Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 117

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 117

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Eagles, Joseph Dunlap, was born in Waterloo, Seneca county, January 18, 1837. He was educated in the High School of his native town, and at sixteen years of age began an apprenticeship with C. Bellew, the celebrated painter, and was with him for nearly five years in portrait and landscape painting. He was with Shultz for a year and a half. In 1860 he opened a photograph gallery in Waterloo, which he conducted in that town until 1865. He has been located in Auburn, Buffalo, Rochester, Detroit and Philadelphia. In 1875 he located in Ithaca, where he has ever since been engaged. In the fall of 1893 he removed to the opposite side of the street from where he had built a a gallery, and is now engaged in the photographic supply business, catering to the ama- teur photographers of the University.

Ellsworth, Perry C., was born at Saratoga Springs, May 20, 1818. After having taken a preparatory course in the common and graded schools he entered Union Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1838. He had, from the age of thirteen, been a fix- ture of the law office, and after leaving college spent two years as a student with one of the leading lawyers of Saratoga county. He was admitted to practice in 1840, and until 1844 conducted business at home. That year he removed to Florida, but returned in 1845 to this State and settled in Plattsburg, where he acquired the prominent repu- tation as a jurist that caused his election to the office of judge of Clinton county for two terms. His health failing in 1863, he settled on a farm near Madison, where he lived until 1870, the year of his settlement in Ithaca, where he has since followed the practice of his profession. He married in 1849, Chloe A. Deming, of Burlington county, Vt., who has borne him five children, four now living.

Davis, Samuel L., a life resident of Lansing, was born in Lansing, November 19, 1839. He is the son of Llewelyn Davis, also a native of Lansing, born in November, 1816. The grandparents were Samuel and Margaret Davis, formerly of Pennsylvania, of Welch and Dutch ancestry. They were among the pioneer settlers of Tompkins county. They raised eight children, William, John, Joshua, Joseph, Isaac, Samuel, Llewelyn and Sally. Llewelyn, the father of our subject, married Mary Osmun, who was born November 24, 1815, daughter of Jacob L. Osmun, of Lansing, and they had four children : Jacob L., Samuel, Isaac and Ariminta, who died in infancy. The father died in 1861 and the mother in February, 1844. Our subject attended the common schools of his neighborhood and the Ithaca Academy one term. He remained on his father's farm until 1863, when he, with his brother Isaac, purchased the farm of 110 acres, where he has ever since resided. They now own 280 acres. He married in April, 1863, Emma S., daughter of John Bloom, of Genoa, and they had one son, Llewelyn B., who died in infancy. His wife died in August, 1864. Mr. Davis married in 1872, Abigail L., daughter of Erastus D. and Mary (Cummings) Shaw, of Groton.

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Her grandparents were Benjamin and Sarah Shaw, natives of Vermont. They came to Tompkins county in 1816. Mrs. Davis's grandparents Cummings, were Gurdon and Abigail (Pettis) Cummings, from Connecticut, and came to Tompkins county in 1812. Mrs. Davis is one of seven children : Daniel J., of Wesica, Minn .; Abigail L., Mary E., wife of C. H. Cummings, of Groton ; Ella A., Emma, died at seven years; Ida, wife of H. S. Bradt, of Groton; Rhoda, died at four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Ruby A., born December 16, 1877. Mr. Davis is a member of the Lansing- ville Grange and is a Republican. Isaac Davis, a brother and partner in business of our subject, was born in July, 1842. They live together and have farmed it ever since they left the old homestead farm. Llewelyn, father of our subject, married second Mary Ward, of Lansing, April 30, 1846, and they have had one child, Arminta, born January 2, 1847, wife of Theodore Swayze, of Lansing. The mother died December 4, 1849. His third wife was Lydia B. Shaw, whom he married in February, 1851, and they had two sons, Frank L., born July 1, 1853, and Edwin F., born April 28, 1856. Sbe died in October, 1891.

Durling, J. J. Ayres, was born in the town of Ithaca, March 17, 1838, a son of Aaron Durling, who was born in Ulysses in 1809. The father of Aaron was Garret Durling, one of the earliest settlers of the county. Aaron came to Ithaca in 1830, and after learn- ing his trade he followed it the balance of his days, dying June 6, 1886. Our subject was educated in the common schools and in the old Lancasterian Academy, after leav- ing which he learned the painter's trade, which he followed sixteen years. In 1872 he entered the employ of Johnson Brothers, where he remained five years. In 1877 he opened a general store at Jacksonville, which he conducted successfully for ten years and then returned to Ithaca, where he built a large store and stocked it fully with groceries and provisions of all kinds, dry goods, drugs, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Dur- ling has always been an active worker in the Republican party, but never was a candi- date for office. May 8, 1860, he married Sarah L. Barnes, daughter of Samuel Barnes, a shoemaker in the village of Varna, town of Dryden.

