Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 16

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 16

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The marriage of Mr. Fletcher with Miss Rebecca Hughes, a native of Franklin, and the daughter of James and Margaret (Weis- mer) Hughes, was celebrated on December 24, in the year 1857. The beloved wife died when fifty-eight years old, on December 23, 1893, their happy wedlock having lasted thirty-six years lacking one day. The six

children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher may be here recorded, as follows: Margaret, who married Wallace B. Gleason, of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this volume; Minnie, deceased; Myrtie, who mar- ried James E. Russell, a native of Hamden, but now a professor in Germany, and has two children - William and Charles; Lulu, wife of W. Ward Seward, of Lenox, Mass .; Nellie; and Ned W. Mr. Fletcher takes a warm interest in public affairs, and may truly be considered a representative man of the town. He is frank and open in the expres- sion of his opinions, and is a strong Republi- can. He is a Trustee of the village; and he and his family are members of the Presbyte- rian church, of which he is also Trustee.

ELSON SMITH, a respected citizen and successful farmer of Tompkins, Delaware County, was born in Sharon, Schoharie County, N. Y., March 2, 1830. John Smith, his grand- father, was one of four brothers who came from Germany before the Revolutionary War, and all enlisted in the patriots' cause. The other three must have lost their lives in the struggle, as they have never been heard from since. John lived to reach the age of eighty- four years, and died at the home of his son in Cherry Valley, Otsego County. He was sta- tioned at Fort Plains at the time of the Cherry Valley massacre, and was detailed to remain on duty at the fort while his companions went to the rescue of the unfortunate victims. His wife was Nancy Yerdon, a descendant of an old Dutch family; and they became the par- ents of nine children - Philip, Jacob, Mar- garet, Sophia, Delia, Katie, Mary, Susan, and Laimy, all of whom lived to reach ma- turity and have families of their own. The mother of this family died about twelve years previous to the death of her husband, and they are buried side by side in Cherry Valley. Their son Philip, father of the subject of this sketch, was born July 12, 1801, in Cherry Valley, and was a pioneer of Schoharie County. He received a district-school educa- tion, and adopted the occupation of a farmer, marrying Nancy Coonroodt, a descendant of

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an old Dutch family of New York. They. had eight children- Nelson, Katie M., William A., Lydia, Delia, John J., David, Ellen R. Philip Smith was a Democrat, and died, aged seventy-seven years, at the home of his eldest son, Nelson. His grave is in the Loomis cemetery, with that of his wife, who passed away in 1869, and their son, John J., whose death occurred on April 10, 1884, at the home of Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Smith were members of the Lutheran church.

Nelson Smith, their eldest son, was edu- cated in the district schools of Cherry Valley, and in his boyhood helped his father in the management of the farm. When nineteen, he started out for himself, working out by the month and year. He married October 24, 1858, Julia A. Dnester, wlio was born March 8, 1834, daughter of Andrew and Maria (Van Valkenburg) Dnester, of Root, Montgomery County. Martin Dnester, the grandfather of Mrs. Smith, was a farmer in Montgomery County, a descendant of a prominent Dutch family. When a boy of twelve, at the time of the Schoharie massacre, he and a companion hid in the wheat, while the Indians and Tories searched for them, and with threats tried to induce them to come from their hid- ing-place. His companion endeavored to escape by jumping the fence, but was over- taken by the Indians and scalped; while Mar- tin remained concealed until driven out by hunger and thirst, when he escaped to the fort. Martin Dnester passed his last days with his daughter in New Berlin. His wife was Maria Gellar, a member of a Dutch fam- ily of Minden. Their son Andrew died, aged eighty-six years, May 5, 1891, at the home of the subject of this biography, with whom he passed the last fifteen years of his life. His burial-place, and that of his wife, is the cemetery at Charleston Four Corners, Mont- gomery County.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Smith have had three children, two of whom died within a week, of diphtheria: Andrew D., at fifteen years of age; and Charles, at ten ycars. Thc eldest passed away in infancy. Mr. Smith has a foster-son, Charles A. Constable, who has lived with him since boyhood, and still re- sides there, taking the place of the children

who were called away. He is devoted to his foster-parents, is faithful and industrious, assisting in the farm work, and possesses their utmost confidence and regard.

