USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 40
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He was united in marriage with Miss Katic M. Shotwell, in July, 1892. They are the parents of one son, Glenn S., who was born February 10, 1895. In politics, Prof. Loomis is a Republican.
IDSON L. WHITNEY, one of the en- terprising and leading business men of the village of Sherburne, this county, engaged in carrying on a very flourishing business in dry goods and groceries, was born in Sherburne, September 18, 1860. He is a son of Edson G. and Experience (Loomis) Whitney, grandson of Ephraim and Thurzic (Benedict) Whitney, and great-grandson of Ephraim Whitney. Ephraim Whitney, who was one of Vermont's pioneer residents, came to Central New York in middle life, and located in the village of Sherburne, Che- nango County, where his vocation was that of tilling the soil. Later he moved to Hop Bottom, Pa., and it was there that he died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Whitney de- parted this life and entered into her reward at the age of seventy-five years. To them
were born six children, namely : Nathaniel ; Ebenezer; Ephraim, Jr .; Ruth ; Annie; and Thurzie.
Ephraim Whitney, Jr., was born in Ben- nington, Vt., and while still a young man he left his father's house to seek a new home in Sherburne. After living there a short time he was joined by his father with the rest of the family. He bought the farm commonly known as the Dows farm, and fol- lowed the occupation of an agriculturist for some years. After clearing the ground, building a house, and making other substan- tial improvements, he sold the estate, and moved to the village of Sherburne, where he bought the house now standing on the corner of Union and State Streets, which he later sold, and then purchased the house where Mrs. Cushman lives. In this latter house he opened and ran a general store, at the same time renting a farm, which was operated by his sons. Later he ran an ashery, and then retired to private life. He married Miss Thurzie Benedict, a daughter of Jared Bene- diet. As a result of this happy union ninc children were born: Edson G .; Charles : Sarah; Almira; Albert; Mary; Porter; Catherine; and Caroline. In 1859, Mr. Whitney passed from this life, aged cighty- one years. Mrs. Whitney lived to the age of ninety-one years. Politically, Mr. Whit- ney was an old time Whig, and at the time of his death was an Abolitionist. The Con- gregational Church included him among its members.
Edson G. Whitney, father of our subject, was born in Sherburne, this county, and when a small boy clerked in the store of
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Holmes & Fargo, after which he was with Holmes & Cook ; later he went into business on his own account with Frederick Coats as a partner, the business being conducted under the firm name of Coats & Whitney. They carried on a general store in the old Opera House building ; later, when Mr. Whitney was alone in business, his store had the same location. In 1882, he retired and led a private life, being succeeded by Whit- ney, Kutschbach & Bullis. Mr. Whitney purchased Dr. Devillo White's residence on North Main Street, and atter instituting and carrying to completion a number of improve- ments, he had a comfortable home, suited in every way to his desires. He married Ex- perience Loomis, and to them were given two children, namely : Mary E., deceased ; and Edson L., our subject. Mr. Whitney was a stanch Democrat until Horace Greeley's time, and since then he was an un- swerving Republican. He served as presi- dent of the village of Sherburne, and held several minor offices. In religious views, he was a member of the Congregational Church. In 1885, he died, leaving behind his wife, one son, and a large circle of friends to mourn his death.
Our subject received his education in the Sherburne Union School. In 1882, he became a member of the firm of Whitney, Kutschbach & Bullis, who were the largest merchants of the village of Sherburne. In February, 1896, our subject disposed of his interests, and went to the town of Smyrna, where he bought out the old established house of Dixon Bros., and identified himself with the leading commercial enterprises of
the village, keeping a very large and select line of dry goods, groceries, and all the articles, except boots and shoes, that are generally to be found in a general mercantile store. In January, 1898, occurred another change in his affairs, when he purchased the stock and store of Walker Bros. of Sher- burne ; he now does a large and flourishing business. Mr. Whitney is one of a company of six, who rebuilt the Opera House Block, and is treasurer of the company. His family all along has continued to live in Sherburne, and there he intends to make his home ; how- ever, he still retains a one-third interest in the store at Smyrna.