Drake, Henry B., an old and highly respected resident of Lansing, was born May 16, 1820, a son of Freeman Drake of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The grandfrather was Fufers Drake, also a native of the latter town, where he died. About 1808 Freeman came and settled in Lansing, being a carpenter by trade, and a farmer. He married Cathar- ine, daughter of General Henry Bloom of Lansing, a veteran of the war of 1812, and they had ten children. He died May 12, 1862, and his wife in March, 1861. Henry B. was reared on the farm, received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen began farming, working for nine years for his uncle. In 1848 he bought the farm of 125 acres where he now lives, to which he has also added until now he owns 187 acres. He has been very successful in agriculture, and has acquired more than a competency. He has always been a staunch temperance advocate. In 1845 he married Lucinda, daughter of Daniel and Catharine (La Bar) Teeter, of Lansing. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have no children of their own, but have adopted two: John, born January 31, 1869, and Jennie N., born January 4, 1871, both children of his deceased brother, Lewis J. Drake.

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Elyea, Horace, was born in che town of Danby, on the farm where he now resides, April 6, 1822. He acquired his early education in the district school, and on leaving . school went back to his father's farm, which afterwards came to him through his buy- ing out the other heir, and here he now resides, having built new barns and a beautiful house on the west side of the main road. He is a Republican in politics, and has served in various offices in the town, having been collector and assessor for the past six years. He has nearly 100 acres of fine farming land, and is one of the town's prominent men. He makes a specialty of dairying, the produce being about 200 quarts per day. In 1865 he married Francis Nelson, daughter of William Nelson, of Danby, and they have liad five children, two sons surviving.

Emmens, Daniel, was born in Ithaca, November 9, 1818, and has passed a lifetime on the farm on which he now resides. He was educated at the district schools, but at an early age devoted himself to farming. He married at the age of twenty-two Delilah Mccutchen, daughter of Robert Mccutchen, by whom he had one son, Theodore, who now lives on the farm with him. The wife of Mr. Emmens died in April, 1877, and he married second Orvilla McCutchen. Mr. Emmens is a Republican and takes a deep interest in educational and religious matters, being a regular attendant at the M. E. Church at Varna, to which he gives liberal support. He is known and recognized in his neighborhood as a successful farmer.

Drake, N. Eugene, was born in the town of Newfield, September 10, 1854, a son of William H., also a native of this county, born September 6, 1825. He was a farmer and lived in the town of Newfield until thirty years of age, when he removed to En- field, where he still resides. His wife was Sarah Henry, of Irish descent, born July 18, 1830, and died August 3, 1856, leaving two children: Joseph H., a carpenter of Cleve- land, O., and Eugene. The latter was educated in the common schools and assisted his father on the farm until the age of twenty-one, after which he was for two years em- ployed in wagonmaking in Newfield. In 1878 he came to Ithaca, engaging with S. C. Wattles in his produce store, where he remained four years. He was with George W. Frost for over three years, after which, in company with James Mitchell, he es- tablished a general grocery and provision store at 67 East State Street. The firm of Mitchell & Drake existed about eighteen months, and then Mr. Mitchell sold his in- terest to Herbert B. Townsend. Drake & Townsend conducted business till March 6, 1892, and Mr. Drake bought his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. He is one of the leading grocers of the city, carrying a line of staples, and also dealing in fruit. He has been a member of Ithaca Lodge I. O. O. F. since 1893 and is also a member of the Fire Department. In 1883 he married Jennie Card, daughter of Timothy Card of Candor.

Dale, Alfred D., was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire county, England, February 15, 1830, educated in the public schools and under private instruction in his native country. At fifteen he went to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed five years in England. In 1845 he came to this country and located in Ithaca, where for four years he was employed as a journeyman carpenter, then going into business for himself which he conducted twenty years, the first man to pay cash for labor in this

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city. He always had a natural tact for drawing, and spent a year with I. G. Perry, superintendent of architecture of the State capitol; and as Ithaca at that time had no architect, in 1870 he established an office there, which he has ever since conducted. Mr. Dale was the designer of the Masonic Hall, Sprague block, Wilgus block, Journal block, the Gregg block, Titus block, the Ferrey and Bates block; the first High school building he planned, and many stores, residences, etc. He is a member of the Demo- cratic party, and is now serving his fifth year as an assessor, in which office he has won the respect and admiration of the community by his impartiality and honesty. He married in 1853, Julia A. Whitlock, a native of the town. Mr. Dale is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 71, F. & A. M., Eagle Chapter, and St. Augustine Commandery.

