USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 28
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 28
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 28
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freight team to Helena, Mont. With a wagon drawn by four mules he traversed the five hundred miles in twenty-five days. Ar- tisans were scarce in Montana, and Mr. Wood- worth went to work at his old trade, building a mill, and receiving in payment his board and ten dollars a day in gold. After a time he formed a partnership with a Mr. Hen- dricks, bought a quartz mine and put up a quartz-mill, which he operated for three years. Upon selling out his own business he took charge of a quartz-mill for Daler & Larkey at Iron Rod, on Jefferson River, and was super- intendent there for six years. In 1882, after a varied and hazardous experience in journey- ing through the Far West, he returned East, and the following year began business at his present occupation. The hotel of which he is now proprietor was built in 1886. It has accommodations for fifty guests, and during the summer months he has a large number of boarders. Since 1883 he has conducted a livery stable, having been the first man in town to open one.
Mr. Woodworth has been twice married. The first Mrs. Woodworth was born in Big Hollow, and her maiden name was Adele Hitchcock. She was the daughter of Anson Hitchcock, a leading farmer of Big Hollow. Her death occurred at the age of thirty. The second Mrs. Woodworth was born in New York City, her maiden name being Mary Ran- son. She was one of a family of four chil- dren, the others being: Gussie, who married John Coreja; Addie, who lives in Brooklyn; and Georgiana, who married Bert Allen,
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Mrs. Mary Woodworth died at the age of thirty-five. She was a member of the Metho- dist church. Mr. Woodworth has one daugh- ter, Ada C.
Politically, Mr. Woodworth is a Republi- can. For two years he was a member of the Board of Education, and in 1894 he was As- sessor. He is one of the most popular men in Hunter and one of the most popular landlords in this section of the State. lle is a man of remarkable intrepidity, as shown by his dar- ing journeyings in the West.
1 RANK A. CHAPMAN, proprietor of Ilotel Chapman at Blenheim, Schoharie County, N. Y., may be spoken of as an ideal landlord, being active, enterprising, and at all times obliging and pleasant. He was born in the nearby town of Fulton, June 25, 1871, a son of Moses 1 .. Chapman, a lifelong resi- dent of that place.
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Chapman, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany County, and lived there after marriage. Removing then to Fulton, he bought a large tract of timbered land at Bonck's Falls, where he cleared and improved a homestead, and passed his remaining days, dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Ile was prominently connected with the Methodist church of that place, in which he served in various official positions. His wife, HTuldah Wynans, a na- tive of Cooksburg, N. Y., bore him eleven children, of whom seven are living, being,
with one exception, residents of Schoharie County. They are: Spencer, a farmer at Bouck's Falls; Nancy C., wife of Chauncey Shattuck, of Michigan; Maria Mann, of Breakabeen; Moses L .; James P., ex-Super- visor of Middleburg; Elizabeth L., wife of Dr. Holmes; and William W., of Bouck's Falls, ex-Supervisor of Fulton. The de- ceased are: Adam, late of Bouck's Falls; Harriett E .; Isabella, deceased, who married Iliram Ackerson; and Dr. l'eter L ..
Moses L. Chapman remained at the paren- tal homestead until he was of age, and then engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. He bought a large farm in Fulton, on which he made substantial improvements, including the erection of a new set of build- ings, and was there successfully employed as a general farmer until his death, at the com- paratively early age of forty-two years. He was a Democrat in politics and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged; and both were interested in its Sunday-school. lle married Huldah A. Beard, daughter of Jacob and Ade- line (Phillips) Beard. Her parents were wealthy members of the farming community of Richmondville. They reared three chil- dren, namely: Sarah, who married Judge Holmes, for twelve years Judge of Schoharie County ; Huldah A. ; and John. Mrs. Beard died at the age of forty-five years, and Mr. Beard afterward removed to Genesee County, where he attained the venerable age of ninety years. Of the nine children born to the par- ents, six are still living, as follows: William
DANIEL D. FRISBIE.
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H .; the llon. Charles Chapman, a member of the Assembly ; Ida, wife of J. S. Hunt, of Boston; Frank A .; Flora, of Boston; and Dora. Hattie is deceased. The mother passed to the life beyond when fifty-five years of age.
