USA > New York > Schuyler County > Portrait and biographical record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > New York > Seneca County > Portrait and biographical record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
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York Infantry, which became a part of General Sickle's Excelsior Brigade. He served his country faithfully and well and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. His wife,; the mother of our subject, died in 1850, and he was afterward twice married. His last wife is still living at the old home in Paterson, N. J., where he died June 3. 1895.
Our subject was left motherless when an in- fant but seven weeks old, at which time he was taken into the family of his uncle, Thomas John- son, in the town of Orange, Schuyler County, where he remained until he reached his majority. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and at the age of twenty-one commenced life as a laborer, working by the day and month. In 1878, having accumulated a little money, he embarked in the grocery business with his brother Joel in New York City, in which business he continued for a year and a-half. On the 19th of January, 1880, he was married at Watkins, N. Y., by Rev. Mr. Waldo, to Florence May Stiles, who was born in the town of Potter, Yates County, July 4, 1854. She is a daughter of Isaac and Amerilla (Wheat) Stiles, both of whom were natives of the same county. Her father was a farmer in that county, where he spent his entire life, dying when Mrs. Johnson was five years of age. Her mother died when she was a child of two years.
After his marriage our subject located in Town- send, buying a farm of thirty acres, which he later disposed of. Afterward he purchased a farin of one hundred and eight acres, two miles south of the village; besides thiis he also owns fourteen acres within the village limits of Town- send, together with a nice residence and store building. In December, 1892, he erected a store building and put in a good stock of general mer- chandise, and in the years that have since passed has built up an excellent trade. He still gives his personal attention to liis farm, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which he has been fairly successful. In politics he is a Republican, as his father was before him, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Grant. The family was a patriotic one, and besides the
father two sons were in the army. John A. died while in the service and his remains were in- terred on Southern soil. Irving W. came home at the close of the war, but soon afterward started for Florida and has never been heard from since.
Mr. and Mrs. Jolison are the parents of two children, Bell and Joel M., both of whom are yet at liome. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter are members of the Baptist Church.
LBERT A. HICKS. Agriculture and stock- raising have formed the principal occupation of our subject, and the wide-awake mamier in which he lias taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to enhance the value of his property has had a great deal to do with the competence which he now enjoys. Personal pop- ularity, it cannot be denied, results largely from industry, perseverance and the close attention to business which a person displays in the manage- ment of any particular branch of trade, and in the case of Mr. Hicks this is certainly true.
The father of our subject, Solomon Hicks, was born in 1833, and departed this life about 1860. His wife, formerly Christine Powell, now makes her home in Steuben County, N. Y. They be- came the parents of four children, viz .: Charles, Albert A., Cordelia and Mary J.
Albert A., of this sketch, was born in the town of Orange, Schuyler County, January 12, 1857, and after passing the first eleven years of his life there went to the town of Tyroue, and there lived for the succeeding six years. At the end of that time lie came to Reading, and although young in years he became the owner of a tract of fifty acres, located in the southwestern part of the town. This hie cultivated with good results, and became well and favorably known throughout the community.
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In the spring of 1889 Mr. Hicks settled on his present well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres. While his own interests have engrossed his attention to a great extent, he has never lost sight of the public welfare, and there are very few of his fellow-citizens who have been more useful to the community than he. He was married, December 5, 1877, to Miss Emma Hughey, and to them were born two children, Charles W.and Emma, the former of whom died January 21, 1894, after a short illness. The wife and mother died September 23, 1883.
The second union of our subject occurred Jan- uary 7, 1885, when Miss Myrtle M. Scott became his wife. She is the daughter of James O. and Emma J. (Rappley) Scott, and was born Sep- tember 30, 1865, in the town of Tyrone. By this union there have been born five children: Clyde A., Ethel, May, Helen L. and Minnie L.
Mr. Hicks is a consistent member of the Pres- byterian Church, while his good wife is connected with the Baptist congregation of Reading. Re- publicanism is the principle of politics which ap- peals to our subject the most strongly, and he seeks at all times to instill into his neighbors the idea that improvement in any direction is for the public good.
