Obituaries (September 17)

On Monday last, William Corbin, an old resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], went with two of his sons, to the woods on their premises, to fight a fire which had caught and was likely to spread.  The young men became separated from the father and went to the house supposing he had gone before them.  Not finding him, they returned to the woods with lanterns and after some searching, found him lying on his face, dead, with his body badly burned in several places.  It is supposed that he became exhausted and lay down to rest when  he was suffocated by smoke and thus burned to death.  His health had not been good for several days and he might have sank down from sheer exhaustion.  His age was 73 years.  [Chenango Telegraph,  May 27, 1875] 

 

The recent and sudden death March 11th, 1914, of Mrs. J.A. Decker was a shock to the community, Mrs. Carrie M. VanCott Decker was born Sept. 6th, 1865, was married from her home in Bainbridge, June 14th, 1893, to Joseph A. Decker, who brought her to his home  here, where they have always resided a devoted and happy couple.  Mrs. Decker though not an invalid, has not been in robust health for many years, and some two weeks before her death suffered an attack of LaGrippe.  She was present and an active participant at the donation of her pastor, Rev. Frances, Friday, March 7th.  Immediately after supper she was taken violently ill.  Her husband accompanied her home when she became unconscious.  Dr. P.A. Hayes was summoned doing everything to alleviate the terrible paroxysms of suffering without avail. Doctors Dodge of Afton, and Palmatier of Sidney, were called in consultation and everything medical science could do, working unremittingly was done, but of no avail.  She passed away quietly Tuesday morning without ever regaining consciousness, in speaking or recognizing those about her.  The cause of her death was uremic poisoning, the result of acute Bright's disease.  Mrs. Decker leaves a wide circle of friends who knew and loved her.  An earnest and invaluable church worker she will be greatly missed in the Presbyterian Church, prominent in social life and every good work, Love and sympathy from all are extended to the bereaved and heart-broken husband in his irreparable loss.  She is survived by her husband, and one sister, Mrs. Philip Wheeler, of Sidney.  The funeral was conducted form her late home, Rev. Frances officiating and interment in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, Chenango Co., NY]. 

"Father in Thy gracious keeping,

leave me now the loved one sleeping."

 

Lyman Banner, aged 25 years, died Tuesday morning at the home of his father-in-lsw, Mr. Hicks, near Binghamton.  The funeral will be held at the Baptist church in Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], Friday at 2 p.m.  The deceased is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Banner of this place.  He was a member of the Bainbridge High School.  He was an exemplary young man and his death creates much sorrow in Bainbridge circles. 

 

The death of Mrs. Julia D. Westcott of Bixby street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], occurred Sunday after an illness of ten months from cancer and which was accompanied by much suffering.  She was the wife of the late Austin E. Westcott who died nine years ago.  On April 7th she passed her 59th birthday and had been a resident of Bainbridge for thirty years, coming here from Otego where Mr. Westcott was engaged to the mercantile business.  She was born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] in 1854 where she resided for some time and where she was married forty-three years ago.  The deceased was prominent in social and church circles of this village being an active and consistent member of the Methodist Church.  She possessed a charming, cultured and kindly nature, and was a person of fine character.  She was very highly esteemed and had numerous friends both at home and abroad.  She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. C.M. Hastings, and a son, Earl D. Westcott, both of this village. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home Rev. C.H. Sackett of Guilford, and Rev. Henry D. Smith of Bainbridge, officiating.  Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].   [1913]

Marriages (September 17)

Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Mason, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] on Friday evening last, it being the 25th anniversary of their marriage, gave at their residence a very elegant and agreeable entertainment, on which occasion, much and truly to their surprise, they found themselves most liberally supplied with silver tokens of esteem.  Among other costly and valuable presents was an entire silver tea set, the joint offering of a few personal friends.  The articles were as gracefully received as they were unexpectedly and appropriately presented; and the whole affair passed off with all the pleasure and happiness that spring from the recurrence of these amenities of a refined and cultivated social life.  [Chenango Union, Sept. 4, 1867]

 

RADEKER - PALMER:  At the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Fletcher Palmer, corner of Elm and Pine streets, last evening at eight o'clock occurred the wedding of Miss Jessica Palmer and Mr. Fred Radeker, both of this village, Rev. John Alison performing the ceremony.  Only the immediate friends and relatives of the bride and groom were present.  Mr. Radeker is one of Deposit's [Delaware Co., NY] most promising young business men, being a member of the Deposit Hardware company since its incorporation and was formerly with S.D. Smith.  Miss Palmer is a bright and attractive young lady, has successfully held a position in the Hancock schools for two years and was formerly teacher in the Deposit school.  A bountiful wedding supper was served after the ceremony and the happy couple left on train 7 for Buffalo and Niagara Falls, where their honeymoon will be spent.  Mr. and Mrs. Radeker will be at home to their many friends at corner of Pine and Elm streets after Oct. 15.  The Courier extends congratulation's.  [Oct. 2, 1901]

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, Nov. 22, 1877

GEER - PARCE:  At the residence of the bride's parents, in Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], on Tuesday morning, Nov. 20th, by Rev. W.H. Williams, Mr. Charles D. Geer, to Miss Hattie Parce, all of Pitcher.

 

PLACE - CURTISS:  At the residence of the bride's parents, in Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14th, by Rev. G.A. Place, of Chenango Forks, Mr. Frank W. Place, to Miss Clara Curtiss, both of Sherburne.

 

PRINCE - DUNN:  In Greene, Nov. 14th, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. David Prince, of Barker, Broome Co., to Mrs. Mianda A. Dunn, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY]

 

PARKER - STOCKWELL:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 9th, by Rev. N.S. Reynolds, Mr. G.W. Parker, to Miss Jennie Stockwell, all of Bainbridge.

 

BENNETT - CORBIN:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 11th, by Rev. N.S. Reynolds, Mr. P. Bennett, to Mrs. Mary J. Corbin, all of Bainbridge.

 

DWORANT - TARBELL:  At the residence of H.D. Smith, Nov. 15th, Mr. Joseph I. Dworant, of Madison, to Miss Ruth A. Tarbell, Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

 

MUDGE - COOK:  In Beaver Meadow, Nov. 17th, by Rev. H.C. Willie, Mr. Van Buren Mudge, of Taylor, Cortland Co., to Miss Emma H. Cook, of Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY]

 

JONES - PERRY:  At the residence of the bridegroom, Nov. 10th, Rev. A.B. Jones, of East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], to Mrs. Perry.

 

FAIRBANKS - PUNCKLE:  In Pharsalia, Nov. 15th, by Rev. J. Clements, Mr. William Edgar Fairbanks, to Miss Caroline Punckle, all of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

 

ANDERSON - STEBBINS:  In Mt. Upton, by Rev. L.B. Yale, Mr. Homer J. Anderson, of Guilford [Chenango Co.,  NY], to Miss Louella D. Stebbins, of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY].   

 

LUM - GAGE:  In South New Berlin, Nov. 4th, by Rev. Walter Scott, Mr. Ira W. Lum, of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Mary J. Gage, of Morris [Otsego Co., NY]. 

 

WIGHTMAN - GAGE:  In South New Berlin, Nov. 4th, by Rev. Walter Scott, Mr. Orin M. Wightman, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Almira A. Gage, of Morris [Otsego Co., NY].

 

Miscellaneous

A Family of Fighters - Corbin Family

Chenango Union, February 6, 1896

 

The Bainbridge Republican has the following about the Corbin Family:  From correspondence with Lemuel Healy, Town Clerk of Dudley, Mass., and with persons in Connecticut, it is found that 15 male members of the Corbin family were soldiers of the Revolutionary war.  They all hailed from Dudley, Mass., and Woodstock, Conn., the latter at that time being a part of the colony of Massachusetts.  All are buried near the home of their youthful days.  The following are the names of the Corbin heroes:  Amasa Corbin, Asa Corbin, Asahel Corbin, Clement Corbin, Daniel Corbin, David Corbin, Elijah Corbin, Elisha Corbin, Eliphalet Corbin, Elhajah Corbin, John Corbin, Jonathan Corbin, Moses Corbin, Peter Corbin, William Corbin--Worcester (Mass.) Spy.  There are several families of Corbins residing in the town of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], William H., Chester and Devillo Corbin who are direct descendants of the above mentioned William Corbin.  Clement Corbin came direct from England.  After the Revolutionary war the Corbins scattered, many of them settled in this State.  [Chenango Union, Feb. 6, 1896]

 

Thomas Collins, 3rd, To be Listed in College Who's Who

Bainbridge News & Republican, December 4, 1941

 

Word has been received by Thomas Collins, Sr., that his grandson, Thomas Collins, 3rd, of Westfield, Mass., who formerly attended the Bainbridge School [Chenango Co., NY], has been chosen as one of 10 seniors of Springfield College who will be listed in the Student's Who's Who publication.  More than 600 Universities cooperate in producing this volume which will be released in January.  Students are selected on the basis of character, leadership, scholarship and potentialities.  Mr. Collins is an honor student in the health and physical education division, and has also been very active in athletics.  With the inclusion of Mr. Collins in this book, the number of Bainbridge students listed in it is brought to three.  In November, 1940, James Ryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.F. Ryan, senior at St. Bonaventure's College, had the distinction of being the first Bainbridge student ever to be listed in the book.  In December, 1940, Georgiana Hovey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hovey, became the first local girl to be listed.  She was then a senior at Schauffler College.  Both Mr. Ryan and Miss Hovey were graduates of Bainbridge Central High School. 

