USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
Rider, Byron Adelbert, Litchfield, was born March 8, 1849, on his present grain and dairy farm of 153 acres. Ile married S. Frances Smith, and they have two children : Olive J. and Lester A. Byron A. Rider is a son of Anson, whose father was Lewis B., son of Christopher Rider, who, in 1787, came from Connecticut. Mrs. Rider was a daughter of Roderick H. and Mary L. (Paddock) Smith. The mother of Byron Adel- bert Rider was Eliza Holmes, and there are now hving of the children : Boughton L., Holmes, Ruth Hooker, Mary J., Anson, jr., Alvah I., Orange C. and Byron A. Rider. Those deceased are: Elam, Romelia, Byron, Roswell, Rosa Curtis, Eveline Tanner and John B. Rider. Anson Rider died April 15, 1886, aged eighty years.
Simms, Edward, Little Falls, farmer, was born in the town of Danube in 1833 and has been thirteen years in this town, at which date he purchased his fine farm. He owns 125 acres of land, which he utilizes for dairy purposes. He has a herd of forty cows. Mr. Simms is one of the best known agriculturists in the county and has held some important offices. He was clerk of the county from 1874 to 1880, and has twice been under sheriff of the county. He was also a justice of the peace for many years. In his earlier years he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1855, at which date he cast his first vote. He is a Republican. In 1858 be married Emeline Churchill, and has a family of two sons and one daugliter.
Stacey, Irving E., Little Falls, cheese broker, is a native of Little Falls and began business as a clerk in 1881 in the office of Landt & Mesick. After two years he was given a percentage in the business and at the end of four years became a partner. In 1889 the firm discontinued and Mr. Stacey embarked in business for himself and has been unusually successful. He has become known as the largest home trade buyer in New York State outside of New York city. He buys for the wholesale trade and ships to all points and into nearly every State in the Union. He is a young man about twenty-eight years of age and possessed of unusual business enterprise and energy.
Shant, W. H., Little Falls, Herkimer County, was a native of the town of Danube. His father, Winslow Shant, was a farmer, and he remained on the farm for sixteen years. Thirteen years ago he embarked in business with his brother, B. J. Shant ;
95
FAMILY SKETCHES.
they were together four years and six months and then B. J. sold out to C. W. Vosburgh; but five years ago the partnership was dissolved and each has since con- tinued business alone, in the grocery, meat and fish line. In 1878 be married Sarah E. Bailey and they attend the Universalist Church. Between the time of leaving the farm and going into business he learned telegraphy and cheese making and was occu- pied two years in the former and five years in the latter line.
Small, Fred I., Little Falls, is a native of Herkimer. Ile graduated at Yale, in 1867, and in 1869 took his degree in Columbia College Law School. He was admitted to the bar at the General Term in February, 1869, and commenced practice in New York city. In the summer of 1871 he came to Little Falls, where he is now practicing his profession.
Seavey, Jerome L., Russia, was born in Russia, February 5, 1840, and is a son of Elijah and Ann (Sperry) Seavey. She was a daughter of Stephen and Fannie Sperry, residents of this town. Elijah aud his mother settled in Russia, 1818. He is a car- penter and bridge builder by occupation. Ilis children are: George K., a dentist, of Boonville, Oneida County, N. Y., and Jerome L., a dentist, of Poland. Jerome L., at twenty years of age, entered Smart Academy at Russia, and then studied with his brother at Boonville. In 1877 he commenced practice at Poland. Ile married Sarah L., a daughter of Richard and Matilda Millington. He has three children, Charles J., May, wife of Edgar Cruikshank, and Edwin M. He is a Republican, as is also his father, Elijah, who has been very active in politics, having been the first postmaster at Gravesville, also at Russia for thirteen years, town clerk for two years, justice of the peace eight years, highway commissioner seventeen years, twelve of which were con- secutive, also excise commissioner twelve years.
