Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 115

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > New York > Steuben County > Landmarks of Steuben County, New York > Part 115

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Newman, Andrew J., was born in Sidney, Delaware, N. Y., in 1835, son of Fran - cis A., who was a native of Otsego county, whose father, Rev. Francis A. Newman,

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was a prominent divine, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Francis A. New- man, jr., served in the war of 1812, and in 1855 came to Steuben county and set- tled in the town of Wayland, near Loon Lake, where he engaged in farming. He married Sarah -, by whom he three children: John W., Peter, and Andrew J. Peter first settled in Cohocton, where he engaged in the lumber business, and later settled in Avoca. Andrew J. has been for many years an extensive buyer and shipper of live stock, having also extensive farming interests, and for twelve years he carried on a market in Hornellsville. In 1888 he settled in the western part of the town of Cohocton. For nearly forty years he has been an official member of the Loon Lake M. E. church, and for nineteen years superintendent of the Sunday school. He married Catherine Mehlenbacker, by whom he had four children: Mary (Mrs. Frank Small), Samuel W., Charles P., and Gertrude.

Lee, Harriet Gray .- Amos Graves, son of Jedediah Graves, was born at East Had- dam, Conn., December 10, 1753. The earliest ancestor of this family we find in this country was John Graves, who was a native of England and came to the United States and settled in Concord, Mass., about 1640. His son Benjamin was born in 1645, and was a soldier in the Indian war of 1675. The third generation was his son, also Benjamin, who was born at Concord, Mass., March 2, 1676. His son Jedediah was born in 1708, and moved to East Haddam, Conn., about 1725, where Amos was born. He married Hannah Kennedy, who was born at Milton, Mass., March 11, 1766, by whom he had thirteen children. Amos Graves came to Steuben county in 1819 where he made his home for five or six years, and while here his influence was felt in the first religious work in Hornellsville. He removed to Concord, Pa., in 1824, where he spent a few years and then located in Harbor Creek, Pa., where he died April 29, 1836. Hannah Kennedy Graves was born in Lebanon, Chenango county, N. Y., September 7, 1803, and was married in Concord, Pa., to Otis Thacher, of Hor- nellsville, N. Y., March 9, 1825, and died there August 4, 1891. Amy Wentworth Graves was born at Lebanon, Chenango county, N. Y., February 26, 1806, and September 29, 1830, was married in Erie, Pa., by the Rev. Dr. Reed, to Dr. Patrick Wells Gray, who was the son of Judge John Gray of Sherburne, Chenango county, N. Y., and they had five children: Carroll Eugene Gray, Harriet Diantha Gray, Theodore Weld Gray, Rollin Birney Gray, and Ella Elizabeth Gray. Wellington Lee was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua county, December 18, 1816. He was a son of Joel and Amanda (Gray) Lee, and was educated for a civil engineer and had a varied experience, raising ships that were sunk in the Crimean war at the siege of Sevastapol, and was engaged in many other prominent enterprises. He made his home in New York city, and June 5, 1862, he married Harriet Diantha Gray, of Elmira, N. Y., in London, England, by whom he had three children, one of whom is living, Wellington Gray Lee, born in New York city, April 11, 1869. He is a civil and electrical engineer. Mr. Lee was the inventor and manufacturer of the first successful Steam Fire Engine in this country, and also manufactured them in England and France, a man of ac- quaintance and intimacy with the greatest American and foreign mechanical and civil engineers. He was of the firm of Lee & Larned, engine manufacturers of New York. He died in New York city, March 21, 1881, and is buried in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery. In the "Graves Genealogy," to be issued by General John Carl Graves, of Buffalo, in December, the Graves family is traced back in Eng- land 800 years,

