USA > New York > Broome County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Broome County, New York. > Part 8
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ELMER W. BRIGHAM
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the wife of John Q. Clark, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume.
The subject of the present sketch was born May 4, 1824. After the death of his mother he was bound out to a farmer of Orange County, so that he was brought up on a farm, and became familiar with agricultural opera- tions, spending his days there mostly in work, with but little chance to obtain an education. At the age of nineteen he went to Montgom- ery, Orange County, and learned the trade of blacksmith. He subsequently opened a blacksmith shop in Chester, and continued working at the anvil for a number of years. Being at length obliged to quit the forge on account of the injurious effect upon his eyes, he went to work on a farm in Middletown. Hle next entered the employ of the Erie Rail- road Company. Whatever his work, he was always accustomed to do it well, to be dili- gent and faithful to the interests of his em- ployers. ITis constant fidelity in little things led to his successive promotions from the humble post at which he began to higher and . more responsible positions, till he finally was given the charge of a passenger train. Hav- ing by that time received a thorough practical education in railroading, he made one of the best conductors on the Erie Road, and con- tinued in his position for about twenty-two- years. During this period oil was discovered in Pennsylvania, and he made a number of judicious investments in oil lands, which eventually made him a fortune. He retired . from the road in 1882, much to the regret of the company and its patrons. The train
which he conducted for so long a time and so well was popularly known as the "Kerr train," being much more frequently distin- guished by this appellation than by its regu- lar schedule number.
Mr. Kerr was married in 1867 to Mary A. Pierson, of Orange County. They have had two children, one of whom is living, Frank, a young man of nineteen years, now attending school at Deposit. Fraternally, Mr. Kerr is a member of Deposit Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 396. Politically, he is a Republican ; socially, a courteous and whole-souled gentle- man. He has an elegant home in Deposit, and with his genial companion spends the happy days, dispensing a generous hospital- ity, and having the respect of the entire community.
LMER W. BRIGHAM, one of the oldest residents of the city of Binghamton, N. Y., having settled here with his father in the year 1830, was born in Northboro, Worcester County, Mass., May 29, 1809, son of Moses and Mary (Brigham) Brigham. His family records show that as far back as 1650 his ancestors were settlers in that county. The grandfather, Artemas Brigham, was a man of more than ordinary importance and weight in that place, as he "tipped the beam " at four hundred pounds, and was be- sides well-to-do for those days. At his death he left to his two sons a fine productive farm of three hundred acres.
Moses Brigham, who was a farmer, moved from Massachusetts to Albany County, New
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York, in 1814, remained there a few years, and came to Broome County in 1830, where he bought a farm two miles from Binghamton up the Susquehanna River. This tract was then a dense growth of pine timber, which he cut down, and rafted to the Whitney mills at Binghamton. The land being cleared up and a home built, the father and Elmer car- ried on quite an extensive farm. They also bought a piece of clay land toward Rossville, a suburb of Binghamton, and, in company with S. W. Delamater, began the manufacture of brick, their yard being the first of any im- portance in the city. For this one and a half acres of land in the year 1836 they paid seven hundred and fifty dollars. They continued there until 1849, when they purchased sixty- three acres of land in the western part of Binghamton, or in what is now the village of Lester Shire. Here they made a brick-yard, which was then and is at present the principal one of the city. The father remained in the business for only one year, when he retired, and took no active part in affairs afterward. .
