Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 34

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 34

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John Knight, Jr., the father of Charles, was about eleven years of age when he came to Delaware County from Philadelphia, and settled on the farm of Judge Preston. He could remember the surrender of Cornwallis, and had seen Washington. He was one of the first settlers of the Delaware Valley, and always followed the river as a lumberman, being also a farmer. His first wife was Re- becca Jenkins, a sister of Judge Preston's wife; and by her he had two children - Will- iam and Daniel. She died in 1804; and in 1806 he married Esther G. Sands, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Sands. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: John; Richard; Edward, who was lost in the woods at the age of four years, his remains not being discov- ered until the next summer; Mary; Hannah; George; Henry; Rebecca; Elizabeth; and Charles. Mary died at the age of fourteen, and three others died within a few days of one another, of a prevalent disease. John Knight, Jr., was the first Supervisor of Hancock, and held the respect of his townsmen throughout his life. He was a Whig, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He died of a fever, April 9,

1843, at the age of sixty-two; and his wife survived him nineteen years, dying November 7, 1862.

Charles Knight was born on the farm he now occupies, and where he has spent the greater part of his life. At the time of his birth the family occupied the log cabin erected by his father when he came on the land in 1810. He was educated in the dis- trict school in the town of Hancock, and when but seventeen years old was left fatherless, since which time he has depended on his own exertions. December 3, 1856, Mr. Knight married Rachel C. Calder, daughter of Alex- ander and Affa (Waldron) Calder, of Greene County, New York. They have six children, namely : W. De Milt, a resident of Pueblo, Col., who has two children ; Effie M., wife of L. B. Dole, of Hancock, who has five chil- dren; Cora A., who was the wife of the Rev. Francis M. Turrentine, and died in May, 1889, leaving one child; Alma E., living at home with her father; Charles C., a resident of Pueblo, Col. ; and Ida M., wife of Julian W. Gould, of Hancock. Charles C. is a sur- veyor and civil engineer. He was on the Denver & Rio Grande and Mexican Southern Railways, and was highly recommended by the division engineer for roads of difficult construction. Mrs. Knight died December 8, 1887, having been throughout her life a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Knight has been School Trustee for thirty consecutive years, and was Road Com- missioner for a long while. He is a member of the Good Templars Lodge, and a man of high standing in the esteem of his fellow- townsmen, being upright in all his dealings.

ILLIAM B. MORROW, M.D., one of the most talented physicians and surgeons of Walton, Delaware County, N. Y., was born at Knoxboro, Oneida County, January 17, 1858, and is the son of James E. and Lura A. (Beach) Morrow. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. His grandfather came to this country from the north of Ireland, and, settling in Georgetown, N. Y., married a Miss Butler, by

WILLIAM B. MORROW.

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whom he had eight children, of whom the fol- lowing is a brief mention: Elizabeth married Wiley Hamilton, and settled in Cazenovia, N. Y., where they both died. William died in early manhood. Frank married a Mr. Sturdevant, and settled in Oneida County. John B. also settled in Oneida County. Mary, widow of Mr. Hall, resides in George- town, Oneida County. Antoinette married John Fisk, of Lebanon. Jane married Noyes Bosworth. The other son, James E., the father of Dr. Morrow, was born in George- town, Oneida County, about 1833. He re- ceived a liberal education, and, as he grew to manhood, engaged in farming. He married Lura A. Beach, a daughter of Jacob and Lura A. (Doolittle) Beach, who was born in Greene County, New York, in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow settled at Knoxboro, where by dint of economy and industry they ac- cumulated a competency. Two of their four children are now living, namely: Cora A., wife of John Hepwell, a prominent farmer of Oneida County; and Dr. Morrow, the subject of this sketch.

William B. Morrow was brought up upon his father's farm, receiving his early educa- tion at the district schools. He afterward attended the Whitestown Seminary for two years, and then entered Hamilton College at Clinton, where he passed his Sophomore years. He studied medicine for one year in the office of Dr. Charles Munger, of Knox- boro, and thence went to Bellevue Medical College, where he was graduated March IO, 1881. Soon after his graduation he settled in Walton, where he has since followed his profession, and has built up a practice second to none in the town.

