USA > New York > Delaware County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
Mr. Wood married Ellen J. Bunt, daughter of Ann M. (Wase) and William Bunt, a farmer of Tannersville. Mr. and Mrs. Bunt have eight children - Ellen, Emma, Bertha, . Edith, Edward, George, Lillian, and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have one child, Sophie Marguerite.
Mr. Wood is a Republican in politics and an esteemed member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In his work as station agent he has come in contact with many people, all of whom speak of him in the highest terms. He is always kind and thoughtful of others, thus making many friends.
EORGE W. FITCH, ex-President of the Delaware County Bank, and now Treasurer of the Delaware Loan and Trust Company, one of the most prominent merchants of Walton, N. Y., was born in this
town on December 10, 1837. His parents were Nathaniel and Sally (Benedict) Fitch. His grandfather, Nathaniel Fitch, was born in New Canaan, Conn., January 8, 1770, and was married to Anna Smith, born May I, 1767. About 1810 the family came to Wal- ton and settled, the country being then a com- parative wilderness; and here Mr. Fitch took up an extensive tract of land, which was soon cleared and brought under cultivation. He and his wife were the parents of six children, all of whom have passed away from earthly scenes. The eldest, Polly, born December 27, 1792, married Simms Hanford, died in Delaware County. Anna, born July 15, 1795, married Anson White, and lived in North Walton. Nathaniel, born June 1, 1797, married on October 2, 1817, Sally Benedict. Esther, born May 23, 1799, died single in Walton. Eliza, born December 2, 1809, died in 1837. Charles S., born May 31, 1812, died May 14, 1893.
Nathaniel, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a man of sterling worth and in- tegrity, and was highly respected for his many good qualities. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits up to the time of his death, which took place August 12, 1872, at the age of seventy-five. His widow, Mrs. Sally B. Fitch, died February 17, 1879. They were the parents of ten children: George N., born August 10, 1818, died December 30, 1837. Sarah, born June 24, 1822, is the wife of Dr. A. E. Sullard, a representative of his district in the Assembly. Maria died in infancy. William, born October 23, 1827, died May 20, 1836. Mary E. died in in- fancy. Julia A., born December 24, 1831, married the Hon. N. C. Marvin, of Walton. Lyman M., born March 10, 1835, married Elizabeth N. Green, in September, 1859.
George W. Fitch, the eighth child of Na- thaniel and Sally Fitch, has been for many years one of the representative business men of Walton. He was taken into partnership by his father in 1859; and in 1866 his brother was also admitted to the firm, which was known as N. Fitch & Sons. The firm is now Fitch Brothers & Seeley.
Mr. Fitch was married May 30, 1861, to Miss Harriet Sinclair, born December 27,
GEORGE W. FITCH.
219
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
1839, in Stamford, in the eastern part of the county. By this union there were five chil- dren, of whom the eldest, Maria M., born January 23, 1863, died June 26, 1882. Ed- ward, born May 27, 1864, is Assistant Profes- sor of Greek at Hamilton College, of which he was a graduate in the class of 1886. He took a position at Park College for three years, when he was called back to Hamilton. He is in Germany at the present time, per- fecting his studies. George S., born May 12, 1866, has held the position of cashier of the Delaware County Bank, and is now cashier of the Bank of Auburn. Roderick, born No- vember 3, 1867, married Miss Adelaide Haw- ley, a daughter of John B. Hawley. Anna S., the only daughter now living, was born Au- gust 22, 1869, and resides with her parents.
Mr. Fitch is a member of the Republican party, but is not an ardent politician. He has been Town Clerk for one term, and was also a member of the school committee. He has been eminently successful as a merchant, possessing industry, integrity, and good judg- ment, and is one of those enterprising men who give life and spirit to a town, promoting its steady growth, and whose influence is sure to be felt after they shall have departed.
The accompanying portrait of Mr. Fitch is doubly interesting as being a very good like- ness of one of the leading citizens of Walton, and as representing a descendant of two promi- nent pioneer families of Delaware County, who came here from Connecticut, Fitch and Benedict.
UDLEY BALDWIN DEAN, one of the leading farmers of Masonville, Delaware County, N. Y., was born in that town, December 13, 1828, his parents being Renben Dean, who was born in Connecticut, June 10, 1797, and Abi- gail Gould Dean, born in Saratoga County, New York, October 30, 1804.
