USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 77
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
party and remained with them until 1868. In 1872 he voted for Horace Greeley, and in 1867 for Peter Cooper. In 1880 he was presidential elector for Weaver. In 1884 and 1888 he voted with the Democratic party. Mr. Cooper has been justice of the peace, highway commissioner and assessor. He resided in Russia until 1859 when he went to Norway, where he has since lived.
Crim, Adam J., Warren, was born where he now lives, March 5, 1821, and is a son of Jacob and Eve (Staring) Crim. His grandfather was Jacob, also, who married Elizabeth Frank. Jacob, Jr., was born where Adam now lives Oct. 14, 1787, and died June 14, 1874. He was a leading and influential man in his day. His wife died Dec. 16, 1878, leaving eight out of her nine children. Adam J. has always lived on the farm where he was born. With three others he started a cheese factory in 1871, He is a Republican, and has served as justice of the peace, and one term as associate justice. Ile is a Mason. He married May 5, 1874, Martha, daughter of Abram and Lana (Thumb) Veeder, and they have two children : Alma F., and Ora B. F. His wife and daughters are members of the Reformed Church.
Cook, D. L., Herkimer, is a native of Winfield, and was on the farm the first twenty years of his life. He then spent three years with the United States Express Co. on the railroad, then returned to farming, in which he has retained an interest up to the present time. In Oct., 1891, Mr. Cook opened a meat business in Herkimer, which How occupies his attention mainly. In Nov., 1886, Mr. Cook was elected sheriff for a term of three years, and he had previously been supervisor of Winfield for two years, and postmaster for three years. He is a Republican in politics and of English descent. Nov. 1, 1878, Mr. Cook married Miss Martha Morgan, and they have one son living.
Gage, James E., Little Falls, one of Little Falls' most enterprising and prosperous business men, is a native of this village. He, after receiving a sound education in the schools and academy here, entered active business operations in 1861 as a clerk, and after having been associated with several prominent firms in different positions of responsibility, in 1878 inaugurated his present flour and feed establishment, which has since its inception taken a leading position among the sound mercantile concerns of Herkimer County. Mr. Gage is identified both socially and financially with Little Falls' best interests ; he is a high-up Mason, a member of the Royal Arcanum and other organizations.
Conway, John, Little Falls, was born in Syracuse, June 24, 1864. He received a good education in the schools of that city, after which he learned the trade of carriage trimmer. He came to this village. and engaged with Mr. Burdick, carriage-maker, with whom he remained four years. He then accepted a position as bar-tender at the Beattie House, which he filled until he resigned to estabhsh his elegant saloon on Mail Street, Little Falls, in August, 1892. Mr. Conway is very popular in this town, being a fine ball plaper, and is identified with the Red Men, Erina Chemical Engine Co., Celtic Lyceum, etc. He married Miss Kate McGurty.
Cavanaugh, Frank, Little Falls, was born in Little Falls, June 17, 1866. He received a good education in the Little Falls school and academy, and eventually succeeded his
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father in the hotel, which had been conducted at the corner of Ward and Loomis streets by the elder Cavanaugh for many years. Frank Cavanagh is a staunch Demo- crat in politics and identified with the local social and benevolent institutions of the town, such as the Elks, Red Men, Erina Chemical Engine Co. No. 5, etc. He is a progressive and much esteemed citizen.
Champion, Delano A., Little Falls, attorney at law, is a native of Herkimer County. He was educated in the Little Falls Academy, Whitestown Academy, and Cazenovia Seminary, and studied law with Judge Hardin, justice of the supreme court. IIe was admitted to the bar in 1878, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Little Falls. Mr. Champion is of New England ancestry, and of revolutionary ante- cedents. He married Clara C. Witter, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Colcord, J. T., Herkimer, is a native of South Berwick, Maine. He began his business career as a clerk, and after spending some time in the west, came to Herkimer in 1887, and opened his present business of dry goods, fancy gocds, etc. His ancestors resided in Maine for several generations. Mr. Colcord married a daughter of Louis Webster, but she died in 1889. He has one daughter. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is an independent in politics.
Comstock, Byron, Norway, was born in Ohio, Dec. 24, 1848. His father was Samuel Comstock, a son of Stephen, a native of Mass., and an early settler of Norway. Samuel Comstock was born in Norway in 1799. He married Sybil Cummings, by whom he had nine sons and three daughters, all of whom are living except the youngest. Mr. Comstock was a Democrat and held minor offices in Ohio, where he resided most of his life and where he died in 1891. Byron Comstock was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He married Helen M. Nichols, of Fairfield, a dauglı- ter of Caleb and Abigail (Harris) Nichols. Mr. Nichols survives his wife, and at present resides in Troy. The subject has one child, Mary F. He is a farmer. His early life was spent in Ohio, but for the last eighteen years he has resided in Norway. He has been assessor eight years and commissioner of highways one year. He is a Democrat.
