Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 43

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 43

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Engraved by J. K. Campbell, N. Y.

Strane,

BIOGRAPHICAL.

artistic designs; third, perfection of finish, including depth of cutting; fourth, symmetrical shapes.

Notwithstanding Mr. Hoare's seventy-three years, he is still an active man. Whether in the shops, at the fireside, or at the lodge, he is always the same genial and entertaining companion and generous host. He takes but little part in the political affairs of the city or county, yet is a thorough Republican and Protectionist. He became a member of the Masonic order in 1855, joining Star of Bethlehem Lodge of Brooklyn, and has since advanced through the highest branches to the thirty- second degree. He has also taken all the degrees of Odd Fellowship, and is a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor. In Brooklyn, in 1861, he joined the National Guard; was a member of the Military Association at Albany, and in England became a Forester. Captain Hoare has been a vestryman in Christ church for more than twenty years, and for several years has been senior warden. He is regarded as a public-spirited and upright citizen.

On the 16th of November, 1845, John Hoare was married to Catherine Dailey. Of this marriage eight children were born, six of whom grew to maturity, and four are now living. The six are James, of the present firm of J. Hoare & Company ; Catharine, who married William J. White; Minnie, wife of William H. Sayles; John, jr., who died at the age of thirty, while he was the valued superintendent of the cutting works; Timothy, who died at thirty-one; Joseph A., a physician of Corning, and the only son who adopted an occupation other than some branch of glass cutting.

FRANKLIN N. DRAKE.

IN the town of Milton, Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 1st day of December, 1817, Franklin Nelson Drake was born. His father was Elijah Drake, a farmer in modest circumstances, yet hard working and industrious. He died in 1829, when Franklin was only twelve years old. His mother was Polly Tambling, a most esti- mable woman, native of Lee, Berkshire county, Mass. After the death of her hus- band the widow married Christopher Cadman, and the family soon joined the tide of emigration to the Genesee country in New York State, settling at Le Roy, Genesee ® county. Here the youth of Franklin was spent, at school, only a short time, for he was the seventh son in a large family and was early put to work. At the age of fif- teen years he began as clerk in a drug store in Le Roy, remaining there three years, after which he spent one year in the west. Still another year was spent in a drug store in New York city, when he returned to Le Roy and with the little amount he had saved from his wages opened a grocery and hardware store in the village. This was the goal of his ambition at the time, but the changes of the succeeding fifteen years opened to him the possibilities of still greater successes in larger and perhaps more hazardous fields of business action. After fourteen years of fair success as mer- chant Mr. Drake disposed of his stock at Le Roy, and in partnership with H. D. Graves and Harrison Harvey, under the firm name of H. D. Graves & Co., purchased a large tract of timber land in the town of Cohocton, Steuben county, and soon be- gan operations as manufacturers and dealers in lumber, shipping their product to

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

northern markets for sale. Their first mill was about three miles from Cohocton village (then known as Liberty) on the road leading to Loon Lake. However, a change was soon made in the personnel of the firm, Graves and Harvey retiring and Z. Waterman becoming partner with Mr. Drake. But Mr. Waterman proved an unsuccessful lumberman and operator, and the result was his early retirement from the firm, leaving our subject sole owner and proprietor. Down to this time and throughout the several changes in partnership relations the business had been reason- ably successful, yet it was by no means as extensive as Mr. Drake desired it to be, for he saw that larger and more rapid operations meant grand success from a finan- cial point of view. His partners did not hold the same opinion, hence the change in the firm.

In the early part of 1861 the firm of F. N. Drake & Co. was organized, the partners being Franklin N. Drake, George W. Drake and Thomas Warner. The operations of this firm were the most extensive of all in the history of lumbering in the Conhoc- ton valley. The senior partner was the active manager of the enterprise, and he was earnestly assisted by his associates, neither of whom was at all timid in making large investments. At one time in its history the firm operated six mills, the annual output from which aggregated 15,000,000 feet of pine and hemlock lumber. They continued business throughout the period of the war, when prices were high in every market, and the result of their management was a substantial fortune for each of the partners. In 1866 the firm was dissolved, Franklin N. and George W. Drake retiring, and Mr. Warner continued the business.

