USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 4
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he was a member of the Baptist Church, and for many years he held the office of deacon, and assisted in directing the spiritual welfare of the organization. Mr. Lyon died May 30, 1865, aged sixty-seven years.
William W. Lyon, at the age of twenty- three years, entered upon his business career by clerking in A. K. Dixon's hardware store; later our subject and C. L. Ferris bought out Mr. Dixon, and under the firm name of Lyon & Ferris opened up a store, containing a full line of stoves, hardware, whips, paints, oils, and agricultural implements. The store- house on School Street contains a line of wagons, sleighs, and bicycles. On the second floor of the store is located the tin and plumbing shop.
Mr. Lyon married Miss Cora A. Karr, daughter of Huse and Ruth Karr, and as a result of this union one child has been born to them, Edward Benjamin, who at the age of nineteen years is at present attending Col- gate Academy. Our subject is inclined to be liberal in his religious views. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and is a trustee of the village corporation. He is a past grand of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Smyrna. Mr. Lyon is a successful business man, a good citizen, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
REDERICK EUGENE BARNARD, a retired merchant of Greene, and a scion of one of our country's oldest families, was born in the village of Cooperstown, N. Y., September 1, 1817.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
The Barnard family was first represented in this country by three brothers, Robert, John, and Thomas, who with others formed a party of ten, that purchased Nantucket Island, in 1664. Prior to that date they lived in Salem, Mass. The family of Fred- erick Eugene Barnard is descended in a di- rect line from Thomas Barnard. Nathaniel Barnard, a son of Thomas, formed a matri- monial alliance with Mary, a daughter of Robert Barnard, and they reared John, the great-great-grandfather of our subject. John Barnard was united in marriage with Mary Macy, by whom he had a son, Robert. Robert Barnard, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the husband of Hepsibah Coffin, and they were the parents of Abishai, our subject's grandfather.
Abishai Barnard was a native of Nan- tucket Island, and was one of a party of six- teen men, who in 1784 came to the State of New York, and located at Hudson. They were the first settlers of that town and they formed a company that engaged in the whal- ing business, which was continued until 1855. Abishai was a member of that company until his death in 1815. His companion in life was Susanna Paddock, by whom he had five sons and five daughters, one of whom was Charles E., the father of our subject.
Charles E. Barnard was born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1792, and there spent his boyhood days. He learned the trade of a cabinet maker and followed it for some time in Cooperstown, N. Y. While there he made good wages and saved enough money to en- able him to enter business in Rochester, but was there but a short time, when his store
burned down. He then returned to Coopers- town, and after remaining a short time moved to the village of Greene, where he embarked in the mercantile business in 1821. The store purchased by him was the first established store in the village. He conducted it until 1843, and with good results, when he retired in favor of his son, Frederick Eugene. In 1816, he was united in marriage with Lau- rinda Osborn, a daughter of Elnathan and Sally (Jarvis) Osborn of Cooperstown, and they reared seven children, five sons and two daughters. He passed into the unknown be- yond at the age of fifty-nine years, and his wife survived him nineteen years, dying at the advanced age of seventy-eight.
It is a pleasant thing to be able to trace one's family record through long years of change and struggle and it is doubly pleasant when this record presents the lives of honest men and good women, such as we have just made mention of. Frederick Eugene Bar- nard, in whom the interest of this sketch cen- ters, is well worthy to bear the name of this old and honorable family. He was reared in his native town and attended the public schools there, and later at Greene. He was ambitious and adventurous, and when nine- teen years of age he left his parental roof and cast his fortunes with many other young men who sought a livelihood in New York City. He secured work and remained there for two years, when he returned home and succeeded his father in the ownership of his store in Greene. He was a shrewd business man and a successful manager, and in 1857 his financial position was such that he was able to retire and live his declining days in
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1
the quiet of home life. He took his brothers into the business, and after teaching them its rudimental principles, he turned it over to them.
