USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 19
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an extensive traveller, having visited the States of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wis- consin, California, and the Territory of Utah. He possesses to an extended degree the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow-men, of which he has shown himself in every way worthy.
ERICK H. FITCH was born in the town of Cazenovia, August 16, 1837. His father, whose name was also Derick, was born in Chenango County, near Oxford, September 2, 1798; and his father, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer on the western bank of the Chenango River, about one mile north of Oxford, his farm being situated on the side hill which was known as Fitch Hill. Both he and his wife, whose name before marriage was Hallenbeck, were probably of Dutch ancestry. They reared at least four sons and two daughters. The father of the subject of this notice married Jerusha Vibbard, the marriage taking place at or near Peterboro about 1820. He was a hatter; and soon after marriage he and his wife came to Cazenovia, where he followed his trade for some years. They buried an infant son; and in 1840 the mother died of consumption, leaving five daughters and three sons. In 1842 the daughter Caroline died, also of consumption, at the age of twenty. After this not a death occurred in the family for a period of thirty-six years, when, in 1879, the father died, at the age of eighty- one. There are three daughters and one son (our subject) who still survive.
He of whom we write received a fair com- mon-school education, attending school in the winter, and in 1853 began to learn the trade of tinsmith in Cazenovia, with Brown & Per- kins, following this occupation until 1860, both in Cazenovia and in Norwich, N. Y., and also at Hornellsville, where he was foreman of a shop in 1856. Having a taste for chem- istry and scientific studies, he improved his leisure moments to such good purpose that in the fall of 1860 he obtained a position as telegrapher in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained during the winter, and was then sent to Litchfield, Ill., where he was chief operator, and had charge of the lines and sup- plies and a general superintendence over the office work. In 1862 he was in the govern- ment employ, in the quartermaster's depart- ment, engaged in military telegraphy, and for two years had charge of the supply depart- ment. He was next in charge of transporta- tion on the Northern Missouri Railroad, while still in government employ, holding this po- sition one year, when he resigned, owing to poor health, his resignation taking effect January 1, 1865. During the Confederate General Price's last raid he sat at his tele- graph table, giving train orders, for three consecutive days and nights, snatching but a few moments' sleep whenever opportunity ad- mitted of resting his head upon the table at which he was working. This had much to do with the breaking-down of his health, and he felt it necessary to come home and rest. After this he went to the oil regions, in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph
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Company, where he was Assistant Superin- tendent of the Sixth District of the Central Division, and in the fall of 1866 was made District Superintendent.
He was married in Cazenovia, January 7, 1860, to Mary J. Haws, of this place. In 1868 they moved to Jefferson City, Mo., where he was Superintendent of Telegraph on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, with office at Jefferson City. He remained here nearly two years, and then went to a like position on the St. Louis, Kansas City, & Northern Railway, with office at Moberly, Mo. Here he was twice elected to the Municipal Council, hold- ing the office when the organization was changed from that of village to city govern- ment, and was Chairman of the Auditive Com- mittee. He remained in Moberly until 1873, and, when he left, was presented with a fine galvanometer by the employees of the tele- graph department. This delicate instrument ยท for electrical measurements was not then in common use, and cost the "boys" two hun- dred and thirty-five dollars, being imported from England. This handsome present was greatly appreciated by Mr. Fitch, and is re- garded by him to-day as a most valuable sou- venir. With it was also presented a unique chart testimonial, engrossed by one of the employees in a very artistic manner; and the two bring to his mind the most pleasant reminiscences of former days of good fellow- ship and of happy associations. Mr. Fitch next accepted a position with the Indianap- olis, Decatur, & Springfield Railroad, as Mas- ter of Transportation and Superintendent of
Telegraph, with office at Tuscola, Ill., retain- ing this position for some seven years, or until 1880, when failing health compelled him again to retire for a time; and he spent two years endeavoring to recuperate his ex- hausted energies. While in Tuscola, Ill., his leisure time was spent in studying and experimenting on a more perfect battery; and the results of his labors are embodied in his chlorine battery, on which he has three differ- ent letters patent. This battery is now the best in use; and Mr. Fitch has in his posses- sion an indorscment from the Academy of Inventors of Paris, France. On the recovery of his health he accepted a position in Jan- uary, 1882, on the New Orleans Pacific Rail- road, with headquarters at New Orleans, La., which position hc left on the absorption of that road by another. Later he went to Brunswick, Ga., for the Brunswick & West- ern Railroad, and in December, 1883, re- turned to his old home, and established a manufactory of electric batteries. In 1890 it was incorporated into a stock company; and two years later Mr. Fitch and his son, Gerrit F. Fitch, now of Oneida, bought out the other stockholders. Later they sold out their entire business to the Galvano-Faradic Manufactur- ing Company of New York City; and in 1893 Mr. Fitch organized the Bee-hive Electric Works, for the manufacture of electric tele- phones and telephonic apparatus, etc.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children, thrce sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles A., employed in the National Express Office, Paterson, N.J., has
