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 86
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Geo. J. Adams, ent. in t'o. D, 1521 Regt., Ang. 11, 1862 ; in battle of fre leri ;. Inrg ; taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, and sent to And. Prot. ville ; removed to Florence, S. C., and died Sept. 26, 1>14.
James W. Vitbard, end. in Co. D. 102d Regt. Sept. 5, 1502; in battles of W . derness, spott-ylvania, Stouy Ritge, Deep Bottom, Hateber's lau, and Reants' Statoon ; dis. July 13, 1st.
331
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Stephen E. Imnulen, enl. in Co. D, 2d Art., Sept. 9, 1864; In battles before Peters- burg and Richmond.
John II. Louden, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 16, 1562; in battles of the Wilderness, Deep Bottom, Reams' Station, and before Petersburg , and Bichmond; dis. July 13, 1865.
Bruce Shipman, enl. In Co K, 76th Regt., Nov. 5, 1861 ; in battles of Gaines- ville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and Gettysburg ; dis. Nov. 6, 1864.
Ancil Thayer, enl. In Co. D, 152d Regt., Ang. 28, 1862; in battles of the Wil- derness, Todd's Tavern, Spottsylvanla, Locust Grove, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg; discharged.
Lorenzo Gilmore, enl. in Co. D. 152d Regt., Aug. 14, 1862; in battles of the Wilderness, Textil's Tavern, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor ; taken prisoner at Petersburg and sent to Florence, N. C., where he died Nov. 4, 1x64. Peter Gilchrist, enl. in Co. b, 1524 Regt., Aug. 25, 1862; dis. Dec. 18, 1862. John Gilchrist, enl. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., Ang. 25, 1862.
Julin Taft, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Aug. 24, 1st2; in battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Hanover Junction ; taken prisoner at Petersburg, and was in prison at Libby Prison, Belle Isle, Andersonville, Charleston, and Florence ; exchanged Feb. 27, 1865 ; and dis. May 15, 1865.
Parker D. Fay, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 5, 1862; rose from the ranks to captain.
Philip R. Woodcock, enl. In Co. K, 76th Reg1., Nov. 4, 1861 ; Ist lieut, by pro- motion ; in battles of Ist and 2d Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Petersburg; wounded at Fisher's Ilill ; dis. July 9, 1865.
William W. Ayres, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 5, 1862; in battles of Mine - Run, Reams' Station, and Morton's Ford ; dis. April 18, 1864.
George A. Woodcock, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., Nov. 4, 1861 ; in battles of Rappahannock Station, Gainesville, Second Bull Ran, South Mountain, Autietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg; dis. Dec. 3, 1864.
Ely Smith, enl. in Co. D, 1521 Regt., Sept. 6, 1862; dis. Dec. 6, 1862.
Fitz James Ely, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Dec. 23, 1563; in battle of Petersburg, etc.
Squire Philips, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Jan. 1, 1864: in battles of Fredericks- burg, Spottsylvania, Wilderness, Coll Ilarbor, etc .; dis. June 26, 1865. David Philips, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Jan. 1, 1864; in battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, May 12 and 31, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor ; killed in the charge on l'etersburg, June 17, 1864; buried on the field. George Merenuss, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 14, 1802; in battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, and Hanover Court- Honse ; dis. July 20, 1865.
0 Jacob A. Mereness, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt .; in battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Hanover Court-House, etc .; dis. July 20, 1865.
Jolin W. Mereness, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 14, 1862; in battles of the Wilderness, Spottaylvania, l'etersburg, Deep Bottom, and Ilanover Court- House ; dis. Aug. 1, 1865.
Isaac W. Druce, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Aug. 15, 1862; in battles of the Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, amil llanover Junction ; taken prisoner at l'eters- · burg, and sent to Andersonville, where he died, Nov. 16, 1:04.
