Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II, Part 62

Author: Bruce, Dwight H. (Dwight Hall), 1834-1908
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1094


USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II > Part 62


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Greenfield, Dewitt C., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Sempronius, Cayuga Co., Nov. 22, 1818, son of Starr Greenfield, a native of Herkimer Co. The family were of Scotch descent. Starr removed to Cayuga Co. in 1815. He married Mary, daughter of David Sherman, of Summer Hill, Cayuga Co. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. Amy Cornell and D. C. Greenfield alone survive. Dewitt C. was edu- cated in the common schools and finished at the private academy of Prof. Allis at Skaneateles, after which he studied law with Judge Leroy Morgan. He was ad- mitted to the bar Nov. 4, 1850, and has since been admitted to practice in the United States Courts. In 1865 he was appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Oscar L. Sprague, surrogate of Onondaga Co., and in the same year he was elected for the full term. After this he returned to his general practice in Baldwinsville. He married Harriet, daughter of Delanson Foster, by whom he has two children: Mrs. Mary A. Dunham and Mrs. Sarah M. Coftright. Mr. Greenfield is one of the leading men of the town. He has served as justice of the peace seven terms, and is now serving his eighth term, also served as supervisor of the town of Van Buren for six terms.


Hotaling, G. H. & A. T., Baldwinsville, were born in the town of Pompey. Their father, Conradt G., was a native of New Baltimore, Greene Co., on the Hudson, born in 1800. In 1822 he settled in Jamesville, and married Emily, daughter of Dr. David Holbrook, surgeon of the Revolutionary army. They had a family of eleven children, four of whom are now living: G. H., A. T., G. W. and Ellen A. Conradt G. died in 1887, aged 86 years. He was a prominent farmer of his town, and served as supervisor of La Fayette in 1840. G. H. & A. T. Hotaling were educated in the common school, the site of which was given by their father, also attending Onon- daga Valley Academy and Fairmount Seminary. Garrett H. married Harriet, daughter of Benjamin Wallace, of Pompey, who died in 1868. His present wife, Charlotte Maxwell, was the daughter of Thomas Galloway, of Pompey. They have two children: Hiram and Edwin. Albert T. Hotaling married Amelia, daughter of Perry B. Gove, of Jamesville, by whom he has four children: Earl 11., J. Garrett, Albert G., and Mrs. H. P. Bigelow. George W. moved to Chicago in 1862, where he has resided for thirty-two years. He married Mary E., daughter of Ilenry Hunt- ington, who died in 1858, and in 1861 he married Elizabeth H. King. Ellen A. Hotaling married James F. Gould, of Warners. In 1870 the brothers, G. H. and A. T., came to Baldwinsville and purchased the Charles Kenyon mill property, known as the Stone Mills, which they have remodeled and enlarged, now having a capacity of 200 barrels per day. They are both representative business men of the day. Albert T. served as supervisor in 1878 and '80, also as member of the Board of Edu- cation several years. G. H. is now one of the old millers of the county (if not the oldest), commencing at Jamesville in 1845, a young man of nineteen years old, and in the business at the present time.


Howard, Hiram, Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Granby, Aug. 17, 1847. James Howard, his father, came to Onondaga Co. from Washington Co. in 1844, and


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settled near Jacksonville. Hiram Howard was educated in the common schools. He married Caroline I., daughter of L. D. Sisco, who died in 1882, and they had three children : Fred, Arthur, and Clarence. In 1883 he married Augusta M., daugh- ter of Giles Easton. In 1869 he commenced business in Baldwinsville, as junior partner in the firm of Luckey & Howard, jewelers. In 1875 the partnership was dis- solved and Mr. Howard now conducts it alone. He has a full line of books, musical instruments, stationery, and the largest line of wall paper in the town of Lysander. In 1881 he purchased the Herrick's Hall property and erected a large three story brick building, now known as the Howard Opera House. In 1891 he built the brick block adjoining on the south side; in 1894 built on the corner of Elizabeth and North streets the finest residence in town. He is considered one of the leading business men of the town.