Mr. Elmer W. Brigham opened the brick- yard at Lester Shire, but soon sold his inter- est to his brother, and engaged in the business of contracting and building in Binghamton. He erected a number of the stores and resi- denees in the city in the early days of its set- tlement. In 1849, when the village of Owego, N. Y., was on fire, Mr. Brigham reached the place before the flames were sub- dued, and by next morning had contracted for three brick stores, which he built that fall. At the same time he succeeded in taking more
contracts for about twenty briek buildings to be put up the next year, which comprised about all the business houses put up after the calamity. During this time he had two brick-yards at Owego; one at Waverly, where he built three stores; one at Port Crane; and two at Binghamton, N. Y .; and in this way managed to make brick enough for his exten- sive work. He gave employment to about eighty men, who were paid off every Saturday night. In 1851 Mr. Brigham built Brigham Hall, one hundred by forty-two feet and four stories high, on the corner of Court and Col- lier Streets, which was used for many years for entertainments and other public purposes. He sold out his brick-yard in 1852, and after that did not build so extensively, although he has since put up a number of residences. In 1847 he went to Tunkhannock, Pa., where he built a large brick hotel for Henry Starks, a wealthy man of that vicinity. It was a three- story building of extensive proportions, and . still remains. In the same place he put the Phelps Block for Judge Phelps. Since 1856 he has practically retired from the building business. Mr. Brigham was elected Con- stable of Binghamton in 1855, and in . 1856 Policeman. IIe was also about the same time elected Coroner, which position he occupied. for nine years. He was for four years on the Board of Excise, an office which he did not like. He was appointed Court Crier by Judge Griswold, and has served in this capac- ity for nearly forty years, having missed but two days during all that time at court, being then on a visit to his children in Oregon.
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Among other local offices he has held that of Alderman for two terms. Of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mr. Brigham has been a member since 1847, having been through all the chairs up to Noble Grand. With the Free and Accepted. Masons he has been con- nected since 1852, and is at present a member . of Otseningo Lodge.
Mr. Brigham married Miss Ruth Ann Robie, of Amber, N. Y., May 24, 1833. She is still living, and with her husband makes a charming picture of a loving partnership which has experienced the joys and the sor- rows and weathered the trials of sixty-one years of wedlock. This venerated couple have been the parents of eleven children, eight of whom, to their deep affliction, have been taken away by death. The three now living - namely: John R., a retired. wealthy merchant ; Porter E., a dry-goods merchant ; and Edward C., a jeweller - are residents of Portland, Ore. Mary the first-born, married Edgar West. She is now deceased.
Mr. Brigham and wife have followed the · faith of their ancestors in belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church; and Mr. Brig- ham has been one of the heartiest supporters and an official for many years of the Cente- nary Church in Binghamton. He started the first juvenile Sunday-school, was chorister for a time, and has been ever active in the ser- vice of the church since making his profes- sion of religion in 1832. They have lived at No. 44 Exchange Street for some years, al- though formerly residing on Court Street.
Mr. Brigham has so fulfilled the ideal of
a good Christian man, an upright citizen and benevolent friend, that the most superlative language might be used, and then not fully express the high estimation in which he is held. In his long life of busy usefulness, he has done much toward the progress of the city he loves so well; and that he may be long left among its people is their most sincere and heartfelt wish. His portrait, which is to be seen on a page near by, calls to mind the beautiful Hebrew saying, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
ORACE H. HATHAWAY, who occu- pies a prominent place among the merchants who have contributed by their spirit of enterprise to the commercial prosperity of the city of Binghamton, N. Y., was born in Ararat, Susquehanna County, Pa., son of William E. and Eliza A. (Monroe) Hathaway. His grandfather, Horace Hatha- way, moved to this State from Connecticut about the year 1800, and settled in Otsego County, where he carried on farming for sev- eral years." In 1828, attracted by the stories told of the fertility and cheapness of the timbered lands of Pennsylvania, he removed to Susquehanna County, secured a tract, and there made his home until his death. The name of Hathaway is still well known in that region.
William E. Hathaway was born in Otsego County, New York, in the year 1824, and removed to Pennsylvania with his father. He
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married Miss Eliza Monroe, of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, whose parents were of Massachusetts birth, but early settlers of that county. William Hathaway was a man of superior position in his town, active in pub- lic affairs, and especially interested in its schools, and, besides being Supervisor and holding other local offices, was Justice of the Peace for some years. IIe removed with his family to Binghamton, N.Y., in 1871. Of their eight children, five survive, namely : Horace II .; Luella Ann, Mrs. Jefferson Young, of Binghamton; May D., Mrs. O. W. Holmes, of Asheville, N.C .; Minnie S .; and Lillian A., wife of Ralph E. Bennett, a real estate merchant of Binghamton.