Jesper Sullivan, enl. in Co. C, 16th Art., Sept. 23, 1863; in battles of Cold Har- bor, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Petersburg ; di-charged.
Daniel Smith, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Dec. 18, 1863; in battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvanin, Gaines' Station, Cold Harbor, Cemetery Ihill, and Peters- burg ; dis. June 26, 1865.
James B. Smith, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Ang. 26, 1863; in battles of the Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, Poplar Grove Church, and Petersburg; wounded at Spottsylvania ; dis. July 20, 1865.
Patrick Sharky, enl. in Co. C, 12Ist Regt., Ang. 19, 1862; dis. May 19, 1863; re-enl. in sume company and regiment.
Patrick Ward, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Dec. 29, 1963; in battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Seven Pines, Fredericksburg, nud Peters- burg ; wontled at Petersburg ; dis. Jime 27, 1865.
John D. Smith, enl. in Co. D, 1521 Regt., Sept. 6, 1862; in battle of the Wilder- ness ; wounded ; dis. July 3, 1865.
Elias Young, end. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., Aug. 22, 1862; in battles of Mine Run and Morton's Ford ; pro. to capt., Jan. 28, 1861 ; res. April 7, 1864.
John Land, Jr., ent. in Co. D. 132d Regt., Ang. 22, 1862 ; in battles of the Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, Deep Bottom, and Petersburg; wounded at Spott- sylvania ; pro. to capt., April 7, 1864 ; dis. Nov. 18, 1864.
George Cook, enl. In Co. D, 15h Regt., Sept. 14, 1862.
John 11. Doxtater, enl. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., in 1862; supposed to be dead. Juhu Keyser, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 5, 1862 ; dis. in July, 1865.
George W. Van Horne, enl. In Co. 11, 76th Regt., Oct. 14, 1suit ; in battles of Bull Run ; discharged.
John D. Sitts, eril. in Co. 11, 75th Regt., Oct. 25, 1861; in battles of Cedar Mountain'and White Sulphur springs; dis. Dec. 10, 1-62.
Elijah Satts, ral. in Co. 11, 56th Regt., Sopt. 7. 186] ; in battles of White Sul- Idutr Spring, and Ceder Monutain ; dis. Jan. 16, 1563.
Gilbert Wiers, enl. in Co. 11, 76th Regt., Oct. 14, Isol ; served with the regt. nearly two years, and re-enl. In the 11th II. Art. ; dis. June 22, 1st.
William Wood, cul. in Co, D, 1520 Regt., Ang. 26, 1862; In battle of Pine Run ; dis. Inly 21, 1:15.
Elwin Small, enl. in Co. M, 3d HI. Art., in Oct. 1861; dis. July 1, 1865.
William Small, ent. In Co. D, 152d Regt., in Sept. 1862; died In Washington, Dec. 25, 1863.
William Il. Wall, eul. in Co. D, 152d Regt , in 1862; captain.
John Caine, enl. in the Harris Cav. in 1861.
William E. Markx, enl. in Co. D, Ist U. S. S., in 1861 ; pro. to Ist lieut. ; dis. Nor. 26, 1864.
John Phinney, enl. In Co. D, Ist C. S. S.
George W. Devoe, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., Sept. 21, 1861; in battles of 2d Ball Run, Antletam, Fredericksburg, and Wilderness ; wounded, captured, and died in Andersonville prison.
E. W. Powell, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., in 1861 ; in battles of Gainesville, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Bull Run, South Montiin, Mine Run, and Gettysburg, where he was killed, July 1, 1x63.
James W. Van Horne, enl. in Co. E, 121st "Regt., July 21, 1862; dis. April 14, 1863.
Martin Van Buren, enl. in Co. C, 16th 11. Art., Sept. 16, 1861 ; in battle front of Richmond ; dis. May 29, 1863; re-enl. Sept. 16, 1863 ; dis. Ang. 1, 199. John Van Buren, eul. in Co. C, 16th 11. Art., Sept. 14, 1863 ; dis, July 19, 1-6%. Peabody Cook, ent. in Co. E, 121st Regt., July 30, 1862; in battlo of Crampton Pass; dis. Jan. 1, 1564.
