Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 153

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

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W ILLIAM H. TANNER, M. D., a worthy representative of the farming interests of the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, is a native of same, born September 12, 1836. The family had long been estab- lished there, his great-grandfather, James Tanner, being one of its earliest residents.

William Tanner, the grandfather, was born in the town of Dover, January 9, 1786, was brought up on a farm, and received the edu- cation afforded by the district schools. He was an agriculturist, and spent the latter part of his life in the town of Amenia, where he died in 1856. In religious belief he was a Baptist. He was married March 13, 1806, to Mary Uhl, who was born December 29, 1786, and they became the parents of three children: James U., the father of our sub- ject; Mary Eighmy, who was born May 4, 1814, and wedded Abram White; and Cath- erine E., who was born May 8, 1824, and married Swift Nase.

James Uhl Tanner. also a native of the town of Dover, was born April 22, 1807, there secured his elementary education, and con- tinued his studies at the Nine Partners Board- ing School, in the town of Washington, Dutch- ess county. He was married December 4, 1831, to Miss Rhoda Ann Hubbell, who was born May 31, 1814, and was a daughter of

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Cushman and Tamma Hubbell. Their family consisted of three children: James H., born November 25, 1835, died February 10, 1837; William II., of this sketch; and Annie Maria, who was born August 5, 1842, and married S. H. Hedges. About 1840 the father re- moved to the town of Amenia, building the present residence of our subject, and there en- gaged in farming up to his death, which oc- curred July 28, 1886. He was one of the most wide-awake and progressive farmers of the locality, and met with a well-deserved suc- cess in his vocation. In early life he was identified with the Whig party, and later was a Republican. His strict integrity and kindly nature endeared him to all his associates, and for many years his hospitable home was a place dear to many, both young and old, by reason of the kindly welcome extended to them by him and his faithful helpmeet. He lived upon the farm, where he died, for over fifty years.

The early life of Dr. Tanner was spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, com- paratively uneventful, and after attending the district schools for a time, he pursued his stud- ies at the Amenia Seminary, at the Loweville Academy, in Lewis county, N. Y., at the Sus- quehanna Seminary, in Binghamton, N. Y., and at the Oxford Academy, of Chenango county, this State. He then entered the medi- cal department of the University of New York, where he graduated in 1860. After Fort Sumter was fired upon, the Doctor laid aside personal interest, and in 1861 joined the 47th N. Y. V. I., as assistant-surgeon. In the fol- lowing year he was promoted surgeon, and served with the rank of major of cavalry until hostilities ceased, when he was honorably dis- charged and returned home.

On April 26, 1866, Dr. Tanner was mar- ried to Miss Achsa York, of Chenango county, N. Y., and they became the parents of three children, as follows: (1) James E .. of Cole- man Station, Dutchess county, born December 8. 1868, was married June 20, 1889, to Emma Gridley Lewis, and they have three children: Lewis W., born May 19, 1890; Margaret, born October 16, 1892; and Frederick, born Octo- ber 29, 1895. (2) Frederick, born January 24, 1871, died June 14, 1875. (3) Mary Mabel, born January 1, 1874, was married December 27, 1890, to Louis M. Allerton, and they have one son, James K., born November 5, 1892.

After his marriage. Dr. Tanner removed to Louisiana, where for two years he engaged in cotton raising, but in 1868 returned to the home farm, which he has since operated with good success. He is also engaged in the milk business, which he finds to be a profitable source of income. Fraternally he is connected with Shekomeko Lodge No. 458, F. & A. M .. at Washington Hollow, Dutchess county. A man of strong individuality, whose influence has been directed toward the good, the true and the beautiful, this honored veteran of the Civil war well merits representation in this volume.

W ING J. MARTIN AND JAMES H. MARTIN. The head of the Martin family which has been prominently identified with the history of the town of Dover, Dutch- ess county, for many years, was Agrippa Mar- tin, who came from England when a young man, and became one of the early settlers of Dover. His son James was a farmer by occu- pation and an adherent of the Quaker faith. He married Sarah Kelley, daughter of Samuel Kelley, of Poughkeepsie, a seafaring man, and had four children: Wing, mentioned below; John, who never married; Phoebe A. (Mrs. Joseph Haviland), and Ruth A. (Mrs. Samuel Hallack ).

