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2001 --These pages are part of the Schuyler co., NY genweb page.  Not for commercial use.
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Extracts from
A Biographical Record of Schuyler County, NY, 1903
S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Page 3

Contact Linda O'Halloran for scans of the full article.



George M. ELY
Supervisor of the town of Hector, c. 1902/3.  He was born on the old DURLAND farm on 12 May 1861, son of Harry and Harriet (HOWELL) ELY.  Harry ELY was born in Hector, NY on 3 Dec 1837 to Richard ELY and Hannah HAGER.  Richard ELY was son of Harry ELY and Mary WICKHAM.  This ELY family came from Lyme, CT.  Richard ELY was married in 1837 in Schuyler co. (Hector was then part of Tompkins co.).  Richard was justice of the peace, etc.  Richard ELY's only son was Harry ELY who married in 1860 Harriet HOWELL, daughter of George HOWELL and Sallie DURLAND.  Harry ELY (father of subject) was a farmer; he ran for sheriff but was defeated.  Harry died on 22 Jul 1899.
Harry ELY and Harriet HOWELL had 5 sons and 2 daughters:
 - Emma - died in infancy
 - Carrie - died in infancy
 - George M. - of this bio.
 - Edward - in mining in Ouray, Colorado
 - Frank - cabinet-maker and miner in Silverton, Colorado
 - Richard - lived on old family homestead, married to Mabel MATHEWS.
 - Clarence - a telegraph operator on the Lehigh Valley RR.
George M. ELY was a good student and became an educator.  In 1899 and 1902 he was Democratic candidate for school commissioner.  He received a state teacher's cert. in 1892.  He worked as a teacher in Romulus, Burdett, Odessa, Perry City, Mecklenburg, Lodi and Logan.  He was principal for 3 years at Farmer Union school.  George was a member of several fraternal organizations.


Amos MILLER
His grandfather came to the Schuyler area in the early 1800s.  Amos MILLER was born in the town of DIX in 1841, son of Ambrose MILLER who was born in Schuyler co. in 1824.
Ambrose MILLER married Harriet PIERCE and had 5 children:
 - Amos - of this bio.
 - Delilia - wife of David SILMON, who was in railroading and was killed in 1897.  Delilia then married Abner GARRISON.
 - Fannie - wife of John WEST, farmer in Odessa.
 - Mathias - married in 1882 to Martha EDDIE (EDDY ?) who died in 1901 in Odessa.  Mathias was a farmer and gardener.
 - David - married Mary VORISO and lived in Odessa; fruit-grower.
Amos MILLER was a farmer, gardener and fruit grower.  Amos was married in 1885 to Margaret LEWIS and settled in Montour Falls.


Wellington HOWELL
He was born in Ithaca, NY on 2 Apr 1830, to Alanson HOWELL and Celestia LABARRE.  The HOWELL family was established in America by Wellington's great-grandfather Elnathan HOWELL, who emigrated from Wales and settled at Northampton on the east end of Long Island, NY; then Elnathan moved to Chester, Morris co., NJ.  Elnathan was a Rev. War soldier.  Elnathan's son Abraham HOWELL was also a Rev. War soldier (one month).  Abraham (grandfather of subject) married Charity TAPPAN, daughter of William TAPPAN, also from Wales and another Rev. War soldier.  Wellington's maternal grandfather, Henry LABARRE, was also a Rev. War soldier.  The LABARREs came from Nova Scotia, Canada.  Alanson T. HOWELL, father of subject, was born in Chester, NJ on 14 Sep 1800 and moved to Ithaca, NY about 1822.  Alanson was a cabinet-maker and wheelwright.
Alanson HOWELL and Celestia LABARRE had 12 children:
 - Hannibal - died in the Civil War at Gettyburg, enlisted at Groton, NY.
 - Darwin
 - Wellington
 - Lucinda
 - Marion
 - Elizabeth
 - Myron
 - Byron - Civil War vet, enlisted at Groton, NY.
 - Tappan - died in the Civil War at Antietam, enlisted at Groton, NY.
 - Jane
 - Milo - Civil War vet, enlisted at Groton, NY.
 - Addison
Wellington HOWELL's family moved to Lansing, NY in 1832; in 1840 at age 10 he was "bound out to a farmer" since the family had money troubles.  At age 17, Wellington became a butcher in Millport, but a cholera epidemic closed the shop and he learned the painter's trade at Groton, NY and followed that until 1862, when he moved to Hector, NY and rented a farm and eventually bought the land and built up a good fruit growing trade.  Wellington was married on 12 Oct 1853 to Esther R. WICKHAM, daughter of William WICKHAM and Martha HULTZ.
Wellington and Esther had 7 children:
 - Lavirion Monroe - b. 15 Jul 1854
 - Willis Myron - b. 29 Jun 1856
 - Otis Emerson - b. 15 Jan 1858
 - Marine Emmett - b. 23 Feb. 1860
 - Ermina - b. 17 Oct 1862, d. 29 Aug 1865.
 - Laverna - b. 5 Jan 1865
 - Estelle - b. 21 Jun 1870
Additional HOWELL Family Notes from Heather Vance:
"My information comes from a family treasure - a wonderful notebook that my grandfather wrote in 1963 about our HOWELL family line.  My grandfather was Edward Van HOWELL - b. April 22, 1900, Lebanon, Ohio.  Most of the info came from his grandfather, Byron Clark HOWELL, who was Wellington HOWELL's brother, when he was very old, so I am trying to pick up where he left off and piece in some missing links.  Some items that differ from your information are
1) that my Elnathan died about 80 years before the Rev. War,
2) my Elnathan lived in Southampton, not Northampton, and
3) that Elnathan, according to my records, would have been Wellington's great-great grandfather."
Summary of HOWELL Family notebook:
First Generation
Abraham HOWELL (sometimes referred to as "Elnathan") emigrated from Sussex Co., England abt.1680, coming first to New York City, then settling at Southampton, L.I.  There is no birth date, but the death date is approximately 1699 or 1700 from a hunting accident. (In the notebook, it says that he was sometimes referred to as Elnathan, but I have not been able to find an Elnathan HOWELL in Southampton at that time, but I have found an Elnathan TOPPING in Southampton, who was the maternal gg grandfather of the "teller" of this history - Byron C. HOWELL.  Maybe he got them confused...)
He had a large family, both sons and daughters.  One son, John, married and located at Jamaica, L.I.  Three sons, Nathan, Joshua and Caleb, (I don't know if John, Nathan, Joshua & Caleb were brothers, or sons of John) married and moved to Chester Township, Morris Co, New Jersey, just before the Rev. War.  Shortly after the Rev. War, Joshua located near Ludlowville, Tompkins Co, NY.  His daughter married a John CORWIN.  Caleb HOWELL married a TAPPAN, died in Chester, NJ, 1784, leaving two sons, Elias and Tappan.  Elias married a second cousin, Sarah HOWELL (her brother was Daniel) and they moved to
Ohio.
Second Generation
Nathan HOWELL, son of Abraham, was born at Southampton about 1697 or 1698 and died in Chester, Morris Co, NJ in 1802. (That means he lived to be 104 - that is a long time, maybe there is a missing generation here...)
Nathan HOWELL  married Sarah SANFORD of Southampton L.I. before moving to Morris Co. NJ.  (I think this is wrong - I think Sarah Sanford was the mother of Charity TAPPAN - see next generation -married to William TAPPAN.)
He had six sons and one daughter as follows:
Isaac HOWELL - born at Southampton and died in Chester - he had 2 sons, Nathan and Isaac.
Israel HOWELL - born at Southampton and died in Chester.
Caleb HOWELL - born in Chester and died in Randolph, NJ.
Abraham HOWELL - (my ancestor) born at Southampton (1733) and died in Chester (Oct. 1821).
Joshua HOWELL - born and died in Chester.
Joseph HOWELL - born and died in Chester.
Sarah HOWELL - born and died in Chester - married a man named GUESS - they had 3 children.
The descendants of Isaac Howell settled mostly in eastern Pennsylvania.
The descendants of Israel Howell = son James married and moved to Binghamton, NY, and a daughter married a COOPER.
The desc. of Caleb HOWELL = 3 sons, Daniel, George and Stephen, settled at Palmyra NY.
The desc. of Joshua HOWELL = son Joshua settled near Auburn, NY.
The desc. of Joseph HOWELL = settled in western New York - one son Joseph located at Binghamton.
Third Generation:
Abraham HOWELL was born at Southampton, L.I. in 1733.  Died at Chester, NJ, October 1821.  Married Charity TAPPAN, daughter of William TAPPAN of Southampton, L.I. inn 1767.
Abraham & Charity HOWELL had children:
Jeremiah HOWELL,  b. Southampton, 1771
Stephen HOWELL, b. Chester, NJ, 1773
Abraham Sanford HOWELL  b. Chester, NJ, 1778
Huldah HOWELL  b. Chester, NJ, 1783
Sarah HOWELL  b. Chester, NJ, 1790
Caleb HOWELL  b. Chester, NJ, 1796     [more info on Caleb, below]
Alanson Tappan HOWELL  b. Chester, NJ, Sept. 14, 1800
Fourth Generation:
Alanson Tappan HOWELL (Heather has lots of  info on his life). - His first wife was Mary LARRISON (maybe one child from that union).  His second wife was Celestia LABAR (LeBARRE). (Heather has more info on Celestia's ancestors.)
Alanson & Celestia had 12 children:
Hannibal H. - b. Chester, Morris Co., NJ, March 24, 1826
Darwin - b. NY City, May 23, 1828
Wellington - b. Ithaca, NY, April 2, 1830
Lucinda - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, April 22, 1832
Marion - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, June 11, 1834
Elizabeth - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, Jan 25, 1837
Myron - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, Feb 19, 1839
Byron Clark Howell- (my gg grandfather) b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, Dec 16, 1840
Tappan - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, Jan 14, 1843
Jane - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, July 25, 1844
Milo - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, March 1, 1846
Addison - b. Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY, Aug 20, 1847
Fifth Generation:
Byron C. HOWELL married Helen Elizabeth CLARK (I have more on the Clark family);
they had 4 ? children (info gets weak here):
Olive - maybe...
Mary Fidelia - maybe
Estella - maybe
Byron Clark, Jr. - definitely - b. ? 1868-70
Sixth Generation:
Byron Clark HOWELL, Jr. married Hannah Rose Etta JACOBS (b. March 24, 1869, in Seven Mile, Ohio) Nov. 28, 1890, in Lebanon, Ohio.  (I have a funny story about how they met.)
They had 3 children:
Alice Gertrude HOWELL - b. at Staten Island, NY, Nov 28, 1891
Helen Elizabeth HOWELL - b. April, 1894, and died age 13 months
Edward Van HOWELL (my grandfather) b. April 22, 1900

