USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 70
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Taylor, J. R., Little Falls, the leading hardware merchant of Little Falls, is a native of Albany. He has spent most of his life in New York city, Michigan and Little Falls. He was engaged in the insurance business in Chicago for a few years. In 1886 he embarked in the hardware business in Little Falls, the firm being Taylor, Cooke & Co. In 1890 the name was changed to Taylor & Markham and in 1892 he assumed control of the whole business. He is essentially one of the leading men in Little Falls, judged by his ability and success. He is secretary and treasurer of the Little Falls Excelsior and Lumber Company, and has been of the Board of Health. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' Society and the Lodge of Elks and was captain of a military company at Port Huron, Mich., in 1874. He comes of an illustrious family which has resided in America for seven generations. His grandfather was John Taylor, Mayor of the city of Albany, 1824. He is connected with the Taylors of Albany, and the Richmonds of Richmond Manor and the Wotherspoons of New York.
Timmerman, L. & Son, Little Falls, coal dealers of Little Falls, are numbered among the representative men of Herkimer county. The father, L. Timmerman, is a native of Manheim Center and followed the occupation of farmer up to eighteen years ago, when he came to Little Falls and embarked in the coal business. He has taken a prominent part in local affairs in Little Falls, having been trustee of the village four terms or eight years, and has been president of the Y. M. C. A. for the past ten years. The coal firm was first Gillman, Brown, Loucks & Timmerman, then Gillman & Tim- merman, until May 1, 1882, when Mr. Timmerman conducted it alone until February 1, 1887, when O. W. Timmerman was admitted to the firm, and it has since been conducted under the present name. O. W. Timmerman belongs to what may be called the younger circle of leading business men of Little Falls. He holds a high degree in the Masonic order, is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Shrine ; of the Elks, the Royal Arcanum and other important organizations. His wife was Marguerite Eugenie Christman, of Herkimer, N. Y.
Turner, Louis Herkimer, was born in Germany, 1852. He came to this country July 5, 1869. He started at farming in Lewis county. Then he came to Utica, Oneida county, 1871, and started in the butcher business. He remained there for five years and married Miss Mary Everheart in 1883, from there he went to Mohawk in 1875 to 1877, and then to Herkimer, and in 1881 established a business for himself. In 1883 he was elected in the ranks of K. of P. In 1884 he became a member of I. O. O. F.
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His business has been successful and he has two sons. In 1890 he was elected as trustee of the village of Herkimer.
Trenbeth, Frank, Herkimer, was born in Rochester, N. Y. llis father, Henry Trenbeth, moved from Rochester to Herkimer when the subject of this brief sketch was but a child. He therefore received his education in the local schools, and after- wards was for four years connected with the Ilerkimer Bank. In June, 1888, he, in connection with his father, established their present grocery house. Frank Trenbeth married Miss Carrie M. French of Rochester, N. Y., and has two children, both girls. Frank Trenbeth is a Mason. Henry Trenbeth was born in England. At eight years of age he was brought to Canada, and at the close of the war he moved to Rochester, N. Y. In 1868 he again moved for the last time to Herkimer, N. Y .. where he has since resided. His wife was Miss Mary Riddell of Ontario. Frank Trenbeth is his only surviving child. Henry Trenbeth is a Royal Arch Mason, a charter member of the A. O. U. W., and both members of the firm are associated with leading social. and benevolent institutions.
Tine, G. Frank, Frankfort, one of seven children of George and Catherine (Allman) Tine, was born in Herkimer, March 4, 1859. George, the father, was born in Bavaria, and his wife, Catharine, was born in Germany. G. F. was married December 29, 1881, to Cora Belle, one of six children of Daniel and Maria (Putman) Bridenbecker of East Schuyler. He worked for twelve years in the Remington works at Ilion, the last six years as tool maker. About six years ago he entered the employ of the West Shore railroad at their shops in Frankfort, where he remains, he heing foreman of the tool department at the works. Since 1889 he has been engaged with his brother in running a news room, book and general notion store, under the name of Tine Brothers.
Thomas, J. F., German Flats, was born in Herkimer, June 20, 1836. He was at first a farmer and then in the canal business. Hle then began contract work in the gun factory and remained there thirty-three years as master mechanic and contractor. He was also contractor for the State of New York for seven years and superin- tendent of section four of the canal. In 1883 he bought the Ilion Opera House, now the Thomas Opera House and has since devoted his attention to it and his real estate interests. He has been president of the village, trustee and water commissioner. In 1856 he married Miss Libby A. McChesney.
