USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 75
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Solomon remained on the homestead ferm until he was 29 yeare old. He never attended school after he was twelve years old. Yet he had a good education, which he obtained by a close applica- tion to the best books and papers. He was a close observer and was well posted on all religious and political topics,-a men thoroughly well informed. He assisted his father in clearing off the forest and carrying on the farm. At the age of twenty-six years he was united in marriage with Mary Brann, daughter of John and Isabelle Brann. She was born in Orange County Novem- ber 10th, 1792. Three years after his marriage he bought e farm of " seventy acres in the village of Owasco and worked it about thirty years, when, in consequence of his inability to carry on business, he sold it to his son. with whom he resided till his death, which oc- curred March 24th, 1872.
He possessed estimable qualities of head and heart, which com- mended him to, and won for him, the confidence and esteem of his fe low citizens. He was a prominent man in bie town, in which he held the offices of supervisor three terms, postmaster, justice of the peace, assessor and commissioner of highways, performing the varied and responsible duties connected therewith with singular fidelity, strict integrity, and an efficiency which reflected much credit on his mental capacity and executive ability.
In politics Mr. Cnykendall was a Democrat. Ho was a man of strong religions convictions and a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, to which his wife elao belonged.
Polly C., wife of Solomon Coykendall, died December 17th, 1843, and was one of the seven who died within so short a period of the disease before referred to. She was prostrated upon a bed of languishing and death efter having watched for a fortnight, by day and night, at the sick bed of her husband and others of her family. and after all hed recovered or were coovalescing.
Mrs. Cuykendall was an excellent woman, and was actuated by motives of a high order in all the varied reletions of life. As a daughter she wasfilial, as a wife, affectionate ; as a mother. loving and devoted ; and as a neighbor. kind and charitable. She adorned her religions profession by a uniform, consistent. christian life. " The reality and depth of her piety were evinced in the deep and ahiding sense she bad of her sinfulness and urworthiness ; placing all her confidence for justification and eternal life in a crucified Savior. During her last illness she was unable to converse much with her friends, but was enabled to express her meek submission to the will of her Heavenly Father and a joyful hope of eternal blessedness through the blood of her blessed Redeemer."
Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Cuykendall hed three children .- sons, viz: Martin S., who was born November #2d. 1816, married Ellen Brink- erhoff of Niles, January 29th. 1838, by whom he hed one san, (Mar- tin S , horn November 21st, 1838.) and died May 21et, 1838 ; John B .. who is naw living in Owasco, was born December 17th, 1818, and married Sarah Cole of Locke, March 15th, 1849. hy whom he has two children, William Titus, born December 12th, 1849, and Mary B., horn March 25th, 1854 ; and William B., now liviog io Plymouth, Olio, who was born July 3d, 1828, married Adelaide (). Tompkins of Owasco, February 4th, 1852, by whom he had three children, all of whom are dead.
383
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
outlet, form the west boundary. It is bounded on the north by Sennett, on the east by the town of Skaneateles in Onondaga county, and on the south by the town of Niles.
The surface is rolling, and has an inclination toward the north-west. It ascends gradually from the lake, above which the highest elevations are about five hundred feet. Aside from the lake and its outlet its waters are inconsiderable. Two small streams drain it and empty into the lake. The principal one is Owasco Creek or Dutch Hollow Brook, which enters the town in the south-east corner, by two branches, and flows in a north-westerly direction across the south part. Miller's Brook, in the north part, rises near the east border of the town and flows in a north- westerly direction to near the north line, when it deflects to the west and again to the south, dis- charging its waters at the foot of the lake.
The soil is of excellent quality, rich and fer- tile. Clay predominates along the lake ; clayey loam intermixed with sand in the central portions, and muck in the east.
The population of the town in 1875 was 1,286 ; of whom 1,100 were native ; 186 foreign ; 1,259 white; and 27 colored. Its area was 13, 262 acres ; of which 11,112 were improved ; 1,606 woodland ; and 544 otherwise unimproved.
