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 91
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URIAH CHAPMAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Meredith, Dela- ware Co., N. Y., July 30. 1808. He was the son of Jolin and Sally Chapman. His father was a native of Connec- ticut, and of English origin. The family came to Unadilla in the year 1816, and the following year purchased the farth on which the Chapman family still reside. The land at that time was nearly all heavily timbered. John was unfortunate in business ; and about the year 1830 left the farm, which was considerably encumbered, in the pos- session of Uriah, and went to Tompkins county, where he died March 18, 1858, his wife having died a few years earlier.
Upon the departure of his father for Tompkins county, Uriah set himself to work with a will to pay off the in- debtedness ; and the results show that he was successful in accomplishing the undertaking, which was no small matter iu those early days, when money was so hard to get.
Dec. 3, 1835, he married Maria Spencer, daughter of Ithamer and Matilda Spencer. Mr. Spencer was born in Columbia Co., N. Y. He came to this county with his parents in 1796, and settled in the town of Maryland. He moved to Unadilla in 1840, and in 1844 was chosen a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born four children. two of whom are now living, namely, David P. and Watson, both of whom are living on the old homestead with their mother. They have a fine farmu, and some of the best stoek in the town. Mr. Chapman was a man of unusual industry, of unbending integrity, of unflinching fidelity to his convictions, and of consistent piety. Hence he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died Feb. 1, 1869.
ELI C. BELKNAP.
The subject of this brief sketch is a native of Guilford. Chenango county, N. Y., where he was born Dee. 23. 1822, son of Ebenezer and Henrietta Belknap. When he was twelve years of age he was bound as an apprentice to Chester Wright, a farmer, residing at Westford, in Ot- sego County ; and as such worked on his farm until he
E & Belknap
reached his majority. He attended the district school during the winter terur each year until his twentieth year. Subsequently he taught school during the winter term for several years.
He commenced reading law with Win. B. Hawes. at U'hat- dilla, in 1845, and was admitted to the bar in 19 49. He has since continued the practice of law at that place. At the age of thirty, June 9, 1553, he married Miss Caroline E'ells, daughter of Deacon Kells, of Unadilla. Mr. Beik- nap stands high in his profession, and is well and favorably known throughout the county.
351
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE CONE GENEALOGY.
Daniel Cone married in Scotland, and was the father of seven sons and three daughters. He emigrated to Haddam, Conn., and with others purchased Thirty-mile island for thirty eoats. He was one of the first settlers, as was also his son Jared, father of five children.
Stephen Cone, first son of Jared, married Susannalı Clark ; father of six children. Settled in Bolton, Conn.
Zachariah Cone, Sr., third son of Stephen, married Mary Gilbert. Settled in Hebron, Conn .; father of seven sons and three daughters.
Four of the sons were among the first settlers of Una- dilla, N. Y., and remained there till their deaths, viz., Daniel and Gilbert Cone, farmers and manufacturers ; Ada- nijah, physician for forty years; Gardner, farmer-all deceased.
Gilbert was elected a inember of the legislature, and filled many important offices in town.
Samuel emigrated to Georgia in an early day, and died in Atlanta.
Zachariah, Jr., born in Andover, Conn., and settled . in Hebron ; married Wealthy Kingsbury ; was the father of seven children, four of which are now living. A. G. emi- grated to California in 1846. Is a speculator.
1.
H. B. emigrated to Chicago, and was largely engaged as a lumber dealer. He died, leaving six children, five boys and one daughter.
N. K. was educated at the memorable "Old Brick school- house" in Hebron, Conn., and Bacon academy, Colchester. Was a merchant at Valley Forge, Pa. From thence emigrated, abont the year 1825, to Alabama, at the head of navigation on the Alabama river, and established a trading post with H. B .; leaving in 1837, and soon after engaged in farming, surveying, engineering, land agency, etc., managing a large and valuable real estate of the Hon. Geo. Law. He has one son, a celebrated attorney, graduate of Hobart college, both occupying the same office in the village of Batavia, where N. K. has resided most of the time sinee leaving the south. One daughter recently graduated at a celebrated college.
Harriet M. married Wm. R. Phelps, in business on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pa. Has two grown-up daughters, musicians. Eleven of the name graduated at Yale college previous to the year 1848; and all by the name of Cone, living or dead, so far as the writer is informed, are Episcopalians.
