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 41
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 41
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January 7, 1864, Mr. Reynolds married Miss Sylvia, daugliter of Ira and Gecia (Smith) Cooper. She was born in the house where she now lives and which has always been her home. By this union two children were born: Ernest C., who graduated from the Cazenovia Seminary and is now engaged in business in New York City; and Ethel S., a graduate of Ft. Edwards Collegiate Institute.
In politics Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat and for many years has been active in the councils of that party. He has often been honored by his fellow- citizens with local offices. For thirteen years he has served his town as a member of the Board of Supervisors. He was first elected in 1861 and served for two years. In ISto lie was again elected and served four terms in succession. In 1891 he was elected and served three years. He is, with one exception, the only man in the county who has served that length of time. Be- sides this position, he lias held the offices of Assess- or, Town Clerk and Inspector of Elections. For the past thirty years lie has represented his party in county and state conventions, and in all that time has never missed a single county convention. He is not a member of any church, but attends thie Christian Church, of which his wife is a member, and contributes to its support.
Mr. Reynolds has done a large business in lumber, shipping to various cities from half a mili-
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ion to a million feet per year. Besides the old saw- mill, located on the outlet of Cayuta Lake and run by water power, in 1883 he purchased a port- able sawmill, which he has also operated. Since that year he has probably sawed more lumber than any other firm in the county. His home farm comprises fifty acres, on which is a com- fortable dwelling, together with all outbuildings necessary for a well regulated farm. He also owns six hundred acres in the vicinity of the old mill.
HARLES OGDEN has spent his entire life in Seneca County, and is numbered among the capable, successful farmers of the town of Romulus. Trained to agricultural pursuits, he selected farming for his life work, and of this calling he has made a success. He is the owner of a tract of two hundred and eleven acres, lying in one body, and this place has through his efforts been brought to a high state of cultivation, bear- ing the improvements of a model estate.
In the town of Varick, the subject of this sketch was born December 1, 1818. He is the son of Jonathan Ogden, a native of Chenango County, N. Y., who came to Seneca County in 1817, and became one of the early settlers of the town of Romulus. The land on which he re- sided, though then included in the town of Romu- lus, is now within the limits of Varick. In 1843 he moved to the farm where Charles now resides. and here he died in 1874, at the age of eighty- one. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Saralı J. Davis, passed away in 1875, at the age of seventy-five. They lie side by side in the cem- etery near the place where so many years of their lives had been passed. He was a mason, inter- ested in all that pertained to that occupation, but his time was given principally to teaching, and for thirty years he followed that profession.
There were but two children in the parental
family, and our subject is the only survivor. He grew to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of this locality, and received such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the schools of those days. In 1843 he established domestic ties, be- ing united in marriage. on the Sth of March, to Eleanor Brown, of this county. Two children caine to bless their union, of whom the daughter, Mary, is the wife of R. Allen; and the son, Henry M., is a farmer of this town.
The political affiliations of Mr. Ogden are with the Democratic party, and he has always sup- ported its men and measures. He has served with efficiency in a number of local offices, ill- chuiding that of Road Commissioner, which he held for a time some years ago. All liberal and progressive enterprises receive his cordial sym- pathy and co-operation, and he has always been found on the side of those measures that, if car- ried out, will advance the interests of the people of the county. Since eighteen years of age he has engaged in farming, and is a practical, in- dustrious agriculturist, having through his own labors improved his present homestead, where he has resided since 1843.
D COLUMBUS LAMBERT, the owner of fifty acres of improved farming land in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, is a man whose industry and usefulness and whose record for honesty and uprightness have given him a hold upon the community which all might well desire to share. He is a native-born resident of this town, his birth occurring January 18, 1850, and his parents being George and Jeanette (Will- iamson) Lambert. The parental family included thirteen children, all of whom are now living, with one exception, and make their homes in the towns of Fayette and Varick.
