Boylston New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

Boylston New York Family Sketches extracted from Landmarks of Oswego County, by John C. Churchill, LL.D., 1895.

Delong, Philando H.

Philando H. Delong, was a son of Cornelius and Nancy (Hall) Delong, who were natives of Herkimer county and went in 1837 to St. Lawrence county, settling in Hammond. In 1853 they moved to Boylston and settled on a farm in the central part. They reared five children , all now living in Boylston. Mrs. Delong died in 1871, and Mr. Delong in 1885. Philando married Mary D. Sweet of St. Lawrence county, and they have lived on the farm occupied by them since 1865. Their children are Alice, now Mrs. Edwin Mead of this town; Ellis E. G., who married Hattie Dunlap of Holmesville and lives in Brownville; Olin P., and Howard H. B. Mr. Delong has been assessor of his town seventeen years, and auditor three years.

Duane, George

George Duane, was born in Boylston in 1866. His father was Godfrey, who was a native of Jefferson county, born there in 1827. He lived in Dexter and Brownville until twenty-five years of age, when he came and settled in the southwest part of Boylston on the State road. He died in 1888. Subject’s mother was Olive Denon, a native of Lower Canada. The family was a large one of eleven children, eight of whom are living, one in Boston and the rest in Oswego county. George married Ada Louise, daughter of David Rider of Mexico, and they have two children, Godfrey H., born in 1892, and Paul D., born in 1894. They have a farm of fifty acres.

Hall, Llewellyn J.

Llewellyn J. Hall, is a native of Oswego city, where he was born in 1845. His father, Daniel M., was a native of Norway, Herkimer county, a cooper by trade. His mother was Roxey Hines. His grandfather was Daniel Hall, who was born in Rhode Island and came to Herkimer county at the age of twenty-three; from there he went to Lee, Oneida county; from there he went to Scriba, Oswego county, about 1884; he was a blacksmith by trade; he was married twice; by his first wife he had five children, one son and four daughters; and by his second wife four children, two sons and two daughters, subject’s father being the oldest by the second marriage. Llewellyn moved to Mexico in 1862, and from there he enlisted in Co. I, 147th N. Y. Vols., and was with his regiment all through until the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, where he was wounded and lost his left leg below the knee; he was there taken prisoner and carried to Lynchburg, and from there to Libby prison in Richmond, and was kept a prisoner five months, and finally discharged March 18, 1865, at Philadelphia. He married in 1869 Mary O’ Raff arty of Oswego, who died May 9, 1870. His second wife was Sarah A. Boschan, daughter of Lorenzo Boschan, and their children are Andrew E., George E., Bertha, Frank, James and Clarence. Llewellyn came to Boylston in 1878, and settled on a farm one-half mile east of Town Hall and lived there until 1887, and then moved to the farm of twenty-five acres he now owns. One brother, Herbert S., lives with him; another, Andrew, lives in Albion, Orleans county; James died in 1889, aged thirty-five years; Colon L., eldest brother, enlisted in 1862 in Co. I, 147th N. Y. Vols., and served his time with the regiment, afterwards in the 16th Infantry and 9th Cavalry, regular army. He died in 1877, aged thirty, after fifteen years continuous service, and only twelve days before the expiration of his term. Sarah, his only sister, married Frank Reiley and lives in Watertown, Jefferson county.

Jennings, Joseph

Joseph Jennings, is a well known farmer and veteran, born in the town of Wooster, Otsego county, in May, 1830. He is a son of Calvin Jennings, born 1797 in Otsego county, who is a son of Isaac Jennings, who was born in England and was a Revolutionary soldier. Calvin, the father, was a farmer and came to the town of Parish in May, 1837. He married Abigail, daughter of Joshua Irish, of Otsego county, who was born in 1800. Their children were Isaac, Joatham, Stephen, Joseph, Jonathan, and Mary Jane, all living but Isaac. At the age of fifteen the subject learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed until 1864, when he enlisted in Company K, 184th N. Y. Regiment, and served until the close of the war. In 1868 he removed to Boylston, and from that time until 1881 was engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs. He then bought the farm of fifty-five acres on which he now resides. In 1849 he married Lucretia, daughter of Jesse Williams, of Parish. Their children are Sally A. (deceased), Mary A., wife of Zimri Brownell, and Clarissa A. (deceased), and Joseph Calvin, who is married and has six children, Joatham A., Mary J., Sally A., Clarissa, Charles, and Flora. Mr. Jennings served as constable continuously from 1879 to 1893. His son now holds that office. He is a member of the Barney Post, G. A. R. , of Sandy Creek.

