Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 121

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 121

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Marsh, Homer P., M. D., was born in Granby, June 17, 1867, son of Edward C. Marsh, and grandson of Orsemus Marsh, who in 1830 removed from Greenfield, Mass., to Bowen's Corners in Granby. In the social and public affairs of that locality the Marsh family have always taken a leading part. E. C. Marsh married Martha A. Preston in 1851. Their children are Mary O., Victor E., Frank E., and our subject. Another son, Willis B., died in 1884. Victor is in New York, manager of the Dexter Folder Co., recently removed from Fulton. Frank is a physician of Brooklyn, having practiced for ten years in Fulton with great success. Homer began the study of medicine with Drs. Lee and Marsh at Fulton and graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1891. After six months of travel for a New York chemical house, during which time he married Miss Bertha Paddock of Fulton, he began prac- ticing here, where he already ranks high in his profession. One son, Robert P., was born April 25, 1893.

Worts, Mannister, of English ancestry, was born in London October 10, 1825, a son of Mannister C., who died in Toledo, O. The latter married Hannah Smythe, also born in England, who died aged seventy-two. Our subject was educated at Oswego, to which town he came at the age of nine years. After leaving school he learned the bakery business and when only sixteen had charge of his father's bakery. This he continued until 1886, when he was succeeded by his son. Mr. Worts was elected supervisor in 1858, which he held seven years, being once chairman of the board. In 1868 he was elected county clerk for three years, and was fire commissioner four years. In 1886 he was appointed chief assessor, which position he held nine years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He has been twice married since his first marriage in 1846, and has these children: Mannister C., born January 6, 1847, is in business in Oswego; Fred, born June 9, 1851, living in Toledo; George T., born April 19, 1853, resides in Leadville, Colo., where he is en- gaged in mining; Charles A., born October 10, 1858, lives in Rochester where he is engaged in book-keeping; Albert K., born January 1, 1860, succeeded his father in the bakery business; and Annie I., born November 27, 1868, who is a graduate of the Normal School class of 1892.

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Powell, Elisha B., was born in Saratoga, September 1, 1848, a son of George B. and Eliza (Daniels) Powell, both now deceased. The father was sheriff of Saratoga county at the time of the war. Elisha B. was educated at Williams College and graduated in the class of 1869. He first engaged in the lumber business, but in 1876 began reading law with Hon. John C. Churchill, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He began practice in Oswego, where he has ever since continued. He was city attorney in 1887 and 1888, and also superintendent of public warehouses and custom house 1877 to 1881. October 6, 1875, he married Addie M., daughter of Col. J. C. and Adeline F. (Gay) Wright, and their children are Joseph W., born February 15, 1877; George B., born March 8, 1879; and Grosvenor, born January 1, 1887, died August 23, 1890; Barclay, born December 17, 1893. Joseph W. is a student in Ann- apolis Naval Academy, class of 1897.

Hoff, Richard N., was born in Glen, Montgomery county, April 27, 1820, and was the youngest of eight children of Abram and Catherine Hoff. His father was a tanner, currier and farmer, but was killed when Richard was but two years old. After his death subject was brought up by an older sister, and at the age of fourteen learned the trade of miller in Amsterdam. In 1854 he became proprietor of a mill, but in 1866 first became actively engaged in the business. In 1859 Mr. Hoff left Iowa where he had been at work, and went to California where he operated the Golden Gate Mill in San Francisco, also the James Lick Mill for six months. In 1864 Mr. Hoff returned to Iowa, locating for a time at Cedar Rapids, and then came to Erie county, N. Y., where he lived till 1866. He then bought a mill in Cayuga county, and about four years later (1870) bought the old mill and privilege where now stands his large custom flour mill in Fulton. In Meridian, N. Y., in 1853, Mr. Hoff married Mary Bradt, and they have one son by adoption, H. E. Hoff, now in Buffalo.

Curtis, Willard, traces his paternal ancestry to an old Massachusetts family, and his father was one of the first settlers in the town of Hannibal, where Willard was born October 2, 1829. His mother was Emily Wheeler, whose father, then of Ver- mont, was an officer in the Revolutionary war. Willard Curtis in early life engaged in the transportation of grain upon the canals, and continued that business until 1874, when he became a permanent resident of Fulton, and a police officer. He has been for a long time one of the Fulton Board of Health, and a village trustee. His wife was Lydia, daughter of the late Salem D. Rector of Fulton, and sister of Jerome Rector. Bell J. Curtis is their daughter by adoption.

