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 39
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 39
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The boyhood of our subject was spent in his na- tive county until fifteen years of age, when his father removed to Canton, Pa. His education was received in the common schools of his native county and also of Canton, and after he was twenty-one years of age he attended the high school at Canton for a short time. With his fa- ther he learned the carpenter's trade, but on ar- riving at his majority he commenced work on a
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farm. December 9, 1859, he was married to Emily Palmer, of Union, Tioga County, Pa., who was a native of that place and a daughter of Na- than and Matilda (Griffin) Palmer. Her father was an historical character in Bradford County, to which county he was taken when an infant of one year, and there he grew to manhood. In his boyhood deer were plentiful in Bradford Coun- ty, and in one season he killed seventy-one deer. He was always quite prominent, holding many official positions, and died in ISS5. After his marriage our subject engaged in farming for three years, but in response to the first call for volun- teers to defend the Union he presented himself, but as the company was full he was not accepted. In 1862, however, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania In- fantry, and with his regiment proceeded to the front. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam and Chancellorsville, besides minor en- gagements. His term of service having expired, he was mustered out, May 24, 1863, and re-enlisted February 24, 1864, in Company K, Fiftieth New York Engineers, and with his company was en- gaged in the building of bridges and fortifications almost continually until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Elmira, N. Y., June 29, 1865. In all of the numerous engagements and skirmishes in which he was engaged he was fort- unate in escaping unharmed.
After the close of the war Mr. Denmark re- moved with his family to Tioga County, Pa., to a farm of one hundred and four acres, which he had purchased before hostilities commenced, and where he remained two years. In 1867 he re- moved to Canton, Pa., and for about ten years engaged in business, still retaining the farm, however. Three years after the removal to Can- ton Mrs. Denmark died, and October 4, 1870, Mr. Denmark married Miss Eunice Sellard, a na- tive of Bradford County, and a daughter of Enoch and Clarissa (King) Sellard.
In 1876 Mr. Denmark sold his business in Can- ton and also his farm, and removed to Elmira, N. Y., and took charge of the United States Ho- tel for two years. He then moved back to Tioga County, Pa., and engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness for two years, when lie moved to Newfield. Tompkins County, N. Y., and engaged in farin- ing for eight years. At the expiration of that time he purchased a sawmill and some timber- land, and gave his entire attention to the milling and lumber business for four years. In October, 1892, hie moved to Alpine and bought the saw- mill and gristmill known as the Mix Mill, built by brothers of that name in IS51.
Mr. Denmark has always been a strong Re- publican, voting twice for Abraham Lincoln, the last time while on the battlefield. While in Can- ton lie served as Supervisor of his ward and as Councilman, and has also held minor offices. Both Mr. and Mrs. Denmark are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of Gregg's Post, G. A. R.', of Newfield, and has been a Master Mason for years, holding member- ship with King Hiram Lodge at Newfield. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of the Odd Fellows.
EORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMSON. In the town of Covert, Seneca County, re- sides one of the best known men of this sec- tion, as he has made his home here since a lad of eight years. He has now reached the age of eighty-one, and occupies a position which is most gratifying. When young in years he learned the trade of a carpenter, and has worked at this, off and on, for a half-century, but now, however. his advanced years exempt him from labor of any kind. His success in life has been such that he is enabled to pass the remainder of his years in peace and comfort.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sussex County, N. J., November 18, 1814, his parents being Abraham and Elizabeth Williamson, who
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reared a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. George W. received a very meager education in the schools of that period, which did not compare very favorably with the modern temples of learning.
Mr. Williamson's marriage united him with Miss Desire Wixom, a very intelligent lady, who proved a helpmate indeed. They were granted a family of eight children, of whom Harriet was the eldest. The others in the order of their birth were Elizabeth, Rachel, Aun, George, Frederick, Julia and Hause.
George W. was about eight years of age when he was brought to this county by his parents, and therefore remembers very little of life spent else- where. His parents at once located in the town of Covert, where George W. was reared. When a lad of fifteen he began to make his own way in the world, as his father was in limited circuni- stances. His first employment was on neighbor- ing farms, working by the month, and, as he gave his employers perfect satisfaction, was thus engaged for eleven years, afterward learning the carpenter's trade.
