Obituaries (February 21)

C. Homer Delavan

Died January 5, 1941, Guilford, NY

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock from his late home for C. Homer Delavan whose death occurred Sunday in Rockwells Mills [Chenango Co., NY].  Rev. Yale Lyon, Episcopal rector of Unadilla will officiate. Burial will be made in the family plot in the Unadilla cemetery.  Mr. Delavan was born November 1, 1849 in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], the son of Charles and Roxy Ann (Mills) Delavan.  His lifetime was passed in farming, near Guilford and for the last 56 years at Rockwells Mills.  May 13, 1908, Mr. Delavan's marriage to Hannah Rosalia Dorman occurred at the home of her youngest brother, John Dorman on Birdsall street, this city [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  His invalid wife survives him with several nieces and nephews and cousins. Funeral arrangements are by Ernest F Wilcox, North Norwich funeral director.  

Dr. Samuel Austin Deming

Died May 30, 1934, Binghamton, NY

Friends of Dr. S.A. Deming, veterinarian will be sorry to hear that he passed away at Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] Wednesday morning. Dr. Samuel Austin Deming, a son of Adin and Helen Snedeker Deming was born in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], September 20, 1875.  While a boy he moved with his parents to North Norwich, here he grew to manhood.  Dr. Deming attended Norwich high school and later spent a year in the Ontario Veterinary College of Canada.  In 1903 he entered the Chicago Veterinary College, a branch of the Illinois University, graduating from that institution in 1905.  After serving one year as interne in the hospital, he moved to Ida Grove, Iowa, where he practiced for 16 years.  He also engaged very successfully in the real estate business. Dr. Deming returned to Norwich in 1922 and purchased the veterinary practice of Dr. W.L. Sturges, which he continued until his increasing ill health prevented further active practice.  In 1892 he married Alice Waters of North Norwich, who died in 1930.  Of three children born to them, two died in infancy and a son Harold was drowned at the age of 11 years.  An only brother, Nelson Deming died several years ago, so he leaves no near relatives. Dr. Deming, who was a veterinarian of wide experience and unusual skill, will be missed by many friends and acquaintances who will remember him not only for his ability as a doctor and surgeon but for his honesty and for his loyalty to his friends. The deceased was a member of Norwich lodge, 302, F.&A.M. The funeral services will be held from the Breese funeral home at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. L.S. Charters, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal church, officiating. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery.  Norwich lodge, 302 F.&A.M. will act as an escort.

Jennie Gucker

Died May 30, 1934, Norwich, NY

Following a week's illness, the death of Mrs. Jennie Gucker occurred suddenly Wednesday noon at her home, 25 Brown avenue [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  The widow of the late Henry G. Gucker, she was a native of Vergennes, Vermont where she was born May 19, 1851.  Mrs. Gucker had resided in this city for the past 46 years. Very well known, she was beloved by many and her passing will be a source of sorrow to her family, her friends and neighbors who were legion in number.  Possessed of a delightful personality, her first thoughts were in her home where her fine character and motherly devotion radiated her affection for her family. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock form the family home, with burial in Mt. Hope cemetery. Rev. D.G. DeBoer, pastor of the First congregational church will officiate. Three children survive, Edgar G. Gucker, Mrs. Otis A. Thompson and Harry D. Gucker, all of this city; also six grandchildren, Howard Gucker, Mrs. Mildred Cook, Donald Gucker, Auidine Gucker and Frederick H. Little, of Norwich and Mrs. Harold Tucker of Rochester. Five great-grandchildren and one nephew also survive.

Leroy E. Barr

Died May 30, 1934, Norwich, NY

Following an illness of a few day, the death of Leroy E. Barr occurred early Wednesday night at his home, 65 Mitchell street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Mr. Barr was a native of this city where he was born April 6, 1893.  He had spent practically his entire life here.  He was employed as a clerk in the offices of the Z.&M. Independent Oil Company. He was also a member of the Ontario Hose Company.  His untimely passing will be mourned by many.  Besides his wife, there survive two sons, John F., and William E. Barr, also his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barr of this city and one sister, Mrs. Elmer Bedford of New Hartford, N.Y.  Private funeral services will be held from his late home Friday morning at 10 o'clock with Rev. Father Charles M. Coveney of St. Paul's church officiating. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Death Notices

Chenango American, September 10, 1863

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], suddenly on the 5th inst., Mr. John Upham, Sen, aged 65 years.

In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] on the -th inst., Mrs. Amanda [Packard], wife of Mr. Larking Packard, aged 65 years.

In  Morris, Otsego Co., on the 1st inst., Mrs. Hannah Pierce, wife of Mr. Jonathan Pierce, deceased, aged 53(?) years and 2 months.

In Belvin Hospital, Washington, D.C. on the 30th ult., of fever, Mr. William H. Vann Ostrand of Co. C, 10th N.Y. Cavalry, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] aged 32 years and 7 months.

In McDonopugh, on the 3d inst., Hattie Bell [Law], daughter of H.S. and Almina Law, aged 15 months.

In Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., of typhoid fever, Mr. George G. Seymour, aged 46 years.

In the U.S. Hospital, at Frederick City, Md., on the 30th ult., Myron H. [Dunn] of Co. H, 168th Reg., son of Mr. H. G. and Mahetable Dunn of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], aged 18 years 7 months and 10 days.

My tears will not disturb thy sleep,

Nor deep sighs wake thee now;

Though long I linger here to weep

And press thy marbled brow.

Gone, gone to an early tomb,

From the storms of fearful strife.

Gone in thy youth and bloom

To a paradise of life.

No more the tread of hostile foes,

Will e'er disturb thy rest,

Though sleeping near Potomac's shore,

With its cold turf on thy breast.

How much suffering thou didst bear,

During the past eventful year,

And much was mine, my son, to share,

Thy mother's oft dropt tear.

But would I call thee back again,

To the pathway thou hast trod?

No, I rather would I leave there here,

And trust thee with thy God.

The following lines were found in the Diary of Myron H. Dunn, after his decease.  They were probably written after the Regiment was ordered toward Richmond, and previous to the order to intercept Gen. Lee, in his retreat from Pennsylvania.

I am dying mother, dying,

Mid the wounded and the slain,

And around me forms are lying

Which can never strive again,

Much I would but cannot tell thee

Of a home I cherish dear.

Of the friends I leave behind me

Who will shed a silent tear.

Tell my father now beside you,

He whose locks are turning grey,

Tell him that my faltering whisper

Speaks of childhoods happy day.

Tell him that a son doth cherish

Words which now I cannot,

Tell him that I dearly loved him

And can only say farewell.

I am dying mother, dying,

Few more words from me you'll hear,

For my life blood fast is flowing

And I soon shall leave you here.

Take my sword now red and gory,

Doubly dyed in traitors blood,

For to them twill tell the story

How for Union's cause I stood.

Farewell, father, sister, brother,

Farewell friends, both far and near,

farewell fond and loving mother,

I am dying, dying here.