Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 98

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 98

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Sheldon, J. C. F., was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson county, May 15, 1857, a son of William and Sarah M. (Cornwell) Sheldon, both natives of Ellisburg. The grand- parents were Amasa and Jane (Ellis) Sheldon, pioneers of Ellisburg, and the grand- father was a soldier in the war of 1812. When a young man William followed sailing on the ocean for five years, but later became a farmer; he was also a soldier in the Mexican war. He died July 17, 1870, his wife dying March 18, 1864. J. C. F. Shel- don was educated in the Union Academy at Belleville, Jefferson county, and East- man's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie. He taught school about seven years, and was married December 26, 1883, to Effie H., daughter of Harry and Lestine (Lindsey) Dailey of Ellisburg. She was born February 16, 1866, and is a graduate

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of Sandy Creek Union High School. They have two sons, Claude Kenneth, born November 7, 1886, and Earl Heston Dailey born September 4, 1890. Mr. Sheldon has 107 acres of land, situated in the northwestern part of the town of Sandy Creek, and generally known as the "Lindsey Hotel farm." He keeps about twenty cows and carries on general farming.

Skinner, the late Hon. Avery, was born in New Hampshire in 1796, and died at Union Square, Oswego county, November 24, 1876. He was the father of Hon. Timothy W. Skinner, of Mexico, N. Y., Hon. Charles R. Skinner of Watertown, N. Y., Rev. J. A. Skinner and Mrs. Mary G. Wright, wife of Judge Maurice L. Wright of Oswego, N. Y., all of whom survive him; and of Mr. Albert F. Skinner and Mrs. E. H. Richard- son, now deceased. Judge Skinner was one of the pioneers of Northern New York, and was prominently identified with the history of Oswego county. He settled in Union Square in 1822, and was soon after appointed postmaster by President Adams, and retained the position until his decease. He was for fifteen years associate judge of the County Court, was county treasurer sixteen years, and elected to the Assem- bly in 1831 and re-elected in 1832. From 1838 to 1842 he represented his district in the State Senate. In politics Judge Skinner was a Democrat, and was intimately associated with Silas Wright, Gen. John A. Dix, Martin Van Buren, and other lead- ers of that party. For many years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Mex- ico Academy, and at the semi-centennial of that institution was the only surviving member of the original board. Judge Skinner was also a director of the Syracuse Northern Railroad. His son, Timothy W., was born in Mexico in 1827, admitted to the bar in Watertown in 1857, and has since practiced at Mexico. For fifteen years he was the junior member of the banking house of Whitney & Skinner. In 1863 he was elected surrogate for four years, in 1871 for six years, and in 1877 for six years. He was also president of the village, and justice of the peace for eight years. In 1856 he married Elizabeth Calkins, who died in 1861, leaving one child, Lizzie V., now Mrs. J. B. Stone of Auburn. Mr. Skinner afterwards married Sarah Rose, and their children are Grace A. and Avery W.

Smith, Chester B., was born in Parish December 11, 1835, son of Henry Smith, a native of Schoharie county, one of twenty-two children of William Smith of Schoharie county, who was twice married and a farmer by occupation. Henry was a mason by trade, and his later years were spent as a farmer. His wife was Mary Morenas of German ancestry, and their children are Jeremiah, William H., George W., Mariette, Nancy Ann, Roxina, Cyrus J., Ransom O., Chester B., Rothcinda, and Thomas H. William Smith was the great-grandfather of subject, and a Revolutionary soldier. Subject began farming for himself at twenty-one, went to Illinois in 1862, and en- listed in Co. G, 42d Ills. Inft. He served eighteen months and was discharged on account of disability. He participated in battle No. 10 on the Mississippi River, Shi- loh and Farmington, returning to Illinois and followed butchering. He then went to Parish and in December, 1863, enlisted in Co. I, 24th N. Y. Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. During this service he took part in the battles of the Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the face, and Cold Harbor, where his arm was broken while building breastworks. After the war he settled on his present farm, where his chief business has been dealing in live stock. Subject served as deputy sheriff nine years, constable fifteen years, which office he still holds; and

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

is a member of the Waterbury G. A. R. Post of Central Square. In February, 1864, he married Jennie B., daughter of Richard Northrup, of Mexico.

