Caton New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

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

Barnard, C. D. Family Sketch

C. D. Barnard was born in Otsego county, in 1828, son of Frederick Barnard, and a brother of the late George A. Barnard. He remained on the home farm till he was married in 1855 to Mary Jane Gorton, a native of the town of Corning (Steuben county, NY-AC). He moved to his present place about five years later, and has been engaged in the saw mill and lumbering business connected with farming ever since. He has a farm of 200 acres, and makes a specialty of dairying. He has five children; F. E., who resides on the old Barnard homestead, Alice, wife of John Wellman, Emma, wife of John Griswold, Edgar and Lewis.

Barnard, F. E. Family Sketch

F. E. Barnard, of Corning, Steuben county, N. Y. , son of C. D. Barnard, whose sketch is given above, was born in the town of Caton in 1857, and resides on the old home place. He has followed lumbering and farming all his life. In 1880 he married Libbie Cass, a native of Troy, Pa., who died in 1894. He has two children: Ray and Claire.

Barnard, G. F. Family Sketch

G. F. Barnard. The late George A. Barnard was born in the town of Corning, February 21, 1837. He was a son of Frederick Barnard, who came from Otsego county in October, 1832, locating in the town of Corning, just across the line from Caton. Frederick Barnard was born in Milford, Otsego county, in 1802, and married Lucy Wilcox, a native of Canaan, Litchfield CT, in 1824. He kept a country store at Jacksonville, Otsego county, before removing to Corning. He was the father of seven children, viz: Mary, Edwin W., Charles D., Melissa A., Gershom W., George A., and Egbert P. George A was raised on the old homestead, and in 1859 was married to Mary Westcott, who was born at Oxford, Chenango county, in 1834. She was the daughter of George Westcott, a native of Windham County, Connecticut, who removed from Chenango county to Caton about 1838. In 1862, Mr. Barnard located on the farm where he lived until his death, and where Mrs. Barnard still resides. He was a prominent and influential farmer and lumberman. He died in 1886, leaving four children: Dora, George F., Guy, and Alfie, a son Delos W., having died in 1864, and a daughter Edna L., in 1876. They have eighty-seven acres of the home place, and follow general farming.

Bower, Charles E. Family Sketch

Charles E. Bower, son of John G. and Catherine (Seibold) Bower, is the first in order of four children, namely: Carrie M. (Mrs. J. P. Storch), John L. , and Nellie L. (Mrs. Charles Smith). His parents came to this country from Germany in 1851 and settled in Southport, Chemung county, where he was born, January 4, 1856. In 1879 he bought a farm of 150 acres, where he now resides. He was united in marriage to Elzina, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Chapman, of Bath, in 1881. This union was blessed with two children: Walter (deceased), born February 28, 1882, and Charles S., born May 30, 1890. Iu 1889 he erected a creamery, which business he is successfully carrying on, manufacturing about 60,000 pounds of butter annually. His wife died in 1893, and in 1895 he married Carrie Morse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mason, of Le Roy, Pa. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry, and the M. E. church.

Brace, William H. Family Sketch

Brace, William H., was born in Tompkins county in 1820. When eight years old he moved to Tioga county, Pa., and from there to Chemung county two years later. In 1843 he married Lucretia Whitney, also a native of Tompkins county, and they moved to Steuben county in 1850. In 1852 they came to their present farm in Caton, which consists of 112 acres. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 141st New York Vols., serving six months, being confined in the hospital most of the time. They have two sons: James W., and Augustus J. He has filled the offices of constable, collector, and poormaster.

Chumard, George W. Family Sketch

Chumard, George W., was born in Wayne county, Pa., in 1844, son of William and Mary, who came to Steuben county in 1861. After a few months they moved to Chemung county, residing there till 1864, when they located in Caton, where the parents died in 1869 and 1894, aged sixty-seven and ninety, respectively. Mr. Chumard is the only child. In 1875 he married Harriet, daughter of Christopher C. Lewis, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the county. Mr. Chumard has resided on his present farm of ninety-five acres since 1870. They have one child, Erma L.

