USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 74
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Freeman, David, Stark, was born in German Flats, near Fox Hollow, June 18, 1836, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Osterhout) Freeman. The grandfather, David, was born and died in Connecticut, and raised six children : Samuel, David, Henry, Seth, Mary and Phœbe, all of whom came to Herkimer county. Samuel came in 1820 to German Flats, where he died January 2, 1880, and his wife died November 20, 1885. They had nine children and raised seven: Henry, Louisa, Caroline, David, Anson, Joseph and Rosell. Subject's mother was born in Columbia, daughter of Jacob and Ann Osterhout, of Holland Dutch descent. David was raised in German Flats, received a district school education, and at nine left home and began earning his own living. He lived with Dan Wilson until he was twenty-one, but the latter died, and at sixteen he worked by the month wherever he could. At twenty he began the carpenter's trade, at which he
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worked for seven years, then he worked by the month on a farm until the war broke out. August 20, 1864, he enlisted on the gun-boat Dragone, and saw service in Chesa- peake bay. He was discharged March 29, 1865, at Washington navy yard, and re- turned to his home, where he engaged in cheese making at Wicks' Corners, in Stark. He spent one year in Springfield, but Fas resided most of his life in Stark. He owns six acres, and has served as inspector, excise commissioner, collector, justice and is now deputy sheriff. In politics he is a Democrat. July 3, 1856, he married Lucinda, daugh- ter of Christian F. Bronner, a farmer of Stark. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman had three chil- dren : Rozeltha E., wife of Lewis II. Backus; Cynthia A., wife of Franklin House, and Floyd V. Subject and wife are active members of long standing in Freewill Baptist church.
Bennett, William, Norway, was born in Newport, July 23, 1834. His father was Hiram Bennett, a son of Joshua Bennett, who came from New England at an early date and settled in Ohio, where he died. Hiram Bennett came with his father to Ohio and here his life was spent. He married Almira Churchill, of Deerfield. She bore him six children. By his second wife, Lydia Cavenaugh, he had five. The death of Mr. Ben- nett occurred in 1861 and that of his wife in 1891. William Bennett married Emily I. Warner, a native of Connecticut, by whom he has had six children, two of whom are hving, Gary and Olie. Mr. Bennett enlisted in the Eighty-first N. Y. S. V. regiment, Co. C. in November, 1861, for three years ; was taken prisoner at the battle of Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864, taken to Andersonville prison and was paroled February 28, 1864, receiving his honorable discharge at Annapolis, May 16, 1865. Mr. Bennett is a car- penter by trade and runs a saw-mill. He has spent most of his life in Ohio, but during the last eight years has resided in Norway. In 1884 he purchased the Black Creek Western mill. He is a Republican and has been clerk of Ohio three years. He and his wife are Methodists.
Ilodge, Ira, Norway, was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, in 1840. He is a son of David Hodge, a son of Rober. Hodge, one of the first settlers of Ohio, where he spent his life in agricultural pursuits. The wife of Robert Hodge was Rosa Pell, who bore him twelve children, five of whom are living. David Hodge was a farmer. Ilis wife was Patience HIall, who bore him eleven children. Mr. Hodge spent most of his life in Ohio, where he and his wife died. The subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He married Mary F. Warner, of New York, and they had the following children : Nelhe 1., Jessie W., David O., Florence E., Benjamin F., Polly M. and Nora O., all of whom are living except Nora O., who died in infancy. Mr. Hodge is a farmer and shingle maker. He, perhaps, has made more shingles than any other man in Hierkimer county. Iu 1861 he enlisted in company C, Thirty-fourth N. Y. Vol- unteers, and at the end of two months was sent home for disability. In 1865 he was drafted and on account of disability was rejected. He did not receive his discharge un- til 1892.
