Obituaries (February 29)

Erastus Agard

Chenango American, October 22, 1863

At his residence in Smithville Flats, Chenango Co., N.Y., October 1st, of pneumonia, Erastus Agard, Esq.  aged 76 years, 7 months and 19 days.  We do not feel in this dispensation of Providence, in removing from our midst the last one of the first settlers of this Wilderness Country, to let this event pass without offering a tribute in memory of his many virtues.  He came here a little more than 63 years ago with his father's family, in company with the family of Major Shelden.

He was born in the town of Litchfield, Connecticut, from which they moved to the banks of the Hudson, near Catskill, about one year previous to their removal here.  It was considered a great undertaking in those days, to settle west of the Catskill mountains, and required great courage to push forward so far into a dreary wilderness. The first halting place in the Chenango Valley, was where the village of Greene now stands.  There was no opening in that section at that time, neither did it appear that there ever could be a settlement in such a gloomy, and swampy valley.  They soon found the place now called Smithville Flats, then known as the Genegantslet, or Big Flats. This appeared to them the promised land, and the two families made a settlement and began to clear up the land.  They suffered the greatest privations, and were the first two years obliged to back their corn for food from old Chenango, near Binghamton, and for all articles of merchandise, travel through the wilderness to North New Berlin.  The great productiveness of the land was soon noised abroad, and families form the East began to come in to settle.  The necessities of the people soon demanded a business man and a place of business, and Erastus Agard was the first to start in the mercantile business sin this part of the County.  He commenced active life as a merchant about 50 years ago, and continued this for over 30 years in our place.  He was a prompt and efficient business man, pushing forward improvements as fast as the necessities of the people required, and building largely for the advancement of the place.  He built the Baptist Church now standing in this place at his own expense and finished it complete.  He was a member of the Baptist church for 60 years, and labored long and faithfully to build up and sustain the church and Society.  He felled the timber and cleared off the land for the burying ground where his body now lies, and gave it to the Society.  His great beneficence, perseverance, hospitality and superior intellect, were prominent, and shone conspicuous through a useful and well spent life.  He was married to Sally Carpenter, daughter of Capt. Samuel Carpenter of Greene, the 5th of January, 1817, with whom he lived a little more than 46 years.  She now sleeps by his side, having departed this life 4 months previous to his death.  He leaves a family of 4 sons and 4 daughters, who sincerely mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent father; the large circle of friends and acquaintances, a warm and sincere friend, an active and conscientious Christian, and an honorable man.  "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, yea saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

Elizabeth Legenback Eaton

Died September 16, 1942, Norwich, NY

Following several months of failing health, Mrs. Elizabeth Lengenback Eaton, 21 Locus street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], widow of George C. Eaton, died at 10:30 Wednesday night.  Born December 27, 1863 in Boston, Mass., Mrs. Eaton had been a resident of this city for the past 40 years.  Well and favorably known, her death is mourned by a wide acquaintance.  She was a member of the First Congregational church and while her health permitted was a regular attendant and active in church life. Surviving are two daughters, Miss Marion Eaton, who is a teacher in Baltimore, Md., and Miss Margaret Eaton, a teacher in East Orange, N.J.  Other survivors include a grandson, George of Los Angeles, California and two nephews, Robert S. Eaton and Melvin C. Eaton, both of this city.  pending the arrival of the two daughters, it is expected that funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. Dr. G. Edgar Wolfe, pastor of the First congregational church, will officiate and burial will be made in the family plot in Mt. Hope cemetery.  Services will be held from the George J. Devine Funeral Home.

