USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 55
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Frederick Mitchell received his primary education in the public schools of his native town, and then took a course in Norwich Academy ; he also attended the Poughkeepsie Business College, from which he graduated in 1847. He then found employment in his father's drug store, and continued to work for him for fifteen years, when he formed a partnership with his father, and the business was then carried on under the name of
ZENAS TARBLE.
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Mitchell & Son. The business continued under the above name for some years until our subject took charge of the store, and still conducts one of the largest drug stores in the village Mr. Mitchell is a Republican in his affiliations, and takes a great interest in the politics of his county. He has served as supervisor of the village of Norwich several times, and has also served as treasurer of Chenango County for two terms. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 205. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Nellie Peck, daughter of John Peck, and two children blessed their happy home; they were as follows: Fred J., who married Grace Mitchell; and Nettie May, the wife of John Croll. Mr. Mitchell is a man of recog- nized business methods, and has been of in- valuable assistance in forwarding the growth of Norwich. Combining thrift and energy, he has made of himself an admirable busi- ness man. In all his dealings he has been honest, upright, industrious, frugal and tem- perate, and enjoys the esteem and respect, which are so justly due him.
ENAS TARBLE,* whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is the popular and efficient sheriff of Che- nango County, and is a man who stands high in the Republican party and in the estima- tion of his fellow-citizens. He was born in the village of Sanford, Broome County, N. Y., February 25, 1841, and is a son of Hiram and Louise S. (Aplington) Tarble.
Thomas Tarble, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was of pure New England stock, and is thought to have been born in the State of Connecticut ; at an early age he came to Bainbridge, N. Y., locating in the southern portion, which is now the town of Afton. He followed the occupation of a farmer there the remainder of his life. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with a Miss Buck, and they reared a family of four children, one of whom was Hiram, the father of our subject.
Hiram Tarble was the youngest child born to his parents, and received a good common schooling in Bainbridge. He turned his at- tention to the cultivation of the soil, and followed that occupation all of his life in Sanford, Broome County, where he owned a valuable farm. Politically, he was a follower of the Democratic party, and was called to serve in a number of minor offices in that township. In religious belief, he was in- clined to be liberal. He was united in mat- rimonial bonds with Louise S. Aplington, and the following issue resulted from their union : Eunice, who married Isaac Hall of Afton ; Polly, the wife of C. B. Yeaple of Af- ton : Harriet, deceased; Adelaide, the wife of Philetus Shaw of Afton; Mercy, who married John Waterman of Colesville, N. Y .; and Zenas, the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the head of these lines. Mr. Tarble closed his eyes in final sleep in December, 1878, aged sixty-eight years; his wife died December 1, 1874, at the advanced age of seventy years.
Zenas Tarble was educated in the com- mon schools of Sanford, and soon after reaching man's esate he enlisted in the army,
29*
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August 12, 1862, in Co. E, 114th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and faithfully served until the close of the war. He participated in many im- portant engagements, among which were those at Port Bisland, Port Hudson, Sabin Pass. Having received his honorable dis- charge, he returned to Sanford, where he lived a short time and then removed to Afton, where he engaged in mercantile business with good results for a period of twenty years. At the expiration of that time, he disposed of his business, and has since looked after his farming property, which he owns in Broome County, although he is living in the village of Norwich. He is a man who is extremely popular with all classes of people, and has been called upon to serve in an official capacity a number of times. When he received the nomination for sheriff, in 1898, the people-not only of his own party, but also those of the opposition- joined to support him, and he was elected by a safe majority. He is filling that office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and has gained a large number of friends, who join in wishing him continued success.
He formed a matrimonial alliance in November, 1867, with Mary F. Chaffee, a daughter of Ebenezer and Phila Chaffee of Afton, and a woman who has many friends, who love her for her many virtues. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Norwich. Socially, Mr. Tarble is quite as prominent as in business life, and is a member of the following societies : Afton Lodge, No. 360, F. & A. M .; Vallonia Chap- ter, No. 80, R. A. M .; and Post No. 12, G. A. R., of Afton, of which he is past com-
mander and quartermaster. As a Mason he is past master and past high priest, and has held nearly all the official chairs of the blue lodge.
