USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 76
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Nelson Jones, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. May I, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1863; re-enl. Co. - , 14th H. Art., Jan. 4, 1864; disch. Aug. 2G, 1865.
George Leach, Co. B, 107th Inf .; enl. July 16, 1862; wounded twice in battle of Dallas, Ga. ; disch, May 23, 1865.
Washington Van Dermark, wagoner, Co. B, 8Gth Inf .; enl. Aug. 14, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 31, 1863; wounded Jan. 30, 1864; disch, in hospital, June 4, 1865.
William Slagel, Co. G, 16Ist Inf .; en1. Ang. 27, 1862 ; taken pris. at Donaldsull- ville, La., Sept. 1863 ; disch. at Elmira, N. Y.
Joseph Barbour, Co. B, 76th Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1863 ; trans. to 147th Inf .; wounded at lIatcher's Run, March 30, 1864 ; disch. July 14, 1865.
Albert II. Henderson, Co. B, 23d Inf .; enl. May 9, 18G1; disch. May, 1863; re- enl. corp., Co. 1, Ist Cav., Sept. 8, 1863 ; wounded at Charleston, S. C., Aug. 22, 1864.
Charles F. Davis, leader of band, 8Gth Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 9, 1863. Garrett Mahar, Co. F, 8Gth Inf .; enl. Oct. 15, 18GI ; wounded at second Bull
Run; discharged ; re-enl. in Co. C, 16Ist Iof., Sept. 5, 1864; pro. to corp. Nov. 18G1 ; disch. June 5, 1863.
Carlton II. Lovell, Co. F, 35th Iof .; enl. May 1, 1861 ; pro. to corp., Nov. 1861 ;. dischi. June 5, 1863 ; re-enl. as Ist sergt., Co. D, 14th HI. Art. ; disch. Sept. G, 1864.
John Tanner, corp., Co. D, 141st Inf .; enl. Aug. 14, 1862; trans, to Co. G, Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 14, 1863; pro. to sergt., Sept. 1864 ; diseb. June 28, 1865.
George Erway, Co. 11, 64th Inf. ; enl. Aug. 10, 1864; disch. May 30, 1865.
Walter C. Noble, Co. 11, 3d Ohio Inf .; en1. April 15, 18G1 ; re-en1. Co. 11, 3d Ohio
Inf., June 13, 18G1; pro. to corp., Oct. 1, 1862 ; re-en1. Co. G, 52d N. Y. ; pro. to corp , Nov. 1864 ; pro. to color-sergt., March, 1865; disch. June 20, 18G5. John Reagan, Cu. G, IGIst Int .; en1. Aug. 27, 1862; died at Baton Rouge, La., July 17, 186.3.
Villours D. Star, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Ang. 25, 1862; wounded and disch. at Baton Rouge, La.
George W. MeKinney, Co. G, IGIst Inf. : ent. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. June, 1865. Austin Omlia, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; wounded at Donaldsonville, La., July 13, 1863 ; disch. June, 1865.
Thomas Riley, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Sept. 29, 1862 ; taken pris, at Sabine Cross- Roads, La., April 8, 1864; exch. Oct. 1864; disch. at Elmira, N. Y., Nov. 1865.
Michael Ilarrington, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Aug. 23, 1862; pro. to corp. ; disch. Nov. 1865.
Thomas Murphy, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Ang. 21, 1862; lost by collision of steamboat on Mississippi River, Jan. 9, 1865.
Heory Marshall, Co. G, 16Ist Iof .; enl. Sept. 26, 1862; disch. Nov. 1865.
Michael McGiven, Co. G, 161st Inf .; enl. Aug. 22, 1862 ; disch. Nov. 1865.
Albert M. Ilarris, Co. G, IGIst Inf. ; enl. Sept. 4, 1862 ; disch. with the regiment. Lewis 11. Goodsell, Co. G, 1GIst Inf. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; disch. ut Elmira, N. Y., 1865.
