Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 111

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 111

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Slocum, Benjamin Franklin, was born in the town of Venice, April 12, 1842, a son of Godfrey W. Slocum, a farmer of Cayuga county. B. F. Slocum was educated in the common school, and also a private school in New York city, following teaching several years, for four of which he was principal of Union Springs School. He was also principal of two different schools in Genoa. In 1881 he moved to Ithaca, where he formed the Washington Glass Company, and built a ten-pot factory, which has been steadily employed, with the exception of four years, manufacturing window glass, Mr. Slocum being superintendent and manager of the company. In 1889 this factory was merged with the United Glass Company, of which organization Mr. Slocum was vice-president one year. At the present time our subject, in partnership with Mr. Wilcox, is proprietor of the Ithaca Drop Forge Company, with works in this city, for the manufacture of a general line of drop forge articles. The company was formed in 1889, doing about $20,000 worth of business yearly. Our subject is also a partner in

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the clothing store of G. W. Slocum & Company, ready-made clothiers and dealers in furnishing goods, boots and shoes, etc. He is a Mason, a member of Hobasco Lodge, Aurora Chapter, and was the master of Genoa Lodge No. 421 at the time of the dedi- cation of the Masonic Temple at New York. In 1863 Mr. Slocum married Kate Young, of Genoa, and they have two sons and two daughters.

Schoonmaker, Helen, was born in Ithaca and educated in the Ithaca Academy. At the age of eighteen she was married to W. D. Schoonmaker, who died in 1874, leaving the farm to his wife, who has carried it on successfully. Mrs. Schoonmaker takes an interest in social and church matters, as well as the educational questions, and is a mem- ber of the Aurora Street Church. Her father, Benjamin Pew, came to the town of Ithaca in 1801 from New Jersey, being then nine years of age. He located on a farm, and in after life, having acquired a competency, he retired from active work and moved into the village.

Smith, Horace I., was born in Dryden, April 5, 1829, the sixth of a family of eight children of Isaac S. Smith, also a native of this county, who died in 1836. The early education of our subject was obtained in his native town. In 1853 he left the farm and came to Ithaca, and has since been engaged in various employments. He was in the mercantile business for two years, and for four years was engaged in the manufac- ture of sewing silks. He has also dealt in real estate. May 1, 1888, he became con- nected with Cornell University, at first holding the position of superintendent of con- tractors in the erection of their buildings. He held that position during the greater part of the next four years, until May 1, 1892, when he was appointed superintendent of construction and grounds for the university, which po ition he now holds. In pol- itics Mr. Smith is independent. In 1857 he married Mary E. Gay, of this town.

Simpson, George F., was born in Ithaca, October 19, 1841, a son of Edwin Simpson, a native of Steuben county, who came here when a youth and followed farming and stock dealing. Our subject was his only child. He was educated in the old Ithaca Academy, and after leaving school engaged in the hotel business, conducting the Alhambra about fifteen years. In 1891 he engaged in the real estate and brokerage business, and is now conducting an office in the same line. He is a member of Hobasco Lodge, Eagle Chapter, St. Augustine Commandery, No. 38, and the Mystic Shrine at Rochester. He married, in 1878, Mary Post, of Spencer, Tioga county, N. Y.

Sabin, John, was born in the town of Ithaca, August 7, 1854, a son of Abel, who was a native of Lewis county, and came to this section about fifty years ago, locating in the town of Ithaca. He moved to Danby about twenty-five years ago, where he now resides. He had seven children, six now living. John finished his education at the Ithaca Academy, and his first occupation was as a farmer. In 1890 he left the farm and came to the town of Ithaca, where he established a wagon mart at 43 Cay- uga street, where he now carries a complete line of lumber wagons, sleighs, cutters, horse blankets, lap robes, hand-made and oak-tanned harnesses, wagon boxes, spring seats, road carts, democrat wagons, and everything of the line needed on the farm and city stables. Mr. Sabin has established a reputation for fair and correct dealing, which has made him a leader of this class of trade in the country. He is a Democrat, but not an aspirant for political honors. He married, in 1881, Cora Stewart, of Caroline.