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Babcock, Devolson D., was born in the town of Pharsalia, Chenango county, N. Y., October 13, 1833, and was for many years engaged in the mercantile business at Warren, Pa., where he remained eleven years. September 15, 1858, he married Mary A. Browning, of Scio, N. Y., who survives him, and their five children were: Ogden D., Devolson D., jr., Kate H., Grace B., and Mrs. Mary A. Weeks, of New York. When the great oil strike was made at Bradford, in 1875, and the opening up of the immense Clark, Babcock & Hulin's tract at Foster Brook occurred, Mr. Babcock left Pittsfield to assist his brother, Francis G. Babcock, one of the owners of the property, in its management. During the same year the Bank of Hornellsville was organized in this city by Francis G. Babcock, W. H. Johnson, and others, and Mr. Babcock be- came vice-president of the institution, a position he held continuously until his death. In 1878 he purchased with his brother a large interest in the prolific Moody tract of oil lands, of which he became one of the managers. In 1880 he took up his residence in Hornellsville on Center street, and after closing up his oil interests became associ- ated with his brother, Francis G., in an immense ranch at Terra Cotta, Kan., of which he became the manager. After the failure of A. B. Vorhis, at Canisteo, the sash and blind factory was purchased by Messrs. Babcock & Drake, and a year or two later Mr. Babcock became acting president of the concern, which position he held till his death. His only surviving relatives aside from his family, are Francis G. Babcock and Mrs. Elizabeth S. Clark, both of Hornellsville. Mr. Babcock was a member of the Presbyterian church and had long been president of the board of trustees of that society. Personally he was of a quiet temperament, but most genial and hearty of manner with his friends. He was a steady, persistent, and diligent business man of great ability. His domestic relations were unusually happy ; he was a good husband, an indulgent father, a loving son and brother, a consistent Chris- tian, and an honorable, honored citizen. He died in Hornellsville.

Wood, Ira M., was born in Urbana, July 16, 1842, and is the oldest of four sons born to Andrew T. and Catherine Holly Wood. Ira's great-grandfather, Jonathan Wood, was a pioneer of Orange county. Andrew T. was a farmer by occupation. He died July 12, 1894, and his wife October 20, 1885. Ira M. taught school nine terms and he enumerated the United States census of Wayne in June, 1880. May 27, 1866, he married Sarah O. Fuller of Bradford and they have two sons, Marion A. and Edgar M., school teachers. Mrs. Wood died October 21, 1877. For his second wife, March 15, 1881, he married Anna E. Leonard of Orange, Schuyler county, by whom he has one daughter, Susie E. In 1869 he located on a farm of one hundred acres in Wayne where he has since resided, and besides general farming he is insur- ance agent and dealer in agricultural implements. August 25, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 141st New York Volunteers and was honorably discharged June 29, 1865. He participated in the Siege of Suffolk, Va., his regiment was in the battles of Chat- tanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Sherman's March to the Sea. September 20, 1864, he was detailed as private orderly for Brig .- Gen. Hugh Ewing and April 20, 1865, was detached as clerk under Capt. John F. Herbert, chief of ar- tillery, department of Kentucky, Louisville, Ky. He is a member of Urbana Lodge No. 459, F. & A. M. at Hammondsport and of Chapter No. 95 R. A. M. at Bath, Pleasant Valley Grange No. 408, at Rheims and a charter member of Monroe Brun- dage Post No. 470, G. A. R. at Hammondsport and a charter member of Tent No.

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387, K. O. T. M. of North Urbana and a charter member of Schuyler Lodge No. 740, I. O. O. F. at Wayne. Henry S. Wood enlisted August 20, 1862, promoted to orderly sergeant, which rank he held at the time of his death, August 16, 1863, cause of death. typhoid malaria fever, at Warrenton Junction, Va.

Moore, Hobart J., second son of Walter Lull Moore (which see), was born in Morris, Otsego county, N. Y., December 14, 1850, and came to Hammondsport with his pa- rents in 1863. Was educated in the academy there and in early life became a clerk for J. S. Thorp, with whom he remained six years. In 1875 he established business for himself, and in 1895, in company with others, erected a new store building on Mechanic street. He is a Democrat and has served as town clerk, collector, and in 1886, 1887, and 1891-93 supervisor. He is a vestryman in St. James Episcopal church, a member of the board of education, and a member of Urbana Lodge, No. 459, F. & A. M. In 1877 he married Loretta, daughter of James Hall, and has two daughters and two sons.

Moore, Trevor, son of Walter Lull Moore, whose biographical sketch appears on another page of this volume, was born in the town of Morris, Otsego county, N. Y., April 13, 1846. At the age of seventeen he came to Hammondsport and attended the academy winters for three years. After teaching school two terms he engaged in viniculture and now owns a vineyard of twenty acres on the west shore of Keuka Lake. Since then he has been heavily interested in the grape business, both aspro- ducer and shipper. A Democrat in politics he has held several town offices and is president of the village of Hammondsport. He was one of the organizers and presi- dent of the Central New York Grape Growers Association, has been a member of Urbana Lodge, No. 459, F. & A. M., since 1887, and member of the building com- mittee in 1895 and vestryman of St. James Episcopal church for twenty years. No- vember 23, 1876, he married Anna, daughter of Luther T. Brink, a farmer and grape grower. They have three children: Walter L., Martha L., and Parley C.