Moore, John D., Herkimer, was born in Herkimer county, December 26, 1855. After receiving a common school education he learned the carpenter trade, then was clerk for six years, after which he formed a co-partnership with Oliver H. Perry, which still exists. Mr. Moore was elected president of the village in 1885, trustee in 1889, and re-elected in 1890. He married Miss Libbie Davis, a daughter of H. R. Davis. They have three children, two boys and a girl. Oliver H. Perry was born in Herkimer, July 3, 1848, and has always lived here. He married Miss Nancy J. Moore, a sister of John D. Moore. They have no children. This firm has a Carriage and Harness Repository. They are large real estate owners, and have built up a section of this village. They also own a large dairy farm just outside of the village. They are both energetic, enterprising, and reliable business men and citizens. Mr. Moore is also foreman of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, of Herkimer. In the year 1880 was formed the co-partnership which now exists, of Perry & Moore. They were at that time and for some years after engaged in the manufacture of car- riages, sleighis, etc., until factory work compelled them to go out of manufacturing and start a repository for the sale of new work, and finally to the exclusion of manufac- turing, as all small concerns must do. At this time they were engaged in the milk business, but their supply not being large enough to meet the demand of their cus- tomers, they bought more land in the corporate limits of the village, in all about
96
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
twenty-three acres, after which, in extending streets and laying out some new ones, there was added to the village seventy-seven village lots. This property made the firmn largely interested in what was at this time the southern suburbs of the corpora- tion. The school district comprises the whole corporation of the village. About 1878 there was a new school buikling erected, and a few years ago it was found in- adequate for its purpose. The subject of enlarging its capacity was agitated and brought before a school meeting called for the purpose, when the subject was voted down. This firm having a large interest on the opposite side of the railroad (where about one-half of the children lived, who had to cross the railroad tracks), after three or four school meetings, was successful in getting a new school building placed below the railroad at a cost of about $20,000. The pleasant village of Herkimer has now a school-house second to no other in this section, and it may be said that it is largely owing to the influence of this firm. The firm besides selling lots have erected twenty- five new buildings on their own account, some of which they have sold to honest toilers, and some of which they rent.
Steele, J. A., Ilerkimer, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, May 20, 1840. He received his education in the schools of Rochelle, Illinois, and on May 6, 1861, was mustered in the United States service, becoming a member of the Sturges Rifles, a company of sharpshooters from Chicago. This company was sent to West Virginia, and Mr. Steele participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill, etc., after which he was sent to Washington, and after the first battle of Bull Run, went with McClellan through the peninsula campaign, participating in all the battles and skir- mishes. After the battle of Fredericksburg he was mustered ont, and came to Her- kimer, where he decided to study law. He entered the law office of Thomas Richard- son, esq., of Frankfort, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1864. He has prac- ticed in partnership with Judge G. W. Smith and A. B. Steele, his son, Robert E. Steele, being now associated with him. Ile married Miss Mary E. Howell. They have four children, two boys and two girls. J. A. Steele is a Mason, a member of Aaron Helmer G. A. R. Post, of Herkimer, N. Y., which he organized and was com- mander of for six years. His wife's father was Lieutenant Howell of the Second New York Heavy Artillery.
Sherman, John, Newport, was born in Newport, N. Y., August 1, 1855, a son of Waldo, who was a son of Berzillai Sherman, a native of Massachusetts, born January 20, 1788. The latter came to Newport when a young man, and settled on the farm now owned by Earnest Sherman. His wife was Sophia Ianes, born in 1785, and they had eleven children. Mr. Sherman's second wife was Mary Fenner. He served as teamster in the war of 1812, was a Whig in politics, and died January 3, 1862. His first wife died August 15, 1841. IIis son, Waldo, was born in Newport in 1824, and married Julia Fuller, a native of Newport, and a daughter of Ezra and Lucy Fuller. To Mr. Sherman and wife were born three sons : Charles (deceased), John and Earn - est. He was a Democrat and held the offices of commissioner of highways six years and supervisor one year. He was a member of Newport Lodge, No. 455, F. and A. M., and he and wife attended the Universalist church. He died in 1890. His son
97
FAMILY SKETCHIES.
John was reared on the old homestead and educated in the common schools. In 1879 he married Minnie Higgins, daughter of Gilbert and Emily Higgins. Mr. Sherman and wife have three children : Charles Earl, Jennie B., and Ida E. Mr. Sherman is a Democrat.
Snyder, C. E., Herkimer, attorney at law, Herkimer, N. Y., is a native of Cherry Valley, born November 23, 1863. After graduating at Cornell University he studied law in the office of the late Samuel Earl, with whom he was subsequently a partner. Since the death of Mr. Earl, Mr. Snyder has been engaged in the practice of law by himself. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1887, and began his professional career at once.
Snell, C. R., lumber dealer of Herkimer, is a native of Herkimer, and spent his first business years in the grocery trade. After ten years in this line he embarked in the lumber business, in which he has now been engaged nineteen years. Mr. Snell has a family of two sons and a daughter, G. C. and C. H. Snell, and Mrs. George Sims.
