Oneonta Herald
Starting January 1873
Compiled and Contributed by
Sandy Goodspeed
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Oneonta Herald Starting January 1873 Compiled and Contributed by Sandy Goodspeed |
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Some issues are missing. (Inst. Means same month, ult. means preceeding month)Paper Date - YEAR 1873 Starting in 1873, there appeared fewer and fewer notices or at least I didn't seem to find many. 1/2/1873 MARRIED ROSE-BROWN.- At Oneonta, December 31, by Rev. I. N. Pardee, Byron H. Rose and Emma E. Brown, all of Oneonta. BURCH-CRISMAN.- At Laurens, December 25, by Rev. H. N. Van Dusen, Wm. Burch, of Norwich, to Alice Crisman, of Laurens. HARTER-COMSTOCK.- In Laurens, December 18, at the residence of bride's parents, by Rev. E. V. Wales, M. G. Harter, of Little Falls, to Miss Emeline M. Comstock, daughter of Gen. Wm. Comstock. BRADT-BURNS.- At the Lewis House, Oneonta, December 25, by Rev. I. N. Pardee, Gardner Bradt, of Genesee, and Emma Burns, of Cobleskill. 1/16/1873 MARRIED BURTON-WRIGHT.- In Oneonta, January 9th, at residence of bride's grandparents, by Rev. H. H. Allen, George D. Burton, of Albany, and Miss Alice C., eldest daughter of the late Philander and Harriet L. Wright. 1/23/1873 DIED (SHOULD BE MARRIED) WAINRIGHT-CULVER.- At the house of the bride in West Oneonta, January 15th, by Rev. H. Belden(?), Theodore Wainright and Miss Mary Culver, all of Oneonta. 1/30/1873 MARRIED DUNNING-HURD.- At Butternuts, January 10th/16th(?), by Rev. S. H. Moon, Rev. William Dunning, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Franklin, and Miss Marcia Hurd, youngest daughter of Da----- (B?) Hurd, of Butternuts. 2/6/1873 MARRIED WATKINS-PAGE.- At the residence of E. Page, Albany, January 30th, by Rev. D. M. Reeves, George Watkins and Mary M. Page. BENNETT-CHASE.- At the home of the bride, in West Laurens, February 3d, by Rev. H. N. Van Dusen, J. M. Bennett and Miss Jennie A. Chase. PRICE-STERN.- In New York, January 26th, Jos. Price and Miss Carrie Stern. (no Rev. listed) DIED KING.- In Oneonta, January 26, Orrin King, aged 57 years. SAUNDERS.- At Burnt Hills, January 15th, Sally, wife of the late Dr. Henry Saunders, and mother of Mrs. Solon HUNTINGTON, of this village, in the 81st year of her age. 2/13/1873 MARRIED At the residence of H. N. Rowe, February 12th, by Rev. H. H. Allen, J. D. REED, of Norwich, to Miss Ettie P. ROWE, of Oneonta. At the residence of Julius ELWELL, February 11th, by Rev. W. G. Queal, George GOODRICH to Mrs. Betsey DRAKE, both of Portlandville. DIED At Davenport, on the 4th inst., Miss Mary SIMMONS, aged 17 years. At Albion, on the 11th inst., of Typhoid Pneumonia, Mr. Asa HOWARD. (no age listed). Mr. Howard has long been a resident of Albion, and was a leading member and elder of the Presbyterian church, was a brother of Wm. Howard ex-member of Congress from Michigan, and father-in-law of Rev. H. H. Allen of this place. 2/27/1873 DIED NUGENT- In Oneonta, February 23, Bridget, wife of Patrick Nugent, aged 32 years. 3/13/1873 DIED BURGIN.- In Oneonta, March 2nd, Chandler Burgin, aged 4(0?) years. YAGER.- In Oneonta, March 4th, Michael Yager, aged 56 years. FERRELL.- In Oneonta, March 8th, Mrs. John M. Ferrell, aged 45 years. 4/17/1873 MARRIED COLBURN-CHASE.- At the house of the bride, in West Laurens, April 10th, by Rev. H. N. Van Dusen, Charles E. Colburn, of Morris, and Lottie(?) L. Chase. DIED BRIGHTMAN.- In Oneonta, March 8, Joseph Brightman, aged 71 years. 5/3/1873 LOCAL NEWS. Benjamin CARR, a resident of Unadilla Centre, cut his throat Saturday morning, and died soon after. He is a brother of Lucius Carr, who shot himself on an Erie Railway train last Fall. So far as we can learn, no cause is assigned for the deed. Mr. Carr was a gentleman of much respectability, and greatly esteemed. 