Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 128

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 128

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).

Bannigan, Michael T., son of Patrick, was born in Utica, November 22, 1868, and was graduated from the Assumption Academy in 1881. His father came from Ireland about 1845, and is the senior member of the firm of Bannigan & Weber, masons and contractors. At the age of fifteen Michael T. entered the employ of J. A. Marrow & Co., coal dealers, with whom he remained two and one-half years, when he became bookkeeper and rodman in the city surveyor's office. After filling these positions for three years he spent one year in the post-office under Postmaster E. Prentiss Bailey, and later four months as city treasurer to examine the books under appointment of the Common Council. In April, 1891, he accepted his present position as cashier for the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Paving Company.

Bagg, Egbert, is a great-grandson of Moses Bagg, sr., who came to Utica with his wife and two sons from Westfield, Mass., in 1794. He was a blacksmith and also kept a log, and later a frame, tavern on the east side of Bagg's square. His son, Moses Bagg, jr., became a merchant and afterward took charge of the tavern, which stood on the site of Bagg's hotel of to-day. In 1812-15 he erected the central por- tion of the present building and to it he subsequently added on either side. He kept the hotel with brief intermissions until 1836, when it was sold to a company. Egbert Bagg, son of Moses, jr., was born February 2, 1820, was educated at Geneva (now Hobart) College, was engaged on the Erie Canal enlargement, completed a course of law study, and formed a partnership with William Roberts, then foreman of the New York Cotton Mills machine shop, and engaged in machine making in Utica. Later Mr. Bagg gave himself to surveying and in 1853-54 was surveyor of the city. Front 1855 to 1861 he resided in Fort Dodge, Ia. In 1862 he became

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quartermaster with rank of first lieutenant in the 117th N. Y. Vols., rose rapidly, and in August, 1864, was made major. He was engaged in thirteen fights, nine of which were pitched battles, and had command of the regiment in several engage- ments. At Fort Fisher he distinguished himself, was wounded, and for gallant and meritorious service was brevetted lieutenant-colonel by the United States gov- ernment. He was again surveyor of the city from 1866 to 1869 and in 1878, and was both surveyor and superintendent of Forest Hill Cemetery. He died Novem- ber 18, 1885, while on a trip to Europe. His wife was Cornelia, daughter of Mont- gomery Hunt, and sister of Justice Ward Hunt, of the United States Supreme Court. Their son, Egbert Bagg, was born August 10, 1850, was educated at Hobart College and Cornell University, and since 1871 has been engaged in the insurance business, first as clerk for Hoyt & Butler, later as clerk for Erastus Clark & Co., subsequently as a member of the last named firm, and since 1884 alone. He was for many years a member of the Utica Citizens' Corps, rising from private to captain. On the death of his father in 1885 he was elected to succeed the latter as a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He is also a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, in which struggle Daniel Bagg, father of Moses, sr., participated. He is a member of the Oneida Historical Society and an associate member of the American Ornithologists' Union, and has written numer- ous articles on birds for leading magazines and periodicals. In connection with Dr. William L. Ralpli he wrote a paper on "Birds of Oneida County," which was read before the Oneida Historical Society and published in the society's proceedings and also in book form, and has since been the authority for Central New York. He married in 1882, Sarah A., daughter of William Clarke.

Barber, William F., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1836. He completed his education at Fort Plain Seminary, after which he engaged in farming for several years. Besides conducting an insurance business, he is at present an egg dealer. In politics Mr. Barber is a Republican; he served as justice of the peace for four years, and is now serving his third term as assessor. His father, George Barber, was also a farmer, and died in 1843, from injuries received by accidentally jumping on a pitchfork. In 1866 Mr. Barber married Adelaide, daughter of Abner H. Waters, of Westmoreland, by whom he had four children: Estella M., Alice J., and Roy De Forest.

Siegman, Frederick, was born in Rome, March 8, 1849, son of Frederick and Ros- anna Siegman, who came from Bavaria, landed in New York, and came by the canal to Rome. In 1846 he first began work in Adams's foundry, then assisted in building the second track of the N. Y. C. R. R. and also assisted on the R., W. & O. R. R. From Rome he went to Taberg, from there he returned to Rome, and about 1857 came to Westmoreland, where he first rented a farm, and subsequently purchased one which he conducted until he retired from active work. He died in May, 1891, aged eighty-four years. Frederick Siegman, jr., was educated at the district school, after which he engaged in farming at which he has since continued. He married Charlotte Herrick, of New London, N. Y., by whom he has four children: Lela, Lydia I., Fred J., and Florence.

