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 36
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 36
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members of the German Reformed Church, in which the former was Elder for a long term of years. In politics he voted for Democratic can- didates.
The subject of this sketch spent the first eight- een years of his life on the old homestead, and when his parents moved to a tract south of Wa- terloo he accompanied them to their new home. He had been given a fair education, and when ready to establish a home of his own was married, October 17, 1844, to Miss Catherine Eshenour, who was born in the town of Fayette, near Sene- ca Lake, in 1824. Mr. Disinger moved to his present place, which is part of the old home farin, soon after his marriage, and here his wife died, February 28, 1850. They had one son, William, who was born May 26, 1846, and who is now a well-to-do farmer in this town. July 3, 1851, Mr. Disinger married Miss Christiana Schroyer, of the town of Fayette, who was born here January 27, 1829. To them have been granted three children, namely: Peter E., John E. and Sidney F., and all are well educated.
In politics our subject upholds Democratic principles, and voted for Jaines K. Polk when casting his first Presidential ballot. At one time Mr. Disinger possessed one of the largest and finest estates in the county. It comprised four hundred and fifty-one acres, one hundred and fourteen of which formed part of the old home- stead. For this he paid his father $1,350. As soon as his children were grown up and ready to start out in life, he gave each of them a portion of his property, so that now he has but a moderate acreage himself. This he keeps under excellent tillage and reaps good returns for the care be- stowed upon it. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which he has been a warm supporter for many years. Mrs. Disinger is an active mem- ber of the Reformed Church.
The mother of our subject came to this county when in her twenty-first year, and soon afterward was married to Jolin Disinger. They started out in life in limited circumstances, but success attended their every effort, and at the time of his death the father of our subject left a tract of five hundred acres, which was divided among his Grandfather Nicholas Disinger came to Seneca County about six years after his son Jolin came, purchasing twenty acres of land, and here passed the remainder of his days. He lived to be eiglity- four years of age, while his good wife reached the age of eighty-eight. Ile served as a soldier children, of whom there were six in number. Of this family all grew to mature years and became heads of families, but only two are now living, Samuel and our subject. The father lived to be eighty-seven years of age, and his good wife passed her seventy-ninth birthday. They were | in the Revolutionary War, as did also two of his
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brothers, William and John. They never re- turned, however, and the natural supposition is that they were killed in battle, but there is 110 certainty on this point. John Disinger was drafted into the War of 1812, but considered it his duty to remain at home and hired a substitute.
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ERMON LEONARD, one of the old and honored citizens of the town of Ovid, Scn- eca County, was born on the place where he now resides, March 7, 1832, his parents being Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wilson) Leonard, na- tives of New Jersey. His grandfather, also born in that state, came to this county and settled on No. 9, town of Ovid, but this tract he afterward sold. Later he removed to No. 4, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres; but, having some difficulty about the clearness and correctness of the title, he was able to retain only one-half of this, purchase. In the early history of the county his name is well known among those of the pioneers. He died in this town, highly respected by all.
Benjamin Leonard, the father of our subject, was born September 7, 1793, and the mother May 3, 1797. The father was still a child when his parents came to this county. He was an earnest and active farmer, a man of affairs, and became the owner of a half-section of land. Anxious and willing to assist his children to a start in life, he not only gave them good advice, but also substantial assistance. In politics he was first a Whig, but later on allicd himself with the Re- publican party. Althoughi a home-keeping and home-loving man, he was called by his friends and neiglibors to fill some important local offices. In the community he stood well, and his judg- ment upon questions of general or especial in- terest was considered valuable. The good
opinion of those who knew him best was strengthened and reinforced by his loyal and con- sistent support of the Ovid Presbyterian Church.
Ten children were included in the parental family. The first of these, Amanda, was born August 13, 1817, and died in Northiville, Mich., February 22, 1889; she was the wife of Alex- ander S .- Brooks. John W., the second son, who was born April 15, 1819, is now a farmer living near Pontiac, Mich. Charles T., who was a farmer by occupation, was born March 7, 1821, and died February 22, 1889. Willianı, who was born July 7, 1823, and died Decem- ber 20, ISSS, was well known among the farm- ers of the town of Ovid. Another son, Byron, who was born September 16, 1825, is a farmer in the town of Fayette. 'Sarah, who was born December 5, 1827, lived only until December 22 of the following year. Cecelia, born October 29, 1830, lived to the age of twenty-four years, dying February 22, 1854. Lyman, born August 19, 1834, was early called away, dying March 21, 1839. Sarah, the second daughter bearing that name, born April 5, 1837, is still living, and is the wife of Edward Van . Vleet, of Sen- eca County.
