Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 107

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 107

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Woodard, Charles B., was born in Boylston in 1837, his father's family having moved there the year before from Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y. His father, John Woodard, originally came from Vermont. He married Phebe Brown, also of Vermont. They had one daughter, who died in infancy, and seven sons, three of

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whom served in the Civil war. Orson J., now living in Mannsville, Jefferson county, served as lieutenant in the 147th N. Y. Vols. ; Ezra, now residing in Buena Vista, Col., served in the 110th N. Y. Heavy Artillery; Otis, now living in Webster City, Ia. ; and William in Saguacha, Col; Melvin in Sandy Creek, N. Y .; Orestus at Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., who died December 10, 1888. Charles B. enlisted in the 147th Regiment in August, 1862, and served until the close of the war. He received a serious injury and was transferred to the Invalid Corps and did garrison duty afterward. He mar- ried Harriet J., daughter of Barnum Ostrum, in 1859. Their children were Edgar J., Fred B., and Naomi. Edgar married Jennie, daughter of J. A. Oderkirk; they reside in Ellisburg, and have one son, Merton Fred B. died in 1878. Naomi mar- ried Orla, son of James Tilton, October 3, 1894, and now lives at her father's home in Boylston.

Simons, George G., was a son of Paul G., born in Florence in 1805, who was a son of Abner, who came from Connecticut. In 1849 Paul came to Redfield and settled on a farm in the north part of the town. He married Jane Sweet, of Camden. Her daughter, Frances, by a former marriage married Jacob Shorey and went to Iowa. Paul spent his life on a farm and working at the trade of cooper. He died in 1878, and his widow afterward married Sylvester Williams of Oneida county. George G. was born in 1846, attended the district school, and learned the cooper's trade. He enlisted in Company E, 189th Regiment, in September, 1864. His first experience at the front was at City Point. He was at Petersburg and Appomattox, in the Weldon Railroad raid, and finally in the Grand Review at Washington. He then came home and worked at his trade of cooper, making cheese boxes, and worked in the tannery. In 1869 he went into the mercantile business in a small way, Burkitt & Simons being the style of the firm. This was changed to Sexton & Simons, and in 1876 Mr. Simons was alone. His success in business has been marked. He has a large store, deals in land, carries on a dairy farm of 487 acres, and is one of the leading men of the town. He was once collector of the town, and postmaster under Harrison. He married Eliza J., daughter of J. James Petrie, and has three children : Walton G., Andrew G., and Hallie J.

Bacon, Dr. Charles J., one of Camden's leading physicians, was born in Fulton, Oswego county, in 1844, and is a son of the well known Dr. Charles G. Bacon, of Fulton, who was born in Trenton, Oneida county, in 1814, and who has for over fifty years been in active practice in Fulton. His wife was Mary M. Whitaker, by whom he has two children living, Dr. Charles J. and Francis E., of Fulton. Charles attended the Hobart and Geneva Colleges and later graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1864. The last year of the war he was examining surgeon in Oswego, and after the close of the war he practiced his profession two and one- half years in Fulton. The following ten years he practiced in Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer county. The next ten years he practiced in Williamstown, where he served as supervisor. Since 1886 he has been a resident in Camden, where he has established an extensive practice. He has taken an active interest in the welfare of the village; has been trustee and is at present health officer. Dr. Bacon has been president of the Oswego Medical Society, of which he is a member, also a member of the Oneida Medical Society and of the New York State Medical Association, member of several secret societies, and he is president of the Commercial Union Co-operative

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Bank at Camden. In 1863 he married Mary March, a niece of Prof. Alden March, president of the Albany Medical College, and they had one daughter, who died when she was two years of age.

