Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 88

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 88

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

erick Engle, Mrs. Bieler's father, was born in Lexington, Greene County, and at the age of twenty-one entered mercantile life in Halcott. After a time he sold his store, and bought a farm and another store near by, where he was in business until 1845. Then he sold out, and came to Griffin's Corners, where he again established himself as a merchant. Here he remained until his death, which took place when he was about sixty-five years of age. His wife, Mrs. Jacob Bieler's mother, is still living, at the age of eighty-one, with her son Arland, in Laplata, Mo. They had seven children, five of whom are living, and are: Martha Engle, who married George Nesbut, and lives in Minnesota; E. F. Engle, a tin- smith; Arland Engle, whose home is in La- plata; Essenth Engle, the wife of Mr. Bieler; and Aaron Engle.

Some years ago Mr. Bieler built a fine, spa- cious house, which is now surrounded by delightful grounds and shaded by beautiful trees. In summer it is thrown hospitably open to people who are seeking a pleasant retreat for the heated term. This roomy man- sion accommodates from twenty-five to thirty guests, and is usually filled with city people, who are rendered most comfortable by the efforts of their kind host and hostess, being much more at home than they could be at the large hotels. Mr. and Mrs. Bieler have had two daughters: Minnie Bieler, whom they lost when a fair girl of seventeen years; and Mag- gie Bieler, who still gladdens their home with her presence. Mr. Bieler is a Democrat in politics, and in religious opinions a Presbyte- rian, belonging to the church at Margarett- ville. He is a complete master of the art of wagon-making, is a genial host, and is a worthy and highly respected gentleman.

AN BUREN THOMAS, a well-known farmer and lumberman of Hancock, N. Y., was born in this town on May 20, 1851. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Thomas, came originally from Vermont, being one of the pioneer settlers of this part of Delaware County. He married Abigail Brown, who was a descendant from the old Puritan stock of New England. In the early

days of the century she and her family were clothed in homespun, the material for which was carded, spun, and woven by her own hands. Daniel Thomas, Jr., son of Daniel and Abigail (Brown) Thomas, and father of the subject of this sketch, attended the dis- trict school at Hancock in his boyhood, and followed the occupations of farming and lum- bering throughout his active life. He mar- ried in September, 1844, Sarah Lakin, of Hancock, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living, namely: Mary, born July 3, 1847; John, born January 14, 1849; and Van Buren. Daniel Thomas, Jr., was a prominent man in town affairs, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Van Buren Thomas was educated in his native town, and has spent his life in lumber- ing and in carrying on the farm connected with the old homestead. On April 26, 1891, he was united in marriage to Catherine Mc- Kenna, daughter of Nelson McKenna. This union has been blessed by one child, who was born March 25, 1894. Mr. Thomas has held various offices in the town, serving with much ability, and enjoying the confidence and es- teem of his fellow-citizens.

G EORGE T. BROWN, M.D., a native of Warren, Litchfield County, Conn., may be considered peculiarly quali- fied for the profession of medicine, in view of the fact that he has had a more than ordinary experience since his early boyhood with the practical application of medical and surgical knowledge.

Dr. Brown's paternal grandfather was a sea- captain, who lived to be very old, and spent the last days of his life in Litchfield. The grandmother was noted for her extraordinary physical strength, being able in her youth to lift with case barrels of cider or sugar, and performing various remarkable feats of muscu - lar power. Both of the grandparents lived to be very old, Captain Brown completing the ninetieth year of his life in Litchfield. The grandparents of Dr. Brown on the maternal side were George and Mary Pomeroy Tal- madge, the grandfather, who was one of the most prominent lawyers in Litchfield, belong-

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ing to the old and well-known family of Tal- madge. George Talmadge was one of the Democratic party, and died in the sixty-sixth year of his age, having survived his wife for some years.

Orlando Brown, son of Captain Brown, and the father of George T. Brown, was born in Mystic, Conn., and was graduated from Yale College in 1851. He began to practise medi- cine in Boston; but, when the Civil War broke out, he went as a surgeon in the Eigh- teenth Regiment, and was afterward appointed Medical Director in the Ariny of the Potomac. He served also in the State of Virginia under General Howard. After the war he returned to Connecticut, where he is now living in Litchfield. He has a high reputation for sci- entific knowledge and skill, and holds the honored position of President of the State Medical Society. Dr. Orlando Brown has a hospital in Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., in which he takes an absorbing inter- est. He has been a widower for thirty-eight years. From his youth he has been a very active politician, and has done much for the Republican party in his section. He married Miss Fanny Talmadge, and is the father of four children - Fanny, Mary, Chester, and George T.

