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 35
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 35
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In 1871 Mr. Wager built his present store build- ing, abandoning the hotel business, and contin- ued merchandising until 1873, when he traded his store for a farin in the town of Montour, near Catharine. In the spring of that year he took up his residence on that farm and engaged in its cul- tivation for eiglit years, when he returned to the store, which he was compelled to take back, ex- changing his hotel property for a stock of goods. Since that time his residence has been at Alpine, and he has been constantly engaged in business, carrying a complete line of general merchandise and conducting a large and satisfactory trade. He lias manifested an active interest in pub- lic affairs, and was elected Superintendent of the Poor for Schuyler County in 1866, serving three years. For one term hie was also Justice of the Peace, but declined re-election. In 1888 he was elected Supervisor, was re-elected in 1889, and again in 1894, to serve for two years. For
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ten years he was Postmaster of this place. In politics he has always been a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wager four children have been born, two sons and two daughters: Benja- min M., who is located on the old farm; Edith, who still makes her home with her parents; George E., who assists in the store; and Ger- trude, at home. Mr. Wager lias given his chil-
dren good educational advantages. The younger daughter is still attending the academy, but botlı daugliters have engaged in teaching, as well as the younger son. Mr. Wager is a brother of Mrs. Mary Fisher, the noted author, who com- menced her literary career when a girl of seven- teen, and who has since attained a fame through- out the entire country. She mmet her husband, William R. Fisher, while in Europe. He is a prominent lawyer of Philadelphia, and lias a beautiful residence at Bryn Mawr, a suburb of Philadelphia.
ENRY S. BONNELL is well known to the residents of Seneca County, as he was born on the farm where he now resides, four miles northwest of the village of Waterloo, Octo- ber 14, 1831, His parents were Charles and De- anna (Dell) Bonnell, both of whom were born in Dover County, N. J.
The father of our subject was brought to thiis portion of the Empire State by his father, Henry Bonnell, when a lad of five years, in 1806. The grandfather located near where Henry S. is now living, and there resided for many years, event- ually removing to Wayne County, this state. About this time Charles attained his twentiethi year, and, being given his time, worked out by the month, receiving at first $9. This was raised to $10 the second year, and the third year also
saw an increase of $1. He saved the greater part of his earnings, and a few years later went to Michigan and purchased a quarter-section of wild land. He soon disposed of this, however, and in partnership with his brother became the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land in the town of Galen, Wayne County, this state. This they divided equally, and on liis share the father erect. ed a log house and barn. He then began the arduous task of cutting away the trees and plac- ing the land under cultivation. The place he aft- erward sold to his brother, and the property is still in the hands of some of the Bonnell family.
The maternal grandparents of our subject had friends living in Canada, and on one occasion, when going to visit them, crossed over the land which our subject now owns. The grandmother was greatly pleased with the locality, and on their way back they stopped and purchased it. The following spring they moved upon this new farmi, and at that time there were very few houses be- tween them and the little village of Waterloo. Our subject's mother inherited a portion of this farın, and later Charles Bonnell purchased a large amount of the property, owning at one time about six hundred acres.
The parental family included five children, four of whom are now living. Rachel D. married Ed- mund Mitchell, and is now living in Ontario County. Elizabethi became the wife of William C. Dutton; the family make their home in the town of Waterloo. Henry S., of this history, was the next-born. Phebe W. married Joseph Lynch, and on his death became the wife of Levi Lundy; they are now living in the town of Galen, Wayne County, N. Y. Mary T. died when young. The father of this family was a Whig in early life, and a strong anti-slavery inan, and cast his first Pres- idential vote for Joli Q. Adams. After the or- ganization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and was a loyal supporter of its candidates until his death, which occurred in 1879. In re- ligious belief lie was a Quaker.
The subject of this sketch was fairly well edu- cated, and passed his boyhood days on the liome farm. He was married, March 26, 1860, to Miss Elizabethi W. Thorn, who was born in Wayne
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County. Her parents were Isaac and Rebecca ( Palmer) Thorn, well known and highly respect- ed residents of that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell there were born six children, of whom Clara died in infancy; Mary T. married George Pletts, and at her decease left two children; Ellen C. married Dillwyn Barton, and they make their home on the old homestead; Stella May died at the age of seventeen years; Dora E. became the wife of H. R. D. Mitchell, and is living in the town of Waterloo; and Charles C. is at home.
