USA > New York > Schoharie County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 40
USA > New York > Schenectady County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 40
USA > New York > Greene County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Schenectady, Schoharie and Green counties, New York > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Almon Mann was born in Berne, N. Y., but removed with his parents to Fulton when a boy, and was there reared to man's estate. After completing his education, he worked as a farm laborer until ready to settle in life, when he bought land, which he cultivated some years. Prior to his death, however, at the age of sixty-six years, he removed to the village of Breakabeen. A consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he held many of the offices in that organization, and was connected with its Sunday-school. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Chapman,
is living at Breakabeen, an active woman of sixty-four years. She was born in Fulton, the daughter of Jacob Chapman. She is a sister of William W. Chapman, whose sketch may be found on another page of this volume. She has twelve children, as follows: Alice, living in Amsterdam ; Jacob H., who has been School Commissioner of Schoharie nine years; Theron H. ; Charles; Rose E .; Wellington; Lilly; Irving ; Julia; Hattie; Josiah; and Manley B.
Charles Mann acquired his early education in Fulton and Middleburg. After leaving the parental roof he made his home with an uncle, and for three or more terms taught school, a part of the time being thus employed in Rich- mondville. On marrying he bought and took possession of his present farm of one hundred and fifty acres, formerly known as the Burgh farm, where he has since been profitably en- gaged in general farming and dairying. In the latter industry he is very successful, hav- ing a well-selected herd of Guernsey and Jersey cattle. On the estate he has made improve- ments of an excellent character, having brought the larger part of the land to a high state of cultivation, erected nearly all the buildings on the place, and furnished it with the latest ap- proved modern farm machinery and imple- ments. He has built a silo, which he con- siders a good investment for a dairy farmer, and he uses a separator in his dairy. Mr. Mann reads the leading journals devoted to agriculture, and he is himself a frequent con- tributor to the home and agricultural depart- ments of various papers, including the New York Homestead and the Utica Press. He is
428
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
an active member of the New York State Grange, in which he has served as lecturer several terms. In July, 1898, he passed the required examinations for a milk expert in Albany. In politics he is an unswerving Democrat, and has been nominated as Assessor. A valued member of the Lutheran Church of Breakabeen, he has held the position of treas- urer and secretary, and for many years has been superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with it.
In 1879 Mr. Mann married Miss Bertha Ter- pening, who was born in Princetown, Schenec- tady County, daughter of Henry H. Terpening, a farmer of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Mann have four children.
TANTON OSTERHOUT,* one of the stirring farmers of Carlisle, Schoharie County, was born in this town, May 20, 1852, son of Jacob and Betsey E. (Kniskern) Osterhout. His paternal grand- father, Abraham Osterhout, a native of Hol- land, immigrated to New York when young, and coming from Dutchess County, this State, to West Carlisle, settled upon a tract of land containing about two hundred and fifty acres. A sturdy pioneer, he improved his land into a good farm, and he took an active part in the affairs of the Dutch Reformed church in his neighborhood. He was twice married, and by both of his wives had children. Those of his second union were: Jacob A., George, Chauney, Sarah, and Catherine. George, who was quite active in political affairs, died in
1862, aged forty-five years. Chauncy, who was engaged in business in Cobleskill, died in 1872. Sarah is the widow of David P. Brown. Catherine, who married J. J. Brown, died in 1878.
Jacob A. Osterhout, Stanton Osterhout's father, was a lifelong resident of Carlisle. After his father's death he and one of his brothers bought the homestead. He was one of the first farmers in the town to engage in the raising of hops, which he produced quite extensively, and he also made a specialty of hay and grain. He owned about four hundred acres of land. He was prominent and influen- tial in town and county politics, took a con- spicuous part in the various conventions, but would not accept office. His religious prefer- ence was for the Dutch Reformed church. He was the father of seven children, namely : Josiah; Stanton, the subject of this sketch; Wilson ; Alfred; Albert ; Elmira ; and Melissa. Josiah died at the age of eighteen; Melissa married Daniel Mickle; Elmira married Aaron Young; Alfred is residing at the home- stead; and the others are engaged in farming in this town.
