USA > New York > Chenango County > Oxford > Annals of Oxford, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and early pioneers > Part 13
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Mr. Galpin was the eldest son of Benjamin and Polly (Judson) Galpin. He was born May 15, 1816, at Washing- ton, Conn., died February 20, 1893, at Oxford; married May 16, 1841, Catherine Jane, second daughter of Alfred and Sarah (Hamlin) Hawley Brownson, born December 2, 1818, at Warren, Conn. On the 16th of May, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Galpin, with their children, quietly celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding at the family resi- dence on Clinton street, Oxford.
Mr. Galpin at the age of seventeen years entered the printing office of the New Haven (Conn.) Palladium, under
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the now almost forgotten apprentice system, as an " inden- tured apprentice." He was an apt scholar, and in January, 1838, when the five years of his apprenticeship were ended, he, with James F. Babcock, became publishers of the Palla- dium. The partnership was dissolved in October, 1839, but he remained in the office until May 14, 1841. The follow- ing month at the earnest solicitation of Elisha N. Hawley, Mrs. Galpin's half-brother, he with his young wife removed to the neighboring town of Greene. A journey in those days that was thought to be far west and a considerable undertaking. In that village Mr. Galpin and Mr. Hawley conducted a general merchandise business for nearly four years, when, in 1845, a yearning for his chosen profession induced him to come to Oxford and engage upon THE TIMES. Later he became associate publisher with Waldo M. Potter, who in after years became a leading State officer in North Dakota. On March 4, 1848, Mr. Galpin became sole proprietor and had full charge of the paper for forty-five years, until impaired health compelled him to lay down the stick and rule and submit the man- agement of the office to his eldest son, Theodore B. Gal- pin. During the long years as publisher THE TIMES never failed to be issued on the regular publication day, was seldom behind the usual hour, and he was absent but twice on that day during his service of nearly half a cen- tury. His journal stood prominent among the leading in- terior newspapers of his day. His published opinions, we are told, "always commanded the respect, if not the ad- hesion of his readers." Mr. Galpin was faithful to his trusts, true to his friends, and conducted THE TIMES for the best interests of the town and its welfare, and the files of the paper are a fitting memorial to his integrity.
For nearly forty years Mr. Galpin conducted a book and stationery business in connection with the printing estab-
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lishment, and at his death was the oldest business man in town.
He was a regular attendant at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member and trustee, and was clerk of the board for many years.
Public spirited, he gave generously to all that would benefit the village or town, and no subscription paper passed unsigned by him that would help a townsman in distress. Public office he never sought nor ever held. Of a quiet, retiring disposition, he was ever found at his place of business, yet enjoyed the companionship of friends and neighbors who entered his home or office. His children, all born in Oxford, are:
THEODORE BROWNSON GALPIN, born "Ere pinks were carnations and roses all double," from a boy up has always been identified with THE OXFORD TIMES. Like most print- ers, who have achieved success, he has passed through the various elements of carrier, devil, compositor, pressman, foreman, and country newspaper editor. The only in- tervals that occur to break a continued connection with THE TIMES were his attendance at Oxford Academy and two terms at Cazenovia Seminary. Even in the days when he was attending the Academy he was wont to divide his time out of school with work at the office, and many a night during the Civil war he put in long hours as roller- boy on the Washington hand press, which still has a retired nook in the office and at an age quite, if not past, the cen- tury mark. At the close of his school days at Cazenovia, Mr. Galpin began his active connection with the paper, which has never ceased to this day. Through the medium of THE TIMES, he stands for his home town first, last, and all the time, which sentiment has generally been appre- ciated by his townsmen. He conducts his business in a
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practical and progressive manner, his policy being to give the reader spicy local news, and advertisers the best possi- ble service. He realizes that advertising is done for the purpose of securing results. Accordingly his efforts have always been directed to making THE TIMES service bring results, and in this he has been notably successful. When Mr. Galpin retires at night and hangs his hat on the wall his family are all in.
HENRY JUDSON, married Mrs. Eva B. Williams of Ful- ton, N. Y., youngest daughter of Horace Nelson and Matilda (Van Valkenburg) Sabin.
FLORRIE GEE, married John N. Walker, son of John and Mary (Sawtelle) Walker of McDonough, N. Y. Now re- sides at Warsaw, N. Y. Children: John Galpin, con- nected with the Electric Signal and Switch Company at Pittsburg, Pa .; Robert Sawtelle, stenographer for War- saw Blue Stone Company, Warsaw, N. Y .; Alfred Brown- son, died September 16, 1889, in infancy; Catherine, died September 28, 1891, in infancy ; Agnes Louise.
