USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 52
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their family were six children: Mareella, who was born November 20, 1803, and married E. Nash, of western New York; Isaae, who was born July 23, 1804, and is buried at South Wales, New York; Alamanza, who was born May 1, 1812, and died April 10, 1847; Almon A .; Ora, and Malissa.
Almon A. Brayton was born April 30, 1824. He received his education in the common schools and engaged in farming and the buying of cattle at Deer- field. He lived for several years at Chicago, where he bought and butchered eattle, sending the meat east for sale. At one time he lost ten thousand dol- lars by the sinking of a boat containing a cargo of meat in Lake Erie. He returned to Deerfield and resumed farming. In 1846 he was married, at North Gage, to Caroline Schermerhorn, a daughter of Cornelius and Nancy (Hether- ington) Schermerhorn, and they were the parents of four children: Omar R .. our subject ; Merrill Jesse, who was born July 20, 1852, and now lives in Utiea; Ida R., who was born April 5, 1855, and married Frank Ferris, of Russia, Herkimer county, New York; and Arthur A., who was born February 13, 1863, and died April 13, 1898, at Los Angeles, California, where he was engaged as an asphalt contractor. The father of these children died January 29, 1885.
Omar R. Brayton, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Newport, New York, July 22, 1849. He received his education at Fairfield Academy and the schools of Clinton, New York. Upon leaving Clinton he re- turned to the farm which has been in possession of the family as a homestead sinee 1860, and assisted his father in carrying forward the work. He has ever since made his home upon the farm with the exception of one year, when he engaged in railroad construction in Iowa, and one year as a cheese maker in Herkimer, New York. Ile is an extensive dairyman and now maintains fifty well bred mileh cows and devotes two hundred acres of land to pasturage and grain.
On the 16th of April, 1870, Mr. Brayton was married to Miss Delia Country- man, who was born in Herkimer county, June 1. 1847, a daughter of Peter Countryman. They are the parents of nine children. Minnie Belle, who was born March 3. 1871, married Allen E. Brundage, of Marey, New York. Jesse, who was born Mareh 9, 1873. is now the proprietor and manager of the Brayton Electric Company at Utica. Frank II., born August 17, 1874, is now engaged as a cheese maker and farmer. Thomas J., born January 17, 1877, engaged in teaching school but is now on the home farm. He married Ernestine Hoxey, of Leonardsville, who died in 1909, leaving two children: Gladys, born No- vember 6, 1906; and Omar Arthur, born August 3, 1908. Thomas J. Brayton is a valued member of Bridgewater Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Glen W., the fifth in order of birth in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Omar R. Brayton, was born October 19, 1878, and is at home. Ile belongs to Trenton Lodge, I. O. O. F. Harvey, born October 14, 1883, is engaged in the creamery business at New- port, New York. He is an active member of the Masonie order. Lee O., born September 13. 1885, is a graduate in the engineering department of Syraeuse University and is now following his profession at Rochester, New York. Lizzie M., born November 21, 1886, makes her home with her parents. Edith H., born July 5, 1888, is now a nurse in the Homeopathie Hospital at Utica.
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Mr. Brayton is a member of the Masonic order and is connected with the blue lodge and the chapter at Newport. Politically he is identitied with the democratic party and has been active in public affairs. lle has attended as delegate a number of democratie conventions and served as collector in Deer- field township for one term and for three years as highway commissioner. Religiously he affiliates with the Presbyterian church. As the head of a large and promising family he has set an example of industry and progressiveness well worthy of imitation by his children. He is remarkably efficient in his chosen calling and has conducted it to good financial advantage, adding dignity and honor to a vocation for which by nature and training he is especially adapted.
CHARLES FREEMAN HASKELL.
Some men are adapted for meeting others and have the ability to make themselves at home anywhere. They are good travelers, pleasing companions, and many of them possess the courage that overcomes difficulties so that they gain leadership in important enterprises. To this number belong Charles Free- man Ilaskell, of Utica, whose death, July 13, 1902, at the age of eighty-seven years, marked the departure of one of the most respected and venerated mem- bers of the community.