Abner D. Cook, enl. in Co. A, "Bates' Battery," Sept. 1864; dis. in June, 1865.
Edward Maxwell, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regl., Ang. 24, 1862; in battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania : womoled ; dis. June 29, 1865.
Wmi. B. Root, enl. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., Sept. 2, 1862; dis. Ang. 15, 1863.
Wallnce J. Root, enl. in Co. F, 152d Regt., Sept. 5, 1862; mortally wounded in battle of Spottsylvania, and died May 21, 1864.
Benjamin l'arks, enl. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., in Sept. 1862; in battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Hanover Court-Honse, etc .; dis. July 20, 1865.
William II. Palmer, enl. in Co. I, 761h Regl., Sept. 22, 1861 ; in baltles of Ch un- cellorsville, Petersburg, Antietam, Wilderness, Bull Run, Weldon Railroad ; wounded ; dis. Dec. 2, 1864. .
Orville C. Parsons, enl. in Co. E, 121-t Regt., July 22, 1862; in battles of the Wilderness, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Rappahannock Station, and Funks Town ; dis. May 20, 1865.
David Van Buren, enl. in Co. C, 44th Regt., Ang. 9, 1861 ; dis. May 10, 1862. Minard 0. Miers, eul. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 3, 1862; dis. Dec. 13, 1863. George Whitman, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 14, 1862.
Moses N. llinds, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 6, 1862; in battles of the Wilderne-s and Spottsylvania; wounded May 24, and died May 25. 1:04. John D. Shaul, lient .- col. of the 76th Regt. ; eul. Oct. 4, 1801 ; dis. Nov. 2), 1862.
James D. Win-low, enl. in Co. C, 16th II. Art., Ocl. 3, 1863; in battles of Pe- tersburg, front of Richmond, and Dutch Gap; dis. July 7, 1865.
Joseph Win-low, enl. in Co. E, 6th Cav., Oct. 1861; dis. June 28, 1865.
Lester N. Winslow, eul. in Co. K, 76th Regt., Oct. 1861; killed at Gainesville, Ang. 28, 1862.
Walter Anderson, enl. in Co. C, 16th H. Art., Oct. 1803 ; in battle of Yorktown ; wounded; dis. July 21, 1865.
John Douglass, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Dec. 1863; in battles of Petersburg and before Richmond; discharged.
Newton Tucker, enl. In Co. D, 15211 Regt., Sept. 5, 1862.
l'arker Coleman, enl. in the " Harris Cav.," in 1861.
Delos Thayer.
Charles B. Coburn, enl. Aug. 28, 1861 ; in battles of Fredericksburg and Cedar Mountain; taken prisoner ; discharged ; re-enl. Sept. 18, 1863, in Siege Art. brigade band ; dis. Sept. 25, 1865.
Levi Coppernall, ent. in Co. E, 121st Regt., Ang. 3, 1862; in battles of Ist and 2d Fredericksburg and Sailor's Heights ; wounded; died June 4, 1-63. Daniel Allen, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., in 1861 ; dis. Nov. 1, 1804.
John W. Young, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., Sept. 28, 1861, capt. ; prom, to maj. Ang. 23, 1863; in battles of Gainesville, Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, 2d Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Ist and 2d Fredericks- burg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, atel Gettysburg; wonwiel and taken prisoner at Getty sburg, July 1, 1863 ; renmined prisoner four and one-half days, aml was recaptured by the Union forces, and May 3 was again captured by the enemy, and remained a prisoner mitil March 1, 1865; dis, March 4, 1865.
Frank lsam, enl. in Co. B, 24th Cav., Dec. 1863; dis. June 27, 1863.
