Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 125

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 125

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Kendrick, Joseph L., was born in Yarmonth, Mass., January 1, 1847, a son of Ben- jamin C., who was a seaman from nine years of age until his death in 1882 aged sixty-five years. His wife was Julia Evens, and their children were Calvin S., Har- riet, Julia H., Benjamin C., Joshua, May H. and Gertrude A. Our subject began for himself as a seaman on the Atlantic when fourteen years of age, and in July, 1862, enlisted in Co. E, 43d Regiment Mass. Inft., serving thirteen months, during which time he was in the battles of Kingston, Goldsborough and Whitehall, N. C. Upon his return from the war he went on board a merchantman and remained four years. During a terrible storm while at sea the rigging was all washed away from the ship, and he with the crew lashed themselves to the ship and were tossed about for eight days without food or water. In 1868 he came to Constantia and thence to Michigan. Two years later he returned and purchased his present farm. Mr. Kendrick has served as inspector several terms, school tax collector six years, and other minor of- fices. He is a member of Lewis Post, G. A. R. In October, 1869, he married Sally Ann, daughter of Ebenezer Phillips. She was a school teacher in Constantia for sev- eral years. They have one child, Arthur Reed, born in 1879.

Kingsford, Hon. William E., of English ancestry, was born in Oswego January 2, 1859, a son of Henry Kingsford, born in England, who died in Oswego aged forty- eight, and of Sarah Aldridge, also a native of England, who died here aged sixty- three. Henry was a manufacturer, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Will- iam E. was educated in the public schools, and did clerical work in the starch factory, then was appointed superintendent of the gas company, which position he still holds. A meeting was held in April, 1852, at the office of Luther Wright, to organize a gas industry, and Mr. Wright was elected president. S. P. Ludlow was made secretary, and the directors were D. O. Littlejohn, O. J. Harmon, H. D. Ludlow; the company was formed and $65,000 in stock was taken by the members of the board, and in 1852 the contract for building the works was let, in December of that year gas was turned into the mains, and has never been stopped up to the present time. The output at

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first was about 6,000 feet per day. They now have twenty-one miles of pipe, with a gas meter capacity of 40,000 feet, and they run 800 meters. In 1884 they put in a plant to manufacture electric light for commercial purposes, running seventy-five arc lights and 1,000 incandescent lights. The stock is held chiefly in Oswego and Phila- delphia, and the present officers are James Dowdle, president, John Mott, vice- president and treasurer, R. D. Post, secretary, and W. E. Kingsford, superintendent. The directors are Thompson Kingsford, Theodore Irwin, H. B. McCaffrey, H. S. Wright, H. G. Ludlow.

Keyes, Clarence C., was born in Otsego, N. Y., October 28, 1846, and first engaged in hotel keeping with his father, keeping the Sherwood House in Utica in 1863, also the St. James and the American. In 1869 he kept the St. James in Orton, N. Y., and was head clerk in the American Hotel at Richfield Springs till 1870. In 1871 he con- ducted the Empire House at Cooperstown, but was burned out. In 1868 he kept a restaurant in New York city, corner of Fulton and Broadway, and for the next three years was commercial salesman. He had charge of the Exposition Hotel during the

Centennial at Philadelphia, the house having 1,325 rooms. He was then on the road as salesman six years, and later conducted a hotel in Ohio. In 1886 he conducted the Ludlow House in Monroe, and in 1888 the Kendrick House at Mt. Clemens, Mich. In 1889 he took the Stanwix Hall at Rome and conducted same for the next four years. March 12, 1894, he took the Lake Shore Hotel in Oswego, which he still operates. Mr. Keyes has had a varied career. He has taken houses in a run-down condition and built them up and has traveled extensively. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, K. P., and is serving on the finance committee of the grand lodge. October 25, 1871, he married Julia H. Tyler of Skaneateles, who died in 1881, and he married second Viola Beadle, November 16, 1887. His children by his first marriage are Bessie G., and Harriet E. M., the latter an accomplished musician. The Lake Shore House caters to commercial trade, is situated near both stations, and has seventy-eight rooms, the capacity of the hotel being 200. Four generations of the family have kept hotel, for a period extending over 100 years.

