USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
HENRY BROWN, the owner and proprietor of the South Otselie Mills,
. is a son of James and Louisa (Duncan) Brown, and grandson of Edmund Brown, who was one of the earliest residents of South Otselie, and a farmer by oeeupation. Edmund Brown was the father of a large family, as follows: Edward; Daniel ; Ma- ribah ; Eliza; Lyman ; and James, the father of our subjeet. Mrs. Brown died about 1830, and a few years after her death Mr. Brown married a Miss Waite, from which
1
DR. LEONARD M. JOHNSON.
425
CHENANGO COUNTY
union there resulted three children-Morris, Mary, and Lucius.
James Brown was born and reared in the town of Otselic, where he tilled the soil during his early days; hc gave up farming in 1857, and moved to the village of South Otsclic, where he operated the South Otselic Grist and Flour Mill. The mill was built and originally owned by his two brothers, Edmund and Daniel, from whom he bought it. For thirty-five years, he conducted this business, and by successful management kept it on a good paying basis. He was a public- spirited man, and for a number of years held the office of justice of the pcace, which he filled creditably ; he held the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was appointed administrator of many estates in the neighborhood, which hc always settled satisfactorily. He was originally a Whig, but later he became a Republican. Relig- iously, he was an earnest member of the Baptist Church. Socially, hc was a Mason and a Knight Templar. Mr. Brown's first wife was Miss Louisa Duncan, and their only child was J. Henry Brown, our subject. His second wife was Miss Harriet Sabin. He departed this world, in 1892, after a long and useful life.
J. Henry Brown was born at South Otselic, Chenango County, N. Y., September 28, 1857. He received his education in the district schools of his native town; his first work was in his father's mill while yet a boy, and there he worked until after his marriage. He then moved to Lincklaen, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years ; he also hauled freight from George-
town Station to South Otselic, during two years of this time. He hauled freight until 1892, when his father having gone to his long home, hc in connection with S. Johnson rented the mill; at the expiration of threc years, he became the sole owner. He manu- factures flour of a superior grade, also fccd, meal, etc .; there is a large demand for his roller buckwheat flour, which is known to bc of excellent quality. He also has a large retail as well as wholesale trade. The mill contains machinery that has the latest im- provements, and enables him to put the very best article on the market. The mill con- tains two sets of burrs, having a capacity of 20 bushels per hour, and is run by water power.
Mr. Brown was joined in marriage with Ida E. Sanford, a daughter of the late Robert Sanford of Texas Valley, Cortland County, N. Y .; they became the proud parents of four children, of whom two are now living. The record is as follows : James Leo, a lad of fourtcen years, who weighs 200 lbs .; Henry Lloyd ; a son, who died in infancy; and Orlo, who also died in infancy. In political belief, the subject of this notice is a Republi- can. He has lived a useful and upright life, and he and his wife have always been respected by their fellow-citizens.
R. LEONARD M. JOHNSON, whose portrait appears on the op- posite page, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Greene, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in the
426
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
village of Le Raysville, Pa., January 24, 1830.
Rev. Leonard Johnson, the father of our subject, was born and rcarcd in the State of Vermont, and gained some renown as a min- ister of the Congregational Church. After receiving a good preparatory education in the common schools, he attended the Theo- logical Seminary at Andover, Mass. His ministerial career then began, and the re- mainder of his life was devoted to preaching the Gospel, and winning souls to the Stand- ard of the Cross. Most of his charges were in the State of New York, but wherever he went he made many friends by his true Christian bearing and his kindly demeanor. His useful life came to an end in 1858, at Triangle, Broome County, N. Y. He was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Harriet N. Hatch, a native of Vermont, and they reared the following children : Harriet N., who married Theodore Rogers, now of Binghamton, N. Y .; Leonard M., whose name appears at the head of this bi- ography ; Urial C., deceased ; Charles, de- ccased ; George; Joseph M .; John H .; Wil- liam E., deceased ; and H. Norton, deceased. Mrs. Johnson survived her husband many years, and died at the age of eighty-three.