John Ilill, Co. G, 16Ist Inf .; enl. Sept. 5, 1862 ; disch. at Dry Tortugas, Fla. Judson C. Beeman, Co. G, 161st Inf .; enl. Sept. 5, 1862 ; disch, at Baton Rouge,
La.
Terrence Collaghan, Co. G, IGIst Int .; en1. Ang. 25, 1862; dischi. at Elmira, N. Y., 1865
Stephen Gill, Co. G, IGIst Inf .: enl. Sept. 13, 1863; died at Baton Rouge, La., July 24, 18G3.
Patrick Donovan, Co. G, 1GIst Inf. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. at Elmira, N. Y., 1865.
Edwin Harrison, 20th Ind. Bat. ; enl. June G, 1863 ; disch. Aug. 4, 1865, at N. Y. City Bat. Barracks.
George L. Barker, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Ang. 22, 1862; taken pris, at Sabine Cross-Roads, April 8, 1864; exch. Sept. 1864; disch. at Elmira, N. Y., 1865.
Christopher Burns, Co. G, 1GIst Inf. ; enl. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. at Fort Jefferson, Fla.
Jacob Betzel, Co. G, 1GIst Inf .; enl. Aug. 27, 1862; disch. at Elmira, N. Y. William Henry Snyder, Co. C, 86th Inf.
John Gilbert Gillan, Bat. B, Ist L. Art .; enl. Dec. 18, 1863 ; disch. at Elmira, June 21,1865.
Timothy M. Gillan, Co. F, 23d Inf .; enl. April, ISGI ; pro. to corp., Ang. 1861 ; wounded at battle of Antietam ; died at home, May 24, 1863.
William F. Gillan, corp , Bat. B, Ist L. Art. ; enl. Nov. ISGI ; re-enl. as vet., Dec. 25, 1863, at Brandy Station, Va .; disch. June 18, 1865.
HIenry Morse, Co. C, 194th Inf. ; enl. March 28, 1865; disch. May 3, 18G5.
John J. Fowler, Co. D, 144th Inf .; enl. Aug. 21, 18G2; taken pris. at Goose Creek, Va., Aug. 21, 18G3; disch, at Washington, D. C., June 8, 18G3.
Abram L. Fowler, Co. D, 14Ist Inf .; enl. Ang. 16, 1862 ; disch. June 8, ING5.
William W. Hayt, adjt., 23d luf .; enl. Apr. 1861; oisch, with regt. at exp. of
term of service; re-enl. as col. of 189th Inf .; died at City Point, Va., Nov. 3, 1864.
Charles P. Snick, Co. D, 23d Iuf ; enl, at Upton Hill, Va., Feb. 13, 1862 ; disch. May 21, 1863; re-enl. Co. HI, 188th Inf., Sept. 23, 1564; disch. July 8, 1865.
John Henry Moloney, Co. F, 189th Iof .; enl. Sept. 23, 1864; disch. May 30, 1865.
George E. Denning, Co. G, IGIst Inf .; enl. Jan. 2, 18G4.
Frederick K. Lewis, Co. G, 161st Inf .; enl. Sept. 5, 18G2.
John M. Brown, sergt., Co. 1, 107th Inf. ; enl. July 24, 1862; wounded at An- tietajo, Sept. 17, 1862; disch. at Calvert Ilospital, Va., April 4, 1863.
John T. Bates, Co. F', IGIst Iof. ; enl. Sept. 4, 1862; disch. at Baton Rouge, La., March 27, 1863.
Edward I'. Graves, Ist lieut. and a. q .- mast., 107th N. Y. Inf .; enl. July IS, 1862 ; pro, to capt, and a. q .- mast. of Ist Div. 20th Army Corps, Apr. 7, 1864; brevetted major after the close of the war; chief quartermaster of the district of Montgomery, Ala.
Israel Van Campeo, sergt .. Co. B, 14th U. S. Inf .; enl. Mar. 6, 1862; disch. at Fort Trumbull, Conn., Mar. 4, 1865.
