Obituaries (July 16)

Nathaniel Thornton

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1901

 

Nathaniel Thornton

1848 - 1901

Nathaniel Thornton, a well-known resident of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], was drowned in the Chenango river, a short distance above Brisben, about 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon [April 7, 1901].  In company with "Dolph" Bennett and "Vern" Stratton, Mr. Thornton started down the river in a boat for Brisben.  In the vicinity of Warn's pond the boat ran upon a rock, lifting the bow into air and forcing the stern below the surface of the water.  Leaping from it, the three men started a fierce struggle for life in the swift current.  Bennett swam to the east shore and Stratton to the west.  They could see the overturned boat floating down the stream but could not see Thornton.  they went for aid and neighbors who responded assisted in the search which has been continued until the present writing without finding any trace of the remains.  Mr. Thornton was about 50 years of age.  He came to Oxford about 10 years ago and had since been employed in the mill of the F.G. Clarke Bluestone Company, having charge of one of the planers.  He was a member of the Independent Hose Company and very popular with his fellows.  He is survived by a wife and four children.

 

Thornton's Body Found

Binghamton Press, May 1901

Greene [Chenango Co., NY], May 12, 1901:  The body of Nathaniel Thornton, who was drowned while on a fishing trip near Brisben April 7, was found in the Chenango river below this village today by Walter McCullough.  The body was identified by Thornton's daughter, who was summoned.  Coroner Blair of McDonough, was also notified and will hold an inquest at 8:30 o'clock tomorrow morning.  The body is in a very bad condition.

[Buried Union Cemetery, McDonough, Chenango Co., NY.]

 

Welcome James Gray

1869 - 1942

Welcome James Gray, 72-year-old Town of Windsor [Broome Co., NY] farmer, died at 8:30 o'clock Monday night in the Binghamton City hospital after an illness of one week.  Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in the chapel of Clinton E. Wood in Windsor.  The Rev. Howard R. Brong, pastor of the Windsor Methodist church will officiate.  The body will be placed in the private vault at the funeral chapel for burial later in the South Windsor Cemetery. Welcome Gray was the youngest of a family of eight children, and was born September 6, 1869 the son of John and Jane (Hendrickson) Gray in Great Bend Township.  When he was five years old his father, who had been foreman in the construction of the stone railroad bridge in Lanesboro, Pa., was killed at Red Rock when the team he was driving ran away with him.  His mother then moved with the family to the old George Gray place in Edson, after which he attended the old Windsor Academy.  After his marriage to Miss Lizzie Stannard of Edson, March 20, 1901, he moved from there to his late home in Edson, where he had lived for over forty years.  He was a member of the Windsor Local Dairymen's League since it was organized and for many years a member of the Bartonville Grange No. 589 of Edson where he held numerous offices including gatekeeper.  he was a former trustee of school district No. 10.  He is survived by his wife; two sons, John S. and Virgil D. of Windsor; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews of Windsor, Binghamton, Great Bend Pa. Rochester, Elmira and Ossining, and Western cities.

Walter J. Chase

1869 - 1942

The death of Walter J. Chase, a native of Windsor, occurred Sunday, February 1, at his home, Edge HIll and Eastern Road, Roselyn, Pa.  He was 72 years old.  Born in Windsor [Broome Co., NY], November 18, 1869, the son of the late Jairus S. and Sarah (Hotchkiss) Chase, he attended Windsor Academy and also was a student at Phillip Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.  Throughout his academy days he was interested in baseball and played on both Academy teams.  He began in the insurance business under his father, Windsor postmaster and insurance agent, leaving Windsor to be employed by  William Ash in Lehighton, Pa., a former resident.  He worked for some time in Pittsburg and for over 30 years with various firms in Philadelphia.  At the time of his death, he was senior member of the insurance firm, Towers, Perrin, Crosby and Forster of Philadelphia.  Surviving him are his wife, Flora, a son Jairus, three daughter, Mrs. Richard Stringer, Mrs. Edward Beatty, and Mrs. Barbara Kirchman, all of Roselyn; a brother,  Harry C. Chase of Pittsburgh, and a sister, Mrs. James C. Elliott of Windsor.  Funeral services were held from his late residence, Tuesday, February 3.  Burial was in Whitemarsh cemetery.

 

Arthur Henry Hunt

1877 - 1935

Arthur Henry Hunt whose tragic death occurred October 17th, 1935, was born in the Town of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] on January 25, 1877 to David Nelson and Eloise Calkins Hunt.  He attended the local school and was an active member of the Coventryville Congregational Church for many years.  On August 31, 1904 he was united in marriage to Maude Louise Niven of Coventry.  After running a dairy farm for several years Mr. and Mrs. Hunt moved to the village of Afton Chenango Co., NY] where Mr. Hunt worked as an automobile mechanic and was still actively engaged at the time of his death.  He was united by letter with the Presbyterian Church of Afton some years ago and was a member of the Afton Lodge No. 360 F.&A.M.  Left to mourn the loss are, the widow, Maude Hunt, two sons, Kenneth of Pequannock, N.J., Donald of Endicott.  A little granddaughter Marjorie Louise Hunt, an uncle, Frank Hunt of Totowa, N.J., an aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler of Lisle, N.Y., several cousins and a host of friends.  Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon with prayer service at the home and at the Presbyterian church at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Orvis of Bainbridge spoke comforting words to the family and friends assisted by Rev Clifford E. Webb. Services at the grave were in charge of Afton lodge no. 360 F.&A.M.  The church was filled to capacity with sorrowing friends and relatives and the beautiful flowers spoke of the high esteem of friends and realties for the deceased 

If we can lead as good a life

If we can fight as clean a fight

No one can feel we shirked the strife

When for us too, there comes the night,

 

He did his work from day to day

He showed the world it had a friend,

May others have the same to say

When day for us comes to an end.

 

Death Notices

Antimasonic Telegraph, May 5, 1830

Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Wednesday last, Clinton M.M., son of Luke W. Crandall, aged one year and nine months.

 

Antimasonic Telegraph, September 14, 1831

Died in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], on Monday morning last, Miss Delia Strong, youngest daughter of Cyrus Strong, Esq. in the 15th year of her age.

 

Died in this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on the 9th ult. Mrs. Abigail Cooper, wife of Mr. Seth Cooper, aged 51 years.

 

Bainbridge Republican, August 8, 1878

BENNETT:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Aug. 4th, Rev. Edwin Bennett, aged 46 years.

 

MILLER:  In East Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], July 29th, Mrs. Laura Miller, wife of Mathew Miller, aged 82 years and 5 months.