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 14
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 14
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other heirs, and is now the sole owner of the place. For the past two years, however, he has resided in Sugar Hill, which is a very pretty little village, just one mile distant from his country home.
Mrs. Eliza Speary departed this life in May, 1879, and the lady whom our subject chose as his second companion, and to whom he was mar- ried September 3, 1881, was Miss Violet, daugli- ter of William Denning, of the town of Orange. They have been blessed by the birth of four chil- dren, viz .: Mary Belle, Anna Lorena, Edith Vio- let and Maurice W.
Mr. Speary affiliates with the Republican party. He is popular among thie best citizens of his town, and in February, 1895, was elected Assessor. Religiously he is a true Christian gentleman and, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
HAUNCEY N. MEEKS. Among the well known and influential citizens of Montour Falls, is the gentleman whose name intro- duces these paragraphs, and who is the senior member of the firm of Meeks Brothers, proprie- tors of the Phoenix Roller Mills, and dealers in flour, feed, bran, etc. . His associate in business is Coral S. Meeks, a shrewd business man, wlio entered into partnership with him in 1885, and together they purchased the mill property from E. A. Dunham & Co. The plant is located in Havana, or what is now called Montour Falls.
The year following their purchase the brothers sustained a severe loss in the burning of their miill, but with characteristic energy they made preparations to erect another building, and in the winter of 1887-88 it was completed and ready for occupancy. This mill is a great improvement on the old structure, both as regards the building
itself and the machinery used. It is fitted out with a full roller process, and all the latest mill- ing machinery, and they are enabled to turn out the very best work in large quantities.
The father of our subject, Ira B. Meeks, a blacksmithi by trade, followed this business for many years, but during his later life turned his attention to farming. He was born in Steuben County, this state, but for a great many years has been identified with the interests of this sec- tion, and now makes his home in this village, at the age of seventy-seven years. About 1849 he was married to Miss Jane Ann Smith, who de- parted this life in 1863. To this union there were born three children, of whom the original of this sketch was the eldest. His brother Charles B. is in the employ of the Shepherd & Sons Bridge Company at Havana; and Coral S. is the junior member of the firm of Meeks Brothers.
Chauncey N. Meeks was born November 15, 1851, at which time his father was living on a farmi. He was therefore reared to farm pur- suits, and before leaving the home place could perform any part of the work on the estate. His education was such as could be gained in the schools of the district, which he attended at such times as his services were not in demand on the farm. About fourteen years ago, however. he left home, and in order that he might fully learn the milling business, which he wished to follow, he entered the employ of E. A. Dunham & Co., of this place, and worked for them seven years. During that time he gained a full knowl- edge of the business, and, having an opportunity to purchase the plant, formed a partnership withi his younger brother and bought the same. Their efforts have been attended with success since that time, although the fire was looked upon for a time as a great misfortune. Instead, it proved to be otherwise, for it was the means of their erecting a better building and supplying them- selves with more perfect milling facilities. The brothers are bothi capable business men, and by their upright and honest methods are in command of a splendid trade, which they have built np by their own efforts.
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In 1876 Mr. Meeks was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Thomas, a native of the town of Catharine, this county, and the daughter of Edwin and Harriet Thomas. To them have been granted four children, namely: Eddie B., Floyd Irvin, Eva J. and Iva B. Mrs. Meeks is a lady of pleasing address, having those qualities of mind and heart which make her a good mother and kind friend.
Mr. Meeks has always affiliated with the Re-
publican party in politics, and takes a decided interest in its successes. He is in no sense of the word an office-seeker, but at one time was persuaded to accept the position of Overseer of the Poor, filling the office acceptably for a period of three years. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow of good standing, and meets with Havana Lodge No. 56. He is highly esteemed in this commu- nity, where his usefulness as a citizen has gained him many warm friends.
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WILLIAM B. MICKIEY.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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WILLIAM B. MICKLEY.
ILLIAM BURKHALTER MICKLEY has made his own way in life and is now en- joying a competency that is the result of his unaided efforts. He was for many years a mechanic and millwright, but is now living re- tired from any active business on his comfortable farm in the town of Seneca Falls. His place is a valuable one, and is pleasantly located within one mile of the thriving village of Waterloo.
