Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, Part 70

Author: Smith, John E., 1843- ed
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston, Mass.] : Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 960

USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 70

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).

Clarke, M. J., one of the leading business men of Hamilton, was born in Earlville, N. Y., June 14, 1863, and educated in the Earlville schools. He remained at home on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he moved to Hamilton and pur- chased the mail and passenger stage route to Poolville and the D. L. & W. Railroad; he next.purchased the baggage express and bus business in Hamilton and conducted that for a year. He then purchased the new rink building and converted it into a livery and sale stable, which was destroyed by fire on February 19, 1895, and replaced by a model brick structure with a basement the following year. He still retains the passenger express and baggage business with pleasure to himself, and a great accom-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

modation to the resident and passenger public. Mr. Clarke is always one of the first to suggest and assist in all the village improvements, being assistant foreman in the Fountain Hose Co., and near by has the steamer at the fire in a moment's notice and the hydrants ready to turn on the flames in a few seconds after the tap of the fire bell. Socially, he is in with the boys in every good work for the upbuilding of humanity, being a member of Tuscarora Lodge, No. 669, I. O. O. F. and Wakesha Encampment No. 101; he is also a member of Hamilton Hive No. 540, K. O. T. M .; Hamilton Lodge No. 208, A. O. U. W .; and Hamilton Grange No. 648, P. H. In December, 1883. Mr. Clarke married Hattie L. Wilcox of Earlville; they have one daughter, Lulu L., born in January, 1888. Mr. Clarke's parents, Whitman and Frances E. (Hitchcock) Clarke, and grandmother, Eliza C. Clarke, are still living. His grandfather, Whipple Clarke, a native of Rhode Island, came to this county in 1812 and was one of the pioneers of the county; he died at his home in Lebanon, March 28, 1888.

Conley, Frank P., was born in Sullivan, Madison county, January 9, 1850, a son of Anthony Conley, a native of Ireland, who came to Madison county in about 1848, where he resided twenty-five years, then returned to Ireland to spend his last days; his wife was Mary Fitzpatrick. Frank P. Conley is a farmer by occupation, a Re- publican in politics and a member of Morrisville Lodge Wewana No. 678, I. O. O. F. On March 4, 1885, he married Lora A. Berry, daughter of John R. Berry, and grand- daughter of Devan Berry, a native of Connecticut, who first settled in this county, in the town of Madison, coming from there to Smithfield in 1819, in which town he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1864, at the home of his son, John R. Berry, with whom he resided on the farm Mr. Conley now occupies. Mr. Berry married Hannah Golding; they had eight children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. A. J. Beach of Milton Junction, Wis., and George Berry of Fenner. Devan Berry had a brother, Samuel, and a sister, Mrs. Erastus Cleveland, who resided in Madison. John R. Berry was born in the town of Madison in 1812, and was seven years of age when he came with his parents to Smithfield, where he spent most of his life. On March 11, 1846, he married Almena L. Dickey; they had two children: James E., born Decem- ber 4, 1847, died September 9, 1887, and Lora A. Mr. Berry was one of the leading farmers of Smithfield; he had 200 acres of land which was gained by hard labor and economy. In politics he was a Republican and served as assessor of his town; he died July 11, 1894. Mrs Berry died August 29, 1897. She was a daughter of Joseph Dickey, 'one of the early settlers of Smithfield, and granddaughter of Daniel Dickey, whom many of the older residents remember, as he was one of the leading men in this vicinity ; he served as justice for several years and was familiarly known as "Squire Dickey". He was also at one time member of Assembly; he died in 1858.

