USA > New York > Delaware County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York > Part 25
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Edmund A. Howes was educated in the dis- trict schools of his native town, and when eighteen began to teach in Peasetown, Broome County. He afterward taught at Bennetts- ville, Chenango County, and later five terms in Masonville, teaching sixteen terms alto- gether. January 1, 1883, he married Maggie E. Finch, daughter of Henry and Mary Jane (Carroll) Finch, of Sidney. The grandfather of Mrs. Jonas Finch was born in Cairo, Greene County, son of Amos and Martha (Parks) Finch. Amos Finch was a Revolu- tionary soldier, and engaged in farming in Dutchess County. Jonas married Henrietta Lennon, who lived to be eighty-seven years old, and died in 1874. His son, Henry Finch, father of Mrs. Howes, was born June 22, 1823, was a farmer in Masonville, but later bought land in Williamsport, Pa. In 1862 he enlisted in the war, in which he served ten months, returning to Pennsylvania after peace was declared. He now resides,
retired from active work, in Sidney. His wife was Mary J. Carroll, daughter of Samuel Carroll, of Tompkins; and she was the mother of twelve children: Zaccheus, who married Rosetta Teed, of Sidney; Sarah, wife of Edgar Teed, of Stevensport, Pa .; Henrietta, who married Duane Hand, a farmer in Morris, Ontario County; Louisa, wife of Robert Stew- art, of Sidney, who died in 1894; Anna, who married Warren Hodges, a farmer of Sidney ; Maggie; Henry, who married Mary Bradley, of Tompkins; Emeline, who died at the age of sixteen; Almetta, who married James Hodges, of Sidney; Nora, the wife of Edwin Wheat, a carpenter of Sidney; Norman, who married Bertha Gaylord, and is engaged in farming in Sidney; and James.
Mr. and Mrs. Howes have one son, Fred, E., born June 10, 1885, who now attends school in District No. 7. Mr. Howes is very prominent in town affairs, and has held vari- ous offices of trust. He is Justice of the Peace, has been Inspector and Auditor, and was a member of the Republican County Com- mittee during the years of 1881 and 1882. He is a Republican in politics, and is widely known and esteemed.
RS. JANETTE (GOODRICH) STODDART, widow of James S. Stoddart, who died at his late home in the town of Croton, Sep- tember 13, 1890, at the age of seventy-four years, is an intelligent and cultured lady, universally respected for her nobility of char- acter and kindness of heart. She is a native of Delaware County, and a daughter of Rich- ard M. Goodrich, who was born June 16, 1786. He was educated for a professional life, and at an early age began his career as a physician, being for many years the most successful and popular practitioner of this sec- tion of the county, having an extensive prac- tice in the towns of Hamden and Middletown. He was married December 28, 1812, to Jane J. Sands, who bore him six children, as fol- lows: Antoinette, the wife of Benjamin Mc- Call; Henrietta, now seventy-seven years of age, and a resident of Delhi; Janette, Mrs. Stoddart ; Juliet, the wife of Alexander Shaw,
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of Delhi; Harrict, the widow of William Burgess, of St. John, New Brunswick; and George, a resident of Delhi.
