Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 97

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 97

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).

Lawrence, A. W., was born at Lee, Oneida county, in 1829, son of Edward T. Lawrence, a millwright, and his mother is a daughter of the late Abner Wood, a well known pioneer settler of Ava. In October, 1853, A. W. Lawrence went to Bed- ford, Va., on a visiting and hunting trip on the Blue Ridge Mountains. From Oc- tober 2, 1854, to May, 1855, he was proprietor of a hotel in Lee, whence he went on a farm in Leyden, Lewis county, for a year ; he then followed carriage painting for a year. In May, 1858, he went to Chicago, where he was employed at railroading ; returning in 1859, he became proprietor of the Moose River Hotel, where he remained eighteen years, and then removed to Boonville where he has led an active life as a mechanic. He is a member of the Republican party, and has served as deputy sheriff three years, the sole policeman of the village of Boonville for fourteen years, and town constable for twelve years. In 1854 he married Susan M. Meeker, who bore him two children: Alice (deceased) and Estella R. He was married in 1869 to his present wife, Jessie M. Hazard, who is a descendant of an old pioneer family of New Hampshire, by whom he has three children: Edward T., J. Minnie, and Lona M.

Kennedy, Michael, was born in Ireland, December 2, 1815. son of Michael and Mary (Wallings) Kennedy. Michael Kennedy, jr., settled in New York Mills, Oneida county, June 27, 1841, and was followed in 1842 by his mother, where they lived until 1851 when they moved to Marcy. He married Sarah, daughter of George Pad- ley, by whom he has four children: Elizabeth Gates, Sarah A. Morris, Mary and Joseph. In early life he was employed as a general laborer, but since his residence in Marcy has been engaged in farming. He is a member of the Farmers' Club of Oneida county, and has a farm of 168 acres, with 3,000 rods of ditching.

Cook, Caspar I., was born in Vienna, N. Y., June 7, 1838. His father, Andrew Cook, a grandson of Captain Andrew Dillenbeck who was killed at the battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777, and grandson of John Cook who also participated in the battle of Oriskany, and son of John I. Cook who served in the war of 1812 as captain at Sackett's Harbor. Andrew Cook settled in Vienna about 1823, coming from Palatine, Montgomery county, N. Y., where he was born November 11, 1880; died at his home in Vienna December, 1893. He married Jane E. Covell by whom he had seven children: Betsey C., John, George, Charles, Caspar I., Joseph A., and Verena J. Joseph A. enlisted in Co. C, 50th N. Y. Engineers, and served three years; Cas- par I. enlisted December 14, 1851, in Co. C, 81st Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers, and received a 1st lieutenant's commission in 1864, and a captain's commission January 1, 1865; discharged June 22, 1865; is now a member of Constantia Post No. 519, and was married February 18, 1866, to Julia E., daughter of Elijah and Prudence Wat-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

rous of Bolton, Conn., by whom he had four children: De Witt C., a graduate of Rome Academy, class of 1889, who also attended Cornell University one year, and in 1891 received an appointment in the pension office in Washington, where he at- tended the evening sessions of Columbian University for three years, but was pre- vented from finishing the course on account of failing eyesight; J. Carlotta, and M. Le Vanch, graduates of Rome Academy, class of 1891; Jessie Watrous, a graduate of Rome Academy, class of 1895.

Halstead, Charles N., was born in Verona, August 2, 1849, adopted son of Joseph and Betsey (Cook) Halstead. The grandfather, John P. Halstead, who was a farmer and lumberman, and furnished the lumber for and built all the locks in the Oneida Lake Canal, which intersected the Erie Canal at Higginsville, married Phila White, by whom he had twelve children: Nathaniel, John B., Joseph, Clark, Laurie, George, Sarah, Louisa, Morris, Emily, Nelson, and Maria. Joseph Hal- stead was justice of the peace for many years, and was engaged in the mercantile business at Fish Creek Landing, and took a very active part in improving the town and county.

