History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 60

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

USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 60

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Conkling, James, German Flats, born in Troy, New York, May 22, 1854. When three years of age his parents moved to Litchfield, Herkimer county, graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1875, atudied law with Francis Kernan from 1877 to 1880, when he was admitted to the bar. After his admission he removed to Ilion. He bas taken an active part in the affairs of his town and village for some years and is one of the leading Democrats of the county. February II, 1885 he married Miss Eva J.

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

Beckwith, daughter of Hon. E. D. Beckwith, now of Little Falls. President of the vil- lage of Illion in 1889, also elected supervisor in 1890, 1891, and re-elected in 1892 by the largest majority ever given to a supervisor in the town of German Flats. He was the candidate of his party for member of Assembly in 1891, but was defeated. Has a lucrative law practice and is the attorney for the llion Building and Loan Association.

Clayton, Samuel, Frankfort, was born in Lancashire, England. June 22, 1848. He was one of eight children of John A. and Betty (Gee) Clayton. The family first located in Ilion, and MIr. Clayton lived in Herkimer county about twenty-seven years. He eame to Frankfort in 1884 and built the large and commodious building which he uses as a hardware and agricultural implement store, dealing also in stoves, etc. He was first married to Susie MI. Sutliff, who died in 1877, leaving one son. Alfred Samuel Clay- ton. October 5, 1881, he married Georgiene M. Warner, a daughter of Captain F. C. and Hannah H. (Bruce) Warner, of Baltimore, Md. They have one son, Franklin Robert Clayton. Captain F. C. Warner was an officer in the navy and captain of the ship Osceola.

Cook, M B., Little Falls, dea'er in agricultural implements, etc., Mary street, Little Falls, is a native of Manheim. Ilis father is a farmer, and he spent his early years on the farm, just outside the corporation limits of Little Falls, having been all his life in- terested in farming. He first branched out into the mercantile field as a dealer in hay carrier business. From this he developed into a full agricultural implement business in 1881. He began in a moderate way, and has met with great success, and does a large trade. He carries a very full and complete line of all kinds of farm implements. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Home Circle. Mr. Cook's great-grandfather came from Wallingford, Conn., about 1800, and the family have resided in this county ever since. M. B. Cook also owns a creamery and farm in Madison County, and operates one farm in the town of Manheim. Ilis wife was Kate Waters, daughter of S. J. Waters, and they have one daughter three years of age.

Cristman, James A., Ohio, was born in the town of Ohio, November 8. 1863. He is a farmer and carpenter and builder, and received his education in the district schools, January 1, 1891, he married Annie Bickford, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Bick- ford, of Russia. Mr. Cristman is a Democrat, and has been highway commissioner. He is a member of the North Star Grange Number 686, of Ohio. James A. is a son of Augustus Cristman, a son of John Cristman. The latter was a native of Paine's HIollow, born in 1800 and died in 1868. His wife was Catharine Crouse of Paine's Hollow, by whom he has thirteen children, two of whom died in youth. His wife died in 1848, and he married Lavina (Lampher) Bennett. Angustus Cristian was a farmer and lumberman. In 1854 he married Malissa Henry, daughter of Thomas Henry. They had four children : Sarah L., Alexander, James A., and Marshall II. His wife died Ma ch 22, 1890.

Coleman, F. W., German Flats, was born in London, March 7, 1850, and came to America in 1869. He has always been in the carriage trade in this country. The firm of Garlick & Coleman was formed in 1873, and in 1877 was succeeded by F. Coleman

FAMILY SKETCHES.

& Company. In 1889 the Coleman Carriage Company was formed with Mr. Coleman

as manager. He is an active business man and a member of the Masonic order and the A. O. U. W. In 1881 he married Miss Susan Oram and they have a family of eight children.

Clapsad 'le, Frank, German Flats, was born in Columbia January 17, 1858, and ran a carriage business for some years. He came to Mohawk in 1885 and purchased the horses for running the various lines of street railways there. In 1886 he married Miss Maude Brown and they have one infant son. His grandfather was one of the early settlers in Columbia.

Davis, Henry H., Litchfield, is the proprietor of the North Litchfield cheese factory, and uses the milk from about 400 cows. He started making cheese March 28, 1892, and will close January I. The estimate of cheese for 1892 will be about 140,000 rounds, which has sold for from 81 cents to 10} cents. He is also a farmer, and was bo n in Edmeston, Otsego courty November 5, 1834. He bought this factory and farm in 1890, it having been built by Joseph Kast, about 1885. Mr. Runyan purchased the land and built the first factory here about 1862. Mr. Davis made cheese in Ken- tucky in 1870 and in 1871 made cheese for S. P. Goodier, then the owner of this prop- erty. He married Eliza G. Lindsay, and they have one son, George H., who is now making cheese at Warwick, Orange county He married Lisetta Otterbin, and they have one son, Ilarry.