Weeks, James N., Warren, was born in Greene county, August 22, 1819, a son of Townsend and Hannah (Nelson) Weeks. Ilis grandfather, Solomon, came from Rhode Island, to Greene county, where he died. Ile raised a large family. Townsend
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was born in Greene county in 1796, and moved to Canada on Lake Ontario, where he resided until his death. He had four children : James N., Rob, George and Rachel A. Subject's mother was born in Greene county, a daughter of James and Berzilla (LaValley) Nelson. He served in the war of 1812, and earlier in the British army. He left a widow and two children : Hannah and Betsey. Subject's mother married for second husband John Lawton, by whom she had one child, Robert. Our subject went with his parents to Canada where he remained two and a half years, then came to Albany county. Since the age of twelve he has supported himself. He had a district school education, and at the age of eighteen began the blacksmith's trade in Greene county, and worked at Albany and other places until 1840, when he came to Warren and followed his trade at Little Lakes. In 1861 he bought and located on 212 acres where he resides, and carried on farming. He now ownes 196 acres, has served as justice nine years, and assessor many terms, as a Democrat. He married July 28, 1841, Martha, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Tunnicliff ) McChesney, by whom he has seven children : Hannah, Conkline, John of Michigan, Nelson who enlisted in the Ninety-second New York Regiment and was killed at Petersburg, Ira of Iowa, James, George, Ida wife of W. Vibber, and Charles. Subject's wife died September 28, 1891, aged seventy-three years.
Crumby, John A., Fairfield, is a native of Newport, and was born June 6, 1827. He was a carpenter by trade and followed it up twenty-five years ago, when he took up farm gardening, which he hassince followed very successfully. His father was Minor Crumby. He served in the army in 1812 at Sackett's Harbor. In 1851 John A. Crumby married Mary Benckley and they have two children, a daughter and a son, Elizabeth and Frederick. Mr. Crumby is a Democrat and has belonged to several so- cieties. He is one of the old residents of this part and one of the best known men in the locality.
Burt, Delos M., Little Falls, farmer, is a native and life-long resident of this town. He is forty-seven years of age and has been collector of the town, and com- missioner of highways. He is a Democrat in politics and is much esteemed by that party. He occupies his father's farm of 127 acres of land, which is devoted to dairy- ing and largely to the raising of grass. His wife was Mary E. Brown and they bave two children, John S. and Katie Belle. The family are adherents of the Universalist church. Mr. Burt is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Grange and is a leading farmer of Little Falls.
Dietz, Charles, Salisbury, was born in Germany, February 19, 1824. He came to this country in 1851. He has operated a tannery at Salisbury Center for the past nineteen years. Mr. Dietz married Christiana Pickett, a daughter of Jolin Pickett, and they have three children, one son and two daughters. Mr. Dietz is a thorough and competent tanner and a reputable citizen. He gives employment to a number of assistants at different times.
Fish, Charles P., Litchfield, a farmer, was born in that town August 20, 1855, and married Belle Coolidge by whom he has four children : Lois C., Bertha B., Mary P.
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and Warren L. Charles P. Fish was a son of Samuel, a native of this town and a son of Ilias W., who came here with his father, Nathaniel, one of the first settlers. Mrs. Belle Fish is a daughter of Warren Coolidge, a native of Frankfort and a son of llor- ace Coolidge, also a resident of Frankfort.
Easton, Hon. Henry L., Stark, came from Connecticut and settled in Cedarville. He was an extensive farmer and manufacturer and represented his district in the Assembly in 1837. His wife was Elizabeth Deivendorf, by whom he had five children : Mahlon, Ellen, Charlon, Hannah and Frank. He died from an accident in the saw-mill aged seventy-five. His son, Charlon, was born in Cedarville. He resides at Richfiel I Springs, being a contractor and builder by trade. He is a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He married Mary, daughter of John and Hannah (Cronkite) Coapman of Hallsville, by whom he had two children : Fred E. and Maude M. Fred E. Easton was born December 18, 1861, in Cedarville, receiving a common and high school education. Ile taught school for three years. At fifteen he began the study of medicine. At eighteen he entered an office at Moravia, Cayuga county. In the winter of 1881-82 he took a course in the Albany Medical College, and was a student of Dr. A. Vandeveer. He graduated in 1884 from Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn. In 1885 he located at Richfield Springs, and in July, 1890, removed to Van Hornesville. He was health officer at Richfield Springs three years, was four years clerk of Board of Education, and is health officer where he now resides. He is an active member of the County Medical Society and the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican. Ile married, October 5, 1886, Celestia Edna, daughter of Barton and Melvina (Wood) Richardson, of Cayuga county. They are Universal- ists.
