USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 54
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
Dr. Huntley is pleasantly situated, having his office and residence at No. 10 Broad Street, Oneida, N.Y. He is a gentleman of culture and refinement, possessing rare social qualities; and, as a physician, he has been
widely recognized as worthy of confidence and patronage. He is an extensive reader, keep- ing himself fully up with the times, well informed in regard to the newest methods in the practice of his profession, and weighing with judgment and care the many inventions and expedients brought to his notice from day to day for the alleviation of pain and suffering. Dr. and Mrs. Huntley have a large circle of friends who cordially welcome them in society, and who in turn enjoy their graceful hospitality.
A. CRANDALL was born in Leonards- ville, N.Y., August 5, 1848, son of
ยท Darwin S. and Alzina (Babcock) Cran- dall. An elder Crandall, who had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, on the very night of his return to his home, after his dis- charge from the army, had a son born, who was subsequently the grandfather of Mr. I. A. Crandall. This son remained with his father in Rhode Island until manhood when he moved to Rensselaer County, New York State, and there married Miss Lydia Green- man, by whom he had these children: Will- iam G .; Jonathan; Darwin S .; Jane; Polly, deceased. Later the grandfather moved to De Ruyter, Madison County; and there he and the grandmother resided until their deaths.
Darwin S., father of I. A. Crandall, was born January 22, 1816, and was brought up on the farm. The limited education he re- ceived was attained with a great deal of diffi-
515
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
culty. The school-house was two miles away, and he had to work for the means to obtain what little instruction he received. When he was twenty years old, he went to Brook- field, N. Y., and learned the carpenter's trade with Richard Stillman. He served at this for two years, working at the carpenter's bench in summers and doing cabinet work in the winters. He started in business for him- self at the end of this time, taking contracts for the erection of buildings. The first house he built was for Tracy Dennison, over fifty years ago. For nearly forty years he contin- ued this business, being actively engaged and employing a large number of men, build- ing houses all over this part of the country, and even going as far south as the State of Florida, where he built a house for J. P. Brown at his orange grove in Palatka. on St. John's River. For the last ten years he has lived retired from business, spending most of his time with his son, our subject, of whose beautiful home he superintended the building. This fine residence, situated on an eminence overlooking all the surrounding country, is indeed the crowning work of the genius of the architect, and a monument to the artistic taste and skill of the builder. This house commands a view not only of the village, but of the whole landscape for ten miles around, and is considered one of the finest in the county. This venerable gentleman is now seventy-five years of age. His wife died in the town of Leonardsville, at the age of seventy. Three children were born to them -our subject, Arthur W., and Alice M.
They adopted a nephew of Mrs. Crandall, who resides in Saginaw, Mich.
I. A. Crandall was reared to manhood at his present home, being educated partly in the common schools of Leonardsville and partly in select schools of the town. In his youth he was conspicuous for being in the lead in his classes, as he is to-day among his business competitors. At the age of sixteen he began working as a clerk for N. V. and W. H. Brand in a general store, and remained with them two years. He was for one year after this with North & Babcock, and later served for a short time in the County Clerk's office in Morrisville, N.Y. After his term expired he returned to Leonardsville, and went into business for himself August, 1867. His first store was where the post-office now stands, and the firm was known as Kinney & Crandall. This had previously been a large general store, kept by Charles Maxson, who succeeded Mr. Daniel Harding. Mr. Max- son having been burned out, Mr. Harding again took possession of the stock; and Messrs. Kinney & Crandall bought it of him, making it a nucleus of the business they were about to establish. At the end of the year Mr. Crandall bought out Mr. Kinney, and has since continued the business alone. After ten years in this store and the one owned by Mrs. H. W. North he removed to the present building, constructed for him by Wheeler & Harding, where he has ever since conducted a most successful and constantly increasing business, until to-day he is one of the leading merchants in the county, having
510
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
also a large branch store at West Winfield, N.Y. Arthur W. Crandall began life as a clerk in this store, where he worked for his brother, I. A., for ten years. He then opened a shoe department in the rear of the building, which has since been bought out and added to the already large business of Mr. I. A. Crandall, Arthur still continuing its management.