Cody, Kendall, p. o. Cazenovia, was born in the town of Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y., April 27, 1850, a son of Francis A. and Phoebe (Faulkner) Cody. They had six children: Jennie, Samuel, James F., Kendall, Frances and Eva P., all natives of Vernon. Francis A. by occupation followed farming, and also speculated in live stock, horses, cattle, sheep, etc. About 1883 he moved from the town of Vernon and settled near Oneida Castle, Madison county. Kendall Cody was educated in the

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

schools of the town of Vernon, in Cazenovia Seminary and Whitestown Seminary. When he was about eighteen years of age he started in life for himself as a laborer and speculator in horses, cattle, etc. When he was twenty-three years of age he purchased the farm where he resides, which contains 500 acres of land and follows general farming and hop growing. February 26, 1872, he married Martha J., daugh- ter of Jerome J. Deland, and they have two children living and one deceased: Maude P., Mildred (deceased) and Stanley, all born on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Cody has always taken an active part in town and county affairs; liberally sup- ports educational institutions, and is a useful and respected citizen.

Cummings, Lincoln L., p. o. Munnsville, was born in Oneida county, November 25, 1824, a son of Nichols and Amelia (Gould) Cummings, both natives of Massachu- setts. They had thirteen children and came to Oneida about 1822; he died in Stock- bridge in 1863 and his wife in 1885. Lincoln L. Cummings was educated in the common schools and Munnsville Academy. Mr. Cummings taught schools eight win- ters and followed the trade of stone mason for a short time. At present he has sixty- nine acres of land which he bought in 1850. In 1858 he patented the first portable hop press ever used. On March 17, 1850, he married Martha J. Bridge of Stockbridge, and has three children: Elbert L. (deceased), James B., born July 14, 1856, educated in the common schools; and Andrew L. (deceased). Mr. Cummings was originally a Whig, and now a Republican ; he has been town auditor seven years, commissioner two years and assessor nine years. Mrs. Cum nings died September 3, 1896.

Chesebro, J. H. and A. D., p. o. Brookfield, N. Y., represent one of the oldest and most respected families of the town. Christopher Chesebro was a farmer in colonial days. He had a son Harris, born February 9, 1769, a sailor and also a tailor, who came to Brookfield about 1800, was married to Patty Champlain, and had a son Jared; Harris died in 1838. Jared Chesebro was born in 1809 in Brookfield, married Sarah (born in 1809 in Brookfield), daughter of Zebulon Brown, who bore him two children, J. H. and Rhoda L., who died at two years of age; they also had one adopted daugh- ter, Elizabeth Johnson, wife of Maxon Crumb of Bridgewater, N. Y .; Jared was bighway commissioner six years. Zebulon Brown, maternal grandfather of J. H. Chesebro, came to Brookfield about 1807 and cut off the timber on the site of the village of Brookfield; he was a great student of the Scriptures and something of a prophet, saying that in time the people of Brookfield would hold conversation with those in New York city; his wife was Sarah Lewis, born March 12, 1791; Mr. Brown died February 8, 1875, and his wife June 28, 1872. J. H. Chesebro was born in Brookfield, April 3, 1833, and he was educated in the common

schools. He was married to Harriet S. Williams of Brookfield, and of their union there are three children: Alvin Duane, Orra D., wife of Arthur D. Page (who have two children, Alvin W. and Floyd W.), and Ida L., wife of Fred White, all of Brookfield. Mr. Chesebro is a Republican and has been assessor nine years; he has a farm of 300 acres and a dairy of twenty-five cows, which, in partner- ship with his son Alvin D., he conducts in a highly successful manner. Alvin Duane Chesebro was born March 3, 1855, and was educated in the public schools; at the age of eighteen he took charge of the farm and was married to Hattie, daughter of

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Daniel Hinkley; they have one adopted son, William Le Roy. His health failing, he removed to the village of Brookfield, and for a short time was engaged with D. F. Maine in his hardware store, but he soon returned to the farm, which he since, with his father, has managed. He is a Republican, and has been collector and high- way commissioner two years. J. H. and Alvin D. have been members of the board of the Agricultural Society of Brookfield, in which they take great interest.