Mr. Bonnell cast his first vote for Winfield Scott, and in 1856 supported Fremont. He has since been a firm adherent of Republican princi- ples. Although he has never desired to hold office, he has been frequently solicited to do so. He was reared by Quaker parents, and therefore clings to the faith of that sect.
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EV. J. WILFORD JACKS. There is no profession that brings with it greater re- sponsibilities than the ministry, and he who discharges its varied duties conscientiously and successfully is entitled to the esteem of his fellow- men. Such has been the fortunate experience of the subject of this sketch, who for twenty-three years has filled his present pastorate. Called to the Presbyterian Church of Romulus in the opening years of manhood, this was his first and it has been his only charge. His congregation consists of about two hundred and seventy mem- bers, who are active in good works, and have contributed largely to the religious progress of this village.
Born in Batavia, N. Y., Rev. Mr. Jacks is the son of James C. and Josephine B. (Wilford) Jacks, also natives of Batavia. His grandfather, Samuel, was a son of Alexander Jacks, a mem- ber of an old Scotch family. The former was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1792, and was
left an orphan at an early age. During the War of 1812 he took an active part, being in the navy. He aided in the capture of a British supply ship loaded with blankets and other articles for the soldiers in America. According to naval law, the cargo was sold and the money distributed among the sailors, in which way he secured his start in life.
After having spent a year in the service, Grandfather Jacks returned to his New Hamp- shire home. Soon afterward he removed to Batavia, N. Y., where he purchased land now situated in the central part of the village. There he opened a blacksmith-shop, which he operated for a time. Later he purchased a tract of land, comprising about three hundred acres, and to that place lie removed, spending his declining days in retirement there. He died in 1866, at the age of seventy-four. His marriage united him with Miss Betsey, the daughter of Ephraim Husted, a native of New York.
The education of our subject was gained in the district schools of the home neighborhood and in the academy at Batavia, after which he carried on his studies in Hamilton College, graduating from that institution on completing the prescribed course. After completing his studies, he taught school for two years in Lowville. Academy and Whitestown Seminary, and then entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he took the full course. On the completion of his theological course, in 1872, he accepted the pastorate of the church at Romulus, where he was ordained to the ministry, and where he has since remained. He has done effective work here, and is regarded as one of the ablest men in the community. His course in life, too, has been so consistent as to prove that his religion is not one of mere pro- fession, but that he is inspired in his work by the noblest of motives-love to God and to his fellow-men.
While Rev. Mr. Jacks has never had any time for active participation in public affairs, he is, nevertheless, well informed regarding the issues of the age, and in political belief adheres to the policy of the Republican party. The family of which he is a member consists of five children,
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the others beside himself being Mary E., wife of Rev. H. H. Kellogg, of Havana, Schuyler County; Julia W., wife of W. T. Bradley, a farmer by occupation; James C., Jr., who is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits; and S. Josephine, who is the wife of Frank L. Silliman.
In addition to the relation he occupies in re- gard to the church at home, Rev. Mr. Jacks is stated Clerk of the Presbytery at Geneva, and permanent Clerk of the Synod of New York. He is a member of the Theta Delta Chi of the Psi Chapter, also of the Phi Beta Kappa, the scholar- ship society of the country.
TEPHEN F. SOULE, who is now living in the town of Waterloo, Seneca County, is en- gaged in farming, making a specialty of raising a fine quality of cabbage. He is a native of this state, and was born in Albany County, November 12, 1821. His parents were Frederick and Mary ( Hair) Soule, the former of whom was born in Albany County in the year 1795. He in turn was the son of George Soule, who, it is sup- posed, hailed from Connecticut. The family is a very old one in America, and is descended from a certain George Soule, who came over in the "Mayflower." Since that time there has been in each generation a son named after that gentle- mail.
