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 51
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 51
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Hugh Sheridan is third in a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living. His early life was spent in his native country and his schooling was received before his teuth year. At that age he began herding, continuing thus occupied until thirteen years old, when he worked on a farm for a time. Later he went to Glasgow, where he entered the employ of A. & S. Henry, manufacturers of woolen goods, and after remaining with them for seventeen years, came to the United States, first locating at Pownal, Vt., where he was employed in the woolen-mills of S. Wright & Co. as skin- ner. He remained in the latter mills twelve years, after which he went to North Adams, Mass., as manager of the woolen-mills at that place. Subsequently he went to Glenville, Conn.,
being employed in the mills there, and later was employed in the Lawrence Mills as manager of the woolen department. His next mnove was to Providence, R. I., where he was connected with Charles Fletcher, and had charge of the mills at that place. He there remained until his removal to Seneca Falls, and here he has since remained in charge of the mills, which were established here many years ago. At present the mills are manufacturing suiting and ladies' cloaking. One hundred and twenty men are constantly employ- ed, and the output is shipped to B. M. Ewing & Co., No. 89 North Street, New York City. The mills have a capacity of from forty-five hundred to five thousand yards per week.
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In 1880 Mr. Sheridan was united in marriage with Miss Mary O'Connell, of North Adams, Mass., and they have a family of three sons and two daughters. In politics Mr. Sheridan is a Republican, and religiously he and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
OHN IRELAND is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, and his, place, which is conveniently located within three miles of Bearytown, is well cultivated and bears the improvements usually found on a first- class farm.
Our subject was born in the above town Janu- ary 14, 1822, and is the son of David and Mar- garet (Frantz) Ireland, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Sene- ca County, and upon reaching mature years were here married. The father was a very prominent and influential farmer of this section, owning the fifty-five acres of land on which our subject now resides; one hundred acres lying in the town of Fayette, and one hundred and twenty-five acres in the town of Varick. He was first a Whig in poli-
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tics, but during the Civil War changed his views and thereafter voted for Democratic candidates. Religiously he was a member of the Reformed Church.
To David and Margaret Ireland there were born seven children, all of whom grew to mature years, and five are now living. John spent his boyhood days in farm work and in attendance at the district school, where he mastered the com - mon branches. A little later he apprenticed him- self to a blacksmith with the intention of learning the trade, but after working at it for two weeks, abandoned it on account of sickness and returned home. On recovering from this illness his par- ents would not give their consent to his returning, and consequently he remained at home until twenty-three years of age. February 8, 1845, he was married to Miss Catherine Stalil, who was born in the town of Varick November 3, 1823, and who is a daughter of Michael and Barbara (Smitlı) Stahl, natives of the Keystone State.
For three years after his marriage our subject lived on the old homestead, being employed by the month by his father. At the end of that time he operated a farm on shares in the town of Var- ick, but during the gold excitement in California disposed of his share in the estate and made ready to join a party bound for that western state. This purpose he did not carry out, however, as the company abandoned their project, and Mr. Ireland then worked out by the day for a couple of years. He later moved to his present estate, which was then owned by his father, and which he worked for him on shares for a time. Finally he was given a deed to the place, and here he has resided ever since. In the ' zos he erected a brick residence, which to-day is one of the best and most attractive of the dwellings in this locality.
To our subject and his excellent wife there have been born seven children. The eldest, Frances L., married Benjamin Sell, and is living near Cayuga Lake. Christina married Alonzo Stout, and makes her home in this county. Phebe Adelia married Jedediali Townsend and is living three miles south of Romulus. George A. is a substantial farmer of the town of Varick. Mar- garet is the wife of William S. Brooks and is liv-
ing near Hayt Corners. Mary Ellen is the wife of Richard Murray, a resident of the town of Fay- ette; and Seymour W. is married and living in the town of Varick. Mr. Ireland is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote in 1844 for James K. Polk. He has never been an office-seeker. having his time fully occupied in looking after his private interests. Socially he is a member of the Grange.
