USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
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James S. Perkins, who was born in Windham Co., Conn., in 1807, has resided in this town more than sixty year-, having located here in 1814. His father was also a pioneer.
Among the first physicians. in the town were Dr. Anson Tuttle, Russell Bard, and Dr. Nash.
Dr. George W. P. Wheeler, who was born in 1801, and settled in this town in 1828, has been in active practice here more than half a century, and although now at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, still pursues the prae- tiee of his profession, and retains in a remarkable degree the vigor and activity of youth.
The first school was taught by James MeCollum.
Charles Eldred opened the first tavern in the south part of the town.
The first grist-mill was erected near Stetsonville by Louis De Villier.
Among other early settlers than those mentioned above, were the Gilberts, Browns, Johnsons, Morses, Gardner, Warren, Barton, Church, ete.
New Lisbon in 1810 .- This town is described as follows by Spafford in his " Gazetteer" of 1810: " New Lisbon, a post-township of Otsego County, ten miles southwest of Coop- erstown and seventy-six west of Albany ; bounded north by Edmeston, east by Hartwick, south by Laurens and But- ternuts, west by Pittsfield. The surface is broken by hills and valleys ; but the hills are either arable or good grazing lands, and the gullies are rich and fertile. It is well watered by springs and brooks, and has Butternut ereck flowing south the whole length of the town, on which are good mill-seats, as there are also on the main branch of Otego ereek in the east part of the town. There are in all four or five grain-mills, seven saw-mills, a fulling-mill, and earding-machine. There is one Baptist meeting-house and seven school-houses. The inhabitants are principally farm- ers, and their household manufactures supply the most of their common clothing. In 1810 the whole population was 1982, with 176 senatorial electors, 200 taxable inhab- itants, and $131,052 of taxable property agreeable to the assessment."
THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
The first town-meeting was held March 3, 1807, at which the following officers were elected : .
Supervisor .- William Garratt.
Town Clerk .- Eli Dimock.
AAssessors,-Joseph Whitford, Samuel Warner, and Timo- thy Rock well.
Collector .- James Church.
Poor Masters .- Joseph Whitford and Stephen Abby.
Commissioners of Highways .- Nathaniel Daniels, John Gregory, and Benjamin Fitch.
Constables .- James Church, Jr., and Ira Kinyou.
.
Harriet Cummings
16.2.6 umnings
*
JOSEPH PECK.
MRS. JOSEPH PECK.
221
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Fan Fixes .- Stephen Hopkins, C. Gross, Isaac Com- to: time Harris, Matthew Robinson, and Stephen Abby. Pho s & wing have served this town as supervisors and +++ ukti, from 1807 to 1878:
Supervisors. William Garratt.
Town Clerks. Zacheus Downer. 46
Joshua Smith. Zacheus Downer. John Blood. D. S. Downer.
John Blood. Isaac Fitch. " "
Solomon Gardner. Zachens Downer. Lemuel Pattengill. "
Daniel Pierce __.
¥
David M. Hard.
Joseph Peck.
44
=
16
16
"
a
" Benjamin Morehouse. David Robinson. Fitch Pattengill.
66
John F. Mather. Fitch Gregory. "
John F. Mather.
Fitch Gregory. 44
"
Andrew Gregory.
1 .. 4.
.James S. Perkins.
Isaac C. Kimball.
Daniel F. Pattengill.
1. 1
2010 George I. Peek.
Robert B. Hume, "
Wm. R. Benjamin. Oscar F. White. John F. Mather. 16
E. A. Nearing. John F. Mather, Jr. ..
John F. Mather. G. Clayton Peck.
: .
Francis O. Bingham. = Hiram C. Potter. S. C. Gregory.
Daniel F. Pattengill.
= John Hume.
:0.
The officers for 1877 are as follows : Supervisor .- Rhodolphins Alger. Barn Clerk .- Walter II. Yates. Justice .- Jonathan R. Neff, Jr. Commissioner of Highways .- M. N. Rowe. .I vessor .- Hanson N. Gould. Collector .- W. II. Merenss.
Overseer of the Poor .- E. S. Bell. Barn Auditors .- James R. L. Walling, M. H. Bissell, and D. W. Gallupp.
