USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 51
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
ON. JUSTIN DWINELLE. In the annals of Madison County, high among the prominent, prosperous, and influential citizens may be found the name of Justin Dwinelle, for many years an honored resident of Cazenovia. He was iden- tified with its interests from its earliest set- tlement ; for at the time he came here from his Eastern home the country was not very far advanced from its primitive condition, as it took many years to transform the pathless wilderness into smiling farms and flourishing villages. He was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., October 28, 1785. His parents, Stephen and Susanna (Olin) Dwinelle, were, as far as known, natives of New England, and spent their last years in Shaftsbury, Vt., dying at the ages of fifty-five and fifty-three years, respectively. They reared a family of seven children - Henry, Sarah, Stephen, Ebenezer, Justin, Benjamin, and Susanna.
Justin, the subject of this biography, was reared on the farm of his father in the Green Mountain State, receiving his element- ary education in the common schools of his native town, and afterward studied for a time
at Williams College. Ile subsequently en- tered Yale College, and was graduated from there in the class of 1808, with an honorable record as a student. After leaving Yale, he studied law in the office of John Dickinson, of Troy, being admitted to the bar in 1811. The same year he came to Cazenovia, and began his professional career, meeting with such success that in a few years his practice gave him a very large clientage. His ability, comprehensive knowledge, and keen insight into the questions of the day met with ample recognition from the public; and he was soon an important factor of the political arena. He was elected to several important offices, serving first as District Attorney, and later as Judge of the County Court. In 1822 and 1823 Judge Dwinelle was a Member of the General Assembly of New York, and in the latter year was elected as Representative in Congress. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and remained a strong advocate of the principles of that party till his death, which occurred in Cazenovia, September 17, 1850.
Judge Dwinelle was united in marriage September 12, 1813, to Louise Whipple, a native of Madison County, born in Nelson, May 18, 1795. On the paternal side she was of Welsh ancestry, being able to trace the family record back to one John Whipple, who, in company with two brothers, emigrated from Wales to the United States in 1628, and located in New England, presumably in Con- necticut, as his grandson, Ezra Whipple, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Dwinelle, was
486
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
born in Stonington, Conn., in May, 1742. Ezra married Lydia Dow, a native of the same State, born in Plainfield, and spent his last ycars in Vermont. He served under Gen- eral Gates in the Revolutionary War, partici- pating in the battle of Saratoga.
Jeremiah Whipplc, father of Mrs. Dwin- elle, was born in Adams, Berkshire County, Mass., March 22, 1776. In early life he went to Wallingford, Conn., coming from there to Madison County in 1794, being one of the pionecrs of the town of Nelson. Re- maining there but a short time, he came to Cazenovia, and at once identified himself with the business interests of the town, and was for some years engaged in mercantile life. He bought property in the village, and re- sided hcre until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Eunice Hull. She was born in Connecticut, and died in Cazenovia. She was a lineal descendant of Richard Hull, who was a native of England, and one of five brothers - Richard, John, Georgc, Joseph, and Robert - who came to America in Co- lonial times, and settled in New England. From the best information we have, Richard was admitted frceman in Massachusetts, and from there removed to Connecticut. The line of descent is as follows: Richard, John, Joscph, Caleb, and Samuel. The latter was the grandfather of Mrs. Dwinclle. He mar- ried Eunice Cook; and, as far as known, they were lifclong residents of Connecticut.
Mr. and Mrs. Dwinelle reared seven of their nine children - John Whipple, William Henry, Justin, Samuel Hull, Louise S.,
Susan, and James. John and Samuel emi- grated to California, being among the early pioneers of that State, and soon took a promi- nent position among its leading citizens, spending their last years there. Susan, who married Theophilus Fisk, died in Baltimore, Md., 1878. William and Louise live on the old homestead in Cazenovia, which has been in the possession of the family for nearly one hundred years. William began the study of dentistry when a young man, and ere many years reached a high position among his asso- ciates. In 1856 he removed to New York City, where he built up an extensive and lucrative practice, soon ranking among the most skilful and successful members of the profession in the city. The world at large is indebted to him for many improvements in dental surgery, the most important of which is the crown tooth. Never having patented any of his inventions, however, others have reaped the pecuniary benefit of his genius. He is now living, retired, with his sister, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of their pleasant home.