At twenty-two years of age Mr. I. A. Crandall married Miss Algerose L. Higley, daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Higley, of Cortland County, New York, whose people came to Madison County in 1866. They have four children -- Elva E., Ralph E., Mable M., and Blanche. The eldest daugh- ter, now twenty-two years old, has been edu- cated at Vassar College, and is a lovely and accomplished young woman. The family are Seventh-day Baptists, Mr. Crandall, like his father, having been from his earliest years identified with this church, of which he is a Deacon. He is Treasurer and Secretary of the Otsego Furnace Co., which is a rapidly growing concern, and is a Director in the Leonardsville Canning Company. He has served for ten years on the Board of Educa- tion, and has been President for several years. Mr. Crandall, besides being one of the most enterprising and successful merchants of Madi- son County, is a splendid specimen of a self- reliant man. From his earliest years he has worked hard, and his comfort and wealth have been the result of his persevering industry and thrift. He takes a deep interest, not only in the cause of education, but in all
public affairs, and votes conscientiously and faithfully with the Republican party.
ADURNA P. NICHOLS, one of Georgetown's highly esteemed native citizens, was born June 30, 1830, on the farm where he now resides. George Nichols, grandfather of Ladurna, moved from Rhode Island, his native State, to Lincklaen, Chenango County, N.Y., in 1809, bringing with him his wife and children. He bought a tract of the virgin forest, and, having first made a shelter for his family by building a log house, began to clear the land. This process in those days was called logging, and consisted in drawing the felled trees by ox- teams and piling them in heaps in certain spots where they were burned. From the ashes a salt was produced, which yielded pot- ash. This was sold to the nearest market, and was quite a source of revenue to the farmer. After the labor of clearing the farm was completed and the sowing of the different grains, such as corn, wheat, rye, and oats, was done, the sower had to wait with what patience he could for the sun and dew and rain to do their part in bringing forth the fruit.
In these years, when in our extended coun- try the shortage in crops in one section is made up for by superabundance in another, we can scarcely understand the anxious nights and days of these pioneer fathers, whose hopes of sustenance for their little ones depended on the harvest yielded from one small patch of ground. But they somehow came out all
517
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
right, and seemed to verify in their lives the proverb that "God helps those who help themselves."
George Nichols married Miss Charlotta Coon in Rhode Island, and found her a fitting help in the new home in this rugged country. He raised and tended the cows: she milked, and made the butter and bread. He raised the flax in the field: she spun, wove, and made it into clothing. And so in every de- partment of his outdoor life she supplemented it with her equal labor in the household affairs. Asa C. Nichols, son of George, was but four years old when his father moved from Rhode Island to Lincklaen, N. Y. On this farm he grew up, receiving what education the limited opportunities of the place af- forded. He eventually removed to George- town, N. Y., and here he remained until his death. In 1844 he built his frame house, and did himself nearly all the carpenter work then required on his farm. He filled the offices of Pathmaster and Trustee of his school district. He married Miss Sallie Anna Pot- ter, of Stephentown, Rensselaer County, N. Y. ; and their children were Martha Me- lissa, Ladurna, Lucinda Adelia, Joseph Jerome, Lucy Jane, Stephen Eugene. George Deloss, and Martha Elizabeth. The first child, Martha Melissa, died when a young girl. Lucinda A. was twenty-two years of age at her death. Joseph Jerome married Miss Susan Smith, and resides at Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Mo. Lucy Jane is Mrs. Leeurtus Palmer, of Georgetown, and has one child, named Bret Palmer. Stephen Eugene
died while a boy. George Deloss died un- married. And Martha Elizabeth married Mr. Benjamin Beach, and resides in Fort Bridger, Wy. Mr. Asa C. Nichols and fam- ily attended the Seventh-day Baptist church at Otselic, N. Y.
