Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 11

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 744

USA > New York > Delaware County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York > Part 11

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Jacob Eells and his wife began their domes- tic life in a most humble manner in Walton, he working at his trade of carpenter and cabi- net-maker, an occupation requiring the finest mechanical skill. Here were born their eight children, six daughters and two sons, namely: Alonzo, who died in 1835, aged twenty-two years; Antoinette, wife of Robert Shaw, whose death occurred in Laurel, Dela- ware; Louisa, wife of Sylvester Simpson, who died in Binghamton, N. Y., in 1858; Cornelia, wife of Whiting Beebe, who has also passed away; Catherine, wife of Ceely Rood, of Binghamton; Orson J., the subject of this sketch; Sally M., of Boardman, Wis., widow of Dr. C. R. Powers; and Harriet E., wife of Lowell Harding, of Binghamton. On March 30, 1876, Mr. Eells passed away, aged ninety-two years; and one year later his wife followed him to the eternal home, she being ninety-three years old. Both had been Con- gregationalists in early life, but later had adopted the Methodist faith.

Orson J. Ells was born July 25, 1818, in Walton, Delaware County, where he attended the district school until fourteen years of age, when he began working at the trade of car- penter and 'cabinet-maker, in which he was instructed by his father, with whom he re- mained until his marriage. This interesting event occurred on June 16, 1841, Miss Martha Strong becoming his bride. She was a native

of Franklin, and daughter of Alfred Strong. Two daughters - Augusta and Estella - were born of this union. Augusta became the wife of A. S. Chamberlin, and died in 1876, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one daughter, Cora Ells, now living in Seattle, Wash., the wife of William Perkins, a banker of that city. Estella is the wife of Hobart M. Cable, a member of the Cottage Organ Company, which operates a large factory in Chicago. Mr. Cable formerly lived in Mas- sachusetts, and was for three years a member of the State legislature, serving on several important committees. For nine or ten years he was a member of the School Board of Hyde Park, a suburb of Boston, and for three years was one of its Selectmen. Mr. and Mrs. Cable have three children, as follows : Martha, wife of Howard Morenus, who is em- ployed by the Cottage Organ Company, and who resides in Chicago; Hobart, a lad of twelve years; and Mary, a bright little miss of ten summers.

It is now nearly five years since Mr. Ells was bereft of his wife, her death, on the 7th of March, 1890, being the result of a severe fall on the 17th of January previous. His spacious residence, with its extensive lawn and fragrant garden, is one of the finest in Walton. Here Mr. Ells is quietly passing the eventide of life, enjoying the esteem and affection of neighbors and friends, his home being frequently enlivened by the visits of his daughter and grandchildren.

AMES ABNER MORSE, a well-known carpenter of Halcottsville, in the east- ern part of Middletown, N. Y., was born on Hubble Hill, in this town, July 5, 1838, son of Joseph and Albie C. (Ellis) Morse. His grandparents were John and Martha ( Mead) Morse. His great-grand- father, Joseph Morse, was a native of Wales, and when a young man came to this country, and first settled on a farm in Connecticut, but afterward came to Delaware County, and set- tled on a farm at Batavia Kill. Four chil- dren survived him - John, Ira, Joseph, and Henry.

John Morse, the eldest son of the emigrant,

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left his home early in life, and took up a tract of land in the wilderness, which he cleared, and began farming. He lived in a log house, and endured many hardships while endeavor- ing to establish a home, being compelled to go on foot forty miles to Kingston for sup- plies. He married Martha Mead, whose father was also a pioneer settler, and who be- came one of the progressive farmers of the district. Later Mr. Morse bought of Amos Sanford a farm of three hundred acres at Hub- ble Hill, where he spent the rest of his life. He died at the age of ninety-one, and his wife at the age of eighty. Both were members of the Baptist church, and in politics Mr. Morse was a Whig. He left eleven children, three sons and eight daughters - Phoebe, Anna, Cynthia, Arenia, Sally, Marinda, Mercia, Useabee, Joseph, Abner, and Ezra.

