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 24
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 24
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In politics Mr. Wilcox was a Democrat prior to the war, but since then he has voted the Re- publican ticket. Although he never desired office, he was once elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify for the office. Throughout their entire lives he and his wife have been mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Wilcox is one of the pillars of the Baptist Church at West Romulus.
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ENJAMIN HENDRICKS. If the farmer is essential to the life of a community, pro- viding food and clothing for all, the man who makes trade and barter possible and easy is quite as useful and necessary. Trade and com- merce have made it possible for man to rise from the level of savage life to the refinement of modern civilization, and in this line the life of our subject has been spent. With no sound of trumpets and noisy acclamations in the air, he has gone on his way. taking the part of a sub- stantial citizen and a good friend and neighbor.
He was born in the town of Fayette, Sencca County, May 2, 1830, and has been engaged in the affairs of this county all his life.
Samuel Hendricks, our subject's father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1801, coming with his parents four years later to make his home in the woods in the town of Fayette, where they followed general farming. When quite a young man the father married Miss Al- mira Chadwick, of Granville, Ohio, and later located near Waterloo, where he engaged in the tanning business for a number of years. His death.occurred in 1859, in Fayette.
Benjamin Hendricks, the grandfather, was born in Northampton County, Pa., his ancestors cont- ing from Holland, and settling in the colony early in the century. He was Assemblyman in 1826, in which year he was also made a Mason. His wife outlived him about two years. The grand- father and Vice-President Hendricks were sec- ond cousins.
Benjamin Hendricks, our subject, was the sec- ond of four children, three sons and one daugh- ter. One son died in infancy, and Albert died in 1875, so that of the old and happy childhood family Elizabeth is the only one living beside himself. He attended the public school and finished his school days at Waterloo Academy, and after leaving school he entered his father's tannery, continuing there until 1868. He then formed a partnership with John Shiley, carrying on a mercantile business, under the firm name of Hendricks & Shiley, until 1891, when Mr. Hen- dricks sold out his interest in the business and retired from active labors.
In 1856 Miss Asenath Bacon, daughter of George Bacon, of Painesville, Ohio, became our subject's wife, and they lived together very hap- pily until 1891, when she was called to her heavenly home. Of this union one daughter survives; she is now the wife of George Keeler, and they make their home in Waterloo.
In politics Mr. Hendricks was formerly an old- line Whig, but of late has found the Democratic party more nearly accomplishing his political ideals, and so has largely acted with it. He has been Justice of the Peace for six years, and once
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was Town Clerk of Fayette. Socially he has taken much interest in the affairs of the com- munity, and its social and religious organizations have found in him a faitliful friend. He is a member of Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M., of which he was Master for three years, and of Salem Town Chapter No. 73, R. A. M.
Mr. Hendricks is a devoted mieniber of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with which his wife was also connected.
ENRY G. DAY. Among those of foreign birth who are closely associated with the agriculturists of Seneca County, we should not fail to mention Mr. Day, who, although young in years, is old in experience as a farmer. He is the proprietor of a splendid estate in the town of Fayette, on which he has some full-blood- ed Guernsey cattle and the best grade of horses. He raises considerable grain on his farm, and is doing excellent work in developing its resources.
Mr. Day was born near Bristol, England, Feb- ruary 20, 1861, his parents being Charles and Mary (Bizley) Day, also natives of the British Isles. Henry was a lad of nine years when they determined to try their fortunes in America, and on arriving here they located first at Port Byron, Cayuga County. They made their home there for the following nine years, when Mr. Day pur- chased property just west of Waterloo and moved his family to Seneca County. In 1876 Mr. Day went to England with his family on a visit, and returned to America in the spring of the follow- ing year.
The subject of this sketch was given oppor- tunity for gaining a good cominon-school educa- tion, although the advantages at that time were very inferior to those of the present day. He re- sided with his parents until attaining his majority, when he established a home of his own and was
married, August 22, 1888, to Miss M. Ella Shearston, who was then residing in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y. She was born July 4, 1862, at Weedsport, Cayuga County, and was the daugliter of Edward and Maria (Durston) Shearston, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Shearston were born near Axbridge and came to America prior to their marriage. They now make their home in Lockport, where the father is engaged as a miller, which has been his busi- ness through life.
