Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 117

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 117

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Plumb, Henry A., was born in Washington Mills, Oneida county, March 27, 1850. He was educated at Whitestown Seminary, was graduated from the Advanced

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

school in Utica, and also attended Fairfield Seminary. In July, 1867, he became a clerk in the drug store of C. H. Williamson of Utica, and after a period of seven years accepted a clerkship in the wholesale drug and grocery establishment of Com- stock Brothers, where he remained a little more than two years. In November, 1876, he formed with A. G. Luce the firm of Luce & Plumb, and engaged in the retail drug business at 156 Genesee street. May 1, 1889, the firm moved to 198 Gen- esee street and on December 1, 1891, Mr. Plumb became sole proprietor. He is a member of the Utica Curling Club, a vestryman of Calvary Church, and secretary of the Central New York Patent Medicine Dealers' Association.

Maxson, Dr. Sands Carr, son of John C. and Harriet A. (Rogers) Maxson, was born in Preston, Chenango county, August 6, 1848. His parents moved to Utica about 1890 and died here-the mother in August, 1893, and the father October 1. 1894. Dr. Maxson was reared on a farm and received a public school education in his native town. He took a course in Oxford Academy in Chenango county, read medicine with Dr. S. F. McFarland, of Oxford, now of Binghamton, and was gradu- ated as M. D. from the medical department of the University of the City of New York in 1871. He began the practice of medicine in Leonardsville, Madison county, and except three years spent in De Ruyter continued there successfully for fifteen years. In 1884-85 he took a post-graduate course in diseases of the eye and ear in the Post-Graduate School in New York city and afterward remained for two sum- mers and one winter as instructor, practicing also in the hospitals of the city and being clinical assistant in the Manhatten Eye and Ear Hospital and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1886 he came to Utica, where he has become prominent as a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear. As an oculist and aurist he has been eminently successful. Dr. Maxson is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society and at present its delegate to the New York State Medical Society, and a member and the president of the Utica Medical Library Association, and was a member of the Eighth International Ophthalmological Congress held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August, 1894. 1Ie was a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital for four years and since 1891 has served as eye and ear surgeon to St. Eliz- abeth's Hospital. He is also a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M. In January, 1872, he married Fanny Estella, daughter of William Munger, of Palermo, Oswego county, and their children are Emma P. (who died April ?, 1885, aged thirteen), Hattie Ivaloo, and Ethel Eola.

Goodier, Wadsworth S., was born in Utica, August 13. 1858. He is a son of Jona- than Goodier, who was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., February 6, 1822, came to Utica in 1850, and has since resided there, most of the time engaged in busi- ness as a lumber merchant. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools and academy of Utica, and read law with Burton D. Hurlburt, of Utica, who was for many years resident attorney of A. T. Stewart & Co., of New York, who owned and operated the Utica Steam Woolen Mills, at Utica, and the Washington Mills, in the town of New Hartford, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar at Roches- ter, on October 10, 1879, and has since practiced his profession in Utica. In Janu- ary, 1881, on the resignation of Mr. Hurlburt as attorney for A. T. Stewart & Co .. Mr. Goodier was appointed to the position by Judge Henry Hilton of New York, the executor of A. T. Stewart's will, and still serves in that capacity. He makes a

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specialty of real estate law. He is a member of Imperial Council, Royal Arcanum. November 26, 1885, he married Lulu V. Long, daughter of James H. Long, of Man- kato, Minu., and their children are James H., Virginia and Treadway.

