Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 130

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354

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P ETER AKIN SKIDMORE, who is well known throughout Dutchess county, of which he is a native, is numbered among its best citizens, both socially and financially, and is especially valued as a large-hearted, public- spirited citizen, whose enterprise and benevo- lence have contributed largely to the happiness and comfort of the people around him. His homestead is one of the most notable in the town of Beekman, for the thrift and comfort which surrounds it, and the evidence of enter- prise, taste and skill.

Mr. Skidmore was born April 15, 1831, in

the town of Beekman, receiving his education chiefly at the district schools of the neighbor- hood. On December 26, 1856, he married Miss Ruth Moore, daughter of Alfred and Char- lotte (Haverland) Moore, both born in 1806, in Dutchess county, where they were respect- able farmers. They had four children who lived to maturity: Lydia (now Mrs. Willetts), residing on Long Island; Ruth (Mrs. Skidmore); Susan, a maiden lady residing at the old home at Moores Mill, proprietress of the " Floral Home " boarding house; and Alfred H., mar- ried, and making his home at the old farm, running the mills. Alfred Moore, the father of these, was a son of Stephen Moore, who was also a native of Dutchess county, and op- erated the old Moore Mills, formerly known as the Oswego Mills. The family have been members of the Society of Friends for several generations back, and Mrs. Skidmore's father was a preacher in that sect. He died in 1879, the mother in 1892. Four children have blessed the union of our subject and his wife, viz .: Elizabeth (deceased); Alfred M .; and Jesse and Susie (both deceased). Of these, Alfred M., the only survivor, was born Octo- ber 10, 1860, and assists his father in the con- ducting of the farm. He is a Republican in politics, and has frequently been urged by his friends to run for office, but prefers to devote his time to agricultural pursuits. On the home farm are buried the parents of Benson J. Los- sing, the historian.

An earnest Christian gentleman, our sub- ject is a member in good standing of the So- ciety of Friends, which organization is opposed to warfare; yet during the Civil war he was the first in his section to be drafted; he was rejected, however, on account of physical dis- ability. In politics he is a Republican, has ever taken a commendable interest in the wel- fare of his native county, and has capably filled several minor offices of his town, dis- charging his duties to the satisfaction of all. Socially, he is a charter member and treasurer of Sylvan Lodge, of the Grange, which was organized in the town of Beekman, in Decem- ber, 1896.

Jesse Skidmore, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Unionvale, in 1796. By his marriage with Sarah Akin, daughter of Peter Akin, of the town of Pawling, in this county, he had four children: Peter Akin, Elizabeth, Abigail and Andrew. The daugh- ters died in early life; Andrew is now living

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

on a farm in Beekman, near the homestead, and has no children. The father engaged in farming on the farm now owned by his son, Peter Akin, until advanced in life, when he re- moved to Poughkeepsie, where he died in 1862. He was a lifelong member of the Society of Friends, as were his ancestors.

Andrew Skidmore, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born on the Skidmore homestead, in the town of Unionvale, in 1797, and died in 1852. He was a man of great physique, weighing over 280 pounds. He married Eliza- beth Clapp, and they had four children: Jesse, the father of Peter Akin Skidmore; James, who left no family; Andrew A., and Judith. The descendants of Andrew A. are James W. Skidmore, and Jane, who married Cromoling Dean, all now living in the town of Lagrange. Judith married Gideon Downing, and has one daughter living, but no descendants known.

Andrew Skidmore, the great-grandfather of our subject, whose ancestry came from Hol- land, was born at Great Neck, Long Island, in 1748, and died in 1816. Of his family, of which we have record: Had a bachelor brother murdered by a servant; he kept a large stable of running horses at Great Neck, Long Island. Had two sisters: Mary, married to Benjamin Everett, and Phæbe, married to John Golder. Many of the Skidmore family now living on Long Island are descendants of this family. Andrew Skidmore, the great-grandfather, moved to the town of Unionvale, Dutchess Co., N. Y., in the year 1715, purchased a large tract of land, through which runs the Clove creek. On this stream he built a grist- mill, sawmill, and woolen-mill, these being the first mills in this section; the gristmill is now standing, and known as the " Skidmore Mill. " The tract of land is now one of the best in the Clove Valley. Mr. Skidmore mar- ried Judith Rogers, who was born in 1746, and died in 1826, and by this marriage had two sons and three daughters: Andrew, James, Mary, Phoebe and Abby.

