Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 131

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 131

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.

coming to Augusta he married Filena Horton, also a native of Connecticut, who was born in 1789, and died in 1861. Mr. Strong died April 4, 1876. Warren G. received his education at Augusta district school and academy, finishing at Kellogg's then a well known school at Clinton, N. Y. ; after which he returned home and engaged in farming. They acquired an immense area of land, upon which he remained till 1887, long after the death of his father. He married Frances, daughter of Sumner Smith, of Knoxboro, by whom he had five children, all of whom are living. Mr. Strong has held several important political positions.

Smith, Myrtalu F., was born in Sherburne, Chenango county, October 26 1834, son of Joseph Smith, who was born in Pitcher, Chenango coounty, in 1792, and who was a large manufacturer and dealer in water lime and sewer pipe, his trade extending over many counties. He finally removed to Bouckville, N. Y., and later to Morris- ville, where he died in 1846. Ilis wife, Martha (Cook) Smith, was born in 1796, and died in Morrisville, in 1850. The grandfather of M. F. Smith was one of the earliest settlers in Chenango county, having migrated from Connecticut about the middle of the eighteenth century. Myrtalu F. Smith received his education at Bouckville and the Morrisville Academy, and after leaving school he worked for a time ou a farm, and then went to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1862, when he returned and settled in Knoxboro, his present home. He continued to serve for twelve years as clerk for J. C. Knox & Co. He then purchased a farm adjacent to the village, and in 1885 bought out the Van Evera store, and with his sons has continued the business since under the the firm name of M. F. Smith & Sons. Mr. Smith was for several years assessor, and from 1887 to 1891 was supervisor. In 1856 he married Sarah Whitely, a native of Utica, by whom he has four children: Fanny C., William M., Robert P. and Edward G. William M. and Edward G. are the partners in the business.

Spaulding William P., was born in Stockbridge, N. Y., May 2, 1838, son of Philander Spaulding, who is descended from an English family, and who was born in Stockbridge, N. Y., February 9, 1820 and remained iu Stockbridge until 1864, when he moved to Lenox, Madison county, where he has since resided. He has been a farmer and speculator all his life, and is now largely interested in one of the leading banks in Oneida. Ile married Sarah Marshall, of Stockbridge, who died in 1866. William P. Spaulding attended school in Lenox, Oneida Castle Union school, and Cazenovia Seminary, and at the age of twenty came to Knoxboro to assume the charge of his father's farm. After conducting it successfully for two years he bought it, and has continued to reside there. Mr. Spaulding is a Republican, and in 1886-7 held the office of overseer of the poor, and for three years has been a member of the excise board. He married Ida, daughter of George and Viletta Ballard, of llion, who was born October 11, 1860.

Bellinger, Daniel H., is of German descent, although his father, Daniel P., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1820. Daniel P. Bellinger came to Knoxboro in 1856 and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He married Phoebe Hunt, who was born in Warren, Herkimer county, in 1822 and died in January, 1895. Daniel H. was educated at Knoxboro and the Augusta Academy, after which he was engaged as a clerk in a clothing store for three years. He was then called

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here on account of sickness and has since continued on the farm, being quite as prosperous and successful as his father, and though but thirty-eight years of age is one of the foremost farmers in Augusta. He married Sarah A. Williams, who was born in Knoxboro, January, 1863.

Kendall, Eugene M., was born on the homestead where he now lives in Augusta, May 20, 1852, son of Leonard Jarvis Kendall, who is also living at the old homestead, was born at Augusta Center, July 31, 1810, and whose father came from Massachu- setts in 1810, and was pastor for several years of the Congregational church at Au- gusta. Leonard J. married Olive J., daughter of Calvin Kendall, January 19, 1835, and she died March 18, 1839. October 1, 1840, he married Sarah R. Spencer, and she died September 20, 1855; he then, in 1856, married his present wife. Eugene M. Kendall received his education at Oneida Academy and Plattsville, Wis., where he spent one year, after which he returned home and engaged in farming and still con- tinues. January 19, 1881, he married Jennie, daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones of Waterville, N. Y., who was born April 2, 1857, and was educated in the public schools of that place. They have two children: Mary Louise, born April 3, 1885, and Leonard Jarvis, born August 16, 1889. Mr. Kendall is an active Republican, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Society at Knoxboro.

