History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 59

Author: Hardin, George Anson, 1832-1900, ed; Willard, F. H. (Frank Hallett), b. 1852, joint ed
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1028

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Coe, Henry R., Middleville, came from Connecticut with his wife, Lydia, a daughter of Thomas J. Sturgis, about the year 1837. Their children were as follows: IIelen Alexander, wife of Ilerman Alexander; Louise, wife of James Morris ; and Albert S., all residents of Middleville. Ile worked for Smith & Stow as foreman in their chair factory for a number of years, when he purchased an interest in same, which he con- tinued until his death, May 2, 1875. He was an active Democrat, and held the office of justice of the peace. His wife is still living at the age of seventy-five years. ITis son, Albert S., was educated in the school at Middleville, and at the age of fifteen en- tered the employ of V. S. Kenyon as clerk, continuing for two years. Ile then bought a half interest in the chair manufactory of his father, which he continued until the lat- ter's death. In 1887 he commenced the retail furniture business, also undertaking, which he has since followed. He married, February 25, 1875, Ida L., danghter of Anson and Lanra Morey. She died in May, 1882, and he married second, Ilattie ('ros- sett, by whom he had five children : Lena L., May E., Bessie, Charlie, who died De- cember 19, 1891, aged two years and four months ; and Hazel. Mr. Coe is a Democrat, having been justice of the peace and justice of sessions, which latter position: he now holds. Ile was charter member of the Royal Arcanum Council 1335, of which he has been treasurer since its organization

Collins. Dennis, grocer, of Little Falls, is a native of Ireland, but came to Amer- ica in 1848 when quite young, and his life affords a fine example of the success that inevitably results from the union of ability and honorable methods. He began life as a clerk, and now owns the fine Collins block opposite the Metropolitan Hotel, and

FAMILY SKETCHES.

the block in which Pepper's and Williams' stores are located, besides bank stock and stock in the Superior Furnace Company. He began his present business in 1867. In 1865 he was town collector. In 1968 he married Margaret Ilearn, and they have six children. Mr. Collins is treasurer of the Little Falls branch of the Irish National League and is a Republican in politics.

Cloyes, Anson G., Frankfort, was born in Frankfort August 3, 1844, he being one of eight children of Silas and Abigail W. (Brown) Cloyes. His grandfather was Luther Cloyes, who was born in Framingham, Mass., and settled here in early life. Anson G., the youngest son, married in 1869, Adelia N. Harvey, by whom he had five children : Jessie E. (deceased), Gilbert S., Ada L .. Homer E. and Bessie M. (deceased) ; the mother died when they were young. He later married Mary E. Fish of Utica, by whom he has one son. Mr. Cloyes is an enterprising farmer, his faim buildings being notable for their size, number and convenience, one barn being 119 x 45 feet. He has recently built a horse barn 60 x 40 feet with all the modern conveniences, an ice house with a capacity of 200 tons, a tool honse 36 x 22 feet, a piggery 25 x 20 feet, a poultry house, etc. He has a dairy of fifty cows, producing on the average 300 lbs. of butter per week. A fine creamery is soon to be built. His farm consists of 275 acres, which is beautifully situated, overlooking the city of I tica and commanding an extended view of the Mohawk and Sauquoit valleys.

Cunningham, Daniel F., Little Falls, one of the youngest but most enterprising busi- ness men of Little Falls, is a native of Ireland, but has been in America since 1881, and during these eleven years he has been wonderfully prosperous, the result of enterprise, industry and superior abilities. His business in groceries, shoes and meats occupies three stores on Ann street, and is fully stocked. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Hibernian Society, and is a prominent Democrat, having been secretary of the local organization here. In October, 1887. he married Jennie McGurt, of Little Falls. He is highly regarded in the social and commercial circles of Little Falls.

