USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 68
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lle took an active part in the War of 1812. being stationed at Sackett's Harbor. Subse- quently he served in the State militia, hold- ing a commission as Colonel. He was a man of much influence in the town, and both he and his wife were esteemed members of the Baptist church. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married in the old Bay State, was Lucinda Wilder. She was born in Chesterfield. Mass .. in 1782, and died in
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Philadelphia, Pa., in 1854. She was buried in Hamilton. Her father was Abel Wilder, a soldier of the Revolution, who took an active part in the battle of Bunker Hill, standing within a few feet of General Warren when he fell. To her and her husband were born two children that lived to maturity, Ben- jamin F. and Mary L. The latter, a woman of fine mental powers and great force of char- acter, was educated in the Troy Female Semi- nary. In 1850 she and Miss Harriet A. Dillaye established a school in Philadelphia, known as the Chestnut Street Female Semi- nary, which they conducted with great success for thirty - three years. A pleasing sketch of her life appears in a work entitled “A Woman of the Century," which was edited by Miss Frances E. Willard and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, and published by Charles W. Moulton, of Buffalo. A brief biography of Mrs. Rambaut is also given on another page of this book.
Benjamin F. Bonney was reared on the home farm, attending the district school, and subsequently the academies of Hamilton and Homer. At the age of eighteen years he made his entrance into mercantile life, begin- ning at the foot of the ladder as a clerk, and gradually working his way up until, in 1854, he purchased an interest in the store with his then employer, Hon. John J. Foote. Under the firm name of John J. Foote & Co., they carried on an extensive business in drugs and groceries. In 1869 the firm was changed to Bonney & Welton, and thus remained until Mr. Bonney retired from active business life,
in April, 1893. Our subject married in 1847 Augusta C. Allen, who was born in Homer, N.Y., April 7, 1828, and died in Hamilton, April 13, 1888. She was a true Christian woman and an active member of the Baptist church. When a young man, Mr. Bonney, who had inherited the soldierly spirit of his ancestors, joined the State militia as a mem- ber of a regiment of light infantry, being mustered in as Corporal, and rose through the different grades to be Colonel of the reg- iment.
Mr. Benjamin F. Bonney is a man of integ- rity, influence, and ability, possessing sound judgment, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Hamilton Bank and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York. Politically, he is a steadfast Republican, and has filled the various offices of trust within the gift of his fellow-towns- men, and has served as a member of the Village Board of Trustees. He was chosen Postmaster under General Grant, and served satisfactorily for thirteen years. He has al- ways been intimately identified with every movement for the advancement of education and morality, and with his sister is a consist- ent member of the Baptist church.
The attention of the reader is called to the excellent portrait of Mr. Bonney that is pre- sented with this notice. Representing, as it does, a man of sterling integrity, and one who has always been devoted to public inter- ests, and especially to the welfare of his town and county, its appearance will be viewed
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with feelings of pleasure by all who have come within the circle of his acquaintance or are familiar with his reputation.
OHN McQUADE, a native American, of Irish parentage, a practical farmer, laborious and prospering, residing on his own homestead in Hamilton, Madison County, was born in Chenango County, New York, June 18, 1851. His father, Patrick McQuade, was born and brought up in the County of Limerick, Ireland, and there mar- ried Miss Mary Nash. Having immigrated to America immediately afterward, he ob- tained a situation in New York on the Public Works. Later he came to Middleport, town of Lebanon, where he remained for a while. Finally buying a farm near Hamilton Village, he resided here until his death. Patrick and Mary McQuade were the parents of six children - Hannah, John, James, Michael, Thomas, and William. The mother, since the death of her husband, has resided with her daughter in Hamilton. The subject of this biographical sketch, who was the eldest son in the family of the immigrant, worked on the home farm until the age of twenty-five. He took all the opportunities offered in the public schools of his place, and, being ambi- tious for an education, has continued in later life by reading and study to build on the good foundation he there laid. For a part of the time when he was at home on the farm he worked out by the month, and gained experi- ence in agricultural labors. When twenty-
five years of age, he began paying for the farm on which he now lives, and by his persevering industry has brought it into line with the finest in the county. His neat and comfort- able dwelling, substantial, well-filled barns, stables, and other buildings attest the success he has met with, his own strong hands and active brain being the only capital he had for his start in life. He was most fortunate in his choice of a wife, having married, when he was twenty-seven years of age, Miss Clara Williams, who by her good management of household affairs has greatly contributed to their prosperity. Their union has been blessed with five children; namely, Eva, Mary, Bessie, Jay, and Fay.
