Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 118

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 118

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brother, enlisted in 1862 in Co. I, 147th N. Y. Vols., and served his time with the regiment, afterwards in the 16th Infantry and 9th Cavalry, regular army. He died in 1877, aged thirty, after fifteen years continuous service, and only twelve days be- fore the expiration of his term. Sarah, his only sister, married Frank Reiley and lives in Watertown, Jefferson county.

Jefferson, Franklin Hopkins, was born in Caughdenoy, January 16, 1858. His father, John Hopkins, was the son of Ebenezer Hopkins of Madison county, who was a farmer and noted as a breeder of fast horses. John Hopkins was married to Eliz- abeth Everson in 1838, and moved to Hastings about 1848, and kept wagon, black- smith and cabinet shops, and was also interested in the fisheries on Oneida River. They had ten children. John Hopkins died in 1864, and Jefferson, being the young- est son, remained with his mother till her death, which occurred in 1874. In 1878 he was married to Lettie Rhines of Caughdenoy, who died in 1888. During this period Mr. Hopkins was engaged principally in the fisheries. In 1889 he entered the mer- cantile business, and is at present interested in a large general store, coal yard and steamboat. In 1891 he was again married to Mary O'Connor, daughter of Thomas and Margaret O'Connor of Oswego. Two children were born of this marriage, John T., born May 24, 1892; and Thomas Wells, born August 2, 1894. In 1892 Mr. Hop- kins was elected supervisor of the town of Hastings, and made such a good record that he was the unanimous choice of the Republican party in 1893, and was re-elected by the largest majority ever given in that town, and was again elected in 1894 to represent the town for 1894 and 1895.

Redhead Edwin R., was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, N. Y., January 6, 1851, the son of Richard and Elizabeth (Barker) Redhead; the father a clergyman of the M. E. Church, and who in 1892 celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his min- isterial life. Both parents were of English birth and came to the United States after their marriage. Edwin R. graduated from Fairfield Seminary in 1869 and then en- tered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., but was forced to leave on account of illness. Later he entered Syracuse University as a sophomore from which he graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1874. He then began reading law with Judge Howland at Port Byron, N. Y., but after one year failing eyesight compelled him to abandon study, and he then went to Skaneateles where his father was stationed, and soon afterward was employed as traveling salesman for F. G. Weeks, which contin- ued five years. Purchasing part of what is now the Victoria Paper Mills Company, Fulton, N. Y., our subject became secretary, treasurer and manager, with his former employer, Mr. Weeks, as president. Many improvements and additions to power facilities and factory buildings were afterwards made by the company, in all of which Mr. Redhead was the foremost. After several years this partnership was dissolved. Mr. Redhead is now president of the company and its largest stockholder, and is as- sociated with J. H. Howe and W. S. Royce. Mr. Redhead is known to be a public spirited and generous man, especially devoted to church work. He was a delegate to the M. E. General Conference at Omaha in 1892, is one of the trustees of Syracuse University, and was one af the founders of the State street M. E. church at Fulton. May 23, 1877, at Port Byron, he married Sarah A., daughter of Israel Petty.

Allen, Harry A., senior partner of the firm of Allen & Mckinstry, men's furnishing house, who carry an elegant line of all goods in their line, has led a life of adventure

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in the far west. Born in Brooklyn in 1867, when his father, the late James M. Allen, was then a tea merchant, much of his boyhood was spent in New Mexico, where his father had become interested in mining, traveling widely for pleasure as well as profit. During the several years he was engaged in the shipment of cattle, Mr. Allen donned the traditional cowboy suit and learned by personal experience some of the rougher phases of life on the great plains.

