Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 50

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 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Edger, Benjamin F., was born at Geneva, Ontario county, in 1839. Came to Corn- ing with his father's family in 1845, where he has since resided. After spending some years upon a farm, he followed the canal, and later, operated and conducted a dry- dock and yard for the building and repair of boats. He has held the many import- ant public offices of tax collector of the town, collector of tolls, and assistant super- intendent of the Chemung Canal, inspector of public work for the State, and post- master for many years. Upon the construction of the D. L. & W. R. R., in 1882, he purchased the Gibson Hotel, which he has since conducted. In 1892 he became a member of the firm of Elwood & Edger, dealers in Lackawanna coal and has built up a prosperous business. His family consists of his wife, three daughters and a son.

de Peyster, Augustus, was born in New York city, September 6, 1836, son of Fred- eric A. de Peyster, also a native of New York city. The family trace their descent from the French Huguenots, who were driven from France at the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572, escaping at Holland. Johannes de Peyster, the progenitor of the family in America, came to New York in 1645, married Cornelia Lubbertse, of Holland in 1651. He was prominent in public affairs from 1655 to 1675 and was also one of the six notable men to draw up the charter of New Amsterdam, now New York. Frederic A. de Peyster married Jane, daughter of Garrett Gilbert of New York. He was engaged in the mercantile marine business and retired from that in 1845. Augustus, his son, engaged in the foreign importing business, residing much of the time in France. He retired from business in 1871, came to Bath, where he

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

married, in 1873, Martha, daughter of Alexander Hess, of Bath, and they are the parents of one son, Frederic A. In 1892 he was elected delegate to the General Con- vention of the Episcopal church, held in Baltimore; has been president of the village of Bath, and a member of its Board of Trustees. Is a vestryman of St. Thomas' church, Bath, one of the managers of the Davenport Free Library; and holds other positions of trust and responsibility.

Smith, Bessie D .- John L. Smith was born in Bath, December 31, 1822. Charles A. Smith, his father, was the eldest son of Andrew Smith, who came to America from Scotland and settled in Bath with Colonel Williamson, in 1793. He married Elizabeth Lewis, and was a prominent farmer. Charles A. Smith married Azilla, daughter of William Morgan. John L. Smith was educated in the common school after which he taught school. He married Lois M., daughter of Samuel and Betsey Le Gro, by whom he had three children, Charles L., Betsey D., and Azilla M., who died in 1890. He was prominently identified in the leading events, serving as super- visor for two terms, and other positions of honor and trust. He died July 26, 1894, and Mrs. Smith died March 26, 1877.

Nicholson, J. William, was born in Hornellsville, September 13, 1842. Jonathan, his grandfather, was one of the pioneers of the Turnpike district, taking up land in its normal condition and with the aid of his thirteen stalwart sons, clearing it and mak- ing it into a garden. A part of his farm is still in the possession of the family. He was a school teacher in his native State, and taught and preached in Chenango county, also preached after coming to Steuben county. Jonathan, father of J. Will- iam, was the sixth son. He engaged in farming and at an early date moved to Wis- consin, where he kept a hotel in Beaver Dam. He returned to Steuben county in 1849, where he died in 1854, aged forty years. His wife, Martha, was a daugh- ter of William R. Stephens. He died in 1860, aged forty-two years. Of his union eight children were born, seven of whom are living. J. William, the oldest living son, was educated in the common schools, and after leaving school he engaged in farming. At the age of twenty-three he was employed as a clerk in the grocery of P. P. Houck. He took a partner in 1868, Charles Cadogan, and in 1870 the firm be- came Cadogan & Nicholson, which firm existed until 1887, when the name was changed to Nicholson & Williams, which firm existed until 1892. In September of that year, Mr. Nicholson entered into partnership with Charles A. Wirt and engaged in the shoe business on Seneca street, where the store was located until April, 1894. They then removed to Main street, where they have one of the finest stores in the city. Mr. Nicholson is president of the Hornellsville Savings & Loan Association, and one of the directors of the Hope Cemetery Association. He is now serving his second term of five years as member of the Board of Education. In 1882 he was elected to the office of supervisor. He served on the Board of Trustees when Hor- nellsville was a village. He has been a delegate to State conventions and a member of the County Committee. He is a member of the Masonic order and the A. O. U. W., and has been an officer of the Baptist church for about twenty years. In 1869 Mr. Nicholson married Elizabeth Walbridge, of this town, by whom he had two children: Edith, a teacher in the Columbian School; and J. Arthur, bookkeeper in the Citizens' Bank, of Hornellsville.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