Joseph Morse, son of John and Martha, was born at Batavia Kill. When a young man, he bought one-half of his father's three-hundred- acre farm at Hubble Hill, and lived on it for many years. His wife was Albie C., daugh- ter of Elijah and Eunice Ellis, the former of whom was a farmer of Delaware County. She is still living in Ulster County, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. Mr. Morse finally sold his farm at Hubble Hill; and with his son James he bought another one of two hundred and thirty acres at West Cones- ville, Schoharie County. Here he lived the rest of his life, dying at the age of sixty-five. Mr. and Mrs. Morse had nine children - John A., Jason A., James Abner, Jerome A., Mary J., Ezra J., Elijah W., Hiram K., and Eu- nice A.

To return now to the subject of this sketch, James Abner Morse received his education in the common schools at Hubble Hill. Ambi- tious and energetic, at the age of eighteen, three years before. attaining his majority, he bought with his brother John a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres, which they worked together for one year. He then sold his in- terest to John, and worked for him the follow- ing year. James and his brother Jason next became joint owners of the farm, and together worked it a year and a half, when James sold his interest, and bought another farm in the vicinity. In 1864, feeling that his country

needed his services, the Rebellion not yet being quelled, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteers, and served one year as private. On his return, in 1865, selling his farm to his brother John, he bought a smaller place; and shortly afterward he and his father bought a two-hundred-and-thirty-acre farm in Schoharie County.

About this time Mr. Morse was married to Mary A. Owens, daughter of Thomas and Emeline (Sanford) Owens. Mr. Owens was a well-known carpenter and millwright of Dela- ware County. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Morse were members of the Baptist church, and lived to be about eighty years of age. They left five children: William R .; Emeline, Mrs. Owens; Electa; Phoebe; and Ransom W. Mr. Morse remained in Scho- harie County two years, and then sold his interest to his brother John, and bought a farm at Hubble Hill, on which he lived for twenty years. During this time he did much to improve the land and the buildings thereon, greatly increased the value of the place, mak- ing it one of the finest farms in that region. He finally sold it, and in 1890 bought a half- acre of land at Halcottsville, where he built a large double house, in which he and his family now live. At present he is success- fully carrying on the business of a carpenter.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse have three children. The eldest, Emma, born December 1, 1867, wife of Henry S. Davis, of Hubble Hill, has three children. The second daughter, Celestia J., was born November 18, 1870; and John, the only son, was born December 6, 1879. In politics Mr. Morse is a Republican, and always takes a lively interest in all public matters. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which they are active workers. They are much devoted to their home and family, and are widely known and respected.

AVID R. HARRIS, foreman of the woodworking department of Craw- ford Brothers, carriage manufact- urers of Delhi, N. Y., is an expert in his line of business, possessing unusual

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mechanical ability and artistic skill, and dis- charging the duties of his responsible position with practical sagacity and discretion. Mr. Harris is a native of the Empire State, hav- ing been born in Columbus, Madison County, August 9, 1839. His father, Devillo Harris, was also a native of Columbus, where his grandparents resided many years. They finally removed to Edmeston, Otsego County, how- ever, where the grandfather spent his remain- ing years. His wife, who bore him four children - Devillo, Celia, Freelove, and John - died in Columbus.

Devillo Harris, like the majority of the farmers' sons of his day, worked on the farm, attending school when he was not needed at home, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He began farming on his own account in Otselic, where he rented a farm. He then worked for a few years for his wife's father, Lyman Carrier, going thence to Michigan, which was then an almost uninhabited country and presented the appearance of a vast wilderness in some of its districts. He bought land, and improved a comfortable homestead, on which he thereafter lived and where he died. He married Amanda Carrier, who died in New York City. They reared three children - David R., Martha, and Amelia.

David R. Harris, who was the eldest child and the only son born to his parents, spent the first ten years of his life beneath the parental roof, and from that time on lived in various places, the first being on the farm of an uncle, in Otsego County, New York. He next worked as a farm laborer in Otsego, going thence to his grandfather's, for whom he worked for a twelvemonth. He was after- ward in Brookfield, working for a Mr. Lamb, then in Coontown, West Edmeston, finally in Edmeston, in the manufactory of Julius Lines, of whom he learned his trade of car- riage-making. Later he worked at his trade in Wheeler, Steuben County, whence he went to Edmeston, where he remained until 1862. In that year Mr. Harris began his career as a soldier, enlisting to defend his country's flag, in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty- first New York Volunteer Infantry, serving two years and nine months, and in the mean

time being promoted from a private to the rank of Corporal. With his regiment he was in the thickest of the fight in several battles and skirmishes, and on June 21, 1863, re- ceived a severe wound at the battle of Peters- burg. He was honorably discharged, May 17, 1865 ; and, returning to the State of his birth, he established himself in business in New Berlin, continuing there five years. The fol- lowing twenty-two years Mr. Harris was em- ployed in a manufactory, the Hanford wagon works, in Unadilla, the last ten years of the time being foreman of the shop. While there he was solicited to take his present position with Crawford Brothers, the inducements of- fered being such that he accepted them, com- ing here October 17, 1892, since which time he has labored with credit to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of all concerned.

