USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 84
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Weaver Bros., p. o. Valley Mills .- This firm is composed of Jacob J. and Harmon Weaver, sons of Jacob J., who was born in Albany county, N. Y., in 1801, and came to Stockbridge about 1840 and settled the farm the Weaver Bros. now own, and here died July 29, 1875. His wife was Louisa, daughter of Zachariah Weaver, an early settler of Vernon. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver had eleven children, of whom eight are now living. Jacob J. Weaver, jr., was born in Stockbridge, March 13, 1855, was educated in the common schools, and on February 8, 1888, married Ida Lampson, daughter of Ira M. and Julia A. (Miller) Lampson, who came from Utica to Oneida, N. Y. Harmon Weaver was born January 1, 1852, and was educated in the common schools. He married Maria Veeder and they have three children: Ella, Mary and Willie. The Weaver Bros. have 180 acres of land and follow hop growing and dairying.
White, C. C., p. o. Stockbridge, one of the most successful business men of Stock- bridge, was born in that town, November 19, 1834, a son of Henry and Hettie (Ben- nett) White, natives of Oswego county, N. Y. In 1834 they came to Stockbridge, where he died in 1847, aged fifty-two years, and his wife died at the age of sixty-one. Mr. White's grandfather was Zadoc White, who lived and died in New York State. C. C. White was educated in the common schools and began life as a cabinet maker and undertaker, which business he followed very successfully thirty-nine years. He was very popular and his business extended over considerable territory. Not being
135
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
able to endure the work he sold out in 1891 and in 1896 engaged in the hardware business. Mr. White is an ardent Democrat and has been assessor five years. He is a member of Prosperity Lodge No. 484, I. O. O. F. He has been twice married; first, to Eliza Cramer, by whom he had two children: Mary A. and Theodore. His second wife was Lucy C. Bishop, by whom one child has been born to them, Alma B. Mr. White owns a farm of 168 acres of land, besides his property in Stockbridge. He started in a poor boy, but by attending strictly to business has become one of the well-to-do men of his town.
West, Gen. W. M., p. o. Hamilton, was born at Hamilton, N. Y., November 13, 1858, and was educated at the parish school of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the public school and Colgate University. He entered the National Hamilton Bank as office boy and has filled all positions therein up to president, which office he has held since 1894; he was cashier previously for several years. General West's history forms a vital part of the recent history of Hamilton. He has always taken a hearty and intelligent interest in the welfare and progress of the place, and after the disas- trous fire no one was more active than he in building up the beautiful Hamilton of to-day. He has for some years been treasurer of Colgate University and is naturally a strong friend of his alma mater. He has also served as president of the board of water and light commissioners since its organization. In politics General West is a Democrat and was quartermaster-general of the State of New York on the staff of Governor Flower. In 1882 General West married Alice Gray, and they have one son, David Belford West. Mr. West's parents were David Belford and Eliza (Mott) West. David Belford West was a prominent man in Hamilton, and was president of the National Hamilton Bank many years; he died in 1894. Few men of General West's age have attained such prominence and success in so many different lines; a banker of high standing, a distinctively successful quartermaster-general, an able business man, the treasurer of a great university, and a politician who has repre- sented his party at prominent conventions and presided at their counsels.
Walrath, George, p. o. Chittenango, belonging to one of the most prominent and well-known families of Chittenango, and a son of the late Daniel Walrath, men- tioned elsewhere in this work, was born in this village July 26, 1842. He has always lived in the town of his birth, except for a residence of two years at Bay City, Mich., where he was engaged in the grocery business; this was in 1869 and 1870. February 2, 1869, he was united in marriage to Sarah Comstock, daughter of John Comstock. Mr. Walrath is a Democrat in politics, and was president of the village for six years. He is not now engaged in any business. For a number of years he was associated with his brother, Peter Walrath, in the foundry, and was at one time engaged in carriage building, etc.
