TOWN OF OWEGO.
county for
a number of years.
with a good measure of
lived in
village and
June
success,
559
in life
His
efforts
and
in 1865 he
comfortable retirement
were rewarded
returned
to Owego
to the time of his death,
10, 1868.
In the
Woodford
of
a pensioner
in this
Cyrus
1804, Chauncey Woodford, eldest son of Bissell
Farmington, Conn. a soldier of the Revolution and
year
,
died June
of
Candor,
in Owego
in the town
Candor,
by three brothers, Ira,
settled
followed
soon
Romeo
4, 1896.
1832,
act of
was
Romeo.
Mary Gridley
settled
He
county.
and
the
under
of
twice married, his first wife being
died leaving one son, Henry, who
was
who
Romeo's
second wife was
and entered
Rhoda Hulburt.
the hardware business in 1814.
He
He
died
1819, leaving a widow and two sons ; Bissell, born October
23, 1816, and Romeo, born January 3, 1820. Romeo died July 8,
1856.
These brothers
started a
hardware
tin manufacturing
in 1854 to Storrs Sc Chat
and
business in Owego in 1837, selling out
Bissell married Mandana Fortner in 1845.
field.
To them
were
born three children, Adaline P., George R., andEvaline M. Romeo
His first wife, Elizabeth Martin, of Owego,
was married twice.
died
leaving
one
son, Charles
B.,
who
lived
one year.
His
second
Sackett, of Candor, who died December 18,
1855, leaving a daughter, Carrie Augusta, who married Charles H.
Hyde. They settled in Tacoma, Wash., in 1891.
They have one
wife was
Augusta E.
son, Robert Henry.
Joseph Ogden
driving
the
from Orange county to Owego about 1830,
distance with a team.
He bought and lived
came
entire
several years on a
farm,
but later
moved
to the
village
and
took
His chil
up the trade of mason, and was also a watch repairer.
dren were Selina, who married with Ambrose Townsend ; Jehial,
a gunsmith, who lived and died in Owego ; Sarah, who married
with
John Gardner ;
was a small
enough was
his brothers.
ful business
Walter,
Rebecca
and
Charles.
Walter Ogden
his father came to Owego, and when old
apprenticed to learn the gunsmith's trade, as also were
boy
when
Later in life Walter
man.
His first
was a merchant and a success
wife was
Mary Stroup,
(of German
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
560
by whom he had these children ; Mary, who married
Chauncey L. Raymond ; Sarah, now dead, and Elizabeth,
parentage),
with
who married with
Smith,
bore him three
who
His
George Lainhart.
Walter Ogden died
children
;
Harriet
Anna
Walter.
Fanny,
George
1879.
February 25,
second wife was
and
Lainhart,
who on
17, 1876, married Elizabeth Ogden, was partner in busi
with Walter Ogden, and was one of Owego's men who was the
November
ness
friend to
death
June
all
its
to his
people, and
circle of acquaintance
wide
loss. Mr. Lainhart died in
was regarded as a personal
his
Owego,
1894.
11,
Ford
George L.
came
Washington, Litchfield county,
from
Owego in the
1840, and settled on a
farm near Gaskill Corners, where he afterward lived nearly all his
life.
He was a farmer, a substantial man and worthy citizen. He
Conn.,
to the town
of
year
Thompson, with whom he was
Their children were Lewis, Lucius, Kate,
married in Ithaca.
Goodsell, Mary, Charles, Frank, Frederick, Emma, and three
Lucius Ford, the contractor,
others who died in extreme infancy.
He married with
of Owego,
was the son of George L. Ford.
Ladorna Riker, July 31, 1879.
died in 1891.
Charles
1848,
His
Beers,
the
men of
Beers,
who
among the
locality,
one of
Anna
became
a
from that time to his
and who
numbered
wife was
resident
death,
was
the early
born in
settlers
Danby,
of
December
and
straightforward
Owego
of
29, 1890,
substantial
and was
that town.
village
the
The
in
was
business
son of
Abner
other children
died in
Memphis, Tenn. ; David, who
who died in Danby ; Abner, who died in
died in New
Owego, though his home was in Yazoo City, Mo. ; Mary, who
married John McNeil and moved to California ; Edward, who died
in Memphis, Tenn., in 1863 ; John J., who died in Owego, and
of
Abner
Frances,
Harmon,
York ; Eli,
were
who married
who
John Wheeler.
keeper in Owego for many years, a
and one who helped others that they
assisted
in the
On September
Charles Beers
self made and successful man
might succeed
erection of various church
23, 1849, Mr. Beers
Ganoung, daughter
of
Daniel
was a stable
was
Ganoung,
edifices
in life.
in the
married with
of
He
also
vicinity.
Catharine
Ulysses, Tompkins
TOWN OF OWEGO.
had
561
Mrs.
son, Charles, who died in infancy.
Beers is well known in Ow^ego through her active interest in W.
C. T. U. work. Since 1884 she has been a member of the union
They
county.
and
has held
one
offices of
Aaron W. Steele
old when
his
life he
ness
father,
was
both
responsibility in the
Owego
was a native
of
Aaron
came
a
Steele,
farmer
and one who accumulated a
and
fair
organization.
and
was nine
In his busi
to the town.
lumberman,
His
property.
years
successful
a
wife was
man
Marinda
Ross, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had four children :
Philetus, who lives on the old homestead farm ; Lesbia and An
nette L., both of whom still live on the farm, and Gregory 0., a
merchant in the village.
Aaron W. Steele died in December, 1880,
at the age of 69 years.
He was a strong democrat, but not a
prominent
figure in
highways for
store
in Owego in
knowledge
years.
1882, but
He
affairs.
Gregory
previous
was
0. Steele
of
commissioner
opened
to that time had
a
grocery
acquired
a
On
the business in the employ of B. L. Truman.
1880, Mr. Steele married Jennie Mayor. They have
of
October, 20,
two
several
political
children.
Alexander Joseph Thomas
was
born in
Baden, Germany,
in
brought up and trained to the occupation of
gardening generally and to the work of a florist specially. In 1866
he came to this country and worked nearly two years in Rochester,
1835,
and
and
then
there
went
ate asylum
was
to Binghamton
for four
years.
it three
years and sold
years.
He
Pumpelly
present
lot.
large
built up
own
came
Thomas
out, then
in
worked
and
the
a small
and complete
green-houses
business ;
and
and perseverance.
married
Mary Colgan,
married
his
florist's
who
Anna
inebri
worked
garden
five
started at work on
the
a
living
his
and
died in 1881.
Merck, by
on which
here he has
has been due to his
in Binghamton Mr.
stand,
success
While
old
farm,
In 1884 Mr. Thomas bought the land
January 8, 1884, he
children,
He then bought
to Owego in 1879
a successful
industry
and was gardener at
whom
In Owego
on
he has four
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
562
Eli B. Drake
1826,
and
was
was
born in the town
the
son
of
William T.
of
Dutchess county to Binghamton
Drake
who
looked for
and
November
Vestal,
a
from
came
location
17,
on
the
Brandywine creek, but he was induced to change his mind and
finally went to Little Snake creek in the town of Vestal. In his
old
Eli
were eleven children of whom
family
Eli learned the
Owego.
Binghamton,
then
went
cooper's
trade
to Ithaca
on
and worked
In 1849 he
road construction.
with
moved
to
Pa.,
and run a
construction of
Owego, after which he
is now the D., L. & W. rail
what
and
to Owego
came
M.,
Robert Service in
to Susquehanna county,
He then worked on the
shop about two years.
the Erie railroad between Binghamton
went
John
and
and opened a
coop
shop on North avenue on a site then owned by Squire Cameron.
In the next year he bought the property he now occupies and has
er's
been
engaged
in business
in fact Mr. Drake is
He began
lage.
lated
a good
taken
one of
poor and
no active part
was,
during
in
the
the
by industry
period
of
deeply
its
He
people.
all
that
Ludlow, August 16, 1833,
age of
sixteen
finishing,
in 1856.
and
he began
been
years,
Owego
has
vil
accumu
democrat but has
Sarah J. Middaugh.
a
was
a
life, one of the fore
leading workman and
and odd
fellow bodies
to the welfare
the Green Mountain
and was
learning
the
son
the trade
of
a
of
and was
Owego
and
born
state,
at
At the
farmer.
of marble
cutting and
his first start in business at Littleton, N. H.,
Four years later he came to Owego and opened a shop
and made
from that time
town
of
frugality
wife was
pertained
was a native of
men
fifty
his business
the county seat.
He
among the local masonic
interested in
almost
died in Owego village June 13,
who
most men of
organizer
and
always
His
politics.
for
site
business
oldest
Haywood,
the
same
He has
property.
Charles Martin
1892,
on
or village.
village civil
list
on
He
will
he
was one of
the
most active men
in either
republican, and the town and
disclose the fact that his prominence in local
was an earnest
brought him before the people as a candidate for
some important position, to which he was
nearly always elected.
His connection with the masonic and odd fellows bodies gave him
politics often
a peculiar prominence
in
Owego,
and
in whatever
position
he
was
TOWN OF OWEGO.
to fill he
chosen
whom
he
win was
always
The late
represented.
formed in
acquitted
1888,
and,
himself
marble
after
firm
563
with credit
Haywood & Bald
of
the death
to those
the
of
senior mem
ber, Harry C. Haywood succeeded to the business, both in Owego
and Waverly.
Mr. Haywood, their father, was married in 1854,
with Hannah Kneeland, of Proctorville, Vt., of this marriage four
children were born, viz : Myron, who died in
infancy ; Arthur,
who died at twenty ;
Harry Clinton, present proprietor of the
business and successor to his father, and Alma Lucelia Haywood,
of Owego,
Harry Clinton Haywood was born in Owego, Septem
ber 13, 1862.
He was educated at the free academy and began
work in his father's shop in 1879 where he learned thoroughly the
trade of marble cutting and finishing. On March 27, 1890, he mar
ried E.
Lena, daughter of Samuel Goodrich. They have two
children.
Sidney Welles
Thompson, M. D., son of Clarence A. and Dorinda
E. (Truman) Thompson, was born February 10, 1873. Mrs. Thomp
son
is
1843.
a
daughter
Sidney
of
the late Lyman Truman.
Welles Thompson
public schools of
Owego
and
received
later
She
his early
graduated with
was
born in
education
in the
the
of
class
'92
from Riverview military academy, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
The
next year Mr. Thompson was instructor on military tactics and in
In the fall
the primary school branches at the same institution.
of 1893 he entered the New York University of Medicine in New
York city, graduating from that place in the spring of 1896 with
Since then Mr. Thompson has successfully
the degree of M. D.
practiced medicine
Tioga
M.,
County
also of
native village.
Medical Society,
He
wife was
were
Levi,
a
member
Sa-Sa-Na-Loft tribe
of
of
the
I. 0. R.
came
the early settlers in the town of
from Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1808,
was
one of
farmer,
Lucy Barlow,
was a carpenter and
His
of
He is
Tioga Lodge, No. 335, I. 0. 0. F.
Lyman Truman
Candor.
in his
who
William Stone
;
lived
Leroy,
died in this county Nov. 2, 1822.
who bore him eight children.
They
and
died in Candor ; Sybil,
who died young ;
James,
and
who married
who
died in
0 1 R CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
564
Candor
Eliza,
at
the
sixty years ; Stephen, who died in California ;
Frederick Weed and died in 1865 ; John, who
age of
who married
died young, and Benjamin L. Truman, a merchant in the village
of Owego.
Benjamin L. Truman was born June 23, 1822, and was
brought up
by
his
mother on
put to work and when a
He
man.
for
a
man
was afterward
time in
In 1848 the
firm
of
which
He
began business
young
in a grocery
Missouri, from
old
the farm in Candor,.
store
place
in
he
Truman & Buckbee
was
as a
early
lumber
Owego,
then lived
returned
to Owego.
was
formed
and
con
tinued to 1852, when the senior partner retired.
In 1860 S. S. &
B. L. Truman began a general dry goods and grocery business and
continued
engaged
1867,
until
two
to
Missouri,
in
hay
in butter
years
he
where
Mr.
when
Truman
and wool
remained
sold
business
out.
and
He then
in 1869
moved
Is 74, returning to engage
1878 established the grocery
until
business four years, and in
now owned by him on Front street.
Although in his business
life Mr. Truman has seen many changes and vicissitudes, he has
nevertheless
been
is to-day regarded as a safe and
In 1 852 he was married with Maria Dean,
successful
and
business man.
by whom he had one child, born 1858 and died in 1865. His
died May 30, 1882, and on February 28, 1884, Mr. Truman
married with Saphronia Long.
prudent
Daniel Dodge
settled on a
same
was
from Schoharie county in the year 1825 and
farm in the
of Owego opposite
Apalachin, the
came
.town
formerly
owned and occupied
good and successful
the town.
wife
His
farmer
children
by
Joseph Gaskill.
and a man well
were
He
was a
throughout
lived for a time in
respected
Samuel, who
Edmund, who lived and died in
Henry Griffin and died in Owego;
Lorinda, who married Dr. Chapin
Tioga, but who died in the west ;
Owego ; Mary Ann, who married
Moses,
and
is
who
now
died in Campville ;
dead; Alfred, for many
farmer in Owego but
from active work and a resident of the village
; Joel,
who died in California ;
who
married
John
Pearsall
and now
Ellen,
Newlives in Buffalo ; Elizabeth, now
in
living
York, and Phoebe,
now dead.
After the death of his first wife Daniel Dodge again
years
a
now retired
married,
of
which
union
nine
children were
born,
six
of
whom
TOWN OF OWEGO.
grew
now
and
to
They
maturity.
565
in Union ; Amos,
married Charles Woughter
Benjamin,
were
now
in New York city ; Catharine, who
lives in Union ; James, now in Washington
William Cole
of
Union,
Samuel Smith
year
the tailor trade
him to
pelled
hatter
was a native of
When
1820.
and
John,
and
a
man
young
in 1849
that
he
went
to Newburgh
pursuit.
until
failing
city.
about
and
the
learned
health
com
He then learned the trade
intending
started west
wife of
in New York
Rhinebeck, N. Y., born
the bench
and worked on
abandon
living
now
Caroline,
;
to locate
at
of
Elmira, but
arriving at Owego was prevailed upon by business men to take
With him were his wife and
up his residence in the village.
daughter. From that time he is identified with local interests,
on
two years, during which he lived at
His first shop was on the site of the
his old home on the Hudson.
present Tioga National bank and was burned in the great fire of
except
for
a period of about
1849.
He
was
January,
in business in Owego
1891.
His
wife
died two
Mary A., (who died in 1891)
The latter
James L., of Owego.
brought up in a store
he began keeping books and
as
and was
In 1890 he
years.
he has
which
have
They
der
trade
Owego, July 1,
age
Eugene B.
children
Burdick,
and
the
City
for
employed
Steam
he has
about
Laundry
enjoyed a
married
liberal
with
eight
in Owego
share of
Flora Luce.
was
born in
Binghamton, June 10, 1826,
His father
1893.
was
James
Barton,
and
un
Broome county during the period of its early history.
of thirteen George went to Richford to learn the
making with Bayette & Ayers, but ill health soon
his return to Binghamton where he worked in a bakery
of cigar
compelled
about
two
with one
moved
with
Their
later.
one child.
sheriff of
At the
so
In 1876 Mr. Smith
George W. Barton
died in
his death in
born in Newburgh in 1854,
At the age of twenty-one
clerk.
since conducted and
public patronage.
of
was
was
purchased
years
wife of
were
the time
until
years.
Dewitt.
to Newark
He
He
was
apprenticed
afterward
Valley
Charles Wilson.
then
and
Two
or
went
to New
began the
three
to learn
years
cigar
York,
making
thence re
manufacture
later he
moved
of
cigars
to Ithaca
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
566
and
business
continued
to Owego
and with
until
the
1865
summer of
Aaron Ogden formed the
when
he
came
known firm
well
of
Ogden Sc Barton, manufacturers, jobbers and dealers in cigars and
tobaccos.
The building occupied by the firm was burned in April,
1868,
they temporarily
after which
used
the
Baptist
old
church
This structure was also burned
edifice, on the Brant block site.
and the firm then occupied a building on the east side on Lake
street,
dissolved,
until
of
north
the
after
the time
of
Here the partnership was
Mr. Barton continued in business alone
present postoffice.
which
He
his death.
was an earnest and ardent repub
lican ; was commissioner of excise in 1875, and
and 1884.
His wife was Catharine M. Muzzy,
May 1,
1849.
By
manufacturer of
Watson
name of
A.,
in
childhood
a resident of
three
; William
farmer in the town
the
site of
the
an old school
under
of
the firm
after
which
Newark Valley.
Catharine, who died
City, Mo., and 'Fred,
Owego.
Ebenezer Hibbard
a
born ;
in Kansas
were
E., living
married
Jr., cigar
Newark Valley,
died,
wife
Helen Chamberlain
children
he
in 1883
; George W.
children
His first
sons.
married second
marriage
whom
Owego ; James H., a farmer at
Eugene F., partners in business
G. W. Barton's
Mr. Barton
Of this
and
her he had four
supervisor
of
now called
teacher,
own
preparation, all
this county he was a
the Presbyterian
from
Norwich, Conn. in 1825, and was
Owego, his dwelling stood not far from
came
and
,
Dean tannery.
Mr. Hibbard had been
had taught from
printed
farmer,
and
written
and at
death
an
arithmetic of
his
by his own hand. In
his body was buried in
He had three children, of whom
Ralph alone came with the family to Owego.
Ralph Hibbard was
born in Norwich, Conn., and was a trooper or cavalryman, in the
U. S. service during the war of 1812-15, and after his death his
widow drew a pension on account of his service.
In this county
Mr. Hibbard was a farmer.