Mr. Harris was married in 1861 to Anna Beatty, a daughter of Alexander Beatty, of New Berlin; and of their happy union three children have been born - Carrie, Nellie, and Hattie. Carrie, the eldest daughter, died at Unadilla, in her sixteenth year, in 1878, of typhoid fever. Nellie married Philip Brady, a cigar-maker in Unadilla; and they have two children - Guy and Leo. Hattie is a student in the State Normal School, preparing herself for a teacher.

Politically, Mr. Harris is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican ticket, and is a prominent member of the C. C. Siver Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has always taken an active interest, having been Commander of the post, and Sen- ior Vice-Commander and Chaplain. He has also been Aide-de-camp in the Department Staff of the State. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are active workers and conscientious members of the Baptist church, and deeply interested in the Sunday-school connected with it, she being superintendent of the school, and he one of its most valued teachers.

A" NDREW J. CORBIN, a prominent merchant of the village of Bloomville, in the town of Kortright, was born in Roxbury, Delaware County, February 23, 1836. He is a grandson of Mc-

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Keach Corbin, of Dutchess County, who in early manhood left his native place, and, with the pluck and energy requisite for the life of a pioneer farmer, became one of the first set- tlers in Roxbury. Here his intelligent and persevering efforts were crowned with success, and he was soon the possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and the hus- band of a good wife. Children, seven in number, were sent to bless his home; and he had the happiness of seeing all of them reach maturity. Upon his pleasant farm Mr. Corbin's busy, but tranquil life, was spent ; and here, at the age of threescore years and ten, his days were ended. His sense of jus- tice, his kindliness of nature, and broad intel- ligence, all inclined him to liberality in relig- ious views, though he lived in a time when bigotry and intolerance were far more com- mon than to-day. He was a true Democrat ; and, like Richard Rumbold, "never could believe that Providence had sent a few men into the world ready booted and spurred to ride, and millions ready saddled and bridled to be ridden."

Philetus Corbin, son of McKeach Corbin, was born in Roxbury, in the memorable year 1812. His boyhood was spent upon his father's farm. When manhood was reached, he married Maria Benjamin, who, like him- self, was a native of Roxbury. After the patriarchal manner of life, Philetus Corbin brought his bride to the home of his parents, which he made his permanent abiding-place. Here he brought up his family; and here, on the fruitful acres his father had wrested from the wilderness, the son's life work was accom- plished. Philetus Corbin's children were three in number: Andrew J., the subject of this sketch; Hiram, who died at forty-three years of age; and Polly M., who married Orrin A. Meeker, and died at the age of fifty-

seven. Philetus Corbin became one of the leading farmers of Roxbury, where at one time he was the owner of several hundred acres of land. His knowledge and interest were not limited to the art of husbandry, as is proved by the fact that he served his town in various public capacities. His judgment in estimating the value of property made him especially capable as an Assessor. His in-

terest in education led him, in conjunction with John B. Gould (the father of the late eminent financier, Jay Gould), to establish Beechwood Seminary. His humanitarianism influenced him to do all that lay within his power for the good of the community. His religious sentiments were in harmony with those of his worthy father; and, politically, he supported the same Democratic policy. Mr. Corbin's wife was taken from him when she had reached the age of forty-seven. She was a woman whose devout nature found con- genial expression in the worship of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His active life was spent upon the farm where his father dwelt and toiled. His last days, however, were passed in the village of Roxbury. To his temperate life, his varied and wholesome in- terests, and his habits of mental and physical activity, he doubtless owed his longevity. It was not until the age of eighty-one years had been reached that this estimable man was laid to rest.