EORGE W. CHAPMAN, counsellor and attorney-at-law at Canastota and a representative of one of the most distin- guished pioneer families of Madison County, was born in Clockville, October 1I, 1847. Though yet comparatively a young man, he has won for himself an enviable reputation in his profession, which is one of the most ex- acting in its demands upon the mental and physical equipment of its devotees. His fa-
487
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ther, William H. Chapman, who is still liv- ing at Clockville, this county, was born in 18 3, and although past his eightieth year, is still actively pursuing his lifelong calling, that of a farmer. He is a son of Colonel Stephen Chapman, of Stonington, Conn., who, when a young man, removed with his wife from his native State to Clockville, Madison County, N.Y. Colonel Chapman was a lawyer by profession, and was also a surveyor, following both professions in this county for many years. He was a leading man of his section of the county, was a Colo- nel of the State militia, Postmaster of his village for several years, a thoroughly practi- cal surveyor, and a successful lawyer. He was married twice, his second wife being Keturah Palmer, of Connecticut, by whom he reared a large family of sons and daughters, William H., the father of the subject of this sketch, being one of the eldest. Three of these children are still living, the others be- sides William H. being Mary Ann, widow of Conrad G. Moot, of Clockville, and Augusta. widow of Clinton L. Cotton, of Canastota. Colonel Chapman lived to a good old age, dying at the age of eighty; and his widow survived him some fifteen years. William H. Chapman married Mary Sayles, of Clockville. a daughter of Silas Sayles, one of the ancient pioneers of the county. She died at the age of thirty-three, leaving two children, George W. and A. F., the latter now living at Clockville. William H. Chapman was afterward married to Ann Taylor, of Auburn. who died in middle life, leaving no children.
George W. Chapman, like most boys of that day in his county, was reared to farm life until he was eighteen years old, having in the mean time received a good education in the district schools and at Cazenovia Semi- nary, which institution he attended for several terms, paying his way therein with five hun- dred dollars which he had inheritel. At the age just mentioned he entered the law office of Chapman & Forbes, of Clockville, and, having successfully pursued the study of his future profession, was admitted to the bar in 1876, and immediately began the practice of his profession in the same office in which he had studied, as a member of the legal firm of Forbes & Chapman. In 1878 he removed to Canastota, where he has since been success- fully engaged in practice. He has been twice elected and twice appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace, and has four years of his second appointive term to serve, the length of his period of service in this responsible position being fully and amply indicative of the satisfaction he has given to his fellow- citizens by the manner of his performance of its duties.
Beginning life with little or no capital, Mr. Chapman has by his own unaided efforts won his way to an enviable position at the bar and a high place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, and has also succeeded in ac- cumulating a comfortable competence by the exercise of his profession. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, with which fraternity he has been connected since 1870, and is a member of Central City Commandery, No.
488
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
25, K. T., of Syracuse; of Mecca Temple, of New York City; also of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. For five successive years he has been Master of the Canastota Lodge, has served as High Priest of Doric Chapter of Oneida, and has for several years been District Deputy Grand Master. He is also an Odd Fellow, and was Grand Master of the State of New York dur- ing 1889 and 1890, and at the present time is Grand Representative of the State to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States and Canada.
Mr. Chapman was married June 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah Wilcox, daughter of A. C. and Catharine (Huyck) Wilcox, both of Clock- ville, a fuller history of which family is con- tained in the sketch of A. C. Wilcox.
OHN FISK was born in the town of Lebanon, Madison County, N. Y., December 6, 1840, and is the third of the name in direct line of descent, his father and grandfather having both borne the name of John. His mother, by maiden name Millie Stevens, was the daughter of Gaylord Stevens, who reared a large family, and was one of the earliest pioneers in this section of whom mention is made in Hammond's His- tory of Madison County.
