>OBITUARIES of the LYNCH and McLAUGHLIN FAMILIES

of

> HERKIMER COUNTY, NY

The obituaries of the Lynch and McLaughlin families were contributed by Paul McLaughlin in 1999 in honor or his ancestors. Contributor Paul passed away in early 2017.

July 8, 1926

DEATH OF THOMAS LYNCH

Respected Farmer of the Town of Fairfield Passed Away Yesterday

The town of Fairfield today mourns the loss of one of its most substantial citizens, in the person of Thomas Lynch, who died at his home in the Locust Grove section, Little Falls-Middleville road, at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. For some time past Mr. Lynch had been confined with hardening of the arteries. It was a hardship for a man who had been so active all his years to be confined, but he took his illness with the resignation of the true Christian that he was, saying it was God's will. His passing was indicative of the life he lived--peaceful and calm.

Thomas Lynch was a fine example of the high type of Irish immigrant who came here after the Civil war and who did much to develop the agricultural interests of the country. Mr. Lynch was born in the Emerald isle on the 25th of October, 1854, and came to America at the age of 14, settling in Newport. He went to work for farmers in that town, and the 58 years of life that was given to him in America he spent in tilling the soil. He was successful--the home he built and the general appearance of his farm buildings attest that--because he was intelligent and hard working. Tho deprived of the advantages of an education early in life, he was an apt student in the school of experience, and the knowledge he gained there was supplemented by good reading. Moreover, he was a deeply religious man and lived the life of a true Christian gentleman.

Mr. Lynch resided in the town of Newport until 1893, when he went to Little Falls and resided there for about ten years. He then bought the Benjamin F. Petrie farm in the Locust Grove neighborhood, and soon after suffered a serious reverse in the burning of the buildings. After the fire Mr. Lynch went to live on the Brayton farm nearby, remaining there about fifteen years. He then rebuilt the house and barns on the Petrie farm, and there he since made his home, developing it into a splendid property. The Little Falls-Middleville new concrete road passes by the home, and it was hoped that he might live to enjoy its benefits, for he was active in the effort to secure it.

While Mr. Lynch was a man of quiet, retiring disposition, he was a most companionable man to those who enjoyed his intimate acquaintance. He was well posted on the current issues of the day and one found a visit with him pleasant and profitable. He was a man of strict integrity and honor, one who possessed high ideals, and of him it can be truthfully said, "well done, good and faithful servant." He had only one fraternal connection, that with the Middleville hive of Macabees. He was a member of St. John's Catholic church at Newport until St. Mary's parish at Middleville was formed. He then became a member of that congregation.

On the 20th day of February, 1878, Mr. Lynch was married to Frances Miller of Salisbury. To them were born ten children, nine of whom survive. The other, Raymond, the youngest son, was among the first World war soldiers from Herkimer county to make the supreme sacrifice, and he sleeps among the poppies of France. Three sons and six daughters survive, Bernard and Francis of Little Falls and Arthur, who conducts the Bucklin farm near Middleville, Catherine and Alice, who reside at home, Mrs. John Kelly of Herkimer, Mrs. Dennis McLaughlin, Ilion, Mrs. Clelaon Helmer, Herkimer, and Mrs. Robert Wood, Middleville; also two brothers, Maurice and Patrick of Utica, and twenty-six grandchildren.

The funeral will be held from St. Mary's church, Middleville, at 10:30 tomorrow morning, and burial will be made in Newport.

MRS. FRANCES LYNCH

Middleville-Mrs. Frances M. Lynch, 91, died at home in the Little Falls-Middleville road Oct. 30, 1947, after a long illness.

She was born in Salisbury, Jan. 29, 1856, daughter of Michael and Catherine O'Neil Miller. She was married to Thomas Lynch of Salisbury Feb. 20, 1878. He died July 8, 1926.

She has lived in her present home for the last 54 years. She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Middleville and its societies.

