USA > New York > Oswego County > Orwell > History of the town of Orwell, New York, from 1806 to 1887 > Part 7
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II. S. DAVIS.
H. S. Davis was born in Lee, Oneida county, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1849. His grandfather, Ichabod Davis, was ap- pointed Ensign for Oneida county, by Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, June 20, 1808, and was appointed Lieu- tenant Colonel of the 27th regiment of N. Y. state, Apr. 24, 1818. He was in the war of 1812 and '13. H. S. Davis removed with his parents to Orwell, March,1853, and settled near where he now lives. June 24, 1884, he married Cora E., daughter of M. D. Richardson, of Mex- ico, N. Y. They have had four children: Lelia M., born
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Dec. 22, 1876, died Sept. 17, 1878, Hattie R., Seymour H. and Blanche.
MINARD D. WHITE.
Minard D. White, son of Alfred and Catherine White, was born in Sandy Creek in 1832. His father was born in 1774, and married Sally Linnet in 1808. About '16 he removed to Sandy Creek. His wife died, Aug. 29, '28, leaving seven children. He married a second wife, Catherine Decker, and they had five children. Of his twelve children, ten are still living. Minard D. White moved from Sandy Creek to Orwell in '53. Since that time he has been a farmer. He is a democrat, and has been elected collector of the town for three successive terms.
Il. D. WARDWELL.
H. D. Wardwell, son of Martin B. Wardwell, was born in Orwell, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1852. Feb. 23, '76, he married Ida, daughter of Nelson Burch of Orwell. They have two children, Clarence F. and Mattie L., both living. (See military record for Martin B.)
W. F. MINER.
W. F. Miner was born in Orwell, Dec. 18, 1854. His father, Samuel B., and grandfather, Ichabod Miner, set- tled in Orwell about '33, on the farm now owned by Aiden Potter. All the Miners now living in the western part of Orwell are descendants of Ichabod Miner, who is still living at Pineville in the town of Albion. In June, 1881, W. F. Miner married Ada M., daughter of Owen Weston of Orwell, and they have three children; Effie B., Zilla, Charles W., all living. Mr. Miner's farm is
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located on the road leading from the Orwell and Pekin road on the north, to the Orwell and Sand Bank road on the south.
WILLIAM H. LATTIMER.
William H. Lattimer, son of John and Sabra Latti- mer, was born in Orwell, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1854. His father was a native of Ireland, but of English descent. He emigrated to this country and settled in Orwell about 1849 upon the farm now occupied by Richard Greenfield, on the east side of the Chateaugay and Vorea road, about three miles northeast of Orwell Corners. In Oct., 1850, he married Sabra, daughter of Samuel and Jane Stowell. They have five children: Lila A,, Wil- liam H., Mary Ella, Frank N. and Milo. Milo died in 1863, and Ella, July 1, '78. John Lattimer died May, 10, '72, and his wife, Sabra, Oct. 7, '79. Jan. 1, 1880, William H. Lattimer married Georgia, daughter of George F. Woodbury of Orwell. They have four chil- dren: Clara E., John, Harry and George W., all living. He is a carpenter and builder, having served his time with the late William H. Howlett, of Sandy Creek. In '73 he started in business with H. Stowell. They dis- solved partnership in '83, and he erected the shop he now occupies on Church street. At the present time, his business is among the representative industries of this section. He makes a specialty of manufacturing doors, sash, blinds, etc., and in making contracts; is prepared to furnish every article required for the erection of a building.
JOSEPH J. WAGGONER.
Joseph J. Waggoner, son of Joseph and Ann Waggoner, was born in Orwell, Apr. 20, '54. Nov. 30, '84, he mar-
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ried Arrinda, daughter of Joseph Bammert, of Orwell. They have one child, Alfred M. Mr. Waggoner's farm is located on the north side of the Vcrea and Boylston road.
