Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 134

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 134

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Meyer, Otto Angus, was born at Prospect, N. Y., February 1, 1861. His father,

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Dr. William Meyer, was a prosperous and much respected physician who had a large practice in that section. The family came to Utica when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age. Mr. Meyer was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Utica Free Academy. During his school days he worked morn- ings, Saturdays, and vacations in the circulation department of the Utica Herald, which department was then in charge of the late William H. Tutton. In this way he early acquired a knowledge of an important branch of the newspaper business which has since stood him in good stead. After leaving the academy he was for a year and a half employed as the business manager of the Sunday Tribune, then owned by P. E. Kelly. He made a marked success of this enterprise, and in charge of both the advertising and circulation departments of that paper rendered valuable service. When in March, 1883, the corporation known as the Utica Press Company was organized, Mr. Meyer was induced to go with the new concern as its secretary and treasurer and its business manager, positions he has since continued in, with credit to himself and profit to all concerned. Two or three years later Mr. Meyer and another secured a controlling interest in the stock of the company, whose busi- ness under his direction has shown steady and substantial growth, till the Daily and the Weekly Press have come to be recognized as among the most prosperous leaders of Central New York journalism. To Mr. Meyer's energy and good business judg- ment much of the success of these papers is due. Few have a wider acquaintance or are more popular with those who have business with newspapers. He is a member of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association and has been honored with ap- pointments on some of its important committees. For several years he has been a director of the Second National Bank of Utica. He belongs to the Fort Schuyler Club and to the Utica Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Meyer is deservedly regarded as one of the brightest of the city's young business men.

Kirkland, George A., was born in Utica, N. Y., November 24, 1858, son of Charles and Elizabeth Kirkland. Charles Kirkland was born in England, and came to this country and engaged in the wagon manufacturing business. He entered the gen- eral mercantile business in Utica, and then removed to Whitesboro where he started the mercantile business in the fall of 1868, being the business now owned and conducted by his son, George A. Mr. Kirkland died in March, 1893. George A. was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and started in the mercantile business as clerk for his father, and assisted his father until 1889, when he became sole proprie- tor of the business, and it is the oldest and largest mercantile business in the village of Whitesboro. Mr. Kirkland married Gertrude Peck, of New York Mills, by whom he has one son, Charles Kirkland.

Crandall, J. Wells, was born in Kirkland, Oneida county, N. Y., December 21, 1826, and when seven years of age removed with his parents to Oswego county, where he was educated in the public schools. He has had numerous occupations, mostly farming, until he retired in 1883. He came to Fish Creek in 1883 and erected a fine residence, finishing it in January, 1885. In 1851 he married Cynthia Luke, of Amboy, Oswego county, N. Y., who died July 22, 1884. For his second wife he married Mrs. Lurana M. (Potter) Babcock, of West Monroe. She had three children by her first marriage: Willis G. Babcock, a physician, with a drug store and practice in Cleveland, Oswego county ; Alice V. and Gracia R. Babcock, who died at the age

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of twenty-one years. Mr. Crandall's father, Daniel Crandall, was born in Brook- field, N. Y., was educated there, and was a blacksmith by occupation, conducting a business in Kirkland. He married Martha Wells, by whom he had eight children : Daniel, Pattie, Horace, William, Warren, J. Wells, Charles, and Fannie; only three of them are now living. Mr. Crandall died at the age of sixty-one, and his wife at the age of eighty-one years. The family is of New England stock.

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 Freiberger, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children: Louis F., Lavant, and Paul M.

Butterfield, Samuel, was a native of England, born in 1792. His grandfather, John Butterfield, was killed in the battle of Minden in Germany, 1760. His father and three elder brothers died in the English army. Mr. Butterfield came to America in 1827 with two sons by his first wife (William and Samuel). In 1828 he married Elizabeth Laister (a native of England), a sister of Thomas Laister, of New Hart- ford. In 1830 he moved to the town of Vernon, remained about two years and went back to New Hartford where he carriend on business until 1838, when he went into partnership with the late S. Newton Dexter, of Whitestown, and manufactured in- grain carpets at Oriskany. In 1844 he moved to Sconondoa and carried on the same business with his son William for about twenty years; they employed about thirty hands. Mr. B., son of Thomas, carried on the business of manufacture and sale of leather. Thomas was supervisor of the town of Vernon several times. About twenty years ago he moved to Buffalo where he died in 1888. Samuel, jr., was a soldier of the Republic during the late war; he died in 1882. William died in 1891. Mr. Butterfield's three daughters (Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Woodhull, Mrs. Stewart). are still living, also his son Charles, who is one of the justices of the peace of the town of Vernon, and lives with Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Patton, daughter of William, at the old homestead. During the time Mr. Butterfield and his sons were carrying on business, Sconondoa was a lively little hamlet.

