USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Re-union of the sons and daughters of the old town of Pompey > Part 32
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Merit Butler was born in Harwington, Conn., April 10, 1790. He was three years of age when his father moved to Pompey. From that time till to-day, (March, 1876,) he has been a resident of Pompey. He lives to-day, being the last of the original settlers of this township, and perhaps, (it was so declared at last meeting of Pioneers,) the oldest resident of Onondaga Co. He still retains, at the age of 86 years, a strong physical constitution, and mental faculties unimpair- ed. His memory is very reliable. To him, more than to any other one individual, are we indebted for the facts and dates which make the Historical chapter of this book. IIe has an almost perfect recollection of the settlement and growth of Pompey village. At one time he knew every person residing within the town. He gives us names, dates, and circumstances ; relating, as few can do, the history of Pompey, and of Onondaga Co.
He was married to Miss Sabina Bigelow, daughter of Jo- siah Bigelow, of Pompey, in 1813; by whom he had six children-Josiah B., who died in Syracuse, in 1855; Sarah L., wife of Rev. Geo. M. Peck, of Wyoming Conference, now living in Honesdale, Pa. ; Ellen, wife of Carnie Hey- don, living at Pompey ; Amelia S., wife of U. II. Patterson, who died at Homer, in 1856; Ebenezer, for many years Principal of Seymour School, Syracuse, now Supt. Schools, Whitehall, N. Y. ; and Wells M., still residing in Pompey.
Mr. Butler spent his youth on a farm ; at age of 20, went to learn Blacksmithing, at which trade he worked for 40 years.
His wife died June 24, 1875, at the ripe age of 82 years and 8 mo. She will be remembered by the many who have been inmates of her household in their younger days. as the kind-hearted, benevolent, sympathizing friend : ever ready, with willing feet and hands to minister to the happi- ness of others.
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Lucinda Butler married Dea. J. Curtis, of Elbridge. She lived in Elbridge many years. Afterwards with her hus- band moved to Malone, Ill., where she resided till her death. She left two children, Louisa and Maria. The first named is a prominent teacher in Chicago Public Schools-being Principal of a Ward school of that city.
Orange Butler was born at Pompey, March 5, 1794, graduated at Union College, and soon after entered the of- fice of Hon. Victory Birdseye, with whom he pursued his legal studies till admitted to the bar-removing to Vienna, Ontario Co. He commenced the practice of law, but re- mained only a short time, when he settled in Gaines, Or- leans Co. He was District Attorney of Orleans County for several years, and had a very extensve practice, being prominent in the famous Morgan trials during the anti- Masonic excitement.
Full of enterprise, he removed to Adrian, Mich. Soon becoming popular by his ability and affable manners, he was sent to the Legislature during the administration of Stephen T. Mason. Declining political preferment, he addressed himself studiously to his profession, establishing an enviable reputation as a sound lawyer and brilliant advocate. In 1849 he removed to Lansing, where he resided till time of his death in 1870. Abandoning his profession, for a num- ber of years before his death he lived in agreeable retirement. He was an accomplished classical scholar and fine linguist .; clear in judgment, cheerful, upright in all his intercourse with his fellow men. He lived to fill up the measure of a long and useful life, being seventy-six years of age when called away.
He married Miss Wealthy Handy, of Pompey. They had five children-John, Chas. W., still residing at Lansing, Augustus S., deceased, Helen, wife of O. A. Jenison, and Augusta, wife of C. M. Beebe of Lansing.
Mrs. B. lived till within the present year, 1876, and du- ring fall of 1875 paid a visit to Pompey, enjoying for the last time the scenes of her childhood's home.
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Gould Butler was born in Pompey, lived many years in Onondaga Co., as an active business man-married Bathia Dodge. They had three children, Charles D., Caroline and Charlotte. He removed to Springfield, Ill., where he resided till May, 1849, when, in company with 20 others, he started " Over Land" for California. While crossing the Plains was taken ill of cholera, and died, May 16, 1849.
His wife survived him a number of years, and till about the year 1854.
Louisa Butler was born in Pompey. In 1825 was mar- ried to Ella W. Boss. About the year 1837 they moved to Fabius, where they have since resided. They have six chil- dren now living. The oldest, Henry W., is an artist, whose work is second to few in the profession. IIe, with four brothers and one sister, resides in Binghamton. Helen M., wife of J. Halloday, resides in Pompey.
