USA > New York > Broome County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Broome County, New York. > Part 33
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The city directory of Binghamton for 1892 and 1893 was published by Mr. Anthony. It is a carefully compiled volume of seven bun-
dred and twenty-four pages, and has received excellent support and commendations of the citizens. He also publishes the directories for Portland and Bangor, Me. ; Haverhill, Mass .; Meriden and New Haven, Conn .; Youngstown, Ohio; Auburn, N. Y .; Will- iamsport, Pa. ; and many other places. Mr. .. Anthony is an enterprising and energetic man, and has faithfully earned the excellent , success which has followed all his under- takings.
OHN P. McHALE, proprietor of the Revere House, situated at No. 35 De- Russey Street, Binghamton, N. Y., was born at Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, Pa., October 2, 1852, son of Michael and Bridget (Kennedy) McHale. His father was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country when he was but twenty years of age. He continued working for the railroad company for many years, and is now living retired 'at Oliphant, Pa.
Being but seven years old when the family moved to Oliphant, John was educated at the public schools of that town. After leaving school, he learned the trade of stationary en- gineer or engine-driver, and later engaged in coal-mining at Oliphant, Scranton, Wilkes- barre, Pa., and elsewhere. He was subse- quently engaged temporarily in other kinds of business, not finding any that he cared to con- tinue long till he moved to Binghamton, March 25, 1886. Here he leased' a hotel at the corner of DeRussey Street and Conklin Avenue, which he occupied until 1890, when
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he built the present block, forty-eight by sixty, corner of DeRussey and Gifford Streets. This is a substantial three-story frame build- ing, having the upper floors fitted up nicely for sleeping and dining rooms.
While residing in Oliphant, Mr. McHale was Chief Burgess of the town for the year 1879, which office is similar to that of Mayor in a city. Also, in 1877 and 1878, he was School Director on the first Board of the Bor- ough, which is equal to School Commis- sioner; and from 1884 to 1886 was President of the Board, resigning in the spring of 1886 on account of removal from the district. When he was first elected to that position, the school property was valued at less than one thousand dollars; but on his removal to Bing- hamton, after having managed it for a few years, it was found that by his careful admin- istration its value had increased to over twenty thousand dollars. One of the most praiseworthy enterprises in connection with this work was the starting of three night . schools in Oliphant, which continued for four months of the year, and were for the benefit of children who had to work during the day.
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Mr. Mellale married Miss Kate Murray, of Binghamton; and two children constitute their family -- namely, John P., Jr., and Irene. The family are all strict members of the Catholic church, and are attendants at St. Mary's. A man of such energy and progress could not long remain unknown or unsought, even though among strangers; and very soon Mr. McHale became an active factor in city politics, and was elected Alderman for the
Fifth Ward in Binghamton in the spring of IS90, and was appointed on several important special committees. Ile is a member of Chickasaw Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, having passed through all of the chairs, and is Acting l'rophet of the organization of Past Sachems.
AMES F. DOYLE, associate partner in the Exchange Hotel at Binghamton, N. Y., was born in Montrose, Susque- hanna County, Pa., November 17, 1867. His parents, John and Mary (Balfe) Doyle, both natives of Ireland, came to America in 1865. The father long held an important position in a glass factory in Montrose, where he and his wife still reside. They have a family of four sons and four daughters.
The boyhood days of James, who was the eldest child, were spent at Montrose; and he : was educated in the academy of that place. He started out to work for himself at the age of fourteen years, first engaging in the dry- goods and clothing store of M. S. Dessauer in Montrose. Mr. Doyle remained with this firm for seven years, and by his strict atten- tion to business made himself very valuable to his employer. He next engaged in the Lackawanna Valley House, where he stayed five years, making many friends by his cour- tesy and obligingness. He then moved to the city of Binghamton, and entered into partnership with Mr. II. E. Van Fleet in con- ducting the Exchange llotel, one of the best known public-houses in this city. In Sep- tember of '93 Mr. Michael T. Garvey bought
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the interest of Mr. Van Fleet, and the firm name now is Doyle & Garvey.
