USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 69
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J. Clarence Rasbach was educated at Canas- tota High School, and in his eighteenth year entered the Canastota National Bank as mes- senger and clerk, his father being Cashier of the bank at the time. Afterward he became teller, and later an Assistant Cashier and a Director, and still later Cashier, being pro- moted to this latter position in 1887. At the organization of the First National Bank of
Canastota, N.Y., in 1890, he was made its Cashier, which position he still holds, at the same time remaining Cashier of the old Can- astota National Bank, thus being Cashier of two national banks at one time, and giving perfect satisfaction in the performance of the responsible duties of both places. Mr. Ras- bach was married September 13, 1871, to Belle M. Moot, daughter of Colonel Daniel B. and Nancy (Nellis) Moot, both of whom are now deceased, the former dying in his eighty-eighth year, and the latter when seventy-eight. They left three sons and two daughters, namely: Bloom D. Moot, of Oneida; Melancthon N., a farmer of Clock- ville, Madison County; Theodore G., a farmer of Cotton's, Madison County; Eliza- beth M., wife of C. S. Hutchinson, of Syra- cuse, N.Y .; and Mrs. Rasbach. Mr. and Mrs. Rasbach have one daughter, an accom- plished young lady, who in 1893, at the age of eighteen, was graduated with high honors from the Canastota Academy, being the vale- dictorian of her class.
Mr. Rasbach and his family are active and consistent members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canastota. He has been an elder, a Trustee, and the Treasurer of his church for some twenty-four years, and likewise super- intendent of the Sunday-school. He is also Treasurer of the village of Canastota, and Acting Treasurer of the Cemetery Associa- tion. In politics Mr. Rasbach is a Demo- crat, having on the occasion of his first elec- tion to the office of Treasurer of the village overcome a strong Republican opposition, and
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the last time being elected by the universal suffrages of the people, the Republican can- didate having withdrawn. He has always taken a deep interest in all movements in his village calculated to promote the pub- lic weal, especially in educational matters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rasbach are prominent and influential people in society, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
The portrait of Mr. Rasbach forms a fitting accompaniment to this sketch.
HARLES E. STROUD, a worthy de- voted members of the Methodist Episcopal
scendant of a pioneer farmer of the town of Lenox, was born May 28, 1832, in Madison County, N. Y., son of Charles and Dardena Stroud. His paternal grandfather migrated from Vermont to this part of New York State when the country was new to white settlers. Buying land and building a humble log cabin, he entered on a farmer's life of the most primitive simplic- ity in the town of Lenox, where he reared a large family, all now deceased but one, Ira Stroud, who lives in the State of Vermont.
Charles Stroud was but a small boy at the time of his father's removal to this State. He was reared in the town of Lenox, and became a prominent man, known all over the State as a contractor, much employed on gov- ernment works. The bridges of the New York Central Railroad in this vicinity were built by him, and he was for a number of years Superintendent of the Erie Canal. He owned a farm in Lenox of over six hundred
acres. He married and had eight children, two of whom are now living : Charles E., the eldest; and Seward H., a farmer of Canas- tota. The names of those who died are: Mrs. Eliza Corson, at the age of sixty-five; Albro B., sixty years; Sarah Ann, Mrs. John O. Corson, forty years; Perry G., at fifty-five; Ira, aged eighteen; Adelaide, at the age of seven. The father died at Canastota, after reaching the age of eighty-one. He was Supervisor in the town of Lenox for three terms, and was a Whig in politics. He and his wife, Dardena, were consistent and de- church. Mrs. Stroud was born in New York State, and died in Canastota, at the age of eighty-three years. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Charles E. Stroud was brought up in the town of Lenox, and attended various schools, district and select, completing his studies in the seminary at Cazenovia. Until he was twenty years old he assisted his father on the farm. When he became of age, he started out for himself, and went to the West, where he remained five years, engaged in mercantile business. hotel-keeping, and farming in the States of Wisconsin and Illinois. Returning to New York State about the year 1857, he bought a farm of seventy-seven acres in the town of Lenox. In the course of the next few years he bought and sold different farms, but has now finally settled on the one he bought in 1866, consisting of sixty acres of arable land, on which fine crops of corn, wheat, oats, and hops are raised. He also
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has a dairy, his cows being of the famous Holstein breed.
