Pulteney New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

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

James Alexander, Biography

James Alexander was born in Morris, Otsego county, in 1829. John Alexander, father of James, was born in Ireland, about 1795, came to America when a young man, and settled in Morris, Otsego county, where he spent his life. He engaged in harness making, which business he has always followed. He married Margaret McDole, of Ireland, by whom he had eight children: Margaret, Helena, William, Jane Ann, Matilda L., John, Emily, and James. After the father's death the family removed to chenango county and purchased a farm. James Alexander was educated in New Berlin, chenango county, and at fifteen years of age began life's battles for himself by learning the harness maker's trade, which he followed about sixteen years. In 1853 he came to Pulteney where he engaged in the same business until 1856, when he married Celia, daughter of Joel and Nancy (Folwell) Hyatt, and removed to his father-in-law's homestead, where he has since erected fine, large commodious buildings, and is one of the early fruit growers of this section; now he owns a ten-acre vineyard.

Argus, Philip, Biography

Argus, Philip, was born in Rheinzabern, Germany, in 1836, son of Jacob Argus, who was born in 1800, one of two sons and two daughters born to Leonard Argus, a farmer and vineyardist. Jacob Argus was a farmer and grape grower. His wife was Philiphena Masel and their children were John, Martin, and Philip, all of whom came to America. John and Martin are deceased. Philip Argus, upon landing in America, went directly to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farm work for five years. He then came to Urbana, Steuben county N. Y., where he worked in the vineyards for four years, after which time he moved to Kansas, spending eleven years there in farming and grape growing. He then returned to Steuben county and purchased his present farm of forty-seven acres, which he cleared and set out forty acres of vines, the entire product of which he manufactures into the finest qualities of wine. In 1839 Mr. Argus married Abolonia Belli, of Prairie du Chien, Wis. (formerly of Germany), and their children are Jacob, Martin, Barbara, Anthony, Mary, Lizzie, Catherine, John, and Abolonia. Mr. Argus is a Democrat and a member of the C. M. B. A.

Bacon, Rev. John S., Biography

Bacon, Rev. John S., the eldest child of Rev. Hiram and Mary Stebbins Bacon, deceased, was born in the town of Potter, Yates county, N. Y., July 12, 1833. The seminary at Lima and the old Dundee Academy were the schools wherein his preparatory training was obtained. He spent several years in teaching, for two years having charge of the village school in Pulteney. In 1858 he was married to Sarah H., daughter of the late John A. and Thankful H. Prentiss of Pulteney. In 1859 he entered Auburn Theological Seminary as a student for the Presbyterian ministry, graduating in 1862. He was licensed to preach April 10, 1861; by the Presbytery of Lyons, and ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry September 10, 1862, by the same Presbytery. Mr. Bacon’s first parish was Amboy, Onondaga county, N. Y., near Syracuse, where he spent eight years, from 1862 to 1870. In 1870 he was called to Syracuse, where he organized the Fourth Presbyterian church of that city, and which he served as pastor for six years, from 1870 to 1876. He preached the sermon on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the church, on the first Sunday of February, 1895. In 1876 he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian church at Niagara Falls, N. Y. This pastorate extended from 1876 to 1888. His last parish was Corning, N. Y. He ministered to the First Presbyterian church of that city from February, 1883, to May, 1893. After continuous service as pastor, for more than thirty years, he now felt that the time for him to take a rest had come, and so at the close of his Corning pastorate he retired to his pleasant Pulteney home where he now resides. Though retired from the pastoral care of a congregation, still as a preacher his service is in active demand, and he is unable to answer all the calls which he receives. Mr. Bacon has been exceptionally happy in his ministerial life. He insists that he has had the best parishes in the State of New York. Certain it is that whenever he visits any one of his four parishes his welcome is unmistakably cordial. He received the degree of A.M. from Hamilton College in 1875. He is a Free and Accepted Mason of the thirty-second degree, and he has been for several terms grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of New York.