EORGE E. HAWLEY,* a veteran of the late Civil War and a leading druggist of South New Berlin, was born in the town of Morris, Otsego County, N. Y., February 28, 1844. He is a son of George and Cordelia (Houk) Hawley, and a grand- son of Silas Hawley.
Silas Hawley was born in the State of Con- necticut, where he passed his boyhood days, and then moved to Morris. He was one of the prosperous farmers of the community and was one of its most respected citizens. In 1840 he moved to Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1856. His wife's maiden name was Stillman, and their union was blessed by the following children : Alonzo; Stillman ; Myron; Emerson ; George, the father of our subject; Henry ; Mary A .; and Angeline.
George Hawley was born in Connecticut, and with his father came to Morris, where he resided until 1844. He then went to Bay City, Wis., where he successfully operated a flour and feed mill for many years. He then moved to North Dakota, but, not liking his new home, soon returned to Wisconsin, and located at Oshkosh. His attentions were devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he lived there until the time of his death, in 1895, at the age of eighty years. He was originally a Whig and later was a Republican, being
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quite prominent as a politician. He repre- sented Waushara County in the Wisconsin State Senate for two terms, and also was a member of the State Assembly one term. While in Dakota he was elected state super- intendent of public instruction. He was an active and enterprising man, and made many friends in the various communities in which he lived, who esteemed him as a man of great worth and influence. He was bound in the holy bonds of wedlock three times. His first wife was Cordelia Houk, a daughter of Ephraim Houk, who resided in Morris until 1861 and then moved to South New Berlin. Mr. Houk was a farmer by occupation, but after taking up his residence in South New Berlin, he conducted a general merchandise store. He died in 1875, at the ripe old age of eighty years. Politically, he was a Demo- crat and was justice of the peace for many years. His companion in life was Orelia Taylor, a daughter of Nathan Taylor, who was a very prominent man and one of the earliest settlers of South New Berlin. Mr. Houk was a merchant and also took an active part in political affairs, serving as county judge for many years. He was captain of a company which he organized, and served through the War of 1812. He was the foun- der and a leading member of the Baptist Church of South New Berlin. He owned a large farm, which included all the lower part of the village of South New Berlin, a por- tion of which is the farm upon which the subject now lives. The deed of this land has passed in a direct line down to our sub- ject, and is now in his possession. As a result of their union Mr. and Mrs. Hawley became
the parents of one son, George E., in whom the interest of this sketch centers. Soon after the birth of her son Mrs. Hawley passed into the unknown beyond, in 1844, at the age of twenty-three years. Our subject's second union was with Mrs. Jackson, widow of Andrew Jackson, and two children were born to them, namely : Jay, a hardware mer- chant of Manchester, Iowa; and Fred, the proprietor of a hotel at Bay City, Wis. Mr. Hawley was again united in marriage, his third wife being Belle Spencer, a native of Wisconsin, and they were the parents of the following children: Charles, a resident of Oshkosh; Bert, who also lives at Oshkosh ; Ray ; and Mary, deceased.
