USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 35
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fine specimens near the house. Mr. Chaffee lived in Oneida ten years, where he was en- gaged in business. The remainder of his time he has spent on his farm. In politics he is a Republican. His party, recognizing his ability and devotion to its principles, have honored him with several positions of trust.
Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee have had five chil- dren, two of whom, a son and daughter, they buried in infancy. The three living are as follows: Fannie E., wife of John Cowan, of Indianapolis, Ind .; Madge A., residing at home; and N. Fred., who married Miss Nina E. Hecox. The daughters were educated at Oneida Seminary, one afterward graduating at Newark, N.J. The son, N. Fred., was a student at Evans Academy, and later at Caze- novia Seminary. He now resides at home, managing the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee are kind and charitable people, unusually hos- pitable to friends and strangers. They are notcd for their sympathy with those in dis- tress and for their encouragement to all who come within the circle of their knowledge and influence.
ARVIS A. HEAD, a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Madison County and a prosperous farmer, was born in the town of Lebanon, April 8, 1829. He is a son of Sanford Head, a native of the town of Westport, Mass., whose father, Joseph Head, was also a native of the old Bay State. The latter emigrated from his native State to the State of New York, and settled in the town of Madison,
being one of its earliest pioneers. Here he purchased a tract of timbered land, erected a log cabin, and at once set about the work of clearing a farm, and here lived until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Rebecca Sanford. Sanford Head was seven years old when he came to the State of New York, at which time there were but few of the marks of civilization that now exist, there being no canals, railroads, nor telegraph lines, and but few, if any, good common roads. Overland journeys were necessarily made by means of teams. Mr. Head secured a fairly good education in the district schools, and at the age of sixteen commenced teach- ing, first at Oriskany Falls, and later at other places. At the age of nineteen he married, and located on land which is now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch, but which was then covered with timber. This he cleared, erected good buildings, and re- sided upon it until his death, which occurred when he was ninety-one years of age. He was twice married, first to Sally Ballard, a daughter of Dane Ballard. His second wife, the mother of Jarvis A., was Anna Ballard, half-sister of his first wife.
In his youthful days Jarvis A. Head as- sisted on the farm and attended school as opportunity offered, engaging for some years during the winter season in teaching, but otherwise has always followed agricultural pursuits. He is now engaged in general farming and dairying, his farm being located about one-half mile south of the village of Lebanon. It is well improved, and supplied
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with good buildings. Like his father, he has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife having been Thirza E. Benedict. . She was the daughter of Elijah and Lois Benedict, fuller mention of whom is made in the biographical sketch of S. B. Benedict elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Head died July 16, 1854. Mr. Head married for his second wife Eunice B. Hitchcock, a native of the town of Lebanon and a daughter of Isaac Hitchcock, who was born in the same town, and whose father, Joseph Hitchcock, was born in Massachusetts. The latter removed to the State of New York, settling first in Madison, but later became a pioneer of the town of Lebanon, where he improved a farm, upon which he spent the remainder of his days. The maiden name of his wife was Eunice Brownell, and she was born in Westport, Mass. Her father, Samuel Brownell, was one of the first settlers of the town of Madi- son. The father of Mrs. Head, though a nat- ural mechanic, always followed agricultural pursuits, succeeding to the ownership of his father's farm, which was situated about one mile east of the village of Lebanon. Upon this he resided until his death, in February, 1878, his wife dying one year later. Her maiden name was Antrace Pierce; and she was born in the town of Madison, a daughter of Timothy and Hannah (Dennis) Pierce.
Mr. Head has one son living, by his first marriage, Addison W., who married Alletta S. Benedict, a daughter of O. A. Benedict. They have three children - Ralph, Ward, and Sanford. To the second marriage of Mr.
Head there were born four children, only one of whom is now living - Anna S., wife of Frank Hatch, and the mother of one son, Raymond. The second child, Frank, died at Phoenix, Ariz., at the age of twenty-two. Carrie died when four years old, and Willie at the age of three.
ERCY (SHEPARDSON) WILL- IAMS, widow of the late Wood- worth Williams, and now a resi- dent of Earlville, is a native of Madison County, her birthplace having been East Hamilton. She is of New England stock, being a great-grand-daughter of William and Hannah (Jones) Shepardson, both natives of Connecticut. The former was a cooper by trade, and worked at that business in his na- tive State until after the death of his wife, when he came to Madison County to spend his last days in East Hamilton with his son William, dying here at the venerable age of eighty-nine years.