Wing Martin was born in 1798, and on at- taining manhood's estate engaged in farming and in brick manufacturing. He possessed decided mechanical ability, and was an excel- lent business man, his enterprises meeting with success. Some of the oldest houses in the town of Dover were built of brick from his kiln. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a Quaker. His first wife was Hannah Whitley, and his second was her sister Eliza- beth, both daughters of Joseph Whitley. Three children were born of the first marriage: John J., James H., and Ann E., who died at the age of eighteen.

John J. Martin was born in 1824, and re- ceived his education in the schools of his na- tive town. Until he was twenty-eight years old he assisted his father, and he then became the owner of a part of the farm which has been in the possession of the family since 1776. He cared nothing for politics, preferring a quiet life. He married Miss Lydia Hlaviland, daugh- ter of Isaac Haviland, and had one son-WING J. MARTIN, who was born at the old home-

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stead May 20, 1850, was educated at the acad- emies in that vicinity, and then engaged in farming. He has been twice married, first in 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Tabor, daughter of a well-known farmer of Dover, John Tabor, and his wife, Cordelia Ross. Three children were born of this union: Anne T., born in 1871; Sarah E., born in 1875; and Mary D., who died in infancy. Mr. Martin's wife died in 1875, and in 1884 he married Miss Catherine C. Corey, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Corey, prominent residents of Port Jervis, Pennsylvania. Both daughters are at home. They are accomplished young ladies; Anne T. was for a time in attendance at a school in Brooklyn, and one at Stanford, and Sarah E. was for a time at the same school at the latter place. Their main education, however, was received at home under a governess.

After his marriage, in 1871, Mr. Martin settled on the farm on which he now resides, which is a fine tract of 108 acres. In 1895 he erected here a fine house, and has a modern home. The main part of the old house was one of the oldest houses built in the locality, being upward of one hundred and seventy-five years old. In addition to the farm on which he resides, Mr. Wing Martin is the possessor of another farm comprising 234 acres located three miles south of his present home. In ad- dition to general farming, Mr. Martin carries on a dairy business, keeping fifty cows. In politics he is a Republican.

Isaac Haviland, the father of Mrs. John J. Martin, was a prosperous farmer of the town of Pawling. He married Miss Lydia Weever, and had nine children: (1) Joseph was married four times, first to Hannah Martin, by whom he had one son-James M., deceased; his sec- ond wife was Sarah G. Griffin, and they had one daughter, Mary, who married the late Noal Tompkins, and has two children; by the third wife, Lydia Oakley, and by the fourth, Lydia Haviland, there were no offspring. (2) Dan- iel married Lillias Akin, and seven children were born-Lydia, Lillie, Lillias, Joseph, Jon- athan (who married Angeline Hungerford). Daniel J., and Abigail (the wife of Philip Hav- iland. (3) Isaac married Maria Swift, but had no children. (4) Jacob married Elizabeth Shove, and had one daughter-Minnie, now Mrs. Morris. (5) Abraham married Ann Bow- dish, and had one child-Nellie, who married William Well. (6) Alexander married Judith Griffin, and had two children-Phoebe, now

Mrs. Elmer Gildersleeve, and Lydia, who died in youth. (7) Lydia married John J. Martin. (8) Charlotte married Alfred Moore. (9, Sarah never married. Charlotte Moore had four children: Lydia married Daniel Willits, and has three children-Lottie, Hannah and Amy; Ruth married Peter A. Skidmore, and has had four children-Libbie, Susie, Jessie and Alfred, of whom, the last named is the only one living; Susan is at home; Alfred H. married Phoebe Willits, and has had three children-Herman, Willits and Daniel.

Joseph Whitley, the father-in-law of Wing Martin, was a native of the town of Dover, and became a prominent farmer there. He owned a number of slaves, whom he freed, but they refused to leave the place, and he volun- tarily paid them wages. He married, and had five children: Phoebe, who died at an early age; Hiram, who married Mary Preston; Eliza- beth and Hannah, mentioned above; and Jo- seph J., who married Jane Ross.

JAMES H. MARTIN, the second son of Wing Martin, was born in 1833, and was educated in Amenia Seminary, and at Gaylordsville. After graduation he engaged in farming with his fa- ther, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 124 acres, and 2,000 acres of timber land. He also owns a house and ten lots in Oakland. Cal. He married Miss Sarah H. Stevens, daughter of David W. Stevens, a leading farmer of the town of Dover, and a deacon in the Baptist Church. They have two children: (1) Eugene H., born in 1857, was educated at Grand Rapids, Mich., and Poughkeepsie, N. Y .. and is now a prosperous farmer. He married Miss Jennie Jones, daughter of John C. and Mary E. (Murton) Jones, of Port Washington, N. Y. Her father is a successful music teacher. They have four children: Bessie A., born in 1885; Jennie S., 1887: James B., 1890, and Franklin E., 1893. '2) Annie Martin was born in 1859, and, like her brother, was edu- cated at Grand Rapids and at Poughkeepsie. She married Theo Buckingham, a merchant of Dover, and son of llarvey and Eliza ( Ross) Buckingham. They have no children.

