Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 127

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 127

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Dyer, Charles F., was born at Rodman, Jefferson county, July 28, 1857, a grandson of John Dyer of New England, who died in this State aged thirty ; and a son of Peter, born in Otsego county, who married Arvilla Dyer of Massachusetts, who died in Jeff- erson county aged sixty-nine. Their children were Antoinette, Henrietta, Charles F., Fred and two who died in infancy. The father has been a commercial traveler and farmer and is a Mason. Charles F. was educated in Jefferson county and at the age of twenty-two started as helper in the office of the R. W. & O. Railroad at Adams Centre, remaining two years. He was then sent to Three Mile Bay as station agent. Returning to Adams he remained eight years as clerk, and took charge of the tele- graph at that office. From there he went to Claremont as station agent, and remained eighteen months, then came to Sandy Creek in the same capacity, where he still re- mains, having the passenger, freight, baggage, express, and telepraph business to attend to. June 21, 1883, he married Carrie C., daughter of Solomon and Mary (Bassett) Devendorf, of Adams Centre.

Daffler, Andrew J., was born in Constantia in February, 1830, a son of John Daff- ler, a native of Germany. He was one of three sons who came to America with

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their father when he was a boy, coming direct to Constantia. Their ship foundered and it took them eleven months to cross. John was a carpenter and farmer by occu- pation. His wife was Jemima Phillips, a native of Constantia, and their children were Catherine, Dorathy. Andrew, Clinton, Maria, Flora, Fannie and Milford. They spent their last days in Constantia. Subject left home when twenty-five and engaged in carpentry, which he followed until 1869, when he was for six years engaged in manufacturing barrel staves. From 1875 to 1880 he engaged in wagon business and since then has devoted his time to carpenter work, two years of which he spent in Syracuse contracting and building. In 1860 he married Mary Jane, daughter of Ahiel Sedgwick of West Monroe, and they had two children, Freddie, who died in 1862, and Nellie, who died in 1893 aged twenty-seven.

Eldridge, Fayette, was born in Oneida county in 1836 and settled in Martville in 1854, where he married Charlotte, daughter of David Austin, who was a native of Vermont and canie with an ox team, being among the early settlers of that place. His wife was Axie Adams, a sister of the founder of the Adams Express Co. Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge have one daughter, Estelle, a teacher of the common schools, having taught for twenty-seven terms. Fayette Eldridge was a son of Thomas Eldridge, an English soldier, who left the army at the age of nineteen and came to America and settled in Oneida county, where he married Polly Lindsey, who died in 1894, leaving six children. Our subject is overseer of the poor of Hannibal.

Edwards, Charles D., was born in England January 3, 1863. His grandfather, David, was also born in England, where he died aged seventy-seven, and his father, David, was born in England March 17, 1844, and married Mary -, also a native of that country, born in January, 1844. Their children were William, Emily, Archie, Alvin, Edith, Minnie, Leonard, Jennie, Lillian, Gwendoline; of whom Minnie, Jen- nie and Lillian are deceased. Charles D married Katie Malty July 16, 1889. She was a daughter of Charles R. and Isabelle Malty, of Pulaski, and their children have been Mary I., Jannie L., Charles M., who died in infancy, and a son not named who died in infancy. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Earl, Orrin R., was born in Jefferson county November 2, 1812, a grandson of Stephen, born in Rhode Island who died in Saratoga county aged seventy-eight; a son of Pardner, born in Rhode Island, who died in Jefferson county aged sixty-two. The latter married Nancy Sherman, who died aged fifty, and their children were Andrew C., Ruth, Orrin R., Albert, Nancy, Jenette, Ann V., all deceased except our subject. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a prominent farmer, and served as supervisor, etc. Orrin R. was educated at Belleville, Jefferson county. and in 1846 began life as a farmer. He served for seventeen years on the Board of Supervisors, was elected to the State Legislature in 1847, and was president of the village four years. In 1848 he engaged in the mercantile trade at Sandy Creek, the firm name being Earl & Salisbury, which continued five years. He also conducted the Salisbury Hotel one year, and for about eight years kept a tan yard. In 1870 he opened a bank in Sandy Creek, in connection with P. M. Newton, which partnership existed ten years, when Mr. Newton retired. Mr. Earl still conducts the bank, which was the first ever operated in Sandy Creek. In 1884 Mr. Earl became interested in the Sandy Creek Wood Mfg. Co. Limited, of which he is president and one of the

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largest stockholders. In 1889 a well was sunk for natural gas, Mr. Earl being one of the prime movers in this, and he was president of the Sandy Creek Oil & Gas Co. for three years, being now one of the directors and chief stockholder. In addition to his other pursuits he has conducted a general farming and dairy business. In 1844 he married Jenette Salisbury of Sandy Creek, who died March 8, 1886. She was a daughter of Nathan Salisbury, and her grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1862 Mr. Earl was sent to look after the soldiers of this place, who were in the front, and was inside the lines at the battle of Antietam, witnessing the entire fight. He also gave to the wounded men of his acquaintance $500 in money, besides render- ing them other assistance. Mr. Earlat the age of eighty-two is still actively engaged in the banking business.

