Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing
Number of Pages: 730

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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01836 7646

GC 974.701 M26B

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF

THE LEADING CITIZENS OF MADISON COUNTY

NEW YORK

"Biography is the only true history."- Emerson.

BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894

PREFACE.

1148907

HE pleasant, absorbing task of many months has drawn to a close; and we offer to our patrons to-day the BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW of Madison County. We tender sincere thanks to all who have encouraged and otherwise aided us in our undertaking. We have taken pains to make the best use of the material kindly furnished us, carefully transcribing names and dates of long lines of ancestry, when these have happily been preserved, and preparing succinct, readable narratives. In some instances, owing to the incompleteness of the data at our command, the pen of the writer has necessarily been restricted to giving the sketch but in outline. The subjects of these brief biographies have been selected from the world's busy workers -tillers of the soil, mechanics, manufacturers, tradesmen, journal- ists, members of the learned professions, civil engineers, and so forth, representative men and women of the county, useful and honored in their day and generation. In these pages are amply illustrated the "private virtues of economy, prudence, and industry," esteemed by Washington not less admirable in civil life than "the more splendid qualities of valor, per- severance, and enterprise in public life." Here, too, are eminent examples of patriotism, of enthusiasm for education and for social improvement, and zeal for reform. A backward look has yielded traces of the deerslayers and pathfinders of long ago, has brought to view the toils and privations of the log-cabin builders, who were the pioneers of civilization in the woodland wastes. In this connection the eloquent words of Daniel Webster bring forci- bly to mind the desirability of preserving memorials of past generations, to the end that the grace of gratitude and of reverence may not be lacking to the present and the coming.

"It did not happen to me," said Mr. Webster, "to be born in a log cabin; but my elder brothers and sisters were born in a log cabin, raised among the snowdrifts of New Hampshire, at a period so early that, when the smoke first rose from its rude chimney and curled over the frozen hills, there was no similar evidence of a white man's habitation between it and the settlements on the rivers of Canada. Its remains still exist. I make

PREFACE

it an annual visit. I carry my children to it, to teach them the hardships endured by the generations which have gone before them. I love to dwell on the tender recollections, the kindred ties, the early affeetions, and the touching narratives and incidents which mingle with all I know of this primitive family abode. I weep to think that none of those who inhabited it are now among the living; and if ever I am ashamed of it, or if ever I fail in affectionate veneration for him who reared it, and defended it against savage violence and destruction, eherished all the domestic virtues beneath its roof, and through the fire and blood of a seven years' revolutionary war shrunk from no danger, no toil, no sacrifice, to serve his country, and to raise his children to a condition better than his own, may my name, and the name of my posterity, be blotted forever from the memory of mankind!"

Readers of this REVIEW will hardly need to be reminded of the aptness of the Hebrew proverb, which styles "children's children the crown of old men, and the glory of children their fathers."

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY.

March, 1894.

Engy by HB. Hall's Sons. New York

Alex" Istolmes.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ON. ALEXANDER M. HOLMES, a resident of Morrisville, is an eminent example of lofty citizen- ship, exhibited in long fidelity to public interests. His public ser- vices have been marked through- out by rare intelligence, sterling honesty, strong common sense, and indefati- gable labors for the public good. That the efforts he has made to serve the people have always been appreciated is shown by the fact that his period of service as Supervisor - twenty-seven years - has been longer, per- haps, than that of any other man in his State. The field of his labors, however, has not been confined to the circumscribed arena of town and county politics. The people of his dis- trict, recognizing his capacity as a man of affairs, testified their appreciation of his abil- ities by sending him as their representative to the Upper House of the State Legislature, his Senatorial district being composed of Madison, Herkimer, and Otsego Counties. The perfection of his well-rounded character is manifested also in the more tender relations of private life and of the family no less than in the performance of public duty.