Mr. Smith settled on his farm on June 15, 1852, and cut the first tree for a fallow. By dint of hard labor he cleared the land and built the house he now occupies. He has been remarkably successful in business, and has been able to do much for his parents, his brother, and his wife's father. He is a Dem- ocrat, prominent in all town affairs, where he has held several positions of trust. He and his wife attend the Christian church, of which organization the parents of Mrs. Smith were also members. Mr. Smith is universally es- teemed and honored throughout the town of Tompkins, the welfare of which he ever has at heart.

LEXANDER TWEEDIE, farmer and feed-dealcr, residing in the village of Walton, has thc reputation of being a strictly first-class business man, and is a citizen of whom Walton may well be proud. His farm, which is located about five miles from the village, contains two hundred acres of land, and is specially adapted to the raising of grain and stock, in its equipments comparing favorably with any estate in this part of the county. In noting the industry and thrift of Mr. Tweedie, who ranks among the most substantial residents of Walton, one is not surprised to learn that he is of Scotch birth and parentage. The shire town of Glenrauth, in Peeblesshire, which was the place of birth of his father, Alexander, Sr., was the home of his ancestors for many gen- crations back; and there John Tweedie, his grandfather, following in the footsteps of ear- lier progenitors, was a life-long resident, cn- gaged in the shepherd's calling.

The first member of the Tweedie family to emigrate to America was Alexander Tweedie, Sr., who crossed the Atlantic in 1849, bring- ing with him his wife and elcven children. On landing he came directly to this county, and, after spending a short time in Hamden, came to Walton, and, purchasing a farm on Dunk's Hill, settled there the same year.

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After being successfully engaged for many years as a tiller of the soil, he moved into the village, and there lived in honorable retire- ment for three years, coming then to the home of his son Alexander, where he was tenderly cared for until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Mary Bruce, a daughter of James Bruce, was a na- tive of Scotland, and a lineal descendant of King Robert Bruce, of historic fame. She also spent her declining years at the home of her youngest son, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. Both she and her hus- band were members of the Scottish Presbyte- rian church. The names of the eleven chil- dren born to them are as follows: John, Archibald, Christina, Nicholas, William, Mary, James, Eliza, Alexander, Euphemia, and Margaret.

Alexander Tweedie, Jr., who was born in Scotland on January 27, 1840, was a sturdy little lad of nine years when he came to the United States; and the larger part of his edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Walton. With his brothers he assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the parental homestead, remaining with his parents until attaining his freedom. Being a young man of enterprise and ability, keen and shrewd in his judgment of values, he began his business career by going to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in various speculations. Afterward he was similarly employed in the States of Illinois and Missouri. Returning to Walton, Mr. Tweedie purchased a farm on West Brook, on which he has since devoted himself largely to agricultural pursuits. He has from year to year increased his operations, and now keeps from thirty to thirty-five head of choice milch cows, with some young stock and sev- eral horses. In addition to his labors on the farm, Mr. Tweedie carries on an extensive feed business, running a mill, and selling and buying grain.

Mr. Tweedie and Margaret Smith, the daughter of Robert and Christiana Smith, were united in marriage on December 24, 1872. Mrs. Tweedie is also of substantial Scotch ancestry, her parents having emi- grated to New York, afterward settling in the town of Delhi, where they carried on

farming for many years. They were the par- ents of ten children: Jane; Nancy; John ; Catherine; Robert; Christina; Daniel; Jen- nie; Alexander; and Margaret, the wife of Mr. Tweedie. Mrs. Smith died at the early age of forty-two years; but Mr. Smith, who lived retired for some years, died in the town of Delhi when seventy-six years old. They were people of high moral standing, and mem- bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tweedie five children have been born, namely: James and Robert, who died young; and Christina, Maurice, and Jennie, who are now pursuing their studies in the Walton Academy. With the exception of one daughter, the entire fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Tweedie has served as an Elder for seventeen years. He is a stanch advocate of temperance, and in politics is a Prohibi- tionist.