. Mr. Doyle is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, well fitted for the position he holds, and by his tactful consideration makes every guest feel himself perfectly at home. Hle and his partner are young men of sterling qualities, and their excellent management of the Exchange Hotel is a matter of much com- mendation by the citizens of Binghamton. The hotel is situated on the most desirable street in the city, and can easily accommodate one hundred and fifty guests. Mr. Doyle is as yet unmarried. In his religious views he is a devoted member of the Catholic church, and, politically, always supports the nominees of the Democratic party. Mr. Doyle illus- trates in his life the triumph of industry stim- ulated by worthy ambition. At the age when many boys are enjoying youthful sports and the advantages of the higher education he began the work of life. His success is shown in the position of usefulness and indepen- dence which he has attained.
OHN H. COPELAND and LEWIS H. HARRIS, of Binghamton, N. Y., have been since 1884 connected in the busi- ness of custom and ready-made clothing. Mr. Copeland was born at Chenango Forks, Broome County, N. Y., February 14, 1855, son of Lorenzo and Eunice (Holland) Cope- land. llis father was born at Copeland Hill, near Albany, which, as the name indicates, was the old home of his ancestors ever since
they came to this country from Scotland, where they were prominent gentry, having not only their own coat-of-arms, but their indi- vidual plaid, which marked their clan.
Lorenzo, who was a carpenter and wagon- maker, came with his father, George Cope- land, to Chenango Forks, where they were the very earliest pioneers. George was a large land-owner. Ile fought in the War of 1812; and a sword belonging to him and still in the family would indicate that he had been an officer, but of just what rank the records do not show. He was a Free and Accepted Mason in high standing. After Lorenzo Copeland had received his education at Che- nango Forks, he became a contractor and builder, and conducted a carriage and wagon shop all his life. llis wife was born in Mer- iden, Conn., daughter of Joseph Holland, who came to Broome County, New York, to reside near Whitney's Point, and was a cooper by trade. There were three children born to Lorenzo and Eunice Copeland, namely : Har- riet, wife of HI. Whitbeck, of Chenango Forks; IT. Powell, of the same place; and John H., the youngest. The father died in 1884, at the age of fifty-eight ; and the mother still survives.
Educated in the common schools of Che- " nango Forks, John remained at his home until the age of twenty-one, when he came to Bing- hamton, and entered the merchant-tailoring establishment of Jacob Scheffers, where he .. learned the trade, becoming skilled in the art of cutting. This was in 1880; and soon after he formed the partnership with Lewis H.
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Ilarris, which has been carried on success- fully ever since. Mr. Copeland has travelled largely through the West, and about three years ago made an extensive tour in Europe. In company with Mr. Harris he built the beautiful residence, No. 186 Main Street, Binghamton, N. Y., which is known as the "castle," and is a striking representation of
an English castle of the Tudor period. It is an imposing mansion, with its battlements, towers, and even its miniature moat, and is always a point of special attraction for the railway passengers coming into the city from the West. The exquisite wood-carving was done by Mr. Copeland, who is an expert in that art, having learned it for his own amuse- ment. If the exterior of this house looks ancient and weather-beaten, the interior is a most striking contrast. Pictures, statuary, elegant furniture, and every modern appliance for comfort and luxury have been provided for these two bachelors, who seem to have settled . down to live their lives for each other. In this delightful home Messrs. Copeland and Harris give elegant entertainments, and no more popular hosts are found in the city of Binghamton
Lewis HI. Harris, the associate member of the firm of Copeland & Harris, was born in New York City, January 14, 1858, son of Pincus and Rose (Solomon) Harris. His father was born in Germany, but when a young man emigrated to New York City, where he went into the clothing business on A Street. He remained in that city until 1878, and then, removing to Syracuse, N. Y.,
there retired from active affairs, having real- ized a fortune ample enough to spend the remainder of his days in case and quiet. Mrs. Harris was born in Poland, and was a young lady when she came from her native land to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Harris reared a family of six children, Lewis being the second born.
He was educated in the city of New York and at the public schools of Herkimer, in- cluding the high school, after which he learned the trade of tinsmith, and also galvan- ized iron work, at Syracuse. But he did not follow these trades, preferring the clothing business, in which he engaged with Mr. W. A. Arnold for one season in Syracuse. He then came to Binghamton, and entered the employment of Mr. 1. I. Goldsmith, clothing merchant, for whom he worked five years. In 1879 Mr. Harris became manager of the famous "66" clothing store, in which he con- tinued for one year, and then formed the pres- ent partnership with Mr. J. 11. Copeland, under the firm name of Copeland & Harris. They have an extensive business, dealing in men's, youths', boys', and children's cloth- ing, and gentlemen's furnishing goods, and doing merchant tailoring. For this latter work Mr. Copeland is the cutter, Mr. Harris the buyer for the firm. They also carry on a shoe-store at No. 74 Court Street, which they bought out in 1891.
