USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
ATHAN S. WHITFORD was born Brookfield, N. Y., August 4, 1854. Ilis great-great-grandfather was Joshua Whitford, a native of Connecticut, who settled in Rensselaer County, at a place now called Berlin. His great - grandfather was also named Joshua, and was born in 1765. He was one of the earliest known settlers of Madison County, having bought a tract of land here in 1794. This place is still owned by his descendants. The grandfather, Will- iam Whitford, was from Berlin, and came with his father to Brookfield, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and where he resided until his death. The father of our subject was Silas Whitford. He was born in the town of Brookfield, and followed agricult- ural pursuits on the old home farm until his death, in 1892. His wife was Mary, daughter of Nathan Birch, of Rhode Island. They reared seven children - Charlotte, William J., Caroline B., Orson, Mina, Nathan, and Mary.
Nathan, of whom we write, was born in Brookfield, and enjoyed the best advantages of education from the excellent district schools of his town, and assisted his father in the management of the farm until the age of thirty-three years, when he purchased his present home, Spring Brook farm. At the same age he married Miss Angie Clark, daughter of Edwin Clark, of Westerly, R. I. They have one child - Arthur. Mr. Whit- ford is a Seventh-day Baptist, this having been the religion of his ancestors for genera- tions, his grandfather, William Whitford,
446
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
having been for years a Deacon in that church. He also adheres to the prevailing political opinions of his family in being a Prohibition- ist, as they are all devoted to the cause of temperance, and bitterly opposed to the liquor traffic.
Mr. Whitford comes from a long line of ancestry, which is closely identified with the early history of Madison County. The first of the family in this section had literally to mark his way by blazed trees when he started to lay out his home in this new coun- try. In his actual experience of encounters with the savage animals of the forest and the deadly whizz of the stealthy Indian's arrow, he realized all the dreadful terrors which seem incredible to read of to-day. These family histories, which are so prized and carefully preserved, are more accurate and interesting to those personally concerned than any gen- eral historical work could be, and will serve as potent factors in the centuries to come in illustrating what the forefathers of this republic underwent in opening this glorious country.
SEYMOUR HARVEY, an enterpris- ing business man of Oneida, a use- ful citizen, held in much esteem for many sterling traits of character, was born in Washington County, New York, August 14, 1838. Arnold Harvey, grandfather of the above-named, a native of Rutland County, Vermont, removed from that State to Wash- ington County, New York, and thence, two years later, to Durhamville, Oneida County,
where he purchased land, and farmed the place until his death. His wife, Miss Melatta Hall, was born in the same county as her husband, and died at Durhamville, 1885, aged about eighty-three years, the mother of eleven children. Her father, Ammon Hall, an early settler in Oneida County, located himself at Sconondea, and worked a farm there until his death, at about eighty years of age. He mar- ried Miss Grace Peck.
Ira Harvey, son of Arnold and father of Seymour, was born in Washington County, New York, and on reaching manhood be- came a farmer, and also followed his trade of sawyer, remaining in that county until 1844, when he removed to Durhamville, where he resided a short time. Leaving that place, he went to Sconondea, and kept a hotel for two years. Going back at the end of this time to Durhamville, he ran a saw-mill for the next few years, and was finally employed on the Erie Canal until 1880, when ill-health compelled him to cease from active labor. He married Miss Emily Searles, daughter of Gideon Searles, of Washington County, New York, by whom he had three children - Sey- mour, Lucy M., Delos S. Mr. Ira Harvey died in 1884. His widow, vigorous and active at seventy-three years of age, resides in Durhamville.
Our subject was fortunate in receiving a good education in the excellent public schools of Durhamville; and, when he reached the age of twenty-one, having already assisted his father on the canal for a few years, he began boating on his own account. In 1862 he
447
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
sold his boats, and formed a partnership with R. A. Hartwell for dealing in and forward- ing coal. The next year Mr. Azel Clark bought out the interest of Mr. Hartwell, and the business has since continued under the firm name of Clark & Harvey. Their office was in Durhamville until 1870, when the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad was completed, and they established their present fine offices on East Walnut Street, Oneida.