Lee, Robert, was born in Westmoreland, March 14, 1845, son of Thomas and Lola

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(Candee) Lee. Thomas Lee was born in 1806, and Lola, his wife, was born in 1809. Thomas Lee was a merchant in Berkshire county, Mass., and settled in Westmore- land in 1838 and engaged in farming, which he continued till his death in 1892. Robert Lee was educated in the district school at Westmoreland, and the liberal in- stitute at Clinton. He married Irsie Barber, daughter of B. Franklin Barber, of Oneida county, by whom he has had four children: Merritt E., Frank D., who died when sixteen months old, Fred J. and Lola P. Mr. Lee is a member of the Congre- gational church at Westmoreland, and is a prominent Republican, highly esteemed, and has contributed efficient efforts in support of his party. He has been collector of the town, and commissioner of highways.

Foote, Samuel G., was born in Westmoreland, February 8, 1849, son of John B. and Mary P. Foote. John B. Foote was born in North Adams, Mass., February 10, 1807, and died January 24, 1870. He was educated at Williams College, Mass., and was a minister prior to his settlement in Westmoreland, where he came in 1839. Mrs. Foote was born in 1805 and died July 30, 1888. She came to Westmoreland when she was four years old, and lived here seventy-nine years. Samuel G. Foote was educated in Clinton, and then engaged in farming on the old homestead. His grandfather, Aaron Foote, was the inventor of the original threshing machine, from which the great modern improvements in this line have sprung.

Cottman, Joseph S., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 9, 1836. Hle was edu- cated in the public schools and afterward learned the plumber's trade, which busi- ness he followed about thirty-four years. In December, 1860, he married Frances Mattison, of Rome, N. Y., who died October 4, 1881. In that year Mr. Cottman sold his business and came to Sylvan Beach, N. Y., where he is proprietor and captain of the steamboat, L. C. Spencer, on Oneida Lake. He also has a shop there, well stocked with machinery for performing skillful jobs in iron and wood work. Mr. Cottman's father, William B. Cottman, was born at the old home in Pennsylvania, July 27, 1793. He was educated there, and was a chair manufacturer by trade. November 26, 1818, he married Maria A. Streiby, of his native place, by whom he had eleven children: F. Louisa, John A., George S., Sally A., William B., Joseph S., who died in infancy, Maria, who also died in infancy, Joseph S., as above, Anna E., Edward S., and Martha J. Mr. Cottman died in 1876, and his wife in 1871, aged seventy-four years. The ancestry of the family is English and German.

Groves, Adelbert D., was born in Kirkland, July 18, 1853, son of Allen and Ada- line J. Groves. Allen Groves came from Massachusetts and settled in Kirkland, where he conducted a farm until his death, which occurred June 6, 1878, aged sixty- two years. Mrs. Groves is still living in Westmoreland, and is seventy years of age. Adelbert D. was educated in Westmoreland, and also at Whitestown Seminary, after which he engaged in farming which he followed until his death, in April, 1896. He married Annie Thompson, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children: Newton B., Irwin A., and Hartley I.

Fargo, Orrin S., was born in Chittenango, Madison county, N. Y., in 1847. He was educated in the district schools, and has followed the canal all his life in connec- tion with farming. September 6, 1869, he married Eliza Cooley, of the town of Ve- rona, who was born in Germany, by whom he had one daughter, Laura E., who

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married William A. Wright, of New London, N. Y., and they have two children : O. Leroy and Beulah I. Mr. Fargo's father, Simon Fargo, was born in New Hart- ford, Conn., in 1814, and came to Madison county when a young man. He married Jerusha Thompson, of Clockville, Madison county, N. Y., by whom he had seven children: Clinton, Maryette, Jerusha, Orrin S., as above, Edward, George, and Alice. Mrs. Fargo died about 1856. Mrs. Fargo's father, Simon Cooley, was born at the old home in Germany, in 1817. He married Eva D. Manuel, of his native place, by whom he had nine children, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Fargo. The family came to the United States in 1852. Mr. Wright is a member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. The ancestry of the family is of English and German extraction.

