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 21
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James Terrel enlisted in the company recruited at Ox- ford, and was sworn into the service at Utica, and assigned to Compony K, 8th United States Infantry. His regiment sailed from New York and joined Major General Scott's army at San Pueblo. He participated in several important battles and with the victorious American army entered the City of Mexico, and saw General Scott when he rode into the city at the head of his staff. The capture of the City of Mexico (September 14, 1847) ended the war, and, on July 26, 1848, Terrel was discharged from the service at Jefferson Barracks below New Orleans. While he re- mained in the city he, as were many other soldiers, was presented with a stock and a handsome blanket by Mexican ladies. The stock was a leather collar worn around the neck and served to keep the soldier's head up and eyes straight ahead. The soldiers called it a " dog collar." The blanket was stolen from him by a fellow soldier who was hung for stealing, as were eighteen others for the same crime, he witnessing the execution. The portrait of Mr.
OXFORD FIRE
DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT HOUSE, FORT HILL (The tower was replaced by a modern structure 1902 on presentation of a new town clock to t village by the Ladies Village Improvement Society
OXFORD BOOK STORE.
JAMES A. TERREL-A Mexican War soldier
OXFORD BOOKSTORE AND TIMES OFFICE-1897.
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Terrel represents him in cap with silver eagle, and coat and sash worn while in the service. His musket and other accoutrements he had, at the expiration of his term of service, turned over to Capt. Elisha Kent Kane, who afterwards became famous as an Arctic explorer. The medals shown on the coat were presented to him by the government. One of gold, another of silver, given for special service and bravery; the third, made from cap- tured Mexican cannon, was given in 1878, to all survivors of the war. So far as is known he was the last survivor of that war in this section of the State.
Mr. Terrel died May 12, 1906, and was given a military funeral. Breed Post, G. A. R., escorted the remains to Riverview cemetery, and a delegation from Meade Post at the W. R. C. Home fired three volleys over the grave of the old soldier.
Being myself no stranger to suffering, I have learned to relieve the sufferings of others. -VIRGIL.
Dr. Casper Bruchhausen.
Dr. Casper Bruchhausen was born on the 28th of Au- gust, 1806, at Frankfort on the Main, Germany, and came to America in 1836, locating in Philadelphia. In 1839 he commenced the study of homeopathy with Dr. Charles F. Hoffendahl, a graduate of the University of Berlin, who removed to Albany in 1840, where Dr. Bruchhausen continued his studies with him. He afterwards pursued
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his studies with Dr. George W. Cook of Hudson, and subsequently placed himself under the instruction of Drs. Frederick Gray and A. Gerald Hull, who were then the principal practitioners of the homeopathic school in New York City. In August, 1842, at the urgent request of Dr. George W. Roberts, the pioneer homeopathist of Che- nango county, Dr. Bruchhausen went to Greene, and the two practiced in company with mutual benefit until May, 1843, when the latter established himself in Oxford. Here he remained until April, 1848, and then permanently lo- cated at Norwich. He was twice married, his second wife was Miss Mary Leonard of Oxford, who died in Norwich, September 17, 1883. An adopted daughter, Ellen, mar- ried Frederick H. Burchard of Oxford, and now resides in Norwich. Dr. Bruchhausen was an author of consid- erable poetical ability; many of his poems originally ap- pearing in THE OXFORD TIMES. In 1870 he issued a vol- ume entitled " Rhymes of the Times and Other Chimes." He died in Norwich December 28, 1891, aged 85.
The eternal Master found His single talent well employ'd. -JOHNSON.
Elijah B. McCall.
Elijah Brewster McCall, born June 22, 1794, at Leba- non, Conn .; died August 6, 1868, in Oxford; married November 19, 1829, in Oxford, Mahetabel Smith, born April 9, 1807, in Hadley, Mass., died July 14, 1895, in Buffalo. Children :
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ELIZA, died October 30, 1878, at Sayre, Pa. Unmarried.