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The subject of this sketch passed the first fifteen years of his life in the town of Fayette, when his father moved to the town of Varick, where he is now one of the prominent residents and prosper- ous farmers, his estate there including two hun- dred acres of excellent land. Columbus remained at home until two years after reaching his ma- jority, and for that time was paid wages by liis father. He was always obliged to work very hard, and as his services were in great demand during the summer season, he was permitted to at- tend school but a few months in each year; con- sequently the greater part of his knowledge has been gained by reading and observation.
Mr. Lambert's marriage united him with Miss Arminda Stahl, of the town of Varick, whose home adjoined that of his father. After this ev- ent he worked by the day for a few years, at the same time operating a steam thresher, of which he was the owner. He was the possessor of $900 at the time of his marriage, and this little sum he kept adding to from time to time until he invested it in his present estate of fifty acres. This he bought in 1882, paying therefor $3,000. He is a fariner of considerable prominence in this locality, and fully merits the success which has attended all his efforts.
The wife and mother departed this life July 23, 1893, leaving our subject with four children: Tilghman, who was born in the town of Varick, in December, 1876; Charlotte, born September 26, 1879; Eber, September 1, 1881; and Mary, May 12, 1889. His second marriage, which occurred June 27, 1894, united him with Mrs. Mary ( Hil- kert) Silves, the widow of Samuel Silves. By her first union there was born a daughter, Ella, who is now residing with her mother. Religiously she is a working member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, worshiping with the congregation which meets at Fayette.
Mr. Lambert is often called upon to furnish the machine and do threshing for farmers of the sur- rounding country, and for seventeen years has followed this business. He lias done work as far south as the village of Farmer, and as far north as Seneca Falls. In political belief Mr. Lambert is a stanch Republican, and a useful and promi-
nent citizen. Socially he is a member of the Grange. He is one of the self-made men of Sen- eea County, and in every walk in iife has con- ducted himself in an honorable and upright manner.
AVID C. HILLERMAN. As a business man and as a citizen, Mr. Hillerman occu- pies a position among the leading residents of Watkins, where he has made his home for many years. He is endowed with strength of character and the moral and mental qualities that place him among those whose citizenship is most valuable to their town and county. His sturdy, practical traits have been advantageous to him in the prosecution of his business affairs, and have brought him a competence. Though not one of the sons of the Empire State, his home has been here since 1825, and he has been a witness of its wonderful growth and prosperity.
A native of New Jersey, our subject was born October 10, 1820, being a son of William and Hannah (Corey) Hillerman. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed from New Jersey to New York, settling in Schuyler County. He purchased a tract in the town of Reading, which he improved into a good farm, and upon it he re- sided until his death in 1845. His wife passed away the following year. He was a highly re- spected citizen, and a man of strong will power, coupled with force of character and great indus- try. Of his six children, four were sons and two daughters, and all are still living, with one ex- ception.
David C., who was third in order of birth, was a child of three and a-half years when the family came to Schuyler County. His boyhood years were passed in the town of Reading, and early in life he gained a thorough knowledge of the details of farm life. After the death of his father, he succeeded him in the management of the es-
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tate, of which he had the supervision for seven- teen years. In 1862 lie came to Watkins and engaged in the grocery business for a number of years, but in October, 1878, sold out and com- menced in the coal business, which he still car- ries on. He deals in both hard and soft coal, also in wood, and has built up a large trade.
In 1847 Mr. Hillerman was united in marriage with Miss Chloe, daughter of Augustus Ely, of Hector, Schuyler County. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Rev. Louis F. Ruf is pastor, and take an active inter- * est in all the enterprises connected with this or- ganization. At present he is serving as Elder of the congregation. At different times lie has held local civic offices, among which were those of Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner. He is a man who enjoys to an unusual degree the regard of his associates and the esteem of those with whom he has business or social relations.