Chester, John, Little Falls, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Early in life he was a flour miller, serving as foreman in the Buxburn Flouring Mills of Aberdeen. He eame to this country when twenty-three years of age and engaged in paper-making in Little Falls. After seven years he left this business to engage with the Saxony Knit- ting Company, with whom he remained twenty-one years, holding the position of overseer of spinning. On June 23, 1892, he left the mill and bought his present meat and provision business. Mr. Chester is a Mason, Knight of Honor, etc. He is now member of the board of education for some time, and has served the village as trustee. He is also a stockholder and member of the Little Falls Co-operative Association. His wife was Margaret Byron of Little Falls, by whom he has had twelve children, eight of whom are living.

Casler, B. P., Little Falls, althoughi a young man, is one of the leading merchants of Little Falls. He is a native of this town, and ever since the age of thirteen has been connected with the dry goods business. He was with Burch & Co. for eight years, and then formed a partnership with J. H. Casler six years ago. Their business is one

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

of the largest and best in the place. Mr. Casler is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Red Men and Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. The Casler family is one of the oldest and best known in Her- kimer county, several of the Caslers of a century ago having taken a prominent part in the Revolution. Mr. Casler married Anna L. Chester of this town.

Casler, Philo W., Little Falls, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. He received his educa- tion in the Polytechnic Institution there, and in 1873 started a produce business in New York city. After five years successful operations in this line he came to Little Falls and inaugurated his extensive brickyards and lumber business, in which he furn - ished constant employment to about twenty-five hands and five teams. Mr. Casler was elected master of the County Grange in January of this present year. He lives on a valuable farm one and a half miles south of the village. Mr. Casler's wife was Miss Martha Ifopson, of Salisbury Center, by whom he has had two children.

Clive, Stephen, German Flats, was born in Birmingham, Eng., June 20, 1840. He came to America in 1863. In 1852 he began to learn barrel making and was a master mechanic in this line when he cante to this country. Ile started to work in this coun- try in Trenton, but went to Yonkers in 1864 to make carbines for the government. He next went to work in New York in sporting goods; then to the Winchester Arms Company, and finally came to the Remington Aimory in June, 1867. lle contracts for boring and straightening the gun barrels. Mr. Clive is a prominent Mason. In 1858 he married Catharine Jones and they have three children. Mrs. C. A. Hollenbeck, Albert A. and Alice M. Clive, having lost two grown up sons, Gilbert E. in 1890 and Stephen A. in 1891. Mr. Clive's father was Stephen Clive and his grandfather was Benjamin Chve, one of four brothers, leading gun makers of Birmingham, Eng. Mr. Clive was the first person of his name to settle in America.

Cunningham, Thomas, Mohawk, was born in New York city June 7, 1829, and has been a resident of Mohawk since 1834, then called Bennett's Corners, He has been engaged in the mercantile business all his life up to 1889, when he was appointed post- master of Mohawk by President Harrison. He is a Mason, a member of Utica Com- mandery, and an elder in the Reformed church. He is also a member of the Oneida Historical Society and the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society of New York. He was married in 1856 to Miss Celestia E. Chase, of Mohawk. They have had five children ; four are living, three daughters and one son : Mrs. M. J. Wight- man, Margaret A., Katharine C., and Andrew D., the latter of whom is a civil engineer. Hle is a graduate from the United States Naval School at Annapolis, Md., and the Troy Polytechnic. Mr. Cunningham is quite an antiquarian and has a valuable collec- tion.

Coffin, E. J., Little Falls, attorney at law. was born in Herkimer, of English and Irish parentage, in 1847. He received his education at Whitestown Academy. After graduation he took a short course in engineering, and in this capacity assisted in the Morristown extension of the Utica and Black River Railroad. After the completion of this road he entered the law office of Hon. A. M. Mills of Herkimer. He was ad-

FAMILY SKETCHES.

mitted to the bar June 13, 1879. He then entered the office of Judge Hardin, justice of the Supreme Court, with whom he remained three years, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He has served one term as corporation attorney of the village of Little Falls.