Whitcher, Rev. Benjamin Williams, was born in Rochester, Vt., December, 8, 1811, his father, Stephen, a native of Haverhill, Mass., being one of a large family, of which Thomas Whitcher, who came from England to New England in 1638, was the founder. Mr. Whitcher was graduated from Geneva College in 1840 and after- ward continued and completed his theological studies at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church in New York city. He was ordained by the late Bishop De Lancey in 1844 and settled in Whitestown, Oneida county, where he organized and became the first rector of St. John's church. Afterward he officiated at Saratoga Springs and Oswego, and later had charge of the parishes at Theresa and Redwood, N. Y. During his ministry he was earnest and active in urging people to baptism and the sacraments, and was recognized as a high church- man. When the Oxford or "tractarian movement" was at its height he was a student. This movement was a school of thought led by Cardinal Newman and other great minds. In 1850 Mr. Whitcher was received into St. John's church, Utica, by the late Bishop McFarland, and for a score of years thereafter was en-

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gaged in lecturing, becoming widely known in the United States and Canada. His lectures were on subjects connected with the Catholic faith. Although he re- nounced the Protestant Episcopal church he never forgot the courtesy of the clergy with whom he had been associated. A man of commanding presence he possessed a logical manner of reasoning and a singularly conciliating style of address. In 1877 he published a book, "The Story of a Convert," which was favorably com- mented upon by the celebrated reviewer, Brownson. In 1847 he married Frances Miriam Berry, of Whitesboro, who was distinguished as the author of the " Widow Bedott Papers," which have been dramatized and accorded a foremost place among humorous writings. She died in January, 1852, and in the autumn of 1853 he mar- ried Martha Letetia Ward, of Jefferson county, who survives him. In 1855 Mrs. M. L. Whitcher collected and arranged the scattered newspaper articles which became the well known " Widow Bedott Papers," printed by James C. Derby in 1856. She also finished a manuscript, " Trials and Changes," which had been begun by Mrs. Frances M. Whitcher and left incomplete by her death. This story with a biograph- ical sketch of its author and a story entitled, " The Widow Spriggs," were published in 1867. Mrs. Whitcher is a talented writer, both in prose and poetry, as the follow- ing stanzas entitled " In Memory of Nellie," abundantly illustrate :

Two years ago, dear child, to-day Thy gentle spirit passed away From earth and pain; All calmly then my grief I hid, And wrote upon thy coffin lid, "To die is gain." Two weary, sad and bitter years, Alone in sorrow and in tears- A sad refrain. Yet watching by the low green mound, Which thy dear dust makes holy ground, I can not weep. Such kindly thoughts of hopeful rest. And peace and joy among the blest, Soft vigils keep; And bid me only "stand and wait " Till He unclose life's sunset gate, Who gave thee sleep.

Mr. Whitcher was a cousin of John Greenleaf Whittier, and died December 17, 1891, while the poet was celebrating his eighty-fourth birthday. Besides his wife he left four daughters and two sons: Alice Miriam, wife of William S. Wood, of Muskegon, Mich. ; Mary Lavina, widow of Warren F. Thayer, of Sioux Falls, S. D. ; Frances Margaret; Caroline E .; Ward W., of Rome; and Charles E., of Whitesboro.

Callahan, W. C., D. D. S., was born in Madison county, July 28, 1870, son of Den- nis and Catherine (Carpenter) Callahan, and the family have lived in Morrisville, Madison county, for fifty years. He was educated at the Morrisville Union School and Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1892. In that year he came to Waterville, and began the practice of his profession. He was in partnership until January 1, 1895, when he opened an office of his own, where he is meeting with the success his abilities merit. He is especially successful in crown and bridge work, end met with surprising success in reinserting the natural teeth. Dr. Callahan is a member of the Pickwick Club.