D HRISTOPHER C. PONTIUS is one of the great mass of citizens who, while never pushing themselves to the front, yet leave the impress of their minds upon others and wield an influence, imperceptible it may be, though no less potent because of the fact that they never send a herald to proclaim their deeds. Content to occupy a humble position in life, Mr. Pontius goes along the even tenor of his way, trusting that whatever talent he may possess will not be wholly lost. In politics he is a consistent
Democrat, thoroughly believing in the principles of his party. He believes the farmer's calling the most honorable one of any of the vocations, but realizes that he labors under more disadvant- ages than those in any other calling, because inore isolated, and without opportunity of exchanging ideas and thoughts as quickly and as easily as his urban neighbors. For that reason he identi- fied himself with the Grange movement, and has been active in proclaiming the principles of the organization and urging farmers everywhere to avail themselves of its privileges. For three years he was Master of the local Grange and did much to advance its interests.
Christopher C. Pontius was born in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, February 8, 1848, and is a son of Philip and Susan (Crobaugh) Pontius. His grandfather, George Pontius, a native of Pennsylvania, came to the town of Fay- ette in the very early days and engaged in farin- ing, and there passed the remainder of his life. Our subject was one of four children born to Philip and Susan Pontius, namely: Ellen, the wife of John Kipp; Larson, a farmer of the town of Fayette; Christopher C., our subject; and Lucinda, the wife of Charles E. Berry.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native town and was reared to the life of a fariner. In his youth he attended the conimon 'schools in his town and received a fair English education. With the exception of four years, he remained upon the home farm, assisting his fa- ther in its cultivation until his marriage, which occurred February 8. 1871, to Miss Jane E. Walker. By this union two children have been born, Maude and Chauncey. Soon after their marriage they moved to the farm on which they now reside, and which has been their home for a quarter of a century. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty-five acres, lying adjacent to Lake Seneca, and here Mr. Pontius is engaged in general farmning and stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of Jersey cattle. In his farming operations it may be said that lie has been fairly successful, and his farm, which is kept under a high state of cultivation, yields abundantly-enougli, at least, to supply all the necessaries of life.
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While giving his time and attention to farming interests, Mr. Pontius yet cultivates his social na- ture, and in addition to the Grange, in which, as already stated, he has taken an active part, he is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. In educa- tional matters he has always taken great interest, believing in having the best schools that can be obtained. In Brown's Business College at Auburn he secured a practical business education, and for two years he taught in one district. He is enter- prising and progressive in all things, and for some years has been engaged in buying and shipping grain and in conducting a coalyard at Kendaia, in which he lias been quite successful. Upon liis farm is a house, in a good state of preservation, which was built over one hundred years ago, and in which the first town meeting of the town of Romulus was held.
ON. WILLIAM C. HAZELTON, County Judge and Surrogate, is a man whom the people of Seneca County have delighted to lionor. He was born near Trumansburg, Tomp- kins County, September 1, 1835. His father was also a native of that county, while his mother came from Rutland County, Vt. Elijali and Mary Ann (Clark) Hazelton were, like the great ma- jority of the people of the early part of the cen- tury, unfavored by outward circumstances, and had to make their way, not to fame or fortune, but to a home and a living by the very hardest kind of labor and the most persistent econoiny. That they met the issues of the hour and showed forthi a grand and lofty courage, the history of the changed condition of this entire country from the Great Lakes to the ocean is ample evidence. The father of our subject, Elijah Hazelton, was left an orphan at an early age, and was thrown upon his own resources. He was reared a farmer, and made his home in his native county until
1842, when he removed to Covert, Seneca Coun- ty, where he continued farming until he died, in 1877. He was a Democrat in politics, and in his day held several local offices, and was a man much respected by all who knew him. His wife is still living on the old homestead in Covert, at the age of eiglity years. The parents' family in- cluded two children. Sarah Am married Will- iam S. Robinson, and died in this county. She left one daughter, Edith, who is now the wife of John Halford, and resides on the old home farm in Covert.
