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 16
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 16
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"To kill you first," he did reply,
"Then all the rest that came must die."
Conveyed away to Aurora far, To be arraigned at the bar --- To hunt the forest deer no more, His crime to try, to court bound o'er. The court and jury doth him try --- Guilty, he's found-condemned to die. Gravely the judge the sentence said-
"You must be hanged until you are dead;
Your body then must be dissected, Like one forlorn, despised, rejected."
In close confinement lie must stay, Until arrives the fatal day, When pious priests did him attend, For to remind him of his end. The answer that he gave was this: "I shall ascend to realms of bliss; But first I must descend to hell -. To the dark regions, there to dwell Till all my guilt is purged away --- Then up to heaven ascend straiglitway."
At lengthi arrives the awful morn: Bring forth the prisoner all forlorn; The last sad sun liis radiance shed Upon the guilty vagrant's head. Upon the cart he's borne away- Thousands of people throng the way; With savage firmness braves the stroke -- The god of battle doth invoke; His death song sings with cheerful glee -- "Me scare away Chepi," said he.
They reach at length the fatal spot; With busy hands they knit the knot. The cart moves on-from thence he's hurled, And launched into the unknown world. No parting streams, nor fish, nor bird, No songs, nor mirthful shouts are heard; Nor dcer, nor bear, nor foxes roam - - A dreary waste his final home." There he must lead another life. Without a battle-axe or knife.
ORENZO S. BARTHOLOMEW, M. D. Probably no physician in the vicinity of Reading Center is more thoroughly equipped for his profession than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His studies have been widely extended and prosecuted under exceptional ad- vantages, and he asks no odds of ancestors, rank or position to lend color to his ability in his chosen work. The writer, aside from the knowledge of his professional skill, knows but the barest facts concerning his career.
Mr. Bartholomew was born at Barrington. Yates County, N. Y., November 3, 1849, his parents being Alfred G. and Anna P. (Fish) Bartholomew. The fatlier, a millwright by trade, is at present residing in Dundee, in which place Mrs. Bartholomew died in 1878. In the parental family were included a son and two daughters. The subject of this sketch was reared in Vates County, making that state his home until about 1875. His literary education was obtained in the common schools of Dundee and at Starkey Sem- inary. Desirous of following a professional life, for which he seemed peculiarly adapted, he began the study of medicine in 1881 as a student in the Buffalo Medical College. From this noted insti- tution he was graduated with honors as a Doctor of Medicine three years later.
When looking about for a suitable location in which to practice, Dr. Bartholomew canie to
* The Indians' idea of the place where bad Indians go.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Reading Center, where he has been established ever since, and is ready at all times to alleviate such human suffering as presents itself to his at- tention.
Dr. Bartholomew and Miss Matilda C. Thomas were united in marriage in Yates County, N. Y., June 20, 1878. Mrs. Bartholomew was born in that county August 18, 1850, the daughter of David Thomas, who departed this life at Rusli- ville, N. Y., in 1886. The Doctor and his esti- mable wife have become the parents of two chil- dren, Grace and Allen P. They are members in excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former has held many of the im- portant official positions in the same. He takes a very active part in all local affairs, and in him the community has a faithful and unswerving friend, ever alert to serve its best interests, and one who can be depended upon at all times. In politics he is, and always has been, a strong sup- porter of Republican principles. Socially he is a member of the Chemung County Medical Society, in the work of which he takes an interested and active part.
EV. FRANKLIN SHUMWAY HOWE, A. M. Among the professional men of Schuyler County, mention belongs to Mr. Howe, of Burdett, where he is widely known and highly esteemed as the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and where his labors have been rewarded with abundant success.
A native of Vermont, our subject was born in Springfield, August 26, 1809. His parents were Joseph and Eunice (Smith) Howe, natives, re- spectively, of Framingham, Mass., and Spring- field, Vt. When Franklin S. was a lad of about seven years they came to this state, making loca- tion at Bergen, Genesee County, and after a resi-
dence there of four years they removed to Riga, Monroe County, near the city of Rochester, where our subject grew to mature years. After pursu- ing his studies in the district schools he attended Oxford Academy and took a classical course in Rochester Institute, now known as Rochester University. This institute was then presided over by Gilbert Morgan, D. D., the well known Presbyterian divine. After his graduation in 1836, Mr. Howe taught in the academy at Call- andaigua, N. Y., and two years later entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he pursued the entire course. Four years thereafter he was granted a license to preach.
