USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume II > Part 54
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Noble Hopkins gave his political allegiance to the republican party and his fraternal support to the Masonie order, his membership being in Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M. Ilis religions faith was that of the Universalist church. At Utica,
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New York, on the 19th of September, 1856, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hopkins and Jane Benbow Reynolds, and they became the parents of five children, Stephen R., John Edward, Mary Ella, William H. and Gertrude R., all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mary Ella, who was mar- ried in November, 1890, to William Pinekney Rutter, deceased, late of New York city, leaving a son, Frederick Benbow Rutter, born November 20, 1891.
Elizabeth Reynolds, the third daughter in the family, became the wife of Dr. J. E. West; and Margaret, the fourth in order of birth, married Alson T. Whiting.
John E. Reynolds was graduated from Harvard University in 1859 and died on the 30th of November, 1860, a life of promise thus being early eut off.
William H. Reynolds at the age of twenty-five was enrolled on the 20th of August, 1863, at Rochester, New York, and was mustered in as major, on the 11th of September to serve for three years. He was captured on the 11th of June, 1864, and held as a prisoner of war until February, 1865, when he made his eseape, but after remaining in hiding for three days at Charleston, South Carolina, he was recaptured. With the close of the war he was honorably dis- charged, May 15, 1865, his serviees being no longer required. He was made a captain of the Seventy-eighth New York Volunteers prior to being eommis- sioned as major, November 23, 1863, to rank from the 29th of August of that year. On the 16th of May, 1865, he was made colonel to rank from March 8, 1865, succeeding C. II. Corning, discharged.
George Reynolds when twenty-three years of age enrolled at Rochester, Sep- tember 4, 1863, and was mustered in as first lieutenant of Company E to serve for three years. He was promoted to the rank of captain May 18, 1864, and was honorably discharged June 23, 1865. His commission as first lieutenant, re- ceived November 23, 1863, was to date from September 4, 1863. He was made captain on the 28th of May, 1864, to rank from May 18, vice O. B. Flagg, re- signed.
The three surviving members of the eleven children of the family of Rich- ard Reynolds are Mrs. Mary Jones, Richard Samuel and George A. Reynolds, all residents of Utiea. Of the family Jane is the only one who left an heir, be- ing represented by her daughter, Mrs. Mary E. II. Rutter, who is now living at 361 Genesee street.
WILLIAM ALLEN MATTESON.
William Allen Matteson, one of the most prominent lawyers in central New York was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York, July 13, 1845. IIe was a son of Horace C. and Betsey Matteson; was brought up on a farm, and edueated in the common schools and Whitestown Seminary. During his course at the seminary he was among the best students in the institution and was par- ticularly proficient in elocution. Ile studied law in Utiea and was admitted to the bar in 1872, sinee which time he has praetieed his profession in that eity.
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At different times he has had as partners Pascal C. J. DeAngelis and other prominent members of the bar. He held the office of district attorney for two terms being first elected in 1880. As district attorney he so administered the office that he was the terror of evildoers. Since that time he has held no politi- cal office and has devoted himself to the practice of his profession and given some attention to scientifie farming, and particularly in the line of blooded cattle, and he has as fine a herd of Holstein stock as there is in the entire country. Mr. Matteson has frequently been retained as counsel in the important litigations ; was recently retained by the United States government as leading counsel, to assist the United States attorney for the northern district of New York in the proseention of the wreekers of a Syracuse national bank, the trial of the presi- dent of the bank in this case occupying three months. As an advocate before a jury Mr. Matteson has few equals, and by the members of the bar is considered one of the ablest men in the profession. His thorough knowledge of the funda- mental principles of law, his studious habits and his conscientiousness render him one of the safest counselors practicing before the bar of the Empire state.
Mr. Matteson has always been a republican in politics. He married at Litch- field, Ilerkimer county, LeAnna L. Dewing, daughter of George and Mary Dewing.
IRA DEWANE BRAINARD.
