Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wolcott, Chauncey S. December 28, 1890
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net March 26, 2024, 4:34 pm

Portland Library Scrapbook - January , 1891

                 A SUDDEN SUMMONS

         CHAUNCEY S. WOLCOTT STRICKEN WITH APOPLEXY

      All efforts to Prolong Life Futile, and He Dies Within an Hour-
        A Pioneer Business Man, and a Highly Respected Citizen.

**** Ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh--Bible

The hand of death has, with a sudden touch, taken away one of the best known 
citizens of Portland. A touch so faint that its real nature could at first 
scarcely be distinguished by the physicians, and yet so certain that human skill 
was of no avail. A sudden summons, a brief struggle for life, and Chauncey S. 
Wolcott had passed from earth into the mysteries of the world beyond.

Last Sunday, shortly after 3:00 p.m. Mr. Wolcott started from home to his store 
on Bridge street.His health had of late been of the best, and little thought the 
relatives who watched him depart from his pleasant home that in one brief hour 
his spirit would leave its earthly house, and the stamp of death mark his 
features.

When within a few feet of his store Mr.Wolcott became faint, and rested a moment 
upon the seat at the front of Churchill & Woodbury's store. Henry Smith passed 
by and noticing the unusual pallor of Mr. Wolcott's face, enquired if he needed 
help. George Commiskey assisted him to his store while Mr. Smith built a fire, 
and made other provisions for his comfort.Dr. Alton was then summoned. 
Mr.Wolcott appeared to be sick at the stomach and the Dr., thinking he was 
suffering from an overloaded stomach, prescribed accordingly. It soon became 
apparent that he was struggling with a more serious complaint, apoplexy, and Dr. 
W.Hugg was also called.The usual remedies were applied, but to no purpose, and 
after vomiting a consequencial amount of blood, he passed away. Mrs. Wolcott had 
been informed of his illness and arrived at the store shortly after his death. 
He had conversed freely and rationally to the last, and appeared to be conscious 
that the end was near.

When the REVIEW representative called there was nothing about the features 
suggestive of suffering or pain. The left hand lay peacefully folded across the 
breast, and the face, except for the pallor of death, appeared perfectly 
natural.The remains rested on a couch and the lids were closed as in slumber.

Mr.Wolcott was born Nov. 12th, 1821, in new York state.In 1852 he married 
Adeline Brockway, who survives him. To this union one child, Florence, was 
born.Twenty-one years ago last February the husband, wife and daughter moved to 
Portland, Mr.W.O opening a grocery store in a building near the Exchange 
hotel.His store was burned a few years later and he removed to the site now 
occupied by the McClelland Sisters' bazaar. Here a second fire occurred and the 
brick store which now stands was built. He retired from business a few years 
ago, but later built and occupied the store which he sold to Wm.Disbrow.He has 
been actively engaged in business during the greater part of his residence here, 
and at the time of his death conducted a grocery, boot and shoe store on the 
site of the burned Masonic block. He has always been an ardent republican, but 
had no desire to hold office, and never asked for one. 

"There's no use talking," he remarked to a friend only few weeks ago, I am sound 
and healthy, and," with a merry twinkle of the eye, "I could run a foot-race 
with any of these boys out there-and beat them too, if necessary!" Thought 
nearly seventy years of age his last years were comparatively free from 
sickness. 

His only daughter, Mrs.Florence Alton, died scarcely a year ago. Of the 
immediate relatives who survive him there are two brothers and one sister, Anson 
of Wolcott, Ind., James of LaGrange,Ill., and Mrs.B.H. Fletcher, of Detroit.

The funeral services will be held from the Baptist Church at 2:00 o'clock this 
afternoon, Rev.Frank McAline, of Charlotte, officiating.The Masonic fraternity 
will attend in a body.

Additional Comments:
Portland Cem.,
Sec.WMD-#233-Row 3
Portland,Mich.

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