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Swartwood, G. M., was born in the town of Newfield, April 13, 1837. William, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1807, was a farmer all his life, and also a blacksmith. He settled in this county in 1834, taking a farm in Newfield, about a mile north of where our subject now lives, his farm consisting of 233 acres, on which he built a log cabin at first. He married Priscilla Brown, of Pennsylvania, and they had seven children, six surviving. Of these children G. M. was the third, and began busi- ness as a mechanic and carpenter. This he followed several years, and has built sev- eral buildings in the town. He is also a farmer. February 13, 1868, he married Ade- laide Ousmun, of Newfield, by whom he has four children, all living at home, though one son is in the Havana school. Mr. Swartwood is a prominent member of the G. A. R. of Newfield, Gregg Post, No. 123, having served in the late war six months, when he was compelled to leave on account of disease contracted in the service. He enlisted in July, 1862, and returned in January, 1863. He has held the office of senior vice-commander and quartermaster, and has been road commissioner for one term. He is a Republican.

Sherwood, William I., was born in Ulysses, July 8, 1849; was educated in the pub- lic schools and Trumansburgh Academy, and for fourteen years has been in partnership with the late G. H. Stewart in the undertaking business, and is now a farmer. Feb- ruary 25, 1874, he married Phoebe M. Tripp of Kingston, Pa., and they had two sons : Edwin S., who died young, and Merritt T., who died aged ten years. Mr. Sher- wood's father, Augustine M., was born in the town of Covert, Seneca county, August 5, 1812, and came with his parents to this county when young. February 1, 1837, he married Charlotte S. King of this town, and they had eight children : Mary H., Maria K., Minerva E., Elias K., William I., Ida M., Annie A. and Minnie A. The father died August 7, 1885, and the mother resides on the homestead. Mrs. Sherwood's father, Isaac Tripp, was born in Scranton, Pa., September 7, 1817, and February 17, 1840, married Margaret Shoemaker of Wyoming, Pa. They had six children : Mary A., Penelope E., Phoebe M., Isaac E., Margaret E. and Emma C. Mr. Sherwood's family was well represented in the late war. He was elected postmaster of the town in 1886, and has held that position since with the exception of one year. He has been assistant engineer of the Fire Department, and for the past two years chief engineer. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., being its present secretary, also of the A. O. U. W., in which he is recorder.

Smiley, Sanford E., was born in the town of Dryden, March 6, 1852. His father, Robert Smiley, was among the early settlers in the town. Sanford E. Smiley was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and observation. At the age of twenty he married Almeda L Snyder, daughter of Joseph Snyder, and they are the parents of two children, Leroy and Fred K. He takes the Republican side in politics and now holds the office of highway commissioner, and takes an intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, and in advancing the best interests of his town. In 1872 he bought part of the Joseph Snyder estate, having seventy-seven acres of some of the best farm and wood land in his town, raising hay, grain and stock. He is recognized in his town as a conservative, independent and in- telligent citizen, and a practical and successful farmer.

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Shaver, Williard, was born February 26, 1844. His father, Ira C. Shaver, was born in Ithaca, August 2, 1817, and came to the town of Dryden in the spring of 1823 with his father, John C. Shaver and bought of Luther Gere a farm of 145 acres, which is in the possession of the family to the present day. Mrs. Ira C. Shaver was a daughter of W. H. Sutfin. In 1854 he bought the George White property, just northwest of Free- ville, where the family now resides, and has eighty acres of some of the best farm land in the town. Williard Shaver, at the age of twenty-nine, married Fannie, daughter of Peter Saulpaugh of Buffalo, and they have three children, James G., Ira C. and Frank W. In 1891 he purchased of his father the old homestead property where he now re- sides. Our subject is a well read, intelligent citizen, taking an active interest in church and school matters, having been trustee of the school district for four years, his father having held the same office for fifteen consecutive years. The family have always taken a prominent part in advancing the best interest of the town, and are practical and successful farmers.

Stickle, Theodore, was born in the town of Dryden, November 9, 1864. His father, Anson Stickle, came from Dutchess county in 1837, and in 1860 he bought the Albert Twogood property of 288 acres. Mr. Stickle was educated in the Dryden Academy, after which he returned to his father's farm. He takes the Republican side in politics and an active interest in educational and religious matters. Anson Stickle married Susan Van Buskirk of Hamilton, Monroe county, Pa. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in his town, raising large quantities of hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of sheep raising and dairying, and is recognized as a practical and successful farmer.

