USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 71
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Warren, Halsey W., Little Falls, general insurance and newspaper correspondent, was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., February 9, 1857. IIe was educated at the Amsterdam Academy. He followed civil engineering for eight years and settled in Little Falls after the completion of the West Shore railroad, in which he was employed three years. In 1884 he established a general insurance agency. Ilis ancestors were prominent in the history of the country. The late Ilon. Platt Potter, of Schenectady, was his grand- mother's brother. Mr. Warren has been a trustee of the village for four years, 1889- 1893, besides being elected to other political offices. While trustee he was foremost in all improvements to the place, among them being the lighting of the village by elec- tricity. In 1883 he was married to Nancy C. Staring, daughter of Peter A. Staring. Her mother was the daughter of the late Gen. Abram G. Rosecrantz, of State militia
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fame and a descendant of Capt. George Henry Bell, a brother-in-law of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer, who was wounded in the battle of Oriskany. Mr. Warren is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, B. P. O. Elks, Royal Arcanum and Improved Order of Red Men.
Walker, L. N., German Flats, was born in New Hampshire, February 14, 1845, and has been a mechanic all his life. He came to Ilion in 187I and entered the armory and during the past four years has been a contractor in assembling and finishing. In 1866 he married Kate E. Sartelle, daughter of Calvin Sartelle. Mr. Walker was captain of the celebrated Ilion rifle team, and is a prominent Mason.
Wright, Grant B., Dannbe, was born on the old farm of 100 acres at Paine's Hollow, which is still in possession of his grandfather, Isaac Wright, About five years ago they moved into Newville and established a general store, which they have since conducted. Grant B. Wright married Nellie Schuyler, a daughter of Lon Schuyler. They have two children, Bessie and Harry. Grant B. has served as tax collector, etc., besides which he is also postmaster of Newville. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution.
Wicks, J. D., German Flats, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., January 29, 1849, and learned his profession of electro-metallurgist in New York city. He has been in Ilion five years and does all the electro-plating for the Typewriter company. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias. In 1873 Mr. Wicks married Ida A. Crissey and they have one son, Charles D. Wicks. J. Leander Wicks, father of J. D., is a sea captain, and the family have all been seafaring men for generations.
Wilson, A. C., Fairfield, is a native of the town of Manheim and was born in 1847. He works the Teall farm, owned jointly by Mrs. Wilson and her sister, Marion E. Teall, a farm of 200 acres and a herd of forty cows. In 1875 he married Miss Sarah C. Teall, daughter of S. Teall, and they have a family of three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Wilson has been a successful man and has been commissioner of high- ways. He is a member of the grange and of the Republican party. His grandfather was a resident of Jefferson county and his father, Daniel C. Wilson, was a well-known citizen of Fairfield.
Wayne, William, Frankfort, was born in New Scotland, Albany county, June 12, 1849. His father was Anthony Wayne, and his mother Elizabeth (Reid) Wayne. His grandfather, George Wayne, was also born on the family homestead in New Scotland. His great-grandfather, Anthony Wayne, came from Derbyshire, England, about the year 1770. Soon after the close of the war he came to this country and settled in New Scotland. In 1785 he gave a half acre of ground for educational purposes and to-day a new school building stands npon the spot. William Wayne was married January 10, 1883, to Glenova Becker, of Central Bridge, a daughter of Abram and Ellen (Wands) Becker. They have one son, Raymond B. Wayne. Since 1870 Mr. Wayne has done business as a carpenter and builder, living in Frankfort since 1884, engaging in building and selling houses-employing some fifteen men in his business.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Weigand, A. E., German Flats, was born in Berlin, Prussia, April 6, 1853, and there learned the trade of designer and woodcarver. He came to Ilion in 1878, and has since been a contractor in the armory, doing all the ornamenting and chequering on the gun stocks. He was the first to educate women in this art and employ them in America. In 1878 he married Sarah Miller, daughter of Adolphus Miller, a clergyman of Cleve- land, O.
Warner, Robert, W., M. D., German Flats, is a native of Baltimore, Md., and was born January 23, 1859. He studied in Ilion Academy and with Dr. Maben, and grad- uated in 1880 from Albany Medical College, the same year opening an office in Ilion. He is a member of the Herkimer County Medical Society ; of Ilion Lodge, No. 591, F. and A. M .; Iroquois Chapter, No. 236, R. A. M., and Khorassan Grotto, No. 2, Veiled Prophets. He was coroner for six years and health officer for about the same length of time. He is now first lieutenant and assistant surgeon of the Thirty - first Separate com- pany, N. G. S. N. Y. In 1886 he married Louise M. Schmidt, of Ilion.
