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 9
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 9
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1894. Mr. Willers takes a deep interest in the welfare of the old church in which his father so long officiated, and of which he is a member and officer.
Mr. Willers married Mrs. Mary A. Randall; of Varick, March 16, 1892. They have no children, and make their home on the old farm where lie was born. During the active years of his life he was known as Diedrich Willers, Jr., but the suf- fix to his name has been dropped since his father's deatlı.
52 EV. GILBERT TRAVIS. Among the well known and influential residents of the town of Junius, Seneca County, is Mr. Travis, who devotes his time and attention to the raising of all kinds of fruit; he is also greatly interested in the production of poultry and eggs. The products of his farm are of the best quality, and he finds a ready market for them in the surround- ing villages and cities.
Mr. Travis is a native of this state, and was born in Westchester County, January 29, 1823, to Joseph and Hester (Reynolds) Travis He was a lad of thirteen years when his parents re- moved to Syracuse, where they made their home for about a year. After farming on a tract of land near that place for one year, they disposed of it and came to the town of Junius. Here the father made his home for two years and a-half, after which he returned to Westchester County. Our subject, however, remained here with his wife, to whom he had been married a short time. He was educated in the schools of the neighbor- hood, and when about twenty years of age was awarded a certificate to teach, and had no diffi- culty in obtaining a school. After his marriage, however, he abandoned that vocation and began farming on shares for his father-in-law.
When seventeen years of age, Mr. Travis was converted and became a member of the Methodist
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Episcopal Church. After locating in this county he was appointed Class-leader of the church at Tyre, and soon after was licensed as a local ex- horter. He was then made Deacon of his con- gregation, and subsequently was ordained Elder by Bishop Janes. About 1855 lie hield his first charge at West Junius, under Presiding Elder Dr. F. S. Hibbard. He did not continue in the ministry very long, however, resigning his posi- tion to establish himself in the grocery business. After being thus engaged for about a year, he was appointed to sell a large stock of books which the church had on hand, giving his at- tention to the work for a year. After this he went to New York City and for one year carried on a good trade as a feed merchant. He was obliged to leave the city, however, a year there- after, on account of the illness of his wife, and, coming to this town, purchased the forty acres of land on which he now lives. After presiding over the churches of Sodus Center and Alton, in Wayne County, for one year, lie went to South Sodns, and was in charge of a church there for one year, after which he returned to his farm. Here he has set out all kinds of fruit and derives a handsome income from the sale of poultry and eggs.
Rev. Mr. Travis has traveled quite extensively through the Central and some of the Western States, and althoughi well pleased with the coun- try, is satisfied to spend the remainder of his life in his native state. He was married to Miss Clarissa Grote, but after twenty-five years of happy life together, she was called to her final home. Mr. Travis afterward chose for his wife Mrs. Carrie Roberson, by whom he lias become the father of a son, Jolin Lewis, who is now en- gaged in keeping books for a firm in Seneca Falls. Mrs. Carrie Travis died May 9, 1895. In poli- tics our subject was in early life a Republican, but of late years, having had cause to change his views, has been a firm supporter of Prohibition principles. His record for officiating at weddings and funerals is surpassed by only one other min- ister in the town of Junius. The same may be said of the calls made for speechies at various meetings and social gatherings. Mr. Travis is
one of the two members now living who voted for the official board at the time the first Method- ist Episcopal Church was established here fifty- five years ago. At the fiftieth anniversary of the church he made the address in the evening, and at that time gave the names of all the preachers and presiding elders who had ever had charge of the church up to that time, and the names and description of the class-leaders and their qualifi- cations, all of which was given from memory.
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ON. PEREZ HASTINGS FIELD. A plain statement of the facts embraced in the life of Mr. Field, formerly well and favora- bly known to the people of Schuyler County, is all that we profess to be able to give in this vol- ume. Yet, upon examination of these facts, there will be found the career of one whose entire course was marked by great honesty and fidelity of purpose. He followed the active and industri- ous life of a business man and met with substan- tial results, possessing at the time of liis decease a fine farm in the town of Hector, besides much other valuable property.