Mr. Hazelton passed liis early life on the farmi, attending the common school and academy, and teaching school in the winter until he was twenty years of age. Then he entered the law offices of Dana, Beers & Howard, of Ithaca, and in the year 1858 was admitted to the Bar. For the next four years he was a clerk in the law office of H. A. Dowe. In the spring of 1862 he returned home, and to his surprise was nom- inated and elected District Attorney of Seneca County, and served three years. In 1868 he was re-elected, and served a third term in 18So. In 1873 he was elected a member of the Assembly, serving one terni, and for six years was elected County Judge and Surrogate. Politically he is a Democrat, but has never been known as a party worker or as a manager of fine politics. Rather, with that fine sense of the fitness of things that belongs to the judicial temperament, he lias preferred to keep much to himself, and trust the people to decide for themselves what is best and most desirable. He has never been an office-seeker, and only when the sentiment be- caine earnest and emphatic would he consent to be a candidate for any position. Of liim it is al- ways true that the office has sought the mnan, and not the man the office, as lie has preferred to practice law at Ovid, where for a time he was Justice of the Peace.
In January, 1876, Mr. Hazelton united his des- tinies with those of Miss Sarah Pratt, a native of Orange County, and they have become the par- ents of three children. Laura, Emma and Charles P. Besides his fine brick residence at Ovid, our subject also owns a farni of one hundred and
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eigliteen acres. The Judge is not a member of any church or lodge, but has given his entire attention to law, and it must be said that the law has rewarded his devotion. He has made liis way in the world, and has won a high standing in the life of his generation.
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ON. GEORGE ANDREW SNYDER was elected to the Assembly in 1894, previous to which time he gave his attention to farin- ing in the town of Hector, Schuyler County, where he owns one of the most beautiful estates in the section. This tract is the old homestead, and in addition to the many improvements which were placed there by his father, Mr. Snyder has beau- tified it still further. His knowledge of agricult- ure and the relative value of soils enables him to carry on the vocation in a most profitable manner.
The subject of this sketchi was born in the town of Catharine, then in Chemung, but now a part of Schuyler County, September 22, 1852. He lived there until 1866, when, in company with his parents, Adam and Jane E. (Darling) Snyder, he came to this part of the county. His father was born in New Jersey, near Belleville, in the year 1826. His mother, however, was a native of the town of Hector, this county, and the daughter of Andrew Darling, one of the old pioneers of Ulster County, N. Y. Adam was brought to the town of Hector, which was then in Tompkins County, when four years old. His parents, Jolin W. and Catherine (Brugler) Sny- der, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, re- spectively, located in this town, three miles south of Reynoldsville, in 1830, and here the grandfa- ther continued to make his home until his de- cease, at the age of seventy-six years, when George A., of this history, was a lad of thirteen years. Of this family, Peter lives in the town of
Montour: Catherine lives in Elmira; John makes his home in Elmira; and Adam, the father of our subject, is living retired in Burdett.
George A. Snyder was in his thirteenth year when his parents moved upon the place which he still calls lione. This is located just one mile east of Burdett, and there our subject has made his home ever since. Until attaining his twen- ty-fifth year lie gave his time to his father, whom he greatly relieved from the more arduous duties of farm work. At the time the latter moved to Burdett, however, George A. purchased the old place, in addition to which he owns a sixty-five- acre tract one inile east. Although engaged in general farming, he makes a specialty of sheep- raising, and now has on his place one hundred and forty head.
The education of our subject was carried on in the district school. He is self-made, however, and has never ceased to add to hiis already ex- tended knowledge by reading good books and studying those subjects which aid him in his chosen vocation. He was married, October 15, 1873, to Miss Annette, the daughter of Capt. John C. Mead, formerly of Burdett, but now de- ceased. Mrs. Snyder was born in Hector, and is a mnost estimable and well educated lady. Our subject and his wife had a son, Stewart, who died at the interesting age of three years. Hon. Mr. Snyder has acted for the past twelve years as one of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Burdett.
