Again on August 10th, 1903, death called from the roll of Sullivan County, Dr. Charles W. Piper, Supervisor of Mamakating. Dr. Piper was one of the most active and valuable members of the Board. Liberal, yet conservative in his views, positive in his convictions, always loyal to his friends and to his sense of justice and equity, unassuming in his manner, fearlessly outspoken, energetic, upright, honorable and honest, he commanded the respect and was greatly esteemed by all his official associates. He took a deep and active interest in the affairs of his town and of the county. Ever in favor of progress and improvement, public spirited, active in his profession, in the interests of his church and of the village, taken suddenly from his life of usefulness and manifold duties, his death is a serious public loss.

Dr. Charles W. Piper was born in the town of Oxford, Chenango county, N.Y., Oct. 25th, 1856. In the spring of 1866, his father with his family removed to Mongaup Valley, Sullivan county, N.Y.

Dr. Piper received his education in the public school and academy at Mongaup Valley, at Cazenovia Seminary and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he graduated from the Medical College in 1884.

He began the practice of medicine at Hurleyville, N.Y., in 1884, and in 1885 he married Fannie Scofield of that place. In January of 1886 he removed to Wurtsboro, where he resided until his death, August 10th, 1903.

This, briefly stated, is the life of Dr. Piper as it might be written by a stranger to him; but to a friend, one who knew him through the years, it is not the beginning of the story of his loving, noble life.

In his boyhood, though he in nowise held himself apart from the sports of boyhood, still there was a thoughtfulness in his nature and a seriousness in his character that marked him different from his companions. These grew with his growth and strengthened with his strength. They made him the worthy companion and the constant support of his mother when her husband was called from her and she was left alone with her children and with the cares of a large estate upon her. For years she leaned upon him and, to the extent possible for a son, he was in the place of husband and counselor to her.

The traits of character that made him the staff and stay of his widowed mother, made him the valued friend and the trusted counselor of any who were perplexed and troubled with the trials and difficulties of life. Those who needed went to him naturally, never thinking of why they went to him instead of others, and never once did they go in vain.

Simply, without pretence or show, and making no claim to unusual wisdom or unusual kindness, he helped the many came to him in need, whether it was for counsel or encouragement or material aid. His hands and heart were always open to his friends, and all who knew him called him friend. It was this that caused a friend of years, when standing by his casket, to say of him, quoting from another, "Should everyone for whom he did a kindness, bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep to-day beneath a wilderness of flowers."

Hawthorne has said that every individual has a place in the world, and is important whether he claims to be or not.

This statement is certainly true when applied to the late Charles W. Piper, M.D.

Dr. Piper would have been the last man to assert his own importance. While he was ambitious, he was not self-assertive, and the honors that came to him were the natural result of his honest, earnest, painstaking effort for the general good.

So great was his modesty, and so thoroughly did he feel his own unworthiness, he had to be literally pushed into positions of trust.

As an officer and representative of his church, in her conferences and conventions, as school trustee and as Supervisor, he was given an opportunity to apply his talents in the direction that would conserve the interests of all.

When a young man he came to Wurtsboro to practice medicine. The work was exceedingly arduous. It was his lifework, however, and he was in love with his profession and put all the energy and vigor of his young manhood into it.

The strength of that genial, warm, sympathetic personality, soon won the hearts of not only his patients, but all who came into contact with him. Self-denying and generous, almost to a fault, many a mile he traveled to relieve distress without the shadow of a recompense or reward.

Supervisor Piper was a life-long Republican and a careful student of public policies and party platforms. He was serving his second term when death laid its hand upon him.

In Wurtsboro, where nearly all his professional life was spent, he was held in highest esteem by all. Whether they believed as he believed or not, concerning social or political or religious creed, they believed in him and where they believed they trusted.

He was foremost in everything pertaining to the common good, and in these things his word was law and his decision final, and only because his neighbors had come to know that his word was the word of wisdom and his decisions were always those of right and justice.

Dr. Piper's religious nature and convictions were deep and strong. At the age of fourteen he united with the M. E. church at Mongaup valley, on profession of faith; and ever after, the church of his choice and every church, and the cause they represent received prompt and hearty support from him. He gave liberally, but his gifts of money were, perhaps, the least of what he bestowed upon the cause of God in the world. More than most men, he embodied his faith and love in his life. "He made himself of worth then gave himself" to the cause his faith accepted and his heart believed.

When it was whispered abroad that his days were numbered and his life was ending, the people of his village and all who knew him, first began to realize how much he was to them and how truly they loved him. There was sorrow in every home when they knew that he was dead - the sorrow of personal loss. "My friend is gone," was the thought of every heart and the expression of the heart's sorrow.

From many distant places to which his former pastors had removed, they came tohis funeral to speak their love for him and each acknowledged that he had received more than he had given, from the one of whom he spoke in that sad hour.

The people from near and far thronged the church, and the tears and sobbings of all who came were the most eloquent expressions of their respect and love for him. Truly it can be said of him -- "There is, there was no truer, kindlier, manlier man."

The Funeral

The funeral of Dr. C. W. Piper was held on Thursday afternoon, August 13th., at the Wurtsboro Methodist Episcopal Church. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in that section. The services were in charge of the pastor of the church, the Rev. W. E. Ridgway, assisted by Rev. J. E. Cran, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and five former pastors of the Methodist Episcopal Church: Rev. Simon Stephens, of Hillsdale, N.Y.; Rev. G. E. Barber, of Chester, N.Y.; Rev. H. I. Hoag, of Glasco, N.Y.; Rev. G. W. Grinton, of New York city; Rev. G. A. Shahan, of Milton, N.Y. The pall bearers were Dr. Connor, of Middletown, N.Y.; Dr. Hoar, of Grahamsville, N.Y.; Mr. Charles Thornton, of Monticello, N.Y.; Mr. James Fulton, Mr. Mercein Skinner and Mr. Thomas Skinner, of Wurtsboro, N.Y.; representing the Medical Profession, the Masons, the Board of Supervisors, the Maccabees, and the Fire Department, to all of which he belonged. The Board of Supervisors, of which he was a member, were represented at the funeral, as was the Sullivan County Medical Association. The Maccabees and the Firemen of the place attended in a body and marched to the grave. Thus was laid away the mortal remains of one who, in life, had been a true man, whose influence will be felt in the community where he resided so long, for many generations, and whose memory was cherished by all who knew him.
--Memorial obituary by unknown author, found in papers belonging to Fannie Scofield Piper.