Ladurna P. Nichols spent his boyhood on the home farm in Georgetown, N. Y., attend- ing the district schools, helping in the work of piling logs, and also assisting in the dairy work. Somewhat later he was for a time a pupil in the De Ruyter Institute; and at twenty-one years of age he went to Wiscon- sin, where he remained for four years, avail- ing himself of the opportunity to pursue a two years' course of study in the Albion Academy of that State, afterward working at farming and carpentering in the summer and teaching school in the winter at Albion. Although prospering in Wisconsin, he con- sidered his filial duties paramount; and, when his father, who was becoming advanced in years, needed and desired his help, he returned to the homestead in Georgetown, N.Y. He picked up the trade of a carpen- ter when he was seventeen years old, at the time his father's house was being built; and, being ingenious and successful in anything he undertakes, he has erected his handsome dwelling, a sugar-house, barns, blacksmith's shop, and cheese factory - in fact, all the buildings needed on his place. He married Marcelia Harvey, of Burdict Settlement, of the town of Lincklaen, Chenango County, N. Y. Her father, Daniel, was a son of Paul Harvey, one of the pioneer settlers of Pitcher,
518
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
N. Y., who came from the New England States. Mr. Daniel Harvey was a farmer, and married Lydia Crandall, daughter of Justice Crandall, a clothier, whose wife was Lydia Holt.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born five children - Eleanora Loretta, Letta Me- lissa, Lydia Adelia, A. D. Ladu, John Lav- ier. Eleanora is the wife of Will Halbert, a resident of Chenango County; and their only child is Zella Alice. Letta Melissa married Mr. John M. Crumb, of De Ruyter, N.Y ; and their one child is Miss Daisy May. Lydia Adelia, an accomplished young lady, an artist of much ability, teaches in Morris- ville, N.Y. A. D. Ladu and John Lavier, aged eleven, live at home. Mr. Nichols leads the quiet, happy life of a farmer in easy circumstances, possessing a cultivated mind, having a taste for good literature, and reading the papers to keep himself informed of the general events of the times. He and his estimable family stand high in the good opinion of his townspeople, and count among them scores of good friends.
INSMAN D. BROGA, M.D., eclec- tic physician of Oneida, N.Y., was born in Becket, Berkshire County, Mass., April 29, 1830, son of Kinsman W. and Marion (Cole) Broga. The father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and lived dur- ing his entire life in Berkshire County. The mother, though of a long-lived ancestry, died in middle life. Kinsman W. Broga and his
wife had eleven children, six of whom still survive, namely: William, living in Syra- cuse; Waite, Elmina R., and Elizabeth, all of Otis, Mass .; Kinsman D .; and Charles, living at Dalton, Livingston County, N.Y.
Kinsman D. Broga was brought up among the Berkshire hills, and in his youthful days worked at farm labor and also with his father at his trade. He was always thorough in whatever he undertook. Being always anx- ious for an education, he attended school and studied as he had opportunity. A certain lady boarding with his people was of material assistance, lending him various text-books, which he took great delight in studying, among them works on chemistry, physiology, and kindred subjects. He soon became most interested in works pertaining to medicine and surgery, and read them extensively, in preference to those upon other subjects, which was a proof in itself of his early leaning toward his profession. Remaining at home with his father until he was twenty-one years old, doing the work of a dutiful son of those days, he at that age started out in life for himself. The first work that presented itself to him was blacksmithing, and he worked at that trade for a time. His sister Harriet, now deceased, having married a doctor of the eclectic school, his attention was directed particularly to that system of medical practice; and he began his studies under the direction of his brother-in-law. Being, as has already been intimated, a nat- ural physician, so to speak, and having con- fidence in himself, there is no wonder that
519
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
he should, when he became a regular prac- titioner, be successful. His later preceptors wer Dr. W. Soule and Dr. Soule, Sr., and Dr. Wood, of Durhamville, where he began practice about 1861, under a license. After the war the Legislature passed a law requir- ing all physicians to have a diploma or a certificate from an examining board, or to retire from practice. Considering himself qualified, he appeared before such a board, together with thirteen others, three of whom, including himself, passed the examination successfully, notwithstanding its thoroughness and rigidity. His practice, which has been attended with inost gratifying success, is gen- eral, not special; and at Oneida as at Cam- den, where he has a branch office, he has plenty of work. He reads a great deal upon the science of medicine, thus keeping him- self abreast of the times and prepared to meet any phase of disease. Dr. Kinsman D. Broga has been twice married. By his first marriage, to Miss Demaris Brown, of Lee, Mass., he had four children : Harriet Louisa, wife of Chauncey Kinney, who has four sons - Arthur, Frederick, Leon, and Charles ; Franklin Dwight, who married Capitola Campbell, and has one son, George; Arthur Ellery, M.D., of Stockbridge, who married Nellie Beard, of Shelton, Conn., and has one child, Hazel; and Susan Ellen, of Stock- bridge. By his second marriage, to Mrs. Ellen A. Dolbey, nee Crofutt, of Constantia. Oswego County, N. Y., a native of Stratford. Conn., Dr. Broga has one child, Dwight C., thirteen years old. Politically, Dr.
