USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 65
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689
WAVERLY AND TOWN OF BARTON.
ters. Charles Bingham, Jr., son of the above mentioned Charles, was born in Barton on April 9, 1803. Brought up a lumberman and farmer, he married Anna M. Davis, daughter of David, and settled at the place that is now Lockwood. Here he built one of the first sawmills of the section and did extensive lumbering as well as farming. He was an old-time whig and later a republican, and both he and his wife were prominent members of the Metho- dist church. Their children were Mary J. (Mrs. Bernard Camp- bell), of Roberts, Wis., Jefferson, Aun E. (Mrs. Rev. Lafayette Ketchum), George W., and Edmund J. Bingham.
GEORGE W. BINGHAM was born August 9, 1842, and, passing his youthful years on the farm and at school, he was an early respon- dent to our country's call to arms, enlisting on October 1, 1861, in Co. H., 10th N. Y. Cav., and was in active service with his regi- ment until mustered out on January 7, 1865. Five years later, on July 5, 1870, he married Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Mary Innoff, and settled at Lock wood, where, with his brother, Edmund J., he has been engaged in lumbering and in merchandising. Mr. Bingham is a member of the G. A. R. and a valued Odd Fellow, holding membership in Waverly societies. His children are Jessie D., Fred, Clara A., Joseph I., Mary A., George, Harry, and Sam- uel D. Bingham.
EDMUND J. BINGHAM, also son of Charles Bingham, Jr., was born March 24, 1851, received a good common school education, and married on March 24, 1877, Elizabeth K., daughter of Miles C. and Mary A. Smith. Mr. Bingham has wielded much influence in local affairs and his judgment in all practical matters is of weight in the community. He has successfully conducted various kinds of bus- iness, lumbering, milling, farming and merchandising, and holds the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Bingham and his brother, George W., are the proprietors of the Bingham mills. Mr. Bing- ham has six children : Addie L., James B., Marion M., Arthur G., Laura A. (deceased), and John L. Bingham.
WILLIS C. EDGERTON, son of Caleb and Angelica (Lamberton) Edgerton, was born in Granby, Conn., on September 20, 1850.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Coming to Waverly in 1869 he learned the blacksmith's trade, mar- ried Alice, daughter of Gideon and Nancy (Brown) Cassady, in 1872, and located at Lockwood as a blacksmith and a dealer in ag- ricultural implements. In addition to these he conducts a meat market and a hardware store. Mr. Edgerton is prominent in so- ciety work, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is district deputy of the Odd Fellows' fraternity in Tioga county. He has two children, Lillian M. and Olive A. Edgerton.
TOWN OF SPENCER.
ISAAC S. STANCLIFT, who came to Spencer in 1844 to peddle goods for Lucius Emmons, and who, from that to the present time has been an important factor both in village and town history, was a native of Halifax, Windham county, Vt., born February 22, 1825, the son of James Stanclift. The family had formerly lived in Connecticut and thence emigrated to Vermont ; but when Isaac was about fourteen years old his father and family returned to Connecticut, and there Isaac lived until he came to Spencer. He was in Mr. Emmon's employ on the road and in the store for ten or twelve years when in the spring of 1860, Leonard Fisher, Myron B. Ferris and Mr. Stanelift organized the firm of L. Fisher & Co., and from that time to the present, with the changes noted in the chapter on the town of Spencer, Mr. Stanclift has been in active and constant business in the village. He has been otherwise iden- tified with local history ; was supervisor several years ; town clerk fourteen years, and one of the best incumbents of that office in the history of Spencer ; was auditor several years ; village trustee two terms ; member of the board of education for more than seventeen years, and for the last fourteen years president of the board. More than this, he has been identified with every impor- tant measure having for its object the welfare of the town, and
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
in Tioga county politics has been one of the leaders of the demo- cratic party. He was nominated for county treasurer by the dem- ocratic county convention in 1869 or 1870, and, in 1873, he was nominated for member of assembly, but of course was defeated, as were all other democrats in Tioga county. On September 15, 1853, Mr. Stanclift was married with Jane A., the daughter of John Cowell, one of the old and substantial pioneers of Spencer. Five children were born of this marriage of whom three died young. The eldest surviving child was Henry Clay Stanclift, a graduate of Cornell, and who was afterward further educated at Leipsic and Berlin, a graduate of the latter famous institution with a degree of Ph. D. His present position is that of professor of history in the Northwestern university at Evanston, Ill., near Chicago. The daughter, Elizabeth Stanclift, was graduated at Oneonta normal school in 1895, and in September of the next year began teaching in the Binghamton public schools.