Horace H. Hathaway in his childhood at- tended the public schools of his native town in Pennsylvania, and after the removal of the family to Binghamton he finished his educa- tion in the high school of this city. After leaving school, he read law for a short time, and later taught school for a few terms, but, desiring a more active life, became a commer- cial traveller. Ilis first start in this calling was with Binghamton firms; and for eighteen years he was connected with different compa- nies in the flour and grain business, embracing in his travels all the territory lying between Buffalo, N.Y., and the State of Maine. For eighteen years he followed this occupation, gaining a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness; and, when in 1889 he started for him- self, he brought a wide experience to the undertaking.
Mr. Holmes, his first partner, retiring in
1891, Mr. J. L. Berry became associate part- ner with Mr. Hathaway; and soon a substan -. tial and paying trade was established by them. They represent in this market many of the most important mills of the West; and their connections are such that they can supply the trade with the best flour, grain, feed, and meal at the lowest rates, and can compete with any of the grain markets in the country. Hathaway & Berry represent the following firms: L. Christian & Co., of Minneapolis, Minn. ; Humboldt Mill Company, of the same place; R. P. Fish and W. P. Harvey & Co., of Chicago, Ill .; and L. M. Godley & Co., of Scottsville, N.Y. Sales are made in carloads for shipment direct from the mills to any part of the country. As millers' agents and grain brokers, the firm have their office at Nos. 146 State Street and 39 Com- mercial Avenue, Binghamton, N. Y., and deal only in wholesale and jobbing lots, command- ing the large businesses in that line in the city. In 1893 Messrs. Hathaway & Berry associated themselves with the Hon. George E. Green in the grain and flour trade, to sup -. ply the vicinity points and local merchants of Binghamton. This was a success from the start, and their warehouse at Nos. 146 State Street and 39 Commercial Avenue is always- a busy and active scene of operations.
Mr. Hathaway was married in 1881 to Miss Hattie A. Markel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Markel, of Schoharie County, New York. To their marriage four children were born, two of whom have been taken away by death. The two remaining to bless their
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home are Virginia A. and Nina M. His ancestry and his family that are now living are strict and carnest members of the Metho- dist church, and are liberal benefactors to its charities. Their residence is at No. 9 Lock- wood Street, where they enjoy the comforts of a well-ordered, happy household. Mr. Hath- away is a member of Otseningo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Wamsutta Tribe of Red Men. Binghamton is proud to have among her citizens such men as Mr. Hatha- way, who by their industry and progressive spirit place her far in the front rank of enter- prising and prosperous cities.
ORRIS COLLIAR, a blacksmith and farmer in the village of Lisle, is one 6 of the self-made men of our times. Left an orphan when but four years old, he grew to manhood without the care and sym- pathy of fond parents. Possessing a consid- erable fund of natural ability, habits of indus- try, and a resolute will to work his way onward, he has succeeded despite all the ad- verse circumstances of his early life. He was never afraid of toil; and the diligent labors of his youthful and maturer years gave him, in the course of time, a little capital, which he wisely invested, so that he is now able to enjoy the fruits of a competence fairly won.
The birthplace of Norris Colliar was in New York State, on the banks of the Hudson River, where he first saw the light in 1821. He was one of a family of six small children
who, being early left without parents, were carried to the County House. From that place Norris was taken by Horace Smith, of Cortland County, who brought him up, and proved to be a kind and helpful benefactor. He lived with Mr. Smith until eighteen years of age, receiving a limited education and hav- ing a good home. He was then apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade in Cortland County, at a place which is now called Tay- lor. He afterward worked by the month at Whitney's Point for about three years, and in 1848 came to his present location, and opened a shop, doing all of his own work, attending to immediate calls, and filling orders with a skill and promptness which have secured him many customers. After a time he bought a lot, and built the shop in which he is now working. He has a large farm one mile west, where he lived for fourteen years, managing it in connection with work at his trade. He has owned many lots and dwellings in the vil- lage, and has been something of a speculator in real estate. He purchased his present · home in 1889.
