History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 154

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

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STEPHEN CHAPMAN.

MRS. STEPHEN CHAPMAN.

LIFE FYLL EVERTS PHILA PA

PHOTO BY BRIGGS

PHOTO BY WILUAMS.

COL. TIMOTHY H. FERRIS.

MRS . T. H. FERRIS

VIEW OF PROSPECT FALLS, FROM FRONT OF RES.

LITH. BY L. " EVERTS, PHILA, PA.

RESIDENCE OF COL. T. H. FERRIS, PROSPECT, ONEIDA C.º N. Y

565

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Those who have never visited the Falls should do so at the earliest opportunity, for a sight awaits them which will repay many miles of journeying to witness. At the village parties have engaged in the business of specimen-hunting, and supply curiosity-seekers with fossil organic remains, at various prices. From Utica the journey is accomplished by rail in less than an hour's time. The Utica and Black River Railway passes within half a mile of Mr. Moore's hotel, and trains stop at Trenton Falls Station during the pleasure season. There is a second hotel at the village, also very popular with travelers. The drives in the vicinity are nu- merous and pleasant. In earlier years several accidents oc- curred here, and a number of persons lost their lives by being swept over the Falls; but these dangers have been averted by blasting away the rock, building stairways, etc., and rendering the passage comparatively safe. .

For information regarding the history of this town we are indebted to Michael Moore, Sr., and others, at Trenton Falls ; Mrs. George Watkins, Mrs. Crosby, and many others, at Prospect ; Mr. Skinner, Dr. Guiteau, Albert S. Skiff, and others, at Trenton village; Dr. C. A. Crane; Vincent Tuttle, and others, at Holland Patent ; F. C. Mizer, Mr. Martin, and others, at Stittville; John P. Garrett, and others, at South Trenton ; Thomas G. Hicks, at Joy's Hotel; the pastors and members of churches in general, and many whose names are not now recalled to memory.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COLONEL TIMOTHY H. FERRIS

was born in Norway, Herkimer Co., N. Y., October 20, 1805, the fourth child of Sylvanus and Sally Ferris. There were nine children, eight of whom reached adult age. Their names were Sylvanus W., Nathan Olmstead, Sally Maria, Timothy H., William Mead, Henry, Laura, Harriet Newell, and George Washington Gale. Nathan O., Sally Maria, Laura, and Harriet Newell are deceased. Sylvanus W., William Mead, and Henry are residents of Galesburg, Ill .; George Washington Gale, of Carson City, Nevada. Sylvanus, the father, was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., March 5, 1773; the mother in Ridgefield, Conn., November 30, 1779. In the spring of 1788, Mr. Ferris came to Norway, Herkimer Co., and purchased one hundred acres of unimproved land. Returning to his native State, he married, and settled on his land in Norway in the fall of the same or spring of the next year. He was one of the most successful farmers of Herkimer County, and accumulated a large landed property there. In 1835, in company with the Rev. George Washington Gale, then of Whitesboro', Oneida Co., and others, he made a pur- chase of land in Illinois, upon which the city of Galesburg has since been built. In 1837 he removed there with his family. Five sons and one daughter also moved thero with their families. He was closely identified with the upbuilding of the city of Galesburg and its institutions.

As a financial manager he had few equals. While a resi- dent of Herkimer County he held the office of justice of the peace for quite a number of years; was also supervisor of the town of Norway. Possessed, in a remarkable de- gree, of a hopeful disposition, united with excellent good judgment, every enterprise undertaken by him prospered. Both himself and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died June 13, 1861; his wife, September 6, 1845.

