History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

Author: Johnson, Crisfield. cn
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 798

USA > New York > Oswego County > History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 62

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John H. Distin united with the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of thirty-four years, taking an active part as a member of that body in church and Sunday- school work, always contributing for the support of church and school. His wife united with the same church at the early age of fifteen years, and now, in her seventy- second year, remains steadfast to its principles, having given great care in the moral and religious instruction of her children.

He is numbered among the men of integrity and upright- ness of character of his town. Originally a Democrat, upon the formation of the Republican party he became a

member of that party, and remains steadfast to its principles and platform. He is now in his sixty-fifth year, having been a farmer and dairyman from his first settlement in the town. An engraving of his residenee and surroundings will be found on another page of this work, under the por- traits of himself and wife. His father and mother remained in Oneida county until the year 1856, and since that time have been cared for by their son John H. at his home. The father died at the age of eighty-two years, and in the year 1865, and his mother at the age of ninety-two, and in the year 1875.

ELIAS THOMAS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Herkimer county, New York, in the year 1802. His father was of New England parentage, being born in the State of Connecticut, and of English descent. The occupation of his father was that of a farmer, and, having a large family of eleven chil- dren, he taught all his sons the secret for obtaining wealth, as in after-years they grew up, and each by economy and perseverance became successful business men, accumulating large properties.

Elias Thomas was the fourth son, and at the age of twenty-five years came to the town of Volney (now Schroep- pel) and settled on lots 12 and 26, buying one hundred and forty-four acres of land, and chopped and cleared the most of it himself. In the year 1827 he married Miss Electa Griffith, daughter of Barnabas Griffith, of Herkimer county, whose parentage was also English. She came to this new county the next year after he did, and began the hardy task with him of cutting out of the unbroken forest a home.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born Calvin Monroe, Electa Jane, Burr E., and Esther Thomas. Of these chil- dren both sons are dead, Calvin Monroe dying at the age of twenty-four years, and Burr E. dying at the age of thirty-four years. Electa Jane married Dr. G. W. Snider, of Scriba Corners, and Esther married J. J. Coit, a farmer, who resides in the town of Volney.

As soon as he had his land sufficiently cleared he began to keep a dairy, making butter and cheese, and from that time has been engaged more or less in this work, keeping at times as high as one hundred cows, paying particular at- tention to thoroughbred stock. Fortunate in business, he has accumulated a large property, and now lives at the age of seventy-four years to enjoy the fruits of his toil, and look back upon a life of labor, yet of pleasure.

At the age of twenty-five years he united with the Bap- tist church, having at a very early age given his heart to God, and at the same time his wife united with the church, and both from that time to the present have remained firm members of that body, not only devoting their time and talent to the work, but assisting very liberally in supporting missionary enterprise and building churches and schools in the vicinity where they reside ; and to such families belong the honor of our fine church edifices, the establishment of schools, and the present state of society.

ELIAS THOMAS .

MRS. ELIAS THOMAS.

RESIDENCE or ELIAS THOMAS, VOLNEY CENTER, OSWEGO CO., N. Y.

Cha: G. Bacon

OFFICE

RESIDENCE of DR. CHARLES G. BACON, No.33 ONEIDA ST., FULTON, NEW YORK.

243

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

He was connected with the militia of the State as lieu- tenant first, and afterwards as captain.

In polities he is a Republican, dating back to the old Whig party for his first interest in politieal matters, having held several offices of responsibility and trust in the town where he resides, and was commissioner in its early days, and assisted in laying out nearly all of the roads in it.

He stood among the first to join the temperance cause, refusing first to furnish liquor in the erection of a barn, as was customary in those days, but gave them luncheon instead. Such examples of consistency of principle and opposition to custom are infrequent, but have characterized the life of Elias Thomas, who is now spending the eve of life at an honorable old age.

CHARLES G. BACON, M.D.

The subject of this sketch was born in Trenton, Oneida county, New York, October 20, 1814. He was the son of Heman Bacon, a native of the same county. His grand- father was of New England birth and of English descent, and at the close of the Revolutionary war had removed from Massachusetts and settled in Whitestown, New York, having lost a right arm through an injury received in his right hand in the battle of Bunker Hill.

