Obituaries (June 27)

Sylvester Wheeler
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 26, 1881

Deacon Sylvester Wheeler died at South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], January 14th.  He was born March 8th, 1801, consequently was nearly eighty years of age.  He came into the town of Otselic fifty-one years ago, and with his family shared the privations and hardships of those early days.  His life and character were much like those of Deacon Benson Wheeler, who so recently died in Pharsalia.  He took a strong interest in the political affairs of the country.  He was a Republican from the foundation of the party, and at the last election, though quite feeble, rode over to Beaver Meadow to vote.  In company with his youngest son, H.S. Wheeler, he had carried on the Hardware business in South Otselic for twenty-six years.  he was a man fo strict integrity of life, of tender sympathy for the suffering and better than all else, of earnest piety. For sixty years he had been a consistent Christian. A few weeks after the organization of the Baptist Church at South Otselic, he transferred his membership from Beaver Meadow to that place, was soon made a deacon of the Chruch, and remained such until his death, though for the last two or three years his failing health had not allowed him to perform the duties of the office, or to attend religious meetings.  His death was a quiet and beautiful ending of a long and well spent life.   H.C.L.

Melissa P. Ray

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 26, 1881

In our last we announced the death of Mrs. Ray, and mother of George W. Ray, Esq., of this village.  She died suddenly of apoplexy while about her household duties at her home in Smith's Valley.  She was a most estimable lady, beloved and respected by all who knew her.  Her funeral was largely attended on Sunday, and, in pursuance of an oft expressed wish, she was buried in the Norwich Cemetery.  Her surviving husband and the other members of the family have the warmest sympathies of their many friends here, as well as at their former home in Otselic in their affliction.

RAY:  In Smith's Valley, Madison County, N.Y., Jan. 19th, 1881, Melissa P. Ray, wife of Asher M. Ray, aged 74 years, formerly of Otselic in this county [Chenango Co., NY].  [Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Jan. 22, 1881]

Lydia Lewis

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 22, 1881

Preston [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Lydia Lewis died very suddenly at this place on the 16th inst., She had been in poor health all winter, but not considered in any immediate danger of death.  On the morning of the above date her daughter noticed that she was breathing with considerable difficulty, and started for help, but before anyone arrived her mother had quietly passed over the river to the unseen shores beyond.

Sophronia Ruth (Beardsley) Blakeslee

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 22, 1881

Coventry [Chenango Co., NY]:  The wife of Hiram A. Blakeslee, died on Sunday after an illness of about 10 days, with bilious fever.  She was thought to be mending a short time before her death, and the sad event was quite unexpected.  Mrs. Blakeslee was a very estimable woman and highly respected. She had attained about sixty years of age and was the mother of quite a large family of children, some of whom are married and settled in life.

Edgar A. Phillips

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, January 22, 1881

Coventry [Chenango Co., NY]:  Our people were shocked at the close of last Sabbath's services to learn of the death of our townsman, Edgar A. Phillips.  The announcement came with almost stunning effect, although it was generally understood that he was suffering from a malady thought incurable.  His loss makes a gap in both the business and social circles of this community which will be hard to fill.  One of the well known firm of Phillips & Hoyt, he proved himself, for years, one of our first business men and was widely known as a competent, energetic, honorable dealer.  In his social capacity he combined the sprightliness of a genial, buoyant nature, with a gentle, affable manner; having an almost philanthropic interest in the public welfare, he was ever ready to lend a willing hand or an open purse to forward all enterprises tending to the general good.  politically a strong Republican and popular with his townsmen and party, he has, (at least for many years) steadily declined all nominations for office, although they were repeatedly urged upon him.  With his family he was generous and indulgent, to a fault.  He was a devoted member of the 2d Congregational Church and one of its burden bearers, always faithful at his post of duty.  But few individuals in private life are enabled to be so thoroughly identified with the interests of the community in which they live, as was Mr. Phillips, and few can be more sadly missed and seriously mourned.  He leaves a companion and three sons--two of them, James H. and Edgar, are in business at Colorado Springs and Wallace, the youngest, is at home.  Mr. Phillips was nearly sixty-three years old.  The store of the firm is closed.  its front will not be opened to the public until after the funeral, which is appointed for Tuesday.

Sheldon S. Wheeler

Binghamton Press, July 9, 1936

Sheldon S. Wheeler, 32 years old, died this morning at 5 o'clock at his home, 477 State street [Binghamton, Chenango Co., NY].  He is survived by his wife, Minnie; a stepson, Bryan Strohman; two step daughters, Mrs. C.A. Salle, Jr., of Kirkwood and Mrs. F.C. Lanisberry of Scarsdale, and several nieces and nephews.  The body was removed to the George H. Scholderer Home for Funerals, 189 Chenango street.  Funeral announcements will be made later.  Mr. Wheeler was a member of Parlor City Lodge, I.O.O.F., Sunlight Rebekah Lodge and the Chenango Street M.E. church.

Binghamton Press, July 11, 1936

The funeral of Sheldon S. Wheeler was held this afternoon at 3:3; o'clock at the George H. Scholderer home for funerals, 269 Chenango street.  The Rev. Alfred R. Burke officiated, assisted by the Rev. Earl A. Smelch.  The pallbearers were H.R. Mulford, Willard L. Dibble, Fred J. Scott, George Contant, I.D. Stalker and V.W. Vail,.  Parlor City lodge, I.O.O.F. had charge of the services at the grave.  Burial was in Chenango Valley cemetery.

Death Notices

Chenango American, Greene, NY, July 27, 1865

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th inst., Mrs. Amelia Hoyt, wife of Dea. Chauncey Hoyt, aged 66 years.  The funeral will take place from her late residence tomorrow (Friday) at 1 o'clock, P.M.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst., Olive P. [Cowles], wife of Orlando F. Cowles, aged 27 years.

In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mrs. Lucius Manwarring, aged 52 years.

In Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mr. Brownell Bulkley, aged 83 years.

In Triangle [Broome Co., NY], on the 24th inst., Mary A. [Johnson], daughter of Peter Johnson, aged 19 years.

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Hannah [Hanford], wife of Merrick Hanford, aged 61 years.

In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], on the 18th inst., Uriel C. Johnson, Esq., formerly of Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], aged 33 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., Mrs. Eliza Ransford, wido of the late Hascall Ransford, aged 58 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst., Mr. John Monroe, aged 91 years.

In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult., George T. [Coates], only child of John K. and Rebecca Coates, aged 14 years.