His wife was Jemima Maynard, and
her
he had three children ; Ralph, Jr. , of Owego ; Maria, who mar
by
ried with Dwight
Curtis, and Charles, who lives in Granville, Mich.
Ralph Hibbard, Jr., was born October 12,
and when old
church yard.
1818,
enough was apprenticed
to
and
learned the
cabinet
maker's
trade
TOWN OF OWEGO.
His shop
business
was on
circles
567
Park street, in Owego, and he was known in local
for many years ; and he was also known as a
thoroughly honest
man, a good citizen, and one who always made
his own way in life. He is remembered as having been a good
singer and was always heard in the choir of St.
Paul's church.
His
wife was
children
died in
Ralph
;
Elizabeth
Frances,
Owego, by
of
who married with
1858,
he had three
whom
James E. Jones ;
infancy, and George R. Hibbard, a
Hibbard, Jr., died September 7, 1892.
born in Owego in
was
Sweet,
Jane,
Owego.
of
merchant
who
George R. Hibbard
and was educated at
the free
academy.
He began business in 1884 as successor to George Sweet, general
crockery dealer, and is now one of the business men of the county
On
seat.
daughter
February 4, 1885, Mr. Hibbard married Jessie M. Pierce,
of H. G. Pierce, of Waverly.
They have one child.
John Sweet
lumberman
the
was one of
living
for
a
time
old
on
families
Big
of
Owego,
and
Island in the early
was a
history
of
He had five children, viz : Elizabeth, who married
with Ralph Hibbard ; George, a former merchant of Owego but
a merchant
now deceased ; Ambrose, who was drowned ; John,
the
on
region.
North avenue,
James E.
in Newark
Jones,
an
years
life.
He
wagon
Lehigh
Maria,
who
died in infancy.
Jones, who has lived in Owego since 1857,
Valley, February 1, 1841, and was the son
resident
early
teen
and
of
James E.
old
came
shop, but
Valley
to
Owego
and
was afterward
shops,
and
was
out
for
a
to
make
year
was
employed
born
James
seven
way in
a
employed in
his
in the Erie bridge
there
of
When less than
that town.
started
was
own
shops
for
a
and
the
period
of
twenty years. Then for five years he worked at pattern making,
plan
and in 1883, in company with B. C. Springsteen, he started a
ing mill in the old Sackett soap works building. After two years
Mr. Jones
short
succeeded
time has
since
to the
been
business,
and with
sole proprietor.
the
exception
His shop
employs
of a
from
quality of interior and
Jones'
The affairs of business occupy Mr.
exterior wood "finishing.
engage in local polwhole attention and he finds but little time to
five to ten men,
and produces
a superior
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
568
4, 1874, James E. Jones was married with
They have one child. Miss Flora A. Hibbard.
On November
itics.
Frances Hibbard.
Thompson, founder and active manager of the Stan
Co., of Owego, one of the largest industries of its kind
A. Chase
dard Butter
in the world, was a native of Tompkins county, born in the year
He came to Owego in 1865, from which time to 1888 he was
1844.
business, but he
in the dry-goods
business for
with
had
also
been in the
produce
In the spring of 1888, in company
Mr. Thompson began the manufacture
a number of years.
George
Truman, Jr.,
butter,
and, as the product met with ready
in New York high-class hotels and restaurants, the business
of a superior grade of
sale
increased to very large proportions, the present annual out
put being 3,000,000 pounds.
However, the history of this enter
prise is so fully written in the village chapter that not more than
was
passing allusion to it is necessary in this place. In 1868 A. Chase
Thompson was married with Sarah F. , the daughter of George
a
Truman,
of
Lyman
Owego, they
Durphy,
the
Mass.,
about
moved
to Newark
and afterward
Henry C,
have two
born March
children.
from Pittsfield,
in Berkshire.
Later on he
14, 1792,
1814, and settled
Valley (1828), and thence
year
lived
Lyman
and
died in Ottowa
Lois
D.,
to Michigan
in
2, 1819,
Berkshire, October
trade,
mechanics.
His
and
also
to Michigan in
His
county.
Angeline, Emily Peck,
all of whom removed
millwright
came
except
and
became
a
children were
and
Lyman D.
when
old
Mary Ann,
He
enough
good workman
the Erie
1854,
was
born
learned the
in
general
began in 1850,
and for the next twenty-five years he was both bridge builder and
inspector, working his way up from foreman to division builder
or inspector.
He retired about 1875 and has since lived in com
fortable enjoyment of the benefits of a life of
and per
connection with
railroad
industry
He lives in Owego and is the owner of some good
On October 22, 1844, Lyman D.
property in the village.
Durphy
was married with
Mary Elvira Blackman, of Candor, daughter of
Abraham.
They have had three children : Harvey Dwight Dur
phy, who died in St. Louis, November
20, 1892 Adelaide Elvira
severance.
;
TOWN OF OWEGO.
569
Durphy, wife of Frederick N. Sackett ; and Alice Carrie Durphy,
wife of Henry D. Beach, of Bridgeport, Conn.
The children of
Abraham and Sally Jewett Blackman were William Greenleaf,
Melinda Jewett (wife of Henry Durphy), Mary E. (wife of Lyman
D. Durphy), Rhoda (who married with Daniel Joslin), Sarah Jane
(who married William Phelps), Ann Eliza (who married with Rev.
John A. Phelps), Roxie Amelia, and Augusta, who married with
Abraham Blackman died December 13, 1869.
Roxie Pike.
Ezekiel Jewett
the date
Sarah
of
his
settlement
Blackman,
the
was one of
in town is
of another of
Berkshire,
pioneers of
the
His
now unknown.
old
families
of
though
wife was
Their
the town.
Harris, Sally (who married Abraham Blackman),
Asahel, Melinda, Mary, Barker, Harris, Orrin E., and Harriet
Ezekiel Jewett, born July 24, 1810,
(who married Marshall Allen),
went to Michigan in 1859, and became wealthy as a lumberman.
He died March 21, 1897, (87 years old) and was buried in Owego.
children were
Patrick
mercantile
1833.
his
Leahy,
whose recent
interests in
At the
age of
in that
residence
He
friends.
was
afterward
and
was
fourteen he
to
uncle and went
OwTego,
death
born in
came
Wisconsin, but
state
loss to the
serious
Tipperary, Ireland, in
to the United States
after
less than two
to Owego (in
came
1853)
to the firm
clerk
of
he had
where
Thurston Sc
with
years'
in the Erie freight depot five
employed
became
was a
years
Bishop,
Bishop, later with D. G. Taylor. About 1876 the
grocery firm of Leahy & Dean was formed and began business on
Later they removed to the corner of the avenue
North avenue.
and Main street where they did business five or six years more,
and where Mr. Leahy finally succeeded and became sole proprie
then
tor.
son
with
He
Mr.
continued
James J.
married.
Leahy,
His first
for about ten years, when his
Mr. Leahy was twice
became his partner.
the business
wife was
Ann
children,
all of whom are now
Reading,
who
bore him
democrat but took
ed
to business
alone
Tierney by
living.
affairs and
the
in
result
politics.
he had five
Eliza
second wife was
Mr. Leahy
one child.
no active part
His
whom
was always a
His time
has been the
was
firm
devot
accumulation
of
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
570
property and as well gaining an
the business men of the county seat.
excellent
a good
Francis
Berry,
since 1857,
being one
and
father
Sporer,
was
of
family
a
man
left
for the firm
the firm
active
is
and
of
now
of
Francis Sporer is
war
Owego in
oldest
regarded
in
adopted
born
of
3, 1878, Mr. Sporer
daughter
that
of
was
1857.
He
business,
of
out
and
soon
after
organized, and have
from that to the present
was
the
village.
In Owego
substantial and reliable
not a seeker after polit
village
married
Nathaniel Burton.
time but
makers, was
the firm became H.
and
business men, and an earnest republican but
ical office.
He was, however, one term
November
a
May,
died in 1864
one of
young
He
army.
piano
business firm in the
as
in his
a
Carlson,
operation
The
shop on Front street
with Norton Sc Deland,
was
Berry
our
for
employment
Co,
work
at
in the
service
interest
Carlson Sc
successful
kept
drove that firm
member
Sporer.
Joseph
seventeen
of
age
enforced
Sporer Sc
senior
the
the
at
acquired an
Sporer,
and
was
Later he
1861 the
The
Francis
E. Hosford &
of
Mr. Norton
of
thence to
and
the firm
Norton & Co.
been in
of
children
he found
where
Camp's furnace.
which
formed.
avoid
to Elmira
but in the spring
time,
to
Germany
and also at
ward
school, but
to New York
worked
after
five
of
was a cabinet-maker and
went
Sporer, Carlson
of
has been known in business circles in Owego
born at Wurms on the Rhine, March 28, 1837,
when not at
soon
the firm
and who
shop
came
senior member of
standing among
Four
with
trustee.
On
Emma,
the
children
have been
marriage.
Hoskins, better known, however, in Tioga county
as Captain Hoskins, was born in
Simmsbury, Conn., January 22,
1830, and was the third of eight children in the family of Norton
Watson L.
and
was
Candace Hoskins. Watson was brought up on a farm till he
17, then, in September, 1847, came to Owego, and for the
next
this
two
years peddled notions and
region.
man's goods
his
In 1849 Matson's
were
assets save a
also
limited
taken,
light
store
and
merchandise all
was
he
was
amount of cash.
robbed,
thereby
He
next
through
and our
young
stripped of all
bought
a jew-
TOWN OF OWEGO.
"
"kit
571
began work, but from 1849 to 1852 was clerk in
Mr. Matson's store, then went to Erie. Pa., where he was in the
eler's
jewelry
and
Hoskins
the
sold goods on
and succeeded
been identified
the
business four
and notion
local
Owego,
Mr.
two years, and in 1858 bought out
From that to the present time he has
mercantile
in the
oldest merchants
to
road
Mr. Matson.
with
Returning
years.
village.
is now one of
In 1861 he began underwrit
interests,
and
has built up an extensive insurance business in the county.
However in 1862, he recruited 120 men in eight days for Co. C, 137th
N. Y. Infantry.
He was commissioned captain and served at the
ing
and
front
February, 1863,
until
when
he
resigned
and
came
home to
business which, in the meantime,
had been intrusted to his brother.
In local political circles Capt.
Hoskins is well known although he has not sought paying office ;
his
resume charge of
nor
has he
the board
years
;
mercantile
any office, but has
sought
nevertheless
many years, and was its
supervisor two years.
He is
of education
was village
been
member of
president
twelve
also a member of
St. Paul's church, and was warden and vestryman 27 years, until
In 1853 Watson L. Hoskins was
he declined to further serve.
Frances, daughter of Atwood Allen, of Tioga. Five
have been born to them, only one of whom is now living,
married with
children
Marie Louise,
wife of
Thomas Pert is
industry
He
was
Horace F. King.
remembered
in
connection
with
the milling
in this county, in which he was engaged for many years.
the son of Thomas Pert, senior, and brother to Rev.
Luther Bascom
life began
Pert,
as clerk
and was a native of
for Charles
Chatfield,
His business
Painted Post, but later
Spencer.
at
Mr.
he became his partner and was with him several years.
Pert came to Owego in 1856 and was a miller, but afterward
on
Waverly and bought a mill. After this mill was burned
he returned to Owego, resumed milling, but in 1878 became
moved
to
express
was
transferred
and
Ithaca.
October
between Owego
messenger
20,
Chatfield,
He
1893.
a
to
the
was
L.
D.,
thus
&
of
employed
Great
Auburn.
Still later he
running between Owego
at the time of his death,
W.,
In 1853 Mr. Pert
native
and
was
married
Barrington, Mass.
with
Their
Mary
E.
children
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
572
were
Fred Chatfield
Pert,
Pert, of Owego.
Babcock, of Windham,
He
living
Mary
E.
Penna.
by
survived
was
and
died January
Willis I. Pert
Ives
Cornick.
who
28, 1896,
married
Fred C.
Pert
his
and
wife
and
Fannie A.
with
married
two
Willis
Ida
with
children
now
Marguerite B. Pert.
Litchfield, Conn., May the 8th,
His parents were Lucius H. and Rosette (Perkins) Colby,
1845.
and his grandparents, John and Annis Colby, were of Goshen,
Ellery Colby
was
Lucius H.
Conn.
born
Colby
near
a
was
prosperous
farmer
and raiser
of
blooded stock, and of influence in the community in which he re
He was an ingenious man of an inventive turn of mind,
sided.
and as an illustration of this it may be worthy of mention that
the first mowing machines sold in that
section, he found upon trial that it was a very crude affair and
worked heavily ; so the following winter he set to work to im
having
prove
purchased one of
This he
it.
another wheel
granted
so
changing the
built.
to him.
mechanism
as
to
add
greatly improved it, and thus
was probably the first two wheel mowing ma
Letters patent on various inventions were also
to the machine,
constructed what
chine ever
did, by
which
About 1848 he
removed with
his
family to Scipio
in Cayuga county, where he continued his former occupation of
farmer and stock-breeder.
Four years later he again changed his
this time to
place of residence,
the father
large
Groton,
in Tompkins
He
county.
(twelve in all), and
when Ellery was nine years of age he went to live with his father's
brother, in Fabius, Onondaga county, and here he remained till he
was twenty-two years of age.
This uncle was the owner of two
hotels as well as about 1,300 acres of land. An energetic man him
self, he believed in keeping those around him busy, so young
Colby's boyhood was not spent in idleness ; upon the other hand
he wrought early and late, and at one time had charge and super
was
vision of
Colby
the
continued
taining
a
entire
returned
E. Cornwall
of
to
and
1,300
acres.
Groton,
engaged
till 1875,
when
family
of children
At the
age
of
twenty- two
and soon afterward married
in the business
having
to bridge structure, he
secured
of
Miss Hattie
farming,
two different
Mr.
which
he
patents per
abandoned agricultural pursuits and
"W, A
s 5 on
.lei-e'Li
& Co
.
TOWN OF OWEGO.
devoted his
time to bridge building.
entire
have been the
pivotal point
herited his father's
quality in
573
This may be said to
in Mr. Colby's career.
He had in
mechanical genius and
a remarkable
degree is best
that he
shown
by the fact that with
schooling or training he entered a field
brought into direct competition with scientific men
out special
best
of our
polytechnic schools and succeeded
He had taken
that
possesses
where
he
was
and graduates
from the beginning.
two patents, one on bridge trusses and one on
pile foundations, and these patents were the basis of his entry into
constructive bridge work. He organized the Groton Bridge Co. , and
was
its
out
over water
of
across
the
Pennsylvania
ernment
to take
and
by
Mr.
He also built for the United States
avenue).
the first iron
constructed, the
ever
pier
Monroe.
Mr. Colby's business in bridge
tural iron
work
In 1891 Mr.
and
Colby
half
reached a
sold out
now president.
start,
Mr.
has
coming to Owego
he is
building
million
dollars
one
established
and other struc
worth per year.
the Owego Bridge
The business has been
the
has been for many
Co.,
successful
leading industries
years a
gov
Fortress
at
his interests in the Groton Bridge
and now ranks as one of
Colby
build bridges
orders and
Colby may be mentioned the iron
Potomac river at Washington, D. C, (extension
bridges built
notable
at once
his improved methods soon began to
in various parts of the country. Among the more
ways, etc.,
attract attention
bridge
He began
president.
F. Sc A. M. (K.
Co.,
of which
from the
of
Owego.
T.), is a
mem
the Congregational church, and in politics a republican.
has but one son, Ray, who is associated with him in business.
ber
of
has been too
busy
to take
much
active part
in
political
He
He
or official
the only offices he ever held were president of the
village of Groton when he lived there, and he is now one of the
Mr. Colby is entitled to much credit for what
trustees of Owego.
matters,
he has
and
accomplished
in life
never attended school after
under
he
the
was
conditions
fourteen
that
existed.
years of
age, and when
to master the theoretical
he took up bridge building he set to work
as well as the practical features of the work, and to
purpose that he is now an authority on that branch of
ing.
He is
spected
a
in his
genial,
courteous gentleman
community.
He
and
a
man
such good
engineer
highly
re
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
574
Ephraim H. House
born in Sussex county, New
was
Jersey,
brought up on a farm, and at the age
He came to
trade.
of twenty-one years learned the carpenter's
New York state about 1855 and was employed in the car depart
October
21,
He
1833.
was
Erie railroad, both at Hornellsville and
He came to Owego in April, 1857, and took charge
Port Jervis.
in 1860 went into the
of the car-repair shop of the company, but
In 1877 he left the
bridge shop and was foreman until 1877.
which is now
service of the company and began the coal business,
He is also extensively en
carried on by the firm of House Sc Co.
and is the owner of excellent farming lands in
gaged in
ment of
the New York
and
farming,
As must be seen from what is
the vicinity of the county seat.
here stated, Mr. House has been a successful business man, and
one whose success has been wholly due to his own personal effort.
He is a firm democrat, and was a trustee of the village in 1868,
1869, 1873, 1883,
and
1884,
He
in 1874.
president
and
was
also
the Owego fire department in 1873 and 1874. Mr.
married with Kate E. Browm.
They have three chil
chief engineer of
House
was
of
Robert
at
Mount
the
son of
dren ; Elnora, wife of Edward H. Miller ; Frances, wife
K. Mackey, and Edward H. House, a physician living
Pleasant, Iowa.
born April 12,
New Jersey farmer.
David H. Emery
John J.
Emery,
a
as an apprentice at
was a
as
thorough
"Jour"
came
wagon
mechanic
and
making,
found
Jersey
and
was
At 16 David began
and at
For
in his line.
both in New
to Owego
1848,
was
the
end of
three
several years
he
Pennsylvania, but
and
employment with
the
old
firm
work
years
worked
in 1873
of
Moore
Sc Ross, with whom he was connected 12 years, a part of the time
He then left and bought
as foreman in the smithing department.