 

John Parsons Re-Elected as Mayor of this Village

Bainbridge News & Republican, March 19, 1942

 

John A. Parsons, general manager of the American Plastics Corp., was elected mayor of the village of Bainbridge Tuesday, polling 34 votes out of 34 cast.  Arthur Clark, Kenneth Eldred and Milton Simonds were elected members of the Board of Trustees each polling 33 votes out of 34 cast.  An organization meeting will be held next Monday night and the regular session will be held the first Monday evening in April.  The deed of the National Milk Sugar Co. was transferred ot the Village of Bainbridge, Wednesday, according to Mayor Parsons.  The property is located at the corner of Front street and East Main street and was purchased primarily for the two deep wells on the property to increase the local water supply. 

 

Board Will Accept Married Teachers

Bainbridge News & Republican, July 23, 1942

 

Discarding a precedent of several years standing, the Bainbridge Central School Board of Education voted at their last meeting to disregard custom for facts and practical measures, and have agreed that married teachers may be engaged to join the faculty of the local school.  The residents of Bainbridge, asked previously to vote their opinions on this matter, gave their approval, and, after weighing the matter, the Board decided to do the same.  For several years it has been the policy of the Board not to continue hiring women teachers after their marriage, and the new ruling now abolishes this.  With the war taking so many of the capable men instructors, it is easily seen that this measure is justified.  Also, after a teacher has given years of service to her work and becomes almost indispensable to pupils and faculty alike, it is fair neither to the school nor to herself to consider her ineligible to continue her teaching after marriage.  Students must be given the best of help and that help must be obtained for them, overruling foolish customs.

 

Carlton Hayes Honored

Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 3, 1942

 

The New York Times, the Christian Science monitor, and some of the other daily papers, all gave prominent mention early this week to the improved condition of public relations between the United States and Spain.  Included in the articles were tributes paid to President Roosevelt's new ambassador to Spain, Professor Carlton J. Hayes, of Columbia University.  A quotation from the New York Sunday Times follows: 

"According to information available in Washington, today, these prospects (of improved relations between Spain and the United States) are considerably better as a result of the work of Professor Carlton J.H. Hayes, of Columbia University, a distinguished Catholic historian who took over our Embassy in Madrid a few months ago, supplemented by our efforts to provide General Franco with the petroleum products and other things necessary to maintain Spanish economy." 

 

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] should be doubly proud of Professor Hayes not only because he represents a diplomatic section of the government, but also because he lived in this section for years and was a member of St. John's Catholic Church here.





A Wild Woman's History

A Wild Woman's History
Story of Lucy Ann Lobdell Slater

Bainbridge Republican, August 19, 1876

 

"There," said Sheriff Mallory Spencer, as he pushed open the ponderous door of one of the cells of the county jail in Honesdale Pa., to a Sun reporter.  "There is a woman with a history."

 

On a low chair in a cell sat a most singular looking person.  A round, wrinkled, sunburned face; small head crowned with thick, shaggy gray hair, that fell down over and almost concealed the blackest and sharpest of eyes; a slender body, clothed in a scant and shabby female garb, and lower limbs encased in tattered trousers--this was the occupant of the cell--Lucy Ann Lobdell Slater, better known as "The Female Hunter of Long Eddy."

 

About forty-five years ago a family named Lobdell lived in Delaware county, N.Y., at what is now the village of Long Eddy on the Delaware river and the Erie railway.  The locality was very sparsely settled then.  Lumbering was the calling of the people of the vicinity.  The Lobdells dwelt in a cabin in the woods, where a daughter, to whom they gave the name of Lucy Ann was born.  From the time this child was old enough to walk she was a great favorite among the hardy woodchoppers and raftsmen. They often took her off to the logging camp and kept her days at a time and she early became inured to the hardships and privations of this life.  The lumbermen in those days were all good hunters, and always carried their rifles with them. Before Lucy Ann was eight years old they had taught her the use of the rifle and she soon became as good a shot as there was in the settlement.  At the age of twelve she could outshoot any of the men, and handled the ax with the dexterity of an old chopper.  Before she had reached the age of sixteen she had killed several deer, and for her to go away into the forest alone and remain over night was not an uncommon thing.  She once slew a panther on one of her hunting exploits, and the skin of the animal is still in the possession of a former sheriff of Wayne county, Pennsylvania.

 

In spite of her masculine tastes, Lucy Ann Lobdell's name as a girl and woman was free from reproach, and she could have had her choice of a husband from the best young men in that or the adjoining settlements.  But she had no inclination to marry, and she rejected all offers.

 

A raftsman named Henry Slater came about the year 1850, to work at the Basket, as the settlement was called.  he formed the acquaintance of Lucy Ann, and to the surprise of everybody they were married.  Slater had proposed to the girl, and she told him that they would shoot at a mark with a rifle.  If he beat her shots, she would marry  him; if not, she would remain with her parents.  The trial of skill took place, and the raftsman was victorious.  Slater proved a worthless husband, and neglected and abused his wife.  A year after they were married Mrs. Slater gave birth to a daughter.  Before it was two weeks old Slater deserted the child and its mother, leaving them in destitute circumstances.  He never returned, and no one knows what became of him.

 

The unhappy young woman went back to her parents, and to work.  After she had for two years tried to get along by doing woman's labor with poor success, she laid aside the apparel of her sex, donned men's clothing and taking her rifle, went into the woods to earn a living for herself and child.  For eight years she roamed the forests of Sullivan and Delaware counties New York State, and Wayne and Pike, in Pennsylvania.  She had cabins in various places, and would return home not more than once a years, and only appeared in the settlements and villages to sell her game and skins and to procure ammunition.  On one of her visits to her child when it was about six years old, her parents complained of having its care on their hands.  She took it away and had it placed in the almshouse at Delhi, and returned to the woods.  During her long career as a hunter she was exposed to fearful hardships and perils.  In the severe winter of 1867 when the snow was over four feet deep on the level in the woods and lasted four months, she never saw a human face, nor heard any voice but  her own.  She was snowbound in one of her cabins in the depth of a Sullivan county wilderness, where she had fortunately stored the proceeds of a few weeks successful hunt.

 

In 1860, shattered physically and mentally, she appeared at the Basket and resumed woman's clothing.  She at times would recount her experiences in the forest, and asserted that in the eight years she had killed 150 deer, eleven bears, numerous wild cats and foxes, besides trapping hundreds of mink and other fur bearing animals.  She had hand-to-hand contests with both wounded deer and bear as ugly scars upon her body amply testified.  For two or three years after her return she led a mendicant sort of life through the valley, and finally entered the poorhouse at Delhi to which she had sent her child several years previously.  This child, however had sometime before been taken out of the institution by a farmer of Damascus township, Wayne county, Pa. named David Fortman, and given a home at his house.

 

In 1865 Lucy Ann Slater was still an inmate of the almshouse, and a singular attachment sprang up between her and a new comer, Mrs. Wilson.  The following year both of them left the county house, and nothing was heard of either of them for two years.  In the summer of 1868 a party of fishermen discovered two strange persons living in a cave in Barrett township, Monroe county, Pa.  They were a man and a woman.  Soon thereafter there appeared in one of the villages a tall, gaunt man, carrying a rifle and leading a half grown bear cub by a string tied about is neck.  The man was bare headed and his clothing was torn and dirty.  Accompanying him was a woman about twenty-five years old. shabbily dressed, but giving evidence of more intelligence than the man, who called himself the Rev. Joseph Lobdell, and said that the woman was his wife.  As they walked about, the man delivered noisy and meaningless "sermons" declaring that he was a prophet of the new dispensation, and that the bear had been sent him by the Lord to guard him in the wilderness.  For two years these vagrants wandered about that part of the county, living in caves and subsisting on roots, berries, and game killed by the man.  At last they were arrested and lodged in jail at Stroudsburg, where they were kept several weeks.  While in jail the discovery was made that they were both women.  Subsequently the authorities learned that they belonged to Delaware county, N.Y. and thither they were sent.  This pretended man and wife were Lucy Anne Slater and Mrs. Wilson, who had been leading this vagabond life four years. 