Stinson, E. I., Little Falls, one of the leading druggists and grocers of Little Falls, is a native of St. Catherines, Ontario, but has been in the United States almost his entire life. Ile eame to Little Falls in 1885 and started in the drug and grocery business in a partnership, but in 1889 he bought out his partner and has since conducted the business alone. His business is large and prosperous, and the stand which he occupies is one of the finest in the grocery line in this town. Upon leaving Canada his father moved to Saginaw, Mich., and after a sound preparatory education our subject took a course in the pharmaceutical department of Ann Arbor; he then embarked in mercan- tile affairs. Mr. Stinson is quite a young man, and is son-in-law to HIon. Titus Sheard, having married his youngest daughter. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Smith, E. La Grange, Frankfort, one of fourteen children of Henry I. and Catherine (La Grange) Smith, was born in Schenectady county, where he lived until about sixteen years of age. He was educated in the common sehools at Fairfield and at Hungerford Collegiate Institute. For two years he was connected with the Pittsburgh Daily Post, taught sehool at Frankfort one year, and read law with Lewis II. Babcock for two years, and with Denison and Everett for the same length of time. In 1875 he began the practice of his profession in Frankfort, where he has since remained. He was married in 1879 to Etta M., a daughter of Col. William Bridenbecker, of Frank- fort, she being one of seven children. They have one son, Claude Vernett Smith.
Smith, Edwin P., Danube, was born on the old farm February 15, 1854 ; his grand- father, John Smith, settled here early in the seventeenth century and during the war of the Revolution was captured by the Indians and taken to Canada, where he was sold for five dollars, and after two years of servitude was allowed to escape, when he returned. Edwin's father, John Smith, lived and died on the farm which is rich in historie incidents. A branch of the Mohawk tribe had their headquarters there and several battles between the British and patriots were fought upon it; skulls, arrow
98
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
heads, cannon balls, etc., are frequently plowed up. Mr. Smith owns three hundred acres which extend into both counties. He is a member of the Grange, etc.
Smith, A. G, Fairfield, one of the oldest residents of Fairfield, was born here June 11, 1822, and has resided on his present farm since 1844. His father came to the ad- joining farm in 1831. In 1846 Mr. Smith married Adaline M. Todd, who died July 24, 1887. His grandfather died while his father, Nicholas, was quite young. He taught school four winters, and for forty years there was no death in his family.
Smith, Edward A., Ohio, was born in Russia, October 9, 1859, and is a son of Orrin Smith, of Ohio. Ile was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and has always been a farmer, residing most of his life in Ohio. Hle is a Republican. In 1884 he married Ella M. Popple, of Ohio, born in 1865. They have two children, Eda M. and Maggie A. The father of Mrs. Smith was George Popple, who was a son of Zachariah. John Popple was born in Russia in 1806. He married Philette Tayntor, by whom he had one child, George. Mr. Popple died in 1889 and his wife in 1891. George Popple was born in Russia in 1836. In 1861 he married Margaret Davenport, of Russia, and they had three daughters : Mrs. Smith, wife of the subject, is the only one living. Mr. Popple and family were supporters of the M. E. church. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1890.
Smith, Melchert, Herkimer, is a native of Herkimer and has been a farmer in the same locality all his life. Mr. Smith is seventy-four years of age, having been born June 30, 1818. Ile owns one hundred acres of land and has twenty-four cows in his fields. His father, Adam Smith, also resided here, and went to Canada in the war of 1812. About 1840 Mr. Smith married Mary E. Harter, and they have seven children. Mr. Smith has voted for fifty-two years and never missed a town meeting or an elec- "tion. His only son, Morgan, is married to Miss Ida Churchill. Mr. Smith is a Demo- crat and has always voted that ticket.
Stillman, Ezra, Newport, was born in Rhode Island about 1790 and died, aged seventy-three years. He was a son of Benjamin Stillman and married Polly New- berry. He settled in the town of Newport in 1811 and was the father of eight children, Nathaniel P., Samuel N., Mary Ann, Erastus B., George, Jane, Nancy and Jackson. At the age of twenty-three Nathaniel P. started at farming, where he now lives. He married Lydia Wilson in 1836. She was a native of Newport and a daugh- ter of John and Sallie Wilson. She died in 1887. aged sixty nine years. They have seven children, as follows: Emily, Adaline, Lomse, Minerva, Lydia, Flora and Ezra. Emily married Gilbert Higgins in 1857, and lives ou a small farm near Newport. They have one daughter, Minnie, who married John Sherman, a farmer, who also lives near Newport. Louisa married William Harris in 1860. The latter enlisted as a pri- vate in Company D. First Berdan's Sharpshooters, in 1861, and died August 11, 1863, at Sulphur Springs, in Virginia. They had two children, one of whom now survives, Mrs. Carrie Spellman, of Cold Brook. Louisa Harris died August 4, 1875, aged thirty- two years. Minerva married George Wilcox July 4, 1864, and died in 1867, aged twenty-two years. Lydia was born in 1850 and died in 1870, aged twenty years.
