Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 100

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > New York > Oneida County > Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York; > Part 100

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).

FAMILY SKETCHES.

doubly dear to her. The painting was done by a very dear friend of the family (Mrs. Geo. W. Rapelye), now of Staten Island, daughter of David Richards of Utica, who formerly lived on Smith Hill, and who at the present time is owner of a part of Mrs. Schilz's grandfather's farm. Mr. Schilz is a Catholic, and a member of the C. M. B. A. No. 55 of Utica, and of St. Anthony's Sick Benefit Society.

Harrig, Albert, was born in New London, Oneida county, in 1867, son of Michael Harrig, who was one of five sons born to John Harrig, a native of Germany. Michael Harrig was a boatman on the Erie Canal, owning and conducting his own boats. His wife, Mary Morreall, was born in Oneida county, daughter of Joseph Morreall, who was killed in the war of the Rebellion, and by whom he had three children: William, Albert and Frank, who was drowned in Forestport. Mr. Harrig died in 1870, at the age of forty years, and after the death of the father and husband, Mrs. Harrig removed to Forestport, whore she provided for her family, until they were old enough to provide for themselves. She later became the wife of W. G. Sands of Forestport. Albert Harrig, at the age of twelve years, engaged as driver on the canal; when sixteen was promoted to steersman, and four years later, he purchased a boat and began for himself. In 1889 he, in partnership with William Syphert, engaged in the lumber business, getting out spar timber in the winter, which they shipped to New York city in the summer. In 1892 he left the canal, and engaged exclusively in the lumber business, and in 1893 they purchased the stage route be- tween Alder Creck and Forestport. In the spring of 1895 they erected the present pulp mill, from which they ship six boat loads a week of forty cords each. They own a 1,200 acre tract of timber land, and in connection with their pulp wood business, they furnish a Utica lumber company with logs; by contract they also ship a large amount of spar timber to New York city. Mr. Harrig has served as excise commis- sioner, town committeeman, etc., and is member and junior deacon of the Masonic fraternity, Uriel Lodge No. 809, of Forestport, and is also a member of the S. F. I. In 1892 he married Estella, daughter of Daniel and Anna Briggs, a native of Forest. port, by whom he has one daughter, Denzil Lena.

Studor, Philip, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1842, son of Jacob Studor. Jacob Studor with his brother Michael came to America in 1853. The former to came Haw- kinsville, where he remained seven years, employed as lumberman. He removed to White Lake and engaged in farming, where he spent his remaining days. He married Elizabeth Snyder, by whom he had seven children: Philip, Lena, Jacob, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah and George. He died in 1881 and his wife in 1878. Philip Studor began for himself when seventeen years of age, and spent eight years as employee in a saw mill, after which he purchased a stage route from Hawkinsville to Boonville, which he conducted for a year. In 1868 he removed to his present farm and hotel, where he is proprietor of the Studor House, and which he has largely improved, making it a very desirable retreat for summer resorters, fishermen and hunters, and his farm and wood land contain 200 acres. For some time he was interested in the spile and long timber business. He has served as road commissioner and poormas- ter, and through his efforts in 1880, a post-office was established at White Lake Corners, and of which he has been postmaster ever since. In 1875 he married Addie, daughter of Randolph and Phoebe Evans of Lowville, by whom he has three children: Mabel, Ray and Anita.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Nichols, Dexter E., was born in Vienna, March 5, 1848. His grandfather, Allen Nicholls, came here from Vermont about 1798. John H., father of Dexter E., mar- ried Catherine Yager, by whom he had three children: James R., Elnora, and Dexter E. Mr. Nichols married for his second wife Margaret Seaton, by whom he had six children: Theodore M., Marcelia, Hattie, John, Nellie, and Nettie. Mr. Nichols has always followed farming, and was interested in educational and religious affairs. He enlisted in the 81st N. Y. Vols., and was active in recruiting his regiment. Dexter E. married J. Eliza, daughter of John B. and Emma Ann Halstead, and they have one adopted child, Sarah. In early life Dexter E. attended school at Utica and at Whitestown Seminary, after which he taught school eight years; was engaged in selling musical instruments and sewing machines five years. In 1883 he started in general merchandise and has been town clerk two years.