Constables .- Edward Hazwell, A. G. Harrington, George Potter, A. C. Westcott, and Chas. W. Utter.
Excise Commissioner .- Wm. W. Snow.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The pioneers of New Lisbon early manifested a deep interest in religious affairs, and in 1804 was organized the first religious society in the town,-the Baptist at New Lis- bon Centre. It was organized through the efforts of Elder S. Gregory.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Garrattsville was organized in 1839, by the Rev. Mr. French. Among the first members were Daniel Herrington, C. Gross, J. Gross, A. Gross, and Lyman Briggs.
The first officers of the church were H. House, B. D. Whitford, D. Herrington, C. Gross, J. R. Wing, S. Wing, and J. Gross. Soon after the organization of the church a movement was started for the erection of a house of wor- ship, and in 1841 the present edifice was ereeted at a cost of $1050; it was repaired and beautified in 1871. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Mr. Hawley.
The church is now in a prosperous condition, having a membership of forty persons, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. H. A. Blanchard.
The present officers of the church are as follows : E. D. Hoag, F. O. Bingham, William Bell, James Perry, R. Ben- nington, and E. S. Hoag.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The First Congregational church, located at Noblesville, was organized with eleven members, in April, 1505, by Rev. N. Stone, of Connecticut, who became its first pastor. A churchi edifice was erected at an early day at a cost of about $1600. It was repaired in 1861.
This has in some respeets been a remarkable church, as seven or more of its members have become ordained min- isters, and two of the female members missionaries to for- eign lands.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
This church, at Garrattsville, is yet but a preaching station, the church organization proper being at Burling- ton. About six or seven years ago the church edifice was erected, and services are held here in the afternoon, and at Burlington in the morning, by the officiating clergymau, Rev. T. A. Scott.
GARRATTSVILLE
is a pleasant little village, located in the northwestern part, on Butternuts creek, and contains two churches-Metho- dist Episcopal and United Presbyterian-and the following business interests :
Postmaster, grocer, etc., E. S. Hoag; general mar- chants, F. Fitch, H. S. Mather & Bro .. and II. 1 .. Breese; hardware, Holdredge & Gregory ; hotel, J. II. Elliott : Garrattsville mills, G. O. Avery ; wagon-maker. W. Hu !!: blacksmiths. O. H. Paine, William Simmons, Isaac Wright, Edwin Gaylord, and C. Beck.
1
Lemuel Pattengill. Cyrenus Noble. Joseph Bolkom. "
.
¥
"
Otis Starkey.
Lemuel Pattengill.
¥
16
66
66
...
John S. Pattengill. M. W. Cummings.
¥
Theodore White. A. Fuller. Theodore White. Dewitt C. Davis. D. Fowlston. 46 :
George I. Peck. 1
William M. Deming. Isaac Gregory.
16
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
NOBLESVILLE
is a hamict located in the southwest part, on Butternuts creek, and contains one church, and has the following busi- ness interests: general merchant, G. Clayton Peck ; hotel, Martin Gardner; mills, Martin George; blacksmith, George Neff.
NEW LISBON is a small hamlet near the central part of the town. It has one church,-Baptist.
STETSONVILLE is a small hamlet in the southwestern part.
AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL STATISTICS.
New Lisbon has an area of 21,619 acres of improved land, 5522 woodland, and 220 acres other than the above.
The cash value of farms is $1,116,655; of farm-build- ings other than dwellings, $140,335; of stock, $183,776; of tools and implements, $38,431; cost of fertilizers bought in 1974, 81313; amount of gross sales from farms in 1874, $124,363; acres plowed in 1874, 2615 ; in 1875, 2792 ; acres in pasture in 1874, 12,050 ; in 1875, 11,883; aeres mown in 1874, 6755 ; in 1875, 6764; hay produced in 1874. 8623 tons ; of grass-seed produced, 55 bushels ; acres of barley in 1874, 8; in 1875, 12 ; bushels produced in 1874, 157 ; aeres of buckwheat in 1874, 164; in 1875, 192; bushels produced, 3077 ; acres of Indian corn in 1874, 446; in 1875, 451; bushels produced in 1874, 14,161; acres of oats in 1874, 1327 ; in 1875, 1476; bushels pro- dueed, 45,550; aeres of spring wheat sown in 1874, 7; in 1875, 10; bushels produced, 144 ; acres of winter wheat sown in 1874, 5; in 1875, 7; bushels produced in 1874, 89; corn sown for fodder in 1874, 101 acres; in 1875, 106; acres of beans in 1874, 1 ; in 1875, 8 ; bushels pro- duced in 1574, 17; acres of peas sown in 1874, 3; in 1875, 4; bushels produced, 32; acres of hops in 1874, 153; in 1575, 205; pounds of hops produced in 1874, 37,286; acres of potatoes in 1874, 287; in 1875, 302; bushels produced in 1874, 33,901; number of apple-trees, 16,383; bushels of fruit produced in 1874, 23,819; cider made in 1975, 676 barrels ; pourds of maple sugar produced in 1875, :3,260; gallons of syrup made in 1875, 811.