Woodbury, John N., merchant and farmer, living in the village of Peterboro, born in Peterboro November 5, 1838, son of Noah Woodbury. Noah Woodbury, father of our subject, was born in Leverett, Mass., in 1805 and came to the town of Smithfield when a young man and settled in Peterboro where he died in 1880. His wife was Betsey Robertson who was born in Fenner, Madison county in 1810 and died in
136
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Peterboro in 1874. They left four children: Mary J., wife of Charles H. Ostrander ; John N., Margaret L., and Helen Place of Buffalo, N. Y. John N. was educated in the common schools and Peterboro Academy; commenced business in Peterboro in 1859 with William C. Ives and has continued in the business to the present time, ex- cepting three years while acting as county clerk. On June 14, 1864, Mr. Woodbury married Ann J. Morison, of the town of Lenox, Madison county, and they have three children : Will G., of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Grace M., wife of H. W. Ingalls; Edith L., wife of Harry Ingalls. Mrs. Woodbury's parents were Alexander and Margaret Robertson Morison. Her father was born on board vessel at Sandy Hook in 1806 and died in the town of Lenox in 1852. Her mother born in Fenner, N. Y., in 1815, died in Lenox in 1880; all were of Scotch parentage. Mr. Woodbury has been a Re- publican since the organization of the party; was town clerk of his town four years, justice of the peace eight years, county clerk three years, and has been a trustee of Evans Academy twenty years.
Wright, De Estin, p. o. Siloam, was born in Smithfield, May 18, 1845, a son of Isaac J., son of Gideon Wright, who came from Massachusetts to Madison county at an early day and here died; his wife was Lydia Shipman, who died in Smithfield. Isaac J. was born in Smithfield, May 28, 1813; died July 13, 1886. He was a car- penter by trade; his wife was Fannie Parks of Smithfield, born April 29, 1814, and died April 17, 1888. Her father, Barnabas Parks, was one of the first settlers of Smithfield. Mr. and Mrs. Wright had nine children, eight now living. De Estin Wright was educated in the common schools, is engaged in farming and is also a carpenter by trade. In 1893 he married Fannie E. Apker, born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Henry P., and Betsey E. Apker, and they have two children: Henry J., born February 10, 1894. and Harold D., born September 5, 1895. In politics Mr. Wright is a Republican and has been justice of the peace seven years, which office he now holds; he has been notary public eight years.
Wilson, John H., was born in Canastota, September 29, 1856. His father, Theo- dore A. Wilson, was a native of Windsor, and came to Madison county in 1847, set- tling in the town of Lenox. He married Elvira F., daughter of Capt. Daniel Lewis, who was superintendent for years on the Erie Canal, and superintendent of the Utica and Syracuse railroad. Theodore A. Wilson was identified with mercantile circles and in the later years of life in farming; he was prominent in the history of the M. E. church, of which he was trustee and treasurer, and was interested in its Sun- day school; he died October 14, 1898. John H Wilson was educated in Canastota and Rochester. In 1882 he married Julia E., daughter of Cyrus Clark Williams, a native of Cooperstown ; they have one son, Clark. Mr. Wilson is one of the progres- sive men of his town, taking an active interest in school and church matters, and has served as trustee of the M. E. church. He has aimed to promote the best interests of his town and is a respected citizen.
White, Charles M., M. D., p. o. Georgetown, a widely known citizen of George- town, held in much respect for professional skill and for the active interest he has taken in matters pertaining to the public good, is a son of Elijah and Betsey (Madi-
137
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
son) White, born in the town of Nelson, Madison county, N. Y., September 15, 1829. While his remote ancestors were of German-English descent, his parents were born in Massachusetts. Dr. White's boyhood was spent in school and his father's black- smith shop, which trade he learned and followed for some time. On January 1, 1850, he married Wealthy L., daughter of Leander Edgerton. Not long after his marriage he began to read medicine and later entered the office of Dr. John Heffron, and in 1862 began the practice of his profession in company with Dr. Hiram Scranton, with whom he was associated eight years. In 1870 this copartnership was dissolved, since which time Dr. White has been engaged in practice alone. He is a member of the Central New York Medical Society; he is no aspirant for political office, finding in the delights of his home life and the duties of his practice more pleasure than in the turmoil of civic affairs. Mr. and Mrs. White have had four children: Charles R., Anna V. (deceased), Emma F. (Mrs. Simon Duell), and Eva (deceased). Dr. White has never been a professed member of any church, but is broad-minded, liberal, and just toward all creeds. He and his wife have had many friends and admirers and both occupy a place among the best society of Madison county. Mrs. White died March 19, 1899.
Wood, Fred R., p. o. Sheds, a resident farmer of the town of De Ruyter, which has been his home for thirty-four years, was born in the town of Georgetown, N. Y .. October 19, 1861, a son of Erastus and Seloria (Richardson) Wood. When he was three years of age his parents removed to Shed's Corners, where his father kept a hotel for fifteen years. Mr. Wood received his education in the public schools of De Ruyter, but learned more by actual contact with the world than from books. The habits formed in early life have remained with him and still influence his conduct. In January, 1883, he married Jennie, daughter of Levi and Marie (Wilson) Cook, and they have three children: Maud, Earl and Grace. In politics Mr. Wood uniformly supports the Republican party, which finds him a hard worker and firm in his adhe- rence to its principles. He has held the office of justice of the peace since 1888. Fraternally he is a member of De Ruyter Lodge, No. 692, F. and A. M.
