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 53
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 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
business interests of their community. The sons, following in the footsteps of their honored father. are all Republicans, and George C. has hield the position of Supervisor of his town for two years.
ARRET VAN SICKLE is the son of John and Catherine (Reer) Van Sickle, both na- tives of New Jersey, and at Kingwood, Hunterdon County, that state, he was born Au- gust 5, 1811. In 1832, a few days after he had attained his majority, he removed with his par- ents to Cayuga County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Van Sickle took up a one hundred and twenty- five acre farm near Caynga Bridge, about half a mile from the lake on the east, and lived there until their death, the former passing away when eighty-three years of age.
Garret secured a farm two miles from his par- ents' homestead, but remained with then until 1836, when he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Smith, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Clem- ent Smith, who made their home with our sub- ject until their deaths, a quarter of a century later. at which time they were ninety-six and eighty- four, respectively. In 1849, accompanied by his wife and her parents, our subject removed to the town of Fayette, Seneca County, where he fe- mained with his elder brother, Abraham, upon his one hundred and forty acre farm for six years, or until the latter married.
Our subject then moved for the last time and settled upon the one hundred and twenty-five acre farm in the northwest corner of the town of Varick, which he owns and personally conducts at present. The farin is highly cultivated and is a credit to the owner, who has cultivated it for the past forty-one years. Mr. Van Sickle is an advocate of mixed farming, and puts liis theories into practice with great success. Although he upliolds the principles of the Republican party. he
2I
494
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
takes no active part in politics beyond casting his ballot, a fact deplored by many of his neighbors, as his ripe experience eminently fits him for offi- cial position. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder of many years' standing.
Mr. Van Sickle's first wife died in Chicago while on a visit, and left six children, all of whom are living. Sarah Catherine Van Sickle, who married a cousin bearing the same name, is a widow and lives in Geneva, N. Y .; she has one daughter, named Estella. Daniel is a farmer at Aurora, Ill. John P. is living at Pasadena, Cal. Mary married Myron Van Duyne, whose farm ad- joins that of her father. Lydia is the wife of John P. Robinson, of the town of Fayette. George is in the employ of the Big Four Railroad, and lives in Chicago.
Mr. Van Sickle married for his second wife Mary M. Smith, a sister of his first wife and the widow of Dr. George W. Strong, late of Ravenna, Ohio. There were 110 children by the second marriage, but Mrs. Van Sickle liad two children by her marriage to Dr. Strong, and they reside in Denver, Colo. Although eighty-four years of age, Mr. Van Sickle is hale and hearty, his eye is undimmed, and it is the universal hope of his neighbors that he may celebrate the centenary of his birth.
AMES M. BLAINE, deceased, was for many years one of the most enterprising and re- spected citizens of Seneca County. A man who was well and favorably known throughout central New York, well educated and well read in current literature and in the news of the day, with deep convictions upon all subjects of public interest, the impress of his mind was felt wher- ever he was known. Although not so widely known as his celebrated namesake, and while dif-
fering with him upon the great political questions of the day, he had the same indomitable courage, combined with that suavity of manner that made him popular with the masses, who trusted him implicitly. He was born in Northumberland, Pa., April 25, 1844, and was the son of Thomas and Margaret (McKnight) Blaine, who were the parents of two children: Jane M., who married William Martin, and is now deceased; and our subject.