Clark, A. B. Family Sketch

Clark, A. B., was born in Allegany, N. Y., in 1844, son of Henry and Susan (Coon) Clark, who lived and died in Allegany county. At the age of eighteen Mr. Clark moved to Tioga county, Pa., where, in 1867, he married Loretta Swinley. He resided there till 1878, then purchased and located on his present farm of 110 acres, in the town of Caton, Their children are Archie E., Gertrude A., and J. Leland.

Cram, Duty S. Family Sketch

Cram, Duty S., eldest son of Isaiah and Phoebe (Dakin) Cram, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., in 1837. Locating in the town of Lindley, two years later they moved to Caton, which at that time was but a wilderness, and commenced clearing up a farm where Mr. Cram now resides, and where the parents died several years ago. Besides D. S., there were six girls and three boys, viz.: Finetta, wife of Joel P. Cady of North Adams, Mass., both now deceased; Polly, wife of Robert Cook of Lindley, both living; Roby, wife of Henry L. Babcock of Caton, both deceased; Emeline, of Caton, deceased; Samantha, wife of John H. Laughhead of Elmira, both deceased; Sarah, wife of James Waldon of Caton, both living; Simeon B., of Caton, deceased; Henry D. of Olean, N. Y., deceased (killed by a falling tree); Robert W., the youngest, now living in the town of Corning. In 1855 D. S. married Sarah A. Stamer, a native of Tompkins county, N. Y. They have at present four children living, viz.: Fred B. of Caton, who married Matie Thorp, and resides on a farm adjoining his father’s; Nellie, wife of Eugene Cook, who resides in Elmira; Joel P., who married Estella Vandusen and resides on a farm near his father; Nettie, wife of Walter A. Davidson, and resides on a farm at Lindley. The eldest son, James, died when a boy.

Cram, Mrs. Permelia Family Sketch

Cram, Mrs. Permelia, The late Simon B. Cram was a native of Chenango county, son of Isaiah Cram, and was raised on a farm in Canton. He served three years in the 50th New York Regt. In 1870 he married Permelia Whitmore, a native of the town of Hernby. He died in 1886, leaving five children: May, Jennette, Roscoe, Preston, and Bertrand. They have a well improved farm of 126 acres.

Davis, Daniel Family Sketch

Davis, Daniel, one of West Caton’ swell known and oldest citizens, was born in Massachusetts in 1816, and in 1838 went to New Orleans, locating in Southern Mississippi, where he followed the trades of carpenter and builder. He then came to Steuben county, locating on his present place, known as the Pail Factory place, where, he has since resided. Dexter Davis, a brother, had come here a year before to manufacture lumber and wooden pails, purchasing lots number 1 and 24; another brother, Norris, came with Daniel in 1843, and the three continued the business of manufacturing pails for five or six years, when Mr. Oavis succeeded to the ownership of the entire place, which he still possesses, excepting forty-five acres. In 1844 he married Ruth Bates, of Massachusetts, and they have three children: Edwin F., Lucy E., and Mary E. Mr. Davis was justice of the peace previous to 1880 for sixteen years.

Davis, Edwin F. Family Sketch

Davis, Edwin F., a native of Caton, who is the state electrician, is the son of Daniel and Bates Davis, natives of Massachusetts, who were married there and settled in the town of Caton in 1844, where they are stil residing. Mr Davis at the age of twenty-one went to Massachusetts a short time, and was then in the milling business in Pennsylvania one or two years, also following the carpenter’s trade about ten years in the Fall Brook shops. He then followed photographing about three years in Corning and had the telephone exchange in his gallery, by which he became interested in electricity. He was afterward with the Edison Electric Company during the New Orleans Exposition and continued with them several years, after which he went with the Westinghouse Company about three years, contracting and establishing plants all over the country. He put in the electrical plant for three State prisons, Sing Sing, Auburn, and the Clinton Prison, and has since had charge of them.