Cramer, Addison, Dolgeville, was born in Fulton county, N. Y., July 23, 1855. His early years were spent on a farm. When eighteen years of age he commenced to drive the stage between Darew and Little Falls, which business he continued in for nine years. Then he took the hotel at Salisbury Corners for two years, then the Loomer house at Dolgeville for four years, and in the spring of IS92 assumed charge of the Cottage hotel, Dolgeville. Mr. Cramer, when in Salisbury, filled the position of collector for three years. He married Miss Maggie Kelly. They have no children.
Casler, George, Little Falls, was born in the town of Little Falls, June 19, 1828, and has resided here all his life. In 1859 he married Julia Campbell, and they have one daughter, who married Harvey Rankin in 1886. Mr. C'asler is one of the prominent farmers of Little Falls. He owns 230 acres of land used for dairy purposes and hay. He has been eight times elected assessor of the town, and so will have held the office continually for twenty-four years when he completes his present term. Ile is an out- and-out Democrat and belongs to the Masonic order, in which he is a Knight Templar.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Carnwright, J. L, Dolgeville, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., October 14, 1843. He was reared on a farm, and in 186I enlisted in the Sixty-fifth N. Y. Infantry, serv- ing throughout the war. He participated in the following battles: Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Turkey Bend, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburglı, Marye's Heights, Get- tysburgh, Rappahannock, Mine River, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Po River, Cold Harbor, Fort Stevens, Cedar Creek, Fort Fish.r, Sailor's Creek. besides fourteen other engagements. He was severely wounded at Cedar Creek. At the close of the war he engaged in the millwright's business, since which time he has spent ten years in the service of Alfred Dolge. In February, 1892, he established his present drug and grocery business, in which he has a fine trade. Mr. Carnwright married Eliza Hodge, and they have one son. Mr. Carnwright has been a member of the board of education, which position he resigned.
Case. Herman, Fairfi ld, is a native of Little Falls. He was born August 16, 1834. He came to Fairfield many years ago and bought his farm, consisting of ninety-six acres. His father was Morgan E. Case and his grandfather Case was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Case owns the old Houghton farm. Ile is a Mason and has been a master of the Grange, of which he is a charter member. He has never married.
Cox, William S., German Flats, was born in New Jersey, May 15, 1843, and studied law for some time, but subsequently went into the armory in Newark. He came to llion in 1862 and enlisted in the Third New York Light Artillery in 1863. In 1865 he returned here, and after spending eighteen months with the Winchester Arms com- pany and thirteen years with the Remingtons he went to the typewriter, when that company started. Mr. Cox is an active Democrat, and has been chairman of the elec- tion board. Ile is a charter member of the G. A. R. Post, and has been a delegate to congressional conventions. In 1868 he married Mary Clapsaddle and they have three children, Ada, a teacher, Anna, a music teacher, and Marietta, a singer.
Chismore. Edward, German Flats, was born December 28, 1849. His father, Jacob Chismore was a gunsmith, and he learned the same trade, and has passed all his busi- ness life here in the Armory. He is an Odd Fellow and a Red Man. In 1874 he mar- ried Miss Mary Sullivan, of Mohawk, a daughter of Matthew Sullivan. Mr. Chismore is manager of the Ilion Driving Park, and one of the finest horsemen in the State.
Crossett, James, proprietor of the Nelson house, Herkimer, is a native of Herkimer, a farmer's son, and lived on a farm until twenty-two years old. He then embarked in the meat business for five years, since which time he has been in the hotel business. HIe conducted the Waverly house, Herkimer, a leading hotel in Middleville, and the Nelson house has now been owned by him for eight years. Ile is a Mason and a strong Republican. His people have lived in this State for generations, and his father, still living, is a leading farmer of the town. Mr. James Crossett married Helen Hawkins, and has three daughters, the oldest of whom is the wife of Mr. B. Waters, of Little Falls.
Coe, S. E., German Flats, was born in Granville, Mass., July 9, 1827. He taught school eight years and then went into the jewelry business. He has been twenty-one
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
years in the brick and insurance in Mohawk. He is a Mason and a strong Democrat. In 1858 Mr. Coe married Miss Catherine Myers and they have a son Frederick and a daughter Clara, who is a teacher. Mr. Coe manufactures about 2,000,000 bricks annually in his yards at Ilion, N. Y.
