USA > New York > Broome County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Broome County, New York. > Part 30
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HARLES A. RIDER, J.P., Postmaster at West Windsor, Broome County, N. Y., was born December 20, 1837, ' in Dutchess County, New York, a son of Gambia and Lois (Alberts) Rider. His grandfather, James Rider, was born in the same county, his parents being early settlers among the Dutch colonists on the shores of the Hudson River. James Rider was a farmer, and an energetic and industrious busi-
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ness man, having every prospect of a success- ful and prosperous career, but, unfortunately, was accidentally killed by falling from a hay- mow when he was but forty-five years of age.
Gambia Rider, who was born in Columbia County in 1806, came to Broome County in the year 1840, and settled in the town of Kirkwood, at that time called Conklin. IIc bought land, and cultivated a farm there until his death, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a respected and popular man in his section. His wife was born in the town of Newburg, Orange County, in 1818. She still lives at Kirkwood. They had eight children, of whom six are living, namely : Charles A., the eldest; Sarah, residing with her mother; Alfred P., of Washington, D.C .; William G., of Windsor; John A., County Treasurer of Broome County, residing in Binghamton; and Jerry, whose home is in Michigan. George died at the age of twenty years, and Frank aged cighteen years.
The subject of this sketch was but three years of age when his parents removed to Kirkwood. He was educated in the district school, and assisted at the home farm until he was twenty years old. He bought his first land, which consisted of about forty acres, in the town of Kirkwood, where he resided for four years; and then, removing to the town of Windsor, he purchased a large farm, which he conducted until 1871, when he engaged in his present mercantile business. Mr. Rider was married in 1861 to Miss Sarah E. Weed, who was born in Kirkwood, daughter of Orrin and Mary (Wilbur) Weed. Her father was
a farmer there for many years, but now, at seventy-six years of age, resides with Mr. Rider. His wife died June 7, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Weed reared three children, two of whom survive, namely: Sarah E., Mrs. Rider; and Egbert, who - lives in the town of Colesville. A daughter, Eva, died at the age of thirty years.
Few men are more busily employed all the year round than Mr. Rider, who is engaged in the winters with his mercantile business and during the summers follows his trades of mason and cooper. He is agent for the Agri- cultural Insurance Company of Watertown, N. Y., and has held the position of Postmaster at West Windsor from 1872, with the excep- tion of one year and ten months. lle is now on his third term as Justice of the Peace, and has been Assessor for twelve years. In 1880 he was Census Enumerator of Windsor, and in 1890 was appointed to the same position by Mr. Joseph Schnell, of Binghamton, Su- pervisor of Census.
Mr. and Mrs. Rider are the parents of three children, namely: George W., residing in Binghamton, a collector for the daily Repub- lican of that city; Fred M., collector for the same paper, residing in Windsor; and Bertha A., living at home. Mr. Rider is a Free and Accepted Mason, belonging to Windsor Lodge, No. 442. He is a zealous and strong adherent of the Republican party, and is one of the most prominent citizens of the town of Windsor. 1Te has always been an active, energetic, and public-spirited resident of his town, and has found time with all his busi-
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ness affairs to be interested in the welfare and progress of the place. The many local offices he has held are proofs sufficient of his popularity, and his influence is ever used judiciously for the benefit of the community.
ILLIAM WEST, a respected resi- dent of the town of Kirkwood, N. Y., an extensive dealer in real estate, was born December 25, 1822, in Ireland, where his parents, William and Ann (Cayles) West, spent all their lives on a farm. There were three children born to them: Thomas and Catherine, who remained in Ireland; and William, who came to this country when about ten years of age with an uncle. They were six weeks on the voyage from Liverpool to Quebec, from which place William finally reached Broome County, where he has resided until now.
In his native country he received his pri- mary education, which he followed up in the district schools in America. Ile began work- ing out by the month, receiving seven dollars per month for his first season's labor. Ile was always industrious, never being out of a place, and so economical that after fifteen years of work he had saved enough to buy himself a farm. He has now for many years been engaged in buying and selling land, and by his excellent judgment in his dealings has secured a comfortable property, so that he is able to spend the remainder of his life in case and plenty. Mr. West takes pride in the fact that he is a self-made man. Dili-
gence and perseverance and strong, willing hands constituted the capital he had to start with; and the resulting prosperity he has gained has been the just reward.