James Skidmore married Elizabeth Rogers, and they had three sons and two daughters: Andrew J., Zophar R., Harvey, Elizabeth and Phoebe. All but Zophar R. and Harvey moved to the State of Maryland. Harvey moved to New Jersey; Zophar R. married Maria Hughes, of Staatsburgh, and lived (until his death in 1888) on the Skidmore homestead in the Clove Valley; they had two children: James H., and Mary, who married 45

Charles E. Rogers, who now owns the Skid- more homestead.

Mary Skidmore married John Rogers, and resided near Sylvan Lake, town of Beekman; they had four sons and five daughters: Laban, Stephen, James, Gilbert, Hannah, Judith, Phebe, Maria and Ruth. Judith, who married Samuel A. Doughty, is the only one living. Phoebe married Nichols Haight, lived and died near Coffins Summit. The only descendant living is Sherman Haight, of Mabbettsville, Dutchess Co., N. Y. Abby married Richard Betts, of Saratoga county; no record of de- scendants.

W ILLIAM H. JAYCON, a leading and progressive farmer of the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county, is a native of Put- nam county, N. Y., born in the town of Phil- lipstown, October 6, 1843, and is of Holland lineage. His great-grandfather, Isaiah Jay- cox, was also a native of Putnam county, while his grandfather, Thomas Jaycox, was born in the town of Phillipstown. There the latter was reared on a farm, and spent his en- tire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his family were five children: David, who was a liveryman at Matteawan, Dutchess county; James E., a farmer of North High- lands, Putnam county: Caroline, who married James Horton, a farmer of Phillipstown; Jer- emiah, the father of our subject; and William, also a farmer of Phillipstown, Putnam county.

In that town Jeremiah Jaycox was born in 1817, and on attaining to man's estate mar- ried Levina Tompkins, whose birth occurred at Putnam Valley, Putnam county, -her fath- er, Ananias Tompkins, being also a native of that county. On their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jaycox located upon a farmi there, but after a residence of seven years they came to Dutchess county, passing their remaining days in the town of Fishkill, the father dying Oc- tober 15, 1888, and the mother on March 4, 1894. His vote was ever cast in support of the Democratic party. In the family were two children: William H., subject of this review; and Frances, who married William Dalrymple, a farmer of the town of Stanford, Dutchess county,

At an early age William H. Jaycox accom- panied his parents to Dutchess county, where he has since remained, and now devotes his time and attention to the development and im-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

provement of his excellent farms in the town of East Fishkill, which comprise 400 acres of rich and arable land, well adapted to mixed farming. On October 4. 1871, he married Miss Libbie Anderson, who was born upon the farm which is still her home, and there her father, Peter Anderson, was also born, in 1807. He married Sarah Van Dewater. The An- derson family was early established in this country, and was founded in Dutchess county by John Anderson the grandfather of Mrs. Jaycox , who was a native of Putnam county, N. Y., and in 1793 purchased of Peter H. Schenck, the farm in the town of East Fish- kill, Dutchess county, upon which our subject still resides, and which at that time contained 265 acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Anderson were born five children: Amanda, married to William B. Roe, a farmer of East Fishkill; Myers, a farmer, who died September 13. 1872; Sarah A., married to William E. Brinck- erhoff, of East Fishkill; John P., an agricult- urist of the town of Washington, Dutchess county; and Libbie, wife of our subject.

Upon their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jaycox began housekeeping upon their present farm. and they have become the parents of three children, all at home, namely: George A., Charles W. and Howard. The entire family contribute to the support of the Johnsville Methodist Episcopal Church, and hold a prominent place in the social world. They are the center of a circle of friends who honor and esteem them for their many virtues and genuine worth. Mr. Jaycox is identified with the Democratic party, is public-spirited and enterprising, and aids in every possible way in promoting the interests of his town and county.

E MMER J. HAIGHT. Among the young and energetic farmers of Dutchess county, as well as among those who have been success- ful in their efforts thus far, is the subject of this personal history. His entire life has been passed in the town of Stanford, where he was born October 20, 1873, and there devotes his time and attention to farming.

His father, John Haight, was also a native of the town of Stanford, and was a son of Leonard Haight, who lived all his life in that town, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. The latter was a stalwart Democrat in politics, and one of the prominent men of

the community. He married Miss Phoebe Grif- fin, of the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, and to them were born five children: Margaret, George, Hannah, John and James B. The education of John Haight was such as the dis- trict schools of the times afforded, and he early became inured to the arduous duties that fall to the lot of an agriculturist. He never left the old homestead, which he operated up to the time of his death, which occurred Sep- tember 6, 1885. He was one of the highly re- spected citizens of the community, and one of the earnest supporters of the Democratic party, with which he always affiliated.