Thomson, E. O. W., Herkimer, of the firm of Prowse & Thomson, is a native of Holland Patent, near Utica, and came to Herkimer in 1884, to enter the present part- nership. He was educated at Holland Patent Academy, the Holbrook Military Academy, and at Fort Plain. He married Miss Addie E. Hubbard and they have one child. Mr. Thomson is quite a young man, having taken a half interest in this large business when just twenty-one years of age. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the A. O. U. W., and is a Republican in politics.
Taher, Peleg, Newport, came from the town of Danby, Rutland county, Vt., and set- tled on the Turnpike, between Herkimer and Little Falls. He next moved on the first farin north of the County house, and then he and his son, Albert, purchased the first
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farm west of the County house, which they sold to Walter Taber, ard bought the ad- joining farm west. Peleg Taber married a Miss Cole, and their children were as fol- lows: Hannah Cummings, William C., Albert, Walter and John, all residents of the county through life except Hannah. Albert married Nancy, daughter of Henry J. and Nancy Myers, and their children were William Henry (deceased) ; Helen L., John A. and Ira (deceased). John followed farming and married January II, 1860, Annette, daughter of Robert and Nancy Stewart. Her father came here when she was young. Their children were Minnie, Stewart J., Etta and Bertie. John Taber started for himself as a farmer at the age of twenty. For six years he worked by the month, then on his marriage he rented a farm in Montgomery county, where he re- mained three years. Returning to Herkimer county he worked at the carpenter's trade, and then moved to Orange county, where he remained three years, working for his uncle, Samuel J. Stewart. He then moved to Fairfield, remaining thirteen years, for two years being in the hotel business. He was also an officer and made a specialty of collections. In 1881 he purchased his president residence. He has held the offices of constable for twenty-four years, deputy sheriff nine years, collector and chief of police of Middleville. Ira, son of Albert, was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company I, 12Ist N. Y. Volunteers. He was disabled and brought home from Frederick City.
Tanner, Merritt W., Schuyler, was born in Schuyler, November 23, 1839. He en- gaged in farming and the butter trade. He was in business in Iowa for about five years. His father was Hiram B. Tanner, and his grandfather was William Tanner, who came here from Rhode Island. In 1861 Mr. Tanner married Libbie A. Frank, daughter of John C. Frank, of Fort Herkimer, and has only one son living, Almon M., who is also married and has two children : Blanche L. and Almon M. jr.
Trenham, William T., Winfield, is one of the assessors of the town of Winfield, and the leading contractor and builder. His building operations extend over six different counties. He has followed this for forty years. William T. Trenham was born in Oneida county, September 14, 1833, and married Susanab Eames of that county, by whom he has two children : Mary E. and Gertrude B.
Thomas, Charles D., Winfield, attorney, was born August 15, 1861, in Winfield, a son of John M. and Dorcas G. Thomas. He was educated at West Winfield Academy and read law with George M. Aylesworth, of West Winfield, Sutton & Morehouse and Spriggs, Mathews & Spriggs, of Utica; was admitted to practice October 10, 1884. He immediately went to Watertown and formed a co-partnership with E. P. Webb, under the firm name of Webb & Thomas. This co-partnership was dissolved January 3, 1885, and shortly after he moved to West Winfield. On February 4 he opened an office in the Huntley block. He remained there until April 1, 1887, when he moved into the Mairs block, where he is now located. On August 5, 1883, he was married to Jennie M. Louden, of Rome.
Taylor, Noadiah D., Winfield, farmer and dealer in cattle, wool, etc., is a son of Tim- othy C., whose father was Samuel Taylor, a native of Meriden, Conn., and one of the first settlers of Plainfield, Otsego county. Subject's mother was Clarissa, daughter of
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Timothy Walker, who settled in West Winfield and built the first grist-mill in 1808. He cleared a large tract of land where West Winfield is now situated. Noadiah D. was born at West Exeter, Otsego county, July 5, 1827, settled in West Winfield in 1856 and built his present house that year. He married in 1854 Lodema S. Brown, who died December 11, 1881, aged fifty-one years. She was a daughter of Hiram and Susan (Gorton) Brown.
