USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 21
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. with his intimate friends. His wife, Lucinda B., daughter of Ezra Stephens of Gilboa, N. Y., bore him seven children, who were as follows: Roscoe A., who married Ida Ames of Binghamton, N. Y., and had two sons, Otis and Stacy; Zeno C., the elder of Brewster Brothers, subjects of this personal history ; Lucy A., who became the wife of Frank Weidman of Unadilla, N. Y., and pre- sented him with six children,-Ivan, D. D., Harry, Hazel, Milo, and Roscoe ; Ezra S., the younger of Brewster Brothers ; Otho M., who married Bertha Cascy of Wells' Bridge, N. Y .; Guy O., M. D., of New York City, who took for his life companion Margaret Powell of the State of New Hampshire ; Daisy V .; and two that died in infancy, Ward O., and Vernon E. Daniel D. Brewster in his religious views was a Quaker, while his wife was an old school Baptist. She still lives, and makes her home with her two sons, Zeno C. and Ezra S., in Oxford, N. Y.
Zeno C. Brewster was educated in the schools of the various towns where his father had lived with the family. He spent one season in New York City, attending Thomp- son College for one year in 1875. He then returned to Oneonta and was associated with his father in the manufacturing business until that gentleman's death, after which Zeno C. continued the business very successfully for one year under the firm name of D. D. & Z. C. Brewster, during this time many valuable inventions being secured. He then organized the firm of Brewster Brothers & Co., associ- ating with him his former partner, R. A. Brewster, their mother representing the Co. It was ever Mr. Brewster's aim to manufac-
ture nothing but the best and latest improved machinery of the firm's own invention, so that there was never any considerable period that did not witness the granting of letters patent for one important improvement or an- other. This partnership of Brewster Broth- crs & Co. lasted four years, when Roscoc A. Brewster sold out his interest to Ezra S. Brewster, younger of our subjects. The business was continued under the same firm name as above, our subjects also conducting a large cigar factory for several years. After disposing of the last business, they took up a side line to the mill machinery business in importing bicycles and selling same to the jobbing trade through the United States, which venture also proved very successful for about five years, and required a great amount of travel, when added to that re- quired in the milling business, their agents covering the best territory in the United States and Canada. During these years many had attempted to invent machinery to compete, and many had infringed on the original patents and the many later patented improvements, all which attempts to interfere with the firm's business were promptly stopped by our subjects' knowledge of ma- chincry and the laws of patents. Many manufacturing concerns were desirous of en- gaging in the well-established business, then nineteen years old, of which Zeno C. Brew- ster had been a continuous member, alone and with his different partners, from the be- ginning. He was also a partner with his brother, Ezra S. Brewster, in the hardware business for two years in Hopewell, N. J .; this was before the latter gentleman became
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a partner in the milling machinery business in 1883. As Mr. Brewster was returning from a trip in Kansas, he called on a firm then engaged in the manufacture of milling machinery, who had long been desirous of manufacturing under patents held by Brew- ster Bros. & Co .; a deal was closed whereby the latter firm sold out their entire milling machinery business, including all patents, patterns, and everything complete, together with the good-will of the business. The busi- ness was transferred to Silver Creek, N. Y., where it was continued under the new man- agement and ownership. Mr. Brewster, with his brother, Ezra S., then came to Ox- ford, this county, and bought the well known St. James Hotel, which they conducted for nearly three years together, making many improvements and some additions, when Zeno C. bought out his brother and was sole proprietor for three years, when he sold back a half interest to Ezra S., the firm again be- coming Brewster Brothers. In 1897 they commenced the enlarging and reconstruction of the New St. James, which now stands as a model of perfection and credit to their enter- prise, being the finest hotel in the Chenango Valley ; it is fitted with all the latest im- provements, and is strictly up-to-date. Mr. Brewster married Cora Swartfiguer of One- onta, N. Y. He is a Mason of advanced de- grees, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery, and other higher orders.