Robert Dennison Eaton

Norwich Sun, August 7, 1933

Robert Dennison Eaton, for half a century a prominent citizen of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], died at his summer home at Chenango lake Sunday evening, August 6, aged 79 years.  His death followed an illness of a year and a half, during which he maintained his cheerfulness and his interest in affairs.  He was born in Norwich, October 2, 1854, the son of William and Amarihat Carr Eaton, and was educated at the old Norwich academy, under the principalship of Professor Ward, one of the noted educators of that period.  Following his graduation, he went to Kansas City, where for a year he was engaged in business with his brother, the late George C. Eaton. Returning to Norwich he entered the employ of Barber and Whitcomb, stationers and book sellers.  His associations with Messrs, Barber and Whitcomb left a deep impression and always remained as cherished recollections.  About 1880 he became associated with the late Edwin Smith in the feed business on East Main street, which had been established in 1838, and soon after became a partner.  Following the death of Mr. Smith he became sole owner of the business, which was later incorporated as the R.D. Eaton Grain & Feed Company and continued until 1927.  About 1890 he became interested in the Norwich Pharmacal Company, then a small and struggling business.  In subsequent years his business acumen played an important part in the development of the company until it occupies a front rank among the pharmaceutical houses of the United States.  he held the office of director and secretary from 1901 to 1921.  Since that time he has been chairman of the board of directors.  His other business interests were many and varied.  For many years he was a director and more recently a vice president of the National Bank and Trust Company.  He was one of the early supporters of the Norwich Water Company, serving as director for many years and from 1918 until the sale of the property to the Norwich Water Service Corporation was president and general manager. The Norwich Cemetery Association and the development of its properties aroused his interest and the purchase of the hill west of the cemetery and its reforestation was one of his favorite enterprises.  He took great interest in the young forest and pride in the fact that forest authorities point to it as one of the outstanding spruce tracts in the state.  In more recent years he had devoted much thought and attention to the development of the Chenango lake property into a summer colony.  It was largely thru his foresight and interest that the Borden Company became interested in Norwich as a location for a condensing plant and eventually built what was then its largest unit.  The First congregational church, of which he was a member from early youth, had always received his loyal support.  For many years he was a member of the choir, finding keen pleasure in its activities and in his musical associations in social life.  He served the church in many capacities and was liberal in his financial support.

On May 19, 1881, he married Maria Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smith of Norwich. Their home quickly became a center for social activity, and both were leaders in church and community circles.  Mr. and Mrs. Eaton celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1931.  Mrs. Eaton died February 15, 1932, Mr. Eaton's illness dating from a few days before the death of his wife.  He is survived by a brother, Harry H. Eaton; three sons, Robert S., Warren E. and Melvin C. Eaton, all of Norwich, and six grandchildren, Cable and Elizabeth Maria, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Eaton; Warren Edwin, Jr., Janet and Elise, children of Mr. and Mrs. Warren E. Eaton, and Thomas Jewell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin C. Eaton.  Two nieces, Marion and Margaret, daughters of the late George C. Eaton, also survive. The tragic death of his grandson, Robert Eaton, eleven months ago, was a grievous blow.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Frist Congregational church, Rev. Dowie G. DeBoer, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot at Mt. Hope cemetery.

Few men have played a greater part in the civic, commercial and industrial development of Norwich than Robert Dennison Eaton.  No worthy enterprise lacked his support, and in many ways of which the public never knew, he aided in movements which have contributed to the happiness and prosperity of the community.  Always bold and courageous in maintaining his position, once he had determined what seemed to him the wise course, he never sought public recognition for his efforts. The same characteristic marked his private charities, which have been widespread and liberal.  Family loyalty was one of his traits, and the Eaton family reunion, which has continued as an annual event for nearly a century, was a particular hobby.  He was a lover of the wild and of nature in all her manifestations. The mountains, the forests, the green fields and growing things were his delight.  With Mrs. Eaton he took keen pleasure in garden culture, in displaying its beauties to his friends and sharing its bloom with those who were ill.  Happy and jovial in his social relations, always filled with a spirit of fun and dearly loving a joke, he never indulged in the kind of joke which leaves a sting. Though men might differ in matters of policy, they found in him those personal qualities which make for close and enduring friendships.

Death Notices

Chenango American, November 5, 1863

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Mrs. Thankful Fitch, aged 82 years, 4 months and 16 days.

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult., Mary L. [Wells], aged 25 years.

In mcDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th, ult., Flora [Rathbone], youngest daughter of Lewis A. and Lois Rathbone, aged 8 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst., after a short illness, Mrs. Elisabeth [Cole], aged 57 years.

Chenango American, November 12, 1863

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst., Louise M [Rice], Editor of the Chenango Telegraph, aged 29 years, 6 months and 20 days.

In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst., of consumption, Mr. T.A. Kathan, son-in-law of Amos Gray, aged 47 years.

In Cazenovia [Madison Co., NY], on the 19th ult., Mr. Charles Beckwith, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], late a member of Co. I, 114th N.Y.S.V., aged 38 years.

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th ult., Wm. Stewart, aged 66 years.