More on Caleb Tappan Howell - contributed by Owen Clough:
My gr.gr.gr. Anna Maria Friedle (1795-1882) married Caleb Tappan Howell (1798-1878) after the death of her first husband, John A. Kelly (1792-1833).  I believe that this is the same Caleb Howell that you refer to although the DOB is different by 4 years.  Caleb Tappan Howell is referenced in the book:  Edward Howell and His Descendants.  Here is the obit of Caleb Tappan  Howell:
"Woodside has lost her representative of the courtly manners of the past generation by the removal of Caleb Tappan Howell, Esq., whose death we have announced in a recent issue.  A resident of the old Sacket mansion for forty years, his daily life was interwoven with the progress of Woodside, where even to the passing stranger his appearance excited respect.  Mr. Howell was born in 1798 at Chester, Morris Co., N.J., but the family belong to the "Hamptons" on our Island.  His early life was spent at Ithica, Cayuga Lake, where for some years prior to his removal to Woodside he held the office of Justice of the Peace.  By Mr. Howell's decease a very sensible void has been created in the Riker and Kelly families with whom he was intimately connected."
My line is the Kellys.  The Howells, Kellys and Rikers were founding families of Woodside, Queens, N.Y.  Caleb Tappan  Howell first married Margaret Bunn and they had several children.  After her death he married Anna Maria (Friedle) Kelly between 1833-1835 and they had one son, Caleb Tappan Howell Jr.  I have pictures of the manor house that the Kellys bought from the Sacketts in 1826 that no longer stands.  I have much more information on the families if you are interested.



Rev. Christian W. WINNE
(WYNNE ?)
 He was born in Ulster co., NY on 5 Feb 1838.  He studied at Roxbury Academy (1859/60).  Then Rev. WINNE served in the Civil War, enlisting in April 1861 into Co. D, 20th NY Militia (but was not mustered into service then); he enlisted at Detroit, Mich. in Dec. 1863 into Co. D, 22nd Mich. Volunteer Infantry and was transferred to the 29th Michigan Infantry, where he served until Sep 1865.  The Civil War left his health permanently impaired.  He taught school for 5 years.  In 1869 he entered the Union Theological Seminary in NY City and grad. in May 1871.  After his graduation in 1871, he was married to Isabella GUNN of NY City and they went to live in Minnesota for 5 years.  Mr. WINNE then took charge of a church in south NJ, near Atlantic City for 3 years.  Then they went to Tuckahoe, NJ, then to Cedarville for 5 years, but resigned due to health problems.  Then he went to Bellemore, Long Island, NY but also resigned from bad health and lived in Jamaica, NY.  Then he went to work for church in Tyrone and Pine Grove in Schuyler co., NY for 5 years and again health problems made him resign.  Then he went to a church at Newfield, Tompkins co., NY for 2 years, and resigned again, but lived there 6 years.  He retired to Montour Falls in 1899 and served as Justice of the Peace there, and was a member of the G.A.R. post there.  Rev. WINNE had two children:  Isabelle G., who acted as her father's housekeeper; and Elizabeth G., wife of J.H. PETTIT who lived in Urbana, Illinois.  J.H. PETTIT was a chemist for the state experiment station.  The wife of Rev. WINNE died in May 1901.


Lewis H. DURLAND
He was born in Newburg, NY on 9 Dec 1832 and grew up in Minisink, Orange co., NY from about 1835.
He was a direct descendant of Jan Gerretse DORLANDT who came from Holland to New Netherlands in 1652; Jan was about age 24 at that time, and lived to the age of 84, according to tradition.  Jan Gerretse lived first in Brooklyn, near the Fulton St. ferry, and later in Bedford.  He served as town commissioner from 1687-1701, and as town collector in 1699.  Jan Gerretse was married twice and had 10 children.  Lewis H. DURLAND was son of John DURLAND and Maria HULSE;  John was son of Charles II DURLAND and Lydia TERRY; Charles II was son of Charles DURLAND and Jane SWARTHOUT - natives of Orange co., NY.  Lewis became a clerk in the freight office of the Erie RR Company at Hornelsville, NY.  Then he became a train conductor from 1852-1871.  He worked on trains running from Rochester - Elmira; Buffalo - Elmira and on the Michigan Southern RR.  Then he established a  hardware business in Watkins, NY.  On 10 Oct 1867, Lewis H. DURLAND married Sarah E. BAILEY a native of Livonia, NY and they had 4 children:  Charles Mortimer, Frances Louise, Sarah Elizabeth and Lewis Hudson.  Lewis H. (subject of bio) was a Mason and was a member of Watkins Village trustees, a member of Schuyler co. board of supervisors, a trustee of Cook Academy (and a 25-year member of Cook Academy executive branch).