Mr. West was married in his twenty-second year to Miss Julia Lines, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he made his first purchase of land, which con- sisted of thirty acres in the town of Coles- ville, N.Y., where he resided a few years. He then moved to Pennsylvania, and after staying there two years came back to Broome County, where he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. West have had five children, of whom three are now living. They are: Mary, wife of George Simpson, of Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Harriet, wife of Mr. Irving Heath, of the town of Windsor; and Laura, wife of J. C. Broat, of Binghamton. A daughter, Sarah, died at the age of twenty- four; and a son, William Francis, at the age of five years.
Mr. and Mrs. West are among the old set- . tlers of the town of Kirkwood, and are held in the highest regard in the community: Mr. West is a man who is well known among the business men of the city of Binghamton and Broome County as thoroughly reliable . and upright in his transactions. His business of . buying and selling land has brought him into contact with scores of people, who have always been pleased with his honorable and courteous dealings. In their religious views Mr. and Mrs. West are liberal, and, while following the doctrines of morality and re- vealed religion, have not connected them-
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selves with any particular sect. In his politics Mr. West is a Democrat.
EV. SAMUEL D. DAY, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd of Binghamton, N.Y., comes from a long line of New England ancestry, whose founders came at an carly date from the mother country to Connecticut, and were prominent manufacturers and residents of Hartford in that State. It was there that Mr. Day was born, his parents being Denman D. and Elizabeth R. (Gillett) Day, who, with his grandfather, Denman Dewey Day, were well- known and highly respected people. The father afterward moved from Hartford to Windsor Locks, and was there extensively engaged for some years in manufacturing wire. Retired from business, he now makes his home in Waterloo, Ia. The mother also still lives. The family were all Presbyterians.
The son Samuel was sent to the common . schools of Hartford for his primary education, and then took his classical course at Trinity College in that city. Although reared in the strictest tenets of the Presbyterian faith, with its traditions and opinions constituting his natural heritage, on attaining maturity he made his selection of the Episcopal Church, recognizing in it the one best suited to his spiritual needs. Deciding to devote himself to the Christian ministry, to qualify himself to take holy orders he attended the Divinity School at Philadelphia, Pa. He was ordained Deacon in 1867 in Scranton, l'a., and after-
ward elevated to the priesthood in Cedar Rapids, Ia. He officiated at Dundaff, Pa., and in the Second Church of the Evangelist, Philadelphia, as Deacon, and then went as Rector to Waterloo, Ia., where his first work was to build a church. From there he was called to Rockford, Ill., where he remained for twelve years. Ile was next stationed for fifteen years at Brownsville, Pa., as Rector of Christ Church, and then had charge of the Church of the Ascension at Bradford, Pa., until, receiving a call to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton, N. Y., he moved to this city in 1890, succeeding the Rev. Herbert Grabau, who had been trans- ferred to Oswego, N.Y.
On October 10, 1867, the Rev. Mr. Day married Miss Elizabeth G. Finney, daughter of Thomas P. Finney, of Elizabeth, N.J. Mr. Finney has a beautiful country residence at Dundaff, Susquehanna County, Pa., and is a prominent lawyer and land-owner in Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Day were married October 10, 1867. They have one son, Wil- lard Day, a druggist in the Wilkinson Block on Main Street, Binghamton.
The Rev. Samuel D. Day is a most loyal and devoted Churchman. He has improved and beautified the Church of the Good Shep- herd, adding a new sanctuary and tower. An ardent ritualist, he obeys scrupulously every canon, and observes every prescribed devo- tional form of his church, and may be consid- ered the best exponent of the High Church movement in this city. Ile is an eloquent and forcible speaker, and loves the great work
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to which he has consecrated himself. His congregation has increased materially, and from indications will soon require a larger edifice. With the other additions and im- provements he has made to the church prop- erty is a new parish house. The work of the Rev. Mr. Day has already been crowned with honor and blessings in Binghamton, and he possesses in a high degree the esteem of his brother clergymen and the confidence and affection of his people. He is a gentleman of rare social and intellectual qualities, and is in every respect a true Christian pastor.