Mr. Williamson is regarded as one of the old landmarks of this section, and is esteemed alike by young and old. During his earlier years he was very active in politics, and still continues to vote the Democratic ticket. As one of the old residents of the county, who has done much to- ward its development, we take pleasure in pub- lishing his sketch among the representative citi- zens of the county.
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YLER H. ABBEY. In the death of this gentleman, March 22, 1895, the village of Watkins lost an old and honored citizen. Starting in life with nothing but his own talents and upright character to help him, hie achieved success in business, in reputation, and in that
which he valued above all else-the respect and confidence of his fellow-men. He was a man of culture and was most broad and liberal.minded. Unselfish, uncompromising where principles were concerned, sincere and progressive, liis deatlı de- prived the community of one who had been an important factor in its growth and development.
The subject of this memorial was born in Mar- bletown, Ulster County, N. Y., May 12, 1815, being a son of David Abbey, a native of Windham County, Conn. The history of his boyhood is briefly told. His primary education was obtained in Shokan, Ulster County, N. Y., and afterward he attended the Geneva Lyceum, which was one of the noted schools of that period. He took a classical course, and also studied higher mathe- matics. After leaving school he taught about three years, and then became a clerk in his uncle's business establishment in Rondout, Ulster County. In 1845 he removed from that place to Tyrone, where he engaged in general merchandising for himself.
In the spring of 1848 Mr. Abbey came to Wat- kins, where he embarked in business, continuing in the same until his decease. In 1882 the firm title was changed to T. H. Abbey & Co., con- tinuing thus until 1891, when his son Fred G., who was one of the partners, died, and Albert T. Abbey took active charge of the business. As a business man, he was energetic, progressive and always apace with the times. The quality of his stock (for he never carried any goods save the best), and the honesty that he observed in every transaction, no matter how small, won for him the confidence of the people, and for years le car- ried on a very large trade, not only with the peo- ple of the village, but also with the farmers of the surrounding country.
The married life of Mr. Abbey was most happy, for his wife was a lady possessing all the attributes of noble womanhood, and by her sympathy, amia- ble disposition and encouragement. she aided him in every enterprise he undertook. Julia Ann Whitney, as Mrs. Abbey was known in maiden- hood, was born in Seneca Castle, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1817. She was the daughter of Otis Whitney, who in 1792 removed with his father
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from Conway, Mass., to Seneca Castle, about six miles west of Geneva, where he died at the age of ninety-ninc. The longevity of the Whitney family is further shown by the fact that an uncle of Mrs. Abbey, who lived in Illinois, at- tained the great age of one hundred years. The Whitney family is one of the oldest in this sec- tion, as is also the Abbey family, the latter tracing their lineage to John Abbe (as the name was then spelled), who was one of the Pilgrim Fathers and came over in the historic " Mayflower."
At Seneca Castle, May 12, 1841, Tyler H. Abbey and Miss Julia A. Whitney were united in marriage. They began housekeeping at Rond- out, Ulster County, but later removed to Tyrone, this county. Subsequently they went to Big Stream, now known as Glenora, and in 1848 settled in Watkins, where they continued to reside until death. Throughout all the period of their resi- dence here they were the leading members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Abbey was Elder. The consistency of their lives was in the utmost harmony with the religion they professed, and they imitated the example of their Master, in that they went about doing good. They are survived by five children, namely: Nor- man W., Harvey S., Albert T. and Julia A., of Watkins, and Rev. Edward W., of Hamilton, Ohio, who is recognized as an able and influential minister of the Presbyterian Church. Two others, Hayden W. and Frederick G., are deceased. A strong friend of the cause of education, Mr. Abbey was School Commissioner for the town be- fore the county was formed, and in after years acted as sole Trustee for the schools of the village of Watkins until the organizing of the Union School, when he was one of the members of the board. In politics he was a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party became a strong supporter of its principles.
