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 47
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 47
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While in the World's Fair City Mr. Roberson was married to Miss Lydia A. Van Sickle, a native of the town of Varick, Seneca County, but who at that time was living in Chicago. Mr. Roberson continued to make his home in that city until 1891, being at that time yardmaster of the Penn- sylvania Central. About that time he was given a leave of absence of nine months, and came on a visit to this county. While here he purchased a tract of one hundred acres of land, and succeeded in getting a postoffice established at Yale. Con- cluding to make his permanent home here, lie resigned his position, and was made Postmaster.
He is the present incumbent, and is also propri- etor of a general store at Vale. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presiden- tial vote for Grant in 1868. In local affairs. however, he is independent. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian faith, and while in Chicago was connected with the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, of which his wife was also a mem- ber. Socially he is a Grand Army man, and a member of George H. Thomas Post No. 5, of Chicago.
To Mr. and Mrs. Roberson there have been granted two children, Cora and Charles Ernest, both of whom were born in Chicago. The daugh- ter is a graduate of the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago, and is a stenographer of con- siderable note. Both of the children at the pres- ent time are living at home with their parents.
M RS. ARAZINA FLEMING, who is now (1895) in her one hundred and second year, and is one of the oldest residents of Seneca County, was born in Ovid, N. Y., October 9, 1794, being a daughter of Timothy and Mary (Gorham) Cone. Her parents, who were originally from Connecticut, came to this county in 1793, at a pe- riod so early in its history that Indians still roamed over the sparsely-settled tracts of land. Here she spent her girlhood years, and, aiding in the housework on the farin, was trained for the active supervision of a home of her own.
The first husband of our subject was John Leddick, who died some eight years after their marriage. December 7, 1826, she became the wife of Robert Fleming, a farmer by occupation and one of the pioneers of the county. Sixteen years after her inarriage, she was again widowed, Mr. Fleming dying February 3, 1858. She has 110 children. The family of which she is a member
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consisted of eight children, all of whom are de- ceased excepting lierself, the oldest of the number, and a younger brother, who is seventy-six years of age.
October 9, 1894, Mrs. Fleming celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of her birth, on which occasion over one hundred persons were present and congratulated her upon having rounded out a full century. When a girl, she united with the Presbyterian Church, and hers has always been a useful, sincere Cliristian life. Notwithstanding her advanced years, she is in possession of all lier faculties and still retains much of the inental strength that characterized her in earlier years.
HARLES M. ROBINSON. The name of this much respected citizen is well known in Seneca County, for he has been successfully engaged in the arduous duties of his farm in this locality for many years, and now owns one of the most productive and best cultivated tracts in the locality. This property consists of one hundred and twenty acres in the town of Fayette, where Mr. Robinson lives, besides a portion of the old homestead.
Our subject was born in the town of Varick, this county, January 22, 1845, his parents being Norman and Sarah (Ellwood) Robinson, thie former a native of Cayuga County, and the latter of Allegany County, this state. Norman Robin- son was brought to this locality by his father, John Robinson, when a boy, and with him lived in the town of Varick, becoming one of the sub- stantial residents of the county. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republi- can party, when he joined its ranks and was ever after a warin advocate of its principles. A very public-spirited man, he was one of the first to favor any advanced step in the county, either in
an agricultural or educational way. In the ranks of his party he was very popular, and by it was elected to various positions of trust. In religi- ous affairs he was a Methodist, being a Class- leader and a prominent worker in that denomina- tion, and was also Steward for many years, con- tributing liberally to the support of the congrega- tion. He was a strong temperance man, and was connected with the Good Templars' Society. Much of the time lie was in poor health, but his death, June 7, 1878, resulted front injuries re- ceived by being thrown from a road-scraper. His wife still survives, and makes her home on the old placc.