Hawley, George, Baldwinsville, was born at Rensselaerville, Albany Co., July 12, 1800, son of Nathan Hawley, who came from Connecticut. The family were of Eng- lish descent. Nathan married Elizabeth Sears at Danbury, Conn. George Hawley married Matilda, daughter of Heman Warner, by whom he had six children: Mrs. Susan Arnold, Mrs. Elizabeth Skinner, and George, of Warners, who still survive him. For many years George Hawley was engaged in the mercantile business at Red Creek and Westbury, Wayne Co. In 1866 he came to Baldwinsville, and in 1876 he was elected president of the State Bank, which position he held at the time of his death, Feb. 14, 1893. His death was considered a personal loss by all who were associated with him. He was of a benevolent and charitable disposition and was one of the most popular men of the town.


Kenyon, Jacob C., Baldwinsville, was born at Grosvenor Corners, Schoharie Co., Sept. 9, 1854, son of Chas. G., also a native of Schoharie Co. The family came from Connecticut. Charles G. married Louise, daughter of Jacob M. Cook, of Marcellus, and in 1864 he came to Baldwinsville. He was one of the partners in the firm of Kingsley, Cook & Co., merchant millers and distillers. In 1865 he remodeled the distillery into a paper mill, which he soon leased and gave his attention to the mill- ing business, in which he continued until 1874. He died in 1891, aged 75 years. Jacob C. was educated in the common schools of Baldwinsville. He spent the years 1872-3 in traveling through Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, and England. In 1874 he purchased an interest in the paper mills of A. S. Schoonmaker & Co., and in 1882 he purchased the other interests and associated with himself Isaac Dixon, the firm being Kenyon & Dixon. In 1888 he purchased Mr. Dixon's interest, con- tinuing the business under the name of J. C. Kenyon. In 1893 he organized the Kenyon Paper Co .. which makes a specialty of producing white and colored tissue paper, producing 2,500 pounds per day. He married Nora, daughter of Ira Betts, of Phoenix, by whom he has two children: Otis A. and Cornelia. Mr. Kenyon is one of the leading business men of the town.


Lester, Harrison, Baldwinsville, was born in Albany Co., June 14, 1826, son of James Lester, also a native of Albany Co. The family first settled in Dutchess Co. and were of English extraction. James Lester married Elizabeth, daughter of Jere- miah Conniff, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are now living. He came to the town of Van Buren in 1835 and purchased the farm, which has been in


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the possession of the family for sixty years. He died in 1840, aged 47 years. At his death the management of the farm devolved on Harrison, who was then fourteen years of age. Harrison received his early education in the schools of Baldwinsville. At the age of twenty he married Terresa, daughter of John Hyatt, by whom he has one daughter. Mr. Lester is one of the leading men of the town.


Little, J. H., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Lysander, Dec. 2, 1830. Mr. Little was a well known dealer in fruits, grain and farming implements. He mar- ried at the age of 20; died at the age of 60, leaving a wife and two children: Frank E. and Nellie Upson, also three grandchildren, Harry A. and James H. Little, jr., and Wesley Upson. He was an active worker in political matters and was a strong Re- publican.


Luckey, G. N., Baldwinsville, was born at Sennett, Cayuga Co., March 11, 1841. son of Joseph, a native of Albany Co., N. Y. His ancestry came from the north of Ireland about 1720 and in the family were seven Methodist ministers. Joseph mar- ried Caroline, daughter of James Guffin. He died in 1869, aged 66 years. G. N. Luckey was educated in the common schools. At the age of twelve years he evinced his preference for watch making. In 1860 he came to Baldwinsville and entered the employ of P. O. Cooper. In 1862 he went into business for himself, making a specialty of imported and American watches, diamonds, etc. In connection with his jewelry business he is manager of the Postal Telegraph Co., and has also filled the same position for nine different companies. In 1863 he married Lucy E., daughter of William Shaw, by whom he has two daughters: Mrs. E. H. Lewis and Maude Luckey. Mr. Luckey is one of the representative business men of the town.