Angu-tus Limburger, end. in the 121st Regt., July, 1862; in battles of Wibler- ness, Spottsylvania, and Hanover Junction; taken prisoner June 22, 194, and confined in Libby prison ; dis. July 13, 1865.
James Tucker, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., Sept. 1x62.
Henry 11. lewes, enl. in Co. D, 152d Regt., in 1862; in battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam; dis. Feb. 23, 1863.
Harrison Van Horne, ral. in Co. G, 121st Regt., July 21, 1962: in battle of Laurel Hill; wounded; in front of Richmond and Fort Burnham ; d1s. Aug. 21, 1865.
Leroy Weldon, Courtland Cole, Byron Cole, Edgar Dewitt, and Olville Wol- evtt.
Alfinal Velder, ont. in ro. 11, 21th Cav., In 1564.
John S. Gorton, eal, In Co. 1, 24th Cav., m 1844; died in New York.
John Voorkers, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., in Isol ; killed at tn nesville. Ang.
Elijah J. Chappell, enl. in Co. h, Ruth Regt., Oct. 10, 1-C1; in battles of 31 Ball Run and Wilderness; taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville ; speed dend.
lleury Cronse.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Moses Slochtey, eul. In Co. D, 152d Regt., In 1862.
Julin Brummer, enl. in Co. D, 1524 Regt., In Isce.
Jolin Brandon, John Slennion, and Joseph Sandford.
Charles Devoe, enl. in Co. K, 76th Regt., in 1861; killed at Gainesville, Ang. 28, 1862.
James Owens.
Alfred Chapman, enl. In Co. K, 76th Regt., in 1861 ; In battles of Gainesville, Rappahannock Station, Cedar Mountain, 2dl Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Union, Fredericksburg, Chaucollorsville, and Mine Run ; killed at Gettysburg.
Francl: Chapman, enl. In Co. K, 76th Regt., in 1861 ; in battles of Gainesvillo, Rappahannock Station, Cedar Mountain, 24 Bull Run, Chantilly, Sonth Mountain, Antietam, Union, Ist and 2d Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Mine Run ; killed ut Gettysburg.
David Dingman, enl, in Co. D, 1521 Regt., Ang. 29, 1862; in battles of the Wil- derness, Stony Ridge, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Deep Bottom; dis. July 13, 1865.
HI. M. Baird, enl. in Co. 11, 147th Regt., Aug. 25, 1862; in battles of Gettysburg, Chaneellorsville, Fredericksburg, Mino Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and North Anna: dis, June 19, 1865.
George Eekerson, enl. in Co. C, 9th V. R., Aug. 7, 1862; in battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg ; dis. June 24, 1x65.
Menzo A. Keller, enl. in Co. G, 97th Regt., Aug. 19, 1861 ; in battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, South Mountain, Cedar Mountain, and Gettysburg ; five times wounded.
Warren F. Salisbury, enl. in Co. K, 147th Regt., Sept. 1, 1864; in battles of Fai; Oaks, Fort Harrison, and Fort Fisher; dis. May 11, 1865.
Adamı Hardendorf, enl. in Co. D, 6th Cav., Aug. 15, 1861; in battles of York- town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savago Station, Seven Days' Fight before Richmond, Centreville, and 2d Bull Run ; dis. Jan. 14, 1863.
Luther J. Casler, enl. in Co. K, 2d II. Art., Feb. 1, 1864; in battles of Spottsyl- vania Court-House, North Anna River, Ferris' Farm, and Cold Harbor ; dis. May 15, 1863.
Oliver Carson, enl. in Co. A, 2d Cav., Sept. 15, 1861; in battles of Frederieks- burg, Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Winchester; wounded; dis. Jan. 22, 1863; re-enl. in 1863; dis. June 30, 1865.
Julin Greiner, enl. iu Co. D, 6thi Cav., Sept. 5, 1864; in battlo of Lovardsville ; dis. June 5, 1865.
