Obituaries (July 4)

William H. Pertilla Jr.

Utica Saturday Globe, December 8, 1906

 

 

William H. Pertilla Jr.

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  When Mrs. William H. Pertilla returned home about 11 Friday evening of last week she entered the kitchen from the hall, and as she did so stumbled over an object lying across the doorway.  Hastily lighting a lamp she discovered the dead body of her husband.  She at once gave an alarm and Drs. Manley and Fernalid were called, but examination showed that the time for medical aid had long passed.  The furniture in the kitchen was disarranged and the oilcloth on the floor stained with blood.  One of the griddles of the stove had been partly removed and on it lay a revolver, which indicated the manner of his death.  The bullet had passed through the body just beneath the heart.  A sweater on the body was scorched and powder stained, showing that the weapon had been close to the body.  Evidently death had not ensued instantly, the hands being clinched, one leg drawn up, and the expression on the face indicating great suffering.  Deceased was last seen alive about 10 o'clock in the morning by a friend who called at the house.  Mrs. Pertilla left home about 6:30 in the morning for her day's duties as domestic at the home of L.H. Babcock.  She did not finish her day's work until after 9 o'clock in the evening, and before going home called to see a sick friend.  She and other relatives and friends had observed that of late Mr. Pertilla had been despondent at times, but thought it was due to the poor health from which he had suffered for several months.  The fact that the house was dark when she reached home on Friday night did not arouse her suspicions, as she had a key and entered without hesitation.  It was learned later that Mr. Pertilla purchased the revolver on Friday morning, but just the hour that he put it to its fatal use may never be known.  For several days it is said he had been asking friends to take good care of his wife if anything should happen.  Mr. Pertilla was one of the best known and most highly respected colored men in Norwich.  He was a native of the village 44 years ago.  For 28 years he was employed by R.E. Rindge in his coal yard, and was ever faithful to the interests of his employer, who trusted him implicitly.  In 1884 he married Miss Etta Maude West, of Peterboro, Madison county. Besides his widow he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs William H. Pertilla, of Norwich, and by a son, Fred, a waiter in the dining service of the New York Central Railway between New York and Buffalo.  He is also survived by four brothers, Elwin, of New York; Clarence, of Cortland, and Samuel and Louis, of this village.  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. W.B. Caines, pastor of the A.M. E.Zion Church, officiating.  Prayer was offered at the home on Mechanic street, and the full services followed at the church.  Burial was made at Mt. Hope [Norwich, NY].

 

John Landers

Bainbridge Republican, June 7, 1917

John Landers of Mayworth, Wyo. who has been a frequent visitor here [Wilkins Settlement, Chenango Co., NY] was recently found dead in a hotel in that state from asphyxiation from gas.  He was 83 or 84 years of age.  His remains were sent on to California and were there deposited by the side of his wife, Augusta Easton Landers who died a few years ago.  Their only daughter Florence Evchnor and family reside in San Diego, California.  [Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego Co. CA]

Charles S. Landers

1854 - 1874

November 2d [1874], at the dawn of day, fell asleep at his residence in Afton, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], Charles S. Landers, in the 21st year of his age, eldest son of George and Harriet P. Landers.  During a long and painful illness, tenderly watched by his beloved parents and friends his fortitude and patience were most [evident, until] at length "the Silver Cord was loosed," was the blessed release of a peculiarly pure, gentle, and noble spirit from a feeble and perishing body.  Of one so good, conscientious and candid, as was the youthful subject of this notice, high hopes ere entertained by all who enjoyed his acquaintance.  At school his instinctive and unswerving devotion to whatever was right, his prompt and able defense of the weak and his controlling manliness of character and conduct ever won for him the admiration and respect of his associates.  In the early demise of one so rich in noble characteristics, and consequently so full of the promise of usefulness, the adage that "death loves a shining mark" is again illustrated.  His earthly career indeed was brief; but as a baptized and renewed child of the Heavenly Father, death has admitted him to a world where the limitations of this mortal life are unknown.  The fond and well-founded hopes that centered in him have indeed been suddenly and most sadly disappointed, and stricken and bereaved hearts mourn his early death.  For us all it only remains while cherishing his now glorified memory to how in Christian faith and submission to the decree of the All Wise that called him  hence, and breathe the prayer, "Thy Will, O God, be done."

Benjamin Chapman

Bainbridge Republican, March 19, 1880

Benjamin Chapman, the founder of the well known house of W.H. Chapman & Co. died at his residence in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on Tuesday morning.  He had been around town as usual, on Monday.  During the night he rested uneasily, but arose at his usual hour, fixed the fire, and rolled up the curtains to his room.  He then requested that some oyster broth might be made, pending which he lay down on a couch to rest.  When the servant went to tell him that his broth was ready, she discovered that he was dead.  he was in his 89th year.

Utica Morning Herald, March 17, 1880

Norwich:  Benjamin Chapman, the last remaining pioneer business man of Norwich, died suddenly at his residence this morning, aged 90.  He was born in Saybrook, Conn., and was the son of a revolutionary officer.  Having learned the trade of a hatter, at the age of sixteen he came to Norwich.  For over forty years he has been a successful merchant, and early became identified with the educational, religious and business interests of the town.  He was the first president of the board of trustees of the old academy, was one of the founders of the Bank of Chenango, and the president of the Savings bank.  He once was county treasurer.  he was a pillar in the congregational church, and most liberal in his donations for religious and charitable objects.  He leaves a wife and son, Wm. H. Chapman of New York.

Frank Dean

Chenango Union, September 1906

Frank Dean, known as the "Belfast Spider" and a pugilist of considerable repute, died Friday evening at is home on Pleasant street.  He got up as usual Friday morning and ate a hearty breakfast.  Very soon he complained of pains in his stomach and lay down.  He was feeling about the same at noon and his wife went to the Fair. Returning about 5:30 she found him in a comatose state and sent for Dr. Roper.  Dean died about 6:30 before the arrival of the physician.  Coroner Manley was called and ordered an autopsy, which was performed by Dr. Brooks, assisted by Drs. Roper, Phelps and Fernald.  No report of the autopsy has been made, but it is believed that acute indigestion was the cause of death.