USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 86
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Snyder Brothers, merchant millers, Bridgeport .- This important and widely known family dates locally to Philip Snyder, the grandfather of the two gentlemen compos- ing the present firm: W. J. and C. D. Snyder. Philip Snyder came from Holland and settled first near Sandlake, on the east shore of the Hudson. He was an ardent sportsman and not only delighted especially in the gentle art of fishing, but gained his livelihood in that way. After several years in that locality, during which time he married, he began to look still further toward the setting sun and with the hope,
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not ungratified, of finding still more prolific and lucrative fishing grounds. It was in the autumn of 1825 that he purchased an uncleared piece of land on the shore of Oneida Lake, near the mouth of Chittenango Creek, consisting of 108 acres. Here he began the erection of a log house, which he completed the next spring, bringing his family from the canal at Kirkville by the primitive ox team, but was stricken with fever and died in the ensuing autumn. At that epoch he bore the repute of having become the wealthiest man in town. He left a large family, of whom the eldest son was John (the father of W. J. and C. D. Snyder), and of whom the youngest was Jacob, now an honored resident of Bridgeport, and whose personal memories of those early times are of much interest John Snyder was about eleven years of age when his father settled here, and grew up to spend most of his life here, chiefly engaged in farming. In 1844 he married Elizabeth Hines, who bore him four children: W. J. Snyder, Mrs. Henrietta S. Brown of Cicero; Mrs. Cora L. Sharpe of Syracuse, and C. DeWitt Snyder, junior member of the firm. Mr. Snyder died in 1874, at sixty years of age, having accumulated a large property and also bequeathing to his chil- dren the heritage of an unspotted name. W. J. Snyder was born August 24, 1848, on the old homestead by the lake. He has remained intimately identified with the locality. Completing his education at Cazenovia, he first engaged in farming, and in 1879 became associated with C. D. Snyder in the purchase of the Bridgeport Flour Mills, itself a historic old structure, and which is still operated with success by the brothers. Their mill is eligibly situated on Chittenango Creek, and upon the oppo- site side in Onondaga county, they have a large saw-mill. W. J. Snyder has long been identified with public affairs in the town of Cicero, where he resides, and where Always a Republican he served a term of four he also owns several farms. years as assessor, and before vacating that office in 1890, was elected supervisor, which office he filled with much credit for the years 1890, 1891 and 1892. He has been bereaved of two wives; the first, Anna E. Crownhart, to whom he was married September 10, 1879, and who died August 1, 1881; and the second, Anna L. John- son, married February 2, 1887, and died May 23, 1890. The younger member of the firm, Clinton De Witt Snyder, was born on the old homestead farm, October 17, 1857, and like his brother received his education at Cazenovia Seminary. Since their purchase of their milling business in 1879, he has made that his vocation. He, too, is a staunch Republican in politics, but cherishes no desire for public life. Hospitable and domestic in his tastes, his elegant home on the Main street of the village, is presided over by a wife who may trace her own ancestry lineage to the oldest local records. Her father was the late Cornelius Rector of Bridgeport. She was before marriage Mary Jane Rector, and became Mrs. Snyder December 22, 1881. It seems eminently proper to conclude this sketch with the general statement that both the brothers have always been identified with the best interests of the community and are recognized in both counties as citizens of sterling worth.