Martin, Barnet, Baldwinsville, was born in Cayuga Co., March 4, 1838. He was the third of seven children who were born to the late Thomas S. and Jane De Graff. The family were of English descent and came to America in 1750. Thomas S. was born in Root, Montgomery Co., and came to Lysander in 1835 and engaged in farm- ing. After three years Thomas S. moved to Cayuga Co. and in 1839 removed to Lysander and here remained until his death in 1894 at the ripe age of 89 years. Barnet married Lavina, daughter of James Ward, by whom he had three children : Harry L., Laura A., and Maggie M. In 1866 Mr. Martin purchased the John Marvin estate and is now one of the leading farmers of the town. He has acted as admin- istrator in several estates and for a number of years has been one of the directors of the Phoenix Agricultural Society, of which he is now vice-president. He is also actively engaged in advancing the best interests in church and school.


Munn, J. B., Baldwinsville, was born in Clyde, Wayne Co., March 4, 1844, where he lived until the death of his father in 1849. He then moved to Jordan, where he remained for two years, when with his mother he removed to Elbridge, her birthplace and early home. She was a daughter of Herman Judson, one of the earliest settlers of the town. His father was a missionary and served for several years at the Sand- wich Islands. At an early age J. B. Munn entered the employ of A. Wood & Son, in Elbridge, where he remained until the outbreak of the late war. He then enlisted in the 101st Regiment N. Y. Vols., a part of Kearney's famous brigade, 3d Corps of the Army of the Potomac, in Oct., 1861. At the expiration of the term of his first enlistment, he re-enlisted in the field and served in the 40th N. Y. Regt. until the


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close of the war. He was discharged with the rank of quartermaster-sergeant. On Oct. 23, 1866, he married Lydia E. Harvey of Lysander (to which town he soon after removed), and they have one daughter, Mrs. E. C. Upson. Mr. Munn is one of the prominent farmers of the town, making a specialty of raising and buying tobacco. He is a prominent Mason and a charter member of Root Post, G. A. R. He was elected supervisor in 1891.


Martin, L., M.D., Baldwinsville, was born in Lysander, Sept. 14, 1842, son of Thomas S. Martin, a native of Florida, Montgomery Co., N. Y. The family came from London, England, to Cherry Valley and purchased a tract of 1,000 acres, from which they were driven by the tories and the Indians and taken prisoners. Thomas S. came to Onondaga Co. in 1835 and purchased a farm near Plainville. With the exception of a few years spent at Sterling, he spent his life at Lysander. He married Jane, daughter of Peter De Groff. He died in 1894, aged 90 years. Leslie Martin was educated in the common schools and at Falley Seminary. He then entered the office of S. & D. Pardee in Fulton. Dec. 27, 1864, he graduated from the Albany Medical College, after which he established an office in Lysander. In May, 1885, he removed to Baldwinsville, where he carried on a general practice. He married Ella A., daughter of Henry B. Mount, by whom he has two children: Alden H., now pursuing a course of medical study; and Ada. Mr. Martin- is a member of the American Medical Institute, the Central New York Medical Association, the Onon- daga County Medical Society, having been president of the two last named societies, and a member of the International Hahnemannian Association. Mrs. Martin died in 1892, sincerely mourned by all who knew her.


Morris, William F., Baldwinsville, was born in Little Falls, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1836, son of Ezekiel Morris, a native of Farrington, Conn. The family came from Scot- land. Ezekiel Morris was a manufacturer of edged tools. He came to Baldwinsville in 1850, where he continued in the same business. He married Susan Windsor, and they had six children: James W., H. D., William F., Mrs. Francis Byrne, Mrs. F. T. Baldwin, and Mrs. George E. Wilkins. Ezekiel Morris died in 1869, aged 65 years. His sons, H. D. and William F. succeeded him in business in 1860, which continued until 1869, when William F. withdrew from the firm and was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Baldwinsville. In 1870 William F. purchased an interest in the firm of Heald, Sisco & Co., manufacturers of centrifugal pumps. A few years later he purchased the interests of the other partners. In 1892 the business was in- corporated under the name of the Morris Machine Works with a capital of $300,000. In the meanwhile Mr. Morris had continued his connection with the bank and was elected vice-president in 1885. He married Sarah E., daughter of Levi Robbins, and they have one son, Windsor Morris. Mr. Morris is one of the leading business men of the county, the products of his business being known throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various European countries. He is also president of the Monarch and Eureka Co., manufacturers of hub boring and other wagon-making machinery, and of the Gazette Publishing Co.