After his mother's death George E. Haw- ley was reared by his grandfather, Ephraim Houk. He attended the academies of Nor- wich and Oxford, and received a good pre- paratory education for college. At this time the Civil War began and he relinquished all idea of attending college, in order to do battle for his country. He enlisted at Nor- wich in 1862 in Co. B, 114th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was appointed regimental commis- sary and later acted as quartermaster. He was at Bisland, Port Hudson, Sabin Cross- Roads, and many other important skirmishes. He returned home in 1864, having received his honorable discharge. He spent the year 1865 in the West and then returned to South New Berlin, where he clerked in the store of C. B. Babcock. After clerking for one year he engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness in partnership with a Mr. Brett, under the firm name of Brett & Hawley. In 1869 he disposed of his interests to his partner
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and moved to the village of Norwich, where he purchased a drug store. He conducted it for seven years and then sold out and returned to South New Berlin, where he engaged in the same line of business for a like period. He then sold out to J. V. Simonds, and went to Halstead, Pa., where he conducted a drug store under the firm name of Lamb & Hawley. He remained there for two years, and was doing a large and paying business, but was obliged to retire on account of poor health. After spending two years in retirement in the village of South New Berlin, he opened his present store in that village. Besides a complete line of drugs he carries a good line of books, sta- tionery and fancy goods. His store is neat and orderly in appearance, and the utmost care is taken in the filling of prescriptions. lle is one of those genial and good-natured persons with whom it is always a pleasure to trade, and since he has resided in New Berlin he has made many friends, who respect and esteem him. He was united in marriage with Agnes A. Harrington, of South New Berlin, in 1866. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in political affairs. Although often importuned to accept office he never would consent; he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. He was president of the board of education for seven years, and did all within his power to advance the interests of edu- cation. Socially, he is a member of Jack- son Post, No. 489, G. A. R., of South New Berlin, of which he is a prominent member, having filled the office of charter commander four successive terms. He is a member of
the Norwich Lodge and also of the Chapter and Commandery, and has taken the Twenty- eighth Scottish Rite Degree. He is likewise a member of the Mt. Upton Lodge of the A. O. U. W.
A UGUSTUS T. ENGLAND .* Figur- ing conspicuously as a leading and representative business house in Afton is the establishment conducted by the gentleman whose name heads these lines. He has been engaged in general merchandis- ing in the village of Afton for the past fifteen years, and his thorough understanding of the wants of his many customers, and his advan- tages in buying the goods in his different lines, makes his place a desirable one at which to make a purchase. Mr. England was born in Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., February 1, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Barnes) England.
Our subject's great-grandfather was Thom- as England, who was born in England and lived there all his life. He was the father of Henry England, the grandfather of our subject, who was born at Stratford-on-Avon, in 1804. He was united in marriage, in 1833, with Mary Knapp, also a native of that place, and immediately thereafter they sailed for America. They settled in Dutchess County, N. Y., and after remaining there three years, moved to Delhi, where he has since resided. Prior to his coming to this country, he learned the trade of manufacturing woolen goods, and after moving to Delhi he was em- ployed by the Penfields to do that line of
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work. He soon after set up in business him- self, and for the subsequent twelve years was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. He then conducted a gencral merchandise store in Delhi, and carried it on successfully for almost a half century, when he retired, and is now enjoying the fruits of a laborious past. He is the progenitor of three children, namcly : Henry J., the father of our subject ; Emcline, the relict of Rev. Thomas Corder, who is now living with her father at Delhi ; and Lieut .- Col. Thomas L., deceased. Thom- as L. England was the organizer of Co. I, 49th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf .; he went out in 1861 as Captain, was promoted to the posi- tion of Lieut .- Colonel of the regiment, and in the battle of Petersburg gave his life for his country. Our subject's grandfather is a member of the Methodist Church, and has held many of the offices of that organization. He is sincere in his convictions, forms his opinions with deliberation, and adheres to them with manly courage and fidelity.
Henry J. England was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was employed, during his younger days, in the storc of his father. He later engaged in that line of business on his own account, and conducted a store in Delhi until 1870. In that year he was appointed to the head of the Department of Patent Attor- ncys, at Washington, D. C. For four years he served in that capacity in a manner that was entirely satisfactory to all concerned. Since 1874, hc has been a patent attorney, and does a large and paying business. In the winter he resides in Washington, and in the summer makes his home at Falls Church, Fairfax County, Va. In 1863, he cnlisted in
Co. D, 144th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served throughout the remainder of the war. He was a brave and valiant soldier, and can justly feel proud of his military record. He married Elizabeth Barnes, a daughter of Thomas Barnes, who came to America in 1833. He was a native of England, and upon coming to this country located at Stamford, Delaware County, N. Y., where he manufac- tured brick as a means of earning a compe- tence, and followcd that occupation all of his life. He died in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years. As a result of their union, Mr. and Mrs. England became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Charles; Augustus T., who is the subject of this personal history ; Mary, who is the wife of Dr. Charles W. Watkins, who was formerly a broker and is now a practicing physician in Washington ; Eliza, who married Jamcs Jester, a patent attorney of Washington ; and Jessie, who is an expert stenographer and typewriter, who is now clerk to the Assistant Secretary of State. Mr. England is a stanch Republican, and a zealous supporter of the principles of the party.
