USA > New York > Oswego County > Landmarks of Oswego County, New York > Part 135
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wife of Rev. H. S. Schwartz of Boonville. The father of our subject was educated at Colgate University, and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1841, and although not in active service, being in his eighty-fourth year, is able to preach occasionally. Lawson R. Muzzy was educated at Pulaski and later at Belleville Academy. Sub- sequently he became the half owner of a grocery store in Henderson, N. Y., after which he taught school, and still later was in business in Madison county. He bought the Pulaski Democrat in 1869 and has continued to publish and edit the paper ever since. It has been made a nine column sheet, is in its forty-fifth volume, and is re- garded as among the best and most flourishing weekly papers in the State. Mr. Muzzy has twice been elected a member of the Pulaski Board of Education, was four times chosen as supervisor, unanimously nominated and elected with an ever in- creased majority over the previous year; a member of the Republican District and County Committees, and has represented his county in the Congressional and State Conventions. He was chairman of the Building Committee in the erection of the Pulaski Court House annex, and was one of the first five postmasters named by Pres- ident Harrison, serving four years. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Co. C, 186th N. Y. Vols., and served till the close of the war. He has passed most of his life in Pulaski. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity No. 415, Pulaski Chap- ter No. 275, R. A. M., J. B. Butler Post G. A. R., and Pulaski Lodge, 255, A. O. U. W. He was married in 1869, at King's Ferry, Cayuga county, to Miss Alma P. Witt, a native of that county and a lady of rare womanly graces. Their children are: Beulah W., born June 10, 1870; and Lawson J., born July 1, 1876, who died aged six. Beulah W. married Dr. G. F. Adams, a graduate of Hahnemann College, Chi- cago, and now first assistant physician of the Westboro State Hospital, of Massachu- setts. She was educated at Pulaski Academy and later spent four years at Rutgers Female College in New York, of which she is a graduate. There is hardly a news- paper man in Northern New York who has for the past twenty-five years devoted more earnest effort towards the successful prosecution of his business and the repu- tution of his journal than has Mr. Muzzy. Through these efforts he has won univer- sal respect, and at the same time brought about a financial result which must be extremely gratifying to him and his family.
Sweet, Governeur Morris .- The paternal grandfather of G. M. Sweet was Dr. Caleb Sweet, a surgeon in the 1st N. Y. Regt. during the Revolutionary war and a mem- ber of Washington's staff for several years. In 1783 he married Gerritje Newkirk (born in Ulster county in 1756, died in Lysander, N. Y., in November, 1833), whose father, Dr. Conrad Newkirk, was a physician of Low or Holland Dutch descent and a resident of Ulster county, N. Y. Her brothers and sisters were John, Conrad, jr., Charles, Andrew, Peggy, Mary and Blondeen. Dr. Newkirk married Ann De Witt, a member of an ancient Dutch family. Tjerck Claessen De Witt, a kinsman of John and Cornelius De Witt, came to America from Zunderland, Holland, before 1656, when he married Barber Andriesse in New Amsterdam. While receiving rents from Holland, he settled in Esopus, N. Y., in 1666, and was ancestor of several prominent Americans, viz .: Hon. Simeon De Witt, Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., and others. In connection with a horse transaction it is stated that Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick married for his first wife Girtie Brantse Perlin Van Newkirk, who died in 1656. Their children were Geertie, Gerriet, Sybrant, Anthony, Gerritje, Eugettie, 11
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Seveneus, Cornelius, Margarita New Kirk, Lievens. The De Witts are one of the very few Dutch American names illustrious in fatherland. The grand pensionary. John De Witt, administered the government of Holland from 1652 to 1672, and with his brother, Cornelius, who also held important civil and military positions, was killed by a mob at The Hague. Mary Newkirk, sister of Mrs. Caleb Sweet, married James Clinton, a brother of Gov. George Clinton, and the father of the Hon. De Witt Clinton, of Erie Canal fame. She was one of a group of sixty-three in the historical painting "American Court," by Huntington, and is described at the time " As an old woman of generous, kind, womanly expression." Dr. Caleb Sweet, on December 10, 1785, was made a member of the Society of the Cincinnati; his parchment of certifi- cate of membership bears the names of Washington and Gen. Knox, and