Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 68

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 68

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).

John W. Maynard was educated in the schools of Stamford and in the academy at Ashland. When twenty-one years old, he bought his father's property of two hundred and seventeen acres, and engaged in agricult- ural pursuits on this ancestral farm. Mr. Maynard has improved the land, raised frame buildings, including a wagon-house, and has remodelled the. barns. About twenty-three years ago he set out one hundred maple-trees on his estate, and to-day has one of the finest groves in this section. In 1868 he went to California for his health, but, failing to im- prove, returned after a stay of three months,

and gradually regained his health in his native town.

On November 30, 1856, he married Mar- garet Hait, who was born August 21, 1836, and was the daughter of Daniel Hait, of South Kortright, now called Almeda. He raised a family of four children: Margaret, Lottie, and Pamelia, who are now dead; and Washington. Daniel Hait died of heart dis- ease. Mrs. John W. Maynard died Septem- ber 14, 1868, and left three children: Frank A., born September 11, 1864, who married Sarah Darling, and lives at Stamford; Helen J., born April 6, 1866, who lives at home; and Merton, born July 7, 1868. Mr. May- nard married for his second wife Mary E. Hammond, daughter of Elisha Hammond, a farmer at Manor Kill, who lived to be seventy-five years old, and raised a family of six children - Adelaide, Victorine, Sarah, Mary E., Elisha, and Grace Hammond.

During the summer season the estate of Mr. J. W. Maynard is a favorite resort for residents of the city. His farm is located on the turnpike, and has an elevation of some two thousand feet above sea level, the crest of the hill forming the water-parting for the head waters of the Delaware and Schoharie Rivers. Mr. Maynard is a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as were his father and grandfather before him. He is also a member of the St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 289, A. F. & A. M., at Hobart. He was Assessor for one term, and in all the duties that have devolved upon him he has shown ability and good judgment

Merton H. Maynard, son of John W. May- nard and his first wife, Margaret, was born half a mile east of the village of Stamford, and was educated in the seminary of this place. When twenty-one years of age, he entered active business life, buying out D. V. Chichester's furniture and undertaking busi- ness. In 1891 he built a large and handsome store, part of which he used for his own busi- ness, while the rest brings him in a good income by being let to tenants. When twenty-one years of age, Merton Maynard married Mary A. Gillespie, daughter of Alex- ander and Polly E. (Brockway) Gillespie. Her father was a farmer of Stamford, and died

480

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

when fifty-nine years old; but her mother is still living.

Merton Maynard follows the traditions of the family in belonging to the Democratic party in politics, and being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church He is also a member of Green Lodge, No. 497, A. F. & A. M., of Hobart. By his energy and in- dustry he has built up one of the most exten- sive trades in his town, and not only has his ability been used in mercantile pursuits, but he, as well as his father and grandfather, has been of valuable assistance in the manage- ment of town affairs.

ENRY GROAT, a prominent mer- chant of Delhi, was born at Pratts- ville, Greene County, N.Y., Feb- ruary 15, 1869, a son of John and Catherine (Gilbert) Groat. His grandfather, John A. Groat, was a native of Dutchess County, and a prominent farmer. He after- ward moved to Greene County, and purchased a farm there. His son John remained on the farm, assisting his father until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fifteenth New York Heavy Artillery, and served with distinction until the war was nearly over, being discharged on ac- count of disability from wounds received in action. He resided for a time in Greene County, but afterward moved to Gilboa, of which place he is still a resident. He mar- ried Miss Catherine Gilbert, daughter of William M. Gilbert, a prominent foundryman of Greene County; and two children were born to them - Henry and Charles.

Henry Groat spent his early years in Gil- boa, and received his education at the district schools of that village. For several winters he taught school, afterward coming to Delhi, where he entered the employ of Mr. J. K. Hood, remaining with him as clerk for three years. He then formed a partnership with Mr. John D. Ferguson, opening a large gen- eral store on Main Street, where he conducted a successful and increasing business until July 1, 1894, when he severed his connection with Mr. Ferguson, and erected a fine busi- ness block on Meredith Street, Delhi, N. Y., and opened a large grocery store soon after,

with a complete new stock throughout of staple and fancy groceries and provisions, and now caters to the best trade of Delhi and vicinity.

