New Horizons Genealogy

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Corning New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley


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


Adams, Hon. William W. Family Sketch

Hon. William W. Adams, was born in Otsego county, August 14, 1848, and came to Corning with his parent in 1850. He received his education in the public schools of Corning. He entered the employ of the Fall Brook Railway Company in 1861, continuing in their service since, now filling the position of general storekeeper and chief motive power accountant. He is also vice-president of the Hood Furnace and Supply Company. He was elected mayor in 1894, the third mayor elected under the city charter. He married Francis E. De Wolf, only daughter of Hiram De Wolf, an old resident of Steuben county.


Appleby, T. H. Family Sketch

T. H. Appleby, was born in Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the harness and collar maker’s trade, and in 1887 embarked in business for himself at Painted Post, but soon. after moved to Bath where he remained for five years. January 1, 1894, he located in Corning and has been conducting a much more extensive business. His trade is principally wholesale, and gives employment to thirty workmen, and amounts to $50,000 a year in volume.


Argue, Dr. Henry A. Family Sketch

Dr. Henry A. Argue, was born in Corning in 1861. He graduated from Corning Academy, and spent two years in McGill University, Montreal, and graduated from New York Medical University in 1881, and has since practiced in Corning. He is a member of the Steuben County Medical Society, Corning Academy of Medicine, and the State and National Associations of Railway Surgeons, being surgeon for the Erie railroad.


Arthur, Arthur C. Family Sketch

Arthur C. Arthur, was born in England in 1862, and came to America in 1873, residing at Amesbury, Mass., at which place he managed the Amesbury Opera House successfully. In June, 1891, Mr. Arthur came to Corning to take charge of the Corning Opera House, which was opened October 8, 1891, by Rose Coghlan. The Corning Opera House is a $50,000 stock company and owned by prominent citizens. Corning, by its enterprise in erecting such a beautiful place of amusement, and its excellent method of management, has placed that city at the head of the dramatic profession in the Southern Tier.


Bradley, Hon. George B. Family Sketch

Hon. George B. Bradley, was born in Chenango county, in 1825 son of Orlo F. Bradley who was a native of Connecticut, and came to Chenango county about 1800. George B. Bradley was admitted to the bar at Oswego, in 1848, and began practicing in Addison, Steuben county, the same year, and since 1852 has resided at Corning. He was a member of the State Constitutional Commission of 1872-73, and elected to the State Senate in 1873 and again in 1875. In 1883 he was elected to the Supreme Bench from the Seventh District, and in 1889 was appointed one of the judges of the second division of the Court of Appeals.


Bradley, Thomas Family Sketch

Thomas Bradley, was born in Hammondsport in 1850. He learned the stone and brick mason’s trade with his father and located in Corning in 1885. Among the many prominent buildings which he has built may be mentioned the new City Hall, Episcopal church, the Drake block of Corning, and Col. John Magee’s residence at Watkins. Since 1890 he has also had all the stone and bridge work of the Fall Brook Railroad. Patrick Bradley, his father, was a native of Ireland, and located in Steuben county in 1844 at Hammondsport, and died in 1890.


Brown, Daniel F. Family Sketch

Daniel F. Brown was born in the town of Hartwick, Otsego county NY, October 9, 1821. He spent two years at the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, VT., and afterwards spent two years at the Genesee Weslayan Seminary at Lima, NY. He came to Corning (Steuben county, NY) in 1846 and completed his legal course in the office of Hon. Thomas A. Johnson, and was admitted in 1850. He was commissioned first lieutenant in 1862 by Governor Morgan, and served as quartermaster of the 86th Regt. NY Vols, until the close of the war. He was appointed by President Johnson, in 1865, assistant collector of internal revenue for the fourth division of the twenty-seventh district of the state of New York, which office he held for nine years. He was the first police justice of the peace of the village, and the first recorder of the city of Corning. With the exception of the period spent in the war, he has practiced his profession in Corning since 1850.


Brown, George R. Family Sketch

Brown, George R., was born in Chemung county, N. Y., in 1840. He taught school in his younger days, and in 1864 came to Corning and has been in the employ of the Fall Brook system since that date, beginning as an operator, and has been promoted from time to time until appointed general superintendent in 1886. He is a member and president pro tern, of the Board of Education of the city of Corning.


