Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 112

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 112

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Reed, Joseph A., was born in the city of Ithaca, September 23, 1838. In 1882 he went into the wholesale pork packing business and conducted a market for fifteen years. Since 1890 he has done nothing, In 1890 he erected the fine buildings at the

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corner of Aurora and Buffalo streets, known as the Reed block. It is sixty six by sixty-eight feet, of brick, three stories, the lower floor occupied by stores, the two upper floors by living compartments. In 1880 he married Ella A. Brook of the town of Lansing, daughter of Alfred Brook, a farmer. He has a beautiful residence on Green street, rebuilt in 1879.

Rothschild Brothers .- This firm is composed of Jacob, Isaac and Daniel G. Roths- child, who first started in business about eighteen years ago in Binghamton. After seven years they removed to Ithaca, starting in on the corner of Aurora and State streets, and removed to their present grand headquarters during the spring of 1888. Their stock consists of everything in the dry goods line, with cloaks, shawls and bed- ding on the main floor of their large double store (55 x 100 feet). The basement is given up to china, of the finest quality, also glassware and crockery, suitable for the mechanic or the connoisseur, lamps of all varieties, brackets, tinware, etc.

Rhodes, George, was born November 2, 1821, in the town of Ithaca, and was edu- cated in the district schools, but at an early age he went to work on his father's farm, which he helped to clear. His grandfather bought the farm for his two sons, John and Frederick, the place comprising 314 acres, and in 1853 George R. bought the place of his father and now owns it. Our subject is Democratic in politics. December 14, 1865, he married Hannah M. Teachmen, daughter of L. M. Teachmen of Hector, and they have had two daughters, both now married and settled in homes of their own.

Reed, Dr. F. A., was born in Caroline, September 14, 1849, a son of H. C. Reed, also born in this county in 1812, who was a carpenter for four years in Ithaca. H. C. married, in 1836, Mary A., daughter of Bethel Gray, of Chenango county, and con- tinued his work in Ithaca for nearly eight years, living at Mott's Corners, now Brook- ton. He then bought a farm on Bald Hill, though he continued to work at his trade for the next three years, then settled down to farm work. He was a Republican and served as commissioner for two terms, was trustee of the school and a prominent mem- ber of the M. E. Church. He had four sons and one daughter, our subject being the fourth child. He remained at home with his parents for a number of years, and at the age of thirty-seven married Hattie, daughter of John D. Cannon, of Connecticut, from which place he moved into Delaware county, N. Y. His marriage occurred February 27, 1878, after which he resided on his father's farm ten years, then moved to West Slaterville, where they remained two years, our subject attending college part of the time in Cleveland, Ohio. Returning, he located in Brockton, where he has since had a successful practice. He still owns a farm, however, which is worked by a tenant. He is a Republican, a Mason of Caroline Lodge, No. 681; also a member of the Grange. He has two children, Maggie E. and Herman C.

Richardson, W. H., was born in Freetown, Cortland county, December 15, 1835, and was educated in the common schools and finished at the Groton Academy. At the age of twenty-five was married to Miss Ellen Van Nortwick, daughter of William Van Nortwick, and they have one son, Clarke H. Richardson. In 1863 he bought part of the Van Nortwick estate, and in 1866 he bought what was known as the Palmer Drake property of sixty-eight acres, which adjoins his own property, having in all about 150

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acres. In 1875 he came to the village and established a coal, lime, lumber and agricul- tural implements business, and as buyer and shipper of produce. Our subject is one of the oldest merchants in his town, taking an active interest in temperance, cducational and religious matters, and is recognized as an independent, conservative citizen of ster- ling worth and high integrity.

Rummer, Charles E., was born in the town of Dryden, May 1, 1869, and was edu- cated in the common schools and finished at Groton Academy. After leaving school he went to Sparrow Point, Md., and served as a clerk in the Sparrow Point Company's store for two years and then returned to Dryden. In the fall of 1893, in connection with his father, G. Rummer, he bought the stock of boots and shoes and rubber goods of the W. J. Lombard estate, and they have the leading house in their line in the town of Dryden. At the age of twenty-three he married Corinne Powers, daughter of Frederick Powers, of Groton. Our subject takes the Republican side in politics and is recognized in his town as a man of high business ability and character.