Kinne, Eri, was born in Vienna, October 15, 1834, son of Hiram and Eliza Kinne, who settled in the town of Vienna in about 1800, and their four children were born on the place where Eri now resides. Hiram Kinne died August 29, 1844, and Mrs. Eliza Kinne died March 3, 1870. Eri Kinne married Lydia L., daughter of George and Rebecca Remington. When nineteen years of age Eri learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1857, when he entered the general merchandise busi- ness at Vienna, which he followed for ten years. In 1872-3 he had an appointment in the canal superintendent's office at Rome, and in 1875 he was bookkeeper in the commission business for H. Morse & Co., No. 16 Central wharf, Buffalo, and in 1880-1-2 he was engaged in the general merchandise business at Vienna with J. H. Meays. He followed farming from 1882 to 1887, when he entered the employ of the E., C. & N. Railroad and National Express Company as agent at Vienna. In 1868 he was elected supervisor, which office he held four years, and from 1875 until 1892 he was justice of the peace, has also been railroad commissioner for two terms, and notary public from 1891 to date.

Harden, Frank S., is a native of Oneida county, and a son of Charles Harden. He married Olive, a daughter of Martin and Margaret Chrestien, and they are the parents of three children : Charles, Clarence, and Harry, all of whom are natives of this county. Frank S. is a charter member of McConnellsville Lodge, Order of the World. In early life he followed lumbering, contracting, and building, but is now engaged in the manufacture of chairs.

Strewn, George W., was born in Lee, Oneida county, August 10, 1864, son of John and Rosena (Ubelheart) Strewn, natives of Berne, Switzerland. John Strewn came to America in 1849 and located at Lee Center, Oneida county, where he worked at the cooper's trade for eight years, after which he purchased the farm now occupied by his estate, cleared and improved it, and in 1875 he purchased the farm now occu- pied by George W., where he lived until his death, which occurred September 5, 1890, aged sixty-three years. His wife died April 21, 1891, aged fifty-five years. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity: Rosa (Mrs. Charles F. Meyer); Mary (Mrs. Enoch Pritchard); Julia (Mrs. Samuel Krebs); Emma (Mrs. Rudolph Jenny); John A., who married Matilda Zimmer, by whom he had one daughter, Lillie M .; George W .; Clara; Frank B .; and Isabel. George W. was reared in Lee, where he has always resided. He was educated in the common

FAMILY SKETCHES.

schools, and is now engaged in farming. He is one of the enterprising and public spirited citizens of Lee, a member of P. of I., K. of S. F. I., and P. of H., and in politics is a Democrat.

Jones, Seymour, was born in Steuben, Oneida county, February 1, 1834, a son of of Hugh W. and Sarah (Smith) Jones, both natives of Steuben. His paternal grand- parents, William R. and Mary (Mendith) Jones, natives of Wales, were among the pioneers of Steuben, and cleared a farm from the wilderness, where they died. Hugh W. Jones, who was born February 14, 1809, was a cooper by trade, which he followed up to 1845, and then engaged in farming until he retired on account of age, and has spent all his life in Steuben and Western. He married Sarah, daughter of Henry Smith, a pioneer of Steuben, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom survive: Seymour; Mary (Mrs. Sanford Oaks); Henry; Catherine (Mrs. Joseph Brown); Esther (Mrs. Orris Tripp); Lydia A. (Mrs. John Maydole); and William. Seymour Jones was educated in the common schools and Whitestown and Holland Patent Academies, and on attaining his majority engaged in farming until 1860, after which he engaged in merchandising in Steuben for eight years. In 1869 he located at North Western and engaged in the same business nine years, erected a tannery there in 1871, which he operated until 1890, and has also been engaged in farming since 1883. December 25, 1859, he married Julia A., daughter of Saul U. and Catherine (Adams) Miller, of Steuben, by whom he has two children: Gary M. and Anna K. Mr. Jones is independent in politics, and has been supervisor of West- ern two terms.

