Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 103

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 103

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).

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Bailor, Daniel, was born in King George county, Va., in 1843. He was a slave to a Mr. Lummis of that county, and was about eighteen years of age when the war be- gan. After he was free he went to Winchester, and from there to Washington, D. C., where he remained a year. He then came to New York State, being then about twenty-two years old. He has followed farming ever since he came to this State, now being the owner of a farm in Tompkins county consisting of 110 acres. He married in Danby in 1869 Rachael Dickson, she being formerly of Virginia, and they have eleven children. They are members of the Baptist church. In politics he is a Republican.

Boice, John, was born in the town of Caroline, October 24, 1847. His father, Eli, was born in Ulster county, and came here when quite young with his father, Abram. The latter died when Eli was twenty-five years of age, and the latter made his home with his brother John for a time. Later, on his marriage, he took up a piece of land, which he cleared and built a log cabin upon, and later bought still another place, near where he had been living. He next went to the place known as the Charles Mulks farm, when our subject was five years of age. Eli died in 1885, cared for by his son John until the last. John then rented the farm of his father to outside parties, and moved to another place, where he lived three years, in the mean time building a fine residence for himself, which he now occupies. This is situated near Slaterville Springs, and consists of ninety acres of the finest land, with twenty-five acres of timber. He married in 1870 Sarah, daughter of John Everlin, of Tioga county. Mr. Boice makes dairying his special occupation, owning about fifteen head of cattle. He is a Mason of Caroline Lodge No. 681, and is a Democrat, having held town office.

Bogardus, Andrew B., a prominent farmer of Lansing, was born in Ellenville, Ul- ster county, June 8, 1832, a son of Jacob E. and Ann (Bruyn) Bogardus, of Kingston, Ulster county, who came to this town in 1833, and bought a tract of over 300 acres, a portion of which our subject now owns, and on which he resides. Jacob died in 1859 and his wife in 1865. He was a prominent man in his town, taking an active part in political affairs, he being a Democrat. They had eight children, of whom our subject was the sixth. The grandfather was Evert Bogardus, and in his house in Kingston was held the first Assembly during the war of 1812. Andrew B. was educated in the academy at Ithaca, and after leaving school he returned to the farm, where he has since lived. At his father's death he came into possession of a portion of the farm, and at the mother's death the brothers divided the property, Andrew B. having the portion on which were the home buildings. In 1888 he married Fannie, daughter of Hiram Herrick of Lansing. Mr. Bogardus is a Democrat.

Bogardus, E. K., a prominent and successful farmer of Lansing, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., March 16, 1827, the son of Jacob E. Bogardus, who was a sloop cap- tain on the Hudson River between Rondout and New York city. He followed the river seven years, then went to Ellenville and bought an interest in a tract of 300 acres where the village of Ellenville now stands, and this they portioned off into lots and sold. About seventeen years later he returned with his family to Lansing and bought 240 acres of cleared farm, where he died in 1857. His wife was Ann Bruyn, by whom he had eight children. She died in 1865. Our subject attended the com- mon schools, with one year in Ithaca, and has always remained on the farm, which

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was divided after the death of his parents, he taking 108 acres where he now lives. He follows general farming, but makes a specialty of sheep raising. In 1879 he married Harriet Adelaide Seager, daughter of Philip and Ann (Gardner) Seager, of Dryden. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bogardus's ancestry are Holland Dutch. Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Bogardus, was a captain in the Revolution, who kept a public house and conducted a blacksmith shop in Kingston, N. Y. When Kingston was burned by the British his was the only house that escaped the flames. It was in this building that the first State Assembly was held many years later. When it was finally torn down there was found concealed in the walls a box of continental money placed there by him. Mr. Bogardus is a Democrat in politics.

Cooper, Festus, was born in the town of Danby, June 27, 1823. His father was Henry Cooper, who came to this town in 1815. Our subject acquired his learning in the district schools, supplemented by reading and observation, and after leaving school followed farming. At the age of twenty-eight he married Almira, daughter of Andrew U. Hill, of the same town, and they have one son, Lewis E. In 1867 Mr. Cooper bought the farm of 114 acres where he now resides, known as the Josiah Wells property, and he raises large quantities of hay and grain, also raising stock to a considerable extent, his specialty being grade Jersey and Holstein cattle.

