Marriages (August 26)

Miss Marjorie Ellen Dixon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard LaRue Dixon was married Friday, August 10th to Mr. George Morris Mudge at the home of her parents, by the grooms uncle, Rev. Henry D. Smith of Green Island, N.Y. in the presence of the immediate families.  A luncheon followed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Mudge, after which the couple left for a trip to New York and Connecticut. The bride is a graduate of Afton Central School and is a Junior at Syracuse University.  The groom is a graduate of Salisbury School and Yale University and is a partner at Mudge and sons.  On their return Mr. and Mrs. Mudge will make their home on South Main Street [Afton, Chenango Co., NY].   [Afton Enterprise, Aug. 16, 1945]

 

Miss Janice Weeks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ray Weeks of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] was married to Pfc. Thomas Wilson of Woodmere, L.I., last Thursday evening.  August 9th by Rev. Alan Douglas pastor of the local Baptist church.  Pfc. Wilson who has recently returned from the European Theatre of war will return to military service and Mrs. Wilson will continue with her position in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  [Afton Enterprise, Aug. 16, 1945]

 

The engagement is announced of Miss Ida Mildred Cottle to Mr. Audry Wyaman both of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY]. The wedding will take place this Fall.  [Afton Enterprise,  Aug. 16, 1945]

 

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fowler announce the engagement of their daughter Esther Elizabeth Fowler Pharmacist 3rd Class to Robert Martin Neilsen, Pharmacist 3rd class.  [Afton Enterprise, Aug. 23, 1945]

 

Marriage Notices

Chenango Union, Nov. 18, 1863

In this town, Oct. 29th, by Rev. William Searls, Mr. Ralph J. Randall to Mrs. Ann F. Skinner, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

 

In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 27th, by  Rev. A.N. Benedict, Mr. Charles O. Dark to Miss Frances L. Burrows, all of Norwich.

 

Chenango Telegraph, May 27, 1835

In this village on Sunday evening last, by the Rev. Mr. Sessions, Mr. Joseph Wait, to Miss Mary Ann Wheeden.

 

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. by the Rev. Mr. Abel, Mr. David Chace, Jr., to Miss Hannah Dickinson.  

Soldier News continued - 1945

 

 

War Ends with Surrender of Japan Tuesday, August 14

Afton Enterprise, August 16, 1945

 

Following days of expectant waiting, Peace was officially announced Tuesday evening August 14th to an anxious world.  President Truman read the formal message relayed from Emperor Hirohito through the Swiss Government in which the Japanese ruler pledged the surrender on terms laid down by the recent conference of The Big Three at Potsdam.

 

At the press conference called at the White House Tuesday, President Truman made this statement:  "I have received this afternoon a message from the Japanese Government in reply to the message forwarded to that government by the Secretary of State on August 11.  I deem this reply a full acceptance of the Potsdam declaration which specifies the unconditional surrender of Japan.  In this reply there is no qualification.   Arrangements are now being made for the formal signing of surrender terms at the earliest possible moment.  General Douglas MacArthur has been appointed the supreme Allied commander to receive the Japanese surrender.  Great Britain, Russia and China will be represented by high ranking officers.  Meantime, the Allied armed forces have been ordered to suspend offensive action."

 

Local celebrations were started at once.  Several carloads of people began touring the streets of the village with sirens blowing and in the meantime, church bells and the fire siren began to join in.  Many people hastened to Binghamton where the celebration reached a grand scale.  The engineer of the passenger train arriving in Afton at eight o'clock began blowing his whistle and continued blowing all the way to Binghamton.

 

Plans were announced last Sunday for a special Thanksgiving service as soon as possible after announcement of surrender.  Posters were placed about the village early Wednesday announcing the service for Wednesday evening, all churches of the village participating. 

 

The surrender brings to a close the political ambitions of Japan for a large empire.  Within 45 years from 1895 to 1940 Japanese territory increased from 147,372 square miles to 765,790 square miles, not counting the occupied areas of China proper.  Within the same period, the population of the Japanese Empire rose from 451,388,313 to 128,939,000.  Of this increase by 87,550,678 more than three-fourths was the result of territorial aggrandizement. 

 

Two citizens of Afton were at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii when the Japanese loosed their bombs on the unsuspecting fleet anchored there.  Mrs. Bert Lord and her son John Gregg survived these harrowing days and  a letter was published by John in these columns when he was forced to lie in a ditch while being straffed by Japanese airplane gunners.

 

Excellent Program in Honor of Peace

Afton Enterprise, August 16, 1945

 

A most impressive V.J. Day service was held in the Afton Baptist Church Wednesday evening of this week in charge of Rev. Alan Douglas pastor of the church.  This service was held as a special Thanksgiving in recognition of the return of peace with the surrender of Japan on Tuesday of this week. 

 

Most ably assisting in the program was Dr. G.A. Liggett of Springfield, N.J. who is spending the summer at his home in Afton; also Rev. Kenneth Kingston, and Chaplain Lynn Loomis of the American legion.

 

The musical part of the program was in charge of Clifton Cook, local band leader at the High School, who presented a brass quartet entitled "At the Console."  Mr. Cook presided at the organ.  Mr. and Mr.s Barrett Jones, who are members of the Temple Presbyterian Church Choir of Philadelphia and guests at the Jesse Barr home, were present and gave two numbers.  Mrs. Jones a solo and both in a duet.  Miss Barker, a young lady of rare talent, of Binghamton, and guest in the Hacker home, closed the program with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" which was followed by the pledge to the flag by the congregation.  Rev. Douglas pronounced the benediction.

 

Sgt. Richard McGee Veteran of 3 Invasions

Binghamton Press, July 7, 1945

 

Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY]:  A veteran of the invasions of Africa, Sicily and Normandy, Sgt. Richard McGee, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. McGee of 7 Pearl street, has arrived in the United States.  He will report to Camp Buiner, N.C. on July 22.  The Oneonta sergeant was rewarded the Purple Heart for a wound received in Gela, Sicily.  He also has earned the pre-Pearl Harbor, Good Conduct, American Defense, and European Defense Ribbons with eight battle stars and arrowhead for the three invasions.  He now has 142 points.  Sergeant McGee enlisted in 1940 and served at several camps in the East before going to Ireland and England in 1942.  Besides the invasions, he saw service in France, Holland Germany and Czechoslovakia where he was in Cheb on V-E Day.  He is with the 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army.

 

Frederic Davy Killed in Action

Afton Enterprise, July 19, 1945

 

Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Davy of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY] have been notified by the War Department that their son, Staff Sergeant Frederic Davy, who was reported missing in action in August 1944, has now been listed as dead.  He was killed by a rocket from an attacking plane during the battle of Saipan, July 7, 1944.  Fred was inducted into the army in January, 1941, and trained at Fort McClellan.  In March, 1942 he was sent to the Hawaiian Islands where he was stationed until the 27th Division and sent to Saipan.

 

Pfc. Frank Shaw Wins Battle Star

Afton Enterprise, July 25, 1945

 

Pfc. Frank Shaw of Afton, earned his third battle star for his Asiatic Pacific theater ribbon when he participated in the Okinawa campaign which ended recently.  He had previously served as a cook in a rifle company of the 305th Infantry's 2nd Battalion through Guam and Leyte, but on Okinawa, he volunteered to carry rations and ammunition to his men on the front lines when enemy mined roads halted the flow of hot food to the fighting men for a short period of time.  A graduate of Afton high school, he is the son of Mrs. Roy Shaw.  Before entering the Army March 23, 1942, he was employed by Casein Corp, in Bainbridge.  He has been in overseas service 14 months. 

 

Sgt. Richard Meade Returns to Civilian Life

Afton Enterprise, August 16, 1945

 

Sergeant Richard Meade has returned to civilian life after 39 and one-half months in the Pacific.  Dick received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense, Asiatic Pacific Ribbons, Liberation of the Philippines and Combat Infantry Badge. A graduate of Harpursville Central High School.  He called on friends in the vicinity of Harpursville on Wednesday and Thursday.  He said it was fine to be back and hopes a quick return for the other boys.  He is at Oxford, N.Y., R.D.3 [Chenango Co., NY] with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Meade, formerly of Tunnel [Broome Co., NY].   