Dr. Holmes was born in the town of West- ford, Otsego County, N. Y. His father, John

P. Holmes, was a native of Connecticut; and his father, John Holmes, so far as is known, was a life-long resident of that State. John P. Holmes was reared and educated in his native State, and in young manhood com- menced teaching school, being for a time a member of the faculty of the famous Oxford Academy in Chenango County, New York. Returning to Connecticut, he was there mar- ried, and not long afterward located in the town of Westford, Otsego County, bought a farm, and resided thereon until 1830. Selling his farm, he removed to Plymouth, Chenango County, resided there two years, and then went to Cortland County, and bought a farm within two miles of the village of Cortland, on the Norwich road. Upon this farm he lived until 1847, when he sold it, and re- moved to McGrawville, where he lived retired until his death. His remains were interred in Rural Cemetery, Cortland. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Peck, was born in Connecticut, and died at her home in Mc- Grawville. She reared eleven children.

Alexander M. Holmes received his educa- tion in the public schools, studied medicine with Dr. Wiggins of McGrawville and dentistry with Drs. Thompson of Cortland, Allen of Syracuse, and Dwinelle of Caze-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

novia, N. Y., receiving the degree of D.D.S. from Baltimore Dental College in 1851. In 1849 he removed to Morrisville, where he opened an office. Having made a thorough study of his profession, it was not long before he acquired a profitable practice and a reputa- tion as a skilled dentist which extends far beyond the limits of the county. Of recent years he has spent the winters in New York City, engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, of which he is a master, having kept pace with its progress by constant study, and having an intimate knowledge of all its re- courses and modern improvements.

In 1857 Dr. Holmes was united in marriage to Mary E. Cross, who was born in Morris- ville, and is a daughter of Jefferson Cross, the latter being born in Upper Lisle, Broome County, N.Y. His father, Reuben Cross, was a native of Mansfield, Conn., but came to the State of New York, and spent his last years in Upper Lisle. The maiden name of his wife was Marilla Hanks. She also was born in Mansfield, Conn., and survived her husband some years, dying in the town of Manlius, Onondaga County. Jefferson Cross, the father of Mrs. Holmes, removed to Man- lius, N.Y., in 1825. He located in Morris- ville in 1829, and here established a foundry, and engaged in the hardware business. He invented and patented numerous improve- ments upon stoves, in the manufacture of which he was engaged. He remained in busi- ness in Morrisville until his death, which occurred on the 28th of March, 1850. The name of the mother of Mrs. Holmes before

her marriage was Elizabeth Leffingwell Cook. She was born in Hartford, Conn., and was a daughter of John and Mary (Steele) Cook. She died December 20, 1876, at her home in Morrisville.

Dr. Holmes was one of the twenty-one prominent dentists of the State of New York who met at Utica, December 17, . 1867, to draft laws for the organization of the State Dental Society, which association was divided into districts, there being one society or branch in each of the eight judicial districts of the State, the delegates from these districts forming the State Society. Dr. Holmes served two years as President of the Sixth District Dental Society, two years as Vice- President of the State Society, one year as President of the State Society, and in 1879 was chosen State Censor for the Sixth District, and has served in that capacity up to the pres- ent time. The Doctor has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has filled many offices of honor and trust. Politically, he first affiliated with the Whig party, was always opposed to the extension of slavery, and was one of the organizers of the Repub- lican party in Madison County. A man of strong character and great intellectual ability, he has been sent as a delegate to numerous county, district, and State conventions, and was a member of the Republican National Convention which met at Philadelphia in 1872, and renominated President Grant. He was elected County Treasurer in the fall of 1860, and re-elected to the same office in 1864; was elected a member of the County

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Board of Supervisors in 1867, and has served on that board continuously to the present time, having been its Chairman for the last sixteen years. In 1881 he was elected State Senator to represent the district composed of Madison, Herkimer, and Otsego Counties, and while in the Senate served on the fol- lowing committees, namely: Commerce and Navigation, Canals, Public Health, and Vil- lages. He also was prominently connected with many general and local bills, at all times working earnestly and conscientiously for the good of his constituents. In 1864 he . was one of the organizers of the First Na- tional Bank of Morrisville, and was elected one of the Board of Directors, and since 1874. has served continuously as President of that institution. He was also one of the pro- moters of the Home for Destitute Children located at Peterboro, N. Y., and established some years ago by special act of State Legis- lature, the building and ten acres of land being presented by the late Gerrit Smith. This noble institution has proved of great benefit to the county; and, since the death of Mr. Smith, Dr. Holmes has been President of the Board of Trustees, and has done much for the good of this local enterprise.

