USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. II > Part 23
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After completing his education in the common schools Edgar Baggerly learned the trade of carpenter. At the age of twenty- two years he engaged in wheel making at Shortsville, New York, which he continued ten years, and spent three years at Syracuse in the same occupation. In 1893 he located in Avoca, New York, where he became a contractor and engaged in manufacturing wheels. Some years later he engaged in conducting a hotel at Kanona, which he still continues. He is well established in busi- ness and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Baggerly belongs to the F. & A. M., No. 673, and to Chapter No. 95, of Bath. He is a Republican, although he has never cared to hold public office.
Mr. Baggerly married Christina Bush Vander Carr, daughter of Clarissa (Canfield) Vander Carr, of Shortsville, New York. Mrs. Baggerly died at the age of twenty-eight years, having borne two children: Guy Canfield, twenty-four years of age, married Nora DeGraff and is a resident of British Columbia, at Wardener, and has one child, Viola; Roma Helen, nineteen years of age, mar- ried Frank Corwin, of Clifton Springs, New York, and they have one child, Mina Juaneta. Mr. Baggerly married for his second wife Cora Dillenbeck, born January 6, 1876, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth M. (Near) Dillenbeck. Mr. Dillenbeck died in 1899 at the age of seventy-one years, and Mrs. Dillenbeck, who is seventy-nine years of age, lives with Mrs. Baggerly. Besides Mrs. Baggerly her parents had children as follows: Benjamin, a farmer living near Wallace, Steuben county, New York; William, a plumber living at Kanona and Celesta, wife of Albert Snell, of Wallace. Mrs. Baggerly is a member of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 360, of Avoca, in which she served three years as secretary, and also belongs to the Ladies of the Maccabees of Avoca. She and her husband are well known and popular in social circles.
GORDON M. PATCHIN .- Any history of Steuben county would stultify its consistency and appreciable value if within its pages there were failure to make definite record concerning the Patchin family, whose name has been indissolubly linked with the annals of the county for nearly a century, the while the name has stood
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sponsor for sterling integrity, marked pragmatic ability and potent influence in the furthering' of the development and upbuilding of this now favored and opulent section of the old Empire state. The fine old homestead farm, now comprising one hundred and ninety acres, and now owned by him whose name introduces this para- graph, has been in the possession of the family since 1814, in which year the tract was secured from the government. This admirably improved property is located in Wayland township, and Hon. Gordon M. Patchin gives his general supervision to its operation, having long been numbered among the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of his native county and having ever held se- cure vantage ground in the confidence and esteem of the com- munity, where he is not as a prophet "who is not without honor save in his own country." Mr. Patchin has served as a repre- sentative of Steuben county in the state legislature and has held other positions of public trust, besides which he has for many years been recognized as a leader in the councils of the Republican party in his section of the state. Both through personal accom- plishment and ancestral prestige he eminently merits considera- tion in this publication.
Gordon M. Patchin was born on the ancestral farmstead which he now owns and occupies and the date of his nativity was De- cember 26, 1850. His father, Myron Patchin, was born in Onon- daga county, this state, in the year 1806, and was a lad of eight years when, in 1814, his parents removed thence to Steuben county and established a permanent home in Wayland township, which had not at that time received its name. Myron Patchin was a son of Walter Patchin, who was born at Norwalk, Connecticut, on the 24th of July, 1764, and who was a scion of a family, of English lineage, that was founded in New England in the early colonial days. Walter Patchin was a boy at the time of the family removal from Connecticut to Ballston township, Saratoga county, New York, in which county he was reared to maturity and from which he eventually removed to Onondaga county, which was his place of abode until he came to Steuben county in 1814. As a youth he was in active service as a patriot soldier in the war of the Revo- lution, and at the time of the burning of the village of Ballston, Saratoga county, incidental to that conflict, he was wounded by the Indian allies of the British forces, but was enabled to make his escape by swimming across the Sacondaga River. He became one of the first settlers of Wayland township, Steuben county, and on the site of the present homestead he erected the first log cabin in the township, the site having gained the name of Patchinville, when it became the nucleus of the pioneer settlement. Walter Patchin reclaimed a goodly portion of his land to cultivation and here continued to reside until his death, in 1854, at the patriarchal age of ninety years. He was twice married, and the two children of the first union were Lawrence and Warren, the latter of whom became a successful physician and surgeon. Nine children were
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born of the second marriage, and of these Myron, father of the sub- ject of this review was the seventh in order of birth. Walter Patchin made the journey to Steuben county with a team of oxen, and on the spot now known as Patchin Hill one of the oxen fell and broke its neck, the result being that Mr. Patchin found it inexpedient to proceed farther and consequently selected at that point the site for his new home in the midst of the sylvan wilds.