S. ALFRED SEELY, to whom belongs the honor of having built up and kept up the business standing of that interesting part of Spencer village which is frequently called Seely Town, has lived in Spencer nearly twenty-five years, but was a native of Newfield. He lived on a farm until about twenty years old, and was educated in the district school and the Ithaca High school. In 1863 Mr. Seely began his business life as lumberman in partnership with his brother, Seymour Seely, their mill being near Elmira. In 1874 the firm removed to Spencer where was purchased from Joshua Tomp- kins and B. Spaulding, a considerable tract of land on the west border of the village. At that time West Hill, as sometimes called, was densely wooded in places and elsewhere covered with "slash- ing." The firm built a good sawmill and began work ; was in active service operation until 1886 and then dissolved, S. Alfred Seely continuing the milling enterprises, which then comprised the large sawmill and a fairly large gristmill. These properties are owned and operated by Mr. Seely at this time, and under him both have been materially enlarged in capacity and output. Mr. Seely is, withal, one of the busiest men in this part of the county ; gen- erous, public-spirited and liberal in every worthy cause. The new
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Grove Hotel, which he built in 1890 is one of the best in the county. As is fully mentioned in the history of the town, Mr. Seely is interested in several other business enterprises than those noted here, and has shown himself in all respects a useful and worthy citizen. These things may and must be said in justice to the man and work he has done for Spencer, and that despite the fact that he is comparatively young and full of business energy. In the county Mr. Seely is also known as an active temperance man, and a devoted member of the Baptist church, having been superinten- dent of the Sunday-school for twenty-one years. November 10, 1880, Mr. Seely was married with Mary S. Williams of Romulus, by whom he has had three children, Grace, Charles and Hart.
SEYMOUR SEELY came to Spencer in 1872 and built the mills which in after years made the name of Seely brothers known all through this part of the state, for their milling and lumbering en- terprises were perhaps the largest in the region and their business was very extensive for many years ; and it was not until 1886 that the firm was dissolved. Seymour Scely took the land and farm interests previously belonging to the firm, while S. Alfred Seely took the mills. But Seymour Seely has proved as successful a farmer as he was mechanic or miller, and he is now the owner of about 1,500 acres of good land in this locality, over all of which he has personal supervision. When 28 years old Mr. Seely met with an accident in his mill and nearly lost his life, and was indeed so seri- ously injured that physical labor has since been virtually impossi- ble. Seymour Seely was born September 11, 1838. and up to the time he became of age worked for his father. He then learned the carpenter trade, worked at it about three years, and in 1863 began lumbering and milling near Elmira. In 1872 the firm of Seely Bros., of which he was the elder, made an extensive pur- chase of land in Spencer and this vicinity and he came to build the mills and begin the work by which the firm built up that part of the village which has been known as Seelyville ; a locality of Spencer in which the greatest amount of business is done. On January 16, 1861, Mr. Seely was married with Frances M. Drake, daughter of Deacon Drake, of Ithaca, of which marriage these children have
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
been born ; Fred, of Spencer ; Carrie, wife of John M. Mosher, of Syracuse, and Nettie, who married with Dr. Thomas C. Wash- burne, of Spencer.
MARVIN D. FISHER, son of Leonard Fisher who is so frequently mentioned in the history of Spencer, was born in this town March 16, 1842. He was educated in the district school and at the age of 12 years began work in his father's store ; and after his schooling was finished he acquired an interest in the business, and from that to the present time he has been known in mercantile life in the village, a prosperous, progressive and successful manager ; and to- day the firm of M. D. Fisher & Sons is known all through this part of the state, and it requires no emphasis when the statement is made that this firm has the largest and best stocked general coun- try store in southern central New York. The present firm was formed in the fall of 1892, but Mr. Fisher's previous business career is so fully stated in the village chapter that repetition is not neces- sary. In addition to his mercantile interests he is an extensive farmer of about 700 acres, and has a dairy of about 40 or 50 cows. More than this, he is regarded as a generous and public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains to the best interests of the town or village. He is one of the strongest democrats in the north part of the county, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. However, he was appointed postmaster in 1885, was out during Mr. Harrison's presidency, but otherwise has held the office to the present time. He was the first president of the bank at Spencer and is now its cashier; has been member of the school board since 1870 ; a member of long standing in the local masonic lodge, and for 25 years a member of the Presbyterian church. On October 16, 1863, Mr. Fisher was married with Susan Catharine Ferris, daughter of Joshua Ferris, of Spencer. Of this marriage six children have been born, the first two of whom died young. The others were Sarah Louisa, wife of George E. Jones ; Myron L., in business with his father ; Henry L., who also is one of the firm, and A. Max Fisher, a student.