Crandall, Irving A., p. o. Leonardsville, N. Y., was born in Brookfield, N. Y., Au- gust 5, 1848. His grandfather was William Crandall, a son of Henry and Mary (Greenman) Crandall, who were pioneers near Cazenovia, where they both died. He was born in Rhode Island during the Revolution and when a young man came to De Ruyter, where he resided through life; he was married to Lydia Greenman, and of their six children one son and one daughter survive; he died in 1856 and his wife in 1829. His son, Darwin S. Crandall, father of Irving A., was born in De Ruyter, January 22, 1816, and was a builder and contractor. He removed to Brookfield in 1838, and in 1848 to Leonardsville, where he resides. In 1838 he was married to Alzina, daughter of Phineas Babcock (a pioneer of Brookfield) and their children were four: Sarah A. (deceased), Irving A., Arthur W. and Alice W., wife of D. V. St. John of Plainfield, N. J. Irving A. Crandall was reared and educated in Leon- ardsville and at the age of sixteen began as a clerk for N. V. & W. H. Brand, with whom he remained two years, was with North & Babcock one year, a short time as assistant clerk in the county clerk's office, and in 1867 engaged in mercantile trade as a partner in the firm of Kinney & Crandall; after a year he bought his partner's in- terest and has since been the leading merchant in this section, having a trade of from $30,000 to $40,000 yearly. Mr. Crandall is a Republican, is serving his fourth term as postmaster, has been a member of the school board since the organization of the union school, and a deacon and trustee of the Leonardsville Seventh Day Bap- tist Church. In 1870 he was married to Algerose, daughter of John F. Higley of Syracuse, N. Y .; they have four children: Elva E., educated at Vassar College and wife of E. F. Champlain, druggist of Leonardsville; Ralph E., a student at Yale University; Mabel M., a graduate of Leonardsville union school, and Blanche, at home.

Carpenter, Austin B., p. o. Morrisville, sheriff of Madison county, was born in old historic Pompey, Onondaga county, July 3, 1861, and was the son of Major and Abi- gail Carpenter of that town. At the age of twenty-one Austin left home and went to De Ruyter, remaining one year, and them came to Morrisville, where he was jailor under Sheriff Underwood about eighteen months; later on he was village dep- uty sheriff and constable four years and then removed to Cazenovia, where he was deputy sheriff, town constable, and policeman for a term of eight years. In the fall of 1896 he was elected sheriff and according to the unanimous expression of the bar of the county is one of the most competent officers who ever filled that office. He thoroughly understands all the duties of the position, having been deputy sheriff thir- teen years, Of course Mr. Carpenter is a strong Republican. In 1885 he married Anna, daughter of Bartlett Fitzgerald of Morrisville. They have two children: Jennie L. and Blanche J.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Calkins, Caleb, a native of Holland, Erie county, N. Y., was born February 28, 1814, and in 1839 settled in Peterboro, Madison county. His father was David Cal- kins, who was a pioneer in Erie county, but removed to Iowa where he died. When Caleb Calkins located at Peterboro he entered the employ of Gerrit Smith, son of the founder of the town of Smithfield and the village of Peterboro. His excellent business ability, his industry and sterling integrity soon won the confidence of Mr. Smith, whose large landed and other interests required just such services as Mr. Calkins was able to render. He remained in Mr. Smith's employ until his death, January 24, 1892. Mr. Calkins was a Republican and was earnest and active in sup- port of the principles of the party. He served his town as Supervisor and in 1866 was a member of the State Legislature, in both of which positions he gained the commendation of his constituents. He married Mary W. Tracy and they had two children: Mary L. (deceased) and Tracy Calkins. Tracy Calkins was educated in Peterboro and in Allen's (West Newton) classical school. He assisted his father a number of years in connection with the affairs of Mr. Smith, and also was engaged for a time in the oil business. He is a respected citizen of Peterboro. He married June 6, 1888, Maggie E. Chalmers of Detroit, Mich.