Ira Dewane Brainard, who in 1870 became a resident of Waterville and for many years has lived there as a leading citizen and prominent business man, was horn at Hubbardsville, New York, September 27, 1846, a son of Ira and Jemima ( Beebe) Brainard, also of Hubbardsville, Madison county. The father was born at East Hamilton, New York, near Hubbardsville, August 24, 1810, and was a son of Daniel Adams Brainard, who was born at East Haddam, Connecticut, De- cember 31, 1770, and was a descendant of one of the original settlers of Had- dam-Daniel Brainard who settled there about 1662. He came to this country from England. Daniel Adams Brainard was one of the first school-teachers in the town of Sangerfield, the school being held in the house of Colonel David Nor- ton. Having arrived at years of maturity Ira Brainard was married, August 24, 1837, to Jemima Beebe, a daughter of Justin and Cynthia (Parks) Beebe. During his aetive business life Ira Brainard engaged in farming and was also a hop merchant.
Ira Dewane Brainard was reared upon the home farm and acquired his edu cation in the Clinton Liberal Institute, completing his course there in 1864. When he was eighteen years of age he became a hop salesman for his father and about three years afterward started in business on his own account with head- quarters at Unbbardsville. In the fall of 1870 following his marriage he re- moved his business to Waterville, New York, where he continued alone until 1892. In that year the hop and banking firm of Charles Green, Son & Company, of Utica, removed to Waterville and Mr. Brainard combined his interests with that firm, sinee which time the business has been eondneted under the firm name
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of Charles Green, Son, Brainard & Company, and through Mr. Brainard's man- agement the business has become one of the most extensive of the kind in central New York.
Not only has Mr. Brainard become well established as a leading factor in bus- iness circles here but is also prominent in the public life of the community. He served as president of the village for two terms and has been a member of the board of education for many years. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. IIe was a charter member of the Pickwick Club, which really had its organization in his office. In church associations he has for many years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Waterville. Although conducting a large business enterprise to which he has always given the most earnest and conscientious service, Mr. Brainard has never failed to remember his personal obligations in citizenship and in philanthropie and so- cial life.
It was at Hubbardsville, New York, on November 10, 1870, that Mr. Brainard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Geneive Green, who was born at Hubbards- ville, August 21, 1847. She is a daughter of Charles and Mary Jane (Hubbard) Green. Her father, a prominent banker in Utica for many years, was born at Sangerfield, New York, and was a son of David Green and Deliverance (Hatch) Green. David Green was the father of a large family of children, all but one of whom were born at South East, Putnam county, New York, where David Green's father, James, who was a Revolutionary soldier, had lived since a boy. David and his wife, Deliverance, and his father, James, migrated from Dutchess county to Litchfield, Otsego county, New York, during the year 1810, bringing with them David's six children. Renben, Abigail, Eliza, Angeline, John and Deliverance. After their arrival in central New York David bought of Joseph Field a farm in the southern part of the town of Sangerfield, which was then a portion of IFerkimer county, in a settlement now known as Tarrytown. In December, 1810, he moved his family onto his new possession. They came over from Litchfield with all their worldly goods in one wagon and team and stopped the first night of their journey at Aaron Stafford's hotel in Waterville, and the next day con- tinned their journey to the farm they had bought and moved into the one room log cabin, the only building on the property. In this log house Charles, the youngest child, was born on May 28, 1811. This property, where Charles was born, is now owned by the Mason family.
In the little Tarrytown cemetery, located near the southern boundary of the town of Sangerfield, on the hills overlooking the valley between Waterville and Brookfield, are buried some of the oldest residents of this section, among them James Green, who was born in Wilton Parish, Connecticut, July 29, 1744, and who died at Sangerfield in 1824. By his side in this quiet cemetery lie the re- mains of his wife, Abigail (Hall) Green, born in 1745 and who died in 1819. James was one of the early members of the New Hartford Masonic lodge.
Besides Charles three of David Green's children, Reuben, Abigail and An- geline, remained in Oneida county and the others, Eliza, John and Deliverance, went back to their former home, where they were married and brought up families.