Dr. George H. GOLTRY
Lived in Reading, Schuyler co., NY, 2 miles west of Watkins, in a home called "Locust Terrace".  Dr. George was born in Watkins on 3 Dec 1832, son of William GOLTRY and Rebecca HEDDEN.  William was probably born in Tompkins co., and Rebecca was born in Schuyler co. or nearby.  William purchased a farm in Tyrone, Schuyler co. when George was age 12, and then William eventually went to Iowa and died there.  Dr. George studied at Dundee Seminary.  Dr. George was a student of medicine in the office of his maternal uncle, Dr. Ambrose  HEDDEN who practised in the town of Reading.  Dr. George grad. from Buffalo Medical College at age 27.  Dr. George then practised medicine in Port Allegheny, PA for 25 years.  Dr. George was married in Reading, NY on 3 Dec 1867 (his 35th birthday) to Martha Z. NICHOLS, daughter of John H. NICHOLS and Esther A. TOWNSEND of Reading, NY.  Martha NICHOLS also  had a good education and was a teacher.  Dr. George and Martha had 2 children:  George A. who died in PA at the age of 10; and Arthur N., who was born in Port Allegheny, PA on 13 Sep 1873.  Arthur married Anna May TOTMAN of the town of Reading, Schuyler co., and works in farming.  Dr. George gave up his 25-yr. practice due to bad health in 1885 and moved to Reading, where he owns 95 acres.
NICHOLS family:
John H. NICHOLS, the father of Martha NICHOLS GOLTRY, was born near Balston Spa, Saratoga co., NY on 3 Apr 1816; John's wife Esther TOWNSEND was born in Mass.  Both John and Esther were brought to Schuyler co. in early childhood.  John H. NICHOLS was the only son of Amasa NICHOLS and Martha CHAPMAN and had 4 sisters:  Mrs. Eliza MATHEWS of Douglas co., Dakota; Mrs. Charlotte CODDINGTON of Reading, NY; Mrs. Lydia CADY of E. Williamson, NY; and one other.  John H. died in Reading, NY on 29 Jan 1887, at age 70yrs, 10mos.  [John's lengthy obit was in the Watkins Express and it is complete in this bio; a summary follows.]  John NICHOLS was brought to live in Sugar Hill as a baby, then to Reading, NY 4-5 yrs. later.  John's father was a blacksmith and John looked after the family farm from a young age.  John H. NICHOLS married Esther Ann TOWNSEND of Starkey, Yates co., NY, when he was age 22, on 31 Mar 1839.  They lived for 7 years in the old hotel in Irelandville, then settled in a house across the street from the hotel, and lived there about 40 years.
John H. NICHOLS and Esther had 9 children:
 - Amasa H. - businessman in NY City.
 - Martha Z. - wife of Dr. G. H. GOLTRY (subject of this bio).
 - Mary A. - wife of L.A. RANDALL of Reading, NY.
 - Henry T. - businessman in NY City.
 - Charlotte A. - at home.
 - Emme Jennette - wife of Rev. Seward ROBSON of Seneca Falls, NY.
 - John Richard - Congregational minister in Garrettsville, Ohio.
 - Charles W. - builder in Lynxville, Wisconsin.
 - Louis L. - student in Oberlin College, Ohio.
John H. NICHOLS was a deacon in the Baptist church for 25 years and he served as Reading town supervisor when it was still part of Steuben co. (before 1854).  He was postmaster for Reading more than 30 years.  Esther TOWNSEND NICHOLS, John's widow, was age 94 at the time the bio was written in 1902/3.


Dr. H. Proper STILWELL
He was born in the town of Hector, NY on 30 Nov. 1830, son of Edward STILWELL and Susan GARRISON.  His paternal grandfather, James STILWELL was a Rev. War soldier who probably enlisted from Delaware co., NY.  James STILWELL was wounded and received a military pension; he moved to eastern Schuyler co., NY in 1800.  He brought his wife and 9 children, most of whom walked beside the wagon.  Edward STILWELL (father of H. Proper) was the 5th son of James and was born in Delaware co., NY; Edward was married twice and had 11 children by each wife - H. Proper was the youngest of all the children.  Edward died when H. Proper was about age 3.  Edward was drafted for service in the war of 1812, but sent a substitute, since he had the large family to support.  H. Proper studied in the Starkey Seminary and the Portland Normal School.  H. Proper was a teacher for 8 years, then he grad. from the med. dept. of the Univ. of Buffalo in Apr. 1875.  He had a long-running practice in the village of Burdett, Schuyler co., NY.  He served as president and secretary of the Schuyler co., NY medical society several years, and he did post-graduate work in NY City.  On 10 Dec 1900, H. Proper married Libbie FINCK, a native of Schoharie co., NY who lived in Burdett, NY.  H. Proper is a prominent Mason and a member of other fraternal organizations.  H. Proper was also in business as a partner in a mercantile establishment in Burdett called STILWELL & FINCK for 7 years.  Then he was a member of the firm H.C. SMITH & Co., dealers in coal and agricultural implements.  He sold out in 1898 and turned to real estate, and once owned 1/3 of the village of Burdett.


Osborn SMITH
He was born in Hector on the 15 Apr 1861.  His great-grandfather was Jonas SMITH, a native of Connecticut, who came to the Schuyler area in 1800.  Jonas bought land in Seneca co., but then traded it for land in Hector, where the family has lived ever since.  Jonas SMITH married Miss PERRY, an early settler of Reynoldsville, and they had 7 children:  Stephen, James, Thomas S., Miner, John W., Hannah and Eleanor.  Thomas SMITH (son of Jonas and grandfather of Osborn) was born in 1809 and lived in Hector all his life as a farmer, dying in 1877.  Thomas SMITH married Elizabeth B. COATS, daughter of Joseph COATS and Jane BELLIS.  [Joseph B. COATS, brother of Elizabeth, has a separate bio that gives the mother's name as Jane BELLOWS.]
Thomas SMITH and Elizabeth B. COATS had 9 children:  Bela C., Julia Ann, Jane, Joseph, Eleanor, Mary, Hannah, Gertrude and Albert SMITH.  Bela C. SMITH, the father of Osborn, was born in Hector, NY on 2 Jan 1829;  Bela was a farmer, though he taught school for 12 winters.  On 27 Oct 1857, Bela C. SMITH was married to Elizabeth Newton OSBORN, a daughter of John Wilson OSBORN and Anna HEAVENOR, both natives of NJ, where they married.  Elizbeth OSBORN was born in Warren co, NJ on 12 Feb 1837, but came to Schuyler co., NY as a baby.  Bela SMITH and Elizabeth OSBORN had 3 children:  Osborn, Burdick and Sarah Maud SMITH, wife of Rev. LaMotte STANLEY.  Bela SMITH was on the board of the Meth. Episcopal church for 25-30 years.  Bela was justice of the peace for 16 yrs., loan commissioner for 9 yrs. and judge of sessions 3 terms, and notary public 20 yrs.  Osborn SMITH taught school in the winters for 10 years, and also farmed.  Osborn was a rep. for the American Agriculture Chemical Co. for 10 yrs.  He was elected in Feb. 1899 justice of the peace;  Osborn was also clerk of the board of supervisors, and chairman of the Democratic committee.  He was also a member of local lodges.


