History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 65

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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McGowan, Captain James, Litchfield, who is serving his second term as assessor of the town of Litchfield, has also held the offices of collector and overseer of the poor. He enlisted in Company E., 152d N. Y. Vols., September 6, 1862, as a private, and was promoted from orderly sergeant to first lieutenant, and then to captain of the same company and regiment. He served as captain until his discharge at the end of his ser- vice, July 14, 1865. He was born August 4, 1841, and settled in Litchfield in 1847, and on December 25, 1865, on the farm where he now lives. In 1881 he married Gor- dena Maxwell. They have three children, Mary Charlott, Florence Grace and William Delano. Mrs. McGowan was born in Scotland June 18, 1848, and came to this town in 1853, to the same house where she now lives.

Millington, Dr. Stephen R., Russia, was born near Russia village, February 9, 1826, a son of Richard and Matilda (Robbins) Millington. Richard was the only son of Dea- con Nathan Millington, one of the first settlers, for many years a justice, supervisor of the town and prominent in all local affairs. Richard was the second male child born in Russia, Matilda was the oldest daughter of Reuben Robbins, esq., of Cold Brook. Both died the same week, in January, 1881, at the home of their son, Stephen P., aged eighty-one and eighty years respectively. Another son, Nathan R., died at Holland Patent in 1872, aged fifty years, An adopted daughter, Sarah L., is the wife of Dr. J. L. Seavey, of Poland. Stephen R. attended district school and entered Fairfield Acad- emy ; during the winters of 1842-3-4 he was in school, then he taught district school several terms. In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Walter Bootlı, of Russia. He attended lectures at Albany and at the Geneva Medical College, grad- uating at Geneva in the winter of 1847 and 1848. In 1848 he married Ada R. Walker, daughter of E. N. Walker, who died in July, 1852. In 1853 he married Harty L. Lam- berson, of Salisbury, daughter of Charles and Sarah Lamberson, and they have one son, Charles S. He practiced medicine thirteen years in Norway, where he was elected town clerk, school commissioner, supervisor, and to the Assembly in 1859 and 1860. He moved to Poland in 1860, and continued the practice of medicine until 1872. In the fall of 1872 he, with others, established a bank in Poland, and gave the business

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

much of his personal attention. In 1880 he took an active part in the building of the Herkimer, Newport and Poland railroad, and continued as vice-president of the eom- pany until the road was sold and extended-now the Adirondack and St. Lawrence railroad. Charles S. married Allie, a daughter of J. R. Webster, in 1878, and they have three children : Mand, Harty and Ada. In 1872 he was made cashier of the first bank organized in Poland ; has taken the active management of the business, and is now the cashier of the National Bank of Poland.

McChesney, Il., is a native an ì life-long resident of Little Falls and has spent a long and active life at the blacksmith's forge. The result of fifty-seven years' industry is that he has secured to himself a comfortable competency and is able in his later years to live free from care and enjoy his well-earned repose. He is a man of fine intellect, considering his opportunities, and has always been highly thought of in Little Falls. He was a member of the Fire department for sixteen years and was a Democrat until 1856, since which time he has been a Republican. He has two sons, Earl McChesney and Robert, the latter deceased. Earl is an engineer on the New York Central and Robert was a conductor for twelve years on the same line

Morse, William H., Norway, was born in Lewis county, October 17, 1842. His father was Nathaniel Morse, a son of William Morse, a son of Tankard Morse. The latter was a native of Germany and when a child came to this country with his parents. When seven years old the family was captured by the Indians. He and his sister were saved, but they witnessed the massacre of their parents. Some years afterwards Tankard was stolen from the Indians by a white man, who gave to hini his own name, Tankard. Mr. Morse was married, had four sons and died in Norway in 1830. Mr. Morse was born in Chatham in 1786 and married Lydia Bunnell of Ohio, born 1788. They had five children. Mrs. Morse died and Mr. Morse married Ann Cook, and they had five children. Mrs. Morse died February 11, 1835, and Mr. Morse in 1869. Na- thaniel Morse was born in Ohio and came to Norway when a boy with his parents. He married Eliza Wilcox, of Westerly, R. I., born 1813, one of five children of Parker and Mary (Clauson) Wilcox, who bore him one son and four daughters. Mr. Morse died September 19, 1883, and his wife, who is seventy-nine years of age, resides with sub- ject. W. H. Morse was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and in Fairfield Academy. October 31, 1867, he married Nancy B. Collins, of Russia, born May 18, 1843, a daughter of Benjamin and Almira Collins. Mr. Collins was a farmer. He was assessor and held minor offiees. He died in 1873 and his wife in 1883. To subject and wife have been born one son, Allison D., who resides with his parents, and one daughter, Mary, who is now Mrs. Frank Nethaway, of Norway. She has two children, Nellie and Almira. Mr. Morse is a Republican and has been assessor seven years. His wife is a member of the M. E. church.

