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 34
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PRUDENCE, deaf mute, born November 21, 1826, in Pres- ton; died June 18, 1906, in Oxford. She was educated in the Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb at Washington Heights, New York city, and this institu- tion became her home for a large part of her life, for she returned to it as assistant matron, a position which she held for thirty-three years and relinquished only when compelled to by failing strength and advanced age. She had a wide acquaintance with the deaf and dumb, and was intimately associated with them all her life. She was of a kind and genial disposition and made friends with all whom she came in contact, and was respected, loved, and honored by all who knew her. For the last two years her home was with relatives in Oxford.
So sleeps the pride of former days, So glory's thrill is o'er, And hearts that once beat high for praise, Now feel that pulse no more. -MOORE.
Isaac J. Stratton.
Isaac J. Stratton was born November 13, 1782. He was the seventh son of a seventh son, a personage who has always been credited by the superstitious with super- natural powers, especially powers of healing. Mr. Strat- ton remembered that, when he was a child, children afflicted with King's evil, or scrofula, were sometimes
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brought to him that he might touch them. September 11, 1803, he married Rachel, daughter of John and Rhoda Alger Punderson. The young couple, aged respectively 21 and 17, began their life together on a newly-cleared farm in Smithville, three miles from any neighbors. Mrs. Strat- ton's stories of this time became in after years the delight of her grandchildren. Mr. Stratton built the house with his own hands, and his only door was a blanket woven by Mrs. Stratton, a sort of great-grandmother to the modern portieres.
There were many Indians about, who, though not really unfriendly, were yet among the uncertain elements of life. One day Mrs. Stratton had just baked two loaves of bread before her open fire, and was putting them away on the shelf which served for a pantry, when a big Indian, blanketed and painted, appeared in the doorway and said : " Me want bread." She offered him one loaf, but he re- plied : "Me want more." One can imagine that it was a trying moment for the young wife, with no help near; but as she hesitated she heard the sound of her husband's ax far off in the forest and it gave her courage to answer: "No, you can have only one." She inwardly determined that Isaac should not come home, hungry and tired, and find nothing for his supper. Her tall visitor grunted, let us hope in admiration, and walked off with his half of the bread.
About 1807 they left this farm and moved to McDonough to be with Mrs. Stratton's father, Deacon John Punderson. In 1806 a son, Charles, was born, and in 1808.a daughter, Lydia, who in 1825 married Dr. Edward York. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Stratton gave up the farm to their daughter and her husband, and about 1841 they themselves moved to Oxford, where Mrs. Stratton died January 2, 1861, at the age of 75. Her husband lived to be 91 and died Feb-
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ruary 1, 1873. Their lives were full of helpfulness to all who needed help; but they are prominently among those whom children and children's children "rise up and call blessed."
Charles Stratton, son of Isaac J. and Rachel (Punder- son) Stratton, was born January 8, 1806, in Smithville, N. Y. On August 22, 1839, while bathing in the Chenango canal with his father, he sank beneath the water and his body was not recovered for several hours. His father made a desperate attempt to rescue him, but, failing, sum- moned assistance. Mr. Stratton married February 7, 1827, Lovina Loomis of Smithville, born February 13, 1807; died January 3, 1870, at Upper Lisle, Broome county. Children :
LYDIA, married Samuel Williams; died October 19, 1891, at Upper Lisle.
LOUISA, married Joseph W. Hamilton; died December 2, 1892, aged 63 years, in Oxford.
DIANA, married Horace J. Wood; died April 27, 1878, at Utica.
ISAAC J., married Margaret Bartle; died March 28, 1903, at Portland, Oregon.