Rummer, Richard C., was born in Dryden, October 5, 1852, and was among the earliest settlers in the town. He was educated in the common schools and finished at Dryden Academy, under Professor Jackson Graves. At the age of twenty-three he married Olive Heffron, who passed away in 1880, and in 1889 he married Louisa A., daughter of John Turk, of Caroline, and they have one daughter and one son. In 1889 he bought the homestead farm of 200 acres, and in 1891 part of the Cady estate of forty-eight acres, having 248 acres, and raising hay, grain and stock, making a specialty of dairying. Our subject takes the Republican side in poli- tics, and is now president of the Board of Health of Freeville. He is interested in school and church matters and takes a prominent part in advancing the best interests of his town.

Robinson, Edmund E., was born in the village of Groton, September 22, 1853. Filan- der H., the father of our subject, was born in Vesper, Onondaga county, and is a miller by trade. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native town, and at the age of seventeen he went as an operator on the Union Pacific Railroad, and spent four years in Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. He was educated in the public schools and Groton Academy, before going west. On his return in 1874 he was a short time at home, then spent;one year on the Illinois Central Railroad at Cairo. In 1875 he came east on a visit, and while at home was offered a position as ticket agent and operator for Sayre on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which he accepted, and the next year was made agent for the L. V., the G. I. & S., and the S. C. The next year, at the consol- idation of these roads, Mr. Robinson was made superintendent of the telegraph, and train dispatcher, and transferred to Ithaca in July, 1877, since which time he has been a resident of this city. He remained in the employ of this company until May 16, 1892, and on his retirement bad the satisfaction of feeling he had never lost the company a dollar nor made a mistake. Mr. Robinson is a Republican, and in May, 1883, he was appointed deputy revenue collector for the twenty-first district under James Armstrong, which position he held until 1885. He was also elected assistant chief engineer of the Fire Department, and in 1885 elected chief, filling that office until July 21, 1889, at

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which time he was appointed postmaster. During 1887-'88-'89 he was chairman of the Republican County Committee. In 1888 he was nominated for alderman of the first ward, but declined to serve. He is a member of Hobasco Lodge No. 716 F. & A. M. In 1876 Mr. Robinson married Alice A., daughter of Anson Wyckoff, a farmer of Moravia, and they have three children : E. Winifred, Frederica, and Nathan Lavere. Mr. Robinson has been a delegate to every senatorial and district convention for the past twelve years, and to him the Republican party is indebted for much of its pros- perity in this locality.

Robinson, H. H., was born in Caroline, May 29, 1841, a son of Solomon, a native of Ulster county, who came to this county when eight years old with his parents, settling in Slaterville Springs, where his father kept a hotel. At the age of eighteen Solomon started out for himself, following various occupations, and built a grist-mill in 1836 at Slaterville Springs. In connection with this work he conducted a large farm of 309 acres, employing many hands. In 1857 he sold his mill, and in 1859 sold half of his farm, after which his son H. H. took charge of the remaining part, a large farm in itself, in 1877 commencing a dairy with seven head of cattle, which he has increased to twenty-five head. He has three horses, and does a large trade in butter and milk, being unable sometimes to fill his orders. He married Frances L., daughter of David L. Clark of Richford, Tioga county, in 1860, and they occupy a pleasant and comfort- able home. He is a Granger, and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also an active worker in the Republican party.

Pratt, Ephraim S., was born in Tolland, Mass., December 25, 1811, and came with his parents to Wolcott, Wayne county, at the age of seven years. He was educated in the schools of that day, and moved to Seneca county. November 9, 1834, he mar- ried Huldah B. Williams, of Weston, Conn., by whom he had eight children, four sons and four daughters : David S., Thomas H., Abby A., Tamsen L, Orlo H., Olive I .. , Flor- ence, and James R. Mrs. Pratt died May 26, 1885, and he married second, April 12, 1886, Susan P. Pease, widow of Orman Osborne, a farmer of Fairfield, Conn., who died May 5, 1873, leaving one son, Alvin P. Osborne. Mr. Pratt's father, Silas, was born in Sandersfield, Mass., August 17, 1781, a son of Justin, born in Granville, Mass., October 21, 1731. He was the son of Barnard, born at Hingham, Mass., July 1, 1710. The latter was the son of Aaron, son of Phineas, whose father, Henry, was born at Hingham, England, in 1599. In 1635 the latter emigrated with nine others, to Mass- achusetts, and Hingham was given as a name to the new home, which name has con- tinued to the present day. Mr. Pratt has resided in Ulysses over forty years.