 



Marriages (August 25)

In honor of their fortieth wedding anniversary, which occurred June 7th, a surprise party was held for Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Stewart who reside on the Unadilla-Franklin road.  They were presented with numerous gifts including a purse of money.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

PECKHAM - VAWTER:  Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Miss Anne Mary Vawter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Vawter of 17 Juliand street, Bainbridge, was married to Technical Sergeant Edward L. Peckham, U.S. Army, son of E.J. Peckham of Bainbridge, Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock in St. John's church.  The double ring ceremony was performed by Rev. John J. Kavanaugh, pastor of Sacred Heart church in Sidney.  A profusion of red, white and blue flowers, artistically arranged, provided the decorations for the church.  Mrs. Earl Leonard played organ selections for the ceremony.  Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a street-length dress of black and white with white accessories and carried a colonial bouquet of white roses and white gladioli.  Mrs. Donald L. Quinney, matron of honor, wore a pink print dress with white accessories and carried a colonial bouquet of pink and blue flowers.  Technical Sergeant John T Kilcourse of Philadelphia, Pa., acted as best man. the ushers were Donald Sweet and Sam Taylor.  A reception was held at the home of the bride for relatives and friends following the ceremony.  Bouquets of garden flowers decorated the house.  A three-tiered wedding cake, topped by a miniature bride and soldier, centered the table.  Sergeant and Mrs. Peckham left after the reception for a trip to the Adirondack mountains.  Mrs. Peckham chose for traveling a gold colored suit with tan accessories and a corsage of talisman roses.  The bride is a graduate of Bainbridge central high school, and Cornell university and had a position in New York previous to her marriage.  The groom was graduated from Bainbridge central high school and attended Cornell university.  More than three years ago he entered the service and after a year in the states he arrived in England where he served as an aerial engineer on a bomber.  On his third mission he was shot down in German occupied territory and was captured and put in prison where he remained for two years.  He arrived home the fore part of June, Sergeant Peckham will report for re-assignment in August at Atlantic City, N.J.  [Norwich Sun, July 5, 1945]

 

PERSAK -= BLAKELEY:  Corporal Virginia Curtis Blakeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryce D. Blakeley of Bainbridge [Chenango Co, NY] and Staff Sergeant John Garrison Persak, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Persak Sr. of Hillside, N.J., were married Thursday, June 28 in the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, L.I.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Frank E. Knapp.  Sergeant Suzanne Dane of New Haven was maid of honor and Master Sergeant Walter E. Slivika of Pittsburgh was best man.  The bride attended Milwaukee-Downer college and Paine Hall in New York, and was a laboratory technician at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich, before enlisting in the WAC in 1943.  Staff Sergeant Persak was graduated form Blair Academy and Rutgers university.  He was employed by General motors Corporation prior to entering the army.  Both Sergeant and Mrs. Persak are stationed at Mitchel Field.  [Norwich Sun, July 5, 1945]

 

Miss Bertha Frances Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Smith, was married to Cecil T. Laughman at the Federated Church Saturday afternoon, June 30.  The ceremony as performed by the Rev. Archie Benedict.  [Binghamton Press, July 7, 1945]

 

A handsome wedding was the event of yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock.  Helen Merinda Rood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Rood of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], was married to Jay Leon Anderson also of this village.  The home of the bride's parents where the ceremony occurred was the scene of elaborate decorations and mystical trimmings.  Evergreens were tastily arranged throughout the interior of the house.  The stair railing of the entrance hall was entwined with the green Christmas tide emblems and white ribbons.  Excellent taste made the adornments of the parlor where the ceremony occurred most pleasing.  An evergreen arch with silver interwoven supporting a wedding bell, received the bridal couple accompanied by Miss Alice K. Freiot as bridesmaid and Archibald F Gilbert as best man and attended by little Iva Mosher and Floyd Anderson during exquisite rendering of the "Norwegian Bridal Procession" by the pianist, Miss Jennie Thomas of Mt. Upton.  The two attendant children formed a pretty part in the bridal scene.  They preceded the entrance of the bridal party to the parlor and took up broad white ribbons lying at either end of the arch and extended them forming an aisle for the nuptial procession to pass through Rev. C.H. Sackett the bride's pastor, performed the ceremonial rites.  Seventy-five guests were present who partook of a well served and dainty wedding supper after the completion of the ceremony, and who extended hearty congratulations and merry good wishes to the bride and groom.  The bride wore a gown of white Mousseline de sole over white silk trimmed with Mechlin lace, with Rhine stones on corsage, hair ornaments of white aigrettes.  A white prayer book graced her hand during the service.  The bridesmaid was attired in a dress of pink organdie, trimmed with Mechlin lace with white ornaments for the hair.  Miss Iva Mosher was dressed in white.  Many beautiful and valuable presents were given to the bride being marks of the esteem in which she is held.  Mrs. Anderson is an accomplished and cultured young lady receiving her education at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa.  The groom is the son of Homer J Anderson and is a popular energetic business man having a responsible position at the D.&H. station in this village.  He was reared in Bainbridge, attended our High School and is held in high regard by all.  His future is promising.  Mr. and Mrs. Anderson will continue their residence in Bainbridge. They left this morning for a short wedding trip and later will make an extended tour.  Very pretty bridal mementoes were given by the bride and groom to their attendants.  Mrs. Anderson presented the bridesmaid with a brooch of emeralds and pearls set in gold; to the pianist, a brooch of emeralds and brilliants set in gold; to the little girl Miss Iva Mosher, a gold neck chain.  The groom gave to the best man a pin of opals and diamond chips; to master Floyd Anderson, a silvercoat marker.  [Dec. 26, 1900]

Obituaries (August 25)

Mrs. Myrtie Springsteen passed away very suddenly Thursday night at her home.  She had just returned from a visit at the home of her son, Harry Springsteen and family at Sampson.  The funeral was held in the church Sunday and was filled with friends and relatives.  The floral tributes were beautiful and numerous and expressed the high esteem in which she was held in the community.  Rev. Sabin officiated and she was laid at rest in the Harpursville cemetery [Broom Co., NY] [Afton Enterprise, July 19, 1945]

 

Stanley Fuller, 26, of Elk Creek, between Delhi and East Meredith [Delaware Co., NY], was fatally injured Tuesday evening, July 3, when a grindstone broke to pieces under centrifugal force, and several of the flying pieces struck Fuller.  The young farmer had been preparing to grind mowing machine knives and rigged a grindstone to a motor and set it spinning.  the circular stone was subjected to a spinning speed much too fast and from centrifugal force it broke into many flying pieces, some of which struck Mr. Fuller.  He suffered a deep gash in the neck below the left ear and a fracture at the base of the skull, as well as a puncture of the right thigh and multiple minor wounds of arms and legs.  [Afton Enterprise, July 19, 1945]

Funeral services for Stanley Vernon Fuller, a Delaware County farmer of Elk Creek Valley, who died in Fox Memorial Hospital from injuries received in an accident on his farm, were held this afternoon at the Bookhout Funeral home. the Rev. John F. Sullivan of Delhi officiated.  Burial was in East Meredith Cemetery.  Mr Fuller was injured Tuesday night when a grindstone rigged to a motor, disintegrated through centrifugal force.  Pieces struck him with such force that it caused a fracture at the base of the skull and other injuries.  Mr. Fuller was born in New York City Oct. 17, 1919, the son of Vernon L. Fuller, now of Oneonta, and Bessie B. (Schrum) Fuller, who died in 1929.  He was married on his birthday in 1941 to Dora Anna Kathmann in Oneonta.  Most of his life he had resided in the vicinity of East Meredith.  Besides his wife and father he is survived by a daughter, Grace; two sons, Stanley Jr. and David, a brother, Donald B. Fuller, U.S.M.C.; a sister, Ida Fuller, New York City, and an uncle, Benton Fuller of Meredith.  [Binghamton Press, July 7, 1945]

 

James Edwin Knox passed away at his home, 91 Riverside, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], Wednesday morning July 18th, after many years of illness.  Funeral services were held at the Tabor Funeral Home, Afton, Friday at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Clifford E. Webb Pastor of the Afton and Nineveh Presbyterian Churches officiated, assisted by Rev. A.P. Reining, pastor of the F.M. Church of Windsor, Burial was in the Nineveh Cemetery [Broome Co., NY].  Charles Ruland, Ray Hurd, Lee Pixley, and Frank Decker acted as bearers.  James E. Knox was born in Jersey City, New Jersey April 6, 1870, the son of William E. and Elizabeth B. (Niblett) Knox.  In 1878 the family moved to Center Village, Broome Co., N.Y. and six years later changed their residence to Harpursville [Broome Co., NY].  Mr. Knox was married to Clarissa A. Bristol, June 11, 1902.  He assisted his father in the mercantile business of Harpursville and remained in that business until 1919.  He graduated from the New Jersey College of Chiropractic in 1916 and practiced his profession in Harpursville and later in Sidney.  He purchased the home at Riverside Sidney in 1924, where he has since resided.  Mr. Knox united with the Presbyterian Church in Nineveh on July 3, 1886.  He was elected Ruling Elder of that Church Sept. 30, 1893.  He was also a charter member of the Epworth League of Harpursville.  Mr. Knox leaves a wife, Clarissa A., a son Everett E., and sister, Mrs. George F. Decker of Afton.  [Afton Enterprise, July 25, 1945]

 

Colchester [Delaware Co., NY]:  Trooper Kenneth B. Knapp, 36, veteran of Troop C, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] and well known to many people of the community, was killed instantly Tuesday while investigating a domestic quarrel.  As Capt. H.B. Gay, commander of Troop C and Inspector Carl Lawson, BCI, of the same troop pieced the case together, Ernest Mills, who later committed suicide, was a man described as an "antagonistic nature," barred his estranged wife, Dorothy, when she appeared at the home to gather up some of her personal belongings and household goods.  She told authorities she had left him three weeks ago.  Mrs. Mills called Trooper Knapp in an effort to obtain her goods.  When he arrived at the residence, the door was locked, so Knapp moved around the house.  He peered through a window and saw Mills stretched on the floor.  In the belief that Mills had committed suicide, Knapp accompanied by Mrs. Mills, hastened to the rear of the residence and opened the back door and walked through to the dining room. As Knapp entered the doorway to the living room, a blast hit him squarely in the eye and he slumped to the floor.  While Mrs. Mills was summoning assistance, Mills brushed past her and ran next door to the home of his sister.  He barricaded himself there.  While Captain Gay and Inspector Lawson, together with a posse of troopers, were converging on the scene, Mills apparently sat down at a table and wrote some notes, which the captain said contained information as to what he intended to do.  Despite coaxing on the part of the law officers to give himself up, Mills remained obdurate.  Finally, as they prepared to break in, he bade his son Jack, 10, goodbye and shot himself in the head.  Captain Gay said Trooper Knapp had been a member of Troop C sixteen years.  Trooper Knapp was married and leaves besides his wife, four children all living in Greene [Chenango Co., NY]  [Afton Enterprise, July 19, 1945]

