Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 90

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 90

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Givens, Edward, was born in the town of Dryden on May 14, 1823. His father, Col. Charles Givens, was one of the early settlers in the town and a man of promi- nence and note. Our subject was educated in the common schools, which he attended winters and worked on his father's farm summers, where he now resides. His grand- father was the original settler of this property, which has always been in the Givens family. At the age of twenty-six he married Jeanette Godfrey, daughter of Philo Godfrey, of the town of Dryden, and they are the parents of two children: one son, Philo, who died Angust 23, 1889, at thirty-four years of age, and one daughter, Mrs.

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Fidelia Sims, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Our subject takes the Republican side in polities and an active interest in religious and educational matters. He is a practical and successful farmer and a prominent man in his town.

Givens, W. R. was born in the town of Dryden, April 15,. 1821. His father, Col. Chas. Givens, came from Orange county, to the town of Dryden when he was six years of age and took a prominent part in the affairs of his town, being supervisor and holding other offices all his life, until he was obliged to decline the nominations ten dered him. Our subject was educated in common schools and finished at the old Ithaca Academy, after leaving which he taught school for twelve years, working on his farm summers. In 1862 he bought the Fortner place of 150 acres; in 1865 he bought the Wm. Trapp property of fifty-eight acres and part of the Scofield property, and part of the Allen property, all of which adjoins. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to Nancy Lamont, daughter of Archibald Lamont, of the Isle of Bute, Scotland, and they are the parents of four children, three of whom are living, two daughters, Mrs. Raymond Smith, of Ithaca, and Mrs. F. S. Jennings, of Dryden, and son Archibald, who is now living at home. He takes the Republican side in politics and has held various offices in his town, and has freely supported school and church matters. Our subject is one of the leading men in his town where he is rec- ognized as a substantial and conscientious citizen.

Griswold, Leonard, was born April 19, 1820. His father, Chas. Griswold, was born in this town, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, holding the position of captain in the militia of New York State. After his death, which occurred in 1834, his family was awarded a land warrant for his services. Leonard Griswold laid the foundation of his education in the log school house, district 16 of Dryden, but is pre-eminently a self-made and self-educated man. At the age of twenty-four he married Miss De- lana M. Wheeler, daughter of Enos Wheeler, and they are the parents of three children, two sons, Jay and Charles D., and one daughter, Mrs. Laura Mahan. In 1834 he inherited a part of his father's estate including the homestead where he now resides. In 1873 he bought the George Hill property in the town of Virgil of eighty acres. In 1875 he bought part of the Austin Hill estate of forty-three acres, making 240 acres, raising hay, grain and stock and making a specialty of dairy farming. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his town, taking an active interest in temperance, educational and religious matters and in advancing the best interests of his town. He is recognized as a man of high character and sterling integrity, and has been an officer of the Presbyterian church of Dryden for the past forty years.

Grant, Schuyler, was born in Ithaca, August 22, 1865, a son of Chauncy L. and Martha S. (Schuyler) Grant. He was educated at the common schools and Ithaca High School, on leaving which, in 1881, he entered the drug store which was estab- lished by his grandfather in 1831, and he, at the death of his grandfather, became proprietor. Mr. Grant is a Democrat in politics, a member of Hobasco Lodge No. 716, F. & A. M., of the Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias.

Schuyler, George Washington, was born February 2, 1810, at Stillwater, Saratoga county, and was educated in the University of the City of New York, from which he graduated in 1837. He studied theology, but subsequently, in order to extricate a brother from difficulties, engaged in business in Ithaca. He was elected treasurer of

FAMILY SKETCHES.

the State of New York November 3, 1863, and served for two years. He was appointed superintendant of the Banking Department of the State, January 3, 1866, and served till February 14, 1870; was member of assembly in 1875 and chairman of its Committee on Banks and Banking, during which time he obtained the passage of the General Savings Bank law, and a law for the protection of railway employees. He was, from January 1, 1876, to May, 1880, auditor of the Canal Department, and was the first to propose making the canals free waterways, by the abolition of tolls, a recommendation which was subsequently effected by a constitutional amendment. As auditor, he was at the same time one of the new capitol commissioners. He was a trustee of Cornell University from the time of its organization until his death, and was its treasurer (without remuneration) from 1868 to October, 1874, when he resigned. Mr. Schuyler married, in 1839, Matilda Scribner.