Acker, Milo M., was born in Hartsville, N. Y., of German-American parentage, October 3, 1853. Until twenty-one years of age he worked at home during the sum- mers, and in the logging camps of Pennsylvania during the winters. During his leisure moments he studied and read industriously. After consideration, Mr. Acker decided to enter the legal profession, and accordingly returned to his home, took what little money he had and entered the school at Andover. By working for his board he managed to pay for his schooling. He was graduated with high honors and taught in all the departments of the school. A little later he attended for one year Alfred University, whose professors recently said of him: " We remember him as one with the power for work and the determination to make the most of hisoppor- tunities. Such young men will make their mark in the world, under whatever cir- cumstances." In 1879 and 1880 Mr. Acker was supervisor of the town of Hartsville, and in 1881 entered the office of Judge Hakes, of Hornellsville, as a law student. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, became a member of the firm in 1885, and in 1886 served as police justice of Hornellsville. He has risen rapidly in his chosen profes- sion, and is now counted one of the most prominent among the younger lawyers of Western New York, being often chosen to settle difficult cases where tact and sound judgment, both in regard to law and men, are required, and his success in such cases

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well warrants the choice. Mr. Acker has served four consecutive terms in the As- sembly, and held many prominent positions on committees. In 1890 he was chair- man of the judiciary committee, and in 1891 was Republican candidate for speaker, and therefore the leader of the Republicans in the house, where he was recognized as one of the best orators and debaters in the assemblies in which he served.

Brownell, Charles S., was born in Bath, May 7, 1849. Hisfather, Morton Brownell, was a native of Otsego county, who came to Steuben county in 1844, and established one of the first hardware stores in Bath, being associated with Robert W. Church, and remained in the business for twenty-five years, when he retired. He married Cornelia, daughter of P. Ollendorf, of Otsego, and died in 1890, aged eighty-five years. Charles S. was educated in Haverling Academy, and in 1864 he went to Buffalo aud engaged in the drug business, thence to Hammondsport in 1869, where he engaged in the hardware business, and in 1879 he removed to Bath and continued the same business under the name of C. S. Brownell & Co., carrying one of the larg- est stocks in Western New York. In 1868 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Saxton Bigelow, of Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. Brownell is one of the leading business men of his town, conservative and upright in character, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and county.

Rumsey, Hon. William, was born in Bath, in October, 1841. His father, the Hon. David Rumsey, was for many years a judge in the same court and for the same district now honored by his son. Judge Rumsey, sr., left the bench December 31, 1880, and resumed his practice. He died March 12, 1883, aged seventy-two years. The son of an eminent jurist, Judge Rumsey possesses both by inheritance and by culture, judicial abilities of high order, which have been disciplined and improved by close study and by experience on the bench. At an early age Judge Rumsey de- veloped a comprehensive grasp upon all questions and prepared for college in a re- markably short time, entering Williams in 1857, when he was but little over fifteen years of age. In April, 1861, a few months before the commencement when he was to have been graduated, Judge Rumsey cast aside his books as others gave up their cherished plans and pursuits, to respond to Lincoln's first call for troops, with which to crush the Rebellion. In spite of this he was graduated by the college in June, '61. He remained at Elmira as aide-de-camp to Gen. R. B. Van Valkenburg until Octo- ber 17, when he resigned and was appointed first lieutenant and adjutant in the First New York Light Artillery, Col. C. D. Bailey commanding. On November 1, 1861, he went with his regiment to Washington and remained there in camp until April, 1862, when Colonel Bailey was assigned chief of artillery in Casey's Division, Fourth Army Corps, and Lieutenant Rumsey went with him. He reached Newport News, Va., with his division about the 7th of April, and went to the front. He was engaged in the siege of Yorktown till May 4, and on May 5 participated in the battle of Williamsburg. He was in the Peninsular campaign from that day until May 31, when, in the battle of Fair Oaks, his horse was shot under him and he was severely wounded in the shoulder, and was sent North. On his return to the front he was promoted to the rank of captain and assistant adjutant-general for bravery at Fair Oaks. He participated in engagements too numerous to mention, serving under Gen. W. W. Averell. His promotion continued steady. On the 25th of May, 1865, he was commissioned a major for gallantry at Moorefield, where he led one column of