A. B. WOOLEVER.
A. B. Woolever, son of Benjamin and Angelina Wool- ever, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Nov. 30, 1853. His parents removed to Orwell in '55 and settled in the extreme eastern part of the town, known as the Pine Meadows. They had five children, four of whom are dead. A. B. Woolever married Josephine M. Austin, of Sand Bank, Dec. 23, '76. He is a democrat and was elected town clerk of Orwell in 1880. He is an engineer, and acted as foreman in the tannery of Lane, Pierce & Company in Orwell for several years.
M. D. GORTON.
M. D. Gorton was born in Orwell, N. Y., July 11, 1855. His father, Daniel Gorton, was an carly settler in the town of Orwell, and located in the vicinity of the Chateaugay school-house. Daniel Gorton hal four children, Judson, Morris D., Arthur and Edson, all liv- ing but Arthur, who died Nov. 2, 1883. Jan. 31, 1883, M. D. Gorton married Lora Wing. They have one daughter. His farm is located in the northwest part of the town of Orwell.
HEZEKIAH E. MATTISON.
Hezekiah E. Mattison was born in Otsego county, N. Y., April 26, 1832. He removed to Albion with his parents in 1846. Nov. 25, 1856, he married Celestia, daughter of David and Laura Hollis and settled in Orwell the same year on the farm now owned by O. E. Weed, about one mile east of Orwell Corners. In March, 1866, he bought the farm he now occupies, which is located on the road
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leading from E. Olin's saw mill to Bennett's bridge, in the s. w. part of the town. He has three children, Anice S., Laura E. and David B., all of whom are living.
THOMAS C. McKENNA.
Thomas C. McKenna, son of Christopher and Catherine McKenna, was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct., 1827. His parents were natives of Ireland and emigrated to this country in 1820 and settled first in Albany and then in Canada about 1834. They had two children, James and Thomas. Thomas, the youngest, served his time at currying, which trade he followed about twenty years. He settled in Orwell, May 4, 1856, and was employed in Lewis and Weston's tannery for eight years. January 30, '67, he married Ce- lia Olmstead. Mr. McKenna is a farmer, located on the west side of the Orwell and Redfield road, one-quarter mile from Orwell Corners.
EMORY CARPENTER.
Emory Carpenter was born in Orwell Nov. 6, 1856. His father, Artemus Carpenter, was an early settler in the town. He had eight children, seven of whom are living. Aug. 29, 1885, Emory Carpenter married Josie Fisher. The farm upon which he resides is in the extreme northwestern part of the town, lying close to the Sandy Creek line.
DEWITT CARPENTER.
Dewitt Carpenter, son of Artemus and Nancy Carpenter, was born in German Flats, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 4, 1848. His parents removed to Orwell when he was about six months old and settled on the farm now owned by Ezra Greenfield in the eastern part of town. Sept. 12, 1867, he married Abbie, daughter of Ezra Stevens. They have five children, Flora, Charles, Cora, Ralph and Lillie, all living. Mr. Carpenter is now serving his second term as justice of the peace and is commander of Post S. M. Olmstead. (See military record.)
S. W. SPRINGSTEIN.
S. W. Springsteen, son of James and Julia Ann Springsteen, was born in Greig, Lewis county, N. Y., June 21, 1842. James Spring-
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steen settled in Lewis county with his parents when quite young, locating in the southern part of the county. They were among the earliest settlers in Lewis county. S. W. Springsteen married E. L., daughter of Alexander and Mary A. Hess, Feb. 19, '64, and they have one son, Arthur H. He removed to Orwell in '67, locating where he now lives. He is proprietor of the Orwell hotel, which he conducts with ability and profit on the temperance plan.
JAMES PHILLIPS.
James Phillips, son of Thomas and Ann Phillips, was born in Mitchelltroy, Monmouthshire, England, March 10, 1830. He was one of five children, Mary A., James, William, Anna and Elijah, three of whom are living, Mary, William and James. March 8, '52, he married Ellen, daughter of Robert and Anna Watkins, also a native of England. He emigrated to this country in June,'52, and first settled in Pulaski, N. Y. He is a blacksmith, having served his time in England. During the greater part of seven years he worked for R. L. Ingersoll. March 9, '57, he removed to Orwell and has since carried on a blacksmith business in the town. His place of business is on Church street. He has six children, Wil- liam E., Anna E., James E., Amos R. and Thomas J., who was born April 1, '53, and died January, '57.