Eddy, Edmund K., was born in Jefferson county June 8, 1849, of New England ancestry. His grandfather, Enoch, was born in Vermont, and died in Jefferson county in 1860. His father, also Enoch, was born in that county in 1820, and died in 1874, and his mother, Amanda, died in 1865. The children of Enoch and Amanda were Ansel M., born in 1845; Gracia A., born in 1847, and Edmund K. The father was a Mason and served in the 20th N. Y. Vols. in the late war. Edmund K. was educated in the common schools in Jefferson county, with a course at Watertown Business College. He was also a Mason and was in the Rebellion, serving in the 20th N. Y. Vols. September 22, 1869, he married Abbie, daughter of John and Abbie Pennell of Jefferson county, who came from Vermont in an early day, the grandfather Pennell being one of the first settlers in Jefferson county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have been as follows: a daughter born in 1884, who died in infancy, and Frank W., born December 9, 1886. Mr. Eddy moved from Jefferson county in March, 1894, having purchased the Bown farm in Richland.

Eason, Charles G., was born in New Haven in 1839, son of Calvin and Elsie (Cran- dall) Eason, who were among the early settlers of New Haven, coming from Ver- mont. Calvin Eason was in the war of 1812, and died in 1863 aged eighty-seven. His wife died in 1842 aged about forty. Our subject, who always remained on the home place at Butterfly Corners, married in 1863 Sarah Baker, and has three children, Jennie, Sadie and William.

Elmhirst, Frank, was born in Peterboro county, Canada, in 1852, and at the age of seventeen came to New Haven. He married in 1874 Josehine Davis, and has two children, Maud and Bessie. He is a farmer and has owned and run a threshing ma- chine for nineteen years. Beginning with the old horse power, he introduced the first steam as well as the first traction thresher in this section. The parents, John and Eliza, were natives of England, who lived and died in Canada.

Earle, Frank M., is a native of St. Lawrence county, born in 1846. He enlisted in the 2d N. Y. in 1863, and served till the close of the war. After returning from the war he resided a short time in his native county, later in Utica, and in 1879 came to Mexico. He served one year as president of the village and has been very active in promoting all measures for the improvement of the town. He interested foreign capital in the Standard Woodenware & Veneer Co., located the plant in Mexico and was president of the company two years. He also organized and built the veneer works at Sandy Creek. He introduced cement sidewalks in Mexico, built the first

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electric light plant in Mexico, and in 1879 sunk the first gas well in the town. He built and owns "Twice Told," a fine hotel at Texas Point, 100 rooms and the best furnished of any hotel in the State. He also has a stock farm of several hundred acres, where he keeps a herd of registered Holsteins and a number of fine roadsters, which he is especially proud of. His wife, Anna (Curtin) Earle, died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Marion.

Earl, De Alba, was born in Jefferson county October 24, 1841, a grandson of James, born in New England, who died in Jefferson county aged ninety-three. The father was Eli, and the mother Hannah (Wells) Earl, both now deceased. The grandfather Wells was in the Revolution, settled in Canada, and remained till the war of 1812, when he and his sons escaped to the United States. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of Grace Church, having also served his town as chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He engaged in the boot and shoe business in 1885, which he still conducts, carrying a general line of footwear, and doing a large family trade. In 1862 he married Lucinda Bissell of Jefferson county, who died in 1866. In 1867 he married Ellen C., daughter of Abra- ham Rowen of Ogdensburg, and their children are Ella B., who married William M. Brown of Oswego, and has one child; Carrie B., Blanch B., and Lena May.