Maria D. Butler was born in Pompey, Oct. 29, 1826, was married to Chas. E. Webb, who worked at wagon making in Pompey village, for over 40 years. They now reside in Syracuse; they have had six children, four now living; two lie buried at Pompey. Franklin H. has been since 1847 a resident of Hudson, N. Y., is now, and has been for many years editor and publisher of a weekly paper. Chas. E. married Miss Julia A. Bishop, of Pompey, is a carpenter, residing in Syracuse. Fannie married Mr. John Cadwell, of Fabius, and now resides in Western part of this State. James II. till recently lived in Syracuse.
Jesse S. Butler was born in Pompey. He was engaged as a merchant in Syracuse for many years. As a stirring business man he has few equals. IIe married Miss Amanda Bottom, of Syracuse, in which city he now lives. ITis chil- dren are William, Sarah, wife of Mr. Alfred Luther, and George W. The first two named residing in Syracuse. The last named died in the year 1870.
JOSIAH BIGELOW.
The subject of this notice was a native of the town of IIo !-
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den, Mass., and when quite young emigrated to the town of Guilford, Vt. He was born in 1755, and married Sarah Cul- ver, of Guilford, by whom he had six sons and three daugh- ters. They came to Pompey in 1800, arriving on the 10th day of March. Mr. Bigelow had purchased of Samuel Bee- be, of New York, five hundred and ninety acres of land op- posite the Richard Hiscock place, which was the birth place and early home of L. Harris Hiscock and Frank Hiscock, who became distinguished lawyers in Syracuse, and of their brothers, Horace and Charles Hiscock. Mr. Bigelow, with his older boys, immediately commenced to fall the stately forest, and in three years they cleared one hundred acres of heavy timbered land. Up to 1803 all was prosperous, but that year was noted for the prevalence of the long fever. Most of Mr. B.'s family had it, and he died with it, Dec. 17, 1803. Mrs. Bigelow survived her husband only three years. Then comes a period of sad memories to the surviving mem- bers of the family. The time had come when brothers and sisters must separate-leave the paternal home and go among strangers. Soon they were where broad rivers and lakes rolled between them. Jacob Bigelow went to Concord, Mich., and Josiah to Massachusetts, and other members of the family were equally separated. Dr. Bigelow of Syracuse, who married a daughter of William Williams, formerly of Pompey, near Oran, is a descendant of this family.
DANIEL GOTT.
Although his name is incidentally mentioned in this vol- ume in several places, this book would fail to meet the ex- pectations of the public, without a biographical sketch of Daniel Gott. For so many years of his brilliant life was he identified with the history, growth and prosperity of Pom- pey, that he and his family occupy a large place in the mem- ory and affections of the people. He was born July 10th, 1794, at Hebron, Ct., and died July 6th, 1864, at Syracuse. Within the measure of those years he acquired wealth, dis- tinction and fame, and his memory will grow brighter as the
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years roll round and the asperities of life's conflicts are for- gotten. His early education was limited only to enjoying the advantages which the common schools of his native town afforded. At the age of sixteen he commenced teaching, which he continued up to and including the first years of his residence in Pompey, having taught in the West room of the old Pompey Academy. At the age of nineteen he thought to learn the Clothiers trade, and for that purpose entered the service of his uncle, Ebenezer Snow. This not being congenial to his taste, he soon entered the office of Lawyer Gilbert of Hebron, Ct., and commenced the study of the law. About the year 1812 he visted his uncle, Elihu Barber, in Pompey. It was probably then that he resolved to make Pompey his future home, and in 1817 he located permanently on the Hill and continued his studies with Daniel Wood, and after his admission to practice became the law partner of Samuel Baldwin, who afterwards located at Pompey West Hill, now LaFayette. On the 12th day of Sept., 1819, he was united in marriage to the widow of Ste- phen Sedgwick, of Pompey, a brilliant genius and eminent lawyer. Her maiden name was Ann Baldwin, a sister of Samuel and Charles Baldwin, a lady of large scholastic at- tainments and fine literary taste. By this union Mr. Gott also became the foster father of Henry J., John and Clarles B. Sedgwick, the second of whom died when a youth. Charles B. Sedgwick and Henry J. Sedgwick both lived to become eminent lawyers, and they have both held high and respon- sible positions in the State and Nation. Henry J. was a State Senator from 1844 to 1848, and Post Master at Syra- cuse under Buchanan's administration. Charles B. was member of Congress for two terms, from 1859 to 1863, and has acquired a brilliant record as a lawyer. Charles B. is the only survivor of three brothers, and his residence is in Syracuse.