King, Stephen, jr., was born in Quebec, Canada, October 16, 1849, a son of Stephen and Mary (Lambert) King, both natives of Canada, and both now living. The grand- father, Stephen, was a guide in the employ of the Hudson Bay Fur Company. Stephen, jr., was educated in the common schools of Oswego, and first clerked in a hardware store, then in a book store, and at the age of fifteen began learning the shoemaker's trade. He next went to Ohio in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. Rail- road Co. as brakeman, remaining two years, then engaged as baggageman on the Oswego & Syracuse railroad. In 1874 he started a repair shop, which has grown to the present retail store, now situated at No. 40 West Bridge street, with a branch store at 275 West Third street. They carry a general line of footwear, and do a large business in repairing, catering largely also to the country trade. December 28, 1872, he married Louise, daughter of Benjamin and Caroline (Davidson) Bird, and their children are Mary, born November 7, 1873; Louise, born April 23, 1875; Albert, born March 8, 1877; Frederick, born July 22, 1879, died October 16, 1881; Ella, born April 4, 1880; Harry, born June 4, 1884; Jessie, born January 4, 1886; Cyril, born Febru- ary 2, 1888; Irene, born February 18, 1890.

Kelsey, Martin, was born in Springfield, Mass., October 23, 1819, the only son of

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Martin and Lydia Kelsey, who also reared two daughters who are now deceased. The elder Kelsey, a blacksmith by trade, settled at West Granby as early as 1828. The business life of Martin Kelsey, jr., began at Fulton where he learned the cooper's trade. In 1858 he purchased the saw mill at Woodruff's Corners and is still engaged in that business, having added a grist mill to the original plant. Mr. Kelsey's first wife was Eunice Farnham of Fulton, who at her death left three children: Mary, Alfred and Eliza. His second wife was Sarah Allen, also deceased, by whom he had these children: Fred, Alice and Carrie, who married in 1892 William Gates who is now engaged in business at Phoenix, his wife remaining at the old home to care for her aged father.

Kehoe, Miles, was born in Ireland in 1837, a son of Michael, born in Ireland and died in Oswego. Our subject came to America at the age of fourteen and settled in Oswego, where he completed his education. He first engaged in the lumber busi- ness, in which he was foreman fourteen years, then opened a wholesale liquor store at First and Bridge streets. He moved later, and finally settled in 1875 at 51 East Bridge street, where he now continues both wholesale and retail business. He is sole agent for Smith's Philadelphia ale, Niagara Falls lager, A. Kellar Bourbon, and the Zeno, Monogram, and Tippecanoe whiskies. He is also interested in real estate. July 6, 1864, he married Catharine, daughter of John Aikens of Oswego, and their children are Ann (deceased), John, Frank, Miles (deceased), James (deceased) and George W.

Kehoe, William J., was born in Oswego, February 16, 1868, son of Thomas and Margaret (Ratigan) Kehoe, who were of Irish descent. The mother was born and died in Oswego. The father was born in Utica, and is still living at the age of sixty- five. The father was in the Civil war as first lieutenant, Co. I, 110th Vol. Infantry. William was educated in Oswego and graduated from St. Paul's parochial school. He first assisted his father in the meat business, and then was taken into the firm with him, where he remained for three years. He then assumed full charge of the business, operating it for four years. After this he went to Chicago and opened up the meat business, remaining there for one year. Returning to Oswego he purchased the drug store corner E. Second and Bridge streets, which he still operates, carrying one of the largest stocks in the county. It is also the oldest drug store in the county. He is a member of the Mutual Order Hibernian Society.

Kenyon, Seymour, was born in 1844, and has always resided in Oswego county. He married in 1866 Nettie Ross, who died in 1889. He afterward married Delia Os- trum, and has two children, Erick and Kittie May. Mr. Kenyon is one of four chil- dren of Daniel and Jerusha Ann (Crandall) Kenyon, natives of Washington and Os- wego counties. Daniel was born in 1810, came to Mexico with his father, John, in 1814, and died in 1889. Our subject's mother died in 1892.

Livingston, Allan C., was the son of John Livingston, who was born in Scotland and at an early day came to this country and built the noted New York Mills near Utica. Allan, our subject, educated himself at Clinton and afterward graduated from the Albany College. He had worked in the cotton mills and had learned the trade of machinist. In 1849 he came to Fulton where he afterward practiced med- icine. He died May 17, 1877. His first wife was Helen Gridley, who bore him two

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children. His second wife, whom he married in 1856, was Ordelia French. They had five children: Frederick H., Caroline E., who married F. H. Platt, Kate C. and Helen G., both deceased, and William S. of New York city. Dr. Livingston served twenty months in the army as surgeon of the 110th regiment. He served as super- visor at Volney and also as postmaster at Fulton. Oliver French came from Massa- chusetts to Volney when sixteen years old. He was identified with the best inter- ests of the town and was highly respected by all. He married Sophronia Burdick, who bore him five children, two of whom grew to maturity, Ordelia E., who married Dr. Allan C. Livingston, and Frances H.