Mrs. Whitney's maiden name was Clara E: Foote. She is a daughter of Samuel M. and Sarah (Hartwell) Foote. Samuel M. Foote was born in Colchester, Conn., and was a son of Israel and Lucy (Brainard) Foote, and grandson of Nathaniel and Abigail (Foote) Foote. Israel Foote came to the town of Sherburne in 1824. He was a school teacher and a mechanic. He bought the property known as the Purdy farm, and fol- lowed the occupation of an agriculturist. He married Lucy Brainard, and the fruits of this union were seven children, namely : Samuel M .; Sarah T .; Caroline E .; Lucy ; Ellen ; Israel O .; and Milton L. Mr. Foote was called to his well-earned rest at the age of ninety years. His wife died, aged sixty- six years. Samuel M. Foote received a liberal education, and then taught school for several terms. He finally settled on the homestead. When still a young man he was considered one of the most wide-awake, energetic, and successful farmers in the com-
ALMON LEE TUTTLE.
MRS. PHEBE MARYETTE TUTTLE.
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munity. He married Sarah Hartwell, and five children blessed their nuptials, as fol- lows: Fanny, deceased; Annie J .; Minerva C .; Edward O .; and Clara E., the wife of our subject.
To our subject and wife two children have been given: Helen E., born December 9, 1893; and Edward F., born December 4, 1895. Mr. Whitney's political views coincide with those of the Republican party. He has been a member of the board of trustees of Sherburne village for two years. His relig- ious connections are with the Congregational Church of Sherburne, of which he is a valued member. He is a member of the Smyrna Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Whitney is a man of pleasing address; social and hospitable ; generous and liberal in his sentiments; re- taining the activity, vivacity and cheerful- ness of youth, his life reveals the success that may be attained by self-reliance, integrity, and persevering industry.
LMON LEE TUTTLE. The name of this honored old citizen of the Em- pire State is a familiar one through- out Chenango County. He is among the respected citizens, who in the sunset of life are enabled to retire upon a sufficient compe- tency from active labor, and is now residing in the town of Columbus. He was born in the above town, November 22, 1826, and is a son of Amos Bishop and Patty ( Spaulding ) Tuttle, and grandson of Melicu Tuttle.
Melicu Tuttle was born in New Haven, Conn., June 18, 1775 ; his father dying when
Melicu was about nine years of age, leaving the family in destitute circumstances, he at once manfully confronted the difficulties of the situation, and succeeded in overcoming them. Subsequently, he went west into the wilds of Central New York, and for a while worked for a brother-in-law, John Tallett, who had been one of England's " Hessian hirelings" in the War of the Revolution, but who, after being captured with Burgoyne's army, came to know and love the American people, whom, he said, he had been taught to believe were all savages. Later, about 1794, Mr. Tuttle, being well pleased with the country, his judgment telling him that here were future possibilities not to be despised, accordingly located a claim in the northern part of what is now the town of Columbus, Chenango County, on Lot 57. He cleared a patch, built a log cabin, then returned to Massachusetts, and married, in 1795, Lovisa Bishop. They at once started out to make their new home among the Indians and wild beasts of the wilderness. They walked all the way, and drove a cow, that had been given them by Mrs. Tuttle's father. The remainder of the bride's outfit was all tied in a red bandana handkerchief. In their new home husband and wife lived and labored, the former for over seventy years and the latter for over fifty years. They brought up a family of six children, whose names were: James; Phebe ; Julia; Amos Bishop; Dian- tha; and Emeline.
Being very ingenious in mechanical con- trivances, Melicu Tuttle became indispensa- ble to other new settlers, who afterwards came into the district. He could build a log
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cabin, and make any farming implement, such as ox sleds or carts, bull plows, meat casks, sap pails, etc. His powers of physical labor and endurance were remarkable. He would go two miles to the farm of his brother-in-law do a large day's work, chopping and logging, then back a bushel of grain to the mill a mile away, have it ground, and then back it home three miles, in the dark, through woods and along a dim path, marked only by " blazed " trees. Once it was necessary to go sixteen miles to the mill at Burlington Flats with grain ; having no vehicle, he hung a bag with two bushels of corn on the yoke between two oxen and started. Three miles short of the mill, the oxen became exhausted and could bear the load no farther, so Mr. Tuttle took it on his own back, and when he arrived at the mill found it " closed for repairs," leaving him no alternative but to return home with- out his grist. Subsequently he improvised a cart without wheels, the contrivance being a crotched sappling, notched to the ring of the yoke, with pins in the prongs to hold the bag. lle once walked the entire distance to New York City, 250 miles, to make a payment on his land, crossing the Hudson River by swim- ming, with his clothes bundled and strapped to his back. The memory of no man, who labored and sacrificed during the early settle- ment of the state, is more worthy of perpetu- ation than that of Melicu Tuttle.