 

In the meantime Mary Ann Slater the daughter of lacy Ann, who had been taken from the Delhi almshouse in 1859 or 1860, had found an excellent home, and had grown up to be an intelligent and attractive young woman.  A young man named Stone lived near by with his widowed mother, whom he supported.  he loved Mary Ann, and being a worthy and promising youth, the foster father of the girl saw no reason to oppose a match between her and the widow's son. The widow, however was so strongly set against her son's marrying the young lady that the whole neighborhood wondered.  At length, when their marriage seemed certain, Mrs. Stone revealed a state of affairs which fully accounted for her opposition.  She told her son that she was not a widow, and that Henry Slater was his father as well as the father of Mary Ann. 

 

Lucy Ann Slater and Mrs. Wilson again left the Delhi poorhouse, and have ever since been living in caves and cabins in the woods.  The former is at times entirely deranged.  All last winter they lived in a cave ten miles from Honesdale, but they divide their time between Monroe county and this.  Lucy Ann wandered into this county the other day and was arrested.

 

 

 



Obituaries (September 16)

Frankie, aged thirteen months, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lakieher, boarders at the Palmer House in this village, fell from a front window in their room, in the third story of the building, between seven and eight o'clock on Monday morning last, striking upon the plank walk a distance of some thirty feet below.  The fall was witnessed by several in the vicinity who were horror stricken, and the limp and apparently lifeless body was taken up and carried into the hotel parlor, when it was found that life still remained.  Dr. Avery was called, who found that one side of the head was crushed, which with other injuries must prove fatal.  The unconscious little sufferer survived its fall about half an hour.  The parents are almost strangers in town, having removed to this place from Ithaca a few weeks since.  Mr. Lakieher being employed in the cigar shop of Schorn & Follett.  They have the sympathies of the community, in this their sudden and fearful bereavement.  The remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.  --Union.  [Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 12, 1876]

 

Westcott Rockwell, son of C.W. Rockwell, of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], was found dead in his bed, on Thursday morning last, having retired the night previous in his usual health and spirits.  The cause of his death is supposed to have been a fit, he having been subject to such attacks for some time past.  [Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 19, 1876]

 

Joseph Kromer, of Mineral Springs, was killed on Friday night of last week by being struck by a passing train and knocked from the railroad bridge near the Central Bridge station.  Mr. Kromer was about seventy years of age and on account of a slight aberration of mind, was accustomed occasionally to wander away from his home, straying into various parts of the county, so that he had to be watched and kept at home. It was while straying away and doubtless while in the act of crossing the bridge across the Schoharie creek, that he was struck by a passing train on Friday evening and killed either by the blow received from the cars or by falling from the bridge and striking the ground, where his body was found on Saturday--Unadilla Times.  [Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 11, 1876]

 

The Morris Chronicle says:  Oliver Somers, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], formerly a citizen of Morris [Otseog Co., NY], died at his home Oct. 24th, aged 83 years. A good old man has gone to his rest.  [Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 4, 1876]

 

James A. Engle, of Nineveh [Broome Co.,  NY], who has been very ill of Typhoid fever, died Monday, aged 29 years.  His remains were taken to Carbondale for burial.  [Afton Enterprise, Mar. 19, 1891]

 

A North Norwich Mystery:  On Tuesday afternoon of last week the mangled remains of three bodies were discovered on the farm of one Reese, two miles north of  North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] supposed to be those of a man, woman, and a child aged 12 years.  They were covered partially by straw and an old buffalo robe, and had evidently been there a long time.  The remains were all headless, and the right arm of the female missing. The flesh of the bodies had entirely disappeared, and the cords alone remain, dried and clinging to the bones of the skeletons.  Coroner Lyman, of Sherburne, took charge of the remains and removed them to Sherburne.  It has not been ascertained what further disposition has been made of them.  The farm has been unoccupied for some time past and at present, no authentic account can be given of the mystery, but it is thought that the remains were deposited by  medical students [Bainbridge Republican, June 17, 1876]

Marriages (September 15)

BLULER - HASTINGS:  On Thursday evening last in St. Peter's church [Bainbridge, Chenango Co. NY] by the Rev. L.L. Weller occurred the marriage of Harry H. Bluler and Miss Lillian Hastings.  [Afton Enterprise, Feb. 3, 1910]

 

Lewis E. Matteson and Miss Mildred E. Whitman, both of Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], were united in marriage by the Rev. A. Merrill, Monday, August 27.  [Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 30, 1917]

 

The following account of the interesting romance of Captain Parsons taken from The Evening Leader of Richmond, Va., will be read with much pleasure by the many friends of the late Homer Parsons who was his brother: 

Morris Manor, Otsego Co., N.Y., April 17:  A pretty morning marriage took place here today in the Morris Memorial Episcopal Church the Rev. George Mead officiating.  The contracting parties were Miss F. Blanche Masters, of Upton Park, who became the bride of Captain W.A. Parsons, of Vinita, Va.  Miss Masters comes from good old revolutionary stock, she being the great-great granddaughter of Lewis Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of American Independence on her mother's side, and great-great niece of John Quincy Adams, President of the United States, on her father's side.  She is also a cousin of Dr. Lewis Morris, who last fall married Miss Clark, daughter of the Silver king of the West.  There is quite a pretty romance connected with this marriage. It was way back in 1861, when Captain Parsons, then a beardless boy of only twenty-one summers, was making the rounds among his friends and relatives, bidding them good bye preparatory to starting for the seat of war, that he met for the first time Miss Masters, who was at the time visiting Mr. Parson's aunt, his mother's youngest sister.  It was love at first sight.  A few days after this accidental meeting Mr. Parsons left his home for the south.  Immediately after the war Capt. Parsons' health being very much impaired by the hardships of his army life and liking the southern climate, came to Richmond and cast his lot with the people of the south; and in 1866 married a Miss Anna Wright, a native of Fairfax county, Va.  After twenty-six years of a most happy  married life, Captain Parsons was left a widower, and it was a little more than year thereafter that Captain Parsons, whilst on a visit north met again, for the first time in thirty years, his aunt. And then it was through information received from her that he learned, for the first time, that his love for Miss Masters was reciprocated.  She had never married and had lived all these years a life of devotion to her widowed mother and invalid brother, who were both taken from her by the relentless hand of death within a few days of each other, and for the past four years she has been alone in the world occupying Upton Park mansion, the old Morris  homestead left to her by her mother, with only a faithful old family servant for her companion.  But alas, this information of reciprocated love had come too late, for Capt. Parsons had then become engaged to Mrs. Caroline Wesley, daughter of E.B. Wesley Esq., of Port Chester, N.Y., one of New York's millionaires, whom he married and eight years thereafter the hand of death again left him a widower.  And now, although,Miss Masters is Captain Parsons' third wife, and he has passed his sixtieth birthday, he has promised to love and cherish his first love as long as they both shall live, and will strive to make her life as happy as possible.  Immediately after the ceremony they took the train for the South, where they intend to make their home in the future.  Captain Parsons is one of the best known men in this section of Virginia.  His pretty home at Vinita is one of the most attractive on James River.  For nine years he was sheriff of Goochland county and made a model officer.  He has been an upbuilder of the State for years, having perhaps been the instrument of the settlement of more desirable homebuyers in the counties above Richmond than any other man.  Captain Parsons is president and general manager of the James River Valley Colonization and improvement co., with offices at No. 810 East Main St., this city.  [about 1901/02]

 

 

Obituaries (September 15)

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  The remains of Rufus Bluler, formerly of this place, who died at his home near Harpursville [Broome Co., NY] last week, were interred in the Episcopal cemetery, Bainbridge, Sunday.  [Chenango Union, Dec. 5, 1889]

 

The body of Mary Bluler, who died in Harpursville [Broome Co., NY] last Friday, the eldest daughter of Rufus Bluler, now deceased, was brought here for burial in the Episcopal Cemetery Sunday.  Rufus Bluler came to Bainbridge from Germany fifty years ago and lived for many years in the small house on the Dr. Freiot farm on the hill north of the village.  [Bainbridge Republican, April 22, 1896]

 

