USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 41
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October 4, 1857, he was wedded to Mary Park, a daughter of Lorenzo Park, a resident of the town of Preston, this county, and this union has resulted in the birth of four chil- dren : Eva G., the wife of Carlos Crandall, a mason, residing at Norwich ; Horace D., a farmer; May, the wife of Burton E. Slater, who resides with his father, a farmer of Pres- ton township ; and Jennie B., who lives with her parents. Mr. Franklin has been quite successful in his business ventures, and owns, in the town of Preston besides the store, a farm which he leases.
DWARD JULIAN ELLIOTT. A strik- ing example of what may be ac- complished, by an individual possessing energy and perseverance, is to be found in the career of the subject of this biographical notice. He began life on his own account as a common carpenter, working by the day, and has gradually worked his way up to his present position, that of leading contractor and builder of the village of Norwich. He
was born April 20, 1865, in Plymouth, Che- nango County, and is a son of Cyrus and Annis (Balden) Elliott.
He is of Scotch ancestry. His grand- father, Jacob Elliott, was a native of Rhode Island, and came to Chenango County about ninety-eight years ago, locating in the town of Greene. He made farming his life occu- pation and was very successful. In political views he was a Democrat. He was a mem- ber of the old state militia. He reared a family of nine children, eight sons and one daughter.
Cyrus Elliott is among the sturdy tillers of the soil in this county who have been suc- cessful in life, and who are enabled to enjoy the fruits of a laborious past. He is a native of Chenango County, and received his educa- tion in the common schools of his native town. He was reared a farmer's boy and assisted in the labors on his father's farm. It was but natural that when he left the parental roof he should take up farming as an occupa- tion. He first farmed in the town of Greene, but later moved to Plymouth, and after re- maining there some years came to Norwich. After farming here for a few years, he retired from active life, and is now living a life of ease at the home of his son, Edward Julian, in Norwich. The results of his union with Annis Balden were four children, whose names are as follows; Orin ; Porter; Ella, who is the relict of Lemont Snow ; and Ed- ward Julian, the subject of this personal sketch. Cyrus Elliott takes an active inter- est in political affairs, and is a member of the Democratic party.
Edward Julian Elliott was mentally equip-
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ped for life's battles in the public schools of Plymouth. Upon leaving school he became apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, work- ing under S. H. Hall of Norwich for four years. By strict application to his work, he became a skilled workman, and well qualified for his next step in life. It was in 1885 that he became a contractor and builder, and he has continued in that line of operation to the present time. He receives most of the large contracts in Norwich, and many others throughout the county. That Mr. Elliott ' has been so successful in life is due to his own unaided efforts and industry. He is yet a young man, but the people, recognizing his ability, feel that their confidence in him is not misplaced.
Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Ella Curnalia, a daughter of William Cur- nalia of Norwich, and they are the parents of two sons : Ary, and Earl. Mrs. Elliott is a kind, loving wife and mother. Our subject is a prominent Mason, and takes an active in- terest in the workings of Norwich Lodge, No. 302, F. & A. M. In politics, he is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and is town committeeman.
ERMAN S. SALEY. One of Sher- burne's most energetic and prosper- ous business men is the gentleman named above, who is an undertaker and dealer in furniture. He is a native of Sher- burne, his birth occurring there, October 18, 1862. He is a son of Marcus S. and Cor- nelia S. (Tuttle) Saley, grandson of Nathan
E. and Marinda (Frances) Saley, and great- grandson of James and Emily (Mainard) Saley of the State of Connecticut.
Nathan E. Saley was born in Connecticut, and at the age of five years came west with a family that was moving in this direction, and settled in Sherburne, N. Y. He was the means of getting his father, James Saley, to remove to Sherburne, where both settled on the farm, where Stephen Coons now resides. James Saley was a stone mason by trade. Not many years after their removal to Sher- burne, Mr. and Mrs. James Saley died, leav- ing a large family of children, namely : Elias ; Silas; Nathan E .; Orrin ; Marcus; Sally ; Betsey ; James ; and Lydia. Nathan E. Saley had always followed the occupation of a far- mer, and as his first purchase, he bought a farm in the north-east corner of the town. On it he made many improvements, building a house and barn, and otherwise fitting the place up for a suitable home ; when he sold it to his son, Marcus S., he bought the farm adjoining. He died in 1886, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife passed from this life in 1884. To them were born two chil- dren, of whom Marcus S. is the only one now living. Emma J., the only daughter, died in infancy.