Colonel Timothy H. Ferris was married February 18, 1830, to Eliza Ann Salisbury, daughter of Nathaniel and Anna Salisbury, of Wooster Co., Conn. Mrs. Ferris was born in Norway, Herkimer Co., June 9, 1809. Her parents settled in Herkimer County in 1797. She was the sixth child of a family of two sons and eight daugh- ters. Two sisters and one brother are still living. Her father lived to the extreme age of ninety-five years, and saw, before his death, of children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, over one hundred. To Colonel and Mrs. Ferris there have been born seven children,-three sons and four daughters,-as follows :

Maria, born Nov. 29, 1830 ; wife of William Morgan, of Trenton Falls. They have had six children, four of whom are living.

James H., born May 17, 1833; married Francis M. Terry, a farmer living in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Four children.

Harriet Newell, born Nov. 10, 1835 ; wife of Alexander Gray, farmer in Rome, Oneida County.

Francis M., born June 24, 1838; wife of Lyman H. Buck, farmer in Russia, Herkimer Co.

Charles S., also a farmer in Russia, born Nov. 28, 1840; married Gertrude Terry. They have two children.

Stella Eliza, horn Aug. 3, 1843; wife of Herman Rice, merchant in Friendship, Alleghany Co., N. Y. Two children.

Franklin S., born Aug. 26, 1846; married to Ida S. Brayton. He lives on the homestead farm in Russia township, Herkimer Co., N. Y.

Colonel Ferris received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood ; worked on his father's farm till twenty-one years of age. After marriage he settled on a farm in Norway, sold to him by his father at about its original cost. His father dealt by each of his sons in the same manner, making it a rule to settle them on a farm when they were married ; not before. He remained seven years in Norway, then purchased a farm in Russia town- ship, where he remained from 1837 to 1878. He then purchased of Mrs. Leroy Coon a place in the village of Prospect, Treuton township, Oneida Co., where he now re- sides, having retired from the life-work of a farmer.

Colonel Ferris is a Democrat in politics; has served one term as supervisor of the town of Russia. Receiving first the appointment of adjutant of the 12th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Division of Riflemen of the State of New York, he was promoted successively to the offices of major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the same regiment.

The portraits of the colonel, Mrs. Ferris, and Sylvanus Ferris, his father, with a representation of his home, appear on other pages of this work.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

WILLIAM PERKINS.

George Perkins, grandfather of William, was born May 3, 1766, in Enfield, Conn. He married Lucy Cooley, by whom he had children as follows: George, born Sept. 20, 1790; James, born May 31, 1792; Jabez, born Aug. 17, 1793; Elam, born Jan. 23, 1800; Daniel, born Feb. 8, 1804. In February, 1808, he moved with his family from Connecticut, and settled on lot 74, buying of the Holland Land Company 112 acres, at $10 per acre. A log house was built near the spot now occupied by his grandson, Wil- liam Perkins. He died Sept. 17, 1842, aged seventy-seven years. His wife died March 4, 1838, aged seventy-three years. His son George died May 24, 1806, in Connecticut. James died May 16, 1815, at the homestead. Jabez was drowned in Fox River, III., May 12, 1842. Daniel died at the homestead Sept. 17, 1850. Elam, father of William, married, March 6, 1822, Anna Merriman, daughter of Ben- jamin and Anna Merriman, of Herkimer County. Mrs. Perkins was born Dec. 26, 1799, in Russia, Herkimer Co. Their children were as follows; William, born March 3, 1823; Louisa M., born Oct. 19, 1825, wife of George D. Egert, died Sept. 16, 1860. The father died Nov. 28, 1866 ; the mother, Sept. 26, 1877.

With the exception of 30 acres which Elam bought of his father, the homestead farm fell by will to Daniel. Upon the death of the latter it came into the possession of William. Including the original homestead farm, Mr. Perkins is now the owner of upward of 300 acres of land. Its eastern boundary is Canada Creek, and comprises some of the most picturesque scenery of the celebrated Trenton Falls. In 1870, Mr. Perkins erected a fine three-story brick edifice, which he has since kept open for the reception of guests during the summer season. Mr. Perkins reckons among his patrons many of the most prominent families in the State. The house commands a fine view of the surround- ing country, and owing to its near access to the falls, and to the unsurpassed scenery in its vicinity, it is a most desira- ble home for summer guests. It is distant from the Pros- pect Station, on the Utica and Black River Railroad, three- quarters of a mile, and one mile south of Prospect Village.