Cary, John L., German Flats was born in 1830 and has lived in Mohawk forty vears. He was for many years a heavy shipper of grain from Buffalo to New York. When thirty-eight years of age he married Miss Mary Kirkland, and they have three sons, Samuel, assistant superintendent of the Erie canal for Herkimer county ; Charles Floyd, mail clerk on the New York Central; and George B, who lives in Chicago. Mr. Cary's father, Samuel, was a native of Oneidla county and his grandfather also Samuel, came from New Hampshire.

Cronkbite, Cornelius, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Dutchess county, N, Y., in 1786, and purchased for one hundred pounds a tract of land from the Abraham Lansing patent. He lived here improving his land and following agricultural pursuits until his death. He was the father of six children, three sons and three daughters. Ile was succeeded by his two sons, Henry C. Cronkhite and John C. Cronkhite, Henry C. Cronkhite, the father of James HI. Cronkhite, receiving for Ins share 109 acres, to which he added 18 acres. Henry C. was drafted in the war of 1812 and served by sending a substitute in Sackett's Harkor. James H. C-onkhite was born February 11, 1823, and succeeded to 127 acres of land, to which he has added 75 acres of beautiful dairy land adjacent to the village of Minden. He married Miss Margaret Moyer of this town and they have had three children, two of whom survive, one son and one daughter. Mr. Cronkhite has served twenty-one years successively as justice of the peace. At the present writing he has retired from active agricultural pursuits.

Carden, Frank E, Little Falls, was born in Little Falls, December 5, 1866. He re- ceived a good education, after which he clerked for several years and railroaded. On March 15, 1889, he and his brother, Harry Carden, bought ont the bottling establish :- ment of Smith & Collins, since which time they have most successfully conducted the business under the firm name of Carden Brothers. They are equal owners in the es- tablishment, and are both energetic and enterprising young business men. They em- ploy men and run teams and deliver the bottled goods all over Herkimer county.

Cole, Gilbert, farmer of Fairfield, is a native of this town and has lived here all his life. He owns a farm of eighty-eight acres. He married Miss Mary E. Huyck of Fairfield, at the age of mineteen, and has one son, Mr. Duane Cole, who is also married and has one child. His wife was Miss Mary Irving, of Toronto, Ont. Mr. Cole is sixty-seven years of age, but is still an active man, bothi mentally and physically. He has been postmaster for many years and is a prominent Democrat.

Comstock, F. F., M. D., German Flats, is a native of Oneida county and was born May, 14, 1849. He studied medicine in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city, and graduated in 1873. In 1876 he opened his office in Ilion. He is a member of the Herkimer County Medical Society and a Mason. He has been health

IHISTORY OF HIERKIMER COUNTY.

officer of Ilion and is a strong Democrat. In 1874 Doctor Comstock married Miss Alice J. Brand and they have a family of three sons.

Schal, Daniel, Starkville, was born in Danube, April 16, 1814, a son of Wilhelmas and Eve (Kneaskarn) Schall. The grandfather of Daniel came from Germany prior to the Revolution, and settled at what is now Mindonville, Montgomery county. He was killed in the Revolutionary War, and left one son and three daughters. Subject's father was born in Manheim, June 18, 1769, and died September 29, 1826. He was a farmer and tailor by trade. His first wife was born in Minden, June 18. 1775. Her father was killed in the Revolution. She had fifteen children, thirteen of whom sur- vived : Leah, Nancy, Catharine, John, Peter, William, Jacob, David, Henry, Eve, Daniel, Jonas and Mariah. Daniel had a common school education, and has earned his own living since his father's death. At fifteen he began tailor's trade. In 1834 he, with his brother, established business at Starkville. About 1882 he retired from busi- ness. In 1851 was elected to the Legislature as a Free Soil Democrat. He was one of the original Republicans and served as supervisor; also held the office of postmas- ter from May 5 1862, to July 17, 1877 ; during the war was one of the active workers in seeing that his town furnished her quota of men for the army. He was twice mar- ried first to Cornelia, daughter of William and Polly (Davis) Gibson. His wife died June 11, 1883. His second wife was Cora W .. daughter of Richard and Lucinda (Smith) Wilson. They had one child, Dan W., born May 31, 1887, died Jar uary 9, 1889. Mr. Schall is a Universalist and his wife a Methodist. She was born at Her- kimer.