James, William M., M. D., is a son of David and Clarissa (Tompkins) James, and was born at North Gage in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, May 20, 1839. David James, farmer and brickmaker, was born in New Jersey. He came when a boy with his mother to this section of the State, and died in January, 1872, aged sixty-four. His wife died in January, 1880. They had seven children: Thomas T., who died in 1892; Dr. William M., of Utica; Spencer C., of Centerville, Iowa; Eme- line (Mrs. Douglas J. Pullman), of Centerville, Iowa; Sarah C .; Charles A., of North Gage, on the homestead; and Harriet A. (Mrs. Hugh Jones) of Norway, Herkimer county. Dr. James was educated in the district school and in Whitestown Seminary and prepared for college but abandoned the idea of a collegiate training to read medicine with Dr. Luther Guiteau, of Trenton, N. Y. He attended lectures at Albany Medical College and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, from which he was graduated March 13, 1862. He was a member of the house staff in Bellevue Hospital during the two years following. While there he also per- formed the duties of examining surgeon in one of the provost marshal's offices for about one year. In March, 1864, he accepted and entered upon the position of sur- geon in Lincoln General Hospital in Washington, where in consequence of poor health, he was compelled to resign and return home. He then became associated with his old preceptor in Trenton and in September, 1864, entered into partnership with him, continuing two years. In 1866 he came to Whitesboro and in 1869 opened his present office at 166 Genesee St., Utica, which he has occupied ever since. While in Bellevue he also took special instruction in the diseases of the eye under Dr. H. B. Noyes of New York. In Boston in 1869 he pursued special courses in diseases of the throat. He also took a special course in the diseases of women under Dr. Horatio R. Storer, the only man then to make a distinct specialty in giving instruction on the diseases of women in the United States. Dr. James has probably performed the only operations for the radical cure of tic-douloureux in this section of the State. He has performed almost every operation known to surgical science, many of a difficult and intricate character, and in this respect his hospital experience has proven in- estimably valuable. He has made hundreds of post-mortem examinations, and while in Washington was detailed specially for this purpose in the military hospital where he served. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society, and has written several articles on medical subjects. He is also a member of Utica Lodge F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M., and Utica Commandery, K. T. In April, 1865, he married Sarah F. Beecher, who died in 1867. He married second in May, 1869, her sister, Marion E., daughter of Joel Beecher, of Carthage, N. Y. She died in 1877, leaving three children: Dr. Frederick W., of New York city; Sarah R., of Whitesboro, and Harry B., of Columbus, O. In March, 1879, he married for his present wife, Miss Serena Higby, of Whitesboro.

Martin, Noble F., son of Jireh, a native of Massachusetts, was born in Stittville Oneida county, February 17, 1847, and received a public school education in his native town. His father, a contractor, moved into Stittville about 1845, and died there in 1890. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Martin entered the employ of R. V.

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Yates & Son, of Utica, with whom he remained nine years. March 12, 1878, he es- tablished himself in the clothing business at 32 Genesee street, having as a partner Henry T. Miller. September 19, 1881, the firm of Martin & Miller moved to the cor- ner of Genesee and Broad streets, and on April ?, 1888, Mr. Martin purchased his partner's interest and since then has been sole proprietor of one of the leading retail clothing establishments in Utica. He is a member of Utica Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and New York City Consistory, 32d degree. He is past commander of the commandery, and for the past seven years has been treasurer of the shrine.

Peckham, S. Wilber, son of Andrew J., was born in the town of Madison, Madison county, November 6, 1860, and received his education in the schools of that com- munity. In 1883 he accompanied his father to Utica, where he has since resided. The latter returned to Madison county and died there in June, 1893. Mr. Peckham pursued a course in the Utica Business College, engaged in various occupations, and . for about two years was assistant bookkeeper and telegraph operator for the Franklin Iron Manufacturing Company. On January 23,1893, he accepted his present posi- tion as bookkeeper for John H. Sheehan & Co.

Vansize, Hibbard K., is a son of Ebenezer H. Vansize and was born in Utica, June 20, 1865. The family is of Holland Dutch descent, among the colonial settlers of New York (then Manhattan), and originally rendered the name Van Seysen, Seys, Seize, Sice, and Sise. Joseph Van Sice (or Seysen), an armorer and gunsmith, lived in Schenectady in 1735. He married Helena Magdaline, daughter of Jan Vrooman, and from them descended (1) Johannes, born 1726, (2) Simon, born 1765, and Tennis, born January 9, 1792. The latter married, March 22, 1821, Eunice, daughter of Eunice and Ebenezer Hebard, who was born April 20, 1797, and who died Septem- ber 5, 1868. She was a granddaughter of Abigail (Huntington) Kimball, whose brother Samuel was a signer of Declaration of Independence, a governor of Connec- ticut, and president of Congress. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier. Teunis Vansize came to Utica in 1826 and died June 8, 1859. He was first a school teacher, built and conducted the Oneida brewery, and later had a grocery store on the corner of Genesee and Devereux streets, the firm being T. Vansize & Son. His only child, Ebenezer H. Vansize, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., January 10, 1822, became a part- ner and finally the successor of his father in Utica, died April 11, 1893. August 26, 1845, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac S. and Alva (Merwin) Baldwin, of Durham, Conn., and who survives him. They had two children: William Baldwin Vansize, a patent lawyer of New York city, and Hibbard K., of Utica. The latter was educated in the public schools and academy of his native city, and in 1881 entered the Oneida National Bank as a clerk, where he rose by gradation to the position of teller, to which he was appointed in January, 1887. December 8, 1887, he married Cora May, daughter of Edward R. Norton, of Utica, and they have one daughter, Mary Mildred.