Ile was born at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, April 26, 1815, and came of a large family, his parents having ten children. seven boys and three girls. IIe removed while yet a child with his parents to Oakham, Worcester county, Mas- sachusetts, and from there in 1827 to Ogden, Monroe county, New York. IFe attended school in Rochester, New York, and after graduating from the high school entered the Geneva Lyceum to study for the ministry. After a short time, however, he changed his mind and for a year taught school at Rochester. Fle then entered the store of Britton & Loder as a clerk and in four years had arisen until he became principal clerk in the establishment. Ilis next experi- onee was under John G. Parker, a dry-goods merchant of Hamilton, Ontario. Mr. Parker was charged with being implicated in the MeKenzie war in Canada and was arrested and sentenced to be transported to Van Diemen's Land. When he arrived in London, however, he made known the fact that he had had no trial and he was allowed to return to Canada where he afterwards became very wealthy. In 1839 MIr. Haskell again took up his residence at Rochester and entered business with a Mr. Barber who afterwards left him. Rather than make a failure, Mr. Haskell returned the goods to the houses from which they had been purchased and then went to Jackson. Michigan, for a short time. In 1×40 he went to Detroit where he became head clerk in the Bunker Hill store which adjoined the store of Zach Chandler. He kept books for three years for two large leather concerns and then. in 1844. opened a general store for himself at Marshall, Michigan, which he conducted successfully for ten years. In 1854 he went to New York city and secured employment as traveling salesman for a wholesale house but at the end of two years became connected with the fire-
C. F. HASKELL
7
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proof safe business in New York city. For two years he labored successfully as New York city agent for Lillie's fireproof safes, introdneing them through- out the wholesale and banking districts of the city. Fairbanks & Company hav- ing assumed the ageney, he went upon the road as traveling salesman and con- tinued for fifteen years selling safes principally to banks in the New England and middle states, in the meantime being admitted as a partner in the firm of Lewis, Lillie & Company with which he continuerd until its dissolution. Later he represented Messrs. Herring, Wilder and other safe manufacturers, traveling in the safe business altogether for about thirty years. In 1872 he took up his residence at Utiea and after the year 1888 devoted his attention principally to the care of his real estate, having through energy and ability gained a competency.
In 1850 Mr. Haskell was married to Miss Mary L. Hall, of Utica, who died in 1864. In 1866 he married Miss Juliana W. Sampson, of Utica. ITis ehil- dren are: Charles L., a fine art publisher of Boston; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles A. Mott, of Union HIall, Monroe county, New York; and William Samp- son, of Marshall, Michigan.
In his early manhood Mr. Haskell was an adherent of the whig party but after the organization of the republican party gave to it his hearty support. He was in thorough sympathy with the Federal government at the time of the Civil war but did not join the army. In religious belief he affiliated with the Presbyterian church. Ile was for many years very active in business and as he possessed an attractive personality he made many friends whom he re- tained to the end of his life. IIe was ambitious, intelligent and progressive-a true type of the modern business man whose mind is open to suggestion of im- provement and who does not fear to follow where his judgment leads. It may truly he said of Mr. Haskell that he was a man eminently just and fair in his dealings and one of' the most prominent traits of his character was his spirit of generosity and helpfulness. Mrs. Haskell resides at the old homestead on Howard avenue.
WILLIAM ARTHUR YOUNG, D. V. S.
Dr. William Arthur Young, successfully engaged in the practice of veter- inary surgery, for which he is well qualified by thorough training, was born in Utiae, July 3, 1875, his parents being Quinten M. and Emma Mary (Jakeman) Young. The father was also a native of Utica and the son of Quinten Martin Young, whose birth occurred in Alsace-Lorraine, France. On leaving his na- tive country for the new world he settled in Utica and he was also largely re- sponsible for many other families coming here from his native province. For years he took an active part in the affairs of the city and was an earnest sup- porter of projects and movements for the public good. By trade he was a black- smith and his life was at all times one of industry. He died in 1877. His son and namesake was a machinist by trade and lived a quiet, retiring life, much Vol. II-27
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respected by all who knew him. He died in 1899 while his wife passed away in 1904.