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Young, Robert Grant, was born in New York Mills, Oneida County, June 26, 1849, the youngest of nine children of William and Jean (Buchanan) Young, who came to America from near Paisley, Scotland, about fifty-five years ago. Attending the common schools until the age of sixteen he began work for the New York Mills Co., in the weave room, leaving there four years later to take charge of the weaving de- partment of the Clark's Mills Co., at Clarks Mills, New York. In January, 1872, he entered the employ of the Utica Cotton Co., at New Hartford and remained there over eight years. In 1880 he left New Hartford to engage in the Manufacturers' Supply business in Utica, but this not proving a success he again accepted his former position with the Utica Cotton Co. in New Hartford. March 15, 1889, he began work for the Utica Belt Line Street Railroad Co. as an engineer. Four months later he was made master mechanic of the company and held that position until October 1, when he assumed charge of the road as superintendent, being also a director, which position he still holds. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Masonic Club, and in religion is a Presbyterian. He married, June 4, 1871, Anna Lillian Clark, eldest daughter of De Marcus and Mary E. (Walker) Clark, formerly of Elgin, Ill., but at that time residing at Clark's Mills, N. Y. Mrs. Young's ances- tors came to this country from England among the first settlers here, and in religious faith are Episcopalians. They have three children living: Virginia May, Harold Clark, and Leslie Bernard.

Beers, G. P., was born in the town of Sherburne, Chenango county, September 22, 1859, son of L. M. and Sarah (Kershaw) Beers. His grandfather was Garry P. Beers, of Connecticut, and his great-great-grandfather Hurd had the management of the postal affairs of the colony of Connecticut, and held his commission from King George. At twenty-one years of age G. P. Beers engaged in the painting and paper hanging business, which he has since followed with marked success. In 1892 the partnership of Beers & Davies was formed. On January 14, 1895, Mr. Beers married Nellie Simmons of Waterville. Mr. Beers is a noted musician. He has been leader of the Waterville Band since its organization in 1886. He was a good cornet player at the age of ten years; a member of the Deansville Band at thirteen years, and leader of that band at sixteen.

Bardeen, John, was born at Paris Hill, N. Y., December 5, 1863, son of William and Ellen (Simmons) Bardeen, residents of Oneida county. He was educated in Waterville and learned the trade of harness maker. He has been successfully en- gaged in business for himself for seven years, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is also special policeman in the Waterville police force. In 1889 he married Mary Gibbons of Hanover.

Fuess, L. P., was born in New York city, February 14, 1858, son of Jacob and Johanna (Woerner) Fuess, natives of Bavaria, Germany. He received an academic education, and read law with E. H. Lamb of Waterville, and at Columbia Law School. He was admitted to the bar in March, 1882, since which time he has practiced law in Waterville. He was town clerk for several years and has been justice of the peace. In October, 1883, he married Helen A. Moore of Syracuse.

Goodwin, S. W., was born in Waterville in 1850, son of Daniel B. and Catherine (Bacon) Goodwin, natives of Hartford, Conn., and Oneida county, respectively. He

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was educated in the schools of the village, and at the military college in Worcester, Mass., after which he engaged in banking. He was assistant cashier of the Water- ville National Bank for ten years, cashier for six years, and has been president one year. He is also treasurer of the village of Waterville, and is the senior member of the firm of Goodwin & Rice, the leading insurance house in this part of the county.

Brainard, I. D., was born in Hubbardsville, N. Y., September 27, 1846, son of Ira and Jemima (Beebe) Brainard. He was educated at the Clinton Liberal Institute, after which he engaged in the hop business, and his firm is one of the largest in Central New York. . In 1891 the firm of Charles Green, Son & Co., hop merchants and bankers, was formed. The banking house is in Waterville, and is in charge of Mr. Brainard. He has been president of the village two terms, and has been a member of the Board of Education ten years. In 1870 Mr. Brainard married M. Geneva Green, by whom he has one son, Charles Green Brainard.

