Campbell New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

Campbell New York Family Sketches extracted from Landmarks of Steuben County, by Hon. Harlo Hakes, 1896.

Anmiller, George

George Anmiller, was born in Germany, October 28, 1829, and came to the United States in 1853 and settled in Hornellsville, where he began clearing land ; he remained there for one year, and then moved to Kanona, where he engaged in the railroad business for about three years, after which he went to Corning, and from there to Cooper’s Plains, where he began work for the Rochester division of the N. Y. L. E. & W. ; from that place he came to the town of Campbell, where he bought a farm of 100 acres, which business he has followed ever since. He married Johanna Smith, of Germany, by whom he had these children: Dora, Andrew, Katie (deceased), William, Annie. In politics he is a Democrat.

Beckwith, Mrs. C. K.

Beckwith, Mrs. C. K. — Chester K. Beckwith was born in Steuben county, May 23, 1835, son of Zenas Beckwith, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. Chester K. Beckwith was educated in the district schools of Hornby, after which he was employed as fireman on the N. Y. , L. E. and W. Railroad until 1863, when he enlisted in the 97th N. Y. Vols. and served two years ; after which he was employed as engineer by the N. Y. , L. E. and W. , and the Buffalo, N. Y. and Phila. Railroads until 1880, when he was engaged by the pipe line of the Standard Oil Co. for two years. He then commenced farming, which he followed up to the time of his death, which occurred January 4, 1891, aged fifty-five years. He married Martha L. Doud, by whom he had three children: Herbert C., Addie E., the wife of George W. Thompson, and Martha A. Mr. Beckwith was a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In politics he was a Republican.

Beckwith, Philo

Beckwith, Philo, born in the town of Campbell, January 25, 1857, is the son of Griffin Beckwith, who was born in the town of Hornby, December 25, 1825, and grandson of Zenith Beckwith, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Hornby. Griffin came to the town of Campbell in 1860, where he purchased the farm now owned by Philo. He married Margaret, daughter of Solomon Cushing, of the town of Dicks, Schuyler county, and they have two children: Philo C. , and Martha, now Mrs. Joe Robinson, of Wellesboro, Pa. Philo was educated in the district school, and he has devoted his time to farming, and has also conducted a dairy for the last five years. His father died in 1889, aged sixty-four years; and the mother in December, 1894, aged sixty-three.

Carlton, James L.

Carlton, James L., was born in the town of Jerusalem, Yates county, September 22, 1820. James Carlton, his father, was a native of England, and came to the United States in 1812. He was a shoemaker by trade, which business he followed for many years. He settled in Yates county where he bought a farm. He married Sarah Wilkinson, a native of Broome county, N. Y., by whom he had one son, James L., who worked several years for one man, of whom he bought a farm of 180 acres in the town of Bath. He cleared his land with his own hands, and is still the owner. In 1874 he came to Campbell and bought a farm of ten acres, where he is now living. He married Margaret M. Markell of Seneca, by whom he had five children: Sarah A., Ellanor C., George H., J. D., and Milton D. For his second wife he married Mrs. Martha W. Gardner, by whom he had one son, Fred W. For his third wife he married Mrs. Malinda Taylor. For his fourth wife he married Mrs. Emily Chambers, daughter of Barny Brown. He is a member of the M. E. church, also a member of the K. of H., and in politics he is a Prohibitionist.

Clawson, Jacob

Clawson, Jacob, was born in Southport, Chemung county, January 16, 1827, son of Ebenezer Clawson, who was born in the State of New Jersey, and came to the town of Campbell in 1841, where he took up land. He was a wagonmaker by trade. He married Rohamy, daughter of John McHenry, of Chemung county, and they were the parents of three children: Jacob, Betsey, and John M. For his second wife he married Loretta Reed, of Potter county, Pa., and two children were born to them: Martha, now Mrs. Thompson, and Julia, now Mrs. Williams. Jacob Clawson devoted his time to lumbering until 1850, since which time he has been in the mercantile business most of the time. He married Jane, daughter of Cornelius Hamilton, of Campbell, who was one of the early settlers of Campbell. They have five children: Sara G., Charles H., Frank E., J. Louisa, and John L. Mr. Clawson is a Republican, and has filled many of the minor offices of the town. He is a member of the K. of H. In 1850 he was employed in the first general store that was opened in the town.

