Onondaga County New York Obituaries Extracted From The Northern Christian Advocate, Syracuse, NY, 1906

1906 Obituaries from the Northern Christian Advocate in Syracuse, Onondaga County New York.

GOODWIN, William W., Obituary

William W. Goodwin was born in Livingston county, N.Y., October 10, 1818, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. P. Longwell, in Pine City, N.Y., November 5, 1905, aged eighty-seven years. He moved to Tioga county, Pa., with his parents, when but eleven years old, the country being a dense wilderness. In 1845, he was married to Miss Irenia Brace of that county. They moved to Steuben county soon afterward, where for nine years our brother owned a large saw mill. Returning to Rutland township, Pa., Mr. Goodwin purchased a farm, clearing the land. In the winter of 1870 the writer conducted protracted meetings at Lawrence Corners. One hundered were converted and among the converts were Brother and Sister Goodwin and family. From that time to the close of life he was a faithful Christian, a true friend to his pastor and always ready to contribute to the church financially. When the church was erected and the parsonage home as well, he was among the most generous donors. Until the infirmities of age compelled his retirement he was class leader, a steward and trustee of the society. In 1875 he moved to Pine City, where he purchased a farm. He is survived by his wife, a true and loyal Christian, by a daughter, Mrs. R. P. Longwell of Pine City, N.Y., two sons, Oliver N., of Pine City, N.Y., and Samuel T. Goodwin of Jackson Summit, Pa. The funeral was held at our church at Webbs Mills, N.Y., Rev. Paul Smith officiating. Interment was made in the cemetery at that place. After the thrity-five years of unbroken Christian fellowship the loss of our brother is deeply felt, but we shall soon meet again. Paul Smith. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Thursday, May 24, 1906, P.335]

WILLSON, Joseph R., Obituary

Joseph R. Willson was born of sturdy pioneer stock, in Troupsburg, N.Y., April 16, 1841. In this vicinity most of his life was passed. Here he joined the church, was married, and here four of his five children were born. Here he enlisted in the Civil War and in September, 1864, marched with Company F of the 161st Reg't N.Y.S Vol. Infantry. Twice he moved to different states, but always retained the strongest attachment for Steuben county, its customs and people, and it was with great satisfaction that he was enable to return three years ago. He died at his late residence in Addison, January 10th, 1906. Rev. W. H. Henderson officiated at the funeral. Burial was in the village cemetery. Such are the bare outlines of a brave life whose inner tragedy was a stern conflict with physical pain. Nominally his service to his country lasted but a year, but it may properly be called the sacrifice of a lifetime, since he brought from the army the dread enemy with whose unequal strength he was ever afterwards forced to battle. Only those who have witnessed the advance of disease upon a robust constitution can appreciate the significance of the statement that through all his years of suffering, except the last few months, when his sensibilities were dulled by opiates, he retained the resolution of purpose, the hope and buoyancy of youth. Though renewed attacks of sickness always overtook and hindered the materialization of his plans, he was never conquered, for his ambitions were never shaken, and we believe that somewhere, in some world, the Lord will give him an "incoruptible" body to match his dauntless spirit. The original intention manifest in his mind and heart makes this sequel necessary. The year 1865 was to him an eventful year. On New Year's day he gave his heart to ... married to Chatherine...a rare and beautiful...it might have been thought... strenuous part of nurse and helper that awaited her, but she was apparently given superhuman strength for her devotion, which lasted till her husband's dying hour. A little daughter died in infancy. Four sons remain to receive the legacy of their father's clean and honest life. Born and reared in a Methodis home, in Mr. Willson the Methodist Episcopal church loses one of its most consciencious members of that fixed type so ... to the last generation. ... or not this type will reproduce ... in the present century, it is certainly the progenitor of that which is best in the spiritual life of the future, whatever form it may take under the shaping hands of new conditions. Wilhelmine Putnam Willson. [Northern Christian Advocate, (Syracuse, NY), Thursday, April 5, 1906, P.223]