MYRON B. FERRIS, son of Joshua H. and Louisa (Fisher) Ferris, and grandson of Joshua Ferris, the pioneer, and first town clerk
694
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
of Spencer, was a native of this town, born April 22, 1835. He was given the benefit of a good elementary education at Ithaca, after which he was for several years clerk in mercantile stores at Owego and Elmira, but at length returned to Spencer and became partner with C. J. Fisher ; and from that time to 1884 he was in some direct manner identified with mercantile life in the village, though with various partners. In 1886 he became connected with the Farmers' and Merchants' bank and is now its assistant cashier though performing all the duties of cashier. In politics Mr. Fer- ris has always been a firm and consistent democrat, and has been frequently called upon to stand as his party's candidate for public office; was supervisor in 1878-81 ; a candidate for member of assembly in 1882 and was beaten by only 27 votes by a candidate as strong as J. B. Floyd. However in 1883 the two were again opposing nominees for the office and Mr. Ferris was elected, and en- joys the distinction of having been one of the very few democratic nominees to be elected to the assembly from Tioga county during the last forty years. On November 12, 1861, Myron B. Ferris was married with Hannah M. Cooper, and to them three children have been born : Nathan B., born March 21, 1863, died October 28, 1896 : Stella, born December 17, 1865, wife of D. C. Durham, of Green- ville, S. C .; and Frank H. Ferris, born September 12, 1869, a grad- uate of Cornell and now a lawyer in Corning.
THOMAS BROCK, president of the bank at Spencer, is one of the best representatives of the essentially'self-made man to be found in either village or town. He was the son of John Brock, an early settler in Spencer, and was born September 30, 1834. His limited early education was acquired in the school at Crumtown, but at the age of about 12 or 14 years he began lumbering at Park station, Schuyler county. At 15 he began buying cattle, not having any ready cash, but his father endorsed for him to the extent of $2, 400 This of course Thomas paid, but upon the start thus given him he has built and enlarged and he is now one of the first men in the town in point of possessions and wealth ; and what is equally im. portant in Mr. Brock's career thus far is the fact that he does not take an unfair advantage of an unfortunate debtor. He is the
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
owner of six good farms, all well stocked and well cultivated, and all under his immediate supervision. His business hours are from five in the morning until bed-time at night. Industry has been the secret of Thomas Brock's success in life. In 1861 he was married with Jerusha Ennis, daughter of Daniel Ennis. They have no children.
DEMSTER N. GUINNIP, president of Spencer village, a native of Tompkins county, born at Dryden, was the son of George Guinnip, a well known cabinet-maker and painter, who came to Spencer in 1856 and lived in the village to the time of his death in 1893. George's children were Dempster N. and Louisa, both now of Spencer. Dempster learned the trade with his father and has always done business in this village. He is known as a generous and public-spirited man, interested in Spencer and the town at large. He is one of the firmest republicans in the village, which is evenly divided politically, yet it is a fact that when Mr. Guinnip is a candidate party lines have been disregarded. He was elected justice, but did not qualify ; was assessor one term, and has been member and secretary of the Spencer board of education for more than seventeen years. In 1861 Dempster N. Guinnip was married with Mary J. Bell, daughter of Robert Bell. They have one child, Helen, wife of Frank Hunnniston, of Owego.
CHARLES JAMES FISHER was born in Spencer, September 20, 1816, and was the son of General George Fisher, the latter one of the foremost of the early settlers, and of whom much is said in the history of the town. Charles was born on the same lot and in the same house in which he now lives. Since 1852 he has been a mer- chant in the village, and is, perhaps, the oldest business man in the town. His stock at first consisted of general dry goods, but about 1866 he began selling drugs. Mr. Fisher has ever been re- garded as a conservative and safe business man, taking no active part in public or political affairs yet much respected in the town for his known upright and honorable qualities. His wife was Aun Elizabeth Carr, of Ithaca, Tompkins county, who came to teach in Spencer in the spring of 1852, and on October 27th of that year
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
they were married. Children : William H., a physician of El- mira ; George P., who removed to Idaho and died there, and Charles L., who died in infancy.
