USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 37
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resident of De Ruyter Mr. Blanchard served as a member of the Village Board of Trustees. He has officiated for some years as foreman of the Cyclone Fire Company. He is a member of De Ruyter Lodge, No. 692, A. F. & A. M. ; Earlville Lodge, No. 622, I. O. O. F .; Earl- ville Encampment, No. 21; and Earlville Lodge, No. 124, K. P. Since coming to Earlville, Mr. Blanchard, by his energy and tact, his regard for the common weal, and his determined push, has done much to forward the business and improvement of the village. The Earlville Standard, conducted by him on liberal principles, and with the high aim of promoting the best interests of the people, is a recognized power for good in the community.
ENRY W. ADAMS was born at New Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y., De- cember 10, 1801, a son of James and Lydia (Tharp) Adams, both of whom were born in New Hartford, Conn. The father was a farmer, owning about one hundred acres of land, most of which was a dense forest, which he had to clear by arduous toil and labor. His father was William Adams, an extensive farmer of Connecticut; and the family consisted of three sons and four daugh- ters. Being a strict and zealous Presbyte- rian, he reared his children in that faith. The mother of our subject had nine children, three sons and six daughters. The daughters grew to maturity and married; but of the whole family only two sons and two daughters are now living, of whom Henry W. is the
eldest. The others are: Susan, Mrs. Babbit, who is a widow, and resides in Oswego, N. Y. ; Lucy, the widow of William Smith, residing in Williamstown, Oswego County, N. Y., and eighty-four years old; and Joseph B., eighty years old, a retired farmer and speculator, living in Mattawan, Mich.
For nearly all his life our subject has fol- lowed the occupation of a miller, owning and managing his own grist-mill. This trade he learned at Sauquoit, Oneida County, where he worked many years. In the course of his long and eventful life he has had varied experiences. Starting in early manhood, empty-handed as to fortune, but well stored with energy, hope, and ambition, he has known what it is to achieve success, and also to sustain heavy and. bitter losses. He had been for only a few years a merchant, when he had the misfortune to lose three thousand dollars of hard - earned savings. One of the bitterest trials he has had to bear was in the death of a beloved son, who was killed by the cars while acting as brakeman. He was only twenty-three years of age, a fa- vorite with all who knew him; and his tragic end was a source of heart-breaking grief to his family and a sorrow to his native village.
His living children are: Mariene, wife of Lew Miller, and mother of two sons and four daughters; and Henry L., residing at Lenox Furnace, married, and has two sons and two daughters. This gentleman is highly edu- cated, has taught for many years, and is con- sidered one of the best mathematicians in the State of New York. He is now fifty-seven
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years of age. Mr. Adams has been twice married, first to Miss Pattie Knight, of Sau- quoit. She died in 1877, aged seventy-five years. One year later, in 1878, he married for his second wife Miss Hannah Halicus, whose father, Christ John Halicus, died when she was a small child. Her mother, who was Miss Thankful Tubbs, died at Wampsville, N. Y., at the age of eighty-four.
Mr. Adams was a Lieutenant in the home organization of the militia; and the same spirit of patriotism which made him do his duty in that limited field afterward animated his son, Henry L., in the Civil War, when he enlisted as a private, and through bra- very and hard fighting won the epaulettes of officer, having besides the unfortunate experience of a year's imprisonment in An- dersonville. Mr. Adams affiliates with the Republican party, believing it the proper one to manage national and local affairs. He has never been a professed member of any church, but is broad-minded, liberal, and just toward all creeds. His belief has always been in espousing the right for its own sake, and he has a firm hope in the beneficent care of a loving Providence.
ILLIAM R. GRISWOLD, a native of Madison County, born in the town of Madison, has always been identified with its citizenship, and now has a pleasant home in Hamilton. His father was William Griswold, who was born in the town of Canaan, Conn .; and it is supposed that his
grandfather was also born in that New Eng- land State. The latter spent his last years in this county, of which he was a pioneer.