The grandfather died suddenly on the 4th of July, aged ninety years; and on that day was preparing to visit an old comrade of the Revolution, Mr. Gun, who was siek, aud died the same day, and also intended to attend the annual celebration of the birth of independence, so heartily observed at that time.

In 1815, Heman Bacon, with his wife and son Charles (being the eldest), removed to the then far west, Steuben county, where he and his family suffered for several years with malarial diseases. In the year 1822 the family re- turned to Oneida county, and settled at Remsen, and began elearing off the original forest from their farm and making the land tillable.

Here the subject of this memoir worked with his father and two of his brothers. He, however, improved the ad- vantages of the distriet school, and received very much in- struction from his father, who was a scholar for his day. It was at this time that he conceived the idea of leading a pro- fessional life, but, on account of the limited means of his father (for parents had pecuniary interests in their children in those days), he purchased his time from the age of fifteen of his father, and with endurance, ambition, and economy, characteristic of many of the boys of his day, he worked at low wages by the month on a farm summers, and spent his winters in school at the best institutions of learning within his reach, at times doing ehores for his board, until he was enabled to engage as a teacher in some of the most promi- nent schools of Ontario and Onondaga counties. He was a student in the Russia academy, Herkimer county, Steuben academy, and Syracuse high schools.

When twenty-three years of ago he gave his entire time to the study of medicine and surgery, and was a student of

Dr. N. R. Tefft, of Onondaga, who, having charge of the county poor-house, gave his student superior advantages in the practical part of his studies.

In 1840 he attended the Albany medical college, and received in 1841 a license from the New York State medi- eal society to practice medicine and surgery. The same year he entered the office of Drs. Clary & Smith, of Syra- cuse, but remained only a few months, and during the same year came to Fulton, Oswego County, and entered upon the practice of his profession, where he still remains, having, through a term of thirty-six years, been quite successful in his profession and a prominent member of society, but has accumulated very little property. An engraving of his residence, under his portrait, will be found on another page of this work.

Self-reliant through life, charitable to those in need of his services yet struggling in poverty, always ready to engage in any enterprise looking to the educational or religious interests of society, Dr. Bacon is to-day classed among the representative men of the medical fraternity.

In 1842 he became a member of the Oswego County medical society, and the same year he received a commis- sion from Wm. HI. Seward, governor of the State, as hos- pital surgeon, with rank as major, in the Forty-third brigade of infantry of the State of New York.

In 1850 attended the university and college of physicians and surgeons of New York. In 1858 was made permanent member of the New York medical society, after serving four years as a delegate of the Oswego County medieal society, acting as its president in 1859. In 1855 he was made a permanent member of the American medical association. Through the recommendation of the New York State medi- cal society he received the degree of M.D. from the regents of the university of the State of New York in 1861, and in the year 1874 received the degree of M.D. from the medical department of the Union university at Albany, New York.

In the year 1843, May 18, he married Miss Mary M. Whitaker, daughter of the late James Whitaker, who was one of the pioneer merchants of the village of Fulton. They have two sons and one daughter. One of the sons is a practicing physician and surgeon, the other is a merchant in Fulton village.

Early in life Dr. Bacon became a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and still retains his membership with that body, always taking a very active part in church and Sunday-school work, and contributing liberally to the support of those interests.

He has never sought political preferment, but has been largely connected with offices whose interests were devoted to educational matters, one, in particular, as trustee of Falley seminary since its establishment for over twenty years, and also as school commissioner.

He is now in his sixty-third year, and still in the active duties of life, honored and respected by all who know him.

244

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

REA

KEA

IRA CARRIER.

MRS. IRA CARRIER.