George Raymond's interest in the firm
thus
established
the
present
firm
of
of
Raymond
Raymond
Brothers, and
Sc Emery, which,
in management, has since been known in busi
in Owego. A busy man at all times, Mr. Emery has
with some changes
ness circles
nevertheless
lage,
found time to take
always on
the democratic
his party in Owego.
He
was
part
side
in
public
for he is
once elected
affairs
one of
trustee
in the
vil
the leaders
and
has
of
fre-
TO WN OF 0 WEG 0.
575
quently been a candidate for his party's good.
Emery has been successful. In Newton, N.
with
Mary
J.
Wilcox, by
John L. Durussel
Switzerland,
Switzerland,
who
John
and
came
whom
he has
was married
son, Lewis Emery.
one
to the United States in
Neufchatel,
of
J., he
Louis Frederick Durussel
the
was an officer of
born in the Canton
In business life Mr.
law,
December
his
22, 1831,
In
1850.
May,
while
from
were
son
Louis,
was a skilled
in early life serving an apprenticeship at manufac
In this country John L.
Swiss watches in a large factory.
watchmaker
turing
farmer, living on his own farm, the so-called
Kenyon farm, in Newark Valley, and there he died, a highly re
In 1852, after a single year of life on the farm,
spected citizen.
Durussel
Louis
or
afterward
Marguerand,
block
on
Front
commenced
who
kept
then
a
jewelry
Some time
street.
business
which
office,
A year
repairing shop in Newark Valley.
he removed to Owego and entered the employ of
a watch
opened
two
Mr.
was a
on
his
occupied
own
previous
account
In
their business
August, 1867,
Durussel
to 1
in
a corner of
A few
and removed
to the
the business alone
until
afterward
In
January, 1877, his
post-
now owned
brother-
his
west side of
was
the
dissolved
they
street.
and
September, 1868,
a new
dissolved.
the
years afterward
partnership with L. F. Rockwood
This partnership
to the Wilson opera house block.
he formed
Mr. Durussel
building in Lake street
In October, 1862, he took
the firm of Durussel Sc Allen
continued
860,
the
by the Owego National bank.
in-law, R. A. Allen, into partnership.
enlarged
in the Ahwaga House
store
Mr.
when
and
removed
was
not
long
son,"
George, became
his business partner, and the firm of Durussel Sc Son continued
Mr. Durussel was a prominent member
until his death in 1888.
the M. E. society and active in all church affairs. He was one
a man of sterling integrity,
of Owego's most respected citizens
While living in Newark
possessing many friends and no enemies.
of
Louis
Valley
these
was married with
children
A., the
;
jeweler
Polly
M.
and
by
her he had
Ella, who became the wife of D. M. Slater ; George
of OwTego, and Anna M., wife of C. J. Hancock.
George A. Durussel learned the trade
father
Allen,
and was a
journeyman
until
1877,
of
watchmaking
when
with
he became
a
his
part-
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPL E.
576
his father. He is now engaged in active business having
In October, 1878,
succeeded to the business of Durussel & Son.
he was married with Rose A., daughter of E. F. Johnson, of Alle
ner of
county.
gany
Hastings, senior member of the dry-goods firm of
Hastings Sc Stratton, of Owego, was a native of Tompkins county,
His young life was spent on a farm, but in
and was born in 1843.
1863, with his mother, brothers and sisters, he came to Owego to
James M.
live.
He
first
in 1873 his
and
house
older
of
was
of
of
active
a
line
In fact Mr. Hastings
time before he became its
Hastings & Pendleton
until succeeded
a
clerk
Goodrich Sc Cady.
this firm for
firm
in H. N. Hubbard's store,
business life began, as successor to the still
as
employed
dry-goods
of general
share of public patronage.
and
and
carpets,
Mr. Hastings is
has
a
and
new
did business
The firm
Hastings & Stratton in 1880.
by
The
successor.
formed
was soon
one
was
always
carries
held a fair
thorough business
man, and finds little time to give to affairs outside the store, but
for all that he has not been wanting in interest in local prosperity,
as
his
long and useful
fully shows. He
tion
republican.
connection with
takes
the Owego board
no active part
In 1867 James M. Hastings
of educa
in politics, but is
was married with
a
firm
Persis
Mrs. Hastings died in 1877, leaving four children.
In 1889
Mr. Hastings was married with Emma Tate, of Hartford Co., Conn.
Jenks.
Of this
two
marriage
children
have been born.
The
family
are
the Congregational church, and for thirty years Mr.
Hastings has been superintendent of the Sunday school.
He is
members of
also
deacon
of
the
church and
Julius Hollister
1818,
and at
the
was
age of
to learn the trade
born
fifteen
treasurer
of
the
society.
Glastonbury, Conn, January 9,
at
years was apprenticed
to Asa Rogers
He served five and one-half
years, worked as journeyman about four years more, and then
went into business in Hartford, Conn., with 0. D. Seymour as
partner
out
in
in the
of
silversmith.
old and well-known
January, 1846,
From that time
until
came
William
to Owego
1895 he
was
and
Rogers'
shop.
started
constantly
He
sold
into business.
engaged
in the
man-
TOWN OF OWEGO.
ufacture of silverware and
entitles
him to
He is
workmen.
ing
machine
ried
with
the
employed
oldest
as
years,
business
many
as
which
men of
ten
or
the
twelve
now proprietor of a
repair
Mary
fifty
a period of
spoons,
recognition as one of
At times he has
village.
577
grocery store and also a sew
In Auburn, N. Y., Mr. Hollister mar
shop.
M. Havens.
Their
children
were
Charles
J.,
of
Owego, and Arthur E., who died at the age of eighteen. Mrs. M.
M. Hollister, wife of Julius, died March 25, 1895, aged 79 years.
Charles J. Hollister was born June 21, 1851, and Arthur E. was
born March 23, 1853, and died January 1, 1871.
Charles Nichols, second son
Nichols, was born September
of
Simeon
and
Esther
(Fairbanks)
3, 1824, in the town of Owego.
Simeon Nichols and his father, Caleb, came to Tioga county in
1791, locating on the Jewett Flats near Apalachin where they had
purchased
several
hundred
acres.
The
family
that time
at
con
children, of whom Simeon was the second child.
Caleb Nichols died in 1804, and soon after Simeon sold the farm
sisted of
eight
and purchased what
In 1820 Simeon
is
now
the Mersereau farm
near
Mutton Hill.
Esther, daughter of Samuel Fairbanks.
They had six children ; George, Charles, Mary Ann, died at twentyone years of age ; Olivia (Mrs. George Fox), Rachel (Mrs. Amos
Knapp of Apalachin), and Justus, who is the only surviving mem
ber of that family.
On January 4, 1837, Mrs. Nichols died, and
two years later Simeon married Merca, a daughter of Matthew
Billings.
They had two children ; Enoch, living at Olean, N. Y.,
Simeon died May 16, 1856,
and Washington, living on Mutton Hill.
aged
sister
93
years.
Rachel.
married
In the spring
They
rented
a
of
1839 Charles left home
house,
by working farms on shares. He
to his possessions each year until
and
he
his
his
beginning
farm
and added
made
soon purchased a
with
his death he was one of the
He was married on No
most extensive farmers in the county.
vember 24, 1850, to Abigail, daughter of Morris and Elizabeth Bar
at
Althea, Gerden and Gerden J. died in infancy, and Emma Louise, born May 28, 1865. Mr.
Nichols was a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 333, F. Sc A. M.
He died October 27, 1889, at his home farm on the south side near
ton.
Four
children were
born to them
:
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
578
ried
June
Louise, his
Emma
Hiawatha Island.
27, 1890, to Truman,
son
Henry
of
and
mar
was
surviving child,
Hannah
Orton,
Lisle, N. Y. Mr. Orton was
In 1892 Mrs. Orton erected a handsome dwell
born June 26, 1865.
" Fairview."
ing upon the homestead, and has christened the farm
who moved
to Owego in 1886 from
James A. Dean
4, 1820,
and was
pioneer of
the
he
a
that
the
brief
son pf
exception of
five
village or
came
His
Huldah
Phelps,
second
daughter
Asa
Phelps,
county in 1834,
His
father
and
to the town
married on
nine
whom
of
of
large
and
and
he
Bradford
Phelps,
Phelps,
located in the Park
successful
has
and
in the
farmer,
a
25, 1844,
was
Julia
are now
July 28, 1892,
of
since
married.
six of whom
married
with
a carpenter and
Owego
April
children,
Bradford
sons also came and settled
was a
of
time,
present
Mr. Dean has been twice
town.
wife,
the
until
years, he has been
or six
His first wife, with whom he
L. Beecher, by whom he had
living.
man
prominent
a
was
from that
and
In 1841 he
lived in the
Tompkins county, June
brought up on a farm, but at
began to learn the carpenter's trade. At twenty
journeyman
contractor.
Caroline,
Samuel Dean,
James
region.
age of sixteen
was a
born in
was
was
Owego.
came
from
Albany
Owego.
Asa Phelps
settlement north of
same vicinity.
highly
respected
man,
and
influence in the county was always for the good. He
had fourteen children.
They were Electa, Lucy, Bradford, Jason,
one whose
Harriet, Hiram, Asa, Sally, Jesse, Salina, Melissa, Othniel, Joel,
and
Amanzo.
Hugh
Dugan,
well
remembered as proprietor of the old Ex
Hotel in Owego for 17 years, and who was well known in
the village for nearly a quarter of a
century before his death, was
change
a native of
county Armagh, Ireland, and was the son of
He was also the grandson of an Irish
of much note.
a physician
lord, but the
his father, was dis
charged and disowned.
At the age of 18 Hugh came to the United
States, but not until about 1869 did he reside in Owego, having
He was employed at the Central
previously lived at Montrose.
House barns about ten years, then himself bought and carried on
doctor
having
married against
the
wishes
of
TOWN OF OWEGO.
a
barn two
In 1867 he became landlord
years.
Hotel,
with which
1884.
Hugh Dugan is
His
beginning
overcome
erally
being
hamton.
well and
He
them he
Mr. Dugan
Brown, by
married
favorably
humble
was
whom
and
did,
of
the Exchange
October 12,
remembered in Owego.
his
was connected until
overcome
respected.
Orpha
he
in life
; but
579
death,
he had many
and rose to be
obstacles
a
man gen
twice married, his first wife
he had one son, John, now in Bing
was
Janette Henderson in 1863.
with
to
Their
only child was Charles B. Dugan, now proprietor of the Dugan
House in Owego, and of the Hotel Crandall in Binghamton. On
December
Phillips.
Scott
23, 1888, Charles B. Dugan
They reside at Binghamton.
married with
Caroline A.
thirty and more years has been identified
with business interests in Owego, was a native of Susquehanna
At the age of 21 he began busi
county, Pa., born May 30, 1830.
Harris,
who
for
life in the employ of the now-called Erie railroad, in the ca
pacity of brakeman and conductor, continuing about fifteen years
ness
when, in the spring of 1866, he became partner with John Barre
in wagon and sleigh making on North avenue, in Owego. After
about a year he returned to the road and for eighteen years was
express agent.
partner with
In 1895 the
For four
years
J. L. Matson
firm
present
of
beginning
in 1888 Mr. Harris
undertakers and
as
Fairchild Sc
Harris,
was
furniture dealers.
general shoe
dealers
formed.
Whether in the store, on the street, or at home,
Scott Harris is the same genial, companionable person, and one
was
upon whom nearly
mark.
ber
of
In
the
politics
village
member and
seventy
he is
board
trustee
of
a
years of active
republican,
and
life have left
no serious
has been twice
a
mem
For many years he has been a
On December 3, 1857,
the M. E. church.
of
health.
Phebe Lamb.
Three
have
Mr. Harris
was married with
been born
this marriage, of whom two are living ; William, of
and Frederick P., of Owego, both employes of the Erie
New
children
of
York,
railroad company.
Samuel F. Fairchild
and
lived
on a
farm
was
born in
until about
25
Guilford,
N.
Y., July 20, 1832,
years old when
he
went west.
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPL E.
580
After
from
a year and a
half he
returned and
time he has been in
which
some
came
manner
to Owego in
identified
1860,
with
its
business life ; first with the railroad company, then as clerk for
Luce Sc Anthony, on Lake street, and afterward he opened a hat,
cap
and
fur
store
for James
Wilson,
he was
with whom
connected
1888 ; later for another proprietor until 1893, when he went
In 1895 he became partner with Mr.
into the coal business.
until
Harris, dealer in boots
republican,
Mr. Fairchild is
and shoes.
but has held
no office other
He has been
than
a
straight, firm
member
of
the local
three times ; first with Seressa
M. Hedges, of Newark Valley ; second with Janette Hooker, and
in 1889 with M. Augusta Townley, widow of R. A. Allen.
health board.
George
in the
Platt,
village of
in Nichols.
Nehemiah
son of
Nichols.
He left
married
He
was
school upon
of seventeen years and worked
remained
Iowa,
county,
turned
where
east
for
1871 he
and
engaged
he
Owego,
was married
the town
of
the
old
he has
She
was
Hill,
the
-two
he
17, 1834,
public schools
his father
at
the
mother.
went
in farming.
age
He
to Lynn
He
re
Clinton county, Pa.,
in the lumber business. In
Run,
since resided.
a
born
at
of
years
was engaged
born March
farm for his
twenty
for four
to Sabina
Tioga.
the death
age of
where
was
educated
to Rattlesnake
went
eight years
to
the
until at
and
came
1856, he
of
there
Platt,
daughter
January 23,
of
On March 13,
Oren H. Hill,
1837. Mrs. Platt
the academy in Owego, later studied medicine, and be
noted specialist in the treatment of cancers.
Her life ended
attended
came a
in
Owego, October 4, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Platt had one child,
Hattie Louise, born October 26, 1864.
She was married in Decem
to
Edward
ber, 1886,
Darrow, of Owego, and has one child, William
Darrow.
Mr. Platt is a member of Owego Lodge, No.
Henry
54,
Knights
of
Honor.
Fayette S. Curtis,
eldest child
Allen
and Catherine Cook
born
December
(Steele) Curtis,
The Curtis and
16, 1846.
Steele families are of early New England
stock, Henry Curtis, the
emigrant and first American ancestor of this
line, coming to
America from Stratford-on-Avon in 1643. He located at Wind-
was
of
TOWN OF OWEGO.
581
sor, Conn.; was married in 1646, moved to Northampton. Mass.,
in 1653, where he died in 1661.
Allen Curtis, born in July, 1812,
was
the
ried
Olive Fowler in
youngest of
Stockbridge,
his
ried
Mass.
wife
twelve
1789,
children
and
Allen
Samuel
of
Curtis,
who mar
to Tioga county in 1823 from
merchant and farmer.
He mar
came
was a
Catherine (born
1819) in
1842.
Their
children were
Fayette
S., George Henry and Kate Steele Curtis. George Kel
logg Steele, born 1778, married Catherine Cook, born 1786, and
Catherine Cook Steele (Mrs. Allen Curtis) was the fifth of their
seven children.
Fayette Curtis, educated at district and private
schools and Owego Academy, in 1873 began business life as a
man on the Albany & Susquehanna railroad.
After eighteen
rod-
months'
service
mercial
as
rodman and
in New York for
college
transit man, he
several
months,
attended a com
and
in 1865
en
tered the employ of the Southern Central railroad, then extending
between Owego and Albany.
In 1868 he was assistant engineer
in making surveys for the town of Morrisania, now embraced in
A few months later he was an assistant engineer
New York.
in
engaged
surveys
About 1870,
for streets, etc., in
was assistant
but
the Lake Ontario
Niagara.
and
he
locating
engineer
was soon employed
Sc H. R. R. in
When this
locating
work
1871)
employed
veys
and
plans
York city,
and
provement."
in the
by
capacity, was
New York city.
In 1871
of
railroad,
capacity by the N. Y., N. H.
line from New Rochelle to New York.
same
accomplished, he was again (in November,
the New York Sc Harlem railroad to make sur
for eliminating its grade crossings through New
"
Fourth Avenue Im
on what was later called the
After the
construction
1882,
making-
same
is now
the New York Sc Harlem
what
in the
a
in the
between Oswego
was
neer, and later as
From this time he
until
he,
railroad
when
of
plans were made
this work, first
Mr. Curtis
was engaged
as principal assistant engi
engineer, until its completion in 1876.
in the employ of the New York Central
chief
was
he
received
the
responsible appointment of chief
the New York, New Haven Sc Hartford railroad. This
Mr. Curtis married in October, 1872, Miss
position he now holds.
Mary Justine Bishop. Children : Wallace Bishop, Mary Justine
engineer of
and
George Henry.
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
582
Frank M. Baker is the son of John D. Baker, and was born in
3wego March 26, 1846. He was educated in the village schools, and
ifterward entered and graduated from Ames's business univer
apFor a short time thereafter he worked as
sity in Syracuse.
Drentice to the carpenter's trade with his father, but this work
mechanical labor, and in Febru
jeing distasteful he abandoned
clerk under
ary, 1864, entered the Erie railroad freight office as
While
John C. Worthington.
chief
clerk
in this
office
he
was
the Southern Central railroad, Septem
his position November 1, 1882, to become
ippointed station agent of
He
ber 1, 1872.
superintendent
general
He filled this
railroad.
1896,
he
when
sioner of
leath
of
the
1880,
years
he
as
matters.
and
he
by
reappointed
was
caused
by
the
Gov. Black.
been greatly interested in village affairs. He
the board of trustees in 1873, 1874, 1876, 1879
of
of
the
the
village
served
village
school
He has
in 1881.
three
the Owego fire
of
men's
He
and
fill the vacancy
always
was elected
tees
by
York, to
New
and president of
one
ability until December 17,
Gov. Morton a railroad commis
with
position
Michael Rickard,
member
was a
the Addison Sc Northern Pennsylvania
of
appointed
was
state of
Mr. Baker has
and
resigned
in 1877.