99
FAMILY SKETCHES
Flora married John Payne in 1877 and resides in Utica. They have one daughter, Bertha A. Ezra Stillman, jr., married Allie Truman, and follows farming, raising fancy cattle, etc. They have had three children, Bessie, Ward and Lydia, of whom only one, Ward, survives.
Staring, Philip, Little Falls, one of the leading farmers of Little Falls, was born in Herkimer, but has lived in this town nearly all his life. He owns ninety-eight acres of land, utilized entirely for grass and dairying purposes. He keeps fifteen cows, is a young, unmarried man and is full of enterprise. He is a Democrat in politics.
Staring, Peter A., Little Falls, is a native of this place and was born February 5, 1824. His first business experience was in the retail grocery trade, in which he was engaged from 1845 to 1879. In 1860 he connected a livery business and when he dropped the grocery business in 1879, he still continned to manage his livery establishment. Mr. Staring during his long life in Little Falls has gained the highest esteem and confidence of the entire community. He was supervisor of the town for three years, 1869-70-71, and has heen trustee of the village for several years. He comes of an old and honorable family. He is the son of Peter Staring, who was in the war of 1812, and a grandson of Adam Staring, one of the early settlers in this locality. His mother's father was the celebrated Colonel Feeter. The old Staring farm is situated about one mile from the village, and thirty acres of the property was purchased by the water commissioners for a storage reservoir and a park Mr. Staring is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum. Hle has one son and three daughters.
Skiff, Perrin A., M. D., Frankfort, was born in West Schuyler January 4, 1826, he being one of three children of Hiram and Elizabeth J. (Akins) Skiff. He was married in January, 1852, to Marietta Valentine of East Schuyler, daughter of Sidney S. and Anna E Valentine. They have three children, Anna M. (Mrs. J. F. Rogers), May E. (Mrs. Alfred Bayless), and Etta C. (Mrs. S. S. Richards). Dr. Skiff was educated at Clinton Freewill Institute and at Whitestown ; he studied medicine with Drs. Budlong & Parhhurst two years, and one year with Dr. Henderson of Whitestown, took three conrses at Albany Medical College, graduating in 1851. He then settled in Frankfort, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. Dr. Skiff has always been interested in the welfare of the town, having acted as supervisor three terms, president of Herkimer Medical Society one term and for the past seven years has been surgeon of the West Shore Railroad.
Sellman Bros., Little Falls. This firm, which is located on Main street, Little Falls, consists of John Sellman and Emil P. P. Sellman, general grocers. Both gentlemen were born in Little Falls and educated in the Union School there. John Sellman was, prior to the establishment of the present firm in 1890, an employee of the railroad mail service for five years. Emil clerked for IIerlehy Bros. for eight years and was with Dennis Collins two years. Both are members of Erina Chemical Engine No. 5; of Westcott Council Royal Arcanum 1476, and Chosen Friends, and are staunch Democrats. John was corporation collector for two years. This firm is both popular and reliable, and its members are among Little Falls' most enterprising citizens,
100
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Seaman, George I., Frankfort, was born in the town of Parish, Oswego county, Jan- uary 24, 1850; he was one of eleven children of George and Mary A. (Crosby) Seaman. George, the father, was born in Vermont. Mary A. (Crosby), the mother, was born in Herkimer county, her ancestry being of Connecticut. George I. Seaman was married June 15, 1882, to Ella V. Waterbury, one of three children of W. S. and Abigail M. ( Hager) Waterbury of Frankfort. They have two children, Frank and Ilazel Seaman. Mr. Seaman came to Frankfort in 1869 and worked for C. B. Crosby, afterwards for W. S. Waterbury four years, when he bought the grocery and meat market from him ; he also deals in cattle, hay and beef and continues the other business to this day. Mr. Seaman has served the town as supervisor four terms from 1882-85 and in 1891; he has been collector of taxes and also on the board of trustees.
