USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 64
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installment of the very large debt to the company, incurred upon the purchase of the property, and received a conveyance of the lands not previously deeded. He made himself acquainted with the character, habits, and the business and family relations of his clientage, many of whom owe their prosperity, in large measure, to his judicial counsel, his gentle reproof, or his warm words of encouragement. He was re- garded by the people upon his tract more as their friend and adviser than as their creditor, and there were few who did not look forward to a business visit to him with the pleasurable anticipation with which one expects to meet a valued friend. For half a century his name has been a household word in hundreds of homes, and his character, manners and sayings discussed at their firesides and always with feelings of af- fection and reverence. Of many hundreds of purchasers of land from him there are very few with whom he ever had any dispute, and almost none with whom he ever had any litigation.
From his earliest manhood he was largely interested in improving the thoroughfares of the country. He succeeded Col. Lincklaen as president of the Third Great Western Turnpike Co., a work which was completed in 1810 at a cost of over $90,000, a colossal sum for those days, and, until its dissolution, superintended its affairs with great care and faithfulness. In connection with his son, Ledyard Lincklean, he was largely instrumental in the construction of the plank road from Cazenovia to Chittenango, and he took a warm interest in the comple- tion of the railroad from here to Canastota.
He was largely interested in agricultural pursuits, and was the first president of the Madison County Agricultural Society, formed in 1841, and many persons now living will remember with what zeal and effi- ciency he executed the functions of that position.
In early life, like most young men of that day, he entered the militia of the State, then, in consequence of its meritorious service during the war of 1812, an organization of great influence and standing. At the annual musters he was brought in close contact with the leading men of this and the adjoining counties; and formed many strong and life-long attachments. He took great pride in discharging the duties belonging to his several commissions, and rose to the rank of brigadier-general, resigning his commission in 1828.
But it was not in his business and public relations that Mr. Ledyard's character was best exhibited. His local and personal attachments were unusually strong, and it is for his personal traits that he will be longest remembered in this community.
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Occupying the conspicuous position in the village which he greatly loved, he fairly discharged the obligations connected with his station. He was ever foremost in the support of every project calculated to pro- mote the prosperity or to enhance the beauty of the place. Indeed, it may well be said of him, " Si monumentum quaeris, circumspice," for there has been scarcely an improvement made in or near the village which does not owe its origin to his forethought, assistance, influence or example.
In every charitable enterprise he was always counted upon as a cer- tain and liberal contributor, and his heart and purse was ever open to the call of every worthy applicant .
Simple in his personal habits, and unostentatious in his mode of life, he ever exercised a generous and graceful hospitality, and, for the last half century, his mansion has not been a day without a fire on its hearth or a hospitable host to welcome a neighbor or a passing traveler within its doors.
His mental and moral qualities were such as to attach to him the warm affection of those with whom he was brought in immediate con- tact. His kind heart went out to his kinsfolk and friends with a wealth of affection which secured a corresponding return. Gentle in his man- ners, sympathizing in his emotions, magnanimous in his feelings, just in his dealings and frank in his bearing, he possessed, in an extraordin- ary degree, the affection of his family and friends, which in the latter years of his life ripened into a loving veneration.
Descendants of Jonathan Denise Ledyard, and Jane Strawbridge, his wife. Children :
Lincklaen Ledyard (name reversed by Act of Legislature, 30 March, 1844, to Ledyard Lincklaen), married Helen C. Seymour (only child, Helen, wife of Charles S. Fairchild).
John Denise Ledyard, married Elizabeth Fitz-Hugh (no children survived them).
George Strawbridge Ledyard, married Anne Fitz-Hugh. Children:
John Denise, Richard Fitz-Hugh, Jane, wife of Eliphalet Reming- ton; Mary Fitz-Hugh, Helen Seymour, Wolters (of whom the first two are no longer living).
Helen, married John F. Seymour; no descendants.
L. Wolters, married Elizabeth Vail; only one daughter, Murray.
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JOHN LINCKLAEN.