Clawson, John M.

Clawson, John M., was born in the town of Southport, January 30, 1831, son of Ebenezer Clawson, who for the last twenty years of his life was a hotel proprietor of Campbell village, and married Rohanna McHenry, by whom he had three children: John M., Jacob, and Betsey. For his second wife he married Loretta Reed, by whom he had two children: Martha and Julian. John M. Clawson has spent the most of his life in Campbell in the tannery for J. D. Hamilton. In 1862 he enlisted in 107th N. Y. Vols., as a private, and served until the close of the war; he was promoted to second lieutenant May 25, 1865. He married Lucinda R., daughter of Philip and Maria Drake, by whom he had one son, Charlie D. Clawson, a merchant in Pennsylvania. He is a member of Knox Post No. 447, and in politics is a Republican.

Cleveland, Shepard A.

Cleveland, Shepard A., wras born in Delaware county, August 7, 1842. John P. Cleveland, his father', was a native of the same county, and came to South Post, on the line between Steuben county and Chemung county, where he bought timberland and cleared a farm. He was in the lumber business for many years, and died in the town of Campbell, aged ninety-four years. He married Nancy Cotton of Connecticut. Shepard A. Cleveland was educated in Steuben county, and then engaged in farming, and now owns a farm of 270 acres. He married Mary, daughter of Samuel Rumsey of Victor, Ontario county, by whom he had five children: Ida M., Alice G., Nancy D., Ray S., and Mertie M. Mr. Cleveland has held many of the minor offices of the town, and is a member of the M. E. church. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

Cody, Frank A.

Cody, Frank A., was born in Hornellsville, January 21, 1857, son of Levi Cody who came from Connecticut to Hornellsville when quite small, with his father who cleared land for a farm, which at that time was a wilderness. He married Sarah Cobern, by whom he had four children: Frank, Fred, Charles and Howard. Frank A. Cody was educated in this county, after which he engaged in farming and lumbering, and at present devotes his time to farming, and now owns a farm on the Mead’s Creek road, of 130 acres. He married Sarah, daughter of James Hamilton of Ireland, by whom he had one daughter, Mary. He is a member of the M. E. church, and in politics is a Republican.

Curtis, John S.

Curtis, John S., was born in the town of Campbell, August 9, 1865. Daniel B. Curtis his father, was a native of Connecticut, and came to the town of Campbell among the first settlers, where he engaged in tanning and farming. He married May A. Brown of Campbell, by whom he had five children: Jennie, John S., George H., Uriah B., and May. John S. Curtis was educated in the district schools of Campbell. He attended the military school at Cayuga Lake, one year at a preparatory school, and then took charge of his father’s farm of 500 acres, which he now owns. Since 1887 he has been agent for the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. He married Grace, daughter of C. H. Bemis of Campbell, by whom he had one child, Daniel B. In 1893 Mr. Curtis was elected supervisor of the town, for a three years term, In politics he is a Republican.

Dibble, I. F.

Dibble, Mrs. I. F. — IraF. Dibble was born in Courtwright, Delaware county, N.Y., July 3, 1830. Henry Dibble, his father, was one of the old settlers of Courtwright, and in November, 1796, he married Betsey Butts, by whom he had thirteen children: Mary, Patty, Lyman, Lucy, Betsey, Alvira, Henry G., Moses B., Sallie A., Phebe, Harriet, Christopher and William M. 'For his second wife he married Hannah Brown, by whom he had seven children: Amy, Laura Ann, Cynthia, Harmon, Jackson, Ira Ford, Hannah Maria, and Harriett Levantia. Ira F. Dibble was educated in the district schools of Sidney and Courtwright, after which he engaged in farming, and now owns a farm of 212 acres on the Mead’s Creek road. He married Louisa W., daughter of Richard Lee, a farmer of Sidney, by whom he had six children: Estella L., now Mrs. Chas. Smith; Ira Eugene; Mary Ester, now Mrs. Harry Chamberlain; Lesley D., Leon G., and Henry Ford, the last three at home. Mr. Dibble died in 1892, aged sixty-two years. In politics he was a Democrat.

