USA > New York > Chenango County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Chenango County, New York > Part 9
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ness man, and public spirited citizen, to whom nothing is more pleasant than the per- forming of some useful service for the com- munity. He is a man of character and re- finement. His good blood shows in all his actions and ways. His share in the work of this busy world is being performed carefully and to the best of his ability. The success which attends his efforts is deserving, and has come to him mostly as a natural result of his methods of life.
HARLES NEWMAN, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Sherburne, N. Y., was born on the old turnpike near Newburg, Orange County, February -12, 1819. He is a son of Jonas and Anna (Merritt) Newman, and grandson of Isaac Newman, who came from Westchester County, N. Y., and settled in Orange County, where he followed the occu- pation of a farmer. Jonas Newman was born in Orange County, and in 1821 moved to Sullivan County, where he teamed from Monticello to Newburg. Later he moved to New York City, and for the subsequent three years he followed trucking. He married Miss Anna Merritt, and as a result of this happy union, ten children were born to them, Charles, our subject, being the third in point of birth and the only one living.
Charles Newman followed trucking in New York City until he was nineteen years of age, selling pure water. There being no water system in the city he easily built up an extensive trade, getting the water at the
foot of Thirteenth Street, where there was a spring and three large wells. This business was carried on until the Croton Aqueduct and Water Works were completed ; he then went to Chemung County via Albany, and bought a farm near Havana. He built and improved its buildings and cleared the land ; having put the property in a state of cultiva- tion, in 1873 he sold it and moved to the village of Sherburne, and engaged in the boot and shoe business under the firm name of Wilbur & Newman. The firm continued in business for nine years, when Mr. Wilbur died, and Mr. Newman sold his interest and retired from business.
Mr. Newman has a nice home and has made many improvements upon it, and now he takes great pleasure in his large and well cultivated garden and small fruits. He is a man of great physical strength and un- doubted courage, and a true type of that pioneer class who are rapidly passing away. He married Miss Euphemia H. Stewart, who was born in Delhi, N. Y., January 26, 1820. She is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Graham) Stewart. To Mr. and Mrs. New- man was born one child, Isabelle Josephine, who married J. B. Wilbur, now deceased. They had three children : Cora, deceased ; Eva, deceased ; and Lena May, who married Charles Benedict of Port Jarvis.
In politics our subject is an unswerving Republican, and has contributed much to his party's success. His qualifications eminently fit him for public positions, and his fellow citizens in years past appreciating this fact, elected him as justice of the peace, as assessor for seven years, and as trustee for two years.
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T. SPENCER BAKER.
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CHENANGO COUNTY.
The duties of every position to which he has been chosen have been faithfully and honcstly discharged. Religiously, Mr. Newman is a Methodist. Mrs. Newman was a consistent and active worker of the Baptist Church. She died January 24, 1898, aged seventy- eight years.
SPENCER BAKER, the leading drug- _. gist of the village of Norwich, was born September 28, 1837, at Bath, N. Y. He is a son of Dr. Andrew and Ruth K. (Mar- shall) Baker, and grandson of Andrew Baker.
Andrew Baker, Sr., was a native of Berk- shire County, Mass., whence he removed to Howard, N. Y., in 1825. At the latter place he was engaged in farming a few years, then moved to the State of Michigan, where he followed the same occupation and became onc of the substantial, well-to-do citizens of his town. He reached the advanced age of eighty years before overtaken by death. His loving wife survived him several years. They rcared a family of twelve children, one of whom was Andrew, the father of our subject.
Dr. Andrew Baker was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1805, and came to New York State with his father in 1825. After taking the required course of studies in the public schools, he entered Geneva Medical College and graduated in 1836. He first practiced in Bath, remaining there until 1843. In those days physicians did not have finely cushioned vehicles in which to make their
professional calls, but were obliged to make long journeys on horseback, and during all kinds of weather. He next entered upon a practice in Norwich, where he succeeded Dr. Henry Mitchell, a prominent physician of his day. He purchased a home on the corner of North Broad and Mitchell Streets and built an office adjoining the house. He soon acquired a large and lucrative practice, and was at the height of his success, when he died at the age of fifty-eight years. Owing to exposure on his long trips into the country, he contracted a severe cold on his lungs, that developed into quick consumption, and resulted fatally. He was twice married, his first wife being Armenia Graves, by whom he had two children, namely : Austin, and Julia. His second union was with Ruth K. Marshall, and they were the parents of the following children: T. Spencer, the subject of this personal history : Clarence M .; Julia A .; Delia L .; Caroline O .; Mary L .; Charles O .; Adelphia; Fanny M .; and Ruth K. Dr. Baker was a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party. Socially, he was a member of the Norwich Lodge, I. O. O. F.
