USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 79
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Preston, George, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., September 7, 1841. His father, John Preston, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to the United States in 1836. He married Elizabeth Swales, and through life was engaged in farming and milling : he died in 1880. George Preston was educated in the common schools, and learned the milling trade of his father. In 1865 he established a business for him-
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self in Sodus, Wayne county, N. Y. ; in 1878 he went to Belleville, Ont., in 1888 to Oswego, and in 1890 came to Canastota and purchased the Eagle Mills and is mak- ing a specialty of high grade flour. In 1870 Mr. Preston married Annie E., daughter of Stephen G. Weaver. Mr. Preston is one of the self-made men of Madison county, taking an active interest in school and church matters, and is recognized as a man of conservative character and sterling integrity, who has ever advanced the best inter- est of his town and town's people.
Perry, Eugene M., p. o. Georgetown .- Prominent among the successful business men of the village of Georgetown none is more conspicuous than Eugene M. Perry. He is a native of Madison county, born in Georgetown, July 11, 1845, the only son of Charles L. and Charlotte C. (Niles) Perry. His father was born in Fabius, Onon- daga county, and his grandfather, John Perry, a native of New England, was one of the early settlers of Fabius. Charles L., father of Eugene M., spent his boyhood on the farm and later learned the harness-making trade in Pompey, after which he carried on a business for himself in Georgetown and later in De Ruyter. He also kept a public house while a resident of De Ruyter. From there he removed to Ham- ilton and kept the Park Hotel for two years, when he returned to Georgetown and opened and conducted a harness shop, in which he was engaged a number of years. He afterward returned to De Ruyter, where he died in May, 1887, from the effects of a kick from a horse. He married Charlotte C. Niles, a native of Lebanon, and daughter of Luther and Chloe C. (Gray) Niles, who were pioneers of that town. They had two children: Chloe Adellah (Mrs. T. A. Wilson) of Hamilton, and Eu- gene M. Until nineteen years of age Eugene M. Perry lived at home, attending school and assisting his father in his shop. The war of the Rebellion was now in progress and young Eugene, animated by patriotic ardor and enthusiasm, enlisted in the Oneida Cavalry, his regiment being stationed for a time at City Point, Va. This was in August, 1864, and in the spring of 1865 they marched to Richmond, and thence to Washington. The following May he was honorably discharged and returned home. He then entered his father's shop where he worked until 1870, and in 1871 opened a harness-making shop on his own account, which he successfully conducted until December, 1893. Having been elected sheriff of the county the month previous he, in January, removed to Morrisville to assume the duties of his office. On January 19, 1871, he married Achsah A., daughter of Edwin R., and Mary J. (Sherril) Niles. They have one child, a son, Harold R., born September 24, 1882, who is now attending the Georgetown Union Free School. On January 1, 1897, Mr. Perry returned to Georgetown and resumed his harness business, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He is in the full prime of manhood, active, energetic and of unmistakable business ability; he is a man of genial and pleasing manner and the highest personal integrity. Politically he is a Republican and has held the office of town collector, constable, clerk and supervisor. He was a member of the Republican county committee three years, elected supervisor in 1892, and re- elected in 1893, serving on the committees on equalization, sheriff's and jailer's ac- counts, apportionments and loans, etc. He was a charter member of Cautious Lodge, No. 726; F. & A. M., and its master for two years. He is also a member of Carey W. Miner Post, No. 624, G. A. R., was officer of the day for two years, after
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which he was elected to the office of senior vice-commander, after which he was elected to the office of commander. Mr. Perry takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of education, and was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Georgetown Union Free School, and has since been elected one of the board of trustees. Of Mr. Perry, who was born and reared in Georgetown, it should be further said that his record as a county and town official has always been of the highest character.
Price, George H., p. o. Sheds .- New York State is probably the leading State in the Union in hop culture, and Madison, moreover, one of its most productive coun- ties. Prominent among the most successful hop growers of this county noneis more conspicuous than George H. Price. He is a son of William E. and Jane (Colier) Price, and was born in the town of Otselic, Chenango county, N. Y., January 17, 1856. The rudimentary education of the district school was all that he was able to obtain, but he made the best use of his limited opportunities and at least laid a sub- stantial foundation for the fund of information which he has since acquired by ex- perience and observation. He assisted his father in the farm work until he was mar- ried, when he started out for himself. He married, March 6, 1878, Anna Maxson, who died in October, 1881. There were born to them two children: Lena, born Feb- ruary 5, 1879, and Eva, born September 8, 1880. On July 3, 1882, Mr. Price married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Evans) Jones, who has borne him three children: Jennie A., born February 3, 1883; Nina M., born April 27, 1887; and Flor- ence, born February 27, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the M. E. church. In politics he is a Republican, but is not an office seeker. An upright, honorable, conscientious man, he has the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, irrespec- tive of creed or party.