John Fisk, the father of our subject, was born of poor parents in the year 1797. In early life he possessed few educational advan- tages, there being at that time no district or common schools; but, being of an ambitious
nature, he made up by energy and persever- ance for lack of other advantages. At the age of twenty-one he married, and with a little assistance built a log house in the forest, cleared the land, and with his wife sct up housekeeping and established a home. The first bushel of wheat he bought for seed cost him two dollars. As time went on, he en- larged his clearing, and raised wheat, corn, and other cereals. The first of his larger possessions which he owned in after years he purchased from the original land agents for two dollars or three dollars an acre. This he cleared, felling the trees into large piles or rows and burning them, saving the ashes, from which he manufactured potash - a branch of industry that brought him in a fair income. As his area of cleared land increased, he com- menced sheep-raising; and at times his flock numbered from three to four hundred, which was considered large in those days. So familiar was he with them that he could easily recognize each individual of the flock; and after a heavy winter storm he used often to dig out missing ones from under the snow. In time, thinking dairying more profitable than wool - raising, he sold his sheep, and turned his attention to the former industry, at one time keeping over one hundred cows. He was very successful in his farming opera- tions, adding one farm after another to his already large possessions, until he owned some twelve hundred acres of land.
The marriage of himself and wife was blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters, whose names were as follows :
489
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Albert, Phebe, Olive, Harriet, Ann, Eph- raim, Luman, and John. Of these Albert chie! some forty years ago, and Olive and Ann at a more recent date. The rest are still liv- ing. In politics the father of these children was a lifelong Democrat, voting his ticket when there were but six or seven Democratic ballots cast in his town. Although he could read to some extent and write his name, in all his large business transactions he never kept any book account, trusting to his excel- lent memory, which rarely, if ever, failed him. He never saw a railroad, although in a few years after his death the trains ran in sight of his late residence. At one time he and his wife were regular attendants at church, and in his later years he contributed toward the support of the gospel. From his many acres he gave to each of his sons a good farm; and at his death in March, 1866, he left a will disposing of his property among his sons and daughters.
John Fisk, of whom we write, the young- est of the eight children, being eleven years the junior of the youngest of the others, now lives upon the old homestead in the house where he was born and where his father and mother died, they having built it some ten years before his birth. In his youth he attended the district school, and later the village school, some two miles away. His father objected to his spending so much time at his studies, thinking it wasted, and that he would be better employed working on the farm; but the son persisted, and at last even obtained his father's reluctant consent to at-
tend one winter term (1861-62) at the Caze- novia Seminary. He thus secured a good ed- ucation, and in the spring of 1862 was mar- ried to Miss Nettie A. Morrow, of Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y. After his marriage he settled on one of his father's farms, and has followed agricultural pursuits up to the pres- ent time. He has never sought public office, preferring to devote his time to his own per- sonal matters, but was once elected Excise Commissioner on the No-license ticket in his town. He has always taken a great interest in educational matters, and in this connection has acted as School Trustee in his district. Early in their married life he and his wife connected themselves with the Congregational church in the village of Lebanon, at which they have ever since been constant attendants.
Their union has been graced by four chil- dren, the first being Carrie, who died in in- fancy. The next in order of birth, Cora, attended school several terms at Cazenovia Seminary, and later was graduated from the State Normal School at Albany. She is now a successful teacher in the public schools in Weehawken, N.J., teaching next to the high- est grade in a large school of over two thou- sand pupils, and has occupied this position for the last five years. Ada, the next born, was a young lady of decided musical talent, having first pursued her studies in this di- rection in the Cazenovia Seminary. Later, under the direction of a private teacher in Norwich, N. Y., she became highly accom- plished, and appeared in public several times in that village, receiving the most flattering
490
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
notices from the press of that town. While in Norwich, she became acquainted with Will- iam F. Eldredge, of that place, whom she married, but died in a little less than three years after her marriage, leaving two sons, only one of whom - the elder - is living. He resides with his father in Rochester. The other child of Mr. and Mrs. Fisk is William J., a very promising young man, now nineteen years of age. He has so far spent much of his time in school, and is now in attendance at the Albany Business College.
