USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 61
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2 EORGE G. WALDRON, a defender of his country's flag in the late war, now Postmaster at Hamilton, Madison County, and since 1865 editor and proprietor of the Hamilton Sentinel, was born at Hamil- ton in July, 1842. He is a son of George R. Waldron, a journalist and a patriot of the War of the Rebellion, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. As therein stated, a far-off ancestor, the great- great-grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was born in Holland, came to Amer- ica at a very early day, and was one of the three original purchasers of Manhattan
Island. George G. Waldron was one of ten children of George R. Waldron, and is the third of the seven that are still living. He was well educated in the district school, and when yet quite young was put to work in his father's printing-office to learn that trade. His talent, however, appeared to lie in the direction of art; and he was earnestly advised by his father's partner, ex-Postmaster-General Thomas L. James, to take instruction in engraving. But, his country being in need of soldiers, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry in July, 1862, and was mustered into the service of the United States September 19, same year, as a private in Company A, of which company J. Hunt Smith was Captain. He served three and a quarter years, and saw much campaigning. In the battle of Gettys- burg he was taken prisoner; but, being mistaken for an army nurse when the Con- federates were collecting their prisoners to march them off to the South, he concealed himself in a blacksmith's shop, and thus eluded them. He did not, however, dodge the bullets of the other side quite so luckily, as he met with several narrow escapes, and re- ceived a bad flesh wound in his left arm, in consequence of which he was taken to Gettys- burg hospital, and lay there thirteen weeks before he was able to rejoin his company. When he did rejoin them, they were at Jack- sonville, Fla .; and there he was placed in charge of the printing-office, serving under General Birney two months, when he was transferred to Hilton Head, S.C., where he
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had charge of the government printing-office, and was also connected with the secret ser- vice under General Gilmore. After perform- ing his duty faithfully for his full term, he was honorably discharged, and mustered out in July, 1865.
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Waldron secured a furlough, returned home, and married Mary A. Harrison, of Churchville, Monroe County, N. Y., a daughter of Edmund Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have buried one son, Frankie, who died at the age of three years. They have one daughter, Jennie Estelle, an intelligent, studious girl, fifteen years of age, who is doing well in the general branches of learning and in music, and, like her father, has a natural taste for art. Among the many specimens of the handiwork of Mr. Waldron in the line of drawing and carving is a spread eagle, twelve by twenty-eight inches, carved out with a knife from a cherry board. Mr. Waldron is a member of Arthur L. Brooks Post, No. 272, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has held all the offices at different times. He is a Knight Templar Mason; and, though a stanch Republican in politics, he hopes to remain Postmaster at Hamilton another year.
ETER B. HAVENS, M.D. Among the native-born citizens of Madison County who have risen to distinc- tion in professional life is Dr. Peter B. Havens, who is well known in this part of the State, and is recognized as one of our ablest
physicians. He was born in Hamilton, April 17, 1824. His grandparents, Peleg and Martha (Bessey) Havens, were born either in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, and emigrated from New England to New York, being early pioneers of Westmoreland, Oneida County. They made the journey overland with an ox- team, the long and tedious trip occupying many days. Mr. Havens bought a tract of land which was yet in its primitive condition, and at once built a log house and began the labor of clearing a farm. There were neither railways nor canals for many years afterward, and no markets very near, the people being obliged to subsist on the products of their land or the game, which was abundant. As soon as he had enough land under cultivation to raise a surplus of grain, he was obliged to haul it to Albany with teams, to dispose of it for needful merchandise. He improved a good farm, and resided there until his death, having ably done his part toward the build- ing up of the town and the county. Dr. Peter B. Havens, Sr., son of Peleg and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Westmoreland, Oneida County. He was born in the rude log cabin of his parents, and attended the pioneer schools of his native town. Being unusually fond of his books, his father gave him the advantages of a good edu- cation, and, after he had turned his attention to the study of medicine, sent him to a medi- cal college in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1812. He commenced practice in Hamilton, and met with such good success that he remained there until his death,
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in November, 1860. The maiden name of his wife was Martha Clark. She was born in Eric County, New York, and died in Hamil- ton in 1857, having reared four children - Marcia, Hannah, George, and Peter B.