Marcus S. Saley assisted his father in run- ning the farm, and later learned the trade of a shoemaker, which trade he followed five years, besides managing his father's farm in the mean time. Later he disposed of his shoemaking business and bought a thresh- ing machine, and for nine years operated it, traveling around over the country in the sum- mer. He built a shop and cider mill, and put
WILLIAM B. STEWART.
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in an iron lathe and shingle machine. In 1884 he sold his establishment, and bought the Barber farm, which he operated for a short time, then sold the property and bought a lot in Sherburne village, which formerly belonged to the Whitford estate. There, under the firm name of Saley & Co., his son being the other member of the firm, he was engaged in pressing hay, and ship- ping it to various places. Since January I, 1887, he has been assisting his son in the business. He was joined in marriage with Cornelia S. Tuttle, daughter of James Tuttle, and their only child is Herman S., our sub- ject. Politically, Marcus S. Saley is an un- swerving Democrat. In his religious views he is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church.
Being the only son and child, our subject, Herman S. Saley, remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he en- gaged in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness. He went to New York City and com- pleted a course in Prof. F. A. Sullivan's Oriental School of Embalming. Returning to his native town, he opened up business as a mortisan. He has one of the best hearses and a very fine team. Being a man of great ability, he rose rapidly in his chosen vocation, and gained the patronage of the village and the surrounding country. Our subject has a very fine line of house furniture in his store, and everything needed in an undertaker's establishment. Mr. Saley is never idle; his chief aim is to help build up his native town, Sherburne. He takes great interest in all the enterprises which are for the benefit of his townspeople. He has dealt quite extensively
in horses, and conducts a blacksmith and wagon shop, where he gives employment to several men.
Mr. Saley was united in matrimonial bonds with Jennie Phelps, daughter of Charles Phelps of South Edmeston. Religiously, our subject is a Free Will Baptist. In poli- ties he has always been an untiring and con- sistent Republican. He is a man who is well adapted for public service, and the people ap- preciate that fact by electing him to office. Socially, Mr. Saley is a public-spirited man, and always lends his aid and influence in the advancement of measures which he believes would be conducive to the public welfare.
ILLIAM B. STEWART. Probably no man is more widely known throughout the town of Plymouth than the gentleman, whose name heads this sketch, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. His varied business interests along milling and mercantile lines has been such as to extend his acquaintance through the entire county, while his personality has made itself felt in the community where he now resides. Mr. Stewart was ushered into this world at Kirk, Plymouth township, Che- nango County, January 16, 1857, his parents being George W. and Charlotte (Chase) Stewart.
His paternal great-grandfather was born in New London, Conn., of Scotch ancestry ; he came with his family to New York, set- thing in the village of Kirk. He owned a farm of 140 acres which he cultivated. Ilc
22*
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was a Whig and took part in the War of the Revolution.
Asahel Stewart, the grandfather, was one of nine children. Hc was born and grew to manhood in the State of Connecticut. His vocation was that most useful one of agricul- ture, without which all our mills would be useless, our factories would close, and our people die of starvation. He had charge of his father's farm at Kirk, and also bought and sold general farm produce. He was a Whig, and when that party gave placc to the Republican organization he joined its ranks. His entire life from early manhood was spent in Plymouth township. He became impressed with religious convictions and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, where his knowledge of the Bible and his ready manner of expressing his thoughts, gave him much prominence in religious circles. He was a frequent exhorter and a familiar figure in the pulpit, where he preached some very able sermons. The maiden name of the lady whom he married was Lucretia Fulk, and their children were: Alanson; Charles; George W .; Giles; Ches- ter; and Lucretia Frink. Asahel Stewart died at the age of ninety, and his wife at the age of eighty-seven years, each in the ripe- ness of age, and with the consciousness of a life well spent.
George W. Stewart was born in the village of Kirk, and attended the district schools, after which he engaged in farming and lum- bering. He was a very successful farmer, owning 145 acres of good land. He was a Republican, and accepted such local offices as highway commissioner, etc. He was
married to Charlotte Chase, and three chil- dren were born to them: William B., our subject; Montezuma C .; and George L., now deceased. Mrs. Stewart is still living. Mr. Stewart's death was the result of a most un- fortunate accident ; while engaged in cutting down some trees on his farm, in 1889, in some way he was caught by one of the falling trces and crushed to the ground, receiving injuries from which death shortly relieved him.
