Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 102

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 102

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cessful farmer, cultivating 150 acres of land on which he raises large crops of hay and grain.

Roe, Moses, was born in the town of Danby, now part of Caroline, March 12, 1822. He has always been a carpenter and joiner, having followed the same for forty years, in connection with his farm work. He has a place consisting of about fourteen acres of fine farm land. July 4, 1843, Mr. Roe married Margaret A. Barnard, of Ulysses, and they are the parents of eight children, of whom one son and one daughter live at home, all the others being married and away. They have celebrated their fiftieth marriage anniversary, with all their children around them. William Roe, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a quartermaster in the colonial army under General Washington, and lived to a good old age, all the family being long lived. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R., and also of the Grange, and is a Republican in politics.

Rowe, Judge Jerome, deceased, was a native of Berkshire county, Mass., was edu- cated at Union College, and followed teaching till 1857, when he took up the study of law. He was a man of very extended education, being the master of seven languages, and he practiced his profession in Ithaca for twenty-one years. He was a soldier in the late war, leading the first company from this county as their captain. Since his death his wife, Mrs. Fannie P. Rowe, has taken up the work he left undone, and has become a pension attorney of considerable prominence, having made a specialty of rejected claims. It was her first intention only to prove her own claim, but her successful securing of it and others for some of her friends, induced her to follow it as a profession, and she has been very successful. Mrs. Rowe was appointed by Governor Hill as notary public in 1885, and has held the office con- tinuously since. Judge Rowe died July 30, 1878, leaving four children, three now living. Bertrand P. is a graduate of Cornell, class of 1892; Anna M. is a teacher in Central School, and Mildred L. is a student at the Grammar School.

Rubin, Henry, is a native of Russian Poland, and came to this country in 1868. He was a student of photography in his native land, and when he landed in this country, went immediately to Ithaca, and for a few years was engaged in painting and crayon work. In 1876 he bought out the gallery at 28 and 30 State street, of John C. Gauntlet, sr., where he has ever since been in business. Mr. Rubin has acquired a reputation for fine work, and exactness and neatness second to none. He is prepared at all times to enlarge either in painting or crayon work. Mr. Rubin is a member of the Society of United Friends. He married in his native land, and is the father of one son and one daughter. The gallery where he is now located is not the same one in which he started in, but after spending five years at 28 and 30 State street, he removed to 15 and 17 State street, where he has large and commodious parlors, fully equipped for all kinds of photographic work.

Randolph, Frederick P., was born in the town of Ithaca, November 22, 1836, a son of Isaac, a native of Dutchess county, who came here in 1809, a mason and builder by trade. Among his buildings may be mentioned the old Town Hall, and the residence built for General Hubbell on Geneva street. He died here in 1873, aged eighty-four years. Frederick P. was the third son in a family of seven children, and his whole life has been spent in this city. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Henry

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H. Moore to learn the carpenter's trade, serving three years and eight months, and after his time expired he remained two years longer. He was a journeyman carpenter about four years, then took his first building contract at the age of twenty-five. Among some of the buildings for which he contracted may be mentioned the resi- dences of O. G. Howard, Mrs. Vail, D. W. Burdick, and the Unitarian church, the Reed block, Hollister hotel, and the annex of the High School. He is a Republican and a member of Aurora Street Methodist Church, of which he was for many years a trustee. In 1854 he married Adelaide, daughter or Selah T. Benjamin, a harness- maker, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph had one daughter, Mary Ella, who died November 18, 1866, aged twelve years. He has a fine residence, with office in the rear, built in 1875.

Robertson, Orris, was born in Lansing, March 18, 1855, the son of Thomas Robertson, a native of Saratoga county, born January 2, 1798, whose parents were George and Mary (Smith) Robertson. Thomas spent his life on the farm, and was constable for Dryden twelve consecutive years. He was also collector and deputy sheriff several years. In the year 1829 he was elected sheriff. In 1830 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Mary Teeter, of Lansing, and they had ten children: Newton, born August 29, 1832; Olive, born July 15, 1834; Rome, born June 1, 1836 (deceased); Mary, born March 27, 1838; Jane, born February 7, 1840, wife of Stroud Bush, of Lansing; Famc, born February 11, 1842, wife of Samuel Smith, of Lansing; Paris, born July 2, 1844; Serene, born March 28, 1846, wife of J. B. Spaulding, of Ulysses; Homer T., born March 4, 1849 (deceased); and Orris, born March 18, 1855. In 1832 Mr. Robertson moved to Lansing, where he died in 1886, and his wife in 1884. Orris Robertson was educated in the district schools, and at the age of twenty-one left home and spent some years in various enterprises. In 1882 he returned home and took charge of the farm, which became his at the death of his father. In 1883 he married Louise Jewell, born in 1866 daughter of Monroe and Hannah (Dixon) Jewell, of Danby. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have had three children: Glen, born October 25, 1884; Elizabeth H., born June 27, 1889; Elma, born January 11, 1894. Mr. Robertson is a Republican.