S. G. Cone was born in Hebron, Conn., and educated & at the memorable "Old Brick school-house" in the same place, and Bacon academy, Colchester, after which he taught the high schools at East Hartford, Conn., and Middle . Haddam ; was also principal of the high school at Sag Harbor, L. L., from the year 1835 to the year 1840. By the recommendation of the Flon. John S. Peters, governor of the State of Connecticut, to the Hon. HI. Clay, of Ken- tueky, he taught three years at New Castle, Henry county, Ky., teaching the highest English branches, mathematics, and languages, ete. He came to Unadilla, N. Y., in 1843, and married the only daughter and descendant of Gardner and Sarah Cone; since which time has been one
of the largest, if not the largest, farmers and stock-raisers in the town.
Mercy Ann, wife of S. G., died May 1, 1847, aged twenty-three years.
He married, March 19, 1862, Julie E. Fowler. third daughter of Hiram and Sarah Fowler, of English descent. They have two children, viz., Sarah A., born July 21. 1867 ; and Salmon F., Jr., born Jan. 12, 1876.
About twenty years ago S. G. Cone, with great charac- teristie foresight, which has ever marked his business career. went to the State of Illinois, and invested largely in real estate, purchasing 2000 aeres in Livingston county. Then it was a wild expanse of prairie, but he has transformed it to one of the finest agricultural regions in the State.
Colonel Northi visited this locality in 1874, and in speaking of Mr. Cone's farm says, "I rode with Mr. Cone over the entire of his 2000 acres on one of his rounds of inspection, and wherever we went nature's first great law was plainly discernible ; order had wrought out its perfect work ! Between landlord and tenants it was agreeable to see there were feelings of mutual friendship and re- ciproeity. The leases between them have been so carefully and explicitly drawn, that no doubtful questions arise about which to eavil ; so that, from his remote home in Unadilla. Mr. Cone, like a veteran commander surveying the battie- field from a distant standpoint, ean direet with particularity the operations on his broad aeres in Illinois, with more satisfaction and better results than did the political generals of the last war the campaign of the Army of the Potomac from their quarters in Washington.
" From the particulars that I have written we ean arrive at the conclusions, first, that he is a model farmer ; and second, that he is, beyond all contingency, a very rich man. The realization of this faet has no effect in puffing him with pride or restraining him from labor. for each successive day finds him at his habitual work on one or the other of his Susquehanna valley farms, an example of in- dustry and thrift worthy of imitation."
CHAPTER LXXIV.
TOWN OF WESTFORD.
Organizatiou-Geographical - Topographical -Early Settlers ani their Locations-Initial Events-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from 1809 to ls; <- Prewen: Town Officials-Agricultural and General Statistics-Area-Equal- ized and Assessed Valuation-Population.
THE territory embraced within the boundaries of this town originally comprised a portion of the old town of Cherry Valley. It became a part of Worcester when that town was taken off from Cherry Valley, and remained as such until March 25, 1sos, when from Worcester was ... off the three present towns of Westford, Maryland. Mi Decatur. It lies southeast of the centre of the county. and is bounded as follows: on the north by Middlefel and Roseboom; on the cast by Decatur ; on the south bs Worcester, Maryland, and Milford; and on the west by Middlefield. The surface is hilly, the summits in many
.
352
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
places rising to a height of 250 to 400 feet above the val- leys. The soil is fertile, particularly along the streams, and consists chiefly of a sandy loam of excellent quality.
Westford was not as early settled as many of the other towns in the county, the first settlement having been made in about the year 1790. It is stated by Mr. French in his " Gazetteer" that the first settlements were made in the southeast part of the town, viz. : "Thomas Sawyer, Ben- jamin Chase, Oliver Salisbury, Alpheus Earl and father, Arteinas, Moses, and David Howe, and Ephraim Smith, all from Vermont."
It is elaimed, however, that the first settler in the town was Robert Roseboom, who came from New Jersey and located in the northeast part, in the locality now known as Maple Valley.
An honored pioneer in the southeast part of the town was Oliver Bidlake, who came from Massachusetts in 1790, and settled on lands now owned by Moses Flint, about two miles southeast of the village. Three sons, Nathan, Daniel, and Asa, reside in the town. The former is a merchant at Westford village, and has in all probability held the office of justice of the peace during a longer period than any person living in the county. " 'Squire" Bidlake, as he is familiarly called, has officiated in this capacity twenty- eight consecutive years.
Jesse Wright and Elias Brooks, also from Massachusetts, eame into the town at about the same time with Mr. Bid- lake, and located in this vieinity.
Joshua Draper was a pioneer in this loeality. IIe ehose a location on lands now owned by a grandson, John D. Wright. Fernando P. Draper, also a grandson, resides in the village. Eliphalet Preston was a pioneer in this loeality on the premises now owned by Lewis E. Preston. Luey, a granddaughter of this old settler, is the wife of Fernando P. Draper, mentioned above.