J. CHARLES POTTER.
J. Charles Potter, son of Charles and Marian Potter, was born in Wisconsin, Aug. 3, 1855, and removed to Orwell in 1857. His father settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Alex. Potter, Jan. 28, '79. They have had four children, John C., Earl H., Allen C. and Albert J. All are living except Albert. Mr. Potter is a wagon maker by trade, and carries on business in the village of Orwell.
E. G. BONNER
E. G. Bonner, son of Edward and Orpha Bonner, was born June 29, 1857, in Orwell. His father was a native of Oneida county and was one of the early settlers of Orwell. He located on the Or- well and Pekin road, on the farm now owned by Harry Beadle and erected a bla ksmith shop upon it. He followed that business , until about 1862, when he took up farming and continued it until a short time before his death, March 15, 1883. May 1, 1830, he
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married Orpha Burkett. They had ten children, nine of whom are living. March 25, '79, E. G. Bonner married Arvilla, daughter of Heury and Susan Loomis. They have one child, Willard H., born July 17, '80. Mr. Bonner's farm is located on a cross road between the Orwell and Molino road on the east, and Floyd cheese factory on the west, about one mile south of Orwell.
JAMES SHORE.
James Shore, son of Zachariah and Elizabeth Shore, was born in Stockport, Cheshire, England, Nov. 1, 1826. His parents were natives of England. His father died July 4, 1837, and his mother in 1868. In August, 1848, James Shore married Ann Walker, also a native of England. They had three children, Sarah, John and Jacob. Only Jacob is living. Mr. Shore emigrated to this country in 1854, and located at Lowell, Mass. In 1855 he married Ann Slater, also a native of England. In 1858 he removed to Orwell and purchased the farm he now occupies. It is located on the Pine Meadows road in the southeast part of town. He has been elected to several town offices, including road commissioner and justice of the peace.
EZRA GREENFIELD.
Ezra Greenfield, son of Richard Greenfield, was born in Orwell, Dec. 14, 1859. His father was an early settler in the town and located on the farm now owned by Edward Hardy. Ezra Green- field married Ella, daughter of Henry King, of Williamstown, Nov. 10, 1880. His farm is located on the east side of the Chateaugay and Vorea road.
H. H. FINSTER.
Henry H. Finster, son of John and Nancy Finster, was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, Nov. 15, 1833, and was one of twelve children: Riley, George, Solomon, Elizabeth, John D., Abram B., Henry H., Margarette C., Jacob, Philip, Sherman W. and Sherwood W. The latter four are dead. Henry H. began teaching school at the age of 15 and taught 21 terms. Sept. 3, 1856, he married Francis A., daughter of Henry and Calista Beadle of Or- well. He settled in Orwell in '60. He has had four children, Ward, Minnie B., born in Aug., 1866; died May 1, 1886; Lewis H. and Jessie B., born March 22, 1870; died Nov. 29, '76. Mr. Fin-
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ster is a republican and has been elected to different town offices. Has been overseer of the poor for four years, and has also been assessor and supervisor, and in 1887 justice of the peace.
The following is taken from the Northern Christian Advocate. "Minnie B. Finster, whose death occurred May 1, 1886, was an only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Finster. She was sick but a few hours; her nearest relatives and parents, in whose home she died, had no thought of danger, when to the seemingly slight difficulty, from which she was indisposed, affected the heart, and before her brother could even be summoned from the field near by, her spirit had fled to its home on high. The deceased was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church in Orwell, Oswego county, N. Y., with her parents. She was converted and joined the church in the spring of 1883, while the writer was preacher in charge. She was an unusually bright, active girl, and thoroughly educated. At the early age of fifteen her work of teaching began, in which she was decidedly successful. She was a fine artist and many rare pieces done in oil are found in the homes of friends to whom she pre- sented them as souvenirs. She was companionable and joyful; she was withal a dear girl, appreciated fully by all who knew Ler well, and her sudden death, at the promising age of twenty-one, has spread a gloom upon the entire community. Her many friends are tearful, as they miss her everywhere. She was a member of the choir, organist in Sunday-school, was faithful to social meetings, sometimes walking a mile and back alone to attend the week day evening prayer meeting. We remember her christian fidelity and mourn not, as those who have no hope."