Mr. Mickley was born in Southi Whitehall, Le- high County, Pa., June 30, 1813. His parents were Henry and Mary (Burkhalter ) Mickley, also natives of that county, where the father was proprietor of a hotel the most of his life. In his native place our subject was educated in the German tongue, and was eighteen years of age when he began to do for himself. At that time he was apprenticed to a workman to learn how to build bellows for furnaces, working for three years, and receiving his board and $50 in money. His father had died when he was sixteen, leav- ing him a few hundred dollars, which enabled him to buy his own clothes and other necessary articles.
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William B. was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children. After mastering his trade, he left his native place, and, coming to this county, located at once in Waterloo, where, in- stead of working at his trade, lie obtained a posi- tion as millwright; thus all that his foriner occu-
pation did for him was to teach him the use of certain tools. He aided in the building of the first brick gristmill in Waterloo, which was lo- cated on the south side of the river, but in 1892 or 1893 this was destroyed by fire.
When Mr. Mickley came to New York, he could not speak a word of English, but by apply- ing himself very closely, he soon learned to botli speak and understand that language. After working a year in Waterloo, lie went to Roches- ter, where he assisted in placing machinery in a large mill. When this job was completed he re- turned to Waterloo and erected the first distillery in this locality. After that he was hired by sev- eral other companies to erect plants of this kind for them, and later was engaged to operate a dis- tillery, receiving very fair wages. Although he came here a young man poor in this world's goods, by the time he was ready to embark in business for himself he possessed $3,000.
About this time our subject removed to Penn Yan, Yates County, and, having learned the busi- ness of a distiller, operated a plant there for hin- self for a few years. Later, however, he returned to Waterloo and established himself in the same business, following it through the period of the Civil War, during which time he made a large sum of money. He had a partner who was inter- · ested in the business at Penn Yan, and when ready to dispose of their distillery there, they
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traded it for a farm in this county, located on the banks of Seneca Lake. This was later given in exchange for Mr. Miekley's present estate of ninety and one-half acres, he having bought out his partner. Soon after the close of the war, our subjeet abandoned the distilling business and purchased twenty-four acres of land west of Wa- terloo, which he later sold at a good price to a railroad company. In addition to his home place he also owns a traet of one hundred acres near McDougall, which is leased and eultivated on shares.
When about thirty-three years of age, Mr. Mickley and Miss Sarah Alleman were united in marriage. The lady was born in the town of Seneea Falls, May 12, 1818, and by her union with our subjeet has become the mother of eight children, of whom we make the following men- tion: Susan Josephine is at home; Elsie Lee mar- ried Oliver P. Loveridge, and is living in Water- loo; Bayard Taylor died at Penn Yan, when in his fifth year; Alice Rosaline became the wife of J. E. Richardson, and is living in Waterloo; Georgiana is now Mrs. Isaac Westbrook, and re- sides in the town of Fayette; DeWitt is at home; Clara Belle, a finely educated young lady, com- pleted her education in the Cooper Institute, New York City, and for many years taught drawing in Missouri and Toledo, Ohio, but is now at home; and Helene is a stenographer and typewriter for a firm in New York City. The inother of this family departed this life December 11, 1894, and her remains were laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery.
In early life Mr. Mickley was a Wliig, and east his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. On the organization of the Republican party, however, he joined its ranks, but of late years has not taken much interest in politics. Although advanced in years, Mr. Mickley is full of energy, and displays unusual judgment in the manage- ment of his affairs. . It is interesting to know that the braneli of the family to which our subject be- longs is of French origin. The grandfather was a Huguenot refugee, and during the insurrection against the Huguenots in France, left his native land, and, coming to America, made his tiome in
Lehigh County, Pa. He visited in Toledo, Ohio, when it contained but few houses, and was on the site of Cleveland when there were no houses there.