Mrs. James H. Martin is a member of the well-known Stevens family of the town of Dover. Her grandfather, Thomas Stevens, kept an inn at South Dover in the early days. He married Sarah Howard, and had seven children: Samuel was married three times; Edward married Amanda Hunt; William mar- i ried Hannah Hunt; Phobe was the wife of a

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Mr. Holloway; Sallie died at the age of seven- teen; Thomas did not marry; and David, who was born in Dover in 1798 and became a farmer there, married (first) Miss Nancy Ged- dings, and (second) Mrs. Lydia A. Camp. His first wife was a daughter of Hon. Gamaliel Geddings, a prominent farmer of Dover, and his wife, Eunice Barns. There were seven children by the first marriage: Orin, who married Ann Wheeler; Eliza, Mrs. Alice Ged- dings; Baldwin, who married Julia Dutcher; Hiram (1), who died in childhood; Mary, Mrs. Emery Cole; Sarah H., Mrs. Martin; and Hiram (2), who married Ann E. Camp.

U RIAH TEATOR, who in his lifetime was one of the most prominent agriculturists of the town of Milan, Dutchess county, resid- ing near Cokertown, was a native of that town, born March 26, 1825.

The first of the name in this country came from Holland, and passed some years in Dutch- ess county, settling later in Columbia county. where Philip Teator, our subject's grandfather, was probably born. He spent the most of his life there, following farming, but died in Dutchess county. He married Miss Friese, and reared a family of six children, of whom our subject's father was the eldest; Frederick J. and Robert were farmers in Wayne county, N. Y .; Catherine married Zachariah Pulver, a farmer in Columbia county; Maria married Philip Coon, a shoemaker in Milan. Of this family the only survivors are the two younger daughters.

Jacob P. Teator, our subject's father, was born in the town of Gallatin, Columbia coun- ty, and grew to manhood at the old farm there, learning the shoemaker's trade. For many years he was a farmer in Dutchess coun- ty, and died upon a farm in the town of Red Hook, where he had been one of the leading men in local affairs, commissioner of highways, and an active supporter of the Democratic party. His wife was Catherine Plass, a de- scendant of an old Holland family, and daugh- ter of Philip Plass, a well-known farmer of the town of Red Hook. Their first home was on a farm in the town of Milan, where they reared a family of seven children, our subject being the eldest; Margaret A. is the widow of Philip R. Boice, formerly a farmer; John N. is a car- penter in the town of Red Hook; Mary is the widow of Nicholas Holsapple, a farmer in the

town of Milan; Robert is a farmer in Red Hook: Catherine is unmarried; and Freeman is a farmer in the town of Red Hook.

Mr. Teator enjoyed the usual advantages of a country boy, and attended the district schools of Milan and Red Hook. In 1853 he married Miss Emeline Boice, a descendant of another Holland family, and daughter of Sim- con Boice, a leading farmer of Red Hook. For two years after their marriage the young couple lived upon a farm in the same locality, but for forty years thereafter they resided upon the present farm of 312 acres, which is de- voted to general farming, and is one of the finest estates in the vicinity. Eight children were born to them: Oliver is a farmer in the town of Red Hook; Douglas A. and Frederick J. are farmers in the town of Milan; Warren is employed in a factory in Columbia county; John S. is at home; Mary A. married Sylvanus Coon: Kate is the wife of Stewart Teator; and Esther married Sylvester Palmeteer. The Teator family have been connected with the Lutheran Church for generations, and the present representatives are among its most active supporters in this locality.

Politically Mr. Teator was a Democrat and an influential one. He served as justice of the peace for twelve years; in 1878 was elected township supervisor, and a vacancy occurring in 1885, he was appointed to the same office, for which his well-proved ability so well fitted him that he was re-elected for each succeeding term afterward. He died June 27, 1896, and was buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Red Hook.