George Andrew RINGER
He was born on the family homestead 2 miles from Geneva, NY on 24 Feb 1826, son of William RINGER and Alice SMITH.  William RINGER was born in Fredericksburg, Maryland on 23 Aug 1798, and Alice SMITH was born in Yorkshire, England on 16 Nov 1802.  Alice SMITH came to America at age 7 when her father settled in Geneva, NY (he died there in 1830).  Alice's mother died in England.  A sister Jane came to America and settled near Dundee, NY.  William RINGER and Alice SMITH were married in 1823 in Geneva, NY; they moved near Dundee, Yates co., NY (to Barrington) on 1 Apr 1833 and William died there on 3 Aug 1873.  Alice died on 4 Jan 1864.  Children of William and Alice RINGER:  George A. (of this bio), John J. (who died 2 Dec 1855), and Susan A. who was b. 10 Jul 1830 and was wife of A. LITTELL.  After school, George A. worked at the clothing trade and then in teaming and farming at Dundee, Yates co., NY.  He also worked as a stage coach driver and in a livery business.  He served as constable for Yates co. for some years.  He also was deputy sheriff and crier of courts of Yates co. at Penn Yan.  He traveled in the New England states with a panorama, and went to Washington in 1863 (working for John SPICER) in securing horses for war service, for a year.  He took charge of the livery service of Chillian STOLL c.1850 in Watkins, NY.  He returned to Watkins, NY after the Civil War and worked as a malster and began a transfer business with his own team of horses.  In 1870 he was elected constable of Reading, NY and held this position for over 30 years.  George RINGER was involved in the arrest of a gang of horse thieves in 1852.  They tracked Mr. THOMPSON and his gang of thieves to Rome, NY and had him convicted in Rochester.  George RINGER investigated a counterfeit operation and raided Mr. THOMPSON's mother's house at Ginger Bread Corners, finding $1200 in counterfeit money.  He was collector of schools for over 20 years.  He also worked for the Northern Central RR co. (3 yrs.) and for J.D. PAYNE for the Seneca Lake Navigation Co.  He was the driver of the first stage coach to go from Dundee to Penn Yan in 1846.  He was also the landlord of several houses that he rented out in Watkins.  On 6 Feb 1851 George RINGER married Rhoda A. GUTHRIE, daughter of Joseph GUTHRIE and  Rhoda COLE.
George and Rhoda RINGER had 5 children:
 - Clarence A.
 - Susie - deceased by 1902/3; wife of Byron STOLL.
 - John G.
 - William
 - Emma L. - wife of Fred B. DAVIS, resident of Virginia.


Charles Byron RICH
Living in Townsend, Schuyler co., NY at the time the bio was written.  Charles was born 8 Apr 1855 in the town of Reading, Schuyler co., NY.  His father, Alford RICH was born in Starkey, Yates co., NY on 7 Dec 1824; Alford was married on 15 Jan 1850 to Caroline DRAKE, born in Orange co., NY.  Alford & Caroline had 2 children, Charles Byron and Flora Almedia.  Alford
died on 27 Dec 1887 aged 63yrs-20days, in Schuyler co., NY.  Charles was educated in Starkey and became ill a few months before graduation, abandoning his studies.  On 10 Apr 1872 he married Libbie Estelle LOCKWOOD and had 7 children:  Alice May, Alford William, Charles Arthur, George Ansell, Carrie Belle, Lena Estella and Harry Cloud.  Charles B. RICH was a farmer of  7 acres.  He was a Methodist and a Democrat and a member of the Dundee lodge of the F. & A.M.


Charles KIMBLE
Charles KIMBLE, who follows farming in Montour township, near Wedgwood, was born 18 Feb 1862 and is a son of Philip KIMBLE, whose birth occurred in the town of Enfield, Tompkins co., NY in the year 1829.  Philip married Louisa (or Lecretia) FERGUSON and unto them were born 3 sons, Ervin, Emmet and Charles.  Ervin lived in Pennsylvania where he worked in a grocery store.  Emmet married Daisy CARMEN and resided in Watkins, NY.  [A descendant wrote that some of Emmet's children were still living in 2001.]
Charles KIMBLE went to school until age 12 (as was usual) when he began earning his own living as a farm hand, then eventually began farming on his own account.  He married Julia OSMAN, a daughter of Samuel OSMAN and Maria MOORE.  Julia's father Samuel was a blacksmith by trade. Samuel OSMAN and Maria MOORE had 4 children:
 - Burton OSMAN - served with the US Army in the Phillipines (c. 1903)
 - Charlie OSMAN - learning the blacksmith trade in Mosherville, NY.
 - Harry OSMAN - at home c. 1903.
 - Julia OSMAN - wife of subject of this bio.
Julia OSMAN and Charles KIMBLE had 5 children, still at  home c.1903:  Mina*, Viola, Charlie, Frank, Libbie.
Mr. Kimble has a pleasant home upon his farm in Montour twp.

*A descendant, Jeff Waite of Elmira, NY, writes that Charles Kimble was first married to Nancy Cady who was from Beaver Dams, NY; she died of consuption (TB) in 1891 or 1892.  Nancy and Charles Kimble had Mina Kimble. A Kimble family reunion is still held every year.  Jeffrey Waite is a great-grandson of Charles Kimble &  Julia Osman.
Go here for more info on Osman - Waite families.



Charles AUSTIN
Lived in Dix township, Schuyler co., NY at the time the book was written (1903).  He was born in Tompkins co., NY on 12 Sep. 1857 to Charles AUSTIN and Susan H. ROSE who resided in Peru, Tompkins co., NY.  Charles (of this bio) attended school until the age of 18 and then became a civil engineer; later he took up farming in Dix.  On 30 Dec. 1888 Charles married Phebe STERLING, daughter of John STERLING who resided in Millport, Chemung co., NY, and his wife Eunice LATTEN.  John & Eunice were married in 1841 and had 2 children.  The younger child was Eliza STERLING who married George DEAN of Watkins, NY who was a prosperous farmer and owned 2 large farms there.  Charles AUSTIN and Phebe STERLING lived in Bennetsburg for 7 years and then went to Watkins in 1896.  Charles & Phebe had 8 children:  Norman (a nurse at Glen Springs Sanitarium); John ; Ida; Phebe; Adeline; Harry ; Esther; and Lida.  They were Baptist.