Surviving are six daughters, Mrs. Harriet Wood, Utica; Mrs. Gertrude Kelly, R. D., Little Falls; Mrs. Clara McLaughlin, Ilion; Mrs. Cecilia Helmer, Little Falls; Miss Alice Lynch and Miss Catherine Lynch, both at home; two sons, Francis, Herkimer, and Arthur, R.D. Little Falls; 30 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from her home and from St. Mary's Church, Middleville at 9:30. The Rev. Dennis Dillon will officiate and burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Newport.

Bernard M. Lynch

Newport - Bernard M. Lynch died Sept. 13, 1944, following a short illness.

Mr. Lynch was born in the Town of Newport, Sept. 27, 1880, son of Frances Miller and the late Thomas Lynch. In 1916 he married Carrie Glover, who died several years ago.

He is survived by two sons, Edmond, U.S. Army, somewhere in France; and Joseph of Utica; one daughter, Mr. William Otto, Utica; and a granddaughter; his mother, Mrs. Thomas Lynch, Middleville-Little Falls Road; six sisters, Mrs. Robert Wood, Utica; Mrs. John Kelly, Little Falls; Mrs. Dennis McLoughlin and Mrs. T. J. Helmer, Ilion; Alice and Catherine, Newport; two brothers, Francis, Herkimer, and Arthur, St. Johnsville; several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Friday at 10 o'clock from the home of his mother. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Newport.

The Lynch Family
Click here for larger, fully identified view

A GRAND OLD MAN AT REST

April 16, 1905

James McLaughlin, the oldest resident of Newport and one of the last surviving pioneer settlers of the town, died at the home of his son, Michael, on School St., Saturday night, April 16, aged 89 years.

Mr. McLaughlin was born in County Longford, Ire., October 25, 1816. He came to America when about seven years of age, and at that time it required thirteen weeks to make the voyage from Dublin to Quebec, then the principal landing point for foreigners in America. Soon after, with his parents, he settled about two miles west of what is now Newport. At that time this section of the county was nearly all a wilderness and we were told by the old gentleman only a few years ago that he could well remember when there were only about a dozen families in the settlement now known as Newport village. He said that in those days a dense forest extended up to the West Canada Creek, and there were no buildings on the west side until the settlement of log houses at Smokey Hollow was reached. When the settlers of this neighborhood came to Newport they had to ford the West Canada in order to reach the hamlet, there being no bridge across the stream at that time. White Creek was then the business center of this locality, as on that stream was located the grist mills which ground the early settlers meal. He remained on the farm where he first settled until about ten years ago when, with his son, he came to live in this village. Being a man of upright character, genial disposition and honest in all his dealing with his fellow men, Mr. McLaughlin was highly respected by all who knew him, and it can truthfully be said that his was as honorable as it was long. He was a devout Catholic, and lived in accordance with the teachings of his faith as he understood them.

The deceased is survived by four sons, Michael and Maurice of this village; James of Montana and Thomas of California; also one sister, Mrs. Libbie Drum of this village.

Funeral services were held from his late home and from St. John's Church Tuesday, Rev. F. J. Toolan, pastor of the church and one of the old gentleman's dearest friends, officiating. In accordance with his request his remains were laid to rest in the old Catholic cemetery on Newport Hill, near his old home. A number of years ago, Mr. McLaughlin and a few other men of the neighborhood provided the cemetery, agreeing that when death overtook them, that their remains should be interred in it. Although many years have passed since that agreement was made, and Mr. McLaughlin was the last to die, he insisted that his word should not be broken and would not be persuaded to consent to burial in the Catholic cemetery at this village. This was characteristic of the man.

1912
McLAUGHLIN - LYNCH

Popular Couple United in Marriage at Middleville

Ilion, May 8. - A very pretty wedding was solemnized this morning at 9:30 at a nuptial mass at St. Mary's Church, Middleville, when Miss Clara E. Lynch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Lynch of that place, was united in marriage to Dennis J. McLaughlin of Ilion by Rev. Father White.

