Ontario County NY Obituaries

"Gra" Obituaries

From Ontario County Journal 9 August 1889

Chapinville, N. Y. - James Grace, who we reported sick last week, we are sorry to say died on Thursday night last, August 1st. He had been ailing for some time with liver difficulty which caused his death. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn his loss. He was forty-three years old.

From Ontario County Journal 23 December 1892

Ernest Graf, aged about 38 years, a German farmer living about three miles this side of Naples, was killed last Saturday forenoon by a falling tree. He had gone out in the morning with his hired man to fell some trees. One of them, having been chopped, in falling, lodged its top in a nearby tree. As they were loosening it, it suddenly slipped free and struck Mr. Graf. He must have been instantly killed, as he made no cry or moan, and it was only when the hired man noticed his employer lying still upon the ground that he apprehended what had happened. Investigation showed that the neck had been broken. The funeral was held Monday, many Germans from all parts of the county attending. A wife and two children survive deceased.

From Ontario County Journal 21 May 1909

Naples, N. Y. - Frederic Graf, known as Fritz, a popular young man of the town, was found dead on Saturday afternoon in a pool of water near his home on Bristol street. He was one of the proprietors of the Graf wine cellars, his partners being his father, George Graf, and his brothers, Ernest and Simeon. Friday he was suffering agonizing pain from a malignant felon, blood poisoning having set in. He drove to town for medical aid, but could get no relief. That night after his family were asleep, he left the house and was not seen until his body was discovered. The report quickly circulated that it was a case of suicide, but this is indignantly denied by his people. They admit that he was crazed by the pain and hardly knew what to do, but believe he went into the water to find relief and in some way lost his balance. He was only 31, with a lovely wife and two little children of whom he was very fond, and there was no cause for suicide. He came here with his father from Germany when a small boy, and when 16 began work in Meyer's meat market remaining there until he became expert, when he started a market in Livonia, but two years ago came home to this new business. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church, a former pastor, Rev. Peter McKenzie, now of Palmyra, officiating. The church was full and much sorrow manifest.

From Ontario County Journal 22 September 1899

Naples, N. Y. - Mrs. Adelaide Graham, colored, wife of Ebenezer Graham, fell dead while at work on Friday of last week. The cause was heart disease. This couple were slaves in Virginia, coming north soon after they were liberated by the president's proclamation. By diligence and superior skill as helpers, they became very popular and highly esteemed. They were members of the Methodist church. The funeral at the church was largely attended.

From Geneva Gazette 13 September 1861

Died, in Geneva, on Saturday, Sept. 7th, Mrs. Laura Sophia Graham, aged 33 years, daughter of Elisha B. and Margaret M. Higgins, and granddaughter of the late Philip C. Ruckel. The deceased had resided among us but a short time and during that period had formed but a limited acquaintance. These were of her own immediate neighborhood; to them she became most ardently attached, and was in return most devotedly beloved. She was buoyant in spirits, even under circumstances that would have crushed to the very earth any but a strong, resolute will, sustained by the consciousness of rectitude of life. In the social circle she was the very pattern of filial love and duty; as a wife, all that could be desired in a helpmeet to man; as a mother, the
most devoted and affectionate to the two little ones who alone survive her out of a family of six. To all these bereaved relatives and friends, the stroke of death coming so suddenly "as a thief in the night," is a most afflictive dispensation. God in his mercy reconcile them to it, and console them by his blessed promise that she "is not dead, but sleepeth," and that her waking will be in the presence of Him whom she served with the sincerity of the true believer.

From Ontario County Journal 29 April 1898

Naples, N. Y. - Martin Graham, father of H. E. Graham of this village, died on Thursday, April 21, at the home of his son, aged 58 years. He had been an invalid for fifteen years. He was one of the large family of that name in Italy but had lived in Naples for twenty-five years.