The name of this native Hollander stands prominent among those of the distinguished men who opened the lands of the Empire State to settlement and promoted the welfare of the pioneers. John Lincklaen was born in Amsterdam, Holland, on December 24, 1768. His early years were passed in Switzerland where he received education from a private tutor. At the age of fourteen years he entered the navy of Holland, remaining in the service several years and receiving promo- tion to the rank of lieutenant. During this period of service he was called upon to travel extensively in Europe and Asia, and visited Cey- lon and Smyrna. In 1790, at the age of twenty-two years, he came to America in the interest of Peter Stadnitzki, one of the members of the great syndicate known as the Holland Land Company. Bearing letters of introduction to Theophilus Cazenove, then of Philadelphia, Mr. Lincklaen arrived in that city in due time and there completed arrange- ments for a journey of exploration into the wilderness of central New York. In the month of September, 1792, he started, in company with two experienced woodsmen, and journeyed northwards towards the Chenango Twenty Towns, contemplating the purchase of one or more of them. His journal kept on that journey is in existence and is of deep interest. He reached the east line of the Gore on the 8th of Oc- tober, carefully investigated its natural advantages, and on the 11th of that month, as he recorded, he encamped at the foot of Cazenovia lake. After thoroughly exploring the surrounding region, he reported to Mr. Stadnitzki, the result of which was the purchase by the Holland Com- pany of Road Township and No. 1 of the Twenty Towns, comprising in all about 130,000 acres. Mr. Lincklaen was appointed agent of the company.
In the winter of 1793 Samuel S. Forman became acquainted in Phil- adelphia with both Mr. Lincklaen and Mr. Cazenove, and engaged with them to come into the new purchase, on the site of Cazenovia village and act as clerk in the conduct of the company's store. The story of his early experiences in that capacity has been told in this work. Mr. Forman met Mr. Lincklaen by appointment in New York in April, 1793, where a large stock of goods was purchased and brought on to Utica, whence instalments were transported to Cazenovia. Mr. Linck- laen came on with a number of settlers, as elsewhere related. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the little company encamped at the south
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end of the lake, where tents were pitched and steps taken for the build- ing of houses. Mr. Lincklaen entered with energy and efficiency upon the sale of the lands, and so liberal were the arrangements for payment made by him, that settlers came in rapidly. Roads were laid out, bridges built, mills erected and by his zealous activity, unfailing good judgment, and unceasing labor he was soon surrounded by a prosper- ous community of which he was the founder. His service as agent of the land company continued for a number of years, during all of which period he was esteemed for his liberality, his integrity, and his ability.
Mr. Lincklaen was also associated during one period with the Hol- land company in their ownership of the great purchase in the western part of the State. Through his native qualifications, his habits of ac- curate observation, and his extensive reading, he acquired a large fund of information and was always especially conversant with the current affairs of the world. His tastes were scholarly and refined and his demeanor and social conduct that of the courteous gentleman. His stately brick mansion overlooking the lake, built in the first decade of the century, and now the home of Charles S. Fairchild, was noted for its generous hospitality.
Mr. Lincklaen married a sister of Jonathan Denise Ledyard in 1797, and to his brother-in-law the land business passed in course of time. Mr. Lincklaen was a consistent and broad minded Christian. For some years he leaned towards the Unitarian faith, in which several of his in- timate friends were believers; but later in life he was led to adopt the Trinitarian belief, to which he adhered until his death. He was fore- most among the founders of the old church in Cazenovia.
In 1820 Mr. Lincklaen was stricken by paralysis, and he died on the 9th of February, 1822, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years, leaving no descendants.
ELISHA PAYNE.
ELISHA PAYNE was a lineal descendant of one of three brothers by the name of Payne, who settled in Plymouth as early as 1621, and who were forced to leave England for the same cause that drove the Pil- grims to find a home in the New World. He was born in North East, Dutchess county, N. Y., December 3, 1762. His parents, Abram and Rebecca Payne, were natives of Connecticut. The former was born in
1
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1722, and died in Hamilton, April 21, 1801, in his eightieth year. The latter died in the same place December 25, 1810, aged eighty-six years. They settled in Dutchess county about 1760. They had four sons and four daughters. Elisha was the youngest of the children and the only one that left issue. In consequence of the misfortune that befel their parents in the loss of their property, Elisha and Samuel cared for and supported them until they died. Elisha had but few advantages for an education, such only as were afforded by the common schools of his town, but his habits were studious and he was fond of reading. Every good book that he was able to get he read carefully, and so stored his mind with valuable information that enabled him to compe- tently discharge the duties of the various offices of trust and responsi- bility that were confided to him by his townsmen and those in authority in after years. On the 17th of September, 1787, he was married to Polly Brooks, a native of Essex, Conn. She was born January 12, 1766, and died May 4, 1796. By her he had four children, three sons and one daughter, viz. : Abram, John, Samuel and Mary.
