ELMIRA, CHEMUNG COUNTY PERSONAL SKETCHES

                                            PAGE SEVEN
 
 

Dale, William E., born in Lycoming County, Pa., was educated in the public schools. lie a career as a railroad man in 1860. In 1868 he commenced work for the Northern Central Railroad Company and has been a passenger conductor for the past seventeen years. January 3,1867, he married Ellen Sanders, of Altoona, Pa. They have resided in Elmira since 1868. His father, Samuel, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., and in 1812 married Ellen Gray, of Lycoming County, Pa., by whom he had nine children: Elizabeth, William El, Ellen, George, Annie, .Ida, John, Hattie, and Samuel.

Davidson, Hon. John T., a native of Oneida County, N. Y., was born February 13, In early life he learned a trade and followed that for a livelihood for some little time it was evident that this was not in harmony with his natural bent of mind. He finally commenced the study of law at the village of McLean, Tompkins County, I.D. Y., while carrying on and working this trade. He soon thereafter entered the law office of Hon. Milo Goodrich, at Dryden village, N.Y. and in December, 1858, was admitted to the bar at Cortland, N. Y. in the summer of 1862 he enlisted as private in Company H, Fiftieth New York Engineers, and in December following was promoted to second lieutenant in the came company In February following he received to commission as first lieutenant of engineers His services were rendered in the Engineer Brigade Army of the Potomac, and he participated in the battles of Chancellors Ville, Franklins Crossing, Gettysburg, and Fort Stevens. In Deçember 1863 on account of disabilities received in the army which rendered him unable to perform field service, he was transferred to the. Tenth Veteran Reserve Corps as first lieutenant of Company C, of that regiment with this regiment he served at New York city, Jamaica Long Island, and Staten. Island, Washington, D.C., Alexandra he was quartermaster In July 1864, he was discharged from the service on surgeon’s certificate of disability. For meritorious services in the field he was brevetted captain of the Fiftieth New York Engineers. Upon leaving the army he entered the quartermaster department at Elmira, where he remained until the close of the war. Since then he has been district attorney by as practiced law at Elmira, and has held the office appointment and city attorney four terms He is a member of, the G A. R. and is a past commander of the post. He has twice served as aid decamp on the staff of the department commander and is now an aid decamp on the staff of the commander-in-chief Gen, John Pamer. In 1877 he was appointed Untied States commissioner for the Northern District of New York, which position he still holds. Captain Davidson is a forcible writer and has contributed many political and war articles to various newspapers, among which may he named the Elmira Advertiser, Elmira Telegram, and the National Tribune. Many of his memorial addresses have been published and favorably noticed by the press, and his sketches of Grant and his campaigns, Gettysburg,” “Lee—how he compared with other Generals Of the Rebellion. He was married in Elmira in I849 to a daughter of Jabez H. Beers, one of the pioneers of Chemung County, and sister of Gen. E. O. Beers.

Davis, Daniel, a native of Howard, Steuben County, N. Y., was born March 19, 1826.
His father, John Davis, one of the early settlers of that county, removed to Fowlersville, Livingston County N. Y. 1838. At the age of fourteen Daniel was appointed to the trade of cabinetmaker which he served, for seven years, when he returned to Steuben County. Where he and an older brother established a factory for the manufacture of furniture and agricultural implements, They carried on for a number of years In 1852 Mr. Davis married Lucia Bridge, of South Danville Steuben County. In1854 he moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio. Here he invented a valuable vine and newspaper-addressing machine. The latter for a long time knows among barbalists as the block mailing system. Returning to NY State in 1850 he located in Elmira where he manufactured his mailing machine until 1862. He had a contract to mail the New York Tribune for a term of years. About 1861 he moved to New York city, where he remained fifteen years, but in 1876 he returned to Elmira, and with his brother R. W. (deceased) entered into partnership with the late Dr. Edwin B. Eldridge for the manufacture of an iron wagon that he invented, but soon after the laters death the business was discontinued. Mr. Davis has three children by his first wife, viz.: Viola M, William S., and Etna H. In 1877 he married, second, Mrs. Delia Bartholomew, of Elmira. In 1888, with his son Etna H., he established the present factory on Maple Avenue for the manufacture of novelties. 1888 with his son Etna H. he established the present factory of Maple Ave.

