USA > New York > Delaware County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York > Part 37
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
Three years after coming here Mr. Gorsch was the accepted suitor of Miss Jennie Bailey, whom he married in 1868. Miss Bailey was one of the six children of John L. and Deb- orah (Bush) Bailey, of Margarettville. Seven children, a mystic number, completed the family circle of Charles and Jennie Gorsch, to whom were born six sons and one daughter. Charles, the first-born and bearer of his father's name, blessed the marriage of his parents on the 28th of November, 1869. He grew up and married Hattie Stinson, of Rox- bury, and has one child. He is an undertaker and furniture dealer in the town of Roxbury. Hugo, the second child, was born June 7, 1871. The third, Wilson, born September 27, 1872, is employed in a large storehouse
in New York. The others are: Nellie, who lives at home, and is unmarried; Marvin and Melvin, who are twins; and Arthur, whose birth date is the 27th of June, 1880.
In politics Mr. Gorsch is a Republican. Though of foreign birth and training, he has thoroughly assimilated the American modes of thought and habit, and is entirely loyal to the ensign of the "stars and stripes." He has held several small offices, proving his own efficiency and his neighbors' judicious be- stowal of confidence. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
OSEPH S. McMURDY, a breeder of and dealer in Jersey cattle, who owns and occupies a fine farm on Glen Ben- nie, so called from a locality of the same name in Scotland, is a prosperous and industrious agriculturist, a most capable busi- ness man, and a citizen of high repute in the community where he has spent many years of his life. A native of the Empire State, he was born in the town of Kortright, October 17, 1852; and that town was also the place of nativity of his father, William McMurdy. He is of excellent Scotch ancestry, his grand- father, George McMurdy, having been born and reared in Scotland, but, after reaching manhood, emigrated to this country, settling in Kortright at an early period, and clearing a homestead, on which he and his wife spent their remaining years.
William McMurdy was one of seven chil- dren born to his parents, and, in common with the others, attended the district school, and assisted on the farm during his boyhood. When he was only sixteen years old, his father died, and from that time he and his elder brother worked early and late to assist their mother in her efforts to clothe and educate the younger children. William remained at home until his marriage, when he bought a farm near the paternal homestead, which he carried on for sixteen years. Selling that, he came to Delhi; and, purchasing the farm now owned by his son Joseph, of whom we write, he continued the improvements already insti- tuted, repairing the old buildings, and put- ting up new, and each year placing more of
4
255
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the land in a tillable condition. He exer- cised much judgment and skill in his opera- tions, and met with assured success in all of his undertakings. In 1890, having earned a well-deserved rest, he sold his farm to his son, and is now spending his declining years with his children in the village, retired from active pursuits, and enjoying to the utmost his pleasant leisure. The maiden name of his wife, who departed this life March 31, 1883, in her sixty-eighth year, was Jennet E. Smith. She was a native of Delhi, where her parents spent their last years. She bore her husband five children, the following being their record : Mary Ann, the wife of John A. Hutson, of Delhi; Sarah E., who married John M. Gorden, Under-sheriff of Delaware County; David B., a graduate of Princeton College, who is pastor of a Presbyterian church in Lynn, Mass. ; Joseph S .; and Will- iam S., who is a physician, and resides in New York City. Both parents united with the First Presbyterian Church many years ago, and the father is now serving as Elder. He has attained the ripe age of eighty-fivc.
The first year of the life of Joseph S. Mc- Murdy was spent on the Kortright farm, which his father then owned. Coming then to Delhi, he was here reared and educated, attending the district schools and Delaware Academy. He then spent some time as a commercial traveller, but, not liking that work as a steady occupation, returned to the paternal homestead. He subsequently en- gaged in teaching for several seasons, meeting with excellent success, and also assisted his father in the management of the home farm. In 1890 he bought the entire property, con- sisting of one hundred and fifty-four acres of well-improved land, and is carrying on the work his father so successfully inaugurated. The rich and fertile soil is well adapted to the raising of all the cereals common to this section of the State; and in addition thereto Mr. McMurdy breeds Jersey cattle, St. Ber- nard dogs, Berkshire hogs, and sheep. He is also a poultry fancier, breeding many varie- tics of land and water fowl. His dairy con- tains twenty-two Jersey cows; and he makes a fine quality of butter, shipping it to New York,
A most pleasant step in the career of the subject of this sketch was his union with Mar- garet J. Middlemas, which was solemnized in 1882. She is a native of Delhi, and a daughter of Thomas Middlemas, of whom a sketch may be found on another pagc of this work. Into the happy household thus estab- lished three bright and active children - Nellie J., Jennie D., and Harold - have made their advent. Mr. McMurdy takes an active part in every enterprise tending to pro- mote the welfare of his community. He is a zealous supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party, and has filled several town offices. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Delhi Lodge, No. 249. In his religious views he coincides with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, he and his wife being members of the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi.