MRS. WILLIAM PERKINS.

Born in the old frame house, still standing, erected by his grandfather, Mr. Perkins, has always lived on the home- stead farm. He was married Jan. 26, 1848, to Helen H. Broadwell, daughter of William and Dorcas Broadwell, of Trenton Falls, who were among the earliest settlers of the town of Trenton. They have children as follows: Anna L., born Dec. 1, 1849, married Oct. 3, 1871, to Byron G. Barker, merchant in Trenton Village ; they have one child, Frank P. Emma De Ette, born Feb. 7. 1856, living at home.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church of Prospect. In politics Mr. Perkins was a Democrat up to the time of the organization of the Republican party, since which time he has been identified with that party. He has served as assessor of the town for nineteen years.

ALEXANDER PIRNIE.

This gentleman was born in Cirgill, Perthshire, Scotland, March 25, 1824, the fifth child of Alexander and Chris- tiana Pirnie. He attended the parish schools summer and winter to the age of fourteen, and winters to the age of twenty-one. He learned of his father the stone-cutting trade, and followed the business during his stay in Scotland. The sandstone-quarries of Cirgill, on the river Tay, were rented of Lord Willoughby, and worked in the Pirnie family continuously for five hundred years. His father and mother died in Scotland, the latter in 1826, the former in 1847. He sailed from Liverpool April, 1848, landing in New York in May, the first of the family to emigrate. In 1849 his sister, wife of James Irvine, emigrated and settled in Columbia Co., Wis., and are still residing there. In 1851 his brother Michael emigrated with his family, settled in Onondaga County, moved to Medina, Orleans Co., where he died. Peter, his eldest brother, died in Scotland in 1837. His sisters, Margaret and Catharine, died in infancy. Remaining with his friends in New York city about six weeks, he made his way to North Western, Oneida County, and engaged for eighteen months cutting stone for the locks of the Black River Canal. He then

567

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

superintended the construction of a bridge across the James River, at Richmond, Virginia. For six years he was fore- man for Kasson & Lewis, contractors for the construction of locks and aqueducts on the Erie Canal. The Monte- zuma aqueduct was the heaviest work. He then entered into partnership with Arthur Lewis, above named, and built twenty-seven miles of the stone work of the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad. Spent six years in Dundas, Canada, where he built the gas-works and many of the finest stone residences of that place. Superintended the stone work of the Hamilton and Port Dover Railroad, a road which was never completed. Built a block of build- ings in Medina, Orleans Co. Superintended the construc- tion of a bridge over Onondaga Creek at Syracuse, the Madison County reservoir for the Erie Canal, the stone culvert over Cincinnati Creek, for U. and B. R. Railroad, at Trenton, and the stone work for the Rome Iron-works.

He built the Baron Steuben monument, in Steuben ; superintended the building of Kingsford's starch-factory, at Oswego ; also the reservoirs for the Erie Canal at Wood- hull and Sand Lakes, in the North Woods. These works, with many others of lesser note, will stand as enduring monuments of his mechanical genius. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the 5th New York Engineers. Soon after joined, as private, the 189th Regiment, New York Volun- teers. Served in thirteen skirmishes and engagements, the principal of which were Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court-House. He received an honorable dis- charge May 30, 1865.

He was first married September, 1852, to Mary McClellan, daughter of William McClellan, of Richland, Oswego Co. Christiana, William, and Alexander were their children ; the former, wife of F. Pride, a farmer living in Richland. His wife died December, 1857.

His second wife was Jane Mcclellan, sister of his first. By her he has seven children, viz. : Mary L., Katie M., Jennie A., Edwin J., Roscoe C., Annie G., and Allen S. All except Christiana living at home. Mr. Pirnie still carries on the stone business, his boys managing the farm. In politics he is Republican. Is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Good Templars.