The parental family included four children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and all are living with one exception. Charles M. grew to manhood on the farm in the town of Variek, and after completing his education in the schools of that neighborhood, carried on his studies for one year in Ovid Seminary. One year prior to attain- ing his majority his father purchased a tract of land, which he desired to deed to our subject as soon as the latter had accumulated $1, ooo, which was to be paid on it. Charles worked a farmi on shares until about 1873, when lie established a general merchandise business, carrying on a profitable trade for five years. In 1878 he be- came the proprietor of the farm whereon he now makes his home, and in the cultivation of this tract he has been more than usually successful and prosperous.
Mr. Robinson was married on Thanksgiving Day, in 1880, to Miss Charlotte Hendricks, of Fayette. She was born, however, in Bennetts- burg, Schuyler County, and was the daughter of Henry and Melissa (Ellis) Hendricks. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson was born one child, who died in infancy.
Following in the footsteps of his honored father, our subject has always voted for Republican can- didates, and in 1868 cast his first Presidential ballot for Grant. He has been Inspector of Elec- tions, but aside from this has always been too busy with his own affairs to give much attention to politics. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially
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is a member of East Fayette Lodge No. 40, P. of H. In May of the year ISgo he was deprived of the companionship of his devoted wife. She was a most estimable lady, and was loved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaint- ance. Mr. Robinson is pleasantly located, and commands the respect of the whole neighborhood.
SAAC BELLES is one of the prominent farm- ers and stock-raisers in Seneca County, and is noted for the extensive knowledge he pos- sesses in his line. His estate, which is located three and one-half miles from Waterioo, in the town of Fayette, is well cultivated in every par- ticular. It is devoted mainly to raising stock, and a specialty is also made of feeding sheep for the city markets.
The family name was changed from Belles- felt to Belles about 1760, just ten years after Bar- net Bellesfelt, the great-grandfather of our subject, and his wife came to America from Holland. To them was born a son, John, August 20, 1755, who died January 28, 1829. He married Eliza- beth Holcombe, whose birth occurred October 14, 1758, and to them were born ten children, Barnet, Charlotte, Mary, Eleanor, Samuel, Re- becca, Phebe, Uriel, Isaac and John. The eighth of this family, Uriel, was born October 22, 1829, and departed this life September 7, 1863. He inarried Miss Catherine Van Ormer, and to them was granted a family of four children.
Our subject is a native of New Jersey, having been born in Hunterdon County, December 24, 1824. His parents continued to reside in New Jersey until Isaac rcaclicd his tenthi year, when they came with their houschold to this state, tak- ing up their abode in the locality where our sub- ject is now living. Here Uriel Belles purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of land, the
greater portion of which was in its primitive wildness. As the years passed by his farm grew to be well cultivated, and the greater part of it is now owned by our subject.
The parental family included four children, of whom Isaac was the youngest but one. Amos H., the first-born, lived to be seventy-five years of age. He was a Methodist minister, and at the time of liis decease was living in Newark, N. J., where he left a family. Catherine M., the widow of Frederick Schott, is living in South Waterloo. Uriel D., a resident of Waterloo, is married and has a family of two children.
Uriel Belles affiliated with the Democratic party, but was not an office-seeker. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and aided very materially in establish- ing the first church of this denomination in his community. For some time he served as Trustee, and was always a regular attendant at the churchi services.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the old place, which he helped to clear, and in the mean time attended the winter term of the district school. Upon attaining his majority he began working the homestead on shares, meeting with success in this chosen line of work. No- vember 13, 1847, he was married to Miss Harriet P. Ruggles, then a resident of the town of Fayette, but who was born in New York City, where she was educated. Her parents were Al- bert and Rachel (Tilt) Ruggles, natives of New York City.
To our subject and his estimable wife there were born five children, of whom the eldest son, Isaac Newton, departed this life when forty-two years of age. He was a graduate of the Water- loo Union School, and followed the vocation of a teacher through life. Emma I. is at home. Ella M., who was married to Charles E. Zartman, makes her home in Waterloo, and lias one child, Mabel. Mary E. became the wife of Dr. Frank H. Moyer, and lives in Moscow, Livingston County, this state. Ida C. is at home.