Harris, John W., was born in Westernville, Oneida county, August 2, 1819, son of John and Mary (Sheldon) Harris, natives of Sharon, Conn., and Providence, R. I., respectively. His paternal grandfather, David Harris, was a prominent builder of his day, and for many years a resident of Lansingburg, N. Y. He spent the later years of his life in Westernville, where he died. The maternal grandfather, James Sheldon, a native of Providence, R. I., was among the pioneers of Remsen, and for many years was agent of the John Brown tract in the Adirondacks. In early life he was a distiller of essential oil. John Harris, father of John W., was born February 14, 1785, came to Trenton, Oneida county, in 1793, and served an apprenticeship at the tanner and currier trade. He located at Westernville in 1814, where he embarked in business for himself, in which he continued for twenty years, when he sold out and in 1835 located on the farm now occupied by his son, John W., where he died August 10, 1860. His children were Mary (Mrs. Gustavus S. French); Emeline (Mrs. Horatio Castle); Abbie M. (Mrs. Freedom French); and John W., our subject, who has always been a resident of Western, where he engaged in farming, and has lived on the old homestead since 1835. Mr. Harris is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which his father was an elder for many years. He has been president of the Oneida County Farmers' Insurance Company, and in politics is a Republican.

Jones, Richard R., was born in Sarnfollteyra, North Wales, April 25, 1850. He received his early education in Wales, where he afterward taught in the National School for two years. He came to the United States in 1870, where he attended school, fitting himself for a business life, in which he has been successful. He learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, which he followed a short time. He was in

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

the Western States for a short time and since 1882 has been engaged in the mercan- tile business in Glenmore, in the town of Annsville, Oneida county. He married Ellen Hopper, of Janesville, Wis. He is a Republican in politics, was justice of sessions for six years, also justice of the peace for nine years, and at present is notary public. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., Rome Lodge No. 266, Stanwix Encampment, No. 73, and Canton Stanwix, No. 3.

Graves, William B., was born in the town of Vienna, Oneida county, in January, 1853, the only surviving child of William H. and Minerva (Wade) Graves. This family was among the Puritans who came to Connecticut, emigrating to this country when it was quite young. William B. was educated in the schools of Annsville and Whitestown Seminary, and since 1882 has been engaged in the mercantile business in Taberg. He is a prominent business man and stands high in the political field as a staunch Republican, and was school commissioner from 1888 to 1891. He married Elma, daughter of Peter Flanigan, of North Bay, by whom he had three children: Celia M., born February 1, 1885; Bessie, born January 10, 1887; and Elma A., born in December, 1890. Mr. Graves is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of Lee Center Council of Royal Arcanum. He was elected member of assembly in 1895 and was one of the eighty-four that voted for the Raines Bill. His ancestors were among the early settlers in the towns of Annsville and Vienna, moving here in the latter years of the last century.

Scott, Walter F., was born in the town of Annsville, April 18, 1859. His father, Otis Scott, was born in Deerfield, and came to the town of Annsville in 1840. He was an extensive farmer and lumberman, always being a man of high standing in the town where he resided. He married Julia, daughter of John Bloss, of whom Blossvale derived its name, by whom he had one child, Walter F., who was educated in this town and Whitestown Seminary, after which he engaged for some time in farming and owns a farm of 200 acres. He is an active Republican in politics, and was in New York city for two years, in the office of the subtreasurer of the United States. He married Adella, daughter of N. B. Taft, of Taberg, by whom he has four children: Otis, Pauline. Northrup and Howard.