Cain, Stephen, of Granby, was born in 1844 at the old homestead where he now lives. He is the son of Stephen Cain, who came here in 1820, making his way through the wilderness by "blazed" trees, and who reclaimed with his own axe the farm of seventy-five acres. Our subject is one of a family of twelve children. His first wife was Lovina Ostrander, of Cayuga county, and at her death in 1879 she left three children, Cora, Grace, and Nettie. Cora married Jacob Dietrich of Granby, and Nettie married Ira Marlette, of Plainville, N. Y. His present wife is Mary, daughter of John Barlow of Granby, by whom he has one daughter, Jessie, born in 1881.

Crockford, William H., was born at Phoenix, November 29, 1848. Thomas and Jane Crockford came from Somersetshire, England, in 1847, settling first at Phoenix, and came to Granby a year later. They had three children, William being the elder

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of two sons. Thomas, the younger, is now a traveling salesman in the West, and Mary, the only daughter, married David Thomas of Lysander. In 1884 William purchased the farm where he now resides, and which his industry and skill in horti- culture has caused to appreciate largely, both in value and appearance. He married in 1872 Sarah Pierce of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, and their children are Carrie, Nellie, Charles, George and William. Nellie is now the wife of Willis Lapham.

Crockett, Samuel James, M. D., son of Hugh and Margaret (Boyd) Crockett, and grandson of James and Elizabeth (Galbraith) Crockett, was born in Baltimore, Md., January 12, 1837. His father was an elder in the old Scotch church (Covenanter). and removed his family from Baltimore to Sterling, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1838, mainly on account of his anti-slavery sentiments, which of course were not popular in a slave State. He was educated in the Red Creek Academy and Fairfield Colleg- iate Institute. In 1856 he went to Kentucky as a teacher, where he remained till December, 1861. He was a member of Clark County (Ky.) Home Guards, union, in 1861, and was present in the engagements at Mt. Sterling, Hazelgreen and Preston- burg (this was when Kentucky was neutral). While teaching in 1858 he began the study of medicine under the advice of Dr. B. De Witt, now of Oswego, pursuing his studies till November, 1862, when he enlisted in Troop A, First Regiment U. S. Cav- alry (old First Dragoons), and while with them was present at all the battles of the Army of the Potomac from Fredericksburg to Petersburg, went with Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley, was taken prisoner of war near Winchester August 17, 1864, and paroled in March, 1865. He was never wounded, but had six horses killed under him in action. He was, however, so broken down by the privations of prison life that he was never again fit for duty, and was discharged at Jackson Barracks, La., in December, 1865, having thirty-four battles endorsed and certified to on his papers of discharge. Returning home he resumed his studies of medicine and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia in March, 1867. He first located in Oswego, remaining till 1872, when he removed to Sandy Creek. Though always an invalid he has managed to perform a fair share of professional work, has been U. S. examin- ing surgeon for nearly twenty years, having been appointed in 1874, is a member of the Oswego County Medical Society, and the N. Y. State Central Medical Society. He has in his possession one of the last certificates of membership in the Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by Gen. U. S. Grant, during his last illness; a com- plete set of medical and surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, and also so far as published, the official records of the Union and Confederate services. He has also the plans of battles, maps, etc., of the war. In June, 1872, Dr. Crockett married Frances C. Doolittle, and of their three sons but one, Robert Lewis, survives. The others, Robert L. and Hugh, died in infancy.

Clarke, Michael A., was born in Ireland, September 18, 1846, son of Patrick and Mary (Riley) Clarke. The father was born in Ireland, as well as the mother, and both died in New York city, the father at the age of seventy and the mother in her sixty-eighth year. Michael came to America when two years old, settling in Pulaski. When eight years old he removed to Oswego, where he attended school. After this began to learn the shoemaker's trade, but leaving this, he worked as journeyman for Dunn, Hart & Co., for three years. He then opened a shop at 98 E. Bridge st., which he still continues, doing all kinds of repairing, and makes a specialty of odd

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shoes for cripples. He served in the State militia for thirteen years, and also acted as inspector of elections. He was also a fireman for six years.

Clarke, J. H., was born in Oswego, May 25, 1848. After sailing three years, he spent a year in Kingsford's packing room. He then spent sixteen years on the rail- road. He was next engaged in the grocery business at Hornellsville. After this he took up farming, and makes a specialty of thoroughbred trotting stock, being the first man to bring the Wikes breed into Oswego county. His father, Roland B. Clarke, is one of the old settlers and is eighty-one years old. The mother of Roland B. lived to be one hundred and fourteen years old. Mr. J. H. Clarke's mother was Isabella (Collins) Clarke.