JENNIE HARRIET, married Henry Starkweather, son of John H. and Anna Starkweather of New Haven, Conn. Now resides at Pittsburg, Pa.
L ABORER'S WAGES in 1826 were from forty to sixty cents a day. Fresh beef was four cents a pound and fresh pork three and a half cents. "Locofoco " matches twenty-five cents per box, for what are now sold for a cent. Cord wood, one dollar per cord; flour, four to ten dollars per barrel; tobacco, forty cents per pound, and whisky thirty-five cents per gallon.
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He lives who dies to win a lasting name. -DRUMMOND.
Nelson C. Chapman.
Nelson . C. Chapman came in 1846 to Oxford from Nor- wich, and with his brother-in-law, Joseph G. Thorp, suc- ceeded Ira Willcox in the general mercantile business con- ducted at the brick store on Fort Hill. For a period of ten years they were prominent and successful business men of Oxford. Having disposed of their goods to Miller & Per- kins, they engaged in banking for a short time in Clinton, Iowa, but finally became extensively engaged in the lum- bering business at Eau Claire, Wis., where, by indomitable energy and sagacity, they secured a fortune. Mr. Chap- man's large business interest directed him a few years later to St. Louis, where he became prominent in business circles and very influential in public affairs. He died in that city September 12, 1873. Elizabeth A., his wife, died May 6, 1876, aged 58. Children :
GILBERT, deceased.
FLORENCE A., born July 3, 1847, in Oxford; died Decem- ber 2, 1900, in Paris, France; married October 21, 1869, at St. Louis, Henry Alcock, Esq., of Leamington, Warwick- shire, England, who died in 1893. Children: Mary, Gil- bert, died shortly after his father; Nelson, died in June, 1900; Harry, lieutenant of the English Navy, and Vivian.
CHARLES.
NELSON C., residence St. Louis, Mo.
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That chastity of honor which felt a stain like a wound.
-BURKE.
Capt. Joseph Hawley Dwight.
Captain Joseph Hawley Dwight was born at Great Bar- rington, Mass., September 13, 1785. Soon after arriving at the age of 21 he went to Bridgewater, N. Y., and in 1812 entered the United States army as ensign. During the war he was engaged for the most time in active service on the frontier, and toward the close as quartermaster to the 13th Reg't of Infantry, in which position he served faithfully. At the close of the war he resigned his office and resided at Unadilla Forks, N. Y., Schenectady, and Utica until 1840, when he came to Oxford. Here he entered into copartner- ship with the Clarkes, under the firm name of E. Clarke, Son & Co., which was dissolved May 1, 1843, by his with- drawal. Captain Dwight was known and esteemed for his strict integrity, and beloved by all for his benevolence of heart and hand. His death at the age of 60 followed a car- riage accident which occurred August 6, 1845. Catherine Clarke, his wife, sister of Ethan Clarke, born April 17, 1793, in Stonington, R. I., died June 11, 1840, in Oxford. They had but one child, Henry William, who died in infancy.
D AVID DAVIS was one of the early settlers of the town, but very little is now known of him, except that he had two daughters, Cornelia, married Joseph Lobdell, and Lucinda, married Francello Stuart.
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Of manners gentle, of affections mild ; In wit a man, simplicity a child. -POPE.
Rev. Jared C. Ransom.
Rev. Jared Comstock Ransom was born at Warren, Herkimer county, May 24, 1803, and early in life became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1834 he was given an exhorter's license, and in 1836 a local preach- er's license ; the same year he joined Oneida Conference, and in 1869 became a member of Wyoming Conference. His pastoral record was Sharon, Brookfield, Otego, Chenango Circuit, Butternuts, and Oxford. In 1839, on account of feeble health, he was superanuated and came to Oxford, purchasing the house and land on State street, which he occupied till his death. He devoted much time to agricul- tural pursuits, and officiating for absent pastors. He was firm in his duties and convictions, highly respected and esteemed in this and adjoining communities. His services were frequently required at wedding and funeral cere- monies, and an incomplete record from November 3, 1839, to June 2, 1879, shows that he officiated at 327 weddings ; and from January 15, 1837, to June 12, 1877, he preached 583 funeral sermons. In November, 1879, Elder Ransom was stricken with paralysis on his right side, and died July 5, 1882, aged 79. His first wife was Ann Amanda Cook, who died December 25, 1828, leaving three sons. On August 2, 1840, he married Mary Preston of Oxford, who died December 28, 1858.