McArthur, Daniel, Russia, was born in Russia, July 9, 1851, a son of Donald MeAr- thur, a native of Nairnshire, Scotland, born in 1793, who married Ann Rollo, a native of Scotland. They had one son and two daughters. In 1830 Mr. MeArthur and fam- ily came to America and settled at Remsen, Oneida county, and after nine years moved to the farm row owned by Daniel. Here he spent the remainder of his life. Mrs.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

McArthr died in 1841 and he married second, Margaret Rollo, a twin sister of his first wife, and to them one daughter was born. She died in 1846, and he married third, Ann Morrison, a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland by whom he had three sons and three daughters, Mr. McArthur was a mason and builder by trade, but followed farming. lle was a Democrat and was assessor twelve years, and was also a Free Mason. He died November 17, 1875, and his wife December 6, 1890. The subject of this ske ch has always resided on the farm where he was born. He was educated in the common schools and the Union School at Holland Patent. In 1876 Daniel McArthur married Rachel, daughter of Henry and Christina Fisher, of Ohio, N. Y., and they have had three children : Nellie E., William and Frank, all residing at home. Mr. McArthur keeps a large dairy and also owns a cheese factory, and makes about 67,000 pounds of cheese annually. He is a Democrat, His wife is a member of the Lutheran church of Ohio.

McCammon George W., Manheim, was born October 25, 1808, in Albany, N. Y. He received a liberal education in the schools of that city, after which he clerked in the Troy Iron and Nail factory for six years, At twenty-one years of age he was engaged for five years in Orange county as book-keeper at Cornwall Cotton factory ; was ap- pointed second officer of the steamer "North America," and two years afterwards was engaged in smelting ore in Canada, in connection with a Mr. Townsend. under the firm name of Townsend & McCammon. In 1839 he purchased his farm of 133 acres, near Little Falls, upon which he has since lived. Squire MeCammon has held the office of justice of the peace and was appointed by the governor inspector of turnpikes in Her- kimer, which position he lield for thirty years. Mr. McCammon married Miss Mariah Cook and has eight children living.

McChesney, Robert D., Russia, was born February 27, 1836, in Little Falls, and is a son of Robert, whose grandfather was a native of Connecticut, of Scotch descent. Ile was killed in a powder-mill. He had eight children. Robert was born in Scotland. His wife was Betsy Swift, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had two sons. By a previous marriage Mr. McChesney had fifteen children. He lived at Fall Hill several years, and he died in Paine's Hollow in 1839, and his wife in 1870. Robert D. was reared on a farm until twenty-five years of age, when he learned the carpenter trade,

which he has since followed. His brother William is a minister in the Methodist Protestant church in Minnesota, where he has resided twenty-seven years. In 1868 Robert D. McChesney married Esther Mykel, a native of Grant, and they have had three children, Frank, aged twenty-two years, is a telegraph operator and resides in Pennsylvania; James C., aged nineteen years, works in Little Falls. In 1888 Mr. Mc- Chesney married second, Lucy, a daughter of Daniel Garlock, of Cold Brook. At the age of nine years he came with his mother to Grant, and has since resided here, being now the only resident of the village that was living in it when he came to it in 1845 to live with his mother. Subject is a Democrat in politics and a deacon in the Free Will Baptist church.

Myers, F. H., Herkimer, is a native of Herkimer and has lived all his life on the old homestead, which he now owns. It consists of nearly 200 acres and a dairy of thirty-

HISTORY OF HIERKIMER COUNTY.

five cows, while he raises yearly about eighty tons of hay. Ilis father was George H Myers, who was also a native of this town. His great-grandfather took part in the Revolution as patriot. In January, 1892, Mr. Myers married Miss Maude Arnold, danghter of the late D. B. Arnold of Fairfield, N. Y. Ile is a Republican in politics and a member of the grange and the Odd Fellows.

Mabbett, Smith E., Mohawk, has been identified with the business interests of Mo- hawk for many years, twenty-five of which he has been interested in the hotel here. He died in 1889. His widow now conducts the hotel assisted by her son. Charles P. Mabbett is practically the manager of the house for her, and has good business ability. Mrs. M. L. Mabbett's other son, Frank W., is also a representative citizen Mrs Mab- bett is a thorough American woman, who deserves great credit for keeping her family together and continuing the business here.