Dr. George T. Brown has had a peculiar, not to say unique, experience in his medical career, having accompanied his father to the army when but a lad of thirteen years, and remained with him throughout the four years of blood and carnage. It was amid the dead and dying of many battlefields that the nerve, the skill, the calm strength, and cool judg- ment which so characterize the physician whose memoir is now presented to the public were fostered and developed. In 1878 he re- ceived his degree from the Medical College of the University of New York, and was sur- geon in the United States service for some years. Then he practised in Fernandina, Fla., for two years, after which period he spent some time in European travel, returning to America, and establishing himself for three years in Ulster County.

Dr. Brown finally came to Margarettville, where he now holds the position of Health Officer. He married Miss Amelia Perry, a.

daughter of George and Mary Perry. The wife's father was a dealer in stone in the town of Newburg. In political convictions Dr. Brown follows the line of heredity, and is, like his father, a Republican. He has been eminently successful in his professional career in Margarettville, and has won the esteem and respect of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, or have come to him for treat- ment.

ACOB M. H. CORNISH is well known in Walton and the vicinity as a painter and decorator, and dealer in wall- paper, shades, paints, oils, and other art materials. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Cornish, a contractor and builder, who died at Pine Hill, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1852, at the age of sixty-one, his wife Susan passing away some years before in New York City, leaving a family of six sons, whom we briefly enumerate: William, who emigrated to California; John, who settled in Colorado; Benjamin, now deceased; Joseph C., the father of the subject of this sketch; Abram, a resident of New York; and Alexander, a con- tractor and builder of Menlo Park, N.J.

Joseph C. Cornish was born in New York City in 1829, and in early manhood was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hos- brook, of Kingston, N. Y., daughter of Jacob J. and Katherine (Knickerbocker) Hosbrook, of Stone Ridge, N. Y. Four children were born to them, namely: James M .; Matthew B .; Francis A .; and Jacob M. H., whose name is found at the head of this sketch. Joseph C. Cornish, the father, is now retired from active business.

Jacob M. H. Cornish was born at Pine Hill, Ulster County, N. Y., in 1857, and, after receiving a common-school education, acquired a knowledge of the painting and decorating business with his father, commenc- ing when but fourteen years of age, and re- ceiving instruction in drawing from competent teachers. In connection with this business his father and he carried on successfully the family trade of building and contracting, building many churches in Delaware County and the vicinity, among them the Methodist

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Episcopal church at Walton. June 1, 1881, Mr. Cornish was married to Miss Cora E. Webb, daughter of B. A. and Emily E. Webb, of Walton. A sister of Mrs. Cornish, Miss Lelia Webb, is an artist of ability, and has classes in Walton and Sidney.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornish occupy a pleasant home in Walton, where they attend the Episco- pal church, and are prominent in social affairs.

G. EDGERTON, Cashier of the Delaware National Bank of Delhi, is a representative of one of the oldest, most enterprising, and most noted families of Delhi, his great-grandfather, Guerdon Edgerton, and his grandfather, Henry Edgerton, having been prominent among the influential citizens of the early part of the present century. They built the Edgerton House, and were among the leading spirits in founding the Delaware Bank up- ward of fifty years ago, it having opened its doors for business April 4, 1839. It was organized with H. D. Gould as President, M. Shaw as Cashier; and among its Directors were H. D. Gould, Samuel Gordon, N. K. Wheeler, and Charles Marvin. In 1863, when the national bank law came in vogue, it became a national bank, and is now, with its capital of one hundred thousand dollars and its excellent business system, the oldest and strongest bank in Delaware County.

Mr. Edgerton is a Delhi boy, his birth hav- ing occurred here, June 29, 1858. He is the only son born of the union of Thomas and Elizabeth (Griswold) Edgerton, formerly hon- ored residents of this community. . Soon after his birth his parents removed to Allegany, Cattaraugus County, where they lived until the death of Mr. Edgerton. The widowed mother and her son, a lad of nine years, then returned to Delhi. Mrs. Edgerton subsequently be- came the wife of Judge J. S. Hawes, and now resides in Kalamazoo, Mich.