Although F. N. Drake sold his interest in the lumbering enterprise in the Conhoc- ton valley, and in the next year, 1867, took up his residence at the village of Corn- ing, he by no means retired from active business pursuits. To be sure he then pos- sessed a fortune, but he had also demonstrated the fact that he possessed the capacity to originate and successfully direct large enterprises, and his past experiences only served to stimulate him to still greater exertions in future operations. While in busi- ness in Cohocton Mr. Drake had joined a company in the purchase of a large tract of timber and coal lands near Blossburg, Pennsylvania, the development and operation of which called for the construction of a railroad in order to secure the best results. This led to the organization of the Bloss Coal-Mining and Railroad Company, of which Mr. Drake was the general superintendent, or, as he was in fact, active man- ager of the whole enterprise.

Still further, in carrying out the objects of the organization, in 1867 Mr. Drake purchased the Tioga Railroad, and was elected president of that reorganized company. Through his efforts, in 1876, the line of the road was extended to the city of Elmira, thus giving it an additional value both in frieght and passenger traffic and otherwise materially improving its condition. However, in 1871, the Bloss-Coal Mining and Railroad Company was sold to the Blossburg Coal Company, and of the last men- tioned corporation Franklin N. Drake was elected president; which statement im- plies the ownership of a controlling interest in the capital stock of the company, and also the actual direction of its policy and business. Such was the case, and the re- mark is frequently made in financial circles that whatever measure of success was accomplished through the enterprise, it was due almost entirely to the energy, sagac- ity and excellent judgment of the managing officer. During the years 1870 and '71 Mr. Drake was director of the Erie railroad, yet his chief attention was given to the

BIOGRAPHICAL.

management of the several companies previously mentioned. However, all these various railroad interests were sold to the Erie road in 1881. Mr. Drake was ever awake to the interests of Corning, and every measure tending to promote the general good found in him an earnest advocate and generous supporter. In 1882 he organized the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000, and was elected its first president, holding that office uutil the time of his death, December 28, 1892. Except for the united efforts of Mr. Drake and Amory Houghton, jr., it is doubtful if Corning would ever have possessed the beautiful opera house which now ornaments the city. Like instances of his public spiritedness and liberality might be counted by the dozen, but are not deemed essential in this place.

Such is a brief resume of the principal business operations of Franklin N. Drake. If it indicates anything it is that he was a remarkable man in his capacity to grasp and successfully direct large enterprises. In such undertakings, the details of which would distract and paralyze the powers of men less favorably constituted for such operations, he seemed to see the end from the beginning. He looked over his ground, formed his own judgment with rapidity and almost certain accuracy, and after that proceeded to the execution of his plans with the serene confidence that all would end according to his expectations. He was, as must be seen, a very busy man; but his manifold interests never worried him; in all these his power was sufficient for any emergency and his time adequate for all requirements. While not a man of finished education, for his early opportunities were indeed limited, his fund of general know- ledge was comprehensive and useful, and was underlaid with sound common sense and an excellent judgment of men and affairs. Behind all this was a character noted wherever his name was known for sterling integrity that causes his name to be loved and revered. Although a close reader and observer of all that took place in public life he was not active in politics. However, while living in Cohocton, Mr. Drake served two years, (1863-1864) as member of the Board of Supervisors.

Franklin N. Drake married (in 1840) Abigail, daughter of Giles Manwarring, of Bethany, Genesee county. To them were born three sons and three daughters, of whom only two sons reached manhood. Of these Henry attained the age of twenty- six years, and died in 1873. Except for the work of the destroyer, the domestic life of Mr. Drake was all that could be desired, as he possessed both means and disposi- tion to provide his family with every luxury which adds to the pleasure of home.

GEORGE B. BRADLEY.