Dunkee, Ellis

Dunkee, Ellis, was born in Vermont, June 1, 1815. Eli Dunkee, his father, was also a native of Vermont, where he died in 1847. Ellis Dunkee came to the town of Campbell when twelve years of age and learned the carpenter trade, which business he has followed for some years, and now owns a farm of 100 acres. He married Lucina Bixby, of Campbell, by whom he had eight children: Eli, Melvina, Emma, James, Lansing, Parden, Clare, and Calista. For his second wife he married Mrs. Margaret Havens, daughter of William McCan, of Chemung county. He is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Republican.

Eygabroat, Jacob

Eygabroat, Jacob, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., December 29, 1828, son of John and Matilda Eygabroat. John was born in 1800, near St. johnsville, was a farmer by occupation, and came to the town of Campbell about thirty-three years ago, where he continued to live until his death on February 18, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Eygabroat were the parents of seven children: John H., Jacob, Betsey A., William, Martha, Rosilla, and William, the second. Jacob has been a shingle maker, which business he followed in connection with farming and lumbering. At present he is devoting his time to farming, and is the owner of five farms. He married Fannie, daughter of Isaiah Austin, of Caton, and they have had five children: William, deceased, Harriet Amy, Charlie, John, and Jacob.

Hamilton, W. L.

Hamilton, W. L., was born in Campbell, April 14, 1860. John D. Hamilton, his father, was born in the town of Dix, Schuyler county, and came to the town of Campbell in 1836. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in 1855 established the Curtis tanneiy. He sold this business, and built a tannery in Campbell in 1857. At present the Campbell tannery is abandoned, and W. L. Hamilton is manager of the Curtis tannery for the United States Leather Company, whose office is in New York city. John D. Hamilton married Harriet Lowell, by whom he had two children: W. L., and Sarah, wife of Frank Pope, of Pittsburg, Pa. W. L. Hamilton was the owner of the Curtis & Emporium tannery up to 1893, also the owner of an acid factory and lumber interest located in Pennsylvania. He married Mary E., daughter of C. F. Platt of Painted Post, by whom he had one daughter, Harriet. In politics he is a Republican.

Hollenbeck, George A.

Hollenbeck, George A., was born in the town of Campbell, this county, March 27, 1858. Abram Hollenbeck, his father, was a native of Greene, Chenango county. He was born January 28, 1829, and came to Campbell with his father, J. B. Hollenbeck, who was one of the pioneer settlers, and where he lived for about forty years. It was a partial wilderness at that time, and they cleared about 300 acres for farming. Abram Hollenbeck married Mary L., daughter of Jacob and Mary Velie, by whom he had five children: Ruby A., now Mrs. Appleby, Lydia M., Esther E., Clarissa C., and George A., who was educated in Curtis district school and Bath Academy. He is a farmer, and now owns a farm of eighty-nine acres. He married Clara M. Ford of the town of German, Chenango county, by whom he had three children: Merle, Lillian, and Anna Ruby. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics is a Republican.

McKay, James S.

McKay, James S., was born in Ireland, in 1817, and came to the United States in 1836. He settled in Bath and learned the trade of a miller, which business he followed up to 1891, when he was compelled to abandon it on account of failing health. He has been superintendent of the poor for fifteen years and held other prominent positions. He married Hester Hamblin of Bath, by whom he had four children. In politics he is a Democrat.

Manning, Stanley

Manning, Stanley, was born in Ithaca, Tompkins county, February 23, 1832. John Manning, his father, was a native of Connecticut, and was among the first settlers in the town of Ithaca, and married Hannah, daughter of Daniel Brow of Tompkins county, by whom he had six children: Daniel, Lydia, Richard, Elizabeth, Van, and Stanley. Stanley Manning was educated in the district schools of Ithaca, after which he engaged in farming, and now owns a farm of 125 acres. He married Clara, daughter of Daniel Williams, by whom he had five children: Andrew, Anna, Sidney J., Oliver, and Edith. Mr. Manning has been assessor for three years, is a member of the M. E. church, and in politics is a Democrat.

