USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 39
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old when she came with her parents to Madi- son County. She died July 28, 1876. She was the mother of four children: John, who died in Delaware County, Iowa, November 2, 1892; Varnum W .; Wellington J .; and Cla- rissa C. Her grandparents were Peleg and Dinah Wilcox; and her parents were Peleg Wilcox (Jr.) and Thankful Wilcox, both na- tives of New England, her father having been born in Rhode Island in 1776. He grew to manhood in the place of his nativity, learning when young to do all kinds of work incident to an agricultural life. In 1804, deciding that he could farm to a better advantage in the fresh and unbroken soil of some Western State, he emigrated to New York, bringing with him his family and all household effects. He secured a tract of timber land in the town of Lebanon, and at once began the erection of a log house. He had no sawed lumber, but hewed out the boards to cover the roof and floor, and, having no doors, hung a quilt in the doorway. At that time wolves roamed the woods, making frequent depredations on the flocks; and on one occasion, when they had been unusually aggressive, Mr. Lilly- bridge and the neighbors, joining forces, gave chase to the invader, and he, riding a small mare, caught and killed the wolf. This was but a single incident in the experiences which followed during the many years of toil and hardships required to overcome the difficulties besetting the pathway of the early pioneer. With characteristic energy Mr. Wilcox con- tinued the work of converting the wilderness into a beautiful garden spot, covered with
waving grass and growing grain, and at the time of his death, in 1846, had an excellent farm under good cultivation, amply supplied with substantial frame buildings.
The subject of this personal history was reared in his native town, receiving his ele- mentary education in its district schools, and subsequently attending the schools of. Smyrna and Earlville. When at home, he assisted his father in the management of the farm, becom- ing familiar with the details pertaining to it, and finally succeeded his father in its owner- ship, which he still retains, and, in addition, has become the possessor of the land formerly belonging to his grandfather Wilcox, so that he has now an extensive farm, containing six hundred and fifty-six acres. In 1885 Mr. Lillybridge gave up the active cares of farm life, and moved to Earlville, where he has since resided. In 1850 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah A. Allen, a native of Madison County, and born in Brookfield, of New England ancestry, her grandfather, Samuel Allen, son of Christopher Allen, having been born in Hopkinton, R.I. He married Sarah Kinyon, and emigrated from Rhode Island to Oneida County, New York, in 1806. Soon after they came to Madison County, and located in Brookfield, where they cleared a farm, and spent the remainder of their lives. They reared two children, Stead- man and Edward D. The latter, born in Brookfield in 1808, was the father of Mrs. Lillybridge. He was reared, educated, and spent his entire life in his native county. Becoming early initiated into the mysteries of
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farming, he followed that occupation as long as able, and spent his declining years, ten- derly cared for, in the pleasant home of his daughter, the wife of our subject. His death took place July 29, 1893.
The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married in 1827, was Caroline Button. She was born in Brookfield, May 5, 1805, a daughter of John P. and Betsey (Palmenter) Button, both natives of Hopkinton, R.I. Leaving New England, they came to Madison County, and, purchasing a tract of land which was still in its primitive condition, erected a log house, which the family occupied for some years, and at once began to prepare the land for tillage. The town was then sparsely populated, the markets very distant, and the nearest mill thirty-six miles away. This Mr. Button had to visit occasionally; and, as there was no road, a part of the distance he had to follow a trail. It took three days to accomplish the round trip, the family being left alone in the mean while; and, as the wilderness was inhabited by wolves, bears, and other wild animals, and Indians were in the habit of making frequent calls at the cabin, it was an anxious period for him as well as for his family. After a while he erected a mill at Brookfield, the first in the vicinity, which he successfully operated. Being a natural mechanic, and carpenters much needed in the new and growing town, Mr. Button worked for a number of years at that trade, being quite successful. His death occurred in 1839, and Mrs. Button's in 1852. The mother of Mrs. Lillybridge died in
Smyrna in 1876. She reared six children - David, Hannah, Erotus, Robert, Sarah, and Freeman.
To our subject and his wife were born four children. Emma Oliva died at the age of ten years. John W. died when eight years old. Olive died at the age of six years. Mary, who was born August 1, 1856, married Delos Finch; and they have a family of four children - John W., Jay, Raymond, and Cla- rissa. Mr. and Mrs. Lillybridge are mem- bers of the Baptist church, and are ever zealous in all good and charitable works.
