USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 57
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REV. FATHER RYAN, Pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church at Owego, was born October 25, 1847, in County Kearney, Ireland. He came to this country when fourteen and lived with an uncle at Milwaukee, Wis., where he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Francis de Stael's school. In 1865, he went to the Niagara Falls university, completed his theological course and was ordained by Bishop Ryan in 1871. His first pastorate was as an assistant to Father Clark in the Catholic church at Elmira. He remained six months, and was transferred to assist the Vicar- General, Father Gleason, at Buffalo. A half year later he took charge of the Cauba at Allegany, St. Bonaventure college. Six months later he became pastor of the Catholic church at Addison, where he remained five years. He has also had pastorates at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county and at Watkins Glen ; at Wat- kins he remained fifteen years, and came to Owego in 1893, the successor to Father Johnson. On June 3, 1896, at Owego, Father Ryan celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination. It was a brilliant event in the life of this devoted divine. The church was beautifully decorated and the ceremonies, conducted by old friends prominent in the Catholic clergy, were very impressive. Among the eminent clergymen present were Rev. Dr. Quigley of Buffalo and Rev. Dr. McHale, President of Niagara university.
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IRVING J. DELAVAN, produce and stock dealer at Owego, was born April 27, 1834, at Willett, Cortland county, N. Y., a son of Charles and Maria (Adams) Delavan. Mr. Delavan was educated in the common schools of his native village and at the academy at Cincinnatus, Cortland county. After leaving school, he worked with his father on the farm and remained there until 1874, when he came to Owego and engaged in buying and selling general pro- luce and live stock. Mr. Delavan was married November 16, 1868, with Eleanor A. Newcomb, a daughter of Samuel E. and Emily (Tyler) Newcomb, of Cortland county. She was born March 3, 1848, at Willett, and was educated in the academy at Cortland and Barton seminary at Binghamton. Mr. and Mrs. Delevan have two children ; Emma Tyler, born March 16, 1880, and Bertha New- comb, born January 27, 1882.
LUCIEN HORTON, son of Homer and Jane (Davidge) Horton, was born at Bethel, Sullivan county, N. Y., December 14, 1836. Mr. Horton was reared and educated at Liberty Falls in Sullivan county. He left there in 1858. He entered business with Mr. John Davidge under the firm name of Davidge, Horton & Co., and operated a tannery in Pennsylvania. He came to Berkshire in this county in 1865 when the firm purchased the T. C. Bidwell & Co.'s tannery at Berkshire, and remained there until his death on Nov- ember 10, 1892. Mr. Horton was twice married. His first mar- riage, on November 12, 1861, was with Harriet Burr, a sister of Mrs. John Davidge. She was born August 21, 1836. They had seven children. In 1885 Mr. Horton married Alathea Ball, daughter of Asa and Esther (Manning) Ball, of Berkshire. By this union there were two children. Since 1895 Mrs. Horton has re- sided with her children at Binghamton, N. Y.
FRED HAMILTON, optician, son of Joel A. and Sarah E. (Taylor) Hamilton, was born April 5, 1873, at Halsey Valley, Tioga county. Joel A., born November 30, 1833, was a son of Thomas A. and Sally Hamilton. Joel Hamilton is a contractor and builder, and resides at Owego. Mrs. Hamilton, wife of Joel, was born in 1830 at Enfield, Tompkins county, and came to this county with her
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parents when a child, and was married with Joel Hamilton on February 10, 1858. Fred came to Owego with his parents, and his education was attained in the Owego public schools. In 1887 he left school and entered the employ of W. A. Lawrence, jeweler and optician, and four years later he purchased a half interest in the firm. In January, 1896 (on the death of Mr. Lawrence), Mr. Hamilton became sole proprietor of the business. On October 1, 1896, Mr. Hamilton married Harriett E., daughter of Edwin and Sarah F. Bush, of Lansing, Tompkins county. They live on a small farm just east of Owego village. Mr. Hamilton is a mem- ber, and also the assistant foreman, of the Owego hook and ladder fire company, and also of Ahwaga Tribe, No. 40, I. O. of R. M.