Ward, John I .. , was born in the town of Annsville, June 25, 1856, son of James and Martha Loaks Ward, who was born in England and emigrated to the United States in 1846 and settled in this town, where he took up sixty acres of land and cleared a farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 81st N. Y. Vols., Co. I, and was wounded at Cold Harbor, from which he died before reaching home. He had seven children: Eliza, Mary, Elizabeth, Giles C., Robert, James, and John L., who was educated in this town, after which for fifteen years was engaged in the livery and express business, which he afterwards sold to the Taft Bros. He is now engaged in farming and in running a grist mill in Taberg village, with a capacity to grind 500 bushels per day. He married Cornelia, daughter of Rufus Taft, by whom he had these children. Flossie G., Lorna A., and Harrison Morton. Mr. Ward is a Republican in politics, and was commissioner of highways for two years. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

Walters, Charles F., was born November 8, 1859, son of James N. and Mary E. Walters. In 1879 he engaged in the general merchandise business at Prospect, in company with C. B. Hodge, but in 1881 he sold his interest and entered the general merchandise store of T. B. Balou, at Hinckley, of which he was manager for five years. In 1886 Mr. Walters started a general merchandise store at Prospect, which he has conducted to the present time. He is a member of Remsen Lodge, F. & A. M., of Trenton, Oneida Chapter No. 57, of Utica, I. O. O. F., of Trenton, and I. O. R. M., of Prospect. He married Helena B., daughter of James and Betsey Dickson, of Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., by whom he has three children: James D., Mary E., and Charles F., jr., all natives of Oneida county.

McClusky, Henry, 1 at Boonville in 1845, son of John McClusky, who was born in Ireland, and "nout capital came to this country and settled in Boon- ville, N. Y. He succ :learing a farm of sixty acres, to which from time to time he made many . ... L. He was a conscientious man, for a long time elder of the Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the founders. His wife, Mary Cummings, was also of Irish birth. Henry McClusky spent his boyhood days on

FAMILY SKETCHES.

the farm, which is now in his possession. He is of the undertaking establishment of Bateman & McClusky, with which business he has been connected since 1888. After finishing his education at Whitestown Seminary, he engaged in the lumber business at Forestport, thence to Boonville, and entered mercantile business with his brother James, where he remained about ten years, dealing principally in groceries. In political life he is popular, and has held positions of trust and prominence, and was postmaster under Hayes's and Garfield's administrations, also president of village in 1876 and 1877. He is prominent in Masonic circles, was master of Boonville Lodge No. 165, F. & A. M., for three terms, and maintains associations with the church, with which his father was so closely identified. For five years, he has held the responsible office of secretary of the Boonville Fair Association. In 1890 he married Ida Tallcott of this place

Prendergast, Rev. E. R., was born in Syracuse in 1862, son of Edward R. Prender- gast, a jobber of clothing, and prominent as a man of great intellect and ability. He inherited his scholastic attainments, and was a graduate of Dublin Academy. Until his death in 1869 he was trustee and treasurer of St. John's Cathedral for three years, and was superintendent of St. John the Baptist church, also promoter and founder of St. John's Cathedral school. He was organizer and captain of the Mili- tary Guards, called out to quell the riot at the occasion of the " Jerry Rescue," and for many years he was agent for the old steamship line from Ireland. E. R. Pren- dergast's boyhood was spent in Syracuse, and in 1873, he entered Manhattan College near New York, where he remained six years; then entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy, N. Y., remaining there five years, where his ordination was celebrated in 1884. His first charge was at Whitesboro where he remained till January, 1888. He came to Boonville in 1888, and in 1891 the degree of A. M. was conferred from Man- hattan College. Father Prendergast is a man of great ability, and much esteemed outside of his own parish.