Ball, Edward J., Biography

Ball, Edward J., was born in Pulteney in 1849, and educated in the common schools. His early life was spent at the carpenter’s trade. Later he engaged in farming and grape growing, which business he still follows. In 1877 he married Clara, daughter of William H. Clark, of Pulteney, by whom he had two children: William, and Julian (deceased). Mr. Ball afterwards married Anna, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Sullivan) Gibson, of Pulteney. Their children are Clifford, Helen, Marjory, and Julia. Mr. Ball is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Prattsburg. Nathaniel Ball, his grandfather, was born in Herkimer county in 1788, and in 1815 came to Pulteney, where he resided for many years. He was a blacksmith by trade. He died in Auburn, N. Y. , in April, 1871. His wife, Lucinda Pelton, was born in Connecticut in 1790, and died in Auburn in 1874. Their children were Emma, Lucy A., Sherwood, and Nelson. Nelson, the father of Edward J., was born in Pulteney in 1815. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. His first wife was Julia Pinkerton, by whom he had two children, Helen and Esther. His second wife was Experience Benton, by whom he had six children: George, killed at the battle of City Point, aged nineteen years; Edward, Julia, Sherwood (deceased), Elliott, and Harrison.

Brush, Horton L., Biography

Brush, Horton L., was born in this town, March 4, 1853. Thomas Brush, his grandfather, was a shoemaker who came to Pulteney in 1819, and later purchased a tract of timber land, which he and his sons cleared. He was the son of Jacob and Anna Green Brush, whose father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Albert, the father of Horton L. . was born in Pulteney, in July, 1820, and has devoted his time to farming since he became thirteen years of age, and when eighteen he worked out and earned the last one hundred dollars which finished paying for his father’s farm; his time was then given him and he began for himself, purchased his first farm when twenty-two and now owns 105 acres. In politics he is a Republican and served as assessor two terms, and is a deacon in the Baptist church. His wife was Lydia Horton, who was born in Pulteney, and their children were Harmon M., Thomas, who died in 1846, and William, died in 1879, who was a soldier in the late war and fought in the battle of Appomattox, and Marion S. Horton L. was the youngest .son, was educated in the common schools, and while a young boy engaged as engineer in a saw mill, and when fifteen }^ears of age took charge of a vineyard, which position he kept until he was seventeen years of age, when he spent two winters in Michigan as engineer in a mill. He then engaged in buying fruit, spent three seasons in a commission house in New York city and spent one year each in the employment of the Adams and United States Express Companies on Lake Keuka. He has studied electricity for several years, and since 1891, in connection with his fruit growing and commission business, he has dealt in telephones, constructing them himself. In 1881 he married Lilly I., second daughter of William E. and Nancy Bancroft Horton, who was born in the town of Cameron. She is a member of and teacher of the Baptist Sunday school, and they are both members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Prattsburg Lodge No. 583, of which he has been chaplain and junior deacon. He is now treasurer of the Yates Baptist Association, having been elected for three years.

Cross, Edward D., Biography

Cross, Edward D., was born in Pulteney, in February, 1852. His grandfather, Lewis Cross, came from Westchester county to Pulteney in 1830, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Odel, and grandson, Edward D. He married Polly Schofield, by whom he had nine children. Odel C. Cross, father of Edward D., was born in Westchester county, N. Y., in 1826, and came to Pulteney with his father, and has spent his life on the homestead, farming and grape growing. He has been supervisor of the town, and filled other local offices. He married Adelaide, daughter of Ira Gibson, of Tompkins county, N. Y., by whom he had three children: Edward D., Mrs. Ida Perry, of Pulteney, and Erwin. Mrs. Cross died in 1891. Edward D. was educated in the common schools and Haverling Institute at Bath. Farming and grape culture has been his principal occupation on the homestead farm in partnership with his father, having twenty-five acres of vineyard and forty acres of farm land. In politics he is an active Republican, and is now serving his sixth year as supervisor of his town, and has also been elected to fill other town offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , Pulteney Lodge. In 1877 he married Sylvia, daughter of Smith and Mary Ann McConnell, of Pulteney, by whom he had two children: Mary and Estella.