Our subject is a stanch Republican in politics, and on that ticket was elected Supervisor in 1890. holding the office for four years. The town pays thirty-four per cent. of the county taxes, hence this is considered a very important office. Dur- ing the elections the town of Hector polls twelve hundred votes. In 1893 Mr. Snyder was elected to the State Assembly from Schuyler County, re- ceiving a majority of six hundred of the votes cast over his opponent, Waldo S. Bisliop, of Wat- kins. During this term he served on various committees of importance, among them being those of Internal Affairs, Public Health and Agri- culture. So well did he fulfill the duties of this responsible position, that in 1894 he was placed
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in office again, being victorious over the Demo- cratic nominee, Osborn Smith, of Hector. This . time Mr. Snyder was placed in office by a majority of over one thousand, which shows his popularity as a citizen and official. As before, he was placed on committees of importance, and is now Chairman of the Committee on Agricult- ure, his knowledge of this vocation making him a very valued member.
OSEPH MEDLOCK. Among those of for- eign birth who are closely associated with the farming interests of Seneca County, we ยท should not fail to present an outline of the career of Mr. Medlock, for he has fully borne out the reputation of that class of thrifty, industrious and enterprising men of English birth who have risen to prominence in various portions of this county. It is with genuine pleasure that we in- clude his sketch in this volume, for he is not only one of the best residents of the county, but a man whose honesty, uprightness and sociability have won for him the esteem of all.
On Christmas Day of 1823, our subject was born in Bedfordshire, England. His parents, William and Mary Medlock, reared a family of four sons and one daughter. When seventeen years of age Joseph enlisted in the British army for a period of twenty-one years. His division was first assigned to Ireland, where he was sta- tioned for eighteen months. On his return to England lte spent four months in his native land, and then went with his regiment to the West In- dies, being three months and two days on the water.
Landing at Postals Battery, the regiment was stationed there about six weeks, and then was ordered on board a man-of-war, which conveyed it to Montega Bay. After landing there, they
marelied to Maroon Hill, where they were on duty about eight months. From that place they took passage on a sailing-vessel bound for Hali- fax, Nova Scotia, where they remained for about four months. From there they went to Montreal, Canada, when they were ordered to report at St. Jolin's, Canada East, making that place their headquarters for a year and a-half. They then went back to Montreal, and after staying there for thirteen months, took passage on a ship bound for England, and were landed in due time at Portsmouth, England, where they remained for six months.
Our subject about this time put in application for a furlough, and it being granted, he went home and for two months visited his relatives and friends. He then rejoined his regiment at Ports- mouth, and shortly thereafter procured his lionor- able discharge, paying therefor {18. Mr. Med- lock was variously employed in his native land until 1854, when he determined to come to Amer- ica. Engaging passage on a vessel, he was two months and fourteen days en route, and was very well satisfied to make liis home on land after ar- riving here. He made his way from New York City to this county, and chose the town of Covert for his future home. He worked at whatever he could find to do for two years, during which time he had saved a sufficient sum of money to enable him to purchase a small farm. In 1866, however, he moved to the town of Lodi, and lived there on a tract of seventy-five acres until 1895, when he returned to this town. He has been prosperous in his agricultural ventures, having adopted the most approved methods for cultivating the soil.
The lady to whom Mr. Medlock was married, September 3, 1857, was Miss Elizabeth Cannon, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and wlio crossed the Atlantic May 1, 1849. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of seven children, namely: William, Charles and Clinton, deceased; Fred, a farmer of this locality; Morris, who is also engaged in agricultural pursuits; Mary, who married Frank Hazard, a blacksmith of Town- sendville; and Annie, the wife of De Forrest Dickerson, a farmier.
In politics Mr. Medlock is a Republican, and
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in religious affairs is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is highly re- garded here for the sterling traits of character which make up a good citizen, kind neighbor and Christian man.