The first settlement in Owasco was made in 1792, ten years prior to the organization of the town, when it formed a part of the old military township of Aurelius. The pioneers were Samuel and Benjamin DePuy and Moses Cortright, from Orange county, Jacob and Roeliff Brinkerhoff, from Harrisburg, Penn., and Cornelius Delama- ter, all of whom settled in that year. Samuel DePuy located where J. N. Chamberlain now lives, on lot 86, two and a half miles north-west of Owasco, where he lived till his death, about 1821. His children are all dead, likewise most of his grand-children. Benjamin DePuy settled in the north-east part of the town, on what is known as the Decker farm, which is now occu- pied by Michael Welch, and on which he died. Cortright settled on lot 76, about two and a half miles north-west of Owasco, where Cyrus Baker now lives, and where he died. His children are all dead. Some of his grand-children are living, but none of them in this town. The Brinkerhoffs came in company with their brothers, James and George, the latter of whom was a minister of the 65-2
Dutch Reformed Church, and both of whom set- tled in Niles. Jacob settled on lot 84, and died there ; and Roeliff, on the farm joining his on the north, where he also died. John I., a son of Jacob, and the only one of his children living, and Jacob, a grandson, now occupy the old home- stead. Roeliff's homestead and a part of the farm is owned by the heirs of Henry VanEtten. A part of the farm is owned by David Brinker- hoff, a grandson. None of Roeliff's children are living. Cornelius Delamater settled in Owasco village, or on the site of the village, where he is believed to have been the first settler. He kept there, in 1800, the first tavern, which stood near the site of the present one. He left the town at an early day.
Samuel Gumaer came in from Orange county soon after the DePuys, and married a daughter of Samuel DePuy. He settled on lot 72, where the widow of Harvey Gumaer, his son, now lives. He died there about 1836 or '7. James, another son, is living in Cato, and Samuel, in the west edge of Skaneateles.
Hon. Elijah Price came in from Rensselaer county in 1794, with his wife and family, (having married Beulah Howard in Stephentown in that county, January 18th, 1781,) and settled near Baptist Corners. His loghouse stood on the site of John Stoner's brick house. He took up a large tract of land in that locality, including that on which the church stands. He served in the militia of this State and Pennsylvania from 1781 to the close of the war, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was foreman of the grand-jury which indicted Indian John at Aurora for murder. He was a Member of the Assembly in 1808, and was elected with refer- ence to the location of the County seat at Au- burn, in securing which he was instrumental. He died in Owasco, December 13th, 1820. Al- exander Price, his son, was a Major in the war of 1812, and was made prisoner at Lundy's Lane. William, another son, was a lawyer. He studied with Daniel Kellogg of Skaneateles, and was ad- mitted in the same class as Freeborn G. Jewett, of that village. He had four other children, all of whom are dead. Among his grand-children are, Dr. Elijah Price Baker of Aurora ; E. Dar- win Baker, a graduate of Yale College, who was State Engineer in Louisiana at the breaking out of the late war, and who is now a civil engineer
384
TOWN OF OWASCO.
in Alabama ; and Abel W. Baker, a farmer in Niles.
Col. Henry Austin came in 1795, and quar- tered with Elijah Price's family till he could put up a log house, which stood on the site of the present brick residence of his son, John Austin, where he died. One other son is living, viz : Deacon Warren Austin of Skaneateles. John Austin has held the office of Supervisor in this town. The family is highly respected in the community.
David Bevier was one of the earliest settlers. He erected the first grist-mill in the town in 1798. It stood on lot 85, on Owasco Creek, which furnished the motive power.
Squire Martin Cuykendall came in from Or- ange county, about the beginning of the present century, and settled about a quarter of a mile north of Owasco village, where his grandson, George Cuykendall, now lives, and where he died about the winter of 1843. One daughter, Cath- arine, is living in Elmira, and is the only one of his children living.
Elijah Devoe settled as early as 1808, on lot 85, opposite to where David Brinkerhoff now lives. A man named Barry occupies the old homestead. He died in Auburn, while living with his daughter, Cornelia, who is now residing in New York City. Two sons are living, Thomas, in Auburn, and Manuel Gunsalus, in Owasco.
Daniel Ennis and Samuel Hoornbeck, from Orange county, and Walter and Timothy Strong, brothers, came in prior to 1812. Mr. Ennis set- tled on lot 99, where Wm. L. Noyes, Member of Assembly from this town, now lives, and died there between 1830 and '40. Mr. Hoornbeck settled on lot 92, on the place now occupied by Wm. Wilson, who married his grand-daughter. He died there, and his children are all dead. The Messrs. Strong settled at Owasco village, where one of them built and kept the present tavern. Walter removed to Ohio about 1840, and died there. His son Elijah is still living there. An- other son, Dr. D. O. Strong, is living in Dela- ware.
Eliphalet Patee, who was born in Pawlet, Vt., June 24th, 1789, and came to Moravia with his father in 1802, married in 1812, and settled on lot 60, near the north line of this town, on the place on which he died March 5th, 1877. His daughter,
Elizabeth Patee, now lives on the old homestead, together with her sister, Mrs. Simpson. One other daughter, Mrs. Howard, is living in Syra- cuse.