From Ontario County Journal 30 August 1895

Phelps, N. Y. - Peter Graham, an old resident of this place, who, for the past few years, has been an inmate of the county house at Hopewell, died there last Sunday, aged about 75 years. He was brought to Phelps and buried in the Phelps cemetery on Monday.

From Ontario County Journal 18 May 1883

Naples, N. Y. - On Saturday last, Rose Graham, a colored girl, daughter of Edward Graham, died of consumption, aged 24. This family came here in 1869 from Georgia, and all of them have been highly respected ever since. They have been diligent and and have accumulated some property. Rose was the only child, a good honest girl and a faithful Christian, having been a member of the M. E. church. There was a large attendance at her funeral on Monday.

From Ontario County Chronicle 4 February 1903

Naples, N. Y. - Timothy V. Granby died at his home Saturday, aged 57 years. He was born in Naples and had always lived here; was educated in the village schools and Naples Academy, and began his mercantile career by clerking five years for H. H. Watrous. In 1869 he and his brother, George A. Granby, purchased the stock of dry goods and groceries of George A. Gordon. They continued the business under the firm name of Granby Bros. in the Gordon block three years, when they moved into a large store of their own, built to meet the demands of their large and increasing business. Mr. Granby was many years a member of the school board, a village trustee, corresponding secretary of Naples Grape Growers Association and a member of Naples Fair Association. He was deeply interested in all the improvements of his village and town. He was a useful man and he will be much missed in the community. Endowed with fine business qualifications, his advice was much sought in intricate matters and was freely given. By industry and economy he had acquired a good fortune. He leaves a wife and daughter, Mrs. Floyd DeForest, besides a mother, now 84 years old, and two brothers, George R. and Charles L. Granby.

From Geneva Daily Times 13 March 1897

Mrs. Ann Graney, aged 47 years, wife of Martin Graney, died at her home on Jackson street this morning from consumption. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons and five daughters. The funeral will be held on Monday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Francis de Sales church.

From Geneva Daily Times 25 July 1903

The funeral of Martin Graney, who was killed by a Central Hudson train Wednesday night was held at St. Francis de Sales church this morning at 9 o'clock. The church was crowded and there was a large profusion of flowers. The bearers were Patrick Cassidy, James Sweeney, Daniel Creedon, Richard Toole, John Brennan, and Michael Naughton. The burial was in St. Patrick's cemetery.

From Geneva Advertiser 28 July 1903

Martin Graney, the old carrier, later employed at the Geneva Preserving Works, was struck and killed by the midnight train on the Central last Wednesday night. He was leaving the works for his home and starting to cross the tracks just as the train came on. There was no time to stop the train or for him to step back as the engine was upon him. His home is 35 Jackson street. The body was terribly mangled, and was first identified by a card in one of his pockets bearing his name. The directory gives the names of six residents at that number in Jackson street, four daughters and one son besides himself and his wife.

From Geneva Gazette 26 August 1881

Sudden Death at Clifton Springs - The family of Hon. J. N. Granger at Clifton Springs are in deep affliction over the sudden death of a son and brother, Eugene Granger. He fell in the streets of the village on the 17th inst., with every indication of a death-stroke from heart disease. This dispensation was sad enough to the bereaved family and friends, without being aggravated by cruel and heartless comments of a fanatical press. If the deceased had faults, surely they might have been passed over in silence with his death, and mourning kindred spared the deeper wound of having his alleged shortcomings paraded in print with flaring headlines. We know that in all traits of character becoming the filial son, the affectionate husband and devoted father, the deceased was above reproach. The cause of temperance cannot be promoted by defaming the character of the dead and harrowing the feelings of surviving relatives, even if intended as a homily on reform.

From Ontario Repository & Messenger 13 October 1869

Died in Manchester, last Friday, Mr. Gehazi Granger, aged 94 years. He was stepfather to Hon. Stephen A. Douglass, and the father of Hon. Julius N. Granger, Recorder of the General Land Office at Washington. He was highly esteemed for his honorable and upright character as a citizen and neighbor. His wife died but a few months ago, also at an advanced age.