William B. Stewart was educated in the public schools and then attended Norwich Academy, where he was a diligent pupil and soon acquired a good practical education. He taught for one term in the town of Ply- mouth, but felt that he was not suited for the life of a pedagogue, and, preferring to en- gage in outdoor pursuits, accordingly turned his attention to the occupation of his fathers, farming, and gave to agricultural pursuits ten years of his best efforts. He worked at lumbering for two years, and then moved to South Plymouth in 1892 and embarked in the milling business. This mill has a fifty- four horse power wheel, and a capacity of two tons per hour ; it is fitted up with the most improved modern machinery, and turns out the best class of goods. He does both merchant and custom grinding, and has a business of from $22,000.00 to $25.000.00 annually. In 1894 he was appointed post- master of South Plymouth, and opened a general store, which nets him a neat income. He owns an interest in the 145 acres left by his father.
Mr. Stewart contracted marriage Febru- ary 23, 1878, with a most estimable lady,
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Flora Tower, whose father, Almon Tower, was a farmer of the town of Plymouth. Mrs. Stewart was a pupil in Oxford Acad- emy, a graduate of the State Normal School at Brockport, N. Y., and is a lady of refine- ment and intelligence. She is also a musician of no mean ability, as she always places her- self in touch with her audience by her sym- pathetic rendering of a selection. She received musical instruction from Prof. Lynn Babcock of Norwich, and proved a most apt scholar. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, viz: Leon T .; Lottie L .; John H .; Amasa E .; Florence D .; and Olive M. Mr. Stewart is an active politician, and was elected by the Republican party to the position of highway commissioner of the town of Plymouth, in which capacity he served for several years, and was elected supervisor in 1898. He is a member of Lodge No. 302 of Norwich. Mr. Stewart commands the entire respect, confidence and esteem of the people, and has a most kindly nature, being ever ready to do a generous act.
ENRY W. SAGE, deceased. The honored name of the subject of this history will be remembered long after those who were personally acquainted with him have passed away. He was one of the early residents of Chenango County, a man of great energy and force of character, and left his decided impress upon the com- munity in which he lived and upon all with whom he came in contact. He was a son of
Jewett and Susan (Jaycox) Sage, and was born in the town of New Berlin, July 13, 1833.
The Sage family traces its descent from Scandinavian stock far back in the Dark Ages; the name was spelled "Saga," but when the Norsemen conquered Normandy, and over-ran France, the final "a" was changed to "e," thus making the present name-Sage. The name as it appears first in English history is found upon Battle Ab- bey Roll, year 1066, A. D., the roll made by William the Conqueror after the battle of Hastings, when he divided the English lands among his followers-the spelling there being " Sageville." As a mark of distinguished favor, a coat of arms was granted by the King. The coat of arms is surmounted by grain, fruit and flowers, indicating that the Sage family was then, as it is now, an agri- cultural people. The motto is " Non Sibli," " Not for ourselves."
The founder of the American branch of the now numerous family of Sages was David Sage, a native of Wales, born in 1639. He was reared, as many another Welsh farmer lad, on a small tract of land, the agri- culturists of that country possessing only a limited idea of farming, as it is carried on in the New World. He read the glowing ac- counts of what might be accomplished by men of energy in the American colonies, and he resolved to come hither with the hopes of bettering his financial condition. He located in Middletown, Conn., where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1703. His descend- ant, Daniel Sage, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the State of Connecticut
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in 1756, and in 1803 moved to New Ber- lin, N. Y., where he took up a tract of 200 acres, as one of the first settlers in that local- ity. He lived there with his family, the only company being some roving Indian, of whom he was seldom afraid. He passed away in 1852. He served in the War of the Revolution, and threc of his sons fought for the rights of Americans against British op- pression in the War of 1812. His wife, Sybil Jewett of Rensselaer County, bore him the following children: Sylvia, born 1779; Eras- tus, 1784 : Faith, 1786; Betsey, 1788 ; Simeon, 1789; Abigail, 1791 ; Jewett, the father of our subject ; Daniel, 1795 ; and Nathan, 1800.