Charles C. Ransom, eldest son of Rev. J. C. Ransom, was employed several years in the office of THE OXFORD
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TIMES. He was cordial and pleasant in manner, and pos- sessing good-natured mirth attached many friends, espe- cially among those of his own age. On leaving THE TIMES office he secured a position on the Erie railroad. On Feb- ruary 21, 1856, an accident occurred at Cascade bridge by which he lost his life. He had signaled a train across the bridge and with a lamp on each arm attempted to get upon a car; his foot slipped and was caught under a wheel, which passed over him, severing an arm and leg from the body. He was taken to Susquehanna, where he sur- vived for four hours, suffering little pain and in the full possession of his senses until he calmly expired.
Norman K. Ransom, brother of above, a prominent citi- zen of Richfield Springs, died at that place March 13, 1872.
T HE COMMON SCHOOLS of the town celebrated Washington's birthday at the Congregational church in 1844. Music was furnished by the Tyrolean Band, and the exercises consisted of examinations of the scholars in arithmetic and grammar, followed by addresses from Revs. Perry, Burtis, and Sperry. Eighteen of the twenty- one districts were represented by teachers, who were ac- companied by 460 scholars. Nearly 100 more children and 300 adults were present.
J OHN HOLMES died in Oxford, May 12, 1849, in the 90th year of his age. He entered the Revolutionary army at the age of 16, and served until the conclusion of the war. He came to this town when there was but one dwelling where the village now stands, and resided here until his death. Esther, his widow, died March 21, 1863, aged 86.
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Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of two thousand. -SHAKESPEARE.
Addison Dudley Adams.
Addison Dudley Adams, son of Platt and Clarissa (Dud- ley) Adams, was born in Durham, Greene county. He received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town, and on finishing his school work moved to Oxford and engaged in mercantile business in the Fort Hill block. After remaining here a few years he removed in 1839 to Greene, where he conducted a general dry goods business. He married Mary, daughter of John and Mary (Welch) Perry of Oxford. Mr. Adams held the position of supervisor of the town of Greene for several terms. His death occurred in 1878. Mrs. Adams died January 27, 1905. Children :
PLATT, married Claire Varlet of Paris, France, and re- sides in New York City.
JOHN P., married Calista Weaver of Syracuse; resides at New York City.
WILLIAM A., married Mary Rule of Belleville, N. J .; dead.
REUBEN A., died in infancy.
AUGUSTUS WILLARD, resides in Chicago. He held for two years the athletic championship in the United States at putting the sixteen pound shot.
EMILY C., married Romeo M. Wilbur of Sioux City, Ia .; now resides in Greene.
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A heap of dust alone remains of thee, 'Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be. -POPE.
Horace Packer.
Horace Packer, born in Norwich, January 2, 1812, came to Oxford in 1839. He was educated at the district schools of his native town, at Oxford Academy, and Madison Uni- versity at Hamilton. He read law with Judge McKoon in this village, was early admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law, in which by untiring and indomitable spirit he gained a prominent position among distinguished com- petitors. In November, 1846, he married Mary A. Tisdal of Little Falls, N. Y., who died seven months afterwards.
Through life and to his last days, Mr. Packer was a dili- gent student, and much of a philsopher. In the study of sacred and polite literature, history and the classics, he was probably equalled by few or none in our midst. His ready and accurate familiarity with the ancient philoso- phers, the incidents of their early lives and the spirit of their teachings was a surprise to those verifying his state- ments by knowledge or research. To those who knew him by a mere superficial acquaintance there can be but a small idea of the originality, brilliant wit and conversa- tional powers that for many years made him a central figure in social life, and always a delight in family gatherings.
Losing his wife so early, his long, solitary life unblessed by those graces which come from the love, sacrifice, and sympathy of the home circle to the husband and father, there was yet displayed in his life in a remarkable degree
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an almost knightly courtesy and kindness to all, high or low, with whom he was associated. For young men he was especially considerate and thoughtful; helping them for- ward into notice and self-confidence.
Always active, though for some years in delicate health, his final sickness lasted but about ten days, and his death, which occurred from lung disease, was unexpectedly sud- den. He died at his residence in this village November 10, 1881.
O LIVER C. RHODES, born June 16, 1769, in Westerly R.I., came to Oxford in 1814, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 23, 1846. His wife, Eunice Pendleton, born December 15, 1776, in Westerly, died Octo- ber 10, 1854, in Oxford. They bought the farm now owned and occupied by their great grandson, Oliver John Rhodes, north of the Woman's Relief Corps Home. Among their children was OLIVER, 2d, born December 26, 1803, in West- erly, R. I., and died February 11, 1893, in Oxford, on the farm on which he had resided seventy-eight years. He mar- ried February 5, 1841, Marie Louisa Perry, daughter of Deacon John Perry, born February 3, 1812, in Smithville, N. Y., and died March 4, 1903, in Oxford. Children, none of whom survive :
ELLEN MARIE, married Thomas Peck, who met an acci- dental death on the railroad.