Frary, Benjamin Dolphus, of Vermont ancestry, was born in Oswego county May 31, 1855. The grandfather, Orange, was born in Vermont and died in Oswego county. The father, George, was born in Vermont, and was accidentally killed. His wife was Rebecca Phillips, born in Oswego county, who died aged sixty-nine. They had these children: Candis L., born July 30, 1843; - -, born March 22, 1845; Francis A., born December 18, 1846; Julia T., born December 10, 1850, of whom our subject is the only one now living. Subject was educated in Richland and is a farmer and dairyman. He is a member of the Grange. He married, May 30, 1876, Delia Amanda Peck of Oswego county, daughter of Harrison and Louie (Robinson) Peck, and their children are Clara Belle, born February 3, 1878; Bertha F., born August 28, 1879; Ella L., born April 21, 1881; Guy Elan, born June 4, 1884, and Benjamin H., born June 6, 1889.

Filkins, John Henry, of German ancestry, was born in Oswegocounty June 3, 1841. His grandfather, Henry, was born in Germany and died in this county aged seventy- eight. His father was James, who was a native of Richland, and died in Michigan aged sixty-five. The latter married Eliza Rich of Cooperstown, who died here aged sixty-four years. Their children were Ann, and John H. The father was a captain in the State militia, and the grandfather was one of the first settlers in the county, coming about 1800. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in the 142d N. Y. Inf., serving in the Army of the Potomac, was promoted sergeant, and served a year and a half. He made the Peninsula campaign, and re- ceived his discharge at Williamsburg. He is a G. A. R. man. April 21, 1863, he married Eliza, daughter of Allen G. and Eliza (Street) Perry. She died June 9, 1892. Allen G. was in the war in Florida and was wounded. The children of our subject are Minnie, Perry and Ray, all living. Minnie married Phineas Lilly and lives in Oswego. She has one child. Perry and Ray both reside at home.

Fox, Leroy R., was born in Jefferson county October 6, 1837. Hisgrandfather was

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Elijah, a native of Vermont, who died in Jefferson county, aged eighty-six. His father, also Elijah, was born in Vermont and died in Jefferson county aged sixty- nine. The latter married Eliza Farrell of Lewis county, who is now living aged eighty. Their children were James M., Leander P., William D. (deceased), Winfield M. and Sebina J. The father was justice of the peace, and town collector for many years. Our subject was educated in Jefferson county and began as a farmer. He was in a store at Pierrepont Manor three years, after which he farmed ten years, then started a meat market at Mannsville. He then kept a grocery at Brownsville, then came to Sandy Creek and bought a grocery business, which he still owns and which is the largest in the village, keeping also yankee notions, tobacco, etc. January 1, 1861, he married Elizabeth H., daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (Smith) Lo- raine, and they have one adopted daughter, Myrtie Boden. Mr. Fox is a printer and is employed on the local paper.

Farrington, O. B., is a son of Philip, whose father, Rufus, came from England and settled in Baldwinsville on a large farm, which for many years remained in the pos- session of the family. He had eight children: Edmund, an extensive contractor, who moved to Ohio, where he died in 1891, a very wealthy man, our subject being one of his heirs; Rufus, a merchant; Thomas, of Michigan; Freye, who died in Michigan; Philip, who married Miss Haynes of Baldwinsville and lived on the home- stead till 1832, and finally settled in Constantia. His two sons, O. B. and P. R. Farrington, were born in Baldwinsville, and came with their father to this town, the latter removing in 1860 to Piqua, O. Our subject was connected with his father in the lumbering business until the latter's death in 1855. He had received a thorough 'academical education, having attended the Mexico Academy, and became proficient in surveying, and on his father's death he was able to assume charge of the rather extensive business interests, and carry them on with success. There were at the time two saw mills, besides large lumbering interests. These mills furnished the first plank road in the State-from Troy to Albany-and for the first road on Long Island. The old city hall at Hudson was also built of lumber furnished by the Far- ringtons. The annual cut of the mills was about 1,000,000 feet, and the business was a very prosperous one. Mr. Farrington retired from the lumbering business in 1886, and resides in the house built by his father half a mile north of the village, where he has a pleasant home, surrounded by every comfort which wealth can provide. In 1856 he married Adaline Chatfield, daughter of Dr. Chatfield of South Corners, Oneida county, and they have two daughters, Mary, who married F. P. Williams, publisher of a newspaper in Rapid City, S. D .; and Addie. A son died of scarlet fever, aged nine years.

Fox, Hiram D., proprietor of the Windsor Hotel and the Windsor Opera House of Phoenix, was born in Onondaga county in 1843, son of John and Esther (Cole) Fox, natives of Madison and Saratoga counties. When thirteen years old he moved to Schroeppel with his parents, and when twenty-three removed to Phoenix. He fol- lowed boating eleven years, owning and running a canal boat from Fulton to Syra- cuse, and purchased the Windsor House in 1886. He has filled the office of justice of the peace, supervisor and assessor. His first wife, Mary Eno, died in 1822, leaving two children, John and Hortense. He afterward married Carrie Payne, and has one child.

