Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 106

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 106

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).

Pratt, J. H., was born in the village of Groton, September 11, 1844. His father, Geo. D. Pratt, settled in the village of Groton and established a harness, trunks, robes, etc .. business about 1839. Ten years later, in March, 1849, he removed to the village of Dryden, and carried on the same business, assisted by his son, who succeeds him. About 1840 Geo. D. Pratt married Betsey M. Foster, daughter of Aaron Foster, who came to Dryden near 1830 and located at Willow Glen on the farm which he after- wards sold to John McGraw. Aaron Foster was connected with and carried on the flour and saw mills located at Willow Glen. Our subject was educated at the common schools, finishing at the Dryden Academy. At the age of thirty-eight he married Mary F. Hurd, daughter of Denison Hurd, of Ithaca, and they are the parents of one daughter, Betsey L. Pratt. In politics he takes the Republican side. He has been president of the village and is now treasurer. He is the leading man in his business of fine hand made harness, wagons, sleighs, robes, etc. A brother of our subject, Hail F. Pratt, is associated with him in business. Another brother, George F., is a farmer of the town of Caroline.

Perry, William M., was born near Buffalo, February 21, 1839, his family having come from Otsego county. He was given his early education in Buffalo, and at the age of eleven years was left an orphan and thrown upon his own resources. At the age of seventeen he shipped aboard a whaler and followed the sea for eleven years, the last

169

FAMILY SKETCHES.

four being spent in the United States Navy. In 1869 he came to Ithaca to visit a relative, and while here married Miss Matilda M. Barnes of Newfield, and settled here, where he has since made his home. The following spring he took up carpentry with William Nelson and after two years went with Hyatt & Oltz. Four years later he went with John Snaith. In 1881, when the Fiske mansion was started he took charge of the carpenter work, and after the death of the owner it was finished by contract, and this was Mr. Perry's first financial enterprise. Since that time he has built many of the finest residences and public buildings in this city. Beginning with the Fiske house, his erections include the Dr. Dennis residence of Elberon, N. J., and of Warren E. Den- nis of the same place. In New York city he also remodeled the houses of W. E. Den- nis and Mrs. J. D. Ripley, and in Ithaca he has built the residences of Professor Fuertes, Professor Thurston, Professor Nichols. the Kappa Alpha and the Chi Phi Society houses and was also the contractor for the wood work on the Cornell University Library and the Congregational church, and is now building the Unitarian church, the woodwork for Mr. W. O. Wyckoff's house on Carleton Island, and rebuilding a house for Dr. F. S. Dennis at Norfolk, Conn. Mr. Perry is a member of Hobasco Lodge No. 716 F. & A. M., and is a trustee of the Unitarian church. He has one daughter and five sons, the oldest son following the trade of his father.

Pierce, W. B., was born at Providence, R. I., Feb. 17, 1841. His early life was spent in the city of Providence. He was educated in the public schools and was a bookkeeper in a counting-room until, at the breaking out of the war, June 6, 1861, he enlisted in the First Rhode Island Artillery, serving until March, 1864. The first year be was a private and sergeant and the second year a commissioned lieutenant. He was with the Second Corps during all the war, and was in every Union engage- ment in which the Second Corps took part in the State of Virginia. On his return he entered the employ of the D., L. & W. R. R. Co., first as clerk, then station agent, then assistant division superintendent; resigned on account of poor health in 1876; entered their service October 1, 1881, as passenger conductor, and in May, 1885, he was appointed division superintendent of the D., L. & W. R. R. Co., and also the repre- sentative of their coal interests at this point. He is a Republican in politics, but he has never been an aspirant for office. Mr. Pierce is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M., and has been a Mason since 1865. In 1861 he married Helen A. King, of Susque- hanna county, Pa. They have one son, Clarence, who has charge of the retail coal business at Ithaca.

Peck, Solomon H., M. D., was born at White Lake, Sullivan county, N. Y., Sep- tember 15, 1825. His grandfather was a nephew of General Richard Henry Lee, of Revolutionary fame, and an officer himself on General Spencer's staff in the Revolu- tionary war. His maternal grandmother was a sister of Rev. Adoniram Judson, one of the first missionaries. His father was Joseph Peck, a farmer. The doctor was edu- cated at Liberty Normal Institute in his native county, and taught for five years while finishing his education. He began the study of medicine in 1853 with Dr. A. A. Gil- lespie at Bethel, N. Y. He attended lectures at Albany, and two terms at the medical department of the University of New York, while there on the staff of Dr.

