Obituaries (September 27)

Silas R. Hill

Utica Saturday Globe, June 1904

 

Silas R. Hill

1839-1904

Ex-Sheriff Silas R. Hill died at his home in South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] Wednesday morning at 5 o'clock.  Death was due to heart trouble.  His health had been failing since last December.  Mr. Hill was 65 years old and was born in South Otselic, the son of Herman Hill, a prominent resident of that place, who died a number of years ago.  At the death of his father, Mr. Hill purchased of the other heirs the old Hill homestead in South Otselic, consisting of a large river farm and residence within 75 rods of the post office.  There with his wife, a daughter of the late Col. James C. Gladding, he made a home for his mother until her death.  In the fall of 1876, Mr. Hill was elected sheriff of Chenango county and for the three years from January 1, 1877, when he assumed the office, his residence was at the county seat [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  He was one of the most efficient and satisfactory sheriffs that ever served the county.  Active and prompt in the performance of his official duties, he conducted the affairs of his office so intelligently and so satisfactory to the people generally that he would have been renominated and re-elected without serious opposition but for the fact that the statutes forbade a sheriff succeeding himself in office.  It was during his term that the trial and conviction of Felix McCann for the shooting of his neighbor Hatch, in Sherburne, took place.  McCann was sentenced by the late Judge David L. Follett to be hung. The same day that McCann was hung in the jail yard two circuses were in Norwich and just about the moment that the trap was sprung one of the shows was parading down broad street, the band playing the Wearing of the Green. The village was crowded with visitors and it was one of the most exciting days the town ever saw.  At the close of his term as sheriff, Mr. and Mrs. Hill returned to the old farm at South Otselic, which he conducted until about seven years ago, when he became a partner in the firm of B.F. Gladding & Co., manufacturers of fish lines.  Since that time they had resided in an attractive home in the village of South Otselic and he had given his entire time to the extensive business of the firm.  As salesman of their goods he made several trips across the continent to the Pacific coast.  Mr. Hill was a man of courage and integrity, independent in action and frank in the expression of his views.  He was always found to be reasonable and willing to hear and to weigh fairly the arguments and statements in opposition to his own views.  He was highly respected, by his neighbors and friends and occupied a prominent place in the business and social affairs of his town.  He was an especial friend of the late Judge David L. Follett.  He was a staunch Republican and for many years was a leader in the councils of his party.  He had represented his town in the Republican county conventions, oftener than any other citizen and had represented his county in the State and other conventions  His death will be deeply mourned not only in the town of Otselic, but he will be greatly missed by a host of friends throughout the county.  Of his immediate family only his widow survives, there being no children.  Mr.  Hill was an uncle of Dr. W.L. Sturges, of this village.  Mrs. Hill is a sister of Judge Albert F. Gladding, of Norwich.  Funeral services were held this afternoon from his late home at 2:30 o'clock with burial in the South Otselic Cemetery. A large delegation of prominent Norwich people were in attendance. 

 

Eleanor Johnston

Afton Enterprise, May 7, 1886

Mrs. Eleanor Johnston, a highly respected lady of this town, died Monday afternoon of this week, aged 73 years.  Her funeral was held Wednesday and the remains were deposited in the cemetery on the east side of the river [East Side Cemetery, Afton, Chenango Co., NY].

 

Mrs. E.M. Johnston

Afton Enterprise, January 23, 1890

Mrs. E.M. Johnston, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died Tuesday night, of pneumonia, aged 58 years.

 

The funeral of Mrs. E.M. Johnston, mention of whose death we made in our last issue, was held from her late home in Bettsburg, Sunday, and was largely attended.  Mrs. Johnston was one of the finest ladies in the town, and she will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends and relatives.  She leaves a husband, four sons and one daughter.  The burial was in the cemetery on the east side.  Rev. D. Lamphear, officiating.  CH. Emens was funeral director.

 

Charlotte Shay

Afton Enterprise, November 27, 1902

Miss Charlotte Shay was born in the town of Colesville, Broome county [NY], in 1820.  For a number of years she taught school in this and neighboring districts and until the death of her brother, Eli Shay, about seventeen years ago, lived at his home here. The past three years she has made her home with a niece.  Mrs. Herbert Wedderspoon, in Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY], where she passed away last Sunday morning, aged 82 years.  Miss Shay was a member of St. Luke's church in Harpursville, a quiet unassuming lady with strong Christian character.  Two nieces, Mrs. Bert Baker, of Harpursville, and Mrs. Herbert Wedderspoon, of Cooperstown, and a nephew, Martin Shay, of this village, survive her.  Her remains were brought here and the funeral held from St Ann's Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J.N. Goodrich, of Harpursville officiating.  Interment at Glenwood [Afton, Chenango, NY].

 

Amelia Clapper

Afton Enterprise, February 25, 1904

At the home of E.M. Shay o South Main street Saturday, Feb. 20, 1904, occurred the death after an illness of two days from valoular heart trouble of Miss Amelia Clapper, aged 71 years.   Miss Clapper was a life long resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], and for some forty years had made her home with Mr. Shay's people. Deceased was a member since youth of St. Ann's Episcopal church, in which she was a faithful worker, and for many years was choir organist.  She was known and respected by everyone.  Funeral services conducted by Rev. Edwin L. Tanner, were held from St Ann's church Tuesday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock.  Members of the choir from St. Luke's church in Harpursville assisted in the singing.  Interment was made in the family lot in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY]

 

E. Martin Shay

Afton Enterprise, September 22, 1949

E. Martin Shay, respected resident of Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY], former baker, baseball player and friend of many of the great in the national game, died suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 10 at his home.  He was 85 years of age.  Born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], the son of Eli M. and Harriet (Clapper) Shay on February 16, 1864.  Mr Shay, early in life became interested in baseball and as a first baseman for the old Norwich Champions gained the nickname of "Baby" so often since designated to the big boys of baseball.  It was on the Champions who belonged to the  old and famous Central New York League that "Baby" Shay played against his old friend, the late John J. McGraw in McGraw's first game of league baseball.  During the course of his playing career, Mr. Shay became intimately acquainted with most of the great of baseball including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Goslin, Manush, Combs, Schultz, Simmons and many more.  At the turn of the century, due to ill health, Mr. Shay was obliged to discontinue baseball and at that time moved to Cobleskill where he opened a bakery, famous for more than 30 years under his management.  Mr Shay first married Miss Una Stillson, who died in 1920.  In 1926 he married Miss May Brumaghem of Cobleskill who survives.  A life-long member of the Episcopal Church Mr. Shay was also a member of Cobleskill masonic Lodge.  Services were held on Monday afternoon at the Ingalls Funeral home in Cooperstown conducted by the Rev. Theodore J. Stone, pastor of the Cooperstown Methodist church.  A second service was held on Tuesday at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Afton with the Rev. James E. Wolfe officiating. Burial was at the Afton Glenwood Cemetery.