Lewis, Maxon, was born in Watertown December 16, 1822. He has always been a farmer, and at the age of twenty-two went to Rhode Island where he remained three years. He then came to the town of Oswego, where he has since lived. In 1853 he married Sarah McCoy, and they have three children: Ulysses G., Mrs. Earl Robin- son and Mrs. L. A. Stevenson. Ulysses G. Lewis was born September 25 1854, and in 1874 married Frank Miller. They have one son, Fred. Maxon Lewis's father was Simeon Lewis of Rhode Island, and his mother Arabella (Burrows) Lewis, a native, of Connecticut.

Lee, Charles M., was born in Minisink, Orange county, May 1, 1825, son of Daniel and Sarah (Aber) Lee. He was reared on a farm, received an academic education, and also attended Hamilton College one year. Failing eyesight compelled him to eave college, and soon afterward he came to Fulton where he began reading medi- cine with his uncle, Dr. M. Lindley Lee. Here he also attended Falley Seminary, later the Albany Medical College, but was was graduated from Geneva Medical Col- lege with the class of 1850. Dr. Lee began his practice at Phoenix in 1850 and about ten years later located permanently at Fulton, where he is still engaged in profes- sional work, associated with his son, Dr. Charles R. Lee. Subject was formerly a partner of Dr. Livingston. In 1850 Dr. Lee married Elizabeth P. Hotchkins, by whom he has had four children: Kittie, wife of J. T. Sheridan of Toronto; Charles R., Sarah Elizabeth and Bertha, all of Fulton. Mrs. Lee died May 24, 1893. Dr. Lee has been for many years an active and successful practitioner in this county, and. one who has always stood high in the profession. He has been president of the County Medical Society, and frequently a delegate to the State Society.

Long, David D., was born in Oswego June 22, 1857. He first learned the trade of a confectioner and after working four years bought the shop of his employer, remain- ing in it for two years. He then moved to the Arcade building on Bridge street, where he remained thirteen years. He then opened a wholesale grocery and con- fectionery store at Alexandria Bay, which he still conducts. In 1883 he married Emma Chatterton, by whom he has five children. Mr. Long is a self-made man, starting in a poor boy, he has property to-day estimated at $60,000.

Long, John, was born in France December 15, 1839, son of John and Rosalie Long. He was educated in France, learned the trade of machinist in Paris, and worked at his trade there until he came to the United States. Soon after arriving here he vol- unteered in the late Civil war and went to the front with the 28th Ohio Volunteers. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted in the 97th N. Y. Inft., and served till the close of the war. He was in the battle of the Wilderness, where he

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was wounded and taken prisoner; also participated in some of the principal battles and numerous skirmishes. After the close of the war he went to Oswego and worked at his trade for twenty years. He then located on a farm which he purchased in Parish, where he has built a shop and in connection with conducting his farm, pays a great deal of attention to special work on machinery. He married Rosie Laplaine, and has five children, John, Louie, Rosie, Delphine and Leida.

Lewis, Emmett, was born in Amboy, Oswego county, February 6, 1845, son of George W. and Sallie M. Lewis. His father moved to Amboy when it was a wilder- ness, containing more wolves than anything else. Emmett was the youngest of six children, was educated in Amboy, then worked at farming and lumbering, and was deputy sheriff of Oswego county, serving four terms, a length of service it is believed that has not been equaled in the county. After completing his fourth term he opened a store in Parish, where he conducts a business in drugs, paints, oils, etc. He married in 1880 E. J. House, and has two daughters, Florence and Bernice.

Le Claire, Charles, was born in Mexico, Oswego county, July 28, 1829. His father and mother came from France and settled in Mexico in 1828. Subject was educated in the common schools of Colosse, and passed his early days working on his father's farm in that place. He married Catharine Parot in 1850, continuing farming until 1871, when he went into the mercantile business in partnership with Sleighton & Slawson of Parish, constituting the firm of Sleighton, Slawson & Le Claire, which continued in business three years. Mr. Le Claire then returned to farming and in the spring of 1883 went into business with Frank Butler as Le Claire & Butler, which has been in business ever since, and is known as one of the substantial business con · cerns of Parish.

Letts, Mrs. Elsie Maria, was born in Parish at the family homestead, daughter of Francis and Hannah Minckler. Her father died in 1888, and the stepmother is living with her at the homestead. She was educated in Parish, Mexico and Pulaski and married in 1879 Lewis Klock who died two years later. She was married second to David Letts in 1882. He was a merchant in the village, and served in the army. Mrs. Letts has one son, Mack Milton Letts, in his eleventh year. She superintends and conducts the old homestead farm, keeping it thoroughly cultivated.

