USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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Mr. Bailey is a careful business man, well-read, and has a clear conception of the principles of law, and has been successful in his pleadings.
Albert Baker, at present a resident of Cobles- kill village, was born in the town of Berne, Al- bany county, in October, 1845. Heattended the district school of the neighborhood and taught a few years, when he entered the office of Folman & Bigham, of Albany City. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and settled at Cobleskill. There being an opening at Sharon Springs he removed there in 1868, but soon after again re- moved to Cobleskill. Mr. Baker has held the office of Police Justice of the corporation, and also District Attorney of the County from 1871 to 1874, and is at present Secretary of the Board of Education of Cobleskill. In 1876 he formed a co-partnership with his brother under the name of " Baker Bros.," and the firm enjoys a lucrative business that promises a successful future.
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Merritt A. Baker was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, on the 28th of February, 1855, and after attending the district school of the place entered Nassau Academy and Starkey Seminary, and in 1872 read law in the office of his brother, Albert. He was admitted in Jan- uary, 1876, and immediately formed a co-part- nership with his brother. In the fall of the lat- ter year he was elected by the Board of Super- visors as clerk, and has held the position since, much to the satisfaction of that body and to the credit of their records.
Wm. H. Baldwin, of Gilboa, was born in Greenville, Greene county, in 1835. His parents soon after settled in the town of Conesville. After attending the district school of the neigh- borhood he entered the Union Academy, of Harpersfield, Delaware county, where he finished a course of practical studies and entered the office of Mattice & Winans, of Durham, to study law, which course he completed in " Ad- ams' office," Gloversville, in the summer of 1855. In the latter part of that year he was admitted, and located in Gilboa village. Mr. Baldwin is a careful and practical worker, and has won the confidence of the public through his honorable advocacy of law. That confidence was fully demonstrated in 1874, when the people elected him to the office of District Attorney, which position he filled with marked ability and promptness as a faithful guardian of law and order.
Lawrence W. Baxter was born in the town of Sharon on the 12th of January, 1852. His educational advantages were diligently im- proved to prepare himself for the bar. At an early age he attended the Clinton Liberal Insti- tute, and graduated at the head of his class, with the first prize in oratory as a trophy of the event. He then entered Hamilton College, from which he graduated with distinguished honors in 1879, and again in 1880, from the Law School of that institution. Mr. Baxter located at Cobleskill where he is now practicing, and meets with a very flattering success. He is earnest in the profession he has chosen, care- ful in the execution of its requirements and honorable in his practice. He is a fluent speaker and ingenious reasoner, which, coupled
with his known integrity in principle, places him in the front rank of the young members of the bar and gives us an assurance of his future success.
William S. Clark was the son of William Clark, a farmer of Carlisle, and was born in that town the 19th of August, 1826. He at- tended the district school until his fifteenth year, when he entered the Esperance Acad- emy, from whence he went to Schoharie, and finally to Hamilton Academy, Madison county. Mr. Clark entered the Law School at Poughkeepsie, and afterwards the Law depart- ment at Union College, from which he was grad- uated as LL.D., and was admitted to practice in the State courts in February, 1858, and to the U. S. Court in 1864.
Upon the decease of Hon. David Shafer, in 1866, Mr. Clark was appointed to fill his place in the Assembly and was elected to that body the year following. He has held but few pub- lic positions, and to them he has brought honor and dignity as a scholar, gentleman, and honest man.
Upon the election of Wm. B. Murphy as County Clerk, Mr. Clark was honored as Clerk of the Courts, and has acted in that capacity at each subsequent session.
Added to his superior educational quali- ties, but few men possess that genuine spirit of kindness towards others that is daily shown by him, and which has gained for him the friendship of all.
Alonzo B. Coons was born in the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery county, on the 3d of September, 1841. After mastering the com- mon English branches in the school of the neighborhood he entered Ames Academy and afterward the New York Conference Seminary, of Charlotteville.
In the spring of 1861, he commenced read- ing law in the office of J. H. Salisbury, at Sharon Springs, finished his studies in the office of L. H. Jackson, and was admitted to practice in May, 1863. He did not open an office until May of 1868, as he engaged in teaching school in which he was successful. During the latter year he located at Sharon Springs and was elected District Attorney in November, 1880,
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which official trust he fills with dignity and proves a faithful guardian of law and order.