A sketch of his residence, with portrait of Mr. Pirnie, appears on another page of this work.

FRANCIS GUITEAU

was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 24, 1825, the second child of Samuel and Nancy Guiteau. The father was born in Lanesborough, Mass., June 6, 1789; the mother in Middletown, Conn., Dec. 18, 1789. Their children were Harriet E., born Dec. 16, 1823, wife of Enoch Candee, farmer, living in Trenton ; Francis, subject of this sketch ; Laura E., born March 31, 1829, married to Chester Wells, a farmer in Trenton, died Jan. 17, 1851; and Frederick Irving, who died in infancy. When seven- teen years of age Samuel Guiteau took up some wild land in Trenton, now owned by Mrs. Henry Shelden. From small beginnings he accumulated a handsome property. He married Nancy White, Dec. 18, 1821. She was the daughter of Samuel and Annie White. Her father settled in Trenton in 1815, She is still living with her daughter-

in-law, Mrs. Francis Guiteau. Samuel Guiteau was a man honorable in all his dealings, prompt in business, loved and respected by all who knew him. Both himself and wife were for many years members of the Presbyterian church of Holland Patent. Mr. Guiteau died June 10, 1851.

Francis Guiteau received his education in the district school and in Holland Patent Academy. He married, March 22, 1860, Mary E. Hutchinson, the eldest daughter of John and Eliza Hutchinson, residents of the town of Marcy. Mrs. Guiteau was born April 17, 1830. Their children are Mary Elizabeth, born May 25, 1862; Harriet Eliza, born Oct. 5, 1864; Laura Frances, born Dec. 5, 1866; all living at home. The first two years after mar- riage Mr. Guiteau lived with his father. In 1862 he pur- chased what is known as the Wolcott Place, 86 acres, to which he afterwards added 25 acres. Except the house, most of the improvements were made by him.

In politics Mr. Guiteau was a life-long Democrat. For many years he was in delicate health, and was a great home man. He died of consumption, Aug. 9, 1872. A repre- sentation of the home and portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Gui- teau appear on another page of this work.

DR. D. A. CRANE

was born in the town of Marcy, formerly Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., June 11, 1821, the third son of Asa and Mary Crane. Their children were George C., Isaac H., Delos A., and Mary. All with families, and living in the town of Marcy, except the doctor. His father was a native of Connecticut, and settled in Marcy in 1797. His mother was born in Lanesborough, Mass. The father died April 7, 1876, aged ninety-six years; the mother, Feb. 22, 1873, aged ninety years.

Dr. Crane received an academic education at Whites- borough Academy, studied medicine with Dr. F. B. Hender- son, of Whitesborough, one of the most eminent physicians of the county. He received his medical diploma from the Castleton Medical College of Vermont, in 1844. Com- menced the practice of medicine at Holland Patent the same year, and is still in the full practice of his profession at the same place. Has been United States examining surgeon, appointed under the authority of the Commissioner of Pensions since 1863. Has been identified with the Republican party since its organization ; a Whig prior. An active man in his party, frank in avowing his sentiments, firm in maintaining them. Has served nine years as super- visor of the town. The doctor is a great lover of the fine arts, and has one of the best private libraries, medical and general, in the town.

He has been twice married. He married Julia A. Knibloe, daughter of Anson and Harriet Knibloe. Harriet J., wife of Dr. W. M. Perry, of Verona, Lee Co., Miss. ; Frank D., living at home; and Ida M., wife of C. M. Leffingwell, of Rome, N. Y., arc their children.

His first wife died Aug. 29, 1863. His second marriage was Oct. 17, 1864, to Anna Perry, daughter of John and Mary Perry. Mrs. Crane was born in Trenton, July 22, 1840. They have one child, viz., Mary Winifred, living at home. The residence, with portrait, of the doctor appears on another page of this work.