Bacon, Charles G., was born in Trenton, Oneida county, October 20, 1814, son of Heman and Olive Boss Bacon. After receiving an academic education he taught school some eight years He read medicine with Dr. Smith in Syracuse, and Dr. N. R. Tefft of Onondaga Hill, where he had the benefit of practice and post mortems in the poorhouse of the county. He also attended the Albany Medical College, and was licensed to practice by the State Medical Society in February, 1841. In the June following Dr. Bacon settled in Fulton to practice his profession, and has since been a resident of the village. Early in his practice his office was well supplied with library, instruments, etc., for that early day in a new country, and by his untiring devotion to his calling his practice soon became large, extending into adjoining towns. In 1846 he attended a term of instruction in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York. In 1852 he was a delegate to the New York State Medical Society from the Oswego County Medical Society for four years, and was made a permanent member of the State Society in 1858, and was one of its censors for many years. In 1856 he received the degree of M. D. from the Regents of the State of New York. In 1842 he was commissioned as hospital surgeon with rank as major in the 43d Brigade of Infantry of the State of New York by the governor, Wm. H. Seward. In 1856 Dr. Bacon became a member of the American Medical Associa- tion at its meeting in Philadelphia, and still remains a member. In the New York Central Medical Association he has been a member since 1869 and has acted as one of its chairmen. He became a member of the Oswego County Medical Society in 1842, is now its oldest member, and has held all its offices at various times. Dr. Bacon has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church for some sixty years. He has been an ardent supporter of the schools in the village, acting as trustee many years; was quite prominent in building and supporting the Falley Seminary of Fulton. In May, 1843, Charles G. Bacon married Miss Mary M. Whitaker, of Fulton, N. Y., by whom he has had three children, Charles J., now a physician in Camden, N. Y. ; Francis E., a business man of Fulton, and Mary, who died aged sixteen.

Fitzgerald, Frank W., is a son of Joseph who came from New York and settled on a farm in Lorraine, Jefferson county, in 1837. He served in the Mexican war. He has held the office of inspector of election and overseer of the poor. He was always active in church matters and was the principal assistant in having the church built, which is one mile east of his home. He has held the office of senior warden ever since. Frank was born in Lorraine in 1852, and was brought up on the farm. He married Drucilla, daughter of James Fisher, of Orwell. He moved to Orwell in 1883, living a year and a half in the village and then moved to his present farm in the northern part of the town. He has a farm of ninety-two acres. His family consists of Arthur, born November 4, 1879, and Ada, born July 14, 1882.

Higgins, John D., was born in Oswego city, June 9, 1858, and educated in Oswego public schools and Oswego State Normal School. In 1877, at the age of nineteen, he commenced the study of law in the office Rhodes & Richardson, composed of Charles Rhodes and Charles T. Richardson, both able and noted lawyers. He was admitted

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to the bar in October, 1880, and continued in Rhodes and Richardson's office, and upon the death of Mr. Richardson in 1882 a new firm was formed by Mr. Rhodes associating with himself Hon. S. Mortimer Coon and John D. Higgins, under the firm name of Rhodes, Coon and Higgins. The firm during its existence had an extensive law practice. It was dissolved in March, 1890, by the withdrawal of Mr. Rhodes, who died in February, 1891. The business was continued under the firm name of Coon & Higgins until September 1, 1891, when Mr. Higgins withdrew from the firm and the practice of the law, to engage in the active business of the Oswego Starch Factory, in which corporation he had been a trustee since June, 1888, and is now con- nected with the management of the company. In March, 1887, he was appointed city attorney and served one term. In March, 1894, he was elected mayor of the city of Oswego on the Republican ticket. In 1889, June 6, he married Virginia May Kingsford, only daughter of Thomson Kingsford, of Oswego.

Hinman, William M., was born in Richland January 13, 1841. His grandfather, William E., of Connecticut, came to Richland, where he died aged ninety-six. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Henry, father of William M., was born in Richland in December, 1810, and is still living. He married Ursula Fox, also born in Richland, and who died there aged sixty-five. Their children were Martha, Melissa, William M., Luke J., and Dora F., of whom Luke and Martha are deceased. William M. was educated in Richland common schools and Union Academy, Bellville, Jefferson county, and in 1862 enlisted in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, from which he was dis- charged on account of sickness. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Grange. In 1866 he married Frances A., daughter of William H. and Mary Lester of Richland. Their children are Mary, born in 1867; Nellie, born in 1869; Henry, born in 1870; Mattie, born in 1872; Albert, born in 1874, who died in infancy, and Florence, born in 1877. Mary married Charles Field; and Henry is a farmer on the homestead. Mr. Hinman now owns and resides on the old homestead, where father, son and grandson, three generations, all live in the same house.

Brown, F. N., was born in Jefferson county, February 23, 1834, and came to New Haven, Oswego county, in 1843. In 1856 he married Ellen E., daughter of Mark Smith, of Mexico. In 1865 he came to Scriba, where he has since lived. His princi- pal occupation has been farming. They have two children: Laura E., wife of Frank J. Switzer, of Oswego Falls, and Harriette E., wife of Thomas O. Turner, of Scriba. Mr. Brown's father was Avery O. Brown, and his mother was Eliza M. Whitney.

