USA > New York > Madison County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Madison County, New York > Part 7
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labor of his talented and amiable wife. He was married November 25, 1891, to Miss Ida L. Griffin, of Oswego County, New York, daughter of Henry L. and Lovina (Gilman) Griffin, of Jefferson County. She was edu- cated at Mexico, Oswego County, and at the Oswego Normal School, commencing to teach when seventeen years of age, which occupa- tion she followed until subsequent to her mar- riage to Mr. Keating. She was eminently successful in her calling, and enjoys the dis- tinction of being the first lady School Com- missioner elected in the State of New York. Her father, Henry L. Griffin, was a ship- carpenter and farmer, and died at his home near Mexico, in 1875, when fifty-four years of age. He was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting as a volunteer from Sackett's Har- bor, and serving two years. The exposure and hardships incident to camp life greatly impaired his health, and led to his early death. He left a widow and two children, namely: H. M. Griffin, a miller, of Mexico, N. Y. ; and Mrs. Keating. Mrs. Griffin died in March, 1893, when sixty-six years of age. Enoch Griffin, the father of Henry L., was a native of New Hampshire, and married Eu- nice Thornton, of Vermont; and they came to Jefferson County in an early day. John Gilman, the father of Lovina Griffin, was born in Jefferson County in the year 1800, and in his thirty-fifth year joined the little company of men, and marched away to free Canada from British rule. At their first battle all were taken prisoners, and sent to Van Dieman's Land for life. John Gilman
was pardoned after eight years, and, after many hardships in the gold mines of Aus- tralia, finally came home, after seventeen years' absence.
UCIUS C. PALMER is a worthy rep- resentative of one of the pioneer families of Madison County, New York. He was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga. County, N. Y., April 11, 1819. His grandfather and father were both born in Massachusetts, and came to New York State in the early manhood of the father, being among the first settlers of Onondaga County.
Solomon Palmer, the father of our subject, was married in Massachusetts to Miss Susan Eldridge, whose birthplace was in Rhode Island. They came first to Tully, where Lucius was born, afterward removed to Vi- enna, Oneida County, and were there only a short time, when the father was accidentally killed, in the year 1821, while felling a tree. The widow married Augustus Elmore, and in her last years lived with a daughter near Utica, N.Y.
Our subject was a twin, and was only two years old at the death of his father. Until twelve years of age he lived with the family of Charles Marsden, in the town of Vienna, N. Y .; and at the death of Mr. Marsden, which occurred at this time, he returned to his mother and stepfather. When he was fourteen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of shoemaking, also tanning and curry- ing, serving for four years as an apprentice,
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then did journeyman work for two or three years, and afterward worked at the shoe- maker's trade in Rome, N. Y., until 1846. Going from there to Oneida, he engaged in the same trade until 1873. Having great natural taste as a landscape gardener, Mr. Palmer in 1855 was given the charge of the village cemetery, which he beautified and tended so faithfully that, when the new one, Glenwood, was opened, he received the ap- pointment of being its care-taker also. His exquisite taste and unremitting attention have made these "hallowed places " most attractive spots; and their quiet beauty po- tently serves to mitigate the horror and repul- sion naturally felt by bereaved ones in laying away their beloved in these "cities of the dead." He has a record of all the burials in the two cemeteries since 1857. In 1839 Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Emeline Sturte- vant, who was a native of Verona, Oneida County, and the daughter of Cephus and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Sturtevant. She died in June, 1888, leaving four children ; namely, Sarah, Eugene, William, and Nellie. Sarah married Sidney Wise, and has two children, Charles and Gertrude. Eugene married Liz- zie Ruby; and their children are Grove, Harry, Burt, Belle, Ruby, and Bessie. Will- iam married Miss Anna Ahle, and has one child, Lillian. Nellie married Charles L. Warriner, and has three children; namely, Willard, Ella, and Harold. In 1889 Mr. Palmer married Miss Eliza M. Dygert, who died in 1893.
Mr. Palmer cast his first Presidential vote
for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and was one of the organizers of the Republican party. He has filled various offices of trust, has served as Constable, Village Collector, and was for ten years Deputy Sheriff. He is a firm supporter and adherent of the Baptist church, as was also his first wife. By his strict integrity and upright life he has made for himself a large circle of friends, who appreciate his many noble qualities.