Mr. Groat was united in marriage Novem- ber 25, 1891, with Miss Alice L. Mann, daughter of O. C. Mann, formerly a jeweller in this town, but now employed in the custom- house in New York. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Groat; namely, Kath- arine M. and Florence M. Mr. Groat is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lodge, No. 439, A. F. & A. M., and Delhi Chapter, No. 249. He is a Republican in politics, and in his religious views is an adherent of the Presbyterian faith, Mrs. Groat being a member of the Sec- ond Presbyterian Church. Mr. Groat is one of the youngest and most successful business men in Delhi, enjoying the highest reputation for honesty and integrity. He is possessed of much tact and judgment -a combination necessary to a successful merchant. He has also gained in a high degree the confidence and esteem of his associates.

LIAS B. HOWLAND, a well-known farmer residing near the village of Walton, which is his native place, was born on September 28, 1854. He is a son of Edwin R. Howland, whose father was Elias B. Howland, one of the early pioneers of Hamden. He was a famous hunter and expert fisherman. He purchased and culti- vated a tract of land, and resided there for a few years, and then went West for a short time, afterward coming to the town of Wal- ton, where he purchased a farm, on which he made his home until his death, in 1893, aged eighty-nine years. Edwin R. Howland, who was born in Hamden, came to Walton when he was twenty-two years old, and purchased a farm on East Brook. He was married to Miss Margaret McDonald, a daughter of Archibald and Jeannette (Smith) McDonald; and they had a family of six children, five of whom are living and residents of this town; namely, Elias B., Jeannette, Pollock T., Edgar R., and Owen L .. Howland.

Elias B. Howland was educated at the dis-

48 I

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

trict schools, and spent his early years on the farm which is now owned by his brothers. At the age of twenty-two he started out for himself, renting a farm for one year, and then purchased his present place. He devotes most of his time to his large dairy, keeping thirty-four Jersey cows, and making a fine grade of butter, the output amounting to some ten thousand pounds per year, which he sends to New York and Newburg markets. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Rachel Rutherford, a daughter of Robert Rutherford, a prominent farmer of Bovina, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Howland have two children - Reuben and Maggie.

Mr. Howland has one of the finest farms in the county. He is a man of progressive ideas, never hesitating to utilize any modern improvement which may be of benefit to him in his work. In politics Mr. Howland is a Republican. He has never sought any public office, devoting his time entirely to his call- ing. He is an honest and true friend, and ever ready to help those who have been less fortunate than himself.

NDREW JACKSON FRANCISCO is a prosperous farmer of East Branch, Delaware County, where he is also proprietor and manager of a popu- lar resort for summer boarders. He was born in the town of Colchester in this county, October 31, 1846.

His father, Richard Francisco, who was for some years Justice of Peace in Colchester, was born in Milford, Otsego County. He was there educated, and worked on the home farm till about 1835, when he purchased a large tract of land on the Beaver Kill in Col- chester, and engaged in farming and lumber- ing, rafting his own lumber down the river to Philadelphia. When a young man, he had studied law; and, as his knowledge of legal matters was quite extensive, his services were in great demand among the people of his sec- tion when any controversy arose which required settlement in the courts. He married Polly Westcott, daughter of Benjamin Westcott, a successful farmer in the town of Milford, and a representative of one of the oldest families

in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Francisco had twelve children, namely: Erastus, a farmer in Hancock; Audelia, who married Caleb S. Miller, of Hancock; Orlando, who, a car- penter by trade, lives in Ripon, Wis. ; Benja- min, a farmer in Walton, who died in 1892 ; Francis, a farmer in Colchester, who died in 1859; Alexander H., a farmer in Liberty ; Lavina, who married John Marven, a farmer in East Davenport, Otsego County ; Marette, who died in 1885, and whose husband was Dr. Sibers, a dentist of Cooperstown; Andrew J., the subject of this sketch; Ann, who mar- ried George Reynolds, of Walton, a merchant in Oneonta, where he died; Melissa, who married Edget Lewis, of Hancock; and D. C. Francisco, who is a farmer in Liberty, and also keeps a summer hotel there. Mr. Rich- ard Francisco lived to be over seventy years of age, his wife surviving him about five years. They were both esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal church; and Mr. Fran- cisco, who was a strong Democrat, was an active citizen, taking part in all the town affairs. He was universally respected, and his death was a great loss to the community in which he lived.