Stanton Osterhout was educated in the dis- trict school. He assisted his father in farm- ing until after his marriage, when he purchased the property known as the Young estate, which was formerly owned by his father. This farm, which originally consisted of one hundred and fifty-five acres, he has enlarged by the addition of adjoining land. He divides his time between dairy farming and the cultivation of hops. He keeps from twenty-five to thirty head of
429
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Holstein cattle, besides other blooded stock, and is a member of the American Holstein Association.
He has served as Supervisor for at least two terms, was chairman of the Committees on Printing, Town Accounts, and Equalization, and by judicious management succeeded in making a considerable reduction in public ex- penditures. He has served as Highway Com- missioner one year, and upon the Democratic County Committee several terms. He was instrumental in establishing the Farmers' In- surance Company of Seward, Carlisle, and Cobleskill; was one of the organizers, and is director and treasurer, of the Hop Insurance Company; is local agent for the Sharon, Car- lisle, and Seward Insurance companies, and for the hop company.
Mr. Osterhout married Josephine Hilsinger, daughter of William Hilsinger. They have had three children - Orson, Elva, and Emory. Elva married Homer Karher. Orson died July II, 1891, aged twenty years and seven months.
Mr. Osterhout belongs to Cobleskill Lodge, No. 394, is vice-president of the local agricult- ural society, a charter member of the grange, and a member of other organizations. He at- tends the Dutch Reformed church, but contrib- utes liberally toward the support of other relig- ious denominations.
OSEPH B. GRAHAM,* ex-Mayor of Schenectady, N. Y., was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence County, this State, September 27, 1830, son of William
and Janet (Fairbairn) Graham. His father was born in Wigton, near Carlisle, England, June 6, 1806, and his mother was a native of Scotland.
Joseph Graham, the grandfather of Joseph B., was born in Wigton about the year 1767. He was a saddler by trade, and carried on busi- ness there until meeting with reverses. In April, 1819, he sailed from Liverpool with his wife and eleven children, landing at Que- bec in the following June. With his small means he purchased a tract of wild land in Wilna, Jefferson County, N. Y., and with the assistance of his five sturdy sons he cleared a good farm, upon which he resided for the rest of his life. He died in 1841, and his wife, who survived him, died in Lowville, N. Y., on her eightieth birthday, while visiting her daughter. They had five sons and six daugh- ters. One of the latter, who was taken ill while on the passage from England, died soon after landing. The first and third sons set- tled near St. Catherine's, Canada. The others located in this State, married, and reared large families. All lived to an ad- vanced age, and Margaret, the youngest, died in Carthage, N. Y., at the age of eighty years. The grandparents were members of the Church of England, but, through the influence of the itinerant Methodist preachers who visited the outlying districts in those early days, their children were converted to that faith.
William Graham, the father, was educated in England, and was an apt scholar, especially in mathematics. When nineteen years old he began teaching school in the Scotch settle-
430
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ment near Wilna, but his principal business was the furnishing of plans and specifications to contractors for heavy mason work, bridge building, and so forth. He was a highly in- telligent, well-read man, particularly fond of biography and history, and is said to have predicted that slavery in the South would ul- timately cause a civil war. He died No- vember 3, 1858. Jeanette, his first wife, whom he married in 1829, was a daughter of James and Mary (Bell) Fairbairn, who came from the neighborhood of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1818, and settled in Rossie, N. Y. They were industrious farming people and sturdy pioneers. They reared one son and five daughters. William Graham by his first mar- riage was the father of eight children, of whom Joseph B., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. All are living except James, the second-born, who died suddenly in May, 1894, aged sixty-two years, leaving two chil- dren. The mother died in 1852, aged forty- two years. By a second marriage William Graham had three daughters.
Joseph B. Graham resided with his mater- nal grandparents from his fifth to his tenth year, and, as they spoke the Scotch dialect, he learned it to perfection. He began his edu- cation in the district schools, and was fitted for college at the Wesleyan Seminary, Gouverneur, N. Y. In order to procure funds for the completion of his studies. he taught in the common schools until 1854, when he en- tered Union College, where he was graduated with honors in 1858. After teaching classics and mathematics at the Stillwater Academy
for a time, he came to Schenectady, and in company with Mr. F. A. Young was engaged for the succeeding eight years in mercantile business, dealing in books, stationery, wall papers, pianofortes, and other musical instru- ments. Selling his interest to his partner, he was out of business for about six years, and then engaged in the dry-goods trade as a mem- ber of the firm of T. H. Reeves & Co., from which he withdrew some seven years later. He was for a number of years extensively en- gaged in the real estate business, and, al- though his activity in that line has somewhat diminished of late, he still owns a large amount of valuable city property, which is oc- cupied by thirty or more tenants. He resides in a substantial house at 6 Nott Terrace, which he built twenty-seven years ago.
