USA > New York > Madison County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York > Part 90
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Dr. James W. Smith, son of James and Susan Tackabury Smith, was born in Nel- son, August 18, 1841; he was a brother of John E. Smith, now of Morrisville and re- sided with him on their father's homestead, with his half brother, S. Perry Smith, of whom a sketch is given in the chapter on the bar in this work. Soon after attaining his majority he married Mary L. Boughton, of Parish, Oswego county, N. Y., and began the study of medicine with Dr. L. P. Greenwood, then of Erieville. He at- tended the Medical Department of Michigan University and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York, graduating from the latter. During several years he was in sucessful practice in Erieville, removing thence to Morrisville, where he enjoyed a large and successful practice until failing health compelled him to abandon business activity. He died of consumption, his widow and one son, Floyd B. Smith, who now reside in Chicago, surviving him Dr. Smith was not only a highly qualified member of his profession, but also a man of high character, admir- able social qualities, and enjoyed the friendship of all with whom he became ac- quainted.
Allen, Spencer B., son of Eli Eastman and Sophrona E. (Parsons) Allen, was born in Lincklaen, Chenango county, N. Y., October 5, 1836. He is a descendant of the
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old Puritan family of Allens and numbers Ethan Allen among his ancestors. His father, Eli Eastman Allen, was born at Sackett's Harbor and later removed to Linck- laen. His grandfather, Jacob Allen, was born in Cape Cod, Barnstable county, Mass., and came to New York State with the early settlers. On the maternal side Mr. Allen descends from the old New England family of Parsons, representatives of which were early settlers of the town of Fenner. He was educated in Morrisville, whither the family had removed when he was an infant. After leaving school he engaged in the dry goods business; later in the drug business and in various other occupations. Several years of his life have been spent in Michigan; he was also a resident for a time of Canastota, this State. Mr. Allen came to Cazenovia in 1870, and for a year was employed in the lumber yard at the sash factory; later he was employed at the grist mill, and for three years was station agent at the Chenango Valley Railroad depot. In September, 1895. he established the news room in Albany street, which he now conducts. Mr. Allen's politics have always been Republican. He has never held public office, with the exception of several terms as inspector of elections. In 1868 he married Olivia L. Morgan, daughter of John Morgan of Brook- field. Two children have been born to them: Henry M., and Shirley C. (deceased).
Potter, Henry H., son of Merritt M. and Mary Ann (Root) Potter, was born in Cazenovia, March 25, 1849. His father, who died November 16, 1859, was born near Manlius, January 20, 1807, and for many years carried on farming in the south part of this town. Mr. Potter descends from old New England pioneer families. On the paternal side his grandfather, Benjamin Potter, was one of the earliest settlers of this region, coming from Massachusetts before March, 1793, and settling in Pompey. He was a native of Dartmouth, Mass., born September 26, 1764, and died in Cazenovia where he was buried October 30, 1851. In his early life he was a sea captain and a soldier in the Revolution. In his later life he was a prosperous farmer, where he lived respected and died regretted. His grandfather, Moses Root, was one of the earliest settlers in this section, coming to Cazenovia from Massachusetts before June, 1793. He was a native of Montague, Mass., born January 2, 1774, and died in Caze- novia, where he was buried, July 5, 1834. He was a man of considerable prominence in his time, a large farmer, and possessed of many fine traits of character. Of the union of Merritt M. and Mary Ann (Root) Potter, seven children were born: Mary A., deceased; Laura E., deceased; Benjamin, deceased; Amy Caroline, deceased ; Merritt Sidney of Syracuse; Charles M. of Colorado Springs, Col .; and Henry H. Potter of Cazenovia. The latter was educated at Cazenovia Seminary and learned the carpenter's trade under Christopher Newton of Cazenovia. Mr. Potter has been an extensive building contractor and during the past twenty years has erected most of the finer residences of the village. He has served two years as a village trustee; is a member of Cazenovia Lodge, F. & A. M., and Manlius Chapter, R. A. M .; and a member and clerk of the vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal church. He married, Sep- tember 14, 1872, Anna N. Burns, daughter of Henry Burns of Pitcher, Chenango county, N. Y. One daughter has been born to them: Ethel A. Potter.