Munroe, E. C., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Van Buren, Aug. 4, 1865, son of John H. Munroe, a prominent farmer of that town, a member of the Munroe family of Onondaga Co. E. C. Munroe was educated in the Baldwinsville Academy,


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after which he returned to his father's farm. In 1887 he engaged in the tobacco business, in which he still continues, and to which he added in 1894 the coal business. He married Bessie, daughter of Cyrus Gordon, of Rushford, Allegany Co., by whom he has one son, Donald Gordon Munroe.


McMullin, Walter, Baldwinsville, was born in Watertown, April 20, 1853. He was educated in the common schools and in Brown's Commercial College. At fifteen years of age he entered the Sherman Bank of Watertown as bookkeeper. In 1875 he came to Baldwinsville and entered the employ of the First National Bank as book- keeper and teller. April 1, 1879, on the retirement of W. F. Morris, he was ap- pointed cashier, which position he now holds. He married Mabel F., daughter of Smith Van Allen, and they have one daughter, Louise. Mr. McMullin is one of the representative men of the town, being actively interested in school and church work.


Osborn, David, Baldwinsville, was born in Orange Co., Nov, 3, 1823, son of Adol- phus B. Osborn, a native of the same county. The family were of English extrac- tion and among the earliest settlers of Connecticut. Adolphus B. married Elsie Trumper, by whom he had eight children, six of whom are now living. They came to the town of Van Buren in 1833, where he died in 1869, aged 66 years. David Os- born married Margaret A., daughter of Daniel Luddington of Oswego Co., in 1847, and they had five children, three now living: Mrs. Mary E. Kent, Mrs. Hattie L. Humphrey, and Mrs. Florence L. Schuck, all born in Onondaga Co. Mr. Osborn was one of the prominent farmers of the town. In 1856 he bought the Thomas Field farm of 100 acres. In 1876 he bought the Erwin Williams property of 103 acres, and made a specialty of raising tobacco. He was interested in school and church work and was recognized as a man of sterling character. He died Oct. 27, 1894, aged 71 years. A wife and three children survive him.


Porter, David, Baldwinsville, for twenty-seven years a member and twenty-four years a deacon of the First Congregational church of Phoenix, N. Y., died March 11 1892, aged 73 years and 10 months, born at Pompey Hill, Onondaga Co., May 20, 1818. His father, Pliny Porter, was a deacon of the Congregational church of Pom- pey Hill. There were seven children in the family, David being the only son. The father dying while the children were quite young, the oversight of the family rested quite largely on David. In his early life he was for some years in the insurance business in the State of Ohio. When 36 years of age he was married to Mrs. Lydia Monro Le Roy, daughter of Judge David Monro of Camillus. They resided for a few years in Camillus, but in the spring of 1862 they moved to the town of Lysander, and there in a beautiful home overlooking the Seneca River, Mr. Porter spent the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter two children were born, a son and daughter, David Pliny and Mary L. Porter. In the spring of 1885, Pliny, a stalwart young man, was killed by a falling tree. This was almost a crushing blow to Dea- con Porter. Deacon Porter was a man of superior judgment and by uprightness and integrity he won for himself the confidence and regard of a large circle. He pos- sessed a rare combination of the qualities of cool judgment, wise discrimination and strong will power. Socially he was characterized by a most genial hospitality and morally he was beyond reproach and he was always actively identified with all the interests of the church of which he was a member.