Andrew Jackson Francisco was educated in his native town, where for some years he worked the home farm, and followed the river as a lumberman. When he started upon his own career, he bought a farm in Walton, which he sold in 1866, coming to East Branch, where he purchased the only hotel, and in partnership with his brother, D. C. Francisco, was very successful. After a time he bought out his brother's share, and, changing the hotel into a summer boarding-house, has now a very select class of patrons during the season. He is also engaged in farming to some extent. He has been twice married, his first wife being Sylvia Tomkins, who was born near Cannons- ville. By her he had one child, Lida, who married Charles Miller, of East Branch. Mr. Francisco was again married, June 24, 1874. to Blanche Thomas, daughter of Moses and Or- cilla (Cole) Thomas, of Buckingham, Wayne County, Pa. By the second union is one child, Cora A. Francisco, who was born Octo- ber 5, 1876, and has been educated in the district schools and Hancock Academy.

482

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Mr. and Mrs. Francisco are active members of the Baptist church, and of the Good Tem- plars Lodge at East Branch. Mr. Francisco cast his first vote with the Democratic party, but has since joined the ranks of the Prohibi- tionists. He is much respected by all who know him, particularly by his city boarders, for whose comfort and enjoyment he so well provides. As is well known, the churl is not bountiful, but ever the " liberal deviseth liberal things."

AMES HENRY BROWN, a successful mason in Walton, is a loyal citizen who did brave service for his country during the late Civil War. He is a native of Oneonta, Otsego County, where he was born December 16, 1845. He was left an orphan at a very early age, and the first six years of his life were spent with his grandfather Sher- man, and the next four at the home of A. Cheney, in Cooperstown. The four succeed- ing years he lived with Harvey Williams, and for two years thereafter worked at anything he could find to do.

At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the Union army, joining Company L, Second New York Cavalry, September 16, 1861. He was mustered into service in the city of Wash- ington, and during the first winter was en- camped near Arlington Heights. Early in the spring of 1862, his company was attached to General Kilpatrick's corps, and followed the Army of the Potomac in its various expedi- tions. Mr. Brown was an active participant in many battles, among them being the en- gagements at Brandy Station, Fredericksburg, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, and he served throughout the Pennsylvania campaign. He was at the front in the raids conducted by Colonels McIntosh and Sheridan, and was taken prisoner at Hanover Court-house, June 2, 1864. . He was at first confined at Rich- mond, going thence to the Andersonville Prison, where he remained seven months. From Andersonville he was forwarded to Sa- vannah, thence to Millen, again back to Savannah and down the coast. Kilpatrick was then but twenty miles away, and the ob- ject of their many removals was to keep the

prisoners out of the reach of Sherman's army, which was making daily progress in its march to the sea. With the others, Mr. Brown was next sent to Thomasville, and then, after a march of thirty-five miles to Albany, Ga., was put on board the cars and returned to Anderson- ville. He was subsequently forwarded by train to Vicksburg, and in April, 1865, got inside the Union lines. He went first to St. Louis, thence to Camp Annapolis, and from there to New York City, and on the sixteenth day of May, 1865, received his honorable discharge.

After his return to civil life Mr. Brown settled in Cooperstown, and there learned the mason's trade of George B. Wood. In 1879 he removed to the village of Walton, where he has since found constant employment, his abil- ity and faithfulness as a workman being recog- nized and appreciated by his patrons. He is a man of sound sense and strict integrity, a fine representative of the self-made men of our country.

Mr. Brown has been twice married. By his first wife, Ellen Shelman, of Cooperstown, to whom he was united on January 1, 1866, he had three children. Charles D., born Novem- ber 9, 1866, is a resident of Waterbury, S. Dak. Stella A., born July 26, 1869, married Seymour Bush, of Walton; and they have one child, Everett J. Bush. Cora M., born Sep- tember 18, 1871, is the wife of W. T. Mann, of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County ; and they have a daughter, Helena E. Mann. The mother died in Cooperstown in 1877; and Mr. Brown was married on January 17, 1878, to Emrette Johnson, one of the three daughters born to Daniel and Sally A. (Smith) Johnson, natives of Otsego County, the other children having been Louisa, who died in infancy, and Amelia, who died at the age of eight years. Mr. Johnson went to war and never returned, and his widow married John F. Bristol; and they reared one child, Minnie.