IRA CARRIER.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lenox, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, August 18, 1806. He was the son of Levi Carrier, a native of Middletown, Connecticut, and grandson of Israel Carrier, whose father emigrated from England, and settled in Middletown, Connecticut, about the year 1742. His mother was also of English descent. Ira Carrier was the youngest son and sixth child of a family of eight children. His elder brother came to the town of Vol- ney, Oswego County, in the year 1816, but Ira did not re- move to this county until he was twenty-five years old, and in the year 1831. He was reared upon a farm, and re- mained with his father until he came to the town of Vol- ney. He first settled on lot No. 44, sixteenth township, buying seventy-five acres, afterwards buying one hundred and seventy-five acres more, a large part of which he chopped and cleared of its original forest, and erected fine, commodious buildings, an engraving of which will be scen on the opposite page of this work, showing in place of the rude structure of half a century ago a fine brick residence, and in place of the original forest-trees fruit-bearing and ornamental trees, and fields under a high state of cultiva- tion, depicting clearly progressive prosperity.

At the age of twenty-three, and before leaving Massa- chnsetts, he married Miss Maryett Sears, daughter of Luther Sears, of Lenox, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and whose forefathers were among the earliest settlers of the New Eng- land States, emigrating from England in the year 1620, and on board the ship " Mayflower."

He only received a common school education, but his success as a business man has established for him a reputa- tion which classes him among the first in the financial cir- cle in the village of Fulton. He became one of the original stockholders of the Oswego River bank at Fulton, now the First National bank, and is still connected with the same.

In politics, Ira Carrier is a Democrat, casting his first vote for president of the United States for General Jackson. He never neglected business to gaiu notoriety in political fields, but has been held in high esteem by his townsmen, and held several important town offices. He has contrib- uted liberally for the support of education, and gave his children the highest advantages that the Falley seminary offered.

At the age of twenty he joined the Congregational church, his wife uniting at the same time, at the age of seventeen, but on coming to Volney both united with the Presbyterian society of the village of Fulton, and have since been active members of that body, giving of their means for the support of the cause of religion and the general in- terests of society.

To Mr. and Mrs. Carrier were born three children, viz., Levi, Luther, and Luther S. Carrier. Luther died in in- fancy. Luther S., at the age of twenty-five, married Miss Helen Smith, of Volney township, and daughter of H. W. Smith. He died at the age of twenty-seven, in the year 1872, October 22.

Levi Carrier married Miss Elvira Blakeman, of Volney township, and is a farmer in the town of Schroeppel, Oswego County. They were married in the year 1855, and have one child, named Anna Cornelia. He is among the repre- sentative men of his town, and is the possessor of a fine farm under a highi state of cultivation, upon which he has erected a commodious brick residence, and barns of large proportions.

The Carrier family stand prominently identified with the best interests of society wherever known.

In the year 1871, Ira Carrier removed to the village of Fulton, where he now resides, looking to the end of life's journey as only a little way.

MAPLE GROVE.

FRONT VIEW of RESIDENCE

REAR VIEW OF FARM

FARM VIEW of IRA CARRIER,. VOLNEY, OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

COLONEL JOHN GASPER,

Now in his seventy-fifth year, was born in Ashford, Windham county, Connecticut, where he resided with his parents until three years old. The family removed to Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in the year 1795, and there remained for some eighteen years, when the father died, leaving a widow and five children, viz., Joseph, John, Freeman, Joel, and Mary, who migrated to and settled in Os- wego County, New York (then called Oneida county), in the year 1813.

John Gasper, the subject of this sketch, at once bought one hundred and ten acres of land, and began to clear off the orginal forest, and, altogether, chopped and cleared some sixty acres.

COL. JOHN GASPER.

In 1815, he married Miss Paulina Canfield, daughter of Thomas Canfield, formerly of Massachusetts.

Twelve children were born to the first Mrs. Gasper; of these four are now living,-Mrs. Martha Roon, Fulton ; Mrs. Helen Foster, Canandaigua; Mrs. Josephine Cheney, San Francisco, California, and Raymond Gasper, Pittsburgh, Pa.

MRS. JOHN GASPER.

In the year 1818, he sold his farm and started a hotel at Vol- ney Centre, where all the town business was done, remaining in this locality until about 1830. When the town of Volney was divided, he came to the village of Fulton, and kept a hotel for thirty years; and, during the entire period of his hotel life, ranked among those noble, generous-minded pioneers who knew how to sympathize with the needy and care for the desti- tute. A life-long Democrat, true to the Constitution of his coun- try. Acting as sergeant of the militia under Major Carr, he, in 1813, assisted in defending the village of Oswego from the at- tacks of the British, and the next year at Henderson Harbor, Jefferson county ; afterwards he ranked as captain, forming the company and equipping it at his own expense; he soon after became lieutenant-colonel, then colonel, which title he still retains. His wife died July, 1874.