In 1852 Mr. Stroud married Miss Sarah P. Benson, a native of England, who died July 18, 1888, leaving one son. He again mar- ried July 30, 1890, his bride being Mrs. Eliza Hughes, born in Wales. Charles H., son of our subject, is a railroad engineer, whose home is in Syracuse. In his politics Mr. Stroud is a firm supporter of the Repub- lican party. He belongs to the Congrega- tional church, and is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, whose mind has been quickened by contact with the world, who in his varied experiences in dif- ferent parts of the country has acquired a fund of interesting and valuable information. The name he bears is an honorable one in the records of the county.
"OHN H. NORTHROP, one of the most prominent and useful citizens of the town of Eaton, a representative of an carly pioneer family and of various lines of activity, was born in the town of Fenner, August 15, 1835. He is a son of Sylvester and Mahala (Kimball) Northrop, the first- named of whom was a son of Barzilla, and Abigail (Rockwood) Northrop. Barzilla, Northrop was born in Lenox, Mass., and removed thence to Mile Strip in the town of Fenner in 1806, being one of the earliest settlers of that town. He made his journey to this county by means of ox-teams, settled
in the woods on a farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres, and erected a modest log cabin, in which he lived several years, in the mean time clearing his land, cultivating his farm, and laying the foundations for a perma- nent home in this new country. Many were the hardships experienced by him and his family, and many were the pleasures they enjoyed; for no condition of life is without its bright side. Five of his six children grew to mature years, but all are now de- ceased. He himself died on the farm on which he first settled, having been in his day a prominent and honored citizen of his adopted State, well known as Captain North- rop of the State militia. In politics he was a Whig, and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the old school Presbyterian church. They died when full of years, mourned by a large circle of friends.
Sylvester Northrop was also a native of Massachusetts, born in 1792, and came to Mile Strip with his father when still a young lad. The farm he purchased in later years adjoined that of his father. He was twice married, first, when twenty-one years of age, to Lucinda Lathrop, who died leaving two children ; and for the second time to Mahala Kimball, who was born in Oriskany Falls, Oneida County, N. Y. By these two mar- riages Mr. Northrop was the father of twelve children, of whom these are now living, namely: Abbie Lawrence, by first wife; Syl- vester, Amelia, Stafford, Laura Ketchum, John, Charles, Joseph, Armina, Hubbard, and Hattie, by the second. The father died on
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his farm in the town of Fenner, at sixty-one years of age, highly respected by all who knew him. He was always a hard-working and honest man. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and in politics was a Whig. His widow died when she was sixty- eight years old.
John H. Northrop was born in the town of Fenner; and there grew to manhood's estate, assisting his father in the management of the farm. His education, which is of a more comprehensive nature than that received by even many young men of the present day, was secured first in the district schools, and later in Peterboro Academy and in Cazenovia Sem- inary. When eighteen years of age. he began teaching school in Madison County, and con- tinued in the exercise of this profession till 1870. Then, purchasing an interest in a general merchandise store at Munnsville, he was engaged in trade two years. In 1873 he removed to West Eaton, and here engaged in the milling business. At the present time he conducts a grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a cider- mill, all three of which give him plenty to do. He has been honored by his fellow-citi- zens by election to the office of Justice of the Peace, and has served continuously from 1876 to the present time. He is a member of Farmers' Grange, No. 873, of West Eaton. and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Northrop was married in 1871 to Lizzie Gallup, who was born in the town of Fenner, a daughter of Lyman and Fannie Gallup, of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Gallup had a family of five children. all of whom are
living. Mi. Gallup died when about sixty- five years of age, and his wife when eighty- seven. In politics he was a Whig; and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as are their daughter and her husband at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Northrop take an active interest in both religious and education il work and in everything, in fine. that tends to advance the material and moral interests of the community in which they live. Thus, acting well their part, they are held in merited respect.