Mr. Belles takes a great interest in public af- fairs, and liis position in politics is with the Dem- ocratic party. He cast his first Presidential vote
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in 1848, when Van Buren was the successful candidate. He lias been Assessor of his town for four years, and filled the office of Supervisor for several terms, being Chairman of the Board for one year. The Methodist Episcopal Church finds in him one of its most worthy members. He became identified with this denomination when a lad of sixteen years, and lias ever since been one of its stanchest supporters. For many years lie led the choir and lias been both Trustee and Steward. He aided in the organization of the first Grange in his community, of which lie was made Master.
EORGE H. HULBERT, of Waterloo, was born in this village, November 14, 1847, be- ing a son of Reuben D. and Lydia A. (Ayres) Hulbert. His father was born in the town of Waterloo, February 17, 1819, and the mother, whose birth occurred in Vermont, April 23, 1818, is still living in Waterloo. The former, who was for a time interested in oil speculations in Pennsylvania, occupied various positions of trust and honor in Seneca County, and at his death, in June, 1884, was universally mourned. The paternal grandparents were Elijah and Re- becca Hulbert.
The subject of this sketch is one of three chil- dren who attained mature years, the others being Moses H., who died at Rochiester January 1, 1893, leaving a wife and one son; and Ida J., wife of William B. Gawger, of Hoosick Falls, N. Y. In the public schools our subject gained the rudi- ments of his education, and later lie attended the seminary at Fulton, Oswego County. On returil- ing home he entered the office of his father, who then hield the position of County Treasurer. In the office of the Seneca County Observer he learned the printer's trade, and afterward he taught school in Seneca and Schuyler Counties.
In the spring of 1870 he was employed as Deputy County Cierk under Calvin Willers. In 1875 he was elected School Commissioner of Seneca County, and served for three years. Shortly after the expiration of his terin of office, in'IS79, he entered the office of tlie Waterloo Observer, and continued as its editor for eighteen months, returning to the same position after twenty months spent elsewhere. His second connection with the paper covered a period of three and one-half years, and afterward he took charge of the advertising department of Ryan & McDonald.
In the summer of 1890 Mr. Hulbert was city editor of the Oneida Democratic Union. In ISS7 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and lias served efficiently in that capacity. His marriage, October 1, 1874, united him with Miss Esther, daughter of Thomas Ball, of Waterloo. They have three children, George D., Esther P. and Robert M. Politically Mr. Hulbert is a Demo- crat, and is active in local political affairs.
IDNEY A. ESHENOUR, a successful farm- er of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, uses the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving the land. He is intelligent, possess- ing superior mental attainments, and seeks to de- velop himself as well as his agricultural inter- ests in the best and broadest direction. He lias been teaching school for several years, and for ten termins was engaged in his own district.
Mr. Eshenour was born in the town of Fayette July 23, 1863, and his parents were William and Sarah (Romig) Eshenour, well-to-do residents of this locality. Sidney passed his boyhood days on the home place and attended the country schools until a lad of some fourteen years. At
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that time he had completed the course of study taught in his district, and, his parents being de- sirous of giving him a good education, he was sent to Geneva, spending four years in the high school of that village. During this time he trav- elcd back and forth from his home each day, sometimes on horseback, but when it was not convenient for him to use the horse he walked. After completing the course there he engaged in teaching, following this occupation solely for two years. His father then wished him to in- terest himself in farm work, and for the following three years he worked the home place on shares.
March 16, 1887, Mr. Eshenour married Miss Edith Adair, of the town of Varick, this county. About one year later, however, she died, leaving a son, Robin A., who was born April 22, 1888. Our subject farmed for a short time after this sad event and then engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo, but after a few months found out that he could not make this venture pay as he wished. As soon as a good offer was made him he accepted it and returned to farm work. This was in 1891, and ever since that time he has carried on his farm and taught school in the win- ter months.
