Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 64

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 64

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Since 1852 Professor North has been one of the five trustees of the Clinton Gram- mar School; since 1855 a trustee of the Clinton Cemetery Association, and necrolo- gist of the Society of Hamilton Alumni. He has edited a dozen editions of the "Cat- alogus Collegii Hamiltonensis," and has had charge of the department of " Alum- niana " in the Hamilton Literary Monthly, since that periodical was founded in 1866 In 1865 he was president of the New York State Teachers' Association; in 1865 he was elected one of the nine ruling elders in the Presbyterian church in Clinton, and has been twice sent to the General Assembly as a commissioner from the Utica Pres- bytery, viz .: in 1870 and 1876. He has also been a commissioner of Auburn Theo- logical Seminary for three terms. Since 1870 he has been secretary of the Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in Hamilton College. In 1866 he was president of the associated Chapters of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.

In 1871 Professor North visited Athens as the companion of Hon. John M. Francis, then United States minister to the kingdom of Greece. In 1874-75 he was chairman of the executive committee of the University Convocation. He is a member of the

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

New York Historical Society, the Albany Institute, the Oneida Historical Society, the Americau Philological Association, the American Philosophical Society, the Hel- lenic Philological Syllogos of Constantinople, and other similar associations. He has delivered addresses or read papers before the Oneida Historical Society, the Na- tional Teachers' Association, the University Convocation of the State of New York, the Albany Institute, the American Institute of Instruction, the New York State Agricultural Society, the New York State Teachers' Association. In 1864 he deliv- ered the Annual Poem before the Society of Hamilton Alumni. Since January, 1881, he has been one of the trustees of Houghton Seminary in Clinton, and since June, 1881, one of the twenty-eight trustees of Hamilton College. After the death of President Darling, April 20, 1891, Professor North was appointed acting presi- dent of Hamilton College by its Executive Committee, a most unwelcome office, in which he, however, continued to officiate until his successor, Dr. M. Woolsey Stryker, was elected in the fall of 1892.

Since his election in 1843, Professor North has given instruction in the Greek lan- guage and literature to fifty-two successive classes, and upwards of 2.000 students, many of whom in the later classes have been sons of those who were students in the earlier classes. An army of men in every walk of life have profited by his broad learning and culture and remember him with respect and love. He has been aided and encouraged in his work by many substantial tokens of good will, notably by the prize funds received from the relatives of the late Col. Henry H. Curran, '62, of Utica; the late Martin Hawley, '51, of Baltimore, and the Hon. Chauncey S. Truax, 175, of New York city.

Professor North was married July 31, 1844, to Mary Frances Dexter, only daughter of Hon. S. Newton Dexter, of Whitesboro. She was the mother of five children, and died May 21, 1869, aged forty-six years and ten months. Her four surviving children are:

1. Mrs. Laura Dexter (North) Reed, who was married July 29, 1874, to Rev. Dr. William Reed, now pastor of the Memorial Presbyterian church in Troy. Their children are Ruth Dexter Reed, Edward North Reed, Laura Lansing Reed, and Sarah Alleu Reed. William Vanderheyden Reed, born May 17, 1889. died January 12, 1890.

2. Simon Newton Dexter North, now secretary of the National Association of Wool Maunfacturers, Bostou, Mass , was married July 8, 1875, to Lillian Sill Com- stock, daughter of Hon. Calvert Comstock, of Rome. Their children are Edward North, Gladys North, Eloise Comstock North, and Dexter North.

3. Edward Simeon North.

4. Mary Hulda North.

5. James Summerville North, born May 10, 1861 ; died May 10, 1863.

CLAUDE WILSON, M. D.

DR. CLAUDE WILSON was born January 6, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., where his father, Rev. Thomas Wilson, was pastor of the Congregational church, but afterwards removed to Stoughton, Mass., where he was settled for twenty years. He then be-

CLAUDE WILSON, M. D.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

came pastor for fifteen years of the Congregational church in Eaton, Madison county, N. Y. Claude, his eldest son, fitted for college in the High School at Stoughton, in its first class, that of 1867. He then entered Amherst College, and graduated with the class of 1871. For the next succeeding three years he taught in the Asy- lum for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio. He then decided to adopt the medical pro- fession and thereupon entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and graduated from that institution in March, 1876. He was induced by friends to settle in Waterville, and his first and last professional work was done there. He was then a bright young man of broad and thorough education and equip- ment for successful work in his profession, and above all possessed the qualities of mind and character that won the confidence and respect of the people with whom he had elected to make his home. Therefore he at once entered into a prosperous prac- tice, and through the twenty years of his professional life there was the recognized leader among the physicians. He was endowed with a kindly heart and Christian manhood, that always made his personality felt along the higher plane that leads to the betterment of one's condition in life, and just to this degree too, he was conscien- tious and honorable in his professional life, rendering the kind of service that made him all the more missed when he ceased to administer to the physical ills of those who sought his aid.

