USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 18
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
Paul S. Maine, of whom we write, grew to manhood in the town of Fenner, and attended its district schools, afterward going for five terms to the seminary at Cazenovia. When he was seventeen years old, he began teach- ing, which he continued for seven years. He was appointed School Commissioner at the age of twenty-four years, to fill a vacancy, and then elected to serve the succeeding term of three years. 1873-74-75. He was married in 1872 to Miss Florence A. Keeler, of the town of Fenner, daughter of Harvey L. Keeler, who was a merchant the last years of his life, and who died in 1882, when fifty-eight years
167
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
of age. In 1876 our subject bought Mr. Keeler's general store, which he now carries on. Ile also owns the old farm of one hun- dred acres, and has an interest in the cheese factory of the town. He has a large stock of merchandise and a highly successful business.
Mr. Maine is postmaster of Perryville, being appointed in 1876, and, with the excep- tion of three years, has held the position con- tinuously. He was also Supervisor for eight years. Fraternally, he is a member of Sulli- van Lodge, No. 148, F. & A. M., of which he is Worshipful Master. He affiliates with the Republican party, the principles of which he warmly advocates and supports. He is equally prominent with his fellow-men, irre- spective of creed and party. As a leading farmer and business man in Perryville, he wields great influence, and, though compara- tively a young man, is public-spirited and largely interested in the growth and prosper- ity of his town. One daughter completes the happy family circle of our subject and wife - L. Ethelyn, born June 30, 1874, residing at home, and the centre and joy of the house- hold.
R. ORLANDO WALTER BUR- HYTE was born in North Brook- field, Madison County, February 22, 1855. His father's name was Egbert Bur- hyte; and he was a native of Remsen, Oneida County, N.Y. The grandfather was James Burhyte, of German birth. He was a tailor by trade, emigrated to America early in the century, and settled in Remsen. The father
was a farmer, and lived and died in the town of Brookfield. The mother was Pauline Marsh, daughter of Isaac Marsh, of North Brookfield, N. Y., a man of energy and abil- ity. He was a merchant there for years. By her first marriage the mother of Dr. Burhyte had seven children, four only of whom arrived at manhood; namely, Herman C., Charles W., Augustus E., and the subject of this sketch. They are all living, and enjoy the confidence and respect of their fellow-citizens. Herman C. is a hop-dealer and insurance agent, and resides at North Brookfield, N.Y. Charles W. is a farmer, residing at the same place, and is deacon of the Baptist church. Au- gustus E. is a prosperous farmer, residing at Brookfield, N.Y.
Our subject was only four years of age when his father died. His mother carried on the farm: and, when he was old enough to work, he assisted her greatly in its duties. He went to the public schools, and at the age of twenty entered the Waterville Academy, where he remained for two years. Having always had a desire and love for the profes- sion of medicine, he went into the office of Dr. L. A. Van Wagner, of North Brookfield, N. Y., and studied for three years, going to the Medical College of Buffalo, N. Y., for the winter of 1878-79, and from there to the Uni- versity of New York, where he was graduated, February 25, 1880, with marked honor in his class. He then returned to Brookfield, where he opened an office, having not a dollar in his pocket (as he had to depend wholly upon his own resources), and only a college diploma,
168
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
a tremendous amount of energy, and a deter- mination to rank with the first physicians of the county for his credentials. He began in a modest way, hiring a small room on Main Street for an office.
By the lucky chance which comes sometimes to the young aspirant for fortune, his oppor- tunity came the first day he settled in Brook- field, when he was called to a sudden case. This was his opening ; and so well did he man- age, and so marked was his ability, that his reputation began to grow from that time, and it was not long before fame and a large, increas- ing practice were his. Especially through the country were his services in greatest demand, and he soon found it necessary to purchase an extra horse for the long journeys he had to make. Soon he was obliged to get another, and then another, until four horses were needed for his work. Having this large territory to cover, it was impossible for him to have regular office hours; and so one day in the week is given for consultation at home with his patients. This has been accom- plished in thirteen years of work; and now, at thirty-eight years of age, Dr. Burhyte stands a peer with the first physicians of the county, having as extensive a ride as any within its borders, and with pardonable pride points to the record his own talents and devotion to his profession have made for him. His domestic surroundings have kept pace with his fortune, and his beautiful home and magnificent li- brary are the admiration of his townspeople.