Davis, Howe, M.D., born in Otsego County, N. Y., August 24, 1818, is a son of Jesse Davis, who lived in that county and died there in 1843, at the age of seventy eight. -One of his brothers, Ezekiel, also an. M.D. is deceased. Dr. E. Howe Davis was educated, at the Ames Academy in Montgomery County, N. Y., read law, but abandoned it, and at the age of nineteen began the study of medicine in Montgomiry County, finishing in the Albany Medical College with the president of the college, Dr. March, in the class of 1854. He began practice in Catherine, Chemung County, where he was located for eight years, when he moved Horseheads, where he resided six or seven years, when he came to Elmira, where he resided till 1868, He then went to Albany, but returned in 1888 and has since lived here. Dr. Davis is a member the Chemung County Medical Society, of the Albany Medical Society, and of the Albany Institute; He was also at one time member and surgeon of the Two Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment Regular New York Militia under Governor Bouck. Dr. Davis is a Mason, an I 0. 0 F., and a member of the M E C H. He married, in Montgomery County, in 1841, Maria H Bennett (deceased) by whom he had two daughters and one son, now living.

Davison, Hon, Charles S., born in. Caton, Steuben County, N Y, August 6, 1849, was reared upon a farm, his parents having died when be was quite young He was soon subsequently compelled to work out on different farm attending school during a portion of each winter. During the late Civil war he came to Elmira and engaged in selling newspapers. He endeavored to enlist as a soldier but was refused on account of his youth. He was then employed by the government as a messenger, going to Nashville Tenn. where he was stationed in the quartermasters department until transferred to Johnsville, Tenn., where ha remained until September 1864. After recovering from a fever he was sent back to Nashville, receiving his discharge and pay. He then returned to Elmira and resumed selling newspapers and attending the William street school where the jail now stands. After that he was newsboy on the Erie RR. He was engaged in learning the printer trade, Then not completing the course he took a course at A. J. Warner’s Commercial College graduating there from. He followed bookkeeping until February 1873, when he became. wheel clerk at the Erie shops under William E. Rutter, now deceased. On the first of June in the same year he took charge of the books at the brewery of T Briggs & CO., keeping them until the death of Mr. Briggs, which occurred in June; 1883 Since then he has been the manager of that business. At one time he was a member of the old Wisner band and was formed charter member and quartermaster sergeant of the old D Company, now the Thirteenth Separate Company. Mr. Davison is a past master workman of Elmira Lodge No l50 & O. U. .W., having served as district deputy grand master workman In 1886, He is a member of the Masonic order as follows Corning Consistory, Ancient and accepted Scottish Rite, northern jurisdiction; ivy League, No 397, F. and A. & M. Elmira Chapter. No. 42 R. A M. Southern Tier Council, No.16.  He also an exempt fireman, having served as a volunteer fireman in the Elmira fire department. Politically he is a Democrat, and in March, 1888, he was first elected an alderman from the Sixth ward of Elmira While he was serving as alderman, in March, 188$, he was elected, mayor by a majority of 1,602 and in that office he continued until March, 1890 when he was again re-elected mayor by a majority of 786, in one of the hottest political fights ever waged in Elmira, which with make him, when his present term as mayor is served, nine consecutive years in office. He is the only mayor that has ever been elected from the common council and the only one that was ever re-elected for a second two years’ term. He married, in Elmira, October 21,1873, Miss Lucy G Nichols and has a family of three boys and three girls.