CHARLES E., married Marion L. Buckley, and resides in Oxford. Children: Elvie C., born November 2, 1859; died February 14, 1860. Flora L., born December 2, 1860; married Edwin L. Haynes. Hubert C., born December 5, 1863; married Florence Lewis. Robert B., born July 13, 1868; married Minnie B. Brown. Vernon D., born Decem- ber 23, 1869; married Lottie McFarland. Nettie C., born November 14, 1873; died April 29, 1875, from scalds re- ceived from falling into a pail of hot water. Carroll I., born March 21, 1876; married Genevieve Carpenter.
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May one be pardoned and retain the offense?
-SHAKESPEARE.
An Old Murder Trial.
Sunday, October 25, 1846, Coroner Callender was called to hold an inquest on the body of George Manwar- ring, Jr., who was found dead at the log house of his sister, Nancy Cady, three miles southwest of this village. The neighbors were called in during the night and found Man- warring upon a straw bed on the floor, lying partly on his right side with his face toward his breast. The Cady family, consisting of the mother, two young men, and two boys, were examined and the gist of their testimony was, that Manwarring came to their house drunk on Saturday night, shortly after dark, in company with Russel Cady, and went to bed with him. The latter stated that at mid- night he discovered his companion dead and aroused the family. A post-morten examination was had, which elicited sufficient evidence to the Coroner's jury that they returned a verdict of death by violence. Warrants were issued and Mrs. Cady and her son Russel were arrested, jointly indicted, and committed for trial. At the term of the Circuit Court commencing September 13, 1847, Hon. Charles Mason, Justice, Russel Cady, at the age of 23, was on trial for murder. There were many dark circumstances which operated against the accused. Threats had been made against Manwarring's life; in a petty lawsuit he stood in their way; he was found dead in their dwelling; there were marks as of violence upon his person ; cries were heard on the fatal night; conflicting stories were told by members of the family, and the general belief and opinion
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of all who first saw the body was that violence was the cause of death. These were sufficient of themselves to justify not only strong suspicions, but to form a tolerably well-ground belief. To escape from this weight of testi- mony, it became necessary to prove that no murder had been committed. Failing to create a reasonable doubt of this in the opinion of the jury, under the rulings of the Court, the result was a conviction, and Russel Cady was sentenced to be hung on the 23d of November, 1847. His counsel carried the case to the Supreme Court on a bill of exceptions, and a second trial was commenced April 10, 1848, under more favorable auspices. The fact that a new trial had been granted admitted error in the first; and additional evidence was adduced to involve the cause of death in doubt and mystery. These doubts inured to the benefit of the prisoner, and the result was a verdict of acquittal. In the first trial of Mrs. Cady the jury were unable to agree upon a verdict. As the evidence was not as strong against her as it was against her son, and there being no probability of her conviction, she was discharged.
Not wealth nor ancestry, but honourable conduct and a noble disposition make men great. -OVID.
Joseph G. Thorp.
Joseph G. Thorp was born April 28, 1812, at Butternuts, Otsego county, where his father filled the pulpit of the Presbyterian church. He was early inured to the work of a farm, which both gave strength to his body and en- couraged and stimulated habits of industry. Only those
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limited school privileges were at hand which the country school-house provided; of such he made the most. With these aids at his command, together with energy, self- denial, and determination, the subject of this sketch rose to positions of credit, wealth and honor.
When Mr. Thorp was 17 years of age he began business as a clerk in the dry goods store of Ira Willcox. He en- tered upon his duties with the understanding that, in case of their faithful performance, he should receive a salary of fifty dollars a year with board. He continued as clerk on these terms for four years, and during three succeeding years at an increased salary, after which he became a partner in the dry goods business. When he arrived at middle life, after a partnership of several years with his brother-in-law, N. C. Chapman, he had become possessed of considerable property as well as of a practical knowl- edge of business and excellent reputation. The firm at length became interested in projects for more extended business operations which seemed to offer at the West. Their stock of goods was sold to Messrs. Miller and Perkins in the year 1856, and after engaging in banking for a time at Clinton, Iowa, they removed to the pineries of the Chip- pewa, having previously bought large tracts of lumber and mill property at Eau Claire, Wis. In 1868 the firm of Chapman & Thorp, with J. T. and S. C. Gilbert, obtained a charter from the State, and became incorporated as the Eau Claire Lumber Company, with a capital stock of $200,000, which was increased to $2,000,000.