Mr. McQuade is an upright man, a good citizen and neighbor; and he and his family are highly respected in the community in which they live. He is a strong Democrat, and votes invariably the ticket of that party. Mr. McQuade illustrates the sturdy virtues of his ancestors. Coming to this country with only willing hands to work and an undaunted love of liberty, the father early implanted in the breast of his son loyalty to the American flag, attachment to the institutions of his adopted country; and the son in his life has consistently manifested these patriotic sentiments.
PRANK E. DEWEY, M.D., a prominent physician of Madison County, resid- ing in the village of Peterboro, is a worthy representative of the medical fraternity of this section of the country. Ile was born October
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16, 1849, in the town of Lenox, being a son of Charles and Eliza (Crain) Dewey. The grandfather of our subject, Elijah Dewey, was born in Connecticut, and there grew to man- hood and was married. After marriage he came with his wife to Madison County, set- tling in Stockbridge when it was a compara- tive wilderness. He was a mason by trade, and assisted in the erection of many of the earlier buildings of that place. Both he and his wife spent their last years in Chautauqua County, he living to be seventy-five years of age, and she rounding out seventy-six years. Both were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and the husband was a Whig in his political views. They reared a family of nine children, four of whom are now living: Ralph, who resides in Cattaraugus County ; Charles, father of our subject, who resides in Lenox; Sarah, Mrs. Wood, and Mary, Mrs. Sackett, who both live in Wisconsin.
The parents of our subject, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dewey, are natives of Madison County, where the father was born in Febru- ary, 1823, and the mother in July, 1825. They are living in the town of Lenox, pass- ing their last years in comfort and content- ment at their pleasant home in the village. He was a boot and shoe maker, and followed that trade most successfully until his retire- ment from active business. Politically, he is a strong Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; while his wife is a consistent member of the Baptist church. To them were born thrce children, namely: a son, Frank E .; and two
daughters - Frances M., born January 18, 1851, and Florence I., widow of William Hughes, both of whom are now living with their parents.
Frank E. Dewey grew to manhood in the place of his nativity, attending the public schools, and receiving additional instruction in private schools. As soon as old enough to work he sought employment during his vaca- tions, and, when fourteen years old, began working in the Oneida Community trap-shop, spending his leisure time thus for several years. Having a decided taste for the medi- cal profession, when nineteen years of age he began studying with Dr. James More. In 1870 he entered the University of Buffalo, and after three years of steady application to his studies was graduated from the medical department of that institution with honors, receiving his diploma February 25, 1873. Six months later Dr. Dewey settled in Peter- boro, and has since remained there, having built up a large practice in that and adjacent towns. Being the oldest physician in experi- ence in the place, with a remarkable record for ability and sound judgment, he has won the confidence and esteem of a large circle of patrons and friends.
Soon after his graduation the Doctor was united in marriage with Ella A. Cowles, the wedding taking place April 16, 1873. She was born in Stockbridge in 1853, being a daughter of Caleb G. Cowles, a native of Adams, Jefferson County. She has two sis- ters, Emma and Mary. Mr. Cowles learned the trade of carpenter and joiner when young,
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and has made that his life occupation. In politics he is a firm Republican. Relig- iously, both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of one child, Emma R., born September 26, 1884. Politically, Dr. Dewey is a stanch Republican, and has served as County Cor- oner two terms. He is a member of the Medical Society, in which he has served as President, also a member of the Central New York Medical Association, and of Morrisville Lodge, No. 658, A. F. & A. M.
RS. ROSEPHA ROUSE CROSS, widow of the late George Cross, occupies a leading place among the respected and honored residents of Caze- novia. She is a daughter of James and Esther (Child) Rouse, who were married in Cazenovia, the home of the bride, in No- vember, 1824. Mr. Rouse was a farmer on the west side of Cazenovia Lake, residing there during the whole of his married life, with the exception of eight years spent in Homer, where he went to educate his chil- dren, two sons and two daughters. The mar- riage of Rosepha Rouse and George Cross took place September 13, 1865. Their happy married life of fifteen years was passed in Syracuse, N. Y., to which place Mr. Cross had come with his parents at the age of twelve. He was born in England, and was a son of George Cross, Sr., who settled on a farm near the site of the present city of Syracuse.
