Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 137

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 137

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).

Tafft, Julian E., was born in Oneida, N. Y., May 3, 1858. He was educated in the public schools and Oneida Seminary and now follows farming. He married Emily S. Frisbie, of Verona, N. Y., by whom he has two sons: Charles F. and

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

James H. Mr. Tafft's father, James S., was born in Swansea, N. H., in 1812, where he was educated. James S. Tafft came to this State when twenty-one years of age: he was a carpenter and contractor. He married twice, second to Julia A. Robinson, of Dunstable, Mass., by whom he had five children: Emma, died in infancy, Flor- ence, Marian, Julian E., and Murray. He died November 13, 1888. Julian E. Tafft is a fine musician. The family is of New England and Scotch descent.

Maurer, George H., was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., June 15, 1854. He was educated in the district schools, and has since been engaged in farming. De- cember 15, 1881, he married Caroline Niece, of this town, by whom he had two children: Arthur G., and Esther C. Mr. Maurer's father, George Maurer, was born in Germany in 1823. He was educated there and came to the United States when a young man and located here. He married Salome Esche, formerly of Alsace, Ger- many, by when he had seven children, five of whom are living: Amelia, George H., as above, Henry F., William and Jacob. Mr. Maurer died in July, 1885. Mrs. Maurer's father, George Niece, was born in Germany, in 1819. He was educated there and came to the United States when a young man, locating in this town. He married Barbara Clau, formerly of Germany, by whom he had six children: Barbara, George. Eve, Salome, Caroline, as above, and Alice M. Mr. Niece died in 1884. The ancestry of the family is German on both sides.

Shepard, Luther M., was born in the town of Verona, N Y., in 1832. He was edu- cated in the district schools, and has always followed farming. March 23, 1854, he married Barbara Bell, of this town by whom he had three children: Estella B., Etta A., and Fred L., who married Agnes Hamilton of New York city. Mr. Shepard's father, Luther Shepard, was born in Connecticut, about 1780, and came to this town in 1803, where he engaged in farming. He was married twice, first to Polly Mer- riam, by whom he had three children: Sophia, Joseph, and Mary Ann. For his sec- ond wife he married Eliza Nichols, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had eight children : Eliza, Juliette, Harriet, Luther M., as above, Sarah J., George A., Delight, and Edward. Mr. Shepard died April 20, 1868, and his wife April 2, 1855. Mrs. Shepard's father, Paul Bell, was born in France, and came to the United States when a young man, and was employed in a New York French importing house. He married Miss Wagner, formerly of France, by whom he had one daughter, Barbara, as above. Mr. Bell died when Mrs. Shepard was a little girl, and his wife Febru- ary 10, 1892. The ancestry of the Shepard family is of Puritan New England stock, and Mrs. Shepard's people were of French and German origin.

Knittel, Joseph, was born in Alsace, France, in June, 1833. He was educated there and came to the United States in 1861, locating in the town of Verona. He enlisted twice, first in the Oneida Cavalry, N. Y. S. Vols., and was honorably dis- charged in 1863, when he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he married Mary Goodsell. of Westmoreland, by whom he had ten children: Minnie, Annie, Josephine, William, Caroline (who died in infancy), Caroline, Louisa, Frank (who died in infancy), Frank, and Catharine. Minnie is also dead. Mr. Knittel is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post. No. 615, G. A. R., Department of New York. The family is of French origin.

Cagwin, Marenus, was born on the homestead near Verona, July 24, 1838. He was

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

educated in the district and select schools, and is a farmer by occupation. Novem- ber 22, 1871, he married Christine Mattice, by whom he had four children: George H., Frank L., Mabel G., who died in infancy, and Pearl M. The oldest son is a stu- dent in Utica Business College; Frank L. is a student in the union school at Verona. Mr. Cagwin's father, Abial Cagwin, was born in Connecticut in 1802, and came to this State with his parents when an infant. He married Desire Chase of Saratoga county, by whom he had five children : Lydia J., Mary E., Marenus, Henry A. and Julia M. Mr. Cagwin died in 1868, and his wife July 20, 1887. Mrs. Cagwin's father, Peter Mattice, was born in Germany, was educated there, and married Mrs. Ger- trude (Fisher) Myers, of his native place, by whom he had three children; Christine, George, and Catherine. Mrs. Mattice died when Mrs. Cagwin was six years old. The ancestry of the family is of New England and German nationality.