Seckner, Francis A., Winfield, has a hop, dairy, fruit and grain farn of about 240 acres ; also a store in Chepachet, where he has been postmaster for about ten years. He was born in Columbia, March 4, 1848, a son of Jacob Seckner, jr., a native of Her- kimer county, and he is a son of Jacob Seckner, born in Jacksonburg, September 13, 1789, died February 2, 1878, who was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Colum- bia. His wife was Elizabeth Crouch, born in Herkimer, July 7, 1792, died January 16, 1869. The father of Jacob, sr., was Conrad Seckner, of Germany. The great aunt of Jacob Seckner, jr., whose name was HIarter, was scalped by the Indians during the Revolutionary War and left for dead, but she recovered and lived many years after to relate her terrible experience. Chauncey, brother of Jacob, jr., has in bis possession a spade used in Revolutionary days in building the fort at Herkimer. Jacob, jr., was born March 29, 1814, and died December 21, 1876. He married March 29, 1837, Man- dana, daughter of Phineas Whitney, of German Flats, who died September 2, 1847, and his wife, Deborah Palmer, died March 24, 1858. Jacob Seckner, jr., had seven children : Irvin W., died June 8. 1859; Phineas G., died March 21, 1876; Euphema, who married George H. Edick; Fanny, who married Newbern R. Myers; Almina, who married James S. Ginby ; Alfred E., who married Laura Shaul, and Francis Seckner, who mar- ried Helen F. Tyson, November 7, 1870, and they have four children : Fanny L., Leon E., Helen F. and Bessie M., all living at home with their parents. Francis Seckner set- tled on the farm where he now lives in 1871. It is partly in Winfield and partly in Richfield, Otsego county.
Graves, Solomon, Russia, was born February 24, 1819, in Russia, N. Y., a son of John, who was a son of Russell. John Graves was born December 22, 1778, and came from Stephentown, Rensselaer county, to Newport, this county, at the age of sixteen, with his only property, an ax, on his shoulder, jobbing it in clearing land till he bought land of his own, which he cleared up and paid for by his own personal exertions. He first purchased 106 acres of land, on which subject now resides, afterwards adding 144 acres, making 250 in all. September 30, 1800, he married Abigail Munn, born Decem- ber 27, 1780, by whom he had three sons, Crosby, Ezra and John R. She died De- cember 27, 1816, and in 1818 he married Esther Smith, a native of Rhode Island, born December 19, 1784, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. Mr. Graves was a Jacksonian Democrat and afterwards a Republican. He was sheriff of Herkimer county one term, justice of the peace, school commissioner, supervisor many times and was twice elected member of the Assembly. He died in 1855 and his wife died in 1860. Solomon Graves was educated in the common schools of Russia, in Clinton Liberal In- stitute and Union College, graduating from the latter in 1842. April 27, 1842, he mar- ried Margaret Smith, a native of Williamsville, Erie county, born February 27, 1821, a
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daughter of Oziel Smith, of Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt., born April 17, 1784, in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt., and Phoebe Norton, born October 22, 1789, in Rich- mond, Berkshire county, Mass. Mr. Smith and wife had four daughters and one son. He died January 3, 1836, and his wife March 13, 1890, at the age of 100 years To Mr. Graves and wife were born five children: Edward O., Crosby J., Charles A., William H. and Jessie, the latter two deceased. Mr. Graves taught school a short time and then engaged in farming on the old homestead until 1850. IIe next purchased property in Geneva, N. Y., and resided there a short time, but soon returned to the old homestead, where he remained until 1873, when he sold out, and, in 1876, went to Washington, D. C., and engaged in the manufacture of ornamental and architectural terra cotta work and sewer pipe for four years. In 1889 he bought back the old homestead, where he has since resided. He was an early and earnest Republican, and has been school con- missioner a number of years and supervisor five years. In 1859 he represented the first district of Herkimer county in the Assembly. He is a member of Newport lodge, No. 455, F. and A. M.
Bailey, Thomas, Little Falls, was born and received his education in Little Falls. In 1872 he entered the manufacturing establishment, of which his father is president, in a clerical capacity. He now, in the absence of the president, fills his position, attending to the buying, selling and general outside business. Mr. Bailey has heen for a number of years prominent in political and social circles ; he served as alderman for four years consecutively, and in the fall of 1890 was elected to the responsible position of county treasurer upon the Republican ticket. IIis father and brother have also held public office. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Odd Fellows, Elks, and the popular leader of the well known Little Falls band, he being a very accomplished cor- net player.
Hanchett, N. A., German Flats, was born in Oneida county March 31, 1845. He early showed a preference for the grocery business, in which he is now engaged. He came to Ilion over twenty years ago, and was for some time employed in the Armory He has been in his present business for several years. Mr. Hanchett is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the A. O. U. W. and the order of the Eastern Star. He has been trustee of the village two years. His father was Nelson D. Hanchett, also a native of Oneida connty.
