Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 102

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1410

USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 102

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Lydiatt, George, was born in Middlewitch, Cheshire, England, May 23, 1825, a son of Thomas and Mary (Havers) Lydiatt, and grandson of James, who was a keeper of a public house. Thomas was a cooper by trade. Subject worked at farming in early life. In 1849 he learned the trade as window glass flattener. In 1863 he came to the United States, landed in Philadelphia, and engaged in the glass works as flattener at Winslow, N. J. From there he went to Boston and various places, where he followed his trade. In 1887 he came to Cleveland and nine months later removed to Bern- hard's Bay, where he has since resided, employed most of the time in the glass works of this place. He has from all his former employers letters of the highest recom- mendation, characterizing his integrity and skill. In 1850 he married Mary Lands- borough, of Scotch parentage, by whom he had seven children: Mrs. Jane Marsden of Bernhard's Bay; Mrs. Anna Dodds of Kane, Pa .; Rhoda, Emma, Silas James of Kane, Pa ; and Mrs. Mary Biddle of Kane, Pa. Mr. Lydiatt is a member of the Glass Workers' Union of Bernhard's Bay. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which they have been very zealous in Sunday school work, he being superintendent and she a teacher. Since 1850 Mr. Lydiatt has supplied the pulpit as local preacher.

Lewis, William E., son of Levi, grandson of Thomas J., who was one of the early settlers of Amboy, began as clerk at the age of fifteen in the store at Amboy Centre, of which he became proprietor in 1884, and which is now known under the firm name of W. E. Lewis & Co. Mr. Lewis has always taken a prominent part in the political

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

welfare of the town, having been supervisor two years, when he was chosen clerk of the Board of Supervisors. He was also postmaster for eight years. Mrs. Betsey Lewis is the widow of Thomas J., whose father, Nathaniel Lewis, was among the early settlers of Amboy. Mrs. Lewis was the daughter of Levi Luke, who was also one of the early settlers of that town. She had three sons: Levi W., T. J. and W. W.

Letts, Ransom, was born in Parish in January, 1838, son of William Letts, a native of Schoharie county and a farmer. His wife was Hulda Vanatter, and their children were Rev. James, Abram, Kate, David, Harmon, Milton and Ransom, popularly known as Jerry. Subject's father died when he was a child, and at sixteen he and his brother purchased the homestead. In 1862 he married Sarah Ann, daughter of Rev. William and Celia A. (Sherman) Nutting. She was born in 1842 on the farm where she now resides, Her father was a native of Otsego county, born in 1800, son of Thomas Nutting, a native of France, whose father came to the United States when thirteen years of age. Thomas came to Parish with his family in 1804. William came to West Monroe in 1825, and laid out and cut the way for many of the new roads in this town. He was a Free Baptist and preached for many years, also served as justice of the peace eight years. By his first wife, Sarah Adams, he had six chil- dren, all deceased; and by his second wife six children: Harley W. (a mute), Newton W., ex-congressman; Celia Ann and Sarah Ann (twins); Harmond D., ex-senator from Virginia, and Lydia L. He died in 1872, and his wife in 1893, aged eighty-one. Mr. and Mrs. Letts had two children, John Quincy born in 1865, who is living on the old homestead with his parents; and William N. who was born in 1871 and died when three years of age. The Jerry post-office in West Monroe was named in honor of our subject.

Midlam, John M., was born in Oneida county in 1829, and located in Mexico in 1837 with his parents, Mathew and Mary Ann. The parents died in 1883 and 1893, aged eighty-seven and eighty-nine respectively. John M. married in 1855 Julia Hosford, a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1872. By her he had two children: Mary L. and Chester A. His present wife, Minerva, is a native of Michigan, and they have one child, Anna L.