Mrs. Stoddart received a careful home training and an excellent education, being fitted at the age of fifteen years for a teacher, and for four terms was an instructor in the public schools. On the 3d of April, 1839, being then a maiden of eighteen years, she became the bride of James S. Stoddart, an industrious and enterprising farmer, and a young man of great promise. They settled on a farm of their own in the town of Hamden, where they lived several years, prosperously engaged in tilling the soil. Selling that property at an advantage, they bought another farm in Walton, and managed this with the same untiring industry that had heretofore characterized their labors, and in the course of time amassed a comfortable competence. Mr. Stoddart was a man of great force of character. Possessing more than ordinary business ability, he carried on his farming operations in an able and scientific way, and was numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of his neighborhood. About eighteen years ago he and his wife removed to the present fine home of Mrs. Stoddart in Croton, where he lived retired until called to his eternal home. He was a most exemplary and highly esteemed citizen, and in every condition of life performed whatever he under- took conscientiously, and as became a man having the best interests of his town and county at heart. He was an active worker in religious circles, and a devoted member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Stoddart was of good Scotch ancestry, his father, William Stoddart, having been born and reared in Scotland. When a young man, he emigrated to America, and settled in Delaware County, where he was marricd May 4, 1815, to Phobe Churchill, who was born in the same year as himself, 1784. He was a farmer by occupation, and owncd a farm on Scotch Mountain, where, by industry, thrift and strict economy, he acquired a substantial property. During the last years of his life he lived retired in Delhi. His wife survived him many years, and dicd at her home in Delhi, June 14, 1857. Four children, two
sons and two daughters, were born to them; but of these only one is now living, Esther, the widow of Tracey G. Rich, of Bingham- ton, N. Y.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stoddart was blessed by the birth of five children: Will- iam G., born January 11, 1840, married Es- tella Rowe, and lives in Croton. Jane E., formerly a successful teacher, was born Janu- ary 29, 1843, and is now the widow of Samuel Holmes, of Walton. Sarah B., born in 1845, is the wife of Joshua Seaman, a farmer resid- ing in Meredith, and has two children. Charles A., born January 22, 1849, now a resident of Walton, is a widower with three children. Ann Eliza, born May 8, 1851, married Leroy Smith, of Franklin; and they are the parents of three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoddart were for many years among the most extensive and prosperous land-holders of the county, and owned several farms, their acreage aggregating some five hundred acres, this large property being ac- quired mainly by their own efforts and good management.
ERRIT S. ROBERTS, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of the town of Kortright, was born in that town, October 7, 1829, and is the son of Joseph W. and Mary (Seely) Roberts, the former a native of Kort- right, and the latter of Westchester County. The grandfather, Eli Roberts, was born in Westchester County, but settled in Kortright in 1780, being one of the first pioneers of the town. He owned one of the largest farms in the vicinity, remaining in active charge of the same until his death, at the age of eighty- nine. Joseph W. Roberts was brought up as a farmer and lumberman, and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, the greater portion of it having to be cleared. He died on his farm at the age of seventy-six, his wife being eighty-eight at the time of her death. The latter was a member of the Bap- tist church.
Mcrrit S. Roberts was educated at the dis- trict school and the academy. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, managing
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his father's farm, and looking after his par- ents during their last years. He has added considerably to the farm since it came into his possession, now having three hundred and eighty acres under cultivation. He has built a handsome residence, and his farm is conducted on model and practical lines. His son is as- sociated with him in its mangement, the firm name being M. S. Roberts & Son.
Mr. Roberts was married October 20, 1852, to Adelia A. Brownell, a daughter of Isaac and Lucy Brownell, of Kortright. Mr. Brown- ell was a well-known and influential farmer of this town, and lived to a ripe age, being eighty years old at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children : Maud, who was married in April, 1884, to George E. Moore, a prominent druggist of Oneonta, and has one child, Leona; Joseph I., who was married January 18, 1892, to Miss Grace . Van Vechten, of Rensselaer County, and is one of the rising young farmers of the town. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which position he now holds, and is a member of Lodge No. 466, A. F. & A. M. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat.
Mr. Roberts has been Supervisor of the town for two years, and has also filled minor town offices. He is a member of Lodge No. 466, A. F. & A. M., of Oneonta, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Delhi Chapter, No. 249. Mr. Roberts is one of the most respected farmers in Delaware County. He is a man of sterling worth, giving life and spirit to the town of his nativity, and taking a deep interest in all enterprises which tend to promote its welfare.
A RTHUR H. ST. JOHN, M.D., repre- sents in a worthy manner the medical profession of Walton, one of the most prosperous and thriving towns of Delaware County, and socially is regarded as one of its most valued citizens. His na- tive place was at Cranbury, N.J., the date of his birth being May 8, 1856. He is a son of Isaac J. and Elizabeth P. (Hanford) St. John, both of whom were natives of Delaware County.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the town of Walton, whither his parents had returned shortly after his birth. Soon after his graduation from the Walton High School he entered into mercantile business, and was subsequently employed as an agent for the American Express Company, running between Oswego and New York. From his boyhood, however, he had intended to become a physician, and, with this end in view, en- tered the office of Dr. J. H. Keeney, of Os- wego, N.Y., with whom he read medicine, going thence to the New York Homoeopathic Medical College, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1892. The subsequent year Dr. St. John was one of the staff of phy- sicians connected with the Flower Hospital, and was afterward on the staff of the Hahne- mann Hospital. After spending some time in private practice in New York City, the Doc- tor located in Walton, opening his office here in April, 1893, and since that time has been in the receipt of a substantial practice. He is a close and thoughtful student, devoted to the interests of his patients, and is held in high respect both as a man and as a practitioner. He has more than an average share of the pat- ronage of the best people of the community, and his prospects for winning a position among the leading physicians and surgeons of this part of Delaware County are exceedingly good.