King, Alexander, has for nearly half a century been a resident of Fulton, highly esteemed as a citizen and as a man of character and worth. His early life was one of much adventure. He spent the years 1849 and 1850 in the gold mines of Califor- nia, among hardships and real perils, the magnitude of which is difficult of realization in these days of transcontinental palace cars. Born at Cambridge, Washington county, in 1825, he was the eldest of eight children of Ira and Eliza King, who were of Connecticut ancestry. His earlier years were spent in teaching school, in which noble vocation he was eminently successful. Mr. King's first wife was Mary J. Smith of Washington county, who died without issue after two years of wedded life. He next married Emeline T. Chapman of Hannibal, who became the mother of three daughters, Edna A., Florence M., and May L. Florence died when about three years of age; the other daughters have been successful as teachers. Edna is the widow of the late H. E. Moore, coal and lumber merchant at Lyndonville, N. Y. May L. is the wife of Victor Loomis of Fulton, who is associated with the Fulton Machine Co as bookkeeper and shipping clerk. During the late war Mr. King spent three years in the volunteer service, enlisting as a private in Co. D, 147th Regt., was at once appointed orderly sergeant, and about a year later was promoted to first lieu- tenant, serving in that capacity until just before the close of the war, when he re- ceived captain's commission ; was severely wounded at Gettysburg, and was in the last strategetic move when Lee was compelled to surrender. After the war he was for eight years engaged in the business of raising flax. At one time he served as town superintendent of schools. At present he holds the position of school tax col- lector in Fulton. It goes without saying that his political adherence is to the party that looks after the good of all without regard to sex, sect, color or location, equal rights to all; in fact a real Amercan citizen.

Gage, William G., who was for many years known as one of Fulton's successful business men, was born in Madison county, February 17, 1823. His father died when William was an infant and the latter was brought up among relatives until he was fourteen years old. He learned the tanner's trade, but never followed it. After a while he came to South Hannibal and engaged in farming and later in the mercan- tile business in Hannibal. Iu 1849 he came to Fulton and was clerk for Palmer Ken- yon, later with R. T. Jones, and finally formed a partnership with C. B. Hancock under the firm name of Gage & Hancock. Later becoming sole proprietor, he con- tinued until the close of the war. He engaged in flour milling in 1868 with Isaac A. Graves, but soon succeeded to the entire business and later associated with D. M. Perrine, whom afterward he also bought out. His next partner was E. J. Carring- ton. The firm of W. G. Gage & Co. which is still recognized as one of the first in importance on the river, was formed in 1874 and comprised William G. Gage, Orin Henderson and Frederick A. Gage. William died July 5, 1892. Mr. Gage was a man of firmness and integrity and especially kind and liberal toward all poor and

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suffering humanity. He married in 1846 Julia A. Smith of Cambridge, N. Y., and their children were Florence M., who married Adolphus Bennett and died in 1879, leaving two children (William G. and Bert W.), and Frederick A. Gage, who married Helen Tucker June 19, 1872, and has one daughter, Dorothy.

Looker, Fred Austin, Mt. Pleasant, son of Oliver Looker of North Volney, was born at Burke, Franklin county, March 11, 1852. He is the younger of two sons; Frank, the elder, being a resident of New Haven. Mr. Looker's father removed to Volney about 1866. July 5, 1877, he married Ella, daughter of Andrus Ives, of Vol- ney. In 1886 he bought and removed to the S. P. Root farm at Mt. Pleasant, where he is still engaged in farming. Their children are Grace, born March 1, 1879, and Floyd, born September 10, 1888.

Seymour, Harry T., son of Lindley A. Seymour of Volney, was born January 16, 1862. His mother is of English birth. She was Hepsibah Hewitt, daughter of a Methodist clergyman, and came across the water when ten years old. There are two sons, Harry and Willard, the latter a farmer of Volney. In 1881 Harry Seymour was the choice of the Republicans of Volney for the office of highway commissioner, acquitting himself so creditably that he was re-elected in 1892, and the next year elected collector. Always loyal to his friends, no young man could be more popular than he, or boast a wider circle of warm personal friends. Of his first wife, Eunice S. Osborn of Volney, he was deprived by her untimely death March 24. 1885, after less than one year of married life. He was again married March 16, 1887, to Liza M. Foster, daughter of Darius Foster of Volney. They have one daughter, Mabel M., born July 27, 1889.

Bogue, John, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1839. His father, James Bogue, came to Montreal in 1846, with his wife, who was Lucy Lavelle, and their children. Three years later they came to Fulton. James Bogue was by trade a mill- wright and carpenter, and although a very modest and reserved man, was widely known as a master workman. He was long a trusted employee of Duryea & Co., both here and at Glen Cove, and foreman for various large contractors upon works of magnitude in the North and West. John Bogue has been a resident of Fulton since six years of age, and having learned the mason's trade has acquired a compe- tence by its practice. He laid the first stone of the magnificent Presbyterian church just completed, and the last brick also, having become famous for fearless scaling of lofty spires and stacks. In Oswego, August 15, 1859, Mr. Bogue married Anna Cummins, who is also of Irish birth, emigrating to America in 1849 at the age of seventeen years. Her living children are Henry, Frances, Annie E., Winifred, James W., and William J. One daughter, Mary F., died in 1864 at the age of three years. The children are very proficient in music as professionals and teachers, one daughter being a graduate of the Boston Conservatory.