Mitchell, Edwin B., Herkimer, attorney at law, Herkimer, is a native of Oneida county, N. Y., and was educated at Fairfield Seminary and at Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y. He studied law with Adams & Swan in Utica, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. In 1878 he came to Herkimer and formed a partnership with E. A. Brown. which existed until January 1, 1886. He was elected police justice in 1887 and was twice re-elected. Ile has been a member of the Board of Education six years and al- so justice of the peace. Ile is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Royal Arcanum. MIr. Mitchell married Henrietta N. Townsend, daughter of H. Townsend of Utica, who is a scion of an old English family.

Mather, J., Fairfield is one of the oldest a best known residents of the town of Fairfield. His early business years were spent in mercantile lines, and the last twenty - two in managing his own and other dairy farms, amounting to 650 acres and 126 cows. He was postmaster at Fairfield for twelve years under Presidents Van Buren, Pierce and Buchanan. In 1844 he married Eliza Jones, and they have three children living, Altert B., Fred D .. and Maria L. Mather. His father, Moses Mather, was instrumental in founding the Fairfield Academy, and Mr. Mather was its treasurer for twenty years, and an active trustee for about forty years.

Mosher, W. W., Fairfield, is a native of Oppenheim, Fulton county, born January 19, 1831. He came to Middleville at the age of seventeen and began life as a clerk. To-day he is a man of wealth and influence. In 1853 he embarked in the mercantile business, which he followed up to a year ago. For the past ten years he has been actively en- gaged in the quarry business which is very extensive. He is a thirty-two degree Ma- son and an active Democrat. He was supervisor of Fairfield four consecutive terms, and president of the Board of Education, which position he filled for years. In 1834 he married the daughter of Walter Griswold, and has two daughters, Mrs. H. E. Jackson and Mrs. D. G. Jackson of Middleville.

Molineux, Frank M., Fairfield, is a native of Middleville, and at the age of sixteen went to London, England, to learn the trade of painter. He remained in England six years and then returned to Middleville and embarked in business for himself and docs the painting for this part of the county including all of that for the railroad. He is a

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Republican and an adherent of the Episcopal church of which his wife is a member. In 1882 Mr. Molineux married Miss Emily Clarke of Sheffield, England, and they have a family of four children. His father is engineer in the Middleville tannery and is an Englishman by birth.

May, Willian, Fairfield, is a native of England, and was born December 12, 1836. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Lockport. IJe first farmed for five years and then came to Fairfield. After which he returned to England, where he remained one year. He then came to Middleville and embarked in the meat business, which he has since successfully conducted. He is a Mason and is popular socially. Mr. May has been twice married, his first wife being Ellen (Robbins) May of Middleville. They had two daughters, both married and living in Ohio. Ilis second wife was Mary Stew- art, born in Ireland; one son.

Mackey, Warner, Frankfort, the only son of eight children born to Jasper and Eve (Lints) Muckey, was born in Frankfort October 22, 1844. March 4, 1862. he married Emma Slomaker of Frankfort, one of three children of Daniel E. and Elizabeth (Cum- mins) Slonaker. They have two children living, Millie and Alonzo. Mr. Muckey has been in business in Frankfort during the past nine years, his present place of busi- ness being known as the Imperial Hotel, No. 71 Main street, a fine building which was erected in 1889 by Wallace Crosby.

Morgan, A. D., German Flats, is a native of Ilion and was born December 6, 1859. He studied law with J. P. Rafter and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He opened an office in Ilion in 1883 but did not practice long as be was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland in 1885. On the expiration of his term in 1889, Mr. Morgan en- gaged in the coal, flour and feed business in Ilion, which he has since carried on. He is, also, president of the Broomhall Milling and Malting Company, of Mohawk. He married Miss Anna Chattaway in 1885 and they have one son. Mr. Morgan's father was Amos A. Morgan, well-known in Ilion in his day. He was one of the oldest res- idents of this place, having been born here in 1823, at which time the place was called Morgan's Landing, after his father's family. He died January 31, 1891.