W. G. Edgerton improved every opportu- nity afforded him for gaining an education, and, after leaving the district school, entered the Delaware Academy, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of book-keeping in con- nection with the academic course. At the

age of fifteen years he began to paddle his own canoe. Being capable, energetic, and willing, he secured a position in the Delaware National Bank as book-keeper, and after a faithful service of thirteen years was in- stalled as Cashier in 1886, succeeding Walter Griswold, and being the fifth cashier em- ployed in the bank. This position Mr. Ed- gerton is filling with credit and marked business ability, and is justly esteemed as a young man of sterling integrity and high moral principles.

Mr. Edgerton married Miss Carrie A. M. Smith, the daughter of Professor S. C. Smith, formerly Principal of the Delaware Academy, but now the well-known editor of the Dela- ware Gasette. Both he and his estimable wife are active members of the social circles of their community; and their home is an attrac- tive place for a host of friends. In politics Mr. Edgerton is a strong Democrat. He is a member and present Master of the Delhi Lodge, No. 439, A. F. & A. M., and High- priest of Delhi Chapter, No. 249, and also belongs to the Norwich Commandery.

QUIRE W. TRAVIS, a well-known resident and business man of De- posit, Delaware County, is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, having been born in that State opposite the village of Han- cock, November 24, 1826. His grandfather, Thomas Travis, came from Orange County to the Delaware Valley by way of Port Jervis, from which place he paddled to this point in a canoe. The land proved to contain an Ind- ian orchard and burying-ground, many skele- tons and relics having been since discovered on the Travis farm.

Thomas Travis engaged extensively in lum- bering, and purchased over nine hundred acres of land, upon which he cleared three large farms, giving one to each of his two sons when they successively reached their majority. He and his wife were active members of the Baptist church. Thomas Travis built the first grist-mill on Scheawkin Creek, and was a progressive man for his time. He was an active patriot during the Revolution, although not attached to any regiment; and in after

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years he often referred to those stirring times, designating his neighbors as "Whig" or "Tory," according to the cause which they es- poused in 1775. The wife of Thomas Travis was Rachel Jones, of Hancock; and she be- came the mother of nine children - Benja- min, Gilbert, Thomas, Harrison, Solomon, Rachel, Dorcas, Sarah, and Clarissa. The father of this family was stricken with fever, and died at his home, aged sixty years.

His son, Gilbert W., the father of Squire W. Travis, was born in Buckingham, Pa., January 10, 1802. He received a district schooling, after which he assisted his father in lumbering, farming, and in building the famous grist-mill. He then purchased at Hale's Eddy a farm, where he established a home which is still occupied by one of his descendants. He was a member of the Bap- tist church and a rigid Democrat, dying at his home in Broome County at the age of ninety- three. His wife was Catherine Whitaker, daughter of John Whitaker, of Broome County, and Catherine (Weaver) Whitaker, of Wyoming. Catherine Weaver was a child in arms at the time of the Wyoming massacre; and her parents were among those who fled with their families into the trackless forest on the approach of the Indians and Tories, of whose coming they had disbelieved the warn- ing. Tying up the dog that he should not betray them, with the younger children strapped to their backs, they fled to the Dela- ware Valley, and, arriving at the river, begged food and shelter of the first white man whom they met. His answer was to turn them from his door, with the remark that they should have been killed for daring to oppose the king. Weary and footsore, they struggled on up the river until they reached the house of the brother of the man who had treated them so cruelly. He proved to be a good pa- triot, and gave them assistance, helping them to reach their destination near what is now Deposit. The subject of this sketch has in his possession a piece of homespun cloth woven by his grandmother, and used by her to fasten her baby boy to her back in the flight from Wyoming - an ever-present reminder of the hardships undergone by his ancestors in those hostile times.