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Mrs. I. Dewane Brainard began her education in the public schools and about 1860 entered the Hamilton Female Seminary. She afterward became a student in Cazenovia Seminary and later entered North Granville Seminary, afterward known as Temple Grove, and there completed her studies. She was married in the old Green home where still reside her brother, C. Germaine Green, and her sister, Eliza Jane Green, the former born September 21, 1845, and the latter August 14, 1841. Her older brother, W. Jerome Green, born October 10, 1842, was at the time of his death, January 27, 1885, a resident of Utica, New York. Mrs. Brainard through the Green family is seventh in descent from John Alden and also from Stephen Hopkins, both Mayflower Pilgrims.
Sinee her marriage Mrs. Brainard has resided in Waterville. She has been an active member of the central council of King's Daughters, a Daughter of the American Revolution and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. In both foreign and home missionary work she has always been active and en- thusiastie and earries on a large correspondence in the interests of missions. The Mrs. Charles Green memorial home in Wu-hu, China, was erected as a home for missionaries in memory of her mother. It was Mrs. Brainard who gave the present library building to the town and she is always a liberal subscriber to all things for the improvement and benefit of the town and its people. She is active in the interests of the Old Ladies Home at Vernon Center, Oneida county, and aside from all this she is a writer of considerable ability, pursuing it, however, as a recreation along lines in which her interest dietates, and is often an im- promptu speaker at the meetings of associations of which she is a member. In the Methodist church she is an active member and has long been a firm believer in its teachings. She has a keen sense of humor and a strong personality and individuality.
Mr. and Mrs. Brainard became parents of three children: Charles Green, who is mentioned below; George Dewane, who was born at Waterville, October 5, 1878, and died at Ilnbbardsville, June 11, 1888; and Daniel Adams, who was born at Waterville, April 13, 1884, and died February 28, 1895. Both were buried in the family lot at Hubbardsville, Madison county. One of the dormitories of an industrial school for colored children at Mason City, near Birmingham, Alabama, is named in memory of the youngest son. Daniel Adams Brainard.
CHARLES GREEN BRAINARD.
Charles Green Brainard, the only surviving child of Ira Dewane and Mary Geneive (Green) Brainard, was born in Waterville, July 31, 1874. He attended the Waterville Academy and entered Amherst College in 1892, being graduated with the B. A. degree in 1896. After leaving college he devoted himself to farming for a few years and then entered the firm of Charles Green, Son, Brain- ard & Company as a partner of his father in the banking and hop business.
On the 20th of January. 1897, Mr. Brainard married Florence Elizabeth Doolittle, who was born in Sherburne, October 10, 1874, and in 1883 came to
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Waterville with her parents, Frederick Coates and Emma Gertrude (Hill) Doolittle, now of this place. Mrs. Brainard attended the Waterville Academy and in 1893 entered Wells College at Aurora, New York, for a special course. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard have three children, all born in Waterville: Charlotte Doolittle, born April 14, 1900; Charles Green, November 8, 1902; and Elizabeth Alden, who was born February 12, 1906.
FLORENCE I. STAUNTON, M. D.
Dr. Florence I. Staunton, residing at No. 14 Cottage place, has been en- gaged in the active practice of medicine in Utica for five years. She was born in Watertown, New York, September 20, 1869, and is a daughter of John A. and Florence I. (Capen) Staunton. She pursued her early education in the Keble school of Syracuse and later attended St. Catherine's school of Brooklyn, New York. Becoming deeply interested in the science of medicine, she resolved to engage in practice and to this end enrolled as a student in the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, from which she was graduated with the class of 1905. She then accepted a position as interne in the Women's Ilospital of Philadelphia, where she spent one year, and her hospital practice was of a varied and important character, giving her thorough practical training for all the duties of an independent private practice. In 1906 she came to Utica where she opened an office. She is now serving on the staff of Faxton Hospital and the women's and children's clinic of the Utica Free Dispensary, where she also has charge of the tuberculosis clinic. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the New York State Medical Society and the Oneida County Medi- cal Society and the Utica Medical Library Association. She is also connected with St. Luke's Clinieal Society and the State Women's Medical Society, and is a member of the Zeta Phi, a medical college society. IIer interest centers in her professional duties and her devotion to her work has brought her growing success and increasing importance.