Hutchinson, Nathan Bailey, son of David and Amy (Bailey) Hutchinson, was born in the town of Fenner, this county, December 31, 1852. His father was a farmer and
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also conducted a saw mill in Fenner for many years. He was born in Fenner in 1807 and died in November, 1889, aged eighty-two years. The Hutchinson family is of New England pioneer stock and its representatives were among the earliest set- tlers of Fenner. Loring Hutchinson, grandfather of Nathan B. Hutchinson, born July 20, 1788, was a colonel in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and one of the foremost citizens of the town of Fenner, a man of unusual prominence in his time and especially devoted to church work. He married Nancy Woodworth, born November 3, 1788, and reared a large family, thirteen in number, of whom only two survive: Myron L. Hutchinson of Cazenovia, and Alvah P. Hutchinson of Fen- ner. The other children were David, born October 12, 1807; Allen, born December 10. 1809; Lydia Ann, born August 22, 1813: Charles, born October 15, 1815; Melissa, born September 3, 1817; Irene, born June 27, 1819; Harriet, born March 1, 1824. Four died in infancy. Nathan Bailey Hutchinson was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools and at Cazenovia Seminary. He taught school seven winters in the schools of the township of Fenner. Mr. Hutchin- son came to Cazenovia to reside permanently in 1879, and for a period of twelve years has been foreman of the blind room of the Fern Dell mill. He married, in 1876, Eudora Lame, and of their union are two children: Clarence F. and Nina Isabelle.
Goff, I. Newton, M. D., who has practiced in Cazenovia over forty years, was born at Perryville, May 26, 1833, a son of Oliver and Elvira (Davis) Goff. He is a descend- ant of the old Rehoboth (Mass.) Goffs. Dr. Goff's father was a native of Rehoboth, but early in life removed to Windham county, Conn., and thence to Perryville, where he resided many years, and was known as a substantial farmer and useful citizen. Dr. Goff was educated in the common schools in the vicinity and worked on his father's farm. Later he attended Cazenovia Seminary, and in 1854 began his medi- cal studies at Syracuse under Drs. Hoyt and Mercer. He was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city in 1858, and shortly after began practice in Cazenovia. During the Civil war Dr. Goff went out as assistant surgeon and was assigned to the 17th N. Y. Infantry. He served for some time in the hospital at Washington, and then went to the front, taking part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After the expira- tion of his enlistment he returned to his private practice, but shortly after again went to the front as a State agent, serving from the battle of the Wilderness until Sep- tember of that year. Dr. Goff is a member of the New York State Medical Society, Central New York Medical Society, Madison County Medical Society, and the Syra- cuse Academy of Medicine. He is also a member of Cazenovia Lodge, No 616, F. and A. M., and medical examiner for several fraternal and insurance corpora- tions. He married, in 1864, Delia M. Clarke, daughter of Rev. William Clarke of Cazenovia. Of their union are two children: Robert J. and Marian Ruth Goff.
Faulkner, Alonzo, p. o. North Brookfield, was born in Brookfield, in 1823, a son of Friend L., and grandson of Charles Faulkner, who died in Guilford, Conn. Friend L. Faulkner came to Brookfield about 1800 and took up a farm in the wilderness and here lived and died on the farm Alonzo now owns. His wife was Zubie Fisk,
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daughter of John Fisk, one of the first settlers. Alonzo Faulkner was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He has made his own property and has about 600 acres of land; he has been one of the large hop growers and an extensive cattle dealer in connection with his brother Charles, under the firm name of Faulk- ner Brothers. Charles died in 1894. Mr. Faulkner married Rebecca Mattison in 1848, and they had two children: Adaline, wife of Lyman Fitch of Brookfield, and Helen, at home. Mr. Faulkner died in 1887. In politics Mr. Faulkner is a Repub- lican, and is one of the well-to-do farmers who has made his own property.
Warner, A. J., was born in Oneida county, February 6, 1837. His father, Austin Warner, was a native of Connecticut and was one of the pioneers of Oneida; he married Pheobe Griswold. A. J. Warner was educated at Oneida and Whitesboro. He entered mercantile business in Utica, and from there went to Louisville, Ky., where he remained until he came to Canastota, and is now engaged in raising onions and celery. In 1878 Mr. Warner married Jennie K. Fowler; their children are John I. and Jennie. Mr. Warner is one of the progressive business men of his town, tak- ing an intelligent interest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.