Scott, Adelbert C., was born in the town of Dryden, July 5, 1859, was educated in the common schools, and finished at Cortland Normal School. At the age of twenty- four he married Flora L., daughter of William R. Curtis of Cortland, and they have had one son, William A., born in 1881. Mr. Scott bought the homestead, which has been in the possession of the family for sixty years. It comprises 114 acres of fine land, and in 1893 Mr. Scott purchased part of the Rose estate adjoining, having now 135 acres, which he devotes principally to dairying and the raising of hay. Our subject takes an active interest in all movements for the best interests of the town.

Shultz, Theophilus, was born in Palatine, Montgomery county, March 15, 1822, and came to this county, town of Dryden, in 1874. He bought part of the Jesse M. Blanch- ard property of 161 acres, and in 1889 bought the Abel White property of forty-five acres, and in 1882 bought the Giles farm of 100 acres, having now 306 acres, on which he raises large crops of hay and grain, and makes a specialty of breeding pure Holstein cattle. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Shultz married Lany Flander, daughter of Jacob H. Flander of St. Johnsville, and they have had seven children, one of whom, Charles A., is now living, and is managing the farm. At the age of twenty-two the latter married Miss Ida E., daughter of Romanzo George of Grand Rapids, Mich., and they have three children : Rollo T., Altha C., and Christine. Our subject is identified with all the leading movements of the town, and is a practical and energetic farmer.

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LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Snyder, Mrs. Caroline, was born in Montezuma, Wayne county, October 4, 1845. Her father, George G. Ellison, came to the town of Dryden in 1859 and died in 1860, when the burden of the family fell upon Mrs. Susan Ellison, and her five children, of whom Caroline was the eldest and who, seeing the necessity of being self-supporting, at once went to work, and has through force of character provided for herself from thirteen years of age up to the present. At twenty-two she married Conwell Snyder, son of John Snyder, who died in 1888, leaving his many business affairs to be taken up and carried on by his wife, who with unexpected business ability has accepted the task and achieved a remarkable success. Mrs. Snyder lives with her mother, Mrs. Susan Ellison, and also the mother of her husband, Mrs. Maria Snyder, and is known as a true hearted, benevolent woman, superintending the farm of 125 acres, which has forced her to lead an active life.

Snyder, Bradford, was born in the town of Dryden, February 24, 1836. His father, Jeremiah, came to this town in June, 1801, and settled on lot forty-three. The family were of German descent, and came to New Jersey from Germany, two of the brothers, Henry and Christopher, being among the pioneer settlers in Dryden, Peter taking up a section of 640 acres, to which he afterwards added, acquiring eventually 1,000 acres, which he distributed among his seven sons, two daughters and a granddaughter. Our subject now resides on the homstead, having 160 acres of the original Snyder purchase. Bradford Snyder was educated at the old eight-square brick school house, and finished at the Ithaca Academy under S. D. Carr. At the age of thirty-six he married Ann, daughter of William Doxtader of Stratford, Fulton county, and they have four children : Ward, Nora, Lena and Reva. Mr. Snyder is a Republican, and is now serving as over- seer of the poor. He is also secretary of the Dryden and Groton Fire Insurance company, having held both offices for the past twelve years.

Shank, Mrs. Lucy J., of Lake Ridge, proprietor of the Lake Ridge Hotel and general store, was born in Lansing in 1853. She is the daughter of Loronzo D. and Mary J. Ives, natives of Cayuga county. The grandparents were Noah and Anna (Clark) Ives of Connecticut, but early settlers in Cayuga county. The father of our subject was a carpenter in his earlier days, later a farmer in Lansing. In 1871 he purchased the store and hotel at Lake Ridge, and operated them both until liis death in December, 1884. The mother died in November, 1865. They had two children : Emaline and Lucy. Mrs. Shank received her education in the common schools in Lansing. At the death of her father she came into possession of the farm of 130 acres, which she still owns. In 1893 she purchased the store and hotel property at Lake Ridge of her sister Emaline, and with her husband, B. C. Shank, carries on a general merchandise business and hotel. In July, 1891, Mrs. Shank took an extended trip west through Canada, Washington to San Francisco, returning home in March, 1892. She has one child by a former hus- band, Ives W. Morey, born July 13, 1886. She is a lady of fine tastes and youthful appearance.

