L. PHILETUS MAY, a well-known and highly respected farmer of the town of Masonville, Delaware County, N.Y., was born in Coventry, Chenango County, November 28, 1827, son of Willard and Lucy (Kenyon) May. His father was born in Massachusetts in 1794, and his mother in Rhode Island about 1790. His grandfather, Samuel May, who was a Massachusetts man, moved from that State to New York with an ox team, and settled at Bainbridge, Chenango County, about the year 1810, being among the first settlers there. In the course of time he was the owner of a fine farm, of which he had cleared a good part and brought into a good state of cultivation. The latter part of his life was spent in the town of Colesville, Broom County, where he died, aged about eighty. He was twice married, his second wife being Patty Hudson. He had a large family of children, only one of whom is alive at the present day, William S. May, of Harpursville.

Willard May grew to manhood and received his education in Massachusetts and Vermont. Shortly after coming to this State with his father, he enlisted in the American army, and was in active service in the War of 1812-14. He was by trade a carpenter, an occupation he followed in conjunction with farming. He resided in Coventry until after the death of his first wife, when he moved to Afton village; but he spent his declining years with his son, Jabez May, at Penn Yan, Yates County, where he died aged eighty-four. In politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and in religious matters was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. May's second marriage was to Eunice Metcalf, widow of Seth Seeley. He was the father of seven children, three of whom are living: Sally, widow of Isaac Randall, of Masonville; Jabez May, of Penn Yan; and L. Philetus, the subject of this sketch. Warren died aged twenty years, Mary Ann aged twenty-four, Laura aged sixty-two years, and Willard, Jr., aged five years.

L. Philetus May was educated in the town of Coventry. He gave his attention to farming and carpentering, learning the latter trade under his father and following it as a business for several years. In 1859 he came to Masonville, and bought the farm upon which he now resides, the land then being uncultivated and with no improvements. He speedily set about clearing the land, and erecting fine and substantial building. The farm consists of one hundred and thirty-three acres of good land; and he conducts a fine dairy, keeping about twenty-two head of cattle. Mr. May has always been a hard-working man, and has gained his present competency by industry and good management. He is a member of the Baptist church of Masonville, and is now one of its Trustees. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. May was married by Elder A. St. John, September 25, 1862, to Emily M. Beach, who was born September 10, 1832, a daughter of Lumon and Maria (Brainerd) Beach, of Masonville. Mrs. May died December 31, 1888, leaving no children.

Mr. May is one of the few old settlers of Masonville now living. He has never taken an active part in politics, but has always been ready to devote his time and influence to the best interests of the town, rendering substantial aid in works of improvement and progress.

As a scion of good old New England stock, a thriving member of the farming community, and a public-spirited citizen of Delaware County, Mr. May is especially deserving of portraiture in this "Biographical Review". His likeness on an adjoining page will be readily recognized by friends and acquaintances.

In 1879 Mr. Wright married Miss Lydia Thompson, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Oliver) Thompson. The father is a successful farmer in Hamden, and bears a record worthy of mention. He is of Scottish parentage, being a son of Andrew Thompson, Sr., who came to American in 1800, and settled in Bovina, there living to be a very old man, completing his ninetieth year. Andrew Thompson enlisted in 1864 in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers; but, finding the ranks filled when he arrived at Port Royal S.C., he was transferred to Company A, New York Engineer Corps. His courageous bearing and unflinching adherence to duty while under fire at Morris Island won for him the highest commendation from the commander in charge, Captain brown. He belongs to England Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one little son, Harry, born January 28, 1890. The strict probity and keen sense of honor which characterize Mr. Wright's dealings with the public have won for him universal respect; and this has been, perhaps, one of the chief reasons for that success which has attended him as a merchant and manufacturer. He is an adherent of the Republican party, to which he has always been loyal.

Mr. Woodruff has ever taken an active interest in the prosperity of his native town and county, aiding all beneficial schemes tending to develop its business resources or improve its moral, education, or social status, and has served as treasurer of the fire department three years, was Treasurer of the village three years, and for a long time did efficient service as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trade. For two years he was President of the Delaware County Agricultural Society, and has been instrumental in raising it to its present prosperous condition. He was Secretary of the Republican County Committee for many years, and in 1893 was nominated by acclamation to the office of County Treasurer.

Truman Lewis lived on the farm with his parents until 1859, when he moved with them to the village. He attended the district school in his boyhood, but, when eighteen, learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he was employed for twenty years, or until 1881. In 1849 he married Miss Hattie Cannon, of Sidney, who was a native of Cannonsville, a daughter or Elisha Cannon. On September 8, 1892, Mrs. Lewis passed away; and her husband was left a childless widower. Like his father, Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. He was Road Commissioner in 1884, and is now serving in his fourth year as Justice of the Peace. For the last nine years he has been employed as clerk in the post-office, which is recorded as a third-class one, although handling more mail than many offices of higher rank. He now occupies the position of Assistant Postmaster under Charles A. Wood, and, being thoroughly acquainted with all the departments of the office, as well as entirely trustworthy and attentive to his duties, is often left in full charge. As a gentleman of correct morals and sound judgment, he is held in high regard by his friends and fellow-workers.

Edwin W. Pond was reared as a farmer's son, acquiring his rudimentary education in the public schools, and afterward pursuing a full academical course. He worked with his father in the milk factory until 1879, when he removed to Fort Plain, Montgomery County, to take charge of the manufactory of the Orange County Milk Association, remaining there two years. Receiving a flattering offer to assume the management of the Heidelberg Cheese and Condensed Milk Company at Yarra Flats, near Melbourne, Australia, he went there, and continued in charge three years. After traveling around the world, Mr. Pond came to Walton in 1884; and three years later he established himself in the insurance business, in which he displays more than ordinary ability and tact. He now represents seventeen strong and trustworthy insurance companies, and is recognized as a straight-forward, thorough-going business man, meriting the confidence of his fellow-citizens. On February 11, 1886, Mr. Pond was married to Miss Florence St. John, a native of New York City. Mrs. Pond's parents were S. Henry and Emily (Leavens) St. John, the latter of whom was born in 1815 in New York City and died in Walton in 1878. Mr. St. John was a native of Walton, and in early life went to New York City as a clerk in a dry-good store, in which business he remained some time. He afterwards entered into copartnership with his brother, George St. John, as merchant tailors and general clothiers, under the firm name of Geo. & S. H. St. John. Having secured a competency, he retired from active business, and, coming to Walton, built a fine residence near the present home of Mr. and Mrs. Pond, and thereafter lived retired, dying in 1893, when seventy-nine years old. He reared three children, as follows: Sarah, the wife of A. L. Hyde, lives in New York City. Emma, the wife of the Rev. Reeve Hobbie, resides in Newark, N.J. Mr. S. H. St. John had the following brothers and sisters who reached the age of maturity: Martha St. John Bassett, who lived at Independence, N.Y.; Maria, the wife of Joseph E. Sheffield, of New Haven, Conn.; Thomas and Erastus, who lived at Mobile, Ala.; and George, who resided at Walton. Mr. S. H. St. John at the time of his death was the only remaining child of Colonel John Trowbridge and Mary St. John, who were among the early settlers of this section, coming to Walton from Connecticut.

Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pond, two little daughters died in infancy, and two are now living, namely: Sarah E. Pond, born April 2, 1889; and Samuel Henry St. John Pond, born August 24, 1891. Politically, Mr. Pond is a steadfast Democrat, and has served as village Trustee. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Walton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., where he has taken the thirty-second degree, and in which he is now serving as Senior Warden. Religiously, he is a Vestryman of the Christ Episcopal Church, of which both himself and wife are communicants, and toward the support of which they cheerfully contribute.

William, the second son of John, was born December 14, 1814. He began to work out on a farm when a boy of twelve years of age, and, when twenty-six, married Mary A., daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Yeaples) Demond. Mary Palmateer was a grand-daughter of Christian and Anna Yeaples, who lived at Kingston, Ulster County. This village was burned during the Revolutionary War, in which Christian served; and the family moved to New Kingston Valley, Delaware County, and bought a farm, upon which their grand-daughter, Mrs. Mary Palmateer, now lives. Christian Yeaples built the first log house there. The flat surface of the land selected for a habitation to be erected upon was covered with a growth of pine trees, which were rare in this locality; and many stumps still remain to attest the industrious hand of the ancestor who felled their trunks so long ago. Bear and wolf, elk and deer, disappeared gradually from their native haunts, as the white man's foot invaded year by year their wild domains; and it was not long before smoke curled up from many a settler's cabin chimney, and the solitude of the forest rang with the stroke of the axe and blow of hammer. Mr. Yeaples was the father of these children: Jacob; John; David; Henry; Christian; Cornelius B.; May; Catharine; Rachel; Nellie; and Mary, Mrs. Palmateer.