J OHN HILSON, one of the most suc- cessful business men of Bovina Cen- tre, was born in Scotland, on May 25, 1827, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Nesbit) Hilson. His mother was a daughter of William Nesbit, who died in Scotland at a very advanced age. Alexander Hilson was a plasterer by trade, and a member of the Pres- byterian church; and he lived to be sixty years old. His wife Elizabeth outlived him, dying in her seventy-sixth year. She was the mother of eight children, only two of whom survive, namely: Alexander Hilson, Jr., a retired farmer, living in Scotland; and John Hilson, the subject of this sketch.
John lived at home with his parents until his twenty-third year, being educated in Scot- land, and learning the plasterer's tradc of his father. In 1850, at the age of twenty-three, he came to America, landing in New York after a pleasant voyage of only thirty days in a sailing-ship. He came directly to Delaware County, and settled in Bovina, where he fol- lowed his trade for more than four years. In 1855, the year after his marriage, Mr. Hilson bought a farm of a hundred acres, where he started a dairy, having fifteen cows to com- mence with, and increasing the number to twenty-five during his seventeen years of
256
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
farming. He has owned three different farms in Bovina, and now has a splendid one of two hundred and six acres, besides his residence in Bovina Centre.
In 1854 he married Hannah S. Hamilton, a daughter of Robert Hamilton, one of Bovina's hardy pioneers. He started a large general store in 1867; and, before retiring from busi- ness, in 1889, to return to Scotland for a summer's visit, he had built up a very good trade. Since his return Mr. Hilson has spec- ulated somewhat in butter, but has engaged in no active work, leaving his son Alexander to take charge of the store, in partnership with Mr. Blair. Alexander Hilson, born in 1855, is the only child of his parents. He was married in 1880 to Isabell Archibald; and they have two children, John and Jane Hilson, born in 1881 and 1885.
John Hilson has a large circle of friends, he and his wife being members of the United Presbyterian church, wherein he has held the position of Trustee for a number of years. He has also been Town Clerk ten years, and County Superintendent of the Poor three years, and now holds the office of Notary Pub- lic. The Hilsons have always been identified with the interests of the town, and are es- teemed by all who know them. Well has it been said by a poetic philosopher of our own day, Dr. J. G. Holland:
"God gives every bird its food, but he does not throw it into the nest. He does not un- earth the good that the earth contains; but he puts it in our way, and gives us the means of getting it ourselves."
OBERT NORTH, SR., was born at Newton, L.I., January 5, 1759, was married to Elizabeth Carter in 1783, and in 1785 emigrated to Walton, where he cleared the farm upon which he lived for more than half a century. He held the office of Town Clerk for about forty years, and, being also elected Supervisor and Surrogate of the county, ably discharged his trusts until failing health compelled his retirement from public life. Always inter- ested in and supporting the religious growth of the town, he was in 1830 one of the organ-
izers of the Episcopal church in Walton, for several years its Senior Warden, and an exem- plary communicant until his death.
Elizabeth Carter, whom he married, was a typical woman of the Revolutionary times. Possessing great strength of character, an energetic will, and many social attractions, she was in every sense the helpmate of her husband, bearing with him every burden, encouraging every effort, and sharing all his pleasures. She was the mother of eight chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, five in early manhood and womanhood, and only two of whom survived her.