After completing his ministerial studies Rev. Mr. Howe was sent by the American Sunday- school Union to the Gulf States, it being his duty to organize Sunday-schools, establish libraries and collect funds. He was later made Financial Secretary of this body for the Western and South- ern States, his headquarters being at Cincinnati. After two years thus engaged he was called to take charge of a congregation at Chillicothe, Ohio, of which he was the pastor for a period of five years. Previous to this, however, he preached at New Albany, Ind., for one year. His wife's health began to fail while in the Buckeye State, and Mr. Howe returned to New York, where he was instrumental in establishing the church at West Hoboken, and one on One Hundred and Twenty-second Street, New York City. He be- came pastor of the Presbyterian Church on the corner of Sixth Street and Second Avenue, New York City, but his labors in the metropolis proved very arduous and he was not able to stand the strain. Accordingly he was compelled to resign his charge and go to the country, hav- ing charge of the church at Phelps for four and one-half years. In 1859 we find him located in Watkins, where he remained for eleven years. At the end of that time he was so broken down in health that he gave up all his pastoral duties and arranged his affairs to spend an indefinite time abroad. During the trip he visited Eng- land, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. On fully regaining his health, he Once more returned to his native land, and after
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holding temporary charges at both Southport and Hector came to Burdett, in Schuyler Coun- ty, where he now resides. He has made this section his home for the past fifteen years, for six of which he has been pastor of the church here. His good wife proved his efficient hielpinate and tireless assistant in his labors for many years, and her kind words and gracious manners en- deared her to a host of friends. Rev. Mr. Howe has been engaged in ministerial work for the past fifty-five years, and his name is known through- out the county as that of one of the noblest of his professional brethren.
When the New York State Grand Lodge of Masons secured the old college property at Ha- vana, Mr. Howe was chosen Vice-President of the same, and a few months thereafter, the Pres- ident retiring, he was made his successor. He devoted a great deal of his time and attention to this work, but it was later abandoned by the fra- ternity and his labors ceased. While in Ohio he was one of the Trustees of the college at Marietta, which institution in 1844 conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. While a resident of that place he establislied a temperance paper, which he conducted successfully for two or three years. He has always been an incessant worker, and has contributed many articles of interest and importance to the various religious journals and periodicals. While at Phelps Mr. Howe was in- strumental in having the old church building re- modeled, and also during his pastorate at Wat- kins he pushed forward the work of the church and built up a congregation which has since add- ed to its numbers until it is now the largest in the place.
The marriage of Rev. Mr. Howe and Miss Clara Pierson occurred in New York City in 1841. The lady was the daughter of Dr. Charles E. Pierson, Professor of one of the medical col- leges of that city. This lady survived her mar- riage seven years, passing away while her hus- band was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New York City. In September, 1854, in Brook- lyn, Mr. Howe was married to Miss Martha R. Stewart, who departed this life in Burdett, April 17, 1893. His union with Miss Pierson resulted
in the birth of a son, Franklin Pierson, who died when two years old, and his portrait, which was painted by a celebrated artist, now hangs on the walls of the old home.
During the late war, although not being ac- cepted as a volunteer, Mr. Howe assisted the Union cause greatly by raising troops. He is a Republican at national elections, otherwise is in- dependent, reserving the right to vote for the man whom he regards as the best, independent of party. He is the possessor of a magnificent li- brary, containing both religious and miscellane- ous works, and keeps himself well informed re- garding new doctrines which are put forth. Mr. Howe is often called upon to assist his fellow- clergymen, and he also frequently has other pro- fessional duties to performn.