Weaver, Walter, Dolgeville, was born in Oppenheim, July 10, 1868. He received a good common school education, and was then engaged in farming for six seasons. After this he became clerk for a prominent house in Dolgeville, and after serving in that capacity for over two years, he established his present shoe and men's furnishing estab- lishment. Mr. Weaver is of Mohawk Dutch descent, and of Revolutionary antecedents. He is a member of the Good Templars and Knights of S. F. I. He is an active mem- ber of the Methodist chuch, Epworth League, etc.
Whitfield, Walter, German Flats, was born in Manchester, England, in 1844, and came to America in 1850, settling in Ilion. He was for many years in the gun shops here, in the pistol department. Ile entered the armory in 1859, but has been in the Typewriter company since its organization. In 1861 he enlisted in the 101st New York Infantry, and served two years. Mr. Whitfield is a Mason, and a member of the Little Falls Commandery, No. 26. In 1865 he married Emily Iles, and they have three children living.
Whitney, Henry G., German Flats, was born in German Flats, January 28, 1836, and remained on the farm until about twenty-eight years of age, when he went into the livery business and remained up to the present year. He is interested in trotting stock. He is a Mason and an active Republican. In February, 1872, Mr. Whitney married Elmira L. Folts and they have one son, Frank C., who is a law student.
Wright, Isaac, Stark. For six generations the Wright family have lived and tilled the soil in this town. Isaac Wright's father was in the war of 1812. and his grand- father was in the War of the Revolution. One brother and three nephews participated in the War of the Rebellion, one of the latter died in Andersonville, and his brother re- ceived a wound which ultimately resulted in lus death. Squire Wright was born in 1815 on the homestead farm. He married Catie M. Deck, by whom he has had seven children, four of whom survive. He owns a dairy farm of 100 acres and keeps twenty- five head of stock. Mr. Wright was elected justice of the peace, which position he held sixteen years He has also served as inspector of elections, commissioner of highways, etc .; inspector of schools in 1838, assessor and notary public.
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
Watts, J. W., German Flats, was born in Scotland in 1866 and was brought to this country in his infancy. He studied at Whitesboro Seminary, and for the bar in the office of Goodwin & Swan, of Utica, and was admitted to the bar April 20, 1889. He has fine abilities and has advanced himself to his present position at the bar by his rare energy. He opened an office in Mohawk in October, 1892, and still retains his office in Utica. His father, James Watts, resides in Whitesboro, and is an inspector of the New York Mills.
Wetberwax, A. L., Little Falls, proprietor of the Rockton House, Little Falls, has been one of the greatest cheese dealers and manufacturers of this State or country. He has made 4,500,000 pounds of cheese, and of this he made 3,500,000 in the Newville factory, which he conducted for eleven years. Ile took a prize for his cheese at the Centennial exposition in 1876. In 1869 he made four large cheeses for a Christmas dinner in London, England, weighing 980 pounds, and in 1870 made four more for the same party, weighing 1,380 pounds, and for all these got 24 cents per pound, when the best cheese was selling for 17 cents. He first made cheese in Oneida in 1864, and a year latter came to Manheim. In 1868 he came to Newville. In his commission busi- ness he was very successful, and in one day (September 10, 1887,) bought $12,700 worth of cheese for J. S. Martin & Co., of No. 168 Chambers street, New York. Mr. Wetherwax is a native of this State, and his ancestors came from Germany about cwo centuries ago. He was born in 1831.
Wallace, Rev. P. F., Frankfort, pastor of St. Peter and Paul's Roman Catholic church, was born in Ireland, and educated at All Hallows College, Dublin. He came to this country in 1881 and entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy, N. Y., studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1886 and appointed assistant priest at St. John's church, Albany, where he remained for six years. Appointed to this parish by Right Rev. Bishop McNeirny, of Albany, he came to Frankfort, April 19, 1892, he being the first resident pastor, Rev. James Halpin, of Herkimer, having officiated heretofore. A fine parochial residence is being erected beside the church, under the supervision of Fr. Wallace.
Walrath E. M., Little Falls, was born in the town of Danube, but has spent all bis business life in Little Falls. He has been engaged in the grocery business for about eleven years. He is a member of the American Mechanics, al.d a Democrat in politics. Mr. Walrath comes of an old historic family. His mother was a great-grandniece of General Herkimer. His great-great-grandfather, Henry Walrath, was in the battle of Oriskany, and at the close of the battle, while still enveloped in the smoke, he, with several others, were standing together, talking of the incidents of the day, when one of the party was shot down and very soon another and another until all but two or three were shot before they found their assailant, who was a wounded Indian, lying beside an old log near by. His grandfather, Moses Walrath, was in the war of 1812.