Edwards, L. D., is a native of Wales, and came to America with his parents, David L. and Ann (Roberts) Edwards, when thirteen weeks old, and settled in Oneida county, but afterwards removed to Lewis county, and later they returned to Oneida county. L. D. Edwards was educated in the district schools and Winfield Seminary. He taught school for ten terms in Oneida and Wyoming counties, and studied in Waterville. He was admitted to the bar, January 9, 1880. Mr. Edwards was supervisor of the town of Marshall in 1887 and 1888, and was justice of the peace in 1886. He was supervisor of the town of Sangerfield in 1891, and was elected chairman of the board. He is a Mason, a member of the Chapter and Utica Com- mandery. In 1881 he married Margaret A., only daughter of Isaac Jones of Water- ville.

Jenks, M. S., is a native of Deansville, son of Chester and Emily (Cowan) Jenks, natives of Massachusetts. His father being a farmer, he spent his early life on a farm, and has always been identified with the hop industry, for which this part of the country is celebrated. He has been a hop dealer for forty-three years, and has been supervisor of the town of Manheim. In 1866 he married Mary Browning, by whom he has one daughter, Mrs. D. C. Morgan of Clinton.

Jones, T. Z., M. D., was born in Waterville, June 23, 1860, and after an academic course, took up the study of medicine, entering the Bellevue Hospital Medical col- lege, New York, where he was graduated in 1883. He spent thirteen months as a physician in the Insane Asylum on Blackwell's Island, when he accepted a position in Ossawatomie, Kansas; his failing health forced him to resign this position, and he came to Waterville in 1884, where he built up a large practice. In 1892 he went to London, England, and took a post graduate medical course. Dr. Jones is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society, and of both the Blue Lodge and Chapter in Masonry. His father was Zephianiah Jones, a native of Remsen, this county, and his mother was Margaret Goodwin, a native of Wales. In 1893 Dr. Jones married Clara Allen.

Eastman, W. J., was born in the town of Marshall, and educated in Waterville. His father was Virgil S. Eastman of Marshall, and his grandfather, Socrates East- man. His mother, Juha (Lincoln) Eastman, was a native of Ionia, Mich., and was the first white child born in that county. He engaged in the electrical and bicycle

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business in 1893, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Eastman is a mem- ber of the popular Waterville Band.

Hilsinger, Myron, was born in Milford, N. Y., son of Samuel and Alvira (Oster- hout) Hilsinger. He has been a horseman all of his life, excepting a short time in the mercantile business. Since the Waterville race track came into his control, it has been noted for its excellent training facilities, and Mr. Hilsinger has a reputa- tion second to none for handling horses. He came to Waterville in the spring of 1889. In 1880 he married Ida, daughter of David Baird, one of the greatest horse- men of his day, by whom he has two sons and two daughters.

Hubbard, George M., was born in Wayne county, August, 1822, son of Maximus and Zilpha (Sylvester) Hubbard. His grandfather, Simon Hubbard, came to Wayne county in 1790, and George M. Hubbard still owns the land upon which he settled. Mr. Hubbard has been engaged in distilling, brewing and farming, and is now con- ducting a coal and mill business. He is married to Myra M. Scott, by whom he has one daughter, Helen, wife of H. M. King, who is in partnership with him. Mr. Hubbard is a prominent Mason, also a Knight Templar, and has belonged to the fraternity for over three years.

Bensted, W. H., is a native of England, and came to America when seventeen years of age. He resided one year in Hamilton, two years in Madison, and came to Waterville in 1886, since which time he has conducted the leading meat business of the place. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and chief engineer of the Waterville fire department. In 1889 Mr. Bensted married Mary Jane Maxted, a native of England, and they have one son, Clarence Bensted.

Finn, E. L., is a native of Waterville, Oneida county, N. Y., and for five years has successfully conducted a popular meat business, which was established by his father seventeen years ago. Henry Finn, father of E. L., was a native of England, and he died in 1890. He married Mary Lindsley. E. L. Finn is a member of the Masonic fraternity, both the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He has held several offices in the order.

Mason, C. B., was born in Madison county, N. Y., March 29, 1837, and remained there until he was fourteen years of age, when his father moved to Vernon, and, after remaining there a short time, came to Sangerfield. In 1860 Mr. Mason married Emily, daughter of Wanton and Betsey (Croft) Gorton. The Gorton family has been in New York for over a century. Mr. Mason is one of the most extensive and most successful farmers of Oneida county. For the history of the ancestry of C. B. Mason see article on John C. Mason.