Hermon, our subject, was born and rcared on the farmi which the industry, economy and per- severance of the parents had secured. In the district school he laid thic foundations of that in- tellectual life and sturdy character which raised him above the ordinary level and made him a strong figure in the community. The teaching of the district school was broadened and deep- ened by the better work of the academy at Ovid. He continued at home until 1865, when he went to Venango County, Pa., where he made extensive investments in oil, which resulted very satisfactorily.
In 1873 Mr. Leonard returned from Pennsyl- vania to this state, and made his home for four years in the city of Syracuse. He then went to Bradford, Pa., but in 1883 came back to the old homestead, where he has since remained. He is still interested in oil, having been a producer for the last twenty years, and has owned in that time several valuable plants, and has put down a
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number of wells. At the present time lie has nine wells under his control. His ample re- sources have enabled him to make the farm on which he is passing his last days a delight to the eye. It is often said that his house and grounds are among the finest in the county. In the house he has hot and cold water, gas, and all the mod- ern comforts and conveniences that contribute to the enjoyment of the passing days, and around it are one hundred and thirty-eight acres of fer- tile and highly cultivated farm land. This man- sion of ease is presided over by his wife, formerly Susan Petty, whom he married in Pennsylvania in 1869, and wlio has been to him a faithful and loving wife. They have one son, George H., who is now a law student.
In politics Mr. Leonard has been a Republican, but at the present time he has little interest in the movements of the party leaders beyond the duty of voting. He has taken mnuch interest, however, in the development of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, and in social and indus- trial ways is enlisted for the good of the com- munity.
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OHN MARSHALL. There is little need to portray the virtues or defend the memory of this gentleman, for he lives in the affection of his family and friends as a devoted husband, kind neiglibor and public-spirited citizen. He departed this life on the 9th of April, 1889, and his remains were followed to their last resting- place in Maple Grove Cemetery by a large num- ber of those who had for many years been his sincere friends. During the many years in which he resided in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, he was a good citizen and a sympathetic friend. In the love of his estimable wife he found his cares lightened, and in the respect of liis fellow- citizens received the reward of his faithfulness.
Mr. Marshall was born in the town of Fayette, January 10, 1814, his parents being John and Christiana Marshall. They located in the town of Fayette, where the boyhood days of our sub- ject were passed, and where he attended the dis- trict school when his services were not needed on the farm. His father possessed very limited means, and the family were obliged to endure all the privations and inconveniences to which the early settlers were subjected.
After attaining his majority our subject began working out for himself chopping cordwood, but continued to reside at home for many years, aid- ing in the support of his parents. His kind and devoted inotlier died about 1847, and two years thereafter, November 30, 1849, he was married to Miss Lucinda Wuchter, who was born in Lehigh County, Pa., August 9, 1822. Her parents were Henry and Sarah (Farber) Wuchter, and with them she came to New York when eight years of age.
The spring following his marriage Mr. Mar- shall rented the home farm, and after spending one year in its further improvement, purchased fifty acres whereon his widow now lives. This tract was under partial cultivation at the time he took possession, but the care and labor which he expended upon it made it one of the most product- ive farms in the town. The father of Mrs. Mar- shall lived on an adjoining estate and after his de- cease our subject purchased a few acres of the heirs from time to time, until he owned nearly the entire two hundred acres. On both tracts he erected splendid buildings, which can be seen nearly a mile distant from Waterloo. He pos- sessed excellent business judgment, and all his transactions were characterized by fair and honest dealings.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall became the parents of three children, of whom Sarah J. was the eldest. Elizabeth married Bainbridge Marshall; and Car- rie, the youngest daughter, is at home. Mr. Marshall was a Republican in politics and a strong party man in national affairs, although in local politics he was independent. voting for the man whom he thought would best fulfill the duties of the office. He never desired to hold office, hav-
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ing all that he could do to manage profitably his large estate. He was reared in the faith of the Bastist Church, but later joined the Presbyterian Church, and was serving as Trustee and Deacon of liis congregation at the time of his decease. In him the community had a faithful and unswery- ing friend, ever alert to serve its best interests, and generous in his contributions to every move- ment tending toward the general advancement.
