Obituaries (December 10)

Walter M. Fleming

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1912

 

 

Walter M. Fleming

1879 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango C., NY]:  At the age of 30 years, Walter M. Fleming passed away at is home on Piano street, Sunday afternoon.  He was a native of Norwich and had spent all of his life here.  For nearly 10 years he was a valued employee of the Norwich Steam Laundry, later becoming a bartender.  He is survived bye is mother, Mrs. Margaret Fleming, and a brother, Joseph Fleming, of Norwich, and a sister, Mrs. David Van Ordan, of Paterson, N.J.  Funeral services were held on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, at St. Paul's Church, Rev. Father Prendergast officiating.  The Bartenders' Union, of which he was a popular member, attended in a body, interment in St. Paul's Cemetery.

 

Addison E. Benedict

1883 - 1940

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Addison E. Benedict, 53, a member of the department store firm of Chapman & Turner in this city, died suddenly Tuesday afternoon at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at 4:30 o'clock.  Mr. Benedict suffered a heart seizure about 11:30 o'clock Tuesday morning while at the store.  His condition was so serious that he was not moved until 3 o'clock, when he was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  News of his sudden passing was shocking to the city.   Members of his family had been summoned when he was stricken.  He had complained for a week of not feeling well and had sought medical attention a day before his final illness.  He was prominent in Masonic circle and a staunch member and officer of the First Baptist Church.  Besides his wife, Mr. Benedict is survived by two daughters, Thirza and Ruth Benedict, former Hamilton School official, also survives.  He is now in Florida.

 

The entire community was stunned on Wednesday afternoon when it learned of the sudden death of one of its outstanding citizens, Addison E. Benedict.  The sorrow spread over all business and social groups was a symbol of the rare place he occupied in the affairs of Norwich  Mr. Benedict was born 56 years ago on June 9 in Lebanon [Madison Co., NY], the son of Franklin and Mary B. Benedict. At the age of 16 he came here to live with his aunt, Mrs. Harvey Thompson.  Shortly after his arrival he was employed by the Chapman and Turner Company, where he remained to become a firm member in the more recent period of his 40 years association with that organization.  Among his chief affiliations were his memberships in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and the Commandery fo the Masons.  He was secretary of the trustees of the First Baptist church and a member of the board of trustees of the Norwich Cemetery Association.  Outside his family and church, his greatest happiness was found with a little group of six men, whose rich comradeship created an organization which met every two weeks.  Mr. Benedict had the staunch abiding attributes of sterling character that placed him at one high in esteem and deep in the affections of this community.  His life was dedicated to an intimate personal serving of all whom he knew  He was always an accessible friend to the humble and the exalted.  No one can estimate the scope of his generosity, for modesty always marked his lavish giving both of himself and of his resources.  He specialized to no particular age group for he loved nad was loved by little children and the aged, alike.  The enthusiastic vigor of his living proved that he extracted the final bit of value out of each full day of his life.  There was a charm in his personality, far from superficial, which exerted a powerful influence for good.  As a churchman he never spared himself.  With loyalty and consecration he served the First Baptist church in all weathers.  His dependability was constant.  No finer layman can be found in the history of the graystone church.  Twenty-five years ago on September 22, he married Sarah Waite.  With her and their three children, Charles, Ruth and Thirza, was established a homelife that has been a blessing and an inspiration to the host of friends with which they surrounded themselves. The quick sympathy, the devotion of the family circle have had a ministry rarely equaled in the experience of those who know them.  The home going of their son a year and a half ago only added to the remarkable influence of their home life.  Besides his wife and his two daughters there survive the following brothers and sisters:  Ernest Benedict of Lebanon; Oliver Benedict of Camp Verde, Arizona; Wayne Benedict of Dundin, Florida; Mrs. Fred Lewis of Lebanon; Zar Benedict of Georgetown; Mrs. Albert Rice of Georgetown and Mrs. Julia Byrd of Lebanon.  Funeral services will be held in the First Baptist church at 2 p.m. Thursday, with Rev. James K. Romeyn officiating. Burial will be made in the family lot at Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].  Officers of Norwich lodge F.&A.M. will conduct a service at the late home on Guernsey street at 7:30 tonight.

 

D. Hill Bennett

1893 - 1943

Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY]:  Victim of a heart ailment, D. Hill Bennett was found dead about noon Wednesday at his farm on the Butternut Valley road between Garratsville and Burlington.  Relatives made the discovery.  Dr. E.C. Granger, Otsego county coroner said that Mr Bennett had been dead for several hours.  He was born August 22, 1893 in the town of Burlington [Otsego Co., NY], the son of Waldo and Ada (Talbot) Bennett.  For many years Mr. Bennett was employed at the Gaskin House here.  He attended the Methodist church.  Last year, Mr. Bennett was seriously ill with angina.  Several brothers and sisters survive, including:  Jay Bennett of Mohawk, Mrs. Sumner Coman of Sherburne, Ward B., Alva and Mrs. Harold West of West Burlington and Adna Bennett of Pittsfield, N.Y.  Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Houck's Funeral Home.  Rev. Winfield Kelly of the Methodist church will officiate. The body will rest in the vault awaiting burial in the spring in the Brick Schoolhouse Cemetery.