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 23
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 23
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. Isaac Johnson, the grandfather of our subject, came to Seneca Connty from Orange County in a very early day. Here he purchased a tract of land, which he cleared and cultivated, and here passed the remainder of his life. His son, Stephen B. Johnson, was born in the town of Romulus and here grew to manhood. He married Maria Bray, and to them was born only one child, Abram B., the subject of this sketch. Stephen B. Johnson was a large land-owner in the town of Romulus, and in his day was very prominent in the affairs of his county. He was well known throughout its length and breadth, and was a higlily respected citizen. His death occurred some years ago.
The subject of this sketch was reared on tlie home farm. In the summer he assisted in the farm work, and in the winter attended the dis- trict schools, remaining at home until his mar- riage. December 24, 1856, lie married Miss Catlı- arine Sayer, who was also a native of the town of Romulus, and a daughter of Edward Sayer, an early settler and highly respected citizen of the county. Four children came to bless their union: Clara, the wife of George Carroll, who resides in the town of Ovid; Stephen V. R., who is en- gaged in farming in the town of Ovid; and Luella and Mary, who are yet at home.
Soon after their marriage, the young couple took up their residence on the old homestead where our subject grew to manhood, and liere they continued to reside until the death of Mr. Johnson, which occurred January 10, 1893. The farmi, which comprised three hundred acres of ex- cellent land, all in one body, was always kept in fine order and was one of the most productive farms in Seneca County. Here he carried on
general farming, devoting hiis time to such prod- ucts as he deemed the most profitable, and also extensively engaged in buying and selling stock for some years. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party, and althoughi never an office-seeker, he was yet interested in the political questions of the day, and believed it the duty of every citizen to at least discharge liis duties at the polls. His death was mourned not alone by his immediate family, but by a large circle of friends throughout the county.
M RS. ELIZA ANN MANN. Among the aged and venerable ladies of the town of Romulus, Seneca County, is Mrs. Eliza Mann. She is the daughter of Josiah Yerkes, who was born on the 3d of August, in the open- ing year of this century, and died while still a young man, April 28, 1841.
Mrs. Mann, our subject, was born March 12, 1829, nearly three years after the marriage of her father, which occurred December 26, 1826. In the pride and beauty of lier early womanhood, March 29, 1854, shie married Thomas Mann. This marriage proved a happy one, and was blessed with the coming of nine children into the family circle. Fletcher and Sidney, the two eldest children, are residents of South Dakota. Thomas, the third son, was born October 30, 1862, and died in the same month thirty-one years later. George B. was born May 27, IS72. Madge is the wife of Frank Williams. Sarah L., born November 22, 1860, is unmarried and remains at home. Her next younger daughter, born five years later, October 25, 1865, is engaged in the noble profession of teaching. Lida, the wife of Hamlin Covert, makes lier home at Ellen Beach. Minnie J., the youngest child of the family, still resides at home. Mrs. Mann remained on her
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father's place until her marriage. About ten years afterward she and her family removed to their present location, a farm of eighty-three acres, one mile from Romulus.
M ICHAEL EGAN, one of the representative and enterprising citizens of the town of Hector, Schuyler County, was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, and is a son of Thomas Egan. When a boy of fifteen he left home and embarked in a sailing-vessel for the United States, and after a voyage of four weeks landed in New York, a stranger in a strange land. During the voyage the "black plague" appeared on board and about fifty persons died.
Not finding employment on arriving at New York, our subject proceeded to New Haven, Conn., and near that place secured work with a physician. After remaining in his employ a short time, he returned to New York State and worked in a brickyard near Albany, where he remained one season. He then came to Schuyler County, where he formed the acquaintance of Lydia A. Chapman, and their marriage was celebrated October 1, 1857. She is a daughter of Leander Chapman, who came to this county from Otsego County with two brothers, one of whom, Elihu Chapman, located here. The latter's family now resides in Elmira. To Mr. and Mrs. Egan four children have been born: Charles and Alonzo, who are now engaged in farming in the town of Hector; Williami, who is likewise engaged in agricultural pursuits; and Katie, thie wife of Moses Bowen, who lives upon and works the home farnı.