Squire W. Travis received his education in the district school and the Deposit Academy, and then started in the lumber business for himself, taking his first raft to Philadelphia without starting a log; and for forty years he was a pilot on the river. On November II, 1856, he married Eliza J. Surine, daughter of Alanson and Jane (McLean) Surine. Peter Surine, the father of Alanson, was a native of Dutchess County, a son of a French Huguenot emigrant, who lived to be over a hundred years old. Peter was born in Putnam County, whence he removed to Guilford, being one of the first settlers in that section. He later re- moved to a farm about one and one-half miles from the town of Walton; and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his declining years he purchased land in Michigan, where he died at the age of ninety years. His wife was an English lady, who died in Walton at the home of her son, John Surine, aged ninety-four years. Alanson Surine, father of Mrs. Travis, was educated in the town of Walton, and worked in the foundry. He pur- chased land in Hamden, and there married Jane McLean, daughter of John McLean, a Revolutionary soldier who came to this coun- try before the war, and enlisted in the Colo- nial cause. John McLean settled in Albany, where he lived when that town was burned, his family being obliged to quickly pack what they could of their possessions and flee for safety, beholding their house in flames before they lost sight of it. After peace was de- clared, John McLean settled in Walton, where he was engaged in farming until his death. He was a strict Scotch Presbyterian, and in politics a Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Squire W. Travis have two children - William H. and Jennie. William married Miss Kate Clapper, of Deposit, who is the mother of four children - Florence J., Squire Vernon, William C., and Edna May. Jennie Travis is a school-teacher employed in District School No. I, and lives at home with her parents. Mr. Travis is at the present time extensively engaged in quarrying and shipping stone, in which business he is emi- nently successful. He is an enterprising and upright man, and is held in deserved respect.

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R HUME GRANT carries an exten- sive stock of staple and fancy gro- ceries in his large store in the village of Hobart, and in addition thereto has an extended trade in butter. Mr. Grant is a representative of an excellent Scotch family, and is a native of Delaware County, born in Harpersfield, February I, 1852. He is a son of James A. and Margaret (Hume) Grant, the former a native of Stam- ford, and the latter of Kortright.

His grandfather, Duncan J. Grant, who was born in Scotland, came to this country when a young man, and settled in the town of Har- persfield, where he was a thriving farmer. . He was well educated, and was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his day, serving one term as Sheriff of the county. In his religious views he was liberal, and in politics a stanch Democrat. He lived to bc well advanced in years, surviving his wife, Mary Cowan, who died ere reaching the meridian of life. Of the six children born to them none are now living.

James A. Grant spent his life within the limits of Delaware County, and, when a young man, began a mercantile career, entering the employment of one Mr. Cowan as a clerk, in Brushland. After continuing in that capacity for some time, he opened a store for general merchandise in Hobart, which he conducted with success for fifteen or sixteen years, till his early death at thirty-seven years of age, in December, 1863. He took great interest in the affairs of the town and county, was an active politician in the Democratic party, and served as Supervisor of Stamford. He was liberal in his religious views; while his widow, who now makes her home with the only child born of their union, R. Hume Grant, is an earnest and worthy member of the Presbyterian church.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the town of Stamford, and, after leaving the district school, attended Wellington Semi- nary, from which he entered Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio, being graduated from that institution in 1874. After some time spent in travel Mr. Grant was admitted to the Illi- nois bar, in the city of Ottawa, in 1876. For six years hc practised his profession in Chi-

cago, and was also for a time engaged as a teacher in the private seminary conducted by the Misses E. and B. Grant of that city. . Re- turning to Hobart in 1881, he was elected School Commissioner of Delaware County, an office in which he did faithful service for three years. A portion of that time he like- wise spent in- teaching. In 1885 Mr. Grant established his present mercantile business, which has proved very lucrative, and which he enlarges from year to year.

Mr. Grant and Miss Ida McNaught were united in marriage November 24, 1888. Mrs. Grant's mother, Mrs. Sarah (Barrett) Mc- Naught, widow of the late William Mc- Naught, now lives with her. The Grant household has been enlarged and enlivened by the birth of four children; namely, Bessie Bell, Malcom Kenneth, Donald Hume, and Wallace Raymond. Politically, Mr. R. Hume Grant is a straightforward Republican. He is a man of broad culture and good mental attainments, and is held in high regard throughout the community. He has served as Supervisor of Stamford three terms, during the years 1886-88. He is independent and liberal in religious matters, and Mrs. Grant is a valued member of the Presbyterian church.