In his early manhood, at twenty-four years of age, Mr. Seymour Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Luthera B. Ure, who was born in Vernon, Oneida County, N. Y., daughter of William and Laura Ure. It is but a small tribute to the many excellences of this estimable lady to say that she illus- trates in her life the Scripture sayings that a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, that his heart doth safely trust in her, to which may be added that her own works do praise her. Three children were born in their happy home, two of whom, William H. and Marion G., here grew to maturity. The youngest, Laura W., was taken from them in 1883, at the tender age of five months. The son, William H., a young man of much prom- ise, is superintendent of the Howe & Harrison Iron Company's works at Bessemer, Ala., one of the largest in the State. The daughter, Marion, is the wife of C. E. Eager, a pros- perous jeweller, of Syracuse, N. Y.
In the Masonic Order Seymour Harvey is a bright and shining light, pursuing his life on the "square " with his neighbors, and keeping a "level " head, with his "compass "
set true, guiding him to his eternal home. In his politics he follows the fortunes of the Democratic party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. Ever actively interested in the progress of the village of Oneida, for more than thirty years he has been one of the foremost in looking toward any enterprise which would benefit the community. He was one of the original stockholders of the Oneida Street Railroad, and is also connected with a large manufacturing company here. He is an energetic worker in the Young Men's Christian Association, and through his strong personality and sagacious counsel makes his influence widely felt. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey attend the Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Harvey is a communicant. In a beautiful part of the city, surrounded with shade-trees and smooth-shaven lawns, is the pleasant dwelling to which at the close of the day's business Mr. Harvey returns, feeling that for rest and quiet enjoyment "there is no place like home."
OHN BETTINGER was born in March, 1823, in the town of Sullivan, a son of Leonard and Laney (Lower) Bettinger, natives of the State of New York. The grandfather, Baltis Bettinger, was born in Germany, and upon arriving in America settled in the valley of the Mohawk. He afterward moved to the town of Sullivan, and took up six hundred acres of land. He was an early settler here, and a prominent man among the people. He had a family of six sons, all of whom are dead. He died in the
448
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
town of Manlius, at the age of eighty years. The father of our subject was a farmer, and owned and worked two hundred acres of land. He lived to the venerable age of eighty-four, dying in the year 1863. His wife died in 1870, at the age of eighty years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Chittenango, N.Y. Mr. Bettinger was a Democrat in politics. His family consisted of eight sons and three daughters, of whom only two survive, John and Jacob. The latter resides on the old home farm in the town of Sullivan, N. Y.
It was not the privilege of John Bettinger to receive a college education, for those insti- tutions of learning were then very few; but he made the best use of what he could gain in the district schools, and, when not studying, assisted his father in the toilsome labors of the field, and helped his mother in her duties around the home, thus evincing his filial love to her who had not only her ordinary domes- tic work to do, but also was compelled to card, weave, spin, and make clothes for the family. He was twenty-one years of age be- fore he ever wore a tailor-made suit. Upon reaching manhood, he bought a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres in the town of Sullivan. In 1848 he married Miss Sarah Richards, who was a native of the town of Sullivan. The home of this estimable couple has been blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom survive: Cornelia, Mrs. W. S. Siver, of Chittenango, N.Y .; Frank, residing in Chittenango; Austin J., a farmer in the town of Sullivan, N. Y. ; Marcus C. and George K.,
both in California; Edwin N., in Oregon; Richard C., on the home farm; Horatio Seymour, in California; Damon, at home; and John L., in Syracuse. Minnie E. died at the age of twenty-five years, Edwin at the age of eight, and an infant unnamed. In 1876 Mr. Bettinger bought the farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres on which he now resides. Here he is engaged in general farming, and has a fine herd of from twenty to thirty head of Jersey and Holstein cattle. To this stock he devotes a great deal of atten- tion, and with wonderful success.
Mr. and Mrs. Bettinger are liberal and independent in their religious views, believ- ing in the broad mantle of Christian charity and the inherent right of each to follow his own opinions. In politics Mr. Bettinger is one of the most earnest supporters of the Democratic party. By unremitting industry and perseverance he has acquired a well- improved farm, on which he has reached a comfortable state of independence and pros- perity. Liberal-minded in his dealings with his neighbors, as in his religion, he knows no creed or politics in his relations with his fellow-men, and is universally respected and esteemed in his town and county, as is also his estimable wife.