Bryan, Dr. E. W. Family Sketch

Bryan, Dr. E. W., was born in Steuben county in 1832, and graduated from the Homoeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, O., in 1868. Prior to this he had practiced in Marshall county, 111., from 1863 to 1866. In 1877 he came to Corning after practicing in Ovid for ten years. He is a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, State Homoeopathic Medical Society, and Steuben County Homoeopathic Medical Society. In 1862 he married Lizzie Jessup.


Burt, John M. Family Sketch

Burt, John M., was born in Warren county in 1881, son of Amasa Burt, who came from Warren county to Chemung county in 1845, and to Steuben county in 1854, where he died in 1875, aged seventy-five years. He married Sarah Ward, who died in 1878, aged seventy-one years. In 1851 John M. Burt went to Minnesota, where he engaged in the mercantile business until 1858, and has since resided on the farm. While in Minnesota he was clerk of the House of Representatives. He has 105 acres in his home place and also owns a farm of 140 acres in Chemung county, and has real estate interests in Minnesota. He has never married. His sister, Miss Cordelia, lives with him, while another sister, Mrs. Lucius Tuttle, lives on an adjoining farm.


Carpenter, Dr. Edwin J. Family Sketch

Carpenter, Dr. Edwin J., was born in the town of Thurston in 1864, son of U. A. Carpenter, of Bath. He obtained a literary education at Bath, and graduated from Buffalo University in 1891, and has been practicing in Corning since. He is a member of the A. O. D. Medical Society of Buffalo, and the Corning Academy of Medicine. Was elected one of the coroners of Steuben county at the fall election of 1894, for a term of three years.


Family Sketch

Caulkin, J. W., was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1833, and came to Corning, where he has since resided, in 1845. Friend Caulkin, his father, lived and died at Gibson, and was a merchant and contractor. J. W. Caulkin followed building and general contracting until 1892, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He is serving his third year as overseer of the poor. In 1866 he married Hannah Rowley of Corning.


Clark, William H. Family Sketch

Clark, William H., was born in Corning in 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, 10th N. Y. Cavalry. Was mustered out of service January 1, 1863, at Camp Bayard, Va., and reTmustered as first-class musician in the Brigade Band. Was promoted April 1, 1863, to be band master of the First Brigade Band, 2nd Cavalry Division, AO. P., serving with Generals Gregg, McIntosh and Davies till the expiration of his term of service, December 13, 1864. His band received complimentary notice in the History of the 10th N. Y. Cavalry as “the band who played on the line at Todd’s Tavern in the battle of the Wilderness,” and were in nearly all of the engagements with their brigade, losing in wounded and prisoners fully twenty-five per cent of their number, while three died from disease while in the service. He spent one season as teacher in Eastman’s Business College. In May, 1865, he returned to Corning, and was in the employ of Walker & Lathrop until 1891, when he founded the Corning Lumber Company, of which he is treasurer. His father, Jesse Clark, was one of the early pioneers of Corning.


Cook, A. S. Family Sketch

Cook, A. S., was born in Prattsburg, where he resided until 1884, being engaged a number of years in the general merchandise business. For six years after locating in Corning he clerked, and in January, 1889, the present firm of Fletcher & Cook, furniture dealers, was formed. At Prattsburg he was foreman of the Prattsburg Protectors, master of the Masonic Lodge, etc. Benjamin Cook, his father, was born at Palatine, Montgomery county, in 1807, and located at Prattsburg, where he was widely known, highly respected, and influential. He died July 11, 1894.


Covenhoven, Daniel R. Family Sketch

Covenhoven, Daniel R., son of Peter Covenhoven, was born in Hornby, Steuben county, N. Y., Marcl} 28, 1880. His father was born in Root, Montgomery county, N. Y., April 22, 1803; in October, 1823, he settled in Hornby; he married Sarah M. Rooks March 28, 1828; she was born at Northumberland, Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1800. Of this union six children were born, two of whom are now living: Thomas N., and Daniel R., who are farmers in Hornby. Daniel R. Covenhoven married Nancy M. Shults, March 30, 1859; she was born at Palatine, Montgomery county, January 1, 1847. Of this union four children were born, two of whom are now living, Grace and Genoa. In 1884 Daniel R. Covenhoven located on one of his farms, joining the city of Corning on the north. His mother, Sarah M., died May 19, 1863, aged sixty-three; his father, Peter died February 12, 1895, aged ninety-one; his wife, Nancy, died September 16, 1893, aged fifty-two years.