Mr. Field was born in Geneva, this state, in 1820, and met his death August 31, 1872, by be- ing drowned during a collision on Long Island Sound. His parents were David and Electa (Hastings) Field, natives of Deerfield, Mass. Our subject, however, passed his boyhood days in his native place, and was there well educated. He was a great reader, and during his life gathered a fine collection of books, on the inerits of which he was well informed. He early in life assisted in the support of the family, and when ready to engage in business on his own account began dealing in grain in Geneva. He erected a grain elevator at that place, and also owned a
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malthouse, which he disposed of a short time prior to his decease. He purchased grain from the farmers along both sides of Lake Seneca, and at one time was honored by having a boat bearing his name. Politically he was a very prominent Republican, and on this ticket was elected to the Assembly in 1865, being twice re- turned to that body. At the time of his death lie was temporarily out of business.
Hon. Perez H. Field was married, December 23, 1869, in Albany, to Miss Clara Eddy, of that city. Her girlhood days were passed in Ohio, although her education was completed in the fine schools of Albany and New York City. In 1866 her husband purchased the fine property on Lake Seneca, near Peach Orchard, where his widow now resides. Until his decease Mr. Field spent his summers at this beautiful home, which the family has since continued to do. It contains about eiglity acres, eighteen of which are devoted to a vineyard, and ten or fifteen acres to other fruits. It is an exceptionally beautiful place and is also very remunerative and valuable.
To our subject and his devoted wife there were born two children. Alice Electa, a talented musi- cian, was educated at Geneva, N. Y .; and Will- iam Perez is pursuing his studies at Vale and will be graduated with the Class of '96. Mr. Field was a shrewd and successful business man and took great interest in public matters.
RANT V. HOUCK. Agriculture has one of its most energetic representatives in the young gentleman whose name 'appears at the head of this sketch. Although only twenty -. eight years of age, he is carrying on operations on a fine tract of land in the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, and is meeting with decided success in his undertakings.
The father of our subject was the late Henry Honck, who was born in Wayne, Steuben Coun- ty, this state, October 25, 1814. Mrs. Houck bore the maiden name of Melinda Taylor, and was born in March, 1819. Upon commencing life together they first located in the sonthwestern part of the town of Tyrone, and after a residence there of about two years changed their location to the town of Wayne, Steuben County. There the fa- ther was very successful in his farming opera- tions and made it his home until ISSo. In May of that year we find that he moved with his fani- ily into the village of Wayne, where he departed this life October 25, 1882. His wife survived him several years, dying January 1, 1891.
The parental family included eleven children, of whom we make the following mention: David, the eldest, is deceased: Seymour is farming in the town of Wayne, Steuben County; Delzon is engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Wayne, this county, which is also the home of Alonzo; Martin died in this locality; Elizabetli is the wife of Amos Nortman, of Yates County; Dora departed tliis life December 2, 1892, in Wayne, Steuben County; Matilda married Albert Watson, and makes her home in Yates County; Alice died when about three years of age; and Mary J. is now Mrs. Cyrus Switzer.
Grant V. Houck was born in the town of Wayne, Steuben County, N. Y., January 3, 1867. There he attended school, and, being very apt and quick to learn, made good progress. In 1882, however, he came to the village of Wayne, this county, and four weeks thereafter his father's death occurred. He has continued to reside liere ever since, and operates the home farm, which lies in the town of Tyrone, and which consists of sixty-six acres of highly cultivated land. On it are barns and outbuildings of substantial charac- ter and a commodious residence.
Mr. Houck was married, March 16, 1892, to Miss Cora L. Kishpaugh, whose birth occurred at Campbelltown, Steuben County, April 2, 1871. Her parents were Garra and Agnes (Ayres) Kishpaugh, who are now residents of Dundee. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born two children, Cora L. and
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Alta. In politics Mr. Houck is not confined to any particular party, as he reserves the right to vote for the man who in his judgment is best qualified to fill the office. He is not a member of any denomination, but his life has been one of uprightness and he deserves the esteem in which he is held. His good wife is a valued member of and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church.