Casey, Dr. I. E., Mohawk, is a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., and was born on November 23, 1837. After receiving an excellent education he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. G. Snell and eventually graduated from the Albany Medical college in 1852, after which he commenced the practice of his profession in Mohawk, where he still continues in active practice, having been here over forty years. Dr. Casey has served as supervisor, etc. He married Miss Mary Bellinger, a daughter of Fred Bellinger, and has two sons, Fred. B. Casey and J. Irving Casey, who are study- ing law and medicine, respectively. Dr. Casey has been a member of the Albany Medical society for over fifty-three years and of the State Medical society since 1864. He was identified with the late war.
The Cramer family settled in Danube early in the seventeenth century, and the land has descended from father to son for four generations. John Cramer was the original settler in this neighborhood, and was the great-grandfather of Zenas. He was suc- ceeded by his son, Abraham A., who in turn was succeeded by his son, Abraham, father of the subject of our sketch, who, together with his brother, owns two farms, one containing 201 acres, called the Homestead farm, and the other containing 147 acres. They keep about sixty head of stock and do a thriving business, employing a tenant on the smaller farm. Zenas has served as inspector of elections, etc., and is a thorough and practical farmer.
Caldwell, J. Minott, Schuyler, is a native of Sclmyler, and was born November 20, 1852. His father was James Mead Caldwell, and his mother was Louisa Minott. In 1880 Mr. Caldwell married Harriet Cramer, and they have one son, Adair Caldwell. James Minott, maternal grandfather of Mr. Caldwell, was one of the first settlers in this section of the county. Mr. Caldwell owns a fine farm at Minott's Corners in Schuyler, but he resides in Herkimer.
Clemens, Michael, Schuyler, is one of the old and honored residents of Schuyler. He was born February 14, 1815, and has been a farmer all his life. His father was Michael Clemens, and his grandfather Jacob Clemens. The latter participated in the Revolutionary war and came from Germany over a century ago. Mr. Clemens mar- ried Rachael Oyer, a most estimable lady, who died July 18, 1889. They had one daughter, now the wife of George Storms.
Cooper, Charles F., is one of the prominent farmers of Litchfield, owning a dairy and grain farm of 100 acres of land. He was born at Norwich Corners, January 20, 1834, a son of William Cooper, who was constable and collector of the town of Litchfield for many years, who was a son of James Cooper. Charles F. Cooper married Mary A. Smithson, a daughter of Milton Smithson, of Sauquoit, Oneida county. They have three children, Charles Henry, Clarence Edmond and Earl,
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Collins, Rev. Dennis B., Winfield, was born in Ireland, November 7, 1861. A part of his education was received at the Jesuit school, in Limerick. He worked in a news- paper office in Cork, and while yet 'n his boyhood he came to America, where ambi- tion has a greater field and labor a greater reward. He came to Boston, where he worked and studied until 1882, when he took a year's rest in St. Laurence College, Montreal. In 1883 he entered St. Charles College, Baltimore, Md., to complete his knowledge of Latin, and in 1884 was admitted to the Theological Seminary at Troy. where he was ordained priest in December, 1888. He was assistant priest at St. Pat- rick's Church, West Troy, until January 1, 1892, sinee which time he has been priest of the St. Joseph's Church at West Winfield.
Collins, William H., Winfield, proprietor of the Cottage Hotel, was born in Brook- field, Madison county, July 15, 1860. He married Minnie E .. daughter of Byron Fisk, of Syracuse, December 5, 1880, and they have one son, Lewis W. William H. is a son of Stephen H. Collins, of Brookfield, who was a son of Hoxie Collins.
Crist, IIezekiah H., Winfield, was born in Fairfield, June 15, 1817. Came to Win- field in 1850, and settled on the farm, where he now lives, in 1852. He was assessor of this town three years. He was a son of Stephen Crist, who was born in 1777, and carne from Orange county to Fairfield at the age of eighteen with his father, Abraham Crist, among the first settlers. He hired one hundred acres, which he cleared the first year, and erected the first farm house and barn built in Fairfield, and a portion of that barn is still standing in good repair. Ilezekiah H. Crist married Elisabeth Ellison, January 1, 1846, and they have had five children : Martha M., Alice E., Mary E., George B., and Arthur H. Hezekiah Crist has lived forty years on his present farm. Elisabeth C. Crist was born in Essex, Mass., July 8, 1824, a daughter of Stephen Ellison.