( OHN EMMETT. The men whom we are ac- customed to call self-made are well represent- ed in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, where many of their number are carving for them- selves monuments that will outlast gilded shafts or marble statues. Among this class prominent mention belongs to the gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, and who is a highly esteemed and successful farmer of this town. He is also the owner of the Emmett Stone-quarry, which is located just one mile west of Waterloo.
Mr. Emmett was born across the seas in Hal- ifax, Yorkshire, England, September 21, 1818. His parents were Richard and Isabella (Andrew) Emmett, who spent their entire lives in their na- tive land. The father was a contractor and build- er and also an expert stone-mason, and it was un- der his instruction that Jolin became acquainted with that business. The latter passed his boy- hood days in Skipton, attending the grammar schools until a lad of sixteen years. He then began working for his father and remained in his employ until attaining his majority. During the years spent in learning his trade, he became an adept in the use of tools, and could carve almost anything out of stone. He then worked by the day, receiving good wages for his time.
The marriage of Mr. Emniett with Miss Elea- nor Thompson occurred in February, 1842. She
was born in the village of Osmotherley, in the northern part of Yorkshire, England, and was fairly well educated in the common schools of her native place. Soon after their union the couple went to Liverpool, where Mr. Emmett was given a position as engineer at the Liverpool Dock Works, his duties there being to measure all the work done by contract. After spending eight years with this company he determined to see something of the New World, where he was pos- itive he could improve his condition financially, and accordingly took passage with his family on a sailing-vessel, and was eighteen days crossing the ocean. When this tedious journey ended they found themselves in New York City, whence they later removed to Allegany County, where Mr. Emmett took contracts on the Genesee Val- ley Canal. At the expiration of a year and a- half he took up his abode in the village of Cay- uga, where he was employed in building locks on the Cayuga & Seneca Canal. After two years spent in this employment we find him located in Seneca Falls, his removal there being occasioned by his agreement to build a dani for the contrac- tors hired by the state. He worked at this for three years, and in 1863 determined to abandon that industry.
That year our subject purchased a tract of one hundred acres of land in the town of Fayette, where he lived for seven years, and at the end of that time traded it for his present estate of eighty- four acres. On this place he is engaged in farni- ing and quarrying stone, it being rich in this ma- terial. He finds no difficulty in disposing of the product of his quarries, and ships stone all over the state.
Mr. Emmett took out his naturalization papers in due time, and after becoming an American citizen cast his vote during the elections for Dem- ocratic candidates. He is interested in all public improvements and is never called upon in vain to assist in furthering beneficial measures. Both Mr. and Mrs. Emmett are members of the Epis- copal Church, in the faith of which they were reared. Socially he is a Mason, and belongs to Pocahontas Lodge, at Seneca Falls.
Of the twelve children born to our subject and
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his wife, four were born in England. Tlie eldest, Mary, married James Proudfoot, and on lier death left two sons. . Richard makes his home with our subject and gives his attention to carrying on the farm work, which vocation he seems particularly adapted for. Isabella became the wife of A. L. Childs, editor of the Waterloo Observer, and is the mother of two children. Eliza married Mich- ael Moore, a resident of Waterloo, and lias one child. Oswold, who is foreman of the stone- quarry, is married and the father of two sons. Edgar is married and is living in Enderson, Iowa, where he is agent for the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad Company; he has three children. John Thompson makes his home in Waterloo, and is the father of two children. Harold J. is engaged in the drug business in Ba- tavia, N. Y.
OHN RHODES, a retired farmer living in the village of Moreland, was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 15, 1824. and is third among four children comprising the family of John and Mary (Shackelton) Rhodes. His fa- ther, who was born in Orange, Essex County, N. J., spent his early life in the locality where he was born. Prospered in business affairs, he en- gaged extensively in farming and milling, and owned and operated a grist and sawmill and a distillery. About 1836 he came to Schuyler County, settling near Montour Falls, where he again engaged in farming and milling. His death occurred in Millport, Chemung County, in 1860.
