Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 92

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 92

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Peck, William Mitchell, was born in South New Berlin, Chenango county, Sep- tember 21, 1823. He lived with his parents until 1845, and worked on the farm, also learned the mason's trade. His family, however, moved to Truxton in 1824, and there the young life of our subject was spent. In 1869 Mr. Peck first came to the town of Groton, where he was a farmer, but later on returned to Cortland county, and at one time maintained a dairy farm of sixty cows. In the spring of 1872 Mr.

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Peck bought a half interest in a mercantile business in Groton village, his partner being Nelson Trumbull. Six months later he retired and purchased the S. B. Marsh shoe stock, and with the latter enterprise he was connected for nineteen years, retiring in 1891. On November 19, 1845, he married Jane A. Robbins by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity. His wife died February 2, 1871, and he married second October 25, 1871, Ellen D. Eldridge, widow of James H. Eldridge, and daughter of Walter Watts White, the latter an early resident of Groton. Mr. Peck was an Abolitionist, later a Republican, and finally a Prohibitionist.

Genung, Joseph A., was born in the town of Dryden, January 17, 1835. His father, Aaron Genung, came to Tompkins county in 1801 and settled on lot 93 which is in the possession of his descendants. Joseph A. was educated in the common schools, and is a self-made and self-educated man. At the age of twenty-three he married Mary E., daughter of James Cornelius, and they are the parents of three children, two of whom, Mrs. Nellie M. Gillmer and Mary Josephine Genung, survive. Mr. Genung takes the Democratic side in politics, and an active, intelligent interest in church and school matters. In 1868 he bought his father's estate which has been in the family since 1801, having 150 acres of land, and raising hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the prominent farmers in his town, taking part in advancing its best interests and is a man of sterling character and high worth.

Griffin, Benjamin L., Enfield .- William H. Griffin, a son of William and a native of Westchester county, N. Y. was a soldier in the war of 1812 and drew a bounty. He came to Enfield about 1816, followed farming, and died here in the spring of 1868. He married Joanna Byron, who died March 22, 1873, aged nearly seventy-four. Their children were Deborah (deceased), Hetty (deceased), George (deceased), Mary, Stephen (deceased,) Benjamin L., Albert and Jane. Benjamin L. Griffin was born in Enfield, April 2, 1832, was reared a farmer, and on August 27, 1863, enlisted in Co. E, 140th N. Y. Vols. With his company he joined the regiment at Culpepper, and during the ensuing seven months participated in eleven engagements, including the Wilder- ness. June 2, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, he was taken prisoner, and for five months and eighteen days was incarcerated in the rebel prison pen at Andersonville, where he suffered indescribable privations and became emaciated to almost a living skeleton. In November he was paroled and on Christmas day reached home on a furlough. Sixty days later he returned to Annapolis and was transferred to Co. K, 5th N. Y. Zouaves, with which he served, notwithstanding his ill health, in the closing scenes of the war around Richmond, being in the front line on the day of Lee's sur- render. He then went with hisregiment to Hart's Island, where he remained until his discharge. August 21, 1865. Since the war Mr. Griffin has been an invalid and for nine years has not left his bed. The terrible exposure in prison completely ruined his once robust health, shattered his once strong physique, and undermined his once hardy constitution. Excepting two years spent in Westchester county, he has always resided in Enfield.

George, James H., was born in Dryden, March 1, 1825. His father, William T. George, came to the town in 1804. J. H. George received his education in the com- mon schools and finished at the select school of Prof. Burt in Ithaca. At the age of forty he was married to Miss Mary O. Snyder, daughter of Peter V. Snyder, and they have one son, Herbert A. George. He takes the Republican side in politics and has

FAMILY SKETCHES.

been road commissioner for two years, and justice of the peacefor twelve years, and supervisor seven years. In 1853 he bought of his father what was known as the Cary Gilky property of 100 acres, on which he now resides and raises large quantities of hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the prominent and substantial men of his town, taking an active interest in political, educational and religious matters, and is a practical and successful farmer.