William Shepardson, grandfather of our subject, was born in Colchester, Conn., where he grew to manhood, married, and lived for several years. In 1807, accompanied by his wife and seven children, he came to Madison County, making the long and tedious trip overland with teams to East Hamilton, then called Colchester. Here he settled, and, buying a piece of property, soon after estab- lished a factory for the manufacture of rakes. In that early day all grass was cut and raked by hand; and the products of his shop were
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in great demand, his goods being first-class in every respect, with his name stamped on each rake. He continued in this business for sev- eral years, living in that locality until his death, at the age of fourscore and four years. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married November 24, 1791, was Ede Cook. She was born in Connecticut, and died in East Hamilton, when eighty years of age. To her and her husband were born nine children, as follows: Laura, William, Aris- tobulus, Erastus, John H., Maria, Ezra E., Azubah, and Delos. Azubah, the only surviv- ing one, is the widow of the Rev. Peregrine White, and resides in Earlville.
Ezra E. Shepardson, father of Mrs. Will- iams, was an infant of four months when his parents emigrated to this State. At that time, and for many years after, there were no railways through the almost pathless woods, the clearings were few, large cities and mar- kets many miles distant ; and the people were consequently obliged to subsist on the prod- ucts of their land or the game to be found in the forests. Their clothing was homespun and homemade, the women of the family card- ing, spinning, and weaving the material, and fashioning the garments. Ezra was reared and educated in Hamilton, and, when old enough to choose an occupation, learned the trade of carpentry, which he followed for The boyhood days of Woodworth Williams, husband of our subject, were spent mostly after the manner of farmers' sons, attending the district school and becoming familiar with the labors of the farm. After marriage he many years. He established a home in East Hamilton, where he died at the ripe age of eighty-four years, honored and respected by all. The maiden name of his wife, mother of Mrs. Williams, was Clarissa Miller. She | purchased a farm in South Hamilton, where
was a native of Brookfield, and daughter of Abner and Mary Miller, pioneers of that town. They reared a family of fourteen childen.
Mercy, the subject of this brief narrative, became the bride of Woodworth Williams when only eighteen years of age. He was born in Deerfield, Oneida County, in 1831. His ancestors were also pioneers of Madison County, his grandparents, James and Grace (Foote) Williams, supposed to be natives of Vermont, having emigrated to Hamilton in the early days of its settlement. Purchasing land which was well covered with timber, the grandfather began its improvement, and in the course of time was rewarded for his efforts, he having cleared a fine farm and founded a home for himself and family, in which he resided until his death. Aris- tarchus Williams, father of Woodworth, was born in Hamilton; and here he was reared to man's estate. He assisted his father in the building up of a homestead, and received from him a practical education in the theory and practice of agriculture, which he made his life occupation. With the exception of a few years passed in Decrfield, his entire life was spent in Hamilton. He married Betsey Webster, a daughter of John and Thankful Webster.
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he carried on an extensive and lucrative busi- ness as a hop-grower, residing on this farm until his death, in 1885. He held high rank as an agriculturist, was energetic and progres- sive in his views, straightforward in his deal- ings, and well and favorably known as a busi- ness man. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. His family, though not publicly identified with any religious organ- ization, usually attend the Methodist Episco- pal church. After her husband's death Mrs. Williams removed to Earlville, where she has since resided. She has two children: Clara, born April 26, 1860, and Fred, September 4, 1871. Clara married John McQuade; and they have five children - namely, Eva. May, Bessie, Jay, and Fay.
AMUEL BROWN, a general farmer, stock-raiser, and extensive hop- grower of the town of Eaton, is one of the successful self-made men of Madison County, beginning life, it may almost be said, on his own account when but thirteen years of age; for at that early age he lost his father, who was one of the prominent citizens of the county. Samuel Brown was born September 15, 1826, on the farm he now owns and occu- pies, a son of Peleg and Martha (Hughs) Brown, both of whom were natives of Rhode Island. Peleg Brown, upon emigrating to the State of New York, first located in the county of Herkimer, but soon afterward came to Madison County, settling in the woods in the town of Eaton, where he at first purchased
seventy acres of land, upon which he erected a log house. There he lived for many years, adding to his original purchase until he at length owned two hundred and fifty acres of land. He was one of the sturdy pioneers - a hard-working man, thoroughly honest in his methods and successful in his business, which, in addition to farming, consisted in managing a hotel, which he conducted for fully twenty-five years.