JOHN P., married Rufina Pierce. Children: Carrie Ellen, married William Fox; Oliver John, married Emma C. Whited of Binghamton, now living on the old home- stead; Belle Bond, died at the age of 12.
OLIVER, 3d, died in infancy.
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Whose remembrance yet lives in men's eyes. -SHAKESPEARE.
Frederick A. Sands.
Frederick A. Sands, son of Judge Obadiah and Elizabeth (Teed) Sands, was born in Bainbridge, February 19, 1813. He was a student in Oxford Academy in 1828. As early as 1835 he was a clerk in a store at Unadilla, and later engaged in business under the firm name of Fellows & Sands, which was soon changed to Watson & Sands. In 1840 he returned to Oxford and entered into business with his brother-in-law, James W. Clarke. In 1856 he returned to Unadilla, and a few years later, on the death of his father, Mr. Sands, who was executor and trustee of the estate, abandoned his mercantile pursuits and devoted him- self to the affairs of the estate.
On the formation of the First National Bank of Oxford, Mr. Sands became interested with James W. Clarke, and an old personal friend, Henry L. Miller, and others, and was one of the original directors and the first cashier of that institution. Mr. Miller and he were lifelong friends, and they were buried at the same hour and on the same day in March, 1886. At the death of Mr. Sands it was said of him, " Few men have done so much business with so little litigation." His papers were " models of neatness and brevity, and always as correct as care and labor could make them." With this scrupulous exactness went also a fine integrity.
Mr. Sands married (1) Maria, daughter of Sherman Page, who died two years after the marriage; married (2)
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in January, 1841, Clarissa A., sister of Henry R. Mygatt of Oxford, who survived him only a few months.
Children :
FRANCES MARIA, died September 20, 1841.
CLARA MYGATT, married Senator Frank B. Arnold; died June 3, 1881.
HENRY, married (1), 1872, Eveline Ingersoll; married (2), 1885, Ada Wilson.
BELLE, married Samuel S. North.
J. FREDERICK, married Clara Louise Pelletreau.
J EREMIAH TILLOTSON, born in 1776 in Rutland, Vt., came to Oxford after obtaining his majority. He married in this town and shortly afterwards moved to Greene, where he died in 1852. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and rendered gallant service until the close of the same. Children :
JEREMIAH, married Lovicy Loomis of Greene, who died November 7, 1877, in Oxford, aged 71. He inherited a fortune while yet a young man, but through high living and a generous disposition he was left penniless in his old age, and died September 11, 1898, aged 94, at the County House in Preston.
SABRINA, married William Race of South Oxford.
SILAS, married Eunice Smith of Rutland, Mass.
PLATT BRUSH settled in Greene as early as 1802. He removed to Oxford in the spring of 1810, where he practiced law. He finally returned to New York from whence he originally came.
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Everyone cleaves to the doctrine he has happened upon as to a rock against which he has been thrown by tempest. -CICERO.
Rev. Jabez S. Swan.
Rev. Jabez S. Swan, better known as Elder Swan, was a native of Stonington, Ct., and when the British fleet bom- barded that place in 1814 served as powder monkey to the cannoneers that defended the town. At the age of 22 he was a licensed preacher ; but thinking himself insufficiently educated, determined to take a theological course at Madi- son University, Hamilton, N. Y. To reach the college he rode 250 miles on horseback. Having $100 saved from hard work, and a young wife earnest and active as himself, he leased a cabin for nine dollars a year and began house- keeping. Every Sunday while at college he rode twenty miles to preach before a congregation that paid him fifty cents a sermon. On other days he earned three shillings at felling trees and cutting timber. In 1827 he was grad- uated. In such a school of heroic self-denial, Elder Swan was fitted for the work to which, during the next fifty years, he applied himself. Fifteen thousand persons were con- verted under his preaching, and in one of his earliest pas- torates, covering a period of three years, he baptized 1800 persons. He became insane at the time the lamented Gar- field was assassinated, and until his death, which occurred at New London, Ct., November 19, 1884, at the age of 85, his mind was under a cloud. He was pastor of the Oxford Baptist Church from 1839 to 1842. During one of the revival meetings he was holding here, Asa Beardsley, a noted character, and of very dark complexion, went for- ward. Elder Swan, on seeing him among the penitents,
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exclaimed : " The devil has turned over another black ace ! " The following is an extract from one of his sermons :
" I was preaching once over on the borders of heathen- dom, between Guilford and Oxford, and in my audience saw a hard shell Baptist, who had said that 'if Christ had gone through his cornfield on Sunday and picked ears of corn, he would have had a supreme writ on him before he slept.' I knew he was there and I told the story. A half crazy fellow sat upon the pulpit stairs, and, as I finished, he looked up and said: 'Well, Elder, he would have to go to the devil to get the writ, wouldn't he?' Yes, said I, and it would have been an eternal journey."
