Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 132

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 132

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).

Brennan Thomas, was born in Westmoreland, March 23, 1855, son of Frank and Mary Brennan. Frank Brennan is a farmer and has been conducting a farm in West- moreland for twenty-two years. Thomas Brennan was educated in Paris, Kirkland and Westmoreland, and has since been engaged in farming in Westmoreland. He married Mary Riley, of Verona, by whom he has one daughter, Lizzie.

Johnson, James, was born in Rome, September 1, 1842, son of Thomas and Han- nah Johnson. Thomas came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Westmore- land, N. Y., where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred February 7, 1882. James Johnson was educated in Rome, then moved to the old homestead, where he has since resided. Mr. Johnson is a staunch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party.

Marshall, Elmiron C., was born in Kirkland, Oneida county, August 9, 1847, son of Townsend and Elmira (Comstock) Marshall. Townsend Marshall was born in Perryville, Madison county, N. Y. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he conducted as long as his health permitted. He moved from Madison county to Kirkland, where he died in 1892, aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Marshall died August 12, 1847. Elmiron C. was educated at the district schools of Kirkland, and when twenty-one years of age he went to Iowa, then returned to Kirkland, where he remained eleven years, and from there he moved to Westmoreland where he has been for the last eleven years engaged in farming and building. He married Virginia Poston, by whom he had eleven children: Albert E., Burton E., Carrie A., Flora B., Wesley A., Leslie A., Kittie M., Harriet, Elmer, Royal L .; and George H.

Law, William C., was born in Westmoreland, June 3, 1871, son of William and Sarah (Knapp) Law, also natives of Westmoreland. Consider Law, grandfather of William C Law, was born in Paris, and married Joanah Comstock. William Law, father of William C. Law, was born February 3, 1829. He was a farmer, being one of the most prominent and best known in the township of Westmoreland. He was a staunch Republican, and an active and efficient supporter of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Law had five children: Charles K., who is a practicing physician in Jersey City, N. J. ; and William C., who is engaged in teaching school, and also conducts the family homestead.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Lawes, Richard, was born in London, Eng., December 9, 1857, son of Richard and Mary Ann (Bennett) Lawes. Richard Lawes, jr., was educated at the Clinton Liberal Institute and the Grammar School, and has since been engaged in farming. He married Josie Lind, of Utica, by whom he had two children: Richard Gordon and Mary Eliza - beth. Mr. Lawes is a prominent Republican, standing among the leaders of his party in the township of Westmoreland, and contributing the most efficient services in the aid and support of his party.

Kelly, Martin, was born in Ireland, November 1, 1842, son of John and Mary Kelly. John Kelly came to the United States and settled in Westmoreland, and engaged in farming, and where he died February 12, 1865. Martin Kelly was edu- cated in Westmoreland, and then engaged in farming, which he has since followed. He married Susie Mclaughlin.

Freinberger, John J., was born in Lewis county, N. Y., June 10, 1858, son of Jacob and Barbara Freinberger. John J. was educated in Westmoreland, after which he learned the carpenter trade, which business he followed for many years, but is now extensively engaged in farming. He married Cora Crandall, of Brook- field, by whom he has one child, May A.

Gould, George A. W., was born in Rhode Island in 1855, son of George S. and Anna A. (Knowles) Gould. George S. Gould has always been a farmer, and is at present living in Rhode Island. The homestead farm originally belonged to Daniel Peckham; his father first moved here, and was among the early settlers of the county. G. A. W. Gould was educated in Rhode Island, and settled in Westmore- land in 1879. He married Sarah N. Hunt, of Westmoreland, by whom he has six children: Archer, Alison, Leslie, Ethel, Horace and Harold.

Joy, William H., was born in Canada, February 3, 1861, son of Alfred and Betsey (Spencer) Joy. William H. was educated in the town of Montague, Lewis county, and has since been engaged in farming. He married Ida, daughter of George Freinberger, of Westmoreland by whom he had three children: Lewis T., Levant, and Pearl M.