William Palmateer did a great deal toward the improvement of this estate. He built a large frame house and farm buildings. To William Palmateer and his wife the number of offspring of the Yeaples family was repeated. Of their twelve children, eight are now living, and may be thus mentioned: Phoebe, who married John V. Simmons, a farmer located near Roxbury, and is the mother of two children; Sylvester, who married Estella Sanford, and lives in Andes with their two children; Harriett, who married first Edward Taylor, by whom she had one child, and secondly P. Kaughman; Ransom, the original of this pen sketch; Emily, who married John Rhotermond, has one child, and lives in California; Rhoda and Etta, who live at home; Mary, now Mrs. George Hewitt, of Margarettville, who has one child. William Palmateer died in 1877, at sixty-two years of age. His widow is still living. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Ransom Palmateer worked at home until he was twenty-five years old, gaining a practical experience and knowledge of farm life. He then bought three hundred acres of land from Hizer & Liddle, and began to think, as most young farmers do, that it was not wise for him to live alone. So he wooed and married Anna Simmons, the daughter of John V. and Harriett (Beers) Simmons. The bride's paternal grandparents were Noble and Sarah (Randall) Simmons, the former a native of Massachusetts, though of English parentage, and a soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Noble Simmon's estate was located in what is now known as North Roxbury, at that time an absolute wilderness. He and his wife reared seven children: Hiram, George, Eliza, Daniel, Emeline, Lydia, and John V. John V. Simmons, the "Benjamin" of his father's old age, received a good education, and began teaching at seventeen years. At twenty-six he married Miss Harriett Beers, a daughter of David and Polly (Gould) Beers. To them seven children were born. Sarah E. Married a Mr. Scudder, W. Porter married C. Deyo, Nathie died young, Jennette married the Rec. C. Artmen, Emma married G. Graham, M. Agusta married H. L. Kelly, and Anna is the wife of Mr. R. Palmateer. Mr. Simmons was left a widower, and married for his second wife Miss Eliza Gleason, who bore him two children, Gleason and John. She died; and he married thirdly Miss Addie Palmater, by whom he has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons sikd their estate to their son, and are now living a quiet life.

Ransom Palmateer's marriage has been blessed by the advent of five children, four of whom are now living; namely, Arthur, May, Everett, Edith, and Howard. He has remodelled the buildings on his farm, and is preparing timber for the construction of a capacious overshot barn. He has one of the largest dairies in Andes, keeping a herd of fifty graded Jersey cows, averaging two hundred and fifty pounds of butter per head. Mr. and Mrs. Palmateer are happily allied in the bond of a common religious faith, both being members of the Methodist Episcopal church; and in politics he is a Democrat.

The wilderness still hid the most fertile lands under its veil of dense underbrush and mighty trees. Bud Gideon Keator threw himself with a will into the work of reclaiming his six hundred acres, and soon the fruitful fields were beginning to crowd out the forests. The earth yielded up its increase, and Mr. and Mrs. Keator were very prosperous in their new home. Barns and other necessary buildings were put up as fast as they were needed; and the estate came in time to be very valuable, so that Mr. Keator had no difficulty in selling it for a good price when he decided to make a change. Benjamin Scudder was the purchaser, and he lived on the place all his life. Mr. Keator and his wife Mary had eight children--John G., Charity, George, Harriet, Hiram, Katie, Peter, and Henry.

George Keator, second son of Gideon Keator, was born in Ulster County, came with his father to Delaware County, and was educated in the district school of Roxbury. When he came to man's estate, he contracted marriage with Betsy Benjamin, a daughter of Jesse and Katherine Benjamin, who were early settlers in Roxbury. He purchased sixty-nine acres of cleared land in West settlement, and then, as soon as opportunity offered, secured one hundred acres more of partly reclaimed new land. These two purchases made a fine farm when Mr. Keator had put on the improvements that he saw were desirable--new houses and barns. He lived on this farm until his death, at the age of eighty-four. Mr. Keator was a Democrat, and an old-school Baptist. Mrs. Betsy Keator lived to the age of eighty-six. She had six children, but three of these died. The three who lived became well-known men in the community. Jacob P. Married Jennie Van Kuren, but she died, leaving one daughter, Millie; and he married again, this time May Douglass. By his second marriage he had one son, John, who lives at Rondout, and is a palace-car conductor. John B. Married Eleanor Bartram, and died, leaving one daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of John P. Ganoung.

The other son, George H. Keator, was educated at Roxbury Academy and at Syracuse. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Frances B. Walker, daughter of Daniel and Eliza Walker. Mr. Walker owned a large farm, and in addition owned and operated a fulling-mill. He also did some work as a contractor and builder. He had seven other children--five by his first wife, the mother of Mrs. Keator, and two by his second wife. Mr. Walker was a Democrat, and lived to the age of seventy-one years. After his marriage Mr. Keator took charge of his father's farm, he being unable to manage it on account of ill health. This he continued until 1867, when he went to Dover, Del., and took up a farm there. After one year's trial his father, finding the home work too much of an undertaking, sent for him to come back to the old place. So he took up the affairs of the estate anew; and there he lives today, about five miles out from the village.

Mr. and Mrs. Keator have had three children, of whom one is now living. Bessie M., who was born January 23, 1865, married Adelbert Carroll, and is now dead. Alice M. was born September 3, 1866, married H. G. V. White, of East Branch, and died at twenty-seven. Maud M. was born March 15, 1880, and still lives at home with her father. Mr. Keator is a Democrat, and has held the office of Assessor for four terms. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of Hobart Lodge, No. 62, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Looking backward, we find that all the Footes of the country, for nine generations or more, are descended from Nathaniel Foote, who came early to Wethersfield, Conn., and had two sons--Nathaniel and Robert. Many facts concerning the family are set forth in the Foote genealogy, published in 1849, and in the sketch in this volume of Mrs. S. E. Foote.

The grandfather of David Foote, Charles Foote, was a tanner, currier, and shoemaker in Colchester, Conn.; and his wife was Jerusha Chamberlain. He was also a surveyor, and went to Wyoming, Pa., in pursuance of his calling, expecting to remain there; but, the Revolution coming on, both he and his son Charles enlisted as soldiers. He had five boys and four girls, all of whom lived to be married except the youngest daughter and one son. The fourth child and second son was Elias, the father of Mr. David Foote.

Elias Foote was born in Colchester, New London County, Conn., on October 4, 1766, ten years before the Revolution, but died in Franklin, July 5, 1855, when nearly ninety years old. His wife was Sally Tracy, born in Lenox, April 13, 1780, and therefore fourteen years her husband's junior. She was the daughter of Ezekiel and Patience (Kimball) Tracy, both from Massachusetts; but she was married in Otsego County, in the town of Oneonta, in 1809, though later they lived in Otsego, on a farm of forty acres, afterward increased to twenty more. Mr. Foote sold this land in 1844, and ended his life in the home of his son David in North Franklin, and was buried in the graveyard near the Baptist church, where his wife also was placed at the age of seventy-six, both being firm Baptists. They had four boys and three girls, and two sons and one daughter are still living. One of the sons is David, the subject of this sketch; and the other is Ezekiel, a retired blacksmith in the same town. Their sister Esther never married, but has a home with her brother David, though she and her sister Jane had a home together in the same town, till it was broken by death in 1889.

David Foote was born March 24, 1812, at the beginning of the last war with England; and his birthplace was on the banks of the Susquehanna, in what was then a part of the town of Franklin, but is now within the limits of Otsego. Though a farmer, he was for several winters a teacher also. Like his father, he married somewhat late in life, October 1, 1857, when he was forty-five. His wife was Mary Parsons, of Franklin, a daughter of Thomas and Anna Parsons, who came from Connecticut in 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Foote have no children, though they have given a home to the children of others, thus blessing their fellow-men. In politics Mr. Foote was a Republican until 1884, when his regard for temperance led to his union with the Prohibitory party, though he has held no public office. He has, however, been appointed executor for several estates. He owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres in North Franklin, purchased in 1844, and on which he has resided ever since. He has also another estate of one hundred and twelve acres of bottom land along the Susquehanna, once the property of his brother Asa, who died at the age of seventy-six, leaving a son and daughter. The son, George H. Foote, has been a teacher during seventeen winters.

Robert Murray died in the South during the late Civil War; while his brother Goerge, born in 1810, in New York City, was brought up there, but later went to Hyde Park, Dutchess County, where he learned the tanner's trade. In 1833 he enlisted in the navy as a United States marine on United States ship "Peacock", and served for over three years, visiting many foreign countries and most of the principal seaports of the world. In the pursuit of his calling he contracted rheumatism, and, receiving his discharge from the navy, resumed his trade of tanner, coming to Delaware County in 1842, and the following year marrying Lucinda, daughter of John and Lucinda (Townsend) Blish. A family of twelve children was born to them, namely: Robert A. married Mary Beadle, and resides in Middletown. Norman J. died at the age of thirteen. Oliver L. married Sarah Parker, and resides at Griffin's Corners. Eliza died at the age of eleven years. Artemesia, now deceased, became the wife of John A. Jones, and at her death left one child. Celia I. married Frederick J. Elmore, and resides in Syracuse, N.Y. Mary E. became the wife of John H. Depew, of Walton. James G. chose for his wife Lydia Kelly, and settled at Griffin's Corners. George died in infancy. A. L. is the subject of this sketch. Dorleskie and Loduskie were twins, the first of whom died at the age of sixteen years, and the latter became the wife of Walter L. Elwood, and resides in Walton, N.Y. Soon after his marriage George Murray bought a farm of one hundred acres situated on the Kingston and Delhi turnpike near Arkville and along the bank of the Delaware River. Here he resided for thirty-two years, dying at the age of seventy-three. He was a Democrat in politics, and was Overseer of the Poor in his town. His wife still survives him, and is now seventy-two years of age.

A. L. Murray was educated at Clousville, and learned the tonsorial trade, which he practised at Griffin's Corners, later buying a shop at Margarettville. After staying in the latter place some thirteen months he sold out to E. J. Eastman, and came to Arkville, where he opened a shop and soon met with good patronage. He was appointed Postmaster in July, 1893, and has satisfactorily performed the duties of the office to the present time. Mr. Murry chose for his wife Miss Anna Conklin, daughter of Arthur and Emma A. (Osterhoudt) Conklin, of Margarettville. They have one son, Harry W., born May 15, 1893. Mr. Murray has so far in his career shown good business ability, and is the sort of man who knows how to make the most of opportunities. He is interested in the affairs of his town, and contributes his share toward its material welfare. His wife is a member of the new-school Baptist church, and is a lady of many pleasing qualities.