Scheehl, Jacob, son of Adam and Otilda Scheehl, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 4, 1848, and came to America with his parents in 1849, settling in Utica, where his father died in November, 1891. He was educated in the public and German

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parochial schools, was graduated from the Advanced school in 1862, and spent three years each with Remington's old armory and Reynolds Brothers, shoe manufac- turers. He was for two years clerk in the canal collector's office under Joseph Faass, and from April, 1871, to October, 1883, was employed in the New York Central freight office. On the opening of the West Shore Railroad in 1883 he was made station agent, and upon William N. Weaver's death in July, 1887, became joint agent of the two roads. In July, 1891, he resigned, and with William F. Hayes, as Scheehl & Hayes, engaged in the coal business. In 1892 he was elected alderman of the Tenth ward and by re-election still serves in that capacity. In March, 1894, and again in January, 1896, he was chosen president of the common council. He is a Democrat and has been delegate to several political conventions, notably those at Saratoga in 1892 and Syracuse in 1895. He was chairman of the Democratic city committee in 1878. He is a 33d degree Mason and very prominent in Masonic circles. He is a member and past master of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., for the last fifteen years one of its trustees, and past district deputy grand master of this district ; a member of Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., and for the last ten years its secre- tary ; a member of Utica Commandery, No. 3, K T., a member of the Utica Coun- cil, No. 28, R. & S. M., a member of Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, its chief raben for three years, its acting potentate for one year, and its recorder for the past five years; a member of Utica Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R., in which rite he received the 33d degree. He has been treasurer of the Masonic board of trustees of the several Masonic bodies of Utica for the past twelve years, is a charter member of the Masonic Club, and was very active in securing the Masonic Home for Utica, being district deputy grand master at the time. He is a member and past regent of Fort Schuyler Council, No. 404, R. A., and its representative to the Grand Lodge of the State for two years. He has also been for the past eight years a trustee of the Homestead Aid Association of Utica. In September, 1878, he married Mary Louise Schrader of Utica, and their children are Emma L., Walter J., and one deceased.

Mansbach, Simon, was born in Hesse Castle, Germany, August 21, 1841, received his education in the National school and learned the trade of butcher in his native country, and came to America in 1859. After following his trade in New York city eight months and traveling one year he learned the cigarmakers' trade, but on ac- count of ill health gave it up and engaged as traveling salesman for L. Goldsmith, a wholesale miller of Oneonta, Otsego county, living in Unadilla. About 1862, the latter's brother, Simon Goldsmith, opened a millinery store in Utica and Mr. Mans- bach was his traveling salesman for seven years. In April, 1870, he established his present wholesale and retail millinery business, the oldest in the city, being located on the corner of Fayette and Washington streets since 1813. He has long been a trustee and was formerly vice-president of the Utica Maennechor, is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 551, order of Harrigari, and a member of St. Regis Tribe I. O. of R. M., and the German Reading Society. In 1873 he married Regina, daughter of Mandell Goldsmith, a native of Hesse Castle, Germany. She died October 28, 1892, leaving three daughters: Jannette (Mrs. Leopold Goldsmith), of Oneonta, Otsego county; Minnie (Mrs. Hyman Wineburg), of Utica; and Anna (Mrs. Charles H. Livingston), of Utica.

Griffin, Charles A., was born in January 20, 1845, in Florence, Oneida county.