HIERBERT ERWIN ALLEN.
Herbert Erwin Allen, who is the junior partner of the firm of H. J. Allen & Son, hardware dealers, has been a resident of Clinton for twenty-seven years. He was born in Mexico, Oswego county, New York, on the 13th of December, 1874, and is a son of H. J. and Adelaide V. (Clough) Allen, the father a na- tive of St. Lawrence county, New York, and the mother of Vermont. In the paternal line Herbert Erwin Allen is a direct descendant of John Hart of New Jersey, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the maternal great-grandfather, James Crane, was a member of the Connecticut militia with which he served in the Revolution.
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In the acquirement of his education Ilerbert Erwin Allen attended the pub- lie schools of his native town until he had attained the age of ten years, at which time his parents removed to Clinton, where the father engaged in the hardware business. Ile continued his education in the public schools here for a time, later going to Kirkland Hall and the Clinton Preparatory School. At the age of sixteen years he laid away his text-books and began his business career by entering his father's store, which is now being conducted under the firm name of II. J. Allen & Son.
On the 7th of hume, 1905, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Laura Elizabeth Ballard of Utica, who passed away in April, 1909. Mrs. Allen was a daughter of George and Laura Ballard. One son, John Ballard, was born of this union.
Mr. Allen holds membership in the Presbyterian church, of which he is a presiding elder, and he is also affiliated with the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason and a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 169. A. F. & A. M., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Lodge No. 33. His identification with or- ganizations of a more social nature is through the medium of his membership in the Masonic and Arcanum Clubs of Utiea and the Skenandoah Club, of which he was at one time treasurer and director. He is now chief of the Clin- ton fire department and he was at one time president and captain of the Smyth hook and ladder company. Mr. Allen also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sangerfield Country Club. The men and measures of the republican party always receive the political support of Mr. Allen, who actively participates in governmental matters. He has served both as town and country committeeman and he is now filling his second term as a member of the state assembly. His record as a politician as that of a merchant and citizen is no- ticeably free from any suggestion of taint. and he is highly regarded in the community where he has resided for so many years and where he is accorded the general esteem of the citizens.
GEORGE E. PIHILO.
It has been said that one of the best elements of success is faith in one's self, and judging by what he has accomplished George E. l'hilo of Utica was abundantly endowed with this important quality. As a lawyer, business man and public-spirited citizen he has ably performed his part. and there are few men in Utica who have been more active or efficient in advancing their own interests and that of the general good.
He was born in this city April 2, 1859. a son of Elisha and Phebe C. (New. ell) Philo. The father was born in Genesee county, New York. October 23, 1812, and died at West Frankfort. Herkimer county, November 9, 1864. The mother was a native of Frankfort, New York. and died at Washington Mills, Oneida county, in 1884, at the age of sixty-eight years. Her father, Edward Newell, was a soldier of the war of 1812. Her mother lived to the advanced age of one hundred and three years and died in Utica. On the paternal side
GEORGE E. PHILO
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the family descended from John P. Fillow, a French Huguenot, who came to America and settled in Connecticut before 1700.
George E. Philo was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine chil- dren, six of whom are now living. He received his early education in the district schools and as a boy of eleven years began working on the Erie eanal in summer and attended school in winter. Later he was employed on a farm and thus became familiar with farm work and farm values. In 1876 he was graduated from the Utica Business College and taught the following winter in a business college at Troy, New York. He then went to Washington Mills and associated with his brother, Charles H. Philo, in the mercantile business for about three years. Perceiving the importance of larger educational train- ing, he became a student at Cazenovia Seminary. in Madison county, New York, graduating therefrom in 1883. Soon afterward he entered the law office of Henry F. and James Coupe, and after pursuing the regular course of study was admitted to the bar upon examination at Syracuse in 1890. He practiced for about ten years with his preceptors and since has conducted a general practice alone. IIe also has been engaged for a number of years in dealing in city real estate and farm property, the buying and selling of houses, and is frequently called upon to appraise property.
