USA > New York > Delaware County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York > Part 8
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Daniel White came to Walton in the days of its early settlement, when the clearings were few, and, purchasing a tract of wild land, set himself industriously to work to im- prove its condition and to raise the crops upon which he depended for his profits and liveli- hood. His first residence was the customary log cabin of the pioneer; but this in a few years was replaced by a fine frame structure, a good barn was erected, and on the home- stead which he had thus established he lived until 1849, when his death occurred, at the age of sixty-six years. On November 10, 1808, he married Catherine Webb, a native of Connecticut, born June 11, 1788, being one of six children born to Ebenezer and Hannah Webb. Her brothers and sisters were Cla- rissa, Jemima, Phebe, Joseph, and Ebenezer Webb. Mrs. White proved herself an effi- cient helpmate during their years of pioneer life, and with her busy hands found time to card, spin, weave, and make the garments worn by the family. Both were original members of the Congregational church of
North Walton. Previous to the formation of this church, they were members of the First Congregational Church at Walton, where they used to go on horseback, following a path through the woods, there being then no public highway. Mrs. Catherine White survived her husband many years, dying October 30, 1876, at the home of one of her daughters in North Walton. She reared six children; namely, William Edward, Eliza Ann, George E., Emily, Samuel E., and Charles E.
Samuel E., the third son, who was born on June 24, 1824, spent his early years on the parental homestead near the one which he now occupies, and in the district school and the academy at Franklin received a practical edu- cation. After finishing his studies, he as- sisted his father on the farm; and several years before the death of the latter he assumed the sole management of the homestead, his father being in feeble health and unable to superintend the work. He afterward engaged in general farming in Woodlawn near by, re- maining there three years. He then bought the farm where he has since resided, and has carried on mixed husbandry. He makes a specialty of dairying, and until within a few years manufactured choice butter, which he sold in the New York and Connecticut mar- kets, but has recently adopted the plan of selling his milk.
Mr. White was married in 1852 to Eliza- beth C. Knapp, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Webb) Knapp, of Stamford, Conn. The only child of their union is a son, Arthur L., a finely educated mail, having been fitted for college at the Franklin Academy. He is now at home, and assists in the management of the farm. The entire family are members of the Second Congregational Church of North Walton, of which Arthur has been Clerk for many years, besides faithfully performing the duties of superintendent of the Sunday-school.
ILLIAM S. THOMSON, a success- ful farmer and stock-raiser and a leading dairyman of his native town of Bovina, is the possessor of a fine homestead containing two hundred and two and a half acres of well-improved land, on which he and
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his family reside. His estate is supplied with a substantial set of modern farm build- ings, his stock and machinery are of first-class description, and everything about the premises is indicative of the industry, intelligence, and thrift of its proprietor. The date of his birth, December 22, 1861, shows him to be yet in the prime of early manhood. His par- ents, Andrew and Margaret (Scott) Thomson, were also natives of Bovina, where his father entered upon this stage of existence on Janu- ary 14, 1836, and his mother on the 3d of April, 1835.
On the paternal side Mr. Thomson is of sturdy Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, William Thomson, who was born in Scotland in 1801, emigrated in 1825 from the land of his birth to America, and, coming to Delaware County, bought a farm in the town of Bovina, and here engaged in tilling the soil. He died at the good old age of fourscore years. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of which he was for many years an Elder. He married Janet Hamilton; and to them were born six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living except Andrew, the father of the subject of the pres- ent sketch.
Andrew Thomson spent his entire life in the town of Bovina, and was the larger part of his time engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he bought the farm now owned by his son, William S., and made thereon the major portion of the excellent improvements, plac- ing it among the most valuable homesteads of this locality. He was a man of good business ability, and faithfully fulfilled his obligations as a good citizen, residing here until his death, July 17, 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, Margaret Scott, was the daughter of John Scott, a life-long resident of Bovina, and one who performed his full share in the pioneer labor of developing its resources and assisting its growth. She sur- vived her husband a short time, dying January II, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years. Both were active workers in the cause of religion, and were members of the Reformed Presbyte- rian church, in which he was an Elder. Five children were born of their union, as follows:
William S .; Edwin F., a well-known dealer in boots and shoes, who resides in the village of Delhi; Burtis M., a farmer, who lives in Walton; Carrie E., the wife of A. T. Doig, a merchant in Bovina Centre; and Millard H., a farmer residing in Walton.
