USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 14
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his life, every care and attention was be- stowed upon him by his relations and friends, who had known him for so many years, and loved him as a kind neighbor and a true friend. A portrait of Mr. Bush appears on a preceding page in proximity to this.
ILLIAM J. WILDMAN, a young and progressive business man and a member of the firm of Wildman & Jaquith, proprietors of the leading mercantile store of South Otselic, was born October 3, 1870, in the village of South Otselic. He is a son of Albert and Alice (Nhare) Wildman, and a grandson of John Wildman.
John Wildman was a resident of Pitcher Springs, where he was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. His wife's maiden name was Baldwin, and they reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Re- ligiously, he was an active member of the Baptist Church, and liberally supported that organization.
Albert Wildman was the fourth son born to his parents, and first saw the light of day at Pitcher Springs, Chenango County, N. Y. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and received his mental training in Cincinnatus Academy. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he left the farm and enlisted in the 76th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served with the Army of the Potomac. He was in many fiercely contested battles, some of which were the most important in the war. In the battle of Chancellorsville he received two severe wounds, and was unable to perform
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his duties for some time. At the close of the war he returned home, and engaged in the mercantile business at Pitcher for a short time. Then he and his brother, John, bought the store in South Otselic, which is now owned by A. D. Wilbur. After a few years' time they found it necessary to build a larger building, as their trade had grown so fast they could not carry an extensive enough stock. They built a larger building on the site, where our subject's store now stands, and had it heavily stocked with a fine line of goods. They had conducted their new store about six months, when it caught fire and burned to the ground. Although greatly discouraged, they rebuilt and restocked it and carried on a good pay- ing business until 1878. Albert Wildman then purchased his brother's interest in the store, and conducted it alone until his death in 1883. He was courteous and agreeable in private life, and in business circles was highly esteemed as a man of strict integrity, who fully deserved the success with which he met. His first marriage was with Miss Alice Nhare, a daughter of Jacob Nhare, who was a painter and lived in South Otselic. One son, William J. our subject, blessed their union. His second union was with Miss Juliette Dorrance, who still survives him. Religiously, he was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. In political belief, he was a stanch Republican.
William J. Wildman attended the public schools of his native town, after which he took a course in the Syracuse Business Col- lege. At the time of his father's death he was not yet of age, so his stepmother was
appointed his guardian and administrator of the estate. She conducted the mercantile store until our subject became of age; after which important point in his life he had charge of it for four years, and then took in W. E. Jaquith as a partner in the business. They have a large, well-stocked store and carry a full line of dry goods, carpets, cloth- ing, ladies', gents' and house furnishings. They fully understand the wants of their many customers, and the standard of goods carried by them is of the highest. The store is neat, everything is carefully systematized, and everything possible is done for the accommodation of the patrons.
Mr. Wildman formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Lilian Taylor, October 5, 1897. She is a daughter of Frank Taylor, who is a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen of the town of Pitcher. Mr. Wildman is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and believes that they are the principles upon which the prosperity of our country depends. He. is a progressive and public-spirited man and is interested in all public improvements. It was mainly through his efforts that the Business Men's Association was organized. He is one of the most prominent members and was chosen president. This association was organized for the purpose of advancing the business in- terests of South Otselic, and it has for its motto: " Co-operation in working for the business interest of the village. The solicit- ing of new industries. The taking up and pushing forward of any object believed to be for the general benefit of our village and community." This association, though in
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the first years of infancy, has been instru- mental in organizing the Cemetery Associa- tion, and the Union Free School. It cer- tainly has a bright future before it. Mr. Wild- man was one of the organizers of the Mer- chant's Gas Co., of which he is the treasurer. He is also financial officer of the Union Free School, and of the Baptist Church.
WIGHT MORGAN LEE, M. D., deceased, became a resident of Ox- ford, Chenango County, N. Y., in the spring of 1867, and by his natural talent, genial manner, and evident adaptation to the profession which he had chosen, was not long in securing an excellent practice. He was considered one of the leading physicians of the village, and possessed all the good qualities which constitute a progressive citi- zen, and consequently a valued one. He was a son of Rev. Hiram Wise and Miranda (Bacon) Lee, and grandson of Abner Bacon Lee. The latter was a captain in the Revo- lutionary Army, and took an active part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and for his valor he was promoted to a position on Washington's staff.