Dr. William AA. Young, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools, continued his education in St. Francis College at Brook- lyn. New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He then entered the veterinary department of the New York University and was graduated in 1900 with the degree of D. V. S. Later he spent two years in the government service as a veterinary inspector in connection with the bureau of animal industry in the department of agriculture, in which connection his duties called him all over the west and south. He then returned to Utica and established himself in business here, building up a large practice. In the year 1911 he joined Dr. W. G. Hollingworth and the firm name is now Hollingworth & Young. Dr. Young is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Asso- ciation and also of the New York State Veterinary Medical Association. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Young was married to Miss Ella May Jones, a daughter of John B. and Martha Jones, of Utiea. They now have two children, John Arthur and Wil- liam Walter. The family residence is at No. 128 Elm street and both Dr. and Mrs. Young are well known socially in the community.
HARRY STURGIS BRANT.
Ilarry Sturgis Brant, secretary and treasurer of the firm of Brant Brothers, Inc., wholesale and retail florists, was born in Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, on the 9th of May, 1879, his parents being Samuel and Harriet (Eagles ; Brant. The earliest representatives of the Brant family in America, of whom we have any record, was Solomon Brant, a planter of Mad- ison, who was born in the early part of the eighteenth century and died in 1781, from whom our subject is descended in the fifth generation, the line be- ing as Follows: 1. Solomon; II. Samuel, who was the second son of Solomon. He married first Judith Burdit and second Abigail Muchmore. III. Albert, who was the sixth son of Samuel and Judith Brant and married Phoebe Jen- nings; IV. Samuel, the eldest son of Albert and Phoebe (Jennings) Brant.
The last named is the father of our subjeet, and is a prominent wholesale nurseryman of New Jersey and a leader in the democratic party in his eom- inunity, now serving as chairman of the Morris county democratic committee. For many years he has been engaged in fruit growing and is today recognized as the largest grower in New Jersey. He is now in his seventy-first year. In early manhood he married Harriet Amelia Eagles, by whom he had six ehil- dren, namely : Mathilda Antoinette, now the wife of Dr. Charles Howard Goodrich, of Brooklyn, New York; Louis Noe, manager of the Bell Telephone Company. at East Orange, New Jersey; Albert, who is with Henry HIenty Company, brokers, of New York city; Elwood, a member of the firm of Brant Brothers, but still a resident of Madison, New Jersey, where he is serving as
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treasurer of Brant-Henty Flower Company; Harry Sturgis, of this review ; and Mary Baldwin, still at home.
The mother of our subject died March 15, 1904, at the age of fifty-nine years. She was also a native of New Jersey and a direct descendant of Wil- liam Jennings, who came to this country in the Mayflower. The Eagles family is of Scotch origin, although they emigrated to Ireland during the persecution of the covenanters and in the latter part of the seventeenth century came to America, settling in Newark, New Jersey, where they have ever since been leading citizens. Mrs. Brant was a descendant in the sixth generation from Alexander Eagles, who was born about 1700. The line is traced through Alexander, Thomas, Alexander, Thomas and Israel Crane Eagles, who was the father of Mrs. Brant. He was a prominent wagon and coach manufacturer, building the first coach that ran over the Morris and Essex division of the Lackawanna Railroad, and was a very wealthy man for his day. Jasper Crane, one of the maternal ancestors of our subject, was one of the original settlers of the New Haven colony in 1639 and was one of the signers of the first contract of the city of Newark, New Jersey, in 1665. In 1667 he headed the list of signers and members of the first church in that city and was one of the first magistrates and was a member of the assembly, 1668, and the first president of the town court. His son Jasper was a member of the assembly in 1704 and served in the provincial forces in 1675. John P. Baldwin, the maternal great- grandfather of our subjeet was a member of the Essex county, New Jersey militia during the Revolutionary war and his son David J. Baldwin served in the war of 1812, being a member of Captain Plummer's company of volunteer artillery.
The education of Harry Sturgis Brant was acquired in the public schools of Madison, New Jersey, which he attended until graduating from the high school when eighteen years of age, at which time he laid aside his school books and began his business career. He first entered the employ of his father in the wholesale nursery business, withdrawing at the expiration of two years to be- come a reporter on the Madison Eagle. He was also a correspondent for the Commercial Advertiser of New York city. The following year he took a po- sition in the auditing department of the home office of the Equitable Life As- surance Society, but in 1903 he came to Utica, where in connection with his brother, he established a wholesale and retail florist business, which they are conducting under the firm name of Brant Brothers, and which was incorporated in 1909. They have met with success in their undertaking, their business hav- ing developed until they now utilize one hundred thousand feet of space in their green houses. Their roses, which are especially fine, have been the means of bringing them a very large patronage, particularly since 1905, in which year they were awarded the Dorrance Cup for the best exhibit of roses in competition with the United States and Canada at the annual exhibition of the American Rose Society.