On the 12th of May, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Abbey celebrated their golden wedding, on which happy occasion they were the recipients of congratula- tions from hosts of devoted friends. For fifty years they had walked life's pathway side by side, sharing their joys and dividing their sorrows by mutual sympathy, and as theirs had been a happy
union on earth, so in death they were not divided. They passed away within twenty-seven hours of each other, and those who knew their devotion could not but rejoice that they were not long separated, but soon met on eternity's fair shore. They died, the wife March 20, at 10 P. M., and the husband March 22, 1895, in the morning, at their home in Watkins, the victims of pneumo- nia and bronchitis. The funeral, which was held at their home, was conducted by Rev. L. F. Ruf, assisted by two former pastors of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. G. D. Meigs and Rev. F. S. Howe, also by Rev. H. H. Kellogg, of Havana, and Rev. Dr. Cowles, of Elmira. The three sons, Harvey S., Albert T., Rev. E. W., and a grandson, Frank H., acted as pall-bearers for Mrs. Abbey. They were laid to rest side by side in Glenwood, to await the triumphant resurrection of the dead in the Lord.
ETER MARSHALL. This name is borne by one of the most honored residents of Sen- eca County, who is now living retired in the town of Fayette. He was born in this town, April 25, 1816, and is in turn the son of John and Christiana ( Koch) Marshall, the father born in the town of Juniata, Perry County, Pa., in the year 1782. He there married our subject's mother, who was likewise a native of that county.
The parents of Peter Marshall came to New York in IS12, just a short time prior to the out- break of the war of that period. They purchased a farm near Buffalo, but that locality being in a very turbulent condition, owing to the com- mencement of the war, they sold their possessions and came to Seneca County the same year. They at once settled in what is now the town of Fayette, and spent the rest of their lives in farm- ing. One son, William, was born to them in Pennsylvania, and he accompanied them to their
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new home. The family afterward minbered nine children, all of whom grew to mature years, and five became heads of families.
Notwithstanding the fact that Jolin Marshall fled to Seneca County to escape going to the war, he was drafted into the service, but, not wishing to enlist, was obliged to hire a substitute. Not long after our subject's parents came to this state, they were joined by his father, also John Marsli- all, together with several of his brothers and sisters. His farming ventures in this county proved successful, and although the father came here a poor man, he was well-to-do at the time of lis decease. In politics he was first a Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. Religiously he was a consist- ent member of the Baptist Church, and contrib- uted very liberally of his means toward the building of the First Baptist Church in Waterloo. He was a member of the committee which erected .. this structure, and afterward was elected Trustee of the congregation.
Our subject passed the first sixteen years of his life on the old homestead, during which time he gained a very fair education. He then went to Waterloo, where it was his intention to learn the trade of a tailor. Accordingly he apprenticed himself to one of the best workmen in that place, working for one man for two and a-half years, and receiving as compensation for his services his board and clothing. When pronounced thor- oughly competent to start out for himself, he be- gan as a journeyman, and for eight or ten years traveled about through this and other counties. He then formed a partnership with another gen- tleman, and they continued to operate together for anotlier decade.
Peter Marshall was married, October 29, 1841, to Miss Sophia Lee Bear, who was born in Wa- terloo. Her parents were Lancelot and Elizabeth (Schott) Bear, respected residents of that com- munity. After closing out his tailor-shop Mr. Marshall engaged in business as a general mer- chant at Waterloo, and for three years conducted a lucrative trade. At the expiration of that time he disposed of his stock of goods and invest- ed his capital in a farm in the town of Seneca Falls,
which consisted of eighty-seven acres, and on which he lived seven years. After this he rented property for a few years, and then again trying his luck as a property-owner, purchased the tract of one hundred acres on which he is now living. Althoughi being compelled to go in debt to some extent, he was industrious, and soon had it clear of all incumbrance. It is a well improved place and is regarded as one of the pleasantest homes in the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall there have been born ten children, five sous and five daughters. Webster Lee, the eldest, is engaged in farming in Michigan; Mary A. married George Laub, and they make their home in the town of Seneca Falls; Bainbridge is spoken of in full on another page in this volume; Horatio A. is a prominent lawyer of Waterloo: Anna F. is engaged in teaching in this county; Charles H. is a black- smith, and lives near Bearytown; Emma and Ella are also teachers, the latter holding a position in the high school at Syracuse; William S. is en- gaged as a coal merchant in Rochester; Jessie B. was graduated from the schools of Syracuse and is now teaching in Stillwater, Mich.