Rouse, H. J., justice of the peace, was born in Cazenovia, July 31, 1856, the oldest son of George L. and Jane (Corwin) Rouse. He was educated at Cazenovia Semi- nary and for a number of years was engaged in the wholesale dry goods business in New York city. In 1888 he returned to Cazenovia to assist in the management of his father's business interests, and since the latter's death has been manager for the Cazenovia Coal & Lumber Co.
Rouse, George L., who died in Cazenovia October 5, 1889, was one of Cazenovia's foremost citizens and business men, a member of the old firm of Hobbie & Rouse. For many years he was one of the most prominent men of the village; a trustee for a long period of the seminary to which he gave, not only faithful service as trustee, but material aid in times of need; a member of the board of education for many years; and the representative of this district in the State Legislature for one term. He also held at various times village offices, but in his later years became displeased with the current political methods and refused to accept office of any kind. In his business life he was all that could be desired, and the firm of Hobbie & Rouse at- tained considerable success and popularity throughout the entire region. He was a faithful citizen, full of public spirit and possessed of qualities which endeared him to all. After his death the trustees of the seminary and the village paid him merited
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tributes, for his usefulness to both had been great. He was a consistent christian, a member of the Baptist church. Of his union with Jane Corwin three sons were born: H. J. and E. C. Rouse, both in business in Cazenovia, and George H. Rouse, (deceased).
Rich, James W., p. o. Peterboro, was born in Smithfield, May 25, 1849, a son of Reuben, and grandson of Reuben Rich, born in Connecticut, October 5, 1779, who came to Smithfield when a young man and there died in 1854; his wife was Lucinda Ford, born March 17, 1781. Mr. Rich's father, Reuben Rich, was born in Smithfield, November 12, 1805, and was a farmer. He married Charlotte Coeman, daughter of Samuel Coeman, by whom he had five children, four now living. Mr. Rich died in August, 1883, and his wife July 4, 1862. James W. Rich was reared on a farm, was educated in the common schools and has been engaged in farming, hop growing and dairying, having a farm of 116 acres. In politics Mr. Rich is a Republican and has served as highway commissioner. September 19, 1877, he married Abbie, daughter of Monroe, and granddaughter of Giles Harrington, an early settler in Lenox. Mr. and Mrs. Rich had two children: Ximena L., born November 24, 1883, and Stewart C., born December 13, 1886.
Richardson, A. E., p. o. Eaton .- Lemuel Richardson was born in Keene, N. H., August 22, 1771, and emigrated to New York previous to the opening of the present century in company with his four brothers, Benjamin, Eri, Asa, and Eldad. They settled in Nelson and were pioneers in that town. All were young and un- married men and were descendants of Samuel Richardson who came to America from Kent, England, in 1630, in Gov. Winthrop's historic company, landing at Salem, Mass., and thence removing to Charlestown. The brothers who settled in Nelson were five generations from the American colonizer. Lemuel and Eldad settled on the lot on which they ever afterward lived; Lemuel became forehanded and died August 7, 1832. His wife was Cynthia Buck, and these children were born to them: Laura, Julia, Louisa, Mary, Lucinda, Harriet, Ira and Albert F. The latter of these chil- dren married Lucetta Colson and died October 13, 1856; his life was spent in Nelson. His only child was Albert Eugene Richardson, one of the best known citizens of Eaton and for many years connected with the once noted engine works of that vil- lage. He was born June 8, 1848, and passed his young life on a farm. His father died when Albert E. was eight years old, upon which the family came to Eaton and afterward lived in the village. Albert was educated in the union school and also at Waterville Academy, after which he was employed as clerk in a drug store and also worked on a farm at $4 per month. When seventeen he began work for Wood, Tabor & Morse at seventy-five cents per day, doing chores and boy's work about the shops, but his industry and aptness were rewarded by promotion through various grades of mechanical work until 1874, when he was made superintendent of the en- tire mechanical department and was an important factor in the company's success, having during three years become a practical and skilled engine builder and also a draftsman of considerable ability. The works were closed in 1893 and in the follow- ing year he was President Cleveland's appointee as postmaster at Eaton village, holding office until April 15, 1898, Mr. Richardson has always been a Democrat,
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firm though consistent, but never intruding with his views upon unwilling listeners. For twenty years he was a trustee of his school district; was one of the advocates of the present union school system and since its inauguration has been president of the board of education Both he and his family are members of the Baptist church. On April 5, 1871, Mr. Richardson married Emeline Ophelia, daughter of Rev. M. L. Bennett. They have one son, Linnwood A. Richardson. Benjamin Richardson, the pioneer, married Dolly Olcott, and lived and died in Nelson. His children were Ira, Eri, Nelson, Benjamin, Barzilla, William, Dolly, James and Savilla. Asa, the pioneer, married Roxana Morse; their children were Roena, Cromwell, Arabella, Angeline, Chancellor, Jane, Roxana, Hiram, and Emeline. Eri, the pioneer, mar- ried Polly Brown; their children were Eri, Polly, Alvin, Edward, Eldad, Benjamin, Hiram, Cynthia, Miranda and John. Eldad, the pioneer, married, first, Lydia Fisk, and had one child .. His second wife was Happy Brown, by whom he had Ira, Rhoda, Levi, George and Johanna.
