USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 53
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blending firmness with kindliness, he pos- sesses more than the ordinary qualifications necessary in a physician; and his skill has brought back to health the lights of many a home. He comes from an illustrious family on both sides, and in his useful life proves that he has not degenerated from the virtues of his ancestry. Dr. Southworth fills an important place in the community where he lives, has a large practice, and enjoys the confidence of the people in a marked degree.
RS. ANN KING, widow of Davis T. King, is one of the excellent women of the town of Eaton. Davis T. King was born in Oneida County in 1820, and was a son of Thomas King, who came from New Hampshire, and was the son of a Revolutionary soldier. The King family were among the earliest settlers of the town of Sangerfield, Oneida in County; and that town Thomas King lived and died, his death occurring when he was seventy-nine years old. He was twice married, and reared six daughters and one son, four of whom are now living, namely : Esther, wife of J. W. Moore, residing in Detroit, Mich .; Cordelia, widow of J. V. R. Livermore, and residing in Madi- son County, New York; Catharine, wife of A. H. Barry, of Elgin, Ill .; and Adeline, wife of D. T. Camp, living in Oneida County, New York.
Davis T. King was educated in the town of Sangerfield, Oneida County, and was mar- ried in 1846 to Angenetta Leland, who was
born in the town of Eaton, on the farm where she now lives, October 31, 1821. She is the daughter of Ezra and Anna (Griffin) Leland, the former of whom was born in Sherburne, Mass., January 29, 1789, and was the son of Joshua Leland, who was born in the same place in 1741, and died in 1810. The first of the Leland family of whom there is any record was Henry Leland, who was born in England in 1625, married Margaret Bab- cock, and came with her to America in 1652, settling in Massachusetts, and living there till their death. The motto on the Leland coat of arms was Cui Debeo Fidus. Joshua Leland was the first white man who settled in the town of Eaton; and he was killed while hauling potash to Albany by falling, it is supposed, off his wagon, being run over and killed, June 22, 1810.
Ezra Leland and his wife, Anna Griffin, were the parents of seven children, namely: Eliza A., who died when three years of age; Isaac, who was born in 1817, and died in 1849; Leonard, who was born in 1819, and died in 1884; Mrs. King, the subject of this sketch; Huldah M., who was born in 1825, and died in 1843; Osmer B., who was born in 1832, and died in 1865; and Oscar F., twin brother of Osmer B., who died in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Leland were members of the Baptist church and good people, honest and upright in all their dealings with their fellow-men. Mr. Leland was a Republican in politics, and in every sense a true, reliable, self-made man. Davis T. King disappeared about the time of the war, and it is supposed that he was
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killed. Mrs. King, after the first ten years of her married life, returned in 1856 to her native town, Eaton, to the old farm belonging to her father, and took care of her parents in their last days. She has continued to live on the old homestead ever since, and is the owner of a one-half interest, leasing it to a tenant. She was well educated in youth, at- tending the district school held in the school- house which is still standing, just across the way from her present home. She also attended the schools in Morrisville, and spent one year at the Ladies' Seminary at Hamil- ton. Mrs. King has four children, namely : Anna L., born April 22, 1847, and now resid- ing in New York City; Mary, born May 15, 1848, the wife of Charles M. Seymour, and residing in Morrisville; Cordelia M., born June 5, 1850, and residing at home with her mother; and Frank Leland, born April 1, 1854, and living in Johnstown, Fulton County, N.Y. Mrs. King is a consistent Christian, her membership being with the Baptist church.
a cabinet-maker by trade, who removed to Auburn from Wayne County, died in 1884 at sixty-five years of age.
