USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 34
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S. Agnes Bristol, the only daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. D. S. Bristol of " Sunnyside," Bain- bridge, N. Y., has received much honorable mention from authors and publishers, having for years been an extensive contributor to various periodicals under ncarly every head- ing known to the literary world, viz : sketches, stories, poems, locals, obituaries, marriage notices, original histories, criticisms on various subjects, etc. She is a lady possess- ing literary talent to an unusual degree, and has the happy faculty of making every one around her feel at ease. " Magnetic, lovable and loving, winning, steadfast and sweet," is just the description that fits Miss Bristol. We take the liberty of copying some of her verscs from the Bainbridge Republican of July, 1895, knowing that they will be read with pleasure.
Magnetic, lovable and loving,
Winning, steadfast and sweet, Not unto the self-righteous alone, But also the lowly at his feet ; "Come unto me all ye Weary And I Will give thee rest !" Or unto thee will I come If that way seemeth best.
Scribe, Pharisee and Sadducee
Rebuked by the Madonna's Son As " breaking bread " with the motley crew,
His Father's Will was done Then into each hardened heart
A warmer feeling came, For somebody cared for them, And Jesu was His name
Humble, lowly as the lowliest,
Brother, Friend and Lord, Christ, Savior, Bless'd Redeemer,
Divine and human, in Him accord ; Crucifix and Corona,
Symbolize and define The Alpha and Omega Of His life and thine.
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The following tribute is among her latest short poems, and is worthy a place in these memoirs, especially as the subject has just passed to his place among the immortals :
ENGLAND'S "GRAND OLD MAN."
Tireless I study the grand, strong face, Which speaks of talent in every place, And covet a tone of the clarion voice Which bids a nation wecp or rejoice.
Would I might herald from afar The Old World's peerless star. Undimmed through all the changeful years, Unchanged by laughter or by tears ;
A very hero ! Crown him now With love eternal on his brow !
Nor wait till death the tale to tell Of how he served all England well.
America's Jewels, flawless and pure, For generations may endure ;
But to the " Kohinoor " over the sea, To the "Grand Old Man " I bend the knee. His head may be hoar with the frost of years, His eyes may be dewy with unshed tears, But old and young acknowledge the sway Of the " Great Premier," whose regal way Charms his kindred, and awes the guest,
Who unquestioning obeys his slightest behest ; Then to the ' Kohinoor " over the sea, To the "Grand Old Man " I bow the knee
On another page appears a portrait of Miss Bristol.
ON. FREDERICK JULIAND. Onc hundred years ago, the Empire of France was in the first throes of that great political upheaval which has gone into history as the French Revolution, and not only changed the map of Europe, but reorganized the social and economic world. Louis XVI, the weakly stubborn Bourbon
King, and Marie Antoinettee, his frivolous Queen, were to all intents and purposes pris- oners of the powerful Third Estate. The baleful star of Robespierre, Danton and Marat was rising above the national horizon. A majority of the Royal family and thousands of the nobility were fugitives across the boun- daries to other lands, and were known to the world as emigres. Already the nations of Europe, through the demands of France, were taking measures to force them without their borders. America offered inducements as a safe and desirable asylum, and thousands were seeking its hospitable shores, eager to place the waves of the broad Atlantic be- tween them and the horrors that drenched their native land in blood.
Of the French families who emigrated to the United States, a number sought the interior of the country. Several, who had congregated in Philadelphia, decided to form a settlement in the Empire State, and sent out one of their number, Simon Barnet, to select a site. He came up the Susquehanna to "Chenango Pint," now Binghamton, and then followed the course of the Chenango River to the present site of Greenc. He was so pleased with the situation he decided upon it for the proposed settlement and entered into a contract with Malachi Treat and William W. Morris, the original pat- entecs, for a tract of land, which became known as the "French Tract," or "French Village Plot." It was located on the east bank of the Chenango River, and embraced the farm which is now the exhibition ground of the Riverside Agricultural Society. From the field books of the surveyors, it is evident
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that this occurred about 1792. Charles Felix de Bolyne, "a man of considerable talent, learning and wealth," was at the head of the enterprise and signed the contract of pur- chase. Soon eight or ten French families came to Greene and settled upon the pur- chased land. In 1795, the colony entertained the celebrated French statesman, Talleyrand, who was on a horseback journey from Phila- delphia to Albany. While at Greene, Tal- leyrand formed the acquaintance of a son of M. Dutremont, one of the refugees, and was so pleased with him, that he took him back to France, and made him his private secre- tary. Soon after this, in 1795, M. de Bolyne was drowned while fording a river on horse- back, as he was making a journey to Phila- delphia in the interest of the settlement. With his death, the financial affairs of the colony became sadly deranged. As he had not paid in full for the land, it reverted to the original patentees. In a few years the emi- grants became discouraged and scattered.