Tayntor, Joseph, the pioneer of one of the most substantial families of descendants in central New York, was six generations removed from Joseph Tayntor, the Ameri- can colonist, who came to this country in 1638, in the good ship Confidence, and set- tled in Massachusetts. Joseph, the pioneer, settled in this part of the State (probably in Lebanon) in 1808, and with him also came his father, Benjamin, and other mem-
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bers of the family. Joseph died December 22, 1847. His children were Abigail, Joseph, jr. (Deacon Tayntor), Patty, Orsamus, Lucy, Ira B., Erastus P., Cyrus K., and Rufus H. Orsamus Tayntor was born February 25, 1808, and entered the Bap- tist ministry; he married first, Roxanna Daniels who born him five children: Sarah L., Caroline M., Emma, Ellen A., and Lucy R. ; his second wife was Sophia Demmon ; their children were Flora S. and Albert O. Benjamin Tayntor, son of Benjamin and nephew of Joseph, was born in Worcester, N. Y., and died in Eaton in 1855. He married Eliza Foster; their children were Guilford, who died in Minnesota, aged seventy-one; Mary Ann, who died in Russia, N. Y., aged forty-seven; and Alanson. Alanson Tayntor is one of the oldest living members of the family, and is also one of the most substantial farmers of Eaton ; he was born February 12, 1829. In 1853 he mar- ried Mary L. Tayntor, who died January 25, 1892, by whom he had two children: Luella E., and Clarence B. Lorenzo Tayntor was perhaps one of the most prosper- ous farmers of Eaton and one of the most highly respected men of the town; he was born April 17, 1813, and died January 24, 1892. He was reared by Benjamin Tayn- tor and began his life as a farmer near Hatch's Lake, where he always afterward lived and developed one of the best farms in the county. On July 9, 1832, he mar- ried Louisa Foster, who died January 22, 1894; to them were born Mary L., Ursula, Marshall L., Emma L., Helen C., Homer L .. Margaret E., Asa D., Irving and Mel- vin B. Asa D. was born October 17, 1852, and is now one of Eaton's best general farmers. On August 27, 1879, he married Elizabeth P. Brown, daughter of Healey and granddaughter of pioneer John Brown; their children are Leon B., born Sep- tember 30, 1880; Ada E., born June 14, 1882; Herbert A., born January 29, 1885; and Gerturde H , born December 14, 1893. Irving Tayntor was born October 26, 1855, and lives an the homestead farm near the lake. On June 3, 1877, he married Flora S., daughter of Rev. Orsamus Tayntor. Mr. Asa D. is erecting a fine farm house with all modern conveniences. Pioneer John Brown helped to clear the land where the Bradley Brook reservoir now stands; also to build the large cotton mill situated at Pierceville and a large stone woolen mill one-half mile above.
Howard, F. H., A. M., p. o. Hamilton, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., and was edu- cated in the Syracuse University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1881. with the degree of A. B. In 1896-97 he studied at the Universities of Göttingen and Leipsic. He taught for four years in the Methodist Seminary at Montpelier, Vt., and one year in the Greylock Institute, South Williamstown, Mass. From 1886 to 1889 he was classical instructor in the Syracuse High School, and from 1889 to 1893 he taught in the Friends' School at Providence, R. I. In 1893 he came to Colgate Acade- my, where he has charge of the Greek and German departments. In 1886 Mr. How- ard married Ella Boomer, and they have one son, Oscar Howard. Mr. Howard takes a deep interest in his profession and is a crontributor to various school journals.
Stradling, Thomas, p. o. Hamilton, was born in England and came to America in 1863. He settled at Hamilton, N. Y., and worked and attended the academy for six terms. He then went to work at farming and worked by the day or month until 1869, when he became associated with Deacon Charles Payne and his son and estab- lished the first creamery in this part of the country. Mr. Stradling continued in
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the creamery business for twenty-four years, sometimes operating several factories. In 1876 he purchased property on Hamilton street and built a home there. In 1886 he added to his creamery interests the old grist mill on Eaton street and fitted it up as a creamery, putting in the first cream separator used in this vicinity. This cream- ery he developed into an extensive business, running three separators and using the milk produced from sixty different farms. In 1894 he disposed of his creamery in- terests and went into the clothing, furnishing and shoe business, which he still con- ducts. In 1866 Mr. Stradling married Ellen Thompson, a native of England. Their children are Ira T., William H., Jessie Elizabeth, wife of William W. Smith of North Norwich, N. Y., Samuel, Frank, Charles P. and George F. Mr. Stradling has been a member of the Baptist Church since he came to Hamilton. He has also been a member of the Board of Education and is a prominent member of the A. O. U. W., of which he has been deputy grand master for the county. He is a thorough, enter- prising and successful business man, and has used his fine natural abilities with great success. He is descended from fighting English stock, his ancestors having fought under the Duke of Wellington, against Napoleon during the campaign that culmi- nated at Waterloo. His combativeness and pluck explain in a measure his success. It is said of him that he never knows when he is beaten, but for all that he has a fine sense of justice and is never otherwise than fair and liberal. He fully identified himself with his adopted country and became a citizen as a soon as the time limit allowed.
