USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 115
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Jarvis, William, was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, December 9, 1841, the only living child of Henry Jarvis, a ropemaker of that country. Subject was educated in private schools and at fourteen years of age went as an apprentice to learn the boat and ship builder's trade with Samuel Sparrum, with whom he remained seven years, and then spent six years in Woolwich Navy Yard on government vessels. In 1869 he emigrated to this country. He first located in Watkins, N. Y., where for three years he had charge of the Morris Run Coal Company's boat yard. He was engaged in boat building in Watkins until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Ithaca and estab- lished a boat yard, principally for the construction of boats for the Cornell Navy. He has ever since been engaged here in the construction of row boats, sailing yachts, and all boats of that class. He also conducts a boat livery of forty boats. Mr. Jarvis married in his native land, Maria M. Smith, and they are the parents of four daughters : Eva F., wife of O. L. Stewart, Louise E., Beatrice and Florence. dd
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Jacobs, Jesse, was born in Lansing, January 7, 1822, a son of Benjamin, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 29, 1775, a clothier by trade, who came to Lansing at an early day with his family. Here he cleared a farm, and remained until his death. He married Catharine Geist, born May 10, )779, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had nine children : John, Betsey, Catharine, Richard, Benjamin, Mary, Sally, Israel and Jesse. He died October 7, 1858, aged eighty-three. His wife died May 10, 1871, aged ninety-two. Jesse was educated in the district schools and has followed farming all his life. When about eighteen he began for himself, working at farming until twenty-three, when he bought a piece of land for himself, and five years later traded this for a part of his present farm of ninety acres. In 1844 he married Sarah, daughter of Elias D. and Elizabeth (Sindelbox) Kent, natives of New Jersey. She was born in Lansing, in October, 1825, one of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have reared eight children : Henry C., born July 11, 1845; Catharine, born November 7, 1846; Calvin, born October 1, 1848; Elizabeth, born April 26, 1851 ; George, born March 17, 1853; Edson, born July 13, 1855; Mary, born May 1, 1860, and Ella, born April 14, 1869. Mr. Jacobs is a Populist in politics, and is known as a thoroughly upright man.
Hill, Elbert B., was born July 12, 1866, in the town of Danby, a son of Edward B., who died in 1885, and was one of the prominent men of the locality. Our subject was educated in the district schools, to which he added by reading and close observation, and on the death of his father he took charge of the farm where he now lives, and which contains, with his mother's estate, 209 acres of some of the best farming land in the town. He makes a specialty of Chester white swine and Oxforddown sheep, also raising large quantities of hay and grain. At the age of twenty-one our subject married Anna, daughter of Andrew J. Beers of this town, who bore him three children, one son and two daughters. He takes and active interest in educational and religious matters, being a member of the M. E. Church at South Danby.
Hamblin, S. D., was born in Albany county, April 18, 1818. He was educated in the district schools of Dutchess county, which lie attended during the winter time, working summers on his father's farm. In 1835 he came to Tompkins county and settled near Dryden, and at the age of twenty-eight he married Almira J., daughter of James Toogood of the town of Dryden, and they were the parents of four children. three now living. He is a Democrat in politics, taking an intelligent interest in edu- cational and religious matters. In 1886 he came to the town of Danby and bought the George Nourse farm of 244 acres, five years later exchanging this for property in Beloit, Wis., and in 1877 bought it back, and resides there at the present time. His crops consist chiefly of hay and grain, and the farm also supports a quantity of stock.
Hall, William L., was born in New York, October 16, 1844, was educated in the public schools, and finished bis education in a boarding school, In that city he learned photography, and made several trips into the country, working at his favorite profession for others, also in the city. Finally he came to Trumansburgh, and some time after- wards bought a half interest in J. E. Lewis's gallery. He has passed through many changes and vicissitudes, but has always been successful in his undertakings. In the summer of 1893 he invented a new enamel process for printing photographs, which is
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unsurpassed and will be found of much benefit to the trade. He has secured letters patent on this valuable invention, which will be a source of much revenue to him. He keeps one of the largest stocks of frames, manufactured by himself, in the place. He is also a very fine ornamental carver, and competes with the largest cities successfully. In 1868 he married Mary F. Allen of Trumansburgh, and they had two children : Henry St. Clair, and Elizabeth C. Mr. Hall's father was born in Woodstock, Ulster county, and at the age of seventeen became a school teacher. Later he entered a dry goods house in New York as clerk and afterwards as partner, becoming finally its sole pro- prietor. He married Cornelia Turner of that city, and these children were born to him : Elizabeth, Cornelia, William S. and Ogden H. He died aged forty-eight years, and his wife survives him, residing in Brooklyn. Our subject is treasurer of the Fire Depart- ment, is active in Republican affairs, and holds various offices in the several societies of the place.