Edna Adelaide Luther Warren, widow of the late Wayne W. Warren died July 4th at the home of her son in Harpursville, N.Y. [Broome Co., NY], at the age of 70 years.  She is survived by one son John B. Warren of Harpursville and two grandchildren, Edna and William Warren of Harpursville, one brother, J.H. Logan Luther of Waverly, N.Y. and three sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Smithkors of Syracuse, N.Y., Mrs. Harry Hall of Pasadena, Calif. and Mrs. Henry Lester of Elmwood, Conn., and several nephews and nieces.  Mrs. Warren was born in Cedar Township, Cherokee, Cherokee Co., Iowa, April 16, 1875 the daughter of Burton and Mary Burdick Luther. She was a member of the Afton Baptist church, a Past President of the H. Ray Humphrey Post, Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars, of Union, N.Y. and a member of the Vandenberg Relief Corps of Afton.  Mrs. Warren had served as County Republican Committee woman of Broome County for many years and had an active part in the civic affairs of her home village of Harpursville.  Funeral services will be held Saturday with a prayer service at the home, followed by services at the Nineveh Presbyterian Church at 2:30 P.M.  Rev. Alan Douglas of Afton will officiate assisted by Rev. C.E. Webb.  Friends may call at the Warren home Friday afternoon.  [Afton Enterprise, July 5, 1945]

With deep personal regret we learned early July 4th that one of our oldest friends and also the Harpursville correspondent for the past several years, had passed away.  Mrs. Edna Warren was one of those rare individuals, who seemed to be tireless in her varied activities.  Distinguished in Broome County both in Endicott and Harpursville, she was a leader in county patriotic religious and political circles for a number of years and had held several high offices.  Her newsy column, written each week at her home, will be greatly missed.  She leaves a host of friends throughout the Southern Tier who mourn her loss.  [Afton Enterprise, July 5, 1945]
 

Soldier News continued - 1945

William Smith's Unit Receives Doolittle Congratulations

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

England, V-E Day:  Among the 185,000 men and women of the Eighth Air Force congratulated today by Lt. Gen James H. Doolittle, who assumed command of the Eighth in January, 1944, is Private First Class William F. Smith, 44 Green Lawn Ave., Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].

 

"I wish to extend my personal congratulations and my heartfelt appreciation to every one of you for the magnificent job you have done,"  Gen. Doolittle said in a message to all personnel.  "Each of you," he continued, "May be proud of your part in the defeat of Germany.  I am proud of you.  The world is proud of you."

 

The Eighth Air Force was the world's mightiest strategic bombing force.  Its personnel of 185,000 was the equivalent of 12 infantry divisions, and it could send 21,000 airmen in 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters over Germany at one time, a combat effort possible only through the support of tens of thousands of non-flying specialists.

 

Since August, 1942, when combat operations began, Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the Eighth dropped more than 700,000 tons of bombs on enemy targets.  Fighter pilots shot down 4,250 Nazi planes and destroyed 4,250 others on the ground.  Bomber gunners shot 6,000 German interceptors out of the air.

 

The Eighth dropped an average of a ton of bombs every minute of the last 12 months.  Airmen of the Eighth were the first Americans to attack Germany.  The early crews flew a handful of unescorted bombers against the powerful Luftwaffe, and proved the feasibility of an American Idea--precision daylight bombing over the Reich.  As the Eighth grew in strength, it was assigned the task of crushing the German Air Force, which had to be done before the Allies could invade France.  Bombers of the Eighth smashed Nazi aircraft production centers.  Its fighters destroyed thousands of enemy planes in the air and on the ground.

 

After beating the Luftwaffe into relative impotency, the Eighth threw its growing weight against Germany's rail system and vital sources of oil.  These campaigns, in conjunction with the British Royal Air Force and the U.S. 15th Air Force, disorganized all transport in Germany, restricted German military operations in the air and on the ground, and paved the way for the march of Allied armies across Europe.

 

Cpl. Philip Mitterwager Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

 

Corporal Philip Mitterwager, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mitterwager, of Hancock Delaware Co., NY], died in action at Okinawa on May 6, according to a message from the War Department to the parents of the corporal on Sunday last.

 

Pfc. Alfred G. Corgan Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

 

Pfc. Alfred G Corgan, of Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], was killed in action April 12, according to word received by next of kin.  Private Corgan was reported missing in action in Germany during April.  He was a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagle Division and had received medals for machine gun marksmanship, rifle shooting and expert pistol shooting while in training.

 

Letter Received from Lt. Donald Anthony

Norwich Sun, July 3, 1945

 

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Myrtle Wilson received a most interesting letter from her son, Lieut, Donald Anthony, who has been stationed at Steyer, Austria, since the war in Europe ended.  While there, his outfit was in control of part of the town and the Russians the other half.  He is now stationed at Hachstadt, Germany, and his company is quartered in an old castle on the famous Blue Danube river and have taken over this area. Lieutenant Anthony wrote that his outfit, the 271st Combat Engineers, was the first to cross the Danube and he had the honor of handling the engineering part of getting the infantry across.  The copy of his award and the Silver Star which he received he has just forwarded to his wife in Delaware city, Del.  He stated:  "Now that the war is over and I can look the river over, I see that it isn't blue, like the song says."  On that memorable day, when the first crossing of the Danube was made, the color of it didn't enter the picture whatsoever.  He is with the third army. one of the armies of occupation.

 

Award of the Silver Star:  Donald R. Anthony, 01117234, Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, Co. "B", 271st Engn. Combat Battalion, for gallantry in action against the enemy on April 24, 1945, in the vicinity of Spindelholf, Germany.  Lieutenant Anthony upon learning that some of the members of his platoon had been wounded by enemy mortar fire, left his covered position and rode with his driver across an open field under enemy  mortar fire to evacuate the wounded men.  Lieutenant Anthony's courage and leadership are examples of the highest standard of self sacrifice and military efficiency.

 

Lloyd Mayo Killed in Action

Afton Enterprise, July 5, 1945

 

Capt. Lloyd S. Mayo, native of Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], and formerly of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], died of a wound received in action on Okinawa last month, according to a War Department telegram received by his mother.  According to the telegram, Captain Mayo died May 27.  No other details were given.  Captain Mayo, a former member of Co. G, graduated from Oneonta  High School and the New York State Rangers School at Wanakena.  He had served as a call fireman with the Oneonta Fire Department.  He was employed as an electrician when he left for military service as second lieutenant with Co. F, at Walton.  He was assigned to the Officers Training School at Fort Benning, Ga. and served several months in this country before being sent to the Pacific area.  He married the former Miss Irene Mason of Selma, Cal., March 3, 1942.  Surviving, besides his mother and wife, are two brothers, Pvt. Robert Mayo, stationed at Camp Atterbury, Ind. and the Rev. Arthur B. Mayo of Scranton, Pa. 

 

Memorial Rites for Major Dedrick

Binghamton Press, July 9, 1945

 

Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY]:  A memorial service for Maj. Emerson Dedrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Homer C. Dedrick of South Side, was held yesterday at the Frist Methodist church. Dr. Harold C. Buckingham, pastor of the church, officiated.  Major Dedrick, who was previously reported missing, was killed in action in the Okinawa area of the Pacific March 24, 1945.  The circumstances under which he died show evidence of great heroism.  Operating from a carrier ship, his plane ran into heavy flak and was so badly damaged that it could not be landed on the flight deck upon returning to his ship.  Ordered to land on the water or bail out, he chose to stay with his plane and try to land it safely.  The plane was too badly damaged to stay afloat and sank instantly, carrying Major Dedrick with it before a boat crew could reach him.  A native of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], he graduated from Oneonta High School and attended State Teachers College for three years. He later graduated form the University of Iowa with a major in aeronautics. He joined the Marine Corps soon afterward.  Major Dedrick was promoted to his rank at the age of 25 at the Marine Corps Air Station at Mojave, Cal.  He assisted in providing air support in the first bombing run over Bougainville, and flew many strafing missions.  He served in the Solomon Islands, leading a division of Corsair fighter planes and was officially credited with shooting down two Zeros, sinking five oil barges and helping to sink two destroyers.  He won the Air Medal and the Presidential Citation.

 

Lt. Harvey Stevens is Home in Sidney

Binghamton Press, July 9, 1945

 

Sidney [Delaware Co., NY]:  Second Lt. Harvey A. Stevens, who has been stationed in Southern Italy since January, arrived in Sidney Saturday on a 30-day furlough to visit his mother, Mrs. W.H. Stevens, and his brother, William P. Stevens, Sherwood Heights.  Lieutenant Stevens has been co-pilot on a B-24 bomber in Italy and has flown 19 missions over Europe.  He left Italy June 25 with a crew of nine and six passengers and flew back to the United States.  He made stops in French Morocco, North Africa; Dakar, Africa; Fort Aleza, Brazil; Trinidad, Puerto Rico and landed at Savannah Ga., on July 2.  From there he went by troop train to report at Fort Dix, N.J.  Lieutenant Stevens has been awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations Ribbon with three battle stars. 