TTO PFAFF, M.D., a successful and well-known physician of Oneida, is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity in this county. He has been in practice in Oneida since 1891, having
449
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
graduated from the Medical Department of the University of New York in 1888. He is a son of Jacob Pfaff, a farmer, who came from Germany thirty-six years ago, and set- tled in the town of Croghan, Lewis County. Here Otto Pfaff was reared on a farm, but, being naturally of a studious disposition, improved his educational opportunities and acquired a fair schooling, attending the dis- trict schools, as he had opportunity, until he was nineteen years old, and afterward the Union Free School at Carthage, Jefferson County. While in attendance at this school he boarded with Dr. N. G. Ferguson, who took a kindly interest in his intellectual wel- fare and development, and directed his atten- tion to the study of medicine. In 1885 Mr. l'faff began the study of medicine with Dr. Ferguson, and afterward attended the Medical Department of the University of New York, graduating from that institution March 8, 1888.
Almost immediately afterward he located in Turin, Lewis County, opened his office, and began the practice of his chosen profession alone, acting in this respect against the advice of the local physicians, who thought he should first associate himself with some regularly established practitioner. But, hav- ing confidence in himself, he disregarded their advice, and had the satisfaction of see- ing his judgment vindicated, the result being an unqualified success. This was, in part at least, owing to his natural ability and adapta- tion to his profession, to which he had given much study and independent investigation.
Remaining in that location three years, he was in the second year elected to the Presi- dency of the Lewis County Medical Society. He soon after removed to Oneida, where he has been located ever since.
He was married in Oneida, N. Y., to Della T. Williams, who was born in Rome, N. Y., and who persuaded him to locate in this place, though somewhat against his will. The re- moval having been made, he has had no occa- sion to regret it, as he now has a large and profitable practice. He has attained a high rank in his profession, and is deservedly pop- ular, both as a practitioner and as a private individual. In his politics he is a Democrat, though he never has been an office-seeker or office-holder. Fraternally, he is a Mason, being a member of Oneida Lodge, No. 270, and an Odd Fellow, belonging to Eumenia Lodge, No. 296. In general, he is one of the best citizens of the place.
OLOMON B. GATES, of the town of Lebanon, N. Y., was born there May 22, 1826. Far away in his New England home the grandfather, Aaron Gates, heard of the beautiful country so pro- ductive and so much milder in climate than his own native State, and, becoming imbued with the same spirit of adventure that had brought his ancestors from far across the seas to this land of liberty, he decided to seek a new home in this lauded section. It was in the latter years of the last century that he left Connecticut and came to New York
-
450
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
State, settling in the town of Lebanon. As it was with many pionecrs, the results of his anticipation were not nearly so rosy - hued when found as when imagined; and dreary and desolate enough it was, when they reached this "promised land," to find it an untrodden forcst, where their very pathway had to be marked by blazed trces, and their fitful slumbers in the wild woods broken by the weird cries of the denizens of the forest and the treacherous step of the lurking Ind- ian. His first work, on sceing the unpromis- ing condition of things, was to make what protection he could for himself and family. He built a log cabin, and at first cleared enough of the land to raise what would about support them in cereal food, for their meat having to depend on the game which abounded in the forest. He afterward teamed to Al- bany for his livelihood. He spent his last days on the original farm he had laid out. The father of our subject, Silas A. Gates, was born in the town of Lebanon, and was a carpenter by trade. In his boyhood days he lived near Syracuse, N.Y., when it was little more than a village, and it was no uncommon thing to see fights between the dogs and bears, the latter of which were very plentiful at that time. He married Miss Caroline Baker, daughter of Solomon Baker, who lived in the eastern part of the town of Lebanon; and they resided on the farm where Mr. Gates was born, and which is now owned by F. D. Scymour.
Solomon B. Gates grew up on the home farm, and received a good education in the
district schools. When he reached the age of manhood, he made a most fortunate mar- riage in his union with Miss Ursula Watrous, daughter of Harry Watrous, of Lebanon, him- self a descendant of onc of the pioneer settlers of the town. There were four children given them by Providence to bless their household, namely: Nellie, wifc of Frank Purdy, of Sherburne, N.Y .; Della, residing at home; Frank N., an employce of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and now residing in Utica, N.Y .; and Lena, wife of Charles Burd, and the mother of one child, Harry Solomon.