B. DEFOREST SNYDER.
DR GEORGE W. NELSON.
Dr. George W. Nelson, son of Elijah P. and Mary Wallace Nelson, was born in Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., April 8, 1836. His paternal grandfather, Moses Nelson, was born in 1760. He was of English descent. At the terrible Cherry Valley massacre of 1778 he and his mother were taken captive by the Indians. The Indians set out for Canada with their unhappy captives and find- ing that his poor mother was unable to keep up with the march they scalped her in his presence. After reaching their destination they compelled him to "run the gauntlet." The feat was frequent- ly required of prisoners by their Indian captors. It served not
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only as a test of their speed of foot and physical endurance, but of their fortitude and stout-heartedness; qualities which the Indian prized not less than strength of body. It consisted usually in requiring the captive to run a certain distance, starting from a giyen point. Along the path were ranged warriors armed with clubs and goads. Even squaws and children lined the course, supplied with various weapons of offense. If the captive set out without a moment's hesitation at the given signal and showed him- self fleet of foot and skilful in dodging so that he succeeded in reaching the goal without serious mishap, his life was spared, but if he gave any sign of faint-heartedness or displayed physical weak- ness, he perished ignominously. It is recorded that in this trial Nelson acquitted himself so bravely as to win the applause of his savage captors. After his release he enlisted in the Revolutionary army. He died in 1844, leaving ten children, five boys and five girls. His wife, who was also of English descent, survived him about one year. She was born about 1770.
Their son, Elijah Porter Nelson, was born at Plainfield, Otsego county, N. Y., in 1806. He was a farmer. Resided the greater part of his life at Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y. He married Mary Wallace, daughter of Joseph Wallace and of Scotch and German descent. He died in 1855, and his wife, who was born in Albany county, N. Y., in 1806, died in 1865. They had three children:
I. William H., born in 1830. He is now a practicing physician and surgeon in Taberg, N. Y.
II. George W., born in 1836.
III. Mary Ellen, born in 1849, died in 1873.
George W. Nelson was educated at Rome Academy and Whites- town Seminary, He taught a number of terms of school in the villages of Rome, Taberg and Florence. He studied medicine and surgery with Drs. J. B. Cobb, of Rome, and W. H. Nelson, of Taberg, finishing his studies at Castleton Medical College, Vt., in 1861. The following year he practiced with his brother at Taberg. On the 8th of October, 1862, he located in Orwell, N. Y., where he has successfully practiced his profession. He is a member of the Oswego County Medical Society, of the Medical Association of Central New York and of the State Medical Association. At present he is one of the coroners of Oswego county. April 12, 1865, he married Mary Ellen Bonner. She died Sept. 4, 1884, leaving one son, George.
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LEWIS P. JOY.
Lewis P. Joy was born Jan. 25, 1812, in Plainfield, Hampshire county, Mass. When he was about three years of age his parents removed to the town (now city) of Northampton, Mass., where he received a common school education. At the age of fifteen he entered the employ of Theodore Bartlett, a builder, as an appren- tice to the business. On attaining his majority, he commenced business upon his own account, and continued the work until 1847, when ill health compelled him to relinquish it. Having in the meantime made a thorough study of the principles of architecture, he then entered the office of Samuel Sloan, of Philadelphia, Penn., as an architect, and then spent several months in perfecting him- self in the business. At the close of his engagement with Mr. Sloan, he opened an architect's office for himself at the corner of 3rd and Clark streets, Philadelphia. He designed and superin- tended the erection of many fine buildings, as school-houses and dwellings in Camden, New Jersey, and handsome county seats in Connecticut, near Long Island Sound. In 1854 he removed to Syracuse, and succeeding there beyond his expectations, he re- mained there until 1862, when he removed to his farm in Orwell, N. Y. Since then he has been engaged in dairy farming. He has held several town offices. In 1866 he was elected justice of the peace for, four years ; in 1867 he was elected commissioner of highways, and since that time has served two terms of three years each, as assessor. He is now the town clerk and is ready to record all papers pertaining to that office, and also to furnish plans and specifications for buildings in any of the various styles, from the cottage to the mansion, executed with neatness and despatch.