Dean, John, Biography

Dean, John, was born on the farm he now owns, in December, 1830. His grandfather, John Dean, was a sailor for seven years while a young man, a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and later a farmer in Dutchess county. He settled in Pulteney in 1815. He married Mary Niles, by whom he had nine children. William Dean, father of John, was born in Dutchess county, in 1794. He practiced medicine for over forty years, and also conducted a farm. He married Polly Terry, by whom he has seven children: Julia, Moses, Charles, Mary J., Darius, John, and George. He took a deep interest in educational matters, and was an anti-Mason. Mr. Dean has devoted his life to the homestead, to which he has added several hundred acres. He has dealt to a considerable extent in lumber, and during war times dealt extensively in cattle. In 1861 he married Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Peck) ]Boss, of Pulteney, by whom he had three children: George, Everett, and Mary.

Depew, William M., Biography

Depew, William M., was born in Pulteney, N. Y. , on the farm he now owns, in 1829. His grandfather, Peter Depew, was a native of Holland, one of three brothers who came to America. He was a farmer and soldier in the Revolutionary war. Abram Depew, father of William M., was a native of Orange county, N. Y., born in 1788. He came to Pulteney about 1822, settled on the farm now owned by his son, cleared the land, and erected a log cabin where he spent his life. He supplied his household with meat with his gun, killing deer and game. At his death he owned 300 acres of land and money at interest. He married Deborah, daughter of Samuel Drew who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, being but fifteen years of age when the war broke out, and granddaughter of Gilbert Drew, who was a minute man during the war. They had twelve children: L. C., Samuel, Peter, Samantha, Riley, Diantha, Roswell, James and Sarah, twins, Ferris, William M., and Abram. He died in 1858. William M. Depew received but a limited education in the common schools, and has endured many of the hardships of life, when a boy often being obliged to go through an entire winter barefooted. He has followed farming all his life, and since 1858 has lived on his father’s homestead, to which he has added and improved, and now own 243 acres in his home farm and another farm of 103 acres. He has bred many fine and high priced horses, bought, sold and bred large numbers of sheep, and now has a band of ninety head. In 1858 he married Esther Eggleston, who was born in Pulteney, daughter of Benjamin and Sallie (Hyatt) Eggleston, by whom he had one child, Grant, who was born in 1860. His wife died in 1874, and in 1876 he married for his second wife, Margelia Shuart, who was born in Pulteney, daughter of Andrew and Betsey Shuart, by whom he had one child, Rose. In 1885 Grant Depew married Emma, daughter of Johnson and Susan Brink, by whom he had one child, Frank, who died in March, 1894. He resides with his father on the homestead.

Goodrich, Franklin N., Biography

Goodrich, Franklin N., was born in Pulteney, N. Y., May 8, 1857. Alonzo Goodrich, father of Franklin N., was born in Naples, Ontario county, N. Y., in 1831. He was a carpenter, wagonmaker, and vineyardist, and came to Pulteney about 1852, where he died in 1888. He married Rachel, daughter of Peter McConnell, of Pulteney, by whom he had three children: Gertrude, George E., and Franklin N. His wife died in 1872. Franklin N. Goodrich was educated in the common school, and at sixteen years of age he found employment in a basket factory, and when twenty years of age, engaged as clerk in a general store, where he remained until 1887, when he purchased the store and continued the business. In 1888 he erected the fine two-story double brick store, 50 x 120 feet; in one-half of this building he carries on an extensive general merchandise business, in the other part a hardware business is carried on, and the upper portion comprises two large h^lls, and is leased by the Grand Army Post and Odd Fellows Lodge; he is a member and treasurer of the latter order. In addition to his mercantile business he owns and conducts two large vineyards. In 1880 he married Eugenie S., daughter of Dwight Godfrey, of Pulteney, by whom he had three children: Dwight, Grace, and Margaret.