L ESLIE A. SUTTON, M. D., a leading young physician and surgeon of the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county, was born June 10, 1866, upon the farm at Louisville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where his grandfa- ther, Benjamin Sutton, had located when a young man, the locality at that time being an unbroken wilderness. The latter was a native of England, and on landing in this country at once went to St. Lawrence county, where the remainder of his life was passed in clearing, developing and improving his farm, which was covered with a dense forest.

By his marriage with Miss Sarah Brunt, Benjamin Sutton had a family of seven chil- dren, as follows: (1) Henry is a fruit fariner of Minneapolis, Kans. (2) George L. received

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his education at Castleton, Vt., after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeon, New York City, where he graduated in 1860, and was then a surgeon in the army for four years; on leaving the service he came to the town of East Fishkill, Dutchess county, where he engaged in the practice of medicine up to his death, in the spring of 1889. (3) Benjamin was a farmer and drover in Louisville, St. Lawrence county. (4) William was a promi- nent lawyer of Kansas City, Mo., where his death occurred; he faithfully served through- out the Civil war, and filled many official posi- tions, including that of circuit judge. (5) Franklin J. (the father of our subject) was next in order of birth. (6) Sarah married Dan- iel Smith, a carpenter and ship-builder. (7) Webster laid down his life on the altar of his country during the war of the Rebellion.

Upon the old homestead Franklin J. Sutton was born. and was engaged in its operation until thirty-eight years of age, when he turned his attention to the cream and milk business, having five creameries, and doing an extensive business, which proved very profitable. In politics he was an ardent Republican. He married Miss Clarissa Shoen, also a native of Louisville, St. Lawrence county, and the daughter of Sheppard Shoen, who was born in Scotland, and was there married. To this union were born eight children, as follows: Franklin J., a farmer in St. Lawrence county; Guy' H., who is engaged in mining in Colorado; Sarah P., who became the wife of Rolf Wells, a fruit grower of California, and died in Feb- ruary, 1884; Lillian E., the wife of Herbert Bell, a carpenter and builder of Louisville, N. Y .; Leslie A., our subject; George L., a farm- er in Louisville, N. Y .; Elizabeth, wife of Nelson Tucker, a carpenter and builder; and Jennie, widow of Anson Wager, who was a merchant of Louisville. The mother of this family is still living. The father passed from earth in 1884.

Dr. Sutton spent his boyhood upon the home farm, attending the district schools until fifteen years of age, at which time he entered the Massena Academy, where he graduated with the class of 1883. The following two years were passed at the Ogdensburg Free Academy, and in April, 1886, he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. George L. Sutton, in the town of East Fishkill, Dutch- ess county. In the fall of that year he became a student in the College of Physicians and 54

Surgeons, New York City, but atter a year he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of the City of New York, graduating March 4, 1889. After receiving his degree he came to East Fishkill town, where he has since been successfully engaged in practice.

On March 26, 1890, Dr. Sutton was mar- ried to Miss Lillian E. Emans, a sister of Storm Emans, and they have one child, Leslic Emans, who was born May 1, 1893. The Doctor stands in the front rank of the medical fraternity of Dutchess county, is one of the examining sur- geons of the United States Pension Office, and for six years has been health officer of East Fishkill town. In social as well as in profes- sional circles he stands high, and he has many friends throughout the community. Like his father, his ballot is cast in support of the prin- ciples of the Republican party.

A LVA SHELLEY, a wealthy and public- spirited citizen, whose beautiful estate near Rock City, Dutchess county, is one of the finest in that vicinity, was born in the town of Milan, Dutchess county, March 27, 1852.

His family originated in Holland, his great- great-grandfather having come from that coun- try in Colonial times. His great-grandfather. Samuel Shelley, was born in America and was an early settler in Westchester county, where his descendants have since held a prominent place. His son, Joseph Shelley, our subject's grandfather, although a Quaker in faith, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Most of his life was spent in Westchester county, where he followed the shoemaker's trade, but he died in Columbia county. He married Miss Cole, by whom he had five children: Sarah, who married a fariner in Columbia county; Louisa, the wife of a carpenter in the same county ; Benjamin, our subject's father; Henry, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and is now a farmer in Kansas; and John W., who lost his life in defense of the Union.