Thaddeus S. Hoyt received his education at the district and a select school at Walton, afterward teaching school for one winter. At the age of twenty-two he purchased from his father-in-law, Thaddeus Fitch, the farm adjoining the one upon which he now resides. Mr. Hoyt was married September 12, 1843, to Letitia Fitch, a daughter of Thaddeus and Hannah (Mead) Fitch. The family originally came from Connecticut, Mr. Fitch coming to the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now resides in 1808. He died in 1879, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, being an extemely active man until the time of his death. He was Deacon of the Congregational church for many years. He was a man of much influence, and held in the highest respect by all throughout the town. Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus S. Hoyt have ever been active in religious matters, leaving the church at Walton to assist in building one at Westbrook. This church was organized in 1857, Mr. Hoyt being elected Deacon, and serving as Trustee for many years. He has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for thirty years, Mrs. Hoyt having been engated in teaching in the school for nearly that length of time. In politics Mr. Hoyt is a supporter of the Republican party. He has always been known as a sagacious and prudent farmer, his good judgment having brought his farm up to its present state of productiveness. He is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors, as a man of rare moral and intellectual worth. Mr. Hoyt served as Registrar of the Delaware Congregational Association for ten years. A portrait of Mr. Thaddeus S. Hoyt finds an appropriate place in this gallery of Delaware County worthies.

Isaac Moffatt, Sr., was born Mary 6, 1750, and married Anna Scott, who was born August 27, 1752. He came from the north of Ireland, and settled in Washingtonville, Orange County, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade. In 1799 he accompanied an exploring party to Delaware County, and, finding here a suitable place for a home, returned for his wife and child. He erected a log house, cleared his land, and worked a little at shoemaking. He and his wife had nine children, namely: Jane, born March 18, 1782; Francis, born May 17, 1783; Nathan, born September 27, 1784; William, born March 29, 1791; Elmer, born February 15, 1793; George, born January 5, 1795. The father of this family died in January, 1825; and his wife passed away March 21, 1820. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife.

Their son Isaac, the father of Charles P., was born in Orange County, May 10, 1789, and was but ten years old when his parents moved to Delaware County. His school days were extemely limited; but by improving his leisure at home he became a well-read man, and continued working on the farm, of which he assumed the management after his father's death. He married Mary, daughter of Jonas and Eleanor Poppino, who was born September 12, 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Poppino settled on the farm now owned by Charles Mayhand; and they reared the following children: Temperance, Mary, Eliza, Amanda, John G., Thomas J., and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moffatt, Jr., had ten children--Cornelia, Eliza J., Adeline, Ellen, Charles P., Sally Ann, Amanda, Mary, Samuel, and Harriet. Mr. Moffatt improved his farm and erected new buildings, living to be sixty-eight years of age. He was a Whig, and with his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Charles P. Moffatt received a district-school education, and at the age of twenty-five married Mary J. Rickey, daughter of John M. and Hannah (Judson) Rickey, of Jefferson, Schoharie County. Mr. Rickey's father owned a farm near Stamford, which was then in an unsettled condition. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and was the father of eight daughters and three sons. John, the father of Mrs. Moffatt, purchased a tract of one hundred acres of timbered land, which he cleared, erecting substantial buildings. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died when thirty-three years of age, the father of two children: Caroline, who married William Moore, and died, leaving three sons; and Mary, the wife of Mr. Moffatt. His widow married Mr. Vandyke, and became the mother sons. Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt have had three children, two of whom are now living. The other, Ella F., who married Melvin Parsons, died when thirty-seven years of age, leaving one daughter, Carrie A. Moffatt, who married Mr. Brown, of Oneonta, and has one child. Charles W., the only son, and a merchant in Stamford, married Belle Talmadge, and has one child. After his marriage Mr. Moffatt purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres now owned by Mr. Holeside, and there he lived for four years. He then sold that property, and purchased the old homestead where he now resides, having remodelled the house, the frame of which is nearly one hundred years old. He has erected commodious barns, and keeps fifty or sixty cows and six horses. One hundred acres have been added to the original land, and the farm of three hundred acres is now one of the finest in this part of the country.

Mr. Moffatt is a Democrat in politics, and for nine terms, or twenty-seven years, held the office of Assessor, to which he was three times more elected, but declined to serve; and for six years he was Excise Commissioner. He was drafted in the Civil War, but paid three hundred dollars for a substitute. Mr. Moffatt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is identified with all the good works of that organization, as well as with those of the town in which he resides.

B. W. Phelps's wife was Anna Crandle, of Middlefield, Otsego County, the daughter of Isaac Crandle. They were married about the year 1819, and during nearly all their lives carried on a farm in Guilford, Chenango County. They had eleven children, of whom seven sons and three daughters are still living, Mr. Horace Phelps being the fourth in the order of birth. The one deceased daughter was Octavia, the wife of George Brightman, and died in March, 1888, about fifty-seven years old, leaving a son, Eugene Brightman. Of these ten surviving children the youngest is now, at the close of 1894, fifty-one, and the oldest over seventy; and all are married. Their mother died in 1865, five years before her husband; and their bodies rest in the East Guilford cemetery, amid the rural scenes wherewith their memories are affectionately and respectfully cherished.

Their son Horace grew up like the sons of other farmers, attending the district school, and working on the land. With dawning manhood, at the age of seventeen, he began to be greatly interested in live stock, which he purchased for his father, who was every inch a farmer. On reaching his majority, Horace bought sheep and cattle on his own account, subsequently hiring three or four farms for stock-raising; and to this business he devoted the most of his time for two years, when he began to trade in lumber with Charles G. Brooks, of Mount Upton, buying and clearing timber land, and getting the lumber ready for the general market, but chiefly for railroads and mines, having contracts for the supply of the Delaware and Hudson Mining Department. This of course involves an immense traffic throughout Delaware and other counties, to the extent of a hundred thousand dollars a year. In all Mr. Phelps personally owns some twelve hundred acres, and the firm holds still larger tracts of land. He is a vigorous man, but finds himself physically well taxed, as one of the busiest men in the county, looking after his numerous interests. In politics he is independent, and has never held any public office but; but as a financier he is interested in six national banks as stockholder and director. In Sidney and other towns he has monetary ventures in several different enterprises, for he is a tower of strength in every line of work.

Mr. Phelps married in 1861, at the age of twenty-seven, just at the beginning of our great Civil War. His wife was Isabelle Talcott, of Guilford, the daughter of Adna and Eliza (Wright) Talcott, natives of the State of Connecticut. Lena, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps is the wife of Edgar Beal, of East Guilford; and they have one son, Horace Beale, named for his affectionate grandfather. An eminent preacher has well said, in words which apply to our subject: "Remember you have not a sinew whose law of strength is not action. You have not a faculty of body, mind, or soul, whose law of improvement is not energy."

Albert R. Van Aken was one of a large family of children born to his parents. He spent his early life in the manner common to farmers' sons, assisting on the farm until attaining his majority. His first purchase of land was in Walton, being the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides. The land was then in its primitive wildness, scarcely a tree having been cut. He erected a log house and barn, and by dint of zealous industry succeeded in placing much of the land in a yielding condition. During his residence here he saw great changes in the aspect of the surrounding country. Selling this property to his son John, he bought another farm about a mile below Loomis, where he lived for a time, going thence to a farm in Tompkins, near Deposit, where he spent the remainder of his earthly life, dying at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, Catherine Delemater, was the daughter of Isaac De!emater, a pioneer of Middletown, to which place he came with his wife when the timbered land was the home of wolves, bears, and other wild animals. The log cabin, which was their first dwelling-house, was the place of birth of the larger number of their large family of children, but was eventually replaced by a substantial frame house. Of the union of Mr. Van Aken and Catherine Delemater nine children were born, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Jeremiah, who died in the army; John D.; William; Jacob; James; Matilda: and Sarah Jane. The mother, who lived to a good old age, died in what is now Deposit.

John D. Van Aken was educated and spent the earlier years of his existence in Middletown, tilling the soil in season, and attending the district school in winter and whenever he could be spared from work. At the age of eighteen years he came with his parents to Walton, and for some time thereafter assisted in the labor of clearing the land and improving the farm. He subsequently worked out by the month for a while, and, when twenty-eight years old, bought the homestead of his father, in which he has since made extensive improvements, building the present fine residence and the convenient barn and out-buildings. In addition to the raising of the cereals common to this section of our country, Mr. Van Aken devotes his attention to the dairy business, keeping from twelve to fifteen cows, and making a superior grade of butter, which he disposes of to private customers.

Mr. Van Aken was united in the bonds of matrimony, in 1862, to Miss Jane C. White, a daughter of Robert and Anna White, and who came from Scotland in the year 1833 with her parents. A brother, John G. White, now resides in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. White were early settlers in the town of Bovina. The only child born of this happy union was a bright and interesting boy, named White G. Van Aken, who passed from this life when only eleven years old. Although no aspirant for political honors, Mr. Van Aken keeps well informed on topics of general interest, and in politics indorses the principles of the Republican party. Mrs. Van Aken has been actively identified with the Presbyterian church, of which she is a valuable member, since 1857, first in Bovina, and later in Walton.

John Kell Curtis, eldest son of Samuel, was born in London, but came to America at the age of sixteen, and learned the jeweler's trade with his uncle, John Brock, whose shop was on Chatham Street, New York City. After six years' apprenticeship John began at the age of twenty-two, to trade for himself, at No. 83 Bleecker Street, New York City, and soon was the head of so good a business that at the end of five years he sold out the Bleecker Street shop, and opened a larger establishment on Broadway, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets, where he remained for seven years. By this time he was nearly thirty-five years old, and he engaged in the antique furniture trade for two years. Then he went in with the firm of Sypher & Co., at 593 Broadway, where he continued many years, when he died at the age of sixty. His wife, Mary Frazier Gibson, was the daughter of a thriving jeweller, James Gibson. Their only child now living forms the special subject of this sketch. After her husband's death Mrs. Mary F. Curtis came to Delaware County to live with her son, and is still in the enjoyment of excellent health. She is attractive in person and manner, with an excellent faculty for business, and belongs to the Dutch Reformed church, in which her husband was an influential Elder.

