USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 5
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Mr. Hickok was married in Norwich, October 10, 1871, to H. Ione Skinner, who was born in the town of Sherburne, April 4, 1848. She was the only daughter of D. Barnes and Harriet Helen (Leonard) Skinner. Her father was born in the town of Sher- burne, September 1, 1817, and died on the same farm, November 19, 1858. Her mother was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y., May 20, 1818, and died July 15, 1853, in the town of Sherburne. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hickok : F. Harry, May 13, 1873, in Plasterville ; Leonard S., July 8, 1878, in Norwich; and Helen Ione, October 14, 1888, in Norwich, where she died, March 13, 1898.
ARRISON L. BEATTY. Among the brainy young men of the village of Bainbridge, Chenango County, N. Y., whose futures seem especially bright, there are few whom it would give us greater pleasure to give a place in this Book of Biog- raphies than the gentleman whose name heads this short sketch. He is a son of William C.
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and Mary Elizabeth (Baxter) Beatty, and was born October 1, 1870, in the town of Bloom- field, N. J.
The ancestors of our subject are of that sturdy Scotch race, but in 1817 the great- grandmother emigrated to the United States, where she lived a short time and then moved to Canada. She came to this country with five sons and three daughters. They were as follows: John; James; Frank; William ; David ; Margaret; Mary ; and Esther. Of these David was the grandfather of our sub- ject. The family moved to Canada, where they lived for a short time, when John was for a period president of the seminary at Colbury, a Methodist institution. David Beatty was born in 1798 at Fintona, County Tyrone, Ireland. He lived in the City of New York the greater part of his life, where he was engaged in mercantile business. He married Elizabeth Whaley of Canada, April 21, 1819, and they had three children born to them: James H., born May 27, 1820; Thomas, July 20, 1822 ; and William C., No- vember 23, 1824. David Beatty died in the City of New York, May 1, 1879, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Beatty also died in the City of New York ; both of them were buried in the Greenwood Cemetery of that city.
William C. Beatty, the father of our sub- ject, was educated in the public schools of New York City, and then engaged in mercan- tile business in that city all his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bax- ter, and they reared three children: Wil- liam I .; Harrison L .; and a daughter, Ida M. William I. was born in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
January 18, 1863, and is now in the real estate and insurance business in Newark, N. J. He was joined in wedlock December 19, 1888, with Edith L. Mickens, and they have one child, Norman L., born July 16, 1891.
Harrison L. Beatty received his education in the public schools of Broomfield, N. J., and when he was ten years of age his parents moved to Newark, N. J., where he attended the schools until the death of his father, when he, his sister, and his mother moved to the village of Bainbridge, N. Y., where he re- mained in school until he was seventeen. He then entered the First National Bank of Bain- bridge, of which his uncle, Joseph Bush, was vice-president, and remained in the employ of that institution until November 24, 1890, when he accepted a position with the Bing- hamton Trust Company of Binghamton, N. Y. April 1, 1892, he accepted a position with the Bank of Strong & Strong of Binghamton, N. Y., as cashier, and December 1, 1894, he resigned his position, and through the winter of 1894 and the year 1895, he took an ex- tended trip throughout North and South America, touching Mexico, Central America, and the northern part of South America. Re- turning to his home in Bainbridge, N. Y., he assisted his uncle, Joseph Bush, in looking after his business interests in that village. He was made residuary legatee in the will of Mr. Bush, and upon that gentleman's death the old Bush homestead came into his posses- sion. The old homestead is one of the best farms in the county, and consists of 235 acres, of which 100 acres is timber land. The farm is well stocked with a high grade of cattle,
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and the buildings are all large and in first- class order.
In politics Mr. Beatty adheres to the Re- publican party, and never fails to cast his vote in favor of his chosen party. Relig- iously, he is an active and devoted member of the Episcopal Church. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the Susquehanna Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M. He early learned the value of time and applied efforts, and is proving a worthy successor to his uncle. In the management of the farm he shows rare skill and judg- ment, and in all business affairs he is keen, accurate and upright. On account of his pleasant social ways he has the friendship and esteem of all who know him. To his many friends the excellent portrait of Mr. Beatty on a page preceding this will have many attractions.