Post Listings August 18-24

Listing of blog postings for the week of August 18-24, 2014

Marriages

Posted August 19, 2014

Mr. & Mrs. George E. Bartholomew (56th wedding anniversary, 1945)

Lester Burlison - Maggie Mungle (1888)

Frank F. Barber - Helen Priest (1891)

Posted August 21, 2014
Mary MacIntyre Hovey - Howard H. Foster (1945)
Duncan Herbert Copley - Sarah Mead Banks (1895)
Frank B. Gilbert - M. Frances Freiot (1895)
Marriage Notices:
     William J. Keeler - Lulu Pratt (1895)
     Hosea B. Couse - Emma Whitman (1895)
     Frank R. Lyon - Mary A. Gilbert (1888)

Posted August 22, 2014
Marjorie Grace Alexander - Niles Elliott Wilcox (1945)
Marjorie Ives - Norman Glover (1945)
Lydia Ophelia Axtell - Herbert Mosher Ramsdell (1896)
Susan Lucinda Sage - Ralph William Kirby (1897)
M. Dell Fletcher - C.C. Hovey (1895)
Wallace W. Davis - Emeline J. Hatch (1896)
John Z. Newton - Cora B. Ireland (1896)

Posted August 23, 2014
William S. Payne - Olga Alger (1945)
Mildred M. Daniels - Clark L. Vandermark (1945)
Jame Hartman - Walter H. Johnson (1945)
Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Odell (25th anniversary, 1945)
Grace Mildred Weidman - Ronald A. Roach (1945)

Posted August 24, 2014
Millicent Vivian Joslin - Lloyd Thomas Johns (engagement, 1945)
Leland C. Yale - Ida May Rowe (1901)
Charles P. Knight - Minnie Briggs (1901)


 

Obituaries

Posted August 18, 2014

Abbie H. Anderson (Binghamton, Bainbridge, 1945)

Helen Yanson (Oneonta,  1945)  Car accident

F. Wesley Beardslee (Walton, 1945)

Mrs. Edwin Cole (Masonville, 1945)

Jane E. Pank (Elk Creek (1883)

Mary L. Baker (Sioux City, IA, Norwich, 1883)

James Haynes (Guilford, 1875)

William Baldwin (Guilford Centre, 1875)

Posted August 19, 2014
William Baldwin (Guilford, 1875)
Jack Bartle (Guilford, 1881)  canine friend of Nettie Bartle
Frank Beckwith (Norwich, 1922)  Civil War soldier
Gilbert S. Gordon (Bainbridge, 1945)  Train-Car accident
Beverly Romiti (Oneonta, 1945)  drowning
Nellie M. Hurd (Harpursville, 1945)
Helen Throop (Bainbridge, 1945)
Death notices - May 1945
     Charles N. Peake
     Daniel Warren
     William D. Burns

Posted August 20, 2014
Daniel E. Hanrahan [Hallstead PA, 1945]
Eva Marble McGinnis (Guilford, Bainbridge, 1945)
Gilbert Cooper (Guilford, Cortland, 1894)
Laura Yale Cooper (Guilford, Cortland, 1895)
Dr. Lewis Livingston (1894)
Willis Bishop De Munn (Scranton, 1894)

Posted August 22, 2014
Melvin Darwin Butler (Harrisville, 1945)
Pearl Belding (Syracuse, 1945)
Jane Crandall Jones (Deposit, Hancock, 1906)
George C. Leonard (Deposit, 1906)
Adaline Douglas (Bainbridge, 1906)

Posted August 23, 2014
Eugene Bice (South Edmeston, 1945)  Car accident
Mary Agnes Ahearn (Susquehanna PA, 1945)
Rev. George F. Adams (Oneonta, 1945)
Jesse A. Mayo (Great Bend PA, 1945)
Etta Gordon (Bainbridge, 1945)
Grace Eisenhart Shellenberger (Los Angeles CA 1945)
Ruth McKune (Oxford, 1945)
Sidney E. McKune (Cazenovia, 1945)
Mildred H. Harkness (Delhi, 1945)

Posted August 24, 2014
William Homer Benedict (Sidney, 1945)
Norman P. Lewis (Newark Valley, 1945)
Mary A. (Flint) Cook (Bainbridge, Canon City, CO, 1902)
Death Notices
     William A. Hotchkiss (Greene, 1876)
     Sally Cannon (Bianbridge, 1876)
     David Oles (Masonville, 1876)
     Sarah V. Strong (McDonough, 1863)
     Ellen A. Strong (McDonough, 1863)
     Mr. T.A. Kathan (Greene, 1863)
     Ivan M. Eldridge (Lincklaen, 1863)


 

Miscellaneous

Posted August 18, 2014

Emma Darlin Celebrates 78th Birthday

BCHS Senior Trip

Helen Perry & Doris Michel Top BCHS Class of 1945

Soldier News continued - 1945

     Maj. Emerson H. Dedrick Missing in Action

     Pfc. Roland C. Pratt Veteran of Sixth Army Group

     Pfc. Earl D. Clark Jr. Awarded Medal

     Strasnicsak & Branham Accepted in Navy

     Cpl. Frederick Gunther Part of Unit receiving Award

     Pfc. Leonard G. Cone Returns to States

     Pfc. John F. Bruce Killed in Action

     Pvt. Joseph Salamacha Missing in Action

     Pfc. Alfred C. Corgan Missing in Action

     Lt. Mary Lou (Cornell) Lewis in Prison Camp

     Pfc. John B. Moffat Killed in Action

Posted August 19, 2014
Soldier News continued - 1945
     Hitler's Body Hidden "Forever," Nazi Tells Rusian Captors
     S/Sgt. Edgar D. Hayes Returns to States
     S/Sgt. George W. Youngs Returns to States
     Anthony A. Plosky Receives Promotion
     Cpl. James Taft in Honor Guard at President's Funeral
     Sidney B. Utter Killed in Action
     S/Sgt. Douglas Clark Released form German Prison
     Otto G. Neidlinger AOM 3/C on USS Franklin

Posted August 20, 2014
BCHS Class of 1939 - Part 2
Soldier News continued - 1945
     S/Sgt. Louis Finch Accepted as Cadet
     T/5 Stanley Smith Now at Lake Placid
     Pfc. Howard J. Foster Arrives in New York
     John I. Burgin, M.M. 2/C Returns from Europe
     Pfc. Robert Kingsley 31 Months Overseas
     Gerald Tiffany & Jan DeWitt Receive Unit Citations
     Pvt. Orville Smith Graduates from Mechanics Course
     Louis Scanlon Promoted to Frist Lieutenant
     Capt. James Ryan Awarded Medal

Posted August 21, 2014
Raymond Cawley and his twin goats (Photo) 1945
Neil D. Lewis Candidate for Chenango County Sheriff, 1945
Soldier News continued - 1945
     Pfc. Henry Hamlett's Unit Receives Citation
     Major Richard Forsyth Returns to Civilian life
     Pvt. Socrates Nellis Released form German Prison
     Mary Brennan Gough Promoted to Rank of Major in ANC
     Sgt. Louis Ferguson Wounded in Action
     Pfc. Howard J. Foster on Furlough from Hospital
     Sgt. Carl Daniels Killed in Action
     Pvt. Charles Merton Finch Killed in Action

Posted August 22, 2014
Joseph Throop Promoted to Professor at R.P.I.
51 to Graduate from Junior High Friday (June 1945)
Soldier News continued - 1945
     Four Local Prisoners in Germany Released (Nellis, Meade, Patchen, Peckham)
     Ernest Meade Liberated April 30 in Munich
     Cpl. Henry Soules Found in Germany
     Pfc. Kenneth Wright Killed In Action in Germany
     Cpl. Richard Bump Home After Two Years in Pacific
     Louis Scanlon Promoted on Okinawa

Posted August 23, 2014
Soldier News continued - 1945
     John Smith Visits U.S. Cemetery in Belgium
     Pvt. Donald Murray Released from German Concentration Camp
     Cpl. Thomas Egnaczak Kept Planes Ready to Fight
     Pfc. F.W. Schrader Wounded in Action
     Lt. Harry Derby Jr. Killed in Action
     Mr. and Mrs. Bush Receive Chaplain's Letter

Posted August 24, 2014
Bainbridge Indian Legend (1945)
Marion Cudworth to Graduate form Cornell (1945)
Soldier News continued - 1945
     S/Sgt. Victor Foster's Unit Commended
      Donald Quinney Enters Officer Candidate School
     S.Sgt. Frank Cole Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
     Edward Peckham Released from Prison
     Bush Family Receives Letter of Sympathy
    
    



 

 



Obituaries (August 24)

William Homer Benedict, 91, of Sidney Center [Delaware Co., NY], passed away at his home Monday following an illness of several weeks.  Funeral was held Wednesday at Sidney Center Methodist church of which he was a member, Rev Z.J. Hall, pastor, officiated.  Burial was in the Walton cemetery.  Mr. Benedict was born in Northfield, Oct. 16, 1854, son of Benjamin and Mary (DeForest) Benedict.  He had spent most of his life in Northfield and Sidney Center.  Mr. Benedict served several terms as a justice of the peace in Sidney township and was a member of Sidney Center school board for a few years.  [Sidney Record, June 7, 1945]

 