Howell, Milo, was born in Lansing, March 4, 1846, a son of Alanson T., a native of New Jersey, born in 1800, who came to Lansing, and followed cabinet-making, car- pentry, etc., for twenty-five years, then removed with his family to Great Bend, Pa. Ten years later he moved to Groton, and in 1868 to Ludlowville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Celesta, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Scutt) La Bar of Lansing, and they had twelve children : Hannibal, Darwin, Elizabeth, Wel- lington, Myron, Marion, Serena, Byron C., Jane, Tappan, Addison and Milo. He died in 1890, aged ninety years, and his wife died in 1882, aged seventy-six years. Our subject was educated in the common schools and Groton Academy, and learned the painter's trade. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States navy at New York city whence he was sent to the Pacific via Panama, to the flagship Lancaster, and with this ship he remained till the close of the war, cruising along the coast of South America, Mexico and California, under Captain Davenport, their chief work being the capture of pirates who had boarded the mail steamship San Salvador from Panama, with the in- tention of capturing it and turning it into a pirate ship. Mr. Howell received his dis- charge at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He then returned home and engaged in painting, farming, etc., in Hector, then went to Cedar Rapids, Ia., where he was clerk in a hotel for two years. He returned to Lansing and was then engaged in railroad work in this State, Ohio and West Virginia. Again returning to farming, he remained seven years, then went again into public works, which took him to Kentucky, West Virginia, New York Harbor, Charleston Harbor and Greytown, South America. He remained at the latter place five months, but was obliged to return on account of fever contracted there. He started the first hydraulic dredge on the Nicaragua Canal, acting as superintendent for the Joseph Edwards Dredging Company, the United States Dredging Company and the North America Dredging Company. Returning again to Lansing he settled down to farming. In 1869 he married Ella, daughter of Abram and Frances D. Bower of Lansing. Mr. Howell is a Republican, and a Free Mason, also a member of the G. A. R.
Hamblin, James E., was born in the town of Dryden November 1, 1853. His father, S. D. Hamblin, was one of the prominent farmers of the town. James E. was educated in the common schools and finished at the Ithaca Academy. At the age of twenty- four he married Carrie, daughter of Z. Lupton, of Dryden, and they are the parents of
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two daughters : Edna and Cora. In 1890 he bought the Robert Smiley property of ninety-four acres, raising hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of dairying. He has rebuilt the house, barns and fences and has thoroughly changed the appearance of the property. Our subject is one of the leading men of his town, identified in advanc- ing its best interests and recognized as a man of sterling worth and character, taking an intelligent interest in temperance, educational and religious matters.
Hiles, Andrew, was born in Dryden, February 20, 1824. His father, John Hiles, came from New Jersey in 1814, and settled on Fall Creek, moving from there to the foot of Dryden Lake and for years operating the largest saw mill in the town. He died in May, 1865. Andrew was educated in the common schools and at the age of twenty-five married Sarah H. Sweetland, and they have two children, Hiram D. and Frances A. In 1855 our subject bought of his father sixty-five acres, and in 1865 he inherited another portion of his father's estate. In 1872 he bought the George A. Sweetland farm of sixty acres, making 150 acres in all, on which he raises the regular farm produce, making a specialty of the breeding of grade fine wool sleep.