MeEvoy, Hon. P. H., Little Falls, was born in Ireland about thirty-seven years since and came to this country when quite yonng, and settled in the town of Salisbury. His early days were spent working for farmers in the town of Fairfield. His early educa- tion was obtained in the district schools of the county by doing chores for his board in the winters and attending school, and working out summers. Subsequently he at- tended school at Fairfield Seminary for six years and paid his tuition by working out for the farmers during vacation. He graduated in the five year course in 1868 and was valedictorian of the class. In the fall of 1968 he commenced the study of law in the office of Messrs. Hardin & Burrows (Mr. Hardin has been presiding judge of the General Term for many years). He taught school in the " Old Brick Schoolhouse " on the creek road, near Herkimer, that winter, and in October, 1869, was admitted to the bar. He soon after moved to St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, at the invitation of Hezakiah Baker, who was district attorney of Montgomery county, to help him as dis-

IIISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

trict attorney, and remained there about one year. Ile afterwards made a complete course of philosophy, moral and dogmatic theology at the University of Niagara. At an early age he espoused the principles of the Republican party and in every important election since 1868 stumped the county for the party, and frequently spoke in other parts of the State for the state committee. He grew rapidly in public appreciation as a speaker and leader with the result that he was sent to the Legislature in 1887 by the unprecedented majority of 1,804, and in 1888 the Democrats nominated no one against him. While there he gained distinction for carrying through the celebrated elevator bill, that settled the important fact that the legislature has a right to say what charge corporations shall make for their public services. It has been contested in every court and recently pronounced constitutional by the United States Supreme Court. It had been introduced in the Legislature every year for the past eighteen years but never passed before. He is actively engaged in the practice of law at Little Falls.

Mitchell, Thomas H., German Flats, is a native of England and was a steel spindle maker there He spent two and one-half years in Russia and subsequently came to America in 1879. He worked in a rolling mill in Michigan, and for eight and one half years in the Remington Gun Works. He has lived in Hion twelve years. He is proprietor of the Commercial Hotel. In 1870 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Mary J. Cheetham. Mr. Mitchell's father, John C. Mitchell, is eighty-six years of age and lives with him.

Murray Brothers, Little Falls. The firm of Murray Bros. consists of P. W. and James J. Murray, natives of Salisbury. Ilerkimer county. They established business in Little Falls in 1887, conducting a reputable liquor business. P. W. Murray was born December 18, 1861. He received a liberal education in Fairfield Seminary, to which village his father's family had removed from Salisbury in 1868, after which he taught school eight terms and clerked in a grocery store for five years. His brother, James J. Murray, was born July 8, 1855. Ile is equal owner in the establishment with P. W. They are both identified with local institutions, such as Erina Fire Com- pany, etc.

Monroe, Thomas M., Herkimer, was was born in Utica, N. Y. Ilis father came to this country from Scotland when the subject of this sketch was but a child and settled in Utica. Thomas M. Monroe was one of twelve children. After receiving an excel- lent education in the public schools of this vicinity, he engaged in the manufacture of cotton in Greene county until the outbreak of the war when he entered the naval ser- vice under Dupont at Ililton Ilead. In 1864 he re-enlisted in the Sixty-First Massa- chusetts, Company D. and participated in many battles and skirmishes. Ile was mus- tered out in June, 1865. Mr. Mouroe is an active and prominent member of the G. A. R. and also of the Masonic fraternity. He is engaged in the wholesale bottling traffic, his goods being sold throughout the State. His wife was Miss Amanda J. Lewis of this State. He has two sons, both engaged with him in business.

Marcy, Stoors, Russia, was born in Russia, July 28, 1828, a son of Alpheus Marcy, a native of Connecticut, who came to Trenton and in 1828 moved to Russia. In

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Trenton he married Harriet Barrows, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had four sons and three daughters. He died in 1882 at the age of ninety-three and his wife died in the same year aged eighty-four. The father of A pheus Marcy lived and died in Connecticut. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Marcy was Lemuel Barrows, a native of Connecticut, and one of the pioneers of Trenton. In his day he was offered land for $1.25 where the city of Utica now stands. He died in Trenton, on the farm he settled, at the age of ninety. His wife was Miss Stoors, a native of Connecticut. Mr. Marcy married Betsey, a daughter of Charles Prin- dle, a son of Joseph Prindle. a native of Massachusetts and one of the first set- tlers of Russia. Charles Prindle was born in Russia, His wife was Clara Smith, by whom he had one daughter, the wife of subject. Mr. Marcy and wife have three children : Phares, a farmer in Russia; Sherman, a minister in the Baptist Church, who resides near New York City and is a graduate of Hamilton College; and Jennie, who lives at home. Mr. Marcy owns 345 acres of land, is a breeder of South- down sheep and is the most extensive sheep dealer in Russia. He is a Democrat and member of M. E. church.