Siegman, Leopold, was born September 8, 1858, son of Frederick and Rosanna (Newcomb) Siegman. Frederick was a native of Bavaria, and came to the United States in 1846, settled in Rome, and assisted in building the Rome & Watertown railroad, also in building the second track on the New York Central R. R., then set- tled in Westmoreland, where he engaged in farming until 1876, when he retired. He died May 2, 1891. Leopold was educated at the district school at Westmoreland, and then engaged in farming. In addition to farming he also deals largely in butter, eggs, and meat, which he buys throughout the country, and ships to the city mar- kets. Mr. Siegman married Helen D. Effenberger of Utica, by whom he has one son, Harold Henry.

Ensworth, George W., was born in the town of New Hartford, N. Y., in 1836, the youngest of a large family of Ezra Ensworth, of Connecticut birth, who came here in 1792, when two years of age; his father, Elihu Ensworth, having died when he was fifteen years of age, a widowed mother and two sisters were left to his care. He bravely met with these adversities of fortune, and at one time peddled home made cheese in Utica, when there were so few buildings that he could visit them all in less than one hour. He died at ninety-three years of age; his wife, Hannah (Munson) Ensworth, having died previously, January 17, 1876, leaving eight chil- dren, of whom only three are now living. George W. has always occupied the old homestead of 200 acres on the site where his father lived for ninety years. His grandfather, Samuel Munson, once kept a hotel, or as it was then called, a half-way house, on the site where the W. S. R. R. now crosses Genesee street. In 1872 Mr. Ensworth married Josephine Wilcox, of Portland, Chautauqua county, by whom he had two children : William E., who is engaged in farming at home; and Libbie E., who died in 1891, at fourteen years of age.

Aldrich Reuben M., was born in Hamilton, Madison county, June 15, 1825, son of Zimri and Sarah (Mills) Aldrich. Zimri was born in Cumberland, R. I., in 1791, and died July 17, 1881. He always followed the occupation of farming. Sarah Aldrich was born in Paris, Oneida county, in 1805, and died March 28, 1891. Reuben M. Aldrich was educated in Westmoreland, where he has lived since he was seven years old. He is one of the best known farmers in the township of Westmoreland. Mr. Aldrich married Mary Goodwin, by whom he had one daughter, Libbie, who mar- ried George Teal, son of William Teal, of Westmoreland.

Dempsey, Thomas E., was born at College Hill, in the town of Kirkland, July 14,

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1857, son of John Dempsey, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1848, settling in Utica, where he followed his trade as mason ; later he engaged in farming on College Hill. He now lives retired in Clinton village. He married Catherine Lyons, of Ireland, by whom he had eight children. Thomas E. Dempsey was educated in the old Liberal Institute at Clinton. He taught in the village schools for about three years, and in 1881 he engaged in the buying of hops, which business he still follows. He was one of the first members of the school board which organ- ized the Union School and Academy and erected one of the finest school buildings in the State. He was one of the organizers of the Clinton Burial Case Company, and was its secretary and treasurer for about three years, but resigned upon the transfer to Utica.

Sanders, E. E., was born in Columbia, N. Y., March 25, 1862, son of William and Frances Sanders. He learned the trade of cheese maker when quite young, which he followed for twelve years, and then engaged in farming for five years. In 1891 he purchased the Hibbard House in Bridgewater, which he has since conducted suc- cessfully, and is a very popular host. In 1886 he married Bertha M. Eckler, by whom he had one daughter, Hazel. Mr. Sanders is an active and influential Republican, and at present is street commissioner of the village of Bridgewater, and has been delegate to several Republican conventions.

Horton, George C., son of James, was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Mass., July 10, 1843, and moved with his parents to Herkimer, N. Y., in the spring of 1849. There James Horton was for three years the buyer and salesman for the Laflin Brothers Paper Company, manufacturers of writing papers. Leaving them he en- gaged in the powder business in Frankfort and continued until his death in 1870. George C. Horton was educated in the public schools of Herkimer and Frankfort, Whitestown Seminary, and at Hamilton College, teaching school in the mean while during part of each year for eight successive years. His school teaching commenced in the fall of 1860. In the spring of 1869 he settled in Utica and becanie a member of the firm of Rowley Brothers & Co., which in January, 1879, was changed to Row- ley & Horton. This is the oldest paper firm in Utica. Mr. Horton is a member and trustee of the 'Tabernacle Baptist church, and has been very prominent in the Young Men's Christian Association, serving as one of the trustees since its organization, as treasurer of the board since February, 1895, as its first secretary, and two years as its president. He was one of its founders, and has always taken an active interest in its growth and prosperity.

