USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 32
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 32
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 32
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Mr. Gifford was married on June 22, 1881, to Ella J. Porter, of Athens, eldest daughter of Clark and Charlotte C. (Mead) Porter. Her paternal grandfather was Israel R. Porter, who died in 1874; and her maternal grandfather was Daniel Mead. Clark Porter was born in Scho- harie County, but in childhood moved with his parents to a farm in the town of Athens, where he still resides. He is a prominent towns- man, having been Supervisor, Inspector of Elections, and for fifteen or twenty years As- sessor. They had a family of seven children; namely, Ella J. (Mrs. Gifford), Clark I.,
ANDREW RAYMOND.
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Oliver G., Lottie C., Addison W., William, and J. Melvin. All are living except William.
Mr. Gifford is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 129, of Athens, and Grand Master of the Exchequer of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of the State of New York. He is also a member of the Catskill Tribe of Red Men, and of the Board of Trade of Athens, and is vice-president of the Elec- tric Light Company of his town.
EV. ANDREW VAN VRANKEN RAYMOND, D.D., LL. D, president of Union University, Schenectady, was born at Vischer's Ferry, Saratoga County, N. Y., August 8, 1854, son of the Rev. Henry Augustus and Catharine M. Raymond. On the paternal side he is descended from a long line of American ancestors. of English origin, the first of whom crossed the Atlantic in 1629. The grandfather was Clapp Raymond, a native of Norwalk, Conn.
The Rev. Henry Augustus Raymond, the father, was born in Patterson, Putnam County, N. Y., May 30, 1804. He was graduated at Yale University with the class of 1825; and, entering the ministry, he labored in the Dutch Reformed churches in New York State during the greater part of his active period.
Andrew Van Vranken Raymond completed the regular course of study at the Troy High School in 1871, was graduated from Union College in 1775, and from the New Bruns- wick Theological Seminary in 1878. His
initial call was to the First Reformed Church in Paterson, N. J., where he remained from 1878 to 1881. He occupied the pul- pit of Trinity Reformed Church, Plainfield, N. J., for the succeeding six years; and, ac- cepting a call to the pastorate of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Albany, he labored in that city for seven years, or until 1894. He was the ninth pastor of that church, and the fifth occupant of its pulpit to be selected for college work, having been chosen president of Union University in 1894. He was hon- ored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1887 and by Williams College with that of Doctor of Laws in 1894. He was elected moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of New York in 1891 ; was a commis- sioner to the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church for the years 1888, 1891, and 1893. He belongs to the Phi Beta Kappa and the Alpha Delta Phi Societies.
ILMER E. PELHAM, proprietor of "The Kenwood," at Haines Falls, town of Hunter, Greene County, N. Y., was born near Palenville, this county, August 30, 1863, son of Snyder and Christina (Saxe) Pelham. His parents are natives of the same town, and his grandfather, Peter Pelham, was a lifelong resident of the vicinity of Palen- ville. His father learned the trade of a black- smith, which he followed near Palenville many years, and he is still living at his former place of business. He is a Republican in politics. His wife, Christina, was a daughter of Jere-
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miah Saxe, a farmer near Palenville. She is the mother of four sons, all of whom are living; namely, Jeremiah P., Harvey C., Elmer E., and Adam A. The parents attend the Reformed church.
Elmer E. Pelham was educated in the .com- mon schools of his native town, and remained at home until sixteen years of age. He then came to the Haines Falls House, where he was employed for twelve years, and at the expira- tion of that time he erected the present house, known as "The Kenwood," situated near the Haines Corners railroad station. It is located on high ground, is equipped with all modern improvements, and has accommodations for fifty people. Mr. Pelham has been in the boarding business nearly ten years, has been successful, and is well known throughout the county.
In 1888 Mr. Pelham was united in marriage with Elida F. Fatum, daughter of Henry Fatum, of Saugerties, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Pelham have one son, Fred E.
DWARD ADAMS, wholesale and retail dealer in meat at Haines Falls, N. Y., was born in Durham, Greene County, February 1, 1838, son of Seymour and Maria (Chidister) Adams. His grandfather, Joseph Adams, who was a native of Connecticut and of English descent, carried on a farm in the vicinity of Hartford when a young man, later moving to Durham, near Cornwallville, where he spent some years, and then settled on a farm in Cairo, where he died at the advanced age of
ninety-seven years. Grandfather's wife, with whom he lived for over seventy years, died at the age of ninety-nine years and six months. She was the mother of five children.
