Vital Records, Otsego County, NY

 Otsego Democrat, Cooperstown, NY, May 29, 1847

Death

At short time since we noticed the death of Mr. N.P. Ames the celebrated manufacturer of cutlery at Springfield, Mass.  His death is attributed to poison imbibed by swallowing in the night, the material with which a European dentist filled one of his teeth a couple of years since, and which had not been properly secured.  he had not seen a well day since.

Otsego Democrat, Cooperstown, NY, June 5, 1847

Marriages

In Middlefield [Otsego Co. NY], on the 24th ult. by Rev. R.S. Lent, Mr. Martin Eckler to Miss Charlotte R. Cummings.

At Toledo, Ohio, on the 23d ult. by the Rev. Mr. Aery, Mr. Harrison H. Dodd of Toledo to Miss Ann Maria Bradford, formerly of this place [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY]

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, April 11, 1855

Death

Mr. Abner Graves of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY] died in that village, aged 89 years of apoplexy on Wednesday evening last [4 April 1855].  He was in his usual health on the morning of his decease.

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John Ruger, Esq. died at Syracuse [Onondaga Co. NY] on the 29th ult. aged 63 years of congestion of the brain.  Mr. Ruger graduated at Union College 1814 and was afterwards, Principal of the Academy in this village [Cherry Valley, Otsego Co. NY].  He removed from this place to Oneida Co. [NY] where he pursued the profession of Law down to the year '48 when he removed to the city of Syracuse, where he resided until his death.

"Mr. Chairman--Death, yes sudden death has again come into our professional ranks, and another of our brethren has fallen a prey to the destroyer.  During the last week, our deceased brother walked the streets and attended to his professional business in the enjoyment of his usual health and cheerfulness.  Little did he or we suppose that so soon he was to enter that world whence no traveler returns.  Verily, "in the midst of life we are in death."  Perhaps a similar and unexpected exit awaits some of us.  We cannot too frequently give this subject our serious consideration and let it have a practical bearing and influence upon our lives for "it is not all of death to die."

The late John Ruger, Esq. was in one respect, especially, what every lawyer should be.  he was emphatically a faithful lawyer.  No man studied his case harder or looked up the law of it with more care and assiduity.

"He never made any pretensions to eloquence, but after fully possessing himself of the facts, his discrimination and good judgment always enabled him to apply the law with consummate skill.  His clients never suffered by his negligence or want of application.  I fear this cannot be said of all the lawyers of the present day.  he studied his profession as a science, and at a time when it was not supposed that a man, however gifted, could become a good lawyer in a few months, or even years, but after long and careful study of the great principles of common law, and by serving a laborious clerkship.  It is a great mistake to suppose that any man can become possessed of the science by intuition or that in a few brief months or years he can qualify himself to enter upon the duties of the profession with credit to himself or with profit and safety to his clients.  This, we know, was the opinion of our deceased brother.  He was not what is called a genius, and yet he made his mark high upon the scroll of the profession.  He owed his celebrity, however, to his good common sense, his indefatigable perseverance and industry.  How solemnly are we admonished, my brother, by this sudden and unexpected Providence, that we are all passing away!  And now as we submissively bow to the dispensation of Him who makes no mistakes in His government of this world, let us make a wise improvement of this admonitory warning."

Cherry Valley Gazette, Cherry Valley, NY, March 14, 1849

Connubial Bonds - "The silken tie that binds two willing hearts!"

On the 8th inst. John F. Davy to Miss Mary Ann Herdman both of this town [Cherry Valley, Otsego Co. NY].

The Sepulchral Hrn. - "Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O! Death."

In this town [Cherry Valley, Otsego County, NY] on the 2d inst. Edgar [Campbell] son of Philander Campbell aged 2 years and nine months.

At Middlefield Centre [Otsego Co. NY] on the 4th inst., Royal Huntington only son of M.C. Huntington, in the 28th year of his age.

In Middlefield [Otsego Co. NY] on the 25th ult. Mr. Henry Bowen in the 69th year of his age.

Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, October 19, 1853

Marriage

In Oneonta [Otsego Co. NY] on the morning of the 18th inst. by the Rev. Wm. H. Hill, Mr. Julius T. Alden of Aldenville, Wayne Co. Pa. to Miss Roxy A. Emmons of the former place.