Mason, John C., was born in Madison county, December 4, 1839, son of Edward A. Mason, one of seven brothers, who settled in Madison county. His grandfather, David Mason, came from Connecticut. John C. Mason came to Waterville when thirteen years of age, where he has resided ever since. He is engaged in farming, in which he has been very successful. He is an able financier and thorough business man, and personally looks after the details of his large interests. In 1864 he mar- ried Emma M. Jones, of Otsego county, by whom he has three children: William E., Mrs. B. G. Lawrence and Eva.

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Mulverhill, F. C., is a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1848. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he still continues. In 1858 he enlisted in the regular army, Co. C, 3d U. S. Infantry, and served until 1863, participating in the battles of Gaines Mills. Fort Pickens, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg, and was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg. He also served in the Indian war against the Mojaves in Arizona. In 1870 he married Elizabeth Gagan, by whom he has five children: Flann C., Thomas E., Daniel Sheridan, Patrick Henry, and Mary Ellen. Mr. Mulverhill has been collector for the town of Marshall, and was elected justice of the peace in 1895.

Monroe, C. Wilbur, was born in Sangerfield, June 12, 1870, son of Charles D. and Josephine A. (Everson) Monroe. He was educated in the district schools and Water- ville Academy, graduating in 1889. He then took a course in the Cornell University, from which institution he was graduated in 1892. He also read law in the office of the late E. H. Lamb, and with Jones & Townsend, and was admitted to the bar November 15, 1894. He opened an office in Waterville, and has been actively en- gaged in his profession since that date. He is the present justice of the peace for Waterville, and has held office since March 6, 1894. April 5, 1894, he married Nina Sophia King of Waterville.

Putnam, E. B., was born in Waterville, N. Y., and was educated in the public schools and at Columbia College. He was admitted to the bar January 1, 1882. He now resides in Rochester, where he follows the practice of his profession, but has a summer residence near Waterville. He is a member of Kent Club, of Rochester, the Genesee Valley Club, and other social organizations. In 1882 Mr. Putnam mar- ried Grace Williams Tower, daughter of Charlemagne Tower, of Philadelphia, now deceased. Mr. Putnam's father, George Putnam, was one of the leading and most highly respected men of this part of the country. He married Sarah M. Bill, daughter of Dr. Earle Bill, in his day a prominent physician in the northern part of the State.

Putnam, Frederick W., was born in Waterville, N. Y., in 1861, son of George and Sarah M. (Bill) Putnam. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Bill, a prominent phy- sician of his day, and the family came from Connecticut. The Putnam family came from Massachusetts, and George Putnam was one of the most highly respected citizens of this place, where he died in 1891. F. W. Putnam received a liberal education in both academy and college, and took charge of the business left by his father.

Potter, G. R., was born in the town of Morris, Otsego county, August 17, 1846. He learned the trade of shoemaker and followed it for many years, after which he engaged in the hotel business at Sherburne, then at Oriskany Falls, and finally pur- chased the Central Hotel at Waterville in 1887. This he has recently improved and enlarged. September 1, 1866, he married Mary E. Roberts, by whom he has one daughter, Anna D., wife of C. W. Perry. Mr. Potter is a member of the Red Men, and is held in high esteem by a great many friends.

Waldo, Wellington, was born in Bridgewater, where he lived until he was twenty- two years of age, when he came to Waterville. H received a common school and academic education. He first educated himself for the dental profession, which he

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followed for fifteen years, when he took up surveying, to which he has devoted his attention for the last twelve years. He has done a great deal of farm surveying and possesses a thorough knowledge of the topography of this part of the country. He was for some time interested in milling in Waterville, but has lately disposed of that business. Although not desiring office, he has been president of the village of Waterville during the years 1891-92-93, and was again elected for 1895, which term of office he is now serving. His father, Ephraim Waldo, jr., came from Connecticut with his father, Ephraim Waldo, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Bridgewater. Ephraim Waldo, jr., died in 1885.

Snell, Albert M., was born in Sangerfield in 1842, son of Josiah and Betsey (Fel- ton) Snell, natives of New England. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder, in which he is now prominently engaged; he also added lumber and erected a planing mill, thoroughly equipping himself for any kind of contracts. In 1872 he married Harriet Melvin, a native of the town of Marshall.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 134

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