Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 90

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 90

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).

Senator Coggeshall possesses great powers of persuasive eloquence, coupled with the fine intuitions and lofty aspirations of the genuine poet. As an orator he is the possessor of a quick perception, a ready tact, a fluent diction, a magnetic presence, a comprehensive judgment. He is not only an eloquent orator, but he is remark . ably ready as a debater; quick to observe the salient weaknesses of his adversary, and sure of aim when seeking to pierce the armor of his opponent with the feather tipped shafts of sarcasm, or beating back the force of every assault with the skillful application of the mitrailleuse of repartee. Possessing, as he does, remarkable and brilliant gifts, Senator Coggeshall has long been an effective speaker upon the stump, a place which he has graced honorably and successfully for many years. He has wide repute as a lecturer, and has written several poems of merit, notable among them being the poems entitled, "Papa, be True to Me," and " The Silver Wedding Day." Mr. Coggeshall is not alone an orator and a poet, and likewise a man of great public spirit and enterprise, but he is also so genial and pleasant and unaffected in his bearing that he commands everywhere the esteem and the admira- tion of the common people. Like all progressive men, and men who believe in the final triumph of the best qualities of humanity, Senator Coggeshall is versatile, widely read, carefully cultured, and able to think and to speak upon a large variety of subjects, especially those subjects which affect most directly and most potently the active, every day interests of mankind.

At his home Mr. Coggeshall has long been favorably known and so highly esteemed as to prove an exception to the old adage that "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country, and among his own kin." Where he is best known he is most highly regarded. In the village of Waterville he has been identified with every pub-

200

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

lic measure, and has at all times taken an active interest in the promotion of its prosperity and success. He has served as a member of the board of trustees, and has been president of the Fire Department, and a member of the Board of Educa- tion of the village. Mr. Coggeshall is a member of various orders and organiza- tions. He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, a member of the Order of Red Men, of the Patrons of Husbandry, of the Benevolent Order of Protective Elks, and of numerous other societies.

In 1867 Senator Coggeshall married Lillie Alene Terry, of Waterville, N.Y. The result of this union is five children, all bright, active, and strong in body, and scholarly in mental habit. These children have enjoyed not alone the example and the training of their father, but they owe much to the patient and persevering and ever-watchful care of a most admirable and self-denying mother. Senator Cogges- hall's oldest son is married and now lives in California.

In concluding this brief and imperfect sketch of a useful life it is proper to state that Senator Coggeshall unites in his character and composition the active energy and the great perseverance of his Puritan ancestors, with the broad and generous and optimistic tendencies of the present times. He is patriotic both in the service of his State and in the frequently voiced sentiments of his heart. In fact it may be truthfully asserted that in Mr. Coggeshall are found those highest and best qualities which characterize a well-rounded, thoroughly ripened, and fully developed American citizen.

FREDERICK G. WEAVER.

FREDERICK GEORGE WEAVER was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, August 7, 1843. and descends from one of the oldest and most respected families of that town. His father, the late George F. Weaver, was also born there, and was a successful farmer and brick manufacturer. He was a staunch Republican, served for several years as supervisor, and in 1867 was elected sheriff of the county. He died in 1889. Ilis wife, Margaret A., was also a native of Deerfield and died there in 1888. The Weaver family was first represented at Deerfield Corners by George G. Weaver, father of George F., who came there with Capt. Mark Damoth and Christian Real in 1773, but hearing that a band of tories and Indians were planning a descent upon the settlement they retreated to Little Stone Arabia. In 1784 they returned, and about the same time Peter, Nicholas, and George Weaver came in and located. These and a few others were the first settlers in the town.

Frederick G. Weaver was reared on the parental farm, attended the public schools of Utica, and finished his education at Fairfield Seminary. He commenced his busi- ness career with his father in the manufacture of brick, with which he has contin- uously been identified, being now extensively engaged in that industr' partner-

ship with his brother, Charles C. Weaver, under the firm name o' rge F.