At the age of twelve years our subject left home and engaged on the canal with his uncle, George Rliodes, who built and ran a boat on the Chemung & Erie Canal. He spent his sum- mers on the canal, going from local points to Al-
bany and New York, and in winter worked at boat-building and in sawmills. At the age of ciglitecn he concluded to learn the trade of a mill- wright, and engaged with Jolin Quigley for three years, receiving $40, $50 and $60 per year, re- spectively. For seven years he continued in the employ of Mr. Quigley.
After his marriage Mr. Rhodes settled in Ha- vana, where he worked at liis trade and helped build Cook's Mill at that place. He thien re- moved to Millport and took a position as foreman of woodwork for the Chemung Canal Company, remaining there for two years. For three years he then worked at the millwright's trade. Go- ing to Townsend, he purchased land and built a sawmill, which he operated about ten years, run- ning the mill in the winter and working at his trade in the summer. In 1863 he bouglit ninety- six acres where he now resides, and on which is located the White Mill, one of the oldest mills in this vicinity and a landmark. In 1881 he built a sawmill, which has since been operated in con- nection with the gristmill. That year, however, he sold the mill to his son, Charles B., who now owns and operates it. He does an extensive bus- iness in flour and in lumber, shipping the prod- ucts of the mills in car lots to various places in the northern part of the state. In 1874 he erected the comfortable residence he now occupies.
Since the age of twenty-five Mr. Rhodes has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has in his possession the apron and regalia of his father, who was a Master Mason .. In politics, while his father was a Democrat, he has always advocated Republican principles. Though he has no desire to hold official position, lie has served his town as Road Commissioner and Pathmaster. When the Fall Brook Rail- road was built across liis land, a station was lo- cated here known as Moreland, and in 1889 a postoffice was established liere, since which time he has served as Postmaster. He has also been station agent for several years, and is owner of the buildings in the vicinity.
July 27, 1848, Mr. Rhodes married Miss Lu- cretia Collins, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Ann (Carpenter) Collins. She was born in
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Schuyler County, and died here in 1858. By this union there were four children: Charles B., who operates the mill; Jolin G., a farmer in the town of Dix; Mary E., at home; and Della, who died in early womanhood. In 1859 Mr. Rhodes mar- ried Maliala Collins, sister of his first wife. One child blesses the union, Elmer F., who assists his brother Charles B. in the sawmill.
EORGE G. MONTGOMERY, the leading merchant of Odessa, and one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Schuyler County, is a native of Ontario Coun- ty, N. Y., born May 1, 1842, a son of John and Mary (Downes) Montgomery, both of whom are natives of Canada. His boyhood and youth were spent in Gorham, N. Y., where he received a good common-school education, which was sup- plemented by a course in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y.
In 1876 Mr. Montgomery engaged in the drug and grocery business in Gorham, following this with good success for four years. After dis- posing of his stock at that place he removed to Odessa, where he purchased the general stock of merchandise of DeWitt & Cooper. This he has enlarged and added to, and now has the largest and most complete stock of general merchandise in the village.
In 1884, when General Arthur was President, Mr. Montgomery was appointed Postmaster of Odessa, and held the office for two years, when he was removed by President Cleveland. On the election of General Harrison he was again ap- pointed, and held the position for more than four years. The office is still in his store. In 1886 he was elected Supervisor of his town, and was re-elected in 1887 and 1888, serving three con- secutive terms, with entire satisfaction to his con- stituents. In 1892 he was elected County Treas-
urer, serving three years, and he has also held ininor offices, the duties of which he discharged in an efficient manner.
Mr. Montgomery was married. March 20, 1884, to Miss Minnie Hershey, a native of Ontario County, N. Y., and a daughter of Alvah and Henrietta ( Harrington) Hershey, both of whom were natives of the same county. Mrs. Minnie Montgomery is deceased, and her remains are interred in the Gorham Cemetery. September 20, 1893, Mr. Montgomery was again married, taking as his wife Miss Josephine Barnes, daugh- ter of Hawley and Catharine Barnes. They have no children, and reside in the village of Odessa, where they enjoy the esteem of all their acquaintances.
