Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, Part 71

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 71

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Dyer, Benjamin W., who died in Oneida, February 17, 1888, in the ninety-first year of his age, was for many years a well known and esteemed resident and citizen

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

in this vicinity. He was born in Petersburg, N. Y., in the year 1797, and when he was yet an infant his parents removed to the State of Vermont. He obtained the educational advantages afforded by the country schools of those days, and assisted in the conduct of his father's farm. In 1818, when twenty-one years old, he rode a horse, which was about his only possession, into Central New York, and secured em- ployment on the construction of the Erie Canal, under Cobb & Sage, well known contractors at Chittenango. It is related, that having constructed a section large enough to make it practicable to use a work boat or scow, they could find no one who possessed sufficient experience to operate the boat. It was suggested, however, that young Dyer could succeed if anybody, and he undertook the task, thus earning the title of " Captain " Dyer, by which he was known throughout the rest of his life. He was one of the first men to operate a boat on the canal, and of his experience with the work scow of Cobb & Sage, it said that he started with a team from Chittenango, but for three days did not get far enough away to prevent his returning to Chitten- ango to spend the night. For six years he was captain of a boat on the canal owned by Cobb & Sage. At that time the canal was used by many travellers, and he gained a wide acquaintance. He spent his winters at Albany, and in his wanderings through- out the capital grew to know by sight and even personally many of the great men of the time, including Aaron Burr, of whom he often related anecdotes. Subse- quently he was employed for a period by his brother-in-law, Harvey J. Cobb, as overseer on the Seneca Turnpike, and finally settled permanently in Wampsville, where he resided twenty-five years. During the first four years of this period he conducted a hotel, but this he closed, giving most of his attention to agricultural pur- suits. Mr. Dyer was a man of excellent judgment, and obtained a comfortable com- petency. He was a man of more than ordinary mind and ability; a great reader in his early life; his education was largely obtained from observation and practical ex- perience ; he was deeply interested in affording to his children the best educational advantages. He removed to Oneida in 1870, and lived quietly there until his death, making many friends, for he was a man of very genial nature. He was a lifelong Democrat but never sought or held public office. Mr. Dyer married in 1833, Mahala, a daughter of Pardon Barnard, an honored resident of the town of Lenox who lived and died at Quality Hill; was one of the earlier sheriffs of the county, and served two terms in the State Legislature. Six children were born of this union: Benjamin Nichols, for several years a druggist in Oneida, where he died; Hannah, who mar- ried Dwight Chapin of Oneida; Annette, who married Albert Purdy, a native of the town of Eaton, and now an artist of considerable reputation at Ithaca; Mary, who married Darius D. Jackson, a native of Oneida county who became a business man in New York city, where he died; Julia Dyer, first wife Darius D. Jackson, and Frank Dyer, both of whom died in 1870. Benjamin W. Dyer was a lineal descendant of William Dyer who emigrated from England in 1660 and settled in Providence, R. I. He married Mary Dyer, adopted daughter of his parents, who is strongly put forth by students of genealogy and historians as a daughter of Lady Arabella Stuart. If this supposition be correct the descendants of William and Mary Dyer are also de- scended from the noble family of Stuart. The Dyers were Quakers, and the Mary Dyer above mentioned was put to death on Boston Common for her firm and unyield- ing adherence to her religious beliefs.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Dunlap, Edward H., who died on his farm three miles southwest of the village of Vernon, February 28, 1889, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, was well known in this vicinity. He was born July 8, 1823, in Whitestown, Oneida county, N. Y., a son of Job and Sara (Baker) Dunlap. His father was a farmer and also conducted a gen- eral store at Bennett's Corners for several years. Mr. Dunlap resided on his father's farm until he was a young man, and attended the district schools. He finally went to Madison, Wis., where for several years he conducted a general store with his brother, Sylvester Dunlap. After his father's death he returned east and purchased the home farm, to which he added from time to time until he possessed 276 acres. He also held considerable land in the West. Mr. Dunlap was a man of good busi- ness ability and possessed the power of making money. He was engaged in a paint and wall paper business in the village of Oneida for about five years, after which he returned to his farm where he resided until his death. He was a Free and Accepted Mason, and a man of genial nature, well liked by all with whom he came in contact. He married Tryphena, daughter of Josiah Rawson of Bennett's Corners and one daughter was born to them: Ella Josephine, widow of Henry Thompson of Oneida.