William Homer Benedict, the oldest and one of the most outstanding residents of this village [Sidney, Delaware Co., NY], died at his Foote street home Monday at about 8:30 a.m., after an illness of about a year, although he had been in poor health for a longer period.  His funeral was held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Methodist church, with his pastor, Rev. Z. James Hall, officiating and interment was in the Walton cemetery [Delaware Co., NY].  The pall bearers were Albert Shofkom, Ernest Wilbur, Floyd Roof, Seymour Underwood, Charles Hoyt and Jess Howes.  Mr. Benedict was born Oct. 16, 1854, at Northfield, a son of Samuel E. and Mary Emily (DeForest) Benedict.  He was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Cunningham at Northfield June 14, 1877, and they came to Sidney Center.  Her death occurred Feb. 22, 1938.  He was a member of the congregational church in Northfield for many years, and after coming to this village, united with the Methodist church which he served for several years as both trustee and steward, till failing health and increasing deafness forced him to resign.  He was a member of Maywood Lodge, L.O.O.F. the Rebekah lodge, and a silver star member of Maywood Grange.  He had held the office of Justice of the Peace on the Sidney Town Board for 20 years and had previously served on the Walton Town Board for 6 years.  He had also served on the local school board for a number of years.  He had also acted as treasurer of the local Red Cross branch for many years.  He is survived by two cousins, Mrs. Mabel Ogden of Auburn, Indiana, and Seeley Wood of Northfield.  The funeral was largely attended by friends and neighbors of the deceased.  Music was rendered by Miss Carrie Hallock and Richard Kyrk of Cleveland, Tenn., sand two solos, "Beyond the sunset" and "Crossing the Bar."  [Sidney Record, June 7, 1945]

 

Norman P. Lewis, who recently purchased the Ernest Mugglin farm, known as the Lawrence farm, R.D.3, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died at the Veterans Hospital, Bath, June 7.  A former funeral director and furniture storeowner in Newarkk Valley [Tioga Co., NY], Mr. Lewis was forced to sell out about two years ago because of poor health.  Mr. Lewis was a lieutenant in the Navy during World War I.  He was a member of the F.& A.M. and Odd Fellows and the Methodist church.  The survivors are his wife, Grace Lewis; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Loomis, of Binghamton; and Miss Helen Lewis, of Oberlin College; and one sister, Miss Bessie Lewis, of Yaphank, L.I.  Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 10, at Newark Valley.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

News was received Monday by A.J. Wilcox of this village, of the death of Mary A. Cook, wife of Rev. H.B. Cook, a former pastor of the M.E. church, Bainbridge, which occurred Friday, May 23, at her home in Canon City, Colorado, from consumption.  Mrs. Cook was forty-three years of age.  Her remains were brought to Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], Tuesday for interment.   Besides her husband she is survived by her father, Rev. G.E. Flint of Nineveh, a retired Baptist clergyman.  Mr. and Mrs. Cook left Bainbridge twelve years ago, going in October for a residence west, the wife's health being too frail to withstand the rigors of another winter in New York state.  Mr. Cook had served the church two and one half years and he and his estimable wife had become much endeared to the church, the broken term and severed relations causing much regret.  Rev. William F. Blair succeeded to Mr. Cook's pastorate.  Mrs. Cook's health improved in the new climate and Mr. Cook took up his ministerial labors and the years sped on full of activity for both, but latterly the predisposition to consumption in the wife which had been held in abeyance by climatic change, became so strongly manifest as to resist the physician's skill and Mrs. Cook died after a weary illness.  Her death was a peaceful and happy one, the dying woman catching a glimpse of the joys of the other world and saying "I see a beautiful home.'

 

Death Notices

Chenango Union, Nov. 18, 1863

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 15th, of diphtheria, Sarah V., aged 5 years and 4 months Oct. 20th, of same disease, Ellen A., aged 7 years and 4 months, children A.W. and Sarah C. Strong.

 

In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY] on the 10th inst., of consumption, Mr. T.A. Kathan, aged 47 years.

 

In Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 19th, Ivan M., only son of Morell Eldridge, aged 3 years and 10 months.

 

Bainbridge Republican, Feb. 19, 1876

OLES:  In Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1876, very suddenly David Oles, 73 years.

 

Bainbridge Republican, June 10, 1876

HOTCHKISS:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], June 4th, 1876, Mr. Wm. A. Hotchkiss, aged 43 years.

 

CANNON: In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] May 31st, 1876, Mrs. Sally Cannon, aged 73 years.

 

.

 



Miscellaneous

Bainbridge Indian Legend

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

 

George Strong, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], relates the following legend which he heard more than 50 years ago. A giant Indian many years ago crossed this valley on his way to the Happy Hunting Ground.  He came over Pryun Hill, stopped on the sidewalk nearly in front of 58 North Main street, next across the river, and again on top of the opposite hill. A large foot print, about a number 12 shoe, is plainly imbedded in the stone walk of 58 North Main street.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

 Marion Cudworth to graduate from Cornell

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

Miss Marion Lois Cudworth, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], is a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Home Economics at Cornell University's 82nd commencement on Sunday, June 24.  Approximately 445 seniors and 75 advanced students are expected to complete their work in the term ending June 23.  President Edmund E. Day, according to custom, will be the commencement speaker.  Miss Cudworth prepared for college at Bainbridge High School.  During her college career she was a member of Sage Choir, Women's Self Government Assoc. House of Representative, Cornell for Victory Committee, and Cornell United Religious Work Hospital Committee, as well as Cornell United Religious Work Hostess committee.  She was dormitory vice-president and was treasurer of Wayside Aftermath, social club.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 2,1 1945]



Marriages (August 23)

Mr. and Mrs. D. Joslin, of Cabin Hill [Delaware Co., NY], announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Millicent Vivian Joslin, to Lloyd Thomas Johns, an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marine Reserves, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Johns, of Croton-on-the-Hudson.  Miss Joslin was graduated from Andes Central School and the School of Physical Education at Russell Sage College, Troy.  For the past year she has been director of girls' physical education at the Hancock Central School.  Her fiancé is an alumnus of Croton High School and prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Marines he attended Ithaca College of Physical Education. At the present time he is director of boys' physical education at Walton High School.  He has accepted a position in the Andes Central School for the coming year. They will be married in the early part of the summer.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

Ida May, daughter of Mrs. Carrie Rowe of Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], was married last Wednesday afternoon, May 15th, at four o'clock to Mr. Leland C. Yale also of this village.  The ceremony was performed at the Free Baptist church by the bride's pastor, Rev. Charles S. Pendleton, in the presence of a large concourse of relatives and invited guests.  The church was handsomely decorated for the occasion with palms and fragrant Easter lilies.  Miss Carrie Rowe, of Cooperstown, a sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, and L.H. Lincoln of Charlotte was best man.  The ushers were Dr. J.M. Shay, Horace Stanton and Clarence Kirby of Oneonta, and S.B. Hollenbeck of Bainbridge.  The wedding march was played by Miss McDermott and little Misses Ethel Edmunds and Helen Seybolt were flower girls.  The bride's dress was of white silk mull and she carried a bouquet of white roses.  The bridal veil was crowned by a wreath of white roses.  Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Jay Bouton, 14 Valleyview street.  Bride and groom left on the evening train for Albany, where they will sojourn for a few days.  Returning, Mr. and Mrs. Yale will reside at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], where the former has lately purchased a prosperous and well established drug store.  To bride and groom a wide circle of Oneonta friends extend congratulations.  The former is one of the town's most estimable young ladies, and the latter, who has for several years been employed in the pharmacy of A.D. Rose, is a worthy and popular young man whose friends will wish for him a life of prosperity and of continued happiness.  The presents were numerous, both ornamental and substantial as well as valuable-Oneonta Herald  The groom, who was born and reared in Bainbridge, is an estimable young man and he will be warmly welcomed with his wife to establish a home in our village.  They will reside in the W.B. Matterson house on West Main street and will take possession next week.  [1901]

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Toby and Mr. and Mrs. Abner Searles drove yesterday to Smyrna [Chenango Co., nY] to attend the wedding of Charles P. Knight, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], and Miss Minnie Briggs, of Smyrna, which event occurred at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the bride's home in the village.  The wedding festivities were on a large scale, many guests being present who were served to refreshments by a caterer form Utica.  The groom, Mr. Knight is employed in the Western Union telegraph office in Binghamton, and is the son of Mrs. Eva Parsons Knight, of that city, and grandson of Nelson Parsons, a former well known citizen of Bainbridge, but now deceased [June19, 1901]



 

Soldier News continued - 1945

Unit of S-Sgt Victor Foster Commended

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

1st Base Air Depot, Warrington, England:  V-E day found S/Sgt Victor Foster, of 10 Front street, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the job, helping to ready more combat planes and equipment for immediate action wherever they might be needed.  S/Sgt Victor Foster, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Foster, 10 Front street, Bainbridge, is one of the crack Air Service Command team who pitched in to back the air assaults that help knock Germany out of the war.

 

Commending their battle-backing efforts, Brigader General Morris Berman.  Commanding General of the Base Air Depot Area, Air Service Commend, declared:  "These soldiers of the Base Air Depot Area have, since their work began, dispatched 415,000 tons of air corps supplies, assembled and modified 12,000 combat planes, and repaired or overhauled more than 30,000 aircraft engines.  "Every soldier, whatever his job, contributed materially to the magnificent, final result, I commend them, and I know that whatever their next task, they will fulfill it with credit to themselves and their country.

