COLEMAN CLIPPINGS, Part 32B

The notice of the death of Dr. Newell E. Landon was the first obituary in the February 14, 1906 issue of The Arcadian Weekly Gazette. Dr. Landon's obit names many prominent citizens who were friends, business and lodge associates, and pallbearers. This obit gives Landon family genealogical information, describes the study and practice of medicine in the late 19th century, and details the doctor's influence on Newark political affairs.

Newspaper article from THE ARCADIAN WEEKLY GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 14, 1906, page 7

Death and Funeral of Dr. Landon.

Dr. Newell E. Landon died at five o'clock Friday afternoon at his home on Main street. The doctor was in unusually good health all last summer. Along in the fall he began to feel poorly and had a suspicion that he was suffering from a severe kidney trouble. On Monday, the 20th of November he took a ride in the country to make several calls and got very much chilled returning to his home in an exhausted condition. The next day he made a few calls and did a little work at his office. On the 22d he went to Rochester to consult with Dr. Whitbeck and Dr. Ryder about his case. He came home at night very much fatigued and never left his house again alive. From that time until the moment of his death he made an unceasing struggle against disease, amid much suffering and with the knowledge that the disease was incurable, it being only a question of how long life might be preserved. He was familiar with all the symptoms and developments of his disease and watched his own case very closely. He knew from the first that he would never be a well man, but hoped to be able to prolong his life perhaps for some months at the most. No man ever made a more courageous or a braver fight for life than he did. He put himself unreservedly in the hands of Dr. Whitbeck, of Rochester, his old friend, and a prominent physician. There was a rare friendship between these two men, and Dr. Whitbeck could not have been more attentive and more faithful in the care of an own brother. He was assisted by Dr. Jessup of this village, who looked after the doctor very closely every day. In addition, Dr. Stockton of Buffalo and Dr. Williams of Rochester were called several times in consultation. He had the unremitting care of his own family and the nurses. Nothing in the way of treatment or care was left undone that could have been done to make him comfortable and keep him alive. The doctors diagnosed his trouble as a form of Bright's disease. This Dr. Landon suspected himself from the first of his sickness. He was a man of great vitality or the disease would have conquered him before it did. In spite of his sickness and suffering and the knowledge of the inevitable ending of it all, the doctor was brave and cheerful, and extended a warm welcome to the friends who called upon him and was anxious to see them. On the 31st of January he had a stroke of paralysis, which affected one side of his body. He afterward rallied from this but the other trouble was all the time gaining, and on Friday the end came.

The funeral was held on Monday afternoon, at 1:30, Rev. Geo. R. Brush, rector of St. Mark's Episcopal church, in which Mrs. Landon is a communicant, read the Episcopal burial service at the house, Rev. C. W. Scovel of the Presbyterian church reading the scripture lesson. At the conclusion of this service the remains were taken to the Presbyterian church, of which Dr. Landon was a member, and there a further service was held, Rev. Mr. Scovel officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Brush. After the reading of the opening sentences of the burial service there was an invocation and the Lord's prayer, after which the scripture lesson was read by Rev. Geo. R. Brush. Hon. M. I. Greenwood, Past Master of Newark Lodge, F. & A. M., and a friend of Dr. Landon's for many years, then made a most impressive funeral address, followed by remarks and prayer by Rev. Mr. Scovel. During the progress of this service there were several musical selections by the Masonic choir. Proceeding it the lodge organist, Prof. W. C. Hamer, played a musical service on the organ consisting of several appropriate selections. The choir chanted the "de Profundis" and "Man that is Born of Woman." The next selection was "Behold, I Show You a Mystery," by. J. C. Warren, in which Geo. W. Croucher sang the bass solo. Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar" music by Barnby, was sung by the lodge chorister, W. C. Burgess. The service concluded with "No Shadows Yonder," from Gaul's Holy City. Following this service the Masonic ritual was carried out in the church, instead of at the grave, on account of the chilly weather. Past Master M. I. Greenwood presided at this service and gave the very impressive oration, as few men can give it. During the progress of the ritual the choir sang "Lead Kindly Light," which was Dr. Landon's favorite hymn, followed by "In Memoriam" and "So Mote it be," two Masonic selections by Gerrish. As the procession left the church "Jerusalem the Golden' was sung.