Ball, Chester A., was born in Massachusetts in 1826, and came to Vernon in 1852. His father, Adonijah Ball, was also a native of Massachusetts, born in 1791, and died in 1828. His mother was a native of Massachusetts. Chester A. Ball settled in Vernon and learned the blacksmith trade, which he has since continued successfully in Vernon Center. In 1855 he married Margaretta McLean, who was born in Scot- land in 1836, a descendant of the most noted Scotch ancestry. She has taken a prominent place and interest in the historical and church affairs at Vernon Center, and it was at their house that the Presbyterian society of that place was organized, and also the place of the first funeral in the settlement. Mrs. Ball is now postmis- tress at Vernon Center. They have had four children: Anna M., born October 1, 1857; Ella S., born September 3, 1859; John C., born November 11, 1861; and Mi- riam M., born November 19, 1864. John C. is a Presbyterian minister, and is now pastor of the Presbyterian church at Pompey Hill, Onondaga county; Anna M. is the wife of Dr. J. Mccullough, of Remsen; and Ella S. married Lorenzo R. Paxton, of Vernon Center.

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Groff, Benjamin, was born in 1833, son of Benjamin Groff. He is a treasurer and general manager of the Chadwick Mills, and came to New Hartford with his parents at six years of age, and began work in these mills when only nine years old. He struggled through this hard apprenticeship, attending evening school and a Sunday school to acquire an education. At eighteen years of age he had charge of a room and had been superintendent since 1871. At Mr. Chadwick's death in 1885 a stock company was formed, and Mr. Groff was elected to his present position. He has in his possession an old flintlock musket carried by his grandfather, John Groff, in the war of 1812. He married Betsey Wrigley, by whom he had two sons and two daughters ; but only one son and one daughter are now living.

Remmer, Captain Joseph H., born August 23, 1850, in Utica, is a son of Michael Remmer, who came here from Alsace-Loraine, Germany, about 1840, and died in 1866. Michael was a contractor and builder and aided in the construction of many dwellings and other buildings, and was assessor of the old Sixth ward for four years until his death. Captain Remmer first engaged in the grocery business in 1875 and continued about three years, when he sold out. Later he was traveling salesman for George Young, baker, for about twelve years, and still later, he engaged in the meat business for twelve years. In March, 1892, he formed a partnership with John · Cox, as Cox & Remmer, and purchased the old C. Weiss & Co. furniture establish- ment on the corner of Fayette and State streets where they have since continued successfully as wholesale and retail furniture dealers. Captain Remmer joined the 26th Regiment N. G. S. N. Y., September 3, 1868, and has ever since been a promi- nent figure in local militia circles. He was successively made corporal, sergeant, and on March 10, 1873, captain of Co. C., of the 26th Regiment, which was mustered out in 1881, the 28th Separate Company being retained, and formed by the members of the old body of this company; at its organization he was elected captain, a post he has ever since filled with conspicuous ability. He temporarily commanded a regiment of separate companies at the Washington Centennial Celebration in New York city, April 30, 1889, and commanded troops during the Buffalo railroad riots in 1892. He has also been appointed to command at several State encampments, act- ing in the capacity of major. In 1894 he was awarded a valuable gold medal by the State of New York for long and meritorious service in the militia. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum, aud a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church and one of the prime movers in building its new edifice in 1895. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, is a prominent Dem- ocrat in politics and has been a delegate to various conventions. October 28, 1875, he married Margaret M., daughter of Thomas Nichols, of St. Louis Missouri, and of their five children two are living: Harry T. and Marguerite.

Hughes, Robert P., was born in North Wales, Denbeighshire, February 24, 1832, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Everett) Hughes. Mr. Hugh Hughes with his family came to the United States in 1837, settling first in Western, then in Constableville and then went to Remsen. In these places he conducted flour mills, and he is sup- posed to have made the first oatmeal prepared in this State, adapting his own ma- chinery to that purpose. His death occurred when he was within three months of being ninety years of age. He was in the employ of the New York Mills for about forty years. Robert P. Hughes came to New York Mills at thirteen years of age,

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and entered the employ of the company, and worked his way through the mills, fill- ing various positions, and he is now overseer of two departments, and has been in the employ of the mill over fifty years. He married Marcia Averill. daughter of Alba Crafts of Otsego county. Her grandfather, Joseph Crafts, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, attached to the personal staff of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes had three children: Josephine, married to Frank S. Williams, of Clinton, a lawyer in New York city; Edward R. and Franklin R. (deceased).

Chapman, William Wallace, was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1844, son of William H. Chapman, who was also born here, and was of English birth. The grandparents came to America in 1810 and settled in New Hartford. During his lifetime William H. Chapman was a prominent figure in the social and political life of this locality. He was a Democrat in politics, and represented his assembly district in the State Legislature in 1868. He was also a successful business man and conducted a hotel here during the period of the greatest commercial activ- ity at Washington Mills. This business was pursued by his son, William W., until the unfortunate loss of his hearing necessitated his retirement to a farm.