Snow, Col. Aaron, was born in North Conway, Mass., a son of Moses Snow of Puritan connection. Aaron came to New York about 1807 and settled at Constantia, where he married Zilpah, daughter of Major Warring, and their children were Ephraim, Electa, Nathan, James, Leonard, Orris, Anna and Mary, the first and last surviving. January 12, 1836, Ephraim married Electa Rose and by her had these children: Albert J., Helen A,, George W., Edwin O., Roxie A., and Franklin. Albert J. was born in Hastings May 5, 1838. He was educated in the district school, and at Mexico Academy and when eighteen years old was employed in a store at Brewerton. After about four years he took a half interest in the business and was so engaged at the outbreak of the war. September 3, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 149th N. Y. Vols., and served three years. At Chancellorsville he was severely wounded and after

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leaving the hospital was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps and assigned to duty at General Halleck's headquarters at Washington, where he remained as clerk fifteen months. He was mustered out of service September 1, 1865. Mr. Snow went to Philadelphia and engaged to travel in the South and West for two years, after which he was for three years bookkeeper in a Philadelphia hardware house. He then went to Saltsville, Va., in the private bank of George W. Palmer, where he remained ten years, spending the following three or four years in the manufacture of tobacco at Abington, Va. Returning to Fulton he bought the hardware stock of John H. Woodin which he has since successfully conducted. In 1868 Mr. Snow married Louise E. Palmer, by whom he had five children.

Youmans, Amos, was born in Coxsackie, April 15, 1845, and about six months later with his parents, Lewis and Isabel Youmans, became, and has ever since remained, a resident of Fulton. He was educated at the common schools and at Falley Semin- ary. At the age of fourteen he began work in a starch factory at Battle Island and was afterwards for several years employed as a clerk by the late Hon. John J. Wol- cott. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. A, 184th N. Y. Infantry, participated in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, and in December, 1864, was detailed as a clerk to the adjutant of his regiment, acting in that capacity until the close of the war. In 1865 he returned to Fulton and became bookkeeper in the First National Bank, was made teller in 1868, assistant cashier in 1872, and in 1880 was appointed cashier, which position he now occupies. Mr. Youmans has held the offices of town clerk. village trustee and treasurer, was for several years secretary of the Oswego Falls Agricultural Society, and is now serving his third year as commander of Daniel F. Schenck Post, G. A. R., having previously served one year as senior vice-commander. He has been connected with the Board of Education since 1874 and is now its secre- tary and treasurer. April 24, 1867, he married Mary L. Croake, of Fulton. They have had four children, three of whom are living.

Vowinkel, Christopher J., was born in Oswego, October 27, 1861, son of Christo- pher, born in Germany and died in Oswego at the age of forty-one, and Barbara (Snyder) Vowinkel, who was born in Germany and died in Oswego at the age of fifty-three years. The father served in the Crimean war in the German army. Christopher J. was educated in Oswego, took a course in Long Island Medical Col- lege. also took a degree as licensed pharmacist in the State Board. When thirteen years old he began in the drug store, after leaving school, and worked about a year, After this he sailed one year. Then he read medicine with Dr. Mease, assisting him for nine years. In 1888 he was made coroner of Oswego and still holds that office. In 1889 he opened a drug store on East First street, remaining there until 1891, when he removed to 21 W. Bridge street, which he still occupies, doing a large prescription business, besides carrying a large line of patent medicines, etc. He is a member of St. Joseph's Society and secretary and manager of the 48th Separate Co. Band. In October, 1883, he married Marie L., daughter of James Sears, of Oswego. They have one child, John H., born November 8, 1885. Her father was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Vowinkel is the possessor of no ordinary degree of musical tal- ent, and has been for years a member of the John R. Pierce Quartette, also a mem- ber of the German Saengerbund Society.