Carpenter, L. T., was born in Newfield June 13, 1832. Joseph, his father, born in Dutchess county September 11, 1794, died at the age of ninety-six. Our subject is one of eleven children. He received his education in the common schools of New- field. His first business was that of a farmer, has been assessor of the town, is a member of the Grange, and married in 1854, Caroline Holmes, born in Newfield, daughter of George Holmes. They have two children: Eliza C., and Fannie T. Eliza married S. J. Douglass, and they have two children: H. B. Douglass and Nellic G.

Clark, William, was born in Newfield, March 4, 1843, a son of Israel O., a native of Tompkins county, born in 1813, who owned a farm of 140 acres in Ne wfield, and married November 2, 1837, Emeline, daughter of Charles Mallory, of Chemung county. They had three children: Martha A., James M., and William. The latter is a farmer and lumberman, having a saw mill and quite a tract of land. He is working from 150,000 to 200,000 acres, consisting of hemlock, chestnut and pine lumber. He was married on October 7, 1868, and has had three children: Nora S., Cora C., and Em- ma (deceased). Nora was educated in Havana, and Cora at the Ithaca High School. Our subject is a Republican, but has never aspired to office.

Carpenter, Jay, of Newfield, was born in this town June 11, 1855, a son of William Carpenter, also of this county, who followed carpentry for fifty-six years, though he owned a farm of 100 acres. He married Rebecca Volk, by whom he had two chil- dren, of whom our subject was the youngest. The latter follows farming. In 1885 he married May Hall, of Ithaca, and they have one child, Ray, now four years of age. Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat in politics, though he has never aspired to public office.

Cole, Lewis, was born in the town of Dryden, November 24, 1838. His father, Edmund Cole, came from Ballston, Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1851 and was among the earliest settlers in the town. Lewis Cole was a self-educated and self-made man,

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having received his education in the common schools, and having made a success in life solely by his own unaided efforts. At the age of twenty-nine he married Alice Dodge, who passed away April 10, 1866, and remarried, in 1878, Maggie Henry, and they are the parents of four children, one son, James L., and three daughters, Florence M., Sarah J. and Lenora. In 1868 he bought the old Henry White place, just west of Freeville, of fifty-eight acres, and in March, 1872, he bought the Jesse Blanchard property of 102 acres, having 160 acres in all, on which he raises hay, etc., and where he has put up new buildingsand erected a handsome residence. Our sub- ject is one of the largest farmers in his town, being identified with its best interests and known as a successful and practical farmer.

Crowley, Timothy, is a native of Ireland, born in County Cork, September 21, 1843, who came to this county in 1868, locating in Ithaca the same year, where he followed his trade of carpentry. His first employment was on the first of the uni- versity buildings, since which time he has assisted in the crection of a number of them. Mr. Crowley started in business for himself in 1884, and he has been the con- tractor for a great many fine residences in this city, as well as the MeWhorter Block and his latest and most prominent contract, the new Lyceum. In 1890 he formed a partnership with Michael Driscoll, and the firm of Crowley & Driscoll still exists. Our subject is a Democrat, and in 1893 was elected alderman of the First Ward. He married in 1883 Margaret Handlen, of Ithaca, and they have three children, a son and two daughters.

Cole, George, was born in the town of Dryden, August 5, 1845, and was educated in the common schools, and finished under Prof. Jackson Graves at Dryden Academy. After leaving school he returned to the farm of his father, Joseph Cole, who was one of the earliest residents of the town of Dryden, settling on the south hill about 1830. In 1884 he left the farm and established himself in the coal and produce business, which he now carries on. At the age of forty-one he married Emma Miller, daugh- ter of Archibald Miller, of the town of Dryden, and they have one son, Samuel Cole. He takes the Democratic side in politics, is a trustec of the village of Dryden, and while leading an active business life finds time to take an interest in church and school matters.

Conklin, John H., one of the county's representative farmers, was born here, Jan- uary 4, 1834, a son of Gilbert Conklin, also a native of Lansing, born in 1798, whose father, John, was born in Orange county, and served in the Revolution. The latter was with Sullivan's army when it marched through Tompkins county, and being favorably impressed with the locality, he moved here with his family after his dis- charge, settling on what is now Lake Ridge, about 1788. The family is of Scotch and English ancestry. Mr. Conklin received his education in the common schools work- ing summers, and attending school winters until the age of eighteen. In 1854 he married Elizabeth Osborn, daughter of Abram Osborn, of Lansing, and they had two children: Emma A., wife of John Miller, of Lansing; and Etta M. His wife died in 1868, and he married second in 1874, Ann, daughter of Henry and Marilda (Ludlow) Rhodes, of Lansing, and they have had one son, born May 19, 1816. George Rhodes, the grandfather of Mrs. Conklin, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1788, settling on the land which now comprises Mr. Conklin's farm of 240 acres, some of the original buildings yet standing. Mr. Conklin has served as supervisor,

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justice of the peace, etc., and is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He is a Democrat in politics.