Augustus T. England received a good academic training in the Delhi Academy. Leaving school at the age of eighteen, he learned the trade of a tinsmith and continued in that occupation for four years. He then entcred the mercantile business with his grandfather under the firm name, H. & A. T. England, and after a period of eight years, he came to Afton, where he has since been engaged in that line of business. His estab- lishment is not only the oldest in this vicin- ity, but in point of stock carricd and business
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transacted is the largest. . The store is cen- trally located, admirably arranged, and heav- ily stocked with a most comprehensive line of dry goods, ladies' and men's furnishings, staple and fancy groceries, and a large var- iety of the best and most reliable manufac- tures of boots and shoes, carpets, wall paper and house furnishings.
Mr. England was joined in Hymen's bonds with Jennie Covert of Meredith, Delaware County, in 1882, and one son, Harry, was born to bless their union. Our subject was raised under Republican influences, but he is a man who has sound reasons of his own for belonging to that party. Like his father, he has extremely good judgment as to men and affairs, and his influence is thor- oughly appreciated by those who are his associates in directing the interests of the party in his section. During his active busi- ness life, he has found time to represent his fellow-citizens at many county conventions, and also to the last four state conventions. He is a public-spirited man, and has always identified himself with any measure which has had for its ultimate factor the advancement of Afton, and is looked upon as a progressive citizen, and held in high esteem by the whole community.
OHN R. GLOVER,* reading clerk of the New York State Assembly, and a prominent lawyer of the village of Oxford, has been active in politics in Che- nango County for many years, in fact since he was a boy, and has held many a position
of responsibility and trust. He was born in Oxford, July 28, 1856, where he has always resided, except when sessions of the Legisla- ture demand his presence in Albany, where his proficiency as reading clerk is recognized by all. He is a son of James W. and Sarah A. (Perkins) Glover, and a grandson of James A. Glover.
The grandfather of our subject was one of Chenango County's pioneer settlers ; he was born in Plainfield, Conn., in 1793, and came to Oxford in 1802, in which town he lived and labored at his trade of tool maker and blacksmith until his death, May 23, 1875. He was a mechanic of exceptional skill, and conducted the blacksmith shop, where the well-known David Maydole, who made a world-wide reputation with his hammers, served his apprenticeship; Mr. Glover was also legally constituted guardian of the young apprentice lad, when the indenture papers were drawn up by the late Governor Tracy. Mr. Glover was a trustee of Oxford Academy, was prominently identified with the growth of the village, and accumulated considerable property. He married Anna Bradley, like him a native of the Nutmeg State, and they became the parents of three children, who were as follows: Ursula A., who married William Van Wagenen of Ox- ford, by whom she had the following chil- dren,-Jane R., James C., and Mary E .; Ann- vernette, the wife of William G. Knapp of New Berlin, this county ; and James W., our subject's father. The members of the family were originally Presbyterians in their relig- ious attachments, but later they became devout members of the Episcopal Church.