Myron Patchin was reared to manhood in Steuben county and received his early education in the somewhat primitive schools of the pioneer era. In due time he became the owner of a consider- able portion of the old homestead farm and to the same he con- tinued to devote his attention during the residue of his active career. He was a man of superior mentality and sterling integrity, thus wielding no little influence in local affairs and gaining ad- vancement through very intelligible merits. He was one of the founders of the village of Wayland and to the township was later applied the same name. When application was made to the state legislature for a charter for the village some difficulty was ex- perienced in selecting a name satisfactory to that body, and under these conditions Mr. Hess, a sterling pioneer who was fostering the cause of the village before the general assembly, returned from Albany to Wayland for a consultation with Myron Patchin con- cerning a name for the place, that of Millville having been re- jected. Incidentally Mr. Patchin chanced to whistle the melody of the old song of "Wayland," and Mr. Hess forthwith gained the suggestion that no more appropriate name could be secured than that of Wayland, under which the village charter was finally granted.
Myron Patchin was originally a Whig in his political pro- clivities, but at the organization of the Republican party he trans- ferred his allegiance thereto, ever afterward continuing a stanch supporter of its cause. He served for a term of years as super- visor of Wayland township and for thirty years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their names are held in reverent memory by all who came within the sphere of their kindly influence. Myron Patchin passed to his reward on October 29, 1890, and his cherished and devoted wife was summoned to eternal rest on the 8th of December, 1906, at the age of eighty-three years. She was born in Wayland town- ship, Steuben county, New York, and was a daughter of Aden and Nancy (Kenyan) Parmenter; her given name was Razilla, and her parents were born in Saratoga county, this state, whence they eventually came to Steuben county, where they passed the re- mainder of their lives. Myron and Razilla (Parmenter) Patchin are survived by one son, whose name introduces this article, and three daughters: Grace, who is the wife of Eugene Sprague, of Wayland township; Gertrude, who is the widow of Frank Baker and resides at Cohocton, this county; and Cora, who is the wife of
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William Greene, of Wayland township. The eldest and youngest of the daughters, with their husbands, reside with their brother on the old Patchin homestead.
Gordon M. Patchin was reared to maturity on the aneestral homestead, which has ever been his place of abode, and after availing himself of the advantages of the local schools he eon- tinued his studies in turn in Dansville Seminary and Naples Acad- emy. He has never married and his sisters preside over the do- mestic economies and social activities of the attraetive home. He has long been numbered among the most progressive and success- ful farmers and stoek-growers of his native county and his high civie ideals have been indicated by his activity in public affairs and his zealous interest in all that touches the social and material welfare of the community. He has been a most effective worker in behalf of the cause of the Republican party and served for nearly a quarter of a century as a member of its county committee in Steuben county, besides which he was a member of its executive committee in the county for twenty years. Further distinction came to him in eonneetion with the maneuvering of party forces when he was chosen a member of the Republican state eentral com- mittee, an ineumbency which he retains at the present time. He represented his native county in the lower house of the state legis- lature in 1892-3 and a decade later he was again elected to this offiee, in which he served during the general assembly of 1902-3. As a legislator he took advanced ground and did much to further the best interests of the state and its people and to foster good gov- ernment and wise legislation. He is interested in various in- dustrial and business enterprises of importance in Steuben county and is one of the substantial, honored and valued citizens of this favored section of the old Empire eommonwealth.