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Porter, Henry W., Baldwinsville, was born in Utica, Dec. 1, 1844. William Porter, his father, was a native of England and came to the United States in 1831. He was a mason, contractor, and builder, erecting a number of business blocks, remodeling the State Lunatic Asylum, built the Mohawk street jail, and remodeled and rebuilt the county clerk's building. He married Elizabeth Gibbs, of England, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are now living: Mrs. A. S. Sheldon, Henry W., and Mrs. Homer Loveless, all of Baldwinsville. In 1856 he came to Baldwinsville and purchased the farm on which he resided up to the time of his death in 1890, at the age of 80 years. Henry W. was educated in the common schools, after which he returned to his father's farm, where he remained until 1864 when he enlisted in the 185th N. Y. Vols., Co. A. He was wounded in March, 1865, in which year he re- ceived an honorable discharge. He married Anna E. Osborne, by whom he has two children: William H. and Gail B. Mr. Porter is one of the leading farmers of the town.


Pendergast, Stephen, Baldwinsville, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, Sept. 12, 1848. His father, Stephen, came to the United States in 1851 and settled in the town of Lysander, near Phoenix, where he purchased 400 acres of land. He married Anna Stafford and they had seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are living except James and John. At the time of his death in 1879 Stephen was one of the most prominent farmers of the town, owning 1,300 acres of land. Stephen, jr., was educated in the common schools and at Seaton Hall College, N. J., also taking a business course in Syracuse. He married Alice E .. daughter of Calvin Yeomans, and they have four sons and one daughter living: N. Walter, Stephen C., Henry, and John Y., and Emma; having buried their eldest daughter, Alice, in Sept., 1894. Mr. Pendergast is one of the representative farmers of the town, owning 465 acres of fine land, making a specialty of blooded horses and stock. He is recognized as a man of sterling character.


Rugg, William S., Baldwinsville, was born in Brownville, Ontario Co., Aug. 19, 1830. His father, William Rugg, came from Scotland, and married Sobiar Cork- ings. William S. was educated in the common schools. He married Caroline, daughter of Peter Sickles, by whom he had one daughter. Demarius. Mr. Rugg is one of the best known hotel keepers of the county and a liberal supporter of school and church.


Smith, M. H., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Van Buren, Sept. 20, 1856, son of Miles Smith, also a native of that town, the family originating in Connecticut. M. H. Smith was educated in the common schools, after leaving which he entered the employ of D. T. Skinner & Co., but in Oct., 1878, he established his present busi- ness of furniture and undertaking. In 1886 he dropped the furniture line and de- voted his attention solely to the undertaking. He married Phœbe A., daughter of Henry Scofield, and they have three children: Clarence H., Windsor C., and Edna A. He is one of the leading business men of the town. Mr. Smith has served as town clerk four years, also as clerk of the Board of Education five years.


Smith, Millard F., Baldwinsville, was born in Herkimer Co., Nov. 20, 1852. John Smith, his father, was a native of Montgomery county. He married Catherine, daughter of John C. Bellinger. Millard F. was educated in the common schools and


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finished at the Oneida Conference Seminary, at Cazenovia, after which he returned to his father's farm. He married Nettie M., daughter of Benjamin Cowan, by whom he has two children: Katie J. and Zelma G. At the death of his father, Millard F. purchased the homestead of 200 acres, making a specialty of raising tobacco, being one of the largest producers in the county. His father, Jolin, began business in Montgomery Co. as a grocer, and did considerable work for the State on public im- provements. He moved to Baldwinsville in 1852 and began his farm life.


Shea, J. R., Baldwinsville, was born in Bellows Falls, Vt., Sept. 15, 1852, son of Jeremiah Shea. J. R. Shea was educated in the common schools and at the Ant- werp Liberal Literary Institute, now Ives Seminary, also at Pulaski Academy, after which he was a very successful teacher. In 1874 he commenced the study of law in the office of J. W. Shea, of Pulaski, and in 1876 he entered the office of Hon. C. W. Avery, Phoenix, N. Y. June 15, 1877, he was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, and in Dec. of the same year he came to Baldwinsville and began the practice of his profes- sion. He was elected justice of the peace in 1879, and was a member of the Board of Education about eight years. He has been very successful in the practice of his chosen profession. He is also a member of Seneca River Lodge No. 160 F. & A. M., and is also a Royal Arch Mason. He is one of the most popular men of the town, being interested in the welfare of the village.