In his political views Mr. Brown is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party, and is a charter member of the Ben Marvin Post, No. 209, Grand Army of the Republic, having been a Commander and a delegate to the State encampment. Relig- iously, both he and his wife are esteemed members of the Methodist church.

483

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

OHN KINMONTH FORMAN is the keeper of the county house at Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y. . His grand- father, John Forman, came from New- burg to Delaware County, and was among the earliest settlers in Kortright. Taking up a tract of land, he built upon it a log cabin ; and beneath its rude shelter he and his young wife bravely began their married life. Little ones soon came to brighten the pioneer's home, and make loneliness impossible. They brought up a family of seven children, one of whom, named Roxey, is still living, over ninety years of age. For many years Grand- father John Forman remained in possession of this farm, but finally sold it to one of his sons, Jacob. While on a visit at Sidney, the old man was stricken down with an illness which proved fatal. His wife died at the old home- stead, after having reached the age of four- score.

Their son Jacob, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kortright, and spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm. He was brought up to lead the useful and independent life of one who tills the soil, meanwhile availing himself of the advantages afforded at the district school. He remained with his father until twenty-one, and later in life returned to the old homestead as its owner. His wife, Louisa Hill, was also a native of Kortright ; and her father had been one of the worthy pioneer farmers of the town. She was one of a family of five children : Athelson, Louisa, Myron, Adeliza, and Freelove. Jacob Forman and his wife reared the following chil- dren : Adeline, who married Martin Barker, the agent in charge of the Grecian property at Meredith; Charles, a farmer of the town of Delhi; John K., above named; and Myron, a merchant. After living at the old homestead for a number of years, Jacob Forman removed to a neighboring farm, where he remained up to the time of his death, at forty-five years of age. His wife died at Kortright, at the age of sixty-eight. Both were members of the Methodist church, and for many years Jacob was one of its trustees.

John K. Forman first saw the light in Kort- right, November 22, 1851. Like his father and grandfather before him, he was bred to

agricultural pursuits, and also went to the dis- trict school. When but fourteen, he had the misfortune to lose his father; and for the next four years he remained with his brothers, carry- ing on the farm. It may well be believed that in spite of his extreme youth he took his share of the labor and responsibility manfully; and that the efforts of these young husbandmen were crowned by success is to be inferred from the fact that at the age of twenty-one John went to farming for himself, having bought land in Kortright. After several years he sold his farm, and bought a mill in Hobart, where he spent one season. Then he returned to his native town, where he again engaged in farm- ing, the work which seems to have been his special vocation ; for, as Emerson has truly said, "The fitness is the calling.''

May 16, 1872, Mr. Forman married Delia Maxon. Her grandfather, also, was one of the pioneer settlers of Kortright, and had the honor of serving as a gallant Captain in the War of 1812. Both of the grandparents passed their last years in Kortright, but the death of the wife took place in Meredith. Mrs. For- man's parents were Reynolds and Lydia (Butts) Maxon, both of whom were born in Kortright. But the father established himself as a wagon- maker in Bloomville; and it was there that Delia, afterward Mrs. Forman, was born. Her mother was one of five children: Bush- rod, Oliver, Betsy Ann, Lydia, and Delilah ; and Mrs. Maxon brought up three of her five children, namely: Marshall M. ; and his sisters, Delilah and Delia, who were twins, the latter being Mrs. Forman. Delilah married James B. Cavan, a farmer of Kortright, and is now a widow, making her home in Delhi. Marshall M. Maxon is still a resident of Bloomville, having there a pleasant home. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Union army, and had served as Sergeant three years lacking one month, when the war closed. He married Lucia Keeler, and they have three children. The mother died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forman, at the age of seventy- one years. Death came to the father at the age of seventy-seven, while at the house of his son in Bloomville. Both parents were devoted to the interests of the Methodist church, of which they were worthy members.

