Location: Putnam County NY

Biography of Joseph C. Merritt

Posted by Dennis | Dec 29, 2011 | Kansas, New York |

Joseph C. Merritt, chairman of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chanute, the largest financial institution in Neosho County, is a pioneer Kansan. He came to Iola in 1871, and for a number of years was engaged in the cattle business. His home had been in Chanute since 1878. For more than thirty years, until he sold out in 1909, Mr. Merritt conducted a hardware store at the corner of East Main and Harlan Avenue. As successful merchant, it was only natural that he should participate in other business affairs in the city, and he early became identified as a director with the First National Bank, served as its president five years, and since 1912 had been president of its board of directors. The other officers of this bank are: A. N. Allen, president; D. N. Kennedy, vice president; W. F. Allen, cashier. The bank had a capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $20,000. For twenty-five years the modern bank building had stood at the corner of East Main Street and Lincoln Avenue. The Merritt family from which Joseph C. Merritt is descended came over from England to New York in Colonial days. His father, Joseph Merritt, was born in New York State, in 1784, spent most of his life on a farm in Putnam County, New York, and died at Patterson in that...

Laura Jane Todd Bailey of Naperville IL

Posted by Dennis | Oct 24, 2011 | Genealogy, Illinois, New York |

BAILEY, Laura Jane Todd7, (Uel6, Oliver5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 9, 1809, died Jan. 31, 1887, married Feb. 15, 1826, Lyman Bailey, who was born April 29, 1803, died Jan. 2, 1882. He was a farmer and drover. They lived in Carmel, N. Y., thence they moved to Napierville, Ill. Children: I. Sarah Jane, b. Dec. 2, 1826, d. Jan. 23, 1850, m. April 29, 1846, Samuel B. Morse, who d. in 1885. Issue: (1) Anna, b. Aug. 7, 1849, d. Feb. 19, 1850. II. Gilbert Uel, b. March 15, 1828. III. Laura Mead, b. Nov. 23, 1829, d. May 30, 1878. IV. Julia, b. Oct. 3, 1831, d. Sept. 1898. V. Calista, b. July 14, 1833. VI. Chauncey, b. Aug. 17,...

George Thompson Todd of Aberdeen SD

Posted by Dennis | Oct 24, 2011 | Connecticut, Genealogy, New York, South Dakota, Wisconsin |

George Thompson Todd7, (Eli6, Jonah5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Sept. 6, 1810, in New Milford, Conn., died Feb. 10, 1897, in Aberdeen, South Dak., married first, June 27, 1844, Mary A. Winchell, who was born Feb. 8, 1817, died Dec. 29, 1850. He married second, Corolie Chamberlain, who was born April 28, 1824. She is now (1914) living in Minneapolis. Mr. Todd was reared at New Milford, Conn.; took a college course at Yale University, then a course at Yale Law School. Shortly before completing the latter, he decided to change from the study of the law to the study for the ministry; accordingly, he left the Law School, entered the Andover Theological Seminary, and after a partial course there, he went to the Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated from there in 1834; ordained by the Presbytery of Bedford, in 1838. From 1838, to 1855, he held Presbyterian pastorates in New York State; Gilead Church at Carmel, N. Y., from 1835-44; Balston Spa, 1845-47; Smithfield Church, City, 1847-55. After a ministry in the Presbyterian Churches of nearly twenty years, severe illness left him with permanently impaired health and he retired from the active ministry, but later learned to use copies of the Scriptures prepared for the blind. He lived on a small farm near Fond Du Lac, Wis., from 1891 to 1893, thence he removed to Aberdeen, South...

Walker Todd of Carmel NY

Posted by Dennis | Oct 24, 2011 | Genealogy, New York |

Walker Todd7, (Eli6, Jonah5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) died in 1840, married Sally Ann Smith, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. She married second, March 15, 1881,(???)Lassiter. He graduated from Yale in 1810; was a lawyer and senator to state legislature. He lived in Carmel, N. Y. Children: *1435. William Merwin. 1436. Israel. *1437. Mary. *1438. Henry B. 1439. Charles A., lived in New York, N. Y. *1440. Sophie. *1441. Alexander, lived in Cal. 1442. Sarah Ann.,...