Mr. Gates resides at present in Earlville, N.Y. Realizing the importance of a correct position in politics, he considers that in the Republican party the best safeguard for the prosperity of the country is to be found, and therefore is to be found in its ranks. In his domestic life and worldly affairs he enjoys peace and prosperity, and fully deserves all the blessings he has received.
APTAIN THOMAS JEFFERSON RANDALL, deccased, one of the ear- liest settlers of Oneida and one of the most enterprising of its citizens during his lifetime, was born in New Hampshire, March 1, 1811. His paternal grandfather, who was of sturdy New England stock, fol- lowed the sea for many years, as captain of a sailing-vessel. His grandmother, who was of the robust Whitcomb family, lived to be one hundred and five years old.
:
T. J. RANDALL.
453
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Captain Thomas Jefferson Randall was the fourth son in a family of six sons and three daughters. Beginning his active life on the farm with his father, he remained thus en- gaged until he was nine years old; and from that time until he was fourteen years old he attended school at Keene, N.H. Leaving school when about fourteen years of age, he then engaged in general merchandising. Somewhat later, his father having sold the home farm, which was known as the Sterling place, he began to work for Horace Saxton, contractor, who at the time was constructing a dam across the Susquehanna River at Nan- tucot Falls. This kind of labor was congen- ial to young Randall, and the splendid ability which he afterward displayed then first mani- fested itself to a noticeable degree. Com- pleting his engagement with Mr. Saxton, he next became interested in the stage business at Elmira, and for four years conducted a mail line between that place and Canning. Then, returning to his parents, who had re- moved to Oneida Valley. he was married April 28, 1833, to Amanda Lampman, daugh- ter of Abram and Susan (Hoffman) Lamp- man, early settlers at Oneida Lake. Mrs. Randall was born January 25, 1816. At the time of the marriage of Mr. Randall and Miss Lampman there was no village, or even settle- ment, where now stands the pleasant and prosperous village of Oneida, nothing being there but a low. long stretch of wet land. In 1834 Mr. Randall settled where that village now stands, and in connection with Sands Higinbotham built the first saw-mill in
Madison County. This mill was located at the foot of Madison Street. Mr. Randall and Mr. Higinbotham were the first permanent settlers there, and both of these gentlemen are appropriately represented in this volume.
Having thus become interested in the building of saw-mills and grist-mills, Mr. Randall started out from the little hamlet of Oneida with a team for Milwaukee, Wis., the trip requiring thirty-one days. Reaching Wisconsin, he engaged in building mills at Waukesha and several other places in Wis- consin, and after his return to Oneida built the Gordon Block, and later the Eagle Hotel and other buildings, which were destroyed in 1844. Superintendent Phelps, of the Syra- cuse and Utica division of the New York Central Railroad, learning of Mr. Randall's special ability as a contractor and builder, sought and obtained his services as Deputy Superintendent of that division; and in this capacity Mr. Randall continued to labor until the consolidation of the road in 1855, when he accepted a similar position on the Great Western Railroad between Quebec and Wind- sor. Subsequently he was actively engaged in the construction of the Chicago & North- western Railroad from Dixon, Ill., to the Mississippi River, and thence to Cedar Rapids, Ia. By too close application to his work he injured his sight, and was troubled with an affection of the eyes for two years. Returning again to Oneida, he built several private houses, and took charge of the Oneida Creek bridge for the Syracuse and Utica di- vision of the New York Central Railroad.
454
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Subsequently Mr. Randall became Inspector and Roadmaster of the Midland Railroad be- tween Oswego and New Berlin, in which capacity he had charge of that road for some time, giving excellent satisfaction.
Mr. Randall's first experience as a public official was as Deputy Sheriff of Madison County, holding this position until the death of Sheriff Stone; and then he was appointed by the Governor of the State to fill the vacancy. Mr. Randall was President of the Village Board of Trustees, was Road Com- missioner and President of the village of Oneida in 1880. His military services dur- ing the War of the Rebellion were of much more than ordinary value to his country. In 1862 he was commissioned Captain, and raised Company B for the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, the company containing one hundred and three men. This company left camp on Sep- tember 2, 1862, for the seat of war. Captain Randall was a brave soldier, and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg. In conse- quence of active service in the war his health failed, and he was compelled to resign.