Cleveland, C. A., p. o. Morrisville .- Dr. William Pitt Cleveland, who is recalled as one of the early and prominent physicians of Morrisville, was educated at Philadel- phia and came to Madison county about 1807. He lived at the county seat until his death, just previous to 1850. He married in 1808 Polly Lumbard, a daughter of Thomas Lumbard, the latter one of the pioneers who came to Eaton in 1803. Dr. Cleveland's children were Mary, who married William H. Chambers; Thomas L., and Sarah, the latter the wife of Harry Bicknell. Thomas L. Cleveland was a mer- chant at Eaton for a few years and then located at the county seat, where he was in business about thirty-five years. His wife was Susan Palmer, by whom he had four children: Mary L., William Pitt, Charles A., and Susie. Charles A. Cleveland has been one of the successful farmers of the town several years, but is best known as jailer in Morrisville, in which capacity he has served six years. He was constable of the town three years and in whatever position a trusted competent official. In 1880 he married Mary Wagner of Georgetown; they have three children.

Carpenter, George W., p. o. Chittenango Station, postmaster and merchant at Chit- tenango Station, was born at Orwell, Oswego county, N.Y., November 27, 1844, a son of Hannah and Reuben S. Carpenter. His paternal ancestors were from Con- necticut, and his parents were among the earliest settlers in Hamilton county. They came to this county in 1846, where Reuben died June 26, 1898, his wife still living at the old homestead. Mr. Carpenter's education was acquired chiefly at the common schools in this vicinity and in 1877 he opened a general store at Port Byron, N.Y., remaining there until 1887, when he engaged in business at this place. He has been successful in business and enjoys the esteem of all who know him. Various minor official positions had come to him prior to his appointment as postmaster at Chitte- nango Station in May, 1888. August 27, 1865, he married Mary E. Shaver of Sodus, N. Y. Their children are as follows: Kittie, born October 18, 1867; Frank B., born April 8, 1873; Elmer R., born April 16, 1878, and Charles S., born October 7, 1871,

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

and who died March 11, 1872. Mr. Carpenter's father, Reuben S. Carpenter, was born in the town of Hope, Montgomery county, N. Y., August 6, 1821. At the age of nineteen he purchased his time from his father and started in business for himself. He was a stonecutter by trade and went to work for the State on the Black River Canal, where he worked about a year. He then removed to Orwell, Oswego county, where he remained about two years. While at Orwell he was married to Hannah C. Pennock (a sister of the late Ebenezer Pennock). From Orwell he removed to Three River Point, where he resided about a year, removing from that place to Oak Hill. Here Mr. Carpenter was employed by Captain Cady, one of the pioneers of this town. When the Erie Canal was enlarged Mr. Carpenter removed to Bolivar, where he had charge of the work of obtaining stone for the bridge and culvert at that place. From Bolivar he removed to his late residence north of Chittenango Station, where he resided up to the time of his death. The "Squire," as Mr. Carpenter was known hereabouts, was in early life a Democrat, but became a Republican at the formation of that party and has since been an active member. Some years ago he was elected justice of the peace, which was the only office he ever held. The im- mediate vicinity of the "Station" at the time he came here was practically an un- broken forest, and Mr. Carpenter's reminiscences of the early days of his residence here were very interesting. In 1863 Mr. Carpenter went to the State of Ohio, re- maining there until 1864, when he was employed by the United States Government as foreman (with the rank of captain) in the government shipyards at Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until the close of the war, after which time he fol- lowed the business of carpenter and builder. Mr. Carpenter was the father of eight children, five of whom, George W .. Mrs. Mathew Chapley, Mrs. George Bender, Mrs. George Olmstead, and William E. Carpenter, together with his wife and a brother, George H. Carpenter of Sheboygan, Wis., survive him.

