USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 2
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LARK LAWRENCE HORTON, one of Afton's energetic business men, is a dealer in farming implements and fertilizers, and is also business manager of the Coventryville Creamery. He is a son of Leonard and Jemima (Conover) Horton, and was born in the town of Coventry, Chenango County, January 8, 1847.
The Hortons are an old and well known family, and are descendants of Puritan stock. Benjamin Horton, grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of the State of Connecticut and came to the State of New York in 1816, locating in the town of Columbus, Chenango County. About 1826 he moved to the town of Coventry, where he remained until his death, which occurred on May 24, 1841, when he was aged sixty-seven. He was extensive- ly engaged in farming and owned a large farm in the town of Columbus. He was united in marriage with a Miss Peninah Newton, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had eleven children, one of whom was Leonard, the father of our subject.
Leonard Horton was born at Naugatuck, Conn., November, 15, 1807, and was nine years of age when his father brought him to Columbus. He was reared upon a farm, where he worked until he was eighteen years of age. He then received employment in a brewery, but finding it unsuited to his tastes he soon gave up the position and be- came an apprentice to the wagon maker's trade in New Berlin. After serving a three years' apprenticeship, he engaged in business for himself near South Oxford, and later at West Coventry. Four years later he moved to Coventryville, where he plied his trade
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
until near the time of his death, June 19, 1888. In connection with the manufacture of wagons, he owned and operated a farm, from which he obtained handsome profits. In his political belief, he was an unswerving Democrat, and voted uniformly and consci- entiously with his party. He was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Jemima Conover, who was born in the town of Glen, Montgomery County, N. Y., December 27, 1809, and died in the town of Coventry, April 9, 1877. Her father was Cornelius Conover, of Dutch descent, who came from Montgomery County, N. Y., in early life and settled in the town of Oxford, where he spent the rest of his days engaged in farming, and died in 1863, at the age of seventy-nine years. Her mother's maiden name was Polly Furman, and she died about 1827, aged forty- eight years. As a result of their union, Mr. and Mrs. Horton became the parents of four children, whose records are as follows : Mar- cus N .; Emily J., who married Wells Streeter, deceased, and now resides on the old Horton homestead in Coventryville, was for many years a successful teacher ; Avis A., de- ceased, was at one time preceptress of Wal- ton Academy in Delaware County, N. Y., and later became the wife of S. D. Silliman of Herkimer County, N. Y .; and Clark Law- rence, whose name heads these lines. Mar- cus N. Horton was born April 6, 1830, re- ceived his education in the Delaware County Institute at Franklin, N. Y., and in Williams College, from which he graduated. He was a man of much prominence as a teacher, and at one time was county school commissioner. He was also superintendent of schools of
Williamsport, Pa., and in its early days was appointed a professor of the Agricultural College of Ithaca, N. Y. He is now living in retirement at Bloomfield, N. J., as his health will not permit him to perform his duties as professor.
Clark Lawrence Horton was educated in the Jefferson County Institute, and later at Oxford Academy. Leaving school at the age of twenty, he taught during the winter seasons and followed farming in the summers. From 1868 to 1893, his time was devoted almost exclusively to farming in the town of Coventry. He operated a farm of 250 acres and made a specialty of dairying, keeping from twenty-five to thirty-five cows the year around, and making a decided success of the business. In 1894, he moved to Afton, N. Y., where he has since dealt in farm implements and fertilizers, and also acted as business manager of a co-operative creamery of Cov -. entryville. He is a man of strict integrity, and by his honest dealings in his business transactions has made many friends since becoming a resident of Afton. In political views he has always been identified with the Republican party, and has filled many of the town offices of Coventry, including that of supervisor, and has also filled the position of supervisor of Afton. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and for fifteen years was deacon, and many years trustee and clerk in that organization at Cov- entry. Socially, he is a prominent member of the Grange.