The father of our subject was young when he accompanied his parents to their new home in the virginal wilds of this State, and here he grew up amid the primitive scenes that surrounded the early settlers of this vicinity. He inherited land from his father in the town of Madison, and resided there many years. Finally, selling the old home, he removed to Michigan, and died at the residence of his son Manus, in Rollin, Lenawee County. In early life he had married Sarah Belden Graves, whose birthplace was Athol, Mass. She came to New York when a young woman, and her last years were spent in the home of a daughter in Oswego County. She was the mother of five children - Laura, Manus, Ma- randa, William R., and Lucinda.
William R. Griswold was educated in his native county, was reared to the life of a farmer, and succeeded his father in the owner- ship of the home farm. He continued to reside there, industriously engaged in its management, until the year 1877, when he purchased the home he now occupies at Ham- ilton. Mr. Griswold is a natural mechanic, and, with a love and talent for music, has made some fine musical instruments. He has also for a number of years been engaged in tuning pianos. His musical gifts and worthy qualities of mind and heart give him a desirable social standing among the people amidst whom he has always lived, and by whom he is highly respected. He was
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brought up in the Methodist Episcopal church, and still clings to the faith of his fathers.
Mr. Griswold has been twice married, first to Jane Maynard of the town of Madison. After her death he took for his wife Jane Ann Marshall, who was born near Pratt's Hollow in this county. There were two sons by the first marriage: Lucius W., a farmer in Madi- son ; and Frederick L., who died at the age of forty years. By the second marriage there are three children: Charles J., who is teller in the bank; Will M .; and Nellie L.
ON. GEORGE BERRY was born in the town of Eaton, November 12, 1820, the seventh son of Henry Berry, who was a native of Ireland, born in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was a farmer by occupation, and after coming to America settled in the town of Eaton, near what is known as Pratt's Hollow, but afterward went to Canada, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. The mother of our subject died when but thirty-seven years old. ' There were nine children born to them, namely : Robert, Rachael, and John, all de- ceased; Henry, living at Poolville, N.Y .; Thomas, deceased; Isaac, in Elmira, N.Y .; George, the subject of this sketch; David, deceased; and Margaret, living in Canada.
George Berry was brought up on the farm, and, his parents being poor, had to work industriously, attending the common schools as he had opportunity, and, while not receiv-
ing a classical education, gained a practical one, which fitted him for the useful positions he has held through life. There was this great advantage in those schools attended by the farmers' children: while the range of study was confined principally to the rudi- mentary studies of the language, the children had, in addition, the daily study of agricult- ure in the fields around them, the knowledge of Nature in her varied aspects, and the value of cattle in their service to man, their whole lives being benefited by this apparently un- methodical style of learning. Our subject was quick to learn, and, having an excellent memory, retained much of the information he gained during his younger days. When nine- teen years of age, he went to the village of Eaton, and was employed in making edge tools for four years. He then commenced buying hides and pelts, and subsequently was associated with one of his brothers in a tan- nery at Poolville, N. Y., remaining in this business for three years. For three years more he was in a woollen factory at Munns- ville, Madison County, N.Y., coming from there to Oneida in 1857. Here he built a tannery, commencing in a small way; but the business rapidly grew to considerable dimen- sions, requiring additional buildings and facilities. For many years this plant was closely identified with the progress of the village. It covered about an acre of ground, and steam power was used to operate the machinery. To enhance the growth of the work, Mr. Berry purchased an adjoining prop- erty, by which he was enabled to obtain a
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constant and unlimited supply of good water, so essential to the success of that brand of leather manufactured. The product consisted of what is known as "rough leather," mainly used in the making of boots and shoes. The output was of the very best quality, and was in the neighborhood of seven thousand sides of leather annually. This industry was built up solely by Mr. Berry, who managed it for years with great success; but of late the plant is not in active operation, he having practi- cally retired from its superintendence. At present he occupies himself principally in carrying on a considerable trade in hides, pelts, calfskins, etc.
Mr. Berry has been a potent element in the development of the village of Oneida, and has contributed his share toward its prosperity. He is an enterprising citizen, and to his activity much of the flourishing condition of the place is due. Politically, he is a Demo- crat; but, notwithstanding the county is strongly Republican, so popular is he that he has been intrusted with many positions of trust and honor. In 1856 he was chosen Jus- tice of the Peace, later was Supervisor for the town of Lenox, serving three terms, and was elected President of the Village Board. In 1874 he was elected Member of Assembly, although having Republican opposition; and so well did he satisfy his constituency that he was re-elected to the same position in 1878. His honesty and integrity were power- ful allies, and made his name a stronger ele- ment than any the opposing party could find. He is also Vice-President of the Oneida Sav-
ings Bank, and a Director in the Oneida Valley National Bank.