Clarke, William Newton, D. D., p. o. Hamilton, was born in Cazenovia, Madison county, N. Y., December 2, 1841, and was educated at Colgate University and Ham- ilton Theological Seminary, graduating from the college with the degree of A. B. in 1861, and from the seminary in 1863. He then entered the ministry, his first pas- torate being with the Baptist church of Keene, N. H., where he remained six years. He then accepted a call to Newton Centre, Mass., where he spent eleven years, after which he was pastor in Montreal for three years. He next went to McMaster Hall, Toronto, Canada, as professor of New Testament Interpretation, and then came to Hamilton, as pastor of the Baptist church. After three years of ministerial work here he was appointed, in 1890, to the chair of Christian Theology, which he has since occupied. Dr. Clarke has published "A Commentary on the Gospel of Mark" (Philadelphia, 1881); "An Outline of Christian Theology" (Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1898), "What shall we Think of Christianity?" and " Can I Believe in God the Father?" (the same publishers, both 1899). Dr. Clarke married Emily A. Smith in 1869. His parents were Rev. William and Urania (Miner) Clarke. Rev. William Clarke was a Baptist minister, and was pastor of the church at Cazenovia for twenty-five years in two pastorates, 1836-1851, and 1854-1864. He was born in Rhode Island, but came in his childhood to Brookfield, Madison county, of which town his wife was a native.
Gifford, Dr. Barton R., p. o. Madison .- Richard Hubbard Gifford came from Con- necticut and settled in Herkimer county, thence removed to Onondaga county and eventually located in Madison county, living in the towns of Madison, Smithfield, and Eaton. His wife was Nancy Barton, daughter of Hale Barton, the latter a
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brother of Gen, Joseph Barton, a hero of the war of 1812. The children of Rich- ard and Nancy Gifford were Emeline, Mary Ann, Abel M., Rosalie and Joseph Orlando. The latter entered the ministry and served as such to the time of his death in 1883. His wife was Lucinda Root, by whom he had three children: Barton Root, Elizabeth, and Lucian Orlando. Barton R. Gifford was born in Eaton, June 21, 1856, and spent his young life with his father, the latter a clergyman of the M. E. church. He was educated in the common schools and in Colgate Academy, after which he read medicine with Dr. George B. Palmer of East Hamilton. He attended lectures in the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College and was graduated February 14, 1878. He practiced for a time with Dr. Palmer, and in February, 1880, located in Madison village, where he stands prominent in his profession. In 1889-91 he was one of the coroners of the county. In March, 1885, Dr. Gifford married Florence Bayliss, who died October 18, 1888. On December 28, 1892, he married Alice Lucas, by whom he has two children. Dr. Gifford is a member of the County and State Homeopathic Medical Societies.
Griffith, William H., M. D., p. o. Munnsville, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., May 3, 1852, a son of Thomas and Esther (Martin) Griffith. His father was a native of Wales and at the age of nineteen came to America, and in early life was an engi- neer on a boat on the Mississippi River. He married his wife in Brooklyn and for a few years was engaged in the milk business, then came to Utica, later to Nelson, and lived in Madison about twenty years. He died in Rome in 1884 and his wife died in 1888. Dr. Griffith was educated at Cazenovia Seminary, studied medicine with Dr. J. Unger of Waterville, N. Y., and was graduated from the New York Medical College in 1874. He began his practice at Chittenango, where he remained four years, then had charge of a hospital in Albany one year and in Rome two years. In 1882 he settled in Munnsville, where he has since had a successful practice. Dr. Griffith is a member of Madison County Medical Society, Central New York Medical Society, and of Sullivan Lodge No. 148, F. & A. M., of Chittenango, N. Y. Novem- ber 23, 1883, he married Caroline Eastman of Stockbridge, and they have two chil- dren: Lulu J. and Edith W. The family attend the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. In politics Dr. Griffith is a Republican and is now serv- ing his second term as coroner of Madison county; he has also served as president of Madison County Medical Society one year and four years as treasurer.
Baker, J. S., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., October 1, 1843, a son of James and Sarah Baker, natives of England. His father came to America in 1839 and his mother in 1825; they were married in Vernon, Oneida county, and had six children, two now living. Mr. Baker died in 1882 and his wife in 1860. J. S. Baker was ed- ucated in Vernon academy and Rome business college He began life as a carriage trimmer and at twenty-five years of age engaged in milling and manufacturing at Stockbridge, and has had an extensive business. He also handles flour and feed and manufactures cheese boxes extensively. In 1872 Mr. Baker married an adopted daughter of Charles L. Anderson of Stockbridge, N. Y., by whom he had two chil- dren: Wilton L., born in January, 1873, and Jeannette A., born in 1875, married A. W. Sigmore and died in 1897, leaving one child, James A. In politics Mr. Baker was
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a Republican until the Greeley time, and since then has been a Gold Democrat or independent. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry of Stockbridge and liberal in religious views. His wife is a member of the M. E. church.