The last-named, the subject of this biog- raphy, having received the foundation of his education in the public schools of Hamilton, supplemented it by attendance at the Hamil- ton Academy. Determining to adopt a pro- fessional career, at the age of eighteen years he began the study of medicine, and after- ward attended medical lectures at the West- ern Reserve College of Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated with an honor- able record in the class of 1848 and 1849. Dr. Havens, following the footsteps of his father, began the practice of medicine in Hamilton, remaining there until 1853, when he removed to Davis County, Indiana, where he remained four years, actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Returning to Madison County, he resumed his professional duties in his native town, where he has achieved a brilliant success, having a large and widely extended practice. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was mar- ried in 1851, was Charlotte E. Stanley. She was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, and died in Hamilton in 1868. They had a fam- ily of three children : Florence E. ; Charlotte E., deceased; Samuel P. Florence married J. W. Clark; and they have one child, Char- lotte E. Samuel married Mina Holton, and lives in New York City. The present wife of Dr. Havens. Miss Lyra Foote before mar-
riage, is a native of llamilton, and was mar- ried to the Doctor in 1886. In politics Dr. llavens is a strong adherent of the Demo- cratic party, although not a seeker after offi- cial position.
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ROWN BROTHERS occupy a most prominent position among the stock-raising farmers of the town of Smithfield, who constitute an important ele. ment in its business circles. The subjects of our sketch, Fred G. and John E. Brown, natives of Madison County, were born in Smithfield, one in the year 1840 and the other in 1843. Emerson Brown, Sr., their grandfather, who was born in Connecticut, in early life removed to New York, and, coming to Madison County, took up land in Smith- field, being among the original settlers of the place. He built a log house, improved a farnı, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at a venerable old age.
Emerson Brown, Jr .. father of our subjects, was born on the old homestead in Smithfield, and reared to a farmer's life. He married Margaret Douglass, a native of Scotland, and subsequently bought a farm in Smithfield, which he made his permanent home. He car- ried on general farming in a successful man- ner until his death, at the age of fifty years. Ilis good wife survived him several years, and died at the age of seventy-four, having reared a family of six children, all of whom are now living. She was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Brown was a Republican, and
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for three terms served as Road Commissioner. Two sons took an active part in the late Civil War, Burton Brown having been a vol- unteer in Company D, One Hundred and Fourteenth New York Infantry, and James a member of the Light Artillery in a Wiscon- sin regiment.
Fred G. and John E. Brown were reared to manhood and educated in the town of Smith- field. Being young men of exceptional abil- ity, energetic and ambitious, and desiring to become established in life, they united their savings. and bought a tract of land, consisting of seventy acres, which they operated judi- ciously for some time. Disposing of that, they purchased the farm they now own and occupy, and where they carry on a most pros- perous business. Their estate consists of two hundred and ten acres of arable land, which they utilize to good purpose, raising hops, hay, and the cereals common to this section of the country on a part of it. Another part is devoted to grazing, stock-raising being an important industry with them. They make a specialty of raising horses of the Norman Percheron breed. In addition thereto, our subjects have an excellent dairy, composed of twenty-five head of Holstein cattle, which they find most profitable.
In the management of their farm the Messrs. Brown display excellent judgment and skill; and the premises are made very attractive. the substantial buildings being models of convenience. and the handsome residence giving indications of the good taste and ample means of the owners. Fred G.