170

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Valentine Mott. He began practice at Jeffersonville, Sullivan county, in 1856, and in 1858 removed to Ithaca, where be has ever since followed a general practice of his profession. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and has been its president a number of times. After being a delegate to the State Society several years, in 1881 he became a member of that body, and is also a member of the International Medical Congress, to which he was elected at Washington in 1883. He married in 1858 Ange- line R. Pratt, daughter of Col. Chauncey Pratt, of Covert, Seneca county, N. Y. They have no children.

Ogden, Lewis M., was born in Genoa, Cayuga county, September 10, 1823, the old- est of seven children of Joseph and Sally Ogden. At the age of seventeen Lewis began work for himself, working at farming first in Cayuga and Cortland counties, and. later in Tompkins county, town of Groton, where he married, January 25, 1854, Samantha, daughter of John Hopkins. From that time on Mr. Ogden has been a per- manent resident here, as well as an influential man in town affairs. His children are as follows: Charles E., of Genoa; William S. and David H., both of South Dakota. Lewis M. Ogden was originally a Whig, later a Republican, but supported Greeley in 1872, and has since been a Democrat. He has been assessor two terms, and now is one of the excise commissioners. John Hopkins, above mentioned, was descended from one of the pioneers of this town, and was born August 7, 1793. He married Damaris Miller, born October 24, 1807, and their children were: Samantha and Sophronia, also an adopted son, Alva B. Hopkins. John died February 18, 1847, and his wife Febru- ary 22, 1865. And I, Mrs. Ogden, his daughter, live on the old farm that my grand- father bought in 1800, when it was all a wilderness. Was born on it and here lived on the farm sixty-three years.

Ozmun, William A. J., a native of Lansing, was born September 21, 1827, a son of William, of Orange county, born in 1783, who came to Lansing in 1793 with his father Abram, who settled here and reared eight children. Here William grew to manhood, and to a prominent position in his town, being an active and energetic man. He ac- quired a large property, and always transacted his own business, never requiring an assistant in the drawing up of contracts, making of will, etc. He was a director of the Tompkins County Bank, and a man of high standing. He married Catharine Newman, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had nine children. The father died in January, 1862, and his wife in September, 1861. His son, William A. J., was reared on the farm, educated in the Groton Academy, and at the age of twenty took charge of the farm. In 1866 he removed to Ithaca to educate his children, and there lived five years, during which he embarked in the real estate business with success. After returning to the farm he erected a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and had in connection a planing mill, his property being twice destroyed by fire. He was instrumental in securing a station also, the railroad running through the town, and he was made station agent and express egent. He also erected store buildings, etc., and a wagon repair shop. At this time a post-office was also established, with our subject as postmaster, which office he has filled ever since, for nineteen years, the station being known as Midway, but in 1889 the railraod company abandoned the road, and the little village of course suffered, both financially and numerically. In 1852 Mr. Ozmun

171

FAMILY SKETCHES.

married Mary M., daughter of Isaac and Sarah Davis, by whom he had five children : William A., born in 1853; J. Davis, born in 1856, who married Clara Norton of Lan- sing; Frank W., born in 1859, died aged eleven ; Burt L., born in 1862, married Minnie L. Giltner, and has four children, Metta F., William A. J., J. Davis, and Bertha L. ; and Kate F., born in 1872, who married William Phillips of Cleveland, O. Our subject is a Mason, and Knight Templar of St. Augustine Commandery No. 38 J. Davis, son of William A. J., is a graduate of Syracuse University, from which he went to New York city and took a post graduate course, settling in Canajoharie, where he now practices his profession.

Oltz, the late John, was born on West Hill, Ithaca, May 23, 1835, was educated in the public schools, and early in life learned the capenter's trade, becoming a contractor and builder. November 12, 1868, he married Margaret Neideck, of Ithaca, of which union two children were born : John, born November 4, 1874, who is one of the intelligent young farmers of the town of Ulysses, managing his mother's farm ; and a daughter Flora, who died in infancy. Mr. Oltz died March 17, 1889, mourned by a large circle of friends as well as by his bereaved family. They came to reside in the town of Ulysses in 1889. Mrs. Oltz's father, Adam Neideck, was born near the Mosell River, Germany. and at the death of his father, he resided with his uncle, in France. He was born February 11, 1812, and after a time, he returned to his native place. About 1839 he married Margaret Loucks, and they came to America in 1850. Of their eight chil- dren, two died in infancy, and six survive : Adam, Anna, Albert, Lana, Margaret, Cath- arine, and Mary. Mr. Neidick enlisted in Company B, Eighty-ninth New York Vol- unteers, and was wounded at the battle of Antietam, dying three days later of his wounds. Albert, his son, was also a soldier in the late war, and was honorably dis- charged at its close.