JOHN B., married September 3, 1879, Helen L. Morse, at Norwich; residence, Buffalo. Children : Adrian Morse, Mary Eliza.
Elijah Brewster McCall was born on a farm, and came, with his father's family, lineal descendants of one who landed at Plymouth Rock from the Mayflower, to Che- nango county in 1807. At an early age he taught school and took up civil engineering, or surveying, at which he became quite expert, thoroughly understanding the his- tory of Central New York and Chenango county in par- ticular. He was an early and active participant in the construction of the Chenango canal, and it is said that he once made a survey of the whole line and that the levels proved to be correct when the canal was completed. He also surveyed the Ithaca & Owego R. R., one of the first in the State.
Mr. McCall was town superintendent of public schools for Oxford for a number of years until the system was changed to school commissioners. He also assisted the students of the old Academy in the practical part of sur- veying. He was extremely fond of the game of back- gammon, and often would be seen in the stores of Cyrus M. Brown and A. F. Bartle, indulging in that pastime.
The barn and office of Mr. McCall was burned March 8, 1853. His entire stock of surveying and engineering instruments, together with a valuable collection of field books and maps of the original surveys of this section of the country, and the records of his own surveys, covering a period of more than thirty years, were destroyed by the flames, involving a loss of $1500, on which there was no insurance.
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Man passes away ; his name perishes from record and recollection ; his history is as a tale that is told, and his very monument becomes a ruin .- IRVING.
Gordon Family.
Henry Gordon, born in 1770, was an early resident of Oxford, and settled on and cleared the land now known as the Lobdell farm. He died June 21, 1820. He married Elizabeth Bartle, who was born in 1773, and died in 1854.
Children :
JOHN, born in 1795; died March 24, 1879; married July 7, 1822, Polly Hackett, born April 27, 1798, died October 12, 1889. Children : James H., died in 1845; George W., died in 1853; William A .; Mary J., died November 16, 1864; Harriet; Susan, died October 17, 1864; David B., and Charles A.
HENRY, born in 1797.
MARGARET, born in 1800; married Artemus Haynes.
ERASTUS, born in 1802; died in 1873; married, (1) Hannah -; married, (2) Mrs. Mary Jane (Baker) Bennett, by whom he had two children, Etta and Chester.
SUSAN, born in 1803; died in 1888; married Nehemiah Smith.
JEREMIAH, born in 1806.
ELIZA, born in 1808; married - Morehouse. DAVID, born in 1810; died 1837.
MELISSA, born in 1813.
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Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in our grave .- BISHOP HALL.
Redmond Family.
On the 19th of March, 1851, Owen Redmond and family sailed from Kingston, Ireland, for America on board the " Coronet," a sailing vessel of 1500 tons register, and, after a tedious voyage of eight weeks, arrived in New York City. Mr. Redmond intended to locate in Green Bay, Wis., and came to Oxford to leave his family to rest and recuperate from the strain of the long voyage. His health failed and death closed all his hopes and trials on the 11th of June, 1851. His remains were interred in Riverview cemetery, where his youngest son was laid beside him a few months later.
Mr. Redmond was born in Ballywalter, County Wex- ford, Ireland. He married Sarah Newton Lett of Tinn- across, County Wexford, Ireland, who died January 18, 1894, in Greene. Mrs. Redmond, in the time of her deep affliction, found many kind sympathizing friends, among whom were the Balcoms and Hydes. In the following October she bought from Henry R. Mygatt, Esq., a farm of 131 acres, now owned by Lazarus Gallagher, on which she lived till 1886. The last seven years of her life were spent in Greene with her son Richard. The closing of her life of sad trials was met with courage and the hope for reward in the better land. Children :
WALTER J., married Margaret Mckeon, and still re- sides in Oxford.
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RICHARD JOSEPH, married M. Clare Nowlan, resides in Greene.
KITTIE M., died April 12, 1869, aged 23, unmarried.
OWEN, died in infancy.