Seymour Adams, father of Edward, was born in Hartford, Conn., and was educated in the common schools. He began to support him- self by conducting a farm on shares, later coming to Cairo, where he purchased a piece of property and rented it to the agricultural society. He was engaged in business in the village of Cairo for a time, and on relinquish- ing that he gave his whole attention to his farm, which was devoted to dairy purposes. For forty-four years he supplied the Catskill Mountain House with poultry, butter, and eggs. In politics he usually voted the Repub- lican ticket, and was well known throughout the county. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge in Cairo. His wife, Maria, was a daughter of William Chidister, of Kiska- tom. Her father was a farmer, and in early life owned the property which was later pur- chased by her husband. The last years of his life were spent in retirement at Cairo, where he died at the age of eighty-two. Seymour and Maria C. Adams were the parents of five chil- dren; namely, Edward, Emily, William, Eliz- abeth, and Eliza. Emily married William Lewis, of Cairo, N. Y .; William resides in Rensselaer County, New York ; and Eliza died at the age of thirty-five.
Edward Adams was educated in the common schools. He worked on a farm in Acra until his marriage, when he purchased a farm in Cairo, on which he followed farming until
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1870. In that year he came to his present lo- cation, three and one-half miles from Tanners- ville, on the Little Delaware Turnpike, and started in the meat business, having as a sole customer the Catskill Mountain House, which he has supplied for the past twenty-eight years. As the hotels increased in number, he added to his list of patrons the Laurel House, the Hotel Kaaterskill, and others, his business becoming extensive. He supplied in 1898 two hundred and thirty-two hotels and board- ing-houses, selling in five Saturdays, from July 30 to August 27, forty-four thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven pounds of meat. He runs three two-horse and two one-horse wagons, and employs seventeen men. He buys the choicest cuts of beef, slaughtered for him in New York, and uses about two carloads per week. He kills all the lamb and veal on his own premises, employing a buyer of live stock on the road, and keeps from ten to twelve tons of beef on hand at all times during the summer, his two refrigerators holding five hun- dred tons of ice. By adhering to the prin- ciple of fair dealing he has built up this large trade unaided. His residence, barn, ice-house, slaughter-house, and refrigerators were built under his personal supervision. He keeps ten horses and five wagons for delivering his meat. He also owns a farm of one hundred acres.
In 1859 Mr. Adams married Adelia A. Crary, a native of Delaware County, adopted daughter of Jacob Craft. They have three children : Jennie and Jessie, twins; and Ida May. Jennie married George White, a hotel- keeper near East Durham, N. Y., son of Will-
iam White; and she has one son, Edward. Jessie married Sherwood H. Camp, a carpen- ter in Catskill, N. Y., son of Harmon Camp, formerly of Windham, N. Y., and has one daughter, Edna. Ida May married Joseph Hand, of New York City, formerly manager of Marlboro Hotel and now clerk for a broker in Wall Street. They have three children - Eva, Florence, and Joseph.
Mr. Adams is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active interest in political matters. He was Supervisor one term in Cairo, but re- fused a renomination. He is a charter mem- ber of Kademak Lodge, No. 693, F. & A. M., was Junior Warden when the lodge was first established, and is one of the few now living who organized the lodge. He is also a mem- ber of the Royal Arch Masons. He is liberal in his religious belief and a strict observer of Sunday as a day of rest.
HARLES H. RAMSEY, president of the Howe's Cave Association, was born in Lawyersville, N. Y., on Jan- uary 3, 1853, son of the Hon. Joseph Henry and Sarah (Boyce) Ramsey. He comes from a line of able and honest men and stanch Re- publicans. His great-great-grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Schoharie County. Frederick Ramsey, his grandfather, was born in Guilderland, and worked there for a time at his trade, which was that of black- smith. He subsequently settled on a farm in Cobleskill, where he spent the rest of his life, attaining the age of seventy-eight years. He
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died at the home of one of his daughters. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Van Schaick, lived to the advanced age of ninety- four. She was a native of this county, and a devoted member of the Methodist church. Of their ten children, seven daughters and one son are living, the latter being Robert Ram- sey, of Argusville.