OTIS CROSSETT.
Otis Crossett, son of Newman and Olive Crossett, was born in Orwell, Nov. 17, 1861. He is one of ten children, five of whom are living. His parents settled in Orwell in 1858. Otis, the youngest son, married Josie, daughter of Samuel and Luzina King of Orwell. They have one child, Frank. Mr. Crossett's farm is located on the road leading from Molino to Bennett's bridge.
F. B. WOODBURY.
F. B. Woodbury was born in Albion, July 24, 1864.
His
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parents, George and Ann B. Woodbury, settled in Orwell in Octo- ber, 1864. He started in business with his father in 1886, the firm being known as George and F. B. Woodbury. They sell dry goods groceries, boots, shoes, etc. He was appointed postmaster of Orwell, April 1, 1886.
ISRAEL B. LILLIS.
Israel B. Lillis, son of Latham and Emily Lillis, was born in Orwell, N. Y., July 14, 1864. His parents removed from Sandy Creek to Orwell in 1861 and settled on the farm now owned by Israel. Latham L. Lillis, died Sept. 14, 1884. He had five chil- dren, John, Israel, Alexander, Lela and Albert, who died Sept. 3, '83. Israel Lillis' farm is situated on the south side of the Orwell and Redfield road, about two miles east of Orwell Corners.
ALBERT C. MCKINNEY.
Albert C. Mckinney, son of Dwight and Mary Ann Mckinney, was born in Redfield, N. Y., July 16, 1859. He moved to Orwell with his parents in '65. Oct. 3, '78, he married Nettie Stephens. They have had five children, all of whom are living except Eddie C., who was born April 30, '79; died Aug. 2, '80.
EDGAR HARDY.
Edgar Hardy was born in West Ontario, Canada, in December, 1844. He settled in Orwell in 1865. July 4, 1867, he married Ada, daughter of Richard Trenham, and widow of Philip Mann, who was in the late war. (See military record.) They had one child, Bertha. His wife died Nov. 1, 1869, and he then married Hester, widow of Edward Cummings, and had a second child, Nellie. His second wife died in 1877, and in 1879 he married Almina Hamlin, of Williamstown, N. Y. They have two children, Grace and Orla.
ALBERT HOUSE.
Albert House, son of Andrew and Elizabeth House, was born in Parish, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1836. His grandfather, Abram House, was a native of Otsego county. About 1820 he removed with his family to Parish, N. Y. He had nine children, Andrew, Joseph, David, Simon, Leonard, Norman, Conrad, Hannah and Caroline.
Andrew, the oldest, died in January, 1883.
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Leonard died in the army. (See military record.) Norman died in Chili, South America.
Albert House received an education and taught school several terms when a young man. Jan. 7, 1855, he married Julia Flanigan and they had five children, Alza, Ella, Anna, Edward and William. The latter two are dead. His wife died in May, 1872. Sept. 19, 1874, he married Anna, daughter of E. Bonner, of Orwell. They have four children, Maud, Mary, Frances and Allie, all of whom are living. Mr. House first settled in Orwell in February, 1876, where he has since conducted a drug and grocery business. The firm is at present known as House & Potter. July 1, 1879, he was ap- pointed postmaster, which office he held until April 1, 1886, when he was succeeded by F. B. Woodbury.
