Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 120

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 120

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).

Davidson, John, was born in Grayabby, county of Down, Ireland, December 16, 1824. His parents were both natives of Ireland, and grandfather and grandmother on his father's side were from Ayrshire, Scotland. His grandfather, on his mother's side, was Scotch and grandmother English. He came to America with his parents in the year 1833 and shipped from Belfast to New York, being six weeks and three days on the sea, on the vessel "Herald of Newcastle." They resided in New York city two years, after which they moved to Lansingburg, where they also lived two years. They then hired a small farm, three miles west of Albany, where they lived about twenty years, following the occupation of farming and vegetable gardening. Previous to moving to Oneida county the father had purchased the farm on which they lived, but later sold out and was employed by John Townsend of Albany, as foreman and vegetable gardener. Two years later they moved to John Davidson's present home, then a wilderness. On May 16, 1855, the father and son shouldered their axes, and commenced clearing for a house where the father died. March 13, 1865, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother died December 22, 1877, at the age of eighty-six years. John Davidson was married in Albany, December 30, 1847, by the Rev. Samuel F. Moran, pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian church, of which he and his wife were both members. They have eight sons living: John, an engi- neer on the New York Central railroad; William, a farmer and carpenter of Oneida county ; David, a carpenter on the Bennington railroad ; George, a farmer and car- penter in Oneida county ; Samuel, a farmer in Onondaga county; and Robert and James, both farmers in Oneida county ; also Henry, a carpenter and care taker of Comb's Brook fish hatchery in Herkimer county. One daughter, Mrs. Edward Scanlin, died at the age of thirty six years. Mr. Davidson has been assessor for a number of years, also school trustee, road overseer and has had charge of the State reservoirs at Woodhull and Sand Lake.

Fardett, Solomon, was born in Vermont in 1853, son of Francis Fardett, a native of France, who was a sailor in early life and came to Vermont in 1830 where he en- gaged in ship building. In 1855 he removed to Port Edward, Washington county, where he conducted a dry dock, and was engaged in building canal boats for twenty years; from there he removed to Saratoga county and later to Forestport. He mar-

208

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ried Aurelia, daughter of Emanuel Robarge, a native of Canada, by whom he had nine children: Aurelia, Mary, Julius, Joseph, Josephine, Clementine, John, Solomon and David. Mrs. Fardett died in 1863, and Mrs. Fardette in 1888, at the age of eighty-three. Solomon Fardett at the age of twelve began to work in a saw mill, and went to school winters; at eighteen he engaged in carpenter work with his brother and later as a millwright. In 1873 he came to Forestport and has erected all the saw mills in the town since that time. He was also a contractor and builder, and in 1893 erected the mill for the Forestport Lumber Company. He then engaged as foreman of the mill, which position he now holds. He served as constable for several terms. In 1871 he married Mary, daughter of William Elthorpe of Forest- port, by whom he has eight children: Bertha, Frank, Maud, Fred, Sarah, Grace, Cecil and Venetia.

Hovey, Mrs. Julietta (Kilmer), was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, N. Y., in 1834, daughter of William H. and Julia S. (Alling) Kilmer; the former a native of Schenectady county, born in 1805, and the latter, a native of Milford, Conn., born in 1799. William H. Kilmer was always engaged in carpentry, bridge and public work, and came to Oneida county in 1841, and in 1854 he removed to Forestport, where he now resides with Mrs. Hovey at the age of ninety years. Their children were Gideon A., Philip G., Julietta D. and Henry C. In January, 1858, Mrs. Hovey married Philip George Hovey, a native of Leyden, N. Y., who was born in 1833, son of George and Sybil S. Hovey. Mr. Hovey spent his entire life in the lumber business, and for years owned canal boats; he also owned large saw mills and built a number of dwellings in Forestport. He was a man of public spirit and enterprise ; had a limited education, but much natural business ability. He filled the office of commissioner of highways, and numerous other offices, and was a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Hovey had three children: Kittie H., wife of F. X. Solzman, of Forestport; Helen A., a graduate of the Oswego Normal School, and for several years a teacher in Atlanta, Ga .; and Georgianna, also a teacher. Mr. Hovey died in August, 1889, and both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church.