The marriage of Dr. St. John and Miss Belle M. Snow, a daughter of Garrett Snow, was solemnized at Caroline Centre, Tompkins County, in 1876; and the young couple began their wedded life in Walton, which is the natal place of their only child, Nellietta, who was born in 1877.
ARL HERRMANN is one of the leading cottagers in the charming rural resort known as Fleisch- manns, situated in the mountainous uplands of Delaware County, the summer residence of a small number of select families well known in metropolitan life. Some years ago several members of the Fleischmann fam- ily, in search of rural quiet and picturesque scenery, visited this retired neighborhood, and, charmed with its pure air, breezy soli-
SAMUEL W. NILES.
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tudes, and care-banishing influences, resolved that their first visit should by no means be their last. Accordingly, about 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fleischmann and Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Bleier came to the locality, and pur- chased a part of the old farm then owned by John M. Blish, building pleasant summer cot- tages, well adapted to the requirements of health and pleasure seekers. They were soon joined by others, among them Charles Fleischmann, Carl Edelheim, Mrs. Max Fleischmann, Anton Seidl, Louis Josephthal, and Carl Herrmann. Bernard Ullman and Henry Mierländer added to the architectural beauties of the place by establishing spacious and picturesque homes on the mountain side, Mr. Charles Fleischmann building three more large and tasteful dwellings.
The grounds surrounding these attractive residences are exquisitely laid out, teeming with flowers and shrubbery, and broken here and there with convenient walks and well- graded carriage drives. A large deer park, in which ramble at will some choice specimens of their kind, adds greatly to the interest of the landscape. Swimming Pond, supplied with pure mountain spring water, is a con- venience that has not been forgotten; neither have commodious stables and carriage houses. Another most interesting and luxurious feat- ure of this realm of pleasance is a fine riding- school in a magnificently equipped hall, with a commodious gallery, in which the friends of the riders can sit and watch their grace- ful evolutions. There are costly paintings on the walls, which are elsewhere tastefully draped with rich bunting; and four large chandeliers provide brilliant illumination for evening pleasures. A portable floor has also been provided for dancing, and an orchestra of skilled musicians from New York is kept in good practice throughout the season. The railroad station, a tasteful structure, erected by the liberality of the Fleischmanns, invites the attention of the passing traveller. The surrounding grounds attest the work of an artist in landscape gardening.
This charming spot, whose natural beauties have been so enhanced by a boundless liberal- ity, directed by cultivated taste, is yet but in embryo. The plans for the future are well
calculated to dwarf the achievements of the past; and in the choice and secluded settle- ment of "Fleischmanns," nestling in the shadow of the romantic Catskills, redolent of health, innocent gaiety, and cultured ease, we may view a place where sordid cares are ex- cluded and the rude turmoil of life's battle stilled, its faint echoes only touching the chord of remembrance, as the reverberations of the swift express, with its varied freight of human interests, hopes, and passions, break softly on the air and lose themselves in the rural solitudes.
AMUEL W. NILES, a retired farmer of Sidney, was born in that town, August 23, 1816, and is the son of Joseph and Sally (Barstow) Niles. His grandfather, Ambrose Niles, a native of Connecticut, was a veteran of the War of the Revolution, and was drafted in the War of 1812, but hired a substitute. He came to Delaware County in 1810 with his wife and two children, and, settling in the town of Sidney, took up a lot of land consisting of about one hundred and seventy-seven acres, upon which he built a log house, and later built the second frame barn that was erected in that part of the town.
