From the records of The Painted Hills Genealogy Society.
Steuben County, NY.
Thanks to Judy M. (Sanford) Guidara, Paul Giometti & Laverne A. Dickerson for updating this cemetery.


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Obituary from The Addison Advertiser, in 1889.

Hiram C. McKay was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., March 22, 1812, and died at his home in Addison of blood poisoning, Nov. 18, 1889, aged 77 years. He was married in Cortland, N. Y. to Miss Prudence Murry, Sept. 5, 1837, by whom he had five children, three of whom have gone before. Mrs. McKay died June 1, 1878, aged 63 years. Two sons survive him and one little daughter by his second wife. He was married a second time to Miss Charlotte Ireland, at Cameron Mills, N. Y. Nov. 5 1879.

Mr. McKay commenced business in Addison by keeping a general merchant store in the Old Smith block about the year 1851. About the year 1861 Messrs. McKay and Bliss bought out the firm of O. N. Sage & Co., in the sash and blind factory, and in this firm name they carried on the business about four years when the mill was burned, involving a loss of nearly $15,000. McKay & Gillett then entered into a co-partnership, built up the mill and run it about seven years, doing such an immense business that Addison was popularly known almost all over the United States as headquarters for sash and blinds. After this firm had been in successful operation for the above specified time, the factory was again consumed by fire, incurring a loss of $50,000.

Mr. McKay again built up the factory, and took in for a partner C. D. Hill, and under this firm name they carried on the sash and blind business about ten years, when he(McKay) sold out to said Hill. During this last period he was also associated in the wholesale sash and blind business with C. B. Keough in New York city, averaging from $300,000 to $400,000 per year. That concern ceased to exist soon after he went into business with C. D. Hill; and since that time he has been attending to home cares, building houses and everything that could add to the growth of Addison. At the time of his death he owned property in New York city, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Hiram C. McKay was one of the most phenomenal, talented, brilliant and far-seeing business men that ever graced the history of our village, and Addison never had a warmer, truer, more earnest friend than he; in a word, it was his greatest pleasure to identify himself with everything that would build up her interests, and no subscription presented to him at any time ever failed to receive his most cheerful and hearty support. It was his keen eye and far-seeing business talent that enable him to comprehend long before any one else had thought of such an enterprise, the benefit that would of necessity accrue to Addison, from a railroad running from this place through the Cowanesque valley: and he was present at the first organization for that purpose.

How we shall miss his kind familiar face, form and step on the sidewalks; his frequent rides(since his days of age and feebleness)from his late home along our business thoroughfares to look after his multiplied and important concerns. How that "vacant chair" in the home circle will be the centre of sorrow for long years to come, to his wife, sweet little daughter, sons and angel-like grandchildren; how the little ones especially will miss the loving hand that provided for them, and the warm heart that so tenderly loved them.

The material reminders of monumental importance, Viz, his residence on the corner of Curtis square and Goodhue Street; his brick block on Water and Tuscarora Streets, and the Hill & Co.'s sash and blind factory, will bring to us memories of the deceased, and as we ask "when shall we meet again?" A strange, weird voice from the mysterious beyond will answer, in time, "nevermore." But living voices from the aforementioned remaining evidences of uncommon intellectual ability, wonderful business mind-power, will re-echo to us the last words uttered on earth of that great statesman--that orator of all American orators, Daniel Webster. "I shall live;" and such mind capacity as was possessed by H. C. McKay brings up the grand thought of that profound philosopher of philosophers--Plato--when he said: "if I am mistaken in thinking my soul immortal, I please myself by my mistake, and if as some philosophers think, I am to be annihilated, I am not afraid that after death they will laugh at my error."

It is a great pleasure, on such an occasion as this, to bend over that never-to-be-forgotten scene when Napolean I. bowed in tears over the dying form of his pet. General Durock, whispering as the warm, red blood drops were trickling from his wounded body, "Durock, we shall meet again in the morning;" for we cannot believe that an infinitely wise God would construct such a mighty intellect as this to cross the narrow creek of time, and then be dashed to pieces on the rock of annihilation at the mouth of the grave.

But, thank God, we are not left to a rational or philosophical conjecture on this important subject: for the "Great Teacher sent from God offers to every man the magna charta of eternal liberty and freedom, form the beastly doctrine of annihilation, which we may carry with us "beyond the gates," namely: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

The funeral services were held at his late home, the discourse being delivered by his pastor, Rev. francis Gilliat, of the Protestant Episcopal church of this place. His remains were intered in the old cemetery ground by the side of his wife and children.

(Obituary made available for submission to F.A.Grave by Mary(Coggin)Russell, 07-19-2015.)