house.  During the argument the father was sitting on the front porch but a few minutes later Coatsworth Loomis looked into the front yard and saw Davis holding the father swinging his arms wildly. The son went out into the yard where the two were standing pushed Davis away, and taking hold of his father started to lead him back to the porch. As they reached the steps the father slumped down and was dead before medical aid could reach him.  Meanwhile Davis had gone to police headquarters and asked that a warrant for assault be issued against Coatsworth Loomis.  Officers Ivon Morrell and Donald Auwater went to the Davis home with the warrant but when they arrived Mrs. Davis said her father had just died. District Attorney Lester R. Mosher and Dr. Kinney were then called.  Davis was questioned at police headquarters, but after Dr. Kinney had decided that Loomis died of natural causes Davis was then freed of all blame in connection with the death.  Coatsworth Loomis was directed by City Judge J. William Kepner to report at police headquarters for a hearing after the funeral services of the elder Loomis. The deceased is survived by the son and daughter above mentioned and another son, Oscar Loomis at Chenango lake.  He was born in Hartford, Conn.  Services are to be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Breese Funeral home, Rev. Irving J. Beckwith officiating with burial in Sherburne West Hill cemetery [Chenango Co., NY].

Lillian (Kniskern) Lord

Died May 25, 1937, Afton, NY

Mrs. Lillian (Kniskern) Lord, 65 years old, wife of Congressman Bert Lord of the 34th Congressional district, died Monday at her home on Spring street, Afton [Chenango Co., NY], after an illness of six moths.  Her health had not been good for several years, and a few months ago she underwent an operation in Washington. She returned to Afton six weeks ago, accompanied by Mr. Lord.  She was a graduate of Oneonta Normal school and taught 23 years in Afton high school.  Mrs. Lord was born in Delhi [Delaware Co., NY] February 12, 1872, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan L. Kniskern and she married Mr. Lord August 3, 1893.  The only other surviving relative is a sister, Mrs. James Sands of Vallonia Springs.  Congressman and Mrs. Lord were members of the congressional committee that in October, 1935, attended the inauguration of Manuel Quezon as president of the Philippine Islands. The committee later visited Japan. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the home. Rev. Frederick Nichols of the Afton Baptist church will officiate and burial will be in Glenwood cemetery, Afton.

Bert Lord

Died May 24, 1939, Washington, DC

Congressman Bert Lord of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], representing the 34th district, comprising the counties of Broome, Chenango, Otsego and Delaware, died at 1 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Naval Hospital, Washington, following a critical illness from a heart ailment.  Mr. Lord, who was 69 years of age, was admitted to the hospital early last week after a heart attack at the World's Fair in New York.  He suffered a second attack Sunday night and another Monday night, terminating in his death.  The body of Congressman Lord will be brought to his home at Afton for burial and funeral services.  His remains are expected to arrive in Binghamton at 6:25 Saturday morning and will then be brought to Afton. Funeral services will be held in the Baptist church at Afton Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, standard time, with interment in Glenwood cemetery at Afton.  The remains will lay in state in the church from 11 a.m. Saturday until the hour of the funeral.

Always a staunch Republican, Mr. Lord had been more or less in public life since 1910, when he was first elected to membership on the board of supervisors from his home town of Afton.  He continued on the board until February 1915, serving as chairman for two or three years.  Soon after retiring as supervisor Mr. Lord was chosen by the voters of his county to represent them in the state assembly at Albany. After serving in the lower body a few years he was named commissioner of motor vehicles, occupying that position for about two years. When Supervisor L. E. Fredenburg was appointed postmaster at Afton, Mr.  Lord was again selected by his fellow townsmen as their representative on the board of supervisors.  His membership on the board was again terminated when he was returned to the assembly, an office he filled until the death of Senator B. Roger Wales of Binghamton, whom he succeeded in the state senate.  He held the senate post for six years.  After the death of Congressman John D. Clarke and the term of Mrs. Clarke, who was chosen to fill her husband's vacancy had expired, Mr. Lord was again honored and this time elected to the halls of congress.  Congressman Lord was serving his third term when he was stricken.  

