Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 91

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 91

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Ford, James M., one of Lansing's enterprising citizens, is a native of Dryden, born in Freeville, February 18, 1845, a son of Major Ford, who was born in Massachusetts and came to Cortland county a yonng man and soon was associated with John Perri- go at Freeville, where they combined and bought a grist mill and saw mill, and also a mill at Peruville, and soon afterwards they divided, Mr. Ford taking the latter mill, where he remained until his death, about 1882. He married Lucinda K. Millard, and they had sixteen children, twelve now living. James M. was brought up to milling, attended the public schools in Freeville and Peruville with one term in Groton Acad- emy, and at the age of seventeen, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 109th Regt. under Capt. W. E. Mount, serving two years and nine months, and participating in the engagements of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and numerous minor skirmishes. At the last named battle he was wounded in the head, and taken to the hospital at Fredericksburg, from there to Washington, and thence to Satterlee Hospital, in Phil- adelphia, from which he received his discharge May 17, 1865. In this latter hospital he was retained as fifer. On his return from the war he worked in a custom mill in Union, Oneida county, where he remained fourteen months, then worked in Groton for about three years, then in Locke for a year, and in 1870 came to his present loca- tion and bought the mill property from the W. S. Haskin estate, now known as the Lansingville mill. He has made many additions to this property, among them being machinery for the manufacture of baskets. In 1867 he married Minerva, daughter of Russell and Clarinda (Lauterman) Hall, of Groton, now of Homer. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have had six children: Jennie G., wife of H. S. Bower of Lansingville; Archie ; Helen R., who died aged twenty months; Anna C .; Major R .; and Merry L. Mr. Ford is a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Grand Army man. In politics he favors the Republican party.

Bush, Stroud, was born in Lansing on his present farm, May 4, 1840, a son of Dan- iel S., whose parents were John and Jane Bush, of Stroudsburg, Pa., of Dutch ances- try. Daniel came with his parents to this county in 1804 and settled in Lansing. His wife was Rhoda, daughter of John and Elizabeth Manning, of this town, and by her he had eight children: Sally, Eli, Jane, Albert, Peter, Daniel, David, Jacob and Stroud. Daniel S. died July 11, 1869, and his wife June 9, 1869. Our subject was educated in the district schools, working during the summer months and attending school winters. On the death of his father he came into possession of the portion of the seventy-two acres of homestead on which stood the buildings, and here he has ever since resided. In February, 1864, he married Jane Robertson, who was born February 7, 1840, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Teeter) Robertson, of Lan- sing. Of their three children, Hattie died aged three years; Dana was born Decem- ber 28, 1869; and Ruie Rhoda was born January 29, 1882.

Hall, Edwin M., was born in the town of Venice, Cayuga county, N. Y., April 9, 1845, the only son of Pliny Hall, who for a great many years was a merchant of Au- burn, Lansingville and Peruville. He is still living, now a resident of Ithaca, in his eighty-second year. The early life of Edwin M. was spent in Cayuga and Tompkins counties. He was educated in the common schools and Ithaca Academy, coming here in 1861. After leaving school he went into the mercantile business, the first year as clerk with James Quigg, and after that six years as clerk with J. S. Granger & Co., dry goods dealers. In 1871 he formed a copartnership with John O. Marsh, and the

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

firm of Marsh & Hall conducted a dry goods store until 1889. They were located at the corner of Tioga and State streets. Mr. Marsh dicd in 1884 and the son was a partner until 1889, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Hall established a carpet and general house furnishing goods store, which be has since conducted. He is a Republican. He has taken an active interest in school work, and in 1891 was made collector and treasurer for the city and school, holding the office two years. He is a member of the Masonic fraiernity, Hobasco Lodge No. 716, Eagle Chapter 58, St. Augustine Commandery 38. Mr. Hall married in 1867 Miss Bothwell, of Ithaca, who died in 1871, leaving one son, now in his father's store. He married in 1874 Miss Rappleye of Farmer, Seneca county, and they have one daughter.

Hoff, S. S., was born in the town of Tioga, October 17, 1858, was educated in the common schools, finishing at Kingston College, from which he graduated in 1878. After leaving school he entered into business in Van Etten in a general store. In 1881 he removed the business to Freeville and continued until 1885, and then ex- changed the business for the Junction Hotel property, which he sold in 1886. At the age of twenty-one he married Nellie Nourse, daughter of Edwin A. Nourse, of Van Ettenville, and they are the parents of four children, two sons, Arthur and Harry, and two daughters, Flora and Luella. In 1886 he took an interest in the Freeville Cathedral Glass Works, of which he has been superintendent for the past cight years. He takes the Republican side in politics, and is now justice of the peace in his town, is also trustee of the school, and trustee of the village.