Daniel W. Redmond, born in Ballywalter, County Wex- ford, Ireland; died January 16, 1903, in Oxford, aged 84. Mr. Redmond came to Oxford in June, 1851, the day of his brother Owen's funeral. He had a liberal education, and was a man of large experience, having filled the posi- tion of paymaster under the government works during the famine period, after which he was in business as malster and cloth merchant in Garey, Ireland. After coming to Oxford he was engaged as clerk and bookkeeper by Clark & Hayes, and afterwards by H. R. Mygatt, Esq., and continued in that vocation for various firms while he lived. Mr. Redmond never married.
John Redmond was born in Ballywalter, County Wex- ford, Ireland, and came to Oxford in November, 1854. The year following, his brother-in-law, Nicholas Scallen, also came and together they bought the Seeley sawmills, etc., which they worked until failing health obliged them to give up. Mr. Redmond died February 12, 1881, and his wife, Elizabeth Scallen, died in 1873.
Children :
WALTER J., married (1) Kate Moore; married (2) Mrs. Judith Conners. Now deceased.
MARY, married James Keyes; died in 1905.
LAWRENCE, who followed the sea, died in New York City.
CHRISTINA, married James Dunn; died in 1906.
TERESA, married Thomas Horan, of Eau Claire, Wis., where she died.
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Go where GLORY waits thee ; But, while fame elates thee, Oh! still remember me. -MOORE.
Nelson Purdy.
Nelson Purdy, a resident of Oxford for several years previous to 1851, was born in 1819 at Sherburne Four Corners, Chenango county. After learning the carpen- ter's trade he came to Oxford to follow that occupation. He became identified with the building interests of this place to a great extent, and his first work was on the Methodist church, which he erected. He built a house for himself on Washington avenue, now the home of M. C. Loomis, Esq. He also constructed the residences now occupied by Mrs. O. H. Curtis, Mrs. B. F. Edwards, James G. Van Wagenen, and Frank T. Corbin. His wife was Charlotte Rebecca Denison, daughter of Daniel and Bet- sey (Hunt) Denison of Oxford, who died August 20, 1895, at Green Spring, Ohio. In 1851 Mr. Purdy moved to Dunkirk, N. Y., and entered into the wholesale lumber business, where he was later joined by his brother-in-law, Charles McNeil of Oxford. In a year or so Mr. Purdy and Mr. McNeil moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they continued the same business for a number of years. Mr. Purdy died February 20, 1906, in that city, having enjoyed exceptionally good health throughout his lifetime. At the time of his death he was a director of the People's Gas Company, and vice president of the People's Saving and
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Loan Association, the latter being one of the most pros- perous banks in Cleveland.
Children : JOHN NELSON. HENRY DENISON. HELEN EMMA, died July 14, 1860, aged 6.
A man in any station can do his duty, and doing it, can earn his own respect. -- DICKENS.
Elihu Cooley.
Elihu Cooley came to Oxford about the year 1838 from Cooperstown. He was born December 15, 1805, in Lau- rens, Otsego county, N. Y. He was a descendant of Benja- min Cooley, one of the founders of Springfield, Mass., the descent being, Benjamin, came from England, 1620- 1684; Daniel, born in Springfield, Mass., 1651-1727; Benjamin, born in Springfield, 1681 --; Ebenezer, born in Wales, Mass., 1716-1753; Barnes, born in Brimfield, Mass., 1748-1844; Samuel, born in Pelham, Mass., 1778- 1844; Elihu. His maternal grandfather was Elihu Ack- ley, a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Cooley was an architect and builder, and an expert in wood carving.
Mr. Cooley was the builder of the fifth Academy build- ing, and the Methodist church, in which there is a marble tablet containing his name. All the wood carving and fine wood work in St. Paul's church was his handiwork. He had charge at different times of building or improving every church, but one, in town, and many of the old homes contain his handiwork.
