Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 106

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 106

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).

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society, and was once its president, and for three years was a delegate to the New York Medical Society and is a member of same, and he was also coroner for three years. He married Sarah E. C. Northrup, by whom he had three children: Anna K., Addie F., and George A. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Hibbard, by whom he has four children: Kate L., Caradori, Manuela, and Ruth. He is a member of the Remsen F. & A. M., I.O.O F., and I.O.R. M. of Prospect, and also of the Thomas Post, of which he was commander for several years.

Dorn, Samuel, was born in Ava, Oneida county, in 1845, son of Charles Dorn. Charles Dorn was born in Baden, Germany, and settled in Ava at the beginning of the century. He was a farmer, and a man of great natural ability, as was evidenced by the long yet ultimately successful litigation with the town of Ava, which he had concerning an unjust taxation imposed upon him. Samuel Dorn gained his educa- tion at Ava, much of which was acquired by personal research and investigation. He owns a farm in Chenango county of 100 acres, and one here of 300 acres; the principal product is potatoes, raising from 2,000 to 4,000 bushels annually for the past twenty years, and which is shipped by Mr. Dorn himself to New York. In 1876 he married Angeline Sprague, who was born in McDonough, Chenango county, and was the granddaughter of Joseph Sprague, who came from Massachusetts and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Dorn, when the entire country was a vast wilderness; the nearest grist mill being twenty miles away. They have two sons: Frank, aged nineteen, at present operating a gasoline engine; and Jacob, aged fourteen. Mr. Dorn is president of the board of directors of the Grange store of Boonville, and is a prominent granger ; he is also a Republican, but has no prochvity for office.

Potter, John W., was born on the farm where he now resides, October 17, 1859, son of Johu and Sarah (Wilcox) Potter; and John was a son of Wilham Potter, who settled in this county about 1826. John W. was one of two children; the other, Cora S., wife of James B. Weaver, of Fonda, la. John Potter was engaged in farming; was active in town and county affairs, and was interested in educational work. John W. Potter married Mary E., daughter of Evan D. and Elenor Jones. He has been very active in public affairs; was assessor of Floyd from 1884 to 1887, and also supervisor in 1888-89-90; and was elected supervisor of the town of Marcy March 3, 1896, for two years. He was very active in the church and Sunday-school of the Marcy Baptist church. Mr. Potter was master of the Marcy Grange No. 620 and member of Oriskany Lodge No. 799, F. & A. M.

Lockwood, Andrew J., was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, N. Y., February 13, 1846. His father, Cornelius Lockwood, was a farmer, charcoal maker and lumber- man, born in Rensselaer in 1806, son of John Lockwood, of Walton, Delaware county, N. Y. His mother was Asenath Hornocker, born in Stephentown, Rens- selaer county, in 1814. In 1859 they removed to Forestport where Mr. Lock- wood died in April, 1890, aged eighty-four years, and Mrs. Lockwood died in February, 1892, aged nearly seventy-eight years. The other children born to Cornelius Lockwood and wife were: two who died infancy; Jane Elizabeth Crop- sey, married in 1852, died April 1, 1882; James E., died February 21, 1882; Cor-

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nelius, of Utica; Adelia died aged two [years, then Andrew J., the subject of this sketch; Henry, living at White Lake, N. Y .; Catharine M. Griffith, at White Lake ; Lewis of Forestport; and Amaziah, of New York city. January 1, 1864, when nearly eighteen years of age, Andrew J. Lockwood enlisted in Co. F, 117th N. Y. Vols., and went out as a recruit, but was later transferred to the 48th Regiment, his principal battles being Swift Creek, Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, campaign of the Carolinas and Bennett House. Since the war he has been actively engaged in lumbering and farming, owning two farms, and devotes his time to dairy farming. He has served as poor- master and assessor of his town, and is now serving in the latter capacity. He is now commander of the Henry Walker G. A. R. Post No. 181 of Forestport. In De- cember, 1866, he married Mary J. Drextel, by whom he has had seven children: Olive A. Betsinger, of the town of Western; Solon A., deceased; Victor V., married and has two sons, Earl V. and Andrew J., jr. ; Chloe H., deceased; Edith L. Cas- ler, of Forestport ; Mary A. ; and Royal H., deceased. Mrs. Mary Lockwood died September 22, 1893, and his present wife, to whom he was married December 6, 1894, is Maria La Moine Kirkland, who was born in Whitestown June 13, 1863, daughter of James B. and Amy Jane (Carpenter) Kirkland, of Forestport, N. Y.