In 1575 there were 14,073 horses, including colts, on farms in this town ; there were 2 mules.
The value of poultry owned in 1875 was $4190; value sold in 1974, 83:74; value of eggs sold in 1874, 84587.
There were 1477 neat-cattle in the town in 1875; aver- age number of milch cows in 1874, 1864; in 1875, 1887; number of cattle slaughtered in 1874, 135; cows whose miks was sent to factory in 1874, 513; in 1875, 483 ; but- ter made in families iu 1874, 173,406 pounds; cheese made in families in 1874, 6240 pounds.
The number of sheep shorn in 1874 was 2321 ; in 1875, 2411 ; weight of clip in 1874, 10,527 pounds; in 1875, 11,433: Labs raised in 1874, 1726; in 1875, 1833; sheep Eurghtered in 1574, 169; number killed by dogs, 23.
The number of swine on farms in 1875 was 580; num- ber slaveleered on farins in 1874, 403 ; pork made on farms in 174. 196.423 pounds.
Area .- New Lisbon has an area of 26,899 acres, the
assessed valuation of which is 8586,250 ; assessed per acre, $21.79; equalized valuation, $450,973.
POPULATION.
1810
1982
1815 19;2
181%. 2020
1850
1820 2221
1855.
1825 2085 1860.
1830
2232
1865
1614
1835
2008
1870
1517
1840.
.1909
1875 1516
MILITARY RECORD.
The following list of men who enlisted from New Lisbon during the late Rebellion was compiled by Capt. William J. Kellogg and Capt. Lansing B. Paine.
Lucins Adams, enl. in Co. HI, 1524 N. Y. Vols., 1862; died at Fort Marcy, Va,, Feb. 6, 1863.
Lewis C. Briggs, enl. in Co. II, 1524 N. Y. Vols., 1862; in battles of Wilderness. Spottsylvania Court-House, Hatcher's Run, Burgess Farm, and Reams' Sta- tion ; must. out with regt., July 13, 1865.
David B. Fitch, enl. in Co. H, 1521 N. Y. Vols., 1862; in battles of Willerness, Spottsylvania Court-House, Hatcher's Run, Reams' Station, and Burgess Farin ; pro. to 2d lient. Nov. 30, 1864, to 1st lieut., Dec. 9, 1864; must. out with rugt., July 13, 1865.
John George, enl. in Co. H, 1524 N. Y. Vols., 1862; in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court-House, Hatcher's Run, Reams' Station, aud Burgess Farm ; must. ont with regt., July 13, 1865.
Amos Reith, enl. in Co. HI, 152d N. Y. Vols., 1862; dis. 1863.
Hugh W. Lynch, enl in Co. 11, 1521 N. Y. Vols., 1862 ; dis. March 5, 18G3.
Wm. R. Patrick, com. as 2d lient. Co. HI, Nov. 3, 1862; rex. Jan. 30, 1863.
Daniel M. Tuller, enl. in Co. 11, 152d N. Y. Vols., 1862 ; dis. Dec. 13, 1s62.
Smith Van Dusen, enl. in Co. Il, 152d N. Y. Vols., 1862; killed in battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, May 12, 1864.
lliram Whitmarsh, ent. in Co. 11, 1524 N. Y. Vols., 1862 ; in battles of Wildler- ness, Spottsylvania Court-House, Ilatcher's Run, and Reamis' Station ; must. out with regt .. July 13, 1865.
llomer Anderson, enl. in Co. D, Sth N. Y. Cav., Sept. 1862; died at Africa Creek, Dec. 1862.