House, Henry, was born in the town of Howard, March 11, 1831, son of Ansel House, who was born in Connecticut, and came to the town of Howard in 1828, and settled near Howard Flats. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he cleared a farm of 137 acres, on which he continued to live until the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. He married Julia Higgins of Connecticut, and seven children were born to them: Josiah, Eunice, Henry, Phebe, Martha, Aaron, and Juliette. Five of of the above are still alive. Martha and Phebe live in the town of Bath. Henry House is a farmer and owns a farm of sixty-four acres. He married Jane, daughter of William A. Lowrie, born in Troy, N. Y. The mother of Mrs. House came to the town of Howard in 1848. Mr. House is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Democrat,

Smith, Eugene, was born at Cooper's Plains, January 8, 1858. S. S. Smith, his father, was a native af Schuyler county, and came to the town of Campbell with his father, Barney Smith. He married Eliza Everts of East Campbell, by whom he had five children: Eugene, Charley, Carrie, Ed, and Jessie. Eugene Smith has been a farmer and at present is devoting his time to the lumber business. He married Jen- nie M , daughter of Richard Lee, by whom he had two children: Gertrude and Lee. He is postmaster at East Campbell, where he runs a grocery store. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Democrat.

Mallory, H. H., was born in Coventry, Chenango county, N. Y., February 18, 1827, son of Samuel and Lucretia (Davis) Mallory, both natives of Oxford, Conn. He was born August 9, 1782, and she September 22, 1790. They came to Chenango county, thence to Scio, and Wellsville, and in 1838 located at Greenwood, where he died August 19, 1857, and she November 10, 1867. Politically, he was a Republican, and was justice of the peace for a number of years in Scio. Mr. Mallory was a sailor from New York to the West Indies for many years while young, but later farming was his principal vocation. David Mallory, father of Samuel, and Col. John Davis, father of Mrs. Lucretia (Davis) Mallory, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and both lived and died at Oxford, Conn. H. H. Mallory was reared on a farm and farming has been his principal occupation. April 10, 1861, he married Betsey, daughter of John and Elsie (Young) Wallace, a farmer of West Union, and they have been the parents of three children : Emma G. (deceased), Marcus F. (deceased), and Libbie L., wife of Rotch Bundy, a farmer on the home farm. Mr. Mallory is a Republican, and has been justice of the peace, road commissioner and assessor, and was supervisor two terms and afterwards six years in succession. The family are Methodists.

Hamlin, Jason B., son of Amos Hamlin, was born in Cortland county in 1833 and came with his parents in 1837, locating on his present place. His parents died here. Mr. Hamlin married, in 1859, Melissa Crawford, a native of Tioga county, N. Y., and came to Steuben county with her parents when two years old. Their children are: Thurston J., Jesse L., Inez, and Cora.

Farnham, George .- Perhaps no more conspicuous name could be selected from among the early annals of Addison, as a type of all that was best and noblest, than that of the late Col. George Farnham. No one man took a more active part in the advancement of all local interests, particularly of educational facilities, than he, and

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his name will ever suggest public spirit and manliness. He was born of Puritan stock in 1812, and perhaps the fact that he was thrown upon his own resources while yet a boy was fortunate in fully developing his inherent abilities. It was in 1836 that he came to Addison from his early home in Canterbury, Conn., to make it a perma- nent residence until his death in 1888. In his early mercantile life he was asso- ciated with his brother Edmund. The title of colonel was acquired during militia days, and he was always recognized as a leader of men and a moulder of events. The school children of Addison may well revere his memory, for to his untiring and well-directed personal effort is largely due the superior advantages they enjoy. Colonel Farnham was twice a nominee for senator on the Democratic platform, mak- ing a strong canvass and suffering defeat from ulterior causes with no shadow of a stain upon the name and memory he bequeathed. He left three children: Mrs. B. G. Stout, since deceased; George W., and William H. Their mother was Julia J. Wormbough. His surviving widow is Mary, daughter of Nathan Reynolds, of Elmira.

James, John P., was born at Erwin in 1860, and is the sixth of nine children of John James, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, who came to the United States when twenty-three years of age and settled at Cooper's Plains, N.Y. His wife was Ellen Mulvihill, who survives him and lives with her son, John P. The latter came with his parents to Addison when six years old, and after attending the public schools for several years obtained employment in the sash and blind factory. Soon after en tering their employ he displayed progressiveness and was constantly promoted until he is now the superintendent of the blind department. Mr. James has held the office of excise commissioner, village trustee, and was president of the village in 1893. de- clining to accept the renomination. He is a firm Democrat, deeply interested in the growth and prosperity of the village and is held in high regard among his asso- ciates.