568

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

GEORGE WATKINS

was born in Berkshire, Mass., Nov. 22, 1798. His father, Phineas Watkins, was twice married, and by his two wives he had fourteen children. George was the second child by his first wife. His parents moved from Massachusetts to Little Falls, N. Y., and remained there one year. They then settled in Trenton. The father died July 14, 1848 ; the mother Sept. 14, 1827.

George Watting

George was early thrown on his own resources. He re- ceived his education principally from John Sherman, son of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Watkins taught the district schools of the neighborhood until he had accumulated a capital of $300. He then entered into copartnership in the mercan- tile business with John Owens, in the village of Prospect, in a two-story frame building, still standing opposite the lower hotel. It was the first mercantile enterprise in the place. He sold his interest to his partner, stipnlating with him not to engage in the business again in Prospect under a forfeiture of $500. He paid the forfeit and opened a store, first occupying a room in the Union Hall Hotel build- ing ; then moving into a building which has since been burned. He next purchased the building now occupied by the post-office, and remained in business there until it was given up to the management of his son, George W. Watkins.

Mr. Watkins became a large owner of real estate. He was owner of the Basin property, built the flouring-mill there, owned a number of farms in Trenton, in Russia, Herkimer Co., and in the State of Wisconsin. In all of his real estate transactions he was uniformly successful. At one time he engaged extensively in the manufacture of potash.

He was three times married. His first wife was Lovina

Farley, daughter of Rev. John and Susan Farley, by whom he had three children, viz. : Helen M., wife of S. Albertus Chapman, a farmer residing at Unadilla Forks, Otsego Co., N. Y .* George W., who succeeded his father in the mer- cantile business at Prospect; was married to Abbie Pitman, by whom he had two children,-Jesse, who died in in- fancy, and Lula A; he died of consumption, July 29, 1867. William H., who died in infancy.

His first wife died Aug. 7, 1840. His second wife was Eliza Farley, sister of his first wife. By her he had three children, viz. : Marion L., wife of Duane L. Merri- man, living in Prospect; they have two sons,-George L., and John. Charles H., who died in infancy. Carrie E., wife of W. W. Jones, also living in Prospect; three children, -Bertie D., deceased, Frank W., and Lyle Everett.

His second wife died Feb. 21, 1871. Sept. 25, 1851, he married Mary C. Kelsey, daughter of Anson and Cath- erine Kelsey. Her father was born in Trenton. Her mother was a native of Williamstown, Mass. They had one son, Jesse H., who lived only one year and eight months. Mr. Watkins for many years was the leader of the Republican party in his neighborhood, and the leading business man of Prospect.

WILLIAM P. DODGE.

Caleb Dodge was one of three brothers who emigrated from England and settled in the town of Belcher, Mass. He married a Miss Roberts, a native of Wales. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, who lived to adult age. Parker Dodge was their fourth child, born in Belcher, March 15, 1763. He married Elizabeth James, who was a native of Massachusetts. Came to Herkimer. County, Fairfield township, when about twenty-five years of age, and was married there. By her he had seven children, six sons and one daughter. Gilbert Dodge was their youngest son, born in township of Russia, Herkimer Co., Aug. 18, 1815. The latter was married Oct. 13, 1839, to Marietta Coon, daughter of William and Sarah Coon, of Rensselaer county. Mr. Dodge has been a resi- dent of Prospect for thirty-two years, and is still living there. His children are William P. Dodge and Hatty. The latter is the wife of William Wentworth, a farmer living in Lowville, Lewis Co. They have one child, Ada.

William P. Dodge was born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., Feb. 4, 1843. Was three years of age when the family moved to Prospect. Received his education in Prospect Academy. Married Feb. 9, 1864, Mary Ann Owens, daughter of Evan and Honorah Owens, of Remsen. Mrs. Dodge was born June 2, 1843. They had one son, Frank, born Aug. 24, 1866, died March 21, 1870. Mrs. Dodge died Feb. 12, 1874.