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ITis great-grandfather, Nathaniel Griffin, came from Connecticut to Clinton, N. Y., in 1785, purchased of Gen. George Washington a farm near College Hill (the deed being now in Albany), and died there. Ransom, son of Nathaniel, was born in Clinton, had four children ; Ira B., Emily, Parnell, and Jane, and died there in 1829. Ira B. Griffin was born there March 19, 1820, lived after his father's death with his grandfather, and upon his mother's second marriage moved to Florence, where he still resides. He is a farmer and owns about 600 acres of land. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. K, 189th N. Y. Vols., and served until the war closed, being commissary ser- geant. He married Mary Bellows, who died in 1882, leaving three children: Ran- som and Ella E. (Mrs. Jeremiah Dunn), of Florence, and Charles A., of Utica. Mary Jane, another daughter, married H. C. Biekwell in 1869 and died in 1870. Charles A. Griffin attended the public schools of Florence, the Camden Union School, and Rome Academy, and was graduated from Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie in February, 1865. He then came to Utica and for one year was bookkeeper for D. Owens & Son, bakers and confectioners. For another year he was a clerk and bookkeeper for Wetmore & Curtis, general merchants of Camden, and in 1867 became bookkeeper for John Griffiths, wholesale dealer in teas, coffees, and spices in Fayette street, Utica. January 1. 1871, T. J. Griffiths came in as John Griffiths & Co., and January 1, 1872, Mr. Griffin and R. W. Jones were admitted partners. In 1876 John Griffiths retired and the other three continued as Griffiths & Co. March 1, 1879, the firm became Griffiths, Griffin & Hoxie, the partners being T. J. Griffiths, Charles A. Griffin, and John C. Hoxie. May 1, 1888, Mr. Griffithis withdrew and the firm has since been Griffin & Hoxie. In 1880 the business was moved to 10 Liberty street, where it was burned out in 1891 It was then estab- lished in its present quarters in Catharine street, and now maintains a wholesale grocery trade, covering a radius of 100 miles. In January, 1883, Mr. Griffin was married to Cornelia W., daughter of Levi Wheaton, of Utica, and they have two children: Wheaton I., and Charles A., jr.

Reeder, William S., was born in Kirkland. December 27, 1852, son of Simon and Elizabeth Reeder. Simon Reeder was born in England, and came to the United States in 1832. Hle assisted in a stone grist and flouring mill at Oriskany, whence he moved to Coustableville. Ile then moved to Durhamville, then to Kirkland, then to Deansville, then to Vernon Center, from which place he came to Clark Mills, where he and his son William S. bought the property now owned by William S. at Colmans, and at all these places he conducted flour and grist mills. He died Sep- tember 25, 1881. From the death of his father, Simon, till three years ago William S. was in partnership with his brother, Henry C., whom he bought out in 1892. William S. Reeder was educated at the common schools and Vernon Academy, after which he went to Oriskany Falls and conducted a mill for two years. He then went to Tonawanda, and from there to Clark Mills, and in connection with his father he bought the property now known as Reeder's Mills, which he has owned and con- ducted for twenty-two years. In addition to the mill he conducts a general store, where he carries a large stock of merchandise. Mr. Reeder is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the success of his party. He is postmaster and has rep- resented his town in the Board of Supervisors. He married Miss M. J. Tarbox, of Clark Mills, by whom he has three children: Edna Lorine, married to Charles L.

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Langdon, of Clark Mills; Edgar B., and Mamie L. Mr. Reeder and family are members of St. Peter's church at Oriskany, which his father assisted to build, and where Mr. Reeder has been vestryman for twelve years.

Allwood, Joseph S., was born in Hecla, township of Westmoreland, Oneida county, December 28, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth Allwood. John Allwood was born in England and came to Westmoreland in 1850, where he engaged in iron work at first, but soon after went to farming, at which he has always continued. He married Eliza Woodard of Saratoga county, by whom he has six children: John S., Laura B., Blanche A., Philip H., Bessie A., and Gertrude M.

Thomas, W. J., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., August 6, 1829, son of Stephen and Lucy (Goodell) Thomas. Stephen Thomas was born in Dutchess county, and Lucy, his wife, was born in Montgomery county. Stephen Thomas was employed in Utica in his early days, and after that engaged in farming, which lie followed to the time of his death at the age of seventy-seven. Mrs. Thomas also died at the age of seventy-seven. W. J. Thomas was educated at the district school at Paris, then assisted his father at farming, until he bought a farm of his own. Mr. Thomas settled in Westmoreland on his present homestead in 1866. He married Sarah Seymour, of Westmoreland, by whom he has three children: Elisha Goodell Thomas, Caroline and Mary Thomas. All the children are members of the Metho- dist church.