This funeral was one of the largest and most impressive funeral services ever held in Newark. Newark Lodge, F. & A. M., attended in a body to the number of about one hundred forty. Newark Chapter, R. A. M., was represented by High Priest J. A. Reed, and officers, the other members of the chapter gathering with the lodge. Zenobia Commandary of Palmyra attended and acted as a guard of honor to the remains, both in the procession and in the church. The Village Board, of which Dr. Landon was president, attended in a body, accompanied by the other village officers. The Knights of the Maccabees and the Newark Fire Department also attended. Many of the members of the Wayne County Medical Society were present, but did not go to the church in a body, most of them marching with the Masons.

The bearers were Hon. Stephen K. Williams, Hon. R. P. Groat, Chas. H. Perkins, Frank Garlock, Dr. G. D. York, Dr. W. H. Jessup, Judson Snyder, Peter Kemper, Jr., Geo. W. Croucher and Wm. T. Peirson. In addition to the organizations mentioned, many citizens attended, the church being filled to its utmost capacity. Many floral tributes were sent in by the organizations and individuals. Dr. Whitbeck of Rochester accompanied Mrs. Landon during the funeral services. During the funeral all the business places in Newark were closed and many people stood about the streets who were unable to gain admission to the church. The remains were accompanied to Willow Avenue Cemetery, by all the organizations and by a large number of people in carriages and on foot. The remains were placed in the receiving vault at the cemetery after a brief committal service by Hon. M. I. Greenwood and Rev. C. W. Scovel. A large number of people were present at the funeral from neighboring towns.

Newell E. Landon was born in this town March 3, 1852. He was, therefore, about 54 years of age. His parents were Zera N. and Sarah A. Landon. Zera Landon was born Washington county, coming here about 1850. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Landon and Newell, who was then three years of age, moved to the town of Palmyra, where they lived until 1864, when they purchased a farm two miles west of Newark, on which they lived for many years, and where the children were brought up. The family then moved to Newark where the father was engaged in the grocery business for several years, after which he lived on the small farm just south of Newark until his death in November, 1893, at the age of 74 years. There were four children in the family; Newell E., Wm. A., Chas. S., and Eudora A. Charles died in 1892; the father in 1893; and the mother in 1894, in her sixty-second year. A few years later Eudora A. died. This leaves William A. Landon of this village the sole survivor of the family. Newell E. Landon spent his early life on the farm west of Newark and obtained his education in the district school, and in the Newark Union Free School and Academy. In October, 1872, he entered the office of the late Dr. Pomeroy in Newark for the study of medicine where he thoroughly prepared himself for his chosen profession. He then became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, the medical department of Columbia College, and was graduated from that institution in 1876, receiving a hospital appointment. This appointment he declined, however, and returned to Newark, where he went into partnership with Dr. Pomeroy, remaining with him four years.

In January, 1880, Dr. Landon was married to Miss Mary Eaton, a teacher in the Newark School, and soon after moved to Rochester where he practised medicine for about two years. Owing to the poor health of Mrs. Landon, the family returned to Newark where the wife died in December, 1882. Four years later Dr. Landon married Miss Alice Russell of Port Gibson. One son, born during Dr. Landon's first marriage, died in infancy.