Leonard M. Johnson received the benefits of a good school and college education. After taking the required course in the common schools of Manchester, Vt., he attended the Delaware Literary Institute of Franklin, N. Y., and later was a student in Binghamton Acad- emy. He then took a course in Hamilton College, after which he went south to teach school. He located in Virginia, where he
acted as private tutor for two years, and then decided to take up the study of medi- cine. He returned to New York State, and began to study with Dr. Daniels of Union, N. Y., and graduated from the Albany Medi- cal College with the class of 1855. During his study with that experienced doctor, he had every opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with the intricacies of his profes- sion, and he soon became qualified to handle the most complicated cases. His first field of practice was in New Ohio, and after a period of one year he went to Berkshire, N. Y., where he gained quite a successful prac- tice. Thinking the West offered better op- portunities for enterprising young men, he moved to Brownville, Neb. He had been there about two years when the Civil War broke out, and he gave up a lucrative prac- tice and returned to New York, where he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the 3d Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf. He was soon promoted to the position of surgeon, and his services in caring for the wounded were invaluable. He served through the war and gained a great reputation as a skillful performer with the knife. After the war had closed he moved to. Greene, where he has since practiced and become one of the leading physicians of the community. He has made many friends since his residence herc, and they all bear testimony to his worth and influence in the community.
In 1858, Dr. Johnson was united in mar- riage with Miss Adelaide A. Keeler of Union, N. Y., and they are the parents of three chil- dren, whose names are as follows : Stella T .; Harriet N., who married Norris Packard ;
427
CHENANGO COUNTY
and Tracy K. Socially, our subject is a member of the Eastern Light Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Grcene. He belongs to the J. G. Banks Post, No. 137, G. A. R. He is also a member of the Chenango County Medical Association, and the New York State Medical Association. In politics he is an unswerving Republican.
A LMER H. PHELPS of New Berlin is proprictor of the principal dry goods store in the village, which is also one of the best in the county. Hc is a son of Henry and Thankful (Harrington) Phelps, and was born in South Edmcston, Otsego County, N. Y., September 26, 1845.
Travis Phelps, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a farmer by occupation, and spent most of his life in South Edmeston. Hc was one of the good substantial citizens of the town, and was well known all over Otsego County.
Henry Phelps was born in 1816, in the town of Edmeston, and residcd there until 1865, when he moved to New Berlin, Che- nango County. His trade was that of a wagon maker, and was his main occupation, but he also followed farming during the summer months. In 1887, he moved to Middleport, Niagara County, N. Y., where hc now resides. In 1890, after many ycars spent in toil, Mr. Phelps retired from activc business, and is spending the sunset of life in quiet and pcacc on his farm. His companion in life was Thankful Harrington, and two children blessed their union, namely : Almcr H., whose name heads thesc lincs; and
Alice, who is living with her father at Mid- dleport.
Almer H. Phelps, after completing the requircd course in the public schools entered the New Berlin Academy. He left school at the age of nineteen, and as a means of carning a livelihood he engaged as clerk in the dry goods storc of Morgan & Hawkins. Later the firm became Morgan & Finch, and he remained in their cmploy until 1870, when he was taken into the firm. The firm namc then became Morgan, Finch & Phelps, and they conducted their business on North Main Street. As Mr. Phelps was a man who paid strict attention to business during his clerkship, and during those ycars spent in partnership with Messcrs. Morgan and Finch, he acquired considerable experience, and was well quailfied to take the next step up in the ladder of life. He purchased his partners' interests in the store and has since conducted it alone, and under his capable management the business has flourishcd and become onc of the largest, in its line, in Chenango County. Hc carries a complete and excel- lent line of dry goods, carpets, clothing, and ladies' and misscs' shoes. His storc is ncat, clean, and tidy, and carcfully systematizcd, making it an actual pleasure as well as a duty for the residents of New Berlin to tradc therc. Hc is enterprising and en- crgetic and conducts business on recognized principles. In 1884, the store on North Main Street was burned down, and threc years later hc built a finc building on South Main Street, where he has since conducted his business. It is a large threc story build- ing, with a 24 ft. front and a depth of 85 ft.
20*
428
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
In 1871, Mr. Phelps formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Nettie Ward, a native of New Berlin. His second union was with Susan E. Harvey of New Berlin, and occurred in 1891. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church of New Berlin, and has contributed largely to the support of that organization.
ENRY STERNBERG, who was one of the leading and substantial farm- ers of Smyrna, now living in re- tirement in Norwich village, was born in the town of Lebanon, Madison County, April 17, 1838. He is a son of Adam and Susan ( Neville ) Sternberg.