Ezra S. Brewster obtained his common school education in the same towns as did his brother. When a young man he learned the tinning and plumbing trade, and was en-
gaged in work along that line for two years. In 1880 he, with Zeno C. Brewster, engaged in the hardware and plumbing business in Hopewell, N. J., under the firm name of Brewster Brothers, Mr. Brewster conducting the business very successfully for the firm, and afterwards buying out his brother and becoming sole proprietor, continuing thus for three years. He then closed up the busi- ness with profit and bought out the interest of R. A. Brewster in the manufacturing of flouring mill machinery, then known as Brewster Bros. & Co. of Unadilla, N. Y., where he. with the rest of the firm, was en- gaged in all the pursuits in which the firm was engaged from that time (1883) up to 1890, traveling quite extensively the while. He then, with his brother, Zeno C. Brews- ter, came to Oxford, N. Y., and bought the St. James Hotel, which they conducted to- gether for about three years, when Ezra S. sold his half interest to his brother, and re- moved to Plainfield, N. J., in which place he bought a cafe and restaurant, and did a very extensive and profitable business. The same year he bought in Jersey City a valuable for- mula for killing all kinds of insects, which formula he caused to be copyrighted, and then busied himself in placing the prepara- tion on the market. As this business re- quired so much attention, he sold his cafe and restaurant, and moved to Hopewell, N. J., where he built a factory for the manu- facture of Kill Roach, which was the name the powder preparation went by. The work of placing an unknown and untried article on the market was most successfully accom- plished by Mr. Brewster, and the entire
WHITFORD M. REYNOLDS.
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country between New York City and the Gulf of Mexico was covered by his agents. After a little more than two years in this business, the demand for Kill Roach became so great that others wished to buy an inter- est. Consequently, Mr. Brewster organized a limited partnership company at Hopewell, N. J., and disposed of all his interests but two shares. This company is doing a fine business under the firm name of E. S. Brews- ter Co. Experience, the best of teachers, taught Mr. Brewster how to compound a formula superior to the one sold. There- fore, after selling out his business in New Jersey, he returned to Oxford, and bought a half interest in the St. James Hotel, now the New St. James. As a venture wholly dis- tinct from the hotel business, Brewster Brothers are engaged in manufacturing a wonderful powder, guaranteed to kill all in- sect life, which preparation is known as St. James Insect Powder. Mr. Brewster's first wife was Fannie M. Bundy of Otsego County, N. Y., by whom he had one child, Fannie B., now deceased. After his first wife's death, he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mary D. Titus of Hopewell, N. J. Mr. Brewster is a Mason, like his brother.
HITFORD M. REYNOLDS is one of the progressive and influential citizens of South Otselic, Chenango County, N. Y., and was born in the town of Otselic, March 4, 1848, and is a son of Willet and Lucy Ann ( Sherman ) Reynolds, and grand- son of David Reynolds.
David Reynolds was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and came to the village prior to 1820, and was one of the pioneer settlers to locate in Chenango County. He was one of the veterans of the 1812 War. In politics, he was an old time Whig, and was one of the leading men in politics of his day. He was justice of the peace for a number of years. He passed from this life at the home of his son, in South Otselic. He was united in marriage with Susan Bently, and they were the parents of six sons and five daughters.
Willet Reynolds, father of our subject, was born in the village of South Otselic, in 1820, and learned the trade of a carpenter from his father and followed that trade all his life. He contracted to build many buildings in the village, among which the largest were the old Baptist Church, and the Gothic House. He formed a partnership with his father-in-law, and they carried on business together for a number of years. Politically, he was an ardent Republican, and was elected overseer of the poor and highway commis- sioner for a number of years. In religious views he attached himself to the Methodist Church. He was a sergeant in the old state militia organization at one time. He mar- ried Lucy Ann Sherman, daughter of Zepha- niah Sherman, a contractor and builder of the village of South Otselic, and later a con- tractor of Springfield, Mass., where he died. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds: Whitford M., subject of this narrative ; Walter, a prominent farmer, liv- ing with his mother in the village of South Otselic; and Lucretia, who married Albert
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Truman, a farmer of Otselic, and died November 2, 1889, leaving one son : Arthur J.