LIAS M. HUMES, of the firm of Humes & Smith, general grocers in Bingham- ton, has been a member of this firm since its organization in 1886. They first located their store on the corner of Front and Main Streets, beginning in a small way, employing but one elerk and not attempting to do a large business; but under their management, on the principles of honesty, integrity, and fair dealing, as their efforts were duly appre- ciated by the community, the growth was rapid, until they were twice compelled to enlarge. When the Wilkinson Block was erected on the south-west corner of Front and Main Streets, they rented the double store- room on the corner, having it arranged ex- pressly for their use, with ice-boxes and cold storage. In 1892 they removed to these quarters, where they have since remained, having the finest store for the purpose in the city, and fully sustaining their reputation as
a square - dealing firm. They now employ thirteen people, keeping three or four teams busy, and enjoy a liberal patronage, which is well deserved, having been honestly earned.
Mr. Humes was born at Thompson, Conn., December 12, 1852, a son of Hiram and Re- becca (Carpenter) Humes. His father was a carpenter and architect ; and his grandfather, from the same place, subsequently removed to Pawtucket, R.I. They were good citizens and valuable members of society, belonging to the Baptist church, and governed in all their dealings by the standard of truth and justice. E. M. Humes was educated in the public schools. Not having means at his disposal with which to enter business life, he went to Boston, and, finding employment, remained four years. He came next to Bing- hamton, and worked for Lester & Co. two years, and then formed the present partner- .ship. He is a member of Binghamton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a gentleman of pleasing . social qualities. He married Miss Adele . Smith, of Binghamton, April 2, 1884. They have two children, Bernice and Chester. They are members of Tabernacle Church, of which he is Steward.
AMES M. PRICE, a progressive farmer of the town of Kirkwood, belongs to one of the oldest families of Broome County. He was born in the town of Vestal, November 14, 1847, son of George S. and Emily (Tucker) Price. The father, who was also born in Vestal, was of New England
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stock; but the mother came from the town of Lisle in this county. Daniel Price, the grandfather of James, and the great-grand- father, Josiah Price, moved from Connecticut to New York State, and were among the first white settlers of Broome County. They bought land in the town of Vestal, and Daniel Price was at one time the leading farmer and lumberman of that place. He had a family of five sons and one daughter, nearly all of whom reached advanced ages; but only two are now surviving, namely : Joseph, in Monti- cello, la .; Ryas, living in Pennsylvania. lle and his wife died when quite aged in the town of Vestal. They were Presbyterians in religion, and Mr. Price was an old line Whig.
George Price, the father of our subject, who has recently died, was reared in the town of Vestal, but in 1851 came to Binghamton, where he engaged in the business of carting, following this until 1878, when he moved to his rented farm of one hundred and seventy acres in the town of Kirkwood. Here he car- ried on general farming, his principal occupa- tion being dairying, taking especial pride in his full-blooded Jersey and Holstein cattle, of which he had from thirty to forty-five head. Of his four children, three are now living: James M., who occupies the home farm; Jerome E., residing in Windsor; Jessie B., living at home. In his politics Mr. George Price was a Republican.
James M. Price grew to manhood in the city of Binghamton, receiving his education in the public schools. Ilaving a natural in- clination for agricultural pursuits, he early
turned his attention to farming, in which he has ever since been engaged. In 1882 he married Miss Eugenia B. Finch, daughter of Alpheus and Jane (Waterman) Finch, all natives of Binghamton. They have an inter- esting family of three children, as follows: Frank A., born February, 1887; Ella L., born January, 1889; and George O., born in 1891.
Like his parents, Mr. Price is liberal in his religious views; and he follows his father in being a Republican. He belongs to the Order of Red Men at Binghamton, and also to the Patrons of Husbandry.
In 1887 he was elected Supervisor on the Republican ticket in the town of Kirkwood, which ordinarily gives a Democratic majority of from forty to sixty votes. In 1890 Mr. Price was one of the census enumerators, and gave the best satisfaction for the efficient manner in which he conducted his work.
In connection with general farming and the management of a dairy Mr. Price deals exten- sively in Jersey and Holstein cattle. He is one of the progressive young farmers in the town, and keeps everything about his place in first-class order. As a man and a citizen, it may be said that he has well maintained the honorable record made by his ancestors.