Armour, O. E., was born in Volney in 1837, son of John and Caroline, of Scotch and Irish descent. Mr. Armour inherits the sterling qualities which distinguish the best of both races. He is a cousin of Philip D. Armour, of Chicago, and his only son, Fred E., who was born August 20, 1866, is now a valued employee of the Chi- cago magnate, having entered the office in 1892 as clerk. Mrs. Armour was Marietta W

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Cole before her marriage. A daughter, Carrie L,, died October 2, 1863. Mr. Armour has been town assesor for several years.

Wilber, Albert, son of Samuel and Louisa (Huggins) Wilber, was born in Granby in 1851. Samuel Wilber was one of the earliest settlers here. He was born in Dutchess county, and died here in 1874 aged sixty-two, leaving three daughters and two sons, Willard, the younger brother, being a resident of Hannibal. September 18, 1870, Albert married Nettie, daughter of James J. Fort of Bowen's Corners. Their oldest daughter, Linnie, is the wife of Bert Ware of Oswego Falls, the four younger children being Belle, Arlon, Leah and Fred.

Clark, Robert A., was born in Minetto, Oswego county, February 14, 1853, son of Myron S. and Mary J. (Weed) Clark. The father died at the age of thirty-nine. Robert A. was educated in Ballston, N. Y., and Burlington, Vt., and taught school at the latter place for two years. He then conducted a grocery store in Oswego for three years. After this he opened a carpet and upholstery business which he still continues, occupying the store at 198 West First street for the the past thirteen years. He is a member of Frontier City Lodge F. & A. M., Lake Ontario Chapter and Commandery, Oswego Consistory, and Media Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In 1878 he married Isabella, daughter of Robert and Jane (Rassmusser) Calvert of Cayuga county.

Cooley, Frank L., was born in Hannibal Centre, Oswego county, June 23, 1866, a son of Dr. Ricardo N. Cooley, who was born in Lewis county, and of Harriet I. Pasco Cooley, his wife, born in Cayuga county. The paternal grandfather, John Cooley, was born in Massachusetts, and the great-grandfather was a captain in the Revolu- tionary war and is mentioned in history. Frank L. was educated in the University of Buffalo, where he obtained the degree of M. D. in 1888. He practiced medicine with his father till July, 1889, when he removed to Oswego city, where he still re- mains and is well known as a successful physician. He has been intimately asso- ciated with the Oswego County Medical Society, being its secretary for three years; he is also one of the Board of U. S. Pension Examining Surgeons.

Post, Robert G., was born in Ontario, Canada, August 28, 1841, the oldest son of Matilda E. Bates and Jordan Post. His forefathers were Americans from Connecti- cut and Virginia, and both grandfathers served with distinction in the war of 1812. Robert G. was educated in Ontario; he came to Oswego in 1864 and commenced his business career as a lumberman in the office of Smith & Post. In 1866 he formed the firm of McChesney & Post, which continued two years, when a partnership was en- tered into with Washington T. Henderson, under the firm name of Post & Hender- son, which still exists. Mr. Post served in the 48th Regt. N. G. S. N. Y. as captain and inspector of rifle practice, and later as major of the regiment. He was one of the founders of the Home Electric Light Co., is president of the Oswego Board of Trade; also the Orphan Asylum, and secretary of the Oswego Gas Light Co. Jan- uary 9, 1868, he married Mary W. Harmon, oldest daughter of Mary L. Warner and Orville J. Harmon. Their children are Robert and Harold deceased. and Anna W., a student at Vassar Coliege.

Owen, Chas. H., a resident of Volney for half a century, was born in Onondaga, Onondaga county, April 28, 1827. He is a son of Daniel H. and Priscilla J. Owen,

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who removed from Onondaga to Hastings in 1835. Charles was engaged in the transportation of grain by canal from Oswego to New York until 1861, when he joined the army and served until the close of the war. Since that time he has been principally engaged in farming, and is now operating a dairy farm of 333 acres with W. S. Nelson of Fulton. In 1850 he married Harriet Curtis, daughter of the late Abner H. Curtis of Fulton, who was well known as a boot and shoe dealer in Hanni- bal and Fulton. They had one daughter, Idaletta, who was born in 1856 and died in 1858. They have by adoption one daughter, Mary Lois. Charles has always been a Democrat.