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the 1,600 national troops under General Averell, who attacked and utterly routed 3,200 rebel troops, killing and capturing one-half the entire command and dispersing the remainder. In further acknowledgment of his services, he received another commission from President Johnson, as brevet lieutenant-colonel, with rank from March 13, 1865, which commission stated that it was "given for distinguished ser- vices in the campaign of May, June and July, 1864," On the 7th of February, 1868, he received a commission from Governor Fenton as brevet colonel, "for meritorious services in the late war." It is the opinion of General Averell that Judge Rumsey should have been accorded a much higher rank than he attained. On the close of the war Judge Rumsey went with General Van Valkenburg to Japan, his former commander having been appointed Japanese ambassador. After a two years' sojourn Judge Rumsey returned to his native country and settled down to the serious work of his life. He studied law in his father's office and soon became a lawyer in good practice. He was chosen to the Supreme Court bench in 1880. In 1886 he was men- tioned prominently for a place on the Republican ticket as candidate for the Court of Appeals bench, but made way for Judge Daniels. In 1888 Judge Rumsey re- ceived the Republican nomination for the Court of Appeals bench, and was defeated by Judge Gray, by only 3,044 votes. Judge Rumsey led the State ticket and, it is said, might have been elected had he received proper support in New York city. Judge Rumsey has written an exhaustive work on "Practice," and was one of a commission of three with the Hon. David Dudley Field and Hon, David L. Follett, appointed by Governor Hill to prepare and revise the code of evidence. Judge Rumsey resides with his family at Bath, but his mother and sisters live here, he is regarded as a Rochesterian. >

De Puy, Esther .- A. R. De Puy was born in Milo, Yates county, October 31, 1821, son of James, who came to Steuben county, and in 1837 settled on Barney Hill. He married Jane, daughter of Daniel De Witt. A. R. followed in the footsteps of his father, and has been closely connected with the history of the town for forty years. In 1848 he married Esther, daughter of Henry Parr, of Big Flats, Chemung county, and they are the parents of two children: Henry F and Ellen. Mr. De Puy died May 16, 1895, in his seventy-fourth year, a loss not only to his family but to all who knew him.

Dolson, Edwin L .- Dr. Joseph S. Dolson, father of Edwin L. and Charles A., and son of Rev. Charles Williamson Dolson, was born in Campbell, Steuben county, Feb- ruary 6, 1825, and died in Hornellsville, July 10, 1892. His father, John Dolson, set- tled in the town of Bath about 1790, and kept an inn at the mouth of Mud Creek, receiving a grant of land of 130 acres from Capt. Charles Williamson, in recognition of services and kindness extended during a period of sickness, his deed bearing date October, 1793, and the words " consideration five shillings and kind offices of party of the second part." John Dolson came hither from Dolsonville, Orange county, where a number of the name still live. Charles W. Dolson was a preacher in the M. E. church, and died on the homestead. Dr. J. S. Dolson was educated in the schools at Bath, Campbell, and Elmira, and at Cazenovia Seminary, and taught school sev- eral years. He studied medicine with Dr. Marsena Terry, of Savona, attended lec- tures at Geneva Medical College and in New York city, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1848. In 1862 he entered the Union army as assistant

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surgeon in the 161st N. Y. Regt., became acting surgeon at Baton Rouge, La., and had charge of a hospital there for one year, when he resigned on account of illness. He was for many years connected with the Hornellsville Times, and long a local leader in the Republican party. He was postmaster of Bath from February 12, 1874, to March 4, 1882, and surgeon of the Soldiers' Home from March 1, 1882, to Septem- ber, 1887. . He married Amelia A., daughter of Benjamin Smith, of Woodhull, who survives him and is a physician in Hornellsville, being a licentiate of the Steuben County Medical Society. Her family came from Pennsylvania to Woodhull, Steuben county, about the first of this century, and have been prominent in local affairs. Edwin L. Dolson was born in Bath, April 23, 1867, was graduated from the Haver- ling Union School in 1884, and attended Cornell College for three years. Coming to Hornellsville he was for some months city editor and business manager of the Morn- ing Times, and in January, 1888, began the study of law in the office of Dolson & Orcutt. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester in February, 1891, and in October of the same year commenced the active practice of his profession in Hornellsville in partnership with his brother, Charles A. He has been attorney of the city since March, 1893.