Hungerford, Amasa A., was born in the town of Sherman, Fairfield county, Conn., May 13, 1848, a son of Levi, a lawyer of Connecticut. The latter was a Republican in the State Legislature, and was at one time judge of probate. He was a lieutenant in the 28th Connecticut Regiment, and was wounded at Port Hudson, dying at Vicksburg in August, 1863. His only son was Amasa A., who was educated in the common school and was a drummer boy in his father's regiment for three months, going only as far as New Haven, when his father sent him home. December 11, 1863, he enlisted from the town of Danby, where he had come on a visit, and served till July 5, 1866, being discharged at Denver, Colo. He was in twenty-eight different engagements, and the most important part of his army life was in Hunter's raid, where they were the first troops to enter Lynchburg. After the close of the war he located in Ithaca, where he began the study of law under Judge Jerome Rowe, and afterwards was with Moses Crowe, being admitted to practice in January, 1871, at Albany. He began practice in Ithaca, where he has ever since been engaged, making a specialty of criminal cases. He was the attorney for the defense on the Blakesley case, and also on the Barber trial. Mr. Hungerford is a Democrat and has served several years as justice of the peace. He is a member of Sidney Post, G. A. R., and has always worked hard for the organ- ization. He is also a member of the S. O. V. and of the Baptist Church. In 1867 he married Clara White, of the town of Lansing, and they have six children. Our sub- ject's store was opened January 1, 1889, as a grocery and provision store, and is man- aged by his son-in-law, L. M. Rigby.
Hook, John, was born December 12, 1815, in Norwich Corners, Herkimer county, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of thirteen was put to work on the farm. When he attained his majority he married Mary L. Mitchell, of Edmeston, Otsego county, by whom he had two sons. Mr. Hook is a man of conservative and independent views, and a firm advocate of prohibition principles, being also interested in church and school. In 1861 he, in company with P. B. Crandall, bought the east side of what was known as the Purdy farm, which they divided between them, Mr. Hook retaining fifty acres, which comprises one of the finest fruit farms in New York State.
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Hildebrant, Theodore, was born in New Jersey, November 19, 1820, and came to the town of Ithaca in 1822 with his parents. At the age of twenty-eight he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Sylvanus Kellogg, of Newfield, by whom he had one son, now at home. In 1857 our subject bought the farm known as the old Hildebrant farm of 100 acres, to which he afterwards added forty acres, and on which he now resides. He devotes his farm largely to dairying, producing abont 175 quarts per day. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in educational and religious affairs.
Hazen, Blair A., was born in the town of Ithaca, May 18, 1833, educated in the common schools, and finished at the Ithaca Academy under Professor Carr. Upon leaving school he returned to his father's farm. He is a son of Allen B. Hazen, who came from Putnam county in 1832 and bought a farm on the Coddington road, con- sisting of 140 acres, where Blair A. was born, and which he now owns. At the age of twenty-five the latter married Caroline L. Downing, daughter of Thomas Downing, and they have two children, one now living, Fred D. Charles T. died, aged eleven years. Our subject is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in the events and questions of the day. In 1879 he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the city property on Marshall street and rebuilt and beautified the grounds and house, hav- ing now a handsome and cominodious liome.
Hatmaker, Peter A., was born April 1, 1817, in Chestnut Hill, Northampton county, Pa. He first moved to Newfield, Tompkins county, and in the spring of 1867 moved into the town of Ithaca, buying the Daniel Seaman farm of ninety-five acres. He mar- ried Oraminta, daughter of David Atwater, of Trumansburgh, by whom he had a son and a daughter. He is a Democrat in politics, and takes an intelligent interest in the events of the day. Mr. Hatmaker has always lived on the same farm which he first purchased, and is recognized as a thoroughly practical farmer. When a boy his father sent him from Pennsylvania to find a suitable location to settle on. He made the journey on foot to Owego, and returned to Pennsylvania, taking the cars from Owego to Ithaca, and steam cars only reaching to Candor; the balance of the distance the cars were drawn by horses.
Hurlbut, Christopher, who since 1869 has held the responsible position of station agent at Groton village, and whose residence in the town dates back more than forty years, was born in Venice, Cayuga county, October 15, 1842. He was the oldest but one of six children of Nelson and Easter (Scott) Hurlbut, the parents being farmers in Venice and later on in Groton, but who afterward moved to Lake Ridge, where the mother died. The father went west, and died there in 1865. Christopher Hurlbut was brought up on a farm, but at the age of sixteen began to learn the blacksmith's trade. He served faithfully three years with William Allen, and afterwards worked as a journeyman in a carriage shop until he was twenty-one, when he came to Groton to work for Spencer & Son in the old Separator shops. August 14, 1861, Mr. Hurlbut enlisted as a private in Co. K, 137th N. Y. Volunteers, and served until the final muster out of the regiment, June 9, 1865. A large part of the time he was connected with the quartermaster's department. Returning to Groton he started a blacksmith shop in the village, and conducted it until 1869, when he was appointed station agent at the
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opening of the Southern Central Railroad through the town. The next year he was appointed express agent, and has held that position continuously to the present time. December 20, 1859, Christopher Hurlbut married Charrotte A. Carpenter, by whom he has liad four children, three of whom are still living. Mr. Hurlbut has been connected with some of the earlier industries of Groton village, beginning with the carriage works, then with the Separator Company, both of which have developed into industries of importance in this county. He has not only watched the growth of these enter- prises, but has had an interest in their welfare, as also in everything that tends to build up and promote the welfare of the village.