The Hon. Joseph Henry Ramsey, for many years a leading citizen of Schoharie County, was born in the town of Sharon on January 29, 1816, and died in May, 1894. He studied law with Jedediah Miller, and was admitted to practise in all the courts of the State in 1840. Subsequent to this, he continued for some time in Mr. Miller's office, and eventually suc- ceeded to his practice; but he afterward re- moved his office to Lawyersville, where he remained until his removal to Albany in 1863. In 1855 he represented the Northern Assembly District, having as his colleague from the Southern District, Wilkinson Wilsey. This was the last time the county was represented by two members. In the fall of that year he was sent as a delegate to the Whig State Con- vention, and was made a member also of the Joint Convention, composed of the members of the Whig Convention and a State convention of Free Soil Democrats, which formed the Re- publican party in this State. This was fol- lowed by his election to the State Senate the same year, as a Republican from the Seven- teenth Senatorial District, which comprised Schoharie and Delaware Counties. In 1866 he was nominated as a candidate for Congress, but failed of election. In 1871, 1872, and
1873 he was a delegate from Albany to the Republican State Convention, and also a mem- ber of the Republican State Committee. He took an active part against Judge Barnard, who made the order in favor of Gould and Fisk, and secured his impeachment by the Senate, and the passage of a decree forbidding the judge to hold further office under the civil government.
Joseph H. Ramsey was a well-known rail- road man, having been officially connected with a number of important roads. Prior to 1858 he was active in securing subscription for the building of the Albany & Susque- hanna Railroad, and showed himself so efficient that in 1858 he was chosen director and vice- president of the company. This company was organized in 1852; stock had been subscribed along the line and at Albany to the amount of a million dollars; and the city of Albany had been authorized to loan the company, on cer- tain conditions, another million dollars of its bonds. Work had already begun at different points in Albany, Schoharie, Otsego, and Broome Counties, but an unexpected revulsion occurred in railroad affairs, which rendered it difficult to secure further funds. This created an uneasy feeling among the stockholders, and they were glad to accept a proposal made by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, by which the Canal Company assumed the pay- ment . of the principal and interest of the bonded debt of the road, and the original stockholders were to receive semi-annual divi- dends of seven per cent. per annum. As this was a virtual sale of the road and its franchises
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to the Canal Company, Mr. Ramsey and others of the directors were opposed to it. They would have preferred to keep it independent of any coal or other company, to have liberal rates for transportation in order to have con- tracted upon the line the largest amount of business possible, and to have the original stockholders reap the full benefits accruing. As few roads in the State have been better paying property, it is seen to-day that his judgment was correct. After the execution of the lease, Mr. Coe F. Young, the general manager of the Canal Company, was elected president of the road in place of Mr. Ramsey. The latter was also president of the New York & Albany Railroad Company, and, subsequent to the death of the Hon. Erastus Corning, president of the Albany Iron Manufacturing Company. The furnances of the last-named company in Albany were built during his in- cumbency. Mr. Joseph H. Ramsey was also president of the Howe's Cave Cement Com- pany. His wife, who was born in Sharon and died in 1892, at the age of seventy-six, was one of seven children born to Daniel Boyce, farmer and miller of Shirley, and the grand- daughter on her mother's side of Colonel Rice of Revolutionary fame. Of Mrs. Ramsey's seven children, three are living, namely : Har- riet, who is the wife of the Rev. Pascal Har- rower, pastor of the Episcopal church at West New Brighton, Long Island; Frances, who married Dr. H. A. Crary; and Charles H. Ramsey.
Charles H. Ramsey fitted for college at Williamstown, Mass. He was graduated at
Cornell University in 1874, and from the Al- bany Law School in 1875, and the following year was admitted to the bar. Shortly after he came to llowe's Cave as secretary of the company, which had then just started. Upon the death of his father he was made president. He has watched the growth of the plant, and has been closely identified with its develop- ment. It is now one of the leading industries of the county, and when running full time employs one hundred and fifty men. Large quantities of lime, cement, and plaster are manufactured ; also building stone.