T. Spencer Baker took a course in Nor- wich Academy, after which he studied medi- cine with his father, but instead of complet- ing his medical course, he went to Illinois, and was teaching at Ottawa, in that state, when the war broke out in 1861. He enlisted in the 11th Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. for thrce months, and at the expiration of that period he returned to Norwich, where he spent the winter of 1862. He then went back to Chicago, where he re-enlisted in Battery M, Ist Illinois Light Artillery; he was engaged
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in many battles, among which were Chick- amauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and all the battles in Northern Georgia dur- ing Sherman's March to the Sea until the columns reached Atlanta. Being a student of medicine, he was chosen steward of the Nashville Hospital, having been sent therc on account of sickness, where he had charge of the Dispensary, and sold and gave out medicinc to 1400 patients. He also fought in many minor engagements and skirmishcs, not enumerated here, continuing in the ser- vice until the close of the war. Mr. Baker then went to Norwich, and entered the drug business with John Mitchell. In 1871, he purchased the grocery storc of Elliott & Gilbert, and after disposing of the stock on hand, established a drug store in the building. In 1888, he bought a vacant lot on the corner of North Broad and Henry Streets, upon which he erected a fine three story building. The first floor is arrranged for two stores, one of which is now used as a market, and in the other hc conducts his drug store. The second floor consists of nothing but office rooms, while the third is a large hall, 25 by 109 feet, in which public meetings or conven- tions can be held. The building is construct- ed of brick, and is one of the finest in the county, reflecting much credit upon Mr. Baker as a progressive and cntcrprising citi- zen. He also built a fine house at 106 Henry Street, and owns a large block on Lock Street, and a tenement at No. 50 Cortland Street.
Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Bailey, and three children were born to bless their home ; they are as follows:
Maude, who died when an infant ; May was born September 23, 1870, and graduated from the Norwich Academy; Grace was born December 24, 1875, and is also a gradu- ate of the same institution. Mrs. Baker was born in Northamptonshire, England, and came to this country with her father, who located in Delaware County, N. Y., becoming one of that county's progressive farmers and citizens. Politically, Mr. Baker is independ- ent, and has held the office of town clerk. He is a charter member of the Col. E. B. Smith Post, G. A. R., of Norwich. In re- ligious views, he is a Spiritualist. In connec- tion with the above outline of his life, Mr. Baker's portrait appears on a preceding page.
D. BARR, manufacturer of gloves, and mittens, is one of the popular and cnergetic citizens of Norwich. He is a son of A. D. and Fredelia (Button) Barr, and was born June 9, 1865, in the vil- lage of Preston, Chenango County, N. Y.
A. D. Barr, the father of our subject, was born in the village of Preston, where he re- ceived a liberal education in the public schools. Leaving school he was appointed agent for the Howe Machine Company, with his headquarters in the city of Rochester, N. Y .. After following this business for fif- teen years he engaged in the manufacture of gloves and mittens in the town of Preston, later moving to the town of Norwich, where he continued the same business until his death. In politics, he was a solid Republi-
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can. In religious views he was a firm be- liever in Methodism, and held many offices in that church. Socially, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 205, of Nor- wich. He chose for his life companion Fred- elia Button, and their happy home was bless- ed by two children: Elizabeth, deceased ; and H. D., who heads the above lines. Mr. Barr died in June, 1889.