August 17, 1797, he married Esther Douglass, daughter of Rev. Caleb Douglass of Whitestown, one of the pioneers of that section, and a de- scendant of the Douglass family of Scotland. Esther was born July 25, 1778, and died at Hamilton September 12, 1853. By her he had four- teen children, twelve sons and two daughters, two of whom died in in- fancy. The names of those that grew to maturity are here given in the order of their birth: Elijah, Elisha, Mansfield, Joseph, Nelson, Charles C., Thomas, Maria, Henry B., William, Esther and Edwin.
In 1794 Samuel Payne settled in the dense forest near what is now the south line of the village of Hamilton. Elisha came in the next year and bought lot No. 2, on which more than half of the village of Hamilton is situated. The name of Payne Settlement was given to this locality, and a few years thereafter Elisha changed it to Hamilton, in honor of one he greatly admired, Alexander Hamilton.
Elisha built a rude log cabin near, in which he lived a short time, but the influx of New England people who came as actual settlers, or with a view to settlement, demanded a larger and more commodious building in which they could find a temporary home. Accordingly, Mr. Payne built a large frame house, which he kept as a tavern for several years, and until another building was put up for that purpose in 1812. Mr. Payne was anxious that a village of importance should be built up here, and as an inducement to mechanics and others whose
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
presence would help to bring about that result, he gave them land and helped them build their homes on the same. He gave the land for the park that now greatly beautifies the village, and the same was used many years by the militia of the adjoining towns as a parade ground. Mr. Payne thoroughly identified himself with every enterprise that seemed to him would be of permanent benefit to Hamilton. He in- vested largely of his means in the construction of a turnpike from Cherry Valley through Hamilton to Skaneateles, the successful com- pletion of which was mainly due to his influence. He was the friend of education, and was one of the few who were instrumental in estab- lishing an academy, which flourished here many years. It was owing to his influence and his great success in securing subscriptions to the Society that the Seminary was finally located at Hamilton.
In politics Mr. Payne was a Federalist, and afterwards a Whig, and always took a great interest in his party's success. He was one of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas, appointed by Morgan Lewis, governor, March 31, 1806, and held that office about nine years.
In the early years of his residence here the people bestowed on him several offices of trust and honor, but in the closing years of his life he declined all offices of a public nature. Mr. Payne was devoted to the cause of Christianity. He was one of the founders of the Baptist Church in Hamilton and one of its earnest supporters, and assisted in building three churches in Hamilton. In his domestic life Mr. Payne was a kind husband and loving father, teaching his children by his up- right life the value and importance of virtue, and inspiring them with the worthy ambition to be men and women in the loftiest sense of the word. His teachings were not forgotten, but are fully exemplified in the lives of his children.
Elisha Payne died February 4, 1843.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHAPMAN,
WELL known during all of his mature life as a successful attorney and a public spirited citizen of the old town of Lenox, was born at Clock- ville, March 24, 1817. He was a son of Col. Stephen Chapman, the Clockville pioneer, and his wife, Keturah Palmer, who was a native of Stonington, Conn. The family migrated to Madison county in 1812. Stephen Chapman was a mechanic, but being a ready speaker and
B. F. CHAPMAN.
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making himself familiar with the common forms of law, he was early employed in the trial of minor cases in the community and finally studied law in the office of Israel S. Spencer. He was an influential citizen of the town and secured the establishment of the first post-office at Clockville in 1814, in which he was postmaster from that year until 1847, with only a brief interval.