Armstrong, William C., was born in Annsville, Oneida county, April 11, 1830, one of eleven children of George and Adelia (Walrath) Armstrong. He was educated in this town, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, dairying being his principal business. He married Sarah Campbell, of Annsville, by whom he had six children: George, May, Willie, Alice, Sarah, and Kittie. Mr. Armstrong is a Democrat in politics, was supervisor of the town in 1875, and has been assessor six years.

Dodge, E. C., was born at Carthage in 1842, son of Clark Dodge, a noted banker of Boonville, and who first engaged in wagon manufacture at Carthage, where he was president of the Carthage Exchange Bank, and was also a retail druggist and builder there. In 1866 he established the Bank of Boonville, which, after passing through various financial vicissitudes, was reorganized in 1876, as the First National Bank of Boonville. C. E. Dodge was engaged in the retail drug business at Carth- age, which business he resumed in Boonville, where he came at twenty-four years of age. For many years he has been cashier of the bank, with which his father was so closely identified throughout his life. In 1876 he married Cassie Donnelly, daughter of Bernard Donnelly, esq.

Davis, John J., was born in the town of Florence, October 4, 1859, son of Thomas Davis, who was born in England, and came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, first settling on Florence Hill, where he engaged in farming, which business he followed until his death, which occurred in 1872. He married Mary Hodson, of England, by whom he had ten children. John J. was educated in the district schools of Florence, after which he engaged in farming, and now owns 107 acres of land, mostly improved. He married Dora, daughter of Wilbert Upson, of Camden, by whom he had on child, Frances Louisa, deceased. Mr. Davis is a mem- ber of Camden Grange, and in politics is a Democrat.

Halstead, John, was born in Holland Patent, January 12, 1824, son of Joseph and

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sarah Halstead, whose children were Warren, Luther, Mary, Martha, John, Harvey, Jane, and Edmund R., who was killed in the war of the Rebellion September 17, 1861. Joseph served in the war of 1812, and his father, Joseph, in the Revolutionary war. John Halstead married Clara A., daughter of George S. Parke, and they have two children: Ella, wife of Fred H. Lillibridge, and May, who married Edwin K. Leonard. In early life Mr. Halstead engaged in farming, lumbering, and milling, but lately has given most of his time to the manufacturing of paper. In 1856 he was elected to the Assembly. He has held the office of supervisor for two years.

Hainault, Rev. Francis J., was born in the city of Oswego, N. Y, August 15, 1855, one of five children of Francis and Helen (Slaven) Hainault, who were natives of Canada, and came to the United States about 1850. Francis J. attended St. Mary's Parochial School, where he began the foundation of his educational life, and after- wards the public schools of Oswego. On account of the closing of the High School in- 72 he became a student of Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y., from which he grad- uated in classics and sciences. From L'Assomption College, near Montreal, he graduated in philosophy at the head of his class in 1875, and was ordained to the priesthood in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, Laval University, on December 21, 1878, receiving the degree of S. T. B. He has filled many prominent charges, among which having been chaplain of prominent Onondaga county institutions, and has been rector of St. Patrick's church, Taberg, N. Y., nearly twelve years.