The year 1793 witnessed the arrival of many settlers anxious to locate their homes in this fertile country. Prom- inent among this number was Benjamin Chase, of honored memory. His sons were Benjamin, Calvin, Timothy, Wil- lard, John, Samnel, and William. Benjamin died in this town in about the year 1852. His children were Philando, who removed to California ; George, now residing at Cox- saekie ; Wesley, Ira, Betsey, wife of Hiram Pieree, and Luey, all of whom are residents of Albany. Calvin and his family removed to Ohio in about the year 1835. Timothy died in about 1850, leaving the following children, viz. : Sabina, Harriet, wife of the late Mr. Coats, residing in this town. Willard was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1866. His children are as follows: John, Samuel G., Jary, Miles, Robert, and Polly, wife of Charles E. Tipple, all residents of Maryland; Henry resides in Otsego, Edward in Kansas, Almon in Davenport, and Daniel in Sehoharie county. Of this remarkable family Jary, Edward, Miles, Daniel, and Robert all served in the late Rebellion, and were honorably discharged at the expiration of their terms of enlistment. None of them were wounded. This family gave ten votes for Abraham Lincoln each time he was elected, and nine votes for General Grant, the father at that time being dead. Samuel was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a pensioner. He died in about 1868, leaving
children as follows : Colonel W. H. Chase, of Washington, Ashley, Reuben, and Alphonso D., now of Kansas. These three also were in the War of the Rebellion, and were hon- orably discharged. The daughters of this family were as follows : Mary, now a resident of Maryland, and Julia, wife of William Musson, of this town. John and William emigrated to the west.
Elijah Wilson was an early settler on lands now owned by Henry Conrad, and Eliphalet Seward on the premises now owned by Geo. Hanor. Flavil Wright early located where Waldo Griggs, Esq., now lives. Numerous descend- ants of his are among the residents of the town.
Not many years elapsed after the first settlements were made ere the tide of immigration set in, and the territory now embraced within the boundaries of Westford was soon peopled with an intelligent elass, which, in addition to those already there, formed a community of upright and intelli- gent pioneers who have left their imprint upon their pos- terity.
Eli Tyler eame from Connecticut in about the year 1799, and settled on the premises now owned by Menzo Tyler, a grandson. His family consisted of eight ehildren, as fol- lows: Harvey, Horace, James, Clarissa, Maria, Amanda, Mary A., and Jane. Harvey resides in Albany, at the advanced age of seventy-six years ; a son, James E. Tyler, resides in Sehenevus; Amanda, wife of Nathaniel Groff, lives in this town; Mary, wife of the late Hon. George W. Chase, resides in Maryland ; Jane is the wife of Elder Lyman Wright, of Binghamton ; Horace, James, Clarissa, and Maria are deceased.
Andrew Snyder, now living in the village of Westford, was an early settler on lands now owned by S. E. Tipple. Martin Wright was an early settler on premises now owned by a grandson, Waldo Griggs. John Darling was a pioneer on lands a portion of which is owned by his son, J. M. Darling. W. Darling, also a son, lives in the vieinity.
A large land-holder in this town was Aaron Baldwin, who early settled on lands now owned by Hiram and Henry Baldwin, heirs.
Among those who early located at Westville was the father of the late B. Coats. A grandson now occupies the place.
R. Saxton was a pioneer below Westville, on the premi- ses now occupied by the widow and two sons. On the hill east of' Westville, B. Salisbury was an early settler. Two sons, Gardner and John R., live in the vicinity. H. Bice. father of Henry Biee, who resides in Schienevus, was also an early settler in this locality. In the south part of the town Amzi Badean was a pioneer.
In the western part of the town Deacon Cassart early located on premises now owned by W. H. HI. Cassart, a son. and David Vandever, a son-in-law. In this vicinity the father of Geo. Knapp was also a pioneer. James Badean. brother of Amzi, mentioned above, emigrated to this town at the same time, and located on an adjoining farm. 1 -on. William Badeau, lives on the Creek road.
This locality was known as " Badeau hill," and num- bered among its denizens many of the substantial pioneers of the town. On the lands now owned by William Man- ning, Blackwood Hammond was a pioneer, father of Rob.
353
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ert Hammond, who resides in the town of Maryland. Still another in the roll of pioneers in this locality was the father of B. Patrick. A grandson, Thomas Patrick, son. of B. Patrick, is one of the influential men of the town. He manifests much interest in agricultural matters, and is classed among the progressive agriculturists of the county.