Dean, Oscar K., was born in Jacksonville, educated in the public schools, and before the war was a tinsmith. August 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 109th N. Y. Vol- unteers, and was in the department of the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded in the battle of Hatcher's Run, October 27, 1864, his right arm being amputated on the field. He was afterwards in Howard Hospital, Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged for disability, January 14, 1865. March 13, 1872, he married Addie Folett, of Ulysses, and they had one daughter, Edith R. Mrs. Dean died May 15, 1888. Wil- liam C., father of Oscar, was born in Connecticut in 1803 and came here when a young man. He married Sallie B. Smith, formerly of his native county, and they had nine children : Amy, Beverly S., Hattie E., Emily E., Julia F., William E., Alden, Oscar K., and Chauncey. He died November 13, 1876, and his wife December 22, 1889. Beverly Smith, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Dorsey, Mrs. Adel, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1852, her maiden name being Thornton. She came north in 1870, locating in Lodi, Seneca county, and afterwards in North Hector, coming to Trumansburgh in 1871. The same year she married George P. Dorsey of Trumansburgh, and they had six chlidren : Lottie, who died aged nineteen years ; Mary J., Ella M., Leona, who died in infancy, Walter P. and Nancy. Mrs. Dorsey, through her own well directed and continuous efforts has paid for a comfort- able home in Trumansburgh.

Dumont, Waldron B., was born in Cairo, Greene county, December 15, 1810, was educated in the common schools of that day, and has always been a farmer. He came to Seneca county at an early day, and to Tompkins county in 1857. About the year 1859 he married Melinda M. Van Duser of Trumansburgh, by whom he had two sons and a daughter: Frederick S., who died in 1873 ; Balle, who died in 1873; and Charles, a mechanic in Weedsport. Mrs. Dumont died April 29, 1892. Walter, father of W. B., was born at the old home about 1775, and married Halsey Smith. They had six chil- dren : John, Elizabeth, Mary, Frederick, Waldron B. and William. He died about 1848 and his wife about 1852. The ancestry of the family is French, German and Dutch.

Darling, Reuben, was a native of New Hampshire, and from that State served as a musician (fifer) in the War of 1812-15. In the course of his army experience he be- came acquainted with the fertility of the land in Central New York, hence after the close of the war he came to Moravia and thence to Groton, settling at Peruville, where

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he worked at his trade (cabinetmaker) about twenty years. He then bought a farm, a part of the extensive farm now owned by his son Lyman, and here resided until his death. His wife was Frances, daughter of Timothy Hart, and by whom he had these children : Emeline, who married Julius Bement; Caroline Matilda, who married Daniel Conger; Lyman, Rebecca Jane, the second wife of Daniel Conger, and Edward, now living in Dryden. Reuben Darling died in 1870, aged seventy-nine years, his wife preceding him by a number of years. Lyman Darling, known throughout the region of his residence as one of the most thrifty and successful farmers, also as a man of much personal influence, was born August 24, 1826, and has devoted his life to farm work. That he has been abundantly successful is attested in the fact that his present farm of 228 acres is one of the best cultivated and most productive of the county, while its buildings and equipment are not to be surpassed in the region. In February, 1872, he married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Smiley. Four children have been born of this mar- riage, all of whom are now living. In politics Mr. Darling has generally been a Repub- lican, but during later years he has been somewhat identified with the principles of Prohibition.

Dusenberry, Corry G., was born November 16, 1863, in the town of Dryden. His father, Henry L., was also a native of the town, the family having originally come from Hall among the early settlers. Henry L. married Catharine Smiley, daughter of John Smiley, and they had two children: Mrs. Ellen Reed of Freeville, and our subject, Corry G. Henry L. died January 9, 1890. He was a well-known man in his town, and of recognized ability and integrity. Corry G. was educated in the common schools of his native town, finishing at the Cortland Normal, and later taking up a business course at the Elmira Business College. He is now living on the old homestead, which has been in the possession of the family for seventy-five years. The farm comprises 103 acres of fine dairy land.