Scriber, G. II., German Flats, was born in Oswego county August 8, 1837, and has been in the clothing business all his life. His father was George Scriber, and Ins grand- father was one of the old Mohawk Dutch. His mother was also of the same origin. Mr. Scriber is a Mason, a member of the Royal Areanum, the A. O. T. W. and the Baptist church. Ile has been treasurer of the village and school trustee. In 1888 he married Miss Margaret Hotaling of this place.
Seeber, Peter B., Little Falls, is not only one of the leading farmers of Little Falls, but comes from one of the most historic families in this part of the State. He was born in Herkimer in 1825, and has been a farmer all of his life. He married Emily Ackerman, and they have six children living. His son Henry is living with him and now owns the dairy farm of 103 acres. He is a promising young agriculturist. Both are Democrats. They have lived on their present farm for five years. They formerly lived in Danube, where Peter B. was overseer of the poor for some time, and Henry Seeber was town clerk for three years. The family have been in this part of the county for over one hundred years. Some of the ancestors of the family were prom- inent in the Revolutionary war.
Seamens, A. C., German Flats, was born in Winfield, February 8, 1822. After lear- ing the farm he was four years in a foundry and then came to Ilion. He was engaged in the canal warehouse and mercantile business for many years and subsequently was in the office of E. Remington & Sons. In 1852 he married Caroline M. Williams and has four children, Clarence W., Mary C., Frances M. and I. C. The sons are promi- nent associates with the typewriter company.
Stahl. John F., Salisbury, was born in Fulton county, N. Y., September 25, 1846. Ilis grandfather purchased land and settled in Fulton county early in the seventh cen- tury, participating in the war of the Revolution. John Stahl, father of John L., was also born here. He was a contracting earpenter. Mr. John L. Stahl was connected with his brother, Levi, in lumbering for abont ten years, after which he was engaged in mercantile business in Fulton county for about nine years. In 1883 Mr. Stahl dis- posed of his interests in Fulton county, and purchased the mereantile establishment at Salisbury Corners, which he has since conducted, doing a large trade. Ilis wife was Sarah M. Avery, of Gloversville, N. Y. They have had two children, a son and a daughter, Frederick and Minnie Stahl. Frederick Stall married a daughter of Super- visor Warren H. Eaton.
101
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Sadler, John B., Ingham's Mills, was born January 15, 1847. He received a liberal education and has been identified with the business interests of Ingham's Mills since his youth. He has conducted the grist-mill, hotel, cheese box manufactory for many years. He is justice of the peace and has been overseer of the poor, and has held the office of postmaster under several administrations. Ile is also identified with Little Falls Masonic Lodge, No. 181, Little Falls Chapter, No. 161, and Little Falls Com- man'dery, No. 26, also member Independent Order of Red Men, Ziyara Temple Noble Mystic Shrine, Odd Fellows, etc. His first wife was a Miss Horton, by whom he had two children, one now living. He married second Frankie C. Staring. Mr. Sadler is a descendant of an old Revolutionary family.
Shepard, F. C., German Flats, is a native of Otsego county, and was born September 21, 1824. After clerking and being engaged in mercantile business for some years lie came to Ilion as teller of the old Ilion Bank and was subsequently made cashier in 1859, which position he held until 1866. He was county treasurer one term, from 1863 to 1866. He was with the Remingtons as a financial manager for twenty years and for the past four years has been living retired. Mr. Shepard married in 1847 and has seven children living.
Saxby, William, German Flats, was born in Cheshire, England, December 27, 1843, and came to America in 1870. After working some time with Smith & Wesson, he came to llion in 1874 and entered the armory, where he remained till 1886, when he went into the liquor business in 1888, which he now devotes his entire attention to. In 1862 Mr. Saxby married Elizabeth Turner, and they have had two children. One son, Henry T. Saxby, has charge of the repairing department of the typewriter in Lon- don, England, for Wycoff, Seamans & Benedict. He married Anna E. Brooker, of Worthing, England. From 1886 to 1888 William was in Schenectady ; had charge of electric light plant for lighting city ten months. Afterwards worked for the Edison company. Returned to Ilion in fall of 1888 and bought a saloon.
Spellman, E. J., Fairfield, is a native of Newport. James, his father, came to that town from Ireland in 1854. They own a dairy farm of 323 acres in Newport, and E. J. Spellman is proprietor of the Spellman House in Middleville. He was educated at Whitestown Seminary and came to Middleville in May, 1889. His father resides with him, his mother having died in April, 1889. Mr. Spellman is an active Democrat, and always a delegate. He holds the office of trustee of the village.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.