December 26, 1893, Mr. Eshenour was mar- ried to Miss Cora DeYoe, of Waterloo, where her birth occurred February 11, 1865. She is the daughter of Gradus and Catherine (Byram) De Yoe, and for several years before her marriage was a successful teacher. She was graduated from the high school at Waterloo, and when ready to teach found no difficulty in securing a position. She has taught in both the district and graded schools of Union Springs, and also held a good position at Geneva. Her father was born near Albany, this state, March 15, 1817, while her mother was a native of New York City, her birth occurring August 11, 1824.
Mr. Eshenour takes a decided interest in pol- itieal matters, and cast his first Presidential vote for Blaine, in 1888. He has never desired office, as his time has been too fully occupied to permit of his engaging in any public work. In religious affairs he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, with which his good wife is also
connected. In this congregation he fills the of- fice of Deacon, and is highly regarded by its var- ious members for his upright and honorable course in life.
2 LIVER BURROUGHS. This much res- pected citizen of the town of Seneca Falls makes his home near the banks of Cayuga Lake. He is engaged as a mechanic, and so well does he perform every obligation entrusted to him, that he is kept constantly busy, and is patronized by the best people of the community.
Mr. Burroughs is a native of this state, having been born in Livingston County, January 2, 1843. His parents were Carlton and Mary E. (Jacoby) Burroughs, who came to this section about ten years after the birth of their son Oliver. After coming here, the father, who was a farmer by oc- cupation, purchased one hundred acres of land in the town of Seneca Falls, on which he expended much time and labor. He is still living, and is now about seventy-nine years of age. His good wife, who was born in 1816, died in March, 1892.
Up to the time of starting out for himself, our subject had obtained a good education and was well fitted to battle successfully with the many obstacles which beset his path. He was married, in December, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Larzelere. The latter, who was born in this town, is a daughter of Harvey and Mahala (Slaw- s011) Larzelere, and is an intelligent and highly respected lady.
Mr. Burroughs worked his father's farin on shares until 1873, and on abandoning this occu- pation followed fishing for some ten or twelve years. This business proved a very paying one, and during that time he saved quite a snug little sum of money. About this time he was engaged to work in the carpenter department of the Amer- icau Steam Fire Engine Company, of Seneca
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Falls, remaining in the company's employ for three years. In the year 18;3 he bought his present place, on which he has lived ever since.
Our subject has a son, Clarence L., who is fire- man on one of the engines on the New York Central Road. He is married and makes his home in the town of Seneca Falls. In politics Mr. Burroughs is a Republican, with Prohibition tendencies. He holds membership with the Presbyterian Church of Cayuga, and in order to attend services makes the trip in a canoe down the lake. He is quite an extensive apiarist, and for the past twenty years has given considerable at- tention to the culture of bees, having about twen- ty hives on his place.
12 ATHAN SAEGER for many years was a successful and prominent tiller of the soil, but is now retired from the active duties of life, and is in the enjoyment of a competency which his excellent business qualities and good judgment have won him. He was born in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, January 23, 1817, on a place within three miles of his present residence.
Our subject was the son of Daniel and Barbara (Miller) Saeger, both natives of Lehigh County, Pa., where they were reared and married, and where their eldest son, Reuben, was born. In 1815, when he was an infant of six months, they came to this county with a team, and immedi- ately decided on the location where Nathan was born. The journey hither consumed fourteen days, the party camping at night by the wayside. It was a very tedious trip, and when any member got tired riding he would dismount and walk a part of the way.
Prior to coming to this county Daniel Saeger had been a distiller, and had also worked for some time at the tanner's trade. When taking
up his abode in this section he possessed sufficient means to purchase fifty acres of fine land, for which he paid the sum of $1, 100. In the years which followed this particular piece of property deteriorated in value, so that he could hardly have given it away had he been disposed to do so. Mr. Saeger prospered in his undertak- ings, however, and at the time of his decease was the owner of a valuable estate, comprising ninety acres of excellently tilled land.