At the age of twenty-four Mr. Berry was married to Miss Eliza Brown; and this union was blessed with a daughter, who is now deceased. She was the wife of Hon. Benja- min D. Stone, of Camden, N.Y. She left one daughter, Florence B., now Mrs. Lyman H. Carr, who has one child, Donald E., and resides in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Berry is held in a more than reverential regard by the people of his town and county. His life has been marked by enterprise, industry, and rectitude ; and his best energies have been utilized in the building up of his village and contribut- ing to its success and prosperity. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oneida for a period extending over the past forty-five years, Mr. Berry having been steward and a Trustee for the greater part of this time. He has also been a class leader for a number of years. The causes of religion and edu- cation have ever found in him a liberal supporter.
UCIUS D. HOPKINS, a representative citizen of the town of Eaton, is de- scended from pioneer parents of Madison County, and from patriotic ancestry of the New England States, which traces its lineage back to Stephen Hopkins, one of the two signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence who lived in Rhode Island, William Ellery being the other. Mr. Hopkins was born April 14, 1827, in the town of Nelson,
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Madison County, and is a son of Daniel and Annie (Clough) Hopkins. Daniel Hopkins was a son of Daniel Hopkins, Sr., who was born in the town of Foster, R. I., on a farm, was reared to manhood in his native State, and reared a family of five children, all of whom are deceased. Ile died at the age of eighty-eight, on the farm upon which he was reared; and his wife, Hannah, died also in Rhode Island.
Daniel Hopkins, the father of Lucius D., made the journey from Rhode Island to the town of Nelson, Madison County, by means of teams, through the woods, following a trail marked by biazed trees, and reached this town in 1805. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, cleared a farm, and made a good home for himself and his family. He and his wife reared nine children, two of whom are still living, Alonzo and Lucius D. He died at the age of seventy-six, and his wife at the age of fifty-three. The elder son, Alonzo, is now living in the town of Stock- bridge, Madison County.
Lucius D. Hopkins was educated in the district schools, and began life for himself when but fifteen years of age, receiving five and a half dollars per month for some time, and working by the month for four years. At the age of twenty he began farming for him- self on rented land, and when twenty-two years old purchased sixty-five acres, to which he has added until he now owns two hundred and twenty-two acres. . This is a fine farm, is under a high state of cultivation, and is well adapted to general farming and dairying.
While actively engaged in farming, Mr. Hop- kins usually kept from forty to fifty cows. He spent four years in Louisiana, but in 1881 settled down in the village of West Eaton, and has resided here ever since, retired from active labor.
In 1848 he married Harriet T. Arnst, who was born in the town of Jefferson, Schoharie County, and is a daughter of Sheldon Arnst. Of this union there were two children, one of whom, Merwin D., born in 1850, is living on and managing the home farm. The other child, Jane, was born in 1853, married Well- ington Blend, and died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are members of the Baptist church. He is a Republican in politics. Both stand high in the estimation of their neighbors and friends, and are useful mem- bers of the community.
ON. FRANCIS A. HYATT of the town of Fenner was born August 5, 1828, in Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Conn., and came with his parents to Madison County in 1832. He is a son of Aaron S. and Electa (Keeler) Hyatt. The family is of English origin. Thomas Hyatt settled at Stamford, Conn., in 1641, and was the founder of this branch of the name in America. The subject of our sketch began business life on a farm in 1850, and has since resided in Fenner. He was elected Town Clerk in 1856, serving several terms; Justice of the Peace in 1859, and held that office eight years; was elected Road Commissioner,
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but declined to serve; was Member of As- sembly in 1861, and again represented the district, in the Legislature of 1872. He was a delegate to the Republican State Conven- tions of 1861, 1872, 1881, and 1882. . For more than twenty years he has been a Notary Public, and is often employed in the settle- ment of estates.