Downing, Zeno I., D.D.S., Winfield, was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, October 14, 1837, educated in the common schools and Rome Academy ; commenced the study of dental surgery with Dr. David W. Perkins, of Rome, and S. F. Tremain. He commenced the practice of dentistry in Rome in 1860 and in West Winfield in 1865, where he has remained since. Has been town clerk for the last twelve years. He has been secretary of Winfield Lodge, F. & A. M., about fifteen years. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 99, of which he has been recorder for about five years. He is past master workman of that lodge, past master of F. & A. M., No. 581, and is a member of Winfield Council No. 1,033, R. A., of which he was secretary for three years. He married Sarah E., daughter of Dr. E. F. Beals, June 29, 1868, and they have one daughter, Carrie L. G., and have lost one son, Warren Zeno, who died June 9, 1882, aged nineteen years.

Dutton, Ward, Winfield, was born on the farm where he now lives October 14, 1859, a son of Puffer Dutton, a native of this State, who settled on this farm about 1830. He married Susan, daughter of Nathan Layton, of Richfield, and they have five children, Ward, Charles, Flora E., Sarah and Helen Dutton, Waro and Sarah being the only survivors. Ward Dutton married in 1883 Eugenia Vrooman of Richfield Springs. She was a daughter of Nicholas S. Vrooman, and they have had four children, Bessie, who died August 24, 1886 ; Ethel, died January 29, 1887 ; Christabell and Henry Ward.

Dewey, Dennis A., Winfield, a son of Alexander and Lucretia Dewey, was born in Plainfield, Otsego county, N. Y., June 7, 1841, and came to this town in 1877. Ile

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

married Mary A., daughter of James and Mary Arling, February 24, 1870. She died April 12, 1888, and he married second Alice Gorton, of this town, December 17, 1890, and they have one son, Alexander. Mr. Dewey is one of the representative farmers of Winfield. He enlisted August 22, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty- first New York Volunteers, and served about three years. Ile was in all the engage- ments of li's regiment up to May 6, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, when he was wounded and takeu prisoner. His limb was amputated by the Confederates, and he was imprisoned most of the time at Lynchburg, Va., and Libby Prison at Richinond for about five months. Ilis father was born in Plainfield, Otsego conuty, and settled in this town in 1865. He held the office of assessor of this town, and was supervisor for three years in succession in 1888, '89 and '90. He is a member of S. G. Button Post, No. 364, G. A. R.

Dempsey, James, Frankfort, was born in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer county, October 1, 1857. He was one of nine children of Richard and Mary Dempsey. When nine years of age he went to live in the town of Schuyler, engaging in the business of buying and selling cattle and hay. He owns a farm of 125 acres in the town of Newport and one of 100 acres in Frankfort, He was married February 24, 1892, to Mary Davin, daughter of Andrew and Ella Davin, of Little Falls. They re- side in Frankfort village, where he owns fiue property. He has a dairy of forty cows and is one of the enterprising citizens of Frankfort.

Douglas, Dr. E. H., Little Falls, was born in Saxonville. Mass., February 25, 1867. He received his preliminary education in the Little Falls Academy, and was gradn ted from Dartmouth Medical College in 1889. He has since practiced medicine in Little Falls. Dr. Douglas is of Scotch extraction. His father, Andrew Douglas originally came from Scotland, and has been for many years identified with the knit goods indus- tries in Little Falls and Ilion Dr. Douglas is a prominent member of the Royal Arcanum, Elks, Red Men, Odd Fellows, and other leading social organizations. lle is at present coroner of Ilerkimer county.

De Coster, Harry A., Little Falls, is a native of the State of Maine. His family is well and favorably known in the history of that State. Harry A. De Coster received his education at Tuft's College, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in 1885. Ile entered the law office of Judge Sheldon in 1886 and was admitted to the bar in 1888, immediately thereafter commencing the active practice of his profession. In 1892 Mr. De Coster received the appointment of corporation attorney for the village of Little Falls. Hle married Miss Minnie Shepard of this county.

