USA > New York > Comley's history of the state of New York, embracing a general review of her agricultural and mineralogical resources, her manufacturing industries, trade and commerce, together with a description of her great metropolis, from its settlement by the Dutch, in 1609 > Part 17
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that was addressed to the Senate. In the community in which he lives he enjoys the entire confidence of all who know him, re- gardless of party or condition, as one of the purest of men, reliable in every respect, though modest and retiring, passing for less than his real worth ; a man of great attainments, which are sound and substantial.
Burrell, Harry, was born in Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., November 28th, 1797. When six years old, he moved with his parents to Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and there received all his education from the public schools of that locality. At an early age he commenced to help his father on the farm. Afterward he embarked in farming for him- self, besides dealing largely in cheese, which he collected from the farmers, sending it to New York, and from there shipped it to Eu- nopean markets, he being among the first who ever sent cheese to England. He now owns twelve large dairy-farms, which are all sub-let, his farmers receiving two fifths of the pro- ceeds, and he the remaining three fifths.
Mr. Burrell has been married three times: first to Miss Charlotte Waterman, who died April roth, 1821; next to Miss Ormenda Carr, who died January 17th, 1839, and by whom he had seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters. His third marriage took place Septem- ber 17th, 1839, to Miss Sarah M. Hamlin, by whom he has had two sons.
The principal cause of success has been active attention to business; and though now eighty, he is in the full bloom of manhood. One of the effective attributes of his popular- ity is the purity of his character. It is this which has given him the esteem of all men. He will leave as a heritage to his children wealth, honor, and position-and all has been his own work.
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Burrill, T. N., was born at Elbridge, Onondaga County, N. Y., March 2d, 1832. His father's and mother's names were Lyman and Electa Burrill. His early education was confined to the opportunities afforded by the schools of his native town, which he attended until he was seventeen, when he moved to Vernon, Oneida County, N. Y., and filled the position of clerk for one year, when he moved to Penn Yan, Yates County, N. Y., and clerked there for two years, when he went into business for himself. In 1862, he sold out and entered the army; returning in 1866, he for some time made Rochester his home, and finally moved to Buffalo, and engaged himself in the furniture business. The firm he is now a member of is the well-known house of Burrill, McEwen & Co.
Mr. Burrill was married November ist, 1859, to Miss Julia A. Robbins, of Penn Yan, the issue of which has been two children, only one of whom survives. No man really occu- pies a more enviable position in the commu- nity of which he is a member, nor more clearly exemplifies the legitimate result of well-directed energy, industry, and thorough- ness of purpose.
Carryl, Lorenzo, was born January 15th, 1816, in Schoharie County, N. Y., and was the oldest son of N. F. Carryl, a native and merchant of that county. The subject · of this sketch received a good common school and academical education, after which he served in his father's store till twenty years of age. In this way he obtained a good busi- ness training. In 1836, he moved to Herki- mer County, continuing to act as clerk for four years, when, stimulated by honorable business emulation, he commenced for himself as a country merchant. This proving suc- cessful, he became largely identified with the
cheese interest, for which Herkimer County is so justly noted, and in this branch he was en- gaged over twenty-five years, after which he went into dairy farming and banking. Virtu- ally retiring from business, he in 1867 re- moved to Little Falls, where he has since re- sided. In 18.42, he was joined in wedlock to the eldest daughter of William Burrell, Esq., of Salisbury, by whom he has had eight children, three of whom survive, one daughter and two sons. The latter are lawyers practising at Lit- tle Falls. Mr. Carryl has been the architect of his own fortune. He has always followed the golden maxim, " Attend to your own business, and it will attend to you." As far as worldly wealth is concerned, he has accom- plished a sufficiency, and now is retired. In review of his life he does not have to mourn over an ill-spent youth. He has filled many important positions in life, among which we may enumerate many trusty offices, and in 1852 he was elected sheriff of the county. In 1870 he was appointed by Gov. Hoffman, as one of the State Assessors. He was also del- egate from his district to the famous " Charles- ton Convention," and was for a number of years a member of the State Democratic Committee. In the fall of 1860, he was a Dem- ocratic candidate for Congress. The district being largely Republican, he suffered honor- ble defeat. Mr. Carryl is now director in the Herkimer County National Bank and War- rior Mower Company. His life is a bright example to the living and to posterity.
