Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, August 24, 1876
Death of Hon. Henry S. Randall
Last week we made a brief mention of the death of this gentleman, which took place at his residence in Cortland [Cortland Co. NY] on Monday the 14th inst.
Deceased was a son of the late Gen. Roswell Randall, and was born in Madison County [NY], in 1811. He graduated at Union College in 1830, and was soon afterwards admitted to the bar, but never practiced his profession to any extent. For a time, he was editor of the Cortland Advocate, the Democratic organ of his adopted County and was a vigorous writer. He was devotedly attached to agriculture and resided for a number of years upon his beautiful farm near the village.
A Cortland correspondent of the New York World, in announcing the death of Mr. Randall, says of his official career:
"The first public position held by him was County Superintendent of Public Schools, appointed under the law of 1843, a position which he was in every way qualified to fill. In the fall of 1851, he was elected Secretary of State by the Democracy, discharging the duties of that office in 1852 and 1853. The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction had not been made a separate office; the duties now performed by that official devolved upon the Secretary of State. In the discharge of those duties, Mr. Randall not only took a special interest but exhibited positive qualifications. He took a deep interest in the common schools, initiated several measures which have resulted to their decided advantage, and was always found ready to cooperate in any measure that was intended to benefit them or elevate the standard of education. He was the advocate of universal education and in the Legislature of 1871 presented a bill for compulsory education. His last political office was that of Member of Assembly in 1871, to which he was elected in a strong Republican district; and was Chairman of the Committee on Education, a position which he filled with credit to himself and to the State. Important as were Mr. Randall's duties and earnest as he has always been as a Democrat, it is as an author that he will be chiefly remembered. In 1849 he brought out a work on "Sheep Husbandry," which went through several editions, and was revised and republished in 1867. He was also the author of works on "Fine Wool Sheep Husbandry," "First Principles of Popular Education" and "Public Instruction," also other treatises on agricultural topics and was at one time associate editor of Moore's Rural New Yorker and contributed numerous articles to magazines on scientific and literary topics.
"The great work of his life as an author, and that in which he took the greatest pride, was the "Life of Thomas Jefferson," in three volumes. this has become the standard work. It was undertaken as a labor of love and years of painstaking industry devoted to it, and no effort or labor spared to make it exact in its statements and correct in its conclusions. It was undertaken by Mr. Randall under the approbation of Mr. Jefferson's family, with an unreserved access to all the private papers of Mr. Jefferson.
"Mr Randall was in every sense a true gentleman, genial as he was courtly, with no foes but hosts of friends. He was at one time engaged on a political history of this State, but no announcement has been made of the condition of the work or whether it had been abandoned. He will be missed in Cortland County, especially by those connected with the educational institution of the village in which he resided. The people of that section have lost one of their foremost citizens. He leaves three children to mourn his loss, one son and two daughters. One of the latter is the wife of Judge Follett, and the other of Dr. Mosher, of Norwich, Chenango County."
At the time of his death, Mr. Randall was President of the local Board of the State Normal School at Cortland. He had also filled the offices of Secretary of the State Agricultural Society and President of the National Wool Growers' Association with marked ability.
Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, August 24, 1876
Deaths
LOOMIS: In this village [Norwich, Chenango County, NY], on Sunday morning the 20th inst., Miss Mary J . Loomis, aged 35 years.
Miss Loomis was the only sister of Col. Edwin J. and William K. Loomis, of this village. She was born in Columbus [Chenango Co. NY] and moved here with her parents at a very early age. She resided here until the death of her mother, being then only twelve years of age, when she went to live with her uncle Schofield near Buffalo. Later she removed to the city of Buffalo, where she received her education, and afterwards become one of the leading teachers in the public schools of that city. This profession she followed for about thirteen years, meanwhile making occasional visits to her friends here. She early united with Rev. Dr. Hickok's Church in Buffalo and was for many years a much loved and respected teacher in the Sabbath school connected with that church.
Some five years since, her health being somewhat impaired from incessant application to her duties as a teacher, at the earnest request of her brother she relinquished her profession and came to Norwich taking her residence with her brother, at Mr. N.O. Wood's, where she has since resided. Here as in Buffalo, as long as health and strength would allow, she was always foremost in good work. She became an attendant at Rev. Mr. Scoville's Church and was a most successful and cherished teacher in the Sabbath school. In every village enterprise she took a prominent part, imparting life and energy and success into every cause she espoused, and when failing health disabled her from active duty, she delighted to plan for others to execute, for the advancement of the interests of society.
In social life Miss Loomis was a universal favorite. Of fine conversational powers, and genial disposition, she attracted friends wherever she was, who never failed to improve in her society. Possessed of a fund of information unusual for a lady, she could always make herself agreeable to those she fell in with, and was particularly kind and improving to the young, and many, even during her short residence here, owe much to her womanly virtues and Christian example; for these qualities made her the center of a large circle of young lady friends, who were ever ready to profit by her kind words of advice and counsel.
