Death of Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford, Norwich, NY, 1872

 Death of Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, September 5, 1872

Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], suddenly, of paralysis, Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford, in the sixty-second year of his age.

The announcement, "Mr. Rexford is dead," startled and saddened our citizens on Friday evening last.  Those who were cognizant of the sudden stroke, and shared in the anxious solicitude of the hour, as well as those who knew not of his indisposition, were alike shocked at its sudden fatal termination, and all stepped aside from ordinary avocations to pay the tribute of a kind word or regretful tear at his loss.

Mr. Rexford had been in feeble health for some years, and was not, we believe, without warning of his approaching dissolution.  In frequent conversations with him he himself had referred to it, and to that end had for the past year applied himself to the contraction of his business and the settlement of his affairs.  For the past week he had been unusually busy in preparing for the trial of some cases he had at Court.  It is believed that this effort in his feeble state of health, overtaxed his mind and in a measure contributed to his disease.  On Friday he was about his business as usual and argued a motion and tried a cause in Court with his accustomed ability.  At about four o'clock he was sent for to transact some business at his office, which he did promptly and clearly, though meanwhile having occasion to get up he complained of being weak.  About five o'clock his client left him, and in a few moments those in the office saw his head thrown back and his eyes closed apparently in sleep.  On going to him however and attempting to arouse him, he was found insensible and medical aid was at once summoned.  Dr. Smith was soon at his side and administered remedies to restore consciousness failing in which, Mr. R. was removed to his residence where he rapidly sank away and at half past seven expired.

Mr. Rexford was the oldest son of Benjamin Rexford, deceased, and was born in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], January 12, 1811, where he spent his youthful days.  He fitted for college at the Hamilton Academy, studying there from 1824 to 1827 when he entered the Sophomore Class in Union College, from whence he graduated with distinction in 1830.  Returning to Sherburne, he commenced the study of law with the late Philander B. Prindle.  Soon after he came to Norwich and continued and completed his three years course as student at law in the office of Cook & Purdy and was admitted to practice in 1833. Returning to Sherburne he commenced the practice of law there.  In a short time however, his rising reputation attracted the attention of friends here, and at the earnest solicitation of Walter M. Conkey and others he removed again to this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].  Hon. Smith M. Purdy, then attorney to the Bank of Chenango, being in poor health, was desirous to retire from practice.  Mr. R. purchased his house, office, and bank stock, was elected in his place Directo and Attorney of the Bank and has occupied the same residence and remained in the same connection with the Bank until his death.  He has also been its Vice President for upwards of the last fifteen years.  In his practice of law, he has had associated with him as partners at various times, Daniel, J.D. Witt Rexford (his brother), Warren Newton, and more recently his cousin Hon. Lewis Kingsley, deceased.

In 1834, Mr. Rexford married E. Priscella, oldest daughter of Elias Babcock, of Sherburne, who survives him.  He also leaves four children (one daughter having died very young) viz. B.F. Rexford, Jr., of New York, Willie M. Rexford, of Mobile Alabama, Mary H. Rexford and Daniel A. Rexford.

Mr. Rexford has held very little official position, choosing rather the laborious life of his profession, than the cares and responsibilities of office.  During Mr. Lincoln's first term however, he was without solicitation or knowledge on his part, appointed by the President, as one of the Commissioners on the part of the United States to settle the Costa Rican claims, a trust which he fulfilled with credit to himself and honor and satisfaction to the government.  He also once suffered his name to be used in Convention as a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court, a position which it would have delighted his friends to have him occupy.  His principle aim however was to excel in his profession, an ambition which was gratified in an unusual degree, for in the combined offices of Advocate and Counsellor he was in the hight of his practice, the acknowledged head of the Chenango bar, and his reputation was by no means confined to narrow limits but was known throughout the Judicial District and State.  A distinguishing feature of Mr. R. was his readiness at all times to render assistance to younger members of the profession, and many who now stand high as lawyers owe much of their Succes to the encouragement and counsel of Mr. Rexford.  His practice in his profession was never technical, but was always governed by principles of kindness, and accommodation, which rendered him a genial associate and generous opponent.