Genung, Luther G., was born October 2, 1816, in the town of Dryden, educated in the district schools of the day, and remained on his father's farm till the age of twen- ty-one. He then married Phobe, daughter of Moses Banfield, of the town of Danby, who bore him four children, of whom one son and one daughter survive. In 1850 our subject bought the Edson Williams farm, to which he has added several adjoin- ing farms. He now has 150 acres of some of the most productive land in the town, on which he raises the usual crops of the vicinity, making a specialty of stock raising and dealing largely in sheep. In politics he is Democratic.

Green, Charles, was born in the town of Venice, Cayuga county, October 28, 1866, a son of Dewitt C. Green, a harness maker of that town. He was educated in the common schools, together with a course at the Ithaca Academy, and at the age of fifteen he went to serve an apprenticeship with the Ithaca Cigar Mfg. Co. where he spent three years. In November, 1884, he established a manufactory in Ithaca, which he has ever since conducted. He employs four hands, and produces 120,000 cigars yearly. A very popular cigar of his manufacture is the "C. G." which is found at all well appointed cigar stands. Mr. Green is a Democrat, and is a worker in his party. In March, 1892, he was elected alderman of the Third Ward, the youngest man ever appointed to the position in this city. He is still an incumbent, and has won popularity and distinction by good judgment in all meetings of the Council. In November, 1889. he married Fanny M. Van Natta, daughter of James Van Natta of this city, and they have a son and a daughter.

De Camp, Daniel, is a prominent citizen of Lansing, a son of Morris De Camp, born in New Jersey in 1799, who came to this town in 1803 with his parents, Jacob and Rhoda De Camp, where they settled on a large tract of wild land and cleared a home. Jacob and Rhoda had ten children: Susanna, Gemima, Sally, Betsey, Abra- ham, Charlotte, Daniel, Morris and Joseph (twins), and Clarissa. At the death of his father Morris came into possession of a part of this large farm, on which he and wife spent their lives. He married Rachel Learn, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had eleven children : Harvey who married Sarah, daughter of Edward and Mary Schenk, Henry who married Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Hannah Miller, Catha- rine wife of Henry Teeter of Groton, Mary, wife of Ira Osmun of Lansing, Ange- line, wife of Jerry Osmun of Lansing, Daniel, Alvin who married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Phana Davis, Nelson, who died aged five years, Lovina, wife of William A. Singer of Geneva, Armena, wife of Ezekiel Woodruff of North Lansing ; and Ma- linda, who died aged fifteen. The death of the father occurred in 1890. and that of the mother in 1877. Our subject was reared on the home farm, where ne lived until twenty-one years of age, then managed it himself for two years, after which he bought a farm of seventy-five acres where he has since resided, and to which he has added until he now has 212 acres. Mr. De Camp also deals in agricultural imple- ments and farm produce. In 1855 he married Chloe Ann, daughter of John and Cath-

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS. COUNTY.

erine Miller of Lansing, by whom he had two children: Addie, who died aged six years: and Willie M., born in July, 1869, who married Belle Sharpsteen of Lansing, and they reside with our subject on the farm. Mrs. De Camp died in September, 1890. Mr. De Camp is a member of the North Lansing Grange, and is a Democrat.

Douglass, Mrs. Mary A., Newfield, widow of William C. Douglass, was born on the farm now owned and worked by our subject. James Douglass, father of her husband, was killed on this farm. One brother, Oliver, died in Libby Prison. James, the father, was one of the first settlers in Newfield. William Douglass, hus- band of our subject, was a stock raiser and fariner, was a very prominent and active worker in the Democratic party, and held the office of road commissioner. He was a worker in the County Fair, and died a member of the Masonic fraternity, Fidelity Lodge No. 51. He married Mary A., daughter of Joseph Smith, November 19, 1849. They had four children: James W., Lena C., Lewis W., and Smith J. Lewis and James are both deceased.