Jewett Sage, father of Henry W. Sage, subject of this biography, was born in Rens- selaer County, N. Y., in 1793, and at the age of six years came to New Berlin township, where he engaged in the pursuits of an agri- culturist until the time of his death, which occurred in 1821. He was one of the wealth- iest farmers in Chenango County, owning at the time of his death 1,500 acres. He kept a herd of 90 well brcd cattle, and was en- gaged extensively in dairying. He chose for his companion Susan Jaycox, and they reared five sons and three daughters.
Henry W. Sage received his intellectual training in the public schools and Norwich Academy, and at the age of twenty years he engaged in teaching, which calling he fol- lowed five years. He then devoted his atten- tion toward agriculture. Hc purchased a farm four miles north-west of South New Berlin, where he carried on farming in a successful manner for two years, and then bought a farm of 240 acres on Grcat Brook
in New Berlin township. It is one of the best farms in Chenango County ; the soil is rich and productive ; and the improvements are of the best. Mr. Sage was interested in the manufacture of cheese and dairying, and had his farm stocked with some 40 head of milch cows. He was active in politics, up- held Democratic principles earnestly and con- scientiously, and voted for all measures cal- culated to advance the public good. He served as supervisor three terms in the town of New Berlin, and was instrumental in the securing of the Union School.
His first marriage was with Miss Frances A. Osgood, who was born June 28, 1835, and they reared onc child, Ida M., who died April 21, 1869, aged twelve years. Mrs. Sage died May 21, 1866, and on December 22, 1868, Mr. Sage was united in marriage with Orril O. Osgood. Mrs. Sage was born May 12, 1841, and is a daughter of Luther and Mary E. (Berry) Osgood, both natives of the town of Preston, this county. In social circles Mr. Sage was a member of the Masonic Lodge of New Berlin. Mr. Sage was wor- thy to receive the title of an honest man and a good citizen. From his carly youth he was imbued with high moral principles. He will long be remembered in his township as one whose placc it will be difficult to fill.
EORGE IRVING SKINNER, ESQ. The subject of this sketch is a lead- ing lawyer of Chenango County, residing in Bainbridge, and justifies the high esteem in which he is held. During his early years he
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gave promise of great ability, easily carrying off the honors of his class while a student, and in later years developing a shrewd busi- ness insight that was a surprise even to those who knew him best. He was born February 20, 1858, on Skinner Hill, Sherburne town- ship, a son of Dan. Barnes and Jennet ( Hor- ton ) Skinner. He became a student at Colgate Academy in 1873, and graduated at the head of his class in 1876. He then en- tered Madison University, located at Harnil- ton, Madison County, N. Y., graduating with honor in 1880. He was prominent in college fraternity work, being a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity upon his graduation. He stood high in all departments at college, and received prizes in both mathematics and elocution. He rep- resented his University in Greek in the Inter- Collegiate contests of 1878. Since graduation, he has well sustained the reputation thus ac- quired.
Alfred Skinner, the grandfather, came to the State of New York with his father, Stephen Skinner, formerly of Connecticut, and settled in the town of Sherburne on what was afterward known as Skinner Hill, so called in honor of Stephen Skinner. Al- fred Skinner followed farming as an occupa- tion, filling in his spare time by working at the trade of a cabinet-maker. He was an in- dustrious, hard working man, who soon acquired a competence and enjoyed a local reputation. He was a Whig in politics, an Abolitionist in sentiment, and assisted in the organization of the Republican party. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth
Coastin. The children born to them were : Sidney ; Amasa; Dan. Barnes; La Fayette; Zara; Emory; Leonard; Exana; Jerusha ; and Adaline. Late in life he went from New York to Wisconsin, where he died, at an ad- vanced age.
Dan. Barnes Skinner was an inhabitant of Sherburne all his life. He was a farmer and a teacher at different periods of his career. He was also elected superintendent of schools, a work for which he had a special aptitude. Like his father, he was a Whig and Abolitionist. He took an active part in the formation of the Republican party, but died too early to par- ticipate in its great achievements. He had been elected a delegate to the state conven- tion of that party the year of his death. His first matrimonial alliance resulted in the birth of three children : Leonard S. was born ()c- tober 12, 1839, and is a merchant, ranch owner and mine operator in New Mexico ; Frederick B., was born May 23, 1842, and was a member of Co. A., 114th Reg. N. Y. Inf. Vol. during the Civil War-he enlisted as a private, became sergeant by promotion and lost his life at the battle of Cedar Creek ; Harriet Ione, the only daughter, lives at Nor- wich, the wife of Elihu Hickock. His second marriage was with Jennet Horton, and to them but one child was born, the subject of this biography. Dan. Barnes Skinner was born September 19, 1816, on Skinner Hill, and died at the same place, November 19. 1858.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Newton Horton, whose father, Benjamin Horton, a native of Connecticut, was a farmer residing at Coventry at the time of death.