He
commissioners, to
also
taken
great
years as president of
department,
also served
three
which office
interest in fire
the board
and was chief engineer
of
trus
in 1881
;
instrumental in organizing the New York state fire
association, of which he was secretary from 1874 to 1884,
was
inclusive, and president in 1884 and 1885. In 1893 he was the
leading spirit in the organization of the Central New York volun
teer firemen's association,
organization.
vania
the
also
While
of which
he has been
superintendent of
railroad, Mr. Baker
was
president since
the Addison Sc Pennsyl
from 1887 to 1891
also
in
charge of
Bradford, Eldred Sc Cuba
spent
the
winter of
its
railroad, as agent and receiver.
1894 and 1895 in Georgia, where he
He
con
the Darien Sc Western railroad, of which he was general
In 1895, he was appointed by Gov. Morton a member
manager.
structed
of
the
ton
commission
to
represent
states'
chosen
exposition
treasurer
son, George H.
of
at
the
Baker,
the
state of
Atlanta, Ga.,
commission.
In
New York
and
1895,
at
the
cot
was
subsequently
he established his
in the hardware business in
Owego,
in
TOWN OF OWEGO.
583
company with George S. Chatfield, and after Mr. Chatfield's
death, in 1896, he purchased his interest in the business, and the
firm is now known as Frank M. Baker Sc Son.
Col. Eugene Buell
Gere,
Gere,
born December
was
education was attained
Owego in the
from the
son of
Isaac B.
4, 1841,
His early
He studied law in
academy.
Warner, Tracy Sc Walker, and graduated
Albany law school in May, 1861, after which time, in 1861,
office
of
in the 5th New York cavalry, and was
first lieutenant in Company G of that regiment.
he
enlisted
Orange C.
at
charge
through the left
year,
He
shoulder.
served
was
Cavalry,
the
justice
war.
of
the
and
He
In
till the latter
cavalry
was shot
part
of
the
engagements, but owing
to his Owego home, where he
remained
in the
Company B,
service
law in Owego 16
practiced
peace
a
and
a number of
to exposures, was obliged to return
remained a few months and then raised
New York
a second
H., Virginia, August 2, 1862, he
1862, participating in
close of
(Drake)
N. Y.
Havana,
at
in the Owego
Adaline B.
and
in the town
of
the 21st
of
until after
years.
the
Mr. Gere
Owego for five years, dis
trict-attorney 'of Tioga county for three
years, and member of as
1877.
He was frequently a
sembly in the legislatures of 1876 and
delegate to state, congressional, and county conventions.
He de
livered many addresses on public occasions, especially on Decora
He was for nearly six years
tion days and on the Fourth of July.
the
editor and proprietor
the Owego Daily
married with Emily A.
of
18, 1867, he was
of Lyman and Emily M. (Goodrich) Truman.
now make Owego their summer home, and
near Bealton, Fauquier county, Virginia, on
they have Jersey cattle and speedy horses.
On June
Henry
on
the
Young,
part of
will also
farmers
be
of
the
who will
as
town,
one
Truman, daughter
Mr.
of
and
spend
a
remembered with
Mrs. Gere
their
winters
large farm
feelings
where
of respect
Owego's population, and who
the most thrifty and forehanded
older element
recalled
that
be
Weekly Blade.
and
of
was a native of
England, living not far from
He was placed in an agricultural school at the
the city of Bristol.
age of five years and remained there until he was graduated there-
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
584
from.
He
He
40
was
brought
proved
twice, but his first
married
years old when
with
him
an
he
wife
bore him
no
to this country, in
came
children.
1821,
and
he
education, a good supply of im
and a fair sum in cash to make a be
excellent
farming implements,
The farm which he
ginning in the region so new to him.
bought and settled upon in 1824, and built up and improved so
well was
Young
showed
of
Owego
himself
derstanding
work
as
a successful
on general
3,
and
agricultural
Elizabeth
now
George
by
owned
the settler,
thorough un
Henry Young,
a man of
he did his
here, too,
Mr. Young's first
1865.
is
agriculturist,
subjects,
to
and
On this farm
village.
contributor
September
His
"Hickories,"
the
called
literary
papers.
Here he
wife was
Elizabeth Thomas.
also
died,
whom
he had two
Henry and George Young. George Young was
11, 1834, and was always a farmer in Owego until he
born March
second
wife
was
Cullmore, by
sons,
the
village
; but he
"Hickories,"
the
village
so
Pauline, daughter
Their
the home
long
in 1889.
has
still owns and
He was
of
of
worked
his father.
removed
farm
the
old
Mr.
Young
at
to
the
came
to
December 24, 1862, with Sarah
Elizabeth (Mersereau) Catlin.
married
Jacob
and
Juanita, wife of Chester Comstock ; Anna
Maria, wife of Dr. G. B. Lewis, and Fanny Pauline Young. In
politics Mr. Young is an earnest and ^active republican, and has
held the office of assessor since 1892.
All his family are members
children
were
the Presbyterian
of
church.
George S.
Nichols, dairy farmer, son of Justus and Cerene
(Smith) Nichols, was born September 22, 1863, on Mutton Hill,
town of Owego.
Justus Nichols, his father, born July 24, 1831, on
Mutton
Hill, is the only surviving child of Simeon and Esther
(Fairbanks) Nichols. On March 9, 1855, Justus was married with
Cerene, daughter of Benjamin and Lucy (Goodenow) Smith. She
was born at Apalachin, N. Y.,
February 8, 1837, and died in
Owego, April 16, 1897. They had six children ; Lucy E., George
S., Charles H., Andy L., Gertie A., wife of B. F. Dodge, and Leila
H.
,
wife of
parents on
of
the
John J. Anderson.
George S. Nichols lived with his
the south side of the river, two miles east
Owego, until five years ago, when, on April 20,
the farm
village of
on
TOWN OF OWEGO.
1892, he
(Rowe)
was married
Yates.
Wheeler
Helena, daughter
with
Mrs. Nichols
Stedman,
born
585
born
was
February 2,
Lyman T.
son of
John
of
Sarah
and
1870.
Sted
Polly (Joslin)
and
Flemingville June 4, 1848.
He was educated in
the district schools of Flemingville and studied a year in the Owego
man,
was
He left
academy.
his father
on
self about
five
He
school when
the farm
16
1871
until
miles south
worked on several
father's farm
of
at
when
Owego
of
farms
until
and remained until
timber land
of
the
old
years of age and
he
1879
farming for him
he
when
when
he
returned
purchased
farm in Newark Valley.
Camp
with
the Montrose turnpike.
on
1873
started
worked
to his
80
acres
He then
in the lumber business in partnership with J. 0. Brownell
for 12 years.
Mr. Stedman then returned to Flemingville and
engaged
located in his
pleasant
home
He
produce and also coal.
and
became
served one
a
dealer in
term
as
hay,
town
feed
and
commissioner
On March 8, 1870, Mr. Stedman was married
Jennie M. Reed, a daughter of James and Elnora(Fox) Reed.
from 1885 to 1888.
with
Mr. and Mrs.
She was born December 4, 1850, near Apalachin.
Stedman have one daughter, Stella I, born September 11, 1881.
John Jones
He
1833.
29,
educated
worked at
academy.
farming
and entered
at
sold
for
On
leaving
several
school
years,
and
he
in
returned
1865,
in partnership with Michael Bergin
his Owego interests and entered the
Nanticoke, Pa.,
still retains
which
his Owego home.
he
as
affairs of
to Owego
lumbering
much
also
this village, and was at one time its
He also served one term as town
trustee.
November
of
Robert
Mr.
and
Tarbell,
his
In
busi
Mr. Jones
interest in the
and
supervisor.
has
On
24, 1864, he was married with Emma Cooper, daughter
and Ann (Steanberg) Cooper, of Warren Center, Pa.
Mrs. Jones have
of
and
a grocer.
to-day.
continues
He has taken
came
home
"mayor"
been
January
with
Mr. Jones was
in Susquehanna county, Pa.
in the district schools of his adopted home and later in
the Owego
ness
came
born in Cardiganshire, South Wales,
to America at the age of 8 years
locating
parents
1882 he
was
Ithaca, N. Y.
one
child,
Grace, the
wife
of
George S.
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
586
Shays, was born April 26, 1855, son of Hiram and Lucinda
(Stanton) Shays. He left school at the age of eighteen and entered
his father's store as book-keeper, which position he held until 1880
Jonas
in the grocery business.
business for twelve years when he sold
he
when
He
started
out
in that
continued
into
entered
and
a
partnership in wholesale groceries, under the firm name of Shays
Mr. Shays continued in that business for one year,
Sc Leahy.
he
when
June
sold
1893.
28,
New York
out
and
This
was
was
the
1894,
6, 1893,
his brother-in-law,
when
and
Mr. Shays has
first
vote
always
for three
held
over
in
He held the
December 1,
the
received
assistant.
politics and cast
office
times ; was supervisor
the board of trustees for the village
Mr. Shays
until
Mr. Shays his
an active part
one
of
by
adjournment of
Atchison,
successive
served on
in
contest
Mr. Shays
congress.
Wm. J.
for Samuel J. Tilden.
on
postmasters appointed
appointment of postmaster and appointed
taken
Owego,
of
the factional
by
immediately after the
November
on
during
were not confirmed
was reappointed postmaster
congress,
year
postmaster
many New York
politics and
President Cleveland
appointed
of
town
year
Owego
clerk
and
one
his
also
year.
November 4, 1885, with Ruth H. Barnes,
born September 17, 1862, a daughter of Reed A. and Eliza Cham
plin Barnes.
They have three children living ; Laura W. Shays,
was married
born June 27, 1888, Wellington Barnes Shays, born July 29,
and Clarence Stanton Shays, born November 18, 1894.
Henry
Owego,
born November 1, 1826, in the town of
Hiawatha island, a son of John Billings, who came
Billings,
near
to Tioga county
Canawana school
a
boy.
In 1847
a
team
hauling
as
railroad,
then
was
the
was
Henry Billings attended the
and assisted his father in
teaming lumber when
he began his career as a railroad man, by driving
an
the
early
settler.
passenger
coaches
Cayuga branch
In 1849, when
present
known.
of
the Owego
of
the D. L. & W.
steam
ductor
two
and ran
years.
between Owego
In 1885 he
and
resigned
his
Ithaca for
position
and
Ithaca
railroad
horse
supplanted
the railroad, he became a brakeman and
to baggagemaster.
In 1853 he became a
power on
moted
1890,
a
was
passenger
period
and
soon pro
lived
con
of thirty-
a
retired
TOWN OF OWEGO.
life
his death
July 5,
587
On
January 14, 1851, he was
married with Susan Higgins, born
January 21, 1828, daughter of
John Higgins.
They had two children, Libbie, who died in 1854,
aged three years, and William, who died in 1868, aged thirteen
years.
Mrs. Billings is still living in her home on Main street in
until
Mr. Billings
Owego.
Owego
village of
Prof.
three times
was
(1887-88-89)
the
on
elected
president
the
of
ticket.
republican
Ezra J.
December
of
1890.
Peck, principal of Owego academy, was born
19, 1830, at Seneca Castle, Ontario county, N. Y., a son
Dr. Enoch
and
the
graduate of
Julitta A.
public schools of
Professor Peck is
Peck.
(Jones)
Phelps, N. Y.,
and
a
Williams
of
He began his career
college, in Massachusetts, of the class of '51.
as an instructor in the district schools of Cayuga county, N. Y.,
near
Auburn.
for
school
the
old
years.
boys,
two
was
Auburn,
near
Phelps, N. Y.,
enlisted
Prof. Peck
he
he
when
his
office
where
he
until
Cavalry
went
to live
remained
and
the
on
two
Classical
war
when
first lieutenant in
as
was
prostrated
He returned
his commission.
invalid for a year.
A short time later
position as principal of
until
Springside
resign
1869
the first district
of
there
year, Lieutenant Peck
remained an
remained
his term
academy,
he
resumed
missioner of
of
1856,
in the Eighth New York
where
where
until
and remained
Troop D. After serving a
by a fever and obliged to
home
teacher in the
years a
homestead in Ontario county, where he
He then became principal of the Union
schools at
he
He
when
he
Ontario
of
he became
elected school
was
On the
county.
associate principal of
for two
remained
the Phelps schools
com
expiration
Canandaigua
In 1874 he became
years.
Homer academy in Cortland county, N. Y., where he
when
he became principal of the Owego
until 1886,
principal of
remained
academy, his
as
present
instructor
an
of
position, making
classics
in
public
a
total
and
of
thirty-five
private
schools.
years
On
31, 1856, Prof. Peck married Annie L. Bartlett, born July
31, 1830, a daughter of Dr. John and Ann (Lingan) Bartlett, of
Hartford, Conn. They have five daughters and one son, all living.
March
Professor Peck is
Both
a
professor and
church.
mason,
a
Mrs. Peck
knight templar
are
members
G. A. R. man.
the Presbyterian
and
of
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
588
Captain Emmott Harder
Cobleskill, Schoharie
becker Harder.
He
was
county,
July 8, 1835, in the town of
of Jacob and
Polly Lame-
born
son
his
removed with
parents
in 1837 to Broome
county, near Binghamton, N. Y. Captain Harder received his edu
cation in the public schools of Broome county, and, at the age of
sixteen, came to Owego and started to learn the machinist's trade
in Camp's
foundry
He
and machine shops.
remained
there three
Athens, Pa., working at his trade in that
place for two years ; then went to Scranton, Pa., working in the
Dickson machine shops for two years, and from there to Candor,
when
years,
he
went
to
in this county, where he had charge of the machine department in
On May 14, 1861, after assisting in the
the Candor Iron Works.
organizing
company of volunteers of that place, he enlisted in
26th New York, volunteer infantry, and was elected
of a
Company K.,
second
lieutenant.
Harder
was promoted
the
expiration of
Among
battle
After the
his
to first
service
Captain Harder's
lieutenant,
received
Bull
of
and a
his
engagements of
Run, Lieutenant
short
commission
the
time before
as
war were
captain.
first battle
Run, Cedar Mountain, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
In June, 1863, he received his discharge from the service at the
expiration of his term, and returned to Candor and resumed his old
of
Bull
A
occupation.
and
shoe
later he
year
business,
Captain Harder
which
the
eight
a member of
he has
N.
to Owego
and purchased a
to the
continued
present
and
time.
1864,
with
Captain Harder is a member, and
organizers of Babcock Post, G. A. R.
and is
,
Friendship Lodge,
Rev. Washington
Gladden,
boot
Lucy A. Cham
Lydia A, (Campbell) Chamberlain.
May 4,
was married on
berlain, daughter of Lee
They have no children.
one of
came
was
also
F. Sc A. M.
D.
D., LL. D.,
was born in Pott's
Northumberland
Grove,
county, Pa., February 11, 1836, son of
Solomon and Amanda (Daniels) Gladden.
In 1843, after the death
of
his
father,
teacher
at Lewisburg,
Pa., Mr. Gladden
to Tioga county where he lived upon a farm with his
uncle, Ebenezer Daniels, until 1852 ; he then became an apprentice
to the printer's trade in the office of the Owego
Gazette, and con
who was a
removed
tributed to the local
columns of
that
paper.
In 1855, he began to
TO WN OF 0 WEG 0.
for
prepare
more
58 9
in the Owego academy and entered the sopho
Williams college in 1856, graduating in 1859. In
college
class
at
1860 he became
pastor
the State Street Congregational
of
church
in Brooklyn.
He subsequently was pastor of the Congregational
in Morrisania, N. Y., from 1861 to 1866, and of the Congre
church
gational
then
in North
church
removed
New York
Adams, Mass.,
to New York
Independent,
the
and was on
1875.
until
from 1866 to 1871.
editorial
staff
From 1875 to 1883
of
he
the North Congregational church, at Springfield,
for some time edited "Sunday Afternoon," a monthly
He
the
was
pastor of
Mass.,
and
maga
He then
zine.
Congregational
church
December, 1860,
had four
R.
to
went
in that
city.
to be
Mr. Gladden
was
the First
married, in
They
Helen (wife
Alice, Frederic Cohoon,
;
pastor of
Jennie C. Cohoon in Brooklyn.
with
children
Columbus, Ohio,
of
have
George
died in 1890), and George.
Mr Gladden has been a fre
contributor to papers and periodicals and a successful public
Twiss,
quent
lecturer.
on
Among
the Art
Hudson"
of
his
published writings are :
Living"
"
(1869),
and
Plain Thoughts
"From the Hub to the
(Boston, 1868),
Workingmen
"
Their
Employers"
"
Christian"
(1876),
Way"
(New York, 1875),
The Christian
Prayer"
(New York, 1877), "The Lord's
(Boston, 1880), "The
Connecticut"
(New York, 1883), "Things
Christian League of
"Being
a
Old"
(Columbus, 1884), "The Young Men and the
Applied Christianity " (Boston, 1887),
(Boston, 1885),
(New York, 1888), "Burning
"Parish
(London, 1889), "Who Wrote the Bible V (Boston, 1891), "Tools
New
and
"
Churches"
Questions"
Problems"
and
the
Church
Man,"
and
the
the Present Age
and
"The Cosmopolis
Kingdom"
"
(Boston,
City
(Chicago, 1894),
Club
and
"
(1893), "The
"Ruling Ideas of
1895).
Eldredge, cashier of the Owego National bank, was
born August 21, 1861, at Slaterville, Tompkins county, N. Y., a
Edward 0.
Edward H.
son of
ward
H.
Conn.,
and
Eldredge,
Mary
was
S.