Johnson, Samuel, was born near Burlington Flats, Otsego county, in October, 1811, son of Jared Johnson, a farmer of English ancestry. When twenty years of age, he came to Paris and engaged in the tanning business, which was his occupation through life. For eight years he acted as clerk in the well known hide and leather house of Hubbell & Curran of Utica, from 1841 to 1849; then came here, where he has been a tanner for forty years. In 1889 he was burned out, and has since retired from active labor. As a politician, he was originally a Free Soil Democrat, but in 1856 united his interests with the Republican party at its organization. For four years he was supervisor of his town. He first married Sarah S. Campbell of Rome, who died in 1864, leaving two children; Mrs. J. S. Haseldon, whose husband is superin- tendent of the Rome Brass and Copper Co. ; and one son, Walter B. Johnson, super- intendent of the Rome Manufacturing Co. His present wife was Sarah L. Stevens, by whom he had one daughter (deceased).

Whiter, Andrew J., was born near Oneida Lake, i, : n of Vienna, Oneida county, N. Y., February 9, 1837. When about fourte of age, 1851, he with his two brothers, Abram and Hiram, together with th s, Meltiah and Lydia

Whiter, removed to Hawkinsville, Oneida county, 1. His father was then em- ployed in a saw mill owned and operated by the late Benjamin Kipp; while thus

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

employed he had the misfortune to have his right hand and arm terribly mangled with a saw, which resulted in his death in about six years afterward. During this time and thereafter the support of the family was furnished by Mr. Whiter and his younger brother Hiram. In the year 1859 he purchased a farm of 110 acres one mile east of Hawkinsville, in the town of Boonville, N. Y. September 10, 1860, he was married to Miss Ellen J. Johnson, daughter of Elijah and Cyntha Johnson, who was born August 3, 1841, at Frankfort Hill, Herkimer county, N. Y., at which place she resided until the time of her marriage. Three children were born to Mr and Mrs. Whiter, namely; Albert C., Frank W., Alice E., all of whom are now living. Mr. Whiter was a canal boatman by occupation until the year 1865, at which time he re- tired to his farm where he has since resided, devoting his time to the best interest of his home and his surroundings. In polities he is a Democrat, much interested in the public welfare. He was appointed several times as inspector of election. Also he was a Democratic nominee for assessor and highway commissioner at different times. Mr. Whiter is widely known and esteemed by all.

Kent, Justus Vinton, was born at Remsen in 1827, son of Ezekial Kent, who came to this place in 1829, settling about two miles south of Boonville, where he engaged in farming, yet devoting much time to public affairs. He was a man of prominence, and officiated as assessor for many years. He married Laura Dayton, of an old Connecticut family, who were early settlers in Remsen, by whom he had eleven children. His father was Capt. John Kent, who was weil remembered for luis zeal and patriotism, and who achieved much fame in the Revolutionary war. Ezekial Kent died in 1861. In 1848 Justus V. Kent married Louise Owen, daughter of John Owen, by whom he had eight children, six of whom are now living. He has a farm of ninety acres, in the suburbs of the village, adjoining Erwin Park. He also has charge of the Summit Hotel, which he entered in 1890. This hotel is beautifully located, commanding a view of the Adirondacks, and of the adjacent territory.

Parks, Perry, was born on the farm he now owns in the town of Camden, March 14, 1842, son of Marshall F. Parks, who was born in Connecticut. Marshall F. came to Camden in an early day and took up the farm now owned by his son Perry, which consisted of 200 acres, about 125 acres of which were improved. He married Eliza Hall of Connecticut, whose parents were among the first settlers of Oswego county, by whom he had six children: Daniel, Joshua, Hannah, Sarah, Perry and Clara, only four of whom are now living. Perry Parks was educated in the town of Cam- den, and is now engaged in farming on the old homestead. He married Ella, daugh- ter of Henry Hall, of Annsville, by whom he had one son, Charles, who resides on the farm with his parents.