Leanor, Theophilus A.

Theophilus A. Leanor, was born in Canada in 1861, and came with his father’s family to Williamstown in 1870. His father, James Leanor, had twelve children: Joseph in New Washington Territory, Canada; Felix, Oliver, Philip and Matthias, in Michigan, Louis in Manitoba, Samuel in Ontario; Ann J., Mary E., and Benjamin at home; and Mary A., in Oswego. He was a lumberman and spent some time in Redfield, then in Orwell, jobbing for William Breeher, and in the fall of 1874 moved to Swartville where he was in the employ of C. W. Swart until 1882; then moved on the east side of the town and built the present Leanor saw and shingle mill, Theophilus working with him. The father died in 1888, subject and his brother carrying on the business for four years, and since then alone. He married Julia A., daughter of Albert Munay, and has one daughter, Laura, born in January, 1890. He was appointed postmaster at Swartville in the fall of 1893, the office being a new one established largely through his efforts.

Le Clair Frank P.

Frank P. Le Clair, is one of Boylston’s enterprising young men, owner and conductor of a cheese factory, which business he began when fourteen years old. He was born in the town of Mexico in 1857, son of Charles Le Clair. Charles Le Clair was born in Mexico in 1822 and is one of five sons of Frederick Le Clair, who was born m France. The latter came to America in 1820 and settled in the town of Mexico where he cleared a farm. He was a soldier in the French army. Charles, the father, left the farm in 1871 and engaged m the general merchadise business in the village of Parish, where he is still in active business. He is a member of the Masonic order. His wife was Catherine Parrot, who was born in France. She died in 1870. Their children are Charles, jr., Louisa, Mary, Pauline, Frank, Edward, Emma and Ida J. Since the age of nineteen our subject has taken exclusive charge of a factory at Loomis Corners in the town of Palermo. In 1883 he came to Boylston and established himself in business Here he has been actively engaged in the manufacture of a fine grade cheese. His goods are always in demand and command the highest market price. Since 1890 he has manufactured quantities of butter. He is an extensive reader and a well informed man. In March, 1881, he married Anna, daughter of George and Catherine (Moore) Lewis of Amboy. Their children are Leanna C. and Franklin G.

Lester, Henry

Henry Lester, son of Nicholas, was born near Troy, N. Y., in 1814. He came when a child with his grandparents to Sandy Creek. At an early age he commenced to earn his own living learning the trade of carpenter. He married Jane Bartlett, daughter of Emery Bartlett, and settled in the southeastern part of the town, building two saw mills and clearing a farm of 114 acres. Four children were born to them: Frances W., wife of J. A. Alden, who died in Lawrence, Mich., in 1876; Harriet E., wife of Elijah Rowe, who resides in Boylston; Emery B. of Orwell; Emerson D. in Boylston. His wife, Jane, dying in 1872, he married Amy Calkins Snyder, by whom he had a son, Henry W., who resides in Mannsville, Jefferson county. Henry Lester was much respected by his townsmen, holding the office of superintendent of schools, justice of the peace twelve years, and supervisor five years. He died in 1878. Emerson D. was born on the homestead where he now resides in 1851; he was educated in the district school, Pulaski Academy and Lawrence (Mich.) Union School. He was married in 1878, and has two children, Ray, aged fifteen, and Harry, aged five. He was elected supervisor in 1893 and re-elected in 1894 without opposition; is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. O. T. M. lodges.

Oderkirk, Jacob J.

