USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 35
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Everett F. Crumb possessed advantages of education in the public schools and West Winfield Academy. After leaving the academy he entered the store of an uncle at Unadilla Forks, in which he served as clerk for several years. Ile then associated with a cousin and they bought out the business which they conducted successfully for two years. In 1874 he came to Utiea and secured employment as shipping clerk with the firm of J. M. Childs & Company, deal- ers in agricultural implements, later becoming traveling salesman. IIe eon- tinued on the road for some time and then associated with Charles 11. Childs and others and purchased the business of J. M. Childs & Company. The new firm was incorporated with Charles II. Childs as president and Mr. Crumb as secretary and treasurer and has ever since been so conducted. The company carries a complete line of farm implements and also deals in wagons and auto- mobiles. Owing to the good judgment of those in charge and careful atten- tion to the wants of patrons the business has been developed until it is today
E. F. CRIMB
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one of the most flourishing of the kind in central New York. Mr. Crumb is also vice president of the Pratt Chuck Company of Frankfort, New York.
The business life of Mr. Crumb extends over a period of about half a een- tury, the largest part of which has been spent in Utiea. He has always been faithful to a high sense of duty and prompt and efficient in the discharge of responsibilities, contributing very materially to the good name of the city. In polities he is an adherent of the democratie party and socially is a valued member of the Masonie fraternity. belonging to Western Star Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Bridgewater, New York and also connected with the Fort Schuyler Club and the Yahnundahsis Golf Club.
THOMAS LEWIS COVENTRY.
Thomas Lewis Coventry, correspondence editor of the U'tiea Press, was born in Clinton county, New York, December 10, 1866, and is a representative of one of the old families of this section of the state. His grandfather, Robert Coventry, who was the youngest son by the first marriage of Dr. Alexander Coventry, was born in Deerfield. February 17, 1807. and was educated in the Utica schools and the Fairfield Academy. Subsequently he engaged in farm- ing on the Coventry homestead on the Walker road and by purchase extended the boundaries of that place, which he had inherited from his father and which he continued to make his home until his demise. He married Lydia Barnes, a daughter of Aaron and Lucinda (Sherman Barnes. Her father was one of the early settlers of Deerfield, coming to this county from Berkshire county. Massachusetts. To Robert and Lydia Coventry were born two children: Robert. whose birth occurred August 19, 1837; and Helen C., who was born November 26. 1842, and died January 11, 1863, her remains being interred in Forest Hill cemetery.
Robert Coventry, Jr., was educated in the schools of Deerfield, in Utica Academy and Whitestown Seminary. Reared to the occupation of farming. he continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the old homestead up to the time of his marriage, when he purchased what was known as the Mitchell farm, near Clinton. He resided there for three years, when he removed to La Salle county, Illinois, and invested in three hundred and forty acres of land, becoming an extensive grain-raiser of that locality and also raising large numbers of horses and feeding cattle and hogs. His agricultural and stock- raising interests were carefully and systematically conducted and brought to him substantial success. He resided in the middle west until 1882, when on account of his father's advanced age he returned with his father to Deerfield and there permanently resided. having disposed of his Illinois property. He now owns four hundred and eighty-seven aeres of land. divided into four farms, one of which is his birthplace. He is a progressive agriculturist and an intelligent man, who is regarded as one of the valued citizens of the com- munity.