Broga is a Democrat, and fraternally an Odd Fellow. He has attained his present position by his own close study and continued faithful striving after excellence in his pro- fession.
HARLES MARSHALL, a prosperous general farmer and stock-raiser of Pratt's Hollow, was born in the town of Eaton, Madison County, N. Y., Janu- ary 20, 1824. His maternal grandfather, James Connor, a native of Ireland, came to America at an early date in the present cen- tury, bought forest land, and by hard and continued toil cleared it, built a log house, and laid out his farm. His wife, who came with him from the old country, succumbing early to the hardships and privations of this new land, died at the age of thirty years, thus leaving him to work his way without her help and solace.
John and Jane (Connor) Marshall, the pa- rents of our subject, were born in Ireland, and on emigrating to America settled first for a while in Canada, but remained there only a short time, coming from there to the town of Eaton, where after their marriage here they bought a farm, Mr. Marshall having pre- viously been a tailor. Seven children were born to them. of whom only three are now living, namely: James, residing in Oneida; Jane, wife of William Griswold, of the vil- lage of Hamilton, N. Y. ; and Charles. The father. John Marshall, died on his farm, aged eighty years; and his wife departed this life aged seventy-five. They were strict members
520
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
of the Methodist church, and in politics Mr. Marshall was an unflinching Abolitionist.
Charles Marshall received his education in the district schools in the town of Eaton, and from early youth turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, which he has followed all his adult life. He remained with his father on the farm until his twenty-first year, when he hired himself out, receiving nine dollars a month for his first six months and one hun- dred and twenty dollars for the next year. By wise economy he saved enough to buy, with his brother James, one hundred and forty acres of land, which, after improving it for some years, he sold to James, and bought the farm adjoining. Thus, selling and buying, he increased his landed estate, until he now owns about three hundred acres. So success- ful has Mr. Marshall been in his undertakings that he has now retired from active work, and in his beautiful home can spend his declining years in grateful ease and serenity. About twenty-six years ago, having moved to Pratt's Hollow, he built a substantial mansion, which stands in most inviting grounds, adorned with trees and shrubs, the interior being a model of tasteful decoration, and the place quite the pride and admiration of the neigh- borhood. While having retired from active participation in the toils of husbandry, Mr. Marshall still interests himself in his farm, where there are forty acres of hops under cul- tivation this year, and where he possesses a fine herd of thirty head of Holstein cattle.
On March 1, 1858, Mr. Marshall married Miss Lois S. Burroughs, a native of Stock-
bridge, N. Y., whose parents were William and Laura (Parker) Burroughs. Her father, one of the prominent farmers of his day, and a member of the Methodist church, as his widow is to this day, died at the age of sixty- five. Her mother still lives in Pratt's Hol- low, a well-preserved and active lady for her eighty odd years. Mr. Burroughs was a Republican in politics. Mr. Marshall is a Democrat.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall con- sists of eight children: Florence, wife of John Dowd; Jay, a railroad agent, living in Pratt's Hollow; and Nettie, Lorenzo, Laura, Samuel, Lois, and William, residing at home - a truly religious household, all being consistent and active members of the Metho- dist church. Mr. Marshall is justly promi- nent as one of the most energetic men of these parts, having achieved his present com- fortable position by untiring industry and wise management of his affairs.
R. GEORGE W. DAVIS, one of the active and enterprising young men of promise in this county, is a well-known druggist of Peterboro, where he is carrying on a thriving and lucrative business. He was born in Little Falls, Her- kimer County, January 9, 1866. The Doc- tor's grandfather, John J. Davis, also a native of Herkimer County, and a prominent agri- culturist there for many years, is at present living, retired from the active cares of life, in the village of Little Falls. He married
521
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mary Armstrong; and to them were born five children, four of whom are now living. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a steadfast Democrat.