( OHN A. CURTIS, Vice-President and Gen- eral Manager of the Seneca Paint and Color Company, was born in the town of Marcel- lus, Onondaga County, N. Y., March 13, 1832. He traces his ancestry back to his great-grandfa- ther, Eliphalet Curtis, who came from England and located in Connecticut, where his son, Peter Curtis, the grandfather of our subject, was born. John Curtis, son of the latter, was also born in Connecticut, and went with his parents to Marcel- lus, N. Y., in a very early day. He grew to manliood in Onondaga County, and there inarried Amanda Carpenter, a native of Pompey, N. Y., born in 1792, and a daughter of Reuben Carpen- ter. For a number of years John Curtis manu- factured the old Clute Land-side Plows. He re- sided at Marcellus until his death in 1868, his wife dying in 1864, at the same place. They were the parents of three sons. Theodore, who was employed by the Government as interpreter
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on the Western plains during the late war, now resides in Arizona; William, who is a pattern- maker, resides in Oil City, Pa.
Jolin A. Curtis, our subject, who is the young- est of the three brothers, spent his early life in Marcellus, and received his education in the dis- trict schools. He learned the painter's trade in the latter village, and in 1862 came to Seneca Falls and was employed in the paint department of the Silsby Manufacturing Company, remain- ing with the company some eight years. He then formed a partnership with George Shandley, under the firm name of Curtis & Shandley, in the paint and oil business, also dealing in artists' ma- terials. This partnership continued until 1890, when Mr. Curtis sold his interest to Mr. Shand- ley, having in the mean time organized the Sen- eca Paint and Color Company, the parties inter- ested being Messrs. Shandley, Knight and Cur- tis. In 1893 the firm was duly incorporated under the laws of the state, with Jolin Shandley, President; John A. Curtis, Vice-President and General Manager; and W. O. Gatchell Secre-
tary and Treasurer. The company manufactures all kinds of paint, and is recognized as one of the established industries of Seneca Falls. Sales are made in all parts of the country, especially in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsy !- vania, and several traveling salesmen are con- stantly employed in pushing the products of the works. The plant is a brick structure, 35×90 feet, three stories in height, and the company employs from twelve to sixteen men. The power is furnished by water.
In 1851 Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Martha Stuckey, a daugliter of William Stuckey, of Mar- cellus, N. Y. They have three children: Charles: Alice, wife of Frank Wilcoxen, of Seneca Falls; and Cora, a telegrapher in the Western Union office at Seneca Falls. In politics Mr. Curtis isa pronounced Democrat, and has served two terms as Trustee of the village. Socially he is a meni- ber of Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. Curtis pushes his business with commendable zeal, and has added greatly to the business life of Seneca Falls.
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RICHARD S. WILCOX.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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RICHARD S. WILCOX.
ICHARD S. WILCOX, who during his life was a well known and highly respected citi- zen of Seneca County, was born on the farm where his family now resides, at Dey's Landing, in the town of Varick, April 16, 1824. He wasa son of Jotham and Lois (Scudder) Wilcox, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, and who there married, moving to this state early in the present century. Richard was the only one of the family that was born in this state, and both parents died on the farm where he was born. Reared in a comparatively new settlement, he had but few educational advantages, first attend- ing the district schools, and later those at Ovid. Until after reaching his majority he remained at home with his parents, assisting in the cultiva- tion of the farm.
For his first wife Mr. Wilcox married Miss Eliza P. Knight, of Massachusetts, who died in December, 1855. Their only son died when about seven years of age. On the 19th of March, 1856, our subject married Miss Berthena J. Kemp, of Niagara County, N. Y. By this union there were four children born: Etta E., who married E. L. Benjamin, and now resides on the home farm; Fannie L., who married C. R. Kennedy,
of Romulus; Richard F., who died in infancy; and Richard, who died July 31, 1888, in his eighteenth year.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Wilcox brought his young bride to his old home, where they lived happily together until his death, which occurred suddenly, of apoplexy, April 16, 1879. The farm, which is located in the towns of Varick and Romulus, consists of two hundred acres, and borders on Lake Seneca. Mr. Wilcox was ex- tensively engaged in general farming and stock- raising, in which he was quite successful, and al- ways kept his place under a high state of cultiva- tion.
