Obituaries (March 1)

Christine Lewis Kirkby

Died May 3, 1942, Norwich, NY

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Christine Lewis Kirkby died today at her home at 32 Rexford Street following a prolonged illness.  Born Dec. 7, 1857, she had been a lifelong resident of Norwich. She was the daughter of Frances Almeda and Jason Lewis, and was one of the oldest members of the Calvary Baptist Church.  She is survived by three sons, Jacques J. Kirkby of Holland, N.Y., J. Lewis Kirkby of Amberville, and C. Eugene Kirkby, of Norwich, and one daughter, Susan A. Kirkby of Norwich. 

Arthur T. Kirby

Died September 15, 1938, Cooperstown, NY

Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY]:  Arthur T. Kirby, 45, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], died yesterday in Bassett Hospital.  he was born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], son of Edward and Effie Cable Kirby.  He operated a trucking business in Sidney for some time.  His immediate family included his wife, Marjory Kirby. 

Theron A. Kinney

Died September 13, 1938, Norwich, NY

Injuries suffered in a fall shortly after 2:30 Thursday afternoon proved fatal to Theron A. Kinney, Norwich Pharmacal Company employee and supervisor from North Norwich.  His death followed at the Chenango Memorial Hospital [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] at 4:35 p.m.  News of his tragic passing was shocking to his legion of friends in this city, North Norwich and throughout the county. For many years a member of the county board of supervisors and active and prominent in Republican party circles, his untimely death brought expressions of sorrow from every hand.  Mr. Kinney was first elected to the county board in 1914 and assumed office February, 1915.  Intermittently he served the North  Norwich district as a member for 17 years.  H.A. Webb, clerk of the board said that Mr. Kinney was one of the most influential men on the board and in his untimely death, his home village and Chenango county have suffered a severe loss.  He served as chairman of the board in 1924.  Mr. Kinney was fatally injured while at work at the Norwich Pharmacal Company where he was employed in the mechanical department.  Falling from a drug-silo platform, he landed in a truck which was being loaded. Striking on one foot, Mr. Kinney was catapulted from the truck to a concrete platform a few feet below where he struck on his head. A basic skull fracture was the immediate cause of death.  he died without regaining consciousness.  Walter Leard, another employee of the Norwich Pharmacal Company was an eye witness to the fatal fall but neither he nor company officials could explain why the accident should happen except that Mr. Kinney's grip on a door to the silo which he was inspecting loosened, and off-balance, he plunged to the truck and on to the platform.  Other workmen, attracted by the sound of his body striking, went to his aid.  Joseph J. Letson, county supervisor from the city and an employee of the company was the first to reach the injured man.  Henry Hugaboon and Fred Leigh were next to arrive.  Lifted to a stretcher, Mr. Kinney was taken to the plant infirmary.  His son, Dr. Leslie T. Kinney, and Dr. M.E. Jacobs were summoned.  Mr. Kinney was removed at once to the hospital in the Breese ambulance and there he was attended by Dr. T.F. Manley and others. Grief stricken over his death, fellow workers at the plant were at a loss to explain how the accident happened.

Mr. Kinney was born in North Norwich, May 1, 1881, the son of Alonzo S. and Jennie Carpenter Kinney.  He entered the employment of the Norwich Pharmacal Company here on April 10, 1833.  He was a member of the Maccabees.  His first interests were in his home community.  He was an ardent Republican and supported his party with sincere and enthusiastic energy.  Held in high regard by his associates on the board, his opinions were frequently sought and greatly respected.  Besides his wife, who before her marriage was Lizzie A. Smith, and the son mentioned, there survive also one daughter, Mrs. Harold Ferguson, of North Norwich and five grandchildren, Donald and Joyce Ann Kinney of this city, Barbara, Richard and Robert Ferguson of North Norwich. The body of Mr. Kinney is at the family residence at North Norwich.  Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the North Norwich Methodist church, the pastor, Rev. Roy Henwood, officiating.  burial will be made in the North Norwich cemetery.

Death Notices

Chenango American, November 19, 1863

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Frankie [Davis], only daughter of Charles O. and Clarissa B. Davis, aged 16 years, 11 months and 6 days.

In Brookfield, Madison Co., on the 1st inst., Miss Parmela Keith, aged 53 years.

On board U.S. Ship Nightingale, at Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 23d, Mr. John B. Washburn, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], aged 26 years.

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 16th inst., Abiah [Hiller], wife of William Hiller, aged 58 years.

In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY], n the 2d inst., Mr. Levi Benedict, aged 56 years.

All traces of his earthly cares have vanished,

No cloud of sorrow wraps his sleeping brow;

The silent sadness from his lip is banished,

Earth has no trouble that can reach him now.

His worn cheek wears no weary sigh of fever,

No more his dark eyes fill with sudden tears,

For he has done with this vain life forever--

With its throng of haunting hopes and fears.

No need of strength to aid his human weakness,

No sense of change, of parting, or of pain;

Nor woe, nor want, nor wearisome heart-sickness

Can be the portion of his lot again.

Borne to his rest by pangs no tongue can tell,

He sleeps in Christ at last--and it is well!