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 20
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 20
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In the town of Hector, now a part of Schuyler
County (but then incorporated in Tompkins), the subject of this notice was born October 10, 1847. His father, Capt. Jolin Woodward, was born in Devonshire, England, and came to America at the age of fourteen years, settling in the town of Hector, where he afterward married Miss Mary Peck. This lady, who was a native of Hector, was born in 1816, and died in 1864. A highly successful farmer, Mr. Woodward was also a pub- lic-spirited citizen, and served twice in the posi- tion of Supervisor. He was recognized as a man of integrity of character and large ability, and his death, August 25, 1865, was mourned as a common loss.
The parental family consisted of six children, all living, four sons and two daugliters, Arthur C. being the next to the youngest. The eldest, John H., was a soldier in the army, and served as Major on the staff of the commanding General of the Army of the Potomac, being under Mac- Clellan, Hooker, Burnside, Meade and Grant at different times. His home is now in Portland, Ore., where lie is known as an able lawyer. At one time he filled the office of County Judge. Benjamin W. was elected Judge of Schuyler County at the age of twenty-eight. Afterward he removed to Brooklyn, where he now has a large law practice. Charles M. is a physician and surgeon at Tecumseh, Mich. The elder daugh- ter, Harriet, graduated from the Syracuse Medi- cal College in 1873, and has since practiced in Albany, N. Y. Mary L. married O. H. Budd, of the town of Hector, who was Supervisor in the years 1894 and 1895, and in the fall of 1895 was elected as the Republican candidate to the Legislature.
The education of our subject was obtained principally at the Peach Orchard school. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he was appointed Deputy to County Clerk Edward Kendall. He was with that gentleman three years, and for the same length of time was with his successor, Myron H. Weaver. In the fall of 1878 he was elected County Clerk by a majority of sixteen hundred and seventy-nine, and three years later was re- elected. The third time he was elected without
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opposition from the Democratic party. Five times he was elected to the office, serving fifteen years altogether. Agriculture is his principal occupation at the present time.
November 20, 1870, Mr. Woodward married Miss Emma A., daughter of Alfred and Emeline (Warner) Everts. She died in ISTS, leaving two children, Alfred C. and James H. After- ward Mary F., a sister of his first wife, was united with him, but their marriage tie was sev- ered by her death April 5, 1889. March 1, 1890, Mr. Woodward was united in marriage, at Ver- non, Mich., with Miss Laura D. Goss, who died January 22, 1895, leaving a son, Arthur Weston. His present wife was Ella (Reynolds) Wager, who was united with him October 3, 1895. In 1888 Mr. Woodward erected his fine brick resi- dence at the corner of Franklin and Eighth Streets, which is one of the ornaments of the village. He is the owner of valuable property, , both in Watkins and in the country, and has been exceedingly fortunate in business mat- ters.
LARENCE D. SMEAD, D. V. S., associate editor of the National Stockman, a journal which has a wide circulation throughout the States, is also a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the town of Hector, Schuyler County, and is an extensive breeder of Shropshire sheep. He was born in Logan, this county, September 13, 1843, and is now one of the oldest residents in the place. His parents were Lysander and So- phia (Mapes) Smead, the former a native of Seneca County, whence he came to this locality about 1835. For about eighteen years thereafter he was one of the well-to-do and prosperous mer- chants of Logan, after which he retired to the farm on which the Doctor is now living. The tract then embraced eighty acres, but our subject
has since added to it until it now embraces one hundred and thirty- one acres. On this place the father departed this life in March, 1859, at the age of fifty years. His place was conspicuous for the improvements found upon it, and the own- er was well known in this vicinity as a man of temperance principles, which he supported both by example and precept.
Our subject's mother was a daughter of Will- iam Mapes, a resident of Orange County, where she was born. She is still living, making her home at East Genoa, Cayuga County, this state, and is in her seventy-fourth year. Her only son was Clarence D., the original of this sketch. His father dying when he was a lad of sixteen years, he took charge of the home place, whereon he has made his home ever since.