Lorenz, Anton, was born in Baden, Germany, April 8, 1841. He was partly edu- cated there, and came to the United States with his parents when ten years of age, locating in the town of Verona, where he finished his education in the district schools, after which he engaged as a farm hand. June 24, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 117th N. Y. Vols., and served in the Army of the James. He was wounded in the hip in the battle of Drury's Bluff, was transferred to Co. E, 24th Veteran Reserves and was honorably discharged June 25, 1865, when he returned to Verona, N. Y. In 1864 he married Barbara Strell, of Rome, N. Y., by whom he had eight children: Ida B., Frank J., Catherine M., Emma E., Rose I., Mary C., Anton J., and Caroline B. Catherine M. married John Bisenfelder, of Rome, N. Y., and they have three children: Albert F., Pauline I., and Margaret E. Mrs. Lorenz's father, Joseph Strell, was born in Austria, and upon his death his wife married for her second hus- band, Casper Streabb, and they had five children. The family came here in 1853 and located in Oneida, where they remained five years when they settled in Rome, N. Y. Mr. Lorenz is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post, No. 615, G. A. R., Dept. N. Y. He has been in the employ of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. Co. twenty-six years, and his son, Frank J., ten years.

Reed, Mrs. Laura D .- The late William Reed was born in Lowell, Mass., in 1825, and died July 31, 1866. He was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1864 he enlisted in the 2d Artillery, N. Y. Vols., and was honor- ably discharged on account of sickness in 1865. In 1847 he married Laura D. Smith, of the town of Lenox, Madison county, by whom he had two children: Elmer and Flora L. Elmer married Kate Williams, of Wampsville, and they have three children: Ellis, Florence and Raymond. Flora L. married Victor Eddy, and they had two children; Stewart, who died in infancy ; and Glenny C., who married Albert Burton; they have one daughter, Vera M. Mr. Eddy was born in Madison county in 1849. He was educated in the common schools, and has always been a farmer. His father, George W., was born in Cazenovia about 1814, and was a blacksmith and farmer. He married Louisa Benjamin, and they had seven children.

Foster, Nathaniel W., was born on the homstead, near Durhamville, N. Y., May 10, 1832, and was educated in the public schools and Clinton Liberal Institute. He has been a salesman on the road several years, but is now a farmer and horse breeder. December 15, 1862, he married Lucy Clark, of Verona, by whom he had one son,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Frank C. Mrs. Foster died in 1866, and March 18, 1874, he married Rebecca Smith, of Litchfield, Herkimer county. December 22, 1886, Frank C. Foster married Anna M. Currin, by whom he had two daughters: Lucy M., and Evelina M. Mr. Foster's father, Franklin Foster, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., January 30, 1805. and in October, 1829, he married Maria Segar, of New York Mills, and they came here in January, 1830. They had three children: Nathaniel W., as above, Mary S., and Elnora, who died in infancy. Three of the Foster brothers came here into the primeval forest, where wild beasts were plenty; two of them were contractors (Julius and Orson), and erected the trestle on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R., at Oneida, and were the pioneer contractors on the N. Y., E. & W. Railroad near Elmira. Franklin Foster died in 1878, and his wife in 1876. His grandfather, Nathaniel Foster, was born in 1778, and his great-grandfather, Timothy Foster, in 1749. Jonah, son of Josiah, was born on Long Island, February 7, 1721.

Newton, Frank J., was born on the homestead in the town of Verona, N. Y., October 1, 1862, and was educated in the common schools and Cazenovia Seminary. He was bookkeeper and shipping clerk in the glass factory five years, and after- wards carried on a meat market in Durhamville five years, but is now a farmer on the old homestead in Dunbarton. December 25, 1884, he married Mira A. Mills, of the town of Lenox, Madison county, by whom he had four children; Harry M., Minnie M., Howard F., and Fred W. James K. Newton, father of Frank J, was born in this town, October 9, 1819, and was educated there. He followed the canal for six years, but later engaged in farming. He married Martha Jordan, of Boon- ville, N. Y., by whom he had three children: Theresa, Melissa, and Frank J. Mr. Newton died February 6, 1888, and his wife February 20, 1885. Mrs. Newton's father, Nathan Mills, was born in the town of Grafton, Rensselaer county, March 17, 1831. He was educated in the common schools and came to this county when a young man. He married Angeline Manchester, of the town of Lenox, Madison county, and they have five children : Mira A., Minnie L., George E., Hattie A., and S. Emma.