Laney, Elias, was born in Oneida county, town of Lee, April 12, 1828, a son of William, a native of Connecticut, born June 22, 1777, and served in the war of 1812. The grandfather Laney was killed in the Revolutionary war. William was a tanner and currier, and married Rachael Seymour of Connecticut, born May 12, 1783, by whom he had six children, our subject being the youngest and only survivor. He was educated in the district schools of Oneida county, and has always followed farm- ing, having taken also a prominent part in local politics. He has filled the offices of assessor and excise commissioner. March 14, 1852, he married Martha E. Perry, born in Lee, a daughter of Gideon and Eliza Perry, a family of prominence in their town. The children of our subject are James W., born November 20, 1853; Gideon A., born July 19, 1855; Carrie M., born September 23, 1864, who died April 11, 1866. Gideon A. is now in California in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe business. An uncle of Elias Laney was at one time governor of Conneticut.

King, Henry, one of the most substantial and respected citizens of the town, was born in Buckinghamshire, England, in 1854 and came to America in 1874. Beginning as a butcher in Granby, he now owns 300 acres of choice land, and still operates a large business in the shipment of various live stock to the principal markets, having been very successful in his business ventures. In 1878 Mr. King married Lydia, daughter of the late Martin Vandelinder of Granby, who was one of the earliest set- tlers in this region, and whose family name is one found often in the annals of Hol- land and Scotland. The children of Henry and Lydia King are Henry, born in 1880; Mary, born in 1882; Joseph, born in 1883, and Frederick, born in 1885.

Austin, W. H., was born at South Albion, Oswego county, April 2, 1846. His paternal grandfather was Jeremiah Austin, a native of Vermont, where his father, Jonathan Austin, was born January 26, 1809. He removed to South Albion in early boyhood, was a farmer, and died September 30, 1871; at Sand Bank. j His maternal grandfather was David Cowing, a native of Massachusetts, whose ancestors were New Bedford whalers. When his daughter, Deborah, born March 10, 1808, was a young girl he removed to a farm in Mexico, where she resided till her marriage to Jonathan Austin, March 6, 1834. They had eight children: David Penfield, born January 17, 1835; Lucy Helen, born March 12, 1837; Mary Elizabeth, born Novem- ber 26, 1839; John Wesley, born November 11, 1842; an infant son, born November 1, 1844; William Henry, born April 2, 1846; Thomas Jefferson, born August 5, 1848; and Harriet Newel, born January 7, 1851. Of these eight four survive: D. P., a physician in New York; Lucy H. (Mrs. William Brown), of Pulaski; Mary E. (Mrs. G. M. Bumpus), of Holmesville, N. Y .; and William H., of Pulaski. The parents were members of the M. E. church; the father was a Democrat, but voted for Lin-

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coln in 1860. After his death his widow lived with William H. until her death, April 29, 1889. William H. was educated in the public school at Sand Bank; at the age · of eighteen he began teaching, which he followed for several successive winters, at- tending Pulaski Academy the fall and spring terms and working on the farm through vacations. He was valedictorian of his class, July, 1867. After leaving school he fol- lowed farming several years, and then entered the employ of the R. W. & O. Rail- road and after earning promotion through several grades, he was appointed station agent at Pulaski, which position he now holds. He is a Republican, but has at times acted with the Prohibitionists. He is a Mason, a member of the lodge and chapter at Pulaski; he has been master of the Lodge and E. K. of the Chapter, and is also a member of Lake Ontario Commandery K. T. of Oswego and Media Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Watertown. He is also a member of the Sons of Tem- perance, and of the Congregational church, of which he has been trustee and deacon ; is at present a member of the Board of Education. October 12, 1882, he married Alta J., daughter of C. R. Maltby, whose ancestors came from England. On her mother's side she is descended from the Scotch Campbells. She is actively engaged with her husband in church and temperance work. They have one daughter, Ruth Maltby, born August 23, 1883.

Birdsall, J. B., proprietor of the Birdsall Bakery in Fulton, which was established in 1864 by his father, Morgan L. Birdsall, who was also born here and was the pio- neer manufacturer of tubs and pails in this place. J. B. Birdsall was born in Fulton in 1855, and educated at Falley. He at one time conducted a confectionery business in Chicago. In 1889 he located at 9 Cayuga street, and is a leader in that line. He married Miss Jennie E. Bradt of Oswego in 1886.