From the brief narrative of Dr. Holmes's life here presented it will be apparent that he has achieved a high degree of success in more than one field, his eminence in his profes- sion and his long-continued public services, both in the spheres of political and business activity, bearing witness to his own high mental and physical qualities and to the confi-

dence of his fellow-citizens in his ability, judgment, integrity, and fidelity to their in- terests. The fine steel portrait of Dr. Holmes here presented will be viewed with interest and pleasure by his many friends throughout the county and elsewhere.

EWIS C. HINMAN, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Stockbridge, is actively engaged in his profitable occupation on his homestead in District No. 9, where his energetic labors and excellent management have met with due reward. He was born December 30, 1823, in what is now the town of Stockbridge, Madison County, but was then included in the town of Augusta, Oneida County. He is of English ancestry, being a descendant of one George Hinman who emigrated from England to the United States in the early part of the year 1700. George Hinman was a man of considerable wealth, and purchased a large tract of land in Connecticut, where he settled, afterward becoming one of the influential citizens of the place and serving for some time as Surveyor- General of the State.

Phineas Hinman, the grandfather of our subject, was born in England, and emigrated to this country. During the French and Ind- ian War he was pressed into service by the English government, and served in that army, but during the Revolutionary War enlisted in the Continental Army, and served the entire seven years. He was a gallant officer, and did brave duty at the battle of Bunker Hill,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

and was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. At the close of the war he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and pur- chased a farm in Connecticut, where he after- ward lived, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. He married Ruth Colt, who died in Connecticut, when seventy years old. They reared a family, none of whom survive. Both were people held in high esteem, and were Presbyterians in belief.

The parents of our subject, Grove and Cerena (Palmer) Hinman, were both natives of the town of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Conn., and resided in that town until after their marriage. In 1812 they came to New York, and located in Oneida County, making the long and tiresome journey overland with teams of oxen and horses. The country was then mostly in the hands of the natives; and Mr. Hinman leased a tract of timbered land from the Indians, and erected a log house, which he and his family occupied for some time, being among the first white settlers in that vicinity. He had much natural ability as a mechanic, and turned his attention to the business of a carpenter and joiner, making considerable money in that occupation. Later he purchased some land, and began the im- provement of a farm, buying more land occa- sionally, until his possessions aggregated two hundred and thirty-five acres, and he became one of the leading farmers of the place. He was an influential citizen of the community, doing well his part in developing the resources of his adopted town, and served ably as Super- visor and Assessor, besides filling other im-

portant offices. He and his wife were both prominent members of the Universalist church. Both spent their last years on the homestead, he dying in 1859 at the age of eighty-two years, and Mrs. Hinman in 1840, when sixty years old. To them were born a family of sixteen children, fourteen of whom grew to maturity and three are still living, namely: Amedias, living in Stockbridge; Lewis C., our subject; and Worthy P, also living in Stockbridge. The subject of this brief narrative grew to manhood in his native town, obtaining a good common-school educa- tion in its public schools and assisting in the labors of the farm, thus early becoming inti- mately acquainted with the details attendant upon a life devoted to agriculture. He re- mained beneath the parental roof-tree until 1848, when he settled in a home of his own, and took upon himself other duties. During that year he married Jeanette Moyer, a native of Stockbridge; but their happy married life was of short duration, her death occurring in 1850. She left one son, Marcelon, who died at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr. Hin- man was married the second time in 1851, taking for his wife Mrs. Cordelia Churchill. She was a widow, and had one child, Cather- ine, wife of William Woods, of Stockbridge. Of the second marriage of our subject four children have been born, namely: Trueman, living on the home farm; Arthur, living on a part of the old homestead; Henderson, a mechanic, residing in Canastota; and Violette E., wife of Joseph Farquhar, of Kansas City. Mr. Hinman's first purchase of land con-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