Scoville, Samuel T. W., was born in the town of Camden, N. Y., October 17, 1842, son of Riley Scoville, who was born in Connecticut and came to Camden in 1840. He was a farmer by occupation, which line of business Samuel Scoville has followed for some years. Mr. Scoville married Maria Upson, of Camden, by whom he has one son, Riley A. He is an enterprising and thrifty business man and in politics is a Democrat.

Phelps, C. A., senior member of the dry goods firm of C. A. & A. C. Phelps, was born in Camden, June 21, 1856. He was a farmer and corn packer up to twelve years

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ago, since which time he has been in the mercantile business. They purchased the stock and good will of Frisbie & Stansfield, and have now the leading business in that line in Camden. Albert C. was born in this town, and they have always been associated together in business.

Tripp, Franklin, was born in Floyd, December 27, 1831, son of Isaac Tripp (who married Mary Brooker in 1812), and he was one of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Henderson, Septimus, Savinah, Julia Ann, Isaac, jr., William, Mar- quis De Lafayette, Helen, Franklin, Jeanette and Orris B. Isaac, sr., was born in Dutchess county, December 17, 1792, a son of William Tripp, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war (and was consequently a pensioner till his death). Will- iam moved with his family to Floyd, Oneida county, when Isaac was quite a small boy. His other children were Stephen, William, Mary and Clara. Isaac settled permanently in Floyd, and being possessed of an energetic disposition, progressive ideas, and strong business capacity, naturally his influence was felt in the town and in his surroundings. He served as assessor for many years. Was cotemporary and intimately associated with General Floyd (after whom the town was named, and who was then a resident of the town of Western). One of his sons, Isaac, jr., settled in Utica as a lawyer; three settled in Cortland county, one in Cayuga, while Frank- lin and Orris remained on the old homestead with additions thereto. Franklin mar- ried Carrie, daughter of David and Mary Fulmer of the town of Steuben. They have two children who are at present pupils at the Holland Patent Academy. (Orris married Esther, daughter of Hugh and Sally Jones also of Steuben). They are both farmers.

Evans, John, was born in the town of Floyd, March 25, 1842, son of Owen and Rose Evans, who settled in Floyd about 1831. They had six children: Jane (de- ceased), John, William (deceased), Owen J., Mary Jane (deceased), and Charles H. Owen J., jr., is a farmer and is active in the development of the town. John Evans married Libbie, daughter of William W. and Catherine Jones, by whom he had one child, Mary Jane, who died October 9, 1884, aged seven years. Mr. Evans is a dairy farmer. He served as collector for the town one term.

Vanderhoof, Thomas J., was born in the town of Floyd January 25, 1837, son of Nathaniel and Susan (Soule) Vanderhoof, who was born in Wellstown in 1805, whose father came from Vermont and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Nathaniel settled in Oneida county in 1830; he had five children: Frances, Catherine, Thomas J., Mary E. and Nathaniel, jr. Nathaniel Vanderhoof, sr., was a captain of artillery in the State militia, and Francis was a drummer. Nathaniel, sr., was engaged in farm- ing and also worked at weaving and shoemaking and was commissioner for many years. Nathaniel, jr., was first corporal in Co. B in the Fifth Oneida, 146th Regt., and after several engagements in battle was wounded and died in the hospital at Falmouth May 16, 1863. Thomas J. married Sarah A., daughter of Austin and Malinda Nutt, by whom he has two children: Olive and Mary, and one, Henrietta, deceased; he engaged in farming at twenty-seven years of age, and is active in town and educational affairs.

Pepper, Edwin J., was born in Oswego county, N. Y., February 3. 1845. He mar- ried Nancy, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lewis) Paul, by whom he has four

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

children: Cora E., wife of Fred Wickham, Roscoe H., Bertha H., and Arthur M., all natives of Floyd. He studied law in Cape Vincent, N. Y., and which, at the present time, he practices in the justice court of the county; although his chief occupation has been farming. He enlisted August 24, 1863, in Co. G., 20th N. Y. Cav., and was mustered out July 31, 1865, and served as a non-commissioned officer. He be- longs to Post Hunt, No. 510 of Holland Patent, and has been commander and junior vice-commander of the same. He is the present justice of the peace and has held most of the elective offices of the town. He is trustee of the Floyd Methodist Epis- copal church aud contributed liberally at the rebuilding of the same.