Hiram W. Lee was a native of New York State; after leaving the public schools he studied for the ministry, and after a few minor charges he began preaching in the Congregational Church at Cincinnatus, N. Y. Eight years later he moved to Triangle, thence to Bainbridge, and at last to Laurens, Otsego County, where he remained eight years. He married Miranda Bacon, a native
of the State of New York, and they reared the following children : Martha; Charlotte ; and Dwight M., subject of the biography. Mrs. Lee died in 1888.
Dwight M. Lee was born January 25, 1843, in Georgetown, N. Y., and was educated in Cincinnatus Academy : in 1863 he graduated from Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y., from which institution he received a degree of A. B. Prior to this he studied medicine under Dr. D. J. Ressegieu, and at the same time attended two courses of lectures at the University of the City of New York, gradu- ating December 27, 1864. He became assist- ant surgeon of the 22nd Reg. N. Y. Vol. Cav., in the spring of 1865, and was mustered out of service in August, 1865. In Septem- ber, 1865, he returned to his native county and settled in Smithville Flats, and followed his chosen profession for two years. In March, 1867, he moved to Oxford, where he practiced until his death.
He chose for his life companion Miss Eliz- abeth E. Gleason, daughter of John R. and Susan S. (Hough) Gleason, and their family consists of the following children : Charles D .; Hiram A., deceased ; Zaida B .; and Wal- ter C. Charles D. Lee married Johanna Bayer of Breslau, Germany. He is a con- cert singer and a teacher of music, having studied music with Herr Stockhousen, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. Zaida B. Lee is a teacher of music at the Clinton Lib- eral Musical Institution of Fort Plain, N. Y. Walter C. Lee is now a student at Yale Uni- versity. Dr. Lee was a member of the Con- gregational Church. Politically, he was a stanch Republican. He served as health
1
ENEAS L. ENSIGN, M. D.
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officer from 1870 to 1891 ; was a member of the pension examining board two terms; and president of the board, from 1889 to 1893; and in 1892 he was president of the corpor- ation of Oxford. Dr. Lee was a member of the Chenango County Medical Society ; Medical Association of Central New York; Medical Society of the State of New York ; and was past master and past high priest of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, and a member of the Commandery. Dr. Lee was cut down in the prime of life, and was deep- ly lamented by the community, which could not well afford to lose so valuable a member. He left to his sons the heritage of an irre- proachable life and an honorable name.
NEAS L. ENSIGN, M. D., a prominent physician of Oxford, Chenango County, N. Y., was born in the village of Pitcher, September 8, 1830. He is a son of Solomon and Irene (Terrill) Ensign, and a grandson of Solomon Ensign.
Solomon Ensign, Sr., was born in Hartford, Conn., and at an early day came to Chenango County, locating at Pitcher. He brought his possessions by means of ox teams, and en- dured many hardships en route. He was one of Pitcher's earliest pioncer settlers and lived to see it become quite an important place. He was a cooper by trade, but he was mainly engaged as an agriculturist.
He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Chandler, and they became the parents of four children, whose names are as follows: Sam- ucl; Solomon, the father of our subject ; Bet- sey ; and Anna. In political belief, he was an
unswerving Democrat. Mrs. Ensign died in 1848, at the age of seventy-seven years, and her husband survived her seventeen years, dying in 1865, at the age of ninety-five.
Solomon Ensign, the father of Dr. Ensign, was born in 1794, and obtained his intellectual training in the common schools of his native town. Like his father, he took up the trade of a cooper, but devoted most of his time to agricultural pursuits. He was a prominent man in political circles and held many offices of trust. For thirty-two years he was justice of the peace, was a member of the board of supervisors for fourteen years, and served as county judge for six years. For one term he was a member of the State Assembly in 1846, and was school commissioner of the town of Pitcher a great many years. In his politi- cal views, he was a Democrat, and believed that the principles of that party were the principles upon which the prosperity of the country depended. He enlisted as a private in the War of 1812, and was later promoted to the position of corporal. He fought in a num- ber of important battles, and has a record as a warrior of which his descendants may feel . proud.