Rawson, Josiah, who was a justice of the peace at Bennett's Corners for many years, and a well known and highly respected citizen of Madison county, died May 8, 1861. He was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from Edward Rawson, who came from England in 1636 and settled in Newbury in Massachusetts Bay Colony; was a man of importance in the colony, serving in many positions of public trust; town clerk, selectman, deputy to the General Court, etc., and held large grants of land. The line is as follows: Josiah (6): Josiah (5); Josiah (4); David (3); William (2); and Edward (1). Mr. Rawson was a native of New England; he married at Rich- mond, N. H., and later went to Richmond, Vermont, where he was several times a member of the State Legislature. He removed to Madison county in 1828 and en- gaged in farming near Bennett's Corners, where he resided until his death. Nine children were born to him, only one of whom survives, Tryphena, who resides in Oneida, the widow of Edward Dunlap.

Drake, Frank C., M. D., who has practiced medicine in Oneida for the past thir- teen years, was born in Topeka, Kansas, October 21, 1861, a son of D. D. and Rachel (Campbell) Drake. His father, also a physician, was a native of Oswego county, N. Y., and is now in practice at Johnstown, N. Y. Dr. Drake was educated at Colgate Academy and Syracuse University Medical Department, from which he was grad- uated M. D. with the class of 1886. After taking his degree he at once began prac- tice in Oneida. During 1893 he served as president of the village, and is now serv- ing as a member of the board of police and fire commissioners. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Oneida; a member of the New York State Medical Association, and member and for the past three years secretary of the Madison County Medical Society. He married in 1881 Ella De Forest Bates, daughter of James N. Bates of Oneida. One son has been born to them, James D. Drake.

Dewey, Manford J., son of Joel and Eliza (Greene) Dewey, was born in the town of Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., February 22, 1839. His father was a general

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

merchant and prominent citizen of Adams, served as justice of the peace for a period of fourteen years, and held other positions of public trust. Of his union with Eliza Greene five children were born, four of whom are now living: Marion M., widow of Julius Tanner; Marissa E., widow of D. M. Greene; Melvil Dewey, the well known secretary of the State Board of Regents, and originator of the modern public library system; and the subject of this notice. M. J. Dewey received an education confined to the common schools of his native town, and at an early age entered his father's business, becoming a salesman and book keeper. As a youth he evinced much natural musical ability, and his father sent him to Boston where he received a thor- ough musical training, and before he reached his majority became well known in the vicinity of Adams as a talented musician and a teacher of ability. He came to Oneida in May, 1866, and for a period of two years was employed as a salesman and teacher by William E. Pratt & Co .; giving lessons on the piano, organ, cornet, guitar, and violin, besides training different bands in the vicinity. In 1868, he severed his con- nection with this firm, began a similar business on his own account, and by industry and perseverance gained a flattering success in a surprisingly short time. He con- ducted his business in a systematic, thorough, and above all honest manner, from time to time added different lines to his stock, and is now one of the largest dealers in musical merchandise in Central New York. In connection with his Oneida store, he has also conducted branches in Utica, Lowville, Clayton, Hamilton, Cazenovia, and Camden. In 1872 he bought a plot of ground on the west side of Main street and erected the brick building known as the Dewey block, where he has since con- ducted his business. In 1884, while still engaged in building up his Oneida business, he purchased a factory at Bloomingdale, N. J., buying old rubber, which was ground to powder, vulcanized, and sold to manufacturers of rubber goods throughout the country to be mixed with new gum. In this enterprise he met with a large financial success. By virtue of his experience as a teacher and from the nature of his business, Mr. Dewey is well known throughout the wide area of the territory surrounding Oneida. He has been a recognized leader in musical circles, and for over a quarter of a century has played the organ professionally in different churches. He also lead the Oneida band for a period of ten years. As a citizen, he has been identified with and a generous supporter of the best interests of the village, especially the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he has been a prominent promoter. He was appointed president of the Sewer Commission in 1892, and served in that capacity five years. Since boyhood he has been a member of the Baptist church and is now serving as trustee and deacon of the Oneida church. Mr. Dewey first married in February, 1860, Almira R. Hall, daughter Thomas Hall of Wilna, N. Y., and of this union one daughter was born, now wife of Prof. Asa O. Gallup, president of the New York Preparatory School. In October, 1873, he married Charlotte Augusta Allen of Eaton, better known as Lottie Allen. Mrs. Dewey is a woman of great natural gifts and estimable character. She is widely known as a church and temperance worker, and served as president of the Oneida Woman's Christian Temperance Union for thirteen years. They have four children: Harry M., Agnes, George A. and Alta.

