Monday, February 27, 2023

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, April 1874 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, April 23, 1874

Marriage

ROE - WHEAT:  In Preston [Chenango Co. NY], April 7th, by Edwin Kelsey, Esq., Mr. Franklin Roe to Miss Lillie Wheat, both of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

JOHNSON:  At the residence of her son, Homer Johnson, Esq., in East Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], April 17th, Mrs. Hannah Johnson, widow of the late Dr. Jonathan Johnson, aged 94 years 1 month and 9 days.

This venerable and estimable lady died at the residence of her son, Homer Johnson, Esq., at East Norwich, on Friday last, at the advanced age of 94 years, 1 month and 9 days.  She was the oldest person in this town, and perhaps in the County.  Deceased was the widow of Dr. Jonathan Johnson, the earliest physician in this town. She removed from the town of Conway, Mass., in the year 1790, and was identified with the early history of this County. The residence now owned by Dr. Stuart, on South Main Street, was the homestead of Dr. Johnson, and he owned a large quantity of land around it.  We copy from Clark's History of Chenango County, the following brief sketch of his early trials in this locality:

"During the vigorous portion of his life he enjoyed a lucrative and at the same time most arduous practice.  In the earlier years of his ride, the country was infested with bears, wolves (that hunted in packs) and with the ferocious panther.  More than once the Doctor pursued his lonely rides over the thickly wooded hills, serenaded by moans, howls and screams, proceeding from the midnight orgies of these formidable occupants. The Doctor surmised and with truth perhaps, that the contents of his saddle bags striking, agreeably or offensively, upon the olfactories of these lawless tenants of the wilds, was the cause of their frequent company while pursuing his night rides.  The Doctor accumulated considerable wealth, but in an unfortunate hour was over persuaded to adventure it and lost in trade the hard earning of a toilsome life.  He did not long survive the calamity, but died about the year 1838, regretted by all who best knew his character - its strength and weakness."

Deceased was respected and beloved by all who knew her, and her death will be mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.  her funeral was held on Sunday. [Chenango Union, April 23, 1874]

_____________

Mrs. Johnson came to this village with her father, Mathew Graves, in 1790, form Conway, Mass.  At that time the present site of our village was a wilderness.  Mr. Graves was the pioneer who built the first framed house here, and in the labor of his time was assisted, as best she was able, by Hannah.  She was married to Dr. Johnson on December 23, 1797, with whom she lived in the house built by the Doctor soon after his marriage, on South Main St., (now occupied by Dr. Stuart) until his death, which occurred September 27, 1837.  She remained a widow for 37 years, until her death, the mother of four children, two of whom, Homer and Emily, honored and respected by all, survive her, and with whom she has resided at their residence just across the river, since a short time after her husband's death.

Mrs. Johnson was the pioneer woman, who came among us the earliest, and lived here the longest of any of the early women settlers.  She has lived here eighty-four years, was one of the first who came here in the early days, and is the last of those truly pioneer women who helped break the forest and lay the foundation for that prosperity which she has lived to witness.

During her long life she has always been in the full possession of her faculties, and enjoyment of health until within a very short time.  For many years she has been able to read and to do fine sewing without the aid of glasses. she was an affectionate wife and kind mother, ever ready with a liberal hand to relieve the wants of the needy.

She was always cheerful and loved to dwell upon the early times, of which she retained a vivid recollection until the last. The writer of this will ever cherish with kindly recollections the cheerful greetings he received at her fireside when the boys used to meet together of an evening to tell their stories and enjoy her hospitality in the years long gone by.

But "Aunt Hannah" has gone.  She lived to stand alone of all the pioneers of her time, and now that she has passed away, she leaves a memory fragrant with good offices, honored and respected by all, a priceless legacy, to her children and "her children's children."  [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 23, 1874]

________________________________

LEACH:  At Auburn, Ohio, April 17th, Mr. Jasper D.W. Leach, son of Nehemiah Leach, Esq. of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], aged 24 years and 9 months.

Deceased, who was a son of Nehemiah Leach, Esq., of this village, died of pneumonia, at Auburn, Ohio on the 17th inst., aged 24 years and 9 months.  He left his home two weeks since, with the intention of taking charge of a cheese factory in the western part of Ohio.  Stopping at Auburn to visit a relative, he was taken sick, and died after an illness of one week.  His father, upon being informed of his illness, hastened to him, but too late to be recognized by his dying son.  His remains were brought home, and the funeral was largely attended on Sunday, the services being conducted by Rev. Mr. Haynes.  He was interred at king Settlement.  For several months previous to his departure for the west, he taught school in the East district in this village, and was a young man of much promise, enjoying the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. [Chenango Union, April 23, 1874

_______________

Something less than two weeks ago Mr. Jasper Leach, son of Neamiah Leach, Esq., left this village to engage in business at Auburn, Ohio.  Scarcely had he reached there when the telegraphic announcement came to his father to hasten to his bedside if he would see him alive.  Mr. Leach at once hurried to Cleveland but was only able to administer kind offices to his dying son, who passed away on Friday last.  On Saturday evening his remains were returned here, and on the Sabbath was buried from his father's residence on Mitchell Street.  His disease is understood to be typhoid pneumonia.  Jasper was about twenty-five years of age, of correct habits and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and his early death is universally regretted by all.  In this sad bereavement his parents and surviving brother have the sympathies of the entire community.  [Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 23, 1874]

_________________________________

HUGHSON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], April 18th, Anna [Hughson], wife of Nicholas Hughson, and step-mother of O.M. Hughson, Esq., aged 60 years.