Jacob J. Oderkirk, was born in Sandy Creek in 1819. His family remained there two years, then one year in Ellisburg, and moved into Boylston, settling on the north side of the town, Mr. Oderkirk being the oldest settler of the town. He lived on the north road until 1856, then moved to the center of the town and bought a farm of fifty acres but now has ninety-six acres. He married in 1848 Rachael Shoecraft, who died in 1867. Her children are Adaline, Mrs. Newell Lermonth; Antoinette, Mrs. Anthony Mackey of Olean; Martha T., Mary, Mrs. Darius Yerdon of Dexter; Richard M., Claudius T., and Harriet, Mrs. Brown of Olean. He married second Helen Clark of Richland, by whom he had three children, Benjamin, Don T. and Helen M. The second Mrs. Oderkirk died in 1880. Subject’s father, Jacob, a native of Rensselaer county, died in Boylston in 1854. His mother was Catherine Wygant.

Oderkirk, John Andrew

John Andrew Oderkirk, was born in Boylston July 20, 1831. He is a son of Nelson Oderkirk who was born in Hoosick, Rensselaer county, in 1811, son of Jacob Oderkirk. The Oderkirk family had its origin in The Hague, Holland. Jacob was a farmer and came to Oswego county about 1820 and settled in Sandy Creek. A few years later he removed to Boylston, where he and his wife, Catherine Wyant, spent their remaining days. Nelson was a farmer. He married Maria, daughter of George and Sally (Shoecraft) Hostater, born in Schuyler, Herkimer county, in 1810. Their children were John, David and Almira. Nelson died in 1883. His wife now resides on the homestead with our subject, who has devoted most of his life to farming. From 1879 to 1882 he was engaged in the manufacture of cheese in this town. He has served as supervisor and assessor of the town and is at present postmaster at North Boylston. In 1850 he married Susan, daughter of John Etherage of Massachusetts who were of Puritan stock. Their children are Mrs. Jennie Woodard, of Ellisburg, Jefferson county, Mrs. Mary Reamer, of Savannah, Wayne county, and Mrs. Betsey Eggleston of Boylston. Mr. Oderkirk is a member of the I. O. O F. and he and his wife are members of the M. P. church at N. Boylston.

Ridgeway, Amos E.

Ridgeway, Amos E., is a son of Rev. Allen Ridgeway, who came from Highlands on the Hudson River and settled in Wayne county as pastor of a Methodist church. By his first wife he had nine children. She died, and he married Alvina Davenport of Sodus, by whom he also had nine children. He was sent to the Boylston Circuit and settled in the northwest part of the town. He stopped preaching in 1862, bought a farm and went to work at his trade of cooper. He died in 1882 in Boylston. His wife is still living at the old home. The record of this double family is as follows: James, living in Boylston, has eleven children; Martha, Mrs. Lyman Cahoon, died in Wayne county in 1892, with five children; Alpheusdied in Jefferson county in 1892 and had four children; John lives in Boylston, and has eight children; Emma, Mrs. George Hurd, lives in Wayne county and has three children; Benjamin lives in Ohio. Of the second family Mariette, Mrs. Richard White, has eight children; William has four; Amos E. has five; Paulina, Mrs. Frank Brown, has six; Ruth Mrs. James Dally, has two, and Robert, all living in Boylston. One son, Eugene, died in infancy, and one daughter, Alvina, twin of Paulina. Amos E. was educated in the common schools. He married Ella, daughter of Benjamin Nichols, and lives on a farm of 400 acres in the northeast part of the town. He carries on a lumber business, having a steam saw and shingle mill, purchased from J. C. Whitney in 1886. His children are Hattie, Benjamin A., Amos E., Clement N. and Milton. He was elected justice of the peace in 1898.

Robbins, George J.