In February, 1865, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Hester Smith, the daughter of Whitley J. and Olive (Smithi) Smith, promi- nent among the old and notable families of the state. Mrs. Smead was born in Tioga County, and was brought to this section by her parents when an infant. Her mother died soon afterward and she was taken care of by her maternal grand- parents.
Mrs. Sophia Smead. the mother of our subject, was a second time married, and on that event sold her interest in the home place to her son. Being a great lover of horses, and desirous of informing himself regarding their treatment, he entered the College of Veterinary Surgery at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1872, with the degree of D. V. S. His mother was very much disappointed at this turn in affairs, as it was her ambition to have hin become a minister. His father was desirous of making a lawyer of him, and when he found that his son was fond of read- ing books bearing on the subject of horses, their diseases, etc., he forbade the neighbors to lend him any.
It is now over twenty years since Dr. Smead became a veterinary surgeon. He has practiced with good results, becoming well known to the horsemen of the state, and is at present associate editor on the staff of the National Stockman, hav- ing charge of the veterinary department. He
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keeps up his studies in this line, and is a lecturer in the Farmers' Institute. Now, however, his practice is mainly of an experimental character for college and newspaper use.
The Doctor has been a breeder of Shropshire sheep for seventeen years, having at the present time about one hundred of these animals on his place. He has imported many of his finest ani- mals, and never fails to carry off the blue rib- bons at the various state fairs where they are placed on exhibition. Dr. Smead has been for the past four years President of the New York State Shropshire Breeders' Association, and is considered authority on all diseases relating to this breed of sheep. Although he has on various occasions been called upon to fill positions of hon- or in colleges in the country, he has always re- fused to do so, feeling that he can be of more benefit to his fellow-men by remaining on his farın, experimenting and making known the re- sults through his department in the papers, and also in his lectures before the students of the Farmers' Institute. He is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and although not a mein- ber of any particular church, gives liberally of his means to the various denominations in his neighborhood.
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Å UGUSTINE S. PARISH. This is the name of a highly respected and very successful farmer in the town of Ovid, and a man widely experienced in the affairs of the world. He was born in this town, October 27, 1841, a son of William F. and Hannah A. (Bailey) Par- ish, natives of New Jersey and Orange County, N. Y., respectively. His grandfather, Thomas Parish, was a native of England, and came to this country and settled in New Jersey. For his first wife lie married Eunice Farmer, and re-
moved to this county about the year 1830. He had a large family of children, of whom we men- tion the following: Jolin, who was a farmer, lo- cated near Chicago. Benjamin made his home in Tecumiseli, Mich. Peter lives near Eaton Rapids, in the same state. Seneca is a hardware mer- chant in Chicago. Isaiah is a painter in Shorts- ville. Jacob is in Michigan. Kate married Fer- mon Conover, and went to the same state. Mary married Seneca Harvey, and died in this state. William F. is the youngest child. The grandfa- ther's second wife bore him no children. He was a farmer by occupation, and spent the last years of liis life at Waterloo, where he passed the full Biblical allowance of fourscore years. In the Reformed Church he served as an Elder.
William F. Parish, the father of our subject, was born in 1817, and came to Seneca County with his family by wagon. He was a farmier all his life, and at his death, February 21, 1892, possessed ninety-six acres. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, who is still liv- ing, became the mother of five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Lyman W. is Post- master and a merchant at Starkey. William Far- mer is a resident of the town of Seneca Falls. Mary married Filmore Slack, and died in Ovid, leaving no children. Martha is the wife of Charles Rice.
Our subject was reared on the farm, was edu- cated at Ovid Academy, and resided at home un- til 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Infantry. After serving one year and participating in the battle of Harper's Ferry, he was discharged on account of physical disability and returned home. One year later, however, he was called to Washı- ington, D. C., to take a position in the Quarter- master's office, and after holding this position one year he again came back to his native town. Here, in1 1867, Susan, daugliter of Leland Fen- ner, became his bride. She was born near Akron, Erie County, N. Y., May 10, 1846. After liis marriage Mr. Parisli purchased a farm. and has continued to cultivate thie same to the present time. He lias been the owner of several
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valuable places, and now owns sixty-six acres. In connection with this he carries on a rented farm of nearly two hundred and fifty acres.