Loomis. R. E., was born in Wyoming county in 1844 and came to Oswego county with his parents in 1858. They located one year in New Haven, then moved to Pa- lermo where the father, Elias B., died in 1862. The family afterward returned to New Haven, where the mother, Mary E., died. Mr Loomis served in Co. I, 184th Regiment, one year, and in 1874 married Phoebe Druce, a native of New Haven. They have two children, Claude W. and Atta Mary.

Lynch, William W., was born in the town of Cicero September 29, 1829, son of John Lynch, a native of Brewerton, born in 1806, son of Joshua Lynch, farmer. John was one of six children, a cooper, boatman and farmer. In 1847 he left his home and went west, since which time he has never been heard from. His wife was Harriet, daughter of Jonathan and Thursa (Clark) Gillett of Connecticut, and their children are Mrs. Esther J. Caldwell, William W., Edwin, James Orrin, Lawrence and Frances. Subject followed the cooper's trade for many years, came to Hastings, in 1869, and purchased his present farm. Since 1884 he has paid special attention to the tobacco

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crop. In 1851 he married Almira, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Kincaid of Man- lius, and their children are Charles, Mrs. Zada P., widow of Frank Palmer, and Mrs. Laura Chesbro of Colorado. His mother died at his home in 1892, aged eighty-seven.

La Prairie, Joseph, was born at Montreal in 1834. He is one of a family of four- teen children, of whom ten obtained maturity, born to Francis and Julia (Blair) La Prairie. Francis was born near Montreal, of French ancestry, and was one of the founders of the French church there. In 1847 the family removed to Oswego. Joseph was employed as a custodian of boats in transit and at New York city. In 1877 he formed a copartnership with J. H. Merton at Fulton in the grocery trade. In 1884 he engaged in the transportation of lumber on the canals, and five years later established his present business, wholesale liquors and cigars, in Fulton. In 1861 he married Lydia A. Barrett, of Volney.

Morton, William, was born May 19, 1837, in Morristown, St. Lawrence county, a son of Solomon, born in Burlington, Vt., in 1806. The latter was a merchant and hotel keeper, and was a member of the State militia. He married Charlotte -, and their children were Liva, born in 1822; Edna A., born in 1824; Julietta, born in 1826; Mary M., born in 1828; Andrew, born in 1831; Eliza, born in 1834; William, as above ; Melissa, born in 1839, and Alonzo, born in 1841. Of these four are deceased. William was educated in Richland and was engaged in sailing on the lakes. He then engaged in the fish business on Lake Ontario. He next commenced the hotel busi- ness, keeping the Morton House at Selkirk, which is the finest hotel in the place. In 1856 he married Arvilla Wright, daughter of Joseph and Emma Wright, of Sel- kirk, whose parents came from Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have these children: Dennis, born January 6, 1858; Alonzo, born August 11, 1861; William, jr., born May 23, 1868, all of whom are living. Dennis married Mary Courtville. He served in the life saving station, and is now a sailor. Alonzo is a farmer and lives with his parents. William, jr., married Mary Park, and has been in the life saving service for some time, but is now in the fish business.

Morgan, Milton T,, was born in Herkimer county February 12, 1838, a grandson of Ebenezer, who died aged seventy years; and a son of Newton A., born in Herki- mer county where he died aged fifty-six. He married Harriet Filler, who died in Wisconsin aged seventy-two. Their children were Lucien, Theresa, Henry C., New- ton, Eliza J., Milton T., and Franklin D., of whom Lucien is deceased. The father was an Odd Fellow and was postmaster. Our subject was educated in Herkimer county and moved to Oswego county in 1865, where he bought the Emery Cole farm which he still conducts. December 18, 1859, he married Mary C., daughter of James and Catharine (Lyon) Smith, and their children are Arthur, born August 28, 1860, who married Amelia Montondo and has one son, James; and Lulu, born December 14, 1865, who died October 5, 1881.

Murray, Charles, of Canada ancestry, was born in Oswego county August 15, 1863, son of Charles, born in Canada, who died in Oswego county aged fifty-five. Their children were Louis, Josephine, Mary, Charles, Carrie, Libbie and James. The father was a soldier in the Rebellion and was wounded in the battle of Appomatox. Subject was educated at Fulton, is a farmer and manufacturer of Whitney's woven wire fences, being sole proprietor of same in Oswego county. He married in 1882

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Josephine, daughter of Austin and Sophia (Furney) Martin of Oswego Falls, and their children are Charles A., Annie R., Eva May, Walter L.