Peter S. Danforth was born in the village of Middleburgh in 1816, and studied law in the office of George Danforth, his father, and that of Marcus T. Reynolds, of Albany. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1840. Mr. Dan- forth has always possessed the confidence of his townsmen and held many official positions within their gift, chief among which was school commissioner - the first political position of his life. He was appointed Master and Examiner in Chancery in 1844, and elected District At- torney in 1845, and to the State Senate in 1854.
Upon the death of Henry Hogeboom, Judge of the Supreme Court, Mr. Danforth was appoint- ed by Governor Hoffman to fill the vacancy. Beside the political and legal cares that Judge Danforth has had pressed upon him, he has taken a deep interest in religious affairs, and at present is the president of the County Bible Society, filling the position satisfactorily to the society, that his father-in-law, Rev. George A. Lintner, so long occupied. He has also been identified with the County Sabbath School As- sociation since its organization. Mr. Danforth is a careful lawyer, fluent speaker and politic reasoner.
George S. Danforth is a son of Hon. Peter S. Danforth, and was born in the village of Middleburgh on the 19th of July, 1844. He attended the village school and Schoharie Academy to master the elementary branches, and to prepare for college studied two years under John M. Scribner, Jr. He entered Rut- ger College, from which he was graduated in 1863, and immediately commenced the study of law in earnest in his father's office. However, he had been a student with that aim from his youth. He was admitted in 1865 and located in his father's office.
Mr. Danforth is yet young in the profession, and brought to it a finished education and pride that carries him above low bickerings and the abuse of the true principles of law in employing them for such purposes. His success thus far has been very flattering as an attorney and counselor, and by the brotherhood he is held in
high esteem for his gentlemanly bearing and as a genial, carnest co-worker.
William II. Engle was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, on the 23d of January, 1817. His educational advantages werc mostly of the common schools, having attended the Knox Academy but a short time. He entered the office of Benoni Spafford, of Middleburgh, in 1840, and finished his studies in the office of J. J. Warner, of Berne, in 1844, when he was admitted. He settled at Middleburgh (where he still resides) upon the death of Lawyer Spaf- ford in 1845.
In November, 1847, he was elected District Attorney, it being the only county office he has filled, from the fact that Mr. Engle's political sentiments are contrary to those of the majority of county electors. However, his fellow par- tisans have repeatedly honored him with nomi- nations for various positions, and been success- ful in making a "lively run." He received the appointment of deputy collector in the second division of the 14th U. S. Revenue district in April, 1868, and held the same to the year 1871. Upon the removal of Mr. Hazleton (who suc- ceeded him) to Europe as Consul in 1878, Mr. Engle was again appointed to the position and still holds the same, making a thorough, careful and prompt official.
He enjoys the confidence of a large com- munity in the settling of estates, and intricate cases arising from land grants and divisions for which his talents seem adapted. Having a partner in the office the firm is Engle & Stevens.
Henry C. Getter was born in Middleburgh on the 16th of June, 1855, and received a com- mon school education. He entered the law office of Sanford & Thorne, in 1878, to qualify himself for the bar to which he was admitted in the spring of 1881. Having just started in the legal course, it is hard to determine his future success. Possessing an active mind and being well tutored in the mazes of the law, it but requires a close application to business and study to warrant a brilliant future.
George H. Hiller, of Cobleskill, is a son of the late ex-Assemblyman John F. Hiller, of Sharon, and was born in that town on the 13th of October, 1844. He attended the district
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school only and entered the office of the late William H. Young in 1872, and afterwards that of his brother-in-law, John S. Pindar.
Mr. Hiller was admitted to the bar in Janu- ary, 1876, and established at once a reputation as an earnest student and reliable advocate, with a just aspiration to become proficient in his calling.
He is reserved and unassuming, a careful worker and logical reasoner, and we can but predict for him a successful career, as his in- creasing practice ensures the fact. Mr. Hiller was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1876 and again in 1880.