Mr. Barnard was joined in matrimony in 1840 with Jane Mullander of Geneva, N. Y., and they were the parents of one son, Fred- erick, a resident of Indianapolis. In 1868 Mrs. Barnard passed into the world of rest. His second union was with Mrs. Elizabeth Gray, and was consummated in 1873. Mr. Barnard is a good substantial citizen, in- terested in the welfare and growth of the county, and merits the recognition to his worth that is accorded him by the best citi- zens. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are both mem- bers of Zion Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Barnard is choir master, having held that position for the past fifty-nine years. He has been warden for forty-six years, being senior warden for the past twenty-five years. Accompanying this sketch on a page in prox- imity is to be found Mr. Barnard's portrait.
& L. E. CHASE, the leading law firm of Greene, Chenango County, N. Y., is composed of Lester Chase, one of the oldest and shrewdest members of the Chenango County Bar, and his son Lester E. Chase.
Lester Chase was born in Broome County, May 2, 1815, and is a son of Reuben and Laura (Waterman) Chase, and a grandson of Josiah Chase. Josiah Chase made his home in Bristol, Mass., until after his marriage, when he came to the State of New York and
settled in Worcester, Otsego County. He owned a large farm and was engaged mainly in agricultural pursuits throughout his life. Like many of the farmers of that day he kept an inn for the accommodation of travelers, who were obliged to make long journeys on horseback, and his home was a welcome rest- ing place for many a weary stranger. He was the progenitor of a family of six boys and five girls, one of whom was Reuben.
Reuben Chase was reared in Worcester, Otsego County, and remained there until after his marriage, when he moved to Lisle, now Triangle, Broome County. His occu- pation was that of a farmer, which he fol- lowed all his life and with good results. His companion in life was Miss Laura Waterman, and they were the parents of the following children : Mary A., deceased, who was the_ wife of Sheldon Frost; and Lester, the elder subject of this sketch. Mr. Chase was a Jackson Democrat in his political belief, and although he was not an office seeker, when called upon to serve as supervisor, he faithfully performed his duties. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being an active worker, and for many years a class leader. His home was often used for religious gatherings, and the minister was always a welcome visitor. He was one of the good substantial men of the community, and he was well known through- out the county. His earthly career came to an end at the age of sixty-four years.
Lester Chase received his primary educa- tion in the common schools of his native town, after which he taught school several seasons, and in that manner earned enough
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
money to take a complete course in Oxford Academy. Upon the completion of his schooling, he studied law with Robert O. Reynolds, whose office stood upon the same spot where Mr. Chase's now stands. He also studied with Judge Robert Monell, and in October, 1840, was admitted to the bar at Albany, and was also admitted in chancery in New York City during the same month. Immediately, thereafter, he began the prac- tice of his profession in the village of Greene, where he has since remained. As he was a man of superior natural ability, and had received the benefits of study with men of experience, he was qualified in every particu- lar to take charge of the large clientage which soon became his. He is a man of superior legal mind, of remarkable energy and clearness of expression, and is indefati- gable in the prosecution of anything he under- takes. He is logical, clear and forcible in all his arguments, and his knowledge of law and his evident honesty win the confidence of all, and carry conviction to the minds of his hearers. Since 1878, he has been associated in business with his son, Lester E.
In 1842, Mr. Chase was united in marriage with Mary A. Ringer, a daughter of John Ringer, of Geneva, N. Y., and they became the parents of one daughter, Catherine W., who is the wife of John C. Reynolds of Chicago. After his wife's death in 1848, he formed a second union with Catharine E., a daughter of David Hollenbeck of Greene, and one son, Lester E., has blessed their home.
Lester E. Chase was born in the town of Greene, June 2, 1852, where he was reared
and received his primary education in the common schools. He then attended a pri- vate military academy at Rochester, and later the Phillips Andover Academy at Andover, Mass. After leaving school, he began the study of law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and since that time has shared in his father's large clientage. He is a man of great force of character, possessed of a mind peculiarly adapted to the requirements of his profession, a close student and a keen observer. He has risen rapidly in his profession, and promises to become as popular as his father. In 1881, Lester E. Chase was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Attie M. Dennison, a daughter of J. D. Dennison of Greene. Socially, he is a member of the Eastern Light Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M.