Moore, James L., of Irish ancestry, was born in Oswego county December 20, 1860. His grandfather was James, who died here aged sixty-five; and his father was Michael, also of this county, who married Gertie Watkins, both now living, and their children are James L. and Warren. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and his first occupation was as drug clerk. He then read medicine with Dr. Bennett of Mexico, after which he attended lectures in New York city and received his degree from the New York Uni- versity, class of 1887. He settled in Holmesville and engaged in the practice of med- icine, where he has built up an extensive practice though stilla young man. August 31, 1887, he married Ella A., daughter of William B. and Ann (Douglass) Searles, and their children are May Belle, Anna A., J. James, all living.

McMahon, Thomas, was born in Ireland in 1826, son of John and Bridget McMa. hon, and is the eldest of six children. The family started for the United States in 1836, but after nineteen days out met with a serious wreck of the coast of Newfound- land, and lost all their personal property and effects. After a furious stormy day their boat was towed back to Ireland. Three months later they ventured a second time and after a sail of thirteen weeks landed in New York and came direct to Salina. At twelve years of age Mr. McMahon began work to assist in the support of the family, and spent some time for the State on the canal. Later he came to Hastings and purchased a portion of his present farm, and for twenty-five years was interested heavily in the wood business, owned the boats on which he shipped his wood, and furnished large quantities to salt works in Syracuse and other parties. During the war times he furnished many horses for the government. In 1848 he married Jane, daughter of Moses and Mary (Hardin) Marvin of Hastings, and they had thirteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Frank, Eugene, John, Jane, Mrs. Ellen O'Riley, Mary Estell and Thomas. In 1881 Mrs. McMahon, John and Jane died of fever. Mr. McMahon was one of the first members of the Central Square Grange.

Merriam, A. P., the present supervisor of Schroeppel, was born in Onondaga county in 1853, son of Allen and Jane S. (Gillett) Merriam, natives of Delaware and Onondaga counties, now residents of Palermo. Our subject married Emogene Aur- inger in 1875. In 1876 he learned the cheesemaking trade, which he has since fol- lowed. He is the owner of the Phoenix factory No. 1 and manufactures over a ton of cheese per day, being the largest in the county. He came to Phoenix in 1876, and has one son, Allen W. He is a member of the firm of H. D. Merriam & Bro., cloth- iers, and has been supervisor since 1892.

May, Charles A., son of Erastus and Elizabeth (Hoban) May, was born in 1853 in New Haven. He resides on a farm and devotes most of his time to agricultural pur- suits, but is also a mason by trade. He married in 1889 Emma Hubbell, a native of New Haven. His father was born in New Haven, married in Michigan, was a cooper and stave manufacturer, and died in 1869. Alanson May, the grandfather of subject, was of English parentage and located in New Haven at an early day. He was in the war of 1812.

McDonald, B. S., was born in Livingston county, N. Y., in 1855, and when seven

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years old came to Oswego connty with his parents, B. S. and Carmilla (Severance) McDonald, locating in New Haven. In 1892 he married Jennie Boothe, by whom he has one daughter, Camilla.

McQueen, Oscar, was born June 14, 1841, son of Ephraim, who was born March 1, 1798. The father had an interest in a saw mill, but farming was his principal busi- ness. The family were of Scotch ancestry, the grandfather coming to this country when five years of age with his parents. They settled near New York city, then moved to Montgomery county, where they died. Subject enlisted in Co. F, 147th N. Y. Inft., August 23, 1862, served until February 6, 1863, and was honorably dis- charged on account of sickness. He married, November 27, 1871, Harriet Jennings, and they have a son and daughter, Fred E. and Clara J., both school teachers. Our subject is a member of the Hiram Sherman G. A. R. Post, No. 434.

McQueen, James, was born November 5, 1836, is a farmer and is looked upon as a master of that business. He has quite a dairy in connection with his farm, of which he makes a specialty. He married March 28, 1872, Mary E. Preston, and they have two children, Howard and Jane. Subject has been assessor and health officer, which position he is still filling.

Morton, Daniel, was born in Mexico in 1844, reared on a farm and served three years in the 81st N. Y. Vols., losing an arm while on picket duty at Northwest Land- ing, Va. He has been constable of the town for the past thirteen years. He married in 1864 Mrs. Kate Morton, who immigrated from Germany in 1854 when twelve years old. They have one child, Dora E. Subject's father, Gad W., was born in 1800, and died in 1883, after living all his life in Mexico. His wife, Eliza Wing, died in 1880. Gad W. Morton, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Connecticut, came to Mexico and located where the village of Mexico now stands, where he lived and died. He was one of the earliest settlers.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 125

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