Mr. Thorp served his State in the Senate for several years. He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Grant and Wilson.
Although so thoroughly a man of affairs, he strove to infuse commercial life with Christian principles and to join business and religion in a closer bond of union. Al-
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ways a zealous friend of the Congregational church, to which he made generous contributions, he is well remem- bered as an earnest and active member of the society.
Mr. Thorp married Miss Amelia C. Chapman at Nor- wich February 21, 1838, whose death occurred April 24, 1893, at Santa Barbara, Cal. Mr. Thorp died January 13, 1895, at Cambridge, Mass., where the family had re- sided several years. Children: Louisa C., died October 1, 1848, aged 8. Charles G., died September 29, 1848, aged 4. Joseph G., Jr., married Miss Anna A., youngest daugh- ter of Henry W. Longfellow, the poet laureate of America, and is a member of the bar of Massachusetts. Sara C., be- came the wife of Ole Bull, universally known as one of Norway's most distinguished sons.
Time spent in the cultivation of the fields passes very pleasantly. -OVID.
Warren Eaton.
Warren Eaton, born April 2, 1814, in Oxford; died sud- denly April 7, 1889; married August 12, 1838, Eliza Penston.
Mr. Eaton, while yet a mere lad, entered the employ of Benjamin Butler on the Corn Hill farm, which, by as- siduous application and persevering industry, he himself became the owner of in later life. He was one of Oxford's most successful farmers, a quiet, unassuming man, de- votedly attached to his family and home. In religious con- victions he heartily affiliated with the Methodist faith, and the society in this village received his loyal and earnest
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support to the end of his life. In 1839 Mr. and Mrs. Eaton entertained at a New Year's dinner sixteen members of the Eaton family in this vicinity. The event afforded great pleasure, and it was then determined to make it an annual affair, to be held alternately among the relatives, which has been done to the present time without a miss. Mrs. Eaton is now the only surviving member of the original New Year's dinner. When the event falls due at Corn Hill farm the table linen, as well as much of the china and silver, are the same used at the first dinner.
The principal founders of the Eaton family who came to America previous to 1640 were: Francis, on the May- flower, 1620; John, who went to Haverhill, Mass., and Jonas and William, who settled in Reading, Vt. They all came over between 1634 and 1640, and were the New Eng- land pioneers. The crest of one Eaton arms is the head of a lion, which is represented as swallowing a cask or tun, a rebus on Eaton (eatun). The more usual crest is an eagle's head, sable; in the mouth a sprig, vert.
In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Eaton celebrated their golden wedding. Children :
GEORGE AVERY, died in infancy.
JAMES W., enlisted in the 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery during Civil war. Made a good record upon many a well- fought battlefield. Taken prisoner and died January 3, 1865, in prison hospital at Salisbury, N. C.
MARY ELIZABETH, died in infancy.
AMANDA C., married March 12, 1873, George B. Fletcher. Child: Sarah.
EMMA, married Charles S. Brown, resides at Waverly, N. Y. Child : Robert.
LIZZIE, resides at Corn Hill farm, with mother and sister, Mrs. Fletcher.
GEORGE P., married Emma Kinnear of Waitsburg, Wyo ;
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resides at Granger, Wash. Children: Emma, Warren, Edith, Clara.
CHARLES B., married (1) Ida Sherwood, who died March 17, 1899; married (2) Anna Trimble. Residence Seattle, Wash. Children : James, Alice, Ruth, Phillip, Dorothy.
The love of country is more powerful than reason itself. -OVID.