Mr. Philo has been a prominent worker in politics and an earnest supporter of the republican party. He has served as ward and county committeeman, and for fifteen years has been a member of the election board, filling the posi- tion of chairman of the board during ten years of that time. In 1897 he was elected to the general assembly from the first Oneida district and discharged his duties in such a way as to meet with the general approval of his constitu- ents. In 1898-99 he was connected with the office of attorney general as conn- sel of the department for appraising and preparing claims for the state under what was known as the nine million dollar contract. Ile began operations at Clyde, Wayne county, and worked east to Oneida county, preparing several hundred claims. During the winter of 1909-10 he was employed in the engross- ing department of the state senate at Albany.
On the 30th of June, 1892, at Clinton, New York, Mr. Philo was united in marriage to Miss Celia C. Ledwell, a daughter of Thomas and Celia Ledwell. The father was born in Ireland and the mother was also of Irish descent. There were ten children in their family, seven sons and three daughters. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Philo, namely: Mary C., Elizabeth, Elisha G., Ruth and Marguerite, all of whom are now attending school. Mary C., the eldest of the children, is now completing her second year in the Utica Free Academy.
Mr. Philo is a member of the Masonic order and has taken the various de- grees including the commandery and shrine. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Elks and the Republican Club of Utica. IIe served very acceptably as secretary of the Elks for four years. In reli- gious belief he adheres to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been re- markably successful in making a practical application of the knowledge he gained as a boy when working on the canal or on the farm, and as a result has acquired a competency for himself and family. IIe has through life been
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a close observer, and his unflagging industry in business and the faithful dis- charge of his responsibilities as a public officer or attorney have won for hini deserved recognition.
JIM STEVENS.
Jim Stevens, for twenty-five years past president of the Rome Merchant Iron Mill, which he has condueted most successfully, is a native of this city. Ile was born May 9, 1836, a son of Samuel B. and Elizabeth (Tibbitts) Stevens. The father was born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1805, and eame to Rome about 1825. Ile was a shoemaker by trade but after arriving in this eity entered the tanning business and at his death, in 1884, was the owner of three tanneries at Rome. The mother was born at Rome in 1812, in a log eabin ereeted by members of the family who came to Oneida county from Rhode Island. She died in 1898. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, all of whom are now deceased exeept the subject of this review.
In the publie schools Jim Stevens received the rudiments of an education which he greatly enlarged in later years through reading and observation. He began his active contact with the world as fireman on a locomotive and continued at this work for two years. In 1855, yielding to an irresistible desire to travel, he went to California and spent about a year on the Pacific coast. He then re- turned to Rome and for five years was connected with the freight office of the old Watertown Railroad. He then went to New York city to take charge of ship- ping for the Western Transportation Company, but in 1882 onee more took up his residence at Rome and was elected president of the Central National Bank. This institution he conducted successfully for four years, at the end of whiel time he disposed of his interest and resigned, having decided to devote his at- tention to manufacturing. In July, 1886, he became president of the Rome Merchant Iron Mill and subsequently purchased the entire plant. He has ever sinee devoted his energies to this enterprise and under his competent and prog- ressive management it years ago developed into one of the important eoneerns of the eity. In 1872 Mr. Stevens associated with A. M. Jackson in establishing a dry-goods store at Rome. Mr. Jackson is now deceased but the store is oper- ated under the name of The Jackson Company, of which Mr. Stevens is a large stockholder. Ile was appointed receiver of the Central National Bank at the time of its failure, accepting this responsibility at the personal request of Pres ident Grover Cleveland. He settled up the affairs of the bank to the satisfae- tion of the depositors and with highest credit to all concerned.
In politics Mr. Stevens was for many years very prominent, becoming one of the best known democrats in New York state. He was elected president of the village of Rome in 1866 and reelected in the year following. In 1868 he was elected to the state legislature and reeleeted to this position in 1869. In 1879 he was elected a member of the state senate and soon gained recognition as one of the most useful members of that body. In 1876 he was a delegate to the dem- ocratie national convention at St. Louis, in which Samuel J. Tilden was nom-
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