Dick, James. was born in the city of Buffalo in 1850, and his early life was spent in his native town. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1869 went as a clerk in a coal office in that city, where he remained till 1873, when he came to Ithaca to ship coal from here to his firm, E. L. Hedstrom & Co., in Buffalo, which position he filled two years, when he was recalled to the Buffalo office. He was on the road for them and shipping till 1848, when he established a business for himself at the corner of Meadow and Seneca streets, where he has ever since conducted business. He is now handling from three to four thousand tons of Lehigh coal per year, and his wood yard has a patronage of from 350 to 450 cords per year. Mr. Dick is a mem- ber of the K. of P., and of the I. O. O. F., also the Encampment. In 1876 he married Nellie M. Parrett, daughter of John Parrett of this city and they have six children, five sons and a daughter.

Chase, Dr. Abram, was born in Jacksonville, Tompkins county, N. Y., where his grandfather practiced medicine before him. He was educated in Trumansburgh and Ithaca Academies, studied medicine with his father at the age of seventeen, and graduated from the Medical University of Buffalo in February, 1882. September 19, 1876, he married Mary C. Farrington of Jacksonville and they have six children: Fannie J., Walter F., William A., Edith, Ethel M. and Catharine. Henry B., father of our subject, was born in Whitestown, near Utica, January 8, 1822. He graduated from the Geneva Medical College in 1845 and married Tamer A., daughter of Joseph Genung, by whom he had seven children: Abram, William, who died young; Fred- erick and Edgar H. (twins), George, Henry B. and John J. Dr. Henry B. Chase died November 8, 1880, and his wife December 19, 1893. He practiced here thirty-six years. Dr. Abram Chase, grandfather of our subject, was born in Dutchess county. in 1776 and practiced medicine in New Haven, Conn., afterwards in Whitestown near Utica. He married Fannie Davis of Vienna, now Phelps, Ontario county, and they had two children: Henry B. and Julia, who died aged twelve years. He came to this locality as above noted, in 1823. The ancestry of the family is Scotch, Eng- lish and French. The first of the family to come to this country was one William Chase, who arrived in the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Crutts, William B., deceased, was born in the town of Dryden, August 27, 1836, and was a descendant of Jacob Crutts, one of the earliest settlers in the town, taking up

FAMILY SKETCHES.

most of lot 63. Wm. B. Crutts was educated in the common schools and finished under S. D. Carr at Ithaca. He married Miss Olive Bryant of Ithaca and they have six children, three sons, Fred J., Lewis S., and Jay L., and three daughters, Mrs. Minnie Burr, Misses Cora and Carrie. William B. Crutts died owning the Crutts homestead farm of 140 acres which has been in the family for three generations, and other property, raising hay, grain and stock. William B. Crutts died May 20, 1891. leaving a wife and six children to take up his many burdens and carry them to a successful completion. He was known throughout his town as a man of high char- acter and recognized ability, identified with the best interests of his town, and was regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The Crutts grist mill is now owned and operated by the family of William Crutts.

Clark, Baldwin Phelps, was born on the old home farm of pioneer Captain Jesse Clark at Groton, June 14, 1842. He was brought up on the farm, educated at the district school at Groton and lived at the old home till 1868, when he bought and moved to the Russell Hall farm, remaining there till the spring of 1889, when he bought and occupies the Watrous farm, located just north of the village. Mr. Clark is an active, energetic and successful farmer, and in connection with his regular work is also an extensive dealer in agricultural implements and machines. For more than thirty years he has dealt with farmers throughout this region, and his acquaint- ance is vast and varied. He has been twice married: first on March 7, 1867, to Libbie Flynn of Cortland; she died in 1875. They had an adopted son; Ralph Stew- art. October 4, 1877, Mr. Clark married Lucia McNish, also of Cortland, and they have four children : Martin Carl, Ruth Louise, Ruberta Tryphenia, and Laura Marie.