George J. Robbins, was born in Pulaski in 1838, and lived there until seventeen years of age when he went for two years to Peoria, Ind. Returning to Oswego county, he married Rosina, daughter of Marcus Stowell of Orwell. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in Co. G, 24th N. Y. Cav. , and served till the close of the war. He was wounded April 5, 1865, at Burkeville Station, but was able to rejoin his regiment, and was in at the final surrender of Lee. After the war he returned to Orwell and worked at farming and in the bark woods. In 1876 he bought his present farm of ninety-seven acres in the southern part of the town. They reared a large family of children, seven of whom are living: Mary, Mrs. James Domeburg of Sandy Creek, who has one child, Foster; Ella, Mrs. Nelson Waldon of New Haven, who has two children, Edwin and Nina; Nettie, Mrs. Charles Filkins of Syracuse, who has three children, Bessie, Leon and Berton; Frank and Berton live in Sandy Creek, while Newton and Vera live on the home farm. One daughter died in 1864, and the eldest son, Henry, in 1865, soon after the father’s return from the war. Mr. Robbins’s father, Philip, married Elizabeth Rogers, and they had but one child, the subject, Mrs. Robbins dying soon after he was born. Mr. Robbins married a second wife, and died in Pulaski in 1889.

Rudd, David

David Rudd, was born in Boylston, May 7, 1845, son of Rosel, who was born in Middletown, Vt. , in 1809. Rosel A. Rudd was the eldest of five sons and three daughters of Samuel Rudd of Connecticut and was a farmer. He came to Boylston in 1844 where he settled on a farm and was for many years overseer of the poor. He married Adelia, daughter of Ethni Fillmore, Vermont, by whom he had seven children, Ellen M., Hiram D., Wm. H. H., George W., Eli J., and Chester F. When David was twenty-one years old he began to work on a farm and has continued that vocation up to the present. In 1879 he purchased the farm he now lives on. He makes a specialty of potato raising. In March, 1868, he married Nettie M. Larmouth of Boylston, by whom he had two children, Mary E., deceased, and Leonard J. In 1884, Mr. Rudd married Mrs. Mary (Fredrick) Fry, of Worth, Jefferson county. They are both members of the M. P. Church, of which Mr. Rudd has been one of the trustees since 1884.

Rudd, Hiram

Hiram Rudd, was born in the western part of Boylston in 1842. His father, Rosell A., came to the town in 1834, and four years later bought and located on what has ever since been known as the Rudd farm of ninety-five acres, which adjoins the county line on the west side of Boylston. His farm was deeded by his father-in-law, Mr. Filmore. Mr. Rudd died in 1886, and his wife in 1892. They had five sons and one daughter, Ellen, Mrs. William Barker; Hiram, David and George W. are farmers of Boylston; William lives in Loraine; Chester F. died on the old farm in 1892, aged thirty-two years. Hiram married Jennie, daughter of Hugh Lermonth, and they have one daughter, Rose L., who was educated at Sandy Creek High School and became a successful teacher. Mr. Rudd served as assessor three years.

Schermerhorn, Henry

Henry Schermerhorn, was born in Homer, N. Y., in 1821. His father, Jacob, moved from there to Richland. About 1824 he conducted a hotel on the road between Port Ontario and Oswego, and died there in 1862. Henry married Pamelia A. Le Valley of Sandy Creek and went to Wisconsin, but returned again to Sandy Creek, and in 1863 moved to Boylston, settling in the central part, where he died in 1888; his widow is at present living in Smartville. They had one child, Alfred H. He grew up at home and married Libby J. Ethridge of the same town. He has spent his life in farming. Their children are Herman H., and Mina (Mrs. Leslie C. Austin), who has one daughter, Edith L. Alfred is the owner of several large farms, two of them being in Sandy Creek. He has served as assessor and excise commissioner.

Snyder, Daniel A.

Daniel A. Snyder, was born at Boylston in 1882. His grandfather, John, and a brother came to this country from Germany when young men. Both served in the war of the Revolution. After the war, John married and settled in Herkimer county. He raised a family of six, among whom was Abraham, who married Lena Shoecraft and came to Boylston. He was a farmer and carpenter. Some years later he moved to the center of the town where he died. His children were Matthew, Margaret, Abraham, John W., Sally M., Rachel, Henry J., Daniel A., William A. Daniel has always lived in Boylston, except seven years spent in Wolcott. He married Anna M., daughter of Rev. Allen Ridgeway. Their children are Allen D., who married Anna E. Ridgeway and has two children, Daniel and Ruby; Martha, Mrs. E. J. Dingman, Syracuse; Mina, Mrs. James English, E. Boylston; Minnie, Mrs, J. W. Crandall, Orwell; and Maggie, Mrs. Ely Craft. Mr. Snyder enlisted in 1862 in the 110th Regiment and served until the close of the war. He has held the office of town collector and postmaster.