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He was a Knights Templar, as was his father and grand- father before him. He married in 1829, Asenath Payne, daughter of Edward Payne of Laurens, born in June, 1807; died April 6, 1885, in Oxford. Mr. Cooley died April 17, 1882. His descendants look upon him as a type of the early Puritan, staunch in principle, faithful and conscientious in duty, and stern, but a tender and loving nature. He gave his children a good education, and his eight daughters were graduates of Oxford Academy.
Children of Elihu and Asenath (Payne) Cooley :
CAROLINE M., born May 5, 1830, in Laurens; married William Haight of Oxford.
CLARISSA A., born January 4, 1832, in Laurens; died December 29, 1899; unmarried.
EMELINE M., born October 28, 1834, in Laurens; mar- ried Daniel C. Winton of Morris.
EDWIN RUTHVIN, died in infancy.
ADALINE S., born March 14, 1838; died May 28, 1904, in Medford, Oregon; married Judge David van Antwerp. She was a gifted and fluent public speaker, and was identi- fied with educational and temperance work for many years in Oregon and Nebraska. She was re-elected four times to the office of Superintendent of Public Schools in Nebraska.
JULIA E., born August 15, 1839, in Oxford; married Virgil D. Carruth; resides in California.
AMANDA C., born February 13, 1843, in Oxford; mar- ried Albert Saunders; resides in California.
LOUISA H., born October 28, 1846; married William Moffatt of Oneonta.
ESTELLA M., born January 1, 1848; married James T. Lowry; resides in St. Paul, Minn.
CHESTER COLE, born January 5, 1851, in Oxford; died May 6, 1865, in Oxford.
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Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires, but according to our powers. -AMIEL.
Rev. Henry Callahan.
Rev. Henry Callahan, born January 5, 1811, at And- over, Mass., came to Oxford June 25, 1850, and was pas- tor of the Congregational church for the following twelve years. He was prepared for college at the celebrated Philips Academy, at Andover, and graduated from Union College and Andover Theological Seminary. Be- sides at Oxford he aptly filled pastorates at Niagara Falls and Franklin, N. Y. His residence while here was on Clinton street, now the home of Frank T. Corbin. In 1862 he was appointed Chaplain of the 114th Regt., N. Y. Vols. A severe illness of fever at New Orleans ruined his health so that a full recovery never followed, and he resigned September 19, 1863. Soon after his return from the army he went to Franklin, where he remained for more than twenty years as pastor and teacher, in the latter position he fitted and prepared many young men for college. He was a friend of all, especially to youth, with whom, in social relations, he gained confidence, and with earnest sympathy gave needed assistance. In his home, where a graceful and gracious hospitality always pre- vailed, and in other homes, he brought the comfort of a bright and tender Christian confidence. Mr. Callahan died at Franklin, February 7, 1888, aged 77. Mrs. Calla- han was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jere Allis. Their children who grew to manhood were, Edward, Henry White, Robert Carroll.
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Jere Allis, who, with his wife, resided in Oxford for a number of years from 1850 with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Callahan, nearly reached the century mark before his passing away. His death occurred April 19, 1885, in Frank- lin, N. Y., at the age of 98 years and nine months. His wife, Mary White Allis, died February 2, 1877, in Mil- waukee, Wis., aged 83 years. Mr. Allis had voted at every presidential election from 1807, as Federalist, Whig, and Republican. Rarely favored, through exemption from disease, all his faculties remained alert until the last day of his life. Though in his 99th year his habits of activity continued, and every day he would sit at a chopping block, cutting small wood for exercise. He did not relinquish his chair until a day or two before his death. His second daughter, Lucy J., married J. T. Gilbert of Milwaukee, Wis., and died there November 12, 1889.
Throw not the cross away. Of it the crown is made. -SOLACE.
St. Joseph's Church.
St. Joseph's (R. C.) church was erected in the fall of 1849. Mr. James Flanagan, the first of the congregation, came to Oxford February 14, 1848, and labored faithfully for the church in this mission. Father James Hourigan of Binghamton was the pioneer of Catholicism in this county, his mission embracing the counties of Broome, Chenango, and Cortland.