A DDISON F. SNELL. Among the prosperous and progressive agricultu- rists of Madison County, the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this sketch occupies a worthy place. He was born January 13, 1845, on the old homestead in Stockbridge, where he has always resided, and of which he is now the owner.
Frederick Snell, the father of our subject, was born in Herkimer County in 1804. Reared to agricultural pursuits, shortly after attaining his majority, in 1825, he came to Stockbridge, and took up a tract of new land. He began clearing a farm, and, while improv- ing that, assisted in the development of the town, becoming a prominent and influential citizen. In process of time he bought other property, adding to it occasionally, until at the time of his death, which occurred August 26, 1873, he owned four hundred acres of valuable land. Early separated by death from his first wife, whose maiden name was Eve Stam, he married her sister, Nancy Stam, who was born in Herkimer County, July 4, 1811, and who
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lived to the age of threescore and ten years. A son and a daughter, Hermon and Elizabeth, born of the first marriage, and three sons, Addison, Ira, and Charles, born of the sec- ond, are now living. The first-named resides in Lebanon, the last two in Vernon, the others in Stockbridge. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Snell were valued members of the Universalist church. In politics he was a sound Democrat, and for many years served as Assessor, besides filling other offices.
Addison F. Snell enjoyed the educational privileges of the district school. From his parents he received a practical training in all branches pertaining to agriculture, and for several years before the death of his father successfully managed the home farm. He subsequently bought the original homestead of two hundred and seventy-six acres, where he lives, engaged in general farming and stock- raising. He has from twenty-five to thirty acres devoted to the raising of hops, of which he makes a specialty, and from which he realizes a good profit. He has also a fine dairy, comprising from twenty-five to forty head of cattle of mixed breeds, to which he pays much attention.
In 1876 our subject was united in marriage to Annie C. Wood, a native of Stockbridge. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom are now living : J. Frederick, born January 22, 1879; and Laura N., born in October, 1885. Politi- cally, Mr. Snell is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is a strong supporter of its principles. He is numbered among the solid
men of his town, and is warmly interested in everything that tends to promote its welfare and prosperity. In the management of its affairs he cheerfully accepts his part ; and for six years he has served as Assessor and Ex- cise Commissioner.
HE REV. DWIGHT WILLIAMS, preacher, poet, and author, and a resi- dent of Cazenovia, was born April 26, 1824.
His father, Elijah Williams, was born here July 13, 1796, and is said to have been the first white male child born in Cazenovia. He died in 1844. His father was James Will- iams, a soldier in the War of the Revolution and of 1812, and a son of Lieutenant Joseph Williams, from Leverett, Mass., who served two years in the French and Indian War, tak- ing part in several engagements, and was later a soldier in the War of the Revolution, was present at the battle of Saratoga, and served until the close of the struggle. It was in this latter war that he attained the rank of Lieutenant. He came to Cazenovia in 1794, with a family of three sons and two daugh- ters. He was one of the first Trustees of the Presbyterian church in Cazenovia, organized in 1798. He lived to the age of ninety- three years, dying in 1857. The family has thus been identified with the town for a cen- tury.
Elijah Williams, the father, married Sophia Brigham, a daughter of Phineas and Susanna Brigham, both of Marlboro, Mass. They . became the parents of three children,
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namely: Jane, who died in Cazenovia, when but fifteen years of age; Harriet, now the widow of Van Rensselaer Leland, who was the son of Colonel Yale Leland, a prominent farmer of the town of Madison. She is now a resident of Norfolk, Va.
Dwight Williams received his education in Skaneateles Academy and Cazenovia Semi- nary, and in 1851 became a member of the Oneida Conference. He has remained a mem- ber of this conference, now known as the Central New York, up to the present time, - a period of forty-two years. He was married in July, 1855, to Keziah Elizabeth Lane, of Westmoreland, Oneida County, and a daugh- ter of James Lane. Four children hallowed this union, one of whom, a son, bears his father's name, and is by profession an artist ; one son died in infancy; Susan Brigham is unmarried; and Mary Harriet is the wife of Richard Vernam Barto, a prominent business man of Tacoma, Wash. The mother of these children died May 10, 1883, at the age of forty-nine. She was a lovely and accom- plished woman, of a true Christian character.