Reuben Dean began life's battle for him- self at the early age of eleven years, hiring himself out to farmers by the month, and moving from one place to another. In 1814 he came to Masonville, and worked for a Mr. Smith, a Justice of the Peace, remaining with
him for six years. Being diligent and saving, he accumulated enough money to buy a small farm of his own, purchasing the one now occupied by his son, Milton P. Dean. He resided on the farm until his death, which took place when he was sixty-seven years of age. Mrs. Dean is living at the present day, having arrived at the advanced age of ninety years. Twelve children were born to them, ten of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Mary A. Colby, of Saratoga County ; Gustavus Dean, of . Sidney; Dudley Baldwin Dean, Mrs. Jane E. Smith, Milton P. Dean, Mrs. Julia A. Donohue, all of Masonville; Mrs. Adelaide Sherman, of Ballston, Saratoga County ; Mrs. Orline Seeley, of Iowa; Reu- ben Dean, of Saratoga County; and Orville Dean, of Masonville.
Dudley B. Dean was educated in the dis- trict schools of Masonville, living at home and helping on the farm until he was of age, when he worked out and managed to save money out of his wages of twelve dollars a month. In 1851 he bought the farm where he now lives, on which were then no improve- ments. He set to work and erected a small house sixteen feet by twenty, where he kept bachelor hall for three years. His first pur- chase of land comprised sixty-seven acres ; but he has added to it from time to time, until he now owns four hundred and ten acres of the finest farming land in the county, which has been gained by his own hard, honest toil.
Mr. Dean has a fine dairy, keeping forty- nine head of cattle, besides other stock. He has filled the position of Poor Master for two years, and at the present time is Excise Com- missioner. In politics he is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Bap- tist church.
Mr. Dean was married, September 30, 1854, to Matilda Clarissa Hill, a native of the adjoining town of Tompkins. By this union he has had seven children, all of whom are living, namely : Royal D. Dean, a farmer of Masonville; Mrs. Abigail Jackson, of Masonville; Uriah P. Dean, a farmer of Tompkins; Gould Dean, a farmer in Mason- ville; Mrs. Mary J. Blencoe, of Unadilla; Dudley B. Dean, residing at home; and Mrs. Clarissa M. Webb, of Unadilla.
220
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. Dean is known as one of the most pros- perous and substantial farmers of Masonville. Both his public and private life have been above reproach; and, filling the important positions to which he has been elected with dignity and credit, he has always given his time and influence to the advancement of his native town.
LARK A. GOULD, a retired mer- chant of Walton, was born in this town on November 12, 1841, of old pioneer ancestry. His grandfather, Luther Gould, was a native of Connecticut, whence he removed to Delaware County, New York, and settled among the few inhabitants here at the beginning of the century. Luther Gould's wife was Abigail Beers; and they were the parents of four children, namely : Anna; Luther, the father of the subject of this sketch; John; and Harry. Grandfather Gould died when about fifty years of age; but his widow lived to reach the good old age of seventy-eight years, dying in 1853. They had been farmers from pioneer times, who by their earnest daily toil and strict economy succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door and living in comparative comfort.
Much trouble was experienced in getting valid title to the land, as, after improvements had been made, new claimants would appear with claims originating with some old Eng- lish grants; and to avoid litigation, with possible defeat at the end, the farm would be rebought at the expense of every dollar which had been saved, and notes given for the amount lacking. It was only after the farm was allowed to be sold for taxes and redeemed with title from the State that these persecu- tions ceased.
Young Luther was born on the old home- stead in 1806, and died there in 1861. On June 2, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary M. E. Alverson, who was born in Tompkins in 1807, and died in 1873, leaving two chil- dren: the subject of this sketch; and his sister Harriet, wife of Jared Chase, of Rock Rift.
Clark A. Gould was reared in the home of his birth; and there he became instructed in
primitive methods of farming, at the same time attending the district school, where he succeeded in conquering the three R's -- Read- ing, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic. His studies, however, were abruptly terminated by the ill- ness of his father, which made it necessary that young Clark leave school, and attend to the management of the farm. When twenty- one years of age, his father having died, leav- ing the farm encumbered with debts, he sold the farm, and began business as proprietor of the general store at Rock Rift, where he re- mained for twenty-five years, leaving that place then to take up his residence in Walton. He purchased his present house in 1889.