Case, George M .- In speaking of the commercial interests and developments of New York by her prominent citizens, it is with pleasure we produce a brief notice of George M. Case, of Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y., one of her well-known and successful operators. He was born at Fulton, N. Y.,
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August 29th, 1827, to which place his parents removed from Oneida County, N. Y., two years before. Here he received his early schooling and training, and when seventeen, he taught school one winter. After this, he acted as clerk in a general store, where he remained until of age. At this time he entered into partnership with his father and brother, continuing in trade until 1861, when he com- menced business for himself as contractor. This particular branch had been a specialty with his family for many years. In it he proved successful, and so continued until 1870, when he was elected cashier in the Citizens' National Bank of Fulton, a position he still holds. He was also a director for fifteen years in the Oswego River, now First National Bank, a position he filled with great benefit to the institution. In 1872 and 1876, Mr. Case represented his congressional dis- trict in the Republican State Committees. In the last legislature he represented the Second Assembly district of Oswego County. In Sep- tember, 1850, he was joined in wedlock to Miss French, also of Fulton, by whom he has one son and one daughter.
Thus he has added to his interests, and through his shrewd business management, observation, and extensive knowledge, has managed to make his investments profitable. His tastes are elegant and refined, and since his virtual retirement from the pressing duties of business, he has found enjoyment in the cul- tivation of those tastes. In manners he is affable and genial, and his disposition frank and generous. In business matters he has always been prompt, and has never allowed his engagements to be unfulfilled or postponed.
Chatfield, Thomas I., was born at Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Mass., September 16th, 1813, where he resided until
he was twenty years of age, during which time he was brought up on the farm, receiv- ing, during the winter months, the advantages of the common schools of his locality, until eighteen years old. He then apprenticed himself to a baker, with whom he remained two years, when he left home for the then called " West," and landed at Owego, Tioga County, N. Y., March, 1839, where he has since resided. For the first six months he lived out as a journeyman baker ; after which, he bought the business and connected the grocery trade with it. Three years later, he sold the bakery and moved his grocery busi- ness on to Front street, which he has since continued. In 1849, he was visited by fire, and lost every thing, even his insurance. Stim- ulated by ambition, he on the same day of his loss made a fresh start, and had a stock of goods on sale before nightfall, proving success- ful. In 1853, he built a large block on Main street, occupying the corner store himself, where he remained about five years. His great and growing business requiring more room, he moved on to his present site, and here in 1870 the fiery element paid him another visit, destroying every thing. He im- mediately rebuilt, during which time he occu- pied the adjoining store. Aside from giving his close attention to his large business, he has held the positions of president, trustee, and supervisor of the village of Owego on various occasions ; he has also been vice- president of the National Union Bank of Owego, and director in the Bank of Owego. In 1853, he represented the county of Tioga in the State Assembly. In 1872 and IS73, he served in the State Senate, with distinction and honor.
Mr. Chatfield was twice married, the first tinie in 1841. His second marriage occurred in 1858, when he was joined in wedlock to
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Lucy B. Goodrich, of Owego. By this mar- riage one son was born, October 4th, 1871.
He has amassed a large estate ; but we are happy to say his charities have always in- creased in the ratio of his growing fortune, and few men have lived who have been of more substantial benefit to society than Thomas I. Chatfield.
Childs, Henry, the subject of this sketch, was born in Deerfield, Franklin County, Mass., on the 18th day of July. 1819, and is descended from ancient Ameri- can stock. His great great great grand- father, Deacon Richard Childs, settled in Barnstable, Mass., about the middle of the seventeenth century. His son, Deacon Samuel Childs, settled in Deerfield, Mass., as early as 1709. His son, Deacon Samuel Childs, Jr. ; grandson, Amzi Childs; and great-grandson, Henry Childs, were all born, died, and are buried in the town of Deerfield, Mass.
