USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 34
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 34
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 34
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After leaving school Ernest E. Billings taught for four or five terms, as also his twin brother, who subsequently obtained a State certificate. From boyhood it had been his ambition to be a physician, and accordingly,
as soon as the opportunity presented itself, he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. E. Brayman, of Livingstonville. After a year spent there he entered the medical de- partment of the University of the City of New York in 1881, and in 1884 he was graduated at that institution with the coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. While there he showed especial proficiency in mathematics and in microscopy. He was one of two to receive a certificate in the latter study. He immedi- ately began the practice of his profession in Conesville, where he remained until October 5, 1887. Since that time he has been settled in Gilboa. The Doctor still has more or less practice in Conesville, and, in fact, in the four counties of Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, and Albany. His calmness at all times and his sympathy in the sick-room fortify him for attendance on the most serious or critical cases, and his warm heart and generous ex- pression of feeling win for him the lasting gratitude of his patients and their friends. He has made a special study of the diseases of women and children.
Politically, the Doctor is a Republican. He was Town Clerk in Broome in 1882, and is at the present time Health Officer of Gil- boa. Since 1890 he has been a member of the Dutch Reformed church. For two years he was a Deacon in the church, and for the last three years has been Elder. He is a Mason of Gilboa Lodge, No. 630, and at the present time secretary of the lodge. Profes- sionally, he is a member of the Schoharie County Medical Society. He is one of the
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stockholders in the weekly paper published at Gilboa.
Dr. Billings married Carrie Richtmyer, daughter of Peter Richtmyer and descendant of one of the old and honored families of this vicinity. They have one child, Ernestine.
ILLIAM W. CHAPMAN, a prac- tical and prosperous agriculturist of Fulton, Schoharie County, was born on the farm where he now resides, known as the Chapman homestead, November 14, 1846, a son of Jacob Chapman. His great-grand- father Chapman was one of the very early set- tlers of Columbia County, New York, where he owned an extensive tract of land and about sixty slaves.
William Chapman, the grandfather of Will- iam W., was born and educated in Columbia County, but afterward became a pioneer of Albany County, whither he removed with his family at an early day. He also was a slave- holder, and before his death, which occurred when he was but forty-seven years old, he had cleared a large farm, and had come to hold an important position among the influential men of the town of Rensselaerville, in which he had settled. llis wife, whose maiden name was Eva Solpaugh, died at the age of seventy- five years, after rearing a number of children. In religion they were both of the Baptist per- suasion.
Jacob Chapman was born in Rensselaer- ville, Albany County, where he resided until twenty-seven years old. Coming then to
Schoharie County, he purchased one hundred acres of woodland, on which almost the only improvement visible was a small log house that occupied the site of the present substan- tial dwelling on the Chapman homestead, the house subsequently erected by him. Ile cleared a large part of the land he first pur- chased, and, having bought another lot of forty acres, carried on general farming and stock- raising with great success until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and served one or more terms as Overseer of the Poor. His wife, Huldah Winans, was the daughter of Elder John Winans, for many years a Baptist minister at Preston Hollow, Albany County, where she was born and bred. They had eleven children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Spencer, a farmer residing near the old homestead; Nancy C., wife of Chauncey Shattuck; Adam M., a farmer at Bouck's Falls; Maria, widow of the late Almon Mann; Isabella, wife of Hiram Ecker- son; Elizabeth, widow of the late Dr. George Holmes; James P., former Supervisor of Mid- dleburg; and William W., the special subject of this sketch. The mother also attained a good old age, passing away at the age of four- score and four years. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the father served long and faithfully as steward and class leader. Their son Peter, who was graduated from the Normal School, and afterward attended private lectures and the Philadelphia Medical College, went West when a young man, and, settling in Iowa, was
BARNARD O'HARA.
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there engaged first as a teacher and later as a physician. Ile subsequently lived in Ne- braska, and for six years was School Commis- sioner in Lincoln. Returning to Schoharie County, he practised medicine in Richmond- ville for six years, going from there to New Mexico, where he had a lucrative position in a government land office until his death, at the age of forty-nine years.