Simeon Davis, son of John and father of George W. Davis, was born at Little Falls, N. Y., September 18, 1840. He was reared to farming pursuits on the home farm, and chose agriculture as his life occupation. In 1868 he came to the town of Smithfield, and is now carrying on a successful business as general farmer in that part of the place known as the Mile Strip. He married Nora Ginney, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country when quite young. Both Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Davis are valued members of the Presbyterian church; and Mr. Davis is politically a Democrat, always upholding the principles and measures of that party.
George W. Davis, of whom we write, was the only child born to his parents, and was but two years of age when they came to Smithfield. He attended the district schools until twelve years of age, and finished his fundamental studies at Evans Academy, Peter- boro, N.Y. He was always much interested in medicines and drugs; and at the age of seventeen years he entered the employ of W. E. Coe as a clerk in his drug store, where he remained four years, spending his leisure hours in the study of pharmacy. In 1887, at twenty-one years of age, he formed a partner- ship with W. D. Johnson, and carried on a successful business as druggist. He received his diploma as a pharmacist in 1888; and,
continuing his studies, he was graduated from the Buffalo Medical University in 1891, as a physician and surgeon. Having bought out his former partner's interest in the store, Dr. Davis has since conducted it skilfully in connection with his medical practice, building up a good business, and carrying a complete line of drugs. Hle has a thorough understanding of his professions, and is most careful in the filling of prescriptions, thereby
winning and retaining the confidence of the community and securing an honorable reputa- tion as a reliable business man and worthy citizen. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of Morrisville Lodge, No. 658, A. F. & A. M. The marriage of Dr. Davis with Miss Nellie Bliss was solemnized October 20, 1891. Mrs. Davis is the adopted daugh- ter of Edward and Rosetta Bliss, and was born September 16, 1872.
D R. H. S. CRANDALL, a venerated and beloved physician of Leonards- ville, was born in the town of De Ruyter, January 13, 1818. His knowledge of his ancestry goes back far beyond the time of his great-grandfather to the lords and ladies of the court of England. There were three brothers of this name who emigrated from England; and one of them was the great- grandfather of our subject, and the founder of the family in this country. The grandfather Crandall bought a farm in Rhode Island, and lived there all his days. The father of our
522
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
subject resided in that State until his mar- riage to a Miss Abigail West, when they removed to Brookfield, N. Y., where he taught school in the winters, and in the summers worked at shoemaking. This couple had a large family of children, including Oliver B., Abigail, Luke W., Aney, James, Esther W., and Lucius, who became a Seventh-day Bap- tist minister, very celebrated, and sometimes exchanged pulpits with Henry Ward Beecher. The youngest of the children was named Elizabeth. The mother of these children died; and for his second wife Mr. Crandall married Mrs. Lydia Colegrove, whose maiden name was Lydia Saunders. They had one child, the subject of this sketch. The mother had four children by a previous marriage; and the father had nine by his first wife, the names of eight being given above. The father spent most of his life in De Ruyter, but in his latter years resided on his farm in Fabius, Onondaga County, N.Y. The mother died September 24, 1848, at the age of seventy-six years. The father was ninety- two years and six months old when he died.
H. S. Crandall remained home until his twenty-first year, working on the farm, and teaching school for four winters, to raise money enough to go to college. He suc- ceeded so well that he was graduated at Geneva Medical College, and in 1840 began to practise in the town of De Ruyter, N.Y. In the spring of 1840 he opened an office in Leonardsville, Madison County, where he has been an active practitioner ever since. When he was twenty-four years old, in 1842, Dr.
Crandall married Miss Fannie A. Sisson; and to them were born five children - Stephen H., Mary DeEtta, Lucius A., Lucina A., and Charles S. The last-named is a physician of large practice in Utica, N.Y. His wife is an accomplished vocalist, holding a position as a soprano singer in one of the largest churches in that city. They have two children, Lee S. and Francis R. Stephen H. is married, and has three chil- dren ; namely, Mary, Abraham, and Fannie. Mary DeEtta married Ellis J. Dunn, of New Market, N.J., and has an adopted daughter, thirteen years old. Lucius married a Miss Becker, of Cooperstown, and has one child, a little girl. Lucina married Silas K. Hawk- ings, of Burlington Flats, Otsego County, N. Y .; and they have one child, Adrian. The Doctor's first wife having died in Janu- ary, 1889, he married second Miss Olivia E. Copley, of Eaton, Madison County.
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.