In the year 1875, he, at the age of eighty-two, married Miss Lucy M. Griswold, daughter of the late Reverend Samuel Gris- wold, an Episcopal clergyman, who shares with him the enjoy- ments of a pleasant old age.

MRS. JOHN GASPER. DECEASEO .

IHISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

245

ALA

IRA IVES.

MRS. IRA IVES.

IRA IVES

was the tenth child of John and Phebe Ives, and a lineal descendant of William Ives, who came from England some two centuries ago and settled in New York,-there being twelve children in his father's family, and he supporting them by the labor of his hands as a carpenter and joiner.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wallingford, New Haven county, Connecticut, July 16, 1791. When only twenty-one years of age he came to Pittsfield, Massachu- setts, and after remaining there a short time removed to the town of Volney, Oswego County (then Oncida county), in the year 1812, and bought a timber lot on lot 66. He kept this only four years, and bought another timber lot of fifty-five acres near by the former, with only a log house and small clearing. This was chopped and cleared by him, and subsequent additions of ninety and forty acres, also mostly cleared of their original forests.

Like all other of the early pioneers in the history of the county, he endured privations, and encountered every obstacle incident to the early settlement of the country ; and he relates that at one time, on account of the frost killing the corn the year before, many children starved to death, after living for some time upon berrics, leaves, and roots, and what could be obtained, he himself working four days for one-half bushel of poor corn, which he kept to feed his children upon, living himself upon milk and greens for the space of three weeks, chopping during the same time. At the age of twenty-three years he married Miss Hannah Richmond, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Abiath Richmond, January 13, 1813, at New Lebanon, New York. Of this marriage were born seven children, viz., John, Sarah, Andrus, Chauncey, Lewis, Geo. G., and Ira P. Ives. Of these all are now living except Lewis, who died at the age of twenty-nine, in the year 1854.

Hand in hand he and his faithful wife labored to bring up their children, teaching them how to labor and the neces-

sity of industry, giving each one an opportunity of receiving the foundation of an English education. The mother, al- ways consistent in her views of right and wrong, was very careful in the early training of her children, instructing them in what would make them good members of society. She united with the Methodist Episcopal church wheu about twenty-four years old, and was afterwards baptized, and as long as she was able, and for more than forty years, took an active part in doing all she could to promote the inter- ests of religion in the vicinity. She died November 22, 1873.

Early in life, and before he became of age, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in after-years took a very active part in not only church but Sunday- school work, being class-leader, steward, and Sunday-school superintendent at the same time. He contributed liberally towards building four different churches, and for the support of the gospel.

Belonging to the old Whig party in early life, he natu- rally joined the Republican party upon its formation, op- posed the bondage of men, firm to the principles of the constitution and laws of his country, having voted for over sixty years, casting his first vote for president of the United States in the year 1812.

Ira Ives, like many of the early pioneers, by his industry and economy many years ago had accumulated a large property, and after distributing liberally to each of his children is still in possession of sufficient for his earthly wants. He now resides with his youngest son, Ira P. Ives, who owns the original farm first settled by his father upon coming to Volney township, and, as he now reaches the eve of life, an honorable old age, in his eighty-sixth year, he has placed himself in the hands of a kind son and daughter- in-law, who contribute to his comfort and happiness in his declining years.

246

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THOMAS HUBBARD.

MRS. THOMAS HUBBARD.

THOMAS HUBBARD.

Among Oswego County's pioneer prominent men, and the oldest settler in the town of Volney, is Thomas Hubbard, now in his eighty-eighth year, and residing on the farm cleared by his own hands, beginning in the year 1812. He is the son of Rev. Thomas Hubbard, of Connecticut, of English descent, and who married Miss Lucretia Kimbly, whose forefathers were also of English origin. His father had twelve children, of whom he was the fourth child. When the family was small they removed to New Durham, New York, where the subject of this sketch was born, in the year 1790. The father soon removed again to Massa- chusetts, and followed the business of a tanner and currier.