In social life he enjoyed the same degree of esteem from his fellow townsmen and associates. In business channels he had the fullest confidence of the community. At the time of his death, which occurred on April 22, 1896, he was a director in the National Bank of Waterville and a member of the Board of Education. He was a valued and influential member of Sanger Lodge, F. & A. M. and the Waterville Council of the Royal Arcanum. He was also an active member of the Pickwick Club, and rendered valuable aid to the educational and literary advancement of Waterville.

Dr. Wilson had one brother, Daniel W. Wilson, who resides in Chicago, and ore sister, the wife of Rev. James F. Pettee, who is a missionary in Okayama, Japan. Rev. Thomas Wilson, the father, now resides in Waterville.

June 5, 1877, Dr. Wilson married Anna Atherton Hodges, daughter of Leonard and Jane (Atherton) Hodges, of Stoughton, Mass. Mr. Hodges was a large manu- facturer and influential citizen of that place. Mrs. Wilson received her education in her native State. Possessing a brilliant mind and a broad education and culture, she became not only a good wife, but an enjoyable companion for her husband.

Five children have been born to them, all of whom survive: Anabel, Janet, Mar- garet, Claude and Leonard.

SILAS ADAMS.

SILAS ADAMS was born in the town of Vernon, July 4, 1809. His education was received at the common schools of Vernon, where he turned to the best account pos- sible the advantages afforded by those crude institutions of learning. His education did not stop, however, at the quitting of school for his active mind and eager desire for further knowledge found opportunity for acquiring broader practical education

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

as he made his way under difficulties through life. His early days were spent upon his father's farm, and it was through those years that the habits of thrift and in- dustry were established that have since contributed so largely to his marked success in his chosen life occupation. He was the next oldest of a family of six children. His father, Isaac Adams, was born in Shutesbury, Mass., in 1779, and at the age of twenty-one came to Oneida county settling in the town of Sangerfield. In 1806 he married Eunice, daughter of Abram Webster, of Lebanon, N. Y. They soon after removed to Vernon and were first among the settlers to adopt the industry of dairy farming, an occupation they pursued for forty successive years. By his untiring in- dustry Mr. Adams was foremost in changing the then wilderness into productive fields, from which he accumulated a large estate. He died in December, 1860, and his wife, who had been as faithful and devout in all things that went to build up and improve the community in which they lived, died in August, 1874, In early life Silas Adams purchased a farm in the southwestern part of Vernon, upon which he lived twenty years. Then selling that property, he bought what was known as the " Indian Butternut Orchard farm," situated near Oneida Castle, where he still resides. This place he soon transformed into one of the finest farms in the country, and one of the pleasantest residences along the Seneca turnpike between Oneida Castle and Vernon village.

Mr. Adams is still active and vigorous and takes great pleasure in conducting this large fruit and dairy farm. As the result of his keen judgment, coupled with energy, he has amassed a considerable fortune, standing among the first successful farmers in the county.

Mr. Adams married for his first wife, in 1834, Alvira Snow, of Vernon. She died in 1860. His second wife was Frances O. Allen, of Oneida, whom he married in 1862. She survived sixteen years, dying in 1878. For his third wife Mr. Adams married in 1887, Amanda Tobey of Virginia, who is still living.

Mr. Adams has had four sons, two of whom are living. Seymour F., the eldest, and one of the surviving sons, born July 3, 1839, is a successful lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated at the University of Albany Law School in 1861, and was admitted to the bar the same year.

He served with distinction in the war of the Rebellion. At the close of the war he returned to this State and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was sub- sequently district attorney of Lewis county, which office he resigned and located in Cleveland, O.