On the 27th of June, 1906, at Morristown, New Jersey, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brant and Miss Johneca Gillingham Myers, a daughter of John G. and Sarah Irene (Rutter) Myers, also natives of New Jersey.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Brant are members of Christ church of the Dutch Re- formed denomination. Ile is also a member of the Masonie fraternity, being affiliated with Faxton Lodge, No. 697, A. F. & A. M., Yahnundahsis Golf Club and the Republican Club, while he keeps in touch with the members of his vocation through the medium of his membership in the Florist Club of Utiea, of which he is second vice president, and the Society of American Florists. Hle has met with more than average suceess in his business and in addition to his interest in it is one of the stockholders of the Utica Hotel Corporation.
WILLET S. NORTHUP.
Willet S. Northup, who is engaged in dealing in sand in Utica, having an extensive patronage, selling largely to the builders of this eity, was born July 8, 1870, a son of Stephen and Mary R. (Sweet) Northup. The father was born in the old Northup homestead at Deerfield, September 14, 1809, a son of Ben- jamin Northup. After attending the primitive schools of the time he assisted his father in clearing the farm, which was acquired in three parts, and was two hundred aeres in extent. For many years Stephen Northup carried on gar- dening on an extensive scale but afterward turned his attention to dairying and the raising of hay. His business affairs were conducted wisely and the care and energy which he displayed in the active management of his business brought to him a substantial return.
On the 3d of October. 1860. Stephen Northup was married to Miss Mary Sweet, who was born in Marcy, New York, March 23, 1834, a daughter of Jere- miah and Elizabeth (Northup) Sweet, the latter a daughter of Stephen Northup, of Marcy, New York. Jeremiah Sweet was born in the town of Milford, in Ot- sego eounty. New York, September 14, 1805, and was a son of Jonathan and Mary Ann ( Brimmer) Sweet. The family is of English lineage and on emigrating to the new world settled first in Rhode Island, whenee a removal was afterward made to Hoosaic, New York, and thence to Milford. when Jonathan Sweet was but fifteen years of age. For a long period the family resided in Otsego county, where Jeremiah Sweet was born and reared. He married Elizabeth Northup and their children were as follows: Martha Elizabeth, who passed away in Utiea, New York, in December, 1906; Mary Rowena, who married Stephen Northup; Ilelen Minerva, residing in Utica; William II. Seward Sweet, now deceased; Susan Blandina, whose death occurred at the age of eighteen years; and Hen- rietta ('aroline, who after the death of her first husband, E. J. Clink, D. D. S., married Thomas Bailey. her death occurring in July, 1910. Jonathan Sweet died in Marcy, New York, in January, 1836, and his wife, Mary Ann (Brim- mer) Sweet. passed away in that city on the 20th of December, 1835.
Of this family Mary R. Sweet became the wife of Stephen Northup and they were the parents of a daughter and two sons. Ida. William H. Seward and Willet. The daughter. horn March 3, 1863. is a graduate of the Ladies Sem- inary of Utica and is now residing with her brothers. The father passed away
STEPHEN H. NORTHUP
TIL ENEJUNDALI ME R
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August 30, 1897, while the mother's death ocenrred on the 8th of March, 1906, the remains of both being interred in Forest Hill cemetery of Utica.
William II. Seward Northup, the brother of Willet S. Northup, was born on the old homestead farm at Deerfield, June, 28, 1864, and was educated in the old red-brick schoolhouse on the farm which is still in use for its original pur- pose. He also attended the Utica Advanced School and the Utica Academy. After leaving school he became interested in an orange grove in Florida where he resided for six years, but the memorable "big frost" destroyed the trees and he gave up the cultivation of citrous fruit and engaged in the hotel business in Florida for a year. Subsequently he removed to New Jersey, where he also conducted a hotel for a number of years. Later he established his home in Utica and opened a grocery store in the Young Men's Christian Association building, as a member of the firm of Northup & Company. This enterprise he con- dueted for several years with good success, after which he sold out in order to assist his brother on the farm, where he remained for seven years. He is now interested in the Wescott Garage Company of Utica and is a well known busi- ness man whose enterprise and progressive spirit make him a valuable addition to the business eireles of the city. In 1897 he was married to Miss Clara Nellis, who was born in Westfield, New York, in 1874, a daughter of Adelbert and Ger- trude (Pratt) Nellis, of Palatine, New York. She died in November, 1909, and was laid to rest in the Northup lot in Forest Hill cemetery.