Horr, Samuel D., Obituary

Horr, Samuel D., a well-to-do farmer and sheep grower of Pulteney, was born in Prattsburg in 1829, a son of Appleton Horr, a native of Maine, born in 1795. Appleton Horr came to Prattsburg about 1820 and cleared the most of a 100 acre farm. He was a great hunter and fisherman. His wife was Hannah Decker, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of Samuel Decker, who later removed to the town of Urbana. Their children were William, Lucy, John, Samuel, Rebecca, Betsey, Sarah, Rhoda, Mary, Emily, Elisha, and Lottie, all of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Horr died in 1871 and his wife many years before. Samuel D. remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged as woodchopper. A year later he took up carpentry, which he followed for three years, when he was married and engaged in farming, but soon resumed his trade, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He came to Pulteney in 1849 and some years later in connection with his trade bought and conducted a vineyard. In 1881 he purchased his present farm of 130 acres and for several years has been interested in breeding fine wool sheep, now owning 250 head. In June, 1852, Mr. Horr married Sarah E., daughter of Phineas and Ellen (Havens) Casteline, early settlers in Prattsburg. Mrs. Horr was born in New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Horr had two children: Olney, who died at the age of eight years; and Mary, wife of Charles Skinkle, of Pulteney. They have three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Horr have been members of the Baptist church at South Pulteney for forty-five years, Mr. Horr having been trustee and deacon for six years. John and Elisha Horr, brothers of Samuel D., served three years each in the war of the Rebellion.

Horton, Menzo L., Biography

Horton, Menzo L., was born in Pulteney, December 16, 1873, son of Philetus O., who was born in Pulteney in 1852. Philetus O. was a son of Richard F., born in Pultney in October, 1825, son of William, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1795, one of six sons and two daughters born to Thomas Horton, who was of English descent, a descendant of a Horton who settled on Long Island in the latter part of the sixteenth century. He came to Pulteney in the early days, settled in the forest, and cleared a 300 acre farm. William, great-grandfather of Menzo L., devoted his life to farming in Pulteney, and was school superintendent, assessor of the town, etc. His wife, Eliza, was a daughter of Joseph and Lydia Stewart, of Pulteney, and they reared six sons and two daughters. He died in 1888 and his wife died in 1878. Richard F. , grandfather of Menzo L., has devoted his life to farming in Pulteney and from 1883 to 1887 ran a mail route from Hammondsport to Penn Yan. His wife was Philena Lincoln, of South Bristol, Ontario county, whom he married in 1849, and their children are Lucius, Philetus, and Ada. He has served as assessor, collector, and commissioner of highways. Philetus O. at the age of eighteen learned the painter’s trade, which he has since followed. Fie has a pleasant home in Pulteney and conducts a five acre vineyard. He has served as collector for two terms and has been one of the Town Board since he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of twenty he married Irene, daughter of James Brush, of Pulteney, and their children are Menzo L., Le Verne, Linn D., and Claire. Menzo L. was educated in Pulteney and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. The year 1892-93 he spent in teaching near Lincoln, Nebraska, and from 1883 to 1895 he taught at Catawba. Mr. Horton is a young man of enterprise and public spirit, with indications of a bright and successful future.

Retan, Nelson, Biography

Retan, Nelson, was born in the town of Pulteney in July, 1837. His grandfather, Barnett Retan, was born in March, 1790, and he married Sallie Drew, who was born in November, 1789, and their children were John, born June 23, 1809; Almeron, born in September, 1811; Gilbert, born in October, 1813; Hannah, born in November, 1815; Susan, born in January, 1818; Rachel, born in February, 1820; Barnett, born in December, 1822; Ebenezer, born in January, 1825; David, born in March, 1827; Sally Ann, born in July, 1829; and Eliza, born in January, 1830. They were farmers and came to Pulteney with their family in 1818, cleared a farm, on which they spent their remaining days. John, father of Nelson, was a farmer by occupation. In politics he was a Democrat and served several years as a commissioner of highways. He married Rachel Smart, who was born September 11, 1811, and their children are Susan, born in September, 1831; Jeptha, born in July, 1835; Nelson, as above; Sylvester, born in July, 1840; Anson, born in April, 1842, killed in the siege of Port Hudson in 1863; Sylvina, born in March, 1844; Olney, born in February, 1846; and Cynthia, born in October, 1849. Their deaths occurred April 29, 1870, and February 17, 1884, respectively. Nelson was educated in the district schools, and began life for himself as a farmer. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 161st N.Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, having participated in the sieges of Mobile and Blakely. In 1866 he purchased his first farm, and in 1884 he engaged in manufacturing-lumber, boxes, and grape baskets in the village of Pulteney, this being the largest establishment of the kind in the county. In 1886 he purchased a residence in the village, where he removed. In 1892 his mill and factory were burned, but the same year he rebuilt on a larger scale, which buildings were burned in June, 1895. He again rebuilt and commenced work in August of the same year. In addition to the manufacturing interests, Mr. Retan owns several small farms, to which he attends. In 1860 he married Esther S., daughter of Nelson and Julia Pinkerton Ball, and their children are Alice, born in August, 1863, wife of Clarence Fox of Pulteney; Nellie,, born in June, 1867, died in January, 1871; and Anna May, born in May, 1880. Mrs. Retan died July 13, 1889. For his second wife he married Helen Ball, in December, 1890. Her father, Nelson Ball, was born in Pulteney in 1815, and died in 1871, and was a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Retan is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Pulteney, the Pleasant Valley Grange of Urbana, and of the Henry C. Lyon G. A. R. Post No. 535 of Pulteney.