Smith, Richard L., Baldwinsville, was born in the town of Lysander, Onondaga Co., on the 16th of March, 1828, and is the oldest son of a family of six children. His father, Richard Smith, was a native of Westchester Co., V. Y., but in early life with other members of his father's family removed to the county of Onondaga about the year 1800, taking up his residence in the town of Pompey. Here he remained until the year 1808, when he removed to the town of Lysander, where he located permanently. Believing in the truth of the old and oft-repeated maxim, that " A rolling stone gathers no moss," he never spent his energies in moving from place to place, but adhered to and remained upon his original purchase up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1865 at the advanced age of 76 years. Coming into the town of Lysander shortly after the organization of the county of Onondaga, and thus being one of the early settlers and pioneers of that time, he had to encounter the hardships and suffer the privations incident to the entrance into a new country and clearing up of an unbroken wilderness. But by his energy and perseverance he sur- mounted all obstacles and became an influential citizen and successful farmer, and the possessor of considerable wealth. The old homestead still remains in the hands of the family, being owned by one of the children. Richard L., the subject of this sketch, remained at home on the farm with his parents during his minority. Anxious to obtain an education he embraced every opportunity for the improvement of his mind and made use of all the educational advantages that the common schools of that time afforded. In this purpose he was aided to a great extent by an uncle on his father's side, who was a professional teacher of considerable note, and with whom he was in constaut companionship during his school-boy days. From this unele he derived much practical information which was of great service to him in after years. Although reared upon the farm, his attention was not wholly devoted to the pursuit of farming. Much of his time was spent in aiding his father in his business transac- tions, and thus in the school of experience he soon gained a thorough business edu-


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cation. Later on he engaged in practical land surveying, and still later conducted a successful mercantile business in the village near the place of his birth. Political matters began to engage his attention on arriving at the proper age for the exercise of his right of franchise. Acting with the Whig party his first vote for president was cast for General Scott in 1852. The disruption of that party and the organiza- tion of the Republican party which followed, opened up a new field wherein the principles were fully in accord with those which he himself possessed. He thus be- came an active supporter of the measures of that party and has continued so to act to the present time. In 1855 he was elected superintendent of the common schools of his town, but owing to a change in the law by the Legislature of that year, his term of office was comparatively short. In 1858 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and re-elected successively for eight terms,-a period of thirty-two years. The duties of this office he discharged with the utmost candor and impar- tiality, invariably giving satisfaction to all having business before him. Very fre- quent he saved expense and trouble to contesting parties by his timely advice. He always urged an amicable settlement and counseled the unsuccessful party not to carry the case to higher courts. It is to his credit as an impartial justice that the higher courts in the whole period of thirty-two years reversed only one of his decis- ions. In 1861 he was elected supervisor of the town, serving one year. In 1865 he was again elected and consecutively for eleven years thereafter, during which time he was three times elected to the chairmanship of the board at their annual sessions. In 1862 under the administration of President Lincoln he was appointed postmaster at Lysander, and continued in the discharge of the duties until 1875. He was united in marriage in 1870 with Emma H., daughter of Charles Bridges, esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., living in pleasant relations until the spring of 1891 when she died, no children having been born to them. In 1868 he became a director in the First National Bank of Baldwinsville, and in 1879 was elected president, which position he now holds. Mr. Smith has enjoyed a reputation in the community where he lives for strict integ- rity and scrupulous honesty, faithful in the discharge of every duty that he was called upon to perform. Though holding public office a considerable portion of his life, he was not a politician in the common acceptance of that term. Whatever political honor he received came to him unsought, and was bestowed upon him be- cause of his fitness rather than because of his party service. During the later years as indeed throughout his whole life he has been frequently called upon to be execu- tor aud administrator in the settlement of estates giving entire satisfaction to all the parties concerned. Though only a member of the Ecclesiastical Society he took a prominent part in the organization of the Congregational church, which grew out of a consolidation of the Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian churches of Lysander in 1877, at which church he is a regular attendant and to which he has always given an active and liberal support.




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