Dr. Miles spent his early life in his native city of Auburn. After pursuing his prepara- tory studies at the Auburn High School, he entered Hamilton College in 1869, and was graduated at that institution in 1873, later also receiving the degree of Master of Arts in course. On leaving college, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Lansing Briggs, of Auburn, then one of the leading surgeons of Western New York, and graduated with the highest honors of his class, being accorded the valedictory from Columbus (Ohio) Medical College in the class of 1879. Since his re- moval to this place Dr. Miles has built up one of the largest office practices, general and special, in Oneida. That he is a thorough practitioner is evident from the fact of his having been chosen a Fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Medicine at Baltimore in the year 1880, one of the highest honors accorded to physicians in this country, none being admitted to membership in this academy except those who have received the degree of Master of Arts previous to graduation from a medical school. It is shown by statistics that only ten per cent. of the physicians of the United States are thus eligible. So strong has been and is the desire of physi- cians to belong to this academy that some years ago a strong effort was made to remove this restriction, but up to the present time the effort has been a failure. One of the strong
EORGE W. MILES, M.D., a popular physician of Oneida, N. Y., whose advice as a specialist in the treatment of throat and lung diseases is much sought, a man of high standing in his profession. being a member of the American Academy of Medi- cine, was born in the city of Auburn, Cayuga County, N. Y., December 27, 1851. the only child of his worthy parents. Monroe and Clara (Chittenden) Miles. His mother was from Ithaca. Tompkins County. His father, | arguments against such extension of member-
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ship was made by Dr. Miles in a paper pub- lished some years since in the Columbus Medical Journal. Dr. Miles has been for scvcral years a frequent contributor to period- ical literature, both medical and general.
On December 31, 1874, Dr. Miles was mar- ried to Esther L. Allen, of Augusta, Oneida County, N.Y., who died June 7, 1876. On August 17, 1881, he married his present wife, Marietta Ransom, of Perryville, Madison County. In religion hc is an Episcopalian, having been confirmed a member of St. John's Parish by Bishop Huntington in the spring of 1887. Mrs. Miles is also a communicant of this church.
The Doctor is local examiner for the Equi- table Life Insurance Company ; and he is also the nominator of other examiners, which is another evidence of the confidence reposed in him. In politics he is a Republican, and has recently been elected Coroner of Madison County. Dr. Miles is held in the highest respect, both as a physician and a citizen.
UANE B. STILLMAN, EsQ., an able counsellor-at-law, son of Ethan and Clarissa (Bailey) Stillman, was born in the town of Brookfield, N. Y., Decem- ber 10, 1846. His father was also a native of this place, to which his grandfather, Nathan Stillman, one of the early settlers, came from the Eastern States in 1800. Ethan Stillman upon leaving his home learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and worked at it for some years, later following the occu-
pation of a tinsmith. He married a daughter of the late Rev. Eli S. Bailey, and spent his life in Brookfield, leaving at his death a widow and four sons - John T., William N., Arthur J., and Duane B.
The youngest of these sons, the last-named, pursued his studies in the public schools of Brookfield and afterward in the academy. Adopting law for his profession, he entered as a student the offices of S. B. Dayboll and S. S. Morgan, applied himself with diligence, and was admitted to the bar in the year 1872. Directly opening an office in the town, he has since devoted himself to consultation and other office work, in which he has shown himself very capable. He was some time ago elected to the important position of Town Clerk, which he held for twelve years. Dur- ing his long term he was most painstaking, accurate, and thorough in keeping the records and in his official papers. So that it was with the utmost regret that his fellow-citizens gave him up, when he decided not to serve longer.
The mother of Mr. Stillman, a venerable lady, eighty-seven years of age, resides with him, and is so well preserved mentally and physically that she superintends all the work of the household.
For several years Mr. Stillman has closely identified himself always with the general aims and charities of the Masonic Order. He is at present Senior Warden of Western Star Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of which he has twice been Master, and is a member of Warren Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. Hc is
WILLIAM K. PORTER.
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also Master of Madison County Pomona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. For four years Mr. Stillman was Justice of the Peace, and gave as great satisfaction in that office as in the others he has held in the town. A strong Republican in his political principles, he gives a hearty support to the teachings of that party, and is prompt and energetic in his duties as a citizen and voter. Mr. Stillman has not yet completed his half-century, but has proved himself a man of many sterling virtues. Already prominent in the affairs of the town, he bids fair to be among the most valued and highly honored of its people.