On November 2, 1844, Mr. Colliar was married to Mary Ann Sparrow, a daughter of Solomon and Mary (Baker) . Sparrow. She was born near Centre Lisle, January 1, 1828, where her parents lived on a farm. They were born near Cape Cod, and came here in 1823. They had a family of nine children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Joseph, an aged farmer in this village; Franklin, a farmer, whose residence is in this place; Jefferson, a teamster, now in Bingham-
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ton; and Mary Ann, Mrs. Colliar. Solomon Sparrow died when seventy-four years old, in 1867; and Mrs. Sparrow at the same age, four years later, in 1871. They have three sons and six daughters, all of whom are living: Charles, a farmer and blacksmith, in Colorado; Eva, a maiden lady, at home; Violettie, wife of William H. Collier, having one daughter; Mary Baker, wife of Clarence E. Sliter, of Union ; Norris Colliar, Jr., a farmer on his father's farm, having a wife and one daugh- ter; Frances, wife of Fay Woodworth, a mer- chant at Centre Lisle, having one son ; Jean- nette, wife of Frank J. Doan, at Cincinnatus; Ernest, of Lisle, having one son; and Clara D., who is living at home.
Politically, Mr. Norris Colliar is a Prohi- bitionist. He voted first for James K. Polk, who was elected President November 12, 1844; and later he was a Republican. He is in no sense a disagreeable partisan, but has the courage of his convictions, and, taking a firm stand for the right, leaves no uncertainty as to his position. He has persistently avoided office, but was persuaded, although against his wishes and inclination, to serve as Highway Commissioner. Socially, he has many strong and pleasing traits of character, which endear him to those who know him best.
ILLIAM F. LENTZ, who has been one of the Fire Commissioners of the city of Binghamton, N. Y., ever since the establishment of this Board in July, 1888, was born in the city of New York, June 10,
1846. His father, Gottlieb Lentz, who was born near Stuttgart in the Province of Wür- temberg, Germany, came to the United States when a child, and was educated in this country. Early developing a mechanical gen- ius, he was handy with all sorts of tools, and finally became a manufacturer of surgical and dental instruments. He married Frederica Young, whose birthplace was in the same vicinity as his own, and who also came to New York in her early years. They came to Binghamton in 1856; and Mr. Lentz was here engaged in business till the time of his death, which occurred August 14, 1870. He was a good citizen, a man of intelligence and industry. He belonged to the Masonic Order and to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His widow, Mrs. Frederica Lentz, died in February, 1877, leaving four sons.
William F. Lentz, the only member of the family now living, was educated in the public schools of New York City, and came to Bing- hamton with his parents in 1856. Later he was for a time employed in the post-office in New York City, and subsequently was in the office at Utica of the assistant engineer of the Erie Canal, but maintained all the while his residence in Binghamton. He is now retired from active business. He has been promi- nent in the Fire Department for many years, being first a member of the Phoenix. Engine Company in 1860. On July 8, 1861, he was transferred to Lawyer Hose, now Crystal Hose Company, with which he is still con- nected. He was elected Secretary of the company in July, 1864, and chosen foreman
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in March, 1865, to fill a vacancy. At the following annual election he was regularly chosen foreman, and was annually re-elected from that time till 1871. Upon his retire- ment from this position the company created a new office, that of President, to which he was elected, and has been re-elected every year since. Mr. Lentz has always taken great interest in this branch of the service, and has been instrumental in the formation of an excellent department. Many changes have taken place since he first became con- nected with a fire company, when the ap- paratus was drawn by hand, and when many of the appliances were crude and unwieldy. Mr. Lentz was elected First Assistant En- gineer of the department in 1876, and was chosen Chief Engineer in 1877, and again in 1878. Ile has been an active member of the department in some capacity for more than a third of a century, and a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association for many years. In July, 1888, pursuant to require- ments of the city charter creating a Board of Fire Commissioners, Mayor Morgan ap- pointed Mr. Lentz on that board to serve until February 1, 1892. At the expiration of his first four years Mayor Curran re- appointed him to succeed himself. In a recent editorial a daily journal refers to this in complimentary terms, saying, "Com- missioner Lentz, who has been reappointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners, is a vet- eran who has seen long service in the depart- ment in all capacities, from torch boy to Chief Engineer." He has also been Presi-
dent of the Local Council of the Order of American Firemen; and at a session of that body in New York City held in July, 1891, he was elected one of the Directors of the State Council. He is also an honorary mem- ber of the famous Tiger Hose Company of Utica, N.Y. His popularity and efficiency are evidenced by his continued election and appointment to honorable positions.