GEORGE S. HANSELL was born February 11, 1841, at Philadel- phia, Pa., a son of William S. and Elenor (Forde) Hansell. Mr. Hansell was educated in the public schools of his native city, and later under a private instructor. He entered business with his father, under the firm name of William S. Hansell & Sons, leather and harness manufacturers. In 1879 Mr. Hansell removed to Owego, where he has since resided. He was married August 7, 1873, with Laura W. Storrs, a daughter of Aaron Putnam and Frances Abigail (Camp) Storrs. She was born at Owego January 10, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Hansell have one son, Francis Storrs Han- sell, born May 5, 1874. He is a graduate of Owego academy, of the class of '90, and also of Cornell university, taking the degree of Ph. B. in the class of '96.
ISAAC W. GROESBECK, son of John N. and Sarah (Becker) Groes- beck, was born September 28, 1822, in the town of Owego, one- half mile south of the village, on the Montrose turnpike. His father, a farmer of Dutch ancestry, was born in Washington county, N. Y. He moved with his parents when a child to Rens- selaer county, where he lived until April, 1822, when he came to Tioga county, accompanied by his wife and five children. He purchased and located on what is now the Archibald farm on the turnpike. Eight years later he sold that place and bought a large tract opposite Hiawatha island, on the south bank of the Susque-
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hanna. This farm has been the homestead of the family and occupied by Isaac W., the younger son, for sixty-six years. He inherited a portion of the old farm, and by hard work and careful saving has added to the old place, accumulating in all over two hundred acres, which he has divided among his children. Isaac Groesbeck, on January 7, 1851, was married with Sophia Pro- basco, born March 1, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia Pro- basco. Mrs. Groesbeck came to Tioga county with her parents from Port Jervis, N. J., about 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Groesbeck have three children, Charles H., William E. and Theodore, all now living near the old home. Mr. Groesbeck has always been a republican and has held the offices of pathmaster and school trus- tee. While not a member, he has always been a devout attend- ant of the Methodist church in Owego.
AARON STEELE, agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad at Apalachin, was born at that place January 9, 1835, a son of Ranson and Rebecca (Dean) Steele. Aaron was educated in the public schools at Apalachin and studied at the Owego academy, and afterward took a more advanced course at the Collegiate In- stitute at Towanda, Pa. He left school in 1855 and entered his father's store at Apalachin and was its manager until 1860. On the death of his parents he became proprietor. Mr. Steele remained in Apalachin until 1876, when he removed with his family to Bing- hamton, where they remained one year and returned to their native home. Mr. Steele was appointed postmaster of Apalachin in 1860, succeeding his father, and held that office until 1884. He served one term as town supervisor, elected in 1884. Mr. Steele was married on April 29, 1856, with,Anna C. Camp, a daughter of Asa and Margarette Camp, of Owego. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have nine children ; Mary, Helen Gertrude, Laura A. (Mrs. Frank J. Knapp), Grace R., Clara S. (Mrs. Frank Holmes), Charles R., Ray- mond D., Leonore F., and Florence B. Mr. Steele was appointed agent of the D .. L. & W. railroad at the opening of the Buffalo division in 1880. He is also agent for the Scranton Coal Company and the U. S. Express Co.
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NATHANIEL CATLIN, son of Nathaniel, born September 24, 1796, in New Jersey, came to Tioga county with his parents when very young. The family located three miles below Owego in the town of Nichols. Nathaniel, Jr., married Jane D. Brodhead, and reared six children ; Delinda (Mrs. Benj. F. Tracy), Maria (Mrs. Avery Olmstead), Avery B., Isaac S., George L., and Hannah, deceased. Mrs. Catlin died in 1875 and Mr. Catlin, September 26, 1893.