Mr. Horton was joined in Hymen's bonds with Martha E. Parker, August 23, 1871, and two children have blessed their union, namely:
George B. Whitmore
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CHENANGO COUNTY
Rachel A., born September 6, 1876; and Har- rison Grant, born January 1, 1881. Mrs. Horton is a daughter of Gaius and Lucretia (Coffin) Parker, and a granddaughter of Oli- ver and Abigail (Lewis) Parker. Oliver Par- ker was a farmer and hotel keeper, and at one time followed the occupation of a black- smith. He was an active church worker and was a member of the Baptist Church. To his union with Miss Lewis were born four children : Thankful, wife of Nahum Newton, both of whom are now deceased ; Merab, de- ceased, was the wife of Deacon John Stod- dard; Esther, deceased, was the wife of Rev. Daniel Root, a Baptist minister; and Gaius L. Gaius L. Parker was reared and always lived in the town of Coventry. In early life he was a fariner and blacksmith, but his lat- ter days were devoted to farming only. He owned a farm of 150 acres, and was one of the leading farmers of the community in which he lived. He was a quiet, retiring man, but was always forcible in his convic- tions of right and wrong. He was a stanch Republican in his political belief. He was united in marriage with Lucretia Coffin, and they reared the following children : Aurelia, deceased, was the wife of Thomas Hale of Auburn, N. Y .; Edwin, who died at an early age; George also died young; Eliza is the wife of Daniel Walker, and resides in Oxford ; Hannah, deceased, married Orville Wilson ; Miss Julia of Oxford; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Jacob A. Sanders ; and Martha E., the wife of our subject.
Mr. Horton is a man of intelligence, well versed on all subjects of interest to the peo- ple, and actively supports all things tending
to improve the public condition. He is well thought of by his fellow citizens, who respect and esteem him as a man of great worth and influence in the community.
ON. GEORGE B. WHITMORE. This prominent citizen of Chenango County, and resident of the village of Sherburne, whose steel plate portrait we present on the opposite page, is the senior member of the large commission firm of G. B. Whitmore & Co. of New York City. This firm transacts an enormous business in cheese, butter, eggs and other products of the farm, and is accorded the distinction of handling more cheese than any other house in the metropolis. The mercantile agencies rate G. B. Whitmore & Co. from $300,000.00 to $500,000.00. This powerful commercial force was organized in a small way by our subject when following his trade as a carpen- ter in a humble way in Chenango County ; it did not take him long to see with his sagacious business sense that there was money in the commission business for him, if he only gave his whole time and attention to it. He accordingly gave up his trade, and moved to New York City, where for a period of nearly thirty years his name has been familiar and respected among the com- mission houses. He is pre eminently a self- made man, and has accomplished wonders by means of the talents Nature gave him,- an acute, vigorous intellect, excellent judg- ment, and willing hands. He possessed the qualities that win success, and he made a
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
happy use of them to achieve wealth and in- fluence. His position to-day is as the most prominent, most wealthy, and best known citizen of Chenango County. In his struggle for prominence he has had little, if any, help from the outside. He has fought his own battles, with how great success is only known by those who are nearest to him, and in his confidence.
Mr. Whitmore was born in the town of Columbus, Chenango County, June 29, 1835, and is a son of Luther and Elsie (Perkins) Whitmore, and grandson of Samuel and Annie (Blackman) Whitmore. Samuel Whit- more came into Chenango County from the State of Massachusetts at an early day, when the hills and valleys were alike covered with a dense forest, that harbored in its fastnesses many varieties of game as well as savage animals. He was by trade a cooper, but spent the greater portion of his life, at least after coming to Central New York, as a pioneer farmer. He cleared and placed under cultivation the farm now owned by Mr. Shawler, which he afterward sold to ad- vantage and located where Lewis Simmons lives; there he built solid substantial farm buildings, and attained a place high in the esteem of his neighbors as a man of judg- ment, industry and integrity ; the barn that he built is still standing and in service. Both he and his wife lived to be eighty-six years of age.