Politically Mr. Wilcox was a Democrat, and took an active part in the affairs of his town and county, although he never asked nor de- sired public office. While not a member of any church, he was a supporter and attendant of the West Romulus Baptist Church. For many years he was an active member of the Grange organi- zation, being identified with the one in the town of Romulus, and earnestly believed that its prin- ciples, if honestly carried out, would subserve the best interests of the farming community. For a number of years he had been a Mason.
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Mr. Wilcox, who was a well built man, was five feet six inches in height, and weighed one hun- dred and seventy pounds. When his death oc- curred he was engaged in building the house in which the family now resides. Few men in Sen- eca County were better known and more highly respected than the subject of this sketch.
ORACE W. KNIGHT. There are many important industries in Seneca Falls, and among these may be mentioned the concerns with which Mr. Knight has been connected, and to the success of which lie has been a large con- tributor. He dates his residence in this city from the year 1859, since which time, with the exception of a brief period spent in New York City, he has made his home here. After com- ing to this place a second time, he purchased a plant and embarked in the manufacture of pat- tern letters. For these he found a ready sale, building up a trade that extends from the At- lantic to the Pacific, and establishing a reputa- tion as a reliable and honorable man. The firm of Knight & Sou is widely known, and is num- bered among the solid companies of Seneca Falls.
A native of this state, our subject was born in Mayfield, September 7, 1839, being the son of Rev. Horace B. and Mary (Hillman) Knight, natives respectively of Vermont and New York. The mother, who was a daughter of Isaac Hill- man, and sister of Joseph Hillman, of Troy, N. Y., a noted evangelist, passed away in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, at the age of sixty years. The fa- ther, who is still living and makes his home in Colorado, at one time was a resident of Sen- eca Falls, being pastor of the Wesleyan Church here for a number of years. While living at Sy- racuse, N. Y., he was agent for the American Wesleyan Book Concern. Throughout this coun- try he is well known by the prominent ministers
of his denomination, and his labors as a minis- ter of the Gospel have been fruitful of much good.
In the place where he was born Horace W. Knight passed the days of childhood and youth, and there he acquired the rudiments of his edu- cation in the common schools. Later he con- tinued his studies in other cities, and finally was graduated from the high school at Troy, Ohio. On completing his literary studies, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the American Wesleyan, on Spruce Street, New York City, and after thoroughly mastering the occupation, he became a compositor in the office of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Journal.
On coming to Seneca Falls in 1859, Mr. Knight accepted a position as compositor in a job office, also engaging iti the same capacity on a paper. He was then but twenty years of age, yet he possessed the shrewdness and excellent judgment that seldom come unitil maturer years. He was ambitious, too, and was not satisfied to remain in the employ of others. With characteristic confidence in his own ability to gain success, he purchased the plant operated by his employers, and agreed to pay therefor the sum of $12,000, no slight undertaking for one with as little capi- tal as he had. He continued the business, em- ploying Arthur Baker as editor of the paper.
From that Mr. Knight turned his attention to the manufacture of paper bags, for which he found a demand, and in which there were but few engaged. On selling out, he became con- nected with parties in New York City in the manufacture of the same article on a larger scale. On his return to Seneca Falls, he bought a plant and began to manufacture pattern letters, in which enterprise he has since successfully en- gaged. Aside from this business, he is con- nected with other important industries in this city, and has also valuable real-estate interests.
The marriage of Mr. Knight united him with Miss Sophia E., daughter of Samuel Taylor, of Seneca Falls. Five sons have been born to them: Charles H., Horace De Lancey, Willis G., Homer L. and Robert. The family residence is a neat and cozy abode, situated in the northern part of
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the city. In the First Congregational Church, of which he is a member, Mr. Knight has served as Treasurer for about a quarter of a century, and to the maintenance of its various enterprises he is a generous contributor. He is a Director in the Seneca Falls Savings Bank, one of the in- portant financial concerns of the place. For a time he was also engaged in the manufacture of tissue paper, but has recently sold that interest. He aided in the incorporation of the Seneca Falls Carriage Company, of which he lias since acted as Treasurer and General Manager. In all his enterprises he has displayed a cantionsness of judgment and discrimination that have been of the greatest aid in promoting his financial pros- perity. In politics he is a Republican.