Cummings, Robert F. Family Sketch

Cummings, Robert F., was born in Williamsport, Pa., in 1847. Entered the employ of the Fall Brook Coal Company, at Fall Brook, Pa., when sixteen years of age. Filled successively the positions of chief clerk in the cashier’s office, paymaster, and for eight years was superintendent of the lumber department. In 1886 he engaged in the lumber business on his own account as a partner in the firm of Drake, Cummings & Co., with mills at Blossburg, Pa., and office at Corning, N.Y. Removed to Corning in 1889 and took the position of lumber agent for the Fall Brook Railway Company, still retaining his interest in the firm of Drake, Cummings & Co.


Drake, Charles E. Family Sketch

Drake, Charles E., was born in Corning, in 1868, and graduated from Sing Sing Military Academy in 1888. He was connected with the First National Bank for several years, and in 1891 established his present hardware trade. He is a director in the First National Bank. His father, Henry Drake, a son of F. N. Drake, was a native of Cohocton, and located in Corning in 1868.


Drake, D. S. Family Sketch

Drake, D. S., is a native of Genesee county, and came to Steuben county in 1861 or 1862, and came to Corning in 1870, where he has since been interested principally in the coal mining and lumber trade. In 1872 he married Mary Tillotson of Delaware county, by whom he had two children: George Willis, born in 1876, and Frances, born in 1882. He is a director in the Corning stove works, was for two years supervisor, and is a member of the Board of Education. He is also cashier of the First National Bank of Corning.


Drake, George W. Family Sketch

Drake, George W., postmaster, president the of Corning Stove Works, and of the firm of Clute & Drake, stationers and book dealers, is a native of Arnot, Pa., and born in 1870. In early childhood he came to Corning with his father, Henry S. Drake. He was educated in the common schools and Holbrook Military Academy, and graduated from the latter in 1886. He was appointed postmaster in 1894, and married Anna Tompkins of Elmira.


Drake, J. A. Family Sketch

Drake, J. A., president of the First National Bank, was born at Le Roy, N. Y., October 30, 1854, son of Franklin N. Drake, who was born in Vermont in 1817, and in 1854 purchased timber land in Cohocton and carried on an extensive lumbering business. He was also largely interested in the Blossburg coal lands, was general president of the Blossburg Coal Mining & Railroad Company, and president of the Tioga Railroad. He moved to Corning in 1867 and organized the First National Bank of Corning in 1882, being its president until his death, when he was succeeded, January, 1898, by J. A. Drake. Mr. Drake is interested in the lumbering firms of “Drake & Co.,” of Corning, N.Y., “ Drake, Cummings & Co.” and “Drake, Landus & Drake,” in Pennsylvania, and is a director of the Corning Stove Works.


Edger, Benjamin F. Family Sketch

Edger, Benjamin F., was born at Geneva, Ontario county, in 1889. Came to Corning with his father’s family in 1845, where he has since resided. After spending some years upon a farm, he followed the canal, and later, operated and conducted a drydock and yard for the building and repair of boats. He has held the many important public offices of tax collector of the town, collector of tolls, and assistant superintendent of the Chemung Canal, inspector of public work for the State, and postmaster for many years. Upon the construction of the D. L. & W. R. R., in 1882, he purchased the Gibson Hotel, which he has since conducted. In 1892 he became a member of the firm of El wood & Edger, dealers in Lackawanna coal and has built up a prosperous business. His family consists of his wife, three daughters and a son.


Edger, William F. Family Sketch

Edger, William F., was born in Corning, in 1848, son of Thomas J. Edger, a farmer who was one of the pioneers of this section. William F. Edger was raised on a farm, and followed farming and boating until 1879 when he entered the employ of E. Rpsenwold & Bro., of New York city, buyers and shippers of leaf tobacco, taking charge of their business here in 1888. They have numerous offices in different parts of the country, and are among the largest tobacco dealers in the United States.