The sons and daughters of the later gener- ations, who are permitted to reap and enjoy so much where the fathers and mothers fought the obstinacies of the primeval wilder- ness and in toil and privation sowed the seed that has yielded many a hundred fold of
wealth and even luxury, though they can realize but little of the hardships and priva- tions of that early struggle, should turn in gratitude and thankfulness to the memory of those most worthy forebears.
Melicu Tuttle was kind, honest and faithful, and long lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors and the esteem of his fellow citizens. He spent his last days with his son, Amos Bishop Tuttle, and passed from the world in the ninety-eighth year of his life, July 31, 1872. His wife, born June 9, 1778, died Feb- ruary 16, 1849.
Amos Bishop Tuttle, father of our subject, in 1825, purchased a tract of land, now owned and occupied by our subject, and built thereon a log house amidst the forest in which he lived until 1839, when he built a frame house three rods north-east of the old log structure. Mr. Tuttle was among the substantial men of Chenango County, a gen- tleman respected for his sterling worth and integrity. At his death, which occurred in 1890, at the age of eighty-seven, he possessed 75 acres of the best improved land in his section of the county. Mrs. Tuttle died at the age of fifty-four. To Mr. and Mrs. Tut- tle were born seven children, who were as follows: Almon Lee; Harvey ; Lucretia ; Delia and Celia, twins ; Sarah L .; and Julia, who died aged nine years. Harvey, Lucretia and Celia died in childhood. Sarah L. mar- ried Reuben L. Lamb, and died at the age of twenty-seven years. Delia (Mrs. William B. Olney) survives at this writing (1898.) Mr. Tuttle was originally an old line Whig, but for many years he was an out-spoken Aboli- tionist, when such as he were taunted as be-
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ing "nigger worshippers ;" but later, at the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and remained identified with the new power in the political world until his death.
Almon Lee Tuttle, subject of this personal history, received his education in the district schools and at Whitestown Seminary. Dur- ing his early manhood he taught school and was superintendent of the schools of Colum- bus. For several years working his father's farms, he also purchased and operated the adjoining farm, commonly known as the Hickock property, where A. M. Lamb now resides ; he also bought the old Gates farm, where he now lives. He built all the build- ings on the latter farm, including a cheese factory, that he operated for thirty-three years. He has a reputation for the manufac- ture of cheese that stands second to none in the Empire State, and he was awarded a medal and chart for his exhibit at the World's Fair at Chicago. He also purchased the J. Finch farm, the Abels farm, and his father's farm-425 acres in all. His farm being espe- cially adapted to grazing, Mr. Tuttle makes the production of milk his chief work; the milk at this writing (May, 1898) is bought by Borden's (N. Y.) Condensed Milk Co. Mr. Tuttle is a successful apiarian, and now has fifty colonics of bees, although he has had as high as one hundred colonies.
Mr. Tuttle sought and obtained in mar- riage the hand of Phebe Maryette Francis, daughter of Levi Francis of Sherburne, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle were given one child, Emma Adelia, who was removed from them at the age of eight years. Our
subject was an Abolitionist with his father, but helped in the formation of the Republi- can party, and still later joined the ranks of the Prohibition party. He is tolerant of the opinions of others, but his views are decided, and expressed with the fearlessness of a man who feels that he is right and is not afraid to take a decided stand to maintain his opinions and principles. He served as justice of the peace for twenty years and as supervisor three terms. Mr. Tuttle is an excellent citi- zen, and has now abandoned the more active duties and labors of life, and is enjoying the rewards of his early toil. His mind, how- ever, always active and industrious, retains a general oversight of his business affairs, which he has always conducted with great wis- dom and skill. The Tuttle family is well known and highly respected throughout the county, and has contributed its full quota toward the building up of the section of which they may be classed as early pioneers.