Geo. D. Sitts, enl. in Co. D. 6th Cav., Sept. 5, 1864; in battle of Lovardsville; dis. Juno 5, 1865.
Daniel A. Young, enl. in Co. F, 93d Regt., in March, 1865; dis. May 11, 1865. .Lewis Bower, enl. in Co. C, 121st Regt., Aug. 1, 1862; in battles of Gettysburg,
South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run ; dis. June 9, 1865.
Wesley W. Dexter, enl.in Co. F, 16th H. Art., Dec. 14, 1863; in battles in front of Rielmond, and Fort Fisher; dis. in June, 1865.
Joseph B. Watson, enl. in Co. M, 3d L. Art., Oct. 11, 1862 ; in battles of Wilson's Landing, Petersburg, and front of Richmond; dis. July 1, 1865.
Daniel H. Shaul, enl. in Co. G, 192d Regt., in March, 1865; dis. in May, 1865. Henry Lambert, enl. in Co. M, 3d Art., Aug. 16, 1864.
Ingersoll White, enl. in Co. K, 185th Regt., Sept. 3, 1864; in battles of Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, Borden Plank-Road, Appomattox Court-House, and Peebles' Run; dis. May 30, 1865.
The following enlisted in the navy in 1864:
John Nelson, Thomas Bryan, and W. Bastian.
There are also the names of 64 men who were enlisted in Brooklyn, aud credited to this town.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES H. COOKE.
Among the worthy pioneers of Otsego County was Abner Cooke, grandfather of James H., a native of Dartmouth, Mass., born Oct. 6, 1768. He settled in the northern part of the present town of Springfield in the year 178S. He remained on his original location a few years, and then removed to the farm now owned and occupied by the sub- jeet of this sketch. His family consisted of six children, viz., Mrs. Susan Conant, John, Paul, Thomas, Abner Jr., and Daniel. Mr. Cooke was a pioneer inn-keeper, and the first " pettifogger" in Springfield. He was the graduate of no law school, neither had he sat under the tutelage of a Livingston, a Kent, or a Walworth ; but he was possessed of a quick perception, coupled with sound judgment and
indomitable will, which caused him to be sought after by the early litigants, and many of the pioneer attorneys who had been trained in the " black-lettered lore" found in Abuer Cooke a foeman worthy of their steel. Ilis death occurred on the homestead farm, March 18, 1853.
Jai Helevoke
Abner Cooke, Jr., father of James H., was a prominent and influential citizen. He was elected clerk of the county of Otsego in 1829, which office he held two terms. He subsequently moved to New York and entered upon the practice of law. He afterwards became a resident of Texas. and was chosen chief-justice of that State. He died, leav- ing the following children, viz. : William N., residing at San Antonio, Texas; Mrs. Catherine Cornelia Pierce, resid- ing in Boston ; Commander A. P. Cooke, of the U. S. Navy ; James H., and Mrs. Ann Thompson, residing in Springfield. Martha Frances Cooke, a daughter, died at the age of twelve years.
James H. Cooke was born in Springfield in 1841. and is still a resident of the town. Ile ever manifests an interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and is re- garded as one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of the county. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church, and is senior warden of St. Paul's church, Spring- field.
ISAIAHI COOK.
Isaiah Cook was born in Springfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., June 28, 1839. His father, John Cook, died in 1- 11. at the age of forty-eight years. His wife died about the year 1823, leaving a family of six children. About two years after his wife's death he married Clara Genter, of Springfield. They have had five children, viz., David,
£
L.W. RATHBONE.
MRS. L. W. RATH BONE.
PHOTOS. BT G W SMITH, COOPERSTOWN.
RESIDENCE OF L. W. RATH BONE, EAST SPRINGFIELD, OTSEGO CO.,N.Y
.... ..
THE. OLD: BARNS, PRESENT SITE OF NEW ONE.
