USA > New York > Broome County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Broome County, New York. > Part 5
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wilderness, and bought a considerable tract of land on the old Owego and New Milford turn- pike, where he cleared a farm and established a homestead. He was recognized by his fel- low-citizens as a man of superior intelligence, and called upon to serve as Supervisor and School Director. Being deeply interested in education, when the district schools were closed during the vacation, he hired a teacher for two months extra, and devoted a room in his own house for the use of pupils. The subject of this sketch having thus received his early education, when a little older he went for two years to the Owego Academy, afterward studying at Lowell's Commercial College at Binghamton, N. Y., where he was graduated, and then for two years attending the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, l'a., being there fitted for college. He next entered Alleghany College at Meadville, l'a., where he completed his studies in June, 1878. Deciding to take up medicine as his profes- sion, he took a course of lectures at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, afterward spending the summer with Dr. Henry Eastman, of Owego, N. Y., with whom he improved his knowledge of his chosen profession. Returning to New York City, he chose for his preceptor Dr. Charles K. Wilkin, who was connected with the col- lege, and also with the New York and Cham- bers Street Hospitals. Entering once more the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he took three additional courses, being graduated with the class of 1883, having, however, passed his examinations and received his
diploma in September of the preceding year. As the result of a competitive examination, he was then appointed to fill a position on the house staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, New York City, his term of service being eighteen months. After this the Doctor spent two years abroad, studying in the prin- cipal hospitals of Europe, mainly those of Berlin and Vienna, where he perfected his professional studies under the tutorship of the greatest medical teachers of the world. Dur- ing eighteen months spent in Vienna he passed a portion of each day receiving bed- side instructions in the medical wards of Pro- fessor Bamberger and Professor Nothnagel, and during that time had a daily course in physical diagnosis and therapeutics with Dr .. Toelg, Professor Bamberger's assistant, and with Dr. Jaksch, Professor Nothnagel's assist- ant, from both of whom he received diplomas.
The Doctor devoted considerable time and attention to the study of surgery in Professor Bilroth's clinic, also taking private courses from his assistants, Doctors Woelfler and Ilacker, on fractures and dislocations and on minor and operative surgery. In addition to his general work in medicine and surgery the Doctor received instructions in private courses from Professor Stricker, on pathology, in his famous laboratory; from Professor Bandl, on gynecology; from Professor Monti, on dis- cases of children; from Professor Politzer and Professor Gruber, on diseases of the ear; from Professor Schroetter and Dr. Chiari, on dis- eases of the throat; from Professor Kaposi, from Professor Neuman, and from Professor
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Ultzmann, on their several specialties - from all of whom he received certificates of study and proficiency bearing the government stamp and hospital seal.
During the last four months of his connec- tion with the great Vieuna hospital Dr. Cun- ningham was an interne in the obstetrical wards of the renowned Professor Carl Braun, where his opportunities to study and attend >confinement cases were unexcelled. He took a series of "touch " and operative courses with Professor Braun and his assistants, and performed all the obstetrical operations, some of them many times, and received a diploma from the famous l'rofessor Carl Braun. While abroad, during his vacations he visited several of the countries of Europe, improving himself in general knowledge as well as in that of his profession. Returning to the United States, he practised in Scranton, l'a., for two years, at the end of that time, or in July, 1888, removing to Binghamton, N. Y., where he has since remained. His acknowl- edged experience and skill, together with his devotion to his calling, have won for him a high degree of public confidence, and have assured his success. He is a member of the Broome County Medical Association and of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, stand- ing high in the regard of his professional brethren, among whom he has many friends.
In religion Dr. Cunningham is a Catholic, and attends St. Mary's Church, being an active participant in the various social and benevolent enterprises connected therewith. His experience disproves the truth of the
adage that "no man is a prophet in his own country and among his own people," as he is quite frequently called to attend patients in his old home in Susquehanna County, Pennsyl- vania. That his popularity will be undimin- ished as time rolls on may be fairly assumed from his past record, which entitles him to rank among the prominent citizens of his county, and as one whose work in the cause of humanity and science is worthy of rec- ognition.