Adam Sternberg was born near Oneida Community, Oneida County, N. Y. In 1837 he came to Smyrna and bought a farm in the western part of the town, commonly known . as Beaver Meadows, which was partly im- proved. After making extensive alterations, he sold this farm and bought what is now known as the Charles Brown farm. He was a successful man, and by thrift and economy became a prosperous farmer. From there he moved to Plymouth, where he purchased a small home and led the life of a retired citi- zen. He married Miss Susan Neville, and reared a large and intelligent family, whose members were named: Sarah; Elizabeth ; Henry, our subject; Mary; John W., who died aged eight years; and Helen. The children now living are all well-to-do, and are among the most respected citizens in their various localities. Mr. Sternberg died aged
sixty-seven years. Mrs. Sternberg passed from this life at the age of sixty-eight years.
Henry Sternberg, our subject, upon leav- ing home, purchased the farm now owned by P. D. Nearing, and after living there a few years, he sold the property, and rented a farm in the town of Sherburne, near East Earlville. He remained there for ten years, when he rented the William Saxton farm, where he remained for the next four years. Upon leaving this property he bought the present farm of P. D. Nearing, consisting of 146 acres, on which hc built the finest set of buildings in the town, and as good as there is in the county. This farm is a part of the old Isaac Foote tract, located in the valley near Smyrna village, and is considered very historical, as Isaac Foote was one of the first settlers in the county, and the old orchard owes its origin to his labors. Mr. Sternberg not only proved himself a successful man, but also a model farmer. On account of failing health Mr. Sternberg moved to Norwich, where he is pleasantly located at No. 47 Cortland Street. Perhaps there was no other man in the county who kept his barns and barn-yard in such a state of cleanliness as Mr. Sternberg. His farm was stocked with eighteen head of fine grade Holstein milch COWS.
Mr. Sternberg married Abbie Brown, daughter of Pardon Brown, a prominent and well-to do farmer of Plymouth. Two chil- dren have been reared by our subject and wife: Starr P., now living in Smyrna ; and Earl W., of the firm of Ferris, Sternberg & Co., general merchants of Smyrna, who has won many friends by his strict integrity.
429
CHENANGO COUNTY
Mr. Sternberg, politically, is a Democrat, and is an active supporter of the party. He is a man who tends strictly to business, and pre- fers private life to public distinction.
HESTER W. CORBIN. Among the representative and influential farmers of Central New York, who have contributed largely to the position that Che- nango County has attained among the eoun- ties of the Empire State, is the above named gentleman, who was born on the old home- stead in Afton village, December 31, 1842, and is a son of William W. and Eunice Ann ( White) Corbin, and grandson of Sylvester Corbin.
Sylvester Corbin first saw the light of day in the State of Vermont, June 17, 1771, and closed his eyes and entered the world of rest in the village of North Norwich, July 12, 1836. He operated a saw mill, and farmed to considerable extent, and was the owner of a traet of land almost a mile square. This first purchase was located in the village of Bainbridge, and he soon gained the reputa- tion of being one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers in that seetion of the county. In politics, he was a leader of the Democratic party in his community, and for years he served as a justice of the peace and township supervisor. He was united in wed- loek, May 2, 1796, with Eunice White, and they reared the following children, namely : Ezra, born February 20, 1797; Richmond, born July 18, 1798; Patience, born January 28, 1801; William W., born February 23,
1803, the father of our subjeet; and Squire W., born April 24, 1806. Upon the death of his first wife, Sylvester Corbin married Naney Hunt, August 24, 1833.