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Foster, Ira S., was born in Volney in 1847, son of Thomas and Jane (Squires) Foster, natives of Massachusetts and Onondaga county. Ira S. was reared on a farm, and in 1865 enlisted in Co. E, 184th N. Y. Vols., serving till the close of the war. In 1870 he married Hannah Allen, a native of of Herkimer county, who died in 1874 leaving two children, Elias, who resides in Schroeppel, and Clarence, who died in infancy.

French, C. W., younger son and sole living lineal representative of a name which stands high in the annals of Granby's early history, was born here July 22, 1832. His father, Calvin French, was the son of Asher French, of Connecticut birth and of old English nativity. It was about 1820 when Calvin French purchased twenty-five acres on the western shore of Lake Neatawanta, which has grown with the family fortunes into a magnificent farm of 250 acres. He died May 4, 1881, leaving to his descendants a good property. Mrs. C. W. French is the daughter of the late William Cary of Albany, of Irish birth, who died in the army. Her only daughter, Cora, married F. B. Smith of Granby, and now occupies a pleasant home adjacent to the place of her birth. She has three daughters, Maud, Mabel and Hazel. C. W. French attended the Centennial in 1876 at Philadelphia, and in March, 1885, in company with John Waterman, D. Prine, and F. B. Smith visited the Exposition at New Orleans, where he spent about two weeks, passing through several different States, and meeting with one collision, which killed three of the passengers. Mr. French, in company with John Waterman, also spent three weeks at the World's Fair at Chicago in October, 1893, being there on "Chicago day."

Farwell, J. B., was born in Canada March 22, 1842. He came to St. Lawrence county when a child. He was educated at Canton and graduated from Oswego High School in 1862. In 1864 he began to manufacture cement in Oswego. The lines made were hydraulic and land plaster, which business he continued in until 1881. He then went exclusively into the jobbing busines, same line. He has since added a general line of building material. For the past three years he has contracted and built telegraph lines in various parts of the United States. Among the most impor- tant lines constructed there might be mentioned the one between Syracuse and Buf- falo, and from Springfield, Ill., to St. Louis. For the past six years he has been sup- plying the Long Distance Telephone Co with poles from Canada. He is a Mason. September 12, 1867, he married Emma C., daughter of William and Huldah (John- son) Dolloway. Their children are William D., born August 28, 1868; Gardner, August 4, 1873; James R., September 27, 1877. William is associated with the New York Tribune. Gardner is in the insurance business in Camden, N. J., and James R. is in the Lehigh University. William graduated from the same college in 1889.

Flaxington, E. W., wholesale dealer in coal, wood, and illuminating oils at Oswego Falls, is a native of Yorkshire, England, born March 10, 1843, and came to America at the age of twenty-six. Mr. Flaxington's mother, Judy, still lives in England, aged eighty-one years. His father, Samuel F., a spinner by trade, died in 1890 aged seventy-eight. His first wife, Sarah A. Emeny of Oswego Falls, died in 1889, leaving three sons, William Herbert, Ward Emeny and Fred Wright. The present Mrs. Flaxington was the widow of the late A. M. Howell, and has two children, Fred O. and Lena J. Howell.

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Fletcher, A. B., manufacturer of brick at Oswego Falls, employs twelve men, and produces nearly two million brick per annum. He has been a resident of Oswego Falls since 1869, and established himself independently in 1875. He was born at Bowmanville, Canada, in 1837, and learned the brickmaking business from his father. In 1871 Mr. Fletcher married Mrs. Georgiana Baker, widow of Addison Baker of Oswego Falls. She was born in Syracuse, the daughter of George A. Fitch, a steam- boat captain. They have one son, George S. Fletcher, who was born October 26, 1882.

Feeney. James, was born in Oswego March 15, 1857, son of Patrick and Mary (Mc- Gowen) Feeney, who were both born in Ireland. The father and mother both died in Oswego. The grandfather, James, was born in Ireland and died in Canada at the age of eighty-six years. James was educated in Oswego. He learned tinsmith- ing, and then clerked in a hardware and grocery store. After this he speculated in country produce. In 1887 he started a hat store on E. Bridge street, three years later he added gent's furnishing goods. In 1894 he purchased the corner stores situated at E. Bridge and First streets. He then added clothing to his line, and now has one of the largest stocks in the city. He also owns considerable property in Oswego county. January 7, 1885, he married Mary A., daughter of Martin and Ann (Culman) Lally. They have two children, Mary J., born January 28, 1887, and Patrick H., born June 15, 1889. Mr. Feeney is a commissioner on the Board of Public Works. He is a member of the A. O. H., also the Priory, a temperance organization.