Politically Mr. Parish is a Republican. His party has put him into several important local offices, and lie is now serving a term of four years as Supervisor. He is an earnest worker in local politics, and his word goes a long way in deter- mining party affairs. In religious and social matters he takes much interest, and is a member of the Baptist Church, of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, and of the Grand Army of the Re- public. For two years Mr. Parish traveled over the western regions of this country, and he feels that he knows something about the land in which he lives, more, perhaps, than many of the "globe-trotters" who are constantly busy on the other side of the world. He has been honest and active, and by his careful economy has ac- cumulated all his property.
Mr. and Mrs. Parish are the parents of four sons. George S. is a railroad agent at Shel- drake. Frank A. fills the same position at Cayuga. John L. is a telegraph operator; while Hiram B. is still at home. The two eldest boys began railroading at the age of sixteen, learning operating while working on the farm.
G ENJAMIN KING, one of the oldest resi- dents of Seneca County, has passed his en- tire life here, and at the same time he has won the respect and esteem of all his acquaint- ances. He was born in the town of Covert, where he now lives, February 9, 1813, and is therefore eighty-two years of age.
Our subject is the son of Tertullus King, who came to this county in company with his father, Brazilla King, as early as 1795. The journey
was made overland during the winter from Dutchess County, N. Y., and proved a very tedi- ous one to the little party of travelers. Upon lo- cating in this county, the grandfather took up six hundred acres of uncultivated land, upon which he erected a log house, which sheltered the house- hold for a great many years. The father of our subject was one in a family of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to mature years and became the heads of families. At the time of his death the father was living in this town, and his remains were interred in the Trumansburg Ceme- tery.
The lady whom Tertullus King married was Miss Elizabeth Green. To them were born the following children: Mollie, Joseph, Lura and Asa, all deceased; Huldah, who died at the age of eighty-five years; and Benjamin, of this sketch. The latter was fairly well educated, and was thor- oughly trained in farm duties. The lady whom he chose as his wife and helpmate was Miss Elizabeth Edwards, who was born June 9, 1812, in Wilkes Barre, Pa. Their union resulted in the birth of two children, Mary and Tertullus, the latter of whom is a local surveyor in this town, and is also engaged in the nursery and vineyard busi- ness. He married Miss Harriet P. Robinson, and their seven children are named, respectively: Elizabeth E., Alice C., Homer (deceased), Her- bert P., Florence, Asa C. and Harry.
Our subject began in life for himself upon at- taining his majority, and on the demise of his fa- ther formed a partnership with his brother Josephi. and together they carried on the home farm for several years. Now, however, Mr. King operates one hundred and twenty-four acres of this prop- erty on his own account, and has met with suc- cess in his farming ventures. Although his ad- vanced years render it unadvisable for him to en- gage in active labor, yet he keeps himself in touch with what is going on around hint on the estate. During his younger years he was a worker in the cause of the Republican party, al- though he was never said to be a politician, leav- ing that to men whose individual interests de- manded less time than his own.
Upon the old homestead stands an apple tree
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which has been growing for many years, and which is known as the old "schoolhouse" apple tree, from the fact that the first schoolhouse erect- ed in the district was built on that spot.
- SAAC LA MOREAUX, who is passing the uneventful life of a farmer, is classed among the well-to-do agriculturists of Seneca Coun- ty. His farm is located in a very fertile portion of the county, and its surroundings denote the owner to be a inan of thrift and enterprise. The tract comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and lies in the town of Lodi.
Mr. La Moreaux was born on the farm where he now lives, February 12, 1818. His father, Daniel La Moreaux, was born in Orange County, this state, August 27, 1771. The grandfather was a native of France, and on coming to the United States took part in the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth Bloomer, the first wife of Dan- iel La Moreaux, was born May 29, 1778, and by her marriage became the mother of eight chil- dren, all of whom are deceased with the excep- tion of Robert. On the death of his first wife, Mr. La Moreaux married Mary Lent, whose birth occurred June 4, 1786. Of this union there were born four children, viz .: Catherine; Isaac, of this sketch; Thomas and Hannah. Isaac is the only survivor of this family.