William W. Corbin, the father of our sub- jeet, was born on the old homestead, and when he attained his majority he engaged in the lumber business, which was his ehief oe- eupation throughout his active life. He purchased large tracts of timber lands, and after elearing the farm he would sell the property at a good price, and would float the lumber down the Delaware River to Phila- delphia, where there was always a good market. He was the most progressive lum- berman in Chenango County and kept two saw mills constantly at work, one of which was located at North Norwich, while the other one was on the old homestead. He was extensively engaged in farming, and also dealt in sheep and wool. Politieally, he was a Demoerat, but when the platform of that party no longer eoineided with his views, he joined the ranks of the Republican party, and remained identified with that organization the rest of his life. He was by no means an office seeker, but owing to his popularity he was forced to serve as assessor, and was re- elected for eight or ten sueeeeding terins. Mr. Corbin was an active and consistent worker of the Universalist Church, with which he and his family held membership. Mr. Corbin entered the world of rest, May 24, 1875. He was joined in wedlock with Euniee Ann White, and their home was blessed by the following children : Franeis G., born March 24, 1832, and died in his infaney; Devillo, a prominent farmer of Bainbridge
430
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
township ; William H., born December 16, 1839, and died young ; Chester W., the sub- ject of this personal history ; Frank Jerome, born April 8, 1849, and died October 27, 1876; and George A., born March 9, 1852, and died August 3, 1875. Mrs. Corbin was a daughter of Dr. Asa White, a successful physician of Chenango County, and a resi- dent of Sherburne for many years. Dr. White left his home in Sherburne and started west on a prospecting tour; while traveling in Missouri, he was caught in a blinding snow storm, became bewildered and lost his way, and so was frozen to death.
Our subject received his intellectual train- ing in the common schools, and then engaged in farm work on the old homestead, and is one of the wide-awake farmers in his community. When President Lincoln issued a call for troops to put down the Rebellion, our subject laid aside all plans for the future and enlisted in the Army, August 9, 1863, in Co. H., 114th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served six months, when he was taken sick with typhoid fever and was compelled to return home.
Mr. Corbin was united in the bonds of matrimony, October 13, 1869, with Gertrude M. Humphrey, daughter of Dr. W. T. Hum- phrey of Osceola. Dr. W. T. Humphrey was born December 22, 1824, was educated in his native village, and then engaged in teaching school for some time, and after deciding upon a profession, entered the Albany Medi- cal School, from which institution of merit he was graduated in 1848. Soon after his marriage to Mary P. Kelsey of Bainbridge, he moved to Addison, and one year later took up his residence in Elkland, where he re-
mained eight years, practicing his- chosen profession, and succeeding in building up a large and successful practice. He left there in April, 1857, and located in Osceola, Tioga County, Pa. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, and was assistant surgeon of the 13th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., which regiment was known as the " Flint Rifles" and the " Buck- tails;" later he was a member of the 42nd Reg. Pa Vol. Inf., and on September 12, 1862, was transferred to the 149th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., which was mostly recruited from Tioga County. He was chief surgeon of the Third Division, First Army Corps, and was placed on the staff of Maj .- Gen. Doubleday, and soon after became medical director of that corps. After serving three years and seven months his health failed him and he resigned his position, January 17, 1865, and returned to his home in Tioga County, Pa. At Chan- cellorsville Dr. Humphrey was surgeon of the Twenty-second Brigade, Third Division, of the First Army Corps. During the battle of Gettysburg a Catholic Church was used as a hospital, and during the first day's engage- ment the town was taken by the rebels, and Mr. Humphrey was taken also a prisoner. He had his horse and saddle and medical in- struments taken from him. As the wounded soldiers did not occupy all of his time, he went up into the belfry of the church and watched the battle and saw Pickett make his last charge against the Union forces; the Rebel Major, who was with him, saw the Confederates defeated and retreat in con- fusion, and did not attempt to conceal his chagrin, but poured out volleys of oaths and maledictions upon the heads of the despised
HENRY A. CLARK.
433
CHENANGO COUNTY
Yankee conquerors. That day the Union forces occupied the city, and Dr. Humphrey again joined his regiment and remained with them throughout the campaign of the Army of the Potomac. Dr. Humphrey was an active Republican, and after his return from the war he was elected to the State Legis- lature of Pennsylvania in 1865-66-74 75-76. He was twice united in marriage; to his first wife three children were born: Ger- trude; W. G .; and Jennie G. His second wife was Mary Barker, who survives him.
Mr. and Mrs. Corbin have but one child, Mabel G., born November 11, 1883. In poli- tics, our subject is an ardent Republican. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R .; Loyal Legion ; and A. O. U. W.
ENRY A. CLARK is one of the old- est, as he is one of the most respected citizens of Bainbridge. For over half a century has his well known figure been conspicuous in the village, while his talent as a lawyer and his ready wit have secured for him more than local fame. Born August 3, 1815, in Sidney, Delaware County, N. Y., a son of Ezra and Mary ( Foote) Clark, he came to Bainbridge while yet a young man, and has grown to old age here, winning his way into the hearts of the people by his inany excellent traits, even as he won distinc- tion by his keen logic and eloquent speeches.