Morgan, Burr J., was born January 14, 1887, in Morrisville, Madison county, son of Augustus and Maria Morgan. His father was a tanner, and had seven children. The subject of this sketch was the fifth from the oldest and was educated at the Mor- risville Union School, then went as a drug clerk with Mead & Chapin in his native place; was there about seven years, went to Cazenovia, from there to a wholesale drug house in Syracuse, then came to Parish February 5, 1885, where he started for himself in the drug business in a store he rented. He was married November 19, 1884, to Winifred Jones of Morrisville, and they have two children, Katie and Blanche. The store which Mr. Morgan rented when he came to Parish he has since purchased and rebuilt. The property is located in the heart of the village and the store is as thoroughly appointed a drug store as can be found any where. Mr. Morgan is also postmaster of Parish.

Matteson, Andrew, was born in Mexico October 2, 1829, son of Wright and Sarah Matteson, who were among the earliest settlers in Mexico. Subject was educated in Mexico and went to work on his father's farm. He continued with his father until

FAMILY SKETCHES.

1864, when he moved to Parish and purchased the farm of ninety acres where he now resides. He married Theresa Wimple, and has five children, Julia, Sarah, Wright, John and Eva.

Miner, O. M., was born in Scriba July 19, 1843. He enlisted in the 81st N. Y. Regiment September 14, 1861, and served three years. He is a member of Post Porter 573, and is its junior vice-commander. In 1867 he married Abbie Lord, and they have two children, Birtsell and Kittie. Mr. Miner's father was Pierce Miner, and his mother Emeline Miner.

McMahon, William, was born in County Clare, Ireland, May 11, 1833. McMahon is an honored name in Ireland. The family is of Mahon, Ireland's greatest general, who organized and fought the historic war that wrested Ireland from the Danes; and whose early assassination, only, prevented him from establishing arepublic in Ireland. The McMahons have been the leaders of every one of those heroic wars, waged for the liberty of their country, of which history forgets to mention or speaks of only as Irish Rebellions, because written by the victorious foe. The late illustrious marshal and president of France and General McMahon of our recent Civil War, are descend- ants of patriot Irish leaders, whom defeat drove from their beloved country. Their relationship to the subject of this sketch is easily traced and near. His father's name was John. John McMahon married the daughter of William McNamara, a wealthy Irish landlord, who was left a portion upon the death of her father. When William was five years old, the family came to America. They were shipwrecked on the way, everything was thrown overboard to lighten the ship, and they finally landed at Quebec penniless, thankful that they had escaped with their lives. The young mother, unused to the hard rugged life of the pioneer farm, lived but a few months; the father died a few years later, and William and his brothers were left poor orphans among strangers while yet children. William and an elder brother, John, drifted into life as boatmen upon the canals. Before either was twenty-one years of age they owned several canal boats. At that time boatmen upon the canals were a reckless, lawless class of men, and it was absolutely necessary for the brothers to literally fight their trips through the locks, from port to port. This they were well equipped by nature to do most successfully, until their giant strength, endurance and courage gave them State wide fame. They became masters of the canals. Through their numerous friendships and the protection from lawlessness which such afforded, they partially restored order upon the canals. They had a high sense of justice and were always found arrayed upon the side of right. On one occasion they rebelled against an un- just custom of tipping locktenders. They fought, quite alone, the sixty-four lock- tenders upon the sixteens, whipped them, locked through their own boats and broke the custom; on their return trip, several thousand people were at the locks to cheer them through, and the locktenders themselves became their admirers and friends. For several years William McMahon was the proprietor of a hotel at Caughdenoy. He supplied wood by contract to the salt blocks of Salina. Hundreds of acres of woods in the towns of Hastings, Schroeppel and Clay were cleared by him., He used to employ a hundred choppers at a time. Congressman "Sockless " Jerry Simpson, of Kansas, then a young man, was one of his choppers in Hastings. He has been a farmer during the last twenty-five years of his life. He has always been a Democrat, but has disliked the tricks and deceits of politics and has many times refused political

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

honors. He was elected collector of the town of Hastings shortly after reaching his majority and was re-elected. He has resided in Hastings for nearly fifty years. In In 1862 he was married to Ellen, daughter of Capt. P. B. Oakley, an early influential resident of Hastings, who was one of the early captains of the " Cunard Line." His ancestors were all New England sea captains, extending back far beyond the Revo- lution. Mrs. McMahon is of New England ancestry. Four children have blessed this union. John O., born November 5, 1866, and William M., born September 10, 1872, both lawyers practicing their professions in Syracuse; Frank A., born April, 25, 1875, and Mary E., born January 1, 1880, yet at school.