Henry Childs, first above mentioned, was sent to school when young, and had all the advantages of early mental culture. When twenty years of age, he commenced a course preparatory for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., entering Yale in 1842, and graduating in 1846 with full honors. The same year he located in Cleveland, O., where he remained eleven years, engaged during this time in teaching and in book busi- ness.
Mr. Childs was always remarkable for per- severance and ambition to excel in business pursuits; and having faith in the future of Buffalo, N. Y., he moved to that city in 1857, an opening being afforded to engage in the business of iron manufacture in a forge. This vocation he has since then suc- cessfully pursued, being at present sole pro-
prietor of works known by the name of Buf- falo Steam Forge.
On the 19th of August, 1847, Mr. Childs joined in wedlock to nee Miss Elizabeth Hitchcock, also of Deerfield, Mass. (whose ancestors sleep in the same cemetery as his) ; and of their marriage have been born four children, the three youngest of whom survive. Mr. Childs is a member of the La Fayette street Presbyterian church, and through his liberality and devotion has been appointed to some of the most responsible positions of the church.
In manners he is affable and genial; his disposition frank and generous.
In business matters he is always prompt, never allowing his engagements to be un- fulfilled or postponed.
In the community in which he lives he en- joys the entire confidence of all who know him, as one of the purest of men, reliable in every respect, though modest and retiring, and passing for less than his real worth. A man of large attainments, which are sound and substantial.
Clarke, Freeman, was born in Troy, N. Y., March 22d, 1809. At an early age he began business for himself as grocer and dealer in country produce. In 1829, when but eighteen years old, he went to Albion, Orleans County, with a large stock of goods bought on credit, where he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, the manufacture of flour, and other successful enterprises. In 1837, he was elected cashier of the Bank of Orleans, at which he served eight years, when he re- moved to Rochester, where he conducted a large and successful banking business for many years, and where he has held office in several large companies.
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Mr. Clarke has always taken more or less interest in politics. Up to 1837, he was iden- tified with the Democratic, and subsequently with the Whig and Republican parties. He was vice-president of the Whig State Con- vention, in 1850. in which Washington Hunt was nominated for governor. The president, Hon. Francis Granger, seceded with a por- tion of the delegates, and organized as the Silver Gray and Know-Nothing party. Mr. Clarke acted as president of the convention after Mr. Granger retired.
In 1852, he was a delegate to the Whig National Convention which nominated Gen- eral Scott for the presidency. He was vice- president of the first Republican Convention of New York, in which Myron H. Clark was nominated for governor, and Henry J. Raymond for lieutenant-governor. In 1856, he was chosen presidential elector on the Fremont and Dayton ticket. In 1862, he was elected a representative from New York to the Thirty-eighth Congress, at the expira- tion of which he declined a re-election. In 1865, he was appointed Comptroller of the Currency. During the administration of this office, the State banks were nearly all re- organized under the National Currency act. In 1867, he was elected a member of the New York State Constitutional Convention, of which he was one of the leading members.
In 1870, he was re-elected a representative from New York to the Forty-second Con- gress, in which he served on the Committee on Appropriations.
In 1872, was re-elected to the Forty-third Congress, in which he served on the Com- mittee of Foreign Affairs. In 1876, was can- didate from his district for presidential elector.
As a business man Mr. Clarke has been uni- formly successful, and has discharged the du- ties of every public position he has held with
great credit and with the approval of his con- stituents.
Comstock, George Franklin .- The subject of this sketch was born of revolution- ary ancestry, at Williamstown, in the county of Oswego, August 24th, 1811. His parents emigrated from Connecticut before the com- mencement of the present century. His father was a soldier and non-commissioned officer in the revolutionary army. Having entered the service when very young, he continued through the war, and was at the siege and surrender of Yorktown. He died in the boyhood or early youth of his son, who was left without means of acquiring a liberal education. The latter was dis- tinguished at a very early age by the love of study and books, and he enjoyed some of the advantages of the common schools of that day. Thrown upon his own resources, he re- solved to achieve a liberal and classical edu- cation. He taught in the common schools, and receiving aid from liberal friends, he enter- ed Union College at Schenectady, from which he graduated with high honors in the year 1834. After graduating, he taught for a year or two the Greek and Latin languages in a classical school at Utica, of high reputation, pursuing at the same time the study of the law in that city. In 1835, he removed to Syra- cuse, where he has since resided. He finish- ed his preparatory law studies in the office of the late B. Davis Noxon. a lawyer of great distinction at the bar of Central New York, and was admitted to practice in the year 1837. In 1839, he was joined in wedlock with Cor- nelia, the daughter of Mr. Noxon. After ad- mission to the bar, he entered at once upon a large practice, to which he applied himself with extraordinary industry, while continuing his professional reading.