The firm, L. & L. E. Chase, has an estab- lished reputation, and as legal advisers are well known throughout Chenango County. The elder Mr. Chase has reached the advanced age of eighty-three years and still directs the affairs of the firm, but his son per- forms the more active duties. In political belief, they are unswerving Democrats.
P OLLAND Y. BURLINGHAM, an enterprising business man of Sher- burne, who has been closely iden- tified with the interests of the village, and who has done much to elevate her standing among her sister villages of the county, is a druggist and jeweler. He was born in Hart- wick, Otsego County, N. Y., February 3,
WILLIAM H. SULLIVAN.
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CHENANGO COUNTY
1862, and is a son of William and Catherine (Little) Burlingham.
William Burlingham was also a native of Hartwick, Otsego County, and was a prom- inent farmer and stock raiser. He was one of the good, substantial citizens of his time and was well and favorably known. His life companion was Catherine Little, who was born in England. She was a kind and loving wife, a devoted mother, and is one who is ready at all times to sympathize with and help others in their troubles, remembering that she, too, has had sorrows. Mr. and Mrs. Burlingham were the parents of seven chil- dren, namely : William Hopkins ; Holland Y., the subject of this biography ; John; Curtis ; Mary ; Josephine; and Annie. Our subject's father lived a long and useful life, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Burlingham is now living in Coopers- town, N. Y., and is enjoying remarkably good health for one of her years, being sixty- three years old.
Holland Y. Burlingham received his intel- lectual equipment for life's battle in the com- mon and select schools of Hartwick. At an early age he began clerking in the general store of H. D. & S. L. Robinson, and re- mained in their employ for three years. He then traveled through the State of Pennsyl- vania selling small tables. In this manner he gained experience by contact with the world. Ile was ambitious and energetic, and spent only such money as was necessary. In time he saved enough to buy a jewelry and sta- tionery store in Hartwick. It was a success from the start, and he continued at his stand for six years. Thinking Sherburne afforded
better opportunities for carrying on his busi- ness, he sold his store in Hartwick and trans- ferred his business to the village of Sher- burne. He purchased the jewelry store of A. C. Hartwell. He purchased the drug business of C. L. Easton in 1893, the year of bank failures, when a general cry went up complaining of hard times and inability to make a business pay. Mr. Burlingham proved that it could be done by diligent work and successful management. During that year of panics he established a large trade and realized good profits. He has since added a full stock of books and station- ery to his store. Being a well read man he is able to choose those books that will meet with a ready sale. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, but has many friends in both parties. For two years he served as chief of the fire department, and has been a member of that organization for the past five years. He is past grand master in the Norwich Lodge, I. O. O. F.
Mr. Burlingham was united in marriage with Annie V. D. Case, a daughter of De Witt C. Case, whose personal history we re- late elsewhere in this book. Mr. Burlingham is a man who is still in the prime of life, and has a brilliant future before him.
ILLIAM H. SULLIVAN, a promi- nent young man of the village of Norwich, is following a meritorious career in the legal profession, and is making himself felt in town and county politics. Already, though a comparatively young man, he oc-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
cupies the enviable position of leader of the Democrat County organization, and is a man of considerable influence and following. He was born in the town of Norwich, or North Norwich, May 25, 1869, and is a son of Pat- rick and Mary (Hill) Sullivan.
Patrick Sullivan was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1834, and received a good education in the parish school in his native place. He came to the United States in 1848, and located at New Berlin, Chenango County, where he followed the occupations of a farmer and a stone mason. He lived there some little time, and then moved to what was known as King's Settlement in North Norwich, where he followed his trade for ten years. He next located in Wood's Corners, town of Norwich, and lived there five years, in 1870 moving to a farm in North Norwich, where he resided until the close of his life, his death occurring May 18, 1891. He was a devout and earnest Catholic, taking a lively interest in the development of church interests throughout the county, and especially in the village of Norwich. He was a member of the first Catholic congrega- tion in that village, and helped to organize St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He was a superior workman at his trade of stone mason, and for a considerable period was superintendent of masonry on the Utica Division of the D., L. & W. R. R. His polit- ical views coincided with those of the Democratic party. Six children gathered about his fireside, as follows: Julia M .; Michael H .; Annie, who married M. W. Dolan; Jane, the wife of Ed. Quinn ; William H., our subject ; and Mary L.