Mr. Williams is now retired from the active work of the ministry, and devotes his time largely to literary work. He is a poet of no mean order, and published his first volume of miscellaneous poems in 1876. This edition is now out of print; but a second volume, published by Phillips & Hunt, and entitled "The Beautiful City in Song," has found many appreciative readers. He possesses, also, a unique and interesting collection of booklets containing gems of poetical thought.
During the period of his active ministry he was the pastor of congregations in Camillus, Hamilton, Oxford, Clinton, Auburn, and many other places. He was for some time on the editorial staff of the Watchword, a tem- perance paper, and has been thoroughly iden- tified with the Prohibition movement on the platform and by many prose and poetic contri- butions. He occupied, also, the position of assistant editor of the Northern Advocate. He has written largely as a stated contribu- tor to the Home Fournal, the Northern and Christian Advocates, and the Union Signal. He still does partial pulpit work, but his lit- erary work engages his chief attention. He has written a variety of elocutionary poems, some of which have passed into standard use. His latest effort, "The Mother of the Won- derful," is a poem of long and careful study, and is much commended by some of our emi- nent poets and critics. This poem perhaps represents the spirit, the scope, and style of his work equal to any he has produced. In the Sullivan centennial, 1878, he was invited to read a poem at that interesting celebration at Waterloo, N. Y.
LIVER B. HINKLEY. This gen- tleman can assuredly lay claim to being one of the oldest inhabitants of Brookfield, N. Y., having been born in that town, October 10, 1811.
David Hinkley, his father, went from Con- necticut with the grandfather, Wyott Hink- ley, when only ten years of age, and was one
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of the pioneers of the town. The great-grand- father on the mother's side was Captain Daniel Brown, a native of Connecticut, who was the first man that settled in Brookfield, when it was still a vast, unbroken forest. It was on the 4th of July, 1791, that he cele- brated the glorious anniversary in a practical fashion, by making the woods ring with the sound of his axe instead of the roar of mus- ketry, and commenced on this auspicious day to cut the timber that made his home. In the following year, 1792, a number of other settlers arrived, and thus started the town. It was then the first grist-mill was built. In the cemetery of this town repose the great- grandfather (Captain Brown), the grand- fathers, grandmothers, and parents of our subject.
David Hinkley was educated in the district schools, and until twenty-one years of age remained on the home farm. He then worked out for some years, and later returned to it, where hc resided until his death, when fifty- nine years of age. He married Miss Susanna Brown, the grand-daughter of Captain Daniel Brown, above mentioned. Of this marriage there were eight children, - Oliver B., Phebe U., Lois, Abigail, Mary, Esther, Maria, and Daniel A. The mother died at the age of seventy years.
Our subject was reared on the farm, his only educational opportunities being the lim- ited oncs of the district school, and during this time helped in the work of the farm. He had scarcely rcached his majority when he wooed and won Miss Avis Burdick, daughter
of Ethan and Mary (Rogers) Burdick, with whom for over sixty-one years he has lived a life of unbroken peace and contentment. True it is that heavy sorrow has come to them in the death of their two lovely daugh- ters, Louisa A. and Juliaette; but it has only served to draw them nearer to each other, and to-day they are beautiful examples of "love that never grows old." D. J., the only sur- viving child, married Miss Carrie E. Lang- worthy. She died, leaving two children, --- O. Earle, a telegraph student, and Edna A. Hinkley. His second wife was Miss Katie Day, of Waterville, N.Y. Louisa, the daughter of our subject and his wife, mar- ried Richard Loyd, of Columbus, N. Y., and died in 1878, leaving one child, Zennie Estelle. Their second daugher, Juliaette, was the wife of William Craine, and died in 1883, also leaving a daughter, Mabel L. These three grand-daughters of this venerable couple are lovely and accomplished young ladies.
Mr. Hinkley is eighty-two years of age, and his wife a few weeks younger. They are hale and hearty, living alone in their beautiful home, which they established upon the farm now occupied during the first year of their union. Here they have led a blissful married life of sixty-one years. Devoted to each other as when they were first wedded, they have borne their sorrows together; and, al- though the impress of these griefs has left its furrows on their brows, still their faith and serenity have kept their hearts young, and there is no house in the town where better
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cheer and more open-handed hospitality can be found. Mrs. Hinkley still supervises her household; and in business matters Mr. Hink- ley's advice is sought, as he is a judicious and prudent counsellor. In his long life he has always been a great reader. He has ever illustrated his worthy ancestry, and in himself is an ideal representative of a pioneer of the town. Both he and his wife may well be called grand old people; and, as hand in hand they journey down the voyage of life, they have the love and fondest hopes of their fellow-citizens that they may "live long in the land."
