Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 44

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 44

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In 1889 our subject returned to Corning, and in the same year established the Corning Iron Works, was its active manager, and when the company was incorpor- ated in 1893, became president. During the time he was in the South, Mr. Gorton was a member of the local drug firm of Gorton & Terbell. The iron works is now numbered among the leading industries of the city.

William E. Gorton, during his lifelong residence in Corning, has taken an active part in all public enterprises. During the period of the war, even before he had reached his tenth year, he gained the title of "Drummer Boy of the Southern Tier," for it was his practice to keep the "drum rolling" at the recruiting offices in the region. In politics he is a Democrat, and was brought up under Democratic in- fluences, and while not a seeker after public office, he was nevertheless elected the first mayor of Corning under the city charter, his Republican opponent in that can- vass being Joseph J. Tully, concededly the most popular man in his party in the town. As the first executive officer of the city, the duty of organizing the several departments fell upon him, and subsequent results have shown that his appointments were satisfactory and for the best interests of the taxpayers. In 1893 Mr. Gorton was nominated by the Democratic convention as its candidate for the State senate, but declined to run. While not a church member he was brought up under Presby- terian influences.

On the 18th day of April, 1877, William E. Gorton was married to Clara Belle Stevens, daughter of Peabody Stevens, of Buffalo. Five children have been born to this marriage, four of whom are now living. They were Ethel Louise, Belle, Alonzo Hiram (deceased), William Edward, and Gretchen.

CHARLES G. DENISON.

CHARLES G. DENISON was known in business and political life in Corning for a period of nearly forty years, and at the time of his death, July 2, 1892, he held the respect and confidence of every business man in Eastern Steuben county. In poli- tics Mr. Denison was firmly and emphatically Democratic, serving only the best in- terests of his party, and never expressing his opinions or sentiments in a manner calculated to create unfriendliness. Therefore he was exceedingly popular with his Republican neighbors, and when a candidate for office he always received a large complimentary vote from the opposition party. By his consistent position and frank, open methods, Mr. Denison became a recognized leader of the Democracy in the county, and one in whom the party at large had full confidence.

ALLEN WOOD

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Charles G. Denison was born in Montrose, Pa., on the 23d of May, 1828, and was the son of Dr. Benadam Denison by his marriage with Eunice Williams, that being his second marriage. At the age of twenty years Charles first came to Corning, where he found employment in the store of G. D. Williams, one of the pioneer mer- chants of the village. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Denison married, and soon after- ward moved to Tioga, Pa., where he went into business as general dealer in mer- chandise. But his means and experience were limited, and despite an earnest, honest endeavor his business life here resulted in failure. In 1858 he returned to Corning and soon afterward established a general coal business, dealing as whole- saler in large quantities, with gratifying success, and as the result of a long period of active life he became possessed of a comfortable fortune.

Outside of his own personal affairs, Mr. Denison took an earnest interest in the welfare of Corning and its various public and private enterprises. He was fre- quently elected trustee, and held the office of village president four terms. For twenty years he was a member of the Board of Education, several years its president, and was especially interested in advancing the standing of public schools. He lived to witness the consummation of his frequently expressed desire that Corning become a chartered city. The act was approved March 20, 1890. Mr. Denison died July 2, 1892. His wife, to whom he was married April 10, 1855, was Martha A. Land, daughter of Robert Land,;the latter for many years a prominent lumberman of Corn- ing, to which place he came in 1835. The children of this marriage were M. Ella Denison, of Corning; Carrie E., wife of Charles W. Congdon, of New York city ; and Charles L. Denison, of Corning, who became partner with his father, July 1, 1887, and is now owner of the business.

Charles L. Denison was born July 1, 1866, and acquired his early education in the Corning schools. Later on he attended the Rochester Business University, and was just of age when he became partner with his father. The firm of Charles G. Deni- son & Son was formed July 1, 1887, and still stands, though the business is now wholly owned and managed by the son, who has added a lumber department and otherwise enlarged upon the operations formerly conducted by the firm. On April 12, 1888, Charles L. Denison married Eda, daughter of James Young, of Corning.

ALLEN WOOD.