Willet S. Northup, whose name introduces this review, the proprietor of Sunny Brook farm, and now well known in Utica as a dealer in sand, was born July 8, 1870, a son of Stephen and Mary (Sweet) Northup. His education was acquired in the Deerfield schools, the Utiea Advanced School and the Utica Academy, and this liberal mental training well qualified him for the responsibilities which have since devolved upon him. Following his graduation he returned to the old homestead which he conducted until two years ago, when he rented the place and has since devoted his attention to the sand business, supplying most of the builders of Utica. IIis close application and energy con- stitutes the chief characteristic of the success which has made him one of the progressive and enterprising business men of the city. Ile is not interested in lodges or clubs but in politics is an independent republican, usually voting for the men and measures of the party yet not considering himself bound by party ties.
JOHN EDWARDS.
John Edwards will long be remembered by those who knew him as a man of striking personality and one who fully deserved the high respect in which he was held by the people of Utica, where he made his home during a large part of his life. He was a native of Corwen, Merionethshire, Wales, born March 31, 1833, a son of David J. and Jane Edwards. In 1842 he came to America with his parents, who settled at Deerfield. Soon after arriving in this county he secured employment with a farmer and engaged in farm work in spring and
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summer, attending school in winter. Subsequently he learned the carpenter's trade at Utica, but he was attracted to railway service and in March, 1855, be- came connected with the New York Central Railroad as section foreman. He discharged his duties with such fidelity that he was made conductor of a work and wrecking train and served for a number of years as road master. In 1885 he associated with J. V. Evans in the coal business at Utica under the title of Evans & Edwards and so continued during the remainder of his life, the firm becoming one of the highly successful concerns of the city.
On the 3d of May, 1859, Mr. Edwards was happily united in marriage to Miss Catherine Thomas, a daughter of Isaae and Elizabeth Thomas, of West Utica. Nine children were born to this union, of whom two survive, Effie, who succeeded her father in business, and Cora, a stenographer, both still living at home. In politics Mr. Edwards was in hearty sympathy with the republican party and gave to its candidates his earnest support. He served as supervisor of Montgomery county, 1880-81. Fraternally he was connected with the Ma- sonic order. Ile was a stanch believer in the Bible as the revealed word and a consistent member of the Welsh Baptist church, also being connected with the Cymregyddion Society. Possessing many of the most desirable traits that dis- tinguish the Welsh people, he readily accepted the progressive ideas of Amer- ica and gave to his adopted country his complete allegiance. He died October 9, 1908.
BENJAMIN ALLEN.
Benjamin Allen, a native of Nottingham, England, was born in 1818 and was brought to America by his parents when a lad of ten years. The family settled at New Bedford, Massachusetts, but remained there for only a few months, after which they removed to Oneida county, New York, settling upon a farm at Deer- field. In 1830 they became residents of Utiea and from that time until his death Benjamin Allen was closely associated with the publie interests of the community and especially with its business interests. His educational oppor- tunities were those offered by the public schools and he made his initial step in the business world as an employe in the Bleecker Street Hotel. In 1845 he took up general contracting work in stone and his ability in that direction and his honorable methods won him a patronage which constituted his business a profitable venture. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability as a man and citizen, elected him their representative in the general assembly in 1878. He was one of the close friends of Roscoe Conkling and accepted the nomination solely that he might vote, if elected, for Conkling for United States senator. When he was a boy employed at the Bleecker Street Hotel, Mr. Conkling lived at the hotel and the friendship between the man and boy that then began was maintained until they were separated by death. Mr. Allen was also at one time fire commissioner of Utica for four years by appointment of Mayor Kin- ney, but he did not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and private interests. For seventy-three years he was
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