Pentelow, W. J., born in New York city, May 8, 1841, and at the death of his par- ents, before he was eleven years old, he found a home with his uncle, Jacob C. Thomp- son of Granby, and for several years followed the rather hard life incident to the farmer boy of that period, attending school at Falley Seminary at such times as he could be spared from the farm. When about seventeen went to learn harness mak- ing with M. W. Pruyne & Co., remained with the firm until May, 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, of the 24th Infantry ; was sent to the hospital in September, 1862, and was discharged from there two months before the expiration of his time. In 1865 went to Syracuse and learned trunk making, which trade he followed until 1877, when he entered the county clerk's office as recording clerk; in 1878 was promoted to deputy. From 1880 to 1885 he was engaged in various clerical capacities at Fulton until appointed under sheriff, January 1, 1885; held the office until July, 1886, when he was again appointed deputy county clerk, holding that office during two adminis- trations; and in January, 1892, took possession of the office as county clerk. At the expiration of his term was again appointed deputy, January 1, 1895. Mr. Pente- low was married to M. Gertrude Van Buren in 1873, and now resides in the village of Fulton.

Rowlee, J. N., was born in Fulton, January 23, 1847, son of George W. and Jane (De Mott) Rowley, who came here at an early date from Groton, Tompkins county. Of their five children, Jasper is the only one living. In 1867 he married Sarah, daughter of Eli Distin of Volney. Their children are Willard, a professor of botany

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in Cornell University, his own alma mater; George, a farmer at Niles, Mich .; Mel- vina, wife of Lewis Ives of Volney; Eugene and Delos, who are yet at home. Of the Grange and the M. E. Church of Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Rowlee is an honored and influential member.

Taylor, William E., late of Fulton, was the founder of one of its most important industries, the Taylor Brothers Knife Works. He was born at Windsor, Vt., in 1817. He first located at Chicopee Falls, Mass., making their various specialties in edged tools. During the late war he received large government contracts for swords and small arms. In 1863 he came to Fulton and began the manufacture of machine knives at the upper bridge, removing the plant three years later to its present loca- tion, and during the succeeding twenty years built up and operated a large and in- creasing business, in which his eldest son, H. L., is now associated. Mr. Taylor re- tired from the factory to a farm in Volney in 1886, where his latter years where spent. His death in 1889 was mourned by Fulton as a personal loss. His first wife was Susan Whiting of Bellows Falls, Vt., mother of four children, of whom H. L. alone survives. His second marriage, in 1867, was to Sarah Lambert Moss, who was born at Bethlehem, Conn. Their only child is William E., born in 1872, who is engaged in business as a machinist and repairer of bicycles near his home on Fourth street.

Gillespie, W. W., was born at New Haven, March 27, 1859, son of the late John C. Gillespie, born at Richland, Oswego county, in 1810. John first came to New Haven. and then to Volney in 1867, where he purchased and improved the farm now occupied by his son, which consists of forty acres of the choicest land in the locality. He died April 13, 1886. He was a man of mark, prominent in church and society. He held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace. His widow, now living with her son, William, was Martha W. House, of an old Connecticut family. William, like his father, is a devoted adherent to the Republican platform. In 1883 he married Char- lotte J. McCraken. Their children are Albert McC., John C., William W., Helen E., and Florence M.

Davis L. F., of Oswego Falls, is the son of the late Peleg Davis, who settled in New Haven as early as 1801. L. F. Davis married Belle M., daughter of Henry Stacy, who kept the hotel in New Haven for thirty years, and was also propristor of various other hotels, and a man of much prominence in the community, having served as jus- tice of the peace for a long term of years. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were married Decem- ber 8, 1869, and for many years conducted the Broadway Hotel at Oswego Falls. They have had two children: Eva Belle, who died August 2, 1888, aged seven years; and Fannie L., wife of Erwin L. Van Buskirk of Syracuse, by whom she has two sons, William F. and Charles E. Mr. Davis is now a traveling salesman, represent- a New York furnishing house, and his family occupies a pleasant home on Fourth street in Oswego Falls.

Albring, Joseph, was born in Butler, Wayne county, in 1841, and came to Hanni- bal in 1870. He enlisted in Co. H, 81st Regiment, N. Y. Vols., September 13, 1861, and was with that regiment three years and was discharged in September, 1864. He went out as first corporal, and was promoted to second sergeant. He married Cath- erine E., daughter of Henry Van Sanford of Sterling Valley, Cayuga county, and they have two children, Elmer S. and Adella D. Elmer S. married Bertha Clark.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 118

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