Brown, the elder brother, is married, and has one child, Flora E., who was born in 1872, and is living at home. The brothers are both Republicans politically, and Fred has served as Collector two terms and as Constable two years. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
R OBERT D. RIDDELL, a highly suc- cessful farmer and horticulturist, liv- ing near the village of Chittenango, a man skilled in various handicrafts, represen- tative of a very ancient and noble family of the sunny land of France, was born November 2, 1834. in the town of Sullivan, Madison County, N. Y., son of David and Nancy (Joiner) Riddell. The family had not always the double consonant in the middle of their name. as they can trace their lineage to the year of our Lord 860, when lived one Wal- grinus Ridell, a native of France, who is said to have been related to Charles the Bald. King of France and Emperor of Germany, who was born in 823 A.D. Walgrinus died in France in 886; and the family have been well known through Normandy, Great Britain, and Ireland for many generations. The grandfather of our subject, Robert Riddell, was born in Londonderry, N. H., January 27, 1768, and in 1784 married Miss Jemima Long, who was born in Massachusetts. They moved to the town of Sullivan about the year 1806, coming to wild and uncultivated land, forests inhabited almost solely by wild beasts and game; for few indications of civilized life
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were near. Few sounds were heard but the songs of the birds and the rustle of the winds in the trees, except when at night the cry of the wolf and the heavy footstep of the prowling bear startled them from their un- easy slumbers.
The hardy, fearless grandfather and his equally brave wife built their log cabin in these wild woods, and settled themselves to their life of hard labor and many privations. Fortunately, they found the Indians almost uniformly friendly and hospitable. They be- came the parents of eight children, as fol- lows: Polly, born in 1785, and died in 1848; Sally, born in 1787, died in 1859; Jemima, born in 1788, and died in 1869; Patty, born in 1790, and died in 1862; Robert, born in 1792, died in 1861; David, born in 1794, died in 1884; Susan, born in 1795, died in 1808; Thompson, born in 1798, and died 1877. The father of these children died on August 11, 1808; and his wife followed him September 14, 1822. They were members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Robert Riddell was a strong adherent of the Democratic party.
David Riddell, father of Robert D., was born in Massachusetts in 1794, and came to the town of Sullivan with his father when he was but twelve years of age. When he grew to manhood, he learned the trade of tanner and currier in Peterboro, N. Y., and after- ward went to Chittenango, where in 1815 he formed a partnership with his brother Robert in the business of tanning and currying leather. This firm continued for forty years.
carrying on one of the most flourishing indus- tries in the village. David Riddell also owned lands in the vicinity, including a part of the very farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides. He was a very promi- nent and influential man in these parts. He died December 27, 18844, in his ninety-first year, his wife having preceded him to the grave September 19, 1851. They attended the Dutch Reformed, now Presbyterian church; and the wife was a most devoted adherent, being in full membership. Fra- ternally, Mr. Riddell was a member of Sulli- van Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M.
Four children were born to this family, namely: Angeline F., born January 31, 1819, and died in 1882, unmarried; William Wal- lace, born October 20, 1820, and died April 11, 1888 - his widow now resides in the vil- lage of Chittenango, N. Y. ; Hannah M., born February 5, 1829, and died December 25, 1830; and Robert D.
The last-named is the theme of our sketch. He was brought up in the village of Chitte- nango, and attended the schools of that vil- lage. When very young, he learned the carpenter's trade, and was not only handy with tools, but had a very marked talent for mechanical construction. He did not make a business of his trade, but is perfectly cap- able of doing his own work in that line, hav- ing built his present handsome home. Hle always remained with his parents on the farm. and also assisted his father in running the tannery. At the death of his father the whole farm near Chittenango Village came
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into his possession. He has added to this land until he now has one hundred acres under cultivation, of which wheat, oats, corn, and hay are the main crops; while he also has splendid orchards of apples, pears, plums, quinces, and other fruits. He has three acres devoted to grape culture, having twenty varie- ties of vines. He also manages a dairy, and has a fine herd of Holstein and Jersey cattle. Mr. Riddell has not yet found his fate, but still resides at his home in a state of bachelorhood. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and in his religious views is a Presbyterian.
Mr. Riddell is singularly fortunate in these days, when the subject of heredity is attract- ing the attention of scientists and genealogy is becoming a popular study, in being able to trace his ancestry to so remote a period. A harmonious blending of races is seen in the evenly balanced character of this gentleman, who is deservedly popular in his village, and is one of the real live men of the place, being of an energetic as well as pleasant disposi- tion, and courteous in manner.