James W. Curtis was educated in the New York schools. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk with Pope & Stevens, hardware dealers at 114 Chambers Street, New York City. After three years he went into the antique establishment of Sypher & Co., where his father was also employed, at 593 Broadway. Still later he came to Delaware County, bought the sixty-five acres constituting the old Patrick Redmund farm, and moved into the little frame house, where for a few years he entertained a few city boarders in summer. Being of an enterprising disposition, and having a wide metropolitan acquaintance, he then built the large four-story house called Maple Villa, besides a barn and smaller buildings, and fitted up the grounds with a shaded lawn and four maple groves, the whole estate being situated twenty-two hundred feet above the level of the sea. A fine road leads from the village to the Villa, which affords accommodation for nearly sixty boarders, and is always well filled in the season. The landlord also owns fine turnouts for pleasure-driving, and keeps eight Jersey cows, which supply cream for the table. He also raises his own chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys.

In 1883 he married Elizabeth L. Hatfield, daughter of Charles R. and Christina (Miller) Hatfield, of whose family sketches may be found elsewhere in our volume; and they have one child, John K. Curtis, born May 26, 1888. Mr. Curtis is a Democrat in politics; and both himself and wife are still members of the Presbyterian society in New York City, to which they belonged many years ago. A poetic preacher, Dr. Cyrus A. Bartol, has wisely wrltten:-- "Labor is never a thing of mere muscle or nerve. Are not intelligence, will, fidelity, and the sweat of the brow alike in the student's and the digger's task?" And this is the spirit of Mr. Curtis's life.

Edmund Fish, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Lydia Billings, of Connecticut. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and was employed throughout his life in farming. His children were: Isaac, Jehu, Daniel, Billings, Franklin, Lydia, Hannah, Lucy, Rebecca; and Grace. He removed to Vermont after the Revolution, and later went to Liberty, Sullivan County, N.Y., where he was one of the first settlers. Isaac Fish, son of Edmund, was born in Stonington, Conn., April 14, 1777, and received his education in Vermont. Removing with his parents to New York, he assisted his father on the farm, and taught school in Liberty. He married Rachel Stewart, daughter of Jehial and Rachel (Williams) Stewart, of Massachusetts; and they had five children--Hiram, Jane, John, Stuart, and Charlotte.

Hiram Fish was born in Rockland, Delaware County, February 5, 1809, and was an infant when his parents moved to Hancock. Later he removed with them to Rockland, and afterward to Ellenville. Having received his education in the public schools, he began while quite young to follow the life of a lumberman on the Delaware River, and has now for many years been a steersman. When twenty-six years of age, he removed to Delaware County, where he married in 1836 Miss Persis A. Underwood, daughter of Silas Underwood, whose former home was near Boston, Mass. Hiram Fish has been honored by having the thriving little village where he resides named for him; and he gave the land on which the depot of the O. & W. Railroad stands, that it might be placed on his side of the river. He has held many town offices, as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, and Highway Commissioner, and was Postmaster from 1873 to 1887. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife had eight children, five of whom still live, namely: Rachel J., who resides in Denver: Col.; Octave, the subject of this sketch; Emma M., wife of S. V. Proudfit, a lawyer of Glenwood, Ia.; Martha H., who married E. Martin Edwards, of Sidney Centre; and Edmund. The latter, who was born in 1839, enlisted at the breaking out of the war, and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of sickness and returned home. In 1871, hoping to improve his health, he went to the Adirondacks, and remained in that region five years, following the occupation of guide and hunter. In I876 he returned to his native town of Hancock, and seven years later, in 1883, was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park, and held that position until the park was placed under the control of the War Department in 1886. He returned home in poor health, but in 1895 his health was greatly benefited by a course of treatment. He has served as Justice of the Peace, and votes with the Republican party.

Octave B. Fish was educated in the district schools, and in 1864, when but seventeen years of age, enlisted in Hancock in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Company F, and took part in the engagement on James Island, in February, 1865, serving until the close of the war, and being mustered out July 14, 1865. He then returned to his native town, where he engaged in lumbering until 1870, when he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he has since been employed. In the spring of 1881 he went to Colorado, where he worked at his trade for a time, after which he returned to Hancock.

November 14, 1873, he married Miss Ellen M. Houck, daughter of Edwin and Mary (Read) Houck; and they have had four children: Jennie, born November 28, 1875; Sydney, born March 14, 1878; and Emma and Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Fish attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected members of society. Mr. Fish has been Constable for a number of years, is a Republican in politics, and is esteemed wherever he is known.

Mr. Junius H. Eells is a member of the firm of Eells & Mott, of Oneida, N.Y., and represents them on the road. He was born in Walton, February 21, 1846, and when sixteen years old entered his father's carriage-shop as an apprentice. This trade he followed for seventeen years, leaving it to travel for Spencer & Co., of Oneida, whose business was purchased by Eells & Mott over nine years ago. Mr. Eells was married December 27, 1866, to Eunice C. St. John, and four children were born to them; namely, Frank, Howard, Bessie, and Emma, of whom only Frank and Emma are living. Mrs. Eunice Eells died October 23, 1883. On February 12, 1885, Mr. Eells married his second wife, Minnie Bass Tibbals, of New York City, by whom he has had two children -- Martha and Alden. The latter died August 4, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Eells also have an adopted child, Charlotte Brownell. Mrs. Minnie B. Eells was born in Stockbridge, Mass. Her grandfather was Jonathan Chamberlain, a Colonel in the War of 1812. A sturdy and patriotic citizen, with physical powers of remarkable endurance, he lived to be eighty-two years old without the loss of a tooth; and it was his boast he did not know what the toothache meant.

In closing, it should be said that the subject of this sketch, Junius H. Eells, is one of the best-known men in the carriage trade of the East, and the business of his firm covers six or seven States. Since May 1, 1892, he and his family have occupied their spacious and comely new residence, built in the Colo-nlal style, opposite the attractive home of the North sisters.

In spite of the almost inconceivable difficulties of the situation, he brought his wife to their humble woodland home; and amid these rough surroundings they reared a family of eleven children. Daniel C., their eldest son, born November 20, 1804, married Phoebe Bogart, and died November 22, 1874. Elizabeth, born May 7, 1806, married Eleazer Conklin, and died July 30, 1853. Mary Ann, born March 29, 1808, married David Warren. Robert, born May 4, 1809, married Hannah Radeker, and died July 5, 1891. Janette, born May 15, 1812, married Samuel Hitt, both deceased. Jane M., born May 7, 1814, married W. H. Radeker, deceased. Archibald, born September 8, 1816, married Charity Voorhees, and lives on Campbell Mountain. Cornelia, born August 1, 1818, married Josiah Warren, and died June 13,1869. John, born April 30, 1820, married Catherine Sprague, and died January 9, 1867. Esther, born June 3, 1822, married George Gregory, who died; and she was married a second time to Enoch Knapp. Caroline, born August 25, 1824, was married twice, first to George Elmwood, second to Isaac Wilson, and lives in Downsville. Archibald Campbell was left a widower, his wife Mary, who was born in Wales, June17, 1783, dying on the date of her birth, in1827 in Colchester. He returned to Scotland after his second marriage, and died in his native land on August 8, 1856. Robert Campbell, the second son of Archibald, and the father of Ulysses, started out for himself at twenty-one years of age. He bought one hundred acres of his father's !and; and then as he saw that the business in which he had embarked -- lumber dealing -- was proving a successful venture, he purchased other timber tracts, and was soon considered the most skilful steersman who floated a raft on the Delaware. All of the lumber was sent to Philadelphia down the river; and the raftsmen were piloted back to Kingston, from which point they had to walk home. This return journey of sixty miles Robert often made in a day. being of remarkable physique and very·athletic. He was deeply partisan during the anti-rent war. and was a Captain in general training at that time.

He won the hand of Miss Hannah Radeker, and to them were born five children, namely: Ulysses S.; Francis, born September 1,1839, dying November 5, 1866, who was a .Sergeant in the Civil War; Orin, born October 28, 1844, who died in 1875; Helen, born October 31, 1841, now Mrs. C. T. Bogart, living in Downsville; Celestia Jane, born October 20, 1846, who married Mr. E. Bradley, and is now dead. Robert Campbell died at the age of eighty-two years, having lived a useful Christian life worthy of the respect and imitation of all who knew him. He was a Whig in political faith and a Presbyterian in religious convictions. His wife, Mrs. Hannah Radeker, born May 26, 1804, was one of a large family, and the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Radeker. Her father was born September 9, I776, and died April 3, 1857. The dates of her mother's birth and death were May 17, 1775, and August 1, 1834.

Ulysses S. Campbell grew up on the old homestead, which he afterward bought. He enlisted in the United States service in I862 in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteer infantry, and was discharged in 1863. In 1864 he re-enlisted, and remained in the ranks until the end of the struggle. In 1871 he was married, in Franklin, to Miss Sarah Francisco, a daughter of DeLancy and Jeannette (Davidson) Francisco. Mrs. Campbell's parents were among the early settlers of Colchester. Her father was born September 19, I807, and died at the age of eighty-three years. Her mother. whose home is with Mrs. Campbell, was born September 11, 1811. Mr. Campbell has held several offices, and is now Commissioner of Highways. He formerly turned his attention to dairying, and has lately bought land in Downsvi!le, where he has built a handsome residence. He has always been an advocate of Republican principles. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are in the communion of the Presbyterian church. They have no children except two by adoption, namely: Mae D., who now resides with them; and Sherwood D. Francisco, who is now married, and resides on Mr. Campbell's farm. They also gave a home to Robert C. Bradley and Orin Mathews for a number of years.