sisted of a tract of sixty-two acres in the town of Stockbridge, which he cultivated success- fully; and, as he accumulated money, he bought adjacent property, and now has a val- uable farm of two hundred and eighty acres, -all under a good state of cultivation. He does an excellent business as a general farmer and stock-raiser, paying much attention to his dairy, which consists of from twenty-five to thirty-five head of choice cattle; and each year he receives a good profit from his hops, which are an important crop in this section of the country. His homestead is a pleasant place, forming an attractive feature of the landscape, with its substantial residence and the convenient buildings required by the en- terprising agriculturist. Mr. Hinman is a most pleasant man, affable and cordial in manner, and much esteemed throughout the community. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has served as Highway Com- missioner and Assessor, and also as Railway Commissioner for twenty years. Mrs. Hin- man is an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing liberally to its support.

ROFESSOR FRANCIS M. BUR- DICK. A record of Madison Coun- ty's most prominent citizens would be incomplete without mention of the gentle- man whose name prefaces this biographical notice. He was born on the old Burdick homestead (founded ninety-nine years ago) in the town of De Ruyter, Madison County.

N. Y., August 1, 1845, and is a son of Albert G. Burdick, who was born at the same place, March 22, 1807. The father of Albert G. Burdick was Thompson Burdick, a native of Rhode Island, born at Westerly in 1771, and died on his farm in the town of De Ruyter June 6, 1852, in his eighty-first year. He was married in the State of Rhode Island, his wife's name before marriage being Sarah Coon, and in 1794 came to this town, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, which at the time formed a part of the Holland Patent. After clearing a portion of his land, he sowed some wheat, built a log house, and returned to Rhode Island for his wife. They made the journey in true pioneer style, coming with an ox-team and old-fash- ioned two-wheeled cart, and bringing their cow with them. They were twenty-one days on the road, and came by way of Utica, then known as Fort Schuyler, there being but five dwellings there at that time. Although in very moderate circumstances, they made up in energy and perseverance what they lacked in means, clearing a good farm and establish- ing a permanent home. Within a year or two his brother, William Burdick, came also, bringing with him his wife, who was a sister of Mrs. Thompson Burdick; and still later, and previous to the opening year of our cen- tury, another brother, George, made his ap- pearance with his wife, who was also a member of the Coon family. They settled in what is now the town of Lincklaen. The father of these three brothers followed his sons in later years, and died here at an ad-

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

vanced age. From the best evidence obtain- able the Burdick family is of French Hugue- not ancestry, while the Coons were of Scotch origin, the original form of the name being McCoon. To Thompson Burdick and his wife there were born the following children : David, Phineas, Sarah, Priscilla, Albert G., and Joseph, the only survivor, now residing in De Ruyter with his unmarried daughter.

Albert G. Burdick, the father of our sub- ject, married Eunetia Y. Wheeler, who was born in the town of Nelson, and was a daugh- ter of the Rev. James and Avis (Poole) Wheeler, both of whom were from New Eng- land, the ancestors of the latter being Puritans of Quincy, Mass. The father of the Rev. James Wheeler was a lawyer, living at Reho- both, Mass. The son received his education at Yale College, and was ordained as a Bap- tist preacher, being pastor of a church in Pom- pcy, N. Y., some ycars. He was a Mason, and at the time of the Morgan excitement was silenced because he refused to renounce Masonry. He died at Whitney's Point about 1840 in advanced age, leaving five sons, one of whom - Joseph - still survives, and re- sides in Le Roy, N. Y.

The subject of this brief notice was the second child and first son of a family of four, namely: Catharine Pearleyette, wife of Leon- ard R. Green, of Adams Centre, N. Y. ; Francis M .; P. Adelbert, who died July 3, 1893, at Alfred Centre, N. Y., in his forty-sixth year. He was a lawyer by profession, and was for many years an earnest and successful temper- ance evangelist, his labors in connection with

this great modern reform movement covering many different States. He left a wife and two sons. B. Franklin, the remaining mem- ber of the family, is a farmer on the old homestead in this town.