Peterson, Frank

Peterson, Frank, was born at Big Flats, Chemung county, June 8, 1850. He began his education in the district schools of the town of Campbell. He is a farmer and lives on the homestead farm of 150 acres. He is unmarried and lives with his mother. He is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics he is a Republican.

Peterson, Willard

Peterson, Willard, was born in the town of Campbell, January 29, 1857. William Peterson, his father, was a native of New York State, and came to what is known as Big Flats, Chemung county, N.Y., after which he came to the town of Campbell, which at that time was a wilderness, and cleared a farm of 150 acres. He married Anna Gardner, by whom he had six children: Frank, George, Willard, Edwin, Stephen, and Benjamin. Willard Peterson is a farmer and owns a farm of 100 acres. He married Nettie of Coopers, in the town of Erwin, by whom he had three children: Harry, Willie, and Helen.

Pierce, Byron

Pierce, Byron, was born in the home he now owns, which was built by his father, April 15, 1839. Alson Pierce, his father, came to the town May 23, 1815, and settled on the place which is now occupied by his son. He cleared sixty acres where at one time the old Williams Hotel stood. The family dates back to Capt. Michael Pierce, of England. Alson Pierce married Silvia Corbin of Vermont, by whom he had four children: Benjamin C., born in 1820, died 1844; Mary A., born May 21, 1823; Martha A., born October 25, 1825. Byron was educated in the district school, and at eighteen years of age commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Floyd Morse of Painted Post, and graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in 1860. In June, 1862, he entered the service as assistant surgeon, where he remained for six months, when his business called him home, and he resumed his practice, farming and manufacture of lumber, and at present is out of practice. In 1870 he married Sophia E. Stilson of Delaware county, N. Y., by whom he had six children: Lucia S., born born October 11, 1871; Helena E., born March 29, 1878; Benjamin S., born May 14, 1874; Frank F., born March 11, 1876; Alfred C., born March 22, 1878; Clarence J., born December 31, 1888. He is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Republican.

Rising, Isaac A.

Rising, Isaac A., was born in the town of Thurston, December 24, 1846. William Rising, his father, was a native of Herkimer county, N. Y. Henry Rising, his grandfather, was one of the first settlers of this county. William Rising came to the town of Thurston about 1830, where he resided until 1862, when he was killed by the falling of a tree. He married Sarah, daughter of Isaac Adams, who was one of the first settlers of that town, by whom he had four children: Isaac A., Mary, Lora and Jessie. Isaac A. Rising is a farmer and owns a farm of 100 acres of land. He married Amanda, daughter of Jessie Everett, by whom he had two children: Edith, wife of Miles Woodward, and Everett.

Ross, Bruce E.

Ross, Bruce E., born in Bradford county, Pa., November 7, 1857, is the son of A. J. Ross, who was born in Burlington, Bradford county, Pa., October 28, 1826, and came to the town of Campbell in 1868 and settled on a farm which was partly cleared. He married Mara Grace, and they were the parents of the following children: John W., Emmett B., Dallas, and Bruce E. The latter was educated in the district schools of Bradford county, Pa., and Steuben county, N. Y., and has devoted his time to farming, and now owns a farm of fifty acres located in the town of Campbell, along the Mead’s Creek Road. He married Harriet Austin, of Erwin, and they were the parents of two children: Grace and Julia. For his second wife he married Emma, daughter of Charles Dewey, of Delaware county, and they have the following children: Hattie, Clyde, Harry, Maud, and Olan. They are members of the Methodist church.

Ross, Emmett B.