Simeon Swartwout came in from Orange county in 18:3, and settled where his son, Daniel Swart- wout, now lives, four miles north-west of Owasco village. He came with his wife and a colored boy, though the latter was not a slave. As late as 1820, however, there were not less than six- teen slaves and eight free negroes in this town, out of a population of 1,290 ; of whom 251 were farmers, 73 mechanics, and one trader. Mr. Swartwout continued his residence here till his death, which occurred in the summer of 1867, while visiting his son Peter, near Marshall, Cal- houn county, Michigan. His remains were brought here and interred in the town cemetery. Three other children are living besides Daniel and Peter, viz : James in Sterling, and Sally, wife of J. N. Chamberlain, and Margaret, wife of David Brinkerhoff, in Owasco.
Daniel Miller and his sons Lewis, Adam and John, settled at an early day where Adam and John now reside, on lot 59, in the north part of the town. Daniel died on the homestead, where the widow of Lewis now lives.
TOWN OFFICERS .- Unfortunately the early records of the town have not been preserved ; hence we are unable to give the names of the first town officers. The present officers (1878) are as follows :
Supervisor-Wm. L. Noyes.
Clerk-Adelbert Chamberlain.
Fustices-Samuel B. Noyes, Adam Welty, Geo. Seeley and Chas. F. Church.
Commissioner of Highways-Richard A. Wal- lace.
Assessors-J. N. Chamberlain, John Sarr and Adam Welty.
Collector-Alfred Gere.
Constables-B. L. Tompkins, Edward Bench, Orrin P. Howland and Elisha Terwilliger.
Overseers of the Poor-Ellis Meaker and Jesse Davis.
Inspectors of Election - Josiah Brinkerhoff, Charles T. Brown and Dennis Ames.
Excise Commissioners-Wm. R. Reed and S. S. Woodworth.
Game Constable-Daniel Swartwout.
[Photo by S. Hall Morris.]
PAVID CHAMBERLAIN.
JAMES CHAMBERLAIN.
" NINIAN AND ELIZABETH [EWING] CHAMBERLAIN, the progenitors Df the family by that name in Cayuga County, were natives of Adams County, Pa . where the former was horn October 1st. 1751, and the latter, in 1768. They were married July 5th. 1789, and pursued the vocation of farmera. They enjoyed fair scholastic advantages, such as the schools of that period afforded.
Ninian Chamberlain was employed in the Continental army dnr- ing the war of the Revolution as naster of transportation, and shared in all the vicissitudes and hardships so nobly borne in the struggle for independence. His brother James was a Colonel in the same army. Both had the pleasure of meeting and knowing George Washington, about whom they related many interesting incidents to their children, which show how familiar they were with the triumphs and disasters that fell to the lot of that noble army.
After the close of the war Ninian resnmed his occupation of farming. In 1807 he came to Cayuga County and settled on lot 8 in in the town of Niles, which then formed a part of Sempronius, on 325 acres purchased of Lucas Elmendorf, of Albany. N. Y., for $5.50 per acre. The entire region was then an almost unbroken wilder- ness. With a stout heart and resolnte purpose he, with the aid Df his sons, commenced the work of snbduing the giant forest trees, and at the expiration of twelve years had many acres around his rude log dwelling covered with wheat, oats and corn. A generous reward for the labor and privation of the previous toilsome years was being realized ; but the title to his land proved defective and he. like many others who early settled upon the Military Tract. was suddenly deprived of this rich frnitage. This blow was very disheartening. but, with the aid of his many children still remain- ing at home, he set to work to retrieve the loss resulting from his misfortune. He again bought a portion of the land he had already thrice earned, and, by the united efforts of himself and children, supported and encouraged by an abiding trust in the Covenanters' faith, with the blessing of Almighty God and the maintenance of a strict integrity, their early losses have proved to be the seeds of good fortune, and in the harveste of many years their earthly store has heen largely increased. Upon this site of their pioneer labors and misfortunes these pious parents lived many years, enjoying every needed comfort.