Jones, Robert H., was born in the town of Marcy, November 3, 1851, son of Evan D. and Eleanor Jones. Robert H. Jones married Della M., daughter of Harrison J. and Mary A. Sweet, whose ancestors came to Oneida county in 1797, and by whom he has one daughter, Gertrude E. In 1868 he engaged in carpenter work, which he followed for four years; he then engaged in cheesemaking for three years, since which time he has followed farming. He is interested in educational matters, also town and county affairs.

Jones, John R., was born in Remsen, Oneida county, in 1855. He is the eldest of three children of Richard Jones, and is of Welsh ancestry. Richard Jones was born in Wales in 1822, and married soon after coming to America in 1854, Ellen Williams, also a Welsh descendant. They first settled in Boonville at farming, and continued that occupation until 1880, when he died, much loved and respected by all who knew him. John R. Jones follows successfully in the business of his father. In 1882 he married Clara L. Van Voorhis, by whom he has three children: Herbert J., Glenn Howard, and Beulah I.

Keeler, Miles L., was born in the town of Florence, November 4, 1837, son of Nathaniel Keeler, who was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., September 4, 1792, and removed to Madison county in 1810, and in 1835 came to the town of Florence, where he engaged in farming until 1856, when he came to the town of Camden, where he died in 1873. He married Lydia Hall of Madison county, N. Y., and they were the parents of four children: Emily, Parnel, Henry J., and Charles B. For his second wife he married Amanda, daughter of Elijah Gaylord, and they were among the first settlers of Florence. To them were born two children: Miles L., and Walter E., who are farmers in Camden. Miles G. was educated in the towns of Camden and Florence, and has followed farming, teaching school in the winter. For his first

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wife he married Louisa W., daughter of Daniel Peck of Camden, and they were the parents of three children: Lena J., Mable A. (deceased), and Alta J. For his second wife he married Sophia, daughter of Pliny Phelps of Camden, and to them have been born one son, Henry P. In politics Mr. Keeler is a Republican, and has held the offices of town collector and assessor for nine years. He is a member of the Camden Grange.

Pillmore, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, May 14, 1830, a son of William and Sarah (Rowbotham) Pillmore. In 1836 he came to America with his mother, a widow with eight children: George, Jane (Mrs. William Floyd), William, Mary (Mrs. Pardon Macomber), Robert, Thomas, John, and Sarah (Mrs. Thomas A. Shirley), who located in Western. John was reared in Western, and in 1849 he crossed the plains to California, where he remained eight years successfully engaged in mining. In 1857 he returned home and in 1866 purchased the farm in Western which he still retains, but resides in Rome. In 1860 he married Margaret, daughter of Dank ). and Mary (Young) Van Alstine of Danube, Herkimer county, N. Y., and they l.ave three children: Charles, of Western, Fred, and Grace, of Rome. Mr. and Mrs. Pill- more are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican. Tradi- tion links the early history of the Pillmores with that of Rev. Joseph Pilmoor, one of two of the first traveling preachers sent to America in 1769 by Rev. John Wesley.

Capron, James H., was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., July 11, 1828, son of Henry and Betsey (Kent) Capron, he a native of Western and she of Lewis county, and grandson of John and Jemima (Martin) Capron, who were pioneers of the town of Western, coming there from Rhode Island. From Western they removed to Lee, where they died. Henry Capron spent his life as a farmer in Ava. He was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and died in 1875. His wife died in 1873. In politics he was a Republican, and was supervisor and justice for many years. James H. Capron was reared on the farm. He has made a success of farming, now owning farms of about 1,200 acres, and keeping a dairy of about 160 cows. He is a Republican in politics, and has been superintendent of schools of Ava, also supervisor of the town. In 1867 he moved to Mankato, Minn., and remained one summer. In 1868 he re- moved to Boonville, where he has since resided, taking an active part in all public matters. He was for several years an active member of the Board of Education, the board of village trustees and president of the village. In 1855 he married Maria L Cagwin, by whom he had one son, Henry, who died November 11, 1886. Mrs. Capron died December 31, 1859, and February 10, 1864, Mr. Capron married Hetta Brinckerhoff, of Boonville, by whom he has two sons: Benjamin A., a lawyer of Boonville, who married Anna Jackson; and Ambrose C., who resides on the home farm, and married Maud Douglass, of Boonville. Mr. Capron is a member of the Odd Fellows.