ERMAN SNELL, a progressive farmer of Lebanon, was born in the town of Stockbridge, Madison County, March 6, 1831. He is of German lineage, his great-grandfather having been a native of Germany, emigrating to America in company with his brother in Colonial times, and locat- ing in the Mohawk Valley. He was one of the pioneers of the place, and, securing a tract of timber land, worked steadily at its improvement, assisting also in the develop- ment of the town. He became an esteemed citizen of that part of New York, and during the Revolutionary War fought in behalf of his adopted country.
His son, grandfather of our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and resided in Mannheim several years after his marriage to Miss Timmerman, a native of America, but of German ancestry. Leaving Mannheim, he bought a farm in Stockbridge, Madison
County, where he spent the remaining years of his life.
Frederick Snell, the father of our subject, was sixteen years of age when he came with his parents to Stockbridge, which was ever afterward his home. He remained with his parents, assisting in the cultivation of the land, and received a practical education in all that pertained to the successful operation of the farm of which he afterward became the owner. He was a thrifty, industrious man, possessed of excellent judgment, and con- tinued to add to his landed estate until he became the possessor of four hundred acres of fine land, which he carried on advantageously until his death. He was twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of our subject, was Eva Stam. She was born in Canajoharie, N.Y., being a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bell) Stam. She died in 1835; and Mr. Snell afterward married Miss Nancy Stam, a sister of his first wife.
Herman Snell, of whom we write, was reared and educated in Stockbridge, and early engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming a most prosperous farmer. In 1864 he removed to Lebanon, where he purchased a farm in District No. 12, which is beautifully located, and contains two hundred and fifty acres of well-improved land, amply provided with substantial buildings. Our subject was united in marriage in 1864 to DeEtte Part- ridge, who was born in Georgetown, a daugh- ter of James Partridge. To them have been born four children, - Mary, Clara, Frederick J., and Milo H. Mr. and Mrs. Snell are
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honored and respected citizens of Lebanon, living upright and conscientious lives, thereby benefiting themselves and their community. Mrs. Snell is a consistent member of the Bap- tist church. In politics Mr. Snell supports the Democratic party.
ERRIT A. FORBES. Among the honored sons of Madison County
stands prominently forth he whose name heads this brief mention. He was born near Clockville, town of Lenox, Madison County, N. Y., May 30, 1836, and is a son of Isaac J. and Abigail (Sayles) Forbes, the former of whom was a son of Jacob Forbes, a farmer of Lenox, who reared a family of ten sons and three daughters, of whom Isaac J. was one of the younger. He died in Clockville, when eighty-six years of age.
The father of Jacob Forbes was a Scotch- man, who came to the Mohawk Valley at the time of its early settlement. The family name, although known as Forbes in Scotland, in the Mohawk Valley took the form of Forbush. Isaac J. Forbes, the father of our subject, was born at Clockville, Madison County, and died in La Fayette, Ind., when about fifty years of age. His wife was a daughter of Silas Sayles, and a grand- daughter of William Sayles, formerly of Con- necticut, who came to this part of New York State. Silas Sayles was at one time Post- master at Peterboro. To Isaac J. Forbes and his wife were born eleven children, three sons and eight daughters, of whom Gerrit A. was
the seventh in order of birth. The mother of these children died in 1852, when but forty- six years old. She had been a schoolmate of the famous American philanthropist, Gerrit Smith. But two of her daughters are now living, namely: Mary A., widow of Daniel King, residing at Clockville, one mile from the family birthplace; and Harriet T., widow of Darius Johnson.