is now in the possession of his grandson, Sylvanus H. Sweet, of Syracuse. Dr. Sweet, through his services in the Revolution, became possessed of large landed estates in the counties of Herkimer, Ulster, Tompkins and Onondaga. After his death, his second son, Roussau, having received a power of attorney for the purpose of improving and selling this property, the latter squandered the entire patrimony. A small tract in Lysander was repurchased by Caleb, the youngest child. Dr. Sweet died at Salis- bury, Herkimer county. His children were Conrad Newkirk, born in 1785; John James Roussau, 1787; Charles Newkirk, 1789; Elizabeth Jones, 1790; Benjamin Newkirk, 1792; Sarah Ball, 1795; Ann Newkirk De Witt, 1796; and Garrett Caleb 1798. Charles Newkirk Sweet settled in the town of Clay, Onondaga county, and during the construction of the Oswego Canal was actively engaged in the survey and its final completion, and from that date conducted a provision and supply trade with the settlers and boatmen at Phoenix, where he had charge of the lock and canal in- terests for a number of years from its first opening. He died in Phoenix in 1852 aged sixty-three; Garrett Caleb Sweet located at Hinmansville. Governeur Morris Sweet, a son of Charles N. and Jemima (Rogers) Sweet, was born in Onondaga county, August 7, 1822, educated at the Mexico Academy, and in 1850 married Mary Ann Milliman, by whom he has three children: Van Rensselaer and Cerelle (Mrs. Smith), of Phoenix, and Dr. Carol Lincoln, of Boise City, Idaho. Mr. Sweet was a clerk and in 1850 proprietor of a general store in Phoenix, and for a time was a partner with his brother. Elected to the State Legislature he served in the sessions of 1884 and 1885, was president of a company organized for building a railroad from Mexico to Baldwinsville, and was one of the commissioners during the construction of the present iron bridge at Phoenix village. Van Rensselaer Sweet, an elder brother of G. M., was a civil engineer on State works. Their sister, Mrs. Dr. Ann De Witt Smith, is a woman of some talent as a writer and critic. Of Garrett Caleb Sweet's family, two sons, Sylvanus Howe and Charles Adelbert, became conspicuous as civil engineers. The former was graduated from Falley Seminary at Fulton, joined the corps of engineers in surveying a ship canal route across the Isthmus of Nicaragua in 1850-51, became assistant engineer of the New York State Canals and served till 1862, was elected State engineer and surveyor in 1873, was principal assistant under O. W. Childs on the New York Harbor encroachment survey in 1860-61, and held several other important positions. He prepared a number of valuable reports and rendered distinguished services to the State. Charles Adelbert Sweet was also engaged on the canals of the State, becoming engineer of the Middle Divison in 1874-75. He was first assistant engineer on the Imperial Railroad from Vera Cruz to Mexico City,
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which was the first railway built in Mexico. He was appointed chief engineer of railroads in Peru, South America, and located the great Summit route from Lima across the Andes. He held a number of other equally responsible positions and dis- charged every duty with charateristic fidelity.
Ingersoll, George D., is a son of Robert L. Ingersoll, born in New Berlin, Che- nango county, June 5, 1819. In 1854 he established the Pulaski Bank, and assumed its presidency, in which capacity he officiated until 1862, when the institution was discontinued. In 1842 he married Caroline E. Clark, a native of Jefferson county, and their children are Leroy, George D., Anna A., Frank D., Fred D., and Maud. Our subject was born in Pulaski, June 25, 1845, was educated at Fort Edward and went west, where he engaged in farming. Returning to Pulaski, he opened a meat market in that place, which he still continues, dealing in all kinds of meats, fish and vegetables. Mr. Ingersoll is a thorough business man, and has the best market in town, doing a fine trade.
Bartlett, Udelle, was born in the town of Orwell, February 12, 1860, a son of Perry Bartlett, who was born in Lee, Oneida county, and died in March, 1892. The latter married Elvira Gurley, born in Sandy Creek, who died in June, 1893. The father, Perry Bartlett, was distantly related to Commodore Perry. Udelle was educated in the Sandy Creek High School, from which he graduated in the spring of 1881, enter- ing Hamilton College in the fall of that year. He graduated from Hamilton in 1885, began reading law in January, 1886, and was admitted to practice in April, 1888, at Utica. He first formed a co partnership with D. E. Ainsworth and since has practiced at Sandy Creek. December 19, 1889, he married Lulu A., daughter of Sheldon S. and Carrie M. Post of Mindon, Wis. Mr. Bartlett is a Republican in politics.