Hagin, Barnard M., was born in Lansing on the farm he now owns, March 23, 1828, the son of Charles Hagin, a native of Ireland, born in 1792, who came to America as a soldier in the British army in the war of 1812, being seized in the streets of Belfast and pressed into service. Reaching Canada, he made his escape to the American side, and a few days later lost his arm in the battle of Lundy's Lane, in the American cause. After leaving the hospital he came to Lansing, where he taught school. Later he was elected constable and mail carrier between Ithaca and Auburn, which latter he followed ten years. He was finally thrown from his horse, dying from the injuries received. His wife was Mary Ann, daughter of John Yates and Mary M. Smith, by whom he had six children: Francis S., John B., Sarah Ann, Matilda E., Charles A., and Barnard M. Mrs. Hagin died in 1873. Our subject was educated in the district schools, and his first occupation was as boatman on the canal and on Lake Cayuga. Later his employer assisted him to secure a boat to run at $125 per month, he to furnish his crew of two men and board them. At this time he was but twenty years of age, and his successful venture in this direction led him to continue the business for ten years. He then began buying and selling grain, shipping to New York city by canal, which business he has followed since, and of late has dealt largely in hay. He has built many canal boats also, for sale. He has also for many years owned and superintended the operation of a farm, and has accumulated a large prop- crty. He now owns about 300 acres of farm land, on which he resides. In 1848 he married Catherine, daughter of Ephraim and Clara (Ives) La Bar, by whom he has had four children: Charles, Ernest (who married Julia F. Bush, daughter of Robert Bush, of Lansing); Clara, Edith, wife of Dr. Walter H. Lockerby, of Ithaca; Ida Kate, wife of Wilson D. Curtis, of Lansing; and Andrew La Bar, who lives at home, and assists in the work of the farm. Charles Ernest is interested in the produce and

FAMILY SKETCHES.

shipping business with his father, and is the buyer. Mr. Hagin was at one time sheriff of this county, and served as justice of the peace three terms. He is a Repub- iean.

Houpt, Henry H., was born in Dryden March 4, 1814. His father, Philip T. Houpt, eame to the county about 1800, and bought a farm near Dryden village. Henry H. was educated in the common schools, and finished at Ovid and Cortland Academies, receiving a State eertifieate for seholarship. After leaving school he taught, and for several years was superintendent of the Seneca county sehools. In 1884 he gave up teaching and eame to Dryden, buying a farm known as the old Houpt homestead, where he now resides. At the age of twenty-eight he married Catherine P. Smith, daughter of Jaeob Smith, of Seneca county, and they have had two children, a son and a daughter. Mrs. Houpt died in 1883 after a life of usefulness. Mr. Houpt held the office of loan commissioner for Tompkins county for twelve years, justice of the peace and other minor offices, and is now engaged in praetieal farming and fruit eul- ture.

Campbell, Frank Eugene, was born on a farm in Lansing, December 8, 1852, the oldest son of two children of David Campbell. David, the father, was a native of Seneca county, born in Covert about 1821. He came to Tompkinscounty in 1849 and settled on a farm, where he died in December, 1865. The mother of our subject, Jerusha Bower, was a daughter of John Bower, jr., of Lansing. She is still living, a resident of this town. John Newell Campbell died October 5, 1890, at thirty-five years of age. Frank was edueated in the common sehools and Moravia Academy, and after the death of his father, he in company with his brother eondueted the old homestead farm. The spring of 1880 Mr. Campbell bought a farm of sixty-five acres on lot 68, where he has ever sinee been engaged in general farming. He is a Repub- liean in politics, but is not an aspirant to publie offiee. He is a eharter member of Lansingville Grange No. 282. He married in 1879 Emma, daughter of John Hedden, of Lansing, and they have three children, Winifred Clare, Ina Jerusha, Earl David. A daughter, Lina Camilla, died April 13, 1887, at six years of age.