Congdon, William E., Litchfield, was born in this town October 8, 1838. He has been assessor and inspector of election, and is a farmer, owning a dairy, grain, and fruit farm, and makes both butter and cheese. He married Sarab, daughter of Isaac Sted- man, and they have two children: Merritt J., of Utica, and Jessie M. Rider, of Michi- gan. William E. Congdon is a son of Thomas J. Congdon, who was born in this town, and he was a son of James Congdon, who came from Rhode Island, and was one of the first settlers of the towo.
Comes, Addison C., Litchfield, is a farmer, and has been assessor of this town. He sent a substitute to the war of the Rebellion. He was born in this town January 17, 1827, and settled on the farm where he now lives in March, 1876. He married MI- randa Joslyn, and they have two children : Ruth, who married James Donahue, and Irving, who married Julia F. Loomis, and has two children: Cecil May and Ruth B. Addison C. is a son of Ebenezer, a native of Connecticut, who early settled here. Martha Comes was a danghter of Nathaniel Ball, a native of New Hampshire, who settled in this town in 1788.
Conklin, Silas II., Warren, was born near Little Lakes, March 10, 1863, a son of licks and Hannah (Weeks) Conklin. The grandfather, Ilarry W., was a son of Silas, who was a son of Jacob, who came from Wales, and settled at East Hampton, L. I.
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
After the Revolution he came to Stark, Herkimer county. His wife was a Miss Skel- inger. He died in Monroe county. Silas was born on Long Island, September 15, 1772. After the war he came to Springfield, Otsego county, where he died. His wife was Emmiliza Hicks, born in 1776, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. He died aged eighty-three, and his wife died in 1857, aged eighty-two. Henry Conklin married Phoebe Cook, and their children were: Richard, Silas, Hicks, Catharine and Elija. Hicks Conklin was born in Warren. He began life as a farmer. Later he kept a meat market at Little Lakes. He was two years in a hotel at Springfield Cen- tre, and died in 1882, his widow survives him, and was born in Warren, a daughter of James and Martha (McChesney) Weeks. Our subject was the only child. He re- ceived a district school education, also attended a seminary. At nineteen he began life as a clerk at Springfield Center. February 15, 1885, he opened a general store at Little Lakes, which he has operated successfully since. Has been twice elected clerk of Warren as a Democrat. He has been deputy postmaster since 1885. October, 1882, he married Edith, daughter of David and Anna (Dunn) Baird, and they have two children : Anna E and Silas H.
Coakley, John, jr., Warren, was born in County Cork, Ireland, December 5, 1834, a son of Jolin and Jane (McCarthy) Coakley. The grandparents died in Ireland, and raised seven children : John, Jeremiah, Dennis, Daniel, Mary, Joanna and Ilarry, all of whom came to the United States and settled in New York, except Dennis. John, father, was born in Ireland, whence he came to United States and settled three miles west of Little Falls. He died in German Flats, aged ninety years. His wife died about four months later. They had nine children, all died childless except John and David. Our subject received a common school education, and at twelve began to earn his own living. About 1867 he bought 130 acres in German Flats. In 1873 he sold and located on 144 acres, where he resides. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company B, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, returning to Herkimer county, where he resumed farming. Has always lived in the county except two years in Vermont. He has been a Republican all his life. He married December 4, 1861, Hannah A., daughter of Alanson and Mary A. (Thomas) Mason, They have two children : Florence M., wife of Chauncy Brown, and Jennie.
Deimel, A., one of the leading coal dealers of Little Falls, is the subject of this sketch. He was formerly engaged in manufacturing operations and for thel ast ten years has been connected with the coal business. He has spacious yards here which have a capacity for storing two thousand tons of coal, and his enterprise and fair dealing have attracted a large patronage to his establishment. Mr Deimel is well known and very popular socially, and is a member of the order of Red Men. the Elks, Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat.
O Dwyer, Thomas, Little Falls, was born in Oneida county and reared on a farm. He came to Little Falls and became connected with the variety business for nearly six years. Disposing of this he assumed proprietorship of the Farmer's Hotel, which he is refitting and refurnishing. This hotel will accomodate twenty guests. Mr. O'Dwyer married Miss Mary Dccharty, and they have one child. He was game constable for the town of Marcy for several years and is a member of the Red Men.