Shortly before entering the army, Mr. Randall was married the second time to Caroline Saultsman, daughter of Peter W. and Mary (Fox) Saultsman. Mrs. Randall still survives, and is pleasantly situated in her Oneida home. Mr. Randall's life was full of honorable labor and achievements, his toil being more than ordinarily fruitful in its results. Weighed in the balance, his life, in human judgment, was not found wanting,
either as to his work or his character. On one occasion he met with a severe wound from the accidental discharge of his gun, the result being the loss of his left arm. He was always interested in the progress and development of the village of Oneida; and it was largely through his active labor and generosity that land sufficient was given to the leaders of different industrial enter- prises to induce them to establish themselves in this place, the Oneida Casket Factory being one of the notable instances of this kind. Mr. Randall was also interested in Sylvan Beach, where he built the first cot- tages, and gave cottage lots to many others, with the view of making that place a summer resort, which it has since become. Mr. Randall died at his cottage at Sylvan Beach on Sunday morning, September 18, 1892, leaving no children of his own, and but one adopted child, Maude Randall, who was born July 25, 1875, and who now lives with Mrs. Randall at her home on Main Street, Oneida.
Many of the citizens of Oneida have always taken a deep and active interest in the growth and prosperity of their village. They have always been enterprising and public-spirited men; but it is doubtful if any of them ever have taken a more active and influential part in securing this growth and prosperity than did Mr. Randall, who contributed very largely to the upbuilding of what is now the largest village in Madison County. It is altogether within the limits of truth to say that but for this interest on his part the village would have been far less prosperous than at present.
155
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
It is a pleasant task to publish in this work even a brief and imperfect narrative of the life and deeds of such a man.
The portrait of Captain Randall which appears in connection with this sketch shows a man with a good record both as a soldier and a civilian, - a patriotic and useful citi- zen, whose services entitle him to be held in honored remembrance.
NDREW J. MARSH was born in Brookfield, N. Y., December 9, 1839. His great-grandfather, Elder Na- thaniel Marsh, was a native of Connecticut. and came from there to Madison County, pur- chasing a tract of land near North Brookfield. He was a stirring, active man, and a promi- nent elder in the church, having for many years preached with great zeal, and giving so much time and attention to the religious progress of the country as to be looked upon almost as "the church" itself. The grand- father of our subject, James Marsh, left Con- necticut later than his father, but settled on the home farm, where he died.
Mr. Marsh's father, Isaac Marsh. was left early in life to take care of himself, and started out first in the town of Otselic, Che- nango County, N. Y., where he carried on a farm, and also made potash. While there, he married Miss Betsey Miller, who bore him two children, Sarah and Hannah, and shortly after died. Later he removed to Brookfield, N. Y., and married Miss Abigail Moore. There were five children born to this mar-
riage; namely, Betsey, Paulina, Abigail, An- drew J., and Marion. The father died in 1861, and the mother in 1864.
Andrew J. Marsh was fortunate in gaining a fine education in the public schools, and adopted mercantile pursuits for his profession, assisting in his father's store until the age of twenty-one. Then, his father dying, he was obliged to return and take charge of the old homestead, but later took his present farm, erected a comfortable house, and has since devoted himself to the work of agriculture. He was married, when twenty-one years of age, to Miss Emily Parker, daughter of Daniel and Harriet Parker. Of this union there are three children; namely, Allen, Arlie E., and Claudius A. Allen married Miss Inez Ingals, of Hamilton, N. Y. Arlie E. is an intelligent and talented young lady, a graduate of the North Brookfield Union School. She has taught the primary depart- ment of the academy for four years, and will the coming year have charge of the inter- mediate classes. Her marked ability as a teacher is already well recognized; and, it apparently being her natural vocation, her success in reaching the highest ranks in her profession may be considered assured. The younger son. Claudius, is a student of great promise. He stands among the highest in his classes, and is said to be one of the best scholars in Brookfield.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.