Van Nortwick, W. J., was born in the town of Dryden, October 2, 1828. His father, John Van Nortwick, son of Simeon, came from New Jersey and they were among the first settlers in the town. W. J. Van Nortwick was educated in the common schools,

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to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of thirty-six he married Nancy, daughter of Alexander McKinney, of Dryden, and they are the parents of two children, one son, William, and one daughter, Lulu May. In 1850, he began to acquire real estate, buying out other heirs and part of his uncle's estate, having sixty-six acres on which he has erected handsome buildings, raising hay, grain and stock, making a specialty of dairying. Our subject is one of the conservative, independent men of his town, where he is recognized as a practical and successful farmer. He takes an interest in the leading events of the day and in advancing the best interests of his town.

Vandemarks, Benjamin, was born in the town of Caroline, November 15, 1830. James M., his father, a native of Ulster county, moved to Tompkins county when quite small, and always followed farming, owning a farm near Brookton. He married Rachael Personious of the town of Caroline, and they had eight children, our subject being the second, and now sixty-three years old. The latter has followed farming from early life, working at home with his father until his marriage in 1863 to Charlotte, daughter of Peter Dennis of the town of Caroline. They are the parents of five chil- dren, all at home but one. All were educated in the common schools except one, who graduated from the Ithaca High School, viz., Charles. In politics our subject is a Democrat.

Thomas, John, was born December 11, 1825, in the town of Dover, Dutchess county, and came to Tompkins county at the age of six months with his parents. He was educated in the district schools, to which he added by reading and observation. He married Amelia, daughter of James Mulks of Ithaca, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. Mrs. Thomas died ten years after their marriage. Our subject afterwards sold his farm in Ithaca, and bought what was known as the Lewis Hanford farm of seventy acres, to which he has added since. In 1864 he married second Mary E. Swartout, daughter of Adam Hoffman of the town of Caroline. He is a Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in temperance, education and religion, being one of the leading men of the place.

Thomas, E. J., was born in Dryden, May 26, 1840, a son of Benjamin, a native of Dutchess county, who was left an orphan when young, and worked at farming till he reached manhood, when he married Mary, daughter of Bryant Thomas, of Dutchess county, and in 1834 moved to the farm now occuppied by our subject. Here he died in 1872, having been a prosperous farmer and a good citizen. IIe and wife had four children, E. J. being the third. He also followed farming through early life. He was educated in the public schools and at the age of twenty-three married Olive R. Winfield, daughter of William Winfield of Slaterville, and they had two children, Mary and Jane. Mr. Thomas has always voted the Republican ticket.

Taggart, William, was born in Ireland, August 21, 1832, and came to this county in 1849. He settled in Dryden, remaining five years, then worked for different farmers, and in 1857 he started for himself, buying a farm of thirty acres, which he traded for eighty acres in Newfield, then traded that for his present place, about eleven years ago. He served one year in the Rebellion, In 1860 he married Margaret Hodges and they

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have had six children, two deceased. Mr. Taggart is a member of the Grange, also of G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.

Tree, Edward, was born in England, July 5, 1844, and was less than two years of age when his parents came to this country. His father, Edward, sr., came to this country and located in the town of Lansing, and here made his home till 1837, when he moved to Ithaca and engaged in paper making. He died February 19, 1885, aged seventy-one years. Of his ten children, eight survive, our subject being the oldest son. The latter was educated in the public schools, and his first occupation was as a paper maker. At the age of fifteen he began as an apprentice in the Ithaca paper mill, and rapidly rose to higher positions, following the business thirty-two years. January 10, 1878, Mr. Tree established a general grocery and provision store at 227 Aurora street, which his son conducted while Mr. Tree worked in the paper mill. January 1, 1890, the son became a partner in the firm, and under the name of E. Tree & Son, the con- cern is well known in commercial circles. In 1891 they added a market to their store, and now have one of the finest stores of the kind in the place. Mr. Tree is a Democrat and in 1878 was elected on the Democratic and Workingmen's ticket as trustee of the village. He is a member of the Aurora street church and also of the R. A. November 22, 1866, he married Sarah J. Sincepaugh of Ithaca, and they have had two children : William, and Maud R.