Pugh, William E., was born in the town of Remsen, August 21, 1847, son of Evan Pugh, who was born in Wales in 1804, one of four sons born to Evan Pugh, who came to America in 1813, bringing his family with him, and settled in Remsen on wild timber land, where he cleared a farm and became prosperous. He was a carpenter by trade and lived to be over eighty years of age. Evan Pugh, father of William E., was a carpenter and wagon maker by trade, but later engaged

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

in farming, first purchasing forty acres of land, to which he added until he owned over 200 acres. He was active in politics and held several town offices for eighteen years, and was deacon in the Baptist church for twenty-five years. He married Ann Jones, by whom he had six children: Richard, Sarah, Elizabeth, Hugh, Cath- erine and William E. He died in 1877, and his wife in January, 1892. William E. was educated in the district schools in Reisen, and when twenty-one years of age began for himself. After his father's death lie rented the homestead of the heirs, cared for his mother until her death, and in 1889 bought his present farm of sixty- two acres, on which he carries on a dairy business, and is also interested in the breeding of Holstein cattle and has a fine herd. In 1887 he married Mary J., daugh- ter of Richard and Ellen Hughes, by whom he had three children: Anna, Richard and Sarah.

Thomas, Griffith D., was born near Camroden, N. Y , March 29, 1847, son of Rich- ard and Jane Thomas, who settled here about 1822. They have fourteen children : Evan, Jane, Griffith, John, Margaret, William, Samuel, James, Owen, Richard, Thomas, David, Gomer, and Edwin. Richard was engaged in early life in farming, but later in cheese making. He was public spirited and active in town affairs. Griffith Thomas married Nancy L., daughter of John Abell. by whom he has two children. Fred R. and Gertrude L. He worked for his father until 1870, when he purchased his father's interest in the cheese factory, which he has since conducted. He was supervisor in 1891, and trustee of the Westernville Presbyterian church, and director of the Farmers Insurance Co. of Oneida county; also secretary and treasurer of the cheese factory, which makes about 185,000 lbs. of cheese per year.

Meays, John H., was born in Vienna, November 30, 1840, son of Thomas and Mary Jane Meays, who settled in the town about 1839. Thomas married Mary Jane, daughter of Barton Palmer, who was a pioneer of Trenton Falls, and they were the parents of four children: Helen Butler; John H .; George Barton, who enlisted in the 14th N. Y. Vols., and was shot while on picket duty and died in Emery Hos- pital; and Annie E. John H. married Minerva, daughter of Charles Case of Alle- gany county, and they have three children : Barton C., Orson H., and Mary M. He is a member of Vienna Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M., and of Sylvan Beach Lodge No. 326. I.O.O.F. He was supervisor of the town of Vienna for one term.

Shirley, Thomas A., was born in Steuben, Oneida county, February 23, 1833, a son of John and Ann (Grimmit) Shirley, natives of Warwickshire, England, who came to America in 1826 and located in Utica, where the father, who was a wheel- wright, worked at his trade, also in Steuben, for several years, later engaged in farming, and in 1841 removed to Western and worked at his trade up to his death, which occurred in 1868, aged eighty years. His children were Hannalı, William, Sarah (Mrs. J. P. Savage), John, Elizabeth (who married S. W. Savage), Thomas A., Jennie, and Mary (Mrs. James Smith). Thomas A. was reared in Western from eight years of age, and since attaming his majority has been engaged principally in farming, though for thirteen years followed boating on the Black River and Erie Canal. December 27, 1855, he married Saralı, daughter of William and Sarah (Rowbothanı) Pillmore, of Western, and has four children living: Eliza (Mrs. E. S. Grower), Jennie (Mrs. F. J. Grower), Lucia and Fred. Mr. Shirley is a member of

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the M. E. church, has been justice of the peace of Western four years, and politi- cally is a Republican.

