USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 83
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
ter, Ruth, born September I, 1830, wife of Charles J. Hester, of Memphis, Tenn., who died March 29, 1853.
Morgan, Charles E., Winfield, son of Sewell, was born in West Winfield May 27, 1854, and was educated at West Winfield Academy. IIe married May 5, 1880, Julia E., daughter of Dr. Nathan and Sophronia Spencer, and they have three children : Clara E., George A. and Mary Adelle. They lost one son, Herbert S .. who died March 13, 1892, aged nine years. Mr. Morgan has been in the omnibus freight and express busi- ness for the last ten years. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and has been high- way commissioner of this town for five years. Sewell S. Morgan, who was an attor- ney, died January 19, 1885, aged fifty-seven. He was born in Litchfield December 12, 1827, and moved with his parents to Winfield, at the age of two years. He received his education at the common and select schools of West Winfield. His mother died when he was eight years old, and he then commenced life for himself. He began teaching school at the old Hemlock School House at North Winfield when fourteen years old. At the age of twelve he began reading law, borrowing books from Hamilton Burdick. He commenced the practice of law in the justice's court at fifteen years of age and at eighteen in the county court before Judge Ezra Graves He was admitted to the bar of this State at the age of twenty-one and in the United States Court at twenty-eight. Mr. Morgan married Julia A., daughter of Anson P. Fair- child, one of the first settlers of this town. Mr. Morgan had five children, three of whom survive: Mina M. Palmer, Charles E. Morgan and Lina E. Jones. Two have died : George A. and Fred J., both attorneys at law. Mr. Morgan was a radical tem- perance man, and during 1878 he spoke 117 times for the cause. He was postmaster of West Winfield eight years, supervisor seven years and district attorney three years. Ile was president of the board of education of West Winfield for many years, and was a prominent Mason and member of Winfield Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 581, in which he was past master.
Mason, Amos T., Warren, was born in Warren May 27, 1870, a son of Joseph W. and Harriet (Tisdale) Mason. Amos T. received a district and academic education at liion and Mohawk. He married May 21, 1889, Florence E., danghter of William and Lydia (McDonald) Hardy, and they had two children, Maria L. and Josie, Mr. Mason is a Democrat in politics. He lived a year in Richfield Springs, running a livery, and was also a dealer in stock. After farming for a year in Mohawk he located where he now resides in the spring of 1891. His farm is composed of 130 acres, and he also owns one of eighty-six acres.
McCredy, David W., Warren, was born where he resides April 14, 1823. son of David and Welthy (Merry) McCredy. The grandfather was a son of Robert, who came from Scotland to America prior to the Revolution ou the Hudson, where he died. Subject's grandfather was born in Scotland, and died December 18, 1842, aged seventy-seven, and was twice married. His first wife bore him one son ; his second wife, Mariam Earl, bore him one son and ten girls. Subject's father was born in Warren January 20, 1799, and died January 30, 1890. Ile served as deputy sheriff, lived in Stark six years, when he returned in 1843. He owned 150 acres, his father's homestead. He was a Demo-
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crat. Ifis wife died in June, 1881. Subject and wife had these children : David W .. Mary V., Thurlow W., Charles W. and George S. Subject was born where he lives, and has resided here all his life, except twelve years. Ile received a limited education, and lived and cared for his parents on the old homestead.
Newth, Walter S., Litchfield, owns a grain, dairy and fruit farm of 100 acres, and is one of the representative farmers of the town. Ile was born on his present farm June 13, 1848, and married Clara P., daughter of Roderick H. Smith, a native of Frankfort, and a son of Asel Smith, who came from Connecticut. Walter S. is a son of John Newth, a native of England, who settled on this farm in-1837. He died September 8, 1881. Walter S. and Clara P. Newth have one son, Fred II., who lives at home.
Neely, Renben, Fairfield. is one of the oldest residents of Fairfield. He was born December 22, 1825, and has lived in this county ever since. He owns 107 acres of land and a herd of thirty cows. Ilis father settled in this place on a farm, which is now the present homestead. Captain Abram Neely of Revolutionary fame was an ancestor of his. In 1864 Mr. Neely married Mary R. E. Thompson, and they have two daugh- ters, both married. Mr. Neely is a Mason and liberal in politics, and has been eom- missioner of highways and assessor. He is also a member of the Episcopal church.