It is with feelings of pleasure, which we are sure are shared by all the readers of this volume, that we present on preceding pages portraits of both Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle, who merit this distinction because of the leading part they have taken in the agricultural and social work of Chenango County.
JDMUND J. STACK, the well known proprietor of the Gothic House, the leading hotel of South Otselic, was born in the town of Sherburne, Chenango County, May 1, 1856. He is a son of Michael and Mary (White) Stack.
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Michael Stack was born in the town of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, in 1817, and came to America about 1853. His perman- ent location in this country was in the town of Smyrna, Chenango County, where he set- tled down on a farm. He was engaged in farming all his life, and was one of the good substantial farmers of the community in which he lived. Religiously, he was a Cath- olic and was educated for the priesthood, but never took orders. He was united in mar- riage with Mary White, who is also a native of County Clare, Ireland, coming to this country in 1853. She still survives her hus- band, and is living on the old homestead with her daughter, Mrs. T. J. Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Stack were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, namely : Ella, who married T. J. Sullivan, a farmer living on the old homestead in Smyrna town- ship; Edmund J., who is the subject of this biography; John B., a special pension ex- aminer of Washington, D. C .; and Margaret A., a resident of South Otselic.
Edmund J. Stack was reared on the farm and received his mental training in the Smyrna Union School. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he began teaching school, and taught for about ten terms. In 1887, he moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin, where he en- gaged in business for one year, and then re- turned to his home in Smyrna. He bought a farm adjoining his father's estate in the town of Smyrna, and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for about two years. In 1883, he purchased his present hotel business in South Otselic. He made many improve- ments, fitted the hotel with modern conveni-
ences, and made it a very desirable stopping place. It has nice, large and comfortable rooms, newly furnished, lighted with gas and heated by hot air. The meals served by this establishment also add greatly to its popu- larity with the traveling public. In connec- tion with the hotel, Mr. Stack conducts a liv- ery barn, and is a dealer in carriages, cutters, sleighs, etc. In 1893, he opened a carriage repository, which is also very well patronized. He owns the valuable two story building in which M. D. Greenleaf conducts a harness business. Mr. Stack is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and actively supports all new enterprises conducive to the welfare of the village. He was the principal organ- izer of the Merchants Gas Co. of South Ot- selic, and is a stockholder and president of the organization. In religious belief, he is a faithful member of the Catholic Church. Socially, he belongs to Cascadilla Lodge, No. 478, I. O. O. F., of South Otselic ; Chenango Encampment, No. 51, I. O. O. F., of Norwich, N. Y .; and is past captain of Canton Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., of Norwich. In political belief, he adheres to the principles advocated by the Democratic party.
February 28, 1881, our subject was united in marriage with Ella Noonan at the home of her mother at Schenevus, N. Y. After eight years of happiness, Mr. Stack was be- reaved of his wife's companionship by death, April 15, 1889. She was aged twenty-eight years, eleven months and twenty-one days when the summons came, and was just be- ginning to enter the prime of life. She left one child, a bright boy of four years, M. Leo. The loss of his beautiful young wife was a
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sad blow to our subject. She was dearly loved by all, as is shown by the following lines, which were written by a friend : " Ten- derly we would gather the sweet memories of her former life, and count ourselves rich in the legacy of her modest example. A warm heart never beat more kindly, neither found more joyous, generous doings, yet with a humble disposition that recognized no sac- rifice and made unselfishness the keynote of her daily duty. Wife, mother, and friend, the joy of our life must be less without thee, but we would not hold back from the raptures of Heaven."
December 15, 1896, Mr. Stack formed a second union with Marcia Lamb, an adopted daughter of D. B. Parce of South Otselic. She is a woman of many virtues, is a kind and loving wife and has many friends. Our subject has a large number of friends in the community, who respect and esteem him as a man of great worth and influence.
D ANIEL CONROY, the well known superintendent of the F. G. Clarke blue stone quarries of South Ox- ford, commands the respect of a large force of men under his charge, and conducts his business affairs in such a manner as to retain the confidence and approval of his employer. He is a native of Ireland, and was born in Queens County, May 1, 1845. He is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Dunn) Conroy.