In the town of Pleasant Valley. Dutchess county, John Haight was married to Miss Syl- via A. Foster, daughter of John Foster, and to them were born two sons: Walter, who married Lenora Husted, by whom he has two daughters. Eva and Ruby; and Emmer J .. sub- ject of this sketch, who wedded Anita Dorland, and they have one child, Ruth Anna.

G EORGE I. VAIL, a prominent dairyman and agriculturist of Unionvale, Dutchess county, has earned a place among the success- ful workers in his lines of business. He was born at Verbank, Dutchess county, May 23. 1843, and received his education in the schools of his native town and at Mechanicsville, N. Y. He learned the carpenter's trade, but, finding that less to his taste than agriculture, he turned to the latter pursuit, and has followed it profit- ably for many years, making a specialty of dairying. Careful attention to business does not prevent him, however, from taking an active part in local affairs, and he has served in a number of public offices, including that of assessor. He married Miss Phoebe Noxon, who was born November 24, 1848, in the town of Unionvale. Her ancestors were pioneer settlers in that town, and a record of the three preceding generations is given below. Mrs. Vail was educated in the common schools near her home, and at Oswego village. The house of our subject and his wife is brightened by three children: Henry, born May 10, 1878; Hettie, born March 1, ISS1 ; and John, born May 20, 1883.

Mr. Vail's ancestors became identified with Unionvale, Dutchess county, at an early peri- od, and his grandfather, Moses Vail, and father, John Vail, were born there, the latter in November, 1800, at Verbank. After avail-

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ing himself of such educational opportunities as the locality afforded, he engaged in farming at an early age. He was a man of enterprise, an able manager, and he conducted a woolen mill at Verbank at one time, and also engaged in mercantile business. His wife was Eliza- beth Vincent, daughter of Absalom Vincent, and they had ten children, of whom our sub- ject was the youngest: (1) Sarah, born Feb- ruary 8, 1828, married Jacob Baker, a black- smith of Freedom Plains. (2) Matilda, born September 14, 1829, married Dewitt C. Noxon, a farmer and storekeeper, who served gallantly in the Civil war; they had two children-Emma (Mrs. John Duncan) and Ada. (3) Loretta, born April 4, 1831, remained unmarried. (4) Samuel, born July 4, 1832, is a carpenter by trade; he married Miss Ann Northrop, and has four children - Libbie (Mrs. Leonard Secord), Charles (who married Carrie Cass), William and Abbie. (5) Mary, born October 13, 1834, married Simon Losee, and has two children- Lizzie and Wesley. (6) Martha, born January 14, 1836, was educated in Amenia Seminary, and became a successful teacher. (7) Rebecca, born October 1, 1837, married Richard Hall, a farmer of Beekman, and they have four chil- dren - Everett (who married Cora Cypher), Libbie (deceased), Herbert (who married Jen- nie Chatterton), and Minnie (Mrs. Arthur Holmes). (S) Stephen, born February 23, 1839, is engaged in carpentering, and has re- mained unmarried. (9) James, born February 22, 1841, is a blacksmith; he married Mary Benjamin, and has one child - Sarah - who married Richard Case, and has one daughter- Helen.

Mrs. George Vail's great-grandfather, Gil- bert Noxon, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., was educated there and engaged in farm- ing. He married Miss Jane Phillips, and had eight children: Egbert, who married Claricy Patterson; Elisha, Mrs. Vail's grandfather; Abram, who married Jane Cornell; Daniel, who married, first, Charlotte Snedeker, and, second, Nancy Townsend; Catherine, Mrs. John Dean; Ann, Mrs. Edward Dutcher; Gil- bert, who married Sallie Townsend; and James.

Elisha Noxon was born in the town of Unionvale, and afterattending the local schools in boyhood became a farmer. He married Miss Phoebe Van Benschoten, daughter of Henry Van Benschoten, and his wife Mary Jackson, whose parents were Richard and

Mary (Ingraham) Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Noxon had two children: (1) Jane, who mar- ried John H. Robinson, and had three chil- dren-Phoebe, Mrs. John Dorlan; Abram, who married Mary Townsend, and Mavill, who inarried Minnie Allen. (2) Henry Noxon, father of Mrs. Vail, was born in the town of Beekman, Dutchess county, December 15, 1825, and was educated in the common schools of that town. He engaged in farming, and married Miss Hettie Barlow, daughter of Elisha and Charlotte (Palmer) Barlow. Of their three children Mrs. Vail was the eldest. Of the others, (1) Mary married Eugene Storm, and had one child, Winnefred, who is at home. (2) Elisha Noxon died at an early age.