2 ATHAN W. FOLWELL, M. D., was for seventy-two years a respected citizen of Seneca County, and was widely and favor- ably known. As a physician he ranked with the best in the community where he so long resided. As a citizen he was esteemed for his enterprise, and as a Christian he was loved and honored be- cause of his great faith, his loyalty and steadfast determination to walk in the footsteps of the Master, doing His work faithfully and well, and trusting in His promises as a child trusts in the promises of a father. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1805, and was a son of William W. Folwell, also a native of the same county, and a grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth Fol- well, who were natives of Pennsylvania. On his father's side he was of English descent, and Scotch-Irish descent on his mother's side. Thomas Folwell served with fidelity in the War of 1812.
Our subject was only two years old when liis parents moved to Seneca County and located in the town of Romulus, where the father pur-
chased a large tract of land and engaged in farm !- ing during the remainder of his life. Nathan attended the district schools, where he laid a foun- dation for an excellent education, and then went to Lodi and attended a school taught by Robert Herriott at Townsendville. September 6, 1826. he entered Geneva (now Hobart) College, and was graduated from that institution August 6. 1828. In September of the same year he re- turned to Townsendville and began the study of medicine with Dr. C. C. Coan, and in September, 1829, he entered the Fairfield Medical College and was graduated therefrom in January, 1832. His most intimate friend while at college was Asa Gray, the famous botanist. Soon after leav- ing the latter college hie formed a partnership with Dr. Coan, of Ovid, the connection lasting a few years. Later he went to Lodi, where he remained in practice until 1849, but on account of ill-health, in all probability caused by exposure, he gave up the practice of his profession, moved onto the old homestead, where he remained a short time, and then purchased about two hun- dred acres of land, which he improved and on which he resided until his death, February 4. 1879.
Dr. Folwell was united in marriage with Caro- line Reeder, a native of Trenton, N. J., who was born September 14, 1811. To them were born ten children. William W. is living at Arcadia, Wayne County, where he is engaged in farming. Asa G. resides in Fariner, his farm adjoining the village. James D., a private in the Thir- ty-third New York Infantry, was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison: in 1862 he died in a hospital in Philadelphia, his death resulting from ill-usage received while a prisoner of war. Ida T. is at home. Nathan W. and Emma R. are deceased. George F. is living on the home farm. Jennie E. is at home. Judson is the next in order; and Alice E. is deceased.
Dr. Folwell was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a true Christian, one having at heart the love of the canse, and who was willing to make any sacrifice that would advance the Master's kingdom. In politics he was an ardent Republican, with which party he had acted since
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its organization. A skillful physician and an honest, God-fearing man, his death was mourned by many friends throughout Sencca and adjoin- ing counties. His good wife survives him and is yet living on the old homestead, in fairly good health, although in her eighty-fifth year. Like her husband, she is an earnest Christian, and for years has been a member of the Baptist Church.
.
ENRY K. DEY. On the banks of Lake Seneca lies one of the most beautiful homes of Seneca County, and here Mr. Dey and his family reside. The place consists of seventy-two acres, upon which may be found all the improve- ments of a model farm, the land having been brought to a high state of cultivation and im- proved with a substantial set of buildings. In addition to this property, he owns another farm of seventy-three acres, the aggregate of his pos- sessions being one hundred and fifty-five acres.
Industry and perseverance have been the chief factors in the success secured by Mr. Dey. With the thrift and stability of his Holland ancestors, he combines the American characteristics of pluck and push. It is not strange, therefore, that he is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of the county where he has always made his home. While gaining financial success, he has also gained the esteem of his associates and the regard of a host of warm personal friends, who place the utmost confidence in his opinions and uprightness of character.
The history of the Dey family in America is one of more than ordinary interest and extends back to a period very early in the settlement of this country. Dey Strcet, New York, is named after the original progenitor of the family in this country, who, crossing from Holland, made set- tlement on Manhattan Island. In the records of the Reformed Dutch Church of New York we find
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