L
W. V. BOSWORTH.
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a wife and daughter; Gerrit F., unmarried, and associated with his father in his business enterprises; James E., at home; Edith May, aged seven years; and Elsie Louise, a little girl of five. Mr. Fitch has been a Master Mason since 1864, and is universally re- spected as a man of honor and probity and a most useful and enterprising citizen.
ILLIAM V. BOSWORTH. Among the many citizens of foreign birth furnished to the United States by Great Britain, men who have been and are skilful in their several callings, is William V. Bos- worth, the subject of this sketch, though he was of such tender years when brought by his parents to this country that he is as much an American citizen as if "native, and to the manner born." He now resides at Clockville, in the town of Lenox, Madison County. He was born in Leicestershire, England, April 22, 1828. His father, Obadiah Bosworth, was born in the same county about 1796, and came to the United States when the subject of this sketch was but nine years old, bring- ing with him his wife, eight children, and his son-in-law. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Vials. They came by sailing- vessel, and were seven weeks on the ocean, leaving Liverpool on March 1, and arriving at New York April 22, 1837, having expe- rienced heavy seas and head winds, and having been, as they verily believed, in imminent danger several times of going to the bottom of the sea. During the voyage Mrs. Bosworth
was very ill, and was not expected to survive; but, when the vessel was off the banks of Newfoundland, she began to improve, and in a short time regained her health and strength.
Upon landing in this country, the family at first located at Waterville, Oneida County ; and, being without cash capital, Mr. Bos- worth accepted the first work he could obtain, which was for a farmer, who at the end of his first day's labor gave him a liberal supply of corned beef and pork. He continued to work thus for about four years, then rented a farm in Oneida County, which he cultivated for some years, and in 1855 removed to Chenango County, where he purchased a farm of seventy- five acres in the town of Columbus. This farm he sold in 1866, and removed to the town of Lenox, Madison County, into the present home of our subject, two miles south of Clockville. Here Mr. Bosworth lived until his death, which took place in 1878, when he was eighty-two years of age. He left five children: William V .; Thomas, a resident of Cortland, N. Y., and a tailor by trade; John, a resident of Minnesota, and a shoemaker by trade; Sarah, widow of F. R. Nash, of Canastota; and Charles O., a farmer, of Canaseraga. The latter served three years during the late war, and at its close was hon- orably discharged. The children deceased were: George, who enlisted in Company H, Seventy-sixth Regiment, fought bravely for the flag, and was killed at Gettysburg, July I, 1863; Eli, who died in the prime of life, leaving a widow; Maria, who married John Judson, their son, William Judson, being at
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the present time owner and editor of the Lum- berman at Chicago; and two other daughters, each of whom was married and left a family.
William V. Bosworth was reared to farm life and labor, acquiring strength of body and habits of industry and economy which have been of great use to him through life. His education was obtained in the district school. He was married at Clockville, January 4, 1853, to Maria P. Wilcox, daughter of Alan- son Wilcox, and a sister of Alanson C. Wilcox, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Bos- worth began life on a farm of seventy-five acres which they had purchased two miles south of Clockville, and upon which they lived ten years. To the seventy-five acres they added other land, until at the present time the farm contains one hundred and sixty acres. From this farm they removed to their present home in 1863; and in 1887, having erected a fine, large dwelling-house, they moved into the new house and removed the old house to an- other lot. Mr. Bosworth has always been successful. That he has been trusted and confided in to an unusual degree is proven by the fact that he has been elected to several important offices of honor and responsibility, having been Deputy Sheriff of Madison County twenty-one years, besides serving a part of that time as Constable. In politics he is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, he being deacon and clerk.
Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth have buried one daughter, Laura, who died when one year old.
Their living children are as follows: Frank A., of Utica, who is married, and has a son and daughter; Cora O., a young, lady, at home; and William V., Jr., residing near his parents on a farm, married, and has one daughter, named Laura. Frank A. Bosworth, of Utica, has been in the Oneida County Bank for twenty years, and has been its Cashier for the past four years. Before going to Utica, he was well known in Canastota as clerk in the First National Bank of that place, and since going to that city he has won and now main- tains a high standing as a bank official and financier. This position he has won by ability and steady application. He married Nellie Sherwood, daughter of B. Franklin Sherwood, of Utica. William V. Bosworth, Jr., is engaged extensively as an apiarist. He married Alice Buckley, daughter of Rev. George Buckley of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Bosworth has been a farmer all his life, with the exception of fourteen years, when he was a produce broker, dealing suc- cessfully in butter, cheese, fruit, and eggs, but most extensively in eggs, shipping his produce from Clockville to Eastern markets. In the village of Clockville and adjacent thereto he owns thirty-three acres of land, which is worth from one hundred to three hundred dollars per acre; and his house is one of the best in the place. The farm of one hundred and sixty acres mentioned earlier in this sketch he is still conducting with the assistance of hired help.
During the year 1886 Mr. Bosworth was
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very ill, and obliged to give up active work, but has now regained his health, and is enjoy- ing the leisure to which his long, active, and successful life entitles him. He is looked upon by his friends and neighbors as one of the best citizens of Madison County.
ILLIAM G. SAYLES was born in Peterboro, Madison County, New York, June 20, 1812. His ancestors were natives of Rhode Island, the grandfather re- moving from there to New York State with his family, being one of the first settlers in Smithfield. At that time Madison County was a part of Herkimer County, and was a virgin forest. He bought a tract of timber land and built a log house in the wilderness, about two and one-half miles from the present site of Peterboro. Very few can appreciate the hardships and labors of those days and the long, difficult journeys which had to be made for even the necessaries of life. There were no mills in the neighborhood; and he was forced to ride on horseback to Whitesboro, many miles distant, to procure the flour and meal which made the daily bread for his family. Yet, despite these privations and adverse conditions, their lives were longer than the average span of the present genera- tion; for this founder of the family lived to be ninety-five years old, and his wife, who shared his toils and troubles, died at the age of one hundred, after a sickness of only three days. . Her maiden name was Anna Mowry, and she was also a native of Rhode Island.
They both died at the home of their son, Silas, in the town of Lenox, N. Y.
Silas Sayles, the father of our subject, was but a boy when his parents moved to Madison County, where he resided until the year 1819. He then went to the town of Lenox, N. Y., and bought three hundred and three acres of land one mile from the village of Clockville, where he labored diligently and successfully. He spent his last years with his children, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was Miss Phila Griffin, who came to Madison County with her parents when quite young. She was a helpmate indeed to her husband, and a devoted mother to her eleven children. She passed away at the age of seventy-six years. The names of the children were: Abigail, Smith, Oney, Betsey, Gerrett, William G., Mary A., Dorman, Elmira, Har- riett, and Royal.