From the public schools William H. Sulli- van advanced to the Norwich High School, from which he graduated in the class of 1889. He then read law in the office of Hon. George W. Ray, then Congressman from the district, but his legal education was begun while he was still a student in the school, for he occupied his spare time then in reading Blackstone. He was admitted to the Che- nango County Bar in 1891, and in 1893 was chosen a member of the New York State Bar Association, of which body he is still a mem- ber; in 1891 he was also elected a justice of the peace of the town of Norwich ; he was re-elected to the same position in February, 1895. He remained in Mr. Ray's office a short time after his admission to the bar, and opened an office for himself in January, 1892. In April, 1895, he took in Mr. Randall as a partner, and the firm of Sullivan & Randall has secured its portion of the legal business of the county.
Mr. Sullivan is perhaps best known over the county as a Democrat of prominence, whose activity is much appreciated in the circles of his party. In May, 1896, he was elected chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and has served as a delegate to four or five state conventions; in the conven- tion that met in Buffalo in the fall of 1896 Mr. Sullivan was a member of the committee on Resolutions. He is a convincing and forci- ble speaker, and has been seen on the stump in advocacy of Democratic candidates and principles ever since he was of age. He has been the orator of the day on several holiday occasions. This being before the public eye has served him well in his professional
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CHENANGO COUNTY
career, and has conspired to aid him in building up a large and lucrative practice, very flattering to his few years of experience. Besides having been justice of the peace con- tinually from 1891 to the present time, he is also assistant police justice of the village of Norwich. Soon after beginning his public life, he was appointed a deputy in the State Comptroller's office, which position he held until the election of the Republican state ticket in 1893.
Mr. Sullivan was joined in marriage, June 25, 1895, with Miss Annie E. Conway, a daugh- ter of the late Michael Conway, which union has resulted in the birth of one child, Kath- erine M. Mr. Sullivan is president of the Chenango County Firemen's Association, and is Deputy Grand Knight of the Order of Knights of Columbus. He is president of Alert Hose Company, No. I. In St. Pat- rick's Catholic Church he is highly esteemed as a willing and active worker, and devout and loyal member ; he is clerk auditor of the church. Mr. Sullivan has a bright career before him, and he has the best wishes of hundreds of friends, who have learned to like and admire this warm-hearted, generous and enterprising young citizen. Those who like to see a young man achieve success will do well to keep an eye on the gentleman whose name heads this brief biography, and whose portrait appears on a preceding page.
TTO SMEADER, a leading hardware merchant and a prominent citizen of South New Berlin, is a son of Mor- ris and Frances (Windsor) Smeader, and was
born in Baden-Baden, Germany, November 26, 1847.
His parents were both natives of Baden- Baden, Germany, and were married there ; they reared a family of nine children, all of whom were born in that country. Morris Smeader emigrated with his family to the United States in 1853, and made his first per- manent settlement in Oswego County, N. Y. He came here, like many others, hoping to better his financial condition and to procure a home for himself and family, and although he encountered many obstacles he succeeded in accumulating a competency, and at the time of his death was the owner of a fine and productive farm of 150 acres, with all modern improvements. His family consisted of nine children, who were as follows: Frances, the wife of Andrew Shillinger and a resident of Oswego County ; Terressa, widow of the late John Brickheimner of Syracuse; Mary, deceased, was the wife of John Hush; Godfrey is a miner in Califor- nia; Morris, a resident of Syracuse, N. Y .; Lewis, a resident of Syracuse; Otto, the subject of this brief biography ; Florentine also resides in Syracuse; and Fred, who lives in California. Mr. Sineader died in 1872, aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Smeader passed from this life in 1875 at the age of seventy-five years.