At the age of twenty-six the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Edna C. Ball,
daughter of Silas and Eliza Ball, of North Brookfield, N. Y .; and to her business tact and energy he owes greatly his success in practice. He is one of the four coroners of the county, elected for three years. He is a member of the Madison County Medical Society, and was its President in 1891. He also belongs to the State Medical Associa- tion, having joined seven years ago, and was for three years one of the Executive Com- mittee. He is Vice-President of the Board of Education, and has served as one of the Trus- tees of the village for several terms. He is also a Mason in good standing.
In his practice Dr. Burhyte is making a specialty of gynæcology, although in every other department of his profession he is a highly educated and successful practitioner. He has long since won the appreciation and . confidence of the people of his section, not only as a professional man, but as a first-class citizen. He is favorably known throughout his entire section, and it is always said of him that he is a firm adherent of the right and a stanch foe to trickery or deceit. While devoted to the duties and heavy cares belong- ing to his work as a physician, he does not neglect the right his manhood gives him of being interested in the welfare of his country ; and, believing that in the Republican party he finds its strongest safeguard, he votes with that party uniformly.
Dr. and Mrs. Burhyte do not forget in their success and fortune the beneficent care of a loving Father who aided them in their struggles, and, as true and earnest worship-
169
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
pers in the Baptist church, evince their grati- tude and love to their divine Benefactor.
OHN N. WOODBURY, a retired mer- chant, living in the village of Peter- boro, holds high rank among the solid, enterprising, and influential citizens of Madi- son County, of which he is a native, his birth having occurred in the village of Peterboro, November 5, 1838. In early Colonial times a certain Hubbard Woodbury left his native home in England, and, crossing the broad At- lantic, came to Massachusetts, and located in the town of Barre, where he was one of the earliest settlers. There he reared a family, and spent the remainder of his life. His son, Knowlton, grandfather of our subject, was born in Barre, Mass. In early life, accom- panied by his wife and children, he emigrated to New York, and was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Herkimer County. He removed from there to Bloomfield, Monroe County, thence, after a short stay, to Mendon, in the same county, where he passed his last years. He married Marion Gould, and they reared a fam- ily of eight children.
Noah Woodbury, father of our subject, was born in Leverett, Mass., in 1805, and came with his parents to this State when a boy. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and began his work in Smithfield, following that business in the village of Peterboro for several years. He early became identified with the industrial interests of Peterboro, and was at one time proprietor of a meat market in this
town; and here he passed the declining years of his life, dying in 1880, at the good old age of seventy-five years. In politics he was a Republican. The maiden name of his wife was Betsey Robertson. She was born in Fenner, Madison County, in 1810, and died in Peter- boro in 1873, having passed a long and useful life. She was an estimable woman, and a consistent member of the Baptist church. To her and her husband were born four children : Mary, the wife of Charles Ostrander, of Peterboro; John N., our subject; Margaret, residing in Pasadena, Cal .; and Helen, wife of Elbert Place, of Buffalo.
John N. Woodbury, the only son, was reared and educated in his native town, study- ing first in the district school, and afterward in the Peterboro Academy. He acquired a good education, and, having a practical turn of mind, when twenty years old began looking about for a good business opening, and in 1858 formed a partnership with William C. Ives, establishing a store for general mer- chandise, which they conducted most success- fully for several years. In 1867 our subject sold his share of the store to his partner, and bought out the business of James Bennett, a merchant in the village of Peterboro. Mr. Woodbury prospercd in his new store, his genial, courteous manners and straightfor- ward business methods serving not only to retain the old patrons, but winning him many new ones. He carried on an extensive busi- ness, having a stock valued at five thousand dollars, with his sales aggregating fifteen thousand dollars per year, and continued thus
170
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
engaged until the spring of 1893, when, desiring freedom from the cares of a mercan- tile life, he sold out his business, and now resides in his comfortable home in the village of Peterboro. He is still active, finding ample employment in superintending his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the town of Fenner, which he devotes to general farming, and attending to the interests of his real estate in Peterboro.