Isaac Huyck, father of Peter, was also born in Schoharie County, and was of Dutch descent, his ancestors having been among the original settlers of New York State, while he was one of the founders of the town of Scodic, or, as it is now called, Schoharie. Removing from that place, he eventually bought a farm in what is now Cannonsville, on Trout Creek. As time went on, improvements were made by him, and the acreage increased. Isaac Huyck died when ninety six years of age, on the farm he had cleared, and which is still held in his family. His son Peter assisted with the work on the farm, and later added to the number of acres on Trout Creek. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he enlisted with the American forces under different commands, and many and various were the anecdotes of those exciting times he would relate to his grandchildren. He distinctly remembered the flight of his parents from their home near Kingston, whence they were driven by the Indians. Peter Huyck was married twice, first to Susana Gardner, of Kingston; and from this marriage there were four children--Lottie, Annie, George, and Isaac. He married for his second wife Cornelia Huyck, a distant relative; and from this union there were seven children -- Peter, Andrew, Jacob, Elisha, Susan, Julia, and Lavinia. Mr. Huyck lived on the homestead on Trout Creek, and died there when a very old man.

Peter Huyck, Jr., started in active business life for himself as steersman, rafting logs to Philadelphia. Later he took to buying and selling live stock, walking long distances, driving his herd before him, buying and selling as he went. At the end of a few years he bought a farm, which he stocked well, and in connection with his farm work engaged again in lumbering. When twenty-seven years of age, he married Esther Seeley, daughter of William and Mary (Benedict) Seeley, of Sidney. They had five children, namely; .William E., who married Lavinia (Begeal) Houghtaling, the widow of Elias Houghtaling, who was killed in the late war; George J., the subject of this biography; Julia A., who married Charles Downs, of Deposit; Mary E., who married William Begeal, son of Samuel and Charlotte (Barley)Begeal, of Schoharie County; and Celia Ann, who married Charles A. Palmatier, of Tompkins. Peter Huyck, Jr., still lives at this writing, scarcely showing his advanced age of eightyfive years, and remembers all important events that have occurred during his life. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in his town, and its first Deacon. He was in his young days a Democrat; but at the starting of the Republican party he cast his vote with them, and has continued to do so up to the present time.

George J. Huyck received his education at the district schools, helping his father with the farm work at odd times, and had just become of age, in 1862, when the war broke out. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteers, served three years; and at James Island, in front of Charleston, on February 17, 1865, was shot by two minie balls, which struck both legs. After lying in the hospital at Beaufort, S.C., he returned to the regiment, and was granted a furlough of thirty days. He reported for duty at the end of that time, and was mustered out in July of the same year. After remaining at home about two years, he went to Ricevil!e, Mitchell County, Ia., where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He remained there three years, then sold out, returned East, and bought the homestead, where he engaged in farming, dairying, and lumbering to a certain extent. In 1892 Mr. Huyck sold that place, and went to the DeMoney farm, where he remained but a short time, as in 1894 he bought the Whitaker estate, one of the best and oldest in the country. On November 27, 1872, George J. Huyck married Ann E. Travis, of Hale's Eddy, a descendant of the old Whitaker family, the original owners of his estate, and a sister of Squire Travis, of Hale's Eddy, town of Deposit. Mr. and Mrs. Huyck have three children -- William Jan, Rutherford Squire, and Celia Ann. Mr. Huyck is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife a member of the Baptist church of Tompkins. He was a charter member of Hathaway Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Deposit, and is honored and respected as a patriotic and useful citizen.

James, the grandfather of Gurden, was a boy of ten years when his father emigrated to this country; and he grew up thoroughly imbued with American ideas and Republican principles. He owned a place in Delhi, which he sold, and then settled on the estate in Colchester known as the "Squire Tate farm," a tract of four hundred acres of land, Here he conducted an extensive business in lumber dealing, floating his timbers down the Delaware to their markets. He belonged to the political party known as Whig in his generation, and was of the old-school Presbyterian faith. To him and his wife, Elizabeth Bates, were born six children, namely: Mary, the wife of William Polleck, of Iowa; Sarah. the wife of Mr. Jared Fuller, of Iowa; Harriet, who married Simon Horton, both dead; Robert; James, Jr., who married Amanda Dann, of New York City; Gurden E., who, after serving in the Civil War, went to Kansas, and died there in 1888.

Robert Bates, son of James, was born in Delhi on February 25, I823. He was educated in the district schools, and worked with his father in the lumber business until he was twenty-four years old, when he married Miss Mary Wilson, a daughter of John and Millicent (Rumsey) Wilson. Robert Bates bought the northern portion of his father's farm when he first began farming, and finally purchased the entire estate. He was largely engaged in lumber dealing, in which he was eminently successful. He held the office of Postmaster from 1849 to 1852, and was Justice of the Peace for twelve years. He was a Republican, and in 1879 was elected a member of the Assembly, and was Sabbath-school superintendent for thirteen years. He died on the 13th of July, I888, leaving his wife, who survived him two years. Gurden W. Bates, son of Robert and Mary (Wilson) Bates, grew up and was educated in his native town of Colchester. After his father's death he took complete control of the home farm. He and his widowed mother moved afterward to Downsville, when the latter died. Mr. Gurden Bates was appointed Deputy Sheriff in the autumn of 1889, and continues to hold this office. He belongs to the Republican party in politics, and is in the communion of the Presbyterian church.

His paternal grandfather, Gilbert Scofield, and his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Olmstead, both served as soldiers in the Revolution. The former was of English ancestry, and the latter of English and German. Gilbert Scofield came to Masonville with his family in 1813, and bought the farm adjoining the one where his grandson now resides, it being then in a wild and unimproved condition, a small opening on which a rude log house had been built being the only attempt at improvement. On a hill near by Mrs. Scofield, when returning from a neighbor's one evening, was chased by wolves. She carried a pine torch in her hand, and was thus seen by her husband, who took a torch and ran out to meet her. Gilbert Scofield was an ingenious man, and before the invention of iron and steel ploughs used to make wooden ones to use in cultivating his land. He was the first person in town to introduce a cook-stove into his household. He died when but fifty-five years old, his wife living to the age of eighty-one. Both were members of the Baptist church; and, politically, he was a Democrat. Of their large family of ten children, Hiram, the father of Charles, is the only one now living. Benjamin Olmstead was also an early settler of Masonville, and managed a fine farm . of one hundred acres. He was of great assistance in building up the town, and one of the strong workers in the Baptist church. He had two wives, each of whom bore him two children, Angeline being a daughter of his first marriage. Both he and his last wife died when about seventy years of age. Hiram Scofield grew to manhood in Masonville, receiving his schooling in the log school-house, which, with 'its pin-legged' benches stood two or three mi!es from his home. On September 8, 1836, he was united in marriage to Angeline Olmstead, the Rev. Henry Robertson, who now resides in Bennettsville, performing the ceremony. After his marriage he bought !and near the old homestead, a part of which he already owned, and on which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising for many years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has always been influential in local affairs, having served as Supervisor one term, besides holding minor offices. He is yet vigorous in intellect and body for one of his advanced years, and is looked upon with respect and esteem. He is liberal in his religious views. Of the nine children born to him and his wife, who passed away July 30, 1888, eight grew to maturity and six are now living, the family, record being as follows: Gilbert B., born August 6, 1839, was married, and died May 15, 1886. in Deadwood, Dak.: Adaline, born May 3, I841, died July 28, I863; Matilda A.. born December 16, 1842, is the wife of William Mosher, of Bainbridge; Louisa, born October 2, 1844. is the widow of Emerson French, and resides in Morrisville; Mary, born August 8, 1846. is the wife of Oscar Broad, of North Sanford; Hiram E., born July 12, I848, died March 25, 1849; Oscar, born February 7, 1850, is a resident of Carlisle, Pa., where he owns a creamery; Charles R.; Ella T., born March 14. 1855, is the wife of Levi Olmstead, of North Sanford.

Charles R. has spent the larger part of his life in the place of his nativity, having acquired his education in its district schools and in the academy in Unadilla. He remained a member of the parental homestead until attaining his majority, when he began life for himself. He has devoted his attention to cultivating the soil, and for three years was a resident of Alton, where he owned a good farm of one hundred and eight acres. This he sold in order to buy the homestead of his parents, of which he took possession in 1892, and which he and his estimable wife are now managing with profit. His farm, containing one hundred and forty-nine acres, is pleasantly located, well supplied with substantial buildings, and stocked with Jersey grade cattle.

On November 1, 1876, Mr. Scofield married Miss Deeta Keith; who was born July 21, 1853, in Milford Centre, Otsego County, being a daughter of Amos and Lydia (Scott) Keith, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Keith was a shoemaker by trade, but after his removal to Milford he engaged in farming. He died at the age of seventy-six years. His widow is still living, and makes her home in Binghamton with her daughter, Mrs. William Darling. He was a sound Republican, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. They reared ten children, eight of whom are living. namely: Andrew Jackson, of Hornellsvi!le; Lockwood, of Bainbridge; Mary Darling residing in Binghamton; Newton of Masonville; Eliza Phelps, of Chicago; George and Albert, of Sidney; and Mrs. Scofield. The deceased were Luzerne, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Angeline Green. who died in Binghamton, at thirty-four. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield have four children: Harvey F., born January 11, 1879; Emerson C., born September 2, 1885; Florence A., born November 30, 1889; and Mary E., born June 29, 1891. Both parents are valued members of the Baptist church, and in politics Mr. Scofield is closely identified with the Democratic party. A man of undoubted integrity, he is a member of Masonville Lodge, No. 606, A. F.& A. M.