Mr. Chamberlain was a modest and consistent man in all the affairs of life. He waa kind and charitable to the unfortunate poor, and was never appealed to in vain for his assistance In aid of worthy objects. He was an honored and upright member of the Reformed Church in Owasco village, then a mere hamlet. He gave of his means in aid of the construction of the house of worship erected by that society in 1813-'15. In politics he was a Whig, and
although he was never an aspirant for public honor and trust, he advocated the principles of his party with earnestness and zeal. During his life he was entrusted with the settlement of many estates, and his opinion was frequently sought by those who needed counsel and advice. These facts suffice to show that he was respected and esteemed by those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. His wife was a worthy helpmate, and it was owing in great measure to her assistance and enconragement, extended in his hours of need and distress, that he bore up under the mis- fortune consequent upon the loss of his farm. She was a kind and affectionate wife and loving mother, and the nobility of character displayed by her children Inliy attest that her mufluence for good was not lost. She was a member of the same church as her husband, both joining by letter at the same time. Ninian died December 20th, 1833, aged 82 years, and his wife, March 15th. 1855, aged 87 years. All his children were present at the funeral of the former, and all, except one, who had passed on before, at that of the latter.
They reared to lives of usefulness and honor a family of thirteen children. seven sons and six daughters, four of whom are living, two sons and two daughters. Their names are given in the order of their birth : Samuel, born March 16th, 1788, married Mercy Cotton of Onondaga County, December 27th, 1814, and died Novem- ber 1st. 1865 : Margery, born May 28th, 1789, married George Rippey of Seneca, Ontario County, May 10th, 1812, and died January 3d, 1870 ; Jeremiah, born August 24th, 1790, died unmarried December 30th, 1862; John, born September 1st, 1792, married Mary Ann North of Tompkins Connty, N. Y., January 7th, 1817, and after her death, married Elvira Baldwin of Tompkins County, N. Y., in May, 1855, died September 3d, 1874 : Rachel, born October 25th, 1794, married John Rippey of Seneca, Ontario County, N. Y., February 4th, 1818, died April 16th, 1850 ; James, born January 10th, 1797, still living, unmarried, aged 82 years, and a portrait of whom appears on this page of the work ; Robert, born March 11th, 1799, died unmarried June 12th, 1867; Betsey, born June 23d, 1801, married Robert Knox of Scipio, Cayuga County, November 9th, 1830, died December 16th, 1875 ; Sally. twin sister to Betsey, born June 23d, 1801, married David Wilson of Niles, Caynga County, May 4th, 1818, died October 23d, 1856 ; David, born May 16th, 1803, married Eliza Smith, of Nelson, Madison County, N. Y., September 4th, 1828, is still living in the town of Niles, and a portrait of whom appears on this page ; Polly, born October 30th, 1805, still living, unmarried, and a portrait of whom appears on the opposite page ; Hamilton, born April 22d, 1808, died unmarried November 24th, 1872; and Margaret, born November 22d, 1810, is still living unmarried, and a portrait of whom appears on the opposite page of this work.
MARGARET CHAMBERLAIN,
POLLY CHAMBERLAIN.
PR ABEL BAKER.
DR. ABEL BAKER was born in Pelham, Mass., June 17th, 1789. He was the fourth of a family of ten children of Lewis and Lois [Walker] Baker, natives, the former of Barnstable, Mass., where he was born December 28th, 1761, son of Isaac and Rebecca [Lewis] Baker, and the latter of Hardwick, Mass., where she was born October 18th, 1766, daughter of Abel and Lois [Reed] Walker.
His parents moved from Massachusetts and settled in Camillus, now Marcellus, Onondaga county, in 1808, where his father died in 1834 on the farm on which he first settled. His mother moved to Wisconsin after the death of her hus- band, where she died about 1849.
At the age of ten years Abel went to live with his grand- father, Abel Walker, where he received the impress of his energetic character, which was so conspicuous in all his acts in after life, and with whom he remained until 1807, at which time he was taken into the employ of John W. Stiles, a mer- chant of Templeton, Mass., with whom he remained nntil May 7th, 1811. He then joined his parents in Marcellus and commenced the study of medicine, teaching school in the meantime and attending medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, N. Y., in the years 1814 and 1815.
He was licensed by the Censors of the Medical Society of the county of Onondaga May 19th, 1815, about which time he went into copartnership with Dr. Roland Sears, of Nor- way, Herkimer county, with whom he remained until Sep- tember 3d, 1816.
He was made a member of the Fairfield Medical Society of the Western District of New York September 5th, 1816.