Ross, Emmett B., was born in Springfield, Bradford county, Pa., January 20, 1858. Andrew J. Ross, his father, was born in Burlington, Bradford county, Pa., in 1826, and came to Steuben county in the spring of 1868, and settled in the town of Campbell, on the Mead’s Creek road. In 1850 he was married to Mara Grace, of Springfield, Bradford county, Pa., by whom he had six children: John W., Emmet B., Dallas F., Bruce E., Olin and Andrew. The two last named died in infancy. Emmet B. remained at home, attending the public schools at Burlington, Pa., Cooper’s Plains and Painted Post, N. Y., and the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute at Towanda, Pa., until he was seventeen years of age, when he began teaching, which vocation he followed for three years. In the spring of 1878, when he was twenty years of age, he commenced reading law with Messrs. Bradley and Kendall, in Corning, N. Y., remaining with them until the spring of 1876, when he was admitted to the bar, after successfully passing the required examinations before the General Term of the Supreme Court then sitting at Rochester, N. Y. After his admission to the bar he practiced law at Corning, N. Y., until 1882, when he located at Campbell village, where he has since remained in the active practice of his profession. In the fall of 1876, he was married to Miss Alice Palmer, daughter of Joseph G. Palmer of Cooper’s Plains, N. Y., by whom he has three children: Raymond C., Vance O., and Glenn P. In politics Mr. Ross is a Democrat. He has twice been honored by the voters of Campbell with an election to the supervisorship of the town by handsome majorities, although the town has a large Republican majority. In 1887 he was the candidate of his party for member of assembly in the First district of Steuben county. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Education at Campbell, and is now the postmaster there.

Ross, John W.

Ross, John W., was born m Springfield, Bradford county, Pa., April 10, 1851. He was educated at Burlington, Bradford county, Pa., and Painted Post, Steuben county. He was a farmer, after which he engaged in the drug business at Avoca and Painted Post. He is unmarried and lives on the homestead farm with his step-mother, and has filled the minor offices of the town. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is a Democrat.

Scott, Adelbert A.

Scott, Adelbert A., was born in Columbia county, May 26, 1842. Abraham H. Scott, his father, was a native of Schoharie county, and came to the town of Orange, now Schuyler county, after which he came to Steuben county in July, 1842, and in 1864 he came to the town of Campbell. He married Samantha M. Pitts, of the same county, by whom he had nine children. Adelbert A. Scott is a farmer, and is the owner of the homestead farm of sixty acres. He married Calista A., daughter of Ellis Dunklee, a farmer, and one of the pioneers of the town, by whom he had two children: James W., and Ben B., both farmers. Mr. Scott has been poormaster, and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Baptist church, and also of the K. of H.

Smith, Eugene

Smith, Eugene, was born at Cooper’s Plains, January 8, 1858. S. S. Smith, his father, was a native af Schuyler county, and came to the town of Campbell with his father, Barney Smith. He married Eliza Everts of East Campbell, by whom he had five children: Eugene, Charley, Carrie, Ed, and Jessie. Eugene Smith has been a farmer and at present is devoting his time to the lumber business. He married Jennie M, daughter of Richard Lee, by whom he had two children: Gertrude and Lee. He is postmaster at East Campbell, where he runs a grocery store. He is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Democrat.

Smith, Warden

Smith, Warden, was born in Campbell, August 17, 1888. Avra Smith, his father, was a native of Chenango county, and came to the town of Campbell in 1825, and settled near what is known as Cooper’s Plains. He married Clarice White of Chenango county, N. Y., by whom he had eight children: Amos, Austin, Lucinda, Jane, Warden, Isaiah, who was killed in the late war; Clarice, Almetia. Warden Smith is a manutacturer of chairs, and makes a specialty of office and hotel chairs, and also conducts a farm of seventy-one acres. He married Jennie, daughter of Mary Richards, by whom he i had two children: Freddie and Chester, who are at home with their parents. He is a member of the K. of H., also a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a Democrat.