H. D. Barr was educated in the common schools, and then turned his attention toward the manufacture of gloves and mittens, which is now his sole occupation. May 6, 1866, Mr. Barr landed in the village of Norwich with but thirty-three dollars in his pocket. By the exercising of economy, thrift and good judgment, he succeeded in establishing one of the largest glove and mitten manufac- tories in Central New York. In 1895 he built a large, commodious and beautiful resi- dence. It is one of the finest residences in the town, and stands second to none in the county. It cost $9,600, is fitted throughout and heated by gas, and is situated on Guern- sey Street, the handsomest street in the vil- lage. Although Mr. Barr is an adherent of the Republican party, and believes in the doctrines of that political organization, he has always voted for the best men, regardless of party. In religious views our subject and his family are consistent members of the Baptist Church, in which he has been a trus- tec. In February, 1887, Mr. Barr and Alice May Scott were happily married. Mrs. Barr is a daughter of Walter R. Scott of Preston, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are the parents of one child, Guy D. Beginning life a poor boy, Mr. Barr has worked his way up the
ladder of fortune step by step, until he has succeeded in obtaining a handsome compe- tency, and has made a reputation for straight- forward and honest dealing that will shine brightly upon his record when he shall have gone to the home beyond the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are warmly beloved and high- ly esteemed by a large circle of friends, for their probity of conduct, kindliness of heart and their unswerving fidelity to every obli- gation in life.
ILLIAM E. NEWCOMB, a repre- sentative and successful business man of Chenango County, engaged in the undertaking business in North Pitcher, was born October 24, 1851, in the town of German and is a son of William P. and Catherine J. (Bedell) Newcomb. William P. Newcomb was a native of Bridgewater, Pa., where he was born March 24, 1821. He is a black- smith by trade, which business he followed for some time. He moved to the town of German about 1849, and while living there was engaged in farming. In 1860 he moved to the town of Lincklaen, where he resided until the death of his wife, since which time he has lived with his children. His wife was formerly Miss Catherine J. Bedell of Susque- hanna County, Pa. They were the parents of four children, as follows : Almeda, at one time engaged in teaching, now employed as agent for nursery stock; William E .; G. F., an undertaker of Castle Creek, Broome County, N. Y .; and Eva L., wife of Andrew Wilbur, a merchant of South Otselic, N. Y.
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William E. Newcomb received his early training on the farm, helping with the work while he attended district school. No better training can be devised for the youth of our land than can be found on the farm; from it emanate our most successful and enterpris- ing men. He remained on the farm until he had attained his twenty-fourth year, when he determined to engage in some other line of business, and chose that of undertaker as the one most likely to suit him. In 1874 he opened a shop in North Pitcher, and in 1876 built his first commodious rooms. In 1888 he erected a fine dwelling, one of the neatest in appearance in the village. Mr. Newcomb is a graduate of Prof. Clark's school of embalming. He has three fine hearses; his establishment is well equipped with every- thing necessary for his business, and he has spared no pains to make it the success it is. Our subject owns a blacksmith and wagon making shop, which is under his immediate supervision. He also owns two farms, one in Pitcher, and one on the Pitcher and Lincklaen line.
In 1877, he led to the altar Miss Annette L. Smith, daughter of the late L. P. Smith, a farmer of the town of Pitcher. Politically, Mr. Newcomb is a Democrat, although he does not take an active part, believing his first duty to be to his family and business.
A RTHUR P. BALDWIN. Prominent among the farmers of Chenango County is the subject of this sketch, who is a leading resident and agricul-
turist of the town of Pitcher. He is a son of J. S. and Susan (Hakes) Baldwin, and was born November 25, 1842. His grandfather, Elisha Baldwin, was a native of Stonington, Conn .; in 1825 he moved with his family to Pitcher, locating on what is known as Pink Hill, where he bought a tract of woodland and cleared a farm. He made farming his lifelong occupation, and was very successful. He was one of the brave men who so ably defended our country in the War of 1812 with England. In religious belief he was a Baptist. He married Miss Patty Spalding, and they became the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls, one of whom was J. S. Baldwin, the father of our subject, who was born in 1813, at Stonington, Conn., and came to Pitcher with his father, where he has since resided. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer. Mr. Baldwin has ever taken an active interest in politics and was for several years a justice of the peace ; originally he was a Whig and an Anti-Slavery man, but upon the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. For some years past he has been a firm sup- porter of the Prohibition party ; even his old age and the inclemency of the weather did not prevent his going to the polls, November 2, 1898, and casting his vote in the interest of that party. His first wife, whose maiden name was Susan Hakes, was a daughter of Perez Hakes, a farmer of the town of Pitcher. The results of this union were six children, namely : Arthur P., our subject ; Clara, who is the wife of Dr. W. H. Dorrance of Ann Arbor, Mich .; Cora, the wife of George Dorrance, a jeweler of Jackson, Mich .; Ella
MRS. ELLEN M. PUTNAM.