Chase, E. H., was born in Minetto, May 2, 1860. He was educated at the Cazeno- via Seminary from which he graduated in 1887. He taught school for two years and then embarked in the general merchandise business in Minetto. In 1891 he married Addie Brown of Mexico. Mr. Chase's father was John Chase, his mother was Amelia Grautier. Mr. John Chase is postmaster at Minetto.

Curtis, Ira C., better known as Dr. Curtis, was born in Hannibal, April 12, 1849, and was the son of Ira and Amelia A. (Ormsby) Curtis. Both parents still live in Hannibal. Our subject graduated from the academy at Hannibal and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine with Dr. John Wiltsie, and later with Dr. E. H. Boyd and continued his study for two years, but never became a practicing phy- sician. He afterward studied dentistry and graduated from the Albany Dental College in 1872. Dr. Curtis at once began the practice of his profession at Fulton and has since been a resident of the village. His professional life has been very success- ful. He is interested in church and Sunday school work, having a class of fifteen or twenty young men under his charge, also being a trustee of the Presbyterian church. October 19, 1874, he married Laura H. Allen, then of Atkinson, Ill., but formerly of Hannibal.

Curtis, Darwin P., born at Auburn, N. Y., December 19, 1818, has lived an active life, most of which has been spent in Granby. His paternal grandfather was Philip Van Courtlandt, not only a prominent figure in the Revolution, but at one time a large owner in this immediate vicinity, and it is upon a remnant of that estate that our subject now resides. Darwin Curtis is the son of Artemas Curtis who located in Granby in 1819. He was one of the organizers of the town and was its first clerk. Darwin married in 1847 Sarah Miller of Oswego Falls, by whom he had three children, two died in infancy, and Eugene, born January 8, 1849. He married Frances Mead of Fulton and now operates the homestead farm. Mr. Curtis has but recently se- cured an authentic copy of the somewhat famous painting, representing Washington's farewell to his officers, with General Van Courtlandt in the foreground.

Caldwell, Henry M., M. D., of Pulaski, was born in Oswego county June 25, 1841, was educated in the common schools, and read law with Dr. Leonard. He then took a course of study in Burlington, Vt., and graduated in Buffalo in 1866. In 1861 he enlisted in the 8th Mich. Vols. and received an honorable discharge in 1863. He was steward in the hospital during his term of service. Returning home after the war he graduated, and began practice in Florence, coming to Pulaski in 1872. Dr. Caldwell is a Mason, a member of the G. A. R., and has served as medical appraiser of the

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Department of New York, also served on the staff of commander-in-chief several times.

Cole, James A., was born in Hannibal July 29, 1828, but has resided in the town of Oswego since he was a year and a half old. He has been forty-seven years on his present place. In 1849 he married Sarah E. Foster, and they have two children, Chauncey J. and Mary E., now Mrs. James Young of Oswego city. Mr. Cole's father was Jeremiah Cole, and his mother Betsey E. Cole. In August, 1864, Mr. Cole en- listed in the 184th Regiment, Co. C, and served until the close of the war.

Clapp, Byron G., who for many years has been identified with educational inter- ests in Oswego county, and to whom is due much of the honor of having made the schools of Fulton take high standing among the free schools of the State. was born in Onondaga county May 30, 1838, son of Thomas J. and Almira (Rose) Clapp, his father being originally a shoemaker, later a merchant and finally a farmer in Hast- ings. Byron was brought up on a farm and educated in Mexico Academy under Dr. French, now dean of Syracuse University. He also attended the Syracuse Univer- sity. Professor Clapp was four years principal of the school at Hannibal, fifteen years in a similar position at Phoenix, followed by a term of three years as school commissioner in the second district of Oswego county. In 1886 Prof. Clapp was called to the charge of the free school of Fulton. Reorganization was necessary, and in due time accomplished and the result of his labors in the village schools have placed them second in rank in the State. November 29, 1867, he married Mary, daughter of William Dickinson of Bernhard's Bay, by whom he has had four children, two of whom, Harriet B. and Raymond G., are now living.