Bower, Mervin, a native of Lansing was born August 24, 1827, the son of John Bower, born in 1799, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Tompkins county with his parents John and Rosina (Youngs) Bower. John married Lucretia Bunell, born in 1800, daughter of Henry Bunell of Lansing, and they reared four children: Gerusha, Mervin, Hannah R., and Susan. Mr. Bower died in January, 1887, and his wife June 3, 1878. Our subject attended the common schools in his neighborhood winters and worked on the farm summers. He finally purchased a farm of sixty-two acres, where he has since lived and has erected a commodious house and barns. He married in December 1860, Wealthy, daughter of Porter and Lucinda (Slocum) White of Lock. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have three children: John C., born December 31, 1862; Charles R., born August 28, 1864; Ella M., born July 3, 1869, wife of Clifford Townsend of Lansing. John C. married Ella Bower, and Charles R. married Emma J. McCar- gar. The family are members of the Lansingville Grange. Mr. Bower has served as assessor and is a trustee of the M. E. church at Lansingville. In politics he is a Republican.

Boyer, Charles, one of Lansing's prosperous farmers, a native of Genoa, Cayuga county, was born January 11, 1834, son of Samuel Boyer, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1803. He came to Lansing about 1823, purchasing a farm near North Lansing, which he sold a year later and removed to Genoa, Cayuga county, where he lived forty years. Selling there he returned to Lansing and purchased another farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat. His wife was Rachael, daughter of Philip and Mary Beck, now called Peck in this j

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

vicinity. She was a native of Canada, and one of nine children. Samuel was one of three children: Jacob, Malinda and Samuel. He died December, 1870. His wife sur- vived him sixteen years, and died March 30, 1886. They raised eleven children: John, Mary, wife of James Searles of Lansing, both deceased; Margaret, wife of Seymour Eccleston of Nebraska City, both deceased; Jacob, deceased; Malinda, wife of John J. Wilson of Burr, Neb., Charles, Sarah, wife of Lucius Hubbard of Lansing; Lettie, wife of Daniel Lane of Lansing; Susan, Emily and Rachael, deceased, wife of Jaeob Teeter of Lansing. Subject was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. He remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he purchased the farm where he now resides, and where he has raised his family. He has added to his real estate possessions until he now owns over 200 acres, and does a general mixed farming. In 1860 he married Mary Harriet, daughter of Sylvester and Mary (Jacobs) Culver of Lansing. She was born in May, 1840, and was one of eleven children. They have had five children: Mary I., wife of Charles W. Strong of Lansing, and they have one child, Lucy, born in September, 1886; Grace L., C. Jay, Myron H., and Blanch R. Mrs. Boyer, Myron and Grace are mem- bers of the North Lansing Grange Lodge. In politics our subject is a Democrat.

Bower, Charles F., was born on a farin in the town of Lansing, July 5, 1834. The grandfather of our subject, Honteter Bower, was the first of this family to locate in this county. He settled on a farm north of Lansingville, and it was there he reared a family of fourteen children and spent the balance of his days. Abram was the sixth son, born November 10, 1805. He married in 1831 Francina Baker, and they were the parents of seven children, of which our subject was the second. Abram Bower died in May, 1882. Charles F. was educated in the common school and lived on his father's farm until 1861, when he started for himself on a farm of his father's in the northern part of the town. He married in June, 1862, Sarah, daughter of Caleb Brown of this town, and they moved to their present place, a good grain and hay farm of 100 acres. They have had five children, three now living: Genie L., Anna E., end Le Roy C. Warren A., the oldest son, died April 19, 1892, aged twenty-one years, loved by all who knew him. His death was caused by the kick of a horse.