Box, R. W., is of English ancestry, his grandfather, John, having come from Syd- ney, Gloucestershire, England, and died in Port Ontario, this county. His father, William, also a native of England, came to America with his father, John, and died in Pulaski in 1883. He married Celia Knollin of England, who cameto America with her parents when young. Richard W. Box was born March 31, 1841, his brother being James K. and sister Frances. His father was a blacksmith until the age of fifty, when he engaged in the grocery business for about fifteen years. Richard was ed- ucated in the public schools, finishing at Pulaski Academy. In 1859 he engaged in the shoe business for a year, then sold out and began the manufacture of butter dishes and cheese boxes, and this he disposed of in 1865, and the same year opened a furni- ture and undertaking business, which he still continues, having added a line of wall paper, and he also manufactures cylinder desks. Mr. Box has served as trustee, president of the village, supervisor, chief engineer of the Fire Department, etc., and has always resided in Pulaski. He is a member of Pulaski Lodge No. 415 F. & A. M., Pulaski Chapter, No. 279, Pulaski Lodge No. 355, A. O. U. W., of which he has been financier thirteen years, and is a member of the M. E. Church. He has always been identified with the growth and progress of the village, and was one of the prime movers in getting the water works here. December 24, 1862, he married Jenette B. Bennett, born August 6, 1840, in this town, a daughter of David Bennett, an old res- ident, and manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, as well as a builder, having erected the M. E. and Congregational Churches of Pulaski. The children of our subject are
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Fred F., born November 21, 1863; Albert K., born October 5, 1869; and Will R., born July 18, 1871. Fred F. married Lulu Spencer in 1889, who died September 30, 1891. The sons are associated with their father in business.
Stewart, Ellen T., was born and educated in Pulaski. Her grandfather was born in Petersburg, N. Y., and her grandmother was a native of New England, where she was educated. The latter was an only child and a lady of intelligence. Her parents, having a large fortune, she spent much time in traveling, and desiring to see America she started with her ox team, driver, and servants, richly clad and sparkling with diamonds, about one hundred years ago on a western tour. Delighted with the country, she decided to make her home in this State, and returning to her birthplace brought her large kettle of gold, and began housekeeping with her husband in Peters- burg, Rensselaer county. This New England gold was invested in realestate, which was divided into farms and given to their ten sons. Her grandfather, Eathel Stew- art, through a business transaction, failed because of taking mortgages and neglect- ing to search the records. He was a Baptist, and furnished the material and built the church in the town where he lived. Her grandmother was an ardent Methodist. The business failure just mentioned left the father of the subject of this sketch a poor boy and threw him upon his own resources, but being a deep thinker and deciding experience was a good teacher, he started out for himself. He was a native of Peters- burg, and while a boy, came with his parents, Eathel and Esther Stewart, to Oswego county. At the age of twenty-seven he married Betsey Jane White and began house . keeping in what is called the Whitesboro neighborhood in the town of Sandy Creek. By industry and by the aid of his companion, he soon owned a comfortable home, which he shortly afterward gave to his aged parents and started again with new courage to make another home for himself and family. He purchaased the 200 acre farm on the Ridge road in Sandy Creek, succeeded in paying for it and there lived several years. This is known as the Seneca Getty place and is one of the most pro- ductive farms in Oswego county. He finally moved to the well known Deacon Meacham farm, near Pulaski village, where he lived about nine years. Failing in health and deciding to retire from farming, he finally removed to the beautiful village of Pulaski, where he has since resided with his wife and only daughter, Miss Ellen T. Stewart. For twenty-four years he has lived in Pulaski; prior to that period, he was extensively and successfully engaged in agriculture, owning a number of farms in this vicinity. Her father and mother were disposed never to turn back from a work once commenced, and it was this characteristic which aided in making their lives successful. From a youth he was a regular attendant of the M. E. Church, and was often remarked going to church with his mother and with his white linen pants. He was an earnest worker in the cause of temperance, possessed sound judgment and decision of mind in business, and was noted for his integrity. With character- istic liberality he aided in building churches and public schools. When a boy he formed the evil habit of chewing tobacco, a mistake he often acknowledged and at the age of eighty-four banished it entirely, and his advice in print was for all men, and especially the young, to do likewise, knowing they would all be happier, friend- lier, wealthier, pleasanter, and more agreeable in society. On February 2, 1893, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart celebrated in a fitting manner their wedding anniversary, and also his eighty-ninth birthday Their pastor, Rev. A. Bramley, they surprised with an