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CHENANGO COUNTY
V., the wife of Dr. O. S. Phelps of the New York City Sanitarium; Rev. H. D., a min- ister of the Baptist Church; and Willie, who died in early manhood. Mrs. Baldwin was in the prime of life when overtaken by death, at the age of thirty-two. Mr. Baldwin's second wife was Electa Baldwin; although their names were the same, they were not relatives. She is a daughter of William Baldwin, deccased, who was a farmer of the town of Pitcher. Mr. Baldwin is now eighty- four years of age, and enjoys good health for one of his years.
Arthur P. Baldwin was reared on the farm and educated in the public and select schools. Farming has always been his occupation ; he rented the Waldron farm at South Otselic, upon which he resided until 1895, when he removed to Pitcher to take charge of the old homestead, as his father was getting too old for active work. He is a close observer of modern methods used in agriculture, and those found worthy he puts into practical use; his farm is equipped with the latest machinery and the soil tilled by improved methods. He has quite a reputation as a butter maker, having taken a premium at the World's Fair. He was also awarded one out of the five medals given for the best maple sugar. During the late Civil War he enlisted, but was not accepted on account of his health and size.
On November 5, 1862, he married Delia M. Burnham, a daughter of Norman Burnham, who was a wagon maker, formerly of Pitcher, but later of Binghamton, N. Y. They are the parents of eight children, who are as follows: Halbert E. went to Califor-
nia to live, but returned on account of his health ; Norman J .; Floyd A., a clerk in Cuyler, N. Y .; Ralph H., a merchant of Oxford, N. Y .; Susan L., who is the wife of Verner L. Snauble, a bookkeeper of Ann Arbor, Mich .; Arthur Ray, a merchant of Cincinnatus, N. Y .; Willie A., who is at home; Ella D., who is also at home; and Myrtie, who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Baldwin has always been an unswerving Republican and a strong Protectionist.
RS. ELLEN M. PUTNAM. Che- nango County numbers among her residents not a few ladies who have attained prominence in their chosen fields of activity and employment, but there is no one who has been so much in the eye of the pub- lic, or who has secured for herself state-wide and even national recognition, as has the sub- ject of this sketch, whose connection with the Women's Relief Corps places her among the foremost ladies of the land. She makes her home in the village of Oxford, where she has charge of the New York State Women's Re- lief Corps Home, which is itself located about one mile northeast of the village. It was through her untiring efforts that Oxford was chosen as the best site. The structure was erected in 1896, together with the entire plant, consisting of electric works, steam heat- ing, a large main sewer for the accommoda- tion of all buildings, water reservoir, etc., when complete, at a total cost of $75,000, and is one of the best buildings of the description in the state, having incorporated in it all the
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latest improvements and labor-saving con- veniences. The Home has its own electric light and power plant, and its own water sys- tem. It is located on the banks of the Che- nango River, the site being on a bluff about 150 feet higher than the village ; this eleva- tion insures the best of drainage and ventila- tion, and affords the inmates of the home a beautiful view of the Chenango Valley. 52 people have availed themselves of the advantages offered in the home; the number is growing, and will some day reach if not exceed 300, the capacity. No single man is ever admitted to the home, there being a home for old soldiers at Bath, N. Y. The Women's Relief Corps Home is designed to keep the old soldiers and their wives together as long as they live. The widows of soldiers are of course admitted, and form the greater part of the inmates. All the furniture in the Home has been donated by the various W. R. C. organizations over the state, even to the knives, spoons, tableware, bedding, etc., and so the success of the institution and Mrs. Putnam's management is viewed with interest by thousands of ladies in every county of the state. Her management of affairs has met with the heartiest encourage- ment and approval that cannot help but be gratifying, and even a spur to greater efforts in behalf of the Nation's heroes and their families.
It is needless, we admit, to introduce the subject of the work of the W. R. C. at this point, but a few words as to the object of the organization cannot come amiss. It came into being as an auxiliary of the G. A. R. with the same avowed purpose, to give aid
and succor to members of the army and navy in the late Rebellion, to assist their families, to foster a patriotic spirit in the land by instruct- ing the youth in the lessons that the war taught, and to make all things in their power tend toward making a united, patriotic, loyal country, responsive to the best American spirit. In 1891 and 1892 Mrs. Putnam was president of New York State Women's Relief Corps, and from that time dates her connection with the leaders of the movement. She has been vice-president of the state or- ganization, was chairman of the state execu- tive committee two years, state counsellor two years, and was also a member of the executive board of national and state patri- otic teachers. When the Women's Relief Corps met in convention in the city of Buffalo in 1897, during the great G. A. R. Encamp- ment of that year, Mrs. Putnam's name was most prominently before the people as one of the candidates for a national office. She had the hearty support of the entire New York delegation.