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In 1874, after ten years of practice, he re- ceived from the Governor the appointment of Reporter to the decisions of the Court of Appeals, which was the tribunal of last resort in the State. This appointment might be deemed flattering to a young lawyer, because the position had usually been filled by the best legal talent in the State. The names of Judge Denio and Nicholas Hill, who had preceded him in the same position, are faini- liar to the profession. During the three years for which he held this appointment, he pre- pared and published four volumes of the de- cisions of that court, practising during the same period actively as counsel, and mainly at the bar of that court. In 1852, he was in- vited by President Fillmore to fill the office of Solicitor of the Treasury of the United States. He accepted this appointment, and retired from the office with the administration of Mr. Fillmore, on the 4th of March, 1853, resuming immediately his professional prac- tice in the higher courts. In 1855, he was elected by the Conservative Whigs and Ame- icans as judge of the Court of Appeals, and re- mained on the bench for six years, during two of which he was the Chief-Justice. He was nominated for re-election by the Democratic party in 1861, but was defeated with all the other candidates for State officers nominated by the same party. This event was deemed by him most fortunate. He wisely chose to resume his career at the bar. Having be- come widely known as a lawyer, his decisions as a judge had enhanced his reputation, and opened a field of practice in causes of the first importance. Soon after leaving the bench, he found time to annotate and edit for the heirs of the late Chancellor Kent a new · edition of his celebrated commentaries.
purpose of revising the State Constitution. Prominent among the causes for calling this convention was the necessity for reorganizing the judicial system of the State, especially in respect to the Court of Appeals. To that branch of the work of the convention Judge Comstock gave his particular attention, and a new judiciary article was framed, which was ac- cepted by the people of the State, on a separate submission to the popular vote, while the re- sidue of the work of the convention was re- jected. To his efforts in the convention, and in securing the approval of the public, the im- portant changes in the judicial organization of the State are, in a very important sense, due.
In politics he belonged to the Whig party, while it existed. When it went out of exist- ence, he joined the Democratic party, to which he has steadily adhered ever since. He mingled somewhat actively in political discussion before and during the war of the rebellion, and his speeches and addresses commanded the public attention, especially in the constitutional aspects which the cast of his mind imparted to them. His views were considered decided and pronounced in op- position to the measures and policy of the Re- publican party in power. He is still actively as ever engaged in his profession, but only in its higher walks. Upon his private life no stain has ever rested, and as a citizen he is distinguished for the prominent part he has taken in the foundation and care of public in- stitutions of learning and charity.
Cooke, C. W., was born at Preston, New London County, Ct., in the year 1800. During his youth, he had all the edu- cation afforded by the schools in the locality of his home. After which, he entered his fa- ther's factory, where he received his early busi-
In 1867, he was elected a delegate for the : State at large to a convention called for the , ness training. In IS20, he, in company with
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two brothers, moved to North Hampton, and there started a woollen factory, which they continued for ten years. In 1830, he and his brother James moved to Lowell,* Mass., and took charge of the Middlesex Woollen Mills. In 1845, the subject of this sketch moved to Seneca Falls, where he remained some time as superintendent of woollen mills, and final- ly moved to Waterloo, N. Y., to take entire charge of the large woollen mills there, contin- uing in that position until his death, which occurred February 15th, 1873, surrounded by his wife, family, and friends, deeply mourned and beloved as a faithful Christian. During his life's pilgrimage, he was very much inter- ested in Sunday-schools, and during his resi- dence both in Lowell and Waterloo was super- intendent of the Episcopal Sunday-schools, and in them a great worker.