Miller, Dr. Adam, Jordanville, was born in Columbia, May 21, 1819, a son of William J. and Nancy ( laner) Miller. The grandfather, John A., was a son of Andrew, who came from Germany and settled in Rensselaer county, in colonial days. Ile was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. He was the first man buried in Columbia church yard. His son, John, was born in Rensselaer county, and was a pi neer of Columbia, where he lived and died in 1842. Ilis wife was Dorothy Carner. Their children were : Andrew John, William J., Christopher, Jacob, Susan, Barringer, Naney, Chamberlain and Catharine. William J. was born in Columbia in September, 1796, where he re- sided until his eightieth year. He was captain of militia, and served as supervisor. Ilis wife died in her eighty-eighth year. She was born in Columbia, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kenter) Ilaner, pioneers of Columbia, Subject was one of ten children : Adam, John, who died aged nineteen : Jacob W., Philip, William, Mary E., Cornelia, Caroline, Catharine and Melinda. Dr. Miller was raised on a farm, received a distriet and select school education, and at nineteen began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles H. Easton. lle graduated from Geneva Medical College in January, 1844, and located in Jordanville, where he has practiced ever since. He also attended a course at the University of the City of New York, 1854-5, and has been the only phy- sician in this town until 1881. He has been a member of the Herkimer Medical So- ciety since 1844, and has served as its secretary, and also as school superintendent of Warren in 1850-52. He is a Democrat and was postmaster from 1853 to 1861, and takes an active interest in polities. He was assistant surgeon of the State militia in

FAMILY SKETCHES.

1843, and in 1844 was appointed surgeon by Governor Bock, and was appointed act- ing assistant surgeon in the Government Hospital, near Alexandria, Va., in 1862, which he held until si kness compelled him to return home. In January. 1463, he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-second New York Volunteers and nine months later resigned on account of failing health. He is a member of F. and A. M. and has been twice married, first to Mary Ann, daughter of Warren Mack, of Herkimer. His wife died in 1875. She was an active member of the M. E church. His second wife was Mary A. Vining.

Smith, Alexander, Stark, one of the representative citizens of Stark, was born May 22, 1823, where he now resides, a son of Martin aud Elizabeth (Nicholson) Smith. The grandfather, Andrew, was a son of Johanah Smith, who was a native of Germany and came to this country during the French and Indian wars as a soldier. After the war he settled in Albany county prior to the Revolution, and came to this county about 1788, where he built the first farm house in Starkville ( where subject now resides). IIe married Margaret Basinger, by whom he had these children: Elizabeth, Catharine, Dolly, Mariah, Frederich, Susan, Christina, Abram, John and Andrew. Johanah Smith and wife were Lutherans. Andrew Smith, the grandfather, was born July 2, 1762, in Heldeberg, Albany county, and in 1798 bought out the other heirs and hell the home- stead, where he died in October, 1848. His wife was Magdalina Betsinger. She had a sister who was captured by the Indians in 1781 and carried to Canada, where she mar- ried an Indian chief, and afterwards when asked to return home preferred to remain with her adopted people. Andrew and wife had four children : Della, Lana, Margaret and Martin. The latter was born March 8, 1791, where his son now resides, and died here September 28, 1859. His wife was born February 2, 1798, and died August 11, 1864, and they had eight children : Lucinda. Iulia A., Alexander, Almeda, Adaline. Almira, Martha and Rozeltha. Alexander received a district school education and owns the old homestead, where he has always res ded. He served as supervisor three terms, besides other town offices. In 1870 he was elected sheriff on the Republican ticket. In 1844 he voted for Polk; in 1848 he became a Free Soiler. and in 1856 was a Repub- lican. July 9, 1877. he was appointed postmaster at Starkville, where he remained in the same position many years. He is a leader in town affairs. January 1, 1850, he married Martha, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Mount) Hall. Ile has been a lead- ing Mason since 1857 and belongs to Utica Commandery No. 3. He was one of the organizers of Starkville cheese factory.