William Loraine DURGEE
He was born in Havana (Montour Falls), NY in 1842, son of Smith DURGEE who was born in Cayuga co., NY on 3 Apr 1806.  Smith DURGEE married Elizabeth LEE (b. 3 Dec 1810) and they had 3 children:
1. Emeline L. - married Frank GATES & had 3 children - Willie, Charlie, Elizabeth and Ida (Ida was deceased by 1903).  Elizabeth married Stephen S. NORRIS and lived in the town of Reading, Schuyler co., NY (2 miles from Watkins).
2. Frances
3. Loraine
4. William Loraine (of this bio)
William L. DURGEE attended school until the age of 18, and then went into business as a tanner and currier with his father for 15 years.  Then they bought a farm and became successful farmers.  In 1877 William married Lucy MOSHER, daughter of Oliver P. MOSHER who was born 14 Nov. 1828 in Catlin, Chemung co., NY.  Oliver attended school until age 18 and then went into business.  Oliver was married on 29 Jan 1850 to Phoebe STURDEVANT who was born 13 Nov. 1829 in Catlin, Chemung co., NY.  Oliver and Phoebe MOSHER had 5 children:
 - Frank - resided in Elmira, NY; married Wicey VanGORDEN and had William & Fred.
 - Lucy - wife of subject.
 - Delphine - married Samuel KIMBALL and had a son Earl KIMBALL.
 - John - married Hattie THOMAS of Schuyler co.
 - Elizabeth - wife of David CATLIN; resided in Horseheads, Chemung co., NY.
William L. DURGEE and Lucy MOSHER had 1 child, Nellie E. DURGEE.  William rented a farm on the hill just west of Montour Falls.


Mrs. Lewis M. BAILEY (Catherine McCLERNAN)
Was well-known in Montour Falls, Schuyler co., NY and conducted her husband's business after his death.  She is the daughter of John McCLERNAN who was born in Ireland in 1846 and came to America in 1855 with his parents, who settled in Montour, Schuyler co., NY.  John McCLERNAN married Mary BRADY who also came to America in 1855.
John and Mary McCLERNAN had 3 children:
1. George - married Daisy HYNA and lived in Clifton Springs where George was a blacksmith.
2. Philip - conducted a cigar factory at Corning, NY; married Hattie HOWARD and had children Ralph & Philip.
3. Catherine - married Lewis M. BAILEY on 8 Oct. 1896.
Lewis M. BAILEY was son of LeRoy BAILEY & Florence CUMMINGS who resided in Newfield (Tompkins co., NY).
LeRoy & Florence BAILEY had 3 children:
1. Fratnes - married Ella CORRINE & lived at Erie, PA.  He was a traveling man & they had one child.
2. Miles - deceased by 1903.
3. Lewis.
LeRoy BAILEY was engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Montour Falls, where he had a well-appointed factory and an excellent business.
Lewis BAILEY & Catherine McCLERNAN had one child - Mildren BAILEY.  Lewis BAILEY manufactured cigars in Montour Falls until his death on the 18th of Jan. 1898.  Since then, Mrs. Catherine BAILEY continued the business and a celebrated brand of cigar, "Marvelous Pastime" was made in her factory.  Mrs. BAILEY possessed good business ability and executive force.


James BAIRD
He was born on 20 Apr. 1839 in Wayne, PA.  His father, John BAIRD was born in Catlin, NY and married Sallie LOVELESS; John and Sally (LOVELESS) BAIRD had 4 children:
1. Mary - married Bailey HALL who died at Painted Post, NY on 15 Mar. 1891.  They had 3 children.
2. Maria - married William BENNETT and lived at Elkland where William repaired bicycles and tehy had 2 children.
3. Adeline - deceased by 1903.
4. James - of this bio.
James attended school in the winter months and worked on the home farm in the summers.  James married Caroline ROBBINS on 4 Apr. 1858; Caroline was the daughter of John ROBBINS & Minerva WOODRUFF.
James & Caroline (ROBBINS) BAIRD had 2 children:
 - John - deceased by 1903.
 - Mattie - married William DEWIT a carpenter/joiner; they lived in Monterey, town of Orange, Schuyler co.
James BAIRD left his family to enlist in Co. C, 86th NY Voluntary Infantry in Sep. 1861.  Not long after he came home from the Civil War, his wife died on 30 Dec. 1864.  In 1869 James married Martha HULL and they had one child Carrie (deceased by 1903).  They were Baptist and lived in Monterey, Schuyler co., NY.  Martha HULL is daughter of Nathaniel HULL and Susan BAILEY; Nathaniel & Susan HULL had 7 children:  Bailey, Lane, Sarah, Jane, Mary, Susan and Martha (2nd wife of subject).


Alonzo Graves BALL
In 1903 he was editor of the Montour Falls Free Press which he owned with his son Charles B. BALL.  He was born in Cooperstown Otsego co., NY on Aug. 6, 1833 to a "Mohawk Dutch" or Knickerbocker family.  Alonzo's father Lyman BALL was born in Brookfield, Madison co., NY in 1808 and lived in Chautauqua co.   Lyman later was in the butcher business in Cooperstown and dealt in hops and wool.  Lyman died in 1848.
Lyman BALL married Hannah IRISH and they had 6 children:
1. Sarepta - wife of Ira JOHNSON of Cattaraugus co., NY.
2. Alonzo G. - of this bio.
3. Emma - wife of George MISSON of Cooperstown, NY.
4. Theodore - of Cooperstown, NY.
5. Harrison - deceased by 1903.
6. Lyman - died when about 6 yrs. old.
After a common school education, Alonzo G. BALL worked in a printing office, including the firm of SHAW & TITUS.  He went with Mr. TITUS to Jackson, Michigan for 3 years.  Then Alonzo went to Fort Wayne, Indiana and was a ticket agent for the Ohio & Indiana railroad.  He next acted as a captain of a packet line on the old Wabash canal and was later a mail agent on the Toledo & Wabash railroad.  He spent time in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He co-owned the Cedar Falls Banner with a Mr. HILL for about 3 yrs.  Alonzo returned to Cooperstown for a time and in 1864 he came to Montour Falls (then Havana, NY) and bought the Havana Journal in 1866.  He ran that paper for 22 years and in 1889 he established the Havana Free Press with his son.  Alonzo BALL was married on 18 May 1857 to Mary A. DUTCHER, a daughter of Philo DUTCHER and Deborah PARSHALL.  Alonzo BALL and Mary DUTCHER had 2 children, Charles B.  (bio follows), and Hattie.  Hattie BALL married Albert C. FROST who is a hardware merchant (of FROST & WILLIAMS) of Corning, NY;  Hattie & Albert FROST had 5 children:  Kate B, Mary Georgiana, Bernice, Clark L. and Frances.  Alonzo was a Republican and an Episcopal church member.  He was a trustee of Havana, NY and also postmaster for 8 years.


Charles Benjamin BALL
A well-known and popular postmaster of Montour Falls.  Born on 8 July 1858 in Cedar Falls, Iowa - son of Alonzo BALL and Mary Ann DUTCHER.  He attended the Union school in Montour Falls, NY and also the "Masonic Academy", now the Cook Academy.  He  learned the printer's trade in his father's office of the Havana Journal.  On 29 Sep. 1889, he est. the Havana Free Press with his father.  On 15 Jun. 1886 Charles BALL was married to Cora V. STODDARD, a native of Montour Falls and daughter of Jesse STODDARD and Abigail ROBERTS.
Charles BALL and Cora STODDARD had 6 children:
Hattie Bertha (at home); Nellie Winton (died at age 7); Martha (died at age 4); Velma (at home); Lyman (at home); and one child in infancy.  Charles BALL held several local offices, including town trustee, board of education member, postmaster, Republican party committee, clerk of the railway committee of the NY state assembly, convention delegate, chief of Montour Falls fire dept., member of the Masons.


