Obituaries (June 23)

Abby Janet Mills Grant

Utica Saturday Globe, September 15, 1906
 

 

Mrs. Abigail Janet (Mills) Grant

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At the home of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Rathbun on Henry street, September 5, occurred the death of Mrs. Abby Janet Mills Grant, of Rochester, formerly of Preston [Chenango Co., NY], who had been visiting there several weeks. She was 88 years old.  Mrs. Grant was born in Preston in  1818, a daughter of William and Eunice Mills.  Her parents afterwards moved to Cortland and later to Seneca Falls and from there to Hackney, near Auburn, where deceased was married in 1839 to J. Lewis Grant.  Three years later they moved to Rome and from there to Canada, where they resided until the time of the civil war.

 

The Auburn Citizen, September 5, 1906

News was received today of the death of Mrs. Abigail Janette Grant, mother of J. Lewis Grant of this city [Auburn, Monroe Co., NY] which occurred this morning at Norwich, N.Y.  Mrs. Grant was visiting her niece, Mrs. Benjamin F. Rathbun of Norwich, and had been in her usual health up to about a week ago when attacked by illness which she had not sufficient strength to resist at her advanced age.  Abigail Janette Mills was born in [Preston] June 18, 1818, and after the death of her father moved to Auburn where she was married to J. Lewis Grant.  For a short time the young couple lived in Rome, N.Y., and then moved to Toronto.  Mr. Grant was superintendent of the Northern railway of Canada and under his orders the car was made in which the Prince of Wales, now Edward VII of England, made a tour through that part of the country.  Mrs. Grant with others was of the party which made the tour.  The late Albert Edward Grant of this city was named at that time for the royal guest, and a favorite story of Mrs. Grant's was that in which she described the prince as holding his namesake in his arms and jokingly addressing him as the future king of England.  Before leaving that part of the Country Prince Albert gave his autograph and several souvenirs to his namesake.  Mr. and Mrs. Grant came to Auburn and made it their home for many years.  Mr. Grant was instrumental in the building of the Southern Central, now the Lehigh Valley railroad.  For years he was superintendent of the Lake Shore Railroad from Buffalo to Cleveland.  Later he became superintendent of the City Water department, which position is now held by his son, J. Lewis Grant.  Mr. Grant died in October 1878, and Mrs. Grant had since that time made her home with her son J. Lewis Grant.  She was a life long and devoted member of the Universalist church and a manager of the Cayuga Orphan asylum, for which her interest never waned.  Up to the last she enjoyed life with zest and enthusiasm, and the different features of Old Home week in this city were most keenly appreciated by her.  She was a loving, devoted mother and a warm and loyal friend.  Mrs. Grant is survived by two sons, J. Herbert Grant of Rochester and J. Lewis Grant of this city.  Her only daughter, Viola Grant Parrish, and son Albert E. Grant [predeceased her]. 

Alonzo I. Stead

1833 - 1907

Death came peacefully Tuesday evening, February 26th, 1907, to an old resident of the town of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Alonzo I. Stead, who had been a sufferer for sometime from Bright's disease which had induced other complications.  He had enjoyed perfect health all his life until two years ago when his robust constitution began to be undermined by encroaching ailments and he gradually gave up the activities of his hitherto busy life.  It was not until five weeks ago that he would admit that he was really heartsick,  His sufferings becoming severe.  His age was 73 years.  Mr. Stead's father died in Preston, Chenango Co., when the subject of this sketch was but seven years old, but previous to his death had purchased land in Guilford.  The widowed wife who was a woman of strong character and foresight brought this young lad with other members of her family to Guilford to take up the land and there build a family hearthstone that should become permanent. This was nearly seventy years ago.  Alonzo Stead, the son, had always remained upon the paternal estate and by industry and thrift has made the farm one of the most productive and valuable in the town of Guilford.  But he did not confine his business talent to farming alone but had other interests that were profitable and his sagacity, intelligence and integrity had made him a respected, prominent and influential factor of the town of Guilford.  He did not care for any office but served as assessor for several terms very satisfactorily. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and kept abreast of the times in all state and national legislation, by wide reading.  His intellect was keen and farseeing and few understood better than he all the changing phases in the political arena.  Mr. Stead's personality was pleasing, affable and genial in public.  In the home life his companionship was of a rare type, his devotion to his wife so perfect, and to his children, never assuming the dignity of a parent.  It was always kindness, gentleness and the joy of comradeship.  The home circle will never cease to mourn his loss.  The deceased was a member of the Methodist church and one of its strongest supporters, his purse being ready for material aid and the hospitality of his home open for church advancement.  He was a consistent, steady and loyal friend to the pastor and to the church at large.  The funeral of Mr. Stead takes place on Friday morning at 11 o'clock from the home, Rev. C.C. Vrooman, his pastor, officiating. The music will be given by the male quartette, Arthur Turner, Sanford Reynolds, Clarence Ingersoll and Irwin Bradley. The burial will be in Yaleville cemetery [Guilford, NY], the bearers accompanying the remains being Lewis Gridley, Martin Toby, Marvin Predmore, Willard Bradley, Irwin Bradley and Wm. McPherson.  Mr. Stead is survived by his wife, who was before marriage Miss Clarinda Bradley, and by two children, Alvin B. Stead, of Guilford, and a daughter, Mrs. A.C.Wilcox, of Bainbridge.