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elegant gold headed cane, which was presented in behalf of the host and hostess by the venerable Rev. Lawson Muzzy. He was a man of unusual happy disposition and told his daughter three weeks prior to his last sickness that his "Heart was filled with thankfulness to my Redeemer and Friend, that if I never awake to the earthly sunlight again it will be well with me on the resurrection morning." He died after a life of rare usefulness on March 3, 1894 at the age of ninety years, one month and one day. His funeral was held at his residence in Pulaski on Monday, Revs. A. Bramley of Lowville and Webster of the first M. E. Church of Pulaski officiating, and the interment being in Pulaski cemetery at five o'clock. Her grandfather White and her mother and one brother were born in Rhuport, Vt. His first wife was Sally Linnet. Her mother's mother, second, was Catherine Decker. Both were ladies of amiable Christian character. Mr. White was a Bible student and would always have an appropriate reference when called upon. When they first came to Richland sal- mon were plenty and he caught large numbers of them. The country wassomewhat a wilderness. Her mother and grandmother went at near night in search of their cows, each of which had a bell, which would guide them long distances. On one occasion they were lost in the woods and remained away two days and two nights. The neighbors were greatly alarmed and instituted a search, firing guns, ringing bells and blowing horns until they were found. Her grandmother being a feeble woman was nearly dead. While in the wilderness a terrific thunder storm came up and lasted throughout the night. To them were born these children: Dexter W., James Gilbert, Orin, Wilber Joel, Sally, Harriet Jane, Milton, Milton Delos, and Ellen Therrisser .- [Com.
Shear, S. R., is a son of Clark A. and Lucretia Shear. He was born in Orwell and lived there until five years of age; afterward lived with his parents in Boylston and Richland, Oswego county, and West Camden, Oneida county. At the age of twelve years he was taken by his uncle, Wallace E. Shear of Stittsville, Oneida county, and lived with him for several years, in that time receiving an academic education at the Holland Patent Union School, after which he returned to Oswego county and taught school two winters at Ricard. He completed his education at the Oswego Normal and then became principal of Orwell village school, later was principal of No. 8, Mexico village. In 1890 he became principal of Pulaski graded schools, holding that position for two years. In September, 1892, when the Pulaski Academy and graded schools were consolidated, he assumed control of the entire system, which position he now holds. Under his control the academic department has increased from thirty to 150; the teaching force has increased from seven to ten, and the school is in a highly prosperous condition. He married in 1889 Nettie Reynolds, adopted daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. T. C. McKenna of Orwell; they have one daughthr, Rose Eliza- beth, aged three years. Mr. Shear is a Royal Arch Mason, and an active member of the Sons of Veterans, having been captain of A. S. Warren Camp No. 105 for two years. He is an active church worker, having been an exhorter and local preacher in the Methodist conference, and superintendent of the M. E. Sunday school of Pu- laski for three years.
Moore, Thomas, was born in Oswego on September 23, 1842, and is a son of Thomas, who was in the dry goods trade and ship building business and died in 1883. His mother was Mary Cochran. Mr. Moore was educated in the common schools of
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the city and early in life went to work as clerk, continuing until 1862. He then en- listed as a private in Co. I, 110th Regiment and served three years, coming home 1st Lieut. in command of his company. Re-entering his father' store he worked until 1868, when he accepted a position in a store in St. Louis and remained there three years. Again returning to his father's store he continued there until the fall of 1871, when he was made clerk and deputy collector in the Custom House at Oswego. He served as deputy collector and entry clerk from 1873 until 1883, and in 1886 was elected county treasurer, which office he still fills. He is a Republican in politics and has faithfully supported the interests of his party. He is one of the trustees of Oswego Lodge No. 127, F. and A. M. Mr. Moore was married in 1876 to Ella M. Robinson, daughter of Tompkins Robinson, of Oswego town. They have two sons and one daughter.
Eddy, Joseph W., M. D., was born in Williamson, Wayne county, N. Y., on April 17, 1851. He is a son of Norman S. Eddy, a farmer of that county. He received his education in the Marion Collegiate Institute, Attica High School, and afterward pur- sued the study of medicine in the Detroit Medical College, from which he graduated, and then took a post graduate course in the Ecole de Medecine, Paris, France, leav- ing there in 1879. He located at Oswego and has successfully practiced his profes- sion since. Dr. Eddy has been attending surgeon at the Oswego Hospital from its inception, and is now serving his second term on the United States Board of Pension Examiners. He was chief surgeon for the R., W. & O. Railroad nine years, and is a member of the Oswego County Medical Society and the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Eddy was married on October 18, 1878, to Hannah C. Eggleston, in the Church St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, England.