Reed, Leonard R., was born at Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., November 26, 1832, son of Joseph M. Reed, who was born at Chester, Vt., February 5, 1802, of English ancestry, and settled at Turin in 1825. Besides being a farmer, he was an expert mason, and carried on this trade with his farm work. He was prominent in both political and religious circles, and captain of a company in the militia. He has been an active worker and a deacon in the Baptist church for nearly forty years. After his residence in Turin he came to Martinsburg, thence to Leyden, and thence to Boonville in 1864, purchasing a farm of Albert E. Jackson, one mile north of Boon- ville village. He married Lois Marsh Seymour, who was born at Hartford, Conn., January 14, 1805, by whom he had eight children. He departed this life July 19, 1881. Leonard R. Reed completed his academic education at Lowville, and March 3, 1858, he married Sarah E. Goodrich of Martinsburg, Lewis county, by whom he had one daughter, Ella A., who married Elroy C. Hall, a Leyden farmer; she died at twenty-seven years of age, leaving a son, Clifton Reed Hall, who now resides with his grandparents. Mr. Reed and wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are highly respected citizens.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Bellinger, Henry H., was born in Forestport, N. Y., August 29, 1855, son of John, who was a native of the Mohawk country, and Elizabeth (Merville) Bellinger, a native of German Flats, N. Y. The village of Enoch was originally called Bellin- gertown, taking its name from the grandfather of Henry M. He was a pioneer there, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. John Bellinger was engaged in farming at Forestport, where he lived and died, and was also a noted trapper and hunter, and cleared a farm at Forestport. Henry M. was engaged as a farm hand at Lowville nine years. He then came to Ava, and after working for H. J. Lewis one year, rented the farm for seven years, and in 1891, bought the farm in Ava, where he now resides. He kept a dairy of ten cows, and made choice butter. In 1875 he married Jennie Congdon of Forestport, by whom he has three children: Bertha, Hattie and Leon. Mr. Bellinger is a member of the Boonville Grange.

Wells, Albert B., D. D. S., was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., June 1, 1833, son of Ira and Abigail Wells. Ira was a son of Elisha Wells, who settled in Trenton about 1800, and was engaged in general and pioneer farming. He was known as Captain Wells, and his children were Chester, Ira, Elizabeth G., Nancy, and Mary. Ira Wells was also engaged in farming. He married Abigail Austin, by whom he had three children: Albert G., Chester, and Austin. By his second wife, Patty Hemingway, he had one child, Henry H. Albert B. married Dora E., daugh- ter of Gardner Townsend, by whom he had three children: Alberta, deceased, Gardner T., deceased, and Ira G. Mr. Wells was a student of Dr. A. N. Priest from 1857 to 1860, and from 1861 to 1864 he practiced in Connecticut. Since his marriage, September 15, 1864, he practiced in Holland Patent. Ira G. was graduated from the Pennsylvania Medical College in 1894, and was associated with his father in business. Alberta was a graduate of Albany Normal School, and died October 30, 1887. Albert Wells died March 19, 1896.

Witherstine, Willard, was born in the town of Steuben, N. Y., in 1843, son of Will- iam, who was born in Herkimer county in 1820. He was a son of John Witherstine, whose father, John, was a native of Germany, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John., jr., was a farmer by occupation, and came to Steuben in 1828, settling in a forest, where lie later cleared a farm. He married Catherine Harter, by whom he had nine sons and three daughters. He lived to the age of ninety-two years and seven months, and died in 1863. His wife died at the age of sixty-three. William Witherstine has always been engaged in farming in the town of Steuben, where he 110w lives. In 1841 he married Catherine, daughter of Platt Weed, of Steuben, by whom he has had three children: Matilda (deceased), Willard, and Lavina, wife of Oscar Hall, of Egypt, N. Y. Willard Witherstine was educated at the common schools and Rome Academy, and at eighteen years of age he began to teach school, and also engaged in farming. In 1866 he purchased his first farm of fifty acres, to which he has added 150 acres, and he is principally engaged in dairy farming. In 1866 he married Clarinda Stannard, by whom he had four children: Minnie (de- ceased), Winnie (deceased), Frank, and Edith.