ACOB REEDER. The gentleman whose sketch now claims our attention is filling the responsible office of Postmaster of Canoga, Seneca County. He was born in Perry County, Pa., April 9, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabetlı (Moose) Reeder. He was in his eighth year when his parents made the journey to this state, choosing for their future home a farm in the town of Varick, Seneca County. This vent- ure did not turn out as the father had expected, and two years later the family moved to Fayette, where Mr. Reeder, Sr., gave his attention to weaving.
The parental family was very large, and the father a poor man, so that what little education the children received was gained mainly by their own efforts. Jacob, of this sketch, began work- ing out when only fifteen years old, and it was not until three years later that he found an op- portunity to carry on his studies regularly. He obtained from his first position $7.50 per month. and so careful was he of his earnings, that two years and a-half later he was enabled to purchase a snug little home for his parents. He was still working out on the outbreak of the Civil War, and, being fired with the spirit of patriotismn, en- listed, August 25, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Infantry. While in the service he participated in many of
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the important battles of that period, his first en- gagement being at Clover Hill. Then occurred the fight at Drury's Bluff, which was followed by the engagement at Coid Harbor, where, June 3, 1864, he was shot by a minie-ball and wounded just above the elbow. This injury proved so serious that his arm was obliged to be amputated, the operation being performed in the field hos- pital at Cold Harbor. He remained there from Friday until Sunday, when he was sent to Har- wood Hospital, at Washington, D. C. There he received good nursing, and remained until July 22, when, with others, he was transferred to the hospital at Philadelphia. After two weeks in the Quaker City he was given a pass, and, returning home, staid for four months.
At the expiration of the above time Mr. Reeder returned to Philadelphia, where he remained until granted his honorable discharge, in Febru- ary, 1865. After fully recovering from his army experience, our subject purchased a threshing- machine, which he operated during the harvest season, thereby acquiring a good income. He was married, February 26, 1867, to Miss Marilla Beck, who was born in the town of Fayette. That year he was elected Collector of the town, and, having purchased property in the commu- nity, made his home there until about 1881, when he sold out and moved with his family to Eaton County, Mich. He was a resident of the Wol- verine State for two years, when he returned to New York on account of the illness of his wife. In 1885 he took up his abode in the village of Canoga, and in July, 1893, received the appoint- ment of Postmaster of the place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Reeder there were born five children, of whom the youngest died in infancy. Those living are William, who is married and resides in Auburn, N. Y .; Clarence, a resident of the town of Fayette; Lurah, Mrs. Henry Snyder, a resident of the town of Junius; and Cynthia, now living with her parents.
In politics Mr. Reeder is a Democrat, although in early life he supported the candidates of the Whig party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Fillmore, in 1856, and cast a ballot for George B. MacClellan in 1864. He is a consistent mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is active in all work of his congregation. Socially he is a Grand Army man, belonging to Cross Post No. 76, at Seneca Falls.
TEPHEN R. BEARDSLEY, an agricult- urist of Schuyler County, resides on Foot's Hill, near Odessa. He was born in the town of Catharine, July 19, 1847, and is a son of James B. and Almira (Hagar) Beardsley, the former a native of this county, and the latter of Cayuga County, N. Y. His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather came from Connecticut to this county, where the latter purchased a large tract of land in Christian Hollow (now known as Beardsley's Hollow), which at that time was a part of Chemung County. Before leaving his child- hood home he sat under the preaching of Jesse Lee, the pioneer Methodist of the New England States, and was the founder of a society that met in their own log house for a number of years, the first in this section of county for a radius of twenty miles.
The subject of this sketchi grew to manhood under the parental roof, and was but five years old when his father moved to Odessa and engaged in the mercantile business. Seven years later the family moved to the farm which is now his home. In the district schools of Odessa and the neigli- borhood where the family resided, he obtained a fair education, and at the age of eighteen com- menced teaching in connection with farm work, continuing in that line until thirty years old. He remained at home until thirty-two years of age, when he was united in marriage, September 3, 1879, with Miss Mary Creeth, of Philadelphia, who was a native of Ireland, but of Scoteli de- scent.