Frederick Soule served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a life-long farmer, as was his father before him, and in all the relations of life was honored for his upright character. He trained our subject to a life of usefulness, giving him the opportunity of obtaining such an educa - tion as could be gleaned in the schools of the dis- trict. Stephen F. began to aid in the support of the family when only fifteen years of age, work- ing out for other farmers at a small price. He
gave his wages to his father, retaining just enough to supply himself with necessary clothing. The household included thirteen children, twelve of . whom grew to mature years, and of this family six are now living.
The subject of this sketch was married Novem- ber 8, 1845, when twenty-four years of age, to Miss Catherine A. Smith, then residing in Al- bany County, N. Y., but who was born June 27, IS25, in the town of Baltimore, Greene County, this state. Mr. Soule lived on rented land for about two years after his marriage, when he went to Wayne County, where he also cultivated rent- ed property. After residing there for four years he returned to Seneca County, and became the owner of a piece of land on which he erected a sawmill and established a lumber-yard, carrying on this business with fair success for a number of years. We next find him living on rented land in Ontario County, but after a stay there of two years he again returned to this county and be- came the proprietor of the land which he now oc- cupies. He was not able to pay for the place at the time, but so ably did he manage his affairs that the debt was soon wiped out. At the time of purchase the farm included one hundred acres, but Mr. Soule afterward added a tract of seventy- five acres. He has improved the estate greatly since it came into his possession, setting out shade and fruit trees and replacing the old buildings with structures of a more modern build and sub- stantial character.
Mr Soule located upon this place in the spring of 1863, and in the fall of that year he enlisted liis services in Company C, Fiftieth Engineer Brig- ade, whose duty it was to build pontoon bridges. Often they were called upou to guard the same while the enemy was passing. Our subject aided in bridging the Chickahominy when it took sev- enty boats, and at another point on the same river there were only three boats used. He re- mained in the service imtil the close of the war, and was so fortunate as to be present at Appo- mattox Court House and witness the surrender of General Lee. He accompanied the troops to Washington and participated in the Grand Re- view before President Lincoln.
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On the discharge of our subject, in July, 1865, he returned home, being accompanied on the · journey by his eldest son, who served as a mem- ber of the same regiment and company. Mr. Soule made his home here for a few years and then removed to Geneva, Ontario County, where he was engaged in shipping farm produce for about twenty years, returning to Seneca County in the year 1891.
Of the seven children born to our subject and his wife, one son, Roscoe, died when two years of age; George D., the eldest of the household, a resident of the town of Waterloo, is married and has four children; Charles E. is married, has three children, and lives in the town of Waterloo; William E. is engaged as an engineer at Lansing, Mich .; Fred S., the next, is a resident of the town of Phelps, Ontario County; Mary, Mrs. W. B. Church, of this town, died leaving a family of two children; Catherine, Mrs. Edgar Sinith, who is likewise deceased, was the mother of two children.
Mr. Soule has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. During his younger years he was actively inter- ested in public affairs, and served acceptably as Assessor of Waterloo. His time, however, has been fully occupied in attending to his private af- fairs, and he very much prefers to let younger men hold office. He is a Grand Army man, be- longing to Swift Post No. 94, of Geneva, and has made it a point to be present at the brigade reunion which is held each year.
BENEZER S. BARTLETT, a leading farmer of the town of Romulus, was born on the farm where he now resides, March 25, 1835, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Haynes Bartlett, serving
his country faithfully in that great struggle which resulted so happily for the colonies. Since that period the United States have been the refuge for the friendless of all nations, and their growth in population, wealth and strength has been mar- velous indeed. The whole world is now being benefited by their ability to return four-fold the fa- vors that have been shown them in the past. No country is doing so much for those who sit in dark- 11ess in other lands, and its missionaries have penetrated almost every nook and corner of the earth where man is found. Its wealth is being poured out like water for the benefit of the human race, and all this has been made possible by such brave and heroic men as Haynes Bartlett. The latter was of Welsh descent. His son, Ebenezer S. Bartlett, was a native of Chemung County, N. Y., born October 11, 1793, and was one year old when brought to Seneca County from Orange County by his father. Here he grew to man- hood on the farm now owned by our subject and brother, Andrew J. The farm was first pur- chased by the grandfather, who, as already stated, came to the county in 1794, when it was but a wilderness, and erected a log house, ill which he lived until times were more prosperous, when a larger and better building was erected. He died here in 1841, and his remains were in- terred in the Baptist Cemetery.