Haven, A. G., was born in Sangerfield, N. Y., September 23, 1846, son of P. B. and Elizabeth (Putnamn) Haven. His grandfather was John Haven, a native of Connecticut. Mr. A. G. Haven has been engaged in the brick manufacturing busi-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ness all his life. In 1865 the firm of P. B. Haven & Son was formed; P. B. Haven began the business in 1835. A. G. Haven was a charter member of the Waterville Grange, and justice of the peace of the town of Sangerfield. In 1869 he married Frances M. Bartholomew, by whom he has two sons: George B: and Sherman W. George B. is a professor in the Institution of Technology in Boston, Mass. Sher- man W. is a student at the Auburn Theological Seminary, preparing for the ministry.

Osborn, William, was born in Sangerfield, May 9, 1809. As a boy he worked in his father's store and taught school for two winters. At the age of twenty-seven he was one of the commissioners for distributing the stock of the Oneida National Bank. In 1837 he went to Michigan to join an emigrating corps to locate the line of the Michigan Central Railway, and in 1841 he returned to Waterville and engaged in farming until 1845, when he sold his farm, excepting ten acres for a homestead, and went to Missouri, where he took an interest in the contract for building the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, a contract amounting to $6,000,000, and they completed the railroad in 1849-50. He then organized the company to build the flat country railroad to Council Bluffs. In 1865 he took the contract to construct the central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, extending from Atchison 100 miles west. All of his railroad contracts were of large magnitude, and were carried through most successfully by him. In 1830 he married Amelia Waldo, by whom lie had one son and six daughters.

Hanchett, Julian A., was born in the house where he now resides, May 18, 1838, son of Ansel D. and Mary (Peck) Hanchett. Ansel D. was born April 4, 1815 Hc has spent his life in Marshall, and has been engaged in farming. His father, Silas Hanchett, was one of the early settlers in this part, and was a native of Vermont. Mrs. Hanchett died January 27, 1892. Julian A. was one of three children: Julian A., L. M., and Mary E., now Mrs. W. H. De Viney. Mr. Hanchett has been engaged in farming all his life, and has been a prominent hop grower for thirty-five years. He is at present one of the excise commissioners, and is one of the leading farmers of Marshall.

Barton, J. F., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, N. Y., June 16, 1823. His father, Eliphaz B. Barton, was a native of Granby, Mass., and one of the early settlers in this section of the country, coming here about 1797. He married Polly M. Barker, a native of this county. J. F. Barton has been a farmer all his life, and has always taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of his town, and was super- visor for six years.

Cady, A. B., was born in Sangerfield, in 1836, son of A. B. and Harriet (Terry) Cady, natives of Herkimer county and Sangerfield respectively. He was a mechanic, and became a prominent builder in Waterville, nearly all of whose fine buildings he erected, including the Candee block, Buell's shoe factory, the National Bank, the school buildings, etc. He has been trustee of the village, water commissioner, and chief engineer of the Fire Department.

Reed, John J., was born in Marcy, N. Y., January 11, 1840, son of John and Sarah (West) Reed, natives of Rensselaer county. John Reed came to Marcy over seventy years ago, and was in the war of 1812. He died at the age of seventy-one, while

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Mrs. Reed lived to be ninety-four. John J. Reed spent a great deal of his early life in Brooklyn, N. Y., and has been in Waterville for twenty-seven years, during which time he has been engaged in the liquor business.