Nellis, James K., Ohio, was born in Yonker's Bush, Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y., May 29, 1848. His father was Christopher Nellis, a native of Palatine township, Montgomery county, N. Y., born 1807. He was reared as a tanner, which was his principal occupation in life. He married Margaret Myres, a native of Stone Arabia, N. 1., a daughter of John Myres, a native of Holland, who, with his parents in an early day, came to America and settled in Montgomery county, N. Y. The mother of John Myres was Elizabeth Myres, who lived to the remarkable age of ninety three years. Her husband was in the Revolutionary War. Christopher Nellis and wife had thirteen children. He was a Democrat and justice of the peace a number of years. fle moved to Salisbury, Herkimer county, in 1852. He died in 1863. His wife is now living at the age of eighty-six years in Little Falls. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and early in life was a teamster for his father and afterwards worked in the tannery for Story & La Due, of Salisbury Center, N. Y. For three years he traveled and was a rider of running horses. In 1869 he married Sarah A. Moon, a daughter of Dr. Moon, of Dolgeville, N. Y. Mr. Nellis and wife have four children : James P., John E., Maria and Mattie E. In 1882 Mr. Nellis came to Ohio, where he has since been successful in the mercantile business. He carries boots and shoes, dry goods, groceries and drugs. He is a Democrat and has been constable in Ohio three years, and was postmaster under Cleveland four years, Mr. Nellis attends and supports the M. E church.
Odit, Augustus, Russia, was born in Switzerland, March 29, 1846, a son of Augustus, who was a son of Franklin Odit, a native of Switzerland, who had two sons and four daughters. He died in Switzerland. Augustus Odit was born in Switzerland in 1812. He married Josephine, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary I. Floray, of Switzerland, and they had two sons and three daughters. In 1854 Mr. Floray and wife and Mr. Odit
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and family came to America. Mr. Floray died in 1871 and his wife in 1889. Augus- tus Odit was eight years old when he came with his parents to the United States. He has always followed Inmbering. In 1877 he married Nellie B. Bullock, a native of Norway, born 1854, and a daughter of Ira Bullock, born in 1813, who had seven children. During the last six years Mr. Odit has been engaged in the general mer- cantile business at Northwood, N. Y. He is a Democrat and has been postmaster for the last six years.
Owen, B. J., Frankfort, one of three children of Hugh and Winnie (Charles) Owen of Frankfort, was born in Newport October 16, 1868. IIngh, the father, was born in Wales. He came to this country in early life and settled in Frankfort about 1874. He was a butcher and shipper of cattle for several years, when he bought the fine farm where his family now lives and developed it into a fine dairy farm. He died July 27, 1892, and his son, B. J. Owen is developing the enterprise. They have a herd of from eighty to one hundred cows and are engaged in butter-making and supplying several milk routes. Mr. Owen employs seven men the year round. The buildings are exten- sive and supplied with modern improvements, among which are ten silos which have an average capacity of 100 tons each, and steain power for handling the contents.
Oyer, O. W., Schuyler, is one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Schuyler. He was born December 28, 1859. His father was Daniel Oyer, who died April 28, 1883. In 1882 Mr. Oyer married Annie Weldon, and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Oyer owns a farm of 158 acres, a cheese-factory and a saw-mill.
Ostrander, Smith, Herkimer, was born in Danube December 5, 1851. He was edu- cated in the Little Falls Academy and Fort Plain Seminary, after which he taught school for two years. After this he was engaged with E. Butterick & Company of New York city, and also upon the Herkimer St. R. R. as conductor. IFs health fail- ing he was compelled to return to the farm. After a few years he engaged with Morris Mark, and in 1887 formed a joint stock company for the manufacture of knit goods. This corporation is the Mohawk Valley Knitting Company, which since that period has grown to large proportions. Later another stock company was formed, another management offered him. In both these concerns he is a large stock holder and super- intendent. He now devotes half his time to each corporation and has made both a decided success. Mr. Ostrander is a son of John Ostrander, of Ostrander's Corners. He married Miss Emma C. Dayger of Herkimer, in 1878. They have no family.