Coughlin, John B., was born in Forestport, N. Y., in November, 1867, son of Timothy Coughlin, who was born in Canada in 1832, and who was one of five chil- dren born to John and Catherine (McGuire) Coughlin, both natives of Ireland. John Coughlin, grandfather of John B., now resides with his daughter, Mrs. McGuire, in Forestport, and is over ninety years of age. Timothy Coughlin was a farmer and lumberman, and sold great quantities of spile and spar timber. He served six years as supervisor, also as collector and road commissioner. He married Mary Bennett, a native of Ireland, by whom he had five children: John B., Edward, Mary, Elizabeth and Frank. Mr. Coughlin died in 1892, and his wife in 1874. John B. Coughlin received his education in the district schools, and at seventeen years of age engaged in farming and lumber business, which he followed for seven years, after which he engaged as timekeeper on the A. & St. L. R. R., during its construc- tion. In 1891 he engaged in the lumber business, taking contracts, in which busi- ness he is now actively engaged; and he owns considerable property in Utica.

Patten, Delford, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., in 1828. He was edu- cated in the public schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and has always followed the oc- cupation of farming. February 17, 1878, he married Charlotte A. Stewart, of Oneida, Madison county, and they have one son, Robert B., who is a farmer at home. Mr. Patten's father, Alfred Patten, was born in Manheim, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1796. He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Ann Benedict, of Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y., by whom he had four children: Lafayette, Robert, Delford, as above, and Barbara A. He was a colonel in the State militia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died June 6, 1873, and his wife September 5, 1875. Mrs. Patten's father, George Stewart, was born near Blaranathel, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1792, and came to the United States with his parents when twelve years of age, locating in Madison county, N. Y. He married twice, first to Miss Mercy Grose, by whom he had two children: Daniel and Elizabeth. For his second wife he married Jane Stewart, of Johnstown, Fulton county, by whom he had five children: Catherine M., John G., Alexander J., Char- lotte A., as above, and Jeanette S. He died November 6, 1875, and his wife No- vember 16, 1889. The ancestry of this family is English, Dutch and Scotch.

Weber, A. H., was born in Utica April 8, 1860. His father, Christian Weber, was born in Germany and came to America when a boy, locating in Utica, where he now resides. His mother, Mary Louisa Hartman, died in 1869. A. W. Weber was edu- cated in his native city. In 1874 he removed with his parents to Washington county, Ia., where he lived upon a farm until 1881, when he returned to Utica and entered the employ of John Kohler, the West Utica dry goods merchant, until the spring of 1889, when he came to Waterville, establishing a fine clothing business. In 1884 he married Anna M. Simmerer of Utica, by whom he has one son, Ralph E. Weber. Mr. Weber is a Republican in politics and a member of the First Presby- terian church, and of Sanger Lodge No. 129, F. & A. M.

Mills, E. Deloss, was born in the town of Kirkland, Oneida county, N. Y., July 8, 1844. He was a son of Andrew and Marilla (Wetmore) Mills, both natives of Oneida

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county. Andrew Mills came to Oneida county in 1802, being one of the pioneers in the town of Kirkland. Mr. Mills at once engaged in agriculture, in which pursuit he devoted his life, accumulating considerably property as a result of his industry and energy. E. Delos Mills was one of a family of four children, namely: Charlotte L., Andrew W., Harriet and the subject of this sketch. Harriet died some years ago. Mr. Mills spent his early life on the farm and there acquired an extensive experience in hop culture, which he has since turned to account in a business way. Since 1877 he has been engaged in hop buying, carrying on a large business. He received his business education at the Utica Business College, and that together with his practical experience has enabled him to conduct a successful business. Outside of business affairs Mr. Mills is especially active in the Masonic fraternity, having been honored by that body with many important offices. He was made a Mason in 1867 and was chosen master of Clinton Lodge in 1876 and 1777 ; again in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1895 he was again elected and is still serving in that capacity. He is also a member of Oneida Chapter R. A. M., No. 57 of Utica, and of the Rome Commandery No. 45 K. T. Mr. Mills married Louisa, daughter of William Jones, of Newville, Herkimer county. They reside in Clinton.