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Sherman, Albert E., was born in Sandy Creek July 19, 1846, a son of Elijah, born in Little Falls, N. Y., who died aged thirty-seven, and Prudence Cole, born in Mari- etta, Ohio, who died aged sixty-nine. Their children were: Franklin O., Hymeneus E., Sarah E., Albert E., Oscar G. and Julia P. Albert was educated in Sandy Creek, and was a clerk until 1864, when he enlisted in the 189th N. Y. Vols., Co. E, serving till the close of the war. He was present at Lee's surrender, and was dis- charged at Washington and mustered out at Elmira, N. Y. He clerked for a time, then went to Mannsville, where he had charge of the post-office for two years. Re- turning to Sandy Creek he began working in the marble yards of Warriner & Soule, then in 1871 managed a drug store for two years, the firm being A. E. Sherman & Co. He then bought an interest in the marble yard, and with the marble business commenced the manufacturing of granite memorial work, which he has continued to the present time, the different firms being Wright & Sherman; Wright, Sherman & Wart; Wright & Sherman; Sherman & Allen, and Sherman & Hollis, the present firm. They have several salesmen on the road and ship their goods all over New York State, turning out annually about $25,000 worth, the principal granites used being Barre and Quincy and some coming from Scotland. Mr. Sherman is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. Post No. 217, and Sandy Creek Lodge No. 564 F. & A. M., also Pulaski Chapter. May 7, 1876, he married Frances H., daughter of Major Minot A. and Helen (Wood) Pruyn, the former a soldier in the late war. The children of Mr. Sherman are Maude, Hattie and Nora. Maude married Fred N. Sargent, a mer- chant of Sandy Creek; Hattie married Chena A. Powers a printer; and Nora is a graduate of Sandy Creek High School, residing at home. Mr. Sherman has served as president of the village, trustee, water commissioner, and a director in the gas company.

Snyder, Daniel A., was born at Boylston in 1832. His grandfather, John, and a brother came to this country from Germany when young men. Both served in the war of the Revolution. After the war, John married and settled in Herkimer county. He raised a family of six, among whom was Abraham, who married Lena Shoecraft and came to Boylston. He was a farmer and carpenter. Some years later he moved to the center of the town where he died. His children were Matthew, Margaret, Abraham, John W., Sally M., Rachel, Henry J., Daniel A., William A. Daniel has always lived in Boylston, except seven years spent in Wolcott. He married Anna M., daughter of Rev. Allen Ridgeway. Their children are Allen D., who married Anna E. Ridgeway and has two ceildren, Daniel and Ruby; Martha, Mrs. E. J. Dingman, Syracuse; Mina, Mrs. James English, E. Boylston; Minnie, Mrs, J. W. Crandall, Orwell; and Maggie, Mrs. Ely Craft. Mr. Snyder enlisted in 1862 in the 110th Regiment and served until the close of the war. He has held the office of town collector and postmaster.

Stephens, John D., was a native of Otsego county, born at Cooperstown, August 25, 1798. He came to Volney in 1837 and located in Fulton in 1839. He worked at his trade, wool carding and cloth dressing, for several years in Fulton, and after- wards was in the grocery business. He was county superintendent of the poor two or three terms, and was justice of the peace of Volney for sixteen years. He died in 1877 aged seventy-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail F. Crombie, died in 1881 aged eighty-two years. They had five children who grew to maturity:

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Emiline O., wife of Capt. John De Forest, 81st N. Y. Vols. ; Melvin F. and William C., both lawyers in Fulton; Elizabeth, who married Dr. Scollard of Clinton, N. Y .; and John J., now in the second auditor's office of the United States Treasury Depart- ment. Melvin F. Stephens was born October 11, 1826, received an academic educa- tion, read law with J. Ames Crombie and also with Judge Tyler, and was admitted to practice in 1859. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. B, 12th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, served three years, and was mustered out as quartermaster-sergeant July 19, 1865. While residing in the village of Oswego Falls after the war Mr. Stephens served two terms as police justice and justice of the peace. He is now a resident of Fulton, and in the practice of his profession. In 1868 Mr. Stephens mar- ried Electa D. Peer. They have no children.