William S., the eldest of the family, was reared on the old home farm, and educated in the district schools. Having grown to man- hood, he continued to make his home with his parents, and during the winter seasons taught school for three years, between terms working on the land. After the death of his father he bought the family homestead, taking posses- sion in 1890, and here carries on an extensive business in general farming and dairying, milk- ing thirty-five cows, which in 1893 yielded an average of two hundred and eighty pounds of butter per head. He has full-blooded Jersey cattle and graded, and also keeps other stock, having about sixty head in all.
Mr. Thomson was married on January 29, 1890, to Jennie A. Archibald, who was born April 24, 1870, and is the daughter of Sloane and Elizabeth (Russell) Archibald, esteemed residents of the town of Bovina, where her father is a prominent agriculturist. Both Mr. and Mrs. Archibald were born in New Kingston, his birth having occurred on Janu- ary 5, 1848, and hers on November 13, 1848. Both are members of the United Presbytcrian church of Bovina Centre, and in politics Mr. Archibald is a stanch Democrat. They are the parents of two children, namcly: Mrs. Thomson; and Russell, who resides at home with his parents. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Thomson, James Archibald, was born in Bovina on July 20, 1816, was married to Margaret Sloane on April 7, 1842, and re- sided at New Kingston till after her death in 1848. He afterward lived in Bovina, but is at present in New Kingston. Hc has been three times married. His occupation is farm- ing. Until quite recently he has also specu- lated in stock. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the United Presbyterian church.
John G. Russell, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Thomson, and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Chisholm, were natives of New Kingston, where he still lives, and of which
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town his father, Matthew Russell, was a pio- neer settler. During his earlier years John Russell was an active farmer and a successful miller, and one of the influential members of his community. His first wife died at the age of sixty-nine years, and he subsequently married again.
Of the happy union of Mr. Thomson and his wife two sons have been born - A. Ralph and Archibald. They have a pleasant and at- tractive home and enjoy the society of a large circle of warm friends. They are sincere Christian people, he being a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and she be- longing to the United Presbyterian church.
ORREST F. GIBSON was born in South Kortright, on March 21, 1851, and died at his home in Stamford on May 28, 1890. His father, the Rev. John D. Gibson, was born in Washington County; and his mother, Catherine D. (Wood) Gibson, in Orange County. His grandfather, Colin Gib- son, was born in Scotland, and came to Amer- ica when a young man, being one of the early settlers of Washington County, where he died at a good old age. He was a United Presby- terian, and politically a Democrat. He was married three times. The Rev. John D. Gib- son was a minister in the United Presbyterian church, and a very successful man in his call- ing, standing at the head in his profession .- He spent the greater part of his life in Dela- ware County. He was a graduate of the Theological Seminary in Newburg, and was pastor of the South Kortright church for over forty years, beloved by his people, and well known and venerated throughout the county. He retired from the ministry seven years be- fore his death, which occurred at his son's home in Stamford, January 6, 1893, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife died in August, 1892. They had five children, all of whom grew up, and three are now liv- ing, namely: John B. Gibson, residing in Kansas City; Robert P., who resides in West- chester County; Margaret A. Gooding, wife of D. M. Gooding, who resides at Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County; Charles A., who died when fifty years of age; the subject of
this sketch, who was the youngest of the family.
Forrest F. Gibson grew up in Stamford, and received more than an ordinary education. He first went to the district schools of the town, then to Andes Academy, and from there to Delhi Academy. When his school days were over, he bought his first land, one hun- dred and twenty-five acres, at Rose Brook, shortly after his marriage, in 1874, and re- sided there for nine years. He then sold out, and in 1884 bought the farm where his widow now resides. He here owned one hundred and seventy-five acres and carried on general farming and dairying. He made many im- provements, adding to the farm buildings, and in 1885 built a commodious modern residence worth thirty-three hundred dollars. He was a successful farmer and an active man in pro- moting the welfare of the town, of which he was at one time Assessor.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1873, he married Helen T. Sackrider, daughter of James and Jane Ann (Thomas) Sackrider. (See the sketch of James Sackrider and Mrs. Agnes Thomas.) Mr. and Mrs. Gibson be- came the parents of two children : a daughter, J. Anna Gibson, born November 21, 1874, now Mrs. Henry E. Smith, residing in New York City; and James Sackrider Gibson, born August 23, 1877, who lives at home and as- sists in the management of the farm. They keep twenty-one milk cows, and also much young stock. All the family are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Gib- son, who was also of the United Presbyterian faith, and in politics was a Democrat, was a man who stood in high honor among his asso- ciates; and his death occasioned heartfelt sor- row throughout the town.