While still a youth our subject removed with his parents from Pennsylvania to Seneca County, locating upon a farm in the town of Romulus. Here he grew to manhood, and as opportunity was afforded him he attended the district schools, receiving a fair English education, which was afterwards supplemented by reading, thus mak- ing him a well informed man. He began life for himself when but eighteen years of age, taking a part of the home farm and cultivating it on his own account. He made his home with his mother until his marriage, when he moved to another farm, remaining on the same a number of years. His marriage with Miss Amanda M. Depew occurred November 12, 1839. She was a second cousin of Chauncey M. Depew, so well and favorably known throughout the entire count- try. Her parents, Peter and Mary (Purden) Depew, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Blaine was born in the town of Romulus in Feb- ruary, 1820, and was one of five children, the others being Mary, who died in 1895; Alvira, the wife of Ira Brown; Celia, deceased; and Rosina, who is now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blaine eleven children were born: Margaret, John, Charles, George, Amanda, Arthur, Elenora, Don Pedro, Annie, and two who died in infancy. In 1847 our subject re- moved to the farm of one hundred and ninety acres on which the family now resides, and here lie continued to make his home until his death, which occurred September 17, 1893. He was a very enterprising man and was very successful in life. In addition to his farming interests, he was for some years connected with the banking business at Ludington, Mich. His political af- filiations were with the Democratic party, and
495
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
though he did not care for office, he yet served his town as Supervisor a period of seven years. His death was not only a loss to his family, but to the community in which he so long resided.
RASTUS S. ROBERTS, a well known busi- ness man of Seneca Falls, is senior member of the firm of Roberts & Briggs, proprietors of the New York Mills, and manufacturers of flour and feed. The family of which he is a member was first represented in this state by his grandfather, Nathaniel Roberts, who came from Connecticut to Oneida County in the early part of the year 1800. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and drew a pension for that service during the latter part of his life.
Daniel Roberts, father of our subject, was a na- tive of Oneida County, where he was reared to manhood and married to Ruth Shepard. In an early day he brought his family to Waterloo, and engaged in farming and other branches of busi- ness. In that place his death occurred in 1850, and his wife also died in that village. Our sub- ject was born in Oneida County, September 17, 1818, grew to manhood on his father's farm and in the village of Waterloo.
After starting out for himself, Mr. Roberts en- gaged in the shoe business until the California gold fever carried him to the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He left New York February 5, 1849, going via the Isthmus of Pan- ama, which was crossed on foot, reaching San Francisco June 5, after a four-months tedious and expensive journey, which only those fortu- nately situated then dared to undertake. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the army of gold- seekers which came later, and played a part in many of the stirring scenes in California's pio- neer history. He was intimately connected withi the discovery and early workings in portions of
the state, such as the Yuba and Feather River Districts, which have since become famous the world over for their production of treasure, and in such workings he became acquainted or worked with many pioneers, like Denver and Fremont, who have become prominent in the history of California or the nation.
In October, 1851, Mr. Roberts returned to New York, but in 1852 again sought the Pacific Coast, where he remained until October, 1855. In 1856 he came to Seneca Falls, where he has since been engaged in the milling business. At first a member of the firm of Southwell & Rob- erts, in 1860 he and George H. Briggs jointly purchased Mr. Southwell's interest, and the busi- ness has since been carried on under the firm name of Roberts & Briggs. The mill is regarded as one of the best in the county, and much of the credit for its reputation is due Mr. Roberts. He has, for many years, been a Trustee in the Seneca Falls Savings Bank.
While never identified with local politics, Mr. Roberts gives his support to the Republican party, and to all measures for the advancement of the village. In Fayette, in 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John Markel. They have one son, Willis M., of Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. Roberts is a native of Sen- eca County, has spent her entire life here, is highly respected in social circles, and is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
HILANDER K. CARVER, a man of much influence in his community, and one of the prominent agriculturists of Seneca County, now residing in the town of Tyre, is a native of this state, and was born in the town of Fleming, Cayuga County, March 20, 1821, to Daniel and Eunice (Irish) Carver. The father of our sub- ject, who was born in Connecticut, went with his
496
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
parents to Vermont, whence he came to Cayuga County, this state, when eighteen years of age, or in the year 1791. He was consequently one of the pioneers of that locality, and was one of ten men who opened the road from Cayuga Lake through Seneca Falls, Waterloo and Geneva. His father, David Carver, later removed to Cayu- ga County, where he passed the remaining years of his life.
