USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 55
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DAVID H. EMERY was born April 12, 1848, and was the son of John J. Emery, a New Jersey farmer. At 16 David began work as an apprentice at wagon making, and at the end of three years was a thorough mechanic in his line. For several years he worked as "Jour " both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but in 1873 came to Owego and found employment with the old firm of Moore & Ross, with whom he was connected 12 years, a part of the time as foreman in the smithing department. He then left and bought George Raymond's interest in the firm of Raymond Brothers, and thus established the present firm of Raymond & Emery, which, with some changes in management, has since been known in busi- ness circles in Owego. A busy man at all times, Mr. Emery has nevertheless found time to take part in public affairs in the vil- lage, always on the democratic side for he is one of the leaders of his party in Owego. He was once elected trustee and has fre-
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quently been a candidate for his party's good. In business life Mr. Emery has been successful. In Newton, N. J., he was married with Mary J. Wilcox, by whom he has one son, Lewis Emery.
JOHN L. DURUSSEL and LOUIS FREDERICK DURUSSEL were from Switzerland, who came to the United States in May, 1850. In Switzerland, John was an officer of the law, while his son Louis, born in the Canton of Neufchatel, December 22, 1831, was a skilled watchmaker in early life serving an apprenticeship at manufac- turing Swiss watches in a large factory. In this country John L. Durussel was a farmer, living on his own farm, the so-called Kenyon farm, in Newark Valley, and there he died, a highly re- spected citizen. In 1852, after a single year of life on the farm, Louis opened a watch repairing shop in Newark Valley. A year or two afterward he removed to Owego and entered the employ of Mr. Marguerand, who kept a jewelry store in the Ahwaga House block on Front street. Some time previous to 1860, Mr. Durussel commenced business on his own account in a corner of the post- office, which then occupied the building in Lake street now owned by the Owego National bank. In October, 1862, he took his brother- in-law, R. A. Allen, into partnership. A few years afterward they enlarged their business and removed to the west side of the street. In August, 1867, the firm of Durussel & Allen was dissolved and Mr. Durussel continued the business alone until September, 1868, when he formed a new partnership with L. F. Rockwood and removed to the Wilson opera house block. This partnership was not long afterward dissolved. In January, 1877, his son, George, became his business partner, and the firm of Durussel & Son continued until his death in 1888. Mr. Durussel was a prominent member of the M. E. society and active in all church affairs. He was one of Owego's most respected citizens-a man of sterling integrity, possessing many friends and no enemies. While living in Newark Valley Louis was married with Polly M. Allen, and by her he had these children ; Ella, who became the wife of D. M. Slater ; George A., the jeweler of Owego, and Anna M., wife of C. J. Hancock. George A. Durussel learned the trade of watchmaking with his father and was a journeyman until 1877, when he became a part-
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ner of his father. He is now engaged in active business having succeeded to the business of Durussel & Son. In October, 1878, he was married with Rose A., daughter of E. F. Johnson, of Alle- gany county.
JAMES M. HASTINGS, senior member of the dry-goods firm of Hastings & Stratton, of Owego, was a native of Tompkins county, and was born in 1843. His young life was spent on a farm, but in 1863, with his mother, brothers and sisters, he came to Owego to live. He was first employed as clerk in H. N. Hubbard's store, and in 1873 his active business life began, as successor to the still older house of Goodrich & Cady. In fact Mr. Hastings was one of this firm for a time before he became its successor. The new firm of Hastings & Pendleton was soon formed and did business until succeeded by Hastings & Stratton in 1880. The firm carries a line of general dry-goods and carpets, and has always held a fair share of public patronage. Mr. Hastings is a thorough business man, and finds little time to give to affairs outside the store, but for all that he has not been wanting in interest in local prosperity, as his long and useful connection with the Owego board of educa- tion fully shows. He takes no active part in politics, but is a firm republican. In 1867 James M. Hastings was married with Persis Jenks. Mrs. Hastings died in 1877, leaving four children. In 1889 Mr. Hastings was married with Enima Tate, of Hartford Co., Conn. Of this marriage two children have been born. The family are members of the Congregational church, and for thirty years Mr. Hastings has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He is also deacon of the church and treasurer of the society.