Chauncey W. Hinman, of Schoharie village, son of the late John Hinman, was born in Mid- dleburgh, June 4, 1834. He received his edu- cation at the district school and upon the for- mation of the 134th Regiment of N. Y. S. V., he enlisted as Second Lieutenant and was soon promoted to First. He was in all the engage- ments in which the regiment participated up to the retreat of Hood, when he was taken prisoner and thrust in Andersonville prison. There he subsisted upon the scanty fare of one-fourth of a pint of corn meal and the same measure of beans, daily, with the exception of an occasional "mite" obtained from the guards or fellow- prisoners by bartering with small buckets which his ingenuity allowed him to manufacture with an old case-knife. After six months confine- ment, the war closed and Mr. Hinman was the last of several thousand, discharged from the prison field. Weak and emaciated he returned to his home unfit for laborious duties and en- tered his brother's law office in 1866, from which he was admitted to practice in 1868. He formed a co-partnership with his brother which was broken upon Nathan P. removing to Albany City in 1872. Mr. Hinman is a well read and practical lawyer with a sagacious perception of technical points, with which he ingeniously out- flanks his adversaries, and makes his practice a success. His "briefs" are drawn with care and precision denoting deep searching, earnestness and practical principles of law.
Hon. Charles Holmes, was born in the town of Fulton, on the 26th day of March, 1826. He early attended the district school, and completed
his studies at the time-honored Jefferson Acad- emy. As many other young men of the country, struggling to gain an education, without the means to obtain it, he taught school and en- gaged in other employment to bear the neces- sary expenses, and became self-sustaining. In 1850 he entered the law office of the late Judge Lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1853, and located in the village of Cobleskill.
The Democracy of the County elected him to the Assembly in the fall of 1855, where he bent his energies in behalf of the Susquehanna Railroad, and gave such promise of a legislator, that he was chosen as the party nominee for State Senator in 1858, against Joseph H. Ramsey, but the district being anti-democratic, his oppo- nent was elected, but by a largely reduced ma- jority. After his defeat, Mr. Holmes applied him- self strictly to his profession, and gained as high status before the legal tribunals as any lawyer in Central New York. Upon the retirement of his townsman, Wm. C. Lamont, from the County Judgeship, in 1871, Mr. Holmes was elected to that position by an overwhelming majority, and re-elected in the fall of '78. The precision and ability with which he performed the duties of the office, have placed him among the ablest jurists, and gained for him the reputation of being a practical, just and substantial defender of the law.
In the performance of his duties as Surrogate, no better satisfaction has been given than by Judge Holmes, in the settlement of estates, protection of orphans, and watchful care over others, whose affairs have been brought before him for adjustment.
Being an active and influential Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, he was placed upon the Democratic State Committee, by the Convention of 1881, and proves a sagacious politician.
Lewis C. Holmes, second son of Hon. Charles Holmes, was born in Cobleskill, in Novem- ber, 1848, and was educated at the village school and studied law with his father. He was ad- mitted to the bar in September, 1879. Upon the election of the father as Surrogate, Lewis was appointed Surrogate's Clerk, which position he still holds creditably to himself and faithful to the office. Mr. Holmes possesses a well
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balanced mind and promises to make an un- assuming, methodical and substantial lawyer, that will win the confidence of all classes and add dignity to the profession.
Charles II. Holmes is the third son of Hon. Charles Holmes, and was born in the village of Cobleskill, December 25, 1852, and received his education at the "Cobleskill Union School." He studied law in his father's office and was admitted in May, 1879, and located at Cobles- kill. But just starting in his legal course, being chiefly engaged in office work, it is hardly possi- ble to predict the mark Mr. Holmes will make in the legal race. If quick perception and gift of language will warrant success before the bar, it will be soon gained, as few are his equal even among those of more mature age and greater experience. By a strict application of his nat- ural genius to argument and studious confidence of language, Mr. Holmes may stand as the "Harry Clay" of the young legal gentlemen of Schoharie.
Lyman Sanford Holmes is a son of Hon. Charles Holmes, and was born in Cobleskill in January, 1856. He attended the village school and prepared himself for Union College, from which he was graduated in 1878. After studying law in his father's office for a while he completed his studies in that of Bemis & Benton, of Hor- nellsville, N. Y., in November, 1880. He located in Chicago and soon after in New York City, but an opening being made in the office of San- ford & Thorne, of Middleburgh, by the decease of the former, Mr. Holmes formed a connection with Mr. Thorne in the spring of 1882. But few young men become more attached to their profession than Mr. Holmes, and possessing a quick perception of the principles of jurispru- dence and a steady judgment which, coupled with his nobler attributes of manhood that win friends among all classes, we cannot but predict a successful future for him.