After his marriage our subject bought the farm where he had lived with his father for ten years
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previous. This place is still his home, and here his attention has been given principally to farm work. In 1890 he had the misfortune to have one of his limbs broken, which for a time incapac- itated him for that vocation, and he therefore re- sumed teaching. His place consists of eighty acres, which is under a good state of cultivation, yielding him fair returns. For the past few years he has also taken charge of his father's farm of ninety acres, upon which he had resided a part of the time.
In politics Mr. Beardsley was originally a Dem- ocrat, and for a year or two voted for that party's ticket, but being a strong temperance man and believing that the only way to abolish intemper- ance, the great curse of the nation, is through the ballot, he has become a Prohibitionist and - has voted for every candidate of the Prohibition party for the Presidency. In religion he has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for years he has held office, and since eighteen he has been a Sunday-school Su- perintendent. His heart is in the work and his life has been such as to commend the religion of our Saviour. Mrs. Beardsley comes from a long line of Quaker ancestry and is a birthright mem- ber of the Society of Friends, holding member- ship with the Germantown meeting of Philadelphia yearly meeting. She takes deep interest in all lines of Christian work disseminating the principles of that society, especially in the cause of peace and arbitration. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley are the parents of one son, Hubert C., now fourteen years of age.
C. TUNISON. The town of Covert, Sen- eca County, is the home of many well-to-do agriculturists who are exempt from any ac- tive participation in farm interests, by virtue of their advanced years and the accumulated results
of the toil of former years. Of thesc, our sub- ject is one, and his experience as a farmer was such as to enable him to spend his later years in comfort and elegance as one of the most promi- nent citizens of the county.
Mr. Tunison was born in this town, November 30, 1815, and is the son of Philip and the grand- son of Bogardes L. Tunison, the latter of whom was born in New Jersey, whence he came to this state and county with horse and wagon over one hundred years ago. He at once chose the town of Covert for his future home, and never regretted having done so, as he was prosperous in all his un- dertakings from that time until his deccase. .
Philip Tunison married Miss Magdalene Co- vert, and to them was born a large family of children, including seven sons and three daugh- ters. Of these, three are deceased. T. C., of this sketch, was permitted to attend the district school, where he gained a fair knowledge of the common branches taught, and afterward added to this a knowledge of farm work. In 1839 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Chandler, and they became the parents of the following six children: Harrison, Lydia and Mary, deceased; Rynear, Minor, and one who died in infancy.
The birth of our subject occurred on a little - farm about a mile and a-third northwest of the village of Farmer. He remained with his par- ents until he reached the age of twenty-four years, and upon attaining manhood took charge of the homestead, which embraced about five hundred acres. This proved a splendid experi- ence to him, as his father gave him the benefit of his years of farm life, so that when ready to en- gage in such work for himself he was thoroughly competent to do so.
Mr. Tunison occupied a part of the homestead proper, which comprised one hundred and forty- five acres, until 1890, when, with his son Harri- son, he took possession of a tract of one hundred and three acres. He is now the owner of a tract of two hundred acres, which is well cultivated, and which is made to yield good crops by the splen- did manner in which it is tilled. Although he still resides upon this estate, he does little else than to superintend its operation, as his advanced
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years prevent him from engaging in any arduous work, and, indeed, the results with which he has met do not make it necessary for him to do so.
The reader will doubtless think the biographer is writing in ignorance when he makes the state- ment that Mr. Tunison remembers when the town of Covert was little more than woods. This is true, however, and to him is given all honor for the unselfish manner in which he has given of his time and means toward its upbuilding and improvement. At that time the now thriving villages of Waterloo and Seneca Falls, which are connected by an electric railway, were very small and gave little prospect of their present flour- ishing condition. In politics our subject is a Republican.
ON. ROBERT L. STEVENSON, for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the town of Tyre, Seneca County, was born in Albany, N. Y., January 25, 1807, being the fourth and youngest son of James and Martha (Lowther) Stevenson, who were of Scotch line- age. His father, who was born in Ireland, was an officer in the Irish rebel army and came to this country as a refugee in 1798.