Charles T., the second son, was born August 29, 1840. He also served three years during the war. After his return he was for a time in business in Cleveland, but soon engaged in the mercantile line in Ottawa, Ill. He finally removed to Howard, Kan., where he built up a large business. He died there in 1881.

Silas Hobart Adams, the third son, was born January 15, 1845. He was graduated from Hamilton College and then entered the Rochester Theological Seminary to prepare for the ministry, but before completing his course he was stricken with pneumonia and died in 1870, thus ending what promised to be a brilliant career.

Francis Eugene, the fourth son, was born May 6, 1852. He was educated at Whites- town Seminary and Amherst College, from which institution he graduated in 1878. After completing his education he went to the Sandwich Islands and held a profess-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

orship in the Honolulu College for three years. In 1881 he returned to the United States and lived for a time in Humbolt, lowa. He removed in 1890 to Pomona, Cal- ifornia, where he is now engaged in fruit raising.

HENRY FARMAN.

HENRY FARMAN, of Knoxboro, is a native of the town of New Haven, Oswego county, N. Y., where he was born March 14, 1823. He was the second son of Zadok Far- man, who lived in the town of New Haven from the time he was fifteen years of age until his death, which occurred April 9, 1854. Roswell Farman, father of Zadok and grandfather of Henry, came from Bath, N. H., in 1803, to the town of Augusta, where he resided only three years. He then, accompanied by his oldest son, Zadok, went to Oswego county, undergoing much hardship and suffering great distress and loss of property while struggling to establish a home. Roswell Farman died in New Haven October 17, 1839. Zadok Farman, father of Henry, married in 1814 Martha Dix, daughter of Charles Dix of Vernon, Oneida county. She died in New Haven December 23, 1863. They had six children, Henry, the subject of this sketch being the second. The others were Charles Dix (taking the latter name from his mother's maiden name), born November 11, 1820; Elbert Eli, born April 23, 1831; Samuel Ara, born December 6, 1835, and two doughters, one who died in infancy and the other at the age of nineteen.

Elbert Eli Farman is one of the foremost men of our time. He has for years been eminent as a jurist and diplomatist, and has been honored by appointment to some of the most important posts within the gift of the president of the United States. He was formerly diplomatic agent and consul general at Cairo, Egypt, and subsequently judge of the mixed Tribunals or International Courts of that country. Besides this he has served with marked ability in many other State and National offices. The Farmans have an ancestry that goes back in this country to 1674, when Robert Fore- man (as the name was then spelled), settled near Annapolis, Md. He was a planter there in the early history of that State. What Henry Farman has accomplished in his life forcibly demonstrates what can be achieved against many discouraging difficulties, when the right sort of metal and character dominates and guides one's course. He attended the common school of his native town and at the age of twenty taught his first term of school at that place. In the spring after attaining his major- ity he came to Knoxboro and entered the employ of Riley Shepard as a farm hand, the wages being $10 per month, for a period of six months. After completing this service he returned to New Haven and taught another winter's term of school. The next spring found him back on Mr. Shepard's farm where he worked another season. At this early period in this career he resolved to lay by at least one hundred dollars a year, a principle he has rigidly followed through all his life, only the sum increased as his accumulations became larger. Mr. Farman continued to teach for seven winters, the times being those when he " boarded around " and took care of the school house himself.

In the mean time he was acquiring knowledge of books and business and law, which in face of his struggle to get on required study and perseverance in no small

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

degree. This knowledge has, however, stood him in good stead during the years since that time, for he has been legal adviser for scores of people in his adopted town and has been entrusted with the settling up of numerous estates, many of which have been large and required keen judgment and the most careful management to guard and protect the interest of those concerned. Mr. Farman was also justice of the peace for two terms, and his decisions on cases brought before him were so cor- rect and equitable that no appeal from them was ever taken. Besides all these he has been notary public for forty years By his energy and industry he has accumulated a large property, not only in realty, but also in bank stocks and vari- ous other lines of investment. In the mean while Mr. Farman has never neg- lected opportunities in the interest of charity. This has been evidenced both in respect to individuals and church societies. He was one of the most zealous sup- porters of the Methodist Society of Knoxboro and has twice, largely at his own ex- pense, enlarged and improved the Augusta cemetery. He has all through life been an earnest Republican in politics and has been active in the councils of the party both in the town and county. While Mr. Farman has been devoted to business he has also found time for study and travel. He has traveled extensively through Europe and the Orient, visiting Egypt, Pompeii, and many other historic places. He now pos- sesses some rare paintings and alabaster pieces, procured while in Florence.