The father of our subject came from Orange to Seneca County about the year ISor. The jour- ney hither was made by ox-teams, and he was one of the earliest to make his home in this sec- tion. Very soon thereafter he purchased one hundred acres of wild land, on which he cleared a small space and erected a log cabin, in which his family were made passably comfortable. The following year the father purchased another one hundred acres across the road from this place, and there made his home until his decease, in
IS53. He became one of the most successful farmers of the county, and succeeded in accumu- lating a handsome fortune, owning at the time of his deccase three hundred acres of excellent land. He was fairly well educated, securing his knowl- edge of the branches taught by attending the dis- trict schools during odd seasons of farm work.
Mr. La Moreaux was married January 18, 1844, to Miss Maria Lattourette. To them have been born three children, of whom the eldest son, Abraham, is an engineer at Penn Van, N. Y .; and Mary A. and Sarah are at home. Isaac re- mained under the parental roof until after his marriage, when he took possession of the tract whereon he now makes his home.
In his political affiliation Mr. La Moreaux is a strong Democrat, casting his first vote for Martin Van Buren. He is much esteemed in the com- munity where all his life has been passed, and by industry and good management he lias gathered around him many of the comforts and conven- iences of life, and is now enabled to sit down and enjoy the fruits of his labor.
HARLES L. GRIDLEY, widely known throughout this portion of Seneca County, deserves representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers. He is at present farm- ing in the town of Junius, where he is the pro- prietor of a fine and excellently cultivated estate.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sulli- van County, N. Y., December 29, 1847, his par- ents being Charles and Mary Matilda (Skinner) Gridley, well-to-do residents of that county. They moved to Saratoga County when our subject was two years of age, and a little over a year there- after the wife and mother died, leaving a family of four children, of whom Charles L. was the youngest. The father married again, and our
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subject lived at home until reaching his twelfthi year, when he made his way to Clyde, Wayne County, and althoughi a stranger in that locality, obtained work, for which he received his board and clothes, and was also permitted to go to school a part of the time. He lived with this good Quaker family for two years, and on leav- ing them worked out for eight months in the year, receiving $7 per month, out of which he was obliged to pay for his board, clothing and schoolbooks. Notwithstanding these calls made upon him, he saved in that time $45, and the next year his services were rewarded by an in- crease of a dollar a month. Out of this salary he saved during the year $55, which, with the $45, he put out at interest, thus giving him quite a start. The third year he received $13 a month, and had he not made a contract with liis em- ployer the preceding year, he could have com- manded $16, as his services were well worth that amount.
December 16, 1863, when nearly sixteen years of age, our subject enlisted in Company H, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and with his regi- inent was ordered to the front. Under the com- mand of General Grant, the regiment did duty as infantry in the battle of the Wilderness. After this they guarded wagon trains until May 26, 1864, when occurred the battle of North Anna, in which they also participated. From this place they inarched to Cold Harbor, and from June I to June II were under fire thicre every day and night.
In the battle of Cold Harbor our subject's brother Edward, who was a member of the same regiment, was wounded in the breast, the ball passing through the shoulder and cutting off the head of the shoulder bone, which our subject has preserved. He was taken from the field of battle, and although the doctors told him hc could not possibly live, he refused to have his arm amputated. Contrary to their expectations, he rallied, and is living at this writing and also has some use of his wounded arm. He makes his home in Clyde, Wayne County, and is the father of a daugliter, who is now married.
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Charles L. participated in many other import-
ant engagements, figliting at Harper's Ferry. Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill and Mt. Jackson. After the last-named battle the regi- ment went back to the James River, and was encamped just south of Petersburg until after the surrender of that city. From there they were ordered to Burkeville Junction, and from there marched to Danville, Va., where they did guard duty. Upon the establishment of peace, they marclied to Washington, D. C., and participated in the Grand Review, after which our subject was mustered out of service at Ft. Ethan Allen, and discharged October 10 at Hart's Island.