John I. Jackson, of Gilboa, was born at Cairo, Greene county, N. Y., August 30, 1815, and settled with his parents in Gilboa, Schoharie County, in 1823. He received a common school education and was early elected Justice of the Peace, which office he lield fourteen
years. During this official period he studied law in his own office and practiced in the Jus- tice court until the 4tlı of September, 1855, when he was admitted to the Supreme bar. Mr. Jackson represented the town upon the board of Supervisors in 1866, and enjoys the confidence of a large community as a counselor and man of honor.
L. II. Jackson, of Sharon Springs, was born in the town of Summit, on the 4th of April, 1836, and attended the New York Con- ference Seminary of that town. After a classi- cal course, he attended Prof. Fowler's law school at Poughkeepsie, two years, and then entered the law office of John H. Salisbury, in the fall of 1861, and was adınitted in May of the following year. He located at the Spa, and continued in practice to the year 1879, when he removed to Binghamton, where he resided until April, 1881. Since that date, Mr. Jackson has again located at the Springs, where he meets with the old-time confidence that his earnest and diligent labors gained in the first years of his profession. He was appointed postmaster, in 1861, and held the position until his removal to Binghamton, when he resigned.
Krum & Grant, .- Hobart Krum, son of the late Judge Jonas Krum, and John B. Grant, a native of Blenheim, comprise the firm of Krum & Grant.
Hobart Krum stands at the head of the County bar. If nature ever makes a choice for a particular avocation, Mr. Krum was indeed chosen for the bar, as he is especially gifted with such abilities and pride as are necessary to make the profession a success. He has been from his first entrance into the law office the most studious in the principles of law, looking critically into the reason of every principle and their application to causes. While he makes no pretension to oratory, yet as a pleader he is successful and highly interesting. He places himself squarely upon equity, through ingenious reasoning, and arranges the facts of the case in the order of their legal value, and then arouses such earnestness as to be pleasing and forcibly effective, and if not to win the contest, leave a dubious impression as to the justness of the ver- dict. Mr. Krum was chosen as a delegate to
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HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
the State Constitutional Convention of 1867, and was one of the leaders of that body of able men. He proved himself to be also a student of political economy in all its branches, as his able arguments show, which gave him pre- eminence as a legislator, and to the citizens of the County a pride in their representative. Mr. Grant, although comparatively a young man, with a tireless industry, shrewd perception and a mind well versed in jurisprudence, adds much to the firm's popularity, which has spread over many counties, and ensures a lucrative success that but few country firms attain.
Wm. C. Lamont .- It is seldom we find in the rushing, jostling throng of legal aspirants, so unassuming a man that has made a more prom- inent and pleasing mark, than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Lamont was born in Char- lotteville, on the 25th of November, 1827, and obtained a practical education at the time- honored academies at Schoharie and Jefferson, from whence he entered the law office of Abra- ham Becker, of South Worcester, Otsego Co.
Being admitted to practice in due course of time, he settled at his native village, and by assiduous industry, he established a reputation as a careful and successful lawyer.
In 1859, he was elected to the Assembly, and served upon the judiciary committee, and made, as usual, a very creditable record. His energies were bent in behalf of the bill then pending for State aid in the construction of the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad, and his arguments in that issue were marked with plain, forcible reasoning, and awoke a brighter hope for the passage of the bill, and final consummation of the enterprise. His practice becoming more ex- tended, he removed to Richmondville, and in the fall of 1863, was elected County Judge, which office he held to January, 1872. Removing to Cobleskill village, his legal business increased, and he became one of the leaders of the Coun- ty bar. In 1875 he was elected to the State Sen- ate, and served upon the following committees :-- Roads and Bridges, Erection and Division of Towns and Counties, also Manufacture. What- ever position Mr. Lamont has filled, his labors have been earnest to perform his duties faithfully and profitably to his constituents.