One of our well known and respected citizens has been taken from our midst.  Arthur More, Esq., died on the 15th inst. at two o'clock of chronic Bright's disease.  He was born Nov. 18th, 1847 at Roxbury, Del. Co.  He was a lineal descendant of John More who settled in Roxbury in 1772, where the More family in after years became numerous and influential.  An extended history of this family, among the members of which Jay Gould became perhaps more widely known, was published some years ago and was very generally distributed throughout the county.  Mr. More spent his boyhood with an uncle, the death of his mother at an early age making such step necessary.  His literary education was obtained in the academies at Delhi and Franklin.  Coming to Deposit when a young man, he studied law with his father, Taylor More, who was a distinguished attorney practicing his profession in the various courts of the state and of the United States.  Arthur was admitted to practice in the courts of this state thirty-one years ago.  He has continued to practice his profession with an office in Deposit since that time, building up for himself a business and reputation second to none.  In 1877 he married Miss Ida B. Parker, daughter of J.O. Parker, Esq., of Deposit, who with three children, Edna B., Donald S., and Marion G., survive him.  Mr. More was always identified with the Republican party in politics and was prominently mentioned as a candidate for county judge of Delaware County, lacking but two votes of a nomination.  He was a bright Mason, had been Worshipful master of the Deposit lodge and High priest of the Deposit chapter. He was a genial companion, steadfast to his friends, a kind and loving husband and father.  There could no one have been taken from among us who will be more universally mourned than Arthur More. Throughout a long and painful sickness he bore himself with fortitude and without complaining. The funeral will be held at his late residence Friday afternoon, Rev. Alfred Coons, D.D., officiating.  [1902]

 

Mrs. Theodora Bartlett Payne, wife of Elmer B. Payne, died at her home in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], Friday evening at ten o'clock, after an illness of about two months.  Mrs. Payne had been critically ill in the early stages of her sickness, the result of appendicitis and peritonitis combined.  Her physician did not deem it advisable to resort to an operation for the former disease, fearing a fatal termination, but did everything possible, otherwise united with careful nursing, to bring her out of her alarming condition and all were pleased and gratified, some three weeks since, to note favorable indications for her recovery.  She improved quite rapidly and was able to sit up some and joined quite cheerily in making plans for the family and talked much of seeing her son Edward S. Payne, who was expected home in a short time from the Bahama Islands where he had passed the winter.  She was very happy in having her other children and her husband constantly about her anticipating every wish and desire for her comfort.  All went well until Friday evening, March 14, when after having passed a pleasant and comfortable day, Mrs. Payne was taken violently worse and declined rapidly until the end came, lapsing into unconsciousness two days before her death.  In the first part of her illness, Mrs. Payne suffered so much and being aware of the serious nature of her ailments she was impressed with the belief that she could not recover and talked calmly of her readiness to leave this world, if death were decreed, and anticipated meeting her friends who had preceded her to the life beyond.  A beautiful feature of Mrs. Payne's home life was the gift for music which her family had inherited and cultivated to a large degree by voice and various instruments.  The family reunions were always signalized by impromptu concerts that gave the mother intense enjoyment, but she loved best of all to hear those stirring hymns with their sweet refrains appealing directly to the heart.  As by some prophetic intuition that her life was to be cut short, Mrs. Payne had expressed the wish as often she had heard sung the beautiful hymn, "I'm Going Home, to Die No More,"  that it might be sung at her bedside as she was dying, and in compliance with this desire the solemn scene was enacted by the members of the household gathering at her couch and singing the loved hymn to the spirit just upon the verge of eternity.  Mrs. Payne, who had always lived in Bainbridge, was born fifty-five years ago.  Her parents were Deacon Abel and Hannah Bartlett and the deceased was the fifth child.  She was united in marriage with Elmer B. Payne, April 25, 1866. She was  a woman much respected, energetic, the domestic virtues being prominent.  No care, labor or sacrifice was deemed too great to bestow upon her husband and children.  She was a kind neighbor, and her cheerful disposition and pleasant greetings will be greatly missed by them, and by the sick and by all who knew her.  She was an attendant of the M.E. church and had she lived would have become a member of that denomination. Besides her husband, Mrs. Payne leaves six children;  three sons, Edward S. Payne, of Plattsburg, N.Y., Frank B. and Butler B. Payne, of Bainbridge; three daughters, Mrs. Grace D. Hastings, Mrs. Alice L. Neff and Mary E. Payne, of Bainbridge.  there are three sisters, Mrs. A.L. Palmer, of Bainbridge, Mrs. Almira Cole and Mrs. Maria Jones, of Chicago.  The funeral was held from the home at two o'clock, Monday afternoon.  The attendance was very large and besides the officiating clergyman, Rev. J. S. Crompton, the other churches were represented by the Revs. Chas. D. Reed, Arthur Spaulding and Alexander H. Grant.  The selections of music were sung by Mrs. R.W. Kirby, Mrs. W.W. Hovey and the Messrs. Daniel Banner and Hopkins.  The bearers were H.W. Whitman, Melvin Yale, Perry Rood, A.E. Westcott, George Taylor and Chas. Norton.  The burial was in Green Lawn cemetery. [March 26, 1902]

 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Barton has been saddened by the death of their youngest child, little Arthur Leland Barton, aged four years.  Death resulted from bronchial pneumonia, following a severe attack of whooping cough, from which he had suffered for several weeks.  The parents have the sympathy of the entire community.  The funeral was held from the house.  Rev. G.E. VanWoert officiating.  [Afton Enterprise, Feb. 3, 1910]

 

Belden [Broom Co., NY]:  Death has again entered our neighborhood and taken a respected resident, Edward Bluler.  Thus we are going one by one.  Mr. Bluler passed away at his home on Friday night, February 10th, aged 78 yrs.  He had been a great sufferer for the past six weeks.  Everything was done for him by loving hands, his wife and two sons and daughter, also a trained nurse, but his time had come and he answered the call.  He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, two sons, Harry and Lloyd of Bainbridge, and a daughter, Mrs. Devillo Minor of Port Crane, also three grandchildren, Helen and Rollin Bluler and Cora Bell Minor, and a niece, Mrs. Bly of Coventry; also many friends.  The funeral was held Monday at the Belden church at 2 o'clock, Rev. F.W. Ford of Harpursville officiated.  The casket was covered with beautiful flowers, showing the esteem in which he was held by his friends.  The bearers were:  Clarence Wood, Frank Forsythe, Ed. Fairchilds, Will Pratt.  He was laid to rest in the Pratt cemetery.  H.G. Kark of Harpursville was the funeral director.  [Afton Enterprise, Feb. 16, 1928]

Soldier News continued - 1942

Miles Harrington Safe at Pearl Harbor

Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 15, 1942

 

Mrs. Lynn Merchant, of Sidney, has received a letter from her nephew, Miles Harrington, of the U.S. Navy, who was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the surprise attack by the Japs.  He escaped injury.  Miles, who is the son of Rufus Harrington, of Otego [Otsego Co..,  NY', spent his boyhood days in the Rogers Hollow area. 



William Tillson Slightly injured

Bianbridge News & Republican, Jan. 22, 1942

 

Howard  J. Tillson, of Morris, R.D.1 [Otsego Co., NY], is the recipient of a telegram signed by the adjutant general's office in Washington.  The telegram read:  "The secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, William P. Tillson, was slightly wounded in action in defense of his country in the Philippine Islands, Dec. 9."  Private Tillson enlisted in August, 1940, for service in the air corps and went to the Philippines about a year ago. 

Pvt. George Arakelian Called Back

Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 29, 1942

 

Pvt. George Arakelian, formerly of Camp Blanding, and for the past three months on the reserve list, has been called by the Army and has left for Ft. Niagara, where he will be assigned to active duty.  Pvt. Arakelian was one of the many draftees of over 28 who were released by the service during the general discharge of nearly all the selectees in that age bracket.  Pvt. Arakelian is a brother of Mrs. Claude Butler of this village. 

 

Mahoney Brothers Enlist in Army

Bainbridge News & Republican, Feb. 12, 1942

 

Daniel L. Mahoney and Robert J. Mahoney, sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Mahoney, of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], have enlisted in the U.S. Army and left for Fort Niagara last week.  Dan has been employed at Dude's barber shop, Bainbridge, and Bob was chef at the Central Hotel last Summer.  Both are graduates of Bridgewater High School and they are grandsons of the late Edward L. Fallahee, former well-known cigar manufacturer of Binghamton.

 

Gunner Wahlberg Receives Rank of Lieutenant

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 17, 1942

 

Mr. and Mrs. John Wahlberg and Mr. and Mrs. George Kaufinger received announcements of the graduation of Gunner Wahlberg, son of the former, from the bombardier Air School at Victoryville, Calif., with the rank of lieutenant.  He will serve as a bombardier.  When he enlisted in the U.S.A. he was employed at the "Moses Cronk Co." in Guilford.  He is a Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] boy.