Mr. Graham is a director of the Union Na- tional Bank. In 1879 he became a member of the Mutual Relief Society, under certifi- cate No. 212; he was a member of its Board of Directors for six years; was chairman of the Reserve Fund Committee and of the com- mittee appointed to revise the by-laws; and at the annual convention in 1883 he was unanimously elected vice - president. His connection with the society has been marked by an unusually clear conception of and a conscientious regard for its business inter- ests, and he is considered one of its most val- ued officials. He was twice elected to the Common Council, has been a member of the Boards of Health and Education, and as Mayor of the city in 1879-80 he managed the municipal affairs in a business-like manner.
431
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
On August 8, 1858, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Cornelia L. White, of this county, daughter of Andrew and Cornelia (De Forest) White. Her father was a native of the north of Ireland, and her mother be- longed to an old Dutch family of this city. She died in 1878, and in 1880 he married for his second wife Sarah E. Hagaman, also of a well - known Dutch family, daughter of Joseph J. and Elizabeth M. Hagaman. He was the father of three children by his first union, namely : Jennie, who died at the age of five; William, who died at the age of one year and six months; and Edward White Graham, who married Abbie Craver, and is now residing in Denver, Col. One child, . Mary Hagaman, by his second marriage, is living with her parents.
Mr. Graham is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served in an official capacity. He was prom- inently identified with the building of the present edifice, which was completed in 1874, at a cost of eighty thousand dollars, and is a liberal contributor toward its support. He is a member of Union College Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society; has been a trustee of the Troy Conference Academy, Poultney, Vt., continuously since 1874; and has been president of the board since 1878. He pos- sesses and highly prizes a small writing-desk which was purchased in England for five guineas by his grandfather, who in April, 1819, gave it to his son William. In it are some rare specimens of drawings executed by his father when a lad of thirteen years, and
also some letters received from the father by the son while in college. Mr. Graham re- ceived this heirloom from his father in No- vember, 1858, just before his father's death.
AMES C. McWILLIAMS,* an able farmer and enterprising insurance agent of Prattsville, was born in Kortright, Delaware County, August 4, 1845, son of Jo- seph S. and Mary Ann (Kilpatrick) McWill- iams. His parents were both natives of that town, and he is of Scotch descent. Joseph S. McWilliams learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until turning his attention to farming; and he was engaged in the latter occupation at the time of his death, which occurred October 27, 1869, at the age of fifty- seven years. He was an upright, conscien- tious man, who possessed considerable natural ability, and he acquired success in his calling. In politics he was a Republican. He and his wife, Mary Ann McWilliams, were members of the Presbyterian church. They had two sons : John B., who is no longer living; and James C., the subject of this sketch. The mother died May 19, 1890, aged seventy-four years. John B. McWilliams enlisted for service in the Civil War while under age, and was re- jected on that account, but when old enough he re-enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, New York Volun- teers, of which he became Orderly Sergeant. He died in the army at the age of twenty-one years.
James C. McWilliams started in life for
432
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
himself at the age of sixteen as clerk in the general store of G. C. Fenn, with whom he re- mained four years. After residing at Red Falls, N. Y., for a time, he became a travelling salesman for a Utica cigar firm, and a year later he went to New York City, where he se- cured a clerkship in a dry-goods store. He was subsequently in the employ of J. S. Con- over, dealer in grates and fenders. After re- siding in the metropolis about five years, he came to Prattsville, where for the next seven years he was engaged in the cooperage busi- ness. Selling out in 1893, he was placed in charge of the post-office, and, being appointed Postmaster by l'resident Cleveland, he contin- ued to serve the community in that capacity until 1897. 1Ie is now local agent for several large insurance companies; and he also carries on a small farm, which he devotes to market gardening. He is quite extensively engaged in raising bees, and sells a large quantity of honey annually. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He has been a Justice of the Peace for twelve consecutive years, was for a number of years Inspector of Elections, served two terms on the special license board, and was nomi- nated by his party for the presidency of the village, which he declined to accept. He is sincerely esteemed as a high-minded, public- spirited citizen.