Decker, Casper S. of the firm of Palmer & Decker, was born in Delaware County, February 2, 1820, a son of a farmer and tanner who lived many years in Delaware and Cortland Counties, and who died in Elmira in 1875, aged eighty seven years. He reared four sons, of whom Casper S. was the third. Casper S. Decker, after receiving a common school education, began the study of medicine in Delaware County when twenty-seven years old, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. City in the class of 1851. He began the practice of medicine in partnership with his preceptor, Dr. Allaben, at Margaretville N. Y., and as thus engaged for five years, when he leased a tannery in Sullivan County and dropped the practice of his profession. In 1860 with his brother David, he built the Wellsburg tannery they continued as partners until 1863, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Decker removed to Elmira. In 1867 he again engaged in the tanning business this time with his present partner Edward H. Palmer. He was president of the bridge commission which built the iron bridges at Main and Lake streets, and was appointed a commissioner of the Reformatory by Governor Dix to instigate the original commission on building that institution, He also served as supervisor for two terms representing the First ward of Elmira, and was one of the sewer commissioners of the city. In politics he is a Democrat Mr. Decker married, in Ulster County in 1853, Miss Euphemnia B Simpson, by whom he has one son, Casper G: born in Sullivan County in 1860. - He engaged with tanning with his father. Than superintendent of the plant. He is a school commissioner and one of the managers of the Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital. The tanning business of Palmer & Decker was founded by Edward H. Palmer and Stephen McDonald in 1848, who began the work in a small way, grinding bark by horse power and tanning probably 4,000 sides of rough leather per year. In 1850 the tannery burned, but was rebuilt in larger form and operated by steam. Mr. McDonald retired in 1867 and Mr. Decker soon came in as a partner. The new firm began tanning Union soul leather.

Decker, Jacob, father of Jacob J. was born in Messe, Darmstadt, Germany, April 3,1830. In 1853 he came to America and located on Elmira. He is by occupation a blacksmith. He married Caroline Sohlosser of Elmira, and they have had five children. of whom one daughter died when four years of age and four survive, viz; Jacob. J., Charles R. George, and Carrie. Jacob J. was born in Elmira Feb. 21, 1866. Jan. 29, 1889 he married Lizzie oldest daughter of john and Eliza Friend, by whom had has one daughter Mable a. born Nov. 19, 1890.

Deister, Michael, was born in Hesse-Darmartsd, Germany, May 10, 1842, In 1866 he came to the United States, locating in Elmira, and worked first as a. gardener and as a butcher thirteen years for one firm. December 22, 1868, he married Catherine Hotchenberger, of Blossburg, Pa., by whom he had nine children, of whom one son, William, died aged eighteen and eight survive, viz: Mary, born in 1871; Kattie and Sophia (twins), born in 1872, John born in 1874; - Mena, born in 1876; Henry, born in 1878; Charles, born in 1880; and Edward born in 1882. Mr. Deister conducts a restaurant on East Water street.

Demarest, John Henry, was born in Catskill, Greene County, N. Y., and by occupation was a lumber merchant. He married Eliza Elmendorf, of that place, and they had ten children, of whom one died in infancy; the others are Woodman. William E., Emeline C., Sarah M., Henry 0., Daniel R., John L., Mary G., and Anna. Woodman Demarest was born June 18, 1831. May 10; 1885, the family came to Elmira. Mr. Demarest in early life followed his father’s business, but later became a farmer, in which occupation he is now engaged. He was married twice, first, May 1 1856 Gertrude F., Goodenough, of New York City, who died Nov. 30, 1860. For his second wife He married, March 21, 1865, Arline L. Lewis, of Elmira, by whom he has one son, Mark W born May 17, 1868, who is a stenographer. September 22, 1891, Mark W. married Minnie H. Banks, of Elmira. Mr. Demarest resides in the city of Elmira.

Denton, Edgar was born in Ulster County, N. Y., May 11, 1855 and in 1870 settled in Elmira, where he finished his education and at the age of twenty one years began The attorney of law in the office of the late John Murdoch. He was admitted to practice in May, -1879, and soon afterward formed a-partnership with his preceptor a business that continued until the death of the latter in 1882. His wife, to whom he was married in Massachusetts in 1881, was Miss Bidwell they have three children.

Denton, Julius S. born in Corning, December 19, 1849 was educated in public schools. Since December 1886, he has been in the employ of the Elmira, Cortland, and Northern Railroad Company in the general freight agent’s office. His father, Seymour F Denton, was born in Orange County and married Lucretia Morse, by whom he had four children, only two of whom survive Samuel and Julius. Seymour F Denton was appointed. collector of internal revenue of this district by President Lincoln. S. B. Denton; grandfather, of Julius S, came to Elmira in 1850 and was identified with the growth and. prosperity.