Gifford, Norman R., was born near Rensselaerville, Albany county, September 1, 1838. He was educated in the public schools and Rensselaerville Academy, and worked on his father's farm in Schoharie county until he came to reside in Trumans- burgh in 1859. He then became a canvasser, and later a clerk in his cousin's drug store. October 1, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, and held the position of orderly sergeant. He also acted as lieutenant, and was slightly wounded in the hand. He was honorably discharged July 24, 1865, and returned to Trumans- burgh, where he has been employed in various occupations. He and his brother engaged in the drug business in Vineland until 1877. June 6, 1871, he married Annie E. Woodworth, of this village, and they have twochildren: Elizabeth W., who holds a position in Buffalo; and Lloyd H., who is now attending school. Mr. Gifford was appointed justice of the peace in 1891, and was elected in 1892 for four years. His father, Lloyd B., was born in Albany county, August 24, 1812, and married Martha A. Reeve, of Rensselaerville. They had five children: Norman R., William P., Alexander M., Melvin B., and Adelbert L. Mr. Gifford's ancestors were of Revolu- tionary stock, and on his father's side many of them were in the United States Navy, and on his mother's side all the sons were in the Revolution. Mr. Gifford was a charter member of the first post here, and is a member of Treman Post No. 572, G. A. R., and is commander of the post. Mr. Gifford is a member of the Baptist church and church clerk.

Gardner, Edward T., was born in the village of Ithaca, September 26, 1846, the only son now living of six children of Ira M. Gardner,. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of this city and early took up the trade of his father, lathing the Catholic church of this city at the age of sixteen. He rapidly worked into different branches of the trade and acquired such proficiency that he soon became a contractor. In 1877 he went into partnership with Thomas B. Campbell and Robert Richardson, and their first large contract was the building of the residence of William H. Sage, after which they built the Jane P. McGraw residence, and also the annex of Wells College, at Aurora. The summer of 1876 our subject spent in Colorado. Since the dissolution of the above firm Mr. Gardner has built many of the most prominent buildings in this city-Small's planing mill, remodeling the Culver block, and others. He has made a specialty of glass factory work, and built the United Glass Company's ovens and furnaces. He became interested in a new device for annealing glass, and machin - ery for handling it, and traveled all through the gas belt of Ohio, Indiana, and Penn-

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

sylvania, setting up these ovens. Mr. Gardner is a member of Fidelity Lodge, Eagle Chapter, and St. Augustine Commandery. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Encampment. He belongs to the Aurora Street M. E. church. October 16, 1878, he married Minnie D. Sandborn, of Ithaca. Their fine residenee was eree- ted by Mr. Gardner in 1885.

Gooding Family, The .- Seth Crane Gooding and family moved from the northern part of this State and took up their abode about one mile east of Groton village in a then comparatively wild and unsettled region. There was a large family of sons and daughters, as follows: Sidney; George, who died in Chicago; Williams, who died in California; Rodney, who died in Buffalo; David; Matthew, who was killed while hunting near Detroit; James, who died at St. Paul; Abbie who died in Groton, and Sarah. Of these children only Sidney, David and Sarah are now living. Sidney Gooding was born near Whitehall, N. Y., in 1806, and at the age of nine years came with his father's family to what is now Groton. On reaching his majority he pur- chased land near his father's farm, and there began his business life as a farmer and afterward cattle buyer, both of which were successful ventures for him. His wife was Hannah Bradley, daughter of one of the pioneers of the town, by whom he had these children: Mary, wife of S. C. Reynolds, and Seth C., the latter a business man of Groton village, though still residing on the old home farm of his father. Seth C. Gooding was born on the farm where he now lives, June 4, 1842, and like his father in many respects, has been an extensive speculator and as well a successful farmer. During the war of 1861-5 he was in the government service for a period of six months. The present firm of Robinson & Gooding was formed June 1, 1892, and deals exten- sively in feed, grain, flour, farm produce, lumber and eoal. In 1867 Mr. Gooding was married to Mary E. Brown, of which marriage three children-one son and two daughters-have been born.

Goodrich, L. Levi, was born in Tioga eounty, July 1, 1837, a son of Elizur Good- rieh, who was a sea captain sixteen years, and finally having acquired a competency in that business he settled on what was known as the Watson farm, from which he moved to the place occupied by our subject, and there he and his wife died. In early life Levi followed farming, and also traveled quite extensively. He now owns a fine farm of 485 acres, the place being noted for its grain product, and he also raises and ships great quantities of hay, employing many hands in this branch; also raises blooded cattle. He has built fine buildings on his farm and made other valuable im- provements. He has a half-mile trotting traek, and has raised some very fine and fast horses, that sold in New York for prices running into the thousands. He also conducts an extensive milk business, keeping fifty cows. He married in 1870 Clara Covert, of Seneea, her grandfather being one of the first settlers of that town. They have had three sons: Lewis C., Chauncey S. and Wirt W. Lewis, who is a graduate of the Ithaca High School, class of '91, is now teaching at Speedsville. Chauneey is also a graduate of that school, elass of '93, and Wirt is now in the grammar sehool. Mr. Goodrich is a Mason, Lodge No. 265 of Caroline, and has always been an active worker in the Democratic ranks.