In 1816 Mr. Ensign was bound in the holy bonds of wedlock with Irene Terrill, daughter of Elias Terrill, a native of Naugatuck, New Haven County, Conn., but at that time a resi- dent of Pitcher, N. Y., and they were the parents of the following children: Albert, de- ceased ; Samuel ; Cornelia ; William ; George; Betsey, who died at the age of twelve years ; Eneas L., the subject of this biography ; and Elias. Religiously, they were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Ensign
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passed away in 1865, aged sixty-six years, and her husband died twelve years later.
Dr. Eneas L. Ensign attended the common schools of Pitcher, after which he studied medicine with Dr. D. H. Hulbert for a time. He then studied two years with his brother, Dr. Samuel Ensign of Cortland. He entered the Albany Medical College of Albany, tak- ing a thorough course and graduating in 1856. His first field of practice was in Mc- Donough in 1857, remaining there until 1883. His health failed him and he was obliged to give up his large practice there and seek re- covery in foreign lands. After spending 1883 and 1884 abroad he returned to his native land and located in the village of Oxford. He has remained here since and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Ensign is a highly educated man and thoroughly under- stands all the intricacies of his profession. He is a friend as well as a physician to his patients and enjoys the friendship and confi- dence of the many people in the community.
He was united in marriage with Mrs. Al- cinda (Randall) Fields of Norwich, and three children have blessed their union, namely : Charles L., a dentist of Syracuse, N. Y .; Clarinda L., deceased, married Frank N. Barney of Syracuse; and Carrie L., de- ceased. In politics, the Doctor is a Prohibi- tionist. In religious belief, he is an earnest member of the Congregational Church. Professionally, he belongs to the Chenango County and the New York State Medical Associations. We take pleasure in pre- senting on a preceding page a portrait of Dr. Ensign, executed from a very recent photograph.
RANT H. MYERS. Among those who have contributed largely in energy and in means toward the develop- ment of their native country's resources, Grant H. Myers takes a prominent place. He was born in the town of Columbus, Che- nango County, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1866. He is a son of John O. and Eunice A. (Kingsbury) Myers, grandson of Oliver O. and Charity (Lowe) Myers, and great-grandson of Oliver and Sally (Ladd) Myers.
Our subject's great-grandfather, who was one of Connecticut's pioneer residents, when hardly more than a boy in years, moved to and settled in the town of Columbus, this county. This section of the country being uninhabited, there was offered to the earliest settlers an opportunity to purchase large tracts of land, hence he became the owner of 300 acres, where Warren Myers now resides. Mr. Myers was twice married, and to his first wife, who died young, were born four chil- dren: Oliver O .; Oramel; Gardner; and Sher- man. His second wife's maiden name was Hall, and they became the parents of three children,-Olive, Sally and John. Mr. My- ers was an old-time Whig, and took an active part in the advancement of his party's affairs. He was elected supervisor, and later was elected justice of the peace, which office he filled to the entire satisfaction of the com- munity. Religiously, he was a Universalist. Mr. Myers died at the advanced age of eighty years. In all his relations with the public, his actions were prompted by pure motives and a desire for the general good.
Oliver O. Myers, subject's grandfather, was born in the town of Columbus, this
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county. He made his first purchase of a farm in the town of Sherburne, which tract of land he soon after sold and bought a farm in the town of Columbus, where Charles Thompson now resides. He also sold this farm in turn and bought the Price farm, con- sisting of 250 acres, upon which our subject now lives. After the purchase of this farm, he immediately set to work toward its im- provement. In 1853 he built a part of the present barn, it being the first basement barn ever built in the town. He also set out one of the finest and largest orchards in his sec- tion of the county. This orchard was set out from seeds saved and planted by his wife. He built the house which still remains upon the farm. Taking it all in all, Mr. Myers owned one of the best improved farms in the county. He was also a successful dealer in horses and cattle, bringing into the town large droves and selling them to the farmers and merchants. After carrying on this occu- pation for some years, he retired to Colum- bus Centre, where he bought a small home. His life was characterized by devotion to principle, earnestness of purpose and exem- plary action. He died at the age of seventy- eight years. His wife was called Home when seventy-nine years of age. She was a daughter of John and Ruth (Seamons) Lowe. John Lowe was born in the town of Albany, and was a son of J. Thomas Lowe. Mr. Lowe settled in the central part of the town and built a commodious hotel. He also was a dealer in flour, salt and feed, and did an extensive business. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born two children, John O., the father of our subject, and Ruth A.