For twelve years Mr. Harris and his friend, Mr. Copeland, have been associated, both in domestic and business life. Together they built their elegant residence, the "castle," on
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Main Street; and still their bonds of broth- erly affection are as firm to-day as when at first they joined their fortunes. They are commonly spoken of as a pair like David and Jonathan or Damon and Pythias of the classic story. Mr. Harris is a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men; also of the Legion of Honor, as is his friend, Mr. Copeland. In the Fire Department Mr. Harris is promi- nently connected with Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company. These gentlemen, whose sketches appear under one head, are public- spirited and enterprising citizens, and have shown their appreciation of the city of their adoption by adding to its beauty their hand- some residence.
ENRY P. ALDEN, a farmer and a public-spirited citizen of the town of Kirkwood, Broome County, was born in the town of Windsor, N. Y., February 12, 1826, son of Barnabas Alden, a native of Massachusetts. His paternal grandfather, who was also a native of the Bay State, and was married and owned a farm there, moved to Broome County in 1798, settling in the town of Windsor. "The journey was made by ox-team, and literally he had to cut his road- way through the forest. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, and erected at first a rough log cabin. His table was well supplied with wild game, which was in great plenty around his home; and the corn and wheat raised on the farm, ground in the primi- tive home-made mill of the hollowed stump,
gave the family their daily bread. He was very patriotic; and, living in the period directly following the Revolution, he took a great interest in military matters, and was a Captain in the State militia. ITe was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Of the nine children reared by them, only one is now alive, Benjamin F. Alden, who resides on the old homestead in Windsor, N.Y.
Barnabas Alden was one of the progressive farmers of the town of Windsor. He had a wide circle of friends, and was highly es- teemed. In his latter years he was engaged in mercantile business. He died in Windsor at the age of sixty-three years.
Ilis wife, Margaret Snyder, of this State, lived to the age of ninety-two years and five months. She was a good and earnest Chris- tian woman, and was a Baptist in her relig- ious profession. Of their nine children, eight are now living, namely: Eliza Jane, wife of James Chaffee, residing in the town of . Windsor; Timothy P. and Mrs. Mary Chase, living in .Binghamton, N. Y .; Henry P., of Kirkwood; John C., of Union, N.Y .; Lydia, Mrs. John L. Reynolds, of Colesville, N.Y .; Sophronia, Mrs. Loraine Dyer, of Oregon; Orpha, wife of Orson Case, a resident of Pennsylvania. The ninth member of the fam- ily, Hannah, wife of Daniel L. Chase, died at the age of forty-two years.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the town of Windsor, and received a good education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he started out to work, receiv-
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ing at first twelve dollars a month. When twenty-six years old, he married Miss So- phenia McKee. She was born in Middle- bury, Conn., and died when thirty-nine years old, leaving two children: Herbert R., who lives in Binghamton; and a little girl, Ada, who died when but three years old. Mr. Alden married for his second wife Miss Arri- etta Bishop, who was a native of the town of Windsor. One child was born to this union; namely, Arrietta, wife of Joshua Ostrom, a resident of the city of Binghamton. The sec- ond Mrs. Alden died at the age of thirty-six . years; and Mr. Alden married for his third wife Miss Elizabeth Cruiser, who was from the town of Conklin. Four children were born to this marriage: Ward A., Lillian, Alice, and Henry - all living at home.
Mr. Alden bought his first land in the town of Windsor, it being the old home farm of fifty acres, where he resided for fifteen years. In 1870 he purchased the one-hundred-acre farm on which he now lives. Besides doing general farming, he conducts a dairy of twenty head of native breeds of cattle; and he is classed among the practical farmers of his town. While in the town of . Windsor, he was Commissioner of Highways for three years, and Assessor for the same time. In the town of Kirkwood, where he now resides, he was one term Supervisor, one term Commissioner of Highways, and Assessor for six years, be- sides filling other minor offices. He is a member of the Methodist church, and in the fraternal orders is a Free and Accepted Mason of Lodge No. 444, at Windsor. Ile is also
a member of the Farmers' Grange at Kirk- wood. lle takes an active part in politics, and invariably votes for the nominces of the Democratic party. Ile is well liked through- out the community, and no pleasanter or bet- ter ordered home than his can be found in the county.