Dean, David M., was born in the town of Newfield, October 31, 1852, the youngest son of Jefferson Dean, a farmer, who is a native of Ithaca, still living at eighty-two years of age. The mother of our subject was Matilda Barnes of Newfield. The grand- father, Eliakim Dean, was one of the pioneers of the county, and owned a tract of 600 acres of land in Newfield. He was justice of the peace, appointed by Governor Clinton. David was educated in the common schools and the old Ithaca Academy ; leaving the latter in 1869, he followed teaching in the common schools for two years, and then en- tered the office of Merritt King. He had been a student of law with him from the age of sixteen, teaching winters and studying summers. His last teaching was as principal of Newfield High School with 100 scholars. He was admitted to the bar at Albany Jan- uary 8, 1874, opened an office in his native village, and was engaged in practice there until the fall of 1876, when he was nominated for district attorney and elected, an office he held for six years. He married, December 27, 1882, Hattie B. Lebarre of Newfield. Mr. Dean enjoys the reputation of being one of Ithaca's leading lawyers.

Dates, William Morehouse, one of Lansing's prominent farmers, was born on the farm he now owns, June 21, 1847, the son of John D. Dates, of New Jersey, born in June, 1808, who, when a lad of thirteen years, started out in life for himself. The

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latter when a young man bought a threshing machine, and returned to New Jersey with it, following threshing for a few seasons, then engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed for the rest of his life, though at the age of about forty he studied law and prac- ticed in the justice's courts; this he followed till within ten years of his death. His practice was extensive in all parts of the county. He was a Republican. His father was Derrick Dates of New Jersey, who came to Tompkins county about 1820. John D. married Mrs. Electa Jane (Morehouse) Mack, of Lansing, by whom he had three children : Charles H., born in 1845; William M., born in 1847, and Mary J., born in 1850. John D. Dates died May 5, 1885, after a long and useful career. William M. received his education in the common schools and in Groton Academy, and after leav- ing school he returned to the farm. At the age of twenty-two he bought of his father a portion of the farm and began for himself. To this he has added, until he now owns about 300 acres of farm land, all of which he operates, raising fruit to quite an extent. In October, 1869, he married Mary A., daughter of Hiram and Abby Ann (Baker) Holden, of Lansing, and they have had six children: John D., born July 26, 1870 ; Myra S., born December 8, 1874 ; Helen St. John, born May 22, 1880; Mary L., born August 29, 1882 ; Florence H., born April 18, 1885, and Abbie May, born January 14, 1892. Mr. Dates is a Granger of Lansingville Lodge, No. 282, and an Odd Fellow, Lodge No. 544, Rebekah Degree, of which latter Mrs. Dates is a member. Our sub- ject's mother resides with him, and is still a well preserved woman at the age of eighty- five years, having been a member of the Presbyterian Church seventy-five years.

Drake, A. O., was born in Newfield, June 21, 1846. Joshua Drake, his grand- father, was a native of Connecticut. William Drake, father of our subject, was a native of New York State ; Prudy, his wife, also being a native of New York State. The father of our subject was a prosperous farmer A. O. was educated in the Newfield schools. His business through life has been farming, never aspiring to any political office. He married, in 1866, Alice Drake, of Catherine, N. Y., and they have one child, now at home. Our subject is a member of the Grange and Newfield Lodge

Dassance, Albert, was born in Newfield, June 2, 1856. Hosea, his father, was a native of Vermont and came to this town in 1816. He was a farmer and carpenter. He married Elizabeth Tense, born in Lansing, and of their six children our subject was the youngest. He has followed his father's occupation of farming and carpentry, and in 1890 he married Nora B. Grant, of Danby, by whom he has two children, Ruth E. and Deland G. Mr. Dassance is a Mason, of King Hiram Lodge, No. 784, is a Repub- lican and has been collector two terms.

Driscoll, Brothers .-- This firm is composed of Patrick, John C. and William M. Dris- coll, and was established in 1880 to carry on general contracting, with a specialty of mason work. Their line is to furnish all building material and execute all kinds of building, and they employ about sixty men. Many of the buildings they have erected are from their own designs, and the most of their work has been residences. They contracted for the laying of Telford Macadam three quarters of a mile on Aurora street and for about 1,200 feet of Medina stone on State street; also for the whole of the mason work of the new Lyceum Theater. This firm also represents the Glen Falls

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and British American Fire Insurance Companies for this county, and they are special agents for the sale of the Alba and Atlas Portland Cements. Their office and store rooms are located at 14 South Tioga street.

Dowell, William, was born in London, England, in 1828, and came to this country in 1859, settling first in Danby, where he remained four years, and then coming to Ithaca in 1863, where he bought a farm of ninety-nine acres, on which he still resides. He married at the age of nineteen, Rhoda Sable, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Dowell have never had any children, but during their life have adopted twelve, all now settled in homes of their own with the exception of two, who reside at home. Mr. Dowell makes a specialty of dairying, having a milk route in the city of Ithaca. The daily output of his dairy is about 125 quarts.'