Cooper, Frank, p. o. Perryville, was born at Sharon, Wisconsin, February 9, 1849. When a boy his parents settled in Clockville, this county, where his boyhood was chiefly passed. He was educated at Yates Institute, Chittenango, then one of the foremost educational institutions of the county. Mr. Cooper's principal business is farming and he has speculated a good deal in live stock, etc. He was largely in- strumental in the erection of the handsome union school building and other enter- prises at Perryville. Mr. Cooper is active in local politics, yet by no means a parti- san. Various official positions have come to him, which he fills with dignity and credit. He was town assessor for six years, is now clerk of the Board of Education, a director of the Madison-Onondaga Mutual Fire Insurance Company, steward and trustee of the M. E. Church of Perryville, and for several years notary public. He married, October 5, 1876, Hattie P. Hamblen of Fenner, and their daughter, May, is now a teacher in Perryville Union School.

Couch, Mrs. Elsena M., p. o. Madison .- Anthony Howd came from Connecticut and setted in Stephentown, from which place he removed to Cazenovia. He was an early and successful farmer and also made potash, but had the misfortune to lose a leg through accident. He is also remembered as an early postman, carrying the mail over one of the stage routes. He married Martha Harrington of Rhode Island, and

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

came to Cazenovia on horseback; his children were Hannah, Laura, Harriet, Elsena, Samuel, Amy, Harry, John, Eli, and one other who died in infancy. Deacon Har- rington Marshall, who was born in Rhode Island in 1793, married Laura Howd and for a time lived in Cazenovia, removing thence to Chenango county, where he lived forty years and then returned to Cazenovia and there died in 1886. Their children were Sidney; Albert H., who entered the Universalist ministry and was for thirty- three years pastor of the church in Madison village and died February 16, 1892; Harriet E., Luther L., Elsena, who married Seymour Couch, the latter the eldest of seven children of Bradley Couch; Franklin A. of Co. I, 185th N. Y. Inf., who was killed in about the last battle of the war; William Harrison Anthony of Co B, 3d N. Y. Cavalry, and killed in the battle of the Wilderness. Mrs. Couch is the last of the family living, excepting her father's youngest brother, George Marshall of Chit- tenango.

Chafee, Hiram E., p. o. Siloam, was born in Eaton, July 19, 1851, a son of Thomas G. and Cassandria W. (Stone) Chafee, natives of Madison county, N.Y. Thomas G. was born at Westmoreland in 1822, and was a son of Joseph M. and Elizabeth (Grant) Chaphe, early settlers of Madison county. He was a farmer and died January 23, 1897. His wife survives him and lives at Morrisville. Hiram E. was educated in the common schools and is engaged in farming, making a specialty of fruit growing and berry raising. In January, 1872, he married Annie E., daughter of Edwin and Chloe (Hitchcock) Hinman, he a son of Grove and Cyrene (Palmer) Hinman, early settlers of Stockbridge, coming from Goshen, Conn. Edwin died June 15, 1859, and his wife March 25, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Chafee had nine children: Grace B., Cassan- dria A., Elsie M., Sylvia E., Arthur E., Thomas B., Gertrude B., Florence R. and Robert M. Grace B. is a graduate of Oneonta Normal School and is a teacher at Port Chester, Westchester county, N.Y. Cassandria was graduated from Eastman's Business College and is now a teacher in Eastman's Business Institute at New York city. Elsie M. was educated in Morrisville Union School and Oneonta Normal, and is now a teacher. Sylvia E. was educated at Morrisville and is now teaching.