Andrew J. Corbin, of Bloomville, was the eldest son of Philetus and Maria Benjamin Corbin. He was born in the very month when John Quincy Adams was making his noble, single-handed fight in Congress (which lasted for eleven days) for the right of peti- tion. At this time the wonder which had been excited in the minds of the people by Morse's invention of the electric telegraph - the scientific miracle of the age - was still unabated. It was a period of intense interest and great fruitfulness in the history of the country -a period likely to have a quicken- ing influence upon a mind which was then be- ginning to unfold. Andrew's boyhood was passed in Roxbury, and he early became a student at Becchwood Seminary. Among his companions at this time who became famous was Jay Gould. The two boys became inti- mate friends, otten visiting one another and sharing the same room. Andrew had a bright mind and scholarly tastes, and did himself much credit while at school. On leaving the seminary his ability and reputation were such, though only a lad in his teens, that he readily obtained a position as teacher for five terms in his native town, and also for a short time in Ulster County. At the age of seventeen

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he became interested in mercantile life, and entered the employ of A. H. Burnham, of Roxbury, as clerk, for his first year's work receiving one hundred and fifty dollars. He remained with Mr. Burnham five years, show- ing marked and increasing mercantile ability. At the end of this apprenticeship, in company with Mr. H. B. Montgomery, he bought a store, where he did business for several years. In 1865 he sold out, and came to Bloomville, to establish himself in the store he still occupies.

The following year, 1866, Mr. Corbin was united in marriage with Lucy Ann, daughter of Aaron Champion; but their wedded happi- ness was of brief duration. She died in 1867, and her babe was soon laid beside its mother. In 1870 Mr. Corbin married Sarah E. Dales, daughter of George and Angeline Dales. Mr. Dales had been among the early settlers of the village, and was largely inter- ested in the manufacture and sale of proprie- tary medicines. His widow now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Corbin.

Remembering with what ancestry Mr. Cor- bin was blessed, it is not surprising that he had within him the capacity for great useful- ness. He has a well-filled general store, in connection with an extensive trade in flour and grain, and also deals largely in eggs. He carries a stock worth twenty thousand dol- lars; and in 1893, despite the general depres- sion, he did a business amounting to nearly a hundred thousand dollars. The methods he has employed are the result of unusual sagac- ity and unerring judgment. Though Mr. Corbin has but reached the prime of life, he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest merchant in the town, while his success is proverbial. His large business interests now demand his entire time; but in the past he has held public offices, the duties of which he has discharged with honor to himself and sat- isfaction to his townsmen. He was Super- visor one term in Roxbury, and three terms in Kortright. Mr. Corbin is a member of St. Andrew's Lodge of Free Masons in Hobart. Like his father and grandfather, he is a Dem- ocrat ; and he has also inherited their liberal religious opinions. Mrs. Corbin is a member of the Episcopal church at Bloomville; and

its benevolent work is furthered by her kindly help. Mr. Corbin is a large-hearted, public- spirited man, from whom any worthy appeal is sure to meet a ready response, whether the call be for effort of his mind or hand, or for gift from his time or purse.

EORGE W. BOOTH, Postmaster at Sidney Centre, a gentleman in the prime of life, although a veteran of the late war, is one of the most popular and well-known native residents of Delaware County. He was born in the town of Frank- lin, May 31, 1846, and is of sturdy New Eng- land stock, his father, Isaiah Booth, being a native of Pittsfield, Mass. That State was also the birthplace of his paternal grand- father, who removed thence to Delaware County after marriage, and, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Walton, was largely instrumental in promoting its ad- vancement and growth. Earlier ancestors came from England to Massachusetts, but can- not be traced, as the family records are lost.

Isaiah Booth accompanied his parents to this county, and, settling in the town of Frank- lin, purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and there improved a fine homestead. He was a man of unusual activ- ity and ability, energetic and progressive, and was numbered among the leading farmers of his vicinity. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was united in 1859, was Philanda Bronson. She was a native of Otsego County. Mr. Booth died in Franklin, when fifty-five years old, and his widow at the age of seventy-four years. She was a woman of much force of character, a valued member of the Congregational church; and her husband was liberal in his religious views. Of the eleven children born of their union six are now living, the following being their record : Mrs. Mary Youngs, wife of Norman Youngs, resides in Otsdawa, Otsego County. Mrs. Fanny Haskins is a resident of Franklin. Mrs. Jessie Murdock lives in Masonville, Delaware County. George W. is our subject. Mrs. Rosella Roof resides in Sidney Centre. Frank E., a commercial traveller, resides in the West.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