Rudy, Henry, jr., was born in Ulysses, July 15, 1835, at the old homestead. He was educated in the common schools and two terms at Trumansburgh Academy. He was one of a family of nine children, and grew to manhood on the home farm. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school, and taught three winters. In 1857 he went to Rockford, Ill., and taught school two winters in the town of Owen. In the spring of 1858 he went on the Dakota frontier and assisted in the survey of Sioux Falls town site, remaining there through the summer. He returned to the home farm in 1859. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 137th N. V. Vols. ; was promoted to sergeant, and at Lookout Mountain to first lieutenant. Hc took part in eighteen engagements, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain; was with Sherman in the great march to the sea. He was wounded threc times-once in his side, was shot through the neck, and received a shell wound in his forehead, and was twice carried off the field for dead. He missed only one engage- ment the regiment was in, because in the hospital thirty-two days from scurvy, sores on legs, during a three years' service. He was mustered out by reason of the close of the war, in June, 1865, and received an honorable discharge. He is not

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pensioned. June 18, 1872, he married Cora C. Sirrine, of Trumansburgh ; they have had two children: Arthur H., born September 12, 1873, died August 22, 1879, and Laura C., who is living at home. Mr. Rudy continued farming some years after the war, but is now retired from active labor, and is living in the village of Trumansburgh. His father, Henry Rudy, sr., was born on his father's farm near where he settled January 31, 1803, and died December 14, 1893. He married Eleanor Owen, of Hector, by whom he had nine children: Lewis, Ann, Miner, John, Henry, jr., Mary, James, William, and Julia. Mr. Rudy, since his retirement, has been active for the public, having been president of the Fair for three years and a director, member of the school board, church trustee and deacon of the Baptist church, president of the Board of Health, and post commander of Treman Post, G. A. R. No. 572. John Rudy, grandfather of the subject, was born in Bucks county, Pa., February 22, 1774, and settled near Trumansburgh in 1800. His wife, Lucy Easling, was born in Ulysses, April 27, 1784, and died March 9, 1843; he died January 14, 1833.

Wartrous, Ezra Jason, was born in Freetown, Cortland county, March 3, 1814, one of thirteen children of Austin and Sally (Backus) Wartrous. Ezra was brought up on the farm, and at the age of twenty-three started for himself, traveling for a wagon company. In 1851 he came to Groton and bought a farm, and thereafter was recognized as a progressive and successful farmer for a period of thirty-three years. He retired from active work about ten years ago, and in 1889 purchased the beautiful residence and property formerly owned by Dye Williams. Mr. Wartrous married Julia, daughter of Judge Walton Swetland, a distinguished member of the old Cortland county bar, and they had three children: Martha, wife of D. H. Brown, of Cortland; Edgar, who died August 30, 1849; and Ellen, who died September 6, 1849. In 1851 our subject married Rhoda Perkins, also a daughter of Judge Swetland, and the widow of C. V. Perkins, of Cincinnatus. Two children have been born of the second marriage: Edgar P., who holds a prominent position with the Groton Bridge Co., and Mary, who died September 16, 1863. Julia Swetland Wartrous died Septem- ber 6, 1849. In political affairs Mr. Wartrous has ever been a consistent Whig and Republican, though in no sense a politician. For one year he was supervisor of the town of Groton. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife and son Edgar of the M. E. church.