In the locality known as the " Dutch settlement," Stephen and Joel Norton were early settlers. Eleazer Peasley also early located in this vicinity. He was known the country 'round as a hunter and fisher. A son, Thomas, is an in- habitant of the town.
The locality known as Sperry Hollow was early settled by five brothers,-Daniel, Nathan, Ansel, Elisha, and Peter Sperry, from whom it derived its name. The Sperrys reared large families, and some of their desceudauts are re- siding there still.
An early settler in this vicinity was one Keech, a basket- maker, and an associate of Peasley mentioned above.
In the locality known as the Hubbard settlement, Jared and David Hubbard were pioneers. Mr. Birge early lo- cated on the road leading from Westford to Clarksville.
Horace, familiarly known as "Squire Roberts," was a pioneer on the old homestead now owned by his son, Nelson Roberts. John Tipple was also a pioneer in this locality. . Warner Fellows was a post-rider. He lived in this town, and carried the mail from Westford to Cherry Valley. Syl- vanus Harris and a Mr. Black were pioncers.
Calvin Holmes was among the early settlers, locating on lands now in the possession of S. Thompson. Two sons- Horaee and John-reside in the town.
" Bentley Hollow" derived its name from a worthy pio- neer, William Bentley. The old homestead is now occupied by a son, Wm. P. Bentley. A brother of William, famil- iarly known as Deacon Bentley, also carly located in this vicinity, and was instrumental in founding the Protestant Methodist church at Bentley Hollow. William H. Bent- ley, a prominent representative of the Bentley family, re- sides at Bentley Hollow (Maple Valley P. O.), is postmas- ter, and for many years has been a successful general agent for mowing machines, traveling extensively throughout the United States. B. Burlingame owns the premises upon which Allan Darling was a pioneer. Jonathan Davis was also an carly settler in this locality. A son and daughter reside in Albany.
The first store in Westford was opened by Ezra Williams, and stood on premises now occupied by John Bell. Mr. Williams was an active man iu the vicinity, and served as town clerk from 1817 to 1824. Henry W. Babcock and George Skinner opened a store in about 1827, in the build- ing now ocenpied by Waldo H. Tyler. Griggs & Wright opened a store on the site now occupied by Nathan Bidlake. The first grist-will was erected by Silas Howe, in about the year 1794. French's " Gazetteer" states that this mill was built by Captain Artemas Howe, but undoubtedly the best anthority is Squire Nathan Bidlake, from whom our infor- mation is obtained. The second mill was built by a Mr. Washburn in about the year 1818, and occupied the site of the present mill of Robert S. Hall. A carding-quill was operated in about the year 1825 by Hamilton Babcock, which stood upon the site now occupied by the flax.mill
owned by George Wing, Esq. Abont this time one Gil- bert owned and occupied a " still" in the upper part of the village. The first hotel was kept by David Smith, and stood opposite the present hotel, and is now occupied by William Kingsley as a dwelling. The pioneers were some time without a physician. It was not until about 1815 that a resident doctor came and settled in their midst. This was Dr. John Jackson, who practiced here until his death, which occurred in about the year 1830.
Intimately identified with the interests of Westford was Dr. John Drake, who was born here in 1799. Ile com- meneed the study of medicine in 1824, with Dr. Burbank, of Albany, and took a course of lectures given by Profes- sors Marsh and Armsby. On account of sickness he re- turned to Westford, and studied with Dr. Hanua until 1826, when he went to Castleton, Vt. ; attended lectures, and took the degree of M.D. He commeneed the practice of medicine in Fulton county in 1827, but returned to his native town in December, 1829, where, for nearly half a century, he performed the responsible and arduous duties of a physician. He was married to Miss Perlia Judson in 1831. She, and five out of eight children, survive him. He was a member of assembly in 1837, has been supervi- sor of his town, postmaster, coroner, and president of the Otsego medical society several times. In all of the various positions to which he was chosen by his fellow-citizens, he discharged the duties with great eredit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituency. He died Oet. 23, 1877.
Captains Artemas and Jonah Howe, brothers, were early settlers near the village. They located in about 1793.
On the lands now occupied by Garrett Roseboom, Dyer Adams was a pioneer, and where Horace Chase owns, Al- fred Farrels was an early settler. William Campbell and Flavil Wright early located in this vicinity.
One Manning was an early settler on the place now owned by Jonathan Wilscy. He was a clothier, and con- tributed to the interests of the town. Two sons. Mason and Judson, are deceased. Three grandsons, John, Wil- liam, and Joseph, are residents of Maryland. John Cha-c located where E. B. Milks lives, and Brom Wilsey settled on the farm now owned by Jouathan Wilsey, a grand-on. Smith Southerland eatne iuto the town at an early day, and located on the premises now occupied by Wesley Southard. His widow is also living on the old homestead. Elijah Huson is remembered as a pioneer, on lands now owned by Edward Kelley, and Moses Gove carly settled on the premises now owned by Horace Milks. A son, George Gove, is a resident of the town.