Mr. Cross died May 13, 1880, at seventy years of age, leaving by will a handsome es- tate to his widow, who had a home for the next nine years with her brother George in Cazenovia. A brief mention of this gentle- man and his family will here be in place.
George L. Rouse was reared to mercantile life, and was for many years a prominent merchant and leading citizen of Cazenovia, being closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the village. In his political principles he was a Republican, and was elected Assemblyman, serving in 1861-62, and was a personal friend of Chauncey M. Depew. For many years he was Treasurer of the Cazenovia Seminary. He was a sincere Christian and a member of the Baptist church, which he supported liberally with his means, and in which he was an active worker. He died October 4, 1889, aged sixty-one years. His pew and place in the church are kept by Mrs. Cross in affectionate remem- brance of him who was at all times a loving brother, an affectionate husband and kind father, and a true and upright man. His wife, who was Jennie C. Corwin, of Caze- novia, survived him nearly two years, and died in July, 1891, at the age of sixty-three. They left three sons, namely: Herbert J. and Edwin C., twins, now (1893) thirty-eight years of age; and George Harry.
Herbert J. Rouse, one of the mercantile firm of Rouse Brothers, married Miss Henri- etta Pomeroy, of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have one son and one daughter, namely : Harry Leonard, a boy of eleven years; and Elizabeth
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Pomeroy, a girl of nine. Edwin C. Rouse, the twin brother of Herbert, and partner in the hardware and house-furnishing business in Cazenovia, married Grace H. Keeler, of this place; and they are the parents of two sons and two daughters, as follows: Edwin Har- ley, eleven years old; Rosepha M., nine; Leonard Martin, seven; and Grace Irene, five. Both of these gentlemen are well known, and are among the most prominent and popular citizens of Cazenovia. Herbert J. Rouse resides at his pleasant home on Lincklaen Street, where his aunt, Mrs. Cross, has lived for the past four years, since the death of her brother.
Time has dealt kindly with this most esti- mable lady; and, though her hair is somewhat frosted with many winters, yet her bright, kindly eyes are windows to a soul which be- longs alone to a noble and unselfish life and brings a happy and youthful old age.
DWARD FULLER, M.D., late esti- mable and well-beloved physician of Chittenango, Madison County, was born Feb- ruary 19, 1807, in the city of Schenectady, N. Y., and died in this village, January 27, 1877, at the age of nearly seventy years. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary (Ken- dall) Fuller, who were both born in London, England. Jeremiah emigrated from his native country with his father, Samuel Fuller, to America, and settled for life in the city of Schenectady. Fourteen children were born to Jeremiah and Mary Fuller; and, with
one exception, all lived to be over sixty years old, most of them together averaging seventy years. The father died June 18, 1839, at the age of seventy-two years.
Edward Fuller grew to manhood in Schen- ectady, advancing from lower to higher schools, and graduating from the college of that place. He afterward studied medicine in the University of the City of New York, and received his diploma from that institution in 1828. He came direct to the village of Chittenango, where he settled with his brother, Dr. Samuel Fuller. A successful practitioner from the very first, he never removed from Chittenango. In October of 1840 he married Miss Octavia Lee, who was born in Madison County, daughter of Abram and Betsey Lee, her father being a farmer. To Dr. and Mrs. Fuller were born three chil- dren, one son and two daughters. The son was but one year old when he died; and the daughter Elizabeth was taken away from the family in the bloom of maidenhood, at twenty years of age. Miss May, the only surviving member of the family, still resides in the old home in the village. The mother died Au- gust 26, 1886, at the age of seventy years.
The good Doctor was one of the prominent men of the village, and well known for many miles around, devoted to his profession, in his healing ministrations making no distinction between those who could and those who could not recompense him. No matter how the wind blew or the storms raged, this good physician was ever attentive and alert to the call of duty, often travelling many weary
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miles into the country to attend the sick and suffering. Well educated in his profession, he early established himself in the esteem and confidence of the community. He also had a wide range of literary knowledge, which made him a delightful conversationalist, in- teresting and agreeable in society.