Wager, Philip H., p. o. Chittenango, was born on the homestead farm where he now resides, September 9, 1838. Alexander S. Wager, his father, of Holland-Dutch ancestry, came here among the pioneer settlers from Columbia county when a young man. The first American ancestor was Peter Wager, a wine merchant of Philadel- phia. Philip H. Wager is largely engaged in farming, having 200 acres of arable land about two miles from Chittenango. In politics he is not a partisan, but he always promoted the best public interests of the community. Nominally a staunch Republican, he represented the town of Sullivan on the board of supervisors in 1893 and 1894, commanding the respect of his political opponents and the strong fealty of his constituents. October 7, 1863, he married Emily M. Annas of Cazenovia, daughter of Alanson Annas, a pioneer farmer of that town; they have had three daughters: Susie A., Maria A., and Louise A., all of whom have become successful teachers of youth.
Judson W. Warner, third son and fifth child of William and Electa (Harrington)
138
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Warner, was born in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga county, N. Y., November 5, 1837. His ancestry is traced through nine generations in this country to 1650. The family originated in Kent, Essex, and Leicester, England. The line to which the subject of this sketch belongs originated in this country in Woodbury, Conn., and is thus delineated: First, John; second, John; third, John; fourth, Dr. Ebenezer ; fifth, Thomas; sixth, Samuel; seventh, Seth; eighth, William; and ninth, Judson W. The Seth of the seventh generation was first cousin of Col. Seth Warner, the famous Vermont hero of the Revolution, and was christened by him. Samuel of the sixth generation served and was wounded in the Revolution. Seth of the seventh generation was a captain in the war of 1812. Dr. Ebenezer of the fourth generation was one of eight in his line who won excellent repute in the practice of medicine. William of the eighth generation was born in Van Buren, Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1807, and Electa Harrington, his wife, was born in the same town. They married May 3, 1827. Electa Harrington was a lineal descendant in the fourth generation of Rev. Jones, a Baptist minister who came to this country soon after the arrival of the Mayflower. Her grandfather, Silas Brown, served with honor in the Revolutionary war, and her father, Dr. Lionel Harrington, won fame and an uutimely death in the war of 1812. Judson W. Warner was educated in the district schools, and at the Union School in Jordan, N. Y. He learned surveying and engineering at the acad- emy of Dr. T. K. Wright at Elbridge, N. Y. In the spring of 1857 he went West and found a position as deputy county surveyor of Ramsey county, Minnesota, with headquarters at St. Paul. Here he assisted in laying out three additions to the city of St. Paul, and in other work of like nature throughout the county. He also per- sonally laid out what is now the main highway from St. Paul to Minneapolis, which reaches the river opposite Fort Snelling. After relinquishing this position he went to the State of Illinois and engaged in teaching school one winter, taking a position the following spring with a firm of marble dealers at Peoria, Ill., with whom he re- mained about eighteen months. In the fall of 1859 he returned East, and after looking about for some time engaged in a hardware business at Canastota in the spring of 1861, thus beginning his long and honorable business career in Madison county. He soon rented a store in Oneida and began a similar business, conducting both stores two years, at the end of this period selling the Canastota store and loca- ting permanently in Oneida (1863) Until January, 1868, he successfully conducted a hardware and house furnishing goods business, and also dealt extensively in coal, wood, and lumber in Oneida. In February, 1868, Mr. Warner purchased the lot on the corner of Main street and Vanderbilt avenue where the Warner block now stands, and began the erection of a business block. To further occupy his time while build- ing he purchased the old established hardware business of James A. Bennett which he conducted three years. In the fall of 1869, having completed the four story build- ing up to a point ready to receive the roof, a severe storm demolished the structure to such an extent that eventually every brick had to be replaced. The sympathy of the entire community was aroused in Mr. Warner's behalf, and while he was on top of the building busily engaged in trying to secure it, a subscription of nearly $3,000 was raised among the onlookers on the impulse of the moment. Upon learning the facts Mr. Warner requested that the matter should be dismissed at once, saying he could not afford to accept contributions, however great his loss. This affords a good illustration of the independence and self-reliance which have characterized Mr.