Calauch, Isaac H., was born in the town of Dryden, September 25, 1825. His father, Benjamin Calauch, came to Dryden about 1812 and was among the earliest settlers in the town. I. H. Calauch was educated in the common schools and is a self-educated and self-made man, having achieved an independence by his own ef- forts. At the age of twenty-six he married Aurelia, daughter of W. H. Sutfin, of Dryden, and they are the parents of two sons, E. Jay and Fred D., and one daugh- ter, Mrs. Henry Brown. In 1814 he bought the John Skilliman property of thirty- five acres, and afterwards bought part of the Fisher estate and part of the John Sharp farm, also part of the Hunter estate, having sixty-eight acres, on which he has erected a handsome house and barns. Our subject is a well known man in his town, where he is respected for his sterling qualities of ability and integrity and is a prac- tical and successful farmer.

Crandall, Clayton, was born in the town of Bridgewater, Oneida county, February 4, 1858; he was educated in the public schools and the Ithaca Academy, and entered Cornell in 1874, graduating with the class of 1818, with the degree of B. S. After leaving school he engaged in farming and gardening. His father came to this town in 1868 and located on a farm on the west hill, where he made his home for the bal- ance of his life, dying in July, 1892. Clayton assumed control and management of the farm, which has become a fine fruit and garden tract, containing thirty-five acres of the best soil. He ran a wagon for the handling of garden produce until Septem- ber, 1891, when he established a market at 20 West State street, where he buys and sells all kinds of produce, doing quite an extensive business in shipping fruit. Mr. Crandall is a Democrat, and in 1889 was elected alderman of the First Ward, and held the office two years. In 1888 he married Emma Cook of the town of Caroline, and they have two children, both sons.

Crawford, John R., D.D.S., was born in the town of Newfield, January 16, 1865), son of Andrew G. Crawford, a wagonmaker of that town, later of Ithaca. John R. was educated at Trumansburgh Academy, and at the age of nineteen began the study of dentistry in the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. Green, of Geneva. After two and one half years he entered the New York College of Dentistry, from which he graduated March 9, 1887, and the September following opened an office in Ithaca. He married, June 22, 1892, Kittie Miller, of Ithaca, and they have one daughter. The doctor is a member of the K. of P.

Fenner, Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Casper Fenner of Lake Ridge, Lansing, was born in 1828 at Venice, Cayuga county. She is a daughter of Dr. Jared Foote (born in Vermont in 1795) and Eliza Ann Clark, (born in Rhode Island in 1803). They reared nine children : Marcia, born in 1826; Elizabeth, born in 1828; Darwin, born in 1830; Lovina, born in 1832; Mary, born in 1835; Clark, born in 1837; Lucinda, who died young ; Caroline, born in 1842, and Jared, born in 1845. The grandfather, Jared Foote, a native of Rhode Island, was born in 1771 and died in 1859, at the age of eighty-eight years. The grandmother was Lucinda Jennings, died at the age of ninety-seven, and they reared eight children : Jared, Lucinda, Anna, David, Eli, Betsey, Clark and La- vina. The great-grandfather. Jared Foote, was a Revolutionary soldier and a prisoner

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of war in the English prison in New York, where he died of starvation. Dr. Jared Foote, the father of our subject, was a physician of large practice in Venice, Cayuga county. Mrs. Fenner attended the district schools. She was married on New Year's morning, 1851, to Casper Fenner, born in 1825 in Lansing. He was the son of George and Catharine (Marsh) Fenner, of Pennsylvania. He was reared to farm life, attended school at Genoa and Groton until about twenty-one years of age, then settled down on the farm, and in 1849 purchased the farm of 100 acres of his father. His parents lived with him on the farm until their death, the father July 4, 1860, and the mother August 8, 1884. He was the youngest of five children, was a member of the Grange Onward Lodge No. 106 and in politics was a Republican, though not an aspi- rant to office. They had four children, Clark C., born in 1853; Luie L., died in infancy ; Casper, jr., born in 1860 ; Leslie A., born in 1867. Clark married Sadie L. McCarthy, of Denver, Col., and they had one child, Helen Elizabeth, born in 1889. Casper, jr., married in 1891 Hattie Gillette of Auburn. Mr. Fenner died May 24, 1882, on the old homestead. Mrs. Fenner has provided all her children with a liberal education. Her youngest son, Leslie, graduated from Cornell University with the class of 1893, as elec- trical engineer.