Tooley, Minott F., Palermo, was born April 14, 1861, son of George M., who was born August 16, 1818. Peter Tooley, the grandfather, was originally from the East- ern States. Jeremiah Tooley, the great-grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Oneida county. George M. married Lois White of Oneida county, a daughter of Roderick White. They had six children, Lucy, Martha, Mary, Minott, Elmer B. and James A., the latter being principal of Stamford Academy in Delaware county. Our subject married Maude Gilman June 28, 1888, and their children are Queenia R. and Minnie L. Minott F. has filled several minor offices in the town, and has always been an active worker for his party. In March, 1894, he was elected supervisor. He was educated in the Mexico Academy.

Taylor, Benjamin F., was born in Richland, July 3, 1833, a son of David, whose father David, sr., died in Oswego county aged eighty years. David, jr., died aged eighty-one. He married Sallie Baldwin, of Connecticut, who died aged eighty-six, and their children were Fenner B., George W., Benjamin F., and M. D. Lafayette, of whom the latter and Fenner are deceased. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the father was one of the oldest settlers in Richland, opening and improving the farm now occupied by his son. B. F. Taylor was educated in Rich- land and took upfarming and dairying. December 29, 1858, he married Phila Adelia, daughter of Levi P. and Elmina E. (Tucker) Hughson, her great-grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolution. The children of our subject are Minnie E., and John D., the former the wife of John Moran, of Pulaski, by whom she has one child; and the latter residing at home.

Turner, Captain B. Coe, was born in Scriba March 13, 1814. His first work was driving team on the canal, after which he went sailing on the lakes fifteen years, the last eleven of which he was captain of vessels. He then took up farming, and has resided fifty-two years on his present farm. In 1842 he married Sarah M. Lathrop, and they had two children, M. Bertrand and Cora L., wife of J. H. Worden. Mrs. Turner died April 7, 1893, and February 20, 1884, he married Emma Bradshaw. Captain Turner was postmaster fifteen years and has been one of the commissioners of the Oswego County Savings Bank since 1870. His father was Joseph Turner, and his mother Siloma Tyler. They were early settlers in Oswego county in 1810.

Trimble, David H., Palermo, was born March 28, 1838. His father, David, of Irish parentage, was born in 1809. He married Margaret Scott in New York, who was of Scotch parentage. Their children were Jane, Sarah, Lucinda, D. H., and Louisa, all being deceased but our subject. His occupation in early life was a farmer up to 1871, at which time he came to Palermo and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness on a general line of goods, which he still continues. In connection with this business he has a cheese factory, from which he turns out large quantities. He was the first to make what is known as the light skim cheese in Oswego county. He was very successful, and paid his patrons many thousand dollars more than the full cream factory paid. He succeeded in getting a daily mail service, and was postmaster from 1871 to 1888, also supervisor eight years. While on the Board of Supervisors he succeeded in getting the equalized valuation of the town of Palermo reduced

FAMILY SKETCHES.

$225,000. He married in 1856 Ermie, daughter of G. F. Sattuck of Scriba, Oswego county, and they have five children, Gordon D., John, Minnie, Fred and May, the latter two being deceased. Subject married second Mrs. Rose Gillman, widow of Levi Gillman. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Harman Lodge No. 144 of Fulton.

Tuller, Leander, was born in Mexico in 1822 and has always resided here. He farmed till twenty-one years of age, then followed the carpenter trade till 1862, when he enlisted in the 110th Regiment and served three years. In 1849 he married Frances Whitney, who died in 1892. He has one child, Cora, now Mrs. William Shumway of Mexico. The parents, Orrin and Polly (Kelsey) Tuller, came to Oswego county in an early day. Mr. Tuller has followed carpentry and joining ever since the war.

Twitchell, Henry C., of English ancestry, was born in Oswego county August 28, 1845. His grandfather, Stephen, was born in Moss, and died in Pulaski. James, father of Henry C., was born in Jefferson county, and died in Pulaski, aged sixty- eight, and his wife Polly, born in Richland, also died in Pulaski, aged sixty-five. Their children were Maria, Antoinette, Stephen, Jane, Henry C., Candace, Martha and Anna. Mr. Twitchell was a carpenter by trade, and attended the Methodist Church. Henry C. was educated in Pulaski and followed sailing until 1861, when he enlisted in the 7th N. Y. Cavalry and served six months, was honorably discharged and returned home. He again took up the sailor's life, which he followed three years, then began carpentry which he has since followed. In 1870 he married Carrie Moody, daughter of Harry and Caroline Moody of Richland. Mr. Twitchell is a Royal Arch Mason, a G. A. R. man, and was collector of the town three years.

Smith, Frank L., son of Harvey H. and Lavina (Jennings) Smith, is a native of Schroeppel, born on the farm where he resides in 1858. He was educated in Phoenix. In connection with general farming he deals in live stock, hay, etc. His mother is a native of Palermo, and the father died in 1888 aged sixty-seven.

