Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 15

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 15

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Jeremiah, father of Orson J. Butts, located himself in 1835 on the farm now owned by his son, and here followed farming all his life. The farm consisted at first of sixty acres; but by industrious application and good management he became so prosperous that he was able at the time of his death in 1880, at the age of sixty-five, to see double this number in his possession. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomville, and in politics a Demo- crat, and was a prominent man in town affairs,

being for many years Assessor. His wife, Emma Dart, died at the age of fifty, having been the mother of five children, namely: Wilson W., of Goshen, Ind .; Orson J .; Ovid L .; Lucy Ann; and Robert J. Ovid L. was a prominent and successful physician of Bloomville, where he died in 1876, aged thirty-six, leaving a wife and one child who survived him but one year. Lucy Ann died at twenty-one. Robert J. died in 1856, when but eight years old.

Orson J. Butts was educated at the district . school and at Stamford and Delhi Academies. He taught school some twelve terms and then, in 1875, bought the farm on which he now lives, consisting at first of one hundred and eighty acres, and comprising now about three hundred acres. He has about sixty cattle, Jersey grades, and sells his milk, the amount produced in 1893 being about three thousand four hundred cans. He has also given some attention to horse-raising, in which, as in his dairying, he has been very successful.

On July 1, 1875, Mr. Butts married Anna E. Eells, daughter of Deacon Horace D. Eells, a resident of Unadilla, a mention of whom may be found in the "Otsego County Biographical Review." She is a member of the Presbyterian church at Unadila. Mr. and Mrs. Butts have no children. Mr. Butts is a liberal Democrat, but has never taken an active part in politics. His excellent farm is a model of thrift and neatness, his fine build- ings and latest modern improvements showing the care and pride of its owner. He is one of the leading farmers of this part of the town, and a man who is held in much respect.

HARLES H. VERRILL, A.M., PH.D., Professor of Mathematics, Civics, and Methods, has been Principal of the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin for the past seventeen years, and has ably discharged the duties de- volving upon him in this responsible position, gaining a wide and enviable reputation as an educator. He is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in 1837 in Dorchester, then a suburb of Boston, but now included within its limits. His ancestry is English, and is

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traced to Captain Samuel Verrill who sailed from England in the seventeenth century, and landed at Cape Cod, Mass. His father hav- ing died when he was young, he lived with his uncle, Alden J. Verrill. He became an inmate of his home in Auburn, Me., living with him eleven years.

At the age of fifteen years, he entered a shoe-shop to learn the trade, and served an apprenticeship. During this time Professor Verrill, who was an ambitious student, at- tended school three months, and taught school one term. Leaving the shoe-shop, he fitted himself for college at the Lewiston Falls Academy, and at the Maine State Seminary of Lewiston, matriculating at Bowdoin College in 1858, and being graduated from that insti- tution in 1862. Professor Verrill began his professional labors very soon after, holding the principalship of the East Corinth Acad- emy in Maine for three years. He subse- quently became Professor of Mathematics at the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Mansfield, remaining there until 1869 as one of its corps of instructors, and the following eight years occupied the position of Principal of that school. In 1877 he was elected Prin- cipal of the Delaware Literary Institute, Franklin, N. Y., an office for which his talents and fine scholarly attainments eminently qual- ify him, and in which he is giving universal satisfaction. As an active member and worker in the teachers' associations of Penn- sylvania and New York, and as an instructor in teachers' institutes for the past twenty-five years, he has gained a great popularity and distinction, his scholarship, affability, and enthusiasm being among the elements of his success.

On May 3, 1871, Dr. Verrill was married to Miss Emma J. Shattuck, of Blossburg, Pa. She is a daughter of the late Levi H. and Sarah (Pack) Shattuck, and is a woman of culture and many accomplishments, having been educated at the Mount Holyoke Semi- nary, in Massachusetts. Of the children who have been born into their household, two have been taken from earth: Arthur, a babe of five months; and Howard, a bright and promising boy of eight and onc-half years. The two older children are now living: Henry Shat-

tuck Verrill, born October 12, 1872; and Sarah Shattuck Verrill, a young lady of nine- teen years. Henry was graduated from Dela- ware Literary Institute in the class of 1888 and from Hamilton College in the class of 1892, and is now Professor of Rhetoric and Literature at Park College in Parkville, Mo. Sarah, who is an accomplished musician, was graduated from the Delaware Literary Insti- tute in 1891, and is now pursuing her studies in the Elmira College.