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Previous to the erection of the church edifice occasional services were held at the residence of Mr. Flanagan, where the first mass in town was celebrated in the fall of 1848. Father Hourigan having appointed the date upon which services were to be held, Mr. Flanagan would notify the people in the neighboring towns, sometimes taking nearly three days to go the rounds. At that time there were five families in Smithville; three in Preston, four in Nor- wich and only Mr. Flanagan's in Oxford. There was no church, except at Binghamton, and Father Hourigan was the only priest in this mission.
During the pastorate of Father Callen, through his and Mr. Flanagan's exertions, land was purchased for a ceme- tery of Mr. C. F. T. Locke and paid for by the parish- ioners. After Father Callen came Father McCabe, whose mission embraced Oxford, Sherburne, Hamilton, Cortland, and Solon. He left this charge in April, 1857, to resume the pastorial duties of his former mission at Malone, N. Y., where he met with a shocking death on the 24th of the following November. He had retired for the night and in some way the bed clothes caught fire, burning him to death. The fire was confined to the room and nothing was known of the lamentable affair until next morning, when his body was discovered. Father McCabe, while a resident of this village, made many friends in and out of his communion.
In the fall of 1870 repairs were commenced on the church and finished the following spring. The building was moved back, an addition of sixteen feet and a new front put in, the auditorium arched, and stained glass windows added. Following is a list of the clergy in their order: Fathers Hourigan, Roach, Callen, McCabe, Brady, McDermont, McAnulty, O'Connell, Harrigan, Finneran, Shay, Cullen, Hart, Mahon, and Purcell.
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In 1890 the building now used as a public library was purchased for a rectory, and occupied till the opening of the library, when the present rectory on Scott street was purchased.
Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung. -SCOTT.
Adolphus B. Bennett.
Adolphus B. Bennett was among those who served his country during the Revolutionary war, soon after the close of which he came to Oxford. Nothing further is now known in regard to him. Children:
EGBERT, died in Oxford; married Gertrude Reichtmier, died June -,-1882, in Des Moines, Iowa. Children : Amanda M., born September 28, 1824, in Homer, N. Y .; married Chester C. Cole; Royal; Ransom, married June 21, 1849, Mary Jane Baker of Utica.
CATHERINE, married Cyrus Tuttle; died November 23, 1867.
NANCY, married Samuel Wheeler.
ADOLPHUS B., 2d., married Harriet Cary. Child : Charles A., died April 18, 1898, aged 87; married August 30, 1836, Caroline Osgood of Preston, died June 6, 1905, aged 93: Children: Adolphus B., 4th, married Margaret R. Rouse (children, Charles H., infant, died July 13, 1887; Florence B., teacher in public school, New York City) . Charles A., 2d, married Mary A. Baldwin ; (children, Re- becca B., Thomas B.). Adolphus B., moved to Brantford, Canada, and died there.
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So with decorum all things carry'd; Miss frown'd, and blush'd and then was married.
-GOLDSMITH.
Lewis Ketchum.
Lewis Ketchum was born February 14, 1819, at Quaker Hill, Dutchess County, N. Y., and, while yet quite young, came with his parents, Elijah and Anice Ketchum, to Smithville to reside. In 1849 he became a resident of Oxford, having in February of that year bought the Philip Bartle farm on Panther Hill, where he still resides with his granddaughter, Mrs. Baron Gale. Panther, or " Painter Hill " as it is now commonly called, derives its name from the fact that the last panther in this vicinity was killed on it.
Emmarilla Bartle, a comely maid, was a member of Elijah Ketchum's household, and it was not long ere Lewis, then twenty-three years of age, had avowed his love for her. One winter's night, it was the 13th of Janu- ary, 1842, Thomas S. Purple, a justice of the peace, dropped in to spend a social hour with his neighbors. During a lull in the conversation, Lewis spoke up and said :
"'Squire Purple, can you tie a knot with your tongue that you can't untie with your teeth? "
The 'Squire was not slow in understanding the ardent lover's wants and replied : "That I can, young man. Is it a marriage knot that you want tied? "
"It is," said Lewis, "and I want it done now and right here."