Hazen, Harrison (deceased), was born in Covert, Seneca county, July 10, 1832. He was educated at the district schools, and married at the age of twenty-two Lydia A. Huff of the town of Romulus. He enlisted in the war in 1862 and received an honor- able discharge in 1864; and he was a charter member of Sidney Post, G. A. R., of Ithaca. He has two sons and one daughter, one son dying at the age of five years, and the other now living on the homestead. The daughter, Mrs. James S. Stone, is now a resident of Chicago. Mr. Haven was a Republican and was active in educational and religious matters. He was known throughout his neighborhood as a man of high in- tegrity and whose word was above question. Mr. Hazen was private secretary to General Wietzel, and on the death of Adjutant-General Hubbard, Mr. Hazen was appointed to his place until the fall of Port Hudson, he beirg the first Union man to enter that town upon its surrender to the United States forces.
Hart, George H., was born in the town of Groton, September 17, 1846. His father, John P. Hart, was a native of New Jersey and came to Tompkins county in 1820, and followed farming and dairying. Our subject was educated at the common schools and afterwards took a business course at the Eastman College, Poughkeepsie. At the age of twenty-two he married Ellen M. Outt, daughter of John J. Outt, of Preble, Cortland county, and they are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. He takes the Democratic side in politics and has been a member of the county commit- tee for several years past. He takes an active and intelligent interest in church and school matters. In connection with Ogden Hart, he is the largest dealer and shipper of live-stock in Tompkins county, where he is recognized as an active, energetic business man, respected and selected by his townspeople to fill different positions of trust in the town.
Hart, John C., was born August 2, 1867, was educated in Ithaca, and finished under Professor Williams at the academy. He married Edna, daughter of Orrin Moffatt of Ithaca, Mr. Hart is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the political and educa- tional events of the day. He carries on the old homestead farm of 103 acres, and makes a specialty of the milk business, handling about 241 quarts per day.
Higgins, C. B. was born in the town of Caroline, near the Center, November 30, 1823. Reuben, his father, was born in Cayuga county and followed farming, working in early life with his father, John, who carried on farming in Caroline His uncle, Moses Reed, was one of the pioneers. Reuben moved finally to his farm located about a half mile north of Caroline Center, known as the Davis farm, consisting of ninety
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acres, and here he died in March, 1889, aged ninety years, his wife dying two years later at the age of eighty-nine. They had nine children : C. B., Roxanna, John, Robert, Gilbert, Moses, Elizabeth, Mary, and Louisa. Our subject was the oldest of these chil- dren. He worked at shoemaking from fifteen till thirty years of age, and then took up farming which he has since followed, his place consisting of seventy-five acres, but he sold that farm, and bought the one he now occupies, which consists of about 221 acres. He has made a specialty of dairying. Mr. Higgins married first Eliza, daughter of Lathrop Wattles of this town, and second a Miss Robbins, whose father, W. C. Rob- bins, is a native of Caroline. By his first wife Mr. Higgins had two children: Frank and Clara, the former being in business in Cortland, and the latter a teacher of music in Binghamton.
Ham, George W., was born in Ithaca, July 7, 1823, and his occupation has been clerking and keeping a general merchandise store in this place. He conducted his store for two years, then began farming on his own land, which is situated in the town of Newfield, and consists of forty-six acres. August 13, 1844, he married Susan M. Earl of Ithaca, who died November 2, 1891, and they had six children, two daughters and two sons living, and two sons deceased, one having been drowned and one accidentally shot. M. Ham is a member of the Grange and has been collector, town clerk and in- spector of elections. He is a Republican.