Van Buren, Jacob, Dolgeville, was born in Oppenheim Center January 25, 1827. His father and grandfather were born in Coxsackie, on the Hudson. His grandfather was a brother to Martin's father. Jacob received a good common school education, and moved with his father to Brockett's Bridge in 1834. His father then engaged in the manufacture of lead pipe, furniture, undertaking and millwright business, etc. In 185] he engaged with Seth Thomas for one year as machinist in his clock shops at Plymouth Hollow, Conn. In the fall of 1852 he engaged with James & Ferris in Utica, mann- facturers of telescopes for their target rifles. In 1854 he went West. In 1864 he en- gaged with Judge J. D. Caton in his Illinois and Mississippi telegraph shops in Ottawa. Ill. Some two years after the judge sold out to the Western Union. Van Buren stopped with the Western Union, took charge of the engine and machinery, made tools,
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
dies, etc., until the Western Union removed their works in 1874 to Chicago. In 1875 he removed to Joliet as engineer in the Joliet Steel Mill Water Works. During his life in the West he filled many important public offices, such as city marshal, collector, etc. In 1877 he returned to Brockett's Bridge and entered the employ of Alfred Dolge as machinist. In 1878 he drafted and invented the most part of the first hammer felt machine; made the machine in Mr. Dolge's factory, the only one said to be in ex- istence at that time, which was greatly in advance of the old tread-mill style. In 1879 he invented and drafted a glne table with a series of slots running lengthwise for glue- ing piano sounding boards, which was a success. In 1880 Mr. Van Buren invented a knife forty-eight inches long for cutting heavy hammer felt. In 1882 the second ham- mer felt machine was made by him on a much larger scale, which did excellent work. About his last work there was getting up a new style of post adjustable box for Mr. Dolge's heavy shafting and overseeing the setting of his large engine. In 1883, his health having failed him, he resigned and retired from mechanical work.
Vosburgh, Charles W., was born in Little Falls and received his education at the academy here. After being engaged in clerking, book-keeping, etc., for several years, he formed a partnership with Leigh & Company in the grocery line, and later a co- partnership with a Mr. Shaut in the same business, the firm being known as Shaut & Vosburgh. After this for a time he conducted the City Market, which he disposed of in 1890 and entered the Little Falls post-office as assistant postmaster. This position he still retains. Mr. Vosburgh is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Red Men and of the Fire Department, Little Falls Commandery, Ziyara Temple of Utica, etc. He married Katie M. Sharp, of Little Falls.
Van Dieman, Paul, German Flats, was born in Hamburg, Germany, January 14. 1863, and came to America in 1874. He learned the trade of die-cutter and engraver in Chicago and New York, and came to Ilion in September, 1890. He cuts the original dies for making type for the Remington Standard Typewriter. Mr. Van Die- men married Pauline Wilhelm December 31, 1886. His father, C. P. H. Van Diemen, once conducted the largest express business in Hamburg, Germany.
Pierce, John, Little Falls, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., September 7, 1863. Ile learned the trade of baker and confectioner in Wheeling, W. Va. He came to Little Falls in 1884, remaining there until 1886, when he went into the employ of the New Yord Central Railroad, thence to Gloversville, N. Y., and back to Little Falls in 1887. In 1889 he went to Utica and returned to Little Falls in 1890, starting the Manheim bakery April 28 of that year. Mr. Pierce does a thriving business, having built up his trade through superior products, He married Nora Williams, and they have one son.
Van Gumster, sr., John, Ilion, was born in Holland in 1839. He came to America in 1848 with his parents, who first located in Troy, N. Y. They subsequently took up residence in Syracuse, N. Y., where the subject of this sketch learned the trade of gunsmith. IFis father was also an expert gunmaker. In 1861 he came to Ilion and became a contractor with E. Remington's Sons, with whom he remained until 1885. Since that time he has been one year with Edison and two years with the Winchester
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Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Conn. He is a Republican in politics, has been a delegate to important conventions, and holds the position of trustee of this vil- lage at the present time.
Van Valkenburg, C. A., Manheim, was born in Manheim July 8, 1836. He was mar- ried to Alida M. Schuyler June 17, 1868. His father, Vrial, was born in August, 1795. His mother was Catherine Driesbach, a sister of the celebrated lion tamer. Mr. Van Valkenburg has lived on the farm he now owns forty-nine years. His father settled here in the spring of 1837. Mr. Van Valkenburg moved from the farm October 20, 1886, to where he now lives, No. 540 East Monroe street. Mr. Van Valkenburg re- ceived most of his education in the distriet schools, except one year in the Little Falls Academy and one term at Fort Plain Seminary. Mr. Van Valkenburg took the man- agement of his farm at the age of twenty, making butter and cheese. Two years later he started a market garden on a very small scale in connection with cheese-making, and gradually increased the garden business for twenty-five years, then growing fifteen acres of vegetables, which he has run since, making thirty-four years in all. In 1886 he started a milk route, which he has run since in connection with gardening.