ANIEL M. HOLMES, a retired merchant of the village of Nor- wich, who is much respected by his fellow townsmen, was born in Stonington, Conn., November 7, 1818, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Chapman) Holmes, and a grandson of Thomas Holmes. For almost fifty years he was engaged in carrying on his business, which consisted in a trade in hard- ware. His business success kept pace with Norwich's development, so that he is in many respects a representative citizen of that vil- lage and town. His long residence would entitle him to that distinction if nothing else.
Thomas Holmes, the grandfather of our subject, was born and lived in Stonington,
Conn., where he spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He did not regu- larly enlist and fight in the War of 1812, but helped, however, in the defense of Stoning- ton, when it was attacked by the British. His first wife left him a family of four sons and two daughters, of whom Daniel, our subject's father, was the third son. His second wife bore him five sons and one daughter. Mr. Holmes died at the age of sixty-six.
Our subject's father was born on the old Holmes homestead at Stonington, Conn., and was reared and educated in his native town. When starting out in life for himself he rented a farm within a few miles of his old home and made it his home, and the scene of his labors until 1836, when he moved to Norwich, and engaged in farming on a tract of land he bought, located but a few miles from the village. He was a Demo- crat, politically, and favored the Baptist Church, when it came to church allegiance. He lived to be eighty-seven years old. His wife, who was Hannah Chapman of Volun- town, Conn., died at the age of seventy-one.
Daniel M. Holmes was the only child born to his honored parents. Although the edu- cational advantages of that time were ex- tremely meager, he succeeded very well in obtaining a first-class mental training, and fitted himself for teaching. He taught his first term of district school when he was but sixteen years old, and thereafter for ten win- ters and one summer he continued to preside at the teacher's desk. Meanwhile he was in- dustriously working during the summers on his father's farm, for he was the only son, and his assistance was needed during the summer
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when the work of haying and harvesting was great. He remained on the farm and taught school ten years, and then began to clerk in a dry goods store in the village of Norwich. He filled that position for about three years and a half, and then launched into the dry goods business for himself. After five years' connection with the merchandising of textile fabrics, he went out of the dry goods busi- ness and became a hardware merchant. In 1888 he gave up his business, for he had reached the age of three score years and ten, and he thought with good reason that it was time to retire from the active scenes of life, and enjoy the few remaining years allotted to him. Since then he has lived a very quiet, peaceful life, in which no discordant ele- ments have blended to mar his happiness.
In 1848, Mr. Holmes was married the first time, on that date being joined in matrimony with Sarah L. W. Packer, daughter of James Packer of Norwich. She passed away at the age of sixty, leaving one son, Daniel P., who married Flora Cox, daughter of Charles Cox of Norwich. Our subject was married the second time, in 1895, to Mary S. (Thorp) Prindle, widow of Hon. E. H. Prindle. The family favors the Baptist Church. Mr. Holmes has always been a Democrat in his political views; he was sent to the New York State Assembly in 1875 from Chenango County, and served three years on the County Loan Committee. He served on the board of supervisors of Chenango County for six consecutive years during the War of 1861. He has taken a very lively interest in educational matters, and has given liberally of his time and means in behalf of the Norwich
schools. He has been a valued member of the board of education for the past twenty- three years, and has been chairman of the board for fifteen consecutive years. During all the time he has been on the board he has had entire charge of the school funds, and has received all the moneys, and disbursed all the funds. The Norwich High School is one of the best in the Empire State, and the three splendid new ward school buildings are mat- ters of congratulation to every loyal citizen, and especially to the subject of this sketch, who was so closely connected with their erection and subsequent management. Mr. Holmes is a very generous, public-spirited man, and deserves a place among the very first of his townspeople, not only from his connection with the schools, but also by rea- son of his participation in every good work that arises. He is highly esteemed, and his counsel is listened to with attention on every occasion. He is a director of the Chenango National Bank, and is its vice-president.
DWARD S. MOORE, editor and pro- prietor of the Chenango Union, at Norwich, N. Y., is one of the able writers of to-day, and has made a very creditable paper, which is liberally patronized, and a credit to the town. He was born at East Lyme, New London County, Conn., July 21, 1867. He is a son of Ezra and Juliette (Beckwith) Moore. His ancestor on his father's side came to this country in 1630, and settled in Connecticut, where he lived the rest of his life.
Edward S. Moore, at a suitable age, com-
SAMUEL M. ROBINSON.
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MRS. SARAH A. ROBINSON.