CHESTER SCOTT COLE .- While the great commonwealth of New York is especially fortunate in the integrity, character and worth of the noble men whose names stand high on her roll of representa- tive citizens, not one is more deserving of note and of remembrance than that of Chester Scott Cole, late of Corning. He was for many years identified with many of the leading interests and enterprises of Corning, and as one of the leading members of the Republican party was influential in political eircles and active in publie affairs. A native of New York, he was born July 1, 1836, in Wirt, Alle- ghany county, and died June 21, 1906, in Corning, Steuben county, his death being regarded throughout the community as a personal sorrow. Ardent and constant in his affeetions, he was a most ten- derly devoted husband, a kind and indulgent father and a loving and loyal friend and companion.
Brought up and edueated in his native town, Chester Scott Cole came to Corning in 1853, and was afterward for a number of years a passenger conductor on the Erie Railroad. In the early sixties he embarked in business, in partnership with C. H. Thom-
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son, as a banker and insurance agent, and also, in company with L. C. Kingsbury, conducted the Corning Gas Company, one of the most beneficial early enterprises of the city. With both of these indns- tries Mr. Cole was actively associated until 1904, when he retired from active pursuits, spending his last years in well-earned leisure.
Activity in public affairs was almost inevitable in a man of Mr. Cole's intelligence and caliber, and as a young man he was president of the village of Corning a number of terms. He was influential in the Republican party until 1872, when he joined the ranks of the Liberals, who nominated Horace Greeley for president of the United States. In 1876 Mr. Cole resumed his former relations with the Republican party, becoming one of its leaders in southern New York. In 1880 he was appointed by Governor Alonzo B. Cornell captain of the port of New York, a responsible position that he filled satisfactorily for five years. Captain Cole served many times as delegate to state Republican conventions, always being an im- portant factor in shaping state politics. He was frequently a mem- ber of the Republican State Committee for his congressional dis- triet, in 1885 and 1886 being its chairman. As a delegate to the Republican convention held in Chicago in 1880 he supported the movement led by United States Senator Roscoe Conkling in favor of the nomination of U. S. Grant for a third term as president of the United States. The captain was one of the "306" delegates of that convention that voted for General Grant's nomination thirty- six successive ballots, and subsequently received one of the "306" bronze medals given to said delegates in commemoration of one of the fiercest and most notable struggles in the history of American politics.
During the earlier years of his residence in Corning Captain Cole was foreman of the Alliance Hook and Ladder Company, of which he was a life member. He was a charter member of the Corn- ing Club, which he served as vice-president, being first vice-president at the time of his death. During his long and active political career the captain was regarded as one of the ablest and most sagacious political leaders in this section of the state. Had he had ambitions in that line he could doubtless have held high elective offices, but he preferred to direct and shape party politics and to make and unmake men. No man in southern New York for a score or more of years had greater political influence and power than Captain Cole, his opinions and counsel being often sought and invariably heeded. He was a man of culture and refinement, endowed with sterling principles and possessing a keen sense of personal honor. He was a very congenial companion and had a pleasant acquaintance and friendship with distinguished men of both parties.
Captain Cole married, in 1855, Adelaide Eleanor Wheat, of Painted Post, New York. and into their home two children were born, namely: C. Glen, of Corning, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this work; and Ma Belle, widow of the late George T. Hawley, of Corning.
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CHESTER GLEN COLE .- A worthy representative not only of the able and progressive business element of Corning but of its native- born citizens, C. Glen Cole occupies a position of prominence in manufacturing and commercial circles, being president of both the Corning Building Company and the Corning Coal Company. A son of the late Chester Scott Cole, of whom a brief personal history is given preceding this sketch, he was born August 10, 1859. He had no brothers, but has one sister, Mrs. Ma Belle Hawley, of Corning, widow of the late George 'T. Hawley.