EORGE S. SADLER, President of the village of Canastota, a successful business man, and for years a trusted railroad employee, was born at Ingham's Mills, Herki- mer County, August 31, 1845. His father, Samuel Sadler, was born in Wiltshire, Eng- land, about 1816, and was a son of Richard Sadler, a native of the same county, who came to the United States at an early day, and with
his family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, located for a time in Newburg, N. Y. The names of these ten children were as follows: Robert, John, George, William, Samuel, Timothy, Maria, Martha, Ann, and Sarah. The widow of Timothy Sadler is liv- ing in Elmira with her son John, one of that city's successful business men. Ann was the wife of a Mr. Charles Rodbouver, of Brees- port, Chemung County. Sarah was the wife of a Mr. Moore, of Elmira. All lived to rear families, and nearly all have passed away. Richard Sadler died at Elmira in old age, his wife outliving him some years.
Samuel Sadler was twice married, his sec- ond wife, Lovina Bellenger, being the mother of four children, namely: George S., the sub- ject of this sketch; Byron, a hotel-keeper and box manufacturer, of Ingham's Mills; Fran- cis, who died in infancy; and James D., of Ingham's Mills, manager of a country grist- mill. Samuel Sadler died May 31, 1892, aged seventy-six years. His widow still lives at Ingham's Mills, a well-preserved and active woman for her years.
George S. Sadler was educated in the com- mon schools of his native village, at Little Falls Academy, and had one term at a busi- ness college. He was brought up to the miller's trade in his father's mill. For some seven years he was book-keeper for his cousin, Joseph Rodbouver, and for other milling and manufacturing concerns; and in 1872 he began railroading on the Elmira, Cortland & Northern Railroad, as book-keeper for a firm of railroad contractors. From this place he
GEORGE S. SADLER.
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has been promoted through every position in the railroad service up to that of superin- tendent, first becoming station agent, then train despatcher and accountant, then travel- ling freight and passenger agent, and finally superintendent of transportation. In August, 1886, he took the general coal agency for the Elmira, Cortland & Northern Railroad and the Elmira Coal Company, with headquarters at Canastota, which position he still holds.
Mr. Sadler was married October 31, 1863, to Miss Melissa C. Claus, of Oppenheim, Fulton County, N. Y. They lived in Preble, Cortland County, three years, and a few years at Breesport and Elmira City; and for the past five years they have lived in Can- astota. As an enthusiastic member of the leading fraternities, Mr. Sadler is well known. The accompanying portrait of this most eminent brother will be recognized and appre- ciated by many friends, both within and with- out the mystic orders. He has been a Mason twenty-one years, has taken the thirty-second degree, and is thor- oughly versed in Masonic lore. He is a member of Little Falls Lodge, No. ISI, and Chapter No. 161. and Elmira Commandery, No. 19, K. T., Corning Consistory, Scottish EMUN EDDY, an intelligent farmer and mill-owner of the town of Lenox, was born at Merrillsville, N.Y., about two miles south of his present home. in the year 1824. The family name of Eddy is a very old one in New England. In 1630 Richard and Samuel Eddy, sons of the Rev. William Eddy, vicar of St. Dunatan's Church in Cranbrook, Kent, England, who died in 1616, sailed from Boxhill in the good brig "Handmaid," which brought, it is said, the last company of the early Puritan colonists Rite and Zyara Temple, of the Mystic Shrine of Utica. In Canastota Mr. Sadler has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellows. He aided materially in the organ- ization of Canastota Lodge. No. 254, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was the first Noble Grand. He has been indefatigable in laboring for the upbuilding of this order; and as a result Canastota Lodge has an unusually large membership. composed of the best citizens of the place, and its lodge room, its furnishings, and its paraphernalia i to Massachusetts. They landed on the 29th
are among the finest and most complete in the State. Mr. Sadler is also a member of Adieno Encampment and of Oneida Canton, P. M. : and he has several times been honored with the appointment of District Deputy Grand Master. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Equitable Aid Union, and the American Legion of Honor.
Mr. Sadler is very methodical in all his affairs; and during the two years he has been Water Commissioner - the only public office he had held up to his election as President of the village-he systematized the book-keeping of the Water-works Department, and, together with the other commissioners, largely in- creased the revenue from water rents. He has always believed in unalloyed Democracy.