HALSEY HAWES, Clerk of Schuyler County, was born in the town of Heetor, this county, November 28, 1857, being the son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Halsey) Hawes. He represents the third generation of the family that has resided in this locality, his grandfather, Jonas Hawes, having removed hither in an early day and made settlement in the town of Hector, where he resided for a number of years, or until his death.
The father of our subject was born in Schuyler County, this state, on his father's farm in Hee- tor. He became a member of the firm of Squires, Wilcox & Co., who were engaged in merchan- dising at North Hector. In 1875 he went to Michigan on a business trip, and died there. His wife, who still survives him, is a resident of Wat- kins. While lie never became very wealthy, yet lie was well-to-do, having through his excellent management and industry aeeumulated a compe- teney, whichi enabled him to surround his family with every comfort and give his only child, our subject, an exeellent education.
In the town of Hector, upon the old liomestead of his grandfather, Halsey passed the days of childhood and youth. After spending some years in the public schools he entered Cook's Aeademy, where his education was completed. On leaving school he came to Watkins and secured a position as clerk for Charles S. Frost, with whom he re- mained for five years. In 1883 he entered the employ of Durland, Smith & Co., dealers in hard- ware, with whom he remained in the capacity of bookkeeper until January 1, 1894. In 1893 lie was eleeted to the office of County Clerk, the duties of
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which he assumed January 1, 1894, for a term of three years. As an official, he is prompt, encr- getic, faithful and efficient, and the manner in which he is discharging the duties of his office is winning him the approbation of the people of the county. He is a stanch Republican, and never loses an opportunity to advance the interests of lis party.
On New Year's Day of 1880 Mr. Hawes was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Macrury, daughter of John Macrury, a prosperous farmer of Schuyler County. They are the parents of three children, namely: Edna E., Chester A. and Margaret L. Socially Mr. Hawes is connected with Jefferson Lodge No. 332, F. & A. M .; Wat- kins Chapter No. 182, R. A. M .; and St. Omar's Commandery No. 19, K. T., of Elmira. With his wife he holds membership in St. James' Epis- copal Church, in which he is a Vestryman. He is a man who possesses in a marked degree tlie confidence and respect of the people of the village and county, for his course in life has ever been upright and honorable.
2 ETER COOPER. So rapidly has this country developed, and to such an extent has it be- come the home of the descendants of all na- tions of the earth, that those who can trace their ancestry back to the old Colonial time, when New York and Pennsylvania were yet the borderland between European civilization and native barbar- ity, are rarely met, and when one is found his bi- ography is of more than usual interest. Mr. Cooper came from Revolutionary and fighting stock. His grandfather served in the seven- years conflict that made the United States a na- tion, while his father took part as a volunteer in the second war with England, in 1812, and re- ceived his death wound at Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., in 1813.
The subject of this sketch, a retired farmer of
Catharine, was born at Enfield, Tompkins Coun- ty, N. Y., May 22, 1812, a son of Peter and Polly (Doolittle) Cooper. His father was a na- tive of New Jersey, while his mother was from Connecticut. Peter was the youngest member in a family of four, and is the only survivor. When two years of age he was taken into the family of his grandfather, John Cooper, at the old home- stead, where he continued to live until he was ten years of age. He has a very vivid recollection of those early days and of the reminiscences of the War of the Revolution, which he has often heard from his grandfather's lips. To him the story of forced marches over hard, frozen roads, of shoeless soldiers, whose bloody footprints at- tested their devotion to the cause of liberty and right, had a significance not appreciated by those who only read the story from printed pages. The grandfather was at Valley Forge and knew well the great leader whose name lias passed into his- tory as the "father of his country."
When ten years of age our subject went to live with Solomon Booth, who had a farm in Chemung County, but which is now included in Schuyler County. There he remained two years. At the age of fifteen he became an apprentice under William Jaycocks, a tanner in Tompkins County, where he remained for six years, or until he was twenty-one years of age. His brother John was also an apprentice at the same place. Leav- ing the service of Mr. Jaycocks, our subject went to the village of Catharine and hired himself to Edward Lyon, who owned a tannery at that place, and remained with him for one year. At the end of that time he retired from the tanning business, but two years later purchased the tannery from Mr. Lyon and associated his brother John with him. They continued the business at Catharine for seven or eight years, when our subject re- tired from the business, selling his interest to his brother, and took up his home on a farin. Mr. Cooper owns one hundred and thirty acres of choice farming land, and being a thorough busi- ness man, farming with him was of course a success.