His first wife, Mary Chase, a daughter of Augustus B. Chase, became the mother of one son, Bertis M. Gould, who received his educa- tion and was graduated at the high school in the town of Walton, and is now a salesman in a dry-goods store. Mrs. Gould died in 1871, when but twenty-seven years old. Mr. Gould was again married on September 3, 1873, to Miss Maggie Wilson, of Downsville, daugh- ter of Charles and Rachel (Van De Bogart) Wilson. Her father died November 7, 1894, nearly ninety-two years of age. Her mother is still living, aged seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have had three children, as fol- lows: Luther, who died when a child of nine- teen months; Vernon, who died at the age of seven months; and Clark Sumner, who was born May 27, 1880.
Mr. Gould is a Royal Arch Mason, and a consistent Republican. He has held the position of Postmaster and Justice of the Peace many years. Mr. and Mrs. Gould at- tend the United Presbyterian Church of Wal- ton, of which Mrs. Gould is a member. Mr. Gould is a man of genial disposition and en- gaging manner, an example of nobility of character, firmness of principle, and uncom- mon business capabilities, one whom his fel- low-citizens regard with much respect and deference.
ILLIAM E. HOLMES, one of the most successful and best-known business men of Downsville, in the town of Colchester, was born in Hamden,
221
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
September 27, 1836, a son of John A. and Rachel B. (Lindsley) Holmes. He is one of a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom reached maturity - Orpah, James W., Ephraim L., Sarah A., Samuel O., William E., Mary A., Jonathan A., John N., Viola A., and Ellen.
John A. Holmes was born in 1803, and grew to manhood without the usual advantages of education. He learned the shoemaker's trade; but, having an active mind and a desire to improve his circumstances, he de- voted his evenings to study and reading until he felt qualified to enter mercantile life. He began in the lumber business and farming, and soon became one of the largest lumber dealers of Delaware County, being a self-made man with a clear head, good judgment, and remarkable business qualifications. He ac- cumulated a comfortable fortune, owning at one time over eight hundred acres. He pur- chased of Jackson Merrill the farm now known as the Hawley place; and here he lived with his wife, Rachel Lindsley, a daughter of Nehemiah and Mary (Guilder- sleeve) Lindsley. Nehemiah Lindsley moved to Delaware County in 1797, and operated a . tannery in company with Isaac Wilson, be- coming the possessor of about six hundred acres of land in Lindsley Hollow, where he was an industrious and successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley were the parents of ten children - David, Ira, Samuel, Ezra, Hannah, Agar, Rachel, Abigail, Cyrus G., and Sarah -all of whom have passed away. The father of this family died August 8, 1835; and his wife's death occurred Decem- ber 30, 1850. Mr. Lindsley was a Whig, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. The family of Mr. Holmes lived on the farm until his death, January 25, 1865. He was a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian church. William E. Holmes grew up on his father's farm, and was educated at the Franklin Lit- erary Institute. He adopted the vocation of a teacher, receiving the first term twenty-five dollars a month and board. The fourth year his salary had been increased to fifty dollars a month and expenses. At the close of that time he enlisted in Company K, One Hun-
dred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, and was discharged in March, 1863, re-enlist- ing in September, 1864, and serving until the close of the war. He was First Lieuten- ant in the First New York Volunteers, and took part in the engagements at Honey Hill and Bull's Bay. On returning home Mr. Holmes entered mercantile life in Downsville opposite the present Presbyterian church. In 1868 he erected a store on the site now occu- pied by him, and started a general store, which he enlarged in 1890, making it fifty by seventy feet, three stories high. He and his two sons, Augustus B. and Charles J., now compose the firm, which carries a large stock of groceries, dry goods, furnishing goods, and agricultural implements. The business of this enterprising firm is constantly increas- ing. The third floor of the building is rented to the Masons and other societies.