Deyo, Charles W., was born at Bellows Fall, Vt., March 11, 1853. Became with his parents to Western New. York when six months old, and was educated in the schools of Candaigua. At the age of sixteen be entered the employ of the Northern Central Railroad Company (April 1, 1869) until on July 19; 1888, he was, promoted engineer. - - He married, February 14, 1882, Lizzie B, oldest daughter of James C. and Flora B. Putnam, of Elmira. Their three children are, William, born December 8, 1883 Cameron, born June 4, 1886 and Mabel W, born January 19, 1888. The family has resided in Elmira seventeenth years. Charles, father of Charles W was horn at Kinderhook, May 28, 1815. He married Charlotte Haywood, who was born in Kent county England. They have nine children as follows; two of who died young and Mary E., Sarah L., Charles W, Anna J., Hattie J., charlotte H, and Malissa A.

Diven, George M. A. M. attorney and counselor at law, born in Allegany County N Y. in 1835, He is a son of Gen A S Diven (q, v.). Mr. Diven was graduated from Hamilton College. 1857. He began the study of law while at college, finished it in the office of Diven, Hathaway & Woods, and was admitted in 1860. He began practice in the office of his preceptor and has since devoted his time and energies to the requirements of his profession. His son, Eugene, is superintendent of the La France Fire Engine Company; second son is a student at Yale; a third is at Lehigh college fellow of the University; and a fourth is preparing for college.

Dockstader, Otis, was born in Tioga Co. NY Sept. 1, 1851, and is a son of Henry P. Dockstader, a farmer who died in Tioga County when Otis was twelve years old. The latter was educated at the Wellsboro Academy, and Michigan University Academy, and graduated from. the Cook Academy at Havana in 1877. Mr. Dockstader came to Elmira 1881. Mr. Dockstader married, in Moreland, N, and Y. in 1875, Olive Kelly, and have two daughters and two sons. They are Baptist in religion.

Drake, Emery G., was born at Granville, Bradford, and County Pa. Aug. 26, 1846. He received education at the State Normal School at Mansfield and in the study of medicine when about seventeen years of age He spent the years and 1883 at Bellevue and was graduated on Long Island College Hospital; In Feb. 1890 he located in Elmira. Dr. Drake is a member of the various local medical societies of the Lycoming Pa. Medical Association of the Knights of honor and surgeon to the Delaware Lackawanna and Western RR at Elmira. He was married at Mansfield Pa. in 1874 to the daughter of L. R Decker, and has three children.

Drake Leon H. was born at Milton, Vt., September 13, 1843, and is a son of C. L. Drake who died in Vermont in 1875, having reared seven sons, three of whom are in the West and three in New York State, all engaged in business. He received an academicals education in Vermont and was in school. at the opening of the war. He entered at Milton July 1862, in Company A, Thirteenth Vermont Infantry, as a private. He served about a year and was in the battle of Gettysburg. Returning to Vermont September following he went to Iowa, where in the spring of 1864 he raised Company A, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, went out as first lieutenant, and served about five months. Returning he was in business in Vermont two years, and went again to Iowa, where he lived seven years; thence to Chicago for one and one-half years, whence he went to Arnot, Pa., and then to Elmira in 1879, after a business experience of about thirteen years. He has been in the coal and wholesale grocery business. In November 1889, he bought the Elmira steam flouring-mill, which has a capacity of 150 barrels a day. It runs to its full capacity and employs ten or twelve men. Mr. Drake has also a dairy farm in Chemung County, and a cattle ranch in Kansas of 2,240 acres, a fenced and stocked with 400 head of cattle, from which are sold from 75 to 100 head early. He is a member Of Baldwin Post. He married, in Vermont, October 8, 1867 Mary E. Warner. She died in July 1887, leaving four children. He married, second, in July 1888, Alida McClave, and they have one child.

Drake, George E. born in Elmira, N. Y., August 25, 1853, had the privileges of the schools of this city. February 3, 1871, he began work for the Northern Company Railroad Company as brakeman. January 21, 1 873, he was promoted to the position of freight conductor and in August 1886, he became conductor of a passenger train. December 30, 1875, occurred his marriage, with Isabel S., oldest daughter of Moses and Jane Seeley, formerly of Orange County, N. Y., by whom he has six children, viz: Winnie B., Bernice A., Kate G., Harry L Frank. and Frederick. Mr. Drake’s father James H., was born in Reading, Schuyler County, N. Y., November 1816, and came to Elmira 1840. and entered the service of the Elmira Railroad Company (now The Northern Central) In 1851, and was in their employ until 1877, most of the time as conductor. He was twice married, first, to Mary Lane of Essex, Co. NJ. by whom he had one son George E. James H. Drake was a member to the Baptist church of Elmira for 51 yrs. and died Dec. 27, 1890, His mother was a member of the same church forty years and died Jan. 1, 1891.

