Massena Observer
March 3, 1910William Richard Stearns died at his home in this village last Wednesday evening after an illness of a week, although he had been in feeble health for a long time. A week before his death he was stricken with apoplexy while returning from the barbershop and was unconscious most of the time until his death. The funeral was held Friday afternoon from the Universalist Church, Rev. Petty, of Canton, officiating. Interment in Pine Grove cemetery.
William R. Stearns was born at Williamsburg, Ont., October 30, 1825, and when a young child his father, Abner Stearns, moved to Louisville, where the elder Stearns followed the miller's trade, later moving to Chase Mills, where W. R. grew to manhood, working with his father and attending the district school. In 1848 he married Laura Haskell, of Massena and in 1850 they came to Massena, where he went into business in the old stone store, conducting a grocery and buying butter and produce in company with the late J. L. Hyde.
In 1856 he went to California, in the midst of the gold craze, where he remained about three years, engaged in mining and in the saloon business. He retuned to Massena in 1860 and went into business with Horace Clark, then with John O. Bridges, and later with L. E. Waterbury. In 1873 W. G. Snaith bought an interest in the business and the firm became known as Stearns & Snaith which continued to September 1907, when Mr. Stearns sold his interest to Mr. Snaith.
About this time he purchased an interest in Massena Springs with Mr. Shedden and the Springs and Harrowgate House were conducted by Sheddon & Stearns until two years ago, when the Shedden interests were purchased by C. W. Kinsella, of New York.
Mr. Stearns was a director in the Massena Springs and Fort Covington railroad, being active in conjunction with Judge S. W. Foster and others in building the first railroad to Massena.
His first wife bore him two daughters, Mrs. Allen C. Squires and Mrs. Clara Fuller, both of this place, who survive. Mrs. Stearns died December 6, 1883, and two years later he married Miss Sarah McGovern, of Potsdam, who survives him, with one son, William R. Jr., and he is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Caryl, of Chase Mills, who is the last surviving member of a family of eight children.
During Mr. Stearns active life he was one of the most prominent and enterprising businessmen of Massena, and at one time was possessed of considerable property. In politics he was a democrat, but never a politician, devoting his time and energies to business. He lived a very busy life up to a few years ago, when infirmities compelled him to remain most of the time in the house. He was universally respected and had a large circle of friends who will regret to hear of his death.
The Rockford Morning Star
October 27, 1920Mrs. Harriet Thompson Haskell, widow of Calvin Haskell and resident of this section for eighty-two years, died Wednesday afternoon at 1:50 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Christopher Lander, in Owen Township. She fell about a week ago and although no bones were broken the burden of her ninety-nine years was too heavy to allow her to survive the shock.
Deceased was born in Twinsburg, Ohio on March 4, 1821, and therefore lacked bt five months and 6 days of being one hundred years of age. Mrs. Haskell came to Rockford from Twinsburg, O., when she was seventeen years old. The trip was made overland in two big prairie schooners. Her father, Joel Thompson, purchased 160 acres of land at Petatonica, erected a saw mill and log cabin, and the family settled there. He brother A. W. Thompson was captain of Company B, 74th volunteer infantry, during the Civil War. Another brother, Joel, still lives at Petaonica and a sister Mrs. Mary Stickney, resides at Potsdam, N.Y. Her father served in the War of 1812.
Her husband, Calvin Haskell, was a nephew of Dr. George Haskell, after whom Haskell park was named. For many years the family home was at the northwest corner and Peach and Horsman streets and was noted for its rose garden. Mrs. Haskell was a charter member of the Church of the Christion Union, whose founder and first pastor was the late Dr. Thomas Kerr.
Besides her daughter at whose home her last days were spent, she is survived by one son, Charles W. Haskell, of Denver, Colorado and the brother and sister previously mentioned.
Mrs. Haskell was a woman of culture and refinement, with a high appreciation of the beautiful in flowers and music. She was one of the splendid women developed by the trying ordeals of pioneer days in this section, helpful, generous, sincere and kindly, radiating cheer to all who came within her circle of her genial influence. Her remarkable span of years failed to diminish her interest in current affairs or cause her to lose the charming courtesy which endeared her to a wide acquaintance.
The Rockford Morning Star
October 27, 1920Mrs. Harriet Thompson Haskell, widow of Calvin Haskell and resident of this section for eighty-two years, died Wednesday afternoon at 1:50 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Christopher Lander, in Owen Township. She fell about a week ago and although no bones were broken the burden of her ninety-nine years was too heavy to allow her to survive the shock.