Rhodes Family, The .- In 1798 George Rhodes (this surname was originally Roths, indicating Dutch descent) and Frederick Storm came from Northampton county, Pa., were pioneers of Lansing, the former settling on the farm now owned by two of his grandchildren, Mrs. Dr. Gibson, and Mrs. J. H. Conklin. Here this pioneer and his wife reared their children and passed their days, and at their death (George in 1823 and his wife in 1824) were buried in the old Dutch burying ground near Lansingville in the town of Lansing. The children in this family were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Snyder) ; Margaret (Mrs. Henry Newman); Jacob, who died in Dryden; George, who died in Hector; John an ! Frederick, who died in the town of Ithaca; Andrew who died on the old homestead; and Henry who was born, lived and died (in August, 1873) on the old home farm. Henry Rhodes was born in 1799, and was a successful farmer and at his death left a goodly inheritance to his children. He married Marilda Ludlow, by whom he had twelve children: George A., who died in 1886; Stephen O., Mary C. (Mrs. Eben Lobdell), John, who died in 1841, Jacob F., Dana, Ellen A. (Mrs. Dr. Gib- son of Wilkesbarre, Pa.); Mariette, who died in 1862, Francis L. (Mrs. James Bow- ker) ; J. Henry. Ann R. (Mrs. J. H. Conklin), now resident upon the old homestead, and Alice who died in infancy. J. H. Rhodes is a prominent lawyer of Little Falls, Minn. He has been for a number of years attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad. In addition to a lucrative practice he is largely interested in farming, being the owner of a large stock farm containing 1,500 acres, known as the Rhodesland Stock Farm. He has raised on this farm in one year, over 16,000 bushels of wheat, besides several thou- sand bushels of other grain. Dana Rhodes was born in Lansing January 18, 1839, being named after Judge Dana of Ithaca, a prominent member of the old Tompkins Co. bar. He was brought up on the farm, attended the district schools of that town, and afterward the Groton Academy. Later on he located in Groton village, and conducted a drug store, and while so engaged was for twelve years justice of the peace. He was then induced by J. B. Kline, a lawyer of the village, now of Syracuse, to enter the

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legal profession ; consequently after being registered in accordance with the rules of the court, he was duly admitted to the practice of law. However, he continued his drug business until about eight years ago, when he was succeeded by his son, Chas. O. Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes is attorney for the Groton Carriage Co., of which he is also vice-president, and this position in connection with his farm and other interests, engages his attention. Mr. Rhodes is an active and earnest Republican. He was elected super- visor in 1892, and re-elected the next year. On May 30, 1858, he married Sarah, daughter of Israel Jacobs of Lansing, and they have three children : Chas. O., of Gro- ton, N. Y., Mrs. F. A. Mangang of Cortland, N. Y., and W. G. Rhodes, of Saginaw, Mich.

Rounseville, Judson, was born in Caroline, July 7, 1853. In his early life he fitted himself for a school teacher, finishing his education in the State Normal School at Cort- land, but taught only one term and that at the age of nineteen, then learned to be an operative in the Institute of Telegraphy in Buffalo. He has, however, lived on his pres- ent place since the fall of 1875. His wife was Elizabeth Hugill, whom he married in 1881, she being of the town of Dryden. Mrs. Rounseville died in 1883, and he mar- ried second Annis Salisbury of Sandy Creek, Oswego county, and they have two chil- dren : Leroy E. and Clara Louise. Our subject is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Prohibitionist, formerly a Republican casting his first vote for Pres- ident Hayes.