John O. Myers was born on what is now our subject's farm, which he inherited at the death of his father. Mr. Myers carried on general farming and dairying until his death, which was in 1894. His wife, who is at pres- ent living at New Berlin, was a daughter of Sandford Kingsbury. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born the following children : Grant H., our subject, and Hattie E., who married S. B. Pope of New Berlin, N. Y., and bore him one child, Theral.
Grant H. Myers early in life began to deal in stock. He was associated with Mr. Sim- mons and Mr. Gchan of Sherburne. For six years they were engaged in shipping live stock, a business venture in which they were very successful. At the death of his father he inherited the old homestead, and is at present devoting all his time to farming. Mr. Myers' farm is stocked with forty head of grade and thoroughbred Hollister cattle. He has made many improvements upon the farm, having remodeled and enlarged its buildings.
Our subject married Miss Helen Williams, daughter of Marvin and Mary (Simmons) Williams. Marvin Williams was born in the town of Columbus, and was a son of Foster and Roxanna Williams. Foster Wil- liams was among the first to locate in the town of Columbus, having moved from Con- necticut with oxen and team. He cleared the farm where Wallace Simmons now lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster Williams were born three,-Seth ; Catherine, and Marvin. Mr. Williams died at the age of fifty-five years, and Mrs. Williams died at the age of eighty- seven years. Marvin Williams had the farm
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of his father, now owned by Foster H. Wil- liams, and carried on general farming until his death, which occurred at the age of forty- two years. He was one of Columbus' oldest settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were blessed with a household of three children,-Foster H .; Grant ; and Helen, our subject's wife. Politically, Mr. Myers is an earnest, out- spoken Republican. He has served his fellow- citizens as committeeman, is serving his third year as assessor, and was elected supervisor in 1898. Mr. Myers has been and is yet a very industrious and energetic man, and much of his success in life is due to those characteristics. He has been a resident of Chenango County all his life, and has a well- earned reputation for honesty and upright- ness of character. In short, few men in the county are more respected than Grant H. Myers. Socially, he is a Mason, belonging to Sherburne Lodge, No. 444, F. & A. M.
SCAR G. BELL. The Norwich Phar- macal Company, of which Mr. Bell is president, is one of the most im- portant manufacturing industries in the County of Chenango. The laboratory and main office is located in the village of Nor- wich, with salesrooms in New York City, at No. 51 John Street, and traveling salesmen in twenty-five states in the Union, besides agents in South America and Canada. The business was established under a partnership in 1885, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1890. It has had a rapid and continuous growth, due
both to the superior quality of goods manu- factured and the enterprise and energy of Mr. Bell and the other officers of the company.
The subject of this sketch was born in Boonton, New Jersey, December 23, 1857, and is a son of Horace and Hulda Bell, who were of Scotch ancestry. He was educated in the common schools of New Jersey, and in 1874 commenced his business career as a drug clerk in Boonton, his native place. After two years' service there, he removed to Smyrna, Chenango County, New York, where he was clerk in a drug store two years, returning to Boonton in 1878 to accept a position as bookkeeper in a silk mill. In 1880 he came to the village of Norwich and entered the drug store of T. D. Miller, where he remained as prescription clerk until 1885. In that year the Norwich Pharmacal Com- pany was organized, with Mr. Bell as one of the firm. In 1890 the business had grown to such proportions that the company was incorporated, and took a leading place among the pharmaceutical industries of the Eastern States. The officers of the company are: O. G. Bell, president; T. D. Miller, vice-president ; and C. S. Norris, secretary and treasurer. Their manufactures, which include a large line of proprietary articles, ointments and pharmaceutical preparations, have acquired a national reputation. Un- guentine, a surgical dressing, made by this company from a formula discovered by Sir Astley Cooper, has a large sale in nearly all the civilized countries of the globe.