Helmer, Henry J., Warren, was born where he now resides July 9, 1838, a son of Henry A. and Fanny (Rasbach) Helmer. His grandfather was Adam F., a son of Frederick A., who was a son of Lendert, who came from Palatinate, Germany, in 1710, and located first on the Hudson, and later came to Canajoharie. In the winter and spring of 1723 he located in Herkimer county, and received a deed of 100 acres in 1925, where he lived and died. Frederick A. Helmer was born in Herkimer August 16, 1725, and died March 5, 1804. His wife was Barbara Elizabeth Homan, born in Holland, and came to America in 1754. They had three children, Conrad, Margaret and Adam F. Adam F. Helmer was born at Herkimer July 7, 1770, and located on 100 acres, where our subject resides, in Warren, which he cleared and improved. His wife was Anna Margaret Harter, born near Fort Herkimer January 28, 1773, a daughter of Captain Henry and Catharine (Piper) Harter, both born in Herkimer county. Captain Harter was born February 17, 1730, and served as captain in the French and Indian War. In 1757 he and his wife were taken prisoners to Canada for one year. Their first child was born while in captivity. Adam F'. Helmer raised eight children: Han- nah, Henry A., Barbara E., Laurence, Catharine, Frederick A., Peter H. and Anna M. Adam F. Helmer died December 30, 1854. His wife died December 1, 1859, where subject resides. Henry A. Helmer was born September 7, 1797, on the farm (where subject resides) in the town of Warren, and where he died September 2, 1868. He
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owned 220 acres. He was a Democrat until 1856, when he and his brothers all became Republicans. They had eight children and raised seven: Adam Il., Elizabeth, John R., James H. (died at six), Mary C., Anna M., Henry J. and Harriet P., all married ex- cept the oldest sister. Subject's mother was a daughter of John and Nancy (Moak) Rasbach, born February 19, 1800, in the town of Herkimer, and died November 2, 1872, in Warren. Our subject received a district and seminary education and spent four winters in teaching. After his father's death he took charge of the homestead, served as justice and was an active Republican. He married September 29, 1868, Lucy, daughter of Otis and Mary (Palmer) Ames, of Richfield, Otsego county. He was born October 15, 1843, in Richfield, Otsego county. Subject had two children, Fred A. and Ross D. Subject is a Mason and his wife is a member of the M. E. church.
Suits, Hiram, was born in Minden, Montgomery county, November 14, 1830, son of Thomas and Laura E. (Hurlbert) Suits. His grandfather, Henry, was born near Stone Arabia. His father was a pioneer of Palatine, Montgomery county. Henry Suits came to Minden about 1828 or 1830, where he died at an advanced age. He served in the war of 1812. Subject and wife had these children: John, Thomas, David, James, Henry, Betsey, Margaret, Jane and Ann Subject's father located in Minden about 1825, where he resided until 1841, when he located in Starkville as a blacksmith, later at Cramer's Corners. In the fall of 1856 he moved to Boone county, Illinois, where he died in 1871. His wife died in Lincoln county, Nebraska. He raised six children : Sara Flint, widow, living in Nebraska ; Helen Miller, a widow living in Illinois ; Hiram, Mary Peck, of Illinois; Henry, of Texas, who served in the secret service during the war, and went from Missouri under General Millroy. John died in Boone county, Illinois, about 1873, Hiram received a district school education, and at twenty began for himself at the carpenter's trade, which he followed ten years, when he leased the farm where he lives of sixty-three acres, which he now owns. He has another farm of 126 acres. He served as justice and is an active Republican. He married July 4, 1854, Margaret, daughter of James D. and Margaret (Cramer) Weldon, by whom he has one child, James, born April 25, 1860, in Stark, who married November 5, 1884, Libbie M., daughter of Hiram and Marinda (Bronner) Ward. They have one child, Clark.
Carrier, Colonel David R., Winfield, was the first president of the First National Bank of West Winfield, and held that position until his death. He was the first post- master of West Winfield, and also a merchant there. He married first Betsey Tomp- kins, who died May 5, 1860. His second wife is Hannah, daughter of Simeon Buck- len, one of the first settlers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Carrier had two children, the eldest, Bessie A., who married H. T. Anthony, of Leonardsville, Madison county, and they have one son, Rae C .; the son, David R. Carrier, is in business in Chicago, 11. Colonel David R. Carrier was born December 27, 1795, and died April 7, 1880.