Independence Day, 1859
The celebration of Independence Day in 1859 was long held in pleasant memory. The day was cool and delight- ful. At an early hour the streets were thronged by citizens of Oxford and adjoining towns, making the attendance very great. James W. Glover, Esq., was marshal of the day. His assistants were General Samuel A. Gifford, Colonel Samuel M. Robinson, and Andrew J. Hunt. The Niagara and Lady Washington fire companies, led by the Oxford Band, met at the head of Washington avenue the Deluge and Rescue fire companies from Norwich, with the Sherburne Band, and conducted them to the rooms of the fire department, where ample refreshments were served. The Oxford Guards, under Captain Freeborn Youngs, and the Artillery Company, under Captain Edwin M. Osborn, received the Norwich Heavy Artillery, under Captain James Tyrrell, with mounted guns, and the Infantry from the same place, and escorted them to the village. The pro- cession was formed in front of Hitchcock Hotel and moved to Washington square, where patriotism found full vent in a high order of merit. Rev. Mr. Matteson of the M. E.
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church made the opening prayer, after which the Declara- tion of Independence was read by Cyrus N. Brown. The oration by John T. Mygatt followed, replete with happy thought and patriotism. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Potter of the Baptist church. The procession then reformed and marched to Hitchcock's for dinner. The white clouds which floated lightly upon the horizon above, like banners trailing their shadows, the insignia of the fire and military departments, and their banners, be- neath, and the bright equipage and glittering armor, with the alternate martial and band music, afforded a beautiful pageant, which is seldom equaled in any village. The ban- quet at Hitchcock's was partaken of by a very large and gleeful assembly, and presided over by " Count " VanDer- Lyn, president of the day, who excelled himself in his large experience in similar positions. After the cloth was re- moved regular and volunteer toasts were drunk. In the afternoon there was target shooting, trial of fire engines, and a parade drill of Captain Tyrrell's Artillery company. At sunset a national salute of thirty-two guns was fired. The evening was brilliant with fireworks and a torchlight procession of the fire companies ended the celebration of Independence Day in 1859.
There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn. -JOHNSON.
Clarke Family.
Ethan Clarke, son of Rev. Henry and Catherine (Pen- dleton) Clarke, was born at Hopkinton, R. I., March 30, 1798. At an early age with his father, who was one of a Rhode Island colony of Sabbatarians, he emigrated to
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Brookfield, N. Y., remaining there but a few years, when he went to Plainfield, N. Y. In the spring of 1821 Mr. Clarke came to Oxford and purchased the Stage House, which he conducted for several years in connection with the stage lines running through this valley, an important enterprise at that day. Afterwards he engaged in mer- cantile business, the first year or two with Henry Balcom, later with Ebenezer Sherwood, and from 1840 with his brother-in-law, Captain Joseph H. Dwight, which con- tinued till the death of the latter in 1845. In 1854 his sons, James W. and Francis G., with Frederick A. Sands, became his partners. At the expiration of a year Mr. Sands withdrew. Shortly after the opening of the Chenango canal the firm added storage and forwarding to their busi- ness, becoming extensive dealers in produce. The address, "Care E. Clarke, Oxford, N. Y.," was marked on innum- erable boxes, bales, bundles, barrels, crates, and hogsheads, sent to every country store within a radius of forty miles of Oxford, and the name was a household word in every farmhouse in the same circle, where butter was made to be sent to New York city and a market, until the canal boat, like the stage coach became a thing of the past. The name " Clarke " was a synonym for energy, honor, and business integrity.
Mr. Clarke died Sunday, February 8, 1857. He had been in usual health and attended church in the morning. Owing to the sudden rise of the river on that day the guard bank to the canal feeder commenced giving away in the after- noon, making it necessary to remove a quantity of flour from the store cellar. Mr. Clarke assisted with his usual activity and energy. During the work of removal he was found in an insensible state and quickly removed to his residence, where death ensued. Mr. Clarke married (1) Lucy, daughter of Reuben and Hannah (Johnson) Wil-
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cox; married (2) September 5, 1814, Rachel, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Cowell) Case, born December 28, 1792; died August 25, 1854, in Oxford. The widow, orphan, and stranger ever found in her a sympathizing friend, and the poor a constant benefactor.