Carley, Levi Birdsley, was born in the town of Hastings October 4, 1835, son of George L. and Anna Carley. He was educated in Hastings, and then went to work on his father's farm, and also assisted in the mill until he came to Parish in the fall of 1860. Mr. Carley's father cleared the homestead farm, where his son has resided for thirty-four years. Mr. Carley was married May 1, 1859, to Fannie Marie Veeder. They had three children, one died in infancy, two others are Cora A., married to Irving Parsons of Mexico, and Carrie M., married to Fred Cusick, residing in Parish. Mr. Carley has been elected assesor of the town two terms. He is a brother of Will- iam Carley, one of the oldest and most prominent merchants in Oswego county.

Crosby, Solomon H., was born in Parish October 15, 1838, son of William and Nancy (Hakes) Crosby. William Crosby was one of the earliest settlers in Parish. Subject was educated in Schroeppel, Parish and Onondaga county. He began work on a farm, then went to boating and rapidly rose to the position of engineer, which he left to conduct his farm of 250 acres, which is under a fine state of cultivation. He married Celia A. Nutting, and has five children, Frank C., Kittie L., Hartie, Harley and Rex.

Cross, Nelson, of Palermo, was born September 8, 1831, son of Richard Cross. The grandfather, Henry Cross, came to this country with Bergon and settled in Sar- atoga county, and was a mason by trade. Richard Cross married a daughter of Aaron Hickok of Saratoga county, and their children were Nelson, Sarah A., A. Henry, Andrew J., Esther Jane and Charles. Sarah A. and Esther Jane are deceased. The maternal grandfather, Aaron Hickok, was a native of Saratoga county. Our subject

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has always followed farming, and now has 160 acres, also has a dairy. He married Cylindy G. Keith, then a widow, daughter of Ransford Loomis, and they have one adopted daughter, Flora E. Subject was educated in the district schools.

Coville, Oscar, Palermo, was born May 9, 1839. His father, Nelson, was born in 1810. He came to Onondaga county in 1844 and married Annis Sabing, by whom he had these children: Luther (deceased), Edgar, Oscar, Franklin, Marion, George, Hiram, Wallace, and Francis and Celestia (deceased). He has been a resident of Oswego county about ten years. His first work in life was making salt barrels, which he followed fifteen years, then took up farming and at present has a fine farm and dairy. He was educated in the district schools of Onondaga county, and married in 1858 Sarah Clark. Their children are Willis, Franklin, and Harriet. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and also of the Grange.

Cheever, William M., a representative of one of the oldest New Haven families, was born in 1844 and has always resided on the old homestead. He belonged to the Huntington Guards seven years and to the Oswego Guards seven years. William M., the grandfather, came from Oneida county to New Haven in 1828, built and operated a saw mill, was a large land owner and died in 1843 aged seventy. Charles S., father of our subject, was the youngest of ten children, was born in 1818, lived on the old homestead, and died in 1884. His wife, Urcilla (Legg) Cheever, died in 1889. They had three children, William M., Charlotte L., now Mrs. Gilbert Larkins of Scriba, and Susan M., now Mrs. Jerome Derosia of New Haven.

Cronan, Mrs. Emma (Potter), was born in West Monroe, daughter of George and Miley (Eldred) Potter, who were among the earliest settlers of West Monroe. Mrs. Cronan was educated in West Monroe and Constantia, where she married Henry Cronan, then lived in West Monroe several years, and from there moved to Parish where her husband conducted a large farm. Mr. Cronan died June 8, 1892. He was noted for his energy and industry. His death placed the management of one of the largest farms in the county entirely in the hands of his widow, who has ably conducted it ever since. Her farm is remarkable for its fine dairy products. She has one daughter, Ida May, who married George Avery and has two children, Floy Estelle and Sadie May.

Connell, F. P., senior member of the firm of Connell & Patterson, Fulton, doing a large and growing busines in dry goods, carpets, and kindred lines, was born at Pulaski in 1852, and acquired a commercial education at Watertown. His first busi- ness association was with Francis Bacon in Fulton, continuing until the establishment of his own house in 1888. Mr. Connell is a business man of the best modern type, and has still found time to take among the Masons, in the M. E. Church, and in so- cial circles, a foremost place. His first wife, M. L. Fuller of Oswego, died in 1888, leaving one son, a jeweler at Potsdam, N. Y. The present Mrs. Connell was Myra Myers of Potsdam.

Corbit, James, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1857, is the son of James Cor- bit, also born in Ireland, where he died. Subject was educated in Ireland and came to the United States when seventeen years of age. He came to Pulaski, where he engaged in farming. November 20, 1885, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Ham- ilton and Susan Caldwell, and their children were Alice Louise, born December 18,

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1886; and Anna Belle, born April 8, 1888. The mother of subject was Jane Frances Corbit, who came to America and died in Oswego county in 1886, at the home of her son.