Mr. Hyatt has membership with Sullivan Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the best known men of Madison County, a representative citizen, and, although in a measure retired from active public duties, is still thoroughly interested in everything that pertains to the general welfare, and, while courteous and liberal in his attitude toward the opinions of others, holds firmly his own views.
EORGE B. BRITT was born on the farm he now lives on, in the town of Sullivan, September 10, 1845, the son of Benjamin and Catherine (Farnham) Britt. The mother was a native of Brooklyn, Conn .; and the father came from Vermont. Grand- father Alpheus Britt was a native of Vermont, and moved from there to Madison County, New York, settling in the town of Lenox about 1811. He was a clothier by trade. After coming to Madison County, he bought a tract which comprised about one hundred and twelve acres of improved land, and engaged in farming. Later he purchased one hundred acres of forest land. While his industrious wife spun and wove the clothing for the fam- ily, he tilled the soil, and with unerring aim
brought down the game that made provision for their household. There were thirteen children born to them, seven boys and six girls, of whom three are now living, namely : Willard, living in Genesee County; Curtis, in Orleans County; and Justus, who also lives in Orleans County. Alpheus Britt died in the village of Perryville, at the age of sixty-six, and his wife at the age of eighty- three. They were members of the Universa- list church. He was a Democrat in politics.
The father of our subject owned and resided on a one-hundred-and-fifteen-acre farm in the town of Sullivan, which is now owned by his son, George B. He was an honest, hard- working man and a progressive and advanced farmer, well known and respected in the community. He was married at the age of twenty-eight years, and reared a family of four children, of whom two survive, Oran and our subject. Oran resides with his brother at present, but has followed the lime business, also stone quarrying. He is married, and has four children. The father lived on this farm, where he began housekeeping, until his death, in his eighty-seventh year. His wife died at the age of seventy-four. He was a Democrat in politics. The family were Universalists.
George B. Britt was brought up on the old farm, educated in the district schools, and remained at home on the farm, assisting and caring for his parents until their death. He now owns the place, and carries on general farming, stock-raising, and dairying. His fine herd of cows are Durhams, a breed he especially favors. In 1874 Mr. Britt was
EUGENE M. PERRY.
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most fortunate in gaining Miss Elizabeth Harter for his wife. She was born in the town of Sullivan, daughter of John and Nancy Harter, the former of whom was a farmer in that town. To them have been born one daughter, Edith M., who is now thirteen years of age.
Our subject follows the example of his father and grandfather in politics, being a strong adherent of the Democratic party, and earnest and hearty in the advocacy of its principles. Fraternally, he is connected with the membership of Sullivan Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M. He takes a prominent rank among the farmers of his county, and with his estimable wife, who is the embodiment of womanly virtue and housewifely qualities, leads a happy and contented life.
UGENE M. PERRY, Sheriff of Madi- son County and one of its most es- teemed and influential citizens, was born in Georgetown, July 11, 1845. His father, Charles L. Perry, was a native of Fabius, Onondaga County, and a son of John Perry, of New England birth, who removed to New York, and was a pioneer in Fabius. An agriculturist by occupation, he spent his later years in Truxton, Cortland County. Having learned the trade of harness-making in Pompey, Onondaga County, Charles L. Perry followed it for a time, first in George- town and then in De Ruyter. Afterward he kept a public house in the latter-named place. Moving from there to Hamilton, he kept the
Park Hotel for two ycars, at the end of which time he returned to Georgetown, and, open- ing a harness-shop, conducted that business a number of years. Hc finally went back to De Ruyter, his latest home and final resting- place. His death, in 1887, was the result of a kick by a horse. He married Charlotte C. Niles, a native of Lebanon, and daughter of Luther and Chloe C. Niles, pioneers of that town. Of this union there were two children. The daughter, Chloe Adellah, is the wife of T. A. Wilson, and resides in Hamilton.