He of whom we write was reared a farmer- boy, and received but a common-school educa- tion in his youth; but in 1860, feeling a strong inclination toward the legal profession, he began the study of law with Hon. B. F. Chapman, of Clockville, was admitted to the bar May 13, 1863, and became the law partner of Judge Chapman, August 1, 1863. From January 1, 1871, to January 1, 1874, he occupied the position of District Attorney, and was elected to the office of Justice of the Supreme Court in November, 1887. He was united in marriage July 10, 1862, to Miss Ellen Brooks, of Clockville, N. Y., daughter of Colon and Matilda (Hills) Brooks. She is the mother of two children, namely: Maude I., wife of D. Fiske Kellogg, city editor of the New York Sun; and Claude L., a grad- uate of Yale College, and a member of the law firm of Wilson & Forbes, of Syracuse, N. Y. Mrs. Kellogg is a graduate of the Canastota Academy, and her husband of Amherst Col- lege. He was the valedictorian of the class of 1886. They are the parents of one son, D. Fiske Kellogg, Jr.
Judge Forbes has practised law in Canas- tota since 1868, where he removed in 1873.
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In 1884 he became the head of the law firm of Forbes, Brown & Tracy at Syracuse, N. Y., having taken the place of Hon. George N. Kennedy in the firm of Sedgewick, Andrews, Kennedy & Tracy. Mr. Brown was of the old law firm of Pratt, Mitchell & Brown. Mr. Pratt was Justice of the Supreme Court and Attorney-General of the State. Judge Kennedy was retired by age from the Supreme Bench, January 1, 1893.
Our subject is a Republican in his political views, and in fraternal matters is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He was President of the Board of Education of Canas- tota School and Academy for fourteen years, and has been prominently associated with all public-spirited enterprises and all movements having for their aim the material prosperity and moral advancement of the community in which his lot is cast. He and his excellent wife are as well liked and as sincerely re- spected as they are widely known, and take a foremost place among the useful, intelli- gent, and popular citizens of Madison County.
EORGE E. WOODS, an energetic and well-to-do farmer, pleasantly located in Stockbridge, is a native of Madison County, born in Hamilton, February 2, 1844, being a son of Edwin and Evaline (Pierce) Woods.
John Woods, grandfather of our subject, was born in Madison, and here grew up under pioneer influences, attending the schools of that day, and early becoming inured to the
hardships attendant upon pioneer life. Wild game was plentiful; and, as soon as old enough to use a rifle, he assisted in supply- ing the family larder. On reaching manhood, he bought a farm, and subsequently married Lydia Wilcox; and they reared a family of five children, none of whom survive. Mr. Woods was a prominent man in his day, and became very successful in his occupation, and the possessor of considerable land, being the owner of several farms. He also erected a saw-mill, which he operated with success. He emigrated from here to Illinois, settling in Fulton County, in the town of Woodstock, now called Avon. Here he and his wife spent their last days in comfort, Mr. Woods dying at the venerable age of ninety years, and Mrs. Woods when seventy-eight years old. Both were firm believers in the doc- trines of the Universalist church. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat.
Edwin Woods, father of our subject, spent his early years in the town of Madison, receiv- ing his education in the district schools. When old enough to leave home, he learned the trade of a harness-maker, under Mr. Fox, of Morrisville. He spent several years work- ing at his trade in Madison County, then, desiring to see more of the country, took a trip West, and spent three years in Illinois. Returning to New York, he bought a farm near Munnsville, where he spent his declining years, dying June 17, 1870, at the age of threescore years. He was twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Eva- Iine Pierce. She died in 1852, leaving one
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child, George E. Mr. Woods afterward mar- ried Mary Picrcc, a sister of his first wife; and of that union two children were born. John C., born in 1857, is living on the farm near Munnsville; and Ella P., born in 1865, is living with her brother George.
The subject of this sketch, George E. Woods, received his elementary education in the district schools of Hamilton; but, remov- ing from there to Stockbridge with his parents when nine years of agc, he attended the schools of that place. As soon as old enough to earn his own livelihood he obtained a posi- tion as clerk in the general store of C. R. Nash, of Hubbardsville, remaining with him for a period of four ycars. The next two years he worked in Munnsville. His father being taken sick at that time, he was obliged to come home and take charge of the farm, which has since been under his careful super- vision. The original homestead containcd cighty acres of land; but the father added to it by purchase, and at the time of his death it had been increased to two hundred acres, all of which is still owned by the children. Our subject manages this with much success, and in addition thereto has one hundred acres of his own which he carries on. He is a general farmer and stock-grower, having twenty head of grade Jerseys and some full bloods. He pays much attention to the culture of hops, raising annually ten to fifteen acres of this profitable crop.
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