The plans of operation adopted by the French colony for carrying on their agricul- tural pursuits were the same which prevailed in their native country, where the agricul- turist with his family resides in the village, and owns and works a farm, more or less remote from his residence, Rude dwellings were constructed from the material on hand, and each settler proceeded to put a small piece of land under complete cultivation, while their supplies of provisions were drawn from great distances with much labor and expense. "Under the circumstances," writes the late Dr. Purple, " it is not strange that persons reared in affluence and accus-
tomed to the pleasures of refined society should yield to the pressure of the misfor- tunes that soon overtook them."
In 1798, Captain Joseph Juliand, who was a native of Lyons, France, and had fled from the horrible scenes of the Revolution to this country, came to Greene and cast in his for- tunes with the little French settlement. But when the other families became discouraged and abandoned the enterprise, he remained, and "to him and Judge Elisha Smith the foundation of the village of Greene is ascribed."
Captain Juliand in early life received a good academic education. His subsequent studies were directed with a view toward his becoming a medical practitioner. He acquired a good general knowledge of that science, which in his after life was a great value to him. But his tastes early in life led him to abandon medicine and to adopt a maritime life. He rose through all the subor- dinate grades to that of commander of a vessel in the mercantile marine of France. In this capacity he made several voyages across the Atlantic, principally between Nantes and Bordeaux, France, and Boston and Philadelphia in this country. His peri- odical voyages afforded him opportunities to make journeys into the interior, mingle freely with the people and learn their language, manners and customs. On one of these trips, he met at New Haven, Connecticut, Hannah Lindsley, the daughter of a respect- able farmer. In 1788 he married her and removed to a farm near Greenfield, Massa- chusetts.
In 1798, having heard of the French settle-
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ment at Greene, he sold his farm, and with his wife and two children set out for the in- terior of New York, "in the expectation of finding a new home and congenial society." On arriving at the settlement he was sur- prised to find that many had departed and others were preparing to follow. Nothing daunted, he purchased a portion of the land abandoned by his disheartened countrymen, and made it his home for the rest of his life. He died at Greene, October 13, 1821.
Frederick Juliand, the subject of this sketch, was born October 9, 1805, in a log house which had been erected by his father, Captain Joseph Juliand, upon his arrival in Greene. He was the youngest of a family of six children, and spent his early years in labor upon his father's farm. The foundation for his education was laid in the district schools of that early day. When he had attained his sixteenth year, his father sent him to Utica, where he entered the academy there and prosecuted his studies for one year. Utica Academy was a famous institution of learning at that time. Among his fellow-students were Horatio Seymour, afterwards Governor of the State and a presidential candidate ; Hon. Ward Hunt, afterwards Judge of the Court of Appeals and Associate Justice of the Su- preme Court of the United States; Hon. Rutger B. Miller, afterwards Member of Congress ; and others who in later years be- came leading citizens in the professional and business world. A year later, in 1823, he entered his name as a student of Oxford Academy. His room-mate was Hon. John W. Allen. Some of his fellow students at Oxford were the millionaire railroad mag-
nate, Charlemagne Tower, recently deceased ; Dr. John Guernsey ; Hon. William M. Patter- son, afterwards a well-known lawyer and Member of Assembly ; Hon. Henry R. My- gatt, for so many years the acknowledged leader of the Chenango County bar, and others, mention of whom space will not al- low. The academy had for principal, Dr. David L. Prentice, LL.D., a teacher of ac- knowledged ability and strong personality. There Mr. Juliand began the study of Latin, which was continued at Greene after he had left the academy, Rev. John B. Hoyt acting as his private instructor.