MMETT G. LAMPHER, a prominent business man ot Hamilton, is a large an extensive dealer in coal, having offices both in Norwich and Hamilton. He is a native of New York. born in Owego, Tioga County, September 26, 1835. 1His father, George Lampher, was born in Catskill, Greene County. He was a man of energy and enterprise, and, when quite young, engaged in the lumber business, to which he added that of a contractor. When railways began to be pushed through this State, he secured the con- tract tor supplying ties. building material. and wool fuel as used in the early days, of several different ones, among which may be mentioned the Delaware & Hulson, Bing- haiton & Susquehanna, Binghamton & Syra- cuse, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, and the Canan laigua & Niagara Falls Railways, holding a contract for the last four at the same time. After the completion of the railways, and before coal was used in generat-
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ing steam, Mr. Lampher was awarded the contract for cutting and sawing the wood on the different railways. In addition to this profitable business he was actively engaged in agriculture, being the possessor of three or four farms in Tioga County. For a period of four years he resided in Chenango County, engaged extensively in the lumber business. With this exception, the larger part of his life after marriage was spent in Tioga County, where his death occurred in August, 1875, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Simonds. She was a daughter of John Simonds, and was born in Catskill, N.Y., in 1799. She died in Tioga County, January 16, 1874. To her and her husband were born nine children, of whom three are now living.
E. G. Lampher, of whom we write, re- ceived a substantial education in the public schools of his native town, and remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority. At that time he entered the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern Railway Company, remaining with them nearly four years. He then went to Erie County, and in partnership with his brother, J. C. Lampher, purchased a tract of land seven miles from Buffalo, and, erecting a saw- mill, engaged in the manufacture of staves, barrel heads, etc., continuing in this business nine years. Disposing of this property, the following two years he was engaged in the bridge department of the Erie Railway Com- pany. Leaving their employ, Mr. Lampher then settled on the farm which he still owns
in Candor, Tioga County, and for the next eight years superintended his farm, and car- ried on a successful business in lumber. Removing thence to Tonawanda, in company with his brother, J. C. Lampher, he operated a planing - mill and machine - shop for two years. He then removed to Norwich, and engaged in business as a coal-dealer, and has continued thus employed until the present time. His trade increasing from year to year, he has continually extended his opera- tions ; and in the spring of 1893, in conjunc- tion with his brother, C. W. Lampher, he purchased the warehouses of Mr. Smith in Hamilton, and removed to this place to take charge of the business here, his brother re- maining in Norwich to look after the interests there.
Mr. Lampher has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Mary Adelaide Thornton. She was born in the county of Tompkins, New York, and was a daughter of Peleg and Maria Thornton. Her married life was of short duration, her death occurring in 1864. To her and her husband were born two children, Ida and Edith. Mr. Lampher's second marriage was celebrated February 18, 1867, when he was wedded to Helen Dodd, a native of Ithaca, N.Y. She is a descendant of an old New England fam- ily, her great-grandfather, Captain John Dodd, who was for many years a sea-captain, having been a native of New Haven, Conn. His son John, grandfather of Mrs. Lampher, was also born in New Haven. He was a car- riage-maker by trade, and some years after
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his marriage with Susan Potter emigrated to Tioga County, and continued his business in the town of Owego for many years, dying there at an advanced age.
John S. Dodd, father of Mrs. Lampher. was born in New Haven, Conn., and was there reared and educated. IIe learned the trade of carriage-builder from his father, and for many years carried on the business in Ithaca, Tompkins County, where he spent his last years, dying February 22, 1871. The maiden name of his wife was Lucy Hatch. She was a daughter of Reuben Hatch and a native of this State, born in Owego, Tioga County. She died in Ithaca, August 20, 1875. To her and her husband were born five children, of whom four are now living.
Reuben Hatch, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lampher, was born in Connecticut. and there reared to manhood. He married Rox- anna Curtis, also a native of Connecticut : and a few years after their marriage they joined a party, consisting of several families living in their vicinity, and emigrated to this State, becoming pioneers of Tioga County. Mr. Hatch purchased a tract of wild land, and, after erecting the customary log house for his family residence, began clearing a farm. Deer, turkeys, and the smaller birds were plentiful; and the pioneers of those days usually furnished the family larder with the game supplied by the markets of the present day. There were no railways in this section of the country for many years after their settlement here, and all marketable products were conveyed down the river by means of
rafts. Mr. Hatch improved a fine farm; and there he and his wite spent their last years, both dying on the old homestead. Of the second marriage of our subject three children were born, namely: John S., who died June 6, 1893, in the twenty-fourth year of his age; May and Grace, living at home.
