Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 96

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 96

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

erecting a hotel at Blossvale, which will contain twenty rooms, and will also run a livery. He married Etta O., daughter of James Ellis, of the town of Annsville, by whom he has two children; I. G. and Abigail O. Mr. White was supervisor of the town in 1882-83 and was elected member of assembly in 1885. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Ward, G. C., was born in Westchester county in 1863, son of James Ward. G. C. Ward is a man prominent in both business and political circles, and held in high esteem by his fellow men. After he became efficient in engineering, he spent two years at Andover, Mass., and was afterward employed as an engineer on the Adiron- dack and various other railroads. He also had charge of the building of a large bridge at Ogdensburgh. Mr. Ward is a staunch Democrat, and has held many posi- tions of responsibility. He was for five years superintendent of canals, and also supervisor for two terms. He was married to Katie, daughter of N. Schwienburg, by whom he has one daughter, Louisa.

Warfield, Prof. C. H., A. M., was born in Prattsburg, in 1867, son of M. F. War- field, then a druggist there, and captain of a company in the late war. The family is of English ancestry, and first settled near Baltimore, Md., in 1632, where their posterity still retains the original homestead. Mr. Warfield graduated at Franklin Academy in Prattsburg, at fifteen years of age, with a Regents' classical diploma. After a four years' course at Hamilton College, he graduated in 1889, with the high- est honors at the disposal of his alma mater, and became instructor in mathematics in the Florida State Seminary, at Tallahassee, Fla., and then was for two years principal of the Union School at Bergen, N. Y. He assumed the principalship at Boonville in 1892, where his ability is highly appreciated.

Webb, Alvin, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., May 22, 1844, son of the late Paul Webb, who was also born in Delaware county. The family came from Vermont to Delaware county in 1819, and the father was a shoemaker by trade. He married Ester, daughter of John Mott, by whom he had four children: Alison, Maria, Ester, deceased, and Alvin, who was educated and reared in Delaware county until he was fourteen years of age, when they moved to Oneida county. His business was princi- pally farming all of his life, and now owns a farm of 140 acres. He married Nancy, daughter of Adam Campbell, by whom he had nine children: Fred A., Kate E., Eva L., Alice I., Alson H., Arthur S., Clarence (deceased), Grace M., Flossie M. Mr. Webb is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Grange.

Walker, Peter, is a native of Deerfield, N. Y., where he was born in November, 1823, son of Alexander and Anme (McKercher) Walker. Mr. Walker was a native of Scotland, and came to Deerfield in 1802, and in 1803, settled on land now owned by his son, Peter Walker, near North Gage, where he died in 1848. Mrs. Walker was a native of Saratoga county and hier father, Mr. McKercher, came from Scotland to Saratoga county in pioneer days; and she died in 1875. The paternal grandfather, Gilbert Walker, lived and died in Scotland. Peter Walker was reared on the farm, and took charge of his parents in their old age, and he has always resided on the home farm of 156 acres. He keeps a dairy of thirty-two cows. In 1850 he married Mary, daughter of Duncan Blue, of Deerfield, by whom he had two children: James A., who died in 1878, at twenty-seven years of age, and John K., who was born in

FAMILY SKETCHES.

1855, and he married Maria, daughter of Malcolm A. Blue, and he works the home farm.

White, Caroline .- Moses T. White, deceased, was born in Western, July 12, 1796, a son of Otis and Mercy (Comstock) White, and grandson of Levi White. His father and grandfather were natives of Rhode Island, who settled in Western prior to 1795, and were farmers by occupation, both of whom died in Western. Moses T. White cleared and improved a good share of the farm now occupied by his daughter, Caro- line, where he settled in early manhood, and where he died in 1876. In 1819 he married Phoebe, daughter of Otis and Phoebe (Edmunds) Phillips, of North Adams, Mass., and their children were Mercy (Mrs. Edwin Brainard), Otis P., Orson, Julina, Phoebe R., Israel, Belinda, Caroline, Moses T., and Franklin. Mr. White was a member of the Presbyterian church of Westernville, and of the Masonic fraternity, was justice of the peace of Western for some years, and politically was a Republican. Of the above named children only three at this date, 1896, are living. Orson died in California near Stockton, in 1853, Mercy, in Oneida, Ill., in 1887. The others died in Western. In a field above the house on the farm adjoining on the east, that of the late Moses T. White, stands a large and aged white ash tree, consisting of two trees grown together, one much smaller than the other, and twisted partly around the larger. This tree to Mr. White was pleasantly associated with the memory of his grandfather, Levi White. When a child, he was one day walking with him through this field, which then was probably partly or wholly covered with trees; coming to these two, standing so near together, the grandfather bent the smaller one around the larger, and remarked " This will make a good scythe snath for somebody some day." The tree has outlived for many years the use of the snath as a handle for the scythe that cuts the meadow grass, and now his children's children's children love to visit it, and they call it "The Twisted Tree."