 

Clifford Smith Joins Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, October 1, 1942

 

Another new Navy man from Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] is Clifford Lewis Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Smith of R.D.1.  A graduate of Bainbridge Central High School in 1940, Clifford attended the Sidney Vocational School for one year following his graduation and was then employed in the local Separator Co., where he worked up to his enlistment.  In school, Clifford was active in athletics, playing basketball and managing baseball teams; in addition, he was a member of the Echo yearbook staff, of Press Club and of Art Club.  Clifford enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 15 and left one week later for Binghamton, where he entrained for Albany where he was sworn into the service.  He is now at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.  Clifford has an older brother, Stanley, who entered the Army on Sept. 24. 

 

 

 



Letter from Ambrose Lyon, 1825

Letter Written by Ambrose Lyon in 1825

 

A letter has recently come to light that proves to be of considerable interest to Mrs. H.H. Bluler, of this place [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], and is of interest to Mrs. C.D. Thornton.  It was written by Mrs. Bluler's great grandfather in 1825 and Charles was Mrs. Thornton's grandfather.  As some of the items contained in it have reference to events in this town [Bainbridge], it is herewith reproduced.  It reads as follows:

 

"Bainbridge, Feb. the 23, 1825

"Inasmuch as I promised to write to you, I now take the opportunity to write.  I received your letter with much delight.  I returned safe home and found my friends all well, and health yet prevails in this place.  Snowball performed the journey very well and has done considerable work this winter.  I sold him last week for twenty dollars.  As for Charles and myself, we have been chopping and clearing this winter, as we have had but very little snow and we have had a fine chance for clearing.  We have both worked like slaves.

 

"We expect to have a canal from Utica from the other canal to come through this town.  The ground has been looked out.  They have now petitioned the Assembly for a grant.

 

"We are getting out timber for a barn.  My business will be such I don't calculate to come down there next spring, but Samuel thinks he shall try old Dutchess once more.  The young people in this place are wide awake and full of fluke.  They have weddings once a fortnight.  Cousin Eli Seeley was married last Thursday and we had a fine time, and Charles was waiter, which perhaps will make you think of old times.  Charles has been roving about this part of the vineyard and does not find a girl to suit him yet, and he wishes to know how Miss Ellen stands, and if the black jacket girl is yet ready.  And if Deborah is not tired of waiting and Catharine has forgotten the mistake, he thinks he shall come and take a second look.

 

"I shall ever remember the happy seasons we have taken together while about our daily business, and the kindness you and your parents have been to me whilst I was there.  May we so live in this life that in the world to come we may have life everlasting.  As we have no lease of our lives, it stands us in hand to be prepared to meet the Lord when He shall see fit to call us from time to a vast eternity that we may hear the well done welcome approbation, Come ye blest of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

"As time will not permit, I must close my letter and endeavor to write more next time.  I should be pleased to hear from you as often as once a month.  I will engage to write to you as often as you will to me.  Please to write to me as soon as you can.  Give my respects to all enquiring friends.  I still remain your sincere friend and well wisher.

 

Ambrose Lyon"                   

_____________________________

 

This letter is written on paper that after being folded once is about eight by fifteen inches, and the paper is now of good quality.  There are then three folds made from the top and one from the bottom.  After that both ends are folded in so that one is thrust within the other and then a red seal is affixed.  The address is now written, "Mr. Amos Lyon, Clinton town, Dutchess county,"  At the lower left end corner in an other handwriting is Bainbridge, N.Y., and in the lower right hand corner is 12-1/2.  That was undoubtedly the work of the post master and the amount of postage paid.

 

There is no way of telling how good a horse Snowball was, but he seems to have done a bit of work for a twenty-dollar horse.  Horses had some value then, for there is record of colts bringing a hundred dollars.  About that canal, it may be news to many that a canal was proposed for Bainbridge.  One was surveyed from Utica, down the Unadilla to the Susquehanna, but there it halted, for some wanted it to go on to the Delaware River, probably by way of Bettsburg, not a bad route, while others had different views.  While they were quarreling, Chenango valley folks got busy and secured a charter for the canal from Utica, up the Oriskany and over the divide, then down the Chenango to Chenango Point (Binghamton).  Thus Bainbridge folks lost their canal, never to be regained, and it was more than forty years before they had a railroad.  No wonder that in their desperation they undertook the building of a steamboat.  They built it, but found that certain work must be done in the river before good results could be expected.  When a representative went to Albany for necessary legislation, he found railroad men there to get legislation for the road, and he gave up his plan for a steamboat line.

 

That chopping and clearing and getting timber for a barn was probably on the farm now owned by J.R. Doolittle, for that was the home farm where Ambrose and Charles were brought up.  Ambrose's allusions to Charles and the Dutchess county girls may not include all there was.  You  note the awkward last sentence in the paragraph.  Possibly Ambrose himself may not have been totally oblivious to the charms of Dutchess county maidens.  Ambrose was religious and was one of the founders of the Methodist Church in Bainbridge.

 

Post Listings, September 8-14, 2014

Listing of blog postings for the week of September 8-14, 2014

Marriages

Posted September 8, 2014

Mr. & Mrs. Gaylord S. Graves (25th anniversary, 1902)

William Augustus Parsons - Frances Blanche Masters (1901)

Posted September 9, 2014
Shirley Turtur - Stanton E. Finch (engagement, 1945)
Helen Conklin Sullivan - Clinton Edwards (1945)
Winona M. Arnold - Russell M. Criddle (1945)
Edna Phelps - Linn Olds (1945)
Anna C. Donahue - Henry C. Shapley (1945)

Posted September 10, 2014
Annie Estelle Thompson - Frank Archibald Tasker (1902
Mae Elizabeth Bristol - Charles H. Greene (1905)
Margaret Shaver - Winnie Cook (1941)
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Moore (38th anniversary, 1941)
Ethel Bopko - Lewis Shampang (1941)

Posted September 11, 2014


Charles Merton Hastings - Edith Amelia Westcott (1900)

George Henry Minor - Florence Janet McLeod (1900)

Barbara Clara Beardsley - Harold Smith (engagement, 1941) 

Marjorie Bush - Carl Hendrickson (1942)

Martha E. Northrup - Jacob W. Finch (1942)

Marion Bennett - Amasa B. Burlison (1942)

Marriage notices:

     Stephen M. Lanckton - Alice C. Gifford (1876)

     William H. Willits - Elizabeth Banner (1876)

     Charles Jones - Augusta J. Ireland (1876)

     R.D. Bush - Margaret Lilley (1876)

     William A. Davis - Jennie E. Barney (1876)

Posted September 12, 2014
Wealtha Anna Sprague - Morton B. Cooper (1920)
Mr. & Mrs. George Bentley (50th Anniversary, 1915)
Marriage notices
     Chenango American, June 14, 1860
        Charles A. Johnson - Hannah E. Ingersoll (Smithville)
        Theodore Hill - Mary Mead (McDonough/Norwich)
        Calvin L. King - Annette L. Lewis (Smyrna/Otselic)
        Nehemiah Barnes - Phebe Ann Webb (McDonough)
        Willard M. Bentley - Laura Eggleston (Guilford/Bainbridge)
     Chenango American, Feb. 20, 1873
        William J. Holmes - Ellen Valentine (Cincinnatus/Marathon)
        William Mericle - Libbie Dietrich (Cincinnatus/Marathon)
        George E. Ketchum - Ida M. Thurber (Willet/Upper Lisle)
        Daniel T. Bowdish -= Flora D. Eaton (Freetown)

Posted September 13, 2014
Ruth M. Kelle Brooks - Edward Dexter Chapin (engagement, 1945)
Mabel E. Thompson - Harold L. Payne (1942)
Wahneta McCully - Edson Presley (1942)
Bernice Cook - Paul Robek (1942)
Pauline Page - John Merrill (1942)
Rev. & Mrs. J.W. Bump (45th Anniversary, 1942)
Wilma [-?-]owel - Burton Banks (1942)
 

 

Obituaries

Posted September 8, 2014

Josephine Titus Hammond (Auburn, 1945)

Felicia Bretz (Afton, 1945)

Elizabeth Kelly (Jersey City NJ, 1945)

Clarence Bird (Sidney, 1945)

Charles Prentice (Lanesboro PA, 1945)

Donald Seymour (Bainbridge, 1945)