Osborn, Fred W., the subject of this sketch, was born in the village (now city) of Ithaca, July 19, 1849, was educated in the public schools, and is a farmer, gardener and nurseryman by occupation. September 29, 1872, he married Eliza M., daughter of Captain John C. Smith, of Farmer, Seneca county, and they have one adopted daugh- ter, Nellie E., who is a successful school teacher, residing at home. Mrs. Osborn's father, Captain John C. Smith, was born in Friendship, N. J., November 19, 1825, and came to this locality with his parents when young. He was an architect and con- tractor. July 4, 1844, he married Persis M. Loomis, of Aurora, Cayuga county, and they had two children : Eliza M., as above noted, and Chester C. Mr Smith enlisted in 1864, in Company I, 111th New York Volunteers, as first lieutenant, and was hon- orably discharged at the close of the war. He died in Ovid, January 24, 1870, and his wife died October 23, 1879, aged fifty-two. Mr. Osborn came to Jacksonville in 1880, and has been overseer of the poor in this part of the town four years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and by integrity and industry they have gained a pleasant home where they now reside.

Owen, Charles B., was born on the old homestead near Jacksonville, July 15, 1822. He was educated in his father's select school at home, with six months at the Friends' Nine Partners Boarding School and is one of the leading farmers of his town. He

172

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

married, May 15, 1844, Sarah Otis, of Sherwood, Cayuga county, and of their children two survive: Herman F., and Rebecca. The former married Jane Aldrich, of Steuben county, and the latter married Jesse Mekeel. Mrs. Owen died February 29, 1876, and he married second Flora A. Housel, of Ithaca, born at Townsendville, Seneca county, and they have one daughter, Mary A. Mr. Owen's father, Aaron K., was born in Orange county, in 1794, and came here with his parents when a boy. His first wife was Mary Dunham, and his second was Martha Carman, by whom he had six children : Parvis W., Mary, Charles B., Deborah, Martha, and Freelove. Mrs. Owen was born in Greene county in 1795. Aaron K. Owen died May 15, 1847, and his wife November 7, 1871.

Quan, S. D., was born in the town of Dryden, September 2, 1833. His father, Samuel, came from Ireland when a young man, located in Dryden, where our subject was educated in the district school, but his father dying when he was eleven years of age, he was soon taken from school and put to work on the farm. At the age of twenty-seven he married Martha A. Snyder, daughter of Joseph Snyder, of Dryden, and they have a daughter, Minnie, who is a graduate of the Ithaca High School. Our subject is a Democrat in politics and takes a great interest in all questions of the day, both political and educational. In 1861 he canie to the town of Ithaca, where he bought the Abram Bates farm, now known as Lake View farm, of 147 acres, and he raises large quantities of hay, grain and stock. He is one of the largest farmers in the town, a conservative man, and a practical and successful farmer.

Northrup, George H., was born in Ithaca, November 16, 1845, son of John Northrup 73 E. State St. The whole life of George H. has been spent in this town. He was educated in the public schools and in the old Ithaca Academy. After leaving school he was engaged with his father in carriage trimming and spring bed business, and became a member of the firm of John Northrup & Son. He was engaged with his father until 1891, when he took charge of the retail department of the D. L. & W. coal business for one year, and July 27, 1893, he bought out the insurance business of George L. Gray, which he is now conducting with office in No. 3 Clinton Block, N. Cayuga St. Mr. Northrup has always been an active Republican, and has held numerous offices of honor and trust. In 1880 he was elected tax receiver of Ithaca, serving one year, and the following year was elected county treasurer of Tompkins county and twice re-elected, making nine years he filled this office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Fidelity Lodge No. 51, Eagle Chapter No. 58, and St. Augustine Commandery No. 38; also a member of Ithaca Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F., member of the Congregational church, and one of the trustees. Mr. Northrup married, January 18, 1872, Addie, daughter of M. D. Bruce, a farmer of Danby. He is also treasurer of the Y. M. C. A.