From Geneva Gazette 8 January 1823

In Canandaigua, the 31st ult., the Hon. Gideon Granger, aged 55. His death was sudden, although he had been confined most of the time for several months, and scarcely a hope was entertained of his restoration to health. Mr. Granger was born at Suffield, Conn., on the 19th July 1767; was educated at Yale College, where he graduated in Sept. 1787, and was admitted to the bar as a lawyer in 1789. In '94, he was elected from his native town, a member of the state legislature, and returned by his fellow citizens to that body for several successive years. During this period, the system of the Connecticut School Fund was established -- a measure in which Mr. Granger was greatly instrumental, and the beneficial operation of which he has witnessed with peculiar satisfaction. Upon the political change in the administration of the general government in 1801, Mr. Granger was appointed to the office of Post Master General, and continued to discharge its duties until the spring of 1814, when he removed to this state. In 1819, he was elected a Senator from the western district in our state legislature; but in the spring of 1821, the state of his health compelled him to resign his seat. He was distinguished for talents and intelligence -- his views of public affairs were elevated and enlarged, evincing a liberal mind, matured by deep research and much experience. Ontario Repository.

From Geneva Daily Times 17 October 1905

Canandaigua, N. Y. - Mrs. Isaphine Pierson Granger, widow of Gideon Granger, passed peacefully away at her home on Main Street North at an early hour yesterday morning. She had been ill about a week with a complication of ailments which refused to yield to the treatment of physicians. Her age was 79 years. Mrs. Granger was born in the city of New York in 1826 and was the daughter of Isaac Pierson. She became a resident of this village in 1838, and had since continuously resided here. In 1850 she was united in marriage with Gideon Granger, whose death occurred in 1868. To them were born two children, Antoinette and Isaphine Granger, of this village. The funeral service will be held at the home, and Rev. Lewis T. Reed of the Congregational Church will be assisted by Rev. Charles J. Clausen in conducting the service. Mrs. Granger's husband, Gideon Granger, a lawyer of ability and a man of great liberality and kindness, was the son of Francis Granger and the grandson of Gideon Granger, both of whom were members of the United States Cabinet, filling with marked distinction the position of postmaster general.

From Ontario Repository & Messenger 2 June 1869

Mrs. Sally Fish Granger, mother of the late Hon. Stephen A. Douglass, died at her residence in Clifton Springs last Sunday, of heart disease, in the 81st year of her age.

From Ontario County Journal 11 June 1897

Clifton Springs, N. Y. - Mrs. Sarah Granger died at her grandson's home, about one mile west of this village, on Tuesday morning. Mrs. Granger was a sister of Stephen A. Douglass, who was candidate for president against Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Granger was postmistress for eight years during the administrations of presidents of Arthur and Cleveland. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Hoyt and Mrs. S. D. Jackson.

From Geneva Gazette 30 March 1900

Amos Grant died March 22d. Mr. Grant shot himself last Saturday morning in the right temple, the ball passing through his head, coming out just above the left ear. His remains were taken to Stanley this morning. Mr. Grant had been employed as a night operator for the Lehigh Railroad for some time. He was not in good health and it is thought this caused him to be despondent. His funeral was held at Stanley.

From Geneva Daily Times 11 January 1908

Mrs. Grace Grant, wife of James E., died this morning at 6 o'clock at the home of her sister, Mrs. Joseph Hutchinson of No. 8 Brook street. Besides her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Dorothy; her mother, Mrs. Sarah Davy, and her sister, Mrs. Hutchinson. Burial Glenwood Cemetery.

From Geneva Daily Times 3 April 1905

Jane Grant, 81 years old, died at her home at Stanley Saturday. The funeral will be held tomorrow and burial will take place in No. 9 cemetery.