Wakeman, Ward, Little Falls, a farmer, resides about three miles north of the village of Little Falls, and was born on the old Wakeman homestead, adjoining his present home. His grandfather came from Connecticut about the year 1800, and the family has resided here ever since. His father's name was J. B. Wakeman. Ward Wakeman married Ella J. Skinner, who died July, 1891.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Wooster, Joseph T., Newport, is a native of Fairfield, Herkimer county, and a son of D :. Joseph and Nancy Pickert Wooster, who settled in Middleville about 1830 from Oneida county, as a physician, which profession he followed until his death in 1846. His wife, Nancy, died in 1887. They had two children, Elizabeth, who died in 1884, and Joseph T., who was born in May, 1844. Ile entered the Newport National Bank as cashier in 1874, which position he has since held. September 27, 1888, he married Elda A., daughter of Elisha Smith. They have two sons, Joseph T. jr., and Charles S. Mr. Wooster's mother was a native of Manheim, Herkimer county, N. Y.
Ward, Henry L., Fairfield, is a native of Eatonville, and was born February 7, 1813. Ilis father came there about 1792, and was among the earliest settlers of that part. Henry L. Ward has been a very successful man and has gained the highest esteem of all who know him. He was for many years a resident of Newport, and was supervisor of that town six years, and inspector of the county house five years. In 1850 he mar- ried Bula A. Martin, and they have three sons living: H. Judd, Frank M. and Bela J.
Williams, J. K., Fairfield, is a native of Fulton county and started life as a farmer, working for J. W. Windecker. On March 25th, 1862, he began cheese making, making dairy cheese at home for J. H. Ives, near Fairfield village. He also works a 200-acre farm for Mr. Ives and has been doing so for seven years. In 1868 Mr. Williams mar- ried Miss Mary Carney and they have seven children. The annual make of the fac- tory is about 25,000 pounds.
Weller, W. F., German Flats, was born in Ilion, August 23, 1863, and after clerking for some time established his grocery and meat business here in 1889. In 1887 he married Miss Cora Ackler ; they have a family of three daughters. His parents were John and Anna (Horner) Weller.
Whiting, James F., Fairfield, was born in Oneida county, May 8, 1847, but moved to Middleville with his parents at the age of twelve. February 4, 1864, at the early age of seventeen, he enlisted in Company C., Second N. Y. Heavy Artillery, which served as foot soldiers and participated in seventeen battles with the Army of the Potomac. In August, 1864, he was appointed corporal; in October, 1864, sergeant, and in June, 1865, first sergeant of his company ; was honorably discharged after the close of the war, the 29th day of September, 1865. In 1868 Mr. Whiting married Carrie Farrell and they have had six children, three sons and three daughters. Mr. Whiting started his tin, sheet iron and stove, hardware and plumbing business, and by strict attention to business has enlarged it each year.
Winegar, Robert D., German Flats, was born in Ilion May 27, 1869, and learned with his father the art of rifling gun barrels. Ilis father, Richard L. Winegar, was for thirty-three years a contractor in the Remington Armory, and when he left to look after interests in the south, Robert D. succeeded him, and is the youngest contractor in the armory. He is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Birmingham, and of the Veiled Prophets and Knights of Pythias. Mr. R. L. Winegar achieved fame by making the highest score in the world at Creedmore, shooting 223 points out of a possible 225, at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
Wolf, Frederick, Dolgeville, was born in Germany April 23, 1843. Prior to coming to this country, Mr. Wolf was engaged in the manufacturing business from 1858 to 1880 in Leipsic. In the latter part of 1880 he came to America and entered the employ of Alfred Dolge (who is his brother-in-law) as overseer of the lumber and felt depart- ments. Mr. Wolf has been very active and influential in local affairs here. He was the originator of the German Club, also a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for ten years, a director in the Aid Society, a member of the school board, also of the health board and of other associations both social and benevolent. His wife was Miss Horn, a sister of Mrs. Alfred Dolge, and Mr. Wolf has a family of five children living. His oldest son is an assistant in MI. Dolge's New York office, and his oldest daughter is a teacher in the Dolgeville Kindergarten School.