GEORGE BECKWITH BRADLEY, who now retires from the Supreme Court bench by reason of having attained the age limitation of seventy years, and who carries with him into retirement from the judicial office he has filled so well and honorably the sincere admiration and respect of the entire bar of the State, has been associated with the legal profession in Steuben county for almost half a century. In 1848, the same year in which he was admitted to practice, Judge Bradley came to Addison, thence in the course of a few months moved to Woodhull, practicing law at the latter place about four years. In the fall of 1852 he located permanently at Corning and at once began active practice in the rapidly growing village.

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY

George B. Bradley was born in the town of Greene, Chenango county, N. Y., on the 5th day of February, 1825, and was the younger of two children of Orlo F. and Julia (Carter) Bradley. His father was a farmer, and George was brought up to farm work, attending district school in the winter. However, he did succeed, wholly through his own exertions, in obtaining a two years' course of study at the old Ithaca Academy, after which he began reading law in Greene, using Judge Monell's office and library. He finished his studies at Fulton in the office of James Crombie, and at Oswego in May, 1848, was admitted to practice. He then came to Steuben county, practicing a few months at Addison, where his sister then lived.

In his early professional career Judge Bradley showed commendable zeal and activity and was soon recognized among the leading young lawyers of the Southern Tier. In the conduct of his legal business he was methodical, cautious, and some- times laborious, and it has been said by lawyers who knew him well that he never went into court with a case unless it was thoroughly prepared for trial. However, it was his policy to discountenance rather than promote litigation, and a glance at the old court calendars shows his name as attorney for the defense far more frequently than for the plaintiff; and in his intercourse with clients, mature deliberation always preceded counsel. Before the jury he addressed himself to the understanding of his hearers instead of appealing to their passions, and approached the subject in hand with dignity and self-possession, and in the light of principle and common sense.

Naturally a lawyer of such characteristics, and also possessing the respect, confi- dence and esteem of his fellow men, could not well avoid being drawn somewhat into the arena of politics, though the principles he has maintained and advocated have not been in accord with those of the dominant party in the county. Neverthe- less he has been pressed into the field as the Democratic candidate (though seldom of his own choice), when personal and professional influence and popularity, it was hoped, might turn the scale of doubtful contest.

In 1858 our subject was nominated for Congress in the district composed of Steuben and Livingston counties, and was defeated by William Irvine. In 1871 he was the Democratic nominee for the State Senate in the district then comprising the counties of Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler, and was defeated by Col. Gabriel T. Harrower, though by a very small majority. In 1873 he was again in the field for the same office, and was elected by more than two thousand majority. He was re-elected in 1875. Two years later he was defeated by Ira Davenport, the rich and popular can- didate of the Republican party. He was a member of the Constitutional Commis- sion of 1872-73. In 1878 Mr. Bradley was the Democratic nominee for the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals, but was defeated at the polls by George F. Danforth, one of the ablest lawyers and most popular candidates in Western New York. In 1883 our subject was nominated and elected Justice of the Supreme Court, and soon after assuming the duties of his office, which began June 1, 1884, he was appointed one of the Justices of the General Term in the Fifth Department, comprising the seventlı and eighth judicial districts. However, in January, 1889, under the consti- tutional provision creating the court, Judge Bradley was designated one of the mem- bers of the Second Division of the Court of Appeals. With that body he served until its business was completed and the court dissolved in the fall of 1892, after which he was on the Circuit until the fall of 1893, when he succeeded Judge Macomber on the General Term bench. By the Constitution of 1895 the General Terms of the Su-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

preme Court from and after the 31st day of December, 1895, were superseded by what is termed Appellate Division in four departments, and at the same time, by reason of having attained his seventieth year, Judge Bradley retires from the bench.

What more need be said, or what more fitting tribute can be written upon an hon- orable professional career than a plain statement of fact; a lawyer possessed of a clear and deep understanding of law; a counsellor prudent and careful, ever ready, but not hasty; shrewd and able to see quickly the vital points of a case; and ever respectful to the rulings of the court. Possessing these qualities as a lawyer, he was eminently fitted for the more exalted station on the bench, As a judge he was self- possessed, dignified, courteous, firm in his rulings, logical in his reasoning, kind and forbearing toward the profession generally, and the young lawyers in particular ; hence his popularity and the many expressions of respect and esteem on the part of his colleagues on the bench and the laymen of the law.

