Chandler, Chester Smith 1835-1905

CHANDLER, KINGSBURY, RAISH, WATERBURY, NICKEL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/9/2019 at 20:38:36

Akron Register-Tribune
Thursday, March 23, 1905

OBITUARY.
Chester Smith Chandler, son of Phineas and Annis Chandler, was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, N.Y., September 17, 1835, and spent the first eighteen years of his life on the farm. When he was twelve years old his father died, but being the youngest of eight boys, his services were not needed on the homestead, and, at the age of eighteen, decided to try his fortune to the west. Only one brother, Lewis, of Danville, Illinois, survives him. His father died at the age of fifty, but his mother lived to be eighty-three.

In 1853, he came as far west as Chicago, visiting that city, when it was a mere hamlet. From there he journeyed across the prairies of Wisconsin to Delavan, going some distance on foot and remained there four years. He then returned to his native state, and on June 3, 1862, was married to Tryphena Roseltha Kingsbury. Together, for over two score years, they have lived and labored and reared their family of seven children, all of whom reached maturity except one, Emily May, who died in infancy. Etta M. Chandler died December 22, 1894. The five surviving children are Mrs. Geo. Raish, Mrs. Fred Waterbury and Earl R. Chandler, of this city; Mrs. Wm. A. Nickel, of Monterrey, Mexico, and Chester G. Chandler, of Livingston, Montana.

In 1878, he came to Plymouth county. The next two years the country was devastated by grasshoppers, and, looking with mistrust upon the promises of the prairies, he moved to Portlandville, which is now the city of Akron. In and near this city he has since resided, until last Wednesday, when he was so suddenly called from dear ones on earth to meet those gone before.

He was sick but a week, being taken with a slight stroke of paralysis upon arising Wednesday morning, March 8. He was slowly rallying from this, but another stroke came on Monday morning; and this was followed by a third about Wednesday noon, March 15, and at 1:40 he passed away. He was perfectly conscious at all times, and the last moment suffered by little.

With his last breath there passed from this earth a life that in many respects was ideal, and in no respect censurable, unless generosity and self denial may become vices. He was never prone to speculate, especially on another’s capital, preferring honest poverty to questionable gain; he leaves no fortune to posterity, only a simple home and the memory of a life that no man need blush to imitate. “The blessing of earth is toil,” and of this benediction he partook freely all his life. Persuaded by his wife and children to spend the approaching summer in ease, he was looking eagerly forward to his well-earned rest; but alas! He must spend it in that land “from whose bourn no traveler returns.” He was not a church-going Christian, but if honesty, integrity, open heartedness, abnegation, love of home and family may be called religion, there are few more pious. His gospel was the gospel of Love, and the son of his heart:
“Sweet are the joys of home,
And sweeter far; for they,
Like dews of morn and evening,
Come to wake and close the day.”
A large concourse of sympathizing friends assembled at the family home Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock to pay their last respects to the departed. Rev. H. G. Campbell, of Morningside college, formerly pastor of the Akron M. E. church, delivered a splendid funeral sermon, reading from the Scriptures in John 14:1, 4, 10, 16, 18, 22, and for his text employing Luke 12:15—“For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things he possesseth,” and from Phil. 1:21—“To die is to gain.” His remarks made a lasting impression upon all present and his beautiful words of solace to the sorrowing family brought a large measure of comfort to aching hearts. A mixed quartet sang “Abide With Me” and “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.” Rev. F. L. Moore, of the M. E. church, offered the final prayer.

Interment was made in the Akron cemetery, in the family plot, in the beautifying of which the deceased had taken such care and pride.
CARD OF THANKS.
We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors for their sympathy and many deeds of kindness during the illness and death of our beloved husband and father; also to the singers and all others taking part in the funeral services.
Mrs. C. S. Chandler and Family.
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Alton Democrat, March 25, 1905
WAYSIDE GLEANINGS.
C. S. Chandler, an old and respected citizen of Akron, died last week of paralysis of the throat.
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