Bielby, Isaac P., son of Thomas A., was born March 11, 1847, in Oriskany, Oneida county, in the old house just west of the Presbyterian church, now used as a grocery store. Thomas A. was born near Malton, England, in June, 1800; he came to America and located in the western part of Oneida county in 1827, and in 1828 set- tled in Oriskany where he had charge of conveying woolen goods to New York city for Newton S. Dexter & Co., proprietors of the first woolen factory establishment in the United States for manufacturing supplies for the Federal army in the war of 1812. In 1852 Mr. Bielby settled on a farm two and a half miles southwest of Oris- kany, in the town of Whitestown, which Isaac P. now owns. There he died in December, 1873. In politics originally a Whig, and an early Abotitionist, and later

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a Republican ; he was a college bred man, and civil engineer; he held several local offices, and in the military rose through the various grades in the service to lieuten- ant-colonel, to which he was appointed by his friend and coworker, Governor Will- iam H. Seward. His maternal grandfather was archbishop of Canterbury, and his father a major in the British army who distinguished himself with Wellington in the battle of Waterloo. Mr. Bielby married Christy Ann, daughter of Isaac and Eliza- beth Prudens, pioneers of Oriskany. She survives him. Their children were Thomas Picton and John Allison, both deceased; Isaac Prudens of Utica; William James, who occupies the homestead; and Elizabeth Ann, who married Bielby Yates and died in 1872. Isaac Prudens, father of Mrs. Bielby, was a deacon and local Methodist preacher, widely known as an earnest Christian, and died in 1870, aged nearly eighty years. His wife died about 1871. Isaac Prudens Bielby attended the district schools of his native town, Misses Cunningham and Grahame's, Whitestown Seminary, and Oberlin College in Ohio. He read law with Johnson & Prescott of Rome, was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in June, 1875, and began practice in the office of his preceptors. Becoming deeply interested in religion he entered Auburn Theological Seminary to master the Hebrew and Chaldean languages. While there his home was destroyed by fire, and all his property lost in the ruins. He returned to the homestead to settle the estate and lift the encumbrances, and also practice law at Oriskany. January 1, 1876, he entered the sheriff's office as counsel under George Benedict, and has remained there ever since, and has been attorney for the sheriffs in all the courts and before the governors. Mr. Bielby became an active abolitionist from his boyhood and in the Lincoln campaign joined the Republican Wideawakes, now the Utica Continentals, of which he is still a member. In 1861 he was a drum- mer in the recruiting service and a member of the Whitestown Seminary cadets. He enlisted in Co. E, second N. Y. Volunteers, but was too young to muster. He afterwards served in the 145th Regiment. In September, 1864, he was mustered into Co. C, 14th N. Y. H. A. and served till his discharge in September, 1865. In the great temperance reform movement of 1877 he was one of the most able and eloquent advocates, being the friend and companion of thelamented John P. French. In the political campaign of 1880 he raised the Lawrence cadets (afterwares recog- nized as the Conkling Unconditionals) and of which he was captain. He was a lieutenant-colonel on General Grant's staff of the Boys in Blue, a national veteran organization, which local organization became the Forty Rounders in the Blaine and Logan campaign of 1884. He was also commander of the Plumed Knights and adjutant-general of the Thirteenth Division (Central New York) of the Boys in Blue, and is now president of the Forty Rounders and the Veterans' Organization of Oneida County. He has been very active in politics and has often been nominated for office, but has declined to run. He was made a Mason in Roman Lodge, and since April, 1876, has been a member of Oriental Lodge, Utica. He is a member of the Veteran Masonic Association, a charter member of the Masonic Club, and for many years active in the I. O. G. T., holding offices in the Grand and Supreme Grand Lodges. He was also for many years an officer in the Y. M. C. A. He joined the G. A. R. in Illinois in 1866 and in 1867 became a member of Post Worth, Westmoreland; later he joined Post Ross, New York Mills, and about 1872 became the first chaplain of Post Skiller of Rome of which he was the organizer and charter member. He is

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now a past commander of Bacon Post, Utica, was president of the old Utica Veteran Zouaves, and formerly chaplain with the rank of captain of the 26th Battalion N. G. January 27, 1886, he married Anna E., daughter of Langford T. and Elizabeth Hewett. Mr. Hewett is an old engineer on the D. L. & W. Railroad and a descend- ant of one of the pioneer families of Paris, Oneida county. He is one of the histor- ians of Oneida county, and author of a book of patriotic songs, Illustrated History of Utica, Sheriffs of Oneida County, District Attorneys and Surrogates of Oneida County, and other works of the different organizations to which he belongs. He is a member and officer of the Presbyterian church. He has the reputation of being an eloquent advocate, a competent official and faithful public servant.