(Ball)
Eldredge.
born September
The
father, Ed
11, 1806, at Salisbury,
young with his parents to Berk
He graduated from a Philadelphia medical
and removed wrhen quite
shire, Tioga
county.
college, and,
after
practicing
several years at
Slaterville, he removed
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
590
1860, and returned a year later. He was married
October 19, 1857, with Mary Sophia, daughter of Stephen and Polly
(Leonard) Ball of Berkshire. She was born February 2, 1821.
Their children were ; Mary L., born February 28, 1860 (Mrs. Romeo
Brown, of Binghamton, N. Y.), Edward 0., Frank A., born Jan
Dr. Eld
uary 13, 1863, and Richard L., born November 1, 1866.
Edward 0., on the death of his father, left
redge died in 1869.
to Berkshire in
school and went
At the
shire.
P.
Johnson,
to live
age of
with an
12 he
Berkshire,
at
uncle, Levi
the
entered
Ball,
store of
to
and soon rose
a
on a
farm
another
clerkship,
at
Berk
uncle, C.
and
in
1879,
he
In
was
his uncle, became the manager.
1882,
taken as a partner by his aunt in the business under the firm name
of E. 0. Eldredge Sc Co.
Nine years later he purchased Mrs. John
on
the death
of
and, at the same time, came to Owego as cashier of
In
the Owego National bank, which position he now occupies.
interest,
son's
1894, Mr. Eldredge
sold
Governor Morton
by
county,
three
iu 1896
He
years.
Waldo
She
and
was
the loan
married
born April
of
John L.
9, 1863.
LaRue H.
Conklin,
who
in 1895
commissioners
Cornelia E.
and
Mr.
appointed
of
Tioga
;
an older
Mr. Eldredge
still
has been
(Waldo)
Royce.
Mrs. Eldredge have
and
daughter, Elizabeth, born July 2, 1892
having died in February, 1895.
at Berkshire, where his mother
was
county treasurer for the term of
January 23, 1885, with Cornelia
was elected
was
He
store.
of
one
daughter
Royce,
his
one
daughter, Anna,
retains
his
residence
lives.
connected with some
depart
the county government since 1885, and who in every
capacity has proved a competent and efficient officer, was the
grandson of Hiram Conklin, an early settler in Owego on Stanton
ment
of
Later
he
Big Island, where he died. His chil
Ephriam, Henry, John, Frederick, David, Lewis D.,
Joseph. Charles, Nancy and Caroline. Charles was born in Owego
in 1832, and has generally been a farmer, although he built many
Hill.
dren
removed
to
were
arks and
on
on
run
the
river
for
years.
the Susquehanna in his time.
He
His
was one of
wife was
Julia A.
he had five children, LaRue H., Frank
by
Carrie A. and Minnie.
LaRue Conklin was first
whom
the best
H.,
pilots
LaMonte,
Cornelia E.,
appointed under
TOWN OF OWEGO.
in
591
years, and was then keeper at the
In the fall of 1892 he was
county farm from 1887 to 1893.
elected sheriff, and at the expiration of his term was made under
sheriff
1885, serving three
sheriff.
Mr. Conklin
Mitchell,
of
married
Smith ville, N. Y.
Gussie
daughter
A.,
They have
three
William
of
children.
William
Coyle, who has been known in Owego among busi
since 1849, was a native of Manchester, England, and
men
ness
to this country in 1849, and to Owego during the same year.
For several years he worked in the railroad shops, and also for
came
Frederick Parmalee.
Clark, Coyle
The
unfortunate
erous people of
and
shop,
nected
life
and enjoys
no
member
the
Decker,
born in
academy,
about
of
ten
son
Owego,
was
and
years.
of which
the
subscription
several years
But the
to
again
he
when
gen
rebuild
became
the
con
sold out and estab
North avenue, with which, until quite
been connected.
Mr. Coyle began his busi
on
other
his
than his trade
work
and
he is in
esteem
married
of
and a
strong
consti
comfortable circumstances
In
his fellow townsmen.
Sarah Jane Embody.
with
of
Anson
and
They
On April 16,
1895,
he
village.
a
Phoebe (Washburn) Decker,
He was educated at the free
August ll, 1865.
afterward in the book
ephone appliance and an automatic
ture
in business
property.
Mr. Coyle
years
After
respect
was
by
of
a coachsmith and
started
its
of
the firm
of
children, but by informal adoption Thomas Croak is
of the family, and now has charge of the livery.
Ward
was
since
two
of
result of
Utica, Mr. Coyle
have
end
with no capital
tution, and as a
fairly
away all
Owego raised $1,000
recently, he has
ness
was
swept
livery business
a
firm
new
the firm.
with
lished
fire
the
at
one
Perry, Mr. Coyle being by trade
ironer.
carriage
an
Sc
But in 1858 he became
stationery business
he patented an automatic tel
and
switchboard, for the
erected a substantial
The business here is
building
in the
conducted
by
manufac
eastern part
the
Decker-
manufacturing company, of which Ward Decker is the
Anson Decker was one of the old residents, and
manager.
Hinckley
active
a native of
the
Owego,
period of
born in the
his business life
east part of
was one of
the
its
town,
and
through
substantial and
pro-
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PE OPLE.
592
gressive
Washburn, by
both
of whom
2, 1856, he
On June
citizens.
married with
Phoebe A.
he had three children, George and Ruella,
died in childhood, and Ward, of the Decker-Hinckwhom
Anson Decker was once deputy
manufacturing company.
sheriff of Broome county and three times supervisor of the town
ley
He died in the
Owego.
of
LeRoy W. Kingman
the first
village
was
of
In early life he was
moving thence, in 1849, to
Mass.
business.
He
Col. William Livermore,
a merchant
Owego,
of
children
William L.
are,
and
John Ripley
he
continued
Y. ,
the
re
mer
Tioga county, holding the office
He died in Owego March 2, 1861.
freight
general
tral & Hudson River railroad
Eastwood,
Speedsville, N.
at
where
LeRoy W. Kingman,
Kingman,
Spencer,
of
was clerk of
two terms from 1853 to 1859.
K.
one
Cortland county, N. Y., and was born August
Cincinnatus, N. Y. He married May 8, 1837, with
1808, at
Maria Livermore, daughter
His
Kingman,
settlers of
9,
cantile
Col. John
son of
a
1880.
May 23,
Miss
Mrs.
;
agent of
Henry Campbell,
Mrs. Charles
L. Kingman.
Emily
born in
the Owego Gazette;
the New York Cen
editor of
March 17,
genuine sturdy stock exemplifying the Yankee's true
1792,
characteristics.
He came to Tioga county at an early day ; was
was
Covington, Connecticut,
of
its
sheriff sixteen years and
cal
trust.
N.
His
Y., May 23,
Smith (still
wife was
1796.
living
in
held
Diana
Four
other offices of
Westfall, born in Orange
children
Illinois)
public and politi
blessed their
married
county,
union:
Eliza
Ebenezer Woodbridge
of
Candor ;
a son
Sarah Pierce (died in 1894) ; Charles Pomeroy, who has
He died in Illinois Decem
now, (May 1897) living in Owego.
ber 1863 ; Frances Clarissa (who became the wife of Ezra Stone
Buckbee in October, 1849.) John Ripley died January 22, 1860,
and
his
wife
died December 31, 1868.
Ezra S. Buckbee
was
born in the town
of
Owego,
about
three
the village, in the year 1827, but when an infant his
parents removed to Albany
county where his father soon after
ward died.
The widow then came to Geneva to live.
At the age
miles north of
TOWN OF OWEGO.
of sixteen
and
Ezra
the firm
in the grocery store of Lucius Truman
with whom he became partner in
1850,
was a clerk
William P.
under
593
Stone,
Benjamin L. Truman
later the business
Stephen S.
Truman, Stone & Co.
name of
the firm.
were also members of
was changed
to
dry
"
Five
and
years
goods, the firm name being
The Empire Store." After
Stone & Co.
The store was called
Mr. Stone's retirement in 1870 Mr. Buckbee formed a partnership
with Asa N. Potter of Owego and Edwin Booth of
Candor, the
firm-name then being Potter, Buckbee Sc Co. In March 1883, the
firm of Buckbee, Peterson, Wood, Schoonmaker & Burgess was
formed, Mr. Buckee being senior partner and active business
man of the house.
He was in business to the time of bis death,
August 10, 1883, and that event was regarded as a serious loss to
Owego, for during the long period of his business life in the
county Ezra S.
Buckbee
and straightforward men of
most
public-spirited
whose career
(and
of
those
bee's house.
there
was
the
no
upon
the county,
citizens
who were
Truly
looked
was
an
;
world was
the
of
as well as one of
christian
upright
Several
stain.
not) found
as one
Owego's
upon
man,
children
a pleasant
staunch
of
relatives
Buck-
home in Mr.
the better for his living.
Thomas B. Stephens, son of John Stephens, was born in 1818
Pawtucket, R. I. In 1820 or 1821 John Stephens became one
at
of
the first early settlers of Bradford county, Pa., at Warren Center.
Thomas married there Mary G. Whittaker. They had nine child
ren.
Mr. Stephens
which was
his
his home
widow now
at
will
settlers,
He
He
on
South Apalachin in
July 4, 1875,
and
1863,
where
be
remembered as one of
the
old
business
he
was of
was
here
six
his death
at
Scotch parentage, born July 4, 1776,
Warren county, N. Y.
Although not among the
Owego.
Caldwell,
earliest
until
farm
lives.
James Archibald
men of
purchased a
an
early
resident
of
Owego,
his
removing
wife and
family, consisting
February 22, 1822,
children, Martha, Alvah, Almon, Samuel, Maria and Allen.
was a tanner, and started a small tannery in the village.
He
obtained a patent
with
for
a
large tract
of
of
land
on
the
south side of
the
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
594
he
river, which
came engaged
and
his two
He died
in farming.
up.
cleared
sons
Later in life he be
1857.
February 8,
Archibald, born June 12, 181 0, at Caldwell, Warren
county, N. Y., accompanied his father to Owego at the age of ten
From 1832 to 1851 he, in partnership with his brothers
years.
Alvah and Almon, became extensively engaged in lumbering, sale
Samuel
of
shoes, and also in the manufacture of gloves and mit
In 1838 he built the tannery on the south side of the river,
boots
tens.
for
where
same
and
year
tenant,
Adeline
carried on a
Mason,
born
of
large business.
The
Kelloggsville, Cayuga
children, five of whom are
known in the days of general training as
were
was
six
Archibald, he having
captain and major
His death
January 28,
men of
17, 1838, the
successively held the ranks of lieu
in the state militia.
In politics he was
occurred
November
25, 1891.
His
wife
1887.
Asa N. Potter is
business
he
years
married
He
democrat.
died
forty
to them
living.
"Major"
a
he
and
county,
still
over
remembered as one of
Owego.
son of
He
Deacon
was
Harvey
the
most
born in
and
enterprising
August
Candor, N. Y.,
Mary Hart Potter.
Before
coming to Owego he was engaged in the mercantile business in
Candor. After his removal to the county seat he was engaged in
the same business, which he carried on with much success for
about
as a member
from
active
married
bald,
different partners, best known
of the firm of Potter Sc Buckbee.
In 1882 he retired
business, owing to failing health. Mr. Potter was
twenty years,
in 1863 to
whose
Archibald,
death
associated with
Georgianna,
occurred
a younger
He
eldest
in 1875.
sister of
daughter
In 1878 he
his first
wife.
the
of
Samuel Archi
married
In
politics
Delphine
he
was a
in 1875, later
of school
commissioners, and, at the time of
his death, which occurred on December 9,
1890, he had been for
many years a trustee of the First Presbyterian church, of which
society he was a member.
republican.
was one of
was elected
president of
village
the board
James T. Rogers was born in April, 1864, in
Owego, two miles
north of the
son
of
C.
Dr.
R.
and Henrietta H.
village,
(Tracy)
TOWN OF OWEGO.
Rogers.
When Dr. C. R. Rogers
the
removed with
Here he
studied
later he
years
James
Point
family
and
his early
Newark Valley,
its
commenced
to Newark
received
and
his father
years of age
to Whitney's Point in Broome
medicine
removed
four
was
595
Valley
education
and completed
he
now resides.
Whitney's
course in the
of
schools
his
Several
practice.
where
the
at
county.
school
Owego academy in 1881. He became
clerk in the Owego postIt was un
office, and in 1883 was appointed assistant postmaster.
a'
der his
in the
the
that the free
supervision
delivery
In
January, 1889, he commenced
Howard J. Mead, and held the offices
village.
office of
Owego
surrogate court and village clerk of
when
he
resigned and entered
In his junior
versity.
his
president
of
admitted
to
the bar
he
On September
at
until
Ithaca,
was
of
his
law
of
bachelor
school prize
the
laws.
by
debate,
selected
class
and at
of
contest
he
the fall
1891,
of
Cornell
uni
chosen
16, 1892, Mr. Rogers
was
before completing his studies.
as librarian of the law school, he
Mr. Rogers
competition
one of
of
the
of
unanimously
Later receiving the appointment
returned to Ithaca college and was graduated in
degree
of clerk
the law department
year at college
class.
inaugurated
to study law in
system was
the
was awarded
to
June, 1893,
was one
of
participate
six
with
members
in the
annual
events of commencement
first
prize.
the
week;
Before he graduated
clerkship in the law office of White Sc
where he remained seven months after leav
Mr. Rogers had
accepted a
Cheney, at Syracuse,
ing school. In March, 1894, he formed a partnership with S. Mack
Smith, of Binghamton, N. Y., which still exists. In May, 1895,
Mr. Rogers
Rogers is
past
was
a
of
also a member of
and
well
was
great
Binghamton.
and
of
the Red Men
of
Mr.
and
is
He is
the
state.
Defiance Hook & Ladder company,
Owego was its assistant foreman.
of
of
Lucy (Sexton)
and joiner's trade,
and
carpenter
known
council
born in the town
Chauncey
learned the
a
the
honorary member
during his residence in
a son of
at
attorney
of
an
James Hill
police
Friendship Lodge, F. & A. M.,
Ahwaga Tribe, I. 0. R. M., at Owego.
member
sachem
He is
appointed
prosperous
Tioga,
Hill.
At
an
14, 1816,
early
age
he
subsequently became
and builder of Owego.
and
contractor
December
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
596
On April 4,
of
1839, he
Edward S.
Lydia
and
Sarah E. (Mrs. Albert H.
Charles
0.,
Harriet
was married with
Keeler),
Their
Madan.
(Curry)
daughter
a
children
Lydia (Mrs. Ernest de
were
;
Vallier),
Mr. Hill died Janu
Ida E. (Mrs. G. A. Morton).
and
Emily,
Mrs. Hill manled, second, N. E. Neal, of Nichols.
ary 5, 1887.
In his early
Mr. Neal was born March 18, 1827, in Pennsylvania.
youth he located at Nichols and became a contractor and builder.
Later in life he became
tired from
a
furniture dealer
business life
active
Emily Elizabeth
Platt,
at
until
he
re
to Owego.
and removed
seventh child of
Nichols,
Wm.
Platt, born April
P. Skinner, born
October 14, 1852, with Charles
at Massillon, Ohio, August 12, 1827, son of C. K. Skinner, one
the early settlers in that country.
Charles P. was educated
28, 1829,
married
of
at
the Western Reserve college, at Hudson, Ohio.
He
was in the mercantile business at Massillon for some years, and
then engaged in shipping at Milan, Ohio, and, for a time, in New
Gambia
York
and
He
city.
came
to Owego in
into partnership
the clothing business.
went
with
his
1859,
and
in April
brother-in-law,
of
that
Fred E.
year
Platt,
in
That partnership existed a year, and on
March 1, 1862, he joined partnership in a grocery with T. A. Chat
field, which continued until the spring of 1866. When the exten
sion of the Chenango canal was built he secured profitable con
tracts for the construction of portions of that work.
He subse
quently
for
engaged as a government contractor
Portland, Oregon,
railroad contractor
and
for
National Union bank
the business
of
at
various
Owego
and
had
that institution in 1890.
one
son, Frederick Platt
now
living
locks
at
in the country as
He was cashier of the
other places
a number of years.
of
cascade
charge
Mr.
and
the closing of
Mrs. Skinner had
of
Skinner, born October 31, 1858. He is
his mother in Owego. Mr. Skinner died June 10,
with
1882.
Robert Cole
1824,
came
and settled
Here he
citizen.
from
Cambridgeshire, England,
in the town
of
Owego,
lived many years,
He brought to this country
afterward
a
up the
good
three
creek
farmer
a wife and six
in the
and
year
miles.
worthy
children,
and
TOWN OF OWEGO.
two
born
others were
were
James,
settlement
in town.
The
children
died in Iowa ; Harriet, who married with William
John who died at seventeen ; Thomas, who moved to
who
Robert,
;
the
who
C. Talcott ;
Iowa ; Abram,
fancy
after
597
lives on the
living
now
home farm ; Ann, who died in in
in Missouri ; and Mary Ann, who mar
old
Eugene Hammond and lived and died in Owego.
Robert
Cole died in Owego in 1874, at the age of 82 years. His wife died
ried with
in 1854.
tember
William C. Talcott
10, 1845,
fancy.
to them
and
Mr. Talcott
was a
the town.
His farm
the town.
He
years
came
Harriet Cole
and
was
farmer
born
one
were rnarried
child,
and a man
who
to Owego to live in
1874,
died in in
respected
in
north part
of
much
Robert Cole's in the
was near
Sep
and
he died two
later.
Ryan, Pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic
Owego, was born October 25, 1847, in County Kearney,
Rev. Father
church at
He
Ireland.
an uncle at
came
to this country
Milwaukee, Wis.,
priesthood at
when
and
he began his
where
St. Francis de Stael's
fourteen
school.