ILLIAM A. BICKFORD, who is perhaps one of the best known citizens of the west end of Seneca County, is at present living at Border City, a new town at the northeast end of Seneca Lake, and joining the eastern corpora- tion line of Geneva. He bears a wide reputation as the inventor of the Niagara Force Pump, the Solid-Comfort Lawn Swing, the Child's Delight, and Jacob's Ladder. They are manufactured by the Border City Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Bickford is Manager, Secretary and Treasurer. He is a native of Vermont, and was born at Troy, September 10, 1858. His parents were Thomas and Juda (Kimball) Bickford, natives of the province of Quebec, Canada, where they met and were married. Soon after that event we find them living in the Green Mountain State, where the father was engaged in farming.
Mrs. Juda Bickford departed this life in Ver- mont, leaving William A., who was her only child. The father was again married, and in 1866 removed to Albert Lea, Minn. After some time spent there the family took up their abode in Minneapolis. Up to that time our subject had very limited opportunities for attending school, but after moving to Minneapolis he was sent to the public schools there in the winter and during the summer months worked in a sawmill. This continued until he reached the age of seventeen, when he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade, working in the shops of Walker Brothers, manufacturers of wood-working machinery. He remained with this company two years and a-halt, receiving for his first year's work $20 per month. The second year liis wages were raised $2.50 per month, and to $24 the remaining six months. Before the usual time allowed an apprentice had expired, Walker Brothers sold out their business and removed to Philadelphia. Young Bickford then finished liis trade in another shop, and was soon working for $1.50 per day.
When only twenty years of age our subject went to Owatonna, Minn., and organized the firm of E. L. Paddock & Co., to do general machine work and repairing. It was just getting a good start when it was burned out, this event occur- ring on Mr. Bickford's twenty-first birthday. At that time he lost all his tools, clothing and school books, which he kept in the shop. He then re- turned to Minneapolis, and before noon on the day of his arrival had secured a position in the same shop where he had learned his trade, receiv- ing $2.50 per day. After working for this firm for about six months, he entered into a partner- ship with a Mr. Foster in that city and opened an agricultural-implement store, the firm name being Bickford & Foster. This connection ex- isted for two years, and it was during that time that Mr. Bickford invented the Niagara Double- Acting, Non-Freezing Force Pump, getting out his first patent, however, in Canada. Selling out his interest in the implement business in Minne- apolis to his partner, he made his home in the Dominion. He sold his patent right to the Farm and Dairy Manufacturing Company, of Brant-
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ford, for $3,000, and was given the position of mechanical superintendent of this company, with a salary of $1,000 per year. He remained with the firm for about two years, during which time he was married, at Brantford, November 14, 1882, to Miss Isabella Morris, who was born in that place January 1, 1861. She was the daugli- ter of William and Isabella (Hyde) Morris, na- tives, respectively, of England and Ireland.
At the expiration of the time above mentioned, Mr. Bickford removed to Moncton, New Bruns- wick, to take charge of an establishment there which was engaged in the manufacture of his pumps. He was there about a year and a-half, but the venture not proving a successful one, he resigned his position and went to Prescott, On- tario, where he organized a company to manu- facture the force pumps. Soon selling his interest to other parties, however, he again came to the States, locating at Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he organized the Border City Manufacturing Con- pany. About this time he had his pumps patented in the United States, and January, 1889, the company was ready for business. In 1891 Mr. Bickford came to his present location, where he has since manufactured his own articles. Bor- der City now contains many buildings, but his factory was the first building erected.
The Niagara Force Pumps are acknowledged by all who have used and examined them to be the best and most serviceable pumps in the mar- ket for raising water, washing carriages, sprink- ling lawns, extinguishing fires, etc. They are guaranteed to pump a barrel of water per minute from a well of ordinary depth, or force a stream from fifty to one hundred feet from the nozzle of any reasonable length of hose. This pump has been on the market for the past seven years and has been thoroughly tested and strengthened in all its weak points, and is to-day the most com- plete general-purpose pump ever sold in the United States or Canada. It never freezes, never needs priming, is double acting and durable.
Mr. Bickford is also the inventor and manu- facturer of the Solid-Comfort Lawn Swing, which is a very comfortable and artistic piece of lawn furniture. It embraces and combines the ham-
mock, the easy and reclining chair, the settee, the swing and the lawn tent, and it excels them all. He also has for sale the Child's Delight, a swing for the nursery.