The only child of Samuel and Annie ( Blackman ) Whitmore was Luther, the father of our subject, who came into the world in 1792 at his father's home in Colum- bus township. After attending the district
school, Luther Whitmore became a graduate of the Fairfield Academy in 1815. He clerked for a time in one of the early stores of the region, and also followed the profes- sion of a surveyor. He was one of the best educated men of his day in the county, and a great reader of Shakespeare; when a young man he taught in the district schools. He settled on a farm, now owned by Edward Bryan, of 130 acres, which adjoined his father's tract of 100 acres; in later life he owned both of them. His marked thrift and good methods in carrying on his agricultural operations made him very successful, and as time progressed he became one of the heaviest land-owners, and most extensive agriculturists of Columbus township. After his active days on the farm were over, he retired to Columbus Center, purchased a home for himself there, and passed the remainder of his days, being called to his reward at the age of seventy six. He was very active and influential in both the Whig and Republican parties, his connection with the latter organization dating from the dis- solution of the former one. He was very frequently honored by his townsmen, and there was scarcely a time during the active part of his life when he was not holding some office. Thus were the qualities of this enterprising and prominent citizen recogniz- ed and rewarded. His wife, Elsie, who lived to be eighty-five years old, was a daughter of Daniel Perkins, who was an early settler on Shawler Creek, near the Great Western Turnpike. The following children made up the family circle of our subject's parents : Samuel; Daniel E .; Ann F .; Augustus C .;
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CHENANGO COUNTY
John L .; George B .; Henry J .; Lee H .; and Alice. Samuel, the eldest of the family, resides in Chenango County, and is retired from the pursuits of agriculture. Daniel E., a leading citizen of Marathon village, Cort- land County, is engaged in a wholesale pro- duee business, which is connected with and related to that of G. B. Whitmore & Co. Ann E., now deceased, was in life the true and faithful wife of Nicholas Richer. Au- gustus C., also deceased, was a farmer of the State of Wiseonsin. John L., who is a phy- sieian and a pharmacist, resides in Minnesota, where he is receiving his just due as a prom- inent and representative eitizen. Henry I., now retired and living in Minnesota, was for a number of years a teacher, and was then engaged in mereantile lines. Lee H. has been in business for years in Minnesota. Alice wedded Andrew Robinson, a stone- mason, and has lived in Chenango County all her life.
Hon. George B. Whitmore pursued his education in the distriet sehools, and in the academy, preparing himself for the life of a teaeher, which, however, he did not eleet to follow. He then learned the earpenter's trade, and was engaged in building and con- traeting for a number of years with great sueeess and commendable results, employing many men and aeeumulating a capital, that enabled him in a small way to launch out in the produce and commission business. He at length gave up his trade, and interested himself solely in the wholesale produee busi- ness, with headquarters at New Berlin and Edmeston ; buying produce and shipping it to market at New York City comprised his
operations during this stage of his eareer. In establishing this business, he afforded the farmers of Chenango County a market for their goods near at hand, and offered such priees as were honest and fair to the pro- dueers. By fair, unbiased treatment he gained the confidence and good-will of a large acquaintance, which proved useful to him, when he established himself in New York City in 1869. When he started in business in the metropolis, he opened a eom- mission house at 89 and 91 Warren Street, and by his energy and excellent management he built up an enormous trade. During the first five years he had a partner; after he bought him out he continued alone for nearly ten years, and achieved a glowing suceess. The volume of business was doubled many times over, operations were extended into many a new field, and facilities were provided by means of which the vast increase in the trade and amount of goods handled could be aeeommodated without the loss of time, money or labor. This was the busiest period in our subject's life, and well did he conduct him- self in the management of his commission house, that then rivalled the largest and oldest establishments of its kind in the eity. His shrewd foresight and enterprising spirit brought him wealth, that was not dissipated by ill-judged ventures or earelessness in its handling, but was rather retained and hus- banded by conservative methodical habits of business for the further extension of his eom- mereial activity. In July, 1885, Mr. Whit- more admitted into the firm his nephew, D. W: Whitmore, son of his brother, Hon. Daniel E. Whitmore of Marathon, Cortland,
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
County : the firm then became known as G. B. Whitmore & Co., and remained so when a younger brother of D. W., D. L. Whitmore, was made a partner. This live commission and produce house has allowed no cause to give it a set-back ; it has gone right on in- creasing its business, gaining more patrons, and making itself a distinct power in the commercial world, until it is safe to asseverate that at this day few commission houses in New York City do so large a business in general farm produce, while none handle more boxes of cheese. Chenango County has not another citizen whose rise to promi- nence and wealth has been so steady and un- interrupted, of such splendid personal char- acteristics, that ennoble him in the minds of his friends, as Mr. Whitmore.