Benjamin, her eldest-born, married Eleanor Heath, and was the father of Colonel Samuel North, whose home was at Unadilla, N. Y., where he died on September 15, 1894. Samuel, the second son, born February 9, 1787, the first child born in the new settle- ment, lived with his parents until the age of fourteen, when he accompanied his father to Albany, and was apprenticed to Solomon Smithwick in the office of the Albany Regis- ter, to learn the trade of a printer. Acquir- ing by industry and perseverance a fair educa- tion, he became after several years a student of law in the office of Elijah Thomas, Esq., a gentleman whose example alone was suffi- cient to inspire a young man with the purest and noblest ambition. On the mind of the student so fair an example produccd all the effect his best friends could wish, and his zeal to acquire knowledge was only equalled by his success in the acquisition. In the May term of 1810, he was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court, and began the practice of law in the city of Albany under the most favorable auspices. In the follow- ing winter he was appointed Clerk in the House of Assembly, and filled the office hon- orably. He was considered a young man of superior talent, and his friends predicted for him a brilliant career; but about this period his health began to decline, and a year or two later he returned home, where he died of con- sumption, January 16, 1813.
His death was followed seven years later by that of his brother Cyrus, who was born on December 22, 1793. Although afflicted with blindness, having lost his eyesight when only
ROBERT NORTH, JR.
MRS MARY P. NORTH.
261
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
two years old, he grew to manhood with rare intelligence and a most attractive character. He was a lover of books, music, and every- thing that tended toward refined culture. To him perhaps as much as to any other was due that love of literary pursuits that marked an early era in Walton society, and sent out in- telligent men and women to distinguish themselves in broader fields.
Sarah North was born on September 29, 1805, and died on February 24, 1829. Han- nah, born March 17, 1803, died January 4, 1836. Elizabeth, born November 29, 1800, died August 16, 1830. Mary N. Bartlett, eldest daughter of Robert and Elizabeth North, and wife of the Hon. Henry E. Bart- lett, was born June 20, 1796, and died October 15, 1870. Her first husband was Roswell Wright, of Unadilla, by whom she had two children, namely: Henry, born Sep- tember 30, 1821; and Elizabeth, born July IO, 1823, who married Benjamin R. Robson, and died at Litchfield, Conn., August 1, 1847, leaving one child, Benjamin W., now living in Portland, Ore. Henry married Caroline A. Austin, of Otego, N.Y., who died January 9, 1856, leaving two children: George A., well known as a civil engineer; and Mary, wife of the Hon. A. H. Sewell, Judge and Surrogate of Delaware County.
During the whole period of the life of Robert North his character and course were entirely above reproach, his excellence of heart and breadth of intelligence securing the respect and esteem of the community that grew up around him. Dignity, cour- tesy, and philanthropic feeling distinguished him as a man; earnestness, sincerity, and devotion, as a Christian.
OBERT NORTH, JR., was born on April 7, 1792, in Walton, N.Y., on the paternal farm, to whose posses- sion he succeeded, and where he passed his whole life. He inherited the sterling principles, traditions, and faith of his ancestors, and, spending the prime of life in active, useful labors, enjoyed in old age well-earned repose and tranquillity. He engaged for a time in mercantile business,
was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and filled sev- eral other positions of trust. Interested in political and social subjects, and entering warmly into the discussions of the day, he was an ardent admirer of Clay and Webster, and the personal friend of Erastus Root and Aaron Clark, both members of the old Whig party. Not easily swaycd by popular favor, he was strong in his partisanship and fear- less in defending his principles. ' Born amid primeval forest grandeur, this independence and freedom of soul was doubtless fostered by his contact with the wildness and stern beauty of nature, whose influence was felt in his moral and religious development.
With his father, he was one of the founders of the Episcopal church in Walton, ratifying his baptismal vows at the first visitation of Bishop Onderdonk, and continuing in dutiful and loving service until the close of his life. Having been chosen to succeed his father in the office of Senior Warden, he was re- elected through many successive years, until bodily infirmities impelled him to seek a release. As in other departments of thought he reined in any extravagance of sentiment, so in the domain of religion he aimed to blend and soften the contrasting shades of feeling into one harmonious wholc. He died August 15, 1873, aged eighty-one years. His wife Mary, to whom he was married on the 6th of September, 1820, was the daughter of Joshua Pine and Margaret Remsen, and sister of the late Joshua Pine, Jr. She was born in Wal- ton on February 15, 1797, educated at the old Kingston Academy, Kingston, N. Y., and was a refined, intelligent woman. Having passed most of her life in Walton, she was interested in its growth and improvement, and was well versed in its early history. She lived to the age of eighty-four, and died on Easter morn- ing, April 17, 1881.