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On the 18th of November, 1863, Robert Coventry, Jr., was married to Miss Katherine Lewis, who was born in Deerfield, February 24, 1844, and is a daughter of Rees and Jane (Jones) Lewis, both of whom were natives of north Wales but became residents of Oneida county, New York, in early life. Rees Lewis was born January 15, 1815, and was the son of Rees Lewis, Sr., who was employed as a canal foreman on the construction of the Erie canal. He afterward devoted his life to farming at Deerfield, as did Thomas Jones, the father of Jane (Jones) Lewis. Rees Lewis, Jr., learned the wheelwright and wagon-builder's trade and was the owner of a wagon shop in Deerfield for many years. He died November 4, 1899, having for nine years survived his wife, who passed away in March, 1890, the remains of both being interred in Forest Hill cemetery. They were survived by the following children: Rev. John II. Lewis, of Utica; Mrs. Robert Coventry; Mrs. Joseph R. Garthside, of Pomona, California; and Mrs. Sanders L. Robbins, of Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Coventry was educated in Deerfield in the advanced schools of Utica and in the Utica Female Academy. By her marriage she became the mother of two daughters and a son. Helen C., the elder daughter, born in Clinton, New York, September 26, 1864, attended the Utica advanced schools. the Utica Academy and Houghton Seminary, and died at home. January 13. 1904, her remains being laid to rest in Forest Ilill cemetery. Lydia Jane, born May 13, 1869, in La Salle county, Illinois, was educated in the Utica advanced schools, the Utica Academy and Houghton Seminary, and on the 27th of June, 1895, became the wife of Dr. Ilarry Wheeler Woodruff, of Joliet, Illinois, where he is now enjoying a large practice. He was graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago as honor man in a class of two hundred.
Thomas Lewis Coventry, only son of Robert and Katherine (Lewis) Coven- try, became a pupil in the public schools of Illinois and following the return of the family to New York was graduated from the Utiea Advanced School in 1883. Further study brought him to his graduation from the Utica Academy with the class of 1887 and he won his B. A. degree at Hamilton College in 1891. llis college course completed, he engaged in newspaper work in Utiea. Later he engaged in the weekly newspaper business at Oxford, New York, and afterward at St. Johnsville, New York. In 1897 he disposed of his paper in the latter place, since which time he has been engaged in newspaper work as telegraph editor of the Rome Sentinel, and later as correspondenee editor of the Utica Daily Press, which position he now holds.
ALONZO I. KING.
The military record of Major Alonzo I. King constitutes a most interest- ing chapter in his life history yet he displayed no greater loyalty to his country on the field of battle than he has manifested in days of peace, and New York numbers him among her valued citizens. IIe is actively engaged in busi- ness as a member of the banking house and hop firm of Charles Green Son
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Brainard & Company, of Waterville. Many a man of younger years, grown weary of the struggle of business life, has relegated to others the responsibili- ties which he should share, but Major King still continues an active factor in financial and commercial circles although he has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. He was born in Sangerfield, near Pleasant Valley, Oneida county, September 13, 1838, a son of Ebenezer and Eleeta H. (Fergu- son) King, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Hawley, Massachusetts. Both the King and Ferguson families came to Oneida county at a very early period in its development and their homes were not far distant. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Isaae King, who secured a large tract of land which he cleared and developed into a fine farm. He erected a fine home in the town of Sangerfield and there spent his remaining days. His family numbered two sons and two daughters including Ebenezer King, who was born September 11, 1804, and was but a boy in his teens when he came to the Empire state. He married Electa HI. Ferguson, who was born July 4, 1808, and was but ten years old when her father, Samuel Ferguson, brought his family to Oneida county, traveling with an ox cart and settling near the birth place of Alonzo I. King. The Ferguson's were of Scotch descent. Samuel Ferguson aequired a large tract of land which he transformed into fertile fields and erected upon his place a commodious and attractive residence which is still standing. His family numbered five sons and five daughters who became well-to-do farming people of Oneida county, settling near the old homestead after leaving the parental roof. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer King resided on the old Ferguson homestead which Mr. King purchased and which remained their home for many years. In 1859, however, they removed to Oriskany. Mr. King dealt extensively in cattle and hogs for many years while residing upon the farm. He was a large buyer and would go to Ohio and Indiana where he would purchase as many as fifteen hundred hogs, driving them all the way to New York and then feeding them at the distilleries at Oriskany Falls until they were ready for the market. During the panic of 1857 he suffered severe losses and in 1859 went to Oriskany where he purchased the Kings Hotel which he conducted successfully for twelve years. He then retired and both he and his wife spent their remaining days in Oriskany, being laid to rest in the Waterville cemetery. They had five children: Albert R., now deceased; Mrs. Sarah R. Judd, the widow of J. J. Judd, living in Whites- town; Alonzo 1 .; Herbert, who enlisted at Whitestown in the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, serving for a year after which he was discharged on aeeount of disability and is now deceased; and Mrs. Alice E. Echer, who has also passed away.