After some twenty years, the son came to Camden, New York, but remaining only nine months, removed to Oswego County (then called Oneida county) in the year 1811, and settled in the course of the year upon lots 64 and 65, 15th township, where he now resides surrounded with the result of his ambition and toil. Before leaving Massachusetts he married Miss Charilla Gaylord, daughter of Ira Gaylord, of Connecticut, of English descent, in the year 1811. Of this marriage were born Thomas M, Ira G., Mary Ann, George W., and Catherine A. Hubbard.

Of these children all are living except Mary Ann, who died January, 1875. The mother of these children, after a life of toil and hardship coincident with the carly history of the county, devoted to the full welfare of her family, careful in the religious instruction of her children and the highest moral training, lived to an advanced age, seeing her offspring grow up to mature years and become respectable members of society. She died in the year 1863, at the age of seventy-three years.

Coming into the county the year before the beginning of the late war of 1812, he stood a minute-nian at home at first, and afterwards assisted in defending Henderson's harbor against the attacks of the British Afterwards he a sisted Colonel Gasper in forming a new company of light infantry, and ranked first as ensign, then as lientenant,

and afterwards as captain, taking an active part in military matters until his age released him from such duties.

During his whole life he followed the occupation of a farmer, and in his day chopped and cleared some two hun- dred acres of timber land,-a record of labor that few in the history of the county have, and probably not another in this county. With a constitution strong and vigorous at first, he has, by well-grounded habits, retained the vigor of youth to his present time, and, at his advanced age, stands as erect as a boy, and promises many years of life.

As early as 1817 he connected himself with the Method- ist Episcopal church, remaining a member of that body until 1861. He always contributed largely to the building of churches and the encouragement of education in the vicinity,-assisting in the erection of the first log school- house in his neighborhood. A Jeffersonian Democrat of the old school, he never took a very active part in politics, but at all times used the ballot with consideration, looking rather to measures than to men.

In the year 1864 he married Mrs. Keeler, widow of the late Horace S. Keeler, and daughter of Rev. Charles L. Webb, of Lafayette, Onondaga county, whose parents were of English descent. Although younger in years, she shares his toil and contributes to the happiness of an honorable old age. On the pages of history few have a record of so many years as Thomas Hubbard ; a life of labor, yet crowned with prosperity.

The sons, catching the ambition and zeal of the father, are all successful business men. Thomas M. is a farmer near Grand Haven, Michigan, and a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ira G. is a farmer in Elkhart, Indiana, and has accumulated a large property. George W., the third son, resides in the town of his birth and near his father, and is a farmer and mason. Catharine A. Hub- bard married Mr. Hiram L. Hart, formerly a merchant, but now a farmer near Oswego city.

RESIDENCE Of THOMAS HUBBARD, ESQ., LOTS 64 & 65, TOWN Of VOLNEY, OSWEGO CO., N. Y.

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

247

A. LITTLE.

WALTER WILBER.

MRS. WALTER WILBER.

WALTER WILBER.

The subject of this sketch was born in Greene county, New York, at Coxsackie, March 4, 1795. He was the son of John Wilber, a native of Dutchess county, New York, and grandson of Christopher Wilber, of New Eng- land parentage, and whose forefathers are supposed to have emigrated to America from England at an early day. Of his father's family there were seven children, viz., Mittie, Christopher, Walter, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, and John. These children, like nearly all in the early history of our country, had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education.

When Walter was twelve years old his mother died,-his father dying in the year 1803, four years before her death, -leaving the children orphans. Walter, at the age of thir- teen, went to learn the clothier's trade, but stayed only one year ; then lived with his uncle on a farmi for four years, and learned the harness trade during the next four years. At the age of nineteen he was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, and, under Captains Noble and Baker, assisted in defending the frontier of Long Island against the attacks of the British. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, and is now among the few living old men as pensioners of that war.

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History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

Author: Johnson, Crisfield. cn Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & co. Number of Pages: 798

Author: Johnson, Crisfield. cn
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 798