Her children were Joshua P., born Novem- ber 11, 1821 ; Robert Bruce; Margaret ; Mary; George; Sarah; Emma; and Martha. Joshua died December 4, 1827, aged six years; Rob- ert Bruce, in the prime of manhood, Novem- ber 14, 1865; Martha, while yet an infant, October 10, 1845; and Emma, on July 23, 1881. Margaret, Mary, and Sarah are living on the old North homestead, where the an-
262
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
cient humble structure has given place to a modern dwelling. The surrounding lands are the same that have been in possession of their family for more than a century ; but a portion of their farm has been surrendered to the growth of the village, and is the site of hand- some dwelling-houses. George North has been a resident of California since 1852, and has a home in Winters, Yolo County. He married in January, 1867, Jennie E., daugh - ter of Thomas Hart Hyatt, of Lockport, N. Y., and has had five children, only three of whom are living: Robert H., born Decem- ber II, 1867, died April 15, 1868; George B., born June 24, 1869, died December 9, 1876: Hart H., born July 12, 1871, is prac- tising law in San Francisco with the promise of a successful career; Maude L., the only daughter, was born October 15, 1872; the youngest son, Arthur Walbridge, born Octo- ber 26, 1874, is a student in Berkeley Uni- versity, California.
The accompanying portraits of Robert North, Jr., and his wife, Mary Pine North, are of unusual interest. Of such as they was it said of old, "There be some who have left a name behind them, whose remembrance is sweet as honey in all mouths."
ABRIEL AND ROBERT. NORTH, brothers, were at the beginning of the War of the Revolution living in the placc of their nativity, Newtown, L. I. Descended from an honorable line of English ancestry, they both cnlisted in the Conti- nental servicc, and gave up homes and prop- erty to join in the struggle for American independence. After the close of the war they lived for a time in New Canaan, Conn., where they married sisters, Deborah and Elizabeth Carter, daughters of Captain Eben- ezer Carter of that town, and in 1786 moved with their families to the valley of the Co- quago, or western branch of the Delaware River.
Taking up their abode upon what was known as the Walton Patent, they gave this name to the new settlement, and were honored members of the little band who founded the village of Walton. The difficulties of trans-
portation were great in those days, and many are the stories recorded of hardship and peril during the earlier years of this frontier life. The five original settlers - Townsend, Pine, Furman, and the Norths -- were connected by family ties as well as those of friendship, and were all men of more than ordinary char- acter and intelligence, bringing with them the unshrinking courage, patience, and ad- venturous spirit transmitted by the New Eng- land Pilgrims to their descendants. They with their wives and infant children endured many privations, and underwent many thrill- ing experiences.
The settlement grew, and was organized into a town in 1789. Gabriel North and his brother purchased adjoining farms, built houscs, and reared families, who, growing up in friendly intimacy with others of their gen- eration, formed the nucleus of an intelligent and prosperous community. The following letter, written during the first ycar of this wilderness life, will show what had been ac- complished toward the establishment of future homes : -
" WALTON, November 14, 1785. " Dear Brother :
"I am happy to welcome this opportunity to write, it being the first I have had since we came down in this wilderness. I would impose on you we are all in perfect health, for which blessing I - to be truly thankful, and hope this may find you and yours enjoy- ing the same; would inform you I have built a house, and have a grand winter store laid in. I have a very pleasant situation on the site of Pine Hill; the Delaware River runs immediately on the south side of my house. I think I have laid a foundation for all the happiness this world can afford. It has been very expensive moving to this new country, and expensive and difficult getting provision. However, I hope the worst is over. We have got four acres of wheat, half an acre of rye, and one of timothy sown. I think I could write you a long story about the beauties of this place, wild and romantic, - fish in great abundance, the finest trout ever was, and pigeons in countless numbers. I keep little Joe to drive them from the grain after sowing, but he could scarcely scare them off. Elk and
263
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
deer are very plenty. I saw fourteen elk in the river a few rods below my house at one time. Wolves are very plenty all around us, and would frequently come up to our door and around our tents. At night all had to sleep with our children between us to prevent them being carried off. But Prince, king of dogs, has killed three of them; and the rest have become more shy. Prince went out one day alone on Pine Hill, and brought home a beau- tiful fawn in his mouth, that he had killed. The meat was very fine and quite welcome. We have a variety of wild apples, and man- drakes very plenty in the woods, and every kind of wild berries, etc.