From Ontario County Journal 15 January 1909

Stanley, N. Y. - The death of Winthrop Grant occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Williams, early on Sunday morning, after a brief illness from pneumonia. Mr. Grant was 80 years of age and had been a resident of Stanley for many years. The funeral services were held from his late home on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The burial was at No. 9 cemetery. Three children survive him: Mrs. William Williams, with whom he lived, and two sons, William of this place and Mortimer of Hobart.

From Geneva Courier 12 March 1856

Sudden Death - Charles M. Graves, an Englishman by birth, in the employ of McConnell & Humphrey, as shoemaker, died on Monday morning last of disease of the heart, in the 55th year of his age. Graves was a man of very intemperate habits, and no doubt this was the principal cause of his disease. He was taken sick and died in the store of the above firm, which was his regular place of lodging. Let this end be a warning to some of our youth, who are fast following in his footsteps.

From Geneva Daily Times 6 April 1905

Shortsville, N. Y. - Edward Hyde Graves, a former resident of Canandaigua, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Johnson, of Hebron street, in this village, Wednesday morning, of pulmonary tuberculosis, after an illness of eight months. He was born in the town of Canandaigua fifty-eight years ago, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Randsford D. Graves. In 1875 he was married to Miss Jessie Penoyer. By trade he was a painter. Mr. Graves is survived by six children, Mrs. Charles Burgett of Canandaigua; Mrs. William Johnston of Shortsville; Mrs. Andrew Benson of Michigan; Miss Delphia Graves of Rochester; Miss Anna Graves of Macadama; and Miss Edna Graves of Stanley; also by three brothers and three sisters, Randsford D. Graves of Corning; Dunwreath Graves of Laingsburg, Mich.; Frank Graves of Rushville; Miss Ada J. Graves of Canandaigua; Mrs. Anna Smith of Canandaigua; and Mrs. Harriet Pike of Ottawa, Ill. The funeral will be held in East Bloomfield, where he will be buried.

From Geneva Gazette 18 July 1873

Mrs. Eliza, wife of Seth Graves, of this village, died on Friday last, 11th instant, after a lingering and painful illness, and submitting to an operation for the removal of an internal tumor. Mrs. G. was a native of Danbury, Conn., but had been a resident of Geneva for thirty years and upwards. She was a most exemplary wife and mother, a kind neighbor and sympathetic friend to those in affliction. These estimable qualities endeared her to a wide circle of intimate friends who will keenly deplore her loss, while to her immediate family it is irreparable, though they have the consolation that, as a sincere and humble Christian, she has entered upon eternal rest in the joy of her Lord. The aged husband, and four children of adult age, were all present to receive her parting blessing and tearfully to follow her remains to their last resting place.

From Ontario County Journal 30 November 1894

Academy, N. Y. - Mrs. Jessie Graves, who died in Canandaigua the 25th, was a daughter of the late Alvin Penoyer, and spent her youth in this place. She was 36 years old and leaves six daughters, a husband, mother, two brothers and a sister to mourn her loss.

From Geneva Daily Times 25 April 1917

The funeral of Mrs. Louise B. Graves who died yesterday morning at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Fred Baumgartner, Jr., of No. 9 Main street, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Baumgartner, Rev. David H. Craver, of the North Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery.

From Ontario County Journal 5 July 1895

Tuesday morning Ransford D. Graves died at the home of his son on Chapin street. Last Wednesday morning Mr. Graves suffered a stroke of apoplexy, but had apparently recovered from its effects and was about on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday evening a second stroke came, and he steadily grew worse until his death. Mr. Graves possessed remarkable vitality, and during the 86 years of his life had never required the services of a physician, except on one occasion, preceding his last illness. He was born in Burham, Conn., and was the oldest of a family of 11 children, of which three sisters and two brothers survive. He had been a resident of Canandaigua 60 years, and was a blacksmith, and carriagemaker in this village and in Centerfield. Seven children survive: Mrs. H. S. Williams of Ottawa, Ill.; Mrs. Lucas Smith, Miss Ida, Frank, Dunreath and Hyde Graves of Canandaigua; and R. D. Graves of Corning. There are also 20 grandchildren of the deceased living. Funeral services will be held at the residence of Lucas Smith, Chapin street, this morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. C. H. Dickinson officiating.