UKE SMITH, proprietor of a five-hun- dred-acre farm in the town of Kirk- wood, Broome County, was born December 17, 1826, in Ulster County, New York, son of John and Mary (Barley) Smith, natives of that county. Ilis early years were passed on his father's farm; and the opportu- nities for an education were exceedingly lim- ited, as circumstances were such that his aid was required by his father, who could not afford to hire other help. John Smith re- moved to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1837. The country was all new and mostly timbered land, and he had to clear the place he purchased before he could lay out his farm. llis home was a log cabin, which, if not a pretentious residence, was at least built solidly, and made impervious to the chilling blasts and beating rains. Although "roughing it" was the only life led by the pioneer settler of the primitive days of the republic, there was yet a certain freedom and fascination in this life; and, doubtless, in after years, when those men were in the en-
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joyment of modern luxuries, they often looked back with tender regret to those early strug- gles, feeling that then were their healthiest and happiest times.
To Mr. and Mrs. John Smith were born many children, of whom the following are still living: Peter, Walter, Jane, Eliza, Ellen, Mary, Julia, Luke, John, and James. Those who died were Martha, Maria, and an infant. The father died on his farm in Sus- quehanna County, at the age of sixty years; and the mother, early in 1894, in her eighty- ninth year, at the home of one of her daugh- ters near the old home farm. They were members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Smith was a Republican in politics. Mr. Barley, the father of Mrs. Smith, was a native of New Jersey, but came to Susque- hanna County, Pennsylvania, early in its set- tlement, and bought a farm, where he resided until his death, aged seventy years. He reared a large family, and was a highly re- spected man throughout the community. In his politics he was what was then called an "old line " Whig.
Luke Smith remained on his father's farm at Locust Hill, Susquehanna County, Pa., until he was twenty-two years of age, when he married Miss Polly Van Valdenbury on Octo- ber 12, 1848. Her death occurred in 1878. To this marriage there were six children born, of whom four are now living, namely : Charles, residing in Pennsylvania; Mrs. Har- riet Woodard; Morris, living in Pennsyl- vania; Mrs. Norah Hall, residing in the town of Kirkwood. Thomas died at the age of
thirty-one, and John II. at thirty-five years. Mr. Smith married for a second wife, May 4, 1880, Mrs. Emma (Chambers) Wilson, widow of John Wilson. She was born in Susque- hanna County; and her parents were Enoch and Mary (Wright) Chambers, natives of Connecticut. Enoch Chambers was a shoe- maker and merchant and a pioncer of Susque- hanna County, where he still resides. His wife died at the age of twenty-six years. Three children were born to them: Mrs. Smith; Ella, Mrs. H. B. Carpenter, of New Milford, Pa .; and Frank, of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Chambers was a member of the Presbyterian church, her hus- band being also an attendant and a liberal supporter. In polities he is a strong Prohibi- tionist. Mrs. Luke Smith has two sons, namely: by her former marriage, Albert F. Wilson, who was born August 28, 1872, and resides at home with his mother; and, by her present marriage, Louis Smith, whose birth occurred March 30, 1881.
"When Mr. Smith first started to work for himself, he hired himself out to a farmer, receiving thirteen dollars per month. By economy and thrift he saved enough to pay, in the year 1851, for one hundred and sixty- seven acres of land in the town of Windsor. He remained there until 1868, carrying on a general farming business, and then traded his land in Windsor for the fine farm in Kirk- wood which he still owns. This place con- sists of about five hundred acres, a well- improved and productive farm; 'and Mr. Smith has taken both pride and pleasure in
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erecting commodious and comfortable build- ings necessary for his agricultural work. He and his excellent wife reside in a pretty home in the town of Kirkwood, and are enjoying in peace and plenty the well-earned fruits of in- dustry and provident management within doors and without. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics. While in Wind- sor, he held many local offices, but has not been an aspirant for any since residing in Kirkwood.