Farrell, Edward H., was born in Herkimer county August 31, 18 1, son of Michael and Mary (Whalen) Farrell, who were both born in Ireland and died in Oswego county. Edward was educated in Oswego, graduating with the class of 1867. He clerked in a store and then took an interest in a boot and shoe store. In 1871 he went to Alabama with the L. & N. Railroad. He returned to Oswego in 1874 and embarked in the tobacco business in 1875. He started in a small way on First street, and has built it up until it is the largest concern of the kind in the county. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. and the C. B. L. He has held the office of police com- missioner. In 1876 he married Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Mary (McDonald) McIntosh of Chicago. Her father was interested in the Patriot war in Canada. The children are Michael J., student in St. Audrey College, Rochester; Mary R., Catherine G., Annie, Agnes, Edward J., and Jennie, deceased. The children are all in school.

Fitzgerald, Alpheus E., was born in Oswego March 4, 1835, son of Samuel and Hannah (Eastman) Fitzgerald, who were born in New England. They both died in Oswego. Alpheus was educated in Oswego. At first he clerked in a drug store. After this for twenty-five years he sailed, occupying the various positions of cook, mate and captain. In 1886 he started a cigar and tobacco store at 21 E. Bridge street which he still continues. He was a member of the Oswego Fire Department two years. In 1862 he married Annie, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Patridge) Hanley of Oswego. The children are Edward, born July 23, 1863, who is a book- keeper; and Byron, born February 9, 1876, a stenographer.

Gibbs, Richard H., was born in Oswego county in 1844, lived in Oswego, Cayuga and Onondaga counties prior to the war, and after serving about one year in the 193d

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N. Y., returned to Onondaga county, then married Cornelia Blanchard and located where he has since lived in the town of Mexico. His father, Thomas, was born in England in 1814, emigrated to Cayuga county in 1831, and is now living with the subject of this sketch.

Gardner, Andrew J., was born in Stone Arabia, Montgomery county, August 2, 1822, son of Adam and Margaret Gardner, who were among the earliest settlers of Mont- gomery county. His father moved with the family to Oneida county in 1846. Andrew worked at farming in various places until he was married and settled perm- anently in Parish in 1847, then started into the woods to clear off a farm, cleared some land each year in addition to cultivating that already cleared. Was married twice, first to Harriet Fifield, who died in 1883, then in 1886 married Irena Johnson. . Mr. Gardner has reared three children by adoption. Mr. Jacobson, who bought Mr. Gardner out in 1880, was adopted when he was seven years old, continuing on the farm of Mr. Gardner till he volunteered in the army, again returning after a while to Mr. Gardner's family. Mr. Jacobson's wife was also adopted and brought up by Mr. Gardner. Mr. Gardner has leased the old homestead and land for a garden. He is now able to see the farm prospering under the management of the children he adopted.

Graves, Herbert Francis, was born May 30, 1847, at Youngstown, N. Y., only son of Joseph and Arletta Graves, educated in Texas, then learned the carriage trimming trade, and afterwards the jeweler's trade, worked twelve years at the first and six- teen years at the last. Has been a merchant in Paris the last sixteen years, where he keeps a finely appointed store containing an assorted stock of jewelry and fancy goods. He married, June 19, 1869, Jennie B. Hardy of Port Ontario.

Graham, Winfield S., was born in Walworth, Wayne county, April 14, 1850, but has resided in Oswego county thirty-five years. He married Annie Elliott March 19, 1872, and they have two sons, Burke A. and Stanley E. Mr. Graham has been for three years trustee of school district No. 8, and delegate to the Democratic County Conventions for the past ten years, and has served on the District Committee six years. His father was Ansel B. Graham, and his mother Maria (Preston) Graham.

Garrett, Thomas, of South Granby, was born in Lysander in 1843. His father, John Garrett, a farmer of that town, died in 1873. Thomas has been a resident of Oswego county since early infancy, and now operates a farm of 150 acres in the southern part of the town of Granby. His wife, Louisa, was born on the place owned by Mr. Garrett. They were married in 1869 and have three sons, Louis, Guy and Fred.

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 127

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