RS. HANNAH D. OGDEN, widow of the late Chauncey Ogden, is a woman well known and much re- spected in the town of Franklin, where her husband died in 1892, and where she still makes her home. Mr. Ogden's grandfather, David Ogden, Sr., was a soldier of the Revolution. He was born in Dutchess County in 1764; and, although very young at
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the time of the war, like so many of the pa- triots of that day he enlisted in the cause of. freedom, and was taken prisoner, not by the British, but by the Indians. For two years he lived in a wigwam with the squaw who adopted him, and then he escaped and re- turned to his home, During the time of his captivity he acquired great fluency in the Ind- ian tongue, which was of great use to him in his dealings with the red men. He died in Croton in 1840, at the age of seventy-six years. His son, David, Jr., who was born in that town in 1792, and died in 1858, married Sally McCall. She was born January 7, 1794, and died in 1869. They had ten chil- dren, four sons and six daughters, only four of whom are now living, namely: Linus Ogden in Croton; Susan, widow of Isaac Hitchcock, in North Carolina; Marian, widow of Pardon Howland, of Whitney's Point, N. Y .; Mary, widow of the late Julius Brown- son, of Oregon.
Chauncey Ogden, son of David, Jr., and his wife Sally, was born in Croton in 1824, and married Hannah D. Munn, born in the town of Franklin, October 5, 1830. She was the daughter of Reuben and Lydia (Jones) Munn, and was but eighteen years old in 1848, when she became Mrs. Ogden. She has three children still living, namely: Emma, wife of Charles Potter, of Franklin, and mother of two sons - Albert Ogden, twenty-one years old; and Orion C., eighteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Ogden began life as farmers, with a capital of five hundred dollars; and before the death of Mr. Ogden the property was worth several thou- sand dollars. In religion Mrs. Ogden is a Congregationalist.
Alfred K. Ogden, eldest son of Mrs. Ogden, was born December 22, 1851. He re- ceived his primary education in the common schools, and then spent two years at the Dela- ware Literary Institute. He remained at home until December 8, 1887, when he was married to Ida Isabel Penfield, who was born in the town of Harpersfield, January 12, 1860, and was the daughter of David Penfield. Her father died in January, 1893, at the age of seventy-three. He was a native of Har- persfield, and was a son of David Penfield,
Sr., and Boadicea Scoville, both of Danbury, Conn. Coming to Delaware County with his brothers, they here manufactured the famous Penfield axe. Mrs. Ida Isabel Ogden was educated in the Delaware Literary Institute, and taught school for three terms. After re- maining one year on the old farm, she and her husband came to their present home and farm of ninety-five acres, which they bought in 1889. They have one child, Chauncey, three years old, named for his grandfather.
Mr. Ogden is a Republican voter; and he and his wife are members of the Franklin Congregational church, in which he is a Deacon. He carries on a general farming business and a dairy of fourteen cows. He is a much esteemed citizen, and one of the rising young men of the county, being one to whom all look for the fulfilment of much promise in the future.
¡DSON S. DANN, who stands promi- nent among the prosperous agricultur- ists of this county, is an extensive landholder in the town of Walton, where he occupies a fine farm on the south side of the Delaware River, about a mile and a half from the village. It is amply supplied with mod- ern farm buildings; and his handsome resi- dence, which he erected in 1886, has a charming location on the river's bank, over- looking the village below, and commanding picturesque natural scenery. The birth of Mr. Dann having taken place on the parental homestead near by on March 25, 1849, he is now in the full vigor of manhood, and is con- tributing his share toward the advancement of the industrial and business interests of his native town.