Chatfield, David A., was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., June 1, 1825. His father, Wm. A. Chatfield, eame to Dryden in 1831 and moved into a new log house on lot 57, where he purehased fifty aeres of John Cramer and which is still in possession of the family. David A. Chatfield was edueated in the common sehools but is pre-eminently a self-educated and self-made man. After receiving sueh instruction as the schools of that day afforded he taught sehool himself for seven years. At the age of twenty- five he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, of Lansing, who passed away in 1861, and in 1865 he married Miss Mary J. Miller, daughter of Archibald Miller, and they have six children; Clarence B., Estella, Warren A., William, Archibald, and David A. In politics he is a Republican and has been assessor for three years. He takes an act- ive, intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, having been a member of the Presbyterian Church for the past forty years and an offieer in that chureh for the past thirty years. Our subject is one of the prominent farmers of Ins town, hav- ing a farm of 200 acres of the best land in the town, raising large quantities of hay, grain and stoek.

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Colton, Edwin H., was born in Dryden, September 27, 1867. His father, Marvin B., was among the early settlers of the town. Edwin H. was educated in the com- mon schools, and finished at the Dryden Union School. At the age of twenty-one he married Nellie E. Lewis, daughter of Lorenzo Lewis. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active and intelligent interest in all the leading questions and events of the day. He is one of the prominent young men of the town, and is iden- tified with its best interests. Marvin B. was born in Dryden ; his people came from New Jersey, and were early settlers.

Buck, Edward E., is one of Lansing's well known enterprising and representative young men, born in this town January 31, 1862, son of William N. Buck, also a native of Lansing, born in 1825. He was a farmer and a prominent man in the community. He was a Republican and served as assessor three years, poormaster eleven years, and spent his whole life in Lansing. He died in June, 1887. His wife was Lydia, daughter of Jacob Teeter, of Lansing, and they had four children: Lettie, died at twenty-nine years of age; Frank Eugene, Ella A., wife of Roswell M. Holden of East Lansing; and Edward E. Mrs. Buck died in 1888. The grandfather of our subject was Marvin Buck, who came to Lansing at an early day. Our subject was reared to farm life, and remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age when his father died. After the estate was settled he purchased the farm of sixty acres where he has since resided, doing general mixed farming. In April, 1894, he married Hattie, daughter of Cyrus and Helen Knapp, of Dryden. She is the fourth of twelve children, of whom the seven eldest are college graduates. In politics our subject is a Republican, and was elected in 1893 as collector.

Bacon, Daniel Lucius, an old and prominent citizen, was born in Lansing, January 17, 1815, a son of Daniel Bacon, a native of Connecticut, who came to Lansing in an early day. His wife was Anna, daughter of Capt. B. Strong, and they had five children: Jane, wife of Dr. Lemuel Powers; Sarah, wife of Dr. Daniel Johnson; George, Phœbe, wife of Joshua Davis, and Daniel L. The latter was educated in the district schools, and lost his father when a child. His mother married again and he remained with her until the age of twenty-one, when he came into possession of fifty-seven acres of land, a portion of his father's farm on which he moved and e ected a dwelling, later trading this place for the one he now conducts. He has added to his real estate from time to time, now owning two farms, comprising 248 acres. In 1837 he married Mariett, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Howser) Bower of Lansing, and they have had two children: Charles Henry, born October 5, 1841, and George Daniel, born July 22, 1843, who died while attending college, in 1863, and his wife in June, 1868. Daniel L. is a Republican, but devotes most of his energies to home affairs, having accumulated a fine property. His son, Charles H., has always remained on the farm with his father. His education was finished at Union College, Schenectady. In June, 1863, he married Ella Townley, daughter of Benoni and Hannah Brown, of Lansing, and they have had three children: Glen L., born in 1864; George Townley, born in 1870; Claud B., born in 1873. Glen is married and has one child, Ella A., making her the great-grandchild of our subject. The wife of Charles H. died in 1881, and he married second in 1882 Jennie Sellen, who died the following year. His present wife is Minnie L. Bastedo, and they have one child, Alden Charles, born in 1889.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Bull, John E., was born in Dryden, this county, April 24, 1843. Ambrose, his father, was a native of Connecticut and came to Tompkins county in 1838, being a millwright. This trade he followed in this county also, though for thirty years he was unable to do active work on account of rheumatism brought on through exposure in building waterwheels, etc. He lived with his son John E. during his declining years. He married Katherine Kallam, daughter of James Kallam, and they had ten children, of whom our subject was the third. Both parents of our subject lived to be ninety years old. He has followed farming all his life, living at home with his parents for the first twenty years and then he enlisted in the 15th N. Y. Cavalry, Co. I, under Colonel Robert Richardson, of Syracuse. He never received any serious wounds. When he returned home his father gave him a deed of a place of forty-five acres, he in turning giving a bond for the maintenance of his father. This farm he sold and bought and moved on his present farm in 1866. In 1870 he married Emma Van Pelt of Dryden. Mr. Bull follows general farming, though he makes rather a specialty of sheeepraising, owning now a flock of 125. He has been a member of the M. E. church over thirty years, and is also commander of the Wilson Post, G. A. R., having filled that position nine years out of fourteen, and has been delegate to the State Encampment every year but two since its organization. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in 1892 was collector of the town.