A LVIN DUANE CHESEBRO. There are few in the county who can count an ancestry any farther back than this gentleman, his great-great-grand- father, Christopher Chesebro, having been a farmer in the days of the colonists, when the New England States were first settled, and his great-grandfather, Harris Chesebro, hav- ing been among the first to explore the track- less forests which now constitute Madison County. It was before the present century ; and he made his home in the then thinly settled portion of Brookfield, near the present site of what is now known as Clarksville, N. Y. Besides carrying on his little farm, he plied his trade of tailor, going from house to house, cutting and directing the making of the garments which had been spun and woven by the mother of the household. His wife was Miss Patty Champlain, and she was also a native of the Eastern States. In their new
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home Mr. and Mrs. Harris Chesebro reared nine children; namely, Patty, Harris, Lydia, Samuel, Rhoda, Phoebe, Nathan, Jared, and Ely.
Jared Chesebro, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was reared on the farm of his father. As a matter of course, the educational privi- leges of that time were exceedingly limited; but, having a naturally bright mind and quick intelligence, he made the very best use of the opportunities afforded him, and after his day's work was done spent his evenings in hard study over the few books that had been brought from the old New England home. The same studious habits which characterized him as a boy have clung to him always; and to-day, at the age of eighty-five years, he is well read and well posted in current events. When he left home, he was very young; and he went to work out by the month for the farmers around Brookfield. By economy and thrift he was soon able to purchase sixteen acres of land, which formed the nucleus of the beauti- ful farm of three hundred acres which to-day forms the homestead residence. Little by little, year by year, a few acres were added before the present large area was obtained; and many an anxious hour was passed, and many a sacrifice made, before the requisite sum was earned to pay for the coveted pur- chase. But he could not have accomplished this unless the hand that managed his house- hold affairs had been thrifty and economical; and fortunate, indeed, was he in possessing a wife who was a fitting helper in his struggle in life. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of
Zebulon and Sarah Brown, who were origi- nally from Petersburg, N.Y. By her careful management and wise counsels he was able to carry on successfully his outdoor affairs, knowing full well that no waste or extrava- gance in the home would counteract his efforts to save expenses. They had two chil- dren, J. Hiram and Rhoda L. The latter died when two years old. The grandmother is still living -an active, hearty lady of eighty-four years - and enjoys, with her be- loved husband, the happiness of a serene old age. Hand in hand they have walked the pathway of life, confident in their love for each other; and no more beautiful and peace- ful home can be found than theirs. Jared Chesebro is now eighty-five years old, and is still a keen, active man, with a memory which easily recalls all the stirring events of the days when he himself, a native of the county, grew up with it from its very earliest settlement. He served as Road Commis- sioner for six years.
Their only son, Hiram, assisted in carrying on the farm, and, when he became of age, purchased the place adjoining, where he still resides. He is a man of more than ordinary importance in the county, and is universally respected and esteemed. He has been As- sessor for three terms. He married Miss Harriet S., daughter of Alric and Drury Williams, of Brookfield; and they have three children - Alvin Duane, Ora D., and Ida Louisa. Ora D. married Arthur Page, of Brookfield, N.Y .; and they have one son, who is named Alvin.
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Alvin Duane is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Chesebro, and was born on the old homestead in 1855. Until eighteen years of age he attended school and resided with his parents. He then married, and assumed the management of the farm, until failing health compelled him to relinquish its duties, and he removed to Brookfield. His health improving, in company with D. F. Maine he opened a hardware store, but after a short time sold out his interest, and returned to the farm of his grandfather, where he superintends and man- ages affairs. His wife was formerly Hattie A. Hinkley, of Brookfield; and she is a daugh- ter of Daniel and Jennie (Keith) Hinkley. Our subject and his wife have an adopted son, William Le Roy. They are members of the Methodist church, as are now all the family, though originally Quakers. In their political affiliations Alvin D. Chesebro, his father and grandfather, are adherents of the Republican party. The Chesebro family stand among the most prominent and respected in the com- munity, having always conducted themselves in such a manner as to command the regard which is entertained for them.