Dunham, E. E., p. o. Munnsville, was born in Lincoln, N. Y., November 12, 1862, a son of Jerome B., son of Richard Dunham, one of the early settlers of Lenox. Jerome B. was born in Lenox in 1819, and there spent his days as a farmer. His wife was Elizabeth Archer and they had three sons. Mr. Dunham lives with his son, E. E. Dunham; his wife died November 23, 1888. E. E. Dunham was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1898 he came to Stockbridge and bought a farm of seventy five acres in the village of Munnsville, where he follows hop growing and dairying. In politics he is a Republican and has been inspector of election. February 4, 1885, Mr. Dunham married Etta M. Foland, born in Oneida Valley, October 5, 1868, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Adams) Foland, and they have three daughters: Stella M., Ina B., and Leta A.
Coe, W. Emmett, p. o. Peterboro, was born in Peterboro, March 27, 1851, a son of George W., and grandson of David Coe, born in Connecticut, September 10, 1784, who came to Smithfield in 1802. and there lived and 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. George W. Coe was born in Peterboro, N. Y., April 18 1828, educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. He married Rosa P. Dorn, born in Smithfield in 1828, a daughter of John I. Dorn, who came to Smithfield about 1820. Mr. Coe was first a Whig, and a Republican since the organization of the party. He has been justice of the peace sixteen years and assessor four years. He is a Free Mason, a member of Morrisville Lodge, F. & A. M. W. Emmett Coe was educated in the common schools and Evans Academy. In 1873 he engaged in the drug busi- ness at Earlville, and after two years moved to Peterboro, where he has since been engaged in the same business. He owns a farm in Fenner of seventy-five acres. In 1875 Mr. Coe married Carrie E. Mudge, daughter of William Mudge, a druggist of Earlville. In politics Mr. Coe is a Republican and was town clerk about four years. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster and held the office until Cleveland's first ad- ministration and was reappointed again under Harrison and again under Mckinley in 1898. He was supervisor of Smithfield nine years in succession previous to 1891 and that year was elected county clerk and re-elected again in 1894. He is a mem- ber of Smithfield Lodge, No. 120, I. O. O. F. Mr. Coe has two sisters: Addie, ed- ucated at Evans Academy, has been recording clerk in the county clerk's office seven years; and Maud, educated at Evans Academy, at home.
Bliss, Norton A., p. o. Peterboro, was born on the farm he owns, March 21, 1843, a son of Lyman Bliss. He was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools and Peterboro academy. He has 210 acres of land and follows general farming, keeping a dairy of twenty-five cows. In politics he is a Republican and has been excise commissioner for several years. He is a member of Peterboro Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F. In 1864 Mr. Bliss married Sallie M., daughter of Philander Brown of Stockbridge, and they have had three children: Eli J., educated in Peterboro
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academy, a farmer, and followed teaching for two winters; married Augusta Butler and have three children: Fenton, Stanley and Lilla M .; May, educated in Peterboro academy, married, in 1887, John L. Warner, a farmer of Lincoln; and Nellie, de- ceased.
Johnston Bros., p. o. Peterboro .- This firm is composed of W. and B. Johnston. Barton Johnston was born in Smithfield, on the homestead, in 1844, a son of Alex- ander, son of Samuel Johnston, whose sketch appears in this work. Alexander was born February 18, 1803. He was a farmer and a Republican; he married Lois Matherson, born February 21, 1813, and he died August 21, 1850; his wife died August 31, 1885. They had eight children. Winchester Johnston was born March 1, 1840, and educated in the common schools and Peterboro academy. He is a farmer and he and his brother have 151 acres and a dairy of twenty cows. March 24, 1864, he married Nancy Davis, daughter of Daniel J. Davis of Peterboro. Barton Johnston was educated in Peterboro academy. Winchester is a Free Mason and attends and supports the M. E. church. Daniel J. Davis was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., August 25, 1815, a son of Daniel, and grandson of Jacob Davis, who lived and died in Herkimer county. Daniel Davis was born in Herkimer county and there lived and died. He was a farmer by occupation and a Democrat in politics. His wife was Catherine Ritter, daughter of Frederick Ritter, of Revolutionary fame. Daniel J. Davis came to Smithfield in 1847 and engaged in farming and dealing in real estate. He owns about 500 acres of land and now lives retired in Peterboro, where he has resided for twenty-seven years. In 1840 he married Catherine Hart, born in Herkimer county, September 27, 1821, a daugter of George and Nancy (Adle) Hart. Daniel J. Davis and wife had five children: Mary C., Ezra, Nancy, Reuben S., and Daniel F.