Stevens, Ralph

Stevens, Ralph, was born in the town of Campbell, October 5, 1888. He is the son of Jonas Stevens, who was born in the town of, Sangerfield, Oneida •county,. March 18, 1808, and came to the town of Campbell in 1806, where he resided up to his death, which occurred September 25, 1887. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jedediah Miller of Ulysses, N. Y., by whom he had five children: George, Hannah, Harmon, Ralph, and Jane. Ralph Stevens was educated in Campbell, and afterward engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1862 he enlisted in the 107th N. Y. Vols., and served about three years. He was wounded in the battle of Dallas, where he lost his right leg, and returned home in March, 1865, and since then has devoted his time to farming. He married Margaret Gilmore of Tioga county, Pa., by whom he had six children: Jennie M., William B., Sherman M., Benjamin J., Adaline R., and Edward R. For his second wife he married Miss Jane Jacobus of Urbana. Mr. Stevens has filled the minor offices of the town, is a member of Knox Post, No. 549, Mason Lodge, No. 755, and K. of H. No. 372. In politics he is a Republican.

Switzer, Mary A.

Switzer, Mary A. — Jacob Switzer was born in the town of Bradford, January 16> 1820, son of William Switzer, who was a farmer. Jacob Switzer was also a farmer, and in 1847 he settled on a farm now occupied by his widow, Mary Switzer. He died October 25, 1874, aged fifty-four years. He married Mary A., daughter of Daniel Clark of Campbell, by whom he had six children: Byron, Wallace, Melvin, Ella, Clara, and Emma. In politics Mr. Switzer was a Republican.

Velie, Franklin

Velie, Franklin, was born in the town of Orange, Schuyler county, September 5, 1839. Jacob Velie, his father, was born in 1800, in the Mohawk Valley, and came to Steuben county about 1812. He was a shoemaker by trade, but cleared land for farming purposes, and remained on the farm until his death, which occurred in 1847. He married Mary, daughter of Jedediah Miller, by whom he had eleven children: John W., Martha A., Maria, Elvira J., William, Mary T., Franklin, Alma, Abram, George and Emma. Franklin Velie was educated in the town of Campbell, after which he engaged in farming, with the exception of three years spent in the late war. He enlisted in Co. C, 107th N. Y. Vols. He was in the battles of Antietam, Kings ton, Charlesville, Dallas, Gettysburg, and in many others. He is a member of Logan Post, G. A. R. He married Emily, daughter of J. B. Hollenbeck, by whom he had twelve children, four of whom died in infancy: George, Sherman, Eliza, Anna M., Clara, Grace, Emma, and Sadie. Mr. Velie has been assessor for three years, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican.

Wilcox, Bradford

Wilcox, Bradford, was born in Campbell, January 1, 1840. Isaac Wilcox, his father, was born in Vermont, near the Green Mountains, and came to Chenango county in 1815, with his father, Archibald Wilcox. He moved from Chenango county with Culney Balcom, when eighteen years of age, and first settled in Curtis. He married Margaret Tanner of Campbell, by whom he had three children: Bradford, Jane, and John T. Mr. Wilcox was educated in the district schools of Curtis. He is a farmer and engineer, and now owns a farm of ninety-three acres. He married Frances Parker, of Bridgeport, Conn., by whom he had one son, Edwin C. Wilcox.

Wilcox, John

Wilcox, John, was born in Curtis, April 28, 1849. Isaac Wilcox, his father, was born in Oxford, Chenango county, in 1810. He was a tanner in Curtisville, and when he came to Campbell he first worked for Mr. Balcom. He married Margaret, daughter of John Tanner, one of the old settlers in the town, by whom he had three children: Bradford, Jane, and John, who was educated in the common schools of Curtis. He was a lumberman, and is now devoting his time to carpenter work. He is justice of the peace, and has held other minor offices. In politics he is a Republican.

Wixson, Leroy

Wixson, Leroy, was born in the town of Campbell, February 15, 1860, son of Lewis Wixson of Campbell, wh,o married Julia A. Jordan, by whom he had seven children: Fidelia, William, Margaret, James, Alfred, Albert, and Leroy, who is a farmer, and owns a farm of sixty acres, on the Mead’s Creek road. He married Minnie B., daughter of Harmon Stevens, by whom he had three children: Flora M., Charley L., and Ida M. In politics he is a Republican.