Religiously, Professor Verrill is a member of the Congregational church of Franklin, and a Trustee of that society. He is also a li- censed preacher in the Delaware, Chenango, and Oneida Association, and has filled differ- ent pulpits with ability, making a good impression by his earnest and persuasive manner, and delighting and pleasing his hearers by his clear and logical reasoning. Socially, he is a Master Mason, and is a man of good financial skill, and has for some years been a Director in the First Na- tional Bank of Franklin, N. Y. Lafayette College gave him the degree of Ph.D. in 1881. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Bowdoin Chapter; and his son is a member of the same fraternity, Ham- ilton Chapter.

DMUND ROSE, a worthy representa- tive of the thriving agriculturists of Delaware County, owns and occupies a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty- five acres pleasantly located on Elk Creek, about five miles from Delhi. His homestead is well improved, and amply supplied with comfortable and convenient farm buildings, and all the needed modern machinery and implements for carrying on his work. He is a thorough-going and skilful farmer, whose prosperity is due to his energetic, enterprising spirit and judicious manage- ment. He is of substantial Scotch ances- try, and a native of Delaware County, hav- ing been born in the town of Stamford, on Rose's Brook, December 8, 1817. His father was Hugh Rosc, Jr., and his grand- father Hugh Rosc, Sr., an honored pioneer of Stamford.

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Hugh Rose, Sr., was born, bred, and mar- ried in Scotland, where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil until his emigration to this country. His first location in the United States was in New York, in the vicinity of the Catskill Mountains, from whence he came to this county, at a time when it was a vast forest, with here and there a clearing in which some venturesome pioneer had raised a hum- ble cabin. Buying about six hundred acres of timbered land, he built a log house and began clearing the land. With characteristic enterprise he built a saw and grist mill at the mouth of Rose's Brook, the very first in the locality ; and his milling business proved very remunerative, farmers taking their grain to him from long distances, some bringing it on horseback and some in canoes. He was for many years one of the most conspicuous figures in the management of local affairs, serving as Justice of the Peace for a quar- ter of a century, and being for many years Associate Judge. He accumulated quite a property, and continued to reside on his homestead until his demise. His wife, who outlived him, passed her last years in the town of Claverack. They reared six children - John, Aleck, Hugh, Lydia, Nancy, and Catherine.

Hugh Rose, Jr., was likewise a native of old Scotland, and came here when a small boy. He was reared on the paternal home- stead, receiving the rudiments of his educa- tion in the district school, and afterward continuing his studies at home. He was a man of clear understanding and good judg- ment, and a great lover of books, being especially well read in ancient and modern history. While at home he assisted his father on the farm and in the mill, and subsequently purchased a farm in Stamford, where he re- sided until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Elizabeth Barlow, one of a large family of children born to Edmund Barlow, a farmer of Stamford. Of this union two sons and eight daughters were born, the following being their record: Mary, the wife of George Hume; Margery, wife of William Loring; Salonia, wife of John King; Nancy, wife of John Gammell; Lydia, wife of Peter Grant; Elizabeth, wife of James McDonald;

Abigail, wife of William Brock; Catherine, wife of Thomas Smith; Hugh; and Edmund. The mother, who survived her husband, died at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Thomas Smith, in the town of Kortright, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Both parents were esteemed members of the United Presbyterian church.

Edmund acquired a good education, and at the age of sixteen years began teaching in the district schools of his native town, afterward pursuing this high calling in Delhi and Bo- vina, making in all about four years. Mr. Rose next spent a year in Ohio, and, on re- turning to Stamford, remained with his brother during the summer, and in the follow- ing winter taught the district school. Com- ing then to Elk Creek, in company with Mr. McDonald he bought a large farm, and, erecting a mill, engaged in the milling business for a year. They then divided the farm, Mr. Rose selling his interest in the mill to his partner; and since that time he has given his entire attention to his agricultural interests. Mr. Rose makes a specialty of dairy farming, manufacturing table butter of superior quality, for which he receives the highest market price in New York City. His fine herd of cows are mostly Jersey grades, and number about fifty head of as fine and sleek-looking cattle as can be found in the county. In 1891 Mr. Rose, wishing to become more familiar with the beauties of his native country, spent about six months in a trip to the Pacific Coast, travelling extensively throughout Southern California.