In politics Mr. Rexford was originally a Whig, and when the Republican party was organized became one of its ardent and steadfast supporters and remained a zealous advocate of its principles until his death.  In social life, he was always affable and pleasant, ever willing to contribute to the comfort and enjoyment of those around him. This sociality he carried in a great degree into his business, and with gratitude and pleasure the writer remembers the years spent as a student and afterward as an attorney in his office.  As a citizen of our county and village, he was always willing to bear his full share of the public burdens.  But in the family circle his kindness and goodness of heart were best known and appreciated, and there the blow falls with crushing weight.  In their great bereavement the widow and children have the heartfelt sympathies of the entire community.

Thus has passed away another of the strong men of our county.  In the midst of his usefulness he is cut off, and loving hearts and sympathizing friends pay a grateful homage to him who has filled so large a space in the history of this county, and done so much for development and progress.  His funeral will be attended from his late residence on this (Thursday) afternoon, at half past three o'clock.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, September 5, 1872

Death of Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford

Our citizens were shocked on Friday evening last, by the announcement that Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford was suffering from a fit of apoplexy, with which he was attacked while seated in his office, a little before six o'clock, and at the further announcement of his death, which occurred soon after his removal from his office to his residence. The deceased has appeared in his usual health during the day and had argued a motion before the Special Term of the Supreme Court, in the forenoon, and given his evidence in another case, in the afternoon.  Mr. Rexford was a prominent member of the Bar of Chenango County, was a member of the Costa Rica Commission, and in 1851 was a candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court, in this district.  

On Friday of last week, during the Special Term of the Supreme Court, Hon. Wm. Murray presiding, James W. Glover announced to the Court, the death of Benjamin F. Rexford and Ransom Macdonald, members of the Bar of Chenango County, both of whom had died during the sitting of the Court, and suggested that upon the adjournment of the Court, a meeting of the Bar should convene at the Court house, for the purpose of adopting appropriate Resolutions upon the sad events.  He moved that the Resolutions so adopted be entered upon the minutes of the Court, and that out of respect to the memory of the deceased, this Court do now adjourn.

Isaac S. Newton, in seconding the motion of Mr. Glover, said:

May it please the Court; I rise to second the motion. The sad events which now are called to the attention of this Court are both too recent and too sudden to admit of prepared and I may almost add, calm remarks.  Yet some thought, some memories crowd upon us in this hour of sadness.

We came together on Tuesday last, at this term of Court, with these two members of our Bar in life.  Within four days they are of the dead.

Mr. Macdonald was in the prime of life.  Our memory of him will always call to our minds the genial, pleasant, gentlemanly manner for which he was so marked.  He had in this Bar, I apprehend, a personal friend wherever he had an acquaintance.  We join hands today over his grave in sorrow, mourning one gone to his death ere the infirmities of age had come upon him.  We shall miss his cordial greeting here at our gatherings ever hereafter.  As a lawyer, sir, his position was fair.  Possessed of an average ability and rank among us, he was earnest, true and courteous, quick to see the turning point of his case, and ready to avail himself of it.  His place here is vacant, and heartily do I respond to the motion that upon the minutes of the Court proper mention shall be preserved of him who was as an attorney one of its officers.

In the death of Benjamin F. Rexford, this Bar has lost one who for many years, as a counselor and an advocate combined, was its acknowledge leader.  As I now cast my eyes around this circle, I see that a large proportion of us have at one time or another been students in his office, enjoying the advantages of his counsel and of his ample library.  No man left here can claim today a special property in the friendship of Mr. Rexford, for he was the friend of us all.  In the prime of his life his great strength lay in his wonderful memory of cases.  On the street or in his office he was able to tell, as by intuition, what was the latest decision on any question presented.  Who of us here today have not often availed ourselves of this power of his?

Yesterday morning he arose here, and with his accustomed force and clearness argued a motion before this Court.  This morning we meet here to speak of his life, of his talent, of the ties of friendship which bound us to him.  Yesterday forenoon he tried a cause here.  This forenoon he is dead.  Such is life and death.  So suddenly come its changes.  yesterday afternoon he walked from this court, in his own strength as a man, but he went forth to be summoned suddenly from among us, and in the early evening he had passed away.