Benjamin F. Chapman was endowed by nature with marked charac- teristics and on the death of his brother Stephen in 1831, who had already been admitted to the bar, his father decided that he should study law. He entered Stockbridge academy in 1834 and the next spring began attendance at the Hudson River seminary, where he showed remarkable aptitude for mathematics. In the fall of 1835 he began the study of languages in Fayetteville academy, remaining there until he entered Hamilton college in August, 1836, graduating in 1839. He was a ready speaker and the prize orator in his junior year. Upon his graduation he was one of the honor speakers, delivering the philo- sophical oration. Entering his father's office he pursued law study until his admission to the bar in 1841 and subsequently to practice in all the courts. In the course of his educational career he became a skilled surveyor and was engaged in that profession to a considerable extent. He was also a popular lecturer, and took an active part in local politics, holding a number of town offices, and was also district attorney for the county. Mr. Chapman married in 1841 Huldah Wil- cox, and was father of three children. In 1880 he took up his residence in Oneida, and died May 29, 1892.
PERRY G. CHILDS.
PERRY G. CHILDS, one of the early settlers and long a prominent, citi- zen of Cazenovia village, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1779. He was a son of Dr. Timothy and Rachel Easton Childs, and married in 1807, Catharine Ledyard, daughter of Benjamin Ledyard, of Aurora, N. Y. Mr. Childs received a liberal education and early in his life took up the study of law and was in due time admitted to the bar. He was possessed of exceptional intellectual attributes, as well as a high sense of personal honor and integrity, and soon after his settlement in Caz- enovia became a successful practitioner and one of the foremost men of the town in respect of its public affairs. When the village was incor-
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porated in 1810 he was chosen one of the first board of trustees, and his name appears in the tax list of 1811 as owner of property valued at $1,500. More than eighty years ago he built the fine old residence in Cazenovia which is now occupied by Mrs. John Stebbins, who is his granddaughter. Mr. Childs was called to fill various positions of re- sponsibility, for which his excellent judgment, wise foresight, and con- servative consideration eminently fitted him. When the old Madison County Bank began business on the 1st of January, 1832, Mr. Childs was chosen its president, a position which he occupied many years to the entire satisfaction of all who were interested in the institution. Mr. Childs died in 1835 while still at the height of his mental and bodily powers. His wife died in 1849. They left seven children, as follows : Catharine Rachel, who married Augustus W. Smith; Helen, who mar- ried Sidney T. Fairchild, father of Charles S. Fairchild; Henry, who died in 1837; Sophia Ledyard, who married Rev. George S. Boardman ; Perry G. Childs, jr., who died in California in 1893; Jane S., who mar- ried K. N. Guiteau and resides in Minnesota; and J. D. Ledyard Childs, who died in 1858.
C. WILL CHAPPELL.
C. WILL CHAPPELL was born in Cazenovia, Madison county, April 5, 1845, a son of Chester L. and Sarah M. (Jackson) Chappell. His grand- father was one of the earlier settlers of Cazenovia whither he removed from Andovor, Mass. Mr. Chappell was educated at Cazenovia Sem- inary but began active life at the early age of fourteen as a clerk in Charles Crandall's Cazenovia bookstore. In this business he was sub- sequently associated with William Watkins under the firm name of Chappell & Watkins for about one year. At the end of that period Mr. Chappell took a position with a New York publishing house whose output was principally school text books, and remained in their em- ploy as a traveling salesman until 1869. In that year he went West, locating in Atchison, Kansas, where for a few months he held a part- nership in a book and stationery business. Returning East in January, 1870, he settled in Oneida where he has since resided. On his arrival here he engaged in a clothing business in the opera house block on Main street (Chase & Chappell). This business was continued until 1879. In 1877 the firm of Chappell, Tuttle & Co. purchased the busi-