5/22/1873 LOCAL NEWS. Widow NORTHRUP, of Westford, very foolishly, starved herself to death; having entirely abstained, she plucked it through for ten days. The Schoharie Monitor says, "The dreadful deed is attributed to aberation of mind caused by old age and trouble, as she alleged, for selling her farm by advice of others and that she had lost all confidence in God and man." 5/29/1873 LOCAL NEWS. Tuesday brought us the sad intelligence of the death of Mrs. Flora Cobb PALMER, daughter of Rev. W. N. COBB, formerly of Oneonta. Mrs. Palmer was married about one year ago, and died as she was merging into motherhood. The news of he death affects the community as it is rarely affected-the last case being that of the estimable Mrs. ABBOTT (Etholine MILLER). Mrs. Palmer possessed all the characteristics of goodness and sweetness that make up a perfectly loving and christian woman. The people of Oneonta condole with the afflicted friends in the sad and almost heart rending affliction that attends this death. Clark LAFLIN an old man aged 85 years, committed suicide by hanging in Smithville. He was living with his third wife, and was the father of twenty-five children. The jury returned a verdict that the said Clark Laflin came to his death by hanging by his own hands, and that his wife, and Mrs. Marrilla WEAVER, though repeatedly notified by the children of the household that the act was being accomplished, took no means to prevent the same, but on the contrary, expressed gratification with the result. Colonel Robert HUGHSTON, of Sidney, died at his residence last week. The Delaware Republican says of him: "He was for many years a magistrate of his own town; one of the school Superintendents of this county, about thirty years since; twice elected County Clerk of this county, which office he left to take command of the Delaware Regiment (144th) on its organization. He remained in the field about one year when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and has never regained his old-time vigor and endurance. He was a man of good abilities, great cordiality and amiability of disposition, and universally beloved by the community and a large acquaintance, who will deeply feel his loss." Seems to be no more Marriage/Death Notices thru June 7/10/1873 MARRIED CARR-MAPLES.- In Hartwick, July 29, by Rev. G. R. Burnside, Hamilton D. Carr, of Laurens, to Miss Marietta Maples, of Hartwick. 7/17/1873 LOCAL NEWS. Clifford SMITH, the victim of the Cobleskill tragedy, died Tuesday morning. The young man was only 19 years of age, and beloved by all acquaintances. His murderer, O'KEEFE, is in the Schoharie County jail. 7/24/1873 LOCAL NEWS. John WINTON, one of the oldest inhabitants of Morris died on Monday, July 21st, at the advanced age of 91 years, 2 months and 2 days. His funeral was attended from Zion Church, yesterday at 2 o'clock. The obituary we publish this week on the life and character of the late Eliakim R. Ford, was furnished us by Dr. Meigs Case, of Oneonta. No person know Mr. Ford more internately, and few are more competent than he to write an article on the deceased, for the public. OBITUARY. ELIAKIM REED FORD. The death of Eliakim Reed Ford, which occurred at his residence, of Bright's disease, on Tuesday, July 23, at 1 o'clock, A. M., is an event which the community will receive with pain none the less poignant, and sorrow none the less profound because it has been expected for some weeks. To many it comes with the oppressive force of a personal stroke, while to a still wider circle it conveys the deep sense of an irreparable public loss. Intimately connected with the business interests of this valley for half a century, his death will leave a void that will be most deeply felt and deplored. No business man in this valley was more widely known or highly respected and esteemed. The subject of this memoir was born November 9th, 1897, at Westerlo, Albany Co., N. Y. His father, an humble farmer, followed his calling under the adverse and necessitous circumstances which attends the care of a large family. Agriculture, as practiced in those days, was simply the act of wresting from the soil, by the most vigorous manual labor, unaided by the helps of inventive genius, the scanty products which were required for the immediate and pressing needs of the farmer's family, and we may suppose that it possessed few charms for him, as at the age of twelve years he left his early home never to return, and took up his residence with an uncle, Eliakim REED, then a prosperous merchant at Greenville, Green Co., N. Y., whom he assisted as a clerk in his store. His uncle was a notable and worthy man, and under his instruction young Ford grow up with a thorough knowledge of every detail of the