Our subject had purchased sixty-two acres of land where he now resides in April preceding his marriage, and on this tract has since made his home. He has closely applied himself to farm- ing and stock-raising, and with what success may be inferred by a glance at his farm. His esti- mable wife lias been a helpmate indeed, and has aided his every effort. Mr. Day is a self-made man, and has every reason to be proud of his energy and perseverance in gathering about him so many of the comforts and conveniences of life. To them have been born a son and daughter: Willard Henry, whose birth occurred July 3, 1891; and Clara M., born August 16, 1895.
Mr. Day is a Republican in his political belief, casting his first Presidential vote for James G. Blaine in 1884. Mr. Day is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Waterloo, of which he is a supporter and attendant. Mr. Day is especially interested in educational work in his district.
HARLES L. HOSKINS. As one of the oldest living residents of Seneca Falls, and as one of the pioneer business men of the place, the subject of this sketch is entitled to es- pecial mention on the pages of this work. His business career, which covered a period of more
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than a halt-century, was one reflecting the great- est credit upon his energy, honesty and judgment, and through his untiring labors he became the possessor of a comfortable competency. His de- clining years are being spent retired from active cares and surrounded by every comfort which can enliance the pleasure of existence.
The son of Ebenezer and Eliza (Dixon) Hos- kins, the subject of this sketch was born in Lan- sing, N. Y., October 16, 1799. Until twelve years of age he attended the common schools of his native town, after which, in 1812, he took a three-months course at Auburn, N. V. On leav- ing school he commenced his mercantile experi- ence as a clerk in his brother's general store, and continued clerking until his twenty-first year, when he came to Seneca County and started in business for . himself at Bearytown. In 1829 hc removed his business to Sencca Falls, where he embarked in merchandising on the corner of Cay- uga and Fall Streets. Here he built a fine store building and continued actively engaged in busi- ness until 1880, when he retired, transferring his business to hiis son, Lansing S. For some years he was in partnership with his brother Ebenezer.
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Although giving his time and attention to his mercantile business, Mr. Hoskins was also in- terested in the various industries of the place. He owned one-third of The Seneca Falls Paper Mill, being financially interested in it for tliree or four years, and was one of the first Board of Directors of the Exchange Bank of Seneca Falls, with which he was prominently connected for a number of years. For several years he was President of the Seneca Falls Gas Company, and was also one of its Di- rectors.
In 1820 Mr. Hoskins married Miss Sophia Gid- dings, by whom he has three daughters, Frances, Laura and Ammett. After the death of his first wife our subject married Eliza Goodwin, by whom he had one daughter, Eliza. His second wife also died, and he later married Mary Woolsey, by whom he had three children, Lansing, Helen and Katharine.
In early life Mr. Hoskins was a Whig, and in 1820 was appointed and served as Treasurer of Seneca County. He was also Postmaster at
Bearytown in 1824. On the dissolution of the Whig party he became a Republican and has been identified with that party up to the present time. After casting his first vote for John Quincy Adams he voted at every Presidential election up to 1892, when he cast his vote for Benjamin Harrison. For several years he was United States Loan Commissioner for Seneca County, receiving his appointment from the Governor.
Mr. Hoskins is now in his ninety-seventh year, but is a well preserved man, and with his mental faculties unimpaired. He looks after his own busi- ness affairs and also after those of his two widowed daughters, and almost every day his familiar face is seen on the streets of Seneca Falls. For sixty- six years he has been a resident of the village and has worked early and late, not alone for his own private interest, but for the material interest of the place. No man in Seneca County is better known and none more highly respected than Mr. Hoskins.
AYJA P. TRAVIS, besides being one of the substantial residents of Seneca County, deserves special mention in this volume for the valiant service which he rendered his country during the late war. He started out in life with but little means, but now has the satisfaction of knowing his estate is one of the best improved in the town. Mr. Travis does not engage in any active farmi work, but is now living retired on liis fine property in the town of Seneca Falls.