B ARNA E. HADLEY, an esteemed resident of Deposit, Broome County, now retired from active business life, is the sole survivor of that hardy class of pioneers who engaged extensively in lumber- ing in this vicinity in an early day. He was among those who made a success of the busi- ness, and accumulated large property, making a great deal of money and using the same - with prodigal liberality. Naturally endowed with wonderful physical strength and endur- ance, combined with active mental powers, he did not realize that he could ever wear out. Under such conditions he acquired wealth, and dispensed his benefits with a lavish hand. This continued giving, when the opportuni- ties for making money in lumbering were diminishing and his *strength of mind and body were on the wane, was eventually the occasion of considerable change in his cir- cumstances, his improvidence and generosity depriving him of an abundant competence for his declining years.
Mr. Hadley was born in Bainbridge, Che- nango County, N. Y., December 25, 1816. His father, Manassa B. Hadley, was a native of Massachusetts; and his grandfather, Abel Hladley, was from the same State, and came from the good, strict, old Puritan stock. His mother, whose maiden name was Thirza Evans, was born in a saw-mill at Bainbridge, N. Y. Her father was Major Henry Evans, who was a major in the army at the time of the War of the Revolution. Afterward he received a patent for a large tract of land at Bainbridge, where he was one of the pioneers and a man of large property. He died in this part of the country, and was buried at Sidney in Delaware County. Over his grave, indi- cating the spot where all that is mortal of him remains, is this epitaph: "This man came to this country at an early day, where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey, or men as wild and fierce as they." The instrument conveying the tract of land to him was signed by Governor George Clinton, and bears date July 11, 1786.
Barna E. was the only child of the family, and there seemed to have been rolled into him the combined strength of a dozen. His edu- cation was limited, and, according to his own statement, somewhat neglected. He began making trips down the Delaware with rafts of lumber at the age of fifteen, and early in life came to Deposit to live with his uncle, Henry Evans, who was one of the pioneer merchants and lumbermen on the Delaware. Ile re- mained with his uncle for about five years, or until about the time he reached his majority.
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He then went into the mercantile and lum- bering business with young William Peters, which connection continued for two years, when he undertook the business alone. Ile extended the trade, meeting with some re- verses, but more successes. His most exten- sive operations were carried on just before and during the Civil War, and from about 1860 to 1870 he managed a very large business. He maintained a store in Deposit all of this time beginning with his business here and continu- ing till 1870. Mr. Hadley has an interesting family, and is surrounded with the sweet in- fluences of a pleasant home. He is connected with the Presbyterian church, and has the re- spect of the entire community. His life has been helpful to every undertaking having in view the best interests of Deposit and the surrounding country.
HARLES J. LYONS, one of the lead- ing agriculturists of the town of Windsor, owns and occupies the farm long known as the old Stow farm, where for many years the hotel that was the begin- ning of the village of Windsor was located. On this place some of the most interesting and curious relics of Indian antiquities have been found, among them flat silver pieces with perforations in them, evidently nose and ear ornaments, also arrows and implements of husbandry.
His grandfather, Daniel .Lyons, who was a native of Massachusetts and a cabinet-maker by trade, removed to Great Bend, l'a., in the
early days of the settlement of that place, making the trip by a team of oxen and wagon, carrying his household goods with him. There was a very small clearing on the land that he purchased, and plenty of game to sup- ply the necessities of the family, and after the log cabin was built they lived compara- tively well in point of shelter and as re- garded meats for their table, but for flour and meal he had to go nine miles on horseback to the nearest mill. He resided there until his death, which occurred at an advanced age. Mr. Daniel Lyons was twice married, and by his first wife there were five children, and by the second six, born to him. Of this large family seven are now living: Grand -. father Lyons was a good pious Deacon in the Baptist church, and in his politics was a stanch Republican.
