Thursday, July 6, 2023

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, February 1876 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 17, 1876

Marriage

BALDWIN - TRUMAN:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 3d, by Eld. T. Fisher, M. Ira Baldwin to Miss Eunice Truman, both of Lincklaen.

Deaths

PARKER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 10th, Mrs. Damaris Parker, aged 65 years and 4 months, mother of  Mrs. Charles Rupe and Mrs. Charles Cox.

DEVALL:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY], Jan. 29th, Charles [Devall] son of DeForest and Harriet Devall, aged 6 years.

WILCOX:  Near Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY], Feb. 4th, Mr. Edgar C. Wilcox aged 89 years and 11 months, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY:  Miss A. Cady, a relative spending a few days at the house of Mr. Asa Harrington was found dead in bed on Monday morning. The cause of her death is unknown.

Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY:  Bela Gager fell suddenly dead near his farm door on Tuesday the 1st inst.  His death was probably caused from heart disease.  He was an estimable citizen, and his loss is regretted by many.

Samuel C. Potter of Truxton [Cortland Co. NY], who was shot by his brother, A.D. Potter, on the 16th of October last for alleged undue familiarity with the latter's wife, died last Sunday from the effects of the wound received upon that occasion.  An examination was held last Monday and the body was pretty thoroughly cut up by the doctors, who were unable to find the ball, which it is supposed caused his death. The mother and wife of Potter stood by and seemed to be interested spectators of the scene. They indulged in remarks which seemed to indicate that they were not suffering the most poignant grief over their loss. We understand that A.D. Potter is now out on bail.  

Andrew Bacon of the town of Madison, died suddenly on the cars, on the Rome and Clinton Division of the D.L.&W. Railroad, on Friday morning last.  Just as the train was leaving the Hamilton station, Mr. Bacon, who had walked three miles through the rain to take the train, climbed the platform of a car, soaked and weary.  As he entered the car, a brakeman remarked to him; "You are wet through."  Mr. Bacon said "Yes" and immediately fell dead in the door of the car!  The train was under headway before it was evident that Mr. Bacon's body was lifeless. The remains were left at Bouckville where they were recovered by friends before noon. Deceased was seventy-nine years of age, and a farmer. 

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In Memoriam

the following announcement of the death of Superintendent Flint was made by J.G. Stevens, General Manager of the Midland Railroad, to the employees.

New York, Feb. 7, 1876:  It becomes my painful duty to announce to the employees of the N.Y.&O. Midland the death of the General Superintendent, Mr. H.M. Flint, who died on the 6th inst., from injuries received while in discharge of his duties.  The blow is so sudden, the loss so severe to one and all of us, that it is difficult to fully realize its full extent.  But a few days since he was with us, in the full flush of manhood, ardent, active, energetic; today he is struck down at his post.  As a man he was worthy of all regard. With a strict sense of justice, and of sturdy integrity, he could be relied upon in all emergencies.  Possessed of a warm heart and of most kindly feelings and sympathies, he won not only the respect but the affection of those with whom he was associated.  As a railroad officer he was most conscientious and zealous in the discharge of every duty.  His great executive powers, ripe experience, quick perceptions, enthusiasm of temper, sound judgment, always brought success to his efforts; a strict disciplinarian, he expected every man to do his duty, but was quick to recognize and appreciate the best efforts of those who tried to do their best.  He has passed away, but the influence of his character will long survive.  J.G. Stevens, General Manager.

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SMITH:  Suddenly, in Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], Feb. 9th, Rev. Erastus P. Smith, Aged 69 years, formerly of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY].

Rev. Erastus P. Smith, Rector of St. Thomas Church in Hamilton, died suddenly about noon on Wednesday of last week.  On the day previous he was in his usual health, and at tea he partook of some canned cherries.  About nine o'clock in the evening he was taken with a violent pain in the stomach, and it is supposed that the cherries must have fermented and caused his death.

Deceased was a son of the late Samuel A. Smith, one of the pioneers of the town of Guilford, in this County, who for many years was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of that town and who during his long life filled many offices of honor and trust. The son inherited the sterling qualities of his father and was also at various times placed in office by his townsmen. After the death of his father, Erastus gave up his farm for the ministry, locating at first in the northern part of the State, from whence he went west, where he remained for a few years, when he returned to this State, and took charge of the Episcopal Chruch in Hamilton.

In announcing his death, the Hamilton Republican says:  "Mr. Smith's loss will be deeply felt in this community.  He had, during his short residence amongst us, endeared himself to all who knew him.  He was of that peculiar quiet, happy disposition, that did not push an acquaintance so rapidly as some, but so far as he was known, his many virtues, genial temper, Christian spirit, and example, made him universally beloved.  His death is a great loss to St. Thomas' Chruch, will be mourned by the members of his own congregation and by those who have not sat under his ministry.  All regret his seemly untimely death, and all sympathize with his deeply afflicted family."