Henry Bingham, enl. in Co. D, 8th N. Y. Cav., Sept. 1862; dis. Jan. 1863.
Chauncey Chapin, enl. in Co. D, Sth N. Y. Cav., Sept. 1862; dis. Feb. 1sc3. Henry Coy, enl. in Co. D, 8th N. Y. Cav., Sept. 1862.
Wm. O. Cummings, ent. in Co. D, 8th N. Y. Cav., Sept. 1862.
Christian Mickle, enl. in Co. I, 3d N. Y. Cav., Sept. 3, 1864; must. out with regt., June 11, 1865.
Salmon Johnson, enl. in Co. B, SOth N. Y. Vols., Sept. 3, 1864; killed in battle of Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
Henry Bard, enl. in Co. B, 80th N. Y. Vols., Sept. 3, 1864; killed in battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
Engene Warriner, onl. in Co. I, 3d N. Y. Cav., Sept. 3, 1864; must. out with regt., June 11, 1865.
Augustus Westcott, enl. in Co. I, 3d N. Y. Cav., Sept. 3, 1864 ; must. out with regt., June 11, 1865.
Ilarvey Harrington, enl. iu Co. C, 3d N. Y. Cav., Ang. 1864; must. out with regt., June 11, 1865.
Cortland Till y, enl. in Co. C, 3d N. Y. Cav., Ang. 1864; must. out with regt., June 11, 1865.
The following men enlisted in the summer of 1862 from New Lisbon, and composed part of Co. K. 121st N. Y. Vols. They were enlisted by Lieut. A. E. Mather, of Burlington, and many of them beenme commissioned and nou-commissioned officers in the regiment :
Horatio G. Whitford, sergt. ; killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1863.
James E. Bowe, killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1sc3. James Simmons, killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1863.
Ransom Hovey, killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1863. Thomas Emerson, killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1863. I-me Fitch, corp. ; killed at Salem Church, May 3, 1863.
Sidney Stevens, killed at salem Church, May 3, Is61. dellwert Babcock, killed at Salon thuich, May 3, 1-63. William Chapin, killed at salem Church, May 3, 1863.
Oney J. Talbot, sorgt. ; discharged.
Edwin D. Pattengill, discharged. Charles Pattengill, seist. ; killed. Horatio Puroe, sergt. : killed.
Daniel D. Jackson, rapt .; dis. July 25, 1815.
A. Stevers, Killed at Wilderness, May 5, 1804. Ligar E. Sievers, seret. ; discharged.
Lansing B. Pane, capt .; the. July 24, Ist.
222 a
P.M. P. Mhul M.S.
MRS. G. W. P. WHEELER.
DR. G. W. P. WHEELER.
Dr. G. W. P. Wheeler was born in Bristol Co., Mass., Oct. 1, 1801. At the age of two years he, with his father and family, removed to Herkimer county. He lived there until he was eighteen years of age, at which place he ae- quired an academical education. During this time lie devoted two years to mechanical business.
From there he removed to Esperance, Schoharie county, and gave his attention to the study of medicine in the . office of Dr. Leonard. He then attended three courses of Hectures at Berkshire medical college, at Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated in the winter of 1827. He then established himself in partnership with Dr. Halsey Spencer, in Edmes- ton, Otsego County, for the practice of medicine. Con- tinued with him for about two years, when he removed to
Garrattsville, Otsego County, where he has continued to practice until the present time, and now, in his seventy- seventh year, he is as active as most of the younger practitioners of the county, and has as large and profitable a ride.
The subject of this sketch was married to Sally Webb, of Oxford, Chenango county, May 3, 1828. Of this union were born four children, two sons and two daughters. viz .: Daniel was born Feb. 7, 1820; died March 3. 1831, Charlotte and Naney were born Oct. 31, 1:30; Charlotte died April 10, 1831. John was born Oct. 12. 1834.
Dr. Wheeler is still in the full possession of his faculties. and is honored and respected by all.
222 1-
Elles group
Mr. E Grofo
ELLIS GROSS.