Ellison, Curtis B. Family Sketch

Ellison, Curtis B., was born at Homer, N. Y., in 1831, and at nine years of age came to Tioga county with his parents, Samuel and Susan Ellison, who died in 1885 and 1891 respectively. When eighteen years of age Mr. Ellison came to Corning and has since been more or less engaged in the lumber business, spending four years in Michigan. He has 200 acres of land where he lives which he has owned since 1856, and makes a specialty of milk dairying. In 1852 he married Mary Jane Counterman of Tompkins county.


English, E. C. Family Sketch

English, E. C., was born in Caton, Steuben county, in 1837. In 1861he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third N. Y. Vols., and in October, 1862, was discharged for disability. He followed farming until 1874, then came to Corning and studied law with Spencer & Mills, admitted to the bar in 1879, and has since been counsel for the board of superintendents for the poor. He was for two years supervisor of his native town prior to locating in Corning.


Farley, Philip Family Sketch

Farley, Philip, was born in Ireland and came to America in 1849. He was educated in the district schools of Schuyler county, and was a classmate of Governor Hill. In 1862 he enlisted in Company L, 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, serving until 1865; was mustered out at Harper’s Ferry and discharged at Sackett’s Harbor. He came to Corning in 1870, and purchased the Pickwick Hotel in 1877, and established his wholesale trade in 1878. He was one of the first police commissioners of Corning.


Fedder, John W. Family Sketch

Fedder, John W., a member of the firm of J. B. Collins & Co., is the manager of their Corning store, called “The Fair,” Nos. 46 and 48 East Market street, which was established in 1880. They carry a full line of general merchandise, and have in connection with their store a picture frame manufactory. J. B. Collins, the other member of the firm, manages their Jamestown branch, where they handle a similar line of goods. Mr. Fedder was president of the village in 1889-90, and a member of the first city council.


Fero, David F. Family Sketch

Fero, David F., was born in the town of Catlin, in 1846, son of Peter and Lorana (Bryant) Fero. He remained on the farm until nineteen years of age, when he came to Corning and learned his trade of silversmith and jeweler with A. D. Dudley, with whom he afterward formed a partnership in the firm of Dudley & Co., and in 1875 succeeded them. He also handles bicycles and supplies. In 1877 he married Rose Blair, by whom he had two children: Hazel, aged thirteen, and Mildred, aged seven.


Franz, Jacob Family Sketch

Franz, Jacob, was born in Prussia, in 1832, and came to America in 1849 and located in New York city, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Corning. In 1866 he established the bottling works, to which he has since given his attention, and is also interested in real estate in and adjoining the Fifth Ward.


Fraser, D. Family Sketch

Fraser, D., of Painted Post, Steuben county, N. Y., was born in Scotland in 1815, son of Daniel and Margaret Fraser, natives of Scotland. The father died there, and in 1831 Mr. Fraser came to America with his mother, two brothers and two sisters, locating in Herkimer county. Two years later they moved to Oswego county, and in 1836 came to Steuben county, locating at Campbell. In 1847 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Minor Nute, by whom he had two children: Minor, and John, who died in 1891, aged thirty six years. In 1885 the family moved to Canada, where his mother died. In 1870 he returned to the town of Campbell, and in 1883 moved to Corning.


Freeman, Charles H. Family Sketch

Freeman, Charles H., was born in Tompkins county, in 1840, and came to Corning in 1846. He enlisted as a private in Company D, 141st Regiment, N. Y. Vols., August 14, 1862, and in September following was promoted to sergeant. His strict attention to duty and his personal courage were rewarded by a lieutenant’s commission July 29, 1863, and to first lieutenant April 2, 1865. In the May following he was commissioned captain, and was assigned to command Company K, from which he was honorably discharged June 25, 1865. After the war he was elected captain in the national guard, and was discharged in 1870, having served a long term. The 141st Regiment served a portion of its term of service in the Department of the South, and lost heavily at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga. On Sherman’s march from Atlanta to the sea Captain Freeman was in command of a foraging party. At the battle of Resaca it fought so bravely as to merit special attention in general orders. He joined the Grand Army at an early date, and was from the first prominent in its affairs. In 1885 he was elected commander of William W. Hayt Post No. 276, and in 1888 was elected senior vice department commander. In 1890 was elected as member of the Department Council of Administration, and 1891 was elected Department Commander of the G. A. R:, State of New York. In April, 1891, he turned the first sod for the foundation of General U. S. Grant’s tomb at Riverside Park, New York city. He is a member of the Corning Consistory, and since 1870 has been a leading merchant of Corning.