Dodge, Amos P., M. D., has practiced medicine in this vicinity for twenty-two years. He is a native of Herkimer county, born in Winfield, December 16, 1854, a

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

son of Sanders and Elizabeth (Prescott) Dodge. Dr. Dodge received his preparatory education at Clinton Liberal Institute, and in 1874 was graduated M. D. from the University of Maryland. He served as resident physician at the Albany City Hos- pital for one year; for one year in the hospitals of New York city; and began active practice in Oneida Castle, where he remained seventeen years, removing to Oneida village in 1895. He has served as division surgeon of the West Shore Railroad since it began operation; was pension examiner in this district for a period of eight years, and is at present health officer of the village of Oneida. He holds membership in the American Medical Association, New York State Medical Association, New York State Society of Railroad Surgeons, and the Madison County Medical Society. For seventeen years he was a member of the Oneida County Medical Society which he served as vice-president. He is also a member of Oneida Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M .; Doric Chapter, No. 180, R. A. M .; and the Knights of Pythias. Dr. Dodge married in 1881, Hattie A. Wells, daughter of C. H. Wells of Oneida Castle. One daughter was born of this union, Marion Prescott Dodge.

Davis, Ward Adams .- Joseph Davis, one of the early settlers of the town of Caz- enovia, was born in Shutesbury, Mass., November 20, 1800. In 1826 he came to Cazenovia and purchased a farm one and one-half miles south of Cazenovia village, since known as the Davis farm, and in 1827 brought his family to the farm where they lived and died. Mr. Davis married Mary Adams and eleven children were born to them, ten grew to maturity and eight are living at this date 1899. Two sons, William and Seymour, enlisted in the Civil war and Seymour died in November, 1862, of disease contracted in the army; William served through the war and was honorably discharged at the close. He is now living in Lekonsha, Mich., a farmer and respected citizen of his town. Three other sons live in Michigan, two sons and one daughter in Onondaga county, N. Y., and one daughter in Hadley, Mass., aged sixty years. Mrs. Davis died October 22, 1846, and Mr. Davis married second, Abbey Shapley, who now survives him; Mr. Davis died September 28, 1856. He was a kind neighbor and highly respected in his town. Ward Adams Davis, son of Joseph, was born September 14, 1835, and after his father's death assumed the man- agement of the home farm, which after a few years became his own. In September, 1858, Mr. Davis married Lucy S. Johnson, daughter of Henry A. Johnson of Cazeno- via; four children were born to them: Henry Ward, Harriet Ingersoll, William Adams and Seymour Harlam. Henry Ward is living in Syracuse, a teacher of music and is one of the finest organists in central New York; Harriet was educated in Caze- novia Seminary, taught school several years, was graduated from the Boston Cook- ing School and taught cooking in the Boston high schools until her death on March 14, 1893. She was greatly loved by all who knew her. William was educated in Cazenovia Seminary, studied medicine in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for two years and Bellevue Medical College (N. Y.) one year. After receiving his diploma he practiced in Lebanon for less than one year and then removed to New Woodstock in the spring of 1890, and died there the following October. Seymour is assisting on the home farm. Mrs. Davis died June 18, 1872; she was a kind and faithful wife and mother and was greatly esteemed by all who knew her. On Janu- ary 31, 1877, Mr. Davis married Maria S. Jones; they have one daughter, Flora Spen-

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

cer, born December 20, 1879. Mr. Davis is an active, industrious farmer and takes pride in having his place look tidy and neat. In politics he is a Republican, having voted for all the Republican candidates for president since the formation of the party, from John C. Fremont to William Mckinley. Mr. Davis has served his town twelve years as highway commissioner and has been identified with the Presbyterian church for nearly half a century.