Joseph Niles, son of Ambrose, was born in Connecticut, and taught school in that State before coming to Delaware County with his father when a young man. He here followed the occupation of a farmer, and filled several local offices, being Justice of the Peace for some years, well known as "Squire Niles," holding his court in an old log house, many of the lawyers coming to court on horseback, with their clients behind them. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Samuel W., the subject of this sketch ; Clarinda, wife of Addison Nowland, of Chi- cago, Ill .; Lucina, who became the wife of Joseph Miller, and died at the age of fifty-six; Mary, wife of Norval Barstow; Celinda, wife of Cyrenus Schofield; Sarah, wife of Henry Fletcher; and Hubbard Niles, who died aged eighty-one. Joseph Niles died in 1850, aged seventy-one, his wife surviving him thirty years.
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Samuel W. Niles was reared on the old farm, a short distance from where Sidney Centre now stands, receiving his education at the district school, which was on the farm, Gardner Olmstead being his first teacher. The school-house was of logs, and heated by fireplaces, the seats being made of slabs with pegs put in for legs. Mr. Niles had but a meagre chance of attending school, as most of his time was given to work on the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-one, when he hired himself out to his father, re- ceiving one hundred and twenty dollars a year and his clothes and board. He was twenty- five when he bought a farm in Otsego County, on which he lived about four years, and then sold it and moved back to the old farm, purchasing that after his father's death. In 1874 he moved to his present residence at Sidney Centre.
Mr. Niles was married October 22, 1840, to Susan C. Mack, who was born January 20, 1820, at Harpersfield, a daughter of Abner Mack, one of the early settlers of Delaware County. By this union Mr. Niles had four children - Sarah, Edson, George B., and Charles. Sarah, born December 12, 1850, is the wife of Frederick Shaw, of Binghamton. Edson Niles, born September 10, 1854, one of the leading merchants in Sidney Centre, married in 1880 Addie M. Baker, who died in 1888, leaving two children - Ethel May and Robert. Mr. Edson Niles married in 1890 Miss Cora A. Travis, by whom he has also two children - Susan E. and Harry. George B. Niles was born September 4, 1846, and died June 2, 1877. Charles Niles, born April 16, 1844, died December 23; 1888. Mrs. Susan C. Niles died August 25, 1884. On January 13, 1886, Mr. Niles married for his second wife Mrs. Sally Davis, a daughter of Israel and Susanna Kneeland. Her father was a native of Delaware County, and was a wheelwright by trade; but the latter years of his life were devoted to farming. He died at the early age of forty years, his wife, a native of Chenango County, surviving him thirty- four years, dying at the age of seventy-four. They had four children, two of whom are now living -- Mrs. Niles and Mrs. Louisa Davis, the latter living in Masonville. Her mother
having been twice married, Mrs. Niles has also a half-brother, Austin L. Welch, who resides in Texas.
Mrs. Niles is a member of the Baptist church, and her husband is a Congregation- alist. In politics he is a strong advocate of the Prohibition party. He has been Assessor and Inspector of Elections, besides holding several other public offices, all of which he has filled most acceptably. Mr. Niles bears a high reputation for honesty and integrity, and both in private and public life has always retained the respect and esteem of his fellows. An excellent portrait of this representative citizen of Delaware County may be seen on another page of the "Review."
J OHN BECKWITH, a retired farmer, owning and occupying a pleasant home at DeLancey Station, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has followed this calling with more than average success. His present possessions are the result of his own industry, while his integrity and honesty have served to establish him in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a native of this great commonwealth, having been born in Ulster County in 1829.
Joseph Beckwith, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Newbern, N.C., in 1801, and at the age of sixteen removed to this State, becoming a resident of Ulster County. He was left an orphan, without means, when quite young, and consequently was obliged to seek his own living. He worked out by the month at farm labor for several years, and by steady industry and strict economy saved some money. With this to start upon, he wedded the lady of his choice, Anna Ostrander, a native of Ulster County, their nuptials being celebrated in 1826. In 1839, accompanied by his wife and four children, he came to this county, settling in the town of Andes, where he purchased a farm, on which he afterward lived and labored until his death in 1865. He was a man of enterprise and energy, meeting with prosper- ity in his farming operations, and leaving his family a good estate. His widow survived him several years, living to the ripe old age
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of ninety years. Both were devout mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church, and highly esteemed members of the community where they had for so many years made their home. The record of the children born to them is as follows: Maria, who is the widow of John Fowler; John, of whom we write; Margaret, who died in the prime of life; Cornelius, a carpenter, who lives in Ulster County.