LUCIUS EMMONS was born in Hartford county, Conn., April 3, 1810. He began his business life at Simsbury in 1842, and two years later came to Spencer and opened a store near the site of the Presbyterian church. In 1851 he bought from John A. Nichols the land whereon stands A. S. Emmons' splendid store and estab- lished a business which has been continued to the present time by the founder and his sons in succession. Mr. Emmons was stricken ill in July, 1857, and did little business during the remaining years of his life, but his sons Alfred S. and Lucius E. took his place. He died in Spencer, March 9, 1864, after a busy and well-spent life. His wife was Nancy, daughter of Roger Vose, with whom he married July 4, 1839. Their children were : Sarah F., Alfred S., Louisa M., Lucius E., Charles H., Nancy J. and Cynthia J. Emmons.
ALFRED S. EMMONS, present proprietor of the large business founded by his father, was born June 16, 1842, in Simsbury, Conn., and after his elementary education was completed became a clerk in the store. His whole life has been that of a merchant, but aside from his regular work he has been an active factor in both town and county politics, a thorough republican, though in no sense an office-seeker. He has been a member of the republican county committee nearly ten years, was postmaster of Spencer through Harrison's administration, and has been a member of the Spencer board of education for the past twelve years. On October 23, 1873, Mr. Emmons married with Emma G. Rogers, by whom he has two children, Henry L. and Paul S. Emmons.
FRANK B. SMITH, son of Benjamin Smith, was born at Fleetville, Pa., on April 7, 1863. Coming to Lockwood on May 1, 1882, he there learned telegraphy, and has since pursued that employment for the Lehigh Valley railroad. His first location as an operator was at Geneva, on October 2, 1884. Here he remained four years,
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
then was at Ithaca four years and from there was transferred to Spencer. Here he has had charge of both stations. Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary B. Mosher on April 16, 1885. They have two children, Roy M. and Ruth A. Mr. Smith is a valued member of both Masonic and Odd Fellow societies.
ALBERT LIVERMORE, who since 1884 has been pastor of the Pres- byterian church at Spencer, was born in Spencer, Mass., Septem- ber 3, 1843, and was the second of three children in the family of Lorenzo O. and Chloe D (Bemis) Livermore. Albert was educated at Wesleyan academy at Wilberham, and was graduated at Amherst in 1868. Both before and after graduation Mr. Liver- more taught school, and in the capacity of teacher was connected with some notable institutions. He studied theology at Bangor, Me., and also at Andover Theological seminary, and was graduated at the latter in 1873. Previous, however, to entering the ministry Mr. Livermore had an army experience, having enlisted July 16, 1864, as private in Co. F, 60th Mass. regiment of 100 day volun- teers. He was discharged November 30, 1864. His first pasto- rate was at Miller's Falls, Mass., after which he went west and served in the same capacity in New Richmond, Wis., four years ; at St. Ignace, Mich., and also at Nashville and Williamston in that state until 1885 when he returned east and was called to the pasto- rate of the church at Spencer. On August 9th, 1884, Mr. Liver- more was married with Mrs. Mary E. Austin Bell, widow of Robert Bell and daughter of Alvah Austin, an old resident of Spencer.
GEORGE M. PASHLEY, son of Hiram Pashley, was born in Divid- ing Creek, Cumberland county, N. J., August 22, 1867, and was educated in the schools of his native town. When he was twenty- one years old he entered the printing office of the Eliner (N. J.) Times and there learned the printer's trade. In December, '92 he came to Spencer and purchased the Spencer Needle, established by W. R. Swartout, and is its present editor and proprietor. Mr. Pashley was married in August, 1894, with Bertie N. Goodspeed. Mable Rae Pashley is their only child. Mr. Pashley is an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Owasco Lodge.