Sanderson, Robert, Biography

Sanderson, Robert, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1846. James Sanderson, father of Robert, owned a farm in Ireland, which he conducted. He married Mary Ann Williams, by whom he had eight children: Margaret, of Pulteney; John, of Yates county; William, deceased; Robert, as above; George, of Seneca county; James, of Ireland: Joseph of Yates county; and Edward, of Scotland. Robert received a common school education, and in 1862, when sixteen years of age, he came to the United States, coming direct to Bath, N. Y., where he engaged in farming for a year, and the following four years was spent in a woolen factory in Bath. He then engaged in vineyard work in Yates county, and two years later, in partnership with his brother, purchased a vineyard. He later sold his interest to his brother and purchased two other places, and in 1875 he purchased a half interest of the Rev. J. W. Brown twelve acre fruit farm in Pulteney. Mr. Brown having died, in 1889 Mr. Sanderson purchased the balance of the fruit farm, and in addition to this farm he owns twenty-three acres of fruit, principally grapes, in Yates county. Mr. Sanderson began in America a poor boy, and, being endowed with thorough business principles, he has developed himself into one of the leading and most thorough fruit culturists in Steuben county, and established for himself an enviable reputation in Buffalo and New York, where his product always commands advanced prices, and which is often sold before it leaves his packing house. Mr. Sanderson is a member of the I. O. O. F., Pulteney Lodge, No. 578. In 1870 he married Ann Hadden, who was born in Mitchellville, N. Y., daughter of G. P. and Hettie (Brown) Hadden, by whom he had one child, Walter, who is now a student in Lima College, preparing for the ministry. Mrs. Sanderson died in 1889, and he married for his second wife, Mrs. Eva (Bailey) Brush.

Schoeffler, Henry, Biograpgy

Schoeffler, Henry, was born in Deidesheim Rhein Baiern, Germany, in 1840. Martin Schoeffler, father of Henry, was born in October, 1799. He was a soldier for six years in the Bavarian army. He married Susan Glasser, who was born in 1805, and died in 1880, by whom he had four children, Martin, Thomas, Henry and Thekla. Henry Schoeffler came to America in 1867, landing in New York on New Years’ day, with but three cents in his pocket. He borrowed twenty doliars and went to Chicago, 111., where he worked two months at gardening, thence to Urbana where he spent three years in a vineyard, thence to Indiana, where he engaged in farming three years, after which he returned to Urbana and spent three years more in a vineyard. In 1874 he purchased his present tract of thirty nine acres, seventeen of which he cleared of timber and of all the stumps and stones and made twenty-five acres of it a vineyard, and has erected large, first-class buildings. In 1870 he married Johannah Poelhuis, who was born in St. James, Ind. , in 1855, daughter of John B. and Mary (Tevogt) Poelhuis, both of Holland, by whom he had seven children: Anna Mary, Helena, Susanna, Martin A., George H., Randolph J., and J. Apolonia. Dr. Schoeffler is a member of the C. M. B. A. of Hornellsville.