Roberts, Henry W., was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, December 1, 1858, son of Ellis R. Roberts, who was also born in that town, where he was for a number of years in the mercantile business. His grandfather was born in Wales, and came to the United States in 1818, where he first settled in Utica. Ellis R. Rob- erts married Anna Johns, who was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., by whom he had two children. Henry W. Roberts was a graduate of Clinton Grammar School in 1878, and has been engaged in the mercantile business most of his life. He was for six years clerk in the store of Comstock Brothers, of Utica, and has been in busi- ness for himself in Clinton for seven years. Ile married Anna Clark, of this town, by whom he has one daughter, Gertrude. Mr. Roberts was town clerk for three years, and at present is a member of the Board of Education, serving his second term, and he is also one of the county committee.

Burns, Owen J., was born in this village, April 22, 1859, son of Patrick Burns, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855. He followed peddling for about twenty years, and then with his son, Owen J. Burns, started in business, and died in about a year, and since the business has been conducted by the son. Owen J. Burns has become one of the leading men of the town, being for three years in the office of town clerk, and is at present a member of the Board of Education. His education was acquired in the Clinton Institute and Grammar School. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of Joseph Coffa, of Kirkland, by whom he has four children: Robert, Alice, Gregory and Leonard.

Billingham, Fred G., was born in the town of Kirkland, October 30, 1860, son of Richard J. Billingham. Fred G. was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until about three years ago, when he became the proprietor of the Clinton House, in the village of Clinton, where he and his wife, Ella (Griffith) Billingham, are always ready to care for the guests in a manner which proves their ability in this line.

Blake, Frank, was born in Clayville, August 30, 1868, and is of old Irish stock, his father, Peter Blake, being born in Ireland. Peter Blake kept the Blake House in

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Clinton for about twenty years, and enlisted in 1862, serving through the entire war. Frank Blake received his education in the schools in Clinton, and was clerk in his father's hotel. He engaged with a Buffalo house, where he formed an idea of the furniture and undertaking business, which he established in 1889 in Clinton. He married Jessie D., daughter of W. L. Hart of Clinton. Mr. Blake is at present town clerk being elected on the Democratic ticket in 1894.

Dempsey, J. L., was born in Ireland, April 29, 1848, and came to this country with his parents, John and Catherine (Lyons) Dempsey, when only three months old. He was reared on the farm in Clinton, where he has resided as a respected citizen and business man for years. He was largely instrumental in the organization of the Union school and academy, and was a member of the first Board of Education. He was elected member from the second assembly district of Oneida county in 1889, and was re-elected in 1891. He married Kate Blake, daughter of Michael Blake of Kirk- land, by whom he has seven children: John A., Francis M., Joseph W., Elizabeth M., Katie, Rose and James I ..

McBride, Thomas, was born in Kirkland, July 5, 1850, son of John and Margaret McBride, who were born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847, where they engaged in farming in this county. They were the parents of five children: John E., Bridget, Ellen, Catherine and Thomas. The latter was educated in the district schools, and early learned the carpenter trade. He soon became one of Clinton's contractors and builders, erecting the Union school and academy, and many other buildings. About a year and a half ago he started the manufacture of step ladders, fruit baskets and crates, which has developed into one of Clinton's most prosperous enterprises. He married Catherine, daughter of Arthur and Anna O'Neil of New Hartford, Oneida county.

Goodfellow, Mrs. C. H .- The late Charles H. Goodfellow was born in Kirkland, December, 1836, son of Charles Goodfellow, who was born in England, and came to Clinton in 1831. Charles Goodfellow was engaged in the storage business, but died at eighty-seven years of age on a farm in this town. He married Christianna Good- fellow, by whom he had seven children. Charles H. Goodfellow was educated in the schools of Clinton, and learned the trade of tinsmith, after which he engaged in the hardware business, which he conducted for twenty-eight years prior to his death, December 14, 1894. He married Jeanette McChesney, daughter of William McChes- ney of Richland, Oswego county, by whom he had four children: Katie E., Anna, William and Jeanette. William Goodfellow now conducts his father's business in Clinton.