" Very well," answered the 'Squire, as he arose from
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his chair, " you take me by surprise and must wait a short time, that I may get over my confusion."
" All right, 'Squire, we'll be ready when you are."
Thus speaking, Lewis crossed the room where Emma- rilla was spinning wool on the big wheel, dressed in a light short gown and brown quilted petticoat; her arms were bare, and her hair was gathered away from her flushed cheeks and knotted behind her ears. The wheel was humming a quick measure, and she trod lightly back and forth, the wheelpin in one hand, the other upraised holding the tense, lengthening thread, which the wheel rapidly devoured.
" Emmarilla," fondly spoke the youthful lover, "put away your work, for this shall be our wedding day."
" Wait a while, Lewis," was the shy reply, "I want to get my twenty knots before nine o'clock."
" We'll not wait at all," answered he, and trustingly she placed her hand in his and was led, blushingly, before the Justice.
By this time 'Squire Purple had overcome his nervous- ness and soon made them man and wife. The parents of the groom witnessed the simple ceremony and with tear- ful eyes in heartfelt words gave their blessing.
On January 13, 1892, after having passed on life's path- way, through winter storms and summer sunshine for half a century. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum gathered their friends and relatives together and celebrated their golden wedding. On the second day of the following month Mrs. Ketchum passed away at the age of 69 years.
Children :
HARRIET, died January 14, 1903; married November 8, 1861, George Webb of Oxford.
WARREN E., born September 10, 1850; died in infancy. ANICE A., born January 3, 1852; died in infancy.
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Of right and wrong he taught Truths as refin'd as ever Athens heard; And, strange to tell, he practic'd what he preached. -JOHN ARMSTRONG.
Benjamin Cannon.
Benjamin Cannon was born at Cannonsville, Delaware county, June 11, 1818. He entered Oxford Academy in 1835, where he studied two years, then joined the sopho- more class of Union College, graduating in 1840. After finishing his college course, he spent a year in the law office of Judge Amasa J. Parker at Delhi. He continued his studies with Henry VanDerLyn, in this village, and was admitted to the bar in New York city in 1843. During the next year occurred his marriage with Anna M., daugh- ter of Epaphras Miller of Oxford. Remaining here in the practice of his profession until 1850, during which time he was appointed Examiner in Chancery, he removed to Can- nonsville, named from his father, where he resided until elected County Clerk of Delaware county in 1853, being reelected in 1856. Returning to Cannonsville in 1859, he passed the intervening years until the spring of 1873, when Mr. Cannon came to Oxford, having purchased the Will- cox residence, now the Memorial library. He died at the age of 59, on the 19th of December, 1877. Children :
ROBERT M., born April 26, 1848; married December 22, 1881, Antoinette, daughter of Col. George D. Wheeler of Deposit. Has four daughters. Mr. Cannon is vice presi- dent of the Albermarle and Chespeake Canal Co., Norfolk, Va. ELIZABETH B., born May 29, 1850; married January 21, 1875, at Oxford, Robert W. Archbald, now United States Judge at Scranton, Pa. J. LATHROP, died April 7, 1856, in Delhi, aged 4 years. CHARLES B., born March 15, 1856, resides at Cannonsville.
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How the Doctor's brow should smile Crown'd with wreaths of chamomile. -MOORE.
Mowry Family.
The Mowrys, formerly spelled Morey and Mori, are of English stock and descendants of the Earl of Mori. The first of the name to emigrate to America came over in the Mayflower and settled in Providence, R. I., and after- wards some of the family moved to Whitehall, N. Y. Pre- vious to 1806, Dr. Phillip Mowry, his wife Ruth, and six children came to Oxford from the latter place. Dr. Mowry was a tall, spare man, active till within five years of his death, when the dial of time marked 100 years. Mrs. Mowry died at the age of 90 years. Children :
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