HARLES W. WETMORE is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers and dairymen of Stamford, of which town he is a native, and has been a life-long resident. His great-grandfather was an Englishman, who came to America at an early day, and settled in Rye, Westchester County, N. Y. He was an Episcopal minis- ter, and lived to a good old age in his adopted home. His son, James Wetmore, was born in Rye, but when a young man came to Dela- ware County, soon after his marriage, and set- tled in Kortright on Beatty Brook. Later he removed to the outskirts of the town, where William Barlow now resides. James Wet- more died in Stamford, at the age of ninety- two years, his wife, Elizabeth, passing away in her sixty-fifth year. Both were members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Wetmore was a Democrat in politics. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to a good old age, but are now dead.

Their son, James Wetmore, Jr., grew to manhood in the town of Kortright, where he was a merchant, and was also interested in a hotel in what is called "The Hook." He was proprietor of this hotel for thirteen years, and.

CHARLES W. WETMORE.

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then removed to the farm where his son Charles now resides, engaging in the occupa- tion of stock-raising and dairying, owning two hundred and eighty acres of land. He was a prudent manager and industrious farmer, and died at the age of eighty-two years, his wife, Hannah Sackrider, whose family history appears in this volume, living to be ninety-two.

James Wetmore, Jr., was a Democrat; and he and his wife were members of the Episco- pal church. They had six children, five sons and one daughter, three of whom still survive, namely: Solomon D., a resident of Delhi; James, who lives at Bainbridge, Chenango County; and Charles W., of whom this biog- raphy is written. One son, Thomas, died when sixty-five years of age, another, Henry, at the age of eleven, and a daughter Mary passed away when sixty-five.

Charles W. Wetmore was born in Stamford, on the farm where he now resides, January 28, 1826. He was educated in the district schools, and remained at home, providing for his parents in their declining years. In 1857 he purchased the old homestead, and now pos- sesses a productive farm of two hundred and ninety acres, making superior butter from the milk produced from his forty cows. The buildings on his land are built with the best of material and kept in perfect repair, among them being his fine residence and commodious stable, the latter being one of the most costly and complete in its furnishings in the town. At the time of purchasing his farm, Mr. Wet- more was obliged to shoulder a debt of five thousand dollars, all of which has now been paid through his careful management and strict attention to business.

September 26, 1860, he married Miss Fran- ces Thomas, a native of Stamford, and daugh- ter of John B. and Frances (Smith) Thomas, both of whom have passed away, the mother at the age of seventy-five years, and the father at seventy years. Mrs. Wetmore, a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, died in June, 1882, sadly mourned by her husband and only child. The latter, Charles T. Wetmore, who was born April 16, 1865, married Miss Carrie E. Nesbit, a native of Stamford, and daughter of George Nesbit,

This son is now in partnership with his father, assisting in the management of the farm and dairy.

In his religious views Mr. Wetmore is thoroughly liberal, and in politics he votes with the Democratic party. Industrious, up- right, and with unusual business ability, Mr. Wetmore has accomplished more than the ordinary man of his time, and is numbered among the foremost men of the locality, where he is a respected and highly esteemed citizen.

The reader will turn with interest to the portrait of this gentleman on an adjoining page.

RS. MELINDA SAWYER, widow of Isaac W. Sawyer, who died on his homestead, which is known as the Abram Ogden farm, in 1876, is a native of Walton, her birth taking place in 1820. She is of New England origin, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Nancy P. (Richards) Smith, both natives of Connecticut. Her maternal grandfather, Ne- hemiah Richards, was born in New Canaan, Conn., and his wife, Nancy Platt, in the town of Norwalk, the same State. They emigrated to Delaware County in the early days of its settlement, and took up a timber tract three and a half miles from Walton, on the south side of the Delaware River. Besides devel- oping and improving a farm, they made quite a business of manufacturing maple sugar, using the primitive method then in vogue of catching the sap in dug-out troughs, like canoes, and boiling it in large potash kettles. The farm which they cleared was the home of three generations, and is still owned by the family, although it is now occupied by a ten- ant. Mrs. Sawyer's progenitors were of Eng- lish birth, the first of her mother's ancestors to come to America being one Samuel Rich- ards, who emigrated from Staffordshire, Eng- land, in the closing years of the seventeenth century. He located in New Canaan, Conn., where in 1714 he married Elizabeth Latham, who bore him ten children, five sons and five daughters. Five of these children married into the Waring family. James Richards, the grandson of Samuel Richards, married

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Hannah Waring, who bore him eleven chil- dren, one of whom, Nehemiah Richards, was the grandfather of Mrs. Sawyer, as above mentioned.