William G. Sayles was about nine years old when his parents moved to Lenox, where he was reared and educated. He lived at home until twenty-six years old, and then bought a tract of land near the old homestead, residing there for a number of years, going then to the town of Sullivan, where he remained until 1876, finally settling in Oneida, where he bought property, improved it, and is still liv- ing here. He married Miss Civilla Baldwin in November, 1835. She was born in Fen- ner, Madison County, New York, July 6, 1817. Her father, Lorin Baldwin, was also a native of that town, his father, David Bald- win, having been born in Massachusetts, thence coming to New York State with his
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family, having to make the journey by team. He located in the town of Fenner, bought land, cleared it off for a farm, and remained there until his death. His wife was Miss Penelope Miles; and her father was also reared amid pioneer scenes to agricultural pursuits, carrying on his occupation of farmer until his death, in 1822. The mother of Mrs. Sayles was Miss Lucena Hicks. She was also a native of Fenner, her father being Joshua Hicks, a native of Connecticut, and one of the first settlers of Fenner, having come here with a team attached to a sled, on which were placed all their earthly posses- sions. The journey was a long and tedious one, being made in the winter months and over the Green Mountains; and they suffered greatly, enduring many privations. They finally settled six miles north-east of Caze- novia, cut the logs, and built their own log cabin. Here they labored unceasingly, and improved a farm, making it one of the best in the town of Fenner. Joshua Hicks married Miss Charlotte Twist, a native of Connecticut.
The names of the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Sayles are: Caroline E., who is the wife of Mr. Harrison Kimball, resides in Fayetteville, and has one child, Civilla; Ellen R., is the wife of J. O. Powers, a prom- inent ranch-owner of Redfield, So. Dak., own- ing a well-stocked ranch of two thousand acres, - they have two children, Nelson and Fan- nie; Edgar E., married Miss Mary Worden, and has one daughter, Edna,-they live in Jackson County, Oregon, he being interested
in gold-mining there; Grove, married Miss Delia Bender, - he is a ranchman and live- stock-dealer in Elk County, Nevada. Mr. and Mrs. Sayles buried one daughter, Civilla, who died at the age of eight years, this being the only deep sorrow that has entered the happy circle.
Mr. Sayles has been highly successful in his life, but never more so than in his selec- tion of a wife, who is a lady of culture, refine- ment, and much intelligence. She has been the inspiration of her husband, and in the fifty-eight years of their lives together their relations have been most happy and harmoni- ous. They have given their children good educations, and have lived to see them bliss- fully enjoying their own domestic happiness. Strict and consistent members of the Baptist church, Mr. and Mrs. Sayles have been bright examples for over forty years of devoted followers of Christ. In political matters Mr. Sayles casts his vote with the Democratic party.
HARLES P. BUTTON was born Jan- uary 29 1816, in the town of Lenox, N. Y., the son of Chauncy and Polly
Button. His grandfather, Benjamin Button, was a native of the State of Connecticut, and was a soldier of the Revolution, enlisting when he was but sixteen years of age. He belonged to one of the military companies organized at that time, and drilled so effec- tively as to hold themselves in readiness at a minute's notice to go into battle, hence being called "minute men." An incident of the
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celerity with which these companies could be gathered together was illustrated when one day a report came that the British ships were firing on Boston. In sixty seconds Mr. But- ton's company was ready, and marching to the scene of action. After the war he went to the State of New York, and settled in the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery County, where he was one of the early settlers. He was a farmer, and also a blacksmith, and lived to the good old age of eighty-five years, his wife dying when she was seventy years old. They reared a family of nine children. The politics of the grandfather were of the Whig party.
Chauncy Button, the father of our subject, resided in Montgomery County until his mar- riage, when he moved to Madison County, and settled in the town of Lenox, being among the first settlers of that place,
" When the world was in forest, the hamlet in grove."
The wild and savage Indian prowled around the very door of their cabin; and the trusty rifle was their mainstay to serve their tables, which were royally graced with the juicy ven- ison and dainty game. The spinning-wheel, with its spindle and bands and slender spokes, whirled swiftly to the touch of the mother's hands, as she spun the yarn; and in the corner of the room stood the great brown loom, where the clothing was woven for the family. The father, having cleared the land, engaged in general farming. There were nine children born in this family, seven of whom grew up, our subject being the only one
now living. The father died in the town of Fenner, at the age of fifty-six years. He was a Whig in politics. The mother moved to the town of Lenox, and made her home with her son, C. P. Button, up to within six months before her death, dying at the age of eighty-three.