Through all the vicissitudes of a long busi- ness life, he maintained a character of the most perfect integrity, and died amidst the love and respect of zealous, admiring friends; and hundreds of young hearts who are reli- giously educated by his bounty breathe his name with gratitude.
Cooke, William Warren, was born August 23d, 1804, at Fort Ann, Washington County, N. Y., where he resided until he was twenty-six years of age, during which time he received a good education.
In 1831, he removed to Peru, Clinton Coun- ty, N. Y., and in company with his eider brother, Calvin Cooke, went into the lumber and iron business. This continued until 1845, when the copartnership was dissolved. In 1836, Mr. W. W. Cooke removed to White- hall, and in 1838 formed a copartnership
with a younger brother in the lumber busi- ness, which continued until 1846, when it was terminated by the decease of his brother.
W. W. Cooke carried on the lumber trade at Whitehall alone until 1862, when one of his sons, Mr. W. H. Cooke, was admitted to a partnership in it, the firm name being W. W. Cooke & Son, which firm exists at the present time.
During his connection with the lumber business, he has built six steam planing-mills, of which one was in Canada, and was finally abandoned in consequence of the effect on the business of the Reciprocity Treaty between the United States and Canada.
During an experience of upward of forty- five years, steady and increasing prosperity has attended him.
He was among the first to import lumber from the Ottawa and lower St. Lawrence into the United States, a trade since grown to enormous proportions between the two coun- tries.
He established a reputation for strict in- tegrity and fair dealing in all transactions with individuals and the two governments, to which his large operations made him commercially responsible.
Besides the care bestowed upon his large business operations, he was one of the organ- izers and directors of the Commercial Bank of Whitehall, also a director in the old Na- tional Bank since its organization; director in the New York and Canada Railroad, Sara- toga and Whitehall Railroad; director and president of the Whitehall and Rutland Rail- road -- positions he filled with distinction and ability.
He was joined in wedlock June 5th, 1832, to Miss Hearty C. Clark, of Middletown, Vt., by whom he has living six children. She was one of the family of Enos Clark and
# The two brothers had charge of the Middle- sex together.
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Electa Colver, and was born at Middletown, September 6th, 1805. She possessed in an eminent degree superior traits characteristic of both her paternal and maternal families, and through life demonstrated the real use of woman's peculiar and extraordinary power without ostentatious display. She exerted a positive and salutary influence over her fam- ily in the home circle, where all woman's vir- tues shine the brightest. She died June 3d, 1874, deeply mourned by her family and friends.
Mr. Cooke has been a staunch member of the Baptist Church since 1823, and one of the finest edifices erected for Christian wor- ship at Whitehall was built mainly by his assistance.
Mr. Cooke is now in his seventy-third year, and has virtually retired from active business life. He lives at his mansion on a farm of 500 acres at Whitehall.
He has always been a working man; in fact, still works, enjoying a green old age. He has not frittered away his time in visionary impossibilities or slothful inaction, but " hon- orable labor" has been the maxim of his life, and to it he is indebted for the worldly com- fort he possesses in the decline of life.
To his industry, integrity, philanthropy, and domestic virtues he owes the tribute of respect that is paid to his character.
Cornell, Ezra, was born at Westchester Landing, N. Y., January 11th, 1807. Soon after the invention of the telegraph, he devoted his attention to that enterprise, became very wealthy, and in 1865 founded the Cornell University. Died December 9th, 1874, at Ithaca, N. Y.
Crocker, Leonard, was born at Argyle, Vermont, March 17th, 1805. His father,
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Rev. Lemuel Crocker, was a Congregational clergyman.
While Leonard was an infant, his parents removed to Whitehall, New York. His father died suddenly March 20th, 1820. In 1825, the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Penelope Parks, of Albany, who still survives him. During the next thirty years after his marriage, he was engaged in the business of transportation, residing a part of the time in New York City, and afterward at Kenosha, Wisconsin.
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