The Van Benschoten family has an inter- esting history, and Dominie Elias Van Ben- schoten was the first Reformed Dutch minister at Schagticoke more than half a century be- fore Troy, N. Y., was founded. "Tunis, the father of Dominie Van Benschooten, came from Holland with the earliest settlers of the country, and purchased land at Esopus on the Hudson river. Subsequently, with his wife and one child, he removed to what was then a wilderness, purchased a large tract of land, and made a settlement in the town of Fish- kill, between the village of that name and the city of Poughkeepsie, near what is known as New Hackensack, in the county of Dutchess. Here he had four sons-Tunis, Matthew, Jacob and Elias-and, we believe, two or more daughters. The eldest son sailed for Europe, but as the vessel in which he sailed was never heard from, it is supposed it was seized by the pirates, and he and the other passengers, together with the officers and crew, were put to death. When the old gentleman died he was buried in the family vault on the home- stead farm. His remains, with those of other members of the family, have since been disin- terred and buried in the graveyard of the old Dutch church at Hackensack, beneath a costly monument.

"Matthew and Jacob remained upon, and in co-partnership cultivated, the farm. Elias became a Reformed Dutch Church minister. and the daughters married. The following amusing story is told of the Dominie. On one occasion, while at Schaghticoke, he was waited on by a Dutch swain, who wished to secure his services at a wedding. In the in- terval between the call and the time appointed for the ceremomy, a severe storm arose, and

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the stream became fearfully swollen, so that when the weather cleared and the parties to be married arrived, it was impossible for them to get across the stream. Here was a dilemma. The Dominie was on one side, the anxious couple on the other; neither could cross. ' Stop" cried the Dominic. .Stand vere you be, and I will make you man and wife.' The happy couple, thus united in the bonds of matrimony, when the service was over turned to leave. Here was another dilemma, which cast a cloud of deep anxiety over the tranquil features of the good old man. . Stop, den, my young friends, von moment, if you please. You can leave der guilder at the first house below. Tell them it is Dominie Van Ben- schooten's marriage fee, and I will call and get it.'"

F RANKLIN GERMOND is the proprietor of a good farm in the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, successful as a tiller of the soil, and prominently identified with local affairs. He was born in that town, April 3, 1846, and is now in the prime of life, and, as the result of good habits, is amply fitted for the duties that lie before him.

Silas Germond, his paternal grandfather, engaged in farming in the towns of Stanford and Pine Plains, and also at one time con- ducted a store at Attlebury. He was joined in wedlock with Charlotte Knapp Green, by whom he had three children: Hunting, the father of our subject; Silas K. ; and Mary Ann, now deceased.

In the town of Stanford, Hunting Ger- mond was born in 1821. He there attended the district schools, and was, later, a student in a school at Red Hook, Dutchess county. In his native town he married Miss Emily Ann Adsit, a daughter of Warren Adsit, and to them were born four children, namely: Ger- trude, widow of Elbert Munsell; Franklin, of this sketch; Frederick, and Guy. The father resided for some time upon a farm near Stiss- ing, and then purchased another farm in the same locality, but the later years of his life were passed near Willow Brook. Besides en- gaging in agricultural pursuits, he was also a dealer in cattle. He used his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party.

After pursuing his studies for some time in the district schools of the town of Stanford,

Franklin Germond entered the village schools of Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, where he completed his education. On reaching his majority he started out in life for himself as a clerk in the store of James Elusted, of Pough- keepsie, and after leaving his employ worked upon a farin at MeIntyre, Dutchess county, for a year. After a year then passed at home, he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he was em- ployed as shipping clerk in a wholesale house, and also sold goods on the road for the same firm for two years and a half. Returning to Stanford in the spring of 1877, he remained upon the old homestead for four years; but in 1881 he purchased his present farm in the same town, where he has since resided. He is quite an extensive farmer and stock dealer, and well deserves the success which has come to him.

In 1876, at Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Conn., Mr. Germond was married to Miss Alice Bissell, daughter of Henry Bissell, and to them have been born four children: Henry Bissell, James Husted, Gertrude C. and Paul Franklin. In politics Mr. Germond is identi- fied with the Democratic party, which he always supports by his ballot, and is now serv- ing his third term as assessor of his town. He is an honored and respected citizen who con- tributes his full quota toward the enterprises having for their object the general welfare of the community.

J AMES BARMORE, a leading and repre- sentative farmer of the town of l'nionvale, belongs to a well-known family of Dutchess county. His grandfather, Nathaniel Barmore, who also carried on agricultural pursuits, by . his marriage with Miss Abigail Wall had a family of seven children, namely: Henry, the father of our subject; John; James; Meadc; Abram; Betsy; and Eliza, who married Ward Hunter.