 

S/Sgt Foster has been overseas since September, 1943, and joined the army in October, 1942.  He was employed by the Scintilla Magneto Co. Sidney.  He attended Bainbridge Central High, Bainbridge.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

T/Sgt. Edward L. Peckham Released from Prison

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14 1945

Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Peckham of East Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], were overjoyed to receive the news that their son, T/Sgt. Edward L. Peckham, who was taken prisoner on his first mission over Germany on June 26, 1943, had been released.  He was an aerial gunner on a B-17, stationed in England.  He was reported missing in action on July 5, 1943.  Sgt. Peckham lived with a French family for seven weeks and while on his way to the Spanish border, attempting to escape back to England he was captured.  He was confined to a civilian prison for seven weeks and then moved to an Army Prison Camp.  He was reported a prisoner of war Oct. 31, 1943.  After spending nearly two years in the German Prison Camp B-17, all the allied prisoners were forced to leave the camp on Apr. 8, 1945, when the Russian forces were within 40 miles of the camp, according to a letter received by his parents Saturday morning.  He stated that they were forced to march 200 miles in 18 days and were at the German Austrian border when released by the Americans on May 3.  He arrived home on Thursday night.

  

Donald Quinney Enters Officer Candidate School

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

 

Donald L. Quinney, husband of Barbara Campbell Quinney, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has entered the Field Artillery Officer Candidate school at this post.  Upon completion of the 17-week course he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery in the Army of the United States.  Candidate Quinney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold W. Quinney, 50 Grove street, Carbondale, attended Scranton keystone Junior College.  The Field Artillery Officer Candidate course is part of the Field Artillery School where thousands of officers and enlisted men have received training in artillery techniques.  More than 25,000 men have been commissioned as officers following gradation from the Officer Candidate school alone and are now fighting the enemy in all theaters of operation establishing the United States field artillery as "the best in the world."

 

Frank Cole Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

 

A 9th Air Force Bomber Base in Belgium:  For extra-ordinary achievement in aerial flight against the enemy, over a period of nine months, the Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to S/Sgt. Frank W. Cole, of Rockdale, Town of Guilford [Chenango Co.], aerial gunner.  The airman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ora Fisk, of Rockdale, His wife resides at 53 Willow street, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY].    Praising Sgt. Cole's aerial proficiency as engineer-gunner in a B-26 Marauder of the U.S. 9th Air Force, the citation points out that on one occasion, the Sergeant was responsible for the safe landing of his airplane, after the interior of the bomber had been in flames, which were extinguished by the Rockdale flier.  Sgt. Cole wears the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to the D.F.C.  Formerly a machine operator at the Scintilla Magneto Division, Sidney, the Sergeant attended school in Mt. Upton and entered the Army at Binghamton.  He received his gunner's wings at Tyndall Field. Fla., in November, 1942.

Bush Family Receives Letter of Sympathy

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

Irvin Bush, of R.D.3, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has received the following letter of sympathy in the loss of his son, Plt./Sgt. Clarence Adrian Bush, USMC, who was killed Feb. 22, 1945, on Iwo Jima, from his commanding officer:

United States Marine Corps Regimental Headquarter and Service Battery
13th Marines, 5th Marine Div.
c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.

Mr. Irvin Bush, R.D.3, Bainbridge, New York

Dear Mr. Bush,
By this time you have heard through official channels of the death of your son, Clarence Adrian, in action on Iwo Jima, but as his commanding officer and fellow Marine, I wish to express to you the deep sympathy which I, and all his comrades, feel for you in your loss.

Clarence's death occurred on the morning of February 22nd while a member of a patrol engaged in cleaning out snipers which were endangering the lives of us all in that area.  He was hit by sniper fire and died instantly without pain.  Clarence was buried with full military honors in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery.  The service was conducted by a chaplain of his faith.  I and many others of his comrades visited his grave and also attended the memorial services which were held for our dead. 

I had been Clarence's Battery Commander for many months and I knew him to be a fine outstanding young man.  His professional ability was demonstrated by his rapid promotion, his loyalty and devotion to duty, by his life which he gave for us and his country.  For him, and for the others we left on Iwo Jima we will always feel the loss of their comradeship and the sorrow for their loved ones.  But the strength which they have given us through their sacrifice will enable us to bring a quicker and more lasting peace.

Please do not feel obligated to answer this letter, but if there is anything I can possibly do for you please let me know.
Sincerely, Hugh B.G. Long

Obituaries (August 23)

Only a few hours after he was seriously injured in an automobile accident, Eugene Bice, 73, of South Edmeston [Otsego Co., NY], died last Saturday.  A car driven by Mr. Bice and moving east on the county highway was in collision with a car moving north on the state highway.  The latter vehicle was driven by Mrs. Lillian Kuhn, 34, of New Berlin.  The Bice car was struck on the left side, and Mr. Bice was thrown from the car into a ditch.  Mr. Bice's injuries included a skull fracture, a cerebral hemorrhage, multiple confusions and a crushed chest.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

Mrs. Mary Agnes Ahearn, 84, for many years a resident of Susquehanna [PA], died at the family home in that boro Monday morning, June 4.  She had been ill a long time.  Mrs. Ahearn, the widow of the late Martin J. Ahearn, was born in Scranton [PA], on September 15, 1861, her maiden name being Agnes King.  She was the daughter of the late John and Hannah King, of Deposit [Broome Co., NY].  She spent her entire adult life in Susquehanna.  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Thomas R. Murphy, of Fairlawn, N.J., Mrs. James Mooney, of Susquehanna; three sons, Joseph, of Binghamton; John, of Susquehanna, and Francis, of Binghamton.  Seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

Funeral services for the Rev. George F. Adams, 77, retired pastor, who died Friday morning at his home, in Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], were held Monday afternoon, with the Rev. Richard R. Lloyd, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating.  A Baptist minister for 45 years, Mr. Adams had served parishes at East Branch, Clifton Park, Mt. Vision, Casterland and Hartwick, before his retirement 10 years ago.  He had lived in Oneonta since then.  He is survived by his wife, and two nieces.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

Jesse A. Mayo, well known resident of Great Bend [PA] township, died at his home at Hickory Grove Wednesday morning, June 6.  He had been ill a long time.  Mr. Mayo was 80 years of age.  Most of his life was spent on his farm near Hickory Grove.  He is survived by his wife, and two daughters, Mrs. Charles Root, of Great Bend, R.D.1, and Mrs. Harry Singleton, of Buffalo; a sister, Mrs. Fred Van Horn, of Lanesboro.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

Mrs. Etta Gordon, 69, widow of Gilbert Gordon, died June 5 at her home.  Mrs. Gordon was a member of St. Peter's Church and the Order of Easter Star.  Funeral services were held at Colwell's Chapel with the Rev. James E. Wolfe officiating.  Bearers were:  Frank Buman, Ward Searles, Charles Thorpe, all of Bainbridge; and Theodore Lashway, of Coventry.  Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

Mr. and Mrs. John Eisenhart, of Windsor, received a message Sunday from Los Angeles, Calif., telling of the sudden death of their daughter, Grace Eisenhart Shellenberger, associate general secretary of the Los Angeles Y.M.C.A.  Mrs. Shellenberger was a graduate of the Binghamton High School and had taught in Conklin Forks and the Pierce Creek schools; also for several years was employed in the Humane Society office, Binghamton.  After her family moved to Windsor she spent two years in Denver, Colo., where she completed her vocal training and where she met Charles Shellenberger who was associated with her uncle, C.W. VanPatten in the Central Y.M.C.A., in Denver.  Before moving to Los Angeles, Mrs. Shellenberger was soloist at the Calvary Baptist Church in Yonkers, Mr. Shellenberger being general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. there.  Besides her husband and parents, she is survived by three sons and a brother.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

Miss Ruth McKune, R.N., 72, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], and Sidney E. McKune, 63, of Cazenovia [Madison Co., NY], brother and sister of Mrs. Roy McKune Vestal, formerly of Windsor, both died Friday morning, June 8.  Miss McKune died in the W.R.C. Home, Oxford, and Mr. McKune, died in the Binghamton City hospital.  Survivors include two other sisters, Mrs. Andrew Axtell and Mrs. Milton Stratton, of Lanesboro, Pa.; a brother, Benjamin R. McKune, of Chenango Bridge, and several nieces and nephews.  Mr. McKune is also survived by a daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Bardeen, of Cazenovia.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

Mrs. Mildred H. Harkness, of Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], aged 31 years, died suddenly Tuesday following an operation performed June 7 at Delhi hospital.  Mrs. Harkness was born Dec. 9, 1913, in Davenport, daughter of Willard C. and Marion Hayner Riddell.  On Nov. 18, 1933, she was married at Meridith to Norman V. Harkness.  She had lived in Delhi for 12 years and was a graduate of Delaware Academy in 1932.  Mrs. Harkness was a member of the Delhi Baptist church.  Surviving are her husband, a son, Lawrence, her mother, six brothers, and three sisters.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

Marriages (August 23)

Agent William S. Payne, of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, was married to Mrs. Olga Alger, of London, Eng., on Saturday, June 9, in London.  Agent Payne was chief of police in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] before entering the service.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

Miss Mildred Daniels daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin L. Daniels, of Kirkwood [Broome Co., NY] R.D.1, became the bride of Pfc. Clark L. Vandermark, at a wedding ceremony performed in the Zion Episcopal Church, Windsor, by the Rev. James F. Root, Friday evening, June 8.  The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Arthur Root, of Nineveh, and DeForst Vandermark, of Binghamton.  A reception for the bridal couple was held after the ceremony at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Ethel McNair, Windsor, for 40 guests.  Pfc. Vandermark has been in the service for four years, serving on a medical ship.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