Cross, Gilbert L., was born November 9, 1850, in Pulaski, a son of Charles H., who was born in New England and died in Pulaski, aged seventy-five. The latter married Melissa -- , who was born in Oswego and died in Pulaski, aged sixty-three. Their children were Frank, Albert. Gilbert L., Sylvia, Martha, of whom the latter two survive. Charles H. was a civil engineer and speculator. Gilbert L. married Sophia Knapp, March 14, 1871, a daughter of Arville and Lovica Knapp of Jefferson county. He died January 3, 1890, at Pulaski. His widow was born in Jefferson county January 8, 1852. Her grandfather was Henry Knapp of Vermont, who died in Jefferson county aged eighty-eight. Her father, Arville, was born in Jefferson county, and died in Pulaski aged sixty-one. He married Lovica Sheldon, who died in Pulaski aged sixty-six, and their only child was Mrs. Cross, who occupies the prop- erty in Pulaski where her parents both died.

Carl, Elmer E., of Irish ancestry, was born in Onondaga county December 6, 1860. The grandfather, Edward, was born in Ireland, and died here aged eighty-five years. The father, John, was born in Ireland and died in New York aged fifty-nine years. He married Amanda Purdy, born in Dutchess county, and their children were John, Albert, Elmer E., Arthur, Ella, Eliza and Frank, of whom Eliza, Frank and Arthur are deceased. The father was an extensive dealer in stock. Subject was educated in Onondaga county, is a farmer and teamster. In 1880 he bought the farm known as the Wheelock farm, and since then has conducted general farming and dairying. In 1890 he embarked in the agricultural implement business, which he has since pushed with vigor and is the principal dealer in the town; also deals in fertilizers. He married, June 28, 1885, Allie Atkinson of Oswego county, daughter of John and Mary (Varoh) Atkinson, and they have one son, Howard, born March 20, 1892. When a young man Mr. Carl spent four years in the Indian Territory herding cattle. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

Caraher, Peter, of Irish extraction, was born in Kankakee, Ill., October 13, 1855. His grandfather was Patrick, born in Ireland, who came to this county and died in Utica, aged ninety-seven. The father of Peter, James, born in Ireland, came with his parents to this country and died in Oneida county, aged seventy-two. James married Mary --- , who died in October, 1834, in Illinois. Their children were Bernard, born in 1845; Elizabeth, born in 1847; Mary Ann, born in 1849; Frank, born in 1851; Peter, as above; Arthur, born in 1857, all now living. Two brothers of James were Catholic priests, one located in Middleport, Maine, and the other in Utica. Our subject was educated in Augusta, Oneida county. He ran a threshing machine for some time and then engaged in the hop-growing business. Later he removed to Oswego county and took up farming, at which he is still engaged. December 30, 1884, he married Mary A. Lawler of Albion, daughter of James and Catharine Lawler, and their children are Elizabeth, born June 17, 1887; Peter J., born January 15, 1889; James, who died in infancy.

Chamberlain, George Fremont, son of George and Harriet Chamberlain, was born in Oswego county June 12, 1861. His grandfather, Benjamin, was born in Massa-

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chusetts and died in Jefferson county, N. Y. His father, George, was born in Mass- achusetts and died in Oswego county, aged fifty-two, and his mother, Harriet, was born in Jefferson county, and died in Oswego county, aged fifty years. Their chil- dren were Addie, Hattie, Mettie, Frank, George F. and Emma. Frank died aged thirteen. Our subject was educated in the common schoo s and Pulaski Academy. He took up cheese making, and then farming, which he still follows. He married Irene Sharp in August, 1890. She is a native of Richland and a daughter of Nor- man Sharp. The children of our subject are Frank, Paul and Olga May.

Cushman, George, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1821, son of Henry Cushman of the same place, whose father was Nicholas Cushman of Altie, Germany. Henry, the father of George, was a farmer. His wife was Amelia Reiter, and their children were Amelia and George. The latter received a liberal education, is a man well versed in history, both ancient and modern. While in Germany he learned the cooper's trade, came to the United States in 1852, coming direct to Liverpool, where he followed his trade nine years, then came to Hastings where he purchased a small farm, and by his industry and economy soon owned seventy acres. In 1860 he mar- ried Christine Ott of Germany, and their children are Amelia, wife of Henry Mace of Palermo; Mrs. Julia Markham of New Haven; Mrs. Charlotte Baldwin of Hast- ings; Louise; and Emma, who is now teaching school.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 121

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