Our subject is actuated in his dealings with his fellow men by only the most noble and generous of sentiments, and few men enjoy so large a measure of respect and esteem as falls to him. He is very charitably disposed, and is a most liberal supporter of the Episcopal Church of Sherburne, of which he is a member and warden. Those in real need and distress find in him a real friend and sympathizer, who well knows how to provide for their wants. For fifteen years he lived in his beautiful residence in Brook- lyn, but as advanced age came to him, his thoughts turned toward the country and to his native county, where his youth and young manhood were spent. He accord- ingly came to Chenango County, and located in the beautiful village of Sherburne to live a more retired life, far from the distracting scenes of city life, his business being left to
the immediate supervision of his partners. He purchased the M. L. Harvey property, consisting of two acres of land, fronting on Main Street. There he built a handsome residence, replete with modern conveniences and the latest appliances for domestic com- fort, and furnished luxuriously throughout. It is without question one of the very finest homes in Chenango County, and derives especial beauty from its tasty and artistic surroundings. The spacious grounds were graded and laid out in an extensive park, with shade trees, shrubbery and flowers in abundance; there is, however, nothing ob- trusive in the arrangement of the various natural and artificial features,-each and all, from the large handsome fountain that plays throughout the long summer days to the groups of shrubbery and flower beds, form one harmonious whole, that pleases and delights the eye with its symmetry and beauty.
No citizen of Sherburne can boast of more assistance or heartier interest in the progress and welfare of the village than our subject, who, since becoming a resident, has been more than eager to make Sherburne a model village, and raise its already high standing. He is an extensive holder of real estate, and owns a number of tenement houses in the village, and a number of fine farms in Sher- burne and the adjoining towns. He owns the Empire Block on Main Street, which is devoted to stores and offices, and a brick block, which contains a bakery. He has given his services gladly and willingly, when called upon to hold public office, and none can complain of lack of public spirit on the
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CHENANGO COUNTY
part of Mr. Whitmore. He is a Republican as respects his political views, and served as president of the village corporation from 1886 to 1891. He has been supervisor of the town two terms, and was chairman of the board of supervisors one of these terms. In 1885 he was elected to represent Chenango County in the State Assembly, and received a plurality over his Democratic opponent of 1,130 votes. In the Assembly he served as a member of the committee on Banks, and as chairman of the committee on Charitable and Religious Societies. He has been very prom- inent in county politics, and is a very influen- tial and able member of the Republican organization ; hc has been chairman of the county committee, and in other like posi- tions has been able to offer good counsel and advice. Mr. Whitmore married Miss Marian Furman, daughter of Frederick Furman, deceased. Their only child is Marian O., who lives at home. She is an accomplished artist, and is extremely popular in the best social circles of the village.
ON. IHIRAM ELEAZER STORRS, deceased, late an esteemed resident of Sherburne, will long be remem- bered in Chenango County as one whose life history was closely interwoven with the development of this section. Public-spiritcd, and enterprising, he was in his prime the peer of any citizen of the community, and could be relied on to stanchly uphold and zealously guard the interests of Chenango County. He was born in the town of
Columbus, October 12, 1813, and was there- fore an indigenous product, and closely related to all that concerned the growth of Central New York.
His father, Benjamin Storrs, left his home at Mansfield, Conn., at an early age, and came to Columbus, where he was for many years engaged in carrying on a flourishing mercantile business. He was married on January 4, 1807, to Mindwell Crosby, and these children were born to them: Mariam ; Catherine, who died January 25, 1898; Experience ; and Hon. Hiram E. Benjamin Storrs served in many of the town offices, was assessor and clerk, and did all in his power to advance and further his chosen home. His death occurred June 20, 1860.