Quick, Daniel, was born in Caroline, December 9, 1821. Henry, father of our sub- ject, was a native of Ulster county, a farmer, who came to this county and bought 100 acres of land, to which he added 160, which he owned at time of his death, besides other property. The only capital he owned when he came to Tompkins county was an axe and one shilling in money. He married Sallie, daughter of Daniel Ersley, one of the first settlers of the county, and they reared a family of nine children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Daniel lived with his father until he married at the age of thirty-three, to Caroline Ivory, and they have had three children, one daughter

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surviving, Georgie, who married a Mr. Quick, who was, however, no relative. She has one son, Clifford D. Quick, aged five months. Mr. Quick is assessor of the town, a Democrat, and a member of the Grange.

Pratt, David S., was born in the town of Covert, Seneca county, January 13, 1836, was educated in the public schools and Trumansburgh Academy ; also Union College, Schenectady. April 9, 1860, he married Emily M., daughter of the late Simeon Pease, of Trumansburgh. They have one son and two daughters : Leslie, Antoinette L., and Agnes H. Leslie married Augusta Seigleman, and has three children : Harold, Cora, and Agnes. Antoinette L. married James N. Layne, of Missouri, and Agnes H. lives at home. Mr. Pratt is for the present engaged in farming in the west.

Pratts, George W., of Newfield, was born December 27, 1823, a son of Peter Pratts, who was born in 1801, who was a farmer by occupation and married Sophronia Chaffee, by whom he had six children. Of these our subject was the oldest, being now seventy years of age. He has been a farmer as was his father before him, the farm being owned by himself and L. C. Pratts, his brother. Our subject has never married. He is a member of the Grange and in politics is a Republican.

Pratts, C. W., was born in Newfield, September 9, 1831. Adam, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this county when quite young, settling in this town, where he took up farming at which he was very successful. He married Cath- arine Sebring of this county, and they had three children. C. W. Pratts has always followed farming. He married in 1852 Delilah Sherman of this town, and they had two children, both deceased, one dying at the age of six months, and the other aged twenty-two years. Mr. Pratts votes the Democratic ticket.

Pratt, Charles F., was born in Groton, January 21, 1856. His father, Benjamin F. Pratt, was a well known resident of Groton. He was educated in the Dryden Acad- emy after leaving the common schools. At the age of thirty four he married Josephine Montgomery, daughter of John Montgomery of Dryden. In 1878 he bought part of the John Southworth estate of ninety-five acres, in 1889 he bought forty acres of the Joseph Thomas estate and in the spring of 1893 he bought part of the Elias Cady estate of sixty-one acres, lying just west of the village of Dryden. Our subject is one of the prominent men of his town, having nearly 200 acres of the best farm lands in his town, where he is known as a conservative man of energy and ability and as a successful and practical farmer.

Pierce, Clarence W., was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., February 16, 1862. He was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pa. After leaving school he remained on the farm for about three years, and then entered the employ of the D., L. & W. R. R. Co. At first he was a passenger brakeman and rose to passenger conductor, and in 1890 he came to Ithaca to take charge of the retail coal trade. He is a Republican in politics, but has held no offices. He is » member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M. and Eagle Chapter. In 1884 he married Emma Mills of Susquehanna county, Pa. They have one child, a daughter.

Pike, William L., the present secretary and general manager of the Groton Carriage Company, was a native of Richmond county, N. Y., born January 9, 1853. He began