Dr. Landon was thoroughly devoted to his calling. he was a close student and acquired one of the best medical libraries in the county. It was characteristic of him that he almost always had a medical book or a magazine in his hand where indoors. The writer has known him well and been a friend for many years and rarely called on him at his office during his leisure hours that he did not have in his hand a book or magazine pertaining to his profession. Few physicians devoted so much time to close study as did Dr. Landon. This habit of study the doctor developed during his school days, and it never left him. He was not only a deep student in his profession but his reading embraced a broad scope, making him a thoroughly well posted man of the world on all subjects. He was one of our most public spirited citizens in every way. He had served the village as health officer for several years, and several years ago served a term as president, an office to which he was again elected two years ago and re-elected to another term last March. As a public officer, Dr. Landon has been aggressive and progressive. It was during his first term as president that the famous ordinance was passed by the Village Board compelling the laying of cement sidewalks. Other important changes were made also during his first administration. During his second administration, which would have closed next month, he has been equally aggressive. During this administration a policy of brick paving for the streets has been inaugurated and many other improvements discussed, and some of them accomplished. The doctor has been severely criticised during both terms of office by some conservative people for the innovations that he has inaugurated; but the very people who criticised him most are among those who are the proudest of Newark as a village. He was abused on every hand several years ago when he compelled the laying of several miles of cement walks. The people called him unwise; but his wisdom has been demonstrated and there is not a tax payer or citizen to-day who does not point with pride to Newark as the town with more miles of cement sidewalks than any other village in New York state. During the past year or two the doctor has been abused in the same way by people not so progressive as he. Some of the same criticisms were used against him as are used against president Roosevelt; but as in the case of the cement walks, the things that the doctor has been criticised for doing the past two years will be his monuments, and the people will point with pride to the street railways, the brick paving, and before long a sewerage system and other modern improvements, many of which they would not have had for years to come had it not been for the persistent and aggressiveness of Dr. Landon.

He has been in his political career singularly upright and straightforward ignoring party lines and his own political future, working only for the interest of the town he loved. We venture the assertion that during Dr. Landon's life in Newark no cause for the betterment of Newark presented to him ever met with an unfavorable response. Any enterprise, whether philanthropic or a business matter, always received the doctor's sympathy and co-operation. He has probably contributed more money and holds stock in more local concerts, some of which are valuable, than any other man in Newark to-day, and he has put his money in these things for the sake of promoting the business interests of Newark. He was never able to turn a deaf ear to any appeal, whether for charity or business.

In his profession which he loved and was deeply devoted to, he attained a prominence which placed him among the leading physicians of western New York. He was the physician and surgeon for this division of the New York Central and Northern Central lines; was a member of the various medical societies of his school and of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He was connected with the New York State Custodial Asylum for several years, first as attending physician and afterward as consulting physician and surgeon. He was frequently called for consultation with other physicians, holding an enviable position in his profession. His Newark practice has been large and lucrative, and he had one of the finest homes in Newark, with his office connected, and a library of which any physician would be proud.

He was a member of Newark Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M., for many years, and had held all the offices in the lodge. He held the office of Master during the most prosperous year the lodge has ever had. It was under his administration that the very efficient choir was organized, the pipe organ purchased, etc. The doctor was also a member of Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M., and had held the various offices in that body, serving as High Priest during the year 1904. He was a member of Zenobia Commandary of Palmyra, and Damascus Shrine of Rochester. He was a member also of the Maccabees and of several other organizations. Dr. Landon, among other enterprises, had been deeply interested for years in the Newark Fair Association. He was fond of horses, and always had several good ones. While driving a great deal, he never overworked his horses, having several in his stables to share the work. He was sympathetic with them and it always made him indignant to see anyone abuse a horse or any animal. The doctor became a member of the Presbyterian church in his youth and for many years was a member of the choir and active in other ways. He became affiliated to some extent with other churches after marriage, but retained his membership in the Presbyterian church to the time of his death. The doctor was, in fact, a good all around public spirited citizen of Newark, a man whose death will be felt in every walk of life here, and who will be missed by a large circle of warm friends. He had a faculty of attaching him _____ongly to his patients, and they ____ep personal loss in his death.

Dr. Landon, is survived by his wife, one brother William A., two aged aunts, Mrs. Joel (Eliza Ann) Soverhill and Miss Martha (Landon) who were his father's sisters, _______ cousins.

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