business and to this fortunate circumstance he ever afterwards attributed his success in life. Here he remained until 1822, when at the age of twenty-five he removed to Oneonta, and with a capital of five hundred dollars opened a store on the corner where the F. W. Baptist church now stands. A year and a half later he removed to a building on the corner occupied until recently by Chas. Lewis, as a hotel; and again in 1829 to the present site of the residence of Harvey Baker. In 1840 he established himself permanently, and built the stone house and store which still remain the most permanent structures in our village. The business of a country storekeeper in those days, was attended with peculiar difficulty, from the enforced necessity of not only selling the goods on credit but skillfully providing a way of payment for the rude and cashless pioneers of the country, who were engaged in a doubtful struggle with every obstacle which a wilderness could interpose. In these days when every man does his own financiering, we can hardly conceive the energy, exertion and patriarchal labors devolving on the early trader, who advised, encouraged and trusted every settler for miles around with all the necessiaries of life, and depended on his promise to pay from the products of a forest, yet unsubdued, or a crop not yet planted, which were in their turn to be exchanged for goods on the Hudson by a tedious land-carriage, which rendered them nearly valueless when the cost of transportation was deducted therefrom. The journey to the city in those days was undertaken with due deliberation once or twice a year. They were frequently accomplished by the young merchant on foot, owing to the impassable condition of the roads, or the swollen state of the streams, and a canoe ride across the turbulent Susquehanna was not infrequently a necessity of the undertaking. But his strong, hopeful nature keenly enjoyed the "pleasures of difficulty," in surmounting the impedimentia(?) of the country, but not without enforcing a lesson on the value and importance of a system of public works. For years he was a principal stockholder in the Charlotte Turnpike Co., which smoothed the old road to Catskill and the river. But he was destined to play an important part in the construction of the Albany & Susquehanna R. R. In 1851 a series of meetings were held in this village, and a company was organized which proved strong enough to carry forward this enterprise to a successful completion. Without E. R. Ford this road could not have been built by that company. His reputation, influence, honesty and self-sacrifice was at all times the one indispensable element of success in that undertaking. Its completion was the crowning success of his business career. His lofty patriotism, manifested on every occasion during the war of the Rebellion, is worthy of mention. He sent his sons to the war, and aided poor farmers, the only support of large families, to the means of escaping the draft. His Scotch-Irish blood boiled with indignation at the prospect of an indefinite subdivision of his country. He urged the yeomanry to the field, and the touching deference with which this venerable civilian lifted his hat to every returning veteran will long be remembered by many a battle-scared solider as one of the few graceful acts of genuine respect and appreciation of his services, visible in the prosperous community he had shielded by his body from the Rebel destructives of the South. But however much may be said of his public and business life, his domestic and home life is marked with a rare consistency and beauty. His marriage to Miss Harriet EMMONS took place July 24th, 1823, thus at his death having nearly completed the golden circle of wedded life. Blest with a large family to whom he was devotedly attached, his character shone nowhere more brightly than amidst the quiet and loving associations of his own fireside. He was genial, affable and courteous in his intercourse, a model of propriety and dignity always; and wherever he moved, or whenever he paused, he was recognized as an attraction. Those who knew him best loved him most. He came into the Baptist church as one of its communicants, under the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Littlejohn. His deep interest in all that pertained to spiritual religion was manifested by his devout and constant attendance on the services of his church, and, I may add, the general tenor of his life. Into all good enterprises, whether designed to act upon the interests of religion or education at home or abroad he entered with a zeal. Nature gave him a strong physical frame, equal to any fatigue, with great mental power, an earnest nature, and an iron will, and his persevering industry, perfected what nature designed. His recreations were labors, and no laborer ever worked with more energy than himself. He always had time for duties.