Onondaga County New York Obituaries Extracted From The Northern Christian Advocate, Syracuse, NY, 1892

1892 Obituaries from the Northern Christian Advocate in Syracuse, Onondaga County New York.

BUCK, Rev. Dr. Hiram, Obituary

The Rev. Dr. Hiram Buck died at his home in Decatur, Ill., very suddenly on Monday, aged 74 years. He was one of the best-known Methodist divines in the West and was one of the pioneers of Methodism in Illinois. He was born in Steuben county, this state, in 1809. He gave large sums of money toward college endowments. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Wednesday, August 24, 1892, P.4]

HOWLAND, Rev. George W., Obituary

The Rev. George Washington Howland was born in Hamden, Delaware county, N.Y., Feb. 2, 1826, and died in Cameron, Steuben county, N.Y., Feb. 21, 1892. He was the youngest in a family of eleven children, all of whom safely passed over the river while he was yet toiling on the hither side. He was carefully reared in a Christian home by parents who were united in the purpose to serve God themselves, and, as to their children, were determined to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." His father was for many years a local preacher in our Church; and his mother was a most devouted Christian. The fruit of such training and examples manifested itself in the conversion of the subject of this memoir at the age of 16 years. There was joy in the household over his second birth greater than when he was born after the flesh. His mother, especially, rejoiced with exceeding joy. Though converted in connection with special services held by the people who call themselves "Christians", young Howland could be nothing but a Methodist, and he immediately joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the next seventeen years of his life we have no record; but in the year 1859, at the age of 33, we find him entering the Oneida Conference as a probationer. In 1861 he was received into full connection and was ordained deacon. In 1863 he graduated into full ministerial functions and was ordained elder. From that time till his death he labored uninterruptedly and with the greatest fidelity and zeal in the vineyard of the Lord. In 1868 a change of conference lines and names made him a member of the Central New York conference. The great convulsion of 1876 threw him into the Genesee Conference. In 1850 Brother Howland was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Robinson. Two daughters were born to them, both of whom long since passed over into the other life. Being bereft of this companion, he married, April 5, 1863, Maria J.Newcomb, who, after twenty-nine years of brave and heroic service at his side, is left to mourn his sudden departure. Of this marriage there were three children, two daughters and a son. The daughters have joined the company above. The son, Franklin M., 18 years old, remains to cheer his mother and to help her bear the burdens of life. Brother Howland's first charge was North Pitcher. His subsequent fields of labor were Virgil, East Homer, Amber, Westmoreland, Salisbury, Scriba, Bethel, Cato, Savannah, East Charleston, Tioga, Jasper, Westfield, East Charleston, Woodhull, Ulysses, Hinsdale and Cameron. He was sent to Cameron from the conference session of last fall. He found an extensive field, with four Sunday appointments and two week-day preaching places. Though feeling that the charge was too heavy for his failing powers, he went to work with his accustomed cheerfulness and zeal. Fruit soon began to appear. Early in December a revival began at one of the out-appointments. Many were converted, and a Sweeping reformation seemed to have started. But in the midst of his rejoicing, the head reaper, worn with thirty-two years of severest toil on the hardest charges, broke down and took his bed. In about a month he was at work again, when he should have been enjoying complete rest. For some weeks he struggled on, against increasing weakness and the protests of his friends. A funeral, involving a long ride over terrible roads and in the biting cold gave him a severe chill. The next day he attended a funeral. The following Sabbath he drove eleven miles and preached three sermons. Wednesday evening he preached. Friday evening he said he MUST go to one of his out appointments and hold service, and went. The next Sabbath he went his round for the last time. Monday he made his last appearance on the street. Wednesday the physician was called against his wishes and pronounced him sick with pneumonia. Friday he seemed much better. Saturday evening the doctor pronounced him decidedly better. The first part of the night he was very restless. At 12:30 he seemed to be sleeping quietly. Suddenly his wife heard a gurgling sound; she sprang up; she spoke, he made no reply; she held a light close to his face; he was gone. During the few day sof his confinement he was very happy. He frequently said: "I am so happy, ready and willing to go! How good the Saviour has been to me!" He could hardly keep from singing and shouting constantly, though the doctor told him he must not on account of the weakness of his lungs. The Sabbath before he died he said, "I guess next Sabbath I shall spend in Heaven". When Saturday evening came and he felt so much better in body, he said: "I thought I should be in Heaven tomorrow; but I do not know but I shall get cheated out of it". And yet his wish was gratified. Just as the Sabbath was coming in he took his flight from a world of care and toil and sorrow to the land of rest and peace and joy. The funeral services were held at Cameron, Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Rev. W. I. James, of Addison, officiated, assisted by the Rev. G. H. Allatt, of Jasper, and the Rev. W. E. Searles, of Canisteo. The presiding officer of the district was kept from paying his respects to the memory of a warm, personal friend by a severe attack of the grippe. Brother Howland was in many respects more than an ordinary man. He had a tall, manly, noble form, a genial, handsome countenance, a heart overflowing with good feeling and sympathy, and a rich, powerful and persuasive voice. He was a good preacher, a faithful, loving pastor, a splendid singer and a powerful exhorter. He was preeminently a soul-winner. He had revivals wherever he labored. In the rank of charges which he serve and in the amount of salaries which he received, Brother Howland stood below the middle line; but in souls won for eternaljoy and in trophies laid at Jesus's feet, he stands among the mightiest conquerors in Emmanuel's laurel-crowned host. C. W. Winchester. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Wednesday, April 20, 1892, P.2]