David Lyons was born in Massachusetts, and removed with his father, Daniel, to Great Bend when he was a mere boy, assisting him in clearing the ground and repairing their new home, afterward taking up the lumber business, in which he was most successful. He found a market for his lumber in Phila- delphia, Pa., running his logs down the Dela- ware River. In connection with this he learned the wagon-making trade, but worked. at it only occasionally. He married Amanda Smith, a native of Dimmock, Pa. Mr. Lyons has resided in Susquehanna County through- out his life, and is now, at the age of ninety, the oldest citizen in his vicinity. Of his family of five children, four are now living, namely: Amelia, widow of David A. Lyons,
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a resident of Susquehanna County; Sarah, at home with her father in Lanesboro; Nancy, wife of Charles Smith, of Stamford, Conn .; and Charles J., who is the youngest. Julia, who died at the age of eighteen years, was a most amiable and lovely young girl. David Lyons has always been an industrious man, and is well known and highly respected in the county. In politics he is an ardent adherent of the Republican party.
Charles J. Lyons was born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1844. He grew to manhood in his native town, and was educated in the Wyoming Seminary and in the Lowell Business College of Binghamton. At the age of twenty-two years he was mar- ried to Miss Laura F. Roberts, a native of Ashtabula, Ohio, and daughter of Chauncey and Alvira (Howard) Roberts. Her father was a ship-builder. He died at the age of sixty-five years, January 31, 1875; and her mother, in 1887, at the age of seventy. Four of their five children still live. They are: Leverett, a resident of Ohio; La Salle, of Ithaca, Neb. ; Laura, Mrs. f Lyons ; Duane, living in Ithaca, Neb. Frank died at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Roberts was an intelligent, thoughtful, "capable woman, and a Universalist in her religious belief. IIer father, Mrs. Lyons's grandfather Howard, was for about fifty years the only physician in Conneaut, Ohio, now containing about five thousand inhabitants. Mr. Chauncey Roberts belonged to the Republican party.
When Mr. Lyons married, he was presented by his father with the historic farm on which
he now resides, but which he left after re- maining on it for a while, removing first to Susquehanna, being there engaged in the milling business for about twelve years. A disastrous fire having destroyed his property . at that place, he removed to Thompson, l'a., and in 1882 returned to the old farm in Wind- sor, where he carries on general farming. Hle contemplates making a dairy farm of his place, which consists of about one hun- dred and twenty acres. Besides raising sheep and cows, he is also interested in horse-breed- ing, especially Percheron stock. He has . erected all new farm buildings, and they are noted for their neatness and substantial ap- pearance. He and his wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Minnie, born January 29, 1868, wife of Henry Woodruff, of Windsor; Charles D., born December 3, 1870, a druggist, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Urban C., born February 5, 1874, at home with his parents. They were all born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lyons are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Lyons; is an enthusiastic Republican in his political principles. He belongs to Tuscarora Tribe, No. 68, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a popular man, and is identified both in Southern New York and Northern Pennsyl- vania with the interests of the several towns in which he has resided. He is an educated and progressive man, and has every reason, by virtue of his intelligent and honorable ances- try, for his appreciative interest in local his- tory and biography. He and his estimable
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wife, who is a lady of many virtues and ac- complishments, in their attractive home hos- pitably entertain their many friends and acquaintances who come from near and from far.
HARLES ELI SHORES, journalist, a progressive and well-known citizen of Binghamton, N.Y., was born June 10, 1856, in Coventry, N.Y. He comes of English and German ancestry, and his early life was spent on a farm. At the age of four- teen he started out to seek his fortune, and for several years worked on a farm, availing himself of what opportunities the country schools of a few weeks in the winter gave him of obtaining an education. Naturally studi- ous and ambitious to learn, he saved money to purchase books, and studied in the spare time he had of evenings, reading by the dying embers of the fireside long after sundown, and often burning midnight oil. Being afterward able to attend an academy for a few terms, he taught school in the winters. until he attained his majority. While at this work, he wrote numerous essays in preparation for his career as an author and editor. He entered the academy at Greene, N. Y., and, when he com- pleted his course of study there, embarked in the business of subscription books, employing from twelve to eighteen solicitors.
From 1884-87 he was travelling corre- spondent and circulating agent for the Bing- hamton Daily Republican, and was for a year upon the editorial staff. After that he be- came a correspondent for several journals in
New York State and Pennsylvania, and at the same time established the Binghamton News Bureau, of which he is still editor. He was also engaged on the Binghamton Daily Herald. Newspaper men are born, not made; and this is true of Mr. Shores. While in quest of information very few items can escape him, and he is utterly fearless in expressing him- self when he deems the occasion ripe for com- ment. He has been a valued correspondent to the Tobacco Leaf, a journal which is de- voted to the interest of the cigar industry, published in New York City. His articles in that paper have resulted very beneficially for the manufacturers of this city, and they greatly appreciate the work of Mr. Shores.