His paternal grandparents were Ebenezer and Sarah Dann, of Connecticut, the former of whom was born on July 25, 1768, and the latter on October 10, 1770. They reared the following children -- Amariah, Sarah, Phoebe, Ebenezer, Enoch, Asa, Matthew, Darius, and Harvey. Darius Dann came to Delaware County before his marriage, and in the town of Franklin learned the hatter's trade of a man by the name of Northrup. After work- ing at his trade for some time, he came to
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Walton, and, purchasing the tract of land known as the Goodrich farm, engaged in gen- eral farming, living here nearly half a cen- tury, passing away September 9, 1892, in his eighty-ninth year. He married twice. On September 23, 1830, he wedded Minerva See- ley, a daughter of Abijah Seeley, of Franklin. She was a faithful member of the Congrega- tional church, and died on the old homestead, September 21, 1851. She bore her husband five children, namely: Sterling S., deceased ; Julia, who married P. F. Sprague; Theron, deceased; Ellen M., who married Silas Brad- ley for her first husband, after his death be- coming the wife of A. N. Tracy; and Edson, the subject of this sketch. On November 20, 1855, Darius Dann married for his second wife Almeda Beers.
Edson S. Dann was but two years old when his mother died. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, assisting in the necessary labors of the farm. He re- ceived the rudiments of his education in the district school, afterward becoming a student of Walton Academy. He acquired while on the home farm a practical experience in the art of agriculture that was of incalculable benefit to him in after years. After his mar- riage he settled on the farm where he now resides, and which he had previously pur- chased of William Marvin, it having in former times been known as the Casc farm. Besides this property, which contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent land, Mr. Dann owns the valuable parental homestead near by, which consists of two hundred and fifty acres. On these farms there are three substantial dwellings. Mr. Dann devotes his attention principally to stock-raising and dairying, keeping about forty cows, horscs, and young stock, raising all the hay he needs and having some to spare, his farms being among the most pro- ductive of any in the vicinity. His fine cattle are of a native breed, producing large quantities of milk, which he sends to the creamery.
Mr. Dann was united in wedlock May 29, 1872, to Miss Ella E. Pierson, who was born in Walton, December 2, 1850. Her father, Joseph M. Pierson, was born February 25,
1820, in the town of Saratoga, and on Febru- ary 2, 1848, he married Priscilla R. Lyon. who was born in Stamford, July 28, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson, who reared three chil- dren - Charles J., a farmer; George J., a worker in the Novelty works; and Mrs. Dann -still live in the village of Walton.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dann has been brightened by the advent of two intelligent and promising children. The elder, George J., born March 13, 1874, was graduated from Walton Union School with honors, when eighteen years old. He then entered Union College at Schenectady, and, having passed through the Sophomore class with a high rank, is now a member of the Junior class, and will be graduated in 1896. Florence E., born December 21, 1879, is now a student in the Walton High School, where she has a fine record for good scholarship. Mr. Dann is one of the leading citizens of his community, and for two years has served as Highway Commissioner. In politics he has usually supported the Republican ticket. He and his wife, and also his son, are among the most esteemed members of the Methodist church, in which he has been Steward for many years.
EORGE BARLOW, a highly re- spected member of the agricultural community of the town of Stamford, N. Y., is a man who from a modest beginning has worked his own way up in the world to a good position, socially and financially, among his fellow-citizens, and who by his upright life has secured their kindly regard and con- fidence. Mr. Barlow is a worthy representa- tive of the native-born citizen, having first opened his eyes to the light September 14, 1825, in the town of Stamford, which was also the place of nativity of his parents, Jesse and Lucretia (Rollins) Barlow, the former having been born January 12, 1789, and the latter November 14, 1788.
Mr. Barlow comes of excellent New Eng- land stock. His grandfather, Edmund Barlow, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Stam- ford, having been born in Connecticut, came here when this part of the country was an almost pathless wilderness, with an occasional
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opening, whence the smoke from the chimney of some pioneer's cabin might be seen. He cleared a farm, placing it in a good condition, and continued its cultivation until the time of his death while in the prime of life. His widow survived him many years, living to a ripe old age. They reared eight children, but none are now living.