Burpee, Nathaniel, Litchfield, one of the cariy settlers of Frankfort Hill, was one of the sons of Moses Burpee, sr., of Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Hle was born January 1. 1766. He emigrated to this region about 1790, and worked for some years for those that wanted help in clearing their land, as it was nearly all a wilderness at that time. In 1795 he married Merab Smith, who was born in Cheshire, Conn., May 2, 1770. In January, 1797, he bought of Oliver Prescott (grandfather of the late Judge A. II. Pres- cott, of Herkimer,) 102 acres of land in Whitestown, Herkimer county, (now Frank- fort) for 61 pounds and 4 shillings. Here they spen the ren ainder of their lives. He died August 13, 1819, aged fifty-three. She died March 22, 1844, aged seventy-three.

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

They had five children, four sons and one daughter, Three of them died on the home place. Ephraim, the oldest, died December 11, 1831, aged thirty-five. Susan, the daughter, died August, 1873, aged sixty- eight. Ephraim and Susan were not married. Anson S., the youngest son, married Hannah T. Cary, of Litebfield, Herkimer county. He died September 6, 1850, aged forty-two. He left no children; they died in their infancy. The homestead was sold in 1874 to D. M. Prescott. Nathaniel, jr., the third son, married Abigail R. Wood, of Litchfield of this county, May 17, 1825. He bought the Calhoun place near the old homestead. Ile had three children born here, two daughters and one son. The daughters died in their childhood. The son, Newton N., was born November 30, 1928. Nathaniel, jr., died' July 7, 1835, aged thirty-three. Newton N. married his step sister, Mary Wadsworth, of New Hartford, Oneida county. They lived a few years on the old horestead with their annt, where they had two children born, a daughter Ella and son Frank. Then they went to DeKalb. Ja, on a farm. Newton enlisted in the army in the late war, served with distinction, was dis- charged honorably, returned home and died a few years after. Newton's mother mar- ried for her second husband John Wadsworth, of Litchfield, this county, and is still liv- ing in ('hieago, Ill., in her eighty-eighth year. Newton's children are both married, and they and their mother live in Chicago. T tus Burpee, the second son of Nathaniel Burpee, sr., was born in Frankfort, October 10, 1799. Ile married Olivia Johnson, of Southington, Conn., October 14, 1822. She was born in Southington. July 7, 1801 She was granddaughter of Isaac Ingraham. Titus bought a farm near Frankfort vil- lage, where their children were born, Harriet A. and George W. After a few years he sold his farm and bought the Asa Priest farm in Litchfield, Ilerkin er county, in 1832, which contains about 100 acres, and is a grain, dairy and fruit farm. Here they lived until their deaths, his February 20, 1873, in Ins seventy-fourth year; hers March 6, 1884, in her eighty-third year. Harriet A., their daughter, was born July 9, 1824. She married Isaac Drought, of Camden, Oneida county, November, 1848. They have five children : Mervin B., M. Olivia, Harriet E., Susan M. and Herbert. They are all living, and all married and have children, except Herbert. George W. (T'tus's sor ) was born May 16, 1827. lle married Almira MeClare, of Franklinville, C'attaraugus county, February 25, 1852, who left two children. Emma A. and George Il. She died Febru- ary 27, 1862, aged thirty-two. He married for his second wife Haret Woodbridge. of Trenton, Oneida county, March 18, 1863. She left one son, Edwin T., who ched January 8, 1889, in his twenty first year. She died March 27, 1873, in her forty-fifth year. Mr. Burpee married for his third wife S. Elizabeth Savage, of Sanqnoit, Oneida county, May 13, 1886 (she is a direct descendant of Miles Standish), has no children. Einma A., Mr. Burpee's daughter, was born October 14, 1854. She married A. C. Paddock, of this town. They have two children, Effie A., born October 24, 1876; Ar- thur S., born October 10, 1879. They live on a farm near Sanquoit, Oneida county. George II. was born February 24, 1857. He married Florence Rawlings, of Philadel- phia, l'a. They live in Jersey City, N. J. Mr. Burpee and his wife still live on his farm in Litchfield.