JULIUS HOLLISTER was born at Glastonbury, Conn, January 9, 1818, and at the age of fifteen years was apprenticed to Asa Rogers to learn the trade of silversmith. He served five and one-half years, worked as journeyman about four years more, and then went into business in Hartford, Conn., with O. D. Seymour as partner in the old and well-known William Rogers' shop. He sold out in January, 1846, came to Owego and started into business. From that time until 1895 he was constantly engaged in the man-
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ufacture of silverware and spoons, a period of fifty years, which entitles him to recognition as one of the oldest business men of the village. At times he has employed as many as ten or twelve workmen. He is now proprietor of a grocery store and also a sew- ing machine repair shop. In Auburn, N. Y., Mr. Hollister mar- ried with Mary M. Havens. Their children were Charles J., of Owego, and Arthur E., who died at the age of eighteen. Mrs. M. M. Hollister, wife of Julius, died March 25, 1895, aged 79 years. Charles J. Hollister was born June 21, 1851, and Arthur E. was born March 23, 1853, and died January 1, 1871.
CHARLES NICHOLS, second son of Simeon and Esther (Fairbanks) Nichols, was born September 3, 1824, in the town of Owego. Simeon Nichols and his father, Caleb, came to Tioga county in 1791, locating on the Jewett Flats near Apalachin where they had purchased several hundred acres. The family at that time con- sisted of eight children, of whom Simeon was the second child. Caleb Nichols died in 1804, and soon after Simeon sold the farm and purchased what is now the Mersereau farm near Mutton Hill. In 1820 Simeon married Esther, daughter of Samuel Fairbanks. They had six children ; George, Charles, Mary Ann, died at twenty- one years of age ; Olivia (Mrs. George Fox), Rachel (Mrs. Amos Knapp of Apalachin), and Justus, who is the only surviving mem- ber of that family. On January 4, 1837, Mrs. Nichols died, and two years later Simeon married Merca, a daughter of Matthew Billings. They had two children ; Enoch, living at Olean, N. Y., and Washington, living on Mutton Hill. Simeon died May 16, 1856, aged 93 years. In the spring of 1839 Charles left home with his sister Rachel. They rented a house, and he made his beginning by working farms on shares. He soon purchased a farm and added to his possessions each year until at his death he was one of the most extensive farmers in the county. He was married on No- vember 24, 1850, to Abigail, daughter of Morris and Elizabeth Bar- ton. Four children were born to then : Althea, Gerden and Ger- den J. died in infancy, and Emma Louise, born May 28. 1865. Mr. Nichols was a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M. He died October 27, 1889, at his home farm on the south side near
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Hiawatha Island. Emma Louise, his surviving child, was mar- ried June 27, 1890, to Truman, son of Henry and Hannah Orton, who moved to Owego in 1886 from Lisle, N. Y. Mr. Orton was born June 26, 1865. In 1892 Mrs. Orton erected a handsome dwell- ing upon the homestead, and has christened the farm " Fairview."
JAMES A. DEAN was born in Caroline, Tompkins county, June 4, 1820, and was the son of Samuel Dean, a prominent man and pioneer of that region. James was brought up on a farm, but at the age of sixteen began to learn the carpenter's trade. At twenty he was a journeyman and from that until the present time, with a brief exception of five or six years, he has been a carpenter and contractor. In 1841 he came to the town of Owego and has since lived in the village or town. Mr. Dean has been twice married. His first wife, with whom he married on April 25, 1844, was Julia L. Beecher, by whom he had nine children, six of whom are now living. His second wife, whom he married July 28, 1892, was Huldah Phelps, daughter of Bradford Phelps, of Owego.
ASA PHELPS, father of Bradford Phelps, came from Albany . county in 1834, and located in the Park settlement north of Owego. His sons also came and settled in the same vicinity. Asa Phelps was a large and successful farmer, a highly respected man, and one whose influence in the county was always for the good. He had fourteen children. They were Electa, Lucy, Bradford, Jason, Harriet, Hiram, Asa, Sally, Jesse, Salina, Melissa, Othniel, Joel, and Amanzo.
HUGH DUGAN, well remembered as proprietor of the old Ex- change Hotel in Owego for 17 years, and who was well known in the village for nearly a quarter of a century before his death, was a native of county Armagh, Ireland, and was the son of a physician of much note. He was also the grandson of an Irish lord, but the doctor having married against the wishes of his father, was dis- charged and disowned. At the age of 18 Hugh came to the United States, but not until about 1869 did he reside in Owego, having previously lived at Montrose. He was employed at the Central House barns about ten years, then himself bought and carried on
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a barn two years. In 1867 he became landlord of the Exchange Hotel, with which he was connected until his death, October 12, 1884. Hugh Dugan is well and favorably remembered in Owego. His beginning in life was humble and he had many obstacles to overcome ; but overcome them he did, and rose to be a man gen- erally respected. Mr. Dugan was twice married, his first wife being Orpha Brown, by whom he had one son, John, now in Bing- hamton. He married with Janette Henderson in 1863. Their only child was Charles B. Dugan, now proprietor of the Dugan House in Owego, and of the Hotel Crandall in Binghamton. On December 23, 1888, Charles B. Dugan married with Caroline A. Phillips. They reside at Binghamton.