Having completed his studies he entered upon the active duties of life. His first en- gagement was with Hill & Juliand, at Bain- bridge. He entered their employ as assist- ant to them in their hotel. Leaving this position, he secured a clerkship in the store of Col. Moses G. Benjamin, then a leading merchant in Bainbridge. He resided in the family of his employer and received fifty dol- lars salary for the first year's work. He con- tinued with Col. Benjamin for five years, his salary being increased ten dollars each year for three years, and the last year raised to fifteen dollars per month.
In 1830, he returned to Greene to embark in the mercantile business combined with farming. He was associated with his three brothers, Joseph, Lewis, and George. The firm assumed the title of J. Juliand & Broth- ers, and was continued, amicable in its rela- tions and prosperous in its ventures, for ten years, when it was dissolved by mutual con- sent. In the division of the assets of the firm, Frederick Juliand received the store
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and its good-will. He continued in trade until 1860, when he transferred his business to his son, John R. Juliand, by whom it was continued till 1866.
In his religious preferences, Mr. Juliand is an Episcopalian. When he was but four years of age, he was taken by his mother to Bradford, Connecticut, her old home, for baptism, since there was no Episcopal Church in this vicinity at that time. In its organization and its subsequent career he has ever taken a deep interest in Zion Epis- copal Church, Greene. He was confirmed by Bishop Onderdonk on the occasion of the last visit of that eminent ecclesiastic to this diocese. For twenty-five years he was assist- ant superintendent of the Sunday School. Upon the death of his brother, Joseph Juli- and, in 1873, he was elected junior warden, an office which he still holds.
Mr. Juliand has ever been an ardent poli- tician. He began life as a Whig. His first vote was cast in 1828 for John Quincy Adams, when the latter was a candidate for President the second time and ran against Andrew Jackson. Since then he has voted at every general election and at every town meeting except one, when he was absent at Albany. In the faithful performance of his duty as a citizen in this respect, his example is worthy of emulation and of thoughtful consideration by the men of to-day. When the Republican party was organized, he cast in his fortunes with the new force in politics. He has acted with it ever since. He was always a strong admirer and advocate of the principles of Greeley, Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Gar- rett Smith. When in Albany, in 1856, he, on
several occasions, aided slaves fleeing to Canada by the Underground Railroad. Ever a temperance man in principle and practice, he always voted with that party when any good would be accomplished thereby ; at the same time, it has ever been his belief that the Republican party is the true channel through which any permanent beneficial results could be accomplished, as all the teniperance legis- lation that has ever been effected thus far has been through the Republican organization. A parental survivor of the Tippecanoe Club of 1840, his steadfast fealty has led him to believe that a good Republican makes the best American.
The first office held by Mr. Juliand was that of postmaster of Greene. He received his commission from President Harrison, and served for four years and through President Tyler's administration. He was nominated for Member of Assembly by the Whig and Temperance parties in 1855 and triumphantly elected. He took his seat in January, 1856, Tompkins H. Matterson being his colleague, and served upon the Committee on Banks.
In the fall of 1863, Mr. Juliand was nomina- ted by the Republicans for the office of State Senator from the Twenty-third District, com- prising Chenango, Madison and Cortland Counties. He was elected by the magnifi- cent majority of 5,459. In the Senate he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Print- ing and a member of the Committees on Banks, Roads and Bridges and Poor Laws. He earned no little distinction as Senator, acquiring a name for exercising careful and comprehensive judgment upon all matters of legislation and for steadfastly advocating
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economy in conducting the affairs of the state. Standing in the foremost ranks of those whose honesty and firmness could be relied upon, his career as a Senator was with- out blemish. Among the important meas- ures settled by the Legislature while he was in the Senate was the Chenango Canal ex- tension. This measure received his immedi- ate supervision and active exertions, and mainly through his efforts and influence was passed. The speech made by Mr. Juliand in its behalf before the committee of the whole Senate displayed careful research and wise judgment and had weighty influence.
