Obituaries (September 5)

Maj. Oscar H. Curtis

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1904

 

Major Oscar H. Curtis

1832 - 1903

 

At his home in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday of last week, occurred the death of Maj. Oscar H. Curtis, aged 71 years.  Just a week previous Maj. Curtis came home from Washington, where for the past 10 years he had been an employee of the United States Senate.  His impaired strength failed rapidly until the end.  Maj. Curtis was the son of George and Nancy Curtis and was born in the town of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], March 24, 1832.  He was reared on a farm near White Store, attending district school winters and assisting in the farm work during the summer.  At 19 he taught a district school, and later attended Gilbertsville Academy, where he fitted himself for college.  At 22 he entered Union College, graduating four years later, and at once became a member of the faculty of Oxford Academy, teaching for two years languages and higher mathematics.  He then entered the law office of Henry R. Mygatt, of Oxford, and after being admitted to the bar in May, 1861, located in Oxford for the practice of his profession.  But the bugle notes of war fired his patriotism and called him to abandon his own chosen pursuits for the public good. He raised the first company for the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment and was commissioned captain of Company A., August 6, 1862 and while at the rendezvous at Norwich was the recipient of a handsome sword belt and sash from the members of his company.  He remained with his company until the death of Col. Smith made a change in the grade of field officers necessary and then Capt. Curtis was promoted to the rank of Major, to date August 28, 1862.  He participated in the battles of Bisland, Siege of Port Hudson, Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Mansura, Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.  After the wounding of Lieut. Col. Morse, at Sabine Cross Roads, he commanded the regiment and remained in command during the retreat to Alexandria, fighting the battles of Pleasant Hill and Cane River. Also after the fall of Col. Per Lee at Opequan he commanded the battalion under the most trying circumstances and afterwards joined in pursuit of the enemy up the valley of Harrisonburg, fighting the battle of Fisher's Hill.  At Harrisonburg he was detailed by the general commanding the army to take command of a long train returning to Martinsburg for supplies, having as an escort a regiment of cavalry and his own regiment.  At times he held responsible positions aside from his duty with his regiment.  Once as judge advocate of a general court-martial, under Gen. Dwight, commanding division; again, as judge advocate of military commission under Gen. Emory, commanding corps,  And when the Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps moved to Savannah, he was placed in command of all the artillery and transportation of the division, with which he moved to Frederick City, Md., where he remained during the winter of 1864-5.  At the close of the war Maj. Curtis returned to Oxford to resume his law practice and take up the duties of an active citizen.  In 1868 he was elected special county judge and served for four years.  He subsequently served in various town offices and in 1878 was the Republican candidate for member of Assembly from Chenango county, succeeding Hon. B. Gage Berry. He served his district well and was re-elected in 1879.  He was ever a faithful Republican, a true friend and a patriotic progressive citizen.  He retained to the last his interest in the "Old soldiers," whose fortunes of war he had shared during four years of service.  He had invited the survivors of his old regiment to be his guests at Oxford for next year's reunion, but even at the time the invitation was given those who knew him well hardly expected that he would be one of their number to respond to the roll call next September.  Maj. Curtis was married June 6, 1866 to Miss Susan E. Van Wagenan, of Oxford, who with one brother, Edward Curtis of South New Berlin, survives.  Funeral services were held from the Congregational Church at Oxford, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  There was a large attendance of veterans and other friends and the floral tributes were elaborate and beautiful.  Among the survivors of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment in attendance were Charles A. Sumner, Lucius Crumb, George W. Payne, George Wood, Orson Snow, Frank Beckwith, Seth J.  Young and Joseph Brooks, of Norwich. 