GEORGE LANE CATLIN, son of Nathaniel (Jr. ) and Jane D. (Brod- head) Catlin, was born in the town of Owego, March 10, 1836. He attended in his youth the district schools and also the academy at Owego. In 1859 he left school and commenced work on his father's farm. In 1869 Mr. Catlin was appointed internal revenue inspector for New York city, an attache of the district attorney's office. . This office he held for two years, returning to his native home in 1871, and for fifteen consecutive years thereafter he was superintendent of Gen. Benj. F. Tracy's stock farm " Marshland." In 1876, and again in 1892, Mr. Catlin was elected justice of the peace at Apalachin. In 1873, he served also as commissioner of highways. Mr. Catlin purchased a farm of 150 acres, on Chestnut ridge, in 1886. Mr. Catlin was married March 30, 1880, with Cora A. Brown, of Towanda, Pa. They have one child, George Brod- head, born December 22, 1890. Mr. Catlin is a member of Tioga county agricultural society, a life member of the New York state agricultural society, and also of Friendship Lodge, F. & A. M., Owego. Mr. and Mrs. Catlin are members of the Methodist church.
RANSOM S. PEARSALL, postmaster at Apalachin, was born in that village, January 23, 1838, a son of Wm. S. and Eliza (Balcom) Pearsall. Mr. Pearsall attended the public schools at Apalachin and also studied in the academies at Owego, Binghamton and at Oxford, N. Y. He started in business at the age of 18 years with his brothers, succeeding his father in the milling business at Ap- alachin. In the spring of 1865 he met with heavy losses by flood and from that time he was engaged in farming and lumber- ing. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace at Apalachin and re-elected in 1888. He was appointed postmaster in 1893. Mr.
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Pearsall was married on February 22, 1865 with Adaline V. Billings, a daughter of Clinton and Ann (Bronson) Billings. She was born January 1, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall have four children ; Grace L., born December 20, 1865 ; William C., born January 22, 1868 ; Anna L., born June 27, 1871, wife of Edgar S. Lane of Apalachin ; and Emily G., born July 15, 1879. Mr. Pearsall is a member of Els-Kwa-Ta-Wa Tribe, No. 261, I. O. R. M. of Apalachin.
JAMES HOLMES, son of John and Evaline Holmes, of Apalachin was born in that village December 8, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of Apalachin and in 1862 attended Eastman's business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1865 he started in life in the mercantile business at Apalachin which he continued until 1869. Mr. Holmes traveled in the west for two years and on his return in 1872 received an appointment in the New York State Insurance Department at Albany. He continued in that office until 1882 and in 1884 went west to South Dakota where he remained two years. On his return to Apalachin in 1885 he entered exten- sively in the lumbering and milling business which he continues to-day. In the fall of 1885 he was elected commissioner of high- ways and served until 1891. Mr. Holmes was postmaster of the state senate at Albany in 1890 and 1891. On May 1895, he was appointed state fish and game protecter which office he now holds. Mr. Holmes is a member of Friendship Lodge, F. & A. M., at Owego, and of Els-Kwa-Ta-Wa Tribe, I. O. R. M. of Apalachin. On September 10, 1869, he was married with Louise Camp, a daughter of Asa and Margarette Camp, of Owego. Mrs. Holmes was born February 21, 1847.
RANSOM S. HOLMES, superintendent of General Benj. F. Tracy's stock-farm "Marshland," was born at Apalachin, January 13, 1855, a son of Stephen and Susan (Jewett) Holmes. Stephen Holines was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1812 and came to Tioga county with his parents when a young man. On December 31, 1845, he married Miss Clarinda Morey, of Orwell, Pa. She died in 1849. Their only surviving child, John Holmes, Jr., resides in Apalachin. He was a farmer and about 1850 was proprietor of
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the Exchange hotel at Apalachin. His second marriage occurred on October 13, 1853, with Susan W. (Hilton) Jewett, born April 29, 1824, a daughter of John and Anna (Kelly) Jewett. They had two children ; Lydia Hilton, born July 16, 1849, and Ransom S. Mr. Holmes died in 1875. Ransom was educated in the public schools at Apalachin. At the age of twenty-one, he commenced farming for himself, which occupation he continued until 1889, when he became superintendent of the Marshland stock-farm. He was married April 27, 1884, with Nettie E. Giles, daughter of John S. and Martha (Glover) Giles. She was born August 31, 1868, at Apalachin. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have had three children, one surviving ; Marcia S., born November 14, 1884, died August 4, 1885 ; Dora A., born February 1, 1889 ; and Lancy J., born March 10, 1892, died May 16, 1892 .. Mr. Holmes is a member of Els-Kwa- Ta-Wa Tribe, No 261, I. O. R. M., at Apalachin.