Jacob's Ladder, another of Mr. Bickford's in- ventions, is one of the most complete articles ever used by carpenters, roofers, paper-hangers, house- decorators, painters, merchants, farmers and me- chanics of all kinds. It is manufactured and owned exclusively by the Border City Manufact- uring Company, of which our subject is one of the largest stockholders. They do a business of $20,000 per year, and the product of their fac- tory is shipped to all points in the United States.
Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1884 for Grover Cleveland. He is very popular in his conimu- nity and was elected by adherents of both political parties to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1893. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, belonging to Geneva Chapter, and became a mem- ber of the organization while at Brantford, Can- ada, being initiated in Doric Lodge No. 121. He is likewise a member of the Royal Arcanum, and has been sent as the representative of this order to its state convention, which met at Syracuse in April, 1895.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bickford there were granted three sons: Charles A., born at Moncton, New Brunswick, in 1884; Reginald, whose birth oc- curred at Brantford, Canada, in IS86; and Harold Morris, born in 1893. The latter died in July, 1894, when about six months old.
DAM SNYDER. Schuyler County has won an enviable reputation as a prosperous fruit- growing and farming region, and this has - been acquired through the energy and persever- ance of such agriculturists as Mr. Snyder. He
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has been prominently identified with the advance- ment of this locality in every worthy particular, and has discharged the duties of various import- ant positions in the town in a very satisfactory and creditable manner. A prominent and useful citizen, the county owes its prosperity to such men as he. For many years he was one of the prosperous agriculturists of the town of Hector, but at the present time he is living retired in Burdett.
Our subject was born in Warren County, N. J., February 25, 1826, his parents being John W. and Catherine (Brugler) Snyder. Four years after the birth of their son Adam they came to Schuyler County, choosing for their future home the town of Hector, and locating on a tract of land just south of Reynoldsville, where they resided until their decease, the father passing away in 1866, when seventy-six years of age, and the mother dying two years prior to this time. They were stanch members of the Presbyterian Church, attending service at Burdett.
The parental family included the following sons and daughters: Anna, who married Jolin Teed, of Burdett; Peter, formerly a farmer, but now a resident of Ithaca; Adam, our subject; Sidney, who married Daniel Thompson, of Hec- tor; Sarah, who is the wife of Giles Buskirk, and makes her home in Missouri; John, a carpenter in Elmira, N. Y .; Catherine, Mrs. Willis At- water, also of that city; and Emeline, who mar- ried Spencer Wheeler, of Burdett.
The subject of this sketch remained on the home place until twenty-six years of age, when he began life for himself on property in the town of Catharine. He lived in that locality for a period of twelve years, when we find him a resi- dent of Hector, where he also purchased land. His return hither was in 1866, and the estate which came into his possession at that time con- sisted of one hundred and twenty-five acres, just east of Burdett. On this lie erected substantial buildings of every description, and engaged in general farming, making a specialty, however, of raising sheep, of which he had some of the best breeds.
Mr. Snyder's marriage united him with Miss
Jane E. Darling, of Hector, the daughter of An- drew Darling, of that place. Their family in- cluded two children, the elder of whom died in infancy. George A., one of the most prominent residents of the county, was elected to the As- sembly in 1894. He is a prominent farmer of Schuyler County, and for his full history we refer the reader to his biography, found on another page in this volume.
In politics our subject is a strong Republican, and religiously is a supporter of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is Trustee. For ten years he lias been President of the Hector Union Cem- etery Association, and under his supervision the cemetery is kept in excellent condition, and to this work he devotes considerable time.
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HARLES S. FROST. Probably none of the citizens of Schuyler County are more widely known among the people of this and other states than Mr. Frost, a successful business man of Watkins. In a volume dedi- cated to the able and eminent men of the county, considerable mention naturally belongs to one so intimately identified with the development of the village and county. His interests are ex- tensive and varied. He is proprietor of the Schuyler Mills, the Schuyler Iron and Agricult- ural Works and the Schuyler Machine Works. In addition to these, he is also proprietor of the Glen Park Hotel, the largest summer-resort hotel in Watkins.
