Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, 1878

 Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, July 31, 1878

Marriages

BIRDSALL - TABER:  At Lake Mahopac, N.Y. [Putnam Co. NY] July 17th, Mr. Herbert F. Birdsall of Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY] to Miss Hattie D. Taber of the former place.

BREED - FOSTER:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], July 21, by Rev. H.B. Jones, Mr. Joba Breed to Miss Jada Faster all of Pharsalia.

Deaths

REDINGTON:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], July 21st, Corinthia E. [Redington] wife of John W. Redington, aged 67 years.

OLNEY:  In Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], July 22d, Mr. Green Olney, aged 86 years.

PALMER:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], July 17th, Mr. Stephen Palmer, aged 83 years.

Norwich, Chenango Co. NY:  Mr. Arnold father of Mrs. Dr. J.H. Wescott, was gored to death by a bull, at Lindley, N.Y. [Steuben Co.] on the 15th inst.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 1, 1878

Deaths

In Fenton [Broome Co. NY], June 24th, Mrs. Mary E. [Braynard] wife of Selden L. Braynard and daughter of Chas. H. Chapman, aged 39 years.

In Fenton [Broome Co. NY] June 27th, Charles H. Chapman, aged 63 years.

In Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], July 7th, Mr. Rufus Cole aged 64 years.

In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], July 25th, Mrs. Lydia Ferris, aged 84 years and 9 months.

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], July 20th, Mr. Henry Fitch aged 69 years.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, August 3, 1878

Births

Last Saturday night at about 11 o'clock, one of our physicians was called from home, and from 12:30 that night until 9 o'clock including his round-trip home, Sunday morning, made three families happy as follows:  Mrs. and Mr. John Huggins, a boy, weighing 10-3/4 lbs; Mrs. and Mr. Luther Page, a boy, weighing 7 pounds; Mrs. and Mr. Lyman Hubbard, a boy, weighing 9-3/4 pounds. We should judge from this that the town of Sanford [Broome Co. NY] is in a prosperous condition.  Afton Sentinel

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, August 1, 1878

Death

Died at his residence near Effingham [IL], on Friday morning, July 5, 1878, Hon. William H. Blakeley, aged seventy years.

Mr. Blakeley was born in Columbia County, N.Y. October 16, 1808.  His parents were from New England, and when he was four years of age, they removed to Otsego County, in the same state [NY], where they spent the remainder of their days, and where Mr. B. grew to manhood.

In 1884 he came west crossing the Alleghanies and journeying the entire distance on horseback.  Effingham county had just been organized.  There were but few settlements along the line of the National Government.  Young Blakeley was persuaded to stop and try his fortunes.  He entered into business at Ewington [IL], just established as the county seat and for forty-four years was an active, upright, and honored citizen of the county.  For many years he was a merchant, but in later years he was most generally known as a large, thrifty, and successful farmer.

In 1839, Mr. Blakeley was appointed clerk of the circuit court by the late Judge Sidney Breese.  He held that office until 1847 and those who have had occasion to examine the records of the court, will attest the care and faithfulness with which he discharged the duties of the office.  The records kept by him are models of neatness, plainness, and accuracy.

In 1847, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention from the district composed of the counties of Effingham and Clay.

In 1852, he represented the district composed of the counties of Cumberland, Effingham and Clay in the General Assembly.

There was much important legislation by that body.  the adaptation of the laws to the excellent constitution of 1848, which he had assisted in framing, an amendment of the Charter of the Illinois Central Railroad required a large amount of careful labor and good judgement.  The result of that session had a great influence on the future prosperity of the State, and no one took a deeper interest or brought to bear more earnest labor in that legislation that did William H. Blakeley.

In 1872, after twenty years of private life, Mr. Blakely was again elected to the legislature by the counties of Shelby, Cumberland and Effingham.  Although one of the oldest members, he was one of the most industrious.  His seat was never vacant, and whether in the committee or on the floor, his constituents always had a watchful, earnest representative.

Mr. Blakeley was a kind neighbor a high-toned and courteous gentleman.  The esteem in which he was held was manifested in the constant attendance of his neighbors during his long sickness and the long procession of friends who followed his remains to their last resting place.  Good judgement, thrift, economy and genuine good sense were distinguishing traits of his character.

"The elements / So mixed in him that nature might stand p / And say to all the world, "This was a man."

The subject of the above sketch was a son of Hon. John Blakeley and a brother of the Hon. Ebenezer Blakeley of Otsego [Otsego Co. NY] and will be remembered in this valley.  It was taken from the Effingham Republican.