Mr. Travis was born near Bridgeport, on the banks of Lake Cayuga, September 28, 1829. His parents, William and Lucinda ( Brown)' Travis, were people in limited circumstances, but the fa- ther, who was a day laborer, owned a liouse on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Hayja was the
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third in order of birth of a family of five, four of whom grew to mature years, and of these three are now living.
The father dying when our subject was a lad of fourteen years, he was obliged to assist in the support of the family, and in order to do this worked out by the month, carrying his small salary home at the end of the four weeks to his mother, to be used as she thought best. He re- mained at home working for the others until the year prior to attaining his majority, when he started out for himself. About that time, or July 4, 1850, he was married to Miss Maria Stow, who was born in the town of Seneca Falls, November 17, 1832, and who was the daughter of Olvin and Susan ( Moses) Stow.
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Soon after his union with Miss Stow our sub- ject began keeping house at Bridgeport, and con- tinued his labors by the day and month, work- ing at whatever he could find to do that was hon- orable. During the progress of the late war, he enlisted, in August, 1864, and was mustered in as a member of the Fifteenth Regiment of En- gineers. They were assigned to duty about City Point, engaged in building bridges, forts, breast- works, etc., and were twice ordered to the front, but before they could make a charge the order was countermanded. On one occasion Mr. Travis was severely wounded while on a transport, by getting his hand caught in the side door of the boat.
Two years after the close of the war our sub- ject, in company with his brother Charles, made a purchase of one hundred and fourteen acres of land, a portion of which is now comprised in the home estate. Fifty-two acres of this property were later disposed of at a handsome advance in price, and subsequently our subject purchased his brother's interest in the place. He is now the owner of sixty-two and one-half acres, bear- ing good improvements. This he has cultivated in a profitable manner, and is now enabled to live retired from active work of any kind.
To our subject and his wife there were born three children. Ellen, who married Hoyt Ter- rell, makes her liome in Richmond, Va., where her husband is a millwright; they have two
daughters. Martha M. and Lulu. William H., a farmer in the town of Sencca Falls, is the father of three children, Bessic, Harold and Mary. Olvin P., who was born December 25, 1860, de- parted this life Marchi 16, 1872. In politics Mr. Travis is independent, voting for the best man irrespective of party, and socially belongs to Cross Post No. 78, G. A. R., in the work of which he is actively interested.
OHN VANCE CRANE, a farmer residing in the town of Varick, was born on the farm where he now resides, April 18, 1820, and is a son of John and Anna (Williams) Crane, both natives of Morristown, N. J., and who emi- grated to Seneca County in the fall of 1817, with a family of four children. Prior to this, how- ever, Daniel and Rachel (Marsh) Crane, the grandparents of our subject, located in the west- ern part of the town of Romulus. They were well advanced in years, and came here to spend their last days. The Marsh family came about the same time as did Daniel Crane.
John Crane, the father of our subject, was in very limited circumstances when he came to Seneca County, and for some years engaged in teaming. He made thirteen trips to and from New Jersey, bringing people who wished to set- tle in Seneca County. In the spring of 1818 he secured twenty-one acres of land, which he began to clear, and which he added to by subsequent purchase, making a farm of fifty-two acres. In addition to conducting his farm, he also burned charcoal. His death occurred in 1848, at the age of sixty-one years, his wife having died three years previously.
The parental family included nine children. Deborah, who married Gresham Wolverton, died in Romulus; Abner W. located in the town of
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Covert, where he died; Abbie married James Os- born, removed to Lenawee County, Mich., and there died; Elizabeth married Alonzo Smead, re- moved to Illinois, and died in 1892; John V. is our subject; Thomas M. located in Romulus and there died; Daniel, whose son Charles V. is the Postmaster at Romulus, died in 1871; Anna mar- ried Daniel Church, and died in June, IS95; and Stephen, who is a Universalist minister, resides in Earlville, Ill. All lived to maturity, but only two now survive.