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of October. Samuel soon purchased a home, and was enrolled a "freeman " in the same year. These were the days when the blue laws were in full force; and Samuel's wife, being of a rather independent turn of mind, had the misfortune to fall under the displeas- ure of the Governor of the colony, and was twice fined, once for leaving her washing out over the Sabbath, and secondly for travelling on the same sacred day from Plymouth to Boston, to minister to a dying friend.
The grandfather of our subject was Reuben Eddy, of Massachusetts, who came to Madi- son County in 1801, with his son William, the father of Semun. The wife of Reuben was the widow of Jasper Aylesworth. Reuben died on his farm, aged eighty-three. William Eddy, the son, was born in Massa- chusetts in 1779, and was twenty-two years of age when he came with his father to Madi- son County. His wife was Miss Nancy Torey, daughter of John and Amy (Arnold) Torey, whose family were of the Shaker per- suasion. She survived her husband (whose death occurred at his farm in 1854, at the age of seventy-five) seven years, and was totally blind during all that time. She died at Chittenango, at the age of seventy-five. While not being extremely wealthy, they had lived in comfortable circumstances, having an abundance of the good things of this life. Their burial-place is at Merrillsville; but the grandparents were interred in Cazenovia, N. Y. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eddy, seven grew to maturity, five sons and two daughters; but only three are now
living, namely: Seneca, of Manlius, N. Y., nearly eighty years old; Leroy, aged seventy- four, living on the old home farm; and Semun, who is the youngest.
Our subject was sent to the district school, and was reared a farmer. He was married November 5, 1846, to Miss Sally Jane Hainesworth, of Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y., who was the daughter of Joseph and Lovina (Van Deusa) Hainesworth, they being of English and Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Semun Eddy have three children, namely: Lovina, whose husband, James Shaver, a farmer, died one year after their marriage; James L., of Syracuse, N.Y., who is married, and has two children; and Arthur M., who lives at home with his parents. He married Miss Ida McRouse.
Mr. Eddy has been a farmer nearly all his life, having worked at the homestead two years, and at other places, including Chitte- nango, where he lived for ten years, trading his farm of one hundred acres there for the property he now owns near Merrillsville. This property consists of twenty acres of land, with saw-mill, grist-mill, two dwellings, two barns, and a blacksmith shop - all in excel- lent condition. For the past twenty-three years he has worked a small farm near Wampsville, letting his mills to his son and grandson, who now take charge of them. He votes with the Republican party, and, like his New England ancestors, is stern and uncom- promising in regard to the principles he has adopted. In October 29, 1882, our subject attended a reunion of the Eddy family at
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Providence, R.I., and f und about two hun- uted people claiming the same descent - his relatives near and distant. Quiet and unob- trusive in his manner, acting before the world honestly and uprightly, Mr. Eddy fills his place in it creditably and with honor.
ONRAD INGALLS, a prosperous and practical farmer of Smithfield, is pleasantly located in District No. 10, where he owns upward of two hundred acres of valuable land, which is well im- proved and amply supplied with convenient and substantial farm buildings. He is a native of Madison County, born in Lenox, December 29, 18IS, a son of James and Annie (Moot) Ingalls. On the paternal side our subject is of English descent. His grandfather, Joseph Ingalls, a native of Eng- land, emigrated to America in the eighteenth century, settling in Connecticut. He at once identified himself with the welfare of his adopted country, and during the Revolution- ary War served as Captain in the army. He died when in the prime of life, at the early age of forty years, leaving two sons and three daughters.
On his mother's side our subject is of German ancestry, his grandfather, Conrad Moot, having been the son of one John Moot, who was born in Germany, and came to Amer- ica in 1750. John Moot left his native land in May, and crossed the ocean in a sailing- vessel, being on the water more than six months, not touching shore until December
25, the same year. He was then a boy of sixteen, without money, obliged to work out his passage; and the officers of the vessel sold his time for five years. He settled in New York, and there married, subsequently taking up land from the government in Rensselaer County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty years. He had a family of five children, none of whom are now living.
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