As far as is authentically known, the first one of this family to settle in America was a Samuel Clark, one of twenty men who be- came dissatisfied with the methods of the
colony of which they were members, and de- cided to establish for themselves independent homes ; they left the colony at Westerfield and settled at Pippowams, now Stanford, Conn.
Ezra Clark was one of the descendants of this pioneer ; his father was born in March, 1713, in Bedford, N. Y., and died in Septem- ber, 1791. Ezra was born September 15, 1779, and devoted his life to agriculture in Sidney, Delaware County, N. Y. He was a Whig, and while he took no active part in the political affairs of the nation, yet he was well posted on them and could furnish most convincing reasons for his beliefs. He twice entered the matrimonial state. His first wife was Polly Banks, to whom he was married in May, 1799, and who died seven years later, May 3, 1806, leaving four motherless little ones, as follows: Samuel, born January 29, 1800; Sallie, born September 30, 1801 ; Hiram, born October 11, 1803; Mary, born March 9, 1806, and but two months old at the time of her mother's death. As his second wife Mr. Clark chose Mary Foote, who was born September 24, 1776, a daughter of a Rev- olutionary soldier who served at West Point with Washington. To this union were born six children : Elizabeth, born August 14, 1808, and died July 15, 1866; Joseph F., born July 1, 1810, and died June 25, 1877 ; Susan, born January 24, 1812, and died February 24, 1855 ; Harriet, born May 13, 1814, and died August 24, 1814 ; Henry A .; and Catherine J., born August 1, 1819, also deceased. The father died May 24, 1858, two weeks later than the mother, who was taken to her eter- nal rest May 8, 1858.
434
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
Henry A. Clark graduated from Hamilton College in 1838, and then went to Buffalo, where he studied law with attorney Talcott. Hc was admitted to the bar in 1839, and at once came to Bainbridge, where he took pos- session of the office formerly occupied by John C. Clark, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. He met with flattering success from the first, and at one time he had more cases upon the cal- endar than any attorney in the county. His manner of speaking was easy and flowing, not labored or ostentatious; his object was to present his subject, not himself to his hcarers, and this he did in such a clear and convinc- ing manner that the speaker was lost sight of in the specch. In addressing a jury he ap- pcaled to their judgment rather than to their emotions, his masterly efforts and concise statements deciding many suits in his favor. Hc is a citizen of whom any community might well be proud, and Chenango County holds him among her most respected and honored residents. His first vote was cast for General Harrison, and he remained with the Whig party until its displacement by the Republican party, when he became a mem- ber of the latter organization. In 1861 hc was elected State Senator by the Republicans and Union Democrats for the district com- prising Chenango, Cortland and Madison Counties ; he was given 8,000 majority, the largest ever received by any candidate in the district. The Biographical Sketches of Sen- ators and Members of Assembly, compiled in 1862-63, have this to say regarding him : " Henry A. Clark is a man of great sagacity and unwearied industry, devoting the whole
power of his mind to the performance of his duties. Hence, as a legislator his services are invaluable ; and if his example could be generally followed we would have better, or at least more intelligible laws, less speaking for political effect, and more of practical, honest legislation for the benefit of the people." He was appointed chairman of the Scnatorial Recruiting Committee by Gov. Morgan the first year of his senatorship, and he performed the duties of that office, as he did all the duties that fell to his share, con- scientiously and to the best of his ability, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents. In company with Mr. Bundy, afterwards a Member of Congress, he recruited Co. H. for the U. S. service in the latc Civil War. Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Ellen A. Curtiss, who was born in 1835. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters : Ellen Virginia, born February 18, 1866, and died April 14, 1867; George C., born March 28, 1868, is the proprietor of the Bainbridge Republican and makes his home with his father ; Charles H., born January 28, 1870, is following in the footsteps of his father, and is a rising young attorney of Bainbridge; and Ellen Josephine, who was born July 14, 1872, and resides at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Episcopal Church, and have done their share in bring- ing the organization to its present flourishing condition. They are free, open-hearted and generous, and any worthy object is sure of substantial help at their hands.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.