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active business life on reaching his majority, and was then a well trained and competent practical wagonmaker. About 1870 he established himself at Tully, N. Y., and soon became ths head of the firm of Pike, Smith & Walsh, which for several years was well known in that part of Onondaga county. Pike & Walsh succeeded the older firm and afterward established the Waterloo Wagon Company, at Waterloo, in Seneca county. After about three years this business was disposed of, and in 1885 Mr. Pike came to Groton to take the general management and the secretaryship of the local company. That he has been abundantly successful in that capacity is attested by the fact that the business of the company has been largely increased during the period of his connection with it; and it is a conceded fact that the Groton Carriage Company is one of the most successful institutions of its kind in Central New York. On coming to Groton Mr. Pike found the business of the concern conducted according to old usages, and to him is due the credit of having successfully remodeled its working arrangements and inaug- urating a system in every department in accordance with the modern and now popular ideas of wagon, carriage and sleigh making. Although much engrossed in business Mr. Pike has found time to interest himself somewhat in local politics. He is a firm Democrat and was candidate for the Assembly in 1892, and though defeated at the polls the result of the vote was the source of gratification to himself and his friends. Again in February, 1893, he was the nominee of his party for the office of supervisor against Dana Rhodes, the latter vice-president of the carriage company, and a man of great strength and popularity throughout the town. However, in this last canvass Mr. Pike was reluctant to become a candidate and only consented to do so in order to fill a breach in the party ticket.

Quigley, Mrs. D. C., is a daughter of James C. Knight, who was born in Lodi, Seneca county, June 15, 1810. He was well educated and taught school several seasons. He began his mercantile career in Farmer Village in 1833 with a capital of $140, to which he added gradually until he obtained a competency. He married Luvezar, daughter of William Mundy, and they had four children : William, who died young ; Edward, Henrietta, and Mary. Edward married Josephine Covert of Lodi, Henrietta married Oscar G. Wheeler of Farmer, and Mary, our subject, married Henry Bean of Geneva, a hardware merchant, who died in 1878. For her second husband she married David C. Quigley, who was born in New Jersey, and came here in company with his parents in 1844. They had one son, James K., born June 20, 1880. Mr. Quigley was a mer- chant tailor, doing a large and successful business. He died January 31, 1881. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church of Trumansburgh, and a leader of the choir. Mrs. Quigley's father was one of the leading men of Seneca county, and always ready to give good advice to all who called on him for it, many dating their success in life to his timely counsel. He died November 26, 1881, and his wife June 23, 1886.

Pearson, Pierce (deceased), was born in the town of Newfield, February 22, 1840. His father, Robert, came from Bordentown, N. J., to Newfield in 1835, remaining there until his death, in 1864. The family originally came from Yorkshire, England. Pierce Pearson received his early education in the district schools, and completed it by his own efforts through his life. He was looked upon as a leader in the town in which he

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lived, known and recognized as a man of signal ability. In the fall of 1867, he with his brother Nicholas, bought the well known farm "up the Inlet " of John Fisher, to which they soon added their other adjoming farm, and then engaged in the nursery business. At the age of thirty-one he married Alma J. Foster of Ithaca, who bore him six children, two sons and two daughters now living, and with the help of their mother carry on the farm, and raising large amounts of tobacco, grain and stock. Mr. Pearson attended the Congregational church of Ithaca, to which he gave his hearty support. He died in April, 1891.

Quick, Charles, was born in the town of Caroline, May 7, 1848. He has followed farming from early boyhood, working at home for his father most of the time until he reached his majority, and he then went to work for his grandfather. At the age of twenty-one he married Charlotte Hubbard of the town of Dryden, and they have had four children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Quick is not a politician, though he always votes the Democratic ticket.

Poole, Hon. Murray Edward, was born July 17, 1857, at Centre Moreland, Wyom- ing county, Pa., at the head of the historic Wyoming Valley. He is a son of the late Edward V. Poole, a prominent business man and private banker of Tioga county, and a descendant from Captain Edward Poole, the founder of Weymouth, Mass., in 1635. Six of his ancestors were officers in the Revolutionary War, and another served in the Massachusetts Colonial Assembly during the same period. He was prepared at Wyom- ing Seminary at Kingston, Pa., and graduated at Cornell University as A. B., in 1880. He studied law with Judge Marcus Lyon, Judge Bradley Almy, Col. Charles H. Blair and Hon. Jared T. Newman, of Ithaca; Judge Charles A. Clark and Frank A. Darrow, esq., of Owego, and Judge Adolphus C. Allen, of Waverly. He was admitted to the bar May 3, 1889, at Syracuse. He married November 4, 1891, Eva, daughter of James Zeliffe, of Limestone, N. Y. She was born March 31, 1862, and graduated at Baxter University of Music, Friendship, N. Y., in 1880. They have one daughter, Laura Frances, born December 4, 1893. He has always taken an active interest in Demo- cratie politics, was appointed special county judge of Tompkins county, October 24, 1889, by Governor Hill, to fill a vacancy, and held the office until January 1, 1890; has been justice of the peace since January 1, 1891, acting recorder of the city of Ithaca since April 10, 1893 ; Democratic candidate for special county judge in 1889. and delegate to the constitutional convention in 1893. He is also a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-third degree. He was one of the founders of the Waverly Farmer in 1883, and is a member of the New York State Press Association, of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Society of the War of 1812, New England Historic Genealogical Society, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society and American Historical Association. Also author of the "History of Edward Poole. of Weymouth, Mass., 1635, and his Descendants, 1893," author of the History of the Town of Tioga in "Gay's Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, N. Y.," 1887, and "Biographical Sketches in Landmarks of Tompkins County ;" associate editor of "Gil- more's Cyclopedia of American Biography," of the "Cyclopedia of the Medical Pro- fession," " White's National Cyclopedia of American Biography," also of " Appleton's