AJOR WILLIAM K. PORTER, a veteran of the late war, an officer who bravely earned his promo- tions, now a resident of Cazenovia, was born in Baltimore, Md., January 21, 1827. He is a son of the late Professor Nathaniel Porter, a native of Worcester, Mass., and grandson of Samuel Porter, a farmer who owned and occupied a large farm near that city. Na- thaniel Porter was educated in the schools of Worcester and at Amherst College. His first work was teaching, which he gave up to be a clerk in a mercantile house in New York City.
Joining a church choir and being constant in attendance on divine service, he became converted, and was received into church mem- bership. Applying himself to the study of theology, he became a preacher of the gospel. In 1825, on the opening of Cazenovia Semi-
nary, he was engaged as its Principal. Ably discharging the duties of this office till the autumn of 1826, on account of ill-health he then resigned, and went to Baltimore as teacher of a select school, which position he held one year. The remainder of his brief life was devoted to ministerial labors. After a year at Morristown, N. J., he was called to Newark to take charge of a newly established church. He was very successful in his min- istry, and added three hundred members to his church the first year. He preached in Newark and vicinity, and resided in that city till his death, August 17, 1831, at the early age of thirty years.
The maiden name of his wife was Laura Anna Kilborn. She was born in Cazenovia in July, 1807. Her father, Hon. Jesse Kil- born, was born in Litchfield, Conn., August 3, 1778. (See genealogy of the Kilborn family.) He married Abigail Ward, a native of the same town. In 1806 Mr. and Mrs. Kilborn emigrated from Connecticut to Madi- son County, making the journey by land. Cazenovia was then a very small place, and they were obliged to take lodgings in the basement of the Presbyterian church. They soon bought property on Sullivan Street, near the present site of the Green. Mr. Kilborn first engaged in the dry-goods business. At this time all merchandise was drawn by teams from Albany. Later for a number of years he was in the drug business. In 1821 he was commissioned Postmaster, which office he held nineteen years, or during the adminis- trations of Monroe, Adams, Jackson, and Van
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Buren. In 1833 he was elected to the Gen- eral Assembly. For many years he was Trustee and President of the Village Board. He died here May 14, 1842. His wife died in March, 1878. Their daughter, the widow of Rev. Nathaniel Porter, was married a sec- ond time to Rev. L. A. Eddy, a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. She spent her last years in Cazenovia, dying here in June, 1891.
The subject of this sketch was four and a half years old when his father died and his mother returned to Cazenovia. In addition to the educational advantages of this town, which he duly improved, he profited by a two years' course of study in select schools at Ridgefield and New Canaan. Leaving school at an early age, he began the business of life at Lockport as clerk in a wholesale drug store. Failing health led him to give up this position, and devote a year to farming, preparatory to passing a year in Genesee College at Lima. At the end of this time he bought a farm in Batavia, which he culti- vated for seven years. Selling this place, he moved to Worcester, bought another farm, and engaged for four years in market garden- ing. His next move was to Owego, Tioga County, where he engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe trade until 1862. In July of that year he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York Vol- unteer Infantry, and served with the Army of the Potomac till after the battle of Gettys- burg, when the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps were united to make a provisional
corps, and sent to Tennessee to join General Hooker's army, and in due course of time to form a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He served until the close of the war. Among the important battles in which the regiment was engaged may be mentioned Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, Wahatchie, Ringgold (Ga.), battle of Lookout Mountain, known as "the battle above the clouds," and Missionary Ridge. It was with Sherman's command in his grand march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, participating in the battles en route and in the siege and capture of that city. The divi- sion to which he belonged was the first to march into Atlanta. Its course was from this city to Savannah, and thence, via the Caro- linas and Richmond, to Washington and the Grand Review. He was discharged with his regiment in June, 1865, and returned home. He was mustered as Orderly Sergeant, and was made successively First and Second Lieu- tenant. After the battle of Gettysburg he was promoted to the captaincy of his com- pany, and continued in command from that date. At the time of his discharge he was Brevet-Major. In the fall of 1865 he went to Owego, and engaged in the boot and shoe and leather findings business. His store being burned two years later, he left Owego, and accepted a position in the New York post- office, which he held seven years. He then returned to Cazenovia, where he has since resided.