Merriam, Allen, Palermo, was born October 4, 1823, in Delaware county. Harvey Merriam, his father, was one of the original English family of Merriams that first settled in Connecticut. The father was born in 1800 and came to this State when quite a young man. He married Polly, daughter of Nathan Jenkins, in 1821, and their children were Hannah (deceased), Nathan, William F. (deceased), Celinda, Filey, Clancey, Helen, Erastus, and Lydia (deceased). Allen followed farming until 1864, and from that time until 1888 he conducted a mercantile business in Palermo. He married in 1851 Jane, daughter of Matson Gillett, of Onondaga county, and they had eight children : Calinda, Albert, Watson, Bell, Herman D., Ida, William and Edward, all living in this county except William and Bell who are living in Ontario county and Edward in Springfield, Mass. Calinda married Frank Young, and seven years ago bought his father-in-law out and now conducts a general merchandise business.

Mattison, Col. L. V. S., was born in Scriba November 21, 1842, and enlisted in the 81st New York Vols. September 14, 1861. He received five warrants and five com- missions. He enlisted as a private and was discharged a lieutenant-colonel. His promotions were all for bravery and soldierly conduct on the field. July 9, 1864, he he was promoted to second lieutenant, November 19, 1864, to first lieutenant, Decem- ber 1, 1864, to captain, March 7, 1865, to major, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel July 12, 1865. Since the war he has been assistant librarian of the Senate six terms. He studied civil engineering also, after the war, and for the last twenty years has been engaged in public works. In 1882 he married Mary S. Oliver, and they have one daughter, Bessie St. Clair. Colonel Mattison's father was Truman G. Mattison, and his mother Amelia (Sternes) Mattison.

Marsden, Welcom, was born in Mexico in 1839, son of George and Eliza (Page) Marsden, natives of Constantia and Herkimer county. His father was one of the pioneers of the town of Mexico, cleared a farm in the wilderness, and died in 1894. Welcom married Laura, daughter of George Waring, in 1869, and moved to his pres- ent home place of 180 acres in 1871.

Marsh, E. J., M. D., was born in Granby, Oswego county, December 29, 1849, educated at Falley Seminary, and received his medical degree at the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, O. Was married February 1, 1871, to Margaret A. Chapman, formerly of Rensselaer county, N. Y., and commenced the practice of his profession April 1, of that year, at Hastings, Oswego county. In 1873 he removed to Southwest Oswego, where he has since been in continuous practice. Dr. and Mrs. Marsh have two children, M. Belle and Milton J., aged twenty-two and nineteen years respect- ively. Dr. Marsh's father was Isaac W. Marsh, who died in 1880, having served as

FAMILY SKETCHES.

justice of the peace twelve years, supervisor four years, and school commissioner three years. His mother was Marrietta Signor. The Marsh family are of New England stock and of Welsh descent.

McDonald, John, of Irish ancestry, was born in Canada, April 23, 1848, a son of Christopher and Bridget (O'Toole) McDonald, both natives of Ireland. The mother died in Ontario, aged fifty years. Our subject was educated in Canada and came to Oswego at the age of twenty-one years, working at his trade of harness making. In 1878 he opened a shop at West Bridge street, and in 1884 moved to the corner of West Second and Bridge streets, where he still continues, carrying a full line of robes, blankets, horse and stable furnishings, and manufacturing harnesses. He also carries a full line of trunks, valises and satchels, oils, dressings, soaps, veterinary medicines, etc., doing repair work of all kinds. He carries a full line of ladies' and gentlemen's saddles also. Mr. McDonald is a member of the Catholic church and is treasurer of Branch No. 140, C. M. B. A., treasurer of Division No, 1, A. O. H., and member of Lodge No. 210, A. O. U W., Oswego. In 1876 he married Mary McMahon, of Oswego, who died in 1882.