ICHIAEL T. GARVEY, of the Ex- change Hotel, Binghamton, N. Y., was born in this city, October 10, 1858. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Keller) Garvey, well-known residents of Binghamton for many years. He was edu- cated here at St. James Parochial Academy. After graduating at that institution, he started out in life very early to support himself, and was first engaged in the employment of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway Co., and by faithful attention to business dur- ing his nine years' connection with the road earned his promotion to various positions of trust. He was also employed at one time on the West Shore Railway, and resided then in Syracuse, N. Y. While living there, he be- . came Superintendent of the Syracuse & Bald- winsville Railway.
After several years of attention to that business Mr. Garvey returned to Binghamton, where he was elected to the honorable position of City Clerk, which he held during the years of 1891 and 1892, having been the choice of the Democratic council then in power. In 1893 Mr. Garvey engaged in the hotel busi- ness with James F. Doyle, keeping the well- known Exchange Hotel, situated on Court
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Street, the most prominent thoroughfare in Binghamton. This renowned hostelry has been remodelled and refitted throughout, and the traveller staying there is sure of a com- fortable home and first-class accommodations.
In 1891 Mr. Garvey was married to Miss Anna Sinnott, who was born in Ireland, but came to America with her parents when but two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Garvey are prominent members of the Catholic church; and Mr. Garvey is a member of Branch No. 518 of the Catholic Knights of America, and also of No. 111 Catholic Mutual Benefit As- sociation. He has been particularly fortu- nate in his matrimonial choice, Mrs. Garvey being a lady of exceptional energy and abil- ity, and well fitted to assist him in his pres- ent business. Mrs. Sinnott, the mother of Mrs. Garvey, early left a widow, by her own unaided efforts raised a family of daughters, all of whom are to-day well educated, and all but the youngest married, and presiding over happy and comfortable homes. In every posi- tion that Mr. Garvey has been placed he has acted honorably and conscientiously, and fully deserves the trust and confidence always re- posed in him. He is one of the rising young men of Binghamton, and bids fair to make his mark in the annals of his native city.
IT CARSON FRENCH, M.D., a resi- dent physician of Lisle, is abun- dantly qualified to fill the responsible posi- tion he occupies in this community, having a natural adaptation for his work, and pos-
sessing qualifications obtained by years of study and experience. He is a native of New York State, and was born at Glen Castle, Broome County, August 20, 1854. Ilis father, Ebenezer S. French, who is now liv- ing with him, was born in Rowe, Franklin County, Mass., in 1810.
His grandfather, Clement French, a native of Southwick, Hampden County, Mass., was born September 20, 1783, and died at Glen Castle, N.Y., in 1866. Ife was an active, industrious man of his time, and moved to Deerfield, Mass., where he met, wooed, and won Elizabeth Hawks. They were married in 1803, and moved to Jefferson County, New York, settling at Sandy Creek. They brought with them their first-born, Franklin, then one year old, and commenced as pioneers in a wilderness. They had very little money, but had brave hearts and willing hands. They succeeded in obtaining fifty acres of heavily timbered land, and went to work with a will, built a log cabin, cleared some of the land, placed seed in the virgin soil, and in due time reaped the reward. They endured many privations, but bravely struggled on until they gained a footing and could realize the results of their labor. Two sons, Root and Ira, were here born to them. After three : years, in which, under the existing circum- stances, they had accomplished much, they were persuaded, somewhat against their will, by Mr. French's father, to return to Massa- chusetts, where they made their home at a point on the Deerfield River near the present Hloosac tunnel. There two more sons were
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born to them, Ebenezer S. and Salfronus HI. About this time the War of 1812 was de- clared, but on account of near-sightedness Mr. French was exempt from duty.
In impaired health and straightened cir- cumstances, he found it hard to support his family; and for a time it was a question of what should be done. The problem was soon solved, however; for, assisted by some friends, he secured a team and wagon, and started out as a pedler of "Yankee notions " and tinware. Ile was successful, but not altogether satisfied with the business and its `promises for the future. Having received glowing descriptions of the country near Che- nango Point, now Binghamton, he sold his outfit, and, moving there, bought fifty acres, including four acres of cleared land and a log cabin. He hired a man to move the family; and, after a long, tedious trip of about two hundred miles, they arrived at the new home June 1, 1814. Thus they began again their experience in frontier life, and did not have by any means an easy time, particularly during the season of 1816, when there were heavy frosts every month of the year. His grown sons helped to clear and pay for his farm near Binghamton, now owned by the Doctor's father; and in 1831 he built a good frame dwelling, which is still standing.