Mr. Dodge married Jan. 20, 1876, Jennie F. Mealus,

# Minnie H., wife of William Baumes, merchant in Beloit, Wis., and George S., who died at two years of age, are her children.

t Her father was for several years hotel-keeper at Holland Patent, on the spot where the Clarendon now stands; from there he removed to Remsen, thence to Prospect, where he was the first proprietor of Union Hall Hotel at that place.

Mrs. Watkins received her education at Mrs. Willard's seminary, at Troy, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church at the same place. She taught school about five years.

Angrared be Gammel Furlan J'ai"

Barcel Cd de Angelis. -

569

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

danghter of Lorenzo D. and Susan M. Mealus. Her father was proprietor of the Union Hall Hotel, at Prospect, for ten years. Mr. Mcalus died Sept. 26, 1875. Mrs. Mealus lives with her daughter, Mrs. Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have one child, a son, Glenn M., born Dec. 24, 1877. Mr. Dodge engaged for six years in the drug business at Prospect. On the 1st of March, 1876, he purchased the Union Hall Hotel, of Prospect. In politics he is Republican. Though not himself a seeker for office, he is one of the most active and efficient workers of that party in the county. But Mr. Dodge is best known as the genial and popular proprietor of Union Hall Hotel, at Prospect, and any one who stops with him for the season, to enjoy the pure and bracing air of that locality, or makes his house the starting-point for a fish or hunt in the north woods, will not soon forget the always-courteous and hos- pitable attentions of " mine host" of Union Hall.

PASCAL CHARLES JOSEPH DE ANGELIS

was born on the island of St. Eustatia, one of the West Indies, Oct. 14, 1763. Pascal Constant Petit De Angelis, his father, was of Italian ancestry. Family tradition says he was the younger son of a noble family resident at Naples, Italy, and was destined for the church. This not being suited to luis inclination, he escaped from home-control and went to sea. He died suddenly at Newport, R. I., in the year 1770. He married Hannah Le Moyne, daughter of Captain Charles Le Moyne, and granddaughter of the Sieur Charles Le Moyne, a native of Sables-d'olonne, near Ro- chelle, France, and who was one of the distinguished Le Moyne family that furnished a governor of Montreal, a governor of Rochefort, a governor of Cayenne, and two governors of Louisiana. She died Aug. 6, 1804. Mary, a sister of Hannah Le Moyne, who late in life became a resident at Holland Patent, in the town of Trenton, and whose remains rest in the cemetery at that place, married Jean Marie Vallet De Fayole, who was aide-de-camp and secretary to the governor at Cayenne, where Captain Charles Le Moyne, her father, resided after he retired from the sea.

The subject of this sketch, born on an island in the sea, naturally became a sea-farer. He was but seven years old when his father died. His mother, who subsequently mar- ried Colonel Seth Warner, a distinguished Revolutionary soldier, gave him a liberal education. He was an excellent English and French scholar.

Mr. De Angelis was engaged in the United States service in the Revolutionary war, from June, 1776, to its close. Among his papers we find the following account of his first experience in that war :

" In the month of June, 1776, I enlisted under Captain Seth War- ner, and went on board the galley 'Trumbull,' at Hinesburgh. We went down Lake Champlain with the fleet commanded by General Benedict Arnold. General Waterbury was second in command, and Colonel Wigglesworth officiated as commodore. In the month of Oe- toher we engaged the British fleet. in an action which lasted about eight hours. Night put an end to the battle. The enemy retreated. That night we ran through the British ficet and made the best of our way for Ticonderoga. The third day three of the British fleet came up with us; viz., a 20-gun ship aod two 16-gun schooners. One galley being ahead, we received orders from General Arnold to heave to and engage the British. General Waterbury was astern. The ships 6rst fired one gun, then, in a few minutes, three guns, and Gon- eral Waterbury struck his colors; then Arnold and three gondolas

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 154

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920