Obituaries (November 5)

Daniel Potter

March 1948

The whereabouts of Daniel Potter, 78-year-old farm worker, who mysteriously disappeared ten days ago still is unknown.  Potter disappeared at 8 p.m. March 18, while on the way from the barn to the house on the Howard Allen Farm, Unadilla, where he was employed.  No trace of the missing man had been found by state police who dragged a millrace.  He was forced to cross the millrace when coming to the house from the barn.

 

March 22, 1948

State Police at Sidney Barracks said today they believe Daniel Potter, 74-year-old Unadilla farmhand, is dead.  Relatives are sought.  They said they believe the partly blind, elderly man lost his life last Thursday night when he fell into a creek on the Howard Allen farm in Unadilla where he was employed.  Mr. Potter failed to return to the Allen house from a dairy barn after doing the chores.  The barn and house are separated by a creek over which there is a narrow wooden bridge, without guardrails.  The troopers, who made a careful search of the area, theorized that Mr. Potter tumbled off the bridge into the swollen creek with empties into the nearby Susquehanna River.  They said his body could have easily been carried to the river.

 

May 20, 1948

The body of Daniel Potter, 74, partially blind Unadilla farmhand missing since March 18, was found yesterday afternoon in a creek of a half mile from the Howard Allen farm where he had been employed.  State police theorized when Mr. Potter disappeared while doing chores for Mr. Allen;  that he had tumbled into a brook winding through the Allen farm.  Francis Bell, neighboring farmer, discovered Mr. Potter's body and notified Mr. Allen.  The body had been swept downstream to the Bell farm where it became lodged on an island.  Dr. Norman W. Getman, Otsego County coroner, issued a verdict of death due to accidental drowning.  The body was removed to the Silvernail Funeral Home in Unadilla.  There are no known relatives.

 

Hubert Eugene Priest

born 1864

Wednesday, Nov. 11, friends and relatives of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] were saddened to learn of the death of Herbert Eugene Priest who had been nearly a life-long resident of this village.  Mr. Priest was the second son of Augustus A. an Diana (Selly) Priest and was born Dec. 23, 1864.  At an early age he developed an unusual ability for freehand drawing and later became an accomplished artist at freehand decorating.  In the days of the Gilbert Manufacturing Co. being located in Bainbridge, Mr. Priest was employed to paint and decorate sled tops, and this work he accomplished entirely without copy, which was especially noticeable for its extreme neatness. the sled factory later being destroyed by fire.  Mr Priest established a shop on Kirby street and devoted his time to painting automobiles.  His residence was retained in Bainbridge until after the death of his mother in 1934, when he removed to New Jersey.  His death occurred at his home in Kenilworth after a short illness.  He was twice married and is survived by his wife, Emile Katherine, also cousins in Cleveland, Ohio, Bainbridge, Guilford, Saugerties and Morris.

 

Jennie (Priest) Gifford

died December 12, 1946

Mrs. Jennie Gifford, wife of Dr. B.W. Gifford, Saugerties' well known physician, passed away at her home on Ulster avenue, at an early hour this Thursday morning, after fifteen months of painful illness and leaving to mourn her death, her immediate family and a legion of friends who deeply regret and deplore her passing.  Mrs. Gifford was a woman of fine Christian character and integrity.  Mrs. Gifford, much beloved by her innumerable friends and acquaintances, was the former Jennie Priest daughter of Orrin A. Priest and Martha Spencer Priest of Masonville, Delaware county, where she was born.  Mrs. Gifford was graduated from the Sidney high school in 1905, and the Oneonta normal School in 1908.  Following her graduation from Normal School, Mrs. Gifford taught in the schools at Newton, Mass., and Schenectady, N.Y.  On June 7, 1911, deceased became the wife of Dr. Gifford.  Four children were born to them, three daughters, Mrs. Courtland V. Guerin of Mendham, N.J., Mrs. Jeanne G. Carnright of Saugerties, and Mrs. Warren T. Myer of liberty, N.Y.; and one son, Esmond W. Gifford of Pittsburgh, Pa., and these with Dr. Gifford, seven grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Fred Dimorier of Guilford, N.Y., are the surviving family and the whole community deeply condoles with them in their irreparable loss and sore bereavement.  Mrs. Gifford, up to her fatal illness, was actively identified with various organizations in the community and in each of these she gave a full measure of devotion, loyalty and service. She was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church and pianist and teacher in the Sunday school for many years.  Mrs. Gifford was also greatly interested in the religious education program in the Saugerties schools and served as one of its teachers.  Mrs. Gifford was one of the charter members of Emmanuel Chapter No. 517 O.E.S.  She was an honorary member and past president of the Saugerties Monday Club, and a member and past president of the Saugerties Society of little Gardens.  Mrs. Gifford was a member of the former Saugerties Choral Club, and a past president and member of the Saugerties Parent-Teacher Association.  Mrs. Gifford's death occasions heartfelt sadness among those to whom she had endeared herself by her many kindly deeds and charitable acts and also her devotion to their home and loved ones. She has entered the land where the gates stand ajar and the roses never fade.  Funeral services will be privately held with Rev James H. Russell officiating, and Rev Thomas Falshaw assisting. Burial will be at Sidney, N.Y., the Seamon Bros. Co. in charge of the arrangements.