Foster, G. Watson, was born in Bordentown, N. J., February 29, 1856. William Foster, the father of G. Watson, also a native of New Jersey, is a descendant of Capt. John Walker. He is now a resident of Hornellsville and living retired. He is now in his seventy-seventh year. The mother of G. Watson, Mary A. Burdick, was a native of this county, born near Crosby Creek. Of thirteen children only two are living, Mrs. Edward Schofield, of Passaic City, N. J., and G. Watson Foster, Mr. Foster was educated in the common schools of New Jersey and at Alfred University. He served an apprenticeship at the machinist trade in New Jersey, and then took up carpenter and joiner work, which he followed for seven years. In 1887 he came to Hornellsville and was six months in the jewelry store of George R. Van Winkle and after that for fifteen months conducted a repair shop. In 1889 he became en- gineer for the American Illuminating Company and was there three years. In April, 1893, he took up electrical repair work and lighting, and also does all kinds of repair work. He was married in Andover, November 30, 1876, to Miss Eliza E. Kennedy. They have three children: William K., a student of the academy; George Leon, of Lincoln School, and Miss Jessie Anna, of Lincoln School. Mr. Foster is the inven- tor of two very useful articles-an electrical furnace regulator, and an electric cau- tery apparatus for controlling the power of continuous electric currents for surgeons' use.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Fox, Daniel A., was born in Bath (now Avoca), February 24, 1834, George P. Fox, his father, was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., June 10, 1816, and came to the village of Avoca in 1833. He was a wagonmaker by trade, which business he followed to within a year of his death, which occurred in 1878, aged sixty-eight years. He married Julia Ann Anderson, daughter of Capt. Daniel Anderson of Lyme, Conn., by whom he had four children: George N., Hezekiah, who enlisted in Co. E, 141st Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, who died in November, 1862, at Laurel Factory, Md .; Julia A., wife of P. H. Neil. Daniel A. is now engaged in farming and owns a farm of 115 acres. He married Dorlisca Shults of Avoca, by whom he had five children: Emerson E., Roger H., Clarence T., Langrave S., and Maude. Peter C. Fox, his grandfather, came to the town of Wheeler from Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1833.

Frost, Capt. Frank Pomeroy, born in Millport, Chemung county, May 5, 1841, and educated in the common schools. Enlisting July 24, 1862, in Co. D, 107th N. Y. Vol. Infty., attached to the 1st Division, 12th Corps, he took part in the battles of Antie- tam, Chanellorsville and Gettysburg. His regiment having been transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, in the 20th Corps, under fighting Joe Hooker, he was en- gaged at Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman in his celebrated March to the Sea and the campaign of the Carolinas, which ended with the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston at Raleigh, N. C. He re- ceived an honorable discharge at Washington June, 1865, with the rank of brevet captain, and returning to Elmira entered the employ of the Erie Railway Co., where he remained until 1889, when he was appointed quartermaster in the Soldiers' Home at Bath, which position he still holds. In 1865 he married Rhoda, daughter of Elias Hutchings, by whom he has two children: William P., and Mrs. John Underhill. Mr. Frost is a member of Chemung Valley Lodge No. 350, F. & A. M., Military Or- der of the Loyal Legion of the U. S., and Baldwin Post, No. 6, G. A. R., Dept. of New York.

Faulkner, Dorr, was born in the town of Dansville, July 31, 1838. John P. Faulkner, his father, was also a native of Dansville and a farmer. He died January 6, 1890. Dorr was the oldest son of a family of six and was educated in Rogersville Union Seminary, and at Dansville Academy, and was engaged on his father's farm until the breaking out of the war. September, 1863, he enlisted in the 136th Regt. N. Y. Vols., and was with them until December, 1864. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, besides many minor engagements. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded the morning of the 3d of July by a minnie ball in the upper arm, by which he lost five inches of the bone. He was removed to the hos- pital at Broad and Cherry Hill in Philadelphia, where he remained until November, when he was granted a furlough, and shortly after his return was discharged. He remained on the farm one year, and in 1866 came to Hornellsville and engaged with R. K. Faulkner in the produce business, and then sold out and engaged in the lum- ber business for one year. In 1869 he went to Owosso, Michigan, where he was in a sash and blind manufactory. In the fall of 1872 he returned, and in January, 1873, went into the railway mail service, filling a government position for ten years. March 1, 1882, he established a furniture wareroom and an undertaking establish- ment in the village of Hornellsville, where we now find him. While his establish-