Melinda Smith Sawyer was trained by her excellent parents to habits of industry and economy, and received her education mainly in the common schools of her native county. June 28, 1855, she was united in marriage to Isaac W. Sawyer, a prosperous farmer, and at one time a dealer in lumber. He was a na- tive of Walton, and a son of Elisha Sawyer, who came here when a young man from the Green Mountain State, and engaged in farm- ing and lumbering, being a well-known citi- zen of this community. He subsequently married Betsey Smith, of this town; and they reared a family of three sons and two daugh- ters, all of whom have passed away. Jesse Sawyer, the father of Elisha Sawyer, was a Green Mountain boy, and served in the Revo- lution. He married Catherine White; and they spent the earlier years of their wedded life in Vermont, the State of their nativity, coming here after their son Elisha had become well established. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, some of whom became prominent residents of this section of Delaware County.

Isaac W. Sawyer was a very active and en- terprising man, and labored hard in his efforts to secure the competence which event- ually became his. He was first married in 1842 to Elizabeth Ogden, daughter of Isaac Ogden. She died in 1852, leaving no chil- dren. By his second marriage there was born one child, Fanny, who is the wife of Irving Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, who have three bright and lively children Francis, a boy of twelve years; Albert, nine years old; and Mary, a little girl of six years - make their home with Mrs. Sawyer at No. 88 North Street.

A LBERT P. CARPENTER, EsQ., is a well-known lawyer of Margarettville, in Middletown, where he was born September 5, 1829. His father, Richard Carpenter, was a native of Dutchess County, born on January 6, 1791. He mar-

ried Miss Margaret Hicks, by whom he had nine children, namely: William, who married Ann Cornell; Deborah, who married Luther Landon; John, who married Mrs. Delia R. Ellison; Isabell, who married first William J. Walker, second the Rev. B. S. Wright; Luman, who died in infancy; Abram, who married Margaret Jacquish; Elias, who mar- ried first Sarah Allen, second Frances De Silvia; Charlotte, who died in infancy; and Richard, who married Jane O. Barber. After the death of his first wife Mr. Carpenter mar- ried Charlotte Hicks, by whom he had two children : Albert P., of whom this sketch is written; and Elizabeth A., who married David S. Hill. After the death of Mr. Car- penter's second wife he married Mrs. Juliette Hewitt, by whom he had one son, Orson A., who died when four years old.

Richard Carpenter sold his place in Dutch- ess, and came to Delaware County after the death of his first wife, settling at Griffin's Corners, where he married again. He then moved to Margarettville, which was but a hamlet at that time. There were no stores or mills nearer than Kingston, where all of the marketing had to be done. Mr. Carpenter was a man of public spirit and enterprise, and took an active part in forwarding the interests of the village. He died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, having accumulated a good property, and raised a large family of sons and daughters. He was a stanch Repub- lican, and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Albert P. Carpenter received a common- school education at the Hobart Seminary, and read law for one year with Munson & Glea- son and one year with Samuel Gordon, of Delhi, after which he was admitted to the bar on the 11th of January, 1853. He then went into the office of S. Gordon, Esq., of Delhi, with whom he entered into partnership, and with whom he remained for a year, after which he removed to Margarettville. Here he was taken ill with disease of the lungs, and was incapacitated for work for some time. As soon as he recovered, he began to practise his profession in the village, where he is now a respected and prosperous lawyer.

In 1858 he secured for his wife the woman

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of his choice, Miss Nettie M. Coloney, the daughter of James and Melissa Coloney. Mrs. Carpenter's father was a native of New Hampshire, where he was born, January 23, 1803. He was a farmer in St. Lawrence County, New York, for some years, whence he went to Ohio, and finally removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he died at the age of forty-five. His wife died at twenty-eight years of age, leaving five children: Mary J., who married Royal Martin, and has one child; Myron, who married Josephine Tuttle, and has one son; Nettie M., Mrs. Carpenter; Jo- siah B., who married Margaret Currie, and was killed in the Civil War, at the battle of the Weldon Railroad, Virginia, leaving one son ; and Sarah, of whom the family know little, as she was adopted in her infancy, and has had no relations whatever with those of her own blood since. The wife of Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is an advocate of Republican principles, to which he strongly adheres, and is one of the successes of the legal guild of his section.