-He had neither time nor taste for ostentation. I cannot close without an allusion to his career as a private citizen of this village-a record, humble though it may be, more creditable than that of many a governor of our State. He was not a politician in any appropriate sense, but was repeatedly elected Supervisor, and once served a term as Justice of the Peace, whence he obtained the by no trifling distinction of the "Esquire," which the old-time resident was wont to apply to him up to the day of his death. Kind, considerate, hopeful and helpful to the last, we mourn the loss of our most distinguished citizen. Peace to his ashes. President Keyes, with an appreciation and promptness that was commendable, issued the following notice Wednesday: Whereas, Eliakim R. Ford, Esq., one among our oldest and most prominent business men and citizens, has by death been removed from among us, and whose funeral services will be held at the late residence of the deceased, Thursday, July 24, 1873, at 2 o'clock P. M. We do therefore respectfully recommend to the business citizens of our Village that they close their places of business, from 1 o'clock P. M., on that day until the conclusion of the funeral services, that all may have an opportunity to participate in the ceremonies. J. H. Keyes, Pres. Board Trustees. Luzern WARD, a citizen of Sidney, Delaware county, living just over the river from Unadilla, died Tuesday morning about midway between Oneonta and Otego, on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad train which passed here at 10:59 A. M., and his remains put off at Unadilla. He had been in poor health, and with his wife had been spending some time at the sea shore, and was on his return when he died about fifteen miles from his home. 7/31/1873 MARRIED ROBINSON-ISMOND.- At Phoenix Mills, July 26, by Rev. H. N. Van Dusen, David E. Robinson, and Hattie E. Ismond, of Schenevus. The death of Mrs. Dr. E. J. MORGAN on Sunday night last created great sadness in this village. She died of child-birth, and passed away without knowing that she died a mother. The child lived but a few moments, and like a waxen image in appearance, resting on its mother's arm, passed with her to the portal gates of heaven. Mrs. Morgan was eminently a Christian woman, kind, considerate and affectionate with those who possessed her friendship. The sweetness of her nature was as much the subject of comment as her strict practice of religious duties. In the Freewill Baptist Church she will be greatly missed, and her husband will endure a grief that is hard to bare, harder to overcome, and impossible to forget. The funeral services of Mrs. Morgan were held at her late residence on Deitz St., Tuesday afternoon. Rev. O. T. Moulton spoke with great tenderness, and in a most impressive manner. The funeral of the late Eliakim R. FORD, last Thursday afternoon was largely attended. Rev. G. R. Burnside, pastor of the Baptist church, spoke unusually well, and other clergymen offered brief remarks. Hon. Joseph H. Ramsey, President of the Board of Directors, alluded to his long acquaintance with Mr. Ford, and spoke of his energy, ability and integrity, and his good management as a Director of the great Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, &c. The body was laid in an elegant rosewood casket, and the bearers were Dr. S. H. CASE, Dr. H. A. HAMILTON, D. MORRELL, T. SABIN, P. BARNES, E. W. DUTTON, J. FARMER, J. M. WATKINS, H. BAKER, and S. S. BURNSIDE. Very great credit is due Wm. McCRUM and Hon. W. W. SNOW for the perfect manner in which the services were conducted. (Eliakim R. Ford is buried in Riverside Cemetery) 8/14/1873 Wednesday morning, after a