Rowlands, J. W., p. o. Hamilton, was born in the town of Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., a son of William O., and Mary (Richards) Rowlands, natives of Wales, who came to America in June, 1842. J. W. Rowlands was educated in the district schools and Utica Business College. He then followed farming for ten years, after which he was a cattle dealer for two years, then embarking in the furniture and undertaking business, of which he has made a marked success. He carried on the business alone for a time and then in partnership with W. E. Brown for seven years. After this partnership was dissolved the firm of Rowlands & Beal was formed, the junior part- ner being George Beal. Mr. Rowlands is a member of both the Masonic fraternity and the order of Odd Fellows. In 1867 he married Elizabeth C. Van Heusen.
Roberts, De Witt Clinton, p. o. Peterboro, was born on the farm where he now re- sides, June 3, 1842, a son of Hiram and Thankful (Humphrey) Roberts. They had seven children: Susanna H. (deceased); Lucretia L. (deceased), who married Cor- poral Stephen L. Smith, who was killed at the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., and was a member of the 8th Michigan Regiment of Infantry in the war of 1861-65; George W. (deceased); Irving L., Jay H., Lorain A., and De Witt C. Hiram Roberts was a native of the town of Fenner and born on the farm where De Witt C. now lives; he was a son of Amasa and Keturah (Lindsey) Roberts. Their children were Jesse, born October 9, 1788, died June 24, 1852; Alvory, born December 1, 1790, died Feb- ruary 14, 1849; Susanna, born November 3, 1792, died January 19, 1855; Alice, born February 6, 1795, died June 1, 1869; Amasa, jr., born December 5, 1796, died April 2, 1849; Hiram, born August 31, 1798, died June 20, 1874; and Jared, born February 8, 1804, died April 15, 1885. Amasa, senior, moved from Bristol, Hartford county, Conn., with his three oldest children and settled at Brothertown, N. Y., between 1792 and 1795, and shortly after moved to Madison county, where he died in 1810, at fifty-two years of age. Alvory was in the war of 1812 and was located at Sackets Harbor. Jay H. enlisted in 1861 in the 12th N. Y. Regiment, but was discharged in a short time on account of ill health. De Witt C. Roberts was a member of the State National Guards. He was educated in the schools of the town of Fenner and Cazenovia Seminary. He was associated with his father in business until his father's
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death, when he purchased the estate from the heirs, where he now resides and fol- lows general farming. He has been actively interested in town and county affairs and has been assessor of his town three years; has always been active in promoting education and has been clerk of the school board for about twenty years.
Rightmyer, Dennison R., p. o. Munnsville, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1832, a son of John D., and grandson of David C. Rightmyer, a native of Scho- harie county, who came to Herkimer county in 1800. The family is of Holland de- scent and were among the first settlers of Albany. John D. was a farmer by occu- pation and died in Little Falls in 1861; his wife was Nancy Staring. Dennison R. Rightmyer received a limited education and at twelve years of age started in life for himself. He was on the canal for several years and also spent several years in New York city. In 1868 he located in Onondaga county and engaged in hotel work in the town of Manlius, at Fayetteville and Kirkville. In 1875 he came to Munnsville and bought the American Hotel which is now known as Hotel Rightmyer. Mr. Right- myer married Louisa Hall, who died August 24, 1898. Mr. Rightmyer is a member of Oneida Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M. and Oneida Chapter R. A. M .; also of Pros- perity Lodge No. 484, I. O. O. F., being a charter member. In politics he is inde- pendent, but not an aspirant to office. Mr. Rightmyer's father was supervisor of Manheim, Herkimer county, and a justice about thirty years. His great-grand- father was a captain in the Revolutionary war.