Mr. Lord was born in Sanford, Broome county, Dec. 8, 1869, but nearly all his life had been spent in Afton, Chenango county, where for many years he was engaged in business.  He was a member of Afton lodge of Masons and Kalurah Temple of the Shrine.  The only immediate survivor is Mrs. Lord, whom he married about a year ago following the death of his first wife some time ago.  He also leaves several cousins.  Honest and dependable, known as a man of strict integrity, Mr. Lord supported all constructive Republican policies during his long service in public office. He could be depended upon to discharge his duties along the lines he felt his constituents wished.  Not often in the limelight as a speaker in the floor in favor or against any proposed measure it was assured that his vote would be in accord with his convictions on the subject.

During his more than a quarter of a century in public life Bert lord was the sponsor of many important pieces of legislation, a vast amount of which were enacted into laws of this state and nation.  He was always regarded as the champion of the farmer, for he felt he knew the needs of agriculture and it was to that line of thought he devoted his best efforts.  He also stood for highway improvements, and there are several pieces of legislation on this subject which were brought about through the foresight and energy of Bert Lord.  He was always upright in his dealings with his fellow man, and his kindly smile, gentle handshake and sympathetic nature earned him a legion of friends, who always remained true.  He possessed a great following among the voters and during the many times he had been a candidate for office, only a few times was his election ever seriously contested.  He was always sure of his ground for he numbered his friends in all walks of life and each time he was returned to office it was usually by an increased majority.  Chenango county has lost a good friend, and the district an earnest and able representative in the passing of Congressman Lord.  His place will be difficult to fill for his characteristics and makeup were such as to bring him many steadfast friends.

By his death a vacany exists in this district, and it will probably mean the calling of a special election by the governor to select a congressman. At the time Congressman Clarke died the Congressional committees of the four counties assembled and designated candidates of the major parties. to be voted for at the special election called for that purpose, and this procedure may be followed in this instance by Governor Lehman.  District Attorney Lester R. Mosher of New Berlin and Edward F. Devine of this city are members of the congressional committee from Chenango county.  An authority on this subject says the governor may or may not call a special election.  It could not be called in less than 30 days. The vacancy to be filled will be from the date of the election until January 3, 1941.  If no special election is called, a congressman will be elected at the general election and hold office from November 7 1939 to January 3, 1941.

Besides being congressman Bert Lord was also chairman of the Chenango county Republican committee and a vacancy is now created in that position which members of the county committee will be called upon to fill.  During all his long life Mr. Lord was active in Republican politics not only in Chenango county but throughout the Southern Tier.  He had often served as party delegate to many conventions and held numerous positions of trust and confidence.  His death will be mourned by a wide circle of friends in this district and in the halls of congress where he was well known and well liked by his associates.

Death Notices

Chenango American, July 30, 1863

At Vicksburgh, Miss., on the 16th inst., of typhoid fever, Mr. Smith R. Wheeler, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 22 years.

In Brashear City, La., may 1st, Mr. Isaac H. Brewster, of Co. H, 114th Reg., formerly of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], aged 20 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th inst., Mrs. Lydia Graves, wife of David Graves, aged 52 years.

In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the 25th inst., Mr. G. Eugene Overhiser, eldest son of Rev. G.C. and D.B. Overhiser, aged 21 years, 4 months and 9 days.

"Blessed is that servant who, when his Lord cometh, shall be found so doing."

In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28d ult., of diptheria, Addie [Merritt], aged 7 years and 1 month; and on the 11th inst., of the same disease, Charlie [Merritt] aged 8 years, 8 months--only children of Mrs. Mary A. Merritt, widow of the late Emmet Merritt.