Charles Spencer Barney (1859 - 1914)

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Biography

May 29, 1914 The Otsego Farmer

Dr. Charles Spencer Barney

Charles Spencer Barney, M.D., well known citizen of Milford and of Otsego county died at his home in that village at 8 o'clock, Tuesday evening. The cause of his death was Bright's disease, which had been undermining his naturally robust constitution for several months and against which he had battled to the end with heroism and with hope. He was the eldest son of the late E.H. Barney and Mary Spencer and was born in Milford fifty-five years ago. The parental families were both prominent and influential in the early history of town and county and he inherited many of the traits and faculties that brought him to the front in whatever circle he moved. He received a liberal education in the village school and at Hartwick Seminary. He was graduated from Albany Medical College in 1883, was valedictorian of his class and indicated such proficiency in his profession that he was offered and accepted a partnership with the late Dr. Chapman of Glens Falls, where he remained until his first marriage to Miss Lavinia Hawley of New York city. He then removed to the city and gave up the practice of his profession for about two years. Returning to Milford, he settled at the old Barney homestead, resumed his practice and had lived there ever since. About twenty years ago his first wife died and in 1902 he was united in marriage with Miss Mae R. Stoutenburg, who survives him and has been nurse and companion in the months of his struggle against disease. The doctor has been the recipient from his townsmen at one time or another of most of the honors Milford has had to confer. For several terms he has represented the town as Supervisor; he was president of the village at the time the water system was installed and was instrumental in securing one of the best village systems in the state; he was a member of the Board of Education of the High school, village postmaster, one of the two county election commissioners and county physician at the time of his death. In politics he was a Democrat. Dr. Barney will be sadly missed in this community not only on account of his happy, pleasing personality, but by suffering ones who trusted implicity in his skill and advice as a physician. Besides his wife, his only near surviving relatives are one brother, Kent Barney, and a newphew, Ellery Barney. The funeral will be held at the residence Friday at 2 o'clock, the Rev. E.R.D. Briggs officiating and interment will be in the family plot in the Milford Cemetery.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48328218/charles-spencer-barney