Child by first wife:
LUCY WILCOX, born August 30, 1812, in Brookfield, N. Y .; died December 26, 1891, in Oxford.
Children by second wife:
JAMES WILLARD, born July 20, 1815, in Brookfield; died June 30, 1878, in Oxford. He was an active business man, and held the office of postmaster for two years, from 1841. In 1864 he entered upon the work of establishing the First National Bank of Oxford, of which he became president. For many years he was closely identified with St. Paul's church, as vestryman and warden. The Academy also shared in the labors which he willingly bestowed upon it, and in matters of public and universal interest he devoted much time. Mr. Clarke married (1) March 31, 1846, in Oxford, Catherine Iliad, daughter of Obadiah and Eliza- beth (Teed) Sands, born August 13, 1818, in Franklin, N. Y .; died March 21, 1850, in Oxford; married (2) Susan Eliza, daughter of John and Susan (Hyde) Tracy. Chil- dren by first wife: Frederick Sands, died in infancy. Winslow, born August 14, 1848; died June 3, 1869. Clem- ent Sands, born March 15, 1850; died November 28, 1855.
ELIZABETH ANN, born April 27, 1817, in Plainfield ; died January 29, 1887, in Rochester ; married November 9, 1847, in Oxford, Rev. John Visger VanIngen, born December 4, 1806, in Schenectady ; died December 1, 1877, in Rochester ; a former rector of Zion church, Greene. Children : Rachel Louisa, died in infancy. Richard Clarke, died in infancy. John Abraham, born October 21, 1851; married Mary, daughter of Albert and Frances Walker; residence Roches-
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ter. Hannah Catherine, born July 1, 1853; died February 6, 1901, in Rochester; unmarried. Fanny DeLancy, died in infancy. Sarah Lucy, died in infancy. James William, born June 10, 1859, in St. Paul, Minn .; married Anna M., daughter of John and Jane Clark of Yonkers.
DWIGHT HENRY, born March 2, 1819, in Plainfield ; died April 17, 1874, in Oxford; unmarried. On completing his literary training in Oxford Academy and Union College he entered the law office of James Clapp, Esq., as a student. On finishing his legal studies he commenced the practice of his profession at Jackson, Mich., and after two years returned to Oxford, where he resided until his death. In 1850 he was chosen District Attorney of Chenango county, which office he held for three years; in 1854 was elected Supervisor on the Whig ticket; in 1855 elected County Judge, and in 1859 re-elected, holding the office for eight years. After his retirement from the bench he resumed the practice of law.
ETHAN CASE, born December 16, 1820, in Plainfield, N. Y .; died October 4, 1889, in Washington, D. C .; married April 11, 1850, in Rochester, N. Y., Elizabeth, daughter of Simeon and Phœbe (Brewer) Mickle of Oneonta, N. Y. Mr. Clarke was educated at Oxford Academy and became a civil engineer. He was employed on the enlargement of the Erie canal, the construction of the Illinois Central rail- road, the military road between St. Paul, Minn., and Superior, Wis., and the survey of several other railroads. In the spring of 1869 he accepted a position in the Treasury Department at Washington.
HANNAH HENRY, born October 7, 1822, in Oxford; died August 13, 1880, in Clinton, N. Y .; married August 2, 1843, George, son of Luman and Fitche (Church) McNeil. Children : Rachel Elizabeth, married August 24, 1870, in Oxford, Cory D. Hayes; residence Clinton; (child, Grace,
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married George Watrous). Catherine Hannah, born Jan- uary 3, 1850, in Oxford; died September 2, 1889, in Clin- ton; married May 17, 1882, at Clinton, Nathan L. Hayes; (child, Robert).