ALDRICH:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], April 20th, Mr. Selden Aldrich, aged 63 years.

_____________________________

SACKETT:  In South Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], April 21st, Mrs. Miriam Sackett, aged 91 years, 5 months and 23 days.  Her funeral will be attended on Thursday, the 3d inst. at 1 P.M. at her late residence.

Another of our early settlers has gone to her rest.  Mrs. Sackett died at South Plymouth, on Tuesday last, aged 91 years, 5 months and 21 days. Sixty-seven years ago, she with her husband moved upon the farm where she died.  They, with their worldly possessions, were drawn to their new home by two yoke of oxen, and they resided upon the same farm until the time of their death. deceased was a member of the methodist Chruch, a consistent Christian, and an esteemed neighbor and friend.

__________________________________

HOVEY:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], April 16th, Julia M. [Hovey] daughter of George Hovey, aged 13 days.

CONVERSE:  In Union Valley, Cortland Co. [NY], April 13th, Martha Blair [Converse], wife of Alphonso Converse, aged 37 years, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].

MILLS:  At Tung Chow, China, Feb. 3d, Rose McMaster, wife of Rev Charles R. Mills, formerly of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY].

__________________________________

CLARKE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], April 17th, Hon. Dwight H. Clarke, aged 55 years.

Judge Clarke died on Friday evening last, at the St. James Hotel in Oxford, where he had boarded for several years.  He was a son of the late Ethan Clarke, who during a long life was largely identified with the growth and prosperity of the village of Oxford.  Deceased was a brother of Peter W. Clarke, Esq. of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], and was fifty-five years of age at the time of his death.  We copy from the Oxford Times, the following tribute to his memory:

"Judge Clarke on completing his preparatory education, entered the law office of the late James Clapp, Esq., as a student.  At that time the study of the law was far more of an undertaking than it has been of more recent years.  Fitness and aptitude seemed then to be more regarded, and the length of time required to complete a preparation for admission to the bar was much longer than it has been in later times, and more thoroughness in preparation was rigidly required.  It was under the stern discipline existing more than thirty years ago, that Judge Clarke pursued his legal studies and was admitted as an Attorney and Counsellor at Law.  Soon after his admission he commenced the practice of his profession with success in this village, where he has continued to reside until his decease.

"His was eminently a legal mind, and by its early cultivation and careful training was well fitted to give its possessor that high rank in the profession which he occupied for many years. The citizens of this county recognizing his ability, in 1850 made him District Attorney, which office he held for three years, and in 1855 he was elected county Judge. After a trial of four years in this highly responsible office, he was re-elected in 1859 and continued to discharge its duties until the close of December 1863, a period of eight years.  In these responsible positions all bore witness to his entire capacity, and everyone conceded his eminent ability and integrity.

"After his retirement from the bench, Judge Clarke resumed the practice of the law, and continued therein successfully until the close of his life.  It was, however, in the social and family circle that he was most prized and cherished.

"Possessing an easy and amiable temper, a kind and gentle nature, he drew around him friends, devoted friends and admirers, from all classes.  Everyone found him at all times affable and cheerful and prepared to enter into their feelings and make himself their friend and their counsellor.

"In his own family, none more affable and pleasant, none more gentle and kind.  Free hearted and generous to a fault, he was bound to them by ties of no ordinary character, by those ties of love and affection with which few men are able to bind others to them.  In their bereavement they have the deep and heartfelt sympathy of the entire community."

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 23, 1874

Marriages

MATHEWSON - WELLS:  At East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], April 13th, by Rev. E.N. Ruddock, Mr. Berthier J. Mathewson and Mrs. Jerusha L. Wells, all Pharsalia.

POTTER - BROWN:  In Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], April 14th, at the residence of Morris Brown, by the Rev. J.M. Allen, Mr. Samuel Potter and Miss Mary E. Brown, both of Otselic.

Deaths

HARRIS:  At the residence of her son, David Harris, of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], April 3, 1874, Mrs. Nancy Harris, aged 77 years and seven months.  Mother, thou art gone to rest, / We will not weep for thee, / For thou art in fairer clime, / My spirit longs for thee.

Saturday morning, at 11:30 A.M. the special express, east, struck two boys at Oneida [Madison Co. NY], killing one instantly and fatally injuring the other. The boys were twin sons of Patrick Keating, who has been a station hand at Oneida for a great while.  They were under a freight train lying on the branch and came from under the cars and upon the main track as the express train came along.  The emigrant train from the east was approaching at the same time. The boy instantly killed was thrown a distance of thirty feet against the freight train on the branch. The first boy was seen by Engineer Fisher, of the express, and the whistle blown.  No sooner had it ceased than the second boy emerged from beneath the freight train and was also struck.  the lads were going on an errand for their mother when they became the victims of this heart-rending accident. The noise of the freight train and the emigrant, it is thought, drowned that of the approaching express, until the warning came too late. No one seems to be to blame in the matter. We are informed that the other boy died Saturday night.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, April 25, 1874

Marriage

BRYANT - DART:  In Earlville [Madison Co. NY], on the 14th inst., by Rev. H. Spencer Williams, Mr. Fitch H. Bryant of Columbus [Chenango Co. NY] and Miss Ruthie Dart, of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].  It is our pleasure to congratulate the happy couple on their auspicious alliance, and may their future be attended with all those crowning blessings which give joy to youth, happiness to middle age and consolation in the declivity of years.

Deaths

SWIFT:  In Poolville [Madison Co. NY], April 17th, Porter E. Swift, aged 60 years.

RICE:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], April 23d, Mr. Z. Rice, aged 63 years.

No comments:

Post a Comment