Major Porter married in 1848 Agnes M. Greenland, of Brooklyn, N. Y., daughter of William and Sarah (Marshall) Greenland, na-
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tives of England. They have one son living, William N., a dentist of New York City. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Episcopal church. Major Porter belongs to Cazenovia Lodge, No. 616, A. F. & A. M. ; and Knowl- ton Post, No. 160, Grand Army of the Repub- lic. His life has been one of useful and varied activity. In the vigor of his early manhood a defender of the imperilled Union, he may be counted on in his declining years to be true to the principles of liberty and law, and to lend his influence to the cause that is just.
A portrait of Major Porter is presented in this connection, as being an interesting addi- tion to his life history as narrated above.
ORNELIUS GRIFFIN, one of the oldest citizens of the town of Eaton and a representative of one of the pioneer families of this part of the State of New York, was born in the town of New Berlin, Chenango County, January 30, 1818, and was named after his father. Cornelius Griffin, Sr., was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., whence he removed to the town of New Berlin, Chenango County, and after a short residence there came to the town of Eaton, Madison County, in 1832, where he purchased a farm at Pierceville. Here he lived the remainder of his life, dying in 1863, at the age of eighty-seven, his wife having died in 1855, at the age of seventy-three years. They reared a family of nine children, three of whom are still living, namely: Richard,
who lives at Pierceville; Cornelius, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Sarah A., widow of Sylvester Holt, of Rochester, Minn. In politics the father of these children was a Democrat, and was an honest, industrious, highly reputable man.
Cornelius Griffin, son, the subject of this sketch, lived in the town of New Berlin until he was eleven years of age, and then went to the town of Lebanon. When twenty-one years of age, he started out in life on his own account, and for some years worked by the month at rather small wages compared with what are now paid for the same kind of work. Returning home, he took charge of his father's farm, which he purchased after occupying it for some years, his parents living with him until their death. He was married April 10, 1867, to Lovina Tucker- man, who was born May 18, 1829, in the town of Eaton, the second of the two daugh- ters of Jacob and Delia (Blakeman) Tucker- man. Her grandfather, Jacob Tuckerman, Sr., was one of the early settlers in the town of Eaton and a soldier in the War of 1812-15. He came to this State from Massa- chusetts, and died in Clintonville. The father of Mrs. Griffin was also a hard-working farmer of the town of Eaton, where he owned and managed a farm of one hundred and ten acres. In politics he was a Democrat of the early Jeffersonian type. Mrs. Griffin has no brothers. Her only sister, Rosanna, wife of Adon Brown, lives on the old homestead, where the father and mother both died, he at the age of sixty-four years, she much
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younger - at thirty-five. Mrs. Tuckerman was a faithful member of the Congregational church.
After marriage Mr. Cornelius Griffin, the subject of this memoir, removed to the village of Eaton, where he has continued to live, and in which he owns considerable real estate, including several tenant houses, besides his pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have no children. Mr. Griffin has now nearly completed his seventy-fifth year, and is still strong and sprightly, possessing his mental faculties unimpaired - the result of his life of active usefulness, healthful exercise of brain and muscle, without overwork. No longer engaged in hard manual labor, he finds sufficient occupation in the care of his prop- erty. His life-span has covered a most inter- esting and important period of the world's history - a period remarkable for scientific discovery and industrial development, and for the enlarged recognition of human rights. Mr. Griffin has been a diligent worker and an intelligent observer of the progress of the age, no doubt lending his influence to promote what he conceives would result in the greatest good to the greatest number.
RS. EXPERIENCE DEITZ, a ven- erable and beloved lifelong resident of Canastota, N.Y., was born in the year 1814, and is now in her eightieth year. She is the widow of her cousin, Elias Deitz, who was born in Berne, Albany County, N. Y., and died October 2, 1884,
when he was eighty years old. His father, John Deitz, of the same place, reared seven sons and four daughters, all of whom, with the exception of two sons and one daughter, are deceased. The parents of Mrs. Deitz, Henry and Catherine (Richter) Deitz, had eight daughters and three sons, of whom she was the youngest. Her three sisters living are: Catherine, eighty-three years; Sophia, eighty-five years; Maria, eighty-eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Deitz began their wedded life with no capital but their native health and strength, with habits of industry and economy; and so thrifty and provident were they as to acquire for their old age a snug property of about ten thousand dollars, the use of which during her life is secured to Mrs. Deitz by her husband's will. As she has no children, after her death it will descend to his nearest of kin.