Davis, N. D. Family Sketch

Davis, N. D., of Caton, was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1820, son of Dexter and Emily (Holden) Davis, natives of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, John D., was in the Revolutionary war. In 1842 Mr. Davis came to Caton, locating on the pail factory place, now owned by Daniel Davis. At the age of eighteen he embarked in the grocery trade in Corning, continuing five years, and then purchased sixty-five acres where he now lives. In 1852 he married, and in 1853 moved to the place. He had added to his farm till it now contains 233 acres. His first wife was Adelaide W^stcott, who died in 1862, leaving four sons: Horace, Henry, Charles H., and Edgar M. He afterward married Julia E. Baker, his present wife. They have one child, Emma, wife of John Rowe. Mr. Davis follows general farming and makes a specialty of breeding horses, bringing the first Percheron introduced in this section in 1887. He also raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle.

Davison, C. A. Family Sketch

Davison, C. A., was born in Caton in 1843, son of James Davison, jr., and Mary (Thompson) Davison, natives of Schuyler and Chenango counties. The parents were married in Caton, and died in 1894 and 1888, aged seventy-six and seventyseven, father and mother respectively. In 1865 Mr. Davis married Therissa A. Tobey, and they have resided on their present farm in Caton since 1867. He follows general farming, making a specialty of dairying. He was highway commissioner in 1821.

Deyo, Alonzo Family Sketch

Deyo, Alonzo, one of the well-known influential citizens of Caton, was born in Newfield, Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1885. He came to Caton in 1847, locating on his present place, where he now owns sixty-six acres of well-improved land. He also has other real estate interests in the county. He served as supervisor of the town of Caton during the years of 1875-77, during which time he was appointed sole committee on county poorhouse investigation, and was again elected to the same office in 1892, which he still continues to fill. His report and the consequent action of the Board resulted in a vast improvement in the management of the poor affairs of the county, and a complete change in the sanitary condition of the county poor buildings, besides the saving of thousands of dollars to the tax payers of Steuben. Mr. Deyo has spent seventeen years of his life in teaching, and has also served twentyeight years in continuous action as justice of the peace, and was re-elected at the last town meeting for four years more. For many years he has been foremost as legal adviser and counsellor in the town, and his practical judgment and sound sense, combined with a degree of legal knowledge not often attained by men outside the profession, eminently qualify him for this position, and his irreproachable character and high sense of moral integrety fit him most admirably for the many private offices of trust which he is so often called upon to fill. He married Charlotte Maria, daughter of Anson and Betsey (Caulkins) Cooper of Caton, who was born in Corning, May 18, 1842, by whom he had seven children: Viola Eunice, born May 8, 1861, wife of William H. Scott, of Elmira; Minnie Elnora, born April 21, 1864; Bessie Chloe, born November 7, 1867, wife of Willard P. Smith, of Corning; Mary Delphine, born December 26, 1872, wife of Samuel Wilson Adams, of Caton; Willie, born October 8, 1879; Frank, born November 18, 1882, and died September 25, 1884; and Lottie M., born June 23, 1884.

Farran, H. J. Family Sketch

Farran, H. J., Caton, Steuben county, N. Y., was born in Tioga county, N. Y., in 1842. In 1861 he enlisted in the 50th N. Y. Vol. Engineers, enlisting for three years. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of artificer. His wife, Sarah C., nee Sage, is a native of Chemung county and came to the town of Caton when’agirl. Mr. Farran has resided on his present place since the war; his farm consists of 200 acres of well improved land. They have one child, Adah H., wife of Lewis Thurber.

Gorges, Anton Family Sketch

Gorges, Anton, was born in Germany in 1855 and came to America in 1871, locating first in Scranton, Pa., where he remained two years. He then came to Steuben county and moved to his present place in the town of Caton in 1885, where his parents, Mathias and Barbara, died in 1884 and 1890, aged fifty-six and fifty-six. In 1885 Mr. Gorges married Lena Bentz, also a native of Germany. He has a farm of 150 acres, and makes a specialty of dairying and sheep raising.

Hamlin, Jason B. Family Sketch

Hamlin, Jason B., son of Amos Hamlin, was born in Cortland county in 1833 and came with his parents in 1837, locating on his present place. His parents died here. Mr. Hamlin married, in 1859, Melissa Crawford, a native of Tioga county, N.Y., and came to Steuben county with her parents when two years old. Their children are: Thurston J., Jesse L., Inez, and Cora.