Kinney, Hon. Thomas E., son of Edmond and Elizabeth Kinney, who settled in Utica in about 1840, was born August 3, 1841, and received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools and Assumption Academy of that city. He was graduated in both academic and law courses from the University of Virginia in 1863, and read law in Utica with Edmunds & Miller, being admitted to the bar at Syracuse general term in 1866. After two and one-half years as managing clerk in the office of U. S. Senator Francis Kernan he was elected in 1867 city attorney of Utica, and by re- election served three consecutive terms, being the second man in the history of Utica to fill that office for three successive years. The first was John G. Floyd in 1829 to 1831. During that period Mr. Kinney, without assistance of any kind, did the entire legal business of the corporation. Later he was the Democratic nominee for special county judge of Oneida county, but was defeated along with the rest of the ticket. He was afterward the candidate for county judge against Judge Sutton, who was elected by 800 votes. He was three times nominated for State senator against Hon. Henry J. Coggeshall and each time defeated by reduced majorities, receiving more votes than any candidate who ever opposed that Republican stal- wart. In 1885, 1886 and 1887 he was triumphantly elected mayor of the city of Utica, first on the independent ticket by a large majority, second on the regular Democratic ticket by a greatly increased majority, and for the third time without opposition, both parties throwing him their votes in recognition of his ability and honest efforts. His administrations were endorsed by all the citizens, and he enjoys the honor of being the only man to hold the mayoralty for three consecutive terms. While mayor he introduced electricity for lighting, was the first to inaugurate asphalt paving, and led the movement which resulted in adopting improved methods and modern ideas in the municipal government, marking a new era in the prosperity of

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the city. He stood for right and justice, attended and presided (as was then the custom) over every council meeting, and did more than any other man to purify the city of gambling and other illegal institutions and of dishonesty in politics. His vetoes, always rendered in the interests of the public welfare, were models of rhetoric and executive skill, and were quoted by the press throughout the country. He has long been active in politics, and in the Cleveland movement was one of the organ- izers against the Hill snap convention, organizing himself the counties of Oneida, Herkimer and Lewis. He was made State committeeman and also went as delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1892. He has continuously practiced his profession with success, and has also been active in developing impor- tant real estate interests, owning several handsome blocks and building for himself on Rutger place one of the finest dwellings in the city. With the Baker Brothers he also developed the valuable quarries at Higginsville, Oneida county, and alone he built the first building occupied by the Saturday Globe, thus being instrumental in aiding that paper at a critical period of its career. He is a charter member of Fort Schuyler Club and vice-president of the Homeopathie Hospital of Utica. In August, 1877, he married Fannie, daughter of the late D. V. W. Golden, for many years a leading dry goods merchant of Utica, and their children are David G., Edward 1)., Rose and Thomas E., jr.

Wilcox, Wallace B., son of Benjamin R., was born in Hopkinton, N. H., August 17, 1852, and came to Utica with his parents in 1865. His paternal and maternal an- cestry are of English descent. His mother belonged to the Rice family of Massa- chusetts, who came to New England in the 17th century, and became prominent in high judicial and civil office, and in the Revolutionary war. He finished his educa- tion in the public schools of Utica and learned the trade of engraver and jeweler with Selden Collins, with whom he remained about fourteen years. In April, 1885, he purchased his employer's jewelry business and has since successfully continued it. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the Masonic Club. In June, 1879, he married Alice L., daughter of David Everest, of Utica, and they have one daughter, Bessie E.

Munn, John Sherman, was born in Whitestown, March 3, 1839, son of John Burg- hardt and Melinda (Parsons) Munn. John B. Munn was born in Whitestown in 1802, and conducted a farm until his death in 1886. Mrs. Muun was a native of Connecti- cut. John Munn, the father of John Burghardt Munn, came from Connecticut, and moved on the farm in Whitestown in 1791. John S., the subject of the present sketch, received a common school education, and graduated from Whitestown Semi- nary. He then engaged in farming, conducting his father's place. He is a staunch Republican, and deeply interested in the success of his party. He married Harriet Manktelow, daughter of Jonathan Manktelow of Otsego county, by whom he has two children: John B. and Alice E. Mr. Munn is one of the representative farmers of Westmoreland.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 117

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