During 1890-91 he contributed editorial matter to many publications, among them the Reporter of Whitney's Point, N.Y. Wher- ever politics were to be discussed, Mr. Shores handled them with vigor which always caused wide comment, and had the happy effect of increasing the circulation of these journals. He has in his possession many splendid testi- monials to his ability as a journalist, and among them none more highly prized than those from his own fellow-citizens, such as ex-Mayor Curran, the Hon. I. T. Deyo, and the Hon. T. L. Arms, Judge of Broome County.
At present Mr. Shores has formed a con- nection with the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association of New York City, being himself located in Room 5, Strong Building, and does not devote so much of his time to newspaper work as before; but he still keeps up an in-
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terest in journalistic affairs, and his trenchant pen is ever ready to be used in the defence of what he considers just and right. Ile is a straight out Republican, and never temporizes with his opponents in any way.
6 DWIN C. DEDRICK, an energetic and thriving agriculturist of the town of Union, Broome County, N. Y., was born here February 22, 1845, certainly an auspicious point of time for coming into the world -the birthday of the Father of his Country. Gar- rett Dedrick, grandfather of Edwin, was a pioneer settler of Broome County, having come to these parts from his native place, in Dutchess County, New York, purchasing land which was all timbered, and making his home here until his death. He was accompanied to his new home by his family, among them John P., who became the father of Edwin C. John P. Dedrick was reared on the farm, and assisted in its work, remaining at home until the age of twenty-one, when he came to the town of Union, and bought a farm where he lived for some time, then removed to East Maine, residing there for a while, finally mak- ing his home in Binghamton, where he died at the age of sixty-nine years. Ile married Miss Amanda Barnum, who is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Montello Gibson. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dedrick; namely, Edwin C., Elvira, John E., and Orson B.
Edwin C. Dedrick grew to man's estate on his father's farm, and took advantage of all
the educational privileges which the town afforded at that time, the progress which has since made the Broome County schools second to none in the State being then well begun. When he reached the age of twenty-five, Mr. Dedrick was married to Miss Nancy Will- iams, daughter of Erastus Williams, of Dryden, Tompkins County, N. Y. This inter- esting event occurred November 10, 1869; and he immediately set about making his own home by purchasing the beautiful farm on which he now resides and erecting fine farm buildings and a comfortable dwelling. His industry and excellent judgment are shown by his now having one of the finest places in the county, his well-tilled fields devoted to gen- eral agriculture yielding luxuriant crops, and being adorned and enriched with good fruit and shade trees. Mr. and Mrs.+Dedrick have had their domestic happiness materially in- creased by the birth of two children, Minnie and Ralph.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Choco- nut Centre is fortunate in having Mr. Ded- rick and his entire family as members. They are among its most ardent supporters, and are living exponents of the truth of the Christian religion. So consistent are they to their pro- fession that Mr. and Mrs. Dedrick receive the esteem and highest respect, not only of their own church, but of the entire community. Mr. Dedrick, without being a violent politi- cian or a hungry seeker for office, still has his decided opinion on government and pub- lic affairs in general, and, in view of the unhappy tendency of the age toward intem-
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perance, has ardently espoused the cause of Prohibition. Not only in religious and polit- ical matters does Mr. Dedrick stand de- servedly high, but his ripe judgment and excellent practical ability in the management of his farm is fully appreciated; and in that line of business he is often consulted as a first- class authority. In the affairs of the house- hold Mrs. Dedrick stands prominent among the wives and mothers as an admirable care-taker and economical supervisor. They could not have reached their present prosperous condi- tion if "wilful waste" and carelessness in- doors had opposed his industry and thrift outdoors. Thus it will be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Dedriek are pleasantly situated in life, and fully deserve their excellent reputation.
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