Tuttle, Daniel H., was born in 1844, in Amboy, on the farm where his father, Anson W. Tuttle, first settled, in the township where his grandfather, Septimus Tuttle, settled among the early settlers of Amboy. Mr. Tuttle entered the army of 1861 in Co. E. 32d Rgt. N. Y. S. Vols., as a musician. After the war he returned to Amboy again and lived there on the old farm until 1869. Then he went to Michigan and lived in various parts of that State until 1880; then he went to Wisconsin and lived there until 1885, when he returned to Amboy again and repurchased the old homestead, where he has since resided.

Trowbridge, Charles F., was born August 3, 1854, in Tully, N. Y., son of Robert C. and Betsey R. Trowbridge, whose families were among the earliest settlers in Central New York. He was educated in the State Normal School, Cortland, N. Y., and is a Republican in politics. He learned the printing trade and came to Parish in 1874, and followed the business in the Parish Mirror office till he went into the drug business, during which time he was appointed postmaster, which position he held from 1878 till 1882, when he resigned to enter the U. S. railway mail service, a position that he still retains on the N. Y. Central and H. R. Railroad designated by

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

the Post-office Department as "New York & Chicago Railway Post-office." He is assigned to the " fast mail" and has a run between Syracuse and New York. Dur- ing his term as postmaster he was elected supervisor of the town. He married, October 10, 1876, Sarah A. Snell, daughter of L. D. and Sarah M. Snell, both of whom were born in Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y. They 'settled in Parish in 1874, where Mr. Snell opened the Snell House. Mr. Snell is a veteran of the late Civil war, having a brilliant record through his three years of service. Subject and wife have one daughter, Bessie B., born March 5, 1888.

Wightman, Edgar M., was born in Parish December 28, 1856, son of Asher S. Wightman, a native of Parish, born and reared on a farm and a son of Humphreys and Eunice Wightman, who were among the very first settlers of the town of Parish. Asher S. was a school teacher and writing master during his younger days, always taking an active interest in educational affairs, being chosen school commissioner for several years, and provided his children with a liberal education. His wife was Emeline Richardson of Mexico, N. Y., and their children are Mrs. Ella Ackley of Parish, Mrs. Minnie Wetherbee of West Monroe, and Edgar M. He was born, lived and died on the old homestead farm. Edgar M. was reared on the farm and attended school at Parish, finishing his education at Mexico Academy. He then taught school for several years, being very popular as an instructor and teacher. In February, 1877, he married Rosella E. Cross, only child of Cyrus P. and Lura (Penoyer) Cross of West Monroe, N. Y. They have two children, Lura and Ruby, who are being educated at Cazenovia Seminary, this State. In the spring of 1885 he engaged in the general mercantile business in the village of West Monroe, N. Y., in partnership with his father-in-law. Since the latter's death in 1892 he has assumed control and proprietorship of the business, carrying on the largest general mercantile and supply business in this section of the country, in connection with which he carries on an ex- tensive agricultural business in this and adjoining counties. Besides the mercantile business, Mr. W. is largely interested in farming in West Monroe and Constantia. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has served his town as supervisor and postmaster.

Tonkin, John Jay, was born in England April 2, 1851, came to this country when about five years old, and was educated in the public, boarding and mechanical schools. At the age of twenty-two he was first assistant superintendent of machinery for the Delaware and Hudson Coal Co., of Scranton, Pa., which company he left about two years later to accept the position of general superintendent of the James River Coal Co., of Richmond, Va., having full charge of all their property including mines, railroad and boats on canal. In 1879 he formed a company for the manufac- ture of the Tonkin Direct Acting Steam Pump, then went to Buffalo to take full charge of the Hart, Ball & Hart Works, manufacturers of oil well supplies, brass goods, cast iron pipe, sugar house supplies, forgings, etc. He found there was more money in making grape sugar (glucose) and starch, so went with the Michigan Grape Sugar Co., as general superintendent, fitted up the new works. and started it suc- cessfully. He was then offered a position with the Chicago Sugar Refining Co. of Chicago, Ill., where he converted the first lot of anhydrous grape sugar ever con- verted on a manufacturing scale in this country, and was general superintendent of the works, which cost about two and one-half million dollars. From Chicago he