In the fall of 1866 he was again brought forward by the Republicans as a candidate for the Assembly. In the preliminary cau- cuses, his name was not mentioned, nor even when the nominating convention met. After its organization, however, he was named and even then against his express desirc. But such was his popularity, he received a unani- mous nomination, which was ratified at the polls by a majority of 1,608, the highest vote given to any candidate on the ticket. He served acceptably in the session of 1867 as Chairman of the Committee on Towns and Counties, and a member of the Committec on Banks. That fall he was renominated for the same office and re-elected. In the Assem- bly of 1868 his cxperience made him a valu- able member. Although belonging to the minority, the Legislature being Democratic, he was honored with an appointment upon his old Committee of Towns and Counties and was placed upon the important Sub-Com- mittec of the Whole. With the close of the legislative session of 1868, Mr. Juliand re-
tired from public life, having served his county at Albany for five years-two as Senator and threc as Member of Assembly.
Besides these elective offices, Mr. Juliand has held other places of important trust. In 1862 and again in 1866 he was a member of the Republican State Committee. He was also appointed one of the incorporators for locating the State Soldiers' Home, at Bath, and one of the trustees of the State Inebriate Asylum, at Binghamton.
Mr. Juliand was an effective supporter of the Government in the War of the Rebellion. He contributed liberally of his time and means to sustain the Union cause. His liber- ality toward the families of absent soldiers endcared him to those at home and made his name familiarly welcomed at many a lonely fireside. In 1862 he was appointed a member of the committee from the Twenty-third Sen- atorial District to raise troops under the call of President Lincoln for "three hundred thousand more" and he did most efficient work in putting the 114th Regiment into the field. He was present at the meetings of the committee and cast his vote for Col. Elisha B. Smith to be commander of Chenango County's now famous regiment.
In the summer of 1864, he had a never-to- bc-forgotten experienec of "grim visaged war." That summer, the town of Greenc had occasion to forward funds to its recruit- ing agent, William Jones, who was then at Newbern, North Carolina, endeavoring to enlist men to fill its quota. Much against his will, Mr. Juliand was induced to undertake the task. He started via Washington and Norfolk, taking the steamer Fawn at the lat-
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ter place for Roanoke Island, via Dismal Swamp Canal. When about 150 miles from Norfolk, the steamer was attacked by guer- rillas. Upward of a hundred shots were fired at the steamer, killing and wounding nine of the little party of only thirty. Mr. Juliand and the remaining survivors were taken pris- oners and robbed of all their baggage; the steamer was burned, and they were com- pelled to march, the whole night, thirty miles to Elizabeth City, where after being robbed of $6,000.00. ( a portion of the funds he was transporting ) he and Major Jenny of Syra- cuse were paroled, through the influence of a friend, the remainder of the party being marched off to a vile Southern prison, where it has since been ascertained more than half of them died horrible deaths. Mr. Juliand and his companions made their escape from the rebel domains in a sail boat, after being without food or shelter for about two entire days.
Mr. Juliand has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Jane Cameron Ringer, daughter of Capt. John Ringer of Geneva. Their marriage occurred in 1835. Of this union one son was born, John Ringer Juliand, who succeeded his father in business as nar- rated above. In 1841 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Catherine R. Hayes, daughter of the Hon. Isaac Hayes of Una- dilla. She bore him three children, a son and two daughters. The son died in infancy. Sarah J. and Minerva H. still survive. Again, in September, 1865, Mr. Juliand was married to Miss Harriet M. Crocker, daughter of Hon. Benjamin Crocker of Cambridge, Washington County, N. Y.
Here ends the story of a long, happy and successful life. In the twilight of age, he who hath lived it awaits the final close. Whatever may be the issue of the future, he dwells in the consciousness that by that life he has won as a man a reputation for purity of purpose, dignity of character, ability and enterprise ; and dying, he will leave a mem- ory worthy of emulation and ever to be cher- ished with tenderness and affection.
FRED HOVEY, commissioner of highways of Oxford township, Che- nango County, N. Y., was born in West Millbury, Massachusetts, October 2, 1855. He is a son of Albert C. and Mary L. (Small ) Hovey, and grandson of Simon Hovey.
Simon Hovey was a native of Guilford, N. Y., where he spent most of his life. His calling was that of a farmer, and he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He was a prosperous man and had many friends throughout the county. He was united in marriage with Miss Cornwall, and they be- came the parents of seven children, whose names are as follows: Tyler; William; Hor- ace; Albert C., the father of our subject; Nancy, who married a Mr. Bradley ; Ran- som ; and Mary, who married a Mr. Easton. In their religious belief, they were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Albert C. Hovey is a native of the State of New York, and follows the occupation of a farmer. He has spent a great many years at that pursuit, but is now living a retired
GEORGE AYLSWORTH.