HARLES L. ROWLEY has been Chief En- gineer of the Williard State Hospital since September 1, 1869, and in point of years is its oldest employe. He was born in Litchfield County, Conn., January 10, 1834, his parents being Elias and Laura C. (Bushnell) Rowley. (See sketch of George S. Rowley.)
The subject of this sketch lived on a farm un- til he was sixteen years of age, and attended the common school and the academy. He then be- came a clerk in a country store, serving two years, but as he had an idea that the land of steady habits did not present as attractive possi- bilities for young men as the great Empire State, he accordingly struck out for what then seemed the far West, and found a place in the yards of the Oneida Steamboat Company. Two years later he was appointed second assistant engineer, and after a year's service in that capacity was appointed first engineer on one of their boats. He remained in. this capacity until 1858, when he went to Geneva to set up the machinery for the steamer "D. S. Magee," and was engineer on the same for ten years. At the expiration of that time he came to Williard State Hospital, receiving the appointment of Chief Engineer, and now has in his hands all the water service, gas and steam machinery, the sewage system, and all the allied interests.
Mr. Rowley was married, in 1863, to Miss
Martha, daughter of Joel G. and Julia (Demery) Simonson, the former of whom was a carpenter. Mrs. Rowley was born in Vates County, and at the time of her marriage was a resident of Wat- kins. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Rowley adopted a son, Grant S. Rowley. Our subject is a Democrat by natural convictions, but has never held office or been active in tlie councils of the party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Geneva. The duties of his position at the hospital have been ardnous, but have been faithfully met, and all the engineering work at the institution has been done under his supervision.
NSVL P. LITTELL, Supervisor of the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, is one of its most popular officials and prominent agri- culturists. He is a true type of the American self-made man, possesses excellent business abil- ity, and by well directed efforts has won pros- perity. He is now living on a valuable tract of one hundred acres in the town of Tyrone, which he purchased in the year 1872.
Our subject is the son of David S. and Erva (Childs) Littell, the former of whom was also born in this town, and was in turn the son of Moses S. Littell, whose birth occurred in New Jersey. Mrs. Littell, also a native of this com- munity, was the daughter of Daniel Childs, who was born in one of the New England States. The parents of Ansyl P. were married in the town of Tyrone, where they passed the remaining years of their lives, the mother departing this life in November, 1856, and the father surviving until January 22, 1887, when he was called hence. The parental household included three children, namely: Lewis D., Ansyl P. and Moses E.
Our subject was born in Altay, September 1, 1848, and thus far his life has been passed midst
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the scenes of his boyhood days. When a lad of fourteen he began learning the trade of a currier and tanner under the instruction of his father, and uncle, Freeman W. Littell. Four years later he had made such progress in the business that he formed a partnership with his uncle, and they continued together for about four years. The connection was then severed, and our sub- ject and his brother Lewis D. purchased the entire plant, operating under the firm name of Littell Brothers. For some five years they car- ried on a thriving trade in their line, and at the same time owned a general store at Altay. When a division of their combined interests was made, our subject took the stock of boots, shoes and the tannery as his share, and from that time until ISSS carried on the enterprise alone with signal success. That year, however, he decided to locate on the farm which he had purchased sev- eral years before, and is now giving his undivided attention to farming. His estate contains one hundred acres of excellently improved land, and from the able manner in which he manages the same he is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of the community.
Mr. Littell and Miss Eunice R. Prentiss were married at Altay, December 29, 1869. She is a daughter of Ethan W. and Susan E. ( Witter) Prentiss, and a cousin of George D. Prentiss, the founder of the Louisville Courier-Journal. Her birth occurred in the town of Tyrone, March 8, 1852, and by her union with our subject she has become the mother of two children: Edith S., born January 13, 1872, and now the wife of Alonzo Ross, of Starkey, N. Y .; and Ethan D., born November 2, 1874.