In politics our subject is a straight Democrat. having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson,
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and has constantly maintained Democratic prin- ciples ever since. Mr. Cooper lias been married three times. His first wife, Susan Cushing, died a few years after their marriage, leaving no children. By his marriage with Sarah Ostor- haut, five children were born. Walter, the eldest, is now a resident of Elmira, N. Y. Susan is the wife of Burrett Pierce, a farmer near Catharine. Jennette is single and still lives at home. Oscar at his death left three children. Velmot, the youngest member of the family, died leaving one child.
Mr. Cooper's third union was with Margaret Ostorliaut, a sister of liis second wife. Together they are treading the decline of life's pathway, enjoying the fruits of the labor of former days. Mr. Cooper is a worthy example of what persever- ance and economy will accomplish. He began with nothing but his courage and ability to work, and is now rounding out his life in comfort, witli plenty of this world's goods to supply all his earthly wants and leave a heritage for his pos- terity. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Episcopal Church, and during these years of toil has also laid up everlasting treasures.
ON. FRED L. MANNING, attorney-at-law at Waterloo, is the name of a man who has won more than a local reputation in the last half-century. He has been a capable lawyer, was a brave and faithful soldier, and has long been in the public eye. He was born in the town of Owego, Tioga County, November 24, 1837, the son of Chester and Jerusha (Bartlett) Manning. His father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of Massachusetts, and in his veins is flow- ing some of the best blood of the old Colonial aristocracy. The grandfather, Lewis Manning, was a son of Joshua Manning, and the latter was
a son of Frederick Manning, who came from England to settle in Connecticut in 1600. The grandfather of our subject served in thic War of IS12, and his father was a stout and sturdy sol- dier of the Revolution. What more natural then, when the Civil War of 1861 broke out, that the loyal blood of the Mannings should drive the young man Fred to take up arms for the preser- vation of that Republic that his great-grandfathers had fought to establish and defend ?
The father of our subject was a fariner by oc- cupation, and died in 1864, while his soldier boy was still at the front. His wife is still living. in her seventy-ninthi year, and is in the full pos- session of all lier faculties. She became the mother of four children, three boys and one girl. Her mother was in maidenhood a Miss Stevens, though little is known of her ancestry.
Col. Fred Manning, for such is the title by which he is best known, is one of the notable men of Waterloo, and is a conspicuous illustra- tion of the possibilities of American democracy. He was educated in the public school of the town of Owego and the Ithaca Academy, studied law under the instruction of Addison T. Knox, of Waterloo, and was admitted to the Bar of the state in 1861. Borne along by the strong tide of patriotic devotion that overswept the whole land in that memorable year, he put aside his professional ambition and enlisted in the United States service, entering as First Lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Volunteers. On the battlefield he was cool, quick and courageous; and, being well educated and ready for anything, he was rapidly pushed forward in official position. Nor did those who knew him best marvel at his promo- tion. February 1, 1863, he was appointed Ad- jutant of the regiment. The next year, in rapid succession, he was made Captain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, and received a commission as Brevet-Colonel for conspicuous gallantry in the service. He was detailed by special order No. 162 as a member of General Hooker's staff; by special order No. 257 was assigned to the staff of General Butler; by special order No. 171 was made Provost-Marshal of the Army of the James;
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and when the Union armies entered Richmond he was appointed Provost-Marslial of the late capital of the confederacy.
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Among the fierce and memorable engagements in which our subject participated may be men- tioned Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Gettysburg, Proctor's Creek, and many of the sanguinary struggles around Petersburg. His administrative ability was fully tested in the government of the turbulent rebel city of Richmond, which he quickly brought to a sound, peaceable basis. At the close of this memorable struggle he retired from the service, and returned to Waterloo, where his admiring fellow-townsmen, to express their deep admiration of his honorable career, nomi- nated and triumphantly elected him as District Attorney in 1865. In 1872 he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for this district, which position lie held for two years. Then a change of system combined his district with otlier territory, so that he was thrown out of office. Further thian this, Colonel Manning has resisted temptation to become a candidate for high office, though once or twice he has taken a seat in the House of Representatives at the command of his party.