Geur ge B. Mott, corp., Co. F, 14th U. S. Inf .; date of enl. unknown ; killed at battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Harlan Van Etten, Co. D, 107th Inf .; enl. Aug. II, 1862; disch. July, 1865.
Peter McNeil, Co. D, 23dl Inf .; enl. April, 18G1 ; disch. May, 18G3.
William Mott, Co. D, 2311 Inf. ; enl. May G, 18Gt ; disch. June 21, 1863 ; re-enl. as sergt., Co. F, 188th Inf .; pro. to Ist sergt. Oct. 10, 1864 ; disch. July 10, I865.
Elijah F. Mott, sergt., Co. F, 188th Inf .; enl. Sept. 14, 1864; pro. to 2d lieut. Oct. 10, 1864; disch. Jan. 27, 1865.
Albert Nixon, Co. D, 14th HI. Art. ; enl. June 15, ISG3 ; disch. April 30, 1865. George Johnson, Co. D, 23d Inf. ; ent. April 23, IS61 ; disch. May 22, 1863.
Alexander I. Jones, C'o. D, 23d Inf. ; enl. April 24, ISGI ; died at Fall Church, Va., Dec. 15, 1861.
Harlow Ames, Co. D, 23d Inf. ; en1. April 20, ISGI ; died at Belle Plain, Va., March 24, 1863.
David B. Salmon, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. April 20, 18GI ; disch. May 22, 1863.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
William I. Palmer, Co. D, 23d Inf .; eni. Oct. 28, 1861; disabled by accident, Oct. 29, 18G1 ; disch. April, 1862.
Dewitt C. Johnson, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. Oct. 18, 18G1 ; disch. May 22, 1803. Lewis A. Durand, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. Oct. 18, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1803.
Charles S. Van Housen, Co. E, 142d Inf .; enl. Sept. 7, 1864; wounded at Fort Fisher, Jan. 15, 1865; disch, Sept. 4, 1865.
Silas B. Decker, Co. G, 13th II. Art .; enl. Feb. 5, 1863; trans. to Bat. M, 6th H. Art., Jnn. 20, 1864; disch. Ang. 24, 1865.
Frederick Grasper, Co. F, 14th U. S. Inf .; enl. March 15, 1862; wounded nt Snicker's Gap, Va., Nov. 3, 1862.
Stephen D. Gorton, Co. E, 141st Inf .; enl. Ang. 15, 1862 ; killed at Resacn, Ga. Charles 11. Comfort, Co. C, 86th Inf .; enl. Feb. 18, 1864; killed at battle of Wil- derness.
Daniel Oliphant (sub.), Co. 1, 97th Iuf. ; must. Ang. 30, 1863; died at Washing- ton, D. C., April, 1864.
Isaac H. Palmer, Co. E, 141-t Inf. ; enl. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. Ang. 15, 1865. William HI, HInyck, Co. D, 14Ist Inf. ; enl. Aug. 22, 1862; disch, June 25, 1865.
Pulaski DeKalb Westcott, musician, Co. D, 141st Inf. ; enl. Aug. 19, 1862; disch. June 24, 1865.
Lewis A. Durand, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. Oct. 18, 1861 ; disch. May 22, 1863.
Ilirm C. Turrell, Co. D, 141st Inf .; enl. Ang. 21, 1862; piro. to sergt., Sept. 10, 1862 ; disch. June 13, 1865.
Cassins M. Turrell, Co. D, 141st Inf .; en1. Aug. 14, 1862; trans. to Vet. Res. Corps, July, 1864; disch. July 3, 1865.
Henry C. Bonham, Co. E, HIst Int .; enl. Sept. 16, 1864 ; disch. June 24, 1865. Thomas Brown, Co. A. 14th II. Art. ; enl. July 30, 1863 ; disch. July 10, 1865.