In 1869 Mr. MeWilliams was united in marriage with Elizabeth Decker, his first wife, a native of Roxbury, N. Y., daughter of Lorin and Sally Ann Decker. Mr. Decker was a prosperous farmer and a life-long resident of that town. She died, leaving one son, Will-
iam J., a farmer and market gardener, who married Mary Churchill. For his second wife Mr. James C. MeWilliams married Ella Miller, a native of Cairo, N. Y., daughter of Seymour Miller. Her father was for years a widely-known hotel-keeper. At one time he was proprietor of the P'rattsville House; and, previous to coming here, he kept hotels in Cairo, Windham, and other places. The chil- dren of this union are James E. and Marie.
Mr. MeWilliams was made a Mason over thirty years ago, and is now one of the leading members of Oasis Lodge, in which he has oc- cupied all the important chairs, having been its Worshipful Master for six years in succes- sion. The family attend the Methodist Epis- copal church.
HARLES K. FRAZIER, M.D.,* an able and progressive physician of Cobleskill, Schoharie County, was born in this town, October 17, 1850. He is the son of the late Dr. David Frazier, who was here engaged in the practice of medicine for forty-seven consecutive years. His great- grandfather Frazier came to Cobleskill from Germany in 1776, being one of the early set- tlers of this part of the county. He was here engaged as a tiller of the soil the remainder of his days, and here his son John, the father of the elder Doctor, was born and reared. John Frazier was born in that part of Cobleskill that is now known as Richmondville, and, having succeeded to the occupation of his father, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits
433
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
throughout the active period of his life of seventy-eight years.
David Frazier obtained his elementary edu- cation in the common schools of this town, and was graduated from the Schoharie and Albany Medical Schools. Settling in Cobleskill, he practised his profession with unusual success, having an extensive patronage, and being by far the best-known physician within a radius of twenty miles. He was very influential in local affairs, and besides being one of the members of the first Board of Town Trustees, a position which he filled several years, and Supervisor of the town three terms, he was superintendent of schools a number of years, and also Coroner. In politics he was true to the principles in which he was reared, and zealously supported the Democratic party. He died in 1894, aged seventy-five years. His wife, Susanna Jenkins, was born and educated in Dover, England, from whence she came with her parents to New York State when a girl. She died September 25, 1897, aged eighty-three years, leaving three children, namely: Eliza- beth; Charles K., the special subject of this sketch ; and Frances, wife of the Rev. George Muller. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church.
Charles K. Frazier received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Cobleskill, and after taking a course of study at the Albany Academy he read medicine a while with his father and with Dr. Armsby, of Albany. He was graduated from the Albany Medical Col- lege in 1873, and spent his first year of prac- tice in Albany. He subsequently practised
two years each in Waverly, Tioga County, N. Y., and Big Flats, Chemung County, not far from Elmira. In 1878 he returned to Cobleskill, and in the time that has since in- tervened he has built up a large and lucrative practice.
He is a sound Democrat, and was formerly quite active in political circles and a regular attendant of primaries and local conventions. In 1877 he was a delegate to the State conven- tion that nominated Horatio Seymour for gov- ernor, and which, on Seymour's refusal of the proffered chair, reconvened at Saratoga, and nominated Robinson, the successful candidate. He has served as Town Clerk, and, having been appointed Coroner to fill out an unex- pired term by his old-time friend, Governor David B. Hill, he has since held the position, having been re-elected for a term of four years in 1891 and again re-elected for another term in 1895. He is a member of the Schoharie Medical Society, and since 1895 has been its president.
In 1874 Dr. Frazier married Miss Rosalia L. Camp, daughter of Nathan Camp, a promi- nent citizen of Campville, Tioga County, where he still resides. Dr. and Mrs. Frazier have one child, Nellie.