Daniel Carver was drafted into the War of 1812, but he secured a substitute and was re- leased. In Cayuga County he was married to Miss Irish. He became the owner of one htill- dred and fifty acres of land, which he accumula- ted entirely by his own efforts after coming to this county. The parental household included nine children, of whom our subject was the eldest but one. Two of this family are now living, and it is possible that Horace is also alive, although nothing has been heard of him since he went West a number of years ago. Philetus makes his home in Jamestown, this state. The father of this fam- ily was in early life a Whig in politics, but in 1856 joined the ranks of the Republicans. He died the following year, and in him the commu- nity lost one of its most reliable and respected citizens. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject came to this country from Wales, where lie was married to Miss Abigail Chapman.
Mrs. Eunice Carver was the daughter of David and Mercy Irish, who had a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to mature years. Of . this family eleven were daughters, and all of them, with one exception, were married and had families of their own. Mr. Irish was a minister of the Baptist Church, and was well known through this part of the state and in Canada, his charges covering a large scope of country. In addition to following the ministry, lie was also an extensive farmer, owning valuable property in Cayuga County. Mr. Carver was often called upon to perform marriage services, and on one occasion, the bridegroom not having the custom- ary fee to present to the minister, his bride sug- gested that "maybe the Missus would take spin- ning for pay." "
The boyhood days of our subject were spent in
Cayuga County, and when fifteen years of age he came with his father to Seneca County. Loca- tion was at once niade on the property which Philander K. now occupies, and here the fa- ther resided until his decease, as before stated. in the year 1857. His remains were taken back to Fleming and interred in the cemetery at that place by the side of his wife, who had died in 1844.
The subject of this sketch was given a fair education, and after completing his studies taught two terms of winter school in the town of Savan- nah, Wayne County. In 1851 he went to Cali- fornia with a party of five, making the journey by way of the Istlimus. There he began work- ing in the mines, but, being taken ill, was com- pelled to return home. On this trip he rode half way across the Isthmus of Panama on the new railroad, and was obliged to pay $8 for riding twenty-four miles. He was prospered during his short stay in the Golden State, and was very loath to return home. He began working, how- ever, at farming, hiring out by the day until his marriage. At that time he possessed quite a snug little sum of money, and this he invested in eighty acres of land.
March 21, 1855, Mr. Carver was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Burnett, a native of Waterloo, and the daughter of George and Mary (Brown) Burnett. To our subject and his wife were born four children. Helen married Robert Hungerford, and died in 1883, leaving a son, El- mer; Mary departed this life in 1864, when six years of age; and Gardner when a lad of four years, both dying of diphtheria. Elmer R., who married Josephine Earl, March 21, 1895, lives with his father and superintends the operation of the farm.
In politics our subject was first a Whig, and voted for Henry Clay in 1844. On the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has ever since voted for the candidates of that party. From 1860 to 1869 he served as Assessor of liis town, and again from 1874 to 1877. As an official he was very popular, and gave those most concerned perfect satisfaction. Mr. Carver was originally the owner of a large tract of land,
1
497
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
but from time to time he has disposed of a por- tion, until now his acreage numbers one hundred and forty-three acres, all excellently improved with the best class of buildings. He commands the utmost respect as well as the personal regard of his fellow-men, and we are pleased to be able to present his sketch to our readers.
+
ON. WILLIAM H. WAIT, President of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Wat- kins, is a native of Hoosick Corners, Rens- selaer County, N. Y., and was born July 26, 1842, the son of Nathan and Maria (Bowers) Wait. His father was twice married, and by his first wife, formerly Lucy Millerman, he became the father of one child, Bety, who is now de- ceased. His first wife died. in Hoosick, and for his second wife he married Maria Bowers. Will- iam H., our subject, is their only child.