Byron A. Barton, Co. K, 2d U. S. Cav .; twice wounded at Flint Ilill, Va., on reconnaissance ; honorably mentioned by Gen. Mcclellan ; disch. July 14, 1864 ; re-enl, Co. K, 2d U. S. Cav., July 15, 1864 ; taken prisoner on Stone- man's raid to Richmond, Va .; detailed at headquarters of Gen. U. S. Grant, at Washington, D. C .; disch, at end of war.
Jacob Hollenbeck, Co. F, 86th Inf .; enl. Oct. 28, 18G1 ; disch. Oct. 29, 1804.
Salem Loucks, corp, Co. L, 2d U. S. Cav .; disch, at Savage Station, Texas, Feb. 12, 18GG.
Jolin II. Collier, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. Sept. 23, 1861.
Ilenry F. Peet, Co. - , 6th Pa. Inf .; enl. May 10, 18GI; disch. May 11, 1862.
Asa A. Carner, Co. D, 23d Inf .; enl. May 16, 18GI ; disch. May 22, 1863; re-enl. Co. - , 86th Inf., Feb. 10, 1864; disch. July 4, 1865.
Charles E. McCarty, drummer, Co. F, 13th Iuf .; enl. May 14, 1861 ; disch. May 14, 1863.
George M Clark, Co. 1, 20th Conn. Inf .; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; disch. June 26, '65. John Taylor, Co. M, 13th II. Art .; enl. Sept. 1863 : disch. July 11, 1865.
John Emperor, ('o. G, 161st Inf .; enl. Aug. 28, 1862; disch, Sept. 20, 1865.
Reuben F. Hann, Co. B, Sth U. S. Inf .; enl. July 17, 1863; pro. to sergt., Oct. 18G3; to Ist sergt., July, 1865 : disch. Nov. 10, 1865.
Samuel Starks, Co. G, 1GIst Inf .; enl. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. June 14, 1865.
Charles A. Palmer, Co. K, 132d Pa. Inf .; enl. July 26, 1862; wounded at Antie- tam, Sept. 17, 1862; disch. from wounds, Nov. 14, 1862.
James Miller, drum-major, 85th Inf .; enl. Aug. 6, 1861 ; disch, at Washington, D. C, April, 1862.
Horace K. Rumsey, capt., Co. B, 13Gth Pa. Inf .; enl. Ang. 9, 1862; disch, for disatulity, Feb. 28, 1863.
Benjamin A. Cooper, Co. F, 50th Eng .; enl. Aug. 28, 1864 ; disch. June 28, 1805. Edward Smith, Co. M, - Regt. ; enl. July 17, 1863 ; disch. at Elmira, N. Y., at cluse of war,
Richard Houks, Co. G, 161st Inf .; enl. Aug. 22, 1862; disch. Oct. 28, 1805.
Simnel 1[. Mott, Co. I, 107th Inf. ; enl. July 24, 1862; disch. July 17, 1865.
Alexander Mutt, sergt,, Co. C, 171st Inf .; enl. Oct. 25, 1862; disch. at Harris- burg, l'a.
Michael O'Neil, Co. D, G7th Ohio Inf. ; enl. Oct. 16, 1861; disch. Jan. 31, 1864; re-enl. Co. D, G7th Ohio Inf .. Feb. 1, 1864 ; disch, June 18, 1865.
John Gibbous, Co. D, 141st Inf .; enl. Sept. 19, 1864; disch. June 18, 1865. Jefferson Burris, Co. F, 188th Inf .; ent. Sept. 1864; disch. July 12, 1865.
Robert J. Burnham, Co. B, 71st Inf. (militia) ; enl, April 20, 18G]; must. out at New York City, July 30, 18G1 ; re-enl. Ist lieut. Co. E, 16Ist Inf .; disch. at Baton Rouge, La., Ang. 29, 1863.
Hiram Francisco, seaman ; trans. from 161st Inf., Sept. 14, 1864; disch, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 9, 1865.