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Annual Cyclopedia," contributor to the University Magazine (N. Y. City), Magazine of American History, Harper's Weekly, Detroit Free Press, Buffalo Illustrated Express, Utica Saturday Globe and others. He resides in Ithaca.

Ostrander, Charles H., was born in the town of Danby, March 13, 1845, was edu- cated in the district schools, and to this has added by careful and intelligent reading. After leaving school he began farming on his father's farm. Orrin Ostrander, his father, was one of the first settlers in the town. Our subject married at the age of twenty-three, Rebecca A., daughter of Lewis Scott, of Ithaca, by whom he had three daughters, the eldest, Emma L. Smiley, now of South Danby, living on the old home- stead. Mr. Ostrander is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the M. E. Church of South Danby. In the fall of 1893 he bought the stock of dry goods, groceries and hardware of William Bierce, and has now the principal store in the town, and does a large business. He is known throughout the town as a conservative man of fine busi- ness ability and high principle.

Ozmun, Ira, was born in Lansing, on his present farm, December 28, 1825. He is the son of Jacob L., a native of Orange county and an early settler in Lansing. who came here with his parents, John and Polly (Linderman) Ozmun, at an early date. Jacob settled on the farm now owned by his son, and there passed his life, with the exception of his last three years. He was a prominent man in his town, and was edu- cated in both English and German. He was a veterinary surgeon, and was prominent in both town and county politics, being a Democrat. He married Sally Ingley, of Groton, and they had eight children, Polly, Alvira, Abby A., Elmira, Jerry I. (all deceased), Ira, Emily and Julia. During his last years he engaged in the lumber busi- ness with our subject. He died in June, 1864, aged sixty. three years, and his wife died three years later, aged sixty-six years. Ira attended the common schools, and remained on the farm of his father till twenty-five years of age. At the age of twenty he bought a saw mill, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which he followed fourteen years, in connection with his farm business, having bought with his brother, in 1848, the farm of 245 acres. Some years later they divided the farm. Since he retired from the lumber business he has confined himself to farming exclusively. In 1855 he married Mary, daughter of Morris and Rachael (Learn) De Camp, of Lansing. She was born in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Ozmun have three adopted children, N. Breese, now a resident of California ; Oscar D. Dolson, of Peoria, Ill .; and Hester Ann Dal- ton, wife of Willie Teeter, of Groton, Mr. and Mrs. Ozmun are members of the North Lansing Grange, of which they have been active workers for twenty years.

Owen, Duane D., was born in Homer, Cortland county, February 26, 1845, a son of F. M. Owen of the mercantile interests of Homer. The education of Duane was derived in the common schools, followed farming about eight years, and then was employed in a shoe peg factory for about eight years. After this he was engaged in manufacturing iron gears for sleighs and wagons until 1890. That year he moved to Ithaca, where he bought the Van Houter lumber yard, and has ever since conducted it, handling all kinds of hard and soft lumber, and is prepared to furnish everything needed in building, such as shingles, lath, etc., as well as trimmings, posts, ornaments, etc. Mr. Owen is a

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staunch Republican, but never an aspirant for political office. He is a member of the order of K. of P., also a member of the Baptist Church. He married, December 9, 1891, Frances E. Dunham, of Ithaca. By his former wife he has one daughter, in her fourteenth year.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 112

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