Damon, Edwin S., Cazenovia, only son of O. Putnam and Cecilia (Perkins) Damon, was born in the house which has always been his home, March 22, 1850. His grand- father, Daniel Damon, who purchased the farm where Luther Thompson now lives, was one of the earliest settlers of this town, coming in from Massachusetts. He became a large farmer and a man of importance in the community. Edwin S. Damon was educated in the common schools and at Cazenovia Seminary. He has always been engaged in farming, living on a farm of 195 acres and doing a large dairy busi- ness. In politics Mr. Damon is a Republican and has held various town offices. He is a member of the New Woodstock Baptist church, and one of the representative citizens of the town of Cazenovia. He married, in 1872, Mary L. Freeborn; daughter of Leonard Freeborn of Cazenovia. Of this union are two sons: Frank L. and E. Glen, both of whom reside at home. O. Putnam Damon was born in Cazenovia, where he always lived, October 21, 1815, and died honored and respected by all who had known him, May 30, 1884, aged sixty-eight years.

Davis, I. Willis, p. o. Cazenovia, was born February 25, 1839, on the farm where he resided until his death, March 3, 1899, a son of Joel and Phoebe (Lounsberry) Davis. They had three children: I. Willis, Annie D., wife of Samuel Cody, and Alta, all born on the farm where I. Willis resided. Joel was a son of Isaac and Eunice Davis, who came from Connecticut and settled on the farm where Mr. Davis lived about 1779. They had four children: Joel, Calvin, Mary and Candica. Isaac and Moses Davis, two brothers, came from Connecticut and took up about 200 acres of land, which is the farm on where Mr. Davis resided. Isaac was in the war of 1812 and contracted a disease from which he died in 1821. I. Willis Davis was educated in the schools of Fenner and Cazenovia Seminary. His early life was spent on the farm with his father, who died in 1881 and Willis took charge of the estate. Decem- ber 21, 1864, he married Helen L., daughter of Ross and Betsey (Gates) Wilber and had six children; Herbert C., J. Ross, Mary E., Henry W., Byron B., and Robert W., who were all born on the homestead. Mr. Davis was a public spirited man and always took an active part in town and county affairs; he was also active in school and educational work; was a member of the Baptist church of Fenner and its oldest deacon, which position he held for twenty years; he was also its trustee many years and a teacher in the Sunday school.

Danehy, John, p. o. Peterboro, was born in Ireland, November 16, 1860, a son of Cornelius and Nora (Walsh) Danehy, who came to Madison county with their family about 1865. They had nine children: John, Thomas, Nora, William, Peter, Timothy, Mary Ellen, Julia, and Cora, all of whom were natives of the county with the excep- tion of John and Thomas. They located, when they came from Ireland, near Peter-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

boro, and followed farming. John was educated in the common schools of Smithfield and Peterboro Academy. His early life was spent on the farm with his father, and when he was twenty-five years of age he started in life for himself as a farmer. In 1890 he married Julia, daughter of Timothy and Julia Danehy, and they have four children: Anges, Cornelius, Esther, and Lester, aud one deceased, named Leo, all of whom were born on the farm where he now resides. Mr Danehy is interested in town and county affairs and has held several of the appointive offices. He has been active in school work, having held most of the school offices. He is a member of the Catholic church of Cazenovia, in which his family takes a deep interest.

Darrow, J. J., p. o. West Eaton .- David Darrow was the pioneer head of one of the most respected of the early families in this county, and was a native of Columbia county, born in March, 1782. He was the son of George Darrow, a native of Con- necticut and a patriot of the Revolution, but a resident of New York after about 1750. David Darrow contracted for land in Eaton in 1804, then returned east to marry and bring back to the new country a young wife; but sickness detained him until 1806, and when he finally came to this vicinity he was accompanied by his wife and their infant child, Sophronia. Mr. Darrow lived on the old farm until 1834, then removed to West Eaton, where he died in 1870. He was a successful farmer and acquired a competency, and in town affairs he was one of the prominent figures of the locality. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Enos; she died in 1839. Their children were Sophronia, who married Anthony Hopkins, and who died in 1896, aged ninety- one; Joseph E., whose early life was spent on the farm, but who was a prosperous merchant at West Eaton nearly fifty years, and who died in 1892; Henrietta, who married and still lives in the town; George W., who went to Buffalo in 1864 and met a tragic death in 1871; Caroline, who married Ira B. Tayntor and died in 1857; Fred- erick M., a farmer, who died in 1896; David M., a farmer, who died in 1888; William, who died in infancy; Mary E., who was twice married and now lives in Hamilton; William H., who lived in Eaton, then removed to Cazenovia and died there in 1878, and John J., a successful farmer of Eaton. In 1840 David Darrow married Thankful Bigelow, who bore him no children. She died in 1882. John J. Darrow, who now owns the old homestead formerly occupied by his father, was born in Eaton, October 28, 1830, and was educated at Morrisville, Eaton and De Ruyter academies and Caze- novia Seminary. He taught school several years and has since been a farmer, being recognized as one of the most industrious and successful agriculturists in the county. In 1859, he married Laura, daughter of Daniel Fuller of Eaton. His wife died in 1860, after which he married Marcia V. Blair of Cazenovia, by whom he had five children, four of whom are now living. His second wife died in 1880, and in 1889 Mr. Darrow married Lucinda Morse Bailey of Eaton. Mr. Darrow was one of the original members of the Republican party in his town, and has held the offices of town superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, assessor and railroad commis- sioner for thirty years. For more than fifty years he has been a member of the M. E. church, having been trustee and treasurer and also having been superintendent of the Sunday school forty-two years.

