Daniel Cornell
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, April 26, 1871
CORNELL: In Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], April 18th, Daniel Cornell, Esq. aged 79 years.
Seventy-nine years ago, last winter, Lemuel Cornell and wife, moved into the northern part of the town of Guilford, then an unbroken forest, bringing an infant son, born the September previous, the subject of this sketch. His childhood and youth were passed amid the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, but developed a well-knit frame and an active mind; and whether in labor or recreation, in acquiring an education, or later in life, in litigations, his perseverance was ever remarkable.
While still a boy, taking advantage of an early autumnal snow, alone with his trusty rifle, he started on a still hunt for deer. Two miles from home five broke from their covert and were quickly out of sight; an hour's steady, cautious advance, however, brought him in range, and with unerring aim he brought one down. Removing the entrails, he left it and continued his pursuit of the remaining herd, until another and another fell, and at sundown he had killed the last and started for home; but neither sport nor peril for the day were ended, for half a mile from home, as he stepped upon a log, a bear rose up and started to run; he emptied his gun at him in the dark, which was followed by the animal's peculiar cry of pain and rage. Fearful that others might be near and come to his rescue, and uncertain as to the effects of his shot, he ran out of the woods in the least possible time. Accompanied by his father and brother at daybreak he found the bear dead a few rods from the place, and with a team they secured during the day and brought home his carcass and that of five deer, which added materially to the winter stock of provisions.
Volunteering in the war of 1812, he saw active service on our northern frontier, and one night his detachment was marched on a false alarm until the mistake was discovered, and the weary men passed a dreary night in the open air, near which the city of Buffalo now stands. On his return he purchased a tract of land and reared his home (which he never changed). The next winter he taught the district school, numbering some sixty scholars, for $10 per month, which was apportioned by rate bill among the patrons of the school; but there being no money in circulation, each paid in labor during the next summer the amount of his tax. The Oxford and Butternuts Turnpike Company, locating their road through the town of Guilford, appropriated without appraisement a couple of miles of the river road below Mt. Upton, and putting up a gate compelled the traveling public to pay toll for virtually crossing their own road, or go far round to get up or down the river. Mr. Cornell to test the matter ran the gate and allowed himself to be sued for toll, but failed in his defense; but the spirit of the act being acceptable to the people, he was at the next town meeting elected one of the highway Commissioners, and by resolution required to prosecute the turnpike Company. A suit was instituted, and a respectable verdict obtained, which was set aside by a superior court for want of authority to sue in their name, a defect of law which has since been remedied by later enactments. The Board of Auditors refusing to allow the commissioners accounts for costs incurred in the prosecution of the turnpike Company; they commenced a suit against the town to indemnify themselves, which was continued until the other Commissioners, wearied with its length, retired from the strife. Then, alone he carried it from court to court, and at last to the legislature and seventeen years from the commencement of his suit he was reimbursed for his costs. This was the first tax of magnitude the town ever paid. They come annually now.
Twice married, each time to most estimable ladies, he ever had a well appointed home. Substantial thrift crowned his financial exertions, and his genial intercourse leaves pleasant memories among a host of friends. Of an ardent temperament, his political preferences were maintained with an earnest zeal, and if opponents could not accept his conclusions, they ever gave him credit for frankness and sincerity. His death without immediate premonition, produced throughout the community a profound sensation, and the largest concourse ever convened on such an occasion in his town, gathered at his dwelling and followed his remains to the tomb, borne by his brethren of the Masonic fraternity, and honored with their impressive rites. With them he had acceptably walked for more than forty years life's roughest as well as smoothest paths - had borne with an unflinching hand the symbols of their common faith through dark as well as shining hours, and was, with them, pledged to meet on an immortal shore, in a grander lodge, untouched by builder hands.
I have seen the oak of centuries that lightning had riven and storms for ages embraced, yet in a calm it fell. So sinks to rest our friend and neighbor. The surging tides of human life will roll along, and with a dash and spray bear us swiftly onward, yet memory, faithful to her trust, will point us some bright scenes, some hallowed associations with him in the past whose reflected light will help illuminate the way before.
Funeral of Daniel Cornell
A special train left Norwich for Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], on Sunday morning last, to convey members of the Masonic fraternity, and others, who were desirous of attending the funeral of Mr. Daniel Cornell, who was a respected member of Norwich Commandery. The attendance at the funeral was the largest ever assembled in the town on a similar occasion. The body was buried with Masonic rites the beautiful service of the Knights Templar being observed at the house, and that of the master Masons at the grave, under the direction of Oxford Lodge. The procession to the grave was at least a mile long, testifying the esteem in which the deceased was held by all. On the return from the grave, the weary Masons and others who had "traveled from afar," were hospitably entertained at the house.
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