CHARLES P. DOBLE, stock dealer and trainer at Apalachin, was born at Trenton, N. J., July 27, 1855, a son of William H. and Lina Doble. His father was the proprietor of an extensive stock farm and owner of many noted fast horses. Mr. Doble at an early age left school and entered business on his father's farm. Devoted to the horse, he soon became a proficient driver, and at the age of fifteen years began business for himself as a trainer of trotting horses. In this capacity, and in company with his brother, Budd Doble, he has had in bis care some of the fastest trotting horses of the present age. In 1875 Mr. Doble canie to Tioga county, locat- ing at Apalachin, where he became trainer of the fast horses of Gen. Benj. F. Tracy's Marshland stock farm. He remained there eight years, when he removed to Owego. Two years later he went west with his brother, Budd Doble, remaining six years. Returning to Apalachan in 1895, he opened a stable and began training a large string of horses. On April 30, 1882 Mr. Doble was married with Mary M. Dingman, daughter of Abram and Adaline (Hill) Dingman, of Campville. She was born March 3, 1857, at Campville. Mr. Doble is a member of Friendship lodge, No. 153. F. & A. M., of Owego, N. Y., and Els-Kwa-Ta-Wa tribe, No. 261. I. O. R. M., of Apalachin.
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DEAN .- From Den or Dene has arisen the surname Deane. A Den was the Saxon appellation for a depression or narrow valley below the level of the surrounding country. There are many such de- pressions in County Devon and Somerset. The name is preserved in Taunton Dean, etc., and the Deanes of that valley showed their pride in that fertile locality by the saying, "Where should I be born else than in Taunton Dean ?" The Deanes had lived for cen- turies in and near Taunton, Somersetshire, England ; from which place John and Walter Deane, brothers, emigrated to Taunton, Mass., in 1637. They were made freemen of Plymouth colony in 1638. Walter was prominent in town affairs and a representative to the general court. He was a tanner, and tanning has been car- ried on by members of the family for many generations. Walter Deane, (1) born in Chard, near Taunton. England, between 1615 and 1620, married Eleanor, daughter of Richard Strong, of Taun- ton, England. Their third son, Benjamin Deane (2), married 1680- 81, January 6, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Gilbert) Wil- liams, of Taunton, Mass. Their second son, Benjamin Deane (3), born July 31, 1699, at Taunton, married Zipporah Deane, a great- granddaughter of John Deane the emigrant. Their second son, Isaac Dean (4), born about 1735, at Taunton, Mass., married Rachel Staples. In the revolutionary archives in Boston this Isaac Dean appears as corporal and sergeant with service done his country in 1775-1778 and 1779. In this generation the "e" is dropped from the name, though the Deanes of Taunton yet retain the original spelling. Isaac Dean (5), second son of Isaac and Rachel Dean, born 1781, February 12, in Taunton, Mass., moved to Berkshire county and there married Roby, daughter of Simeon and Esther (Mason) Martin, 1804, May 28. Isaac Dean afterward made Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., his home, and there carried on the traditional business of tanning. Among his children were twins, Horatio Nelson Dean (6) and Alanson Porter Dean (6), born 1812, February 19. Horatio continued his father's business in Adams, and Alanson had a tannery for many years in Cheshire, Mass., from which place he came to Owego, and September 15, 1862, purchased from Elihu Parmenter the property since known as "Dean's Tannery." Alanson P. Dean (6), married Caroline M.