139
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Warner during all of his business life. During the following summer he rebuilt the edifice on a much larger scale and with the addition to the opera house it is now one of the finest business blocks of Madison county. In May, 1871, Mr. Warner moved his business into the second store of the block, and in the following year he engaged in the safe business with his brother, H. H. Warner, under the firm name of Warner & Brother, taking the eastern portion of the United States, with branch stores at New York and Boston. He retained his home and interests in Oneida. When H. H Warner established his famous Safe remedy business at Rochester, N. Y., the safe business was discontinued. In starting the proprietary medicine business Mr. Warner, although not a partner, gave valuable service in looking after various de- tails, including advertising, the purchase of material and the sale of goods, while his brother did the general planning of the great enterprise. In looking after these details Mr. Warner was called to all parts of the United States, and portions of Can- ada, and probably no man engaged in this line of business has covered more terri- tory, north, south, east, and west than he; on one of his trips he travelled 7,288 miles. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Warner, wishing to escape such active life, gave up the business and returned to Oneida, soon afterward building his beautiful résidence on Main street. In 1883, realizing the great need of a pure water supply for the vil- lage, he began the construction of a water works system, one of the best of his many contributions to the advancement of this village. The system was built after his own survey and under his management, and because of this the corporate name was adopted as the Warner Water Works. After years of trial the system has proven to be one of the best in the State; it was acquired by the village in 1895. Soon after the completion of the water works, a hose company composed of many leading citi- zens was organized and in his honor named the Warner Hose Company, which, on account of the prominence of its members, stimulated interest in the fire department. Mr. Warner, in order to occupy one of the vacant stores in his block. formed a co. partnership with S. Allen Clark, a practical dry goods dealer, and A. S. Whitman, under the firm name of Clark, Whitman & Warner for the conduct of a general dry goods business. This enterprise, now one of the largest of its kind in the county, is conducted under the firm name of S. Allen Clark & Co. In 1884 Mr. Warner rebuilt the three story brick building on Madison street known as the Sheppard Block, and after the destruction of the Oneida Mills by fire he purchased the site and rebuilt the mills which he operated about one year, selling to Rathburn & Sawyer, who formed the present Rathburn-Sawyer Co. In 1887 Mr. Warner engaged in another enterprise which gave to Oneida a place among the foremost villages of the State in point of modern improvements. At that time the use of electricity for lighting was not common, but after considerable investigation he decided to install an electric lighting system in Oneida, and built his plant on the site of his present building on Vanderbuilt avenue. In 1891 he erected the four story Warner industrial building, fronting fifty feet on Vanderbilt avenue, eighty-four feet on Central avenue. and 120 feet deep, directly over and inclosing the first plant. This building is said to be one of the finest manufacturing buildings of New York State, and the plant is considered equal to many in the larger cities. In 1892 he began a business in plumbing sup- plies and heating apparatus and again demonstrated his native ability, for in his in- vestigation of different heating apparatus, he was led to invent many improvements on which he secured valuable patents. A company was formed under the title, The
140
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Warner Safety Boiler Co., of which he is the principal owner, and the " Warner Safety Boilers" have attained a large sale. These boilers were exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition and obtained the highest award granted. For years Mr. Warner agitated the building of the horse street railroad through the village, and that it was largely due to his persistence that a company was finally formed and the road constructed. The foregoing is but a brief synopsis of the active and useful life of one of the most prominent citizens of Oneida and Madison county. During his entire career Mr. Warner has been a man of large affairs, for the development of which he seems to have been eminently well fitted by nature and experience. A man of perfect habits, possessed of excellent ability, keen foresight, and rugged honesty, it is not difficult to determine the causes of his success. Mr. Warner is the largest individual taxpayer of the village; he is a man of great public spirit which has been manifested not in words, but in deeds, and enjoys the respect and confi- dence of his fellow citizens. For many years he has been a member of the Oneida Baptist church. He married January 20, 1886, Mary E. Dodge, daughter of Morris E. Dodge, an old resident and respected citizen of the town of Vernon, Oneida county. Mrs. Warner enjoys much social popularity in Oneida, and has been active in church and charitable work.