ALLEN WOOD, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y., October 12, 1819. He was the son of Joseph Wood, the son of Stephen Wood, a Quaker, the son of Daniel Wood, the son of Jonathan Wood, who was born in England in 1697. The time of his migration to America is unknown. Joseph Wood moved from Dutchess county in 1833, and settled on a farm in the town Farmington, where the subject of this sketch remained working on the farm and attending the district school until 1841, when he completed his schooling under Pro- fessor H. N. Robinson, at Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo. In 1850 he purchased a farm in the town of Manchester, Ontario county, where he remained till 1854, when he and his youngest brother David built the steamer Joseph Wood, on Canandaigua Lake, receiving as a bonus from the citizens of the village of Canandaigua $1,000 as

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

an inducement. In eight years the business had so grown as to invite opposition, when they sold out. Mr. Wood then accepted the position of superintendent of the Gas Works, which he retained for four years, when he purchased the steamer Steu- ben, on Lake Keuka, and removed to Hammondsport. The steamer Steuben burn- ing in 1864, he built the steamer G. R. Youngs, and in 1868 the steamer Keuka. With these boats he built up a large and profitable business; again meeting opposi- tion, he sold out in 1873.

In 1875 he leased the partly completed Bath & Hammondsport R. R., put on the superstructure and rolling stock, and for eleven years did an increasing and profit- able business. In 1886 he sold his lease to H. S. Stebbins.

In 1887 he removed to St. Augustine, Florida, where he became interested in real estate, and the St. Augustine and South Beach Railway, becoming the general man- ager, spending his winters there and his summers at Hammondsport, N. Y. On all mooted questions he is fearlessly independent. Commencing in 1840 he voted the Democratic ticket, then the Abolition, Free Soil, Republican, and now the Populist. He has always been an active promoter of popular education, and of the highest character, and always manifests the keenest interest in improvements in town, county or State. He sold his interests in Florida in 1895, and is now living in retirement. Mr. Wood was the father of seven children, two only now surviving.

AMORY HOUGHTON, SR. 1

AMORY HOUGHTON, SR., founder of the glass industry in Corning, N. Y., and for several years a resident of the village, was a native of Bolton, Mass., born August 26, 1813, and was the ninth of thirteen children of Rufus and Abigail (Barnard) Houghton. Rufus Houghton was the son of Jonathan Houghton, who was also a native of Bolton, and who served with much credit as a soldier in the Ameri- can army during the Revolutionary War. Jonathan, the soldier, was the son of Jonathan, of Lancaster, Mass., while the latter was the son of John, the Emigrant, who was born in 1661, and died April 29, 1684. (The Houghtons of New England were descended from Norman stock, and their ancestors went into England with William the Conqueror, A. D. 1066, and settled in Lancashire.)

The early life of our subject, Amory Houghton, was spent on his father's farm, but at the age of twelve years he went to Lancaster, four miles from Bolton, where he attended school, and did chores for his board and tuition. After a year he re- turned home but soon went to Cambridge, Mass., and was apprenticed to Richard_ son & Houghton, to learn the joiner's trade. Had he served his entire apprentice- ship, young Houghton would have reached his majority about the end of the term, but about eighteen months before the term was ended he " purchased his time" from his masters at the rate of eight Yankee shillings per day. He then borrowed a few hundred dollars and began business as contractor and builder in and near Cam- bridge. For a young man not yet twenty-one his operations were looked upon as somewhat hazardous, and the gentleman from whom he had borrowed became anx- ious for the safety of his loan; but when he requested its return it was promptly paid, as were all obligations when due. So successful, indeed, was this early period

BIOGRAPHICAL.

of his business life that before Amory Houghton was twenty-three years old he had saved three thousand dollars, and owed nothing.

Notwithstanding his success as contracting builder, he soon made a change. In 1836 he rented a wharf in East Cambridge, Mass., and began the sale of coal, wood, bark, hay, lime, cement, and other commodities, beginning in a small way but grad- ually increasing his stock as trade required until he became proprietor of a large and profitable business. About the year 1851 an Englishman (Gaffer Teasdale), who was an experienced glass factory manager, pointed out to him the possible profits of a well conducted glass industry, and the result was that in 1852 Amory Houghton sold out his wharf business and established the Union Glass Company at Somerville, near Boston, Mass. It was to him wholly a new business, yet the qualities of the man were such that he made it successful. However, in 1864 he sold the plant and moved to Brooklyn, N. Y. In this sale Mr. Houghton evidently made a mistake; not, however, from a business point of view, but as the result of an unfortunate train of circum- stances which no man could foresee or avoid. Yet this very mistake, if such it really was, proved of the greatest benefit to Corning, for without it the splendid industry which has made the city famous would never have been founded there. As soon as he had completed the sale of the Union Glass Company, he bought out and reorgan- ized the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company, incorporated, the new stockholders being Amory Houghton, Josiah Oakes, George P. Bradford and Amory Houghton, jr. Soon after the company began operations labor troubles arose, which, in connection with other embarrassing complications, made the business unprofitable, and at the end of four years the works were removed to Corning, N. Y., in the belief that cheaper coal and more desirable surroundings would re-establish it upon a paying basis, and at the same time add materially to the commercial importance of the village. Before the removal the Corning Flint Glass Company was organized, of which Amory Houghton, sr., was president, and, in fact, manager.