In 1864 our subject was united in marriage to Ann J. Morrison, a native of Lenox, born November 11, 1841, being a daughter of Alexander and Margaret Robertson Morrison. Mr. Morrison was born on board a vessel, off Sandy Hook, in 1806, and died in 1852, on his homestead in the town of Lenox, where he had lived, numbered among the prominent farmers of the place. Mrs. Morrison, who was born in Fenner, September 27, 1815, sur- vived him many years, and died in Lenox, October 14, 1880. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was a stead- fast Democrat in politics. They reared two children : Ann, wife of our subject; and Mary Jane, who died when only five years old. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury has been blessed by the birth of one son and two daughters: Will Grant, born February 6, 1867, was graduated from Cazenovia Seminary in 1885, he is a commercial traveller, mar- ried, and lives in Council Bluffs, Ia .; Grace Morrison, born April 4, 1871; and Edith Louise, February 22, 1877.
Mr. Woodbury has been a lifelong resident of Peterboro, and since arriving at manhood
has been closely allied with the agricultural and business interests of Madison County, active in the support of schools and churches, and interested in the advancement of any enterprise devoted to the intellectual and moral well-being of the community. He is respected as a business man, noted for his integrity, and has filled various offices of trust with fidelity. In politics he is a Republican, and has served for five years as Town Clerk, eight years as Justice of the Peace, and three years Clerk of the County, having been elected to the latter office in November, 1876, and serving during the years 1877-78-79. For a period of twenty years he has been a Trustee of Evans Academy.
EORGE B. WOODMAN was born December 15, 1827, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, it having been in the family for three generations. His father, Brownell Woodman, was born on the same farm, September 12, 1799, his father, Syl- vester Woodman, having been born at Little Compton, R.I., March 24, 1760, where his parents, William and Mary (Pearce) Wood- man, had spent their entire lives. Sylvester Woodman was reared in his native State, and, when young, was apprenticed to learn the trade of cordwainer, but in 1777 ran away, enlisted, and fought for independence in the Revolu- tionary War. For six years he was in the army, and was at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. He returned to Rhode Island, where he remained until 1796, when he de-
171
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
cided on coming to New York State, and, with his wife and five children, made the journey by boat through Long Island Sound, then up the Hudson River to Albany on a sloop with Captain Gifford. From there he came by team, and purchased a tract of timber land in what was then the town of Paris, Herkimer County, but is now Madison County. Here he erected a log house and cleared a farm, enduring toil and privations, - the nearest market being at Albany, - and being obliged to raise the necessaries of life for his family off the farm. The mother of a family in these days had very few idle moments. Besides cooking, washing, caring for and tending her family, she had to card, spin, and weave the clothing for them; and their richest dressing was this homespun fashioned into garments by her deft hands. To these sturdy pioneers in the deep-tangled wild woods of the head-waters of the beautiful Chenango were born six more children, mak- ing eleven; namely, William, Borden, Mary, Lusannah, Pearce, John, Brownell, Rebecca, Isaac, Falley, and Betsey. Among these pio- neer women Mrs. Sylvester Woodman proved herself in every sense a worthy helpmate, bearing without murmur the many burdens laid upon her. She came of sturdy New Eng- land stock, having been born in Rhode Island, the daughter of John and Lusannah (Borden) Brownell, her name being Merebah Brownell.
The father of our subject, Brownell Wood- man, was a carpenter, and followed that trade a few years, when he turned his attention to farming. He purchased a tract of land from
his father, where he built a house and lived for some years; but, succeeding his father in the ownership of the homestead, he resided there until his death, in April, 1861. He was one of the first to declare political action in the anti-slavery movement as the only effective lever in the overthrow of the insti- tution, and his voice was often heard in pri- vate and public debate. His wife's name was Ann Brownell. She was born in Dutchess County, New York, and died in the village of Hamilton in 1870. There were eight chil- dren born to this marriage; namely, Edmund B., George B., Enoch B., Abigail B., Mere- bah B., William B., Anna B., and Ruth B.