William W. Chapman succeeded to the ownership of the home farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which he has spent his entire life, being known throughout the com- munity as one of its most skilful and thrifty farmers. Energetic and industrious, and well versed in the science of agriculture, he is meeting with well-merited success in his chosen vocation. In addition to raising the crops common to this region, he carries on to some extent dairying and the raising of draught horses, in which he has been some- what interested. A firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, he takes an active interest in local affairs. He has served on both the Town and the County Com- mittee and in 1891, 1892, 1893, and 1894 he was Supervisor, having been elected and sub- sequently re-elected three consecutive years by a large majority.
On November 21, 1877, Mr. Chapman mar- ried Emma Zeh, who was born in Middleburg, a daughter of Philip Zeh, a farmer. She died at the age of thirty-one years. She was a de- voted member of the Reformed church. On December 29, 1886, Mr. Chapman married for his second wife Miss Keziah Hilts, who was
born in Fulton, a daughter of Gideon D. and Elizabeth (Zeh) llilts. Her father, a native of Wright, removed to Fulton when but six- teen years of age, and from that time until bis decease, at the age of sixty-three years, was engaged as a tiller of the soil. He affiliated with the Democrats, and was active in public life, serving as School Commissioner in his district and as Supervisor of the town a num- ber of years. His wife, Elizabeth, who was born in Middleburg, died in Fulton in 1891. Both were active members of the Reformed church. Of their eleven children five are still living, namely: George, who was gradu- ated from Claverack College, and now resides in New York City; Jennie, who married Mar- cus Zeh; Jay; Keziah, now Mrs. Chapman; and Elizabeth. Mrs. Chapman is a graduate of the Albany Normal School, and has had considerable experience as a teacher, having taught in her native place and for two years in the Ulster Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have two children - Leo II. and Alice Irene.
B ARNARD O'HARA, proprietor of the O'Hara House, Lexington, Greene County, N. Y., was born in Fishkill, Dutchess County, this State, June I, 1816, son of Peter and Lucretia (Darbee) O'Hara. His father emigrated from Ireland in 1801, first locating in New York City and later in Fishkill, where he worked by the month on a farm. Peter O'Hara was subse- quently engaged in farming in Westfield Flats, Sullivan County, and in Greenville village.
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His first purchase was a small piece of land, which he later sold. He finally bought a tract of forty acres situated on the Durham line, where he resided for the rest of his active period. By his industry and thrift he was enabled to increase his property by the pur- chase of adjoining land, owning at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years, a farm of two hundred acres. He was a capable farmer, possessing excellent judgment in all agricultural matters, which enabled him to make good use of his resources and oppor- tunities. Besides the raising and selling of farm produce, he distilled apple brandy, an agreeable and somewhat seductive beverage, known to residents of the present day under the more familiar name of apple-jack. He was also a weaver of great renown. Peter O'Hara was a Democrat in politics, and took a lively interest in local public affairs, serving frequently as a grand juror at Catskill and holding minor town offices. In his religious belief he was a Roman Catholic and so true a follower of the precepts of the church that on one occasion he carried a child from Fishkill to Troy and thence to Lansingburg in order to have it baptized by a Catholic priest. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucretia Dar- bec, was a native of Goshen, Orange County, to which town her parents had removed from Goshen, Conn., settling as pioneers. Her father was a farmer and a cloth dresser for some years. Later he kept a tavern in West- field Flats. He was killed by the overturning of a load of hay. Peter and Lucretia (Darbee) O'Hara had fifteen children, of whom six sons
and seven daughters lived to have families; and six of the daughters were school teachers previous to their marriage. The only sur- vivors are : Barnard, the subject of this sketch ; and Levi, who still resides upon a portion of the old homestead, which, after the father's death, was divided into four farms. The mother died at the age of sixty-four. She at- tended the Methodist Episcopal church.
Barnard O'Hara in his boyhood and youth, from the time he was able to be of use, worked on the home farm during the farming seasons, and attended school winters.
Leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he went to Albany, N. Y., where he obtained em- ployment in a dry and fancy goods store. His employer failed a short time later, and he made an arrangement with the assignce to peddle the stock upon the road. After driving through Central New York with a horse and wagon in the employ of others for some time, he invested what money he had saved in a team of his own; and, borrowing the sum of three hundred dollars of his father, he engaged in peddling for himself, soon establishing his credit in New York City by punctually mect- ing his obligations. After continuing upon the road some years, or until 1845, he settled in Lexington, where in the following year he completed the building of a store, which he stocked with general merchandise, and carried it on successfully for over thirty years. For a long period he was also engaged in the under- taking business.
After visiting some of the Western States he returned, feeling certain that his future
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prospects were just as promising in Lexington as elsewhere. The succeeding ten years were devoted to the management of his store and to the cultivation of his farm, which he pur- chased in 1865, and which he still owns.
In 1880, having admitted his son as a part- ner, he severed his active connection with the mercantile business. The son continued in charge of the establishment until 1888, since which time the store building has been leased to others.
The O'Hara House stands upon a site for- merly occupied by a Baptist church. It was completed and opened in 1877, and is one of the largest hotels in Lexington, having accom- modations for one hundred and twenty-five guests. Situated at an altitude of sixteen hundred feet above sea level, and provided with ample facilities for comfort and recrea- tion, it offers special inducements as a health resort.
In 1845 Mr. O'Hara was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Briggs, daughter of Da- rius Briggs, a well-known farmer of Lexington in his day. She became the mother of seven children ; namely, Mary A., Edgar B., George P., Arthur, Arrietta, Ida, and Belle. Mary A. is the wife of James M. Van Valken- burgh, a hotel proprietor of Lexington, and has one son, George B. Van Valkenburgh, who is a college graduate. Edgar and George assist their father in carrying on the O'Hara House. Edgar also carries on a thriving business in the manufacture of cider. George O'Hara married Mary Smith, and has two children - Charlotte and Edgar L. Arthur O'Hara died
at the age of two years. Arrietta died in 1876 at the age of twenty-one years. Ida married Peter J. Kelley, who is now a resident of New York City. Belle is residing at home. Edgar is a graduate of Manhattan College, New York, and of Eastman's Business College, l'ongh- keepsie; and George took a commercial course at Folsom's Business College. The daughters attended "Kenwood," a Catholic school in Al- bany. In politics Mr. O'Hara is a Democrat. He served as Supervisor in 1869 and 1870, re- ceiving at his re-election the unanimous sup- port of both the Republican and Democratic parties. He has been Clerk of the town and of the school district, and has frequently served as a grand and petit juror. Mrs. O'Hara died in December, 1880, aged fifty-four years. The family attend the Roman Catholic church.
J OEL H. MEAD, M.D., Hunter's vet- eran physician and surgeon, residing on Main Street in that town, was born in Jewett on June 15, 1838, his parents being Stephen and Caroline (Hosford) Mead. The family is of English descent, and early settled in Columbia County, New York, among the pioneers of that region.
Philip Mead, the Doctor's grandfather, was one of the first settlers in Jewett, coming to that town by a route marked with trees, and in company with two or three other young men settling in the heart of the forest to make a home for himself. His first dwelling was a rude log hut, but after he had made a clearing he erected a handsome frame house. The near-
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est town, Cairo, was ten miles distant, and all supplies had to be brought from that place. Bears and other wild animals were abundant, and fearlessly prowled near the little cabin. After eighteen years spent in Jewett, during which he had cleared a large tract of land, he removed to Cayuga County, then just being opened up. There he remained until his death, at the age of seventy-eight. llis wife, Hannah, died at the age of eighty. Both were members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Hannah Mead was born in Columbia County, of parents who were pioneer settlers there. She had twelve children, all of whom are now deceased.