Willey, F. R., was born in the town of Dryden, January 29, 1871, and was edu- cated in the common schools, to which he has added by an intelligent course of reading and close observation. At the age of twenty he married Nettie Sager, of Dryden, and they are the parents of one daughter, Helen. He takes the Democratic side in politics, and an active interest in church and school matters. In 1892 he bought a half interest in the general merchandise stock of Shaver & Willey, and in 1893 purchased the interest of his brother, which he now conducts alone, having a large stock of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and has doubled the volume of his business. Our subject is recognized in his town as a merchant of ability, and progressive ideas, taking a prominent part in advancing its best interests.

Wright, Horatio D., born in Danby April 15, 1819. His father, Orson Wright, came to Danby in 1808, where he and Zebulon, Charles Robbins and Isaac Wright bought and cleared up adjoining farms. Orson Wright died May 31, 1878, at the ad-

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vanced age of ninety-two. Our subject laid the foundation of his education in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and observation. At the age of thirty he married Caroline, daughter of James Ireland, of Danby, and they have eight children, of whom five are living: Emogene, Louisa, Edward, Carrie and Ar- thur. In 1864 he bought what was known as the Captain Denton property, having 125 acres of fine farm lands, raising hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his town, taking an active and intelligent interest in educational and religious matters. The grandmother of Mr. Wright wasa Douglass, and in that way was connected and intimate with the family of Stephen A. Douglass.

Welch, John B., was born in Danby June 4, 1850, educated in common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and observation. He married when twenty-three years of age Cora Belle Manning, daughter of Silas Manning, who is now seventy-four years old, and who was born in this town. His father, John Man- ning, was one of the earliest settlers in the town, buying a portion of the old Watkins & Flint tract. Our subject purchased and now resides on the same farm, which through his wife has been in the family since 1806. They have one son, John B. Welch. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in educational and religious matters, having been trustee and steward In the M. E. church in Dan- by. Mr. Welch is recognized in his town as a man of sterling worth, and as a prac- tical and successful farmer.

Warren, James C., was born in Albany November 30, 1827, moved into Tompkins county in 1875, and was educated at Pompey Hill Academy, N. Y. Mr. Warren has a beautiful residence and farm on the west side of Cayuga Lake, and gives attention to raising fruits, fine fowls and grain. He is a Democrat, has been mayor pro tem. on several different occasions of the city of Ithaca, and was alderman two years. Mr. Warren is known throughout his neighborhood as an active, energetic man, whose word is as good as his bond, and whose integrity is above suspicion.

Whitlock, Lorenzo R., born March 2, 1849, in Ithaca, received his early education in the district schools, but was soon called from school to assist his father on the farm, upon whose death, at the age of sixty-three, he took the entire control. Subject's mother was born in Lansing, Tompkins county, and lived to the age of ninety years. eighty-five of which was spent in Ithaca. Mr. Whitlock has given his attention to farming throughout his life, but takes an active interest in educational and political matters, being a Republican. He has also thoroughly identified himself with the Aurora Street Methodist church in Ithaca, of which he has been a consistent member for twenty years.

White, Walter Watts, was a native of Windsor, Mass., born July 14, 1812. He married Laura Bliss and came to Groton, locating on a farm. Their only child was Ellen D. White, who married James H. Eldridge, a native of Washington county, N. Y., born in 1829. When a lad he came with his father, Thomas Eldridge, and settled in the western part of this town. In 1863 M. Eldridge enlisted in Co. K, 13tth N. Y. Vols., and after a year of service was discharged for disability. He never afterward regained his full health, and was obliged to abandon farming. He kept a hotel in Steuben county for a few years, and died in 1869.

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Peck, William Mitchell, was born in South New Berlin, Chenango county, Septem_ ber 21, 1823, and lived with his parents till 1845, working on a farm and also learning the mason's trade. His people moved to Truxton in 1824, and there the young life of our subject was spent. It 1869 Mr. Peck came to Groton, where he was a farmer, but later returned to Cortland county, and at one time had a dairy farm of sixty cows. In 1872 he bought a half interest in a mercantile business in Groton, his partner being Nelson Trumbull. Six months later he retired and bought the S. B. Marsh shoe stock, and with the latter enterprise he was connected for nineteen years, retiring in 1891. November 19, 1845, Mr. Peck married Jane A. Robbins, by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity. His wife died February 2, 1871, and on October 25 of that year he married second Ellen D. Eldridge, daughter of Walter W. White, and widow of James H. Eldridge. Mr. Peck was originally a Whig, then an Abolitionist, later a strong Republican, and now believes equally strong in Prohibition.