The subject of this sketch lived on the farm and took care of his father until his death, when he purchased the interests of the other heirs of the homestead, and now has a good farm of nine- ty acres. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as Assessor of the town for twenty-eight or thirty years, and two terms as Supervisor, during the years 1879 and 1880. He has ever taken an active interest in political affairs, and was for many years leader of his party in the town of Varick. He has never married, and his niece Addie, the widow of Eugene Haggerty, and a daughter of Daniel Crane, has been his housekeeper for some years.
DWARD NUGENT. Of the business en- terprises that have contributed to the prog- ress of Waterloo and promoted the develop- ment of its material interests, one of the most important is the firm of Allen & Nugent, dealers in hardware, agricultural implements, builders' materials and house-furnishing goods. This com- pany was organized in 1880, and has since car- ried on a profitable trade among the people of the village and surrounding country. Their sales of agricultural implements among the farmers of the county are large, as are also their sales of build- ers' materials to carpenters and contractors.
Mr. Nugent has spent ahnost his entire life in Waterloo, and here he was born October 7, 1844. His parents, Patrick and Martha (Thompson) Nugent, who were natives of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1832, and settled in the village of Waterloo the same ycar. The father was for a number of years employed on a canal- boat, running between this place and Albany. He died here in 1845; his wife, who survived him for many years, died in ISSS, at the age of seventy-seven.
Our subject is the fifth among six children, and lie and his sister, Sarah, are the only survivors. His twin brother, Edmund, was killed at the bat- tle of Stone River; George died in Florida, in 1876; John died in St. Louis, Mo .; and Thomas, the eldest of the family, died in Waterloo. Ed- ward was reared in Waterloo, and received a practical education in the village school. At an early age he abandoned his studies and entered the office of the Waterloo Observer, where he spent four years, gaining a thorough knowledge of the printer's trade. He then went to New York City, and for eighteen months was em- ployed as a compositor on the New York Times. On his return to Waterloo, he took a position with Joseph Wright, with whom he lived seven years.
In 1877 Mr. Nugent was elected County Clerk for a term of three years, he being the candidate of the Democratic party. On retiring from of- fice, at the expiration of his term, he formed a partnership with Alfred Allen, and the firm of Allen & Nugent has since had charge of a grow- ing business. In 1889 Mr. Nugent was re-elected to the office of County Clerk, which he filled for three years, though meantime retaining his in- terest in the hardware business. As an official he proved himself capable, energetic and devoted to the county's interests, while as a business man lie has displayed the possession of considerable ability and indomitable perseverance.
The marriage of Mr. Nugent, which took place in 1869, united him with Miss Eleanor F. Genung, daughter of Seth J. Genung, a well known citizen of Waterloo. They are the par- ents of four children, one son and three daugh-
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ters, namely: Edward G., who is a student in the medical department of Columbia College; Elizabeth K., Mabel C. and Martha S. Socially Mr. Nugent is a member of Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M. ; Salem Town Chapter, R. A. M .; and Geneva Commandery, K. T. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian. His interest in edu- cational matters has always been marked, and he has served efficiently as a member of the Board of Education. For a number of years he was Secretary of the Seneca County Agricultural So- ciety. His citizenship has been proved in his advocacy of all measures that pertain to the wel- fare of the place and the advancement of the peo- ple, and all public-spirited enterprises have re- ceived his enthusiastic co-operation.
M ILTON HOAG, Vice-President of the Ex- change National Bank of Seneca Falls, has been one of the representative business men of the place for nearly a half-century. A native of Montgomery County, N. Y., he was born July 29, 1830. His father, John I. Hoag, who was also a native of New York State, was a lawyer by profession, and died in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, when in his eighty-fourth year. Nathan Hoag, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in this state and was of the Quaker faith. John I. Hoag married Saralı Combs, who was born in New York, and was a descendant of the "Jersey Blues." She died in Montgomery County, near the Palentine Bridge, that spans the Mohawk River. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom attained years of maturity.