Baker, Danicl, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 4, 1832, and came to the United States with his parents when thirteen years of age, and located in Deerfield, where he was educated. He learned the carpenter trade, and has since followed the occupation of contractor and builder. October 27, 1857, he married Eliza Ague, of Syracuse, N. Y., by whom he had seven children, three of whom died in infancy: William, E. Frederick, Henry L., and Louisa C. Frederick married Myra Collins, and they have one son, Lester H. Frederick Baker, father of Daniel, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1801. He married Mary Haper, of his native State, by whom he had five children: Daniel, Caroline, Henry, Dorothy, and one who died in infancy. They came to the United States in 1845, where Mr. Baker died in 1856, and his wife about 1880. Daniel Baker is one of the inspectors on the Erie Canal. The family on both sides are German-American.

Yager, Helen. - The late Luther E. Yager was born in the town of Vienna, May 14, 1849. He was educated in the public schools, and was a farmer by occupation. He was in the late war as drummer boy, and bugler in the cavalry branch of the service, and was honorably discharged from the service. May 7, 1867, he married

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

Helen Suits, of the town of Verona, by whom he had one son, Burton E., who is a farmer on the homestead with his mother. December 7, 1888, he married Alice W. Spavin of this town, by whom he had two children: Luther E. and Flossie P. Mr. Yager died March 2, 1881. Mrs. Yager's father, Christopher Suits, was born in Stone Arabia, Montgomery county, N. Y., October 19, 1812, and came here with his parents when a child. March 19, 1844, he married Barbara Wagner, of this town formerly of France, by whom he had four children: Helen, Christopher, William H. and Mrs. Mary R. Kilts. Mr. Suits died September 6, 1886, and his wife December 12, 1888. The family have resided on this homestead since 1856.

Suits, Mrs. Verena C .- The late William H. Suits was born on the homestead in the town of Verona, March 19. 1849. He was educated in the public schools and Oneida Seminary, and was a farmer by occupation. September 29, 1872, he married Verena Cook, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had four children: Jennie M., E. Leroy, Guy A., and Bessie P. Mr. Suits died November 23, 1895. Mrs. Suits's father, Andrew Cook, was born in the town of Palatine, Montgomery county, N. Y., November 11, 1800. He was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to the town of Vienna when a young man, and married Jane Covil, of the town of Verona, who was born April 4, 1811, by whom he had seven children: Betsy, John, Charles, George, Casper, Joseph, and Verena. Mr. Cook died in December, 1893, and his wife about 1868. The ancestry of this family is Dutch, Welsh and Swiss.

Wright, George E., was born in the town of Vienna, March 11, 1863, He was edu- cated in the district schools and Canastota Academy, and was graduated from East- man's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, after which he taught school three years. He has had numerous occupations, finally engaging in the merchandise business February 1, 1887. February 17, 1895, he married Mary E. Weismouth, of this town. Mr. Wright's father, Reuben B. Wright, was born in the town of Camden, Novem- ber 16, 1837, and came to the town of Vienna when eight years of age. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and was a cheesemaker by trade. February 12, 1862, he married Mary A. Herder, of the town of Vienna, formerly of Wurtemburg, Ger- many, by whom he had two children: George E., and Frances J., now Mrs. Bar- low, of New London. Mrs. Mary E. Wright's father, Casper Weismouth, was born in Germany, in 1831, was educated there and came to the United States with liis parents when ten years of age, locating in the town of Verona. He married Eliza- beth Miller, of this town, by whom he had nine children: Catherine, Joseph, Nancy, John, Margaret, Mary E., Anna, Caroline, and Bertha. Mr. Wright is a Re- publican in politics, and was appointed postmaster in 1887, and continued in office until 1893, and since that time has been acting as deputy. He has also been justice of the peace six years, and is now notary public.

Covel, Stephen A., was born in the town of Vienna, N. Y., April 10, 1830. He was educated in the district schools, after which he followed the canal twenty years, was a shipper in Buffalo six years, a farmer in Wayne county four years, and a mer- chant in Niagara county several years. In 1873 he purchased the old homestead, and came to reside in New London in 1883. He has resided in Dakota six years, with the exception of one winter. In 1851 he married Louisa Brown, af his native place,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