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IHISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Dolge, Charles, Dolgeville, was born in Dessau, Germany. Hle received a good edu- cation in the schools of his native country and then went to England, where he engaged in the hotel business, then in Scotland. In 1885 he came to America, and after travel- ing extensively throughout all the States in the Union, decided to settle in Delgeville, where he now conducts a leading hotel, which is patronized by societies and clubs, as well as by the general public. Mr. Dolge is a most popular caterer, and thoroughly understands the requirements of his patrons. He bought the hotel in February, 1892.
Dolge, Carl O., Dolgeville, was born in Leipsic, Germany, Angust. 29, 1859. He secured a good education in the schools of that town, and after serving three years in the German army came here in 1879, and entered the employ of Alfred Dolge, to whom lic is related. By faithful and thorough service he was rapidly promoted, eventually reaching the position of chief clerk. After remaining with Mr. Dolge for ten years he started a grocery store in Dolgeville, which has proved a success, and to which he now dlevotes his entire attention.
Dygert, Daniel, German Flats, was born in Little Falls, in 1847 and has been in Ilion for twenty-two years, fourteen of which have been spent in the grocery business which he still is successfully conducting. Before embarking in trade for himself Mr. Dygert was occupied in clerking fer some time. He has been six years in one stand and has a large and high class trade. Mr. Dygert is a Mason of high standing, a mem- ber of the Iroquois Chapter and the Little Falls Commandery. He also belongs to the Knights of Honor and was a member of the llion School for six years, being its presi- dent one year. In 1872 he married Miss Grace W. Butts and has a family of one son and two daughters. Mr. Dygert's father was Harvey Dygert, also a native of Little Falls, and his grandfather, Daniel Dygert, came from Canajoharie. He is recognized as one of the leading business men of Ilion, being highly respected everywhere.
Davy, William F., Danube, was born at Davy's Corners, Danube, February 12, 1857. Ilis ancestors located here early in the sixteenth century and participated in the Revo- lutionary war. William II. Davy received a good education and has been engaged in farming all of his life. Ile owns 143 acres of fine dairy farm land, located between Davy's Corners and Newville. He married Libbie A. Klock; they have two children, both sons. He has served as commissioner ol highways, etc., npon the Republican ticket, is a member of the Grange and is a thoroughly representative farmer of this county.
Dady, William J., Frankfort, was born in Canajoharie where he lived until nineteen years of age, when he came to Frankfort and engaged in the hotel business. His house was burned in 1892 and the present hotel, "The Grand Union " built in its place. It is a large fine building, containing eighteen sleeping rooms, and is fitted up in good style. It adjoins the offices of the West Shore railroad. Mr. Dady married, April 15, 189I, Maria T. Spellman of Newport, N. Y., one of six children of James and Theresa (Riley) Spellman.
De Long, Richard, Little Falls, was born in Little Falls. He received his education in the district and village schools of Herkimer county, and took one term at the Syra-
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
cuse University. Since leaving school he has been actively engaged in managing his extensive dairy farm of 284 acres. He keeps forty head of cattle and eleven horses and is one of Herkimer's most energetic and enterprising farmers. Mr. De Long is a member of the Grange, the Masons, and of other social organizations of the town. Several of his ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution, and at Sackett's Ilarbor in the war of 1812. Four generations of the family have resided on the farm. Nr. De Long's family consists of a wife and one daughter.
Davis, Albert, Fairfield, is a native of Fairfield and a prosperous farmer, owning 270 acres of fine dairy farm and eighty acres of timber land. He has a herd of seventy- two milch cows and cuts about 125 tons of hay annually. Mr. Davis is a representa- tive of the old and well-known Davis family of Fairfield. His father died leaving a' comfortable estate which Albert and his brother Charles inherited and own.
Daniels, Ira W., German Flats, was born in Syracuse, January 1, 1844, and is a sil- ver plater by trade. He came to Ilion from the Springfield armory in 1836, and entered the Armory here. He remained until the failure of the Remingtons, and has since been with Typewriter Company. Mr. Daniels married Susie Winnie in 1889. He is a Ma- son, a member of the Iroquois Chapter, and Little Falls Commandery. His father was William Daniels, a native of Boston.
Deimel, H. A., Herkimer, is a native of Bohemia, Austria, and came to this country in 1854; after keeping a store at Herkimer until 1860 he became identified with the lumber traffic with which he has since been engaged. He has also been identified with other leading corporations here. Ile furnishes employment to about two hundred bands. He has held the office of trustee of the village several terms, supervisor three terms, overseer of the poor, and delegate to the State convention twiee. He has four chil- dren. Mr. Deimel is identified with leading social and benevolent institutions, as well as political, with which he exerts marked influence.
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