Devendorf, Irving R., Herkimer, district attorney for Herkimer county, is a native of the town of Danube, Herkimer county, and after a preliminary education he began the study of law in the office of the Hlon. George W. Smith, of Herkimer, and was ad- mitted to the bar in October, 1880, and began practice in 1881, forming a partnership with A. J. Smith under the name of Devendorf & Smith. Mr. Devendorf was elected district attorney in 1888, and was re elected in 1891. He is proving eminently snc- cessful in his office, and as an indication of his fitness and ability, it might be men-

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tioned that almost every indictment during his term has resulted in a conviction. Mr. Devendorf's ancestors have lived in this part since the early settlement of the State, and his great grandfathers on both sides took part in the Revolutionary War.

Day, Erasmus W .. Sehuyler, is one of the notable men of Herkimer county. Ile was born October 19, 1815, and has been an active man all his life. He has always been a prominent farmer, and has been engaged also in mercantile lines. In publie life he has been prominent in Sehnyler. From 1840 to 1846 he was deputy sheriff, was super- visor of the town for several years, and was representative to Albany in 1869. In 1838 he married Mary Ann Root, a daughter of Captain Root, who was celebrated in the War of 1812. They have three children, Warren E., Sheldon R. and Mrs. J. D. Leland, of Washington, D. C. The grandfather of Mr. Day was commissary in the Revolutionary War, and his father, Dr. Warren Day, was surgeon in the War of 1812. His son, Dr. Warren E. Day, was a surgeon in the late war, and for several years after the close of the war he continued in the employ of the government.

Dolge, Henry A., Dolgeville, was born in Germany on the 19th day of March, 1845. He was educated in the Gymnasium college there, and in 1865 engaged in the com- mission business. Shortly afterwards he rem ved to South America, where he became identified with mercantile transactions, and in 1867 he operated a sugar plantation in the West Indies. The climate not agreeing with his health, he came to New York city about 1870 and engaged for twelve years in the real estate and the insurance brokerage business, which he relinquished to become identified with the extensive manufacturing industry of Alfred Dolge as resident manager at Dolgeville. He is also postmaster at the latter town. He married Miss E. W. Gunther, and they have one daughter living.

Dedicke, Edward, Dolgeville, was born in Hamburg, Germany, February 22, 1854. When seventeen years of age he came to America and secured a position as porter in Alfred Dolge's New York store. Mr. Dolge, recognizing his worth, brought him to Dolgeville when he moved his felt mills to this place. Edward Dedicke rapidly acquired a thorough knowledge of this industry in all its departments, and has occupied the position of foreman in each. About two years ago he was appointed superintendent of the felt mills. Mr. Dedieke married Miss Barbara Stehr, and has three children, two boys, Ilenry and Carl, and a daughter, Anna. He is Regent of the Royal Arcanum, vice-president of the School Society and of the Building and Loan Association, secretary of the Mutual Aid Association, a member of the I. O. O. F., president of Volunteer Fire Company, etc.

Doty, E. L., German Flats, was born in Onondaga, April 8, 1850, and came to his present farm in 1863. His father was Abner Doty who died in 1890. The family came from Conneetient about the beginning of this century and are descendants of Ed- ward Doty who came to this country in the Mayflower. In 1875 Mr. Doty married Grace L. Howard, and they have one son and two daughters. Mr. Doty is a Prohibi- tionist, and a member of the A. O. U. W. lle grows a large quantity of strawberries, averaging over 50,000 quarts annually.

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

Doolittle, E. H., German Flats, was born in Bradford, N. II., September 11, 1832. He came to Herkimer county in 1861, for twelve years was employed in the Reming- ton Armory. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace and held the office thirteen years. He has carried on a large business in real estate and insurance for several years. In 1857 he married Miss P. V. V. Groesbeck of Chittenango, N. Y., and they have three sous, W. G., Edward ]]. and Frank Hooker. Mr. Doolittle is a master Mason and has been justice of the sessions two years.

Dieffenbacher, Jacob, Frankfort, was born in the duchy of Baden, Germany, March 18, 1845, he being one of cleven children of Engelhardt and Catherine Dieffenbacher. Ilis father, ruined by revolution at home, emigrated to this country with his fannly in 1856, being assisted by William Gates, into whose employ the family entered. During the Rebellion Mr. Dieffenbacher was employed in armories in the manufacture of army pistols and at the close of the war he engaged in the grocery and provision business at canal lock 45 in Frankfort, where he has since remained. He married, December, 1885, Pauline Bauer, a daughter of Frederick and Pauline (Bolza) Bauer, both natives of Saxony, who cmigrated and settled in Utica. They have two children, Sarah M. and Theresa E.