George C. BARNES
He was born 7 May 1876 to Lewis BARNES and Emma MORRIS.  Lewis BARNES was born in Schuyler co., NY on 16 Jun. 1849 and had 2 children, George c. and Emma.  Emma MORRIS BARNES died of heart disease in 1887 and Lewis BARNES married Rose B. McKANE.  Lewis BARNES was engaged in conducting a meat market and in 1903 was a night watchman for large contractors.  George C. BARNES attended school until the age of 14 and then went into farming.  He was married on 24 Dec. 1897 to Maude WARDEN in the village of Burdett.  Maude WARDEN was daughter of Eugene WARDEN who was born in Lewisville, PA in 1852; Maude's mother was Ruth WINTHROP.  Eugene WARDEN & Ruth WINTHROP had 7 children:  Harry A., Louisa, David, Frederick, Eunice, Pardee and Louis.  George BARNES & Maude WARDEN first located in Spencer, NY and then in Watkins, NY, then in Bennettsburg, NY.  Since then they lived in Montour Falls in a pleasant home.


Obadiah BEACH
Late of Tyrone, NY.  He was born at Marcellus, Onandaga co., NY on 8 Jan. 1804 and came to Tyrone, Schuyler co., NY in 1814 with his father's family.  He was 6th in line of descent from John BEACH, one of the early Pilgrims who first settled in New Haven, CT c.1640, and later lived in Stratford, CT and Wallingford, CT.  John BEACH, the Pilgrim, had 11 children; the 5th was Nathaniel who married Sarah PORTER.  Of Nathaniel's 10 children, the 4th was Josiah BEACH b. 18 Aug. 1694 and married Patience NICHOLS.  The youngest of Josiah's 7 children was Matthew b. 18 May 1742 who married Martha NICHOLS.  Matthew's 4th child was Stiles BEACH b. 3 Jun 1770 who married Mahitabel BROWN.  Of Stiles BEACH's 9 children, Obadiah (of this bio) was the 6th.  Stiles BEACH moved from the vicinity of New London, CT to Onondaga co., NY and then to Tyrone, NY.  Obadiah BEACH lived in Tyrone until his death in 1878.  In 1826 he married Mary LANG, daughter of Robert LANG, a Tyrone, NY pioneer of Scottish descent.  Mary's grandfather Robert LANG Sr. was impressed into the military service of England and taken from his home in Scotland to fight against the French in the French & Indian War, 20 years before the Rev. War.  Robert LANG Sr. & his son John helped organize the 3rd (Westchester co.) Regiment of Militia during the Rev. War.  Robert Sr. and son were taken prisoner in NY city by the British; after the war they established the New York Gazette, one of the first daily newspapers of the city.  Robert LANG Jr. (father of Mary LANG BEACH) moved from Westchester co., NY to Tyrone, NY and died there in 1845.  Mary LANG BEACH died in 1878, a few months before her husband Obadiah.
Mary and Obadiah had children Lewis, Daniel and Philip L. BEACH.  Lewis BEACH (eldest) was born in Tyrone on 8 Jan. 1828; he worked on a farm and as a clerk in a dry goods store.  Then Lewis moved to Wisconsin and farmed near Jamesville.  Lewis BEACH served in Co. A 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry until Nov. 1864 when he returned home to Tyrone, NY in bad health.  Lewis BEACH was supervisor of Tyrone from 1874 to 1891..  Lewis married Delia WILLIS and had 2 children Philip L. and Charles W. BEACH.  Daniel BEACH (2nd son of Obadiah) was born in Tyrone, NY on 29 Aug. 1830;  he attended Union College and Alfred University.  Daniel taught school in Tyrone, NY and NY City and was once school commissioner of Schuyler co., NY.  He graduated from Albany Law School and practised law in Watkins, NY until 1864.  Then he was general counsel for the Fall Brook Coal Company and the railroad companies connected with it.  In 1885 Daniel BEACH was elected regent of hte University of the State of NY.  Daniel BEACH married Angelica Church MAGEE in 1862 and had children Hebe BEACH HARRIS, Jenny BEACH MUMFORD, Mary A. BEACH, Daniel MAGEE BEACH and George Cameron BEACH.  Philip L. BEACH (3rd son of Obadiah) was born 26 Jan. 1836;  he also attended Alfred Univ. and Albany Law School.  Philip BEACH enlisted in 1862 in the 161st NY Vol. Infantry and was promoted to sergeant major; he died in April 1863.


James BEAHAN
He was born on the farm where he was still living in 1903 at the time this bio was written.  James was born 8 Dec. 1826.  His father Thomas BEAHAN was born 12 March 1798 in County Kildare, Ireland.  Thomas' brother Matthew also emigrated to the USA prior to Thomas.  Thomas BEAHAN married Florence FAUSSETT in Seneca co., NY (and his brother Matthew married the sister of Florence).  Florence was daughter of George FAUSSETT who deeded the Schuyler co. farm to Thomas.
Thomas BEAHAN and Florence FAUSSETT had 7 children; 6 grew to maturity:
1. Mary Ann (wife of Peter McCAUL) died in Watkins leaving 6 children;
2. James (of this bio) was 2nd child.
3. Fannie (wife of Charles O'NEIL) died leaving a son Hugh O'NEIL who was killed in the mines of Colorado while trying to save the lives of others in a mine explosion.
4. Esther (widow of Hugh CARNEY)
5. George - married in Michigan to Jennie BARNETT; engaged in grain business in Durand, MI.
6. Elizabeth (twin of George) - deceased by 1903.
7. Martha - also deceased.
Thomas BEAHAN was well-educated, with splendid ability as a penman (his handwriting looked like copper plate work).  Thomas was also an excellent grammarian and mathematician.  Thomas died in 1849 and was Catholic.
James BEAHAN was married on 25 Dec 1852 to Harriet GRISWOLD who was born in the town of DIX, Schuyler co. to Squire GRISWOLD and Temperence McDOWELL.  Harriet was born on 3 Oct. 1831 and died on 2 Apr. 1896 at age 64.
James BEAHAN and Harriet GRISWOLD had 5 children:
1. Willard - b 15 Jan. 1854, married Bessie DEWITT; Willard was a division engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern RR, lived in Winona, Minnesota.  He grad. from Cornell Univ. and spent a year in South America building railroads, then sailed from Buenos Aires to France and toured the UK.  Bessie also grad. from Cornell Univ. which is where they met.  They had one son James.
2. Albert L. - lived in Canandaigua, Ontario co., NY;  grad. of Bellevue Medical College; studied in PA  under Dr. Joseph PRICE; married Theodora HOPKINS.  Albert had a hospital in Canandaigua with 45 rooms.
3. Edward - b. 15 Dec 1858, d. 3 May 1866.
4. Harry E. - b. 13 Jan. 1862; forced to leave school due to health problems.  Conducted a grocery store in Watkins and then became a traveling salesman.  He married Ida SWARTHOUT of Yates co., NY.
5. George - b. 24 May 1864 and died 8 May 1865.
James BEAHAN also raised a girl May TOTMAN who came to live with the family at the age of 9.  May married Arthur N. GOLTRY and they farmed on the BEAHAN farm.  James BEAHAN was road commissioner and assessor.