Benjamin Shelley was born at the old homestead in Westchester county in 1834, but in early manhood came to Dutchess county and married Miss Phoebe Ireland, daughter of Isaac Ireland, a well-known farmer of the town of Clinton. Iler ancestors were also from Holland originally. After their marriage they settled upon a farm in the town of Milan, where they passed the remainder of their lives exemplifying in their daily conduct the simple

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faith of the Quakers, but not uniting with any Church. Mr. Shelley was a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but was not interested in partisan work. He died March 10, 1893, his wife passing away in 1855. They had three sons: Isaac, George and Alva, all of whom settled upon farms in the town of Milan, and two daughters-Phoebe and Arme- na, who died in childhood.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools near his father's home, and has always been identified with the interests of his native town. He lives npon a farm of 270 acres situated some three miles from Rock City, and has built there the finest dwelling house to be found in Milan township. His holdings in real estate are extensive in Dutch- ess county and elsewhere; in fact, he does not know exactly how much he does own, but esti- m'ates it roughly at " about 1500 acres." His fortune is largely invested in mortgages and similar securities, and he ranks as the wealthi- est man in the town. He is one of the promi- nent Republicans of his locality, and is a gen- erous contributor to every measure for local improvement and to religious and philanthropic movements, giving freely to all of the Churches of the neighborhood.

On March 13, 1887, Mr. Shelley married Miss Eliza Carroll, a native of Dutchess coun- ty, born March 30, 1870, and a daughter of Michael and Adelia Carroll, the former of whom is now deceased, the latter making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Shelley. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shelley: Alva, Phoebe A. and Ruth.

The grandfather of Mrs. Shelley is a large landowner in the town of Amenia, Dutchess county. The Carroll family is of Irish ex- traction.

J AMES O. PINGRY, M. D., a well-known and prominent physician of Millbrook, Dutchess county, was born in the village of Fishkill, July 21, 1843. The family is of En- glish descent, and the Doctor traces his ancestry back for seven generations, as follows: John F., his father, born in Newburyport, Mass., September 26, 1818. John, his father, was probably born in the same place. Then came Francis, Job, Aaron and Moses; the Doctor makes the seventh.

The grandfather of our subject, John Pin- gry, was a shoemaker by trade, and came from

Massachusetts to Fishkill, where he died. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Little, and had a family of four children: John F .; Julia MI., who died unmarried; Mary E., the wife of Richard Coffin; and Margaret A., who married the Rev. Charles M. Oakley.

John F. Pingry grew to manhood in New- buryport, Mass., and was a graduate of Dart- month College, and also of the Union Theo- logical Seminary of New York. He married Caroline, daughter of James Oakley, and a native of New York City. Her family was of English descent. After marriage the young couple settled at Fishkill village, where Mr. Pingry preached for four years. In 1846 he established a school in that place which he superintended until 1853, when he removed to Newark, N. J., where he was pastor of a church for seven years, and also carried on a school. He then removed to Elizabeth, N. J., where he taught until his death, February 16, 1894. His wife passed away October 4, 1856. Their children were five in number: James O., the subject of this sketch; John, who resides with his brother James; Frank K. is a civil engineer, and lives in Elizabeth, N. J. : Julia married Charles M. Schott, Jr .; and Mary E.

John F. Pingry was a prominent factor in the history of Dutchess county. He had as many as one hundred students under his in- struction at one time, and these included many who became influential citizens of the county. He was a man of fine tastes, high principles, and consistent life, and was greatly respected and esteemed in the different communities in which he lived. He was a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and politically affiliated with the Republicans.

James O. Pingry was ten years old when his parents removed from Fishkill to Newark, and eighteen when they went to Elizabeth. He was graduated from the University of New York in the Class of '62, and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, receiving his diploma from that institution in 1868. Ile practiced in Bellevue Hospital in New York City, until November 1, 1870, at which date he took up his residence in Millbrook, Dutch- ess county, where he has since made his home.

Dr. Pingry was married June 28, 1876, at Millbrook, to Ida L., daughter of R. G. Coffin, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume, and ten children have been born to

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them, eight of whom are living, namely: Julia, Lizzie, Caroline, John, Clarence, Van Wage- nen, James O , Jr., and Robert. The Doctor is a Republican, and has been a member of the school board for about four years. Socially he is a member of the Dutchess County Medi- cal Society, and of the Society of the Alumni of Bellevue Hospital; he also belongs to the Mill- brook Club of Millbrook, and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He is progressive and lib- eral in his views, and his opinions have weight with his fellow citizens. As a physician he ranks among the best, and his large practice testifies to the confidence felt in his knowledge and skill. He owns a handsome residence where he and his estimable wife dispense a most genial hospitality to their large circle of friends.

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Commemorative biographical record of Dutchess County, New York, Part 153

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