Whitford M. Reynolds received his early training in the public schools, and then at- tended the high school of Chicopee Falls, Mass., and the New Berlin Academy of this county. He then learned the carpenter trade from his father and grandfather Sher- man, and soon became quite proficient in that line. He followed contracting and building for twenty-seven years, and has built some of the largest and most handsome structures in South Otselic, among which is the Cox Block, the largest department store in this part of the state, and the Wildman Block. He moved to New York City, where he learned the tailoring trade, and in 1873 he and his family moved to Redfield, Dallas County, Iowa, where he followed the car- pentering and tailoring business for two years. Returning to South Otselic, he took up his trade as a carpenter and followed it until 1892, when he started a job printing office in the Perkins Block. In May, 1892, he edited the South Otselic Gazette, which is a weekly paper, consisting of eight pages of six columns, and has a circulation of seven hundred. It is a well conducted paper, its columns filled with the local news of the community, and contains the important news from the outside world. It is devoted to the interests of the village of South Otselic and to its patrons. He also handles doors, blinds, sashes and mouldings.
He was united in wedlock February 7, 1872, with Miss Elvira Truman, daughter of John Truman, late farmer of Georgetown, Madison County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs.
Reynolds are the parents of three children, who are as follows : Earl L., an employee of the Fishing Tackle Manufactory of South Otselic; Laton M., a printer in his father's office ; and Ethel May. In politics he is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and has been justice of the peace for twelve years, and has held other minor offices. Socially, he is a member of the Cascadilla Lodge, No. 478, I. O. O. F., of South Otselic, which was chartered in 1878; and is also a member of the N. P. L. We present Mr. Reynolds' portrait on another page in this Book of Biographies.
R ANSOM D. BROOKS, the efficient manager of the Maydole Hammer Co. of Norwich, was born in the town of Pitcher, Chenango County, July 21, 1859. He is a son of Addison B. and Maria (Hall) Brooks, and grandson of Luther Brooks.
The family comes of old New England stock, and Calvin Brooks, the great-grand- father of our subject, was a native of the State of Massachusetts. Luther Brooks was born in Massachusetts, where he resided un- til 1812, and then came to Chenango County, N. Y., locating in the town of Norwich. After remaining there some time, he moved to Pharsalia, this county, and there busied himself in farming the rest of his life. In political belief, he was formerly a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party, he became one of its firmest support- ers. He was the progenitor of seven chil-
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dren, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Brooks passed away in 1891, having attained an advanced age.
Addison B. Brooks was born in Pharsalia, where he received his mental training in the common schools. After farming there for a time, he moved to Pitcher, but remained only a few years. He then went to Norwich, where he worked at the shocmaker's trade. Since coming to Norwich, he has lived a re- tired life and is enjoying the fruits of a labori- ous past. He was twice bound in the holy bonds of wedlock, his first wife's maiden name being Evans; two children were born to them : Addison C .; and a daughter who died in infancy. His second matrimonial alliance was with Maria Hall, and four children have blessed their union, who are as follows : Ransom D., the subject of this personal his- tory ; Elmer B .; Casson M .; and Minetta M. He is a Republican in politics, and endorses unreservedly Republican principles. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are living in peace and happi- ness in their home in Norwich.
Ransom D. Brooks attended the common schools of Norwich, after which he took a course in Norwich Academy. As a youth he was ambitious and energetic, and upon leaving school at the age of sixtecn, he began teaching. He also worked at farm- ing, thereby earning and saving enough money to pay his way through the Pough- keepsie Business College, graduating in 1881. For five years he followed the trade of his father, that of a shoemaker. In 1881 he was employed as correspondent for Lord & Tay- lor, dry goods merchants of New York City, remaining with them for two years. He
then accepted a position with the Maydole Hammer Co. of Norwich, and has been in their employ ever since. He is an accurate accountant, a good penman, and a faithful worker, performing his duties in a manner that has won the favor of the firm. For eleven years he served as bookkeeper, and in 1894 was made manager of the works.
He was united in marriage with Kate R. Barnard, a daughter of T. W. Barnard of Chicago, and five children have been born to make their home happy ; they are as follows : Edith K .; Philip O. E .; Marian V .; Caroline R .; and Laurence A. In political belief, Mr. Brooks is independent, always voting for the man he thinks best qualified for the office.