Otto Smeader was but five years of age when his father emigrated to the United States, and he grew to manhood in Oswego County. He received a liberal education and left school at the early age of eighteen, and began the learning of the tinsmith trade in Syracuse. He followed the above trade
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
for five years, and in 1870 moved to the village of McDonough, where he followed his trade for ten years. In 1880, he came to South New Berlin, and engaged in the hard- ware business, and is doing a general job work in trade-tin roofing, plumbing, etc. He is the owner of the Smeader Block, in which he conducts his business, and which contains three other good store rooms; the second floor is a large hall, which is known as the Smeader Hall. He was one of the organ- izers of the South New Berlin Water Com- pany, and is now its vice-president and a director. He was also one of the organizers of the Gas Company of that town, of which he is vice-president and a director. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and votes with his party honestly and conscientiously whenever opportunity offers. He has never sought office, but the willing, hearty votes of his fellow-townsmen have placed him in public position. He has been town clerk for number of years. He is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Socially, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He was married in 1880 to Ella Brown, daughter of William L. Brown of McDonough, and two children have blessed their home : Anna Louisa, and Ada May.
Mr. Smeader's several business ventures, aside from becoming to him a source of great profit, have greatly assisted in augmenting the business of the city, and have been the means of giving employment to many men. By the generous and sensible distribution of his capital he has greatly aided in building up the business section of the village, and in this manner has become one of the most pop-
ular and valued citizens. He is systematic and methodical in his plans, and executes them promptly and to good advantage. His business qualifications are duly recognized by his fellow-townsmen, and are rated at their true value. His business is carried on in a straight-forward manner, and his goods are invariably just what they are represented to be. As a natural result he has customers from far and near, and he is on the highway to a competency, to enjoy which he may retire in later years.
LIHU L. HICKOK, proprietor of the best livery stable in the village of Norwich, and one of its most popular and enterprising citizens, is a son of Harry F. and Esther A. ( Gilbert ) Hickok, and was born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego County, N. Y., June 8, 1850.
His grandfather, Horace J. Hickok, was a native of the State of Connecticut, and about the year 1800 came to Otsego County, where he married and was blessed with eight sons and five daughters. Later he moved to Norwich and purchased a large tract of land in the northwestern part of that village and extending across the Canasawacta on to the hill. After a time he exchanged this property with Theodore Miller for a farm on which was a plaster, saw and grist mill, located at Plasterville, in the town of North Norwich, all of which he successfully conducted until early in the fifties, when he returned to Butternuts, where he was instantly killed by falling from a load of bark, in 1861.
HARRISON L. BEATTY.
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CHENANGO COUNTY
Harry F., one of the sons of Horace J. Hickok, spent his early years developing the soil of his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he married, and after the birth of Helen M., now the wife of George H. Buell, of Plasterville, and Elihu L., the subject of this sketch, he moved from Butternuts to a farm in the town of New Berlin, where he remained for about two years, and then suc- ceeded his father in the business at Plaster- ville. There two more children were born to him: Mary E., the wife of William Mason of Norwich, and Anna D., who married Smith W. Davis of Norwich, where they resided for a few years prior to re- moving to Oneida. Mr. Hickok was active in the construction of both the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, and the New York, Oswego and Midland railroads, and served as railroad commissioner for the town of North Norwich. In 1875 he moved to Norwich, and for a time held the office of commissioner of highways. He continued to reside in Norwich until his death, Sep- tember 16, 1886, at the age of sixty-two years, his wife having died in 1882, at the same age, and both of apoplexy.
Elihu L. was the only son of Harry F. Hickok, and was educated in the district school at Plasterville, and at Norwich Academy. He assisted his father on the farm and in the mills at Plasterville until 1875, when they removed to Norwich, where he has since made his home. Here he en- gaged in teaming, and in 1886 was elected highway commissioner. At the expiration of his term, being especially fond of horses, he entered the livery business, and for five
years was the proprietor of the Eagle Hotel livery. In 1895 he opened the Park livery, which by enterprise and industry he has made one of the most complete in all its ap- pointments for day and night service, and for funeral occasions, to be found in the county. Prompt, reliable, liberal in senti- ment, and of pleasing address, he has won a deserved popularity. Politically, like his father and grandfather before him, he is a Democrat in his views and affiliations.
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