Wilson, Sylvester, Herkimer, was born in the town of Stark August 15, 1847. He received his education in the schools of Herkimer and commenced life as a painter and marble cutter, in which lines he has worked here for eighteen years, being engaged in one shop for nine years. In 1875 Mr. Wilson was elected constable and chief of police under the old board. In 1887 he was appointed chief under the new board of the paid department, which position he most acceptably filled until 1891, when he was elected sheriff of Herkimer county, being elected in a Republican county of 800 to 1,000 ma- jority upon a Democratic ticket with a majority of 178. Sheriff Wilson is a leader of the celebrated Glee Club which has participated for so many years in political campaigns. His wife was Miss Jennie IIall of Norway. They have two children.
Western, Benjamin E., Norway, was born in Norway May 12, 1840. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah Western. (See Samuel J. Western's sketch). Benjamin E. was educated in the common schoois. He is a farmer and lumberman. His wife is Sarah M. Wood, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Wheelock and Hannah Wood, who ha- e four sons and six daughters. The children of Benjamin E. Western are: Jennie, Charlie, Cylvina and Walter. Mr. Western is a Democrat. He and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church at Black Creek.
Witherstine, William, Herkimer, was born in the town of Herkimer September 25, 1853. His father, David Witherstine, who was a farmer, died on the 8th day of April, 1864, leaving a widow and five children : Charles, Horace, William, Margaret and Martha, being the only children of a second wife. The Witherstine family is one of the old families of New York State. His grandfather, John Witherstine, was a soldier of the Revolution, having entered the American army at the opening of hostilities in the Mohawk Valley and served with honor during the entire struggle of the colonies for independence. His mother, Margaret Petrie, was a granddaughter of Dr. Wm. Petrie, who amputated the limb of General Ilerkimer after he was wounded at the battle of Oriskany. Mr. Witherstine received his early education in the common schools of Herkimer and afterwards attended school at Fairfield Seminary, from which he grad- uated in 1878. After teaching school for some time he entered the law office of Smith & Steele, in Herkimer and began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar Oc- tober 10, 1884, and in the following May opened an office in the Democrat Block in Herkimer, where he is still engaged in a large and increasing practice of his profession.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
He has been twice elected justice of the peace and for five years has been a member of the Board of Education, of which he is now president. He has always taken a deep interest in the schools, and is identified with all the social and benevolent enterprises of the village. In the spring of 1892 he was elected to the office of president of the vil- lage by the largest majority ever given to a candidate for that office, thus showing the high esteem in which he was held by the citizens of that village. Mr. Witherstine was married December 25, 1878, to Miss Mary Western of Norway, Herkimer country, N. Y., and has two children, Charles J. and Emma. He has only one brother now living, Dr. H. II. Witherstine, a prominent physician, also mayor of Rochester, Minn. Mr. Witherstine is a member of the Reformed church of Herkimer, and also one of the Y. M. C. A. of the same place.
Wagner, Oscar, Frankfort, was born in Prussia, July 6, 1862. He was one of six children of William and Mathilde Wagner. He was educated in the schools of the city of Bromberg. In addition to the languages, etc., he was given the benefits of a scientific education. When twenty years of age he came to this country, locating in Frankfort, some nine and a half years. In 1888 he went into general contracting and building. In 1889 he erected a building, the first floor of which he occupies as a grocery and general store. It is a fine three-story building 30x80 feet, the upper floors of which are used as tenements. He also owns four other dwellings arranged for two families each. He is one of the thrifty men of the town. He was married March 10, 1886, to Bertha Koeppe, a native of Prussia.
Waite, Eben Britton .- The subject of this sketch was born in the village of Little Falls, December 25, 1820, and is a son of Job and Rebecca Waite. His education, which began at an early age, was completed in the village schools, where he was a diligent and proficient student. Mr. Waite commenced his business career in 1836, acting as clerk for Jacob W. Dygert, who kept a store on the canal, near the Aqueduct. He remained in this position one year, when he accepted a clerkship with John Beards- lee in a grocery and provision store on Main street. Holding this place three years, on April 1, 1890, he entered the canal warehouse of Page & Priest. In the spring of 1845 he rented a canal warehouse and grocery store of Major Frederick Bellinger, of Mohawk, located at the Herkimer upper bridge. The situation being undesirable, he returned to Little Falls in 1846 and took charge, as manager of the canal warehouse, and line of boats running between that place and New York city. In 1850 he left this situation, and traveled two years for health and recreation. In 1852 he formed a co-partnership with William Page, to develop a water power on Seely Island and build a paper mill. In 1854, selling his interest in this enterprise to Mr. Page and his son, he bought and developed three water lots on the north side of the Mohawk river at the lower falls. The dvelopment of these lots was a work of considerable magni- tude. A channel thirty-two feet wide and seventeen feet deep at the highest point was blasted through the solid rock, opening into the waters of the Mohawk. It was controlled by a bulkhead, and, with a portion of the old Inland Lock and Navigation Company's canal, which was reconstructed, formed the mill canal. April 30, 1857 Mr. Waite formed a co-partnership with Seth M. and Alvin Richmond, under the firm
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FAMILY SKETCHES
name of E. B. Waite & Co., for the purpose of building and operating a paper-mill. This business was successfully continued until March 13, 1889, when the property was sold to the Little Falls Paper Company. Mr. Waite, since 1889, has lived a retired life at his residence, 320 South Ann street, in the village of Little Falls. He married, August 14, 1867, Miss Helen Case, daughter of Morgan E. Case. of Fairfield. Thev have two children, a son, Eben Britton, jr., born August 25, 1869, and a daughter, Cora, born February 16, 1872, both of whom reside at the family mansion.