Nye, Willis C., was born at Galesburg, Ill., July 29, 1858, and at the death of his father in 1866 removed with his mother to Oriskany Falls. His father, Richard Nye, was born in Hubbardsville, Madison county, N. Y., in 1822. He was gradu- ated from the Cleveland Medical College, and practiced that profession until his death. In 1855 he married Sarah M. Peebles, of Oriskany Falls, and soon after they removed to Galesburg, and Dr. Nye practiced medicine in Galesburg, Morris and Havana successively up to his death in the latter place. When twenty-one years of age Willis C. Nye went to Chicago and embarked as dealer in sand and gravel, the product of beds owned adjacent to the city. In 1893 he returned to Oriskany Falls and engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of W. C. Nye & Co., and in September, 1894, he entered into co-partnership with C. B. Keith, in the coal business at Oriskany Falls, under the firm name of Keith & Nye.

Norton, Peter J., is a native of Schleswig, Germany, where he was born January 26, 1858. His father was also a native of the same place, having been born in 1825, and died in 1870. His mother, also a native of the same place, was born in 1827, and died in 1866. Peter J. attended the school in his native town until he was four- teen years of age, and soon after the death of his father came to America and settled at Oriskany Falls, where for two years he attended the public school. He was then employed on a farm for three years, after which he engaged in the hotel business. In 1855 he built the Madison House at Oriskany Falls and conducted it for seven years; he then sold the hotel and bought a farm adjacent to the village; in the same year he purchased the Sargent House, and now conducts both farm and hotel. April 22, 1885, he married Mary Eustice of Oriskany Falls, by whom he has three children: Lois J., born March 17, 1888; Harry J., born July 31, 1892; and Mary, born February 15, 1894,

Merritt, Rev. George, was born at Barrington, Ill., July 15, 1855, son of Mark Merritt, who was born at Hastings-on-the-Sea, England, July 4, 1810, and at twelve

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years of age went to sea as a sailor, which he followed for twenty years; then emi- grating to Chicago, where he engaged as first mate on a boat running on Lake Mich- igan. After three years he abandoned this and removed to Barrington, Ill., where he purchased a farm and devoted some time to agriculture. After ten years he sold the farm and returned to Chicago, where he engaged in the manufacture of iron and continued in that until incapacitated for work. He died April 1, 1873. June 21, 1844, he married Ann M. Wynd, of Chicago, Ill., who was a native of Scotland, born January 14, 1817, and she died at Chicago, June 14, 1872. George Merritt was grad- uated from the public school and high school of Chicago, and then entered the Northwestern University, remaining six years, graduating in 1880 in the classical course, and in 1882 in the theological department. His first charge as minister was at Maple Park near Chicago, Ill., and after six months removed to Minnesota, hav- ing pastorates at Jackson, Hester, Ortonville, Ada. and Little Falls, successively. In 1867 he was transferred to the Northern New York Conference, and stationed at Oswego Center for one and one-half years. His next charge was at Trenton, N. Y., for two years, and then at Taberg, N. Y., for three years, and finally at Oriskany Falls in 1894. June 13, 1889, he married Mary J. Gormley, of Oswego, a graduate of the Chautauqua University, by whom he has one daughter, Ruth B., born April 6, 1890.

McElhinney, Daniel E., was born in Marshall, Oneida county, N. Y., November 24 1853. His father, William J. McElhinney, was born in Ireland, and came to this country in 1848, settling in Marshall, N. Y. He died in February, 1890, aged seventy-three years. His wife, Margaret, survives him, being now sixty three years of age. In early life Daniel E. followed the occupation of farming with his father in the town where he was born. He was educated in the common schools of that place, and afterward taught school there and at Sangerfield for four years, engag- ing during vacation in clerking and canvassing for the sale of books, etc., continu- ing his clerkship for some time. In 1891 he engaged in the mercantile business at Oriskany Falls, conducting a general store under the firm name of D. E. McElhin- ney & Co., which he continued until November, 1893, when he was appointed postmaster. Mr. McElhinney has occupied many important town and village offices, and is now chief of the Oriskany Fire Department, in which he takes a great interest.

Thornley, Edward, was born in England, January 23, 1831, son of Charles and Mary Thornley. Edward Thornley came to the United States in 1848, and settled in Westmoreland on his present farm in 1852. He married Eliza Carwardine, daughter of John and Mary Carwardine, of English extraction. Mr. Thornley is a staunch Republican in politics, and contributes his best efforts to the support of his party.