The results anticipated by the removal were not at first realized. Direct competi- tion with the large and cheaply operated glass factories of Pittsburgh and other cen- tral cities of Pennsylvania worked to the disadvantage of the local industry, and the result was heavy losses to the stockholders. In fact, the effort to maintain the works in Brooklyn, and still later re-establish them in Corning, cost Amory Hough- ton his fortune. The plant was sold in 1871 to Nathan Cushing of Boston, and by him was placed under the mangement of Amory Houghton, jr., now president and treasurer of the Corning Glass Works, and under whose immediate direction and control they have become famous throughout the country for the superior quality and great variety of their product.

In 1871 Amory Houghton, sr., left Corning and retired to his farm in Northcastle, Westchester, county, N. Y. In 1875 he returned to Brooklyn and with characteristic determination undertook to rebuild and change the Brooklyn Flint Glass Works of former years into the Brooklyn Steam Power Works. In this undertaking his efforts were rewarded with only partial success; and while engaged in this business Mr. Houghton was taken ill, and died February 20, 1882.

Looking back over the life of Amory Houghton, we discover a record of business activity covering a period of more than half a century ; a record of successes and misfortunes, yet, through all this period of varying fortunes, his strong individual characteristics were ever discernible. Determination of character was his prominent

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

trait. This served him well, as his business life was begun under adverse conditions. He often felt the need of a thorough education in his early career, but he learned by observation and experience what the schools never offered, and in conversation, in business consultation, or in whatever association he chanced to be placed, Mr. Houghton was always the same agreeable, entertaining and intelligent companion, loving and devoted to his family and loyal to his friends. His wife, who preceded him to the grave by only two years, was Sophronia Mann Oakes, daughter of Josiah Oakes, who was a great admirer of the noted Horace Mann, for whom he named his daughter. She was born February 18, 1814, and died March 19, 1880. They were married October 5, 1836, and to them seven children were born: Amory, jr., of Corning ; Caroline Sophronia, who died at the age of five years; Katharine Sophro- nia; Charles Frederic, of Corning; Alfred Augustus, a successful business man of Buffalo, who died October 28, 1892; Ellen Maria, wife of George L. Abbott of Corn- ing; and Annie Frances (deceased), who married William A. Tuttle of Buffalo.

From boyhood to the time of his death Amory Houghton was a member of the Congregational church. He gave generously to the support of the church and to all worthy causes, and no deserving charity ever left him empty handed. He was not active in politics, although a close observer and careful reader of all that took place in National and State affairs.

AMORY HOUGHTON, JR.

AMORY HOUGHTON, JR., eldest son of Amory and Sophronia (Oakes) Houghton, was born at Cambridge, Mass., on the 20th day of October, 1837. He was educated at Cambridge, and was graduated from the High School in 1854. Earlier, when ten years of age, he also attended a private boarding school at Ellington, Conn., where he remained for three years. His first business engagement was in Boston, Mass., in 1854, with Lawson Valentine, a dealer in paints, oils and varnishes. After three years with Mr. Valentine, our subject became connected, in 1857, with the glass in- dustry in which his father was engaged at Somerville, Mass., and devoted his atten- tion to experiments in the composition and manufacture of the various kinds of glass. He had a well arranged laboratory in which he prosecuted his studies and experimental work, and the knowledge acquired at that time proved of great value in later years.