Deceased was born in Twinsburg, Ohio on March 4, 1821, and therefore lacked bt five months and 6 days of being one hundred years of age. Mrs. Haskell came to Rockford from Twinsburg, O., when she was seventeen years old. The trip was made overland in two big prairie schooners. Her father, Joel Thompson, purchased 160 acres of land at Petatonica, erected a saw mill and log cabin, and the family settled there. He brother A. W. Thompson was captain of Company B, 74th volunteer infantry, during the Civil War. Another brother, Joel, still lives at Petaonica and a sister Mrs. Mary Stickney, resides at Potsdam, N.Y. Her father served in the War of 1812.
Her husband, Calvin Haskell, was a nephew of Dr. George Haskell, after whom Haskell park was named. For many years the family home was at the northwest corner and Peach and Horsman streets and was noted for its rose garden. Mrs. Haskell was a charter member of the Church of the Christion Union, whose founder and first pastor was the late Dr. Thomas Kerr.
Besides her daughter at whose home her last days were spent, she is survived by one son, Charles W. Haskell, of Denver, Colorado and the brother and sister previously mentioned.
Mrs. Haskell was a woman of culture and refinement, with a high appreciation of the beautiful in flowers and music. She was one of the splendid women developed by the trying ordeals of pioneer days in this section, helpful, generous, sincere and kindly, radiating cheer to all who came within her circle of her genial influence. Her remarkable span of years failed to diminish her interest in current affairs or cause her to lose the charming courtesy which endeared her to a wide acquaintance.
Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph
May 25, 1887A telegram was received here Sunday from Prof. Haskell announcing the death of his mother that morning, from congestion of the lungs. She had been ill but four days. Word came by mail Saturday that she was better, but Prof. Haskell left for Ann Arbor that evening, in response to a dispatch. The intelligence was a great shock to her friends here, as most of them had not learned of her illness. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph May 23, 1887 page 7
The burial of Mrs. Dr. Haskell will take place here tomorrow on the arrival of the day express from the east. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph May 24, 1887 page 7
The remains of Mrs. Dr. Haskell arrived by the day express this afternoon. Dr. H. and his three sons, W. S., F. D. and Henry coming by the same train. They were met at the station by friends here.
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Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph
May 30, 1887The Michigan Christian Herald contains a sketch of the late Mrs. Dr. Haskell, whose burial took place here Wednesday. Her maiden name was Elizabeth H. Granger and her marriage to Dr. Haskell occurred 40 years ago next August in Suffield, Conn.
She was connected with prominent families of Providence, Drs. James N. and A. H. Granger. After their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Haskell moved west, following his ordination. Her married life was all passed in Michigan, her husband's three pastorates being, Detroit, four years, Kalamazoo 19 years, Ann Arbor 17.
The sketch in the Herald says of her characteristics; "Though her health had suffered from the sore and lasting grief of burying her only sister, she entered devotedly on the characteristic work of her life, and has made it a large and most dutiful one. She was a model mistress in her household, of strong affections and great self-sacrifice, applying system and energy to her daily cares. She loved to task her skill, and studied to increase it for the enjoyment of her family and the many who came and went at her hospitable doors. "In the church and community she loved to go with her husband in ministries to the poor, the sick, the strangers and friendless, and to mingle in friendly social life. For society life, in the worldly sense, she had no craving, and her conscience had a fineness of edge which would not bear the expense of money, of strength, of healthful habit and spirituality which are incurred in such walks. In religious meetings she was of almost no words, and ever carried a burdened heart from the feeling that she could not meet what many thought her position demanded. But few have 'waited on the Lord without distraction in a deeper heart interest than hers, and kept up a more steady prayerfulness and unnoticed co-working for the advancement of true religion, while her own family have precious recollections of her prayers and teachings and counsels for them and with them. In her correspondence with large number of relatives and friends, maintained regularly through life and often a t great physical cost, she has, beyond many of names known even to fame, been prized as a fruitful-minded helpful and winning christian friend. She has long been the treasurer and solicitor for the Woman's Home Mission society in the church, and nothing more delighted her than cheerful responses to her modest calls, and sending forward her remittances. The missionary periodicals, and the many weekly papers, and many good books never a poor one yielded their treasures to the reading habits which the prompt and wise use of time enabled her to maintain,"