Before his marriage Mr. Egan had purchased a farm in Bradford County, Pa., to which he re- moved with his young bride, and remained there nine years, during which time three of their chil-
dren were born. He then sold out and returned to Schuyler County, purchasing the old Chap- man Farm, where Mrs. Egan was born, and on which she has resided all her life, with the excep- tion of nine years spent in Pennsylvania. The farm at that time consisted of seventy-five acres. to which Mr. Egan has added by subsequent purchases one hundred and twenty-five acres, giving him an excellent farm of two hundred acres, on which he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has also a fine orchard and vineyard upon the place. In the past twenty years he has bought and sold a great many head of horses, and has handled a great deal of other stock In addition to his farming he has engaged to some extent in the lumber business, cutting and sawing timber from his own land and placing the lumber upon the market. He still has some fine timber on his farmi. ·
In politics Mr. Egan is a Democrat in national affairs, but on local questions he is quite liberal. voting for the man he thinks best qualified to fill the office. Mr. and Mrs. Egan are members of the Baptist Church, in the work of which they are active, and are greatly interested in the spread of the Gospel. For some years he was an active member of the Good Templars, and though not at present connected with the order he is deeply interested in the temperance cause.
AMES H. GOULD. There is no enterprise that has more materially promoted the manu- facturing and commercial interests of Seneca Falls than The Goulds' Manufacturing Company, which, for years after its establishment in IS48, was known as Downs & Co.'s Pump Works. Its history has been one of constant success, and it is now one of the largest concerns of the kind in the entire world. Steady employment is fur-
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nished four hundred hands, and the manufactur- ing plant covers two acres, upon which twelve large buildings are situated.
The products of the factory embrace a general line of iron and brass lift and force pumps, in- cluding cistern and pitcher pumps, well and force pumps, single and double acting; hand and house force pumps, hand and power rotary pumps, boiler feed pumps, hydraulic rams, iron and brass pumping cylinders of every style, patent garden .pumps, fire engines, etc., the different styles and kinds manufactured making an aggregate of nearly one thousand. The mechanical equip- ment of the works is complete, every facility being provided for the satisfactory management of the business. In order to avoid any possible defect, all pumps are examined by an expert be- fore being shipped; the couplings are all tool-cut, and all castings are from metal patterns. A force of competent hydraulic engineers is employed, and special pumping apparatus of every kind is manufactured to order.
In 1890 this company began manufacturing triplex power pumps, which are now recognized to be the most efficient and economical type of power pumps ever built. This department of the company's business employs fully one bun- dred mien. The pumps have become so popular and so much in demand that several other manu- facturers have taken them up. This company is the only one in the United States that can show an electrically operated water-works plant, it having installed one in San Antonio, Tex., in 1892, and one in Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1895. The power house and pumping plant are about four miles apart, but are operated automatically by means of switches.
In addition to the factory in Seneca Falls and the warehouse at No. 16 Murray Street, New York, the firin has branches in Chicago and St. Louis; London, England; and Bremen, Germany. They also have representatives in every civilized coun- try. The success of the works was due origin- ally to Seabury S. Gould, father of our subject, and for many years President of the company, a man of keenness of intellect and decision of character. Since his deatlı the position of Presi-
dent has been held by Jamies H., who has con- stantly added to the value of the plant and to the reputation of the products.
In the city where he still resides, the subject of this notice was born October 21, 1844, being thie son of Seabury S. and Hannalı B. (Hoskins ) Gould. His father, who was a son of David Gould, was born and reared in Connecticut, re- moved thence to Seneca Falls in 1835, and some time afterward became interested in the firm of Downs & Co. This establishment was founded in 1848, and was carried on under that name until 1872, when it was incorporated as Tlie Goulds' Manufacturing Company. S. S. Gould retained his connection with the concern until shortly be- fore his death, which occurred in 1886, at the age of seventy-four. His wife is still living, and occupies the family homestead, a substantial brick dwelling situated in Seneca Falls. As was her husband, she is a member of the First Presby- terian Church and a liberal contributor to its various enterprises. She is a niece of Charles L. Hoskins, for many years a prominent merchant of this place, and still a resident of the city.