Major Alonzo I. King has resided practically all of his life in Oneida county. In his youth he assisted in the operation of the home farm, remain- ing with his father in the conduct of the cattle business and also the manage- ment of the hotel until after his enlistment for service in the Civil war. His common school education was supplemented by a year's study in Utica, the winter months being devoted to school work and the summer seasons being giving to the labors of the farm.
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On the 29th of August, 1862, Major King became a private of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, sometimes known as the Fifth Oneida. By merit alone as manifest in constant service and con- tinted loyalty he worked his way upward through the various grades until he was made captain of Company A. He participated in many of the important battles of the Army of the Potomac. In leading his command at the battle of the Wilderness on the 5th of May, 1864, he was wounded in the right arm near the shoulder and also in the left side. His wounds were of a severe nature and he was carried to the Fredericksburg Hospital, spending ten days in a private home with other officers. On the 29th of March, 1865, he was again wounded at the battle of White Oak Grove while leading his command in a charge, a bullet striking his head. but on this occasion he did not leave the field until the engagement was over. On the Ist of April, 1865, Captain King led his command in charge against the Confederate stronghold at Five Forks, Virginia. They had to ford a deep and rapid stream under heavy fire from the enemy who were behind strong rifle pits. Captain King with his command and other troops of his brigade climbed the slope which was covered with under- brush and fallen trees and, making their way over the enemy's works engaged in a terrible hand to hand conflict. The little band of Federal heroes of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth. with Captain King as their leader, captured three Confederate battle flags and brought them off the field. For gallant and conspicnous bravery in this engagemet Captain King received from the Presi- dent of the United States a brevet commission as major and was also the recipient of a beautiful letter which he still has in his possesion from Reuben E. Fenton, then governor of New York, complimenting him on his bravery and gallantry at Five Forks and in other engagements. He was slightly wounded at Five Forks but refused to leave the field, remaining on active duty with the One lInndred and Forty-sixth New York which belonged to Sykes' Brigade of Regulars of the Second Division of the Fifth Army Corps. At the sur- render of Lee, Major King saw all of the Confederate officers. With several other officers of his own brigade he went to the Confederate camp, mingling freely with the men there and inviting twenty officers to come to the Union camp. They had the best kind of a banquet possible under the circumstances and at twelve o'clock the Union officers escorted their Confederate guests back to their lines, having spent a pleasant evening. This was a proof that among many at least there was no personal hostility and such events did much to bridge the chasm between the contending armies. Major King participated in the grand review, commanding his company on the long march down Penn- sylvania avenue where the nation welcomed the return of her heroes. Ile was on the staff of General Root and served as judge advocate at the parole camp at Annapolis. While convalescing from his first wound he was put on special duty. commanding the provost guard of the city of Annapolis, where he was located when Lee made his raid into Maryland. He served as assist- ant provost marshal of the city for five months and then returned to his eom- mand in front of Petersburg. He was also judge advocate of the First Brigade of the Second Division, Fifth Army Corps. The following is an exact copy of a letter sent to the father of our subject at the time the Major was wounded :
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Fredericksburg, Va., May 10, 1863.
Oriskany, N. Y. Mr. E. King,
Dear Sir-Your son, an officer in the Union army, was brought into this city late last night from the Wilderness battlefield. Your son and several other officers of his regiment are quartered in my mother's house. All the officers are seriously wounded, one of them has his right arm shot away. Your son has a serious wound through his right shoulder and another wound in his side. This city is full of dead and wounded soldiers of the Union army. I am writing this letter at the request of your son. Ile requests me to say to you that a surgeon, Dr. Sands of New York city, has arrived here and dressed his wounds for the first time in five days. He sends his love and will let you hear from him again soon. Yours in haste,
Caroline Hirsch.
Mrs. Ilirsch's husband was a Colonel in the Confederate service, at the battle of the Wilderness.