333
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Mary Ann, Amanda, Susan, and Isaiah, the youngest, the subject of our sketch. His father died when he was about two years of age. His mother married, when he was about five years of age, Mr. David Stocker. They lived on the farm in Springfield, but about two years after their marriage the children became separated and scattered, seek- ing labor and homes elsewhere. Isaiah Cook, as young as he was, chose the labor on a farm, and followed this with vigor until he was eighteen years of age. Having a fair -education, both his mental and physical strength became more fully developed. About the year 1857 he began his life-work as a carpenter and joiner, which he has followed closely ever sinee (excepting an interval of two years spent on a farm), and expects to continue in that vocation. On July 4, 1860, he married Lovina Brown, of Albany, N. Y., who is a lady of culture and refinement. They have but one child, John Cook. This family-social, friendly, and kind-are universally esteemed.
Elsewhere in this book will be found an illustration of their home.
LEVANT W. RATHBONE.
The Rathbone family are among the oldest and most prominent in the town of Springfield. The great-grand- father of our subject was the proprietor of a large traet of land, embracing about 1300 acres, which he came in posses- sion of and settled upon about the year 1780. This prop- erty descended to his nine children, the subject of our sketch owning a portion of it.
Williams Rathbone, Jr., the father of our subject, was born on the " Rathbone homestead," Feb. 13, 1800. ITis mother, whose maiden name was Jemima Greene, was a cousin of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. He lived his entire life on the farm deeded him by his father, obtaining his education in Albany. He took an aetive part in educational matters, and for many years was superintendent and inspector of schools. He was also prominently identified with the official history of the town; for several years lie was supervisor, beside holding other offices of trust. He was a man of great energy and uprightness of character. He was possessed of high social qualities, genial and courteous, and won the esteem of all who came in contact with him. In business he was highly successful, and acquired a competency.
Ile was one of the prominent farmers of the county. Ile did much towards the improvement of the stock of the county. For several years he was president of the county agricultural society, and was a valuable contributor to The Cultivator, published at Rochester, N. Y., now the Country Gentleman.
He married Miss Mary Chewgo, a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., where she was born March 19, 1800. She was an amiable and intelligent lady, and possessed in an eminent degree those qualities of head and heart which endeared her to all who knew her. They were blessed with four children,-two girls and two boys,-Jacob C., Levant Wil- liams, Dorlisca, and Augusta L.
Levant Williams Rathbone was born on the old home- stead, Dec. 15, 1824. He received an academical education.
When he attained his majority he engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed, in connection with the milling business established by his father. Fully appreci- ated by his fellow-townsmen, he has been called to many positions of trust. For fifteen years he was the assessor of the town, superintendent of the poor for three years, and supervisor two terms. Like his father, he has taken a lively interest in educational matters, and has done much in that direction.
Mr. Rathbone was married in 1857 to Miss Levina A. Van Dusen, daughter of William Van Dusen and Elizabeth Ann Hollenbeck. She was born in the town of Egremont, Berkshire Co., Mass., June 17, 1825. When a child her parents removed to Montgomery Co., N. Y. ; subsequently, however, they removed to the town of Middlefield, Otsego County, where they still reside.
The Rathbone family have filled a very important part in the history of the town of Springfield, and have marked the family name indelibly upon it. The subject of this · sketch refleets eredit upon his worthy progenitors, and is in every way worthy of the lionorable position he holds among his fellow-townsmen.
CHAPTER LXXII. TOWN OF UNADILLA.
Organization-Geographieal -Topographieal- First Settlers and their Locations-Initial Events-Incidents-Unadilla Hunts- Sherman Page, "Grand Sachem"-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Documentary History-Supervisors and Town Clerks from 1796 to 1878-Present Town Officials-Agricultural and General Statisties-Area-Assessed and Equalized Valuation- Population from 1800 to 1875.