January 9, 1866, Mr. Holmes married Miss Frances D. Bassett, a daughter of Philip and Margaret (Hitt) Bassett. Philip Bassett was born January 7, 1804, and died July 27, 1866. February 25, 1835, he married Mar- garet Hitt, born December 16, 1802, and died November 9, 1849. They were the par- ents of two children: Frances D., born Octo- ber 25, 1842; and George P. After the death of his first wife Philip Bassett married Maria L. Barbour, December 24, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. William Holmes have had four children : Augustus B., born December 28, 1868; Charles J., born December 9, 1870; William E., born January 13, 1876, and died February 16, 1879; George S., born February 14, 1881. Charles J. married Lina M. War- ren, June 20, 1894, and still resides with his parents. Mr. Holmes is the owner of the saw-mill and the adjoining land, known as the Downs tannery site, and, in company with his son George, engages extensively in the manufacture of shingles, laths, and other lumber. He also possesses five hundred acres of land in different parts of Colchester. He rents his farms, and operates four dairies, owning one hundred cows and fifteen teams. Each and every part of his various enterprises receives his personal attention, and it is by this means that his success has been so re- markable.
222
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
The residence of Mr. Holmes in Downsville is one of the finest in the town, and here his many friends ever receive a gracious welcome. He is a member of the Downsville. Lodge, No. 464, A. F. & A. M., a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge; and he and his wife are attendants of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Holmes is an active, energetic business man; and he and his sons deserve great praise for their enterprise and progressive ability.
AMES W. KELSO, a highly respected and well-known farmer of the town of Kortright, was born in Davenport, Delaware County, N. Y., April 2, 1825, and is a son of Seth and Ann (Fergu- son) Kelso, the former a native of Orange County, and the latter of Kortright. The grandfather, Robert Kelso, and his father, John, were natives of Londonderry, Ireland, both of whom came to America, and located in Orange County, New York, afterward coming to Kortright, settling here about 1798. John Kelso lived to the advanced age of one hundred and six years, and was buried at Kortright Centre. Robert Kelso followed the occupation of a farmer, leasing the land which he occupied under the old lease system. He died at the age of sixty, leaving four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now de- ceased.
Seth Kelso, father of the subject of this sketch, was brought up as a farmer, working hard but successfully. About 1828 he settled on the farm now owned by his son James, erected a fine frame house, and added to his property until at the time of his death he owned two hundred and fifty-seven acres. He was the father of two children: Elizabeth, the wife of Nicholas Feak, of this county; and James W. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso were both members of the Reformed Presbyterian church of Kortright. Mr. Kelso died at the age of seventy-eight, and his wife at the age of seventy-five.
James W. Kelso received his education at the district schools. He purchased the old homestead, and during his entire life has de- voted his attention to farming. Mr. Kelso
possesses untiring energy and perseverance, and has made many improvements on his farm, which is a model one. He can justly look with pride upon the fine home which he owns, as being the result of his unaided efforts. He married October 10, 1871, Eliz- abeth Ballantine, of Davenport, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary Ballantine, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso have had five children, three of whom are living, namely: Mary E., born July 24, 1874; James H., born May 29, 1878; and John E., December 25, 1879. Ann- bell, born May 19, 1876, died October 25, 1879; Seth, born March 15, 1873, died May 1, 1873.
The family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church at Kortright, Mr. Kelso being an Elder and an active worker in all church matters. In politics he is a Prohibi- tionist.
EORGE O. MEAD is a gentleman whose reputation as a man of affairs and business ability extends beyond the limits of his native State, and his name is known in connection with some of the most important transactions in his county. The ancestors of Mr. Mead were among the earli- est settlers of Greenwich, Conn., where in 1725 was born General John Mead, son of John and Elizabeth Lockwood Mead.
General John Mead was a noted character; and stories of him still abound in the tradi- tions of his native town, where his short, stout figure and jovial face were familiar to all. In the early days of the Revolution, he was tendered a captain's commission by King George III., but declined, and joined the American forces, three weeks later becoming Colonel in the patriot army, and afterward General. He had been a member of the Con- necticut legislature before the war; and, when trouble began, his beautiful home and fine farm at Horseneck was an excellent point of attack and a rich field of pillage for the British troops. The redcoats saw every ad- vantage here, and made short work of ransack- ing his house and driving his cattle away for their own use. His family were in great
223
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
danger for a long time, but escaped, as did the General himself, although at one time he was in imminent danger of being discovered by his enemies. The wife of this famous soldier was Mary Brush, who was of Scotch descent. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters; and it is through their second son and sixth child, Allen, that George O. Mead is descended.