Robinson, Charles D., was born September 26, 1859, a son of David, also a native of this town, born in 1826. The latter married Melvina, daughter of George and Calista Myers, by whom he had these children : Calista, now a widow of the late Ebenezer McArthur, of Dryden ; Mary Ann, Henrietta, George H., Arthur J., Charles D., Viola who died aged seven years, Eva, and Emma. Mr. Robinson now lives in the town of Groton. His wife died January 17, 1894. His parents were Henry and Polly (Ross) Robinson, Henry Robinson having come to Lansing from Long Island with his father David, when a child. Charles settled on wild land one and one-fourth mile east of North Lansing, now owned by William Patterson, near the year 1800, which they im- proved, and on which they erected a large house, which, by its fine finish, exquisite carvings and size, showed its builders to have been artists in their time. It was famous in its day and known as the " Bellou House." In later years it was used by many poor families. Charles D. attended the common schools and worked on different farms until nineteen years of age, when he married, March 5, 1879, Ida L., daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Brown) Holden, of Lansing and Pennsylvania respectively. She was born Feburary 4, 1853, in Lansing. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the North Lansing Grange, and he is a Republican in politics, and a spiritualist in belief. Their farm consists of sixty-two acres, and on this place Mrs. Robinson was born, her parents having settled here in 1835. At the death of her father, in 1877, she became possessed of the farm. Her mother died in 1884. Mr. Robinson has been for several years en- gaged in the bee business, and has been engaged in the sale of various manufactured articles.

Reed, Truman B. was born in the town of Ithaca May 26, 1826, and was the son of Andrew Reed. Truman B. Reed was educated in the common schools to which he has

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added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of thirty-two he mar- ried Amelia Snyder, daughter of Ira Snyder, and they are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living : two sons, A. I. Reed and Roy B. Reed, and tliree daughters, Mrs. Rena Scutt, Mrs. Carrie A. Snyder and Mrs. Ida E. Roe. In 1869 he bought the Peter Ostrander property, which had been in the family possession ever since it was bought of the United States government in 1813. In 1863 he bought part of the Artemas Tyler lot, having 105 acres, and raising hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of sheep breeding and dairying. Our subject is one of the leading farmers of his town, taking an active interest in educational, religious and temperance principles, and is recognized as a man of sterling worth and high integrity.

Rhodes Omar R., was born in the town of Dryden, October 22, 1854. His father was also born in the town December 30, 1812. The grandfather bought a military title of part of lot forty-four and afterwards bought the whole of lot fifty-four, which has been handed down to and is now occupied by his descendants. Omar R. Rhodes was educated in the common schools, to which he has added by reading and close observation. At twenty-one he married Ellen A. Dart, daughter of William Dart of Rock Run, Stephenson county, III., and they are the parents of one daughter, Mabel C. Our subject is one of the largest farmers of his town, having 333 acres of some of the finest farming lands and wood lands in his town, and running a saw mill and shingle mill and planing mill in connection with his farm. He is recognized as a conservative and independent citizen, and a man of high business ability and talent and taking an active interest in the leading events of his day.

Rhodes, Miles, deceased, was born in Dryden, July 29, 1818. His father, Jacob Rhodes, was one of the earliest settlers in the town of Dryden. Miles Rhodes laid the foundation of his education in the old log school house and finished at the Groton Academy. He married Miss Margaret Dart, daughter of Thomas Dart of Ithaca, and they are parents to two daughters, Mrs. Roaine Lombard and Miss Maud Rhodes. He died January 27, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years. His life has been full of deeds of charity and kindness to his fellow men. An appeal to his generosity was never made in vain. Quiet, unostentatious, he lived his life and was regretted by a large circle of acquaintances. His wife and daughters were left to complete his unfinished work.

Rumsey, Myron K., of Newfield, was born in this town July 1, 1855. Isaac N. Rumsey, his father, was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, in 1803 ; was a farmer and hotel keeper, and came to Tompkins county in 1816, and settled in Enfield Falls. He married in 1828 Joanna N. Pilgram, of this county, and they had three children. His second wife, whom he married in 1845, was Susan J. Dunning, of Orange county, and by her he had seven children, of whom our subject was the fourth. The latter mar- ried, August 11, 1880, Sarah J. Labar, of Tompkins county. He has always been engaged in agriculture, and in politics is Democratic.

Robertson, Mott J., was born in the town of Dryden, November 19, 1822. His father, George Robertson, came to the town in 1798, March 12, and was the first free- holder in the town of Dryden, and settled on lot No. 53, where his son now resides.

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He received his education in the old eight square brick school house, which was quite a celebrated institution in its day. At the age of forty-six he married Martha J. Teeter, daughter of Isaac Teeter, of Ithaca. He takes the Republican side in politics and an intelligent interest in educational and religious matters. Our subject has 175 acres of the original Robertson homestead, and in 1891 bought what was known as the James Giles farm of 220 acres, and has nearly 400 acres of some of the best farm and wood land in his town, where he is recognized as a practical and successful farmer. The family originally came from Scotland, and has always been prominently identified in the leading events of the day and in advancing the best interests of the town. Cap- tain George Robertson has a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 103

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