In 1812, when a small child, our subject was brought by his parents to the town of Tyre. In December, 1829, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Marsh, of Tyre, and settled on the farm where he continued to reside until his death. His first wife died July 7, 1873, and in June, 1875, he was again mar- ried, choosing as his wife Miss Sarah P. Bur- roughs, of Varick, who survives him. In his early life he united with the Presbyterian Church of Tyre, and afterward identified himself with that church at Seneca Falls, remaining a member of it until his death. Politically he was a Demo- crat of the most pronounced Jeffersonian type. . canie well-to-do in this world's goods. He after-
During the war of the Rebellion he was a men- ber of a committee to raise inen and means for the support of the Government.
In 1840 Mr. Stevenson was chosen Supervisor of Tyre, and afterward filled that position a num- ber of terms. He was also Superintendent of the Poor of the county. In 1844 he was elected to represent Seneca County in the Assembly, and served in the Legislature of 1845. He attained an advanced age, dying August 31, 1892, when eighty-five years of age. His was a busy and honorable career, and he retained to the last much of the physical and mental vigor that char- acterized him in his prime.
For the above facts with reference to the life of Mr. Stevenson, we are indebted to the Seneca County Journal of July 27, 1892.
IRAM M. LAY. As might naturally be expected, mention is made in the present work of many citizens of Seneca County now prominent in their different callings, but none more so than the successful agriculturist, Hiram M. Lay, of the town of Tyre. He was born in the same house where he now resides, March 6, 1848, and is the son of Hiram and Nancy (Morehouse) Lay, the former of whom was born in this town, July 23, 1809. He in turn was the son of Samuel Lay, one of the old pioncers of the county. The latter came here in company with his brother many years ago, and took up land which is now comprised in the old Wayne Farm. Before they could erect a cabin to shelter them, they slept in an old hollow tree, but a severe storm arising one night so thorough- ly frightened the brother that he returned East. Samuel remained, however, and by so doing be-
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ward sold out his original farm, and purchased a tract three-quarters of a mile from where our subject now resides.
Hiram Lay, Sr., was the eldest member of his parents' family of ten children, and therefore did much hard work in his younger days. Ambi- tious to begin life for himself, upon becoming of age he purchased a portion of his father's farni, and with all the strength of his young manhood began its improvement. He was determined to make a success of life, and that he did so is evidenced by the fact that he was at one time the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, all located in the town of Tyre. He began at the bottom of the ladder, and for many years lived in a little log cabin. As his prospects grew brighter, and he felt that he was justified in doing so, he erected a more comfortable abode for his family. This dwelling is now occupied by our subject, and is still in a good state of preserva- tion. Its walls are built of cobblestones, and will therefore stand the wear of years.
By his first marriage Hiram Lay, Sr., became the father of two children, and by his union with Nancy Morehouse there were also born two cliil- dren, of whom our subject was the elder, and the only son. The father was a prominent Den- ocrat in his community and for a number of termis was Assessor of his town. He lived to an ad- vanced age, departing this life July 17, 1893, and was buried on the day he would have been eighty- four years old.
The mother of our subject, who had also been twice married, had one son by her union witli Mr. Royston. The former was married, and on his death left a family of four children. Mrs. Nancy Lay died April 22, 1887. The boyhood days of our subject were spent in attendance at the district school, after which he was sent to Seneca Falls to complete his education in the ex- cellent schools of that place .. Later he was de- sirous of taking a business course, and, going to Syracuse, was graduated from Bryant & Strat- ton's College when twenty years of age. He then returned to the home farm, and, January 20, 1874, was married to Miss Susan Brown, of the town of Tyre. To them have been granted two
sons: Elbert H., born January 28, 1876; and Jesse A., born in September, ISTS. The former took a course in dairying at Cornell University in 1895, and is now employed in the butter fac- tory at Seneca Falls.
Mr. Lay gives his adherence to the Democratic party, and by the members of this organization in his community was elected Highway Commis- sioner. He is connected with Seneca Grange at Seneca Falls, in which he takes an active part and is very greatly interested. Besides having a life interest in a tract of two hundred and forty- five acres, he is the owner of one hundred and five acres of land. Probably no man of liis age is more popular in Tyre than Mr. Lay, and he has won this kindly feeling by his genial man- ners and good judgment in his intercourse with his fellow-men.