484

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

On April 1, 1891, Mr. Forman took charge of the county almshouse at Delhi, and con- tinues to fill the position with marked ability. In his wife Mr. Forman has an invaluable assistant. While he is occupied with matters pertaining to the farm, she superintends the household, and with kindly care promotes the well-being of the inmates within its sheltering walls. The house is charmingly situated on the Delaware River, in one of the most beauti- ful portions of the county, and will accom- modate seventy-five people. The farm consists of two hundred and ten acres of fertile land, under excellent cultivation and stocked with sixty head of cattle. Mr. Forman gives much attention to his herd of forty beautiful Hol- steins, which bear witness to the success that has attended his efforts in this department. Under his management many improvements have been made and reforms instituted, both indoors and out. From the top of the house to the bottom an exquisite neatness prevails, and one is impressed with the perfect system every- where found. Mr. Forman finds a judicious adviser in the county superintendent, Mr. Wright. At the last county fair both the horses and cattle from the county farm received first prizes, as did the vegetables and fruits ex- hibited. The fact that the entire work of the institution is performed wholly by the inmates, thus saving the county great expense, proves the wisdom of Mr. Forman's administration as well as his practical ability. The State in- spector, in his last report, pronounced the establishment a model for the entire State.

Mr. and Mrs. Forman are regarded with the highest respect throughout the community, their kindly and sunny natures endearing them to all with whom they come in contact ; and their hospitality, a virtue which is called in the Talmud "an expression of divine worship," is proverbial for its graceful cordiality. Mrs. Forman was formally a member of the Meth- odist church at Bloomville; but, on becoming a resident of Delhi, she connected herself with the Second Presbyterian Society here, where her husband is also a worshipper. He is a member of the Delhi Lodge of Free Masons, No. 439. As would be expected from his career and position, he is warmly interested in the county agricultural society, of which he

is Vice-President ; and he is a Republican in politics.

A UGUSTUS S. FITCH, who has been eminently successful in mercantile pursuits, is a member of the enter- prising firm of Fitch Bros. & Seeley, of Walton, N. Y., dealers in general merchandise. Mr. Fitch is descended from a long line of ancestors, a full account of whom is given elsewhere in the biography of George W. Fitch.

Augustus S. Fitch was born in the village of Walton, May 15, 1841. In due time he be- came a regular attendant of the town schools, where he was carefully instructed until his twentieth year, when he accepted the position of clerk in the store owned by his father and brother, the firm name being N. Fitch & Son. After ten years of faithful service in this ca- pacity he was made a partner, the firm becom- ing N. Fitch & Sons. In 1872 the aged father died; and once more the firm name was changed, being then known as N. Fitch's Sons. For some years the two brothers were the only members of the company; but in 1879 they received Mr. George C. Seeley as a partner, and the name then adopted has been retained ever since.

Mr. Fitch was married September 13, 1866, to Eliza A. Honeywell, of Walton, a daughter of Alfred and Margaret (Russell) Honeywell. After nine years of happy wedded life Mrs. Fitch died, July 25, 1875, when but twenty- nine years of age, having given birth to four children : Frankie, who died in 1873, a babe of four months; William H., whose death oc- curred January 1, 1880, he being then a lad of eleven summers; Mary A. Fitch, who was graduated from the Walton High School in 1894; and Eliza, who died when an infant.

Mr. Fitch's second marriage occurred on September 30, 1880, he being then united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Isabelle Bryce. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (McQueen) Bryce, the former of who died in DeLancey, N. Y., in 1865, in his sixty-eighth year; while the latter passed away in 1870, having reached the age of seventy-three years, Mrs, Fitch was a gradu-

485

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

ate of the Albany State Normal School, and for three years taught in the Walton schools. She and her twin sister, Elizabeth, widow of James Taylor, of Delancey, and mother of James Bryce Taylor, a school-boy of fifteen, are the only survivors of a large family. Their brother, William Bryce, who for some years taught school in Delhi, and was at one time principal of a school in Saugerties, was a surgeon in the Civil War, in the Forty-fourth New York Infantry, and served for three years, after which he practised in Hamden, where he died in 1868. He was a graduate of Columbia College of Medicine in New York City.

Mr. Fitch is a Republican, a rigid adherent to that party's principles, although he has never held office or been an aspirant for office. In 1857 he joined the Congregational church, of which body he has ever since been an active and valued member, having been a trustee since 1882. He has occupied his present delightful home since the fall of 1877; and here he is ever glad to receive his numerous friends, whom he entertains with genial cordi- ality. Walking in the ways of integrity, honor, and industry, making untiring efforts to meet the wants of his many patrons, Mr. Fitch has won enviable success in business life, and an influential position among his associates and friends.

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.

Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 68

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