· Dexter, Edwin N., p. o. Morrisville, who since 1887 has been in general mercantile

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

business at Morrisville, and who during that time has established one of the most substantial interests of the county seat, was the youngest of the children in the fam- ily of William Dexter of Stockbridge. William Dexter came to the county when a young man, and is remembered as a cabinet maker and undertaker in his town. His wife was Fanny Harrington, and to them these children was born: Florence of Mor- risville; Clarence W., of Munnsville; Charles H., a well known school teacher; Fanny, wife of Rev. J. H. Zartman; Eunice, who died when a child, and Edwin N., now of Morrisville. The well known firm of C. W. Dexter & Bro. was established at Munnsville in 1883, and was continued with good results until 1887, when Edwin N. Dexter sold out and came to Morrisville. He first bought a small store " on the hill," where he did business until 1890, when he removed to the old Townsend site " on the flats," in the village and where his greatest business success has been achieved; it is not an idle compliment to say that Mr. Dexter is regarded as one of the most pros- perous merchants in this county. On July 23, 1885, he married Dora H. Lyman of Stockbridge, by whom he has four children. Mr. Dexter is a firm Republican, but not active in politics. He is a member and trustee of the Congregational Church.

Darrow, C. F., p. o. Middletown, N. Y .- William Harrison Darrow, the youngest of the children of David and Elizabeth (Enos) Darrow, was born at West Eaton, N. Y., in 1826 and died in 1878, at Cazenovia. His early life was spent in Eaton as a farmer on the old homestead until about 1866, when he became a member of the firm of Barnes, Mitchell & Darrow, who for some time operated the lower woolen mill at West Eaton. He then sold out his interest and removed to a farm near Cazenovia, where he engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He was a progressive and very successful farmer and an upright and respected citizen. His wife was Margaret A., daughter of James Tackabury and Anna Belton, one of the old and respected families of the county, of Scotch Irish descent. They had children: Charles F., born 1857, of Middletown, N. Y., who is secretary of The Breed Publishing Co. ; Robert Irving, born 1860, who has a position on the editorial staff of the Denver Republican, Denver, Col .; William J., born 1865, a successful teacher at Westwater, Utah; and George Harrison, and Frank D., twin sons born 1870. The latter are treasurer and secretary of the Westwater Irrigation and Land Co., a corporation which is exten- sively engaged in developing a large fruit tract in the Grand Valley and in cattle raising; this corporation is controlled by the sons of William Harrison Darrow, who also conduct a general mercantile business under the firm name of Darrow Bros. Their mother, a woman of strong intellect and beautiful character, resides (1899) at Denver, Colo.

De Witt, George W., p. o. Chittenango, the popular and efficient town clerk of Sul- livan, was born in this vicinity May 5, 1837. His father, William De Witt, a mer- chant, died on January 6, 1860. Mr De Witt has been a resident of the village of Chittenango about seven years. Formerly he conducted a grocery at Bolivar, on the line of the Erie Canal, and did a large business in the palmier days of that great waterway. Mr. De Witt has always resided in the town of Sullivan and has filled various public offices with credit, the first being that of town collector in 1866, He was elected town clerk in 1896 and has continued to hold that position. February

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Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, Part 71

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