Coe, Duane W., p. o. Peterboro, was born in Smithfield, January 3, 1847, a son of Eliashub E., and grandson of David Coe, who was born in Connecticut September 10, 1784, and came to Smithfield in 1802, where he died July 6, 1855; his wife was Ora Ellenwood, born in Clinton, N. Y., August 15, 1789, and died in Smithfield Feb- ruary 4, 1869. Eliashub E. was born on the old homestead in Smithfield, June 16, 1816. His wife was Susan D. Mathewson, born in Smithfield, October 28, 1817, a daughter of Winchester Mathewson, one of the first settlers of Smithfield. To Eli- ashub E. Coe and wife were born six children: Dumois H., born May 10, 1840, died November 5, 1841; Renaldo O., born September 6, 1842, and now lives in California; E. Emmons, born April 24, 1845; Duane W. (the subject); S. Cordelia, born June 15, 1849, married F. D. Miller of New York city; and J. Henrietta, born May 4, 1851, died December 20, 1855. Mr. Coe's maternal grandparents had fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. Eliashub E. Coe died December 31, 1887; his wife July 28, 1871. Duane W. Coe was educated in Peterboro Academy and con- ducts a farm of 153 acres, following dairying and sheep raising. March 23, 1869, he

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

married Florence J., daughter of Hugh and Mary McWilliams; they have three chil- dren: Augusta M., wife of Dr. H. C. Eschbach of Albia, Iowa (who have three children: Florence, Barbara and Martha); Florence C., and Hugh E. at home. Mr. Coe was a Democrat in early life, but a Republican since Garfield's administration. He has been justice of the peace sixteen years and attends and supports the M. E. church.

Cronk, Jeremiah, Lenox, was born in Columbia, August 16, 1822, a son of John (who died in Columbia county, N. Y.), and grandson of John Cronk, who spent his last days in Yates county. John Cronk, jr., was born in Columbia county, and died 1827. His wife was Maria Shaver; they had five children. Mrs. Cronk's second hus- band was Henry Coon; they had three children. Jeremiah Cronk was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1855 he came to Lenox and bought the farm he now owns of 115 acres, and in 1877 built a fine residence. In 1844 Mr. Cronk married Almira Wentworth, born in Schoharie county, May 2, 1822, a daughter of Henry Wentworth, and to them were born four children: John H., Edgar A., Theodore and Charles W. (deceased). In politics Mr. Cronk is a Democrat. John H. Cronk married Elsie Prosser and they have two children: Clifford W., and Wal- ter H. Edgar A. married Libbie Petrie and they have three children: Almira, Edgar and Asa R. Theodore married Mary Lewis and they have four children: Roy, Audry, Bessie and Clarie M.

De Lano, Milton, of Madison county, N. Y., son of Henry and Elizabeth De Lano, was born near Wampsville, Madison county, N. Y., August 11, 1844. His mother was born but a short distance from his birthplace in 1813. His father died at Canastota on Milton's fourteenth birthday, since which time the latter has wholly maintained himself. He received an ordinary education and was brought up a mer- chant's clerk and conducted a store for eight years. He was three times elected clerk of his native township, serving in 1867, 1868 and 1869, and was twice elected sheriff of his native county, serving in 1873, 1874, 1875, 1879, 1880, and 1881; he was a dele- gate from his native district to the National Republican Convention in 1884, his col- league being United States Senator Thomas C. Platt. He organized the Canastota Banking House in August, 1876, which he individually conducted until August, 1887, when he reorganized under the laws of New York State, naming the same "State Bank of Canastota," taking the cashiership thereof, which he has held since. He was elected from the Twenty-sixth New York District to the Fiftieth Congress and re-elected to the Fifty-first Congress as a Republican from his native district, embracing the counties of Broome, Chenango, Madison and Tioga. During the Fifty-first Congress he was chairman of the Committee on Pensions, and declined to be a candidate for renomination. He aided in enlarging the Canastota High School district in 1883, when he was elected a member of the Board of Education thereof and has been elected every three years to the same position, serving for eighteen consecutive years; since 1893 he has been president of said Board of Education.

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Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, Part 70

Author: Smith, John E., 1843- ed Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston, Mass.] : Boston History Company Number of Pages: 960

Author: Smith, John E., 1843- ed
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston, Mass.] : Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 960