Walters, James N., was born in Russia, Herkimer county, November 27, 1824, son of William and Fannie Walters, whose children were James N., David A., Susan Smith (deceased), Celia Newman, William W. and Irwin M., all natives of Her- kimer county. James N. married Mary E., daughter of Frederick E. Kiesinger, of Oswego, by whom he has two children: William J., of Guthrie, O. T., and Charles F., of Prospect, N. Y. James N. started for himself as a millwright in Pearl Mills of Oswego in 1847. In 1848 he built the lumber mills of Hinkley & Ballou at Hinkley, N. Y., and at its completion assumed the position of superintendent, which position he held until 1890, since which time he has lived retired at Prospect, N. Y. He is actively interested in the town and county affairs, has held the office of postmaster many years, and was elected supervisor of Russia, Herkimer county, in 1866, 1867, 1868, and 1869.

Wood, John W., was born on the farm where he now lives, son of Anthony and Laura S. Wood, who settled on the farm about 1823, and whose children were Ellen (deceased), wife of James Sweet; Henry C. (deceased); Laura (deceased); Rev. Abel S. ; John W .; and Matilda R., wife of Edward Wagner. Anthony Wood was a private contractor, and the latter part of his life followed farming. He was active in all affairs of his town, also educational work, and was very active in church work Under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church he contributed to the Syracuse

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

University, and was a founder of the Marcy M. E. church. John W. married Jennie C., daughter of Daniel Knowlton, by whom he has had four children; Minnie E., Clara M. (wife of William A. Markwick), May N., and A. Wayne. Mr. Wood is engaged in farming.

Walker, Henry J., was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, November 20, 1852, son of the late G. W. Walker, who was born in New Hampshire, February 2, 1823 and came to Oneida county when the country was new, settling in the town of Deerfield, where he assisted in clearing a farm. He married Mary Pugh, of North Wales, and moved to Camden, where he bought a farm and lived there the remainder of his life. They had five children: M. P., Sarah J., Emma, Nellie B., and Henry J., who was educated in the district schools, after which he engaged in farming, which business he conducts an a scientfic principle, and is also a large dealer in stock, raw furs, etc., and owns a farm of 270 acres. He married Emma, daughter of Elias Chapman, by whom he had four children: Oatley, Sarah, Bessie and Lloyd C. Mr. Walker has been prominent in politics, has held the office of collector, and at present is justice of the peace. In politics he is a Democrat.

Warcup, Edwin S., was born in Westernville, November 28, 1864, a son of Matthew and Mary J. (Smith) Warcup. Ilis paternal grandfather, Robert Warcup, was a native of Yorkshire, England, who came to America in 1827, locating in Oneida county, and for many years was a resident of Western, where he died. His maternal grandfather, John Smith, was also a native of England, and a resident of Floyd, Oneida county, for many years. Matthew Warcup, father of Edwin S., is a native of Oneida county, is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Westernville. He has three children: Edwin S., Preston, and Sylvia (Mrs. William Mudge). Edwin S. was reared in Westernville where he has always resided. He was educated in the pub- lic schools, is a tinner by trade, and has been engaged in business for himself at Westernville since 1892. He is a member of the M. E. church and politically is a Democrat.

Marsh, Thomas, was born in the town of Rome, Oneida county, October 20, 1861, son of James and Elizabeth (Harvey) Marsh, natives of Canterbury, England, who settled in this county in 1855. He was reared to manhood in the town of Lee, educated in the common schools, is a farmer by occupation, and has lived on the farm where he now resides since 1889, though owning a farm of 141 acres near the old homestead. December 25, 1883, he married Carrie D., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fillmore) Golly, by whom he had three children: Two daughters, Lillie, and Ethel, also a son, Earl T., who died February 3, 1894. Mr. Marsh is one of the representative farmers of Lee, a member of the M. E. church, a member of P. of H., and politically is a Democrat.