Holman, I. M., of Newfield, was born in this town May 18, 1852. John W., his father, was a native of Ulysses, born November 29, 1821, whose occupation has been farming, with the exception of a few years when he worked at wagonmaking. He is now retired. He married Laura A. Forsythe of Ulysses, and of their seven children our subject was the eldest. He has followed the occupation of his father, farming, and is part owner of the place they now work, consisting of eighty-seven acres. He is un- married, is a member of Phoenix Lodge of the Grange, and was the town collector in 1886. In politics he is a Republican.
Harris, Nelson, who for more than forty years has been known and identified with some of the best business interests of Groton, was born in the town of Locke, Septem- ber 24, 1825, one of ten children born to Howard and Melinda Harris. His father being a farmer, Nelson was brought up to that occupation. In 1852, with his brother, Leonard, Nelson came to Groton to work a tract of land, but after a year he purchased twenty acres and began for himself. Later on by the death of an uncle, Mr. Harris became the owner of a good farm located east of the village. After successfully work- ing this property several years, it was rented and finally sold, after which Mr. Harris purchased eighteen acres of the village tract. About 1871, then being a village resi- dent, Mr. Harris started a coal and lumber yard, which he carried on about eighteen years, then sold out and two years later engaged in the hardware business. This he also sold after about two years and retired from active business life, having, however, capi- tal invested in the leading manufacturing enterprises of Groton, also in the First National Bank, of which institution he has been a director about twenty-five years. In 1852 he married Maria Harris, who died leaving no children. His second wife was Adeline Bothwell, by whom he has two children. Our subject has been a Whig and a Republican, and has been village trustee and is now one of the assessors of the town.
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Hart, Charles Aaron, was born in Groton on the farm where he now lives, March 19, 1859, a son of John B. and grandson of Charles D. Hart, and the great-grandson of the pioneer, Amos Hart, better known during his lifetime as "Deacon" Amos Hart. This family are mentioned at length elsewhere among these sketches. Charles A. was the third of seven children born to John B. and Anne E. (Breed) Hart, and lias always re- sided on his farm. He received his education in the common and Normal schools of Cortland. He married, June 22, 1882, Ella Josephine, daughter of Alanson and Maria Field, and they have three children : Grace Mildred, Anna Maria, and John B.
Horton, William H., of Newfield, was born January 27, 1833. His father, Henry, was born in Orange county, April 11, 1811, Joseph Horton, his father, being a native of Orange county also. Henry came with his father to Tompkins county in 1813, he then being two years old. His wife was Sarah Smith of Pennsylvania, and they had three children, our subject being the oldest. He has also followed farming, and has a fine place of 177 acres. December 3, 1863, he married Philena Nobles of Newfield, a daughter of Anson Nobles, and they have three children : Maude, who died, aged seven- teen ; Katie, aged twenty-three ; and Blanch, aged fourteen. Mr. Horton is a member of the Grange, and a Republican.
Gifford, Gardner C., attorney, of Ludlowville, was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, October 17, 1825, the son of S. J. Gifford, who was born in New Bedford, Mass. At the age of twenty-one the latter came to Cayuga county, and married in 1824 Phoebe Chidister of Scipio, and they have one child, our subject. His wife having died in 1835, he moved to Calhoun county, Mich., where he died in 1880. The grandfather was a native of Saratoga county, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was reared in the family of his grandfather Chidister, in Scipio, was educated in the district schools and Genoa Academy, and at the age of nineteen taught school, which he followed about four years. Returning home he went to farming, but soon abandoned it and in 1860 entered the law office of Wright & Pomeroy of Auburn, and was admitted to the bar June 9, 1864. From that time until 1875 he practiced in Aurora, Cayuga county, thence to Ludlowville, where he has ever since resided and practiced. He served as school commissioner four years, was justice of the peace thirteen years, and in 1863-4 was deputy county clerk of Cayuga county. In 1867 he was elected special surrogate of Cayuga county, holding this office three years. He married, October 17, 1850, Anna M., daughter of Richard and Mary E. (Haynes) Sear- ing of Ledyard, Cayuga county, formerly of Long Island. They had two children : Mamie E., wife of Harry Bower of Ludlowville, and Charles S., born September 25, 1867. The latter having a taste for law, passed the required examination in 1887, at the age of twenty, and entered the first junior of Cornell Law School, graduating with his class in 1889. He was admitted to the bar in 1890, when he entered the office of D. M. Dean of Ithaca for a few months. In August, 1892, he went to New York, and there began practice.
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