Frank A. Chapman was but eight years old when his father died. He remained at home until after completing his education in the schools of West Fulton and Blenheim, and then came to his present hotel as a elerk for his brother, a capacity in which he remained two years. Going then to Worcester, Mass., he was an attendant at the asylum for the in- sane three years. In 1893 Mr. Chapman re- turned to Blenheim and purchased the hotel, which he has sinee condueted with eminent sueeess. He has enlarged the building, partly refurnished it, made substantial im- provements in and around it, and has now a model publie house, the leading one in this seetion of the State. It is well adapted for the entertainment of guests from the city. Connected with it is a first-class livery, with a number of horses of good qualities, one pair especially being the finest of any in the viein- ity. Mr. Chapman has had charge for some time of the stage line between Middleburg and Gilboa, and also of the line from the latter place to Grand Gorge, six miles be- yond, and has the contract for carrying the mails between these places.
On December 28, 1893, Mr. Chapman mar- ried Elizabeth M. Ross, who was born in Littleton, Me., a daughter of Joseph and Hester (Weeks) Ross. Her mother was born
in St. John, N. B. Mrs. Chapman was edu- cated at the Ricker Classical Institute in Houlton, Aroostook County, Me., and pre- vious to her marriage she taught school in that town. Mr. Chapman is a Democrat in polities, and a member of the Middleburg Tribe of Red Men and of Gilboa Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are both members of the Eastern Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Gilboa.
ANIEL D. FRISBIE, editor and proprietor of the Sehoharie Republi- can, was born in Middleburg, his present home, on November 30, 1859. Son of Grandison Norton and Kate (Dodge) Fris- bie, he is the representative of a family that has done much to promote the industrial, edu- eational, and political advancement of this county. The family traces its line back to New England ancestry, and two of its early members in this country bore officers' commis- sions and served with distinction in the Con- tinental army during the Revolution. A bio- graphieal sketch of Grandison Norton Frisbie appears on another page of this volume.
The Dodge family were among the early settlers of the county, coming from New Eng- land and becoming allied by marriage with the good old Dutch stock, of which Colonel Zelie, of Revolutionary fame, was the best early representative, and the Hon. Daniel Danforth Dodge, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was later the most prominent, having represented this county in the State
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legislature and attained the greatest success as a merchant and financier.
Daniel D. Frisbie was educated in the schools of his native town and at Hartwick Seminary, one of the oldest seats of learning in the State. At the latter institution he laid the foundation of a thorough, broad, and liberal education, developing marked literary tastes, which in after years found opportunity in journalism for employment. In the Philo- phronean Society, of which he became presi- dent, were brought out an aptitude for debate and the qualities which have since made him an easy, graceful, and forceful public speaker.
On the completion of his course at the sem- inary, he entered actively upon a business career which has proved singularly successful. He accepted a clerkship in the store of his father in the spring of 1876, and continued in that capacity until 1881, when he was ad- mitted to partnership. Later the firm became G. N. Frisbie & Sons by the admission of his brother. In 1892 the senior retired, and the firm became D. D. & G. D. Frisbie, continu- ing thus until April 1, 1899, when a multi- plicity of business cares lead the subject of this sketch to retire in favor of his brother-in- law, Nathaniel Manning, Jr. During the twenty-three years of his connection with the business he had the satisfaction of seeing the modest country store develop into a modern department store, the largest, perhaps, in the county in point of sales and stock carried, and widely known for its exact and honorable methods.
Believing that it is the duty of every citizen
to take an intelligent interest in public affairs, Mr. Frisbie, within a year after at- taining his majority, was made president of the local Democratic Club in the fall of 1882, and again in 1884, when Mr. Cleveland car- ried New York and won the Presidency for his party. It is worthy of remark that the town of Middleburg in those years rolled up the largest Democratic majorities in a decade. In 1886-87 he was a member and treasurer of the Democratic County Committee, rendering valuable service. For several years he has served as chairman of the Town Committee of his party. Mr. Frisbie has never held a po- litical office, but his services in behalf of the Democratic party have been so conspicuous for so many years that he has been prominently mentioned for member of Assembly; and, if merit meets with due reward in old Schoharie, he will soon be thus honored.