He married Fanny Shepard, daughter of the late Hon. Riley Shepard of Knox- boro. They have had three sons, two of whom are dead. Samuel II., the surviving son, married, in June, 1892, Lena B. Whitcomb, of Knoxboro. They now reside at that place and have one daughter.

JON J. LOOMIS.

JON J. LOOMIS was born in the town of Vernon, May 6, 1826. He was educated in the district schools and Oneida Castle Academy. He taught school nine terms, was a clerk in a general store for a time, then, in company with a Mr. Burhans, he manufactured sole leather two years in Lewis county. He next went to Brooklyn as a clerk, and was for two years with Potter Palmer, of Chicago; in 1856 he returned to Verona and has been engaged in hop growing and general farming since. In 1859 he married Annice Ferguson, of Otsego county, N. Y., by whom he had one daughter, Lizzie M., who married John S. Leonard, and has one daughter, Annice. Mrs. Loomis died in 1865, and in 1876 he married Jane P. Owen, of Wisconsin, by whom he has one son, John R., who is a student at school. John Loomis, his father, was born in Columbia county in 1789. He married twice, first to Catherine Plass, by whom he had one son, William, who died in 1862. She died in 1814. In 1815 hie married Betsey McDonald of his native county, and they had three children: Cath- erine (died in 1879), Eli (died in 1890), and Jon J. The family came to this county in 1820. Mr. Loomis died April 24, 1873, and his wife October 12, 1882. The grandfather, John Loomis, was born in Connecticut and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Loomis's father, John R. Owen, was born in Anglesea, North Wales, Great Britain, January 8, 1815, and came to the United States when a young man locating near Rome, in 1836. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Jones, sister of Thomas and

JON. J. LOOMIS.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Benjamin Jones, of Rome, N. Y., by whom he had two children : William E., who is the largest individual stock dealer and shipper of Wisconsin ; and Jane P. Mr. Owen died in 1893 and his wife in 1849. The family are of English, German, Scotch, and Welsh descent.

CALVIN BROWN.

CALVIN BROWN was born in Rome. N. Y., September 24, 1826. He was educated in the district schools and Oneida Castle Academy, and is a farmer by occupation. February 27, 1850, he married Mary J. Morton of his native place, by whom he had eight children: Alice J., Sarah F., Leander M., Electra L., Lizzie A., Minnie, Emma G., and Ernest C. Mrs. Brown died August 24, 1867, and April 7, 1869, Mr. Brown married Elilabeth Hillock, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had five chil- dren: Eunice H., Carrie E., J. Edward, Maria E., and Luther G. Mr. Brown's father, Chauncy Brown, was born in the town of Coventry, Conn., December 29, 1793, and came to this county with his parents in 1800. He married Electra Talcott, by whom he had six children: Leander, Gregory, Calvin, as above, Electra L., Luther M., and Albert B. Mr. Brown died in December, 1878, and his wife in 1872. Mrs. Brown's father, James Hillock, was born in the north of Ireland in 1795, and came to this continent when a young man. He married Catherine Wiseman, of his native country, by whom he had eight children: Edward, Robert, Ann, James, Jolin, William, Elizabeth, as above, and Thomas. Mr. Hillock died in Canada, and the balance of this family came to this State in 1837. Mrs. Hillock died in 1854. Mr. Brown's grandfather, Richard Brown, owned the Brown homestead in Rome as early as 1796. The ancestry of the family is English, Irish, and Scotch.

JAMES D. SPENCER.

JAMES D. SPENCER was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y., December 27, 1813, and when two years of age his mother moved to Providence, Saratoga county. where he was educated in the common schools. When thirteen years of age his mother died, he was taken to West Monroe, Oswego county, where he stayed with his oldest living brother, and at fifteen years of age became a clerk in a general store. He has married three times, first to Freelove Raymond, by whom he had four children: Reuben J., Lyman C., Houghton A., and Millie A .. who died at thirty years of age. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Fisher, by whom he had two children: Catherine, who died at four years of age, and B. Lamont. Mrs. Spencer died in 1886, and for his third wife he married Mrs. Margaret A. (Raymond) Williams. Mr. Spencer has resided near Sylvan Beach fifty years, and is the original owner and founder of Sylvan Beach. He began life virtually an orphan boy, and through industry and good judgment has secured a competency. The Raymond family is one of the oldest families, dating back to the fifth century.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

WILLIAM P. LOCKE.