PETER WELCOME, born April 14, 1826, in Oxford; died here September 10, 1889; married December 31, 1867, Maria Clarissa, daughter of Dr. William G. and Sarah E. (Mygatt) Sands. Mr. Clarke was proprietor of the Che- nango valley stage line, and later became one of the board of directors and cashier of the First National Bank of Oxford. Child: Sarah Sands, married Frederick L. Mc- Laughlin, now resides in White Plains, N. Y .; (children, Elizabeth, Frederick, Samuel, Richard and Robert, twins).
JOHN RAY, born April 9, 1828, in Oxford ; died suddenly in Narragansett, R. I., August 19, 1890; married August 15, 1850, Elizabeth Wells, daughter of James A. and Ann (Bradley) Glover. Early in life Mr. Clarke entered upon a business career in his father's store. About 1854 he re- moved to Buffalo and joined a large jobbing house. Four years later he returned to Oxford and continued in busi- ness with his brothers until about 1869, when he was made treasurer of the Midland railroad. In 1876 he removed to Binghamton, engaging in the jobbing of hats, caps, furs, and robes. He was actively interested in all that pertained to the Episcopal church. On the organization of the Security Mutual Life Association he was chosen its presi- dent, and was also president of the Binghamton Board of Trade. Mrs. Clarke was liberal and benevolent in church and charity work, and it was largely due to her contribu- tion that Trinity Memorial church, Binghamton, was built. Child : Anna Elizabeth, born in Buffalo; married Septem- ber 13, 1882, in Binghamton, Charles Martin Stone; (chil- dren, Elizabeth Rebecca, Ray Clarke, died in infancy; Mary Clarke, Ruth Glover, died in infancy.
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FRANCIS GRANGER, born November 22, 1830, in Oxford; married (1) August 15, 1860, in Norwich, Clarissa Maria, daughter of Isaac and Clarissa (Randall) Bockee, born there August 10, 1837; died September 13, 1882, in Oxford ; married (2) September 9, 1884, in Canandaigua, N. Y., Laura Bemis, daughter of Thaddeus and Rebecca (Bemis) Chapin. Children by first wife: Francis Bockee, born February 17, 1863; died September 18, 1863. Henry Bockee, born September 8, 1864; died December 23, 1889. Herbert William, married August 29, 1893, in Oxford, Margaret, daughter of Robert A. and Elizabeth (Pendle- ton) Stanton. James Winslow, rector of St. Andrew's church, Utica. Mr. Clarke early connected himself with the mercantile business conducted by his father, at whose death the firm became Clarke Bros. After the retirement of his brothers from the firm he continued the business for many years, when he became interested in the stone busi- ness. After years of laborious work the Oxford Blue Stone Company was, through his instrumentality, developed from a small flagging quarry into a large and remunerative business.
But in these nice sharp quillets of the law, Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw. -SHAKESPEARE.
Price & Clapp.
William M. Price and James Clapp, two young lawyers of New York city, packed their law library in a wagon and drove into the interior of the State to seek their fortunes, preferring the country to the city for their field of labor.
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They halted at several villages which seemed to offer an opening for the practice of law, but were not satisfied with the outlook, and journeyed on until early one summer evening in 1808 they entered the village of Oxford. The beauty of its position, the neatness of the place, and the substantial air of comfort which presented itself in every direction, determined them to take up their residence and end further prospecting. A small but neat building in the center of the village, owned by a milliner, was rented, their books, chairs, desks, and other belongings unloaded and arranged in order in the new office, and as the shades of night set in they nailed their sign on the window and were ready for any business that might come to them. Early the next morning, seated at the door of their new habita- tion, there approached a distinguished looking person, whom later they found to be General Hovey, the largest land owner in the town. He stopped, read the sign on the window, looked at the new-comers, and said :
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