Allen Mead, grandfather of George O., was born October 24, 1774, and came to Walton from Connecticut about 1800, Walton at that time being scarcely large enough to be called a village. Here Allen Mead settled, and built a tannery on Mount Pleasant, afterward re- moving it to East Brook. In 1800 he mar- ried Mary Smith, who was born in New Canaan, Conn., in 1781; and to them were born nine children, all but two of whom mar- ried. They were as follows: Abigail, the wife of Platt Townsend, who died at Dixon, Ill., at an advanced age, was the mother of three daughters; John Mead married Sophia Griswold, of Delhi, and had two children Henry, of Atlanta, Ga., and Charlotte, who was the wife of George Colton, of Walton, and died leaving four children (John Mead's second wife was Matilda North); Mary Ann, the wife of Sylvester Brisack, died March 5, 1886, when seventy-nine years of age, leaving three daughters; Gabriel Mead, the father of George O .; Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. James McLaury, who died at Yonkers, N. Y., leaving two sons and three daughters; An- drew J. is unmarried, and living in New York, a well-to-do and remarkably bright and intellectual man; Adeline, unmarried, died in Binghamton, June 21, 1892, when seventy- four years of age; Edward B. Mead died in Brooklyn in 1889-his wife was Charlotte Wood, of Goshen; Frances, the wife of G. S. North, of Binghamton. Gabriel Mead mar- ried Eliza Ann Ogden, of Walton, daughter of Danicl and Phebe (Lindsley) Ogden. He was an important man in the town for many years, and at one time was Sheriff of the county.
George O. Mead was born in Walton in 1842, and was an only child. He received his education at the Walton Academy, and then for five years served as clerk in several
stores of the town. In 1862 he went to Delhi, being in the employ of Robert Doug- lass for one year, when he returned to Wal- ton, and engaged in business with North & Eclls. In 1864 Mr. Mead enlisted, and was assigned to Company G of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, in which he served until the close of the war. In 1869 he started in business for himself in his native town, taking as a partner William Telford, and locating on the corner where he has since remained. In 1874 Mr. Telford re- tired from the firm, and Mr. Eells became a partner; but about three years ago Mr. Mead became sole proprietor of the business. He carries a large line of boots and shoes, crock- ery, dry goods, and groceries, a specialty being made of the last named, and a most excellent line of goods always kept on hand. The busi- ness has so increased of late that it now occu- pies two floors of the large corner store.
Mr. Mead has held several public offices, having for thirteen years, 1877-90, been Su- pervisor. In 1889 he was a member of the Assembly, and served on the Committee on Banks, Canals, and General Laws; also on the committee to arrange a memorial to Gen- eral Sheridan; he has also been a delegate to several political conventions. As chairman of the Board of Supervisors he was able by his ability to see and act upon the financial advantages of the occasion, and thus saved the county between six and seven thousand dol- lars. Since the organization of the Walton Water Company, Mr. Mead has been its Treas- urer, at the present time being also President. For many years he has been School Trustee. His business integrity has led to his selec- tion as executor of many estates, not only in this county, but in other places, one which came under his authority in Chicago involving some two hundred thousand dollars. In Au- gust, 1890, he was sent as delegate to the Na- tional Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Boston. In 1867 and 1868 he served as Brigade Inspector of the old State militia. For many years Mr. Mcad has been a prominent man in politics.
But the capacity in which Mr. Mead is per- haps best known is as President of the First National Bank of Walton. From his youth
224
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
he developed great ability in financial affairs, and in 1874 became interested in the State bank at Walton, known as the Delaware County Bank, being elected its Vice-Presi- dent. On the 14th of January, 1891, the First National Bank of Walton was organ- ized; and he became its President, Samuel H. Fancher being Vice-President, and John Olm- stead Cashier. This bank has a capital of fifty thousand dollars, with an ample surplus. The vault is constructed of brick; and in it is one of Herring's best safes, with a triple time lock and all the latest improvements for the safety of deposits. Everything in connection with the bank is done in the best way and according to the most approved methods; and the institution is constantly gaining in public favor, in the few years that it has been in operation having done an immense amount of business.
Mr. Mead was married to Frances Pattin- gill, daughter of the Rev. J. S. Pattingill, of Walton, Delaware County, N. Y. Of this union there were two daughters, one of whom, Florence Ogden, died July 9, 1884, at the age of fourteen years. Lillian is the wife of Professor F. A. Porter, of the New Eng- land Conservatory of Music in Boston. While studying at that institution she was a pupil of Professor Porter, and later became his wife. They are now in Leipsic, Germany, continuing their study of that most de- lightful art, which they have chosen as a profession.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.