Henry Buffington (1836-1906) and his wife Christianna Catherine [Runk] Buffington (1838-1906), farmers, died about one hour apart at their home in Carsonville, Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. According to the story told to the newspapers, Henry died first of a heart attack, and Christianna bent over him to see what was wrong and was seized with a heart attack herself, from which she died. This happened in front of their son, Chauncey “Chance” Buffington (1877-1939). The couple is buried at St. James Cemetery, Carsonville.
Note that none of the news articles identified Mrs. Runk by her name – only that she was the wife of Henry Buffington.
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From the Lykens Standard, April 27, 1906:
HUSBAND’S DEATH KILLS WIFE ONE HOUR LATER
Henry Buffington of Carsonville, aged 70 years, became suddenly ill while working in the garden at his home Wednesday afternoon and died at 11 o’clock that night. Death was no doubt due to heart failure brought by over exertion. The shock killed his wife one hour later. The will be buried in St. James’ Union Church Cemetery, Carsonville, Sunday morning.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, April 27, 1906:
HUSBAND AND WIFE DIE: SUDDEN DEATH OF TWO CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
Henry Buffington, aged 69 years, of Jefferson Township, died on Wednesday eve3ning while sitting in a chair. his wife, aged 67 years, was sitting close by and noticing him falling, bent over him, thinking he was ill. She found he was dead. She screamed and fell lifeless over his body. Their son, Chance Buffington, was close by and was almost stupefied to see his father and mother die before his eyes. Four sons and two daughters survive.
The funeral will take place on Sunday and both will be laid side by side in graves in the cemetery near their farm.
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The funeral was reported in the Lykens Standard, May 4, 1906:
FUNERAL OF HENRY BUFFINGTON & WIFE
The funeral of Henry Buffington and wife of Carsonville, aged 69 and 68 years, respectively, who died of heart failure only one hour apart, on Wednesday night of last week, was held at 10 a. m. Sunday, and is said to have been the largest ever witnessed in that valley. The services were conducted by Rev. Keen of the United Brethren Church, of which the aged couple were faithful members. The pallbearers were George Yerges, John Welker, John Rutter, George Eyster, Isaiah Shultz, Nathan Zimmerman, Samuel Yerges, Emanuel Sweigard and Solomon Gottschall.
The surviving children are James Buffington, Samuel Buffington, Chauncy Buffington, Grant Buffington, Lydia Buffington, and Mrs. Emma Shutt.
I. T. Buffington & Son, of Elizabethville were the undertakers.
Among the relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral were noticed the following: Daniel Buffington and wife; Mr. Korsnitz and wife, Steelton; Claude Buffington, Harry Buffington and Charles Buffington, Harrisburg; Gabriel Zimmerman and wife, Steelton; Michael Rank and wife, Pine Grove; Jacob Rank, sons Harry Rank and Daniel Rank and daughter Anna Rank, Berrysburg; Sanford Schoffstall and wife and Mrs. Goudy, Wiconisco; Mr. Steel and wife, Millersburg, and Mrs. Margaret Snyder.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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