After the purchase of the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company's Works by his father in 1864, Mr. Houghton, jr., moved to Brooklyn, taking a small interest in the enter- prise, and becoming one of the stockholders in the incorporated company. Still later, on the removal to Corning in 1868, he came to the then village, and continued his connection with the Corning Flint Glass Company throughout the three years of its existence; and after disaster had overtaken the company and the works had been sold to Nathan Cushing, of Boston, Mass., the new owner placed them in charge of Amory Houghton, jr., with direction to continue their operation, although the supply of ready capital was indeed meagre and the prospect of success exceedingly doubtful. However, Mr. Houghton started the smaller of the two furnaces and soon put the works in running order, using every possible economy, yet constantly in need of ready

A Houghton &

C. F. Houghton

BIOGRAPHICAL.

money to pay the help. This account, above all others, he insisted upon paying reg- ularly. Having introduced several specialties, and operating upon a very economical basis, the close of the year showed a profit for the owner. In 1872 the manager pur- chased the plant on credit, and the name of Amory Houghton, jr., proprietor, be- came known to Corning and to the trade throughout the country. The works were constantly in operation under his sole proprietorship for a period of three years, when, in 1875, the Corning Glass Works was incorporated, with $50,000 capital, and with Amory Houghton, jr., president and treasurer; Charles F. Houghton, vice- president, and Henry P. Sinclaire, secretary. The company formed in 1875 has con- tinued to the present time.

In some respects Amory Houghton, jr., is the fair reminder of his father. That ever dominant trait-firm determination of character-having been transmitted from sire to son, and its best results are seen in the present prosperous condition of the Corning Glass Works. We pay no fulsome compliment to our subject when we say that the successful re-establishment of the Glass Works upon a secure and profit- able basis was due to his personal effort, energy and determination. Business men knew him to be straightforward and honest and although his resources were known to be limited gave him both credit and cash without asking security.

Naturally, an earnest business man is constantly engaged in his personal affairs, yet Mr. Houghton has found time to interest himself in all public measures looking to the welfare of Corning and its people. Reference to the city history will show that he has been connected with several departments of the municipal government, while the public knows him to be a liberal contributor to all worthy causes. In politics he is a Republican, and essentially a protectionist. He was a Garfield elector in 1880. Although brought up under Congregationalist influences, he has been for many years a regular attendant at Christ Episcopal church, and, since 1875, one of the vestry. The present splendid church edifice was in large measure the result of the generosity of Mr. Houghton and other members of his family. Other churches, too, and other good causes have been the recipients of his liberality and public spiritedness.

In 1860, on the 19th day of June, Amory Houghton, jr., was married to Ellen Anne Bigelow, daughter of Alanson Bigelow, of Cambridge, Mass. Of this mar- riage five children have been born, four of whom are now living, two sons and two daughters. His sons have been for several years connected with the works-Alan- son B. in the selling department, and Arthur A. in the manufacturing department.

CHARLES F. HOUGHTON.

CHARLES FREDERIC HOUGHTON was born in Cambridge, Mass., on June 1, 1846. He attended the public schools at Cambridge until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to Edward Hall's boarding school at Ellington, Conn., where he remained for three years. His business career began in 1863 at the Union Glass Works, Som- erville, Mass., where, under his father's direction he laid the foundation of a techni- cał and practical knowledge of the glass business, which in later years contributed so largely to the success of the establishment located in Corning. In 1864 he went

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

with his father to Brooklyn, N. Y., and was engaged in the office of the Brooklyn Flint Glass Co. In 1866 he was a clerk in the wholesale drug business in New York city, which position he held until 1869, when he came to Corning, and was engaged in his father's business in various capacities. During the changes which. occurred from that time until the organization of the present Company in 1875, he served in all the various departments, and thus acquired a practical knowledge of the busi- ness. He then became a stockholder, and later vice-president, which position he has since held. In the autumn of 1873 Mr. Houghton was elected to the Assembly as the candidate of the Republican party of the Second District of Steuben county. This is the only public office he has held; but his interest in political matters has continued unabated. In 1878, on July 2, Mr. Houghton was married to Helen, daughter of Judge Benjamin F. Hall, of Auburn, N. Y. Of this marriage three children have been born, two of whom are now living. Since 1888 he has been a vestryman of Christ church. Mr. Houghton has always been interested in the welfare of Corning and has contributed liberally to all public and charitable enterprises.

WILLIAM FAULKNER.