Ulrich, Simon, was born in Massachusetts, April 2, 1837, son of Simon and Kather- ine Ulrich, who settled in Floyd about 1842. Their children were Katherine, Simon, Elizabeth and Mary. Simon Ulrich, sr., in early life followed the weaver's trade in Germany. He moved to Massachusetts, where he engaged in burning charcoal and worked in an iron furnace. In 1842 he came to Floyd, since which time he has fol- lowed farming. Simon Ulrich, jr., married Grace, daughter of Joseph Wintemeyer, by whom he has six children: Simon J., Joseph A., Katie M., Mary T., Frank T., and Albert L., all born in Floyd. Mr. Ulrich's chief occupation has been farming, and he is also interested in school work.

Golly, Andrew, was born on the Golly homestead in the town of Lee, March 4, 1814, son of Joseph and Ann (Jardin) Golly, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, who settled in the town of Lee in 1811, where they cleared and improved a farm from the wilderness and died there. Their children were Eliza J., John, Andrew, Mary A., Joseph, Martha, Jardin, William, Benjamin, and Esther. Andrew has spent the most of his time in Lee, and owns two hundred acres of land, a part of which is the Golly homestead. In 1854 he married Ellen, daughter of John and Mary (Cummins) McClusky of Boonville, and they were the parents of six children Frank, Albert, George, Eliza (Mrs. Fred S. Fish), Mary, and Margaret. Mr. Golly is one of the oldest native residents of Lee. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor.

Willson, Merritt N., was born in town of Lee, Oneida county, May 14, 1854, son of Wright and Lydia (Tracy) Willson, both natives of Lee. Ilis paternal grandparents, Roswell K. and Susan (Tyler) Willson, and maternal grandparents, Frederick and Chloe Tracy, were natives of Massachusetts, and all pioneers of the town of Lec. Wright Willson, father of Merritt N., was born in 1817, still resides in the town of Lee, and by occupation is a farmer. Merritt N. was educated in the Union schools of Lee Center and Rome Academy, and was graduated from the latter in 1875. In 1877 he began the study of law with Hon. Edward L. Stevens of Rome, was admitted to the bar in 1880, and in September of the same year established himself at Lee Center, where he was located until November 12, 1895, when he sold his resi- dence in Lee Center and purchased a residence at No. 416 William street Rome, N. Y., where he has since been located. His office is No. 103 S. James street. November 5, 1882, he married Edith C., daughter of John C. and Jemima (Kniskern) Brown, of Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, by whom he had four daughters: Maud J., Mabel S., Mary B., and Edith A. Mr. Willson is a member of Roman Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 223, of Rome, the Rome Council No. 150, the Royal Arcanum, P. of I., and K. of R., and in politics is a Republican.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Parsell, Charles D., was born in Western, December 8, 1858, a son of Alanson and Mary A. (Bullock) Parsell; the former was born in Ulster county, N. Y., in 1815, and came with his father to Parish, Oswego county, N. Y., in 1824, and the latter in Norway, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1825. About 1837 Mr. Parsell settled in West- ern, where he worked at the carpenter and joiner trade until his death, January 31, 1892. He was twice married, and his first wife was Eliza Shott, by whom he had two children : Martha (Mrs. Silas Ball), and Parisade (Mrs. Russell M. Frazer). His second wife was Mary A. Bullock, by whom he had two children, of whom our sub- ject is the only survivor. Charles D. was reared in Western, and educated in the common schools, Rome Academy and Holland Patent High School. For seventeen winters he taught school and worked at the carpenter trade with his father in the summer, and since 1882 has been engaged in the manufacture of cheese, averaging about 100,000 lbs. annually. November 22, 1882, he married Lizzie A., daughter of Owen D. and Eleanor (Jones) Jones, of Lee, by whom he has three children: Bessie A., Anson Dudley and John C.