Mr. Rose has been three times married. His first wife, Nancy Blakeslee, to whom he was united in 1842, was a daughter of Will- iam Blakeslee, of Kortright. She bore him the following children: William, Hugh, Sarah, Jennie, and Augusta. The youngest daughter, Augusta, married Hiram Ingersoll, a lawyer, residing in Denver, Col .; and they have four children - Leonard, Jennie, Julia, and Sarah. In 1852 Mrs. Nancy Rose died ; and Mr. Rose subsequently married Helen Sturgis, the daughter of George Sturgis, of Delhi. After ten years of wedded life she, too, died, leaving four children - Cora, Isa-

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bella, Wilson, and George. He married for his third wife, Effie McFadden, who is a na- tive of Delhi, being the daughter of John McFadden, a well-known farmer, and one of the early settlers of the town.

During his younger years Mr. Rose sup- ported the Republican ticket; but since the days of Horace Greeley's candidacy for the office of President he has been entirely inde- pendent of party lines, his only question in such matters being whether any measure is for the benefit of the town or county in which he lives, or is calculated to improve or elevate society at large. Socially, he has been for many years a Granger. Religiously, he was formerly connected with a church in Kort- right, being one of its most active members; but he now attends the First Presbyterian church at Delhi.

J OHN THOMAS, JR., a descendant of an old and well-known family of that name, was a prominent citizen of Stamford, where he was born on No- vember 20, 1828, and died, highly respected and beloved, on April 14, 1887. His grand- father, Abram Thomas, the original settler, was a son of an earlier John Thomas, who was born on November 25, 1746, and whose wife, Phoebe Thomas, was born on August 10, I749. Abram Thomas was born January 3, 1773, and married Lydia Hawley, who was born March 4, 1776. He was a farmer, and proprietor of the first tavern in Stamford, which is still standing on the Thomas farm on the main road between Bloomville and Ho- bart, in what is now South Kortright. It is built on the old Dutch plan, and with its great chimneys and moss grown roof is a landmark for the inhabitants of all the sur- rounding country, having been in its day one of the most noted and important inns of that section. By industry and economy Abram Thomas accumulated a comfortable fortune, which his descendants now enjoy. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom reached maturity; but all have since passed away. Abram Thomas died on October II, 1848. He was liberal in religious views, and a Whig in politics. His wife lived until

May 12, 1849, when she, too, passed away on the old homestead.

Their son, John B. Thomas, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Dutch- ess County, February 15, 1795, and married Fanny Smith, who was born on January 3, 1795. He was a successful farmer, and in 1817 settled in Stamford on the farm where Mrs. Thomas now resides. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian church at South Kortright; but he was liberal in religion, and a Republican in politics. John B. Thomas passed away on April 23, 1870, and his wife, October 15, 1875. They had six children, of whom three are now living: Sally Adelia Perkins, who resides in California; James A., a resident of Wisconsin; and Maria L. Es- chemberg, who also lives in California. Their son Abraham died at the age of forty- eight years. A daughter, Mrs. Adeline Wet- more, also passed away when forty-eight years old. The other son, John Thomas, Jr., was born on the old Thomas farm now occupied by his widow, and here grew to manhood, attend- ing the district schools, afterward teaching for a time. Like his father and grandfather, he adopted a farmer's life, buying the old homestead and living there until his death. On June 2, 1863, he married Miss Sarah Agnes Blakley, who was born in Kortright, December 5, 1838, a daughter of James G. Blakley, whose family history is given else- where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were the parents of four children: Susan Frances Cronk, born September 21, 1864, and a resident of Roxbury; Sarah A. Lyon, born November 28, 1867, residing in Stamford; Jennie L., born August 8, 1870, at home: and John James Thomas, who was born May 23, 1872, unmarried, and assisting his mother in the management of the old home farm, which she has carried on since her husband's death.