Jesse Barlow, who was reared on the pa- rental farm, was of invaluable assistance from the time he was old enough to wield the axe or spade, and performed his full share in the pionecr labor of felling the trees and improv- ing the land. He became a farmer from choice, and, devoting his whole time and attention to agriculture, became very success- ful. He lived sixty-four years of useful life, dying October 14, 1854. His faithful wife preceded him to the golden shore, passing quietly away November 27, 1853. Both par- ents were conscientious members of the Epis- copal church, and in politics he was a zealous advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. Of the nine children born to them two are now living, namely: George, of Stamford; and Edmund, a resident of the village of Hobart. The names of the deceased are as follows: Mary Ann, Burr, Aaron, Betsey, Samuel, William, and Eunice. All of these grew to maturity excepting William, who died young.
George Barlow was reared and educated in the place of his birth, attending its district schools, and assisting his parents on the homestead until the time of his marriage. He subsequently bought the home property, where he resided for some years, engaged in general farming. Selling that, Mr. Barlow bought the farm where he now resides, taking possession of it April 1, 1868. It contains one hundred acres of well-tilled and produc- tive land, which he has furnished with new and substantial buildings, besides adding other necessary improvements. He carries on mixed husbandry, paying a good deal of attention to dairying, which is a very impor- tant branch of his industry. He still resides on the farm, but has given up its management to his son, William S. Barlow.
Mr. Barlow was married October 27, 1853, to Mary P. Taylor, a native of Stamford,
where she was born November 20, 1827. Her father, Hezekiah Taylor, was a cooper by trade, and when a young man was united in marriage with Phoebe Beers, who became the mother of Mrs. Barlow. The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Barlow was made still more bright by the birth of three children - Mary Ann, William S., and Fannie E. Mary Ann, the wife of Roswell Barlow, lives in Stamford, where her husband is engaged in farming. William S., who carries on the home farm, married Emma J. Hubbard, a na- tive of Jefferson, Schoharie County, and a daughter of Lucius and Jerusha C. (Havens) Hubbard, who now make their home with her. Mr. Hubbard was formerly a carpenter, but is now retired from the active pursuits of life. Fannie E. is the wife of George M. More, a marble dealer of Hobart.
The life of Mr. Barlow has not been with- out its sorrows, his most severe affliction hav- ing been the loss of his beloved companion, who departed this life May 6, 1893. Al- though not a confirmed invalid, Mrs. Barlow had never fully recovered from injuries which she received in October, 1882, when riding with her husband and Mrs. Augusta Foot. They were struck by a train while crossing the track, Mrs. Foot being killed outright, Mrs. Barlow injured severely, while Mr. Bar- low had a very narrow escape from death. Both horses were killed. In his political views Mr. Barlow is a warm advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. Relig- iously, he is an Episcopalian, and is a Warden of the church in Hobart, of which his wife was also an esteemed communicant.
RLANDO GOULD is a farmer by calling, and the owner of a valuable homestead on the West Brook road in the town of Walton. He is a native of Delaware County, born in the town of Walton, May 5, 1834; and during the many years that he has lived in this locality he has fulfilled his obligations as a good citizen, and has contributed his full quota toward the ad- vancement of the community.
Mr. Gould is the scion of an excellent New England family, his grandfather, Eli Gould,
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Sr., having been a native of Connecticut, and one of the pioneers of Walton. He removed here with his family, and, buying a tract of partly improved land, erected a frame house, which was his home until his death. Eli Gould, Jr., was born on the homestead of his parents in Walton, and was reared a farmer and lumberman. After becoming of age he started as a farmer on his own account, living on his father's farm for several years. He then purchased a farm at the foot of Walton Mountain, three miles from the village of Walton, where he lived for a number of years. Selling this, he then bought the farm where his son Orlando now lives, and here continued his agricultural labors, living to the good old age of fourscore years. His wife, Ophelia Wakeman, was a native of Connecticut, being the daughter of Epaphras and Abigail (Banks) Wakeman. She died at the venerable age of eighty-five years. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist church. The names of the five children born to them were as follows: Alfred, Emily, Amelia, Adelia, and Orlando.
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