by whom he had one son, Albert I .. ,'who married Sarah Taber, of Walworth, Wayne county, N. Y., and they have one son, Harry. The family are residents of Glovers- ville, Fulton county, N. Y. Mrs. Covell died in 1892, and Mr. Covell married for his second wife, Mrs. Linda E. (Brown) Chapman, of his native place. Mr. Covell's father, Stephen A., was born in Massachusetts, in 1805, and came to this State with his parents when a child, locating in the town of Vienna. He was educated in the district schools, and was a farmer by occupation, was also justice of the peace and supervisor. He married Lydia Holden, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had thirteen children: Andrew and Ada, twins, Stephen A., as above, Laura J., Henry and Harriet, twins, Benjamin, deceased, John, Emeline and Emily, twins, Horace, Franklin and Luther. Mr. Covell died in 1889. and his wife in 1866. Mrs. Covell's father Sanford Brown, was born in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y., in 1804. He married Ruth Hicks, of his native place, by whom he had eleven children: George, William T., Marcus, Linda E., as above, Mary, Worthington, Abbie A., Sanford, George 2d, Emma and Steven. Mr. and Mrs. Brown died in 1892. Mr. Covell is a Democrat in politics and has been supervisor of the town of Vienna three years. He is a member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. The ancestry of the family is of New England stock.

Collins, Reuben, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., March 21, 1833. He was educated in the common schools, and has followed the canal all his life in connec- tion with farming. In June, 1861, he married Emily Collins, of his native town, by whom he had three children: Orrin D., Emma L., who died at the age of nineteen, and Lottie A. April 7, 1890, Orrin D. married Nettie M. Gibbs, of Wayne county, N. Y., and they have had three children: Florence E .. Edgar, who died in infancy, and Eva J. Mr. Collins's father, Joel Collins, was born in this county, about 1800. He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Esther Ferguson, of this town, by whom he had eight children: Richard, Emeline, William, Mehetable, Caroline, Stephen, Reuben, as above. and Matilda. He died about 1890, and his wife about 1870. Mrs. Collins's father, Job Collins, was born about 1776. He married Almedia Laning, of the town of Verona, by whom he had nine children: Betsey, Nathan, Sarah, Alfred, Acus, Charles, Keziah, Wash- ington and Emily. Mr. Collins died in 1850, and his wife in 1876. Mr. Collins is a member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. Mrs. Collins is a member of Vesta Chapter, No. 115, O. E. S., as is also the daughter, Lottie A. The ancestry of the family is of New England stock, of Scotch extraction.

Drummond, Thomas, was born in the town of Verona, near the old homestead, March 26, 1845, and was educated in the district schools. He followed the canal be- fore and after the war, but is now a hotel keeper in New London, N. Y. January 7, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 2d Heavy Artillery, participated in several heavy en- gagements, and was wounded in the left hand and wrist in the battle before Peters- burg; on June 16, 1864, he was sent to Grove Hospital, Portsmouth, R. I., was trans- ferred to general hospital at Elmira, N. Y., and was honorably discharged by surg- eon's certificate of disability May 25, 1865. April 16, 1868, he married Emma G. Guest, of this town, by whom he had three children: Eugene E., Charles T. and Gertrude M. Mrs. Drummond's father, William Guest, was born in England about 1810. He married Sarah Forward, of his native place, by whom he had ten chil-

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

dren: Jemima, William, Joseph, Thomas, Henry, Mary, James, Eugene, Emma G., as above, and Jerome, who died in his fourth year. The family came to the United States after four children were born, and located in the town of Verona. Mr. Guest died in 1879, and his wife in 1880. Mr. Drummond is a member of New Lon- don Lodge 420, F. & A. M. The ancestry of this family is Scotch and English.

Bacon, Hiram H., was born in the town of Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y., April 3, 1826. He was educated in the district schools and the Little Falls Academy, then engaged in farming. July 4, 1850, he married Sarah J. Barker, of his native place, by whom he had three children: H. Eugenia, David E. and Alice A. H. Eugenia married Jacob Seme, of this town, and they have five children: Harold J., D. Alvin, Sidney G., Jennie M. and Frank H. David E. Bacon married Emma Cagwin, of this town. Alice A. married John W. Owen, of Rome. N. Y., and they have two children, Spencer and Mildred. August 7, 1862, Mr. Bacon enlisted in Co. E, 117th Infy., N. Y. S. Vols., and participated in twelve general engagements and was honorably discharged June 20, 1865. He is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post No. 615, Verona, N. Y. Jonathan Bacon, his father, was born in Fulton county, N. Y., about 1787. He married Huldah Davies, formerly of Massachusetts, by whom he had seven children: Davis W., Warren A., William S., Harriet, George H., Hiram H. and Eliza A. He died when a young man and his widow died in 1871, aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Bacon's father, David Barker, was born in New Hamp- shire, January 5, 1797. He married Lois Heald, of his native State, who was born in December, 1801. They had four children: David, Lois, Mary and Sarah J. Mr. Barker died October 13, 1846, and his wife in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are mem- bers of the M. E. church of New London, N. Y., and he is steward of the church. The family is of English and Scotch descent.