Seeking a wider opportunity for the advo- cacy of his political principles and for the exercise of literary tastes, he purchased, Au- gust, 1887, the Schoharie Republican, of the estate of A. A. Hunt. The paper was estab- lished in 1819 by Derrick Van Vechten, and is probably the second oldest in the State. In January, 1896, its size was enlarged, and its circulation has increased threefold under the present management. Its columns are rich with the best reading of the day, and its hop reports are regarded as thoroughly reli- able and comprehensive. As an advertising medium it unquestionably takes the lead, as its circulation is principally among the large purchasing classes of the Schoharie valley.
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Politically, the Republican is soundly and un- equivocally Democratic. It was established as a Democratic organ, and has always been truc to its first principles. Its editorials are often quoted in the leading papers of the State, and it is regarded as in every way the equal of the best county-seat papers to be found in the Commonwealth. In 1894 the seventy-fifth anniversary of its founding was celebrated; and upon that occasion Mr. Frisbie purchased the three-story block in the central part of Schoharie, and made it the permanent home of the paper. The editorial offices are on the first floor, as are also the mechanical and job printing departments. The composing-rooms are on the second floor.
The esteem in which Mr. Frisbie is held by his brethren of the press is shown by his election in 1898 as second vice-president of the Democratic State Editorial Association. He is also a member of the State Editorial Association, a non-partisan organization.
In recognition of his interest in the cause of education, Mr. Frisbie was in 1893 ap- pointed treasurer of Middleburg High School, and was reappointed for a second term. In 1895 he was elected a member of the Board of Education, and re-elected in 1898. Since September, 1897, he has been president of the board. In concert with his associates, the school has been advanced to a proud position among the educational institutions of the State, its finances strengthened, and the num- ber of its students increased.
In 1894, when the business men and farmers of the interior counties felt severely the exac-
tions of the stock fire insurance companies, Mr. Frisbie assisted, with others interested, in the formation of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, became one of its directors and a member of its Executive Committee. In 1897 the necessity arose for another company in this county, and the Merchants' and Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized, with Daniel D. Frisbie as presi- dent. The company during its two years' existence has saved thousands of dollars to its policy holders, and has accumulated a sub- stantial surplus. In time it promises to be- come one of the strongest institutions of the county.
Mr. Frisbie is a director of the Middleburg & Schoharie Railroad Company, and since 1894 has been its secretary and a member of its Finance Committee. He is identified with St. Mark's Lutheran Church, was for five years superintendent of its Sunday-school, and is at present its financial secretary. Of fraternal orders he is a member of Middleburg Lodge, No. 663, F. & A. M .; and is also a Past Sachem of Oucongena Tribe, I. O. R. M., No. 242. He is also president of the Colum- bian Literary Union Association, which was an inspiration to young men in Middleburg for many years, and holds its reunion, Janu- ary 1, 1900. He is a hop-grower, and has done much, through his paper and otherwise, to advance the interests of the growers of the county.
The latest enterprise to engage the atten- tion of the subject of this sketch, and one that he hopes to utilize largely for the public good,
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is the mills and water privilege located mid- way between Middleburg and Schoharie, which he acquired April 1, 1899. The mills are being improved by the addition of modern machinery, and their capacity greatly in- creased. Under the Frisbie Milling Com- pany the business will be extended, and a good market afforded farmers for their grain. Mr. Frisbie also has in mind the establish- ment of an electric plant, to be operated by water power, whereby the people of Middleburg and Schoharie may have the benefit in their business places, streets, and homes of that great modern convenience, electric lights. Should this be accomplished, a great public service will be placed to the credit of the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Frisbie was married in 1882 to Eleanor Manning, third daughter of Nathaniel Man- ning, Esq., a leading citizen of Middleburg, who traces his ancestry back to Governor Bradford, first Plymouth colony, who came over in the "Mayflower." The family was among the earliest in the county, and has held an honorable place in its annals. Mr. and Mrs. Frishie are the parents of three children - G. Norton, Cornelia M., and Daniel Manning.