Stephen Mead was born in Columbia County, but the greater part of his life was spent in Jewett, where he purchased a farm in early manhood. In national politics he was a Republican. He took a warm interest in local public affairs, and held several minor offices in the town. His death occurred at the age of eighty-six. His wife was born in Jewett, being a daughter of Joel Hosford, who married a Miss Mann. Iler father was one of three brothers who came from the town of Walling- ford, Conn., to settle the town of Jewett. One of the brothers was named Reuben. They were pioneers of Jewett Heights. The Mann family was one of the first to settle on Man- hattan Island, coming over from Holland. Mrs. Caroline Høsford Mead died at the age of sixty-seven. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist church. One of their four children, a son, Alanson, is de- ceased. The living are: Dr. William H., who is practising in Windham (see sketch on
another page) ; Dr. Joel H .; and Adeline, who is the wife of Alanson Woodworth.
After leaving the common schools Joel H. Mead studied medicine for a time with Dr. F. H. Holcomb, of Windham, and then took a course in medicine in the Albany Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1863. He at once began practice in Hunter, and in a short time had as many patients as he could care for. Besides his general medical practice Dr. Mead has given considerable attention to surgery, and has performed some remarkable operations. For twenty years he was the only physician in this and several of the adjoining towns. He is to-day one of the oldest practi- tioners in the county, there being only four physicians whose professional career antedates his. He is the Nestor of the medical frater- nity hereabouts.
In 1866 Dr. Mead married Lucinda Wood- worth, daughter of Abner and Sophronia (Jud- son) Woodworth. Her father, who was a farmer and one of the early settlers of Jewett, died at the age of seventy-eight. Her mother died at forty-six. Their six children were: Laura, who married Albert Chase, a son of Judge Chase of the Supreme Court; Buel ; Lucius, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this book; Lemuel, who died at the age of twenty; Loren, who is deceased; and Mrs. Mead. The Doctor and his wife have been blessed with two children - Edith and Bertha, the last named of whom resides with her par- ents. Edith married R. A. Austin, a drug- gist of Cairo, and has one child, Joel by name. The daughters received their finishing educa .
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tion in a private school. Both are fine per- formers on the organ and piano.
The Doctor takes a warm interest in all pub- lic matters, and gives the weight of his politi- cal influence to the Republican party. In 1887 he filled the office of Supervisor. He is a Master Mason and member of Mount Tabor I.odge of Hunter. He was a promoter, from the start, of the Maplewood Cemetery organi- zation, and has always been one of its active supporters. In connection with Dr. Stanley he is pension examiner for Greene County, holding the position under government ap- pointment. IIe is now president of the Board of Examiners. He has also been examiner for several years for various life insurance com- panies, among which may be named the Phoenix, the New York Life, the New York Mutual, the Equitable, and the Washington. The Doctor's family are members of the Meth- odist church.
ALLACE W. CRAPSER, a well- known business man of the town of Summit, Schoharie County, residing at Char- lotteville, was born in Jefferson, this State, on April 12, 1842, his parents being Robert and Rosetta (Gardner) Crapser. IIis paternal grandfather, Albertus Crapser, who was of Dutch lineage, died in Claverack at the age of seventy. He was by occupation a farmer, and in politics at first a Whig and later a Re- publican. He had a family of five sons and four daughters.
Robert Crapser, son of Albertus and father
of the subject of this biography, was born and reared in Greenville, N. Y., but moved to Claverack in carly manhood. He was first a Whig in politics and later a Republican, and was very active and influential in public affairs. When about sixty years of age he was drowned while sailing on the Hudson as a passenger aboard the Berkshire boat. In early life he taught school for some time dur- ing the winters, and worked at boating dur- ing the summers. Later he gave all his time to farming. At the age of thirty he married Rosetta, daughter of Andrew Gardner. She is still living at the age of seventy-eight, and makes her home with her son Wallace. The father had at one time two hundred acres of land under cultivation. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years. His religious pref- erences were Lutheran. He had only one other child beside his son Wallace - namely, Jesse, who was taken prisoner by the rebels at the battle of Gettysburg, and who subse- quently died from the hardships of his prison life, being still under his majority at the time of his death.
Wallace W. Crapser received a good com- mon-school training in Summit. Ile early began farming, and engaged in that occupation until 1894, being located about a mile above the village of Charlotteville on a farm of a hundred acres, and giving special attention to dairying. On the Ist of April, 1897, he practically retired from business. Mr. Crap- ser is one of the valued workers of the Meth- odist church, with which he has been connected for the last twenty years. He is a trustee and
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steward of the church, also class leader; and for three years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Repub- lican, but he has never sought office, though warmly interested in the success of his party.