THIS was one of the three towns first organized after the formation of the county, being set off from Otsego on the 10th day of April, 1792. It retained its original dimen- sions until 1796, when the town of Butternuts, and Suf- frage, now Milford, and Otego, now Oneonta, were taken off. Its area was further diminished in 1822, when a part of Huntsville, now Otego, was set off, and a portion was added to Butternuts in 1857.
It lies at the junetion of the Unadilla and Susquehanna rivers, and is the southwestern town in the county, bounded as follows, viz. : on the north by Butternuts; ou the east by Otego; on the south by the Susquehanna river, which separates it from Delaware county, and on the west by the Unadilla river, which separates it from the county of Chenango.
Its surface is a hilly upland, the sunimits in many local- ities rising to the height of 300 to 500 feet above the val- leys. The soil along the valleys is fertile, consisting of an alluvial loam, while on the uplands a slaty aud gravelly loam predominates.
The fertile valley of the Susquehanna early attracted the attention of those about to seek a homo in the forests of the west, and it is said that the first white settler in the terri- tory now embraced within the boundaries of Unadilla came prior to the Revolution ; but of these we have no recor is or tradition pointing either to the places of their nativity
334
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
or the localities in which they squatted. Unadilla prior to the Revolution was wrapped in impenetrable mystery, so far as the white man is concerned. We know that it was a favorite resort of the Romans of the Forest, and that they built their camp-fires on the hillsides, and fished in the valleys. It was frequently, prior to and during the Revo- lution, traversed by Brant and his warriors, en route from Oquago (Windsor) to Cherry Valley and the region of the Mohawk. But it was not until peace had been declared that the permanent settlement of the town was made.
To trace the history of a locality from its beginning and note the many incidents of interest is a task that requires much careful research, and is attended with no small amount of labor and vexation. But, while it entails all these, there is a charm thrown around the hallowed remembrance of "ye olden time" which renders the task in a great degree one of pleasure, as " there's a melancholy sweetness iu the name of days gone by."
The pioneers of Unadilla, with few exceptions, came from New England, and were well qualified to endure the hard- ships incident to the early settlements. The first settlement in the town was made along the Susquehanna river, on the present site of the village, in about the year 1789 or 1790.
VIEW OF UNADILLA IN 1808.
This village in 1808 comprised fifteen houses. The first house on the north side of the street going west was a sort of a "dug-out" or hole in the bank, in which lived a man named Morgan. He was evidently an itinerant, as nothing further is known of him. Next to this rude habitation, and on the same side of the street, stood a house owned and occupied by Curtis Noble. Coming on west lived Isaac Hayes, in a dwelling now occupied by a son, Clark I. Hayes. Following this stood a dwelling occupied by a soldier of the Revolution, named Amos Bostwick, where now is located a tenemeut-house which formerly belonged to Noble & Hayes. Where Frank Bacon now resides stood a shoe-shop owned and occupied by Fowler P. Bryant. Next to this, and on the same side of the street, was the house of Gurdon Huntington. This dwelling was erected prior to 1796, and is still standing, the only building among those built in that early day which has not been repaired or remodeled. While with the march of time other strue- tures have been demolished and superseded by costly resi- denees, neither the axe of the destroyer or the hammer of the artisan have touched the " old house," and it stands to- day and claims our attention as a remembrancer of the past and a relic of the eighteenth century. The building is now occupied by Peter Ilodge. Next west of the Huntington house stood the domicile of Solomon Martin, a part of which was occupied by him as a store. This building occupied the site of the present residence of Edward B. Gardner. Following this came the house of Stephen Benton, which occupied the site of the present residence of a son-in-law, Major C. D. Fellows. Next lived Guido L. Bissell, on premises now occupied by Eli C. Belknap, Esq. The next and last habitation on this side of the street was a building occupied by Aaron Axtell, which stood ou the site of the former residence of J. E. Owens, on premises now owned by Solomon G. Cone.
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