lingering illness almost unprecedented in childhood, Ruth A., daughter of Rev. and Mrs. H. H. ALLEN, dropped peacefully asleep in death. The babe was only eight weeks old, and endured more from sickness than thousands of persons do in a long lifetime. The funeral will be attended to-day, at 2 o'clock. (Poem by Miss MULOCH included with notice.) DEATH OF HENRY BULL. Another of our old "land marks" gone! Henry Bull, a venerable christian, is dead! Wednesday morning, Mr. Bull, accompanied by a son, Joseph Bull, and Nathaniel NILES, an aged friend, had repaired to the depot to take the 4 o'clock, A. M. train east. The deceased appeared usually well, and walked about the depot with no complainings whatever. As the train was about due he stepped to the platform, and hardly passed the door before he fell, breathing only twice or three times after the fall. Dr. S. H. CASE was immediately summoned, pronounced apoplexy the cause of Mr. Bull's death. Mr. Bull came to Oneonta about forty years ago, from Albany County, and no citizen within that time has had more friends and fewer enemies than he. He lived to the good old age of seventy-eight years, and at the time of his death was setting out to attend a Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends near Rome, in this State. A better and happier world would this be if all imitated the life of Henry Bull. 9/18/1873 LAURENS ITEMS. DIED- In Laurens, September 12th, Harvey STRONG, aged 74 years. In the death of Mr. Strong, Laurens loses one of her most influential citizens, and his family a most kind and indulgent husband and father. Always kind, dignified, industrious and honest, he has always commanded venerate and respect from all his acquaintances. In Laurens, September 12th, Samuel BROWN, aged 27 years. In his death the wife loses a kind husband, and the parents a dutiful, willing and cheerful son. The funerals were both attended by a large concourse of people, and attended by the Masonic Order, large delegations form Oneonta and Morris being present. Nearly two hundred were in the processions 10/2/1873 MARRIED VAN WOERT-CUMMINGS.- At the home of the bride, in Oneonta, October 1st, by Rev. J. H. Fitzgerald, Clinton Van Woert and Hattie G. Cummings. WIGHTMAN-COOK.- At the residence of the bride's father, in Laurens, September 23, by Rev. J. N. Mevis, of Otego, William L. Wightman, of Franklin, Del. Co., to Romelia Cook, daughter of Nathan Cook, Esq. 10/16/1873 M. S. Cooke, Esq., of Portlandville, sends us the following: "Mr. Enoch LESTER, a respectable citizen of this town, committed suicide Saturday evening last, by hanging. He was found hanging to a rafter in the house of his nephew about a mile and a half from this village. He was sixty-five years of age. A note was found giving as a reason for the act that he was out of health and as his sickness might be a protracted one he did not wish to be of any trouble to his friends. He was a man of extensive learning, spotless character, and highly respected by all to whom he was known. An inquest was held Sunday by coroner Hills, and a verdict rendered in accordance with the above facts. Monday morning an old resident of New Berlin, well and and favorably known throughout the county, Jonathan B. HARVEY, hung himself from the purlin of his own barn. He was found by his wife about 10 o'clock, dead. Mr. Harvey was proprietor of the Demming House, kept by Mr. Beers, at the time of his decease. He has also been engaged in farming, and was a large dealer in horses. A number of valuable horses on hand in a tight market, and other financial troubles, produced a noticable despondency, which it is believed precipitated his tragic death. "Uncle Charlie HOUGHTALING is dead!" Monday evening this announcement went through the streets like magic, communicated from man to man with feeling of utmost sorrow and sympathy. Mr. Houghtaling lived at what is known as the Otsdawa for upwards of forty years, where with his frugal wife, he acquired means sufficient to maintain them the remainder of life without the exertions of hard labor. The nine years he has lived in Oneonta have been spent in the enjoyment of a life entirely pleasant and unostentatious, acquiring friends who will ever hold him in tender remembrance. Mr. Houghtaling died in his 75th year, and