AVID CHAMBERS, a thriving agri- culturist of Cobleskill, N. Y., own- ing and occupying a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixteen acres on the Carlisle road, about three miles from the vil- lage of Cobleskill, is one of the town's most respected citizens. lle was born January 11,
1837, in Carlisle, being a son of William Chambers, who was born in the same town, June 2, 1810. His paternal grandfather, David Chambers, first, was born and reared in Charlton, Saratoga County, whence he removed in 1800 to Carlisle, Schoharie County. Pur- chasing three hundred acres of heavily tim- bered land, Grandfather Chambers began the improvement of a homestead, on which he sub- sequently resided until his death.
William Chambers was one of a family of ten children born in the old log house which his father reared in the forest, and in common with his brothers and sisters was educated in the pioneer school of the district. Soon after attaining his majority he purchased land near the old homestead in Carlisle, and was there successfully engaged in tilling the soil until 1848. In that year he sold his property in Carlisle, and, going to Cherry Valley in Otsego County, bought a farm that he owned till his death, which occurred on April 22, 1899. He carried on general farming until 1890. From that time on he lived retired from active pursuits, at the home of one of his sons in Decatur, not far from Cherry Valley. He was a strong Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church, to which his good wife also belonged. Her maiden name was Betsey Salisbury. She was born in Carlisle, and was a daughter of James Salis- bury, formerly of Albany County. She died at the age of seventy-five years. Of her eight children these six are still living: Mary, David, James, Norman, Stewart, and Eliza- beth.
WILLIAM H. BALDWIN.
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David Chambers completed his education at the Cherry Valley High School, and after- ward, until he was twenty-three years old, as- sisted his father in the labors of the home farm. He then married, February 15, 1860, Catherine M. Richtmyer, daughter of Christian Richtmyer, a farmer of Cobleskill. Mr. Richtmyer was born, and he lived and died, on the farm which Mr. Chambers now occupies, and which he has managed to good purpose ever since his marriage, now thirty-nine years ago. He carries on general farming, raising principally hops and hay, although he has other crops, and pays some attention to raising sheep of the Shropshire breed. He has on his place a fine grove of maple-trees, from which he makes considerable sugar each season. The original owner of this homestead was Conrad Richtmyer, Mrs. Chambers's grandfather, who was one of the first settlers of the town, coming here with his family when his son Christian was about three years old. This son succeeded to the ownership of the paternal acres, and here reared his two children - one son, Elias, and one daughter - Mrs. Chambers being the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have one child, Florence. She is the wife of Adam J. Karker, and has four children - Orrin C., Blanche M., Lloyd D., and Myra A. Mr. Karker and his family reside with Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, and he assists in the manage- ment of the homestead property, although he has a fine farm of his own near by.
In politics Mr. Chambers has always affili- ated with the Republican party, which is in the minority in this section of the State, and
he has the distinction of being the only Super- visor elected on that ticket in Schoharie County for thirty years. He held the office in the years 1894 and 1895, being elected by a majority of forty-three votes in a town whose Democratic majority was usually three hun- dred. He attends and liberally supports the Dutch Reformed church, of which Mrs. Cham- bers is a member.
ILLIAM H. BALDWIN, New Bal- timore, N. Y .- The Baldwins are of English descent. Their ancestors held the manor of Osterarsfee in Aylesbury, Bucking- hamshire, in the time of Henry II. The owner of the manor in 1190 was Sylvester Baldwin, known as Aylesbury. In 1546 the manor of Dundridge, Aston-Clinton, four miles from Aylesbury, was added to the estate. In 1638 Sylvester Baldwin embarked for America in the ship "Martin," accompanied by his wife, two sons, Richard and John, and four daughters. He died during the passage, and his will was admitted to probate in Boston the same year. He left a large estate. His fam- ily settled in New Haven, Conn. His son John, after losing his wife and child, settled in New London in 1664. In 1672 John mar- ried again, and removed to Stonington. His son Theophilus married Priscilla Mason, grand-daughter of the famous Captain John Mason, who led the settlers against the Pequod Indians in 1637, and destroyed the tribe.
John Baldwin, son of Theophilus and Pris- cilla (Mason) Baldwin, married Eunice Spald-
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ing. Their son Ziba, born in 1752, was the great-grandfather of William II. Baldwin.
William H. Baldwin was married in 1874 to Kittie Van Bergen, daughter of John Van Bergen, of Coxsackie, N. Y. She died in 1876, the infant daughter Lizzie surviving her a few months.