Johnson - Hartman:  Miss Jane Hartman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hartman, of Upper Derby, Pa., was married to Walter H. Johnson, AMM 1/C, son of Mrs. Alfred Benson, of Albany, at the home of the bride's parents in Upper Darby  The wedding took place on Saturday, June 9, at 3 o'clock, with the Rev. Dr. Nye officiating, in a very pretty double ring ceremony.  The bride was attired in a gray gabardine suit, with black and white accessories.  Her matron of honor was Mrs. Robert Pendlebury of Guilford, sister of the groom, and the groom was attended by his stepfather, Alfred Benson, of Albany.  After a wedding trip to Atlantic City, Albany and Guilford, the couple will live at Washington, where the groom will be stationed.  Congratulations are extended to them.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Odell, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], were pleasantly surprised Friday evening, June 1, by about 35 friends and relatives who joined them in celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary that was on June 2.  After games and a social evening the table was set with pink and blue candles and a large bouquet of white snapdragons and pink carnations served as table decorations, also a three-tier bride's cake iced with pink and white and a miniature bride and groom as decorations.  The guests were served three kinds of cake, including the bride's cake, also coffee and ice cream.  Harry B. Curtis, of Mt. Upton, presented Mr. and Mrs. Odell with a purse all in silver as a gift from those present, also pieces of silver.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

 

A pretty June wedding took place Saturday evening June 16, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Weidman, Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], when their daughter Grace Mildred, became the bride of Ronald A. Roach, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Roach, Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].  The ceremony was performed by the Ref. James W. Bump, of Guilford, under a beautifully decorated arch of ferns and moch orange.  The Rev. Bump also officiated at the wedding of the bride's parents 37 years ago.  The bride was beautiful in a gown of white satin top with sweetheart neckline and organdy skirt over taffeta.  She carried an arm bouquet of white roses and baby's breath.  Her only jewelry was a single strand of pearls and matching ear rings.  Miss Ruth Sylstra was her only attendant and was gowned in blue taffeta.  She carried an arm bouquet of pink roses.  Murray Roach, brother of the groom acted as best man.  The bride's mother wore a blue print dress with white accessories.  her corsage was of pink roses and small spring flowers.  Mrs. Roach, mother of the groom wore a printed jersey dress with black accessories.  Her corsage was of yellow roses.  Mrs. Gary Van Butens rendered music suitable for the occasion.  Mrs. Roach is very well known in this vicinity, having always lived and attended school here.  Mr. Roach is very well known by the younger set and is employed on his father's farm in Oxford.  Following the reception the bridal couple left for a short wedding trip.  They will be at home after June 19 at their apartment on Columbia St., in Oxford.  Mrs. Roach was guest of honor at a variety shower held Monday evening, June 11 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Weidman.  Nearly fifty persons attended. The bride was the recipient of many lovely and useful gifts.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945]

Soldier News continued - 1945

John Smith Visits U.S. Cemetery in Belgium

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 21, 1945

John Smith, son of Cora Smith, of Union, writes home that he is working in the cemetery in Belgium where Howard Teeple, who was killed in action Feb. 8, is buried. The family and friends had held hopes that possibly there might be some mistake about Howard's death; but with the news that a local boy has visited his grave, it seems there is now no doubt left.  John also sent pictures of sections of the Belgium cemetery where more than 15,000 of our boys are sleeping beneath white crosses.

 

Pvt. Donald Murray Released from German Concentration Camp

Bainbridge News & Republican, May 31, 1945

 

Pvt. Donald Murray has been released from a German concentration camp and in letters received by his wife Mrs. Donald Murray, and his father, Dairus Murray.  He will soon be on his way home.  He wrote in a letter, that there was nothing wrong, but what plenty of good food would remedy.  Before being released, he had been forced with other prisoners of war, to march 15 miles in a nearly starved condition.  His letters were postmarked Le Harve, France. 

 

Cpl. Thomas Egnaczak Kept Planes Ready to Fight

Sidney Enterprise, June 7, 1945

 

1st Base Air Depot, Warrington, England:  V-E day found Cpl. Thomas A. Egnaczak of Olean [Cattaraugus Co., NY] on the job, helping to ready more combat planes and equipment for immediate act on wherever they might be needed.  Cpl. Egnaczak is the son of Mrs. Lena Egnaczak of Olean, and is one of the crack Air Service Command team who pitched in to back up the air assaults that helped knock Germany out of the war.

 

Commending their battle-backing efforts, Brigadier General Morris Berman, Commanding General of the Base Air Depot Area, Air Service Command declared:  "These soldiers of the Base Air Depot have, since their work began, dispatched 415,000 tons of Air Corps supplies, assembled and modified 12,000 combat planes and repaired and overhauled more than 90,000 aircraft engines.  Every soldier, whatever his job, contributed materially to the magnificent, final result  I commend them, and I know that whatever their next task, they will fulfill it with credit to themselves and their country."

 

Cpl. Egnaczak has been overseas since August 1943, and joined the Army in July 1943.  He was employed by the Scintilla Magneto Division in Sidney.

Pfc. F.W. Schrader Wounded in Action

Sidney Enterprise, June 7, 1945

Pfc. F.W. Schrader of 6 Liberty street [Sidney, Delaware Co., NY] was wounded in action in early May somewhere in Austria.  His wounds being classed as slight, he was sent to a general hospital near Leominster, England and was discharged on May 27, and is now on his way back to the States, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Annie Schrader.  Pfc. Schrader reports that they marched through France and Germany and got about twenty miles into Austria before running into trouble.  He states that he was able to walk to a safe place after being wounded. 

Lt. Harry Derby, Jr. Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

Lieutenant Harry Leigh Derby, Jr., U.S.N.R., 38, was killed in action in the Pacific, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Derby, 47 Porter Place, Montclair, N.J.  Before volunteering in the Naval Reserve, Lieutenant Derby was Western sales manager in Chicago of the American Cyanamid and Chemical Corporation  His father is president of the company.  Surviving besides his parents are his wife, Mrs. Mary Katherine Derby; two daughters, Lynne and Ann Derby; and a son, Harry L. Derby, 3d.  Harry Derby, Sr., is a native of Bainbridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Bush receive Chaplain's Letter

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bush have received the following letter of sympathy from John H. Gilbreath, Chaplain, USNR, concerning the loss of their son, Pit/Sgt. Clarence Adrian Bush, USMC, who was killed Feb. 22, on Iwo Jima.

Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bush, R.D.3, Bainbridge, NY [Chenango Co.]
My dear Mr. and Mrs. Bush,
It was with a feeling of personal loss that we learned of the death of your son, Clarence Adrian.  He had made a deep place in the respect and affection of the men and officers with whom he was associated.  His absence will be felt with much sorrow.

The action in which he gave his life was typical of him.  He went beyond the requirements of duty in hunting down the enemy sniper whose activity was endangering the lives of his comrades.  Just yesterday an officer was speaking to me of how, in his work at camp, Clarence Adrian had gone beyond that which was required of him, eager that his task should be done well.  To use the lieutenant's words:  "He can never be replaced.  His kind come one in a million."

It is hard for all of us to imagine why a man of his talent and future should be taken from us so soon.  To say it was part of God's plans seems almost sacrilege.  And yet we have the assurance that He can turn even so helpless a situation as death itself to the ultimate happiness of those who love Him.  For your son, we need have no sorrow.  The sting is for us who loved him and are left alone.  Time alone will make that dull.  May God send His comfort quickly. 

We have this consolation of knowing that death came immediately.  Clarence Adrian never suffered.  Accompanied by a number of his close friends, I went to where he had fallen.  We joined in the 23rd Psalm, and prayer before his body was taken to be interred.  His body now lies in a beautiful, simple cemetery on the Western slope of Iwo Jima.  He was buried with full Christian and military honors.

If there is any manner is which I may be of service to you in the future, please do not hesitate to call upon me.

With deep sympathy, John H. Gilbreath, Chaplain, USNR



 

Obituaries (August 22)

Harrisville [Lewis Co., NY]:  Melvin Darwin Butler, 89, a retired jeweler, died at his home on State street at 5:55 Sunday morning following a heart attack.  He had been in poor health for the past three years but was able to be up and around until the day of his death.  He was honored on his birthday, May 9, with a party by the Masonic Lodge, of Harrisville.  He was born May 9, 1856, at North Lawrence [St. Lawrence Co., NY], son of William and Huldah Lombar Butler.  He made his home in Parishville and Colton before coming to Harrisville in 1908.  He operated a jewelry business for 53 years.  he was postmaster at Colton for seven and one half years and was town clerk, of Colton, for a number of years.  he retired from his jewelry business three years ago because of ill health.  He was married three times.  His first wife, Mrs. Georgianna Day Butler, died when their daughter, Mrs. Willis Dix, of Bainbridge, was two weeks old.  His second wife, Mrs. Jeanne Dimick Butler, died when their son, Claude, was four months old.  He then married Miss Henrietta McCabe on Dec. 4, 1890, and the couple observed their 54th wedding anniversary last December.  They were honored on their 50th anniversary with a party at the Harrisville Methodist church with 75 friends in attendance.  He had been a member of the Masonic order of over 50 years and had been awarded the 50-year medal.  He was a member of the Methodist church 55 years and had served as a member of the board of trustees and a steward of the church.  He is survived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Willis) Dix, and a son, Claude W. Butler, both of Bainbridge.  He is also survived by three grandchildren.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