In the town of Catlin, Chemung County, N. Y., Charles S. Frost was born in 1836. His great-grandfather, Joseph Frost, settled in Che- mung County about 1803, becoming one of the earliest settlers of what was later known as Frost's Hill, where he died about 1838. He was the second of four brothers, all of whom settied on
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Frost's Hill and took up adjoining lands, these farms being still owned by their descendants. He was born May 22, 1754, and was a youth of twenty years when the dark clouds of dissension arose and the Colonies became involved in war with the mother country. He was one of those who enlisted for the defense of the country, and served with valor on many a hard-fought battle- field. The Frost family originally came from England, the first representative emigrating to this country in 1643 and settling in Connecticut. The old homestead in Catlin was surveyed in 1817 by a Mr. Pompeley, who boarded with the family at the time.
The grandfather of our subject, Jonathan, came from Connecticut to New York and selected a suitable location for a home in Chemung County. He then returned to his native place, where he married Elizabethi Sherwood, and their wedding trip was a journey on horseback to their new home. Thomas Sherwood Frost, father of our subject, was born in Chemung County, December 25, 1809, and by his marriage with Lydia Cogswell he had two sons and one daughter, those besides our subject being Emma J., wife of L. G. Giles, of Waterman, Ill., and John E., of Watkins.
In childhood Charles Frost gained the rudi- ments of liis education in the district schools of Chemung County, and later he attended Lima Seminary, in Livingston County. His first busi- ness experience was gained in the town of Cat- lin, where he remained two years, meantime gaining an accurate knowledge of lumbering. In 1861 he became a member of a regimental band, being a first-class musician. He was attached to the Forty-eightli New York Infantry, and served for thirteen months.
In 1863 Mr. Frost came to Watkins and started in the marble and granite business, which lie car- ried on several years. His next enterprise was the building of a foundry and machine-shop, the plant being near the track of the Northern Cen- tral Depot. There he manufactured agricultural implements and did a general jobbing business. Later he built the Schuyler Gristmnill, which lie has operated in connection with his other inter- ests, giving employment to a number of men.
He owns the old homestead, which consists of one hundred and fifty-six acres, and is in a highi state of cultivation.
I11 1863 Mr. Frost was united in marriage with Miss Theresa, daughter of George Frost, of Schuyler County. They have six sons, George W., John E., Willis L., Charles H., Frank A. and Glen H. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and upon that ticket lie has been elected to numerous local offices of trust, including that of Supervisor of the town of Dix, which he hield for four terms. Socially he is a member of D. W. Washburn Post No. 515, G. A. R.
Glen Park Hotel, which has been conducted by Mr. Frost since 1876, was built by Colonel Frost, his great-uncle, who in his day was one of the most prominent residents of the county. The hotel, which is situated near the entrance to the famous Watkins Glen, has recently been re- modeled and refurnished, and is first-class in every respect. Its well kept lawns, highly orna- mented grounds, broad piazzas, airy rooms, shady walks, superior springs of pure water, and, above all, its magnetic and sulphur springs, have brought it into prominence throughout the entire country, and every summer large numbers of peo- ple gather here, representing all the states in the Union. The high position occupied by the hotel among similar places in this locality proves that the proprietor is a man of energy, excellent judg- ment and genial manners.
EORGE ARNOLD BELLOW'S, M. D. To those who, starting in life without any of those factitious helps that sometimes usher a young man into public notice, achieve success by energy and determination, great credit is due for what they have accomplished through their
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untiring efforts. In these paragraphs we give an outline of the history of one who early in life was obliged to steer his craft upon the wide ocean of life, to either sink beneath its billows, or, by the intherent power of native talent and indomitable will, rise superior to the surroundings and become the architect of his own fortune. He has gained success, and is well known as one of the promi- nent and able physicians of Waterloo, where he has conducted a general practice since ISSI.
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