Nathan Wait was a native of Genesee County, and after locating at Hoosick became very ex- tensively engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. Fortune smiled on his labors, and he ac- cumulated what passed for a very handsome com- petence in those days. He removed from Hoosick to Hector (then in Tompkins County), and there he served as Justice of the Peace for several years. He was also elected by the people's vote to the position of Justice of Sessions. In early life he was a Whig, but when the Republican party rose into prominence out of the wreck of old political organizations that preceded the Civil War, he fell into its associations, and be- came an active worker in its belialf. He was always actively interested in local politics, and felt that no citizen had a right to shirk his duty. At his residence in Hector, he died, October 23, 1863, and his wife died in that village about the year 1889.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the district school, at Professor Gillett's school at Peach Orchard, and at the Rochester Business College. On leaving school he returned to the farm in the town of Hector, and continued there until 1881, when he removed to Watkins, and in May of that year engaged in the banking busi- ness, in which he has continued up to the present time.
In March, 1872, Mr. Wait married Miss Mary E. Wickham, daughter of George C. and Martha Wickham, of Hector. To them have been born four children, namely: George C., who is assist- ant cashier of the bank; Esther W., Robert D. and William B., all of whom have had good edu- cational advantages. Mrs. Wait is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
As the candidate of the Republican party, in the fall of 1891 Mr. Wait was elected a Member of the Legislature as the representative from Schuyler County, and in 1892 was re-elected. He has always been a Republican, and has been an active worker in the interests of the party. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity.
BENEZER SEELY BARTLETT, a leading farmer of the town of Romulus, was born on the farm where he now resides, March 25, 1835, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Haynes Bartlett, serving his country faithfully in that great struggle which resulted so happily for the colonies. Since that period the United States have been the refuge for the friendless of all nations, and their growth in population, wealth and strength has been mar- velous indeed. The whole world is now being benefited by their ability to return four-fold the fa- vors that have been shown them in the past. No country is doing so much for those who sit in dark-
498
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ness in other lands, and its missionaries have penetrated almost every nook and corner of the earth where man is found. Its wealth is being poured out like water for the benefit of the human race, and all this has been made possible by such brave and heroie men as Haynes Bartlett. The latter was of Welsh descent. His son, Ebenezer S. Bartlett, was a native of Chemung County, N. V., born October 11, 1793, and was one year old when brought to Seneca County from Orange County by his father. Here he grew to man- hood on the farm now owned by our subject and. brother, Andrew J. The farm was first pur- chased by the grandfather, who, as already stated, came to the county in 1794, when it was but a wilderness, and erected a log house, in which he lived until times were more prosperous, when a larger and better building was erected. He died here in 1841, and his remains were in- terred in the Baptist Cemetery.
Ebenezer Bartlett, the father of our subject, grew to manhood on the old farm, and married Abigail Cooley, by whom he had six children, namely: Ruth C., Hannah, Martha, Emma S., Andrew J. and Ebenezer Seely. The father was a man well known throughout Seneca County, and did much for its development. His death oc- curred November 26, 1859, and his wife died July 1, 1877. Their remains now lie side by side in the Baptist Cemetery, where they await the great judgment day.
The subject of this sketch, who is the youngest of the family, was reared to farmi life, and in his youth attended the district schools, but finished his education in the academy at Ovid, where he spent five terms. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching during the winter months, and assisted in the farm work during the summer, continuing in the former occupation for ten win- ters very successfully. The farm on which he resides, and which has always been his home, comprises one hundred acres of valuable land, and is devoted to general farmning and stock- raising. In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Democrat. In1 1873-74 he was Supervisor of his town; was Assessor three years, and has been Inspector of Elections a number of times. In 1890 he was
elected School Commissioner, and served one terni of three years. For five years he has been Treas- urer of the Seneca County Patrons' Fire Relief Association; has also been Treasurer of the First Baptist Church Cemetery Association for twenty years, and Trustee of the Baptist Church fifteen years. He has shown himself an enterprising man, willing at all times to do all in his power for the public good. On the Ist of October, 1861, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage with Miss Emma Clarkson, but they have no children.
During the Centennial celebration of the official organization of the town of Romulus, observed June 13, 1894, Mr. Bartlett acted as President, and as such delivered the address of welcome. At the Centennial celebration of the first settle- ment of the town, held in Romulus in September, IS89, he also gave an address.
-...