Peleg Brown was twice married, by his first wife rearing five children, and by his second seven, four of the twelve being still alive, namely: George, a farmer of the town of Eaton; Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Sarah, wife of Henry Wilcox, and residing in Little Falls; and Willis, living in Bain- bridge, Ross County, Ohio. The father died on his farm in Eaton in 1840, at the age of sixty-two; and his second wife, Martha Hughs, died at the home of her son Samuel, when she was eighty-seven years old. Both she and her husband were members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Whig. The father of Peleg Brown, Benja- min Brown, was a native of Rhode Island, and followed the vocation of a farmer in that State until his death. He and his wife reared five children, thrce sons and two daughters.
Samuel Brown, like other boys of his time, received his education in the district school, and on account of the early death of his father, in connection with his brothers, man- aged the home farm for several years, purchas- ing it at the age of twenty-seven. May 19,
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1857, he married Helen Palmer, who was born in 1833, and is a daughter of Gurdon L. and Anrietta (Brown) Palmer, whose bio- graphical memoirs appear elsewhere in this volume. Samuel Brown now owns a fine farm of three hundred acres, is engaged in gen- eral farming, dairying, and quite extensively in growing hops, his hop-yard containing twenty-two acres. His dairy contains about thirty cows, mostly high grade and a few full-blood Holsteins.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, namely : Dewayne P., born March 19, 1860; and Elberta, June 19, 1867. Mr. Brown has one of the finest farms in his vicinity, and it is well supplied with good buildings. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian church. Both are among the best people in the county, are well and widely known, and are highly es- teemed by all.
ON. GARDNER MORSE was born in the town of Eaton, March 26, 1826. His father and grandfather were na- tives of Massachusetts. The Morse family are of English origin, the earliest record of them dating to 1635, when three brothers of that name came to America; and in April of that year one of them, Samuel Morse, settled in Massachusetts, near the Charles River. He was the ancestor of our subject's family. About 1796 the grandfather of Gardner, Jo- seph Morse, came to Madison County, New York, his brother Benjamin having preceded him the year before. There were three
brothers - Benjamin, Hezekiah, and Joseph - who cut their way through the wilderness, encountering innumerable dangers, but finally reached the vicinity of the town of Eaton in Madison County, where they took up farms. Joseph settled on a place near Hamilton known as the Burchard farm, and erected the first frame house, and also put up the first mill, this being in the year 1800. The brothers lived to be quite aged, with the exception of Joseph, who died at the age of fifty-four years. His wife was Eunice Bige- low, whom he married in 1788 at Templeton, Mass. Their family consisted of eight chil- dren - Ellis, Eunice, Joseph, Lucy, Sophia, Calvin, Bigelow, and Alpheus. All reached maturity, but are now deceased. Alpheus Morse, the youngest son, was a man of much enterprise, and was for many years an exten- sive dealer in cattle and wool, and later a manufacturer of woollen goods. He was fore- most in promoting all enterprises for the pub- lic good. Late in life he was unfortunate, and lost all his property. He spent his last years with a daughter in Homer. Joseph Morse and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian church, living up to its teachings, and taking their greatest comfort in reading the Scripture; for in those days of early pioneer life it was difficult and well- nigh impossible for a minister to penetrate into the forests.