Everett, Charles M., was born in Clinton, N. Y., April 7, 1843, son of Hiram G. . Everett, who was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, in 1801. He married Eliza- beth Blockstone, who was born in the town of New Hartford, her father, Edward Blockstone, being among the early settlers of the town, coming from Connecticut. They had two children: Edward B. and Charles M., the latter the only surviving one. Charles M. Everett graduated from the law department of Hamilton College, and was employed in the office of ex-Judge Williams of Clinton for four years. He then engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Utica and New York city, but for the last fifteen years has been traveling. He has been president of the school board,

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since the organization of the Union school and academy of Clinton. He married Mary V., daughter of William Groves, who was one of the two first graduates of the Hamilton College, by whom he has three children: William G., Edward R., and John Groves. Mr. Everett is a member of Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M., of Clinton.

Evans, jr., Richard, was born in the town and house where he now resides, June 21, 1848. son of Richard W. Evans, who was born in England in 1812, came to the United States in 1835, and was first employed in New York city, coming to the town of Kirkland in 1844, where he engaged in farming, remaining here a number of years, then moved to Utica where he lived retired. He married - Jones, of England, by whom he had three children: Robert, deceased, who was superintendent of the county house until his death; Ellis J., a farmer in Kansas; and Richard, who is one of the leading farmers of this town, owning one farm of 190 acres, and another of fifty acres, his principal erops being hops, hay and corn. He married Hannah L., daughter of George Comstock, by whom he had two children: George B. and Adella D.

Burrows, Mrs. H. F .- William N. Marsh was born in September, 1804, and died in the house where he was born in 1884. His father, Nathan Marsh, came from Massa- chusetts at an early day, before the Revolutionary war. He eleared a farm of fifty aeres, built a log cabin, and through untiring efforts, they now own a fine farm of 100 acres. William N. Marsh married Mary A. Gridley, by whom he had four chil- dren: Eliza M., deceased, Ilclen M., George G., and Samuel, deceased. He married for his second wife, Eveline Gridley, a sister of his first wife. In the house where Mr. Marsh was born there now lives four generations, something that can seldom be said of any family.

Comstock, M. L., was born in the town of Kirkland, July 16, 1850, on the farm where he now lives, son of Franklin and Lucy Comstock. Levi Comstock, grand- father of M. L. Comstock, came to this town in the year 1792 and clared a farm near where our subject now lives and built a log cabin. M. L. Comstock is one of the five children, three of whom are now living: Melvin, Roselma, and Hecox, and was edneated in the public schools of Kirkland and Whitestown Seminary. A fact worthy of notice in Mr. Comstock's life was his untiring efforts in establishing the Chuckery post-office, and in which he was successful. He is engaged in farming, now owning a farm of sixty acres. He married Jewell, daughter of William and Lucy Graham, of New Hartford, by whom he has one son, Wallace G., of the Union school of New Hartford, and who also took a course in the agricultural department of the Cornell University. Mr Comstock is a member of the Grange, and is a Re- publican.

Harding, L. S., was born in Massachusetts in October, 1822, son of Stephen Harding, who was born in Worcester county, Mass., and where he died. L. S. Harding came to Madison county when nine years of age; at that time they came through Albany, where they were testing the engine, which was exhibited at the world's fair in Chicago, it being a duplicate of the first engine in this State. At the age of thirty years L. S. Harding bought the historical place in the town known as the Kirkland homestead, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland being the minister who Chris- tianized the Indians, and this place has the most historical record of any property in

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this town or in Oneida county. Stephen Harding married Augusta White, by whom he had five children: Jabus, Lucy, L. S., Samuel and Medina. L. S. Hard- ing received his first education in New England States, and finished in Hamilton College. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of 140 acres. He married Hannah, daughter of Maj. Rutherford Barker, by whom he has three children: Stephen R., who is engaged in farming, and is a stock dealer in Virginia; Henry W .. a lumber dealer in Michigan; and Mary L., wife of William M. Dwight, of Detroit, Mich.

Armstrong, Amos P., was born in Kirkland, October 10, 1838, a son of Sylvester and Olive Armstrong, who were born in Vermont and Kirkland, and whose ancestors were from Connecticut. Sylvester Armstrong married Olive, daughter of Levi Munger, of Kirkland, by whom he had seven children: Ellen K., Harriet, Betsey, Sarah, Elvira, Lillie and Amos P. Amos P. Armstrong was educated in Kirkland, and Whitestown Seminary, and taught school up to 1862, when he enlisted in the 117th N. Y. Vols., and served up to the close of the war in 1865. He was assessor of the town from 1880 to 1894, when he was elected supervisor, which office he now fills. He married Kittie, daughter of John and Lydia House, of Clinton village, and who died in 1884. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Hinkley Post No. 227, ' G. A. R., past master of Clinton Grange No. 370, and also member of the Clinton Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M.