Moore, Milo, Russia, was born in Russia August 7, 1839, son of Orson and Thirza (Salisbury) Moore, whose children were Saralı A. (deceased), wife of Hon. Daniel Northrop : Jane E. (deceased), Lyman (deceased), Jolin (deceased), Thirza (deceased), Loretta (deceased), Miles and Eliza, wife of Edwin Knight, and Milo. Milo attended district school until seventeen years of age, when he entered Fairfield Seminary. At nineteen he commenced teaching, which he followed for six winters. When twenty- six years of age he traveled through the West. From 1866 to 1867 he followed cheese- making. January 6, 1870. he married Mary C., daughter of Will'am and Susan (Mill- ington) Buck, and has four children, William B., Jennie G .. George O. and Charles M. He is a Republican, and has been overseer of the poor. town clerk and justice of the peace for the past sixteen years, and supervisor in 1881 82 and 1892. Orson was born in Brookfield, Mass., in August, 1801. He was justice of the peace sixteen terms, supervisor three years and a member of the Legislature in 1862. He died November 27, 1881, and his wife, Thirza, died in 1842. In 1843 he married Matilda Salisbury, a sister of his former wife. He was the father of eight children. His grandfather, Thomas Moore, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War.

McKennan, John, Herkimer, son of Alexander McKennan, is a native of the village of Herkimer. and was born November 10, 1821. . He received his education in the schools of that time in the village and in Fairfield Seminary. He has been a farmer all his life. He has 193 acres of land used for dairy purposes and has a herd of twenty-three cows and raises about 100 tons of hay yearly. Mr. McMeKennan mar- ried Elizabeth Burlingham, and they have a family of seven children, Charles, Irving, Ilarry, Lizzie, Dora, John A. and Morell. He is of Scotch descent.

Nichols, C. W., M.D. Fairfield, is a native of Fairfield and studied medicthe at Al- bany. He graduated in 1889 and began practice in Fairfield village. The Nichols family came to this country from Rhode Island. The grandfather of Dr. Nichols was Horace Nichols. His father was Caleb Nichols. All the family were farmers down to

HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.

Dr. Nichols. Horace Nichols's grandfather settled in Providence, R. I., before the Revolutionary War. In 1875 Dr. Nichols married Miss Elizabeth Stevens, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter. Dr. Nichols is a Republican and a member of the State Medical Society.

Nichols, H. C., Norway, was born in Norway September 6, 1845. His father was Joseph Nichols, son of Horace Nichols, of Rhode Island, born in 1794. His wife was Phoebe Bly, born in Rhode Island in 1799. They had six children. Horace died Jan- uary 31, 1875, and his wife died in 1834. Joseph Nichols was born in Norway in 1819, and married Louisa IIandy, who bore him five children. Louisa Handy Nichols was a native of Salisbury. She died in 1859, and Mr. Nichols married Anna Hughes, who had three children. Mr. Nichols's third wife was Silva Bell, and by her he had two children. H. C. Nichols was reared on a farm and educated in common schools and in Fairfield Seminary. In 1869 he married Libbie Johnston, daughter of Charles and Rachel (Emery) Johnston of Oppenheim, who bore him three children, namely : Alice I., Edith L. and Homer J. Mr. Nichols followed farming a short time, but for many years has manufactured cheese. For the last fifteen years he has been in the Norway cheese factory. He is a Republican, and has been excise commissioner a number of terms and is now justice of the peace. He is a Baptist.

Newberry, Samuel HI., Little Falls, school commissioner. Important as are the in- dustrial, mercantile and professional avocations that constitute the commercial life and wealth of the nation, they are less paramount than the educational interests of the people, for upon these a foundation of our moral and social systems are built. The schools of Herkimer county are admittedly equal to the best anywhere in the Union similarly located, and much of this excellence is due to the thorough and intelligent oversight which supervises, directs and governs them. Mr. Samuel H. Newberry, the school commissioner of the first district, is especially worthy of mention for the great zeal and enthusiasm, as well as high intelligence, with which he performs the duties of his responsible office, and in commenting upon the school system and schools of Herki- mer county more than passing mention is due and is accorded to him. Samuel H. Newberry is a native of the town of Newport, Herkimer county, and after receiving a thorough education entered the teaching profession, and during four years of active life as a teacher he attained a high standard and an enviable reputation in his profession. In 1887 he was elected school commissioner for three years, and was re-elected in 1890, a proof of his popularity and fitness for the office, to which he devotes all the energies of a superior and earnest mind.

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History of Herkimer county, New York, Part 65

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