The attending couple was Miss Louise McLaughlin, sister of the groom, and Leo Kennedy, also of Ilion. The bride's gown was of hand embroidered white silk, with lace hat to match, and she carried a shower bouquet of roses. Her maid wore a white lingerie dress with white hat and carried sweet peas. The bride's traveling suit was of blue serge with black picture hat. After the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride, which was attended by only the immediate relatives of the contracting couple. Later in the day Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin left on a wedding trip to the eastern cities and before they return they will attend the state convention of the Knights of Columbus at Watertown. The bride is a favorite of a host of friends at Middleville, which was shown by the many beautiful gifts received of cut glass, linen, silver, furniture, etc. The groom is a former resident of Middleville, but now an Ilionite, where he is assistant foreman at the Library Bureau plant. He is well thought of by a large circle of friends and is an enthusiastic member of Ilion Council, No. 518, Knights of Columbus, of which he is grand knight. After June 1 Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin will be at home to their friends at 17 Elm street.

Photo

D. J. McLAUGHLIN
L. B. HEAD, DIES

Dennis J. McLaughin Funeral services were conducted at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning in the Church of the Annunciation for Dennis J. McLaughlin, 59, of 162 John Street, who died Thursday night May 15, 1947, in Ilion Hospital.

A requiem solemn high Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lynch, cousin of Mrs. McLaughlin, the Rev. Gerald Milett and the Rev. Thomas Scott.

The bearers were all members of Crim-Shaffer Post 920, American Legion, of which Mr. McLaughlin was the first commander. They included Miller Smithson, Charles Champagne, Albert Schultz, Floyd Lewis and Seymour Caspares.

The American Legion color guard and firing squad conducted ceremonies at the services and members of the Holy Name Society of the Church of the Annunciation and Local 315, UE-CIO visited the late home in a body.

McLaughlin, who was manager of Remington Rand Library Bureau and a prominent layman of the Catholic Church, had been confined in the Hospital since Monday.

After working as a carpenter with his father for many years, he joined the staff at the Library Bureau early in his life, and remained there until June, 1926, when he went to Rochester with the company of Yawman and Erbe, Inc., manufacturers of filing cabinets and office supplies.

In 1929 he organized the plant of McLaughlin-Stevens in Mohawk, manufacturers of wood office equipment. He returned to the Library Bureau in 1939 as superintendent.

During World War II, Mr. McLaughlin was appointed manager of the Andover Kent Aviation Corporation in New Brunswick, N. J., serving from August, 1942, until his return two years later to the Library Bureau where he succeeded Thomas Suters as manager.

During the past few months he had supervised the moving of the Library Bureau from Ilion to Herkimer.

First Commander of Crim-Shaffer Post 920, American Legion, Mr. McLaughlin was a pilot instructor for the Army Air Corps in World War I.

He served from 1936 to 1942 as a member of the Board of Education in Ilion and was acting postmaster for 13 months following his appointment on Aug. 1, 1934, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Roscoe Whiter.

He was president of the Holy Name Society of the Church of the Annunciation for several years and was a trustee of the Church until the time of his death.

He was born Mar. 2, 1888, in Schuyler, a son of Maurice and Mary Maxwell McLaughlin, and was graduated from Newport High School.

Surviving are his wife, the former Clara B. Lynch, Little Falls, whom he married May 8, 1912; one son, Paul, one grand-daughter, Karen Ann, all of Ilion, and two sisters, Louise and Rose McLaughlin, Clinton, Mass.

Calling hours are afternoons and evenings, today and tomorrow.

Dennis J. McLaughlin

Back to Obits Bulletin Board, Part 7

Back to Town of Newport Section

>Back to Town of German Flatts Section

Back to Herkimer County NYGenWeb