Gage, L. A., was born in Silver Lake, Pa., August 13, 1839, and was edueated in the district school, to which he has added by an intelligent system of reading. After leaving school he gave hisattention to farming, which he has made his life work. At

FAMILY SKETCHES.

the age of twenty-six he married Hannah A. Meaker, daughter of Reuben B. Meaker by whom he has had four children: Flora, Matie, Richard J. and Ralph, the last two deceased. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and takes a deep interest in edu- cational and religious matters. In 1872 he bought what was known as the Patmore farm of fifty acres, and in 1879 he built a fine residence, where he now lives. Mr. Gage is one of the prominent men of this town, where he is recognized as a conserv- ative and practical citizen.

Gregg, Chauncy P., was born in Covert, Seneca county, May 26, 1833, and received a common school and academic education. He came to Trumansburgh in 1855, where he has been an active, thorough business man. He first conducted a hard- ware store in company with Biggs Bros. In 1858 he bought the warehouse at Tru- mansburgh Landing, and continued it ten years. While thus engaged he began the manufacture of mowers, reapers, etc., which he has continued until the present time. In December, 1863, he married Sarah Conde, of West Troy, and they have had four children: Elizabeth C., Holland C., Sarah M., and James G. Mrs. Gregg died Au- gust 26, 1886. Mr. Gregg's father, Erastus C., was born in Enfield in 1805, and in early life was a merchant and mail contractor. He married Sarah Pratt, of Covert, and they had six children: Chauncy P., Alexander H., who married Helen Mundy of Farmer Village; Sarah A., who married Dr. Hoysradt, of Ithaca; Harriet E., Edla E., and Evangeline. Subject's father died in 1887, and his mother survives, aged eighty-two years. The ancestry of the family on the paternal side is Scotch and on the maternal side of New England stock.

Gross, Van Buren, was born in Marathon, Cortland county, September 22, 1832, the youngest of twelve children of Freeman and Susanna (Preston) Gross. Freeman was a cooper and builder of distilleries, and in the early history of Cortland county his services were in constant demand in the building of "stills". Van Buren, our subject, was early apprenticed to his brother to learn the cooper's trade. He attended the district schools and one term at Homer Academy, and early in 1853 he started to make his own way in life, with little capital but the determination to succeed, and not- withstanding the hardships and limited advantages attending his early life, he has made good his ambitions and hopes. April 7, 1853, Mr. Gross reached Peruville, and there entered the cooper shop of Horace Baker, with whom and Harry Hill he worked four years. In 1858 he rented the McLean firkin factory, and in partnership with T. M. Wicks operated it for three years. Later he was partner with John Lewis and still later worked in the same shop for Lewis & Beckwith. He then moved to Mal- loryville, where he worked for a Mr. Howe, and the following fall bought the Smith Townley farm of thirty acres. For several years afterwards Mr. Gross continued his work in the shop at McLean, also operating the farm. He finally bought the McLean factory, enlarged and added to its capacity, established both barrel and churn-making departments, and made it in all respects the chief industry of the village, building up an extensive trade, through his straightforward business methods. Mr. Gross is a Republican and was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1873-74-75, and when the E. C. & N. R. R. was being constructed through Groton he was town commissioner. March 29, 1858, he married Azubah A., daughter of Henry and Azubah Teeter, and they have four children.

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Gee, Rev. Hiram, was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, April 29, 1820. His parents came from Orange county and bought a large farm in 1812. In 1822 his father was killed in a tornado. He remained on the farm until 1840, when he came to Ithaca, and was employed as a clerk for two years in the store of David Hanmer. He then removed to Burlington, Pa., and engaged in the mercantile business with William Coryell. He became a member of the Methodist Church in 1850, and a year later began preaching. He was stationed at Marathon for one year, Coventry one year, Greene two years, Oxford two years, Homer two years, Ithaca Second Church two years, Ludlowville two years; and was presiding elder of the Auburn and Ithaca district four years. He has resided in Ithaca since. Mr. Gee has been most liberal in endowments, having given and pledged over $50,000 to Methodist denominational ed- ucation, besides over $5,000 to the two churches in Ithaca. Thomas Gee, grandfather of our subject, was an adjutant-general in Sullivan's expedition in 1779. His origi- nal order book is now in Cornell University.