Mr. Crapser was first married to Mary J. Whorton. She died in 1891, having been the mother of two children, namely : Albert, who died at two years of age; and Charles, who re- sides with his father. Mr. Crapser married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Multer Dorwin, the widow of Philip Dorwin. Her former husband was a lawyer and a leading citizen of South Worcester, also a prominent Demo- cratic worker. She is a daughter of J. D. Multer, a very successful dairy farmer of this region and a strong Republican and active Methodist. Mrs. Crapser has four sisters, namely: Martha, who is the wife of James Fox; Alice, who is the wife of Thomas Spang- ler; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Bulson; and Rose, who is Mrs. Calvin Butts. Mrs. Crap- ser taught school for some time before her mar- riage. She is a member of the W. C. T. U. and one of the active workers in the church. Mr. Crapser has always been opposed to the liquor traffic, and is exceedingly temperate in all his habits.
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OWARD EATON LOMAX, M. D., the leading physician of New Balti- more, Greene County, N. Y., is a native of the city of Albany, and was born on April 30, 1868, son of John and Martha (Eaton) Lomax. On the paternal side he is
descended from French Protestants, or Hugue- nots, who, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, fled from persecution in their native country to England.
The Doctor's paternal grandfather emigrated from England some time after his marriage, and, settling in Boston, Mass., there engaged in the manufacture of soap and tallow candles. His son John was born in England, but was brought up in Boston, and learned the harness- maker's trade in that city. Nearly forty years ago John Lomax, the Doctor's father, took a position with Holland Terrell, the well-known harness manufacturer of Albany, and is now foreman of the establishment, which is said to be the largest of its kind in the world. He is an active Republican, and he takes a warm interest in all Masonic affairs. Among the Masonic offices he has held may be named the following : Master of Mount Vernon Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1870; secretary of the same for fourteen years; director in the Masonic Relief Association of Albany, and one of its trustees for fifteen years; and secretary of the Masonic Veteran Association for three years. His wife, Martha, was born in Chelsea, Mass. She is a member of the Episcopal church. Of their eight children five are living - Ella, Hattie, Fannie, Howard E., and Edith. Ella is the wife of Harry Knight, of Denver, Col. ; Hattie is the wife of C. W. Forman, of York - town, N. Y. ; Fannie is Mrs. Charles A. Pray, of Lebanon, Me. ; and Edith is principal of the Albany Training School for Teachers.
Dr. Lomax was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888. He subsequently en-
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gaged as a draughtsman in New York City for a year with Gillam, the celebrated cartoonist of Judge. He then entered the Albany Medi- cal College, from which he was graduated in 1892, and he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in this town. Dur- ing his first year in the high school he was awarded a gold medal for excellence in draw- ing, being the first boy and the first Freshman to receive a medal in the history of that school. He still retains much of his early skill with the pencil. The Doctor's course in the medi- cal college was one of distinction. He won two prizes, and at graduation received honor- able mention in three subjects. Since coming here he has built up the largest practice the town has ever known, and is as popular as he is successful. He has been three times vice- president of the Greene County Medical So- ciety, and has written numerous papers and addresses on medical subjects, and some articles for publication in medical journals. He is a devoted student of natural history, and has a fine entomological collection, also an interesting collection of snakes and serpents.
Dr. Lomax is a fine singer and a skilful per- former on the piano, organ, and flute. He began playing the flute in early boyhood, under the instruction of his father, who was a fine flutist and a member of Gilmore's celebrated band when first it was organized. When a boy of only sixteen the Doctor was in demand for orchestras. As he became older his musical ability was of great service to him, enabling him to pay his college expenses. For two seasons he performed on one of the day boats
running from Albany, and in the evenings played in the orchestra at the Leland Opera House. For two seasons he was at Saratoga in the orchestra and for two seasons at the Pros- pect Park House in the Catskills. He has played under all the leading conductors of Albany, and is well known among the musi- cians of that city.
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