During the long period of his legal practice Judge Bradley had only two partners; first D. F. Brown, under the style of Bradley & Brown, and second, A. S. Kendall, the firm being Bradley & Kendall, and in partnership from 1861 to 1884.

In 1850 George B. Bradley married Hannah E., the daughter of John Lattimer, of Woodhull. They have no children. In religious preference Judge Bradley inclines to Presbyterianism, but is not a member of the church. He is, however, one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church of Corning, and a regular attendant at service.

STEPHEN T. HAYT.

STEPHEN THURSTON HAYT, who has been well known in business and political cir- cles in Steuben county for nearly half a century, was a native of Putnam county, born in the town of Patterson, on the 5th day of June, 1823. He was the son of John C. and Martha T. Hayt, of Patterson originally, but later of Ithaca, from which vil- lage the family came to Corning in 1833, when our subject was only ten years of age. John C. Hayt was a physician by profession, well educated and holding a good prac- tice, but poor health compelled him to abandon that avocation, and he afterward gave his attention to lumbering. He is well remembered by a few of the older resi- dents of Corning, where he lived until 1854. Stephen T. Hayt was brought up at the same kind of work in which his father was engaged, and his somewhat limited early education was acquired in the school at Knoxville. At the age of seventeen he went to Elmira and worked as a clerk in a general store, remaining there three years, then returned home and was a storekeeper before he was twenty-one. After seven years of fairly successful life as merchant, Mr. Hayt went into the lumber business, buying and selling, dealing extensively as one of the firm of Hayt & Towner, as known in this region, and Towner & Hayt, as designated in Albany, where his partner managed affairs. This firm continued its business operations until 1868, and was then dissolved, In the same year, in partnership with Mr. Olcott, Mr. Hayt built the Southern Tier Mills, at Corning, but in 1869 our subject became sole proprietor, and for the next ten years carried on an extensive flouring business

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

under the old process of manufacture. In 1879 the buildings were destroyed by fire, but were replaced during the year with the present large brick mill, equipped with modern machinery, having a capacity of 200 barrels of flour per day, and being one of the most complete industries of its kind in the Southern Tier. These mills occupy the chief attention of Mr. Hayt at this time, although in connection with the busi- ness he is a also a successful farmer and tobacco grower.

Notwithstanding a very active business life in ordinary affairs, Mr. Hayt has been a more than passive factor in Steuben county in politics. In fact he was for many years a leader of the Republican party and one of whose counsel and advice were always for the public and the party's good. His first vote was for James K. Polk in 1844, in the memorable campaign in which the successful candidate was pitted against Henry Clay. In 1848 he was classed with the "barn-burners," favor- ing Van Buren, and in 1852 supported Franklin Pierce. Four years later Mr. Hayt was a strong Fremont advocate, and from that until the present time has been an earnest Republican, entertaining clear and well settled convictions on all public questions, and is perfectly candid in expressing them. Yet his Republicanism was not so intense as to prevent him from supporting Mr. Greeley in 1872. Mr. Hayt was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln in 1860; to the convention that nominated General Grant in 1868; to the convention that nominated James G. Blaine in 1884, and to the convention that nominated Benjamin Harrison in 1888. In 1863, and again in 1865 he was nominated and elected to the State Senate. During his first term he was on the committee on canals, also on roads and bridges; and during his second term was chairman of the committee on canals. In 1866 he resigned the senatorial office and was elected Canal Commis- sioner of the State, holding that position three years. In addition to these offices, we may state that Mr. Hayt has held many positions in the county and town, and has ever shown an active and generous interest in all local affairs, particularly in such measures as have tended to promote the welfare of Corning, both town and city. The records show that he has been town and city supervisor twelve to fifteen terms, and held many other offices of local importance. Despite his active political career he has never seriously neglected his personal affairs, and his long business life has been substantially rewarded in a deserved competency.

On the 19th of November, 1856, Stephen T. Hayt was married to Margaret C. Townsend, of Palmyra, Wayne county. Of this marriage eleven children have been born, eight of whom are now living.