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menced his education in the district school, and, after graduating from the Bulkeley High School at New London, Conn., entered the Sheffield Scientific Department of Yale Uni- versity, graduating with the degree of Ph. B. in 1888. While attending college he was one of the editors of the Yale Daily News, and after graduating engaged in the newspaper work in New Haven, Conn., being connected with the Morning News and Evening Union. Resigning his position in New Haven, he came to the village of Norwich in the fall of 1890, and purchased a half interest in the Chenan- go Union, then owned by Gilbert H. Man- ning. In 1895 he purchased the other half interest of Mr. Manning, and has conducted the paper alone ever since. He also has written for the monthly magazines. Al- though the Union is a pronounced Demo- cratic paper, Mr. Moore refused to support Bryan in 1896, and conducted his paper in opposition to Free Silver.
In January, 1891, he married Miss Marga- ret Kelsey Strong of New Haven, Conn. The Chenango Union is one of the best pa- pers in the county, and has a large circula- tion, and is devoted to the welfare of the village of Norwich and the surrounding country ; it is of great value to advertisers, as it exerts a deep influence on the reading public as a reliable, newsy sheet.
AMUEL METCALF ROBINSON, deceased, a life long resident of South Oxford, whose name is held in affectionate remembrance by his many
surviving friends, was a son of Jabez and Anna (Ten Brook) Robinson. He was a man possessing more than usual business ability, and was considered a very prosper- ous man. His character was irreproachable and forbade him to engage in any conduct that would sully it. He was a direct descend- ant of John Robinson, the clergyman, who came over to this country with the early Pilgrims.
Samuel Robinson, the grandfather, came to Oxford, N. Y., in 1800, from Connecti- cut, his native state. He engaged in farm- ing and milling and became known as a most prosperous farmer, and one possessing considerable wealth. He was a recognized political leader, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.
Jabez Robinson, the father, was born in Lebanon, Conn., April 19, 1783, and came to Oxford in 1808. He entered the War of 1812, and was promoted to the rank of brevet Major. In 1834 he was elected sheriff of Chenango County, and discharged the duties in such a manner as to win the commenda- tion of both parties. He was at first a Dem- ocrat, but joined the Republican party later, and was an important factor in the campaigns of his time. He was universally respected for the probity of his official acts, and the upright conduct of his private life. He was married to Maria Ten Brook, who died April 4, 1818, leaving three daughters,- Frances, who married Alvin S. Perkins of Oxford; Sarah died unmarried; and Mary, who married Calvin Wheelock of Pitcher, N. Y. Mr. Robinson then married Anna Ten Brook, a sister of his first wife, and
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several children were born to them: Samuel M., whose name heads this biography; John W., deceased; Maria A., who married George Stratton of South Oxford; Rev. James A., deceased, who married Sarah Hale of Maine; Perez P., deceased ; Jennie A., deceased, who married Tipton Bradford of Alabama; and Charles. Mr. Robinson died in 1864 at the advanced age of eighty- one years.
Samuel M. Robinson received his educa- tion in the old Oxford Academy, and after leaving school worked on the home farm and also engaged in the saw and grist mill busi- ness. His shrewdness and sagacity soon became apparent, and in a few years he was recognized as one of the foremost men of the county, as well as one of the most successful. He was a man of sterling integrity and had a reputation for honorable conduct and fair dealing, that was common not only in the immediate community, but wherever his name was known, an enduring monument to the worth of a noble man.
On February 22, 1848, he was united in marriage with a most estimable lady, Sarah A. Brown, a daughter of Thomas Brown of New Berlin, this state, the marriage being blessed by the birth of five children, whose names and places of residence are given below. Emogene, deceased, was the wife of Dr. Warren Scott of Cromwell, Indiana, and was the mother of one child, Frances M., who resides with her grandmother, Mrs. Robin- son, at South Oxford. After the death of Mrs. Scott her husband was again married to a Mrs. Lulu Hunter of Lima, Ohio. Mar- garet W. is deceased. Mary J. was married
to Albert Tremaine of Greene. Sarah L., deceased, married Dr. De Witt Hitchcock of Whitestown, N. Y., and bore her husband four children, as follows: Samuel R., de- ceased ; Emma F., deceased ; Dewitt R., de- ceased ; and John R. Frances A., deceased, married Edward Robinson of Greene. Mr. Robinson and his family were Universalists, and lived up to the broad teachings of that church, believing that we are expected to improve this life and make the most possible of it, lend a helping hand to any needy brother, and scatter sunshine to dispel the shadows that may darken the path, while we leave the future to the care of an all wise and loving Father. He held many offices of trust, such as supervisor, justice of the peace, road commissioner, etc., and discharged the duties faithfully and well. He died Decem- ber 15, 1896, in the ripeness of age and the consciousness of a well spent life. He was seventy-six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Robin- son adopted a child, Archer Robinson, when about four years old, who has remained with them twenty-seven years, and now has a halt interest in the mill property. He was mar- ried to Clara Ives of Afton, and is an in- dustrious, energetic young man, a credit to the community.