Mr. Ellis Gross was one of the earliest inhabitants of the town of New Lisbon, having assisted in its organization. Over three-fourths of a century ago he was born in an almost unbroken forest. Like all pioneers. he struggled with the inconvenience and trials incident to the settlement of a new country. He has lived to see cultivated fields drive the forest to swamps and rock-crested hills,-to see the beautiful farm-house, with its modern conveniences, dot every hill and valley around him ; and to see villages, one on either side of him, with their stores, mills, churches, schools, and comfortable residences. Mr. Gross maintained a character for unsullied integrity in his intercourse with his fellow-men. He enjoyed the implicit confidence of his twighbors, and for many years occupied. by their suffrages, the responsible offices of the town.
He represented them in the board of supervisors for several years. He took a deep interest in the temporal welfare of this entire region. Himself a model farmer, he Nught by example and precept to induce thrift, good taste, and the highest success in that department of human artion. In connection with his farming. he was proprietor of a saw-mill and blacksmith-shop.
Crowell Gross, his father, was born in Massachusetts about 1762, and came to Otsego County about 1791,
bought a farm of fifty aeres,-an entire wilderness,-which he cleared with his own hands. In a few years he added three hundred acres more. A few years after this purchase he added more, making enough to give a small farm to each one of his children. His family consisted of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, viz. : Jarvis. Daniel, David, Ellis, Crowell, Seth, Barzell, Priscilia, Phebe, Azu- bah, Asenath, Anna.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1804, in Otsego Co., N. Y., town of New Lisbon.
He lived with his father on a farm until he became twenty years of age. He then took a farm, which he man- aged very successfully for four years. Then he united in marriage to Miss Naney, daughter of John Patrick ; of this union were born six children, viz .: Marvin, Erasmus, Dil- ason, Orsemus, Freeman, Alphonso, three of whom are living.
The mother of these children was an example of high moral worth and true womanhood to all who knew her, although obliged to leave her husband in his prime of life. Mr. Ellis Gross married for his second wife, Mrs. Roby More, widow of Col. G. W. More.
Mrs. Gross had one daughter by her first husband, Hal- lalies More. She is the wife of Dewitt C. Davis, whole- sale merchant in New York city.
£
223
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
M. D. CUMMINGS
Ww bes in Garratsville, Otsego County, N. Y., July 8, Ho father was born Dee. 26, 1780. His mother www. Aug. 13, 1784. Mr. Elias Cummings was mar- Mi- Lucinda Church, Dee. 4, 1803. They were Tre as New Hampshire, and came to Otsego County quite The subject of this sketch was reared on a farmn ... ! a father until the age of twenty-four. Then he eu- od those If in the dry goods business, and continued for i've year. During this time he was married to Miss Text, daughter of Austin Smith, Sept. 30, 1835. He ww the father of two children,-one son and one daughter : K + Van Ness, born Nov. 19, 1844; died May 25, 1845. flera, born Aug. 21, 1848 ; died June 20, 1853.
Thr mother of these children was an example of high so cal worth and true womanhood to all who knew her, +. Auch obliged to leave her husband in his declining war She died Aug. 29, 1877. Mr. Elias Cummings end March 31, 1858, and his wife died July 13, 1857. Mr. funthings is located in the village where he was born. A farmer since leaving the dry goods business ; was town clerk .. 1 years. He is still in the full possession of his faculties, as i is honored and respected by all.
CHAPTER LIV. TOWN OF ONEONTA.
organization - Geographical -Topographical - First Settlers and their Locations-Initial Events-Incidents-The First Town-Meet- In ;- Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from 1796 to Isis-Present Town Officials-Agricultural and General Statistics -Ares-Assessed and Equalized Valuation-Population-Village of Oneonta-Business Interests.
THE territory comprised within the present boundaries of Oneonta was set off from Unadilla on the 5th day of February, 1796, as Otego, and was known by that name until April 17, 1830, when it was changed to Oneonta.
It is one of the southern tier of towns, and bounded as follows: on the north by Laurens and Milford, on the east ly Milford and Delaware county, on the south by Delaware county, and on the west by Otego.
The Susquehanna river flows through the south part of the town, dividing it into two ridges. The hills in the south part attain an elevation of five hundred feet Grove the valley. The centre and north part is a hilly up- latid, broken by the valleys of the Ouconta creek, Otego river, and several smaller streams. The soil on the uplands is pravel and slate, with a mixture of clay, aud on the river it is a gravelly loam.