Mr. Lampher is a thorough business man, well and favorably known in the locality, and everywhere respected for his integrity and straightforward business principles. In local politics he is independent, voting for the best man for the position, but on the national ticket cast his vote with the Republican party.
OEL G. WATKINS well represents one of the principal industries of the United States, that of agriculture, which must of necessity flourish, or no other industry can flourish, and which therefore is at the base of prosperity and progress. Mr. Watkins has a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in the town of Lenox, Madi- son County, upon which he has lived since 1854. He was born at Kirkville, Oneida County, January 22. 1830, a son of Truman Watkins, a native of New England, and, it is believed. of Connecticut. by occupation a farmer. The mother of Truman Watkins died when he was fifteen years oldl. He married Maria Prosser, who on her mother's side was of Dutch descent. She was the second wife of Mr. Watkins; and he was her second husband. each of them having had children by a former marriage. The first
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child born of this marriage was Joel G. Wat- kins; and besides him they had the following children : Garret, a farmer of Chittenango, and a reliable, religious man; William, who died in Ovid, Mich., in 1892, at the age of fifty-nine; Harriet, who died in infancy; Phebe, who marricd Henry White, and died in middle life, leaving no children; and Edwin and Edward, twins, who died within a few hours of each other, when eighteen months old. Truman Watkins died March 21, 1862, at the age of sixty-two, leaving a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres, which belonged to him and his son Joel jointly, and which had an encumbrance of nine thousand dollars. His widow was after- ward married again, and survived him many years, dying in her daughter's home at Filer Settlement in 1884, at the age of seventy-six. She was the mother of ten children, and a most worthy woman, being of a retiring dis- position and devoted to housewifely and motherly duties.
Joel G. Watkins was reared to farm work, but in early life began to learn the car- penter's trade with Jacob Schuyler, thinking that he was a natural mechanic. He worked three years before finding out that in this supposition he had made a mistake. He has, however, worked at this trade to a greater or less extent all his life, though his principal occupation has been farming. In politics Mr. Watkins is a Republican, believing that party the most competent by experience and by principle to manage the great and varied interests of the nation. On his farm he
raises a variety of crops, including tobacco, and has been a hop-grower for fifteen years. Of late he has kept a dairy of about eight cows, making butter in his little creamery at home. In 1873 he built a new farm-house, which was one of the finest dwellings in the town of Lenox; and its destruction by fire, January 1, 1891, was a severe loss to Mr. Watkins, as, besides being a handsome and commodious house, which was but partially insured, it contained many souvenirs and relics, articles precious from association, that can never be replaced. He now lives in his tenant cottage, and the old house erected by his father is still doing duty as a car- penter-shop and creamery. It is built, as houses always were in those days, with a very strong and heavy frame, its timbers being eight inches square and the sleepers four feet apart. It has been the scene of many a jolly frolic, such as the pioneers knew how to enjoy, but which now appear to have lost their charm.
Mr. Watkins was married November II, 1854, to Miss Minerva I. Hopkins, a well- educated and capable young lady of about seventeen years, an adopted daughter of Albert Cook, of Pompey Hollow, Onondaga County. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are the parents of three children, namely: Ida W., wife of W. L. Chapman, of Bradford, Pa., by whom she has one son and one daughter - Will R. and Beatrice; Laura, wife of Robert L. Brophy, a grocer of Canastota; and Vinal A., a farmer, living at home, married to Hattie Weiner, daughter of Bernhart Weiner,
ASA R. BAILEY.
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whose wife was Catharine Rice, of Syracuse. Mrs. Hattie Watkins has two sisters living, namely: Julia, wife of Wellington Green; and Eva, wife of George Poland. Mrs. Ida W. Chapman is well known in Madison County as a reader and elocutionist. She is a graduate of the National School of Oratory and Elocution at Philadelphia, having re- ceived therefrom the degree of Bachelor of Elocution; and she is still a popular and suc- cessful teacher of elocution and Delsartism.