E WITT P. BAILEY, M.D., who has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Binghamton since January, 1890, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, N. Y.,
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July 31, 1866. His father, Dr. William T. Bailey, was born April 20, 1828, and is a self-made man, having left home when four- teen years old, educated himself, and made his own way in the world. He read medicine with Dr. Peak, of Cooperstown, and settled at Richfield Springs, where he has since re- mained, though now retired from active prac- tice. He has always taken great interest in the enterprises of his town, is the author of some excellent works descriptive of that neighborhood, among them one called "Rich- field Springs and Vicinity," which met with a considerable sale, and is a work of much merit.
The mother of De Witt was formerly Amelia Peak, daughter of Dr. Peak, of Cooperstown. His paternal grandfather was Roger Bailey, who came from England and settled at Fly Creek, in Otsego County, N. Y., and there remained while he lived. The future wife of the emigrant was a pas- senger in the same boat. The earlier mem- bers of the Bailey family were generally con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which organization they were earnest workers in the good cause. Dr. William Bailey has been for many years a member of the Presbyterian church and a Deacon of the same.
De Witt P. Bailey attended school in his native village, and later went to Hamilton College, receiving a good education. He first read medicine with his father, and subse- quently attended the medical department of - the University of New York, at which insti-
tution he was graduated in the class of 1889. His ability and learning were held in such esteem that he was appointed House Surgeon . and Resident Physician at St. Joseph's Hos- pital, Paterson, N.J., where he remained until coming to Binghamton. Here Dr. Bailey was first associated with Dr. F. I. Stacy, an . old established physician, which partnership continued till the death of the senior mem- ber, when he succeeded to all the practice, and has since been alone, having an extended and increasing patronage.
Dr. De Witt P. Bailey stands high in the medical profession, and, although compara- tively a young man, is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Broome County Ilomœopathic Medical Society, and gives considerable at- tention to the various discussions of the organization, keeping fully abreast with the advanced scientific thought of the times, and being cognizant of the very best methods in medical practice. He was married April 12,' 1893, to Miss Lula French, of. this city. He is a genial, social gentleman, is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and to the Semi- nole Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men.
PRANK S. ANDERSON, attorney and counsellor - at - law, of Binghamton, N. Y., was born at Callicoon Depot, Sullivan County, N. Y., July 11, 1868, son of Judge John F. and Eunice (Shaw) Anderson. Ilis father was one of the old residents of that county, being a son of Joseph Anderson, who
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settled there early in the present century, having moved from New England. John P. Anderson read law in that county, and prac- tised at Callicoon Depot. He was County Judge for two terms, residing during that time, from 1870 till 1882, at Monticello, the county seat, having previously served for one term as District Attorney. He married Miss Shaw; and they are still living in Sullivan County, both being devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Frank S. Anderson pursued his elementary studies first in the schools at Monticello, then at Wallkill Academy at Middletown, N. Y., and finished at the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N.Y. He entered the office of his father in 1886, and read law with him for two years, coming from there to Bing- hamton, N. Y., where he remained in the office of Judge Arms for one year, and was admitted to the bar at the general term held in this city in February of 1890. Hle at once located his office for practice at No. 58 Court Street, Binghamton, N. Y., and has built up for himself a large business, and has a good reputation among his associates of the legal fraternity. He has a general practice, and is considered by the public a sound and reliable lawyer.
On June 28, 1891, Mr. Anderson married Miss Annie Shultz, of Binghamton. They have one child, Helen, and are attendants and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Anderson is a Free and Accepted Mason, belonging to Otseningo Lodge and the Bing- hamton Chapter. He is also prominent in
the Order of Red Men, and, being of the Democratic political faith, has done consider- able work for the campaign committee.
UGENE HALL, one of the successful agriculturists of Broome County, is living on his farm of one hundred and four- teen acres in the town of Lisle, where he set- tled in 1878. He has improved upon the methods practised by his people in the years gone by, and makes the work less arduous, so that, instead of a life of drudgery with small returns, it becomes a life of pleasure with rich reward.