Brown, C. F., was born in Dolgeville, Herkimer county, October 5, 1858. His father, H. C. Brown, was a native of the same place, where James Brown was one of the pioneers; he married Sophia, daughter of Zepha Brockett. H. C. Brown married Cornelia, daughter of John Van Valkenburg, and came to Madison county in 1868, and was identified in the mercantile circles; he died in 1889. C. F. Brown was educated in the Canastota school and entered mercantile life in Williamston and Syracuse, and for three years was engaged in public works in New York as time keeper. In 1889 Mr. Brown came to Canastota and organized the firm of H. C. & Edgar Brown, succeeding and continuing his father's business. In 1886 Mr. Brown married Sophia, daughter of Antoine Kinney; their children are Le Roy, Helena, Louise and Jennie. Mr. Brown is one of the progressive men of Madison county, serving as collector and taking an active part in school and church matters.
Lee, Charles A., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, June 20, 1860. His father, Albert Lee, was a native of Utica, where the family were among the pioneers; he married Sarah Hurlburt, and through life was identified in the storage and forward- ing business with Alden Lee, running a line of packet boats from Albany to Buffalo. Later he engaged in the lumber business in Boonville, dealing mostly in spruce and hemlock; he was also prominent in the milling business. Charles A. Lee was edu- cated in the common schools and at twelve years of age entered a planing mill and also learned the cheese making business. In 1885 he went to Herkimer and in 1886 established his chair business, securing a patent on the Lee reclining chair. In 1893 he came to Canastota and at the present time is employing 160 men. He has added to and rebuilt the plant and has a capacity of 50,000 reclining chairs per year. In 1884 Mr. Lee married Julia E., daughter of I. S. Weller. Mr. Lee is one of the progress- ive business men of Madison county, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever received and merited the respect of his asso-
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ciates. He is a member of the Smith-Lee Co., manufacturers of the health cap for milk bottles.
Harris, Frederick D., son of Jason L. and Sarah A. (Bentley) Harris, was born in Pulaski, Oswego county, N. Y., August 20, 1853. His father was a shoe dealer in Pulaski before the Civil war in which he was killed at the battle of Fredricksburg. Mr. Harris was educated in the common schools and at Cazenovia Seminary. He came to Oneida in October, 1876, and began an apprenticeship to the tinsmithing trade under C. D. Cree with whom he remained some time, finally becoming a part- ner under the firm name of Cree & Harris. Mr. Harris established his present busi- ness as a tin roofer and furnacer in 1892 and in 1895 took into partnership his brother, Edward Harris, forming the present firm of Harris Brothers. He married in 1883, Olive, daughter of C. B. Cree of Oneida, and of this union is one daughter, Al- berta M.
Sherman, Edgar D., son of Isaac C., and Catharine E. (Hollister) Sherman, was born in the village of Oneida, October 7, 1842. His father, a native of Massachusetts, died in Oneida June 1, 1896, in the eighty-second year of his age; he had been a res- ident of the village of Oneida for a period of fifty-four years, and was well known and universally esteemed throughout Madison county, serving frequently in posi- tions of public trusts. Mr. Sherman was educated at Theodore Camp's school in Oneida, and when twenty-two years of age engaged in business as a dairy farmer in Sherrill, Oneida county, where he had a farm of 100 acres. He settled in Oneida where he now resides in the fall of 1897. In politics Mr. Sherman has been a Demo- crat; he has never held public office of any kind. He first married in 1868, Augusta, daughter of John Sturtevant, of Augusta, Oneida county, N. Y., and of this union are three children: Clarence E., of Rochester; Harry A., of Oneida; and Edna M. For his second wife he married Miss Mary Weaver, a daughter of Jacob Weaver of Utica, N. Y.
Spaulding, Philander, son of John and Margaret (Peterson) Spaulding, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., February 9, 1818. His father, a lifelong farmer, was a native of the State of Vermont, and an early settler in Chenango county. Mr. Spaulding was reared on the farm and received his education in the district schools. During the greater part of his active life he has been engaged in farming. He was for a period engaged in the manufacture of cheese boxes at Pratt's Hollow, and in company with Milton Barnard, J. D. Kilburn, and Walter E. Northrup, was one of the founders of the Central Bank of Oneida; he withdrew from this firm in the year 1897. Mr. Spaulding bought his present farm, then containing 108 acres and now by addition 160 acres, in 1863. He has been a large farmer and owns considerable land in this vicinity. Mr. Spaulding is one of the oldest resident farmers of this region, and is well known throughout the county; he has often held positions of public trust, serving as constable, deputy sheriff, collector, and deputy revenue collector of this district. In politics he has been a staunch Republican. He first married Miranda Parker, and of this union are four children: Rosalia, wife of David L. Davis of Munnsville; Adelia, wife of Herman Cooper of Oneida; Sarah V., wife of Reuben
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Holdridge; and Mrs. Emeline Vedder of Munnsville. For his second wife he mar- ried Sarah, daughter of John Marshall of Eaton, and of this union are two sons: William P., and Judd Spaulding.