Lemmel Jacobs, sailor, en1. Feb. 2, 1864.
William 1. Daily, marine ; trans. from 14th II. Art .; lost at the storming of Fort Fisher.
Delos C. Sherwood, Ist sergt., Co. D, 23d Inf. ; enl. May, 18G1; disch. May 22, 18G3; re-enl. private Co. G, 1GIst Inf., Dec. 25, 1863; pro. to Ist sergt. ; disch. Nov. 1865.
William II. Lucas, Bat. L, 14th R. I. Art., and Bat, 1, 11th U. S. Col. II. Art.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HION. JOHN N. HUNGERFORD.
The subject of this sketch is of English origin, of the seventh generation. His great-grandfather, on his father's side, was Benjamin Hungerford, son of Thomas Hunger-
ford, of Haddam, Conn., who was born in the year 1703 and died in 1792. His grandfather on the same side was Capt. Jacob Hungerford, of Bristol, Conn., who was born July 16, 1748, and died June 23, 1812. The wife of Capt. Hungerford was Mary Newell, who was born. Nov. 30, 1749, and died Jan. 30, 1806. She was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Newell, who was a native of Southington, and was graduated at Yale College in the year 1739. He mar- ried Mary, widow of Timothy Root, of Farmington, whose maiden name was Mary Hart. Rev. Samuel Newell was for forty-two years pastor of the Congregational Church at Bristol, Conn.
The father of the subject of this sketch was Lot Hun- gerford, who was born Dee. 8, 1777, and died Jan. 9, 1827. His great-grandfather on his mother's side was Stephen Smith, of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Coun., who was born in the year 1710, and died in 1793. His grandfather was Heman Smith, who was born in 1753, and died in Vernon. N. Y., in September, 1837. Between the years 1795 and 1800 lie was three times a representative in the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut. His wife, Hannah Benham, was born June 15, 1754, and died in 1802. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Celinda Smith, who was born in 1783 and died in the year 1868.
John N. Hungerford was born in the town of Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y., on the 3Ist of December, 1825. His parents removed from Connectieut to Vernon in the year 1801, performing the journey to Albany on horseback, and from Albany to Vernon with ox-team. John N. was the youngest of nine children. His father, Lot Hungerford, a farmer by occupation, reared his family to habits of industry and frugality, and died, as above stated, in the year 1827, leaving a good and honored name. John N. was reared on the farm, and attended the common schools of his district until he was twelve years of age, when he removed to Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., to reside with his eldest brother, Hon. S. H. Hungerford, who was engaged in the mercantile business at that time. In 1838 he entered Westfield Academy, where he prepared himself for college. In the fall of 1843 he entered the sophomore elass in Ham- ilton College, where he was graduated in the summer of 1846. During his residence at Westfield he was elerk for his brother, and there learned the mercantile business. From the year 1846 to 1848 he was engaged in the mer- cantile business at Oriskany Falls, N. Y., with his brother- in-law, Geo. W. Couch. For a short time following he was in the Bank of Whitestown, at Whitestown, N. Y. In May, 1848, he became cashier of the Bank of Westfield, which was established by his brother, Hon. S. H. Hunger- ford, who was president of the same. In July, 1854, he settled in Corning, Steuben Co., N. Y., and in August fol- lowing established the George Washington Bank, in com- pany with Geo. W. Patterson, Jr., son of Hon. Geo. W. Patterson, of Westfield, N. Y. Mr. Hungerford was pres- ident and Mr. Patterson cashier. In December, 1858, Mr. Hungerford sold his entire interest to his partner, George W. Patterson, Jr., and subsequently had no further connee- tion with that bank. In the spring of 1859 he established his present bank, known as J. N. Ilungerford's Bank.