Van Vechten, Charles F., Norway, was born August 9, 1836. His father was Har- mon Van Vechten, a son of Peter Van Vechten, who lived and died in Rensselaer county. The wife of Peter was Jane Waldron, who bore him four sons and four daughters. Harmon Van Vechten was born in May 23, 1813. He married Rony II. Austin, and they had eight sons and five daughters. In 1851 Mr. Van Vechten came to Norway and there resided until his death in 1883. His widow is a member of the M. E. church and now resides with Charles F. Van Vechten. Mrs. Van Vechten was born in Salisbury in 1823, and was a daughter of William S. and Lucy (Barnes) Austin, who were the parents of nine children. Charles F. Van Vechten is a farmer and dairy- man. He owns 276 acres of the old homestead where he was born and reared. Ile was educated in the common schools.
Whiteman, Henry, Little Falls, was born in the town of Thompson, Windham county, Conn., 1819. His father died when he was nine years old, leaving a wife and three small children. He and his sister were put to work in a factory immediately , after his father's death. In the year 1830 his mother with her children moved to Utica, N. Y., caring for them by taking boarders. He was engaged in various pursuits until 1846, when he engaged in mercantile business, continued two years at De Ruyter, Madison county, N. Y. He was married in De Ruyter, in 1846, to Mary Jane Colkins, daughter of Washington Colkins, of Earlville, N. Y. He followed other occupations until 1854, when he removed to Little Falls, N. Y., where he has since remained. In 1869 he received the appointment of collector of canal tolls from a Democratic canal board, which position he held for four successive years. In 1873 he engaged as general agent for the Warrior Mower Machine Company, which position he held for about sixteen years. His business as general agent took him through all the nothern States and territories. During his engagement with the Warrior Mower Company he made a fine geological collection, which will compare favorably with any private geological collection in the State. In 1870 he was appointed overseer of the poor of the town of Little Falls, which position he yet retains.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Kelsey, George, Little Falls, was born at Fort Plain, Montgomery county, N. Y., No- vember 18, 1865. He received a good common school education, and afterwards learned the trade of baker, at which trade he worked for several prominent establishments in Little Falls, and in the spring of 1892 established a wholesale business in this village. He supplies stores, hotels, etc., and his goods reach all parts of this county. He gives employment to several skilled bakers, and supervises all operations himself. Mr. Kel- sey married Alice A. Brigham, of Graefenburg Spa; and they have two sons, Leon P. and Charles HI. Mr. Kelsey's manufactory is at No. 6 Mohawk street. He also has a retail store for the sale of fine home-male bakestuffs and confectionery at No. 321 Second street.
Wood, D. R., Fairfield, is one of the prominent farmers of Fairfield, owning 625 acres of dairy farms. He raises a large number of young stock annually to keep up his large herd of milch cows. His grandfather, John Wood, was a Revolutionary soldier in Rhode Island, but afterwards settled in this State. In 1844 Mr. D. R. Wood married Lydia Emily Fenner, daughter of G. F. Fenner, and they have a family of four sons and five daughters. Mr. Wood is a Democrat and all of his sons except one are the same.
Washburn, Elisha, Herkimer, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., near Sing Sing, upon the 13th day of August, 1832. His family removed into Otsego county when Elisha was about three years of age. He received his educational advantages here and in the town of Plainfield, and followed farming until 1857, when he sold his farm of 160 acres and bought the Temperance House of Herkimer of Eli Taylor. After keeping this house for some years he sold it to Messrs. Fields & Curtis, and established a flour and feed store, and in 1864 bought the Bellinger flouring mills, with which Mr. Wash- burn has since been connected In 1886 he sold out one half interest of mill to his former manager, G. M. Ilelmer, and the firm name is E. Washburn and G. M. IIelmer now. Ile is a staunch Prohibitionist in politics, also a protectionist. Mr. Washburn is of English descent, and traces his ancestry in this county to before Revolutionary times, with which they were identified, also the war of 1812. The Washburn family hold a re-union each year, which over 100 representatives attend. Mr. Washburn married Miss Eunice Newton Rice of Otsego county, in 1834, a descendant of Sir James New- ton Rice. They have two children, a boy and a girl.
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