"You say that my friends have expected letters from me. I am sorry to disappoint them. Tell them I am perfectly satisfied with my situation, and find the country much better than I expected. We expect a number of settlers out in the spring. We shall be glad to see them, although we are quite happy. Brother Robert or I will go to New York in the spring, and then will give you all the par- ticulars of our emigration to the West.
"Be pleased to give my best love to all my friends. That you may be happy under every circumstance of life is ever the one wish of your loving brother.
"GABRIEL NORTH."
To Mr. BENJAMIN NORTH, New York.
Gabriel, the writer of this letter, filled many town offices, and became Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in his county, which he also twice represented in the House of Assembly at Albany. He was also a member of the Electoral College that in 1816 gave the vote of New York for President and Vice- President of the Union. He was a man of ability, genial and social in his nature, honor- able and upright in character, and a sincere Christian. He died in 1827 in the seventy- first year of his age. His wife died in 1837, and only one out of seven children survived her.
The names of the children of Judge Gabriel and Deborah North were Hannah, Deborah, Mary, Gabriel, Jr., Benjamin, Emeline, and John. Hannah married Lewis Seymour, and died in 1802, leaving one son, William N.
Seymour, who died at Brooklyn in 1881. Deborah married Caleb Benedict, and had seven children, only two of whom are now living, namely: Hannah N., wife of William E. White, and mother of John N., Edwin, and Charles White; and Charles Benedict, residing in New Canaan, Conn. Gabriel, Jr., married Nancy Townsend, and had five chil- dren - Maria, Matilda, William, Gabriel S., and Hannah. Of these Gabriel S. North, of Binghamton, N. Y., is sole survivor. Benja- min married Hannah Carter. John died unmarried.
OSHUA PINE, JR., bearing the name of his father and grandfather, was born in Walton, November 5, 1798, and was in many respects a remarkable man. Although reared in the quiet round of farm life, his abilities were such that he might have won distinction in almost any profession, had he so chosen. He was one of the most intelligent men in this section, and few had a more comprehensive grasp of State and na- tional affairs than he. He was also the ac- knowledged historical authority of the town, his marvellous memory being a rich store- house of information. When Jay Gould com- piled his history of Delaware County, he obtained many of his facts from Mr. Pine. In affairs of local importance he took a lively interest, being the promoter of the first pub- lic library in Walton, and also of the old militia company, from which he received the title of Captain. In educational matters he was deeply interested, taking advanced ground in all matters pertaining to the public schools. He was an easy and thoroughly in- teresting writer, and contributed frequently to the local press on subjects relating to the early settlement of the town. He was not, however, one of those who live only in the past, but, with advancing years, kept up with the spirit of the age, being always young in his sympathies, and in every relation of life upright and kindly.
His ancestor, John Pine, came from Devon- shire, England, about the year 1640, and set- tled at Hempstead, L.I. He had one son, James, who married and reared a son James,
264
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
whose son John married a young woman of Welsh descent, named Freelove Carmen. They had ten children, one of whom, Joshua, married Sarah DeMilt, of New York City, in the year 1750. They lived in Hempstead until some time during the Revolutionary War, when they were driven from their home by the British soldiers, who took possession of their house, and wantonly destroyed its contents.
In 1785 Joshua Pine and his wife Sarah came to Walton, and were included in the five families who formed its first settlement. Four of their children had died in infancy, and one in his early manhood. The remain- ing five - John, Mary, Joshua, Sarah, and Daniel -came with them. On arriving at the settlement they found less land than had been anticipated, and consequently settled farther down the river, at what is now known as Pinesville. Here Joshua Pine, the elder, bought a large tract of land, which he after- ward divided among his sons, John, Joshua, and Daniel, who settled upon it. John mar- ried in 1781, but had no children. Daniel married Rachel Robinson, and they had nine children. He built the house now owned by Edmund More; and three of his grandsons, John, Thomas, and Peter Pine, are living in Walton at the present time.
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.