Dunckel, l'eter J., Dolgeville, was born at Frey's Bush, Montgomery county, May 27, 1828. George Dunckel, his great-grandfather, came from Germany and settled in Montgomery county early in the 17th century. George G. Dunckel, son of George Dunckel, and grandfather of Peter J., was a Revolutionary soldier and was wounded at the battle of Sharron. John Dunckel, jr., son of George G. and father of Peter J, was born and always lived at Frey's Bush, Montgomery county, where he followed the occupation of farming and blacksmithing, and where he died at eighty-five years of age. Peter J. Dunckel has followed grist-milling for a number of years. Ile owns a farm of 180 acres, besides other valuable property. His wife was Miss Lucy Woolever, a daughter of Nicholas Woolever. They have three children living.

Dudley, William Henry, M. D., Newport, was born at Madison, New Haven county, Conn , January 1, 1855, a son of Lucian W. an | Mary E. (Page) Dudley. Lucian W. was a son of David, and he of Roswell, who was a son of David, a lieuter ant in the Kevolutionary war. The latter was a son of Deacon David, who was a son of Eten- ezer, and he a son of John who came to Guilford, Conn., from England, in 1673, end the same year married Martha French, of Guilford, Conn. The subject was one of two children (the brother being George W.), and settled in Newport in November, 1888. In h's youth he attended the common school, and a preparatory select school of the grade of an academy. At eighteen years of age he entered the employ of the father at Norwich, Conn., as drug clerk, remaining five years, when he entered the olhice of Dr. W. S. C. Perkins of that city to study medicine. In 1879 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, which is now the medical department of Columbia, and remained there one year. Then spent two years at the University of the City of New York, where he graduated March 9, 1882. Ile then returned to Nor- wich, Conn., and practiced medicine for three years, when he removed to Butte City, Mont., where he remained two years. At that time he received the appointment of

FAMILY SKETCHES.

surgeon to the Elkhorn Mining Company, of Jefferson County, Mont., where he re- mained two years more. December 25, 1886, he married Lillian T. Fillmore, daughter of Ralph H. and Elizabeth (Fitch) Fillmore. Ralph H. Fillmore being a cousin of ex- President Fillmore. The grandfather of Mrs. Dudley. Comfort D. Fillmore, was a sol- dier in the war of 1812. His wife, Annice, drew a pension until her death, at ninety- one years. Dr. and Mrs. Dudley have had two children : Earl W., who died May 27. 1887, aged four months, and Ray W., born April 14, 1889. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and his wife of the M. E. Church. Dr. Dudley and his father are both Republicans. The doctor is vice-president of the Herkimer County Medical Society ; also on the consulting staff of the Faxton Hospital of Utica, N. Y. He is health officer of Newport, and also belongs to the fire company. He is a member of St. James Lodge, F. &. A. M., No. 23, of Norwich, Conn .; Iroquois Chapter, R. A. M., of Ilion, No. 236 ; of Little Falls Commandery, K. T. No. 26, and Ziyara Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Also belongs to I. O. R. M., being sachem of the Tribe. Dr. Dudley while in Montana traveled through the National Park as surgeon to the Butte City Liederkranz Society, and wrote and published a book on its wonders.

Dexter, Henry W., Newport, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, July 16, 1823, a son of William B. and Sarah (Jewett) Dexter, who settled in Fairfield about 1819. His mother was a native of Connecticut and his father of Providence. The latter was a volunteer in the war of 1812, and was a Whig and later a Republican. He was very active in politics, and was a member of the Liberal church. He had four daughters and one son : Phobe A. (deceased), Mary J. (Parkhurst), Henry W., Louisa A. (Deer- ing), Elizabeth A. (Griswold), and Henry W. The latter married January 18, 1844, Mary E. Parkhurst, a native of Fairfield, and a daughter of Lyman and Susan (Enos) Parkhurst. They have two children, Addie S., wife of Capt. Thomas E. Merritt of the One Hundred Fifty-First Regiment Infantry, and at present auditor of the Adiron- dack & St. Lawrence railroad. He has also a son, Dr. Lyman C. Dexter, a physician and druggist of Newport. He married Gertrude Harris, daughter of Archibald Harris. Henry W. Dexter started in business as a farmer in the town of Newport, 1847, and continued until 1865, then speculated in livestock and produce until 1880. He was on the committee of the right-of-way of the H. N. & P. R. R., and was also a director unt'1 1890. Mr. Dexter is a 32d degree Mason, a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, Iroquois Chapter, and attends the Universalist church. He is also a director in the Newport National Bank.