Tucker, George S., was born in the town of Dryden, February 5, 1850. His father, George W. Tucker, was one of the early settlers. He was educated in the common schools to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of thirty he married Ella Mericle, and they have one son, George C., and one daughter, Blanche D. He takes the Republican side in politics and an active interest in school and church matters, being now trustee of the school. In the year 1886 he bought the Joseph Fisher place of six acres where be now resides. Our subject through life has followed the trade of carpenter and builder, making a specialty of bridge building and railroad work.

Teeter, George W., a life resident of Lansing, was born on the farm he now owns December 29, 1817, the son of Henry Teeter, who came to Lansing with his father, Henry, from Northampton county, Pa., in 1791, and settled in this county. The grand- father, Henry, died in 1804, leaving nine children ; all now deceased. Henry, son of the latter, and father of George W., spent his life on his father's farm. He married a Miss Wintchy Sly, daughter of Michael Sly of Elmira, formerly of Pennsylvania, and of their thirteen children, eleven grew to maturity : John, Joseph, Daniel, Sally, Vin- cent, Hannah, Sly, Catharine, George, Henry and Smith. Henry died about 1844, and his wife in 1872. George W. attended the district schools and has always made this farm his home. He followed boating on the Erie Canal for ten years, plying between Buffalo and New York city. In the mean time he sold the farm left him by his father, and after leaving the canal bought a farm in Dryden, and a year later traded with his brother for the homestead farm, which he has improved with new buildings, etc. Jan- uary 15, 1849, he married Matilda E. Hagin, born in 1822, daughter of Charles Hagin, and they have had five children : Foris May, born December 1, 1849, now of Portland,

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Ore .; Florence Belle, born in 1852, wife of Cicero Miller, of Kirkwood, Broome county; Frances E., wife of R. Miller of Lansing, born in 1855; George H., born in 1860; Charles S. twin of George H., who died aged three years; Lena L., born in 1867, wife of L. E. Holden of Tennessee. Mr. Teeter is a Democrat, and has served as commissioner of roads.

Reynolds, James Spencer, deceased, was born in the town of Lansing, Tompkins county, October 2, 1825, a son of Spencer Reynolds, a native of New Jersey and one of the early settlers of this county, who was three times married and had nine children. James S. was the first born and was educated in the old Ithaca Academy. After leav- ing school, and at the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to learn the iron moulder's trade in the Coy foundry, and after finishing his apprenticeship he was employed in the same foundry until he established a business for himself, and besides the foundry added a machine shop, which he conducted alone for some time, and then was joined by J. B. Lang, and the firm is still in existence, the estate of our subject being a part of the firm. Mr. Reynolds died October 31, 1891, mourned and lamented by all who knew him. He was a Republican, and although often urged to accept office invariably declined on account of his private business interests. In 1854 he married Francis P. Kenyon, daughter of William Kenyon, formerly a cabinetmaker of Hector, but late of the Western States, who died in Shasta, Cal.

Ross, J. D., was born in Savona, Steuben county, N. Y., May 29, 1867. His father, James H. Ross, is a retired clergyman of the M. E. Church after a pastorate of forty years. Our subject was educated in the Cook Academy, Havana, N. Y., and afterwards attended Cornell University. After leaving the university he took up the study of law in connection with D. F. Van Vleet, of Ithaca, and removed to the village of Dryden in 1890, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1891. At the age of twenty-five he married Alice Sweetland, daughter of George J. Sweetland of Dryden. Our sub- ject is one of the rising young lawyers in his town, where he is recognized as a man of conservative character and ability, being selected by his townspeople to fill various positions of trust.

Roe, H. W., was born in the town of Dryden May 9, 1859, and was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. After leaving school he served as clerk in the general store at Etna for three years, and then came to Freeville as clerk for A. C. Stone, and has continued in the same business up to the present date, the firm being Roe & Sutfin, carrying a general line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, wall paper, crockery and drugs. Our subject is the leading merchant in his town, carrying the largest and most complete stock of mer- chandise in the town. At the age of twenty-nine he married Ida C. Reed, daughter of T. B. Reed of Dryden, and they have one son, Clinton M. Roe. He takes an active interest in temperance principles, and in advancing the best interests of his town, where he is recognized as a citizen of high principles and strict integrity.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 111

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