Conley, William, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., July 1, 1830, and was educated in the public schools. He has been foreman of public works, canal, etc .. seven years, was keeper of the insane department at the county house seven years, but is now engaged in farming in the town of Verona. In 1856 he married Nancy Hess, formerly of Herkimer county, by whom he had two children, George H., and William D. George H. married Helen Wanzey, of Amityville, Long Island, where they reside. They have one son, William G. William D. married Hattie Marcellus, of New London, N. Y. Mr. Conley's father, Michael Conley, was born in Ireland in 1796, and came to the United States when a young man, locating in this town. He had a contract on the canal when it was first being made at Oriskany. He married Mary McGahn, of the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, by whom he had twelve children: Edward, Mary Ann, John, James, Jane, William, Henry, Hugh, Michael, Helen, Elizabeth and Margaret, only five of whom are living. Mr. Conley died in 1852. Mrs. Michael Conley died in 1874, and Mrs. William Conley August 16, 1892. Mr. Conley is a member of the M. E. church at New London, of which he is trustee. The ancestry of the family is Irish and Scotch.

Darrow, Nicholas N., was born in the town of Schuyler, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 12, 1825. He was educated in the schools of that carly day, and has had a variety of occupations, farming, and has also followed the canal several years. He served in the United States Navy three and a half years, on the flag ship Indepen-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

dence, in the Miditerranean Sea. March 13, 1855, he married Margaret Raut, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had one daughter, Mary A., who died at twenty-two years of age. Mr. Darrow has served as assessor several years, and is a member of New London Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M., in which he holds the office of junior deacon, Mr. Darrow's father, Nicholas N. Darrow, was born in Schenectady county, N. Y. He married Mary Akin, of his native place, by whom he had six children. Our sub jeet is the oldest living member of the family. Mr. Darrow, sr., was in the " patriot war" in Canada, was tried, and never heard of again. His mother, Mrs. Mary Darrow, died in 1845. Mr. Darrow's grandfather, Daniel Darrow, served under Washington, in the Revolutionary war. The family on both sides are of New Eng- land stock, of English and German origin.

Weismantle, Casper, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 6, 1831. He was educated there, and has had a variety of occupations since he came to the United States; driving stage for others and on his own account, followed the canal for several years, and conducted a general store at Grove Springs several years, but now lives retired. May 15, 1856, he married Elizabeth Miller, of New London, by whom lie had nine children : Catherine, Nancy E., Joseph H., John A., Margaret, Maryette, Annie W., Carrie R., and Francis B. Mrs. Weismantle's father, Joseph Miller, was born in Alsace, France, and came to the United States when a young man. He married Catherine Seigel, formerly of his native country, by whom he had five children: Catherine, Elizabeth, as above, Joseph, Nancy, and Mary F. Both father and mother are dead. The ancestry of the family on both sides is German.

Ague, Charles, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in December, 1846, and came with his parents to the United States when six months of age, locating in this town where he was educated in the district schools. He has followed the canal for thirty years in connection with farming. April 26, 1880, he married Caroline Sipp, of this town, by whom he had one daughter, Bertha A. Mr. Ague's father, Paul Ague, was born at the old home in Germany, where he was educated. He married Elizabeth Schmidt, of his native place, by whom he had two children: Catherine, now Mrs. Martin Snyder, of New London, N. Y. ; and Charles, as above. Paul Ague died in 1848, the result of an accident. For her second husband Mrs. Ague married Jacob Kropp, of the town of Verona, and they had six children: Elizabeth, Salome, Amelia L., Edward J., George M., and William H. Elizabeth married William Reiger, of this town, and they had six children: Martin, Camelia, William, Emil, Edwin and Cora. Salome married Michael Ungerer, of Verona. Amelia died in 1872. Edward J. married Catherine Lanseidel, now of Utica. George married Matilda Borer, of this locality. Mrs. Ague's father, William Sipp, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to the United States when a young man. He married Helen Maherh, of the town of Verona, by whom he had nine children: Caroline, as above, William, Peter, Helen, Amelia, Philipena, John, Lewis and Jacob. Mrs. Sipp died in 1888. Mr. Sipp is a member of the World's Mutual Benefit Association, of Wheeling, W. Va.

Wright, George P., was born in Verona, near New London, N. Y., March 1, 1854. He was educated in the district school, followed the canal twenty-five years with success, and kept a hotel three years. November 7, 1876, he married Julia A. Raut, of the town of Verona, by whom he had three children: Daisy L., Edith A., and

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 137

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