Weaver's Sons. In 1893 they manufactured 7,000,000 brick, and the c other seasons has reached nearly these figures. Mr. Weaver is also farming, an occupation his forefathers followed with success.

ring

Chief owen

201

BIOGRAPHICAL,

In politics Mr. Weaver is an unswerving Republican. For many years he has taken an active part in the councils of his party, and is recognized by his fellow citi- zens as a safe and influential leader. He served as supervisor of Deerfield three terms and in 1876 was elected sheriff of the county. In these capacities he discharged his official duties with impartiality, dignity, and satisfaction, and won the respect and confidence of not only his party constituents but the esteem of his political opponents. In the fall of 1895 he was the Republican nominee for the office of State senator, but owing to a division in the party he was defeated by Henry J. Cogge- shall, the independent candidate. Mr. Weaver on this occasion secured a most flat- tering vote, which well illustrates the esteem in which he is held throughout the county. He is a member of Utica Lodge, No. 54, F. & A. M., a director in the First National Bank of Utica, and president of the Deerfield and Utica Street Railroad Company since its incorporation in 1889. He was one of the prime movers in organ- izing and instituting this latter enterprise.

In 1872 Mr. Weaver married Miss Sarah J. Budlong, of Schuyler, Herkimer county, and they are the parents of seven children.

PHILIP OWEN.

PHILIP OWEN, of the firm of Owen Brothers, extensive clothing manufacturers of Utica, was born in Boonville, Oneida county, June 1, 1830. Joseph Owen, his father, a native of Deerfield, Herkimer county, settled in Boonville about the year 1818, and died there in 1882, aged eighty-three. He was a contractor and builder, owned a grist mill and saw mill, and bought and sold land quite extensively. He married Phebe McDonald, who died in 1869, at the age of seventy-two They had six children: Ephraim, deceased; Mary A. (Mrs. Robert Bamber), of Utica; John, born September 1, 1825; Eliza A. (Mrs. Ezekiel A. Butler), of Boonville; Philip, of Utica; and Harriet, who died in infancy.

Philip Owen was educated in the public and select schools of Boonville, as was also his brother John. When sixteen John went to New York city and engaged in the dry goods business. Later Philip followed him and became a clerk in a dry goods store there, but subsequently returned to his native village and accepted a clerkship with John Cross. In 1854 the two brothers, under the firm name of P. Owen & Co., engaged in the general mercantile business in Boonville and continued successfully until about 1868. In the spring of 1870 they came to Utica and engaged in the manu- facture of clothing on a large scale, the firm name being Owen, Pixley & Co. The business proved a success from the start. On February 1, 1885, Henry D. Pixley withdrew, and since then the firm has continued as Owen Brothers. They are among the most extensive manufacturers of clothing, not only in Utica, but in Central New York, and have built up a trade which extends throughout this State and into western territory. They have eight or more branch stores, the principal one being in Indianapolis, Ind. The two brothers are representative business men, enterprising, public-spirited, and progressive, and during a long and successful career have won the respect and confidence of all with whom they have come in con-

202

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

tact. For more than twenty-five years they have been among the leading clothing manufacturers of Utica, and during that period many branches of business have felt the effects of their energy and good judgment.

Mr. Owen, while a resident of Boonville, served for a time as town clerk, but aside from this he has never accepted political honors, although often urged to do so. He is treasurer of the Utica Mechanics' Association, a member of Fort Schuyler Club, and a member of the Oneida Historical Society, to which his brother John also belongs.

On June 27, 1860, Mr. Owen was married to Miss Althea Wheelock, daughter of Col. Charles Wheelock, of Boonville. She died May 23, 1863, leaving a son, who died in infancy. In May, 1867, he married for his second wife Miss Jennie S., daughter of James Smith, of Houseville, Lewis county, N. Y.

THE DEVEREUX FAMILY.

AMONG the early setters of Utica, N. Y., were John C. and Nicholas Devereux, sons of Thomas and Catherine (Corish) Devereux, of County Wexford, Ireland. The family, originally of Norman French extraction, was wealthy and well connected. and lived at ease on their handsome estates at Davidstown, near Enniscorthy They sympathized warmly with and took an aggressive part in the agitations pre- ceding the rebellion of 1798, and on the defeat of the patriots or rebels the family was ruined. Thomas Devereux was arrested and imprisoned and pardoned just be- fore his death. A price was set upon the heads of three of his sons and his estates were confiscated. llis family consisted of six sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Walter, was a man of powerful frame, distinguished for his strength and courage. The second son was John Corish Devereux, who during the agitation preceding the rebellion was obliged to fly from the country; he went first to France and afterwards to America. Thomas married Mary Redmond and they had one son, John C., jr., who was afterwards adopted by his brother, John C. Devereux, of Utica. The fourth son, James, was killed at the battle of Vinegar Hill. The fifth son, Luke, came to America and died of yellow fever at Natchez, Miss., in 1818. The sixth son was Nicholas, who came to America in 1806.