Keating, Daniel, has been one of the leading educators of Madison county for many years. He was born about two miles north of the village of Cazenovia, November 21, 1854. His father, Maurice Keating, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he was born August 1, 1820. In 1849 he came to this country in a sailing ves- sel and on his arrival found himself with little more than enough money to pay his expenses to Troy, where he soon found employment by the month. He worked some years for wages, and was married in 1853 to Mary Bagley, who was born in his na- tive county, and came over in 1842. They soon started for themselves, and by in- dustry and frugality secured a pleasant home about one mile west of Chittenango Falls. Daniel Keating, their eldest son, was reared to habits of industry and until he reached his twentieth year assisted in the conduct of his father's farm. He re- ceived his primary education in the public schools and later attended Cazenovia seminary, beginning his chosen profession of teaching when in his twenty third year. Since then he has made school work his business. He was first elected to the office of School Commissioner in 1888, in a hotly contested triangular fight, he, a Democrat in a Republican district, receiving a handsome majority over the Republi- can and Prohibition nominees. His second term was secured by a still larger major- ity-some 800 votes. Mr. Keating has made a most efficient commissioner and has proved the possession of unquestioned ability in educational work. He married, November 25, 1891, Ida L. Griffin, daughter of Henry L. and Lovina (Gilman) Grif- fin, of Jefferson county. Until her marriage Mrs. Keating was also engaged in teaching, and enjoys the distinction of being the first lady school commissioner elected in the State of New York.
Stewart, Robert A , son of James and C. Elizabeth (Clark) Stewart, was born in the town of Lenox, this county, October 10, 1843. His father was a native of Fenner, this county, and was always a farmer; his grandfather, Robert Stewart, came from Scotland to this country in early life and was one of the first settlers of the town of Fenner; he had come with his father, and both lie buried in Peterboro Cemetery. Mr. Stewart was educated in the old Oneida Seminary and remained upon the farm until 1873. In that year he removed to Mohawk, Herkimer county, N. Y., and was engaged in a malting business there about two years. In the fall of 1875 he began a similar business in Oneida in company with A. C. Stewart and W. W. Warr, under the firm name of R. A. Stewart & Co. Later this was changed to Stewart, Tibbits & Warr, and upon the death of A. C. Stewart to Stewart & Barton. The firm took its present name of Stewart, Barton & Co. on the admission of Thomas O'Brien. The business comprises malting, dealing in grain, etc. Mr. Stewart has served four years as village trustee, and is a valued citizen of Oneida. He married in Novem- ber, 1868, Anna Eliza Merrill, and one daughter has been born to them, Mrs. Wal- ter S. Ryan of Oneida.
Ratnour, Barney, president of the village of Oneida, was born in the town of
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Lenox, June 1, 1830, a son of Abram and Barbara (Pease) Ratnour. His father, a farmer, was of Mohawk Dutch descent, and an early settler of the town of Lenox; he gained considerable reputation on account of his ability as a drummer in the old State militia. Barney Ratnour was educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer; he has also dealt to a considerable extent in real estate. He settled permanently in Oneida village in 1867. Mr. Ratnour is a well-known and valued citizen of Oneida, and has frequently served in positions of public trust. He has held the office of excise commissioner, was member of the town board of the old town of Lenox, and for the past two years has been president of the village of Oneida. He married in May, 1870, Harriet E. Davis, a daughter of George Davis of the town of Vernon, Oneida county. Of this union are two children: Fred B. and Florence May.