The plant consists of several large build- ings, fitted with machinery of a special type
HORACE P. BREED.
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CHENANGO COUNTY
and design, made expressly for the company. The main building is a structure of three stories, with ground dimensions of 100 by 30 feet. The building devoted exclusively to the manufacture of pills is 24 by 64 feet, two stories in height. The boiler house is 38 by 24, and the engine room 20 feet square. The new office building, containing also the advertising department, and the experi- mental laboratory, is 22 by 34, three stories.
Mr. Bell is a Republican in politics, and a member of Norwich Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M. He is known and respected as a man of splendid business qualifications, un- questioned integrity and progressiveness rarely excelled.
ORACE P. BREED of Norwich, Che- nango County, who is represented with a photograph on the oppo- site page, is a man of varied business inter- ests, and is the proprietor of one of the best kept farms in the county. He is a son of William R. and M. Caroline ( Packer ) Breed, and was born January 29, 1845, in the town of Norwich, this county.
Elias Breed, the grandfather, was born in the State of Connecticut. He came to this county in 1810 and located on a farm in the town of Norwich, where he speculated in live stock and attended to the cultivation of his land. He was a Democrat and a member of the old militia. His wife's maiden name was Polly Randall, and six children were born to them, four sons and two daughters. He died in 1855.
William R. Breed was born in this state and was educated in the common schools. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Baptist Church and was a faithful worker in its service. He married M. Caroline Packer, and to them were born five children : Edward E .: Horace P., our subject; George D .; M. Caroline ( Mrs. Howard Bennett ); and William R. Mrs. Breed entered the eternal city, March 6, 1886, and was followed by her husband, March 26, 1895.
Horace P. Breed attended the common schools when a lad, and later received an academical education. Upon leaving school he entered the employ of the St. Paul & Pacific R. R., and continued with them for eighteen years, making his home in St. Paul, Minn. He then came East and constructed the line of railroad, running from Rondout to Stamford, N. Y., known as the New York, Kingston & Syracuse R. R. He then re- turned to St. Paul and served as general sup- erintendent of the St. Paul and Duluth R. R. for four years. He then thought to give his attention to some other branch of industry, and engaged for two years in the lumber business in Minneapolis. The next four years he did railroad contracting in the same place. He then returned to Norwich and bought the farm, which he still cultivates, proving himself to be a farmer of skill by the results obtained. His property is a fine piece of land and he gives it the best of care, its neat, tidy appearance attracting the at- tention of even the casual passerby. He also handles railroad and street car stocks, making it a side issue with his farming.
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Mr. Breed married Ella Wescott, a daugh- ter of G. R. Wescott. She died, leaving two children, I. W. and William R. He then led to the altar Elizabeth Harvie, who was a daughter of Peter Harvie. This wedding took place in 1895, and their home is the center of attraction to their many friends who know the fires of friendship are ever burning on its hearthstone. Mr. Breed is a Democrat, and while he is always interested in politics, yet in local matters he gives his vote to the best man regardless of party. While living in St. Paul he became a member of the Masonic fraternity.
B URR C. CAMPBELL, one of the prominent citizens of Bainbridge, engaged in pursuits of an agricul- tural nature, was born November 1, 1832, in the town of Bainbridge, on a farm situated on the river above the village.
His grandfather, John Campbell, was pressed into the naval service by Great Brit- ain, but sympathizing with the Americans, he deserted the ship before landing and swam ashore. In Schoharie County he mar- ried Miss Anna Mastern, and after living there for some time, they, with their chil- dren, came down the Susquehanna River, and settled near Bainbridge in 1789; there he purchased a farm of 150 acres in the same year, and lived until his death. Part of the farm is located on one side of the river, and the other part on the opposite side of the river. He reared a large family of children, who are as follows: John, born October 16,
1781; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1784; Mar- garet, born March 15, 1787 ; Mary, born Oc- tober 9, 1789: Archibald, born February 7, 1793; Anna, born June 1, 1796; Daniel W., father of our subject, born January 25, 1800; and Peter.
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