Merriam, Watson H., general merchant at Pennellville, was born in Onondaga county in 1855. He was reared on a farm and learned cheese making, which he followed twelve years, and in 1888 established his present business. In 1882 he mar- ried Eunice N. Lansing, of Palermo, who died in 1885. He afterward married Maggie A. Vant, and they have one child, Lena Belle.

Mallory, Jared, was born in Hastings in November, 1832, son of Benjamin, a native of New Hartford, Oneida county, who was born in 1804, one of five children of Ashbel Mallory, of Connecticut. Benjamin came to Hastings in 1827, purchased and cleared a farm. He soon after married Amy Ann Cornell, remained on his farm forty years, and died in Central Square in 1877. Their children were Jared, Phoebe, Mary, Susan, Charles, Lorra, and Lydia. He was prominent in politics, served as commis- sioner, assessor and overseer of the poor. In 1855 our subject purchased a saw mill, where he has ever since been engaged in manufacturing lumber. He has also pur- chased and conducted several large farms, has been in the dairy business for many years, and since 1881 has owned and conducted two cheese factories, one in Mallory and the other in the village of Hastings. He served as supervisor three years and commissioner of highways seven years. Through his efforts in 1860 a post-office was established at this place, and the place was called Mallory in his honor. Mr. Mallory married in 1853 Mary Ostrander, by whom he had two children, Johanna and Emy M. Mr. Mallory's second wife was Mary A. Gilbert, by whom he had three children, Clinton I., Kittie, and Mrs. Cada Claxton, of West Monroe. Since 1869 he has been postmaster at Mallory.

Meredith, W. W., was born in Oneida county in 1846, son of Hugh and Sarah (Ingalls) Meredith, natives of Oneida county and Vermont. They were married in Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1844. They resided in Oneida county till about 1850, then in Onondaga county three years, since which time they have lived in Schroeppel. In 1875 our subject married Hannah C. Rumsey, a native of Onondaga county.

Metzger, Philip J., was born in Gimbsheim, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, April i

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

13, 1839, son of Valentine and Catherine Metzger, who came to Hastings in 1854, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. They reared five sons and one daughter. In 1861 Mr. Metzger enlisted in Company H, 101st N. Y. Inf., served three years, and participated in the battles of Antietam, Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Court house, and Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, confined in Libby Prison two weeks, and later exchanged. After the war he devoted eight years to the coopering business, since which time he has been engaged in farming. In 1867 he purchased the homestead. In 1865 he married Lena, daughter of Jacob and Mary Mahlerwein, of Hastings, and their children are Emma, Jacob, Elizabeth, Amelia, Nora, and George. Mr. Metzger has provided his children with academic educations, two of the daughters being teachers in the public schools in Syracuse. He is a member of the Isaac Waterbury G. A. R. Post, No. 418, Central Square, and a member of the Grange. He is now serving his fourth year as assessor. Mrs. Metzger is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of Central Square.

Moore, John H., was born in Bushmills, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1845, a son of Thomas Moore, who came from Philadelphia to. Amboy in 1864, where he was a farmer for ten years, returning to Philadelphia in 1874, where he died. John H. remained in Amboy, where he married Christina, daughter of James S. Clelland, and is known as one of the thriving farmers of the town. Their children are Thomas, born October 19, 1870; James, born February 22, 1873; Jennie, born September 6, 1875; and Rachel, born March 30, 1878.