French, Frank W., was born at Deansville, N. Y., June 5, 1864, son of Abel W. French, who removed in early life from Chenango county to Deansville and lived there about twenty-five years previous to locating permanently in Augusta. Abel W. French was born January 22, 1828, and died August 17, 1881. His wife was Mary J., a daughter of Caleb Burleson, a prominent farmer of Augusta. She was born March 6, 1838, and is now living in Augusta. Frank W. French was educated

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at Augusta and Knoxboro Union School. He has a large farm, which he conducts during the summer. He has held the office of town clerk and is now one of the justices of the peace in his town. November 28, 1888, Mr. French married Ada M., daughter of Edward Tudman, who was born in Lowell, Oneida county, N. Y., August 9, 1864.

Barker, Laurens M., was born in Oriskany, N. Y., October 4, 1828, on the farm where he now resides. His grandfather, Laurens H., was one of the pioneers in Oneida county, coming from Connecticut in 1797, and settling on what afterwards became known as Barker Hill, when there was not a house within several miles of his own rudely constructed home. Laurens H., father of Laurens M., was born May 9, 1804, and spent his life on the old homestead, where he died October 20, 1869. Laurens M. Barker received his education at the district school in the vicinity of his home, after which he settled down to farm life. January 3, 1872, he married his consin, Phebe Barker, of Oriskany Falls, by whom he had one son, Charles H., born July 13, 1874. Mr. Barker's farm occupies a commanding, picturesque site, upon which they raise large crops of hops.

Jones, William, was born in Wales, May 13, 1837, son of William and Mary Jones. William Jones, jr., came to this country in 1857, and engaged in farming, which he has always followed. He left home when he was eleven years of age, working his way up entirely through his own efforts. He married Jean Mallon, of Irish extrac- tion, by whom he has four children: William, Robert, Mary and Margaret.

Tyler, Cyrus H., was born in Lee, Oneida county, March 11, 1830. Asa Pease Tyler, his grandfather, came to Rome, N. Y., and was one of the first settlers. Asa Pease, son of Dr. John Tyler, was born in Rome, and was one of its most early and prominent physicians. His entire life was spent in practicing in Rome, except for a period of several years, where he was noted for his liberal and progressive ideas. Cyrus H. Tyler was educated at Rome attending the select schools until the academy opened, from which he was graduated. Having delicate health, he chose the occu- pation of farming at which he has always continued. Mr. Tyler was a staunch Re- publican, until he became a Prohibitionist. Mr. Tyler married Martha Smith, of English extraction, by whom he has six children: John R., Henrietta S., William Henry, Katie A., Cyrus W. and Eliza M. John R. Tyler is in the mill and feed busi- ness at Waterville; William Henry Tyler has a large creamery business in Rome ; and Cyrus W. Tyler is running a branch creamery at Westmoreland. Mr. Tyler and his family are members of the Congregational church at Westmoreland, and he is secretary of the Kirkland Creamery Association, and is one of the representative farmers of Westmoreland.

Storey, William H., was born in Westmoreland, August 26, 1866, son of Joel and Mary J. Storey. Joel Storey came from Ohio, and settled in Westmoreland, about 1850, where he engaged in farming, and which he has since followed. William H. was educated in Westmoreland, and partly in Rome, and after receiving his educa- tion, he engaged in the cheese business with his brother, having a finely appointed factory, where they handle about 10,000 pounds of milk a day, and turn out about 2,000 boxes of cheese a year, which is supplied principally for export. This is one of the standard industries of Westmoreland. Mr. Storey married Jennette Abbe of

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Westmoreland, by whom he has three children: Mary J., William H. and Lloyd. Mr. Storey is a member of the Hampton Lodge, No. 347, F. & A. M.

Stoddard, Dwight L., was born in Westmoreland, September 29, 1843, son of Reuben and Mary C. Stoddard. Reuben Stoddard was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county, Mass, July 18, 1807, and came to Westmoreland in 1838, where he conducted a farm during his lifetime. He died March 10. 1887, in his eightieth year. Mary C. Stoddard died January 29, 1892, in her eighty-first year. Dwight L. Stoddard was educated at Whitestown Seminary from which he was graduated, taking his diploma in 1866, after which he engaged in teaching, which he afterward relinquished to give his entire attention to farming. Mr. Stoddard is a staunch Republican, al- though his sympathies are largely with Prohibition. Mr. Stoddard is a member of the Congregational church at Westmoreland.