WILLIAM FAULKNER, of Dutch origin, was a lineal descendant of Capt. Daniel Faulkner, who was born in Massachusetts and became one of the earliest pioneers of Dansville, Livingston county, N. Y., that town being named from him. Captain Faulkner died at the age of thirty-eight, leaving three children, of whom John was born in Milton, Pa., in July, 1787, settled in Dansville in 1819, and lived there until his death in 1863. John Faulkner married Hannah T. Perrine, daughter of Capt. William Perrine, a Revolutionary soldier and a personal friend of George Washing- ton. She was born in September, 1787, and died in August, 1865. They had born to them four children: John, William, Daniel, and Susan, all deceased.

William Faulkner, the subject of this sketch, was born in Dansville, N. Y., Octo- ber 1, 1813, and died at his home in the town of Wayland, Steuben county, January 12, 1875. He was a generous, public spirited man, and though declining many offices was anxious to help any cause of benefit to others. Mr. Faulkner engaged exten- sively in stock raising and shipping. He was especially interested in educational affairs and cheerfully aided every movement which promised advancement in the dissemination of knowledge. His family, including himself, were all Presbyteri- ans, and he was always liberal in the support of the church. In politics he was a Republican. He was a progressive agriculturist and enjoyed the active man- agement of his farms until his death, which occurred suddenly, although he had been in poor health for several years. Since then his affairs have been most ably con- ducted by his widow.

November 16, 1836, Mr. Faulkner married Miss Sarah Kilbury, who was born in Fremont, Steuben county, December 20, 1820, and who survives him, residing on the homestead in Wayland. Robert Kilbury, her father, was born in Vermont in 1796, and married in 1819 Eunice Carrington, of Hartford, Conn., by whom he had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz. : Sarah, Eli, Edwin, smith, Phoebe, Mary, Joel, and Andrew, Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury died in 1883 and 1891 respectively, both in

WILLIAM FAULKNER.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

the eighty-eighth year of their age. William and Sarah Faulkner had born to them nine children, namely: Hannah (Mrs. Jesse Gray), born August 13, 1837; Minerva (Mrs. Russell Kreidler), born April 12, 1839; Robert, born October 6, 1842, died at his home in Hornellsville, N. Y .. April 18, 1892; Eunice (Mrs. Henry Driesbach), born October 3, 1844; Phoebe (Mrs. William McKay), born November 25, 1846; Elizabeth (Mrs. Chester Babcock), born October 23, 1841; Victoria (Mrs. Byron Bowen), born September 9, 1856; William J., of Wayland, born November 5, 1861; and Fannie (Mrs. Simon Cooley), born July 12, 1866. Robert was an active politician and held the office of county clerk for one term, and various city offices. Was mayor at one time. Five of Mr. Faulkner's children were successful teachers. This family nearly all married farmers and have good homes, and among them Mr. Faulkner and . his widow have twenty-five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

HIRAM PRITCHARD.

HIRAM PRITCHARD has been an interested witness of the growth and development of Corning for almost sixty years. He came to the hamlet in 1838, and was em- ployed in the mill owned by Hayt, Land, Phelps & Bailey, of which after two years he became the lessee. From that until the present time he has been an observer of the ever progressive history of the village and an active factor in bringing about some of its valuable permanent improvements; and his excellent memory is still a reliable source of information concerning the early events of the vicinity. Hiram Pritchard was born in Lawrenceville, Tioga county, Pa., February 7, 1818, and was the son of Calvin and Anna (Kennedy) Pritchard. Thefather was a farmer, in humble circumstances, but an honest and industrious man. He died at the age of seventy and his wife at the age of fifty-seven years.

As is indicated by the family name, Hiram Pritchard is of Welsh descent, and his life has shown him to be a fair type of his nationality, for industry and perseverance have characterized his every effort in business life, and those qualities are the pecu- liar traits of the sturdy' Welshman. He obtained his early education in the district school, though his opportunities were indeed limited, for, being the son of poor parents, it was necessary that he find employment. Accordingly, he learned the trade of miller at Factoryville, N. Y. In 1836 he married and continued work at his trade in Pennsylvania until 1838, when he came to Corning and was given employ- ment in the mill. In 1840 he rented the property and continued its operation until about 1843, when he opened a flour and feed store in the village. After another year he engaged more actively in mercantile business by increasing his stock to include all general merchandise, and dealing extensively, the firm being Clark & Pritchard. This continued nearly three years, when our subject sold out his interest and was employed in the foundry of Payne & Olcott in the capacity of clerk.

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 44

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