Brace, Frank L., Winfield, was born at North Winfield June 6, 1852, and educated at West Winfield Academy and Whitestown Seminary, graduating from the latter in 1872. He engaged in farming and fruit-growing until 1892, when he began the pub-
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lication of a weekly newspaper in West Winfield entitled The West Winfield Star. Mr. Brace has always been a staunch Republican and active in political work. He was justice of the peace for two terms, supervisor in 1891, and re-elected in 1892 by a ma- jority of 105. Ile has served as a member of the Republican county committee for two years past. He is also a member of the First Congregational church here, and has been for many years the superintendent of its Sunday-school. He married in 1876. Martha J. MeDonald, of Vernon Center. Frank L. is a son of Lucius F. Brace, and he was a son of Asahel Brace, a native of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and one of the first settlers of Winfield. He was a captain in the war of 1812, stationed at Sackett's Harbor.
Cooper, B. I., Little Falls, is a native of this place, and has followed farming princi- pally all his life. He owns two fine farms and a herd of eighty cows. In 1891 he came to this village, and February 2, 1892, began the manufacture of cheese-boxes, selling to the factories in this vicinity. In 1868 he married Josephine Alexander, and they have five chiklren, four daughters and a son. Mr. Cooper is also interested in the Eatonville cheese factory. He is a Democrat in politics.
Smith, George L., Little Falls, the subject of this sketch, is a son of the head of the firm of Smith & Bushnell. He is a native of Little Falls and was born in 1864. At the age of nineteen he entered the mill with his father, and in 1887 they built their own fine stone mill, in which they manufacture shoddy and wool extracts. Mr. George L. Smith is manager of the mill, while his father looks after the outside business. He is popular in society and is a member of several organizations of this town.
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, N. Y., at the age of sixteen, with his only property, an axe, on his shoulder, jobbing it in clearing land until be bought land of his own, which he cleared up and paid for by his own efforts. lle first purchased 106 acres of land, on which subject now lives, afterwards adding 144 acres, making 250 in all. September 30, 1800, lie married Abigail Munn, born December 27, 1780, by whom he had three sons: Crosby, Ezra and John R. She died December 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 a daughter. Mr. Graves was sheriff of Herkimer county one term, justice of the peace, school commissioner, supervisor, and was twice elected member of the Assembly. He died in 1855 and his wife in 1860. Solomon Graves was educated in the common schools of Russia, in Clinton Liberal Institute and Union College, graduating from the latter in 1842. April 27, 1842, he married Margaret Smith, a native of Williamsville, Erie county, born February 27, 1821, a daughter of Oziel Smith, of Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt., born April 14, 1784, and Phoebe Norton, born October 22, 1789, in Berkshire, Richmond county, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 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 live children : Edward O., Crosby J., Charles A., William H. and Jessie, the latter two
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deceased. Mr. Graves taught school a short time, then engaged in farming on the old homestead, until 1850. He next purchased property in Gereva and resided there a short time, but soon returned to the old home, 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 baek the old homestead, on which he has since resided. He was an early and earnest Republican and has been school commissioner 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. & A. M.
Weeks, Levi, Stark, was born at Ford's Bush, Montgomery county, September 9, 1799. In 1820 he was married to Jane Hollenbeck. When twenty-one years old he began farming at Amsterdam, In 1833 he located where his son Willard now lives. Ile died February 3, 1890, and his wife about five years earlier, aged eighty-five years. He served as supervisor several terms, and as justice several terms. Ile was a Demo- crat. In 1856 he became a Republican. He raised thirteen children : David H., Dr. Benedict A., Hiram, John, Solomon, Willard and Albert, who served in the First N. Y. Light Artillery, and died, aged nineteen, about three weeks after being mustered out of service; Louisa, Jane, Anna, Marion, Laura and Maria, the three latter living. Willard Weeks was born where he now lives, December 11, 1842. He received a common school education and owns his father's homestead of 120 acres, also another farm adjoining of 110 acres. He served as supervisor two terms and justice one term. Ile is a Republican. He married, August 29, 1882, Samantha Whited, who was born in West Troy, daughter of George W. and Eleanor (Lyon) Whited. They have two children living : George L. and Clara A. They are members of the M. E, church.
Fitzgerald, John W., Little Falls, was born June 24, 1857, in the town of Fairfield. In March, 1874, he entered Fairfield Seminary, and graduated with honors in 1879, taking a three years' classical course. December 15, 1880, he commeneed the study of law in the office of Hon. Arphaxed Loomis and Watts T. Loomis, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1882, and has continued his connection with that office ever since. In 1884 he commenced the business of insurance in connection with law. In 1891 he bought out the interests of the late Philo Reed, in connection with W. S. Reed, uniting these two agencies under the firm name of Fitzgerald & Reed. The agency now represents the largest insurance companies doing business, and more actual assets than any other agency in New York State. The interest of Mr. Reed in the agency was purchased by Mr. Fitzgerald, January 1, 1893.