Palmer, Nathan, Warren, was born April 22, 1838, in Richfield, Otsego county, a son of Nathan and Mary (Ames) Palmer. The grandfather, Benjamin E .. came from Con- necticut in colonial days and settled in Richfield. His wife was a Miss Layton, by whom he had nine children : Nathan, Esquire, Layton, Alonzo, Harriet, Mary, Esther, Lucy and Emily. Nathan was born in Richfield in 1798, and married Mary, daughter of Abner Ames. Ile was in the war of 1812 as a sutler. He served as supervisor for many years, was a Whig and died in 1854. His wife died in 1878, aged eighty-one. They had eleven sons, and raised seven : Benjamin, George, Otis, Alonzo, Menzo, Nathan and Delos. Nathan Palmer received a common school education and at nine-
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
teen began for himself. At twenty he bought 162 acres in Richfield, where he lived five years, then sold and lived three years on another farm. In 1859 he bought 162 acres in Columbia, which he sold three years later, and located on another farm. He was one year in Richfield Springs in the grocery business. In 1874 he bought and located on seventy-five acres, where he now resides, in Warren. He has served as justice and is an active Democrat. Mr. Palmer married, December 25, 1856, Margaret Stern- berg, born one mile east of Richfield Springs, a daughter of James and Eve (Shaver) Sternberg. The grandfather, Marquis Sternberg, came from Dutchess county to Warren. He was a public-spirited citizen and gave the land where the present M. E. church stands in Richfield. His wife was Nancy Maby, who bore him these children : David, Lambert, James D., Sarah. Catherine, Christina, Polly and Betsey. James Sternberg was born and lived in Warren, and died, December 29, 1887, aged eighty- three, in Schoharie. Ilis wife died January 26, 1887, aged eighty. They had four children : Marcus, Sarah A. Browman, Margaret and Alonzo W .. who enlisted and served in the navy during the war, and died at Pensacola, Fla. Nathan Palmer and wife have one child, Curtis B., a farmer. The family are Universalists.
Palmer, Luther M., Winfield, was born on the farm where he now lives, July 26, 1853. He married Ida A., daughter of Julius A. Morgan, of Winfield. They have five children : Willie E., George W., Bertha E., Mary C., Harry L. Luther M. Palmer is a son of Walter, a son of Vose Palmer, who came from Connecticut, and settled here in an carly day.
Prior, Louis R., Litchfield, lives on what is known as the Crosby farm, 125 acres of dairy and grain land. He was born in the brick house on the farm adjoining this, No- vember 14, 1867, and married Minnie C. Fish, August 27, 1890. They have one danghter, Veta Estelle. Mrs. Prior was born October 1, 1866, and is a daughter of Samnel Fish, of Frankfort, where he now lives, and he was a son of Elias Fish, one of the first settlers in the Gulf, which was named after him and called Fish's Gulf. Philo Prior owns a farm of 147 acres, devoted to dairying and grain. It is very productive and has excellent buildings. The house was built by Samuel Rider, one of the first settlers of the town. Philo Prior married Caroline E., daughter of Wakeman Rider, and he was a son of Samuel Rider, the first settler on this farm, and one of the first of the town. Philo Prior was born in Oneida county, November 26, 1839, a son of Lyman, who was a son of Daniel Prior, one of the first settlers of Oneida county. Philo and Caroline E. Prior have two children : Xenia V. Goodier and Louis R., both residents of this town. When Daniel Prior came from Connecticut there was but one house in what is now Utica.
Putman, John, Litchfield, is a farmer owing a farm of about 200 acres, which was settled by his father Jacob Putman, in 1837. The latter was a native of this county, and he came from a farm near Cedarville, where he was one of the first settlers. He was a son of Isaac Putman, one of the first settlers at Mohawk. John Putman was born on the farm where he now lives, June 24, 1837. His father, Jacob Putman, was drafted into the army in the war of 1812, stationed at Sackett's Harbor, and he was one of the soldiers who drew 160 acres. John l'utman married Ada J., a daughter of
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Daniel Wilcox, of this town. She had eight children : Samnel, Milla, Alida, Lucy, Anna B., Kate J., John J. and Philena, all living.
Palmer, Nathaniel Budlong, Litchfield, is a farmer and cheese manufacturer, and owns the Cold Springs cheese factory ; the same building in which he commenced making cheese, was built for and used as a chair factory. It was used as a cheese factory by Chester Northrup, who was succeeded by a stock company of the farmers, They sold out to James Ashpole, and he sold to the present owner, N. B. Palmer, who has owned it up to the present time. He owns a dairy and grain farm of ninety-five acres, formerly owned and occupied by Erastus Miller. It is a very productive and well managed farm. N. B. Palmer was born May 30, 1843, in this town. He married Harriet Smith, and they have two children : Lena M. and Earl N. They have lost one son, Benjamin R., who died October 27, 1876, aged two years and six months. N. B. Palmer is a son of Solon L. He was a son of Leonard Palmer, all of this town.