George B. Woodman was educated at the common schools of his district, afterward at Hamilton Academy, and at eighteen com- menced teaching in his home section, receiv- ing fourteen dollars per month and boarding around. Concluding that in the growing West there were better chances for a young man, in 1849 he went to Michigan, and taught for six months at Saginaw; but, the longing for his old home being too strong, he returned to his native State, and taught three terms in the village of Hamilton, Madison County, contin- uing to teach for a part of each year until 1859, when he directed his whole attention to the management of his farm. After his mother's death he bought the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, and is there engaged in general farming, hop-growing, and dairying. He has erected good and substantial buildings, and otherwise greatly improved the place. He married Miss Mary Janette Simmons in
172
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
1855. She was born in the town of Madison, May 2, 1833, the daughter of Zarah and Re- becca Simmons. She died May 18, 1890. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodman; namely, Jay M., Zarah S., Mary Janette, and Seth J. Jay M. married Francena I. Stowell, and has four children. Zarah S. married Hannah M. Morgan, and has three children. Seth J. married Cornia H. Clark, and has one child.
Mr. Woodman was formerly a member of the Free-soil party, but has belonged to the Republican organization since its formation, having filled several offices of trust, such as District Clerk for a number of years, and also Assessor. Being a man of considerable learn- ing, he takes great interest in educational matters, in connection with his other affairs. His position as one of the representatives of the pioneer families makes him an interesting and competent authority on matters pertaining to the history of his county; and there are very few better posted or more entertaining in narrating those events than is Mr. Woodman.
AMUEL B. BURDICK, a prosper- ous and representative farmer of De Ruyter, residing on his fertile farm of ninety-two acres in School District No. 3, was born in the town of Lincklaen, Chenango County, November 29, 1831, and was brought to this town when but five years of age by his father, Jared O. Burdick. The latter was born near Utica, N.Y., in 1807, and died here at the home of his son, the subject of
this sketch, in July, 1888. He was a son of Benjamin Burdick, a carpenter, who came to this State from Rhode Island in early days, when this part of the country was new. He and his wife reared four sons and two daugh- ters.
One of the former, Joseph H. Burdick, is now a resident of Syracuse, and engaged in the book-binding business. Grandfather Bur- dick now sleeps in De Ruyter Cemetery. He was a well-known and respected citizen, and built the first frame house in De Ruyter, for Thompson Burdick.
Jared O. Burdick, the father of our subject, married Wealthy Benjamin, of this town, daughter of Samuel Benjamin, who was a son of Darius Benjamin, one of the pioneer settlers of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was the first-born. The others are as follows : Lydia Jane, who died when thirty-two years of age; Cyrus A., a farmer of Lincklaen, Chenango County; and Daniel D., a carpen- ter, residing in Cortland, N.Y. The mother of these children died in 1861, at the age of fifty-five.
He of whom we write received his educa- tion in the district school, and was early reared to farm life and labor, working out by the month. At the age of twenty he was united in marriage to Sally Burdick, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. The marriage occurred November 10, 1851 ; and the newly married pair began life to- gether as tenant farmers a short distance south of De Ruyter, and came to their present home
SUMNER GILL,
175
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
twenty-one years ago, when they engaged in cheese-making for a stock company. In 1876 they purchased their present farm of ninety- two acres, and erected their farm-house in 1883, the cost of their investment amounting to twenty-two hundred dollars. Here they are engaged in general farming, and keep a dairy of from ten to twelve cows the year round. The cheese factory on their farm is owned and ably managed by their son, S. Dlloyd Burdick, who is unmarried, and resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick have also a daughter, R. Anna, wife of Acher Gillespie, a farmer of Chenango County. They are the parents of one daughter, A. Blanche Gillespie.