It goes without saying that Mr. Lentz, of the Board of Fire Commissioners, is well known in Binghamton, and stands high in the favor of the people. His position has ever been one requiring sterling qualities of man- hood. lle has showed himself possessed of keen discernment, quick decision, cool judg- ment, and resolute daring; a man to be depended on in time of emergency and danger. Kindly and agreeable in manner, entertaining in conversation, well stocked with good sense, Mr. Lentz is a pleasant per- son to meet socially or to have dealings with.
F. RILEY, A.M., LL.D., who occu- pies a foremost position among the . educators of the city of Binghamton, N. Y., is the founder and Principal of the Riley Business College, located on State Street -an institution in which the most practical commercial training and complete education in stenography, typewriting, and a thorough English course can be obtained.
J. F. Riley was born at Owego, N. Y., Sep- tember 7, 1860, son of Patrick and Ann Riley. The gift of teaching and the love of literature
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is an ancestral trait in the family of Professor Riley, whose mother and grandmother were highly educated women and able instructors in their day. So much stress is laid at pres- ent on the subject of lineage that a brief his- torical sketch of the family will prove interesting to the readers of this book.
llis great-great-grandfather, Daniel Davis, was a Captain in the English army, and was sent to Ireland with his regiment to assist in quelling the Rebellion of 1798. He saw much active service while there, and, being pleased with the country, sold his commission, and settled on a beautiful estate he purchased near Ballymagoovrn, where he resided until his death. His family consisted of two daughters and a son, the latter being of a very delicate constitution. Daniel Davis, fearing his son would never live to reach manhood, and that the estate would fall into other hands, gave orders before his own death that his remains should be buried under a large ash-tree which stood in the centre of the lawn, so that the place should never be with- out the name of Davis. But, although his wish in the matter of his burial was carried out, there were plenty of living representa- tives afterward of the name of Davis; for, despite his delicacy, the son Edward lived to a good round age, and left a large family of sons and daughters. One of these daughters, Elizabeth, married William Taylor, who owned an estate in the vicinity. From this union was born Mary Taylor, who became the grandmother of the subject of this sketch. She was considered the handsomest young
lady in that part of the country. If a little vein of romance runs through the Professor's family, it may be traced to this same Mary Taylor, who, to the great indignation of her relatives, eloped with a Roman Catholic, by name James O'Reilly. Her people professed the Protestant religion, and resented so strongly the act of Mary that it is said her father started in hot pursuit with gun in hand, as if determined to shoot his daughter at sight. But, like "young Lochinvar," the gallant O'Reilly made good his escape, and reached a place of safety with his pretty bride. The Davis and Taylor families were all loyal subjects of England, the men of the former name serving with distinction under Wellington at Waterloo, and the grandfather Taylor being an official of the crown for sev- eral years in Ireland. They were highly re- spected, and classed among the best people in England and Ireland. The great-great-grand- father O'Reilly was an ardent patriot of the Irish cause, and in the Rebellion of 1798 was opposed in combat to the very officer whose grand - daughter afterward eloped with his grandson, James O'Reilly.
Patrick Riley was born in Ireland, -and came to America while quite a young man, being well educated as well as industrious . and energetic. He was Superintendent of Construction on the Erie Railway, and re- sided in Owego, N. Y., on the spot now occu- pied by the Southern Central Depot. He became owner of a large amount of property, and was an influential and respected citizen of that place, where he died May 6, 1876.
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His wife, whose maiden name was Ann O'Reilly, died December 15, 1892.
Professor Riley received his early education in the district schools of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, afterward studying at the old academy in Owego, N. Y. At his father's death, although then quite young, he started out for himself, first learning stenography at the Wyckoff Institute in Ithaca, N.Y. He soon became an adept in this art and in type- writing, and secured a position as official stenographer of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. He was sent West with the Construction Corps, his headquarters being at the various places where the department was stationed. Ever anxious for higher edu- cation, he availed himself of the facilities afforded by the colleges of those places. Thus, while at Emporia, Kan., he studied at the Normal School; when at Las Vegas, N.M., attended the Jesuit College; at Santa Fé, the School of the Christian Brothers; and finally, at the College of Mines, City of Mex- ico, Old Mexico, was graduated, and received his degree of A.M.
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