During his army experience our subject had saved a little money, and after remaining in Clyde a short time entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, finishing the course in 1866. After leaving school he engaged to work for a brother in Wayne County, and a year tliere- after began farming on shares. This continued until about 1874, when, October 18 of that year, he was married to Miss Emma D. Lynch, of the town of Galen, Wayne County. She was born, however, in the town of Waterloo, Seneca Coun- ty, but had accompanied her parents on their re- mioval to that portion of the state many years before.
In February, 1875, our subject made a pur- chase of eighty-five and one-half acres of land, on which he now lives. At that time it bore very few improvements, but it was not long be- fore Mr. Gridley had repaired the buildings and laid over fifty thousand tiles on the place. In 1893 he became the owner of a tract of seventy- five acres in the town of Waterloo, from the cul- tivation of which he reaps a good income.
Mrs. Gridley departed this life in 1882, leaving two children, Lottie A. and Grace E. The elder daughter completed her education in the schools of Waterloo, and is now engaged in teaching. Grace E. is still a student. Mr. Gridley chose for his second wife Miss Hattie M. Olin, and they were married February 22, 1888. They have one daughter, Louise, who was born March 16, 1889. Mrs. Gridley is a daughter of Rev. William B. Olin, whose biography appears else- where in this volume.
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In his political relations our subject affiliates . with the Republican party, on which ticket he was elected Justice of the Peace, entering upon the duties of his office January 1, 1895. He has also been Town Committeeman, and in every po- sition he occupies gives satisfaction. Socially he is a member of Rose Hill Grange at Waterloo,
in which body he has filled most of the minor of- fices. He belongs to Tyler J. Snyder Post, G. A. R., also at Waterloo, and has attended the reunion of his regiment at various times. Mod- est and unassuming, Mr. Gridley is a man who makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact.
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HON. M. J. SUNDERLIN.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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HON. MARTIN J. SUNDERLIN.
ON. MARTIN J. SUNDERLIN, attorney- at-law at Watkins, has been a familiar fig- ure to tlie people of this community for more than twenty years, and they have shown their appreciation of the man in many different ways, not only by giving liim a full share of the legal business that originates in their midst, but also by selecting him for responsible public posi- tions, such as County Judge and Postmaster of the village. It hardly need be said that he is a man of candor, energy, perseverance and integ- rity-that fact needs only to be mentioned here in the interest of a candid history.
Judge Sunderlin was born in the town of Bar- rington, Yates County, N. Y., April 11, 1833, and is the son of Dellazon Sunderlin, who was born in Putnam County, this state, in February, 1809. For some years before his death, which occurred September 8, 1871, the latter acted as District Attorney, and proved himself an honor- able and capable lawyer. He was also a stanch Democrat. His father, Dennis Sunderlin, was also born in Putnam County, and was of English and French extraction. The mother of our sub- ject, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Swart- hout, was a daughter of James A. Swartliout, and belonged to a noted central New York family.
Slie finished lier earthly life in the year 1887, after seventy-six years of lights and shadows, such as conte to all the children of humanity. Martin J. was her eldest son, and was the third of seven children. He had three sisters and three brothers, of whom only one sister is now living.
Martin was given the public-school privileges that belonged to the boys of his time and neigh- borltood, and besides attending the district school at Barrington, was given two terms at Dundee Academy. After his return home he read law with his father, and was admitted to the Bar at Auburn in May, 1856, at the General Terni of the Supreme Court held there. He began his professional life in Yates County, where he con- tinued practicing law until 1864. That year he took possession of a farin, and blended farming with legal life. In 1872 he came to Watkins, where he has resided up to the present time. Ini 1882 he was elected County Judge and Surro- gate of Schuyler County, and held the position six years.
Politically Mr. Sunderlin has acted with the Democratic party for the last forty years, and his fidelity to party lines, along with his manifest legal and executive ability, has made him a man of recognized prominence in his party in this
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portion of the state. and especially in this county. In 1856 he was married to Miss Eliza J., daugh- ter of Stephen C. and Susan A. Sharp, of Starkey, Yates County.
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