Edic, Alson A., was born in Marcy, N. Y., October 8, 1858, son of Amos L. and Clista R. (Payne) Edic. Amos L. was a native of Marcy, son of Jacob and Esther (Levensworth) Edic, very early settlers in the town of Marcy. Mrs. Clista (Payne) Edic was a native of Deerfield, and a daughter of Edward Payne, who came from Vermont in 1820, and settled on the farm in Deerfield where Alson A. Edic now re- sides. Amos L. was engaged in farming in Marcy for many years, and also survey- ing, at which he still works, having taken up his residence in Utica, since the death of Mrs. Edic, which occurred in 1876. He was supervisor in Marcy, and also held the office of town clerk and justice of the peace ; and he is a member of the Masonic lodge. Alson A. Edic was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and has always been engaged in farming. In 1880 he settled on Payne Farm in Deerfield, where he still resides. The farm consists of 209 acres and he keeps thirty cows. In 1882 he mar- ried Hattie M., daughter of John and Almena (Irons) Penner of New York Mills, by whom he has three children: Allie L., Willie and Florence.

White, George W., was born in the town of Annsville, January 9, 1844 son of Israel White, who was born in the town of Western, Oneida county. This family was among the first to settle in this section of the county, and have generally en- gaged in farming. George W. was educated in the schools of Annsville, Whitestown Seminary and Eastman's Business College. He was for some time connected with the American, Wells Fargo, and United Express Companies in Kansas City, but since 1873 has devoted his time to farming, owning a farm where he now resides of 120 acres, besides several other farms in this county. Mr. White is a Republican in politics, was elected supervisor in 1891, and has held other minor offices in the town. He married Ella L., daughter of Calvin M. Waterman, by whom he had seven chil- dren: Byron E., Georgie B., Edna M., Amy O., Ella I., Marjory A., and Hazel I.

Bemister, Alfred, was born in England, June 10, 1845, son of Stephen and Mary Ann Bemister, who came from England, and settled in Marcy about 1849, and whose. children were Ann, Eliza, Harriet, Alfred, Stephen, Henry, John, Emma, Josephine and Nettie. Stephen Bemister was a self-made industrious man, and was engaged in farming. Alfred Bemister was assessor of the town for three years, and a veteran

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

of the late Rebellion. October 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th N. Y. Vols., and served about twenty months; May 20, 1863, he enlisted in Co. F, 44th N. Y. Vols., and was transferred to Co. K, 146th N. Y. Vols. He was wounded at the battle of Gaines Mills, and was three months in the hospital at Philadelphia; he was also wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, from which at present he is suffering the injuries. Mr. Bemister belongs to the McQuade Post No. 14, of Utica.

Van Hatten, Michael, was born in France, May 10, 1828, son of Lewis and Mary A. Van Hatten, who settled in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, in the fall of 1832 and whose children were Michael, Lewis, Mary Ann, Charles, Delia, John, Magdalane, and Francis. Lewis Van Hatten was engaged in farming and was actively interested in both church and educational affairs and was much respected by all his acquaintances. Michael Van Hatten settled in the town of Marcy in 1852, married Maria R. Hersdel by whom he had ten children: Frances R., wife of John Eaton, Francis L. (deceased), Francis M., Mary L., wife of George Kunkel, Jeanic M., wife of Fred M. Seavy, George E., Lewis A., Annie V., Charles L., and Clara E. In early life Mr. Van Hatten was engaged in farming and school teaching, later years in farming, saw mill and as auctioneer. He was supervisor in 1866 and 1867 and has been highway commissioner for many years, letting the contract for the first stone bridge that was built in Marcy in the year 1857; also built the first stone road in said town in 1881-2 and has held several minor offices.

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 97

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