J ONATHAN BUSH lived on Merchants street at a very early day and owned considerable land in the village. Washington Park was once a cornfield owned by his son. It can be said of him :
"This man came to this country at an early day, Where nothing dwelt, but beasts of prey, And men as fierce, and wild as they."
A MOS HAVENS was an early settler in the eastern part of the town. After his death the family moved to Bainbridge. Among his children were: WILLIAM, CHAMP- LAIN, URSULA, married Job Ireland; MARY ANN, married and went west; CALISTA, was a deaf mute; and FREDERICK, was blind, having destroyed the sight of one eye by doctor- ing the other, which was accidently destroyed by a knife.
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Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring .- SIR H. SHEERS.
Fourth of July Bill.
The following is a copy of a bill incurred by the com- mittee of nineteen who superintended the celebration of Indepedence Day in 1838. It will be noticed that they did not recklessly use the funds on beer and cigars:
4th July Committee,
To T. Orcutt, Dr.
June 7th To
2 Bottles wine
$ 2.00
8
do do
2.00
66
Soda
.25
15
one Bottle wine
1.00
July
3
Expenses paid bringing boughs
.25
66 6 2 pitchers Lemonade
1.00
66
4
4 Bottles Rum at 4/-
2.00
66
66
6 do Brandy
3.00
66
9
do Wine 8/-
9.00
6 Bowls 8 Sugar 4/-
3.00
66
66
6 Bowls & Sugar 4/-
3.00
60
Crackers & Cheese
.50
66
Segars
.50
6 drinks
.37
66
16 pitchers Lemonade
8.00
66 punches
.50
66
1 Tumbler Broke
.25
$33.87
66
1 Bottle Wine
1.00
22 Diners for Revolutionary Soldiers
3
Clergy
19
Committee
18
Musicians 62.00
$96.87
66
66 Beer
.25
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.
We have strict statutes and most fitting laws.
-SHAKESPEARE.
Court of Common Pleas.
The first Court of Common Pleas held in Chenango County was convened at the schoolhouse in Hamilton in June, 1798. The first business transacted was the admis- sion of Thomas R. Gold, Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Wil- liams, Stephen O. Runyan, Nathaniel King, Arthur Breese, Peter B. Garnsey and Medad Curtis, to practice as attorneys and counselors in this Court. The second term was held in Oxford, in October, 1798; and after this the Courts were held alternately at Oxford and Ham- ilton until the formation of Madison county. The Court met three times a year to transact county business. The Judges were authorized to open the Court on Tuesday, but not to hold beyond Saturday of the same week.
The first Circuit Court was held July 10, 1798, at which Justice Kent, afterwards Chancellor, presided. No business was transacted at this sitting of the Court, as will appear from the subjoined copy of the clerk's minutes :
At a Circuit Court held at the Academy in the town of Oxford in and for the County of Chenango, on the 10th July, 1798, before the Honorable James Kent, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of judicature of the State of New York.
Present. Hon. James Kent, Esq. The Court opened by proclamation.
The Court adjourned for one hour.
The Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present. Hon. James Kent, Esq. The Court adjourned sine die.
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"The days come and go liks muffled and veiled figures; but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts that bring they carry them as silently away."
Extracts from a Journal.
Extracts from a Journal, written by Miss Susan Hop- kins, daughter of Capt. Frederick Hopkins. It is dated Oxford Female Seminary, February 22d, 1836 :
This week begins the last half of this term and I commence Journal Writing. My studies this term are Philosophy, Tytler's History, Emer- son's Arithmetick, Grammar, and Woodbridge's Geography. We go up stairs nearly every week to see Philosophical experiments. they are generally very interesting. We repeat verses from the Bible every other morning. My verse this morning was Mr. Bailey's text yester- day forenoon. It was in John 3 chapter 16 verse I attend singing school every Saturday, we have a very pleasant school. There are upwards of sixty scholars. Mr. Buel, the teacher, is very strict. Wednesday evenings we have a Sigourney society. We speak pieces and have a Mirror read that is very interesting, and repeat facts, and Miss R. selects an interesting story to read. Now I must put up my writing to read and spell.
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