Leaving Norway he went to New Vernon, now Owasco vil- lage, Caynga County, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and' his books show that he made the first charge the 18th September, 1810, for professional services. Here he resided until 1821, when he removed to Kelloggsville, town of Sempronius, now Niles, and remained there in the prac- tice of medicine until 1828, when he returned to Owasco and bought ont Day Otis Kellogg, at that time a merchant in the village. He then engaged in a general merchandising business, buying and shipping grain, pork, &c., in connection with his professional duties ; but it was not long before his practice became so extensive that he was obliged to give up his mercantile pursuits. He was made a member of the Cayuga Co. Medical Society, June 5th, 1845.
The medical profession is not wanting in examples of activ- ity, benevolence and courage, and in all these things Dr. Baker
shone conspicuously. His characteristics as a practitioner will not soon be forgotten. Though battered and infirm to a degree that with most men would have negatived all attempts at practice he went wherever it was possible for man to go- went with or without pay-went regardless of danger. He carried his patients to the throne of grace and gave no medi- cine for the success of which he had not prayed.
He was seventy-three years of age, and the very great ex- penditure of nervous energy in a life of incessant activity and varied exposure, had told severely upon his constitution. He knew and informed his family that he was near to death. But his prayer and resolve alike were to die with the harness on. In the course of his practice, he had seen so many per- sons become bed-ridden. through lack of determination, that he even erred in the opposite direction. On the 21st of March, 1862, he remained in attendance on a critical case, contrary to the advice and entreaty of his friend, Matthew Bevier, M. D., until 10 o'clock in the evening. The next morning at six o'clock, he was found in his bed insensible and at the point of death.
In 1841 he united with the M. E. Church in Owasco and was an active and zealous member of the same until his death. In 1848, chiefly through his great energy, unspar- ingly expended, the young and struggling Church was pro- vided with a suitable edifice for public worship.
On the 23d day of April, 1818, he was married to Aurora Price, who was born in 1795, and was the daughter of the Hon. Elijah Price, who settled in Owasco in the year 1794. She united with the Baptist Church at Kelloggs- ville in 1821. Elder Moore, her pastor at the time of her death, which occurred June 11th, 1827, says of her : "From her youth she grew up in the habits of industry and virtne ; mild and amiable in her manners; her temper of mind was noble and animating; her conversation, without a cold reserve, was engaging, decisive and free."
The result of this union was three sons, as follows: Elijah Price, who was born at Owasco June 12th, 1819, now a prac- ticing physician in Aurora, N. Y.
Abel Walker, born at Kelloggsville May 9th, 1821, now a farmer, residing near the village of Owasco.
Erasmus Darwin; born at Kelloggsville June 17th, 1823, a civil engineer, now residing in Alabama.
Dr. Baker was married a second time October 25th, 1831, to Laura Bailey, who died October 19th, 1836; and a third time September 28th, 1841, to Udolphia Osborne, who died November 25th, 1843.
385
OWASCO VILLAGE.
OWASCO VILLAGE.
OwASCO is situated in the south-east corner of the town, eight and one-half miles south-east of Auburn, and about the same distance from Skaneateles. It contains two churches, (Re- formed and Methodist Episcopal,) a very fine brick district school-house, which is a credit to the village, three stores, one hotel, (not at pres- ent used as such,) two blacksmith shops, kept by DeWitt Bros. and George Brokaw and Dwight Covert, and two wagon shops, kept by DeWitt Bros. and John Mathers.
MERCHANTS .- The first store was kept by James Burrows. He probably did business but a short time, as very little is known of him by the present inhabitants. Stepben Childs opened a store about 1812 or '13, in the building now occupied by Ellis Meaker, which was erected by him about that time, with the exception of some fourteen feet, which have since been added to its length. He did business till soon after the close of the war and failed. William and John Fuller came in from Kelloggsville and opened a store in the same building about 1817 or '18. John died about a year after, and about 1825 or '6, William Titus, who had carried on business some two years previous to that time, in the store now occupied by Dor Heald, which was built for a com- munity store about 1820, but never used as such, owing to quarrels among the parties interested, became interested in the business with William Fuller, whose interest he seems to have subse- quently acquired. Titus sold about 1832 to Uriel Mosher, from Montville, who remained till about 1837, when he was succeeded by John Cuykendall and Price Baker, both natives of the town, who did business about two years.
The building erected for a community store was first occupied by Day Kellogg, soon after its completion, some four or five years. He was succeeded in April, 1828, by Dr. Abel Baker, who kept it a few years. Richard Brownell next kept it four or five years, and removed to Genoa, where he died a few years since. He was suc- ceeded by Nelson Brown and Henry Hunsicker, who kept it till about 1838, when they dissolved, Brown taking the goods and removing with them to Moravia, where he died a few years after, and Hunsicker, the store.
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