SCOTT HARRIS, who for thirty and more years has been identified with business interests in Owego, was a native of Susquehanna county, Pa., born May 30, 1830. At the age of 21 he began busi- ness life in the employ of the now-called Erie railroad, in the ca- pacity of brakeman and conductor, continuing about fifteen years when, in the spring of 1866, he became partner with John Barre in wagon and sleigh making on North avenue, in Owego. After about a year he returned to the road and for eighteen years was express agent. For four years beginning in 1888 Mr. Harris was partner with J. L. Matson as undertakers and furniture dealers. In 1895 the present firm of Fairchild & Harris, general shoe dealers was formed. Whether in the store, on the street, or at home, Scott Harris is the same genial, companionable person, and one upon whom nearly seventy years of active life have left no serious mark. In politics he is a republican, and has been twice a mem- ber of the village board of health. For many years he has been a member and trustee of the M. E. church. On December 3, 1857, Mr. Harris was married with Phebe Lamb. Three children have been born of this marriage, of whom two are living ; William, of New York, and Frederick P., of Owego, both employes of the Erie railroad company.
SAMUEL F. FAIRCHILD was born in Guilford, N. Y., July 20, 1832, and lived on a farm until about 25 years old when he went west.
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After a year and a half he returned and came to Owego in 1860, from which time he has been in some manner identified with its business life ; first with the railroad company, then as clerk for Luce & Anthony, on Lake street, and afterward he opened a hat, cap and fur store for James Wilson, with whom he was connected until 1888 ; later for another proprietor until 1893, when he went into the coal business. In 1895 he became partner with Mr. Harris, dealer in boots and shoes. Mr. Fairchild is a straight, firm republican, but has held no office other than member of the local health board. He has been married three times ; first with Seressa M. Hedges, of Newark Valley ; second with Janette Hooker, and in 1889 with M. Augusta Townley, widow of R. A. Allen.
GEORGE PLATT, son of Nehemiah Platt, was born March 17, 1834, in the village of Nichols. He was educated at the public schools in Nichols. He left school upon the death of his father at the age of seventeen years and worked the old farm for his mother. He remained there until at the age of twenty-two he went to Lynn county, Iowa, and engaged for four years in farming. He re- turned east and went to Rattlesnake Run, Clinton county, Pa., where for eight years he was engaged in the lumber business. In 1871 he came to Owego, where he has since resided. On March 13, 1856, he was married to Sabina Hill, a daughter of Oren H. Hill, of the town of Tioga. She was born January 23, 1837. Mrs. Platt attended the academy in Owego, later studied medicine, and be- came a noted specialist in the treatment of cancers. Her life ended in Owego, October 4, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Platt had one child, Hattie Louise, born October 26, 1864. She was married in Decem- ber, 1886, to Edward Darrow, of Owego, and has one child, William Henry Darrow. Mr. Platt is a member of Owego Lodge, No. 54, Knights of Honor.
FAYETTE S. CURTIS, eldest child of Allen and Catherine Cook (Steele) Curtis, was born December 16, 1846. The Curtis and Steele families are of early New England stock, Henry Curtis, the emigrant and first American ancestor of this line, coming to America from Stratford-on-Avon in 1643. He located at Wind-
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sor, Conn .; was married in 1646, moved to Northampton, Mass., in 1653, where he died in 1661. Allen Curtis, born in July, 1812. was the youngest of twelve children of Samuel Curtis, who mar- ried Olive Fowler in 1789, and came to Tioga county in 1823 from Stockbridge, Mass. Allen was a merchant and farmer. He mar- ried his wife Catherine (born 1819) in 1842. Their children were Fayette S., George Henry and Kate Steele Curtis. George Kel- logg Steele, born 1778, married Catherine Cook, born 1786, and Catherine Cook Steele (Mrs. Allen Curtis) was the fifth of their seven children. Fayette Curtis, educated at district and private schools and Owego Academy, in 1873 began business life as a rod- man on the Albany & Susquehanna railroad. After eighteen months' service as rodman and transit man, he attended a com- mercial college in New York for several months, and in 1865 en- tered the employ of the Southern Central railroad, then extending between Owego and Albany. In 1868 he was assistant engineer in making surveys for the town of Morrisania, now embraced in New York. A few months later he was an assistant engineer engaged in locating the Lake Ontario railroad between Oswego and Niagara. About 1870, he, in the same capacity, was making surveys for streets, etc., in what is now New York city. In 1871 he was assistant engineer of the New York & Harlem railroad, but was soon employed in the same capacity by the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. in locating a line from New Rochelle to New York. When this work was accomplished, he was again (in November, 1871) employed by the New York & Harlem railroad to make sur- veys and plans for eliminating its grade crossings through New York city, and on what was later called the "Fourth Avenue Im- provement." After the plans were made Mr. Curtis was engaged in the construction of this work, first as principal assistant engi- neer, and later as chief engineer, until its completion in 1876. From this time he was in the employ of the New York Central until 1882, when he received the responsible appointment of chief engineer of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. This position he now holds. Mr. Curtis married in October, 1872, Miss Mary Justine Bishop. Children : Wallace Bishop, Mary Justine and George Henry.