Ellis Morse, the father of our subject, was but six years old when he came to the town of Eaton; and here he grew up and was edu- cated. The first school-house in the town was
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located where the cemetery now stands; and the second one was built on the Hamilton road, farther east. One of his intimate friends and schoolmates was Charles Finney. The teacher was Dr. James Pratt; and the studies were spelling, arithmetic, and the Bible. Wild turkeys and game of all kinds abounded, and the young men were expert hunters. The Oneida Indians were numerous in those days, visiting amicably in the vil- lage, and often sleeping around the Morse fireside. In these primitive homes all con- tributed their share in the work of the farm; and the mother, besides the household drudg- ery, had to spin and weave the homespun that clothed the family. Ellis Morse was a gen- eral farmer, an extensive cattle-dealer, and an active man in his neighborhood, being engaged in many pursuits. The turnpike road from Hamilton to Skaneateles was built by him; and he also conducted the largest distillery at Eaton, which he started about the year 1825, and continued until 1857. The capacity of this still was at first six bushels a day, but was soon increased to three hun- dred and fifty bushels. At his death he owned one thousand acres of land. He was twice married, first to Miss Lora Ayer, who was born in Connecticut, July 2, 1792, and who died at the age of thirty-nine. His sec- ond wife was Miss Adaline Bagg, who was born in September, 1808.
Ellis Morse died in 1869, at the age of eighty years. His family consisted of eleven children, namely: George E., born in 1820; Jane M., born in 1823; Jenette, born in
1824, and died in 1852; Gardner, our subject, born in 1825; Martha, born in 1828, and died in 1890; Andrew, born in 1830; Adaline, in 1834; Walter, in 1835; Henry B., born in 1836, and died in 1874; Alfred A., born in 1839, died November 24, 1864, on the battle- field of Cedar Creek; and Hartwell, who was born in 1843. Seven of these are living. George, the eldest, was educated in the dis- trict school and took an academical course. He engaged in farming at the age of twenty- one years, and now owns three hundred and sixty acres of land and a dairy of forty-five cows. In 1847 he married Miss Belinda Fitch, who was born in the town of Eaton in 1820, and died in 1879. To them was born one son, George Percy, in 1857. George Morse has been an active member (and is now President) of the Board of Trustees of the cemetery at Eaton. He is a Republican in politics, and has been Supervisor for four years. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Two of the brothers of Hon. Gardner Morse, Henry B. and Alfred A., distin- guished themselves in the Civil War. Henry was Captain of Company D, One Hundred and Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infan- try, and was brevetted Major-General. He enlisted in 1862, and, although badly wounded in two engagements, remained on duty until the end of the war. When peace was declared, he went to Syracuse, N. Y., and entered the office of Messrs. Pratt & Mitchell, where he studied law, going from there to Arkansas. He was Probate Judge of Pulaski County, and later Circuit Judge. He was
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also Associate Justice on the Supreme Bench of the State. Alfred was also a member of Company D, of the One Hundred and Four- teenth New York Volunteer Infantry, en- listing in 1863. He was at the time a theological student in Hamilton College, New York, but at his country's call shouldered his musket, and gave up his life on the bloody field of Cedar Creek, aged only twenty-four years.
Hon. Gardner Morse was reared in the town and village of Eaton, and finished his educa- tion at the academy here. He engaged in business with his father, both in the distil- lery and dealing in cattle, they working together until the latter's death, in 1869, when the property was divided. He then set- tled on the farm which he now owns, building on it a saw and grist mill. In 1852 he married Caroline L. Putnam, who was born in Oneida County in 1830, daughter of Daniel and Clarinda Putnam. Mr. Morse was one of the leading spirits in the building of the Mid- land Railroad. He has taken an active part in the politics of Madison County. He served as Member of Assembly in the year 1866, for four years was Justice of the Peace, is Railroad Commissioner for the town of Eaton, was District Clerk for twenty-seven years continuously, and in 1885 was elected County Treasurer. He has uniformly sup- ported the Republican party, and has repre- sented its principles faithfully in the many offices he has filled. He is a gentleman of culture and intelligence, being especially well informed, and a competent authority on
the history of his county. He is an enter- prising citizen, having done much toward the prosperity of his town; and his friends and citizens earnestly hope he will be spared to them for many more years of usefulness.
A. WAGER was born in Grafton, Rensselaer County, N. Y., January 2,
ยท 1865. The original settlers of the family in this town came from Germany. The grandfather, Zachariah Wager, bought a farm, residing upon it until his death. The father of our subject, Arnold Wager, was born in Grafton, and, after receiving his edu- cation, worked for some years on the farm of his father, later removing to Poestenkill in the same county, where he died when his only child, our subject, was but eighteen months old. His wife was formerly Miss Anna C. Link; and she married for her second hus- band a Mr. Mason, and by him had seven children - Ulysses, John, Elva, George, Phoebe, Mary, and Harrison.