Olney, Thomas J., was born in Westmoreland, October 12, 1826, son of James and Phoebe (Smith) Olney. James Olney came from Connecticut. He had a cloth dressing establishment, rope walk, and also carried on farming. He lived in West- moreland till his death in 1841. Thomas J. Olney received a district school educa- tion ; engaged in farming ; then became owner of the grist mill and saw mill; went into the coal and feed business; and also bought out the Heckla works, which is now his private property. Mr. Olney has been road commissioner for sixteen years, and is a staunch Republican. He has been supervisor four years; is a prominent Mason, and has been master of his lodge for four terms. He is also an Odd Fellow. Mr. Olney married Frances Thornly, of English extraction, by whom he has one daugh- ter, married to Frank M. Wilson. He also had one son, Charles, who died in his twenty-first year. Mr. Olney is one of the most popular citizens, and energetic busi- ness men in the town of Westmoreland, and has always been prominent in all its affairs.

Nicholson, William, was born in Westmoreland, N. Y., September 2, 1822, son of John and Elizabeth Nicholson. John Nicholson was born in Cambridge, Washing- ton county, July 29, 1788, and came to Westmoreland May 6, 1811, where he was one of the early settlers in the northeast section of the town. Ile was a surveyor and farmer, and surveyed the roads and a large part of the adjacent territory. He was assessor of the town, also supervisor, and a man noted for his high principle and strict integrity. William Nicholson has always been a farmer, owning and conduct- ing the farm that was owned by his father, and partly cleared by both father and son. William Nicholson married Mary Julia, daughter of John Green, of Deerfield, by whom he has one daughter, Anna G. John Green's father, also named John, was one of the earliest settlers in Deerfield, and one of the pioneer brickmakers of the county.

Kellogg, Hiram Spencer, was born in Westmoreland, May 23, 1843, son of Urialı and Mary E. (Nichols) Kellogg. Uriah Kellogg was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, and came to Westmoreland in 1840, where he conducted a farm until his death in 1890. Mrs. Mary Kellogg, his wife, was born in New Hartford in 1815, and died in Westmoreland in 1884. Hiram Spencer Kellogg was educated at the Will- iams Collegiate Institute. He then went west and engaged in the express business for two years, and then returned to farming. He has always been prominent in

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politics, and has been successful, although a Democrat. in being elected supervisor in a town that has always given a large Republican majority. This was due to Mr. Kellogg's popularity, and the high personal esteem in which he is held by the mem- bers of both parties; this being a very notable instance in the history of the county. Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Hampton lodge No. 347, and is one of the oldest Ma- sons in his lodge. He married Fannie A. Slocum, of Clinton, by whom he has three children: Clara L., Charles S. and Lena M. Clara L. Kellogg is married to Dr. Samuel Gifford, of Whitesboro, Oneida county. Mr. Kellogg was inspector of the middle division of the canals of the State of New York for three years, and was also on the Democratic county committee.

Van Slyke, John P. was born in Hrrkimer county, August 29, 1843. His father, Emanual Van Slyke, was born in 1814, and was a farmer. He came to Westmore- land from Clinton in 1859. He married Catherine Helmer, by whom he had four sons: Emanual, Gladden, Sidney and John P., who was educated in the district schools of Herkimer and Clinton, and is now one of the best known farmers of West- moreland

Houghton, Thomas, was born in the village of Barton, Leicestershire, England, February 4, 1822, and came to Westmoreland, N. Y., in 1852, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in March, 1892. He married Hannah Har- rison, who was born in Rathby, Leicestershire, England, and they came to West- moreland, with three children who were born in England: Fannie, Mary Ann and Thomas. The children born in this country were George H., born November 6, 1852, a practicing physician in Albany; John, born September 22, 1854; Ira, born March 1, 1856; Edwin, born March 6, 1858; Frederick (deceased) and Seth Albert, born January 12, 1866. Ira Houghton is a farmer in Westmoreland, Edwin is in Des Moines, Iowa; and Seth Albert is farming in Westmoreland.

Shedd, Philander, was born in Westmoreland, July 26, 1835, son of Dyer and Polly (Bratt) Shedd, natives of Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., he born May 30, 1797, and she April 29, 1821. The grandfather, Isaiah Shedd, settled in Westmore- land in 1803, on what has since been the family homestead. Philander Shedd was educated in Westmoreland, after which he engaged in farming, and also taught school for a few years. He married Emma Sandford, of Westmoreland, by whom he has four children: Francis, Morris, William and Harriet

Reese, O. W., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., February 1, 1835, son of Moses and Phoebe (Lewis) Reese. Moses Reese was born in Frankfort, Herkimer county, where he was engaged in farming and building, during his lifetime. He died in Rome, 1880, in his seventy-eighth year. Mrs. Reese, his wife, died in the fall of 1884 in her seventy-fourth year. O. W. Reese was educated in Utica, then went to Schuyler, and from there settled in Westmoreland in the spring of 1860. He mar- ried Sarah Parks of Herkimer county, by whom he has seven children: Cora A., Mildred E., Georgiana, Willie O., James L., Clarence E., and Lottie Reese. Mil- dred E. is married and lives in Redfield,' Oswego county. Mr. Reese and family are members of the Baptist church of. Westmoreland.