In the spring of 1894 Mr. Littell was elected to the office of Supervisor, of which he is still the incumbent. He has always taken a very active part in the public affairs of his town, and has been the recipient of nearly all the offices which it has been within the power of his fellow- citizens to bestow upon him. He is and always has been a Republican, and takes great delight in the success of the " grand old party." Together with his wife and family, he attends the Baptist Church, of which he is a consistent and valued
member. Socially he is an Odd Fellow of good standing, and is also identified with the Farmers' Alliance. His home is a model of all that a home should be, and in him and his family the people of Tyrone take just pride.
OHN LANG. In modern times the nuin- ber of gentlemen who, beginning without capital. have gained wealth and influence is so large that such instances have ceased to be remarkable. The qualifications, however, neces- sary to secure such success will never cease to command our admiration. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the progress- ive business men of Watkins, who has for years been prominently connected with the railroad . interests of this section of the country, and whose information concerning every detail connected with railroading is considered accurate and thorough. Hc owns and occupies an elegant residence in Watkins, which, with its beautiful grounds, is an object of admiration to every pass- er-by.
The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1826, being a son of. Alexander and Maria ( Ross) Lang. At the early age of eight years he was orphaned by his father's death, but continued, for some years aft- erward, to reside in his native place, where he was a student in the public schools, laying the foundation of the liberal and broad education he now possesses. When sixteen years of age he went to Tioga County, Pa., where he made his home with his grandfather, and for four years he attended the schools of that locality.
The business career of Mr. Lang began at the age of twenty, when he became a bookkeeper for the Blossburg Coal Company. His services were
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so satisfactory that he was retained by the firm for nine years, when he resigned to accept another position. The year IS60 witnessed his arrival in Watkins, where he has since been connected with the Fall Brook Coal Company as Treasurer and Vice-President. His interests have been versa- tile, and perhaps no citizen has contributed more to the advancement of the material interests of the place than has he. At present he holds the positions of Vice-President of the Fall Brook Railway Company and Vice-President of the Sy- racuse, Geneva & Corning Railway Company, the principal offices of the latter company being at Watkins. In addition to these interests, he also holds the position of President of the Chest Creek Land and Improvement Company of Cam- bria and Clearfield Counties, and is Trustee of the estate of John Magee, besides being a Director
or Trustee in several other corporations. He has an office at Corning, N. Y., where a portion of his time is spent.
Beginning in business with no other capital than his mental and physical endowments, Mr. Lang has accumulated a competence by a de- termined effort to overcome all obstacles in the pathway of complete success, and by the exercise of quick, unerring judgment in regard to the best means of investing money. While he has a keen pleasure in the respect and confidence of his fellow-men, yet he has ever been averse to push- ing himself forward in any manner for the pur- pose of gaining applause or notoriety. He has an extensive acquaintance in Watkins and Schuy- ler County, of which he has been a resident for thirty-five years, and is well known as a reliable and capable business man.
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FRANCIS BACON.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD.
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FRANCIS BACON.
RANCIS BACON. Whoever labors to se- cure the development of his country, striving to bring out its latent resources; who is de- voted to the general welfare of the people; who seeks to promote the cause of justice and moral- ity, and to advance our civilization through com- mercial, manufacturing, professional or educa- cational channels, becomes a public benefactor, and is entitled to special mention on the pages of history.
Such are the character and record of Francis Bacon, who has been identified with the business interests of Waterloo for many years. In May, 1882, he assisted in founding what is now known as tlie Waterloo Wagon Company, Limited, and he has lield the position of President from the time of its organization until the present. The company is one of the most important firms in the village, and is well known throughout the entire state. The plant is a large one, the ma- chinery being operated by two boilers and an engine of eighty-horse power. Steady employ- ment is given to two hundred men, and the products of the factory consist of carriages, sleighs and light vehicles of every style.
In the town of Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., Francis Bacon was born March 18, 1836. The family of which he is a member has been repre- sented in this locality since the early days, his grandfather, Asa Bacon, a native of Massachu- setts, having settled in Seneca County as early as
1787. His father, Joel W., was born in Pitts- field, Mass., and at the age of nine years came to Seneca County with his parents, settling on Lot No. 81, in the township of Junius, in 1800. For a short time he attended the district schools of this locality, and later, for three years, he was a student in the French Convent at Montreal, Can- ada.