In
lived
studies
1865, he
with
for the
to the
went
Niagara Falls university, completed his theological course and was
His first pastorate was as an
ordained by Bishop Ryan in 1871.
to Father Clark in the Catholic
assistant
remained
General,
where
six
the Cauba
at
Allegany, St.
remained
five
pastor of
years.
Ryan
It
the Catholic
brilliant
church was
the
had
Addison,
pastorates
at
3, 1896,
at
Owego,
Father
anniversary of his ordination.
in the life of this devoted divine.
The
twenty
event
church at
Six
at
fifteen years, and
On June
to Father Johnson.
celebrated
also
college.
Watkins Glen ; at Wat
came to Owego in 1893, the
and
remained
was a
Bona venture
He has
Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county
successor
He
Vicar-
later he became
he
kins he
Elrnira.
months, and was transferred to assist the
Father Gleason, at Buffalo.
A half year later he took
charge of
months
church at
-fifth
beautifully decorated
and
the ceremonies,
conducted
by
friends prominent in the Catholic clergy, were very impressive.
Among the eminent clergymen present were Rev. Dr. Quigley of
Buffalo and ReAr. Dr. McHale, President of Niagara university.
old
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
598
Delavan, produce and stock dealer at Owego, was
born April 27, 1834, at Willett, Cortland county, N. Y., a son of
Mr. Delavan was educated
Charles and Maria (Adams) Delavan.
Irving J.
in the
common schools of
Cortland
Cincinnatus,
with
he
his father
came
duce
on
to Owego
and
live
his
After
county.
the farm
and
and engaged
leaving
remained
in
buying
Mr. Delavan was
stock.
the academy at
school, he worked
native village and at
there
until
1874,
when
selling general pro
married November 16, 1868,
and
Newcomb, a daughter of Samuel E. and Emily
(Tyler) Newcomb, of Cortland county. She was born March 3,
1848, at Willett, and was educated in the academy at Cortland and
Eleanor A.
with
Mr. and Mrs. Dele van have two
Barton seminary at Binghamton.
children ; Emma Tyler, born March 16, 1880, and Bertha New
comb, born
January 27,
1882.
Horton, son of Homer and Jane (Davidge) Horton, was
Bethel, Sullivan county, N. Y., December 14, ls36. Mr.
was reared and educated at Liberty Falls in Sullivan
Lucien
born
at
Horton
He left there in 1858.
county.
John Davidge
operated a
ember
riage,
November
12, 1861,
Mrs. John Davidge.
seven
union
of
there
sided with
Asa
and
were
her
Mr.
Davidge, Horton & Co.,
and
He
came
twice
was
with
to Berkshire in this
the T. C. Bidwell & Co.'s
there
was
business
until
his death
married.
Harriet
on
His first
Burr,
a
Nov
mar
sister
of
born August 21, 1836.
They had
In 1885 Mr. Horton married Alathea Ball,
children.
daughter
She
with
entered
purchased
and remained
Mr. Horton
1892.
10,
on
the firm
when
Berkshire,
at
name of
tannery in Pennsylvania.
county in 1865
tamfery
the firm
under
He
was
Esther
two
(Manning) Ball, of Berkshire.
children.
children at
By this
Since 1895 Mrs. Horton has
re
Binghamton, N. Y.
Fred
Hamilton, optician, son of Joel A. and Sarah E. (Taylor)
Hamilton, was born April 5, 1873, at Halsey Valley, Tioga county.
Joel A., born November 30, 1833, was a son of Thomas A. and
Sally Hamilton. Joel Hamilton is a contractor and builder, and
resides at
at
Owego.
Mrs.
Hamilton,
Enfield, Tompkins county,
and
wife of
came
Joel,
was
born in 1830
to this county
with
her
TOWN OF OWEGO.
599
child, and was married with Joel Hamilton on
February 10, 1858. Fred came to Owego with his parents, and his
education was attained in the Owego public schools.
In 1887 he
left school and entered the employ of W. A. Lawrence, jeweler
parents when
a
optician, and four years later he purchased a half interest in
the firm.
In January, 1896 (on the death of Mr. Lawrence), Mr.
and
Hamilton became
sole proprietor
1896, Mr. Hamilton
Sarah F.
farm just
small
ber,
Bush,
of
the
and also
fire company,
Lansing,
assistant
and also of
Pa.,
Hansell
later
a son
under
harness
and
in the
the firm
Mr. Hamilton is
the Owego hook
Tribe, No. 40,
Elenor
and
He
Mr.
sell, born
May 5,
the
of
and
'90,
class of
beck,
half
was
mile
father,
a
tract
and
with
his
leather
Sons,
to
removed
of
born
at
Owego
January
son, Francis Storrs Han
graduate of Owego academy, of
one
28, 1822,
the degree
taking
Sarah (Becker) Groesin the town of Owego, one-
John N.
son of
city,
and
His
the village, on the Montrose turnpike.
farmer of Dutch ancestry, was born in Washington
of
south
He
he lived
accompanied
and
located
Eight
opposite
moved with
where
Tioga county,
turnpike.
a
Mr.
August 7,
Aaron Putnam and
Cornell university,
'96.
born September
county,
purchased
class of
Groesbeck,
county, N. Y.
selaer
He is
was
Philadel
was married
and also of
Ph. B. in the
Isaac W.
She
Mrs. Hansell have
1874.
native
In 1879 Mr. Hansell
Storrs.
ladder
R. M.
of
business
entered
Owego, where he has since resided. He
1873, with Laura W. Storrs, a daughter
10, 1854.
his
a mem
and
at
on a
Hansell.
William S. Hansell Sc
name of
(Camp)
(Forde)
of
public schools
manufacturers.
Frances Abigail
I. 0.
February 11, 1841,
instructor.
private
a
born
was
William S.
was educated
under
father,
of
Ahwaga
of
live
They
county.
village.
foreman,
On October 1,
daughter of Edwin and
E.,
Tompkins
Owego
George S. Hansell
phia,
Harriett
married
east of
the business.
of
years
parents when a child
April, 1822,
until
by
on what
later he
Hiawatha
his
island,
his
is
wife
now
sold
on
five
he
came
place and
south
bank
bought
of
the
on
a
to
He
children.
the Archibald farm
that
the
and
when
to Rens
the
large
Susque-
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPL E.
600
This farm has been the homestead of the
by Isaac W., the younger son, for sixty-six
hanna.
occupied
inherited
a portion of
the
old
farm,
and
hard
by
family
and
He
years.
work and careful
saving has added to the old place, accumulating in all over two
hundred acres, which he has divided among his children. Isaac
Groesbeck,
basco, born
January 7, 1851, was married with Sophia
March 1, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia
on
Mrs. Groesbeck
basco.
from Port
to Tioga county with her parents
Mr. and Mrs. Groesbeck
about 1835.
have three children, Charles
now living near the old home.
has held the
ant of
E.
H., William
and
Mr. Groesbeck has
Theodore,
always
not a
a
devout
all
been
offices of pathmaster and school
member, he has always been
the Methodist church in Owego.
While
tee.
Pro-
came
Jervis, N. J.,
republican and
Pro-
a
trus
attend
Steele, agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna Sc Western
at Apalachin, was born at that place January 9, 1835, a
Aaron
railroad
son of
the
Ranson
and
Rebecca
public schools at
father's
Towanda, Pa.
store at
the death
of
his
in Apalachin
hamton,
Apalachin and
Aaron
He left
Apalachin
parents
and
its
home.
1876, when he removed
they remained one year
Mr. Steele
and
manager
proprietor.
until
where
in
the Owego academy,
at the Collegiate In
in 1855
school
was
he became
was educated
studied at
took a more advanced course
and afterward
stitute at
(Dean) Steele.
entered
his
1860.
On
until
Mr. Steele
with
and
his
remained
family to Bing
returned
to their
of Apalachin
in 1860, succeeding his father, and held that office until 1884. He
served one term as town supervisor, elected in 1884.
Mr. Steele
was married on April 29, 1856, with Anna C.
Camp, a daughter of
Asa and Margarette Camp, of Owego.
Mr. and Mrs. Steele have
native
nine
children
;
Mary,
was appointed postmaster
Helen
Gertrude,
Laura A. (Mrs. Frank J.
Knapp), Grace R., Clara S. (Mrs. Frank Holmes), Charles R., Ray
mond D., Leonore F., and Florence B.
Mr. Steele was appointed
agent of the D., L. Sc W. railroad at the
opening of the Buffalo
division in 1880.
and
He is
also agent
the U. S. Express Co.
for the Scranton Coal
Company
TOWN OF OWEGO.
Nathaniel
Catlin,
in New
son of
Nathaniel,
601
born September
24, 1796,
to Tioga county with his parents when very
Jersey,
young.
The family located three miles below Owego in the town
of Nichols.
Nathaniel, Jr. married Jane D. Brodhead, and reared
six children ; Delinda (Mrs.
Benj. F. Tracy), Maria (Mrs. Avery
Olmstead), Avery B., Isaac S., George L., and Hannah, deceased.
Mrs. Catlin died in 1875 and Mr. Catlin, September 26, 1^93.
came
,
George Lane
head) Catlin,
attended
In
youth
Nathaniel
the district
he left
1859
father's farm.
son of
born in the town
was
in his
Owego.
Catlin,
Owego,
of
and
In 1869 Mr. Catlin
Jane D. (Brod
and
March
1836. He
10,
the academy at
commenced
work on his
schools
school
(Jr.)
and also
was appointed
internal
revenue
inspector for New York city, an attache of the district attorney's
office.
This office he held for two years, returning to his native
home in 1871,
superintendent of
In
for fifteen
and
consecutive years
Gen. Benj. F. Tracy's
stock
thereafter he
was
" Marshland."
farm
in 1892, Mr. Catlin was elected justice of the
In 1873, he served also as commissioner of
Apalachin.
1876,
and again
peace at
Mr. Catlin
highways.
ridge, in 1886.
purchased a
Mr. Catlin
farm
was married
of
150 acres,
March
on
30, 1880,
Chestnut
with
Cora
A. Brown, of Towanda, Pa.
They have one child, George Brod
head, born December 22, 1890. Mr. Catlin is a member of Tioga
county agricultural society, a life member of the New York state
agricultural
Mr.
Owego.
society,
and
and
also
Mrs. Catlin
of
Friendship Lodge,
are members of
F. & A.
the Methodist
M.,
church.
Pearsall, postmaster at Apalachin, was born in that
January 23, 1838, a son of Wm. S. and Eliza (Balcom)
Ransom S.
village,
Pearsall.
Mr. Pearsall
and also studied
in the
attended
the
academies
at
public
schools
at
Apalachin
Owego, Binghamton
and
at
Oxford, N. Y. He started in business at the age of 18 years with
his brothers, succeeding his father in the milling business at Ap
alachin.
flood
ing.
and
spring of 1865 he met with heavy losses by
from that time he was engaged in farming and lumber
In the
In 1884 he
re-elected
was elected
in 1888.
He
was
justice
of
the
appointed
peace at
Apalachin
and
in 1893.
Mr.
postmaster
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
602
Pearsall
a
February 22, 1865 with Adaline V. Billings,
She was born
Clinton and Ann (Bronson) Billings.
was married on
daughter
January 1,
of
Mr.
1846.
and
L., born December 20,
Anna L., born June
and Emily G., born
Mrs. Pearsall have four
1865 ;
27, 1871,
William
C,
born in that
was
the
Holmes,
son of
village
public schools of
business
in the
college at
mercantile
John
December
business
at
return
in 1872
received
Insurance Department
two
in 1884
went
On his
years.
an
at
He
west
was
of
Apalachin
educated
in
attended
which
he
for two
continued until
years and on
his
in the New York State
appointment
Albany. He
a member of
Eastman's
In 1865 he started in life
in 1862
Apalachin
continued
in that
office until
South Dakota where he remained
to Apalachin in 1885 he entered exten
West to
return
sively in the lumbering and milling business which he continues
to-day.
In the fall of 1885 he was elected commissioner of high
ways and served until
state
senate at
1891.
Albany
Mr. Holmes
in 1890
appointed state
fish
Mr. Holmes is
a member of
and
1891.
was
On
postmaster of
the
he
was
May 1895,
and game protecter which office
he
now
holds.
Friendship Lodge, F. Sc A. M., at
Owego, and of Els-Kwa-Ta-Wa Tribe, I. 0. R. M. of Apalachin.
On September 10, 1869, he was married with Louise Camp, a
daughter of Asa and Margarette Camp, of Owego.
Mrs. Holmes
was
born
February 21,
Ransom S.
stock-farm
Holmes,
1847.
superintendent of
"Marshland,"
was
born
at
General Benj. F. Tracy's
Apalachin,
January
13,
Stephen and Susan (Jewett) Holmes.
Stephen
Holmes was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1812 and came to
Tioga county with his parents when a
On December
young man.
31, 1845, he married Miss Clarinda Morey, of Orwell, Pa. She died
in 1849.
Their only surviving child, John
Holmes, Jr., resides in
Apalachin. He was a farmer and about 1850 was proprietor of
1855,
a
son
of
;.
Apalachin.
Holmes,
1845.
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Mr. Holmes traveled in the
and
8,
and
1869.
1 882
Evaline
and
Apalachin
of
1868
Apalachin ;
of
Pearsall is
M.
; Grace
January 22,
Edgar S. Lane
wife of
July 15, 1879. Mr.
Els-Kwa/Ta-Wa Tribe, No. 261, I. 0. R.
James
born
children
TOWN OF OWEGO.
the Exchange hotel
at
Apalachin.
His
603
second marriage
occurred
October 13, 1853, with Susan W. (Hilton) Jewett, born April
29, 1824, a daughter of John and Anna (Kelly) Jewett. They had
two children ; Lydia Hilton, born July 16, 1849, and Ransom S.
Mr. Holmes died in 1875.
Ransom was educated in the public
on
schools at
farming
when
Apalachin.
for
himself,
he became
S.
Martha
and
Apalachin.
which
age
of
27, 1884,
Mr.
he
commenced
continued
the Marshland
1889,
until
stock-farm.
He
Nettie E.
with
Giles.
(Glover)
twenty-one, he
occupation
superintendent of
April
was married
At the
She
was
Giles, daughter of John
born August 31, 1868, at
Mrs. Holmes have had three children, one
Marcia S., born November 14, 1884, died August 4,
surviving;
and
1885 ; Dora
A., born February 1, 1889 ; and Laney J., born March
10, 1892, died May 16, 1892. Mr. Holmes is a member of Els-KwaTa-Wa Tribe, No 261, I. 0. R. M., at Apalachin.
Charles P. Doble, stock dealer and trainer at Apalachin, was
born at Trenton, N. J., July 27, 1855, a son of William H. and Lina
Doble.
His father
and owner of
was
many
noted
left
school and entered
the
horse, he
fifteen
horses.
Doble,
the
ing
years
proprietor of an extensive
fast horses.
business
became
on
Mr. Doble
at an
early age
Devoted to
his father's farm.
a proficient
driver,
began business for himself
as
a
farm
stock
and
at
trainer
the
of
age of
trotting
In this capacity, and in company with his brother, Budd
he has had in bis care some of the fastest trotting horses of
present
at
soon
the
Apalachin,
to Tioga county, locat
he became trainer of the fast horses of
In 1875 Mr. Doble
age.
where
Gen. Benj. F. Tracy's Marshland
eight
years,
went
west
when
he
removed
came
stock
farm.
to Owego.
He
Two
remained
years
brother, Budd Doble, remaining
Apalachan in 1895, he opened a stable
with
his
there
later he
six
years.
and began
Returning to
training a large string of horses. On April 30, 1882 Mr. Doble was
married with Mary M. Dingman, daughter of Abram and Adaline
(Hill) Dingman, of Campville. She was born March 3, 1857, at
Campville.
Mr. Doble is a member of Friendship lodge, No. 153,
F. Sc A. M., of Owego, N. Y., and Els-Kwa-Ta-Wa tribe, No. 261,
I. 0. R. M., of Apalachin.
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
604
From Den
Dean.
the Saxon
was
the level
pressions
born
appellation
turies in
Dean,
and
in 1637.
1638.
Walter
and
etc.,
A Den
valley below
many such de
or narrow
preserved
that valley showed their
"
Where should I be
the saying,
the Deanes
locality by
"
of
The Deanes had lived for
cen
Taunton, Somersetshire, England ; from which
Walter Deane, brothers, emigrated to Taunton,
They were made freemen of Plymouth colony in
was prominent
general court.
ried on
Deane.
and near
Mass.,
to the
surname
depression
than in Taunton Dean ?
John
place
a
the
There are
the surrounding country.
in County Devon and Somerset. The name is
in that fertile
else
for
arisen
of
in Taunton
pi-ide
Dene has
or
by
He
was a
the
members of
in town
affairs and a representative
and
tanning has
for many
generations.
tanner,
family
been
car
Walter
Deane, (1) born in Chard, near Taunton, England, between 1615
and 1620, married Eleanor, daughter of Richard Strong, of Taun
ton, England. Their third son, Benjamin Deane (2), married 168081, January 6, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Gilbert) Wil
liams, of Taunton, Mass. Their second son, Benjamin Deane (3),
born July 31, 1699, at Taunton, married Zipporah Deane, a
great-
granddaughter
Isaac Dean
(4),
Rachel Staples.
Isaac Dean
of
John Deane the
born
about
1735,
emigrant.
Their
second
Taunton, Mass.,
at
In the revolutionary
archives
son,
married
in Boston this
appears as corporal and sergeant with service
done his
"e"
1778 and 1779.
In this generation the
is
country in 1775
dropped from the name, though the Deanes of Taunton yet retain
the original spelling.