WILLIAM P. LOCKE was born at Waterville, where he still resides, April 28, 1842. He was one of a family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to man and woman- hood. One of these is now in Louisville, Ky., one in California, one in Pierre, S. D., one in Ithaca, N. Y., two in the Black Hills, and three in Waterville, viz. : Mrs. A. J. Hale, George N. Locke, and W. P. Locke, the subject of this sketch and portrait herewith presented. Horace P. Locke, the father, came to Waterville in 1809, being then only four years of age. He was born at Peterboro, N. H., October 26, 1805. His father had died soon after Horace P. Locke was born, so that he had gone to live with an aunt and uncle, Captain Ford. Captain Ford, in 1809, came to Sanger- field and bought of the government a farm, about one mile east of Sangerfield Center. Horace P. remained with the Fords till the Captain's death, when the farm fell to him. Mr. Locke continued to carry on the farm until he finally returned to Water- ville, where he died. He married in 1825, Mary Gilmore, mother of the twelve children. Besides this she bore her share of the struggle in developing the farm and accumulating the property. She died in 1872.

The Lockes were descended from William Locke, of Stepney Parish, London, Eng- land, who came to this country in 1634, when only six years old. He came alone on the "Planter," at least with only friends to care for him. He settled in Massachusetts where he spent his life.

William P. Locke, after completing his education, remained at home till 1866, at which time he married Helen F. Bates, daughter of John W. Bates, of Utica, N. Y. He received his education at the Clinton Liberal Institute.

About this time Mr. Locke bought a farm adjoining the homestead, and a little later bought of his father the latter place. These farms he still owns, besides several others in the county, the product from them being mostly hops. From 1865 to 1889 Mr. Locke was engaged in hop-buying, carrying on an extensive business in that line during most of those years. Hle was at one time the largest hop producer in the State, and has at present about seventy acres devoted to that industry. His enter- prises are not all confined to this county or State either, for he is largely interested in grape culture in Florida, and a member of the Ponce de Leon Wine Co., at Moul- trie, near their vineyards. In addition to this Mr. Locke, in 1889, was one of a company to build the large hotel at Pierre, S. D., known as the " Hotel Locke," the finest hotel in that thriving young eity. This place has since become famous the world over on account of the mineral springs connected therewith. The government has for some time had a similar well at the Indian school about two miles distant, which became a mecca for invalids as the curative properties of the water became known. The influx to this place was finally prohibited by the government, and this led to the putting down of the well in the town. The water stands at nearly 100 degrees and possesses such healing powers for skin diseases, rheumatism, kidney and liver troubles, that hundreds now visit it every year. The hotel is a large structure, accommodating several hundred guests.

Mr. Locke is an ardent Republican and takes an active interest in the party's welfare.

They have had four children, two of whom are now living, viz .: Emma B. and Edward G.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JAMES A. DOUGLASS.

JAMES A. DOUGLASS is a native of Oneida county and has spent his life within its borders. He was born in the town of Floyd, October 23, 1837, and his early days were spent on his father's farm, the winters finding him an attendant at the district school. After quitting the district school he entered the Whitestown Seminary, re- maining at that institution for some time. He then took a short course at the Al- bany Normal School, after which he adopted the occupation of teaching, being engaged in the school of his native town, also Stockwell, Sangerfield, and finally from 1863 to 1866 as principal of the Oriskany Falls public school. The vacations in the mean time were spent at farm work, and thus by prudent foresight and energy the foundation was laid for what has since proved to be a successful business career.

His father, George Douglass, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his parents resided for a short time. His mother, wife of Daniel Douglass, died when George was in infancy, so that the grandfather, Captain Fuller, brought him up. He married Lusina Ward, a native of Floyd. After occupying their farm for more than twenty-five years they moved to Holland Patent, living there until Mr. Douglass's death, which occurred May 1, 1891. His wife survived him one year, and died at Oriskany Falls June 5, 1892, at the age of seventy-eight.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 64

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