Phillips, V. O., Fairfield, is a native of Fairfield. His father was Vernon Phillips and his grandfather Roland P. Phillips, both of this town. Roland P. came from Rhode Island. V. O. Phillips owns a large farm of 210 acres and a smaller one of eighteen acres, on which he lives. He is one of the large dairy farmers of Fairfield. In 1865 he married Amy R. Harris. He is a Republican and a leading man in his party. He is fifty- four years of age, and is a member of the Grange at Middleville. His mother is still living at the age of ninety years.
Perrine, A., Little Falls, is a native of Little Falls, and one of the most enterprising men of the village. He first learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for twelve years. He then took up painting and has been twenty years in this line of busi- ness. He does the major part of the painting in the village and employs about ten men. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Iron Hall and the People's Benefit Association. In politics he is a Republican, and is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He mar- ried Nettie A. Schuyler, December 22, 1869, and they have three children, two daugh- ters and one son. The latter is a book-keeper in the Mackinnon Mills. Mr. Perrine was one of the prime movers in the projection of the Dolgeville railroad, and is in- terested in the development of the fine ore beds in this county, owning a large farm besides these beds.
Pike, J. W., proprietor of the Pike Knitting Machine Company, Little Falls, is a na- tive of Vermont. After a preliminary education and a course in a polytechnic school, he traveled on the road as salesman in the canned goods line for some time. Abandon- ing this he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the manufacture of machinery for knit goods, etc. This was about eleven years ago. In 1887 he came to Little Falls and established his present enterprise, which is the manufacture of Pike's patent latch needle, knitting machines, hosiery winders and general mill machinery. Mr. Pike is an expert in his business, and goes out and sets up his own machines. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Elks, the Commercial Travelers' Association, etc. Ilis father also was a manufacture and had works at Chelmsford, Mass. The Pike Knitting Ma- chine Company employs thirty-eight hands, and turns out standard machines in every case,
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Pfhals, Chris. J, Frankfort, was born in Utica, February 15, 1850. He was a son of Christian and Louisa (Hornung) Pfhals, of Utica. He learned the trade of carpenter when young, working at his trade in Ilion for several years and at the Remington Agricultural Works two years. He came to Frankfort in 1881 and worked at his trade and ran livery business until 1885, when he became owner of the bus route to the West Shore and Central depots, also express delivery and mail carrying, which he still continues. Ile married. in 1881, Marion M. Watson, one of six children of Oliver W. and Lucinda (Casler) Watson, both of Frankfort. Robert Watson, the grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Frankfort in the winter of 1777.
Prescott, C. W., Herkimer, is a native of Mohawk and was educated in the Clinton Liberal Institute, now Fort Plain. lle then entered his father's office to study law, but never sought for admission to the bar. His father, Amos II. Prescott, was a leading man, and county judge for sixteen years Mr. C. W. Prescott has, for many years, done considerable newspaper work and still keeps up his connection in that way. He is a prominent justice of the peace in Herkimer and much of his time is de- voted to the duties of his office. He is a member of the Fort Dayton Hose Company, the Fort Dayton Council of United Friends, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fel- lows. He is a Republican.
Pelton, Justin B., German Flats, was born in Litehfield, September 12, 1836, and re- mained on his father's farm till twenty-four years of age. Ile then came to Ilion and started in the hardware business, which he has since conducted with great success. Mr. Pelton married Julia E., daughter of Julius C. Warren, in 1861, and they have a family of four children : Gilbert Brace, May L., Sarah L. and Jessie L. Mr. J. C. War- ren was, for many years, justice of the peace in Litchfield, and Mr. Pelton has held that office iu Ilion for eight years. He has also been trustee of the village, and was super- visor of the town in 1872. Ile is a Mason and one of the most highly esteemed citizens in Ilion. His father was Brace Pelton and his grandfather, Seth Pelton. He came from Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of Litchfield.
Pelton, G. B., German Flats, was born in Ilion, March II, 1864, and was educated in the Ilion Academy and Cornell University. He has been in business for four years with his father, and is one of the leading young men of the town. In addition to col- lege clubs, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and outside of the hardware line does an insurance business. He is president of the Republican League in Ilion. Mr. Pelton has taken an active interest in the new library building project and is one of the literary committee.