ILLIAM ROTHWELL. For many years Mr. Rothwell followed farming, steadily pursuing the "even tenor of his way," and was classed among the substantial residents of the town of Fayette, Seneca County. His farm, which was fifty-five acres in extent, was well lo- cated in a fine agricultural district, and on cvery hand the passer-by noted the improvements on the estate.
Mr. Rothwell was born in this town, October 12, 1818, and was therefore in liis seventy -fifth year at the time of his demise, July 24, 1893. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Clauson ) Roth- well, who for many years resided liere, were highly esteemed, and were fairly well-to-do in this world's goods.
William, of this sketchi, grew to manhood in this locality, and gained a good education in the. common schools. He was given no aid, what- ever, when starting out in life, and the success
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which he achieved redounded greatly to his credit. He was married, March 30, 1864, to Miss Ellen Ireland, a native of the town of Fayette, her birtli occurring March 18, 1841. Her parents were William and Margaret (Spoon) Ireland, also na- tives of the town of Fayette.
Soon after liis marriage our subject became the proprietor of a small tract of land comprising about thirty acres, and on this he moved with his young wife. Together they commenced the task of accumulating a competence for future days, and in this undertaking were prospered. From time to time Mr. Rothwell made additions to his farm, until at his death lie had fifty-four acres, which bear a good line of improvements.
To our subject and his wife there were born two sons. William Edward was born March 16, 1865, and on the 2d of November, 1890, he mar- ried Ruth Secor, of this town. She is a daugh- ter of George and Clara ( Priest) Secor, and was born March 14, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Rothwell reside in MacDougall, and have two children: Clara Betli, born August 15, 1891; and Nellie Esther, November 11, 1892. Thomas Rothwell, our subject's second child, who was born July 6, 1867, remains at home with liis motlier, and gives his attention to looking after the property. In politics our subject was a Demi- ocrat, tried and true. His long life was replete with good deeds, and no resident of the county was more respected than he.
J. BROWN, wlio is located in the beautiful village of Havana, Schuyler County, is one of its most prominent business men. The village commands a splendid agricultural district, and the trade enjoyed therefrom is quite large. Our subject is a coal merchant, and is also en- gaged in selling agricultural implements.
John T. Brown, the father of S. J., was born in Litchfield County, Com., and was a carpen- ter and builder by trade. Hs took up his abode in Schuyler County, this state, in 1842, and tliere- after engaged in farming until his decease, whichi occurred in the year 1890, on his eighty-fourth birthday. The family is of English extraction, and was first represented in this country by three brothers who crossed the Atlantic many years ago.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Ruby Bennett. She was the daughter of Sam- uel Bennett, a well-to-do resident of this section, and was the second wife of Mr. Brown. She be- came the mother of two children, and our subject's sister, Fannie, is now the wife of Edward Crofut, a resident of Millport.
The subject of this sketchi was born Marchi 9, 1847, on the old homestead, on which his father located on first coming here. There he was reared to a life of industry and usefulness by his honored parents, who, being desirous that he should be well educated, sent him to the district school, and later he entered what was known as the People's College.
In the year 1879 Mr. Brown came to Havana and began in business for himself. He was both energetic and ambitious, and it was not long be- fore he had built up a splendid trade. He is an indefatigable worker, uses good judgment in all his transactions, and his business has constantly increased.
In his political relations our subject is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and was Chair- inan of the Democratic Central Committee for five years. He is a very popular citizen, and at one time was the successful candidate for the office of Town Clerk. Some years later lie was elected Supervisor, and bears the distinction of being the only Democrat to hold that office. Under Cleve- land's first administration he received the appoint- ment of Postmaster, and dischaged the duties of the office in a most satisfactory manner for two and a-half years. He was Doorkeeper of the Sen- ate during the session of 1892-93, proving him- self a very capable man, and was intrusted with various matters of importance. Mr. Brown has
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