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ness of E. W. Jones who, some years previously, had established a business in Oneida as a dealer and jobber in undertakers' supplies. Chappell, Tuttle & Co. continued this trade for two years and in 1879 purchased the business of Maxwell, McWeeney & Co. of Rochester, Mr. Maxwell retaining his interest and the firm becoming Chappell, Chase, Maxwell & Co. This firm, which became known as one of the largest in this country, began the manufacture of caskets and under- takers' supplies at Oneida September 1, 1879. The jobbing house in Rochester was continued for some years, and in 1882 a branch was es- tablished at New York city. In 1890, by the consolidation of the three largest and most prominent casket houses in the United States, namely, Chappell, Chase, Maxwell & Co., Hamilton, Lemon, Arnold & Co., and the Stein Manufacturing Co. of Rochester, the National Casket Com- pany was formed with a capital stock of $3,000,000, which was after- wards increased to $6,000,000. Mr. Chappell was made first vice-pres- ident of the corporation, and general manager of these large interests, a position he still retains. Some idea of the proportions of this business may be gained from the fact that it gives employment to from 1,500 to 2,000 skilled mechanics, as well as a large force of clerks and salesmen, and that customers are found in every State in the Union. At the Oneida plant are from 250 to 300 employees with a yearly output of about 30,000 caskets. In addition to the cares which are involved in the management of a business of this scope, Mr. Chappell, who has been a busy man all his life, has been interested as a stockholder or director in most of the manufacturing enterprises of Oneida. He has served as a director of the Oneida Valley National Bank, and for sev- eral years as trustee of the Oneida Savings Bank of which he is now president. As a citizen he has shown no lack of zeal in promoting the welfare of this village, and was especially active in forwarding the high school project. He was also interested in the inception of the Warner Water Works, and was one of the incorporators of the street railroad. Mr. Chappell has served for upwards of twenty years as super- intendent of the Sunday school of the Cochran Memorial Presbyterian church, of which he is also a trustee. The Chappell residence on Eliza- beth street, which is an ornament to the village, was built by Mr. Chap- pell in 1886, and in 1896 he further beautified the grounds by the addition of a park on the site of the old Seminary buildings which he had purchased and demolished. Mr. Chappell is a Mason of the thirty- second degree, holding membership in Doric Chapter of Oneida, and
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Central City Commandery, and Syracuse Consistory of Syracuse. He has served as president of the National Burial Case Association, and is now president of the Eastern Burial Case Association. For a period of four years he acted as trustee of Cazenovia Seminary. Politically he is a Democrat, and has frequently served as a delegate to county and State conventions ; he was an active supporter of Cleveland in 1884 and 1888, and in those years campaigned the county. After the Chicago convention of 1896 he took a stand with the sound money Democrats and at once organized a sound money club in Oneida, the second in this State, the first having been formed by the late Roswell P. Flower. Mr. Chappell has found much recreation in travel, and has visited at differ- ent periods old Mexico, Bermuda, and the West Indies. In 1896 he made a Mediterranean trip, his itinerary including the Holy Land, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. He first married in 1869, Emily, daugh- ter of Lewis S. Bridger of Oneida Castle. In 1874 he married Mary E., daughter of Calvin Wells of Oneida Castle.
S. ALLEN CURTIS.
AMONG the pioneers of the town of Madison who came into the county just before the beginning of the present century, were members of the Curtis family, whose settlement has been noticed in the history of that town. From one of these is descended S. Allen Curtis, a lifelong and respeted citizen of Madison. He was born at Erieville December 24, 1846, and is a son of Allen Curtis, who still lives in the town, where he was born September 11, 1811, a son of the pioneer. Allen Curtis is now serving his fiftieth year as Justice of the Peace, at the age of eighty-nine-an official record which for length of duration, cannot be equaled in the State. During his long life in Madison he has been closely identified with its growth and progress and his influence has ever been exerted for the welfare of the community.
S. Allen Curtis remained on the home farm until he was twenty-four years old, when he was appointed station agent on the railroad at Sols- ville, and where he also established a coal business. Eight years later, in 1879, he received the appointment of keeper at the county poor farm, in which capacity he served four and a half years, when he resigned to engage in the coal business at Eaton station, as a member of the firm of Bonney & Curtis. In 1886 he was elected Superintendent of the
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Poor of Madison county and four times has been re-elected to this office. He is regarded throughout the county as a prudent and competent public officer, under whose care the unfortunate poor are comfortably main- tained and the interests of the county carefully guarded. Mr. Curtis is a staunch Republican and wields a wholesome influence in the local councils of that party.
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