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went to Oswego, and was engaged by the Oswego Starch Factory for the purpose of making starch for them by the latest process, the company being undecided whether to use the old process or the new. The output under his management was only about 4,800 1bs. per day, just to prove to the company on a small scale, the new pro- cess. Later on he was appointed by Thompson Kingsford as general manager of the Kingsford Foundry and Machine Works, having charge also of numerous other things under Mr. Kingsford, with whom he remained six years and one month, and was with the Oswego Starch Factory the whole time. While in Oswego he started the Oswego Tool Co., an incorporated company, of which he has always been presi- dent. They manufacture light machinery, tools for boiler shops, machine shops, for railway use, etc. He left. Mr. Kingsford to take charge of the Warden Mfg. Co.'s Works at Philadelphia, Pa., manufacturers of boilers, gas engines, etc. Leaving Philadelphia in 1893 he organized a company for the manufacture of boilers, engines and general machinery, under the name of the Tonkin Boiler and Engine Works Co., whose officers are John Jermyn, president; Rollo G. Jermyn, treasurer, and John Jay Tonkin, engineer and general manager. The plant can work about 250 men and has a capacity of about $400,000 worth per annum. The works are hydraulic throughout, and it is the second complete hydraulic plant in this country, the first being owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., in their Altoona Shops, Altoona, Pa., where they build their locomotives. The Tonkin company has a 400 ton hydraulic flanging press, which was made in England; this press will flange up to eight feet diameter, one inch thick, in one heat. The company owns about twenty acres of ground at the present time for manufacturing purposes, and make nothing but high grade work. The Tonkin Co. make complete plans for steam power plants, including the buildings, brick chimneys, self-supporting steel plate chimneys, and contract for complete steam plants of any capacity, all ready for steam. Mr. Tonkin has contracted for and supervised the building of several of the largest steam boiler plants in the country, among them the Third Avenue Cable road plant, New York city, of about eight thousand horse power ; the Broadway cable road plant, New York city, of about six thousand horse power; boilers for the United States twin screw steamer, Maple, about two thousand horse power; for the World's Fair, Chi- cago, and many others.

Smith, Nathan Button, is descended from sturdy ancestors, and was born in the town of Danby, Rutland county, Vt., in the year 1842. His great-grandfather, Asa Smith, came from Milton, Mass., and settled in the town of Clarendon, Vt., prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a surveyor by profession, a large landed proprie- tor, and was very active and influential in the early settlement and organization of that town. His father, Nathan J. Smith, was born on the farm where his grand- father had settled in the year 1804. He was married to Alzina Button in the year 1836 and then engaged in mercantile pursuits at the village of Danby, Vt. He was the proprietor of a large general store until the year 1849 when he moved with his family to the town of Clarendon, where he purchased a large farm in the Otter Creek Valley on which he resided until his death. He was a member of the General As- sembly, first selectman of the town for several years, and held several other posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He died in the year 1876 at the age of seventy-two years, leaving him surviving five sons, of whom the eldest is the subject of this

LANDMARKS OF OSWEGO COUNTY.