The old Thomas farm consisted of three hundred acres of land; and here the descend- ants of the family now live, keeping fifty head of cattle, and carrying on a large dairy, making an excellent quality of but- ter. At his death Mr. Thomas was an Elder of the Presbyterian church at South Kortright. He had held many public of-

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fices, among which were those of Assessor and County Superintendent of Poor. He was a liberal-minded, public-spirited, conscien- tious man; and his death was keenly felt and sadly mourned by a wide circle of loving relatives and friends.

HARLES C. WEBB. The gentle- man whose history is here briefly sketched is an active and practical farmer in the prime of life, who is the proprietor of a pleasant homestead in the town of Walton, where he is profitably pur- suing his useful and time-honored calling. He is a native of this town, his birth having taken place on the farm adjoining the one on which he now resides, February 7, 1842. He comes of a good family, his grandfather, Ebenezer Webb, who was a native of Connect- icut, and there worked many years at the tailor's trade, having migrated to Delaware County in early times. As a pioneer of Wal- ton he must have been of great assistance in facilitating its settlement and growth. He married Hannah Todd, who lived until 1857, dying then at the venerable age of ninety-five years.

Joseph Webb, son of Ebenezer, was born during the residence of his parents in New Canaan, Conn. He received his education in the pioneer schools of his day, and at the age of fifteen years left the parental roof, and came to the town of Walton, living with a sister, and working on her husband's farm until his marriage, when he became the owner of the farm adjoining the one now owned and occupied by his son, Charles C. He cleared the larger portion of the land, and made the essential improvements on the place, and re- sided here, a prosperous tiller of the soil, until his death, when sixty-nine years old. He was three times married, the mother of Charles C., Sally Seeley, being his third wife. She was of New England parentage, but a native of North Walton, and a life-long resident of this part of Delaware County. She passed her last years on the family home- stead, although she was taken sick and died when in the village of Walton, being then sixty-seven years of age. Both she and her

husband were valued members of the Second Congregational Church of Walton. Of their union were born three children - Charles C., Eliphalet S., and Hannah M.

Charles C. Webb, the eldest of the three, spent the early years of his life on the pater- nal homestead, acquiring a good education in the public schools of the town, and a substan- tial knowledge of the agricultural arts on the home farm. After leaving school Mr. Webb was employed as a teacher two terms, but afterward assisted in the management of the home farm until the death of his father. Having chosen farming as his life occupation, he bought the old homestead, and in 1888 added to it the farm where he now resides, and has continued engaged in general agri- culture until the present time.

The union of Mr. Webb with Miss Rebecca B. Wood was solemnized November 2, 1864. Mrs. Webb is the daughter of Benjamin and Elsie (Hoyt) Wood, formerly of New Canaan, Conn., and later respected members of the farming community of Walton. Her grand- father, Ebenezer Hoyt, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Wood were members in good standing of the Con- gregational church at North Walton, remain- ing active workers in that church until called to their home beyond the vale of shadows, Mr. Wood passing away at the age of seventy- five years, and his wife when seventy-nine years old. Of their eight children seven grew to maturity : Louis; Mary E. ; Nancy M., who married William Haring (a sketch of whose life appears in another part of this vol- ume); Ebenezer; Charles S .; George W .; Amelia E. ; and Rebecca.

Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Webb two children have been born - Walter and Annie R. The former married Julia Seeley, the daughter of William and Henrietta (Durfey) Seeley, of Walton; and their union has been brightened by the birth of one child, Mary R. Mr. Webb is a Republican in politics, and an able supporter of the principles of that party. In the welfare of his town he ever takes an active interest, and has served as Assessor eight years to the satisfaction of all con- cerned, and is now a Director of the Delaware County Insurance Company.

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HON HOMAS E. WHITE, a popular citizen of Colchester, a veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a native of the town where he now resides, having been born here on October 16, 1836. He is the son of Richard Laraway White, who was born in Colchester, March 27, 1797, his parents being Benjamin and Lcvina (Lotten) White, whosc biographies are narrated elsewhere in this volume.