RS. MARY J. MULFORD,* pro- prietor of the Mountain Summit House, Tannersville, is a native of New York City. Her parents, John and Mary (Corson) Braden, were natives of Ire- land, but came to America prior to their mar-
434
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
riage. Arriving in New York at the age of nineteen, her father secured a position in a store. He subsequently came to Tannersville in the employ of the Edwards Tannery Com- pany, remaining with that concern until it went out of business. After following various occupations, Mr. Braden turned his attention to farming, upon the property now owned and occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Mulford. Ilis death occurred here at the age of seventy years. To him and his wife, Mary, were born three children - Margaret, Elizabeth, and Mary J., the subject of this sketch. Margaret resides with her sister in Hunter; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Stewart, is living in Sullivan County. The mother died at sixty- seven. The parents were Presbyterians.
Mary J. Braden in her girlhood attended the common schools, acquiring therein a practical knowledge of several branches of study, which have since been useful to her in a business way. In 1868 she became the wife of Samuel S. Mulford, who was born in Harpersfield, Delaware County, son of a prosperous farmer of the same name. Mr. Mulford was well ed- ucated, and when a young man he taught schools in Delaware, Schoharie, and Greene Counties. After his marriage he was engaged in the hotel business in Cairo, this county, for a short time, and, going from that town to Gilboa, Schoharie County, he conducted a stage line plying between Windham and Cats- kill. Relinquishing the latter enterprise, he came to Hunter, where he began the improve- ment of the Braden farm for summer resort purposes by first removing the old dwelling,
which he replaced with a more commodious building containing accommodations for a number of guests. The success of the venture made necessary an enlargement of the house, the addition being completed in 1891, the year in which he died. He was then fifty-six years old. Mr. Mulford was widely and favorably known throughout this section as an ahle busi- ness man and a public-spirited citizen, ever displaying an active interest in the political, moral, and religious welfare of the commu- nity. He served as a Supervisor for a number of years, was School Commissioner for two terms of two years cach, and he was an earnest supporter of the Democratic party. His judg- ment in public affairs was much sought after and followed. Perceiving the need of a per- manent religious organization in this village, he was mainly instrumental in causing one to be established, subscribing liberally toward the erection of a church. He was a member of the Masonic order, and had occupied some of the important chairs in the Blue Lodge at Sau- gerties. Samuel S. Mulford was the father of three children, namely : William, Maud, and Francis, all of whom are now assisting in carrying on the hotel. William married Carrie McGee, and has four children.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Mul- ford became manager as well as proprietor of the hotel, and in these capacities has displayed her ability by successfully conducting both the business and domestic departments. The Mountain Summit House, which is a pleasant and healthful summer home, occupies a sightly location upon elevated ground. It has ample
435
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
accommodations for two hundred guests, and that their comforts are well provided for is manifested by the large number who enjoy its hospitality during the summer and autumn months. Though not a member of any relig- ious denomination, Mrs. Mulford is a generous contributor toward the support of religious work. She is highly esteemed for her many estimable qualities.
SCAR H. SHANNON,* a Civil War veteran, was born in Schenectady, where he now resides, August 29, 1848, son of Thomas T. and Lucy C. (Geer) Shannon. The father was a native of Glen- ville, N. Y. His great-grandfather Shannon, and his great-grandfather Tull served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.
Having completed his education, Oscar H. Shannon at the age of fifteen enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Regiment, New York Volun- teers, with which he served until the close of the Rebellion, and participated in the siege of Petersburg. After his discharge he went to sea as engineer's storekeeper on the steam- ship "Henry Chauncy," and was absent about one year, during which time he visited South America. Upon his return to Schenectady he served an apprenticeship at the tinsmith's trade, which he followed as a journeyman pre- vious to opening an establishment on his own account, and he subsequently carried on a suc- cessful business for about fifteen years. Join- ing the National Guard, he served for some
time as Lieutenant in a company of the Eighty-third Regiment, and assisted in organ- izing two other companies, one of which, the Washburn Continentals, formerly the Stanford Hose Company, withdrew in a body from the Schenectady Fire Department to become the Stanford Cadets. He was promoted from the rank of First Lieutenant to that of Captain of the company, and its present name was sug- gested by him. The Washburn Continentals were mustered into the National Guard during the war with Spain as Company F, Second Regiment. He was also one of the principal organizers of a company composed entirely of Civil War veterans, which flourished for a time as originally made up; but the veterans were compelled by old age to withdraw one by one, and their places were filled by young re- cruits. This company, of which he was First Lieutenant for five years, was mustered into service during the late war as Company E, Second Regiment.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.