ESSE H. SHEPARD. As a citizen of Sherburne village, it affords us pleas- ure to present a few facts connected with the history of Mr. Shepard's past, be- fore the reading public. Mr. Shepard is a member of the firm of Shepard & Sholes, dealers in drugs and grocerics, also a mem- ber of the firm, Blanding & Shepard, dealers in hay and produce. The business is carried on methodically, systematically, and in a strictly honorable manner. The early pa- trons of the establishment still continue as his customers, and new ones are constantly being added to the list. The operation of the store for the past few years has firmly grounded the proprietors in the confidence and good-will of the community. Our sub- ject was born at Fly Creek, Otsego County, N. Y., February 15, 1849, and is a son of
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Edwin P. and Ann Eliza ( Walker ) Shepard, and grandson of Pliny and Elizabeth ( Bow- ers ) Shepard.
Pliny Shepard was born in the town of Otsego, Otsego County, and became one of the leading men of his district. He followed agricultural pursuits, and at the time of his death owncd a large estate, the property now owned by his youngest son, Williard N. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard were active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Edwin P. Shepard was born at Pierstown, N. Y., February 24, 1824, and received his education in the district schools of his native town. He then taught school for a number of years, and finally learned the trade of a carpenter and pattern-maker, which occupa- tion he followed in the village of Camden, N. Y., where he lived until he retired to the village of Sherburne ; he purchased a home there and spent the remaining years of his life in ease. He married Ann Eliza Walker, a daughter of Nicodemus Walker, and the following children were born to them : Fran- ces J., the widow of Seth Phelps, who resides at West Bay, Mich .; Jesse H., the subject of this biography; Carrie, the wife of IIenry Byam of Collingswood, N. J .; and Lucia, de- ceased. In politics, Mr. Shepard was an ardent Republican, and in religious belief was a Methodist. He passed from this life, May 2, 1895.
The Camden Union School and the Hills- dale High School (Michigan) furnished our subject with the essential principles of an ed- ucation. He started out in life with nothing but strong hands and an abundance of cnergy and perseverance, as well as with a fixed pur-
pose in life. Leaving home he engaged as clerk in the drug store of E. N. Skinner, where he remained until 1872, in which year he came to the village of Sherburne, and be- came identified with the leading commercial and business interests of the village. For fifteen years he was the senior member of the firm of Shepard, Walker & Co., having started under the name of Walker & Shepard, and selling out to York & Failing in 1885. After this he bought up bankrupt stocks and held them until opportunities presented them- selves, when hc disposed of them at a profit. In 1890 he purchased the drug store of Heberd & Amsden, and on September 1, 1894, took in Mr. Sholcs as a partner, and they still con- tinue under the firm name of Shepard & Sholes. They carry a complete line of drugs, stationery and groceries, having the largest store of the kind in Chenango County. In 1892, he formed a partnership with Mr. Blanding, and together they are engaged in buying and selling baled hay, straw, potatoes, apples and eggs. They ship some 200 cars of produce to the New England States every year. Mr. Shepard is the owner of several houses in the village, and deals extensively in real estate. He was one of the chief pro- moters and builders of the Sherburne Water Works, and is president of the present board of water commissioners. He is part owner and manager of the Opera House, which is one of the finest blocks in the village, and also owns one-sixth interest in the Sherburne Gas Works.
He chose for his life companion Miss H. Amelia Harris, daughter of John and Ardella (Andrews) Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Harris
MELVIN E. HERRICK.
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came from the State of Massachusetts, and settled in the town of Norwich, where the former occupied a position of prominence among the early agriculturists as a man of industry and enterprise. They later moved to Sherburne, and made that village their home ever after. Mr. Harris died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife filled out scventy-five years. The following children composed their family : Cornelia; George A .; Irving; and H. Amelia, the wife of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepard were born two children, namely: Frederick I., who was born December 24, 1873 ; and Levant G., who was born February 15, 1877. The elder son is a graduate of the Sherburne Union School and the Bordentown Military Academy, and is now clerking in his father's drug store. The younger son, a graduate of the Albany Business College, is the senior member of the firm, Shepard, McKee & Co., gentlemen's outfitters and furnishers of Sher- burne, in which establishment the subject of this skctch is also financially interested. Socially, Mr. Shepard is a member of the Sherburne Lodge, No. 444, F. & A. M., and is affiliated with other societies, some purely fraternal and social, and others benevolent in their character. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, but is not active in his support of the party ; in the election of 1896, he voted for William Jennings Bryan, believ- ing that the principles advocated by that candidate were for the best interests of the country. His business relations are of the pleasantest. He has had to labor for all the good he now enjoys, and his present leading position in the lines of business in which he
is intimately interested comes as a direct result of the system and care with which he watchcs every detail. The hold which he has upon the best class of customers is the best commentary upon his business ability and extreme fidelity. Mr. Shepard and family are members of the Congregational Church of Sherburne.