ZRA MASON, of North Brookfield, N. Y., was born in Stockbridge, Madi- County, N. Y., June 26, 1831.
son
Martin Mason, father of Ezra, was born in 1800, and went to Brookfield with the grandfather and great-grandfather from Rhode Island early in the century. They settled on a place near North Brookfield on the road
to Clarksville, N. Y., where the grandfather and great-grandfather remained permanently. Martin Mason was educated in the district school of the neighborhood, and worked on the new farm until his manhood. He then removed to Stockbridge, and bought a farm, living there for some years. In 1845 he went to Michigan, and located himself near Grand Rapids, residing there until his death, in 1876. His wife before marriage was Miss Maria Powers. Her birthplace was at Au- gusta, Oneida County, N.Y.
The names of their children were Salis- bury, Marie, Statira, Rochester, Malvina, Ezra, Louisa, Armenia, Sarah, and Elliot. The mother also died in Michigan.
Ezra Mason remained during his boyhood on the home farm, and at the age of fourteen years went to live with Mr. Garrett, staying there until his twenty-first year, receiving what educational training was possible in the village school. He worked for Mr. Garrett two years after he reached his majority. At the end of that time he married Miss Liver- more. He then formed a partnership with his employer to carry on general farming and hop culture. A few years later, having become fascinated with the marvellous stories of the great Western country, Mr. Mason took a trip to Ohio, and liked it so well that he remained there eighteen years, engaged in agricultural pursuits and teaming. But his old love for his native State asserted itself so strongly that in 1883 he returned to Madison County, and has since lived on his small but fine farm in North Brookfield. His only child, Warren
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Oscar, married Miss Ada Hout; and they have one son, Charlie.
Mr. Mason is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to a lodge in Ohio. He and his family attend the Baptist church. In his political faith Mr. Mason is a strong Republican, and gives that party his active and steady support. Having had the varied experience which travel and contact with the world gives, he is a man of ripe knowledge and sound judgment. Among his townspeople his advice is valued; and his good, practical sense is recognized by all. He is widely known in the county as worthy of the respect and regard which are freely accorded to him.
TEPHEN R. CAMPBELL, a resi- dent of Lebanon, Madison County, N. Y., and for many years a highly successful teacher in the public schools, was born in this town in 1846. His grandfather, Daniel Campbell, a native of New England, settled in the town of Sullivan, N.Y., where he resided a few years, and then moved to the town of Lebanon, where he followed farming until the time of his death. He was one of three brothers who were prominent in the early settlement of Central New York. An- other of the brothers settled in the town of Paris, Oneida County, and died there at the age of ninety years.
Daniel Kennedy Campbell, son of Daniel above named, was born in the town of Sulli- van, February 4, 1811, and, after receiving a
fair education in the village schools, turned his attention to farming. For a few years after his marriage he lived on the border line of Chenango County, New York; and, when he returned to the town of Lebanon, he bought a tract of land which is included in the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. On this tract were a primitive log house and a small clearing, which constituted all the im- provements then. He made in a short time a very marked change in the place, building fine stables, barns, and a good residence. He married Theodosia M. Barr, who was born in Belchertown, Mass., June 12, 1810. Her father was Joseph Barr, who, so far as can be learned, was also a native of that town. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born eight chil- dren, seven boys and one girl. Avis L. grew to womanhood, and died at the age of twenty- seven years. The sons' names were Nathan- iel B., David, Francis M., Stephen R., James D., Adelbert L., and Morell W. The mother, Mrs. Theodosia M. Campbell, died July 22, 1883; the father, Daniel K. Camp- bell, at the home of his son Stephen, Decem- ber 30, 1890, when within a few weeks of completing his eightieth year. When Mr. Joseph Barr decided to move to the State of New York, he left his New England home, making the journey by ox-team with his fam- ily, including Theodosia, who was then a girl of twelve years, and by the same conveyance bringing all his earthly possessions. He came by way of Albany, N.Y., and settled in the town of Lebanon upon a tract which he pur- chased of the land agents. As was the case
WILLIAM TAYLOR.