Hellaby, John Family Sketch

Hellaby, John, was born in England, in 1837, and came to America in 1870, locating in L&wrenceville one year, Lindley two years, and in Tuscarora for a time. He came to Caton later and followed general farming, having a farm of 147 acres, where he resides.

Holmes, J. S. Family Sketch

Holmes, J. S., was born in Tompkins county, in 1829, and came to Chemung county when thirteen years old with his parents, Anson and Lillian (Hunter) Holmes. In 1850 he married Mary Elizabeth Bonham, and moved to the town of Caton in 1852. His first wife died in 1874. His present wife, Sarah Jane, nee Saunders, is a native of Chemung county. He enlisted in the 188th N. Y. Vols., serving till July 11, 1865.

Honness, James E. Family Sketch

Honness, James E., a native of Tompkins county, born in 1822, came to Caton, in 1858 with his brothers, Benjamin and Joseph, buying 171 acres where he has since resided. Joseph died herein 1888, and Benjamin in 1893. Mr. Honness is a staunch Republican. Benjamin F. Honness was in his earlv days, and for a number of years after moving to Caton, engaged in teaching; his success and prominence as such gave him a standing and influence to that extent that he was elected to the office of superintendent of schools in the town where he had for many years served as teacher. His counsel was much sought after on all questions of importance where educational matters were in question, and freely given when desired. His death was a great loss to the community where he lived.

Honness, Melvin M. Family Sketch

Honness, Melvin M., is a son of the late Benjamin Honness. He was born in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1850, reared on the home place, where he now lives, in Caton. When fourteen years of age he learned telegraphy, and followed that as an occupation, taking charge of his first office at Victor on the Central Railroad. In 1893 he gave up an office in New York for the C. & C. Railroad and has since resided on his present place. In 1882 he married Anna E. Glover, a native of Kentucky.

Hunt, William Family Sketch

Hunt, William, was born in the town of Caton in 1856, son of A. J. and Hannah Cole Hunt, who were married in Tompkins county and came to Steuben county, locating in the town of Caton, where they now live. Mr. Hunt was raised on a farm and married in 1881 Lillian Tubbs, a native of Tioga county, Pa., and in 1883 located on his present farm of eighty acres, where he follows general farming.

Lewis, Christopher E. Family Sketch

Lewis, Christopher E., was born at Newport, R. I., in 1838, son of Christopher D. and Julia A. (Murphey) Lewis, natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who, in 1842, came to the present farm. C. D. Lewis, the father of C. E., is now ninety-one years of age. He came here with Father Beriah Lewis in 1825, but did not locate here till 1842. The mother of C. E. Lewis died in 1885. Mr. Lewis married Jane Thurston, daughter of Alfred Thurston, in January, 1862. Mr. Lewis is one of a family of four children, the others being Julius M., a resident of Iowa; Julia E., wife of the late Wm. M. Wolcott; and Harriet L., wife of George Chumard. C. E. Lewis, who occupied the old homestead, makes a specialty of raising sheep. He has shorn and put on the market over 1.000 pounds of wool annually for thirty -five years. He is a well known, influential citizen in the town and county where he lives, has held many important offices, and is well up in Masonry, being a 32d degree member.

Marcy, James L. Family Sketch

Marcy, James L., West Caton, was born in 1858, son of James and Ann (Daniels) Marcy, natives of Dutchess county, who located in the town of Corning, married there and resided on Mr. Marcy’ s present home place for more than fifty years. They died in 1892 and in 1891, aged seventy-eight and sixty eight, father and mother respectively. Mr. Marcy was born on the place where he has always resided, and in 1891 married Mabel Robinson, a native of Lindley, daughter of George Henry Robinson.

Powel, M. Family Sketch

Powel, M., was born in Germany in 1844 and came to America in 1858, locating at Scranton, Pa., where he worked in iron foundries till 1882, then 'purchased his present farm in Caton and moved there. He has nitiety-thrtee acres and follows general farming. In 1876 he married Katie Keuhn, a native of Chemung county.