Algart, Mrs. Christina, widow of Philip Algart, an old resident of Lansing, was born in Canada in December, 1813. She is the daughter of Philip and Mary (La Bar) Peck, natives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Canada in 1801, and there lived fif- teen years, then moved to Genoa, Cayuga county, where they spent their lives, the father dying in 1841 and the mother in 1873. Of their twelve children, three died young, and the others were: Sarah, wife of James Wagner, of Michigan; Mary, wife of Joseph Bower, of Lansing; Rachel, wife of Samuel Boyer, of Lansing; Elizabeth, wife of Barnabas Haws, of Genoa; Barbara, widow of John Snyder, of Genoa; Christine, as above; Susan, wife of Philip Kratzer, of Genoa; Daniel. Christine attended the common schools of Genoa, and in 1836 married Philip Algart, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, a son of Henry and Mary Algart. Philip was a shoe- maker by trade, at which he worked for several years at Genoa, having in the mean time bought a small farm which he conducted later, abandoning the shoe business in 1868. He sold his land in Genoa and removed to Lansing, where he bought the farm of 100 acres on which he lived till November 8, 1891, the date of his death. He was a Republican in politics. He and wife had four children: Rachel, wife of Luther Sanford, of Ithaca; Willis P., who lives on the estate with his mother, and Lewis and Carrie, both deceased. Willis P. married Ellen, daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Goodyear) Knapp, of Genoa.

Carman, Frank W., was born in the town of Hector, March 7, 1853, was educated in the public schools and Ithaca Academy, and for a time followed teaching, but later took up farming. March 23, 1881, he married Julia, daughter of John A. and Lucin- da Letts, and they have one son, Charles Owen, born February 17, 1883. Mr. Car- man's father, Jacob, was born on the homestead in Hector, August 19, 1820, was ed- ucated in the schools of his day, and married, Febuary 3, 1847, Julia Waters, of Oneida county, by whom he had five children: Garrett S., Frank W., James S., Fred- erick, and Alice B. Mrs. Carman's father, John A. Letts, was born in Ulysses, Jan- uary 28, 1809, and married May 1, 1834, Lucinda Harrison, of his native town, by whom he had six children: Mary, Lydia, Adeline, Sarah, Eliza and Julia. Mr. Letts died December 16, 1880, and his wife March 6, 1886. Mrs. Carman's grandfather, Azariah, was born in Middlesex county, N. J., August 20, 1778, and married Marga- ret Wortman in 1801, and the same year came to Ulysses. They had six children, as

FAMILY SKETCHES.

follows: Betsey, Amelia A., Mary, Lucinda, John A. and Ursula. He died in 1861 and his wife in 1859. Mrs. Carman's great-grandfather, Peter, came with his son Azariah to this county, and the old place is now owned and occupied by a Miss Van- derbilt, one of the fourth generation.

Evans, Evan D., was born in Myrthur Tydville, Wales, June 23, 1849, and came to this country with his parents when only eleven years of age. His father located at Scranton, Pa., and there our subject's early education was acquired. At the age of eighteen he went to Portsmouth, O., where he began the study of photography, a business he has ever since followed. In 1874 he went to Corning, N. Y., where for seven years he conducted Evans's Art Gallery. In 1881 he moved to Ithaca and es- tablished a gallery at 74 and 76 East State street, now known as the University Art Gallery. Each year for the past eleven years Mr. Evans has been elected by the Senior Class as the photographer for their division. He has acquired a reputation for doing good work, and will not cater to the cheaper grades. He is a Republican and a member of the Oil Creek Lodge 303 of Titusville, Pa., F. & A. M. He mar- ried in Titusville in July, 1878, Anna L. Reed, of that town, and they have two sons and one daughter, students of Ithaca High School.

Davis, Joshua B., was born in 1833, a son of Joshua Davis, also a native of Lansing, who died in 1868. The latter married Phoebe Bacon, who died in 1872. In his boy- hood days Mr. Davis attended the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one he rented his father's farm on shares, and began for himself. Some years later he bought a tract of thirty acres, which he farmed, in addition to his father's place. On the death of his father he bought out the other heirs, and since then has bought other farm property. He raises a mixed crop of grain, but makes fruit a specialty. He has served his town as commissioner and is now postmaster at Lake Ridge. He has always taken an interest in the Republican party. In 1865 he married Anna M., daughter of Edward and Charry (Sannis) King, natives of Cayuga county. Mr. Davis is the only son of a family of four children, two being deceased.