Dr. Morrow was united in marriage, Octo- ber 12, 1881, to Miss Ida M. Strong, a daugh- ter of Warren G. and Fannie (Smith) Strong, of Knoxboro. Mr. Strong is President of the First National Bank of Vernon, N. Y., and is a prominent business man of his county. Dr. and Mrs. Morrow have had two children, only one of whom is now living. The eldest, Her- bert S., born July 26, 1882, was drowned on April 13, 1893. Ray W. Morrow was born February 6, 1889.

Dr. Morrow is a member of several promi-

nent medical societies, including the New York State Medical Association, the Dela- ware County Medical Society, the National Association of Railway Surgeons, the New York State Association of Railroad Surgeons, also the Medico-legal Society. He is surgeon to the O. & W. and Delhi Branch Railroads, and is also a member of the Board of Pension Examiners. He takes an active interest in educational matters of the town, and is one of the school trustees. The genial Doctor is likewise a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Walton Lodge, No. 559, and to Walton Chapter.

The town of Walton has had many physi- cians of learning and skill domiciled within her borders; but none of them have exceeded in promise the subject of this sketch, who has gained for himself in the few years he has been a resident a name to be proud of. While he is a close student and devoted to the pursuit of his profession, he yet finds time to further the best interests of the town both by word and deed, the steady light of his broad phi- lanthropy shining in no dim, uncertain way.

A welcome accompaniment to this brief record of the Morrow family is the por- trait of the Doctor on another page of the "Review."

OBERT S. RICH, one of the oldest business men of this section of Dela- ware County, is carrying on a prof- itable trade in general merchandise in the village of Hobart, where he has been located for twoscore years. During this length of time the sterling traits of his char- acter have become thoroughly known to his fellow-citizens, by whom he is held in high esteem. Mr. Rich was born in the town of Stamford on March 7, 1823, son of James and Helen (Marshall) Rich. (For further ances- tral history see the sketch of Mrs. Sarah Rich, which appears on another page of this work.)

After leaving the district school he con- tinued his cducation in New York City. When eighteen years old, he secured a posi- tion as clerk in Hall's retail dry-goods store, where he remained five years, faithfully ful-

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filling his duties, and at the same time ac- quiring a good insight into the business. At the expiration of that time Mr. Rich, in com- pany with an associate, opened a store for the sale of dry goods; and for five years they car- ried on a successful business under the firm name of Rich & Blish. The firm being then dissolved, the senior partner came to Hobart, where in 1855 he formed a partnership with John F. Grant, and, buying out the general merchandise establishment of Dr. McNaught, continued in trade, the firm of Rich & Grant being for a number of years one of the most active and thriving in the village. Mr. Rich subsequently bought the interest of his part- ner, and has since conducted the business by himself. He is one of the oldest and best- known merchants of Hobart, a man of excel- lent capacity and business talent; and his honest dealings and uniform courtesy have secured him the general respect and good will of the community.

On April 25, 1850, Mr. Rich was united in marriage with Caroline D. Blish, a native of Stamford, and a descendant of one of the old- est families of the county, being the daughter of Aristarchus and Nancy Merriam Blish, for- merly prosperous members of the farming community of Stamford. Two sons and two daughters have been born of their union, the family record being as follows: James B., a single man, is a partner in his father's busi- ness. Caroline M., the wife of L. E. Hig- ley, resides in North Adams, Mass. Stephen- W., a farmer, lives in Stamford. Bertha E. lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are members of the Presbyterian church at Hobart, and contribute liberally and cheer- fully toward its support. Politically, Mr. Rich is a steadfast Republican, and is a man of decided views, although quiet and unobtru- sive in his manner. His influence has always been strongly in favor of the maintenance of schools and churches, and whatever else is calculated to benefit the community.