OLTZ, Deborah, Obituary

Mrs. Deborah Oltz died in Candor, NY, Oct. 13, 1892, aged 80 years. Her family name was Graham. She was born in the town of Newburg, Orange county, NY, and was married to Henry Oltz, of the same town, Jan. 13, 1831. Six years later they moved to Ithaca, NY, and lived there and in the adjoining town of Danby until the death of the husband, in March 1884. Then after a year spent in Connecticut Mrs. Oltz went to Candor where she lived from that time. She was a woman of rare energy, industry and decision of character, and was always highly respected. In early life she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. For many years she had been unable to attend church; yet she "cast not away her confidence", and she proved in the trying hour that it "hath great recompense of reward". During the sufferings of her last days she ripened for Heaven, without a murmur patiently awaiting her release. She was conscious to the last moment, fully aware of the approaching end and meeting it with joyous hope. Her last words were expressions of firm trust in Jesus as her Savior. Funeral services were held Oct. 15, conducted by the Rev. W. W. Smith, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Candor, who spoke most fitting and consolatory words. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), November 2, 1892]

TAYLOR, Charlotte A., Obituary

Mrs. Charlotte A. Taylor died at her home on Tuesday morning, March 22, 1892. She was born at Fleming, Cayuga county, N.Y., Aug. 16, 1828, and was married to Sheldon G. Taylor Dec. 11, 1849, by the Rev. Jonas Dodge. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Jasper in 1856. She has had four children: one died in childhood, three survive to mourn their loss. She was loyal to the church and its pastors. She was jealous for their reputation and seldom if ever found fault. She was a regular attendant upon the public service and Sunday school when she was able to be present. During the last year or two feebleness prevented her attendance but her interest in the cause was not abated. She was full of missionary zeal, contributing to all the benevolent collections and for pastoral support cheerfully according to her means. For a number of years she was the honored president of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Jasper charge. From her house boxes and barrels of supplies were sent to the Five Points mission and to the Western frontier. Sister Taylor worked for souls. She was greatly interested to her grandchildren, assisting them all they could in getting an education. Her special concern was for their spiritual welfare - especially for her grandson, who was converted a few months before her death, greatly to her joy. Her husband, who was in the army, died in Wilmington, N.C., twenty-seven years ago. His death was the great sorrow or her life. To her grandson, Lyman Mulhollen, she gave the family Bible-saying, "Study it: let it be your guide." Her funeral was largely attended. It was held at her home in Jasper, March 25. The sermon was by the Rev. E. G. W. Hall, a former pastor who had been requested by the deceased to preach. She was buried at Five Corners, by the side of her son. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Wednesday, April 20, 1892, P.7]