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Wood, 1835, May 7. Their children born in Cheshire were ; Ellen (Mrs. Stephen Crandall) ; Morton, of Pittsfield, Mass .; Burdette, now of Buffalo, N. Y .; Elmora (Mrs. George A. King), of Owego ; Sumner, of Owego; Lydia (Mrs. John Carlson), of Owego ; and Caroline Dean, now living with her mother in Owego. Alanson P. Dean died in Owego July 28, 1888, and was buried in Cheshire. H. Nelson Dean was married October 6, 1835, in Adams, to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Merey (Slocum) Bowen. He died in Owego August 8, 1872. Their children (7th gen.) were ; Mary Celestia; Ransom Bowen Dean, died in Adams May 2, 1889, and was buried in Owego ; Isaac Nelson Dean, now a resident of Clark, Dak .; Anna M., who lives in Owego with her mother, Mrs. Mary Dean ; and Samuel Sayles (died young). Mary Celestia Dean, No- vember 16, 1858, married Thomas S. Arnold, esq., of Herkimer, N. Y., son of Nathan Arnold, of Fairfield, N. Y., and had a daugh- ter, Etta M. Arnold. Thomas S. Arnold was in the 121st New
York infantry in the civil war, serving as first lieutenant, adju- tant and captain. He was wounded at the battle of Fredericks- burg and died May 19, 1863, at Potomac creek hospital. Decem- ber 28, 1880, his widow married Hon. Charles A. Clark, of Owego. H. Nelson Dean and son Ransom B. Dean, on October 29, 1869, purchased the Owego tannery property of Alanson P. Dean, and soon moved his family from Adams to Owego, leaving Ransom B. Dean in charge of the business in Massachusetts. The H. N. Dean & Son tannery property now belongs to E. M. Arnold, and the business is carried on in her name.
LEONARD, the name is Saxon, and was spelled in the sixth cen- tury as now. The Leonard family have been identified with Owego since pioneer days. In 1651, James and Henry Leonard came with the Second Winthrop to Massachusetts. Here, at Lynn, Braintree, and Taunton, they entered into iron industries. They were an "iron " family by training, coming from Pontypool, in Wales (Monmouthshire). The Leonards are of the family of Lennard, Lord Dacre. They bear the same arms and motto, viz : "Three fleur de lys, on a red band, upon a golden shield." The crest is a wolf-dog's head, and the motto, " Pour bien desirer." The present
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baron in England is Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, of "Belhus," Avely, Essex. Mr. Henry Barrett-Lennard, of Well Walk, Hemp- stead, London, is of the same family. The Owego Leonards are descended from the Tannton progenitors thus : Thomas, of Ponty- pool, England ; James, born 1610, James, born 1643, Stephen, born 1680, died 1743, of Taunton, Mass .; Joshua, born 1724, of New Jersey, died 1760 ; Silas, born 1756, Whippany, N. J .; Stephen Banks, born 1793 ; William Boardman, 1st., born 1821; Lewis Hermon, born 1850; William Boardman, 2d., born 1874. The elder Leonard, Silas, born at Whippany, N. J., 1756, came to Owego in 1813 from New York city, and here on April 15, 1793, was born Stephen Banks Leonard. Silas Leonard, a manufacturer of leather goods, was of dignified presence and esteemed for his piety. He was blind during the last years of his life. His son, while quite a youth, went to Albany and in the Argus learned type setting. His fellow compositor was Thurlow Weed, and they be- came fast friends for life. He later engaged in printing and news- paper publication in Owego, which he continued for twenty-two years (see page 198). He purchased land on the river and built a residence on the site now occupied by Mr. C. Campbell. From March 11, 1816, to May 15, 1820, he was postmaster, also from No- vember 20, 1844, to April 18, 1849. He purchased the stage and post routes to Binghamton, Norwich, Penn Yan, Bath, and other points. He was an active and interested free mason and held high positions in the craft. On February 22, 1818, he married Esther Henrietta Sperry, a half-sister of William, Nathan, Anson, and Hermon Camp. Their children were ; Willian Boardman, Her- mon Camp, Henrietta, George Sperry, Emily Caroline, Washing- ton Irving, and Laura Ann. Mr. Leonard was a public spirited citizen. He aided in obtaining the incorporation of the academy. He went to Albany and secured grants of books and founded the Owego public library, and in other ways toiled for the development of Owego. In 1835 he was elected a member of congress and served until 1841. A fluent and graceful speaker, preparing his addresses with much care, his influence became potent in his large congressional distriet, which reached from Pennsylvania to the lake. He was honored with handsome appointments, and retired