John Corish Devereux was born August 5, 1774, and came to America in 1796 or 1797. He settled in Utica in 1802. On the 8th of November, 1802, Mr. Devereux opened a dry goods and grocery store upon the site of a part of the present Bagg's Hotel; the business prospered and became one of the most extensive in Western New York. Mr. Devereux was appointed president of the Utica branch of the United States Bank and held the position as long as the bank existed. He was the first president of the Savings Bank of Utica and was the first mayor of Utica elected by the people, in 1840. Mr. Deverenx was a courtly and polished gentleman, most noted for his charity and hospitality. He was a devout Catholic, and was al- ways ready to assist others who differed from him in faith. He gave to the First Presbyterian church $300, to St. John's Roman Catholic church $7,000, to the Sisters of Charity $5,000 at one time, and continued to assist them during his life. He con-

203

BIOGRAPHICAL.

tributed generously to other charities, and was admired, respected, and beloved by all who knew him. Mr. Devereux died in Utica December 11, 1848, and was buried in the grounds of the Sisters of Charity, near St. John's church. He was twice married. His first wife, who was Miss Ellen Barry, of Albany, died in 1813. His second wife was Mary, daughter of Peter Colt, of Rome, N. Y .; she survived him twenty-one years and died August 7, 1868. They had no children, but at different times adopted two: Ellen, who became the wife of Mr. Catlin, of Paterson, N. J., and his nephew, John C. Devereux, jr., son of his brother Thomas, who died in 1861.

Nicholas Devereux was born June 2, 1791, at Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1806, and came directly to Utica, where he was em- ployed as a clerk by his brother John C. In 1808 he was employed by William James & Co., of Albany. In 1814 his brother, John C., admitted him into partner- ship, which was dissolved in 1816 and a new one formed under the name of N. Devereux & Co., with George L. Tisdale as a partner. Afterwards there were numerous changes in the firm, and at various times Messrs. Horace Butler, James McDonough, and Van Vechten Livingston appeared as partners. The house was one of the largest in Western New York and ever maintained the highest position for honor and integrity. In 1821 Nicholas and his brother, John C., purchased to- gother the land above the canal between Genesee and Hotel streets (where the Devereux block is now located), where they erected a large store and warehouse. Mr. Devereux was very successful as a merchant. In the fall of 1827 the firm was called on to pay $90,000 within ninety days. At that time he was living in the hand- some place which he purchased from Jeremiah Van Rensselaer for $7,000. He divided the beautiful grounds into lots, intersecting them by streets, and sold them at a handsome profit. In the interest of the New York Life and Trust Company he spent some time in Albany and while there took an active part in the organization of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad, of which he became a director. With a few gentlemen of New York he bought of the Holland Land Company the residue of their lands in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, amounting to 400,000 acres. The general care and disposal of this land engaged much of his time during the re- mainder of his life, its immediate sale being committed to his son, John C. Devereux. He was mainly instrumental in procuring the establishment at Utica of the first branch of the United States Bank that was located west of Albany. He was the founder of the Savings Bank of Utica, for which he obtained a charter. His brother, John C., was elected president, but Nicholas Devereux gave his best attention to the affairs of the institution. Largely through his efforts the State Hospital was located in Utica and he was one of the first board of managers. He was a director in the Utica Steam Woolen Mills and of the New York Life and Trust Company. He owned at various times large quantities of real estate in Utica and Western New York and in the vicinity of Scranton, Pa. He held at one time title to over 50,000 acres of land in this State. He never accepted political distinction, though often requested to do so. Nicholas Devereux contributed equally with his brother towards the establishing of the Sisters of Charity in Utica and was the founder of the school of Christian Brothers in that city. Many years ago, when a Douay Bible was scarcely to be had, he purchased in company with Lewis Wilcox and Robert Len-