Mr. Ramsey was married in May, 1879, to Annie E. Stevens, who was born in Sloanes- ville, daughter of Mark W. and Lucy (Phelps) Stevens. Her father, who died at the age of sixty-eight, was the president of Schoharie County Bank, and a very prominent man in his section. Her mother died when Mrs. Ramsey was twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have four children - Margaret, Joseph H., Mark W., and Charles H.
Mr. Ramsey is a man of very varied busi- ness interests. He is director in the Scho- harie and Otsego Insurance Company, of Cobleskill; president of the New York & Canadian Pacific Railroad, which runs from Ogdensburg to New York; trustee of the Cobleskill Cemetery, and member of the Schoharie County Historical Society. He is an attendant of the Reformed church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Cobleskill, and of John L. Lewis Chapter; also of the Kappa Alpha,
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which is the oldest college society in exist- ence. As might be expected, his political principles are Republican.
R. A. W. CLARK, a skilful dental practitioner and graduate optician, of Jefferson, Schoharie County, the founder and for some years editor and pub- lisher of the Jeffersonian, now known as the Jefferson Courier, was born in Blenheim, N. Y., August 20, 1843, son of John A. and Catherine (Van der Vort) Clark.
His paternal grandfather, Randall Clark, came to this country from Rhode Island and settled in Blenheim, where he became quite an extensive farmer and land-owner. Randall Clark married Phobe Dorcas Tucker, and his children were: Benjamin, Eliza, Alfred, John A., Stephen, Lucinda, Charles, Mary J., Will- iam, and Hilmer. Of these the only survivor is Eliza, who is residing in Rhode Island. Hilmer died while still young, and the other sons all engaged in farming.
John A. Clark, Dr. Clark's father, came to this county when a boy, and was reared at the homestead which he occupied in part until his death. He was prosperous as a general farmer, and at one time owned about three hundred and fifty acres of land. Politically, he was in his later years a Republican. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and was an earnest advocate of temperance. He lived to be sixty-six years old, and his wife survived him ten years. They were the par- ents of nine children, namely: A. W. Clark,
the subject of this sketch; Alzada, wife of C. B. Atwood, a lawyer of Watertown, Conn. ; Lindon, a resident of Blenheim; Le Grand and La Grange, twins, both of whom live at the homestead; Fremont, who resides in Delhi, N. Y .; John J., also a resident of that town; Ida, who married W. L. Cranch, and resides at Thompson, Conn .; and Ida Ursula, who died when about six years old.
A. W. Clark pursued his elementary studies in the common schools of Blenheim, and ad- vanced in learning by attending the Stamford Seminary. After leaving school he went to Auburn, N.Y., with a view of engaging in business, but at the solicitation of Dr. A. A. Wood, who was then practising in Jefferson, he began the study of medicine in that doc- tor's office, and continued it for eighteen months. Failing health caused him to relin- quish his studies, and while resting he deter- mined to abandon medicine for dentistry. He accordingly became a student in the office of Dr. H. S. Wood, of Stamford, with whom he made rapid progress, and in 1866 he began the practice of his profession in Jefferson, where he has since resided. An experience of over thirty years has given opportunities for acquiring a varied knowledge of dentistry, and his business is both large and profitable. He has availed himself of all modern improve- ments in the way of appliances. He is a graduate of the National College of Electro- therapeutics, Lima, Ohio, which college con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Electro-therapeutics (M.E.). He deals in dentists' supplies, and has travelled consider-
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ably in the interests of this branch of his business.
In 1871 Dr. Clark purchased a small job printing-office for the purpose of devoting his leisure moments to some useful employment, and engaged in the printing of small hand- bills, letter-heads, etc. He was shortly after- ward requested by his fellow-townsmen to es- tablish a newspaper, which he agreed to do provided a sufficient sum was raised to pur- chase a press. Although but half the neces- sary amount was subscribed, he determined to see the scheme through; and, making up the deficiency from his own pocket, he bought the desired machinery. Without knowledge or experience, he entered upon his new enter- prise, to which he gave every moment of time that could possibly be spared from his professional duties; and as a result of his indefatigable labors the initial number of the Jeffersonian, the first newspaper ever issued in Jefferson, was delivered to the people on March 6, 1872. The paper was a success from the start, and its subsequent en- largement was made necessary to meet the de- mands of local advertisers. For about nine years its founder continued to edit and pub- lish the Jeffersonian, which, under his man- agement, performed its mission in an able manner. He contributed much valuable mat- ter in connection with the publication of the Roscoe History of Schoharie County, and has since written for publication in the Jefferson Courier considerable historic matter, col- lected as far back as 1730, pertaining to the history of Schoharie County and the border
wars of New York, giving a detailed narrative of many tragic scenes enacted on the frontiers of New York. He is now engaged in collect- ing dates and writing the history of the Clark family.