After the war Major King returned to his father's home and later spent some time at Pitt Hole, Pennsylvania, during the oil excitement. He then re- joined his father and devoted his time to the conduct of the hotel and to the purchase of fancy horses for the New York market for two or three years. About that time Ebenezer King sold his hotel and retired.
On the 29th of December, 1866, Major King was married to Miss Amelia Jane Tibbetts, who was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, and pursued her education in the Whitestown Seminary and in Rome. She was a daughter of Joseph and Diantha (Davis) Tibbetts, both of whom died in Whitestown and were laid to rest on the large farm which they had owned. They were the par- ents of three children : Mrs. King; Sophia and Julius, who died in childhood. Mrs. King was a successful school teacher in her home district for several years before her marriage. She became the mother of four children: Harold Mason, mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Nina S., the wife of C. W. Monroe, of Waterville ; Madge E., who died in infancy ; and Lulu D., the wife of Stewart Berrill, of Waterville. The death of Mrs. King occurred January 4, 1909, when she was sixty-two years of age, and her passing was a matter of deep regret to her family and many friends.
Following his marriage Major King had purchased a beautiful home near Oriskany and there resided for ten or twelve years until he became connected with the firm of Charles Green Son Brainard & Company, conducting a banking business and also dealing extensively in hops at Waterville. His con- nection with the business has covered thirty-three years and he has long been recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive business men of the vil- lage. Ile took an active interest in political affairs until the past few years and has always given his support to the republican party since its organization. IIe has served as chairman of the board of water commissioners of the town and has been a trustee of the village board. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of Rowell Post, G. A. R., of which he was a trustee for many years, and for a long period was a member of the Oneida County Veterans' Association. He is also a member of the first class of the
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Military Order of the Loyal Legion, this class being composed only of those who were officers in the Union army. He is a trustee of the Waterville Cemetery Association and the Waterville Monument Association and he attends and sup- ports the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. King was a very active and de- voted member. In the long years of his residence in Oneida county Major King has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of his fellowmen. His loyal defense of his country, his patriotic support of the nation in times of peace and his industry and enterprise in business affairs have gained him high stand- ing both as a man and citizen.
JAMES STRINGHAM DYETT.
The city of Rome is still profiting by the enterprise of James Stringham Dyett, who for a considerable period was classed as one of the foremost busi- ness men and progressive residents of this place. He was born in New York. August 22, 1838. For some time after he had acquired his education and at- tained his majority he devoted his attention to business in Chicago, but in 1865 established his home in Rome, where he opened a retail grocery house which he conducted with excellent success for a quarter of a century. He built np a large trade, his elose application and progressive methods, combined with his unfailing integrity, winning him a large share of public patronage. At length, however, he sold out in the grocery line and formed a partnership with E. C. Carpenter under the firm name of Carpenter & Dyett. In 1886 they began the manufacture of cot and crib frames and folding chairs and from this beginning there developed what is now one of the largest business enter- prises of Rome, conducted under the name of the Rome Metallic Bed Company and employing five hundred men. Mr. Dyett bent his energies toward the development and expansion of the business and his sound judgment enabled him to coordinate forces to bring seemingly diverse elements into a harmoni- ous whole. For years he remained a member of that firm but afterward be- vame interested in the organization of a new industry under the name of the Wire & Telephone Company of America. He was chosen its president and so continued until his death. This company absorbed the Electrie Wire Works, owned by Mr. Dyett and his son, II. T. Dyett, and also the Empire Wire Works of West Dominick street. Like the other business enterprises with which Mr. Dyett was connected, the new undertaking prospered and its steady and sub- stantial development brought excellent results. In financial eireles he also figured, being a trustee of the Rome Savings Bank and a director of the First National Bank.