Bush, Francis M., was born in Bristol, R. I., October 11, 1841, received his educa- tion in the common schools and the High School, and entered in the mercantile business in Bristol as clerk in a dry goods store, where he was employed till 1860. That year he went to Niagara Falls, where, in partnership with R. H. Jackson, he conducted a store for eight years. In 1878 they removed to Ithaca, where the firm of Jackson & Bush existed for seven years. At the end of that time Mr. Jackson with- drew from the firm, and Mr. Dean became a partner with Mr. Bush, the firm ever since being Bush & Dean. Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the Masonic fraternity, Hobasco Lodge, Eagle Chapter, St. Augustine Com- mandery. September 20, 1876. he married Mary L. Jackson, daughter of his former partner, and they have one son, a dentist of Gloversville.

Bailey, George W., was born in Virgil, January 19, 1819. His grandfather, Joseph Bailey, was one of our first settlers in the city of Ithaca and drew a pension for ser- vices in the Revolutionary war. He was with Washington from the date of his enlistment to the close of the war, and then returned to Ithaca, and afterwards moved into the town of Dryden on lot 19. Our subject was educated in the common schools

FAMILY SKETCHES

and was obliged to pay part of his tuition in wood, delivered at the sehool-house. At the age of twenty-one he went to work for Moses Tyler at $10 per month. At twen- ty-seven he was married to Miss Sally A. Pulling, daughter of Daniel P. Pulling, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Clara B. Cloyes. In 1864 he bought the Michael Butts property where he now resides. In 1865 he bought the M. E. Tripp property, in 1868 he bought the Rochester Marsh property, in 1889 bought the Saltsman property, in 1874 he bought the D. P. Pulling property, and also owns the Edward Braneh farm in Virgil of 150 acres. Our subject is one of the prominent men in his town, taking an active interest in temperanee prineiples, in church and sehool matters. He is recognized as a praetieal and sueeessful farmer.

Brooks, Mrs. Cornelia, a native of Coleehester, N. Y., was born July 5, 1814, the daughter of John and Sarah (Hager) Horton, of Westehester and Sehoharie counties respectively, who settled in Colechester. They reared ten ehildren: Daniel, Peter, David, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Enoeh, a eolonel in the late war; Cornelia, George W., and Benjamin F., all now deeeased exeept Elizabeth, Enoeh and Cornelia. The grandfather was William Horton, who served as eounty judge and member of assem- bly three terms. He died in 1830 at the age of ninety. His wife was Elizabeth Covert, and they reared eight children. Our subjeet resided with her parents and attended the common sehool, which was supported by contributions in those days. At the age of nineteen she came to Lansing to live with a married sister and taught sehool about four years. Here she was wedded to Alfred Brooks, a native of Lan- sing, born November 25, 1810. He was the son of James Brooks of Philadelphia, Pa., who came to Lansing at an early date. His wife was Margaret Hargan, and they raised eight children: Mark, Samuel, Hiram, Alfred, Jefferson, Mary, Hannah and Margaret. He served in the war of 1812. Alfred was reared to farm life and at the age of sixteen began life for himself. He engaged in making shingles for several years, then engaged in farm work. Later he began farming for himself on fifty acres in Lansing, adding to this forty more aeres. In 1860 he purehased a farm of 145 acres, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a Republican, but would not aeeept publie offiee. His death occurred in 1889 at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks raised eight children: Roseltha, Hiram, Sarah (deeeased), Mar- garet, John L., James A., Ella, wife of Joseph A. Reed of Ithaea, and Effie D. Hi- ram and John now own the farm, which consists of 260 aeres of fine farm land. They with their mother and sisters live on the farm enjoying a happy home. Peter Hager was a eaptain in the Revolutionary war, and was a second eousin of Martin Van Buren. Hagerstown, Md., took its name from her unele, who came from Germany.