John M. Orr was born November 12, 1823. and grew up on the old home farm, attending the district school. In early manhood he purchased the old homestead, where he resided for twenty-six years, and then bought the farm which he now occupies, on the Beatty Brook road. He owns two hundred and sixty-two acres, carrying on general farming and dairying. He has fifty cows, and manufactures butter of the finest quality.

On January 20, 1856, Mr. Orr married Miss Mary J. Pogue, who was born in Kortright, August 8, 1836, a daughter of John and Hannah (Kilpatrick) Pogue. Mr. Pogue was a native of Ireland, and died at the age of fifty-two years, his wife, who was born in Kortright, living until her sixty-second year. Both were Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have been called to part with one child, Mary F., wife of J. S. Porter, who died at the age of thirty-three years; and they have three children now living, namely: James K, who resides at home and assists his father in the management of the farm; David W., who also helps on the home farm; and Jenny H., wife of Robert S. McCracken, a farmer of Kortright. James K. Orr, e!dest son of John M., has taken an active part in politics, having been nominated for Supervisor by the Democratic party. He is a single man, of liberal religious views, and is a very successful farmer. Mr. Orr's farm is carried on under the firm name of J. M. Orr & Sons, and is one of the most thriving in this section of the country. The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which David Orr is a Deacon. They are highly respected and honored throughout the town, where they reside, the entire family being industrious, energetic, and upright. A portrait of this worthy representative of the sagacious and thriving agriculturists of Delaware County will be found on a neighboring page.

Mrs. Hill's father, Francis B. Burhaus, was a son of Edward Burhaus, Jr., and a grandson of Edward and Mary Newman Burhaus. Edward, the ancestor, was a native of Kingston, coming after the Revolutionary War to Roxbury, where he bought the farm now owned by R. Moore. Francis B. Burhaus started to earn his own living at fourteen years of age, but shortly abandoned farming and learned the trade of blacksmith, in which he was very successful. He afterward travelled as far west as Chicago, and in all the States on this side of the Mississippi River, for Pratt. Snyder & Co., oil-cloth manufacturers. He next went into the hotel business, which he finally gave up to enter mercantile life. He is a resident of Margarettville.

Richard Whitaker, the father of the subject of this biography, was born October 7, 1816, in Sanford, and attended the district school and assisted his parents on the farm. When twenty-one, he purchased a farm in Sanford. which he sold four years later, buying the farm now occupied by his son. He married Polly Ann Hill, born February 22, 1816, daughter of lsaac and Clarissa (Parks) Hill, of Tompkins. Mrs. Polly A. Whitaker died April 20, 1883. Isaac Hill was a pioneer farmer of that section. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Whitaker were the following: Josephine, born February 24, 1845, the wife of William H. Brewer. a farmer of Masonville, died January 8, 1894, leaving four children, namely: Martha E., born January l, 1872; Marion E., born March 3, 1873; Alberta L., born September 3, 1875; and Helen M, born January 8, 1883. Fredonia, born January 13, 1847, married Albert Gould, of Groton, Tompkins County, and has four children: Alice, born February 2, 1871; Rosa M., born in April, 1873, Mary, born in 1875, and Frank. John O. is the subject of this biography. Orville R., born May 10,1853, married Helen McLean, of Owego, Tioga County, and has three children: Ole M., born March 8, 1875; Oscar F., born October 1, 1877; and Charles R., born July 20, 1881

John O. Whitaker attended the district school of his native town, and adopted a farmer's life. On November 18, 1874, he married Laura Matleson, born September 15, 1859, daughter of Albert and Catherine (Davis) Matleson, of Masonville, her father being a farmer and carpenter of that town. Jonathan Davis, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Whitaker, was a life-long resident of Exeter, Otsego County, where he passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have two children: Clara, born September 9, 1875; .and Blanche, born June 1, 1881. Mr. Whitaker is a man of good character, upright in conduct, and is held in high respect by his neighbors and friends.

John Dickson, the father of Henry J., was born March 30, 1827, at the old homestead. and was educated in the common schools. As his father died while he was still young, his self-reliance was early developed; and at the age of twenty years he was engaged as a carpenter. While still a young man, he bought a farm of eight acres of D. Ballentine, but soon sold this parcel of land, and, marrying. purchased a farm and settled in Gladstone Hollow, in Andes. He became the father of six children, as follows: Walter, Maggie, and Mary A. Dickson, all of whom are dead; Henry J. Dickson, the subject of this sketch; Esther Dickson, who married George E. Gladstone, a merchant in Margarettville, and has one child; William Dickson, living at home. After a time John Dickson sold the farm at Gladstone Hollow, and bought the present home in the village, with its ninety acres of land. He is a Republican, a member of the United Presbyterian church, and holds the office of Assessor.

Henry J. Dickson was educated at the academy of his native town. At twenty-five years of age he turned his attention to agriculture, taking his father's farm; but at the end of three years he sold two hundred acres to Reed Dumond, and moved into the village of Andes. Here he bought of his uncle, Peter Dickson, a store filled with general merchandise and agricultural implements of all kinds; also a grist-mill, where he engaged in manufacturing by the roller process buckwheat flour, buying the grain and grinding it into different kinds of feed. For the first nine months he managed the entire business alone. Then in 1886 he took as a partner Walter J. Armstrong, son of Walter Armstrong, living in the village. A sketch of the Armstrong family may be found elsewhere in this volume. The grist-mill which Henry Dickson bought of Peter Dickson was originally a carding and fulling mill, and was built by the Waterburys about the year I830. In 1887 Mr. Dickson rebuilt the mill, putting in a steam-engine of twenty-five horsepower, to be used in midwinter and summer. Attached to this mill he now has a firkin factory, and he is also the owner of a planing and saw mill. Among his other possessions are a tenement house and a building containing a photograph gallery, law office, and dress-making establishment. He also owns real estate in Delhi. Henry J. Dickson, married Kate Lawson, daughter of James and Nancy McGregory, of Delhi. Jennie McGregory, a sister of Mrs. Dickson, married Adam Rutherford. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have four children: Ray Dickson, born in 1884; Alice Dickson, born in 1887; Lynn Dickson, born in 1890; and Clifford Dickson, born in 1892. The family residence is a fine mansion situated on Main Street, surrounded by beautiful grounds. Mr. Dickson is a Republican, a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a man of large ability and influence. He is very useful in the community, and has much to do with the prosperity of his town.

Augustus J. Carpenter was nine years old when the death of his father occurred, and he was taken to the home of a neighbor with whom he lived for a year. He then became an inmate of the household of a relative, Jotham Scudder, a blacksmith, residing near Delhi, with whom he lived until attaining his majority. He received a limited amount of schooling, and became familiar with the trade of a blacksmith; but work at the forge having no attractions for him, he turned his attention to agriculture, and went to work on a farm by the month. Being hard-working and economical in his habits, he saved some money, and in 1878 bought one hundred and six acres of good land in the town of Masonville, where he carried on general farming with excellent results. In I893 he sold his farm and removed to the village of Walton, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of labor.

Mr. Carpenter has been twice married. On February 4, 1869, he was wedded to Alida Cramer, daughter of William and Polly(Munson) Cramer, all natives of Delaware County.

She died on the farm in Masonville, March 12, 1885, leaving one son, William. Since her death Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret (Wright) Ogden, daughter of Malcom and Margaret (Shaw) Wright, and widow of the late Edward Ogden, who died in the village of Walton, in March, 1871, being then but thirty-six years old. Mr. Ogden was born in Walton, son of Abram and Margaret (Sawyer) Ogden, who removed here from New Jersey. His great-grandfather was one of the earliest settlers of the county; and his grandfather, Daniel Ogden, cleared and improved a fine farm, four miles from Walton, on West Brook, the farm now being owned and occupied by William H. Ogden, a son of Mrs. Carpenter. Mr. Wright, the father of Mrs. Carpenter, was born in Scotland, emigrating from there when a young man. His wife, Margaret Shaw, was a native of Delhi. Three sons and six daughters were born of their union, all of whom, with the exception of two daughters, are now living. Of the union of Margaret Wright and Edward Ogden eight children were born, three of whom are deceased; namely, Eliza, Emily, and Charles. Eliza died at the age of twenty-two years. Emily, who married Platt Hanford, died in 1887, at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving an infant daughter. Charles married Imelda Beers, he died May 1, 1892, aged thirty years, leaving his widow and two children - Thurman and Louise. The names of the living children are as follows: William H. who resides on the Ogden farm, as before mentioned: Julia, who was graduated from the Walton High school, was a successful teacher, and is the wife of Edwin Guild; Jennie, an active young lady, living with her brother on the farm; John, a harness-maker; and James, a salesman in a hardware store in Oxford.

John W., being the eldest son and about twenty-four years of age, was now called to the management of the farm. He subsequently purchased two hundred and thirty-two acres of land near the old homestead, and erected a substantial frame house and commodious farm buildings, there being no roads within six miles of his farm. At the breaking out of the war he went to Hancock to enlist in his country's service, but was persuaded by his seven brothers, who were already enrolled, to remain at home and care for their families. He is the eldest of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, namely: John W.; George, who was a soldier in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York State Volunteers; Hannah, who married Marvin Thomas, a farmer in Gould's settlement: James, a soldier in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, now a resident of California; William, a member of the same regiment; Richard, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third New York State Volunteers; Henry, a soldier of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York State Volunteers; Charles, who died in service in the Tenth Legion Excelsior Brigade; Wesley, a soldier of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania.