Drake, John C. was born in Maryland, August 11,1819. in 1845 he entered the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, and late; in 1864, the Northern Central Railroad Company at Baltimore. He has been foreman in the car Department since 1850. October 20, 1871, he came to Elmira from Baltimore, continuing in the old position here. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Skinner whom he Married March 4, 1844 and by whom he had two children, Joseph and Charles. He married second Mrs. Sybil Wilbur, daughter or Almon Kinyon. Mr. Kenyon was at the time of his death one of the oldest settlers in Chemung county, from small boy to the age of eighty-four years residing he the same land now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dyott. They had one son living, John C., jr., born December 12, 1874. Mr. Dyotts father Aaron was born in Maryland about 1768. He married Annie Simpson, of Delaware by whom he had nine children, viz.: Betsey, Thomas, Nancy, William, Rebecca; Mary John C Aaron, and James.

Easterbrook, William N. was born in Scranton, Pa., March 25, 1847. and attended the local schools until sixteen years of age. In September 1868. he married Viola G., only daughter of Luther N. and Sarah Murdock, of Elmira, and they have one daughter, Alice I. Sylvanus Easterbrook, father of William N Was born in Bradford Co. Pa. in 1818, and married Lucy J. Newberry, of Troy Pa by whom he had two children, of whom ones deceased Mr. Easterbrook was the originator of the Chemung Valley Mutual Association with was organized in 1877, and is the vice president. He is president of the Elmira Co. Savings and Loan association, which was formed about 1887. He conceived the idea of the Elmira Building Company Building Co. being now one of the directors, and is a director of the Second National Bank a trustee of the Masonic Temple, and a member of the Century Club. He is the vice president and manager of the NY and Pa. Telephone and Telegraph Co. and the Elmira Exchange, having a been opened for business Feb. 1, 1880. under his direction and management A more extended history of the local telephone interests with found and other pages of this volume.

Easton James D., M.D., was born in Elmira, August 5, 1852. He prepared for college in the graded schools, read medicine & term in Seneca Falls, and was graduated from the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio, class of ‘76. After two years practice in Seneca Falls, one year-with his old preceptor, he located in Elmira and has since remained in this city. Dr. Easton is a member of the Southern Tier Homeopathic Association and the Chemung Homeopathic Society, the medical examiner for the Independent Order of Red Men the Equitable Aid Union, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and the Railroad Switchmen’s Brotherhood, and he held for a term of years the position of city-physician. - He was married in Elmira, NY 1878 to Miss Clara A. Kenfield and they have three children. Mrs. Easton is an accomplished organist and one of Elmira leading soprano singers.

Edminister George W., attorney at law, was born in Big Flats, April 23, 1866, a son William Edminster, successful farmer and businessman of Chemung County. After thorough preparatory training the Elmira Free Academy and In the office of the Hon. G. L. Smith young Edminster entered Columbia College. and was graduated as LL.B. in the class of ‘89. He was admitted to the bar in May of the same year. In New York city he was made accident attorney for the Manhattan Elevated Railway Company and had a large general practice until August 1890, when he located in Elmira, and in November following formed a co-partnership with H. D. Wilcox Mr.
Mr. Edminister thoroughly equipped his profession.

Eustace, Joseph P. a prominent attorney at law and assistant paymaster general of the state of NY. was born in Troy NY Feb. 12, 1860. He graduated from Elmira Free Academy and began the study of law was the son of Christopher Eustace. HE began the study of law with his brother Alexander C. when about nineteen years being admitted to the bar at Syracuse in 1889, He was the deputy clerk from 1882 to 1884, being in the county Clerk’s office in all about four years. He in a Democrat. HE was a member of the 13th Separate Co. and was promoted to the ranks of lieutenant Colonel and assistant paymaster. being commissioned as such in 1886 by Gov. Hill.

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