Ebenezer Bartlett, the father of our subject, grew to manhood on the old farm, and married Abigail Cooley, by whom he had six children. namely: Ruth C., Hannah, Martha, Emma S., Andrew J. and Ebenezer S. The father was a man well known throughout Seneca County, and did much for its development. His death oc- curred November 26, 1859, and his wife died July 1, 1877. Their remains now lie side by side in the Baptist Cemetery, where they await the great judgment day.
The subject of this sketch, who is the youngest of the family, was reared to farm life, and in his youth attended the district schools, but finished his education in the academy at Ovid, where he spent five terms. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching during the winter months, and assisted in the farm work during the summer,
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continuing in the former occupation for ten win- ters very successfully. The farm on which he resides, and which has always been his home, comprises one hundred acres of valuable land, and is devoted to general farming and stock- raising. In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Democrat. In 1873-74 he was Supervisor of his town; was Assessor three years, and has been Inspector of Elections a number of times. In 1890 he was elected School Commissioner, and served one term of three years. For five years he has been Treasurer of the Seneca County Patrons' Fire As- sociation; has also been Treasurer of the First Baptist Church Cemetery Association for twenty years, and Trustee of the Baptist Church fifteen years. He has shown himself an enterprising man, willing at all times to do all in his power for the public good. On the Ist of October, 1861, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage with Miss Emma Clarkson, but they have no children.
LIN E. EMENS, of the firm of Emens & Son, is engaged in general merchandising in Fayette, Seneca County. He is a native of this county and was born in the town of Varick, August 25, 1857, to Enoch and Eliza ( Van Riper) Emens. His father, who is the senior mem- ber of the above firm, is made mention of else- where in this volume.
Our subject grew to mature years on his parents' farm, one mile and a-half from the village of Fay- ette, where he attended school in the home dis- trict. He made rapid progress in his studies, and is now a thoroughly informed and shrewd busi- ness inan. Until his twenty-first year he re- mained at home, and then removed to the village and established a mercantile business in company with his cousin, Austin Emens, with whom he was associated for three years. He was enabled
to engage in this enterprise with the means which his father furnished. Austin Emens died at the expiration of three years, when our subject pur- chased the interest of his heirs in the business and continued for six months alone. About that time his mother's brother, Peter H. Van Riper, bought a half-interest in the concern, and with his assistance the stock was increased to about $3,000 worth. or double what it had been. This gentleman was acquainted with this department of trade in all its details, and during the two years in which he was interested in the store the busi- ness was very materially increased.
In 1883 the father of our subject purchased the interest of Mr. Van Riper, and the stock of goods which the firm now carries is valued at from $7,000 to $9,000. They occupy a large brick building, which has been enlarged to meet their present demands, and in addition to this they have put up a large storehouse, where their re- serve stock is kept. They are very courteous in their treatment of customers and command the patronage of the best residents of the surrounding country.
Mr. Emens and Miss Emma B. Burroughs was married January 5, 1881. Mrs. Emens was born in the town of Varick, and was the daughter of William and Lucinda (Beary) Burroughs. To them have been born four children. Laura B. was born in the village of Fayette; Grace E. was also born in that place, May 19, 1883; Wil- ford C. was born in the town of Varick, October 1, 1888; and M. Evelyn was born in the same town, December 20, 1893.
Like his father before him, our subject is a stanch Republican, and on that ticket has been elected to various offices of honor and trust, among them being Clerk of the town of Varick for two years and Supervisor of the same town from 1886 to 1889; during the last year he was Chairman of the Board. He has always taken a great interest in political matters and has been delegate to the various county, district and sena- torial conventions. During the administration of President Arthur he was Postmaster of Fayette, and was succeeded in this office by his brother, Fred R. S. He is a prominent Mason, being a
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member of Fayette Lodge No. 539, and in this order he has passed nearly all the chairs, having been Senior Deaeon, Senior Warden and Wor- shipful Master, holding the latter office two years.