Northrop, Amos B., was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., Feburary 11, 1817, raised in Rome, N. Y., and came to the town of Dryden in 1852, was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-eight he married Almira Dodge, daughter of Samuel Dodge, of Rome, N. Y., and they were the parents of three sons : Fred, George and Samuel D. In 1866 he came to the village of Varna and established a boot and shoe manufactory.

173

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Our subject is one of the substantial citizens in his town, where he is known as a con- servative, independent citizen, of strong forceful character, a man whose life has proven his word to be as good as his bond.

Newman, Jared T., was born in the town of Enfield November 4, 1855, a son of Isaac H. Newman, who was a native of the town of Lansing, born April 10, 1823, and died June 7, 1893. The father was a Republican in politics and one of the most prom- inent and respected citizens in the town of Enfield, in which he held the offices of supervisor and railroad commissioner. His mother, Cornelia A., was the daughter of Jared Treman, from whose family the village of Trumansburgh takes its name. Ellen A. Newman, the only sister of our subject, is now a resident of Ithaca. Jared was edu- cated at Ithaca Academy and Cornell University, graduating with the class of '75. He was for a time principal of Blossburg, Pa., graded school, and January 1, 1878, began the study of law with Hon. Marcus Lyon. The next fall he entered the Albany Law School and graduated in 1879, and being immediately admitted to the bar, began practice January 1, 1880. He was a partner with James McLachlan, under the firm name of Newman & Mclachlan, from May, 1883, to May, 1887, after which he continued the practice of law alone until April, 1894, when the firm of Newman & Blood was formed with Charles H. Blood as the other partner. He was special county judge from January 1, 1882, to 1886. He was a delegate to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church, held at Washington, D. C., in May 1893. He married, October 7, 1886, Jane E., daughter of the late Josiah B. Williams; they have four children.

Newman, Levi J., born November 16, 1852, received his early education in the dis- trict schools, after leaving which he attended the Ithaca Academy, where he qualified himself to be a teacher, following that profession for some years, but soon gave his attention to farming. He is a son of W. O. Newman of Ithaca, one of the early settlers in Enfield, and has always been considered one of the most successful and prominent farmers of the town. L. J. Newman married Ann E., daughter of Seymour Korts of Ithaca, by whom he had four children, three sons and one daughter. He is known throughout the town as a man of ability and culture, and whose merit his townspeople recognized by electing him as supervisor for 1893, and re-elected in 1894 for a term of two years.

Marsh, Walker, deceased, was born in Vermont, November 4, 1810. His parents came to New York State when he was only six years of age. At the age of twenty- three he married Caroline C. Winslow of Groton, and came to Etna to make a home where he lived over fifty years. He was a man of large information and extensive reading and commanded the respect and esteem of the whole community. Politically a Democrat, he was postmaster and acting postmaster over forty years, was many years justice of the peace, and town clerk. As secretary he virtually organized and perfected the Dryden and Groton Insurance Company, which has been a model for all subsequent organizations of that kind. His honor and probity were above reproach and his counsel and advice frequently sought by neighbors and friends. He died at the age of seventy- six, leaving a widow and five children, three daughters, Misses May, Emiline and Sophie, Mr. George Marsh and Mr. Frank P. Marsh.

174

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Mckinney, James Monroe, an old and prominent resident of Lansing, is a native of this town, born on the farm he now owns, January 22, 1820, a son of Jesse, who came to Lansing at the age of about twelve, from New Jersey, his native State. The latter had but limited advantages of education, but he improved his opportunities, and became a prominent man in his community, having served sixteen years as justice of the peace, and in 1840 he was elected member of Assembly, on the Whig ticket. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Christina Brown of Dryden, and they had eleven children ; Jesse died in 1862 aged seventy-two years, and his wife in 1864 aged sixty- eight. Our subject, who was the second child, was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, and in 1843, at the age of twenty-three, he went to Michigan, and took up 260 acres of land, where he lived nine years, but was forced to return to the old home, on account of malaria, and here he has ever since resided. At the death of his father he came into possession of one-half of the original tract of homestead. While in Michigan Mr. Mckinney was one of the organizers of the school in his locality, was inspector of schools, and justice of the peace. On Mr. Mckinney's farm is the Mckinney Station, of which our subject is station agent, having filled that position for twenty years. He has two children : James H. and Mary Josephine. His second marriage was with Sarah L. Fisk, of Chicago, Ill., in 1877.