Sherwood, Henry F., Biography

Sherwood, Henry F., was born in Tioga county, Pa., in 1849. Orrin Sherwood, father of Henry F., was born in Cameron, Steuben county in 1822, and is one of five children born to Benjamin Sherwood, who was also a native of Cameron, born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and was a farmer and preacher of the Freewill Baptist doctrine, and would often walk ten miles through the woods to preach on Sundays. He died in Pennsylvania, at the home of his son, Orrin. His wife was Hannah Rice, who died in June, 1895, aged ninety-eight years. At twenty-one years of age Orrin Sherwood went to Tioga county, Pa., where he purchased 130 acres of timber land, which he cleared. He later added seventy acres, the homestead of his wife’s parents, where she was born, where they now reside. He married Lucy, daughter of Harvey and Fannie Seeley, by whom he had five children: William H., of Hornellsville; Camelia; Henry; George; and Cassie. Henry F. Sherwood remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of years, when he engaged in the meat business in Bath, and two years later he embarked in the hotel business which he followed two years. In 1875 he removed to Pulteney and purchased his farm of eighty acres, where he has since resided, doing a general farming business. He is a member of the K. O. T. M. , Pulteney Lodge, of which he is chaplain. In 1874 he married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Lydia (Brush) Rice, of Pulteney.

Stewart, Richard F., Biography

Stewart, Richard F., was born in Pulteney in 1819. Joseph and Lydia (Stuart) Stewart, his grandparents, were born in Litchfield county, Conn., of Scotch parents from the North of Ireland, where they grew to maturity and were married, thence they removed to Whitestown, N. Y., and in 1810 came to Pulteney and settled at what is now known as Stewart’s Corners, and cleared a large farm. They had fifteen children; Joseph, William, John, Lyman, Spencer (who died at twenty-two years of age), Selden, Lydia, Eliza, Hannah, Betsey, Rhoda, Polly, Statira, Harriet, and Arnold, who died at two years of age. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and lived to be over eighty years of age. Selden Stewart, father of Richard F., was born in Whitestown, N. Y., in September, 1782. He came to Pulteney in 1811 and took a 100-acre farm adjoining his father’s farm, which he cleared of the timber, where he spent his life. He married Polly Parker, by whom he had eight children: Julia Ann, Melinda, Louisa, Elsie, Richard F., Lyman, George, and Jane. He died in September, 1843. Richard F. remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, and at twenty-two years of age he began lumbering and farming summers, and for several winters was engaged by contract in hewing ship timbers. In 1860 he engaged in the grape culture, which business he has successfully followed to the present time. He was a member of the State militia, first elected as fourth corporal, and promoted along the line to that of captain, which office he held when it disbanded. In politics Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and has held the office of constable ten years, collector two years, and overseer of the poor fourteen years. In 1845 he married Sarah Ann, daughter of John Francisco, who was born in Middlesex, Mass., by whom he had two children: Olive who died at four years of age; Viola, wife of Farcelles Mothersell, of Urbana. His wife died in 1885, and he married for his second wife Mrs. Charlotte (Nichols) Camp, of Seneca Falls.

Stone, James D., Biography

Stone, James D., was born on the farm he now owns and on which he resides in 1826. James Stone, his grandfather, was a volunteer in the Revolutionary war, and took part in a battle in which the Tories were routed, and during which conflict he was wounded in the hand by a bayonet. Before the war he was a farmer by occupation, residing in Montgomery county, and later located in Northumberland county, Pa., and in 1804 removed to Yates county, N. Y. , and in 1810 settled in Pulteney, where he and his sons cleared a farm of 160 acres. His wife was Tamer Davis, and they reared six sons and two daughters. Mr. Stone died in 1832, aged seventy-eight, and Mrs. Stone in 1888. Thomas Stone, the father of James, was born in Montgomery county in 1790, and came to Pulteney with his father. He served in the War of 1812, and fought at the battle of Queenstown. For some time, while a young man, he cut wood for the salt works at Liverpool, Onondaga county, and finally settled on the farm now owned by James D., which was then a wilderness. For many years he was a deacon in the Freewill Baptist church. In 1820 he marrried Betsey, daughter of Joseph and Lydia Stewart, who were pioneers in Pulteney. He died in 1870, and his wife in 1881. James D. has always devoted his time to farming, and has made many improvements on the homestead, and also owns another farm and vineyard of several acres, and for several years was interested extensively in breeding and dealing in sheep. January 24, 1850, he was united in marriage to Jane, daughter of John and Martha Harwood, of Prattsburg, and their children are George, of Syracuse, who is in the steam fitting business, Emmet, a farmer in Pulteney; Flora, wife of Charles Hill of Pulteney; and Satie, wife of John McConnell of Pulteney. They are members of the Freewill Baptist church, of which Mr. Stone is deacon, and Mrs. Stone is a member of the Ladies’ Aid Society, of which she is secretary and treasurer. In politics Mr. Stone is a Democrat and has served his town as a member of the board of supervisors, constable, collector, and overseer of the poor.