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from congress with credit. On his return to Owego he engaged in farming, and here, at the "Locusts," east of the village, he lived for some years. Returning to the village he purchased the residence on Main street where his daughters now dwell. His venerable figure was well known by all in the streets. He was a model gentleman, and his urbanity was a frequent subject of re- mark. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard were consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Stephen Banks Leonard and Esther Heu- rietta, his wife, died in Owego, and they are buried in the ceme- tery adjoining the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM BOARDMAN LEONARD, oldest son of Stephen Banks and Esther Henrietta Leonard, was born at Owego on June 17, 1821, in the house now standing immediately in rear of Mr. C. Campbell's house. He was prepared for college at the Owego academy, but at 17 years of age went to Trumansburg, and became a member of his uncle Hermon Camp's household, and a clerk in his estab- lishment. Here he remained till he was 27 years old, when he be- came a salesman in New York. He soon went to Albany and en- tered the state auditor's office. Completing his term of work, he again returned to New York and with his brother-in-law, Ben- jamin Pomeroy, established the mercantile house of Pomeroy & Leonard, and later became successively a partner in the large dry- goods jobbing houses of Hurlburt & Sweetser, Hurlburt, Van Valk- enburg & Co., and P. Van Valkenburg & Co. Some years after he founded the commission house of Leonard, Rhodes & Grosvenor, and then the house of Leonard & Farrington. After the close of the civil war in 1865, Mr. Leonard retired from mercantile pur- suits, and founded the banking house of Leonard, Sheldon & Foster. It became a powerful financial office, changing its title to Leonard, Sheldon & Co., and, later, when Mr. Leonard gave up active pursuits, to Decker, Howell & Co. While in business Mr. Leonard was a director in important institutions. He was one of the founders of the American Surety Co., a director in the bank of North America, the founder and president of the Kings County bank in Brooklyn, vice president of the society for protecting chil- dren, and was president of the Homeopathic hospital of Brooklyn
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tinguished for steadfastness of purpose and unfaltering adherence to principle the unflinching Covenanters of Scotland and the staunch Puritans of New England. He early developed, and sus- tained through life, the indomitable fixedness of purpose and the intense conscientiousness and devotion to the right, which were his by inheritance, and which characterized his every action. He was prepared for college at the Ridgebury and Goshen academies, but delicate health prevented the continuance of his course of study. He came with his father to Waverly in 1850, a lad of sev- enteen, and was soon employed in the old Waverly bank ; and his financial education was continued in the Chemung Canal bank at Elmira, and in the First National bank of the same place. In 1864 Mr. Elmer organized the First National bank of Waverly, was its cashier until 1868, then its president for the remainder of his life. He married in October, 1865, Miss Sarah P. Perkins, daughter of the late George A. Perkins, of Athens, Pa. Waverly was his chosen residence, and there his name was closely identified with the leading religious, benevolent and business projects of this sec- tion. He had a genius for the successful management of difficult enterprises, and while a man of varied and responsible affairs, no department of business was of more absorbing interest to him, nor evidenced more fully his superior executive ability and foresight, than the founding, building and developing of Sayre, Pa., now a railroad centre of importance and one of the most prosperous man- ufacturing points of northern Pennsylvania. This is situated just south of the New York state line, comprises a portion of the old estate of Mrs. Elmer's grandfather, the late John Shepard, and lies in the beautiful Susquehanna valley, midway between the vil- lages of Waverly and Athens. Mr. Elmer had great faith in the geographical advantages of the territory, and conceived the idea of building a town at the junction of the Lehigh Valley and the Southern Central railroads, and making it the terminus of the two northern railroads then running to Athens, and in 1870 he asso- ciated with himself the late Charles L. Anthony, of New York city, the late James Fritcher and the late Richard A. Elmer (his brother) of Waverly, and purchased the Morley, Hopkins and W. H. Thomas farms, containing 321 acres, and commenced his work.
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