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life. He has been a very active Republican in polities, and has held the offiec of assessor for many years. He was united in marriage with Mary L. Small, and they became the parents of five children, whose records are as follows: George, who formed a matrimonial alliance with Julia Wheeler, and after her death married Marilla Hartwell of Oxford, by whom he has had three children-Luella, Frank L., and Ethel ; Hattie married Garrett Wheeler of Oxford, and they are the parents of two children, Nora P. and Emma; Will A. married Anna Doolittle of Susquehanna, and they became the parents of two boys, Paul and Luke ; Mary B. married Elroy Sal- isbury of Coventry ; and H. Fred, the subject of this sketch.
H. Fred Hovey received a good common school education in the publie sehools of Ox- ford, after which he began to till the soil as a means of earning a livelihood. He farmed with his parents until he was thirty years of age, then purchased a farm for himself, which he operated with good results until 1895. He worked at several employments that year, and in 1896 was elected commissioner of highways, and as the duties of that offiee would not permit him time to do outside work, he gave up his farm. He is a man faithful to his charge, and has given universal satisfaction.
In 1887, he was united in marriage with Carrie O. Gifford of Oxford, a daughter of James Gifford. In religious belief, he is a member of the Baptist Church. Socially, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 105, of Oxford. In polities, he is an active Republiean.
EORGE AYLSWORTH, liveryman and dealer in horses and agricultural implements, is one of the thoroughly wide- awake, hustling men who have been elosely identified with the success and growth of Bainbridge. He is a son of Dexter and Naney (Taylor) Aylsworth, and was born September 10, 1841, in Newark, Tioga Coun- ty, N. Y. His grandfather, Andrew J. Ayls- worth, was a native of Long Island and set- tled in Chenango County, in the town of Bainbridge, purchasing 300 aeres of land, where he afterwards lived. He was a farmer and did mueh to improve this farm, elearing it and otherwise adding to its value. His wife was Lydia Hieks, and to them were born the following children: Thomas; Dex- ter; Lewis; Robert; Chadiar; Prudence; Clara ; and Hannah.
Dexter, the father of our subjeet, was born in Long Island, but eame to this county with his parents, and settled down in the town of Bainbridge, where he built and operated for a number of years a saw mill and a carding factory, that was located two miles north of Afton. He then moved to Tioga County, where he purchased a large farm of 300 aeres, which is one of the finest farms in that sec- tion of the country, and there he resided for ten years, when he returned to the old home- stead in order to care for his mother and sis- ter. He lived there until 1868 or 1869, when he moved to the town of Pike, Wyoming County, where he died. He was a Republi- ean in his political views. He was a strong Methodist, having united with that church when he was only twelve years old. He was a man of striet integrity, honesty and probity,
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one whose deeds would stand the search- light of truth. He was much honored by his neighbors, and was without an enemy. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Taylor, by whom he had a family of four children, namely : Mary, Marilla, Armina, and George, the subject of this biography. Dexter Aylsworth was afterward married to Miss Lydia Pearsall, who bore him one child, Alvira, now deceased. After the death of Mrs. Aylsworth he once more took to him- self a wife, this time being united to Miss Lydia Hoag. They had one child, Olivia.
/George Aylsworth, our subject, was mar- ried to Miss Ruiette Fosbury, December 26, 1860. She is a daughter of R. C. Fos- bury of Bainbridge, this county. This mar- riage has been blessed with the following children: Juvenelia, who died in infancy ; Georgianna, who died at the age of four years ; Mary, now residing in Bainbridge, the wife of Dorcas Payne, a barber ; William S., who is engaged in business with his father and makes his home with him; and George Franklin, also in business with his father, and married to Lizzie Masters. Mr. Aylsworth received his education in the district schools, and began life on his own account as a farm- er, on the old homestead in Afton. Here he followed in the footsteps of his fathers, tilling the soil, for about five years, when he re- moved to Bainbridge and engaged in the liv- ery business, which he has followed in that village ever since. In connection with his livery he has always been engaged in buying and shipping horses, doing a large business. Especially during the last four years has he done an immense business, as he has bought
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