Rogers, J. F., p. o. Hamilton, was born in Chenango county, N.Y., a son of Jo- seph F. and Catherine (Pickett) Rogers. His grandfather, Joseph S. Rogers, was a native of Connecticut. Mr. Rogers was educated in the district schools and at Ox- ford Academy. He was reared on a farm and pursued that vocation until Decem- ber 1, 1884, when he located in Hamilton and entered the employ of Bartle & Beal, remaining with them five years. He was subsequently associated with his brother in the meat business for two years, and on August 1, 1893, he embarked in the bak- ery business. He now conducts the only bakery and ice cream parlor in Hamilton. Mr. Rogers is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Select Knights. He married Lois M. Miner, and they have one daughter, Bertha M.
Robbins, Herman D., son of Dexter and Hannah (Robbins) Robbins, was born near Durhamville, this county, November 19, 1858. His father was a native of Duns- table, Mass., and his grandfather was one of the earliest settlers of this region, whither he removed from Springfield, Mass., in 1838; he cleared part of a farm of sixty acres, and afterward purchased forty acres of the Hulbert farm, making his holdings about one hundred acres. Of the union of Dexter Robbins and Hannah Robbins two children were born: Ella, who married in April, 1887, Fred Metz of. Minoa; she died August 3, 1889, leaving one child, Eldred Robbins Metz, and the subject of this notice. Herman D. Robbins was educated at the Cherry street school in Oneida and later graduated from the Utica Business College. During his life he has been engaged in the occupation of farming, and now owns and occupies the farm purchased by his grandfather in 1838 and which has often been called the "banner farm" of that section. In politics he has been a consistent Democrat and
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has served in minor town offices. He married, in 1883, Martha Belle Olcott, a daughter of Gurdon Olcott of Durhamville. Five children have been born of this union: Florence Bertha, Herman Dexter, Harriet Frances, Hulbert Olcott and Sarah Belle.
Reidy, John, p. o. Morrisville .- David Reidy was a native of County Kerry, Ire- land, and came to the United States in 1837, settling at Eaton village, where he was a cattle buyer for Alpheus Morse & Brother. After about five or six years he moved to Morrisville and was connected with the Tillinghast tannery seventeen years. Later on he was sexton of the village cemetery and also worked a small farm; he died in the village October 19, 1882, and is remembered as an industrious, upright citizen. His wife was Mary Yoar of Cazenovia. Their children were John, William H., David S., Patrick H., Mary, Thomas F., Catherine Y. and Alice M. John Reidy was born in Eaton, March 18, 1855. He was educated in the Morrisville Union School, after which he learned the harness maker's trade with Edward Barnard. In 1877 he began business for himself as one of the firm of Stevenson & Reidy, but four years later Mr. Reidy succeeded the firm. He has since conducted the business with a fair degree of success and in 1895 erected the Reidy Block, the largest and most pretentious business building in the village. In political life Mr. Reidy has not been a passive factor, and while he is a member of the minority party in the county and town where he has been the candidate of his party for public office, he has invariably run ahead of his ticket. On December 9, 1893, he was appointed postmaster of Morrisville and served until July 1, 1898. On October 21, 1880 Mr. Reidy married Lilla S., daughter of Joseph Tooke, and they have one child.
Riddell, Mrs. E. L., p. o. Chittenango, is the widow of the late William Wallace Riddell, who was born and died in that village and spent most of his life there. Mr. Riddeli was a man of sterling worth, quiet and unassuming. His business was farming and he was successful in acquiring a competence and left a pleasant home to the companion of his mature years. While he was politically a strong partisan, yet to him men and measures were always more than party. In every way he was an honorable and respected citizen. His death occurred April 11, 1888, at sixty-seven years of age. Mrs. Riddell was before her marriage Elizabeth L. Ellis, daughter of Ira and Mercy Ellis of Athol, Mass. Mrs. Ellis was the sister of Hon. Timothy Jenkins of Oneida Castle, N. Y. She has always resided in Chitte- nango since her marriage to Mr. Riddell in 1880.