In 1889 Mr. Emens erected in this village a beautiful residence, which cost $2,000. It bears all the latest improvements and is furnished in a manner which indicates its occupants to be peo- ple of means and refined tastes. Three years
later lie purchased a farm of ninety-three acres on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, which is de- voted mainly to stock-raising.
In the year 1892 Mr. Emens was nominated by the Republicans of this district for Representative in the General Assembly, but as there was a factional figlit in the party, it was carried to the eourts, and his name was not permitted to appear on the ballot.
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JOHN C. MORROW.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
379 :
JOHN C. MORROW.
? OHN C. MORROW. We take pleasure in and during his youth was thoroughly trained in presenting to the readers of this volume a farmning duties. He made a decided success of his calling, and at the time of his death was the owner of a large estate. comprising two hundred and fifty-two acres. Every acre of this was made use of, and both grain and animals raised thereon were of good quality. He always resided here, and was one of the best known and highly es- teemed citizens in the town. history in outline of the gentleman whose name appears above, and who was for years a prominent and much esteemed resident of the . town of Tyrone, Schuyler County. He was a native of this town, and was born September 22, 1855. His father was Josiah B. Morrow, whose birth occurred in this town August 29, 1824.
The paternal grandfather of our subject bore the name of John Morrow, and he was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was of German ancestry. During his married life he moved to the town of Tyrone, where his son Josiah B. was reared. The latter was married here, De- cember 23, 1849, to Miss Mary W. Williams, whose birth took place in this town, June 3, 1832. Her father, Henry S. Williams, was a native of Herkimer County, and was born November 20, 1795. Her mother, prior to her marriage Mar- garet Teeple, was a native of Wayne, Steuben County, and was born February 19, 1803.
Josiah B. Morrow spent his entire life in the town of Tyrone, where he was actively engaged in farming during the greater part of his busi- ness career. During his later years, however, he lived retired, and his death occurred March 10, 1895. He became the father of two children, of whom the elder, born August 30, 1853, died March I of the following year.
The lady to whom Mr. Morrow was married in Altay, December 18, 1877, was Miss Jennie F., daughter of James V. and Flora ( Clark) Bige- low, old residents of Altay, but who are at pres- ent residing in Dundee. They became the par- ents of six children, of whom Mrs. Morrow was the fourth-born, her birth occurring in Altay. December 7, 1858. She was there reared to womanhood, and received a very fair education. By her union with our subject she became the mother of three children, of whom Flora M. was boin February 6, ISSo; George B., February S, 1884; and Blanche W., September 29, 1892. The son was killed by lightning July 15, 1890, and three years later, November 7, the husband and father was taken from the home. He was a man of unswerving honesty, whose word was as good as his bond, and the confidence of the en- tire community was his.
Mr. Morrow, although aiding public improve- ments in every possible way, attended strictly to
The subject of this sketch was well educated, , his own affairs, and prospered thereby. He was
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a stanch Democrat in politics. In religious af- fairs his wife is a consistent member of the Pres- byterian Church.
ANIEL DISINGER is the owner of one hun- dred and fourteen acres of productive farm- ing land, located on the west bank of Cayu- ga Lake. It lies in the town of Fayette and was the old homestead of his parents, John and Eliz- betli (Ernsberger) Disinger. On this place our subject was born October 9, 1823.
John and Elizabeth Disinger were born in Penn- sylvania, and the father came to Seneca County in 1804, when about twenty-three years of age, and before his marriage. Locating on a farm in the town of Fayette, he held the same for about a year, and then sold it and invested his ineans in another piece of property, which he retained in his possession for five years. At the expiration of that time he traded it for the estate on which our subject is now residing. At that time it was all covered with timber, with the exception of four or five acres which had been cleared by the Indians, and about forty acres on the banks of the lake, which, it is presumed, had been settled upon by whites.
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