Mr. Burdick is a Republican in his politi- cal views, and casts his vote with an intelli- gent understanding of the principles of his chosen party. He is a man of industrious and persevering habits and of upright busi- ness methods, and he and his estimable wife are justly regarded as among the most use- ful and representative citizens of Madison County.
removing thence to St. Lawrence County. Not long afterward he went to Canada, and lived in the Queen's dominions four years. Returning to New York, he engaged in farm- ing in St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties until about 1841, when he again came to Madison County, remaining until about 1848, removing then to Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing until 1852. In that year, accompanied by his wife and five children, he started for California, making the entire journey over- land, his wife, however, dying en route, and being buried on the plains. He spent his last years in Alturas, Cal. The maiden name of his wife was Asenath Saunders. She was a native of New England, and was a daughter of Aaron Saunders, who was also a native of New England, and emigrated thence to Madison County in the early days, becoming a pioneer of the town of Smith- field, where he bought a tract of timber land, and improved a farm, upon which he lived the rest of his life, dying when about seventy- eight years of age. Lawson Gill and his wife reared eight children, - Sumner, John, Mary J., Sophia, Aaron, Cynthia E., Saman- tha, and Franklin.
UMNER GILL, one of the most prominent citizens of Madison County, was born in the town of Stockbridge, December 13, 1824. His fa- When his parents removed from Madison County to St. Lawrence County, Sumner Gill was very young. Pioneer conditions and methods still prevailed. There were neither railroads nor canals in the State; and the people were obliged' to haul their surplus products to Albany, one hundred miles dis- ther, Lawson Gill, was a native of the town of Smithfield, and was a son of John Gill, one of the pioneers of that town, who, after settling there, followed farming the rest of his life. Lawson Gill was reared upon his father's farm in Smithfield, and after his marriage resided a few years in Stockbridge, | tant. He was sixteen years old when his
176
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
parents returned to Madison County; and he continued to reside with them until they went to Iowa, as above narrated, when he began life for himself without indebtedness and without money. After working by the month on the farm for about ten years, he bought a farm in the town of Smithfield, then known as the Wood farm. At the time of his marriage he settled on the farm owned by his father-in-law, and after four years bought a farm in Canastota, upon which he lived four years. Then, selling this farm, he bought his father-in-law's farm, and became one of the most successful farmers and one of the most extensive hop - growers in Madison County. Continuing actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892, he then sold his farm, and removed to Morrisville, where he has since lived a retired life, in dignity, in comfort, and in peace.
Mr. Gill married in February, 1851, La- verna Brigham, who was born in the town of Smithfield, March 3, 1829, and is a daughter of Philander W. Brigham. Her father, born in the same town, was a son of Caleb Wright Brigham, who emigrated from Jaffrey, N.H., his native place, to the State of New York, lived for a time in Oneida County, then be- came one of the early pioneers of the town of Smithfield, where, securing a tract of tim- bered land, he improved a farm, upon which he lived until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Martha Blanchard. She was born in Rhode Island, and died on the home farm in Smithfield. The father of Mrs. Gill was reared to agricultural pursuits, engaged
in farming in Smithfield until 1865, when he sold his farm and removed to Niagara County, where he still resides, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His wife, Eunice Gray, was born in Madison County, and a daughter of Justice Gray and his wife, Lucy Seakins, both natives of New England and pioneers of Smithfield. Mrs. Gray died in that town. Mr. Gray died in the northern part of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Brigham were long very prominent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, Mr. Brigham being a class-leader for many years. In early life, while residing in Madison County, he took a leading part in local affairs. A strong Democrat, he fre- quently voiced in public his sentiments on both political and religious questions. He is a man whose influence has been felt wherever he has lived.
Mr. and Mrs. Sumner Gill are the parents of five children, - Franklin B., L. Nora, Edgar D., Eunice A., and Florence G. Mrs. Gill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Gill is a Democrat in politi- cal belief. From this brief narrative of an active and successful life it is evident that the subject of this sketch is peculiarly a self-made man. Starting with nothing but his deter- mined purpose and his willing hands, he has, by industry, good management, and judicious economy, accumulated a handsome competency for his declining years. He has always been a loyal and patriotic citizen, cheerfully taking his part in local public affairs, and enjoying satisfaction in the independence and prosper- ity of his country. In his time he has been
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.