Thomas Brown, the father of Mrs. Robin- son, was a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of New Berlin. He was a man of sound judgment, and his advice was much sought by his neighbors, and always cheerfully given in the manner he thought would be productive of most good. He was a Free-Soiler, but finally allied himself with the Republicans, and held a number of town
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offices, such as supervisor and justice of the peace. He was also elected from that dis- trict as a Member of Assembly. Mrs. Robin- son is still a resident of South Oxford, where she has a host of friends. She is possessed of many admirable qualities, and is a woman of rare intelligence and pleasing address.
On another page of this work, in connec- tion with this biography, appear companion portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, which add a decided value to the foregoing record.
OHN B. HARD, half owner and super- intendent of one of the leading cream- eries of Chenango County, and deputy postmaster of Haynes, was born at Wells' Bridge, Otsego County, N. Y., March 20, 1874. He is a son of Amos J. and Margaret (Blower) Hard ; the former was born in Cats- kill, Conn., and the latter in Butternuts town- ship, Otsego County.
Amos Hard, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the State of Connecticut, and came to Unadilla, N. Y., in 1855. He at once turned his attention toward tilling the soil and followed that occupation all his life, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of his section of Otsego County. In politics he was a Repub- lican. He was the father of six children, namely : Julius; Ann; Adaline; Julia ; and Amos. Religiously, he was a member of the Episcopal Church.
Amos J. Hard received a liberal education in the common schools of Connecticut, and at Unadilla Academy. He then carried on general farming on what is known as the
Hard estate until 1892, when he moved to Wells' Bridge and lived in retirement. He was one of the successful and enterprising farmers of his time, and an honor to his chosen occupation. Politically, he sided with the Republican party, and was honored by his fellow-citizens by being elected collector of taxes. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret Blower, daughter of Isaac Blower, and they reared the following children : Marcia, the wife of Frank Moodey of Una- dilla Centre; John B., the subject of this sketch ; Edward S., who is employed at the milk station ; and George, who is also em- ployed at the milk station.
John B. Hard received his education in the Unadilla Academy, and upon leaving school he engaged in the cheese business at Guil- ford, where he remained for two years; he then worked for York & Brown three sea- sons, and on February 18, 1897, he was en- gaged to superintend the Haynes creamery, a position he has filled with satisfaction to the owners of the plant. The factory is one of the largest of its kind in the county, and has a daily output that in quantity approximates seven thousand pounds. The most of the produce is shipped to the City of Brooklyn. They also manufacture cottage cheese. In January, 1898, Mr. Hard, in company with his brother-in-law, A. H. Dresser, purchased the above creamery. They bottle about 2,500 bottles of milk per day and ship to Brooklyn. They also handle feed and coal and operate a grist mill. Mr. Hard is considered an ex- pert butter and cheese maker, and his ser- vices have been sought for in various places. Mr. Hard was appointed postmaster of
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Haynes in 1898, and assumed charge of the office on April 1. April, 1894, he was joined in marriage with Miss Alice J. Mott, daughter of Leroy Mott of Unadilla Centre. One child, Howard W., blessed their happy home. The family favors the Methodist Church.
H. NEWTON, the senior proprietor of Highland Home Poultry Farm, and extensive farmer of Greene, is a son of Dexter and Laurinda (Rowley) New- ton, and was born in the town of Greene, September 17, 1834. His grandfather, Allen Newton, was an agriculturist of the State of Massachusetts.
