Obituary: Randolph NY Register, October 13, 1911
ALEX. WENTWORTH DIED MONDAY MORNING
End Came to Him at Masonic Home in Utica
UNCONSCIOUS SINCE TUESDAY
Remains Were Brought to Randolph and a Masonic Funeral Was Held on Wednesday Afternoon--Burial
Alexander Wentworth, for many years one of the prominent figures in this vicinity, died at the Masonic Home, in Utica, on Monday. The remains reached Randolph on an early train Tuesday morning.
Mr. Wentworth was born in Aurora, N.Y., July 26, 1837; with his parents, Alexander and Asenath Harmon Wentworth, moved to Ellicottville in 1840, and to Randolph about four years later. The family located upon a farm some two miles west of the village where they resided until the death of the elder Wentworth.
He received his education in the local schools and at Randolph academy and soon began teaching in schools hereabouts. In 1856 Mr. Wentworth went to study law at the office of Weeden & Henderson, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in 1859, together with Grover Cleveland, former president of the United States.
After his admission to the bar a partnership was formed with Mr. Henderson which continued many years under the firm name of Henderson & Wentworth, and was so known to the date of Judge Henderson's death, at which time it was said to be the oldest law firm in western New York. In extent of its business this legal firm probably exceeded any legal combination outside the large cities, for it was widely and favorably known and usually had a part in most of the litigation involving large interests.
Mr. Wentworth was never deeply interested in politics, although he was known as steadfast Democrat and in the main supported candidates upon that ticket; other than a few minor local positions, he never held public office. He was for many years, however, intensely interested in the welfare of the Masonic fraternity and for no less than fifteen terms was elected master of Randolph lodge. He was also district deputy grand master for the 39th Masonic district during a period of five years ending in 1880. As master of the local lodge he was largely instrumental in placing the order in the favorable light it held in this community for a long period following the anti-Masonic disturbances. He was an exceptionally fine worker and his services were often asked at Masonic gatherings. It was fitting that the final services over his remains should be performed by Masons of Randolph lodge.
He married Ellen Crowley in 1859, and she survives with two children, Mrs. Bell Wentworth Lee of California, and Crowley Wentworth of New York. There are three grandchildren. A brother, Harmon Wentworth of Kansas City, Mo., also survives.
Several years ago Mr. Wentworth was obliged to relinquish to an extent his practice of law by reason of brain troubles. He received treatment at the State Hospital in Gowanda and afterward went to the Masonic Home in Utica, where he has resided for nearly a year. His health has remained in about the condition it was when he left Randolph until Wednesday of last week when he suffered the breaking of a blood vessel in his brain. From that time he did not regain consciousness and continued to fail until the end came Monday morning. The cause of death is given as embolism in the brain.
Alexander Wentworth will be long remembered in Randolph, for his whole-hearted charity, for his interest in local institutions and his upbuilding of the village.
The funeral was conducted by Rev. Mr. Bartholomew at the Congregational church Wednesday afternoon, and the Masonic lodge attended in a body. At the grave the last honors were paid by his lodge brethren. Burial was made in the family lot at Randolph cemetery.