Receiving excellent educational advantages, C. Glen Cole com- pleted the full course of study in the Corning High School and was graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, with the class of 1882. During the ensuing eight years he was in the office of the Fall Brook Coal Company, in 1891 becoming associated with the well-known firm of M. D. Walker & Company. In 1894, in company with J. A. Drake, Mr. Cole purchased the entire busi- ness of his employers and conducted it successfully for ten years, when, in 1904, it was incorporated as the Corning Company, of which he has since been president. In 1906 Mr. Cole purchased the Corning Coal Company, and of this corporation he has since been at the head. His executive ability, enterprise and integrity are thoroughly understood by his fellow-workers, who have made him one of the directors of the First National Bank of Corning and likewise of the Corning Cooperative Savings and Loan Association.
Mr. Cole married, December 2, 1889, Hattie E. Walker, a daughter of the late Congressman Charles C. B. Walker, in whose sketch, which appears on another page of this work, further parental history may be found. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, namely : Sidney T., Glen Walker and Dorothea Drake.
CHARLES C. B. WALKER .- Honored and respected as a man of incorruptible integrity, a loyal and law-abiding citizen, the memory of the late Charles C. B. Walker will long be held in remembrance throughout Steuben county, more especially in Corning, where for many years he was prominent in business and political circles. The descendant of a New England family of worth and distinction, he was born in New Hampshire, among its rugged hills growing to a sturdy manhood. Coming to New York in early life he embarked in the hardware business with Horace Turner, a nephew of Erastus Corning, the father of the village of Corning and one of its most prominent residents. The partnership was dissolved in 1857, and for many years thereafter Mr. Walker conducted an immense credit business with his customers, being enabled to do so through the kind- ness and generosity of Mr. Corning, who furnished the stock. He was very successful as a merchant, and continued in mercantile pur- suits until his death, January 28, 1888.
Mr. Walker entered the field of public activities in 1856, when he was appointed postmaster at Corning by President Pierce. In 1859 he was elected state committeeman, and in the twenty-seven Vol. II-13
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years that he held the position performed the duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and to the honor of his Democratic con- stituents. In 1860 he was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and in the bitter contest that ensued between the two candidates, Breckinridge and Douglas, he was brought into opposition with Mr. Corning, who supported Breckin: lge. It was confidently expected that Mr. Walker would be so influence 1 by Mr. Corning that he would change his vote, but when the mai broached to him Mr. Walker boldly replied: "My people are f. Douglas, and I am representing them. All of my business future is insignificant in comparison with my duty to fulfill and faithfully discharge the trust imposed upon me by my constituents." His de- cision was promptly reported to the Breckinridge leader with the comment of Mr. Corning that "Walker was right," and that he would give orders to extend his credit three times as quickly as he would before this trait in his character had been exhibited.
In 1874 Mr. Walker was elected to Congress in a district that was a Republican stronghold, giving a usual Republican majority of five thousand votes. During the Ben Hill-Blaine amnesty debate relating to the charge that rebel prisoners were starved at Elmira, Mr. Walker's emphatic reply contained but these five words "It is a - lie," a reply that indicated his directness of speech and the sentiment of loyalty that was ever uppermost in his heart. In 1886 he was elected chairman of the State Committee, and did valu- able work during the campaign of that season. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On March 2, 1854, Mr. Walker married Maria D. Townsend, of Elmira, New York, and the four children born of their union are all residents of Palmyra, New York, namely: Isabel, wife of James 1. Drake; Charles E .; Hattie E., wife of C. Glen Cole; and Ed- win S.
NEIL W. ANDREWS .- By temperament, training and experience well equipped for his professional career, Neil W. Andrews is rap- idly climbing the ladder of successful attainments and has estab- lished a large and remunerative general law practice in Corning. A son of Jerome A. Andrews, he was born December 28, 1865, in New Albion, Cattaraugus county. of substantial and honored an-' cestry.