Dexter Newton and his two brothers, Allen and Nathan, were prominent farmers of Greene, locating on Geneganstlet Creek in the early history of the town. Dexter fol- lowed farming all his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Laurinda Rowley, daughter of the late Charles Rowley, a farmer of Greene, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters: Saphronia, wife of Stephen Bennett ; Aaron D., a fruit grower of Napa Valley, Cal .; Adelia, deceased ; Charles, deceased ; George, a farmer of Jackson County, Kansas; Caro- line, wife of M. L. Hoyt: Albert, farmer of Jackson County, Kansas; Paulina, wife of Thatcher Joslin, a retired real estate dealer of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Helem H., our sub- ject. They were members of the Baptist Church.
H. H. Newton was brought up on the farm, and received his education in the district schools. While still young, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed for a few years; he then became engaged in the daguerreotype business, and worked at it in Norwich, Mt. Upton, Unadilla and Walton for about two years. He then returned to Geneganstlet Corner, where he combined shoemaking and farming ; this arrangement continued for a few years, when he finally gave up the business of shoemaking and turned his attention to the poultry and egg business. Commencing on a moderate scale, with a few fine birds, he has added to them and improved upon them, until it would be hard to find a larger assortment or a finer lot of birds in the country. He has a poultry yard of from 300 to 500 birds, of choice variety, being the originator of the follow- ing breeds: Rose Comb Black Minorcas ; Rose Comb White Minorcas; also the Rose Comb White Face, Black Spanish, of which he has the entire stock. He was the first owner of White Leghorns in the town, and the first shipper to the New York fancy trade. He still has an extensive trade in that city, and his eggs and birds are shipped also to western points, so high is their stand- ing. Mr. Newton still oversees the farm, but does not for that reason forget the care that is necessary to the successful raising of chickens. Indeed chickens-nice ones-are a hobby with him, and it would be well if all persons with hobbies would emulate Mr. Newton and make their pet theories of some practical use. The greatest care is taken in the selection of the birds for breeding, and
DEVILLO C. CHURCH.
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they were awarded first premium wherever they were exhibited in 1897. One cockerel Mr. Newton refused to part with even at a consideration of $50.00. Everything about the poultry houses shows the thought and at- tention that is given to the business. The incubators, brooders, and all the appliances are of the best, and most approved make. The chickens are all bright, lively looking birds, no droopy, sickly birds are to be seen, and a pleasanter way of spending a few hours could not be found than accompanying this gentleman or his genial son through their Highland Home Poultry Farm.
Mr. Newton was married July 3, 1855, to Miss Almira Canniff, daughter of Henry Canniff, formerly a farmer of the town of Greene. They are the parents of three chil- dren : Alice and Grace, both deceased ; and Raymond, who married Donna Winchell of Greene, this county, July 21, 1897, and is a partner with his father in the chicken busi- ness. Mr. Newton is a member of the East- ern Light Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M. of Greene, also of the Patrons of Husbandry. He has supported all the temperance organ- izations that have been in the town, lending his influence to the cause of right. He is a populist, but voted for William Jennings Bryan at the last election.
EVILLO CORBIN CHURCH, de- ceased, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was one of the most prominent and public-spirited citizens that ever lived in the village of Afton, and
identified himself with the leading business interests of the town and county. Through- out his long and prosperous career, his name was a synonym of financial integrity, and his word was ever considered a full and sufficient guarantee. As a member of the private banking firm of E. M. Johnston & Co., which has become since his decease Church & Hill, he was in touch with the most solid and en- terprising institutions of the county, and re- tained the good will and high esteem with all with whom he was thus brought in contact. All his ventures were remunerative, for he directed them with superior judgment, and never risked his fortune in enterprises of a speculative or doubtful nature. The ample fortune he accumulated possessed no stigma of having been acquired by questionable or dishonest means; everything he did was open and above-board. Wise discrimination, scru- pulous care, and a conservative spirit of enter- prise characterized his whole business career. He did much for Afton, and was ready at all times to go to considerable expense in pro- moting some public work, if he could see that it would benefit the people at large, and help build up and make prosperous the town. He took an especially deep interest in educational affairs, and by his own endeavors placed the educational advantages of Afton equal to any and superior to most of the towns of the county. He was directly instrumental in se- curing the Afton Union School, which was one of the very first in Central New York. His townspeople hold his memory in great respect, and as long as the institutions and the enter- prises with which he was connected shall still continue, his name will ever be remembered.
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