EORGE A. FISHER, a well-known lawyer of Delhi, was born in Frank- lin, May 27, 1850, and is a son of Enos B. and Hannah M. Fisher. His father

and grandfather were both natives of this town, the great-grandfather, George Fisher, coming to America with the Hessian army in Revolutionary times. He took up a tract of timbered land near the present site of the vil- lage of Delhi, and, clearing the same, built a log cabin and engaged in farming. His son John, grandfather of George A., improved the land which came into his possession on the death of his father, and built the first frame house in Delhi. He reared a family of three sons, namely: George J., who still lives on the old homestead; Enos B. ; and Austin B., who is a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Enos B. Fisher received his education at the district schools, and resided with his father until he was about twenty, when he mar- ried, and purchased a small farm of his own, also working at carpentry. At the age of twenty-four he removed to Franklin, where he resided several years, afterward going to Sid- ney, and remaining there until 1875, when he leased his farm and returned to Franklin. His last years were spent at Unadilla, Otsego County. He was an extremely active man in all matters pertaining to the good of the town. He held the position of County Superintend- ent of the Poor for three years, and was also one of the members and organizers of the Bap- tist church in Delhi, being deeply interested in all matters pertaining to church work, and holding many offices connected therewith. He was Superintendent of the Sunday-school at Sidney for many years. He married Miss Hannah M. Sloat, a daughter of William and Joanna (Bunce) Sloat, and one of a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher reared nine children: John H .; Julia E .; Austin E .; Joanna P., the wife of William R. Flint, of Sidney; James W .; George A .; Edward R .; Nancy E .; and Willis H. Mr. Fisher died April 4, 1894, aged seventy-five, his wife having died about two weeks previous, at the age of seventy-four.

George A. Fisher received most of his early education in the district school at Sidney, but later attended the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin. At the age of twenty-one he went to Kansas, where he engaged in teaching for a period of five months, and then came back to York State, locating in Sherman,

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Chautauqua County, where he was employed in a hardware store. He afterward. returned to Sidney, and assisted his father on the farm for a short time. He then began the study of law with the Hon. E. D. Wagner, then County Judge and Surrogate of Delaware County, at Delhi, N. Y. He was appointed Clerk to the Surrogate's Court, holding this office until the latter's term expired. In Sep- tember, 1876, hc was admitted to the bar at Saratoga, and began practice in Delhi. In 1890 he formed a copartnership with ex- Judge Wagner, and has continued with him ever since, doing a general law business, they probably having the largest practice of any law firm in the county.

Mr. Fisher was married in 1878 to Miss Annie Williamson, a native of Delhi, and a daughter of Robert and Sarah E. (Knapp) Williamson. Of this union there are three children - May W., Bertha W., and Sarah - the two first-named being students at the academy. The family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Zeta Phi Society of Delhi. In politics he supports the Republican party. He is a man of liberal views and varied ac- quirements, having a high reputation as an intelligent and honorable lawyer, and taking a deep interest in all enterprises that tend to promote the welfare of the town.

R EV. SAMUEL G. SHAW, PH.D., pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church at Walton, N. Y., was born in Orange County, November 20, 1854. His father, the Rev. James W. Shaw, a native of Ireland, and grandfather William, who was originally a weaver in Scotland, came to this country in 1824. William Shaw purchased a tract of partially cleared land in Washington County, upon which he built a log house, the same standing to this day. He moved later to Orange County, where he spent his declining years. His son, James W., was born in 1812. He was educated in the district schools, and for some time taught school, afterward entering Lafayette College, paying for his tuition by the aid of teaching. He was ordained to the ministry, and received

his first charge in 1844, settling near New- burg on the Hudson, where he preached for some forty years, when he resigned, making his home therc, and preaching occasionally up to the time of his death. He was married to Elizabeth McLaury Finley, six children being born to them - Martha, William J., Charles F., Margaret F., M. Frances, and Samuel G.

The youngest son, bearing the expressive Hebrew name Samuel, as if to mark him as set apart for a divine calling, was educated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen began teaching. This, however, was but a step toward a higher learning, to compass which he shortly entered the Newburg Insti- tute, and there prepared for college. Later he matriculated at Columbia College, New York City, where he was graduated in 1880 with high honors, and then pursued his theo- logical studies at the Allegheny City Semi- nary, graduating from that institution in 1884. Previous to this time, while he was yet a student at the seminary, he had received three calls. After careful consideration he decided to accept the call from Walton, and for ten years has remained at that charge, where in addition to his ministerial duties he is prominent in the affairs of the village.

The Rev. Samuel G. Shaw was married in 1885 to Miss Sarah J., the daughter of Will- iam and Ellen (Lawson) Hilton. Mrs. Shaw's father was a prominent builder and contractor of Newburg, where he conducted a successful business for nearly half a century. He died in 1890, aged seventy-four. Mrs. Shaw has the following brothers and sisters: William H., Robert J., Anna F., Samucl J., Mary E., Minnie F., Ida L., Clara, Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have three children - Hazel H., William H., and Percy L. Shaw.