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

ment for the first few years was of modest and unassuming proportions, we find him to-day the leading furniture dealer of this city, and from his stock can be selected furnishing for the kitchen or drawing-room, and values within the reach of the purse of all. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, Hornellsville Lodge No. 301, Steuben Chapter, Hornellsville Council. and De Molay Council. In 1865 he married Letitia Grover, daughter of E. C. Grover, of Hornellsville.

Fuller Bros., George W. and Dwight L., proprietors of the Dickinson House, which they purchased in 1865, are sons of Dwight A. Fuller, a native of Cazenovia, N. Y., who died in 1890. Dwight A. Fuller came from New Woodstock, Madison county, in 1847 and was postmaster of Corning in 1860, and was also proprietor of the Terrett House, and later of the Arcade. The Dickinson House was built by a com- pany and established in 1850 and opened by a man named Dennis; it is located at the corner of Pine and Market streets, and for many years has been the leading hotel in Corning.

Ford, Benjamin F., was born in Richmond, Tioga county, Pa., in 1841, and is the seventh of fifteen children born to Simeon and Susanna (Rumsey) Ford, the former a native of Michigan, born April 29, 1807, and the latter a native of Sullivan, Tioga county, Pa., born August 9, 1811. The grandparents, John and Dorcas Ford, were farmers, who lived and died in Michigan. The maternal grandparents, Noah and Susanna (Cudworth) Rumsey, came from the East and settled in Tioga county, being pioneers of Rumsey Hill. Simeon Ford came from Michigan to Tioga county, Pa., when a young man, married, and there lived and died. Mrs. Ford was a member of the Close Communion Baptist church, which they attended and to which they gave their support. Mr. Ford died September 6, 1868, and Mrs. Ford, May 27, 1881. Benjamin F. was reared on a farm and for twelve or fifteen years followed farming, and has also been in the mill and mercantile business at Troupsburg. In 1862 he married Christiana, daughter of Robert A. and Malicia (Williams) Gitchell, a farmer of Tioga county, Pa., and granddaughter of Eli and Polly (Reed) Gitchell. Eli was a farmer and wheelwright by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have lost one adopted son, Jesse, who died at the age of four and a half years. They have one adopted daugh- ter, Vinnie, who was born February 25, 1890. Mr. Ford enlisted September 30, 1862, in Company E, 14th United States Infantry, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1865. He took part in twenty-six engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Spottsylvania, being wounded in the last named battle. In politics he is a Democrat, and was appointed postmaster at Troupsburg February 9, 1894. He is a member of Post Bailey No. 351, G.A.R., and of Troupsburg Tent No. 339, K.O.T.M. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are members of the Baptist church.

Farley, Philip, was born in Ireland and came to America in 1849. He was edu- cated in the district schools of Schuyler county, and was a classmate of Governor Hill. In 1862 he enlisted in Company L, 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, serving until 1865; was mustered out at Harper's Ferry and discharged at Sackett's Harbor. He came to Corning in 1870, and purchased the Pickwick Hotel in 1877, and established his wholesale trade in 1878. He was one of the first police commissioners of Corning.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Ferry, Adelbert, was born in Hornellsville, November 16, 1854. Salis Ferry, his father, was a native of Almond, where for many years he kept a general store. In 1853 he removed to Hornellsville and in company with a Mr. Belden established one of the first drug stores of this city, located in the old American House block. He was in those early days prominently identified with political life. In the latter years of his life he was engaged in the wool business, buying wool and pelts in almost every State in the Union, and in farming. He died December 9, 1886, at sixty-six years of age. The mother of Adelbert, Cyrena, was a daughter of Col. John R. Stephens. She died July 5. 1887. Adelbert, the only child, was educated in the city school and select schools of Hornellsville and Dwight's private seminary at Greenville, Pa. After leaving school he spent three years as a clerk, and in 1873 took up the study of law in the office of Hakes & Stevens, where he remained until 1875. That year he entered the Albany Law School, graduating in 1876, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1876 .. In 1878 he located at Dalton, in the town of Nunda, where he spent one year and then returned to Hornellsville, where he was in active practice until 1888. That year he withdrew from the law on account of his deafness, and devoted his time to real estate and his farm, again opening an office in December, 1894, locating at the corner of Main and Canisteo streets. Mr. Ferry was one of the counsel of the celebrated Eveland murder case in Western New York, which in- duced him to again resume practice. He has held the offce of town clerk. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1881, member of Steuben Chapter No. 101, and Hornellsville Council No. 35, and Hornellsville Lodge No. 331. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F., Steuben County Lodge No. 331, and a member of Canacadea Encampment No. 117.