Mr. Deitz was a stone-cutter and mason, and a master workman at his trade. For many years he had a fine position in the gov- ernment works at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Having the misfortune in September, 1848, to break one of his legs, it was amputated below the knee; and he wore a wooden leg the rest of his life. He was also one of the mechanics on the Harlem Bridge, and until the last four or five years of his life was a hard-working man. For about five years before his death he was helpless from paraly- sis; and during this long period his devoted wife tenderly and faithfully cared for him, taking little rest night or day. Mrs. Deitz was fortunate in possessing remarkable physi-
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cal strength and power of endurance. So little did she spare herself during her early life of toil, and in the severe ordeal of her husband's grievous illness, that it was a source of wonder to her many friends that she survived him. But the strength of the Lord is always sufficient for those who seek it. Led by his hand, and though bowed to the earth with her sorrow, when the parting came she still kept her little home, and took up the burden of her lonely life with cheerful resig- nation. At the time of her husband's death they were within ten days of celebrating their golden wedding.
Although now somewhat enfeebled from overwork in that season of trial and from increasing years, she lives all alone; and her home is as scrupulously neat as if tended by younger hands. Her mind is still clear and active, and she takes a keen interest in the affairs of the world around her. She often remarks that she expects to live for many years yet, and it is the earnest wish of the hosts of friends who love her that she will see the twentieth century. She is a faithful attendant and supporter of the Presbyterian church of Canastota, as was her husband; and her unwavering faith in the promises of the Bible will aid her to die triumphant in her hope of meeting her beloved one. Mrs. Deitz's cosey cottage at the corner of North Main and New Boston Streets has been her home for many years. Here the young peo- ple of the town are glad to gather around her fireside, and are made as welcome as at any home in the place. Living peacefully
and enjoying her modest competence, this "mother in Israel " awaits with calm trustful- ness her Lord's will, having every assurance of a blessed future, an eternal rest.
R. JAMES F. HUNTLEY, the third of this honored name and calling, a highly esteemed physi- cian of Oneida Village, may be said to have entered his profession through inheritance, environment, and education, having succeeded his father and grandfather, skilled medical practitioners, from whom he received his patronymic, and also his maternal grand- father, the late Dr. Freeman, of Oswego County.
James F. Huntley, Jr., M.D., son of Dr. James F. Huntley, Sr., was born in the town of Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., and after completing his medical education settled in Durhamville, N. Y., where he practised until 1873, and then moved to Oneida, continuing active in his profession until 1887, when he died, aged sixty-two years. He was a skil- ful physician, a good citizen, and a kind and benevolent man. His death was a source of general regret in the village. He married Miss Esther E. Freeman, whose father was a physician in Oswego County for many years. She died when forty-seven years old, having been the mother of three children, namely: Xenophon, deceased; James F., our subject ; and Charles, who died when six years old.
Our subject was born in Durhamville,
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Oneida County, N. Y., June 19, 1855. He was at first a pupil at the common schools in the village, and later at Fulton and Whites- town Academies. He afterward studied medicine with his father. In 1877 he was graduated from the University of New York City, and for a few months practised at Oneida with his father. Going from here to West Winfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., and entering into partnership with Dr. J. M. Rose, he built up a highly successful prac- tice, and remained there twelve years. In 1889 he removed to Oneida Village, where he is now living. In 1879 he married Miss Nellie Wood, daughter of Colonel Alonzo Wood, of Herkimer County, New York. She comes of long-lived ancestry, her father, the Colonel, being still living at the age of eighty years, his father having lived to ninety years, and his grandfather having reached one hundred and three years. Of the seven chil- dren in Colonel Wood's family, two besides Mrs. Huntley are now living.
Dr. and Mrs. Huntley have four children ; namcly, Esther, Harold, Kate, and J. Warren.
The Doctor is a firm Republican in poli- tics, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is connected in his profession with the Madison County Medical Society and the State Medical Asso- ciation. Mrs. Huntley is an exemplary mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
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