The Rev. Samuel G. Shaw is a man of rare personal and mental qualifications. Through his kindly instrumentality several young men have been fitted for collegc. Dur- ing his own student life he had a distin- guished career. He has received the degree of M.A., and in 1894 the degree of Ph. D., from the University of Wooster. He is an earnest and sincere Christian, a man of that superior typc who may be said to add dignity

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to the human race by belonging to it, a man whose influence is faithfully exerted in behalf of things that are true, honest, just, lovely, and of good report.

HARLES LAWSON CROSBY, now a prominent resident of Griffin's Corners, Middletown, was born in the town of Halcott, Greene County, on September 16, 1873. His father was Emerson M. Crosby, who married Mary Lawson, daughter of Joseph Lawson, a pros- perous farmer in Olive, Ulster County. Ben- jamin L. Crosby, the father of Emerson M., was born at Kelly's Corner on December 8, 1797, and married Huldah Hull. Their wedding took place in 1819, and she died in 1843.

The children of this true and happy union were as follows: Lavinia Crosby was born October 18, 1820, and is now a resident of Margarettville. Thomas Crosby, who first saw the light of day on September 29, 1822, is at present living in the West. Edward Crosby was born September 2, 1824, and makes his home in Kingston, being a retired merchant, and the father of nine children. Eli Crosby, born in April, 1826, married Deborah Kelley, and died in 1873, leaving seven children; and his widow now lives in Halcott. David Crosby was born two years later, on Independence Day, 1828, married Bethia Brown, has three children, and lives on the old homestead at Halcott. Sally Crosby, whose birth was on the last day of September, 1830, is living in Shelby County, Iowa, having married John Vanderburg of that town. Ann Eliza Crosby, born May 2, 1832, became the beloved wife of Allen Lasher. Emerson M. Crosby was born on March 9, 1834. Mary A. Crosby, now the widow of Mr. Kelley, was born September 2, 1836, and continues to live at Griffin's Corners with her two sons. Esther H. Crosby, the youngest of this well-known family, was born March 8, 1839, and is the wife of W. H. 'Blish, of Griffin's Corners. After the death of his first wife Benjamin L. Crosby married Elizabeth Dickson, and was again made a widower in April, 1887. Until his death, on the first

day of April, 1893, he then being in his ninety-sixth year, Grandfather Crosby con- tinued to live in Halcott, where he will long be remembered, not only as a reliable Justice of Peace, but as a man of unimpeachable integrity.

Emerson M. Crosby was born on the old homestead, and grew to manhood there, being educated in the district school, and finishing at the Delhi Academy. He commenced his business career as a clerk for a well-known firm in Kingston, but left them to join his brother, Edward Crosby, in his store. A little later, however, when the old firm started a branch store at Griffin's Corners, he ac- cepted a desirable offer, and once more be- came a clerk in their employ. It was not till after his marriage with Mary Lawson that he went to Halcott, where was born their son Charles. Mrs. Mary Crosby lived but three years after marriage. When she had passed away, Emerson returned to Griffin's Corners, where he took his old position, and remained in charge of the branch store until death, at the age of fifty-nine years, nine months, and fourteen days. Sorrow most genuine was felt at his decease; for the town had lost a friend, as well as a respected gentleman and enter- prising citizen. Emerson M. Crosby was President of the Griffin's Corners Water Com- pany, and was leader in the effort to establish this village aqueduct. In 1880 he built the store now occupied by his son, a structure four stories high, and fifty by sixty-four feet in area, the upper part being used as a dwell- ing. He owned the flats between the two creeks, was a dealer in timber land, and the first subscriber for the Episcopal church, for which he furnished the lumber.