Milton Hoag was the eighth in the family of John I. Hoag. He spent his boyliood years in
lris native county, assisting in the farm work during summer and attending the common schools in the winter seasons. He continued on the farni until sixteen years old, when he learned the butchering business, which he followed for three years. When in his nineteenth year, he em- barked in the grocery business at Spraker's Basin, Montgomery County, and carried on the trade successfully about three years, when he sold out. In February, 1851, he came to Seneca Falls, and entered the employ of his brother Delavan, who was a member of the firm of Adamıs & Hoag, rectifiers of whiskey. At the expiration of three years he purchased the busi- ness, which lie continued alone, being very suc- cessful. In 1866 he sold out to Charles A. Par- sons, Cashier of the National Exchange Bank of Seneca Falls, and also one of its heaviest stock- holders. As part payment he took two hundred shares of the stock of the bank, amounting to more than $23,000, but soon afterward he in- creased his bank stock to $35,000. The same year lie purchased Carr's Hotel, on the corner of Fall and State Streets, and after making many changes in its construction, at an expense of over $8,000, the name was changed to Hoag's Hotel.
About the same time Mr. Hoag purchased Union Hall and Cuddeback lots. In the spring of 1865 he bought the King estate homestead, No. 21 Cayuga Street, where he now makes his home. In 1882 he purchased the Springbrook Stock Farm, two miles north of the village. Four years later he bought the three stores on the south side of Fall Street, known as the Sheldon Block. A few days later he purchased Daniels' Hall, and after remodeling the opera house at a cost of over $14,000, changed the name to Dan- iels' Opera House. In 1885 he purchased a one- half interest in Maurer & Carpenter's drug store, and four years afterward bought out Mr. Car- penter's interest.
In 1877 Mr. Hoag took full charge of his hotel. While he never had any hotel experience, under his management the business soon doubled. He continued to run the hotel in this very credit- able and satisfactory manner, both to the public and hintself, until 1890, when it was burned to
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the ground, as were also his beautiful opera house and drug store. This was the big fire of July 30, 1890, when many other business places were destroyed. In 1894 he sold the hotel site and on it has been erected a beautiful hotel, The Hoag, which was opened in May, 1895. It has all the modern improvements and is a great credit to the village.
In ISS4 Mr. Hoag commenced building his present fine residence on the old homestead site, which is one of the most elegant homes in Seneca Falls. It is finished in hardwood of the most exquisite design, and in point of architectural beauty is without a parallel in central New York. The architect was J. M. Elliott, of Auburn, N. Y. Since the great fire he has devoted much of his time to breeding and developing high-grade
trotting horses. He has sold several at high prices and has a very choice lot now on hand.
Mr. Hoag was married to Rosa A. Finnegan. of Seneca Falls, and by this union he has two bright little daughters, Irene E. and Ethel M. In politics he is a Democrat, but is not very act- ive in political affairs. Since 1866 he has been a Director in the National Exchange and Exchange National Banks, and for twenty-four years has been Vice-President. In everything pertaining to the material welfare of Seneca Falls lie takes an especial interest, and is ever ready to do his part in securing manufacturing and other interests in this place. In a financial way he was eminently successful until the great fire of 1890, and so- cially he has the respect and esteem of the best citizens of the village.
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HON. J. B. THOMAS.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
277€
HON. JAMES B. THOMAS.
ON. JAMES B. THOMAS. In the on- ward march of the human race money has always exerted a vast influence. It has de- termined the destinies of nations and the fortunes of individuals, and in every case those who have had money behind them have had a determining share in social and commercial development. Despite the teachings of a philosophy strange to human life, it has also had much to do with the religious developments of the world. The power of money has indeed its own limitations. It cannot take the place of character, it buys no intellect, and guarantees no royal road to learn- ing, but in the hands of people of character, honesty and integrity, controlled by a kindly spirit, and animated by good intentions, it does give vast power, and the men who wisely ad- minister it are justly counted among the bene- factors of the community. In the way of pro- moting trade, and keeping industry active, and making exchange easy and rapid, it is impossible to tell what good a village bank may do to a wide stretch of country and to many people who rarely hear of it, and scarcely know of its ex- istence. In this catalogue of useful agencies the banking house of LeRoy C. Partridge, of Ovid, may be placed. Of this bank Mr. Thomas is Cashier and half-owner, the other half being owned by Mrs. Ellen C. Partridge, who is the President of the institution.
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