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FRANK M. BAKER is the son of John D. Baker, and was born in Owego March 26, 1846. He was educated in the village schools, and afterward entered and graduated from Ames's business univer- sity in Syracuse. For a short time thereafter he worked as ap- prentice to the carpenter's trade with his father, but this work being distasteful he abandoned mechanical labor, and in Febru- ary, 1864, entered the Erie railroad freight office as clerk under John C. Worthington. While chief clerk in this office he was appointed station agent of the Southern Central railroad, Septem- ber 1, 1872. He resigned his position November 1, 1882, to become general superintendent of the Addison & Northern Pennsylvania railroad. He filled this position with ability until December 17, 1896, when he was appointed by Gov. Morton a railroad commis- sioner of the state of New York, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Michael Rickard. and was reappointed by Gov. Black. Mr. Baker has always been greatly interested in village affairs. He was a member of the board of trustees in 1873, 1874, 1876, 1879 and 1880, and president of the village in 1877. He also served three years as one of the village school commissioners, to which office he was elected in 1881. He has also taken great interest in fire matters. He served three years as president of the board of trus- tees of the Owego fire department, and was chief engineer in 1881 ; and he was instrumental in organizing the New York state fire- men's association, of which he was secretary front 1874 to 1884, inclusive, and president in 1884 and 1885. In 1893 he was the leading spirit in the organization of the Central New York volun- teer firemen's association, of which he has been president since its organization. While superintendent of the Addison & Pennsyl- vania railroad, Mr. Baker was from 1887 to 1891 also in charge of the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba railroad, as agent and receiver. He also spent the winter of 1894 and 1895 in Georgia, where he con- structed the Darien & Western railroad, of which he was general manager. In 1895, he was appointed by Gov. Morton a member of the commission to represent the state of New York at the cot- ton states' exposition at Atlanta, Ga., and was subsequently chosen treasurer of the commission. In 1895, he established his son, George H. Baker, in the hardware business in Owego, in
W. A. Ferguson & Co.
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company with George S. Chatfield, and after Mr. Chatfield's death, in 1896, he purchased his interest in the business, and the firm is now known as Frank M. Baker & Son.
COL. EUGENE BUELL GERE, son of Isaac B. and Adaline B. (Drake) Gere, was born December 4, 1841, at Havana, N. Y. His early education was attained in the Owego academy. He studied law in Owego in the office of Warner, Tracy & Walker, and graduated from the Albany law school in May, 1861, after which time, in 1861, he enlisted in the 5th New York cavalry, and was a second and first lieutenant in Company G of that regiment. In a cavalry charge at Orange C. H., Virginia, August 2, 1862, he was shot through the left shoulder. He served till the latter part of the year, 1862, participating in a number of engagements, but owing to exposures, was obliged to return to his Owego home, where he remained a few months and then raised Company B, of the 21st New York Cavalry, and remained in the service until after the close of the war. He practiced law in Owego 16 years. Mr. Gere was justice of the peace in the town of Owego for five years, dis- trict-attorney of Tioga county for three years, and member of as- sembly in the legislatures of 1876 and 1877. He was frequently a delegate to state, congressional, and county conventions. He de- livered many addresses on publie occasions, especially on Decora- tion days and on the Fourth of July. He was for nearly six years the editor and proprietor of the Owego Daily and Weekly Blade. On June 18, 1867, he was married with Emily A. Truman, daughter of Lyman and Emily M. (Goodrich) Truman. Mr. and Mrs. Gere now make Owego their summer home, and spend their winters near Bealton, Fauquier county, Virginia, on a large farm where they have Jersey cattle and speedy horses.