Hunt, Mrs. A. A., M. D., is the owner and proprietor of the Verona Springs House, and Isadora B. Payne is the conductor and manager. This is a noted sum-

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mer resort, having accommodations for about eighty guests. The celebrated Verona Mineral Springs are located on the hotel grounds; these springs have long been noted for their valuable medical properties. This hotel is, perhaps, one of the old- est of its kind in the country, having a reputation that has been increasing for over half a century. It is unsurpassed in location and surroundings, and is one of the pleasantest and best kept summer resorts in Oneida county, in addition to the val- uable curative properties of its celebrated mineral springs. Mrs. Dr. Hunt has owned the property for many years.

Freinberger, Fred, was born in Germany, February 2, 1844, son of Jacob and Margaret Freinberger. Jacob Freinberger canie to Westmoreland in 1865, where he conducted a farm till the time of his death in 1892. Mrs. Freinberger, his wife, died in 1887. Fred Freinberger was educated in Lewis county, and then came to Westmoreland, and engaged in farming, at which he has since continued. He mar- ried Mary Holmes, daughter of James Holmes, of Lewis county, by whom he has three children : William, Harriet and Cora. Harriet is married to Albert Jenkins of Westmoreland. Mr. Freinberger belongs to the Grangers. He has worked his own way in the world, and owns and conducts two fine farms in Westmoreland township.

Freinberger, George H., was born in Germany, in 1844, son of Jacob and Barbara Freinberger. Jacob Freinberger was a tanner by trade, and later engaged in farm- ing. He settled in Westmoreland in 1864. George H. Freinberger came to the United States about 1850. He enlisted in Company L, 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and participated in the following engagements: Fisher's Hill, Harper's Ferry, Mary- land Heights, Bolivar Heights, Loudon Heights, Charlestown, and Winchester. He was wounded and received apension. He married Martha J., daughter of James Holmes, a farmer of New Bremen, Lewis county, by whom he had four children : Ida May, wife of William HI. Joy, of Montague, Lewis county, Frank J., George J., and James H.

Comstock, Jas. M .- Edgar J. Comstock was born in Kirkland, November 27, 1858, son of James M. and Eliza Comstock. James M Comstock was born in Kirkland, April 20, 1821, where he was educated, after which he engaged in farming, at which he has always continued, moving to Westmoreland in 1854. Mrs. Comstock died in 1886. Edgar J. Comstock married Ada Lathram, who died in 1891, and he married for his second wife, Mary E. Stebbins, by whom he has two children: Raymond L., and Hazel I.

Brush, Charles W., was born in Rome, August 28, 1835, son of Elijah and Laura Brush. Elijah Brush, learned the builders' trade in early life, and followed it perman- ently. He was one of the largest builders, in his day, in the entire county; his operations extending all through the county, although the larger part of his work was done in the eastern section of the county. Many of the finest residences in Oneida county are evidences of his energy and ability as a builder. He also dealt largely in real estate, buying numbers of farms, which he leased. Perhaps there are few men to whose energy and ability, Oneida county owes more, than to the efforts of Elijah Brush. Mr. Brush died at the age of sixty-eight. Charles W. Brush was educated in Oneida county, and is largely interested in farming. He married Helen L. Knox,

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Rome, by whom he has one son, E. Knox Brush, who is in charge of one of the de- partments of the State Hospital at Ogdensburg, N. Y. E. Knox Brush married Annie Cosgrove, of Ottawa Canada.

Brill, Fred J., was born in Lowell, township of Westmoreland, Oneida county, July 20, 1850, son of William and Mary O. Brill. William Brill was born in Saratoga county, April 1, 1823. He kept a store in North Western for three years, coming to Lowell in 1848, where he engaged in farming. He was one of the most prominent men in the township, and was supervisor for a number of years. He died August 7, 1888. Fred J. Brill was educated in Cazenovia, after which he engaged in farming, and is also a large distiller of witch hazel, distilling it from the shrub and shipping the product all over the country. He is also engaged in the manufacture of cheese. He married Mary E., daughter of E. Day, of Verona, by whom he has one son, John, now attending school.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 131

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