Mulcahy, Daniel C., was born in the town of Oswego, May 5, 1872. He owns a farm and hotel on the boulevard near Oswego, and deals in sand, gravel and stone; he is a jobber at various branches of work-does general farming and teaming, and is branching out into gardening, and he sometimes deals in horses. His father was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America about 1844, when nineteen years old. He married Margaret Corson, and they have six sons and two daughters. Daniel C. is a member of the town Democratic Committee.

Myers, Charles M., was born in Oswego county, July 14, 1846. His grandfather was Samuel, who was born in Herkimer county, and died in this county, aged seventy years; and his father, Andrew, was born in Oneida county and died here, aged seventy-six years. Andrew married Emily Mason, who died aged thirty-eight, and their children were Helen, Charles M., Herbert W., Edson, Sereno, Mariah, Jennie, Frederick, and Emma, of whom Frederick, Edson, Sereno and Mariah are deceased. Charles M. was educated in the common schools, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in the 110th N. Y. Vols., serving in the Red River Expedition, siege of Port Hudson, Bayou Teche. etc., afterward doing garrison duty until the close of the war. He was a lumberman and hotel keeper at Orwell, and was elected constable in 1872, which position he has held till the present time. He was deputy sheriff for nine years, hav- ing made some very important arrests during his official career. In 1892 he came to Lacona and took charge of the Central House, the largest hotel in the place, which he still conducts, with a first-class livery in connection. He is also chief of police. June 30, 1866, he married Orrissa Samson, of Oswego county, her parents being Asel and Rebecca (Clark) Samson. They have one child, Clara E., born in 1867, who married Adelbert Babcock.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Nichols, David L., was born in New Haven October ?, 1828, and resided on the old homestead till 1883, then moved to New Haven village. In 1857 he married Sarah J. Jenkins of Madison county, by whom he has had these children; Charles H., Nettie L, now wife of the renowned Boston artist, Beal, residing at present in London ; Frank G., who died when eight years old, and Mary G. He has been assessor nine years, justice of peace twelve years, overseer of the poor one year, clerk of the school district thirty-eight years, and clerk of the Congregational church twenty-six years. His father, Charles, entered the homestead located between the village of Demster and New Haven in 1822, where he died in 1872.

Noyes, Ira, was born in Vermont in 1817, and came to New York early in life, first settling in Jefferson county. He soon after came to Sandy Creek, where he remained till his death in 1887. November 2, 1886, he married Ella Sage, who was born in Sandy Creek May 25, 1853, a daughter of John and Mary E. Sage of Vermont, who came to Sandy Creek in early life. Ira Noyes had the following brothers and sisters: Rhoda, Phila, Sallie, Bernice, Nathan, Betsey, and Ira, all deceased. Mrs. Noyes was one of the following children; Oren, Ella, Jessie A., Augusta and Lettie. Mr. and Mrs. Noyes had one child, Irene, born January 9, 1888, who is living with her mother and grandmother in Pulaski.

Nichols, Freborn M., was born in Otsego county in 1837, and came to Oswego county the same year with his parents, David and Betsey (Matteson) Nichols, who in 1867 moved from the farm in town of Mexico to the village of Mexico, and died there in 1879 and 1887 respectively. Mr. Nichols married in 1866 Cora Harvey, and has two children, Henry D. and Ettie G. Mrs. Nichols's father, C. H. Harvey, was one of the early pioneers from New Hampshire, located at Colosse, where he died in 1883. He was born in 1802, was postmaster of Colosse about forty years, and constable a number of terms.

Nash, Joseph R., was born in Germany in 1831, and is a son of Enoch, grandson of Anthony, and great-grandson of Peter Nash. He came to America in 1851 and to Williamstown in 1861, where he is a farmer. Mr. Nash enlisted in 1864 in Co. E. 189th infantry, serving until the close of the war, when he returned to the farm. His three sons are William M., Frank J. and John L.