Susan Elizabeth (Van Wagenan) Curtis

Binghamton Press,  April 17, 1926

Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Susan E. Curtis, widow of Major O.H. Curtis, died at her home on Washington Park on April 9.  Mrs. Curtis was a daughter of John and Sarah Van Wagenan and was born in this village in April, 1841.  She is survived by three nieces, Miss Sarah Louise Van Wagenan, Mrs. A.F. Carpenter and Mrs. Nellie Keaney of Rome and a cousin, Miss Helen Card of New York city.  The funeral was held at the home last Sunday at 2 o'clock. The Rev. E.J. Gates officiated.  Burial was in the Van Wagenan cemetery [Oxford, NY].

Cora Myers

Sidney Record, January 29, 1910

Last Thursday night, Jan. 20th, death came suddenly at the home of Mrs. Lyman Brown, at the Eastside, whose niece, Miss Cora Myers, aged 23 years, succumbed to an attack of heart trouble.  She was the only child of Mrs. Jane Myers of West Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], and the loss is a great grief to the family.  Mrs. Myers' husband died about five years ago. The remains were placed in the vault last Sunday afternoon, after services at the family home on Orchard street.  Burial will be given in the Spring at Mt. Vision.  The family wishes to express their gratitude and thinks for many kindnesses received from neighbors and friends.

Earl Warner

Sherburne News, August 25, 1900

Earl Warner, of Corning [Steuben Co., NY], was fatally injured by the cars in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Saturday at 11 o'clock.  Warner attempted to board a west bound freight train on the D.&R., lost his footing and fell under the wheels.  When he was picked up by several trainmen who witnessed the accident the skull was found to be fractured just above his right eye and the brain protruded through the fracture.  There was also a bad gash in the back of the head, extending crosswise for four or five inches.  It is thought that the skull in his wound is also fractured. When picked up the lad was conscious and answered questions which were asked him.  He said he had been visiting relatives near Bainbridge and was about to return to his father's home at Corning when the accident occurred.  He said he had an uncle in Masonville and a relative by the name of James Warner in West Bainbridge. About an hour before the accident occurred he was seen attempting to board a train, but failed, and when spoken to about it he replied that he was not ready to die yet.  The train by which he was run over was running about twenty-five miles an hour.  He made two attempts to board it, fell during the second attempt and was hit by the car journal.  He stated that his father was the head sawyer in one department of a mill in Corning.  His relatives were immediately communicated with.  Later--Earl Warner, who was supposed to be fatally injured by falling from a rapidly moving train which he attempted to board Saturday, is reported to be in a fair way to recover.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 22, 1900

On Saturday morning about 11:50 occurred one of the most horrible and dreadful accidents which has occurred in Bainbridge in a long time.  Earl Warner, son of Frank Warner, of Corning, was endeavoring to board a passing coal train when in some manner he slipped and fell.  He was knocked down, and was so stunned and injured by the blow that for several minutes he lay unconscious and bleeding.  His head was badly fractured at the back and on top exposing the brain.  Dr. Hill soon arrived on the scene and did all in his power to relieve his sufferings.  At 6 o'clock he was alive but with a small chance for recovery.  Mr Warner is a young man and was on his way home to Corning from a visit with an uncle at Masonville.

Later

Earl Warner, who was supposed to be fatally injured by falling from a rapidly moving train which he attempted to board Saturday is reported to be in a fair way to recover.  It is expected that he will be taken to his home in Corning in a day or two.

Evening Tribune, Hornell, NY, August 23, 1900

Earl Warner, the corning boy who was seriously injured on Saturday at Bainbridge, Chenango county, N.Y., in attempting to jump on a freight train, had twenty-nine stiches taken in his scalp, on the back of the head. The boy's brother, Floyd Warner, was in the Journal office at Corning and said that the reports for Earl were favorable, and it was thought he would be able to be brought in a few days to their home, No. 78 Baker street, in that city.

Compiler Note

Despite the optimistic statements given by various persons, Earl Warner died of his injuries in late November 1900 at the age of 17 years.  He was buried in Hope Cemetery, Corning, NY on 28 November 1900.  The cause of death given in the interment records was "brain injury."  [Hope Cemetery Interment index, USGenWeb, Steuben Co., NY]