Thus we find Mr. Gott at the age of twenty-five, with the care and responsibilities of a family devolved upon him and he assiduously applied his energies to the practice of his
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profession. Being both physically and mentally a man of remarkable power, he soon developed those qualities of in- domitable energy, untiring industry and persuasive elo- quence that won for him wealth and fame, and made hin the peer of Noxon, Forbes, Jewett, Spencer, Sibley and ex- tended his practice through the central Counties of New York. In 1828 he became afflicted with sore eyes, which seriously impaired his usefulness for about twelve years. At times so severe was this affliction, that he was obliged to confine himself to a dark room. It was during this time that his powerful and retentive memory came to his rescue, and enabled him at times to continue in business that other- wise he must have abandoned. In 1840 he became perma- nently cured, and his practice continued to increase till 1846, when he was elected a member of Congress, which office he held two consecutive terms. When in Congress he was the author of the famous "Gott Resolution" for the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia. In 1851 he was nominated by the Whigs for Justice of -the Supreme Court, and was defeated by Hon. Daniel Pratt, by a largely reduced majority. In 1844 he was on the Electoral ticket for Henry Clay. In 1853 he moved to Syracuse, where he resided till his death, continuing the practice of the law in company with his son Daniel F. Gott. IIis office was the law school of Pompey, and with the solicitude of a father he watched the progress of the numerous students who sought his instruction, and prompted by his genial and kind nature, and remembering the obstac es that he had encountered and overcome, he was ever ready to counsel, advise and encourage. Among the large number of gifted and eminent men who entered the legal profession from his office were Seabred Dodge, Charles Mason, John U. Pettit, Harvey Sheldon, Charles B. Sedgwick, Henry J. Sedgwick, Geo. II. Williams, LeRoy Morgan, L. II. Hiscock, Charles Foster, and these and all others who were students in his office bear concurrent testimony to his kindness and anxious solicitude for their honor and welfare. During his resi-
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dence in Pompey, he was trustec of the Academy for many years, always laboring for its prosperity. He was a con- stant attendant of the Presbyterian church.
ITis children in the order of their ages, were Sackett, Ann, Amelia and Daniel F. The two eldest are dead. Sacket was never married, Ann married Hon. Geo. II. Woodruff, a graduate of Hamilton College, and a lawyer and writer of distinction of Joliet, Ills. He and one child survive. Daniel F. graduated from Hamilton College in the class of 1849, became the law partner of his father in Syracuse, married Sarah Clary, a daughter of the late Dr. Lyman Clary, of Sy- racuse, is Register in Bankruptcy, to which he was appoint- ed in 1867. Amelia married Frank HI. Hastings, a nursery- man of Rochester, N. Y. They have three children.
MORGAN.
LeRoy Morgan was the eldest son of Lyman Morgan, a far- mer and one of the pioneers in the early settlement of Pom- pey, where he died February 24, 1864, universally respect- ed for his consistent and upright life. Living about two and a half miles from the Academy, to the endowment of which he was an early contributor, his son LeRoy took every avail- able occasion to attend this celebrated pioneer institution, and from it he graduated in 1830, at the age of twenty, hav- ing been born in Pompey, March 27th, 1810. At the age of eighteen he taught school in Volney, Oswego Co., at a compensation of $13 per month. The next year he taught in Delphi, in Pompey, where he became acquainted with Miss Elizabeth C. Slocum, a daughter of Mathew B. Slo- cum, and sister of Gen. Henry W. Slocum, whom he mar- ried in 1832. He also taught school in the Wells District and the Murray District in Pompey, in the years 1830 and 1831. Thus by his own labor he educated himself, teaching winters and attending the Academy summers. In 1830 he commenced the study of the law in the celebrated Law office of the late Hon. Daniel Gott, and Hon. Amasa Jerome, af-
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terwards Judge of the Common Pleas and Surrogate of On- ondaga County, also a native of Pompey, was his fellow stu- dent. There were also three other students in the same of- fice, E. A. Baldwin, Q. O. Andrus, and the late Hon. H. J. Sedgwick. Remaining with Mr. Gott till 1831, he entered the office of Hon. S. L. Edwards, in Manlius, and there con- tinued his studies till he was admitted to practice in the "' Old Common Pleas" in 1832. The next year he was ad- mitted to practice in the Supreme Court. In 1839 he locat- ed in Baldwinsville, where he continued in the practice of his profession till 1851. In 1843 he received the appoint- ment of District Attorney of Onondaga County, which of- fice he held with the exception of a few weeks, till the new constitution came into operation in 1848.