He was born in the State of Connecticut in 1851, and in his infancy was brought by his father, William F. Hall, to Texas, in the town of Marathon, Cortland County, N. Y. His parents were both natives of Connecticut. His father died in Cortland County in 1864, at the age of fifty-five years, leaving a widow, Calsine Penoyer ITall, who died January 4, 1892. . Mr. and Mrs. Ilall brought up two children, Eugene and his sister Josephine, now the wife of George W. Cook, living at Windsor, Broome County. Eugene Hall had also one half - brother and one half - sister: Emma A., wife of Martin Maricle, now liv- ing in this State; and Charles E., living at Stamford, Conn. The mother of these chil- dren was Mr. Hall's first wife, whose maiden name was Miranda Purdy. She died in mid- dle life in Connecticut.
The subject of this sketch, who was edu- cated in the district school and the academy
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at Marathon, was married December 6, 1876, to Augusta Schermerhorn, a daughter of lliram and Pamelia (Caul) Schermerhorn: Her parents were also Connecticut people, and the father a cloth-dresser by trade, which occupation he followed much of his life, hav- ing a mill at Schodack in Rensselaer County. He came to this county about the year 1856, and engaged in farming near Killawog for some years before his death, which occurred in 1865, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife survived him, a widow for seventeen years, and died April 10, 1882, when seventy years old. They were the parents of four children : Charles, who died when forty-seven years old in 1882, leaving a family; George, who resides in Lincoln, Neb. ; Mary, wife of Watson Lynde, of Killawog; and Augusta, Mrs. Hall.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall first managed a farm adjoining the one now occupied by them. They have buried one infant daughter, and have one fine boy, three years old, named Glenn Hall, who was born December 21 ;. 1890. Mr. Hall was early accustomed to farm work; and the habits of industry, thor- oughness, and thrift formed in youth have been of use to him in later life. At the present time he is keeping eighteen cows, and sells his milk for the New York market. Socially, he is a pleasant gentleman, inclined to make the best of life, without borrowing trouble. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is not, however, a partisan in a strict sense, and recognizes the fact that organizations sometimes make mis-
takes, but believes in the fundamental princi- ples of that party as enunciated in their national platforms. Ile desires the greatest possible good to the largest number, and be- lieves that individual selfish motives should not be permitted to control legislation to the detriment of the great majority.
HARLES P. RADEKER, Treasurer of the city of Binghamton, N.Y., to which office he was elected in Feb- ruary of 1893, is a native of Colchester, Del- aware County, N. Y., and was born there January 3, 1843, son of Barna and Elizabeth (Fuller) Radeker. Barna Radeker was one of the oldest residents of Delaware County, his father, Jacob Radeker, having been a pio- neer settler there from Orange County, near Newburg, N. Y. The land that Jacob Rade- ker bought at Colchester was all a virgin wilderness, which he had to clear to make his farm and build a home. He died at that place.
His son Barna was an extensive farmer and lumberman, and at one time owned at Col- chester three saw-mills, a store, and a large farm. He remained in business until the time of his death, which occurred November. 25, 1891. Ile was born in 1805, and was eighty-six years old when he died. He held the office of Supervisor for a great number of years, and was also Under-sheriff of Delaware County several years. He was a Democrat during the war, but afterward became a Re- publican. Mr. and Mrs. Barna Radeker were
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CHARLES P. RADEKER
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attendants of the Presbyterian church, of which the mother was a strict member. Mrs. Radeker was a daughter of Joseph Fuller, who removed to Colchester from Connecticut about the time she was born. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Radeker, viz .: Bolivar, who resides at the old homestead, and was for many years Cashier of the Deposit National Bank; Elbridge, living in Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Sarah M. Shafer, living at Andes, N. Y .; Milo, a resident of Colchester; Barna E., a Coroner of Broome County, and a prac- tising physician in Deposit; and Charles P. These six named are all of the children now living.
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Charles P. Radeker in his youth pursued his studies successively at Colchester, at the academy at Deposit, and at Delhi, N. Y. He had barely attained his majority when the tocsin of war called the patriotic men of the country to its defence; and, although not of age to bear arms, the fires of patriotism burned. too strongly in his breast to allow ' him to remain a laggard, and so it came about that in August of 1862 he laid aside his school-books and enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, and October 11, 1862, marched with them to defend the city of Washington, D.C. His company was as- signed to the Third Brigade, Abercrombie's Division, Twenty-second Corps, February, 1863; in the Third (Hughton's) Brigade, Gurney's Division, Department of Virginia, from April, 1863; in First Brigade, Gordon's Division of Seventh Corps, from May, 1863;
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