Hiram E. succeeded to the care of the homestead, even before the death of his father, and cared for his parents in their old age. He built a new store and ran it for a number of years. He was a very popular and much esteemed man, and in the local councils of the Republican party occupied a leader's position. He served as town clerk and assessor, and represented Chenango County in the State Assembly in 1846: At Albany he easily sustained the reputation he had gained at home for fluent and able speaking, and the proper occasion always found him ready to champion, with force and an earnestnes; most convincing, state meas- ures that appealed to him as needed. He was one of the most enthusiastic of party workers, and in 1844 he constructed a small house, modeled after the White House at Washington, in which he placed a live rac- coon. The house and "coon" were then
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
placed on a platform after the manner of a "float", and the whole was drawn from place to place by a team of eight horses, and exhibited at political meetings, that occurred during the Whig candidacy of Henry Clay for the Presidency. After the exciting times of that Presidential election had passed, Mr. Storrs had the house fastened to the gable of his store ; at the present time, it adorns the front of the barn of Mrs. Ida R. Deitz, Mr. Storrs' daughter, who caused it to be placed there in remembrance of the early days. Mr. Storrs was however more than an ordinary party worker, and was not interested in the elections for any advantage that might accrue to him. Out of a love for the cause, he de- voted much of his time, and subscribed large sums of money. Upon the outbreak of the late rebellion, he enlisted in the 16Ist Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served for three years. His death occurred December 27, 1893.
On September 19, 1839, he was united in marriage with Eunice A. Crary, daughter of Capt. Henry Crary, and granddaughter of Capt. Henry Crary, Sr. The latter was a sea-captain, and followed nautical pursuits the greater part of his life, his home being in Connecticut. Capt. Henry Crary, Jr., was born in Groton, Conn., March 12, 1782, and spent the early part of his life on the sea, following the sea-faring business for twelve years, until about the breaking out of the War of 1812 between England and the United States, his course lying between Middletown, Conn., and South America. Hein 1814 with his wife set out for Central New York. They traveled the entire distance from Groton to Columbus, this county, in a one-horse lumber
wagon, a long, tedious and difficult journey for those days. He bought on his arrival in this locality the farm now owned by the Crary heirs, three miles north of Columbus Center, the property then consisting of 250 acres of choice land, its owner being a Mr. Thompson, who had inherited the property from his father-in-law, John Lawrence, who had settled on the place near the close of the last century. Capt. Crary was possessed of ample means and spared no expense in fur- nishing and in building the new house that he erected on his property. It was built in 1830, Richard Lloyd being the carpenter, and it stands today as a testimony to excellent materials and the best of workmanship. After the house was built, Capt. Crary, journeyed to Albany via the Cherry Valley turnpike for a sitting-room stove and other hardware ; the Franklin stove that he secured is now owned by our subject's daughters, Mrs. Ida R. Deitz, and Mary E. Storrs, and, with the original stove-pipe and other fixtures still intact, is still in a good state of preser- vation, and still in use. The andirons that stand upon the hearth were brought by the family in their removal from Groton. Much of the other original furniture of the house is still in use, and includes hand-made dressers, lockers, desks, beds, tables, chairs, dishes, etc., a great part of these pieces of furniture being in beautiful antique designs, so much prized by the relic hunters. Capt. Crary died August 23, 1865. He was a very active Whig partisan, and identified himself with all the interests of his town, serving some seven or eight years as its supervisor, and was held in such confidence by the community that he
HON. WILLIAM F. JENKS.
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CHENANGO COUNTY
was in 1834 elected one of the Members of Assembly for the county, and had a place in that body in the session of 1835. Although age interfered with his activity in the closing years of his life, his intellect exhibited no signs of impairment, and his interest in local, state and national affairs continued until the last. Through all his long life, and especially during his residence in Columbus, Capt. Crary was held in great and deserved esteem by all who came in contact with him. He was a sagacious counsellor, an intelligent and active citizen, a kind and sympathizing neighbor and friend, and an honest man. He was married in 1814 to Mrs. Collins York, who was born June 27, 1784, and died No- vember 19, 1848. Three children grew to maturity from this union, as follows: Mary Ann, born June 9, 1815; Eunice A., born February 15, 1818, became the wife of Hon. Hiram E. Storrs; and Henry, who was born November 17, 1825, in Columbus, N. Y, and died unmarried, December 4, 1888, at Colum- bus Center, from injuries received from a fall while at work in one of the buildings on the Crary farm. Emily and Eliza, twins, died young. Capt. Crary married for his second wife Lucy Ann Lewis, in 1849, at Stonington, Conn. She died September 4, 1890, at Eureka, Cal., at the residence of her daugh- ter, Mrs. A. F. West.
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