C AMES H. HASLETT, M. D., is a rising young physician of Waterloo. He early recognized the logic in Dr. Franklin's well known maxim, "Anything that is worth doing at all is worth doing well," hence in laying the foundation for future practice he built on the solid wall of thorough preparation and knowl- edge. A farmer's son, he spent the early years of his life much as other country boys do, hav- ing an abundance of hard work, that gives a healthy physique and clear brain. This, per- haps, accounts in no small degree for the large number of farmers' sons we find high up on the lad- der of fame and filling so many responsible posi- tions in all the walks of life.
In the town of Seneca, Ontario County, N. Y., the subject of this sketch was born, January 20, 1863. His father, Henry, who was a native of County Down, Ireland, emigrated to the United States in early manhood, and for a number of years was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in Philadelphia. In 1865 he came to New York and settled in the town of Seneca, Ontario County, making his home on a farin. He died in August, 1890, while visiting in Waterloo.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Howard, came to America when a girl, and died in ISS9. Her father was a manufacturer of woolen goods in Leeds, England.
James H. was the sixth among seven children, there being four sons and three daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are deceased. Our subject gained the foundation of his educa- tion in the public schools in Geneva, where he developed a taste for books. He prepared for college at Geneva Academy, and then entered Union College at Schenectady, where he pur- sued his studies for one year. Later he attended Hobart College at Geneva. While still in col- lege he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. R. Topping, at Rushville, N. Y. In 1883 lie entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, from which he was graduated in 1886, and the same year graduated from the literary department of Ho- bart College.
Dr. Haslett entered upon his independent prac- tice at Geneva in 1886, but after twelve months there he went to Phelps, and formed a partner- ship with Dr. J. Q. Howe, which connection, however, was of short duration. In May, 1888, he came to Waterloo, where he has, by his pro- fessional knowledge and affable disposition, built up a fine practice, which is constantly growing. He is now President of the Seneca County Medi- cal Society, and was for five years jail physician. He has also filled the office of Health Officer for both the village and town. Socially he is a men- ber of Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M.
In 1892 Dr. Haslett married Miss Carrie, daughter of Oliver Crothers, of Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y. They are prominent factors in the society of Waterloo, and have a position in the community that is as honorable as it is credit- able to their industry and perseverance.
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HUGH H. WOODWORTH.
UGH H. WOODWORTH has always made his home in the town of Tyre, Seneca Coun- ty, on the tract of land which his grand- father, Caleb Woodworth, entered from the Gov- ernment many years ago. That gentleman came to this section from Johnstown, N. Y., and took possession of this tract of land when it was in its primitive state. Indians were at that time wan- dering over their old hunting-grounds and would often appear at the cabin of Caleb Woodworth and beg for food.
In order to reach his new home the grandfather was compelled to cut his way through the woods from Seneca Falls. He had a large family of children, and with the aid of his sons worked hard to subdue the soil, and succeeded well in this undertaking. There he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives, and when death called them hence they were buried side by side in Traver Cemetery, not far from the old place.
Hiram Woodworth, the father of our subject, took care of his aged parents until their decease, after which he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place and called the old homestead his own property. The maiden name of his wife was Phebe Winans, and it is supposed that she was born in the state of New Jersey. She was brought to this state by her parents when very
young, and therefore had no recollection of her former home. After her marriage with Hiram Woodworth she spent the remaining years of her life on the farm where her son Hugh H. now lives. This tract consists of two hundred acres, and bears splendid improvements.
The parental family included ten children, of whom the four older members are deceased. John. another son, is the owner of a large farm located near Minneapolis, Minn., but is now engaged as a contractor in New Mexico. Charles completed his education in both the literary and law depart- ments of the Michigan University of Ann Arbor, and is at present engaged in teaching in Kansas. George is a substantial agriculturist of Wayne County, N. Y. Helen married Horatio T. Wood- worth, a distant relative, and they make their home at Battle Creek, Mich., where Mr. Wood- worth is an artist of considerable note; he also owns a fine farm. Jeremiah makes his home with our subject.
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