Henry Barmore was born in the town of Port Chester, Westchester Co., N. Y., No- vember 17. 1783, was there educated in the common schools, and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for some time. Later he turned his attention to farming. In religious belief, he was a Friend. He mar- ried Miss Bethany Carpenter, who was born March 10, 1787, and was the daughter of Zeno and Lydia (Clark) Carpenter. The thirteen children born to them were as follows:

1: Clark was born in Westchester county,

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May 25, 1806, and after completing his edu- cation engaged in farming. He wedded Miss Mary Alley, by whom he had nine children: Phoebe married C. Patterson; Edward married Lucy Wanzer, and they had three children- Clark (who married Gertie Tripp); Mary E. ; and Emma (who married Charles Huestis); Stephen died when young; Caroline married Andrew Wanzer ; Eliza remained single : Sarah married Cyrus Perkins, and they had one child-John E .; John married Josephine Phillips: Charles died when young; Delia mar- ried Gilbert Downing, and had one son- Charles.

(2) Anor Barmore was born in Westches- ter county, July 11, 1807, and married Jasper Burtch, a farmer, but had no children.

(3) Stephen, born August 25, 1808, mar- ried Miss Caroline Williams, and they became the parents of two sons-William and James S., both of whom died young.

(4) Lydia Barmore was born October I, 1809, and married David Stringham, an agri- culturist, by whom she had five children: (1) Henry married Caturah Gardner, and they had one daughter-Ida C .; after the death of his first wife he married Catherine Briggs. (2) Thomas wedded Mary H. Adams. (3) Isaac married Lucinda Lyon, and had two daugh- ters-Emma, who married Theron Briggs, has two children-Clara and Arthur; and Mary E., who married Edwin Lloyd. (4) John married Ann E. Barnes, and has five children -Henry D., who is married and has three sons; Irene, who married William Mudge, and had one child; Irving, who married Eleanor Deyo; Eugene; and Norris. (5) James, twin brother of John, married Gertrude Van Curen, and has three children-Willis, Norman ( who married Gertrude Marshall), and Ernest.

(5) Annie Barmore was born January 14, 1811, and was united in marriage with Abram Quinby, a farmer.

(6) Sarah Barmore was born January 26, 1814, and became the wife of Underhill Quin- by, an agriculturist, but they had no children.

(7) Abigail Barmore, born April 28, 1815, . died when young.

(8) Mary Barmore was born August 27, 1816, and married Shadrach Ricketson, a farmer, by whom she had two children: Annie wedded William Barker, and they had two children-Shadrach and Mary F .; Susan first married Theodore Tappen, and they had one daughter-Mary, who wedded Ira Gilmore.

After the death of her first husband, Susan married John Anderson.

(9) Susan Barmore was born in the town of Unionvale, Dutchess county, December II, 1818, was there educated, and married Egbert Vale, a farmer of that town; they had three children: Sarah E. married Theodore Wy- gant, and had one daughter, Jennie, who be- came the wife of Thomas Drake, and has one child-Wesley J .; Charles P. married Allie Dorland, and has three children-Willard (who married Lillie Pendley), Susan, and Harold; Henry J. married Maggie Williamson, and has two children-Henrietta and John E.

(10) Henry Barmore was born January 1, 1820, and married Miss Ruth Spencer. Their only child, Minnie, married Thomas Fox, and has one child-Minnie.

(11) Philip Barmore was born February 18, IS22, and married Miss Hannah Gardner; they had two children: Maria married Victor Cornwell, by whom she had two children --- Ruth and Frank-and after the death of her first husband married Giles Burgess, by whom she had a son-Philip. Henry married Rose- lina Griffith, and had seven children-James, Pearl, Edith, Willis, Henry, Beulah, and Willa Rose, two of whom are deceased.

( 12) Elizabeth Barmore was born Septem- ber 23, 1823, and never married.

(13) James Barmore, whose name intro- duces this sketch, is the youngest of the family. He was born February 27, 1829, in the town of Unionvale, was educated in the common schools of the locality, and has always followed the occupation of farming. He is a member of the Society of Friends, is a straightforward, reliable citizen, and is held in the highest es- teem. On reaching manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Abiah Gardner, a daugh- ter of Lewis Gardner, a farmer of the town of Beekman, Dutchess county. She died March 26, 1865, and he afterward wedded her sister, Miss Mary Gardner. He has had no children by either marriage.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 130

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1354