John Beckwith was the second child of the parental household. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools, and as- sisted his father until his marriage. He then became a farmer on his own account, carrying on his labors in such a thorough and skilful manner that his farm property in the town of Andes was among the finest, in regard to improvements and cultivation, of any in the vicinity. This farm Mr. Beckwith recently sold for three thousand dollars, and invested one thousand six hundred dollars of this money in his present home in DeLancey. It contains an acre of land, sufficient to keep a cow and a horse, and requiring just enough care and labor to keep him healthy and happy; and, with two daughters to keep house for him, he is living in comfort and ease.
On the Ist of January, 1857, Mr. Beckwith married Elizabeth Nichols, who was born in Scotland in 1827. Her parents, Andrew and Margaret (George) Nichols, were farmers by occupation, and emigrated to this country with their family in 1839. Mrs. Beckwith was endowed with true Scotch habits of in- dustry and thrift, and proved herself a most admirable wife and companion. She passed from earth to the spirit world, January 23, 1893, leaving her devoted husband and seven children to mourn their loss. Of this family, to whom she was ever a wise counsellor and a loving mother, we record the following: Anna M., a successful teacher, lives at home. Hat- tie M., the wife of A. R. Worden, a farmer of Andes, has four children. Joseph, an insur- ance and real estate dealer in Walton, has had the misfortune to break one of his legs three times; but, notwithstanding the fact that he is lame, and not in particularly good health, he is managing a very successful business.
David A., a resident of Iowa, where he is in the employ of a railway company, is married and has a son and daughter. Cor- nelius, a carpenter, lives in Missouri. Jane lives at home. William, also a carpenter, is in Missouri with his brother Cornelius, where both are working prosperously at their trade.
Mr. Beckwith is a sound Republican in his political views. The United Presbyterian church finds in him a consistent member.
RTHUR J. GANOUNG, a substantial citizen of his native town, Roxbury, where he was born February 2, 1864, is of French descent and pa- triotic ancestry. His paternal grandfather, James Ganoung, who was born in Putnam County, New York, came to Butternuts in Delaware County while in the first vigor of manhood. Here he tried to settle, and clear up a tract of land that was, like a great deal of the surrounding country, almost a wilder- ness. But the Tories, who were jealous of the prosperity and increasing strength of the rebel element, drove him from his humble and toil-won home; and the young pioneer re- turned to Putnam County. Both he and his brother John served in the Revolutionary War as minute-men.
After the war the two brothers were offered a tract of two hundred acres of land at Batavia Kill, as an incentive to settle there and farm the wild and uncultivated land of that section. This offer was accepted; and the brothers had soon erected a log cabin, and were making brave efforts to establish a home, though the danger from the wild animals of the forest, the discomforts of the necessarily primitive mode of existence, the long winters, and extreme isolation made the life very hard, almost impossible. Here James Ganoung met and married Miss Deborah Jenkins, the daughter of one of the early settlers; and here they lived the first years of their married life. As old age approached, they considered it wise to change their location ; so the farm was sold, and a new home was established in Roxbury. They became the par- ents of eight children; namely, Jason, Isaac,
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Arion, Smith, Abraham, Charles, Rachel, and Polly.
Arion, the third son of James and Deborah Ganoung, was educated at the district school. At the age of twenty-six he bought a farm, owned now by Holsight. He was married in the following year to Priscilla Redmond, daughter of John and Martha (Powell) Red- mond. Her father, who lived on a farm near Griffin's Corners, was a member of the Bap- tist church, and was a loyal Democrat throughout the varying vicissitudes of his life of eighty years. Arion Ganoung was also a Democrat in politics. He had the confidence of the community, and held the office of As- sessor in the town of Roxbury.
Arthur J. Ganoung, son of Arion and Pris- cilla, was educated at Roxbury College, and at eighteen made himself a master of teleg- raphy, which he followed as a vocation for several years in different places, returning in September, 1890, to Roxbury, where he has since been employed as freight and express agent. His home is near the railway station. Mr. Ganoung married Libbie Richtmeyer, daughter of Jacob Richtmeyer, a carpenter and contractor of Middletown. Mrs. Ganoung is a member of the Lutheran church. Like his father, Mr. Ganoung affiliates with the Demo- cratic party.
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