Brooks, W. A., was born on the same street on which he now lives, December 8, 1834, and worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter. In 1869 he engaged in the saw mill business, which he has successfully conducted ever since. In 1872 he married Sarah L. Brown, by whom he has one daughter, Mrs. Wayne E. Small. Mr. Brooks's parents were Morgan and Lu- cretia (Adams) Brooks. His grandfather, Roger Brooks, was a carpenter, and erected the first two story house in Utica. This house was erected for his brother, Barnabas Brooks, who was the first jeweler in Utica. Mr. Brooks has to-day an old- fashioned rule, once the property of Roger Brooks, and also a knee buckle made by Barnabas Brooks, besides other valuable heirlooms. His grandfather, Roger Brooks, came from from Blandford, Mass., and settled in the town of Nelson, Madison county. He has been collector of the town of Marshall, and is a member of the Grange at Waterville. He makes lumber, shingles, cider, etc., and is noted for his hop cowls, of which he has made more than any man in the world.

Day, Julius, was born in Deansboro, N. Y., May 3, 1841, son of Adonijah, a native of Burlington Flats, Otsego county, and Sophia (Titus) Day, a daughter of Billy Titus. His grandfather, Adonijah, was a native of Connecticut. Julius Day was for some time engaged in the produce business, but lately has given all of his atten- tion to farming. He was supervisor of the town of Marshall from 1879 to 1884, and again in 1886, making six years in all. He also held the position of town clerk, be- fore being supervisor. In 1877 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas P. and Mary Ann Young, by whom he has three children: Walter Julius, Nellie and Hattie. Mr. Day is one of the most highly respected men in Marshall, and is regarded as a lead- ing man in many ways.

Sanford, Mrs. Helen B .- The late Hon. George H. Sanford, son of George and Louisa Gibbs Sanford, was born at Sanford's Ridge, in the town of Queensbury, N. Y., in 1836, and a year later removed with his parents to Glens Falls, where he remained until he was thirteen years of age, enjoying such educational advantages

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as the place afforded. At thirteen years of age he removed to Albany, where he found employment as receiving and shipping clerk with Mead, Burnham & Co., wholesale lumber dealers, and, with the exception of one year spent at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, N. Y., remained in their employ for seven years. During three winters of this time he was lumbering on his own account in Greene county, N. Y., and Potter county, Pa. When twenty years of age he went to Syra- cuse and engaged in the lumber and salt trade, combining with it the manufacture of lumber at Saginaw, Mich., and locating pine lands in the productive pineries of that State. He was connected with one of the pioneer companies, organized in 1858, to bore for salt water in the Saginaw Valley. In 1861 he married Helen (Breese) Stevens, only granddaughter of the late Hon. S. Sidney Breese, of Oneida county, N. Y. In 1862, having acquired a competence, he removed to Oneida county, where he remained until the time of his death. He was appointed president of the Oneida Savings Bank, and director in the Oneida Valley National Bank and Rome and Clinton Railroad Company. He also about this time re-embarked with his younger brother, David, in the lumber business at Rome, N. Y. In 1864 and again in 1868 he was delegate to the National Democratic Conventions. In 1865-66 he was elected super- visor of his town by solid majorities. In 1867 he was nominated for State senator, and ran ahead of his ticket; was elected to the Assembly in 1866, and to the Senate in 1870-71. He died at his residence November 25, 1871, being the third member of the Senate of 1870-71 smitten by death during his term of service.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 106

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