In politics Mr. Montgomery has been a Repub- lican since attaining his majority, casting his first presidential vote for General Grant. He is not a member of any church, but attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his parents had long been connected. Mrs. Mont- gomery is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1885 he was initiated a member of Havana Lodge No. 56, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled nearly all the chairs, and is the present Past Vice-Grand.
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ARLOS H. SUTTON. The biography of the successful gentleman whose name intro- duces this sketch furnishes another instance of a poor boy who by industry and thrift has gained wealth and social position through his own unaided efforts. For many years one of the prominent agriculturists of Schuyler County, he has since 1890 lived retired from business of any kind in Reading Center.
Our subject was born in this county and town, December 18, 1820. His parents, Nathaniel and
:
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Phebe (Peck) Sutton, were among the old and honored residents of the county. The former was born in Lodi, Seneca County, and the lat- ter in Windham, Greene County, this state. The parents located in this town many years ago, and continued to reside here until their decease, the father passing away in 1832, and the mother in ISS5.
Our subject was the only child born of his parents' union, and in the town of Reading he has always made his home. He remained with his parents until attaining the age of twenty- seven years, when he was married, May 3, 1848, to Miss Maria Eggleston. To them were born three children: Emma, who died when young in
years; Mary L., now the wife of George M. Mc- Nemer: and Harry E., who married Hattie G. Phinney, and resides in Reading Center. There the wife and mother died May 30, 1892, greatly mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives.
The subject of this sketch is the proprietor of one of the finest tracts of land in the county, em- bracing two hundred and fifteen broad and well cultivated acres. His fellow-citizens regard him with respect and esteem, and his position in the community is one of prominence and importance, and he has done his part toward the upbuilding of Schuyler County. He is interested in educa- tional affairs, and his is certainly an example to emulate.
ORLO HORTON.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
389
ORLO HORTON.
RLO HORTON. Few families have been better known or more closely identified with the early history of southern Seneca County than that of the Hortons. In 1811 Joel Horton, a native of Wolcott, New Haven County, Conn., sought a new home in what was then the "far West." Trumansburg, Tompkins County, was a thriving village, twenty years old, and it was there that he pitchied his tent, and there he re- mained until 1815, when inducements were of- fered which took him three miles further north, into the embryo village of Covert (or Pratt's Corners, as it was then known), Seneca County.
Mr. Horton purchased one hundred acres of wild land just on the outskirts of the settlement, and proceeded to cut, hew and carve from the virgin forest a home for himself and increasing family. His wife was Abigail Pratt, a sister of the late Col. Chauncey Pratt. These two men, Mr. Horton and Mr. Pratt, were associated in business for many years, and were more inti- mately connected with the affairs of the township than any other family. On retiring from the farm that he had redeemed from the wilderness and caused to blossom as the rose, ripe in years and well remunerated for his years of toil, Mr. Horton took up his residence again in Trumansburg, where, after living several years surrounded by all that makes declining years comfortable and happy, he died in 1872, at the age of ninety years, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hor- ton, four sons and two daughters, one of whom,
Orlo, the fourth son, is the subject of this sketch. He was born October 19, 1822. From his earliest youth he seemed to possess a passion for books, not merely to read and lay aside, but to take in and digest their contents. Being far from strong, his studious ways and quiet habits brought much care and anxiety to his loving mother, and his fa- ther, always indulgent, despaired of ever making a farmer of him, so allowed the young lad to follow the bent of his inclination to go to school sum- mer and winter, a rare thing for boys in those days. He soon exhausted the resources of the district school and was sent to Lima Seminary to prepare for college. He entered Union College in the Class of '46, and on the eve of graduation was called home by the serious illness of his fa- ther. He never returned, but finished his course of study at home, at such times as could be spared from the duties incident to the manage- ment of the estate. He entered at once upon a life of business activity, which was only termi- nated by death. Farming in summer, teaching the village school in winter, he still found time to serve his native town as a public officer, serving as a Magistrate several years. He was at one time Principal of Trumansburg Academy, and also successfully managed several select schools at different times.
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