Neejer, John H., was born in Remsen, now a part of Forestport, in 1852, son of John Neejer, who was born in Germany in 1814, one of five sons, Henry and John (twins), George, Michael, and Philip, all of whom came to the United States when young men. John Neejer was a hotelkeeper in Boonville, where he removed in 1885, and there died. At one time he was very prosperous, but lost it all through indors- ing notes for others. He married Dorothy Burgman, of Germany, by whom he had these children; Sarah, Lena, John H., and Elizabeth. Mrs. Neejer died in 1866. Jolın H. Neejer was educated in the Boonville Academy, and when twenty years of age began for himself, following various occupations, for a time working at lumber- ing winters and in a saw mill summers. In 1885 he engaged in the meat and produce business in Forestport, where he has established and controls a large trade. He also owns 300 acres of land, fifty of which he uses for general farming purposes and the rest for grazing, having about 100 head of sheep. Mr. Neejer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is secretary. In 1883 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Jones, of Wales.

Manahan, Richard J., was born in the town of Paris in 1860, son of Richard Man-

209

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ahan, a native of Ireland, one of two sons and four daughters born to Edward Man- ahan, who was a farmer in Ireland and came to the United States, bringing his family with him, and settled in Utica He died in 1873, aged ninety-nine years. Richard Manahan, father of Richard J., was a farmer, and lived for a time in Paris, but in 1865 removed to Forestport, where he engaged in farming, and died in 1889, aged seventy-six years. He married Mary Brennan, of Ireland, by whom he had these children: Mary, Simon, Edward, Thomas, Julia, and Richard J. Mrs. Mana- han died in 1862. When thirteen years of age Richard J. began working out in Utica, but two years later returned to Forestport and engaged in working in the woods winters and rafting ship timbers and spiles down the canal to Troy summers, which he followed until 1891, when he erected his present hotel (Nehasane House), which he very ably conducts and where many sportsmen make their headquarters; he also conducts a livery, grocery and feed store. In politics he is a Democrat, and is now serving his second term as highway commissioner. In 1882 he married Ida Christian, who was born in Utica, daughter of James Christian, by whom he has two children: Estella and Winifred.

Mulchi, William, was born in New Hampshire in 1854, son of William Mulchi, a native of Ireland, who was born in 1816. William Mulchi, sr., was a tanner by trade and came to America in 1848, settling at Bellows Falls, Vt. In1 1858 he removed to the town of Boonville and two years later to Woodhull, where he died in 1863. His wife was Johannah Danaha, of County Waterford, Ireland, and they had three chil- dren: William, Thomas, and Dennis. Mrs. Mulchi died in 1887 at the home of her son, William. At the age of eight years William, jr., became a driver on the canal, which business he followed for fifteen years, being promoted to steersman and later owned and conducted a boat for himself, running from Forestport to Troy and Al- bany. He was then engaged in the lumber business and contracting for seven years, and in 1891 he erected his present hotel, known as the Forestport House. He also conducts a farm of 150 acres, making a specialty of garden vegetables. He also runs a stage for the Adirondack League Club. Mr. Mulchi served as excise commis- sioner for six years. In 1875 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Moran, who was born in Canada. Their children are William and Elizabeth. They are members of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Mulchi is trustee.

Solzman, Francis X., was born in the town of Boonville, August 15, 1855, son of Thomas Solzman, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1820, Thomas Solzman was a lieutenant in the king's army, and during the war of 1848 and 1849 was among those who revolted against the king, and was with the famous General Siegel when in 1849 they cut their way to the sea, where they disbanded. He came to America, settled in Boonville and worked at the millwright trade. He later engaged in farm- ing and cleared most of a seventy-three acre farm, where he became very prosper- ous, and later lost nearly all through speculating. His wife was Rosina Southeimer of Baden, Germany, by whom he had eight children: Rose, Susan, Sophia, Francis X., Charles Frederick, Joseph, Catherine, and Frederick Charles. He died in 1874, aud his wife in 1885. Francis X. remained at home until the death of his father, when he engaged in the lumber business at Forestport; but he soon withdrew from that business and engaged in the meat business at Boonville. A year later he re turned to Forestport and engaged as bookkeeper for a lumber firm, with whom he

210

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

remained several years, and in 1891 he engaged in farming. He served three years as justice, when he resigned to accept the office of supervisor, which office he filled for eight years. In 1886 he married Kittie L. Ilovey, a daughter of Philip C. and Julia (Kilmer) Hovey, of Forestport, and they have five children: Rilla L., Marian, Annetta J., Myrtle and George T.

Shattuck, Luther, was born in Floyd, N. Y., June 16, 1822, son of Asaph and Mary (Dorrel) Shattuck, who came here from Massachusetts in 1806. He was one of nine children: Laurie, Sylvia, Ezra, Asaph, jr., William, Louisa, Lydia, Calvin, and Luther. Asaph Shattuck was engaged in farming, and was also interested in church work and educational interests. He was trustee of the Floyd Union church and jus- tice of the peace for several terms. Luther Shattuck married Cynthia, daughter of Jabes and Margaret Holmes, by whom he has three children: Martin F., who mar- ried Mary Stone; Charles A., who married Carrie Robbins; and Emily C., wife of Charles Johnson. He is engaged in farming, and is also interested in church affairs, and has been trustee of the Floyd and Stittville church. All of the children attended Whitestown Seminary, and Martin has been justice of the peace for several years, and Charles A., town clerk.