Rhodes, Halsey A. Family Sketch

Rhodes, Halsey A., was born in Chemung county in 1836, the following year came to Caton with his parents, Silas B. and Mary L (Babcock) Rhodes, locating on the present home place of Mr. Rhodes about 1839, where his father died in 1862 aged sixty-three years, and his mother died aged seventy-nine years. In 1862 Mr. Rhodes enlisted in the 50th New York Engineers, serving till the close of the war.' After the war he married Mary A. Fuller, who died' in 1891, aged forty-eight years, leaving three children, Nelson F., Frank H., and Clara E. He afterwards married Sarah Bowman, born Grist, his present wife.

Smith, Fremont C. Family Sketch

Smith, Fremont C.. was born on his present home farm In Caton, in 1858, son of Emory O. and Sarah Ann (Sawyer) Smith. Deacon Titus Smith, the grandfather of Fremont C., was born in Chenango county in 1801, and located in Caton in 1822 or ’23. Emory O. was the oldest of the family and lived here all his life. He died in 1893, aged sixty-seven years. The mother is still living. He has part of the old homestead of fifty-three acres, and follows general farming.

Thompson, J. W Family Sketch

Thompson, J. W., Isaac Thompson was born in Massachusetts, April 7, 1794, and died in Caton, June 3, 1851. His first wife, Mary W., was born in Chenango county, N. Y., December 4, 1796, and died in Caton, July 13, 1843. Their children were: Sarah Jane Thompson, born in Chenango county, January 5, 1824, died there June, 1893; Mary Ann Stone Thompson, born in Chenango county, July 26, 1826, died in Caton November 2, 1888; Adlard A. Thompson, born in Chenango county, February 19, 1835, died in Caton, November 25, 1873; Rufus E. Thompson, born in Chenango county, June 8, 1828, and still lives there. Isaac Thompson married, second, April 2 1846, Elizabeth Scanlon, born in England, May 31, 1814, and died in Caton, January, 1890. His children were: Martha L. and Alice (twins), born in Caton, August 29, 1847; Alice died November 29, 1847. John W. Thompson, the subject, was born in Chenango county, July 2, 1882, and was brought to Caton when about four years old, when his father settled in the untouched wilderness on eighty-three acres. After the death of his parents he bought out the other heirs. In addition to forty-three acres which his father bought and added to the original farm, he purchased fifty acres more. He married in 1864, Susan E. Thurber, and they have three sons: Rufus J., born January 6, 1865, a farmer; Monroe A., born August 14, 1867, a plumber by trade, now a resident of Iowa; and Frank R., born January 20, 1872, who is living at home. His sister, Martha L. Thompson, resides with him.

Tobey, Christopher Family Sketch

Tobey, Christopher, of Caton, was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1836, and when eleven years old came to Caton with his parents, Amaziah Tobey 2d and Nancy Read Tobey, natives of Otsego county, N. Y., and Susquehanna county, Pa. Mr. Tobey is the oldest of a family of nine children raised to maturity. In 1863 he married Mary P. Seyter, a native of Germany. He has followed farming all his life and is considered one among the most successful farmers of the county. His farm consists of 240 acres, and he makes a specialty of stock raising and dairying. He has two sons: George N., and Charles L. Dr. Christopher Tobey, the grandfather, formerly from Otsego county, died in Caton.

Wagner, Anton Family Sketch

Wagner, Anton. — Edward Streebeck, of German descent, was born in New York city, and in 1858 came to Steuben county, where he has since resided in the town of Caton. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 141st N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war. He was married in Philadelphia to Ann (Behler), who died in 1891. He has two children: Alvena, wife of Anton Wagner, a native of Germany, who resides on the home place, which he manages; and Augusta, wife of Frederick Keller of Chemung county.