Soon after becoming a resident of Rome Mr. Dyett was united in marriage to Miss Susan Z. Hatheway, who still occupies the home in which her birth occurred and which was built by her grandfather, Judge Hatheway, in 1802. Ile had come to Rome in 1794 and eight years later erected the family resi- dence which then stood in what is now the downtown distriet but in 1852 was
A
JAMES S. DYETT
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removed to its present location at No. 313 North George street. His son, Jay Hatheway, was the father of Mrs. Dyett and was proprietor of a store here in early days. Later he became engaged in the insurance business and also did all of the work in an effort to get pensions for the poor and destitute soldiers. He even advanced them money, believing the government would pension them for their part in the War of 1812, but did not. His father and seven of his brothers fought in the war for independence, being members of that band of valiant soldiers who were known as the Green Mountain boys. His father also acted as quartermaster general of the New York State Militia at Sackett's Harbor during a portion of the war. Jay Hatheway was united in marriage to Zenniah Cleveland of Connecticut. Her death occurred in 1863, while Mr. Hatheway passed away in 1869. Mrs. Dyett is now the only surviving member of a family of nine children. Her grandfather was the man who, with Gov- ernor Clinton, took out the first shovelful of dirt for the building of the Erie canal.
Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dyett there were born two sons: James II., who is living in Buffalo, New York; and Herbert T., now a prominent busi- ness man of Rome. The family circle was broken by the hand of death on the 11th of October, 1906, when the husband and father was called from this life. Not only his activity in business but his worth as a man and citizen had placed him high in public regard. He hekl membership in the Zion Episcopal church and was a vestryman for many years. He was a man of comparatively few words but was ever genial and affable and easily approached. Those who came within the eloser circle of his acquaintance entertained for him an almost brotherly regard. He was public-spirited and ever ready to aid his city and its people. He was especially interested in helping young men and encouraging them in their efforts to make their way through the world. His words of wis- dom were all greatly appreciated by them and on various occasions his as- sistance was of a most substantial character. No man came in contact with him but speedily appreciated him at his true worth and knew he was a man who cherished not only high ideals of duty but who lived up to them. He con- stantly labored for the right and from his youth devoted a large portion of his time to the services of others.
T. Z. JONES, M. D.
The history of the medical fraternity in Waterville would be considered incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent and per- sonal reference to Dr. T. Z. Jones. In no profession does advancement depend more entirely upon individual merit than in the practice of medicine and sur- gery. In this profession there is demanded careful preparation and continual advancement in accordance with the progress that is being constantly made by the medical fraternity at large. Meeting all of the requirements of the well equipped physician, and performing his duties conscientiously and well, Dr.
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Jones now enjoys a large practice which is substantially renmnerative. He was born in Waterville, New York, on the 23d of June, 1860, and represents a family which has long been established in this county. His grandparents, John b. and Martha Jones, were natives of Wales and came to the United States in early childhood. The families located in Philadelphia, and, after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. John Jones drove to Oneida county, New York, with an ox cart; arriving here in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Here, Mr. Jones secured a quarter section of state timberland. most of which he cleared and put under cultivation. The log house which he erected thereon was standing until about thirty years ago. At that time there were few roads in this district, and he followed a blazed trail when taking his corn to Fort Schuyler to be ground. He continued in the operation of his farm throughout his remaining days, he and his wife both passing away on the tract upon which they had originally located upon coming to this county, and which yet remains in the possession of the Jones family. In their family were six children who grew to maturity : William, John, Zephaniah, Martha, Mary and Henry. Wil- liam, the eldest. was the only child born in Philadelphia prior to the removal of the family to New York ; and he, later, became a pioneer of Milwaukee, Wis- consin. The second son, Zephaniah Jones, the father of our subject, was born in Remsen, Oneida county, on the 22d of April, 1832, and in this county his en- tire life was spent. In early life, he engaged in farming in Remsen but later became identified with merchandising and proved himself a most capable and successful business man. He passed away on the 22d of February. 1874. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Margaret Goodwin, was born in Wales, on the 10th of August, 1832. She came to America with her widowed mother in 1854, making her way direct to Oneida county, where she spent her remaining days. She passed away January 17. 1908. By her marriage with Zephaniah Jones she became the mother of two children, of whom Dr. Jones is the elder. Ilis brother, Charles 11. Jones, is practicing dentistry at Cortland. New York.
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