Isaac Dean (5), second son of Isaac and
Rachel Dean, born 1781, February 12, in Taunton, Mass., moved
to Berkshire county and there married Roby, daughter of Simeon
and
Esther
made
on
(Mason) Martin, 1804, May
Adams, Berkshire
Isaac Dean
of
tanning.
twins, Horatio Nelson Dean (6)
born 1812, February 19.
Horatio
and
home, and there carried
Among his children were
Alanson Porter Dean (6),
his father's business
for rhany years in Cheshire,
continued
Adams, and Alanson had a tannery
Mass., from which place he came to Owego,
1862,
"
as
afterward
county, Mass. , his
the traditional business
in
28.
and September 15,
from Elihu Parmenter the
property since known
Tannery."
Dean's
Alanson P. Dean (6), married Caroline M.
purchased
TOWN OF OWEGO.
Wood, 1835, May 7.
(Mrs. Stephen
Their
Crandall)
children
605
born in Cheshire
were
; Ellen
Pittsfield, Mass. ; Burdette,
now of Buffalo, N. Y.
; Elnora (Mrs. George A. King), of Owego ;
Sumner, of Owego ; Lydia (Mrs. John Carlson), of Owego ; and
Caroline Dean, now living with her mother in Owego. Alanson
P. Dean died in Owego July 28, 1888, and was buried in Cheshire.
H. Nelson Dean was married October 6, 1835, in Adams, to Mary,
daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Slocum) Bo wen.
He died in
Owego August 8, 1872.
Their children (7th gen.) were ; Mary
Celestia ; Ransom Bowen Dean, died in Adams May 2, 1889, and
was buried in Owego ; Isaac Nelson Dean, now a resident of Clark,
Dak. ; Anna M., who lives in Ow^ego with her mother, Mrs. Mary
Dean ; and Samuel Sayles (died young).
Mary Celestia Dean, No
vember 16, 1858, married Thomas S. Arnold, esq., of Herkimer,
N. Y., son of Nathan Arnold, of Fairfield, N. Y., and had a daugh
ter, Etta M. Arnold. Thomas S. Arnold was in the 121st New
York infantry in the civil war, serving as first lieutenant, adju
tant
burg
He
and captain.
and
died
;
Morton,
of
was wounded
May 19, 1863,
at
at
the battle
Potomac
creek
of
Fredericks
hospital.
Decem
ber 28, 1880, his widow married Hon. Charles A. Clark, of Owego.
H. Nelson Dean and son Ransom B. Dean, on October 29, 1869,
purchased
the Owego
soon moved
Dean in
his
family
charge of
property of Alanson P. Dean, and
from Adams to Owego, leaving Ransom B.
tannery
the business in Massachusetts.
property now belongs to E. M.
business is carried on in her name.
Sc Son
tannery
The H. N. Dean
Arnold,
and
the
is
Saxon, and was spelled in the sixth cen
tury as now. The Leonard family have been identified with Owego
In 1651, James and Henry Leonard came with
since pioneer days.
the Second Winthrop to Massachusetts. Here, at Lynn, Braintree,
and Taunton, they entered into iron industries.
They were an
"iron "family by training, coming from Pontypool, in Wales
The Leonards are of the family of Lennard,
(Monmouthshire).
Leonard, the
Lord Dacre.
name
They
bear the
same arms and
motto,
The
shield."
fleur de
lys, on a red band, upon a golden
Pour bien desirer.
wolf-dog's head, and the motto,
' '
"
"
viz :
Three
crest
The
is
a
present
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
606
"Belhus,"
baron in England is Sir Thomas
Barrett-Lennard, of
Henry Barrett-Lennard, of Well Walk, Hemp
Avely, Essex. Mr.
stead, London, is of
the
same
The Owego Leonards
family.
are
Thomas, of Pontypool, England ; James, born 1610, James, born 1643, Stephen, born
1680, died 1743, of Taunton, Mass.; Joshua, born 1724, of New
Jersey, died 1760; Silas, born 1756, Whippany, N. J.; Stephen
Banks, born 1793 ; William 'Boardman, 1st., born 1821 ; Lewis
Hermon, born 1850 ; William Boardman, 2d., born 1874. The
elder Leonard, Silas, born at Whippany,
N. J., 1756, came to
descended from the Taunton
Owego in 1813 from New York
leather goods, was
piety.
He was blind
of
while quite a
to
Leonard,
1793,
a manufacturer
esteemed
for his
his life.
His son,
in the Argus learned type
of
years
Albany and
compositor was
April 15,
on
presence and
the last
during
went
youth,
His fellow
setting.
dignified
of
Silas
:
here
city, and
born Stephen Banks Leonard.
was
thus
progenitors
Thurlow
Weed,
and
they
be
fast friends for life.
He later engaged in printing and news
paper publication in Owego, which he continued for twenty-two
came
years
(see
He
198).
page
the
residence
on
March 11,
1816,
site
to
purchased
now
land
by
occupied
on
the
river and
Mr. C. Campbell.
built
a
From
1820, he was postmaster, also from No
vember 20. 1844, to April 18, 1849.
He purchased the stage and
post routes to Binghamton, Norwich, Penn Yan,
Bath, and other
He
points.
May 15>
was an active and
in the
interested free
mason and
held high
On
February 22, 1818, he married Esther
Henrietta Sperry, a half-sister of William, Nathan, Anson, and
Hermon Camp.
Their children were ; William Boardman, Her
mon
Camp, Henrietta, George Sperry, Emily Caroline, Washing
positions
ton
Irving,
and
citizen.
He
He
to
went
Owego
of
craft.
Laura Ann.
aided
Albany
library,
and secured grants of
1841.
congressional
He
was
in
other ways
was
elected
A fluent
addresses with much
lake.
and
In 1835 he
served until
was
in obtaining the incorporation
public
Owego.
Mr. Leonard
and
a
books
honored
which
member
graceful
with
reached
public
the
of
and
spirited
academy.
founded the
toiled for the development
of
congress
speaker, preparing
care, his influence became
district,
a
potent
and
his
in his large
from Pennsylvania to the
handsome appointments,
and retired
TO WN OF 0 WEG 0.
from
in
congress with credit.
farming,
lived for
some years.
Main
residence
on
venerable
figure
model
mark.
here,
and
On his
Returning
street
was well
to the
known
the village, he
he purchased the
east of
village
his daughters
where
by
all
engaged
in the
dwell.
now
He
streets.
church.
Stephen Banks Leonard
his wife, died in Owego, and they
adjoining the Presbyterian church.
rietta,
and
a
of
re
of
the
Esther Hen
buried in the
are
His
was
gentleman, and his urbanity was a frequent subject
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard were consistent members
Presbyterian
tery
to Owego he
return
"Locusts,"
the
at
607
ceme
Leonard, oldest son of Stephen Banks and
Henrietta Leonard, was born at Owego on June 17, 1821, in
William Boardman
Esther
standing immediately in rear of Mr. C. Campbell's
house. He was prepared for college at the Owego academy, but
at 17 years of age went to Trumansburg, and became a member
the house
of
his
now
uncle
Hermon Camp's
Here he
lishment.
came a salesman
tered the
again
household,
remained
till he
in New York.
to New York
27
years
soon went
and
with
in his
old,
to
estab
when
Albany
his term
he be
and en
work, he
his brother-in-law, Ben
Completing
state auditor's office.
returned
He
was
and a clerk
of
Pomeroy, established the mercantile house of Pomeroy &
Leonard, and later became successively a partner in the large drygoods jobbing houses of Hurlburt Sc Sweetser, Hurlburt, VanYalkSome years after he
enburg & Co. and P. VanValkenburg Sc Co.
founded the commission house of Leonard, Rhodes Sc Grosvenor,
jamin
,
and
the
then the house
civil
suits,
war
and
in
of
Leonard Sc Farrington.
1865, Mr. Leonard
founded the
banking
retired
house
of
After the
from
close
of
mercantile pur
Leonard,
Sheldon &
It became a powerful financial office, changing its title
to Leonard, Sheldon & Co., and, later, when Mr. Leonard gave up
While in business Mr.
active pursuits, to Decker, Howell & Co.
Foster.
Leonard
was a
the founders
North
of
director in important institutions.
the American
America,
bank in Brooklyn,
of
dren,
Surety
the founder
a
was
one of
director in the bank
and president of
the Kings
County
the society for protecting chil
the Homeopathic hospital of Brooklyn
vice-president of
and was president of
Co. ,
He
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
608
and one of
terests
of
He identified himself
its founders.
his city
and
Twice he
community.
the best in
with
was proffered
the
mayoralty of Brooklyn, and twice was offered nomination to con
He was a devout and de
gress, but refused to enter public life.
voted
churchman,
for
and
Holy Trinity
warden of
held
forty years
office as vestryman and
church, Brooklyn.
He
was a member
of
Foundation"
the governing board of the "Church Charity
in
Brooklyn for many years.
One of the deserving honors bestowed
upon
him
Bridge."
During
was
his
His
name
all
these
satisfying
service
body
of
was
Brooklyn.
carved
and
burial
Each
its towers
on
was
in
year
Owego,
he
as
where
returned
rest
here he
closed
his
Brooklyn
a memorial.
his beloved
to his
native
July 1, 1893. The
church, Owego, and his
eyes
on
held in St. Paul's
taken to Greenwood cemetery
William
' '
its valley scenery the most
he could find.
Here he made his
was
thence*
the famous
of
surroundings and
beautiful
and
trustee
high
his heart
years
found its
home,
summer
is
kinsfolk dwelt.
parents and
village and
selection as a
Boardman
Leonard
was
on
the
named
edge of
for
his
New
favorite cousin, Judge William W. Boardman of
Haven.
Handsome in his personal features, gracious and cour
teous, like his venerable father, his manners were easy and his
mother's
bearing
tian
by
kindly.
He had
a generous
walk and conversation.
His
heart,
He bore
no
a
loving nature,
malice,
and was
a chris
beloved
Right Rev. William Andrew Leonard,
D. D., Episcopal bishop of Ohio, of Cleveland, Ohio., Lewis
Leonard, of Brooklyn, and Louisa Bulkley Van Nostrand, also of
Brooklyn
all.
children are
.
WAVERLY AND TOWN OF BARTON.
Howard Elmer
born in the town of AVawayanda, Orange
county, N. Y., on August 2, 1833, the eldest son of Richard A. and
Charlotte B. Elmer. He descended from a
disworthy ancestry,
was
^
_-
^
WA VERL Y A ND TO WN OF BA R TON.
tinguished for
60 9
steadfastness of purpose and
unfaltering adherence
the unflinching Covenanters of Scotland and the
staunch Puritans of New England.
He early developed, and sus
tained through life, the indomitable fixedness of purpose and the
to
principle
intense
conscientiousness and
study.
He
devotion to the right, which were
his by inheritance, and which characterized his every action. He
was prepared for college at the
Ridgebury and Goshen academies,
but delicate health prevented the continuance of his course of
enteen,
and was soon employed
financial
Elmira,
in
education was continued
and
Mr. Elmer
Waverly in 1850, a lad of sev
the old Waverly bank ; and his
in the Chemung Canal bank at
his father to
came with
in the First National bank
organized
the
of
the First National bank
same place.
of
Waverly,
In 1864
its
his life.
was
1868, then its president for the remainder of
He married in October, 1865, Miss Sarah P. Perkins, daughter of
the late George A. Perkins, of Athens, Pa.
Waverly was his
cashier until
chosen
the
residence,
there his
and
closely identified with
business projects of this sec
name was
religious, benevolent and
He had a genius for the successful
leading
tion.
management of
enterprises,
and while a man of varied and
department
of
business
was of more
responsible
affairs, no
absorbing interest to him, nor
fully his superior executive
founding, building and developing
foresight,
Sayre, Pa., now a
evidenced more
ability
than the
of
railroad centre of
importance
difficult
and one of
the
and
most prosperous man
This is situated just
ufacturing points of northern Pennsylvania.
south of the New York state line, comprises a portion of the old
Mrs. Elmer's grandfather, the late John Shepard, and
lies in the beautiful Susquehanna valley, midway between the vil
Mr. Elmer had great faith in the
lages of Waverly and Athens.
estate of
geographical
of
building
advantages
a
town
at
of
the
territory,
the junction
of
and conceived
the Lehigh
Valley
the idea
and
the
Southern Central railroads, and making it the terminus of the two
northern railroads then running to Athens, and in 1870 he asso
ciated
with
himself the late Charles L.
city, the late James Fritcher
and
Anthony,
of
New York
the late Richard A. Elmer (his
Waverly, and purchased the Morley, Hopkins and W.
H. Thomas farms, containing 321 acres, and commenced his work.
brother)
of
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
610
In
April, 1871, he
Hiram Thomas
Hayden
and
738 acres,
mentioned land
ers of
Leggett, Harris, and parts of the
farms, making the company the own
the
purchased
at a
total
the
contained
A
$140,000.
cost of
In
junction.
railroad
of
portion
the last
July, 1871,
Packer, representing the Pennsylvania Sc New York
company, purchased of Howard Elmer Sc Co. about 100
Judge Asa
railroad
junction, and in 1872 began here
Mr. Elmer, feeling confident
the erection of a large roundhouse.
The land
that the time had come, proceeded to lay out the town.
the
of
acres
land, including
the
the
of
grading streets was
A contour map was made, delineating the proposed
commenced.
streets, blocks and lots, and work was begun in earnest under his
was
surveyed
immediate
Elmer
as
and
work
and
direction.
supervision and
its manager,
opening
obtained
The company, through Mr.
permission in 1873 to erect at the
dwellings were fin
ished the same year.
In 1873, also, the Southern Central and
Ithaca & Athens offices were removed to the new station (named
"Sayre"
in honor of Robert H. Sayre, president of
by Mr. Elmer
junction
a passenger
station,
and a number of
the Pennsylvania Sc New York
superintendent
same year
The
a
time
retarded
immediate
hotel
the
building
and
purpose,
consequent
depreciation
growth and progress of
of
develop.
;
the
railroad
but Mr. Elmer did
to
A
Sayre
values, for
deferred the
of
and
shops and offices which were
concentrate
not
swerve
industries here,
postoffice was established
dwellings and shops
Judge Asa Packer, and
and several
son of
general
A^alley railroad company). The
wheel foundry commenced operations.
the
continued
would
Packer,
car
and
contemplated
already
future
1873,
and
company,
the Lehigh
of
the Cayuta
panic of
railroad
erected.
in
from his
which
1874,
the
and a
In 1875 Robert A.
superintendent of the Penn
Sc New York railroad company, removed to Sayre, bought
several acres of Mr. Elmer, and commenced a palatial residence
(the town already having become of so much importance that the
railroad authorities decided to make it the point of distribution for
the northern traffic).
Other officials of the road soon made their
home here, necessitating the erection of the fine general office
building, commenced in 1876. In 1878, after the death of Mr.
Anthony,"
Mr. Elmer induced the Packer
family, E. P. Wilber,
sylvania
'-Which occurred in
1874.
WA VERL Y AND TO WN OF BA R TON
611
the Lehigh
Valley railroad, and Mr. Robert Lockhart,
of South Bethlehem,
Pa., all prominent in railroad circles, to pur
chase one-half of the
Anthony interest, which resulted in center
ing at Sayre the great shops of the Pennsylvania & New York and
the Lehigh Valley railroads.
The Sayre land company was organ
president of
ized
Mr. Elmer
soon after.
also
as
ager,
Cayuta
Elmer
was made president and general man
the Sayre Sc Athens
of
company, and the
In all this progress Mr.
water
foundry company.
potent factor, and it was
wheel
and
chiefly to his faith in its
future, his planning, his encouragement, and his indefatigable
and persistent efforts, that Sayre is indebted for its origin, its de
was a
Elmer
and a
company,
treasurer
the
reading
director
was
che
and
active
naturally
a
the finer
life,
Howard
qualities of mind
and with
student,
With the
company.
business
and
his
extensive
memory his mind was stored with the
devoted to letters, a knowledge not looked for
daily in bank
volumes,
authors.
afforded
of an
railroad
company,
railroad
railroad
cultivation of
affairs of practical
best
Geneva & Ithaca
remarkable
one who was
with choice
or
Ithaca Sc Sayre
the
and
1876 Mr.
and
the Pennsylvania Sc New York
heavy burdens
He
and
absorbing
of
Geneva,
erudition of a man
in
the Ithaca & Athens
never neglected
spirit.
In 1875
prosperity.
the Buffalo Sc Geneva
of
numerous and
and
subsequent
was receiver of
railroads,
Elmer
its
and
velopment
and
or
leading
office,
business life.
frequently
His
replenished with new works
These kept his
him the indulgence
directing in the
library was filled
and
mind
and
abreast
relaxation
of
he
the
times,
craved
and
He loved the society of his books and treasured what
gave him.
He enjoyed his extensive travel in the old world
needed.
they
the new, which (with his keen and accurate observation) gave
authority to the remark so frequently made, that no subject of
and
importance
could
be introduced
with which
he did
not appear
to
thoroughly conversant. As was remarked by his life-long
He was a delightful corres
friend, Judge Shepard, of Chicago,
be
' '
and
pondent,
unusual
in
degree.
tiousness
conversation was
Young
charming
and old were
alike
acquired a new attraction when
something
was added
to
general
and
his
fascinating
to
admirers.
Face-
indulged in
knowledge
by
his
by him,
an
and
remarks upon
0 UR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
612
most varied
(of
he
which
and
humble
was an
practice) was
sion and
hood."
And, best
topics.
He
made
was a marked
reserved
ability,
and
of
to be the
man
stalwart adherence
to the
of
taught
by Christ
both in
follower,
profes
chief attraction of ripe man
unusual
strength of character
convictions, and with a
he thought and believed.