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Mrs. Elizabeth Hawks French, who was a noble Christian woman, and endured the hard- ships incident to a pioneer life with fortitude, died November 1, 1864. Of the children, Franklin French was a farmer at Glen Castle, where he died in his eighty-fourth year, leav-
ing a large family; Ira French, a farmer near Castle Creek, died in his eighty-sixth year; Root French, a farmer of the same town, worked himself to death in middle life; Ebenezer is the Doctor's father, above named; Salfronus was a practising physician of Lisle many years. Anna Seward, who became the wife of Ebenezer S. French, was a daughter of Orrin and Mehitable (Liver- more) Seward, and was born at Glen Castle in July, 18II. Her parents were both of New York State, and were among the early settlers in this vicinity, coming here when children with their parents. Here their ac- quaintance began, when she was four years old; here the first story of love was told; here they grew up together, were married, and lived in that sacred relation for sixty-three years. After their marriage, July 4, 1830, they settled on his father's farm near Glen Castle, which was the same place of one hun- dred and sixty-five acres that was purchased in 1808 and occupied in 1809, and is still in the family. The children of Ebenezer and Anna S. French were: Hepsey French, who died in 1885, past middle life, at home; Lu- cius French, M.D., of Davenport, Ia. ; Olive, wife of Charles A. Wood, of Castle Creek ; Betsey, wife of H. M. Stanford, a farmer of this town; Mary, wife of Isaac Howland; and Kit Carson.
The latter, who is the subject of this sketch, received his elementary education in the schools of Glen Castle and of Lisle; and his professional course of study was com- pleted at Bellevue Hospital Medical College,
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New York City, he being one of the gradu- ates of 1887. The active practice of his pro- fession commenced here, where he succeeded to the work of Dr. 1I. C. Hall, having pur- chased the house of that gentleman. He was married January 2, 1876, to Nina E. Keeler, a lady of intelligence and cultivation, daugh- ter of S. M. and Mira (Pratt) Keeler.
The Doctor is a Master Mason and a Re- publican. Fraternally and socially, he is a genial gentleman, and, politically, adheres tenaciously to what he feels to be right. He has his ideas, and speaks them; his opinions, and asserts them; his beliefs, and adheres to them. But in all his intercourse with his fel- low-men he is kind and generous, not given to severe criticism, although speaking plainly his mind when occasion demands. He has a sound body and a clear mind, two essential characteristics in the make-up of a physician. Ile is full six feet in height, with a weight of two hundred pounds. He possesses in a marked degree many of the finer feelings of human nature, and is ever ready to administer to the needs of suffering humanity in such measure as he is able.
R ALPII ROBERT RITTER, for sev- eral years a prosperous farmer of the town of Kirkwood, Broome County, now deceased, was born October 19, 1830, in Whitesboro, Oneida County, N.Y., a son of John and Miriam (Bartlett) Ritter, the mother a native of Connecticut, and the father of New York State. Mr. Ritter, . Sr., was a
farmer, and one of the pioneer settlers of Oneida County. When he came there, it was a wild and uncultivated region, where Indians and game were still plentiful. He and his wife reared a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom only two are now living, namely: Frederick, who resides at Port Byron ; and Sally, Mrs. George McDowell, of Utica, N.Y. The father and mother spent their last days at Whitesboro, Mr. Ritter dying at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife at eighty-four. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was a Democrat.
Ralph R. Ritter was educated and grew to manhood in the vicinity of .Whitesboro, Oneida County, When he was a young man of about twenty years of age, he engaged as bell-boy at the Lewis House in Binghamton, N. Y. The house was then managed by Mr. Clifton Ilall. So faithful and conscientious was he in the performance of his duties that he earned rapid promotion, finally becoming head clerk, holding that position for several years. Mr. Ritter then removed to Scranton, Pa., and opened a hotel known as Green Grove, where he remained about ten years,. and only sold the place because of ill-health. The house is still standing, but has been changed into the present City Hospital. After disposing of this-property, he purchased in 1864 a farm of one hundred and forty acres in the town of Kirkwood, and occupied it . until his death. It is a fine and productive property, and the excellent buildings on it were erected by Mr. Ritter himself. He died
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