ACOB H. CHAMBERLIN is a pros- pering farmer and popular resident of Tompkins, formerly known as Pine- field, Delaware County, N. Y., where he was born on November 17, 1849. His father, Eliphalet Chamberlin, who was a na- tive of Vermont, married Mary A. Boice, daughter of Joshua Boice. He died in the prime of life; and his widow married Peter Hogan, a farmer of Tompkins. (For further particulars of the Chamberlin family see sketch of John Chamberlin.)

Jacob H., son of Eliphalet and Mary A. (Boice) Chamberlin, was an infant when his father died. He was brought up by his mother and step-father, and educated in the district schools of Tompkins. When fifteen years of age he began life for himself, work- ing out on various farms, and later, in 1878, purchased from William Dennis the farm on which he now resides.

August 28, 1877, Mr. Chamberlin married Deborah A. Dennis, daughter of William and Adeline (Austin) Dennis, of Ovid, Seneca County. Joseph Dennis, father of William,

married Nancy Calups, who was of German descent; and they were among the early set- tlers of that county. William Dennis passed his early days in the town of Andes. Losing his father when very young, he was bound out to Barna Radeker. Energetic and self-reli- ant, he began to work for himself as a farmer in Colchester when about nineteen years of age, and later removed to Andes. After a few years he disposed of his property there, and in 1867 purchased the farm in Tompkins which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. He resided here until he sold the place, and then moved to the farm now occu- pied by his son John, at Trout Creek, in the same town; and there he passed his last days, retired from active life, dying at the age of seventy-two, and being buried in Trout Creek Cemetery. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist church, which he joined when twenty-one years of age, his daughter Deborah, Mrs. Chamberlin, also being a member. His wife still survives, and resides with her son John. Their daugh- ter was educated in the district schools, and resided with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Chamberlin.

The quiet, well-kept home of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin, who have no children, is plainly the abode of intelligence, industry, and thrift. Mr. Chamberlin is engaged in farming and in sheep and stock raising, in which business he exhibits good judgment and practical ability, and has been eminently successful. He is a Republican in politics, giving that party his most hearty support.

HILIP LASHER owns a tract of land lying along the river road in the town of Delhi, which is one of the most valuable estates in the vicinity. Here he is engaged in general farming, pay- ing especial attention to dairying, in which he has been very successful, his fine herd of graded Jerseys amply repaying him for the time and attention he devotes to them. Mr. Lasher is a native of Delaware County, Griffin's Corners, Middletown, being the place of his birth, and April 30, 1843, the date thereof. He is a descendant of one of

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Delaware County's respected pioneers, his paternal grandfather, Conrad Lasher, having removed from Dutchess to this county in the early days of its settlement. He bought a tract of timbered land in Middletown, on a spot known as Brush Ridge, and thereafter devoted his life to its cultivation and im- provement.

Frederick Lasher, the father of Philip, was born in Dutchess County, being one of seven children. He came with his parents to this county, and assisted them in their pioneer labor of clearing a farm until of age, when he purchased a small piece of land, and began the work of making a home for himself. He was a man of unusual ability and enterprise, and in the years that followed met with great success. He continually added to his landed possessions, and at the time of his decease was the owner of four good farms, three being in Middletown, and one in Halcott, Greene County. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Record, was a native of Dutchess County, and bore him the following-named children: Conrad and Jane, both deceased ; Philip; John; Annie C .; Isabella; Frances, deceased; George; Albertina; Henrietta, de- ceased; and Jeanette.

Philip Lasher spent his early years with his parents, attending school, and doing the chores around the homestead that inevitably fall to a farmer's boy. When a youth of twenty years he took upon himself the cares and responsibilities of matrimony, and, in order that he might support his wife, bought a farm in Ulster County, where he made a good living for some twelve years. Dispos- ing of that property, he came to this county, and purchased a farm in the town of Andes, on which he lived about a year, going from there to Halcott, Greene County, where he bought land and conducted a farm for two years. Returning to Griffin's Corners, the place of his nativity, Mr. Lasher entered upon an entirely new enterprise, building a large house, in which for the next ten years he en- tertained boarders from the city, a very pleas- ant and profitable occupation. Then, selling his boarding-house, he bought the farm which he now owns and occupies, formerly known as the Redfield farm, and considered one of the

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 16

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