Vital Records (July 27)

Dyer D. Bullock

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, December 18, 1886

Wednesday evening, another veteran of that grand army, that allied to the support of the nation in the dark days of the rebellion, received an honorable discharge and was mustered out.  At his home in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Capt. Dyer D. Bullock, departed this life, aged 62 years.  He was born in Norwich, Herkimer county, in 1824. He came of old revolutionary and Puritan stock.  His youthful days were passed upon the farm.  Prompted by ambition, when about sixteen he set out to acquire an education. through the aid of an elder brother, who was a Methodist clergyman and located in Delaware county.  He entered Delaware literary institute and pursued a course of study.  Among his classmates was a very slim young man, now known to fame as Hon William Murray, Jr., one of the justices of the supreme court. While in school, the anti rent troubles broke out in Delaware county, and he received his first lesson at war, for the pupils of the institute were enrolled into a military company and drilled in the manual of arms. They did not see much service, except that under the instigation of Cadet Bullock, when the drill master gave the command "load, take aim, fire"--the boys provided themselves with cartridges, did load, did take aim and did fire. The explosion which naturally followed nearly scared the drill master out of his wits.  In retaliation, he put the entire company under arrest, and instituted a court martial. As Bullock was the most tonguey  of the students, he was designated to conduct the defense. This he did claiming that the boys "simply obeyed orders."  His plea was successful and the culprits were acquitted, but admonished not to do so again.  From Franklin, young Bullock went to New York, where he obtained a position as teacher in the New York asylum for the blind. After successfully teaching three years or more, his health became delicate and under the advice of his physician he visited New Orleans.  Here he engaged in the book business most successfully.  In 1849 the California gold excitement broke out. the young bookseller caught the fever bad.  He heard that a company was organizing in New York to go to California by way of Cape Horn.  He immediately bought an interest in the company.  Inside of twenty-four hours, he disposed of his book store and had left New Orleans to join the California Argonauts. After an adventurous voyage around the cape, the gold seekers found their El Dorado. Bullock in a few years accumulated a large fortune, became the owner of much valuable real estate in Sacramento City and was appointed an associated judge of one of the courts.  In about '53 he returned to this state and located at Bainbridge [Chenango co., NY].  Soon after he was the nominee for assembly on the democratic ticket. The canvass he conduced was one of the most exciting in the history of the southern district.  His fame went abroad and thousands flocked to see the rich Californian.  But he was defeated at the polls.  Soon after this he returned to California, where he had the misfortune to lose considerable of his valuable property.  In 1862, when steps were taken to organize the 114th regiment, he enlisted company "H" and was appointed its captain.  While the regiment was encamped at Baltimore, Captain Bullock and his company were detailed to Marlborough, Maryland, to enforce order among the secessionists of that region  He sailed with his regiment to Louisiana and was appointed provost marshal of the district of Bayou des Allemandes.  In September, 1863, he resigned his commission by reason of ill heath. That same fall, he was elected member of assembly from Chenango county.  In June, 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln captain and assistant quartermaster in the U.S. Army, and assigned to duty near New Haven, Conn.,  For the last ten years, Major Bullock has resided in North Norwich.  During that itme he has taken a lively interestin local, state nad national politics, being frequently the delegate to various republican conventions, advocated zealously the cause of the soldier and nearly every decoration day has appeared as orator.  In private life, he was a highly entertaining companion, a punctilious gentleman, and  a most agreeable, intelligent and interesting conversationalist.  he was an esteemed member of Smith post, G.A.R.  His funeral was attended Friday morning, from his late residence in North Norwich.  A large delegation of Smith post, G.A.R. was present. Rev. L.C. Hayes officiated. The burial took place at Bainbridge.  On Sunday morning at 11 o'clock memorial services will be held in the union church at North Norwich, Rev. L.C. Hayes and Dr. H.H. Beecher delivering funeral eulogies.

Kathleen Purdy Hall

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, December 25, 1886

Tuesday evening, Mrs. Kathleen Purdy Hall, wife of Charles F. Hall, and eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Purdy, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], died at the residence of her parents, where she had been ill for many months.  A little over a year ago she was taken ill, and soon the anxious eyes of her friends detected sure indications that the dread disease consumption had fastened upon her. She was at her home with her husband in a distant state at the time, but was persuaded to return to the home of her parents for treatment and care.  She has been a patient sufferer for many months, bearing her burden with Christian resignation, and often expressing a desire to be at rest. All that the tender care of loving hands could do to alleviate her sufferings was done, but she gradually faded away and passed to rest on Tuesday, at the age of thirty-seven.  She was married to Mr. Hall in April, 1871, and nothing marred the serenity of their bright home until death marked the wife and mother for his own. She leaves a loving husband and two beloved children, the eldest a daughter aged twelve, and the youngest a son of ten years.  Her death is a terrible blow to her parents, husband, sister and children.  Their comfort must come from the knowledge that as her life was pure and bright so will her reward be in the world beyond the stars. The sympathy of the entire community will be with the sorrowing friends.

There is no death.  What seems is a transition

This life of mortal breath

is but a suburb of the life elysian

Whose portal we call death

But little can be added to the above which we take from the current issue of the Chenango Union.  Mrs. Hall was never strong, and that she has been apparently as well as she has, has been due to close watchfulness and care upon the part of herself and family.  During her residence in Norfolk, Va., she seemed to be in better health.  Soon after her removal to Evansville, Ind., nearly two years ago, a severe sickness developed the dread disease and when able she came home.  She visited the sea shore and the best medical skill was invoked in her aid but all to no purpose. She returned to her parent's home in this village where she spent her last days. For a few weeks she was able to be about, but soon the hand of disease became more marked and she was confined to the house and then to the bed. The best of care and treatment were bestowed to make comfortable her last days. Though in great sufferings at times she bore it patiently and without a murmur, and longing for the rest which she was sure death would bring.  Her warm hearted, genial and loving disposition was best known and appreciated in the home circle where her presence always brought sunshine and gladness, and it is in the home circle that her loss will be most seriously felt. the lonesomeness and grief of the husband and children, together with that of the parents and sister and other near relatives will be shared in a large degree by her great number of friends here as well as by others in Buffalo, Norfolk and Evansville, where she has resided at times, from all of whom will come that tender sympathy which lightens even the deepest sorrow.  Her funeral was largely attended this Friday afternoon from the residence of her parents, Rev. A.G. Upton of the Congregational church, of which she had been a member of many years, officiating.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Norwich, NY, December 25, 1886
Married
ELLIOTT-CURNALIA:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] at the home of the groom, Dec. 15th, by Rev. A.G. Upton, Edward Elliott and Miss Ella May Curnalia, all of this village.

Died
HALL:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on the evening of Dec. 21st, at the residence of her father, Dr. C.M. Purdy, Kathleen Purdy, wife of Charles F. Hall, of Evansville, Ind., aged 37 years.  [See obit above]

IVES:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 16th, Samuel G. Ives, aged 81 years.