Daniel Conroy, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Ireland, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He
was united in marriage with Margaret Dunn, and a few years later, sceing the superior advantages offered to farmers on the fertile valleys and plains of America, he came to the United States, and located in Ulster County, N. Y. He settled in the town of Hurley, and became quite successful as a farmer. He was the progenitor of four children, all of whom died in their infancy but Daniel, our subject. Mr. Conroy died soon after coming to this country, but his wife survived him many years, dying in 1887 at the ad- vanced age of seventy-two years.
Daniel Conroy obtained his education in the common schools of Hurley, attending until he was fourteen years of age. He then operated a small quarry for a time, and later decided to try farming. He went to work upon a farm, but found he was not suited for such work. He again turned to his occupa- tion of stone cutter, and for five years he worked faithfully, and soon acquired great skill. He gained largely in experience, and at the end of the five years he was qualified to go into business on his own account. Being a man of good habits he used his money sparingly, and was enabled to purchase a stone quarry. He operated it for about two years and was very successful, but think- ing the grocery business more profitable, he engaged in that line of business for the next year. It was a good paying venture, but unsuited to a man of his tastes. He was next made superintendent of a quarry at Smith- ville, and acted in that capacity for the fol- lowing five years. He then went to Hast- ings on the Hudson River, in the employ of the same company. Later he moved to
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Rockland, Sullivan County, where he opened a new quarry, which he operated until 1889. By this time Mr. Conroy had made a reputa- tion for himself, and he was known far and wide ; his services were in great demand. He was called to South Oxford to act as superintendent of the F. G. Clarke bluc stone quarries, and is now serving in that capacity. He has charge of about sixty men, and gets the best possible results from them by his just treatment and strict atten- tion to business.
August 24, 1873, Mr. Conroy married Kate A. Cahill of Kingston, and they became the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living, whose records are as follows : Daniel F., who is assistant superintendent in the quarry at South Oxford; Patrick J., a medical student of Buffalo, N. Y .; Joseph J., a stone cutter ; Margaret ; Catherine ; Agnes ; and Francis. In religious belief the family are Catholics. Mr. Conroy is a firm sup- porter of the Democratic party.
B. FRANKLIN is one of the best known, and most influential citizens of Preston township, occupying as he does a place of prominence in the village as the leading grocer. He is a son of Stephan and Betsey (Ashcraft) Franklin, and was born March 25, 1835, at Pharsalia, this county, where he resided for almost half a century.
His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Frank- lin, was a native of Windham, Vermont, but moved to Chenango County, New York,
where he bought a farm in the town of Pres- ton, and spent the remainder of his life. In early life he was a Democrat, but he was ever a man who had the courage of his con- victions, and when the principles of that party failed to coincide with his ideas of right, he became identified with the Whigs, and later with the Republican party. Hc was a member of the Baptist Church, of which he was for many years a deacon. He was the father of eight children: Clarissa Bicking; Sallie Champlain; Roby Coy; Mrs. Carter ; Benjamin ; William ; Moses ; Aaron and Stephan.
Stephan Franklin, the father of our subject, was twenty years of age when he came with his father from Vermont to the town of Pres- ton. He bought a farm of 150 acres in the town of Pharsalia, and became one of its prominent and substantial farmers, remaining there the rest of his life. He was married to Betsey Ashcraft, and raised a family of nine children, whose names are as follows : Olive ; James; Anna ; Leonard ; Stephen ; Elizabeth ; Ira ; H. B .; and Diana. He was first a Demo- crat and afterwards a Republican. He was a Baptist in religion. James Ashcraft, the maternal grandfather of our subject, took an active part in the War of the Revolution, serving as captain of a vessel.
H. B. Franklin, our subject, was educated in the common and select schools in East Pharsalia. After leaving school he worked at farming in the town of Pharsalia for fifteen years, at the end of which time, in 1884, he came to Preston village and opened a gro- cery store, a business which he has since continued with good financial results, win-
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ning for himself hosts of friends by his straightforward manner of dealing, and the kindly attention accorded all who enter his place of business. His popularity is attested to by the fact that he has served as deputy postmaster at Preston for the past thirteen years. He is a stanch Republican, and has been retained in office as justice of the peace of the town of Preston for the past twelve years, giving entire satisfaction in the man- ner in which he discharges the duties of his office.
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