Bridenbeeker Brothers, Frankfort. Bridenbecker, Judson, one of the four children of Alexander and Elizabeth (Sherwood) Bridenbecker, was born on the family home-

FAMILY SKETCHES.

stead (where the brothers now reside) November 7, 1867. Sherwood, the brother, was born December 12, 1869. Alexander Bridenbecker, the father, was also born on the farm, at which place he died January 3, 1885. William Bridenbecker, the grandfather, was born in Fort Herkimer during the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth Sherwood, the mother, was born at Morristown, N. J., she being a daughter of Rev. B. A. Sherwood and Mary. Mrs. Sherwood is now living at Utica, aged ninety, Mr. Sherwood having died January 12, 1893. The great-grandfather was Rev. Abbott Sherwood, of New Jersey. The other members of this family now living are Hattie (Bridenbecker) Reid, wife of James T. Reid, of Toronto, Canada; Willis A. Bridenbecker, of Mascotte, Flor- ida, and Adelma J., second wife of Alexander Bridenbecker, now living at Chicago. The brothers are both married, Judson having married Minnie S., daughter of the late John Bellinger, of Little Falls; and Sherwood, Emma E. Mason, of Hyndsville, Scho- harie county. The Bridenbecker Brothers' farm of 175 acres is a fine dairy, stock and fruit farm. They have a dairy of twenty- five cows (of which most are Holstein), own nine horses, notable among which is the young and handsome stallion Mortimer Gold- dust. This horse is by the celebrated trotter "Sprague Golddust " (2:15}) and is the exact image of his sire. They have twelve acres of strawberries producing from 25,000 to 50,000 quarts per annum. They are to be classed among the enterprising young men of the county.

Caswell, George, German Flats, was born at Schuyler Lake, Otsego county, and lived at Cedarville thirty-three years, He was first engaged in the hotel business there. He came to Ilion three years ago and lately opened the Caswell House. Mr. Caswell is a Mason and has been for twenty-seven years. His father was Levi N. Caswell and his grandfather was Levi Caswell, who came to Otsego county from Connecticut. In 1864 Mr. Caswell married Cora A. Williams and they have two children, Grace L. and Lee N.

Curry, Thomas H., Little Falls, senior member of the firm of Curry & Conboy, was born in Oneida County, but his parents moved to Manheim when he was but five months old. After receiving a thorough education he taught school for some time and then entered business. The present partnership was formed September 8, 1888, and the busi- ness has been large and prosperous, owing to the honorable methods and personal popularity of the partners. Mr. Curry has always taken an active part in politics and has been supervisor of the town of Manbeim for four consecutive terms. He was first elected in the spring of 1888. His ancestors on his mother's side were among the original Mohawk Dutch, and his father's parents came from Ireland in 1836. Mr. Curry is a Republican in politics ; a member of Engine Company Number five; of the Elks, the Iron Hall, etc.

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History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 59

Author: Hardin, George Anson, 1832-1900, ed; Willard, F. H. (Frank Hallett), b. 1852, joint ed Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co. Number of Pages: 1028

Author: Hardin, George Anson, 1832-1900, ed; Willard, F. H. (Frank Hallett), b. 1852, joint ed
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1028