Bower, George L., was born Deeember 18, 1838, on the farm which he now owns. He is a son of Joseph W., also a native of this town, who married Mary Peek, and reared seven ehildren: Lueinda. wife of Joseph Kratzer of Genoa; Philinda, wife of Lewis De Camp of Lansing; Mary, wife of Rufus J. Drake of Genoa; Elizabeth, wife of Ferdinand Sperry; Fanny, wife of Wesley Bloom; George, Calvin D. The father died in 1861, and the mother in 1890. The grandfather eame to this place from Penn- sylvania at an early day. Our subjeet attended the district sehool and worked on the farm with his parents, after the death of his father buying the home farm of 101 acres, and has ever sinee resided thereon. He raises a mixed erop of grain, and makes a specialty of Shropshiredown sheep. He has also ereeted a large and com-

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

modious house and stables, and now owns a fine premises. In December, 1873, he married Sarah Van Zant, daughter of Philip and Susan Kibler of Michigan, and they have had four children: Clarence G., born in April, 1876; Lewis L., born August 29 1879; Jacob Bates, born October 16, 1881; and Mary E., born August 9, 1884. He is a member of the order of Free Masons, and is a Republican in politics.

Fitts, Paschal, was born in Charlton, Mass., and married Eliza King. Soon after they came to Groton and located on the farm now owned and occupied by their son, George. Paschal Fitts was a brick-maker by trade, though he followed farming chiefly. He acquired a handsome property, and became a man of prominence in his town. Of his three children, one died in Massachusetts, Lucy Ann became the wife of Ezra Beach, and George, our subject. In 1864, two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Fitts married Mrs. Noyes, and lived at McLean till his death. George was born in Groton, March 2, 1836, and has always lived on the farm he now occu- pies, the property, which he has materially improved, having been purchased from his father. It is now one of the most valuable and desirable farms in the town. November 15, 1858, he married Samantha, daughter of John and Samantha Calvert, of Cortland county, and they have four children: Jerome C., Fred E., Jennie E., and J. P., the latter, however, having died at the age of seven years. Jerome C. Fitts married Lena Hart and now lives on the old Hart farm. They have two children: George, aged five years, and Hart, aged seven. The farm joins that of his father, making together nearly 400 acres of as good land as can be found anywhere.

Fisher family, The, Enfield .- Gilbert H. Fisher, born in North Castle, Westchester county, in 1792, was for several years a merchant in New York. He was captain of a company in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Mamaroneck when the British made an unsuccessful attempt to land. His wife, Deborah, was the second daughter of Daniel Matthews, of Westchester county, a granddaughter of Abel Smith, of the same place, and a direct descendant of Richard Smith, the founder of Smithtown, L. I., who bought 20,000 acres of land of the Narragansett Indians (Historical eollec- tions of the State of New York.) Their children were Abel Smith, born in January, 1816; Charles Wright; Daniel, born in June, 1820, killed by a horse in White Plains in 1835; William Matthews; Dr. George Jackson ; and Dorinda A. Abel Smith Fisher was his father's youngest clerk in his dry goods house on Grand street in New York; he finally settled in Enfield, had nine children, of whom three sons and one daughter survive, and now lives on a farm in sight of Ithaca. Charles Wright Fisher, born February 23, 1818, married Sabella Barr, daughter of David Bryson, in 1856. She was born December 24, 1818, and died December 10, 1882. He was a great reader, and was a wealthy and practical farmer. He went to St. Augustine, Fla., for his health and died suddenly May 1, 1892, and was buried in the cemetery at Meeklen- burg. Two daughters survive him. William Mathews Fisher, born June 26, 1822, settled on his present farm in 1850. September 27, 1846, he married Charlotte Ann, daughter of Moses H. and Lavina Marshall, and has been prominently connected with the M. E. church at Enfield Center. Their children are Marshall, born in Oc- tober, 1848, joined the Central New York M. E. Conference, and died in De Land, Fla., March 27, 1884; Fred B .; Georgiana, who died young; and David N., born January 24, 1858, married Ida Estelle Wortman, and lives with his father. George Jackson Fisher, A. M., M. D., born in November, 1825, married, in 1852,

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Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 92

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