In the home circle, she was best known, and appreciated. Though brought up in luxury, her keen common sense and quick appreciation of the necessities and anxieties of life, made her the angel of the household, and even when prostrated in sickness, her mind was ever upon those around her, solicitous for the personal welfare of each one, and careful that none of the duties that had usually devolved upon her were neglected.
On that beautiful Sabbath morning while the Church bells were calling to the worship of the God she served she commenced sinking, and even while her pastor was feelingly and fervently remembering her at the Throne of Grace in the public congregation, she passed away to enter into the full fruition of the hope she had so long enjoyed and while the congregation were singing praises in the Church below, it was announced that she had passed over the river to join in the songs of the redeemed beyond.
Thus, has passed form among us one whom "none knew but to love," who was highly esteemed by all, and whose bright example, undimmed by the contaminations of this life, lives after her, encouraging the young to walk in the paths she chose, and serve the God who proved to her a "present help in every time of need."
Her funeral was attended on Wednesday afternoon from her late residence, a large number of sympathizing friends uniting in the services. Her beautiful cottage home, which her taste and judgment had made so attractive, was still further beautified by loving hands of kind friends, by the bountiful bestowment and tasteful arrangement of floral offerings. Prominent among them was a rich cross which surmounted the casket, composed wholly of white heliotrope and tube roses, contributed by friends from Binghamton. Other beautiful bouquets, crosses, wreathes, &c., surrounded the casket and adorned the walls, gracefully arranged by friends who knew how well the departed appreciated the beautiful things of nature. How fitting that the pathway of one whose life had been cast in pleasant places, should in death be strewn with flowers and her spirit wafted into the pure presence of the Savior upon the fragrance of God's choicest natural gifts.
In accordance with an oft repeated request of the deceased, her remains were taken on Wednesday evening to Buffalo, to be buried in the beautiful Forest Lawn Cemetery, by the side of Frankie Schofield, the friend and companion of her youth, who has for many long years been waiting to welcome her home.
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Mr. Scoville announced the death of Miss Loomis at the morning services on Sunday last. In the evening he announced the death of Miss Mary Dunlap, which occurred at her father's, Prof. John Dunlap, in Newark, N.J., on Sunday last. Miss D. was the youngest sister of Mrs. O.R. Johnson of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], and spent last winter with her at her residence. Miss D. was one of the large class of young people who, as the result of the meetings here last winter and spring, united with the Congregational Chruch, and is, we believe, the first of that number whose connection has been severed by death. The writer was unacquainted with her, but she was always spoken of by her young friends and companions as a young lady of rare virtues and of genial, pleasing disposition, a universal favorite among the young people of her class. Her death is sincerely mourned by all who knew her.
Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 24, 1876
Marriages
At the residence of the bride's father, Aug. 16th, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. Rodolphes A. Race to Miss Emma J. [Van Valkenburgh] daughter of Mr. J.D. Van Valkenburgh, all of this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY].
At the M.E. Parsonage, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. W.H. Gavitt, Mr. George H. Niles to Miss Olivie Cummings, both of this town.
In Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], Aug. 12th, by Rev. Dr. Paddock, James A. Green of Binghamton, to Miss Annie A. Caniff, of Colesville [Broome Co. NY].
Death
In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY], Aug. 7th, Mr. C.P. Hesley, aged 65 years.
Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, August 26, 1876
Marriage
WHITE - ANGEL: In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 21st inst., by Rev. James Chambers, Mr. Alfred E. Whtie of Erie, Pa., and Mrs. Esther Ann Angel, of North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].
Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, August 26, 1876
Deaths
IRELAND: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], Aug. 16th, 1876, Mr. Jacob B. Ireland, aged 69 years.
INGERSOLL: In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY], Aug. 18th, 1876, David Ingersoll aged 81 years.
Smyrna Citizen, Smyrna, NY, August 26, 1876
Death
DIMMICK: In Smyrna, N.Y. [Chenango Co. NY] on Thursday August 10, 1876, Eber Dimmick, Esq., aged 82 years.
The community mourns the loss of one of its oldest and most respected citizens. For many years he has been a prominent citizen of our village, holding offices of trust and responsibility, his honesty and integrity placing him above reproach. He came with his brother, the late Levi Dimmick of Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], from Stafford, Ct., about 1820, and settled in the town of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY]. Five years later he removed to Hamilton [Madison Co., NY], soon after to Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], and in the Spring of 1833 to Smyrna village where he has resided till the time of his decease.
At an early day he united with the Methodist church of Smyrna and remained with it until his death. At different times he was elected Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and of minor offices.
In 1840-1 he was a member of Assembly from this county and filled the position with credit to himself and evidently gave satisfaction to his electors. He was an advocate of Anti-masonry and also an earnest advocate of Anti-slavery, remaining so until slavery was abolished.
One by one our old inhabitants are passing away and it behooves us to follow in their footsteps, and profit by their examples.
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