On Friday the remains reached this village, on the D.L.&W. Railroad, accompanied by a number of friends form Hamilton, and were escorted to their final resting place in Guilford, where funeral services were held on Saturday at the Episcopal Chruch, the last sad rites being largely attended by relatives and friends of the deceased.  His age was sixty-nine years.

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The funeral of the Rev. Erastus P. Smith who died after a short illness on the 9th inst. at Hamilton where he was located as pastor, took place in the Episcopal Church in our village, on the 12th, and was attended by a large concourse of relatives and former townsmen.  His remains were interred in the family grounds of our cemetery.  Mr. Smith was about 60 years of age and for upwards of sixty years a resident of our town, residing during the greater part of that time at Smiths' Corners, a mile north of our village, upon the farm which his father, the late Samuel A. Smith, first settled and where he died. During this time Mr. Smith occupied a prominent position before our people and was repeatedly placed in public positions of power and trust by his townsmen.  Upon the death of his father, he relinquished farming and shortly after entered the clerical profession, at first in the northern part of our State from whence he went to Whitewater, Wis. and from which place after a few years he returned to this State and was located at Hamilton. Though from circumstances, Mr. Smith was prevented until late in life from gratifying a literary desire, he early in life gave evidence in his numerous addresses and essays of ability of no mean degree.  Could his life of usefulness have been spared in the full vigor of health and mental faculties, a few years longer, his worth would have been more fully realized.  In his sudden death a large circle of relatives and friends is left to mourn his loss.

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Solemnly struck the funeral knell that has just been wafted on the gentle breeze, and we are in deep mourning.  The bright spirit of our young and beloved friend, Steward A Cook has been taken in the pride of his manhood and borne to the higher realm of eternity.

He had been employed to teach the winter term of the public school at South Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].  Being self-reliant, he not only honorably acquitted himself in all the arduous duties of a successful pedagogue, but in addition took up studies for his own benefit.  This additional work overtaxed his brain and persevering energies. For eight weeks he had withstood the over burdening pressure, but reluctantly yielded to the fatal consequence.

On Friday, he left his little family group of seventy and returned to his father's house, to seek a relief from the dangerous ills that beset him.  Skillful medical aid and the kind, punctual care and constant attention of his ardent friends and endearing relatives, wholly subdued the burning fever, and all apparent and visible difficulty was removed so that, the attending physician decided his presence unnecessary and every danger dispelled.

When all these alarming symptoms had been conquered, and all hope regenerated, he evidently was comfortably convalescent.  But the great terrors, which finally decided his fate, had not yet come. among the living, we know not the fatal hour or the moment that awaits us. When all is peace, joy and harmony around us, we are summoned, in the twinkle of the eye, and snatched from our earthly moorings.  He had arisen in the morning of his fated day, sensibly refreshed from his nightly slumber; was cheerful, conversant and happy, throughout the forenoon; was able to partake of the dainty refreshments prepared for him at midday; had returned to his bed chamber for a little rest where the messenger of death was in waiting, with shining weapon  for the fulfillment of his mission.  He divested himself of clothing in a few moments and had reclined easily upon his couch; in a moment more he was seized, and all the endearing ties that bound him to earth were severed.  The sad news came like a thunderbolt from the heavens in a clear sky, with crushing effect upon his friends and devastating the hearts of his relatives.

He was the second child of Alvin L. Cook of Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY]; was born the 27th of May 1851, in said town; was twenty-four years, eight months and four days old on the first day of February inst. the day of his death.

Of late, in the great search for knowledge, he had applied himself to the unprecedented task of spelling and giving the definition of all the words in Webster's Abridged Dictionary; had succeeded as far as to the letter S.

His affable manner and courteous disposition, commensurate to his higher sensibilities, pre-requisite to a welcome of admission into the higher walks of society, guarded and safely protected his noble bearing, in all the responsible duties, wherever he was called, or whatever position he held.

By nature, he was abundantly stored with self-reliance and perseverance, consequently, was inured both to physical labor and intellectual work.  In the development of these, the evidence was remarkable in his every act and deed. the superior moral, intellectual and scientific qualifications, added to his noble attributes, were a sufficient guarantee to a future field of earthly usefulness.  But alas!  he must yield to the fiat of a Power that knows no resistance.

He was initiated into the fraternity of Masons, March 15th, 1873, in the twenty-first year of his age; was elected S.D., December 20th, same year; and elected S.W. December 25th, 1875.  Since the organization of the Lodge at this place, no member ever has made such rapid strides of advancement in securing a thorough knowledge of the important work, as did Mr. Cook.  His election to the highest gift of the order, says one is prima facia evidence of his superior powers.  In many instances he nobly filled the highest office in the Master's absence.

His remains were interred, February 3d, 1876 in the cemetery at South Otselic, under the auspices of his brethren, with the badge of mourning properly adjusted, and in conjunction with the relatives and other friends.

As he ever labored in this life, for the light of intelligence, so may his bright spirit pass through the pearly gates into an eternal paradise, there to learn the great signs and wonders in the broad immensity of the heavenly worlds, and ever continue to seek further light, in the approach of the Grand Master of the unbounded Universe.

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