Stowell, Orrin L.

Orrin L. Stowell, is one of Boylston’s energetic farmers and business men and was born in the town of Boylston, September 2, 1846. He is a son of Allen G. Stowell, who was born in Orwell in 1823. Allen is a son of Orrin Stowell of Vermont, who was a farmer. Allen G., the father, was a farmer during his early life. From that he embarked in the insurance business, which he followed until his death in 1893. He came to Boylston in 1846 and settled on the twenty-five acre lot on which our subject now resides. He afterward moved to Mexico, where his death occurred. He married Emily Pennock. Their children are Orrin L., Nelson, Mary E., Lillian and Jennie. He was a member of the Masonic order. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one as a farmer on the homestead, to which he has since added one hundred acres. Here he has made his home, except two years spent at Orwell in the lumber business. In connection with his farming he was at one time extensively engaged in the agricultural implement business. He now holds the patent right on a well and cistern cleaner and purifier. He has held the offices of assessor, supervisor and justice of the peace. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Maccabees. In 1866 he married Martha, daughter of Lewis and Almira Chase of Schuyler count). Their children are Burton, Arthur, Emily and Mamie, deceased, and Clarence.

Tilton, James B.

James B. Tilton, was born in Hammond, St. Lawrence county, in 1847. His grandfather, Peter, came from Dutchess county to Oneida county, where he married Nancy Atkins, who came from England when nine years of age. Joseph A., son of Peter and Nancy, was born in Oneida county. He was one of a family of twelve children, and moved with his parents to Hammond, where he married Cecilia, daughter of James and Margaret Battell. Joseph and Cecilia raised four children: Rozell, married Rachel, daughter of C. J. and Catharine Huffstatter of Boylston; Elizabeth A. (Mrs. John Helms) of Spring Valley, Rockland county; Margaret (Mrs. Warren Horton) of Hopewell, Dutchess county; and James B. The family moved to Boylston in 1858 and settled on the farm where James now resides. The two boys cleared up the farm, which was almost a dense forest, their father being in poor health. In 1869 James married M. Alice, daughter of Adam and Sally Coppernoll of Boylston; she was born September 30, 1849; her father was born in Oneida county and her mother in Boylston, she being a daughter of Abram Snyder. In 1872 Joseph B. died. The family were members of the M. E. church. James raised a family of three children: Orla A., born October 24, 1871, married Naomi, daughter of Charles B. and Harriet Woodard; W. Rozell, born July 19, 1873; and Nina A., born April 29, 1879. Mrs. James Tilton died August 3, 1894, leaving Nina to care for the home. Politically James is a Republican, and has held several town offices, and his motto is to do as he would be done by.