Dr. Clark married Sarah A. Phincle, daughter of William and Anna (Toles) Phincle. They have had two children : Sarah, who died in infancy; and La Mancha, who was graduated at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Philadelphia in 1898, that college conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He stood high in his class of one hundred and eight, of which he was the youngest. He married Florence Lilian Lee, of Glen Castle, N. Y., on Febru- ary 8, 1899. He is a fine operator, gold fil- lings and crown and bridge work being his specialty. The young Doctor is now asso- ciated with his father in a large and successful practice.
As a progressive, public-spirited citizen the Doctor takes an active interest in public im- provements, and is a stockholder in the water- works. He belongs to the Masonic order and other organizations, and frequently attends the meetings of the State Dental Society. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ILLARD LARKIN, a practical and progressive farmer of Schoharie, N. Y., was born at Central Bridge, Schoharie County, October 3, 1860, son of John W. and Nancy M. (Enders) Larkin. His paternal
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grandfather, Daniel Larkin, a native of Rhode Island, was one of the pioneer settlers of Central Bridge, where he settled in early life, and prior to his death, at the age of seventy years, had redeemed a good farm from the forest. He was a strong Republican in poli- tics, very influential in public affairs, and served several years as County Sheriff, being the only Republican in the county ever elected to that office. His second wife, Nancy Boyd, bore him three children, one of whom was John W., the father above named. Both Daniel Larkin and his wife Nancy were mem- bers of the Reformed church, in which he held most of the offices.
John W. Larkin completed his education at the Charlotteville Academy, and subsequently assisted in the care of the old homestead, which came into his possession after the death of his parents. He was a very energetic and thrifty farmer, successful in his undertakings, and he added to the improvements of the es- tate the fine set of buildings now standing. He died in the prime of life, at the age of fifty-six years. An unswerving Republican in politics, he served as Supervisor during four terms of one year each, at one time being chairman of the board, the only Republican in the county to hold a similar office. For several years he was one of the trustees of the Lutheran church, to which he and his wife be- longed, and he was also a valued worker in the Sunday-school. He married Nancy M. Enders, daughter of Peter I. Enders, an ex- tensive farmer and land-owner of Central Bridge. Of the six children born of their
union four are now living, as follows: Will- ard, the subject of this sketch; Daniel; Mary K., wife of Frederick R. Farquher; and Delia B., wife of Robert S. Arcularius, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The mother died at the age of forty-six years.
Willard Larkin received his education in the common schools and at the Schoharie and the Claverack Academies. Returning to the parental home, he assisted in the farm work for several years, and helped to erect the pres- ent farm buildings. When ready to establish a home of his own, he bought his present farm of one hundred and five or more acres, which by judicious toil and superior management he has made one of the most valuable and attrac- tive estates in this section of the county. A few years ago he rebuilt the house, barn, and out-buildings, which are commodious and well equipped. Since the death of his mother Mr. Larkin has managed the homestead property in connection with his own farm, having now the charge of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he devotes to general farming, stock-raising, and dairying. In pol- itics he is a strong Republican, and in 1896 was elected Commissioner of Highways for a term of two years.
On November 29, 1881, Mr. Larkin mar- ried Ruth H. Hoag, who was born in Sloans- ville, Schoharie County, daughter of John I. and Mary (Carr) Hoag. Her grandfather, David Hoag, was one of the earliest pioneers of that village, where he was long engaged in clearing and cultivating the land. He at- tained the age of eighty-nine years. John I.
CLARENCE E. BLOODGOOD.
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Hoag carried on farming on the old home farm until his death, March 20, 1898. His wife, Mary, was born in Carlisle, and was one of the fourteen children of John and Eliza (Sweetman) Carr, seven of whom are still liv- ing. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag. The two now living are: Mrs. Larkin; and her brother, George W. Hoag, a merchant in Sloansville. Their mother died at the age of fifty-six years.
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