Mrs. Putnam was born in Buffalo, N. Y., October 8, 1845, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Clark) Rose. The Rose family is of French extraction, as the records show. Mrs. Putnam was connected with the public schools of Buffalo for thirty-six years - twenty years of which she was principal of one of the largest departments. In 1869 she became the wife of Frank Putnam, who was born in Springfield, Mass., September 14, 1835, a son of Sardis and Dorcas (Starr) Put- nam, both natives of the Bay State. Mr. Putnam is a descendant of Gen. Israel Put- nam of Revolutionary war fame. Our sub-
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CHENANGO COUNTY
ject's husband was educated in the schools of New York State. April 15, 1861, he entered the ranks of Co. A, 19th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf .; this regiment was later known as the Third New York Heavy Artillery. Three years were spent in the service of his country, and he had a very bright army record.
Mrs. Ellen M. Putnam is a bright, stirring business woman, in whose executive abil- ity and capacity for management her asso- ciates in the Women's Relief Corps have the greatest confidence. She is respected and esteemed by Oxford's citizens as a lady of noble, womanly instincts, whose very pres- ence in the community can do naught but re- sult in good. Every resident of Oxford takes pride in the Home, and wishes Mrs. Putnam continued success in her management. As one of the best known members of the W. R. C. in the Empire State, and as a woman of enterprising and forceful char- acter, it affords us pleasure to be able to present Mrs. Putnam's portrait on a preced- ing page.
G EORGE M. BRYAN, assistant cash- ier and one of the directors of the Sherburne National Bank, and one of the vil- lage's enterprising citizens, was born in the town of Sherburne, N. Y., November 21, 1850, and is a son of David, Jr., and Angeline (Bowen) Bryan, and grandson of David Bryan, Sr.
David Bryan, Sr., was among the pioneer settlers who settled in the above town, and was a descendant of a long line of ancestors.
Richard Bryan was a son of Alexander Bryan, who was born in Aylesbury, Bucking- hamshire, England, in 1602, and with his son emigrated to the American shores in 1639, where they located and were the founders of Milford, Conn .; from there the family of Bryan began to separate, some moving to Vermont and others to New York. The line of ancestors runs from Richard (1) to Richard (2), who was born in Milford, Conn., to Richard (3), to Richard (4), to Richard (5), to Richard (6), to David (1), to David (2), who is the grandfather of our subject. The latest named settled in the village of Sher- burn in 1797, where he purchased a tract of land and began to fell trees with which he built a log cabin, which was one of the first cabins built in this section of the county. Later he built a frame house, which is still standing on the farm now owned by Nathan- iel Bryan, and is one more proof of the hard- ships with which those sturdy pioneers had to contend. He married Mercy Cook, and they reared three children : Chester ; Orpha; and David, the father of our subject. After her death he married Betsy Hammond, who bore him four children, namely: Richard ; Monroe : Nathaniel ; and Mercy. Mr. Bryan died at the advanced age of seventy-three years.
Our subject's father was born on his father's farm in the town of Sherburne and was reared to follow the pursuits of an agri- culturist, which was his sole occupation throughout his life. When he reached his majority he purchased the Gahan farm, which he improved and then sold, thus reaping a small sum of money. He made farming his
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business; among the farms which he sold were the C. Parkhurst, D. Moore, B. Healy, and the G. Bingham farms. Later he sold to his son, E. C. Bryan, a fine farm ; after selling the Henry Holmes farm, he moved to Sher- burne, where he passed his latter days in retirement. He was united in marriage with Angeline Bowen, daughter of Peter C. Bowen. She was born October 18, 1816, and is living at the home of her son, Charles D. Bryan, and although she has passed her eighty-first birthday, she is still strong for one of her years, and has a wide circle of friends, who know her to be a kind and loving mother and a true neighbor. Her children are: Alberto, deceased ; Edwin C., who is farming on the old homestead; Fitch H., who resides in the village of Sherburne; Charles D., also of Sherburne ; and George M., the subject of this biography. Mr. Bry- an was an adherent of the Democratic party.
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