Brinkerhoff, William D., father of of Sherman S., was born in Dutchess county, March 20, 1834, and moved with his parents to Ulster county when two years old. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen began to learn the miller's trade with his father. January 14, 1854, he married Helen Van Nosdall, of New Hamburg, Dutchess county, and they have two children: Sherman S. and Hattie B. Mr. Brinkerhoff's family came to Halseyville to reside in 1864. Sherman S. has been in the milling business with his father until the present time, with the exception of eight years spent as commercial traveler. He married Nina A. Grover, of Rock Island, Ill., and they have two children, Verne W. and Nina B. Hattie B., second child of William D. Brinkerhoff, lives with her parents. John R. Van Nos- dall, maternal grandfather of Sherman S., was born in Dutchess county about 1811 and married Eliza J. Sirine, by whom he had eight children. Mrs. Sherman S. Brinkerhoff's father, Andrew J. Grover, was born in Pennsylvania May 3, 1824, and was a practicing physician. He married Olivia W. Hazard, and they had one daugh- ter, Nina A. Dr. Grover died October 14, 1876, in Reno, Nev. The mills at Halsey - ville had new machinery placed in them for the roller process and the whole mills have been renovated for the manufacture of the best flour, also for custom grinding. This was completed in 1892. Mr. Brinkerhoff and son are operating these mills under the firm name of W. D. Brinkerhoff & Son.

Beers, John E., M. D., was born October 10, 1840, in the town of Danby, received his early education in the district school, and is a graduate of the old Ithaca Academy, after leaving which he attended the Georgetown University, D. C., from which he received his medical diploma. In the spring of 1862 he joined the medical staff of the army, where he remained eight years, returning to Danby in 1874, where he resumed the practice of his profession, though without severing his connection with the govern- ment, as he was appointed a member of the U. S. Pension Examining Board, serving between four and five years. In 1882 he represented his county in the State Legis-

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

lature as assemblyman and has also served his town on the Board of Supervisors for sixteen years, his medical practice forcing him finally to decline renomination. Dr. Beers is the representative of one of the oldest familes in this town. His father was Dr. Eli, and his great-uncle Dr. Lewis Beers, who came to Danby in 1804, and both have practiced medicine here before him. He is one of the town's leading men.

Halladay, Benton M., a prominent farmer of Lansing, was born in Groton, March 2, 1857, son of Myron, also a native of Groton, born December 3, 1823. He is a Demo- crat in politics. He married Sarah, daughter of Henry and Mary Howser. She is one of seven children; Julia, wife of Jacob Metzgar of Groton, both deceased; Cal- vin, deceased; Eliza, wife of Charles Witt of Watertown; Jefferson C., Sarah, Caro- line, widow of Sidney Hopkins of Groton, Thompson of Iowa, and Laura J. Mr. and Mrs. Halladay had two children, Emerson L., born August 25, 1852, and Benton M. Mr. Halladay removed to Lansing in 1870, and settled on the farm now operated by the Halladay Bros., where he died in November, 1882. His father was Lyman, also a native of Groton. He devoted his entire time to his farm. He married Belinda Arm- strong, and they had seven children. His wife died in Lansing, on the farm of our subject. Elihu and Nancy (Wilson) Halladay were the great-grandparents of our subject. His wife was a native of Cayuga county. Subject was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools and Groton Union School. After the death of his father he with his brother conducted the farm. Sheep raising is one of their prin- cipal industries. The farm consists of 197 acres, on which they have erected large horse and sheep barns and other necessary buildings and improvements essential to such a farm .. In politics the Halladay brothers are Democrats. Subject married in December, 1883, Carrie L., daughter of John and Miriam (Howden) Nottingham, of Dryden. She is one of five children: Gertrude M., wife of Charles Sovocool of Gro- ton; Carrie L., Jennie H., wife of Delmar Singer of Geneva; Arthur J., Elmer Leroy. They have two children, Grace M., born October 8, 1885, and Frank M., born Novem- ber 11, 1887. Subject is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. Mrs. Halladay is a member of the Rebecca degree of Odd Fellows.