V. SACKETT, who was identified with the early history of Seneca Falls, was a descen- dant of Puritan ancestors, his father, Will- iam1, belonging to the seventh generation in de- scent from Simon Sackett. The latter emigrated from England in 1628, and settled in Cambridge, Mass., where he became a land-holder. Our subject's father was born in the town of Warren, Litchfield County, Conn., in 1753, and remained in his native place until after his marriage to his second wife, Parthena Patterson, likewise a native of Connecticut. After the birth of their first child, in 1788, they moved to Vermont and settled in the town of Thedford. August 9, 1790, their second son, our subject, was born.
A farmer by occupation, William Sackett was intelligent and educated above the majority of persons of those days. In 1805 he removed to New York State, and settled in the town of Au- relius, Cayuga County, where he took up a sec-
499
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tion of state land a few miles from Cayuga Lake. At the time of making the move, he had three sons and five daughters. With the help of his sons, he gave his family fair educational advan- tages. At the majority of each son he gave him fifty acres of land, but our subject desired a larger scope for his ambition than fifty acres would warrant, and instead he received an edu- cation preparatory to the profession of law. He studied with Thomas Mumford, in the village of Cayuga, on the east shore of Cayuga Lake, and was admitted to the Bar in 1813. His first prac- tice was in West Cayuga, now called Bridgeport, on the west side of the lake.
In 1815 Mr. Sackett removed to Seneca Falls, then a small village. He soon entered into part- nership with Luther N. Stevens, a resident law- yer, and the connection proved successful. Col- onel Mynderse, the principal business man of the place, became interested in him and gave him his influence, which he in turn in after years gave to other young men who needed assistance. He was an important factor in all important enter- prises of the town and county. Though taking a deep interest in politics, he never sought office. Politically he was associated consecutively with the Federal, Whig and Republican parties. At one time he served as County Judge.
The growth of Seneca Falls being hindered by a company that had a hold upon the water-power and a large tract of land on the south side of the river, in 1828 Judge Sackett, went to Albany and presented the matter to the Legislature. He suc- ceeded in getting the embargo removed, and the result was the speedy growth of the village, as the property mentioned came into the inarket. In company with two other gentlemen, he bought the land bordering on the river, and laid it out into village lots, which now constitute the south part of the village. However, he reserved six hundred acres for a farm, to which he afterward retired and gave his attention to husbandry. He built on it a commodious residence, and took great pleasure in extending to his numerous friends the hospitalities of his happy home. He was well known in the surrounding counties, also in the state. Governor Seward was a frequent
visitor at his home, and after he became a mem- ber of the Cabinet he never came to Auburn to visit his family without also going to Seneca Falls, and discussing important measures with the Judge.
The first wife of our subject, whom he married in East Cayuga in early life, died in Seneca Falls, July 29, 1820, leaving three children. February 6, 1826, he married Harriet Haigh, daughter of Capt. John Haigh, an English officer stationed at Calcutta, India. After twenty-three years of married life, she died, March 18, 1851, leaving one son, John H., who is now living. In per- sonal appearance the Judge was dignified, in manner courteous, in sympathies warm, a man of great generosity, and one who always desired the friendship of others. He remained on his farm until his death, which occurred June 15, 1865, at the age of seventy-five years.
HADDEUS R. WINN, a wagon-maker in the town of Fayette, and one of the most re- spected citizens, has for many years been connected with its interests. He is widely known throughout the county, and we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers.
A native of this state, our subject was born in Jerusalem, Yates County, July 27, 1829, his par- ents being Webster and Phebe (Pierson) Winn. His paternal grandfather was born in New Jer- sey, whence he afterward removed to the Empire State and made this section his home for the re- mainder of his life. His son, the father of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, rendering valuable aid during the entire period of hostilities. Thaddeus R. bears the distinction of being the only soldier of the Civil War, of this county, whose father was a Revolutionary sol-
500
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
dier. Soon after peace was established, Webster Winn located in Yates County, N. Y., on a good tract of land. He was a shoemaker by trade, fol- lowing this business for many years, besides su- perintending the operations of his new farn.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.