Morrison, James T., was born at Ludlowville, March 22, 1829, the youngest son of a family of three children of James Morrison, who was a native of Saratoga county, coming to this county in 1816. He was a cabinet maker and engaged in that business in East Lansing. In 1826, he settled on a farm east of Ludlowville, and conducted cabinet making, chair manufacturing and farming. He was also the only undertaker in the town of Lansing for a great many years. He died November 24, 1870, at seventy-four years of age. The mother of our subject, Mary Townley, was a daughter of Deacon Charles Townley, who was one of the first settlers of this county, with his brother Richard Townley. Richard and Charles Townley were natives of New Jersey and Revolutionary soldiers. They married sisters and in 1802. immigrated from Pennsylvania to Tompkins county, stopping over night with their ox team and house- hold effects in Ithaca when there was but one house, the residence of the McDowells, and the next day resumed their journey to the town of Lansing, where they took the the military tract assigned them. James T. spent his boyhood days in Lansing, and attended school until fifteen, when he entered the employ of Henry L. Burr, who was conducting a general store at Ludlowville. He remained with Burr until 1847, when he went to New York and that year spent part of the time in Rochester. The spring of 1848 he came to Ithaca, where he was clerk for Finch & Stowell three years. In 1851 he returned to Ludlow ville, where he engaged in business for himself six years. He then traded his property for a farm of 150 acres in Lansing, where he lived one year, and then came back to Ithaca in 1858, buying an interest in the business of Avery, Woodruff & Co., and the firm name became Morrison, Woodruff & Granger, existed two years, and then became Morrison & Woodruff. After one year Mr. Woodruff sold his interest to Hawkins & Finch, making the firm Morrison, Hawkins & Co. This firm continued eight years. The spring of 1869, Mr. Morrison purchased of the Downing estate what is now known as the Morrison block, where he removed his half interest

175

FAMILY SKETCHES.

and was alone in business until February, 1889, when he sold to Theodore Dobsin. Mr. Morrison is a Prohibitionist. He was twice married, and was the father of three sons and one daughter. The oldest son, William H., graduate of Cornell, is an instructor in Wilmington, Del .; Maurice, is now a student of the law department of Cornell Univer- sity. The daughter and one son are deceased.

Myers, Andrew, was born in Pennsylvania, October 7, 1828. William R., his father, was a native of New Jersey, who went toreside in Pennsylvania, where he followed different occupations, among them being blacksmithing and carpentry. He married Mary Cox, a native of Ireland, who came to America when quite young, and of their seven children our subject was the youngest. He has been a farmer from boyhood. March 17, 1849, he married Susan A. Willey, a native of this county, and they have one son, Alfred, now in Waverly, working at his trade of plumbing and gas fitting, in which he is very efficient. Mr. Myers is a Democrat in politics, but has not aspired to public office.

McKee, James and Robert, were among the first settlers of Dryden, the former locat- ing there in 1801 and the latter five years later. They were brothers, of Scotch descent and Irish birth and both brought familes to this country. James had eight children, among whom was one son, Thomas, who married a Miss Calvert of Cortland county, in 1806, and by her had one son, John C. The latter married Janette Stuart, and had eleven children, as follows: Thomas, now in Indiana; John, in Missouri ; Alexander (deceased); Margaret, now living on the home farm; Elizabeth (deceased) ; Anna, (deceased) ; Janette, wife of John Lamberson (deceased) ; Mahala, wife of Edward Carpenter (deceased); and James and Henry, living on the home farm in the south- east part of Groton. The place comprises 200 acres of excellent land, finely located and under good cultivation. And Andrew living in Michigan. Jolin the head of the family just mentioned, was a successful farmer, and died September 16, 1883. His wife died in 1877.

Meany, Edward, M. D., was born in the town of Enfield, November 17, 1865, son of John Meany, a farmer of that town, who died in November, 1890. Dr. Meany was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine with Dr. F. A. Kerst, of Jacksonville. and soon after entered Buffalo Medical College, from which institution he graduated with high honor (standing seventh on honor roll in a class of fifty) March 1, 1887. In April of the same year he established an office in Ithaca, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. The doctor has always been an enthusiastic Democrat, and was three years health officer of this city. He is a member of the Tompkins County Medical Society, and holds the office of treasurer.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 106

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