Bliss, Russell Joseph, was born in Smithfield, May 28, 1863, a son of Joseph Hunt- ington, son of Lyman, who was born in Smithfield in 1802, a son of Ephraim Bliss, who was one of the party of ventursome pioneers who came to Smithfield in 1799 and 1800. Ephraim Bliss, like nearly all the early settlers, cleared some land and made farming his occupation. The land he then cleared is now, after one century of occu- pancy, still owned in the Bliss family. In 1801 Ephraim Bliss went to Massachu- setts and brought back a bride. Lyman, the eldest son, was born in 1802. Upon reaching manhood Lyman married Ann Chaffee of Smithfield and purchased the homestead; to them were born seven sons and two daughters, who reached maturity and married. Lyman Bliss was commissioned by Governor Clinton captain in State militia; he died in 1875. His wife died in 1876. Joseph H., the fourth child, was born April 8, 1831, educated in the local schools and Peterboro Academy. He taught school a few terms then married and purchased a farm in Smithfield. To them were born two children, one now living, a daughter. In 1857 he married for his second wife, Clarissa M. Brown of Stockbridge, N.Y., a great-granddaughter of Keziah Cushman Brown of Vermont, who, while her husband was away serving in the American army under Gen. Stark in 1777, was visited by a foraging party from Coi. Baum's Hessian regiment and threatened with execution by the bayonet unless she disclosed the hiding place of stores and ammunition known to have been saved by her husband. She refused, though the bayonet pricked her chest. Her bravery so won the admiration of the officer of the party that he ordered them to molest her no further. By this second marriage Mr. Bliss had four children, three now living; the oldest, Russell Joseph, graduated from Cornell University in 1885 with the de- gree of Ph. B. For two years following he read law in an office in Saginaw, Mich. After taking one year of lectures at the law school of Columbia University, he was admitted in 1888 to the Michigan bar. The year 1889 was spent in traveling and studying natural resources of Pacific coast States. In 1890-91 he practiced his pro- fession in Chicago, Ill., after which he returned to his native town and has since been associated with his father in caring for their large farms, making the breeding of Jersey cattle their leading industry. The farm occupied by them was once the site of the first glass factory in the State. The building with its massive timbers is yet preserved and with suitable alterations is serving as the main barn of the farm. This building is supposed to have been erected about 1806. The late John R. Berry
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often told Mr. Bliss that, when a small boy, he was allowed to attend the "raising" of this massive frame. The work occupied a week and called together large num- bers of persons from this and neighboring settlements, who made merry as was the custom in those days at such "bees," with plenty of whiskey and games of skill and strength. Joseph Bliss has long been one of the trustees of the Evans Endowment, given for the maintenance of Evans Academy. In 1895 Russell Bliss married Agnes Alden Hamilton of Kenwood, N. Y.
Allen, Orlando, son of John M. and Betsey (May) Allen, was born in the town of Fenner, this county, October 6, 1824. His father was a native of Otsego county, born in 1789, and located at Fenner Corners in 1822. Here he conducted a black- smith shop for many years and latter engaged in farming, being widely known in the vicinity as a man of strict integrity and holding various minor town offices. He died at Perryville, May 26, 1892, honored and respected by all who had known him. His grandfather, Jared Allen, served through the Revolutionary war, died in 1827, over ninety years old, and is buried in the cemetery at Cooperstown, N. Y. Orlando Allen was educated in the common schools and has always followed the occupation of farming, principally in the town of Fenner. He retired in 1893 and located in Cazenovia village. Mr. Allen has served as assessor three years; is a member of long standing of the Presbyterian church. He married in 1850 Louisa M. Whipple, daughter of Elisha Whipple of Fenner.
Smith, Alonzo D., M. D., who has practiced medicine in the village of New Wood- stock for a third of a century, was born in the extreme southeast corner of the town of Cazenovia, June 2, 1841, a son of Willard Moss and Lucinda (Harrington) Smith. His father was a farmer and owned a farm which was so peculiarly located as to be in the towns of De Ruyter, Cazenovia and Nelson. He was a native of Plainfield, Otsego county, but spent most of his life in this vicinity, where he was held to be a man of strict integrity and estimable character. He died in 1893, having reached the advanced age of eighry. four years. Dr. Smith was educated in the district schools and at Cazenovia Seminary. He began his medical studies in 1861 under Drs. Greenwood and Carpenter of Erieville; later he attended a course of lectures at the University of Michigan, and two courses in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York city, from which institution he received the degree of M. D. in 1867. He at once began practice in Nelson Flats, but soon removed to New Wood- stock, where he bought the practice of Dr. McClellan. Two years later he also bought Dr. C. W. Adam's property. In 1877 he went to Cazenovia Seminary and for seven terms taught anatomy, physiology and hygiene, building up the department with faithful energy. In the fall of 1898 he returned to his New Woodstock practice and in addition established a pharmacy, which he still conducts. Dr. Smith has not only built up a large and lucrative practice in his native town, but in the year 1886 he received letters patent on a spring truss, and also in 1890 on an improvement, than which there is probably no truss ever worn by the human family which is less open to criticism, or more practical in its application. The doctor has also received letters patent on a mechanical cash book which for simplicity and accuracy has never been excelled. Within the present year, 1899, a local paper, called the Local Ga-
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