Estabrook, William B., was born at Catharine, N. Y., and is a grandson of Capt. Hobart Estabrook, who settled at Pony Hollow in 1827, and a son of ex-sheriff Her- man L. Estabrook, formerly of Schuyler county. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and practiced law at Havana, N. Y., until 1883, when he removed to Ithaca. IIe was for a number of years stenograplier for the courts of Schuyler, Tioga and Tomp- kins counties, and filled the position of clerk of Surrogate's Court of Tompkins county four years. In 1889 he was appointed by Governer Hill, special county judge of Tompkins county. He was official stenographer and librarian for Court of Appeals, Second Division, during its continuance. At present he is librarian of the Buffalo Law Library.

Emig, Adam, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 22, 1856, and came to this county in 1871. He was for a short time a resident of Syracuse and also of Weeds- port. In 1874 he came to Ithaca and was employed as a barber until 1878. That year, in partnership with H. Paris, he bought a shop in the Ithaca Hotel, which the firm of Paris & Emig conducted until 1884, and then Mr. Emig was sole proprietor for six years. In 1890 he was joined in partnership by Frank Eskenburg. In July, 1893, Mr. Emig retired, selling his interest, and since that time he has been engaged in

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

commercial traveling, etc. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1893 was made alder- man of the Second Ward, and is still a member of the City Council. He was chair- man of the Fire Department and Water Works Committee in 1893, and is a member of the Finance Committee and other committees at present. He is a member of Fi- delity Lodge F. & A. M., Eagle Chapter, and St. Augustine Commandery. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment. In 1886 he married Elizabeth Brown, of Syracuse, and they have two sons.

Carns, W. J. & Son .- These gentlemen are the proprietors of the " Fountain House," which they purehased three years ago, refitting and furnishing it throughout with all modern improvements, baths, etc., and it is now conducted in connection with the "Magnetie Springs House." This charming and healthful resort is located in a beau- tiful valley, eight miles from Ithaca and Cayuga Lake, and hasan altitude of 2,000 feet above tide water. It has exquisite scenery, fine roads and a pure atmosphere, besides its magnetic mineral water, and is an ideal locality for the hunter, fisherman and tourist. The famous Magnetic Springs have attracted great attention from every part of the country. The water is highly impregnated with magnetie properties, and many are the eures that have resulted from its use. The water is shipped to all parts of the United States, and has been found to give great relief and often cures that puz- zle to medical science, diabetes; also having cured many other ehronie diseases. The proprietors make a point of the excellent table which they are enabled to place before their guests, they having extra facilities for obtaining pure milk, newly churned butter, vegetables, etc., fresh from their own farm, and with the best meats and fruits from the city markets. The rooms are all large, well lighted, ventilated, and connected with the office by electrie bells, and the service is unsurpassed.

Drake, William, a native and lifelong resident of Lansing, and a prominent and highly successful farmer, was born April 2, 1823, the son of Freeman Drake, of Penn- sylvania, who was a carpenter and farmer, and came to this town about 1800. He married Catharine, daughter of Henry Bloom, an early settler of Lansing, and they had nine children: Henry, Caroline, William, Harrison, John, Fanny, Julia Ann, George, Lewis and Catharine. William attended the eommon schools, and worked on the farm until the age of twenty, when he engaged on the farm by the month, for his uncle, and about five years later began boating on the lake and canal, but his first venture was disheartening. He bought a boat, and soon after was taken ill, and had to hire a man to run it, on whom he lost money, and in the fall of the same year his boat sank. His illness lasted three years, and at the end of that time he had no money left. He then formed a partnership with another man and bought another boat, for which they ran in debt, and two months later they sold this boat to advan- tage. He then engaged to run a boat by the month for William C. Taber of Ithaca, remaining with him eight years. At the end of this time he and another man built a canal boat, which they sold, and then he bought a farm in Ithaca, which he con- ducted the next seven years. After this he rented a farm for three years, and in 1869 bought the farm of ninety-two acres on which he now lives, in the mean time having bought and sold stoek to some extent. In 1849 he married Mary Elizabeth La Bar, daughter of William and Margaret (Collins) La Bar, of Lansing, Mr. and Mrs. Drake have had three children: Emma A., Isabel, and William Henry, all llving at home.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 90

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