SA R. BAILEY, now deceased, was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the town of Nelson, where he was born, January 22, 1826. He was the son of Anson and Roxanna (Payne) Bailey, natives of New York State. David Bailey, father of Anson, came to Madison County from Connecticut early in the present century, and settled in the town of Nelson, taking up new land yet cov- ered with the primeval forest. Here he erected a log cabin, and worked hard and per- sistently to provide for the wants of his large family, he and his wife being parents of ten children. Besides engaging in the labor of the farm, he was a shoemaker, and used to go from house to house, plying his trade, after the pioneer custom. He was married three times, and died at the age of eighty years in the western part of this State. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith followed the tenets of the Methodist church, of which he was an ardent and active member.
The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Ruggles Payne, was also an carly settler of the town of Nelson, and suffered all the hardships of pioneer lite. While building his first home in the wilderness, his dwelling was in the woods, his couch a hol- lowed log, and his roof the starry vault of heaven. From such primitive conditions he by honest, persevering toil evolved success, and died at the age of eighty years on his farm of three hundred acres, which he had brought to the highest state of cultivation. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Susannah Daniels, and that of his second Betsy Farnham. Ile was a Republican in politics, and in religious belief a Universalist.
Anson Bailey, the father of Asa R., in his mature years was a prominent agriculturist of this town, although he began his working life modestly enough, laboring by the month for Mr. Ruggles Payne, at the same time, it is to be presumed, winning the affections of his employee's daughter, whose hand he at length received in marriage. For a few years after this event he followed the trade of fuller and clothier, and later bought a farm in the town of Nelson, upon which he resided for the re- mainder of his life. At the age of fifty-two he met with a sudden and appalling death by falling from the roof of a barn upon which he was working. He left a widow and three children, only one of whom is now living; namely, Mrs. F. M. Darrow, a resident of West Eaton. N. Y. The mother, Mrs. Rox- anna (Payne) Bailey, died at the age of
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seventy years. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Asa R. Bailey grew to manhood in the town of Nelson, receiving a good common- school education. February 21, 1849, he married Miss Cemantha M. Farnham, who was born in the town of Nelson, November 28, 1829, a daughter of Calvin and Nancy (Donaldson) Farnham, her mother bcing of Scotch ancestry. Mrs. Bailey's paternal grandparents were Calvin and Martha (Kings- bury) Farnham, natives of New England, and pioneers of the town of Nelson. Her father, inheriting the home farm, being their only son, resided thercon until his death, at the age of forty-two. Five of his eight children are now living, as follows: Mrs. Maria Holt, residing in Morrisville, N.Y .; Clark A., who lives in Nelson; Mrs. Cemantha Bailey ; John D., residing in Minnesota; and Caro- line M. Lelland. Mrs. Nancy D. Farnham was born in Eastern New York, a daughter of Alexander and Clarissa (Stowell) Donaldson. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Holt, in Morrisville, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. After his marriage Mr. Bailey remained on the home farm for a time, and then purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides in the eastern part of the town of Nelson. Here he lived until his death, on February 15, 1891.
Mrs. Bailey now conducts the farm of one hundred and seventy acres, with the assist- ance of her son-in-law, Thomas H. Roberts, who resides with her. She has no children living, her only daughter, Helen M., who was
married to Mr. Roberts, having died at the age of twenty-cight years. Mrs. Bailey is a worthy and intelligent lady, displaying great ability in the management of her affairs, and being much respected and admired by all who know her. She is a member of the Metho- dist church, as was her late husband, both proving in their lives the sincerity of their faith. Mr. Bailey was a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and held at different times various offices in the gift of his party. He was a man of the most upright character, faithful to the public interests intrusted to his care, and true to all his personal obliga- tions, being a true and loving husband, a kind father, and a firm and constant friend. At his death the town of Nelson lost a man who was in the highest sense representative of its best citizenship; and his portrait, which appears in connection with this sketch, will be welcomed by all who knew him per- sonally or by reputation.
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