Posted September 9, 2014
Mrs. Ivan Rose (Sidney, 1941)
Mary E. Kinch (Masonville, 1945)
Pauline Brewen Skahan (Norwich, 1945)
LaVerne Drake (Walton, 1945)
Nettie C. DuMond (Chenango Bridge, 1945)
Robert Vroman (Doraville, 1945)
Death Notices Chenango Union, Nov. 25, 1863
     Catharine Fisher (Norwich)
     Clara R. Bellows (Norwich)
     George A. Wagner (Norwich)
     Charles N. Hale (Norwich)
     Lucinda Turner (Preston)
     Frankie Davis (Greene)
     Abiah Hiller (McDonough)
     Levi Benedict (East Greene)
     John D. West (Pitcher) Civil War Soldier
     Park Benjamin (Pharsalia) Civil War Soldier
     Chester Cook (New Berlin) Civil War Soldier

Posted September 10, 2014
William Huntley (Guilford, 1881)
Levi Watson (Middleburgh, 1876)
Daniel Youngs (Oxford, 1876)
C. Chilson (Sherburne, Canastota, 1876)
Death Notices
     Chenango Telegraph, April 1, 1835
        Mrs. Gates Wilcox (Wellsborough PA)
     Chenango Union, December 9, 1863
        Nelson H. Nash (Norwich)
        William Mermy (Norwich)
        Benjamin Gorton Kingsley (Norwich)
        Mary Chapin (Norwich)
        Nancy Rich (South New Berlin)
        Maryette Beckwith (McDonough)

Posted September 11, 2014
Lucy M. Newton (Binghamton, 1876)
Elizabeth McKinley Vail (Bainbridge, 1902)
George E. Caswell (Deposit, 1902)
Anthony Esposito (Sidney, 1941)
Maude A. Mosher (Memorial presentation, 1941)
Charles Edward Clark (Afton, Bennettsville, 1942)

Posted September 12, 2014
Hannah Bentley (Bainbridge, 1903)
Maria C. Bowen (Guilford, 1928)
Adelaide Frances Godfrey (Guilford, Sidney, 1928)
Curtis Allen Bentley (Guilford, 1928)
Mariettie Bentley (Bainbridge, 1928)
George Augustus Bentley (Bainbridge, 1918)
Death notices
     Chenango American, June 14, 1860
        W. Dwight Smith (Greene)
        Emma Jane Taylor (Pitcher)
        Tabitha Runyan (Cortland, Oxford)
        Zachariah Prindle (Unadilla)
     Chenango American, Feb. 20, 1873
        Nancy P. Read (Smithville)
        Wallace E. Porter (Oxford)
        Willard M. Bentley (Guilford)
        Almon Blackman (Preston)
        Dea. Charles Benedict (Sherburne)
        Orcelia E. Drake (Norwich)

Posted September 13, 2014
Mary P. Mathis (Windsor, 1945)
Hattie A. Hastings (Bainbridge, Binghamton, 1945)
Stacy B.D. Belden (Franklin, 1945)
Wesley G. Faber (Laurens, 1945)
J. Gordon Shoglund (West Laurens, 1945)
John H. Gallegher (Hale Eddy, 1945)
George Lockwood (Nineveh Junction,  1945)
Earnest L. Prentice (Hillcrest, 1945)

Posted September 14, 2014
Lyman Dexter (1876)
Lewis Payne (Greene, 1876)
Devillo White Corbin (Bennettsville, 1917) Civil War veteran
Kathleen Brennan (Bainbridge, Johnson City, 1917)
Myrtle Smith (Unadilla, 1942)
Peter MacDonald (Sidney, 1942)
Cordelia Hubbard (Perch Pond, 1942)
Death Notices
     Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 11, 1876
        Rhoda C. Nusom (Triangle)
     Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 23, 1876
        Charles Burditt (Somers Lane, PA)
        Lydia L. Bennett (Bainbridge)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted September 8, 2014

First Hand Story of Pearl Harbor Attack (1942)

D.M. Copley Elected as Director of The Norwich Pharmacal Co. (1945)

Miss Wilcox to Graduate form Syracuse University (1941)

Marian Beatty Awarded State Scholarship (1941)

Local Students Read for College (1941)

Posted September 9, 2014
Pearl Harbor Eye-Witness Account given by Dorothy Harman Neff (1942)
America's Dairy Queen Competition in Chenango County, NY (1942) - Photos
     Martha Wilcox - Oxford
     Evelyn Thunheim - Norwich
     Barbara Tingley - Afton
     Silvia Silvey - Guilford
     Roberta Shawler - New Berlin
     Lillian Ryan - Greene
     Jean Pearsall - South New Berlin
     Dorothy L'Hommedieu - South Otselic
     Rose Herdeker - Mt. Upton
     Jean Dolly - Sherburne
     Dorothy Branham - Bainbridge
     Caroline Blanchard - Smyrna
 



Posted September 10, 2014
New Faces at Bainbridge Central High School - 1941
     Ralph Petrizzi (teacher of Spanish, French & English I)
     Mr. Argiro (Art teacher)
     Lucia Mason (History teacher)
     Michael Sawyer (Junior High teacher)
     George Stangler (Mathematics teacher)
     Helen & Betty Haase (new high school students)

Posted September 11, 2014
Soldier News continued
     Robert Broadfoot Enlists in Navy (1942)
     Army Advancement for Lt. James Ryan (1942)
     Inscription Posted in St. Peter's Church (1942)
     Many Brothers in the Service (1942)

Posted September 12, 2014
The "Refugees" Met here in 1905
Soldier News continued
     Farewell Party for Maurice Colwell (1942)
     Farewell Party for Local Enlistees (Paul Rosenstein, Al Palmer) (1942)
     T/5 Clifton Jackson Returns to Civilian Life (1945)
     Jack Goad Discharged from Army (1945)
     Cpl. Clarence B. Youngs Home form Burma-India (1945)

Posted September 13, 2014
Jennison Station Dedication Planned (1945)
Soldier News continued
     S/Sgt Edwin T. Hopkins Given Discharge (1945)
     Cpl. Stanley Hutchinson Awarded Bronze Medal (1945)
     More Young Men Join the Service (1942)

Posted September 14, 2014
BCHS Graduations, 1942
     Name Winners of Graduating Honors
     Announce Program for Commencement
     Plan Junior High Commencement
     Only 19 Seniors in Wartime Graduation
Soldier News continued - 1942
     Three More Now in the Service - Henry Supplee, Earl Neidlinger, Robert Knowles
     Mary Brennan with Army
     Billy Grow Joins the Navy
    

Soldier News continued - 1942

Three More Now in the Service

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 6, 1942

Three more of Bainbridge's [Chenango Co., NY] young men have seen their duty and have answered the increased call of Uncle Sam for voluntary enlistment in the armed forces of the country, and each young man has selected a different branch of the service.  The youths who have enlisted are Henry A. Supplee, son of Dr. and Mrs. G.C. Supplee of this village; Earl Neidlinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Neidlinger, of Bainbridge; and Robert Knowles, son of Lloyd Knowles, of Utica [Oneida Co., NY].

Henry Supplee, known to his friends as "Bud," graduated from the local central high school in 1937, after completing successfully a scholastic program punctuated with many notable entrances into the extra-curricular activities of the high school.  Not only did "Bud" excel at athletics--football, basketball, etc., but he also was active in the Band and in Dramatics and Public Speaking.  He won a medal for public speaking and was one of the leading actors in a play, "Skyfodder," which won the local school honors in the annual sectional contests.  On graduating from the local school, "Bud" spent a year at Manlius military School in preparation for his entrance into a University.  At Manlius he continued his athletics.  In 1938, he entered Cornell University, and soon made himself known there too, for his prowess on the field of sports.  During his Freshman year, he was a member of the crew squad.  his next year saw him on the Varsity Football squad an din his senior year he played on the Rugby team.  He also continued his Dramatics an dtook par tin several plays.  He was a member of th Theta Xi fraternity and during his last three years he officiated as junior officer, house mnager and president in successiotn.  "Bud" graduated this year from Cornell with his A.B. degree after completing his specialized course in Economics and pre-law.  Prior to his decision to enlist in the service, he had been accepted for the Cornell Law School and for the University of Michigan Law School.  Although his plans to became a lawyer have been upset, Henry was determined to enlist and tried both the Navy and the Marine Corps before finally being accepted by the Army.  During his school vacations he worked at the Dry Milk Company, national Milk Sugar company, and in the wholesale department of the Durham Milk Products, Inc. Durham, N.C.  "Bud" enlisted in the United States Army on Monday, Aug. 3, and will leave on Aug. 10 to be assigned to duty.