From Geneva Advertiser Gazette 1 November 1906

Samuel S. Graves, died at the home of his son, Henry B. Graves on Castle street, early last Tuesday morning, October 30, after an illness that had confined him to the house but a few days. There was very little if any disease -- it was sheer old age. Mr. Graves was born in Auburn October 19, 1821, consequently was past 85 years of age. He came to Geneva in 1864, engaging in the nursery business with the firm of Graves, Selover & Willard. He retired from that firm later and for many years was Superintendent of the Geneva Gas Light Co., also of the Geneva Water Works Co., until on account of age he resigned from first one and then the other. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and of assessor in Geneva, and for twenty years has been warden of St. Peter's Church. His wife died in 1898, and this was a fearful shock to him. The burial is to be in Glenwood Cemetery. He is survived by five children: Rt. Rev. Frederick B. Graves, Bishop of China, Henry B. of Geneva, Samuel S., Jr., of Chicago, Mrs. L. W. Keyes and Miss Clara B. Graves of Geneva. There is no place outside his home where he will be more keenly missed than in St. Peter's Church, for if well he was to be seen every morning and nearly every evening in his seat there.

From Geneva Gazette 16 June 1893

Wm. M. Graves died at his home on Genesee street quite suddenly on Monday last, of heart disease. He carried on business as a shoemaker in a little shop adjoining his residence, at which he made a comfortable living. He was able to work until Saturday evening when he was severely prostrated and never rallied. His age was about 60 years. He performed patriotic services in the late war as a member of the 50th reg't N. Y. V. His death creates another void in the ranks of Swift Post No. 94.

From Geneva Gazette 24 June 1881

*The spelling of this name is actually GREY; she is sister to Charles Grey whose obituary appears on this page.

Last Saturday morning a young girl named Anna Ellen Gray either committed suicide deliberately, or died from the effect of an overdose of medicine taken to produce an abortion. We have obtained facts in the case so far as developed from the sorrowing father, Elijah Gray, who is a resident of this town. "Nellie", as she was familiarly called, had been out at service as a domestic for two or three years - for the last three months and at the time of her death in the family of David Westfall, just over our county line and in the town of Lyons. Nellie was fond of young society, accustomed to attend country dances, and thus of being out late at nights. For this she was upbraided and even chastised by her parents. But they thought no greater wrong had been committed by her than making some improper acquaintances. The sequel proves that her ruin had been accomplished.

Saturday morning last Nellie did not get up to perform her accustomed work. On being called she said she was sick. Her mistress left her undisturbed and prepared the meal herself. While at breakfast Mrs. Westfall was startled by the sound of a heavy fall on the floor in Nellie's room. Going upstairs she found Nellie lying on the floor behind the door, face downward, and unconscious. Mrs. W. at once called her husband who upon reaching the room found the unfortunate girl dead. The room was in great disorder, the bedclothes and even the deceased's clothing torn and strewn in every direction, showing that she must have suffered greatly during the night and become deranged. Coroner Livingston of Clyde was notified who summoned a jury, and an investigation and post mortem examinations were held, Drs. Putnam of Lyons and Dr. Robinson of Alloway conducting the latter. The revelation was made that the girl was in about the seventh month of pregnancy. A bottle of suspicious looking medicine was found in her trunk, which indicated that she had attempted an abortion. The stomach and vital organs, Mr. Gray informed us, were sent to Rochester for analysis to determine what was the exact character of the deadly drug or poison taken. But without the chemist's report, the coroner's jury rendered a verdict that deceased came to her death from an overdose of medicine taking for the purpose of producing an abortion.