Geywits, Adam, Warren, was born near Van Hornesville, town of Stark, Decem- ber 18, 1846, was a son of Isaac and Lana (Springer) Geywits. The grandfather, John, was born in Stark. His father came from Germany in colonial days, and settled about a mile north of Van Hornesville, where he died. He owned 580 aeres in Stark. He died in 1813. His wife was Elizabeth Fish, by whom he had these chil- dren : John, Adam, Isaac, Susan, Irena and Margaret. Isaac was born in Stark, December 19, 1813, a carpenter and builder by trade. He and C. T. E. Van Horne built the saw-mill at Van Hornesville in 1859. 1Ie died there May 27, 1887. He was a
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IHISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Whig and Republican, and was twice married. His first wife bore him nine children, four of whom survive : Adam, George, who died, aged twenty-one; David and Eliza- beth Miller. Ilis wife died in 1861. His second wife was Elizabeth (Chappel) Fort. Subject's mother was born in Stark, a daughter of Loadwick Springer, whose wife was a Miss Coon. Adam was raised in Van Hornesville, and received a common school education, and at eighteen he began for himself, working for O. A. Shipman & Son. At twenty-one he engaged in the cheese box business, with D. S. Tilyon, one year. Ile rented the saw-mill of his father for four years: then, in 1875, he engaged in furniture manufacture at Van Hornesville. continuing some ten years, the first and only factory of its kind in the village. In 1885 he located on 112 acres, where he now resides. Ile is a Republican. On December 30, 1878, he married Angeline, daughter of Cornelius J. and Rachel (Druse) Connine, natives of Springfield. Mr Connine was a son of Cor- nelius Connine, who early came to Springfield, and whose father came from Holland. Subject has three children : George C., Charles W. aud Calista E.
Walrath, Levi, Stark, was born where he resides, September 19, 1827, a son of Adol- phus HI. and Sophia (Moyer) Walrath. The grandfather was a pioneer of Minden, Montgomery county, and raised two sons: Adolphus and Peter. Subject's father was born in Minden, and finally settled in Stark, where he owned 400 acres before his death. Ile died in November. 1863, aged eighty years. His wife died February 20, 1864, aged seventy-seven years; they had ten children : John A., Jerry, Charity, Mary, Nancy, Sally, Joanna, Moses, Levi and Betsey, three now living. Levi Walrath owns 350 acres of land. He cared for his parents until their death. He runs a large dairy and has served in various town offices, being an active Republican. He married March 16, 1862, Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Pamelia (Hann) Zoller, and she died Septeni- ber 16, 1862. He married second, March 25, 1865, Anna, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had two children : John A. and Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Walrath are members of the Lutheran church.
McMillan, J. L., German Flats, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, April 8, 1859. He taught a year in the Putnam Institute, then was clerk for a time and sub- sequently engaged in manufacturing. He is the inventor of the type-setting machine and is manager of a company manufacturing them in Ilion. He has also invented a type-distributer. In 1889 Mr. McMillan married Miss Martha E. Weaver and they have one daughter. Mr. McMillan has been nine years in Ilion.
Walrath, Marvin, Danube, was born in Danube, April 9, 1845, and comes of old Rev- olutionary stock. A grandfather of Marvin was a captain in the patriot army, and was killed at Herkimer. Henry I., father of the subject, was a native of Minden, and fol- lowed his trade of merchant tailoring, combined with agricultural pursuits, until his death. Marvin owns a farm of 137 acres in Danube, is engaged in the wholesale bot- tling business, putting up cider, lager and cider vinegar, for a trade which extends throughout Herkimer county, St. Johnsville, etc. Mr. Walrath married Cordelia Inger- soll, and they have five children, four sons and a daughter. He has served his district nine years as trustee, etc., and is identified with the Masonic fraternity, Royal Ar- canum, etc.
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Helligas, E. B., Fairfield, a native of St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, came to Fairfield at the age of seven. He owns a fine dairy farm of fifty-three acres, and raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle, the only farmer in the town making a specialty of this breed. In 1873 he married Ada V. Willard, a descendant of one of the first settlers of the town. They now occupy a portion of the farm cleared by her ancestors, and have four children : Mary T., Ward W., Charles J. and Clara A. The mother of Mr. Flelli- gas was a native of Manheim, and his father was born in Jefferson county.
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