Mr. Marshall cast his first Presidential vote in IS40, for "Old Tippecanoe." He is now, how- ever, an adherent of Republican principles, and by his friends and fellow-townsmen was elected Overseer of the Poor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife and sev- eral of his sons and daughters.
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12 WIGHT M. KELLOGG. Probably in the history of the representative business enter- prises of Seneca Falls, there can be found few more striking examples of what may be ac- complished by industry, good judgment and per- severance, even when unaccompanied by capi-
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tal, than is afforded by the business carcer of the subject of this notice. He is proprietor of the livery and sales stable conducted under his name and connected with the Hoag House. The building occupied by him for his business is two stories in height. and commodious in dimensions, being 48x150 feet, and furnished with all the necessary equipments for the prosecution of the work. A full line of buggies, carriages, coupes, hacks and light vehicles is kept in stock, and in the stables can be accommodated from seventy- five to one hundred horses, besides which there is ample room for hitching and a transient business. The office is fitted up tastily and in an elegant manner, for his own comfort and that of his cus- tomers.
A native of Cayuga County, this state, Mr. Kellogg was born in the town of Moravia, Janu- ary 18, 1852. His father, David W., was born in the town of Locke, Cayuga County, in which county he was reared. For many years, how- ever, he has lived in the town of Venice, that county. His life occupation has been that of an agriculturist, and in his declining years he is surrounded by every comfort which can enhance the happiness of existence. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna E. Sherman, and was born in the town of Venice, where she died July 1, 1893, at the age of sixty-five.
The parental family consisted of four sons and three daughters, Dwight M. being the second in order of birth. He passed the days of boyhood and youth in the villages of Moravia and Venice, laying the foundation of his education in the dis- trict schools, and later attending the Moravia Academy. At the age of twenty-one he started out in the world for himself, and his first enter- prise was the starting of a livery stable in Mo- ravia. After one year, however, he removed from that place to Port Byron, the same county, where he was engaged in the livery business and in buying and selling horses.
In the spring of 1885 Mr. Kellogg came to Seneca Falls, and here he has since resided. At once after locating in this village he opened a livery and sales stable, which he carried on until July 30, 1890. On that day he met with the
misfortune of liaving his stable burned down, though he succeeded in saving the horses. Sub- sequently he removed to his present quarters. His long years of experience in this line of busi - ness have made him thoroughly acquainted withi every department of the work, and he is consid- ered one of the best judges of horses in the en- tire county.
The marriage of Mr. Kellogg occurred March 22, 1877, and united him with Miss Ida G. Mat- toon, of Moravia, N. Y., daughter of Harry Mat- toon, of that place. She is a lady of noble char- acter and kindness of heart, and is highly es- teemed in the social circles of Seneca Falls. They have one son, Burt R. Mr. Kellogg is recog- nized as one of the energetic business men of the community, and is earning a well merited pros- perity. For many years he has been a Mason, and in politics has always been a stanch Repub- lican. Mrs. Kellogg is a member of the Method. ist Episcopal Church.
OSEPH D. ALLEMAN. After an active career as a farmer, miller and stock-raiser, the subject of this article retired from busi- ness pursuits, and for some years he has resided in Waterloo, where the twilight of his life is be- ing quietly and happily passed. Seneca County has been his life-long home, and he has a large acquaintance among the people of this section, having a host of friends among those in whose association he has lived and labored for many years.
Born in the town of Fayette, January 30, 1814, Joseph D. is a son of Jacob Alleman, who was born at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1782, and died in Seneca County April 6, 1835, at the age of fifty- three years. Agriculture was his chosen occupa- tion, and to it he devoted liis active life. In the Lutheran Church, of which he was a faithful
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member, he served as an Elder for many years. He was of direct German descent, his father, Stephen Alleman, having emigrated from Ger- many in company with a brother, Conrad, at the age of sixteen, and settled in Pennsylvania.