Caleb Thurbur, from Vermont, was among the early set- tlers. He had a numerous family, only three of whom are now living, viz. : Nathan, who resides in Virginia, and two daughters, living in Elmira, N. Y. Caleb was accom- panied into the wilderness by a son named Samuel, who re- mained in the town until 1840, when he removed to Hast Worcester, and died there in about the year 1 -0. 1.x widow, wife of David IFull, resides in East Worcester, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Their children are as follows: E. R. Thurbur, resides at Est Worcester, where he has been a merchant about thirty years ; he w.>
45
35-4
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
succeeded by his son, S. M. Thurbur, in 1872, who con- tinues the mercantile business. D. W. and Nelson Thur- bur also reside at East Worcester, engaged in mercantile business. George lives in Brockport, Jane in Decatur, and Louis in Richmondville.
Harvey W. and Jonas Babcock were active pioneers who settled in this vicinity. The former was prominent in the affairs of the county and the community wherein he resided. He was supervisor of the town several terms, and also sheriff of the county. Another early settler in this vicinity was George Snyder. A son, Lyman, ocenpies the old homestead. Samuel Hewitt came into the town in an early day, and located where Henry Prindle now lives. A grandson, A. C. De Long, Esq., resides in Schenevns. On the hill on the premises now occupied by Edward Bentley, his father was a pioneer.
Timothy Chase was an early settler on lands now owned by a son-in-law, Thomas Webster.
Robert Roseboom was a prominent pioneer and the first supervisor of the town. He officiated in that capacity 'until 1814.
Other early settlers in Westford were Henry Dumont, Charles Mason, William W. Galhip, Garritt Roseboom, David Smith, E. Wetmore, Joseph Wetmore, Charles Web- ster, Elijalı Nelson, Samuel Waterman, J. C. Fowler, George Robbins, Dennis Kelley, David Gano, Marens Gilbert, Josiah Hubbard, Abel Jones, William Horton, John Camp- bell, Elias Chester, James Newton, David Adams.
Westford is a pleasant village, located northeast of the centre of the town, on Elk ereck, and contains four churches, -Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist,-and the following business interests : physician, George Sloan ; merchants, W. II. Tyler, Nathan Bidlake, and S. E. Man- zer ; carriage-shop and undertaker, William H. Platner ; grist- and saw-mill, Robert S. Hall ; flax-mill, George Wing; insurance agent, J. K. Tyler; blacksmiths, M. Connell, J. A. Snyder, and O. J. Prime; shoe-shops, J. H. Bell and N. Banker.
THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING
was held at the house of David Smith, March 7, 1809, at which the following officers were chosen :
Supervisor .- Robert Roseboom. Town Clerk .- William W. Gallup.
Assessors .- Rufus Bentley, Gerritt Roseboom, and David Howe.
Collector .- Henry Dumont.
Overseers of the Poor .- Charles Mason and David Smith.
Commissioners of Highways .- Charles Mason and E. Wetmore.
Constables .- Joseph Wetmore and Henry Dumont.
Fence Viewers .- Charles Webster, Nathaniel Griggs, and Saniuel Babcock.
Pathmasters .- Benjamin Chase, Sr., David Adams, James Newton, Elias Chester, Calvin Chase, John Camp- bell, William Horton, David Gilland, Uriah Bentley, Abel Jones, William Howe, Josiah Hubbard, Marcus Gilbert, David Gane, Densis Keley, David Hubbard, J. Griffen, George Robbins, J. C. Fowler, Samuel Waterman, C. Thurber, Elijah Nelson, Jr., and Eliphalet Preston.
In 1809 there were thirty-eight persons qualified to serve as jurors in this town.
The following persons have officiated as supervisors and town elerks from the organization of the town to 1878:
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
1809
Robert Roseboom.
William W. Gallup. 4 4
1810.
"
IS11
1812
«
Henry Dumont. John Kelso. " =
1813.
ISI4
Charles Mason.
1815
1816 Garritt Roseboom.
1817
Jobn Kelso.
ISIS
1819 Rufus Bentley.
1820
1821
1822
David Smith.
1823
66
1824
Rufus Bentley.
1825
Ezra Williams.
1826
Harvey W. Babcock.
"
1827
1828
1829
William Kirby.
1830
Garrett Roseboom. "
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