In 1880 William H. Baldwin married Lillie Summers Jones, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Bald- win is a member of the Chester County Chap- ter of the D. A. R. Her ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania. HIer great-grandfather, Colonel Jonathan Jones, served his country in the capacity of Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel of the Continental army, being promoted after active service in the campaign in Canada in 1776.
ARSHALL D. BICE, of Schoharic, dealer in gentlemen's furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots and shoes, in business on Main Street, was born in this town on June 1, 1837, son of Joshua and Jemima (Beadle) Bice. His grandfather, Aaron Bice, was a native of Holland. He came to New York in early manhood, lived for a time in Dutchess County, and subsequently removed to Schoharie, where he spent the last years of his life.
Joshua Bice, above named, who was born in Dutchess County, was brought up on a farm, and was carly accustomed to farm work. He also learned the shoemaker's trade. He came to this town shortly after his marriage, and settled on a small farm which he carried on,
engaging in shoemaking during his spare time. A man of great industry and very frugal, by degrees he added to his property till he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. He resided here sixty-two years in all, and died at the age of eighty-one. Ile was an old- fashioned, zealous Methodist, always active in church work, and was one of those who took a leading part in building the Methodist church edifice at East Cobleskill. He also took a warm interest in the Sunday-school. It is said that in every-day life he applied the prin- ciples he professed to believe. His wife, Jemima, who also was an active church worker, was born in Dutchess County. They reared a family of thirteen children, only three of whom are living. These are: Levi M., Marshall D., and Asher.
Marshall D. Bice received a practical educa- tion in the public schools of Schoharie, and subsequently, at the age of sixteen, began his working life as clerk in the store of O. B. Throop in this village. Three years later he went to East Cobleskill, where for three years he was in partnership with his father. At the end of that time he removed to Cobleskill and started in business for himself, which he con- tinued for two years. Going then to New York City, he was employed for two years in a wholesale hat store. This brought him up to the close of 1863, and in December of that year he enlisted in Company HI of the Third New York Regiment of Cavalry. For a year he remained in New York Harbor at draft ren- dezvous; but at the end of that time he was ap- pointed Lieutenant of a company of cavalry,
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and went to the front, joining his regiment at Petersburg. Later his company went to Nor- folk to do general duty, and thence to North Carolina, where Mr. Bice was appointed a provost-marshal. Subsequently he was assist- ant provost-marshal at Norfolk, Va., and then Aide-de-camp on General Mann's staff. After being mustered out of the service in 1865, he remained at Norfolk, Va., for a year and a half, and was engaged in buying up government horses and mules at auction and selling them at private sale. In addition to this he carried on some mercantile business. He then re- ceived an appointment as United States In- spector of Spirits at Chicago, and went to that city. Returning to his native town at the end of nine months, he engaged in the general gro- cery and house furnishing business, which he continued for ten years, or up to 1894, when he purchased the block where he is now carrying on business. He put in a large stock of goods, and has met with all the success he could have hoped for.
Mr. Bice was married in 1879 to Melissa M. Jones, who was born in Duanesburg, N. Y. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been Con- stable for some years, also Overseer of the Poor, but has refused all other public offices. Forty years ago he joined Schoharie Valley Lodge, No. 491, F. & A. M., and he is at the present time the oldest member of this lodge. He has been Master for several years, and has filled all the other offices. In 1861 he joined the Chapter of Canajoharie, and in 1863 he joined the Masonic chapter at Cobleskill, being one of its charter members. He is a
member of the Schoharie Lodge of Odd Fel- lows, and has for many years been connected with the fire department. Mr. Bice attends the Methodist church, and is a trustee of the society.
AVID M. HINMAN, the popular merchant of New Baltimore, Greene County, N. Y., was born in this town on the last day of January, 1863. He is the only surviving son of the late William C. Hinman, who established the Hinman store, and who for many years was one of the leading citizens of New Baltimore. Mr. David M. Hinman's grandfather was a native of Connect- icut, and came from that State to Albany County, New York, when it was being cleared and settled. He was a school teacher by pro- fession, and followed that calling through a long life. He taught music as well as the common branches of learning. He died at the age of eighty.
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