Philo BEARDSLEY
He was a Civil War vet.  He was born in Lansingville, town of Newfield, Tompkins co., NY on 12 May 1839.  He attended school until age 15 then worked as a farm hand.  At age 23 he enlisted on 11 Aug. 1862 in the 22nd Regiment of the Michigan Volunteers, Co. C.  He reenlisted and served until May 1866.  He was discharged in Victoria, Texas.  Philo located in Odessa, Schuyler co., NY after the war and married Elizabeth ROGERS in 1867.  Elizabeth was daughter of Robert P. ROGERS (a fruit grower) and his wife Elizabeth of Hector, NY.  (Mrs. ROGERS was born in the town of Catharine.)
Robert ROGERS & Elizabeth had children:
Emma; Elizabeth (wife of Philo BEARDSLEY); Oliver; Lewis (deceased); J.W.; and Delia A. (at home).
J.W. ROGERS married Ida BELL and lived in Burdett, Schuyler co., NY.
Philo BEARDSLEY and wife Elizabeth ROGERS started in Burdett, where Philo worked in a wagon shop, then he worked in a sawmill, and later became a farmer.  Philo and Elizabeth BEARDSLEY had children:  William A.; Delia Ann; Winetta; George H.; Howard (deceased); Lavina B.; Johnnie (deceased); J.W.; and Bessie B.
 - William resided in Perry City, NY and married Mary MORGAN and had children Grace Beardsley & Bentley Beardsley.
         [Bio says that Grace was the wife of Charles H. ACKLEY of Horseheads, NY & they had 4 children in 1903. BUT Daryl Eldrett writes:
          "My great grandfather, Charles Herbert Ackley Sr. was married to Mae Beardslee & they had 5 children:
            my grandmother, Sara May; Hazel; Nina Jennie; Warren; and Charles Herbert Jr."]

 - Delia Ann BEARDSLEY married Dr. J.E. LOVELL, a resident physician of Lodi, Seneca co., NY.
 - Winetta married Nicholas F. DAVIS, resident of Wilkesbarre, PA and they had 3 children, Homer, Emma & Richard.
 - George H. married Jennie CONNELLY and lived in Willard, NY with one child.
 - Lavina B. was employed at a shoe factory at Horseheads, NY.
 - J.W. & Bessie BEARDSLEY were still at home c.1903.



Charles S. BECKWITH (summary of article)
He was born at Coldrain, CT in 1810, son of Joseph & Lucinda BECKWITH, the eldest son of 12 children.  Three of the family were still living c.1903:  Jasper who lived in Burwell, Nebraska; William who lived in Shiawassa co., Michigan; and Jason who lived in Scranton, PA.  In 1816 Joseph BECKWITH left Connecticut and settled in Salubria, Steuben co., NY which became known as Jefferson, and then Watkins, Schuyler co., NY.  Joseph BECKWITH conducted a cooperage and a shoe shop in Watkins, NY.  At that time, most of Watkins village was built on the hillside.  In 1820, Charles S. BECKWITH entered the employ of John WATKINS, at the age of 10, and made his own living ever since.  In 1820, Charles carried the first mail bag over the route from Watkins to Newtown, now Elmira, NY, making the journey on horseback.  Charles delivered the bag to the postmaster who was impressed with his bravery and care, and gave Charles a silver dollar, since Charles was barefoot.  He worked in lumbering for Mr. WATKINS.  Charles built the reservoir in Watkins Glen in 1846 and in 1848 he built several railroad bridges for the  Northern Central railroad line.
Charles BECKWITH was married on 14 Feb. 1836 to Sarah Ann FOSTER of Hector, NY & they had 9 children:
1. Clarissa - wife of William COLLINS, resident of Watkins; they had one son William.
2. Mary - married on 18 Nov 1885 in Watkins to Frank SEAMAN (of Elmira,NY), a fireman on the Northern Central RR; lived in Elmira, NY.  Children: Judson, Frank and William D. SEAMAN.
3. Laura - wife of William S. LONGWELL, resided in Corning, NY.
4. William J. - married Catharine WEGGER.
5. John S. - deceased by 1903.
6. Ellen - wife of Lee CLAUHARTY; resided in Watkins, NY.  Had one child, a son who died at age 20.
7. Charles A. - a gardener who lived in Watkins, NY.
8. Emily - died in 1891; was the wife of W. D. SEAMAN.  Had children Carrie Ann, Lillian & Anna B. SEAMAN.
9. unnamed child - must have died in infancy.
Charles S. BECKWITH was a Baptist.  He died on 7 March 1889 and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.  He resided in Schuyler co., NY for 73 years.

CHARLES S. BECKWITH (Full Text of Article)
Among the men whose lives have contributed to the improvement and progress of Schuyler county was numbered Charles S. Beckwith, who in early pioneer times became a resident of this portion of the state and here lived until his death, his life span covering almost four score years. His name is inseparably interwoven with the early history of the county in many ways and many of his acts have become a matter of record in connection with the upbuilding of this locality.

Mr. Beckwith was born at Coldrain, Connecticut, in 1810, a son of Joseph and Lucinda Beckwith, in whose family of twelve children he was the eldest son. Three of the family are still living: Jasper, who makes his home in Burwell, Nebraska; William, a resident of Shiawassa county, Michigan ; and Jason, who is living in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1816 the parents left the state of Connecticut and came to what was then Steuben county, New York, now Schuyler county. They were among the earliest settlers of Salubria, the name of which town was afterward changed to Jefferson and is now Watkins. The greater part of the village was then built upon the hillside and Joseph Beckwith conducted a cooperage establishment and a shoe shop in the building that is now the family homestead. He was one of the first representatives of industrial interests here.

Charles S. Beckwith was only about six years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Schuyler county, where his subsequent life was passed. He was only ten years of age when, in 1820, he entered the employ of John Watkins, and from that time forward he was dependent upon his own resources for a living. In 1820 he carried the first mail bag over the route from Watkins to Newtown, now Elmira, New York, making the journey on horseback. He delivered the bag in safety to the postmaster, who complimented him upon his bravery and care, and seeing that the boy was barefooted he gave him a silver dollar, advising him to buy a pair of shoes. Mr. Beckwith acted upon this advice and carefully cherished the shoes which he thus
earned. He was a man of marked energy and industry and in his early years he became extensively engaged in lumbering in the employ of Mr. Watkins. He was also connected prominently with the improvement of the county and the introduction of many important interests here. In 1846 he built the large reservoir in the now famous Watkins glen and in 1848 he built several railroad bridges along the line of the present Northern Central Railroad.

On the 14th of February, 1836, Mr. Beckwith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Foster, of Hector, and unto this union were born nine children, eight of whom are yet living. Clarissa is the wife of William Collins, a resident of Watkins, and they have one son, William. Mary became the wife of Frank Seaman, who is a fireman on the Northern Central Railroad, living in Elmira, and their children are Judson, Frank and William D. Laura is the wife of William S. Longwell, a resident of Corning. William J.married Catharine Wegger and is now living a retired life. John S. is deceased. Ellen became the wife of Lee Clauharty, and they now occupy a pleasant home in Watkins, Mr. Clauharty living a retired life. Their only child, a son, died at the age of twenty years. Charles A. Beckwith is a gardener residing in Watkins. Emily, deceased, was the wife of W. D. Seaman.

Mr. Beckwith, the father, was at one time a very devoted member and liberal supporter of the Baptist church of Hector and later was an efficient helper in the church at Watkins. Sorrow and despondency, occasioned by financial reverses, cast a shadow over the later years of his life. He died in Watkins, March 7, 1889, being past his eightieth year, and was laid to rest in Glenwood cemetery, after a residence of seventy-three years in Schuyler county.



