Obituaries (October 11)

Miles Hartwell

August 30, 1839 - September 23,1912

Miles Hartwell died at his home in Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] Monday morning, September 23, 1912.  He was born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], August 30, 1839, the youngest son of Archibald and Rhoda Burton Hartwell.  When about three years of age his mother died and he was taken into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gibson and brought up as their son.  In 1864 he married Adaline Lurberty of Coventry who survives him.  He had been in poor health for several years.  When a  young man he joined the Free Will Baptist church in Oxford and for many years was closely identified with all its interests and later he became a member of the Methodist church of Union Valley. Being of a social and genial nature he possessed a large circle of friends.

Jennie (Hodge) Stratton

Norwich Sun, March 30, 1906

Mrs. Jennie Stratton, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], wife of Gilbert Stratton, died of apoplexy early Thursday morning.  She is survived by her husband and two sons, Chester and John.

Gilbert John Stratton

July 15, 1855 - September 1912

Gilbert John Stratton, a well known citizen of this village, after an illness of nearly four months from tuberculosis, passed quietly away at his home on Merchant street at 7 o'clock Saturday morning, aged 57 years.  For a year or so his health had been delicate and he spent last summer in Michigan seeking restoration or relief.  He returned to collect the school tax, having been elected collector during his absence from home.  The subject of this sketch was a third son of John and Hannah Willcox Stratton of South Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], prominent residents of the town a number of years ago.  His grandfather, John Stratton, came to Oxford over a century ago while yet the Indian was gliding over the trails or guiding a canoe along the Chenango, and made a business of buying and selling land.  Gilbert J. Stratton was born July 15, 1855, and finished his education at Oxford Academy.  He spent his youth on the farm and then went to Philadelphia, Chicago and Addison in this State, remaining in each place a few years. Returning to Oxford he accepted a clerkship in the store of C.O. Willcox and later, about the year 1894, engaged in the grocery business in the Exchange block, afterward removing to Fort hill and entering into partnership with George C. Lewis. The partnership was dissolved about six years ago, Mr. Lewis retiring from the firm. Since that time Mr. Stratton continued the business up to a year ago when he sold out to R.S. Yeomans.  He married Miss Jennie Hodge of this village November 18, 1896, whose death occurred March 29, 1906.  His second marriage was on April 18, 1908 when he married Miss Emma J . Montgomery of Oxford.  Mr. Stratton was a consistent member of the Congregational church, a Republican in politics, and held in esteem by his fellow citizens.  Honesty of purpose and integrity of action were his adornments.  The Book of Life for him is closed forever, but the remembrance of his familiar figure, his devotion to his family and friends will be cherished as long as memory lasts.  Surviving Mr. Stratton are the wife, two sons by his first marriage, Chester H. and John N. Stratton; three brothers, Eli B. Stratton of Greene, Latson W. Stratton of Chicago, and Clark L. Stratton of this village, and two sisters, Mrs. C.C. Miller of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. C.B. Willoughby of Oxford.  The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon.  There was a short prayer service at the house preceding the services at the Congregational church at 2:30 o'clock.  Rev. Inman L. Willcox spoke eloquently of the deceased, paying high tribute to his character and sterling worth.  The church was filled with many relatives and friends of Mr. Stratton.  The burial was in Riverview cemetery [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], and the pallbearers were Wm. A. Stratton, E.L. Stratton, H.J. Stratton and M.B. Stratton.

Henry Wands Burr

June 1942

Henry Wands Burr of 36 Canasawacta street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] aged 25 years, passed away at Syracuse Memorial Hospital [Onondaga Co., NY] at 5:55 Friday evening of a rare spinal ailment, the same malady which caused the death of Lou Gehrig, famed baseball player.  Beloved by a wide circle of friends in Norwich, the death of the young man is a severe blow to his family and acquaintances. Very recently the deceased had undergone a major operation in the hope it might remedy an illness of long duration with which he had been afflicted.  Medical effort proved of little avail, the end coming with members of his family present.  Of a cheerful disposition in the face of adversity, Henry Burr, when in perfect health contributed in full measure to the betterment of his community, and his demise has cast a gloom of sadness among those who knew him. The deceased was a charter and honorary member of the junior Chamber of Commerce, and a life long member of the First Congregational church in whose religious organizations he took an active interest. At one time he served a president of the Pilgrim Fellowship of the denomination.  In his high school days he was an excellent student, and for two seasons, 1933-1934, he served as manager of the football team. He was a member of the Bema Club, a debating society acting as president in 1934.  After his graduation from Norwich high school, Mr. Burr was employed by the New York State Gas & Electric Company in the local offices of the company here until ill health forced his retirement from active work in May, 1941.  Sept. 16, 1935, Mr. Burr was untied in marriage with Miss Mary Ganley, and their life together, despite his illness, has been a happy one.  She survives with one son, Richard Henry; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon G. Burr of Norwich; a brother, Donald H. Burr, and a sister, Barbara Alice Burr, of Norwich, also his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Charles Burr, of Locust street.  Funeral services are to be held from the home of Mrs. Burr's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Generess, 45 Brown avenue, at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon and at 2:30 in the Congregational church with Rev. Dr. G. Edgar Wolfe officiating.  Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Death Notices

Chenango Telegraph, October 7, 1863

PADGET:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 19, 1863, Florence A. [Padget], aged 4 years and 7 months.  also, same day, Anna E. [Padget], aged 2 years and 5 months.  children of James H. and Almira Padget.

BROWNSON:  At Smithville Flatts [Chenango Co., NY], Sept. 27, 1863, Mrs. Sarah Brownson, aged 80 years.

STILES:  At Berwick City, La., Sept. 22, 1863, of congestive chills, Walt Stiles, a member of Co. C, 114th Regiment, N.Y.S.V. formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  He was a soldier ever prompt and obedient in the discharge of his duty, a friend always affable and obliging, and a man against whom the finger of reproach could not be lifted. We gave him all a soldier has to give, a grave hallowed by the last offering of his surviving comrades.  Sergt. C.S. Briggs