Powers, John F., German Flats, is a native of Utica and has been in Ilion since 1882. He was a carriagemaker by trade, but has been in the wet goods business for several years. Ile is quite active in politics, is a member of the town committee and has been delegate to Democratic conventions several times. He is an Elk and a member of the Knights of Honor.
Petrie, Jacob II., of IIerkimer, farmer, was born in this township in 1823, and has been identified with this part of the country ever since. He has been a farmer all his
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life, and has been twenty-five years on his present place. He owns 275 acres, and milks thirty-two cows. His father was a son of Dr. Wm. Petrie, of Revolutionary fame. In 1852 Mr. Petrie married Miss Jemima Woliver, and they have two sons, Oliver and Henry. Oliver married Miss Lillie Crill. Mr. Petrie is a member of the Grange, and has been assessor three years. Dr. Wm. Petrie was in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great.
Paine, Seth, Warren, a descendant of a Paine who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, was born in Connecticut about 1750, and settled in Paine's Hollow, on about 1,000 acres, where he died. His wife was a Swift, who bore him five sons, Thomas, William, James, Seth and Chester, and five daughters. Seth Paine, jr., was born and lived and died in Paine's Hollow. His wife was a Miss Filer, who bore him two children, Setli J. and Jane. After Mr. Paine's death, his widow married John Sage, and died in Buffalo in 1858. Seth B. Paine was born in Paine's Hollow in 1805. He was a cabi- net maker. He married Loretta Averill, who bore him two children, Charles and Byron. He went to Ohio to look up a location, and died there. Mrs. Paine returned to her parents, Dr. Jonathan and Anna (Watkins) Averill, where Byron Paine now lives, and where Mr. Averill died in 1833. Byron Paine was born in Bridgewater, Oneida county, December 26, 1830, and after his father's death came to where he now resides. He learned the carpenter trade, and also carried on wagon making. He and his brother own two farms. He has held several town offices, and is an active Repub- lican. He is unmarried. Chas. Paine was born in Warren; is a wagon maker and farmer. He married Calferna, daughter of John and Hannah (Yule) De Voe, who bas borne him two children, John and Frank. Byron Paine is a leading and influential Mason.
Perry, William H., Little Falls, was born in Little Falls, January 3, 1844. He re- ceived a good common school education, after which he worked in a spinning mill, and attended locks for about four years. For the next eighteen years he clerked for Chris Lee, and upon the death of the latter, opened up business for himself at Lock 37 on the Erie canal. In 1861 he was the leader in the movement to organize a company to participate in the civil war. They desired to elect him captain, which office he refused on account of his age, being only eighteen at that time. but he enlisted in the Thirty- Fourth New York Volunteers, under Col. William La Due, and participated in every battle from the beginning of the war to the battle of Antietam. In 1864 he married Jane Ann Flansburg, and of their nine children, six are now living. Mr. Perry is a prominent member of the " G. A. R.," and has held several local public offices.
Putnam, John M., Russia, was born in Newport, March 17, 1837, a son of George Putnam. whose father lived and died in Canajoharie George was born in Canajoharie in 1813. He married Margaret Yerdon, of Montgomery county, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Putnam died in 1815, and he married second, Elsie Smith, by whom he has five sons. Mr. Putnam served a short time in the late war. He is a member of the M. E. church. John M. Putnam at the age of fourteen started in life for himself, at first working on a farm, but later learning the painter's trade. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the regular army, Second United States Cavalry, and
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
served five years. When the war broke out he went to Washington and served until its close as a sutler. In 1865 Mr. Putnam married Emma Vincent, of Norway, who was born 1844, a daughter of Samuel R. and Hulda (Aller) Vincent, of Norway, and they have two children : Kingson B., who is engaged with Warner Bros., corset manu- facturers of New York city; and Allie G. At the close of the war Mr. Putnam engaged in farming at Norway. In 1872 he came to Poland, bought a grist-mill, and has since engaged in the manufacture of flour. He is a Democrat, and is a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M.
Prass Brothers, Manheim, grocers, are located within the corpora'e limits of Little Falls, but are in the town of Manheim. The firm is composed of J. M. and J. F. Prass, sons of G. A. Prass. Both members of the firm were educated in the schools of Fair- field, and prior to establishing their business in Manheim were located on Main street, Little Falls. They have only occupied their present new store a few months. They are thoroughly representative business men, doing a large trade, and are identified with local social and benevolent institutions.
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