204

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

nox, of New York, a set of stereotyped plates of the New Testament in this version, from which Messrs. Seward & Williams printed numerous editions that were circu- lated chiefly in the West and sold for little more than the cost of paper and binding. Mr. Devereux afterwards became sole owner of these plates and sold them to the Messrs. Sadlier, of New York, by whom over 40,000 copies printed therefrom were thrown into circulation. Mr. Devereux passed the winter of 1853-54 in Rome, Italy, and induced the Franciscan Friars to come to America; he gave them at Allegany a tract of land and $10,000; this was the foundation of the flourishing college of St. Bonaventura. He made the proposition and was one of the hundred men to give $1,000 each to found the American College in Rome, Italy. Besides contributing so largely to the Catholic church, he and his brother, John C., headed the subscription to build the First Episcopal church in Utica and was always ready to assist others who differed from him in faith.

Nicholas Devereux was married in 1817 to Miss Mary Dalbear Butler, of New York, daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Hannah (Avery) Butler. He died December 29, 1855. His children were Hannah Avery (Mrs. Francis Kernan), John C., Cor- nelia (Mrs. Richard Lalor), Catherine, Mary, and Thomas B.

John Corish Devereux, son of Nicholas Devereux, was born at Utica, N. Y., April 24, 1823, and was educated at Hobart College, Geneva. After leaving college he went to Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, to look after the interests of his father and to sell the lands purchased by him from the Holland Land Company. In 1847 he sailed from Boston for an extended tour in Europe. After his return he again went to the village of Ellicottville, where he resided for more than twenty years and managed the great property under his care with skill and judgment, returning to his native place (Utica) as soon as the task was accomplished. He returned to Utica with his family October 28, 1866, and took up his residence at No. 1 Rutger Place, which he had purchased of Samuel Remington, where he resided until 1880. After the death of his venerable mother, December 12, 1881. his oldest sister, Mrs. Francis Kernan, purchased the old homestead, No. 62 Elizabeth street, and Mr. Devereux bought of her husband their former residence, No. 5 Kent street, where he resided until his death.

Mr. Devereux was treasurer of the Remington Agricultural Works and was in- terested in several large corporations. He was appointed commissioner of the State Board of Charities and Correction by Gov. S. J. Tilden, and afterwards reappointed by Gov. Grover Cleveland. As at this time he had retired from active business he gave this work his undivided attention, serving without compensation and devoting almost his entire time to it. At the time of his death he was vice-president of the board. Mr. Devereux was a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica. When the Fort Schuyler Club was organized he was elected its first vice president.

Mr. Devereux was a devout Catholic, but, like his father, had the greatest toler- ance for those differing from him in religion. He was noted for his piety, hospitality, and sociability. He had a fine selected library and devoted much of his leisure to reading and study. He had a handsome presence, was courtly and polished in man- ner, and devoted to his wife and family. Mr. Devereux married Miss Ellen M. Jenkins, of Baltimore, Md., February 13, 1844, who died December 12, 1879. Nine children survived them: Nicholas E., Mary L. (Mrs. James W. Hunter), Thomas

205

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Meredith, Ellen M. (Mrs. Scott Lord), Catherine M. C., Anna M., Harriet M., Rose Mary (Mrs. James McMahon), and M. Helena.

Thomas Butler Devereux was born at Utica October 17, 1833, was educated in the public schools, and was graduated from Fordham College. He was very enterpris- ing, and at one time was at the head of a very large and flourishing business. His business career was ruined through reverses in his own business and the failure of the Utica Steam Woolen Mills, of which he was a director and whose paper he had endorsed.

Mr. Devereux was one of the directors and contributed largely of time and money to the St. Vincent Orphan Asylum. He was most generous and seldom or never re- fused an appeal for charity. He had a most happy disposition and was always more considerate for others than for himself. He died May 5, 1880. Mr. Devereux mar- ried Miss Emily C. Cummings, October 2, 1863, and they had one child, Mary Josephine, born December 5, 1868, died February 4, 1870.

AMOS F. BREWSTER.