WILLIAM E. GORTON.

THE surname Gorton stands for pioneership in Steuben county and in the Chemung valley. The pioneer of the family was Peleg Gorton, a native of Rhode Island, but a resident of Rensselaer county during the closing years of the last century. So near as can be ascertained, Peleg Gorton made a purchase of land in the Chemung valley in 1796 or '97, where he intended to settle, but on his return to the east he was unfortunately killed by a runaway team. However, a number of his sons were

WESonton.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

settlers in this region in 1797, among them being Peleg, jr., Rufus, Benjamin, and Moses.

Rufus Gorton, the pioneer ancestor of that branch of the family of which we write, was one of the earliest settlers in the valley, and engaged somewhat exten- sively in lumbering, and was also proprietor of the old and historic Hammond & Johnson Mills. He is remembered among the pioneers as an enterprising and in- dustrious citizen, well endowed with energy and determination. However, he went farther west and was one of the pioneers of Michigan, in which State he died about the year 1863. In his family were seven sons and two daughters, among whom Samuel was the fourth in the order of seniority. He was born in the old town of Painted Post (now Corning) in April, 1802, and when old enough learned the trade of millwright. He also went to Michigan where he worked at his trade, and also at farming, He married Sarah Ann Daley, of Millport, Chemung county, N. Y., of which marriage two sons were born, only one of whom grew to maturity.

Alonzo Hiram Gorton, surviving son of Samuel and Sarah Ann Gorton, was born in the town of Painted Post on the 18th of May, 1828. His youth was spent on a farm in Michigan, and his opportunities for acquiring a practical education were in- deed limited. He learned the milling and also the carpenter trade and gained a thorough understanding of car building, therefore, after his return to Steuben county he easily obtained a position in the employ of the Fall Brook Coal Company. He proved himself competent, reliable and honest and was advanced step by step in the company's work until he became general superintendent of the Fall Brook system, a position held by him for twenty-seven years, and until the time of his death, April 26, 1886. In 1850 Mr. Gorton married Maria Louise Alexander, of the town of Webster, Washtenaw county, Mich. They had two children, Alexander Alonzo, who died in infancy, and William E. of Corning.

William E. Gorton, founder, president and manager in fact of the Corning Iron Works, was born in Corning village, October 19, 1854. His elementary education was acquired in the local schools, and he graduated from the Academy in 1872. He then entered the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pa., where he remained about one year, then taking a graduating course at the famous Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Later on he began a course of medical study under the in- struction of Dr. Updegraff, a noted practitioner and specialist of Elmira, and after three years of thorough elementary work, entered the Hahnemannian Medical Col- lege of New York city, taking a full three years' course in that institution, and from which he was graduated with honors in 1878. After graduation Dr. Gorton received a most flattering and tempting offer to locate and practice in the metropolitan dis- trict, but an acceptance would have necessitated a considerable outlay of money, and also would have been at variance with his plans, hence the offer was declined, and our young physician returned to Corning; not, however, to enter active professional life, as a disciple of Hahnemann and the theories of similia similibus curantur, but laying aside his title of "M. D.," Mr. Gorton became clerk in the offices of the Fall Brook Company. The president of the road soon appointed him to the position of assistant superintendent, which he held and satisfactorily filled for three years, then resigned and engaged in railroad construction, operating principally in the South, as one of the contracting firm of Griffin & Gorton. Among the lines of road which this firm built, in whole or in part, may be mentioned the Charleston, Cincinnati &

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

Chicago, a part of the Piedmont Air Line extensions in North and South Carolina, and also the Roanoke & Southern, in North Carolina. The business of the firm was reasonably successful, and was, it seems, more congenial to the tastes and inclina- tion of Dr. Gorton than either professional work or a subordinate position in the em- ploy of a company or an individual. In truth, if we correctly interpret the dominant characteristics of William E. Gorton (and persons who knew him best say we are right), he is a man who prefers to direct and manage enterprises according to his own judgment, and in his own way, rather than carry out the orders of an em- ployer.

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 43

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