Mr. Fisk, in connection with his other farming, has of late years devoted some time to the cultivation of small fruit, being very successful with strawberries, some seasons raising over one hundred bushels. He also possesses the only vineyard in his town, it consisting of some seven hundred vines just coming into bearing. Mr. and Mrs. Fisk are among the best known people of their town and county, and are also among the most pop- ular. Their pure and upright lives, pleasant dispositions, and hospitable manners have won them the esteem of all with whom they have come into contact; and few occupy a higher or more respected place in the commu- nity.
UDGE CHARLES L. KENNEDY, deceased, a native of Chittenango, Madison County, was born November 15, 1825. His father, Dr. Samuel Kennedy, was a prominent citizen of Sullivan. He died suddenly in 1849, at the age of fifty-six. At the age of fifteen Charles L. went to Caze-
novia, and entered the office of the Union Herald as an apprentice, remaining until the paper was discontinued some two years after- ward. He subsequently entered the law office of the late Duane Brown, of Morrisville, with whom, after his admission to the bar, he went into partnership. Returning to Chitte- nango in 1850, he formed a partnership with Hon. W. E. Lansing, which lasted until the latter was elected County Clerk; but in 1855 Judge Kennedy returned to Morrisville. In 1858 he was elected successor to Mr. Lans- ing, and at the close of his term resumed his legal practice, in company with Hon. S. F. Holmes. In 1867 he was elected County Judge and Surrogate, and held office by re- election until the time of his death, his last term expiring with the close of that year. In his official capacity Judge Kennedy was accurate and impartial, and was so popular that the Democratic County Convention de- clined to place a candidate in opposition to his re-election in 1877. He was a charter member of Morrisville Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M., and in 1880 was a member of the National Convention at Chicago.
Judge Kennedy was personally a man of the strictest sense of honor, and was affable in his manners and social in nature. As a politi- cian, he was prudent and sagacious, and prob- ably exerted a wider and more controlling political influence in this county during the last twenty-five years than any other man. Yet his political feelings never biassed his official action or interfered with the amenities of his social life. To Morrisville, and in fact
B. FRANKLIN CHAPMAN.
-
A
-
51.
3
493
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Madison County, his death was more than an ordinary loss, and was so felt by all citizens, without regard to party affiliations. During his residence in this county for more than a quarter of a century he contributed liberally of his time and means to all measures having for their object the welfare of the community ; and long will the gracious memory of his gen- erous acts and kindly personality linger in the minds and hearts of the people.
B FRANKLIN CHAPMAN was born at Clockville, Madison County. N. Y., March 24. 1817. His father, the late Colonel Stephen Chapman, and his mother, Keturah (Palmer) Chapman, were born in Stonington, Conn., and emi- grated from there in 1812, settling in Clock- ville. The life of Colonel Chapman is especially interesting in view of his early military connections with the State militia, as well as his prominence as an attorney, and as an official both in State and local affairs. Among the relics now in possession of his grand-daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Remick, of Oneida, and which are valued by her very highly for their historical associations, are his many commissions of appointment to vari- ous military and civil offices within the State, some of which date back to the early twenties, one or two of them having been issued by Governor De Witt Clinton. He received the various promotions in the State militia, until his appointment as Colonel of the Seventy- fourth New York Infantry, which commission
was issued to him by Governor De Witt Clin- ton in August, 1827. Ile was a recognized leader of the bar in Madison County in its early history, being admitted to practice in 1822, and later in the same year was licensed to practise in the Supreme Court. He and the late Joshua A. Spencer were mechanics, but were employed in "pettifogging " cases, and soon became adepts in their profession, and finally together entered the law office of General Israel S. Spencer as students, where they prepared themselves for admission to the bar, as before mentioned. Colonel Chapman was an energetic man, full of enterprise. Through his efforts the first post-office was established in Clockville, in 1814; and he was appointed the first Postmaster, an office which he held (with a brief interval) until his resignation in 1847. He reared a family of twelve children, five of whom survived him. His death took place in June, 1861.