The mother of our subject, Nancy Ann, was born near Shippensburg, Pa., and was a daugh- ter of Conrad Newstetter, who was of German lineage, and died in Stark County, Ohio. She passed away in Waterloo in 1869, being then in the eighty-third year of her age. In boyhood years our subject attended the district schools of Fayette during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm. On attaining his majority he began in the world for himself, and, forming a partnership with his brother, Conrad J., under the firm name of C. J. & J. D. Alleman, he became interested in the Fayette Mills, which he oper- ated for six years. In 1844 he disposed of his interest in the concern to his brother.
For a number of years afterward Mr. Alleman operated a farm in the town of Fayette, but in 1856 he removed to the banks of Seneca Lake, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres. The tract was devoted by him principally to the raising of grain, but he also engaged to some extent in stock-raising. He placed the property under a high state of cultiva- tion, and still owns the place, though for some years it has been occupied by a tenant. In 1871 he came to the village of Waterloo, where he has since made his home. His life has been compar- atively quiet and uneventful, and he has followed the even tenor of his way through all the passing years. When a young man, he was commis- sioned Major of the militia, and later became Lieutenant-Colonel of the state troops.
In 1840 Mr. Alleman married Miss Jane Wat- kins, daughter of Stephen Watkins, of the town of Fayette. Mrs. Alleman, who was a lady of most estimable character, was born in Philadel- phia, Pa., December 30, 1813, and passed from earth at the family residence in Waterloo in 1886. Four children were born to bless their union, there being two sons and two daughters. An- drew A., the eldest of the family, died in 1872.
Josepli J. is a resident of Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y. Sarah J., formerly the wife of Edgar H. Gambee, died in 1866; and Nancy E. is the wife of John H. Reamer, of Waterloo. In politics Mr. Alleman is a pronounced Democrat. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he has voted at every succeeding national election. In religious belief he is a Lu- theran, although his wife was identified with the Presbyterian Church. He has always been a man of temperate habits, to which fact is largely due his robust frame and good health at his pres- ent advanced age.
LIVER C. COOPER, editor and proprietor of the Ovid Independent, is one of the strong men of the town and village. The Inde- pendent has had a history that shows what pluck and courage can accomplish. It succeeded the Ovid Bee, and was first published by Hyatt & Cooper, March 5, 1873. The office thus estab- lished was destroyed by fire October 11, 1874, at which time nearly all the business houses of Ovid were swept away. Mr. Cooper then re-estab- lished the paper, and conducted it alone. It is a folio of eight columns, and, as its name indicates, is independent. For nearly twenty years it was the only paper published in Ovid, and in that time it has won a hold upon the people which no competition can shake.
Mr. Cooper, our subject, was born in Clock- ville, December 15, 1837, the son of Conrad and Sarah Elizabeth (Knight) Cooper, natives of New Jersey, and Providence, R. I., respectively. In 1825 they were married at Troy, where they both resided. Conrad Cooper was a miller, and very soon after his marriage removed to Clockville, where he became the owner of a mill, in the op- eration of which he was engaged until shortly be-
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fore his death, which occurred in the town of Lenox, Madison County, N. V., May 26, 1846, at the early age of forty-four. His wife survived him for almost thirty years, dying October 19, 1872, in her sixty-ninth year. They were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and their faith- ful and devoted lives proved an inspiration to those who knew them best. The father was an Elder in the church, and exerted much influence for good. Nine children came to grace the fam- ily circle, three sous and six daughters. James S. died in Ovid; Lucy Ann married William Ackroyd, and is now a resident of Jefferson Coun- ty; Elizabeth married Charles Boucher, and died in Cynthiana; Thomas H. is a railroad man, and makes his home in Watertown; Harriet N. mar- ried William K. Wyckoff, and died June IS, 1867, at Ripon, Wis .; Adelia became the wife of Dr. C. T. Mitchell, and makes her home in Canandaigua; Clora is Mrs. J. L. Cone, of Wa- terloo, while Mary Etta is Mrs. John Stevenson, Jr., of Albany.
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