September 9, 1860, John W. Gould married Sarah Jane Lobdell, daughter of James and Sarah (Cowell) Lobdell, of Westerlo, Albany County. Mrs. Gould's father and her grandfather were both ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were pioneers of Albany County. Mr. And Mrs. Gould are members of the Methodist Episcopal church; and Mr. Gould has for seven years been Assessor of the town, and has also held the office of Notary Public. He is now engaged in farming and wool-growing, in which he is very successful. He has no children of his own, but he and his wife have educated and brought up three who were of other families. Mr. Gould cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and has always voted with the Republican party. He is universally regarded with respect and esteem, wherever know.

The elder Archibald and his wife Mary had eleven children, namely: Daniel, who was born November 20, 1804, and married Phebe Bogart; Elizabeth, who was born May 14, 1806, and married Eleazer Conklin; Mary Ann, who was born March 29, 1808, and married David Warren; Robert, who was born May 5, 1809, and married Hannah Radeker; Jennett, who was born May 15, 1812, and married Samuel Hitt; Jane Maria, who was born May 7, 1814 and married William H. Radeker; Archibald, subject of this sketch; Cornelia, who was born August 1, 1818, and married Josiah Warren; John, who was born April 30, 1820, and married Catherine Sprague; Esther, who was born June 3, 1822, and married George Gregory; Caroline, who was born August 25, 1825, and married George Elwood. When his wife died, the father became discontented with his home, and, selling the farm to his sons, returned to Scotland and married a lady whom he had known and loved before he came to America. He died there August 30, 1856.

Archibald Campbell, third son of Archibald and Mary Campbell, bought a part of the estate and continued the work of lumbering, clearing the land and raising grain and stock. He married Charity, daughter of John C. Voorhees, a farmer of Sullivan County; and they had a family of ten children, as follows: Henry, who was born December 20, 1844, and married Laura Radeker; Sarah, who was born September 12, 1846, and married Mr. A. Cowen; James, who was born June 25, 1849, and married Luritta Jellett; John, who was born May 27, 1851; Archibald Jr., who was born April 30, 1853; Charles, who was born February 26, 1856, and married Mary Shell; Colin, who was born in 1857, and married Sarah Johnston; Duncan, who was born October 23, 1859; Horace, who was born September 17, 1861; and Hugh, who was born November 16, 1863, and married Minnie Gregory.

Mr. Campbell has made many additions to his farm, and now owns over five hundred acres, keeping twenty-five cows and a large stock of sheep. The old buildings have been remodeled, and new ones erected; but since his wife's death, March 27, 1892, he has rented his farm to his son, and now lives a retired life. Mr. Campbell was a Whig in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist. He is an esteemed member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. He has been very successful as a farmer, and his estate still prospers under the management of his son.

His grandfather, William Van Steinburg, settled on a farm near New Kingston in Middletown, and had a family of six children - George, Jacob, Jane, Barnett, Catherine, and Sally. He was a very active man, and a thriving agriculturist, but died in middle life. George, his eldest son, was educated and grew to manhood in his native town. He married Antoinette, daughter of Dr. George Stead, one of the best ;physicians of Delaware County, who was in practice with Dr. Cohoon, the first doctor in the county. Dr. Stead became blind, and after his affliction practiced for thirty years, his wife visiting his patients with him. George and Antoinette Van Steinburg had a family of ten children - Mary, Aaron, William, John, Abraham, Richard, Ella, Elizabeth, Colonel, and Almon. Mr. Van Steinburg bought one hundred and thirty acres of heavily timbered land, joining the Stead farm, on which he built a house and barn. He soon sold out, and rented a farm on Perch Hill, afterward buying one hundred and thirty-seven acres on Barkerboom Creek, where he lived for twenty-eight years. With his two sons, William and Aaron, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Infantry in 1862, and served during the war. After his wife's death he sold his farm and retired from active work. He is a Republican in politics, and has lived a busy life, being highly respected by all who know him.

Abraham, the fourth son, as enumerated above, was sixteen years of age when he first began his farming career. He worked on various farms in the vicinity, and later bought one hundred and seventy-six acres of uncleared land near Barkerboom Creek, on which was a log house. He had not intended that for a home; but at one time, when he was away on business, his wife moved their goods through the wilderness to the cabin, and was keeping house there on his return. Encouraged to continue his undertakings, he bought more land, making in all four hundred and seventy-nine acres, which he cleared, floating the lumber down the Delaware River to Philadelphia. Many extensive improvements have been made on his farm; and he now has three large barns, a house, milk-house, and a blacksmith's shop for his own convenience. He had forty cows and as many sheep, several men being hired to assist him in the work.

He married Phebe, daughter of William Sprague, a successful farmer of Middletown who had a family of six children: Carrie, Elizabeth, and George, who are dead; Phebe , who was born April 28, 1850; Aaron in Ulster County who married Phebe Dunning; and Ezra, a carpenter of Ulster County who married Ada Clayton. Mr. And Mrs. Van Steinburg have seven children; Mary, born January 8, 1869, who married George Rosencranse, and lives in Stamford: George, born April 14, 1875: Jessie, born May 21, 1877; Harvey, born May 26, 1879; Cassie, born December 28, 1882; Fannie, born November 4, 1883; and Lola, born May 24, 1885.

Mr. Woodin is a native of Delaware County, and was born in the town of Andes in 1857. His grandfather, Henry Woodin, was born in Putnam County, Conn.. in 1798. and when a young man, came to this county, casting, in his lot with the early settlers of the town of Andes where he took up a tract (of timber land. from which in the course of time he cleared a farm. His industry and frugality met with their natural reward; and he became one of the -well-to-do agriculturists of the town, residing, on the homestead which he had wrested from the forest until his death in 1882. He was twice married, choosing for his first wife a Miss Hamilton, of Andes. She bore him four sons and three daughters. of whom three sons and two daughters are now living, Edwin Woodin, father of the subject of this sketch. being the eldest child. After the death of the mother of these children, Henry Woodin married Catherine Roney: and she became the mother of five children, four sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. One of them. Henry, residing with his mother on the old home farm. She: is a bright, active woman, and has full charge of the affairs of the household.

Edwin Woodin, father of David B., was born about seventy years ago and in 1835 married Jane Murphy, who after thirty-three years of wedded life passed to her reward, in February, 1888, leaving him five sons, as follows: David B.; William, a contractor and builder, living in Walton; Andrew, who is in the employment of his eldest brother; Sherman, a farmer, living in Andes; and Edwin, who is working with his brother William in Walton. The father still resides in the town of Andes.

David R Woodin was reared in the town of his birth, and received a fair education in its public schools. acquiring a practical knowledge of his father's business before reaching the years of maturity. After following his trade for some time in Andes, he established himself in business in Walton, where. in company with his brother William, he remained for about six years. His health failing, he was obliged to give up active work for a while, leaving his brother to carry on the business alone, and the latter being still thus engaged. Mr. Woodin removed to Sidney in the summer of'1893, and now occupies a fine residence on Pike Street, the house being of his own construction. He has a large and constantly increasing business and ranks among the foremost citizens of the place.

Mr. Woodin was married April 9, 1885, to Emma Shafer, of Andes, daughter of Washington and Jane (Fuller) Shafer, the remaining children of her parents being as follows: Mary, the wife of H. D. Mayhan, residing in Buffalo, N.Y.; Ella, who married George E. Lawrence, and lives in Creston, Ia.; Emma; and Ada, wife of E. T. Hoose, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother passed from this life in 1884; and Mr. Shafer, now an aged man, lives with his daughter, Mrs. Woodin. The union of Mr. And Mrs. Woodin has been blessed by the advent of one child, Irving D., a bright boy of seven years. Mr. Woodin takes a warm interest in public affairs, and usually casts his vote with the Democratic party, although reserving the right to support the candidate he deems best fitted to perform the duties of public office.

Jesse Murdock was born at Caroline, March 6, 1832, and was educated at the district schools of his native town. He began life as a farmer, and was employed at farm labor in various places. About 1860 he settled in Masonville on the farm where he now resides and carries on a dairy. On July 10, 1864, he married a daughter of Isaiah Booth, who was a native of Delaware County, where he was engaged in farming and operating a dairy. Mr. and 'Mrs. Murdock have three children - Della, George, and Lilian - all of whom were educated at Masonville, and live with their parents. Mr. Murdock is an upright, useful, and valued citizen.

David Anderson, with whose history this sketch has mainly to deal, passed the years of child life and boyhood in the village of his birth, where he was educated. His first enterprise was one which requires some experience as well as good judgment to insure success. This venture was hotel-keeping in the old Radiker house in Colchester, now used as a private residence. It was built by Jacob Radiker, and was the first inn in this section of the country. After three years Mr. Anderson left the village, and moved to the Garrison farm on Campbell Mountain, and stayed there for a period of eight years. One year was passed at the Elwood farm. Then he came to Downsville, where he bought property at the lower end of the village, and built a hotel, now known as the Anderson House. The situation is one of the best in Downsville, and the house is very popular. Mr. Anderson conducts a livery in connection with his hotel business, so that his patrons may have the benefit of the lovely river drives about the country.

David Anderson's first wife was Miss Emeline Bennet, by whom he had two daughters, only one of whom is now living, namely, Sarah, who married Mr. A. Tyler, was left a widow, and has since married again. Her sister who died was named Eliza. Mr. Anderson's second wife, to whom he was married on December 13, 1857, was Miss Emily Jane Williams, a daughter of Thomas and Laura Williams. The father of Mrs. Williams died in Oswego. He and his wife raised a family of seven children: Emily Jane, now Mrs. Anderson; Julia F.; George K.; Elizabeth; William D.; Mather; and Ida.

David Anderson is a man whose ability is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact. Mrs. Anderson is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he is liberal in his religious views. Mr. Anderson brought up and educated a nephew of his wife. E. T. Smith, who has proved himself a worthy recipient of the benefits bestowed upon him. He is one of the leading merchants in Downsville, and won for his wife a daughter of Dr. G. P. Bassett.