Comstock, Gastin E., was born in Williamstown, Oswego county, May 27, 1823, and was educated in the district schools of Williamstown and Florence, after which he engaged in farming, which has been his principal occupation, and now owns a farm of 260 acres in the town of Florence. He married Betsey, daughter of Oliver Davis, of Florence, by whom he had eleven children: Roxcy Ann, Herbert G., Perla E., Sylvester D., Ella A., Cora B., Iann A., Allace M., Caroline G , Henry O., Hattie.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Hamlin, Joseph Eugene, was born on the farm where he now resides, July 6, 1848 son of Joseph Sprague and Delia (Willard) Hamlin. The latter have eleven chil- dren: Charles W., C. Louise Hall, Edward Augustus, Maria C. Gosnell, Joseph E., Frederick H., George Thomas, Mary Adelaide, William G., Frank Melvin and David West. Joseph S. Hamlin was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county in 1810. Joseph Eugene Hamlin married Louise, daughter of Henry J. and Mary (Strickland) Wetmore, by whom he has four children: Annie Gertrude, Willard De- Lancy, Mary Ethel and Genevieve Adelaide, all natives of this county. Mr. Ham- lin is interested in church and educational interests, also town and county affairs. He has been assessor for the past seven years, and is engaged in farming on the old homestead.

Ellis, Thomas T., was born in the town of Western, N. Y., November 15, 1853, son of John and Ellen (Griffith) Ellis, who came from Wales and settled in Remsen in 1845. Their children were: John, jr., Jennet Catherine, wife of Griffith Thomas; Ellis; Ellen, wife of Griffith Evans; Jane, wife of William T. Hughes; William and Thomas T. John Ellis, sr., was a grain and dairy farmer by occupation, and was active in religious and educational affairs. Thomas T. Ellis married Mary Anna, daughter of John W. and Annie Elizabeth Jones, by whom he has four children: Nellie, Jennie, Lizzie and John Elmer. Nellie and Jennie attend the Holland Pat- ent Academy. Mr. Ellis is engaged in farming, and is active in the promotion of the schools of the town. The family are members of the church at Camroden, N. Y.

Kilts, Andrew, was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., June 27, 1831, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Kilts. Andrew Kilts was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of Ava and Lowville Academy. He has worked some at the car- penter trade, being a natural mechanic, but farming has been his principal occupa- tion. He has a farm of 120 acres and makes a specialty of sheep husbandry. In 1881 he married Mary M. Hugunine, of Western, by whom he had four children, one living, May C., who was born June 27, 1888. Mr. Kilts is a Republican in politics, and has been commissioner of highways and assessor. He is a member of the Boon- ville Grange.

Babcock, E. C., M.D., was born at Oriskany Falls in 1872, son of Welcome E. Babcock, who was a prominent physician at Oriskany Falls, and grandson of Wel- come A. Babcock, who was also a practicing physician at Oriskany, and examining surgeon at Utica through the Civil war. E. C. Babcock, choosing the profession of his father, and grandfather, at eleven years of age he went to Madison, and in 1888 entered Colgate University, where he took a three years' scientific course; thence to New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1891, from which institution he gradu- ated in 1894, with a standing of ninety-seven per cent. He now holds diplomas from New York Homeopathic College and Hospital, and from New York University. Upon coming to this place, he resigned position as physician to the Central and Yorkville Dispensaries, surgeon to the Hahnamann Hospital, and to the New York Homœopathic Medical College. He makes surgery a specialty, and had charge of the surgical clinic at college dispensary during the last year.

Taylor, George, was born in Boonville in 1834, where he is a prominent farmer,

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

held in high repute in both business and social circles, and is one of the seven chil- dren of John Taylor, a farmer from Rhode Island, who settled in Boonville in 1817 purchasing 100 acres of land for $600 in what was then a bleak wilderness. George Taylor received his education in Boonville, devoting his time since to agricultural pursuits and the manufacture of cheese, for which he has received special orders from consumers in San Francisco, Cal., and London, England. He now has his home where the late Amos Tyler resided, and whose daughter, Helen E., he married in 1874. Her father, Amos Tyler, was a native of Woodstock, Vt., and cousin of ex- President Tyler, came here in 1850, his death occurring in 1878. Mr. Taylor's sym- pathies are with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church. They have one son, J. Albert, aged twenty years, who is possessed of marked dramatic ability, and who is now manager of the Empire Specialty Co., a variety show touring Northern and Central New York.