In 1851 he came to Syracuse to reside, and formed a Law partnership with the late Hon. D. D. Hillis, and this con- tinued until the death of Mr. Hillis, which occurred in 1859. In the fall of the latter year Mr. Morgan was elected a Jus- tice of the Supreme Court for the term of eight years, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected without opposi- tion. He still resides in Syracuse.
DR. JEHIAL STEARNS.
' Jehial Stearns was born in Rockingham, Vt., February 6th, 1790. Ilis father was William Stearns, a respectable farmer, and a soldier of the revolution. From pecuniary considerations his early education was limited. At the age of sixteen he commenced his academic studies in Charlestown, N. II., and subsequently acquired the Latin language under various competent teachers. In 1809 he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Oliver Hast- ings, a celebrated physician of Charleston, N. H. In 1811 was his first attendance of lectures at Dartmouth College, under Dr. Nathan Smith. Having graduated with honor, he located as a physician and surgeon in the town of Essex, Essex Co., N. Y., where he enjoyed a good degree of pub-
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lie patronage. In January, 1815, he came to Pompey, On- ondaga Co., N. Y., where he was kindly and cordially received, and the growing town being in need of a physician, he was invited to remain, and he concluded to make Pom- pey his future home. Dr. Stearns ardently loved the prac- tice as well as the science of his profession, and by his as- siduous devotion to its duties, his courteous manners and more than all his kind and ready sympathy for his suffering patients, he soon won reputation and success. He was never ambitious to be called a money making doctor, but consid- ered his profession rather a charitable calling. His circle of practice if not so large as some of his compeers, was elligi- ble and remunerative. Among the cotemporaries of Dr. S. in the profession, and who were likewise his friends, were Drs. Granger, Wm. Taylor, D. Denison, Upson HI. B. Moore and others, whose professional standing was of a high order, and it is not too much to say that he was the equal of any of them.
Dr. Stearns had some experience in the war of 1812, and acquired skill and a taste for the practice of surgery, and this branch of his profession he made rather a specialty in his practice with a high degree of success, not only as an operator, but in exhibiting singular judgment in knowing where to operate. In 1822 he received the appointment of Surgeon of the 98th regiment of Infantry, under De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York, which he resigned Oct. 9th, 1830, united with the Onondaga Medieal Society in 1817, of which he is a still a member, having served one term as its President, and one term of four years as delegate to the State Society. In 1826 he was elected Vice-President of the Onondaga Co. Medical Society. In 1839, January 21st, he was constituted Honorary member of the Medical Socie- ty of Geneva College, and by that College the Degree of M. D. was conferred upon him the same year. In 1840 the Cortland County Medical Society elected him an Honorary member, and in 1868 he became a member of the Ononda- ga County Historical Association. For many years he was
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an efficient and useful trustee of Pompey Academy, and is a member of the Presbyterian church at Pompey, with which he became connected soon after he came to Pompey, and in the prosperity of which he has always evinced a lively in- terest. On the 22d day of January, 1816, he was married to Nancy Hascall, a sister of Hon. Ralph Hascall, M. C., and of Rev. Daniel Hascall, who was a Baptist clergyman, and founder of the Madison University. She died July 11, 1856, and for a second wife, Dr. S. married May 9th, 1860, Serep- ta S. Shattuck, a daughter of Chester Shattuck, a pioneer of Pompey, and brother of Joseph Shattuck, whose biogra- phy is herein recorded. By his first wife he had two chil- dren, J. Hascall Stearns and Cornelia B. Stearns. The for- mer was a pioneer Californian, and is a resident of San Francisco, but he has never forgotten his early home to which he pays his annual visits during the delightful summers of the old Hills, as regular as the seasons roll round. He is a bachelor, and not communicative as to his wealth, but their is little doubt that fortune has favored him to that extent that he might well afford to support a larger family.
Cornelia B. Stearns married Hon. John W. Dwinelle, of San Francisco, California. She died Oct. 25th, 1873, leav- ing her husband surviving her, and five children. In the order of their ages the children are, Ella C., the wife of Chas. Pond, of Providence, R. I. Anna Louisa, of San Francisco, Charles II., a graduate of Harvard College, largely engaged in agricultural pursuits. Herman, now a student in Cali- fornia College, and Florence, with her father in San Fran- cisco. Mr. Dwinelle has been mayor of San Francisco, a member of the California Legislature, a lawyer of distinc- tion and eminent ability, and a gentleman and author of high literary taste.