His death was looked on as a veritable calamity in his village, and now that the grass grows green over his grave his fragrant memory is still cherished. Politically, Dr. Fuller advocated the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and, religiously, was a good Churchman. His wife was a Congregation- alist church member. In the home made beautiful by his provident care his only child, Miss May Fuller, an estimable and highly educated lady, superintends her household with dignity and exercises a gracious hospi- tality. She is a graduate of the union schools of Schenectady, and a devoted com- municant of the Episcopal church.
OHN R. COWAN, a diligent and suc- cessful dairy farmer of Brookfield, was born in Madison, Madison County, N. Y., January 30, 1848. His grandfather, John Cowan, a schoolmaster, came to New York from the Eastern States, and settled for life in Brookfield.
The father of our subject knew very little of the pleasures of boyhood ; for he was barely seven years old when he was bound out to a Mr. Fuller, of Unadilla Forks, N. Y., where he worked until he was fourteen, at that age
returning to Brookfield, and here remaining for some time. Thrown carly in life on his own resources, he soon understood that he had to put his own hand to the plough and not look backward, if he wished to make his way in the world. When he was twenty-two years of age, he married Miss Nancy Johnson, and began housekeeping in Madison, staying there for eleven years, but later bought a farm in the town of Brookfield, and resided there permanently. They became the parents of five children - Anna Marie, George, John, Clara, and Irving. The mother is still liv- ing, active and healthful, at the age of seventy-six.
John R. Cowan remained at home during boyhood and youth, and in the intervals of attending the district school was trained to agricultural pursuits. When he was twenty- three years old, he married Miss Abilla Green, by whom he had one child, Arabella, now the wife of Mr. Lee Birch. His first wife dying, July 15, 1872, Mr. Cowan mar- ried for his second wife Miss Emma Win- chester, daughter of Horatio and Jeannette Winchester, who has become the mother of one son, George E. Cowan. Mr. Cowan has been very successful in his toilsome, pains- taking, and thriftful undertakings, having an excellent farm and various appliances essen- tial to convenience and comfort according to modern ideas of agriculture. In addition to the raising of small grain and the usual products of farming, he makes a specialty of dairying, keeping a remarkably fine herd of cows, thirty-one in number.
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He sincerely and zealously advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and takes a hearty interest in his town and county affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in good standing. Wide-awake, honest of purpose, persistent in labor, the sturdy husbandmen of Madison County, of whom we have here a representative, stand high in the esteem of their fellow-citizens as it is natural that they should; for
" Honor waits, o'er all the earth, Through endless generations, The art that calls her harvest forth, And feeds the expectant nations."
RS. CAROLINE L. MOTT, widow of Joseph Addison Mott, who died at Hamilton, May 23, 1885, when nearly seventy-six years of age, is a worthy woman and a representative of a highly hon- orable pioneer family of Madison County. Her deceased husband, Joseph Addison Mott, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida County, on the farm of his father, Joseph Mott, who was a native of Dutchess County, New York, and re- moved thence with his wife and one child to Madison County about 1800. His wife was by maiden name Susan Germond. John Mott, the grandfather of Joseph Addison Mott, was a farmer of Dutchess County, and removed to Oneida County, where he died in old age. The family came originally from France, and settled on Long Island, the name at that time being written "Le Mott."
Three brothers of this name left their native land together and came to America, and from these brothers have sprung the numerous members of the Mott family that now reside in this country.
Joseph Addison Mott was the sixth child of his parents, they rearing a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased. Joseph Mott, the father of these seven children, died in Utica, when about sixty years of age. He had been a successful merchant there for many years, and left to his widow and children a comfortable estate, in- cluding a fine farm in Bridgewater, to which his widow removed, and upon which she lived several years. She died in Hamilton at the home of her eldest son, Smith Mott, when she was about eighty-three years of age, retaining her mental faculties to the last.