We cannot learn upon whom suspicion fastens as the direct cause of the poor girl's ruin. Whoever it be, he must be haunted by remorse as accessory to her murder so long as he lives.

From Geneva Gazette 15 August 1879

Fatal Accident - Mr. Isaiah Gray, a farmer who resided in the southwest part of the town of West Bloomfield, met with an accident on Monday last, which resulted in his death next morning. Mr. Gray was working in his field with a reaper, when one of his horses got a leg over the reaper pole. Mr. Gray went to his horses' heads, and was loosening the breast straps of the harness to lower the pole and relieve the horse, when the horse plunged suddenly, knocking him down; and as he attempted to rise the rake arm struck him, and then the machine came upon him. He was terribly bruised and mangled, but retained consciousness until placed under the influence of chloroform. Canandaigua Times.

From Geneva Daily Times 12 February 1921

Mrs. Jennie Gray died yesterday afternoon at the Geneva City Hospital. She is survived by one son, William Hunt of Buffalo; two brothers, Hiram and Charles Darling, of this city. There will be a short funeral service at Devaney & Co.'s undertaking rooms on Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Interment will be made in Washington street cemetery.

From Geneva Gazette 24 October 1879

Death of an Aged Pioneer - Joseph Gray died at the residence of a daughter, near Stanley, on Wednesday the 22d inst., at the advanced age of 94 years, 4 mos. and 18 days. Few if any in the county of such extreme old age survive him, and none probably who has lived so long in the county. We can not learn definitely when Mr. Gray first settled in the town of Seneca, but from reminiscences related by him it must have been prior to the beginning of this century, when there was more of forest than of clearing and nearly or quite as many of red men as of pale faces - of deer, bear and catamount more than of cattle. It has been Mr. Gray's privilege to see an utter transformation of the face of nature surrounding him, and to do his part in "making the wilderness blossom as the rose." Few men were better known or more universally respected than Mr. Gray. No stain ever rested upon his character. He was called repeatedly to official station by his townsmen, and discharged his duties with uniform fidelity. So also in private life, in all transactions with his fellowmen, did he fulfill the divine injunction of "doing as he would wish to be done by." The memory of such a man is blessed. One son only is left by deceased - Mr. John B. Gray of this village.

From Geneva Gazette 4 November 1881

Mrs. Joshua Gray - This venerable lady died yesterday, at the advanced age of nearly 91 years. She leaves but very few seniors in years, and none we believe in length of residence in Geneva. She well-fulfilled her duty in life as wife, mother, neighbor and Christian -- leaving a large family to revere and cherish her memory.

From Geneva Gazette 8 February 1901

Lucy A. Gray died at the Church Home hospital at 10:30 o'clock Wednesday night, aged 84 years. Mrs. Gray had been ill five weeks. The deceased was one of Geneva's pioneer residents. She was born here and had resided here all her life. She was a member of Trinity church. Mrs. Gray is survived by three brothers, W. H. Gray, of Illinois; Charles Gray, of Florida; and L. R. Gray of this city, and by three sisters, Mrs. Caroline Barnes, of Colorado, Mrs. J. Randall and Mrs. Julia Hitchcock of Lyons. The funeral will take place from the home at 2:30 o'clock, this afternoon. Interment will be in Washington street cemetery.

From Geneva Advertiser Gazette 14 September 1905

Mrs. Lyman R. Gray died very suddenly at her home on Castle street last Saturday, undoubtedly of heart disease. She had been quite ill some little time before, but was able to get about the house again and sit upon the porch. The end came very unexpectedly. Besides her husband, she leaves one son, Patrick Keefe, by her first marriage, whose home was with her on Castle street. She was a very large woman, and weighing over 250 pounds, and her trouble may have been dropsical, at last affecting her heart. Mr. Gray has also been twice married. She leaves one brother and one sister in Ireland. Her age was 63 years. The funeral was held last Tuesday morning from St. Stephen's church. Burial St. Patrick's Cemetery - Ann Gray.

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