ELVIN E. HERRICK, a prosper- ous and progressive agriculturist, residing on the old Herrick homestead in the western part of the town of Bainbridge, is a man of great business pro- pensities and has made a success at his voca- tion, not alone by the qualities mentioned, but above all by his honest and fair dealing. He has never been known to turn a point in his favor when he knew it to be to a detriment to the success of another, and for this reason he is honored and respected by all who know him. He is a son of Joseph and Alockey (Scott) Herrick, and was born November 5, 1849, on the old homestead at West Bain- bridge, where he has always lived.
The Herrick family have long been identi- fied with the growth and development of Dutchess and Chenango Counties, and from a vast wilderness, they have assisted in con- verting this section into rich and fertile farm lands, which are here and there dotted by thriving little villages and cities. Wonderful changes have taken place since our subject's great-grandfather took up his home in the wilds of Dutchess County, which was then inhabited only by the native Indian and the
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wild beasts of the forest. Henry Herrick, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, and after reaching matur- ity emigrated to Chenango County, locating on the farm now owned by our subject. The family came overland by means of ox- carts, and the greatest vigilance was neces- sary day and night, as they were in constant fear of an attack by Indians or the prowling wolves. After arriving at their destination, Henry Herrick built himself a house, and devoted the remainder of his life to clearing his farm. After many years of labor and toil, this sturdy pioneer passed into the world of rest, aged ninety-three years. His com- panion in life was Elizabeth Pearsall, who was born in 1774, and folded her hands in final rest October 23, 1856. Their union, which occurred January 29, 1795, was blessed by the birth of nine children, whose records are as follows: Nancy, born October 28, 1795 ; Samuel, February 20, 1798; Hughey, June 20, 1800; Polly, March 23, 1803 ; Phoebe, October 13, 1805 ; Joseph, the father of our subject; Elizabeth, October 10, 1810; Matilda, December 19, 1812 ; and Henry, October II. 1814.
Joseph Herrick was born February 5, ISOS, on the old homestead, upon which he lived all of his life. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits and was one of the good substantial farmers of the community. He also was engaged largely in lumbering, which he was obliged to haul a distance of 30 miles to the Delaware River. It was a tedious and dangerous journey and required an unlimited amount of courage, as the return trip was generally made alone and
after sunset. Mr. Herrick had no oppor- tunity to attend school, and being a man of high ambition and determination, and desir- ing an education above all things, he sat up at nights and studied after returning from those long trips, by the light of the old fash- ioned fire-place, which is still in the possession of our subject. In that manner he secured a good education, the history of his struggles showing what may be accomplished by energy and perseverance. He was united in marriage with Alockey Scott, and they became the parents of the following children: Evaline, the widow of G. F. Greene, was born December 30, 1835 ; James P. was born March 18, 1838, and died in infancy ; Orin Day was born June 14, 1839, and died Decem- ber 20, 1868 ; Amelia was born January 26, 1843, and died February 26, 1877; Elzada was born February 20, 1846, and is the wife of John A. Ireland, a farmer of Bainbridge ; and Melvin E., in whom the interest of this sketch centers. Mrs. Herrick died July 26, 1882, at the advanced age of seventy-two years, and her husband survived her fourteen years, dying February 14, 1896.
Melvin E. Herrick was reared upon his father's farm and was intellectually equipped for the duties of life in the district schools. He then worked for his father on the farm until he came into possession of the estate. It is an excellent farm of 125 acres, well sup- plied with a good house and many other out buildings, and is well stocked. He also owns a farm of 146 acres nearby and considerable real estate out West. Our subject is shrewd and calculating, and in all his business ven- tures has used rare good judgment.
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