Watson Lamont, is a brother of ex-Judge La- mont, and was born in the town of Middleburgh, on the 13th of July, 1852. He received his edu- cational advantages at the "New York Con- ference" and "Starkey" seminaries and settled at Cobleskill village in 1869. In November, 1871, he entered the office of his brother and received his certificate to practice in the State Courts in January, 1876. He has held the of- fice of police justice two years and is now acting upon the second term of town justice of the pcace. Mr. Lamont's close application to study and quick perception of legal points and technicalities have earned for him a business that bids fair to increase with his years and place him in the front rank of his profession.
John H. Mattice was the son of Zachariah Mat- tice, of Middleburgh, and was born April 1, 1839. He attended the district school and fitted himself for teaching, which he followed for seven years when he learned the shoemaker's trade, and studied law at his boarding place nights and while working on the bench. Through a long, but earnest period of study, he was ad- mitted to the bar on the 9th of December, 1869, and settled at Livingstonville, where he enjoys a lucrative practice.
Mr. Mattice is a self-made man, having been forced to work his way through life, unaided, except by an untiring will. He represented the town upon the Board of Supervisors in 1877, creditably to himself and profitably to the people. But few men possess the love of study as does Mr. Mattice, and where labor is not spared in the application of knowledge obtained, pleasing results will inevitably follow. The industry, earnestness and ambition of the subject of this sketch, can but lead us to predict for him a bright and prosperous future.
Stephen L Mayham was born in the town of Blenheim, on the 8th of October, 1825, and after attending the district school of the neighborhood he studiously prepared himself for teaching, the avails of which were judiciously applied for an academic education. Following the natural bent of his mind, he entered the office of Love & Frear, of Ithaca, there studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. He located at North Blenheim village, and after a few years
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formed a connection with lawyer George Dier, under the name of Mayham & Dier. While here Mr. Mayham gained a fine practice, and solidified the confidence of his boyhood neigh- bors and friends in his lionesty as a man and ability as a lawyer, which placed him high in their estimation, where he still stands. Four times he was representative in the Board of Supervisors, and was honored by the people of the County with the election of District Attor- ney in 1859, and that of Assemblyman in 1863. Removing to Schoharie C. H. in 1865, his practice became extended and he soon formed a co-partnership with Hobart Krum, under the name of Krum & Mayham, which connection made the most impregnable firm in Central New York, and was so considered by the courts. Upon Mr. Mayham's son being admitted, the firm of Krum & Mayham was dissolved, and one was formed by the father and son as S. L. & F. M. Mayham, as now existing. Mr. Mayham's popu- larity and ability drew the choice of the Congres- sional Convention of 1869 to the nomination of him to the Forty-first Congress, which was ratified by the people in a large majority for the district, which comprised Albany and Scho- harie counties. He served upon the Com- mittee of Expenditures of the State Depart- ment, that of the District of Columbia, and that of sub-committee of the whole, in the Forty-fifth Congress, to which he was elected by a flattering majority of the electors of Schoharie, Greene and Ulster counties in the fall of 1874, to which position a re-election was proffered by the latter counties, but Mr. Mayham's declina- tion for the opportunities of others, retired him from Congressional duties in 1879. He identi- fied himself with the educational interests of Schoharie upon his removal there, and is one of the leading props of the time-honored Schoharie Academy, as well as all other local and public enterprises. Mr. Mayham is a bold, yet not forward or hazardous advocate and a practical thinker, and one whose appearance upon the rostrum at once demands the respect and con- fidence of his auditors, while his fluency, and plain, unpretending language impress without weariness.
F. L. Mayham is a son of Stephen L. May-
ham, and was born in North Blenheim on the 21st of August, 1850. Acquiring thic first rudi- ments of a practical education at that village school, he entered the Roxbury Academy and finished an academic course at Schoharie. He commenced rcading law in the office of May- ham & Krum in 1868, and was admitted Sep- tember 5, 1871, and shortly after the dissolution of the firm of Mayham & Krum occurred when that of S. L. & F. M. Mayham was formed, and is a leading one of the County. Mr. Mayham is a well-read young lawyer, having taken hold of the task with a natural taste, and in counsel proves that the deep principles of jurisprudence have been his study, which arc ingeniously brought to practice in his briefs and pleadings without being marred with irrelevancy and sarcasm.
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