Comstock, Ira Morris, was born at Salisbury, N. Y., January 1, 1856, son of Morris W. and Sarah (Rice) Comstock, and grandson of Ira Comstock, moving to Whites- town from Salisbury in April, 1866. With a preparatory education at Whitestown Seminary and Utica Busines College, he began to read medicine in 1876 at Whites- town under Mm. M. James, M. D., of that place : attended three courses of lectures at the University of the City of New York, and was graduated February 18, 1879; also took post-graduate instruction at the same institution in 1880. On May 1, 1880, Dr. Comstock commenced the practice of medicine at New York Mills, and has made no change in location since. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society. He is visiting physician to Faxton Ilospital; assistant surgeon Patriarchs Militant; member of the I. O. O. F. ; Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., Utica, N. Y .; of the League of American Wheelmen; and of the Order of United Friends and A. O, U. W. ; also medical examiner for several life insurance companies. April 7, 1880, he married Emma L. Bartlett, of Williamstown, by whom he had four children: Morris W., May Asenath, Aletha Emma, and Charles Ward.

Hale, Andrew Jerome, was born in the town of Sangerfield, N. Y., April 14, 1825, and died in Waterville, N. Y., May 8, 1896. Ilis grandparents, Minerva Hale and wife, were of the earliest settlers of the town, having come to it in 1793 from Con- necticut, and the large farm which they cleared and cultivated was in the possession of their grandson at the time of his death. Their oldest son. Seneca, was the first male child born in Sangerfield; thus three generations of the family have been in- timately connected with the history of the town and have been among its foremost citizens. In early life Mr. HIale engaged in the culture of hops and the wool in- dustry, afterwards substituting dairying for the wool business. In 1873 he moved into the village of Waterville, N. Y., letting his farm on shares. At one time lie was engaged with Charles Bacon and W. P. Locke, all of Waterville, in buying hops for brewers. Mr. Hale was a member of the Presbyterian church, and for many years both an elder and trustee. In the Waterville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, he was an active member and held the post of worthy master for eight years. In politics he was first a Whig and afterwards a staunch Republican, and had served his town as assessor and highway commissioner, and also had been trustee of the village for some time. He was public spirited and always encouraged with substan- tial help all enterprises. When the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Rail- road was built he took a large block of stock. He generally attended county con- ventions of his party and in 1892 he attended the Congressional Convention. Mr.

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Hale married Maria, daughter of Horace F. Locke, of the same town. His wife survives him, also a daughter, Mrs. D. H. Livermore, of Atlanta, Ga.

Adkins, F. A., was born in Otsego county, June 5, 1851. He followed railroading for twenty years on the New York Central, holding every position from brakeman to conductor. Six years ago he purchased the Junction House at Richfield Junc- tion, and has since conducted it with great success. In 1873 he married Emma Matteson, by whom he has three children: Frank, Linden, and Raymond. Mr. Adkins's father, Emery Adkins, was for years connected with the hotel business in this county, being at one time proprietor of the old Sherman House in Utica. His mother, Anna (Talbot) Adkins, is still living and resides in Chicago. Mr. Ad- kins has a model little hotel, admirably conducted and capable of accommodating twenty guests. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 581.

Armbrust, John, was born in Ebenezer, Erie county, N. Y., January 12, 1869, son of John and Charlotte (Landefeld) Armbrust. In 1889 he came to Sauquoit and en- gaged in the butter and cheese business and is superintendent of the Sauquoit milk station, where they ship from 100 to 125 cans of milk daily, and make 500 pounds of high grade butter each week. In 1892 he married Ada E. Cress. Mr. Armbrust is an enterprising and progressive young business man, and the industry he rep- resents so ably is an important factor in the business life in this part of the county.

Dewing, W. H., M.D., was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 4, 1858, and was educated in Whitesboro Seminary and Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1882. In 1885 he settled in Clay- ville, where he has since carried on the practice of his profession. Dr. Dewing is a son of George and Mary (Ball) Dewing, and his grandfather came from New Eng- land to Litchfield about 100 years ago. Dr. Dewing married Olive E. Van Auken, by whom he has two children: George and Ethel Mary. He is a member of the Oneida County Homœopathic Medical Society, and has been president of that organization.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 128

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