Wilcox, William H., was born April 6, 1841, on the farm where he now resides, in the town of Danby, was educated in the common schools; and at the age of twenty- seven married Mary E., daughter of Reuben Meeker, also of this town. They had one son, who was killed at the age of nineteen, by the accidental discharge of a can- non. Mr. Wilcox is a Republican in politics, and takes an active and intelligent in- terest in all educational and religious matters, being trustee and steward of the M. E. church in South Danby. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his part of the town, having a fine farm of 125 acres on which he raises large quantities of grain, hay and stock.

Rumsey, Charles J., was born in the town of Enfield, January 30, 1849, the son of James Rumsey, a farmer of Enfield, who died in 1868. Charles was educated in the common schools and the old Ithaca Academy, living on the homestead farm until reaching his majority. In 1870 he came to Ithaca, where he acted as clerk for his brother, John, in the hardware store established in 1858. In 1876 he became a part- ner in the firm of John Rumsey & Co. The senior member retiring in 1879 the firm became Charles J. Rumsey & Co. For three years his partners were Edwin Gillette and E. M. Finch, since then only Mr. Gillette being the company. Mr. Rumsey is a Democrat in politics, and was president of Ithaca in 1882-83-84, this being the time of the establishment of the electric light plant. He was civil service commissioner three years, also a prominent member of the Masonic order. He married in 1880 Sa- rah Cooper, of Catharine, Schuyler county, and they have two sons, John and Law- rence.

Rightmire, Trotter, and Townsend .- Mrs. Townsend's father, Addison Right- mire, was born in Ulysses, on the old homestead, (recently known as the Vann prop- erty) in October, 1818, was educated in the schools of that day, and was a teacher and farmer. He married Hannah M. Franklin, and they had six children: Arietta, George, William, Henry, Emma and Sarah. William is a judge at Cottonwood Falls, Kan. Mr. Rightmire died about 1876 and his wife about 1864. Mr. Townsend's grandfather, John Rightmire, was born in Westchester county, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Her great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution and was one of the first settlers of the town, locating on his land bounty claim, on the above noted property. Arietta married twice, first on August 7, 1861, Abram M. Trotter, of the

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town of Enfield, who died February 19, 1884. For her second husband. she married in 1886 Orville R. Townsend, born in Ovid, Seneca county, who was educated in the district schools, and was one of the town's intelligent farmers. For some years, he was a resident of the town of Ilector, Schuyler county. Mr. Townsend's father, William W., was born in Hector and married Deborah Auble, of Seneca county. They had twelve children all now living except one.

Robinson, Almon, was born in Exeter, Otsego county, January 22, 1813. He read medicine with Dr. Haywood, and practiced a short time there, but soon removed to South Cortland, where he remained about seven years, and in 1850 came to McLean, where he lived until his death, June 5, 1889. He was an extensive and successful practitioner, and a large hearted and generous man. He married in Exeter, Bar- bara Robinson, by whom he had one child, Helen M. Robinson. His second wife was Eliza Fassett, by whom he had two children: Celia E., wife of W. C. Heming- way, of Dryden, and Barzilla L., of McLean. The latter was born at South Cortland, February 1, 1849, was educated in Homer Academy and entered Cornell, taking an elective course, hence was not graduated. He was a teacher for a time, having been principal of the Groton Union school. Later on he read law two years in the office of Milo Goodrich of Dryden, but his eyesight being impaired he was compelled to abandon his law studies. Upon his full recovery he read medicine nearly two years with his father, attended Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia for two years and graduated; his diploma from Jefferson College was endorsed by Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Dr. Robinson began practice at McLean in 1887, and has an ex- tensive and increasing clientage. His specialty is the treatment of cancerous diseases, in which field he has attained an enviable degree of prominence. In 1872 he married Emily S., daughter of Lucius and Emily La Motte, of McLean and they have two children. He is a Democrat. He is one of the present Board of Pension Examining Surgeons for this county.

Brenizer, W. I., D.D.S., was born in Worcester, Wayne county, Ohio, March 24, 1858, a son of a farmer and a veterinary surgeon. The doctor was educated in the common schools, Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Cleveland, and Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. Afterward he took a course in civil engineering at Cin- cinnati. At the age of sixteen he began to teach, and in this way worked for his education. He first began the study of dentistry in 1883 in Akron, Ohio, entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of D.D.S. January 11, 1892, he located in Ithaca, buying the office of Frank E. Howe, in the Masonic block, where he has since conducted a very successful practice.