White, Franklin, Warren. was born in Braintree, Mass., and is a son of Calvin and Margery White, who were the parents of four sons and four daughters. Our subject moved to Albany when young and engaged in the hotel business at the stock yards. In 1871 he located on a farm of 100 acres west of Little Lakes and now owns 200 acres. His wife was Ann E. Gallup, a daughter of Nathaniel Gallup, born at Stonington, Conn., October 16, 1799, and died at the residence of our subject in April, 1878. He was twice married. Mrs. Franklin White received an excellent education in Albany Female Academy, and graduated from a private academy in 1850. She is the mother of five children : Martha G., Frank H., Anna E., Alice and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Episcopal church. Their son, Frank H., who was born in Albany, May 26, 1863, has charge of the farm and is a breeder of Hambletonian horses.
Watkins James H. J., Schuyler, a native of Wales, was born in 1843, and came to America in 1853. Ife was educated in Fairfield Academy and Madison University, and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1866, having charge of the Baptist church at Harpersville for some time. He is now a journalist and farmer. He has been clerk of the board of supervisors and justice of the peace for twenty years. In 1887 he edited the Frankfort Register. In 1868 he married M I. Richardson, and they have two children, William C. B. Watkins and Grace Watkins.
Weatherbee, Elias B., Warren, is a son of Brayton A. and Philena H. (Bell) Weather- bee. His grandfather was Alvin, who was a son of Lucius, who came from Bellow's Falls, Vt., about 1805 and built a tannery. He died in 1834, leaving one son, Alvin, born in 1798. He died in 1884 and his wife at an earlier date. They had four chil- dren : Brayton A., Alvin E., Emmagene and Leona. Brayton A. Weatherbee was born July 16, 1820, at Page's Corners. At the age of eighteen he engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted till 1849, when he engaged in milling and tanning. He owns 250 acres, grist mill tannery, with one of the best water powers in the coun- try, coming from springs on the farm. The pond 18 well stocked with trout. He has a fine residence. He has also invented, made and had patented a stone gathering ma- chine, which works well. He is a director of the First National Bank of Richfield Springs, a stockbolder in and director of the National Mohawk Valley bank, and was active in securing the railroad to Richfield Springs. He married in 1851, Philena, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Patterson) Bell, who bore him four children: Rose P., wife of Walton D. Gregory, of Newark, N. J .; Elias B., Willard R. and Hattie E., (deceased). Mrs. Weatherbee died in 1880. She was a member of the Universalist church,
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HISTORY OF HIERKIMER COUNTY.
Woodhull, W. B., M. D., Russia, was born in Painesville, Ohio, May 12, 1858, a son of Josiah, a son of Richard Woodhull, a native of England, who came to Long Island, where he died, about 1830. Josiah Woodhull was born in Long Island in 1829, and was a contractor and builder. ITe married Amanda Strong, a native of Long Island, by whom he had two sons, W. B. being the oldest. Hle was educated in the public schools of Long Island and in St. Barnabas IIall Academy, graduating from the latter in 1873. Ile spent one year at sea, three years as clerk and one year as merchant. At the age of twenty-one he began the study of medicine with Dr. II. M. Ives, at Hastings, and afterwards graduated from New York University in 1882. He immediately be- gan practicing his profession, coming to Poland in 1885, where he has been very suc- cessful. In 1882 he married Mary. daughter of John and Helen (Sperry) Ackley, of Connecticut, and they have two children, Helen and Clarence S. He is a Republican, a member of IIerkimer County Medical society, and a member of South Side Lodge, No. 493, F. & A. M., in Long Island.
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