Emerson M. Crosby returned to Griffin's Corners when Charles was a babe of fourteen months; and the child's home was thenceforth with his aunt, Mrs. W. H. Blish. At the age of thirteen Charlie became a student at the Delaware Academy in Delhi, but finished his education at the Rochester Business Uni- versity. He came home in 1890 for a stay of six months; and then he went to Georgia, where he remained a year. On his return to Griffin's Corners he obtained the position, which he now holds, of clerk with Faulkner &

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Laurence, who occupy Mr. Crosby's building for general trade. In addition to this and his inherited real estate, Mr. Charles L. Crosby is connected with the water company, has stock in the Griffin's and Fleischmanns Her- ald, and in the Halcott Telephone Company. As the only child and representative of his father, he has proved himself a man of excel- lent capacity. He is the owner of fine tim- ber land, and has sold the largest tract of hemlock in the county. Like his father and grandfather, he is a Democrat, and very lib- eral in his religious views. Though he has not yet entered the bonds of matrimony, we may be sure, if his life is spared, that Charles L. Crosby will not allow the family tree to perish for want of fruit and culture. Well said an ancient Greek philosopher,-

"It is with youth as with plants: from the first fruits they bear we learn what may be cxpected in future."

ANIEL E. McLEAN, a veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic, an esteemed citizen of Walton, N. Y., was born in this town Decem- ber 18, 1840, son of John and Olive (Will- iams) McLean. He is of Scotch origin, his great-grandfather, John McLean, having emi- grated from Scotland prior to the Revolution- ary War. He was commissioned Captain in the American army during the war, and served in that capacity until its conclusion. He settled in Schoharie County, New York, where he raised two children, John and Re- becca. John McLean, Jr., married a Miss Mudge, by which union he had a family of four sons and three daughters. Polly married Gordon Basto, settled in Walton, and died at Hale's Eddy. Dolly married Ferdinand Thur- ber. John, the third of the name, born in 1803, married Miss Olive Williams of Con- necticut. He was by trade a millwright, also engaging in farming. He was a man of high order of intelligence, and was well posted in State and county affairs. His fam- ily consisted of five children: James, born 1832, married Catherine France, scttling at Rock Rift; Alexander, born 1834, married Alvira Skinner, died in 1862; William A.,

born 1836, married Miss Bush, enlisted Au- gust, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, serving with his regiment throughout the war; Dolly McLean, born 1838; and Daniel E., 1840. Mr. McLean died in 1870, his wife surviving him ten years.

Daniel E., the youngest child of John and Olive McLean, was educated in the district schools of Walton, and at the age of sixteen was an apprentice in a tannery, remaining there until he was nineteen, when he entered into partnership with Marcus L. Sloat in the wagon-making business, which he continued until June, 1861. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he offered himself as a volunteer, enlisting in Company I, Seventy- second New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was mustered in at Staten Island, where they remained until July 21, the day made memorable by the battle of Bull Run, when they started for Washington, remaining there until September, wintering at Camp Scott. After breaking camp, they joined Mc- Clellan's army in front of Yorktown, and engaged in the fight at Williamsburg, where the Seventy-second bore the brunt of the battle, every fourth man being either killed or wounded.

On June 25 Mr. McLean was wounded by a minie ball, which struck his left shoulder- blade, taking in its passage a piece of the spine, and embedding itself in the right shoulder. He was sent to Bedloe's Island, N. Y., receiving a furlough home, after which he returned to Fort Hamilton, where he re- mained until March 1, 1863, being then sent to the convalescent camp near Alexandria, when he was honorably discharged from the army on account of a gunshot wound. Mr. McLean returned to his native town, remain- ing there until October 13, when he re- enlisted at Hancock in Company A, Twenty- fifth New York Cavalry, known as Sickles's Cavalry. On July 10, 1864, they were or- dered out to meet General Early, who was ad- vancing on the city of Washington. On the [Ith, at ten o'clock, they were ordered to deploy in front of Fort Stevens, and advance on the enemy's line. Marching two hundred yards through an open field, they held the

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enemy in check until half-past three, when they were relieved from their perilous posi- tion. Mr. McLean was promoted on the field to First Sergeant, and took command of his company. They were afterward sent to join the army of the Shenandoah in General Cus- ter's division. Mr. McLean was taken pris- oner, September 3, 1864, and sent to Richmond, being paroled February 2, 1865. He again joined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, and was mustered out of service on July 14. Upon his return to Walton Mr. McLean occupied himself in farming. Since 1887 he has followed the business of Pension Agent. In February of that year he was elected Poor Commissioner, serving three terms.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 34

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