Robinson, Wardwell G., was born in Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y., on November 28, 1829, and is a son of Orville Robinson, of whom his biography is presented in another part of this volume. He received his education in the district school and Mexico Academy, studied law with his father in Mexico, and afterwards in the office of Hon. William F. Allen, in Oswego, and was admitted in 1854. Meanwhile, he spent three years in California early in the period of the gold fever, but renewed his studies upon his return. He practiced in Oswego until 1864, when in September he closed his office and went to the war as colonel of the 184th Regiment, in which capacity he honorably served his country. Mr. Robinson is a Democrat in politics, but has not sought office, and has held none except on the Board of Police Commis- sioners of the city.
Kenyon, William Henry, is a native of Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y., where he was born on February 13, 1839. He is a son of Calvin B. and Susannah Tanner Kenyon. He received a liberal education in the district schools, Mexico Academy and the University of Rochester, graduating from the latter in 1865. After a period of teaching both before and after his graduation, he began reading law with George G. French in Mexico, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Previous to this time, at the call of his country, he left college in the summer of 1862, and enlisted as a private in Co. E, 110th Regiment, N. Y. S. Vol. Infantry. He received his discharge on August 18, 1863, on account of a wound received at Port Hudson June 14, 1863. Re- turning home, he re-entered college and graduated with his class. His first practice
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of his profession was in Phoenix, where he remained three years ; after which he re- moved to Oswego, and has practiced there since. In February, 1894, he formed a law partnership with Frederick T. Cahill. Politically Mr. Kenyon is a Republican, and in 1872 was elected special surrogate of Oswego county. He married on Jan- uary 1, 1891, Anna, daughter of Octavius T. Savage, of Oswego. They have one son.
Benson, Cadwell B., was born in Apulia, Onondaga county, N. Y., on February 3, 1841, and is a son of Dr. D. M. Benson, who practiced his profession many years in Geddes, Onondaga county, N. Y. He was educated in the schools of Geddes and Syracuse, and found his first employment with E. R. Holden, general agent for the Delaware & Lackawanna Coal Company in Syracuse. In 1864 he settled in the village of Minetto, Oswego county, partly at the suggestion of A. S. Page, who was then ex- tensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Mr. Benson engaged in contract- ing, becoming associated with his uncles, James J. Belden and A. Cadwell Belden, of Syracuse. They built a railroad in Pennsylvania, portions of the Buffalo & West Shore Railroad, and the Carthage & Adirondack Railroad, of which Mr. Benson was made general manager. In these extensive undertakings Mr. Benson showed rare business qualifications and executive ability of a high order. In 1879 he joined with A. S. Page and Charles Tremain to form the Minetto Shade Cloth Company, now one of the largest and most successful manufacturing establishments in Northern New York. Mr. Benson was married in 1864 to Helen J. Cunningham, of Fabius, N. Y.
Lester, David P., was born in Sterling, Cayuga county, June 25, 1848. He is a son of Dr. David Lester; was educated in the common schools, studied his profession in Hamilton Law School, from which he graduated in 1874, and was admitted to practice at that time. He began practice in Oswego city in association with W. A. Poucher, which connection continued three years, and has since practiced alone. He is a Republican in politics, but has not accepted public office. He married, in 1876. Mary E. Fort, daughter of John A. Fort, of Mexico. They have one son.
Gallagher, Bernard, was born in New Haven, Oswego county, N. Y., on August 22, 1861. His father is James Gallagher, a native of the North of Ireland, who came to this country when he was thirteen years old, and later settled in New Haven, thence afterward in Oswego city, where he is still living. He has been a practical brick- maker all his life. He had six children, five of whom were sons. Bernard Gallagher was educated in the district schools and in what was known as Hamilton's Select School in Oswego. At twenty two years of age he took up journalism in the capacity of city editor on the Oswego Morning Post. He afterwards filled the position as as- sistant city editor on the Palladium. He then held a position in the county clerk's office a year and a half, during which time he gave all of his spare time to law study, and finishing his studies he was admitted to the bar in October, 1888, and has since had a gratifying practice.
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