The maiden name of Mrs. Mott, the subject of this sketch, was Crocker; and she is a daughter of Amos and Mary (Owen) Crocker, both of Rensselaer County, New York. She was married at her present home in Hamilton in 1832, it having been erected by her father about that time. He was a merchant in Hamilton for some years; and his wife, who died at about the age of sixty, was the mother of six children, of whom Mrs. Mott was the third child and the eldest daughter. All of these children are still living but Althea, who became the wife of Judge Blodgett, of Chicago, and died at Waukegan, Wis., about 1886, when past middle life. Mrs. Mott lost an infant son, Edward Eugene, and has two children living, namely: Susan Jeanette,
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J. CLARENCE RASBACH.
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widow of William H. Cobb, living in St. Louis, Mo., and who has one son and one daughter; and David Crocker, of Hamilton, N. Y., who is married, and has a son and daughter.
Mrs. Mott is a communicant of the Protes- tant Episcopal church, as was also her late husband. She is living on the old home- stead, a large and attractive house on the west side of the public square in llamilton, and one of the ancient landmarks of this pretty, thriving village. Mr. Mott, though begin- ning life with but a few hundred dollars, was so industrious and such a successful manager that at the time of his death he was possessed of a fine estate, which he left to his widow; and she is thus enabled to live in comfort and ease, and to enjoy the society of many friends. Her excellence of character and the charm of her disposition have made her liked and es- teemed by all; and, though now in her seventy-eighth year and in somewhat impaired health, she yet possesses all her mental facul- ties to a remarkable degree, and is one of the intelligent, interesting, and good women of the village of Ilamilton.
. CLARENCE RASBACH, Cashier of the First National Bank of Canastota, an experienced financier, a public- spirited and popular citizen, was born in Her- kimer, February 2, 1849. On his father's side he is of German ancestry. llis family name, which was formerly spelled "Raschbach, " meaning "swift brook," has been changed
until it has reached its present form. l'he great - grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Marks Rasbach, was born in Ger- many, June 20, 1700; and it is believed that he came to the United States about 1790. He was married in Herkimer, January 31, 1796, to Elizabeth Devendorf, of Herkimer, by whom he had four sons, of whom Adam M. was the first born. Mirks Rasbach was one of sixteen signers to a call extended in 1802 to Rev. John P. Spinner from the Dutch Reformed churches at Herkimer and German Flats. Rev. John P. Spinner was the father of General Francis Elias Spinner, an Ameri- can financier, born at German Flats, now Mohawk, Herkimer County, N. Y., in the year just mentioned ; was a member of Congress from 1855 to 1861, and Treasurer of the United States from 1861 to 1875, during which period his signature upon the paper money of the United States was probably the most familiar autograph in the world.
Adam M. Rasbach, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born near Herkimer, May 11, 1798. He married Elizabeth Balde, the daughter of Henry Balde, of Herkimer County, who was a native of Germany, and was educated at Amsterdam, in Holland, and in company with two brothers came to the United States, one of the brothers, John, dying of yellow fever during the voyage. Henry, with the other brother, William, safely reached the land of promise, where they lived and prospered many years. Adam M. Rasbach died in 1826, leav- ing his wife with three children. She died April 1, 1891, at Herkimer, N.Y., in the
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ninetieth year of her age. Of the three chil- dren left by Adam M. Rasbach, David H., the father of our subject, was born at Herki- mer, January 1, 1821, and now lives at Can- astota, N.Y. M. W. Rasbach, a brother of David H., is a fur-dealer in the Far West.
David H. Rasbach married Sarah Getman, of Herkimer, daughter of James and Nancy (Campbell) Getman, the former of whom was accidentally killed by the caving in of a gravel bank, and left his wife with two chil- dren: Sarah, mother of our subject; and Elizabeth, wife of Elias Van Valkenburg, of Little Falls, N.Y. J. Clarence Rasbach has two sisters: Mary E., wife of Legrand Col- ton; and Fannie E., a single lady, living with her parents. His brother, Frederick, died in 1873, of typhoid fever, at the age of twenty-six. He had been a student at Ham- ilton College, Clinton, N.Y., and, though not a graduate, was a well-informed and ener- getic young man, and had filled several important positions in banks and with large business firms, having acted as book-keeper, teller, and cashier. At the time of his death he was cashier for the extensive house of John Crouse & Co., of Syracuse, N.Y.
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