Harvey J. Stratton

1850 - 1928

Harvey J. Stratton, a life long resident of the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], and a respected citizen of this village for the past ten years, died Sunday at 4 o'clock at his home on Clinton street.  Mr. Stratton was in rugged  health until about two years ago when he suffered a heart attack. Since that time he has gradually failed. About a week ago he was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage and only lived eight days.  He was born January 24, 1850, at South Oxford, the son of George and Mariette Robinson Stratton.  He was educated at Oxford Academy and Fulton seminary and for many years taught school at Coventry and Greene.  Among the pioneers of this section, the Stratton family was one of the first to appear in Oxford and they were prominent settlers of this valley where many became prosperous farmers.  Mr. Stratton was the grandson of John Stratton who came from New England and located in this community in 1815 at South Oxford.  He was married August 20, 1876 to Miss Fannie Copeland of Greene.  For several years after their marriage, the couple resided on and Mr. Stratton worked a portion of his father's farm.  Here, besides his farm duties, Mr. Stratton found time to sell agricultural implements to the farmers of this section.  Thirty-six years ago he bought a farm on the main highway at the junction of the Tyner road, two miles below this village, where he resided with his family and worked the land until 10 years ago when he moved to this village.  A year ago last August he and Mrs. Stratton celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  For many terms he served as a justice of the peace in this town.  He was a member of Oxford Lodge No. 175 F.&A.M. and of Oxford Chapter No. 254, R.&A.M.  Since a youth he has been a faithful communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of this village.  Surviving him are his widow, one son, George R. Stratton, and one daughter, Mrs. Rachel Ireland, both of this village; two grandsons, Maurice S. and Francis C. Ireland; one brother, W.A. Stratton of Norwich; and one sister, Mrs. Allie MacFarland of Indian Springs, Nevada.  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home with Rev. H.C. Whedon, rector of St. Paul's officiating.  Interment was made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, NY].  Mr. Stratton was always a hard working man and his cheerful disposition has earned him the good will of his neighbors besides that of a host of friends, all of whom will mourn his passing.  The bearers were T.F. Leary, H.E. Goodfellow, C.B. Payne, H.C. Stratton, Jesse Jacobs, and S.H. Mead. 

 

Rebecca Lucille Griffin

 1906 - 1928

Our community is saddened by the death of Miss Rebecca Griffin which occurred Wednesday morning at the home of her parents.  Miss Rebecca Lucille Griffin was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Griffin and was born in this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY] November 18, 1906, and here grew to beautiful young womanhood.  Surviving are the father and mother; two sisters, Mrs. William Welsh and Miss Helen Griffin of New York; and three brothers, Herbert, Robert and Francis Griffin at Oxford.  The funeral will be held Saturday morning, at 9:30 o'clock at the house and at 10 o'clock at St. Joseph's Church.  Burial will be made in St. Joseph's cemetery [Oxford, NY].  She was loved and respected by all who knew her.  Those who knew her, think more, feel more, and would fain any more but the beautiful life is best expressed in the following verse:

 

                                                Twenty-one years, twenty-one beautiful years.

                                                Made up of true Beauty

                                                Which so much endears;

                                                Years bringing beauty of form and face,

                                                Of character building in beauty and grace.

                                                Reflecting bright sunshine where'ere she went;

                                                Thus the years of her life were spent;

                                                Twenty-one beautiful years.

 

                                                Twenty-one years, twenty-one happy years.

                                                Filled with many of life's joys

                                                And few of its tears.

                                                Years passed in infancy, childhood and youth.

                                                Shunning the false and seeking the truth.

                                                Happy in love of schoolmate and friend.

                                                Happy each year unto life's end;

                                                Twenty-one happy years.

 

                                                Twenty-one years, twenty-one useful years.

                                                Filled full with sweet ministries

                                                Dispelling life's fears.

                                                Years spent for father, sister, brothers and mother,

                                                With unselfish service for many another.

                                                Doing each day some kindly deed.

                                                Helping someone to that which they need.

                                                Twenty-one useful years.

 

                                                Twenty-one years, twenty-one complete years.

                                                Though brief and so fleeting

                                                While eternity nears.

                                                Performing those tasks which to her were assigned.

                                                Faithful, obedient, to God's will resigned.

                                                Learning life's lessons at Jesus feet;

                                                Truly her life has indeed been compete.

                                                Twenty-one complete years.