John was quite young when his father died; and the care of the farm fell to his lot, which cut short his educational pursuits, and forced him to turn his whole energies toward practical farming. He married Miss Nancy Hamilton, whose parents were natives of Bovina, though they had moved in later years to Delhi, where they raised a family of seven children -Thomas, Nancy, James. Andrew, John, Elizabeth, and William. Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Hedge moved to Hamden where he bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which he afterward sold, coming to Colchester. and buying from Seth White, of Delhi, a tract of one hundred and eighty acres, one mile from the river in Terry Cove. This estate is in a most desirable situation. Its trout streams afford excellent sport for the fisherman, as well as delicious material for the housekeeper's culinary art.

Comfortable buildings, attractive scenery, and pleasant surroundings all combine to make this a most charming home for the family of children who were reared here: William Francis, who died young. Lydia Jane who also died in childhood; John A., who married Miss Isabella Davis. and lives in Syracuse; Andrew, born May 4. 1868; Frank L; and Libbie L. Mr. Hedge owns. Besides his herd of cows which supply his excellent and remunerative dairy, a flock of thirty sheep and some fine horses and oxen. He is a stanch Democrat, and is a religious man.

James A. Gibson, the youngest child of his parents, grew up on his father's farm, attending the district school, the graded school at Binghamton, and the Stamford Seminary. After receiving his education. he devoted his time to farming. residing on the home farm, and caring for his parents in the evening of their lives. He is the owner of twenty head of native cattle, and makes a good quality of butter for market, being eminently successful in his chosen occupation. Mr. Gibson is a bachelor of pleasant disposition and cultivated tastes, being extremely fond of reading, and owning a very good library. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also of the Delaware Lodge, No. 612, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is regarded with much esteem by all who are fortunate enough to possess his friendship or enjoy his acquaintance.

A portrait of his father, the late Adam Gibson, may be found on another page of this volume.

David Rothensies received a substantial education in his native country, and began to learn the butcher's trade at the age of seventeen. In 1855 he emigrated to the United States, taking passage in a sailing-vessel, at Havre de Grace, France, the voyage lasting forty-one days. He found employment at his trade in New York, but remained there only six weeks. Coming to Delaware County, he settled in the town of Meredith, and began his mercantile career by peddling, on foot, dry goods and notions. Being very successful in his ventures, he bought a horse and wagon, and enlarged the scope of his trade. His business continued to grow; and his one-horse wagon was in due time superseded by a covered vehicle drawn by a pair of superb horses, his turnout being well known throughout this part of the State. Mr. Rothensies continued his commercial travels for about eight years, and in 1864 opened a dry and fancy goods store in Downsville, subsequently adding cigars to his original stock. In 1875 he sold out his stock of merchandise, and turned his entire attention to the manufacture and sale of cigars, being thus engaged for several years. Deciding to leave the rural village of Downsville, Mr. Rothensies went to Middletown, Orange Co., N.Y., conducting a prosperous business there for tow years. At the end of that time, his health being impaired, by the advise of his physician he sought a place of higher altitude in which to settle, and removed his business to Walton in 1891. Since then he has been closely identified with the manufacturing and mercantile interests of the village.

October 18, 1881, Mr. Rothensies married Miss Ida Russell, daughter of William Russell, of Hamden. Their wedded life has been gladdened by the birth of two children - Leo and Charles - both bright boys, their respective ages being eight and three years.

Jacob Bieler was education in Germany, and came to this country when sixteen years of age. He crossed the ocean in a sailing-vessel, and landed at New York after a passage of twenty-eight days. He first came to Margaretville, remained three years, and learned the trade of wagon-making. Thence he went to Franklin, in this county, where he made a stay of one year, and went from there to Western New York, and spent some time. Returning to Delaware County, he sojourned awhile in Delhi, and then went again to Margaretville. In 1860 he established himself in trade at Griffin's Corners, but at the end of a year was burned out. After this misfortune he build another shop near the bridge, which, however, he soon sold, and bought a house and lot of land. Here he erected the two shops now standing, where for twenty years he has carried on a large business.

In 1862, he married Essenth Engle, who was born in the town of Halcott, Greene County. She was the daughter of Frederick and Ella (Garrison) Engle, and grand-daughter of John Engle, who was born in Germany, but came to this country and became a soldier in the Revolutionary War. After the war was over, he went to Lexington, Greene County, where he was one of the pioneer settlers. He lived to the very remarkable age of one hundred and seven years, and, dying, left four sons - Jacob, Christopher, Frederick, and Peter Engle - and one daughter. Frederick Engle. Mrs. Bieler's father. was born in Lexington, Greene County, and at the age of twenty-one entered mercantile life in Halcott. After a time he- sold his store. and bought a farm and another store near by, where he was in business until 1845. Then he sold out, and came to Griffin's Corners, where he again established himself as a merchant. Here he remained until his death, which took place when he was about sixty-five years of age. His wife, Mrs. Jacob Bieler's mother, is still living, at the age of eighty-one, with her son Arland, in Laplata, Mo. They had seven children, five of whom are living. and are: Martha Engle, who Married George Nesbut, and lives in Minnesota; E. F. Engle, a tin-smith; Arland Engle, whose home is in Laplata; Essenth Engle, the wife of Mr. Bieler; and Aaron Engle.

Some years ago Mr. Bieler built a fine, spacious house, which is now surrounded by delightful grounds and shaded by- beautiful trees. In summer it is thrown hospitably open to people who are seeking a pleasant retreat for the heated term. This roomy- mansion accommodates from twenty-five to thirty guests, and is usually filled with city people who are rendered most comfortable by the efforts of their kind host and hostess, being much more at home than they could be at the large hotels. Mr. and Mrs. Bieler have had two daughters: Minnie Bieler, whom they lost when a fair girl of seventeen years; and Margie Bieler, who still gladdens their home with her presence. Mr. Bieler is a Democrat in politics, and in religious opinions a Presbyterian belonging to the church at Margaretville. He is a complete master of the art of wagon -making, is a genial host. and is, a worthy and highly respected gentleman.

Van Buren Thomas was educated in his native town, and has spent his life in lumbering, and in carrying on the farm connected with the old homestead. On April 26, 1891, he was united in marriage to Catherine McKenna, daughter of Nelson McKenna. This union has been blessed by one child, who was born March 25, 1894. Mr. Thomas has held various offices in the town, serving with. Much ability and enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

Dr. Brown's paternal grandfather was a sea captain. who lived to be very old. and spent the last days of his life in Litchfield. The grandmother was noted for her extraordinary physical strength, being able in her youth to lift with ease barrels of cider or sugar, and performing various remarkable feats of muscular power. Both of the grandparents lived to be very old. Captain Brown completing the ninetieth year of his life in Litchfield. The grandparents of Dr. Brown on the maternal side were George and Mary Pomeroy Talmadge, the grandfather, who was one of the most prominent lawyers in Litchfield, belonging to the old and well-known family of Talmadge. George Talmadge was one of the Democratic party, and died in the sixty-sixth year of his age, having survived his wife for some years.

Orlando Brown, son of Captain Brown, and the father of George T. Brown, was born in Mystic, Conn., and was graduated from Yale College in 1851. He began to practice medicine in Boston; but, when the Civil War broke out, he went as a surgeon in the Eighteenth Regiment, and was afterward appointed Medical Director in the Army of the Potomac. He served also in the State of Virginia under General Howard. After the war he returned to Connecticut, where he is now living in Litchfield. He has a high reputation for scientific knowledge and skill, and holds the honored position of President of the State Medical Society. Dr. Orlando Brown has a hospital in Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., in which he takes an absorbing interest. He has been a widower for thirty-eight years. From his youth he has been a very active politician, and has done much for the Republican party in his section. He married Miss Fanny Talmadge, and is the father of four children - Fanny, Mary, Chester, and George T.

Dr. George T. Brown has had a peculiar, not to say unique, experience in his medical career, having accompanied his father to the army when but a lad of thirteen years, and remained with him throughout the four years of blood and carnage. It was amid the dead and dying of many battlefields that the nerve, the skill, the calm strength, and cool judgment which so characterize the physician whose memoir is now presented to the public were fostered and developed. In 1878 he received his degree from the Medical College of the University of New York, and was surgeon in the United States service for some years. Then he practiced in Fernandina, Fla., for two years, after which period he spent some time in European travel, returning to America, and establishing himself for three years in Ulster County.

Dr. Brown finally came to Margarettville, where he now holds the position of Health Officer. He married Miss Amelia Perry, a daughter of George and Mary Perry. The wife's father was a dealer in stone in the town of Newburg. In political convictions, Dr. Brown follows the line of heredity, and is, like his father, a Republican. He has been eminently successful in his professional career in Margarettville, and has won the esteem and respect of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, or have come to him for treatment.

Joseph C. Cornish was born in New York City in 1829, and in early manhood was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hosbrook, of Kingston, N.Y., daughter of Jacob J. and Katherine (Knickerbocker) Hosbrook, of Stone Ridge, N.Y. Four children were born to them, namely; James M.; Matthew B.; Francis A.; and Jacob M. H., whose name is found at the head of this sketch. Joseph C. Cornish, the father, is now retired from active business.

Jacob M. H. Cornish was born at Pine Hill, Ulster County, N.Y., in 1857, and, after receiving a common-school education, acquired a knowledge of the painting and decorating business with his father, commencing when but fourteen years of age, and receiving instruction in drawing from competent teachers. In connection with this business his father and he carried on successfully the family trade of building and contracting, building many churches in Delaware County and the vicinity, among them the Methodist Episcopal church at Walton. June 1, 1881, Mr. Cornish was married to Miss Cora E Webb, daughter of B. A. and Emily E. Webb, of Walton. A sister of Mrs. Cornish, Miss Lelia Webb, is an artist of ability, and has classes in Wal