Iu his political convictions he was a Whig, until the or-
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TOWN OF CORNING.
ganization of the Republican party, since which time he has been a pronounced Republican. He has been prom- inently identified with the best interests of his town and county, and often has been chosen as a delegate to represent his constituents in district, county, and State conventions. He has held various official positions in Corning, and for four years was chairman of the Republican committee of Steuben County. He was a delegate to the National Re- publican convention at Philadelphia, in 1872, which nom- inated General Grant for President, and Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President. He took a very ac- tive part in that campaign.
In 1876 he was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress, to represent the Twenty-ninth District of New York, com- prising the counties of Allegany, Chemung, and Steuben. receiving 21,087 votes, against 17,973 votes for E. D. Loveridge, Democrat. In Congress he served on the Com- mittee on Education and Labor.
In June, 1859, he was married, at the residence of the late Duncan S. Magee, in Corning, to Miss Mary W., daughter of the late Dr. Ten Eyck Gansevoort, of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., and formerly of Albany, N. Y. His wife died in the month of October, 1871.
Mr. Hungerford is an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Corning, and has been a trustee of the same for more than twenty years. He has also been for several years a trustee of Hamilton College, and of Elmira Female College.
Mr. Hungerford is a man of deep and earnest convic- tions, which lead him to be firm in upholding what he be- lieves to be right,-a man of integrity and uprightness in all his relations and dealings in life, charitable in his opinions of others, as well as in his deeds, and of a social nature that attaches to him many warm friends.
IION. CHARLES C. B. WALKER
was born at Drewsville, a small village in Cheshire Co., N. HI., in 1824. The battle of life commenced early, and he had but limited opportunities for acquiring an education. When barely six years of age, his father, through business embarrassments, was placed within jail limits, under the old law of imprisonment for debt, at Keene, N. H. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died at the age of forty- seven, in 1842. His mother, whose maiden name was Harriet Blake, resides with her son in Corning, and now in her eighty-third year, is just beginning to receive the widow's pension.
Thus early in life the future merchant commeneed a career remarkable for its industry, perseverance, and suc- cess. His opportunities were few, his means meagre, but nothing that helped him to turn an honest penny was de- spised. Before he reached the age of seventeen he accu- mulated the snug sum of $800, which he loaned to his father. This little capital was not only the foundation of his future prosperity, but enabled his parent to lease the Eagle Hotel at Charleston, and afterward the Cheshire House, at Keene, N. H. The elder Walker was famous as a landlord throughout New England in his day, and was
the original recipient of the now common title " The Prince of Landlords." In his seventeenth year, young Walker entered the hardware-store of W. H. Bowman, at Palmyra, N. Y., with a frugal salary ; but mindful of the early les- sons, and in deference to the wishes of his mother, who was afraid of the hotel influence, he remained seven years with Mr. Bowman, rapidly acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, but his aspirations craving a wider field, he set out for Albany in 1848 with undefined plans, yet strong in determination to engage in the trade for himself.
Ile boldly presented himself to the late Hon. Erastus Corning, and asked for credit, stating his desire to engage in business for himself, adding that he had saved $1500 (part of which he had earned while a lad and loaned to his father). Mr. Corning suggested that $1500 was a small sum to commence hardware business on. Walker replied if Mr. Corning did not give him credit, somebody must. This spirited answer of the young man favorably impressed the mind of that able and successful financier, and he im- mediately gave orders to his confidential clerk to give Mr. Walker all the credit he wanted. Thenceforth the most cordial relations subsisted between him and Mr. Corning, and young Walker was treated more like a son than other- wise, retaining the confidence of that gentleman ever after- wards.
Soon after the above incidents, Mr. Walker, in 1848, commenced business in the village of Corning, with the firm-name of Cumpston & Walker, establishing the largest hardware business in the Chemung Valley, and placed it upon an enduring basis. In addition to this he engaged extensively in the lumber trade, which he carried on with characteristic industry.