Biography of Charles P. Hayt

Posted by Dennis | Oct 7, 2011 | California, Nevada, New York |

Charles P. Hayt is the senior partner of the firm of Hayt & Klinefelter, proprietors of the well-known Fashion Stables of Riverside. These stables are located on the corner of Main and Seventh streets. Their stock of horses, carriages, etc., are not excelled by any in Riverside, or even by any in the county. Of the seventy-five horses owned by the firm, thirty-five or forty are used in their livery business. They are the proprietors of the City Cab and Hack Service in Riverside. Mr. Hayt is among the well-known businessmen of the city. He came to Riverside in October 1879, without capital other than good, sound business principles, untiring energy and industrious habits. In connection with his father, W. A. Hayt, he started a meat market on Main Street and successfully conducted the same until the next year. He then purchased the old adobe livery stable on the corner of Market and Eighth streets. He was also associated with his father in this enterprise. Their stock at that time consisted of three Cayuse horses and two wagons, but their energy and business principles won the day, and they rapidly increased their stock and business until they led all competitors and built up one of the largest livery enterprises in Riverside. In 1880 they purchased from H. W. Robinson his stage and express line from Riverside to Colton, and...

Biography of Edwin Caldwell

Posted by Dennis | Oct 2, 2011 | California, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Wisconsin |

Edwin Caldwell, of Riverside, was born in Putnam County, New York, September 13, 1824. His father, Absalom Caldwell, was a native of that State, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Caldwell was reared upon his father’s farm, and educated in the public schools. In 1846, deciding to seek his home in the great west, he went to Wisconsin, and located in Washington County, establishing his residence in the town of West Bend. There, in partnership with his brother, he built saw and flour mills, and was prominent in building up the pioneer industries of that section. The California gold fever claimed him as a victim, and in 1849 he joined the army of gold seekers, and crossed the plains. Upon his arrival in California he located in the mining districts, and for a year or more endured the hardships and discomforts of a miner’s life. In 1851, having met with moderate success, he returned via the Isthmus route to his Wisconsin home, and engaged in his old pursuits In 1856 he sold out his business interests in Wisconsin, and transferred the scene of his operations to St. Paul, Minnesota. There he engaged in a brokerage and commission business. The year 1861 again found Mr. Caldwell seeking the Pacific coast, and in that year he located at Gold Hill, Nevada, and again engaged in mining. While there he was superintendent...

Biography of William A. Hayt

Posted by Dennis | Sep 20, 2011 | California, Minnesota, Nevada, New York |

There is no man more deserving of mention among the representative citizens of Riverside than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch; nor is there a man in the community who has done more to promote the growth of the city than he. He is always alive to its interests, and his name is generally the first among the subscribers to any enterprise that is conducive to the welfare and prosperity of the community. Such facts as have been gathered regarding his life are of interest. Mr. Hayt was born in Putnam County, New York, in 1832. His father, Harry Hayt, was a native of that State and a descendant of an old colonial family. He was a farmer, miller and merchant, well and favorably known in Putnam County. The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education until the age of fourteen years. At this age his speculative and trading disposition rendered the humdrum life on a farm insupportable, and he entered the store of his brother as a clerk. In 1852 his father died, and the next year, upon reaching his majority, Mr. Hayt purchased from his father’s estate the mills, store, and other enterprises, and was successfully conducting them when the floods of 1855 swept away his dams and flumes and wrecked his mills. The losses were more than lie could support and he was...

Hoffman, James A. – Obituary

Posted by Dennis | Jun 13, 2011 | California, New York, Oregon |

Baker City, Oregon James A. Hoffman, 68, of Baker City, died May 7, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 12 at 2 p.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel. Visitations will be Friday until 8 p.m. James was born Aug. 12, 1934, in Sunnybrook, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffman. In 1978 he moved to Sacramento, Calif. Eleven years later, in 1989, he married Elsie Phillips at Sacramento. Survivors include his wife Elsie; two children, A.J. Hoffman and Elizabeth Derenches; one step-son, Sam Jones, and three grandchildren, Kimberly, J.J., and Amber Derenches, all of California. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814. Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 9, 2003 Transcribed by: Belva...

Biographical Sketch of Clark Ferguson

Posted by Dennis | Jun 10, 2011 | California, Idaho, Kansas, New York, Washington |

CLARK FERGUSON. – This gentleman was born in Putnam county, New York, October 13, 1835, and lived at his birthplace until the age of twenty. In April, 1855, he came with his brother Yates via the Nicaragua route to the land of gold, arriving in San Francisco in May. After two years of life in California, he returned to his Eastern home, but one year later again came west via the overland route. On reaching Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and receiving the intelligence of the Mormon troubles, he located in that place, remaining two years. He then came to the mines of Pike’s Peak, but not being very successful in his operations, entered the government employment as wagon-master on trains billed to New Mexico, continuing in that service three years. After a time spent in the mines of Idaho, he came to Washington Territory and joined his brother, Honorable E.C. Ferguson, at Snohomish, and makes that flourishing city his home, owning a large amount of valuable real estate...