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with much of the land here in those days, his purchase was well wooded; that is, entirely covered with trees, which he had to cut down to lay out his farm. This is the place where our subject now resides. The wife of Mr. Barr, Miss Ruth Waite before marriage, was also of Massachusetts. She shared the journey and the hardships of her husband in his pio- neer life, and died, full of years and of good works, in 1853.
Stephen R. Campbell acquired the princi- pal part of his early education at the Brook- field Academy, and later took a course of study at the Hamilton Seminary. For twenty-four years, almost continuously, he has taught school, and has achieved a first- class reputation as an educator. He suc- ceeded his uncle in the ownership of the splendid farm of one hundred and forty acres upon which he now resides. He was married to Miss Alice Newcomb on the 24th of Sep- tember, 1872. She was born in Rome, N.Y .; and her parents were Waldo and Sarah (Boss) Newcomb, of Corning, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have six sons and one daughter. They are Daniel B., Miss S. Dotia, John E., George B., Clark W., Earl M., and C. Ray. Their third child, Olin, died at the age of nearly two years.
Mr. Campbell has been shown the high appreciation in which he is held by his towns- men in having been thrice elected a member of the County Board of Supervisors for the town of Lebanon, although he is a Democrat, and his town is largely Republican in poli- tics. In the fraternal orders he is associated
with Lebanon Lodge, No. 582, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his work as a teacher he has never been unmindful of the fact that the proper education of youth is a primary and most important consideration in our republic, and that his vocation is second to none in usefulness and dignity. In the ranks of this honorable profession he holds a leading place, his intelligence and scholarly attainments being well supplemented by his urbanity and tact as a teacher.
ILLIAM TAYLOR, M.D., a suc- cessful practising physician of Can- astota, and a representative of one of the first pioneer families of Madison County, is a worthy member of a most honorable and useful profession - a profession the study and practice of which, and the general diffusion of the knowledge peculiar thereto, are doing much to relieve mankind from the ills to which flesh is heir, and also to add to the general enlightenment of the world.
Dr. Taylor was born in the town of Nelson, four miles east of Cazenovia, January 18, 1839. His father, William Taylor, was born in an adjoining town, and was a son of Thomas Taylor, who was born in Connecticut about 1787, and died about January 1, 1865, on his farm in the town of Fenner. He was of English descent ; and his wife, Alpha Bal- lou, was of French. When about twelve years of age, Thomas Taylor was brought to the State of New York by his parents, who settled in Oswego County, where the lad was
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trained to work on a farm, and thus early inured to habits of industry and economy, which were of great benefit to him through life, and which were inherited by his posterity. He became a successful farmer and lumber manufacturer, following both these occupa- tions throughout his life. He and his wife were the parents of four sons and one daugh- ter, of whom William, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was the second child and son. Orrin, the third of the family, was a successful farmer, and owned a saw-mill. He died at Pratt's Hollow in 1890, aged seventy- five years. His only son, Thomas, now lives in Peterboro, N.Y. Otis, the youngest son, was a man of education, taught school several years, and was for some time School Superin- tendent. Ruth is the wife of William S. Martindale, of Peterboro, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Martindale have buried one son, who served in the Union army during the late War of the Rebellion; and they have one son and two daughters still living.
William Taylor was accidentally killed in his saw-mill on his farm in 1869. He left a widow and four children, all of whom are still living, namely: William Taylor, M.D .; Charles H., a farmer of the town of Fenner; James Otis, a tinsmith of Fulton, Oswego County ; and Willard O., a grocer and baker of Canastota. Mrs. Taylor, retaining her strength and her faculties to a remarkable degree for a woman of her years, which are fourscore and one, is tenderly cared for in the home of her eldest son, the subject of the present sketch.