Lewis F. BESS
A shoemaker in Mecklenburg,, Schuyler co., NY.  He was born in the town of Ulysses, Tompkins co., NY on 30 March 1830.  Lewis was son of Daniel BESS and Elizabeth BLACKMAN.  Daniel BESS was born in New Jersey; he met and married his wife in Tompkins co. and she was born in Hector, NY.  Daniel & Elizabeth BESS had 2 children, Lewis and Erastus.  Lewis BESS learned the shoemaker's trade from Almon WAKEMAN in Covert, Seneca co., NY.  Lewis BESS was married on 20 Sep. 1853 to Elizabeth J. YOUNG, daughter of John YOUNG who moved from Long Island, NY to Orange co., NY in early life.  Lewis & Elizabeth BESS began living in Farmer Village, NY.  On 20 Sep. 1864 Lewis enlisted in Co. K, 1st NY Veteran Cavalry in the Civil War.  He served until July 1865.
Lewis F. and Elizabeth BESS had 4 children:
1. Thomas H. - b 22 May 1855. Lived in Allegany co., NY.
2. Elizabeth - b. 18 Nov. 1858.  Married Thomas FITZPATRICK a stone mason; they lived in Montour Falls.
3. Mortimer - b. 30 March 1862; died by 1903.
4. Sarah - b. 13 Aug. 1866.  Wife of Lyman PALMER, carpenter/joiner; lived in Mecklenburg, NY.


James Edwin BIRDSALL
Deceased by 1903.  He was born in Albany, NY, son of George W. BIRDSALL.  At age 19, James E. entered the Taylor Malt  House at Albany and became a practical malster.  At about age 32, James E. married Melvina Amanda NEWELL, daughter of Banister Cracken NEWELL and Nancy Agnes BOOTH.  Melvina was born in Rochester, NY on 2 June 1848.  Banister NEWELL was born in Scotland and his family settled in Bangor, Maine where Banister was raised and worked as a millwright.  Banister moved to Monroe co., NY where he married Nancy BOOTH, daughter of Abijah Judson BOOTH.
Banister C. NEWELL and Nancy A. BOOTH had 7 children:
- Harriet Frances - deceased by 1903
- William Henry - lived in Lawton, Michigan
- Charles Banister - deceased by 1903
- Sarah Jane - deceased.
- Nancy - Mrs. James BIRDSALL.
- Marietta - deceased by 1903.
- Anna Maria - deceased.
James E. BIRDSALL worked in Watkins, NY for 5 years, and then became partners with Frederick DAVIS in the malt business until 1869, when James moved to Erie, PA.  James lived in Erie, PA for 6 years.  He returned to Watkins after that, where he spent the summer months.  He died in Watkins on 13 Nov. 1876.  He was an Odd Fellow, a Republican and Episcopal church member.


Emerson R. BISSELL
Tyrone, NY businessman.  He was born in Tyrone, NY on 17 Feb. 1836 to Elias BISSELL.  Elias was born in Rutland, Vermont and came to Schuyler co., NY as a boy.  Elias was son of Benjamin BISSELL.  Elias BISSELL was married to Clarissa CANFIELD who was born in Connecticut and came to Schuyler co. as a girl.  Elias was a cooper in Tyrone, NY; he lived to be 80 and died 8 March 1894.  Clarissa (mother of Emerson) died when Emerson was about age 10.  Emerson attended school until age 16, then he worked as a clerk in a Tyrone store.  In 1874, he went into business with John T. WILLIAMS in the dry-goods and grocery merchants.  Emerson bought out his partner in 1885 and continued the business.
Emerson BISSELL was married in Oct. 1861 to Mary J. ALDERMAN and they had 4 children:
1. Frank E. - Episcopal minister in Boston, Mass. and a grad. of the Wisconsin Theological School.
2. Mirtie - wife of Daniel S. CRAWFORD of BISSELL & CRAWFORD.
3. Elias H. - married Nina POTTER; Elias was a clerk in the office of the Surrogate in Watkins.
4. Clara - at home in 1903.
Emerson BISSELL was elected to most of the town offices of Tyrone, NY, such as town clerk & supervisor & postmaster.


Oliver Perry BOWER
He was born on 22 Jan. 1829 on the old BOWER farm in Montour Falls.  His father was Isaac BOWER who was born in Connecticut, and his mother was Ellen VANGORDER.   Isaac and Ellen BOWER had 4 children:  Melisent, Isaac, Phineas and Oliver Perry.  Oliver Perry BOWER conducted a grocery store in Watkins, NY most of his life.  In 1855, Oliver was married to Jane McCLINTOCK (native of Watkins, NY), daughter of Hugh Alexander McCLINTOCK and Elizabeth ADAMS.  Hugh McCLINTOCK was born in Sullivan co., NY and Elizabeth ADAMS was born in Herkimer co., NY;  they had 12 children:
Jane, Annie, Edwin E., Charles, Mina (all living in c.1903);  Martha, George, Asa, Helen, James, Henry and Mary were all deceased by c.1903.  Edwin married Elizabeth GOWEN and had 10 children;  they lived in Elmira, NY.  Charles lived in Rochester, NY where he was a painter & paper hanger.  Mina lived in Rockford, Illinois, married to Mr. NORTH.
Oliver P. BOWER and wife Jane had 3 children:  Ebb P., Lottis C. and Nellie.  Only Nellie was still living c. 1903.  Oliver P. BOWER also built boats; he was a Republican and a Universalist.  Oliver died in 1887.


John Alfred BOYD
Manufacturer of shingles in Reynoldsville, Schuyler co., NY.  He was born in Hector, NY on 1 Jan. 1854, son of John BOYD and Eliza RUTH.  John and Eliza were both born in England and came to Hector, NY.  John Sr. died when John Alfred was a boy; Eliza was still living c. 1902/3 at age 79.  John Alfred worked as a farmer, shingle maker and grape basket maker.  His brother-in-law, James STILLWELL, helped in the basket making.  The shingle making factory turned out 300,000 shingles a year.  John A. BOYD was married on 22 Dec 1876 to Ida Florine STILLWELL, daughter of William STILLWELL and Jane DEAN.  John A. BOYD & his wife had 2 children:  LeElla who died on 7 Jun. 1902 in her 21st year; and William J. who works with his father.  John Alfred was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.


Lester BURCH
He came to Odessa, Schuyler co., NY in 1885.  He was born in Covert, Seneca co., NY on 15 Nov. 1850, son of John BURCH and Eliza LESTER.  John BURCH was born in England in 1818; Eliza LESTER was born in England in 1820, and they were married before leaving England in 1847 and settling in Seneca co., NY.
John BURCH and Eliza LESTER had 7 children:
 - George - eldest; married Nellie REILEY, had 4 children, lived in Elmira, NY.
 - Sarah - lived in Veteran, Chemung co., NY.
 - Lester (of this bio) - 3rd child.
 - William - married Carrie WAKEFIELD, lived in Millport, NY.
 - Charles - married Retta MIX and lived in Veteran, Chemung co., NY.
 - John - married Myra WOODARD and had 4 children.  Lived in "Millsport", NY.
 - Robert - lived  on the family homestead with his father; married with one child in 1903.
Lester BURCH farmed his whole life and also had a threshing business.  Lester was married in 1870 to Ellen LUNGER, daughter of Ludawick LUNGER and Maria SCOTT.  Lester and Ellen had children:  Mary, Monroe and Ellen.  Mary married Wesley GRAVES, a resident of Odessa, NY and they had one child, Richard GRAVES as of 1903.
Lester BURCH was a Baptist and a Democrat.


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