Witter, William E., son of Russell G. and Sarah (Williams) Witter, was born at Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., July 8, 1832. His father, a farmer, subsequently removed to Verona, Oneida county, N. Y., where he died. Mr. Witter was educated in the district schools and assisted in the conduct of his father's farm. When still a youth he began work on the canal, and at the age of twenty purchased a boat, which he ran for one season and then sold, returning to the farm where he remained until 1869. In that year he removed to Durhamville where he resided upwards of seven- teen years, following the business of boat building, canal forwarding, and keeping a canal supply store. Mr. Witter has been engaged in the canal forwarding business nearly all his active life, and is well known to those having canal interests through- out the State. For many years he made his headquarters at Buffalo. In the fall of 1886 he settled permanently in Oneida, where he has since resided. Mr. Witter mar- ried, in 1861, Louisa, daughter of Joseph Lawton, and eight children were born to them, five of whom survive: Mrs. W. A. Brundage of Durhamville, Mrs. W. M. Price of St. Louis, Mrs. S. A. Campbell of Oneida, Mrs. E. H. Carpenter of Oneida, and Carrie B. Witter.
Williams, William R., was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y. March 26, 1828, a son of Robert Z. and Eliza (Guthrie) Williams. His father was born in Wales and came to this country with his parents in 1802 when about two years old. They settled first in Philadelphia where they made the acquaintance of Barton Steuben, who induced them to remove to Oneida county, whither they went in 1816, traveling all the way by team. Robert Z. Williams was educated in Philadel- phia and afterward attended Hamilton Theological Seminary, He was ordained at the Baptist Church in Steuben, Oneida county, and was pastor at different places in that county, remaining in the ministry until his death at the age seventy-three years. William R. Williams attended a school known as Hobart Hall at Holland Patent, the
141
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Oneida Castle Seminary and Whitestown Seminary. At eighteen he commenced teaching school and until he reached his twenty-fifth year taught each winter, em- ploying his spare time learning the carpenters' trade. In 1865 he located in Oneida and began business as a contractor and builder. Mr. Williams has built numerous public and private buildings in Oneida; he has always been an active man, and is considered one of the prominent and valuable citizens of this village. He has long been a staunch Republican, and is a member of long standing of the First Baptist Church. He married in September, 1851, Mary L. Kingsbury, a native of Hartford, Conn., and daughter of Flavel Kingsbury. Four children have been born to them: Henry J., George S., Frank P. and Della T., wife of Dr. Otto Pfaff of Oneida.
Westcott, James H., son of John H. and Helen (Williams) Westcott, was born in Oneida, November 17, 1861. His father was a native of the village of Lafayette, near Syracuse, and learned the machinists' trade at Providence, R. I. He removed to Oneida and became foreman of the works of the Oneida Steam Engine Company, formed by Henry Wilson for the manufacture of steam engines. Here he perfected his invention of the " Westcott Chuck," which was manufactured for a time by that company. In 1885 the Westcott Chuck Company was incorporated for the manu- facture of this device, with a capital stock of $50,000, which was later increased to $150,000. Mr. Westcott died December 29, 1886. James H. Westcott was educated in the Oneida public schools and when fifteen years of age began to learn the ma- chinist's trade in the works of the company. He has spent his life in this plant, be- ing now superintendent of the Westcott Chuck Company. Mr. Westcott is a mem- ber of Oneida Lodge No. 270, F. & A. M. He married, in 1881, Nellie, daughter of Henry Burdick of South Bay.
Waterman, Stephen C., son of Rehal and Susan (Colvin) Waterman, was born in the town of Lenox, this county, May 16, 1842. He was educated in the public schools, and Monroe county academy at East Henrietta. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A., 111th N. Y. Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in the Wilder- ness campaign, the engagements before Richmond and at Appomattox. He was honorably discharged June 12, 1865, and came to Oneida where for one year he was employed as a clerk in the grocery store of A. Hill & Son. Subsequently he worked as a clerk in D. C. Colvin's shoe store five years, and following this period established a boot and shoe store in association with J. F. Cody (1871) forming the firm of Cody & Waterman. After six years Mr. Cody retired and for five years subsequent Mr. Waterman conducted the business alone. In 1882 he bought the clothing business of C. I. Walrath & Sons, in which enterprise he was associated with F. P. Klock, form- ing the firm of Waterman & Klock. In 1889 Mr. Klock was succeeded by Fred Hodges, forming the present firm of Waterman & Hodges. Mr. Waterman has been in business at his present location eighteen years. He has been active in Republican politics and has frequently held positions of public trust, serving as village clerk one year, town clerk one year, and as village trustee two years. 1n 1895 he was elected supervisor of the new town of Oneida, and still holds this office to which he has been elected three successive times. In April, 1899, he was appointed superintendent of canals for Section 5, extending from Canastota to Herkimer. Mr. Waterman is a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.