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Newton Horton was married to Laura Tuttle. Her father was Uri Tuttle, a pioneer of Che- nango County ; he was a native of Connecti- cut, but moved to Oneida County, N. Y., and afterwards to this county, coming to Columbus when the country was one vast forest. His home was in the midst of the woods, and when any of the family left home the only path out of this wilderness was found by following " blazed " trees.
After leaving school George Irving Skin- ner devoted several years to teaching, his first position being in Norwich Academy, where he remained two years as assistant principal. The Union School of Smithville then secured his services as principal, bis work there extending over a period of three years and proving his ability to impart infor- mation with the same facility that he had acquired it. While located at Smithville he began to take an active interest in politics and in 1884 was nominated for school commis- sioner by the Republicans of the 2nd school com. district, but was defeated on account of difference between factions. But he desired to become a lawyer, and with this end in view he returned to Norwich and studied for his chosen profession with John W. Church. He applied himself diligently to his studies and was admitted to the bar in January, 1887. He at once moved to Bain- bridge where he has since been located. In April, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of Bainbridge by President Harrison and held the office until October 1, 1894. In January, 1897, he was appointed State Bank Examiner, and in March of the same year he was placed at the head of the Foreign Corporation,
Building, Loan and Banking Law Bureau of the New York State Banking Department. A number of examiners are connected with this branch of the State Banking Department and work under the instructions of the Chief of the Bureau. This Bureau has supervision over foreign corporations selling mortgages, bonds, and debentures in the State of New York, and also has charge of the Building and Loan Associations of the state.
November 19, 1891, Mr. Skinner married Mary Elizabeth McCrea, of Smithville, Che- nango County, N. Y. Two children add their bright presence to this family group: George McCrea, born October 27, 1893 ; and Elizabeth, born March 8, 1897. Our subject is a member of the Episcopal Church, a ves- tryman of St. Peter's Church of Bainbridge, and for a number of years was superintendent of the Sunday School. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and has been an active party worker for many years, contributing largely towards its success in the county. He has repeatedly served as delegate to county, congressional and senatorial conven- tions, and was a delegate to the state con- vention held in New York City in 1896, to elect delegates to the St. Louis Convention. In 1883 he became a member of the East- ern Light Lodge, F. & A. M., of Greene, but has since transferred his membership to Susquehanna Lodge, No. 167, of Bainbridge. He has filled all the principal offices of the lodge, and was elected master in 1892-3-5-6. He is well informed in all the workings of the lodge, and was district deputy grand lecturer of the 18th Masonic District in 1894. He also belongs to the Improved Order of Red
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Men, having been sachem of Susquehanna Tribe No. 274, of Bainbridge, and deputy grand sachem for Chenango County in 1896. In private life Mr. Skinner is most compan- ionable, and enjoys the society of hosts of friends.
ELOS VAN WOERT, ex-postmas- ter, and at present engaged in the fire insurance business, is one of Afton's substantial and progressive citizens. He was born in the town of Milford, Otsego County, N. Y., September 21, 1843. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Gile) Van Woert, and a grandson of Adrian Van Woert.
The family comes from the sturdy old Holland racc, and the earliest ancestors, upon coming to this country, settled in the Mo- hawk Valley. Jacob Van Woert, the great- grandfather of our subject, came to this country, and with his brother, John, settled at Albany, N. Y. His trade was that of a ship-builder, but after moving to Otsego County, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving until the end, and rendering valuable aid to the cause of liberty. After the war was over, he returned to Otsego, and there lived until his death, which occurred in 1843, when he was eighty years of age. He mar- ried Sarah Van Ness, by whom he had five children, who have all passed away ; they were as follows : John ; Peter ; Adrian ; Eliza- beth, who married a Mr. Young ; and Jacob.
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