Eugene M. Perry, the only son of Charles L. and Charlotte C. (Niles) Perry, passed his boyhood and youth in attending school and in helping in his father's shop. In August, 1864, at the age of nineteen years, filled with the patriotic desire of serving his country, he resolved to consecrate his young life to the cause of liberty and to the preservation of the Union, and enlisted in the Oneida Cavalry, going South with his regiment, which was stationed for some time at City Point, Va. In the spring of 1865 they marched to Rich- mond, and thence to Washington. In May he was discharged, and came home. From that time until 1870 he worked at his father's trade in Georgetown, and spent the following year in Stockbridge. At the end of twelve months, returning to Georgetown, he opened a harness-making shop, and continued to do a thriving business until December, 1893, when, having been elected Sheriff of the county in the preceding month of November, he closed his business, and January 1, 1894, removed to Morrisville. His marriage oc-
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curred in 1871, when he led to the altar Miss Achsah Niles, who was born in Lebanon, a daughter of Edwin and Mary J. Niles. Their happy union has been graced by one son, Harold R.
A well-informed man, one who reads the papers, is interested in public affairs and keeps abreast of the times, affable in manners and a general favorite in social circles, Mr. Perry is possessed of a happy faculty for mak- ing and retaining friends, and is one of the most popular of public officials. He has served his town in the capacity of Collector, Constable, Clerk, and Supervisor. A Repub- lican from his youth up, he cast his first Presidential vote for Ulysses S. Grant. He has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee for the past three years ; was elected Supervisor in 1892, and re-elected in 1893; and served on the Committees on Equalization, Sheriff's and Jailer's Accounts, Apportionments and Loans, etc. In social and fraternal matters he is a member of Cau- tious Lodge, No. 726, A. F. & A. M., and was Master two years. He is also a member of Carey W. Miner Post, No. 624, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was Offi- cer of the Day two years.
As a public man, of high standing in the county, Mr. Perry has been faithful to every trust confided to his care; and the citizens of Madison County recognize in him one to whom they may safely confide the highest public interests. His genial disposition and unaffected manners everywhere win for him the personal esteem of those with whom he
comes in contact, and have gained for him a wide-spread popularity. Perhaps, of all the many portraits of distinguished and represen- tative citizens of this county that appear in this volume, there is not one that will be more warmly appreciated or greeted with greater favor than that which is presented in connection with this brief personal memoir.
LLEN S. WHITMAN. In these days of luxurious travelling in finely ap- pointed palaces on wheels it seems incredible that only ninety years ago the greater part of the beautiful State of New York was almost an impenetrable wilderness. But in the year 1800, when the grandfather of our subject, John Whitman, came from Rhode Island to New York, seeking a location for a home, he found that Madison County, then included in Chenango County, New York, was indeed scarcely more than a forest. Yet, being pleased with the country, he secured a tract of land, which is now in- cluded in the town of Lenox, fashioned a log house, and, returning to Rhode Island, gath- ered up his few effects, and with his family came to his new home, and here settled for life. His principal work was felling trees, clearing land, and tilling the soil; and, while meeting with many discouragements, disap- pointments, and hardships, he still succeeded in wresting from "Mother Earth " a com- fortable subsistence, and remained on the farm until his death, at a good old age. He took an active part in building up the coun-
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try around him, and lived to see the place grow from a wilderness into a well-settled and wealthy community. His son, Franklin M., the father of our subject, was born in Lenox, Madison County, N. Y. He was fort- unatc in receiving a good education, and in early manhood taught winter school for sev- eral terms. Hc purchased a farm near the old home, and lived there until 1866, spend- ing the last few years of his life in the vil- lage of Clockville, where he died at the age of sixty-three. His wife was Miss Mary Stewart. She was born in the town of Fen- ner, Madison County, daughter of Thomas and Janet Stewart. She now lives in Syra- cuse. There were four children born to this marriage; namely, Allen S., Charlotte, Zulma, and Netta.
Allen S. Whitman was born in the town of Lenox in 1836, and was the eldest son. He received his education in the district school of his town and in the academy of Peterboro, Madison County, and, when not in school, assisted his father on the farm. At his mar- riage his parents moved to Clockville, leav- ing him in charge of the farm, which became his on the death of his father. It is still in his possession, and comprises two hundred acres, all under splendid cultivation. In 1883 he removed to Oneida, and has become permanently identified with the interests of the village. He is a dealer in hops, also a dry-goods merchant, and is very successful in his affairs.
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