Stranahan, Nevada N., was born in Granby February 27, 1861, and was the oldest of three children of Smith and Lucelia (Huggins) Stranahan. He is of Irish extrac- tion. The grandfather of our subject came to Oswego county from New England early in the present century and was one of its pioneers. Mr. Stranahan was brought up on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools and Falley Semi- nary at Fulton. He read law with Pardee & Piper; attended Columbia Law School, and was admitted to practice January 11, 1884. Soon afterward he formed a law partnership with Sheldon B. Mead, and when the latter was elected district attorney Mr. Stranahan was made his assistant, serving three years. In 1890 the law firm of Mead, Stranahan & Spencer was formed and continued about one year. In 1891 Mr. Mead withdrew and the present firm of Stranahan & Spencer was formed. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Stranahan was elected to the Assembly, representing the first Oswego district, and during the session of 1890 was chairman of the committee on privileges and elections, and also served as member of other committees of the House, among them the judiciary. Re-elected for the session of 1891, and again in 1892, Mr. Strana- han served on the judiciary, codes and claims committees, and was prominently con- nected with the Maynard investigation and proposed impeachment. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Stranahan was elected district attorney of the county, which office he now holds. April 30, 1885, he married Elsie, daughter of H. H. Merriam of Granby, and they have had three children, one now living, Daniel M.

Stevens, James, retired confectioner and paper hanger in Oswego Falls, is a native of London, England, where he was born in 1838 and where his father, William Stevens, followed the business of butcher and retailer of meats. Esther Stevens, the mother of James, is still living in the village of Fulton, and is now eighty-two years old. Of her ten children, five came to America, two sons dying in Utica. One daughter, Mrs. Wm. Turner, resides in Utica, and another, Mrs. Edward Breads, in Fulton. Leaving London at ten years of age James Stevens resided in Utica until 1861, where he learned the trade of confectioner, which business he followed at Ful- ton for more than twenty-one years. In 1883 he closed out his business in Fulton and purchased property in Oswego Falls, building a residence at No. 31 First street. March 2, 1857, he married Mary Breads, also born in England. She died in January, 1884, and May 4, 1885, he married Rhoda Cole, of Phillipsville, Canada. Mr. Stevens is at present one of the Board of Health, and for eleven years was secretary of Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 144; Fulton Chapter, R. A. M., No. 167 for ten years; and has held other elective offices in the same. He joined the Neahtowanta Lodge, I. O.

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O. F., No. 245, in January, 1873, in which he has also held all the elective offices, being now permanent secretary. He is a charter member of Fulton Encampment I. O. O. F., and secretary and charter member of Canton Bentley, of Fulton. He was a member of Konoshiona Encampment of Oswego for seventeen years, withdrawing when the Fulton Encampment was started. He was a representative to Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. in New York and again in Syracuse. He was representative to Grand Encampment in Ithaca, and to Odd Fellows' Home in Lockport. He is also a trustee of the Congregational Church of Oswego Falls, and clerk of the board.

Tallcott, Cyrus Sayles, was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1836. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Bennington county, Vt., where they resided for fifteen years, when they removed to Constantia, Oswego county, N. Y. In 1851 Mr. Tall- cott married Catharine, daughter of John C. Warn, and in May, 1864, moved to Parish where he has since resided. During the early days Mr. Tallcott kept a hotel in Constantia and later was the proprietor of the Martin House in this place. He was also with a Syracuse business firm for four years in the capacity of traveling salesman. In 1877 he established a wholesale liquor business in Parish. Mr. Tall- cott is one of the prominent merchants of Oswego county, whose trade is not con- fined to that but extends over half a dozen adjoining counties. He has two sons, both of whom are in business with him; serving at the start as clerks, they have earned and secured a partnership entirely through their own industrious and intelli- gent efforts. Mr. Tallcott is prominent in Masonry, being a member of the York Scottish and Egyptian Rite, and in addition belongs to the Order of the Mystic Shrine. Prominently identified with Republican politics, his efforts are greatly ap- preciated by his party, in whose highest counsels he is a trusted confidant. Mr. Tallcott is a man of large and comprehensive ideas, who impresses his individuality on those with whom he comes in contact. His successful mercantile career has afforded him an ample fortune. He has two sons: Frank Nelson, and Claude F., both in partnership with him in his business.

Tremain, Charles, was born in Fayetteville, Onondaga county, April 23, 1843. His father was Porter Tremain, his grandfather Judge Tremain. After completing his education he was engaged in business on Wall street, New York city. He then em- barked in the manufacture of paper at Manlius, N. Y., and later in Springfield, Mass. In 1879 he came to Oswego to take an active partnership in Minetto Shade Cloth Company, located at Minetto. In the past fifteen years this concern has grown from a modest beginning to very extensive proportions. In 1883 he married Esther H. Jackson, daughter of Peter A. H. Jackson of New York. He is a thirty-two degree Mason, Scottish Rite. He has been a member of Assembly from Onondaga county.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 107

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