Dr. William Taylor received a better edu- cation than in his early youth and manhood usually fell to the lot of young men in coun- try towns. He was permitted to attend the district schools, and afterward he completed his literary education at Peterboro Academy. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, and taught three successive winters, in the mean time studying medicine, at first with Dr. Powers Mead at Nelson, and after his death with Dr. H. P. Mead, of Morris- ville. After taking a course of lectures in Buffalo, N. Y., he attended the University of the City of New York, graduating therefrom in March, 1862. From April to October, that year, he practised his profession in Munns- ville, and in the latter month volunteered as an Assistant Surgeon in the Twenty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and was mus- tered out in May, 1863, at Elmira. Afterward he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Eightieth New York Volunteer Infantry of Ulster County, serving under Surgeon Robert Loughran, the latter, however, being absent from the command most of the time, and Dr. Taylor being, in fact, surgeon of the regi- ment. He was mustered out at Hart's Island in February, 1866, having faithfully served his country in the trying period of the war. Dr. Taylor was a charter member of Reese Post, No. 49, Grand Army of the Republic, and was Commander of the Post four succes- sive years. In politics he is a loyal and true Republican, was Coroner of Madison County nine years in succession, and is now Presi- dent of the Board of Pension Examiners for
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Madison County. Few men take greater interest in educational matters than Dr. Tay- lor, he having for years been a member of the Board of Education of Canastota - a board which is known throughout the State for its unusual success in educational work. Nor does the Doctor by any means neglect busi- ness affairs, having been a stockholder in the glass works since their establishment, and owning large quantities of real estate in Can- astota, which is mainly in lots and dwellings, one of the latter being a fine residence near the new Trinity Church, which is the home of the Doctor and his family.
Doctor Taylor married in January, 1865, in the town of Smithfield, Miss Jennie Mc- Gregor, who lived afterward but sixteen months, and, dying, left no children. The Doctor married the second time in January, 1869, Sarah J. Brewster, who is of the tenth generation from Elder William Brewster. She is a daughter of John N. and Margaret H. (Eagles) Brewster, of North Carolina, was born in Wilmington in that State, and was brought to Syracuse, N. Y., in infancy. She is the only child of her parents that grew to mature years. Her mother died when she was an infant; and her father, who was an artist, died in 1861, at the age of fifty years. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor have two children, namely: William Brewster Eagles, born Jan- uary 11, 1874, and now a student in the aca- demical department of the Canastota schools; and Marguerite Henrietta, born May 7, 1877, also a student in the schools of Canastota. Dr. Taylor and his wife and children belong
to the Episcopal church. The family, being excellent members of society, showing them- selves friendly, have many friends. They are interested in works of philanthropy and char- ity, and whatever is for the betterment of mankind.
The attractiveness and value of this volume of biographies are enhanced by the portrait of Dr. William Taylor, which will be viewed with satisfaction by those who know him inti- mately and know him but to praise, and by those who know him by reputation only, as one of the leading members of his profession in Madison County.
HARLES FAULKNER was born in Brookfield, N. Y., in the first quarter of this century, and died on August 23, 1891, at the age of seventy-one years. This brief memoir is but a slight tribute to the many estimable qualities which made the death of this gentleman a severe loss to his family and friends. He was a son of Friend L. Faulkner, of Connecticut, and a grandson of an elder Charles Faulkner - the first of the name of whom record is here made - who was a native of Guilford, Conn. Friend L. Faulkner with his wife, who before marriage was Miss Azubah Fisk, came to Brookfield at an early period of its history, purchased a tract of land in the heart of the wilderness, made his home here, and reared their nine children - George, Samantha, Sherman, Ed- ward, John, Olive, Friend L., Charles, and Alonzo. All these children received the best
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educational advantages available in those days in the common schools of the district; and the sons were trained at home from their boyhood to the pursuits of farming, the daughters to domestic industries.
In 1855 Mr. Charles Faulkner, son of Friend L. and Azubah (Fisk) Faulkner, mar- ried a daughter of Mr. John Welsh, of Ire- land. February 16, 1838, was the date of her birth. She was one of a family of five chil- dren - William, Ann, Elnora, Mary J., and Eliza.
After his marriage Mr. Faulkner and his wife settled on a farm in Brookfield, N.Y .; and here were born their seven children - Mary Ann, Charles P., Hattie, William Scott, Sherman, Edward I., and Geneva. The children were all well educated in the Brookfield schools. Geneva, the youngest daughter, possessed of good literary attain- ments, is an able teacher, and has taught for two years in Brookfield and some terms in Waterville, N.Y. She is also an excellent business woman, assisting her mother in all her affairs. Mary Ann, the eldest daughter, a few years ago was married to Mr. Alfred Campbell, and is now the mother of two children, Grace and Charles. Hattie is the wife of Mr. Charles Livermore.
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