Roberts, R. Wilson, was born in the 'own of Augusta, N. Y., August 8, 1840, and came to Waterville with his parents in 1841. He is a son of Thomas and Irene (York) Roberts. Thomas Roberts was a native of Wales. He was twice married; his first wife dying in 1845. He died in 1882, and his second wife, Sarah Jones Roberts, in 1878. R. Wilson Roberts is engaged in milling and farming, in which he is success- ful. In politics he is a Democrat, and stands high in his party, which has offered him nominations for assemblyman and senator, besides electing him supervisor of Mar- shall in 1868, 1874, 1875 and 1876. He was also trustee of the village of Waterville in 1875.

Conger, Daniel, was born in the town of Sangerfield, and has been a resident of Sangerfield and the village of Waterville all his life. He is and has been for forty- eight years a dealer in hops. He was connected with the promotion and building of the Utica and Chenango railroad, and is at present one of its directors. He has been a director of the National Bank for thirty years, of which he has been vice- president since 1884. In 1851 he married Polly Janes, by whom he had one son, De Witt, who is a resident of Waterville. She died in 1884, and Mr. Conger married his present wife, Keokee Smith, in 1892.

Preston, Medina, M. D., was born in Sangerfield. He studied medicine with his father, graduating in 1865. He practiced medicine at Sangerfield until 1891, when he moved into Waterville. He is United States pension examiner, and has been overseer of the poor. He has the oldest medical library in Oneida county, which contains some very rare and valuable old books. His grandfather, Dr. Stephen Preston, was the first physician in Sangerfield, and his father also being a physician, the Preston family has been represented in this town, by a physician for over a cen- tury. Dr. Stephen Preston was born in Ashford, Conn., December 29, 1767. He came to Sangerfield in 1790 and died February 28, 1835. He married Clarissa Loomis, who was born in 1972, and died February 24, 1831. Dr. Medina Preston, sr., was born in 1793, and died in 1874, and he married May Gove, who was born May 16, 1805, and died March 21, 1876. The Preston family is one of the oldest in San- gerfield, and has always been prominent in public affairs. James G. Preston, brother of Dr. Preston, is now a resident of Utica, and was supervisor of Sangerfield for fourteen years. Dr. Preston is a notary public and registrar of vital statistics of the corporation of Waterville, and health officer.

Morgan, Albert C., D. D. S., was born in the town of Madison. Madison county, N. Y., son of John and Lucretia (Hazzard) Morgan. He was educated at Cazenovia Seminary, and then learned dentistry, studying at Norwich, N. Y. He practiced dentistry for sixteen years, ten of which were in Waterville, N. Y., two in Wiscon- sin, one in Chicago, Ill., and one in Carthage, N. Y. He now devotes his attention to the interests of the Local Anaesthetic Company, of which he is president. This company makes a speciality of Denlofine, a preparation for painless dentistry, and minor surgical operations, which was invented by Dr. Morgan. The company's office is at 1 and 3 Union Square, New York, N. Y., and also branch office in Utica,

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

N. Y., the only dental office west of New York using this process. The Utica office is in charge of Dr. Morgan himself. In 1881 Dr. Morgan married Gertrude Fuller of Lowville, N. Y., and they have two sons and three daughters.

Utley, Henry T., was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, March 3, 1821, son of Squire and Clarissa (Tallmadge) Utley, natives of this county. Heny T. Utley was educated at the old Oneida Institute at Whitesboro, the Clinton Liberal Insti- tute, and Cazenovta Seminary. He then took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He practiced in Rome until 1857, and during that time was dis- trict attorney for three years. In 1857 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and remained five years. He left there and came to Waterville, because of the depression in busi- ness caused by the war, and when the war had closed, he found himself in the pos- session of a fine practice in Waterville. Mr. Utley married for his first wife, Eliza Carmichael, who died leaving one daughter. Mrs. Samuel Nicklin of Newcastle, Pa. He afterwards married Mary, daughter of Aaron Stafford, one of the prominent res- idents of Waterville.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 100

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co. Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612