In professional life the Colonel has achieved marked success. As an advocate he is brilliant and effective. He has a rare gift of language, his diction is graceful, and his perfect self-poise on the platform gives him great power over his audience. A keen sense of justice and rigid in- tegrity have made his natural gifts of thought and speech effective agencies for the upbuild- ing of right in the community. A consistent and loyal Republican, he has refused to con- sent to fraudulent dealing anywhere in the party, and has always been found on the side of hon- esty and political cleanness. His gallant and unswerving opposition to fraud and corruption, not only upon the political hustings, but also in the halls of justice, has placed new laurels upon his brow.
In November, 1874, at Albany, Colonel Man- ning was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Van Benthuysen, a member of a family distin- guished in the annals of New York. With rare
social characteristics, their home soon became a social center, and in it were cemented many of those warm friendships that have been so marked a feature in the career of this honored and notable man and citizen of Seneca County.
a RANK G. SEAMAN, M. D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Seneca Falls, where he has been in practice since - 188r. He isa native of Herkimer County, N. Y., born in Fairfield September 5, 1860, and is a son of James Leander and Elizabeth (Gay) Seaman, both of whom were natives of Herkimer County, the former born in October, 1819. He was a manufacturer and merchant during his entire life, and died in Fairfield in ISSo. The mother was a daughter of Dean Gay. The grandfather of our subject, James Seaman, was an early settler of Herkimer County, and was of German descent.
The Doctor is the youngest in a family of three children, of whom Mrs. Ella J. Ellwood resides in Seneca Falls, and Mrs. Marion E. Smith in Geneva, N. Y. During his boyhood our subject attended the public schools of his native village. and later was a student in Fairfield Seminary. where he finished his literary course. On leaving school he read medicine with Dr. John Swin- burne, of Albany, N. Y., and later entered Al- bany Medical College, from which he was grad- uated in March, 1881.
On receiving his degree Dr. Seaman came to Seneca Falls and at once entered upon the practice of his profession. Like all other young physi- cians, his success did not come at a bound, but his practice gradually increased as his skill as a physician became known, and to-day he has one of the largest practices in the city. He gives his undivided time and attention to his profession, and always keeps abreast of the times. The la-
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test discoveries in medicine and surgery he does not hesitate to adopt, if in accordance with reason and common sense. His library is filled with the latest medical works of tlic various schools, to- gether with such standard works as have proved useful. He is a member of the Seneca County Medical Society, of the New York State Medical Association, and also of the American Medical Association. His suite of rooms is fitted up in a neat and attractive mamier, and patients always receive the best care and kindest of treatinent. I11 1891 the Doctor was elected Coroner of the county and served until 1894. He is well read on all the current topics of the day, and knows how to express himself in a forcible manner, and these facts, added to his agreeable manner, make him a welcome guest. Politically lie is a Demo- crat.
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ETH J. GENUNG, who is one of the oldest business men of Waterloo, was born on a farını in the town of Milo, Yates County, N. Y., September 22, 1826. His father, Azariah, a son of Cornelius Genung, was born in 1788, and in early life followed the trade of a wagon- maker, though later in life he mainly engaged in farın pursuits. His death occurred in 1888, when he had rounded out a full century of years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Olive Walker, was born in Otsego County, and died in Yates County, in 1872, at the age of eighty-one.
The subject of this sketch was, in order of birth, the sixth among nine children, there being eiglit sons and one daughter, named as follows: Cornelius, who died at the age of twenty-one; Fannie, who married James Fake, and is now de- ceased; Elmer, a resident of Steuben County, this state; Charles F., who lives in the West; DeWitt C., deceased; Seth J .; Dwight and Delos (twins), the latter deceased; and Azariah O., of Steuben
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