Ward, Salmon, was born on the place where he now resides, October 26, 1835, son of Josiah and Roxanna (Currier) Ward. Josiah Ward settled in Floyd when two years of age. He married Roxanna Currier, by whom he had two children: Salmon and Sarah Maria. Mr. Ward died November 2, 1857, aged fifty-eight years, and his wife died January 2, 1869, aged fifty years. Salmon Ward is a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Catherine, daughter of Andrew Martin, who died leaving one child, Burton. He then married Jane, daughter of Levi Crill. For his third wife he married Rebecca, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Upton) Cogswell. Mr. Ward is a member of the Grange and Patrons of Industry.

Potter, George S., was born on the farm where he now resides, January 10, 1842, son of Samuel and Mary Potter, whose children were Russell F., Eliza J., George S., and Allen. Samuel Potter was a son of Joseph and Phebe (Adams) Potter, and their children were Lydia J., Dudley, Samuel, Ethan Allen, Joseph, Augustus, Madison and Benjamin E. Samuel Potter spent the early part of his life in teaching school, after which he engaged in farming. He was also active in church and county affairs, and was elected commissioner of deeds. George S. Potter is also engaged in farm- ing and owns the homestead of 220 acres, and is interested in town and county affairs.

Westcott, Frank D., son of Stephen S. and Philinda A. (Brown) Westcott, was born in Oneonta, Otsego county, September 7, 1858, and moved with his parents to Clinton in 1866. He was graduated from the Clinton Grammar School in June, 1877, and the following autumn entered Hamilton College as a member of the class of 1881, but two years later came to Utica as a clerk in charge of the mail order de- partment of Hugh Glenn & Co., where he remained one year. He was then for two years bookkeeper for Miller & Fincke and later held a similar position in the whole- sale clothing house of Tucker, Calder & Co. for about six years. January 24, 1890, he formed a partnership with Henry F. Miller, as Miller & Westcott, and engaged in the coal business. In 1891 this firm dissolved and with Elmer E. Parker he

211

FAMILY SKETCHES.

formed the firm of Westcott & Parker, which continued until July, 1894. Since then Mr. Westcott has conducted the business alone, dealing in coal, wood, flour, and feed. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Cornhill Building and Loan Association of Utica and is secretary and director of the Utica Carriage Com- pany. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., and in the Royal Arcanum has been very prominent, serving in almost every office. He was regent of Im- perial Council No. 70 three years, and elected representative to the Grand Council of the State of New York. . At his first session he was chosen grand guide. He has also served as grand orator and grand vice-regent, and was grand regent from April, 1891, to April, 1893. February 21, 1882, he married Libbie A., daughter of James W. Cronkhite, of Little Falls, N. Y., and they have one son, William Carlton.

Fulmer, Edgar J., was born in Iowa, in 1862, son of Robert and Louisa (Schaffer) Williams. His father died in an army hospital, and his mother re- turned with him, when he was seven months old, to Steuben, where he was adopted by Henry Fulmer, a native of Herkimer county, who was a son of Jacob C. Fulmer, who came to Steuben about 1826, and settled on 400 acres, which lie afterwards cleared. He reared ten children and lived to be sixty years of age, and his wife lived to be eighty-eight. Henry Fulmer spent his whole life in Steuben on the homestead farm. He served as commissioner of highways for twenty years. He married Catherine Harter, by whom he had one child, Jacob Henry, who died in December, 1884, at sixteen years of age. Mr. Fulmer's wife survives him, and now resides with Edgar J. on the homestead. Since his death Edgar J. has operated the farm of 188 acres, and has since bought another farm of fifty acres. He keeps twenty cows, and makes dairying a specialty, and is also in- terested in the raising of fine sheep. He has served his town as collector, school clerk and filled other minor offices. In 1887 he married Carrie Wollaber, daughter of George H. and Catherine Witherstine, of Steuben, by whom he has two children: Clarence and Lena Joy. Mr. and Mrs. Fulmer are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which Mr. Fulmer is steward and trustee.