 

Earl Niedlinger graduated from the local  High School in 1939.  While at school, Earl was an ardent follower of basketball and football land was a valuable addition to the courts and gridirons, aiding his alma mater to chalk up many a victory.  He also was a member of the school Glee Club and an amateur of merit in the Dramatics Club, participating in many plays and speaking contests. On graduating from the local school, Earl was employed in G.L.F. Branches in Bainbridge, Cincinnatus, Sidney and Cortland.  On July 29 he enlisted in the United States Navy and left for training school at Newport, R.I., on Aug. 3.  Earl has a brother, Frederick Neidlinger, also in the service of Uncle Same, but in another division, the Army.

 

Robert Knowles graduated from the Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] High School in 1936 and, like the other two boys, was an ardent sports enthusiast, playing basketball and football both on the Sherburne and Earlville teams.  "Bob" was employed by the Dry Milk Co. before leaving to work in the Scintilla nearly three years ago.  During his year in Bainbridge, "Bob" made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Risedorph at 14 Evans street, and made many friends who regret to see him go, yet admire his spirit.  "Bob" enlisted in the Marine Corps two weeks ago and reported for duty, Monday.  To these three typical American youths, Bainbridge extends her heartiest handshakes and all wishes for the best of luck in an uncertain future. 

 

Miss Mary Brennan With Army

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 27, 1942

 

The first Bainbridge woman to serve with the U.S. Army is Miss Mary Brennan, R.N., of New York City, a former resident and high school student in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Miss Brennan, who is the daughter of Joseph Brennen, well known to many of our readers stopped off on her way back from the Pacific Coast and spent a few days last week with her uncle, Thomas Collins.  Miss Brennan offered her services for overseas Army Nursing and has received a commission as second lieutenant and is scheduled to report for duty on Sept. 1 at the Army Hospital, Fort Dix, N.J.  A graduate of the Fifth Avenue Hospital, New York City, Miss Brennan has practiced as a nurse in that metropolis for a number of years.  the best wishes of all her Bainbridge friends and former neighbors are extended to this gallant young American who is an excellent example of womanhood, whose sex has not prevented her form doing more than her share. 

 

Billy Grow Joins the Navy

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 3, 1942

 

Billy Lee Grow, son of Clint Grow, of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], and Mrs. Leone Grow, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] has enlisted in the U.S. Navy and left Tuesday for Albany where he under went his final examination.  Billy, popular youth of B.C.H.S., starred in athletics while in high school and on the All-Star letter for football.  In addition, he played baseball and basketball and was active in track meets.  In his Freshman year, he managed the baseball team.  On completion of his  high school course, Bill was employed at  the local Resin Plant until he resigned to enlist in the Navy on Friday, Aug. 28.  He will work in the airplane mechanics ground crew of the Navy and is one of several boys from his class who have enlisted in some branch of the service.  The enlistment of this young boy marks the beginning of the disappearance of the younger set of the town from civilian habitants.  Ted Searles, John Burgin, Ivor Bosket, Earl Neidlinger, and many others, all of whom were in school together, are now serving uncle Sam and the youth of Bainbridge seems overnight to have grown up, realized their responsibilities and taken the great step forward. The heart-felt wishes for success are extended to Bill Grow by all his many friends.

 

 

Obituaries (September 14)

Lyman Dexter was sitting in a rocking chair, attended by Mr. R.B. Searles, his neighbor, at the time of his death last Monday.  Mr. Searles noticed his breathing as usual.  After this both sat quietly for a few moments, when Mr. S. looked around upon Mr. Dexter, and saw that he was sitting in his chair, dead, not the least struggle or visible effort for breath having been made.--Home Sentinel. [Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 16, 1876)

 

The remains of Lewis Payne, of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], one of the victims of the tragedy at the Brooklyn Theatre, passed through this city yesterday morning in charge of his brother, who went to Brooklyn to bring them home for interment.  Lewis had evidently perished from suffocation, his body having been but slightly touched by the flames.  The identification of his remains was competed by his clothing and a letter from his mother found in his pocket.--Bing. Times, 11th inst.  [Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 16, 1876]

 

We regret to note that last week's issue failed to mention the death of one of our oldest citizens, Devillo White Corbin, who was born October 8, 1835 and died July 22, 1917.  He enlisted in the Civil war in the 5th N.Y. Heavy Artillery, was rejected by the Federal Surgeons, and was discharged after serving as assistant in the Hospital for more than a year.  He was a life long resident of his farm near Bennettsville [Chenango Co., NY], and was a kind neighbor and a true friend.  He is survived by a brother and a son and three daughters. 

 

Died at the State Hospital, Binghamton, Aug. 18, Kathleen Brennan, wife of Joe Brennan; a former resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Her burial was in Calvery Cemetery, Johnson City [Broome Co., nY].  [Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 30, 1917]

 

Donna Lee Bennett, 17 months old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Bennett, of Portsmouth, N.H., died in the Portsmouth Hospital Wednesday night of last week as the result of a truck accident.  Little Donna wandered away from her home at a trailer camp and was struck by a truck delivering ice at the camp about 10 o'clock Wednesday morning.  She suffered a brain injury which caused her death.  Her father is employed by the Lane Construction Co.  She is survived by her parents, three brothers, David, 8; Carl, 6; and Dick, 4; and her grandmother, Mrs. Clara Bennett, of Bainbridge.  The body was brought to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] where services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Colwell's Chapel with the Rev. R. Lewis Johnson officiating.  Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 14, 1942]

 

Miss Myrtle Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, died Tuesday night, aged twenty years.  Funeral will be held from the home on Friday at 10 A.M. with the Rev. O.L. Buck officiating.  Burial will be in Unadilla Cemetery [Otsego Co., NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 7, 1942]

 

Peter MacDonald, nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward MacDonald, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], was drowned in the Susquehanna River last week Thursday about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.  According to reports the MacDonald boy and Lester Trees, six, son of Mr and Mrs.  L.W. Trees of Sidney, were fishing from a boat tied to the shore in back of the home of Dr. A.H. McClelland, Weir street.  The Trees boy started home and as young MacDonald called to him to stay, he turned around and saw his companion fall from the boat into the river.  Sidney Emergency Squad was summoned and State Troopers called who found the body about two hours later in 15 feet of water.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 28, 1942]

 

Mrs. Cordelia Hubbard assed away Monday, May 4, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cora Woods, of this place, at 8 P.M.  She was born Sept. 17, 1856, at Vallonia Springs and lived there until her marriage to Lyman D. Hubbard, of Doraville, Aug. 16, 1872, until his death, after that she lived at Perch Pond Hill for a number of years, then she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Cora Woods, of the Valley, until her death and she was followed in death by her youngest daughter, Mrs. Delbert Rowe, of Perch Pond Hill, the same night only one hour later.  She became a member of the Methodist Church at the age of 16 and was always a faithful member.  Funeral services were held at the Colwell funeral home Wednesday, May 6.  Sermon was by her former pastor, the Rev. Z. James Hall, of West Nicholson, assisted by the Rev. G. Louis Jones, of Binghamton.  Burial was at Perch Pond Hill.  She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Mrs. Cora Woods, 13 grandsons with four acting as bearers, and 23 great grandchildren.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, May 14, 1942]

 

Death Notices

Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 11, 1876

NUSOM:  At Triangle, N.Y. [Broome Co., NY], September 20, 1876, Rhoda C. Nusom, aged 50 years, 9 months and 6 days. 

 

Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 23, 1876

BURDITT:  At Somers Lane, Tioga Co., Pa., Dec. 1, 1876, Charles Burditt, aged 78 years, 4 months, and 18 days.

 

BENNETT:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on the 18th inst., Mrs. Lydia l. Bennett, wife of Lewis H. Bennett, aged 57 years.

 

BCHS Graduation 1942

Name Winners of Graduating Honors

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 14, 1942

 

Graduating honors in Bainbridge Central High School [Chenango Co., NY] this year were copped by six girls, with Marian Cudworth as valedictorian and Elaine Barre as salutatorian.  The honor students are Mary Lou Branham, Carm Delello, Ethel Meade and Jean Bacon.  The girls all have been very active during their four years of high school, both in curricular and extra-curricular activities.  Their achievements follow:

 

Elaine Barre:  Glee Club, 1-2-3; Press Club, 4; Commercial Contest first prize winner, 2-3; softball, basketball B, play days; special feature editor of yearbook; delegate to E.S.S.P.A. at Syracuse; Archery tournament, Ping Pong tournament.

 

 Marion Cudworth:  Glee Club, 1-2-3-4; Press Club, 2; Editor of Yearbook; delegate to E.S.S.P.A.; archery, 2-3; girls' sextette, 3; Senior Play; Pottery Club, Monitor for Fire Drills; Award merit League plays, 3-4; prize speaking, 1-2 sectional; consul Latin Club, 3; President, Freshman Class; Vice-president Junior Class; Elmira College Silver Medal.