Dr. Stearns at the age of eighty-six still survives-a resi- dent of Pompey Hill, and to a remarkable degree in the en- joyment of both his physical and mental faculties. Al- though nominally he has abandoned the practice of his pro-
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Charles H, Olives MQ, Richard F. Stevens M. D. William to. Stevens
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fession, he is often called to administer to the necessities of the afflicted.
HEZEKIAH W. STEVENS.
Hezekiah W. Stevens was born at Killingworth, Connec- ticut, in 1793. He came to Pompey in 1810, looking for a place to locate in the cabinet and chair business. He was a first-class mechanic, and was induced by Henry Seymour, Moses S. Marsh and others, to establish himself there. His first shop was located nearly opposite the Dr. Tibbals house. He was married by Rev. Jabez Chadwick, at the house of Henry Seymour, to Lois Field, who came to Pompey from Jericho, Vermont, and boarded several years in the families of Henry Seymour and Nathaniel Baker. They lived three years in the small house still standing opposite the Dr. Tib- bals house, and afterwards built and occupied the house and shop between the Presbyterian church and Col. Hezekiah Hopkins' tavern. He was a man of excellent taste, success- ful in business, and many of the young married people received their "setting out" at his ware-rooms. Many pieces of furniture of his make are still to be seen in the old residences of the town. He was injured at the burning of Merit Butler's blacksmith shop, and died the following year, in January, 1828, at the age of 37. When Merit Butler had constructed the vane for the Presbyterian church steeple, Mr. Stevens covered it with gold leaf so thoroughly, that for sixty years it has glistened in the sunbeams, and it has been said their work stands higher than that of any of their successors. Henry Stevens, brother of Hezekiah, was at one time in the partnership with him. He married Phena Jerome, sister of Ira and John C. Jerome, and subsequently removed to Fabius, where he died, leaving several children, the only survivor being Mrs. Ann Wheaton, now residing there.
Hezekiah's widow with her second husband, Wm. C. Hendricks, and three sons, William H., Charles W. and Richard F., continued to occupy the family residence north 27
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of the church for many years. The house was sold to Geo. Merrell, and Mr. Hendricks and wife removed to the west. She died in 1853, at Elkhart, Indiana, and was buried in the family lot at Pompey. Mr. Hendricks subsequently mar- ried Emily Gould, of Jamesville, and now resides at Elk- hart.
Wm. H. Stevens married Ann R. Bishop, who died at Buffalo, in 1852, and was buried in the family lot of her father near Oswego. He has resided sixteen years in the city of New York, engaged in the manufacture of parlor or- gans. One of his three children survives-Richard H. Stev- ens, residing in New York, engaged in the stationery trade.
Charles W. Stevens married Susan Dillon, at St. Louis, Missouri. He has resided in that city since 1840, engaged in the practice of medicine, and filled the Professorship of Anatomy twenty-four years in the Medical College. He was several years Superintendent of the St. Louis Insane Asylum. They have two sons, Frank H. and Charles D. Stevens.
Richard F. Stevens married Esther Prentiss in 1844, at St. Louis, where he resided several years engaged in the practice of medicine. IIe subsequently resided in Syracuse, N. Y., where his wife died in 1872, since which he has re- sided in the city of New York, and holds the office of Col- lector of City Revenue.
Of four children one survives, Jennie P. Stevens, now engaged in the study of medicine in the Woman's Medical College of New York city.
Of Incidents the futgrowth of the Re-Union,
The influence of the re-union has been seen and felt in various ways since it occurred. It has given the town a notoriety and popularity not hitherto enjoyed. Every year since 1871, during the oppressively hot summer days, Pompey Hill has become the resort of those seeking pleas- ure and repose from the dust, heat and inconveniences of city life. Every year the number who seek its healthful heights increases.
The benefits of the Academy to the past generations of Pompey so plainly exemplified on that occasion, have creat- ed a sympathy in behalf of the venerable institution, and more closely endeared it to the citizens of Pompey, so that efforts are continually being made for its prosperity. Fes- tivals and other means have been resorted to for the pur- pose of raising money to make needful repairs. Upon one occasion when an "Old Folk's Concert" was being held, Au- gust 21st, 1874, for the benefit of the Academy, William H. Stevens, Esq., of New York, unexpectedly came to town bearing a present to the Academy trustees of a miniature fac simile of the " Old Academy building." Taking ad- vantage of the occasion the presentation was made at the concert, the following notice of which appeared in the Sy- racuse daily papers.
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