Wickman, Henry G., born on Mohawk Hill, Lewis county, N. Y., January 16, 1846, son of Sebastian and Margaret Wickman, who came from Hesse, Germany, in 1830, and were pioneers of Lewis county. He served apprenticeship at the carpenter and millwright trades in Germany. In 1857 he went from Lewis county to Rome. He was a member of the 69th Regt., N. Y. Vols., and was in service one year. He died in 1880 at the age of eighty-five. Mrs. Wickman died in 1881. They were members of the Dutch Reformed church at Rome, N. Y. Henry G was educated at Rome, and learned the wagonmaker's trade, after which he worked in Oneida, Erie, Buf- falo, Syracuse, Boonville, and in 1876 bought property in Ava, where he has since carried on a blacksmithing, carriage manufactory and repairing business. In 1867 he married Phoebe Casbaker, of Ava, by whom he had two sons: William, and Fred (deceased). Mrs. Wickman died and Mr. Wickman married for his second wife Maria, daughter of Henry and Magdalene Honsholder, of Westmoreland, N. Y., by whom he has five children living: Charles, born November 22, 1876; Walter, born February 21, 1886; Fred, born October 14, 1887; Clarence, born October 8, 1888; and Alvin, born September 28, 1889; also six deceased: Edward, Frank, George, Maud, Russell, and Rena.

212

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Zeigler, George, was born in Ava, N. Y., April 15, 1835, son of Frank and Mar- garet (Saddler) Ziegler, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1833, and set- tled in Ava. Mr. Ziegler died in Rome, and Mrs. Ziegler died in Ava in 1861. The grandfather, Simeon Zeigler, was a vineyardist and winemaker in Germany, and he spent his last days in Ava. George Zeigler has always been engaged in farming except the time spent in the war. He now has a farm of 115 acres and keeps a dairy of ten cows. In 1865 he married Catherine Ernst of Germany, who came to America with her parents, Jacob and Saloma (Zeigler) Ernst, in 1848, and settled in Ava, and they afterwards went to Cleveland, Ohio, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler have had four children : George, Fred (deceased), Lena and Caroline. August 6, 1862, Mr. Zeigler enlisted in Co. H, 3d N. Y. Light Artillery, and served until the close of the war.

Morehouse, Henry D., was born in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, N. Y., June 21, 1853, son of Nathan and Annie (Travers) Morehouse. Mr. Morehouse was born in Vermont, May 5, 1824, and Mrs. Morehouse was born in Half Moon, N. Y., December 6, 1819. The grandparents were natives of Vermont. Nathan More- house came to Saratoga county, from Vermont about 1849, and then to Ava, where he built and conducted a mill. He now resides with his son, Henry D. Mrs. More- house died March 5, 1879. Henry D. Morehouse learned the trade of cheesemaker when a young man. He worked in various places, and in 1886 bought the factory at Ava which he has since conducted. In 1876 he married Ella, daughter of Asa and Sarah (Slavier) Teachout, of Western, N. Y., by whom he has one daughter, Nellie. Mrs. Morehouse was born in Western, N. Y., November 25, 1869. Her mother, Mrs. Teachout, died in 1873.

Hurlbut, Henry, was born in the town of Ava, N. Y., October 1, 1853, son of Sam- uel, a native of Boonville, and Minerva (Bardsley) Hurlbut, a native of Ava. Sam- uel Hurlbut came from Boonville to Ava and purchased the farm now occupied by Henry Hurlbut, where he engaged in farming, and he spent his last days in Utica, where he died in October, 1881. Mrs. Hurlbut still lives and resides with her son on the homestead. Henry Hurlbut was educated at Rome Academy, and has always been engaged in farming on the homestead farm, except three years in the lumber business in Western. The farm of 330 acres is owned by Mr. Hurlbut and his brother Andrew, who is engaged in the general mercantile business. Mr. Hurlbut has a dairy of thirty-five to forty cows. In 1874 he married Nettie, daughter of Stephen and Esther (Harris) Potter, by whom he has three children: Ettie, Bertie and Mertie.

Gookins, Milo, was born in Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y., November 25, 1842, son of Daniel M. and Eliza (Rhodes) Gookins, he a native of Herkimer county and she of Wilna, Jefferson county, N. Y. Daniel M. was a blacksmith by trade and worked in Oneida and Lewis counties and along the Black River Canal during its construc- tion. He died at Port Leyden in 1881; his wife also died in 1881. Milo Gookins, when young, worked a little at his father's trade, but with the exception of five years in the war, has followed farming. In 1870 he purchased the farm of 220 acres where he now resides, and keeps a dairy of about thirty five cows. In 1869 he married Mary J. Capron, daughter of Oliver and Henrietta Capron, by whom he had seven children: Maud L., Mabel, Mira, Elmer, May, Nellie, and Emery. July 8, 1861,

213

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Mr. Gookins enlisted in Co. G, 3d N. Y. Vol. Cav .. as private, served all through the war, being honorably discharged as sergeant August 5, 1865. He participated in seventy-five battles and skirmishes, among which we mention Trenton Bridge, Mill Creek, Goldsboro, assault on Petersburg, Chapin's Farm, and Fair Oaks. Mr. Gookins is a Republican in politics, and has been justice eight years. He is a mem- ber of the Wheelock Post, No. 97, G. A. R., of Boonville.