HENRY YOUNG, who will be remembered with feelings of respect on the part of the older element of Owego's population, and who will also be recalled as one of the most thrifty and forehanded farmers of that town, was a native of England, living not far from the city of Bristol. He was placed in an agricultural school at the age of five years and remained there until he was graduated there-
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from. He married twice, but his first wife bore him no children. He was 40 years old when he came to this country, in 1821, and he brought with him an excellent education, a good supply of im- proved farming implements, and a fair sum in cash to make a be- ginuing in the region so new to him. The farm which he bought and settled upon in 1824, and built up and improved so well was called the "Hickories," and is now owned by George Young of Owego village. On this farm Henry Young, the settler, showed himself a successful agriculturist, a man of thorough un- derstanding on general subjects, and here, too, he did his literary work as contributor to agricultural papers. Here he also died, September 3, 1865. Mr. Young's first wife was Elizabeth Thomas. His second wife was Elizabeth Cullmore, by whom he had two sons, Henry and George Young. George Young was born March 11, 1834, and was always a farmer in Owego until he removed to the village ; but he still owns and has worked the old farm at the "Hickories," so long the home of his father. Mr. Young came to the village in 1889. He was married December 24, 1862, with Sarah Pauline, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Mersereau) Catlin. Their children were Juanita, wife of Chester Comstock ; Anna Maria, wife of Dr. G. B. Lewis, and Fanny Pauline Young. In politics Mr. Young is an earnest and active republican, and has held the office of assessor since 1892. All his family are members of the Presbyterian church.
GEORGE S. NICHOLS, dairy farmer, son of Justus and Cerene (Smith) Nichols, was born September 22, 1863, on Mutton Hill, town of Owego. Justus Nichols, his father, born July 24, 1831, on Mutton Hill, is the only surviving child of Simeon and Esther (Fairbanks) Nichols. On March 9, 1855, Justus was married with Cerene, daughter of Benjamin and Lucy (Goodenow) Smith. She was born at Apalachin, N. Y., February 8, 1837, and died in Owego, April 16, 1897. They had six children ; Lucy E., George S., Charles H., Andy L., Gertie A., wife of B. F. Dodge, and Leila H., wife of John J. Anderson. George S. Nichols lived with his parents on the farm on the south side of the river, two miles east of the village of Owego, until five years ago, when, on April 20,
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TOWN OF OWEGO.
1892, he was married with Helena, daughter of John and Sarah (Rowe) Yates. Mrs. Nichols was born February 2, 1870.
WHEELER STEDMAN, son of Lyman T. and Polly (Joslin) Sted- man, was born at Flemingville June 4, 1848. He was educated in the district schools of Flemingville and studied a year in the Owego academy. He left school when 16 years of age and worked with his father on the farm until 1871 when he started farming for him- self about five miles south of Owego on the Montrose turnpike. He worked on several farms until 1873 when he returned to his father's farm and remained until 1879 when he purchased 80 acres of timber land of the old Camp farm in Newark Valley. He then engaged in the lumber business in partnership with J. C. Brownell for 12 years. Mr. Stedman then returned to Flemingville and located in his pleasant home and became a dealer in hay, feed and produce and also coal. He served one term as town commissioner from 1885 to 1888. On March 8, 1870, Mr. Stedman was married with Jennie M. Reed, a daughter of James and Elnora (Fox) Reed. She was born December 4, 1850, near Apalachin. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman have one daughter, Stella I, born September 11, 1881.
JOHN JONES was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, January 29, 1833. He came to America at the age of 8 years with his parents locating in Susquehanna county, Pa. Mr. Jones was educated in the district schools of his adopted home and later in the Owego academy. On leaving school he returned home and worked at farming for several years, and in 1865, came to Owego and entered in partnership with Michael Bergin as a grocer. In 1882 he sold his Owego interests and entered the lumbering busi- ness at Nanticoke, Pa., which he continues to-day. Mr. Jones still retains his Owego home. He has taken much interest in the affairs of this village, and was at one time its "mayor" and has been also trustee. He also served one term as town supervisor. On November 24, 1864, he was married with Emma Cooper, daughter of Robert and Ann (Steanberg) Cooper, of Warren Center, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one child, Grace, the wife of George S. Tarbell, of Ithaca, N. Y.
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