Barnes, Stephen I., an old resident of Lansing, was born in Erin, Chemung county, December 20, 1833, son of Jeremiah and Eleanor (Swartwood) Barnes, the father born in Delaware county, January 8, 1800. He was a son of Abram Barnes, also a native of New York State. The mother was a daughter of Gen. Jacob and Catharine (Van Etten) Swartwood. Jacob was the first postmaster of Cayuta Creek, now known as Swartwood. Jeremiah, father of our subject, came to Lansing in 1844 and settled where our subject now lives, and where he resided until his death April 1, 1878. The mother died August 27, 1860. Jeremiah was a Democrat in politics, but when the Republican party was formed he joined with them. Our subject was educated in

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the common schools and attended one term at Aurora Academy. At the age of twenty-four he took an extended trip west through Iowa and Minnesota, three years later returning home and settling on his father's farm. In 1858 he married Eunice M., daughter of Ashley and Phoebe Taylor, of Illinois, formerly of New York State, and they had four children : Fred, born in February, 1861; Floyd, born in June, 1864; Ruth, died in infancy; John, born in March, 1870. Fred married Elizabeth Rumsey of Chemung county, and they have two children: George, born in June, 1885, and Charles, born in 1889. John married Lora Ferriss, of Cayuga county, and they have one child, Earl, born in 1891. Our subject is one of a family of eight children: Ja- cob, Rubin, John, James R., Stephen I., Charles (died in the army), Elizabeth, Cath- arine and Ruth (twins), the wives of Francis Smith of Lansing and J. G. Waldwin of Ithaca respectively. Mrs. Barnes died September 4, 1890. Subject is now serving his third term as assessor, a member of the I. O. O. F., the Rebecca Grange Lodge 282, and I. O. G. T. He has a farm of seventy-three acres, and makes a specialty of fruit growing.

Brown, Richard H., of Lansing, was born in Dryden December 7, 1840, the son of Benjamin Brown, a native of Lansing, born about 1807, whose father was Christo- pher Brown. The latter married Mary Snyder and reared ten children; Benjamin, the eldest, was captain of a military company in Dryden. He married Hannah, daughter of Henry and Wintchy (Sly) Teeter of Lansing. He was an active, ener- getic man, in politics a Republican. His wife still survives him. They reared five children: Henry, Jennie, wife of Dr. D. T. Barr of Ludlowville; Richard H., George, Elizabeth, wife of Eugene M. Baker of Barden. Our subject was reared on the farm, attended the district schools winters and worked on a farm summers. At the age of twenty-three he rented a farin one year in Danby, and the following year (1866) pur- chased a farm of sixty-six acres. Later he added to this until he owned 155 acres. Some years later he set off fifty-five acres of this farm to his son. He married in 1862 Olive, daughter of Andrew W., and Nellie (Ostrander) Reed, of the town of Ithaca. She was born in August, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one son, Miles S., born August 20, 1863. Mr. Brown's first wife died July 23, 1892, and he married second October 8, 1893, Mary Reed, a sister of his deceased wife.

Bacon, L. D., was born in Canton, Bradford county, Pa., March 21, 1841. Isaiah, his father, was born in Rome, February 11, 1821, and came to this State when our subject was an infant. Here he lived till his death in 1889 at the age of seventy-two years. He was a lumber dealer, and served in the late war a short time, but was obliged to return home on account of rheumatism contracted in the service. At the age of eighteen years he married Jane Harrington, and they had three children, of whom L. D. was the second. The latter was a moulder in early life, following this till the age of twenty. In 1861 he enlisted in the 86th N. Y. Vols., remaining in the service until August 30, 1863. When in the second battle of Bull Run he was wounded and lay in the hospital five months, being for six years unable to walk without crutches, for which he now receives a pension. When he became able to walk he took up the grocery business, and later began driving piling, in which he has been very successful. In 1863 he married Emeline Vangilder, of Southport, Elmira, and they have three sons, the youngest being eighteen years of age, and living at home. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R. and is a Republican.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 102

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194