The parental household numbered seven chil- dren, all of whom grew to mature years, with one exception, and five became the heads of families. Reuben died about 1887. In, politics the father of our subject was a Whig, and in religious matters was a consistent member of the German Reformed Church.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the old home farm, and acquired a good educa- tion in the schools conducted in the district. On attaining his nineteenth year he began to do for himself, working out on neighboring farms, and receiving as compensation for his labors $12.50 per month during the busy season. In this way he saved $50, which, with a friend, he invested in a threshing-machine in 1837, giving his note for the balance. As his was about the only machine of the kind in the community, it was kept busy almost all winter, and in this man- ner he got a start in life. He was also very suc- cessful in working farms on shares, or in "crop- ping, "as it was then called, and by the time he was twenty-three or twenty-four years of age he possessed a smug little sum of money. About that time he entered into partnership with a brother, and together they purchased eighty- seven acres of farming land, located near where he now resides.
In 1841 Nathan Saeger and Miss Christiana Manger were united in marriage in Fayette, where Mrs. Saeger was born about 1820. By her union with our subject she became the mother of three children, two of whom lived to have fantilies of their own. Henry D., at his decease, left three children, and Benjamin F. was the father of two children at the time of his death. The wife and mother departed this life in August,
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1884, greatly mourned by a large circle of rela- tives and friends. Our subject has five grand- children and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Saeger is one of the largest land-holders in the county, counting among his possessions two hundred and sixty acres of tillable land in a high state of cultivation. He is a man of decided views regarding most of the things of life, and in his political affiliations he is a Republican, and ready to do anything for the support of his party. His first ballot was cast for William Henry Har- rison, and in 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont. He is very popular in his community, which fact the reader can appreciate when we state that he held the office of Assessor for three years, in a strong Democratic town. He is a regular attend- ant at the services of the First Presbyterian Church.
ORREN THOMAS. It is an undeniable truth that the life of any man is of great benefit to the community in which he resides, when all his efforts are directed toward advanc- ing its interests, and when he lives according to the highest principles of what he conceives to be right. Such a man is Lorren Thomas, who is a self-made, prosperous and leading citizen of Waterloo. He is the owner of the Thomas Stone Quarry, and is well known to the people of Sene- ca County, as well as the surrounding counties. The farm of which he is the possessor comprises sixty-two and a-half acres, and is located one mile from the Waterloo postoffice.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Fayette, this county, December 12, 1843, his parents being Samuel and Margaret ( Bosser- man ) Thomas, the former of whom was born at Williamsport, Pa., in the year 1802. He was a lad of ten years when his father, who bore the
name of George Thomas, came to this county and purchased a large tract of land, comprising some six hundred acres, near what is now the city of Waterloo. As might be expected, thie region round about was very sparsely settled, and, as the newcomers had no stopping-place, they asked permission of one of the earlier set- tlers to put their horses in liis stable, but were informed that this privilege was not for poor folk. Thus they were obliged to pass another night under the skies, but the following day the grand- father, with the aid of his sons, erected a rude structure which was used for a stable. The most interesting part of this story is, that the property which was then held by their unobliging neigh- bor is now in the possession of the grandchildren of him whom he refused to accommodate, while on the other hand his descendants are the ones who can now be spoken of as the "poor folk."
In the year of 1812 the grandfather of our subject rode to Albany on horseback and there entered six hundred acres of land from the Gov- ernment, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. In after years he became well-to-do, and was known as one of the most influential of Seneca County's residents. He died about 1851, and left at his death three sons, Michael, James and Samuel, between whom the property was divided. These sons, although given very limited educations, were good business men, and followed farming the greater part of their lives. The father of our subject, however, later engaged in the dis- tilling business, being thus occupied until 1864, when he retired from the industry worth $125,- 000. His next venture was in oil speculation, in which he met with both successes and reverses. Later he became interested in a foundry and ma- chine-shop, and until 1880 gave this business his chief attention. The building which was then used for this purpose is now occupied by a firm who manufacture organs. Samuel Thomas died April 27, 1883, aged eighty-one years, and in his death the county lost one of its best citizens. Although an enthusiastic Republican in politics, he was in no seuse of the term an office-seeker, as his extensive business interests engaged his entire attention.
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