Curtis, E. L. B., was born in the town of Danby, September 9, 1822, was educated in the schools of the day and finished at Mount Vernon Street School in Boston, after leaving which he returned to the homestead farm. In 1850, Anna K. Mills (daughter of Charles L. Mills of Corning) became his wife, and they have had six children, of whom two sons and three daughters survive. Charles E., the oldest, is now a resident of Ouray county, Colo .; Arthur M., the youngest son, is now principal of the Union School of Mount Morris, Livingston county. Our subject is a prominent Republican of the town and in 1864 was tendered the nomination to the Assembly, which he de- clined, preferring to give his sole attention to his business affairs. He is the owner of about 500 acres of some of the best farming lands in the locality, and makes special- ties of dairying and sheep-raising. He is an active and energetic man and takes a prominent part in all the local events of the day in his town.

Crittenden, Samuel was a native of Guilford, Conn., born December 18, 1778. At the age of nineteen he came to this region, traveling the entire distance with an ox- team. He finally located near McLean village, where he died April 1, 1862. He was one of the early judges of the court of the county, was a man of large interest in local affairs, and generally known as Judge Crittenden. He married Hannah Terry, who bore him nine children : Seth, who died in infancy ; Seth Rossiter, Asa, Samuel, an early lawyer of Ithaca; Chauncey, Sally, Norman, a merchant of Ithaca, and a prominent man in town affairs; Polly, and Caroline. Asa Crittenden mar- ried Sally Harris, and had three children : Minerva, born December 12, 1823, died the same year ; Gilman D., born Norn November 18, 1825; Samuel R., born December 25, 1827 ; Mary Jane, born May 4, 1830, who married James Wilcox ; Sarah Ann, born February 10, 1832, married first William T. Lormor, and second Elliot B. Wheeler. Asa Crittenden died May 5, 1891, and his wife October 5 1859. Gilman D., son of Asa, was born November 18, 1825, and in the war of the Rebellion was a prominent figure in the Tompkins county militia. He was elected captain of Company C, 76th Regiment, and served with honor three years and six months. His wife was Helen, daughter of Jehiel Backus, by whom he had five sons, three of whom are liv- ing: Elmer G., now on the farm; Wilbur, of Cortland village; and Floren W., a member of the firm of Begent & Crittenden, of Groton. The latter was born August

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26, 1866, was educated in the Groton Union School, and in 1886 was clerk for D. Mc- Lachlan. In November, 1890, the firm of Begent & Crittenden succeded Mr. Mclachlan.

Camp, Edward, was born in Ulysses June 13, 1842, educated in the public schools and Trumansburgh Academy, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in Company I, 32d New York Volunteers, being the first to volunteer in his town. He was wounded in the foot at West Point, Va., May 7, 1862, was promoted duty sergeant, and honor- ably discharged in September, 1862, on account of his wound. Mr. Camp has been president of Trumansburgh, and is serving his second term as supervisor of his town. January 28, 1862, he married Susan J. Winfield of this village, and they have two children : Hermon W., and M. Hermione, both living at home. Mr. Camp's father Hermon, was born in New Milford, Conn., October 6, 1787, and came to Trumans- burgh in 1805. His first wife was Caroline Cook of Geneva, by whom he had two children. His second wife was Catharine Cook, a cousin of his first wife, by whom he had two children : Edward and Hermon, the latter dying in infancy. He married third Sarah P., widow of Frederick Camp, and they had one daughter, who married Major F. H. Griswold and now resides in Rochester. Mr. Camp, sr., was a member of assembly in 1820, was president of Trumansburgh Academy, which he, with several others, was instrumental in founding, and was a prominent temperance man, having been elected president of the State Temperance Society. He was commissioned cap- tain of cavalry in 1810 and as lieutenant-colonel soon afterwards, and held the rank of colonel of cavalry in the war of 1812. He was greatly interested in the growth and prosperity of Trumansburgh, to which he contributed not a little. Edward has resided in Virginia for twenty years since the war, having an interest in the Norfolk Knitting Mills there. He was deputy United States marshal for the eastern district for five years after his discharge, and was appointed recruiting officer until the close of the war. He is a member of Treman Post No. 572 G. A. R., and one of its past comman- ders. He is also a member of Trumansburgh Lodge 157, F. & A. M., Fidelity Chapter 77, R. A. M., and was its high priest two years. He is a member also of St. Augustine Commandery of Ithaca.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 117

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