On completing his literary education, Joel W. Bacon began the study of law in the office of the late Judge Miller, of Auburn, N. Y., with whom he remained until his admission to the Bar, in 1818. Opening an office in Waterloo, he soon gained a lucrative practice and a high rank in the legal fraternity. Politically he was in early life a Whig, but upon the disintegration of that party he allied himself with the Republicans. No resi- dent of Waterloo was more interested in its wel- fare than lie, and it was his pleasure to hold the highest offices within the gift of his fellow-citi- zens. Among the important industries of the place with which he was connected may be men- tioned the Waterloo Woolen Mills. He passed away, after a busy and useful career, in the vil- lage of Phelps, N. Y., November 7, 1876.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Enima Billings, and was born in Poque- tanuck, Conn., in 1802. Her father, Benjamin, was a lineal descendant of William Billings, a na- tive of England, who came to America and set- tled in Boston in 1600, becoming one of the very
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earliest settlers of that city. The youthful years of our subject were passed on a farm in the town of Waterloo, where lie attended the district schools. Later he was a student in Waterloo Academy. On completing his literary studies, he took a course in civil-engineering, and for a time was with an engineering corps that had been organized in Seneca County. During the Civil War he was a member of the engineering corps of the United States army, and served in that capacity for four years, ranking as First Lieuten- ant of the United States Engineers. He was present in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac from 1862 until the close of the war at Appomattox.
At the close of the Rebellion, Mr. Bacon re- turned to Waterloo, but his health had been so greatly undermined by his army experiences that for four years thereafter he was unable to engage actively in business. As soon as he had regained his strength sufficiently to permit hin to resume work, he became a member of the firm of Fancher & Bacon, a connection that continued for six years. He then purchased his partner's interest and carried on the concern for four years, after which he sold out. For the five following years he was variously engaged.
In the organization of the Spencer Iron Works Mr. Bacon took an active part, and at the same time he assisted in the establishment of the Sen- eca County Agricultural Society, which was made a stock company. He took an active part in or- ganizing what is now the Waterloo Wagon Con- pany, Limited, of which he has been the only President. In 1884, in company with A. G. and W. L. Mercer, he organized and built the Water- loo Water Works, and later, in partnership with a number of gentlemen, he built the Waterloo electric-light plant, of which company he is Pres- ident. In addition to these enterprises, he as- sisted in starting the Waterloo piano factory, which is a branch of the Waterloo Organ Com- pany, and of it he is serving as Director. He is also a Director of the First National Bank.
For the past forty years Mr. Bacon has been a communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and for a number of years he has acted as Vestry-
man. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and from that time to the pres- ent he has been prominently identified with the Republican party. He is filling the position of Trustee of the Waterloo Library and Historical Society. His first marriage, which took place in 1866, united him with Eliza S. Bascom, who at her death left two children, Nora W., and Ben- jamin B., who is a student at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. His second marriage, which was solemnized in 1890, was to Miss Mary P. Magee, an accomplished and amiable lady, and a native of Waterloo. They occupy a substantial and ele- gantly furnished home, in which they hospitably entertain their many friends.
AMUEL E. JOHNSON, who is engaged in merchandising in the village of Townsend, is in all respects a self-made man. He was born in Godwinville, now Ridgefield Park, Pas- saic County, N. J., March 13, 1850, and was the youngest of a family of five children, three of whom are now living. The parents were Joel M. and Hannah (Edsall) Johnson, the former a na- tive of Vermont, born in IS16, and the latter of Bergen County, N. J. The father removed from Vermont to Mead's Creek, in Steuben County, N. Y., and when about nineteen years old went to New Jersey, where he taught school a few years. He was a well educated man, being a graduate of Hobart College at Geneva, N. Y., and for some years was Principal of Pompton Academy, in Passaic County. Later he followed farming near Paterson, and also engaged in the lumber business in the city. He was a promi- nent man in public affairs, and in the '5os repre- sented his county in the State Legislature. On the breaking out of the war he was commissioned Captain of a company in the Seventy-fifth New
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