sketch. Mr. Smith's maternal ancestors came from the State of Connecticut. His great-grandfather, Charles E. Button, settled in the town of Rutland and was a prominent official in that town at the time of the trouble between the New Yorkers and the settlers who claimed title to the lands from the New Hampshire grants. His grandfather, Col. Frederick Button, was born in Clarendon, Vt., in the year 1785, and lived and died upon the farm where his ancestors had settled. He was a promi- nent man in the business and political affairs of his county. He was a member of assembly, State senator, first president of the County Agricultural Society, and be- came noted as a breeder and dealer in Merino sheep. He died in the year 1874 in the eighty-ninth year of his age. Mr. Smith's mother was born in the year 1814. She was educated at Castleton Seminary. She is a lady of refinement and culture and great force of character. She is still living upon the family homestead where she is enjoying a serene and beautiful old age. Mr. Smith in his early boyhood de- veloped a fondness for study and reading. He attended the district school in the winter and a select school in a neighboring village, and in 1857 became a student in Burr & Burton Seminary, then the best known classical school in Western Ver- mont. After the completion of his course of study in the preparatory school he en- tered Middlebury College, where he graduated in the year 1863 with the highest honors of his class. The following year was spent by Mr. Smith at Washington and in Virginia with the Army of the Potomac as a correspondent for one of the New York dailies. He was also a student for a few months in the law office of Gov. John W. Stewart at Middlebury, Vt., and in the autumn of 1865 came to the village of Pulaski, N. Y., where he taught the languages and higher mathematics in the Pulaski Academy, and also continued his legal studies in the office of Hon. S. C. Huntington. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of this State in the year 1868, and during the same year he was elected member of assembly from the third district of Oswego county. Though Mr. Smith was the youngest member of the Legislature in the year 1869, he was a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Privileges and Elections. He peremptorily refused a renomina- tion, in order that he might engage in the practice of his chosen profession, and he is now an active and prominent member of the bar of Oswego county. He was elected special surrogate in the year 1874, which office he held for one term of three years. In the year 1881 he was elected district attorney of Oswego county. He dis- charged the duties of that office for one term of three years, being engaged in sev- eral celebrated criminal trials during his term. Mr. Smith was married to Ellen Grinnell Cornell, the youngest daughter of the late Capt. Stephen Cornell, of the United States Revenue Service, in the year 1872. Mrs. Smith was born at Newport, R. I., and is a direct descendant of Thomas Cornell, who came to this country from England in the year 1647. Thomas Cornell settled in Portsmouth, R. I., and the farm on which he settled has been owned or occupied by some of his descendants ever since that date. Their children, Cornell, aged sixteen years, and Walter D., aged twelve years, are now students in the Pulaski Academy. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Congregational Church, and is largely in- terested in the social, business and educational interests of his village. By his hab- its of industry and study, he has attained an excellent reputation as a lawyer, and his many personal friends throughout Oswego county confidently expect that higher political honors may be conferred upon him.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Shutts, Jonas, Hannibal, was born in Columbia county, March 18, 1814, and came to this county in March, 1830, a son of John I. Shutts, a native of Columbia county. He owns 151 acres of land. Six brothers of this name came from Holland and set- tled in Greene and Columbia counties, they being the founders of the family in this country. Jonas Schutts married, first, Clarissa A. Demot, who died in 1840, by whom he had three children, all deceased. He afterward married Emeline, a daughter of Col. Roswell Lane, and their children are Mrs. Alvina Dunham, Da- kota; George W., who died in 1893; Mrs. Clarissa Hamilton; Gilbert, and Mrs. Eva Darrow. He married, third, Eliza E. Cleveland, who at that time was the widow of Abram Shutts, a brother of Jonas. Peter Shutts was in the war of the Rebel- lion, and was shot at the battle of Gettysburgh.

Sairs, C. A., was born near Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, September 24, 1837. At twelve years of age he was working on a farm, but soon went into a shin- gle mill. At sixteen years of age he went sailing and followed the lakes for sixteen years, most of which time he held a mate's certificate and finally obtained captain's papers. In 1867 he came to Oswego and began farming, which he has since fol- lowed. In 1862 he married Cornelia M. Lockwood of Scriba, who died June 19, 1894. His father was John M. Sairs, who was of Mohawk Dutch extraction. His mother was Harriet (Smedes) Sairs, of the early New England settlers. Mr. Sairs is one of the leading men of the town of Oswego, and justice of the peace, and has always lived on the farm he now owns since coming into the town.

Spoon, David, was born in Herkimer county in 1837. At the age of five he came to Amboy, where in 1870 he went into a general merchandise store with his brother at Amboy Center. Later for six years he was a farmer, after which he bought out another store which is known as the firm of D. Spoon & Son, where they have done business for seventeen years. Seymour Spoon was chosen supervisor in said town in 1892 and 1893.

Shields, Robert, was born in Newark, N. J., in September, 1830, son of David Shields, of English and Scotch parentage. His wife was Sarah Keith, and their children were Robert, James and John. He returned to his native land, taking his family with him, where he died in 1843. Later his wife with her sons, John and James, went to Australia. In 1849 Robert returned to the United States, going to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the chairmaker's trade. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. F, 29th Indiana Vol. Inf., for three years, re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, serving in all the battles of his regiment. He went in as private and came out as first lieutenant, going to South Bend, where he followed his trade until 1877 when he came to West Monroe and engaged in farming, where he has since resided. He was a member of Anten Post G. A. R., of South Bend. In 1871 he married Laura E., daughter of John W. and Sally (Perkins) Sperry; they have one daughter, Eleanor Sperry Shields, and one child by adoption, Laura Adine Pettit, who is a daughter of Mrs. Shields's deceased sister. Mrs. Shields's father, John W. Sperry, was born in 1805, and came to Constantia in 1810 with his parents. He was town clerk, commissioner of highways and justice of the peace for years. Mr. Sperry was a resident of West Monroe seventy years. He was married in 1830 to Sally M. Perkins of Manlius, N. Y., owned and resided on the same farm continuously fifty- three years. He died in 1883 and his wife, aged eighty-three, died in 1893. His

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Landmarks of Oswego County, New York, Part 98

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