Charles P. Button grew to manhood in the town of Lenox, and received his education in the district schools of that place, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age. He then hired out by the month on a farm, re- ceiving twelve and a half dollars for his first month's work, and continued this for four years. During this time he had learned the trade of a tanner and currier, and engaged in this, also in shoemaking, for four years more. He then turned his attention to farming, and worked land on shares for fifteen years. In 1855 he went to the town of Sullivan, and in 1867 bought his first farm, which consisted of sixty-eight and a half acres. By very hard work, but fortunately successful, he has brought this property up to two hundred and thirty-two acres, and now owns one of the finest farms in the county. Small grain and hay are the main crops, and he also has a dairy of splendid half-blooded Holstein cattle.
Mr. Button was married in 1846 to Miss Margery N. Forbes, who was born in the town of Sullivan in 1827, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Forbes, both natives of Montgom- ery County, New York. Mr. Forbes was a farmer, and owned a place in Niagara County, where he died at the age of fifty-two. His wife died at the age of forty-five years. They
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had ten children, of whom only two are liv- ing, - Chauncy Forbes and Mrs. Button. Mr. Forbes was a Democrat. Our subject and wife have four children, - two sons and two daughters, - namely: Chauncy, living in the town of Sullivan; Charles S. and Maria, liv- ing at home; and Sarah, Mrs. William E. Ladd, living in the town of Sullivan.
Mr. Button and family are consistent mem- bers of the Baptist church, of which he is a Trustee. In politics he sympathizes with the Republican party. This charming old couple have a delightful home in the town of Sulli- van, where they enjoy the blessings of well- spent lives, passing their declining years in ease and comfort, and are held by all their friends in the highest veneration and respect.
CLAY ACKLEY was born at East Hamilton, Madison County, N. Y., November 9, 1842. The grand- father and his two brothers were residents of Colchester, Conn., and in the beginning of this century made the journey to Madison County with ox-teams, and located near the present home of our subject. They purchased a large tract of heavily timbered land, and laid out a village, naming it Colchester, which was later changed to East Hamilton, N.Y. Here they remained for one summer, and raised one crop. They had come from Con- necticut alone, leaving their families, but in the winter returned for them, and in the following spring brought them to their new homes. They continued clearing their land
until, at the time of their deaths, nearly all of it (about three hundred acres) was laid out in fine farms, which have passed through succeeding generations, and are still owned by our subject, his brother, a sister, and an uncle. The grandfather's name was Ely. His son, father of our subject, was Joseph Neelan Ackley; and his birthplace was East Hamilton. The latter was reared to agricult- ural pursuits, and lived and died on the home- stead. He married Caroline, daughter of John and Betsey Wells; and to them were born three boys, - John, Ely, and H. Clay. Her mother was Betsey Galloway, and she was the first white woman who settled in the town. Mrs. Joseph Ackley died on the home farm.
H. Clay Ackley was cducated in Hamilton College, and graduated from a college in Rochester, N.Y. After finishing school, he went to Waterville, N. Y., and engaged in hop culture. He first entered the employment of the firm with which his brother is associated, that of Ackley & Risley. Here he remained for some time, and then became engaged with E. Ackley & Charles Bacon, and later with the firm of Putnam & Peck. With these firms, large hop-dealers in the county, Mr. Ackley gained excellent ideas of business, which have since stood him in good stead, and to-day make him one of the best men of affairs in his town. After about twenty years spent with these firms, in each of which he had made his services invaluable, he returned to the home of his father, and at the death of the latter succeeded him in the ownership of the
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farm, which is now called "the homestead." Since owning the place, he has continued to improve it in every way, and has never spared expense in providing it with all the modern implements for labor-saving, and thus has one of the model farms of the county. For sev- eral years he has given much attention to the raising of trotting horses, and has some splen- did stock in his paddocks. Having a fine race track on his land, he is conveniently sit- uated for the training of his trotters. This track is owned by his uncle, and many race meetings are held here.
When Mr. Ackley was twenty-two years of age, he was married to Miss Frances Brainard, daughter of Ira and Jemima (Beebe) Brainard. During their married life Mr. and Mrs. Ack- ley have had unbroken happiness. Mrs. Ack- ley is a woman of rare business and literary accomplishments, and, whether in the house- hold, society, or in her husband's office, is equally at home, filling any of these posi- tions with a graceful demeanor and modest and agreeable manner. The hospitality of their home is proverbial throughout the county ; and their cheerful, frank dispositions make a hearty welcome to their hosts of friends.
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