Eisaman Bros .- The firm is composed of M. and J. Eisaman, sons of Jacob and Ann (Keller) Eisaman, natives of Herkimer county, who came to Smithfield in 1852. M. and J. Eisaman own 12512 acres of land in Smithfield, came to Lincoln in 1895 and bought twenty-two acres at Lenox Furnace and are engaged in raising small fruit and garden truck. They built a fine barn in 1898, one of the best in the town, 70x40 feet in dimensions. Melcher Eisaman, the oldest member of the firm, was born March 20, 1844, in Herkimer county, and educated in the common schools. January 26, 1867, he married Susanna Loucks, of Canada, by whom was born one child, Leo F., educated in Peterboro academy and Oneida academy. October 5, 1893, Leo F. married Lena Weaver, and they have one son, Derwood. John Eisaman, the younger member of the firm, was born in Herkimer county, August 9, 1846, educated in the common schools, and married in 1869, Lottie Siver, daughter of Robert and Betsey Siver of Madison county. The grandfather of the Eisaman brothers was Peter Eisaman, who lived and died in Herkimer county.
Hathaway, Henry H., was born in Stockbridge, February 8, 1829, a son of Luther Hathaway, one of the early settlers of Augusta, Oneida county, N. Y., coming from Connecticut. The Hathaway family were the first smelters of iron ore in the United States. Three brothers came to New York State in 1790, settling in Albany county,
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and in 1792 Phineas Hathaway, father of Luther, came to Augusta with his family. He married Miss Stafford, and raised a family of ten children. Luther Hathaway came to Stockbridge in 1812, and was active in the formation of that town, where he was a large land-holder and farmer; he died in Augusta in 1885. His wife was Polly Harrington, daughter of Capt. Harrington of Onondaga county. Luther Hathaway married three times and was the father of twenty children. Henry H. Hathaway was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He has a farm of 125 acres in Lincoln. He rebuilt the grist mill in Clockville in 1859, and operated it twenty five years, doing a large business. He also engaged extensively in farming and hop growing, and built many buildings. He is at present engaged in operating a saw mill. He married Nancy Seeber, daughter of Judge Sylvanus Seeber, one of the first settlers of Lenox (now Lincoln); they had two daughters: Honora H., wife of Charles N. Tuttle of Clockville, N. Y., and Frances N., wife of Edward S. Brew- ster, of the International Seed Co. of Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Nancy Hathaway died December 6, 1894. Mr. Hathaway is independent in politics, and is the man who created the town of Lincoln and named it; he was the first supervisor in 1896 and 1897, also justice of the peace some years and justice of sessions. He is quite an in- ventor, making improvements on machinery and has patented four hay rakes; also a hay fork and a hop picking machine, manufacturing the same for a number of years successfully, besides a number of other useful articles. Mr. Hathaway is well known throughout Madison county as one of the most active business men and has quite a reputation throughout the United States as an inventor.
Tuttle, Charles N., was born in Lincoln, October 14, 1850, a son of William L., son of Abraham Tuttle, mentioned in this work. William L. Tuttle was born in Lincoln, February 8, 1823; he was a farmer and at the time of his death owned 625 acres of land. In politics he was a Republican and was once assessor. He died May 30, 1895. His wife was Susan Rebecca McGregor, born in 1822, a daughter of John McGregor. To Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle were born four sons and all are now living. Mrs. Tuttle died in 1892. Charles N. was reared on a farm, educated at Oneida Seminary and Cazenovia Seminary. He has always been a farmer and owns 150 acres of land. In politics he is a Republican and is now serving as town clerk. He is a member of Canastota Lodge, F. & A. M., and Clockville Lodge, No. 313, I.O. O. F. Mr.Tuttle was married October 20, 1880. He has one son, born April 3, 1882, William Henry Richard Tuttle, who is attending school in Rochester at the present date.
Eaton, Henry E., p. o. Eaton .- Allen Nelson Wood, senior partner of the firm of Wood, Tabor & Morse, long manufacturers of portable and agricultural steam en- gines, was born in Smith Valley, August 14, 1818, and was the son of Captain Allen and Lucinda (Newcomb) Wood. Captain Wood was one of the early notable char- acters in this county, a prominent Mason and by trade a spinner in the mills at Smith Valley. A Masonic funeral was held on the occasion of his death in 1822. The Newcombs were descended from an honored English family, Captain Newcomb, father of Mrs. A. N. Wood, having been a man of considerable distinction. Allen N. Wood spent his early life in Smith Valley and when about eighteen years old went to Poolville and started a machine and repair shop in company with his uncle, Enos
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