It was
of
yet
religion
devoted
and
courageous expression of what
this
all, the
positive
right which constituted
him
a pillar
in the community, standing with firmness for all that
He was for
was manly and high-minded in opinion and action.
many years an active member of the Presbyterian church, and, as
of strength
truly
time
and
With
dealt
all
' '
He was ever willing to give of his
his pastor,
Master."
money to advance the cause of his Lord and
his interest this was uppermost, and to those in need he
was
said
by
hand. His death, which occurred September 9,
vacancy in the church, the community and business
with an open
1892, left
a
circles which could
the many
of
to uplift,
whom
and
by
be filled only by loving memories in the hearts
by his sympathy and liberality he had helped
the boundless influence for
selfish and untarnished
Richard Allison
life,
Elmer,
which will
son of
be
good of
lasting
his rarely
un
as eternity.
Richard Allison
and
Charlotte
Bailey Elmer, was born in the town of Wawayanda, Orange
The family removed to Waverly in
county, N. Y., June 16, 1842.
1850, and he was there prepared for Hamilton college, from which
he
in 1864.
He intended to study law and pursued
his studies for that purpose, and was admitted to the bar. In 1867
the death of his father led him to abandon the practice of law and
he joined his brother, Howard Elmer, president of the First Na
tional bank, of Waverly, and became cashier of that bank.
This
was graduated
he
for
twelve years, during which time
one of the largest investors of private trusts in
the state.
In 1870, with his brother and two other
associates, Mr.
Elmer purchased the large tract of land near Waverly, which has
become a great manufacturing and railroad centre
employing large
bodies of men and capital, and bears the name of
Sayre, Pa.
Busied with these and other enterprises which gave full occupa
tion to his energies, Mr. Elmer, although he always took a promiposition
occupied
the firm became
about
WA VERL Y A ND TO WN OF BA R TON.
nent
part
1881,
on
in political,
local,
and
613
charitable
movements, never
sought political office.
His fame as a banker and business man
caused his name to be
prominently mentioned in the republican
state convention of 1879 for the position of state treasurer.
In
the
President
accession of
the famous "star
Garfield,
"
demanded the president's earliest attention, and,
after removing the head of that department of the post office in
which the scandals had occurred, it was no
ordinary task to find a
successor of sufficient courage, business experience and executive
capacity to fill the place of second assistant postmaster-general.
route scandals
Without Mr. Elmer's knowledge, several gentlemen, prominent
and influential with the new administration, recommended him as
the
for this position, one able to conduct the
The president decided to
exceedingly difficult work of reform.
nominate him, and it was only when this decision was announced
most competent man
that Mr. Elmer
to
consider
that his
ination
informed
the question,
name
was
was
was
sent
confirmed,
entered upon
and
it
to the
and
his duties.
of
he
The
the intention.
to become
such
one of
disorder
the
exposed and
well as
reform
realized
in
under
the
of
attention
denounced
by
nom
and
department,
second assistant post
route and steamboat
the
day
consent
to Washington
post office
"
service,
previous administration as
greatest public scandals
government, attracting the
being
the
reluctant
a
May 5, 1881, his
removed
affairs of
particularly that part under charge
"
master general, known as the
star
had fallen into
On
senate.
soon
his
with
was
He had but
the
of
in the
the
of
whole
the journals
congressional committees and
history
of
debates.
country, and
both parties, as
All demands for
had been successfully resisted, and President Garfield
that a thorough extirpation of this mal-administration and
absolutely essential to the success and good fame of his
administration.
He promised to render his unfaltering support to
waste was
Mr.
Elmer,
and, thus encouraged, the
good work was
Elmer found himself strongly opposed
the corruption, many of them men
others as prominent.
of
unknown
those
who profited
influence,
to the
Mr.
supported
political
by
by
leaders in
entirely unfamiliar with the department and
the capital, Mr. Elmer steadfastly pursued the work of reform
Washington,
with
Almost
by
begun.
and
0 UR CO UNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
014
which
he had
in its way, and the
In less than three
stacles placed
at
every
labor, he
His
undertaken.
step.
administration overcame
great
difficulties
resigned
his
years of arduous and
office
to
attend
On resigning he received the
President Arthur, and of the head of the
interests.
His
had
administration
saw with
honesty
surprise
and
a
branch
the
most scandalous abuses.
the
mileage of
increased,
and
the
unceasing
In February,
private
neglected
well-merited
post office
approval of
satisfaction
efficiency in
and
the
won
to
him
which met
fully accomplished the reforms undertaken.
1884, Mr. Elmer
all ob
thanks
department.
the country,
substitution
of
of
which
economy,
long notorious for
During his incumbency of the office
service and its efficiency were largely
of
the
service
the
star route
the
annual rate of expenditure was
decreased
over
The policy thus enforced resulted in making the post
department entirely self-supporting for the first time in thirty
$2,500,000.
office
years,
rate
and
by
reason of
from three to two
these
results
In
cents.
congress
June, 1885,
reduced
the letter
the New York Herald,
editorially the condition of the postal service, praised
Mr. Elmer's administrative capacity, courage, and honesty, and
discussing
said :
"As to Mr.
it
his task to
was
the
Elmer,
reform
extravagance and
doing
it
second assistant
the
star route
corruption
Mr. Elmer did
predecessor.
country for
the
this,
postmaster-general,
service,
which
and weed out of
had filled it
under
deserves the thanks
and
of
it
his
the
admirably."
Shortly after
American Surety
retiring to private
Co. of New York
life, Mr. Elmer organized the
city, of which he became president, and built up in four years the
largest surety company in the world.
It was principally his keen
business insight and careful study of and improvement upon the
methods of
Co. in the
European
advanced
companies
financial
that
placed
position
it
,
the American
now
occupies.
Surety
Such
an
outcome under
ordinary circumstances would require great execu
tive ability, energy, patience, and pluck ; but the conditions under
which Mr. Elmer wrought his results were
extraordinary, and in
them
and
mastering
achieving success in spite of them he displayed
real heroism.
For months at a time the American
Surety Co. was
managed from his bedside.
There, directors, minor officials, and
clerks
called
daily, communicating information,
receiving
advice
WA VERL Y A ND TO WN OF BARTON.
instruction, leaving the
or
61 5
up in bed, well sup
business for the next day's
president propped
writing materials to prepare
Mr. Elmer was then suffering from disease
plied with
meeting.
It
was
J. Foster
and
the kid
of
hoped later that he had entirely recovered, but his
death came unexpectedly on the evening of October 1, 1888, after
a busy day at the office.
He was buried from Calvary Protestant
Episcopal church and now rests in Woodlawn cemetery. Mr. Elmer
married June 16, 1870, Sara Foster France, daughter of the late
neys.
three sons,
the name),
At
a
these
The
We
Charles Howard Elmer.
meeting of the American Surety
and
death
sudden
us with an
which was
to-day
France, of Middletown, N. Y. He has
Robert France Elmer, Richard Allison Elmer (third of
the
silent
of our
appalling
admiration of
in human
to know
nature.
not
fail to stamp him
as a
the
problems of
daily
life
friend,
Yesterday in
graceful submission
president of
the irrepressible
every
day
of
the
October 3,
president
of
1888,
object
every
this company,
with
midst, strong,
was
In the
to love
person
leader
Noble
nature, the
The
that it
and
all
that
was
world
and
contact with
his
failure
as
at
that energy
touched,
this
and
result achieved
sudden
re
was noble and gen
embodied
it
almost
passed
he
nature was
inspiration
him
the
could
confronted
unrecognized
was a word
generous
presence was an
success was phenomenal.
accomplished and a
hearts
majestic power with which
ability, from the very inception
hour to its success, never resting until
his life
for
honor,
irresistible,
His very
will.
this company his
to
Richard A. Elmer
by
of men.
was well-nigh
to his
and
of
sorrow of our
consummate
bition
our
and which vitalized
To be brought in
vocabulary.
with
associate and
shock.
all,
manhood.
perfection of christian
in his
on
in death.
moval of one whom
As
beloved
record upon our minutes
erous
Co.,
resolutions were adopted :
to
comes
Isabella Sears
to
yield
a
and a power.
Of untiring
industry
and
this enterprise, he has devoted
what seemed to have been the am
of
which
commanded
the
admiration
of all.
We
mourn
him
wife and children
as a
brother,
heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved
their desolation.
and we extend
in this the hour
of
our
Rev. Nathaniel Elmer, brother of Richard A. Elmer, was born
He was grad
in Sussex county, New Jersey, January 31, 1816.
Union
uated at Union college, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1840, and at
theological seminary, New
ister of the Presbyterian
York, in 1843,
and was ordained a min
24, 1844. He was the
first pastor of the Presbyterian church at Waverly, which position
he held nine years. He married in 1845, Caroline, daughter of
She lived but six
Rev. John Ford, of Parsippany, New Jersey.
church
October
OUR CO UN TY AND I TS PEOPLE.
616
He married, second, in 1849, Mary A.
Post, daughter of James Post, of Middletown, N. Y., and died in
that city July 11, 1884, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth.
marriage.
after
months
Slaughter, second son of Dewitt and Caro
line (Mills) Slaughter, was born at Hamptonburg, Orange county,
He was educated at Chester and Middletown
November 8, 1837.
academies, and when twenty years of age, in 1857, came with his
He engaged in the drug business,
father's family to Waverly.
In
corner drug store.
and for over thirty years occupied the
1883, on account of failing health, he retired from active life. Mr.
Miss Charlotte, youngest
Slaughter married, on May 13,
daughter of Mr. Alfred Wells, of Goshen, N. Y., a lady whose
Samuel Wickham
"
"
.1873,
sterling qualities of womanhood were well fitted to make his home
life pleasant and attractive.
They have one child, Gertrude. Dur
ing the long period of his business operations Mr. Slaughter was a
leader in the
to
ing
to its fullest
fellow townsmen.
extent
Naturally
positions of public
refused
and with
spiritual
in
Waverly,
of
the prosperity of the
It has been truly said of him
enjoyed
affairs,
interests
the
of
a
honor,
"As
:
and all
things tend
found him
village
advance
helper.
ter
commercial
a citizen
and
confidence
a
ready
Mr. Slaugh
respect
of
his
retiring disposition, he always
yet he was ever interested in
plan whose purpose was
every
prosperity of the village, his
the
commercial or
closely associated
In the few civil and
name was
contribution."
generous
wise counsel and
educational offices
judgment
he
was persuaded
and accurate
intuitions
ability to fill any station with
tion with the Citizen's bank
from its
president
successful
and
financier.
His
his beautiful home
to his
correct
sagacity
and
taste
his
generous nature
the tale
of
the
skill
in 1874
nature was
in
his love
investing
of
until
possessed
and place of
and
promptness,
honor.
Waverly,
of
that he
fill, his
gave evidence of
credit and
organization
24, 1894, demonstrated
to
pre-eminent
long
he
his death
connec
was
on
vice-
August
characteristics of a
studious and
business bore
of
His
which
the
both
his
clear
ample
the beautiful.
artistic,
testimony
His business
brought him wealth, which his
His ear was ever open to
forbade him to hoard.
deserving
poor, and
those
who needed
sympathy
1
WA VERLY AND TO WN OF BARTON.
bountifully
and aid were
"
the
friend,"
delicately
and
617
He
supplied.
was
truly
his death among the most sincere
mourners were the many whose lives had been brightened and
cheered by his christian benevolence.
His life for long years was
poor man's
dominated
by
fession
his
of
Christ, and in 1874 he made public pro
faith by joining the First Presbyterian
spirit of
christian
For many years he served as
and to his business qualities
church.
trustees,
is
the
and at
largely indebted for the
life Mr. Slaughter
pulses and
ent and
of
sunshine.
pre-eminently a man
his hopes for the future
Mr. Slaughter
of
church
deep,
of
of
church
im
generous
His faith in God
of prayer.
the
rever
bible,
was
strong,
a life is
bright. The end of such
interred in the family burial-ground
were
was
Phillipsburgh, Orange
few words, but
His piety was unaffected,
He was a diligent student
noble actions.
full
generosity this
In his
it occupies.
and
position
was a man of
and
peace.
high
the board
a member of
where
county,
his
body
rests
at
awaiting the
resurrection summons.
James
torian
Riker,
of
rare
miscellaneous
by
respected
joyed
ability,
of
reason
1869,
and
He
at
is
author
of
Waverly
several
his
as a
high
class
also
specially
remembered
permitting his
valuable
library
who
than
Hiram Payne
county,
Pa.,
village
was a member of
least,
other
to the time
many
noted
a man of marked
in the
he
and
to be
en
annals of
was
not
of
his
historical
ability
and
death, July
and literary
learning.
This
the county, is due to Mr. Riker's
specially associated with local his
mentioned above.
was a native of
about
1830.
wise prominent man
of
the
also
lived in the
memory, although
ber
and
works,
societies, and, withal,
tory
and
in
the public, was a native of New York city, and there
He came to Waverly
his greatest celebrity as literateur.
3, 1889.
much,
still well remembered
by
attained
about
is
who
the legislature
central and western
Rev. Minor York,
of
;
He
Connecticut,
was
a
and came
surveyor,
lawyer,
to McKean
and
other
district attorney of the county, a mem
had an extended acquaintance all through
was
and
Pennsylvania.
Wysox, by
His
whom
wife
he had
was
a
daughter
six children.
of
Five
OUR CO UNTY A ND ITS PEOPLE.
618
of
these
came with
Mr. Payne
Mr. Payne
family to Waverly in 1854, at which
lived, and where he died March 30,
the
afterward
in
was
all respects a self made and self educated
firm
strong pro-slavery democrat,
Still, he was broad-minded, of liberal
a
and
he
his life in
was at
Waverly
least in
was such as
comfortable
and
1882.
man
;
unyielding in his belief.
on
views
to
place
convince
circumstances,
general
subjects,
the observer that
yet
he died
poor.
Arthur Yates, better known, however, as Judge Yates, and
who was so well known in business and social history in Waverly
from 1832 to the time
Otsego county,
Yates,
his
death, was a native of Butternuts,
born February 7, 1807. His father was Dr. William
of England, a physician of distinguished promi
a native
of
nence, and a philanthropist as
practice of vaccination
to Factoryville
and was
well,
in America.
and was a
the
originator of
In 1832 Arthur Yates
lumberman
and
merchant,
a
the
came
builder
and
with
early
industries, thus being closely associated
interesting hamlet of the past. He was
also
a
but
proprietor of mills and other
history in that
strong democrat,
postmaster at
afterward
;
in any sense a politician ; was
Factoryville in 1836 and for nearly fourteen years
was
judge
justice
the
not
about
six
years,
and
was
appointed as
April
18, 1838. He was also
identified
with
local
educational
and
church affairs, and in
closely
deed with all the best interests of the village of Waverly.
Judge
sociate
Yates
of
common
twice, first
pleas
in
January, 1836, with Zeba Washbon, who died in 1853, and second with Elizabeth, widow of Col.
Noble and daughter of Judge Page, of Unadilla, N. Y.
was married
Adolphus G.
Allen, the
Allen,
son
of
Samuel
Miranda (Sheffield)
the Tioga bar, was born in
oldest
and
practicing attorney of
Bradford county, Pa., November 8, 1830.
The Allen family was
His grandfather was taken prisoner
originally from Long Island.
by
the British in the
thaniel,
Pa.,
was appointed
In 1806, his grandfather, Na
the peace for Lycoming county,
revolution.
justice
of
there in many ways.
Mr. Allen prepared
for college at Troy, Pa., academy, but,
commencing to read law
with General Nye in Madison
county, N. Y., he became so interested
and was prominent
WA VERL Y A ND TO WN OF BA R TON.
that he
1886.
Their
is
practice
in
devoted himself to legal
Waverly
places, has been
since
1853.
He has
county judge for
assembly from this county in
married with Sarah S.Walker.
numerous official
three
college plans and
He has been in
matters.
held
his
relinquished
619
special
terms, and was member of
In March, 1853, Mr. Allen was
children are D. Wellington Allen,
attorney in
Campbell).
now an
practice at
born June 17, 1854, who
Waverly, and Katie (Mrs. C. C.
Judge Ferris
Shoemaker, born June 22, 1838, is a great-grand
son of Daniel Shoemaker, a revolutionary soldier, who, about the
year 1797, settled in the town of Nichols, Tioga county, N. Y.,
upon
Soon
that fine tract
after
county, to
land known
of
his birth his
There he
of
the
grew
to
excellent schools maintained
later pursuing his studies at Wyoming semi
From
and the normal school at Montrose, Pa.
Kingston,
engaged
in
teaching, but
when
the
broke
war
out
corps, and for four and a quarter
served his country, more than three years of the time at sea
In the fall of 1866 he was elected register and
man-of-war.
in the U. S.
enlisted
a
Athens, Bradford
and
1857 to 1861 he
on
from
Rush, Susquehanna county, Pa.
in the vicinity,
years
the Maughantowano flats.
parents moved
manhood, enjoying the benefits
nary,
as
clerk of
the
in 1870
was
admitted
marine
Susquehanna county for three years ;
prothonotary by Gov. Geary ; in 1871 was
orphans court of
appointed
to the
bar, having
studied
law for four
years under
Hon.
Jessup, while performing the duties of office. In 1873 he
came to Waverly, and since then has been actively engaged in the
In 1886 he
practice of law, in both New York and Pennsylvania,
W. H.
county judge of Tioga county.
the village as its clerk and attorney,
was elected special
he has
served
credit of
having
been
tions he has been
called
Jacob B. Floyd
1839,
and was
was
the fifth
Elizabeth Floyd.
naries,
an efficient officer
after which
He
in the
For
six
years
the
and enjoys
several public posi
to fill.
born in the town
of
ten
children
in the
was educated at
he taught
school
of
in
Lima
and
Chemung,
April
H. N.
family
and Wyoming
of
near
Scranton
26,
and
semi
about