AMOS F. BREWSTER, only son of Justice and Polly (Foster) Brewster, was born at Blackman's Corners in the town of Verona, Oneida county, October 4, 1821, and died there August 29, 1895. His family was of New England ancestry, though of mingled Scotch and Welsh origin, and its members for many generations represented the best elements of citizenship and patriotism. Mr Brewster inherited all the sterling characteristics of his ancestors, and exemplified in his life the attributes which dis- tinguish the successful man. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Verona, while his mother's father, Hosea Foster, was one of the first comers to Blackman's Corners. Both families, therefore, were prominently identified with the pioneer settlement of the town, and did heroic work in converting it from a wilderness into a fruitful section. With their few neighbors they suffered from all the privations of frontier life, yet they carefully planted the standard of civilization and left an heri- tage rich in its simplicity.

Mr. Brewster was educated in the district schools of his native town. Born and reared to agricultural pursuits he was a life long farmer, and by thrift and industry accumulated a competency. For four years he resided in Wisconsin, but with this exception he spent his entire career in Verona, where he was well known and re- spected as a substantial enterprising citizen. Returning from the West he built, on a part of his father's homestead, the house where he lived and died, and which is now occupied by his widow. Hd took a lively interest in local affairs and in all matters affecting the general prosperity, but he gave himself wholly to his farm, an occupation for which he had a natural taste, and which he honored by his advanced methods.

December 18, 1844, Mr. Brewster married Lydia A., daughter of Nathan Lewis, of Verona, and they had five children: Susan E. (Mrs. Lester E. Betson), of Rome ; Jennie A. (Mrs Merritt Knight), of Lee Center, Oneida connty, who has one son, Newton W., a student at Cazenovia Seminary; Julia E. (Mrs. David F. Broughton),

206

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

of Little Falls, N. Y., whose children are Reba B., William, Clarence, and Julia; Lydia C. ; and A. Foster, who married Julia E. Burleigh, of Verona.

[Nathan Lewis, father of Mrs. Lydia A. Brewster, was born in Grafton, Conn., in 1775, received a common school education. and was a life-long farmer. He came to the town of Verona when a young man, among the pioneers, and died in 1846. He married Hannah Gray, of Verona, who died in 1850. They had twelve children : Heaverland, Andrew R .. Benjamin G., David A., James O. Susan, Maria, Eliza, Delia J., Sylvia, Lydia A. (Mrs. Amos F. Brewster), and Minerva. Mr. Lewis has a number of descendants living in the county.]

EDWARD J. MILLSPAUGH.

EDWARD JUDSON MILLSPAUGH, who as the head of the firm of Millspaugh & Green, represents the coal supply of the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company for Central New York, was born in Richmond, Richmond county, Staten Island, N. Y., June 20, 1861, and is the eldest son of Dr. Isaac Little Millspaugh and Deborah Barron Mundy, his wife. His ancestors originally came from Holland and settled in Orange county, N. Y., the first, so far as known, being Peter von Miltzbach in 1720. The name in its Americanized form has been Millspaugh for several generations. Dr. Isaac L. Millspaugh was born in Walkill, N. Y., February 1. 1827, and is a promi- nent physician and surgeon in Richmond, Staten Island, where his wife, Deborah Barron Mundy, was born May 11, 1836. She died there July 7, 1890.

Edward J. Millspaugh was educated in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of eighteen became a clerk in a hardware store in New York city. He subsequently accepted a position in the purchasing department of the New York Central railroad. In these capacities he developed those excellent business qualifica- tions which have contributed so materially to the success of all his subsequent efforts. On the 1st of January. 1887, he came to Utica as assistant to Jesse L. Eddy, then the resident sales agent for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and on January 1, 1890, he was appointed to succeed him. On the 1st of June of the latter year he founded the present firm of Millspaugh & Green. The company which this firm has since represented as sales agent handles more than one- third of all the coal shipped into Central, Western, and Northern New York and Upper Canada. The firm of Millspangh & Green has offices in Utica, Syracuse. and Rochester, and in the last two cities do both a wholesale and retail business. In Utica wholesaling is done exclusively and this is the chief distributing center of their district.

Mr. Millspaugh, from his connection with this vast business, is more prominently identified with the coal supply of Oneida county and adjacent territory than any other citizen within the province of this volume, and is therefore justly entitled a place in local annals. Outside of these interests, which command his chief atten- tion, he is actively connected with various other enterprises of local and general importance. He was one of the incorporators in 1890 of the Utica Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, a very successful corporation, and has continuously served as a member of the board of directors. He is also a member of the executive committee

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 90

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