Walden, James Family Sketch

Walden, James, was born in Chenango county in 1822, and in 1887 came to Caton with his parents, John and Dorcas (Barnes) Walden, natives of Rhode Island, who were pioneers in Chenango county. Mr. Walden has lived here since 1887 and on his present farm since 1852, in which year he married Sarah Cram, a native of Chenango county. They have three children: Ruby, wife of James Brace, Henry, and Wilson R. Mr. Walden is a staunch Republican. He has a farm of sixty-five acres and follows general farming.

Wellman, James R. Family Sketch

Wellman, James R., West Caton, was born in Greene county in 1835 and came to Steuben county in 1861, locating in the town of Caton, and to his present place in 1864, purchasing it in 1874. He follows general farming making stock raising a specialty. In 1863 he married Charlotte E. Spencer, daughter of Smith Spencer, and their children are as follows: John S., Mary J., wife of Jerry Kies, J. B., Jennie L., wife of Emmett Swarthout, Julia E., Joseph L. and Joseph and Jessie, deceased.

Wellman, John R. Family Sketch

Wellman, John R., West Caton, Steuben county, N. Y., is a native of Otsego county, was born in 1819 and came to his present place, January 2, 1851. In 1842 he married his present wife, who was Anne Histed, a native of Schenectady county. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 141st N. Y. Vols., and served two years and ten months. His children are Sarah A., wife of William A. Johnston, Emma J., wife of M. W. Robbins, Silas E., L. M., Willie I., and Charles R., who died in 1861. Mr. Wellman is serving his second term as justice of peace.

Wilcox, Aurin Family Sketch

Wilcox, Aurin, was born in Corning, in 1842, son of Abel Wilcox, a native of Otsego county, one of the pioneers, and a wagon-maker by trade, who lived and died in Caton. Aurin Wilcox is a farmer and also learned his father’s trade. In 1874 he married Hattie Breese, a native of Caton, and daughter of A. B. Breese, a native of Chemung county, who came to Steuben county at an early day and to Caton in 1884; he built the first grist mill in Caton and died in 1880; aged seventy-two years; the first saw mill was built by his father-in-law, S. F. Berry. A. B. Breese was twice married, his second wife being Nancy H. Huchins of Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y. Niles D., a soldier brother of Mrs. Wilcox, died in Salisbury prison, N. C., another brother, N. Le Grand, died when twenty-four years of age. E. K. Breese is a resident of Michigan, Leland S. of Chicago, Henrietta M., wife of B. Frank Rhodes of Syracuse, and Stella C. Hill of Corning.

Wolcott, A. S. Family Sketch

Wolcott, A. S., is a native of the town of Caton, was born in 1829, son of Judge Nelson and Margaret Hoffman Wolcott, natives of Vermont and Elmira, who were married in Elmira in 1824 and about 1827 located in the town of Caton. He was a gunsmith and farmer and died in 1860, aged fifty eight. The mother died in 1855, aged fifty. Mr. Wolcott and a brother, Jacob H., of Salt Lake City, are the only survivors of tne family.

Wolcott, John E. Family Sketch

Wolcott, John E., was born in the old town of Painted Post, in 183'!, son of Samuel K. and Hannah (McNulty) Wolcott. The father was one of the Forty-niners who went to California and died there. Mr. Wolcott has resided ac his present place for thirty years. He has 110 acres, and makes a specialty of breeding and raising horses. In 1855 he married Phoebe E. Berry, who was born on the place where they now live. She is a daughter of Samuel F. Berry and a sister of Attorney-General Berry of Minnesota. Her parents were pioneers in the town of Caton, and died there. They have one child, Edward E., who is in business at Joilet, Illinois,

Wood, Lewis Family Sketch

Wood, Lewis, was born in Otsego county in 1824, son of Josiah and Polly (Newell) Wood, who in 1841 came to Steuben county, purchasing the farm where Lewis now resides. He is one of five children, his sister, Mary A., wife of Norman Berry, being the only survivors. Mr. Wood’s first wife, Lavina Martin, died leaving four sons and two daughters. He afterwards married Mary Shoemaker, a native of Pennsylvania. He has eighty acres of the original home place, and has added thirty acres to it; also owns fifty acres in another place. In an early date he was prominent in the State militia.