I. A. Wager left home at the age of fifteen, after having finished a few terms at school, and went to Chittenango, Madison County, N. Y., where he entered a cheese factory with his uncle, George H. Dennis. He remained here three years, and then started into busi- ness for himself at Lakeport, N.Y. He was one season in this place, and then hired out to Frank Blanding, of Hubbardsville, N. Y., and managed cheese factories for him in different places, among them two years in Franklin, Delaware County, three years in
R. D. ROBERTSON.
MRS. R. D. ROBERTSON.
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Brookfield in what is now called the Marsh factory, and the last year at Oxford, Chenango County. In 1890 he became a stockholder in the Temple factory in North Brookfield, and manages the factory for the company.
When he was twenty-six years old, Mr. Wager married Miss Maude E. Marsh, daugh- ter of Smith and Tacy Marsh. Of this union there is one child, Alta. Mr. Wager began life with no other capital than an honest heart and willing hands, and since he was fifteen years of age has, by strict attention to duty, built up for himself his present position. He is master of his business, and has proven himself thoroughly competent in every sense of the word. Politically, he is an adherent of the Republican party. He is a Mason in good standing, and belongs to Sullivan Lodge, No. 148, of Chittenango, and Lodge No. 632, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Brookfield. The career of Mr. Wager is a potent example to the younger generation. He is an exemplification of what push and enterprising perseverance will do. Refined, intelligent, and of good social position, his splendid qualities as a domestic and business man have made him a universal favorite.
R DUNCAN ROBERTSON was born May 2, 1852, on the farm that he now owns and occupies in the town of Fenner. The great-grandfather of our subject, John Robertson, came to the town of Fenner in 1800, making the journey through the trackless forest by no other guide
than marked trees, and took up one hundred acres of land, on which our subject now lives. He died in the town of Lenox, at the age of seventy. His son, Robert Robertson, grand- father of R. Duncan, came with his father, and assisted in clearing the farm and erecting their log cabin, which had to be the home of the family for many years. In these wild woods their slumbers were often broken by the growl of the bear and the shriek of the wildcat ; but they were firm and stout of heart, and, putting their trust in Providence, and keeping a steady outlook with their trusty rifles, they passed unharmed through many perilous days. The family of Grandfather Robertson consisted of three sons and one daughter, of whom two are now living: Dan- iel, residing in Joliet, Ill .; and Robert, in Colton, Cal. The daughter, who was Mrs. Margaret Morrison of the town of Lenox, died at the age of sixty-five years. Robert Rob- ertson died on the old home farm, at the age of seventy-two years.
John Robertson, the father of our subject, was the eldest son, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in the town of Fenner, and was about thirty-three years of age when he married Miss Christianna McPherson, of Ful- ton County, New York. He was a stirring and enterprising farmer, and accumulated wealth, owning three hundred acres of land. He took an active part in the management of his farm and in the interests of his town. He was Commissioner of Highways for nine years, Overseer of the Poor for one year, and held other offices in the gift of the people. He was
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accidentally killed by a runaway team on the 14th of June, 1882, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived him only four months, dying October 22, 1882. They were Presbyterians, and were true and consistent members of that church. He was a Republi- can in politics, and followed faithfully the maxims and principles of his party.
R. Duncan Robertson was reared on the home farm, first attended the district school, and for three winters the Peterboro Academy, finishing at the Oneida Seminary. He was anxious to become a surveyor, and studied very closely; but on account of his father's ill-health he was obliged to return home and take charge of the farm. He was married July 25, 1875, to Miss Frances A. Greenfield, who was born in the town of Lenox, daugh- ter of Levi Greenfield, a farmer of that town. The latter was born in 1815; and he and his wife, who died in 1890, at the age of seventy- five, were consistent members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. They had twelve children. Our subject brought his wife home to the old farm. Here he raises hay, barley, and hops, as the main crops. He is one of the most influential farmers in the vicinity, and has as productive crops and fine cattle as any one in this section. He manages his farm himself, and does not hesitate to put his own handiwork and strength in the necessary labor. To his excellent wife and himself Providence has given five children, four boys and one girl; namely, John L., Daniel R., Walter D., Miles E., and Grace Edna.
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