Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 22, 1872
Marriages
SHEPARD - CASE: At the Trinity M.E. Church, in Chicago, May 13th, 1872, by Rev. Mr. McChesney, Mr. Henry O. Shepard to Miss Jennie Case, both formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], all of Chicago.
STILLMAN - BURDICK: In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], May 15th, by Rev. J. Clark, Mr. George T. Stillman of Verona [Oneida Co. NY], to Miss Nettie Burdick, of Lincklaen.
Deaths
DENSLOW: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May17th, of brain fever, after an illness of seven weeks, Fred Graham [Denslow] youngest son of George W. and Julia M. Denslow, aged 9 years and 6 months.
Fred, had been with us long enough to make us all love him, and already had gained a strong hold on the afections of many outside of the family circle. His opening faculties were watched with delight and it was hoped he might long be spared to gladden the hearts of his parents, brothers, sisters and friends. but the Lord, who doeth all things well, has ordered it otherwise, and while we bow to his will, we are thankful that he has said: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven."
"One we loved has left our number / For the dark and silent tomb; / Closed his eyes in deathless slumber / Faded in his early bloom" C.N.W.
CLARK: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 14th, Mr. Orra H. Clark, aged 24 years.
O'DONNELL: Suddenly, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 19th, John [O'Donnell] son of Martin O'Donnell, aged 5 years.
BURKE: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 12th, Dellia Burke, aged 30 years.
STANTON: In Middleton, Dane Co., Wis. May 9, Mary E. Whitney [Stanton], aged 28 years, wife of Russel Stanton, brother of R.A. Stanton, Esq., of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].
CORBIN: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], May 13th, Martha [Corbin] wife of George Corbin, aged 41 years.
PORTER: Near Earlville [Madison Co. NY], May 11th, Leroy [Porter] only son of Orlando and Leafy Porter aged 16 y'rs.
BROOKS: In Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], March 16th, Elmore Brooks, aged 17 years.
LOCKE: In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], April 29th, Elizabeth [Locke], wife of Benjamin Locke, aged 61 years.
Mrs. H.L. Ward: We are pained to learn of the sudden death of the wife of Prof. H.L. Ward, of Norwich Academy, which occurred at 8 o'clock this (Tuesday) morning. She passed through confinement during the night, and for an hour or two seemed as comfortable as could be expected, when she commenced to sink, and died as above stated. Mrs. Ward, during her comparatively short residence among us, had endeared herself to a pleasant circle of friends, by the excellent qualities she possessed, and her death, where best known and in the home circle, will be sadly mourned. Prof. Ward has the sympathies of the entire community in his bereavement. The remains will be taken on Wednesday morning to Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence County, for interment.
_____________________________
BREED: In North Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], May 8th, Capt. John H. Breed, aged 72 years.
The subject of this brief memoir, Capt. John R. Breed, was born in the town of Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], May 1st, 1800, and departed this life May 8th, 1872, at his home in North Pitcher. Born in the early days of Chenango's history, he knew something by the way of an actual experience, of the hard work necessary to affect the present state of improvement of his native County and home. He saw the transition from muscle to machinery and was quick to accept it as an improvement upon the old way of doing. He was far from being so wedded to what had passed, as to hinder present enjoyment, but, like a true man, he was ready to receive and make practical the improvements of the age.
He ever strove to make his house worthy the name of home, not alone to the rich, but that the poor also might come under its shadow and be made happy. No one ever went to him in distress, and was turned away empty, and as was said by one whom he had often befriended, "I have lost my best friend; he never refused me." Orphan children found a home under his hospitable roof, and by his hand were reared to fill respectable places in society.
While there are those who will read this as one of the passing events, and in the whirl of busy life, the multitude may soon forget him. Yet there are those outside the circle of his relatives to whom the mention of his name will awaken emotions of gratitude in their hearts, and they will thank God that he lived as he did and was what they know him to have been. So, another home, made prosperous and happy by his honorable toil is now sad, and the place so well filled is vacated and silent. But there comes back to those who weep and mourn a voice which calls them to imitate his virtues, so that when they are called to depart this life, they may leave behind them a name that shall be remembered and respected.
_________________________________
SMITH: In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 15th, of apoplexy. James H. Smith, Esq., aged 67 years, 6 months and 5 days.
We are called upon this week to announce the sudden death of one of our most prominent citizens - James H. Smith, Esq., President of the National Bank of Norwich - which occurred on Wednesday morning of last week. During the Monday previous, he was at the Bank, as usual, apparently in good health. In the evening he complained of a peculiar feeling in one of his hands - a numbness - and consulted a physician before retiring for the night. About five o'clock on Tuesday morning he was stricken with apoplexy, and although he rallied somewhat during the forenoon, it was evident to those at his bedside that his days were numbered. He continued to sink until half past nine o'clock on Wednesday morning, when he died, at the age of 67 years, 6 months and 5 days. Mrs. Smith, who was visiting friends at Paterson, N.J., was telegraphed to, and arrived home an hour or two before his death.