Owen, William, was born in Wales in 1830, son of William and Sarah Owen. He came to this country in 1837, and educated in the town of Sandy Creek, went to work on a farm, and worked for others until he bought his present farm in 1853. Mr. Owen's farm consists of one hundred acres, mostly under cultivation. This farm has been earned and entirely paid for through his own unaided exertions. He married in January, 1864, Kate Gray, by whom he had six children: James, working in the American Express office in Chicago; Ada lives at home; Mattie, married to Fred Halsey; Frank is railroading; Sarah, married to Fred Warne, and George lives at home.

O'Reilley, Patrick, was born in Ireland in 1820, son of John and Mary O'Reilley of the same place. Their children were Daniel, Patrick, Mary, Ann and Jennie. In 1847 Mr. O'Reilley came to Canada, and one year later came to Oswego, where he was employed on the railroad. He then turned his attention to farming. In 1855 he

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY

came to Hastings and purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1850 he married Catharine Shea of Ireland, by whom he had three children, John, Micheal (deceased), and Mary Ann, wife of Daniel Hanley of Hastings, who has one child, Francis.

Peck, Alonzo, of the town of Mexico, was born in 1825 in Herkimer county, and has resided on his present farm near Union Square, Oswego county, since 1852. In 1866 he married Maria Brusic, a native of Massachusetts. Her father, George Bru- sic, located on this farm in 1844. Nellie M., now Mrs. James H. Wills, is their only child. Mr. Heck's father, Alva, was born in Connecticut in 1797, and at the age of sixteen moved to Herkimer county, N. Y., with his father, Submit Peck. Alva Peck married in Herkimer county Mary Ferrin, and with their three chhildren came to Oswego county in 1829, where they died in 1849 and 1866 respectively.

Draper, James, was born in Hannibal, where he has always resided, excepting during his service in the war, of which he is a veteran and charter member of the G. A. R. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, of the 110th N. Y. Vols., serving one year, when he was discharged for disability acquired in the service. He returned home and remained about a year, when he again enlisted in Company C, of the 184th N. Y. Vols., with which he served till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He is a son of John and Mary Ann Draper, and one of their seven children, three of whom served in the war and lived to return to their homes. Robert Draper enlisted from this town among the first in Company E, 24th N. Y. Vols., and served about six months, when he was discharged for disability acquired in the service. Alfred Draper enlisted in Company C, 184th N. Y. Vols., in 1864, serving till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. The parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Draper, the father a native of London, Eng., and the mother of Manchester, Eng. They settled in Hannibal about 1835. Our subject, James Draper, married Servilla E. Pollock, a daughter of Robert and Mary Jane Pollock, of Fulton.

Towsley, Thomas J., was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y., August 19, 1826, a son of Thomas and Clarissa (Bemis) Towsley, both natives of Bennington, Vt. The father of Thomas was Hezekiah Towsley, a native of Vermont, his being one of three families that first settled in Ellisburg, where he died at the age of eighty-eight years. The subject's maternal grandfather, Samuel Bemis, came from Bennington, Vt., and was also an early settler of Ellisburg, where he died. The father of subject was a farmer ; he was a captain in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle at Sackett's Harbor; and both his grandfathers were in the war of the Revolution, Mr. Towsley being an aid to General Washington, and also was with Col. Ethan Allen at the taking of Ticonderoga Thomas the father died in Ellis- burg in 1858, aged seventy-eight, and his wife, Clarissa, died in 1854, in her fifty- second year. Thomas J. was reared on a farm and educated in the common school and in Belleville Union Academy, from which he graduated. He worked in a glass factory six years, but his principal occupation has been farming. In 1856 he came to Sandy Creek, and in 1857 bought a farm of 165 acres, which he now owns. July 21, 1893, his barns and farming tools were burned, and the same season he built as good a barn as there is in the town of Sandy Creek. He keeps a dairy of twenty-six cows. Mr. Towsley has been twice married; first to Phoebe M. Brown, by whom he had

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 102

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1410

Author: Churchill, John Charles, 1821-1905; Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925; Child, W. Stanley
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1410