Sullivan, John W., Biography

Sullivan, John W., was born in Pulteney, N. Y., February 11, 1860. His grandfather. John Sullivan, was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States with his brother Peter about 1820, coming direct to Pulteney, where he located on wild timber land and lived under a bridge the first month while he built his log cabin. He cleared two lage farms, raised and dealt in stock, and became wealthy, and lived to be over eighty years old. His brother Peter was 101 years old when he died. Henry Sullivan, father of John W., was born in Pulteney, N. Y. , in 1824. He began life as a farmer, but later owned and operated a flour and grist mill in Prattsburg for ten years, after which he removed to Pulteney and engaged in grape culture, in which business he spent his remaining days. He married Laura J. Cole, by whom he had four children: Laura, wife of William H. Taylor, of Pulteney; Sarah, wife of Frank Miller, of Pulteney; John W.; and Fred M. His wife died in 1864, and he died in 1888. John W. Sullivan, when fourteen years of age, engaged in the flour and grist mill with his uncle, with whom he remained until he learned the trade. In 1881 he returned to Pulteney and engaged in farming for a year, and from 1882 to 1885 was interested in the grape culture. In 1885 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, with four acres of vineyard, which he has successfully operated sinoe. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , Pulteney Lodge, No. 573, and has filled several of the offices. In 1881 he married Alice, daughter of Ira Brownell, by whom he had two children: Floyd and Jennie.

Watkins, James Edward, Biography

Watkins, James Edward, was born in the town of Prattsburg in 1861, son of Charles Watkins, who is a prosperous farmer in Pulteney. He was born in South Wales, England, in 1824, and is one of six sons and one daughter born to George and Eleanor Williams Watkins. He learned the blacksmith’s trade and in 1851 came to America. In 1867 he settled in Pulteney on his present farm of ninety-three acres. His wife was Eliza Heden, born in Cayuga, a daughter of Absalom Heden, and their children are Lucy A., Maje E., deceased, Charles W., James Edward, George G., Jeanette, deceased, and Victoria. Mrs. Watkins died in 1886. She was a member of the Methodist church, and he has been class leader in the same church over forty years. James Edward was educated in the district schools and has devoted his time to farming. In 1885 he married Avis Ludencia, the youngest of six children born to Samuel and Julia Ann Covell Depew of Pulteney. She is the only surviving member of her family. Her father was prosperous and left her three hundred acres of land. Her grandfather, Joseph Covell, came to Urbana from Connecticut in 1812, and settled in the northwestern part of the town on the farm now owned by his daughter, O. A. Covell, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was born in Thompson, Windham county, Conn., in 1786. He was the son of Ebenezer and Sabrina Childs Covell. He had five brothers and five sisters, William, Willis, Ebenezer, Cyrus and Amasa, Cynthia Covell Partridge of Norwich, Betsy Covell Convas, Theodocia, Sabrina of Thompson, Conn., and Nancy Covell Rider of New York city. Joseph Covell was married in 1810 to Susanna Chamberlain, daughter of Harvey and Betsey Warren Chamberlain, and granddaughter of Dr. Peter Chamberlain of Pomfret, Conn., and grandniece of General Warren who was killed at Bunker Hill, in 1775. She had five brothers and three sisters, Warren, Schuiler, Harvy, George and Charles; Lucinda Chamberlain Smith of Pennsylvania, Lucy Chamberlain Brewster and Betsey Reckord of Danielsonville, Conn. They had ten children, two of whom died in infancy, William H., George C., Julia A., Emeline, M. D. La Fayette, Ocia A., George D. and Joseph E. Her grandfather, Joseph Covell, came to Urbana from Connecticut in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of the Methodist church and the Y. P. S. C. E. He is a member of K. O. T. M. Hammondsport Lodge, of which he has been Chaplain.