HARLES HERRING, the popular station agent for the New York, On- tario & Western Railroad, at Wal- ton, is well fitted for the important position he occupies, being a thorough and trustworthy business man. He is a native of Delaware County, his birth having occurred January 10, 1849, in the town of Delhi. His paternal grandparents were residents of Scho- haric County ; and his father, Joseph Herring, was born in that county in 1817, and, after arriving at years of maturity, was united in marriage to Sophia Chase, a native of Ham- den. She was a daughter of Harry P. and Olive (Roberts) Chase, the former of whom died at the age of forty-two years; and the latter, who survived her husband, lived a widow until her death in 1861, at the age of sixty-three years. A son, Isaac Chase, died soon after his mother, at the age of thirty-six.

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The surviving children are: Charles W., a farmer residing in Hamden; and Barbara, the eldest, who is the wife of P. B. Pettis, of DeLancey, and has recently celebrated her seventy-second birthday. Joseph Herring died in 1862; and his widow subsequently married Herman Launt, who died March 22, 1887, aged seventy-one years, leaving two daughters by a former wife: Florence P. Launt, residing in Sidney; and Adelaide, a teacher in the Walton Academy.

Charles Herring was the only child born to his parents. He received the foundation for his education in the district schools, and was afterward a student in the Walton Academy, where he continued his studies until nineteen years of age. Having an inclination for me- chanical pursuits, he began to learn the trade of carriage trimmer in the shop of Eels & Morris, of Walton, but later abandoned the idea of becoming a carriage trimmer, and en- tered the employment of Mead, North & Co., as clerk in their extensive hardware and gro- cery store. Mr. Herring afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Beers, and for some time they carried on a meat business under the firm name of Beers & Herring. Giving up his meat market, he next secured a position as baggage-master for the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad, and in 1876 was ap- pointed station agent, a responsible position, which he has ably filled to the present time.

An important step in the life of Mr. Her- ring was his marriage with Miss Sarah Far- rell, of Hobart. Mrs. Herring's father died in early life; but her widowed mother sur- vived until 1893, when she passed away, at the advanced age of seventy-five, leaving three children, namely: Helen, widow of Clark Newcome, of Hobart; Sarah, now Mrs. Her- ring; and Michael, who resides in Hobart. The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Herring has been increased and greatly enlivened by the advent of three sons and two daughters, enumerated as follows: James, a young man of twenty-two years, who is fitting himself for a civil engineer, this being his second year in Union College; Herman, twenty-one years old, also in Union College; Jennie B., fif- teen, who is giving her attention to the study of music, for which she has marked talent;

Sophia, a little girl of eight; and Charles, a bright little fellow, six years of age. Mr. Herring believes in the Democratic party, and has served satisfactorily as School Trustee and Village Trustee. Socially, he is a Chap- ter Mason of Walton Lodge, No. 257.

T HOMAS A. HILSON holds an honored position among the practical and pro- gressive farmers of the town of Bovina. He was born in New York City on January 25, 1837, being the only son of William and Elizabeth (Strangeway) Hilson, both of whom were natives of Berkshire, Scotland. (For further family history see sketch of John Hil- son, an uncle of the subject of this sketch. )

William Hilson lived in his native country until after his marriage. Emigrating to the United States, he landed in New York, and remained in that city several years, work- ing at his trades as a stone-mason, brick- mason, and plasterer. Subsequently removing to Delaware County, he bought a farm of one hundred and five acres, on which the improve- ments were of small value. He worked hard both at his trade and at his agricultural labors, much of his mechanical work still remaining. His death occurred when he was but forty-five years old. His wife lived but a short time afterward, passing to the brighter shore at the age of forty-six years. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Whig. They were the par- ents of four children, namely: three daugh- ters, now deceased; and the son Thomas. Elizabeth Hilson, the wife of Alexander Hoy, died at the age of fifty-seven years. Mar- garet, the wife of David Sloan, died when thirty-three years of age. Helen Hilson died when an infant.

Thomas A. Hilson was a young lad when he came with his parents to this town, and here he was reared and educated. After the death of his parents he took charge of the old homestead, which he has since occupied, and which he now owns. Of his one hundred and five acres twenty acres are in timber, and the remainder in tillage or grazing land. His residence is commodious and convenient, and the barn and out-buildings substantial struct-

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York, Part 88

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