Davis, R. Irving, Little Falls, is a native of Little Falls and was born on the home- stead farm, near this village in 1863. The family is an old and honored one in this State, his ancestors having resided here since the year 1767. His great-grandfathers participated in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Davis entered Hamilton College and took a highly creditable course in that institution to the middle of his sophomore year, when other duties compelled him to forego the completion of his studies. He is a member of the Theta Delta Chi society of that college, also of the Royal Arcanum, the American Legion of Honor. the Red Men and the Grange, and has filled chairs in all of the societies. Mr. Davis is now actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and in the latter line represents companies whose

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

capital aggregates over $3,000,000, including both fire, life and accident insurance companies. Mr. Davis is socially popular and stands high in the estimation of the business men and the public generally of the county. He possesses superior busi- ness abilities and has had educational advantages far exceeding those of business men generally, and all these combine to guarantee lui a bright future, which he will undoubtedly attaul.

Douglass, Dr. A. J., German Flats, was born in Lewis county in 1837 and graduated from the Long Island College Hospital in 1872. He has practiced medicine in Ilion since 1875. He has also been prominently connected with the school board, and has invented a blackboard crayon rack that is attracting much attention among edu- cators. In 1892 Dr. Douglas was elected president of the village of Ilion. In IS72 he married Mary D. Chittenden. They have one son, Adelbert C.

Dexter, Lyman C., Newport, was born February 21. 1854. His early education was obtained in the public schools at Newport. At the age of fifteen years he entered Fairfield Seminary. He graduated from Hungerford's Collegiate Institute at Adams, N. Y., in 1872, and was employed in 1874 and 1875 in Utica, N. Y., as financial agent for Alfred Putnam in the drv goods business. Ile then studied medicine with Dr. A. J. Browo, of Newport. lle graduated from the University of Michigan in June. 1879, and then took a post- graduate course in Bellevue Hospital, New York city, from winch he graduated in March, 1880, and commenced the practice of his profession in New- port the following summer. He started the first exclusive drug store in Newport, which he row conducts. Ile is also a stockholder in West Brothers' knitting mill, and is a member of the Improvement. Agricultural and Herkimer County Medical Societies. lle is a member of Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M., in which he 1 as been junior and senior wardens; belongs to the I. O. R. M., the Phalitorian Literary Society of IIunger- ford Institute and of the Nonsaskin Literary Society. He is a Republican, and has been town clerk four consecutive years, health oficer two years, and is at present town physician of Newport. Ile married June 27, 1884, Gertrude B., daughter of Archibald and Annie (Coffin) Harris, They have three children. Henry Merritt, Burr Tiffany and Anna May.

Douglass, Dr. Allison ()., Little Falls, was born in Oneida county, N. Y. Ile received an academic education in Rome and Whitesboro. He graduated from the Long Island Medical College in 1876. He began practice immediately thereafter in Gray, Herkimer county, from which locality he removed to Little Falls in 1888 Dr. Douglass has a brother engaged in the practice of medicine in Ihon, N. Y., and another in Lowville, Lewis county, N. Y. Ile is of Scotch descent. Dr. Douglass enjoys an extensive and Incrative practice here.

Deimel, Menning A. Herkimer, was born in Herkimer and received his education in the schools of Lansingburg and Albany. After leaving school he entered the office of Deimel & Snell as book-keeper. After six years' service therein he formed a copart- nership with Mr. Snell in the Herkimer Manufacturing Company, of which he is the practical manager. This establishment manufactures spring beds, etc .. and gives em-

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ployment to about forty hands. Mr. M. A. Deimel is a son of H. A. Deimel, senior member of the firm of Deimel & Snell. He is a member of the Fire Department, Elks, Odd Fellows, Red Men, etc., and connected with leading social and political or- ganizat ons here.

Dale, William H., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls. He received his education in the village schools and engaged with his father in contracting. About fifteen years ago he and his brother, George B. Dale, formed a partnership, which has since existed. During this entire period no account has been kept between the brothers, each having implicit confidence in the other. Mr. W. H. Dale is one of the village trustees, a mem- ber of the Methodist church, and identified with social and benevolent circles. This house has contracted for and completed much important work here and in this vicinity, and worthily sustains a very high reputation. The Dale family originally came from County Antom, Ireland.

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History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 60

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