was buried yesterday at 10 o'clock, Rev. O. T. Moulton conducting the services. A MORRIS MAN MURDERS A NOTED HORSE THIEF. A despatch from Central Bridge, Schoharie County, dated Tuesday, says: A terrible affray occurred at this place this morning, which resulted in the death of one of the participants, and has thrown our village into a great state of excitement. Mr. H. W. CRAMER and wife were on the street together walking along quietly, when Ephraim BAILEY, a notorious horse-thief, ran against Mrs. Cramer and used insulting language towards her in the presence of her husband. Mr. Cramer advised Bailey to desist, but to little purpose. Bailey then began using most insulting and indecent language towards Cramer, who bore it all and stated for home. He had not gone far when Bailey again insulted him, by calling him a liar and using other offensive language. This was more than most men could endure; and Bailey grabbed Cramer by the coat collar, before the latter made any attempt at resistance. At this point he collected himself ------------------ LOCAL NEWS. A little daughter of Jay ECCLESTON, of New Berlin, aged 17 months, on Friday last, fell into a kettle of boiled vegetables, which had been prepared for the family dinner and just taken from the stove, and was so badly scaled that death ensued on Saturday. 11/6/1873 DEATH OF HON. SAMUEL GORDON. Mr. Gordon died at his residence in Delhi on Tuesday morning, October 28th, aged 71 years and 6 months. For some time his health has been in a precarious state, having had several attacks of paralysis, one of which came upon him a few days before his death, from which all attempts to rally him proved futile. Mr. Gordon was born at Wattle's Ferry, on the east branch of the Susquehanna. His father, William Gordon, was a soldier of the Revolution, a man of great perseverance and courage, and possessed of an indomitable will-characteristics that were bequeathed to the son, just deceased, to a large degree. Samuel, though at first trained in the work of the farm, had an innate desire for the legal profession, and when 25 years of age entered upon the study of law, coming to Delhi for that purpose, and entering the office of Gen. Root, in 1827. He was a great favorite with the General, who, on the admission of his student to practice as an attorney, took him into partnership, which continued until 1835. He was appointed Postmaster at Delhi in 1831, an office he held for some nine years. Formerly, a lawyer was required to practice a term of years as an attorney before being allowed the degree of Counsellor of the Supreme Court; this was conferred on him in 1832, as also that of Sollicitor and Counsellor in Chancery. He held the office of District Attorney for three years, from 1841, and made a successful and popular officer. In 1833 he represented this county in the lower branch of the Legislature, where he made his mark, taking the lead in the opposition to the attempt made that year to abolish capital punishment. He was elected to Congress in the memorable campaign of 1840, this county and Broome being then embraced in the Congressional District. He served in that capacity for eight years, being re-elected in 1844, at which time he had Hon. John A. Collier, of Broome, for a competitor. He was not popular with his party in Congress: he went to much "on his own book" to please the leaders, but with the people it was otherwise. One of his most popular departures was a fearless and energetic defence of the Wilmot proviso, the first speech on its presentation being made by him, and a most eloquent one it was. He sustained the proviso in all its length and breadth, taking strong ground against the least modification of its language. He was admitted an Attorney and Counsellor of the Supreme court of the United States in 1842. He held the office also of Supervisor of the town for several terms. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he was appointed Provost Marshall of this District, a position he held during the war. While a practitioner at the bar, Mr. Gordon was regarded as able, and was certainly very successful; his great forte being as an advocate and jury lawyer. The appellation of Boaner ges of the bar may very well have been applied to him when in his prime.- Delaware Express.