Fuller Bros., George W. and Dwight L. Family Sketch

Fuller Bros., George W. and Dwight L., proprietors of the Dickinson House, which they purchased in 1865, are sons of Dwight A. Fuller, a native of Cazenovia, N.Y., who died in 1890. Dwight A. Fuller came from New Woodstock, Madison county, in 1847 and was postmaster of Corning in 1860, and was also proprietor of the Terrett House, and later of the Arcade. The Dickinson House was built by a company and established in 1850 and opened by a man named Dennis; it is located at the corner of Pine and Market streets, and for many years has been the leading hotel in Corning.


Gamman, Alfred M. Family Sketch

Gamman, Alfred M., was born in Corning, N. Y., and graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1876, and practiced his profession until 1888, from which time until 1890 he spent in Atlanta, Ga., since which time he has been a member of the firm of Robinson & Gamman.


Gillette, William Family Sketch

Gillette, William, was born in the town of Corning, about a mile from where he now lives, in 1822, son of John, who was born in the town of Corning and in 1828 moved to the present limits of Caton where he spent the remainder of his days, being prominent in the affairs of this town and county. The grandfather, Joseph Gillette, was one of the very earliest settlers of this section of the State, and was prominent in the affairs of his town and county. Mr. Gillette has always been a farmer, and being a natural mechanic, he has always followed the carpenter and builder’s trade, more or less. In 1846 he located on his present farm. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Andrews, formerly of Bath. She died in 1870, leaving the following children: Harriet Josephine, now Mrs. John Kiner of Michigan; Ada Virginia, the wife of John Goodyear, now deceased; Frances I., wife of William F. Edger, of Corning; and Charles W., who resides on the home residence. Mr. Gillette has filled various town offices.


Gorton, William Family Sketch

Gorton, William, son of Silas, was born in the town of Corning, in 1822. The grandfather, Peleg Gorton, was one of the original six purchasers of the town; he resided in Rensselaer county and was killed by a runaway team before he could move here. William has always been a farmer, and since 1881 has owned and resides on what is known as the old Gibson farm. In 1863 he married Helen Thompson, also a native of Steuben county, and they have had five children: William H. Clay, who died in 1880, aged sixteen years; Robert L.; Silas; Wesley; and Agnes.


Gorton, William E. Family Sketch

Gorton, William E., was born in Corning October 19, 1854, and was graduated from the New York Homoeopathic Medical College in 1877, but never practiced. He was in the employ of the Fall Brook Railroad Company as assistant superintendent for ten years, and from 1887 followed railroad contracting in the South for four years. He was also in the drug business in Corning from 1887 to 1893, and has been president of the Corning Iron Works since they were incorporated in 1893, which works were founded by him in 1889. He was the first mayor of the city of Corning.


Graves, Edward P. Family Sketch

Graves, Edward P., was born in Corning in J840, son of Rev. Frederick W. Graves, a native of Massachusetts. E. P. Graves was educated in Corning and at Williston Seminary. He was for a number of years with S. T. Hayt in the lumber and flour business. In 1862 he was mustered in the service as lieutenant and quartermaster of the 107th Regt., made captain and A.Q.M.U.S. Vols. in 1864, and brevet major U.S. Vols., and was with the Twelfth and Twentieth Corps. At the close of the war he was stationed at Mobile and Montgomery, Ala., and came home in April, 1866. In 1889 he was elected county clerk, serving three years, and since 1893 has been president of the Corning Manufacturing Company.


Greenfield, Charles E. Family Sketch

Greenfield, Charles E., was born in Corning in 1846, where he was reared and educated, and January 1, 1884, accepted his present position as station agent for the Fall Brook Railway Company.