Among five children, James H. Gould is the eldest son. He obtained his early education in tlie schools of Seneca Falls and prepared for college in the academy here. In 1861 he entered Vale Col- lege, where he pursued his studies for some time. Upon leaving that institution he spent some time in New York City. In 1868 he entered The Goulds' Manufacturing Company as general mail- ager, and held that and other positions until he became its President in 1886. As a business man, he is keen, sagacious, possessing shrewd discern- ment and foresiglit, methodical in his habits, and careful in his management of affairs. I11 1890 he was chosen President of the Exchange Na- tional Bank of Seneca Falls, of which he had been Vice- President since 1885, and still fills the formier office. In addition, he is connected withi other important institutions and industries of the place.
In 1870 Mr. Gould was united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Silsby, daughter of H. C. Silsby. They had one child, Mary S. In 1879 Mrs. Emma A. Gould died, and in 1882 our sub-
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ject married Miss M. P. Perry, of Brooklyn, daughter of Joseph A. Perry. Of this union two children were born, Frederick S. and Emily P., both of whom are living. The family oc- cupies one of the handsome homes of Seneca Falls, a substantial brick structure, surrounded by well kept and attractive grounds. Politically Mr. Gould is a stanch Republican and recog- nized as one of the influential men in this part of the state.
ENSSELAER SCHUYLER is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms in Seneca Coun- ty. It is beautifully located on the Lake Road, town of Seneca Falls, and is well culti- vated in every particular. Mr. Schuyler was born in New York City, March 4, 1821, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth ( Ware ) Schuyler. The father was born in Belleville, N. J., and early in life began following the sea. He was also trained in military tactics, but, being in love with life on the water, he did not follow up his studies in that line. He entered the service as a sailor, and was promoted through the various stages until he became captain of a vessel, and when the British blockaded the port of Sandy Hook he ran the blockade and succeeded in reaching port.
While on land Captain Schuyler organized a company known in history as the Jersey Blues, and afterwards ran the blockade under cover of a severe thunderstorm in the night. Upon reach- ing the sea they entered the service of the Gov- ernment as privateers in the War of 1812. The motto of the vessel was "United we stand, divided we fall." The father was an expert in the man- agement of his vessel, and on one occasion, when running the blockade, he called to the captain of another vessel telling him that if he wanted to get through safely he had better shorten his sail.
That gentleman, thinking his knowledge of vessels was about as extensive as Captain Schayler's, replied that he would run under first. Our hero did as he liad instructed the other to do, and in consequence reached port in safety, while his comrade was never seen again.
Captain Schuyler made his home in New York City while following the sea. He traded for a time in the East Ihdics, and was also captain on a packet running to Liverpool. Previous to this time he had allowed his salary to accumulate, and instead of drawing it each month let it re- main with his employers. They became bank- rupted, however, and he lost all his savings. His last voyage was a trip to China, where he contracted yellow fever, which left him in a very feeble state. He returned home as soon as he was able, but it was not long before his death occurred, the result of pneumonia. This sad event took place when our subject was about six years of age.
The parental family included eight children, of whom Rensselaer, of this history, was the youngest but one. Of this household only two are now living, the brother of our subject being James, who makes his home in Hollister, Cal. Mrs. Schuyler departed this life the year before her husband.
On being doubly orphaned, our subject was adopted by a brother of his father, Aaron Schuy- ler, with whom he made his home for many years. He attended school in New York City and acquired a very fair education. In 1833, when he was in his twelfth year, his uncle came to Seneca County, and, purchasing land, gave his attention to farming. This industry was somewhat new to him, as all his life he had been a sea-coaster. Here Rensselaer also went to school winters and aided in the work on the farm during the summer months. He became a very fine penman, and when in school he was often petitioned by the teacher to give instruction in this study to the other pupils.