George W. Booth, the elder of the two sons of Isaiah, was reared and educated in the town of his nativity, attending first the dis- trict schools, and afterward the Franklin Academy. When seventeen years of age, he began the battle of life on his own account, his first labor being on a farm. At this time the late Civil War was in progress; and in September, 1864, in the nineteenth year of his age, he enlisted in the Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, under the command of Captain H. C. Pratt. With his regiment he participated in several skirmishes, serving faithfully until the close of the war, and re- ceived his honorable discharge June 28, 1865. After returning home Mr. Booth engaged in various occupations, his versatile talents win- ning him success in most of his undertakings. He was for a while actively engaged in the livery business, surrendering that to become agent for an insurance company, and subse- quently engaging in the hotel business in this county for eighteen consecutive years effi- ciently and profitably, managing hotels in Hancock and Walton, Downsville and Sidney Centre. While in Downsville, Mr. Booth held various responsible official positions, and for three years was in government employ in the city of Washington, having received dur- ing the first term of Grover Cleveland's ad- ministration his appointment as superinten- dent of the Treasury stables, and afterward holding the position of clerk in the Auditor's office in the Post-office Department. He was reappointed to this office during the adminis- tration of Benjamin Harrison, and resigned before its close. In 1893 he removed to Sid- ney Centre, and was appointed Postmaster here in February of the present year, 1894, assuming the responsibilities of his office on the Ist of April.

An important step in the life of Mr. Booth was his marriage on October 6, 1856, to Miss Prudence Hall, who was born in the town of Delhi, Delaware County, December 29, 1847, being a daughter of Asahel and Pamelia (Jackson) Hall. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, Emma A., a most estimable young lady, who assists her father in the post-office.

Mr. Booth is an influential member of the

Democratic party, and, socially, is a promi- nent member of Hancock Lodge, No. 552, A. F. & A. M., of Hancock Lodge, No. 1026, Knights of Honor, and of Hancock Post, No. 483, Grand Army of the Republic, for one year being Senior Vice-Commander of the post. He was a charter member of England Post, No. 142, Grand Army of the Republic, Delhi, N.Y., and a charter member of Flem- ing Post, No. 280, Downsville, N. Y., and is a charter member of George N. Riedfield Post, No. 512, Grand Army of the Republic, Sidney Centre, of which he is at the present time Commander. Religiously, both he and his wife are esteemed members of the Congre- gational church, and active workers in its support.

RCHIBALD FOREMAN, a prosper- ous farmer, of Scotch birth and ancestry, now residing on his one- hundred-and-eighty-one-acre farm in the town of Bovina, presents a good ex- ample of the thrift, energy, and success-com- pelling qualities of most of Scotia's sons who seek a home in the New World. His paternal grandparents were Robert and Agnes Fore- man, life-long residents of Scotland, making their home for the most part in the good old town of Edinburgh. The former was a slater by trade, and had a family of six sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased.

Archibald Foreman, Sr., son of the fore- going, was the next in line. He grew to manhood in his native land, and when of proper age took for his wife Margaret Hood. He was a farmer, but, like the father of Scot- land's great poet, Burns, was too poor to become the owner of the land he worked. He raised a family of eight children, four of whom now survive, namely: James, now a retired carpenter, residing in Edinburgh; Janette, who became the wife of William Yule, and lives with her husband in Canada ; Betsy, wife of Andrew Wallace, and resident in Berwickshire, Scotland. Agnes, Robert, Catherine, and Margaret, all of whom grew to maturity and married, are now deceased. The father of these children died in Berwick- shire, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife

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when about seventy. They were members of the Presbyterian church, the former being an Elder.

Archibald Foreman, son of the preceding, grew to manhood and received his education in his native country, Scotland. The day of his nativity was February 11, 1827. In 1852 he emigrated to America, landing in July of that ycar, after a voyage lasting ncarly six weeks. He wasted no time in the large cities, but came directly to Delaware County, New York, settling in the town of Bovina. He first worked out by the month for Daniel Frazier; and, as it was in the haying season and help was scarce, he received one dollar per day for his services. In 1854, feeling the influence of the gold excitement, he went to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, thc trip occupying three weeks. On arriving at his destination, he engaged in mining, and so continued for nearly six years, meeting with fair success, and undergoing the privations and typical experiences of a miner's life. At the end of the time mentioned he grew tired of the life, and returned to Bovina.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 11

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 744

Author: Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 744