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James W. Glover was born in Oxford, August 22, 1822, and received his education in the public schools and in Oxford Academy; at the age of eighteen he entered the office ot Henry R. Mygatt for the study of law. His instructor could not have been better chosen, for Mr. Mygatt was then the best lawyer in the county, and no one since his day in Oxford has equalcd him as an equity lawyer. Mr. Glover was admitted to the bar in 1843, and remained in active practice from that time until seven years before his death, when feebleness and a severe affliction com- pelled him to retire; all of this period was spent in Oxford except a few months when hc was associated with George Rathbun of Auburn. He achicved a splendid reputation as a lawyer of éminent ability, and became known throughout the Empire State in con- nection with some important cases, that at- tracted much public notice. He was retained as counsel for the defense in the celebrated case of Youmans vs. Thompson. James G. Thompson of Norwich had been seated in the State Senate by a majority of onc vote, and his right to the seat was contested by the opposing candidate, William Youmans of Delhi. A great part of the summer was con- sumed by the Senate Committee on Privi- leges and Elections in taking evidence. The result was a victory for Mr. Glover and his client. He was at one time a Democrat, but changed his politics, when the Republican party was organized, and ever afterward was a most stanch supporter of Republican party principles and mcn. He had a great con- tempt for party deserters, and his language was apt to be more strong than polite when
attacking their mugwumpery. He was no office seeker, yet served as a supervisor for a term, and accepted the postmastership of Oxford, more for the recognition thus given to his party services than for any other reason. He was a great friend and benefac- tor of Oxford Academy, and was for twenty- five years sceretary of the board of trustees, and five years president of the same body. He was a zealous worker for the best inter- ests of Oxford, and could be depended upon in any emergeney to give of his time and means for the support of beneficent enter- prises. He was a most loyal supporter of the Episcopal Church, and served for over twenty years as a vestryman, and was a war- den for a still longer period, being senior warden at the time of his death. He married Sarah A. Perkins, daughter of Erastus Per- kins of Oxford, and there were born to them two children: Erastus P., deceased, and John R., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Glover passed away November 14, 1892, and our subject's father lingered until November 21, 1896, when he, too, joined those gathered on the other shore.
John R. Glover, in whom the interest of this biographical notice ecnters, was educat- ed in Oxford Academy, and studied law in his father's office, being admitted to the bar in 1880; he continued in practice with his father, and upon that gentleman's death he assumed the business. He is most active as a Republican worker, and believes thorough- ly in party organization ; his scrviees have been recognized in a number of ways. He has been a member of the Republican County Committee for several years, acting as its
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secretary and treasurer. He was clerk of the board of supervisors for a number of terms, and has been justice of the peace for six years. In 1894 he was appointed to his present position as reading clerk of the New York State Assembly. He is a member of the Niagara Hose Co., and has been chief of the Oxford Fire Department for many years.
Mr. Glover was joined in marriage May 19, 1880, with Lillie Henstock of Montrose, Pa., and has two children to make the home happy : James W. and Anna H. Both Mr. and Mrs. Glover are highly estcemed mem- bers of the Episcopal Church of Oxford, and interest themselves in all the good work for- warded by the society. Socially, our subject is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is an intelligent, well-read man, and stands high in the regard of every good citizen of Oxford.
EORGE W. LAWRENCE,* mem- ber of the firm of Burr & Lawrence, dealers in furniture, and leading undertakers, is one of the popular and respected citizens of Norwich, and was born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 23, 1855. He is a son of George W. and Martha J. ( Balland ) Lawrence, and grandson of Joseph Lawrence.
Joseph Lawrence was born in the State of Connecticut, and was a stock drover by occu- pation. Later he came to Jefferson County, N. Y., and carried on the same business with good success. He was always a sincere Re- publican, and was ever in the front ranks, championing the cause which he believed
and knew to be right. He was the progenitor of a family of seven children-five sons and two daughters. He passed from this life in 1879.
George W. Lawrence, Sr., was born in 1837 in the State of Connecticut, and received his early training in the common schools of his native town. Starting out in life, he chose the meat and provision business, in which he was very successful, following that line of business for twenty years in the vil- lage of Watertown, Jefferson County, N. Y. He also conducted a furniture store at the same place. Discontinuing the meat and fur- niture business, he moved to the State of Cal- ifornia and settled in San Diego, where he is now engaged in dealing in real estate, which is his principal business ; he is also interested to some extent in ranching. Mr. Lawrence is a Republican of no uncertain or wavering type. He takes an active interest in Ma- sonry, of which order he is a member. He was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Martha J. Balland, and three children were born to them : Susie, the wife of John Black- iner : George W., who head these lines; and Jennie M., who was joined in marriage with George P. Sikes.
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