John Smith, father of the deceased, came from Rhode Island, and settled on a farm two miles south of Sherburne village [Chenango Co. NY], in 1804. He was killed by being thrown from a wagon, in 1810, leaving seven sons and four daughters. The oldest brother, Rev. Nathaniel Smith, of Buffalo, the youngest brother, Sidney T. Smith, of Grass Valley, Michigan, and one sister, the wife of Foster Anderson, of Sherburne, survive him.
When quite young, Mr. Smith married a daughter of the late Timothy Hunt, and engaged extensively in the farming and milling business at North Norwich. By this marriage he had one child, which died in its infancy. His wife died about the year 1835, and he afterward married her sister, who also died in 1848. In 1838 he was appointed by Sheriff Hatch, to the position of Undersheriff of Chenango County, which he held until 1841, when he was again appointed by Sheriff Halbert, and discharged the duties of that office until January 1, 1844. From 1844 to 1851, he was principally engaged in farming. In the latter year he married the widow of the late Isaac Bockee, of North Norwich, who survives him. from 1851 to 1856, he was engaged in the warehouse business in Norwich, dealing in flour, and packing beef and pork. Upon the organization of the Bank of Norwich, in 1856, he was made its President.
His funeral was attended at his rooms in the Eagle Hotel, on Saturday afternoon last, and his remains taken to North Norwich, where they were interred by the side of those who had gone before him.
_____________________________________
ENSIGN: At the residence of his son, Dr. E.L. Ensign, in McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], May 11th, Hon. Solomon Ensign, in the 78th year of his age.
The subject of the above obituary was born in Sheffield, Mass., May 23d, 1792. With his father and three other children, he removed to the town of Pitcher, in Chenango County, in the year 1809, this part of the county at that time being almost an unbroken wilderness. Here he lived for more than half a century, contending with the hardships, and suffering the privations connected with the early pioneer life. He witnessed the march of civilization - beheld the forest give way to the cultivated field - saw thriving villages take the place of the rude huts of the first settlers. In all of this he was not an idle spectator but helped to accomplish it with his own hands.
In 1812, at the call of his country, he enlisted in the militia of the State, under the command of Col. Daniel Root, went to the frontier, was in the service at Black Rock, and Lewiston, and was in the battle of Queenstown. When peace was again restored, he was paroled and honorably discharged. In 1817, he was married to Irene Terrell, of Pitcher, with whom he lived, till death separated them, in 1865; they reared a family of eight children, all of whom save one have arrived to years of maturity and are now engaged in the active duties of life. One chose the study of Divinity and is now in good standing as a preacher in the M.E. church. Two chose the medical profession, and were thoroughly educated in the same, and have good reputations as practitioners. One is at the West, engaged in the speculations of that growing country. The others are engaged in agricultural pursuits.
S.S. Randall, in one of his admirable letters of the "Chenango Valley Fifty Years Ago," used these words: "Mr. Ensign was one of the best, purest, and most upright men I have ever known." Nothing more truthful could have been said of him, as all will testify, who with Mr. Randall were acquainted with his character. The esteem in which he was held by the public will corroborate this. Politically, he was a strong admirer of Jackson, to which principles he steadily and strongly adhered till the time of his death. In 1829, he was chosen one of the magistrates of his town, which office he held by re-election for a period of more than thirty years, notwithstanding the many political changes of the last twenty years. He represented his town for twenty years as its supervisor. He was also for many years identified with the educational interests of his town and County.
In 1838, he was appointed by the Gov. Wm. L. Marcy, as one of the judges of the County Courts. At the expiration of his first term, was reappointed, which position he held till the office was abolished. He represented the county in the legislature, in 1846. No other man, save one (Judge Ebenezer Wakely, whose intelligence he admired, and whose virtue he loved) has done so much to give intellectual character to his town, as the record of his official positions will show. Having a retentive memory and sound judgment by extensive reading he became well versed in all the legal rules of the Courts, as well as in the facts of the common law, and his advice was sought by all in his community, in matters involving legal questions.
In social relations of life, he was no less esteemed. Fully conversant with the passing events of the day, and possessing social qualities seldom surpassed, his society was a guarantee that the passing hour would be replete with pleasing instruction. In the family relation, never was one more esteemed and beloved. Although he was never identified with any church, his love for the instruction of the Bible, and his love for the society of the faithful in Christ, as manifested both in word and deed, assures those who mourn his loss on earth that there will be a happy reunion in that home "Over There."
No comments:
Post a Comment