The subject of this biography, who from youth up was ever familiarly known as "Frank" Chapman, was possessed of an active brain and strong muscle, and was a leader among the "boys." Whatever was to be done, he did it first, and took the conse- quences afterward. His father early deter- mined to educate him for the legal profession. He was fond of mathematics, and idolized a compass, and always assisted his father in making surveys. In the fall of 1834 he entered Stockbridge Academy, and the next spring went with Professor Ostrander (to be under his mathematical instruction) to the new Hudson River Seminary, where he re-
494
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
mained two terms. From there he went to Manlius Academy, and applied himself to the study of languages under the instruction of Mr. Burhans. The next spring he followed his teacher in opening Fayetteville Academy, where he remained until entering the Sopho- more Class in Hamilton College at Clinton in August, 1836. In his Junior year he was one of the prize speakers, and in 1839 was gradu- ated with one of the five honors - the philo- sophical oration - and received a certificate from the President of that institution that he was the second student who had ever been graduated from there with a "clean page " and without a demerit mark. Upon leaving college, he entered the law office of his father in Clockville, and was admitted to the prac- tice of law in January, 1841, and subsequently to the District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts of the United States. By his indomitable in- dustry and perseverance he acquired a large practice, and soon became one of the leading members of the bar of Madison County. His large experience as a surveyor and engineer gave him a thorough knowledge of the country through the region of Central New York, and made his services particularly valuable as counsel in suits involving the title of real estate and water power.
In November, 1841, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Huldah Wilcox, daughter of Deacon Alanson Wilcox, of Clockville, N. Y. This union was blessed with three children : Elmer W., who died at the age of two years; Mattie M., who married Captain Charles E. Remick, of Hardwick, Vt., who was at that
time engaged in business in Boston, but after- ward removed to New York City, and from there to Oneida, N. Y., where he now resides ; Stephen, who studied law with his father, then entered and was graduated from the Albany Law School, admitted to the bar in 1874, and entered into partnership with his father. In 1884 he married Miss Kittie M. Spencer, of Rome, to which place he removed in 1888, continuing the practice of law there until his death on the 16th of November, 1 890.
In 1880 Mr. Chapman left his old home- stead in Clockville, the house in which he (and afterward all of his children) was born, and removed with his entire family to his new residence at Oneida, where he made his home the remainder of his life, recognized as one of Oneida's distinguished and honored citizens. In, politics he was a pronounced Democrat, and was one of the influential Democratic orators of Central New York. He was as faithful and unswerving to the principles of Democracy as to the business principles which ever guided his successful career. In early life he held various town offices, such as School Inspector, Commis- sioner, Town Superintendent, Supervisor, also District Attorney and Postmaster. On January 24, 1883, he was appointed County Judge and Surrogate of Madison County by Governor Cleveland, and the same day was confirmed by the Senate to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Charles L. Kennedy, deceased, the duties of which position he discharged with honor and credit. In September of the
495
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
same year he received the unanimous nomi- nation of the Democratic Convention for can- didate for Judge and Surrogate, to succeed himself, running against Hon. A. D. Ken- nedy, one of the most popular Republicans in the county, and came within one hundred votes of overcoming the Republican majority, which was between two thousand and two thousand five hundred. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Chapman led off with the first war speech in the county; and no patriot ever worked harder than he during that long, memorable struggle.
He was a constant and hard worker, en- joying almost perfect health, blessed with a constitution capable of great endurance, endowed with a vigorous mind, and enter- taining, interesting, and instructive in con- versation, which was interspersed with mirth and anecdote. Though thoroughly a business man, amid all the turmoil of life he yet found time for literary work and social enjoyment. He prepared several lectures - "Harper's Ferry," "Washington and its Defences," and especially his last very popular one on "Salem Witchcraft," which was received with great favor throughout the country, wherever delivered. His word pictures of that ter- rible delusion were as vivid as the closest ac- quaintance could make them; and audiences seemed to be completely fascinated by his eloquence, and were swayed at his will as he described in vigorous, impressive language the terrible scenes through which the people of Salem passed in that fated period.
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.