Sutton, William L., was born in what is now the town of Redding, Schuyler county, November 6, 1828. John Sutton, the father of William L., was a captain in the war of 1812. He was a stone and marble cutter and came to Steuben county when a young man, locating in the town of Redding where he married Catherine Lyboult, a native of Lysander, Onondaga county. He removed with his family to Penn Yan in 1831 where the boyhood of William L. was spent. At eighteen years of age William L. went on a whaling expedition and spent four years in the tropics. He came to Penn Yan where he spent one year and engaged in the machine shop and later moved to Fremont, in 1854 coming to Hornellsville to work at his trade of machinist. In 1857 he bought out the photograph gallery of George S. Young and a year later moved to Main street. He was located there until after the war and then went into partnership with Carl Myers, which partnership existed only two years, when Mr. Sutton started alone on Seneca street and two years later moved to the building now owned by Charles Strack on Canisteo street. He was then fifteen years in the Griswold Block and in October, 1890, moved to his present location at 731 Main street. At the time of his going in business he was the only one making pho- tographs between Elmira and Buffalo and made the first photographs ever made in this county. He is one of the leading photographers of this section and has given his whole attention to his business. He also conducts a branch gallery in Andover. Mr. Sutton was two years trustee and the same length of time an alderman. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Hornellsville Lodge, No. 331, and also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. In 1855 he married Mary Ella Eaton, by whom he had three children ; Charles B., who is in the gallery with his father; Mrs. Jennie Chubbuck of Proctor, Ill. ; and Mrs. Joseph Burgess of Dansville.

Dorrance, Lester, was born in Elkland, Pa., June 11, 1833, son of George and Susan (Hammond) Dorrance, he born in Connecticut, and she in Chemung county, N. Y. , The grandfather, George G. Dorrance, was born in Connecticut, where he died. George Dorrance, father of Lester, came to Elkland about 1822, where he died in 1883, and his wife, in 1888. Lester Dorrance was reared on the old farm in

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Elkland, Pa. He came to Woodhull in 1857, where he engaged in lumbering for fif- teen years, and the farm he now owns was purchased by his father in 1855; it con- tains 181 acres. He was a Republican in politics until General Grant's administra- tion, when he became a Democrat, but is now Independent. In 1856 he married Hannah M. Botton, of Elkland, Pa., by whom he had three children: One who died in infancy; Clark B., who died at three years of age; and Susan C., who resides at home.

Partridge, Charles E., was born in the town of Prattsburg, March 31, 1854. His grandfather, Jonas Partridge, was a native of Vermont, and came to Barrington, Yates county, N. Y., with his parents, Jasper and Jemima Partridge, in 1815. Jonas Par- tridge came to Steuben county about 1826 and settled in the town of Prattsburg on Lent Hill. He was a shoemaker by trade. He married Amelia Wilson, by whom he had four sons: Wilson, Jasper, Erastus, and David. Wilson settled on Lent Hill and later at Wallace, where he is engaged in farming. He married Zilpha Olds. Jasper settled on Lent Hill and afterward at Cohocton. He was a blacksmith by trade. He married Elizabeth Stewart. David married Fannie Weld and settled on Lent Hill, where he died. Erastus was a carpenter by trade. He settled on Lent Hill, where he died. He married Julia Rynders, by whom he had five children: James, who settled at Wallace, and is a blacksmith by trade; Jonas, who is a farmer in Prattsburg; Jacob, who settled in Wheeler, N. Y., and engaged in farming; Frances, who died unmarried; and Charles E , who settled in the town of Cohocton, and who married Victoria Terry.

Cook, Angeline .- John Cook was born in Steuben county, N. Y., January 17, 1815, son of Reuben and Philinda Cook, who were early settlers of Steuben county. Reu- ben Cook laid out a road from Westfield to Wellsborough, and was highway com- missioner for twelve years. John Cook was reared on a farm, and was a stone mason by trade. In politics he was a Republican and was postmaster twelve years. He married Jane Forkenter, by whom he had five children: Philinda, Margaret, Edgert, John, and Charles. August 2, 1873, he married Angelina Gunn, a native of Jasper, and daughter of Charles and Joanna Hulbert Gunn, who came to Jasper at an early date. He died March 28, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Gunn were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, except one son, Richard. They attended the Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born six children : Charles G., who lives in Woodhull; Emma, who died February 6, 1895; Mary J., who died June 20, 1887; Minnie, wife of George Simmons of Nelson, Pa .; Reuben who resides at home; and Edna, who is also at home. Mr. Cook was a soldier in the late war.

Rogers, William J., was born in Troupsburg, December 4, 1842, and is the young- est of five children born to Matthew and Ann (Schoonover) Rogers, he a native of Vermont, and she of Pennsylvania. The grandparents, Jonathan M. and Elizabeth (Darrin) Rogers, came from Vermont to Barrington, thence to Troupsburg. They were one of the very first familes of the town, and went to Painted Post to mill. He died April 8, 1844, aged sixty-five years, and his wife February 22, 1860, aged seventy- five years. The parents of Elizabeth Darrin were Daniel and Martha Darrin, na- tives of Ireland, who came to Troupsburg at an early day, where they died, he No- vember 4, 1839, aged eighty-one years, and she October 16, 1861, aged ninety-five

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 115

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180