WILLIAM H. DALE
William H. Dale was born in Vernon, Oneida county. March 18, 1837. His father was a blacksmith by trade and carried on an ex- tensive business at Vernon for years. Wm. H. began farming when a young man. He enlisted in Co. C., 186th N.Y. Vols., Sept. 1, '64. He was in the battle of Petersburgh, Hatch's Run and others and was discharged June 13, 1865. Dec. 9, 1868, he married Orida, daughter of Berzilla Allen. The have two children, Allen F. and Sarah H. Feb. 1, 1868, he settled in Orwell on the farm which he now occupies, in the extreme western part of Orwell.
LEWIS P. BLOUNT.
Lewis P. Blount, son of Wilber and Nancy Blount, was born in Albion, Nov. 12, 1856. His father was an early settler in Orwell, and run a saw and shingle mill, on the farm now owned and occu- pied by Elvin G. Potter. Nov. 5, '79, he married Jennie A., daugh. ter of Austin and Martha Stowell, who were early settlers in town. In the spring of '84, Mr. Blount was elected collector of the town of Orwell and in '85 he was elected town clerk. He is now run- ning a prosperous meat business in the village of Orwell.
II. F. NEWTON.
H. F. Newton, son of Ora and Julia Newton, was born in Belle- ville, Jefferson county, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1853. He settled in Orwell in June, '70. Dec. 27, '76, he married Rosa, daughter of John Ly- on, of Redfield, N. Y. Mr. Newton is a cheese-maker by trade and
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has a wide-spread reputation as being one of the best cheese-mak- ers in this section. He has had 15 years' experience, and has worked in some of the leading factories in Belleville, Rodman, Or- well, Williamstown and New Haven. For five years he has sold organs, pianos, sewing machines, wagons, harnesses, etc., and is still successfully engaged in that business.
JAMES BAMBURY.
James Bambury, son of Robert and Asenath Bambury, was born in Somersetshire, England, Nov. 15, 1851. April 10, 1871, he married Eliza Male, also a native of England. He emigrated to this country in May, 1871, and settled in Orwell. He has six children, all living. He is a prosperous farmer and is located at present on the largest farm in Orwell. It is on the east side of the Orwell and Pekin road, about one and one-fourth miles from Orwell Corners.
ALBERT S. BARKER.
Albert S. Barker, son of James and Hannah Barker, was born in Albion, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1846. His parents moved to Orwell about '73, and at present live on the Orwell and Redfield road, about one mile east of Orwell Corners. Albert S. Barker enlisted in Co. K., 14th Reg. Heavy Artillery, Dec. 5, '63. He was in the battles of the Wilderness and of Cold Harbor, and received a slight wound at Petersburg, June 17, '64. He was afterwards in the battles of Pegram farm, Fort Haskell and others, and was discharged June 30, '65. He married Nancy A. Jones, of Albion, July 4, '65. They have six children, Oscar J., Charles W., Dora, Cora, Jennie, Albert S. J. Minnie A. died January 16, '71. Alice M. died May 12, '86. Mr. Barker has always taken an interest in poli- tics. When twenty-one years old he was elected collec- tor of Albion. He settled in Orwell in November, '73; was elected justice of the peace in Orwell in '78, and Jus- tice of Sessions in '81 and '83. In '83 he was also elect-
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ed justice of the peace and supervisor .. Ho began the study of law in '81 and was admitted to the bar in Jan- uary, '84. His office is now located on the second floor of the Nelson block, corner of Main and Church streets, Orwell.
CHARLES SHEELEY.
Chas. Sheeley, son of Alex. and Celinda Sheeley, who are natives of Jefferson county, was born in Dexter, that county, April 15, 1845. He married Mary, daughter of James and Hannah Barker, of Orwell, July 10, '65, and had five children, Carrie M., Nellie M., Wm. W., born January, '67, died February, '67, Jesse J., born Aug. 29, '70, died March 29, '71, and Mary P., born July 10, '84, died Feb. 24, '86. Mr. Sheeley settled in Orwell in '74. He is a republican and was elected constable of the town in 1885.
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