Root, Solomon, was one of the pioneers of Madison, having come from Connecti- cut with one Coolidge, at a very early day and made a settlement at Bouckville. He was also the pioneer of the hop industry in the town and in all respects an earnest, worthy developer. He died in the town. His children were Lyman, Hiram (who died in the army during the war of 1861-65), Solomon, jr., Susan (who married Henry Lewis), Mary (who married Rev. Mr. Peck), and Ann (who married Rev. Thomas H. Pearue). Solomon Root was the founder of the M. E. church in Bouckville and in allusion to him the first house of worship was known as " Root's Chapel." He was also prominent in all public affairs and one of the foremost men of the town for many
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years. Lyman Root, son of the pioneer, was an early village merchant and built the store now occupied by his son. He was in trade about twenty years and had several partners. His first wife was Miss Putnam, who bore him no children; his second wife was Phoebe Gernsey, by whom he had three children: Frances (now Mrs. A. J. Cushman), George H., and one who died in infancy. Lyman Root died in 1855. George H. Root was born May 18, 1850, and acquired his early education in Hamilton Union School. He obtained a mercantile education as clerk for Lane & Higgins, R. B. Lane and J. S. Lucas. He then spent four years in Wisconsin, re- turning to Madison in 1875, and in the next year formed a mercantile partnership with A. J. Cushman that continued until 1893, when Mr. Root became sole proprie- tor. He is a strong Republican, active in town and village affairs, but seeks no polit- ical office. He was a member of the board of education eight years and is now its treasurer. For many years he has been a member of the M. E. church. On Janu- ary 26, 1876, Mr. Root married Eda, daughter of Benjamin King of Chenango county. They have two sons: Charles and Walter, both students in Syracuse University. Justus Root, brother to Solomon, was also an early settler near Bouckville and lived and died in that vicinity. His wife was Sally Griswold; their children was Justus, jr., Aurora, Daniel, Josiah, Lucinda, Lurancy, Reuben and George, nearly all of whom emigrated to other localities and settled.
Richards, Wellington R., was born in the town of Nelson, August 7, 1855, a son of William and Margaret (Roberts) Richards, who had ten children as follows: Edward (who died in infancy); Nelson E., Wellington R., Edwin W., Newton D., Milton H., W. Lincoln, Everet B., Margaret E., and John G. Mr. Richards's grandfather, Ed- ward Richards, emigrated to Oneida county from Wales in 1840. William and Mar- garet moved from Oneida county and settled near the eastern Welsh Church about 1854. By occupation he followed farming, and speculated in farm produce, making a specialty of dairy products. He was the owner of seven creameries in Madison county ; also interested in commission business with F. W. Moore of Syracuse, and ran a general store at Nelson. Mr. Richards was active in town affairs, being asses- sor of Nelson many years. Wellington R. Richards was educated in the common schools of the town of Nelson and Cazenovia Seminary. He was associated with his father until his father's death on June 19, 1894. In 1889 he formed a co-partnership with his father in general merchandise business at Nelson, which continued until his father's death, since which time he has carried on the business alone. Mr. Richards is the executor of his father's estate, which consists of a large amount of property, Mr. Richards is a member of the Welsh Congregational church, and interested in school and educational work. In his early life when associated with his father, he was his bookkeeper and head manager of his creamery business.
Reeve, Jonas L., was born in the town of Nelson, August 14, 1828, a son of James and Malinda (Lovejoy) Reeve, who had three children: Remsey, Jonas L., and Silas A., all born in the town of Nelson. Mr. Reeve's early life was spent on the farm with his father. He was educated in the Temple school, and also attended at Morris- ville. When twenty-one years of age he married Maranda, daughter of Abner Love- joy and Maranda (Reeve) Lovejoy; they have one child, Minnie, who was educated
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at Erieville, and De Ruyter. Mr. Reeve is a farmer and builder, James was a son of Silas and Phoebe, who came from Long Island. Silas's father was one of three brothers who came from England and during the Revolutionary war were residents of Long Island. Silas's children were Keturah, born November 25, 1792, died May 29, 1830; Huldah, born August 26, 1795, died September 15, 1796; James born Sep- tember 14, 1797, died January 4, 1856; Harriet, born November 1, 1799, died Septem- ber 12, 1879; Herman, born January 8, 1802, died June 1, 1848; Maria, born June 25, 1804, died September 11, 1855; Maranda, born April 12, 1806, died November 21, 1830; Mary, born June 12, 1808, died June 1, 1838; and Sally, born May 1, 1813, died No- vember 16, 1877. Silas by trade was a wheelwright and cabinet maker, which trade he taught his sons. He was also interested in farming. He was one of the early settlers of the town of Nelson. He was also prominent in church circles, and was a deacon in the Baptist church in this place a good many years, until his death, which occurred September 28, 1851.
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