Jackson, W. H., is a descendant of an old family identified at an early period with the history of Boonville. His father, William Stuart Jackson, was born in Boonville in 1815 and was a farmer by occupation. In politics he was a Democrat, and was supervisor of the town for several years. He was a member of the Masonic order, of which he has been master. He died November 9, 1887. W. H. Jackson was also born at Boonville in 1853. In 1876 he married Flora E., only daughter of William H. Cole of Leyden, by whom he had four children : Jennie Laura, aged eighteen gradu- ated from Boonville Academy in 1893 and has since become a successful teacher; William Carroll, aged seventeen, is taking the agricultural course at Cornell Univer- sity ; and two daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Jackson has officiated as master of the local grange for three years, of which his daughter Jennie was secretary for two years. He occupies the old homestead of 200 acres just north of the village of Boonville and is a prominent and successful farmer.

Adsit, Leonard E., was born in the town of Steuben, on the farm and in the house where he now lives, in 1842, son of Erastus Adsit, who was born in Columbia county in 1802, one of ten children, born to Stephen Adsit of Columbia county. Stephen was a son of one of three brothers, who came from England before the Revolutionary war. He was a farmer, and came to Steuben, where he purchased the farm now owned by Leonard E., in 1805. He cleared a good portion of it, and here spent his last days. He participated in the war of 1812. Erastus Adsit spent his life on the homestead, which he purchased of the heirs after his father's demise. He was a Whig until 1862, when he became a Democrat, and was well known as "Squire Adsit," having been justice for twenty-four years, and always took an active interest in town and county affairs. He married Parmelia, daughter of Daniel Tripp, who was born in Oneida in 1801, and by whom he had four children: Mrs. Alzina Fuller, of Iowa; Mrs. Susan McIntosh (deceased); Stephen W., of Steuben; and Leonard E. Mrs. Adsit died in 1875, and Mr. Adsit in 1886. Leonard E. has spent his life on the homestead to which he has added forty five acres. His principal occupation is dairying, and he has been auctioneer for the past twenty-five years. He is inter- ested in the bee culture, also a dealer in agricultural implements, and is the owner and agent of the telephone office, known as Adsit Station, which is located on his farm. He is now treasurer of the Steuben Cheese Association. He has served one term as supervisor, and eight terms on board of equalization, also commissioner of

FAMILY SKETCHES.

highways and poormaster. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Remsen Lodge; United Friends of Stittville and the Grange Lodge in Holland Patent. In 1866 he married Ellen, daughter of Nicholas Suits, who was a native of Western, N. Y. They have one child by adoption, Mrs. Jesse Bennett.

Owen, F. W., was born at Albany in 1860. The late Ephraim Owen, his father, was born in Boonville, and was one of the most enterprising citizens of that town. He married Aurelia Riggs of this place, by whom he had three children: Frank, Jennie, and James (deceased). Mr. Owen died in 1877, aged fifty-six; and he was brother of John and Philip Owen. Mr. Frank Owen was educated at Trinity Col- lege, and upon the completion of the collegiate course, became associated with the canned goods business. He is secretary and treasurer of the Turin Canning and Pickling Co., having their factory at Turin, and office at Boonville.

Porter, Chester Winfield, was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, Sep- tember 3, 1861, a son of Joel and Ann A. (French) Porter, natives of Oneida and Montgomery counties, respectively. His paternal grandfather, Chester Porter, a native of Connecticut, was a pioneer of Steuben, Oneida county, and was a tanner and shoe manufacturer. His paternal grandfather, a native of Massachusetts, was a woolen and shoepeg manufacturer. Joel Porter, father of Chester W., taught school in early manhood, but most of his life was spent in farming and cheese manufactur- ing, and he died in Western, March 2, 1895, aged seventy years. Chester Winfield Porter was educated in Syracuse Classical school and Syracuse University, and was graduated from the latter in 1884. He began life as an agriculturist and cheese manufacturer, in which he still continues, having been associated with his father until the death of the latter. In 1892-93 he served as member of assembly, representing the Third and Second districts of his county, respectively, and acquitted himself of his duties to the general satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Porter is a supporter of the First M. E. church of Western, is a member of the I. O. O. F , and Psi Upsilon Fraternity, and politically is a Republican.