Miss Pearl Belding, age 70 years, passed away at the Syracuse Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, June 5, following a critical operation, from which she failed to rally.  Her illness was of a serious nature, yet only of a month's duration.  She was employed as a Nurse's Aid at the T.B. Sanitarium and had been in her usual good health, when suddenly stricken.  Final services were held from the Delaney and Dodge Funeral Home at East Syracuse Friday afternoon.  For many years, Miss Belding has visited the Murray home in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Mrs. Murray's and Miss Belding's friendship having dated back many years, when they were both employed in the same office in Syracuse, Miss Belding as private secretary and Mrs. Murray as clerk.  This friendship has continued through the years and many pleasant memories Miss Belding may have recalled in her final illness of the pleasant days spent in Guilford.  Always when she visited here special things were planned among her friends here and in Oxford, to make the time pass pleasantly.  Her passing came as a great shock to her friends, but as her illness was incurable, it was a blessing she was taken quickly and did not have to linger and suffer.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

Mrs. Jane Crandall Jones died at her home, 721 College avenue, this morning [October 12, 1906] at 5:45 o'clock of diphtheria, after an illness of three days.  She was born in Madison county, N.Y., seventy-one years ago last May, moving to Deposit when very young, where her father, Horace Mygatt, took the first contract for building the Erie Railroad.  Her mother, Harriet Crandall, was the daughter of Silas Crandall, one of the earliest settlers of Deposit, and both were life-long residents of that village.  In 1859 she married Solomon Jones, of Hancock, N.Y.  After her marriage Mr. Jones became a telegraph operator on the Northern Central, and later became a train dispatcher in the local office of the Northern Central, which position he held until his death in 1887.  She was  a member of the Park Church.  Mrs. Jones is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Willard E. Barber, of this city, one son Edward Charles Jones, of Canton, Pa., a sister, Mrs. E.P. Ward, of Deposit, and a brother Charles Mygatt, of Port Jervis.  She is also survived by one grandchild, Francis E. Barber, of this city - Elmira Gazette

LEONARD:  At 424 South Hill street Tuesday, October 2 [1906], George C. Leonard, aged sixty-three years.  We take the foregoing from the Los Angeles Examiner, which will be of interest to many of the older inhabitants of Deposit.  Mr. Leonard was a resident of this place for many years.  His wife, Kate Kingsley was a Deposit girl.  The couple had gone to California with the hope that the climate might be beneficial to him, as he was a great sufferer from rheumatism, and had not been able to walk in nearly a year. The sympathy of Mrs. Leonard's many friends here will go out to her in her sorrow. 

Mrs. Adaline Douglass died at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida, Friday morning, Aug. 10th [1906], from erysipelas, aged 79 years.  Her son, George Douglass, arrived in Bainbridge with the remains, Monday evening.  The funeral was held at the residence of Mrs. Emeline E. Graves, Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.  Rev. C.J. Shrimpton officiated.  Burial in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY]. The deceased had passed the greater number of her years in Bainbridge.  She resided on a farm in the east side of the town.  Her husband died some eight years ago.  Two years ago she went with her son, George Douglass, to Florida to reside.

Marriages (August 22)

Miss Marjorie Grace Alexander of Franklin [Delaware Co., NY] daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alexander, became the bride of  Niles Elliott Wilcox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilcox, East Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], Saturday, at 2 pm, in the Methodist church.  Traditional wedding music was played by Mrs. Eva Boggs, church organist.  Miss Mary Alexander, Franklin, was her sister's maid of honor, and the best man was the bridegroom's brother, Stewart Wilcox.  Mrs. Charles Alexander, Jr., Franklin, and Miss Helen Ward, New York, were bridesmaids.  Ushers were Charles Alexander, Jr., brother of the bride, and John Roebuck, Walden.  The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, was gowned in white taffeta with sweetheart neckline.  Her finger tip veil was trimmed with seed pearls and she carried a bridal bouquet of white roses and lilies of the valley.  Her maid of honor wore yellow jersey and carried carnations and snapdragons.  Mrs. Alexander wore a blue taffeta gown and Miss Ward was attired in pink taffeta.  They carried matching bouquets of snapdragons and carnations.  A reception for 80 followed at the home of the bride's parents.  The bride's table was centered with a bride's cake made by  Mrs. F.B. Rose and Mrs. Walter McIntosh.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox left for Detroit, Mich. on a wedding trip. They will reside in East Masonville.  The bride is a graduate of Franklin Central school and Albany Business college,   and is employed as a stenographer in the service department at Scintilla.  A graduate of Sidney Central School and of Delhi School of Agriculture, the bridegroom is engaged in farming at East Masonville.  [The Sidney Record, June 7, 1945]

 

The Methodist Church in Guilford was the scene of a pretty wedding Sunday, June 3, at 2 o'clock, when Miss Marjorie Ives, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Ives, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], became the bride of Norman Glover, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Glover, also of Guilford.  The ceremony was performed by the pastor, the Rev. David Wolfe, and the bride was given in marriage by her father.  The bride and groom were attended by Miss Mabel Seiler, of Oxford, as maid of honor, and Seward Ives, brother of the bride, as best man.  The bride chose a beautiful white satin gown with net and illusion veil and carried a colonial bouquet of white roses. The maid of honor's dress was powder blue chiffon and she carried a mixed colonial bouquet.  The ushers were Morrell Newton, uncle of the groom of Norwich and John Van Kleeck, of Guilford.  The mothers of the bride and groom wore corsages of red roses and the grandmothers of both bride and groom, wore corsages of sprayed carnations  Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held for 50 guests at the Oxford Inn, Oxford, and the couple left immediately for a short wedding trip.  Previous to the ceremony Mrs. Gary VanBuiten presided at the organ, rendering music appropriate for the occasion.  The bride was a guest of honor at prenuptial events.  Both are very popular Guilford young people and are employed in the Scintilla Corp.  They returned to their apartment in the VanBuiten house, which they had made ready previously.  Best wishes are extended to them from their many friends.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 14, 1945]

 

"In the grey and gold of the October glow," Wednesday morning, the 16th [1896], at eleven o'clock, and in the presence of a few relatives, a very pretty and happy wedding was celebrated, in the quiet retreat of China, a suburban settlement, a few miles from Deposit [Broome Co., NY].  It was at the home of Moses R. Axtell, the father of the bride, when his daughter Miss Lydia Opheha Axtell, was given in marriage to Herbert Mosher Ramsdell, son of Erwin Ramsdell of this village, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  The Rev. Mr. Percy, Baptist, clergyman from Deposit cemented the union.  the bride was attired in a blue cloth travelling suit, simple, modest and sweet in air and design.  After the wedding ceremony a fine collation was served and while lingering over the viands there was a flow of joyous sentiment emanating from the event of the preceding hour, and many were the predictions of happiness for the passage down life's journey.  Mr and Mrs. Ramsdell left the same afternoon for New York to spend a few days in travel and upon their return will reside in Bainbridge.  Mrs. Ramsdell attended the Oneonta Normal school and upon her graduation entered upon a responsible position in the Bainbridge Academy which she held for three years, closing her service this last summer.  She was a most admirable and thorough teacher, gentle and refined in deportment, lovable and loved, and will be received in her new sphere as a welcome resident of our place.  Mr. Ransdell is an enterprising young citizen, interested in all projects for the benefit of his town and a member of the firm of Ramsdell & Son, furniture dealers of Bainbridge. 

 

A very pleasant event and one of much interest to their many friends occurred Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 1, 1897, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Sage of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] in the marriage of their daughter, Susan Lucinda to Mr. Ralph William Kirby of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  The home was made beautiful with ferns and everywhere in profusion sweet pease gave beauty and fragrance; at an early hour a prelude from Lohengrin was played and all things conspired to make the occasion a most happy one, nor was the proverbial sunshine wanting to omen a gladsome future.  Promptly at 3:00 o'clock the grand wedding march from Lohengrin, rendered by Miss Ida M. Haynes, of Norwich, ushered in the bridal party.  Music continued throughout the entire service which was most impressively preformed by Ref. J.B. Gamong.  The bride was attired in white organdie over white satin and carried a bouquet of bridal roses and lilies of the valley.  The maid of honor was Miss Frances Louise Robbins of Oneonta, with Miss Susan McFarland of Salem as bridesmaid, while Mr. John R. Kirby of New York, brother of the groom, acted as best man.  The ushers were Frank D. Robinson of Oneonta and Clarence H. Kirby, of Bainbridge.  After congratulations were extended elaborate refreshments were served by the caterer from Oneonta.  The bride is one of New Berlin's most highly accomplished young ladies and is beloved by all for her personal charms as well as her noble womanhood.  She is a graduate of the Oneonta Normal school where she won high honors as a student, also a teacher of some repute, having served during the past year as Instructress of Elocution and Delsarte in the Washington College for young ladies.  Mr. Kirby is cashier of the First National Bank in this village, a young man of promising ability, of sterling quality, and standing high public esteem.  The choicest wishes of a wide circle of friends go with the bride and her chosen companion and may they realize a future rich in all good things. 

 

At 9 a.m. Tuesday, December 10 [1895], at the home of the bride's mother on North Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], Miss M. Dell Fletcher and C.C. Hovey were married by the Rev. H.W. Chollar in the presence of a few relatives.  After a wedding breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Hovey left for New York for a brief visit. 

 

It was not generally known till yesterday that our prominent citizen, Wallace W. Davis, had entered into wedlock.  Mr. Davis was married Jan. 31st [1896], to Mrs. Emeline J. Hatch.  Ceremony was performed by Rev. W.E. Bentley.  The heartiest matrimonial greetings are extended by a wide circle of friends. 

 

NEWTON - IRELAND:  In Bainbridge, N.Y., Mar. 5, 1896 by Rev. E. Kilpatrick, John Z. Newton and Mrs. Cora B. Ireland.