Beyel Jacob, was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., June 4, 1844, son of Philip and Elizabeth Beyel Jacob Beyel was reared on a farm and attended West Leyden school, and has since followed farming and carpentering. In 1873 he married Addie C., daughter of Fred and Adaline Myers, by whom he had two children: Ada, born February 14, 1877; and Permilla, born February 6, 1888. Mr. Beyel purchased the farm where he now resides in 1873; he now owns 163 acres of land and keeps about twenty-five cows. Mr. Beyel attends the Union church at West Leyden, and is a member of the Grange of the same village.

Briggs, George, is a native of Floyd, Oneida county, where he was born March 11, 1822, and is the oldest of five children, born to Cyrus and Mary Ann (Tinker) Briggs. Mr. Cyrus Briggs was born in Vermont in 1803, and Mrs. Briggs was born in Lyme, Conn., in 1806. Mr. Briggs's parents, Ebenezer and Elizabeth Briggs, came from Connecticut and settled in Rome where they were engaged in farming. Mrs. Briggs's parents, Allen and Polly (Maynard) Tinker, came from Connecticut with an ox team, and settled in Floyd about 1818. From there they emigrated to Illinois, where Mr. Tinker died in 1865, and his wife in 1885. Cyrus Briggs was engaged in farming in the town of Rome, and he died in 1838. Mrs. Briggs is still living at the age of eighty-nine, and has resided with her son for the past thirty years. George Briggs was reared on the farm at Rome, and took charge of the family as soon as he was old enough, after the death of his family. He worked on a farm and conducted a hotel at West Branch; and also ran a stage line for four years. He was in the mercantile business for three years at Point Rock, and in 1877 he came to Ava where he purchased the hotel of which he has since been proprietor. Soon after he bought a farm, and has carried on dairy farming, keeping ten cows. In 1852 he married Catherine, daughter of Conrad and Sallie Mowers, of Weston, N. Y., by whom he has two children: George H., who is married to Annie Houck, and is engaged in farming on the home farm; and Eva, wife of George Anmon, a farmer of West Leyden.

Wolf, Philip D., was born in Deerfield, N. Y., September 5, 1843, son of George and Dorothy (Jacobs) Wolf, who came from Bavaria to Deerfield in the spring of 1830 and bought a farm. Mr. Wolf was engaged in market gardening, and died in 1890 at the age of eighty-three years, and Mrs. Wolf died in 1887 at eighty years of age. The grandfather. Jacob Wolf, came with the family to Deerfield in 1830, and went West, where he engaged in farming, and while there died. Philip D. Wolf has al- ways been engaged in farming and market gardening in Deerfield. In 1871 he married Mary Godden, of Madison, by whom he has four children: George, Fannie, Mary and Nellie.

Weaver, Charles C., was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., July 5, 1851, son of George F. and Margaret A. Weaver. He was educated at the schools of Utica,

214

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

and has since been engaged in brickmaking, being a partner in the business with his brother, Frederick G. In 1889 he married Elizabeth, daughter of George H. and Jane (Hicks) Crossman, by whom he had two children : Robert C., born April 15, 1892; and Harriet J., born in December, 1895.

Pittock, William D, was born in Marcy, January 19, 1843, son of William and Margaret (Smallenberger) Pittock, natives of England and Germany, respectively. His grandparents, William and Sarah Pittock, came from England and settled in Marcy at an early day and engaged in farming. His maternal grandfather, Charles Smallenberger, came from Germany to Marcy. William, sr., is a retired farmer of Deerfield, at eighty years of age; and Mrs. Pittock is seventy-four years of age. William, jr., learned the carpenter trade when young, which has been his principal occupation. In 1866 he married Rachel Yarky of Deerfield, who died in 1873, leav- ing one son, William G., with Dr. Brown in Utica. Mr. Pittock married for his second wife Mary (Sorn) King, widow of Curtin King, and sister of Henry Sorn of Bridgewater. They have one son, George W. Pittock. In 1871 Mr. Pittock built the Washington Hotel, which he conducted twenty years. In 1895 he established the Rheumatic Sanitarium at Deerfield.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 120

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