He of whom we write attended district school in his boyhood, and at the age of thir- teen entered the De Ruyter Institute, from which he was graduated in 1861, in 1862 commencing a course of study at the Caze- novia Seminary, and later attending at Ham- ilton College, being graduated from the latter institution in 1869 and from the Law School there in 1872. He was admitted to the bar that year, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Utica, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Beardsley & Cookinham in 1874, the firm later being known as Beards- ley, Burdick & Beardsley. He continued his practice there until 1882, when he was elected Professor of Law at Hamilton College, and in 1887 became professor in the Law School at Cornell University, going from there to Co- lumbia Law College, New York City, in 1889. His marriage occurred June 8, 1875, he being then united to Sarah Kellogg, daughter of Gustavus and Anna (Van Eps) Kellogg, of Utica. Four children have graced the happy union of our subject and his wife, their names being as follows : Anna Van Eps, a bright and interesting young lady of six- teen; Katrine P., aged thirteen; Charles K., a manly and intelligent boy of ten; and Flora M., a girl of nine. All of these children are receiving a careful and thorough education, and are bright and earnest students.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Professor Burdick is a Democrat in his political views, and in 188? was elected Mayor of Utica as an Independent on the citi- zens' ticket, serving one term, but has since then held no public office. In the summer, with his wife and family, he resides in a cot- tage on the old home farm in De Ruyter, their winter residence being in New York City. Both he and his pleasant and accom- plished wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and by their genial and unaffected manners, united with moral rectitude of char- acter, have endeared themselves to and gained the sincere respect and esteem of their fellow- citizens of De Ruyter, and in a broader sense of all those with whom they have come into social contact.

INCOLN L. CUMMINGS, an experi- enced farmer and stock-raiser and a respected resident of Stockbridge, was born in Augusta, Oneida County, Novem- ber 25, 1824, being a son of Nichols and Amelia (Gould) Cummings, both natives of Massachusetts. The Cummings family is of Scotch origin, and traces its ancestry back to two brothers of that name who emigrated from Scotland to America in early Colonial days, and settled in Connecticut. Some of the family later went to Massachusetts, and in that State are buried five generations of the Cummings family.

Simeon Cummings, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born and spent his entire life in Massachusetts, dying when about sixty-six years of age. He was a farmer by occupa-

tion. He had a family of eight children, --- six sons and two daughters. The great-grand- father of our subject took an active part in the Revolutionary War, as did other members of his family.

Nichols Cummings, father of our subject, remained in the old Bay State for several years after his marriage, but in 1822 emi- grated to New York with his wife and three children, and bought a farm in Augusta, Oneida County, which he improved, and there led the life of a pioneer for several years, sharing with his neighbors the hardships and privations incident to life in a new country. In 1840 he came to Stockbridge, and bought a farm, on which he made good improve- ments; and here he and his wife spent their declining days, Mr. Cummings dying at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife, who survived him, lived to the venerable age of ninety-three years. They were worthy people, and members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he was a Republican. To them were born a family of twelve children, who grew to maturity, six of whom are now living: Lin- coln, our subject; Henry N., living on the home farm; Simeon M. and Cyrus M., living in Stockbridge; Electa Ann and Elbridge E., living on the home farm.

Lincoln L. Cummings, the subject of this personal history, grew to manhood in the vicinity where he now lives, receiving his education in the district schools and in the academy at Munnsville. He received a prac- tical training in agriculture on the home farm, remaining there until attaining his

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

majority. He was a close student, fitting himself for a teacher, and for eight terms taught the district school. His first purchase of Iand was made when he was twenty-five years of age, and part of that property is still in his possession. His homestead now con- sists of sixty-nine acres of arable land, amply supplied with substantial and convenient buildings and all the appurtenances for carry- ing on farming after the most approved methods of modern times. He is considered a model farmer in the neighborhood, and car- ries on a good business in general farming, making hops his principal crop.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York, Part 1

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Number of Pages: 730

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing
Number of Pages: 730