698
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
CHARLES E. BUTTS, more familiarly known as Judge Butts, was born in Spencer June 7, 1880, and was the youngest but one of the children of Elihu Butts, the latter an early settler in the town and withal one of the most prominent and worthy men in this part of the county. However, so much is said of Elihu Butts in the history of the town that a repetition of the facts in this place is unnecessary ; and in the history of Spencer village Charles E. Butts is so frequently and extensively mentioned among the old business men that no reproduction of that busy career is needed here. He was brought up in Spencer, attended the district school, and then learned tanning with his father. In 1850, with his brother he took the business, carried it on for three years, then withdrew from the firm and went into mercantile business with C. J. Fisher. From that time to 1870 both in and outside of this county Mr. Butts was actively engaged in business occupations, and was, withal. an extensive and successful manager. He was connected with half a dozen of business houses in Spencer village, was for five years in Owego in mercantile business, and during the war, bought horses and mules for the government. Taken altogether Judge Butts lived a very busy life until he returned to Spencer in 1870 on account of his father's failing health. In 1888 he bought the old, substantial and almost historic John McQuigg farm, situ- ate about a mile west of the village, and here, in one of the most comfortable farm dwellings in the county, and with every neces- sary element of comfort about him, Judge Butts has since lived. In politics he has always been an earnest and active democrat, but his office holdings have been limited to the position of justice of the peace, both by appointment and election. He is generous and public-spirited, and interested in the welfare of the town and vil- lage. The first maple trees were planted by him in front of the Presbyterian church and also in front of his sister's house on Main street. Mr. Butts is one of the directors of the bank in the village. On September 22, 1852, Charles E. Butts was married with Maria S., daughter of Captain Ira Woodford, of Candor. Their three chil- dren were George Frederick, a farmer of Spencer ; Thena J., who married with Rev. James Ryder (now deceased), a native of Not- tinghanı, Eng., and a clergyman of much prominence in the M.
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
E. church ; and Charles E. Butts, Jr., now of Ithaca. Captain Ira Woodford," who is mentioned among the pioneers in Candor, was among the early settlers and a prominent figure. His title came from his connection with the militia. Both he and his wife died in Candor. His wife's name was Parthena Hurlbert, and their children were Susan, who married with Abram Kortright, and died September 30th, 1889 ; Julia, who died in 1874 ; Nathan H., who was sheriff in 1849-52, also a prominent business man and who died in Candor ; Mary W., who married with Orange Booth, and died February 6, 1885 ; John R., a drover and farmer, and who succeeded by purchase to the old home farm ; Diadema, who died unmarried, and Maria S., who became the wife of Charles E. Butts.
JOHN M. Srow, son of Harvey P. and Margaret (Harder) Stow, was born in Windsor, Broome county, N. Y., January 5, 1845. He was educated at the common schools. When a boy he went to Binghamton and learned the cabinet maker's trade. In 1867, he came to Spencer and formed a partnership with Harvey G. Fes- senden, under the firm name of Fessenden & Stow, and carried on undertaking for one and one-half years, when he bought Fessen- den's interest and carried on the business three years alone. He was elected justice of the peace in 1883, and was also appointed to fill a vacancy and was re-elected in 1887. He married Belle Rob- inson, daughter of Dana, of Candor, N. Y. They have three chil- dren, Ethel (wife of A. F. Barrett, of Owego), Harry and Juanita. Mr. Stow is a member of Owasco Lodge, No. 697, I. O. O. F.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DAVIS, M. D., who, since January, 1883, has been a resident practicing physician at Spencer village, but who during that period has built up a remarkable reputation as specialist in the treatment of chronic diseases, and who as a physi- ologist and pathologist stands with the best physicians in the state, was a native of Wisconsin, born at Trenton, Dodge county, May 29, 1851. He was the son of Apollos and Olive Davis, and spent
* Ile was preceded in coming to Candor by his oldest brother, Chauncey, who came in 1805, but was soon followed by his brothers, Ira, Cyrus and Romeo.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
his young life on a farm. The family came east about 1858, set- tled at Ithaca, where the father died a year or two later. He at- tended district school and Ithaca academy, worked at whatever he could find to do, and in 1878 began to study medicine with Drs. Brown, Gilbert, Winslow, and Barney, in succession, covering a period of full four years. He entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo in 1880 and was graduated in 1882. His practice began in Newfield and continued one year, when he came to Spencer ; and all the county, and thousands living beyond its borders, know how successful that practice has been in the years following. In September, 1883, Dr. Davis was married with Ena J. Shepard, of VanEttenville, great granddaughter of John Under- wood, one of the pioneers of Spencer. Of this marriage one child has been born.
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