Richard L. White purchased of Peter Bo- gart three hundred acres of land above Brock Bridge, and there carried his wife, Elizabeth Washburn, who became the mother of nine children, namely: Myria, born November 14, 1822; Mary W., born January 26, 1824; Le- vina A., born July 30, 1826; Junett A., born November 23, 1828; James J., born Novem- ber 18, 1831; Perry L. S., born October 18, 1834; Thomas E. ; Amos E. and Ambrose E., twins, born November 22, 1839. By unceas- ing toil and dauntless energy Richard White cleared his land, and erected a substantial house and barn. This land he improved until it was converted into a fertile river farm, and cultivated it in connection with the lumber business, in which he was extensively en- gaged, sending the logs down the Delaware River to the large cities, where they were readily sold. In 1850 he began to deal in flour and salt, taking to Rondout, sixty-eight miles away, a load of wool, dried apples, or other farm products, and returning with a load of salt or flour, the journey occupying five days. Mr. White engaged in this business until his death, May 14, 1859. Hc was a Democrat; and both he and his estimable wife, who died March 16, 1882, were members of the Presbyterian church.

Thomas E. White was educated in the com- mon schools of Colchester. He was a bright, active lad, and, when but eleven years of age, drove his father's team to Rondout and Oxford, Chenango County, returning with the load of salt and flour, which his father then sold. When sixteen, he learned the carpen- ter's tradc, at which he worked in the sum- mer, lumbering in the winter, until his marriage in 1872. He purchased many tracts of land, which he cleared, selling the lumber, but since 1892 has worked at his trade, build-

ing for himself a beautiful dwelling in a fine lot on River Street, where he has a fine dis- play of fruits in their season. His spacious house accommodates about twenty summer boarders, who enjoy his genial hospitality and the charming surroundings of Downsville.

Mr. White married Melissa, daughter of William and Prudy A. (Ingraham) Marshall, who was born March 12, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall occupied a farm in Rockland, and werc the parents of six children -- Melissa, James, Ruth, Frank, Ella, and Henry. Mr. Marshall is still living, a resident of Mere- dith; but his wife has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. White have two daughters: Lelah Bell, born November 12, 1877; and Lizzie L., born January 17, 1881, both of whom are accomplished musicians. He was a volunteer in the Civil War, enlisting in 1864, in Com- pany C, First New York Engineers, and serv- ing until the close of the war, after which, on account of impaired health, he spent two years in Texas.

Mr. White is a member of Fleming Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and is also a Free Mason, belonging to Downsville Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Industrious, enterprising, and upright, he is widely known and highly respected.

ILLIAM FLETCHER, the well- known village blacksmith, whose flaming forge is on Upper Main Street, Delhi, is an active, widc-awake man, whose success in life is attributable to indus- trious habits and good business principles. Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, February 3, 1836, hc inherits in a large degree the honesty and prudent thrift that distinguishcd his progenitors. His grandfather, James Fletcher, Sr., whosc occupation was farming, was also a native of Scotland, and there spent a life of ninety long years. He and his wife, Margaret McQueen, were the parents of four sons and onc daughter; and of this family onc son, Robert, is still living in Scotland, occu- pying the paternal homestead.

James Fletcher, Jr., the father of William, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and lived there until after his marriage, being en-

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gaged in farming. He subsequently removed to England with his wife and family, which then consisted of five children. A few years later his life was saddened by the death of his beloved companion, who passed to the better land at the age of forty-six years. She was a woman of many noble qualities, and, with her husband, was a conscientious member of the Presbyterian church. Life in the old country being no longer desirable for him, he emi- grated to America with his children, coming directly to Delaware County, New York, and settling in Andes. There he bought a farm, and for some time carried on general agricult- ure. He subsequently removed to Tompkins, where he purchased a smaller farm, on which he lived a few years; then, returning to Andes, he purchased a home in Shavertown, and remained there until eighty-one years of age, when he was gathered to his long rest. His family circle included nine children, as follows: James, Margaret, Agnes, Ellen, William, Jeanette, Elizabeth, Robert, and John, only three of whom are now living.

William Fletcher, who was the second son and fifth child, was an infant when his parents removed to England, where he lived until fif- teen years of age, obtaining his education in the parish schools of that country. Coming with his father to Delaware County, he as- sisted him for a little while on the farm, but soon afterward began blacksmithing in Andes, continuing it for two years in that town. Mr. Fletcher then came to Delhi, where he se- cured work, and two years later opened a blacksmith shop of his own in the village. In 1864 he removed to his present smithy, and has continued in active employment. His superior workmanship and his general desire to please and accommodate his patrons are fully recognized by the public, and have secured for him an extensive and profitable business.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 15

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