Fancett, James, was born in Bath, April 16, 1835. John Fancett, his father, came to Steuben county and settled in Bath in 1825, and was identified as a farmer and married Nancy Shannon, dying in 1885, in his seventy-fifth year. James Fancett was educated in the common schools, and in 1860 he purchased a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 161st Regt. N. Y. Vols., with rank of second lieutenant, and took part in the battles of Port Hudson, Donaldsonville, and many others, receiving an honorable discharge in 1864, with rank of first lieutenant. In 1872 he removed to Bath and established his present business of dealer in coal, grain, wood and pro- duce. In 1872 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Hiram Brundage, by whom he had three children: John H., James and William. Mr. Fancett is one of the repre- sentative business men of his town, and also one of the prominent farmers of his county, owning the farm which his father cleared up, and which has been in the family for sixty-five years; he was elected supervisor for two terms and has been president of the village of Bath.

Ferenbaugh, John H., was born in 1831 on the home place in Hornby where his father located about 1829. In 1858 he married Juliet W. Lewis, a native of Ontario county, and their children are as follows: Anna L., wife of George Sly, Augusta P., wife of David Rogers, Clarence H., and James L., who died in 1895, aged twenty- one years Mr. Ferenbaugh has filled the office of justice of the peace sixteen succes- sive years, assessor three years, and supervisor for seven different years, and for eighteen years has been postmaster of Ferenbaugh.

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

Freeman, Charles H., was born in Tompkins county, in 1840, and came to Corning in 1846. He enlisted as a private in Company D, 141st Regiment, N. Y. Vols., Au- gust 14, 1862, and in September following was promoted to sergeant. His strict at- tention to duty and his personal courage were rewarded by a lieutenant's commission July 29, 1863, and to first lieutenant April 2, 1865. In the May following he was commissioned captain, and was assigned to command Company K, from which he was honorably discharged June 25, 1865. After the war he was elected captain in the national guard, and was discharged in 1870, having served a long term. The 141st Regiment served a portion of its term of service in the Department of the South, and lost heavily at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga. On Sherman's march from Atlanta to the sea Captain Freeman was in command of a foraging party. At the battle of Resaca it fought so bravely as to merit special attention in general orders. He joined the Grand Army at an early date, and was from the first prominent in its affairs. In 1885 he was elected commander of William W. Hayt Post No. 276, and in 1888 was elected senior vice department commander. In 1890 was elected as mem- ber of the Department Council of Administration, and 1891 was elected Department Commander of the G. A. R:, State of New York. In April, 1891, he turned the first sod for the foundation of General U. S. Grant's tomb at Riverside Park, New York city. He is a member of the Corning Consistory, and since 1870 has been a leading merchant of Corning.

Ferris, David, was born in Cortland, Cortland county, N. Y., October 12, 1844, is the only survivor of four children born to James and Mary (Slaughter) Ferris, he a native of Otsego, and she of Tompkins county, N. Y. The grandparents, Thomas and Mary Slaughter, came from Esopus to Tompkins county, where they engaged in farming. The grandfather, Zadoc Ferris, came from the East and settled in Otsego county where he died. Both grandfathers were in the Revolutionary war. James Ferris, when a young man, enlisted in the regular army in 1812. He learned the barber trade, which he followed in Cortland, Corning, Elmira, and Geneva. David Ferris learned the trade of his father, which he has always followed, working in various places, and in 1889 he located in Greenwood. In 1864 he married Ruth, daughter of Horace and Pernilia Foster (Central Bridge,) of Schoharie county, N. Y., by whom he had two children: Maggie, wife of Vern Johnson, a farmer of Green- wood, and Edwin H., who is a barber in Greenwood, also a justice of the peace. In January, 1865, Mr. Ferris enlisted in the 50th Engineers, and was in the battles of Petersburg, Appomattox, and many others, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1865. He is a member of William C. White Post, No. 561 G. A. R., and is its present commander.

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 50

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