Kent, John S., was born in Remsen, on the farm he now owns, December 18, 1841, son of Silas Kent, who was born in Remsen, July 7, 1808, the fifth of seven children born to Silas Kent, a native of Connecticut, born in 1787, son of John, son of Silas, of Connecticut, of Scotch ancestry. Silas Kent, father of John S., from five to sixteen years of age was reared by an uncle, when he returned to the homestead, which he and his brother, Chester, conducted for eleven years. They cleared a large amount of land, cut the timber and made it into potash, and bought two other farms; he then purchased a farm of 400 acres, where he resided until 1870, when he sold the farm to his son, John S., and removed to the village of Remsen, where he now re- sides, the only surviving member of his father's family. He married Elizabeth, daughter. of Evan Thomas, by whom he had nine children. His wife died in April, 1878. John S. Kent remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he purchased the farm, which then contained 600 acres and paid for said farm $16,630, 180 of which he sold, but has since purchased two more farms of 133 and 100 acres, and is the most extensive farmer in the town, and also conducts a large dairy of forty cows. In politics he is a Republican, has served as assessor three terms, supervisor three terms, and has often been elected delegate to County

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

and District Conventions, also a member Equalizing Board Oneida county, 1895. In 1869 he married Naomi, daughter of Robert Roberts, of Remsen. She died in 1884, and he married for his second wife, Mary C., daughter of John G. Hughes, of Rem- sen, by whom he had two children: J. Grant and Clara May.

Crandall, Enos T., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1832. His grandfather, Lewis Crandall, a native of Dutchess county, was a farmer and carried provisions to Sackett's Harbor during the war of 1812. About 1797 he came to Oneida county, settling in Westmoreland, where he purchased 300 acres of land. He married Clara Shute, by whom he had four children. He died in 1875 aged 100 years and four months, and his wife died at the age of sixty-five years. William Crandall, father of Enos T., was born in Westmoreland in 1800 and was a carpenter, noted for his fine workmanship; he also farmed some in early life. He was captain of a company of State militia. His wife was Laura Church and their children were Lowell, Ann, Enos T., Charles, Willard (deceased), Jason, Orville A., Irvin, and Winifred S. Mr. Crandall died in 1850 and his wife in 1891, aged eighty-five years. Enos T. Crandall, at the age of ten years, left home and engaged in farm work, but, being a natural mechanic, he later followed carpentry for many years. In 1860 he removed to Boonville and five years later purchased a farm and saw mill, conducting them both successfully until 1880, when he removed to his present site, where he purchased a saw mill and 325 acres of land and engaged extensively in the manufac- ture of hard wood and lumber. He lias also since 1889 conducted a grocery store and in 1891, through his efforts, the post-office of Enos was established with Mr. Crandall as postmaster. He has served as justice of the peace for many years, com- missioner of highways, and has been a school trustee for twenty-five years. He has been a Mason for thirty years. In 1851 Mr. Crandall married Mary, daughter of William and Sarah Shephard, all natives of Manchester, England, who came to the United States in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have two children: Ella B., wife of Charles Miller ; and George W., all of whom live in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. Crandall died January 13, 1896, aged sixty-one years.

Rice, Charles F., was born in Paris, in 1835, son of E. D. and Sally A. (Chapman) Rice, of Eastern birth, who settled on a farm in Paris at an early date. They had four children, three of whom are now living. After the completion of his education at the Albany Normal School, he engaged in teaching for several years in local schools and with good success. In 1856 he entered the employ of S. A. Millard at Clayville as shipping clerk, and in 1863 he engaged in the lumber business, renting a mill on Black River, and in 1867 purchased of J. M. Fiske the present business, manufacturing of sash, blinds, doors, mouldings and a general lumber business, which he has built up into a very important industry, now employing eight people. He married Sarah A. Lee, who died July 29, 1885. Her son Charles died when six months old and before his mother; he died July 28, 1812. In 1887 he married for his second wife Eliza Reynolds, by whom he has one son, Henry H. Rice, who was born in 1891. Mr. Rice has been a member of the Board of Education six years, and has been president of the board of trustees, and is much esteemed as a citizen.

Powell, J. L., was born in Lanesboro, Mass., in 1780, and moved to Trenton in 1801. He was twice married; first to Nancy Peck, by whom he had three children:

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Melancthon, George and John. His second wife was Margaret Hulburt, by whom he had eleven children: Nancy, Sophia, Hulbert, James, Frederick W., Jane, Joseph P., Helen, Henry W., William and Francis. John L. Powell was engaged in teach- ing and farming. He was educated at Williams College and took a great interest in educational affairs, William Powell, the youngest son, was born December 7, 1829, and was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Curtis Hinman, by whom he had two children: Fannie Elizabeth and John Curtis. He afterward married Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Miller, an old resident of this town.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 96

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