At the age of seventeen our subject appren- ticed hinself to Mr. Maurice to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. On this occasion he refused to be bound by any contract, as he told
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that gentleman if he did not use him well papers would not hold him, and if he did, lie would stay with him even to the last liour. He remained in his employ two months over four years, the time which had been agreed upon, during which time he became an expert in the use of tools. He commenced working for others wlien nine- teen years old, and very soon was placed in charge of over forty-two men. This was during the building of the bridge across Cayuga Lake for the New York Central Road.
In 1847 Mr. Schuyler and Miss Judith Norris, of the town of Seneca Falls, were united in mar- riage. She was born in England and was brought to America when a child by her parents. Two years after his marriage our subject went to California, the journey being undertaken in the brig "Mexican," which had once been captured by pirates. He was eiglit and a-half months making the journey around Cape Horn, and up- on arriving in the Golden State began working in the mines. He was thus employed for a year and a-half, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus, being en route at this time only one month.
After his return to Seneca Falls, Mr. Schuyler established a grocery business in Seneca Falls, and for four years commanded a good trade. In 1856 he was appointed State Inspector of Govern- ment Works, holding that position during the enlargement of the Seneca & Erie Canal. He was the incumbent of this position about a year, after which he purchased his present home. Ever since boyhood he had been greatly inter- ested in fruit-raising, and when he had property of his own determined to engage in this deliglit- ful business.
In 1892 our subject was elected to the office of Superintendent of the Poor, to serve for a term of three years. He had previously served as Overseer of the Poor in the town of Seneca Falls for the same length of time. While in the vil- lage of Seneca Falls he was a member of the Board of Trustees, and was also the successful candidate for the office of Excise Commissioner.
Mr. Schuyler cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. He, however, changed liis views
about the time the war opened and ever since lias been a stanch Democrat. He now has in his possession an old cane used by General Jackson, which was sent to hiim by his cousin, Schuyler Underliill. whose home was near the "Hermit- age," the old Jackson residence. He also lias a cane made from a part of the frigate "Constitu- tion," with the name of all the Presidents down to Garfield carved upon it.
To Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler there were born three children. Robert A .. who was born Novem- ber 3, 1849, attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and upon completing his literary educa- tion took a business course in the Commercial College of Auburn. He is now Cashier for the New York Central, Lake Shore and two other corporations, with headquarters at Suspension Bridge. He has a daughter, Mary. Our subject's second child, Mary E., is now deceased. Juditli Gertrude also attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and for a number of years followed teach- ing. Our subject is a member of Trinity Epis- copal Church, with which denomination his an- cestors were identified for many generations. In 1852 Mr. Schuyler became a Mason, joining Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, in the village of Seneca Falls, and being one of the first to be initiated after the lodge was organized. He has filled nearly all the chairs in that particular lodge and bears the distinction of being its oldest mem- ber.
2 ICHARD DEY, M. D., a well known phy- sician and surgeon residing at Romulus, was born in the town of Fayette, September 17, 1832, and is a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Kenner) Dey. His father was a native of New Jersey, and by occupation was a farmer and car- penter. He married Mary Kenner in New Jer- sey, and removed to Seneca County in 1813. They became the parents of six children: Han-
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nah, Peter N., Mary, Gilbert, Richard and Henry. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on the farm, and, in common with farmer lads in'' in the spring of 1865. general, was required to assist in the labors of the farmı as soon as his age would permit. In his boy hood and youth he attended the district schools in the neighborhood where the family resided, and remained at home until after he had attained his majority. He has been twice married, first in September, 1861, to Miss Mary J. Henion, who died seven months after their marriage, and in 1868 to Miss Emma Salyer, by whom he has three children: Gilbert S., who is a mechanical draughtsman residing in Rochester; De Witt, who resides in Romulus; and E. Grace, at home.