 

Mary Lou Branham:  Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Band, 1-2-3; President Senior Class; co-counsul Latin Club, 3; commercial contest, 3; girls' sextette, 3; Senior Play; cheerleader 1-2;, prize speaking, 4.

 

Carm Delello:  Glee Club, 1-2-3-4; Press Club, 3-4; President of Library Club, 3-4; President of Library Club, 3-4; Cheerleader, 3-4; Delegate to E.S.S.P.A. at Syracuse; co-editor of year book; Editor of "Blue and White," 1-4; Editor of "Cross-Section," 4; Commercial Contest, 3: Monitor for fire drills' softball, basketball, play days, B; publicity director for Senior Play.

 

Ethel Meade:  Sec'y Girls' Athletic Ass'n; Sec'y Class, 1; cheerleader, 3-4; commercial contest, 3; archery, play days; Glee Club, 1-4; Sports' editor of yearbook; Latin Club, 2; Senior Play; Press Club, 3; D.A.R. History Prize, 3; Technical Editor of "Cross-Section"; Delegate to E.S.S.P.A.; monitor for fire drills.

 

Jean Bacon:  Glee Club 1-2-3-4; Press Club, 2-3; Senior Play; cheerleader, 1-2; commercial contest, 3; Humor editor of yearbook; Latin Club, 2-3; Girls' sextette, 3; quartette, 2; delegate to E.S.S.P.A.; Band, 1; tennis tournament, 3; B

 

It is interesting to note that all the girls have received letters for their activities and that these activities include both sports and literary clubs.  The girls are now hard at work on their speeches for Commencement and it's certain that with the ladies in complete charge, this year's graduation ceremonies will be very interesting.

 

Announce Program for Commencement Here

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 18, 1942

 

As the ceremonial climax of 12 years of schooling, a group of young students will receive their final diplomas on Tuesday, June 23, forming the graduating class of 1942.

 

The commencement activities will be held as usual in the High School Auditorium, beginning at eight o'clock.  the awarding of the diplomas will complete the busy cycle that Senior Classes always experience during the last weeks of their study.  On Thursday night of this week the Senior Annual Ball is to be held.  Monday night of next week, the graduates will present their Class Night, an evening of merry fun, concluding the class parties forever.

 

Tuesday is the solemn day--the one that the students have looked forward to so eagerly and hopefully.  The commencement program will open with music by the High School Band under the direction of William O'Neil.  The band will play, at intervals, the National Anthem, the Chorale -- Johann Bach, Rejoice O My Soul -- Robert Schumann and the March -- Empire State and America.

 

The Invocation will be delivered by the Rev. John J. Toomey, pastor of St. John's Church.  This will be followed by the Salutatory to the audience by Elaine Barre. An essay will then be delivered by Jean Bacon--The Heritage of Democracy, and this will be followed by Ethel Meade's essay.  "The Mayo Clinic - a Typical American Achievement."  Dorothy Branham will render a solo -- Spring Song.  Carmalina Delello will then recite her essay -- General Douglas MacArthur, America's Answer to Tyranny.  Mary Lou Branham's speech, A Survey of Music will follow, after which the Valedictory will be given by Marion Cudworth.  Dr. J.M. Flannery, president of the Board of Education, will award the diplomas and Benediction will be under the care of the Rev. R. Lewis Johnson.

 

The High School Band will play the recessional.  The High School Girls' Quartette will also render a selection.  The girls are Alice Monahan, Jean Bacon, Mary Butler and Dorothy Branham.

 

Plan Junior High Commencement Exercises Here

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 18, 1942

 

Commencement Exercises for the Junior High School will be held Monday afternoon, June 22, at 2:15 in the school auditorium.  Parents and friends of the graduates are cordially invited to attend.

 

Honors for the valedictory and salutatory speakers are divided between Doris Michel and Helen Perry, whose averages are 93.98 and 93.90, respectively.  The Rev. Paul Carpenter is to be the commencement speaker and Invocation will be offered by the Rev. Paul Hulslander.  Music at the exercises will be a medley of songs by the Girls' Octet under the direction of Miss Ruth Benjamin, and a duet consisting of Negro Spirituals by the Rev. and Mrs. Hulslander.

 

At this time the annual award of Dictionaries by the Woman's Club to the boy and girl in the Seventh and Eighth Grade with the highest scholastic average will be made by Mrs. Edward Danforth, President of the Woman's Club.  Principal Francis J. Casey will deliver a short address to the graduates and present the Perfect Attendance Certificates.

 

A tentative list of the graduates, which is subject to change depending on the results of exams, follows:

 

Lona Bennett

Helen Cudworth

Betty Haase

Marion Johnson

Elaine Herron

Ruth Jones

Doris Michel

Betty Mott

Alma Olmstead

Helen Perry

Thelma Saunders

Dorothy Woods

Irene Woods

William Branham

Michael Flyzik

Bruce Gorton

Robert Greek

David Monroe

Harold Parsons

Everett Rowe

Milton Simonds

Douglas Smith

Kenneth Smith

Darwin Taft

Norman Weeks

 

Only 19 Seniors in Wartime Graduation

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 25, 1942

 

Climaxing a hectic week of parties, Regents and general activity, the Senior Class of Bainbridge Central High School graduated in all formality on Tuesday evening, June 23, forming one of the smallest graduating classes in recent years.

 

Nineteen students received the eagerly awaited diplomas from Dr. J.M. Flannery, president of the School Board of Education.  The evening's ceremony opened with the National Anthem played by the school band and the invocation by the Rev. J.J. Toomey, and was followed  at intervals by the honor students who recited their essays.  Elaine Barre greeted the audience with the salutatory, followed by Jean Bacon's essay on "The Heritage of Democracy," and Ethel Meade's talk on the "Mayo Clinic, a Typical Democratic Achievement."  Carmalina Delello gave her talk on "General Douglas MacArthur America's Answer to Tyranny," followed by "A Survey of Music," by Mary Lou Branham and the valedictory by Marion Cudworth.  Prof Casey announced the students and their speeches.

 

On completion of the talks, the diplomas were awarded to the students and school letters were also distributed.  Those receiving diplomas included:

 

Betty Jean Bacon

Elaine Agnes Mary Barre

Newton Ferguson Bliss

Guyva Isabelle Bradish

Shirley Mary Bradish

Mary Lou Branham

Marion Lois Cudworth

Carmaline Mary Delello

Ruth Gene Fenner

Lawrence Russell Getter

Helen Mae Haase

Robert Elliott Hitchcock

Edward Danforth Knight, Jr.

Ethel Ruth Meade

Lillian Mae Moore

Milton Grover Scott

Anna Mae Sites

Daisy Ellen Sites

Louella Mae Weeks

 

Following music by the band and the benediction by the Rev. Johnson, the school years of B.C.H.S. were left behind by the students.  According to the valedictory, the students go forth to climb fertile trees and scan deep clear lakes.  The future grass is green, providing the graduates can find it, and life stretches ahead in all seriousness.

 

On Monday night, June 22, the class presented its annual class night using for their subject the Senior Trip they didn't take.  Cavorting on the stage, the seniors put over an effective and amusing show of the antics which they most surely would have indulged in had they gone to New York.  On Friday night of last week the Junior Class combined efforts with the Seniors and together the students presented the annual Senior Ball.  Amidst roses and palm trees flanked by a huge '42 and '43, the crowd made merry with music by the excellent Joe Goldin's band.  Although not successful from a financial point of view, the dance produced hilarious results in fun, and it being their last social event, this was more important than a pecuniary profit according to the pupils.

 

Special mention of Dr. J.M. Flannery's address to the graduates and the audience should be made.  Dr. Flannery pointed out the seriousness of the times in which the first war graduate body emerge from their school life.  His address follows:

 

"Reverend Clergy, members of the faculty Board of Education, the Class of 1942, parents, and friends:  We are again happy and proud to greet a class of graduates from Bainbridge High School.  This class of 1942 is graduating at a time and under conditions that have not been experienced by any class in the history of the school.  Our country has been at war throughout the year 1942.  Our country faces a great many more dangers today than ever before, and we need greater strength in our graduating classes now than was ever needed in our history.  We are growing more powerful as the days go by; more powerful in our adherence to the principles in democracy, more powerful in our military and naval operations, more powerful on land, on the sea, and in the air.  We are moving on toward a final victory.  We have been victorious in a number of naval and aerial engagements with the enemy, and we shall be victorious in many more until the final and ultimate victory is achieved.  So with this, Class of 1942, you have proven yourselves worthy and have achieved this victory of completing the studies required for a high school diploma."