In this County, sir, the name of Benjamin F. Rexford has long been one of our household names. There have been few of the citizens of the County, for over a quarter of a century, who have not shared his acquaintance.  When jurors, witnesses, citizens, shall hereafter gather at our Courts, they will, with us, miss the silvered, massive head, which has so long been conspicuous here.  They with us will lack the kindly greeting.  It is proper that the court where he has so long labored, with honor, with integrity and with zeal, should enter upon its record a fitting tribute to his memory.

The Court, after making the order contemplated by Mr. Glover's motion, adjourned.

Whereupon a meeting of the Bar was immediately convened, and W.N. Mason, chosen Chairman, and Robert A. Stanton and George W. Ray, Secretaries.

On motion, it was resolved that Hon. E.H. Prindle, R.A. Stanton and George W. Ray, be a Committee to draft Resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting, upon the death of Mr. Rexford; and J.W. Glober, I.S. Newton and Lester Chase, upon the death of Ransom Macdonald; and that said Committees report such Resolutions upon the 2d day of September at 12 M, to which time the meeting of the Bar was adjourned.

On Monday, September 2d, 1872, the County Court being in session, the same order was made, and the court adjourned, and the meeting of the Bar again convened, when Hon. E.H. Prindle reported the following Resolutions.:

Resolved, That we desire to give public expression to our high respect for the life and character of the late Benjamin F. Rexford, and to the profound sorrow with which his death has filled our hearts.

Resolved, That in the startling suddenness of his decease, we are solemnly reminded "that in the midst of life we are in death," and are admonished anew that we, too, must soon depart to the undiscovered country "from whose bourne no traveler returns."

Resolved, That in his death, the Bar of the County, as well as of the State, has lost a member of unquestioned integrity of uniform courtesy and kindness, whose social qualities endeared him to the hearts of those with whom he associated, and whose conspicuous ability and legal attainments were an honor to the profession.

Resolved, That in his death we are compelled to mourn the loss of a leading and distinguished citizen, whose long life of usefulness in our midst, characterized by the faithful discharge of many and important trusts both public and private, reflects the highest credit upon his character, and inspires the profoundest respect for his memory.

Resolved, That we tender our deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased and request the Chairman of this meeting to present them a copy of these Resolutions.

Resolved, That the Chairman of this meeting present the record of these proceedings to the Court now in session, with the request that they be entered upon the minutes of the court.

Resolved, That the members of the Bar of this County will attend the funeral of the deceased in a body.

Mr. Glover also presented the following:

In the death of our brother, Ransom Macdonald, Esq., we are again reminded forcibly of the "shortness and uncertainty of human life."

Three times since the advent of the present year, and twice within the past week, to the Bar of Chenango County has been verified the sentence, "dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return."

Mr. Macdonald, though but a youngerly man, had attained a fair reputation in his profession.  His was much more than an average mind.  He saw quickly and correctly the strength of weakness of a case and was not slow to take honorable advantage of any remianess in the management of his adversary; and yet all will bear witness to his integrity and uprightness of character.

Amiable and kindly in his feelings, he was a social and genial companion, and true and sincere in his friendship.  So kindly and amiable was the natural bent of his heart, that however exciting and bitter might be the legal contest in which he was engaged such excitement and bitterness was but for the passing hour and were not remembered or acted upon beyond the confines of the room.

We shall miss him in our periodical visits to his Court House, and in the social circle.

Passing by and forgetting his faults, save as a warning and a beacon light to guide our own footsteps, let us cherish and emulate his virtues.

To his stricken family and friends, we tender our warmest sympathies, trusting that He who ruleth the winds and tempereth the storm to the shorn lamb, will guide, sustain and protect them.

Resolved, That the foregoing minutes be presented to the Court, with a request that the same be entered on the records thereof, that it be published in the papers of the county, and a copy thereof presented to the family of our departed brother.

On motion of G.W. Marvin, both of the foregoing expressions were unanimously adopted, and the meeting adjourned to meet at the County Clerk's Office, fifteen minutes before the hour appointed for the funeral of Mr. Rexford, which it was announced would take place on Thursday at 3-1/2 o'clock P.M.