When twenty-one years of age, our subject took a short course in the academy at Seneca Falls. Previous to this, however, he began teacli- ing in the district schools, continuing thus en- gaged for ten years. During the last two years he also read medicine with Dr. George W. Davis, of Seneca Falls. He then entered the Univer- sity of Michigan, where he remained one year, and then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. The War for the Union was in progress at that time, and, although he had not yet received his diploma, he was ap- pointed Acting Assistant Surgeon of the United States army, April 15, 1864, and was stationed for a short time at Washington. From there he was sent to Belle Plains, and later was on the
hospital transport. In the fall of 1864 lie re- turned to college, from which he was graduated
On receiving his diploma, Dr. Dey commenced the practice of his profession at Seneca Falls, where he remained two years, and in 1867 came to Romulus, where he has since continued to re- side, with the exception of three years spent in Waterloo. His success has equaled . his antici- pations, and he lias a practice of which he may .well be proud. He is a constant reader of medi- cal works and papers, and keeps well posted in his profession. He is not one of the kind that believes that all medical skill and knowledge rested with those in the past, but believes that new discoveries are being constantly made, and does not hesitate to adopt such theories as may seem practical, or which have been thoroughly tested by otliers. In the proceedings and discus- sions of the various inedical associations of which he is a member he takes an active part. In poli- tics he has always been a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Jolin C. Fremont, the great "Path-Finder," and first Presidential can- didate of the Republican party. While interested in political affairs, and believing it the duty of every citizen to take part, he has never sought or desired publie office for himself. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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THOMAS S. WILCOX.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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THOMAS S. WILCOX.
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HOMAS S. WILCOX, one of the most pros- perous. and advanced farmers of Seneca County, was born in this county May 16, 1821, and has lived here continuously through- out his long and useful life. His parents, Jotham and Louisa (Scudder) Wilcox, were both natives of Essex County, N. J., where they were mar- ried. In 1819 they removed to Seneca County, this state, where they secured two farms, of one hundred acres each, one of which was beautiful- ly located on Seneca Lake, and the other in Romulus. Upon the former they resided, and there was born the subject of this article, who was the only one of their five children who sur- vived them.
In 1848 Jotham Wilcox succumbed to a stroke of apoplexy, being then fifty-eight years of age, and was interred in the Baptist Graveyard. His funeral is still remembered by many of the older residents, it having been attended by a large con- course of people. His keen intellect and natural gift of oratory had gained him several nomina- tions as a legislative candidate, honors which he had always declined. His faithful wife survived him but three years and was laid to rest by his side. Our subject also mourns the loss of two brothers and two sisters. Eliza married Ben- jamin Bartlett, with whom she lived on the Rom- ulus farm until he moved to Ovid; later they located in Niagara County, where the wife died.
Mary Jane became the wife of Edward I. Judd, of Romulus, at which place she passed to the bet- ter land. Daniel farmned the place near Romulus, and died in the village of that name. Richard lived and died on the homestead bordering upon the lake.
March 26, 1846, Mr. Wilcox led to the altar one of the belles of the county, Miss Elizabeth Abbott, a daughter of Elijah Abbott. To-day she and one brother are all that remain of a fam- ily of eleven. The first three years of a life of unbroken hymeneal bliss they spent on the lake farm, but in 1849, a year after the death of the father of Mr. Wilcox, they removed to the desirable one hundred and twenty-five acre farm in the town of Varick, near MacDougall, upon which they have since resided. In the forty-six years which have intervened Mr. Wilcox has im- proved the tract until it blossoms as the rose. His house is one of the finest in the town. Lake Seneca is but two and one-half miles away, and from the observatory which crowns the home one can catch glimpses of seven counties. Taken all in all, the homestead of Mr. Wilcox is a place of which any man, however wealthy, might well be proud.
The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with three sons: Hermann and Elijah, both of whom graduated at Rochester College, aud Richard C., who died at the age of six years.
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Hermann, the eldest, chose the medical profes- sion and took a course at the State University at Ann Arbor, and also at Bellevue Medical College. He practiced medicine successfully in New York City for five years, or until he married the beau- tiful and only daughter of Mr. Hartmann, a cloth manufacturer, when he became a partner in the business of his father-in-law. Since then he has embarked in the real-estate business, and is to-day one of the prominent dealers in New York real estate. The second son, Elijah, is also in business in New York City. He married Miss Clara Hiatt, a young lady of Brooklyn, who at her death left two pretty daughters, Florence and Edith, who flit about the home of their pa- ternal grandparents like two rays of sunshine.
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