Prior to and during the Revolution the territory em- braced within the present town of Oneonta was traversed ly the Indians, and it is believed that the present Main street in the village is located on a portion of the old trail which led from Schoharie fort to the west. An interesting nolie was found a few years since near the lower bridge. It was a large crown ring, bearing the inscription " Georgius
Rex ; B. R." This ring undoubtedly was worn by a chief accompanying Butler's Rangers, as the inscription clearly indicates the following : "George the King ; Butler's Rangers."
VIEW OF ONEONTA IN 1S11.
The following is a view of Oneonta as it appeared in 1811. Among the earliest settlers was James MeDonald, who occupied a house on the corner of River and Main streets, now owned by Ephraim Parish. There were no buildings between this point and the present location of the Rock- well block. On this site was the store of Davis & Stiles. Next on this saule side of the street was a dwelling-house which stood on the present site of the Susquehanna House. Following this, and on the same lot, standing back from the street, was a house occupied by Jacob Morell. Next to this, on the same side of the street, lived Jacob Dietz. ou a part of the lot now occupied by the First National bank. On the same lot also lived a blacksmith, William B. Cur- tis. Following on up Main street there were no buildings until the house of Frederick Brown was reached, which stood on the site now occupied by the residenee of the late E. R. Ford. The next doulicile was that of John T. Quack- enbuslı, across the creek, near the present residence of Rer. Mr. Wales. Next came the tavern of Simeon Walling, which stood on premises now owned by a grandson. J. W. Walling. Following this was the house of Amos Woodin, on premises now owned by Morell Potter, and the last building on this side of the street, within the bounds of the present corporation, was the house of David Alger, on lands now occupied by John Miller.
The east side of Main street was a steep bank, and many years elapsed after the west side was thickly settled before it began to be occupied. In 1811 there was only one build- ing on this side between the river and Oneonta creek, and that was a distillery owned by Thomas Swart, and stood about opposite the present residence of Timothy Sabin, Esq. Across the creek, on what is now known as the Deyo place, was a house owned and oceupied by Oliver Crocker. There were but two other buildings in the village, and those were on what is now known as Chestuut street ; one stood on premises now owned by C. P. Huntington, Esq .. and was occupied by a Mr. Newkirk, and the other was owned by Martin Shannon, aud was located on premises now occupied by John Pardo.
The first goods offered for sale in the village was by Peter Dininey, but the first regular merchants were Davis & Stiles, who opened a store on the site of the Rockwell block.
The next merchant who offered his wares to the little settlement was Jacob Dietz, who occupied a building on the present site of the First National bank.
Following him, and the first one on the east side of the street, was Joseph Dietz, who opened a store on the site now occupied by the mercantile establishment of N. I. & E. R. Ford. Beers & St. John kept a store on the corner of Main and Maple streets, where the Free-Will Baptist church now stands. David Fairchild came into the village about the year 1822, and opened a store where now stands the Susquehanna House.
E. R. Ford located in this place in about 1825, and sue-
224
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ceeded Beers & St. John, where he remained some time, and afterwards moved to a location near James MeDonald's, and subsequently erected the building known as the stone- store. Mr. Ford was a prominent and influential citizen, and did much to advance the interests of the village. He served several years as supervisor and justice of the peace, and was also instrumental in organizing the Albany and Susquehanna railroad, of which he was a director. Ile died in 1872, leaving a widow, Harriet, and the following children, all of whom except the latter reside in the village: De Witt is a prominent and active citizen ; Sylvester is a boot and shoe merchant, firm of Gildersleeve & Ford ; Clinton C. is a jeweler ; E. R. Ford, Jr., is of the firm of N. I. & E. R. Ford, drugs ; Raymond is in the War Depart- ment, under General Sehurz.
The first attorney that came to the embryo village was a Mr. Storr, who located in 1827 or 1828. It is reasonable to suppose that the people were generally peaceable, and needed but little assistance from the Gamaliels of the law, as he remained but two years.
The next lawyers were David A. Ainsworth and Samuel B. Beach, both of whom removed at the expiration of three or four years. John B. Steele also practiced here a short time, and removed to Kingston, and was sent to con- gress, and was subsequently killed by a horse at Rondout.
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