Jerome A. Andrews, a life-long resident of the Empire state, is a man of enterprise and public spirit. As a young man he served. with bravery in the Civil war, participating in many engagements of prominence, and he is now active in promoting the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic. One of the foremost citizens of Salamanca, he is there prosperously engaged in mercantile pur- suits, having an extensive trade. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Emeline R. Lattin, three children have been born, namely: Bret Lattin, of Salamanca, a merchant, being in partnership with his father; Neil W., the special subject of this brief sketch ; and Max
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W., proprietor of the Teck Theatre at Salamanca and also conduct- ing a theatre at Perry, New York.
Laying a substantial foundation for his future education , in the public schools Neil W. Andrews received his diploma at. the Salamanca High School and the Cattaraugus Academy, and was graduated from the law department of Cornell University with the class of 1901. A short time later he was admitted to the New York bar, and in 1903 was admitted at Pittsburg to the Pennsylvania bar. Accepting a position as clerk in the office of Thomas Patter- son, a leading attorney of Pittsburg, he retained the position three and one-half years, gaining legal knowledge and experience of great value and the appointment of chief clerk. In 1907 Mr. Andrews located in Corning, and during the comparatively brief time he has been a resident of this city has built up an extensive general prac- tice as an attorney-at-law, being tlfe legal representative of several Corning organizations and succeeding to much of the business of John T. Hall, whose office and good will he purchased.
Mr. Andrews married June 29, 1904, Eloise Potter, a daughter of John E. and Margaret Potter, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and to them three children have been born, namely: Jerome A., Walton F. and Margaret G.
A= earnest champion of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Andrews has been active and prominent in political circles, for some time serving as secretary of the Republican County Com- mittee of Cattaraugus county. He is an active member of the Corn- ing Business Men's Association and of the Corning Club. Fra- ternally Mr. Andrews belongs to Painted Post Lodge No. 117 of Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons and to the Corning Consistory, and he is also a member of Corning Lodge No. 1071, B. P. O. E.
JAMES F. TRANT, M. D., has gained precedence as one of the able and popular representatives of the medical profession in his native county and is engaged in active practice in the village of Prattsburg. He is a native son of Steuben county and a member of one of its old and honored families. He was born on the home- stead farm in Prattsburg township on the 10th of August, 1862, and is a son of John J. and Hannah (Dean) Trant. The father was numbered among the representative farmers of Steuben county, and here both he and his wife continued to reside until their death, hon- ored by all who knew them. Dr. Trant was reared to the discipline of the home farm and after availing himself of the advantages of the district schools he continued his studies in Franklin Academy. In preparation for the work of his chosen profession he entered the Long Island Medical College, in the city of New York, in which he completed the prescribed course and was graduated in June, 1886, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After his graduation Dr. Trant engaged in the practice of his profession in New York city, where he remained for a period of ten years, when impaired health
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rendered it expedient for him to make a change of location. Under these conditions he returned to his native county and located in the village of Prattsburg, where he has been engaged in successful gen- eral practice since 1896 and where his clientele is of representative order. He is a member of the Keuka Medical Society and the New York State Medical Society. Both he and his wife are communi- cants of the Catholic church in their home village. It is worthy of note that while engaged in practice in the city of New York Dr. Trant resided at No. 28 East Twentieth street, in the old home- stead in which Colonel Theodore Roosevelt was born. The Doctor takes a public-spirited interest in all that touches the welfare of the community, and while he has never cared to enter the turmoil of practical politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party.
In New York city, in the year 1893, was solemnized the mar- riage of Dr. Trant to Miss Maude Elkins, who was born and reared in the national metropolis and who is a daughter of the late Au- gustus Elkins, of that city. The three children of this union are John, Maude and Agnes, and the respective dates of their birth are here noted, April 17, 1894 ; December 30, 1897, and August 27, 1902.
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