Hagin, Charles G., was born in Lansing in 1826, a son of Charles Hagin, a native of Ireland born about 1790. During the war of 1812 he was pressed into the British service while yet in his native country. After landing in America he deserted to the American side at the first opportunity, where he fought valiantly, losing his left arm in the service. He afterwards came to Lansing, where for many years he distributed newspapers on horseback. He was finally thrown front his horse receiving injuries which caused his death. He married Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Mary Smith, who came from Pennsylvania to Lansing among the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Hagin had six children, of whom two are deceased, Charles G. being the fifth child. The latter attended the district schools, and while yet a boy worked on the canal as boatman, later owning his own boats. He bought grain, wool and other products; and in 1867 he bought the farm of ninety-eight acres, where he has since resided. February 22, 1855, he married Fannie M., daughter of Freeman and Cath- arine Drake, who was born November 16, 1831, and died September 16, 1888. They had five children: Agnes D., wife of Frank Townley; Hobart G., born in January 1864, an attorney in Olympia, Wash .; Freeman; Charles, born April 11, 1866; John B., born June 12, 1873, died in August, 1892; Carrie M., born December 28, 1874, who

FAMILY SKETCHES.

keeps house for her father. Mr. Hagin's brother, Frank, and eldest son, enlisted in the late war, and were followed by his two younger sons, aged fifteen and seven- teen respectively, who enlisted as cavalrymen, and were taken prisoners, but made their escape, and all four served three years, returning home without a scratch.

Hibbard, Family, The .- The first of the Hibbards to come to this county was Henry, a native of Windham, Conn., who came here in 1812, and in partnership with Julius Ackley established the first hat manufactory in Ithaca, later adding a store in the same line. In 1816 he married Rhoda Ackley, whodied without issue, and he mar- ried second Nancy Tillottson, in 1819, by whom he had two children: Mary, who married Thomas St. John; and Henry Fitch Hibbard. Timothy, the father of Henry, first mentioned, came to this county about 1818, and settled on a farm in the northeastern portion of this town, which settlement has ever since borne the name of Hibbard's Corners. He died in 1837. Henry Hibbard was one of the most promi- nent business men in the early history of this city, taking an important part in all enterprises for the public good. He was heavily interested in real estate, and in 1828 in connection with Ackley & Beebe built the Clinton House, which still stands as a landmark of the county. He died in 1863. Henry F. Hibbard was for a number of years the teller in the old Ithaca Bank, and later conducted a general store. In 1853, in company with Thomas P. St. John, he established a factory for the manufacture of sewing silks, which until 1861 was one of the leading industries of this section, at that year however he returned to the mercantile business. He was at one time greatly interested in speculation, but during his later years withdrew from all active business with the exception of his connection with the Savings Bank, of which he was a founder. He was a Democrat and served as supervisor at one time. His wife was Susan Mack, by whom he had four children: Henry F. jr., who died in Sioux City in 1885; Mary L., Mrs. C. T. Stephens, and Horace M., who has been connected with the Autophone Company since 1880, having been made treasurer in 1881, which office he now holds. In 1891 he was made supervisor. Henry F. Hibbard died August 4, 1880, his widow surviving.

White, Walter Watts, was a native of Windsor, Mass., born July 14, 1812. He was a farmer, and in his native State married Laura Bliss, after which he came to Groton and located on a farm south of the principal village, Their only child was Ellen D. White, who married James H. Eldridge. The latter was a native of Washington county, N. Y., born in 1829, and when a lad came with his father, Thomas Eldridge, and settled in the west part of Groton. The family afterward moved to Pennsyl- vania, but James remained in this town. In 1863 Mr. Eldridge enlisted in Co. K, 137th N. Y. Vols. but after a year of service, although a strong man in former years, he was discharged for disabilities. He never afterward regained his full health, and was obliged to abandon farming as an occupation. He kept a hotel in Steuben county a few years, and died in 1869.

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 91

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