Wart Family, The

The Wart Family. It was not until the spring of 1812 that the forests of Boylston rang with the woodman’s axe, it being the last town in the county to be settled except Albion, which was occupied the same year. The first pioneers of Boylston were John Wart, of Cherry Valley, and Michael Sweetman, of Montgomery county, who, unknown to each other, came by the inevitable ox sled conveyance of that era about the same time. Mr. Wart, however, arrived two days the earlier, and was consequently the very first settler of Boylston. Wart and Sweetman both located in the northwestern part of the present town of Boylston, which was then a part of Richland. It was more particularly designated as survey township No. 6 of the Boylston tract, and on the survey maps it was also called Campania. Mr. Sweetman built his cabin where the present residence of Norman Wart stands, and Mr. Wart established himself half a mile further east. It was two miles to another house in Lorraine, and a like distance west into Ellisburg; to the south nearly ten miles of forest lay between the two hardy pioneers and the settlement of Orwell; while on the east the oaks and hemlocks stretched in an unbroken mass to the distant valley of the Black River. In 1815 there was a heavy immigration consisting of four families, namely: Peter Wells, Martin Lillie, John F. Dean and Asa B. Copeland. They settled where North Boylston church (M. P.) now stands. Morris Wart, a younger brother of John, came in 1816, living with the latter a while and then locating in 1818 in the town of Lorraine. In 1830 he located in the northwest corner of Boylston, adding to his purchase at various times until he had 300 acres. His wife was Phoebe Hall, of Royal Grant, Oneida county, by whom he had two sons and one daughter: Frances Ann, James P. and O. Norman. The mother died in 1838, and Morris married Betsey Bargey, by whom he had three sons and one daughter: Phebe M., Peter V., Alfred B. and Jeremiah. She died in 1881. Mr. Wart served a number of years as assessor and was also poormaster. He was a member of the Mannsville Baptist church. He died in 1882. Three of his children, Frances, James P. and Alfred are in Michigan. O. Norman Wart was born July 18, 1835, in the town of Boylston. He married Elsie Ann, daughter of Stephen Draper, born August 22, 1840, in the town of Orwell, and has two children: Clarence H., born May 11, 1873; and Clara V., born May 21, 1876, both of whom are teaching school. He has a farm of 100 acres devoted to general farming, and has served as assessor three years. He and family are members of the Mannsville Baptist church. It is related that about 1850, this part being settled mostly by Warts, there were in the district school at one time twenty-five children of that name.

Wells, Eugene

Eugene Wells. One of the first farms cleared in the town of Boylston was the one now owned by Eugene Wells at North Boylston. It was cleared by Mr. Wells’s grandfather, a Welshman, who, with his wife Sally, came to Boylston in 1820. To him was born five children. He died in 1854 aged sixty-nine years. Of three sons, Luke, father of Eugene, married Delira Case of Williamstown, a cousin of J. I. Case, who went west and located in Racine, Wis., and became one of the largest manufacturers of the West. To Luke was born seven children. When Eugene was eight years old his father moved to Munnsville, Jefferson county, and later to Watertown. Eugene, at the age of twenty-one, with his father returned to North Boylston and purchased the old farm. Eugene married Sally Huffstater of North Boylston (the Huffstaters having settled in Boylston when it was a new country) and has three children, Edward, Arthur and Ada. Later Eugene became the sole owner of the old farm, his father going to North Freedom. Wis., where he died in 1888. Eugene built one of the largest and best cheese factories, with store and dwelling, at North Boylston in 1888, in which he now resides. A second factory with store will be built at Smartville on the place Mr. Wells lately purchased from the Dyk Brothers, on which he now has a blacksmith shop and dwelling house. Mr. Wells is recognized as one of the best farmers in the town. He was elected justice of the peace in 1892.

Woodard, Charles B.

Charles B. Woodard, was born in Boylston in 1837, his father’s family having moved there the year before from Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y. His father, John Woodard, originally came from Vermont. He married Phebe Brown, also of Vermont. They had one daughter, who died in infancy, and seven sons, three of whom served in the Civil war. Orson J., now living in Mannsville, Jefferson county, served as lieutenant in the 147th N. Y. Vols.; Ezra, now residing in Buena Vista, Col., served in the 110th N. Y. Heavy Artillery; Otis, now living in Webster City, la.; and William in Saguacha, Col.; Melvin in Sandy Creek, N. Y.; Orestus at Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., who died December 10, 1888. Charles B. enlisted in the 147th Regiment in August, 1862, and served until the close of the war. He received a serious injury and was transferred to the Invalid Corps and did garrison duty afterward. He married Harriet J., daughter of Barnum Ostrum, in 1859. Their children were Edgar J., Fred B., and Naomi. Edgar married Jennie, daughter of J. A. Oderkirk; they reside in Ellisburg, and have one son, Merton Fred B. died in 1878. Naomi married Orla, son of James Tilton, October 8, 1894, and now lives at her father's home in Boylston.