His business enterprises have been among the most intri- eate, as well as of the most varied character. Canals, rail- roads, and public buildings also engaged his attention, and the many contracts he has taken have always been per- formed to the fullest satisfaction of the authorities ; nor has he in a single instance ever failed to complete his work,-a distinction enjoyed by but few public contractors. His business operations have given employment to a large num- ber of men. In the fire of 1850, with nearly all of the business buildings of Corning, his was destroyed, and during the same year he built the store that he occupies at the present time. In 1851 he took in a partner, Horace Turner, who purchased Mr. Cumpston's interest. The new firm continued until 1857, when Mr. Walker became the sole owner of the business, which he carried on until 1862, and associated with him in business Austin Lathrop, Jr., who is now a member of the firm.
In the spring of 1856 he was appointed by President Pierce postmaster of Corning-he was entirely ignorant of the fact that a change was meditated until he received the appointment-and re-appointed by President Buchanan, in May, 1860. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of the latter year, and warmly supported Ste- phen A. Douglas for the Presidency. During the interim between the adjournment at Charleston and the reassem- bling at Baltimore, an agent of the administration told Mr. Walker " he saw the President yesterday ; that the Presi- dent was not at all satisfied with his course at Charleston ;
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274
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
that unless he acted differently at Baltimore, he knew the consequences."
Mr. Walker responded that he " satisfied his constitu- ents, if not the President, and to them alone held himself responsible."
He went to Baltimore and stood by his friends and by the Democratic organization. He was almost immediately re- moved.
The Democratic party of the then Twenty-seventh Con- gressional Distriet (Steuben and Livingston Counties) nomi- nated him their candidate for Congress in that campaign. The district being overwhelmingly Republican, there was no chance for his election ; yet he ran far ahead of his ticket, notwithstanding the opposition of the administration, who sought to punish him for his course at Charleston and Baltimore.
It is a significant fact that, although a postmaster, he was then arrayed against the Federal office-holders. He stood boldly for the rights of the people, and denouneed the arro- ganee of the administration which sought to enforce ob- noxious measures and defeat the will of the people through corrupt means. The following extraet from an address to his constituents, shortly after the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas, will better explain the principles he advocated : " There is a principle pervading the entire Union that the people ought to be and are the depository of power, and that they are vested with the right, subject only to the Constitution, to determine for themselves and to provide by legislation, without foreign interference, what they may need or want."
He was also a delegate to the National Democratie Con- vention of 1872, and was active in support of the principles of the Cincinnati platform, and the nomination of Horace Greeley, of whose talents and integrity he was an ardent admirer.
In April, 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, Gov. Morgan appointed him assistant quartermaster-gen- eral, with rank as colonel, and he was detailed to the ren- dezvous at Elmira. In two weeks he provided quarters for fifteen thousand soldiers. His energy and efficiency in this work called forth special commendation from the Governor and high praise from the United States officers. His stay at Charleston during the convention of the previous year had given him an opportunity of judging of the people who had appealed to the " arbitrament of the sword," and he constantly urged the most vigorous prosecution of the war. In 1861, at the meeting of the Democratie State Committee, he was the only one who urged the policy of a Union ticket, for he realized what the war was, and was anxious to show the South an undivided North.
When, in 1862, the President issued his eall for three hundred thousand more, Col. Walker was appointed a men- ber of the War Committee by Gov Morgan, giving his time, money, and best energies to fill the call, and it was largely due to his efforts that Col. Van Valkenburgh and Lieut .- Col. Diven marched into Washington with the first regiment raised under that eall. In all the stirring incidents of the Rebellion, Col. Walker was found side by side with the most patriotic, aiding the needy families of the soldiers, and those who became the sole support of aged parents.
In polities, he early imbibed those principles which had for their advocates such statesmen as Michael Hoffman, Silas Wright, W. L. Marey, and Horatio Seymour. His ardent nature made him an effective worker as well as a wise coun- sellor. For the last twenty years he has served his party as a member of the State committee with rare fidelity and gen- eral aeeeptanee.
In 1858 he was chosen supervisor of Corning, against great odds, but his numerous cares compelled him to refuse a re-election.
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