Pearl, H. D., was born in Hamilton, Madison county, July 13, 1835, son of E. C. Pearl, who was one of the first settlers in Kirkland, where he conducted a large boot and shoe business. He emig ated from Connecticut in the early days of this county, at that time a wilderness, inhabited by the Indians. E. C Pearl married Caroline Upham, of Hamilton, Madison county, by whom he had five children. H. D. Pearl was educated in the district school, and is engaged in farming, owning a farm of thirty acres. He has filled the office of assessor, and also excise commissioner. He first married Harriet, daughter of Andrew Mills, one of the oldest settlers. His present wife is Mrs. Adelaide Pollard, daughter of Chester Jenks, of the town of Marshall. Mr. Pearl is a member of the Clinton Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M.

Grannis, Mrs. C. E .- Cyrus Grannis was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1815. In early life he learned the carpenter and joiner trade, which he followed for a num- ber of years, but later engaged in farming, which he followed until his death in 1885. He married the widow of Theodore Wilcox, who was born in Waterville, Oneida county. She had four children: Libbie, Hattie, Franklin and Goodwin. The sons are both farmers, one in the town of Kirkland on the homestead of his father, Theo- dore Wilcox, the other conducts a large farm on Paris Hill, in the town of Paris.

Woodin, Julia .- John M. Woodin was born in the town of New Hartford, January 21, 1825. His father, Ephraim Woodin, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., and came to the town of New Hartford in 1800, where he engaged in farming, which he followed until his death. He married Sarah Cooper, of Dutchess county, by whom he had five children: Mary A., William C., Giles E., Laura, and John M .. who learned the carpenter trade which he followed in connection with his farming, own- ing a farm of sixty-one acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1894. He married Julia Comstock. who was born in Kirkland, April 28, 1829, by whom he had

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four children: Alice C., born in 1852; Ella C., born in 1854; Ida May, born in 1856; and Charley, born in 1858.

Austin, David, was born in the town of Richfield, Oswego county, March 14, 1841, son of John Austin, who was born in Vermont, and came to this State when a boy with his parents, settling in Oswego county. When David Austin was two years of age, his father came to Oneida county, and settled in the town of Paris, from which they moved to Marshall, where they continued to reside. He married Lydia Galop of Oswego county, her father, Daniel Galop, being one of the pioneers from Connec- ticut. David Austin was educated in the district schools of Marshall, and the acad- emy of this place. He has been a prosperous farmer in the town of Kirkland for about thirty-seven years, owning a farm of eighty-two acres. He married Mary Crane of Madison county, by whom he has three children: Norman J., Elmer C. and Edith. Mr. Austin was elected road commissioner in 1894, on the Republican ticket, for a period of two years.

Barker, John S., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, March 16, 1826, and is one of the descendants of M. W. Barker, who lived for a long time in the vil- . lage of Clinton, where he died in 1893 at ninety-one years of age. John S. Barker was educated in the district schools after which he engaged in farming. He first married Caroline Barnard, by whom he had three children: Charles H., J. M. and William I. His second marriage was to Ellen E. Barber of Kirkland, by whom he has one son, John E.

Kelsey, Mrs. A. P .- Ambrose P. Kelsey was born in Sauquoit, Oneida county, N. Y., August 30, 1833. He prepared for the sophomore class in college at the Sau- quoit Academy. His preference for the natural sciences was very decided and in his senior year he received the first Underwood prize in chemistry. After graduat- ing he taught the natural sciences in Wilson Academy for one year. In 1857 he was appointed principal in the Cincinnatus Academy, which position he held for two years; and was then called to the chair of natural sciences in the State Normrl School at Albany. Two years later he removed to Farmington, Me., where he suc- cessfully established the first normal school in that State, he being the first principal. In 1878 Professor Kelsey was called to Clinton to accept the chair of natural history in Hamilton College, which position he occupied up to the time of his death. De- cember 24, 1862, Professor Kelsey married Ellen V., daughter of Hon. Robert Goodenow, of Farmington, Me. by whom he had three children. Professor Kelsey died, deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 132

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